Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System on the African continent: Early implementation 2017-2019.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is becoming a critical public health issue globally. The World Health Organization launched the Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) to support the strengthening of the AMR evidence base.

Objective: The article describes the evolution of national AMR surveillance systems and AMR data reporting of countries in the African continent between 2017 and 2019, and the constraints, perceived impact and value of the participation in GLASS.

WHO global antimicrobial resistance surveillance for Neisseria gonorrhoeae 2017-18: a retrospective observational study.

Background: Gonorrhoea and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Neisseria gonorrhoeae are major health concerns globally. Increased global surveillance of gonococcal AMR is essential. We aimed to describe the 2017-18 data from WHO's global gonococcal AMR surveillance, and to discuss priorities essential for the effective management and control of gonorrhoea.

Comparison of de-duplication methods used by WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) and Japan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (JANIS) in the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance.

A major issue in the surveillance of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is "de-duplication" or removal of repeated isolates, for which there exist multiple methods. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) requires de-duplication by selecting only the first isolate of a given bacterial species per patient per surveillance period per specimen type per age group, gender, and infection origin stratification. However, no study on the comparative application of this method has been reported.

Using information technology to improve surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in South East Asia.

argue that investing in information technology surveillance systems to detect trends is an essential first step in tackling antimicrobial resistance in South East Asian countries

Antimicrobial resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Global surveillance and a call for international collaborative action.

In a Policy Forum, Teodora Wi and colleagues discuss the challenges of antimicrobial resistance in gonococci.

Outcomes of Cryoballoon Ablation in High- and Low-Volume Atrial Fibrillation Ablation Centres: A Russian Pilot Survey.

Purpose: The results of cryoballoon ablation (CBA) procedure have been mainly derived from studies conducted in experienced atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation centres. Here, we report on CBA efficacy and complications resulting from real practice of this procedure at both high- and low-volume centres.

Methods: Among 62 Russian centres performing AF ablation, 15 (24%) used CBA technology for pulmonary vein isolation.

Effectiveness of Personal Protective Equipment for Healthcare Workers Caring for Patients with Filovirus Disease: A Rapid Review.

Background: A rapid review, guided by a protocol, was conducted to inform development of the World Health Organization's guideline on personal protective equipment in the context of the ongoing (2013-present) Western African filovirus disease outbreak, with a focus on health care workers directly caring for patients with Ebola or Marburg virus diseases.

Methods: Electronic databases and grey literature sources were searched. Eligibility criteria initially included comparative studies on Ebola and Marburg virus diseases reported in English or French, but criteria were expanded to studies on other viral hemorrhagic fevers and non-comparative designs due to the paucity of studies.

Vaccination of healthcare workers to protect patients at increased risk of acute respiratory disease: summary of a systematic review.

Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of exposure to respiratory pathogens and may transmit infection to vulnerable patients. This study summarises a recent systematic review, which aimed to assess evidence that influenza or pneumococcal vaccination of HCWs provides indirect protection for those patients most at risk of severe or complicated acute respiratory infection. A number of healthcare databases and sources of grey literature were searched using a predefined strategy, and citations screened for eligibility in accordance with specified inclusion criteria.

Vaccination of health care workers to protect patients at increased risk for acute respiratory disease.

Health care workers (HCWs) may transmit respiratory infection to patients. We assessed evidence for the effectiveness of vaccinating HCWs to provide indirect protection for patients at risk for severe or complicated disease after acute respiratory infection. We searched electronic health care databases and sources of gray literature by using a predefined strategy.

A fluorescence polarization immunoassay for the detection of zearalenone in corn.

The aim of this study was to develop a fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) that is based on the change in fluorescence polarization of fluorescently labeled small antigen when bound by a specific antibody, for use as a screening test for zearalenone (ZEN) in cereals and their products. Syntheses of fluorescein-labeled ZEN tracers containing three linkers of different lengths (2, 3 and 6-carbon bridge), ethylenediamine, 1,2-diaminopropane and hexamethylenediamine, were explored and their binding response with ZEN-specific antibody was evaluated. A fluoresceinthiocarbamyl hexamethylenediamine-labeled ZEN conjugate (ZEN-HMDF), which contain a 6-carbon bridge, was found to be the most sensitive FPIA for detection of ZEN.

Prospective surveillance for surgical site infection in St. Petersburg, Russian Federation.

Objective: To assess the risk-adjusted incidence and predictors of surgical site infections (SSIs).

Design: Prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study.

Setting: Seven surgical departments at 3 urban academic hospitals in St.

Fluorescence polarization immunoassay based on a monoclonal antibody for the detection of the organophosphorus pesticide parathion-methyl.

A fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) based on a monoclonal antibody for the detection of parathion-methyl (PM) was developed and optimized. Fluorescein-labeled PM derivatives (tracers) with different structures were synthesized and purified by thin-layer chromatography. The influence of immunogen and tracer structures on the assay characteristics was investigated.