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Objectives The global prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) highlights the need for new anti-enterococcal agents. Here, we assessed the molecular epidemiology of clinical VREfm bacteraemic isolates from a medical centre in northern Taiwan in 2019–2020 and to evaluate their susceptibility to last-line antibiotics and a new antimicrobial agent, SC5005. Methods The molecular epidemiology of VREfm was investigated using van genotyping, MLST and PFGE. The susceptibilities of VREfm strains to antibiotics and SC5005 were determined using the agar dilution and broth microdilution methods. The capability of E. faecium to develop resistance to antibiotics and SC5005 was evaluated using frequency of resistance and multipassage resistance assays. The mode of action of SC5005 was assessed by time-kill, bacterial membrane integrity and membrane potential assays. Results All 262 VREfm isolates harboured vanA gene, and the most prevalent sequence type was ST17 (51%, n  = 134, 84 pulsotypes), followed by ST78 (25%, n  = 65, 54 pulsotypes). Additionally, we identified four new STs (ST2101, ST2102, ST2135 and ST2136) and observed the arrival of multidrug-resistant ST1885 in Taiwan. Moreover, SC5005 was effective against all VREfm isolates, including those non-susceptible to last-line antibiotics. SC5005 can disrupt and depolarize the bacterial membrane to kill E. faecium without detectable resistance. Conclusions The findings provide insights into the latest epidemiology and resistance profiles of bacteraemic-causing VREfm in northern Taiwan. Additionally, SC5005 has the potential for development as a new therapeutic to treat VREfm infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A total of 309 Enterobacterales isolates from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Taiwan and participating in the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) in 2020 were included. • Both imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam exerted excellent efficacy: 275 of 309 (95%) and 288 of 309 (99.3%), respectively. • Among imipenem non-susceptible isolates, 17 of 43 (39.5%) and 39 of 43 (90.7%) were susceptible to imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam, respectively. • Imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam may be appropriate choices for treating UTIs due to Enterobacterales resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Antimicrobial resistance due to β-lactamase production is a worldwide issue, and β-lactamase inhibitors have been developed to overcome the growing problem. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activities of two recently introduced carbapenem/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations – imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam – and their comparators against Enterobacterales from patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs). Enterobacterales isolates from patients with UTIs in Taiwan and participating in the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) in 2020 were included. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for various antibiotics were determined using the broth microdilution method. Susceptibility was interpreted based on the MIC breakpoints of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute 2022. Genes encoding common β-lactamases, including extended-spectrum β-lactamases, AmpC β-lactamases and carbapenemases, were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. A total of 309 Enterobacterales isolates were included, against which both imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam exerted excellent efficacy (275 of 309, 95% and 288 of 309, 99.3%, respectively). Among imipenem non-susceptible isolates, 17 of 43 (39.5%) and 39 of 43 (90.7%) were susceptible to imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam, respectively. Imipenem/relebactam and meropenem/vaborbactam may be appropriate choices for treating UTIs due to Enterobacterales resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Continuous monitoring of antimicrobial resistance is crucial. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides findings from a review of the published English-language literature of criminological research in and on Taiwan - over the period 2000-2010, and sets the findings against other Asian comparators. The article identifies tropes and trends in purpose, method, theory, and collaborative networks of criminological research on Taiwan. The findings and analysis, hold, as it were, a mirror up to the criminological communities in both Taiwan and other parts of the English-speaking world. We conclude with a consideration of these issues in the broader context of the "internationalization" of criminology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]