Publications

rapid universal identification of bacterial pathogens from clinical cultures by using a novel sloppy molecular beacon melting temperature signature technique.	a real-time pcr assay with the ability to rapidly identify all pathogenic bacteria would have widespread medical utility. current real-time pcr technologies cannot accomplish this task due to severe limitations in multiplexing ability. to this end, we developed a new assay system which supports very high degrees of multiplexing. we developed a new class of mismatch-tolerant "sloppy" molecular beacons, modified them to provide an extended hybridization range, and developed a multiprobe, multimelt ...	2009	19923485
rapid universal identification of bacterial pathogens from clinical cultures by using a novel sloppy molecular beacon melting temperature signature technique.	a real-time pcr assay with the ability to rapidly identify all pathogenic bacteria would have widespread medical utility. current real-time pcr technologies cannot accomplish this task due to severe limitations in multiplexing ability. to this end, we developed a new assay system which supports very high degrees of multiplexing. we developed a new class of mismatch-tolerant "sloppy" molecular beacons, modified them to provide an extended hybridization range, and developed a multiprobe, multimelt ...	2009	19923485
redetermination of methyl 3,4-o-isopropyl-idene-β-d-fucopyran-oside monohydrate.	in the title compound, c(10)h(18)o(5)·h(2)o, the fucopyran-oside ring adopts a chair conformation. the crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular o-h⋯o and c-h⋯o hydrogen bonds together with intra-molecular o⋯o [2.2936 (8) å] and inter-molecular o⋯o [2.7140 (8)-2.829 (3) å] short contacts. the mol-ecules are linked together to form an infinite chain along the a axis. this structure has been solved previously but with no r-values [spiers (1931). z. kristallogr. kristallgeom. kristallphys. k ...	2009	21583828
plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance: a multifaceted threat.	although plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (pmqr) was thought not to exist before its discovery in 1998, the past decade has seen an explosion of research characterizing this phenomenon. the best-described form of pmqr is determined by the qnr group of genes. these genes, likely originating in aquatic organisms, code for pentapeptide repeat proteins. these proteins reduce susceptibility to quinolones by protecting the complex of dna and dna gyrase or topoisomerase iv enzymes from the inhibit ...	2009	19822894
gram-negative bacterial sensors for eukaryotic signal molecules.	ample evidence exists showing that eukaryotic signal molecules synthesized and released by the host can activate the virulence of opportunistic pathogens. the sensitivity of prokaryotes to host signal molecules requires the presence of bacterial sensors. these prokaryotic sensors, or receptors, have a double function: stereospecific recognition in a complex environment and transduction of the message in order to initiate bacterial physiological modifications. as messengers are generally unable t ...	2009	22399982
inhibitor resistance in the kpc-2 beta-lactamase, a preeminent property of this class a beta-lactamase.	as resistance determinants, kpc beta-lactamases demonstrate a wide substrate spectrum that includes carbapenems, oxyimino-cephalosporins, and cephamycins. in addition, clinical strains harboring kpc-type beta-lactamases are often identified as resistant to standard beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations in susceptibility testing. the kpc-2 carbapenemase presents a significant clinical challenge, as the mechanistic bases for kpc-2-associated phenotypes remain elusive. here, we demonstr ...	2009	20008772
inhibitor resistance in the kpc-2 beta-lactamase, a preeminent property of this class a beta-lactamase.	as resistance determinants, kpc beta-lactamases demonstrate a wide substrate spectrum that includes carbapenems, oxyimino-cephalosporins, and cephamycins. in addition, clinical strains harboring kpc-type beta-lactamases are often identified as resistant to standard beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations in susceptibility testing. the kpc-2 carbapenemase presents a significant clinical challenge, as the mechanistic bases for kpc-2-associated phenotypes remain elusive. here, we demonstr ...	2009	20008772
integrated detection of extended-spectrum-beta-lactam resistance by dna microarray-based genotyping of tem, shv, and ctx-m genes.	extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (esbl) of the tem, shv, or ctx-m type confer resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in gram-negative bacteria. the activity of these enzymes against beta-lactam antibiotics and their resistance against inhibitors can be influenced by genetic variation at the single-nucleotide level. here, we describe the development and validation of an oligonucleotide microarray for the rapid identification of esbls in gram-negative bacteria by simultaneously genotyping bla(tem) ...	2009	20007393
integrated detection of extended-spectrum-beta-lactam resistance by dna microarray-based genotyping of tem, shv, and ctx-m genes.	extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (esbl) of the tem, shv, or ctx-m type confer resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics in gram-negative bacteria. the activity of these enzymes against beta-lactam antibiotics and their resistance against inhibitors can be influenced by genetic variation at the single-nucleotide level. here, we describe the development and validation of an oligonucleotide microarray for the rapid identification of esbls in gram-negative bacteria by simultaneously genotyping bla(tem) ...	2009	20007393
organization, structure, and assembly of alpha-carboxysomes determined by electron cryotomography of intact cells.	carboxysomes are polyhedral inclusion bodies that play a key role in autotrophic metabolism in many bacteria. using electron cryotomography, we examined carboxysomes in their native states within intact cells of three chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. we found that carboxysomes generally cluster into distinct groups within the cytoplasm, often in the immediate vicinity of polyphosphate granules, and a regular lattice of density frequently connects granules to nearby carboxysomes. small granular bo ...	2009	19925807
organization, structure, and assembly of alpha-carboxysomes determined by electron cryotomography of intact cells.	carboxysomes are polyhedral inclusion bodies that play a key role in autotrophic metabolism in many bacteria. using electron cryotomography, we examined carboxysomes in their native states within intact cells of three chemolithoautotrophic bacteria. we found that carboxysomes generally cluster into distinct groups within the cytoplasm, often in the immediate vicinity of polyphosphate granules, and a regular lattice of density frequently connects granules to nearby carboxysomes. small granular bo ...	2009	19925807
