Fast and Economic Microarray-Based Detection of Species-, Resistance-, and Virulence-Associated Genes in Clinical Strains of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE).

Today, there is a continuous worldwide battle against antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and that includes vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Methods that can adequately and quickly detect transmission chains in outbreaks are needed to trace and manage this problem fast and cost-effectively. In this study, DNA-microarray-based technology was developed for this purpose.

Counselling sessions for patients in contact isolation due to multi-drug-resistant organisms improve informedness and reduce dissatisfaction.

Background: The spread of multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is a critical health issue. Isolation measures imposed to prevent transmission may result in adverse psychological effects among affected patients. This emphasizes the need for better communication and information to improve their hospital experience and mental well-being as well as to prevent inadequate treatment.

Photodynamic coatings kill bacteria on near-patient surfaces in intensive care units with low light intensities.

Background: Surfaces in close proximity to patients within hospitals may cause healthcare-associated infections. These surfaces are repositories for pathogens facilitating their transmission among staff and patients. Regular cleaning and disinfection of these surfaces provides only a temporary elimination of pathogens with inevitable recontamination.

Impact of Selective Reporting of Antibiotic Susceptibility Test Results on Antibiotic Use in Patients with Bloodstream Infection with .

Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infectious diseases. Selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility test results might lead to a tailored antibiotic therapy and could therefore be an important antibiotic stewardship program intervention. The aim of this study was to analyse whether a switch to selective reporting of antibiotic test results leads to a more focused antibiotic therapy in patients with a bloodstream infection with .

Retrospective genome-oriented analysis reveals low transmission rate of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa from contaminated toilets at a bone marrow transplant unit.

Background: Prevention of toilet-to-patient transmission of multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MDR PA) poses management-related challenges at many bone marrow transplant units (BMTUs).

Aim: To conduct a longitudinal retrospective analysis of the toilet-to-patient transmission rate for MDR PA under existing infection control (IC) measures at a BMTU with persistent MDR PA toilet colonization.

Methods: The local IC bundle comprised: (1) patient education regarding IC; (2) routine patient screening; (3) toilet flushing volume of 9 L; (4) bromination of toilet water tanks, and (5) toilet decontamination using hydrogen peroxide.

Introduction and spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) at a German tertiary care medical center from 2004 until 2010: a retrospective whole-genome sequencing (WGS) study of the molecular epidemiology of VREfm.

Background: In most of Europe and especially in Germany, there is currently a concerning rise in the number of hospital-acquired infections due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm). Therefore, there is a need to improve our understanding of the way VREfm spreads in hospitals. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of VREfm isolates from the first appearance at our university hospital in 2004 until 2010.

Whole-genome sequencing reveals two prolonged simultaneous outbreaks involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa high-risk strains ST111 and ST235 with resistance to quaternary ammonium compounds.

Objective: Water-bearing systems are known as frequent Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) outbreak sources. However, many older buildings continue to have sanitary facilities in high-risk departments such as the ICU. We present two simultaneous prolonged multi-drug-resistant (MDR) PA outbreaks detected at the ICU of a pulmonology hospital, which were resolved by whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

Detection and characterization of putative hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in microbiological diagnostics.

Hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (hvKp) can cause invasive community-acquired infections in healthy patients of all ages. In this study, the prevalence of putative hvKp in a German tertiary center was investigated and hvKp were characterized by phenotypic and molecular assays. All K.

Concerning emergence of a new vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium strain ST1299/CT1903/vanA at a tertiary university centre in South Germany.

Background: vanB-carrying vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) of the sequence types 80 (ST80) and ST117 have dominated Germany in the past. In 2020, our hospital witnessed a sharp increase in the proportion of vanA-positive VREfm.

Aim: To attempt to understand these dynamics through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and analysis of nosocomial transmissions.

Examining outpatients' hand hygiene behaviour and its relation to COVID-19 infection prevention measures.

Background: The increasing demand for outpatient care is associated with a higher risk of infection transmission in these settings. However, there is limited research on infection prevention and control practices in ambulatory clinics, and none focuses on patients.

Aim: To examine outpatients' hand hygiene behaviours, their determinants, and their associations with other infection prevention measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Short report: impact of selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility testing on antibiotic use in patients with bloodstream infection with Enterococcus faecalis.

Introduction: Bloodstream infections with Enterococcus faecalis are associated with relevant morbidity and mortality. Targeted antimicrobial therapy is essential. The choice of an adequate treatment may be challenging when susceptibility testing offers different options.

Nanosilver/DCOIT-containing surface coating effectively and constantly reduces microbial load in emergency room surfaces.

Background: Colonization of near-patient surfaces in hospitals plays an important role as a source of healthcare-associated infections. Routine disinfection methods only result in short-term elimination of pathogens.

