Culture Screening Research Articles

Effects of multidrug-resistant bacteria and multi-antibiotic combination on intestinal microbiota in mice

Multidrug-resistant bacteria are a clinical and an epidemiological challenge. However, the effects of multidrug-resistant bacteria and multi-antibiotic combination on gut microbiota are unclear. In this study, the effects of multidrug-resistant bacteria and multi-antibiotic combination on intestinal microbiota in mice have been observed by high-throughput sequencing. Resistant Escherichia coli (RP4) and 0.5, 1, and 2 mg/L antibiotics (Amp, Km, and Tet multi-antibiotic combination) could decrease the number of specific operational taxonomic units from 223 in the normal saline control group to 178 in the antibiotic-resistant bacteria group and 34 in the antibiotic group, and antibiotics are the biggest influencing factor. Multidrug-resistant bacteria and multi-antibiotic combination could affect the function of intestinal microbiota, and the effect of multidrug-resistant bacteria was similar to that of multi-antibiotic combination. Small intestine is the main colonization site of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes are the major antibiotic-resistance acquired bacteria as determined by transmission electron microscopy and agarose plate screening culture.

P-264. Fournier-transform Infrared spectrometry is a quick, reliable and economical method used to determine clonality and nosocomial transmission of an extended Spectrum β-lactamase E.coli contaminated endoscope

Abstract Background Nosocomial transmission of bacteria via contaminated endoscopes is known to occur due to inadequacies in the complex cleaning process of multi-channel endoscopes. At our institution we do regular surveillance culture screening of endoscopes. Upon receiving positive cultures with an Extended Spectrum β-lactamase producing (ESBL) E.coli we alerted our hospital hygiene unit. After screening potentially exposed patients we determined clonality of ESBL E.coli isolates from 4 patients with expensive en specialized molecular diagnostics, at our local academic hospital using Amplification Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP). We were testing the BiotyperIR (Bruker Daltronics) in our laboratory and wanted to see how de FTIR compared to AFLP in our small peripheral hospital setting. BiotyperIR 3D scatterplot Cluster of endoscope isolate and exposed patient isolates with 2 non related patient control isolates Methods We determined that a total of 16 patients had endoscopic investigations preformed with the contaminated endoscope. We were able to do rectal screening cultures for ESBL positive organisms using ESBL selective media from 11 of the 16 patients. We were unable to screen 5 patients. Of the 11 patients that were screened 4 were positive with an ESBL E.coli. Clonal testing was done on these isolates and 2 non outbreak ESBL E.coli patient isolates with AFLP and FTIR using the BiotyperIR. IR spectra were acquired from dried spots of bacterial suspensions in ethanol solution. Exploratory data analysis of the FTIR spectra was performed by Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) using Bruker’s updated software. BiotyperIR dendrogram Cluster of endoscope isolate and exposed patient isolates with 2 non related patient control isolates Results Both results from AFLP and the BiotyperIR showed that all 4 ESBL E.coli patient isolates were identical to the contaminated endoscope isolate and the 2 non outbreak patient control isolates were unrelated to the outbreak isolate. We concluded that there had been nosocomial transmission of an ESBL E.coli. Clonal typing using the BiotyperIR FTIR was done within 24 hours in our own laboratory compared to 2 weeks using AFLP which had to be sent to our local academic hospital. Conclusion The BiotyperIR FTIR spectrometry results were identical to molecular typing using AFLP to determine nosocomial transmission of a clonal ESBL E.coli. Results were obtained significantly faster and at a fraction of the cost of molecular AFLP. Disclosures Carolyn Moonen, PhD, Bruker Daltonics GmbH & Co. KG: Advisor/Consultant

Sources and Transmission Routes of Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Study Design and Methodology of the SAMPAN Study.

