Long-term persistence of a multi-resistant methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MR-MSSA) clone at a university hospital in southeast Sweden, without further transmission within the region.

The objective of this study was to characterise isolates of methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) with resistance to clindamycin and/or tobramycin in southeast Sweden, including the previously described ECT-R clone (t002) found in Östergötland County, focusing on clonal relatedness, virulence determinants and existence of staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec remnants. MSSA isolates with resistance to clindamycin and/or tobramycin were collected from the three county councils in southeast Sweden and investigated with spa typing, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the SCCmec right extremity junction (MREJ) and DNA microarray technology. The 98 isolates were divided into 40 spa types, and by microarray clustered in 17 multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) clonal complexes (MLST-CCs). All isolates with combined resistance to clindamycin and tobramycin (n = 12) from Östergötland County and two additional isolates (clindamycin-R) were designated as spa type t002, MREJ type ii and were clustered in CC5, together with a representative isolate of the ECT-R clone, indicating the clone's persistence. These isolates also carried several genes encoding exotoxins, Q9XB68-dcs and qacC. Of the isolates in CC15, 83% (25/30) were tobramycin-resistant and were designated spa type t084. Of these, 68% (17/25) were isolated from new-borns in all three counties. The persistence of the ECT-R clone in Östergötland County, although not found in any other county in the region, carrying certain virulence factors that possibly enhance its survival in the hospital environment, highlights the fact that basic hygiene guidelines must be maintained even when MRSA prevalence is low.

Selective intra-arterial dual-energy CT angiography (s-CTA) in lower extremity arterial occlusive disease.

OBJECTIVE: In patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease, renal impairment is a common contraindication to iodine and gadolinium contrast media, which limits the utility of conventional computed tomography angiography (CTA) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). It is proposed that selective intra-arterial dual-energy CT-angiography (s-CTA), that is CTA with intra-arterial injection of an ultra-low dose iodine contrast media, is a feasible, safe and accurate alternative imaging method to conventional non-invasive contrast enhanced vascular imaging in this patient group. The aim of this study was to report a preliminary experience of s-CTA in patients with critical limb ischemia and renal insufficiency with respect to safety, feasibility, and diagnostic accuracy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten non-consecutive patients with ischemic foot ulcers underwent s-CTA of one leg. Procedure related complications were recorded and imaging results were compared with conventional digital subtraction angiography (DSA). RESULTS: A median 17 mL (range 10-19 mL) contrast media (400 mg I/mL) was used. The median baseline plasma creatinine was 163 µmol/L (range 105-569) pre s-CTA versus 153 µmol/L (range 105-562) post s-CTA (p = .24). There was no puncture site complication. Among the patients selected for intervention (n = 6 with 30 arterial segments) the s-CTA findings correlated well with the DSA findings; the diagnostic sensitivity was 100%, the specificity 89%, and the accuracy 93%. CONCLUSION: In this pilot study, a novel imaging method (s-CTA) is presented that provides high-quality arterial phase images with ultra-low dose iodine contrast media useful also for patients unsuitable for conventional contrast enhanced imaging methods because of renal insufficiency.

Reduction of antibiotics sales and sustained low incidence of bacterial resistance: Report on a broad approach during 10 years to implement evidence-based indications for antibiotic prescribing in Jönköping County, Sweden.

BACKGROUND: Increased prevalence of resistance in major pathogens decreases the possibility to treat common infectious conditions. In the beginning of the 1990s, resistant pneumococci spread among children in southern Sweden, which alarmed both the profession and the medical authorities. We describe the measures taken to curb the spread of resistance and to reduce the use of antibiotics in outpatient care. METHOD: A national organization, Strama (Swedish Strategic Programme for the Rational Use of Antimicrobial Agents and Surveillance of Resistance), was initiated in 1994 and a regional committee was formed in Jönköping County in 1995. A multifaceted program was started aiming at reducing antibiotic use in the county by 25% and that the prevalence of resistant pneumococci should not increase. RESULTS: The efforts by the Jönköping County committee has resulted in a 31% total reduction of the consumption of antibiotic drugs in primary care between 1993 and 2005 and a 50% reduction among children aged 0 to 4 years. There has been no increase in the prevalence of resistant pneumococci or Haemophilus influenzae in the county. The decrease in antibiotic use was greater than the average in Sweden. CONCLUSION: Our regional efforts have been successful. This has probably been achieved by a sustained strategy including repeated campaigns in the media, information to the profession, implementation of guidelines, and feedback to the profession on data on antibiotic prescribing and resistance. We believe it is of outmost importance not only to inform the profession but also the public on the limited effects of antibiotics in most respiratory tract infections.