Introduction: Latin American countries have public health problems that are aggravated by inadequate basic sanitary conditions. Inefficient vaccination coverage, as well as the fact that a significant portion of the population is exposed to contaminated water and food, can lead to an increase in the incidence of some diseases. Methodology: the work reports a case of infection by Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi), whose contagion is strictly related to personal and environmental hygiene conditions. Conclusion: accurate identification and immediate detection of the etiologic agent using automated methods, such as Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and the BACT / ALERT System® 3D, can positively contribute to the patient's prognosis and therapeutic success. Thus, principally in the Latin American, a quick and adequate treatment is of great importance, both for the patient and to minimize the spread of multidrug-resistant strains and the consequent reduction of therapeutic options.

This is a report of isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from blood culture. Identification was conducted by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry. The relevance of this report is related to the site affected, the severity of the infection, and the importance of correct and rapid identification of the causative pathogen for a successful treatment and for reducing the risk of morbidity and mortality.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has been used in clinical diagnostic laboratories for the identification of microorganisms. It has a relevant advantage compared to other methods in terms of speed to provide results, being an alternative for addressing restrictions in clinical diagnosis as it may replace or complement existing identification techniques. This is especially important because some rare microorganisms would be identified only by higher cost techniques which are not widely available, such as genetic sequencing. Thus, the present paper reports two cases in which uncommon microorganisms were identified effectively and quickly.

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Background: Bacterial resistance to extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) is present worldwide. Empirical antibiotic therapy is often needed, and the use of fluoroquinolones, such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin, is common. This study aimed to analyze the urine cultures from 2,680 outpatients in January 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022, with bacterial counts above 100,000 CFU/mL in which Escherichia coli was the etiological agent. Methods: We monitored the resistance of ESBL-positive and ESBL-negative strains to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin and evaluated resistance rates. Results: Significantly higher fluoroquinolone resistance rates were observed among ESBL-positive strains in all years studied. Furthermore, a significant increase in the rate of fluoroquinolone resistance was observed between 2021 and 2022 in ESBL-positive and -negative strains, as well as from 2020 to 2021 among the ESBL-positive strains. Conclusions: The data obtained in the present study showed a tendency towards an increase in fluoroquinolone resistance among ESBL-positive and -negative E. coli strains isolated from urine cultures in Brazil. Since empirical antibiotic therapy with fluoroquinolones is commonly used to treat diverse types of infections, such as community-acquired urinary tract infections, this work highlights the need for continuous monitoring of fluoroquinolone resistance among E. coli strains circulating in the community, which can mitigate the frequency of therapeutic failures and development of widespread multidrug-resistant strains.