structural bases for stability-function tradeoffs in antibiotic resistance.	preorganization of enzyme active sites for substrate recognition typically comes at a cost to the stability of the folded form of the protein; consequently, enzymes can be dramatically stabilized by substitutions that attenuate the size and preorganization "strain" of the active site. how this stability-activity tradeoff constrains enzyme evolution has remained less certain, and it is unclear whether one should expect major stability insults as enzymes mutate towards new activities or how these ...	2009	19913034
structural bases for stability-function tradeoffs in antibiotic resistance.	preorganization of enzyme active sites for substrate recognition typically comes at a cost to the stability of the folded form of the protein; consequently, enzymes can be dramatically stabilized by substitutions that attenuate the size and preorganization "strain" of the active site. how this stability-activity tradeoff constrains enzyme evolution has remained less certain, and it is unclear whether one should expect major stability insults as enzymes mutate towards new activities or how these ...	2009	19913034
phenotypic and genotypic characterization of enterobacteriaceae with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems: results from large hospital-based surveillance studies in china.	the resistance mechanism of 49 enterobacteriaceae isolates with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems collected from 2004 to 2008 at 16 teaching hospitals in china was investigated. moderate- to high-level carbapenem resistance in most isolates was more closely associated with loss or decreased expression of both major porins combined with production of ampc or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes, while kpc-2, imp-4, and imp-8 carbapenemase production may lead to a low to moderate level o ...	2009	19805565
phenotypic and genotypic characterization of enterobacteriaceae with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems: results from large hospital-based surveillance studies in china.	the resistance mechanism of 49 enterobacteriaceae isolates with decreased susceptibility to carbapenems collected from 2004 to 2008 at 16 teaching hospitals in china was investigated. moderate- to high-level carbapenem resistance in most isolates was more closely associated with loss or decreased expression of both major porins combined with production of ampc or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes, while kpc-2, imp-4, and imp-8 carbapenemase production may lead to a low to moderate level o ...	2009	19805565
mannanoligosaccharide agglutination by salmonella enterica strains isolated from carrier pigs.	type-1 fimbriae are associated with most salmonella enterica serovars and are an essential factor for host colonization. mannanoligosaccharides (mos), a prebiotic that is agglutinated by type-1 fimbriae, are proposed for the control of enterobacteria colonization and may be an alternative to salmonella control in pigs. the aim of this study was to evaluate the capability of porcine salmonella strains to adhere to mos in vitro. a total of 108 strains of salmonella sp. isolated from carrier pigs w ...	2009	24031388
broth microdilution method to detect extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and ampc beta-lactamases in enterobacteriaceae isolates by use of clavulanic acid and boronic acid as inhibitors.	this study was designed to evaluate the performance of the broth microdilution (bmd) method to detect production of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (esbls) and ampc beta-lactamases in enterobacteriaceae by using clavulanic acid (ca) and boronic acid (ba) as esbl and ampc beta-lactamase inhibitors, respectively. a total of 100 clinical isolates of enterobacteriaceae were analyzed. mueller-hinton broth containing serial twofold dilutions of cefotaxime (ctx), ceftazidime (caz), aztreonam (atm), o ...	2009	19710269
enrichment broth improved detection of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in throat and rectal surveillance cultures of samples from patients in intensive care units.	we evaluated the use of a trypticase soy broth (tsb) for improving detection of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing (esbl(+)) bacteria. preenrichment of throat and rectal swabs in tsb prior to inoculation on solid medium doubled the number of esbl(+) bacteria detected in samples obtained from patients in our intensive care unit.	2009	19386837
resistance to β-lactams in bacteria isolated from different types of portuguese cheese.	the purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of beta-lactam-resistant bacteria in six different types of portuguese cheese. the numbers of ampicillin resistant (amp(r)) bacteria varied from 4.7 x 10(2) to 1.5 x 10(7) cfu/g. within 172 randomly selected beta-lactam-resistant bacteria, 44 resistant phenotypes were found and 31.4% were multidrug resistant. the majority (85%) of the isolates identified belonged to the enterobacteriaceae family. the presence of the bla(tem) gene was dete ...	2009	19468324
phytochemical observation and antibacterial activity of cyperus esculentus l.	in the present study various extracts of cyperus esculentus l. such as acetone, 50% ethanol, chloroform and petroleum ether were evaluated for their antibacterial activity against several human pathogens such as escherichia coli, staphylococcus aureus, salmonella sp, klebsiella pneumoniae, proteus vulgaris, pseudomonas aeruginosa and citrobacter freundii, by using disc diffusion method. the activity of the samples were compared with that of standard antibiotics. the qualitative phytochemical ana ...	2009	22557327
spontaneous bacterial peritonitis: a review of treatment options.		2009	19561863
extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae in a malian orphanage.	we show high rates of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae carriage among the staff and children at an orphanage in bamako, mali. enterobacteriaceae colonized in 100% and 63%, respectively, of the 38 children and 30 adults studied. use of antimicrobial drugs appeared excessive and inappropriate; decontamination and hygiene protocols were also questioned.	2009	19239768
extended-spectrum beta-lactamases screening agar with ampc inhibition.		2009	19229564
