Prevalence and risk factors for haematogenous periprosthetic joint infection during bacteraemia.

Background: bacteraemia (SAB) may lead to periprosthetic joint infections (PJI) haematogenous spread of bacteria to the joint. Due to the risk of PJI, patients with SAB and prosthetic joint are recommended prolonged antibiotic treatment. The aim of the study was to assess the risk of PJI during SAB, and to evaluate if short treatment duration affects outcomes in patients with uncomplicated SAB and prosthetic joints without clinical signs of PJI.

The twin-arginine translocation system is vital for cell adhesion and uptake of iron in the cystic fibrosis pathogen .

is an emerging pathogen that causes airway infections in patients with cystic fibrosis. Knowledge of virulence factors and protein secretion systems in this bacterium is limited. Twin arginine translocation (Tat) is a protein secretion system that transports folded proteins across the inner cell membranes of gram-negative bacteria.

Influenza-associated invasive aspergillosis in patients admitted to the intensive care unit in Sweden: a prospective multicentre cohort study.

Background: The purpose of this study was to prospectively investigate the incidence of influenza-associated pulmonary aspergillosis (IAPA) in influenza patients admitted to intensive care units in Sweden.

Methods: The study included consecutive adult patients with PCR-verified influenza A or B in 12 Swedish intensive care units (ICUs) over four influenza seasons (2019-2023). Patients were screened using serum galactomannan and β-d-glucan tests and fungal culture of a respiratory sample at inclusion and weekly during the ICU stay.

Exoproducts of the Most Common Species in Cystic Fibrosis Evoke Similar Inflammatory Responses .

is a genus of Gram-negative rods, which can cause persistent airway infections in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The knowledge about virulence and clinical implications of is still limited, and it is not fully established whether infections contribute to disease progression or if it is a marker of poor lung function. The most commonly reported species in CF is A.

Biofilm formation is associated with poor outcome in prosthetic joint infections caused by .

Background: has been described as a pathogen of increasing importance in prosthetic joint infections (PJI). Our aim was to describe the clinical presentation of PJI caused by , and to correlate the biofilm-forming ability of the bacterial isolates to clinical outcome.

Method: isolates from PJI episodes during 2015-2019 were included and analysed for biofilm formation using a microtiter plate assay.

Persistent Aspergillus fumigatus infection in cystic fibrosis: impact on lung function and role of treatment of asymptomatic colonization-a registry-based case-control study.

Background: Aspergillus fumigatus is the most common filamentous fungus isolated from the airways of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). The aim of this study was to investigate how chronic A. fumigatus colonization affects lung function in people with CF, to identify risk factors for colonization, and to evaluate antifungal treatment of asymptomatic Aspergillus colonization.

Treatment outcome with penicillin G or cloxacillin in penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a retrospective cohort study.

An increasing proportion of penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (PSSA) has been reported over the last years. The aim of this retrospective study was to compare penicillin G with cloxacillin in the treatment of PSSA bloodstream infections. The primary outcome was the mortality rate after 90 days and the secondary outcome was the development of treatment complications of varying severity.

Genomic and Phenotypic Evolution of Achromobacter xylosoxidans during Chronic Airway Infections of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis.

Bacterial pathogens evolve during chronic colonization of the human host by selection for pathoadaptive mutations. One of the emerging and understudied bacterial species causing chronic airway infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) is Achromobacter xylosoxidans. It can establish chronic infections in patients with CF, but the genetic and phenotypic changes associated with adaptation during these infections are not completely understood.

Divergent airway microbiomes in lung transplant recipients with or without pulmonary infection.

Background: Lung transplant (LTx) recipients are at increased risk for airway infections, but the cause of infection is often difficult to establish with traditional culture-based techniques. The objectives of the study was to compare the airway microbiome in LTx patients with and without ongoing airway infection and identify differences in their microbiome composition.

Methods: LTx recipients were prospectively followed with bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) during the first year after transplantation.

Endocarditis due to Staphylococcus lugdunensis-a retrospective national registry-based study.

We present characteristics of infective endocarditis (IE) caused by Staphylococcus lugdunensis and compare with IE caused by Staphylococcus aureus and other CoNS, in the National Swedish Registry of IE (2008-2018). Thirty episodes of S. lugdunensis IE were registered, of which 21 cases affected native valves, and 7 patients were subjected to surgery.

Efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299 and 299v against nosocomial oropharyngeal pathogens in vitro and as an oral prophylactic treatment in a randomized, controlled clinical trial.

Background: Disturbance in the oropharyngeal microbiota is common in hospitalized patients and contributes to the development of nosocomial pneumonia. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 299 and 299v (Lp299 and Lp299v) are probiotic bacteria with beneficial effects on the human microbiome.

Aim: To investigate how Lp299 and Lp299v affect the growth of nosocomial oropharyngeal pathogens in vitro and to evaluate the efficacy in vivo when these probiotics are administered prophylactically in hospitalized patients.

Activity of airway antimicrobial peptides against cystic fibrosis pathogens.

Antimicrobial peptides are important players of the innate host defence against invading microorganisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the activity of airway antimicrobial peptides against the common cystic fibrosis (CF) pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and to compare it to the emerging multi-drug resistant CF pathogens Achromobacter xylosoxidans and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Clinical bacterial isolates from CF patients were used, and the antimicrobial activity of human beta-defensin 2 and 3, LL37 and lysozyme was evaluated using radial diffusion assay and viable counts.

BPI-ANCA is expressed in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients and correlates to platelet numbers and Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization.

