High-throughput species identification of enterococci using pyrosequencing.

Here we report the development and validation of an automated high-throughput pyrosequencing-based method for the reliable identification of isolated Enterococcus species. This method exploits the discrete species-specificity of hypervariable groES-EL spacer region and utilizes a universal dispensation order optimized for a wide range of Enterococcus species.

Genetic diversity and tetracycline resistance genes of Histophilus somni.

Nasal swabs were collected at three time points from 2378 calves in four feedlots and cultured for Histophilus somni to assess genetic relatedness and tetracycline resistance. The proportions of animals carrying tetracycline resistant isolates were 0.32% at arrival, 14.

Longitudinal characterization of antimicrobial resistance genes in feces shed from cattle fed different subtherapeutic antibiotics.

Background: Environmental transmission of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and resistance gene determinants originating from livestock is affected by their persistence in agricultural-related matrices. This study investigated the effects of administering subtherapeutic concentrations of antimicrobials to beef cattle on the abundance and persistence of resistance genes within the microbial community of fecal deposits. Cattle (three pens per treatment, 10 steers per pen) were administered chlortetracycline, chlortetracycline plus sulfamethazine, tylosin, or no antimicrobials (control).

Development of a Health-Related Quality of Life Questionnaire (HRQL) for patients with Extremity Soft Tissue Infections (ESTI).

Background: Past clinical trials of antimicrobial treatment in soft tissue infections have focused on non-standardized clinical and physiological outcome variables, and have not considered the subjective experience of patients. The objective of this study was to develop a health-related quality of life questionnaire (HRQL) for patients with extremity soft tissue infections (ESTI) for future use in clinical trials.

Methods: The design of this study followed published guidelines and included item generation, item reduction, and questionnaire preparation.

A rare case of pleuropulmonary infection and septic shock associated with Enterococcus faecium endocarditis.

Enterococci rarely cause pleuropulmonary infections. A novel case of definitively diagnosed nosocomial Enterococcus faecium pneumonia, empyema, and endocarditis associated with septic shock is reported.

Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) versus minimum biofilm eliminating concentration (MBEC) in evaluation of antibiotic sensitivity of gram-negative bacilli causing peritonitis.

Objective: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm eliminating concentration (MBEC) results were compared to determine changes in the pattern of antibiotic sensitivity of gram-negative bacilli from the planktonic to the biofilm phase of growth.

Methodology: The MIC and MBEC assays were conducted on stored isolates obtained from patients presenting with peritoneal dialysis-related gram-negative peritonitis with Escherichia coli or Pseudomonas.

Results: The antibiotic sensitivities of planktonic organisms tested by the MIC assays were significantly higher than the antibiotic sensitivities of the same organisms in their biofilm state, as tested by the MBEC assays.

Characteristics of individuals with male-to-male and heterosexually acquired infectious syphilis during an outbreak in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Background: Eliminating syphilis is important not only to prevent the sequelae of infection but also to control the spread of HIV. Current prevention and control efforts in Canada have been ineffective in eliminating this disease.

Goal: The goal of the study was to determine the characteristics of individuals with infectious syphilis due to male-to-male and heterosexual contact, diagnosed during an outbreak in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Biofilm bacteria: formation and comparative susceptibility to antibiotics.

The Calgary Biofilm Device (CBD) was used to form bacterial biofilms of selected veterinary gram-negative and gram-positive pathogenic bacteria from cattle, sheep, pigs, chicken, and turkeys. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) of ampicillin, ceftiofur, cloxacillin, oxytetracycline, penicillin G, streptomycin, tetracycline, enrofloxacin, erythromycin, gentamicin, tilmicosin, and trimethoprim-sulfadoxine for gram-positive and -negative bacteria were determined. Bacterial biofilms were readily formed on the CBD under selected conditions.