fWe evaluated whether the Bruker Biotyper matrix-associated laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) system provides accurate species-level identifications of 147 isolates of aerobically growing Gram-positive rods (GPRs). The bacterial isolates included Nocardia (n ‫؍‬ 74), Listeria (n ‫؍‬ 39), Kocuria (n ‫؍‬ 15), Rhodococcus (n ‫؍‬ 10), Gordonia (n ‫؍‬ 7), and Tsukamurella (n ‫؍‬ 2) species, which had all been identified by conventional methods, molecular methods, or both. In total, 89.7% of Listeria monocytogenes, 80% of Rhodococcus species, 26.7% of Kocuria species, and 14.9% of Nocardia species (n ‫؍‬ 11, all N. nova and N. otitidiscaviarum) were correctly identified to the species level (score values, >2.0). A clustering analysis of spectra generated by the Bruker Biotyper identified six clusters of Nocardia species, i.e., cluster 1 (N.

Tedizolid is a novel, expanded-spectrum oxazolidinone with potent activity against a wide range of Gram-positive pathogens. A total of 425 isolates of Gram-positive bacteria were obtained consecutively from patients with acute bacterial skin and skin structure infections (ABSSSIs) or pneumonia. These isolates included methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) (n ‫؍‬ 100), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (n ‫؍‬ 100), Streptococcus pyogenes (n ‫؍‬ 50), Streptococcus agalactiae (n ‫؍‬ 50), Streptococcus anginosus group (n ‫؍‬ 75), Enterococcus faecalis (n ‫؍‬ 50), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) (Enterococcus faecium) (n ‫؍‬ 50). The MICs of tedizolid and linezolid were determined by the agar dilution method. Tedizolid exhibited better in vitro activities than linezolid against MSSA (MIC 90 s, 0.5 versus 2 g/ml), MRSA (MIC 90 s, 0.5 versus 2 g/ml), S. pyogenes (MIC 90 s, 0.5 versus 2 g/ml), S. agalactiae (MIC 90 s, 0.5 versus 2 g/ml), Streptococcus anginosus group (MIC 90 s, 0.5 versus 2 g/ml), E. faecalis (MIC 90 s, 0.5 versus 2 g/ml), and VRE (MIC 90 s, 0.5 versus 2 g/ml). The tedizolid MICs against E. faecalis (n ‫؍‬ 3) and VRE (n ‫؍‬ 2) intermediate to linezolid (MICs, 4 g/ml) were 1 g/ml and 0.5 g/ml, respectively. The tedizolid MIC 90 s against S. anginosus, S. constellatus, and S. intermedius were 0.5, 1, and 0.5 g/ml, respectively, and the rates of susceptibility based on the U.S. FDA MIC interpretive breakpoints to the isolates were 16%, 28%, and 72%, respectively. Tedizolid exhibited 2-to 4-fold better in vitro activities than linezolid against a variety of Gram-positive cocci associated with ABSSSIs and pneumonia. The lower susceptibilities of tedizolid against isolates of S. anginosus and S. constellatus than against those of S. intermedius in Taiwan were noted.

There were no significant differences in 30 day mortality among patients with candidaemia caused by C. parapsilosis sensu stricto, C. metapsilosis or C. orthopsilosis. The currently used antifungal agents exhibited good in vitro activities against C. parapsilosis sensu lato species isolates.

Database expansion of MALDI-TOF MS for the correct identification of C. fetus to subspecies levels is needed. A novel clone of ST57-PFGE Cluster C of C. fetus subsp. venerealis was noted.

Data are limited on the effectiveness and safety of peginterferon plus ribavirin in HIV-infected Asian patients with acute or chronic HCV infection. HIV-infected Taiwanese patients with acute HCV infection received peginterferon plus weight-based ribavirin for 24 weeks (n = 24), and those with chronic HCV genotype 1 or 6 (HCV-1/6) and HCV genotype 2 or 3 (HCV-2/3) infection received response-guided therapy for 12–72 and 24–48 weeks, respectively (n = 92). The primary endpoint was sustained virologic response (SVR), defined as undetectable HCV RNA 24 weeks off-therapy. The SVR rates were 83% and 72% in patients with acute and chronic HCV infection (p = 0.30), and 68% and 72% in patients with chronic HCV-1/6 and HCV-2/3 infection (p = 0.48), respectively. While no factors predicted SVR in acute HCV and chronic HCV-2/3 infection, age (odds ratio [OR] per 1-year increase: 0.88, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.78–0.99, p = 0.04), HCV RNA (OR per 1-log10 increase: 0.18, 95% CI: 0.03–0.98, p = 0.03), IL28B genotype (OR: 5.52, 95% CI: 1.55–12.2, p = 0.02), and RVR (OR: 9.62, 95% CI: 3.89–15.3, p = 0.007) predicted SVR in chronic HCV-1/6 infection. In conclusion, the SVR rates of peginterferon plus ribavirin for 24 weeks and for response-guided 12–72 weeks are satisfactory in HIV-infected Taiwanese patients with acute and chronic HCV infection.