Novel Virulent Bacteriophages Infecting Mediterranean Isolates of the Plant Pest Xylella fastidiosa and Xanthomonas albilineans

Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is a plant pathogen causing significant losses in agriculture worldwide. Originating from America, this bacterium caused recent epidemics in southern Europe and is thus considered an emerging pathogen. As the European regulations do not authorize antibiotic treatment in plants, alternative treatments are urgently needed to control the spread of the pathogen and eventually to cure infected crops. One such alternative is the use of phage therapy, developed more than 100 years ago to cure human dysentery and nowadays adapted to agriculture. The first step towards phage therapy is the isolation of the appropriate bacteriophages. With this goal, we searched for phages able to infect Xf strains that are endemic in the Mediterranean area. However, as Xf is truly a fastidious organism, we chose the phylogenetically closest and relatively fast-growing organism X. albineans as a surrogate host for the isolation step. Our results showed the isolation from various sources and preliminary characterization of several phages active on different Xf strains, namely, from the fastidiosa (Xff), multiplex (Xfm), and pauca (Xfp) subspecies, as well as on X. albilineans. We sequenced their genomes, described their genomic features, and provided a phylogeny analysis that allowed us to propose new taxonomic elements. Among the 14 genomes sequenced, we could identify two new phage species, belonging to two new genera of the Caudoviricetes order, namely, Usmevirus (Podoviridae family) and Subavirus (Siphoviridae family). Interestingly, no specific phages could be isolated from infected plant samples, whereas one was isolated from vector insects captured in a contaminated area, and several from surface and sewage waters from the Marseille area.     

2012—2015年1380株肝移植术后感染病原菌的分布及耐药性分析

目的了解江苏省人民医院肝移植术后感染病原菌的分布及耐药性,为临床合理用药提供参考。方法对2012年1月—2015年1月江苏省人民医院肝移植术后感染病原菌的分布及耐药性进行统计分析。结果共分离出病原菌1 380株,主要来源于痰液标本。病原菌分布以革兰阴性菌为主,占69.57%,革兰阳性菌和真菌分别占20.07%、10.36%;其中革兰阴性菌以鲍曼不动杆菌、肺炎克雷伯菌为主,革兰阳性菌以溶血葡萄球菌为主;革兰阴性菌对美罗培南、阿米卡星、亚胺培南较为敏感,耐药率均低于30%,对头孢曲松、氨曲南等的耐药率均较高;革兰阳性菌对万古霉素、利奈唑胺、替考拉宁较为敏感,耐药率均低于20%,对氨苄西林、诺氟沙星等耐药率均较高。结论肝移植术后感染病原菌的构成主要是鲍曼不动杆菌、肺炎克雷伯菌和溶血葡萄球菌,临床选择抗菌药物时建议选用病原菌表现较低耐药性的美罗培南、阿米卡星、万古霉素、利奈唑胺等药物。     

2013-2014年荆州市第一人民医院神经外科病原菌的耐药性和抗菌药物用量的相关性分析

目的 分析荆州市第一人民医院神经外科病原菌的耐药性与抗菌药物用量的相关性,为临床合理用药提供参考。方法 统计2013年1月-2014年12月荆州市第一人民医院神经外科病原菌的分布及耐药性和抗菌药物的使用情况,并采用Pearson法对病原菌的耐药性与抗菌药物用量的相关性进行统计分析。结果 共分离出病原菌162株,主要来自痰标本(42.6%);其中革兰阴性菌以鲍曼不动杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌为主,革兰阳性菌以金黄色葡萄球菌为主;鲍曼不动杆菌对多数抗菌药物均耐药,而铜绿假单胞菌对常用抗生素仍保持较高的敏感性,金黄色葡萄球菌除对万古霉素、复方磺胺、利奈唑胺仍保持较高的敏感性外,对其余试验药物的耐药率较高。抗菌药物的使用以头孢唑啉、头孢西丁、左氧氟沙星的用药频度(DDDs)较高。鲍曼不动杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌对头孢他啶、左氧氟沙星、美罗培南的耐药率与DDDs显著相关;金黄色葡萄球菌对左氧氟沙星、头孢西丁的耐药率与DDDs显著相关。结论 荆州市第一人民医院神经外科鲍曼不动杆菌及金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药率较高,除需严格控制抗菌药物的合理应用外,全面落实医院感染防控措施至关重要。     

Evaluation of the novel DiaSorin LIAISON®Campylobacter assay for the rapid detection of Campylobacter spp.

Introduction

Campylobacter spp. infection is one of the leading causes of foodborne diarrhoeal illness in humans worldwide. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the DiaSorin LIAISON^®Campylobacter assay for human campylobacteriosis diagnosis.

