Characterization of Escherichia coli urinary tract infection isolates in remote northern Saskatchewan communities: the Northern Antibiotic Resistance Partnership.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern especially in many remote northern communities of Canada where antimicrobials are liberally used. In this study, 1418 Escherichia coli urinary tract infection (UTI) isolates, obtained over a 2.5-year period (October 2005-March 2008), from 3 remote northern sites in Saskatchewan, Canada, were identified.

Community-based educational intervention to limit the dissemination of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

Background: Surveillance examining the incidence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) was conducted over 8 years beginning in 2001 in three health regions covering the northern half of Saskatchewan. The annual rate of individuals reported with CA-MRSA infection in these regions dramatically increased from 8.2 per 10,000 population in 2001 (range to 4.

High rates of Staphylococcus aureus USA400 infection, Northern Canada.

Surveillance of Staphylococcus aureus infections in 3 northern remote communities of Saskatchewan was undertaken. Rates of methicillin-resistant infections were extremely high (146-482/10,000 population), and most (98.2%) were caused by USA400 strains.

Community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Canada.

A total of 184 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were collected from patients who sought treatment primarily for skin and soft tissue infections from January 1, 1999, to March 31, 2002, in east-central Saskatchewan, Canada. Molecular subtyping analysis using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis showed 2 major clusters. Cluster A (n = 55) was composed of a multidrug-resistant MRSA strain associated with a long-term care facility and was similar to the previously reported nosocomial Canadian epidemic strain labeled CMRSA-2.

An outbreak of trichinellosis due to consumption of bear meat infected with Trichinella nativa, in 2 northern Saskatchewan communities.

In June 2000, bear meat infected with Trichinella nativa was consumed by 78 individuals in 2 northern Saskatchewan communities. Interviews and blood collections were performed on exposed individuals at the onset of the outbreak and 7 weeks later. All exposed individuals were treated with mebendazole or albendazole, and symptomatic patients received prednisone.