Comparison of convensional and molecular methods used to determine Leishmania species

Leishmaniasis is a multisystem disease, and have a broad spectrum ranging from skin lesions to systemic disease. Therefore diagnosis must be supported with laboratory results. We analyzed 153 smears, aspiration, blood and bone narrow samples collected from patients suspected with cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis. The specificity and sensitivity of the four methods (culture, smear, miniexon-PCR-RFLP and ITS1-PCR-RFLP) were detected and Leishmania species were determined. The ITS1-PCR-RFLP method was found that the highest sensitivity and specifity. L. infantum and L. tropica were identified by molecular methods from samples. As a result, ITS-1-PCR has a high sensitivity and specificity and easily applicable method. However, it requires the miniexon-PCR or ITS1 sequencing the discrimination of the L. donovani complex. L. infantum is a agent both visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in our region. © 2016, Malaysian Society for Parasitology. All rights reserved

The outbreak of Acinetobacter baumannii producing OXA-23 and OXA-51 type carbapenemases in a state hospital

Acinetobacter baumannii is non-fermentative gram-negative bacilli which plays an important pathogen especially in intensive care units causing infections and epidemics. Carbapenem resistance often is consisted of OXA-type carbapenemase. In this study, we aimed to determine carbapenem resistance and clonal relationships of A. baumannii isolated from patient and enviromental samples by phenotypic and genotypic methods in 10-bed intensive care unit. Multiplex-PCR method was used to determine the genes of OXA type betalactamases (blaOXA) and clonal relations between strains were investigated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) method. All of the isolates were found to be carbapenem resistant and had the blaOXA-51-like and blaOXA-23-like gene. Also, all of isolates were seen to be 100 % related by PFGE method. As a result, isolates of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia and isolates survived on ventilator of Intensive Care Unit were found to be 100% clonal associated with PFGE and had same MIC values for imipenem and meropenem. blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-51 genes has been determined all of the isolates. It can be accepted a short-term and small outbreak. © 2016 OMU

NDM-1 and rmtc-producing klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Turkey

Background: The resistance of aminoglycosides in strains that produce beta-lactamase can be developed through the multidrug resistant encoding genes carried by common plasmids. Recently, the association between 16S rRNA methyltransferase resistance and beta-lactamase enzymes carried by the same plasmids has drawn increased attention from researchers, particularly the association in aminoglycoside-resistant strains with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ? 256 µg/mL. Objectives: We aimed to investigate the co-existence of 16S rRNA methyltransferase and beta-lactamase genes in multidrug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from clinical samples. Methods: We determined the molecular mechanisms of aminoglycoside resistance and its relationship with resistance to carbapenem and beta-lactam group antibiotics in 40 extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive carbapenem- and aminoglycoside-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. Multidrug resistant K. pneumoniae was isolated from various clinical samples in the faculty of medicine of Cukurova University, Turkey. First, the resistance of aminoglycoside and beta-lactam antibiotics was phe-notypically investigated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion test, double disk synergy test, and modified Hodge test. The MIC values of aminoglycoside were determined using the agar dilution method. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the carbapenemases, ESBL, and 16S rRNA methyltransferase genes. The results were confirmed by a sequence analysis. Results: Twenty K. pneumoniae strains showed resistance to amikacin, and 40 were resistant to gentamicin. The MIC value was found to be > 512 µg/mL in five amikacin-resistant strains and > 128 µg/mL in 10 gentamicin-resistant isolates. The rmtC gene, a type of 16S rRNA methyltransferase, was amplified in four isolates (MIC amikacin: > 512 µg/mL, gentamicin: > 128 µg/mL). Of these four isolates, three had the blaNDM-1 gene and all contained at least one ESBL gene. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the co-existence of rmtC and blaNDM-1 genes for the first time in Turkey. The spread of this resistant type should be monitored and limited through molecular surveillance. © 2016, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections due to electronic faucets in a neonatal intensive care unit

PubMedID: 22085434Aim: To evaluate the role of electronic faucets in a newborn intensive care unit during a Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak. Methods: After three patients had P. aeruginosa bacteremia, environmental cultures including those from patient rooms, incubator, ventilators, total parenteral nutrition solutions, disinfection solutions, electronic and hand-operated faucet filters/water samples after removing filters and staff hands were taken. Results: Only filters of electronic faucets and water samples after removing filters and one liquid hand soap showed P. aeruginosa (3-7 × 106 cfu/mL). We have removed the electronic faucets and new elbow-operated faucets were installed. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of outbreak-blood culture isolates from two patients and isolates from electronic water faucets/one liquid hand soap indicated the presence of 90.7% genetically related subtype, probably from the same clone. Water cultures from new faucets were all clean after installation and after 7 months. Conclusion: We suggest that electronic faucets may be considered a potential risk for P. aeruginosa in hospitals, especially in high-risk units. © 2011 Paediatrics and Child Health Division (Royal Australasian College of Physicians)