Publications by authors named "Tom Louie"
Epidemic C. difficile (027/BI/NAP1) has rapidly emerged in the past decade as the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea worldwide. However, the key events in evolutionary history leading to its emergence and the subsequent patterns of global spread remain unknown.
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- A fatal case of legionellosis in Calgary led to an investigation of the infection's source, highlighting the risks posed by contaminated hospital water systems to vulnerable patients.
- The Legionella pneumophila strain found in the patient was matched to a persistent strain in the hospital water, confirming it was contracted within the hospital.
- Unique genetic patterns were identified for unrelated cases and isolates from other hospitals, emphasizing the importance of tracking bacterial strains in healthcare settings.
Background: The USA300 strain of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) can cause severe infection and is increasingly recognized as a cause of community outbreaks. In 2004, an outbreak was identified in the Calgary Health Region (CHR).
Methods: MRSA isolates were identified with standard methods at a central regional laboratory and typed via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).