Decrease in vancomycin MICs and prevalence of hGISA in MRSA and MSSA isolates from a German pediatric tertiary care center.

Purpose: Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to vancomycin includes a general increase of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) within the susceptible range over time (Vancomycin MIC Creep) and the presence of a subset of the bacterial population that expresses resistance (heterogeneous glycopeptide-intermediate S. aureus; hGISA). Increased MICs have been associated with adverse clinical outcomes.

Epidemiological and genetic characteristics of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates in a University Children's Hospital in Germany: 2019 to 2020.

Background: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) strains are one of the most important pathogens causing nosocomial infections in Germany. Due to limited treatment options and an increased risk for acquisition in immunocompromised children, surveillance to monitor occurrence of VREfm in paediatric clinical facilities is of critical importance. Following an unusual accumulation of VREfm positive patients between April 2019 and August 2020 at Dr.

The rising of old foes: impact of lockdown periods on "non-SARS-CoV-2" viral respiratory and gastrointestinal infections.

Background: During COVID-19-related public health non-pharmaceutical prevention measures, such as social distancing, lockdown periods and use of face masks, a decrease in viral respiratory and gastroenterological infections was observed worldwide. Following discontinuation of preventative measures, a potential increase of respective infections outside of their usual seasons was a matter of concern.

Method: We aimed to illustrate annual distribution of confirmed viral infections between 2017 and 2021 based on 32,506 clinical samples in a German pediatric tertiary care center and to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the epidemiology of these infections in children.

Feasibility and Diagnostic Accuracy of Saliva-Based SARS-CoV-2 Screening in Educational Settings and Children Aged <12 Years.

Children have been disproportionately affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to assess a saliva-based algorithm for SARS-CoV-2 testing to be used in schools and childcare institutions under pandemic conditions. A weekly SARS-CoV-2 sentinel study in primary schools, kindergartens, and childcare facilities was conducted over a 12-week-period.

Blood culture sampling rate in hospitalised children as a quality indicator for diagnostic stewardship.

Purpose: Recommendations regarding the optimal number of blood cultures in children are not available. The aim of this article is to describe the correlation between blood culture (BC) rates and laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection (LCBSI) rates, on different paediatric wards of a tertiary-care centre in Germany.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in a paediatric university hospital, from 1st January to 31st December 2018.

Comparison of antibiotic and acyclovir usage before and after the implementation of an on-site FilmArray meningitis/encephalitis panel in an academic tertiary pediatric hospital: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Prompt initiation of empiric therapy is common practice in case of suspected meningitis or encephalitis. However, in children the most common pathogens are viruses that usually do not require and are not covered by the applied anti-infective treatment. Novel multiplex PCR (mPCR) panels provide rapid on-site diagnostic testing for a variety of pathogens.

Patterns of antimicrobial consumption in neonatal and pediatric intensive care units in Germany and Brazil.

Antibiotic consumption (AC) is a key component of antimicrobial stewardship programs to recognize local patterns of antibiotic use. Our aim was to measure AC in neonatal units, including neonatal (NICU)/paediatric (PICU) intensive care units in different countries. We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, cohort study in three NICUs, one neonatal ward, and three PICUs with a total of 84 beds.

Evaluation of the multiplex PCR based assay Unyvero implant and tissue infection application for pathogen and antibiotic resistance gene detection in children and neonates.

Background: Skin and soft tissue infections have a high disease burden in children. The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria over the last decades has heavily influenced hospitalization rates, morbidity and mortality. In addition, with increased survival rates in neonatology and oncology, health-care associated infections are more frequently encountered.

Assessment of the multiplex PCR-based assay Unyvero pneumonia application for detection of bacterial pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes in children and neonates.

Background: Pneumonia is a major healthcare problem. Rapid pathogen identification is critical, but often delayed due to the duration of culturing. Early, broad antibacterial therapy might lead to false-negative culture findings and eventually to the development of antibiotic resistances.

Isolation of highly active monoclonal antibodies against multiresistant gram-positive bacteria.

Multiresistant nosocomial pathogens often cause life-threatening infections that are sometimes untreatable with currently available antibiotics. Staphylococci and enterococci are the predominant Gram-positive species associated with hospital-acquired infections. These infections often lead to extended hospital stay and excess mortality.