Paul G. Higgins
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View article: IS <i>Aba1</i> -mediated <i>bla</i> <sub>ADC</sub> disruption restores third-generation cephalosporin susceptibility in a clinical <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> isolate
IS <i>Aba1</i> -mediated <i>bla</i> <sub>ADC</sub> disruption restores third-generation cephalosporin susceptibility in a clinical <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> isolate Open
This study describes the effects of the insertion of IS Aba1 in the intrinsic bla ADC gene of an Acinetobacter baumannii isolate showing co-resistance to carbapenems and colistin. Isolate 52971 showed low ceftazidime MIC values due to the …
View article: Tapeworm infection incidence in rural Japan points to a common environmental source of infection
Tapeworm infection incidence in rural Japan points to a common environmental source of infection Open
Dibothriocephalus nihonkaiensis is a zoonotic tapeworm transmitted to humans through consumption of raw or undercooked fish or wild meat. Between 2022 and 2023, Yamagata Prefecture reported an increase in cases compared with 2017-2021, whe…
View article: A novel capsular operon and potentially conjugative plasmids in extensively drug-resistant urogenital Haemophilus parainfluenzae
A novel capsular operon and potentially conjugative plasmids in extensively drug-resistant urogenital Haemophilus parainfluenzae Open
Introduction Haemophilus parainfluenzae is an opportunistic pathogen increasingly associated with urogenital infections and multidrug resistance. While polysaccharide capsules are known virulence factors in H. influenzae , their role in H.…
View article: Bacteriophage therapy plus fecal microbiota transplantation to treat recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI): a case series
Bacteriophage therapy plus fecal microbiota transplantation to treat recurrent urinary tract infection (rUTI): a case series Open
Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are a chronic, debilitating condition characterized by repeated infections and treatment failure with antibiotics. We present an attempt to decolonize the urinary and intestinal reservoirs between…
View article: Copper Stress Response of Antibiotic‐Resistant and Copper‐Tolerant <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> and the Antibacterial Efficacy of Functionalized Copper Surfaces
Copper Stress Response of Antibiotic‐Resistant and Copper‐Tolerant <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> and the Antibacterial Efficacy of Functionalized Copper Surfaces Open
The widespread use of antibiotics worldwide has led to an increase in multi‐resistant pathogens, including vancomycin‐resistant enterococci (VRE). To prevent the spread of multi‐resistant pathogens, antimicrobial surfaces have become more …
View article: Genomic characterization of multidrug-resistant clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a hospital in Paraguay
Genomic characterization of multidrug-resistant clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from a hospital in Paraguay Open
Acinetobacter baumannii is a clinically important pathogen capable of causing serious nosocomial infections and acquiring resistance to antimicrobials, particularly carbapenems, making treatment difficult and prolonging hospital stays. In …
View article: Inter- and intra-bacterial strain diversity remains the “elephant in the (living) room”
Inter- and intra-bacterial strain diversity remains the “elephant in the (living) room” Open
Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic Gram-negative bacterial pathogen responsible for severe nosocomial infections worldwide. Resistance to last-resort antibiotics causes A. baumannii to be ranked as a top priority for the research …
View article: <i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> Surveillance Through Surface Swab Samples to Track the Emergence of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in Rural Japan
<i>Streptococcus pyogenes</i> Surveillance Through Surface Swab Samples to Track the Emergence of Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in Rural Japan Open
Japan recently experienced a record surge in streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. Our environmental surveillance study reveals that Streptococcus pyogenes persists seasonally, peaking in autumn and winter in rural Japan. The dominant emm1 M…
View article: Identifying High-Risk Bacteria with Active Nasal Swab Surveillance in Intensive Care Units to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia
Identifying High-Risk Bacteria with Active Nasal Swab Surveillance in Intensive Care Units to Prevent Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia Open
Background: Active nasal surveillance culture (ANSC) is recognized to enable rapid detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the intensive care unit (ICU), which can contribute to the prevention of Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP)…
View article: Whole Genome Sequencing Analysis of <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Isolates from Health Care–Associated Bacteremia of Urinary Origin in Spain: Findings from the Multicenter ITUBRAS-2 Cohort Study
Whole Genome Sequencing Analysis of <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> Isolates from Health Care–Associated Bacteremia of Urinary Origin in Spain: Findings from the Multicenter ITUBRAS-2 Cohort Study Open
Background The objective of this study was to assess the microbiological and clinical features of Klebsiella pneumoniae health care–associated bacteremia of urinary origin (HCA-BUO) in Spain, with a focus on third-generation cephalosporin-…
View article: Cross-Sectional Assessment on Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Patients in Moldova
Cross-Sectional Assessment on Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Patients in Moldova Open
Information on the molecular epidemiology and carbapenem resistance mechanisms in Gram-negative bacterial isolates in Moldova is scarce. To close this knowledge gap, carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria were collected over an 11-mon…
View article: Pilin antigenic variants impact gonococcal lifestyle and antibiotic tolerance by modulating interbacterial forces
Pilin antigenic variants impact gonococcal lifestyle and antibiotic tolerance by modulating interbacterial forces Open
Type 4 pili (T4P) are multifunctional filaments involved in adhesion, surface motility, biofilm formation, and horizontal gene transfer. These extracellular polymers are surface-exposed and, therefore, act as antigens. The human pathogen N…
View article: Gonococcal aggregation causes upregulation of genes involved in antibiotic tolerance
Gonococcal aggregation causes upregulation of genes involved in antibiotic tolerance Open
