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Ugeskrift For Laeger Apr 2024Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of striated muscle, usually located to muscles in the extremities or pelvis. We present a microbiologically unique case report of...
Pyomyositis is a bacterial infection of striated muscle, usually located to muscles in the extremities or pelvis. We present a microbiologically unique case report of pyomyositis in the sternocleidomastoid muscle (the first of its kind in Denmark) caused by Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. capitis and possibly Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pyomyositis is very rare but can lead to critical complications such as endocarditis and sepsis. It is therefore important to know the condition when evaluating an infected patient with muscle pain. Treatment consists of antibiotics and - if relevant - surgical abscess drainage.
Topics: Humans; Pyomyositis; Female; Adult; Neck Muscles; Staphylococcal Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Streptococcus pneumoniae
PubMed: 38704724
DOI: 10.61409/V11230750 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2023naturally colonizes the human skin but as an opportunistic pathogen, it can also cause biofilm-associated infections and bloodstream infections in newborns. Previously,...
INTRODUCTION
naturally colonizes the human skin but as an opportunistic pathogen, it can also cause biofilm-associated infections and bloodstream infections in newborns. Previously, we found that two strains from the subspecies subsp. produce yellow carotenoids despite the initial species description, reporting this subspecies as non-pigmented. In the golden pigment staphyloxanthin is an important virulence factor, protecting cells against reactive oxygen species and modulating membrane fluidity.
METHODS
In this study, we used two pigmented (DSM 111179 and DSM 113836) and two non-pigmented subsp. strains (DSM 20326 and DSM 31028) to identify the pigment, determine conditions under which pigment-production occurs and investigate whether pigmented strains show increased resistance to ROS and temperature stress.
RESULTS
We found that the non-pigmented strains remained colorless regardless of the type of medium, whereas intensity of pigmentation in the two pigmented strains increased under low nutrient conditions and with longer incubation times. We were able to detect and identify staphyloxanthin and its derivates in the two pigmented strains but found that methanol cell extracts from all four strains showed ROS scavenging activity regardless of staphyloxanthin production. Increased survival to cold temperatures (-20°C) was detected in the two pigmented strains only after long-term storage compared to the non-pigmented strains.
CONCLUSION
The identification of staphyloxanthin in is of clinical relevance and could be used, in the same way as in , as a possible target for anti-virulence drug design.
PubMed: 37840735
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1272734 -
The Journal of Hospital Infection Oct 2023The multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus capitis clone, NRCS-A, is increasingly associated with late-onset sepsis in low birthweight newborns in neonatal intensive care...
BACKGROUND
The multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus capitis clone, NRCS-A, is increasingly associated with late-onset sepsis in low birthweight newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in England and globally. Understanding where this bacterium survives and persists within the NICU environment is key to developing and implementing effective control measures.
AIM
To investigate the potential for S. capitis to colonize surfaces within NICUs.
METHODS
Surface swabs were collected from four NICUs with and without known NRCS-A colonizations/infections present at the time of sampling. Samples were cultured and S. capitis isolates analysed via whole-genome sequencing. Survival of NRCS-A on plastic surfaces was assessed over time and compared to that of non-NRCS-A isolates. The bactericidal activity of commonly used chemical disinfectants against S. capitis was assessed.
FINDINGS
Of 173 surfaces sampled, 40 (21.1%) harboured S. capitis with 30 isolates (75%) being NRCS-A. Whereas S. capitis was recovered from surfaces across the NICU, the NRCS-A clone was rarely recovered from outside the immediate neonatal bedspace. Incubators and other bedside equipment were contaminated with NRCS-A regardless of clinical case detection. In the absence of cleaning, S. capitis was able to survive for three days with minimal losses in viability (<0.5 log reduction). Sodium troclosene and a QAC-based detergent/disinfectant reduced S. capitis to below detectable levels.
CONCLUSION
S. capitis NRCS-A can be readily recovered from the NICU environment, even in units with no recent reported clinical cases of S. capitis infection, highlighting a need for appropriate national guidance on cleaning within the neonatal care environment.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Staphylococcus capitis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Staphylococcal Infections; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Sepsis; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Disinfectants
PubMed: 37487793
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.06.030 -
Proceedings of the National Academy of... Nov 2023Human skin is stably colonized by a distinct microbiota that functions together with epidermal cells to maintain a protective physical barrier. , a prominent genus of...
