Novel integrative and conjugative elements carrying cfr(B) and cfr(C) linezolid resistance genes in Clostridioides difficile isolates from calves, Italy.

Objectives: To clarify the genetic basis of high-level linezolid resistance in three Clostridioides difficile strains from calves.

Methods: A WGS approach was used to comprehensively characterize C. difficile A501, A505 and A516 strains exhibiting high linezolid MICs, and to clarify their phylogenetic relationships.

The optrA, cfr(D) and vanA genes are co-located on linear plasmids in linezolid- and vancomycin-resistant enterococcal clinical isolates in Italy.

Objectives: To characterize the optrA-, cfr(D)- and vanA-carrying linear plasmids detected in three MDR enterococcal clinical isolates.

Methods: Enterococcus faecium (868), E. faecium (1001) and Enterococcus faecalis (2048), which were linezolid- and vancomycin-resistant due to the presence of optrA, cfr(D) and vanA genes, were tested for their susceptibility to several antibiotics.

Molecular Characterization of Enterococcus faecium Clinical Isolates Harbouring erm (T) from an Italian Hospital.

The presence of erm(T) gene conferring resistance to macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B (MLS), was screened in 296 enterococci collected from clinical samples in a central Italy hospital and seven Enterococcus faecium isolates resulted positive to erm(T) by PCR. All isolates were resistant to erythromycin, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin but susceptible to vancomycin and chloramphenicol. Whole Genome Sequencing analysis revealed that in five E.

Hop leaves: From waste to a valuable source of bioactive compounds - A multidisciplinary approach to investigating potential applications.

After harvesting of cones used for beer production, the remaining hop vegetative biomass requires disposal. The hop plant contains bioactive compounds in all its parts-cones, leaves, and roots-exhibiting interesting antioxidant, antiviral, and antibacterial properties. In this work, extracts obtained from hop leaves, a plant material often neglected in the hop cultivation, have been investigated; the qualitative UHPLC-MS/MS and GC-TOF-MS characterization revealed the presence of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, α- and β-acids and terpenes are present.

Genetic analysis of vancomycin-variable Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates in Italy.

Purpose: To investigate the occurrence of vancomycin-variable enterococci (VVE) in a hospital in central Italy.

Methods: vanA positive but vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium isolates (VVE-S) were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility tests, molecular typing (PFGE and MLST), and WGS approach. The reversion of VVE-S to a resistant phenotype was assessed by exposure to increasing vancomycin concentrations, and the revertant isolates were used in filter mating experiments.

Inhibition of polymorphic MexXY-OprM efflux system in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates by Berberine derivatives.

The MexXY-OprM multidrug efflux pump (EP) in aminoglycosides resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the major resistance mechanisms, which is often overexpressed in strains isolated from pulmonary chronic disease such as cystic fibrosis. In this research, we focused on the design of potential efflux pumps inhibitors, targeting MexY, the inner membrane component, in an allosteric site. Berberine has been considered as lead molecule since we previously demonstrated its effectiveness in targeting MexY in laboratory reference strains.

An Isolated from Bovine Feces in Italy Shares - and -Carrying Plasmids with Enterococci from Switzerland.

To investigate the occurrence of oxazolidinone resistance genes, 18 florfenicol-resistant enterococci were isolated from 66 fecal samples collected from several cattle farms in central Italy. The PCR screening indicated that only a bovine florfenicol-resistant isolate, 249031-C, was positive for the presence of and genes. The strain was tested for its susceptibility to florfenicol, chloramphenicol, linezolid, tedizolid, tetracycline, erythromycin, and vancomycin.

Characterization of a prophage and a defective integrative conjugative element carrying the optrA gene in linezolid-resistant Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis isolates from pigs, Italy.

Objectives: To investigate the optrA-carrying genetic elements and their transferability in two linezolid-resistant Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) strains of swine origin.

Methods: SDSE strains (V220 and V1524) were phenotypically and genotypically characterized.

Identification of plasmids co-carrying cfr(D)/optrA and cfr(D2)/poxtA linezolid resistance genes in two Enterococcus avium isolates from swine brain.

Oxazolidinones are critically important antibiotics to treat human infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, therefore the occurrence of linezolid-resistant enterococci from food-producing animals poses a serious risk to human health. In this study, Enterococcus avium 38157 and 44917 strains, isolated from the brain of two unrelated piglets, were found to carry the linezolid resistance genes cfr(D)-optrA, and cfr(D2)-poxtA, respectively. Whole genome sequencing analysis of E.

Detecting Carbapenemases in Animal and Food Samples by Droplet Digital PCR.

Background: The presence of carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB) in animal hosts and along the food chain may result in the development of reservoirs for human infections. Several CPB strains isolated from animals have been reported, suggesting that transmission and dissemination of the corresponding genes between humans and animals may occur. Animal and food samples have complex backgrounds that hinder the detection of CPB present in low concentrations by standard detection procedures.

