Draft Genome Sequence of an International Clonal Lineage 1 Acinetobacter baumannii Strain from Argentina

In the last few years Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged worldwide as an important nosocomial pathogen in medical institutions. Here, we present the draft genome sequence of the international clonal lineage 1 (ICL1) A. baumannii strain A144 that was isolated in a hospital in Buenos Aires City in the year 1997. The strain is susceptible to carbapenems and resistant to trimethoprim and gentamicin.Fil: Vilacoba, Elisabet. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Déraspe, Maxime. Laval University; CanadáFil: Traglia, German Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Roy, Paul H.. Laval University; CanadáFil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Centron, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentin

Class 2 integrons dissemination among multidrug resistance (MDR) clones of Acinetobacter baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a serious problem in the hospital environment at a global scale. Previous results from our laboratory showed a high frequency of class 2 integrons in A. baumannii strains from Argentina regarding the low rate of this element in A. baumannii isolates from the rest of the world. To reveal the current epidemiology of class 2 integrons, a molecular surveillance analyzing 78 multidrug resistant (MDR) A. baumannii isolates from Argentina and Uruguay was performed, exposing the presence of class 2 integron in the 36.61% of the isolates. Class 2 integron characterization showed that the typical Tn7::In2-7 array was present in 26 out of 27 intI2 positive isolates. All intI2 positive isolates contained at least one of the Tn7 transposition genes. In addition, we identified that 18 intI2 positive isolates possessed the Tn7::In2-7 within the attTn7 site. The molecular typing evidenced that clones I and IV that do not belong to widespread European clones I and II were found among the intI2 positive isolates. Our results exposed the widely dissemination of class 2 integron among MDR A. baumannii isolates from Argentina and Uruguay, also showing the persistence of two novel clones in our region, which could explain in part the high frequency of class 2 integron found in our region.Fil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones En Microbiología y Parasitología Medica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones En Microbiología y Parasitología Medica; ArgentinaFil: Morales, Amanda. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología; ArgentinaFil: Vilacoba, Elisabet. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Márquez, Carolina. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Centron, Daniela. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Departamento de Microbiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones En Microbiología y Parasitología Medica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones En Microbiología y Parasitología Medica; Argentin

Preferential carriage of class 2 integrons in Acinetobacter baumannii CC113 and novel singletons.

Our understanding of the distribution of integrons associated with multidrug resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates around the world remains incomplete. The association between the class 1 and 2 integron A. baumannii-positive isolates (n = 60), recovered since 1982 from 11 Argentinean hospitals, and the circulating lineages, was investigated. While class 2 integrons were highly significantly associated with clonal lineage CC113B/CC79P (P = 0·009) and novel singletons (P = 0·001), class 1 integrons were found not to be associated with CC109B/CC1P or other lineages. The study reveals a differential distribution of class 2 integrons in lineages, and suggests that the prevalence of intI2 in Argentina is related to the emergence of novel singletons in recent years and to the abundance of CC113B/CC79P, which has been the local dominant lineage for several decades.Fil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones En Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Califiornia State University Fullerton,; Estados UnidosFil: Montaña, Sabrina Daiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones En Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Cassini, Marcelo Hernan. Universidad Nacional de Lujan; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental (i); ArgentinaFil: Centron, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones En Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentin

Bacteremia caused by an Acinetobacter junii strain harboring class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements

INTRODUCTION: Infections caused by Acinetobacter junii are rarely reported. However, some outbreaks of septicemia in neonates and pediatric oncology patients, as well as meningitis, peritonitis, and ocular infection have been described. Since it is highly infrequent to find the molecular characterization of A. junii strains in literature, in this study we described the molecular characterization of A. junii isolates recovered from blood samples of a renal transplant patient. METHODOLOGY: The case was defined as a catheter-related bacteremia caused by A. junii. The patient responded favorably after catheter removal and treatment with ciprofloxacin. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The complete molecular characterization of the isolate showed that it harbored a class 1 integron and diverse DNA mobile elements. This explains its genomic plasticity for acquiring antimicrobial resistance determinants and for adapting to a nosocomial niche.Fil: Traglia, German Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Almuzara, Marisa. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos ; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Vilacoba, Elisabet. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Tuduri, Alicia. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos ; ArgentinaFil: Neumann, Gabriela. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos ; ArgentinaFil: Pallone, Elida Carmen. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Interzonal de Agudos ; ArgentinaFil: Centron, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentin

