Prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA II genotype in generalized aggressive periodontitis patients

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) and its filmA II genotype in a sample of Brazilian patients with generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP) and to correlate the presence of each pathogen/genotype eith clinical parameters. Methods: We used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to evaluate the presence of Pg and filmA II genotype in subgingival plaque samples collected from the deepest site of 45 Brazilian patients aged 15-40 years with GAgP and correlated findings with age and clinical parameters (plaque index, gingival bleeding index, probing depth and clinical attachment loss). Results: Pg was identified in 64.4% patients. FilmA II genotype was present in 82.6% of Pg-positive patients. The presence of Pg and filmA II genotype was significantly associated with greater clinical attachment loss at the sampled periodontal site. Pg-positive patients were slightly older than Pg-negative patients. Conclusions: Pg and filmA II genotype were highly prevalente in Brazilian patients with GAgP. Pg was more commonly observed in slightly older individuals and in sites with more clinical attachment loss. (AU)

Evaluation of the role of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pili (MTP) as an adhesin, invasin, and cytokine inducer of epithelial cells

Abstract This study was undertaken in order to assess the involvement of Mycobacterium tuberculosis pili (MTP) as an adhesin, invasin, and cytokine inducer in the M. tuberculosis-epithelial cell interaction. A MTP-deficient strain of M. tuberculosis demonstrated a significant reduction of 69.39% (p = 0.047) and 56.20% (p = 0.033) in its ability to adhere to and invade A549 pulmonary epithelial cells, respectively, in comparison with the wild-type strain. Complementation of the MTP-deficient mutant restored its adhesion and invasion capacity back to the wild-type levels. Overall, it was found that similar concentrations of IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, G-CSF, IFN-γ, MCP-1, and TNF-α were induced in A549 cells infected with the MTP-proficient and MTP-deficient strains. However, at 48 h post-infection, the MTP-deficient mutant induced significantly lower levels of TNF-α than the wild-type strain (p = 0.033). Furthermore, at 72 h post-infection, the mutant induced significantly higher levels of IL-8 than the wild-type (p = 0.005). We conclude that MTP is an adhesin/invasin of epithelial cells and, while playing a role in M. tuberculosis entry, they do not appear to largely influence the epithelial cell cytokine response.

Molecular screening of pathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from dairy neonatal calves in Cordoba province, Argentina / Detección molecular de cepas patógenas de Escherichia coli aisladas de terneros neonatos de tambo en la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina

The aim of this study was to perform a current molecular characterization of bovine pathogenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from random samplings in Argentinean dairy farms. Rectal swabs were obtained from 395 (63.7 %) healthy and 225 (36.3 %) diarrheic calves, belonging to 45 dairy farms in Cordoba Province, Argentina. E. coli isolates were examined for virulence genes (f5, f41, f17, sta, stb, lt, eae, vt) using PCR and the prevalence of E. coli virulence profiles was spatially described in terms of spatial distribution. A total of 30.1 % isolates were found to be positive for at least one of the virulence genes. Depending on the different gene combinations present, 11 virulence profiles were found. Most of the isolates analyzed had a single gene, and no combination of fimbrial and enterotoxin gene was predominant. There was no association between the frequency and distribution of E. coli virulence genes and calf health status. Most of the virulence profiles were compatible with ETEC strains and showed a homogeneous distribution over the sampled area. A clustering pattern for E. coli virulence profiles could not be recognized. This work provides updated information on the molecular characterization of pathogenic E. coli strains from dairy herds in Cordoba, Argentina. These findings would be important to formulate prevention programs and effective therapies for diarrhea in calves caused by E. coli.

