Diversity of domestic and imported assemblages of Giardia in Norway and multi-locus sequence typing of domestic assemblage A isolates.

Giardia duodenalis is a gastrointestinal parasite and one of the most frequently reported parasitic infections associated with contaminated water. This study investigated the diversity of domestic and imported Giardia assemblages in Norway, with a focus on the genetic characterization of domestic assemblage A isolates using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) targeting six genome markers. We analysed 340 human, and 40 animal faecal samples collected between February 2022 and January 2024 from six medical microbiology laboratories and one veterinary diagnostic center across four Norwegian health regions.

Positive selection at core genes may underlie niche adaptation in Fusobacterium animalis.

Background: Fusobacterium animalis (Fa) was identified as the most enriched Fusobacterium species in colorectal cancer (CRC). Recently, a group of Fa core genes were found to be highly expressed intratumorally and to favor intracellular survival. We hypothesized that, because they promote bacterial fitness in the intracellular niche, these genes might be targets of positive selection, a process that often underlies adaptation to variable environments.

, a novel tetracycline resistance determinant in .

Background: (SD) is a potent pathogen associated with infections in a broad range of host species. Notably, a substantial proportion of SD isolates exhibit reduced susceptibility to tetracycline but lack identifiable resistance determinants. In the present study, we wanted to explore the genetic basis for this low-grade resistance to tetracycline.

Transitioning from microscopy to PCR for protozoa in Norway - Impact on detection of protozoa and helminths: A register study.

The aim of this study was to describe how the detection of protozoan and helminth parasites has been affected by the introduction of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and changes in test algorithms. We extracted data about faecal samples tested for parasites (n = 114839) at five Norwegian clinical microbiology laboratories. Samples were classified into prePCR or postPCR depending on whether they were submitted before or after the introduction of PCR, and into diagnostic episodes (n = 99320).

Longitudinal investigation of a single variant SARS-CoV-2-outbreak in the immunologically naïve population of Ulvik, Norway.

Purpose: To perform an extensive investigation of the clinical features and long-term complications among the n = 134 adults and children with nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) verified SARS-CoV-2-infection in the immunologically naïve population of Ulvik, Norway, during the single variant B.1.1.

Antimicrobial resistance patterns in in a One Health perspective.

Background: (SD) is an important pathogen in humans as well as in a broad range of animal species. Escalating rates of antibiotic resistance in SD has been reported in both human and veterinary clinical practice, but the dissemination of resistance determinants has so far never been examined in a One Health Perspective. We wanted to explore the occurrence of zoonotic transmission of SD and the potential for exchange of resistance traits between SD from different host populations.

Comprehensive contact tracing during an outbreak of alpha-variant SARS-CoV-2 in a rural community reveals less viral genomic diversity and higher household secondary attack rates than expected.

Unlabelled: Sequencing of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genomes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has generated a wealth of data on viral evolution across populations, but only a few studies have so far explored SARS-CoV-2 evolution across large connected transmission networks. Here, we couple data from SARS-CoV-2 sequencing with contact tracing data from an outbreak with a single origin in a rural Norwegian community where samples from all exposed persons were collected prospectively. A total of 134 nasopharyngeal samples were positive by PCR.

Broad-range amplification and sequencing of the gene: a novel assay for bacterial identification in clinical microbiology.

The gene has been proposed as a promising phylogenetic marker for bacterial identification, providing theoretically improved species-level resolution compared to the 16S rRNA gene for a range of clinically important taxa. However, its utility in diagnostic microbiology has been limited by the lack of broad-range primers allowing for its amplification from most species with a single PCR assay. Here, we present an assay for broad-range partial amplification and Sanger sequencing of the gene.

Genomic epidemiology of subsp. strains causing invasive disease in Norway during 2018.

Background: subspecies (SDSE) is an emerging global pathogen, yet the epidemiology and population genetics of SDSE species have not been extensively characterized.

