Publications by authors named "Karmen Godic-Torkar"

Aims: Childcare facilities act as microenvironments that facilitate and promote the selection, spread and transmission of antibiotic-resistant micro-organisms in the community. We focused on the study of antimicrobial resistance and genetic predispositions for β-lactamase production in bacterial isolates from nursery teachers' clothing.

Methods And Results: Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial strains belonging to Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcus, Staphylococcus spp.

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The diversity of 61 Bacillus cereus strains isolated from different clinical specimens, food including raw milk and milk products, and water was evaluated. PFGE analysis could discriminate 61 distinct pulsotypes with similarity levels from 25 to 82%, which were divided into 13 clonal complexes. The similarity between clonal complexes was at least 40%.

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The aim of this study was to identify and quantify faecal indicator bacteria in blackwater collected from a source separation unit and determine the amount of E. coli isolates resistant to antimicrobials and their potential to produce extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESβLs) and metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs), which hydrolyse the most important antibiotics used in clinical practice. Most of the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin with clavulanic acid (36.

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There is a wide range of factors affecting bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation. However, in both food processing and medical settings, it is very hard to obtain suitably controlled conditions so that the factors that reduce surface colonisation and biofouling can be studied. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of glucose concentration, temperature and stainless steel (SS) surface roughness on biofouling by four common pathogens (, , and ).

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The concentrations of microorganisms, aerosol black carbon and carbon dioxide (CO) in indoor and outdoor air of two kindergartens were investigated during four seasons. The highest mean concentrations of aerobic mesophilic microorganisms in indoor air were detected in spring. and were the most common fungi in all air samples.

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The susceptibility of 66 clinical and environmental B. cereus isolates were tested to selected antimicrobials by a broth microdilution method. All strains were resistant to β-lactams and susceptible to gentamicin and imipenem.

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Bacterial adhesion is a complex process influenced by many factors, including hydrodynamic conditions. They affect the transfer of oxygen, nutrients, and bacterial cells in a water supply and cooling systems. The aim of this study was to identify hydrodynamic effects on bacterial adhesion to and detachment from stainless steel surfaces.

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This study was conducted to determine the bacterial colonization of some bacterial groups, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBLs) producers and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), on surfaces of the equipment and instruments in patient rooms and other workspaces in three different medical wards. The number of microorganisms on swabs was determined with the colony count method on selective microbiological mediums. The aerobic mesophylic microorganisms were found in 73.

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The microbiological quality of bathing water and the surfaces of the surrounding pool platforms of two pools was estimated. ESBL- and MBL-producing Gram-negative bacteria isolated from water and surface samples were also studied. The water samples were satisfactory in 31 (86.

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Bacterial adhesion can be controlled by different material surface properties, such as surface charge, on which we concentrate in our study. We use a silica surface on which poly(allylamine hydrochloride)/sodium poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PAH/PSS) polyelectrolyte multilayers were formed. The corresponding surface roughness and hydrophobicity were determined by atomic force microscopy and tensiometry.

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Background: Vancomycin and ciprofloxacin were often used in the therapy of infections associated with Bacillus cereus.

Methods: Four B. cereus food and clinical isolates were chosen for determination of time-kill curves and postantibiotic effects (PAE) of ciprofloxacin and vancomycin.

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Previous studies found short postantibiotic effect of colistin on Acinetobacter baumannii. Many studies have evaluated the potential for synergy between colistin and other antibiotics against A. baumannii.

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Carbapenems are often the only therapeutic option to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Emergence of carbapenemases in the isolates of Enterobacteriaceae limits therapeutic options. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae have emerged since 2008 throughout Croatia.

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Acinetobacter baumannii is an increasingly common pathogen in healthcare settings globally. It is frequently resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents and there are recent reports on strains that are pandrug resistant. The aim of the study was to characterize the mechanisms of carbapenem resistance of A.

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The adhesion of bacterial cells to various surfaces is based on physical and chemical interactions between the micro-organisms and the surfaces. The main purpose of this research is to determine the effect of material roughness and incubation temperature on the adhesion of bacteria. To determine the adhesion of the bacterial strain of Legionella pneumophila ATCC 33153 to the glass coupons, a spectrophotometric method of measuring the optical density of crystal violet dye that is released from pre-stained bacterial cells attached to the test surface was used.

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Waterborne infections have been shown to be important in outbreaks of gastroenteritis throughout the world. Although improved sanitary conditions are being progressively applied, fecal contaminations remain an emerging problem also in developed countries. The aim of our study was to investigate the prevalence of fecal contaminated water sources in Slovenia, including surface waters and groundwater sources throughout the country.

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