Detection of bacterial samples on the aquatic ecosystems adjacent to Saquarema Lagoon – Rio de Janeiro

Introduction: Saquarema Lagoon (RJ) has a high ecological and economic value owing to its multiple uses. The population’s constant growth increases the amount of sewage containing bacteria and antimicrobial drugs that are discharged to the environment. Objectives: to detect Gram negative bacilli able to colonize or infect humans and animals and determine their antimicrobial resistance profiles. Methodology:samples were collected in the city centre in April 2010 and at Jaconé (Lagoon’s most preserved site) in February 2011. The total and thermo tolerant coliforms were determined and the isolation of samples was made using agar media containing  32cg/ mL of cephalotin. All samples were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility (AST) and on 16 samples, plasmid DNA was extracted. Results: different Gram negative bacteria were detected, such as: Enterobacter spp, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The coliform results showed that the water quality is proper for Human recreation. AST results demonstrated the existence of bacteria resistant to antimicrobial drugs frequently used in the community. It was possible to detected high molecular weight plasmids and nine samples (56,25%) showed at least one plasmid DNA electrophoresis band. Conclusions: there were not detected resistant samples to antimicrobial drugs normally used in hospital settings, which may possibly refute the idea of a contamination by nosocomial and/or veterinary sewage discharge

Detección de enterobacterias multirresistentes aisladas en aguas de los ríos que desembocan en la bahía de Guanabara y en muestras de hospitales de Río de Janeiro, Brasil

Introduction: The use of antibiotics in humans, animal husbandry and veterinary activities induces selective pressure leading to the colonization and infection by resistant strains.Objective: We evaluated water samples collected from rivers of the Guanabara Bay, which have suffered minor and major environmental degradation, and clinical samples of hospital origin to detect evidence of the presence of resistance genes to aminoglycosides, beta-lactam antibiotics and fluoroquinolones in strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae subsp. ozaenae and Escherichia coli.Materials and methods: For isolation of the water strains we employed culture media containing 32 μg/ml cephalotin and 8 μg/ml gentamicin. The strains from clinical materials were selected using culture media containing 8 μg/ml gentamicin. The strains were identified and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), plasmid DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect genes encoding enzymes modifying aminoglycosides (EMA), extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and plasmid mechanisms of quinolone resistance (PMQR).Results: The AST of the isolates recovered from water samples showed multidrugresistance profiles similar to those found in isolates recovered from clinical materials. All isolates from water samples and 90% of the isolates from clinical samples showed at least one plasmid band. In the PCR assays, 7.4% of the isolates recovered from water samples and 20% of those from clinical materials showed amplification products for the three antimicrobial classes.Conclusion: We believe that the detection of microorganisms presenting genetic elements in environments such as water is necessary for the prevention and control of their dissemination with potential to infect humans and other animals in eventual contact with these environments.Introducción. El uso de antibióticos en seres humanos, en la industria pecuaria y en las actividades veterinarias induce una presión selectiva que resulta en la colonización e infección con cepas resistentes.Objetivo. Determinar la presencia de genes de resistencia a aminoglucósidos, betalactámicos y fluoroquinolonas en cepas de Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae, K. pneumoniae subsp. ozaenae y Escherichia coli, obtenidas de muestras de agua de los ríos que desembocan en la bahía de Guanabara y de muestras clínicas de hospitales de Río de Janeiro. Materiales y métodos. En la selección de las cepas resistentes obtenidas de las muestras de agua de los ríos, se emplearon medios de cultivo que contenían 32 μg/ml de cefalotina y 8 μg/ml de gentamicina. En el caso de las muestras de especímenes clínicos, se usaron medios de cultivo que contenían 8 μg/ml de gentamicina. Las cepas se identificaron y se sometieron a pruebas de sensibilidad antimicrobiana, extracción de ADN plasmídico y pruebas de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) para detectar los genes que codifican aquellas enzimas que modifican los aminoglucósidos, las betalactamasas de espectro extendido (BLEE) y los mecanismos de resistencia a las quinolonas mediados por plásmidos.Resultados. Se encontraron perfiles de resistencia a los antimicrobianos similares en los dos grupos. En todas las bacterias obtenidas de las muestras de agua y en 90 % de las muestras clínicas, se evidenciaron bandas de plásmidos asociados con la transferencia de genes de resistencia. En las pruebas de PCR, se obtuvieron productos de amplificación de los genes de resistencia para las tres clases de antimicrobianos analizados, en el 7,4 % de las bacterias recuperadas de las muestras de agua y en el 20 % de aquellas recuperadas de las muestras clínicas.Conclusión. La detección de microorganismos con elementos genéticos que confieren resistencia a los antibióticos en ambientes como el agua, es una estrategia necesaria para prevenir y controlar la diseminación de estos agentes patógenos con potencial para infectar a humanos y a otros animales en dichos ambientes

Cell surface analysis of trypanosomes of the subgenus Schizotrypanum isolate from bats.

