Antibiotic prophylaxis in preterm premature rupture of membranes at 24-31 weeks' gestation: Perinatal and 2-year outcomes in the EPIPAGE-2 cohort.

Objective: To compare different antibiotic prophylaxis administered after preterm premature rupture of membranes to determine whether any were associated with differences in obstetric and/or neonatal outcomes and/or neurodevelopmental outcomes at 2 years of corrected age.

Design: Prospective, nationwide, population-based EPIPAGE-2 cohort study of preterm infants.

Setting: France, 2011.

spp. Isolated from Tonsils of Wild Deer and Boars: Genomic Characterization.

is a major human and animal foodborne pathogen. However, data from environmental reservoirs remain scarce. Here, we used whole-genome sequencing to characterize species isolates recovered over 1 year from wild animals in their natural habitats in Spain.

sp. nov., isolated from a water trough and the faeces of healthy sheep.

In the context of a study on the occurrence of species in an animal farm environment in Valencia, Spain, six -like isolates could not be assigned to any known species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and on 231 core genes grouped these isolates in a monophyletic clade within the genus , with highest similarity to . Whole-genome sequence analyses based on DNA-DNA hybridization, the average nucleotide blast and the pairwise amino acid identities against all currently known species confirmed that these isolates constituted a new taxon within the genus .

Residual Variation Intolerance Score Detects Loci Under Selection in Neuroinvasive .

is a Gram-positive bacterium that can be found in a broad range of environments, including soil, food, animals, and humans. can cause a foodborne disease manifesting as sepsis and meningo-encephalitis. To evaluate signals of selection within the core genome of neuroinvasive strains, we sequenced 122 strains from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of Dutch meningitis patients and performed a genome-wide analysis using Tajima's D and ω (dN/dS).

Critical Orientation in the Jungle of Currently Available Methods and Types of Data for Source Attribution of Foodborne Diseases.

With increased interest in source attribution of foodborne pathogens, there is a need to sort and assess the applicability of currently available methods. Herewith we reviewed the most frequently applied methods for source attribution of foodborne diseases, discussing their main strengths and weaknesses to be considered when choosing the most appropriate methods based on the type, quality, and quantity of data available, the research questions to be addressed, and the (epidemiological and microbiological) characteristics of the pathogens in question. A variety of source attribution approaches have been applied in recent years.

Author Correction: Hypervirulent Listeria monocytogenes clones' adaptation to mammalian gut accounts for their association with dairy products.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Hypervirulent Listeria monocytogenes clones' adaption to mammalian gut accounts for their association with dairy products.

Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) is a major human and animal foodborne pathogen. Here we show that hypervirulent Lm clones, particularly CC1, are strongly associated with dairy products, whereas hypovirulent clones, CC9 and CC121, are associated with meat products. Clone adaptation to distinct ecological niches and/or different food products contamination routes may account for this uneven distribution.

Listeria thailandensis sp. nov.

During a screening of Listeria species in food samples in Thailand, a Listeria-like bacterium was recovered from fried chicken and could not be assigned to any known species. Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and on 243 Listeria core genes placed the novel taxon within the Listeria aquatica, Listeria floridensis, Listeria fleishmannii and Listeria costaricensis clade (Listeria sensu lato), with highest similarity to L. floridensis (98.

Epistatic control of intrinsic resistance by virulence genes in Listeria.

Elucidating the relationships between antimicrobial resistance and virulence is key to understanding the evolution and population dynamics of resistant pathogens. Here, we show that the susceptibility of the gram-positive bacterium Listeria monocytogenes to the antibiotic fosfomycin is a complex trait involving interactions between resistance and virulence genes and the environment. We found that a FosX enzyme encoded in the listerial core genome confers intrinsic fosfomycin resistance to both pathogenic and non-pathogenic Listeria spp.

Imaging of Human Neurolisteriosis: A Prospective Study of 71 Cases.

Background: Neurolisteriosis ranks among the most severe neurological infections. Its radiological features have not been thoroughly studied. We describe here the neuroradiological features of neurolisteriosis and assess their prognostic value.

Validation of EN ISO method 15216 - Part 1 - Quantification of hepatitis A virus and norovirus in food matrices.

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) and norovirus are important agents of food-borne human viral illness, with common vehicles including bivalve molluscan shellfish, soft fruit and various vegetables. Outbreaks of viral illness due to contamination of the surfaces of foods, or food preparation surfaces by for example infected food handlers are also common. Virus analysis of food matrices can contribute towards risk management for these hazards and a two-part technical specification for determination of Hepatitis A virus and norovirus in food matrices (ISO/TS 15216:2013) was published jointly by the European Committee for Standardisation and the International Organization for Standardization in 2013.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry-based identification of Listeria species in surveillance: A prospective study.

This study aimed to evaluate MALDI-TOF MS for species discrimination of Listeria in the context of routine surveillance. MALDI-TOF MS yielded 100% accuracy for the identification of L. monocytogenes, L.

Spontaneous Loss of Virulence in Natural Populations of Listeria monocytogenes.

The pathogenesis of depends on the ability of this bacterium to escape from the phagosome of the host cells via the action of the pore-forming toxin listeriolysin O (LLO). Expression of the LLO-encoding gene () requires the transcriptional activator PrfA, and both and genes are essential for virulence. Here, we used the hemolytic activity of LLO as a phenotypic marker to screen for spontaneous virulence-attenuating mutations in Sixty nonhemolytic isolates were identified among a collection of 57,820 confirmed strains isolated from a variety of sources (0.

International infectious diseases teaching to undergraduate medical students: A successful European collaborative experience.

Context: The emerging global-health paradigm requires medical teaching to be continuously redefined and updated; to this end, transnational approaches should be encouraged and medical training harmonized. Infectious diseases (ID) teaching in the current context of emerging infections, fast-increasing bacterial resistance and large-scale human migration, was chosen to develop a common international course.

Objective: We report the successful implementation of a joint European undergraduate course aiming to (i) develop a common ID core curriculum among European medical schools; (ii) promote mobility among teachers and students (iii) promote international cooperation among European teachers.

Clonogrouping, a Rapid Multiplex PCR Method for Identification of Major Clones of Listeria monocytogenes.

Three multiplex PCR assays were developed to identify the 11 most common Listeria monocytogenes clones in clinical and food samples; 270 (95.7%) of 282 strains of serogroups IVb, IIb, IIa, and IIc were identified accurately. This novel tool is a rapid and efficient alternative to multilocus sequence typing for identification of L.

Prevalence, identification by a DNA microarray-based assay of human and food isolates Listeria spp. from Tunisia.

Objectives: We aimed at evaluating the prevalence of Listeria species isolated from food samples and characterizing food and human cases isolates.

Material And Methods: Between 2005 and 2007, one hundred food samples collected in the markets of Tunis were analysed in our study. Five strains of Listeria monocytogenes responsible for human listeriosis isolated in hospital of Tunis were included.

Inadequate management of pregnancy-associated listeriosis: lessons from four case reports.

Listeria monocytogenes infection during pregnancy can lead to dramatic fetal or neonatal outcomes. No clinical trial has evaluated treatment options, and retrospective studies of cases are therefore important to define optimal regimens. We report four cases of materno-neonatal listeriosis illustrating inadequate antimicrobial therapy management and discuss recommended treatment options.