A5058613236- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- SARS-CoV-2 detection and testing
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Antibiotics Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy
- Gut microbiota and health
- Salmonella and Campylobacter epidemiology
- Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Traumatic Ocular and Foreign Body Injuries
- Facial Trauma and Fracture Management
- Geotechnical Engineering and Underground Structures
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Infections and bacterial resistance
- Underground infrastructure and sustainability
- Fecal contamination and water quality
Public Health Ontario
2023-2024
University of Toronto
2015-2023
University Health Network
2015-2019
Toronto General Hospital
2018-2019
Canada Research Chairs
2015
Toronto Metropolitan University
2011
Abstract Understanding the significance of bacterial species that colonize and persist in cystic fibrosis (CF) airways requires a detailed examination community structure across broad range age disease stage. We used 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing to characterize lung microbiota 269 CF patients spanning 60 year range, including 76 pediatric samples from 4–17 cross-section status identify features their relationship stage age. The shows significant inter-individual variability structure,...
ABSTRACT Pulmonary infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa are a recalcitrant problem in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. While the clinical implications and long-term evolutionary patterns of these well studied, we know little about short-term population dynamics that enable this pathogen to persist despite aggressive antimicrobial therapy. Here, describe genomic analysis 233 P. isolates collected from 12 sputum specimens obtained over 1-year period single patient. Whole-genome sequencing...
Abstract Chronic airway infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa contribute to the progression of pulmonary disease in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). In setting CF, within-patient adaptation a P. strain generates phenotypic diversity that can complicate microbiological analysis patient samples. We investigated within- and between- sample 34 phenotypes among 235 isolates cultured from sputum samples collected single CF over span one year assessed colony morphology as screening tool...
The microbiome shapes diverse facets of human biology and disease, with the importance fungi only beginning to be appreciated. Microbial communities infiltrate anatomical sites as respiratory tract healthy humans those diseases such cystic fibrosis, where chronic colonization infection lead clinical decline. Although are frequently recovered from fibrosis patient sputum samples have been associated deterioration lung function, understanding species population dynamics remains in its infancy....
Abstract Over 90% of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients die due to chronic lung infections leading respiratory failure. The decline in CF function is greatly accelerated by intermittent and progressively severe acute pulmonary exacerbations (PEs). Despite their clinical impact, surprisingly few microbiological signals associated with PEs have been identified. Here we introduce an unsupervised, systems-oriented approach identify key members the microbiota. We used two sputum microbiome data sets...
We previously identified Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates with characteristics typical of chronic infection in some early infections children cystic fibrosis (CF), suggesting that these may have been acquired from other patients. Our objective was to define the extent P. strain-sharing CF and its impact on antibiotic eradication treatment failure rates.We performed whole genome sequencing pediatric pulmonary following comparator groups same hospital: infection, sink drains, sterile site...
Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections caused by members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, such as multivorans, are associated with high rates mortality and morbidity. We performed a population genomics study 111 B. multivorans sputum isolates from one CF patient through three stages infection including an early incident isolate, deep sampling one-year period chronic occurring weeks before transplant, post-transplant infection. reconstructed evolutionary history used lineage-controlled...
This work provides an updated summary of the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns among Salmonella Typhi strains isolated from patients in Ontario, Canada.
Superficial skin swab collections are inherently low-quality and may be of little clinical value due to their poor sensitivity specificity. Clinical microbiology laboratories can use Gram smears screen differentiate higher lower quality specimens direct the extent potential pathogen work up, including antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). We compared impact two different smear grading approaches our current reporting practices for superficial wound cultures. Two variations Q score...
Abstract Cystic fibrosis (CF) lung infections caused by members of the Burkholderia cepacia complex, such as multivorans , are associated with high rates mortality and morbidity. We performed a population genomic study 111 B. sputum isolates from single CF patient through three stages infection including initial incident infection, deep sampling one-year period chronic post-transplant recolonization. reconstructed evolutionary history used lineage-controlled genome-wide association (GWAS)...
Protocols designed to facilitate N95 filtering facepiece respirator (FFR) decontamination by commercial sterilization devices do not recommend that operators verify the device's performance against pathogens deposited on FFRs. Here, we compared treatment efficacy of 4 hydrogen peroxide-based systems were authorized for during COVID-19 pandemic.Suspensions prepared from S. aureus ATCC 29213 and 44300, B. subtilis 6633, a vancomycin-resistant E. faecium isolate (VRE), coli 25922, P. aeruginosa...
<title>Abstract</title> Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has emerged as a significant cause of acute respiratory illness in children globally, notably following its extensive outbreak North America 2014. A recent EV-D68 was observed Ontario, Canada, from August to October 2022. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed notable genetic similarity between the Ontario and concurrent Maryland, USA. Utilizing Bayesian phylodynamic modeling on whole genome sequences (WGS) both outbreaks, we determined median...
Abstract Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) has emerged as a significant cause of acute respiratory illness in children globally, notably following its extensive outbreak North America 2014. A recent EV-D68 was observed Ontario, Canada, from August to October 2022. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed notable genetic similarity between the Ontario and concurrent Maryland, USA. Utilizing Bayesian phylodynamic modeling on whole genome sequences (WGS) both outbreaks, we determined median peak time-varying...
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a new oral antiviral called nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid
Point-of-care tests (POCT) are promising tools to detect SARS-CoV-2 in specific settings. Initial reports suggest the ID NOW™ COVID-19 assay (Abbott Diagnostics Inc, USA) is less sensitive than standard real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (rRT-PCR) assays. This has raised concern over false negatives POCT. We compared performance of our in-house rRT-PCR assess whether dry swabs used testing could be stored transport media and re-tested by for redundancy provide material...
Loofah sponges have been implicated in skin and soft tissue infections due to their ability harbor bacteria cause microtrauma the skin. In this case report, we describe a of impetigo cellulitis Streptococcus pyogenes complicated by secondary spread through loofah sponge use. The same organism was cultured from infected body sites sponge, comparative genomic analysis confirmed that isolates were identical.
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is essential for detecting resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacterial pathogens. Here we evaluated the performance of broth microdilution (BMD) panels created using a semi-automated liquid handler, D300e Digital Dispenser (Tecan Group Ltd., CH) that relies on inkjet printing technology. Microtitre (96-well) containing nine twofold dilutions 12 antimicrobials from five classes (β-lactams, β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors,...
Our existing utility network is a system of systems, whereby service disruption to any portion one has the probability cascading effect, not only on other but also lifelines such as transportation. Accurate records these systems are poor non-existent. Active may have records, quality those uncertain in regards accurate location and attributes information. Abandoned utilities usually no recoverable records. This lack leads recovery issues after destructive events. The American Society Civil...