Background/Objectives: The global spread of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) warrants collaborative action. Guidance should come from integrated One Health surveillance; however, a surveillance strategy is currently unavailable due to insufficient knowledge on the sources and transmission routes of CRPA. The aim of the SAMPAN study ("A Smart Surveillance Strategy for Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa") is to develop a globally applicable surveillance strategy. Methods: First, an international cross-sectional study will be conducted to investigate CRPA in clinical and environmental settings in Rotterdam (The Netherlands), Rome (Italy), and Jakarta (Indonesia). Screening cultures and risk factor questionnaires will be taken from healthy individuals and patients upon hospital admission. Clinical CRPA isolates will also be included. Additionally, samples will be taken twice from wet hospital environments and monthly from the hospitals' (drinking) water system, hospital and municipal wastewater treatment plants, and receiving rivers. Whole-genome sequencing will be performed to characterize CRPA isolates and determine the genetic relatedness among the isolates from different reservoirs. Findings from the cross-sectional study, combined with expert elicitation using a Delphi method, will serve as the input for the surveillance strategy. Conclusions: The SAMPAN study will provide a broader understanding of the sources and transmission routes of CRPA. Therewith, the development of a globally applicable smart surveillance strategy will be made possible, delivering information that is needed to guide actions against the spread of CRPA.

You Will Recognize Her… About the Transformations of the Female Body in Cinema

The study of female corporality in cinema is relevant in the context of the analysis of contemporary ideas about the body as a cultural and ideological construct. In the con-text of mass visual culture, the female body is often depicted stereotypically, emphasizing either sexualized or vulnerable aspects, which limits the depth of perception of corporality and female identity. The purpose of the article is to identify how cinematic images of the female body serve as a means of conveying cultural and social meanings, as well as to expose the illusory nature of ideas about the female body often created by screen culture. The study applies methods of socio-philosophical, cultural and feminist analysis, as well as the theory of visual media. Particular attention is paid to the concept of the “male gaze” and the fragmentation of corporality, which are used to identify and deconstruct stereotypical images in cinema. One of the key results of the work was the conclusion that the female corporality on screen is often depicted as a visually attractive shell, devoid of deep meaning and authenticity. Cinema represents the body as an object of the viewer's gaze, reinforcing ideological stereotypes and turning the body itself into an instrument of manipulation. The absence of an authentic body leads to a loss of subjectivity, which creates a need for new approaches to visualizing corporeality that can bring the viewer closer to an authentic experience.

Explication of Screen Culture: History of Formation and Forms of Cultural Constitution

Explication of Screen Culture: History of Formation and Forms of Cultural Constitution

Renegotiating Cold War Geopolitics and Loyalty Traps in Contemporary East-Central European Spy Series

This article examines how HBO’s recent East-Central European (ECE) series reinterpret the history of regime change within contemporary post-Cold War screen culture. Focusing on The Sleepers (2019) from Czechia, The Informant (2022) from Hungary, and Spy/Master (2023) from Romania, it explores how these espionage thrillers, set in the late socialist era, reposition the region’s geopolitical significance. Unlike traditional Cold War narratives centred on US-Soviet confrontations, these series shift the focus to Prague, Budapest, and Bucharest, offering a nuanced portrayal of ECE’s role during this period. The analysis highlights the rise of genre experimentation in ECE cinema, particularly in crime and espionage, which reflects broader international trends in television and streaming. These genres allow for a complex engagement with the memory of socialism, moving beyond nostalgia to address themes of loyalty, identity, and trust. By focusing on ambivalent heroes and mixed loyalties, these series challenge traditional narratives, offering a more nuanced account of the socialist past and contributing to a reimagined cultural identity for the region.