Aim: To investigate the efficiency of a newly developed antimicrobial coating containing nanosilver in long-term reduction of bacterial burden in hospital surfaces to close the gap between routine disinfection cycles.

Characterization of PVL-Positive MRSA Isolates in Northern Bavaria, Germany over an Eight-Year Period.

Purpose: Community-acquired methicillin-resistant strains (CA-MRSA) are spread worldwide and often cause recurring and persistent infections in humans. CA-MRSA strains frequently carry Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) as a distinctive virulence factor. This study investigates the molecular epidemiology, antibiotic resistance and clinical characteristics of PVL-positive MRSA strains in Northern Bavaria, Germany, isolated over an eight-year period.

Patients with multi-drug-resistant organisms feel inadequately informed about their status: adverse effects of contact isolation.

Background: Contact isolation of patients with multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is an essential element of infection prevention strategies in hospitals worldwide. However, this practice may be associated with adverse side effects on patients' health and well-being.

Aim: This study was the first to assess mental health and well-being variables among isolated patients compared with non-isolated control patients in a German cohort.

An emerging Panton-Valentine leukocidin-positive CC5-meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-IVc clone recovered from hospital and community settings over a 17-year period from 12 countries investigated by whole-genome sequencing.

Background: A novel Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) clonal complex (CC)5-MRSA-IVc ('Sri Lankan' clone) was recently described from Sri Lanka. Similar isolates caused a recent Irish hospital outbreak.

Aim: To investigate the international dissemination and diversity of PVL-positive CC5-MRSA-IVc isolates from hospital and community settings using whole-genome sequencing (WGS).

Differences in observed and self-reported compliance with 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene' as a function of the empathy of healthcare workers.

Background: Hand hygiene at critical time-points (as established by the World Health Organization's model 'Five Moments for Hand Hygiene') remains the leading measure for minimizing the risk of healthcare-associated infections. While many interventions have been tested to improve hand hygiene compliance (HHC) of healthcare workers (HCWs), little is known about the relationship between HHC and empathy of HCWs.

Aim: To investigate the relationship between moment-specific HHC rates and empathy of HCWs at both individual and ward levels.

Antimicrobial Photodynamic Coatings Reduce the Microbial Burden on Environmental Surfaces in Public Transportation-A Field Study in Buses.

Millions of people use public transportation daily worldwide and frequently touch surfaces, thereby producing a reservoir of microorganisms on surfaces increasing the risk of transmission. Constant occupation makes sufficient cleaning difficult to achieve. Thus, an autonomous, permanent, antimicrobial coating (AMC) could keep down the microbial burden on such surfaces.

Inhibition of ADAM17 impairs endothelial cell necroptosis and blocks metastasis.

Metastasis is the major cause of death in cancer patients. Circulating tumor cells need to migrate through the endothelial layer of blood vessels to escape the hostile circulation and establish metastases at distant organ sites. Here, we identified the membrane-bound metalloprotease ADAM17 on endothelial cells as a key driver of metastasis.

Characterisation and Molecular Analysis of an Unusual Chimeric Methicillin Resistant Strain and its Bacteriophages.

In the context of microarray-based epidemiological typing of the clonal organism /MRSA a strain was identified that did not belong to known clonal complexes. The molecular analysis by microarray-based typing yielded signals suggesting that it was a mosaic or hybrid strain of two lineages. To verify this result, the isolate was sequenced with both, short-read Illumina and long-read Nanopore technologies and analysed in detail.

Roles for ADAM17 in TNF-R1 Mediated Cell Death and Survival in Human U937 and Jurkat Cells.

Signaling via death receptor family members such as TNF-R1 mediates pleiotropic biological outcomes ranging from inflammation and proliferation to cell death. Pro-survival signaling is mediated via TNF-R1 complex I at the cellular plasma membrane. Cell death induction requires complex IIa/b or necrosome formation, which occurs in the cytoplasm.

Results of WICOVIR Gargle Pool PCR Testing in German Schools Based on the First 100,000 Tests.

Opening schools and keeping children safe from SARS-CoV-2 infections at the same time is urgently needed to protect children from direct and indirect consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. To achieve this goal, a safe, efficient, and cost-effective SARS-CoV-2 testing system for schools in addition to standard hygiene measures is necessary. We implemented the screening WICOVIR concept for schools in the southeast of Germany, which is based on gargling at home, pooling of samples in schools, and assessment of SARS-CoV-2 by pool rRT-PCR, performed decentralized in numerous participating laboratories.

Antimicrobial coatings for environmental surfaces in hospitals: a potential new pillar for prevention strategies in hygiene.

Recent reports provide evidence that contaminated healthcare environments represent major sources for the acquisition and transmission of pathogens. Antimicrobial coatings (AMC) may permanently and autonomously reduce the contamination of such environmental surfaces complementing standard hygiene procedures. This review provides an overview of the current status of AMC and the demands to enable a rational application of AMC in health care settings.