Molecular Characterization of Enterococcus faecium Clinical Isolates Harbouring erm (T) from an Italian Hospital.

The presence of erm(T) gene conferring resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLS), was screened in 296 enterococci collected from clinical samples in a central Italy hospital and seven Enterococcus faecium isolates resulted positive to erm(T) by PCR. All isolates were resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin but susceptible to vancomycin and chloramphenicol. Whole Genome Sequencing analysis revealed that in five E.

Genetic analysis of vancomycin-variable Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates in Italy.

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence of vancomycin-variable enterococci (VVE) in a hospital in central Italy.

Methods: vanA positive but vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium isolates (VVE-S) were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility tests, molecular typing (PFGE and MLST), and WGS approach. The reversion of VVE-S to a resistant phenotype was assessed by exposure to increasing vancomycin concentrations, and the revertant isolates were used in filter mating experiments.

Genomic Analysis of a Linezolid-Resistant Causing Bacteremia: Report from a University Hospital in Central Italy.

Although coagulase negative staphylococci are rarely associated with complicated diseases, in some cases they cause life-threatening infections. Here we described a clinical case of a bacteremia due to a methicillin- and linezolid-resistant in a patient previously treated with linezolid. Whole genome sequencing revealed the common mutation G2576T in all rDNA 23S alleles and several acquired resistance genes.

Detecting Carbapenemases in Animal and Food Samples by Droplet Digital PCR.

Background: The presence of carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB) in animal hosts and along the food chain may result in the development of reservoirs for human infections. Several CPB strains isolated from animals have been reported, suggesting that transmission and dissemination of the corresponding genes between humans and animals may occur. Animal and food samples have complex backgrounds that hinder the detection of CPB present in low concentrations by standard detection procedures.

Clinical and microbiological features of ceftolozane/tazobactam-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates in a university hospital in central Italy.

Objectives: Ceftolozane/tazobactam (C/T) is a novel cephalosporin and β-lactamase inhibitor combination with great activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To assess P. aeruginosa susceptibility to C/T, a surveillance study was conducted from October 2018 to March 2019 at the University Hospital 'Ospedali Riuniti' in Ancona, Italy.

Correction: Morroni et al. Antimicrobial Activity of Aztreonam in Combination with Old and New β-Lactamase Inhibitors against MBL and ESBL Co-Producing Gram-Negative Clinical Isolates: Possible Options for the Treatment of Complicated Infections. 2021, , 1341.

Results have been implemented with additional data, which have been commented in the following paragraphs [...

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Novel Cinnamic Acid-Based Antimicrobials.

The main antimicrobial resistance (AMR) nosocomial strains (ESKAPE pathogens such as , , , , , and spp.) are the most widespread bacteria in cutaneous infections. In this work we report the synthesis, in silico skin permeability prediction, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and wound healing properties of novel cinnamic acid-based antimicrobials () as novel antibacterial drugs for the treatment of ESKAPE-related skin infections.

Linezolid-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum isolate of swine origin carrying cfr, optrA and poxtA genes.

Objectives: To characterize a linezolid-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum isolate of porcine origin co-carrying cfr, optrA and poxtA genes.

Methods: The genome was sequenced using the Illumina and Nanopore platforms. The presence of circular intermediates was examined by inverse PCR.

Antimicrobial Activity of Aztreonam in Combination with Old and New β-Lactamase Inhibitors against MBL and ESBL Co-Producing Gram-Negative Clinical Isolates: Possible Options for the Treatment of Complicated Infections.

Metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) are among the most challenging bacterial enzymes to overcome. Aztreonam (ATM) is the only β-lactam not hydrolyzed by MBLs but is often inactivated by co-produced extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL). We assessed the activity of the combination of ATM with old and new β-lactamases inhibitors (BLIs) against MBL and ESBL co-producing Gram-negative clinical isolates.

Characterization and Clonal Diffusion of Ceftaroline Non-Susceptible MRSA in Two Hospitals in Central Italy.

Background: Ceftaroline represents a novel fifth-generation cephalosporin to treat infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Methods: Ceftaroline susceptibility of 239 MRSA isolates was assessed by disk diffusion and a MIC test strip following both EUCAST and CLSI guidelines. Non-susceptible isolates were epidemiologically characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, spa typing, and multilocus sequence typing, and further investigated by PCR and whole genome sequencing to detect penicillin-binding protein (PBP) mutations as well as antibiotic resistance and virulence genes.

