73 research outputs found
The aquatic ecosystem, a good environment for the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance and virulence-associated factors among extended spectrum beta-lactamases producing E. coli
One of the main public health problems nowadays is the increase of antimicrobial resistance,
both in the hospital environment and outside it (animal environment, food and aquatic ecosystems,
among others). It is necessary to investigate the virulence-associated factors and the ability of
horizontal gene transfer among bacteria for a better understanding of the pathogenicity and the
mechanisms of dissemination of resistant bacteria. Therefore, the objective of this work was to
detect several virulence factors genes (fimA, papC, papG III, cnf1, hlyA and aer) and to determine the
conjugative capacity in a wide collection of extended-spectrum ÎČ-lactamases-producing E. coli isolated
from different sources (human, food, farms, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants). Regarding
virulence genes, fimA, papC, and aer were distributed throughout all the studied environments, papG
III was mostly related to clinical strains and wastewater is a route of dissemination for cnf1 and hlyA.
Strains isolated from aquatic environments showed an average conjugation frequencies of 1.15 Ă 10â1
± 5 Ă 10â1
, being significantly higher than those observed in strains isolated from farms and food
(p < 0.05), with frequencies of 1.53 Ă 10â4 ± 2.85 Ă 10â4 and 9.61 Ă 10â4 ± 1.96 Ă 10â3
, respectively. The
reported data suggest the importance that the aquatic environment (especially WWTPs) acquires for
the exchange of genes and the dispersion of resistance. Therefore, specific surveillance programs of
AMR indicators in wastewaters from animal or human origin are needed, in order to apply sanitation
measures to reduce the burden of resistant bacteria arriving to risky environments as WWTPs
The aquatic ecosystem, a good environment for the horizontal transfer of antimicrobial resistance and virulence-associated factors among extended spectrum Ă-lactamases producing E. coli
One of the main public health problems nowadays is the increase of antimicrobial resistance,
both in the hospital environment and outside it (animal environment, food and aquatic ecosystems,
among others). It is necessary to investigate the virulence-associated factors and the ability of
horizontal gene transfer among bacteria for a better understanding of the pathogenicity and the
mechanisms of dissemination of resistant bacteria. Therefore, the objective of this work was to
detect several virulence factors genes (fimA, papC, papG III, cnf1, hlyA and aer) and to determine the
conjugative capacity in a wide collection of extended-spectrum ÎČ-lactamases-producing E. coli isolated
from different sources (human, food, farms, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants). Regarding
virulence genes, fimA, papC, and aer were distributed throughout all the studied environments, papG
III was mostly related to clinical strains and wastewater is a route of dissemination for cnf1 and hlyA.
Strains isolated from aquatic environments showed an average conjugation frequencies of 1.15 Ă 10â1
± 5 Ă 10â1
, being significantly higher than those observed in strains isolated from farms and food
(p < 0.05), with frequencies of 1.53 Ă 10â4 ± 2.85 Ă 10â4 and 9.61 Ă 10â4 ± 1.96 Ă 10â3
, respectively. The
reported data suggest the importance that the aquatic environment (especially WWTPs) acquires for
the exchange of genes and the dispersion of resistance. Therefore, specific surveillance programs of
AMR indicators in wastewaters from animal or human origin are needed, in order to apply sanitation
measures to reduce the burden of resistant bacteria arriving to risky environments as WWTPs
Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria Isolated from Different Aquatic Environments in the North of Spain and South of France
Due to the global progress of antimicrobial resistance, the World Health Organization
(WHO) published the list of the antibiotic-resistant âpriority pathogensâ in order to promote research
and development of new antibiotics to the families of bacteria that cause severe and often deadly
infections. In the framework of the One Health approach, the surveillance of these pathogens in
different environments should be implemented in order to analyze their spread and the potential risk
of transmission of antibiotic resistances by food and water. Therefore, the objective of this work was
to determine the presence of high and critical priority pathogens included in the aforementioned list
in different aquatic environments in the POCTEFA area (North SpainâSouth France). In addition to
these pathogens, detection of colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was included due its relevance
as being the antibiotic of choice to treat infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria (MDR).
