[Five cases of C. canimorsus during a short period of time at Östersund Hospital, Sweden]. / Fem fall av C canimorsus på kort tid vid Östersunds sjukhus.

We report a sudden increase in the number of cases of C. canimorsus bacteremia during 3 months in 2022 at Östersund Hospital, Sweden. Prior to these cases, the most recent one in the region occurred in 2015. Among the five cases, one suffered from meningitis and one was diagnosed as endocarditis. Dog contact was present in all cases, although dog bites could only be verified in two. Improved diagnostics could not be an explanation to the surge, since the analysis method for blood culture had been the same since 2015. No corresponding increase was noted nationally, according to the Public Health Agency of Sweden. The isolates have been included in the ongoing global study with the aim to explore Capnocytophaga in humans and animals using comparative genomics and genome wide association studies. The study is supported by several ESCMID (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases) study groups.

Presence of the neonatal Staphylococcus capitis outbreak clone (NRCS-A) in prosthetic joint infections.

Staphylococcus capitis is a coagulase-negative staphylococcus that has been described primarily as causing bloodstream infections in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), but has also recently been described in prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). The multidrug-resistant S. capitis subsp. urealyticus clone NRCS-A, comprising three sublineages, is prevalent in NICUs across the world, but its impact on other patient groups such as those suffering from PJIs or among adults planned for arthroplasty is unknown. Genome sequencing and subsequent analysis were performed on a Swedish collection of PJI isolates (n = 21), nasal commensals from patients planned to undergo arthroplasty (n = 20), NICU blood isolates (n = 9), operating theatre air isolates (n = 4), and reference strains (n = 2), in conjunction with an international strain collection (n = 248). The NRCS-A Outbreak sublineage containing the composite type V SCCmec-SCCcad/ars/cop element was present in PJIs across three Swedish hospitals. However, it was not found among nasal carrier strains, where the less virulent S. capitis subsp. capitis was most prevalent. The presence of the NRCS-A Outbreak clone in adult patients with PJIs demonstrates that dissemination occurs beyond NICUs. As this clone has several properties which facilitate invasive infections in patients with medical implants or immunosuppression, such as biofilm forming ability and multidrug resistance including heterogeneous glycopeptide-intermediate susceptibility, further research is needed to understand the reservoirs and distribution of this hospital-associated pathogen.

Author Correction: Plantaricin NC8 αß exerts potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus spp. and enhances the effects of antibiotics.

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper.

Plantaricin NC8 αß exerts potent antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus spp. and enhances the effects of antibiotics.

The use of conventional antibiotics has substantial clinical efficacy, however these vital antimicrobial agents are becoming less effective due to the dramatic increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Novel approaches to combat bacterial infections are urgently needed and bacteriocins represent a promising alternative. In this study, the activities of the two-peptide bacteriocin PLNC8 αß were investigated against different Staphylococcus spp. The peptide sequences of PLNC8 α and ß were modified, either through truncation or replacement of all L-amino acids with D-amino acids. Both L- and D-PLNC8 αß caused rapid disruption of lipid membrane integrity and were effective against both susceptible and antibiotic resistant strains. The D-enantiomer was stable against proteolytic degradation by trypsin compared to the L-enantiomer. Of the truncated peptides, ß1-22, ß7-34 and ß1-20 retained an inhibitory activity. The peptides diffused rapidly (2 min) through the bacterial cell wall and permeabilized the cell membrane, causing swelling with a disorganized peptidoglycan layer. Interestingly, sub-MIC concentrations of PLNC8 αß substantially enhanced the effects of different antibiotics in an additive or synergistic manner. This study shows that PLNC8 αß is active against Staphylococcus spp. and may be developed as adjuvant in combination therapy to potentiate the effects of antibiotics and reduce their overall use.

Genomic analysis of Staphylococcus capitis isolated from blood cultures in neonates at a neonatal intensive care unit in Sweden.

Emergence of a genetically distinct, multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus capitis clone (NRCS-A) present in neonatal intensive care units has recently been extensively reported. The aims of the present study were to investigate which clones of S. capitis isolated from blood in a Swedish neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) have been present since 1987 and to investigate whether the NRCS-A clone has disseminated in Sweden. All S. capitis isolates from blood cultures of neonates (≤ 28 days of age) between 1987 and 2017 (n = 46) were whole-genome sequenced, and core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST) was performed. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based phylogenetic relationships between the S. capitis isolates and in silico predictions of presence of genetic traits specific to the NRCS-A clone were identified. Furthermore, antibiotic susceptibility testing, including screening for heterogeneous glycopeptide-intermediate resistance, was performed. Thirty-five isolates clustered closely to the isolates previously determined as belonging to the NRCS-A clone and had fewer than 81 core genome loci differences out of 1063. Twenty-one of these isolates were multidrug resistant. The NRCS-A clone was found in 2001. Six pairs of isolates had differences of fewer than two SNPs. Genetic traits associated with the NRCS-A clone such as nsr, ebh, tarJ, and CRISPR were found in all 35 isolates. The increasing incidence of S. capitis blood cultures of neonates is predominantly represented by the NRSC-A clone at our NICU in Sweden. Furthermore, there were indications of transmission between cases; adherence to basic hygiene procedures and surveillance measures are thus warranted.

Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) isolated from prosthetic joint infections is less susceptible to oxacillin than to benzylpenicillin.

Introduction: The frequency of prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) due to Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) is increasing, especially shoulder PJIs. The recommended antibiotic prophylaxis for hip and knee arthroplasties is beta-lactam antibiotics, predominantly cephalosporins. However, for example in Sweden, isoxazolyl-penicillin cloxacillin is used. No specific recommendations for shoulder arthroplasties are available. The aim of the present study was to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for different antibiotics for C. acnes; and, more specifically, to compare the MIC values for benzylpenicillin and oxacillin. Materials and methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for nine different antibiotic agents were obtained by gradient test (Etest) using strains of C. acnes (n= 57) isolated from PJIs from shoulders (n=31), hips (n=21), and knees (n=5). Results: All isolates had low MIC values for most of the tested antibiotic agents, and showed a wild type MIC distribution. The exception was clindamycin with 9% of the isolates displaying decreased susceptibility. The MIC values obtained for benzylpenicillin were significantly lower than the MIC values for isoxazolyl-penicillin (oxacillin). Conclusion: These in vitro results indicate that benzylpenicillin might be a more effective prophylactic treatment to prevent shoulder PJIs caused by C. acnes. However, further studies on the subject are needed, and the effectiveness of the prophylactic treatment should be evaluated using randomized controlled studies and/or register-based studies.

Related carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella isolates detected in both a hospital and associated aquatic environment in Sweden.

Carbapenem antibiotics are one of the last-resort agents against multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. The occurrence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in wastewater and aquatic environments is an indication of MDR bacteria in the community. This study evaluated CPE in aquatic environments and compared them to the local hospital isolates in Sweden. Phenotypic and genotypic analyses of antibiotic resistance of environmental and clinical CPE were performed. The relatedness of the isolates and possible clonal dissemination was evaluated using phylogenetic and phyloproteomic analysis. Klebsiella oxytoca carrying carbapenemase genes (blaVIM-1, blaIMP-29) were isolated from wastewater and the recipient river, while K. oxytoca (blaVIM-1) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (blaVIM-1, blaOXA-48, blaNDM-1, blaKPC-3) were isolated from patients at the local clinics or hospital. The K. oxytoca classified as sequence type 172 (ST172) isolated from the river was genotypically related to two clinical isolates recovered from patients. The similarity between environmental and clinical isolates suggests the dispersion of blaVIM-1 producing K. oxytoca ST172 from hospital to aquatic environment and the likelihood of its presence in the community. This is the first report of CPE in aquatic environments in Sweden; therefore, surveillance of aquatic and hospital environments for CPE in other urban areas is important to determine the major transfer routes in order to formulate strategies to prevent the spread of MDR bacteria.

Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from nares and prosthetic joint infections are mupirocin susceptible.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the antibiotic susceptibility including mupirocin among Staphylococcus. epidermidis isolated from prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) (n=183) and nasal isolates (n=75) from patients intended to undergo prosthetic joint replacements. Susceptibility to mupirocin (used for eradication of nasal carriership of Staphylococcus aureus) was investigated by gradient test, and susceptibility to various other antimicrobial agents was investigated by disc diffusion test. All isolates, except three from PJIs and one from the nares, were fully susceptible to mupirocin. Multi-drug resistance (≥3 antibiotic classes) was found in 154/183 (84.2%) of the PJI isolates but only in 2/75 (2.7%) of the nares isolates, indicating that S. epidermidis causing PJIs do not originate from the nares.

Finegoldia magna Isolated from Orthopedic Joint Implant-Associated Infections.

