H uman populations in the state of Mississippi and the rest of the southeastern United States have historically been at risk for hookworm and other parasitic diseases (1,2). With improved sanitation and economic development, soil-transmitted helminths (STH), including the species Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura, were presumed to have been eliminated. However, a recent report of continued hookworm and strongyloidiasis transmission in a community without access to proper sanitation in Alabama, USA, has challenged this assumption (3).

The viridans group streptococci comprise multiple species and have gained more recognition in recent years as common etiologic agents of bacterial endophthalmitis. The purpose of this study was to identify the species of human endophthalmitis isolates of viridans streptococci and to characterize their potential virulence attributes. The species of 22 endophthalmitis strains of viridans streptococci were identified by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time-of-Flight. Susceptibilities to 3 antibiotics commonly used for bacterial endophthalmitis were determined. The extracellular milieu of each strain was tested for cytotoxicity of retinal pigmented epithelial cells, hemolysis of sheep erythrocytes, and protease activity using gelatin zymography. Identified species were Streptococcus mitis/oralis, S. salivarius, S. vestibularis, S. parasanguinis, S. mutans, S. constellatus, and S. gordonii. One strain of S. pseudoporcinus was also identified. All strains were sensitive to vancomycin, 77% were resistant to amikacin, and 27% had intermediate resistance to ceftazidime. Extracellular milieu from all strains except one (S. pseudoporcinus) were largely devoid of toxicity to retinal pigmented epithelial cells and sheep erythrocytes. Twelve strains, 10 of which were S. mitis/oralis, produced protease activity. Interestingly, not all of the S. mitis/oralis strains were proteolytic. These findings highlight the diversity of virulence factor production in ocular strains of the viridans streptococci not only at the group level but also at the species level.

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BackgroundContact precautions (CP) in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) patients along with hand hygiene has been considered a gold standard to prevent transmission. The actual impact of these measures in reducing MRSA infections is still controversial. At our institution, we evaluated the impact of discontinuation of MRSA CP on hospital-onset (HO) and community-onset (CO) MRSA bloodstream (BSI) rates. We also analyzed consequential cost savings.MethodsThe University of Mississippi Medical Center is a 700+ bed academic facility located in Jackson, MS. Patients admitted to any inpatient units with diagnoses or history of MRSA infection or colonization were subjected to CP during their stay. In July 2018, we discontinued MRSA CP across all inpatient units (except neonatal intensive care unit). HO MRSA BSI rate was calculated per National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) laboratory-identified event. CO MRSA BSI was reported per NHSN admission prevalence rate. One-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was performed to compare pre-and post-intervention data.ResultsThere was a rise in HO MRSA BSI rate after discontinuation of CP (July 2018-March 2019) in comparison to the 9-month pre-intervention period (October 2017-June 2018); however, the difference was not statistically significant (1.79/10,000 patient-days vs. 1.2/10,000 patient-days; P = 0.056). Similarly, CO MRSA BSI prevalence rate did not show a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-intervention period (0.103 vs. 0.08; P = 0.584).The total annualized cost savings on personal protective equipment (PPE) was an estimated $193,398 post-intervention. Hand hygiene (HH) compliance was higher in post-intervention compared with pre-intervention period (83% vs. 78%, P = 0.0007).ConclusionAt our institute, discontinuation of MRSA CP was associated with an insignificant rise in HO MRSA BSI rates. No impact was observed on CO MRSA BSI prevalence. We had a 34% reduction in PPE expenditure. We observed an increase in HH compliance post-discontinuation of CP, but it did not reduce MRSA BSI rates. Further studies are needed to evaluate the impact of bundling hand hygiene practices with other horizontal strategies (prevention bundles, chlorhexidine bathing, environmental disinfection practices) in prevention of MRSA infections. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.