Medicinal plants Antimicrobial Activity against Staphylococcus spp. – Literature Review / Atividade antimicrobiana de plantas medicinais contra Staphylococcus spp. – Revisão de Literatura

The Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common bacteria in the clinical practice once it uses to colonize the human skin from up to 15% and is easily found in the nasal cavities. It can cause diseases that goes since a simple infection (pimples, boils and cellulitis) until serious infections such as pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, toxic shock syndrome, septicemia and others. The present study aimed to analyze the published literature regarding the medicinal plants Antimicrobial Activity against Staphylococcus spp., based on the main electronic libraries and database with the purpose of knowing the Antimicrobial Activity efficacy of some Medicinal plants. It is known that several bacteria are beneficial to their hosts, since they provide protection and nutrition against some pathogens and diseases, making difficult the harmful bacteria colonization; however, the bacteria that cause harm to the human health currently have high resistance to most antimicrobial and, based on this affirmative, several technological measures are suggested to solve the bacteria resistance problem, being one of them the look for new antimicrobial from vegetal species. Medicinal plants with therapeutic properties are of great relevance in all the world, especially in developing countries; and as much as the knowledge about medicinal plants is vast these days, it is necessary more and more researches, because for many times these plants are used in a wrong way, consequently, taking a great risk due to the active substances accumulation.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Production in Enterobacteriaceae Isolates from Household Cats (Felis silvestris catus)

Background: In Brazil, cats in households has recently increased dramatically, likely due to their lower space and care requirements. We need to know the health of these companion animal species, since they have behavioral patterns that make them an important link in the epidemiological chain. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producer strains (ESBL) are resistant to penicillin, cephalosporin and monobactam, but they are susceptible to clavulanate. The goal of this study is to detect strains of Enterobacteriaceae that produce extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) and evaluate the bacterial resistance profile in isolated cats (Felis silvestris catus) that live in a city located at west of Parana state, Brazil.Materials, Methods & Results: Swabs were aseptically collected from the anal orifice and oral cavity of 49 female domestic cats that were healthy upon clinical and physical examination, a minimum age of one year, weighing up to 3 kg, and had attended a veterinary clinic specializing in cats, in order to, later, perform the isolation and bacterial identification, antimicrobial sensibility phenotypic test and the phenotypic test to detect ESBL producer strains. From the 98 swabs collected it was possible to perform the bacterial isolation in 68 samples; 40.81% isolated from anal orifice and 28.57% isolated from oral cavity. From rectal and oral cavities 77.50% and 71.42% of the isolated were identified as Escherichia coli respectively, being 2.94% considered ESBL producer strains. In relation to bacterial resistance the antibiotics that shown more resistance in anal orifice were ampicillin, amoxicillin, nalidixic acid, sulfazotrim, tetracycline and aztreonam. In oral cavity they were ampicillin, amoxicillin, cefoxitin, amoxicillin + clavulanate, aztreonam, ceftriaxone and nalidixic acid; and the bacterial resistance index shown that 39.70% were considered high level risk.Discussion: Household cats have a very important role in society, since the benefits they provide to their owners are clear, however, it is worth pointing out that these animals also pose risks to human health, caused by the transmission of zoonoses and also the possibility of transfer of antimicrobial resistance genes between bacteria of animal and human origin, as well as between bacteria of the normal microbiota and pathogenic microorganisms of diferents origins. Therefore, it is important to understand the health of these companion animal species, because they exhibit behavioral patterns that make them an important link in the epidemiological chain of potentially infectious microorganisms, which may show antimicrobial resistance. Extended spectrum beta-lactamase producer strains (ESBL) are resistant to penicillin, cephalosporin and monobactam, but they are susceptible to clavulanate. These enzymes hydrolyze the beta-lactam ring of the antibiotic structure, inactivating them. Nowadays bacterial resistance is considered to be one of the greatest problems in public health worldwide, as infections and diseases outbraks are caused by multiresistant bacteria are more and more frequent. The results of this study demonstrate the presence of strains of Enterobacteriaceae family associated to the high bacterial resistance, with samples that indicate ESBL producer strains in domiciled cats, in a city of west Parana state in Brazil. These results confirm that these cats can be considered as reservoirs of different microbial agents and resistance gens, being a health problem by the possibility of dissemination. The cat population is multiplying in a higher proportion compared to dogs and may probably became predominant in less than one decade. Due this situation and thinking about human, animal and environmental health new phenotypic studies to confirm the resistance gens and ESBL producers should be conducted in this specie

