Characterization of Campylobacter spp. isolated from wild birds in the Antarctic and Sub-Antarctic.

A lack of knowledge of naturally occurring pathogens is limiting our ability to use the Antarctic to study the impact human-mediated introduction of infectious microorganisms have on this relatively uncontaminated environment. As no large-scale coordinated effort to remedy this lack of knowledge has taken place, we rely on smaller targeted efforts to both study present microorganisms and monitor the environment for introductions. In one such effort, we isolated Campylobacter species from fecal samples collected from wild birds in the Antarctic Peninsula and the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. Indeed, in South Georgia, we found Campylobacter lari and the closely related Campylobacter peloridis, but also distantly related human-associated multilocus sequence types of Campylobacter jejuni. In contrast, in the Antarctic Peninsula, we found C. lari and two closely related species, Campylobacter subantarcticus and Campylobacter volucris, but no signs of human introduction. In fact, our finding of human-associated sequence types of C. jejuni in South Georgia, but not in the Antarctic Peninsula, suggests that efforts to limit the spread of infectious microorganisms to the Antarctic have so far been successful in preventing the introduction of C. jejuni. However, we do not know how it came to South Georgia and whether the same mode of introduction could spread it from there to the Antarctic Peninsula.

Influence of body mass index and type of low-level exercise on the side effect profile of regadenoson.

PURPOSE: Regadenoson, an A2A adenosine receptor pharmacologic stress agent for radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), is administered as a single, fixed dose. We studied the side effect profile of regadenoson combined with two types of low-level exercise, according to body mass index (BMI). METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-six patients (46.1% men, mean age 67.7±10.7 years, range 31-90 years) underwent regadenoson stress testing combined with low-level exercise. Subjects were classified according to BMI as normal, overweight, or obese, and the type of low-level exercise performed as walking on the treadmill (TE group, n=190) or forcefully swinging legs while sitting (SS group, n=166). Patients' demographics, medical history, clinical symptoms during stress, changes in ECG, oxygen saturation (SatO2), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. RESULTS: Groups were comparable (p=ns) with regard to cardiovascular risks factors. The incidence of side effects was similar across BMI (p=ns), although the TE patients showed improved profiles over those with SS exercise, with a significantly lower incidence of flushing, dizziness and nausea/gastrointestinal discomfort (12.9% vs. 28.4%; 19.9% vs. 33.4%; 11.4% vs. 19.2%, respectively; all p<0.05). Regarding the hemodynamic response, we did not observe significant changes in SBP and HR after regadenoson administration across BMI categories. Comparing the TE and SS groups, no significant changes were observed in SBP, but there was a higher increase in HR in the TE group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Regadenoson in combination with low-level exercise is safe and well tolerated over a wide range of BMI, with TE exercise showing a better side effect profile than SS.

Comparative study of the safety of regadenoson between patients with mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma.

PURPOSE: To compare the safety of regadenoson, a selective agonist of A2A adenosine receptors, combined with low-level exercise, between subjects with mild/moderate chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma referred for myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). METHODS: We studied 116 patients, of whom 67 had COPD and 49 asthma (62 % men, mean age 68.3 ± 11.3 years, range 31 - 87 years). Patient demographics, past medical history, medications, clinical symptoms during stress and changes in blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR) were evaluated. RESULTS: Both groups were comparable with regard to hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes and medications with the exception of a higher rate of use of anticholinergics in patients with COPD and of antileukotrienes in asthmatics (58.2 % vs. 28.6 % and 1.5 % vs. 14.3 %, respectively; all p < 0.01). There was a higher incidence of dyspnoea in COPD patients and of headache and feeling hot in asthmatic patients (40.3 % vs. 22.4 %, 6 % vs. 18.4 % and 10.4 % vs. 26.5 %, respectively; all p < 0.05). Although there was no difference in the incidence of other adverse events, we observed a higher frequency in asthmatics of flushing, dry mouth, sweating and fatigue (1.5 % vs. 6.1 %, 14.9 % vs. 24.5 %, 0 % vs. 4.1 % and 37.3 % vs. 49 %, respectively). Adverse events were self-limiting, except in three patients who suffered persistent dyspnoea (2 of 67 COPD patients; 1 of 49 asthma patients) requiring theophylline administration. We observed no significant changes in BP among either group, but there was a tendency towards a higher increase in systolic BP in COPD patients following regadenoson administration (148.3 ± 27.6 vs. 154.6 ± 31.0 mmHg, p = 0.056). CONCLUSION: This study showed a good safety profile in our series of COPD and asthma patients undergoing MPI. Regadenoson was well tolerated by all patients, with dyspnoea, headache and feeling hot showing differences between groups.

[Antimicrobial susceptibility of animal and food isolates of Salmonella enterica]. / Estudio de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de Salmonella enterica en muestras de origen animal y alimentario.

BACKGROUND: Bacterial resistance to one or more antimicrobiak is worrisome. AIM: To determine the susceptibility to antimicrobials of Salmonella entérica isolates from animáis and food, from the Laboratory of Veterinary Microbiology at the University of Concepción. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The samples were isolated according to traditional microbiological methods standardized protocols. Resistance was determined by the Kirby-Bauer method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations (2008). RESULTS: Nine serotypes were identified among the 68 isolates. Strains were resistant to one or more antibiotics and 11 patterns of resistance were identified. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observed in 20.5% of the strains tested. The most common was Oxytetracycline resistance (69.1%). Infood, the predominant serotype was S. Derby (2.9%) and S. Senftenberg (2.9%), which is commonly found infood intended for animal consumption. In samples of animal origin, the predominant serotypes were S. infantis (33.8%) and S. Group E (3.9;-;-) (23.5%). CONCLUSIONS: The frequeney of resistance found and the impending risk that these strains could reach humans through the food chain, should prompt a follow-up study of this pathogen.