The Emerging Nosocomial Pathogen Klebsiella michiganensis Genetic Analysis of a KPC-3 Producing Strain Isolated from Venus Clam.

The recovery and characterization of a multidrug-resistant, KPC-3-producing Klebsiella michiganensis that was obtained from Venus clam samples is reported in this study. A whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis using Illumina and Nanopore technologies of the 23999A2 isolate revealed that the strain belonged to the new sequence type 382 (ST382) and carried seven plasmid replicon sequences, including four IncF type plasmids (FII, FIIY, FIIk, and FIB), one IncHI1 plasmid, and two Col plasmids. The FIB and FII plasmids showed high homology to each other and to multireplicon pKpQIL-like plasmids that are found in epidemic KPC-K.

Linezolid-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum isolate of swine origin carrying cfr, optrA and poxtA genes.

Objectives: To characterize a linezolid-resistant Enterococcus gallinarum isolate of porcine origin co-carrying cfr, optrA and poxtA genes.

Methods: The genome was sequenced using the Illumina and Nanopore platforms. The presence of circular intermediates was examined by inverse PCR.

Occurrence of a plasmid co-carrying cfr(D) and poxtA2 linezolid resistance genes in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus casseliflavus from porcine manure, Italy.

Objectives: To investigate the genetic elements and the transferability of linezolid resistance genes in three enterococci co-carrying cfr(D) and poxtA2 isolates from manure of a swine farm in central Italy.

Methods: Two Enterococcus faecalis isolates and one Enterococcus casseliflavus isolate carrying both cfr(D) and poxtA genes were tested for their susceptibility to florfenicol, chloramphenicol, linezolid, tedizolid, tetracycline and vancomycin. Linezolid resistance genes transfer (filter mating), localization (S1-PFGE/hybridization), genetic elements and relatedness between isolates (WGS) were analysed.

First IncHI2 Plasmid Carrying , , and Double Copies of in a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Human Isolate.

We report a novel IncHI2 plasmid coharboring , two copies of , and resistance genes in a human Escherichia coli isolate of the new serogroup O188. The gene was included in a class 1 integron, in a cassette bracketed by IS and ΔIS1R, and in two copies within a new composite Tn-like transposon. The emergence of carbapenem and colistin resistance genes in a single plasmid is of great concern for upcoming clinical therapies.

Linezolid Resistance Genes in Enterococci Isolated from Sediment and Zooplankton in Two Italian Coastal Areas.

Linezolid is a last-resort antibiotic for the treatment of severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive organisms; although linezolid resistance remains uncommon, the number of linezolid-resistant enterococci has increased in recent years due to worldwide spread of acquired resistance genes (, , and ) in clinical, animal, and environmental settings. In this study, we investigated the occurrence of linezolid-resistant enterococci in marine samples from two coastal areas in Italy. Isolates grown on florfenicol-supplemented Slanetz-Bartley agar plates were investigated for their carriage of , , and genes; was found in one isolate, was found in three isolates and two isolates, and was not found.

Testing Surgical Face Masks in an Emergency Context: The Experience of Italian Laboratories during the COVID-19 Pandemic Crisis.

The first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a broader use of masks by both professionals and the general population. This resulted in a severe worldwide shortage of devices and the need to increase import and activate production of safe and effective surgical masks at the national level. In order to support the demand for testing surgical masks in the Italian context, Universities provided their contribution by setting up laboratories for testing mask performance before releasing products into the national market.

Trend of clinical vancomycin-resistant enterococci isolated in a regional Italian hospital from 2001 to 2018.

A retrospective study of the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a regional hospital of central Italy in 2001-2018 demonstrated an increased VRE prevalence since 2016. A total of 113 VRE isolates, 89 E. faecium (VREfm) and 24 E.

Diffusion and Characterization of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Aminoglycoside Resistance in an Italian Regional Cystic Fibrosis Centre.

Aims: Extensively-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa constitutes a serious threat to patients suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF). In these patients, P. aeruginosa lung infection is commonly treated with aminoglycosides, but treatments are largely unsuccessful due a variety of resistance mechanisms.

Plasmid Replicon Typing of Antibiotic-Resistant From Clams and Marine Sediments.

Unlike human isolates, environmental isolates have not been thoroughly investigated for the diversity and transferability of antibiotic-resistant plasmids. In this study, antibiotic-resistant strains from marine sediment ( = 50) and clams ( = 53) were analyzed (i) for their plasmid content using a PCR-based plasmid replicon typing (PBRT) kit and (ii) for the transferability of plasmid-associated antibiotic resistance (AR) traits by mating experiments. Fifteen of the thirty replicons targeted by the PBRT kit were detected in the isolates; 8/15 were identified in both sediment and clam isolates, although at different frequencies.