Identification and Morphological Characterization of Biofilms Formed by Strains Causing Infection in Orthopedic Implants.

For a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in biofilm formation, we performed a broad identification and characterization of the strains affecting implants by evaluating the morphology of biofilms formed in vitro in correlation with tests of the strains' antibiotic susceptibility in planktonic form. The ability of the strains to form biofilms in vitro was evaluated by means of colony forming units counting, metabolic activity tests of biofilm cells, and scanning electron microscopy. A total of 140 strains were isolated from patients with orthopedic implant-related infections during the period of 2015 to 2018.

Antibiotic resistance of blood cultures in regional and tertiary hospital settings of Tyrol, Austria (2006-2015): Impacts & trends.

Blood stream infections rank among the top seven causes of death of the general population. The aim of our study was to better understand the epidemiology of BSI in order to improve diagnostics and patient outcome. We used retrospective aggregated laboratory data of blood samples received from all public hospitals in Tyrol, Austria between 2006 and 2015.

The impact of bacteremia on lipoprotein concentrations and patient's outcome: a retrospective analysis.

Bacteremia is a major clinical challenge requiring early treatment. Metabolic alterations occur during bacteremia, and accordingly plasma concentrations of lipoproteins LDL-C and HDL-C are substantially changed. We questioned whether bacteremia with Gram-negative versus Gram-positive bacteria causes contrasting changes of lipoprotein levels in order to differentiate between the 2-g stain types and if there is a relation with outcome parameters namely ICU-admission, 30-day mortality, duration of hospitalization.

Lyophilized allogeneic bone tissue as an antibiotic carrier.

The rising number of primary joint replacements worldwide causes an increase of revision surgery of endoprostheses due bacterial infection. Revision surgery using non-cemented implants seems beneficial for the long-term outcome and the use of antibiotic-impregnated bone grafts might control the infection and give a good support for the implant. In this study we evaluated the release of antibiotics from fresh-frozen and lyophilized allogeneic bone grafts.

Antibiotic-loaded calcium carbonate/calcium sulfate granules as co-adjuvant for bone grafting.

In this study HERAFILL(®) granules containing gentamicin was evaluated as a bone void filling material once mixed with allograft bone grafts. The efficacy of the bone grafts mixed with HERAFILL(®) was measured by drug release tests and bacterial susceptibility using Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus. The effect of storage at -80 °C on the delivery and efficacy of gentamicin from bone grafts mixed with HERAFILL(®) was also investigated.

Influence of poly-N-acetylglucosamine in the extracellular matrix on N-chlorotaurine mediated killing of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

N-chlorotaurine (NCT) has recently been shown to have bactericidal activity against bacterial biofilm on metal discs (Coraca-Huber et al., 2014). In a biofilm, Staphylococcus epidermidis polymerizes poly-N-acetylglucosamine (PNAG) to form an extracellular matrix (ECM).

Calcium carbonate powder containing gentamicin for mixing with bone grafts.

Bone grafts are used for reconstructing bone defects caused by implant-associated complications, trauma, and tumors. Surgery with bone allografts is complex and time consuming; therefore, it is prone to a higher infection rate (2.0%-2.

Effect of freezing on the release rate of gentamicin palmitate and gentamicin sulfate from bone tissue.

In this study we evaluated gentamicin palmitate salt and gentamicin sulfate salt mixed with bone chips after storage at -80°C. Different concentration rates of gentamicin sulfate and gentamicin palmitate were mixed with human bone chips and stored for 1-6 months at -80°C. Nonstored samples were used as control.

Bactericidal activity of N-chlorotaurine against biofilm-forming bacteria grown on metal disks.

Many orthopedic surgeons consider surgical irrigation and debridement with prosthesis retention as a treatment option for postoperative infections. Usually, saline solution with no added antimicrobial agent is used for irrigation. We investigated the activity of N-chlorotaurine (NCT) against various biofilm-forming bacteria in vitro and thereby gained significant information on its usability as a soluble and well-tolerated active chlorine compound in orthopedic surgery.

Efficacy of antibacterial bioactive glass S53P4 against S. aureus biofilms grown on titanium discs in vitro.

We evaluated the effectiveness of different sizes of bioactive glass S53P4 against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms grown on metal discs in vitro. S. aureus biofilms were cultivated on titanium discs.

Gentamicin palmitate as a new antibiotic formulation for mixing with bone tissue and local release.

During surgery with bone grafting, the impaction of bone tissue creates an avascular area where local circulation is disrupted. If infections arise, they may prevent systemically administered antibiotics from reaching the infected bone. In this study we evaluated gentamicin palmitate (GP) mixed with gentamicin sulfate (GS) as a coating for bone chips (BCh).

Sepsis otopathy: experimental sepsis leads to significant hearing impairment due to apoptosis and glutamate excitotoxicity in murine cochlea.

Hearing loss is frequent in intensive care patients and can be due to several causes. However, sepsis has not been examined as a possible cause. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of experimental sepsis on hearing thresholds and to evaluate pathological changes in the cochlea.

