Resistome and plasmidome genomic features of mcr-1.1-harboring E. coli: a One Health approach.

Aims: This study evaluated the phenotypic and genotypic traits of mcr-1.1-harboring Escherichia coli isolates from chickens, pigs, humans, and farm environments. The resistome and the mobile genetic elements associated with the spread of mcr-1.

Comparative microbiome analysis in cystic fibrosis and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis.

Background: Bronchiectasis is a condition characterized by abnormal and irreversible bronchial dilation resulting from lung tissue damage and can be categorized into two main groups: cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF bronchiectasis (NCFB). Both diseases are marked by recurrent infections, inflammatory exacerbations, and lung damage. Given that infections are the primary drivers of disease progression, characterization of the respiratory microbiome can shed light on compositional alterations and susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs in these cases compared to healthy individuals.

Detection of Carbapenem Resistance in Enterobacterales Directly From Positive Blood Cultures Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry.

Context.—: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales are disseminated worldwide and associated with infections with high rates of morbidity and mortality. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a useful tool for identification of pathogens directly from blood cultures in clinical microbiology laboratories.

Validation of a MALDI-TOF MS Method for SARS-CoV-2 Detection on the Bruker Biotyper and Nasopharyngeal Swabs: A Brazil-UK Collaborative Study.

We developed a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry method for the detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in saliva-gargle samples using Shimadzu MALDI-TOF mass spectrometers in the UK. This was validated in the USA to CLIA-LDT standards for asymptomatic infection detection remotely via sharing protocols, shipping key reagents, video conferencing, and data exchange. In Brazil, more so than in the UK and USA, there is a need to develop non-PCR-dependent, rapid, and affordable SARS-CoV-2 infection screening tests that also identify variant SARS-CoV-2 and other virus infections.

SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Concern: Presumptive Identification via Sanger Sequencing Analysis of the Receptor Binding Domain (RBD) Region of the Gene.

Variants of concern (VOCs) of SARS-CoV-2 are viral strains that have mutations associated with increased transmissibility and/or increased virulence, and their main mutations are in the receptor binding domain (RBD) region of the viral spike. This study aimed to characterize SARS-CoV-2 VOCs via Sanger sequencing of the RBD region and compare the results with data obtained via whole genome sequencing (WGS). Clinical samples (oro/nasopharyngeal) with positive RT-qPCR results for SARS-CoV-2 were used in this study.

Direct Detection of KPC Peak from Positive Blood Cultures Using MALDI-TOF MS: Are We There Yet?

Detecting carbapenemase-associated carbapenem resistance is a subject of major clinical and epidemiological concern as it influences therapeutic choice. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been proposed as a means to assess bacterial resistance mechanisms. We aimed to detect the KPC enzyme directly from positive blood cultures using MALDI-TOF MS.

Evaluation of Early Reading of Broth Microdilution Technique for Polymyxin B.

Delay in the results of standard phenotypic susceptibility tests is the main obstacle to adequate antibiotic treatment. For this reason, the European Committee for Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing has proposed the Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for the disk diffusion method directly from blood culture. However, to date, there are no studies evaluating early readings of polymyxin B broth microdilution (BMD), the only standardized methodology for assessing susceptibility to polymyxins.

Evaluation of a rapid susceptibility test of polymyxin B by MALDI-TOF.

Introduction: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms have become increasingly common in hospital environments around the world. Gram-negative bacilli stands out among multidrug-resistant bacteria mostly due to the production of carbapenemase enzymes which lead to resistance to most β-lactam antibiotics including the carbapenems. As a consequence, polymyxins have been reintroduced in the clinic as a last resort to treat infections caused by Gram-negative bacilli resistant to carbapenems.

Effects of freezing storage on the stability of maternal cellular and humoral immune components in porcine colostrum.

The placental structure of sows is epitheliochorial and prevents maternal serum immunoglobulin transfer to the fetus; therefore, the piglet relies on the ingestion of colostrum to acquire passive immunity. Colostral antibody-mediated and cell-mediated immunity contribute to immunity in piglets. However, little is known about the effects of freezing at -20 °C on colostral immune components during short-term storage, whether this will somehow compromise the acquisition of passive immunity of newborn piglets fed with this colostrum and the humoral immunity in porcine colostrum, and to possible shifts in immunological levels in colostrum collections during the colostral period.

Evaluation of Clinical Course of Gamma (P.1) Variant of Concern versus Lineages in Hospitalized Patients with COVID-19 in a Reference Center in Brazil.

The SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern (VOC) gamma (P.1) has increased transmissibility and resulted in elevated hospitalization and mortality rates in Brazil. We investigated the clinical course of COVID-19 caused by gamma and non-VOCs at a reference hospital in Brazil in a retrospective cohort study with nonelderly hospitalized patients from two periods, before and after the emergence of gamma.

Evaluation of filter paper to transport oro/nasopharyngeal samples to detect SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR.

Purpose: To evaluate filter paper as a means to transport oro/nasopharyngeal samples from laboratories with few resources for SARS-CoV-2 detection by RT-qPCR in a central laboratory that usually performs this technique as routine.

Methods: A total of 40 specimens were evaluated in parallel by RT-qPCR carried out after RNA extraction using two different protocols: direct RNA extraction (Protocol A - reference method) and RNA extraction after impregnation in filter paper (Protocol B).

Results: The RT-qPCR for SARS-CoV-2 using Protocol B presented 97.

Evaluation of filter paper as a means of transporting inactivated Gram-negative non-fermentative bacteria and Haemophilus spp. for identification using the MALDI-TOF MS system.

This study aimed to evaluate the filter paper as a means to transport inactivated Gram-negative non-fermentative (GNNF) bacteria and Haemophilus spp. for analysis using MALDI-TOF MS. A total of 133 isolates were evaluated and the analysis of each isolate was performed directly from original bacterial colony and in filter paper after the processing.

Genomic Surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 Lineages Indicates Early Circulation of P.1 (Gamma) Variant of Concern in Southern Brazil.

The SARS-CoV-2 P.1 lineage emerged in Amazonas (AM), North Brazil and its evolution has been dynamically reported associated with increased transmissibility and/or immune evasion. Here, we evaluated the lineages circulating in 29 cities in Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Southern Brazil between March 2020 and May 2021 and investigated the genetic events associated with the emergence of the P.

RT-qPCR half-reaction optimization for the detection of SARS-CoV-2.

Introduction: The main laboratory test for the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). However, RT-qPCR is expensive because of the number of tests required. This study aimed to evaluate an alternative to the RT-qPCR approach for the detection of sudden acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that is half of the total volume currently recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Cefiderocol treatment for carbapenem-resistant infection in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multicentre cohort study.

Objectives: To analyse the impact of cefiderocol use on outcome in patients admitted to the ICU for severe COVID-19 and further diagnosed with carbapenem-resistant (CR-Ab) infection.

Methods: Retrospective multicentre observational study was performed at four Italian hospitals, from January 2020 to April 2021. Adult patients admitted to ICU for severe COVID-19 and further diagnosed with CR-Ab infections were enrolled.

Convalescent plasma for COVID-19 in hospitalised patients: an open-label, randomised clinical trial.

Background: The effects of convalescent plasma (CP) therapy in hospitalised patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remain uncertain. This study investigates the effect of CP on clinical improvement in these patients.

Methods: This is an investigator-initiated, randomised, parallel arm, open-label, superiority clinical trial.

SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid shedding is variable for every person.

Introduction: Considering the persistent positivity on RT-qPCR tests, the results of SARS-CoV-2 were monitored to evaluate the viral RNA shedding period.

Methods: Between March and June 2020, the sequential results of 29 healthcare workers' were monitored using RT-qPCR.

Results: More than 50% of the individuals remained RT-qPCR positive after 14 days.

Information that (de)motivate women's decision making on Planned Home Birth.

Objective: To understand how information about Planned Home Birth motivates or discourages women's decisions on this location of birth.

Method: Descriptive exploratory study, qualitative approach. Data collection carried out from February to April 2019, through semi-structured interviews with 14 women and documentary sources.

Detection of SARS-CoV-2 lineage P.1 in patients from a region with exponentially increasing hospitalisation rate, February 2021, Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil.

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 P.1 lineage coincided with a surge in hospitalisations in the North region of Brazil. In the South region's Rio Grande do Sul state, severe COVID-19 case numbers rose 3.

Increased frequency of bla in a tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil.

Resistance to carbapenems due to metallo-beta-lactamase NDM-1 was first described in Brazil in 2013. To date, only a few scattered reports of the prevalence of NDM-1 in the country have been reported, and most of them indicated a very low prevalence of this metalloenzyme. In the present study, we report a steady increase in the frequency of NDM among Enterobacterales resistant to carbapenems in a tertiary care hospital in southern Brazil.