Characterization of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci and pheno-genotypic beta lactam resistance evaluation in samples from bovine Intramammary infection

ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) species isolated from bovine mastitis, through phenotypic and PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism-Polimerase Chain Reaction) methods and to compare both techniques to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique. Among them, the PCR-RFLP method, using a partially conserved sequence of the groEL gene, is a promising alternative, because of its reproducibility and reliability. On the other hand, the proteomic technique MALDI-TOF MS provides an accurate and much faster diagnosis and has been increasingly employed in microbiological identification. The pheno-genotypic profiles of beta-lactam resistance were also investigated, this characterization is important, considering that the use of antimicrobials is a key element for mastitis control in dairy farms. The concordance of the phenotypic, PCR-RFLP and MALDI-TOF MS assays to identify CoNS species was 77,5% (31/40). S. chromogenes was the species most frequently isolated. Antibiotic resistance rate was relatively low, registering values of 25.5% to penicillin, 9.6% to oxacillin and 6.2% to cefoxitin. Resistance to imipenem, cephalotin and amoxicillin+clavulanate was not observed. The mecA gene and its variant were detected in 7.6% and 4,1% of the isolates respectively. The blaZ gene was found in 43.2% of the strains resistant to penicillin

Characterization of virulence and antibiotic profile and agr typing of Staphylococcus aureus from milk of subclinical mastitis bovine in State of Rio de Janeiro

ABSTRACT This study aims to detect the main virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes in Stapylococcus aureus from bovine mastitic milk as well as classifying them according to agr typing. A total of 55 strains from six dairy unities in the state of Rio de Janeiro were selected, of these 27.3% presented fbnA and 78,2% for fbnB genes, respectively. None of the strains tested were positive for cap5 gene, 3.6% were positive for cap8 gene. Additionally, 94.5% of strains had hlA gene and 89.1% had hlB gene while 67.3% of the strains had icaA gene and 87.3% had icaD gene. From these results it was possible to establish 12 different virulence profiles. Prevalence of agrII type was detected in 81.8% of the isolates. Concerning antimicrobial resistance evaluation, the studied strains were susceptible to all antibiotics tested except penicillin, 83.6% being resistant strains. None of the strains had mecA gene, however, 40% of the strains had blaZ gene. Associating virulence and resistance data made it possible to obtain 23 different profiles. This great diversity of strains shows wide array of bacterial strategies and the challenge of mastitis prevention in cattle. Despite antimicrobial susceptibility, these strains presented certain genes that allow its persistence in the herd

Characterization of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci and pheno-genotypic beta lactam resistance evaluation in samples from bovine Intramammary infection

<div><p>ABSTRACT This study aimed to identify Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) species isolated from bovine mastitis, through phenotypic and PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism-Polimerase Chain Reaction) methods and to compare both techniques to matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) technique. Among them, the PCR-RFLP method, using a partially conserved sequence of the groEL gene, is a promising alternative, because of its reproducibility and reliability. On the other hand, the proteomic technique MALDI-TOF MS provides an accurate and much faster diagnosis and has been increasingly employed in microbiological identification. The pheno-genotypic profiles of beta-lactam resistance were also investigated, this characterization is important, considering that the use of antimicrobials is a key element for mastitis control in dairy farms. The concordance of the phenotypic, PCR-RFLP and MALDI-TOF MS assays to identify CoNS species was 77,5% (31/40). S. chromogenes was the species most frequently isolated. Antibiotic resistance rate was relatively low, registering values of 25.5% to penicillin, 9.6% to oxacillin and 6.2% to cefoxitin. Resistance to imipenem, cephalotin and amoxicillin+clavulanate was not observed. The mecA gene and its variant were detected in 7.6% and 4,1% of the isolates respectively. The blaZ gene was found in 43.2% of the strains resistant to penicillin.</p></div

Implants as drug delivery devices for the treatment of eye diseases

The treatment of diseases affecting the posterior segment of the eye is limited by the difficulty in transporting effective doses of drugs to the vitreous, retina, and choroid. Topically applied drugs are poorly absorbed due to the low permeability of the external ocular tissues and tearing. The blood-retina barrier limits drug diffusion from the systemic blood to the posterior segment, thus high doses of drug are needed to maintain therapeutic levels. In addition, systemic side effects are common. Intraocular injections could be an alternative, but the fast flowing blood supply in this region, associated with rapid clearance rates, causes drug concentration to quickly fall below therapeutic levels. To obtain therapeutic levels over longer time periods, polymeric sustained-drug release systems implanted within the vitreous are being studied for the treatment of vitreoretinal disorders. These systems are prepared using different kinds of biodegradable or non-biodegradable polymers. This review aims to demonstrate the main characteristics of these drug delivery implants and their potential for clinical application.<br>O tratamento de doenças do segmento posterior do olho é limitado pela dificuldade no transporte de doses efetivas de fármacos para o vítreo, retina e coróide. Os fármacos aplicados topicamente são pouco absorvidos por causa da baixa permeabilidade dos tecidos oculares externos e ao lacrimejamento. Embora a administração sistêmica seja capaz de transportar fármacos para o segmento posterior do olho, as barreiras hemato-aquosa e hematorretiniana dificultam a absorção e, normalmente, são necessárias doses elevadas, as quais estão geralmente associadas a potenciais efeitos adversos. Injeções intravitreais são capazes de transportar fármacos para o segmento posterior do olho, mas é uma técnica invasiva, pouco tolerada pelos pacientes e apresenta riscos de infecções oculares e danos aos tecidos. Visando a obtenção de níveis terapêuticos adequados de fármacos no segmento posterior do bulbo do olho por longos períodos, sistemas de liberação poliméricos implantados diretamente no vítreo estão sendo investigados para o tratamento de várias doenças vítreo-retinianas. Esses implantes podem ser preparados a partir de diferentes polímeros biocompatíveis, biodegradáveis ou não-biodegradáveis. Nesta revisão, as principais características destes implantes transportadores de fármacos são descritas, expondo suas potencialidades de aplicação clínica