The anaerobic Gram-positive coccus Finegoldia magna is a rare cause of infections of bone and joints. The aim of this study was to describe the microbiological and clinical characteristics of orthopedic implant-associated infections caused by F. magna We retrospectively analyzed samples consisting of anaerobic Gram-positive cocci and samples already identified as F. magna from patients with orthopedic infections. The isolates found were determined to the species level using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by Etest. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed. Clinical data were extracted from each patient's journal. In nine patients, orthopedic joint implant-associated infections were identified as being caused by F. magna The isolates were susceptible to most of the antibiotics tested, with the exception of rifampin and moxifloxacin in a few cases. Five of the nine infections were monomicrobial. The most common antibiotic used to treat the infection was penicillin V, but five of the nine patients received a combination of antibiotics. Eight patients underwent surgical treatment, with extraction of the implant performed in seven cases and reimplantation in only two cases. The WGS showed a relatively small core genome, with 126,647 single nucleotide polymorphisms identified within the core genome. A phylogenomic analysis revealed that the isolates clustered into two distinct clades. Orthopedic implant-associated infections caused by F. magna are rare, but the bacteria are generally susceptible to antibiotics. Despite this, surgical treatment combined with long-term antibiotics is often necessary. The WGS analysis revealed a high heterogeneity and suggested the existence of at least two different Finegoldia species.

Phenotypic characterisation of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from blood cultures in newborn infants, with a special focus on Staphylococcus capitis.

AIM: This Swedish study determined which species of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were found in neonatal blood cultures and whether they included Staphylococcus capitis clones with decreased susceptibility to vancomycin. METHODS: CoNS isolates (n = 332) from neonatal blood cultures collected at Örebro University Hospital during 1987-2014 were identified to species level with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of S. capitis isolates was determined by the disc diffusion test and Etest, and the presence of heterogeneous glycopeptide-intermediate S. capitis (hGISC) was evaluated. RESULTS: Staphylococcus epidermidis (67.4%), Staphylococcus haemolyticus (10.5%) and S. capitis (9.6%) were the most common CoNS species. Of the S. capitis isolates, 75% were methicillin-resistant and 44% were multidrug-resistant. No isolate showed decreased susceptibility to vancomycin, but at least 59% displayed the hGISC phenotype. Staphylococcus capitis isolates related to the strain CR01 displaying pulsotype NRCS-A were found. CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus epidermidis, S. haemolyticus and S. capitis were the predominant species detected in neonatal blood cultures by MALDI-TOF MS. The number of episodes caused by S. capitis increased during the study period, but no isolates with decreased susceptibility to vancomycin were identified. However, S. capitis isolates related to the strain CR01 displaying pulsotype NRCS-A were found.

Genomic relatedness of Staphylococcus pettenkoferi isolates of different origins.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to characterize clinical and environmental Staphylococcus pettenkoferi isolates with regard to genomic diversity and antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Repetitive-sequence-based PCR and core genome phylogenetic analysis of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data verified the presence of distinct clades comprising closely related S. pettenkoferi isolates from different geographical locations and origins. METHODOLOGY: Phylogenetic relationships between 25 S. pettenkoferi isolates collected from blood cultures and intra-operative air sampling were determined by repetitive-sequence-based PCR typing and analysis of ~157 000 SNPs identified in the core genome after WGS. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and tests for biofilm production (microtitre plate assay) were performed. RESULTS: Repetitive-sequence-based PCR as well as WGS data demonstrated the close relatedness of clinically significant blood culture isolates to probable contaminants, as well as to environmental isolates. Antibiotic-susceptibility testing demonstrated a low level of antimicrobial resistance. The mecA gene was present in two cefoxitin-resistant isolates. No isolates were found to produce biofilm. CONCLUSION: Close genomic relatedness of S. pettenkoferi isolates from different geographical locations and origins were found within clades, but with substantial genomic difference between the two major clades. The ecological niche of S. pettenkoferi remains unconfirmed, but the presence of S. pettenkoferi in the air of the operating field favours the suggestion of a role in skin flora. Identification of S. pettenkoferi in clinical samples should, in a majority of cases, most likely be regarded as a probable contamination, and its role as a possible pathogen in immunocompromised hosts remains to be clarified.

Antibiotic susceptibility among Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from prosthetic joint infections, with focus on doxycycline.