ligand reduces galectin-1 sensitivity to oxidative inactivation by enhancing dimer formation.	galectin-1 (gal-1) regulates leukocyte turnover by inducing the cell surface exposure of phosphatidylserine (ps), a ligand that targets cells for phagocytic removal, in the absence of apoptosis. gal-1 monomer-dimer equilibrium appears to modulate gal-1-induced ps exposure, although the mechanism underlying this regulation remains unclear. here we show that monomer-dimer equilibrium regulates gal-1 sensitivity to oxidation. a mutant form of gal-1, containing c2s and v5d mutations (mgal-1), exhibi ...	2009	19103599
pancreatic pseudocyst.	pancreatic pseudocysts are complications of acute or chronic pancreatitis. initial diagnosis is accomplished most often by cross-sectional imaging. endoscopic ultrasound with fine needle aspiration has become the preferred test to help distinguish pseudocyst from other cystic lesions of the pancreas. most pseudocysts resolve spontaneously with supportive care. the size of the pseudocyst and the length of time the cyst has been present are poor predictors for the potential of pseudocyst resolutio ...	2009	19115466
central nervous system infection in the pediatric population.	infection of the central nervous system is a life-threatening condition in the pediatric population. almost all agents can cause infection within the central nervous system and the extent of infection ranges from diffuse involvement of the meninges, brain, or the spinal cord to localized involvement presenting as a space-occupying lesion. modern imaging techniques define the anatomic region infected, the evolution of the disease, and help in better management of these patients. acute bacterial m ...	2009	21887170
diversity and evolution of the small multidrug resistance protein family.	members of the small multidrug resistance (smr) protein family are integral membrane proteins characterized by four alpha-helical transmembrane strands that confer resistance to a broad range of antiseptics and lipophilic quaternary ammonium compounds (qac) in bacteria. due to their short length and broad substrate profile, smr proteins are suggested to be the progenitors for larger alpha-helical transporters such as the major facilitator superfamily (mfs) and drug/metabolite transporter (dmt) s ...	2009	19549332
lipid-dependent membrane protein topogenesis.	the topology of polytopic membrane proteins is determined by topogenic sequences in the protein, protein-translocon interactions, and interactions during folding within the protein and between the protein and the lipid environment. orientation of transmembrane domains is dependent on membrane phospholipid composition during initial assembly as well as on changes in lipid composition postassembly. the membrane translocation potential of negative amino acids working in opposition to the positive-i ...	2009	19489728
rapid detection of vaginal candida species by newly developed immunochromatography.	for the diagnosis of vulvovaginal candidiasis, we developed a simple immunochromatographic method that enables the detection of vaginal candida spp. within about 30 min. overall, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of this method appeared to be 80.3, 99.3, 98.0, and 92.0%, respectively.	2009	19656990
high prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants in commensal members of the enterobacteriaceae in ho chi minh city, vietnam.	antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic members of the enterobacteriaceae are a well-defined global problem. we hypothesized that one of the main reservoirs of dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes in vietnam is non-pathogenic intestinal flora, and sought to isolate antimicrobial-resistant organisms from hospitalized patients and non-hospitalized healthy individuals in ho chi minh city. the results identified substantial faecal carriage of gentamicin-, ceftazidime- and nalidixic acid-resist ...	2009	19696153
antimicrobial activities of bacteriocins e 50-52 and b 602 against antibiotic-resistant strains involved in nosocomial infections.	the antimicrobial spectra of previously published bacteriocin e 50-52 (39 a.a.; 3,932 da; pi = 8.5) and bacteriocin b 602 (29 a.a.; 3,864 da; pi = 7.2) were determined. named peptides were related to class iia (pediocin-like) bacteriocins. minimal inhibitory concentrations (mics) of bacteriocins have been determined for bacterial isolates that were causative agents of nosocomial infections collected from russian hospitals in 2003-2007, namely methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) (n ...	2009	26783168
aac(6')-ib-cr genotyping by simultaneous high-resolution melting analyses of an unlabeled probe and full-length amplicon.	we have developed a time- and cost-efficient one-step closed-tube assay for genotyping of aac(6')-ib-cr that is capable of distinguishing between the two genetic aac(6')-ib-cr variants. our genotyping assay uses the combined information of simultaneously acquired high-resolution melting data from an unlabeled probe and the full-length amplicon.	2009	20008777
aac(6')-ib-cr genotyping by simultaneous high-resolution melting analyses of an unlabeled probe and full-length amplicon.	we have developed a time- and cost-efficient one-step closed-tube assay for genotyping of aac(6')-ib-cr that is capable of distinguishing between the two genetic aac(6')-ib-cr variants. our genotyping assay uses the combined information of simultaneously acquired high-resolution melting data from an unlabeled probe and the full-length amplicon.	2009	20008777
updated functional classification of beta-lactamases.	two classification schemes for beta-lactamases are currently in use. the molecular classification is based on the amino acid sequence and divides beta-lactamases into class a, c, and d enzymes which utilize serine for beta-lactam hydrolysis and class b metalloenzymes which require divalent zinc ions for substrate hydrolysis. the functional classification scheme updated herein is based on the 1995 proposal by bush et al. (k. bush, g. a. jacoby, and a. a. medeiros, antimicrob. agents chemother. 39 ...	2009	19995920
updated functional classification of beta-lactamases.	two classification schemes for beta-lactamases are currently in use. the molecular classification is based on the amino acid sequence and divides beta-lactamases into class a, c, and d enzymes which utilize serine for beta-lactam hydrolysis and class b metalloenzymes which require divalent zinc ions for substrate hydrolysis. the functional classification scheme updated herein is based on the 1995 proposal by bush et al. (k. bush, g. a. jacoby, and a. a. medeiros, antimicrob. agents chemother. 39 ...	2009	19995920
closed-hub systems with protected connections and the reduction of risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection in pediatric patients receiving intravenous prostanoid therapy for pulmonary hypertension.	intravenous prostanoids (epoprostenol and treprostinil) are effective therapies for pulmonary arterial hypertension but carry a risk of catheter-related bloodstream infection (cr-bsi). prevention of cr-bsi during long-term use of indwelling central venous catheters is important.	2009	19637961
