External quality assessment schemes in bacteriology support public health in Germany-results from 2006 to 2023.

External Quality Assessment schemes (EQAS) are mandatory to ensure quality standards in diagnostic methods and achieve laboratory accreditation. As host institution for two German culture-based bacteriology EQAS (RV-A and RV-B), we investigated the obtained data of 590 up to 720 surveys per year in RV-A and 2,151 up to 2,929 in RV-B from 2006 to 2023. As educational instruments, they function to review applied methodology and are valuable to check for systemic- or method-dependent failures in microbiology diagnostics or guidelines.

Cultivation-based characterization of biliary microbiota in bile samples collected during routine endoscopic retrograde cholangiography: 10 years of experience at a tertiary center.

Introduction: Bile has long been considered sterile. Recent studies show that bacteria can frequently be detected in bile and certain bacterial species are associated with bile duct-associated liver disease.

Objectives: To detect bacterial species and antibiotic resistance in bile in bile duct-associated liver disease.

Characterization of GMB-1, a novel metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) found in three different Enterobacterales species.

Objectives: To identify novel carbapenem resistance mechanisms and their potential to spread among clinical isolates.

Methods: Four clinical isolates of Citrobacter freundii, Serratia marcescens and Raoultella planticola (n = 2) from one hospital in Central Germany were sent to the German National Reference Centre for Multidrug-resistant Gram-negative Bacteria for carbapenemase detection. Phenotypic tests indicated the presence of a metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), but PCR for various MBL genes could not identify any.

The Resistance Mechanism Governs Physiological Adaptation of to Growth With Sublethal Concentrations of Carbapenem.

Factors governing resistance in carbapenem-resistant are manifold. Despite ample research efforts, underlying molecular mechanisms are still only partly understood. Furthermore, little is known on (eco)physiological consequences from resistance acquisition originating from distinct mechanisms in respective bacteria.

Epidemiology and infection control of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae at a German university hospital: a retrospective study of 5 years (2015-2019).

Background: Carbapenem resistant (CR) Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) and Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) are emerging multidrug resistant bacteria with very limited treatment options in case of infection. Both are well-known causes of nosocomial infections and outbreaks in healthcare facilities.

Methods: A retrospective study was conducted to investigate the epidemiology of inpatients with CR Kp and CR Ab in a 1500-bed German university hospital from 2015 to 2019.

Clinical decision making is improved by BioFire Pneumonia Plus in suspected lower respiratory tract infection after lung transplantation: Results of the prospective DBATE-IT study.

Background: Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in lung transplant (LTx) recipients. Timely and precise pathogen detection is vital to successful treatment. Multiplex PCR kits with short turnover times like the BioFire Pneumonia Plus (BFPPp) (manufactured by bioMérieux) may be a valuable addition to conventional tests.

Antimicrobial resistance in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and bacterial infections in a tertiary center in Northern Germany.

Background And Aims: Bacterial infections are common in patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis and a leading cause of death. Reliable data on antibiotic resistance are required to initiate effective empiric therapy. We here aim to assess the antimicrobial resistance profile of bacteria among patients with liver cirrhosis and infection.

Molecular characterization and improved diagnostics of strains isolated over the last two decades at a German tertiary care center.

Nocardiosis is a rare but life-threatening infection caused by aerobic of the genus particularly affecting immunocompromised hosts. The identification of and antibiotic susceptibility testing by standard microbiological methods are incomplete and molecular techniques may improve diagnostics. We studied 39 strains isolated from 33 patients between 2000 and 2018.

[Improvement in burn wound care: summary of the AWMF guideline for the treatment of thermal injuries in adults].

Introduction: More than half a million patients suffer from minor burns in Germany per year. In 2018, almost 2000 patients needed intensive care for their burn injuries. Despite high standards of burn care, mortality remains high.

Bacteriophage Therapy for Critical Infections Related to Cardiothoracic Surgery.

(1) Objective: Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotic therapy is an increasingly significant worldwide challenge to human health. The objective is to evaluate whether bacteriophage therapy could complement or be a viable alternative to conventional antibiotic therapy in critical cases of bacterial infection related to cardiothoracic surgery. (2) Methods: Since September 2015, eight patients with multi-drug resistant or especially recalcitrant , , , , and infections were treated with bacteriophage preparations as a therapy of last resort according to Article 37 of the Declaration of Helsinki.

Prospective infection surveillance and systematic screening for vancomycin-resistant enterococci in hematologic and oncologic patients - findings of a German tertiary care center.