Aggregation and biofilm formation can increase the tolerance of bacteria to external stressors, including antibiotic treatment. While resistant bacteria grow at an elevated drug dose, tolerant bacteria survive longer-term treatment. The me…
View article: Antibiotic resistance genes in rural public places mirror the pattern of clinical antibiotic resistance prevalence
Antibiotic resistance genes in rural public places mirror the pattern of clinical antibiotic resistance prevalence Open
AIM AND BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization's global action plan on antimicrobial resistance emphasizes the importance of integrated antibiotic resistance (AR) surveillance. Public spaces are crucial for both recipients and contribut…
View article: Intranasal phage treatment overcomes the limitations posed by antibody-mediated neutralization in bacteriophage therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections
Intranasal phage treatment overcomes the limitations posed by antibody-mediated neutralization in bacteriophage therapy for Pseudomonas aeruginosa lung infections Open
Background: Our recent work discovered that intranasal inhalation of phage (KKP10) and Ca-EDTA substantially re-sensitized multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa to ceftazidime/avibactam. Notably, the route of phage administration was reported …
View article: Whole-Genome Sequencing-Based Characterization of Clostridioides difficile Infection Cases at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb
Whole-Genome Sequencing-Based Characterization of Clostridioides difficile Infection Cases at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb Open
We investigated the intra-hospital distribution of C. difficile strains by whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of isolates collected in 2022 at the University Hospital Centre (UHC) Zagreb. In total, 103 patients with first-episode CDI in 2022 at…
View article: Gram-negative bloodstream infections in six German university hospitals, 2016–2020: clinical and microbiological features
Gram-negative bloodstream infections in six German university hospitals, 2016–2020: clinical and microbiological features Open
Purpose To analyze the longitudinal epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of Gram-negative bloodstream infections (BSI) in Germany. Methods Post-hoc analysis of prospectively documented BSI due to Escherichia coli , Kleb…
View article: Phage cocktail amikacin combination as a potential therapy for bacteremia associated with carbapenemase producing colistin resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae
Phage cocktail amikacin combination as a potential therapy for bacteremia associated with carbapenemase producing colistin resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Open
The increasing occurrence of hospital-associated infections, particularly bacteremia, caused by extensively drug-resistant (XDR) carbapenemase-producing colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae highlights a critical requirement to discover…
View article: Real world effectiveness of early ensitrelvir treatment in patients with SARS-CoV-2, a retrospective case series
Real world effectiveness of early ensitrelvir treatment in patients with SARS-CoV-2, a retrospective case series Open
Ensitrelvir treatment resulted in rapid symptom relief and significant viral load reduction, with no adverse events, viral rebound, or PASC symptoms, demonstrating its potential efficacy and safety. Larger studies are needed for further co…
View article: Genome Analyses of A Worldwide Multisource Collection of<i>Klebsiella variicola</i>Reveal Adaptation Relevant for Human Infection
Genome Analyses of A Worldwide Multisource Collection of<i>Klebsiella variicola</i>Reveal Adaptation Relevant for Human Infection Open
A bstract Klebsiella variicola ( K . var ), part of the Klebsiella pneumoniae ( K . pne ) species complex, is an emerging human pathogen originally associated with plants. Phylogenomic analyses of a global dataset of isolates categorised a…
View article: Coexistence of seven different carbapenemase producers in a single hospital admission screening confirmed by whole-genome sequencing
Coexistence of seven different carbapenemase producers in a single hospital admission screening confirmed by whole-genome sequencing Open
War-injured patients from Ukraine may carry different clones of multidrug-resistant pathogens with limited treatment options and diverse resistance genes at risk for dissemination. Infection control measures should include early molecular …
View article: Isolation of a <i>bla</i> <sub>NDM-1</sub> -positive strain in Israel predating the earliest observations from India
Isolation of a <i>bla</i> <sub>NDM-1</sub> -positive strain in Israel predating the earliest observations from India Open
bla NDM , the most prevalent carbapenemase among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, is thought to have emerged in India, as its initial detection in 2008 was linked to this country, and subsequent retrospective surveys had so far est…
View article: Co-Occurrence of Two Plasmids Encoding Transferable blaNDM-1 and tet(Y) Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter bereziniae
Co-Occurrence of Two Plasmids Encoding Transferable blaNDM-1 and tet(Y) Genes in Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter bereziniae Open
Acinetobacter bereziniae has emerged as a significant human pathogen, acquiring multiple antibiotic resistance genes, including carbapenemases. This study focuses on characterizing the plasmids harboring the blaNDM-1 and tet(Y) genes in tw…
View article: Early identification of the nosocomial spread of vancomycin-resistant <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and performance comparison with PFGE and WGS
Early identification of the nosocomial spread of vancomycin-resistant <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and performance comparison with PFGE and WGS Open
Early detection of disseminating vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) in ICU wards is crucial for outbreak identification and the implementation of prompt infection control measures. Genotypic methods like pulsed-field gel ele…
View article: Epidemiological trends and susceptibility patterns of bloodstream infections caused by Enterococcus spp. in six German university hospitals: a prospectively evaluated multicentre cohort study from 2016 to 2020 of the R-Net study group
Epidemiological trends and susceptibility patterns of bloodstream infections caused by Enterococcus spp. in six German university hospitals: a prospectively evaluated multicentre cohort study from 2016 to 2020 of the R-Net study group Open
Purpose To analyse recent epidemiological trends of bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by Enterococcus spp. In adult patients admitted to tertiary care centres in Germany. Methods Epidemiological data from the multicentre R-NET study was …