In recent years, coagulase-negative staphylococci such as Staphylococcus epidermidis have gained importance as nosocomial pathogens, especially in immunocompromised patients and prosthetic joint infections (PJIs). These infections are often long lasting and difficult to treat due to the production of bacterial biofilm and the transformation of the bacteria into a stationary growth phase. Rifampicin is able to penetrate the biofilm, but to reduce the risk of development of rifampicin resistance it should be used in combination with an additional antibiotic. In this study we used Etest to investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of 134 clinical isolates of S. epidermidis obtained from PJIs to six oral antibiotics: doxycycline, rifampicin, linezolid, fusidic acid, clindamycin, and ciprofloxacin. We also performed synergy testing on doxycycline in combination with each of the remaining antibiotics. Ninety-three (69%) of the 134 isolates were susceptible to doxycycline, 94/134 (70%) to rifampicin, 56/134 (42%) to clindamycin, 25/134 (19%) to ciprofloxacin, 81/134 (60%) to fusidic acid, and 100% to linezolid. Thirty-two (80%) of the 40 isolates not fully susceptible to rifampicin were susceptible to doxycycline. Doxycycline in combination with each of the other investigated antibiotics exerted an additive effect on nearly half of the isolates, with the exception of clindamycin, which displayed an even higher percentage of additive effect (69%). To conclude, as the majority of the S. epidermidis isolates were susceptible to doxycycline, this antimicrobial agent may provide a potential alternative for combination therapy together with rifampicin.

Analytical specificity and sensitivity of the novel dual-target GeneProof Neisseria gonorrhoeae PCR kit for detection of N. gonorrhoeae.

Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae relies increasingly on nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs). The specificity of many gonococcal NAATs has been suboptimal and supplementary testing remains recommended in Europe and several additional countries. The novel dual-target GeneProof Neisseria gonorrhoeae PCR kit, targeting porA pseudogene and 16S rRNA gene, showed a high specificity and sensitivity when isolates of non-gonococcal Neisseria and related species (n = 144), and gonococci (n = 104) were tested. However, rare gonococcal porA mutants were only detected in the 16S rRNA gene target and two non-gonococcal isolates showed a low-level cross-reactivity in the 16S rRNA gene target. The detection limit for both targets was 1.5 copies per reaction.

Sequence types of Staphylococcus epidermidis associated with prosthetic joint infections are not present in the laminar airflow during prosthetic joint surgery.

Molecular characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolates from prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) has demonstrated a predominance of healthcare-associated multi-drug resistant sequence types (ST2 and ST215). How, and when, patients acquire these nosocomial STs is not known. The aim was to investigate if sequence types of S. epidermidis associated with PJIs are found in the air during prosthetic joint surgery. Air sampling was undertaken during 17 hip/knee arthroplasties performed in operating theaters equipped with mobile laminar airflow units in a 500-bed hospital in central Sweden. Species identification was performed using MALDI-TOF MS and 16S rRNA gene analysis. Isolates identified as S. epidermidis were further characterized by MLST and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Seven hundred and thirty-five isolates were available for species identification. Micrococcus spp. (n = 303) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 217) constituted the majority of the isolates. Thirty-two isolates of S. epidermidis were found. S. epidermidis isolates demonstrated a high level of allelic diversity with 18 different sequence types, but neither ST2 nor ST215 was found. Commensals with low pathogenic potential dominated among the airborne microorganisms in the operating field during prosthetic joint surgery. Nosocomial sequence types of S. epidermidis associated with PJIs were not found, and other routes of inoculation are therefore of interest in future studies.

Antibiotic susceptibility of Propionibacterium acnes isolated from orthopaedic implant-associated infections.

INTRODUCTION: Prosthetic joint infections (PJIs) caused by Propionibacterium acnes account for a larger proportion of the total number of PJIs than previously assumed and thus knowledge of the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of P. acnes is of great value in everyday clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using Etest, the present study investigated the susceptibility of 55 clinical isolates of P. acnes, obtained from orthopaedic implant-associated infections of the knee joint (n = 5), hip joint (n = 17), and shoulder joint (n = 33), to eight antimicrobial agents: benzylpenicillin, clindamycin, metronidazole, fusidic acid, doxycycline, moxifloxacin, linezolid and rifampicin. Synergy testing was also conducted, in which rifampicin was combined with each of the remaining seven antibiotics. RESULTS: All isolates (n = 55) were susceptible to most of the antibiotics tested, with the exception of 100% resistance to metronidazole, five (9.1%) isolates displaying decreased susceptibility to clindamycin, and one (1.8%) to moxifloxacin. None of the antimicrobial agents investigated were synergistic with each other when combined and nine isolates were antagonistic for various antimicrobial combinations. The majority of the antimicrobial combinations had an indifferent effect on the isolates of P. acnes. However, the combination of rifampicin and benzylpenicillin showed an additive effect on nearly half of the isolates. CONCLUSION: Almost all P. acnes, isolated from orthopaedic implant-associated infections, predominantly PJIs, were susceptible to the antibiotics tested, with the exception of complete resistance to metronidazole. Synergy test could not demonstrate any synergistic effect but additive effects were found when combining various antibiotics. Antagonistic effects were rare.

