Prophylactic Phage Aerosols for Nosocomial Infection Control in an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Unit: A 4-Year Prospective Study of Temporospatially Designed Phage Cocktails.

Phage-based decontamination has rarely been explored in real-world settings, particularly in the environments of patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). This four-year prospective study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of aerosolized phage cocktails tailored to combat target antibiotic-resistant species of Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The decontamination procedure with phage aerosols was proactively implemented before the admission of ECMO patients based on a thorough analysis of phage typing results from bacterial species isolated from prospective patient areas during the preceding two months.

Tracing the transmission of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales at the patient: ward environmental nexus.

Introduction: Colonisation and infection with Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) in healthcare settings poses significant risks, especially for vulnerable patients. Genomic analysis can be used to trace transmission routes, supporting antimicrobial stewardship and informing infection control strategies. Here we used genomic analysis to track the movement and transmission of CREs within clinical and environmental samples.

Identification and characterization of the functional tetrameric UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase from .

In all kingdoms of life, the enzyme uridine diphosphate-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UGP) occupies a central role in metabolism, as its reaction product uridine diphosphate-glucose (UDP-Glc) is involved in various crucial cellular processes. Pathogens, including fungi, parasites, and bacteria, depend on UGP for the synthesis of virulence factors; in particular, various bacterial species utilize UDP-Glc and its derivatives for the synthesis of lipopolysaccharides, capsular polysaccharides, and biofilm exopolysaccharides. UGPs have, therefore, gained attention as anti-bacterial drug target candidates, prompting us to study their structure-function relationships to provide a basis for the rational development of specific inhibitors.

Bacteriophage treatment is effective against carbapenem-resistant (KPC) in a neutropenic murine model of gastrointestinal translocation and renal infection.

Carbapenemase-producing (KPC) are globally emerging pathogens that cause life-threatening infections. Novel treatment alternatives are urgently needed. We therefore investigated the effectiveness of three novel bacteriophages (Spivey, Pharr, and Soft) in a neutropenic murine model of KPC gastrointestinal colonization, translocation, and disseminated infection.

Early Recognition of Secondary Asthma Caused by Lower Respiratory Tract Infection in Children Based on Multi-Omics Signature: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To explore the types of pathogens causing lower respiratory tract infections (LTRIs) in children and construction of a predictive model for monitoring secondary asthma caused by LTRIs.

Methods: Seven hundred and seventy-five children with LTRIs treated from June 2017 to July 2024 were selected as research subjects. Bacterial isolation and culture were performed on all children, and drug sensitivity tests were conducted on the isolated pathogens; And according to whether the child developed secondary asthma during treatment, they were divided into asthma group (n = 116) and non-asthma group (n = 659); Using logistic regression model to analyze the risk factors affecting secondary asthma in children with LTRIs, and establishing machine learning (ie nomogram and decision tree) prediction models; Using ROC curve analysis machine learning algorithms to predict AUC values, sensitivity, and specificity of secondary asthma in children with LTRIs.

Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Adults: A Mono-Center Retrospective Study.

Background: Adult community-acquired pneumonia is the most common cause of hospitalization and a leading cause of death. Identification of microorganisms causing community-acquired pneumonia.

Materials And Methods: A cross-sectional design was used.

Decadal Evolution of KPC-related plasmids in Pseudomonas aeruginosa high-risk clone ST463 in Zhejiang, China.

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa (KPC-PA) isolates have quickly expanded in China, especially the high-risk clone ST463. We aimed to explore the evolution of KPC-related plasmids driving ST463 clone success. Whole-genome sequencing of 1258 clinical P.

Diverse polysaccharide production and biofilm formation abilities of clinical Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Klebsiella pneumoniae infections have become a growing threat for human health. The lack of understanding of the relationship between antibiotic resistance, mucoviscosity, and biofilm formation impedes our abilities to effectively predict K. pneumoniae infection outcomes.

Comparison of nasopharyngeal bacteriological profile between patients with diabetes and healthy individuals in Accra, Ghana.

Background: The nasopharynx is characterised by a rich microbial diversity, making it an important endogenous reservoir for respiratory infections. People living with diabetes (PLWD) have a high risk for acquisition of respiratory tract infections, but their nasopharyngeal bacterial flora have rarely been investigated.

Aim: To investigate the nasopharyngeal bacterial flora among PLWD and non-diabetics at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital in Accra.

Molecular pathogen profiling of COVID-19 coinfections.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the prevalence, pathogen spectrum, clinical characteristics, and prognosis-related factors of other respiratory pathogens in COVID-19-infected patients, and to explore the application of molecular detection methods in the epidemiological investigation of multiple pathogen infections.

Methods: Respiratory samples and clinical data from 384 patients with outpatient and inpatient respiratory infections were collected and analyzed. Multiplex PCR and capillary electrophoresis were conducted to detect the distribution characteristics of 26 pathogen species, comprising 13 viruses, 13 bacteria.

Urinary tract infections among under-five children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract in hospitalized patients in Addis Ababa.

Background: Congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and urinary tract infections (UTIs) are significant clinical concerns in children. Children who have UTIs are also at risk of developing long-term complications, notably kidney disease and scarring UTIs. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of urinary tract infection and its determinants among under-five children with congenital anomalies of kidney and urinary tract in Addis Ababa.

Detection of CRISPR‒Cas and type I R-M systems in of human and animal origins and their relationship to antibiotic resistance and virulence.

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)‒CRISPR-associated protein (Cas) and restriction‒modification (R-M) systems are important immune systems in bacteria. Information about the distributions of these two systems in from different hosts and their mutual effect on antibiotic resistance and virulence is still limited. In this study, the whole genomes of 520 strains of from GenBank, including 325 from humans and 195 from animals, were collected for CRISPR‒Cas systems and type I R-M systems, virulence genes, antibiotic resistance genes, and multilocus sequence typing detection.

Utility of Obtaining Follow-Up Blood Cultures in Gram-Negative Bacterial Bloodstream Infection Among Patients With Hematologic Malignancies.

Background: There is an ongoing debate on the benefit of obtaining repeat blood cultures for Gram-negative bacterial bloodstream infections (GNBSI). However, there is a scarcity of data concerning patients with hematologic malignancies. We sought to assess the utility of obtaining follow-up blood cultures (FUBC) in GNBSI among patients with hematologic malignancies.

The antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects of novel synthetized nitroimidazole compounds against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumonia in vitro and in silico.

The antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation by bacterial pathogens has led to failure in infections elimination. This study aimed to assess the antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties of novel synthesized nitroimidazole compounds (8a-8o). In this study, nitroimidazole compounds were synthesized via the A3 coupling reaction of sample substrates in the presence of copper-doped silica cuprous sulfate (CDSCS).

Temporal trends in antimicrobial resistance of medically important pathogens on Curaçao.

Background: The Caribbean lacks recent comprehensive antimicrobial resistance data to inform clinicians and decision-makers. This study aims to provide a snapshot of susceptibility trends for pathogens on Curaçao, an island in the southern Caribbean.

Methods: We analyzed susceptibility data of bacterial pathogens isolated from samples submitted from patients attending general practitioners, outpatient clinics and those who were hospitalized between January 2018 and December 2023.

A systematic review and meta-analysis show a decreasing prevalence of post-stroke infections.

Background: Infection is a common complication in the acute phase after stroke; a systematic review in 2011 reported a post-stroke infection prevalence of 30%. Despite the plethora of primary data on post-stroke infections in recent times, a systematic review that synthesizes the data to provide comprehensive information to guide preventive, control, and management efforts is yet to be undertaken. This systematic review, therefore, aimed at bridging this gap by describing the epidemiology of post-stroke infections including the global prevalence and the associated mortality rates.

Susceptibility of various Gram-negative bacteria to antibacterial agents: SMART in China 2019-2020.

Background: The Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) is an international surveillance program longitudinally monitoring aerobic and facultative Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) involvement in infections and their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Here the incidence and resistance patterns of Chinese GNB isolates from bloodstream infections (BSI), intraabdominal infections (IAI), respiratory tract infections (RTI) and urinary tract infections (UTI) to commonly used antibacterial agents has been updated. 4,975 GNB isolates collected from 22 hospitals across 7 regions of China from 2019 to 2020 were analyzed.

Seven versus 14 days of antimicrobial therapy for severe multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections in intensive care unit patients (OPTIMISE): a randomised, open-label, non-inferiority clinical trial.

Background: Shorter courses of antimicrobial therapy have been shown to be non-inferior to longer durations for the management of several infections. However, data on critically ill patients with severe infections by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB) are scarce. In the duratiOn of theraPy in severe infecTIons by MultIdrug-reSistant gram-nEgative bacteria (OPTIMISE) trial, we assessed the non-inferiority of 7-day versus 14-day antimicrobial therapy for patients with intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired severe infections by MDR-GNB.

Molecular and clinical insights into extended-spectrum β-lactamase genes of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolated from neonatal sepsis in Ethiopia.

Background: Klebsiella bacterial strains harboring Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) enzymes are the primary culprits behind neonatal sepsis globally. These strains significantly impact clinical outcomes due to their multi-drug resistance patterns in local healthcare settings. In response to this spiraling threat, we studied the prevalence and clinical implications of ESBL-encoding genes in neonates hospitalized with confirmed sepsis.

Epidemiological and genetic characteristics of clinical carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales isolates from Batna hospitals in Algeria.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales isolates are associated with significant mortality and have emerged as a major problem in healthcare settings worldwide.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the epidemiological and genotypic characteristics of carbapenemase-positive Enterobacterales isolates from patients hospitalised in three hospitals in the city of Batna, Algeria.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 5,316 clinical isolates were obtained.

Hypermucoviscous presenting as sternocleidomastoid pyomyositis with subsequent lower extremity necrotising fasciitis.

Necrotising fasciitis (NF) is a severe, rapidly progressing infection of the muscular fascia and subcutaneous tissue. Monomicrobial NF from hypermucoviscous (hvKP-NF) is rare but highly virulent, most common in East Asia. This report reviews a unique case of hvKP-NF in a US male in his 40s with undiagnosed diabetes mellitus, presenting with severe sepsis, neck swelling and calf pain.

Profile of co-occurring or secondary infections among COVID-19 patients with HBOT: a single-center retrospective study.

Introduction: This study was designed to describe the profile of co-occurring or secondary infections in hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients undergoing hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) and those without.

Methodology: Out of 716 COVID-19 patients, 79 cases of co-occurring or secondary infections were included. These patients were categorized into two groups based on their usage of HBOT.

Investigation of colistin heteroresistance and the colistin resistance genes mcr-1 to mcr-5 in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a tertiary hospital in Turkey.

Introduction: Heteroresistance is not detected by traditional antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods and may lead to treatment failures. Investigating the presence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes is important because of the horizontal transmission of the relevant genes between bacterial species. This study aimed to investigate the presence of colistin heteroresistance and the colistin resistance genes mcr-1 to mcr-5 in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates.

Antimicrobial activity of iron-depriving pyoverdines against human opportunistic pathogens.

The global rise of antibiotic resistance calls for new drugs against bacterial pathogens. A common approach is to search for natural compounds deployed by microbes to inhibit competitors. Here, we show that the iron-chelating pyoverdines, siderophores produced by environmental spp.