Two stocks (M5, M29) of trypanosomes of the subgenus Schizotrypanum were isolated from the bat Phylloslomus hastatus and analyzed for cell electrophoretic mobility (EPM) and lectin binding surface sites. Epimastigotes from the M5 and M29 stocks presented a mean EPM of around - 0.57 and -0.56 μm, s-1.V-1.cm, respectively. Differences in the agglutination profiles were detected between epimastigotes or trypomastigotes from the two parasite populations using lectins with specificity for D-GlcNAc, D-GalNAc, D-Gal and D-Man as probe. Major variation was observed between epimastigote forms. Additionally, the D-GlcNAc binding lectins WGA and BS II strongly interacted with the trypomastigote from both M5 and M29 stocks; this fact is evidence that these trypanosomes are distinct from Trypanosoma (Schizotrypanum) cruzi

A syphilis co-infection study in human papilloma virus patients attended in the sexually transmitted infection ambulatory clinic, Santa Casa de Misericórdia Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Despite the prevalence of syphilis worldwide, little is known about its manifestations when associated with other Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI), specifically the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Current epidemiological studies show that there is a high incidence of both diseases in ambulatory clinics all over Brazil. This study aims to estimate the incidence of syphilis - HPV co-infections, among patients from the STI ambulatory clinic at the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Hospital, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Two-hundred and seven patients were seen in the clinic between March and December 2005, of which 113 (54.6%) sought care for an HPV infection. Blood samples were taken from all patients to check syphilis serology using the flocculation and the non-treponemic test or VDRL (Venereal Disease Research Laboratory) and the TPHA (Treponema Pallidum Hemagglutination Assay) treponemic and confirmatory method. Of the 207 patients, 113 (54.6%) consulted referring to HPV as their primary complaint, and of these, 18 (15.9%) also presented with positive syphilis serology, demonstrating a high incidence of coinfection. The average age of the patients varied between 20 and 25 years, 203 (98.1%) were male and 4 (1.9%) were female. The predominance of the male sex in this sample confirms the profile usually treated in STI clinics across the country, and the age range is that of typically high sexually activity. Conclusion: The results demonstrated the need for a differentiated examination of all STD patients

Pyogenic Liver Abscess Due to Rhodococcus equi in an Immunocompetent Host

A case of pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) due to Rhodococcus equi in an immunocompetent individual was successfully treated by combining surgery and antibiotics. The R. equi-targeted antimicrobial agents erythromycin and rifampin were used only after surgical resection of the lesion and identification of the infective organism

Effect of a booster dose of serougroup B meningococcal vaccine on antibody response to neisseria meningitidis in mice vaccinated with differente immunization schedules

The generation and maintenance of memory antibody response by different primary immunization schedules with the Cubanproduced outer membrane protein based vaccine was investigated in a murine model. We analyzed the duration of the antibody response (IgG-ELISA and bactericidal titer) and the effect of a booster dose on the antibody response. The IgG avidity index was determined in an attempt to find a marker for memory development. This study also included an analysis of IgG subclasses induced by primary and booster immunization. The specificity of bactericidal antibodies was investigated using local strains of the same serotype/serosubtype (4,7:P1.19,15) as the vaccine strain and mutant strains lacking major outer membrane proteins. A significant recall response was induced by a booster dose given 7 months after a primary series of 2, 3 or 4 doses of vaccine. The primary antibody response showed a positive dose-effect. In contrast, a negative dose-effect was found on the booster bactericidal antibody response. There was a significant increase in IgG1 levels after the fourth and booster doses. Three doses of vaccine were required to induce a significant increase in IgG avidity. Two injections of vaccine induced a significant antibody response to PorA protein, while 4 injections induced a larger range of specificities

Effects of Iron Limitation on Adherence and Cell Surface Carbohydrates of Corynebacterium diphtheriae Strains

Iron limitation may cause bacterial pathogens to grow more slowly; however, it may also stimulate these microorganisms to produce greater tissue damage, given that many virulence factors are controlled by the iron supply in the environment. The present study investigated the influence of low iron availability on the expression of proteins and surface sugar residues of two toxigenic strains of Corynebacterium diphtheriae subsp. mitis and evaluated their adherence to human group B erythrocytes and HEp-2 cells. A comparison was made between bacteria grown in (i) Trypticase soy broth (TSB), (ii) TSB treated with dipyridyl to deplete free iron, and (iii) TSB enriched with FeCl(3). The effects of iron concentration on adhesive properties were different for strains 241 and CDC-E8392, of the sucrose-fermenting and non-sucrose-fermenting biotypes, respectively. Iron-limited conditions enhanced interaction of strain 241 with erythrocytes and HEp-2 cells. Inhibition assays suggested the involvement of nonfimbrial protein combination 67-72p on hemagglutination of diphtheria bacilli grown under iron-limited conditions. Conversely, iron limitation inhibited adherence to glass and expression of electron-dense material on the bacterial surface. Lectin binding assays demonstrated a reduction in the number of sialic acid residues and an increase in d-mannose and d-galactose residues on the surfaces of both strains. Thus, iron exerts a regulatory role on adhesive properties of diphtheria bacilli, and low iron availability modulates the expression of C. diphtheriae surface carbohydrate moieties. The significant changes in the degree of lectin binding specific for d-mannose, d-galactose and sialic acid residues may have an effect on binding of host cells. The expression of dissimilar microbial virulence determinants may be coordinately controlled by common regulatory systems. For C. diphtheriae, the present results imply regulation of adherence and slime production as part of a global response to iron-limited environmental conditions that includes derepression of genes for the synthesis of cytotoxin and siderophores and for transport of the Fe(III)-siderophore complexes