Screen Culture and Literary Mythology of Mass Consciousness (two “Onegins” – 1999 and 2024)

The article discusses the practice of promoting the images and meanings of classical works of Russian literature in modern screen culture. The relevance of this topic is connected with the widespread use of images of Russian literature in those samples of screen culture that the modern mass audience is faced with. In the article, the method of comparative analysis will be used as the main research method. The author proposes to compare two cinematic versions of one of the key works of Russian literature - the novel ‘Eugene Onegin’ by A. S. Pushkin. In the course of the analysis, it is proposed to study the circumstances of the creation of both fi lms, the cultural and socio-psychological context of the appearance of screen adaptations, and the general historical background. Particular attention will be paid to the country of origin of each of the fi lms (Great Britain and Russia), which, of course, could not affect the fi nal result. The author examines the adequacy of screen versions, taking into account the existing traditions of fi lm viewing and fi lm perception, determined not only by the practice of the viewers themselves, but also by the dominant information and analytical trends characteristic of mass communication channels, taking into account the circumstances of their functioning in each specifi c, chronological deterministic case. The author paid special attention to the principles of creating both fi lms, the factors that formed the fi nal aesthetic solution of each of the versions - from the selection of actors to the choice of locations and location locations. The article also touches upon the history of cinematic versions of the literary source. The traditions of literary criticism and critical analysis of the original text by A. S. Pushkin in Russian literary criticism are also taken into account. Attention is also paid to the distribution fate of each of the fi lms, since they were created in completely different conditions and in different systems of fi lm production with different cultural traditions necessary for subsequent promotion to audiences.The author comes to the conclusion about the varying degree of aesthetic adequacy of the analyzed phenomena of screen culture to the literary source, when, in his opinion, the approach of British cinematographers is preferable.

Assessment of Patients Who Apply to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic to Obtain A Medical Report

Objective: Medical reports are crucial in Family Medicine. However, many legal issues remain unresolved. Unnecessary examination requests cause significant costs, labor loss for physicians, and affect occupational safety. This study aimed to evaluate the age, gender, and occupational distribution of individuals applying to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic for driver's license, employment, marriage, diaper, and medication reports, and to examine the relationship between the requested examinations and reports. Method: This single center and retrospective study were conducted with individuals who applied to the Family Medicine Outpatient Clinic of a tertiary hospital between 01.01.2014-01.01.2015 to obtain driver's license, employment, health, marriage, diaper and medication reports. Data were collected by retrospective file screening method. The requested hemogram and biochemical tests, ELISA tests (Hbs Ag, Anti-Hbs, Anti-HIV, Anti-HCV), Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL), thalassemia screening, nasal and throat cultures, and chest radiography results for the relevant report were reviewed. The examinations requested according to the age and gender and report type data of the people were recorded. Results: The mean age of 3673 individuals included in the study was 35.45 and 52.7% (n=1936) of them were male. It was observed that the most applications were made in September. Medical reports were mostly requested prior to employment (%76). Essential hypertension (%34) was the most common drug report diagnosis, and urinary incontinence (%32) was the main reason for diaper reports. Among those screened for pre-employment and marriage reports, 4% (n=10) were positive for Hepatitis B surface antigen (HbSAg)and Hepatitis B Surface Antibody (AntiHbs). 9% of those who applied for a marriage report were positive for thalassemia. Chest x-ray and nose, throat, stool cultures were common tests for employment reports. Staph aureus was found in 7.9% of nasal cultures. Conclusion: Standardizing all medical reports, especially pre-employment health reports, will alleviate the burden on family medicine physicians and ensure proper legal procedures. By preventing unnecessary medical examinations, physician workforce loss and healthcare costs must be minimized. In this context, the Ministry of Health needs to coordinate with institutions and organizations

Prevention of possible vancomycin resistant enterococcus outbreak caused by infants transferred due to earthquake-trauma

Infection control measures are disrupted due to the large number of patients admitted in a very short time, in the early post-earthquake period. Inter-hospital or intra-hospital transfers can cause the spread of resistant bacteria. We reported the possible outbreak and its prevention caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) strains carried by infants transferred from another unit to our neonatal intensive care unit after the earthquake. Screening cultures (rectal swab) were obtained from infants on admission and patients were kept in contact isolation. We studied the clonal analysis of VRE strains isolated from patients by Pulse Field Gel Electroforesis.

