Caracterización fenotípica y molecular de aislamientos clínicos de staphylococcus hominis, staphylococcus cohnii y staphylococcus sciuri.

Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus cohnii y Staphylococcus sciuri se encuentran clasificados dentro del grupo de los Estafilococos Coagulasa Negativos (ECN). Los ECN están entre los principales agentes causales de enfermedades asociadas a la atención de la salud, principalmente bacteriemias relacionadas con el uso de catéter. El principal factor de virulencia descrito para los ECN es la capacidad de producir biopelícula, en donde su formación está asociada a la colonización de dispositivos médicos y a un incremento en la resistencia a los antibióticos. El objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar la formación de biopelícula, los genes asociados a esta producción, la resistencia a meticilina, el tipo de SCCmec, la relación genética de los aislamientos y la determinación del perfil de susceptibilidad a los antibióticos en células planctónicas y de biopelícula en aislamientos clínicos de S. hominis, S. cohnii y S. sciuri. El estudio incluyó a 67 aislados de S. hominis, 23 S. cohnii y 11 S. sciuri provenientes de especímenes clínicos. La resistencia a la meticilina se evaluó con la prueba de disco de cefoxitina. La detección del gen mecA y SCCmec se realizó por PCRs múltiples. La relación genética se determinó por electroforesis en gel de campos pulsados. La formación de biopelícula se evaluó por tinción con violeta cristal y se determinó el índice de biopelículas (IB). La susceptibilidad a los antibióticos de las células planctónicas (concentración mínima inhibitoria, CMI) y las células del biopelícula (concentración mínima de erradicación de biopelícula, CMEB) se determinaron por el método de dilución en caldo. Los resultados indicaron que más del 85% de los aislamientos fueron resistentes a la meticilina y presentaron el gen mecA positivo. De los aislamientos mecA positivos, más del 66% presentaron un tipo de SCCmec diferente al descrito para S. aureus. La clonalidad en general fue baja, pero se detectaron al menos tres clonas en cada especie, las cuales incluyeron de dos a ochos aislamientos. Más del 80% de los aislamientos se clasificaron como productores de biopelícula y el 91% de los aislamientos de S. hominis presentaron una fuerte producción de esta. Más del 60% de los aislamientos presentaron el gen icaD. Se observó que a mayor IB, mayor fue el valor de CMEB respecto al de CMI para amikacina, vancomicina, linezolid, oxacilina, ciprofloxacina y cloranfenicol. En conclusión, los aislamientos de Staphylococcus hominis, Staphylococcus cohnii y Staphylococcus sciuri presentaron una frecuencia alta de resistencia a meticilina y a otros antibióticos. La mayoría de los tipos de SCCmec detectados fueron diferentes a los descritos para S. aureus. Se encontró baja clonalidad. Los resultados indican que las tres especies son formadoras de biopelícula y S. hominis es un productor fuerte. La producción de biopelícula se asoció con un incremento en la resistencia a los antibióticos

Construcción de fachadas emotivas en las redes sociodigitales: análisis del reto viral “embaraza a tu personaje original” en la plataforma Gacha Club

En el presente artículo se analiza el corto “Embaraza a tu oc challenge”, creado en la plataforma Gacha Club y publicado en Youtube.This article analyzes the short film «Embaraza a tu oc challenge», created on the Gacha Club platform and published on YouTube. Este artigo analisa o curta-metragem «Embaraza a tu oc challenge», criado na plataforma Gacha Club e publicado no Youtube.&nbsp

IMPACTO DEL TURISMO EN EL CRECIMIENTO SOSTENIBLE DE DESTINOS PLAYA EN MÉXICO

The purpose of this study is to verify the impact of tourism, as an economic activity, on the sustainable economic growth of beach destinations districts in Mexico. Using panel-type statistical techniques, data for 15 beach destinations in Mexico was collected for the years of 2004, 2009 and 2014. Through the use of the Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) method, it was found that the capital and labor used by the economic activity of tourism are significant at 1%, 5% and 10%. Despite this, only the labor employed by the tourism activity generates positive impacts on the economic growth of beach destinations.El propósito de este estudio es comprobar el impacto de la actividad turística en el crecimiento económico sostenible de los destinos playa de México. Utilizando técnicas estadísticas de datos tipo panel, datos de 15 destinos playa de México fueron recopilados para los años del 2004, 2009 y 2014. Se encontró por medio del método de Mínimos Cuadrados Generalizados Factibles (FGLS) que el capital y el trabajo empleado por la actividad turística son significativos al 1%, 5% y 10%. A pesar de esto, sólo el trabajo empleado por la actividad turística genera impactos positivos en el crecimiento económico de los destinos playa

