Phenotypic detection of carbapenem-susceptible metallo-beta-lactamase-producing gram-negative bacilli in the clinical laboratory.

Rapid detection of metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing gram-negative pathogens is critical to prevent their widespread dissemination. Thus far, no standardized phenotypic method is available, and previously reported techniques have poor sensitivity for detecting carbapenem-susceptible MBL-carrying isolates, an increasingly described phenomenon. We developed a phenotypic detection method using both a double-disk synergy test and a combined-disk test with imipenem and 292 microg EDTA on one agar plate.

Heteroresistance to colistin in multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant clinical problem worldwide and colistin is being used increasingly as "salvage" therapy. MICs of colistin against A. baumannii indicate its significant activity.

Seroepidemiology of Klebsiella pneumoniae in an Australian Tertiary Hospital and its implications for vaccine development.

The aim of this study was to determine the diversity of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsular serotypes in an Australian setting. Consecutive (n = 293) nonrepetitive isolates of K. pneumoniae from a large teaching hospital laboratory were analyzed.

Rate of nosocomial transmission of vancomycin-resistant enterococci from isolated patients.

To evaluate an isolation policy for patients colonised with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), we instituted active surveillance for transmission to uncolonised patients. Surveillance rectal swabs were taken and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was performed on positive isolates. VRE transmission with an identical genotype occurred in 5 patients, giving a transmission rate of 3.