Estudio de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de Salmonella enterica en muestras de origen animal y alimentario / Antimicrobial susceptibility of animal and food isolates of Salmonella enterica

Background: Bacterial resistance to one or more antimicrobiak is worrisome. Aim: To determine the susceptibility to antimicrobials of Salmonella entérica isolates from animáis and food, from the Laboratory ofVeterinary Microbiology at the University of Concepción. Material andMethods: The samples were isolated according to traditional microbiological methods standardized protocols. Resistance was determined by the Kirby-Bauer method and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC), following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute recommendations (2008). Results: Nine serotypes were identified among the 68 isolates. Strains were resistant to one or more antibiotics and 11 patterns of resistance were identified. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was observ.ed in20.5% ofthestrains tested. The mostcommon was Oxytetracycline resistance (69.1%). Infood, the predominant serotype was S. Derby (2.9%) and S. Senftenberg (2.9%), which is commonly found infood intended for animal consumption. In samples of animal origin, the predominant serotypes were S. infantis (33.8%) and S. Group E (3.9;-;-) (23.5%). Conclusions: The frequeney of resistance found and the impending risk that these strains could reach humans through the food chain, should prompt afollow-up study ofthispathogen.

Detección de especies de Salmonella y Mycobacterium en gaviotas dominicanas (Larus dominicanus) y gaviotas de Franklin (Leucophaeus pipixcan) en la ciudad de Talcahuano, Chile / Detection of Salmonella and Mycobacterium species in seagulls captured in Talcahuano, Chile

Background: Salmonella can be isolated from the feces of seagulls. Therefore these birds can be a vector for dissemination of this pathogen. Aim: To evaluate the possible role of gulls as vectors of two important human and animal pathogens (My-cobacteria and Salmonella). Material and Methods: One hundred twenty three Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) and 60 Franklin gulls (Leucophaeus pipixcan) captured off the coast of the seaport of Talcahuano, were analyzed. Using traditional microbiological methods, the presence of Mycobacteria in cloacal swabs and feet lavages, was analyzed in both types of gulls. To detect the presence of Salmonella, feces, fecal and tracheal swabs, and feet lavage were analyzed from Franklin gulls. Feces, feet lavage, intestine, spleen, liver, kidney and lung, were examined in Kelp gulls. Results: All Mycobacteria cultures were negative. Salmonella enterica cultures were positive in 25 % of Kelp gulls and 6.7 % of Franklin gulls. Four serovars were identified by serotyping. Enteritidis and Senfteberg serovars were found in both types of gulls. Anatum and Infantis serovars were found only in Kelp gulls. Feces of gulls captured during the winter had the highest yield of positive cultures (36.1%). Conclusions: Seagulls are an important Salmonella vector in Chile.

A new method for the radiochemical purity measurement of ¹¹¹In-pentetreotide.

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS: The recommended method for the measurement of radiochemical purity (RCP) of ¹¹¹In-labelled pentetreotide is thin-layer chromatography with a silica gel as the stationary phase and a 0.1 N sodium citrate solution (pH 5) as the mobile phase. According to the supplier's instructions, the mobile phase must be prepared before the test is carried out, and the recommended stationary phase is off-market. We propose a new method for RCP measurement in which the mobile phase is acid citrate dextrose, solution A, which does not need to be prepared beforehand, and thin-layer chromatography is performed with a silica gel-impregnated glass fibre sheet as the stationary phase. We used both methods to measure the percentages of radiopharmaceutical and impurities. RESULTS: The range of RCP values obtained was 98.0-99.9% (mean=99.3%) by the standard method and 98.1-99.9% (mean=99.2%) by the new method. We observed no differences between the RCP values of both methods (P=0.070). CONCLUSION: The proposed method is suitable for RCP testing because it yields results that are in good agreement with those of the standard method and because it is easier to perform as the mobile-phase solution need not be prepared in advance.

[Detection of Salmonella and Mycobacterium species in seagulls captured in Talcahuano, Chile]. / Detección de especies de Salmonella y Mycobacterium en gaviotas dominicanas (Larus dominicanus) y gaviotas de Franklin (Leucophaeus pipixcan) en la ciudad de Talcahuano, Chile.

BACKGROUND: Salmonella can be isolated from the feces of seagulls. Therefore these birds can be a vector for dissemination of this pathogen. AIM: To evaluate the possible role of gulls as vectors of two important human and animal pathogens (My-cobacteria and Salmonella). MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty three Kelp gull (Larus dominicanus) and 60 Franklin gulls (Leucophaeus pipixcan) captured off the coast of the seaport of Talcahuano, were analyzed. Using traditional microbiological methods, the presence of Mycobacteria in cloacal swabs and feet lavages, was analyzed in both types of gulls. To detect the presence of Salmonella, feces, fecal and tracheal swabs, and feet lavage were analyzed from Franklin gulls. Feces, feet lavage, intestine, spleen, liver, kidney and lung, were examined in Kelp gulls. RESULTS: All Mycobacteria cultures were negative. Salmonella enterica cultures were positive in 25 % of Kelp gulls and 6.7 % of Franklin gulls. Four serovars were identified by serotyping. Enteritidis and Senfteberg serovars were found in both types of gulls. Anatum and Infantis serovars were found only in Kelp gulls. Feces of gulls captured during the winter had the highest yield of positive cultures (36.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Seagulls are an important Salmonella vector in Chile.