Whole genome sequencing and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from patients with bacteraemia in Slovenia.

Purpose: Data on the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates from patients with bacteraemia in Slovenia are lacking. The aim of this study was to phenotypically and genotypically investigate 82 MRSA strains isolated from patients with bloodstream infections in central Slovenia between 2019 and 2022.

Methods: Whole-genome sequencing of selected strains was performed to characterize the strains based on sequence typing, antimicrobial resistance, toxin, and virulence factors genes.

Rapid antigen test for SARS-CoV-2: results of validation and use in real life.

To verify a SARS-CoV-2 rapid antigen test (RAT) compared with PCR. Validation of RAT included 2295 subjects. Next matching of RAT with the PCR was checked in 13,852 subjects referred to PCR after being positive in RAT.

Characterization and clonal representation of MRSA strains in Tuzla Canton, Bosnia and Herzegovina, from 2009 to 2017.

Aim To characterize methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains phenotypically and genotypically and to determine their clonal affiliation, representation and antibiotic resistance profile. Methods A total of 62 randomly selected MRSA isolates of different clinical samples collected from 2009 to 2017 were phenotypically and genotypically analysed. Phenotypic analyses were performed by standard microbiological procedures, and using VITEK 2/AES instrument as well as MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization) technology.

Changing Epidemiology of Presumptive Community-associated-methicillin-resistant in Slovenia in 2014-2015 Compared To 2010.

Introduction: Although the distinction between the Community-Associated-Methicillin-Resistant (CA-MRSA) and Hospital-Associated-Methicillin-Resistant (HA-MRSA) has blurred in recent years, the CA-MRSA is an important group because of its potential to cause fulminant and severe infections. Its importance has further increased with the emergence of Livestock-Associated-Methicillin-Resistant (LA-MRSA).

Methods: In the present study we analysed clonal distributions and virulence factors in presumptive CA-MRSA isolated from January 2014 to December 2015 and compared the results with our previous study from 2010.

Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Establishing links between animals and humans on livestock holdings.

Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) represents a concern in both human and veterinary medicine. The aim of this study was to investigate potential LA-MRSA transmission between animals and humans in rural settings. To this aim, a study was designed to include 14 farms in Slovenia, which were selected on the basis of a farmer (initial patient) with confirmed LA-MRSA infection and regular animal contacts.