Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) production is an important resistance mechanism among clinical isolates of Enterobacter cloacae. TEM, SHV, and CTX-M are the most common ESBL genotypes among Enterobacter spp. The main aims of this study were to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern and to detect ESBL-encoding genes as well as intI1 genes. One hundred twenty isolates of E. cloac...

The number of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria was determined in the saliva of 20 children with acute group A beta-haemolytic streptococcal (GABHS) pharyngo-tonsillitis, and 20 with acute non-GABHS tonsillitis. Antibody titres to four Gram-negative anaerobic bacilli that reside in the oropharynx (Fusobacterium nucleatum, Prevotella intermedia, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Actinobacillus actinomy...

The ability of Fusarium species isolated from bananas to produce mycotoxins was studied with 66 isolates of the following species: F. semitectum var. majus (8 isolates), F. camptoceras (3 isolates), a Fusarium sp. (3 isolates), F. moniliforme (16 isolates), F. proliferatum (9 isolates), F. subglutinans (3 isolates), F. solani (3 isolates), F. oxysporum (5 isolates), F. graminearum (7 isolates),...

In this case-control study of Yersinia enterocolitica infections among black infants, chitterling preparation was significantly associated with illness (p<0.001). Of 13 samples of chitterlings tested, 2 were positive for Yersinia intermedia and 5 for Salmonella. Decontamination of chitterlings before sale with methods such as irradiation should be strongly considered.

BACKGROUND Cattle shedding at least 104 CFU Escherichia coli O157:H7/g feces are described as super-shedders and have been shown to increase transmission of E. coli O157:H7 to other cattle in feedlots. This study investigated relationships among fecal isolates from super-shedders (n = 162), perineal hide swab isolates (PS) from super-shedders (n = 137) and fecal isolates from low-shedder (< 104...

Cefpodoxime is one of five antimicrobial agents recommended by the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards for screening isolates of Klebsiella spp. and Escherichia coli for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production. In a prior study, we noted that among 131 E. coli isolates for which the MIC of at least one extended-spectrum cephalosporin (ESC) or aztreonam was > or =2 mi...

The VITEK 2 is a new automated instrument for rapid organism identification and susceptibility testing. It has the capability of performing rapid susceptibility testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae with specially configured cards that contain enriched growth medium and antimicrobial agents relevant for this organism. The present study compared the results of testing of a group of 53 challenge st...

Enterococcus faecalis is an important nosocomial pathogen causing serious invasive infections. One of the virulence factors of this pathogen, gelatinase GelE, is a protease whose gene expression is regulated by the Fsr quorum sensing system. In this study, we used a well-characterized collection of 153 clinical E. faecalis isolates to investigate the distribution of genes involved in gelatinase...