New Insights for Red Propolis of Alagoas-Chemical Constituents, Topical Membrane Formulations and Their Physicochemical and Biological Properties.

The main objectives of this study were to evaluate the chemical constitution and allergenic potential of red propolis extract (RPE). They were evaluated, using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the release of ß-hexosaminidase, respectively. A plethora of biologically active polyphenols and the absence of allergic responses were evinced. RPE inhibited the release of ß-hexosaminidase, suggesting that the extract does not stimulate allergic responses. Additionally, the physicochemical properties and antibacterial activity of hydrogel membranes loaded with RPE were analyzed. Bio-polymeric hydrogel membranes (M) were obtained using 5% carboxymethylcellulose (M1 and M2), 1.0% of citric acid (M3) and 10% RPE (for all). Their characterization was performed using thermal analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), total phenolic content, phenol release test and, antioxidant activity through 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power (FRAP). The latter appointed to the similar antioxidant capacity of the M1, M2 and M3. The degradation profiles showed higher thermostability to M3, followed by M2 and M1. The incorporation of RPE into the matrices and the crosslinking of M3 were evinced by FTIR. There were differences in the release of phenolic compounds, with a higher release related to M1 and lower in the strongly crosslinked M3. The degradation profiles showed higher thermostability to M3, followed by M2 and M1. The antibacterial activity of the membranes was determined using the disc diffusion assay, in comparison with controls, obtained in the same way, without RPE. The membranes elicited antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis, with superior performance over M3. The hydrogel membranes loaded with RPE promote a physical barrier against bacterial skin infections and may be applied in the wound healing process.

First detection of metallo-β-lactamases in nosocomial isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Alagoas, Brazil / Primeira detecção de metalobetalactamases em isolados nosocomiais de Pseudomonas aeruginosa em Alagoas, Brasil

ABSTRACTIntroduction:Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a leading cause of opportunistic infections in humans, and the choice of effective antimicrobial agents to control this bacterium has been limited, mainly due to its ability to produce metallo-β-lactamases (MβL), enzymes capable of inactivating many antimicrobials through hydrolysis.Objective:This study aimed to detect the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) P. aeruginosa strains and the MβL-encoding genes (blaSPM, blaIMP and blaVIM) in nosocomial isolates in Maceió (AL).Methods:The isolates were collected from four public institutions/hospitals in Maceió, and cultures were identified by conventional methods. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by the disk diffusion method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to identify the presence of the MβL-encoding genes blaSPM, blaIMP and blaVIM.RESULTS:Forty-three strains of P. aeruginosa were MDR among 85 identified nosocomial isolates (50.6%), 79.1% and 20% of which were resistant to carbapenem (imipenem and meropenem) and aztreonam, respectively. PCR was performed in susceptible or resistant isolates and we identified nine (20.9%) MDR strains with blaSPM gene, whereas only one strain had blaIMP and none blaVIM positive was found.Conclusion:Production of MβL is an important mechanism of resistance to carbapenems and other β-lactams among P. aeruginosa strains in the evaluated samples. We reported the first identification of MβL-encoding genes in P. aeruginosa from nosocomial environments in Maceió, a new insight for the epidemiology of MβL in the Northeastern region of Brazil.

RESUMOIntrodução:Pseudomonas aeruginosa é a principal causa de infecções oportunistas em seres humanos, e a escolha de agentes antimicrobianos eficazes para controlar essa bactéria tem sido limitada, principalmente devido à sua capacidade de produzir metalobetalactamases (MβL), enzimas capazes de inativar muitos antimicrobianos por meio de hidrólise.Objetivo:Este estudo objetivou detectar a presença de cepas de P. aeruginosa multirresistentes e os genes codificadores de MβL (blaSPM, blaIMP e blaVIM) em isolados nosocomiais em Maceió (AL).Métodos:Os isolados foram coletados de quatro instituições públicas/hospitais em Maceió, e as culturas foram identificadas por métodos convencionais. A sensibilidade aos antibióticos foi determinada pelo método de disco-difusão de acordo com o Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), e a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) utilizada para identificar a presença de genes que codificam MβL - blaSPM, blaIMP e blaVIM.ResultadosQuarenta e três cepas de P. aeruginosa foram multirresistentes entre os 85 isolados nosocomiais identificados (50,6%); destes, 79,1% e 20% foram resistentes aos carbapenêmicos (imipenem e meropenen) e ao aztreonam, respectivamente. A PCR foi realizada em isolados suscetíveis ou resistentes, e nós identificamos nove (20,9%) cepas multirresistentes com gene blaSPM, enquanto apenas uma possuía blaIMP e nenhuma blaVIM positiva foi encontrada.CONCLUSÃO:A produção de MβL é um importante mecanismo de resistência aos carbapenêmicos e a outros betalactâmicos entre cepas de P. aeruginosa nas amostras avaliadas. Relatamos a primeira identificação de genes codificadores de MβL em P. aeruginosa de ambiente hospitalar de Maceió, uma nova visão para a epidemiologia de MβL na região Nordeste do Brasil.