To estimate the proportion of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from humans that were sequence type (ST) 398, we surveyed 24 laboratories in 17 countries in Europe in 2007. Livestock-associated MRSA ST398 accounted for only a small proportion of MRSA isolates from humans; most were from the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, and Austria.

This study demonstrates for the first time that human liver cirrhosis induces significant alterations in enterocytes' TJs. These changes might represent an important cellular mechanism for intestinal barrier dysfunction and hyperpermeability in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of

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Previous VRE colonization and antibiotic usage are essential parameters for enterococcal infection (by VRE or VSE) during ICU stay. Previous enterococcal infection, co-morbidities and antibiotic usage are associated with VRE colonization upon ICU admission, whereas, patient to patient transmission, co-morbidities and antibiotic usage constitute risk factors for VRE colonization during ICU hospitalization.

Three collections of Staphylococcus aureus isolates (n = 1,058) were investigated to assess the spread of Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-producing strains in Greece and their association with skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs). The isolates were collected during 2001-2003 from inpatients and outpatients with invasive infections in two distinct geographical areas. Clonal types were identified according to their ClaI-mecA::ClaI-Tn554::pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns, and the presence of the lukS-PV and lukF-PV genes was assessed by PCR. In total, 287 (27%) S. aureus isolates carried the PVL genes: 45% of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 12% of methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). All the PVL-positive MRSA isolates belonged to a single clone that was disseminated in the community and hospitals. The PVL-positive MSSA isolates were polyclonal, with 14 of 65 isolates being associated with hospital-acquired infections. The community-acquired isolates were from SSTIs, while the hospital-acquired isolates were associated with surgical wound infections, especially those involving prosthetic devices. Thus, a unique clone of PVL-positive MRSA has spread in both the community and the hospital setting in Greece, and has replaced older clonal types.

Staphylococcus epidermidis has emerged as a pathogen associated with infections of implanted medical devices. Bacterial adhesion is a crucial step in infection on biomaterial surfaces. To quantitatively determine the relationship between poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) surface properties and bacterial adhesion, we have compared attachment of slime-producing S. epidermidis strains on PVC and various coatings under flow conditions. Bacterial adhesion and colonization was quantified by counting the viable organisms on the adherent surface as well as by scanning electron microscopy, epifluorescence microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Fluorination of the PVC surface encourages S. epidermidis adhesion whereas; diamond-like carbon (DLC) and especially silver (Ag) coatings seem to inhibit its adhesion. In most materials, the number of adherent bacteria decreased with the increase of shear rate. These results indicate that bacterial adhesion is influenced by the chemical properties of the polymeric surfaces, the surface roughness and the associated flow conditions.

Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18: 626–634 Abstract Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), one of the major pathogens in humans, is a cause of infection and colonization among animals. The increasing number of companion animals and antibiotic use have made this population a reservoir of MRSA. In parallel, the evolution of new MRSA clones and mec homologues among animals of the food chain has emphasized the need for infection control practices in animals and humans in close contact. On the basis of a review of the literature, epidemiological and evolutionary data for MRSA infections and carriage, risk factors and control strategies are presented.