From the total of 80 analyzed samples, 100% of the wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and
collectors (from hospitals and slaughterhouses) and 96.4% of the rivers, carried antibiotic resistant
bacteria (ARB) against the tested antibiotics. Fifty-five (17.7%) of the isolates were identified as target
microorganisms (high and critical priority pathogens of WHO list) and 58.2% (n = 32) of them came
from WWTPs and collectors. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization showed that 96.4% were
MDR and resistance to penicillins/cephalosporins was the most widespread. The presence of bla genes,
KPC-type carbapenemases, mcr-1 and vanB genes has been confirmed. In summary, the presence
of clinically relevant MDR bacteria in the studied aquatic environments demonstrates the need to
improve surveillance and treatments of wastewaters from slaughterhouses, hospitals and WWTPs,
in order to minimize the dispersion of resistance through the effluents of these areas
Prevalence of integrons and insertion sequences in ESBL-producing E-coli isolated from different sources in Navarra, Spain
Mobile genetic elements play an important role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistant
bacteria among human and environmental sources. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine
the occurrence and patterns of integrons and insertion sequences of extended-spectrum ÎČ-lactamase
(ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli isolated from different sources in Navarra, northern Spain. A total
of 150 isolates coming from food products, farms and feeds, aquatic environments, and humans
(healthy people and hospital inpatients), were analyzed. PCRs were applied for the study of class
1, 2, and 3 integrons (intI1, intI2, and intI3), as well as for the determination of insertion sequences
(IS26, ISEcp1, ISCR1, and IS903). Results show the wide presence and dissemination of intI1 (92%),
while intI3 was not detected. It is remarkable, the prevalence of intI2 among food isolates, as well
as the co-existence of class 1 and class 2 (8% of isolates). The majority of isolates have two or
three IS elements, with the most common being IS26 (99.4%). The genetic pattern IS26âISEcp1
(related with the pathogen clone ST131) was present in the 22% of isolates (including human isolates).
In addition, the combination ISEcp1âIS26âIS903âISCR1 was detected in 11 isolates being, to our
knowledge, the first study that describes this genetic complex. Due to the wide variability observed,
no relationship was determined among these mobile genetic elements and ÎČ-lactam resistance.
More investigations regarding the genetic composition of these elements are needed to understand
the role of multiple types of integrons and insertion sequences on the dissemination of antimicrobial
resistance genes among different environments
Beyond the Average Brain: Individual Differences in Social Brain Development are Associated with Friendship Quality
We tested whether adolescents differ from each other in the structural development of the
social brain, and whether individual differences in social brain development predicted
variability in friendship quality development. Adolescents (N = 299, Mage T1 = 13.98 years)
were followed across three bi-annual waves. We analysed self-reported friendship quality
with the best friend at T1 and T3, and bilateral measures of surface area and cortical
thickness of the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS),
temporo-parietal junction (TPJ), and precuneus across all waves. At the group level, growth
curve models confirmed non-linear decreases of surface area and cortical thickness in social
brain regions. We identified substantial individual differences in levels and change rates of
social brain regions, especially for surface area of the mPFC, pSTS, and TPJ. Change rates of
cortical thickness varied less between persons. Higher levels of mPFC surface area and
cortical thickness predicted stronger increases in friendship quality over time. Moreover,