Methods: We carried out whole genome sequencing to characterize 274 SDSE isolates causing bloodstream infections obtained through national surveillance program in 2018. We conducted multilocus sequence typing (MLST), -typing, core genome phylogeny, as well as investigated key features associated with virulence.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae Bloodstream Infections, Norway, 1999-2021.

Streptococcus dysgalactiae increasingly is recognized as a pathogen of concern for human health. However, longitudinal surveillance data describing temporal trends of S. dysgalactiae are scarce.

Escherichia marmotae-a Human Pathogen Easily Misidentified as Escherichia coli.

We hereby present the first descriptions of human-invasive infections caused by Escherichia marmotae, a recently described species that encompasses the former Escherichia cryptic clade V." We describe four cases, one acute sepsis of unknown origin, one postoperative sepsis after cholecystectomy, one spondylodiscitis, and one upper urinary tract infection. Cases were identified through unsystematic queries in a single clinical lab over 6 months.

Alternative vanHAX promoters and increased vanA-plasmid copy number resurrect silenced glycopeptide resistance in Enterococcus faecium.

Background: Vancomycin variable enterococci (VVE) are van-positive isolates with a susceptible phenotype that can convert to a resistant phenotype during vancomycin selection.

Objectives: To describe a vancomycin-susceptible vanA-PCR positive ST203 VVE Enterococcus faecium isolate (VVESwe-S) from a liver transplantation patient in Sweden which reverted to resistant (VVESwe-R) during in vitro vancomycin exposure.

Methods: WGS analysis revealed the genetic differences between the isolates.

Role of Horizontal Gene Transfer in the Development of Multidrug Resistance in Haemophilus influenzae.

colonizes the respiratory tract in humans and causes both invasive and noninvasive infections. Resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins in is rare in Europe. In this study, we defined acquired resistance gene loci and mutations in multidrug-resistant (MDR) and/or PBP3-mediated beta-lactam-resistant (rPBP3) strains, intending to understand the mode of spread of antibiotic resistance determinants in this species.

Spread of Plasmid-Encoded NDM-1 and GES-5 Carbapenemases among Extensively Drug-Resistant and Pandrug-Resistant Clinical Enterobacteriaceae in Durban, South Africa.

Whole-genome sequence analyses revealed the presence of ( = 31), ( = 8), ( = 1), or ( = 1) in extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant organisms isolated from in-patients in 10 private hospitals (2012 to 2013) in Durban, South Africa. Two novel NDM-1-encoding plasmids from were circularized by PacBio sequencing. In p19-10_01 [IncFIB(K); 223.

A Silenced vanA Gene Cluster on a Transferable Plasmid Caused an Outbreak of Vancomycin-Variable Enterococci.

We report an outbreak of vancomycin-variable vanA(+) enterococci (VVE) able to escape phenotypic detection by current guidelines and demonstrate the molecular mechanisms for in vivo switching into vancomycin resistance and horizontal spread of the vanA cluster. Forty-eight vanA(+) Enterococcus faecium isolates and one Enterococcus faecalis isolate were analyzed for clonality with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and their vanA gene cluster compositions were assessed by PCR and whole-genome sequencing of six isolates. The susceptible VVE strains were cultivated in brain heart infusion broth containing vancomycin at 8 μg/ml for in vitro development of resistant VVE.

A multicentre hospital outbreak in Sweden caused by introduction of a vanB2 transposon into a stably maintained pRUM-plasmid in an Enterococcus faecium ST192 clone.

The clonal dissemination of VanB-type vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) strains in three Swedish hospitals between 2007 and 2011 prompted further analysis to reveal the possible origin and molecular characteristics of the outbreak strain. A representative subset of VREfm isolates (n = 18) and vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium (VSEfm, n = 2) reflecting the spread in time and location was approached by an array of methods including: selective whole genome sequencing (WGS; n = 3), multi locus sequence typing (MLST), antimicrobial susceptibility testing, virulence gene profiling, identification of mobile genetic elements conferring glycopeptide resistance and their ability to support glycopeptide resistance transfer.