A multi-center blinded study on the efficiency of phenotypic screening methods to detect glycopeptide intermediately susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (GISA) and heterogeneous GISA (h-GISA).

Background: To determine the true incidence of hGISA/GISA and its consequent clinical impact, methods must be defined that will reliably and reproducibly discriminate these resistant phenotypes from vancomycin susceptible S. aureus (VSSA).

Methods: This study assessed and compared the ability of eight Dutch laboratories under blinded conditions to discriminate VSSA from hGISA/GISA phenotypes and the intra- and inter-laboratory reproducibility of agar screening plates and the Etest method.

Microbial mito-pathogens: fact or fiction?

Mitochondria are bacteria-like semi-autonomous intracellular organelles that function as the powerhouses of eukaryotic cells. Inactivation or destruction of these organelles may have far-reaching consequences regarding the viability of the cells and thus of tissues, organs and finally even the body. Since mitochondria resemble (degenerated) bacteria, we have extrapolated from both cytological and microbiological facts the existence of various (kinds of) mitochondrion-specific microbial pathogens, i.

Microbial proteinase inside human cells as anti-mitochondrial activity: a new virulence factor in infectious diseases?

Both bacteria and fungi produce extracellular proteinases since they need aminoacids for optimal reproduction. This may also occur inside host cells. Viral proteinases are produced during propagation inside host cells to supply amino acids for rapid synthesis of viral proteins, and/or to split poly-protein molecules into single protein molecules, e.

Molecular diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis: the long and winding road.

Invasive aspergillosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with hematological malignancies and stem cell transplant recipients. Early diagnosis and therapy are important to improve prognosis in these patients. Difficulties in establishing an early diagnosis have prompted investigations towards new and alternative diagnostic methods.

Keratitis due to Shigella flexneri.

Multiresistant Shigella flexneri isolates were cultured from the cornea and stool of a girl. Genetic analysis showed the isolates were identical. Shigella spp.