Rapid detection of bloodstream pathogens by real-time PCR in patients with sepsis.

Rapid detection of bloodstream infections is an important issue for a better patient outcome. The aim of our study was thus to evaluate the LightCycler SeptiFast assay for diagnosis of bloodstream pathogens in a tertiary hospital in Western Austria. The 71 blood samples of 61 patients with presumed sepsis were investigated and compared with conventional blood culture system results.

Evaluation of MBEC™-HTP biofilm model for studies of implant associated infections.

The bacteria in implant-related infections can evade host defenses by forming biofilms. The more we understand biofilm behavior, the better we can fight against then clinically. In vitro models for biofilms allow tests simulating in vivo conditions.

Enhanced activity of linezolid against Staphylococcus aureus in cerebrospinal fluid.

Linezolid is considered for treatment of central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria. Therefore, the influence of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on the antimicrobial activity of linezolid was evaluated in vitro. Time-kill curves were conducted in CSF and Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) using Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 29213) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (ATCC 12228) strains.

Cerebrospinal fluid impairs antimicrobial activity of fosfomycin in vitro.

Objectives: Fosfomycin penetrates well into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and is considered for treatment of infections of the central nervous system (CNS). This study evaluated the influence of human CSF on the antimicrobial activity of fosfomycin.

Methods: Time-kill curves were performed in Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) and in pooled human CSF using fosfomycin concentrations ranging from 0.

Streptococcus milleri group isolates from blood cultures: consider surgical sepsis.

Background: Streptococcus milleri group bacteria (SMG) frequently are involved in purulent infections, often resulting in abscess formation with a high recurrence rate. Blood stream infections with these organisms are infrequent.

Patients And Methods: Review of epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of SMG-related bacteremia.

Multiple-dose pharmacokinetics of telithromycin in peripheral soft tissues.

Based on clinicians' expectations of high concentrations of telithromycin (TEL) in tissues, combined with its excellent in vitro antimicrobial characteristics, TEL is casually considered as a potential therapeutic option for the therapy of minor cases of soft tissue or bite-wound infections. To clarify this clinically important issue, the present investigation was carried out to measure the pharmacokinetic profile of TEL in the interstitial space fluid (ISF) of skeletal muscle and subcutaneous adipose tissue by means of the microdialysis technique in 10 healthy subjects following repetitive daily doses of 800 mg TEL. These data were compared with free concentrations of TEL determined in plasma.

Activities of antifungal agents against yeasts and filamentous fungi: assessment according to the methodology of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing.

We compared the activities of antifungal agents against a wide range of yeasts and filamentous fungi. The methodology of the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) for yeasts and spore-forming molds was applied; and a total of 349 clinical isolates of Candida spp., other yeast species, Aspergillus spp.

Antimicrobial activity of cefepime and rifampicin in cerebrospinal fluid in vitro.

Objectives: Though used for infections of the central nervous system, the pharmacodynamics of antimicrobial agents is commonly evaluated only in commercially available bacterial growth media. In the present study, the effects of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) on bacterial killing by cefepime and rifampicin were investigated.

Methods: CSF was collected from patients who did not receive antibiotics.

Plasma protein binding of fluoroquinolones affects antimicrobial activity.

Objectives: In contrast to most antimicrobial classes, there is a doubt about the impact of protein binding (PB) on the antimicrobial activity of fluoroquinolones. We set out to evaluate the suitability of previously used models for investigating the influence of PB on bacterial killing by fluoroquinolones.

Methods: PB of moxifloxacin and trovafloxacin was determined in Mueller-Hinton broth (MHB) containing different concentrations of human serum or albumin.

Febrile urinary tract infection in children: ampicillin and trimethoprim insufficient as empirical mono-therapy.

The aim of this study was to characterize the pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibilities in defined groups of children (total number 694) with urinary tract infection (UTI) regarding age, first UTI (FUTI) or recurrent UTI (RUTI), renal abnormalities or vesico-ureteric reflux (VUR) in order to optimize empirical antibiotic therapy and prophylaxis. In patients aged between 1 month and 24 months with a first febrile UTI (FUTI; n = 205) the leading pathogen was Escherichia coli (E. coli) (83.

Acute nosocomial urinary tract infection in children.

The spectrum and antimicrobial susceptibilities of pathogens causing acute nosocomial urinary tract infection in hospitalized pediatric patients were revealed to be heterogeneous. Therefore, to avoid the failure of empirical antimicrobial therapy in these patients, underlying disease and previous antimicrobial treatment have to be considered.

Enterocolitis due to simultaneous infection with rotavirus and Clostridium difficile in adult and pediatric solid organ transplantation.

Diarrhea is a well-known complication of immunosuppression but is also frequently caused by pathogens such as Clostridium difficile (CD) and rotavirus (RV). Three adult and five pediatric solid organ recipients (SORs) developed diarrhea with simultaneous identification of CD and RV. Rotavirus was identified using an immunochromatografic- or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; CD was identified using a rapid immunoassay or enzyme immunoassay.