Effects of D-003, a mixture of high-molecular-weight sugar cane wax acids, on lipid peroxidation markers in older individuals: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

AbstractBackground: Aging is associated with increased lipid peroxidation (LP). D-003, a mixture of long-chain aliphatic primary acids purified from sugar cane wax, has been found to inhibit LP in experimental models and in healthy subjects.Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of D-003 on LP markers and the lipid profile of older individuals.Methods: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted at the Plaza Veterans' House, Havana City, Cuba. Male and female patients aged ≥60 years with total cholesterol values of <6.1 mmol/L were eligible for inclusion in the study. After a 3-week lead-in and baseline assessment period, patients were randomized to receive PO D-003 5 mg/d, D-003 10 mg/d, or placebo for 8 weeks. The effect on copper-induced LP of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles was the primary variable, and the effects on plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, plasma antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase) activities, and the lipid profile were secondary variables. A clinical examination was performed at each visit (baseline, weeks 4 and 8). A clinical examination, LP, and blood tests (lipid profile, hematologic, and blood biochemistry safety indicators) were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks of treatment. Compliance and adverse events (AEs) were assessed at weeks 4 and 8. A 2-tailed P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant for comparisons of both continuous and categoric variables.Results: Fifty-four patients aged ≥60 years were assessed for inclusion in the study, and 51 patients (40 women, 11 men; mean [SD] age, 67 [6] years) were included in the study. The lag phase of conjugated diene formation increased significantly and in a dose-dependent manner in the group treated with D-003 5 mg (24.7%; P < 0.01) and in the group treated with D-003 10 mg (29.3%; P < 0.01) compared with placebo. The maximal rate of conjugated diene propagation decreased significantly in the D-003 5- and 10-mg groups −22.7% and −25.8%, respectively; both, P < 0.05) compared with placebo. TAS increased significantly (17.7% and 23.0%, respectively; both, P < 0.01) in both active treatment groups compared with placebo. Plasma MDA concentration decreased significantly in the D-003 10-mg group (−28.6%; P < 0.05) but not in the D-003 5-mg group, compared with placebo. These changes were also significant compared with baseline. Antioxidant enzyme activities did not change in the active treatment groups compared with placebo or baseline. In the D-003 5- and 10-mg groups, significant decreases were found in LDL cholesterol concentration (−15.8% and −23.8%, respectively; both, P < 0.001) and total cholesterol concentration (−13.0% and −16.8%, both, P < 0.05) compared with placebo. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentration increased significantly in the D-003 5-mg group (5.7%; P < 0.05) and the D-003 10-mg group (18.2%; P < 0.001) compared with placebo. Changes in the lipid profile were also significant compared with baseline. In the placebo group, no variable changed significantly compared with baseline. D-003 was well tolerated at both dose levels, and no patient withdrew from the study. There were a total of 3 AEs reported: insomnia and acidity in 2 patients receiving placebo; and heartburn in 1 patient receiving D-003 5 mg.Conclusions: D-003 5 and 10 mg/d administered to these older individuals (aged ≥60 years) for 8 weeks inhibited LP of LDL and increased TAS in a dose-dependent manner, while plasma MDA concentration decreased in the patients receiving D-003 10 mg/d only. D-003 was well tolerated at both dose

Chlorhexidine whole-body washing of patients reduces methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and has a direct effect on the distribution of the ST5-MRSA-II (New York/Japan) clone