The mimesis of the on-screen interface and the essence of technology: a philosophical analysis

The work is devoted to the philosophical analysis of a number of culturological factors related primarily to visual genres and forms of culture, the subsequent impact of which on the rapid development of scientific and technological progress in the last decades of the XX – first decades of the XXI century directly or indirectly influenced the features of the functioning and appearance of the interface of screen devices in their now familiar form. The historically alternating cultural requirements for transformations of visual images in relation to their perception were investigated in diachrony. Through the analysis of visual culture, the authors consider modern technology as a unity of three components: technological, socio-cultural and anthropological. These components allow us to present the technique as an integral phenomenon for philosophical consideration. The research methodology is based on the use of empirical material from the field of modern technology development, and also includes an analysis of historical, philosophical and cultural sources related to the study of technology. When comparing the mimetic forms of traditional culture with the mimetic ways of reflecting the screen-type interface, a comparative typological approach is applied. The scientific novelty of the research lies in an attempt to compare the mimetic forms of traditional culture with the mimetic ways of reflecting the screen-type interface. By comparing these forms, the authors go out to study a broader phenomenon of modern society and culture – the phenomenon of technology. This research contributes to the development of the philosophy of technology in Russia. One of the tasks of the philosophy of technology is to study the subject of technical activity, which functions today as a new technical environment, in the context of digital and nanotechnology. Technical activity is the basis for the emergence of new knowledge about society. Technology acts as a form of materialization of ideas in practice, affects the development of technical sciences, all branches of knowledge in the modern world. Screen culture acts as a part of technical development based on the digitalization of technologies, but at the same time, it allows us to present technology as a unity of technology, man and society.

Cumulative incidence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium detection by patient characteristics or possible exposures: prioritization of patients for active screening culture

The target population for active surveillance culture (ASC) of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus species (VRE) by stool or rectal swabs has not been fully determined during VRE outbreaks in healthcare settings in non-VRE endemic situation. To evaluate cumulative incidences of VRE detection during a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium outbreak to determine reasonable target populations for ASC. Cases included inpatients whose first VRE-positive sample was obtained at Shizuoka General Hospital between February 2022 and January 2023, during which we conducted admission screening for possible high-risk patients, bi-weekly screening of all inpatients, admission and discharge screening in the high-care unit, and screening of contacts in each ward using stool or rectal samples. We calculated cumulative incidences of VRE detection for those screened by patient characteristics or possible exposure. Among 60 cases identified, 55 (92%) were by ASC. Cumulative incidence was higher for contacts (6.4%, 15/234) than for those identified by other screening methods (0.5%, 40/8565). Among the patients identified through admission screening, those previously hospitalized in areas of reported VRE outbreaks had the highest cumulative incidence (6.6%, 5/78) followed by patients requiring toilet assistance (3.7%, 6/161). A bundle approach including ASC and prompt contact precautions by the hospital infection control team, local public health centre, and local and national infection control experts helped terminate the outbreak in seven months. Patients with contacts, prior hospitalization in areas with known VRE outbreaks, and who need toilet assistance appear to be high-risk populations for VRE detection and are candidates for ASC.

Physiological liver microtissue 384-well microplate system for preclinical hepatotoxicity assessment of therapeutic small molecule drugs.

