Intestinal modulates inflammation, systemic cytokines, and microbial ecology via propionate in a mouse model of cystic fibrosis.

Persons with cystic fibrosis (CF), starting in early life, show intestinal microbiome dysbiosis characterized in part by a decreased relative abundance of the genus is a major producer of the intestinal short chain fatty acid propionate. We demonstrate here that cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator-defective (CFTR-/-) Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells are responsive to the anti-inflammatory effects of propionate. Furthermore, isolates inhibit the IL-1β-induced inflammatory response of CFTR-/- Caco-2 intestinal epithelial cells and do so in a propionate-dependent manner.

The Burkholderia cenocepacia Type VI Secretion System Effector TecA Is a Virulence Factor in Mouse Models of Lung Infection.

Burkholderia cenocepacia is a member of the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a group of bacteria with members responsible for causing lung infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. The most severe outcome of Bcc infection in CF patients is cepacia syndrome, a disease characterized by necrotizing pneumonia with bacteremia and sepsis. B.

Model Systems to Study the Chronic, Polymicrobial Infections in Cystic Fibrosis: Current Approaches and Exploring Future Directions.

A recent workshop titled "Developing Models to Study Polymicrobial Infections," sponsored by the Dartmouth Cystic Fibrosis Center (DartCF), explored the development of new models to study the polymicrobial infections associated with the airways of persons with cystic fibrosis (CF). The workshop gathered 35+ investigators over two virtual sessions. Here, we present the findings of this workshop, summarize some of the challenges involved with developing such models, and suggest three frameworks to tackle this complex problem.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa Can Inhibit Growth of Streptococcal Species via Siderophore Production.

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease that causes patients to accumulate thick, dehydrated mucus in the lung and develop chronic, polymicrobial infections due to reduced mucociliary clearance. These chronic polymicrobial infections and subsequent decline in lung function are significant factors in the morbidity and mortality of CF. and spp.

Treatment of Ciprofloxacin-resistant Ear Infections.

Objective: Ciprofloxacin resistance has been reported in 4.5% of patients with otorrhea and is increasing in prevalence. Due to ototoxicity, only fluoroquinolones are Food and Drug Administration approved for topical therapy in the middle ear.

A Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2018 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology.

The critical nature of the microbiology laboratory in infectious disease diagnosis calls for a close, positive working relationship between the physician/advanced practice provider and the microbiologists who provide enormous value to the healthcare team. This document, developed by experts in laboratory and adult and pediatric clinical medicine, provides information on which tests are valuable and in which contexts, and on tests that add little or no value for diagnostic decisions. This document presents a system-based approach rather than specimen-based approach, and includes bloodstream and cardiovascular system infections, central nervous system infections, ocular infections, soft tissue infections of the head and neck, upper and lower respiratory infections, infections of the gastrointestinal tract, intra-abdominal infections, bone and joint infections, urinary tract infections, genital infections, and other skin and soft tissue infections; or into etiologic agent groups, including arthropod-borne infections, viral syndromes, and blood and tissue parasite infections.

Profiling of Bacterial and Fungal Microbial Communities in Cystic Fibrosis Sputum Using RNA.

Here, we report an approach to detect diverse bacterial and fungal taxa in complex samples by direct analysis of community RNA in one step using NanoString probe sets. We designed rRNA-targeting probe sets to detect 42 bacterial and fungal genera or species common in cystic fibrosis (CF) sputum and demonstrated the taxon specificity of these probes, as well as a linear response over more than 3 logs of input RNA. Culture-based analyses correlated qualitatively with relative abundance data on bacterial and fungal taxa obtained by NanoString, and the analysis of serial samples demonstrated the use of this method to simultaneously detect bacteria and fungi and to detect microbes at low abundance without an amplification step.

A Guide to Utilization of the Microbiology Laboratory for Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases: 2018 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the American Society for Microbiology.

