Resistance of Staphylococci to Macrolides-Lincosamides- Streptogramins B (MLSB): Epidemiology and Mechanisms of Resistance

A total of 92 genes that confer resistance to MLS antibiotics have been described to date. They can be roughly divided into three groups, depending on the mechanisms by which they confer resistance to one or all of these groups of antibiotics. Three main mechanisms of resistance to MLS antibiotics have been described: methylation of rRNA (target modification), active efflux and inactivation of the antibiotic. Target modification is achieved through the action of the protein product of one of more than 42 different erm (erythromycin rRNA methylase) genes. They confer cross resistance between macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (so-called MLSB resistance) and evoke most concerns. Active efflux and inactivating enzymes (M and L) represent two additional mechanisms of resistance that are targeted only to particular antibiotics or antibiotic classes. Based on the mechanisms of resistance, various resistant phenotypes are expressed. The most prevalent phenotypes are ΜLSB (constitutive or inducible), which is associated with the presence mainly of ermA and ermC genes, followed by the MSB phenotype due to the presence of msrA gene. In livestock S. aureus strains, such as CC 398, other genes such as ermT, lnuA, lsaE and mphC genes are detected

Occurrence and Characteristics of ESBL- and Carbapenemase- Producing Escherichia coli from Wild and Feral Birds in Greece

Wild and feral birds are known to be involved in the maintenance and dissemination of clinically-important antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The aim of our study was to evaluate the presence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli among wild and feral birds from Greece and to describe their antimicrobial resistance characteristics. In this context, fecal samples of 362 birds were collected and cultured. Subsequently, the antimicrobial resistance pheno- and geno-type of all the obtained E. coli isolates were determined. A total of 12 multidrug-resistant (MDR), ESBL-producing E. coli were recovered from eight different wild bird species. Eleven of these isolates carried a bla CTX-M-1 group gene alone or in combination with bla TEM and one carried only bla TEM . AmpC, fluoroquinolone, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, aminoglycoside and macrolide resistance genes were also detected. Additionally, one carbapenemase-producing E. coli was identified, harboring bla NDM along with a combination of additional resistance genes. This report describes the occurrence of ESBL- and carbapenemase-producing E. coli among wild avian species in Greece, emphasizing the importance of incorporating wild birds in the assessment of AMR circulation in non-clinical settings

Associations of Ambient Environmental Conditions with Growth and Dissemination of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> on the Surface of Teatcups from Sheep Milking Parlours

The growth of two isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis (one that was forming biofilm and one that was not) on new or used teatcups made of silicone for use in milking parlours for sheep, was assessed for 24 h after the application by smearing on the surface of the teatcup. Staphylococci were applied by smearing on an area of 0.0003142 (3.142 × 10−4) m2 on material obtained from the teatcups and their growth and expansion further on were monitored for 24 h at varying ambient conditions: temperature 21 °C or 31 °C and humidity 60% or 80%. No differences were evident between the two isolates in the frequency of recoveries in any of the conditions tested (p > 0.75 for all comparisons). Recovery rates were higher in humidity 80% compared to humidity 60%: 1678/2016 (83.2%) versus 1282/2016 (63.6%) (p p = 0.001). Recovery rates were also higher from new teatcups compared to used ones only in humidity 60%: 744/1008 (73.8%) versus 538/1008 (53.4%) (p −7) m s−1 versus 0.000000322 (3.22 × 10−7) m s−1 (+98.8%) (p −7) m s−1 versus 0.000000453 (4.53 × 10−7) m s−1 for temperature 31 °C and 21 °C (+12.4%) (p = 0.29). As part of precision livestock farming, differing approaches can be instituted in accord with varying climatic conditions in different farms, as well as within the same farm with the change of seasons

Prevalence of human papillomavirus and subtype distribution in male partners of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN): a systematic review

