A total of 124 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates were ascertained at the University Hospital of the Canary Islands between January 1997 and April 2000. Genotyping included pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) ( Sma I digestion) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis for the coagulase ( coa ) and protein A ( spa ) genes. Antibiotic resistance was the main phenotypic marker correlated with genotyping results. Three main PFGE types were detected: A (with 12 subtypes), B (with 2 subtypes), and C. PFGE type A1 was the most commonly found (61% of isolates) and the one responsible for all the epidemic outbreaks. Other genetics markers used ( coa and spa RFLPs) were significantly correlated with the PFGE types detected ( P < 0.001). These PCR-RFLP assays were useful as molecular markers for a quick, preliminary study of MRSA outbreaks.

To assess the frequency and diversity of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Belgium. During 2006 and 2008, non-duplicate clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to ceftazidime and/or cefotaxime were collected in 100 Belgian hospitals. ESBL production was confirmed by phenotypic and genotypic tests. MICs of 13 antimicrobial agents were determined by Etest. ESBL-encoding genes were identified by PCR sequencing and the bla_CTX-M environment was characterized by PCR mapping. Selected isolates were genotyped by PFGE, multilocus sequence typing analysis and phylogenetic grouping by PCR. Overall, 733 isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers. Carbapenems and temocillin were active against ≥95% of all tested isolates. Co-resistance to co-trimoxazole and to ciprofloxacin was found in almost 70% and 80% of the strains, respectively. Overall, Escherichia coli (49%), Enterobacter aerogenes (32%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (9%) represented the most prevalent species. Isolates harboured predominantly TEM-24 (30.7%), CTX-M-15 (24.2%) and TEM-52 (12.1%). Compared with 2006, the proportion of CTX-M-type enzymes increased significantly in 2008 (54% versus 23%; P < 10⁻⁶), mostly linked to a rising proportion of CTX-M-15-producing E. coli. TEM-24 decreased (19% in 2008 versus 43% in 2006; P < 10⁻⁶) during the same period, while the prevalence of TEM-52 remained unchanged (10% in 2008 versus 14% in 2006; not significant). Over 80% of the CTX-M-15-producing E. coli isolates clustered into a single PFGE type and phylogroup B2, corresponding to the sequence type (ST) 131 clone. Intra- and inter-species gene dissemination (CTX-M-15, CTX-M-2 and CTX-M-9) and wide epidemic spread of the CTX-M-15-producing E. coli ST131 clone in several Belgian hospitals were observed. The rapid emergence of multiresistant CTX-M-15-producing E. coli isolates is of major concern and highlights the need for further surveillance in Belgium.

Among 359 healthcare workers (HCW) employed in Panzi General Referral Hospital located in Bukavu in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 148 (41.2%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Thirty-three (22.3%) of the 148 personnel with positive serology reported symptoms evoking a prior COVID-19 illness. None of the infected HCWs reported COVID-related hospitalization, and all of them recovered. Our findings indicate high and underestimated circulation of SARS-CoV-2 within the Bukavu area.