Abstract Purpose. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonizes the skin of hospitalized patients and is associated with high morbidity and mortality. To prevent colonization and infection by S. aureus, better disinfection practices are required. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of chlorhexidine whole-body washing on hospital-acquired S. aureus infections among intensive care unit (ICU) patients in a tertiary hospital in Mexico. Methodology. The study was conducted over 18 months to evaluate the effect of 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CXG) wholebody washing of ICU adult patients on chlorhexidine and antibiotic resistance, biofilm production and clonal distribution of S. aureus in a tertiary care hospital. Minimum inhibitory concentrations for CXG, antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm production by S. aureus isolates were determined. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and PCR for Panton–Valentine leucocidin (PVL) were used for molecular typing of MRSA isolates. Results/Keyfindings. We included 158 isolates. A reduction in antibiotic resistance in the study period was observed for clindamycin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin, oxacillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. None of the isolates showed reduced susceptibility to CXG. Most of the isolates were non-biofilm producers (147/158). The most commonly identified clone was a descendant of the ST5-MRSA-II (New York/Japan) clone. This clone decreased during the intervention period and reappeared markedly in the post-intervention period. During the post-intervention period, two isolates were related with the clone ST8-MRSA-IV (also known as USA300). Conclusion. Our findings suggest that the CXG bathing favored the reduction of healthcare-associated MRSA isolates and a temporary reduction of the predominant ST5-MRSA-II (New York/Japan) clone

Microbiological and Molecular Characterization of Staphylococcus hominis Isolates from Blood

Background: Among Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci (CoNS), Staphylococcus hominis represents the third most common organism recoverable from the blood of immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to characterize biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, define the SCCmec (Staphylococcal Chromosomal Cassette mec) type, and genetic relatedness of clinical S. hominis isolates. Methodology: S. hominis blood isolates (n = 21) were screened for biofilm formation using crystal violet staining. Methicillin resistance was evaluated using the cefoxitin disk test and the mecA gene was detected by PCR. Antibiotic resistance was determined by the broth microdilution method. Genetic relatedness was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and SCCmec typed by multiplex PCR using two different methodologies described for Staphylococcus aureus. Results: Of the S. hominis isolates screened, 47.6% (10/21) were categorized as strong biofilm producers and 23.8% (5/21) as weak producers. Furthermore, 81% (17/21) of the isolates were methicillin resistant and mecA gene carriers. Resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin, and trimethoprim was observed in .70% of isolates screened. Each isolate showed a different PFGE macrorestriction pattern with similarity ranging between 0–95%. Among mecA-positive isolates, 14 (82%) harbored a non-typeable SCCmec type: eight isolates were not positive for any ccr complex; four contained the mec complex A ccrAB1 and ccrC, one isolate contained mec complex A, ccrAB4 and ccrC, and one isolate contained the mec complex A, ccrAB1, ccrAB4, and ccrC. Two isolates harbored the association: mec complex A and ccrAB1. Only one strain was typeable as SCCmec III. Conclusions: The S. hominis isolates analyzed were variable biofilm producers had a high prevalence of methicillin resistance and resistance to other antibiotics, and high genetic diversity. The results of this study strongly suggested that S. hominis isolates harbor new SCCmec structural elements and might be reservoirs of ccrC1 in addition to ccrAB1 and mec complex A

Antibiotic Susceptibility of Biofilm Cells and Molecular Characterisation of Staphylococcus hominis Isolates from Blood