Diseño de autoestudios multimedia para competencias digitales: Caso del primer MOOC latinoamericano

Esta investigación analiza los elementos de diseño de ocho autoestudios multimedia (AM) que ayudaron a desarrollar dos competencias digitales de Alfabetización Informativa (AI) durante el primer seminario MOOC en Latinoamérica. El análisis se realizó desde dos perspectivas: principios de la Teoría Cognitiva del Aprendizaje Multimedia (TCAM) y la forma de incorporar los AM al seminario. Se utilizó el método cualitativo de estudio de caso. Mediante el análisis de documentos, entrevistas y observación se estudiaron dos categorías: desarrollo de competencias y elementos de los AM. Se encontraron cuatro elementos que favorecen el desarrollo de competencias, dos relacionados con la TCAM y dos con la integración de los AM al seminario: principio de coherencia, principio de personalización, conectivismo y aprendizaje activo.

Digital accreditations in MOOC-based training on sustainability: Factors that influence terminal efficiency

Digital certificates in massive open online course (MOOC) learning experiences provide alternative credentials linked to lifelong learning. The Bi-National Laboratory on Smart Sustainable Energy Management and Technology Training provided the context for this research. This project was undertaken by Mexican and United States universities, businesses and governmental organisations, having granted 17,776 certifications in sustainability and 10,705 labour competence certificates. The research focused on analysing the factors that promote digital credentials, from the point of view of participant and platform characteristics, in the framework of MOOCs in energy sustainability, through the MexicoX and edX platforms. Using the ex post facto method, two validated instruments were applied to analyse motivation and self-regulation processes. A total of 4,002 useful responses were gathered from participants in 35 MOOC courses. The results account for six determinant factors for digital accreditation: perceived usefulness, self-efficacy, knowledge domain and expertise, group work disposition, achievement drive, and performance strategic thinking. We highlight implications for research on educational innovation and for educational practice in MOOCs. These data may be of interest to academics, researchers and decision-makers interested in training through distance environments. Implications for practice or policy: • Digital certifications in MOOCs are motivation for participants to successfully finish their courses, and this can be leveraged for education and research. • Course leaders need to consider that effective design and implementation of new models for MOOCs may help improve terminal efficiency. • The potential perceived benefits from training on professional performance have the greatest influence on the terminal efficiency of MOOC participants

Whole-genome sequence analysis of the naturally competent Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolate A118

Recent studies have demonstrated a high genomic plasticity in Acinetobacter baumannii, which may explain its high capacity to acquire multiple antibiotic resistance determinants and to survive in the hospital environment. Acinetobacter baumannii strain A118 (Ab A118) was isolated in the year 1995 from a blood culture of an intensive care unit patient. As this particular strain showed some peculiar characteristic such as being naturally competent and susceptible to numerous antibiotics, we performed whole-genome comparison (WGC) studies to gain insights into the nature and extent of the genomic differences. The Ab A118 genome is approximately 3,824 kb long with a 38.4% GC content and contains 3,520 coding sequences. WGC studies showed that the Ab A118 genome has 98% average nucleotideidentity with that of A. baumanniiATCC17978, and 96% average nucleotide identity with that of strains AYE and ACICU. At least 12 inversions, 275 insertions, and 626 deletions were identified when the Ab A118 genome was compared with those of strains ATCC 17978, AYE, and ACICU using MAUVE WGC. Multiple gene order arrangements were observed among the analyzed strains. MAUVE WGC analysis identified 19 conserved segments, known as locally colinear blocks. The number of single nucleotide polymorphisms found when comparing the Ab A118 genome with that of strains ATCC 17978, AYE, and ACICU was 43,784 (1.1496%), 44,130 (1.158%), and 43,914 (1.153%), respectively. Genes comEA, pilQ, pilD, pilF, comL, pilA, comEC, pilI, pilH, pilO, pilN, pilY1(comC), pilE, pilR, and comM, potentially involved in natural competence were found in the Ab A118 genome. In particular, unlike in most strains where comM is interrupted by an insertion of a resistance island (AbaR), in strain Ab A118 it is uninterrupted.Fil: Traglia, German Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Chua, Katherina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Centron, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Tolmasky, Marcelo E.. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina. California State University; Estados Unido

