A multicenter study comparing the bacterial reduction on flexible endoscopes without a working channel between UV-C light disinfection versus standard endoscope Washer Disinfection: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: To prevent cross-contamination between patients, adequate reprocessing is necessary when using flexible endoscopes (FEs) without a working channel. The current reprocessing process using an Endoscope Washer Disinfector (EWD) is time-consuming. Ultraviolet light group C (UV-C) exposition is an alternative and fast disinfection method and has previously been shown to adequately reduce Colony Forming Units (CFUs) on FEs without a working channel.

Impact of reduced antibiotic treatment duration on antimicrobial resistance in critically ill patients in the randomized controlled SAPS-trial.

Background: In the previously reported SAPS trial (https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01139489), procalcitonin-guidance safely reduced the duration of antibiotic treatment in critically ill patients. We assessed the impact of shorter antibiotic treatment on antimicrobial resistance development in SAPS patients.

A prospective multicentre screening study on multidrug-resistant organisms in intensive care units in the Dutch-German cross-border region, 2017 to 2018: the importance of healthcare structures.

BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance poses a risk for healthcare, both in the community and hospitals. The spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) occurs mostly on a local and regional level, following movement of patients, but also occurs across national borders.AimThe aim of this observational study was to determine the prevalence of MDROs in a European cross-border region to understand differences and improve infection prevention based on real-time routine data and workflows.

Culture results from wound biopsy versus wound swab: does it matter for the assessment of wound infection?

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether assessment of wound infection differs when culture results from wound biopsy versus wound swab are available in clinical practice.

Methods: For 180 eligible patients, a swab and biopsy were taken from one wound during a regular appointment at a wound care facility in eastern Netherlands. Culture results from both methods were supplemented with clinical information and provided to a panel of six experts who independently assessed each wound as infect or not, separately for swab and biopsy.

Wound swab and wound biopsy yield similar culture results.

The question remains whether wound swabs yield similar culture results to the traditional gold standard, biopsies. Swabs are not invasive and easy to perform. However, they are believed to capture microorganisms from the surface rather than microorganisms that have invaded tissue.

Impact of single room design on the spread of multi-drug resistant bacteria in an intensive care unit.

Background: Cross-transmission of nosocomial pathogens occurs frequently in intensive care units (ICU). The aim of this study was to investigate whether the introduction of a single room policy resulted in a decrease in transmission of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in an ICU.

Methods: We performed a retrospective study covering two periods: between January 2002 and April 2009 (old-ICU) and between May 2009 and March 2013 (new-ICU, single-room).

Low Caspofungin Exposure in Patients in Intensive Care Units.

In critically ill patients, drug exposure may be influenced by altered drug distribution and clearance. Earlier studies showed that the variability in caspofungin exposure was high in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The primary objective of this study was to determine if the standard dose of caspofungin resulted in adequate exposure in critically ill patients.

Transcriptional responses of PBMC in psychosocially stressed animals indicate an alerting of the immune system in female but not in castrated male pigs.

Background: Brain and immune system are linked in a bi-directional manner. To date, it remained largely unknown why immune components become suppressed, enhanced, or remain unaffected in relation to psychosocial stress. Therefore, we mixed unfamiliar pigs with different levels of aggressiveness.

Hepatic expression patterns in psychosocially high-stressed pigs suggest mechanisms following allostatic principles.

Psychosocial challenges are known to introduce cellular and humoral adaptations in various tissues and organs, including parts of the sympatho-adrenal-medullary system and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis as well as other peripheral tissue being responsive to cortisol and catecholamines. The liver is of particular interest given its vital roles in maintaining homeostasis and health as well as regulating nutrient utilization and overall metabolism. We aimed to evaluate whether and how response to psychosocial stress is reflected by physiological molecular pathways in liver tissue.

Prediction of pork quality with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS): 1. Feasibility and robustness of NIRS measurements at laboratory scale.

The objective was to study prediction of pork quality by near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) technology in the laboratory. A total of 131 commercial pork loin samples were measured with NIRS. Predictive equations were developed for drip loss %, colour L*, a*, b* and pH ultimate (pHu).

Prediction of pork quality with near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) 2. Feasibility and robustness of NIRS measurements under production plant conditions.

Longissimus dorsi samples (685) collected at four processing plants were used to develop prediction equations for meat quality with near infrared spectroscopy. Equations with R(2)>0.70 and residual prediction deviation (RPD)≥2.

Differential mRNA expression of genes in the porcine adrenal gland associated with psychosocial stress.

To gain insight into the adrenal stress response, we analysed differential mRNA expression of genes associated with psychosocial stress in the pig (Sus scrofa domestica). Various levels of psychosocial stress were induced by mixing groups of unfamiliar pigs with different aggressiveness. We selected two experimental groups for comparison, each comprising eight animals, which differed significantly in aggressive behaviour and plasma cortisol levels.

Association of HPA axis-related genetic variation with stress reactivity and aggressive behaviour in pigs.