resistance plasmid families in enterobacteriaceae.		2009	19307361
aerobic bacterial microflora of broad-snouted caiman (caiman latirostris) oral cavity and cloaca, originating from parque zoológico arruda câmara, paraíba, brazil.	the objective of this study was to isolate and identify the aerobic bacterial microflora from the oral cavity mucosa and cloaca's samples, collected from broad-snouted caiman (caiman latirostris), born and bred in captivity at parque zoológico arruda câmara, joão pessoa, paraíba, brazil. the most common bacteria were staphylococcus sp. (14.74%), corynebacterium sp. (13.68%), escherichia coli (13.68%) and shigella sp.(11.58%), and the less common were citrobacter sp. (1.05%), klebsiella pneumonia ...	2009	24031343
clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of intravascular catheter-related infection: 2009 update by the infectious diseases society of america.		2009	19489710
population genomics and the bacterial species concept.	in recent years, the importance of horizontal gene transfer (hgt) in bacterial evolution has been elevated to such a degree that many bacteriologists now question the very existence of bacterial species. if gene transfer is as rampant as comparative genomic studies have suggested, how could bacterial species survive such genomic fluidity? and yet, most bacteriologists recognize, and name, as species, clusters of bacterial isolates that share complex phenotypic properties. the core genome hypothe ...	2009	19271196
time-related concordance between swab and biopsy samples in the microbiological assessment of burn wounds.	the aim of this study was to investigate the concordance between swab and tissue biopsy samples in terms of microbiological isolates and their time-related changes. a total of 156 samples (78 swab and 78 biopsy) were collected from 39 cases of partial- or full-thickness burns and compared at days 7 and 14 after admission regarding the type of microorganisms and their time-related changes. pseudomonas aeruginosa and citrobacter freundii were the two most common microorganisms found by both sam ...	2009	25903099
[citrobacter freundii spondylitis and sickle cell disease: a case in morocco].	infectious complications of sickle cell disease are common and can be serious and difficult to diagnose. epidemiological aspects of these infections are well documented. the most common germ in children is pneumococcus followed by haemophilus influenzae and minor salmonella. in adults gram-negative germs including minor salmonella are the most frequent. the purpose of this report is to describe a case of a citrobacter freundii spondylitis with prevertebral abscess extending to dorsal and lumbar ...	2010	22368940
antimicrobial resistance of aerobes and facultative anaerobes isolated from the oral cavity.	this study evaluated the resistance to antimicrobials of aerobes and facultative anaerobes isolated from patients wearing complete dentures, patients with gingivitis and periodontitis, and periodontally health subjects.	2010	21308284
the prevalence of bacterial contamination of surgical cold sterile solutions from community companion animal veterinary practices in southern ontario.	surgical cold sterile solutions are commonly used in veterinary practice, yet sterility cannot be verified under practical clinical conditions. surgical cold sterile solutions were sampled and bacteria, including opportunistic pathogens, were recovered from 13% of the sampled solutions. attempts to sterilize surgical instruments with cold sterile solutions should be avoided.	2010	20808576
pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic-model-guided doripenem dosing in critically ill patients.	the growing number of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens has prompted a more rational use of available antibiotics given the paucity of new, effective agents. monte carlo simulations were utilized to determine the appropriateness of several doripenem dosing regimens based on the probability of attaining the critical drug exposure metric of time that drug concentrations remain above the drug mic (t>mic) for 35% (and lower thresholds) of the dosing interval in >80 to 90% of the pop ...	2010	20385857
real-time identification of bacteria and candida species in positive blood culture broths by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.	delays in the identification of microorganisms are a barrier to the establishment of adequate empirical antibiotic therapy of bacteremia. matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (maldi-tof-ms) allows the identification of microorganisms directly from colonies within minutes. in this study, we have adapted and tested this technology for use with blood culture broths, thus allowing identification in less than 30 min once the blood culture is detected as positiv ...	2010	20237092
in vitro activity of tigecycline against patient isolates collected during phase 3 clinical trials for hospital acquired pneumonia.	the in vitro activity of tigecycline was evaluated against 819 baseline pathogens isolated from 383 patients enrolled in the phase 3 clinical trial investigating the efficacy of tigecycline in hospital acquired pneumonia (hap). the trials were global, enrolling patients in 27 countries. tigecycline was active against the most prevalent pathogens in hap, including gram-positive and gram-negative strains (90% of mics ≤2 µg/ml for the entire collection). the spectrum of activity of tigecycline incl ...	2010	24470884
beta-lactam antibiotics: from antibiosis to resistance and bacteriology.	this review focuses on the era of antibiosis that led to a better understanding of bacterial morphology, in particular the cell wall component peptidoglycan. this is an effort to take readers on a tour de force from the concept of antibiosis, to the serendipity of antibiotics, evolution of beta-lactam development, and the molecular biology of antibiotic resistance. these areas of research have culminated in a deeper understanding of microbiology, particularly in the area of bacterial cell wall s ...	2010	20041868
biochemistry of microbial degradation of hexachlorocyclohexane and prospects for bioremediation.	lindane, the gamma-isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane (hch), is a potent insecticide. purified lindane or unpurified mixtures of this and alpha-, beta-, and delta-isomers of hch were widely used as commercial insecticides in the last half of the 20th century. large dumps of unused hch isomers now constitute a major hazard because of their long residence times in soil and high nontarget toxicities. the major pathway for the aerobic degradation of hch isomers in soil is the lin pathway, and variants ...	2010	20197499