The critical nature of the microbiology laboratory in infectious disease diagnosis calls for a close, positive working relationship between the physician/advanced practice provider and the microbiologists who provide enormous value to the healthcare team. This document, developed by experts in laboratory and adult and pediatric clinical medicine, provides information on which tests are valuable and in which contexts, and on tests that add little or no value for diagnostic decisions. This document presents a system-based approach rather than specimen-based approach, and includes bloodstream and cardiovascular system infections, central nervous system infections, ocular infections, soft tissue infections of the head and neck, upper and lower respiratory infections, infections of the gastrointestinal tract, intra-abdominal infections, bone and joint infections, urinary tract infections, genital infections, and other skin and soft tissue infections; or into etiologic agent groups, including arthropod-borne infections, viral syndromes, and blood and tissue parasite infections.

in a Papanicolaou test: An exceedingly rare finding that can be mistaken for .

is a zygomycetes yeast form that is very rarely detected in Papanicolaou (Pap) tests, in which it typically represents an innocuous colonizer. Its morphology closely resembles that of the better known , which can disseminate widely and cause clinically significant disease. We present a case of detected in a cervical liquid-based preparation obtained from a 38-year old healthy woman.

Comprehensive volatile metabolic fingerprinting of bacterial and fungal pathogen groups.

The identification of pathogen-specific volatile metabolic 'fingerprints' could lead to the rapid identification of disease-causing organisms either directly from ex vivo patient bio-specimens or from in vitro cultures. In the present study, we have evaluated the volatile metabolites produced by 100 clinical isolates belonging to ten distinct pathogen groups that, in aggregate, account for 90% of bloodstream infections, 90% of urinary tract infections, and 80% of infections encountered in the intensive care unit setting. Headspace volatile metabolites produced in vitro were concentrated using headspace solid-phase microextraction and analyzed via two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC×GC-TOFMS).

Subcutaneous dirofilariasis: a masquerade of a palisaded granulomatous dermatitis.

Dirofilaria species are roundworms responsible for "heartworm" in canines. On occasion, humans are an accidental host, resulting in pulmonary (Dirofilaria immitis) or extrapulmonary (Dirofilaria repens) manifestations. Of the extrapulmonary sites of involvement, subcutaneous involvement is particularly common.

Investigating the link between imipenem resistance and biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a ubiquitous environmental organism, is a difficult-to-treat opportunistic pathogen due to its broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance and its ability to form biofilms. In this study, we investigate the link between resistance to a clinically important antibiotic, imipenem, and biofilm formation. First, we observed that the laboratory strain P.

Executive summary: a guide to utilization of the microbiology laboratory for diagnosis of infectious diseases: 2013 recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)(a).

The critical role of the microbiology laboratory in infectious disease diagnosis calls for a close, positive working relationship between the physician and the microbiologists who provide enormous value to the health care team. This document, developed by both laboratory and clinical experts, provides information on which tests are valuable and in which contexts, and on tests that add little or no value for diagnostic decisions. Sections are divided into anatomic systems, including Bloodstream Infections and Infections of the Cardiovascular System, Central Nervous System Infections, Ocular Infections, Soft Tissue Infections of the Head and Neck, Upper Respiratory Infections, Lower Respiratory Tract infections, Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Intraabdominal Infections, Bone and Joint Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, Genital Infections, and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections; or into etiologic agent groups, including Tickborne Infections, Viral Syndromes, and Blood and Tissue Parasite Infections.

A guide to utilization of the microbiology laboratory for diagnosis of infectious diseases: 2013 recommendations by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the American Society for Microbiology (ASM)(a).

The critical role of the microbiology laboratory in infectious disease diagnosis calls for a close, positive working relationship between the physician and the microbiologists who provide enormous value to the health care team. This document, developed by both laboratory and clinical experts, provides information on which tests are valuable and in which contexts, and on tests that add little or no value for diagnostic decisions. Sections are divided into anatomic systems, including Bloodstream Infections and Infections of the Cardiovascular System, Central Nervous System Infections, Ocular Infections, Soft Tissue Infections of the Head and Neck, Upper Respiratory Infections, Lower Respiratory Tract infections, Infections of the Gastrointestinal Tract, Intraabdominal Infections, Bone and Joint Infections, Urinary Tract Infections, Genital Infections, and Skin and Soft Tissue Infections; or into etiologic agent groups, including Tickborne Infections, Viral Syndromes, and Blood and Tissue Parasite Infections.

In vitro evaluation of tobramycin and aztreonam versus Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms on cystic fibrosis-derived human airway epithelial cells.

