Isolation of a point mutation associated with altered expression of the CmeABC efflux pump in a multidrug-resistant Campylobacter jejuni population of poultry origin.

The objective of this study was to investigate the antibiotic resistance phenotype of Campylobacter jejuni isolates from a poultry flock of broiler production in Spain. Isolates were characterised by RFLP-PCR of the flaA gene and multilocus sequence typing. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of quinolones, aminoglycosides, β-lactams, tetracyclines, phenicols, macrolides and lincosamides were determined by Etest.

Development of three multiplex PCR assays targeting the 21 most clinically relevant serogroups associated with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli infection in humans.

Escherichia coli serogroups O5, O15, O26, O45, O55, O76, O91, O103, O104, O111, O113, O118, O121, O123, O128, O145, O146, O157, O165, O172, and O177 are the O-antigen forms of the most clinically relevant Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) serotypes. In this study, three multiplex PCR assays able to specifically detect these 21 serogroups were developed and validated.

[Application of restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction-flaA and resistotype to identify potential undiagnosed outbreaks of campylobacteriosis in Spain].

Introduction: Outbreaks of campylobacteriosis are infrequent and usually involve a low number of patients, although it is estimated that many more remain undiagnosed. The most successful techniques for outbreak investigation in Campylobacter spp. (PFGE, MLST) have the drawback of being laborious and not available in many laboratories.

Salmonella spp. and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli prevalence in an ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus) research center in Spain.

The aim of this work was to study the epidemiological status of Salmonella spp. and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) in an ocellated lizard research center focusing on the risk and hygiene aspects. Fecal and environmental samples were collected and examined for Salmonella spp.

[Molecular characterization of the strain causing a shigellosis outbreak in a Madrid school].

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe a Shigella sonnei outbreak in a school.

Method: An epidemiological inquiry was performed. Stool samples from 5 patients were cultured.

Blind comparison of traditional serotyping with three multiplex PCRs for the identification of Salmonella serotypes.

Salmonella serotypes are defined on the basis of somatic (O) antigens which define the serogroup and flagellar (H) factor antigens, both of which are present in the cell wall of Salmonella. Most Salmonella organisms alternatively express phase-1 or phase-2 flagellar antigens encoded by fliC and fljB genes, respectively. Our group previously published two multiplex PCRs for distinguishing the most common first- and second-phase antigens.

[Description of an outbreak of Campylobacter jejuni gastroenteritis and molecular characterization of the implicated strain].

Introduction: The aim of this study is to describe an outbreak of diarrhea caused by Campylobacter jejuni in a primary school.

Methods: Stool samples from five patients were cultured. Molecular typing of the isolated strains was performed using PCR-RFLP-flaA, PFGE and MLST.

[Serotype and phage type distribution of human Salmonella strains isolated in Spain, 1997-2001].

Introduction: Salmonellosis is one of the most frequent causes of gastroenteritis in Spain. Serotyping is the gold standard epidemiological marker for subdividing Salmonella spp. strains.