Enhanced Staphylococcus aureus protection by uncoupling of the α-toxin-ADAM10 interaction during murine neonatal vaccination.

Staphylococcus aureus remains a leading global cause of bacterial infection-associated mortality and has eluded prior vaccine development efforts. S. aureus α-toxin (Hla) is an essential virulence factor in disease, impairing the T cell response to infection.

A path forward for Staphylococcus aureus vaccine development.

The pursuit of a vaccine to quell Staphylococcus aureus disease has been unfruitful. In this Viewpoint, we explore the biological linkage between microbial niche acquisition and host immunity as a basis to guide future vaccine efforts.

Infection prevention-how can we prevent transmission of community-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus?

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile organism, capable of existing as a commensal organism while also possessing pathogenic potential. The emergence of clinically and genetically distinct strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), termed community-onset MRSA (CO-MRSA), resulted in an epidemic of invasive and skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) in otherwise healthy individuals without traditional risk factors.

Invasive Community-Onset Gram-Positive Infections From July 2018 Through December 2022 at 2 Children's Hospitals.

Background: Invasive infections caused by (invasive group A streptococcus [iGAS]) and (invasive pneumococcal disease [IPD]) decreased substantially at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our study sought to evaluate the extent of this decrease and the trends of these infections since reversion of societal adjustments incident to the pandemic. We also wanted to compare the frequency of these infections with invasive community-onset (I-CO-SA) infections and common respiratory viral infections in this period.

Diagnostic and commensal Staphylococcus pseudintermedius genomes reveal niche adaptation through parallel selection of defense mechanisms.

Staphylococcus pseudintermedius is historically understood as a prevalent commensal and pathogen of dogs, though modern clinical diagnostics reveal an expanded host-range that includes humans. It remains unclear whether differentiation across S. pseudintermedius populations is driven primarily by niche-type or host-species.

Priorities and Progress in Gram-positive Bacterial Infection Research by the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group: A Narrative Review.

The Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group (ARLG) has prioritized infections caused by gram-positive bacteria as one of its core areas of emphasis. The ARLG Gram-positive Committee has focused on studies responding to 3 main identified research priorities: (1) investigation of strategies or therapies for infections predominantly caused by gram-positive bacteria, (2) evaluation of the efficacy of novel agents for infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and (3) optimization of dosing and duration of antimicrobial agents for gram-positive infections. Herein, we summarize ARLG accomplishments in gram-positive bacterial infection research, including studies aiming to (1) inform optimal vancomycin dosing, (2) determine the role of dalbavancin in MRSA bloodstream infection, (3) characterize enterococcal bloodstream infections, (4) demonstrate the benefits of short-course therapy for pediatric community-acquired pneumonia, (5) develop quality of life measures for use in clinical trials, and (6) advance understanding of the microbiome.

Bacteremia in Pediatric Patients: Uncovering a Rural Health Challenge.

Background: bacteremia poses significant risk for morbidity and mortality. This may be exacerbated in rural populations facing unique health challenges.

Methods: To investigate factors influencing bacteremia outcomes, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of children admitted to St.

Healthcare worker perceptions surrounding transmission and prevention practices in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Objective: To understand healthcare worker (HCW) perceptions surrounding transmission and prevention in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Design: Qualitative case study with focus groups.

Setting: A level IV, 150-bed NICU at a Midwestern academic medical center that conducts active surveillance and decolonization of positive patients.

Perceived barriers and facilitators to the adoption of telemedicine infectious diseases consultations in southeastern Missouri hospitals.

Introduction: Telemedicine infectious diseases consultations (tele-ID consults) improves access to healthcare for underserved/resource-limited communities. However, factors promoting or hindering implementation of tele-ID consults in low-resource settings are understudied. This study sought to fill this gap by describing perceived barriers and facilitators tele-ID consults at three rural hospitals in southeastern Missouri.

Going Back in Time: Increasing Penicillin Susceptibility among Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Osteoarticular Infections in Children.

In the late 1940s to 1950s, Staphylococcus aureus isolates first-gained resistance to penicillin. Recently, some centers have described an increase in the proportion of methicillin susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) which are also susceptible to penicillin (PSSA).

