Journal of clinical microbiology
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J. Clin. Microbiol. · Aug 2011
Antifungal susceptibilities of Sporothrix albicans, S. brasiliensis, and S. luriei of the S. schenckii complex identified in Brazil.
We studied 40 strains of the species complex formerly classified as the single species Sporothrix schenckii to identify new species within this complex and evaluate their antifungal susceptibility profiles. Based on phenotypic tests (ability to grow at 37°C, colony diameters, and pigmentation of the colonies, as well as assimilation of sucrose and raffinose) and molecular assays (amplification of a fragment of the calmodulin gene), here we report the identification of S. albicans, S. brasiliensis, S. luriei, and S. schenckii; two isolates of these species were detected as itraconazole-resistant strains.
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J. Clin. Microbiol. · Jul 2011
Blood cultures at central line insertion in the intensive care unit: comparison with peripheral venipuncture.
Blood cultures are a key diagnostic test for intensive care unit (ICU) patients; however, contaminants complicate interpretations and lead to unnecessary antibiotic administration and costs. Indications for blood cultures and central venous catheter (CVC) insertions often overlap for ICU patients. Obtaining blood cultures under the strict sterile precautions utilized for CVC insertion might be expected to decrease culture contamination. ⋯ Contamination and true-positive rates were similar for culture sets from the two ICUs for each given culture source. Despite superior sterile precautions, cultures taken at the time of central line insertion had a higher contamination rate than did either peripheral or arterial line blood cultures. This may be related to the increased manipulations required for CVC insertion.
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J. Clin. Microbiol. · Jun 2011
Phenotypic, genotypic, and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of strains isolated from the cholera epidemic in Zimbabwe.
This paper details the phenotypic, genotypic, and antibiotic sensitivity patterns of 88 Vibrio cholerae strains from Zimbabwe. Of the 88 strains, 83 were classified as "altered El Tor" and 5 as "hybrid El Tor" strains. All of the strains were susceptible to tetracycline, doxycycline, ciprofloxacin, and azithromycin by disc diffusion, but susceptibility to tetracycline and azithromycin diminished when observed using the MIC method.
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J. Clin. Microbiol. · Jun 2011
Comparative StudyMultiplex PCR allows rapid and accurate diagnosis of bloodstream infections in newborns and children with suspected sepsis.
Sepsis is a major health problem in newborns and children. Early detection of pathogens allows initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy that strongly correlates with positive outcomes. Multiplex PCR has the potential to rapidly identify bloodstream infections, compensating for the loss of blood culture sensitivity. ⋯ Among specimens taken from patients receiving antibiotic therapy, we also observed a significantly higher rate of positivity of SeptiFast than blood culture (14.1% versus 6.5%, respectively; P < 0.0001). On the contrary, contaminants were significantly more frequent among blood cultures than SeptiFast (n = 97 [5.8%] versus n = 26 [1.6%]), respectively; P < 0.0001). SeptiFast served as a highly valuable adjunct to conventional blood culture in children, adding diagnostic value and shortening the time to result (TTR) to 6 h.
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J. Clin. Microbiol. · May 2011
Review Case ReportsMethicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone as a cause of Lemierre's syndrome.
We describe a case of a young woman who had methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA300 clone (MRSA-USA300)-associated Lemierre's syndrome and secondary necrotizing pneumonia and cerebral infarcts. We also review 11 cases of S. aureus-associated Lemierre's syndrome reported in the literature from 1965 to 2010. Recognition of S. aureus as an emergent cause of Lemierre's syndrome informs the initial empirical antibiotic choice for this life-threatening condition and may positively impact patient outcomes.