Polyarthritis Caused by Acinetobacter kookii in a Rothschild's Giraffe Calf (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi)

We report the first isolation of Acinetobacter kookii from a Rothschild's giraffe calf (Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi) that had severe polyarthritis. The isolate was resistant to more than one representative of each of four classes of antibiotics (penicillins, macrolides, lincosamides and tetracyclines). As A. kookii has not been previously associated with disease in humans or animals, it may be an emerging opportunistic pathogen posing a threat to immunocompromised patients. Furthermore, as transmission of Acinetobacter spp. with similar patterns of antimicrobial resistance has been previously reported in human and animal populations, special care should be taken when handling infected animals.

Erratum: High-Precision Mass Measurement of ^{56}Cu and the Redirection of the rp-Process Flow [Phys. Rev. Lett. 120, 032701 (2018)]

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.120.032701.

Addition of decellularized extracellular matrix of porcine nasal cartilage improves cartilage regenerative capacities of PCL-based scaffolds in vitro

Composite scaffolds can improve regenerative capacities of scaffolds in various tissue-engineering approaches. In order to generate a 3D printable scaffold that is capable of cartilage regeneration, decellularized extracellular matrix (DECM) of porcine nasal cartilage was added to 3D printed polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds. Subsequently, scaffolds (PCL, PCL/DECM and DECM) were seeded with human primary nasoseptal chondrocytes and differentiated with cartilage inductive medium for up to 42 days in vitro. Afterwards samples were analyzed with scanning electron microscopy, histology, biochemical assays and gene expression analysis. In short, results showed cell attachment and proliferation on all scaffolds. There was a trend towards ossification on pure PCL scaffolds, whereas we found evidence for cartilage tissue formation on DECM scaffolds as well as on PCL/DECM scaffolds. Moreover, biochemical analysis indicated an enhanced differentiation on novel PCL/DECM scaffolds. In conclusion, the addition of DECM to 3D printable PCL scaffolds may yield a new composite material for regenerative approaches in cartilage for facial reconstructive surgery. Further research will be necessary to evaluate these findings in vivo.

Faecal carriage of optrA-positive enterococci in asymptomatic healthy humans in Hangzhou, China

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the faecal carriage of optrA-positive enterococci among asymptomatic healthy humans in Hangzhou, China, and to characterize the genetic context of optrA.

METHODS

A total of 3458 stool samples from healthy individuals were collected and cultured on a selective medium containing 10 mg/L florfenicol and resulting enterococci were screened for the presence of optrA by PCR. OptrA variants were determined by amino acid sequence comparison with the original OptrA from Enterococcus faecalis E349. Whole genome sequencing and PCR mapping were performed to obtain and analyse the genetic environment of optrA.

RESULTS

Similar optrA carriage rates (∼3.5%) were detected in samples from adults (55/1558) and children (66/1900). Linezolid resistance rates for E. faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and other Enterococcus species were 58.5% (38/65), 42.3% (11/26) and 0% (0/31), respectively. Nineteen OptrA variants exhibiting different linezolid MICs were identified. Isolates carrying wild-type OptrA and variants RDK, KLDP, KD, D, RDKP, and EDP generally demonstrated linezolid MICs ≥8 mg/L. The OptrA variants, with fexA upstream and erm(A) downstream, were flanked by IS1216E at one or both ends. The fexA-optrA(wild-type) was located downstream of a Tn554 transposon, and was inserted into the radC gene. The EDM variant was detected in 31/73 enterococci with linezolid MICs ≤4 mg/L. Despite the variable genetic context, Tn558-araC-optrA(EDM)-erm(A)-met was the most common gene array.

CONCLUSIONS

This study revealed a correlation between linezolid MIC, genetic context and OptrA variant. Intestinal colonization of healthy individuals by optrA-positive enterococci is a concern, and active epidemiological surveillance of optrA is warranted.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in wildlife, food-producing, and companion animals: a systematic review

OBJECTIVES

The spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in healthcare settings challenges clinicians worldwide. However, little is known about dissemination of CRE in livestock, food, and companion animals and potential transmission to humans.

METHODS

We performed a systematic review of all studies published in the PubMed database between 1980 and 2017 and included those reporting the occurrence of CRE in samples from food-producing and companion animals, wildlife, and exposed humans. The primary outcome was the occurrence of CRE in samples from these animals; secondary outcomes included the prevalence of CRE, carbapenemase types, CRE genotypes, and antimicrobial susceptibilities.

RESULTS

We identified 68 articles describing CRE among pigs, poultry, cattle, seafood, dogs, cats, horses, pet birds, swallows, wild boars, wild stork, gulls, and black kites in Africa, America, Asia, Australia, and Europe. The following carbapenemases have been detected (predominantly affecting the genera Escherichia and Klebsiella): VIM, KPC, NDM, OXA, and IMP. Two studies found that 33-67% of exposed humans on poultry farms carried carbapenemase-producing CRE closely related to isolates from the farm environment. Twenty-seven studies selectively screened samples for CRE and found a prevalence of <1% among livestock and companion animals in Europe, 2-26% in Africa, and 1-15% in Asia. Wildlife (gulls) in Australia and Europe carried CRE in 16-19%.

CONCLUSIONS

The occurrence of CRE in livestock, seafood, wildlife, pets, and directly exposed humans poses a risk for public health. Prospective prevalence studies using molecular and cultural microbiological methods are needed to better define the scope and transmission of CRE.

Factors associated with the emotional health of children: high family income as a protective factor

Anxiety and depressive symptoms have adverse effects on children's development. The present study investigates the associations of socioeconomic factors as well as maternal emotional health with children's emotional health status. The data were collected between 2011 and 2015 in the LIFE Child study, a population-based cohort study in Leipzig, Germany. The emotional health status of 1093 children (2.5-11.9 years old) was investigated using the subscale 'emotional problems' of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Associations of maternal emotional health, family status, and socioeconomic status (SES) with the emotional health status of children were estimated via regression analyses. 21.13% of the participating children were assigned to the 'risk' group for emotional problems. The results furthermore revealed that children of mothers reporting more depressive symptoms, children living in single-parent families, and children of families with lower SES scored higher in the emotional problems scale. When considering the different indicators of SES (parental education, occupational status, and monthly net income) separately, only income showed significant associations with children's emotional health status. The prevalence of emotional problems in children in Leipzig, a city in East Germany, appears to be higher than the previously reported German average. Maternal depressive symptoms, single-parent families, lower SES, and especially lower income can be seen as risk factors for children's emotional health.