DNA Amplification Fingerprinting for Subtyping Neisseria gonorrhoeae Strains

Background and Objectives DNA amplification fingerprinting is used in most epidemiologic studies as a substitute for conventional typing methods. DNA amplification fingerprinting and conventional typing methods were compared in this epidemiologic study of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Goal of This Study To differentiate 70 Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates from untreated patients with urogenital gonococcal infection. Study Design Gonococcal strains were characterized by auxo-typing, serotyping, plasmid profile, antibiotic sensitivity, and DNA amplification fingerprinting. The method of unweighted pair-group average linkage was used for cluster analysis. Discriminatory power was calculated applying Si…

Epidemiological cutoff values for fluconazole, itraconazole, posaconazole, and voriconazole for six Candida species as determined by the colorimetric Sensititre YeastOne method

ABSTRACT In the absence of clinical breakpoints (CBP), epidemiological cutoff values (ECVs) are useful to separate wild-type (WT) isolates (without mechanisms of resistance) from non-WT isolates (those that can harbor some resistance mechanisms), which is the goal of susceptibility tests. Sensititre YeastOne (SYO) is a widely used method to determine susceptibility of Candida spp. to antifungal agents. The CLSI CBP have been established, but not for the SYO method. The ECVs for four azoles, obtained using MIC distributions determined by the SYO method, were calculated via five methods (three statistical methods and based on the MIC 50 and modal MIC). Respectively, the median ECVs (in mg/lit…

Update on the management of intra-abdominal Candida infections.

The influence of inadequate empirical antimicrobial treatment on patients with bloodstream infections in an intensive care unit

Objective To determine the occurrence of inadequate antimicrobial therapy among critically ill patients with bacteremia and the factors associated with it, to identify the microorganisms that received inadequate antimicrobial treatment, and to determine the relationship between inadequate treatment and patients outcome. Methods From June 1995 to January 1999 we collected data on all clinically significant ICU-bacteremias in our teaching hospital. Clinical and microbiological characteristics were recorded and the adequacy of empirical antimicrobial treatment in each case was determined. We defined inappropriate empirical antimicrobial treatment as applying to infection that was not being eff…

Missing Cases of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Infection of the Central Nervous System When the Reller Criteria Are Applied for HSV PCR Testing: a Multicenter Study

ABSTRACT Previous studies suggested that herpes simplex virus (HSV) PCR testing can be safely deferred in patients with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) counts and protein levels as long as they are older than 2 years of age and are not immunocompromised, the so-called Reller criteria. In this multicenter study, we retrospectively assessed the validity of these screening criteria in our setting. A total of 4,404 CSF specimens submitted for HSV PCR testing to the respective microbiology laboratories at the participating hospitals between 2012 and 2018 were included. Six commercially available HSV PCR assays were used across the participating centers. Ninety-one of the …

Fungal Necrotizing Scleritis After Intravitreal Injection Therapy

PURPOSE To report a case of infectious necrotizing scleritis secondary to Aspergillus terreus after intravitreal injection therapy. METHODS This is a case report with literature review. RESULTS A 98-year-old woman receiving intravitreal aflibercept injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration in the left eye presented with severe pain, redness, and purulent discharge at the injection site. She was initially treated with topical fortified antibiotics, and clinical improvement was achieved, although microbial cultures showed negative results. Two months later, she presented with severe ocular pain and was diagnosed with anterior necrotizing scleritis. Scleral scrapings were col…