bioactivity of syzygium jambos methanolic extracts: antibacterial activity and toxicity.	methanol extracts from s. jambos leaves were tested for antimicrobial activity and toxicity. s. jambos leaf extract inhibited the growth of 4 of the 14 bacteria tested (29%). both gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial growths were inhibited by s. jambos leaf extract, although gram-positive bacteria appeared more susceptible. two of the 10 gram-negative bacteria (20%) and 2 of the 4 gram-positive bacteria (50%) tested had their growths inhibited by the extract. the leaf extract also proved to ...	2010	21808530
antioxidant, antimicrobial activity and toxicity test of pilea microphylla.	a total of 9 plant extracts were tested, using two different kinds of extracting methods to evaluate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities from pilea microphylla (urticaceae family) and including toxicity test. antioxidant activity were tested by using dpph free radical scavenging, also total phenolic contents and total flavonoid contents were determined. toxicity assay carried out by using brine shrimps. methanol extract of method i (me i) showed the highest antioxidant activity at 69.51 ...	2010	20652052
evaluation of brilliance esbl agar, a novel chromogenic medium for detection of extended-spectrum-beta- lactamase-producing enterobacteriaceae.	the aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of brilliance esbl agar (ox; oxoid, basingstoke, united kingdom), a novel chromogenic agar for the selective isolation and the presumptive identification of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (esbl)-producing enterobacteriaceae. a panel of 200 clinical gram-negative enterobacteriaceae and nonfermenting isolates with defined resistance mechanisms was inoculated onto ox and onto chromid esbl agar (bm; biomérieux, marcy l'etoile, france) chromogen ...	2010	20410342
the effect of ph on the antimicrobial efficiency of silver alginate on chronic wound isolates.	nonhealing and stalled chronic wounds are often reported to reside within an alkaline environment. consequently, a number of researchers have proposed that lowering the ph of a chronic wound environment will enable healing to progress. however, it is not known whether the efficacies of silver-impregnated wound dressings are affected by ph.	2010	24527156
the effect of ph on the antimicrobial efficiency of silver alginate on chronic wound isolates.	nonhealing and stalled chronic wounds are often reported to reside within an alkaline environment. consequently, a number of researchers have proposed that lowering the ph of a chronic wound environment will enable healing to progress. however, it is not known whether the efficacies of silver-impregnated wound dressings are affected by ph.	2010	24527156
suffering for water, suffering from water: access to drinking-water and associated health risks in cameroon.	although many african countries, along the equator, receive a great amount of rainfall and possess a dense hydrographic network, access to drinking-water remains a great challenge. in many households, water is used for various purposes, including domestic and crafts activities. according to the world health organization, an estimated four billion cases of diarrheoa occurs worldwide, of which 88% are ascribed to unsafe drinking-water. this study aimed at evaluating health risks in the usage of co ...	2010	20941893
comparison of broth microdilution, agar dilution, and etest for susceptibility testing of doripenem against gram-negative and gram-positive pathogens.	the susceptibility of 513 clinical isolates to doripenem was determined by broth microdilution, agar dilution, and etest. overall agreements for etest and agar dilution mic values compared to reference broth microdilution at +/-1 log(2) dilution were 88% and 94%, respectively. etest mic values demonstrated 98% agreement within +/-2 log(2) dilutions compared to the reference broth microdilution method.	2010	20592149
rapid identification of bacteria from positive blood culture bottles by use of matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight mass spectrometry fingerprinting.	early and adequate antimicrobial therapy has been shown to improve the clinical outcome in bloodstream infections (bsi). to provide rapid pathogen identification for targeted treatment, we applied matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight (maldi-tof) mass spectrometry fingerprinting to bacteria directly recovered from blood culture bottles. a total of 304 aerobic and anaerobic blood cultures, reported positive by a bactec 9240 system, were subjected in parallel to differential c ...	2010	20237093
diagnostic importance of pulmonary interleukin-1beta and interleukin-8 in ventilator-associated pneumonia.	ventilator-associated pneumonia (vap) is the most commonly fatal nosocomial infection. clinical diagnosis of vap remains notoriously inaccurate. the hypothesis was tested that significantly augmented inflammatory markers distinguish vap from conditions closely mimicking vap.	2010	19825784
controlling false-positive results obtained with the hodge and masuda assays for detection of class a carbapenemase in species of enterobacteriaceae by incorporating boronic acid.	the modified hodge method (mht) has been recommended by the clsi for confirmation of suspected class a carbapenemase production in species of enterobacteriaceae. this test and the masuda method (mas) have advantages over traditional phenotypic methods in that they directly analyze carbapenemase activity. in order to identify the potential interferences of these tests, we designed a panel composed of diverse bacterial genera with distinct carbapenem susceptibility patterns (42 carbapenemase produ ...	2010	20181912
the accidental medical tourist.		2010	22132001
multiple antibiotic resistance indexing of coliforms to identify high risk contamination sites in aquatic environment.	bacteriological analysis of the water samples collected from upstream, midstream and downstream points along the bank of the river revealed high populations of escherichia coli, citrobacter freundii, citrobacter diversus, enterobacter aerogens and klebsiella species. all these isolates were screened against eight antibiotics to determine the prevalence of multiple antibiotic resistance among isolates at different sites of the river. the study revealed that multiple antibiotic resistance was prom ...	2010	23100831
matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry for direct bacterial identification from positive blood culture pellets.	an ammonium chloride erythrocyte-lysing procedure was used to prepare a bacterial pellet from positive blood cultures for direct matrix-assisted laser desorption-ionization time of flight (maldi-tof) mass spectrometry analysis. identification was obtained for 78.7% of the pellets tested. moreover, 99% of the maldi-tof identifications were congruent at the species level when considering valid scores. this fast and accurate method is promising.	2010	20164269