Abstract Background Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is estimated to be the most common sexually transmitted infection. The present systematic review summarizes data regarding the prevalence of HPV and the distribution of subtypes in heterosexual male partners of women, who were diagnosed with any grade of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). Methods We conducted a systematic review of the literature by Medline and Google Scholar databases using the terms “Human Papillomavirus” or “HPV” plus “men” or “male partners” or “women with CIN”. We included original published English-language articles published from 1/1/2000 until 1/1/2018 that had screened male partners of women with CIN using HPV DNA testing. We excluded studies that they overlapped with other included studies or were unrelated to the study subject. Results We included a total of 12 publications, which reported the prevalence of HPV in free-clinical signs male partners of women with CIN. The largest proportion of the studies were from South America (seven studies), and the rest from Europe. The mean age of participants was 35.18 + − 3.47 years. HPV prevalence ranged from 12.9 to 86%; the total HPV prevalence among the studies was 49.1%, while ten out twelve studies (83.3%) demonstrated prevalence > 20%. Between the studies, the distribution of HPV subtypes varied on the basis of the method used, on the population and on the geographic region. A great variety of subtypes were detected, including 6, 11, 16, 18, 31, 33, 40, 42, 45, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 61, 62, 66, 68, 81 and 83. In six studies the HPV 16 was the most frequent, while in two others the HPV 6 and HPV 83. Conclusions Until now, there are not precise screening or surveillance guidelines for the management of partners of women with CIN. This population is frequently colonized by various HPV subtypes and therefore need to be screened in an effort to reduce the infection in both sexes. The screening test could include detection/identification of HPV subtypes by a molecular assay, followed by peniscopy only in the positive cases

Clostridioides difficile as a Dynamic Vehicle for the Dissemination of Antimicrobial-Resistance Determinants: Review and In Silico Analysis

The present paper is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the role of Clostridioides difficile in the accumulation of genes associated with antimicrobial resistance and then the transmission of them to other pathogenic bacteria occupying the same human intestinal niche. The second part describes an in silico analysis of the genomes of C. difficile available in GenBank, with regard to the presence of mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance genes. The diversity of the C. difficile genome is discussed, and the current status of resistance of the organisms to various antimicrobial agents is reviewed. The role of transposons associated with antimicrobial resistance is appraised; the importance of plasmids associated with antimicrobial resistance is discussed, and the significance of bacteriophages as a potential shuttle for antimicrobial resistance genes is presented. In the in silico study, 1101 C. difficile genomes were found to harbor mobile genetic elements; Tn6009, Tn6105, CTn7 and Tn6192, Tn6194 and IS256 were the ones more frequently identified. The genes most commonly harbored therein were: ermB, blaCDD, vanT, vanR, vanG and vanS. Tn6194 was likely associated with resistance to erythromycin, Tn6192 and CTn7 with resistance to the β-lactams and vancomycin, IS256 with resistance to aminoglycoside and Tn6105 to vancomycin

Diversity of Bacterial Clones and Plasmids of NDM-1 Producing <i>Escherichia coli</i> Clinical Isolates in Central Greece

The objective of the present study was to genetically characterize ten NDM-1 producing Escherichia coli isolates, recovered from patients in a hospital in Central Greece during the period 2017 to 2021.The isolates were studied by whole genome sequencing to obtain multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST), identification of blaNDM1-environment, resistome and plasmid content. MLST analysis showed the presence of eight sequence types: ST46* (two isolates), ST46, ST744, ST998, ST410, ST224, ST4380, ST683 and ST12 (one isolate each). Apart of the presence of blaNDM-1, the isolates carried a combination of various to β-lactams encoding resistance genes: blaTEM-1B, blaCTX-15, blaOXA-1, blaVIM-1, blaSHV-5, blaOXA-16, blaOXA-10 and blaVEB-1. Additionally, plurality of resistance genes to aminoglycosides, macrolides, rifamycin, phenicols, sulfonamides and tetracycline was detected. The presence of multiple replicons was observed, with predominance of IncFII and IncFIB. Analysis of blaNDM-1 genetic environment of the isolates showed that seven had 100% identity with the pS-3002cz plasmid (Accession Number KJ 958927), two with the pB-3002cz plasmid (Accession Number KJ958926) and one with the pEc19397-131 plasmid (Accession Number MG878866). Τhis latter plasmid was derived by the fusion of two, previously identified, plasmids, pAMPD2 and pLK75 (Accession Numbers CP078058 and KJ440076, respectively). The diversity of clones and plasmids of NDM-1 producing E. coli isolated from patients in Greece indicates a continuous horizontal gene transfer

