Current and Emerging Topical Antibacterials and Antiseptics: Agents, Action, and Resistance Patterns.

Bacterial skin infections represent some of the most common infectious diseases globally. Prevention and treatment of skin infections can involve application of a topical antimicrobial, which may be an antibiotic (such as mupirocin or fusidic acid) or an antiseptic (such as chlorhexidine or alcohol). However, there is limited evidence to support the widespread prophylactic or therapeutic use of topical agents.

Emergence of multidrug resistance in locally-acquired human infections with Salmonella Typhimurium in Australia owing to a new clade harbouring bla.

Antimicrobial resistance in non-typhoidal Salmonella is a critical problem globally, with the emergence of resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) a particular concern. The aim of this study was to use whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterise recently identified human and non-human isolates of 3GC-resistant Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Typhimurium from Australia.

Target-Specific Assay for Rapid and Quantitative Detection of Mycobacterium chimaera DNA.

is an opportunistic environmental mycobacterium belonging to the - complex. Although most commonly associated with pulmonary disease, there has been growing awareness of invasive infections following cardiac surgery. Investigations suggest worldwide spread of a specific clone, associated with contaminated hospital heater-cooler units used during the surgery.

A phylogenomic framework for assessing the global emergence and evolution of clonal complex 398 methicillin-resistant .

Distinct clones of methicillin-resistant (MRSA) have emerged as important causes of infection in individuals who have exposure to livestock (livestock-associated MRSA; LA-MRSA). Clonal complex 398 (CC398) is the most prevalent LA-MRSA clone, and has been reported from several geographical settings, including Europe, the Americas and Asia. To understand the factors contributing to the global dissemination of this clone, we analysed CC398 MRSA isolates from New Zealand (NZ), a geographically isolated country with an economy strongly dependent on livestock farming.

multi-antigen sequence typing for .

Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides the highest resolution analysis for comparison of bacterial isolates in public health microbiology. However, although increasingly being used routinely for some pathogens such as and , the use of WGS is still limited for other organisms, such as . Multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST) is the most widely performed typing method for epidemiological surveillance of gonorrhoea.

Genomic Insights into a Sustained National Outbreak of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis.

In 2014, a sustained outbreak of yersiniosis due to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis occurred across all major cities in New Zealand (NZ), with a total of 220 laboratory-confirmed cases, representing one of the largest ever reported outbreaks of Y. pseudotuberculosis. Here, we performed whole genome sequencing of outbreak-associated isolates to produce the largest population analysis to date of Y.

Evolutionary origins of the emergent ST796 clone of vancomycin resistant .

From early 2012, a novel clone of vancomycin resistant (assigned the multi locus sequence type ST796) was simultaneously isolated from geographically separate hospitals in south eastern Australia and New Zealand. Here we describe the complete genome sequence of Ef_aus0233, a representative ST796 isolate. We used PacBio single molecule real-time sequencing to establish a high quality, fully assembled genome comprising a circular chromosome of 2,888,087 bp and five plasmids.

Polyclonal emergence of vanA vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in Australia.

Objectives: To investigate the genetic context associated with the emergence of vanA VRE in Australia.

Methods: The whole genomes of 18 randomly selected vanA -positive Enterococcus faecium patient isolates, collected between 2011 and 2013 from hospitals in four Australian capitals, were sequenced and analysed.

Results: In silico typing and transposon/plasmid assembly revealed that the sequenced isolates represented (in most cases) different hospital-adapted STs and were associated with a variety of different Tn 1546 variants and plasmid backbone structures.

Antiseptic mouthwash against pharyngeal : a randomised controlled trial and an in vitro study.

Background: Gonorrhoea is increasing among men who have sex with men (MSM). We aimed to determine whether Listerine, a commercial mouthwash product, has an inhibitory effect against in a randomised controlled trial (RCT) and an in vitro study, and therefore may be a potentially useful agent for gonorrhoea control.

Methods: In vitro: a suspension of ∼10 colony forming units per mL (CFU/mL) of was added to a serial of dilutions (up to 1:32) of alcohol-containing Listerine mouthwashes (Cool Mint and Total Care) for 1 min.

Increased Detection of Pharyngeal and Rectal Gonorrhea in Men Who Have Sex With Men After Transition From Culture To Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing.

Background: This before-and-after study measured the impact of a change in testing methods from culture to nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) on the detection of pharyngeal and rectal gonorrhea in men who have sex with men (MSM) on a sexual health service level, including the effect on subgroups anticipated to have higher rates of gonorrhea.

Methods: In March 2015, Melbourne Sexual Health Centre changed its laboratory method for gonococcal testing from culture to NAAT using the Aptima Combo 2 and Aptima GC tests. We compared the proportion of tests positive for rectal and pharyngeal gonorrhea in MSM using culture in 2014 with those using NAAT in 2015.

A review of the public health management of shigellosis in Australia in the era of culture-independent diagnostic testing.

Objective: To review the national case definition for shigellosis following the introduction of culture independent diagnostic testing by clinical laboratories and provide evidence to reform jurisdictional public health practices for the management shigellosis., .

Methods: A review of all Australian jurisdictional public health guidelines for shigellosis was conducted.

Use of bacterial whole-genome sequencing to understand and improve the management of invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Management of invasive Staphylococcus aureus infections is complex. Dramatic improvements in bacterial whole genome sequencing (WGS) offer new opportunities for personalising the treatment of S. aureus infections.

A Phenotypically Silent vanB2 Operon Carried on a Tn1549-Like Element in Clostridium difficile.

In the last decade, Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) has reached an epidemic state with increasing incidence and severity in both health care and community settings. Vancomycin is an important first-line therapy for CDI, and the emergence of resistance would have significant clinical consequences. In this study, we describe for the first time a vanB2 vancomycin resistance operon in C.

Australian Group on Antimicrobial Resistance Australian Staphylococcus aureus Sepsis Outcome Programme annual report, 2014.

From 1 January to 31 December 2014, 27 institutions around Australia participated in the Australian Staphylococcal Sepsis Outcome Programme (ASSOP). The aim of ASSOP 2014 was to determine the proportion of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) isolates in Australia that are antimicrobial resistant, with particular emphasis on susceptibility to methicillin and to characterise the molecular epidemiology of the isolates. Overall, 18.

South Asia as a Reservoir for the Global Spread of Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Shigella sonnei: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a major issue in the Shigellae, particularly as a specific multidrug-resistant (MDR) lineage of Shigella sonnei (lineage III) is becoming globally dominant. Ciprofloxacin is a recommended treatment for Shigella infections. However, ciprofloxacin-resistant S.

CAMERA2 - combination antibiotic therapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection: study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteraemia is a serious infection resulting in 20-50 % 90-day mortality. The limitations of vancomycin, the current standard therapy for MRSA, make treatment difficult. The only other approved drug for treatment of MRSA bacteraemia, daptomycin, has not been shown to be superior to vancomycin.

Rapid Emergence and Evolution of Staphylococcus aureus Clones Harboring fusC-Containing Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Elements.

The prevalence of fusidic acid (FA) resistance amongStaphylococcus aureusstrains in New Zealand (NZ) is among the highest reported globally, with a recent study describing a resistance rate of approximately 28%. Three FA-resistantS. aureusclones (ST5 MRSA, ST1 MSSA, and ST1 MRSA) have emerged over the past decade and now predominate in NZ, and in all three clones FA resistance is mediated by thefusCgene.