Diversity of Staphylococcus aureus Isolates in European Wildlife

Staphylococcus aureus is a well-known colonizer and cause of infection among animals and it has been described from numerous domestic and wild animal species. The aim of the present study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of S. aureus in a convenience sample of European wildlife and to review what previously has been observed in the subject field. 124 S. aureus isolates were collected from wildlife in Germany, Austria and Sweden; they were characterized by DNA microarray hybridization and, for isolates with novel hybridization patterns, by multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The isolates were assigned to 29 clonal complexes and singleton sequence types (CC1, CC5, CC6, CC7, CC8, CC9, CC12, CC15, CC22, CC25, CC30, CC49, CC59, CC88, CC97, CC130, CC133, CC398, ST425, CC599, CC692, CC707, ST890, CC1956, ST2425, CC2671, ST2691, CC2767 and ST2963), some of which (ST2425, ST2691, ST2963) were not described previously. Resistance rates in wildlife strains were rather low and mecA-MRSA isolates were rare (n = 6). mecC-MRSA (n = 8) were identified from a fox, a fallow deer, hares and hedgehogs. The common cattle- associated lineages CC479 and CC705 were not detected in wildlife in the present study while, in contrast, a third common cattle lineage, CC97, was found to be common among cervids. No Staphylococcus argenteus or Staphylococcus schweitzeri-like isolates were found. Systematic studies are required to monitor the possible transmission of human- and livestock- associated S. aureus/MRSA to wildlife and vice versa as well as the possible transmission, by unprotected contact to animals. The prevalence of S. aureus/MRSA in wildlife as well as its population structures in different wildlife host species warrants further investigation

A Field Guide to Pandemic, Epidemic and Sporadic Clones of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a truly global challenge. In addition to the long-known healthcare-associated clones, novel strains have also emerged outside of the hospital settings, in the community as well as in livestock. The emergence and spread of virulent clones expressing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an additional cause for concern. In order to provide an overview of pandemic, epidemic and sporadic strains, more than 3,000 clinical and veterinary isolates of MRSA mainly from Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Malta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago as well as some reference strains from the United States have been genotyped by DNA microarray analysis. This technique allowed the assignment of the MRSA isolates to 34 distinct lineages which can be clearly defined based on non-mobile genes. The results were in accordance with data from multilocus sequence typing. More than 100 different strains were distinguished based on affiliation to these lineages, SCCmec type and the presence or absence of PVL. These strains are described here mainly with regard to clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance- and virulence-associated markers, but also in relation to epidemiology and geographic distribution. The findings of the study show a high level of biodiversity among MRSA, especially among strains harbouring SCCmec IV and V elements. The data also indicate a high rate of genetic recombination in MRSA involving SCC elements, bacteriophages or other mobile genetic elements and large-scale chromosomal replacements

A Field Guide to Pandemic, Epidemic and Sporadic Clones of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus

In recent years, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) have become a truly global challenge. In addition to the long-known healthcare-associated clones, novel strains have also emerged outside of the hospital settings, in the community as well as in livestock. The emergence and spread of virulent clones expressing Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) is an additional cause for concern. In order to provide an overview of pandemic, epidemic and sporadic strains, more than 3,000 clinical and veterinary isolates of MRSA mainly from Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Malta, Abu Dhabi, Hong Kong, Australia, Trinidad & Tobago as well as some reference strains from the United States have been genotyped by DNA microarray analysis. This technique allowed the assignment of the MRSA isolates to 34 distinct lineages which can be clearly defined based on non-mobile genes. The results were in accordance with data from multilocus sequence typing. More than 100 different strains were distinguished based on affiliation to these lineages, SCCmec type and the presence or absence of PVL. These strains are described here mainly with regard to clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance- and virulence-associated markers, but also in relation to epidemiology and geographic distribution. The findings of the study show a high level of biodiversity among MRSA, especially among strains harbouring SCCmec IV and V elements. The data also indicate a high rate of genetic recombination in MRSA involving SCC elements, bacteriophages or other mobile genetic elements and large-scale chromosomal replacements

Anti-Streptococcal activity of Brazilian Amazon Rain Forest plant extracts presents potential for preventive strategies against dental caries