Hepatotoxicity can lead to the discontinuation of approved or investigational drugs. The evaluation of the potential hepatoxicity of drugs in development is challenging because current models assessing this adverse effect are not always predictive of the outcome in human beings. Cell lines are routinely used for early hepatotoxicity screening, but to improve the detection of potential hepatotoxicity, in vitro models that better reflect liver morphology and function are needed. One such promising model is human liver microtissues. These are spheroids made of primary human parenchymal and nonparenchymal liver cells, which are amenable to high throughput screening. To test the predictivity of this model, the cytotoxicity of 152 FDA (US Food & Drug Administration)-approved small molecule drugs was measured as per changes in ATP content in human liver microtissues incubated in 384-well microplates. The results were analyzed with respect to drug label information, drug-induced liver injury (DILI) concern class, and drug class. The threshold IC50ATP-to-Cmax ratio of 176 was used to discriminate between safe and hepatotoxic drugs. "vMost-DILI-concern" drugs were detected with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 89%, and "vMost-DILI-concern" drugs affecting the nervous system were detected with a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 91%. The robustness and relevance of this evaluation were assessed using a 5-fold cross-validation. The good predictivity, together with the in vivo-like morphology of the liver microtissues and scalability to a 384-well microplate, makes this method a promising and practical in vitro alternative to 2D cell line cultures for the early hepatotoxicity screening of drug candidates.

Outbreak caused by multidrug-resistant OXA-48 and NDM-1 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae inthe intensive care unit of a cancer hospital.

We report a nosocomial outbreak caused by a multidrug-resistant carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDRCPKp), that was detected in six patients admitted to the medical intensive care unit between 20th of December 2023 and 15th of January 2024 in Ankara, Turkey. The investigation of this outbreak was started on 29th of December 2023. During the outbreak 11 samples were collected from the six patients with MDRCPKp. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was performed to determine the genetic relatedness and clonality of MDRCPKp strains. MDRCPKp was isolated in the tracheal aspiration culture, blood, urine, and screening samples. Five patients with MDRCPKp colonization developed healthcare-associated infection. In one patient MDRCPKp was isolated from tracheal aspirate and the screening cultures were considered as colonization not infection. PFGE analysis revealed that all isolates belonged to the same K. pneumoniae clone. MDRCPKp strain of this outbreak exhibited multidrug resistance and co-produced OXA-48 and NDM-1. This outbreak ended after application of strict infection control measures. An outbreak of MDRCPKp can occur in hospitals, especially in the intensive care units; thus, it should be detected early by infection control teams. A strong collaboration between infection control team and microbiology laboratory is essential to cope with MDR bacterial outbreaks in hospitals.

Multiplexed real-time PCR for the detection and differentiation of Klebsiella pneumoniae O-antigen serotypes.

Klebsiella pneumoniae has emerged as a global health threat due to its role in the spread of antimicrobial resistance and because it is a frequent cause of hospital-acquired infections and neonatal sepsis. Capsular and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) O-antigen polysaccharide surface antigens are major immunogens that are useful for strain classification and are candidates for vaccine development. We have developed real-time PCR reagents for molecular serotyping, subtyping, and quantitation of the most prevalent LPS O-antigen types (i.e., O1, O2, O3, and O5) of Klebsiella pneumoniae. We describe two applications for this O-typing assay: for screening culture isolates and for direct typing of Klebsiella pneumoniae present in stool samples. We find 100% concordance between the results of the O-typing assay and whole-genome sequencing of 81 culture isolates, and >90% agreement in O-typing performed directly on specimens of human stool, with disagreement arising primarily from a lack of sensitivity of the culture-based comparator method. Additionally, we find evidence for mixed O-type populations at varying levels of abundance in direct tests of stool from a hospitalized patient population. Taken together, these results demonstrate that this novel O-typing assay can be a useful tool for K. pneumoniae epidemiologic and vaccine studies.IMPORTANCEKlebsiella pneumoniae is an important opportunistic pathogen. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the primary reservoir of K. pneumoniae in humans, and GI carriage is believed to be a prerequisite for invasive infection. Knowledge about the dynamics and duration of GI carriage has been hampered by the lack of tools suitable for detection and strain discrimination. Real-time PCR is particularly suited to the higher-throughput workflows used in population-based studies, which are needed to improve our understanding of carriage dynamics and the factors influencing K. pneumoniae colonization.