faster cortical thinning of mPFC surface area predicted a stronger increase in friendship
quality. Higher levels of TPJ cortical thickness predicted lower friendship quality. Together,
our results indicate heterogeneity in social brain development and how this variability
uniquely predicts friendship quality development
Usual dietary intake, nutritional adequacy and food sources of calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and vitamin D of spanish children aged one to dagger
Bone problems in the population begin to be establish in childhood. The present study aims to assess the usual calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D intakes, along with the food sources of these nutrients, in Spanish children participating in the EsNuPI (Estudio Nutricional en PoblaciĂłn Infantil Española) study. Two 24 h dietary recalls were applied to 1448 children (1 to <10 years) divided into two sub-samples: one reference sample (RS) of the general population [n = 707] and another sample which exclusively included children consuming enriched or fortified milks, here called âadapted milksâ (AMS) [n = 741]. Estimation of the usual intake shows that nutrient intake increased with age for all nutrients except vitamin D. Using as reference the Dietary Reference Values from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), calcium and magnesium intakes were found to be below the average requirement (AR) and adequate intake (AI), respectively, in a considerable percentage of children. Furthermore, phosphorus exceeded the AI in 100% of individuals and vitamin D was lower than the AI in almost all children studied. The results were very similar when considering only plausible reporters. When analyzing the food sources of the nutrients studied, milk and dairy products contributed the most to calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamin D. Other sources of calcium were cereals and vegetables; for phosphorus: meat, meat products, and cereals; for magnesium: cereals and fruits; and, for vitamin D: fish and eggs. These results highlight the desirability of improving the intake concerning these nutrients, which are involved in bone and metabolic health in children. The AMS group appeared to contribute better to the adequacy of those nutrients than the RS group, but both still need further improvement. Of special interest are the results of vitamin D intakes, which were significantly higher in the AMS group (although still below the AI), independent of age
Carbapenem-resistant Citrobacter spp. isolated in Spain from 2013 to 2015 produced a variety of carbapenemases including VIM-1, OXA-48, KPC-2, NDM-1 and VIM-2
Objectives: There is little information about carbapenemase-producing (CP) Citrobacter spp.We studied the molecular epidemiology and microbiological features of CP Citrobacter spp. isolates collected in Spain (2013-15).
Methods: In total, 119 isolates suspected of being CP by the EUCAST screening cut-off values were analysed. Carbapenemases and ESBLs were characterized using PCR and sequencing. The genetic relationship among Citrobacter freundii isolates was studied by PFGE.
Results: Of the 119 isolates, 63 (52.9%) produced carbapenemases, of which 37 (58.7%) produced VIM-1, 20 (31.7%) produced OXA-48, 12 (19%) produced KPC-2, 2 (3.2%) produced NDM-1 and 1 (1.6%) produced VIM- 2; 9 C. freundii isolates co-produced VIM-1 plus OXA-48. Fourteen isolates (22.2%) also carried ESBLs: 8 CTX-M-9 plus SHV-12, 2 CTX-M-9, 2 SHV-12 and 2 CTX-M-15. Fifty-seven isolates (90.5%) were C. freundii, 4 (6.3%) were Citrobacter koseri, 1 (1.6%) was Citrobacter amalonaticus and 1 (1.6%) was Citrobacter braakii. By EUCAST breakpoints, eight (12.7%) of the CP isolates were susceptible to the four carbapenems tested. In the 53 CP C. freundii analysed by PFGE, a total of 44 different band patterns were observed. Four PFGE clusters were identified: cluster 1 included eight isolates co-producing VIM-1 and OXA-48; blaVIM-1 was carried in a class 1 integron (intI-blaVIM-1 - aacA4-dfrB1-aadA1-catB2-qacEÂż1/sul1) and blaOXA-48 was carried in a Tn1999.2 transposon.