Human skin is stably colonized by a distinct microbiota that functions together with epidermal cells to maintain a protective physical barrier. , a prominent genus of the skin microbiota, participates in colonization resistance, tissue repair, and host immune regulation in strain-specific manners. To unlock the potential of engineering skin microbial communities, we aim to characterize the diversity of this genus within the context of the skin environment. We reanalyzed an extant 16S rRNA amplicon dataset obtained from distinct body sites of healthy volunteers, providing a detailed biogeographic depiction of staphylococcal species that colonize our skin. , and were the most abundant staphylococcal species present in all volunteers and were detected at all body sites. Pan-genome analysis of isolates from these three species revealed that the genus-core was dominated by central metabolism genes. Species-restricted-core genes encoded known host colonization functions. The majority (~68%) of genes were detected only in a fraction of isolate genomes, underscoring the immense strain-specific gene diversity. Conspecific genomes grouped into phylogenetic clades, exhibiting body site preference. Each clade was enriched for distinct gene sets that are potentially involved in site tropism. Finally, we conducted gene expression studies of select isolates showing variable growth phenotypes in skin-like medium. In vitro expression revealed extensive intra- and inter-species gene expression variation, substantially expanding the functional diversification within each species. Our study provides an important resource for future ecological and translational studies to examine the role of shared and strain-specific staphylococcal genes within the skin environment.
Topics: Humans; Staphylococcus; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Skin; Staphylococcus epidermidis; Genomics
PubMed: 37956283
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310585120 -
Microbial Biotechnology Nov 2023Staphylococcus capitis is a member of the human and mammal skin microbiomes and is considered less harmful than Staphylococcus aureus. S. capitis subsp. urealyticus BN2...
Staphylococcus capitis is a member of the human and mammal skin microbiomes and is considered less harmful than Staphylococcus aureus. S. capitis subsp. urealyticus BN2 was isolated from a cat and expressed strong antibacterial activity against a range of Gram-positive species, most notably including S. aureus strains with resistance to methicillin (MRSA) and strains with intermediate resistance to vancomycin (VISA). These latter strains are normally relatively resistant to bacteriocins, due to cell wall and cell membrane modifications. Genomic sequencing showed that the strain harboured at least two complete gene clusters for biosynthesis of antagonistic substances. The complete biosynthetic gene cluster of the well-known lantibiotic gallidermin was encoded on a large plasmid and the mature peptide was present in isopropanol cell extracts. In addition, a chromosomal island contained a novel non-ribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) gene cluster. Accidental deletion of two NRPS modules and partial purification of the anti-VISA activity showed that this novel bacteriocin represents a complex of differently decorated, non-ribosomal peptides. Additionally, a number of phenol-soluble modulins (PSMs) was detected by mass spectrometry of whole cells. Producing these compounds, the strain was able to outcompete several S. aureus strains, including MRSA and VISA, in tube cultures.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Staphylococcus aureus; Staphylococcus capitis; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteriocins; Staphylococcal Infections; Peptides; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mammals
PubMed: 37850940
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14356 -
Life (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2023The abuse of antibiotics during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic might have disrupted efforts to curb the further development and spread of the antimicrobial resistance of...
BACKGROUND
The abuse of antibiotics during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic might have disrupted efforts to curb the further development and spread of the antimicrobial resistance of infection and spp. coagulase-negative (CoNS) agents of nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSIs). The purpose of our work was to study the resistance patterns of and CoNS through the analysis of blood cultures in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative patients (pts.).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
During the period January 2018-June 2021, a retrospective case-control study was performed on blood cultures positive for spp. detected in 177 adult pts. (≥18 years old) hospitalized for >48 hours at Sant'Elia Hospital, Caltanissetta.