Analysis of class 2 integrons as a marker for multidrug resistance among gram negative bacilli

Class 1 and 2 integrons are considered the paradigm of multidrug resistant (MDR) integrons. Although class 1 integrons have been found statistically associated to Enterobacteriaceae MDR isolates, this type of study has not been conducted for class 2 integrons. Escherichia coli and 3 species that were found that harbored more than 20% of class 2 integrons in clinical isolates, were selected to determine the role of intI2 as MDR marker. A total of 234 MDR/191 susceptible non-epidemiologically related isolates were analyzed. Seventy-four intI2 genes were found by PCR and sequencing. An intI2 relationship with MDR phenotypes in Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter cloacae was found. No statistical association was identified with MDR E. coli and Helicobacter pylori isolates. In other words, the likelihood of finding intI2 is the same in susceptible and in MDR E. coli and H. pylori strains, suggesting a particular affinity between the mobile element Tn7 and some species. The use of intI2 as MDR marker was species-dependent, with fluctuating epidemiology at geographical and temporal gradients. The use of intI2 as MDR marker is advisable in A. baumannii, a species that can reach high frequencies of this genetic element.Fil: Rodriguez, Maria Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Centro de Referencia Para Lactobacilos; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; ArgentinaFil: Cassini, Marcelo Hernan. Universidad Nacional de Luján; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Fundación de Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental. Instituto de Biología y Medicina Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Delgado, Gabriela del Valle. Provincia de Tucuman. Ministerio de Salud. Sistema Provincial de Salud. Hospital del Ni?o Jesus; ArgentinaFil: Argentinian Integron Study Group. No especifica;Fil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentina. California State University; Estados UnidosFil: Centron, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Médica; Argentin

La caracterización molecular de aislamientos de Staphylococcus aureus meticilino-resistente revela la diseminación de un nuevo clon en la ciudad de Buenos Aires

We performed a hospital - acquired methicillin - resistant Staphylococcus aureus molecular study in Buenos Aires city. Four clones were found harboring the transposable elementsTn4001 and Tn5405 and the erythromycin resistance determinants ermA and mef(E). Of the isolates, 73% belonged to a clone found previously in the city of Córdoba, which showed an epidemic behavior initially attributed to a widely disseminated South American clone.Fil: Jeric, Paola Elba. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Matteo, Mario José. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; ArgentinaFil: Ramirez, Maria Soledad. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; ArgentinaFil: Couto, Elsa. Hospital Francés; ArgentinaFil: Tokumoto, Marta. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Centron, Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina; Argentin

Educational Innovation with Alternative Credentials as a Driver of the Digital Transformation of the University: A Case Study in Latin America

The dynamics of change in the work environment are becoming more dizzying, given that adopting new technologies generates new knowledge and jobs. This research analyzed a case study of a Mexican university implementing alternative credentials. The method was instrumental case study research, with exploratory and descriptive categories, applying three instruments: documentary analysis of alternative credential programs, a questionnaire, and interviews with the experts involved in designing and delivering alternative credentials. In this case, the implementation of alternative credentials coincided with the reference frameworks of the European Union and the province of Ontario, Canada. Their frameworks mention the vision and institutional mission of alternative credentialing for the value offered, its definition, operation, award processes, accreditation, and quality. The case provides data for interested higher education institutions, such as why to do it, the strategy to follow, the added value offered, the elements that define it and its design, the assessment process and assignment, the timing of accreditation, and where it is recognized. This research contributes recommendations for defining and managing alternative credentials to serve as a reference for other universities interested in incorporating technology-supported educational innovations