direct detection and serogroup characterization of neisseria meningitidis from outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in delhi.	rapid clinical manifestation/progression of the meningococcal meningitis and lacunae in conventional bacteriological test often encourages indiscriminate use of antibiotics much before the etiology is established. accordingly this study was planned to evaluate ctra pcr for rapid molecular detection. in addition, multiplex pcr and sequencing was done for serogroup prediction to provide essential epidemiological and laboratory evidence for decision makers of health department of the country for ch ...	2010	22347552
frequency of resistance and susceptible bacteria isolated from houseflies.	in this study, we determine the vector competence of musca domestica with reference to the transmission of susceptible and resistance bacterial strains in hospitals and slaughter house in sanandaj city, west iran.	2010	22808400
increased expression of carbonic anhydrase i in the synovium of patients with ankylosing spondylitis.	one of the most distinctive features of ankylosing spondylitis (as) is new bone formation and bone resorption at sites of chronic inflammation. previous studies have indicated that the hyperplasia and inflammation of synovial tissues are significantly related to the pathogenic process of as. the present study used a proteomic approach to identify novel as-specific proteins by simultaneously comparing the expression profiles of synovial membranes from patients with as, rheumatoid arthritis (ra) a ...	2010	21143847
design, synthesis, crystal structures, and antimicrobial activity of sulfonamide boronic acids as β-lactamase inhibitors.	we investigated a series of sulfonamide boronic acids that resulted from the merging of two unrelated ampc β-lactamase inhibitor series. the new boronic acids differed in the replacement of the canonical carboxamide, found in all penicillin and cephalosporin antibiotics, with a sulfonamide. surprisingly, these sulfonamides had a highly distinct structure-activity relationship from the previously explored carboxamides, high ligand efficiencies (up to 0.91), and k(i) values down to 25 nm and up to ...	2010	20945905
light-enhanced catalysis by pyridoxal phosphate-dependent aspartate aminotransferase.	the mechanisms of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (plp)-dependent enzymes require substrates to form covalent "external aldimine" intermediates, which absorb light strongly between 410 and 430 nm. aspartate aminotransferase (aat) is a prototypical plp-dependent enzyme that catalyzes the reversible interconversion of aspartate and α-ketoglutarate with oxalacetate and glutamate. from kinetic isotope effects studies, it is known that deprotonation of the aspartate external aldimine c(α)-h bond to give a car ...	2010	21058708
ampc beta lactamases among gram negative clinical isolates from a tertiary hospital, south india.	ampc β-lactamases are cephalosporinases that hydrolyze cephamycins as well as other extended-spectrum cephalosporins and are poorly inhibited by clavulanic acid. although reported with increasing frequency, the true rate of occurrence of ampc β-lactamases in different organisms, including members of enterobacteriaceae, remains unknown. the present study was designed to determine the occurrence of ampc enzyme-harbouring gram-negative clinical isolates in a tertiary care hospital in pondicherry st ...	2010	24031534
bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins: translation of pathogenic peptides into novel targeted diagnostics and therapeutics.	heat-stable toxins (sts) produced by enterotoxigenic bacteria cause endemic and traveler's diarrhea by binding to and activating the intestinal receptor guanylyl cyclase c (gc-c). advances in understanding the biology of gc-c have extended st from a diarrheagenic peptide to a novel therapeutic agent. here, we summarize the physiological and pathophysiological role of gc-c in fluid-electrolyte regulation and intestinal crypt-villus homeostasis, as well as describe translational opportunities offe ...	2010	22069671
screening of urine samples by flow cytometry reduces the need for culture.	urine samples constitute a large proportion of samples tested in clinical microbiology laboratories. culturing of the samples is fairly time- and labor-consuming, and most of the samples will yield no growth or insignificant growth. we analyzed the feasibility of the flow cytometry-based uf-500i instrument (sysmex, japan) to screen out urine samples with no growth or insignificant growth and reduce the number of samples to be cultured. a total of 1,094 urine specimens sent to our laboratory for ...	2010	20592157
risk factors for acute prostatitis after transrectal biopsy of the prostate.	to investigate the incidence, clinical features, pathogenic bacteria, and risk factors associated with acute prostatitis after transrectal prostate biopsy.	2010	20577611
comparison of bd phoenix, vitek 2, and microscan automated systems for detection and inference of mechanisms responsible for carbapenem resistance in enterobacteriaceae.	we assessed the ability of three commercial systems to infer carbapenem resistance mechanisms in 39 carbapenemase-producing and 16 other carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae. the sensitivity/specificity values for "flagging" a likely carbapenemase were 100%/0% (bd phoenix), 82 to 85%/6 to 19% (microscan), and 74%/38% (vitek 2), respectively. oxa-48 producers were poorly detected, but all systems reliably detected isolates with kpc and most with metallo-carbapenemases.	2010	20534805
phase i study of valspodar (psc-833) with mitoxantrone and etoposide in refractory and relapsed pediatric acute leukemia: a report from the children's oncology group.	valspodar, a non-immunosuppressive analog of cylosporine, is a potent p-glycoprotein (mdr1) inhibitor. as mdr1-mediated efflux of chemotherapeutic agents from leukemic blasts may contribute to drug resistance, a phase 1 study of valspodar combined with mitoxantrone and etoposide in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory leukemias was performed.	2010	20209646
evaluation of six risk factors for the development of bacteremia in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia.	febrile neutropenia is a well-known entity in children with cancer, being responsible for the high risk for infection that characterizes this population. for this reason, cancer patients are hospitalized so that they can receive prophylactic care. risk factors have been used to classify patients at a high risk for developing bacteremia. the present study evaluates whether those risk factors (c-reactive protein, hypotension, leukemia as the cancer type, thrombocytopenia, recent chemotherapy, and ...	2010	20404980