The cloth pass and soft glitch

In this article, sound artist Julie Rose Bower examines the relationship between the Foley ‘cloth pass’ and the ‘fabric sounds’ autonomous sensory meridian response (ASMR) trigger. Starting with Serres’s sensory appraisal that ‘the world is a mass of laundry’ the tactile qualities of cloth are proposed as a key component in accounting for the ‘felt rather than heard’ status of Foley sound. Writing from a practitioner perspective, Bower argues for textile manipulation as a form of embodied sound design and cloth sounds as a curiously generative media object. Through theorizing developments in the scope of attention within screen cultures, Bower develops a speculative ontology of soft glitch and conceptualizes a politics of folded listening. Alongside accounts of sound practice from industry Foley artists Vanessa Theme Ament (Die Hard, Edward Scissorhands), Joanna Fang (Sony PlayStation) and from her own ASMR work using costume and textiles (ASMR at the Museum for the Victoria and Albert Museum [V&A]), Bower argues for cloth sounds as transcendent cyberfeminist technique.

Формирование «новой зрелищности». Как устроен современный стриминг (на примере Netflix и др.)

The paper aims to identify the characteristics of the “new spectacle” in the context of screen digitization. The author’s focus on identifying the stages of screen digitization and the emergence of new cultural practices when viewing content on streaming services is crucial. The scientific novelty of the study lies in its multifaceted analysis of media consumption and media production transformations in the digital age, particularly emphasizing the significant role of streaming services in these processes. The author investigates the interactive aspects of streaming services where viewers can influence the plot, which is a significant contribution to understanding contemporary media practices. As a result, the author emphasizes that streaming services have become catalysts for numerous changes in the media industry, leading to democratization of content access and production. The work notes the possibility of a functional differentiation of modern media consumption culture under the influence of screen culture before the streaming era and during the streaming era. The emergence of new demands for content creation in the context of the “new spectacle” is highlighted.

Prospective Analysis of urINe LAM to Eliminate NTM Sputum Screening (PAINLESS) study: Rationale and trial design for testing urine lipoarabinomannan as a marker of NTM lung infection in cystic fibrosis.

Routine screening for nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) lung disease is dependent on sputum cultures. This is particularly challenging in the cystic fibrosis (CF) population due to reduced sputum production and low culture sensitivity. Biomarkers of infection that do not rely on sputum may lead to earlier diagnosis, but validation trials require a unique prospective design. The rationale of this trial is to investigate the utility of urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) as a test to identify people with CF with a new positive NTM culture. We hypothesize that urine LAM is a sensitive, non-invasive screening test with a high negative predictive value to identify individuals with a relatively low risk of having positive NTM sputum culture. This is a prospective, single-center, non-randomized observational study in adults with CF, 3 years of negative NTM cultures, and no known history of NTM positive cultures. Patients are followed for two year-long observational periods with the primary endpoint being a positive NTM sputum culture within a year of a positive urine LAM result and a secondary endpoint of a positive NTM sputum culture within 3 years of a positive urine LAM result. Study implementation includes remote consent and sample collection to accommodate changes from the COVID-19 pandemic. This report describes the study design of an observational study aimed at using a urine biomarker to assist in the diagnosis of NTM lung infection in pwCF. If successful, urine LAM could be used as an adjunct to traditional sputum cultures for routine NTM screening.

Active follow-up of patients identified with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria to discontinue contact precautions and isolation measures