Implementation of Telemedicine Infectious Diseases Consultation in a Rural Hospital Using the Active Implementation Framework.

In this pilot study, guided by the Active Implementation Framework, telemedicine infectious diseases consultation was provided to hospitalized inpatients at a rural Missouri hospital. Measured outcomes included the implementation outcomes of feasibility, acceptability, appropriateness, and fidelity, as well as clinical outcomes of readmissions and death.

Evaluation of a Telehealth ABA Program for Caregivers of Children with ASD.

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often experience skill deficits that can negatively affect long-term outcomes. Interventions based on applied behavior analysis (ABA) yield improvements in targeted skills. However, families often have difficulty accessing ABA services.

Modifications to student quarantine policies in K-12 schools implementing multiple COVID-19 prevention strategies restores in-person education without increasing SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk, January-March 2021.

Objective: To determine whether modified K-12 student quarantine policies that allow some students to continue in-person education during their quarantine period increase schoolwide SARS-CoV-2 transmission risk following the increase in cases in winter 2020-2021.

Methods: We conducted a prospective cohort study of COVID-19 cases and close contacts among students and staff (n = 65,621) in 103 Missouri public schools. Participants were offered free, saliva-based RT-PCR testing.

The impact of infectious diseases consultation for children with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.

Background: Despite clear benefit of improved outcomes in adults, the impact of infectious diseases (ID) consultation for Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia in children remains understudied.

Methods: To assess the impact of pediatric ID consultation on management and outcomes, we conducted a cohort study of children with S. aureus bacteremia at St.

Skin and Soft Tissue Infection Treatment and Prevention Practices by Pediatric Emergency Medicine Providers.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate skin and soft tissue infection (SSTI) treatment and prevention practices among pediatric emergency medicine (PEM) clinicians in the context of current clinical practice guidelines and contemporary evidence.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey of PEM clinicians belonging to the American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Emergency Medicine Survey listserv. Four varying hypothetical clinical scenarios of children with SSTI were posed to respondents; subsequent items assessed SSTI treatment and prevention practices.

Assessing COVID-19 testing strategies in K-12 schools in underserved populations: study protocol for a cluster-randomized trial.

Background: Since March 2020, COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted communities of color within the United States. As schools have shifted from virtual to in-person learning, continual guidance is necessary to understand appropriate interventions to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Weekly testing of students and staff for SARS-CoV-2 within K-12 school setting could provide an additional barrier to school-based transmission, especially within schools unable to implement additional mitigation strategies and/or are in areas of high transmission.

Prevalence and Characterization of the Cefazolin Inoculum Effect in North American Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Isolates.

Antistaphylococcal penicillins and cefazolin remain the primary treatments for infections with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). The cefazolin inoculum effect (CzIE) causes the cefazolin MIC to be elevated in proportion to the number of bacteria in the inoculum. The objective of this multicenter study was to evaluate the prevalence of the CzIE in North American MSSA isolates.

Longitudinal Dynamics of Skin Bacterial Communities in the Context of Staphylococcus aureus Decolonization.

Decolonization with topical antimicrobials is frequently prescribed in health care and community settings to prevent Staphylococcus aureus infection. However, effects on commensal skin microbial communities remains largely unexplored. Within a household affected by recurrent methicillin-resistant S.

Perceptions of Telemedicine and Costs Incurred by a Visit to a General Infectious Diseases Clinic: A Survey.

Background: The costs of attending in-person general infectious diseases clinics and preferences for visit type (telemedicine vs in-person) are not well known. We aimed to measure the time-related, monetary, social, and societal costs associated with travel to an in-person clinic visit and to assess patients' preferences, questions, and concerns regarding telemedicine.

Methods: Patients (≥18 years, living ≥25 miles from clinic at time of clinic visit) were recruited for this survey study from the general infectious diseases (ID) clinic at Washington University from June 2019 to February 2020.

Management and Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Children.

Staphylococcus aureus is a common skin commensal with the potential to cause severe infections resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Up to 30% of individuals are colonized with S aureus, though infection typically does not occur without skin barrier disruption. Infection management includes promptly addressing the source of infection, including sites of metastatic infection, and initiation of effective antibiotics, which should be selected based on local antibiotic susceptibility patterns.