Activity of Dimercaptosuccinic Acid in Combination with Carbapenems Against Carbapenem-Resistant .

Carbapenenemase producers, particularly the metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) types in , have emerged as an urgent threat in health care settings. MBLs require zinc at their catalytic site and can be inhibited by dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), a metal chelator known for the treatment of lead and mercury intoxication. Isogenic strains of wild-type and OprD-deleted PA14, were constructed, producing the MBLs VIM-2, NDM-1, SPM-1, IMP-1, and AIM-1, or the non-MBL carbapenemases, GES-5 and KPC-2.

Relative inhibitory activities of the broad-spectrum β-lactamase inhibitor xeruborbactam in comparison with taniborbactam against metallo-β-lactamases produced in and .

Xeruborbactam is a newly developed β-lactamase inhibitor designed for metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs). This study assessed the relative inhibitory properties of this novel inhibitor in comparison with another MBL inhibitor, namely taniborbactam (TAN), against a wide range of acquired MBL produced either in or . As observed with taniborbactam, the combination of xeruborbactam (XER) with β-lactams, namely, ceftazidime, cefepime and meropenem, led to significantly decreased MIC values for a wide range of B1-type MBL-producing , including most recombinant strains producing NDM, VIM, IMP, GIM-1, and DIM-1 enzymes.

Rapid culture-based LNZ test for detection of linezolid susceptibility/resistance in staphylococci and enterococci.

A rapid, easy-to-handle, cost-effective and universal culture-based test was developed for the identification of linezolid resistance among the most clinically relevant enterococcal and staphylococcal species. Our technique was tested using linezolid-resistant (n = 50) and linezolid-susceptible (n = 67) Gram-positive isolates: 34 Enterococcus faecium, 20 Enterococcus faecalis, 20 Staphylococcus aureus, 38 Staphylococcus epidermidis, and 5 Staphylococcus capitis. The susceptibility/resistance phenotype of E.

Resist Acineto rapid immunological test for the detection of acquired carbapenemase producers among Acinetobacter spp.

The Resist Acineto from Coris Bioconcept is a novel immunochromatographic test for detection of the major acquired carbapenemases (OXA-23, OXA-40, OXA-58, and NDM) identified in Acinetobacter spp. This rapid and easy-to-perform test showed an excellent specificity and sensitivity, with positive and negatives predictive values of 100% in both cases.

Occurrence of plasmid-mediated fosfomycin resistance (fos genes) among Escherichia coli isolates, Portugal.

Objectives: To evaluate the occurrence of plasmid-mediated fos genes among fosfomycin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates collected from patients in Lisbon, Portugal, and characterize the fos-positive strains.

Methods: A total of 19 186 E. coli isolates were prospectively collected between April 2022 and January 2023 from inpatients and outpatients at a private laboratory in Lisbon.

Comparative complete scheme and booster effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in preventing SARS-CoV-2 infections with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron (BA.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants: A case-case study based on electronic health records.

Background: Information on vaccine effectiveness in a context of novel variants of concern (VOC) emergence is of key importance to inform public health policies. This study aimed to estimate a measure of comparative vaccine effectiveness between Omicron (BA.1) and Delta (B.

ESBL- and Carbapenemase-Producing and among Bivalves from Portuguese Shellfish Production Areas.

Bivalves are filter-feeding organisms and biomarkers of bacterial pollution. Our study aimed to analyze the occurrence and characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing among bivalves. A total of 522 bivalve samples were collected along Portuguese shellfish production areas.

Multiplex PCR for detection of acquired plasmid-borne fosfomycin resistance fos genes in Escherichia coli.

A rapid (<3 hours) and reliable multiplex PCR was developed for detecting simultaneously known plasmid-mediated fos genes conferring acquired resistance to fosfomycin. Our technique was tested on a collection of Escherichia coli isolates previously identified as bearing the fosA-, fosC- and fosL-like genes, showing a sensitivity and a specificity of 100%.

Urban Pigeons () as a Source of Broad-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing in Lisbon, Portugal.

Wild birds may be healthy carriers, and therefore, may be involved in the dissemination of clinically relevant antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing . This study evaluated whether urban pigeons living in five spots in Lisbon, Portugal, may be colonized and, therefore, constitute potential spreaders of multidrug-resistant bacteria. A total of 100 pigeon fecal samples were collected in different urban areas for the detection of ESBL- or carbapenemase-producing .

Screening and Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant among Hospitalized Patients in the African Archipelago of Cape Verde.

This study aimed to investigate, for the first time, the occurrence and characteristics of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)- and carbapenemase-producing in Cape Verde. A total of 98 inpatients hospitalized at Hospital Universitário Agostinho Neto were screened for rectal colonization. All ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and characterized by multilocus sequence typing.