RESULTS
was isolated in 33.9% of blood culture samples, and among CoNS, the most frequent strains were (18.6%) and (18.1%). Patients aged ≥ 65 years, with a greater number of males, comprised the SARS-CoV-2-negative pts. (71.8% vs. 52.2%, = 0.0154). Among the SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, the significant resistance of was only observed for erythromycin (57.1%). The oxacillin resistance of was higher in SARS-CoV-2-positive than in negative pts. (90% and 78.3%, respectively). Comparing the two groups, we found an increase in resistance in SARS-CoV-2-negative patients for the following antibiotics: gentamicin for ( = 0.007), clindamycin and erythromycin ( = 0.012) for and oxacillin and rifampicin for ( = 0.012).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study confirms the relevance of oxacillin-resistant in being responsible for bloodstream infection and draws attention to highly oxacillin-resistant CoNS such as . The presence of resistant strains of CoNS in hospitals can be worrying, as it limits treatment options and worsens outcomes. The Infection Control Committee (ICC) recommends new treatment strategies to decrease colonization and infections. As part of the implementation of a bloodstream infection prevention program, the authors encourage the introduction of a report on the antimicrobial resistance of hospital bacteremia due to CoNS.
PubMed: 37374138
DOI: 10.3390/life13061356 -
Microbial Genomics Oct 2023is a frequent cause of late-onset sepsis in neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). One clone of , NRCS-A has been isolated from NICUs globally...
is a frequent cause of late-onset sepsis in neonates admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU). One clone of , NRCS-A has been isolated from NICUs globally although the reasons for the global success of this clone are not well understood.We analysed a collection of colonising babies admitted to two NICUs, one in the UK and one in Germany as well as corresponding pathological clinical isolates. Genome analysis identified a population structure of three groups; non-NRCS-A isolates, NRCS-A isolates, and a group of 'proto NRCS-A' - isolates closely related to NRCS-A but not associated with neonatal infection. All bloodstream isolates belonged to the NRCS-A group and were indistinguishable from strains carried on the skin or in the gut. NRCS-A isolates showed increased tolerance to chlorhexidine and antibiotics relative to the other as well as enhanced ability to grow at higher pH values. Analysis of the pangenome of 138 isolates identified characteristic and genes in both the NRCS-A and proto groups. A CRISPR-cas system was only seen in NRCS-A isolates which also showed enrichment of genes for metal acquisition and transport.We found evidence for transmission of NRCS-A within NICU, with related isolates shared between babies and multiple acquisitions by some babies. Our data show NRCS-A strains commonly colonise uninfected babies in NICU representing a potential reservoir for potential infection. This work provides more evidence that adaptation to survive in the gut and on skin facilitates spread of NRCS-A, and that metal acquisition and tolerance may be important to the biology of NRCS-A. Understanding how NRCS-A survives in NICUs can help develop infection control procedures against this clone.
Topics: Infant; Infant, Newborn; Adult; Humans; Staphylococcus capitis; Staphylococcal Infections; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Sepsis; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
PubMed: 37791541
DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001106 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Feb 2024has been recognized as a relevant opportunistic pathogen, particularly its persistence in neonatal ICUs around the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to...
has been recognized as a relevant opportunistic pathogen, particularly its persistence in neonatal ICUs around the world. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological profile of clinical isolates of and to characterize the factors involved in the persistence and pathogenesis of these strains isolated from blood cultures collected in a hospital in the interior of the state of São Paulo, Brazil. A total of 141 strains were submitted to detection of the gene and S typing by multiplex PCR. Genes involved in biofilm production and genes encoding enterotoxins and hemolysins were detected by conventional PCR. Biofilm formation was evaluated by the polystyrene plate adherence test and phenotypic resistance was investigated by the disk diffusion method. Finally, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to analyze the clonal relationship between isolates. The gene was detected in 99 (70.2%) isolates, with this percentage reaching 100% in the neonatal ICU. SCC type III was the most prevalent type, detected in 31 (31.3%) isolates and co-occurrence of SCC was also observed. In vitro biofilm formation was detected in 46 (32.6%) isolates but was not correlated with the presence of the operon genes. Furthermore, biofilm production in ICU isolates was favored by hyperosmotic conditions, which are common in ICUs because of the frequent parenteral nutrition. Analysis of the clonal relationship between the isolates investigated in the present study confirms a homogeneous profile of and the persistence of clones that are prevalent in the neonatal ICU and disseminated across the hospital. This study highlights the adaptation of isolates to specific hospital environments and their high clonality.
