Analysis of the prototypical Staphylococcus aureus multiresistance plasmid pSK1

The Staphylococcus aureus multiresistance plasmid pSK1 is the prototype of a family of structurally related plasmids that were first identified in epidemic S. aureus strains isolated in Australia during the 1980s and subsequently in Europe. Here we present the complete 28.15 kb nucleotide sequence of pSK1 and discuss the genetic content and evolution of the 14 kb region that is conserved throughout the pSK1 plasmid family. In addition to the previously characterized plasmid maintenance functions, this backbone region encodes 12 putative gene products, including a lipoprotein, teichoic acid translocation permease, cell wall anchored surface protein and an Fst-like toxin as part of a Type I toxin–antitoxin system. Furthermore, transcriptional profiling has revealed that plasmid carriage most likely has a minimal impact on the host, a factor that may contribute to the ability of pSK1 family plasmids to carry multiple resistance determinants

Level of agreement between self-rated and clinician-rated instruments when measuring major depressive disorder in the Thai elderly: a 1-year assessment as part of the THAISAD study

Nahathai Wongpakaran,1 Tinakon Wongpakaran,1 Kamonporn Wannarit,2 Nattha Saisavoey,2 Manee Pinyopornpanish,1 Peeraphon Lueboonthavatchai,3 Nattaporn Apisiridej,4 Thawanrat Srichan,5 Ruk Ruktrakul,5 Sirina Satthapisit,6 Daochompu Nakawiro,7 Thanita Hiranyatheb,7 Anakevich Temboonkiat,8 Namtip Tubtimtong,9 Sukanya Rakkhajeekul,9 Boonsanong Wongtanoi,10 Sitthinant Tanchakvaranont,11 Putipong Bookkamana,12 Usaree Srisutasanavong,1 Raviwan Nivataphand,3 Donruedee Petchsuwan4 1Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Kingdom of Thailand; 2Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand; 3Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand; 4Trang Hospital, Trang, Kingdom of Thailand; 5Lampang Hospital, Lampang, Kingdom of Thailand; 6Khon Kaen Hospital, Khon Kaen, Kingdom of Thailand; 7Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand; 8Phramongkutklao Hospital, Bangkok, Kingdom of Thailand; 9Faculty of Medicine Naresuan University, Pitsanulok, Kingdom of Thailand; 10Srisangwal Hospital, Mae Hong Son, Kingdom of Thailand; 11Queen Savang Vadhana Memorial Hospital, Chonburi, Kingdom of Thailand; 12Faculty of Science, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Kingdom of Thailand Purpose: Whether self-reporting and clinician-rated depression scales correlate well with one another when applied to older adults has not been well studied, particularly among Asian samples. This study aimed to compare the level of agreement among measurements used in assessing major depressive disorder (MDD) among the Thai elderly and the factors associated with the differences found. Patients and methods: This was a prospective, follow-up study of elderly patients diagnosed with MDD and receiving treatment in Thailand. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Inventory (MINI), 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD-17), 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30), 32-item Inventory of Interpersonal Problems scale, Revised Experience of Close Relationships scale, ten-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support were used. Follow-up assessments were conducted after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results: Among the 74 patients, the mean age was 68±6.02 years, and 86% had MDD. Regarding the level of agreement found between GDS-30 and MINI, Kappa ranged between 0.17 and 0.55, while for Gwet's AC1 the range was 0.49 to 0.91. The level of agreement was found to be lowest at baseline, and increased during follow-up visits. The correlation between HAMD-17 and GDS-30 scores was 0.17 (P=0.16) at baseline, then 0.36 to 0.41 in later visits (P<0.01). The PSS-10 score was found to be positively correlated with GDS-30 at baseline, and predicted the level of disagreement found between the clinicians and patients when reporting on MDD. Conclusion: The level of agreement between the GDS, MINI, and HAMD was found to be different at baseline when compared to later assessments. Patients who produced a low GDS score were given a high rating by the clinicians. An additional self-reporting tool such as the PSS-10 could, therefore, be used in such under-reporting circumstances. Keywords: late-life depression, measurement, correlatio

MRSA CC398 recovered from wild boar harboring new SCCmec type IV J3 variant

A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus CC398 was recovered from a wild female boar (Sus scrofa) in the north of Portugal, in 2013 (Sousa et al. 2017). Whole genome sequencing (WGS) revealed this strain carries a new variant of a mecA-containing staphylococcal chromosomal gene cassette (SCCmec) type IV with an uncommon J3 region. WGS studies can facilitate surveillance and provide more detailed characterization of bacterial clones circulating in the wild, reinforcing the need for a one health perspective to better understand and control antimicrobial resistance.Highlights: New SCCmec type IV J3 variant; Wild boars vectoring antimicrobial resistance; MRSA CC398 whole genome sequencing; MRSA CC398 antimicrobial resistance in silico analysis.Margarida Andrade Sousa has her Ph.D. fellowship granted by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal with the reference SFRH/BD/87302/2012). Nuno Silva was supported by “Programa Ciência 2008” co-financed by POPH/QREN Type 4.2: Employment Promotion Scientific subsidized by the European Social Fund and National Funds of the Ministry of Science and Technology for Higher Education (MCTES)t. Part of this work was supported by Project SAF2016-76571- R from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI) of Spain and the Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER) of EU. This work was also supported by the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry – LAQV which is financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UID/QUI/50006/2019)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio