[Nasal carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus among medical students of Belgrade University].

Introduction: Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) present the growing problem in the whole world. Carriage of MRSA is most frequent in the nose, and medical students come in contact both with patients and different persons in the community. Therefore, they may be significant for the transmission of MRSA from hospitals to out-of-hospital communities and vice versa.

Public transport as a reservoir of methicillin-resistant staphylococci.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the occurrence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in a large urban public transport system.

Methods And Results: Samples were taken from hand rails, which passengers hold onto when they are standing. In total, 1400 swabs taken from 55 vehicles (trolleybuses, trams and buses) were examined.

Long-term analysis of Listeria monocytogenes vaginal carriage frequency in Belgrade, Serbia (short communication).

In order to gain insight into the frequency of L. monocytogenes vaginal carriage among women of reproductive age in Belgrade, Serbia, we conducted the long-term investigation (January 1992 through August 2006) described herein. The study population of 958 women included 799 patients with spontaneous abortion and 159 patients with infertility.

Surgical wound infection associated with Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus-like organism.

A case of surgical wound infection caused by Psychrobacter phenylpyruvicus-like organism is described. The strain showed phenotypic characteristics typical of P. phenylpyruvicus, but 16S rRNA sequencing showed 98.

[Colonization of cental venous catheter in the Intensive Care Units at the Institute of Cardiovascular Disease "Dedinje"--one year study].

Objectives: The application of Central Venous Catheters (CVC) is associated with increased risk of microbial colonization and infection. The aim of present study was to assess the frequency of pathogens colonizing CVC and to determine their susceptibility pattern to various antimicrobial agents.

Materials And Methods: A total of 253 samples of CVC from intensive care units (ICU) patients were received for culture during 2003.

Evaluation of phenotypic and molecular methods for detection of oxacillin resistance in members of the Staphylococcus sciuri group.

In this paper we report on an experimental evaluation of phenotypic and molecular methods as means for the detection of oxacillin resistance in members of the Staphylococcus sciuri group. A total of 109 S. sciuri group member isolates (92 S.

Biofilm formation by Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes on plastic surface.

Aims: To investigate the biofilm formation by 122 Salmonella spp. and 48 Listeria monocytogenes strains on a plastic surface.

Methods: Quantification of biofilm formation was performed in brain heart infusion (BHI), trypcase soya broth (TSB), meat broth (MB) and 1/20 diluted trypcase soya broth (1/20-TSB) in plastic microtitre plates.

In vitro antimicrobial activity of propolis and synergism between propolis and antimicrobial drugs.

The aim of this study was to investigate antimicrobial properties of ethanolic extract of 13 propolis (EEP) samples from different regions of Serbia against 39 microorganisms (14 resistant or multiresistant to antibiotics), and to determine synergistic activity between antimicrobials and propolis. Antimicrobial activity of propolis samples was evaluated by agar diffusion and agar dilution method. The synergistic action of propolis with antimicrobial drugs was assayed by the disc diffusion method on agar containing subinhibitory concentrations of propolis.

Ground red hot pepper agar in the isolation and presumptive identification of Cryptococcus neoformans.

The study compared ground red hot pepper agar (GRHP) and Guizotia abyssinica creatinine agar (GACA), a medium routinely used for isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans. In order to confirm the capacity of GRHP to support the Cr. neoformans growth and pigment production, 15 strains were inoculated onto GRHP and GACA.

Surgical wound infection associated with Staphylococcus sciuri.

We describe a case of surgical wound infection due to Staphylococcus sciuri. The isolated strain was susceptible to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, erythromycin, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin and resistant to gentamicin, clindamycin, rifampicin, methicillin, ampicillin and ceftriaxone. The multiresistance of the strain had a serious impact on the prolonged course of the infection.

Influence of dynamic conditions on biofilm formation by staphylococci.

The modified microtiter plate test was used to investigate biofilm formation by staphylococci under both static and dynamic conditions. The quantity of biofilm produced under static conditions was used as a reference. Dynamic conditions, which were achieved by incubating microtiter plates on a horizontal shaker with and without the presence of glass beads in wells, either reduced biofilm formation or left it unchanged.

Staphylococcus sciuri as a part of skin, nasal and oral flora in healthy dogs.

The coagulase-negative species Staphylococcus sciuri is widespread in nature and is associated with a variety of domestic and wild animals. However, the occurrence of S. sciuri in dogs has received little attention so far.

Possible virulence factors of Staphylococcus sciuri.

Staphylococcus sciuri is an opportunistic pathogen of controversial clinical significance. The factors that contribute to colonization and/or infection caused by this bacterium have not been studied intensively so far. The present research was carried out in order to study the presence of potential virulence factors in 121 human and animal isolates of this bacterium.

Staphylococcus sciuri: recommendation for simple identification.

We report the isolation of Staphylococcus sciuri, primarily animal species, from samples taken from hospitalised patients. Considering that Staphylococcus sciuri often remains unrecognised in routine laboratory practice, we propose the criteria for simple identification of this bacterium.

A modified microtiter-plate test for quantification of staphylococcal biofilm formation.

The tube test and the microtiter-plate test are the most frequently used techniques for quantifying biofilm formation, an important indicator for the pathogenicity of staphylococci. The purpose of the present study was to develop a modified microtiter-plate technique for quantification of biofilm formation. This technique involves fixing the bacterial film with methanol, staining with crystal violet, releasing the bound dye with 33% glacial acetic acid, and measuring the optical density (OD) of the solution at 570 nm by using an enzyme immunosorbent assay reader.

[Clinical significance of serotypization of Escherichia coli isolated in children urinary tract].

The paper deals with the study of 65 children, aged from 1 to 16,5 years (7 years and 5 months +/- 2 years and 7 months), with urinary tract infection caused by Escherichia coli (E. coli). All patients were classified into three groups according to accepted criteria from literature (clinical features, urographic characteristics, immunological analyses and laboratory signs of inflammatory reaction: (1) 10 patients with chronic pyelonephritis (CP); (2) 34 patients with acute pyelonephritis (AP), and (3) 21 patients with lower urinary tract infection (LUTI).

Survival of Listeria monocytogenes During the Manufacture and Ripening of Trappist Cheese.

Trappist cheese constitutes more than one-third of the semisoft cheese production in Yugoslavia. The ability of Listeria monocytogenes to survive the Trappist cheese-making process and persist during 90 d of ripening and storage was examined. Trappist cheese was manufactured from pasteurized milk (trials A, B, C) and from whey (trials D and E) inoculated with L.

Heat resistance of Listeria monocytogenes in naturally infected and inoculated cow's milk.

A two phase slug flow tubular heat exchanger was used for the thermal inactivation of Listeria monocytogenes in natural infected milk from seven cows. L. monocytogenes serotype 4b inoculated UHT sterilized milk was monitored in a parallel study.

Comparison of allergenic skin test with serological and bacteriological examinations of cattle for Listeria monocytogenes.

Five herds, each containing 200 to 300 cows, were surveyed for listeriosis. Since listeriosis is predominantly linked to reproductive diseases in the surveyed area, suspected cows were first selected according to the records on their previous reproductive disorders such as abortion, endometritis and sterility. By simultaneous serological, bacteriological and skin allergenic testing 40 cows suffering from listeriosis were detected.