It is essential to refrain from unnecessary isolation measures indicated for patients identified with multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB). To evaluate whether a pro-active follow-up strategy to discontinue isolation measures of patients identified with MDR-GNB (without carbapenemase production) resulted in reduced isolation days during hospitalization, compared to passive follow-up. A comparison was made between active and passive follow-up strategies over a two-year period after first MDR-GNB identification. Patients could be declared negative after two consecutive negative screening cultures. Active follow-up patients received a questionnaire for screening cultures within six months of MDR-GNB identification. Of the 2208 patients included, 1424 patients (64.5%) underwent passive follow-up and 784 patients (35.5%) underwent active follow-up. A significantly higher proportion of active follow-up patients who had sufficient (at least two) screening cultures were declared MDR-GNB negative compared to those with passive follow-up; 66.9% vs 20.6% (P < 0.001) for adult patients and 76.0% vs 17.1% (P < 0.001) for paediatric patients. A comparison between active follow-up patients with sufficient versus those with active follow-up but insufficient cultures revealed a reduction of isolation days for paediatric patients (median 10.6 vs 1.6 days; P= 0.031). Though this difference was not statistically significant for adults (median 5.3 vs 4.2 isolation days), there was a valuable decrease in the number of isolation days for both adult and paediatric patients under active follow-up with sufficient (≥2) cultures, indicating clinical relevance. We recommend an active follow-up strategy for patients identified with an MDR-GNB, to prevent further unneeded infection prevention measures.

Millennial Screen Cultures in Spain: Queering the Mainstream*

This article interrogates queer representations in twenty-first century Spanish film and digital media, focusing on a group of emerging millennial filmmakers: Paco León, Eduardo Casanova, and the duo Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo (‘Los Javis’). It argues that films and digital series by these directors are representative of a Spanish queer aesthetics which navigates between combative subversion and mainstream inclusion. It assesses to what extent contemporary screen cultures are still challenging hegemonic social and ideological constructs in relation to gender, sexuality and identity and in what ways they grapple with LGBTQ + visibility and subjectivity vis-à-vis the mainstream audio-visual media industry.

Large-Scale S. aureus Screening with Molecular Epidemiology; the Role of MSSA and Community MRSA in Hospital Transmissions

Background: The frequency of Staphylococcus aureus transmission in hospitals is unknown: symptomatic infection may occur months after transmission and colonization, and infection prevention efforts rely on indirect measurements, rather than direct detection of transmission events. We implemented a hospital-based S. aureus screening program, combined with whole genome sequencing of S. aureus surveillance and clinical cultures and data extracted from the electronic health record, to identify S. aureus clonal complex-, patient- and location-specific factors associated with S. aureus transmission in our health system. Methods: Screening S. aureus cultures were obtained at admission by nasal swab for adults admitted to Medicine, Transplant, Oncology and intensive care, and weekly by swab of nares, axilla and groin for children admitted to intensive care and Oncology at NYU Langone Health in New York City. All methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) from screening and clinical (blood, wound, sputum) cultures and all methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) from screening and blood cultures underwent whole genome sequencing. Isolates from distinct patients with &lt; 2 0 single nucleotide pair differences were considered genetically related. Electronic health data was extracted for descriptive statistics and for spatiotemporal plots to assess plausible transmissions. We used REDCap electronic data capture tools hosted at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and SAS software for data analysis to evaluate S. aureus transmissions between November 2022 and November 2023. Results: We analyzed 8,567 S. aureus isolates: including 6,552 screening cultures, 1,008 blood cultures, and 1,007 clinical cultures. We found 424 plausible S. aureus hospital transmissions using sequencing and electronic health data. Screening cultures identified 75% of transmissions that would have otherwise been missed with blood and clinical cultures alone. The majority of positive screening cultures isolated MSSA, but the proportion of transmissions due to MSSA differed by age. In children, MSSA colonization accounted for 62% of transmissions. In adults, only 15% of transmissions were due to MSSA colonization, whereas MRSA colonization accounted for 56% of transmissions. Analysis of adult MRSA isolates by clonal complex found that 45% of transmissions were due to CC8, higher than the 17% among isolates agnostic of transmissions. Emergency departments and the neonatal intensive care unit had the highest number of transmissions. Patients involved in transmissions had longer lengths of stay and frequent hospitalizations. Conclusions: A S. aureus screening program, coupled with genome sequencing and electronic health data, can identify patient group, hospital locations and clonal complexes that are at high risk for S. aureus transmissions.