Objectives: Chlamydia trachomatis is classified into 15 major genotypes, A to L3, based on the diversity of ompA gene. Here, we evaluated and characterised the distribution and diversity of ompA-genotypes over 32 years (1990–2021) in Portugal. Methods: The collection of the Portuguese National Reference Laboratory for Sexually Transmitted Infections includes 5824 C. trachomatis-positive samples that were succes...
Background: Lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) is a sexually transmitted infection caused by Chlamydia trachomatis ompA-genotypes L1–L3, with increasing numbers of detected cases across Europe. Here, we analysed diversity and temporal distribution of the LGV ompA-subvariants detected in Portugal between 2007 and 2023, in order to better understand the dissemination and diversification landscape of LGV strains. Meth...
Introduction: The changing epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile reflects a well-established and intricate community transmission network. With rising numbers of reported community-acquired infections, recent studies tried to identify the role played by non-human reservoirs in the pathogen's transmission chain. This study aimed at describing the C. difficile strains circulating in canine and feline populatio...
Background: Biofilm-associated infections are a public health concern in the context of healthcare-associated infections (HAI) such as catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI). Here, we studied two top ten CRBS etiological agents, Enterobacter cloacae and Candida parapsilosis, isolated from a patient with CRBSI in order to understand the role played by biofilms on this HAI. Materials/methods: E.cloacae a...
HAIs are a major public health problem affecting 4 million patients per year in Europe. Here we present results of a retrospective study in wich the ability of K. pneumoniae isolates (collected during a period of 31 years) to assemble biofilms was evaluated; and an ongoing study of multispecies biofilms. In the first study, we found major differences in biofilm assembly kinetics, extracellular polymeric substan...