- Basic information
- Management and structure of the institute
- Laboratory manuals
- Research
- Clostridium difficile
- Cystic fibrosis
- Molecular diagnostics
- Molecular markers of epidemiology and virulence
- Ondřej Cink's group
- Student research projects
- Staphylococcus aureus
- Gallery
- Contact
Basic information
The department provides comprehensive bacteriological, virological, mycological and parasitological diagnostics using a wide range of diagnostic laboratory methods. Much attention is paid to the use of molecular genetic procedures in the diagnosis of infectious diseases, including both rapid methods for the earliest possible detection of infectious agents and panbacterial PCR with sequencing, applicable especially for infections caused by difficult or routinely non-cultivable microorganisms.
He specializes in the early detection and typing of pathogens in patients with cystic fibrosis, the diagnosis and epidemiology of Clostridium difficile infections, viral and fungal infections in patients with immunosuppressive therapy (including patients after various types of transplants), and the detection of serious nosocomial pathogens with multiple resistance to antibiotic preparations . Great emphasis is placed on the appropriate interpretation of microbiological findings, including consultation, which, among other things, includes the recommendation of antimicrobial treatment, especially in critically ill and immunodeficient patients. Part of the workplace is an antibiotic center striving to promote the principles of rational antibiotic treatment into practice.
The institute is an undergraduate and postgraduate teaching institution and is accredited for the field of medical microbiology. Research and publication activities are focused on the evaluation of new methods for the diagnosis of infectious diseases, updating or formulation of recommended procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases, the epidemiology of multi-resistant pathogens and the clarification of mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance.
Management and structure of the institute
The head
prof. MUDr. Pavel Drevinek, Ph.D.
Email: pavel.drevinek@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Medical representative
MUDr. Otakar Nyc, Ph.D.
Email: otakar.nyc@fnmotol.cz
Senior Laboratory Technician
Vladimir Kryll
Email: vladimir.kryll@fnmotol.cz
Clinic manager
M.Sc. Anna Pavlíková Kutějová
Email: anna.pavlikova@fnmotol.cz
Quality manager
Petra Koblová
Email: petra.koblova@fnmotol.cz
Secretariat
Romana Laušerová
Email: romana.lauserova@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Head of department and laboratories
Central income
MD Václav Vanis
Email: vaclav.vanis@fnmotol.cz
Department of Molecular Methods
prof. MUDr. Pavel Drevinek, Ph.D.
Email: pavel.drevinek@lfmotol.cuni.cz
Department of Bacteriology and Mycology
MD Daniela Lžičařová
Email: daniela.lzicarova@fnmotol.cz
- Laboratory for Pediatrics
MD Lenka Tritová
Email: lenka.tritova@fnmotol.cz - Laboratory for internal disciplines
MD Alena Pišová
Email: alena.pisova@fnmotol.cz - Laboratory for the critically ill
MD Petra Kabelíková
Email: petra.kabelikova@fnmotol.cz - Laboratory for surgical disciplines
MD Anastasia Ešnerová
Email: anastazia.esnerova@fnmotol.cz - Mycology laboratory
MD Daniela Lžičařová
Email: daniela.lzicarova@fnmotol.cz - Laboratory of anaerobic cultivation
MD Anežka Gryndlerová
Email: anezka.gryndlerova@fnmotol.cz - Laboratory of mass spectrometry
MD Jakub Hurych
Email: jakub.hurych@fnmotol.cz
Department of Serological Methods and Parasitology
MD Kamila Dundrová
Email: kamila.dundrova@fnmotol.cz
ATB center
MUDr. Otakar Nyc, Ph.D.
Email: otakar.nyc@fnmotol.cz
List of doctors and universities
Ing. Milena Antušková
MD Eliška Bébrová
RNDr. Lucie Bořek-Dohalská Ph.D.
Ing. Aleš Briksí
M.Sc. Marie Brajerová
prof. MD Ondřej Cinek Ph.D.
M.Sc. Barbora Dratvová
prof. MD Pavel Drevínek. Ph.D.
MD Kamila Dundrová
MD Anastasia Ešnerová
MD Anežka Gryndlerová
MD Petr Hubáček Ph.D.
MD Jakub Hurych
MD Vanda Chrenkova
M.Sc. Gabriela Jakubcová
MD Petra Kabelíková
MD Jakub Kantor
RNDr. Zdenek Kepka
M.Sc. Marcela Krůtová Ph.D.