Caries is a global public health problem, whose control requires the introduction of low-cost treatments, such as strong prevention strategies, minimally invasive techniques and chemical prevention agents. Nature plays an important role as a source of new antibacterial substances that can be used in the prevention of caries, and Brazil is the richest country in terms of biodiversity. OBJECTIVE: In this study, the disk diffusion method (DDM) was used to screen over 2,000 Brazilian Amazon plant extracts against Streptococcus mutans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Seventeen active plant extracts were identified and fractionated. Extracts and their fractions, obtained by liquid-liquid partition, were tested in the DDM assay and in the microdilution broth assay (MBA) to determine their minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs). The extracts were also subjected to antioxidant analysis by thin layer chromatography. RESULTS: EB271, obtained from Casearia spruceana, showed significant activity against the bacterium in the DDM assay (20.67±0.52 mm), as did EB1129, obtained from Psychotria sp. (Rubiaceae) (15.04±2.29 mm). EB1493, obtained from Ipomoea alba, was the only extract to show strong activity against Streptococcus mutans (0.08 mg/mL<MIC<0.16 mg/mL; MBC=0.16 mg/mL) in the MBA. CONCLUSIONS: The active extracts, discovered in the Amazon rain forest, show potential as sources of new antibacterial agents for use as chemical coadjuvants in prevention strategies to treat caries

Plantas medicinais Brasileiras: construindo o mapa de evidências de efetividades clínica

As plantas medicinais e os fitoterápicos são uma das 29 práticas integrativas e complementares incluídas no SUS. O objetivo do mapa de evidências de efetividade clínicas das plantas medicinais brasileiras foi analisar e sistematizar informações de revisões sistemáticas em plantas medicinais, listadas nos documentos oficiais brasileiros, com o intuito de fornecer evidências para a orientação de profissionais de saúde e tomadores de decisão quanto à incorporação desses recursos terapêuticos nos serviços de saúde, com vistas à ampliação da oferta de cuidado na atenção primária, na média e alta complexidade, em especial no SUS. A construção do mapa baseia-se na metodologia do mapa de lacunas de evidências 3iE. A pesquisa foi realizada em quatro bases eletrônicas em fevereiro de 2021, incluindo somente revisões sistemáticas. Na seleção dos estudos utilizou-se o software Rayyan QCRI. Os dados de caracterização dos estudos foram identificados a partir da análise de cada revisão selecionada para o mapa utilizando-se o software REDCap.A ferramenta AMSTAR foi utilizada para analisar a qualidade metodológica das revisões sistemáticas incluídas e classificá-las no mapa por nível de confiança da evidência (alta, moderada, baixa). De cada revisão sistemática incluída no mapa foram identificados e extraídos os seguintes dados para a caracterização: a população, as intervenções (espécie vegetal), as condições de saúde (desfechos) e o efeito de cada intervenção para cada desfecho (positivo, inconclusivo/misturado, negativo ou não avaliado pelo estudo). As intervenções foram descritas pela espécie vegetal. Os desfechos foram descritos considerando as condições de saúde sob as quais cada intervenção foi avaliada por seu efeito e foram distribuídos por grupos: doenças nutricionais e metabólicas; indicadores metabólicos e fisiológicos; câncer; dor; doenças agudas; doenças crônicas; transtornos e indicadores mentais; vitalidade; cicatrização; bem-estar e qualidade vida. Identificou-se 736 citações em quatro bases de dados, 56 artigos duplicados foram excluídos, 680 registros foram examinados por dois pares de revisores “blinded”, através do Rayyan. Foram incluídos 227 artigos. Os tipos de estudos incluídos foram: revisão sistemática (85), revisão sistemática com metanálise (125), metanálise (14) e revisão sistemática de RCTs (3). Os desenhos da revisão incluídos foram: ensaios clínicos randomizados (RCTs) (181), RCTs + Non RCT (37), ensaios controlados não randomizados (Non RCT) (3), ensaios clínicos + observacionais (6). Quanto aos objetivos dos estudos foram incluídos: efetividade (33), segurança e efetividade (35), eficácia 81), segurança e eficácia (64), eficácia e efetividade (14). Os estudos de revisão incluídos foram realizados na população geral e com as seguintes situações de saúde: pacientes com câncer, pacientes com doenças crônicas e/ou agudas, pacientes com distúrbios fisiológicos, pacientes com transtornos mentais e pacientes com diferentes tipos de feridas. Os estudos incluídos foram realizados em 58 países destacando-se a China, Índia e Estados Unidos da América. Dentre as intervenções destaca-se o Ginkgo biloba na prevenção de doenças degenerativas e Hypericum perforatum para depressão. Apesar das limitações, este mapa de evidências fornecerá uma visualização fácil de informações valiosas para pacientes, profissionais de saúde e gestores, a fim de promover o uso de plantas medicinais brasileiras baseado em evidências