El objetivo de este trabajo fue realizar una caracterización molecular actualizada de cepas patógenas bovinas de Escherichia coli aisladas de un muestreo aleatorio en tambos de una de las principales zonas lecheras de Argentina. Se obtuvieron hisopados rectales de 395 terneros neonatos sanos (63,7 %) y 225 diarreicos (36,3 %) pertenecientes a 45 tambos de la provincia de Córdoba, Argentina. Los genes de virulencia f5, f41, f17, sta, stb, lt, eae y vt se analizaron mediante PCR y se investigó la prevalencia de los perfiles de virulencia en función de la distribución geográfica. La prevalencia de aislamientos de E. coli patogénicos con al menos un gen de virulencia fue del 30,1 %. Once perfiles de virulencia fueron identificados, dependiendo de la combinación de genes presentes. La mayor parte de las muestras presentó un solo gen de virulencia, y no predominó ninguna combinación de genes de fimbrias y toxinas. No hubo asociación entre la frecuencia y la distribución de los genes de virulencia y el estado de salud de los terneros. La mayoría de los perfiles de virulencia fueron compatibles con cepas ECET y se distribuyeron cubriendo toda el área geográfica muestreada. No se reconoció ningún patrón de agrupamiento espacial para dichos perfiles. Este trabajo provee información actualizada sobre la caracterización molecular de E. coli patógena en rodeos lecheros de Córdoba, Argentina. Estos resultados serían importantes para formular programas preventivos y terapias eficaces contra la diarrea bovina causada por E. coli.

stg fimbrial operon from S. Typhi STH2370 contributes to association and cell disruption of epithelial and macrophage-like cells

BACKGROUND: Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) stg operon, encoding a chaperone/usher fimbria (CU), contributes to an increased adherence to human epithelial cells. However, one report suggests that the presence of the Stg fimbria impairs the monocyte-bacteria association, as deduced by the lower level of invasion to macrophage-like cells observed when the stg fimbrial cluster was overexpressed. Nevertheless, since other CU fimbrial structures increase the entry of S. Typhi into macrophages, and considering that transcriptomic analyses revealed that stg operon is indeed expressed in macrophages, we reassessed the role of the stg operon in the interaction between S. Typhi strain STH2370 and human cells, including macrophage-like cells and mononuclear cells directly taken from human peripheral blood. RESULTS: We compared S. Typhi STH2370 WT, a Chilean clinical strain, and the S. Typhi STH2370 Astg mutant with respect to association and invasion using epithelial and macrophage-like cells. We observed that deletion of stg operon reduced the association and invasion of S. Typhi, in both cellular types. The presence of the cloned stg operon restored the WT phenotype in all the cases. Moreover, we compared Salmonella enterica sv. Typhimurium 14028s (S. Typhimurium, a serovar lacking stg operon) and S. Typhimurium heterologously expressing S. Typhi stg. We found that the latter presents an increased cell disruption of polarized epithelial cells and an increased association in both epithelial and macrophage-like cells. CONCLUSIONS: S. Typhi stg operon encodes a functional adhesin that participates in the interaction bacteria-eukary-otic cells, including epithelial cells and macrophages-like cells. The phenotypes associated to stg operon include increased association and consequent invasion in bacteria-eukaryotic cells, and cell disruption.

Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance in Streptococcus agalactiae strains recovered from female carriers in the Bucharest area

For the first time, we used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to understand how Romanian group B streptococcus (GBS) strains fit into the global GBS population structure. Colonising isolates recovered from adult human females were tested for antibiotic resistance, were molecularly serotyped based on the capsular polysaccharide synthesis (cps) gene cluster and further characterised using a set of molecular markers (surface protein genes, pilus-encoded islands and mobile genetic elements inserted in the scpB-lmb intergenic region). Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis was used to complement the MLST clonal distribution pattern of selected strains. Among the 55 strains assigned to six cps types (Ia, Ib, II-V), 18 sequence types (STs) were identified by MLST. Five STs represented new entries to the MLST database. The prevalent STs were ST-1, ST-17, ST-19 and ST-28. Twenty molecular marker profiles were identified. The most common profiles (rib+GBSi1+PI-1, rib+GBSi1+PI-1, PI-2b and alp2/3+PI-1, PI-2a) were associated with the cps III/ST-17 and cps V/ST-1 strains. A cluster of fluoroquinolone-resistant strains was detected among the cps V/ST-19 members; these strains shared alp1 and IS1548 and carried PI-1, PI-2a or both. Our results support the usefulness of implementing an integrated genotyping system at the reference laboratory level to obtain the reliable data required to make comparisons between countries.