Background: Autoantibodies to bactericidal/permeability-increasing protein (BPI), BPI-ANCA, are often present in serum of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), and correlate to airway colonization with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The aim of the study was to investigate if BPI-ANCA IgA is also present in the airways of CF patients, and if its presence correlates with neutrophil counts, platelets, and P. aeruginosa DNA in sputum.

Morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients with invasive group A streptococcus infection: an observational study.

Background: Group A streptococci (GAS) are known to cause serious invasive infections, but little is known about outcomes when patients with these infections are admitted to intensive care. We wanted to describe critically ill patients with severe sepsis or septic shock due to invasive GAS (iGAS) and compare them with other patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Methods: Adult patients admitted to a general intensive care unit (ICU) in Sweden (2007-2019) were screened for severe sepsis or septic shock according to Sepsis 2 definition.

Commercial albumin solution enhances endotoxin-induced vasoplegia and inflammation.

Background: The Gram-negative bacterium Escherichia coli, commonly involved in severe sepsis and septic shock, shed endotoxin that upon detection by the host triggers an inflammatory cascade. Efficiency of albumin solutions to restore hypovolemia during sepsis has been debated. To aid identification of subgroups of sepsis patients that may respond positively or negatively to treatment with albumin we investigated if preparations of albumin for medical use could affect endotoxin-induced inflammatory response.

Evaluation of penicillin G susceptibility testing methods for Staphylococcus lugdunensis.

Background: Staphylococcus lugdunensis belongs to the CoNS group, but is regarded to be more virulent than most other CoNS. It is also remarkably susceptible to antibiotics, including penicillin G.

Objectives: To evaluate different methods for penicillin susceptibility testing, to assess penicillin susceptibility rates among S.

Microbiological findings in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid from lung transplant patients in Sweden.

Background: Lung transplant patients experience a high risk of airway infections and microbial colonization of the lung due to constant exposure to the environment through inhaled microorganisms, denervation, reduced ciliary transport, and decreased cough.

Methods: In this nationwide prospective study on Swedish lung transplant patients, we evaluated the microbiological panorama of bacteria, fungi, and virus found in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) obtained the first year after lung transplantation (LTx). Differences in microbiological findings depending of concomitant signs of infection and background factors were assessed.

Streptococcal M1 protein induces hyporesponsiveness and cytokine release from human arteries in a fibrinogen-dependent manner: a translational study.

Background: Streptococcus pyogenes is a Gram positive bacterial species commonly involved in sepsis. Invasive strains express virulence factors such as the M1 protein. M1 protein forms complexes with fibrinogen leading to a cytokine storm in plasma contributing to the development of septic shock and organ failure.

Heparin-binding protein in sputum as a marker of pulmonary inflammation, lung function, and bacterial load in children with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with bacterial pulmonary infections and neutrophil-dominated inflammation in the airways. The aim of this study was to evaluate the neutrophil-derived protein Heparin-binding protein (HBP) as a potential sputum marker of airway inflammation and bacterial load.

Methods: Nineteen CF patients, aged 6-18 years, were prospectively followed for 6 months with sputum sampling at every visit to the CF clinic.

Heparin-binding protein, lysozyme, and inflammatory cytokines in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid as diagnostic tools for pulmonary infection in lung transplanted patients.

Pulmonary infection is a common complication after lung transplantation, and early detection is crucial for outcome. However, the condition can be clinically difficult to diagnose and to distinguish from rejection. The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate heparin-binding protein (HBP), lysozyme, and the cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) as potential biomarkers for pulmonary infection in lung-transplanted patients.

Urine concentrations of human beta-defensins and ribonuclease 7 in urinary tract infection and asymptomatic bacteriuria.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) provide a first line of defense against bacterial infections. Here we report that urine levels of AMPs, locally produced in the urinary tract, are lower in individuals with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) compared to patients with urinary tract infection (UTI).

Penicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus: susceptibility testing, resistance rates and outcome of infection.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus (SA) is an important human pathogen that causes both superficial and invasive infections. Penicillin is now rarely used in the treatment of SA infections due to widespread resistance and a concern about the accuracy of existing methods for penicillin susceptibility testing. The aims of the present study were to determine the frequency of penicillin-susceptible SA isolates from blood and wound cultures in Lund, Sweden, and to evaluate methods for penicillin testing in SA.

Distinguishing asymptomatic bacteriuria from urinary tract infection in the elderly - the use of urine levels of heparin-binding protein and interleukin-6.

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) is highly prevalent among elderly patients. It can be difficult to distinguish ABU from symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) in this population, which leads to unnecessary antibiotic treatment. Urinary heparin-binding protein (U-HBP) and urinary interleukin-6 (U-IL-6) have previously been studied as diagnostic markers for UTI.

Hypoxia down-regulates expression of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor in bronchial epithelial cells via TGF-β1.

Background: Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is a protein with anti-protease and antimicrobial properties that is constitutively secreted from the airway epithelium. The importance of maintaining a balance between proteases and anti-proteases, and robust innate defence mechanisms in the airways, is exemplified by inflammatory lung conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and cystic fibrosis (CF). Both conditions present with a high protease burden in the airways which leads to tissue destruction.

Heparin-binding protein: a diagnostic biomarker of urinary tract infection in adults.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are associated with significant morbidity and high frequency of antibiotic prescription. Diagnosing UTI is often difficult, particularly in the critically ill patient and in patients with unspecific and mild symptoms. The standard rapid tests have limited value, and there is a need for more reliable diagnostic tools.