Conclusions: We observed the clonal and polyclonal spread of CP Citrobacter spp. across several Spanish geographical areas. Four species of Citrobacter spp. produced up to five carbapenemase types, including coproduction of VIM-1 plus OXA-48. Some CP Citrobacter spp. isolates were susceptible to the four carbapenems tested, a finding with potential clinical implications
Verbal fluency tests: Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population
OBJECTIVE: To generate normative data for the phonological and semantic verbal fluency tests (VFT) in Spanish-speaking pediatric populations. METHOD: The sample consisted of 4,373 healthy children from nine countries in Latin America (Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico) and Spain. Each participant was administered the VFT as part of a larger neuropsychological battery. Scores for letters F, A, S, and animals and fruit categories were normed using multiple linear regressions and standard deviations of residual values. Age, age2, sex, and mean level of parental education (MLPE) were included as predictors in the analyses. RESULTS: The final multiple linear regression models showed main effects for age on all scores, such that scores increased linearly as a function of age. Age2 had a significant effect in Chile (animals), Cuba (A letter, fruits), Ecuador (animals, fruits), Honduras (F letter), Mexico (animals, fruits), Peru (fruits), and Spain (S letters, animals, fruits). Models showed an effect for MLPE in Chile (A letters, animals, fruits), Ecuador (S letter, animals, fruits), Guatelama (F, S letter, animals), Honduras (animals), Mexico (F, A, S letters, animals, fruits), Puerto Rico (A, letters, animals), and Spain (all scores). Sex scores were found significant in Chile (animals), Ecuador (A letter, fruits), Mexico (F letter, fruits), Paraguay (F, A, S letters, fruits), Puerto Rico (F letter, animals, fruits), and Spain (F letter, fruits). CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest multi-national Spanish speaking-pediatric normative study in the world, and as such it will allow neuropsychologists from these countries to have a more accurate way to interpret the phonological and semantic VFT in pediatric populations
Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST): Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population
OBJECTIVE: To generate normative data for the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST) in Spanish-speaking
pediatric populations.
METHOD: The sample consisted of 4,373 healthy children from nine countries in Latin America (Chile, Cuba, Ecuador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico) and Spain. Each participant was administered the M-WCST
as part of a larger neuropsychological battery. Number of categories, perseverative errors, and total error scores were normed
using multiple linear regressions and standard deviations of residual values. Age, age2, sex, and mean level of parental
education (MLPE) were included as predictors in the analyses.
RESULTS: The final multiple linear regression models indicated main effects for age on all scores, such that the number
of categories correct increased and total number of perseverative errors and total number of errors decrease linearly as a
function of age. Age2 had a significant effect in Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, and Spain for numbers of categories; a significant
effect for number of perseverative errors in Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Spain; and a significant effect for number of total
errors in Chile, Cuba, Peru, and Spain. Models showed an effect for MLPE in Cuba (total errors), Ecuador (categories and
total errors), Mexico (all scores), Paraguay (perseverative errors and total error), and Spain (categories and total errors). Sex
affected number of total errors for Ecuador.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest Spanish-speaking pediatric normative study in the world, and it will allow neuropsychologists from these countries to have a more accurate way to interpret the M-WCST with pediatric populations
Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST): Normative data for Spanish-speaking pediatric population
OBJECTIVE: To generate normative data for the Modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (M-WCST) in Spanish-speaking pediatric populations. METHOD: The sample consisted of 4,373 healthy children from nine countries in Latin America (Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, Peru, and Puerto Rico) and Spain. Each participant was administered the M-WCST as part of a larger neuropsychological battery. Number of categories, perseverative errors, and total error scores were normed using multiple linear regressions and standard deviations of residual values. Age, age2, sex, and mean level of parental education (MLPE) were included as predictors in the analyses. RESULTS: The final multiple linear regression models indicated main effects for age on all scores, such that the number of categories correct increased and total number of perseverative errors and total number of errors decrease linearly as a function of age. Age2 had a significant effect in Chile, Cuba, Ecuador, and Spain for numbers of categories; a significant effect for number of perseverative errors in Chile, Cuba, Mexico, and Spain; and a significant effect for number of total errors in Chile, Cuba, Peru, and Spain. Models showed an effect for MLPE in Cuba (total errors), Ecuador (categories and total errors), Mexico (all scores), Paraguay (perseverative errors and total error), and Spain (categories and total errors). Sex affected number of total errors for Ecuador. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest Spanish-speaking pediatric normative study in the world, and it will allow neuropsychologists from these countries to have a more accurate way to interpret the M-WCST with pediatric populations
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