Ing. Daniela Kryllová
Ing. Karolina Litošová
MD Daniela Lžičařová
doc. MVDr. Oto Melter Ph.D.
MD Otakar Nyč Ph.D.
MD Alena Pišová
MD Sergius Romanov
M.Sc. Jan Tkadlec Ph.D.
MD Lenka Tritová
MD Václav Vanis
M.Sc. Miroslav Zajac
Documents to download
Laboratory manuals
- LP_revize_verze_14_20231006
- LP_ÚLM_ introductory part _14_2023
- Appendix No. 1 - Instructions for sampling material for intestinal parasites
- Appendix No. 2 - Instructions for sampling material for intestinal parasites - AJ
- Appendix No. 3 - collection of blood cultures
- Appendix no. 4_ collection and transport of samples for the diagnosis of influenza
- Annex No. 5_request - microbiology
- Appendix No. 6_request - virology
- Annex No. 7-2020_culture of blood cultures
Research
Clostridium difficile
Project Manager: M.Sc. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D.
The following are also working on the project: M.Sc. Jaroslava Zíková, Mgr. Marie Brajerová
Infection induced It's hard (CDI) are the most common infection of the gastrointestinal tract associated with hospital care, an increase in the incidence of these infections has also been noted in the community. Since 2006, the increase in the incidence of CDI has been associated with the spread of the epidemic ribotype 027 and its Eastern European variant, ribotype 176, described by MUDr. Nyčem, Ph.D. and MD Matějková, who started the tradition of research in the field of CDI at our workplace.
For external workplaces, we provide confirmation for discrepant findings of evidence of A/B toxins in stool, ribotyping of isolates It's hard and antibiotic susceptibility testing of choice. A stool sample can be sent to be cultured at our workplace.
For epidemiological purposes, we perform strain characterization using whole-genome sequencing. Upon agreement, genome sequencing can be performed for clinically significant isolates to identify new mechanisms of resistance or virulence.
Upon agreement, evaluation of diagnostic immunoenzymatic kits for detection can be provided It's hard GDH and toxins A/B. We do not evaluate immunochromatographic kits due to their generally low sensitivity and the risk of false positives.
We are currently co-researchers of the AZV project on this topic: In vitro activity of new hybrid lincosamide antibiotics against clinical strains of Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile (the main beneficiary of the support is the Institute of Microbiology of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, V. v. i., Mgr. Zdeněk Kameník Ph.D.
Furthermore, postgraduate student Mgr. Zíková Jaroslava in her dissertation Molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in epidemic lines Clostridioides difficult and student Mgr. Marie Brajerová in her dissertation Molecular and phenotypic markers determining the spread of gram-positive nosocomial pathogens.
Cystic Fibrosis (CF)
Project Manager: prof. MUDr. Pavel Drevinek, Ph.D.
The molecular epidemiology of pathogens associated with the disease cystic fibrosis (Burkholderia cepacia complex, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Achromobacter spp.) has become a tradition of the workplace, which has recently been supplemented by the search for ways to reliably detect respiratory infection when sputum is not available (patients on modulator treatment often they do not cough up any sputum). From 2022, we will detect antibodies against P. aeruginosa in patient serum.
Closely related in field and personnel, the organoid and respiratory tissue laboratory is concerned with the response rate to drugs from the category of chloride channel modulators (CFTRm) and the search for patients with CF who are receptive to this treatment and can benefit from it. Another goal is to refine the diagnosis of CF in ambiguous cases using these ex vivo methods.
Molecular diagnostics
Project Manager: prof. MUDr. Pavel Drevinek, Ph.D.
Molecular methods have been the main bearer of innovations in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in the last two decades. They shorten the time to the result, increase the sensitivity and specificity of the examination, offer the detection of non-cultivable infectious agents and antimicrobial resistance genes, and also become the domain of microbiological so-called point-of-care testing.
The molecular diagnostics laboratory group focuses on the optimization and evaluation of commercial diagnostic platforms as well as the assessment of their effectiveness from the point of view of patient care. The main subject of interest is the rapid detection of pathogens causing septic conditions and extensive multiplex, so-called syndrome panels.
Molecular markers of epidemiology and virulence
Project Manager: M.Sc. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D.