whole cell imprinting in sol-gel thin films for bacterial recognition in liquids: macromolecular fingerprinting.	thin films of organically modified silica (ormosils) produced by a sol-gel method were imprinted with whole cells of a variety of microorganisms in order to develop an easy and specific probe to concentrate and specifically identify these microorganisms in liquids (e.g., water). microorganisms with various morphology and outer surface components were imprinted into thin sol-gel films. adsorption of target microorganism onto imprinted films was facilitated by these macromolecular fingerprints as ...	2010	20480018
use of chromid extended-spectrum beta-lactamase medium for detecting carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae.	chromid extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (esbl) culture medium is routinely used for screening esbl producers. this medium was tested for detecting carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae isolates from a collection of reference strains and compared to the chromagar kpc culture medium previously evaluated for detecting kpc-producing isolates. producers of imp-, vim-, and kpc-type carbapenemases with high levels of resistance to cephalosporins and to carbapenems were detected at 1x10(1) cfu/ml. ...	2010	20237104
nasopharyngeal gram-negative bacilli colonization in brazilian children attending day-care centers.	this study aimed at determining prevalence and resistance profile of gram-negative bacilli isolated from nasopharynx of children attending day-care centers in goiânia (brazil). p. aeruginosa (100.0%), e. coli (50.0%), k. pneumoniae (35.3%), and e. aerogenes (16.7%) were the most frequent multi-drug resistant microorganisms isolated. no production of esbl was detected.	2010	24031458
canadian practice guidelines for surgical intra-abdominal infections.		2010	21358883
ctx-m as the predominant extended-spectrum beta-lactamases among enterobacteriaceae in manila, philippines.		2010	20053691
origins and evolution of antibiotic resistance.	antibiotics have always been considered one of the wonder discoveries of the 20th century. this is true, but the real wonder is the rise of antibiotic resistance in hospitals, communities, and the environment concomitant with their use. the extraordinary genetic capacities of microbes have benefitted from man's overuse of antibiotics to exploit every source of resistance genes and every means of horizontal gene transmission to develop multiple mechanisms of resistance for each and every antibiot ...	2010	20805405
aminoglycoside modifying enzymes.	aminoglycosides have been an essential component of the armamentarium in the treatment of life-threatening infections. unfortunately, their efficacy has been reduced by the surge and dissemination of resistance. in some cases the levels of resistance reached the point that rendered them virtually useless. among many known mechanisms of resistance to aminoglycosides, enzymatic modification is the most prevalent in the clinical setting. aminoglycoside modifying enzymes catalyze the modification at ...	2010	20833577
predicting plasmid promiscuity based on genomic signature.	despite the important contribution of self-transmissible plasmids to bacterial evolution, little is understood about the range of hosts in which these plasmids have evolved. our goal was to infer this so-called evolutionary host range. the nucleotide composition, or genomic signature, of plasmids is often similar to that of the chromosome of their current host, suggesting that plasmids acquire their hosts' signature over time. therefore, we examined whether the evolutionary host range of plasmid ...	2010	20851899
endoglycosidase and glycoamidase release of n-linked glycans.	nearly all proteins entering the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (er) become glycosylated en route to a cellular organelle, the plasma membrane, or the extracellular space. many glycans can be attached to proteins, but the most common are the n-linked glycans (oligosaccharides). these chains are added very soon after a protein enters the er, but they undergo extensive remodeling (processing), especially in the golgi. processing changes the sensitivity of the n-glycan to enzymes that cleave en ...	2010	20069534
host-guest chemistry of the peptidoglycan.		2010	20524613
three decades of beta-lactamase inhibitors.	since the introduction of penicillin, beta-lactam antibiotics have been the antimicrobial agents of choice. unfortunately, the efficacy of these life-saving antibiotics is significantly threatened by bacterial beta-lactamases. beta-lactamases are now responsible for resistance to penicillins, extended-spectrum cephalosporins, monobactams, and carbapenems. in order to overcome beta-lactamase-mediated resistance, beta-lactamase inhibitors (clavulanate, sulbactam, and tazobactam) were introduced in ...	2010	20065329
rapid identification of bacterial pathogens in positive blood culture bottles by use of a broad-based pcr assay coupled with high-resolution melt analysis.	we evaluated a broad-based pcr assay coupled with high-resolution melt analysis for rapid bacterial identification in patients with bacterial sepsis. with a reference library of 60 clinically relevant bacterial species, 52 positive blood culture samples were tested. our assay identified 46/52 samples at the species level, with 100% concordance to culture findings.	2010	20631110
a persistent and diverse airway microbiota present during chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations.	acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd) are a major source of morbidity and contribute significantly to healthcare costs. although bacterial infections are implicated in nearly 50% of exacerbations, only a handful of pathogens have been consistently identified in copd airways, primarily by culture-based methods, and the bacterial microbiota in acute exacerbations remains largely uncharacterized. the aim of this study was to comprehensively profile airway bacterial com ...	2010	20141328
the path to next generation biofuels: successes and challenges in the era of synthetic biology.	volatility of oil prices along with major concerns about climate change, oil supply security and depleting reserves have sparked renewed interest in the production of fuels from renewable resources. recent advances in synthetic biology provide new tools for metabolic engineers to direct their strategies and construct optimal biocatalysts for the sustainable production of biofuels. metabolic engineering and synthetic biology efforts entailing the engineering of native and de novo pathways for con ...	2010	20089184
