Outbreak of associated with contamination of saline products distributed internationally, the United Kingdom, 2024.

We describe an outbreak of in the United Kingdom, with isolates genetically indistinguishable from a 2023 Australian outbreak linked to internationally distributed saline solutions. Confirmed cases (n = 3) had bacteraemia, clinically relevant infection, indwelling venous lines and frequent healthcare contact. Multi-stakeholder intervention was required including product recall and risk communications.

Identification of strains that express a -like capsular polysaccharide.

and are Gram-negative, soil-dwelling bacteria that are found in a wide variety of environmental niches. While is the causative agent of melioidosis in humans and animals, members of the complex typically only cause disease in immunocompromised hosts. In this study, we report the identification of strains isolated from either patients or soil in Laos and Thailand that express a -like 6-deoxyheptan capsular polysaccharide (CPS).

When is Burkholderia cepacia complex truly eradicated in adults with cystic fibrosis? A 20-year follow up study.

Background: Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) infection in cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Current UK guidance recommends segregation of people with CF according to infection status. To date there is no universally agreed consensus on the number of negative samples or time interval since last isolation of BCC for eradication to be deemed successful.

Investigating Pseudomonas aeruginosa population structure and frequency of cross-infection in UK cystic fibrosis clinics - a reference laboratory perspective.

Background: We aimed to describe the UK Pseudomonas aeruginosa population structure amongst people with cystic fibrosis (PWCF), and to examine evidence for cross-infection.

Methods: Variable Number Tandem Repeat (VNTR) typing was performed on 4640 isolates from 2619 PWCF received from 55 hospital laboratories between 2017 and 2019. A combination of whole genome sequence (WGS)-based analysis of four clusters from one hospital, and epidemiological analysis of shared strains in twelve hospitals evaluated cross-infection.

Toxic temperatures: Bee behaviours exhibit divergent pesticide toxicity relationships with warming.

Climate change and agricultural intensification are exposing insect pollinators to temperature extremes and increasing pesticide usage. Yet, we lack good quantification of how temperature modulates the sublethal effects of pesticides on behaviours vital for fitness and pollination performance. Consequently, we are uncertain if warming decreases or increases the severity of different pesticide impacts, and whether separate behaviours vary in the direction of response.

Polymyxin Resistance and Heteroresistance Are Common in Clinical Isolates of Species and Correlate with Modifications of the Lipid A Moiety of Lipopolysaccharide.

The genus includes opportunistic pathogens that can cause chronic infections in immunocompromised patients, especially in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Treatment of infections is complicated by antimicrobial resistance. In this study, a collection of clinical isolates, from CF and non-CF sources, was investigated for polymyxin B (PmB) resistance.

Intravenous or oral antibiotic treatment in adults and children with cystic fibrosis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection: the TORPEDO-CF RCT.

Background: People with cystic fibrosis are susceptible to pulmonary infection with . This may become chronic and lead to increased mortality and morbidity. If treatment is commenced promptly, infection may be eradicated through prolonged antibiotic treatment.

Melioidosis Manifesting as Chronic Femoral Osteomyelitis in Patient from Ghana.

A 33-year-old man from Ghana who had diabetes had chronic osteomyelitis of the femoral shaft develop. Tissue samples from surgical debridement grew Burkholderia pseudomallei. He received meropenem, followed by oral trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline, and fully recovered without complications.

Variability in Bacteriophage and Antibiotic Sensitivity in Serial Isolates from Cystic Fibrosis Airway Cultures over 12 Months.

Antibiotic treatment for (Pa) in cystic fibrosis is limited in efficacy and may lead to multi-drug resistance (MDR). Alternatives such as bacteriophages are being explored but well designed, and controlled trials are crucial. The rational selection of patients with bacteriophage susceptible infections is required for both safety and efficacy monitoring.

Transmission, adaptation and geographical spread of the Liverpool epidemic strain.

The Liverpool epidemic strain (LES) is an important transmissible clonal lineage of that chronically infects the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Previous studies have focused on the genomics of the LES in a limited number of isolates, mostly from one CF centre in the UK, and from studies highlighting identification of the LES in Canada. Here we significantly extend the current LES genome database by genome sequencing 91 isolates from multiple CF centres across the UK, and we describe the comparative genomics of this large collection of LES isolates from the UK and Canada.

Intravenous versus oral antibiotics for eradication of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis (TORPEDO-CF): a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Chronic pulmonary infection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in cystic fibrosis. If antibiotics are commenced promptly, infection can be eradicated. The aim of the trial was to compare the effectiveness and safety of intravenous ceftazidime and tobramycin versus oral ciprofloxacin in the eradication of P aeruginosa.

Structured surveillance of Achromobacter, Pandoraea and Ralstonia species from patients in England with cystic fibrosis.

A structured survey of the cystic fibrosis pathogens Achromobacter, Pandoraea and Ralstonia species from thirteen sentinel hospitals throughout England was undertaken by Public Health England. One isolate per patient of these genera collected from CF patients during the seven-month survey period in 2015 was requested from participating hospitals. Species-level identification was performed using nrdA/gyrB sequence cluster analysis, and genotyping by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.

Investigation of a Pandoraea apista cluster common to adult and paediatric cystic fibrosis patients attending two hospitals in the same city.