The following are also working on the project: prof. MD Pavel Dřevínek, Ph.D. M.Sc. Jaroslava Zíková, Mgr. Marie Brajerová, Ing. Dratvová Barbora, Ing. Antušková Milena, MUDr. Gryndlerová, MD Štefan Marek, MBA, MUDr. Jakub Kantor, B.Sc. Lucie Hernady, Mgr. Jan Tkadlec, Ph.D.
Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) has become the reference standard for outbreak investigation and pathogen typing because it provides a resolution that cannot be achieved by conventional molecular methods. We can also use WGS to identify genes or mutations associated with resistance to antibiotics or increased virulence of bacterial strains.
For research projects, a sequencer is used for short reads (NextSeq 2000, Ilumina) and MinION for long reads. The combination of these two approaches enables the assembly of a complete bacterial genome, including the identification of individual plasmids.
WGS is the main method in student research projects that aim to detection and characterization of agents in culture-negative infectious conditions, they find changes in epidemiology Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis or are looking for virulence and adaptability factors of clinical isolates Streptococcus pyogenes, Achromobacter spp., or reveal molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in Clostridioides difficult, or enterobacteria resistant to carbapenems or vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
Oddělení molekulárních metod: laboratoř LMM23 - skupina Ondřeje Cinka
Jsme malá skupina zabývající se asociacemi mikrobiomu s rizikem primárně neinfekčních chorob, zejména diabetu 1. typu, celiakie, Crohnovy nemoci a syndromu dráždivého tračníku. Umíme dobře stanovit virom stolice či acelulárních materiálů, profilovat bakteriom, mykobiom i parazitom, provést
metagenomické vyšetření, genotypizovat různá infekční agens. Naše skupina se živě zajímá o molekulární epidemiologii enterovirů, parechovirů, blastocysty a dalších infekční agens. Dokážeme připravit i analyzovat intervenční studie se sledováním efektu na lidský mikrobiom.
Hlavní projekty skupiny
Lidský virom stolice v patogenezi celiakie a diabetu 1. typu
Virom (množina všech virů) v lidské stolici je dominantně sbírka fágů, tedy virů infikujících bakterie stolice. Lidské viry tvoří na tomto pozadí zanedbatelnou minoritu. Ve stolici jsou desetitisíce různých virových druhů, které teprve nyní začínáme objevovat. Naše skupina pracuje na dlouhodobých
studiích vztahu viromu k riziku diabetu a celiakie v rozsáhlých severských novorozeneckých kohortách, nyní sledovaných již 15-20 let. Máme za sebou stanovení několika tisíc viromů lidské stolice - umíme metagenomiku DNA i RNA virů.
Střevní bakteriom u dětských onemocnění
Dětský střevní bakteriom (bakteriální část mikrobiomu) se často mění v nemoci i v průběhu jejího léčení. Zaměřujeme se například na reakci bakteriomu v průběhu terapie Crohnovy nemoci nebo na různé dietní intervence u dětského diabetu 1. typu či celiakální autoimunity.
Převod fekální mikrobioty
Převod fekální mikrobioty je moderní metoda restaurující střevní mikroflóru, zejména pokud byla předtím poškozena masivním přerůstáním patogenu a ztrátou diverzity. Naše laboratoř zajišťuje centralizovanou dodávku přísně testovaného a karanténovaného zmraženého materiálu pro převod mikrobioty pro celou fakultní nemocnici. V indikaci infekce Clostridioides difficile se již několik let jedná o standardní terapii, prováděnou zdejší interní klinikou.
Pro výzkumnou studii převodu mikrobioty u syndromu dráždivého tračníku jsme připravili studijní substanci i placebo a provádíme analýzy metagenomů virových i bakteriálních a jejich statistické analýzy.
Blastocystis - pomocník nebo nepřítel?
Blastocystis sp. je skupina blízce příbuzných prvoků s extrémně širokým rozšířením mezi ptáky a savci, včetně člověka. Zdá se, že její přítomnost v lidské stolici je známkou zdravého mikrobiomu spíše než nemoci. Umíme detekci a molekulární typizaci, publikovali jsme několik prací o tomto prvoku. Chcete se blastocystou zabývat s námi? Přidejte se do aktivního mezinárodního týmu zaměřeného (nejen) na standardizaci metod a na klinicko-epidemiologický parazitologický výzkum tohoto fascinujícího prvoka. Přečtěte si stránku našeho konsorcia nebo kontaktuje Ondřeje Cinka.
