Caracterização de Enterococcus spp. isolado de um ambiente de piscicultura no sul do Brasil

The aim of present study is to characterize the resistance and virulence profile of enterococci isolated from aquaculture excavated ponds and masonry tanks (6 samples) in southern Brazil. Samples were cultured in selective medium, 10 colonies were randomly selected from each sample, which were identified by MALDI-TOF and tested against 13 antimicrobials. The presence of resistance (tetL, tetM, tetS, ermB and msrC) and virulence (ace, esp, agg, cylA and gelE) genes were determined by PCR. A total of 79 enterococci were identified, and Entecococcus faecalis (44.3%) and E. casseliflavus (36.7%) were the most prevalent species isolated. Sixty-five strains (82.3%) were resistant to at least one of the antimicrobials tested, whereas 27 (34.2%) strains were multiresistant. The overall percentages of antimicrobial resistant isolates were: 58.2% to rifampicin, 40.5% to fluoroquinolones, 36.7% to erythromycin and 30.4% to tetracycline. The tetL and tetM genes were found in 57.7% of the tetracycline-resistant strains; and msrC in 31.01% of erythromycin-resistant strains. The most frequently detected virulence factors were ace and gelE genes. Although limited to a single farm, these data suggest that aquaculture may be a reservoir of resistant and virulent enterococci. This study is the first step towards enhancing our understandingof distribution, resistance and virulence profile in enterococci isolated from fish farming environments in the south Brazil.O objetivo do estudo apresentado é caracterizar o perfil de resistência e virulência de enterococos isolados de viveiros escavados e tanques de alvenaria (6 amostras) de uma pisicultura no Sul do Brasil. As amostras foram cultivadas em meio seletivo, 10 colônias foram selecionadas aleatoriamente de cada amostra, que foram identificadas por MALDI-TOF e testadas contra 13 antimicrobianos. A presença de genes de resistência (tetL, tetM, tetS, ermB e msrC) e virulência (ace, esp, agg, cylA e gelE) foi determinada por PCR. Foram identificados 79 enterococos, sendo Entecococcus faecalis (44,3%) e E. casseliflavus (36,7%) as espécies mais frequentes isoladas. Sessenta e cinco cepas (82,3%) eram resistentes a pelo menos um dos antimicrobianos testados, enquanto 27 (34,2%) eram multirresistentes. As porcentagens gerais de isolados resistentes a antimicrobianos foram: 58,2% para rifampicina, 40,5% para fluoroquinolonas, 36,7% para eritromicina e 30,4% para tetraciclina. Os genes tetL e tetM foram encontrados em 57,7% das cepas resistentes à tetraciclina; e msrC em 31,01% das cepas resistentes à eritromicina. Os fatores de virulência mais comumente detectados foram ace e gelE. Embora limitados a uma única fazenda, esses dados indicam que a aquicultura pode ser uma fonte de enterococos resistentes e virulentos. Este estudo é o primeiro passo para melhorar nosso entendimento da distribuição, resistência e perfil de virulência em enterococos isolados de ambientes de piscicultura no sul do Brasil

ICB Nutrisolo Trichoderma® as growth promoter in soybean crops

Soybean is the most important crop in the world due to growing external demand. Nevertheless, its production requires a high use of pesticides. Trichoderma is a fungal genus with the potential to promote plant growth because of its broad metabolic arsenal. Because it increases efficiency in several cultures, Trichoderma spp. have the potential to be used as an alternative to chemicals. Given this context, this study aimed to evaluate the performance of the ICB Nutrisolo Trichoderma® inoculant on parameters related to soybean growth and production. Crops with five different soil and climate conditions were evaluated in Rio Grande do Sul State (southern Brazil) using parameters such as average plant height, average plant population, average number of grains/pod, number of pods/plant average, and average weight of one thousand grains, which revealed the results of productivity. The ICB Nutrisolo Trichoderma® increased plant height, number of pods, and grain weight, consequently increasing productivity in soybean plants. In this way, it was possible to characterize the product ICB Nutrisolo Trichoderma® as a growth-promoting inoculant for the soybean crop, increasing the scope of product registration

Antimicrobial resistance of enterococci isolated from food in South Brazil : comparing pre-and post-RDC 20/2011

Antimicrobial resistance has been attributed to the overuse of antibiotics. To control the use of antibiotics, Brazil adopted the RDC 20/2011. A comparison the antibiotic-resistance profi le of bacterial has provided important insights into resistance evolution. Enterococci are ubiquitous bacteria recommended to be used as a sentinel organism, in national surveillance systems, for tracking antimicrobial resistance through the food chain. The present study aimed to evaluate the diversity and antimicrobial resistance of enterococci collected from food in South Brazil in 2017 (pos-RDC 20/11) for comparison with isolated in 2007 (pre-RDC 20/11). A total of 310 enterococci were isolated from vegetables and products of animal origin, identifi ed by PCR and MALDI-TOF, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and screened for resistance genes. Enterococcus casselifl avus was dominant in vegetables and E. faecalis i n products of animal origin. Enterococcal isolates in 2017 were mostly sensitive to ampicillin, gentamicin, chloramphenicol, and vancomycin when compared to isolated collected in 2007. While resistance levels to most compounds remained relatively stable, multidrug resistance decreased by 24% during this period. Our results suggest that RDC 20/11 had a positive outcome in controlling the spread of antimicrobial resistance. This study provides baseline data to measure future changes in the prevalence of resistant enterococci

Fecal bacterial communities of wild black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) from the Atlantic Forest biome in Southern Brazil are divergent from those of other non-human primates

Gut microbiota are influenced by factors such as diet, habitat, and social contact, which directly affect the host's health. Studies related to gut microbiota in non-human primates are increasing worldwide. However, little remains known about the gut bacterial composition in wild Brazilian monkeys. Therefore, we studied the fecal microbiota composition of wild black capuchin monkey (Sapajus nigritus) (n=10) populations from two different Atlantic Forest biome fragments (five individuals per fragment) in south Brazil. The bacterial community was identified via the high-throughput sequencing and partial amplification of the 16S rRNA gene (V4 region) using an Ion Personal Genome Machine (PGMTM) System. In contrast to other studies involving monkey microbiota, which have generally reported the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes as predominant, black capuchin monkeys showed a high relative abundance of Proteobacteria (X= 80.54%), followed by Firmicutes (X= 12.14%), Actinobacteria (X= 4.60%), and Bacteriodetes (X= 1.31%). This observed particularity may have been influenced by anthropogenic actions related to the wild habitat and/or diet specific to the Brazilian biome's characteristics and/or monkey foraging behavior. Comparisons of species richness (Chao1) and diversity indices (Simpson and InvSimpson) showed no significant differences between the two groups of monkeys. Interestingly, PICRUSt2 analysis revealed that metabolic pathways present in the bacterial communities were associated with xenobiotic biodegradation and the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, which may suggest positive effects on monkey health and conservation in this anthropogenic habitat. Infectious disease-associated microorganisms were also observed in the samples. The present study provides information about the bacterial population and metabolic functions present in fecal microbiota, which may contribute to a better understanding of the ecology and biology of black capuchin monkeys living in forest fragments within the Atlantic Forest biome in southern Brazil. Additionally, the present study demonstrates that the fecal bacterial communities of wild black capuchin monkeys in this area are divergent from those of other wild non-human primates

Antimicrobial resistance profiles in Enterococcus spp. isolates from fecal samples of wild and captive black capuchin monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in South Brazil

The environment, human, and animals play an important role in the spread of antibioticresistant bacteria. Enterococci are members of the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals and represent important reservoirs of antibiotic resistance genes. Until today, few studies have examined antibiotic susceptibility in enterococci isolated from primates. Therefore, the present study investigated species distribution, antibiotic susceptibility, and resistance genes in enterococci isolated from wild and captive black capuchins monkeys (Sapajus nigritus) in Rio Grande do Sul, South Brazil. A total of 24 swabs/fecal samples were collected, including 19 from wild monkeys living in two forest fragments [São Sebastião do Caí (SSC) and Santa Cruz do Sul (SCS)], and five in captive [Parque Zoológico da Fundação Zoobotânica (ZOO)], between August 2016 and November 2017. Fifteen colonies were randomly selected from each sample. Enterococci were identified by MALDI-TOF, tested for susceptibility to 12 antibiotics; and screened for tet(S), tet(M), tet(L), msrC, and erm(B) genes by PCR. Two-hundred ninety-six enterococci were isolated (SSC n = 137; SCS n = 86; ZOO n = 73) and differences in Enterococcus species distribution were detected on three monkey groups, with low abundance in SCS (1 D = 0.2), followed by ZOO (1 D = 0.68), and SSC (1 D = 0.73). The enterococci frequently recovered include the following: Enterococcus faecalis (42.6%), E. hirae (29.1%), and E. faecium (15.9%). Antibioticnonsusceptible was observed in 202 (67.9%) strains. The rate of non-susceptibility to rifampicin, tetracycline, erythromycin, nitrofurantoin, chloramphenicol, and ampicillin was 46%, 26%, 22% and 19%, 13%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively. All strains were susceptible to vancomycin, streptomycin, gentamycin, and linezolid. Forty-three (14.52%) isolates were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), and the highest number of MDR enterococci were E. faecium recovered from wild monkeys living close to a hospital and water treatment plant. Elevated rates of antibiotic resistance genes msrC and tet(L) were isolates from ZOO. In conclusion, differences in the frequency of enterococci species, antibiotic-nonsusceptible and antibiotic resistance genes in all groups of monkeys were identified. These data suggest that anthropogenic activities could have an impact in the resistome of primate gut enterococci communities

Diversity, resistance profiles and virulence of Enterococcus spp. from fecal samples of Tadarida brasiliensis urban bats (Brazilian free-tailed bats)

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o perfil dos enterococos em amostras de fezes de morcegos urbanos Tadarida brasiliensis coletadas no Rio Grande do Sul. Fezes de morcegos foram coletadas e submetidas à identificação das espécies de enterococos e teste de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos rifampicina, eritromicina, norfloxacino, ciprofloxacino, tetraciclina ampicilina, cloranfenicol, estreptomicina, gentamicina, linezolida, nitrofurantoína e vancomicina. A presença dos genes de resistência (ermA, ermB, ermC, msrC, vanA, vanB, vanC1, vanC2/3, tetM, tetM e tetS) e virulência (ace, agg, cylA, esp e gelE) foi determinada por PCR. Além disso, o DNA fecal foi extraído e submetido a qPCR e PCR para detectar as espécies E. casseliflavus, E.faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. hirae e E. mundtii e os genes de resistência, respectivamente. Foram isolados 73 enterococos, sendo E. faecalis, E. casseliflavus, E. gallinarum e E. mundtii identificados. Fenótipos de resistência foram observados para rifampicina (n=53), eritromicina (n=32), norfloxacino (n=7), ciprofloxacino (n=6) e tetraciclina (n=1). Dos genes de resistência testados nos isolados resistentes, somente os genes ermC e tetM estavam presentes. Seis E. faecalis suscetíveis à vancomicina foram positivos para vanC1 e vanC2/3. Os genes gelE, ace, agg, cylA e esp foram detectados nos isolados. Nas amostras de DNA fecal, todas as espécies analisadas e os genes ermC, tetM, vanA, vanB e vanC2/3 foram observados. Como conclusão, diferentes espécies de enterococos estão presentes nas fezes de morcegos urbanos de T. brasiliensis. A presença de enterococos resistentes nestes animais pode estar relacionada com ação antropogênica e/ou ligada ao resistoma.We aimed to evaluate the profile of enterococci from fecal samples of urban bats Tadarida brasiliensis collected at Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. Bat feces were collected and subjected to enterococci species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests for rifampicin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, gentamicin, linezolid, nitrofurantoin, and vancomycin. The presence of resistance (ermA, ermC, ermB, msrC, vanA, vanB, vanC1, vanC2/3, tetM, tetM, and tetS) and virulence (ace, agg, cylA, esp, and gelE) genes was determined by PCR. In addition, fecal DNA was extracted and subjected to qPCR and PCR to detect the species E. casseliflavus, E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. hirae and E. mundtii, and resistance genes, respectively. A total 73 enterococci were isolated, of which E. faecalis, E. casseliflavus, E. gallinarum, and E. mundtii were identified. Resistance phenotypes were observed for rifampicin (n= 53), erythromycin (n= 32), norfloxacin (n= 7), ciprofloxacin (n= 6) and tetracycline (n=1). Of the resistance genes tested in resistant isolates, only ermC and tetM were present. Six vancomycin-susceptible E. faecalis were positive for vanC1 and vanC2/3. Genes gelE, ace, agg, cylA and esp were detected in the isolates. In fecal DNA samples, all analyzed species and the genes ermC, tetM, vanA, vanB and vanC2/3 were observed. We conclude that different species of enterococci are present in feces of T. brasiliensis urban bats. The presence of antibiotic-resistant enterococci in those animals may be related to anthropogenic action and/or linked to the resistome

Evolution of the spontaneous sourdoughs microbiota prepared with organic or conventional whole wheat flours from South Brazil

The purpose of this study was to compare the composition and stability of bacteria and fungi communities during the propagation of sourdoughs prepared with organic or conventional whole wheat (Triticum aestivum) flours from South Brazil. Sourdoughs were prepared and samples were collected during different fermentation times (0 to 216 h). Total DNA of sourdough samples were extracted and the 16S rRNA gene and Internal Transcribed Spacer region were sequenced by MiSeq-Illumina. A total of 43 and 56 OTUs were identified and defined as core taxa in the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. The analysis revealed increases in the relative abundances of the lactic acid (Pediococcus pentosaceus, Weissella hellenica and Limosilactobacillus pontis) and acetic acid bacteria (Gluconobacter frateurii and Acetobacter tropicalis) during the sourdough propagation. The filaments fungi, Alternaria tenuissima, Fusarium culmorum, Fusarium petersiae and Microdochium seminicola remained more stable in organic than conventional during propagation cycles. After 216 h of fermentation, both sourdoughs were dominated by acid- and salt-tolerant yeast Issatchenkia orientalis (syn Pichia kudriavzevii, and Candida glycerinogenes). In conclusion, there were no significant differences in microbial communities among the sourdough samples. This study revealed that both flours contain autochthonous LAB, AAB, and yeasts with biotechnological applications in sourdough bread-making

Diversidade, perfis de resistência e virulência de Enterococcus spp. em fezes de morcegos urbanos Tadarida brasiliensis (Brazilian free-tailed bats)

 We aimed to evaluate the profile of enterococci from fecal samples of urban bats Tadarida brasiliensis collected at Rio Grande do Sul state, southern Brazil. Bat feces were collected and subjected to enterococci species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility tests for rifampicin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, gentamicin, linezolid, nitrofurantoin, and vancomycin. The presence of resistance (ermA, ermC, ermB, msrC, vanA, vanB, vanC1, vanC2/3, tetM, tetM, and tetS) and virulence (ace, agg, cylA, esp, and gelE) genes was determined by PCR. In addition, fecal DNA was extracted and subjected to qPCR and PCR to detect the species E. casseliflavus, E. faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. hirae and E. mundtii, and resistance genes, respectively. A total 73 enterococci were isolated, of which E. faecalis, E. casseliflavus, E. gallinarum, and E. mundtii were identified. Resistance phenotypes were observed for rifampicin (n= 53), erythromycin (n= 32), norfloxacin (n= 7), ciprofloxacin (n= 6) and tetracycline (n=1). Of the resistance genes tested in resistant isolates, only ermC and tetM were present. Six vancomycin-susceptible E. faecalis were positive for vanC1 and vanC2/3. Genes gelE, ace, agg, cylA and esp were detected in the isolates. In fecal DNA samples, all analyzed species and the genes ermC, tetM, vanA, vanB and vanC2/3 were observed. We conclude that different species of enterococci are present in feces of T. brasiliensis urban bats. The presence of antibiotic-resistant enterococci in those animals may be related to anthropogenic action and/or linked to the resistome. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o perfil dos enterococos em amostras de fezes de morcegos urbanos Tadarida brasiliensis coletadas no Rio Grande do Sul. Fezes de morcegos foram coletadas e submetidas à identificação das espécies de enterococos e teste de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos rifampicina, eritromicina, norfloxacino, ciprofloxacino, tetraciclina ampicilina, cloranfenicol, estreptomicina, gentamicina, linezolida, nitrofurantoína e vancomicina. A presença dos genes de resistência (ermA, ermB, ermC, msrC, vanA, vanB, vanC1, vanC2/3, tetM, tetM e tetS) e virulência (ace, agg, cylA, esp e gelE) foi determinada por PCR. Além disso, o DNA fecal foi extraído e submetido a qPCR e PCR para detectar as espécies E. casseliflavus, E.faecalis, E. faecium, E. gallinarum, E. hirae e E. mundtii e os genes de resistência, respectivamente. Foram isolados 73 enterococos, sendo E. faecalis, E. casseliflavus, E. gallinarum e E. mundtii identificados. Fenótipos de resistência foram observados para rifampicina (n=53), eritromicina (n=32), norfloxacino (n=7), ciprofloxacino (n=6) e tetraciclina (n=1). Dos genes de resistência testados nos isolados resistentes, somente os genes ermC e tetM estavam presentes. Seis E. faecalis suscetíveis à vancomicina foram positivos para vanC1 e vanC2/3. Os genes gelE, ace, agg, cylA e esp foram detectados nos isolados. Nas amostras de DNA fecal, todas as espécies analisadas e os genes ermC, tetM, vanA, vanB e vanC2/3 foram observados. Como conclusão, diferentes espécies de enterococos estão presentes nas fezes de morcegos urbanos de T. brasiliensis. A presença de enterococos resistentes nestes animais pode estar relacionada com ação antropogênica e/ou ligada ao resistoma