Online-Only Abstracts: Population-based burden of bloodstream infections in Finland

To estimate endemic areas for Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in Greece, a country-wide seroepidemiological study was conducted, and 1611 human sera were prospectively collected along with data regarding possible risk factors for acquisition of infection, and tested for CCHF virus IgG antibodies by ELISA. The overall seroprevalence was 4.2%, with significant differences among prefectures, ranging from 0 to 27.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed that slaughtering and agricultural activities were significant risk factors for CCHFV seropositivity. The significantly high seroprevalence in specific prefectures, together with the extremely low number of CCHF cases, suggest that this phenomenon might be strain-related.

Comparison of anidulafungin's and fluconazole's in vivo activity in neutropenic and non-neutropenic models of invasive candidiasis

N. P. Wiederhold^1,2L. K. Najvar^2,3R. Bocanegra^2,3W. R. Kirkpatrick^2,3T. F. Patterson^2,31) University of Texas at Austin College of Pharmacy, Austin, TX2) University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases3) South Texas Veterans Health Care System, San Antonio, TX, USAOriginal Submission: 17 August 2011; Revised Submission: 25 October 2011; Accepted: 30 October 2011Editor: E. RoilidesArticle published online: 3 November 2011Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18: E20–E2310.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03712.x

Abstract

We compared the rate and extent of anidulafungin's and fluconazole's activity in neutropenic and non-neutropenic mice with Candida albicans invasive candidiasis. In immunocompetent mice, anidulafungin significantly improved survival vs. controls and fluconazole, and significant reductions in (1 → 3)-β-D-glucan and fungal burden were observed. In neutropenic animals, the highest doses of anidulafungin (5 mg/kg) and fluconazole (10 mg/kg) also improved survival and reduced fungal burden. However, there were no differences in survival between these antifungals as anidulafungin's activity was attenuated in this model. These results demonstrate that the extent of anidulafungin in vivo efficacy may be dependent on host immune status.

Characterization of clinical strains of Aspergillus terreus complex: molecular identification and antifungal susceptibility to azoles and amphotericin B

P. Escribano^1,2,3T. Peláez^1,2,3,4S. Recio^1,2E. Bouza^1,2,3,4J. Guinea^1,2,3,41) Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Universidad Complutense de Madrid2) Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid3) CIBER de Enfermedades Respiratorias (CIBER RES CD06/06/0058), Palma de Mallorca4) Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, SpainOriginal Submission: 20 July 2011; Revised Submission: 31 October 2011; Accepted: 1 November 2011Editor: E. RoilidesArticle published online: 7 November 2011Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18: E24–E2610.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03714.x

Abstract

We used molecular techniques to analyse 87 (n = 70 patients) Aspergillus terreus complex isolates, all of which were identified as A. terreus sensu stricto. The antifungal susceptibilities determined with CLSI M38-A2 (and Etest for amphotericin B) and expressed as mg/L for range of MIC/MIC₉₀/geometric mean were as follows: itraconazole, 0.25–2/2/1.097; voriconazole, 0.125–2/2/1.176; posaconazole, 0.25–1/1/0.836; amphotericin B CLSI, 4–32/16/9.689; and Etest, 0.75–64/6/3.106. The MICs for amphotericin B were significantly higher than those found for the triazoles.

Candidaemia in a European Paediatric University Hospital: a 10-year observational study

A. Tragiannidis^1,2W. Fegeler³G. Rellensmann⁴V. Debus⁵V. Müller⁶I. Hoernig-Franz⁴K. Siam⁷Z.-D. Pana²H. Jürgens¹A. H. Groll¹1) Department of Paediatric Haematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany2) 2nd Department of Paediatrics, Aristotle University, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece3) Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Münster4) General Paediatrics5) Paediatric Cardiology6) Paediatric Surgery, University Children's Hospital Münster7) Medical Controlling, University Hospital Münster, Münster, GermanyOriginal Submission: 26 July 2011; Revised Submission: 20 October 2011; Accepted: 30 October 2011Editor: E. RoilidesArticle published online: 23 November 2011Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18: E27–E3010.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03720.x

Abstract

In this retrospective observational study covering 1998 to 2008, 32 patients (mean age: 7.50 years) were identified that had 35 episodes of candidaemia (0.47 cases/1000 hospital discharges). Cancer/allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (43%) and congenital malformations/syndromes (21%) were the predominant underlying conditions. Central venous catheterization (90%), a history of antibacterial therapy (69%) and previous bacteraemia (54%) were frequent comorbidities. Candida albicans (46%) was most common, followed by Candida parapsilosis (17%) and Candida glabrata (14%). Resistance was infrequent and limited to non-albicans Candida spp. The 30-day and 100-day mortality rates were 11.4%.

Which anatomical sites should be sampled for screening of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carriage by culture or by rapid PCR test?

L. SennP. BassetI. NahimanaG. ZanettiD. S. BlancService of Hospital Preventive Medicine, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois and University of Lausanne, Lausanne, SwitzerlandOriginal Submission: 29 June 2011; Revised Submission: 3 October 2011; Accepted: 10 November 2011Editor: G. LinaArticle published online: 17 November 2011Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18: E31–E3310.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03724.x

Abstract

The nose is the anatomical site usually recommended for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening. Other sites are also recommended, but are more controversial. We showed that the sensitivities of MRSA detection from nasal swabs alone were 48% and 62% by culture or by rapid PCR test, respectively. These percentages increased to 79% and 92% with the addition of groin swabs, and to 96% and 99% with the addition of groin and throat swabs. In conclusion, neither by culture nor by rapid PCR test is nose sampling alone sufficient for MRSA detection. Additional anatomical sites should include at least the groin and throat.

NDM-2 carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter baumannii in the United Arab Emirates

A. Ghazawi¹Á. Sonnevend¹R. A. Bonnin²L. Poirel²P. Nordmann²R. Hashmey³T. A. Rizvi¹M. B Hamadeh³T. Pál¹1) Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain, United Arab Emirates,2) Department of Microbiology, INSERM U914 ‘Emerging Resistance to Antibiotics', Hospital Bicětre, South-Paris Medical School, K.-Bicětre, France3) Tawam Hospital, Al Ain, United Arab EmiratesOriginal Submission: 25 September 2011; Revised Submission: 7 November 2011; Accepted: 9 November 2011Editor: R. CantónArticle published online: 17 November 2011Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18: E34–E3610.1111/j.1469-0691.2011.03726.x

Abstract

Screening 155 carbapenem non-susceptible Acinetobacter baumannii strains recovered in Abu Dhabi hospitals identified two metallo-β-lactamase bla_NDM gene-carrying isolates. They were isolated 4 months apart from the urine of a cancer patient previously treated in Egypt, Lebanon and in the United Arab Emirates. They were clonally related and carried the bla_NDM-2 gene recently identified in A. baumannii in Egypt and Israel. Sequences surrounding the bla_NDM-2 gene showed significant similarities with those associated with bla_NDM-1 in Enterobacteriaceae and A. baumannii. Repeated isolation of bla_NDM-2-positive A. baumannii in the Middle East raises the possibility of the local emergence and spread of a unique clone.