Efficacy of bacterin-, outer membrane protein- and fimbriae extract-based vaccines for the control of Salmonella Enteritidis experimental infection in chickens / Eficácia de bactéria inativada (bacterina), proteína da membrana externa e extrato de fimbrias no controle de infecção experimental por Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) em galinhas

The efficacy of three vaccines was evaluated in chickens for the control of experimental infection with Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) phage type 4. The vaccines were produced with bacterin, outer membrane proteins (OMP) and fimbriae crude extract (FE). The chickens were vaccinated intramuscularly with two doses of each vaccine at 12 and 15 weeks of age. The chickens were then orally challenged with 10(9) CFU/chicken Salmonella Enteritidis phage type 4 at 18 weeks of age. Fecal swabs were performed for the recovery of shedding SE, and SE was recovered from the liver and spleen. Additionally, antibody titers were measured in the serum by micro-agglutination test. The results indicated that the vaccine produced with bacterin yielded better results and resulted in reduction of fecal shedding and organ invasion by SE after oral challenge, although no vaccine was 100% effective for the control of SE experimental infection.

A eficácia de três vacinas de Salmonella Enteritidis fagotipo 4, produzidas na forma de bacterina, proteínas de membrana externa (OMP) e extrato bruto de fímbrias (FE) foi avaliada para proteção de aves infectadas experimentalmente. As aves foram vacinadas por via intramuscular com duas doses de cada vacina as 12 e 15 semanas de idade e desafiadas com 10(9) UFCs de Salmonella Enteritidis fagotipo 4 às 18 semanas de idade, por via oral. A eficácia foi determinada através do reisolamento da bactéria nas fezes e no fígado e baço, e os anticorpos foram mensurados no soro. Os resultados demonstraram que a vacina produzida com a bacterina foi mais eficaz em comparação às outras vacinas examinadas, para reduzir a excreção fecal e a invasão de órgãos após o desafio por SE.

Virulencia y variabilidad de Porphyromonas gingivalis y Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans y su asociación a la periodontitis / Virulence and variability on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans and their association to periodontitis

Las periodontitis son un conjunto de patologías de naturaleza inflamatoria y etiología infecciosa producidas por el biofilm patogénico subgingival. Porphyromonas gingivalis y Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans son bacterias periodonto-patógenas que pueden causar daño directo a las estructuras periodontales a través de los diversos factores de virulencia que expresan. Sobre la base de estos factores de virulencia, distintos genotipos y serotipos bacterianos se han descrito, cada uno de ellos con una potencial variable patogenicidad. En esta revisión bibliográfica se describen diferentes factores de virulencia de P. gingivalis y A. actinomycetemcomitans y se discute la variable inmunogenicidad y patogenicidad de los distintos genotipos y serotipos descritos para ellos. Tanto P. gingivalis como A. actinomycetemcomitans poseen diversos factores de virulencia asociados al inicio, progresión y severidad de las periodontitis. En P. gingivalis, los factores de virulencia para los cuales se describen distintos genotipos y/o serotipos son fimbria, LPS y cápsula bacteriana, y en A. actinomycetemcomitans son leucotoxina A, Cdt y LPS. Cada uno de estos distintos genotipos y serotipos induce una respuesta inmuno-inflamatoria diferente en el hospedero y, por lo tanto, se podrían asociar a una variable patogenicidad y podrían determinar las características clínicas de la enfermedad.

Periodontitis represents a heterogenic group of periodontal infections elicited by bacteria residing at the subgingival biofilm. Although this biofilm is constituted by a broad variety of bacterial species, only a limited number has been associated with the periodontitis aetiology, among them Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Both P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans express a number of virulence factors that contribute to direct tissue damage and, based on them, distinct genotypes and serotypes have been described, each one with a potential variable pathogenicity. This review aimed to analyze the different virulence factors described for P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans and to discuss the variable immunogenicity and pathogenicity of their serotypes and genotypes. P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans express different virulence factors and they determine the initiation, progression, and severity of periodontitis. In P. gingivalis, distinct serotypes and/or genotypes are described based on fimbriae, LPS, and capsule. Additionally, in A. actinomycetemcomitans distinct serotypes and/or genotypes are described based on leucotoxin A, Cdt, and LPS. These distinct serotypes and genotypes induce a differential immunoinflammatory response and, thus, could be associated with variations in pathogenicity and reflected in clinic characteristics of the disease.

