Pathogenic Microbiology Commons^™

Mycobacterium Species Identification In An Acute Hospital: Towards Rapid Identification, And Improved Epidemiology, Using Novel Mass Spectrometry Analysis, James Anthony O'Connor

Theses

Mycobacteria are a heterogeneous group of bacteria that cause a wide spectrum of disease, including Tuberculosis (TB), the single biggest killer worldwide. The genus also incorporates over 170 nontuberculosis (NTM) species, many of which are opportunistic pathogens. The aim of this project was to ascertain the burden of mycobacterial disease in the region and to determine the efficacy of Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionisation time-of-flight (MALDI-tof) mass spectrometry (MS) for novel uses as a rapid identification method for clinical mycobacteria and as a typing tool for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates. A five-year retrospective epidemiological study of the region was conducted, the first …

Mupirocin Resistance In Staphylococci: An Investigation Of Current Status And Potential Alternative Therapies, Susan O'Shea

Theses

Mupirocin is a topical antibiotic used in hospital infection control practices to control transmission of staphylococci, in particular MRSA, which has become a major problem in Irish hospitals and has a significant impact on patient morbidity and mortality. Overreliance on mupirocin to eradicate MRSA carriage and to prevent infection has led to mupirocin resistance among staphylococcal species. Two distinct types of resistance have developed within strains: low'-level mupirocin resistance (LMR) and high-level mupirocin resistance (HMR).

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence and types of mupirocin resistance in a large population of clinical staphylococcal isolates including Methicillin …