Publications by authors named "Slawomir Owczarek"

Introduction: Yersinia enterocolitica (Ye) species is divided into 6 biotypes (BT), 1A, 1B, 2, 3, 4, 5 classified based on biochemical reactions and about 70 serotypes, classified based on the structure of the lipopolysaccharide O-antigen. The BT1A is considered non-pathogenic, while the BT 1B-5 are considered pathogenic.

Methods: Evaluate the distribution of eleven chromosomal and plasmid virulence genes, ail, ystA, ystB, myfA, hreP, fes, fepD, ymoA, sat, virF and yadA, in 87 Ye strains isolated from food, animals and humans, using two SYBR Green real-time PCR platforms.

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In this study, we describe a serovar (.) Rissen strain with a reduced susceptibility to meropenem, isolated from a urinary infection in an 89-year-old woman in 2018 during activity surveillance in Italy (Enter-Net Italia). The genomic characteristics, pathogenicity, and antimicrobial resistance mechanisms were investigated via a genomic approach.

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Article Synopsis
  • Several proficiency testing (PT) and external quality assessment (EQA) schemes exist for evaluating laboratories' abilities to detect enteropathogenic bacteria, but they mainly focus on specific sectors like public health, food safety, or animal health.
  • This study aims to assess the cross-sectoral detection capabilities of European laboratories for foodborne pathogens and propose recommendations for enhancing cross-sectoral PTs and EQAs in a One Health context.
  • The results showed that while all participating laboratories recognized certain pathogens, many faced challenges with false negatives, especially with lower concentrations of target organisms, due to factors like smaller sample sizes and lack of enrichment methods.
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Background: A collection of human-epidemiologically unrelated strains collected over a 3-year period (2016 to 2018) in Italy by the national surveillance Enter-Net Italia was analysed.

Methods: Antimicrobial susceptibility tests, including the determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for colistin, were performed. Colistin resistant strains were analysed by PCR to detect mobile colistin resistance () genes.

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Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, and its incidence is correlated with infections, chronic inflammation, diet, and genetic factors. An emerging aspect is that microbial dysbiosis and chronic infections triggered by certain bacteria can be risk factors for tumor progression. Recent data suggest that certain bacterial toxins implicated in DNA attack or in proliferation, replication, and death can be risk factors for insurgence and progression of CRC.

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Background: Salmonella spp are a major cause of food-borne outbreaks in Europe. We investigated a large multi-country outbreak of Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis in the EU and European Economic Area (EEA).

Methods: A confirmed case was defined as a laboratory-confirmed infection with the outbreak strains of S Enteritidis based on whole-genome sequencing (WGS), occurring between May 1, 2015, and Oct 31, 2018.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Stool tests revealed he was infected with a new, multidrug-resistant strain of Shigella flexneri that had never been reported before in Italy.
  • * The patient was successfully treated with ceftriaxone, marking the first documented case of a locally-acquired, multidrug-resistant S. flexneri infection in the country.
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Background: Salmonella Napoli is uncommon in Europe. In Italy however, it has been growing in importance since 2000. To date, no risk factors have been identified to account for its rise.

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Article Synopsis
  • Typhoid fever, caused by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, is increasingly seen in developed countries mainly among travelers to endemic areas or immigrants.
  • Due to rising antimicrobial resistance, fluoroquinolones have become the preferred treatment, but there is growing concern about resistance, notably to ciprofloxacin.
  • A study in Italy found that 68% of tested Typhi strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin, with genetic mutations linked to this resistance, highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring of antibiotic susceptibility.
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Salmonella enterica serovar Napoli (S. Napoli) is an emerging serovar in Italy. It accounts for 2-4% of all serovars isolated from human infections.

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Objectives: The aim of this study was to sequence the chromosomal region conferring resistance to ampicillin, streptomycin, sulphonamides and tetracycline (R-type ASSuT) in a Salmonella Typhimurium (STM) monophasic strain (4,[5],12:i:-) belonging to the PFGE profile STYMXB.0079. The presence of this resistance region and the analysis of its genetic environment was investigated in a selection of strains.

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During 2005-2006, Salmonella enterica serotype Infantis strains isolated from human and non-human sources and resistant to ampicillin (A), chloramphenicol (C), streptomycin (S), sulphonamide (Su), tetracycline (T), kanamycin (K) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Sxt) emerged in Italy. The aim of this study was to analyse the molecular basis of antibiotic resistance and to evaluate the clonal origin of multiresistant S. Infantis strains isolated from different sources.

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Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (STM) represents the prevalent cause of foodborne gastroenteritis in Italy with the majority of isolates exhibiting multidrug resistance. A resistant pattern that includes ampicillin (A), streptomycin (S), sulfonamide (Su), and tetracycline (T) (ASSuT) but lacks resistance to chloramphenicol (C) has recently emerged in Italy among strains of STM and of its monophasic variant, S. enterica subspecies enterica serovar S.

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A qnrB19 gene variant, carried by an IncL/M-like plasmid, was detected in a multidrug Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium human strain with reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. The genetic environment around the gene was fully sequenced (20 kb). A large gene cluster, containing the aph, qnrB19, and blaSHV-12-like resistance genes, is inserted inside a Tn3 transposon.

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