Jsme součástí Národního ústavu virologie a bakteriologie
Skupina, díky svému zaměření na metagenomiku viromu a bakteriomu, se aktivně účastní projektu Národního ústavu virologie a bakteriologie, široké celostátní spolupráce excelentních týmů zabývajících se základním či na člověka orientovaným mikrobiologickým výzkumem.
Chcete s námi spolupracovat nebo se k nám přidat?
Jsme otevřeni spolupráci na smysluplných studiích mikrobiomu ve zdraví i nemoci s akademickými i klinickými pracovišti.
Máme velký zájem na odborném růstu studentů přírodovědných oborů. Za dobu existence laboratoře jí prošla desítka studentů, kteří zde pracovali na diplomové práci a pak mnohdy na ústavu zůstali jako pracovníci nebo postgraduální studenti. Chcete-li se k nám přidat, kontaktujte Ondřeje Cinka.
Lidé
Ondřej Cinek
Seniorní výzkumník
MUDr 1996, Ph.D. 2002 z molekulární genetiky a virologie. Profesor lékařské biologie na 2. lékařské fakultě Univerzity Karlovy.
Zabývá se analýzou viromu a bakteriomu a jejich asociacemi zejména s diabetem a celiakií, programováním, typizacemi SNP, laboratorní automatizací. Z dřívější doby mu zůstal hluboký výzkumný zájem o epidemiologii, registry a genetiku diabetu 1. typu u dětí. Pravidelně publikuje v
relevantním mezinárodním písemnictví (seznam publikací).
Iliya Dauda Kwoji
Výzkumník na postdoktorské pozici.
Magisterský titul z veterinární mikrobiologie. Ph.D. z genetiky na Univerzitě v Drubanu v roce 2023. Pracuje na bioinformatických a statistických analýzách v rámci projektu Národního ústavu virologie a bakteriologie.
Jakub Hurych
Postgraduální student
MUDr, 2018. Výzkumné téma: Střevní mikrobiom a jeho změny ve vztahu k
léčbě chronických onemocnění
Publikace
V rámci svého doktorského studia se zabývá bakteriomem u chronických střevních onemocnění a jeho reakcí na léčbu - vliv biologické léčby anti-TNF u Crohnovy choroby a převod střevní mikrobioty u syndrom dráždivého tračníku. V jeho zájmu je i vliv jednobuněčných střevních parazitů na různé
lidské nemoci. Ovládá rutinní metody v molekulárně-genetické laboratoři, má základní znalosti programování v R.
Kateřina Chudá
Postgraduální student
Mgr., 2019. Výzkumné téma: virom v patogenezi celiakie a diabetu 1. typu.
Klára Hubáčková
Odborný laboratorní pracovník
Mgr., 2019. Provádí stanovení viromu v kohortách dětí v riziku celiakie nebo diabetu 1. typu.
Lucie Hlináková
Nyní rodičovská dovolená. Odborný laboratorní pracovník
Mgr. přírodovědy. Stará se o biobanku mikrobioty pro převody pacientům se závažnými infekcemi Clostridioides difficile. Provádí také profilování bakteriomu pro výzkumné studie.
Karolína Litošová
Ing. v roce 2022. Nyní převzala starost o biobanku stolic pro fekální mikrobiální transplantaci a o populační screening autoprotilátek v časných stadiích diabetu 1. typu.
Skupina je součástí Národního institutu virologie a bakteriologie.
Máme na starosti jeden z podprojektů exposomového projektu Horizon 2020 HEDIMED.
Student research projects
Detection and characterization of agents in culture-negative infectious conditions – MD Jakub Kantor (doctoral studies from 19 September 9), prof. MD Pavel Dřevínek, Ph.D. (supervision)
The content of the project will be the analysis of samples, mainly primarily sterile ones, which remain culture negative, even if panbacterial PCR (16S rDNA) showed positivity. These samples will be quantified and sequenced to determine clinically relevant genes, especially antibiotic resistance genes and virulence genes. This retrospective analysis will be supplemented by prospective follow-up of patients with selected clinical diagnoses.
Changes in epidemiology Pseudomonas aeruginosa in patients with cystic fibrosis who are on modulator treatment - Bc. Lucie Hernady (diploma thesis, from 16 October 10), prof. MD Pavel Dřevínek, Ph.D. (supervision)
The aim of the work is to map changes in occurrence P. aeruginosa, to study the differences in the population of pseudomonads and to evaluate the usefulness of alternative diagnostic methods that supplement or they replace the culture examination. Data from the national CF registry will be evaluated in combination with microbiological results such as culture, species-specific PCR and detection of systemic antibodies against P. aeruginosa. Archived and newly acquired strains P. aeruginosa will be studied using multilocus sequencing typing and in terms of changes in sensitivity to antibiotic preparations.