Objectives: Aztreonam for inhalation solution (AZLI) was recently approved by the FDA for treating cystic fibrosis (CF) patients infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Here we investigated the effect of aztreonam alone or in combination with tobramycin on P. aeruginosa biofilms grown on CF airway epithelial cells.

A fatal central nervous system enterovirus 68 infection.

The anticipated eradication of poliovirus emphasizes the need to identify other enteroviral causes of severe central nervous system disease. Enterovirus 68 has been implicated only in cases of respiratory illness. We therefore report a case of fatal meningomyeloencephalitis caused by enterovirus 68 in a 5-year-old boy, which required neuropathology, microbiology, and molecular techniques to diagnose.

The staphylococcus-specific gene rsr represses agr and virulence in Staphylococcus aureus.

The expression of virulence factors in Staphylococcus aureus is tightly coordinated by a vast network of regulatory molecules. In this report, we characterize a genetic locus unique to staphylococci called rsr that has a role in repressing two key virulence regulators, sarR and agr. Using strain SH1000, we showed that the transcription of virulence effectors, such as hla, sspA, and spa, is altered in an rsr mutant in a way consistent with agr upregulation.

Corynebacterium macginleyi isolated from a corneal ulcer.

We report the isolation of Corynebacterium macginleyi from the corneal ulcer culture of a patient, later enrolled in the Steroids for Corneal Ulcer Trial (SCUT). To our knowledge this is the first published report from North America of the recovery of C. macginleyi from a serious ocular infection.

Outbreak of skin infections in college football team members due to an unusual strain of community-acquired methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus.

We report a skin and soft-tissue infection outbreak among football team members due to a USA300 methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain with genes coding for Panton-Valentine leukocidin and the arginine catabolic mobile element. We postulate that the strain is a community-associated USA300 MRSA strain that lost methicillin resistance but retained important virulence factors.

Clinical features, outcomes, and costs of a conjunctivitis outbreak caused by the ST448 strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Purpose: An outbreak of pneumococcal conjunctivitis occurred at Dartmouth College in 2002. We describe the clinical features, outcomes, and costs associated with this outbreak.

Methods: Six hundred ninety-eight students were diagnosed with conjunctivitis; culture of conjunctival discharge was obtained for 254.

Reduction in intraoperative bacterial contamination of peripheral intravenous tubing through the use of a novel device.

Background: Hand hygiene is a vital intervention to reduce health-care associated infections, but compliance remains low. The authors hypothesized that improvements in intraoperative hand hygiene compliance would reduce transmission of bacteria to surgical patients and reduce the incidence of postsurgical healthcare-associated infections.

Methods: The authors performed a controlled before-and-after study over 2 consecutive months.

Transmission of pathogenic bacterial organisms in the anesthesia work area.

Background: The current prevalence of hospital-acquired infections and evolving amplification of bacterial resistance are major public health concerns. A heightened awareness of intraoperative transmission of potentially pathogenic bacterial organisms may lead to implementation of effective preventative measures.

Methods: Sixty-one operative suites were randomly selected for analysis.

Minocycline modulates neuroinflammation independently of its antimicrobial activity in staphylococcus aureus-induced brain abscess.

Minocycline exerts beneficial immune modulatory effects in several noninfectious neurodegenerative disease models; however, its potential to influence the host immune response during central nervous system bacterial infections, such as brain abscess, has not yet been investigated. Using a minocycline-resistant strain of Staphylococcus aureus to dissect the antibiotic's bacteriostatic versus immune modulatory effects in a mouse experimental brain abscess model, we found that minocycline significantly reduced mortality rates within the first 24 hours following bacterial exposure. This protection was associated with a transient decrease in the expression of several proinflammatory mediators, including interleukin-1beta and CCL2 (MCP-1).

CCR5 is essential for NK cell trafficking and host survival following Toxoplasma gondii infection.

The host response to intracellular pathogens requires the coordinated action of both the innate and acquired immune systems. Chemokines play a critical role in the trafficking of immune cells and transitioning an innate immune response into an acquired response. We analyzed the host response of mice deficient in the chemokine receptor CCR5 following infection with the intracellular protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii.