Regulation of penicillin-binding protein activity: description of a methicillin-inducible penicillin-binding protein in Staphylococcus aureus

The penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) of two methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (R2 and R1) were analyzed in cells grown in the absence and in the presence of methicillin. Under the former condition, strain R2 showed the typical PBP pattern of beta-lactam-susceptible strains, while strain R1 showed a markedly increased amount of PBP-3. Under the latter condition, on the other hand, a novel PBP (PBP-2a) located between PBP-2 and -3 was detected in strain R2, while strain R1 appeared to synthesize an even greater amount of PBP-3, in respect to untreated cells. Both R2 PBP-2a and R1 PBP-3 showed a very low affinity for methicillin, which was consistent with the MICs for the respective strains

Immunopathology of human schistosomiasis mansoni: I. Immunomodulatory influences on T cell function

Cell mediated immune response was studied in patients with recent and chronic Schistosoma mansoni infection. Precultured peripheral mononuclear cells showed significantly higher responses to S. mansoni adult worm antigen (SAWA) when compared to fresh cell preparations. The addition of each patient serum to the precultured cells reactions to SAWA or recall antigens demonstrated a strong inhibitory serum action, which was also noted on allogeneic cells derived from healthy subjects. The CD4 subset was the main responding cell to SAWA being this reactivity highly suppressed by the presence of the monocyte macrophage accessory cells. We stressed the simultaneous inhibitory action of humoral and cellular factors on the specific cell response to S. mansoni

Survey of chicken abattoir for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli Pesquisa de Campylobacter jejuni e Campylobacter coli em abatedouros de aves

The genus Campylobacter is of great importance to public health because it includes several species that may cause diarrhea. These species may be found in water, food and in the intestinal tract of chickens. This study investigated the presence of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in chicken abattoirs in São Paulo State, Brazil. A total of 288 samples of feces, feathers, scald water, evisceration water, chiller water, and the rinse water of eviscerated, not eviscerated and chilled carcasses were collected in six chicken abattoirs. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was performed in Campylobacter spp.-positive isolates using the gene HIP, specific for hippuricase enzyme from Campylobacter jejuni and aspartokinase gene, specific to detect Campylobacter coli. The percentage of positive isolates of Campylobacter jejuni was 4.9% (14/288). Isolation was greater in feces samples (22%, 8/36). One sample was positive for the species C. coli. In conclusion, the results indicate that it is necessary to improve quality control for Campylobacter spp. in chicken abattoirs.<br>O gênero Campylobacter tem grande destaque em saúde pública, principalmente por pertencerem a este gênero várias espécies que podem causar diarréia. Estas espécies podem ser encontradas em amostras de água, alimentos e no trato intestinal das aves. Este estudo investigou a presença de Campylobacter jejuni e Campylobacter coli em abatedouros de aves no Estado de São Paulo. As 288 amostras foram coletadas em seis estabelecimentos e incluíram: fezes; penas; água de escaldamento, de evisceração e de resfriamento; e água de enxaguadura de carcaça não eviscerada, eviscerada e resfriada. Após o isolamento microbiológico das amostras positivas de Campylobacter spp. foi realizada uma Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) utilizando o gene HIP, da hipuricase, específico para Campylobacter jejuni e o gene da enzima aspartoquinase, específico para Campylobacter coli. A porcentagem de amostras positivas para Campylobacter spp. foi de 4,9% (14/288), sendo que o isolamento foi maior em amostras de fezes (22%, 8/36). Foi isolada uma amostra positiva para C. coli. Em conclusão, os resultados indicam que há uma necessidade de melhorar a qualidade higiênico-sanitária do controle de Campylobacter em abatedouros de aves

Status update of the canary on-sky MOAO demonstrator

International audienceThe CANARY on-sky MOAO demonstrator is being integrated in the laboratory and a status update about its various components is presented here. We also discuss the alignment and calibration procedures used to improve system performance and overall stability. CANARY will be commissioned at the William Herschel Telescope at the end of September 2010