Long-term molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus epidermidis blood culture isolates from patients with hematological malignancies.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is an important cause of bloodstream infections in patients with hematological malignancies. Knowledge of the long-term epidemiology of these infections is limited. We surveyed all S. epidermidis blood culture isolates from patients treated for hematological malignancies at the University Hospital of Örebro, Sweden from 1980 to 2009. A total of 373 S. epidermidis isolates were identified and multilocus sequence typing, staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec (SCCmec) typing and standard antibiotic susceptibility testing were employed to characterize these isolates. The majority of the isolates 361/373 (97%) belonged to clonal complex 2, and the 373 isolates were divided into 45 sequence types (STs); Simpson's Diversity Index was 0.56. The most prevalent STs were ST2 (243/373, 65%) and ST215 (28/373, 8%). Ninety three percent (226/243) of the ST2 isolates displayed either SCCmec type III or IV. ST2 and 215 were isolated during the entire study period, and together these STs caused temporal peaks in the number of positive blood cultures of S. epidermidis. Methicillin resistance was detected in 213/273 (78%) of all isolates. In the two predominating STs, ST2 and ST215, methicillin resistance was detected in 256/271 isolates (95%), compared with 34/100 (34%) in other STs (p<0.001). In conclusion, in this long-term study of patients with hematological malignancies, we demonstrate a predominance of methicillin-resistant ST2 among S. epidermidis blood culture isolates.

Decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine and prevalence of disinfectant resistance genes among clinical isolates of Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a versatile agent, being both a commensal and a nosocomial pathogen usually with an opportunistic role in association with implanted foreign body materials. Pre-operative antiseptic preparation is an important strategy for reducing the risk of complications such as surgical site infection (SSI). Currently, the most widely used antiseptics are alcohols, quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), and the bisbiguanide chlorhexidine. Occurrence of resistance to the latter agent has drawn increasing attention. The aim of this study was to investigate if decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine among S. epidermidis was present in our setting, a Swedish university hospital. Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 143), retrospectively collected, were obtained from prosthetic joint infections (PJI) (n = 61), post-operative infections after cardiac surgery (n = 31), and the skin of the chest after routine disinfection prior to cardiac surgery (n = 27). In addition, 24 commensal isolates were included. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of chlorhexidine was determined on Mueller Hinton agar plates supplemented with serial dilutions of chlorhexidine. Five QAC resistance genes, qacA/B, smr, qacH, qacJ, and qacG, were detected using PCR. Decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine was found in 54% of PJI isolates, 68% of cardiac isolates, 21% of commensal isolates, and 7% of skin isolates from cardiac patients, respectively. The qacA/B gene was present in 62/143 isolates (43%), smr in 8/143 (6%), and qacH in one isolate (0.7%). The qacA/B gene was found in 52% of PJI isolates, 61% of cardiac isolates, 25% of commensal isolates, and 19% of the skin isolates. In conclusion, decreased susceptibility to chlorhexidine, as well as QAC resistance genes, were prevalent among S. epidermidis isolates associated with deep SSIs.

Comparison of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from prosthetic joint infections and commensal isolates in regard to antibiotic susceptibility, agr type, biofilm production, and epidemiology.

Staphylococcus epidermidis is the predominant bacterial species in the normal flora of the human skin and superficial mucosal membranes. However, it has also emerged as the most important pathogen in infections related to foreign-body materials, such as prosthetic joints and heart valves. The aims of this study were to characterise S. epidermidis isolated from prosthetic joint infections (PJI; n=61) and commensal isolates from healthy individuals (n=24) in regard to antimicrobial sensitivity, agr type, hld gene presence, biofilm production including presence of ica and aap genes involved in the biofilm formation process and epidemiology using both phenotypic (the PhenePlate-system) and genotypic [multilocus sequence typing (MLST)] methods. Among the PJI isolates, the majority (67%) were multidrug-resistant. Two major clusters of PJI isolates could be identified; 44% belonged to MLST sequence type (ST) 2, all but one were of agr type 1, and 31% were assigned ST215 and were of agr type 3. Of the commensal isolates, only one isolate was multidrug-resistant, and they were more molecular epidemiologically diverse with mainly MLST singletons and a maximum of 3 isolates assigned to the identical ST. Biofilm production was detected in 41% of the PJI isolates and 58% of the commensal isolates, with the aap gene (95%) more frequently detected than the ica genes (62%) in the biofilm-positive isolates. In conclusion, S. epidermidis isolated from PJIs and commensal isolates differed regarding antimicrobial sensitivity and molecular epidemiological typing using MLST, but not substantially in the distribution of agr types, biofilm production, or the presence of ica and aap genes.