Notification of bacterial strains made available by the United Kingdom National Collection of Type Cultures in 2022.

Here, we report on the one hundred and twenty-five bacterial strains made available by the National Collection of Type Cultures in 2022 alongside a commentary on the strains, their provenance and significance.

Inherent colistin resistance in genogroups of the Enterobacter cloacae complex: epidemiological, genetic and biochemical analysis from the BSAC Resistance Surveillance Programme.

Background: Polymyxins have re-entered use against problem Gram-negative bacteria. Resistance rates are uncertain, with estimates confounded by selective testing.

Methods: The BSAC Resistance Surveillance Programme has routinely tested colistin since 2010; we reviewed data up to 2017 for relevant Enterobacterales (n = 10 914).

Genomic sequences of Streptococcus agalactiae with high-level gentamicin resistance, collected in the BSAC bacteraemia surveillance.

Background: Like other streptococci, Streptococcus agalactiae typically has intrinsic low-level aminoglycoside resistance. High-level gentamicin resistance was seen in 2 of 1125 isolates collected in the BSAC Bacteraemia Surveillance Programme between 2001 and 2014. These organisms, both isolated in 2014, were characterized.

Activity of ceftolozane/tazobactam against surveillance and 'problem' Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and non-fermenters from the British Isles.

Background: We assessed the activity of ceftolozane/tazobactam against consecutive isolates collected in the BSAC Bacteraemia Surveillance from 2011 to 2015 and against 'problem' isolates sent to the UK national reference laboratory from July 2015, when routine testing began.

Methods: Susceptibility testing was by BSAC agar dilution with resistance mechanisms identified by PCR and interpretive reading.

Results: Data were reviewed for 6080 BSAC surveillance isolates and 5473 referred organisms.

Activity of BAL30072 alone or combined with β-lactamase inhibitors or with meropenem against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenters.

Objectives: We investigated the activity of BAL30072, a dihydroxypyridone monosulfactam, against carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and non-fermenters (i) alone, (ii) combined with BAL29880 (to inhibit AmpC) and/or clavulanate [to inhibit extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs)] and (iii) combined 1:1 with meropenem.

Methods: Isolates were from multiple UK hospitals. MICs were determined by CLSI agar dilution.

In vitro activity of telavancin and comparators against selected groups of Gram-positive cocci.

Telavancin is a novel, rapidly cidal, dual-action glycopeptide. This study examined its in vitro activity against relevant Gram-positive pathogens, comprising 99 meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), 40 meticillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), 79 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), 45 Enterococcus faecalis, 60 Enterococcus faecium, 40 β-haemolytic streptococci and 60 Streptococcus pneumoniae.