Virulence and adaptability factors of clinical isolates Streptococcus pyogenes – MD Marek Štefan, Ph.D. (doctoral studies from 19 September 9), Mgr. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D. (supervision), MUDr. Milan Trojánek, Ph.D. (consultation)
The project focuses on the comparison of phenotypic properties and genotypes of isolates S.pyogenes cultivated from different locations. For these isolates, patient clinical data and the results of paraclinical examinations are available, which enables a detailed characterization of the patient population with non-invasive and invasive streptococcal infections (type and severity of the disease, clinical course, response to targeted antibiotic therapy). Among the phenotypic properties of the isolates, resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial substances, the ability to form a biofilm, the speed of growth, and their ability to survive, especially in the presence of penicillin, are investigated. Selected isolates will be sequenced using short reads (Illumina) and long reads (minION). Hybrid assembly of these sequences will allow the assembly of complete genomes.
Molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in epidemic lineages Clostridioides difficult – M.Sc. Zíková Jaroslava (doctoral studies - from 19 September 9), Mgr. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D. (supervision)
The objectives of the dissertation are:
- genomic analysis of sensitive and resistant strains It's hard of the same ribotype, for which the mechanism of resistance has not yet been clarified,
- comparing adjacent regions of resistance genes in the genome in susceptible and resistant isolates with the same mechanism,
- identification of mobile genetic elements that can transfer resistance genes,
- for strains with an identified resistance mechanism without the expected resistance phenotype, strains with subinhibitory concentrations of the antibiotic will be cultured to verify that it is not an inducible resistance mechanism.
Furthermore, the intactness of the resistance gene, including the adjacent regions of the resistance gene, will be investigated.
Molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant enterobacteria – MD Anežka Gryndlerová (doctoral studies from 1 October 10), Mgr. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D. (supervision), prof. MD Pavel Dřevínek, Ph.D. (consultation)
The main goal of the presented dissertation is the comparison of different typing techniques used to characterize clinical isolates of carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria, which have the potential to be used in real time, i.e. on the day of culture capture of a bacterial isolate from the CRE group, such as infrared spectroscopy (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy ( FTIR)) and high resolution melting analysis (HRMA). We first characterize the selected isolates using whole-genome sequencing (WGS, short reads, Illumina). We will use long read sequencing (MinION) to characterize individual plasmids. As part of the dissertation, the occurrence of new mechanisms of resistance to antimicrobial substances intended for the treatment of infections caused by multiresistant enterobacteria such as colistin, tigecycline, amikacin or fosfomycin will also be monitored, as well as to new antibiotics - beta-lactams combined with beta-lactamase inhibitors. The mechanism of resistance will be detected using comparative bioinformatics analysis against a sensitive bacterial strain.
Molecular and phenotypic markers determining the spread of gram-positive nosocomial pathogens – M.Sc. Marie Brajerová (doctoral studies, from 1 October 10), Mgr. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D. (supervision)
The aim of the dissertation is
- identification of phenotypic traits and genotypes that allow the spread of epidemically successful ribotypes It's hard and spa-types of MRSA in hospital settings and in the community
- prospective monitoring of the occurrence of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci with closer characterization of isolates.
This project was supported by the Internal grant junior FN Motol (2022) and the Grant Agency of Charles University (GAUK 197323).
Strain-specific risk factors and outcomes in Clostridioides difficult infections – MSc. Pete Kinross (dissertation thesis since 30/11/2020), Mgr. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D. (supervision).
This project aims to identify the distribution of notable subtypes of Clostridioides difficile, and risk factors for It's hard infection (CDI) and severe CDI outcomes, in the Czech Republic, from 2015 onwards. The main outputs of the project are (A) characterization of the changes in the distribution of notables It's hard subtypes in CDI cases from hospitals in the Czech Republic since 2015, identified based on their ribotype, sequence type, and/or antimicrobial resistance profile; (B) identification of the risk factors for infection with these subtypes; and (C) estimating subtype-specific outcomes of CDI, including severe infection and death.