Introduction: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are emerging multidrug-resistant bacteria. They can cause serious nosocomial infections, especially in immunocompromised patients.

Objectives And Methods: In this study, we aimed to determine the burden of intestinal VRE colonization and clinically relevant infection in adult hematologic and oncologic patients at a tertiary care clinic in Germany based on prospective infection surveillance and an active screening program.

Conventional culture diagnostics vs. multiplex PCR for the detection of causative agents of vascular graft infections - results of a single centre observational pilot study.

Timely diagnosis of vascular graft infections is of major importance in vascular surgery. The detection of causative microorganisms is needed for specific medical treatment, but conventional culture is often slow, insensitive and inconclusive due to antibiotic pre-treatment. Detection of bacterial DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) might bypass these problems.

Infection control management and surveillance of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in hematopoietic stem cell recipients.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a curative treatment option for selected diseases of the hematopoietic system. In the context of HSCT, bloodstream infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) significantly contribute to morbidity and mortality. Antibiotic treatment of bloodstream infections with carbapenem-resistant (CR) GNB presents a particular challenge.

Clinical course, treatment and outcome of Pneumocystis pneumonia in immunocompromised adults: a retrospective analysis over 17 years.

Background: Despite modern intensive care with standardized strategies against acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), Pneumocystis pneumonia (PcP) remains a life-threatening disease with a high mortality rate. Here, we analyzed a large mixed cohort of immunocompromised patients with PcP, with regard to clinical course and treatment, and aimed at identifying predictors of outcome.

Methods: This was a single-center retrospective analysis in a tertiary care institution across 17 years.

Minimally Invasive Surgery in Mitral Valve Endocarditis.

Background:  To minimize the surgical damage, minimally invasive mitral valve surgery (MIMVS) has become the therapy of choice. However, this approach is technically more challenging, especially in endocarditis. The data on MIMVS in endocarditis are scarce, we therefore retrospectively analyzed the result at our institute.

DNA-based testing in lung transplant recipients with suspected non-viral lower respiratory tract infection: A prospective observational study.

Background: Non-viral lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are common among lung transplant (LTx) recipients with increased mortality. Early pathogen identification is crucial to guide therapy and avoid adverse events. Results from cultures may require up to 72 hours.

Organization of Patient Management and Fungal Epidemiology in Cystic Fibrosis.

The achievement of a better life for cystic fibrosis (CF) patients is mainly caused by a better management and infection control over the last three decades. Herein, we want to summarize the cornerstones for an effective management of CF patients and to give an overview of the knowledge about the fungal epidemiology in this clinical context in Europe. Data from a retrospective analysis encompassing 66,616 samples from 3235 CF patients followed-up in 9 CF centers from different European countries are shown.

Neurological Manifestations of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Infection in Hospitalized Children and Their Long-Term Follow-Up.

Objective In this retrospective study, we aimed to assess frequency, types, and long-term outcome of neurological disease during acute Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection in pediatric patients. Materials and Methods Medical records of patients hospitalized with acute M.

Multicentre investigation of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in German hospitals.

Aim of this study was to determine the incidence and molecular epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Germany. E. coli and K.

Identification of pathogens from blood culture bottles in spiked and clinical samples using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry analysis.

Background: Blood stream infections significantly contribute to mortality. An early most appropriate antimicrobial therapy is crucial for a favourable outcome of the patient. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) may speed up the diagnostic of causative micro organisms.

Surface-associated motility, a common trait of clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii, depends on 1,3-diaminopropane.

While flagella-independent motility has long been described in representatives of the genus Acinetobacter, the mechanism of motility remains ambiguous. Acinetobacter baumannii, a nosocomial pathogen appearing increasingly multidrug-resistant, may profit from motility during infection or while persisting in the hospital environment. However, data on the frequency of motility skills among clinical A.

Five-years surveillance of invasive aspergillosis in a university hospital.

Background: As the most common invasive fungal infection, invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains a serious complication in immunocompromised patients, leading to increased mortality. Antifungal therapy is expensive and may result in severe adverse effects.The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) cases in a tertiary care university hospital using a standardized surveillance method.

Evaluation of a 24-hour emergency bronchoscopy service in a tertiary care hospital.

Background: Flexible bronchoscopy has become an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the management of patients with various diseases of the chest. Availability of a 24-hour bronchoscopy service equipped with experienced personnel is becoming increasingly important especially for intensive care patients. However, such services have been implemented only in a few medical centres.