Objectives We aimed to characterise the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) type, genetic relatedness, biofilm formation and composition, icaADBC genes detection, icaD expression, and antibiotic susceptibility of planktonic and biofilm cells of Staphylococcus hominis isolates from blood. Methods The study included 67 S. hominis blood isolates. Methicillin resistance was evaluated with the cefoxitin disk test. mecA gene and SCCmec were detected by multiplex PCR. Genetic relatedness was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Biofilm formation and composition were evaluated by staining with crystal violet and by detachment assay, respectively; and the biofilm index (BI) was determined. Detection and expression of icaADB Cgenes were performed by multiplex PCR and real-time PCR, respectively. Antibiotic susceptibilities of planktonic cells (minimum inhibitory concentration, MIC) and biofilm cells (minimum biofilm eradication concentration, MBEC) were determined by the broth dilution method. Results Eighty-five percent (57/67) of isolates were methicillin resistant and mecA positive. Of the mecA-positive isolates, 66.7% (38/57) carried a new putative SCCmec type. Four clones were detected, with two to five isolates each. Among all isolates, 91% (61/67) were categorised as strong biofilm producers. Biofilm biomass composition was heterogeneous (polysaccharides, proteins and DNA). All isolates presented the icaD gene, and 6.66% (1/15) isolates expressed icaD. This isolate presented the five genes of ica operon. Higher BI and MBEC values than the MIC values were observed for amikacin, vancomycin, linezolid, oxacillin, ciprofloxacin, and chloramphenicol. Conclusions S. hominis isolates were highly resistant to methicillin and other antimicrobials. Most of the detected SCCmec types were different than those described for S. aureus. Isolates indicated low clonality. The results indicate that S. hominis is a strong biofilm producer with an extracellular matrix with similar composition of proteins, DNA and N-acetylglucosamine; and presents high frequency and low expression of icaD gene. Biofilm production is associated with increased antibiotic resistance

Comparison of the antioxidant effects of D-002 (beeswax alcohols) and grape seed extract (GSE) on plasma oxidative variables in healthy subjects

Increased oxidative stress is implicated in several diseases. D-002, a mixture of six higher aliphatic alcohols purified from beeswax, and grape seed extract (GSE) (rich in flavonoids), have been shown antioxidant effects. This randomised, double-blinded study compared the effects of both substances on plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), total hydroxyperoxides (TOH), carbonyl groups (CG) and blood superoxide dismutase (SOD) in healthy volunteers. Fifty eligible subjects were randomized to D-002 (50 mg/day) or GSE (85 mg proanthocianydine/day) for 8 weeks. Both D-002 and GSE reduced significantly plasma MDA (30.0% and 34.0%, respectively), TOH (31.6% and 34.0%, respectively) and CG (21.4% and 14.3 %, respectively), but unchanged SOD. No significant differences between groups were found. Both treatments were well tolerated. No subject dropped out because of adverse experiences (AE). Then, D-002 and GSE administered for 8 weeks were similarly effective for lowering plasma markers of lipid and protein oxidation, and similarly safe.Colegio de Farmacéuticos de la Provincia de Buenos Aire

Risk factors and molecular mechanisms associated with trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole resistance in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in Mexico

Abstract Purpose. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen causing an increasing number of nosocomial infections. Our aim was to evaluate the risk factors and mechanisms associated with trimethoprim– sulfamethoxazole (SXT) resistance in S. maltophilia infections in Mexico. Methodology. Clinical isolates and patients’ demographic and clinical data were collected from February 2007 to August 2015 in two tertiary-care hospitals in Mexico. Antimicrobial susceptibility and analysis of sul and SmeABC and SmeDEF efflux pump overexpression were performed in all isolates. Results/Key findings. In the 9-year period, 196 patients infected with S. maltophilia were identified. Most patients were male, and the mean age was 46.2years. The mean Charlson score was 1.42, and the most frequent comorbidities were arterial hypertension (26.7%), type 2 diabetes (21.2%) and cerebral infarction (11.6%). High drug resistance to meropenem (93.4%), gentamicin (55.1%), ceftazidime (52.3%), cefotaxime (51.5%), amikacin (42.3%) and cefepime (32.1%), and lower resistance to ciprofloxacin (26.0%), SXT (25.0%), chloramphenicol (14.3%) and levofloxacin (2.6%) were detected. SXT resistance was not associated with the sul genes. SmeABC overexpression was associated with gentamicin (P=0.001) and levofloxacin resistance (P=0.041), whereas SmeDEF overexpression was associated with ceftazidime resistance (P=0.003). Prolonged hospitalization (�15days) was an independent risk factor for SXT-resistant S. maltophilia infections (OR=3.05; 95%CI=1.12– 8.86; P=0.029). Conclusion. Given the high SXT resistance rate, SXT is not an effective first-line therapy for our patients; instead, levofloxacin could be used as an appropriate therapeutic option against S. maltophilia infections