Publications by authors named "Shane Whelan"

Urinary tract infections (UTI) caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) pose a global health concern. Resistance mechanisms, including genetic mutations in antimicrobial target genes, efflux pumps, and drug deactivating enzymes, hinder clinical treatment. These resistance factors often spread through mobile genetic elements.

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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections, especially among women and older adults, leading to a significant global healthcare cost burden. Uropathogenic (UPEC) are the most common cause and accounts for the majority of community-acquired UTIs. Infection by UPEC can cause discomfort, polyuria, and fever.

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The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of sublethal concentrations of nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim on biofilm formation in 57 uropathogenic strains (UPEC). The minimum inhibitory concentration of nitrofurantoin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim was determined and the biofilm formation for each isolate with and without sub-lethal concentrations of each antibiotic was then quantified. The statistical significance of changes in biofilm formation was ascertained by way of a Dunnett's test.

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SARS-CoV-2 infection has generated the biggest pandemic since the influenza outbreak of 1918-1919. One clear difference between these pandemics has been the ability to test for the presence of the virus or for evidence of infection. This review examined the performance characteristics of sample types PCR detection of the virus, of antibody testing, of rapid viral antigen detection kits and computerised tomography (CT) scanning.

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Antibiotic resistance is increasing to an extent where efficacy is not guaranteed when treating infection. Biofilm formation has been shown to complicate treatment, whereby the formation of biofilm is associated with higher minimum inhibitory concentration values of antibiotic. The objective of the current paper was to determine whether biofilm formation is variable among uropathogenic isolates and whether formation is associated with recurrent urinary tract infection (UTI), and whether it can be predicted by phenotypic appearance on culture medium A total of 62 isolates that were reported as the causative agent of UTI were studied (33 from patients denoted as having recurrent UTI and 29 from patients not specified as having recurrent UTI).

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Farmers operate within hazardous environments while conducting their day-to-day tasks, potentially resulting in injury or disability. Disability can serve as a major life-changing event for the farmer, the farm family, and the farm business. In Ireland, the agricultural sector reported the highest incidence of disability, yet there is relatively little known on the impact of agricultural-based disability.

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