Superantigens (SAgs) are potent microbial toxins that function to activate large numbers of T cells in a T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ-specific manner, resulting in excessive immune system activation. Staphylococcus aureus possesses a large repertoire of distinct SAgs, and in the context of host-pathogen interactions, staphylococcal SAg research has focused primarily on the role of these toxins in s...

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Acquired antimicrobial resistance is commonly attributed to regimens that expose bacteria to subinhibitory concentrations; consequently, eradication of susceptible cells is advocated. The mutant selection window hypothesis predicts that resistance can be acquired even when inhibitory concentrations are exceeded and susceptible bacteria are eradicated. The objective was...

Staphylococcus aureus is an opportunistic pathogen able to colonize the upper respiratory tract and skin surfaces in mammals. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus ST398 is prevalent in pigs in Europe and North America. However, the mechanism of successful pig colonization by MRSA ST398 is poorly understood. To study MRSA colonization in pigs, an ex vivo model consisting of porcine nasal mucosa expla...

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to evaluate risk factors for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients hospitalized for diabetic foot infections. METHODS We reviewed hospital admissions for foot infections in patients with diabetes which had nasal swabs, and anaerobic and aerobic tissue cultures at the time of admission. Data collected included patient characteris...

OBJECTIVE To determine the feasibility and effectiveness of adding a hand hygiene exercise in self-screening for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) nasal colonization to a health care delivery course for first-year pharmacy (P1) students. DESIGN About one month after students were trained in hand hygiene technique and indications, faculty members demonstrated how to self-scree...

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), known as a nosocomial pathogen, has been isolated from community-acquired infections since the 1980s. It has been reported that there are carriers of MRSA in the community although the rate of carriers is low and the most important risk factor of community-acquired carriage is hospitalization or referral to healthcare facilities. We attempted ...

OBJECTIVES To learn about the profile of fungal colonization and related risk factors in premature newborns. METHODS Prospective cohort, from 04/01/2010 to 04/31/2011, with 44 patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit, born at the hospital maternity, weighing less than 1,500 g. On admission, data were collected on pre-natal care and childbirth. Clinical and laboratory information,...

Children attending child care centers (CCCs) are at increased risk for infections, including those caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Nasal colonization often precedes infection, and MRSA colonization has been associated with increased infection risk. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) has caused increased MRSA infections in the general population, including children...

ing in Nebraska. Cornhusker Family Physician 2007; 53:54–5. 10. Miller LG, Diep BA. Clinical practice: colonization, fomites, and virulence: rethinking the pathogenesis of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection. Clin Infect Dis 2008; 46:752–60. 11. Padoveze MC, de Jesus Pedro R, Blum-Menezes D, Bratfich OJ, Moretti ML. Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization...