Deletion of the Correia element in the mtr gene complex of Neisseria meningitidis

The mtr gene complex in Neisseria meningitidis encodes an efflux pump that is responsible for export of antibacterial hydrophobic agents. The promoter region of the mtrCDE operon harbours an insertion sequence known as a Correia element, and a binding site for the integration host factor (IHF) is present at the centre of the Correia element. It has been suggested that the expression of the mtrCDE operon in meningococci is subject to transcriptional regulation by the IHF and post-transcriptional regulation by cleavage in the inverted repeat of the Correia element. The promoter region of the mtrCDE operon as well as the association of changes at that point with decreased susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs in 606 Neisseria meningitidis strains were analysed in this study. Two different deletions were present in the analysed region. The first one, found in seven strains, corresponded to absence of the Correia element. The second one, affecting the -10 region and first 100 bp of the mtrR gene and present in 57 isolates, was only found in ST-1624 isolates. None of the deletions were associated with decreased susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. Although most of the meningococcal strains carry the Correia element at that position, its deletion is not an exception.Fil: Enríquez, Rocío. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España.Fil: Abad, Raquel. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España.Fil: Chanto, Grettel. Centro Nacional de Referencia en Bacteriología (INCIENSA); Costa Rica.Fil: Corso, Alejandra. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Bacteriología; Argentina.Fil: Cruces, Raquel. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España.Fil: Marc Gabastou, Jean. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Unidad de Medicamentos Esenciales; Ecuador.Fil: Gorla, María Cecilia. Adolfo Lutz Institute. Bacteriology Branch. Brasil.Fil: Maldonado, Aurora. Instituto de Salud Pública (ISP). Bacteriología; Chile.Fil: Moreno, Jaime. Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS). Microbiología. Colombia.Fil: Muros-Le Rouzic, Erwan. Sanofi-Pasteur. Global Scientific & Medical Affairs; Francia.Fil: Sorhouet, Cecilia. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Bacteriología; Argentina.Fil: Vazquez, Julio A. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España

Deletion of the Correia element in the mtr gene complex of Neisseria meningitidis

The mtr gene complex in Neisseria meningitidis encodes an efflux pump that is responsible for export of antibacterial hydrophobic agents. The promoter region of the mtrCDE operon harbours an insertion sequence known as a Correia element, and a binding site for the integration host factor (IHF) is present at the centre of the Correia element. It has been suggested that the expression of the mtrCDE operon in meningococci is subject to transcriptional regulation by the IHF and post-transcriptional regulation by cleavage in the inverted repeat of the Correia element. The promoter region of the mtrCDE operon as well as the association of changes at that point with decreased susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs in 606 Neisseria meningitidis strains were analysed in this study. Two different deletions were present in the analysed region. The first one, found in seven strains, corresponded to absence of the Correia element. The second one, affecting the -10 region and first 100 bp of the mtrR gene and present in 57 isolates, was only found in ST-1624 isolates. None of the deletions were associated with decreased susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs. Although most of the meningococcal strains carry the Correia element at that position, its deletion is not an exception.Fil: Enríquez, Rocío. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España.Fil: Abad, Raquel. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España.Fil: Chanto, Grettel. Centro Nacional de Referencia en Bacteriología (INCIENSA); Costa Rica.Fil: Corso, Alejandra. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Bacteriología; Argentina.Fil: Cruces, Raquel. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España.Fil: Marc Gabastou, Jean. Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Unidad de Medicamentos Esenciales; Ecuador.Fil: Gorla, María Cecilia. Adolfo Lutz Institute. Bacteriology Branch. Brasil.Fil: Maldonado, Aurora. Instituto de Salud Pública (ISP). Bacteriología; Chile.Fil: Moreno, Jaime. Instituto Nacional de Salud (INS). Microbiología. Colombia.Fil: Muros-Le Rouzic, Erwan. Sanofi-Pasteur. Global Scientific & Medical Affairs; Francia.Fil: Sorhouet, Cecilia. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas. Bacteriología; Argentina.Fil: Vazquez, Julio A. Instituto de Salud Carlos III. Laboratorio de Referencia para meningococos; España

Epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus colonization in healthy Venezuelan children

Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus cause significant morbidity and mortality worldwide. We investigated both the colonization and co-colonization characteristics for these pathogens among 250 healthy children from 2 to 5 years of age in Merida, Venezuela, in 2007. The prevalence of S. pneumoniae colonization, S. aureus colonization, and S. pneumoniae–S. aureus co-colonization was 28%, 56%, and 16%, respectively. Pneumococcal serotypes 6B (14%), 19F (12%), 23F (12%), 15 (9%), 6A (8%), 11 (8%), 23A (6%), and 34 (6%) were the most prevalent. Non-respiratory atopy was a risk factor for S. aureus colonization (p = 0.017). Vaccine serotypes were negatively associated with preceding respiratory infection (p = 0.02) and with S. aureus colonization (p = 0.03). We observed a high prevalence of pneumococcal resistance against trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (40%), erythromycin (38%), and penicillin (14%). Semi-quantitative measurement of pneumococcal colonization density showed that children with young siblings and low socioeconomic status were more densely colonized (p = 0.02 and p = 0.02, respectively). In contrast, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole- and multidrug-resistant-pneumococci colonized children sparsely (p = 0.03 and p = 0.01, respectively). Our data form an important basis to monitor the future impact of pneumococcal vaccination on bacterial colonization, as well as to recommend a rationalized and restrictive antimicrobial use in our community

Where Does Human Plague Still Persist in Latin America?

<div><p>Background</p><p>Plague is an epidemic-prone disease with a potential impact on public health, international trade, and tourism. It may emerge and re-emerge after decades of epidemiological silence. Today, in Latin America, human cases and foci are present in Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.</p><p>Aims</p><p>The objective of this study is to identify where cases of human plague still persist in Latin America and map areas that may be at risk for emergence or re-emergence. This analysis will provide evidence-based information for countries to prioritize areas for intervention.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Evidence of the presence of plague was demonstrated using existing official information from WHO, PAHO, and Ministries of Health. A geo-referenced database was created to map the historical presence of plague by country between the first registered case in 1899 and 2012. Areas where plague still persists were mapped at the second level of the political/administrative divisions (counties). Selected demographic, socioeconomic, and environmental variables were described.</p><p>Results</p><p>Plague was found to be present for one or more years in 14 out of 25 countries in Latin America (1899–2012). Foci persisted in six countries, two of which have no report of current cases. There is evidence that human cases of plague still persist in 18 counties. Demographic and poverty patterns were observed in 11/18 counties. Four types of biomes are most commonly found. 12/18 have an average altitude higher than 1,300 meters above sea level.</p><p>Discussion</p><p>Even though human plague cases are very localized, the risk is present, and unexpected outbreaks could occur. Countries need to make the final push to eliminate plague as a public health problem for the Americas. A further disaggregated risk evaluation is recommended, including identification of foci and possible interactions among areas where plague could emerge or re-emerge. A closer geographical approach and environmental characterization are suggested.</p></div

Study steps.

<p>Study steps.</p

Countries with presence of cases of human plague, by quinquennium, Latin America, 1899–1949.

<p><b>Legend:</b></p><p>X: Presence of plague documented on that quinquennium; ○: Presence of plague documented on the period (consolidated data);</p>!<p>: Suspected case;</p>*<p>First and last quinquennium years added.</p