PubMed: 38391533
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13020147 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2023Human skin is stably colonized by a distinct microbiota that functions together with epidermal cells to maintain a protective physical barrier. , a prominent genus of...
Human skin is stably colonized by a distinct microbiota that functions together with epidermal cells to maintain a protective physical barrier. , a prominent genus of the skin microbiota, participates in colonization resistance, tissue repair, and host immune regulation in strain specific manners. To unlock the potential of engineering skin microbial communities, we aim to fully characterize the functional diversity of this genus within the context of the skin environment. We conducted metagenome and pan-genome analyses of isolates obtained from distinct body sites of healthy volunteers, providing a detailed biogeographic depiction of staphylococcal species that colonize our skin. , and were the most abundant species present in all volunteers and were detected at all body sites. Pan-genome analysis of these three species revealed that the genus-core was dominated by central metabolism genes. Species-specific core genes were enriched in host colonization functions. The majority (~68%) of genes were detected only in a fraction of isolate genomes, underscoring the immense strain-specific gene diversity. Conspecific genomes grouped into phylogenetic clades, exhibiting body site preference. Each clade was enriched for distinct gene-sets that are potentially involved in site tropism. Finally, we conducted gene expression studies of select isolates showing variable growth phenotypes in skin-like medium. expression revealed extensive intra- and inter-species gene expression variation, substantially expanding the functional diversification within each species. Our study provides an important resource for future ecological and translational studies to examine the role of shared and strain-specific staphylococcal genes within the skin environment.
PubMed: 37503282
DOI: 10.1101/2023.06.22.546190 -
Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection... Jul 2023This study aimed to assess the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence level monitoring for identifying reservoirs of the outbreak pathogen during two...
Using adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence level monitoring to identify bacterial reservoirs during two consecutive Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus capitis nosocomial infection outbreaks at a neonatal intensive care unit.
INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to assess the role of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence level monitoring for identifying reservoirs of the outbreak pathogen during two consecutive outbreaks caused by Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus capitis at a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The secondary aim was to evaluate the long-term sustainability of the infection control measures employed one year after the final intervention measures.
METHODS
Two outbreaks occurred during a 53-day period in two disconnected subunits, A and B, that share the same attending physicians. ATP bioluminescence level monitoring, environmental cultures, and hand cultures from healthcare workers (HCW) in the NICU were performed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing was carried out to investigate the phylogenetic relatedness of the isolated strains.
RESULTS
Four cases of E. faecium sepsis (patients A-8, A-7, A-9, B-8) and three cases of S. capitis sepsis (patients A-16, A-2, B-8) were diagnosed in six preterm infants over a span of 53 days. ATP levels remained high on keyboard 1 of the main station (2076 relative light unit [RLU]/100 cm) and the keyboard of bed A-9 (4886 RLU/100 cm). By guidance with the ATP results, environmental cultures showed that E. faecium isolated from the patients and from the main station's keyboard 1 were genotypically indistinguishable. Two different S. capitis strains caused sepsis in three patients. A total 77.8% (n = 7/9) of S. capitis cultured from HCW's hands were genotypically indistinguishable to the strains isolated from A-2 and A-16. The remaining 22.2% (n = 2/9) were genotypically indistinguishable to patient B-8. Three interventions to decrease the risk of bacterial transmission were applied, with the final intervention including a switch of all keyboards and mice in NICU-A and B to disinfectable ones. Post-intervention prospective monitoring up to one year showed a decrease in blood culture positivity (P = 0.0019) and catheter-related blood stream infection rate (P = 0.016) before and after intervention.
CONCLUSION
ATP monitoring is an effective tool in identifying difficult to disinfect areas in NICUs. Non-medical devices may serve as reservoirs of pathogens causing nosocomial outbreaks, and HCWs' hands contribute to bacterial transmission in NICUs.
Topics: Infant, Newborn; Humans; Cross Infection; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; Staphylococcus capitis; Enterococcus faecium; Staphylococcal Infections; Phylogeny; Prospective Studies; Infant, Premature; Sepsis; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 37443079
DOI: 10.1186/s13756-023-01273-5