Genótipos fimA de porphyromonas gingivalis e periodontite / Porphyromonas gingivalis fimA genotypes and periodontitis

Porphyromonas gingivalis é um dos principais patógenos envolvidos com o início e progressão da doença periodontal. Este microorganismo exibe uma diversidade genotípica e fenotípica que pode resultar em diferenças na capacidade dos clones induzirem destruição periodontal. Variações no potencial patogênico dos distintos genótipos do gene fimA de P. gingivalis foram relacionadas a diferentes doenças periodontais em diversos estudos. Esta revisão teve o objetivo de analisar criticamente os estudos que relacionaram as condições periodontais e os diferentes genótipos fimA de P. gingivalis. Foram incluídas publicações na língua inglesa de estudos clínicos em humanos, que avaliaram a relação entre as condições periodontais e os diferentes genótipos fimA de P. gingivalis. Doze estudos foram considerados válidos para a realização desta revisão. Pôde-se concluir que os genótipos fimA II e IV de P. gingivalis encontram-se frequentemente associados à periodontite crônica

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a major pathogen involved in the initiation and progression of periodontal disease. This microorganism exhibits a genotypic and phenotypic diversity which may result in differences in the ability to induce periodontal destruction of the clones. Variations in the pathogenic potential of different genotypes of fimA gene of P. gingivalis were related to different periodontal diseases in several studies. This systematic review aimed to critically analyze the studies that have linked periodontal conditions and the different fimA genotypes of P. gingivalis. We included English language publications of human clinical studies that evaluated the relationship between periodontal conditions and the different fimA genotypes of P. gingivalis. Twelve studies were considered valid for the completion of this review. It was concluded that fimA genotypes II and IV of P. gingivalis are often associated with chronic periodontitis.

Virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance, and plasmid content of Escherichia coli isolated in swine commercial farms / Fatores de virulência, resistência aos antimicrobianos, presença de plasmídeos em Escherichia coli isoladas de amostras clínicas e ambientais de suínos

Virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolates were evaluated. A total of 80 E. coli isolates were evaluated, being 64 from clinical samples (intestinal content and fragments of organs from diarrheic piglets), seven from feces of clinically healthy piglets and sows, and nine environmental samples (five from facilities, two from feed, one from insect, and one from waste). Molecular characterization was performed by PCR detection of fimbriae and toxin genes and plasmid content determination. The isolates were also characterized according to their resistance or sensitivity to the following drugs: ampicillin, trimethoprim:sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, amikacine, colistin, norfloxacin, florfenicol, enrofloxacin, cefalexin, trimethoprim, neomycin, chloramphenicol, and gentamicin. From 80 E. coli isolates, 53.8 percent were classified as enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), 2.5 percent were shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC), and 43.8 percent showed a non specific pattern and were unclassified. One fecal isolate from non-diarrheic piglet was classified as ETEC by PCR. Clinical isolates showed resistance mainly for tetracycline and trimethoprim:sulfamethoxazole. Plasmidial DNA was observed in 70 isolates, being 78.5 percent of clinical isolates, 8.57 percent of non-diarrheic feces, and 12.8 percent of environment.

Os fatores de virulência e a resistência aos antimicrobianos foram avaliados em Escherichia coli. Um total de 80 isolados de E. coli, sendo 64 de amostras clínicas (conteúdo intestinal e fragmentos de órgãos de leitões diarreicos), sete das fezes de porcas e leitões saudáveis e nove de amostras ambientais (cinco de instalações, dois de alimentos, um de inseto e um de esterqueira). A caracterização molecular feita pela PCR objetivou detectar fimbrias e toxinas, bem como a determinação do conteúdo de plasmídeos. Os isolados foram caracterizados quanto à resistência ou sensibilidade às seguintes drogas: ampicilina, sulfazotrim, tetraciclina, amikacina, colistina, norfloxacina, florfenicol, enrofloxacina, cefalexina, trimetoprim, neomicina, cloranfenicol e gentamicina. Dos 80 isolados, 53,8 por cento foram classificados como E. coli enterotoxigênica (ETEC), 2,5 por cento como E. coli produtora de shiga toxina (STEC) e 43,8 por cento, por não apresentarem padrão específico, não foram classificadas. Pela PCR, um isolado de fezes de suíno sem diarreia foi classificado como ETEC. Os isolados das amostras clínicas foram principalmente resistentes à tetraciclina e à sulfazotrim. Em 70 isolados, observaram-se DNA plasmidial, destes 78,5 por cento foram obtidos de amostras clínicas, 8,57 por cento de leitões sadios e 12,8 por cento de amostras ambientais.

Patogénesis molecular, epidemiología y diagnóstico de Escherichia coli enteropatógena / Molecular pathogenesis, epidemiology and diagnosis of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli enteropatógena (EPEC) es una de las principales causas de diarrea en niños menores de dos años en países en vías de desarrollo. La principal característica histopatológica de la infección es una lesión que induce la EPEC en el intestino conocida como la lesión A/E (adherencia y eliminación). Las bacterias se adhieren a los enterocitos y permiten la acumulación de la actina del citoesqueleto en la región apical de la célula, hasta formar una estructura de tipo "pedestal" y causar la eliminación de las microvellosidades intestinales. A pesar de que se conoce de modo detallado el proceso de formación de los pedestales de actina, aún no se ha esclarecido el mecanismo global de la diarrea que induce EPEC. La diarrea se ha vinculado con: a) la destrucción de las microvellosidades del enterocito, b) la salida masiva de iones hacia la luz intestinal y c) la secreción de alguna enterotoxina. En estudios realizados en países en vías de desarrollo se ha demostrado que EPEC es uno de los principales agentes participantes en la diarrea infantil, con elevadas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad. El diagnóstico microbiológico de la infección se realiza con metodologías adicionales a las utilizadas con regularidad en el laboratorio de microbiología clínica, entre ellas las siguientes: a) serotipificación, b) ensayo de adherencia, c) prueba de FAS (tinción fluorescente para actina) y d) detección específica de genes que codifican a proteínas incluidas en la patogénesis, como el bfpA y eae. Un objetivo de esta revisión es actualizar los avances observados en la patogénesis molecular de la infección por EPEC, las metodologías para el diagnóstico microbiológico y la epidemiología en México y otros países en vías de desarrollo.

Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) is a leading cause of diarrhea in infants less than two years of age in developing countries. To induce diarrhea EPEC uses several virulence factors acting on a still unknown and mysterious mechanism. The hallmark of EPEC infection is a histological intestinal alteration known as the attaching and effacing (A/E) lesion. The bacterium attaches intimately to the enterocyte and induces assembly of cytoskeleton intracellular actin on the cellular surface. Rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton form a pedestal-like structure where bacterium tightly cups the cells, leading to degeneration of brush border microvilli. Although the mechanism of EPEC-induced pedestal formation has been dissected in detail, the overall mechanism of diarrhea is still obscure. It is believed that EPEC-mediated secretory diarrhea is related to a) intestinal microvilli effacement, b) massive loss of intracellular ions into the intestinal milieu and c) secretion of an EPEC enterotoxin. Epidemiological studies conducted in developing countries have shown that EPEC is one of the main bacteria frequently isolated from children with diarrhea, causing high morbidity and mortality rates. The microbiological diagnosis of EPEC-induced disease is performed with analytic methodologies different from those used by the standard microbiology laboratory, the most relevant being: a) serotypification, b) the adherence assay, c) FAS test, and d) the specific detection of virulence-involved genes (bfpA and eae genes) using molecular biology techniques. The purpose of this review is to update the most recent findings regarding the molecular pathogenesis of EPEC, its epidemiology in Mexico as well as other developing countries, and also the developed methodology for the diagnosis of EPEC infection.

Genes involucrados en la biogénesis de fimbrias afectan la formación de biopelículas por parte de Klebsiella pneumoniae / Genes involved in fimbrial biogenesis affect biofilm formation in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Introducción. Klebsiella pneumoniae es un patógeno oportunista comúnmente asociado con infecciones hospitalarias. La persistencia y patogénesis de este microorganismo pueden estar asociadas con su capacidad para formar biopelículas. Entre los factores implicados en la formación de biopelículas en diversos microorganismos están las fimbrias o pili. K. pneumoniae expresa tanto fimbria tipo 1 como fimbria tipo 3, estructuras proteicas importantes en la mediación de la adhesión a células epiteliales y la virulencia. Objetivo. Identificar genes importantes en la formación de biopelículas de K. pneumoniae. Materiales y métodos. K. pneumoniae MZ2098 se mutagenizó con el transposón miniTn10Km y subsecuentemente se tamizó para deficiencias en la formación de biopelículas en placas de 96 pozos usando medio BHI-MOPS. Los mutantes seleccionados se analizaron bajo diversas condiciones variando los medios de cultivo y las superficies utilizadas. Los genes interrumpidos por el transposón se identificaron mediante reacción en cadena de la polimerasa arbitraria y secuenciación. Resultados. De un banco de 9.300 inserciones en K. pneumoniae se obtuvieron 37 mutantes deficientes en su capacidad para formar biopelículas. Se identificaron tres mutantes con inserciones en genes para fimbria con fenotipos notables por su diferencia en cuanto a la capacidad para adherirse a superficies in vitro. Conclusión. Los resultados indicaron que las fimbrias tipo 1 y 3, ésta última ya implicada en este fenómeno en K. pneumoniae, son factores importantes para la adhesión y la formación de agregados multicelulares.

