Genomic perspective on the bacillus causing paratyphoid B fever.

Paratyphoid B fever (PTB) is caused by an invasive lineage (phylogroup 1, PG1) of Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi B (SPB). However, little was known about the global population structure, geographic distribution, and evolution of this pathogen. Here, we report a whole-genome analysis of 568 historical and contemporary SPB PG1 isolates, obtained globally, between 1898 and 2021.

Longitudinal carriage of antimicrobial resistant Enterobacterales in healthy individuals in Ireland - Assessing the impact of recreational water use on duration of carriage.

The increasing prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-PE) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is a major public health concern worldwide. Despite the associated risk of infection from gut colonisation with a resistant Enterobacterales, the incidence and duration of carriage in healthy individuals is poorly studied. This "persistence study" is the first in Ireland to assess the longitudinal carriage of ESBL-PE and CPE in healthy individuals.

A geographic cluster of healthcare-associated carbapenemase-producing hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 23.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae has typically been associated with invasive, community-associated infections. This study describes the molecular, epidemiological and clinical characteristics of a cluster of carbapenemase-producing hypervirulent K. pneumoniae in the South-East of Ireland.

A Longitudinal Survey of Antibiotic-Resistant Enterobacterales in the Irish Environment, 2019-2020.

The natural environment represents a complex reservoir of antibiotic-resistant bacteria as a consequence of different wastewater discharges including anthropogenic and agricultural. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine sewage and waters across Ireland for the presence of antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales. Samples were collected from the West, East and South of Ireland.

Case of recurrent bacteraemia and PICC (peripherally-inserted central catheter) line infection in an immunocompromised patient.

Background: This report describes recurrent bloodstream and PICC (peripherally-inserted central catheter) line infection in an immunocompromised patient.

Presentation Of Case: A 64-year-old female with acute promyelocytic leukaemia presented during a non-neutropenic febrile episode, and was isolated from multiple PICC and peripheral blood cultures, and from the tip of the line on removal. The patient was treated with meropenem and a new PICC line was inserted after sterile blood cultures.

Dissecting the molecular evolution of fluoroquinolone-resistant Shigella sonnei.

Shigella sonnei increasingly dominates the international epidemiological landscape of shigellosis. Treatment options for S. sonnei are dwindling due to resistance to several key antimicrobials, including the fluoroquinolones.

Genomic Characterization of Listeria monocytogenes Isolates Associated with Clinical Listeriosis and the Food Production Environment in Ireland.

is a major human foodborne pathogen that is prevalent in the natural environment and has a high case fatality rate. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis has emerged as a valuable methodology for the classification of isolates and the identification of virulence islands that may influence infectivity. In this study, WGS was used to provide an insight into 25 isolates from cases of clinical infection in Ireland between 2013 and 2015.

Draft Genome Sequences of 25 Isolates Associated with Human Clinical Listeriosis in Ireland.

is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that is the causative agent of listeriosis. Here, we report the draft genome sequences of 25 strains isolated from patients with clinical listeriosis in the Republic of Ireland between 2013 and 2015.

South Asia as a Reservoir for the Global Spread of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Shigella sonnei: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major issue in the Shigellae, particularly as a specific multidrug-resistant (MDR) lineage of Shigella sonnei (lineage III) is becoming globally dominant. Ciprofloxacin is a recommended treatment for Shigella infections. However, ciprofloxacin-resistant S.

Case study of the use of pulsed field gel electrophoresis in the detection of a food-borne outbreak.

In early July 2008, a cluster of six Salmonella Agona was identified in the Republic of Ireland. A dispersed, common source outbreak was suspected. Later in July a further case was identified and the Health Protection Agency in the UK indicated that they had 32 cases of S.

Comparison of Listeria monocytogenes isolates across the island of Ireland.

Building a comprehensive knowledge base of the association of Listeria monocytogenes isolates across national food chains, clinical cases, and environments can play a key role in helping control the incidence of listeriosis. Today, many food chains cross national borders and are often shared by neighboring countries. This study characterized L.

PFGE analysis of Listeria monocytogenes isolates of clinical, animal, food and environmental origin from Ireland.

Listeria monocytogenes is an important foodborne human pathogen. Human infection is associated with high mortality rates. Epidemiological investigation and molecular subtyping can be useful in linking human illness with specific sources of infection.

Role of subtyping in detecting Salmonella cross contamination in the laboratory.

Background: With the exception of M. tuberculosis, little has been published on the problems of cross-contamination in bacteriology laboratories. We performed a retrospective analysis of subtyping data from the National Salmonella Reference Laboratory (Ireland) from 2000-2007 to identify likely incidents of laboratory cross contamination.

Interpreting streptomycin susceptibility test results for Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

Resistance or susceptibility of Salmonella enterica to streptomycin is widely used as an epidemiological marker. However, there is no clear consensus on the interpretation of streptomycin susceptibility test results. Comparison of results obtained with the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) disk diffusion method, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determined by Etest and streptomycin resistance genotype for 90 isolates of S.

Cost-effective application of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to typing of Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium is frequently isolated from humans and animals. Phage typing is historically the first-line reference typing technique in Europe. It is rapid and convenient for laboratories with appropriate training and experience, and costs of consumables are low.

Salmonella enterica serovar Kedougou contamination of commercially grown mushrooms.

During investigation of an episode of Salmonella enterica serovar Kedougou contamination of mushrooms, multiple closely related isolates were obtained from mushrooms and mushroom-growing materials. Contamination apparently originated from sugar beet lime, an alkaline material used in mushroom growing. No associated cases of human infection were detected.

Antimicrobial resistance and genetic diversity of Shigella sonnei isolates from western Ireland, an area of low incidence of infection.

Shigella sonnei is a significant cause of gastroenteritis in both developing and industrialized countries. Definition of the diversity and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. sonnei isolates may be helpful in the management of individual cases and outbreaks.

Salmonella enterica serotype Bredeney: antimicrobial susceptibility and molecular diversity of isolates from Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Salmonella enterica serotype Bredeney has emerged as the third most commonly identified serotype among human clinical isolates referred to the Irish National Salmonella Reference Laboratory in the years 1998 to 2000. A collection of 112 isolates of S. enterica serotype Bredeney collected during the period 1995 to 1999 from animal, food, and human sources from both Ireland and Northern Ireland were studied.