Background: Stress, elicited for example by aggressive interactions, has negative effects on various biological functions including immune defence, reproduction, growth, and, in livestock, on product quality. Stress response and aggressiveness are mutually interrelated and show large interindividual variation, partly attributable to genetic factors. In the pig little is known about the molecular-genetic background of the variation in stress responsiveness and aggressiveness.

Pigs' aggressive temperament affects pre-slaughter mixing aggression, stress and meat quality.

Pre-slaughter stress has a negative impact on animal welfare and on meat quality. Aggressive behaviour when pigs are mixed together for transportation to, or on arrival at, the abattoir is an important factor in pre-slaughter stress. Aggressiveness of pigs varies between individuals in the population, and this study investigated its effects on stress and meat quality at slaughter.

Relationships between biochemical characteristics and meat quality of Longissimus thoracis and Semimembranosus muscles in five porcine lines.

Five porcine genetic lines which represent a high proportion of European pig production were fully characterized for meat quality parameters and muscle biochemical characteristics (Longissimus thoracis, LT, and Semimembranosus, SM). The line characterisation was based on 100 animals each representing Large White, Landrace, Duroc, Piétrain (Halothane negative) and Meishan (a Meishan/Large White crossbred line) prevalent genetic backgrounds. Different meat quality parameters (pH 45min, pH ultimate, electrical conductivity, and colour measurements), as well as muscle water holding capacity, muscle metabolic and contractile traits, fibre type, size and frequencies were measured and their relationships studied.

Improved detection of circulating Aspergillus antigen by use of a modified pretreatment procedure.

Detection of circulating galactofuranose (galf) antigens, including galactomannan (GM), by the Platelia Aspergillus (PA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) is an important tool in the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA). We used a modified pretreatment technique (MT) on consecutive negative PA ELISA plasma samples from IA patients in order to improve the detection of the fungal components present. Plasma samples (52) were collected from healthy donors, and 174 plasma samples with a galactomannan index (GMI) below 0.

Optimization of the cutoff value for the Aspergillus double-sandwich enzyme immunoassay.

Background: Many health care centers worldwide use the Platelia Aspergillus enzyme immunoassay (PA-EIA; Bio-Rad Laboratories) for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA). A cutoff optical density (OD) index of 1.5 was originally recommended by the manufacturer, but in practice, most institutions use lower cutoff values.

Paradoxical increase in circulating Aspergillus antigen during treatment with caspofungin in a patient with pulmonary aspergillosis.

A paradoxical increase in circulating Aspergillus antigen was observed during treatment with caspofungin in a patient with proven invasive aspergillosis. With the exception of treatment with the echinocandin, no other factors were found that might explain this clinical observation, which was supported by experiments done in vitro.

Primary hepatic invasive aspergillosis with progression after rituximab therapy for a post transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder.

We present a case of primary hepatic and possible splenic invasive aspergillosis (IA), which progressed under anti-CD20 B cell treatment for posttransplantation lymphoproliferative disease following allogeneic stem cell transplantation, to highlight the clinical value of a positive galactomannan-antigen test, an intestinal portal of entry of Aspergillus, and the detrimental effect of B lymphocyte depletion in IA.

Legionella pneumophila in commercial bottled mineral water.

Sixty-eight commercial bottled mineral waters (64 brands, 68 different 'best-before dates') were tested for the presence of bacteria and fungi. Six samples were Legionella antigen positive and six were Legionella pneumophila PCR positive. Two samples were both Legionella antigen and L.

Bifidobacterial lipoglycan as a new cause for false-positive platelia Aspergillus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay reactivity.

We previously hypothesized that a lipoglycan of Bifidobacterium bifidum subsp. pennsylvanicum cross-reacts with the Platelia Aspergillus (PA) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) based on the presence of galactofuranosyl epitopes in the cell wall (M. A.

Quality pork genes and meat production.

Functional genomics, including analysis of the transcriptome and proteome, provides new opportunities for understanding the molecular processes in muscle and how these influence its conversion to meat. The Quality Pork Genes project was established to identify genes associated with variation in different aspects of raw material (muscle) quality and to then develop genetic tools that could be utilized to improve this quality. DNA polymorphisms identified in the porcine PRKAG3 and CAST genes illustrate the impact that such tools can have in improving meat quality.

Successful treatment of Fusarium keratitis with cornea transplantation and topical and systemic voriconazole.

A case of invasive Fusarium keratitis in a previously healthy male patient was treated successfully with cornea transplantation and systemic and topical voriconazole after treatment failure with topical amphotericin B and systemic itraconazole. Topical voriconazole was well tolerated, and, in conjunction with the oral administration, it resulted in a high level of the drug in the anterior chamber of the eye (which was 160% of the plasma drug level).

Utility of Aspergillus antigen detection in specimens other than serum specimens.

The detection of circulating galactomannan in serum is an important tool for the early diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Platelia Aspergillus; BioRad) was shown to be both highly sensitive and specific for detection of galactomannan in serum samples. Despite the fact that this assay is validated for serum samples, specimens of other body fluids are increasingly used for detection of galactomannan, including urine, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and cerebrospinal fluid.