High frequency of acquired virulence factors in carbapenemase-producing isolates from a large German university hospital, 2013-2021.

Carbapenemase-producing (CP-Kp) isolates are a public health concern as they can cause severe hospital-acquired infections that are difficult to treat. It has recently been shown that CP-Kp can take up virulence factors from hypervirulent lineages. In this study, 109 clinical CP-Kp isolates from the University Hospital Cologne were examined for the presence of acquired virulence factors using whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic tests, and results were linked to clinical data.

Infection prevention and control between legal requirements and German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology expert assessments: a cross-sectional study in September-November 2022.

Background: In contrast to the beginning of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), pandemic, more and more hospital issues are now regulated by policy.

Aim: To identify differences between expert recommendations and legal requirements regarding infection prevention and control (IPC) strategies.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between 29 September 2022 and 3 November 2022 addressing 1319 members of the German Society for Hygiene and Microbiology.

Usefulness of screening for Candida auris colonisation in international patients admitted to a large university hospital.

Introduction: Candida auris is an emerging pathogen in health care-associated infections. In contrast to many other countries with rising numbers of C. auris, only seven cases have been reported in Germany from 2015 to 2017, mostly from patients who received prior medical treatment abroad.

Sequencing Independent Molecular Typing of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates: Approach for Infection Control and Clonal Characterization.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major bacterial human pathogen that causes a wide variety of clinical manifestations. The main aim of the presented study was to determine and optimize a novel sequencing independent approach that enables molecular typing of S. aureus isolates and elucidates the transmission of emergent clones between patients.

Combination of Nasal and Expanded Skin Swabs Enhances the Detection Rate of Staphylococcus aureus Colonization in Premature Infants.

Nasal cultures are commonly used to detect carriers of Staphylococcus aureus (SA) in infants. Combination of nasal and skin swabs has been shown to enhance the detection rate of SA colonization in adult hospitalized patients. Combining nasal swabs with expanded body skin swabs enhanced detection of SA colonization in premature infants in a tertiary care neonatal department.

Harbouring group B streptococci in a neonatal intensive care unit led to an outbreak among preterm infants.

We report a nosocomial outbreak with group B streptococci (GBS) in a level two neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Sachs' Children and Youth Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden, in 2014. There were five very preterm infants with severe late-onset septicaemia, and 10 further infants were colonised. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing genetic characterisation showed that one GBS strain was the cause: serotype Ia, sequence type 23, clonal complex 23.

Admission prevalence of colonization with third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and subsequent infection rates in a German university hospital.

Background: Many patients admitted to a hospital are already colonized with multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) including third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (3GCREB). The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of rectal 3GCREB colonization at admission to a large German university hospital and to estimate infection incidences. In addition, risk factors for 3GCREB colonization were identified.

Experiences and consequences of living with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria: A qualitative study.

Background: The number of people who become carriers of antibiotic-resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria is steadily increasing. A carrier of ESBL can potentially be stressful for individuals, affecting their daily lives.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to increase the understanding of experiences and consequences of being an ESBL carrier.

Acquisition of extended spectrum β-lactamases during travel abroad-A qualitative study among Swedish travellers examining their knowledge, risk assessment, and behaviour.

Background: Travel to foreign countries involves the risk of becoming a carrier of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially when the destination is a country with a high prevalence of this type of bacteria.

Aim And Methods: The aim of this study was to learn about the knowledge of antibiotic resistance, and the behaviour and risk-taking among travellers, who had become carriers of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL)-producing bacteria during travel to a high-prevalence country. A modified version of grounded theory was used to analyse 15 open interviews.

Frequent acquisition of low-virulence strains of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in travellers.

Objectives: International travel is a risk factor for intestinal colonization with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (EPE). This prospective cohort study focuses on molecular features of and risk factors for travel-acquired EPE.

Methods: Rectal swabs and survey data were collected from 188 Swedes travelling to four regions of high EPE prevalence.

The role and regulation of Moraxella catarrhalis-induced human beta-defensin 3 expression in human pulmonary epithelial cells.

Background: Bacterial colonisation with Moraxella catarrhalis may partly sustain chronic inflammation in the lower airways of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In addition, this bacterium causes infectious exacerbations of COPD, which often necessitate treatment with antibiotics. Antimicrobial peptides are the body's own antibiotic substances with bactericidal and bacteriostatic, as well as immunomodulatory function.

Staff experiences of caring for patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria: A qualitative study.

Background: Patients who become carriers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria are sometimes stigmatized by health professionals. Staff members' fears of becoming infected could affect their willingness to care for these patients.

Methods: The purpose of this study was to increase the knowledge of what it means for staff in acute care settings and nursing homes to care for patients with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria.

Knowledge and understanding of antibiotic resistance and the risk of becoming a carrier when travelling abroad: a qualitative study of Swedish travellers.

Background: Increasing globalisation, with the migration of people, animals and food across national borders increases the risk of the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To avoid becoming a carrier of antibiotic-resistant bacteria when travelling, knowledge about antibiotic resistance is important.

Materials And Methods: We aimed to describe the knowledge and understanding of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and of the risk for becoming a carrier of such bacteria, among Swedish travellers before their travel to high-risk areas.

Living with extended-spectrum β-lactamase: a qualitative study of patient experiences.

Background: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) is an enzyme that conveys resistance to most β-lactam antibiotics. Infections caused by bacteria producing ESBL are often difficult to treat because of general multiresistance, and hospital care may be necessary even for nonserious infections.

Methods: The aim of this study was to increase our understanding of how infected individuals perceive their situation as "carriers" of multiresistant bacteria.

Nasal and hand carriage of Staphylococcus aureus in staff at a Department for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: endogenous or exogenous source?

Objective: To investigate the rates of Staphylococcus aureus carriage on the hands and in the noses of healthcare workers (HCWs) and the relatedness of S. aureus isolates found in the two sites.

Design: Point-prevalence study.