SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in a hospital and control of an outbreak on a geriatric ward using whole genome sequencing.

Background: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, dominant viral variants were repeatedly replaced by new variants with altered properties, frequently changing the dynamics of the infection event, as well as the effectiveness of vaccines and therapeutics. SARS-CoV-2 variant monitoring by whole genome sequencing was established at the University Medical Center Mainz, Germany to support patient management during the pandemic.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 RNA samples from the University Medical Center were analysed weekly with whole genome sequencing.

Nanopore adaptive sampling of a metagenomic sample derived from a human monkeypox case.

In 2022, a series of human monkeypox cases in multiple countries led to the largest and most widespread outbreak outside the known endemic areas. Setup of proper genomic surveillance is of utmost importance to control such outbreaks. To this end, we performed Nanopore (PromethION P24) and Illumina (NextSeq.

Containment of a Large SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak Among Healthcare Workers in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit.

Objective: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are particularly exposed SARS-CoV-2 because they are critical in preventing viral transmission and treating COVID-19 patients. Within HCWs, personnel of intensive care units (ICUs) are at the forefront of treating patients with a severe course of COVID-19 infection and therefore represent an extremely vulnerable group. Thus, our objective is to contribute to establish means of infection control protecting HCWs in the frontline of the current pandemic.

Air quality in the operating room: Surgical site infections, HVAC systems and discipline - position paper of the German Society of Hospital Hygiene (DGKH).

In recent years, there has been an ongoing discussion about the value of laminar airflow (LAF=low turbulence displacement ventilation) in the operating room for prevention of surgical site infections (SSI). Some publications, e.g.

Patients with Rheumatic Diseases do not have an Increased Risk of MRSA Carrier Status.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) both in rheumatologic and non-rheumatologic rehabilitation centers. In addition, we sought to evaluate the practice value of existing screening recommendations of the German Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO).

Methods: The analysis was performed in four rehabilitation clinics (rheumatology, psychosomatic medicine, oncology, and cardiology) with at least 200 patients per clinic tested for MRSA.

Principles of infection prevention and reprocessing in ENT endoscopy.

This article gives an overview on the principles of reprocessing of rigid and flexible endoscopes used in ENT units including structural and spatial requirements based on general and ENT-specific risks of infection associated with diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy. The underlying legal principles as well as recommendations from scientific societies will be exemplified in order to give a practical guidance to the otorhinolaryngologist. Preliminary results of a small nation-wide survey on infection control standards based on data of 29 ENT practices in Germany reveal current deficits of varying degree concerning infection control management including reprocessing of endoscopes.

Microbial contamination of anesthetic syringes in relation to different handling habits.

This single-center study prospectively assessed the microbial contamination of anesthetic syringes handled perioperatively under different conditions. We documented high rates of bacterial contamination, with strong but statistically nonsignificant differences between handling groups. Our results identify skin contact as the main source of contamination, and thus we emphasize the impact of proper hand hygiene.

Real-time PCR detection of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in clinical and municipal wastewater and genotyping of the ciprofloxacin-resistant isolates.

Real-time quantification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was performed in various wastewater systems including clinical, municipal wastewaters and inflow from a wastewater treatment plant. The highest concentrations of P. aeruginosa-specific targets were detected in clinical wastewaters.

Microbiological quality of carbonated drinking water produced with in-home carbonation systems.

The microbiological quality of carbonated water produced with tap water in commercial in-home carbonation systems was determined, the results being discussed in the context of the microbiological quality of the tap water used, the properties of the drink makers, and the procedures of preparation and washing of various parts of the appliance. The last-mentioned data were received from each participant of the study by questionnaire. Escherichia coli, coliforms, fecal streptococci and spore-forming sulphite-reducing anaerobes were used as indicators for the hygienic quality of the water.

In vitro evaluation of the biocompatibility of contaminated implant surfaces treated with an Er : YAG laser and an air powder system.

Titanium platelets with a sand-blasted and acid-etched surface were coated with bovine serum albumin and incubated with a suspension of Porphyromonas gingivalis (ATCC 33277). Four groups with a total of 48 specimens were formed. Laser irradiation of the specimens (n = 12) was performed on a computer-controlled XY translation stage at pulse energy 60 mJ and frequency 10 pps.

Infections associated with medical devices: pathogenesis, management and prophylaxis.

The insertion or implantation of foreign bodies has become an indispensable part in almost all fields of medicine. However, medical devices are associated with a definitive risk of bacterial and fungal infections. Foreign body-related infections (FBRIs), particularly catheter-related infections, significantly contribute to the increasing problem of nosocomial infections.

Antimicrobial efficacy of semiconductor laser irradiation on implant surfaces.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the antimicrobial effect of an 809-nm semiconductor laser on common dental implant surfaces.

Materials And Methods: Sandblasted and acid-etched (SA), plasma-sprayed (TPS), and hydroxyapatite-coated (HA) titanium disks were incubated with a suspension of S. sanguinis (ATCC 10556) and subsequently irradiated with a gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser using a 600-microm optical fiber with a power output of 0.

Development of a long-lasting ventricular catheter impregnated with a combination of antibiotics.

A ventricular silicone catheter impregnated with a combination of rifampin and a quinolone was developed in order to prevent ventricular shunt related infections. As model substance for the quinolones we used sparfloxacin, because of its specific physicochemical properties resulting in a quantitative detection also in the presence of a second antibiotic. In our study we focused especially on an optimization of the antibiotic release out of the impregnated catheters in order to develop long lasting devices with a broad antimicrobial spectrum.

Detection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and their resistance genes in wastewater, surface water, and drinking water biofilms.

Abstract In view of the increasing interest in the possible role played by hospital and municipal wastewater systems in the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, biofilms were investigated using enterococci, staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae, and heterotrophic bacteria as indicator organisms. In addition to wastewater, biofilms were also investigated in drinking water from river bank filtrate to estimate the occurrence of resistant bacteria and their resistance genes, thus indicating possible transfer from wastewater and surface water to the drinking water distribution network. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci were characterized by antibiograms, and the vanA resistance gene was detected by molecular biology methods, including PCR.

Bactericidal effect of the Er:YAG laser on dental implant surfaces: an in vitro study.

Background: The aim of the in vitro study was to examine the bactericidal effect of an Er:YAG laser on common dental implant surfaces.

Methods: Seventy-two titanium platelets with 3 different surfaces--sandblasted and acid-etched (SA), titanium plasma-sprayed (TPS), and hydroxyapatite-coated (HA)--were incubated with a suspension of Streptococcus sanguinis (ATCC 10556). Irradiation at pulse energies of 60 and 120 mJ and a frequency of 10 pps was performed on a computer-controlled XY translation stage.