Intestinal Parasites in Free-Living Puma concolor

Background: Studies on intestinal parasites in cougars Puma concolor are scarce, and most of the available information on the species has been derived from individuals in captivity. One of the greatest threats to the survival of wild cats is habitat loss caused by urban sprawl, agricultural matrix, and linear developments such as highways and railways, which expose animals to direct contact with humans and to a high risk of death. Given the lack of scientific data the objective of this study was to report on the occurrence of intestinal parasites in a cougar (P. concolor) specimen from the northwestern region of Paraná State, Brazil.Case: The carcass of a free-living cougar (P. concolor) individual was sent to the Interdisciplinary Science Museum (Museu Interdisciplinar de Ciências – MIC) of Paranaense University (Universidade Paranaense - UNIPAR); an individual was killed during a collision with an unidentified vehicle on highway PR-486, in the municipality of Mariluz (PR, Brazil). The geographical coordinates of the location where the animal was found are: 23°59′29″S, 53°8′47″W. This region is characterized by semi-deciduous seasonal forest remnants. After being identified on site and collected by the inspectors of the Paraná Environmental Institute (Instituto Ambiental do Paraná - IAP), the cadaver was donated to the MIC (by the IAP) for a necropsy to elucidate the cause of death. In this context, the cadaver was sent to the Animal Pathology section of the Department of Veterinary Medicine at UNIPAR. The animal was necropsied by performing the standard necropsy technique for carnivores: opening the intestine through the mesentery and exposing the mucosa from the duodenum to the colon. The necropsy showed that the cause of death was hypovolemic shock due to trauma. During necropsy, parasites in the intestinal lumen were visible to the naked eye. Parasites and feces were collected and stored in sterile flasks containing 10% formaldehyde and saline. The parasites were subjected to Faust and Hoffman techniques, micrometry, and morphological analysis, resulting in the identification of the roundworm Toxocara cati and the tapeworm Spirometra decipiens.Discussion: Identifying the roadkill species along highways is of paramount importance, since they are living very close to man and, consequently, reservoirs and disseminators of different infectious and parasitic zoonoses may be possible. Infection by protozoa and helminths in animals usually occurs by ingesting the infective form present in food or water. Toxocara cati and the tapeworm Spirometra decipiens were only reported in captivity before. Research on parasites in free-living wild animals is not common in the scientific literature and this is due to the difficulty of capturing this animal category as they live in difficult to access places such as forests and forests, therefore, research projects in partnership with museums are extremely important for the recognition of wild animal species that circulate in the region, in addition to the parasitic identification of these animals for future sanitary measures and for the preservation of the animal species in the environment. The Parasitological studies of wild animals are highly relevant for expanding this knowledge, especially considering the possible transfer risk of specific parasitic diseases to other animals, as well as to humans

BAUHINIA SPP. (PATA-DE-VACA) AND ITS BIOLOGICAL POTENTIALITIES – LITERATURE REVIEW

The genus Bauhinia popularly known as “pata-de-vaca”, “unha de vaca”, “unha de boi”, “unha de anta” e “casco de vaca” is widely used in the form of teas and other herbal preparations. The aim of this literature review was to show the diversity and biological potential of Bauhinia species for health promotion. A search was carried out for articles listing some species of medical interest. The pharmacological activities of B. forficata were also highlighted in articles published in the last twenty years using the PubMed database. Research has shown that Bauhinia is used as a hypoglycemic and antidiabetic agent, diuretic, cholesterol reducer, in the treatment of cystitis, intestinal parasites, elephantiasis, tumors and other ailments, including infections and painful processes. In the last eleven years, 86% of the works carried out with B. forficata used the plant collected or acquired in Brazil, predominantly publications from the southern region of the country where almost 60% reported activity on diabetes and its complications and/or antioxidant effect. Despite the literature pointing out the great medicinal potential of Bauhinia in chronic diseases and their complications, there is still a need for more translational research

ORIGANUM VULGARE ESSENTIAL OIL AND CARVACROL: NATURAL ALTERNATIVES AGAINST RESISTANT BACTERIA

Bacteria that are resistant to several antibiotics are a serious One Health problem, as new alternatives for treatment do not appear at the same speed.  Thus, the aim of this work was to carry out a survey of studies involving the activity of the essential oil of O. vulgare and its isolated compound carvacrol on antibiotic-resistant bacteria.  To this end, a qualitative review of the literature was carried out in the PubMed database from 2015 to 2020. Both for the essential oil and for the isolated compound, the inhibitory action extends to strains often associated with difficult-to-treat infections such as oxacillin and vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ?-lactamase-producing strains, carbapenemases, among others. The point that distinguishes the studies is the type of methodology used in the tests, with studies with carvacrol more directed towards mechanisms of molecular action and application in cells and animals, while those with oils are more preliminary. Although these substances have potential to control resistant bacteria, more research is needed to enable their use

Staphylococcus spp. and mecA gene in pregnant women: a neglected health risk to mother and child

This study aimed to determine the phenotypic, molecular and epidemiological profile of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus spp. in pregnant women. Were included 100 asymptomatic pregnant women between 16 and 38 years old, who underwent microbiological examination by collecting a vaginal swab at the first trimester of pregnancy. The isolates were subjected to isolation, characterization, phenotypic and molecular tests were performed. Among the samples analyzed, were detected coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in 83%, coagulase-positive Staphylococcus, 6% and Streptococcus spp. in 5%, and there was no bacterial growth in 6%. The antibiotics that showed the highest resistance were amoxicillin + clavulanic acid and sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim (92.77%) in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus and penicillin and sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim in coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (100%), where in the latter S. aureus was the species identified in 66.67% of the samples. As for the identification of the mecA gene in Staphylococcus spp. samples, this gene was detected in 40.5% of the samples of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and it was not detected in the samples of coagulase-positive Staphylococcus. The epidemiological study showed that prior treatment with antibiotics was significantly (p≤0.016) associated with oxacillin resistance in vaginal swab samples. The presence of the mecA gene in coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolates demonstrated a bacterial profile in this type of biological sample, different from what is already presented in the scientific literature. New studies are warranted to understand the epidemiology of the bacterial species involved and later to implement health education actions both in the target population and in health care professionals

GESTÃO DE ENFERMAGEM NA UNIDADE DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA: UM RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

We sought to report the experiences of two nursing students in the management internship, identify the duties of a coordinating nurse and the benefits of implementing the Lean project in Emergencies. An experience report study, carried out based on the experience of an internship in the management area in the Intensive Care Unit sector in a public hospital in Agreste de Pernambuco, from March to May 2023. The importance of conducting the coordinating nurse for the development of the sector's activities; that overcrowding can be overcome, and finally, the Lean Project brings positive results in light of the proposed indicators. The research indicates that it is clear how important the duties of the ICU coordinator are for its proper functioning and quality care for the patient, helping to improve their survival and that the experience for the interns was of paramount importance for their academic education.Buscou-se relatar as experiências de duas discentes de enfermagem no estágio de gestão, identificar as atribuições de um(a) enfermeiro(a) coordenador e os benefícios da implementação do projeto Lean nas Emergências. Estudo do tipo relato de experiência, realizado a partir da vivência de estágio na área de gestão no setor de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva em um Hospital público do Agreste de Pernambuco, nos meses de março a maio de 2023. Identificou-se a importância da condução do enfermeiro coordenador para o desenvolvimento das atividades do setor; que a superlotação pode ser superada, e por fim que, o Projeto Lean traz resultados positivos diante dos indicadores propostos. A pesquisa indica que é notório o quão importantes são as atribuições do coordenador de UTI para o seu bom funcionamento e para uma assistência de qualidade ao paciente, ajudando a melhorar a sua sobrevida e que, a experiência para as estagiárias foi de suma importância para sua formação acadêmica

REVIEW COVID-19 (SARS-COV-2) AND MEDICINAL PLANTS – LITERATURE

In December 2019, a new coronavirus originating from the city of Wuhan in China started an epidemic that brought many countries into chaos and despair. SARS-CoV-2, as identified, gave rise to the severe acute respiratory syndrome called COVID-19. Its transmission happens through droplets of saliva, hand or contaminated surfaces. Since its discovery, COVID-19 has led many to death, therefore, researchers from around the world have joined efforts to develop strategies to contain the virus. In this race, drugs such as Chloroquine and Hydroxychloroquine have become possible options for showing an antiviral effect, however, studies contest their efficiency, generating uncertainties. Therefore, other alternatives have been investigated in this context, and the study of medicinal plants has been the target of research for the treatment of COVID-19 in search of bioactive natural products that can exert an antiviral action. The study aimed to analyze the published literature on COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2) and its relationship with medicinal plants. Bibliographical survey. So far, no specific treatment against the disease has been found, only supportive, with drugs that aim to improve the individual's immune system and ensure that the virus does not replicate, for example, there are options such as chloroquine, hydroxychloroquine, remdesivir and convalescent plasma. On the other hand, studies have revealed that medicinal plants such as garlic, among others, showed efficiency in modulating proteins with a view to preventing viral replication and improving immunity against COVID-19. So far, there are no drugs that are completely safe and have been shown to have activity against the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2). However, medicinal plants can contribute to the development of specific therapies against SARS-CoV-2 in a safe and effective way