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ABSTRACTWe describe a simple protocol to inactivate the biosafety level 3 (BSL3) pathogens Brucellaprior to their analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry. This method is also effective for several other bacterial pathogens and allows storage, and eventually shipping, of inactivated samples; therefore, it might be routinely applied to unidentified bacteria, for the safety of laboratory workers.

In 2004, 65 CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli isolates were collected from infected patients in four French hospitals. The blaCTX-M-15genes were predominant. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis highlighted a clonal propagation of CTX-M-15-producing strains belonging to phylogenetic group B2, notably in the community. The main risk factors for acquiring these isolates were urinary tract infections or the presence of a urinary catheter in diabetic or renal failure patients.

ABSTRACTIn 2004, 65 CTX-M-producing Escherichia coliisolates were collected from infected patients in four French hospitals. The blaCTX-M-15genes were predominant. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis highlighted a clonal propagation of CTX-M-15-producing strains belonging to phylogenetic group B2, notably in the community. The main risk factors for acquiring these isolates were urinary tract infections or the presence of a urinary catheter in diabetic or renal failure patients.

ABSTRACTWe report the first strain of glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faeciumfrom Europe that contains a vanDallele isolated from blood cultures of an immunocompromised patient hospitalized in a French university hospital. Based on phenotypic results, PCR sequencing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and Southern blotting, the isolate was assigned to E. faeciumwith a chromosomally located VanD allele most closely related to the VanD1 allele.

ABSTRACTIn 2002, 80 isolates of Enterobacteriaceaeproducing extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs) were collected from infected patients in our hospital. Enterobacter aerogeneswas the most common bacterium isolated from all specimens (36.5%). The ESBLs were predominantly (90%) TEM derivatives (TEM-24, TEM-3). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis highlighted that E. aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Citrobacter koserihad a clonal propagation.

ABSTRACTThe first ever case of spondylodiscitis caused by Clostridium ramosumin an elderly immunocompetent patient has been reported. C. ramosumis usually an intestinal bacterium but may occasionally be isolated in clinical specimens as an opportunistic pathogen. This report shows that this anaerobic organism can cause bone tropism without there having been any contamination due to spinal surgery. The infection cleared after empirical therapy using intravenous amoxicillin and oral metronidazole.