Rapid molecular epidemiology investigations into two recent measles outbreaks in Israel detected from October 2023 to January 2024.

Between late 2023 and early 2024, two measles outbreaks occurred in Israel, each caused by importation of measles virus strains of respective B3 and D8 genotypes. In this study, we validate transmission pathways uncovered by epidemiological investigations using a rapid molecular approach, based on complete measles virus genomes. The presented findings support this rapid molecular approach in complementing conventional contact tracing and highlight its potential for informing public health interventions.

Efficacy of an Enrichment Media for Increasing Threshold for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Screening.

Background: Identification of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is complex and a major laboratory challenge; clinical cultures may diagnose only some of the CRE carriers among patients, thus it is crucial to perform asymptomatic carriage screening.

Materials And Methods:  We compare the efficacy of a rectal sample culture prior to enrichment with BHI (Brain Heart Infusion) Broth and following 18-24 h. All rectal samples were applied on CHROMagar KPC selective growth media and then seeded on MacConkey agar selective growth media with an applied disk of Imipenem antibiotic on top of the media, then inserted into enrichment BHI Broth.

Detection and characterization of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in wounded Syrian patients admitted to hospitals in northern Israel.

Since 2013, four hospitals in northern Israel have been providing care for Syrian nationals, primarily those wounded in the ongoing civil war. We analyzed carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) isolates obtained from these patients. Isolate identification was performed using the VITEK 2 system.

Catheter-associated candiduria: Risk factors, medical interventions, and antifungal susceptibility.

Background: Catheter-associated candiduria is a common clinical finding in hospitalized patients, especially in the intensive care unit. The objective of this study was to obtain demographic and clinical data regarding the prevalence of Candida spp in catheterized in-patients and the medical interventions provided to these patients in a northern Israeli hospital between 2011 and 2013.

Methods: Isolation and identification of microorganisms were performed on 1,408 urine culture samples 48 hours after catheter insertion.