Purpose: We examined evidence for transmission of Pandorea apista among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients attending paediatric and adult services in one city who had previously been found to harbour related isolates by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).

Methodology: The whole-genome sequences of 18 isolates from this cluster from 15 CF patients were examined, along with 2 cluster isolates from 2 other centres. The annotated sequence of one of these, Pa14367, was examined for virulence factors and antibiotic resistance-associated genes in comparison with data from a 'non-cluster' isolate, Pa16226.

Pesticide exposure affects flight dynamics and reduces flight endurance in bumblebees.

The emergence of agricultural land use change creates a number of challenges that insect pollinators, such as eusocial bees, must overcome. Resultant fragmentation and loss of suitable foraging habitats, combined with pesticide exposure, may increase demands on foraging, specifically the ability to collect or reach sufficient resources under such stress. Understanding effects that pesticides have on flight performance is therefore vital if we are to assess colony success in these changing landscapes.

Monitoring Wellness, Training Load, and Running Performance During a Major International Female Field Hockey Tournament.

McGuinness, McMahon, G, A, Malone, S, Kenna, D, Passmore, D, and Collins, K. Monitoring wellness, training load, and running performance during a major international female field hockey tournament. J Strength Cond Res 34(8): 2312-2320, 2020-The current observational study quantified players' activity profiles during a major international female field hockey tournament and determined whether an association exists between well-being measures and running performance within elite female hockey players.

Absorbable Antibiotic Beads Prophylaxis in Immediate Breast Reconstruction.

Background: Breast reconstruction with tissue expanders is the most common mode of reconstruction following mastectomy. Infection necessitating tissue expander removal is a significant complication leading to patient distress and increased health care costs.

Methods: Over 3 years, 127 breast reconstructions with tissue expanders were performed by a single surgeon.

rpoB gene sequencing highlights the prevalence of an E. miricola cluster over other Elizabethkingia species among UK cystic fibrosis patients.

Difficulties in distinguishing species of the Elizabethkingia genus by MALDI-TOF prompted use of rpoB sequencing to investigate species distribution among 44 isolates from cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. Forty-three isolates from 38 patients formed a cluster comprising E. miricola and proposed novel species E.

Ralstonia infection in cystic fibrosis.

This study aimed to determine prevalence of Ralstonia spp. in cystic fibrosis patients, look for any evidence of cross infection and to describe clinical outcomes for patients infected by Ralstonia spp. Prevalence of Ralstonia spp.

Prevalence of Burkholderia species, including members of Burkholderia cepacia complex, among UK cystic and non-cystic fibrosis patients.

Purpose: We aimed to establish the prevalence of different Burkholderia species among UK cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF patients over a 2 year period.

Methodology: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry was used to identify isolates to genus level, followed by recA/gyrB sequence clustering or species-specific PCR. In all, 1047 Burkholderia isolates were submitted for identification from 361 CF patients and 112 non-CF patients, 25 from the hospital environment and three from a commercial company.

Antagonistic effects of biological invasion and environmental warming on detritus processing in freshwater ecosystems.

Global biodiversity is threatened by multiple anthropogenic stressors but little is known about the combined effects of environmental warming and invasive species on ecosystem functioning. We quantified thermal preferences and then compared leaf-litter processing rates at eight different temperatures (5.0-22.

Clinical utilization of genomics data produced by the international Pseudomonas aeruginosa consortium.

The International Pseudomonas aeruginosa Consortium is sequencing over 1000 genomes and building an analysis pipeline for the study of Pseudomonas genome evolution, antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. Metadata, including genomic and phenotypic data for each isolate of the collection, are available through the International Pseudomonas Consortium Database (http://ipcd.ibis.

An international, multicentre evaluation and description of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in cystic fibrosis.

Background: Several cases of Burkholderia pseudomallei infection in CF have been previously reported. We aimed to identify all cases globally, risk factors for acquisition, clinical consequences, and optimal treatment strategies.

Methods: We performed a literature search to identify all published cases of B.

Use of nrdA gene sequence clustering to estimate the prevalence of different Achromobacter species among Cystic Fibrosis patients in the UK.

Background: We aimed to estimate the prevalence of different Achromobacter species among UK Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients.

Methods: nrdA sequence clustering was used to identify 147 Achromobacter isolates from 96 patients from 27 hospitals to species level. Potential cross-infection was investigated by MLST, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and whole genome sequencing (WGS).

A novel culture medium for isolation of rapidly-growing mycobacteria from the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Isolation of mycobacteria from the sputum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is challenging due to the overgrowth of cultures by other bacteria and fungi. In this setting, Burkholderia cepacia selective agar (BCSA) has been recommended as a convenient and effective culture medium for the isolation of rapidly-growing, non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). A novel selective culture medium (RGM medium) was evaluated for the isolation of rapidly-growing NTM from the sputum of children and adults with CF.

Whole-genome sequencing and epidemiological analysis do not provide evidence for cross-transmission of mycobacterium abscessus in a cohort of pediatric cystic fibrosis patients.

Background: Mycobacterium abscessus has emerged as a major pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and has been associated with poor clinical outcomes, particularly following lung transplant. We investigated the acquisition of this bacterium in a cohort of pediatric CF patients.

Methods: Demographic and patient location data were used to uncover epidemiological links between patients with genetically related strains of M.