High prevalence of carbapenem-resistant ST307 recovered from fecal samples in an Italian hospital.

This study reports the characterization of carbapenem-resistant colonizing strains of . 650 stool samples were screened for carbapenem-resistant (CR-Kp). All strains were characterized for antibiotic susceptibility, typing features, main carbapenemases and extended-spectrum ß-lactamases.

First IncHI2 Plasmid Carrying , , and Double Copies of in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Human Isolate.

We report a novel IncHI2 plasmid coharboring , two copies of , and resistance genes in a human Escherichia coli isolate of the new serogroup O188. The gene was included in a class 1 integron, in a cassette bracketed by IS and ΔIS1R, and in two copies within a new composite Tn-like transposon. The emergence of carbapenem and colistin resistance genes in a single plasmid is of great concern for upcoming clinical therapies.

Synergistic effect of antimicrobial peptide LL-37 and colistin combination against multidrug-resistant isolates.

The global spread of antibiotic resistance represents a serious threat for public health. We evaluated the efficacy of the antimicrobial peptide LL-37 as antimicrobial agent against multidrug-resistant . LL-37 showed good activity against -1 carrying, extended spectrum β-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC, from 16 to 64 mg/l).

Testing Surgical Face Masks in an Emergency Context: The Experience of Italian Laboratories during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis.

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a broader use of masks by both professionals and the general population. This resulted in a severe worldwide shortage of devices and the need to increase import and activate production of safe and effective surgical masks at the national level. In order to support the demand for testing surgical masks in the Italian context, Universities provided their contribution by setting up laboratories for testing mask performance before releasing products into the national market.

Human leptospirosis in the Marche region: Over 10 years of surveillance.

We conducted a 10 years' retrospective study in 347 symptomatic individuals to assess the regional distribution of leptospirosis. A total of 173 individuals were diagnosed positive (49.8%): 11.

Increase and diversity of carbapenemase-producing isolates, Italy.

This study reports on a surveillance in an Italian hospital focused on carbapenemase-producing (CP-Ec). Eighteen isolates (nine from clinical specimens and nine from rectal swab) were characterized for antibiotic susceptibilities, typing features, main carbapenemase, extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) and other genes, and their transferability by conjugation and transformation. An increase in CP-Ec isolates was observed during 3-year surveillance period.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from bloodstream infections in a tertiary referral center in Italy.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSI) due to Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) have become an important problem and they are associated with a high mortality rate. The aim of our study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of KPC-Kp from BSIs.

Carvacrol prodrugs as novel antimicrobial agents.

Carvacrol (CAR), a natural monoterpene particularly abundant in plants belonging to the Lamiaceae family, has recently attracted much attention for its many biological properties (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antitumour, antibacterial, and several others). However, CAR has poor chemical-physical properties (low water solubility and high volatility), which hamper its potential pharmacological uses. In this paper, the synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of 23 carvacrol derivatives (WSCP1-23) against a panel of selected gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria are reported.

High Rate of Ceftobiprole Resistance among Clinical Methicillin-Resistant Isolates from a Hospital in Central Italy.

Ceftobiprole is a fifth-generation cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant (MRSA). One-year surveillance at the Regional Hospital of Ancona (Italy) disclosed a 12% ceftobiprole resistance rate (12/102 isolates; MIC, ≥4 mg/liter). Epidemiological characterization demonstrated that the resistant isolates all belonged to different clones.

Characterization of a Multiresistance Plasmid Carrying the and Resistance Genes From an Clinical Isolate.

E35048, a bloodstream isolate from Italy, was the first strain where the oxazolidinone resistance gene was detected outside China. The strain was also positive for the oxazolidinone resistance gene . WGS analysis revealed that the two genes were linked (23.

Comparison of the Antimicrobial Activities of Four Honeys From Three Countries (New Zealand, Cuba, and Kenya).

Skin and chronic wound infections are an increasing and urgent health problem worldwide. Their management is difficult and the development of antibiotic resistance by both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria necessitates the use of alternative treatments. The purpose of this study was to compare the antimicrobial activity of four honeys from different floral and geographical origins: honey (Cuba) and three honeys [Manuka honey (New Zealand), honey (Cuba), and African honey (Kenya)].