Introduction. Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen commonly associated with nosocomial infections. The persistence and pathogenesis of this microorganism is associated with its capacity to form biofilms. Pili or fimbriae are among the factors implicated in biofilm formation in diverse microorganisms. Klebsiella pneumoniae expresses both type 1 and type 3 fimbriae—proteinacious structures that mediate adhesion to epithelial cells and are important for virulence. Objective. To identify genes involved in biofilm formation in K. pneumoniae. Materials and methods. Klebsiella pneumoniae MZ2098 was subjected to mutagenesis with the miniTn10Km transposon and screened for defects in ability to form biofilms. The bacteria were curltured in 96-well plates using BHI-MOPS medium. Selected mutants were analyzed under diverse conditions by varying culture conditions and growth surfaces. Genes interrupted by the transposon were identified by arbitrary polymerase chain reaction and sequencing. Results. Thirty-seven mutants deficient in biofilm formation were obtained by screening 9,300 transposon-insertion mutants in K. pneumoniae. Three of these mutants had insertions in genes that affected fimbrial formation, and their phenotypes showed severe defects in the capacity to adhere to surfaces in vitro. Conclusion. Type 1 and type 3 fimbriae are important factors for adhesion and formation of multicellular aggregates of K. pneumoniae.

Virulence factors of uropathogenic Escherichia coli from a University Hospital in Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil / Fatores de virulência de Escherichia coli uropatogênicas provenientes de um Hospital Universitário em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil

The aim of the study was to determine the occurrence of virulence genes expressing fimbriae, production of hemolysin, colicin and aerobactin among a hundred Escherichia coli isolates obtained from in-and outpatients of a tertiary-care teaching hospital, between July and August 2000, showing clinical and laboratory signs of urinary tract infection (UTI). The presence of genes (pap, afa, sfa) for fimbriae expression was assayed using specific primers in a polymerase chain reaction. Among the isolates studied, the prevalence of the virulence factors was 96.0 percent, 76.0 percent, 24.0 percent, for hemolysin, aerobactin and colicin, respectively; the prevalence of genes coding for fimbrial adhesive systems was 32.0 percent, 19.0 percent and 11.0 percent for pap, sfa and afa respectively. The strains isolated from the outpatients displayed a greater number of virulence factors compared to those from hospitalized subjects, emphasizing the difference between these two kinds of patients.

O objetivo do trabalho foi determinar a ocorrência de fatores de virulência, tais como, a expressão de fímbrias, produção de hemolisina, colicina e aerobactina em 100 cepas de Escherichia coli isoladas de pacientes ambulatoriais e hospitalizados de um hospital universitário de nível de atendimento terciário, entre os meses de julho e agosto de 2000, que apresentavam sinais clínicos e laboratoriais de infecção do trato urinário (ITU). Foram pesquisados os genes pap, afa e sfa responsáveis pela expressão de fímbrias através da técnica de PCR. A freqüência dos fatores de virulência entre as cepas estudadas foi de 96,0 por cento, 76,0 por cento e 24,0 por cento para hemolisina, aerobactina e colicina respectivamente, e a prevalência dos genes para os sistemas de adesinas fimbriais foi de 32,0 por cento, 19,0 por cento e 11,0 por cento para os genes pap, sfa e afa respectivamente. As cepas isoladas dos pacientes ambulatoriais exibiram um número maior de fatores de virulência quando comparadas com aquelas provenientes de indivíduos hospitalizados.

Efecto del herbicida ácido 2, 4-Diclorofenoxiacético sobre la fimbriación de bacterias uropatógenas / Effect of the herbicide 2, 4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid on fimbriation of uropathogenic bacteria

Existen algunos datos epidemiológicos que demuestran que, en poblaciones rurales, la frecuencia de lesiones inflamatorias de origen infeccioso en el riñón es mayor en individuos expuestos a pesticidas. Estudios previos han demostrado que el herbicida 2,4-D altera las propiedades de adherencia bacteriana a riñón, mediada por fimbrias de Escherichia coli uropatógena, si bien aún no se ha estudiado el mecanismo que podría estar involucrado. El 2,4-D demostró capacidad de generar uniones covalentes a proteínas de bacilos gram negativos. Debido a este hallazgo, se hipotetizó que la unión del herbicida a proteínas involucradas en la síntesis, exportación o ensamble de las subunidades fimbriales podía alterar la expresión de las fimbrias. En este trabajo se demuestra una unión covalente del herbicida a proteínas de membrana externa de Escherichia coli uropatógena y paralelamenteuna disminución de la fimbriación, determinada por tres técnicas diferentes: hemoaglutinación, cuantificación de proteínas de superficie y microscopía electrónica. Una conclusión importante está referida a que la exposición accidental detrabajadores rurales al 2,4-D en muy bajas dosis y durante un corto período de tiempo tendría un efecto protector de la pielonefritis por disminución de la fimbriación; mientras que los altos niveles de exposición predispondrían a la recurrencia del proceso infeccioso en el modelo de la pielonefritis ascendente no obstructiva en ratón (Balagué et al 2002). Probablemente los estudios epidemiológicos que asocian exposición a los herbicidas e infección renal estén relacionados con este último tipo de exposiciones.

Epidemiological data demonstrate, on rural populations, that the frequency of inflammatory lesions in renal tissue is higher for individuals exposed to pesticides. Previous studies demonstrated that the herbicide 2,4-D altered the bacterial adherence properties to renal tissue, mediated by fimbriae in uropathogenic Escherichia coli, but the mechanism involved is still unknown. The acid 2,4-D has the ability to perform covalent bonds to proteins in gram-negative bacteria. Because of this fact, we hypothesized that the 2,4-D acid binds proteins involved in the synthesis, export or ensemble of fimbrial subunits, modifying fimbrial expression. In this work we demonstrated a covalent bond of the herbicide to outer membrane proteins in uropathogenic E. coli and a paralleldecrease of fimbriation, assayed by three different methods: hemmaglutination, surface protein quantification and electronmicroscopy. An important conclusion is that the accidental exposure of rural workers to 2,4-D may have a protective effect by a decrease in fimbriation, when it is used in low doses and during a short period of exposure. But, it must be considered that high doses and several days of exposure had adverse effects, like recurrence of infection, in the mouse model of ascendingpyelonephritis (Balagué et al, 2002). Probably, the epidemiological studies that associate the herbicide exposure with renal infection were due to the last kind of exposure described.

Characterization of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli strains isolated from children with acute diarrhea, in Mendoza, Argentina

Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an increasingly recognized cause of diarrhea in children in developing and developed countries. EAEC is recognized by a characteristic aggregative pattern of adherence to human epithelial (HEp-2) cells cultured in vitro. This is the gold standard assay. The aggregative phenotype is associated with the presence of a 65 MDa plasmid (pAA) that also encodes several other putative virulence factors, such as the aggregative adherence fimbria I (AAF/I) and the enteroaggregative heat-stable enterotoxin (EAST1). The objective of this work was to evaluate the application of PCR (polymerase chain reaction) to identify EAEC strains in cases of acute diarrhea. A total of 87 E. coli strains, isolated from patients under 2 years of age with acute diarrhea in Mendoza, Argentina, were characterized by the reference method (HEp-2 assay), and by AAF/I- and EAST1-PCR. PCR sensitivity and specificity in comparison with the cell culture assay showed 94.4 sensitivity and 78.26 specificity. EAST1- and AAF/I-PCR could be recommended as a screening test, applicable to epidemiologic studies.

Estudo da adesäo de Escherichia coli enteroagregativa (EAEC) a superfícies bióticas e abióticas / Study of adhesion of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) the biotic and abiotic surfaces

Escherichia coli enteroagregativa (EAEC) é um emergente agente de diarréia em diversos países e é definida por seu característico padräo de aderência agregativa (AA) a células HEp-2. Tem sido demonstrado que o fenótipo AA em cepas de EAEC está associado com a presença do plasmídio de 65 MDa (plasmídio AA), no qual estäo presentes vários genes relacionados às propriedades de virulência, bem como os genes que codificam para os fatores de aderência melhor estudados em EAEC, as fímbrias de aderência agregativa (AAFs). Até o presente momento, somente duas diferentes AAFs têm sido descritas: AAF I e AAF II. No presente trabalho, nos propusemos a estudar a relaçäo estrutura-funçäo destas fímbrias com o intuito de esclarecer alguns aspectos sobre a adesäo de EAEC a superfícies bióticas e abióticas...

Role of Tamm-Horsfall protein in the binding and in vivo phagocytosis of type 1 fimbriated Escherichia coli by mouse peritoneal macrophages

Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein (THP) contains manno-oligosaccharides that are recognized by type 1 fimbriae (F1) of Escherichia coli. In the present study, we examined the in vivo phagocytic activity of mouse peritoneal macrophages after treatment of bacteria with THP. At low THP concentrations (12.5 æg/ml and 50 æg/ml) no significant difference was observed in the phagocytosis of E. coli F1+. However, at high THP concentrations (500 æg/ml and 1250 æg/ml) we obtained a reduction of bacterial phagocytosis by mouse peritoneal macrophages

Factores de virulencia de Escherichia coli aviar asociados a la colisepticemia en pollos de engorde / Avian Escherichia coli virulence factors associated with coli septicemia in broiler chickens

In order to detect phenotypic characteristics associated with pathogenicity, 25 strains of Escherichia coli, isolated from clinical cases of colisepticemia in broiler chickens, were examined to determine the following properties: colicinogenicity, colicin V production, type 1 fimbriae, hemolysin expression and motility. Colicinogenicity occurred in 72 of the strains, 56 of all strains produced colicin V, 84 were positive for type 1 fimbriae and 80 were positive for motility. None of the strains had hemolytic activity; however, all of them, expressed at least one of the other characteristics studied. These results suggest that the diversity of phenotypes detected partially explain the multifactorial nature of avian colisepticemia.

Epítopos continuos y comunes presentes en las fimbrinas de Escherichia coli enterotoxigénica (ETEC) / Common continuos epitopes present in enterotoxigenic escherichia coli (ETEC) fimbriae

Escherichia coli enterotoxigénica (ETEC) es un agente causal de diarrea. ETEC cuenta con factores antigénicos de colonización (CFAs y PCFs), que son importantes en la virulencia. Los anticuerpos contra los CFAs son producidos al término de la infección por ETEC y han mostrado ser protectores contra la enfermedad. Sin embargo, los epítopos en CFA/I, los cuales inducen protección, no han sido caracterizados. El objetivo de este estudio es la detección de los epítopos continuos y comunes en CFA/I de ETEC, a nivel molecular, que conduzcan al desarrollo de métodos para la prevención de la enfermedad causada por ETEC. Se sintetizaron octapéptidos continuos unidos a fase sólida que comprendían a todo la secuencia de CFA/I por el método de Geysen para el escrutinio, con sueros de niños infectados por ETEC, con sueros de adultos de zona endémica y no endémica con el anticuerpo monoclonal CAF/I 1:6 (Mab CFA/I 1:6) y con los sueros hiperinmunes contra CFAs y PCFs diferentes a CFA/I. Los sueros de los niños, de los adultos de zona endémica y los sueros hiperinmunes reconocieron tres epítopos continuos y comunes en CFA/I. El Mab CFA/I 1:6 no reconoció nungún epítopo continuo

Evaluación de los niveles de la adhesina P1 en fimbrias de Streptococcus mutans aisladas de pacientes susceptibles y resistentes a la caries dental / Evaluation of P1 adhesin levels in Streptococcus mutans fimbriae isolated from caries susceptible and caries resistant patients

El objetivo de este trabajo fue la determinación de los niveles de P1 en fimbrias aisladas de S. mutans, provenientes de pacientes susceptibles (CS) y resistentes (CR) a la caries dental. El análisis electroforético de las preparaciones demostró la existencia de 5 bandas mayores migrando a 200, 175, 157, 86 y 66 kDa, tanto en los CR como en los CS. La inmunotransferencia indicó la presencia de las mismas 5 bandas, que fueron reconocidas por el antisuero antifimbria S. mutans. Adicionalmente, la banda de 175 kDa fue reconocida por el anticuerpo anti-P1. El análisis de la inmunotransferencia demostró que los niveles de componentes reactivos con las fimbrias y P1 fueron mayores en los sujetos CS que en los CR. Estos resultados sugieren que las diferencias existentes en la composición de las fimbrias de S. mutans de CS y CR pueden jugar un papel importante en la virulencia de este microorganismo en la caries dental.