Early pulmonary infection, inflammation, and clinical outcomes in infants with cystic fibrosis

A thorough understanding of the early natural history of cystic fibrosis (CF) lung disease is critical for the development of effective interventions in the youngest patients. We assessed the evolution of pulmonary infection, inflammation, and clinical course among 40 infants over a 2-year period through annual bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) for culture and measurements of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, semiannual infant pulmonary function testing, and quarterly clinical evaluations. Both the prevalence of CF pathogens and their density in BAL fluid increased with age. Infants had neutrophilic lower airway inflammation and elevated IL-8 concentrations independent of whether CF pathogens were recovered. Total leukocyte and neutrophil densities and IL-8 concentrations increased with density of CF pathogens in BAL fluid, whether the isolated organism was P. aeruginosa or another pathogen. IL-10 concentrations were similar in CF subjects and non-CF historical controls. Infants generally had suboptimal growth (low weight and height percentiles) and obstructive lung disease (decreased expiratory flows and air trapping). Subjects from whom CF pathogens were isolated at > 10(5) cfu/mL had the worst air trapping and lowest Brasfield chest X-ray scores. Our findings provide a foundation for future studies of early intervention in CF lung disease, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory therapy.     

Raw Milk Consumption among Patients with Non–Outbreak-related Enteric Infections,Minnesota, USA, 2001–2010

Raw milk has frequently been identified as the source of foodborne illness outbreaks; however, the number of illnesses ascertained as part of documented outbreaks likely represents a small proportion of the actual number of illnesses associated with this food product. Analysis of routine surveillance data involving illnesses caused by enteric pathogens that were reportable in Minnesota during 2001–2010 revealed that 3.7% of patients with sporadic, domestically acquired enteric infections had reported raw milk consumption during their exposure period. Children were disproportionately affected, and 76% of those <5 years of age were served raw milk from their own or a relative’s farm. Severe illness was noted, including hemolytic uremic syndrome among 21% of Escherichia coli O157–infected patients reporting raw milk consumption, and 1 death was reported. Raw milk consumers, potential consumers, and policy makers who might consider relaxing regulations regarding raw milk sales should be educated regarding illnesses associated with raw milk consumption.     

2010-2012年邵阳市食源性致病菌污染状况监测分析

目的了解主要食源性致病菌在食品中的污染状况,确定高危食品,为预防和控制食源性疾病提供科学依据。方法按照《全国食源性致病菌监测工作手册》检测技术要求,2010-2012年在邵阳市5个监测点共采集食品样品827份,对沙门菌、单核细胞增生李斯特菌、副溶血性弧菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、空肠弯曲菌和大肠埃希氏菌O157∶H7等10种菌的污染情况进行监测。结果 827份样品中,共检出食源性致病菌146株,总检出率为17.65%。2010-2012年不同年份致病菌样品检出率分别为22.81%(65/285)、16.44%(37/225)、13.88%(44/317)。不同种类食品中动物性水产品致病菌的检出率为53.13%,生禽肉为44.00%。对农贸市场、超市、餐饮店3种不同消费场所样品检测,其中餐饮店食源性致病菌检出率为29.87%。结论邵阳市食品食源性致病菌的污染广泛,水产品、生禽肉类是主要污染品种,3种不同消费场所以餐饮店检出率较高,在食源性疾病中存在较高感染的风险。     

2013 年厦门市食源性致病菌监测结果

目的了解厦门市市售食品食源性致病菌污染情况,为控制和降低食源性疾病提供依据。方法根据（（2013年食源性致病菌工作手册》的要求,对采集的样品进行病原菌分离鉴定。结果共监测样品408份,检出致病菌22株,总检出率为5．39％,其中,铜绿假单胞菌检出率为20％（4／20）,阪崎肠杆菌检出率为12．5％（4／32）,副溶血性弧菌检出率为6．67％（5／75）。结论饮用水、婴幼儿食品、地方特色食品、餐饮食品和水产品是厦门市食品的主要污染品种,应加强监督管理,减少由此引起食源性疾病的发生。     

Shedding light on a potential hazard: Dental light-curing units

BackgroundDental light-curing units (LCUs) are powerful sources of blue light that can cause soft-tissue burns and ocular damage. Although most ophthalmic research on the hazards of blue light pertains to low levels from personal electronic devices, computer monitors, and light-emitting diode light sources, the amount of blue light emitted from dental LCUs is much greater and may pose a “blue light hazard.”MethodsThe authors explain the potential risks of using dental LCUs, identify the agencies that provide guidelines designed to protect all workers from excessive exposure to blue light, discuss the selection of appropriate eye protection, and provide clinical tips to ensure eye safety when using LCUs.ResultsWhile current literature and regulatory standards regarding the safety of blue light is primarily based on animal studies, sufficient evidence exists to suggest that appropriate precautions should be taken when using dental curing lights. The authors found it difficult to find on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration database which curing lights had been cleared for use in the United States or Europe and could find no database that listed which brands of eyewear designed to protect against the blue light has been cleared for use. The authors conclude that more research is needed on the cumulative exposure to blue light in humans. Manufacturers of curing lights, government and regulatory agencies, employers, and dental personnel should collaborate to determine ocular risks from blue light exist in the dental setting, and recommend appropriate eye protection. Guidance on selection and proper use of eye protection should be readily accessible.Conclusions and Practical ImplicationsThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Guidelines for Infection Control in the Dental Health-Care Setting–2003 and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration Bloodborne Pathogen Standard do not include safety recommendations or regulations that are directly related to blue light exposure. However, there are additional Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations that require employers to protect their employees from potentially injurious light radiation. Unfortunately, it is not readily evident that these regulations apply to the excessive exposure to blue light. Consequently employers and dental personnel may be unaware that these Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations exist.