Prevaccination genomic diversity of human papillomavirus genotype 6 (HPV 6) was established by sequencing 3798 bp of 77 clinically important HPV 6 isolates obtained from 45 and 32 patients with genital warts and laryngeal papillomas, respectively. By analyzing pooled L1, LCR, E6, E2, and E5 nucleotide data of an individual isolate, a total of 36 different genomic variants were identified, of which six (12 isolates), one (one isolate) and 29 (64 isolates) corresponded to HPV 6b, HPV 6a, and HPV 6vc genetic lineages, respectively. Several novel, potentially important mutations were identified. Non-prototypic HPV 6vc genomic variants were found in the majority of genital warts and laryngeal papillomas included in the study. The presence of serious HPV 6 genome sequence errors was confirmed and novel sequence errors were identified in sequence repositories.

Abstract Hospital wastewaters are highly complex effluents acting as a hotspot for antibiotic resistant bacteria. Especially, Gram-negative bacteria bearing multiple antibiotic resistant genes are increasingly found in hospital wastewaters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae in hospital wastewaters from one Slovenian and two Austrian hospitals, as well as the occurrence of antibiotic resistant genes encoding for VIM, KPC, NDM, CTXM and OXA beta-lactamases in isolates from hospital wastewater. The results indicated high levels of ESBL producing Enterobacteriaceae in ranges up to 107 cfu/mL. Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae and OXA 48-type CPE were present in ranges up to 105 cfu/mL. Out of 89 multiplied polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplicons, only 36 were positive for different β-lactamase gene families, among those only three isolates were identified as multiresistant. The dominant ESBL family was CTXM in 19 different isolates. This was followed by 10 OXA-48 positive isolates and 10 VIM positive isolates. KPC or NDM carbapenemases were not identified with PCR screening of the isolates. Hospital wastewaters serve as a reservoir for nearly all clinically important antibiotic resistances. The importance of evaluating such potential environmental reservoirs is especially evident when outbreak cases could not be linked to an epidemiological source.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) genotype HPV 38 is a HPV genotype associated with skin cancer and is classified taxonomically in the beta-PV genus-species 2. At least six genomic variants of HPV 38, including prototype isolate and its subtype FA125, have been characterized so far. In order to investigate further the genomic diversity of HPV 38, a total of 39 HPV 38 positive samples obtained from hairs plucked from pubic, scrotal, perianal or eyebrow regions from 31 immunocompetent healthy male individuals were analyzed. The characterization of genomic variants was based on analysis of L1, E6, and E7 genomic regions. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of a single genomic variant in 35 samples and the presence of at least two different HPV 38 genomic sequences in four samples. A total of nine, nine, and five L1, E6, and E7 genomic variants were identified among 35 isolates, respectively. After combining nucleotide variations in all three genomic regions for a particular isolate, 13 different variants were identified, of which 6 and 7 corresponded to HPV 38 and FA125, respectively. In addition to 5 genomic variants identified previously (prototype isolate, subtype FA125, putative subtype AF091444, isolates U21875 and AF091443), 12 novel genomic variants were characterized. A sixth genomic variant described previously (L38917) was found to be identical with prototype HPV 38 isolate. Taking into account the results of this and previous studies, at least seventeen HPV 38 genomic variants exist today, 12 of which are described for the first time in this study.

Disinfectants are intensively used in medical institutions to control and prevent health care associated infections. With constant use and exposure to disinfectants, bacteria can develop reduced sensitivity or even resistance. In our research, we isolated bacterial strains from reusable devices in physiotherapy departments in four different institutions from Slovenia and Austria. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of various disinfectant wipes used in institutions was determined for the isolated strains. The wipes contained the active substance alcohol or quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC). Average MIC values for alcohol-based disinfectants were between 66.61 and 148.82 g/l, for QAC-based disinfectants between 2.4 and 3.5 mg/L. We identified five different strains in which the MIC values were four times higher than the average values, which may indicate a reduced sensitivity of the bacteria against the tested disinfectants. Monitoring the reduction of susceptibility and/or resistance of bacteria to disinfectants is important, as this can also affect the emergence of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. It is important to take care of the prudent use of available and effective antimicrobial agents, and it is also absolutely necessary to establish clear criteria and protocols for monitoring the resistance of microorganisms to disinfectants.

Biocidal products (disinfectants) are intensively used in nursing homes to control and prevent the spread of microorganisms and healthcare associated infections. We checked the hygiene of the surfaces intended for multiple use and the microbial population present on these surfaces. In three different areas, we noticed the working protocol and the biocidal products in use. The surfaces of the devices were sampled with swabbing before use, after use and after disinfection. Identification and quantification of microorganisms was performed using classical culture methods and MALDI-TOF method. The results showed that some devices were contaminated before use. Of particular concern is the fact that microorganisms remain on the devices even after disinfection in concentrations from 1 to 300 cfu/mL. In complex microbial communities on surfaces and with intensive use of disinfectants, the acquired bacterial resistance to disinfectants can develop, which can consequently lead to increased bacterial resistance to antibiotics.