Effect of frequently used drugs on growth, antimicrobial resistance and virulence in selected pathogenic bacteria - Bc. Adéla Rozsypálková (diploma thesis, from 12 October 10) Mgr. Jan Tkadlec, Ph.D. (supervision)
Medicines such as acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol and ibuprofen are at the forefront of drug consumption. Some of these substances have been described as having an antimicrobial effect and an effect on the physiological processes of the bacterial cell.
The aim of the thesis is to describe the effect of the above-mentioned drugs on selected properties of bacteria using the example of Staphylococcus aureus. We deal with the antimicrobial effect of drugs on well-characterized isolates of S. aureus, including MRSA strains. We test how these substances can affect the growth of bacteria and at what concentrations, whether they can affect the action of antibiotics, biofilm formation or hemolytic activity.
Molecular epidemiology of methicillin resistance Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci - Bc. Pavlína Mrázková (diploma thesis, from 25 October 10), Mgr. Jan Tkadlec, Ph.D. (supervision)
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important human pathogens. Coagulase-negative staphylococci lack pathogenic potential S. aureus, but they excel in the ability to accumulate resistance genes, which are considered donors for S. aureus.
As part of the diploma, methicillin-resistant isolates are studied S. aureus (MRSA) and coagulase negative staphylococci from Czech hospitals. The goal is to characterize the isolates in terms of antimicrobial susceptibility, clonal structure, presence and sharing of resistance and virulence genes between MRSA and coagulase-negative staphylococci, including analysis of related mobile genetic elements.
Epidemiology and characterization of clinically significant antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens – M.Sc. Eva Smělíková (doctoral studies, from 7 October 10), Mgr. Jan Tkadlec, Ph.D. (supervision), Mgr. Marcela Krůtová, Ph.D. (consultation)
The dissertation is devoted to the analysis of the occurrence of multiresistant bacterial pathogens among patients of the Motol Hospital and also in the community among medical students. Resistant pathogens monitored include methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), colistin-resistant and/or extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC-type ß-lactamase and carbapenemases (KPC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Direct detection of resistance genes in clinical samples from patients and asymptomatic carriers is carried out by PCR, but also by culture to obtain specific isolates for their closer characterization. In isolates with confirmed resistance, the presence of key genetic determinants of resistance is tested by PCR. Selected resistant isolates are further analyzed using whole-genome sequencing.
This project was supported by the Grant Agency of Charles University (GAUK 54121).
Staphylococcus aureus
Project Manager: M.Sc. Jan Tkadlec, Ph.D.
Staphylococcus aureus is an important bacterial pathogen causing infections in hospitalized patients, in the community and in animals. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) represents one of the main threats to human health from the point of view of the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
As part of the study S. aureus we focus on:
- Epidemiology
We carry out typing of isolates S. aureus and MRSA, we routinely use the so-called spa-typing method. For MRSA strains, we determine the type of chromosomal cassette carrying the methicillin resistance gene using the SCC methodmec-typing. We perform screening of selected virulence factors (PVL and TSST-1), detection of determinants for methicillin resistance (mecA, mecC). We are currently focusing on the characterization of isolates using whole-genome sequencing. - Evolution S. aureus – how the selection of dominant lines takes place
We are based on knowledge of the epidemiology that we have so far best studied for MRSA. In the case of strains representing the dominant epidemic lines of MRSA occurring in the Czech Republic, we study their physiological properties that may be associated with successful spread. We test the effect of different concentrations of antibiotics and other frequently used drugs (paracetamol, ibuprofen, etc.) on the growth rate of the strains and other properties such as biofilm formation, hemolytic activity and others. - Non-traditional mechanisms of antibiotic tolerance
S. aureus is characterized by its ability to resist antibiotic treatment and cause recurrent and chronic infections. We focus on the study of persistence, tolerance, formation of dwarf colonies (so-called small colony variants), or heteroresistance, which are not routinely tested, but can lead to treatment failure and chronic infection.
Grant support:
Whole-genome sequencing for the study of staphylococcal epidemiology and analysis of genetic and physiological features associated with the spread of methicillin-resistant and susceptible strains Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative staphylococci. NU23-09-00080, Agency for Health Research, Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. 2023-2026.
Solved diploma theses:
Bc. Adéla Rozsypálková, launched in 2022
Bc. Pavlína Mrázková, launched in 2023
Gallery
Contact
In Úval 84
150 06 Prague 5
phone: 224 435 390
phone: 224 435 350
Email: microbiologie@fnmotol.cz
location: BUILDING 20