abc transporters involved in export of cell surface glycoconjugates.	complex glycoconjugates play critical roles in the biology of microorganisms. despite the remarkable diversity in glycan structures and the bacteria that produce them, conserved themes are evident in the biosynthesis-export pathways. one of the primary pathways involves representatives of the atp-binding cassette (abc) transporter superfamily. these proteins are responsible for the export of a wide variety of cell surface oligo- and polysaccharides in both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteri ...	2010	20805402
emerging agents to combat complicated and resistant infections: focus on ceftobiprole.	antimicrobial resistance is a global concern. over the past few years, considerable efforts and resources have been expended to detect, monitor, and understand at the basic level the many different facets of emerging and increasing resistance. development of new antimicrobial agents has been matched by the development of new mechanisms of resistance by bacteria. current antibiotics act at a variety of sites within the target bacteria, including the cross-linking enzymes in the cell wall, various ...	2010	21694889
incidence of fever and bacteriemia following flexible fiberoptic bronchoscopy: a prospective study.	the latest american heart association (aha) statement for preventing infectious endocarditis, has not recommended prophylactic antibiotic therapy prior to fiberoptic bronchoscopy (fb) except for patients with preexisting predisposing cardiac conditions. our aim was to determine the incidence of bacteriemia and fever following fb in our experience and compare with those which have been mentioned in aha guideline as well as other studies. venous blood of 85 consecutive patients was evaluated for b ...	2010	21287478
akara ogbomoso: microbiological examination and identification of hazards and critical control points.	akara ogbomoso was examined toward the establishment of hazard analysis and critical control point (haccp). the akara was produced in residential buildings with the attendant consequence of contamination. there was ample growth of aerobes, coliforms, staphylococci, shigella and yeast/mold from the samples, water and cowpea pastes. microbial contaminations occur through the processing, which can be corrected through education by adopting good hygienic and manufacturing practices. the critical con ...	2010	21339157
prevalence of pseudomonas aeruginosa in post-operative wound infection in a referral hospital in haryana, india.	the objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of pseudomonas aeruginosa in the isolates of postoperative wound and its susceptibility pattern to commonly used antibiotics.	2010	21346900
ribonucleases and bacterial virulence.	bacterial stress responses provide them the opportunity to survive hostile environments, proliferate and potentially cause diseases in humans and animals. the way in which pathogenic bacteria interact with host immune cells triggers a complicated series of events that include rapid genetic re-programming in response to the various host conditions encountered. viewed in this light, the bacterial host-cell induced stress response (hcisr) is similar to any other well-characterized environmental str ...	2010	21375713
cure and curse: e. coli heat-stable enterotoxin and its receptor guanylyl cyclase c.	enterotoxigenic escherichia coli (etec) associated diarrhea is responsible for roughly half a million deaths per year, the majority taking place in developing countries. the main agent responsible for these diseases is the bacterial heat-stable enterotoxin sta. sta is secreted by etec and after secretion binds to the intestinal receptor guanylyl cyclase c (gc-c), thus triggering a signaling cascade that eventually leads to the release of electrolytes and water in the intestine. additionally, gc- ...	2010	22069681
serine protease autotransporters of enterobacteriaceae (spates): biogenesis and function.	serine protease autotransporters of enterobacteriaceae (spates) constitute a large family of proteases secreted by escherichia coli and shigella. spates exhibit two distinct proteolytic activities. first, a c-terminal catalytic site triggers an intra-molecular cleavage that releases the n-terminal portion of these proteins in the extracellular medium. second, the secreted n-terminal domains of spates are themselves proteases; each contains a canonical serine-protease catalytic site. some of thes ...	2010	22069633
diversity, epidemiology, and genetics of class d beta-lactamases.	class d beta-lactamase-mediated resistance to beta-lactams has been increasingly reported during the last decade. those enzymes also known as oxacillinases or oxas are widely distributed among gram negatives. genes encoding class d beta-lactamases are known to be intrinsic in many gram-negative rods, including acinetobacter baumannii and pseudomonas aeruginosa, but play a minor role in natural resistance phenotypes. the oxas (ca. 150 variants reported so far) are characterized by an important ge ...	2010	19721065
diversity, epidemiology, and genetics of class d beta-lactamases.	class d beta-lactamase-mediated resistance to beta-lactams has been increasingly reported during the last decade. those enzymes also known as oxacillinases or oxas are widely distributed among gram negatives. genes encoding class d beta-lactamases are known to be intrinsic in many gram-negative rods, including acinetobacter baumannii and pseudomonas aeruginosa, but play a minor role in natural resistance phenotypes. the oxas (ca. 150 variants reported so far) are characterized by an important ge ...	2010	19721065
in vitro activities of antimicrobials against six important species of gram-negative bacteria isolated from raw milk samples in korea.	gram-negative bacteria (gnb) with multidrug resistance pose a serious threat to public health. they are environmental pathogens frequently isolated from raw milk and mastitis in dairy cattle. this study was to examine the in vitro antimicrobial activities against 225 isolates belonging to six important species of gnb from mastitic raw milk samples of dairy herds in the republic of korea: acinetobacter baumannii (n = 17), citrobacter freundii (n = 19), enterobacter cloacae (n = 54), klebsiella pn ...	2010	19895257
the citrobacter rodentium genome sequence reveals convergent evolution with human pathogenic escherichia coli.	citrobacter rodentium (formally citrobacter freundii biotype 4280) is a highly infectious pathogen that causes colitis and transmissible colonic hyperplasia in mice. in common with enteropathogenic and enterohemorrhagic escherichia coli (epec and ehec, respectively), c. rodentium exploits a type iii secretion system (t3ss) to induce attaching and effacing (a/e) lesions that are essential for virulence. here, we report the fully annotated genome sequence of the 5.3-mb chromosome and four plasmids ...	2010	19897651