Pneumococcal Serotype Identification by Capsular Sequence Typing (CST): A Modified Novel Approach for Serotyping Directly in Clinical Samples

As almost 60–70% of Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD) is identified by nonculture methods in Greece, serotyping is of high importance for the better monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes due to the availability of conjugate vaccines. The aim of the study was the modification and direct application of the Capsular Sequence Typing (CST) assay in clinical samples in order to serotype Streptococcus pneumoniae culture-negative, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR_-positive samples, followed by CST group specific single-tube PCR assays. A two-step PCR modified assay was applied on a total of 306 samples (such as CSF, blood, pleural and middle ear fluids, isolates) obtained from 283 patients with IPD. The overall performance permits a rapid, accurate and cost-effective method for nonculture pneumococcal serotyping. As the management of IPD is closely related to the continuous monitoring of pneumococcal serotypes, the proposed approach proved to be a valuable tool for the typing and epidemiological monitoring of S. pneumoniae, for the evaluation of the overall impact of vaccination programs in the era of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, in order to initiate the appropriate vaccination strategy

Administration of Vaccines in Dairy Sheep and Goat Farms: Patterns of Vaccination, Associations with Health and Production Parameters, Predictors

This paper reports findings regarding patterns of vaccine usage in sheep and goat farms, in 325 sheep flocks and 119 goat herds throughout Greece. The objectives of the study were (a) to describe the patterns of vaccine administration in small ruminant farms and (b) to highlight factors that were associated with vaccinations in the farms. Vaccination against brucellosis was performed in all farms into the study. Among optional vaccinations, anti-clostridial vaccination was most frequently performed (in 97.8% of farms), followed by vaccination against contagious agalactia, (56.5% of farms), pneumonia (41.2%), chlamydial abortion (38.1%), staphylococcal mastitis (36.0%), and paratuberculosis (9.5%). Vaccinations against pneumonia and staphylococcal mastitis were performed more frequently in sheep flocks, whilst vaccinations against paratuberculosis were performed more frequently in goat herds. On average, 2.8 and 2.7 optional vaccinations (i.e., additionally to vaccination against brucellosis) were performed in sheep and goat farms, respectively. The increased number of vaccines administered was associated with a higher average milk production in the respective farms. There was an association of vaccination against staphylococcal mastitis with a reduced recovery of staphylococci from the bulk-tank raw milk. In multivariable analyses, significant associations of the administration of the various optional vaccines were seen with 15 variables, 11 related to health management practices and 4 related to the demographic characteristics of farmers; the collaboration with a veterinarian, the daily number of milking sessions, and the period spent daily by the farmer at the farm premises were each associated with the administration of vaccines against three infections

Lincomycin Resistance Gene lnu(D) in Streptococcus uberis▿

Streptococcus uberis UCN 42, isolated from a case of bovine mastitis, was intermediately resistant to lincomycin (MIC = 2 μg/ml) while remaining susceptible to clindamycin (MIC = 0.06 μg/ml) and erythromycin. A 1.1-kb SacI fragment was cloned from S. uberis UCN 42 total DNA on plasmid pUC 18 and introduced into Escherichia coli AG100A, where it conferred resistance to both clindamycin and lincomycin. The sequence analysis of the fragment showed the presence of a new gene, named lnu(D), that encoded a 164-amino-acid protein with 53% identity with Lnu(C) previously reported to occur in Streptococcus agalactiae. Crude lysates of E. coli AG100A containing the cloned lnu(D) gene inactivated lincomycin and clindamycin in the presence of ATP and MgCl2. Mass spectrometry experiments demonstrated that the lnu(D) enzyme catalyzed adenylylation of clindamycin. A domain conserved in deduced sequences of lincosamide O-nucleotidyltransferases Lnu(A), Lnu(C), LinAN2, and Lin(D) and in the aminoglycoside nucleotidyltransferase ANT(2′′) was identified