Gel polymer electrolyte-based dual screen-printed electrodes for the headspace quantification of 4-ethylphenol and ethanethiol simultaneously in wines.

The identification and correction of negative factors, such as 4-ethylphenol and ethanethiol, is important to comply with food safety regulations and avoid economic losses to wineries. A simple amperometric measurement procedure that facilitates the simultaneous quantification of both compounds in the gas phase has been developed using fullerene and cobalt (II) phthalocyanine-modified dual screen-printed electrodes coated with a room temperature ionic liquid-based gel polymer electrolyte. The replacement of the typical aqueous supporting electrolyte by low-volatility ones improves both operational and storage lifetime. Under the optimum conditions of the experimental variables, Britton Robinson buffer pH 5 and applied potentials of + 0.86 V and + 0.40 V for each working electrode (vs. Ag ref. electrode), reproducibility values of 7.6% (n = 3) for 4-ethylphenol and 6.6% (n = 3) for ethanethiol were obtained, as well as capability of detection values of 23.8 µg/L and decision limits of 1.3 µg/L and 9.2 µg/L (α = ß = 0.05), respectively. These dual electrochemical devices have successfully been applied to the headspace detection of both compounds in white and red wines, showing their potential to be routinely used for rapid analysis control in wineries.

Widespread of the Vienna/Hungarian/Brazilian CC8-ST239-SCCmec III MRSA clone in patients hospitalized in the Tunisian Burn and Traumatology Center.

The emergence and spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitals is a major global public health concern. The current study sought to characterize 25 MRSA clinical isolates collected in a Tunisian hospital from December 2015 to September 2016, with the genetic lineages, virulence factors, and antibiotic resistance mechanisms determined for these isolates. Three spa-types were detected: t037 (23 isolates), t932, and t2235 (one isolate each). Isolates were ascribed to agr I (n = 20), agr II (n = 1), with four nontypeable isolates. Depending on sequence type (ST), the 25 MRSA isolates were assigned to two clonal complexes (CC8 and CC5), with a predominance of the lineage ST239-CC8 (n = 24; 96%). All isolates belonging to CC8 had the SCCmec type III, while the unique CC5 isolate had SCCmec type IV. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high levels of resistance to aminoglycosides, tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and rifampicin for the majority of isolates belonging to the ST239-CC8 lineage. The ST149-CC5 isolate was susceptible to non-ß-lactam antibiotics. One isolate harbored the tsst-1 gene (4%); however, lukS/LukF-PV, eta and etb genes were not detected. The MDR ST239-CC8 clone would seem to be widespread in this hospital. Therefore, a rigorous hygienic control system is urgently required.

Susceptibility and transcriptomic response to plasma-activated water of Listeria monocytogenes planktonic and sessile cells.

Plasma-Activated Water (PAW) was generated from tap water using a surface dielectric barrier discharge at different discharge power (26 and 36 W) and activation time (5 and 30 min). The inactivation of a three-strain Listeria monocytogenes cocktail in planktonic and biofilm state was evaluated. PAW generated at 36 W-30 min showed the lowest pH and the highest hydrogen peroxide, nitrates, nitrites contents and effectiveness against cells on planktonic state, resulting in 4.6 log reductions after a 15-min treatment. Although the antimicrobial activity in biofilms formed on stainless steel and on polystyrene was lower, increasing the exposure time to 30 min allowed an inactivation >4.5 log cycles. The mechanisms of action of PAW were investigated using chemical solutions that mimic its physico-chemical characteristics and also RNA-seq analysis. The main transcriptomic changes affected carbon metabolism, virulence and general stress response genes, with several overexpressed genes belonging to the cobalamin-dependent gene cluster.

Electrochemical sensors for the determination of 4-ethylguaiacol in wine.

The development of an electrochemical procedure for the determination of 4-ethylguaiacol and its application to wine analysis is described. Modified screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) with fullerene C60 (C60) have been shown to be efficient in this kind of analysis. The developed activated C60/SPCEs (AC60/SPCEs) were adequate for the determination of 4-ethylguaicol, showing a linear range from 200 to 1000 µg/L, a reproducibility of 7.6% and a capability of detection (CCß) value of 200 µg/L, under optimized conditions. The selectivity of the AC60/SPCE sensors was evaluated in the presence of possibly interfering compounds, and their practical applicability was demonstrated  in the analysis of different wine samples obtaining recoveries ranging from 96 to 106%.

Determination of Dicofol in Tea Using Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Coupled Chemometrics.

Dicofol is a highly toxic residual pesticide in tea, which seriously endangers human health. A method for detecting dicofol in tea by combining stoichiometry with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) technology was proposed in this study. AuNPs were prepared, and silver shells were grown on the surface of AuNPs to obtain core-shell Au@AgNPs. Then, the core-shell Au@AgNPs were attached to the surface of a PDMS membrane by physical deposition to obtain a Au@AgNPs/PDMS substrate. The limit of detection (LOD) of this substrate for 4-ATP is as low as 0.28 × 10-11 mol/L, and the LOD of dicofol in tea is 0.32 ng/kg, showing high sensitivity. By comparing the modeling effects of preprocessing and variable selection algorithms, it is concluded that the modeling effect of Savitzky-Golay combined with competitive adaptive reweighted sampling-partial least squares regression is the best (Rp = 0.9964, RPD = 10.6145). SERS technology combined with stoichiometry is expected to rapidly detect dicofol in tea without labels.

Evidence for distinct isotopic compositions of sap and tissue water in tree stems: consequences for plant water source identification.

The long-standing hypothesis that the isotopic composition of plant stem water reflects that of source water is being challenged by studies reporting bulk water from woody stems with an isotopic composition that cannot be attributed to any potential water source. The mechanism behind such source-stem water isotopic offsets is still poorly understood. Using a novel technique to extract selectively sap water from xylem conduits, we show that, in cut stems and potted plants, the isotopic composition of sap water reflects that of irrigation water, demonstrating unambiguously that no isotopic fractionation occurs during root water uptake or sap water extraction. By contrast, water in nonconductive xylem tissues is always depleted in deuterium compared with sap water, irrespective of wood anatomy. Previous studies have shown that isotopic heterogeneity also exists in soils at the pore scale in which water adsorbed onto soil particles is more depleted in deuterium than unbound water. Data collected at a riparian forest indicated that sap water matches best unbound soil water from depth below -70 cm, while bulk stem and soil water differ markedly. We conclude that source-stem isotopic offsets can be explained by micrometre-scale heterogeneity in the isotope ratios of water within woody stems and soil micro-pores.

Do 2 H and 18 O in leaf water reflect environmental drivers differently?

We compiled hydrogen and oxygen stable isotope compositions (δ2 H and δ18 O) of leaf water from multiple biomes to examine variations with environmental drivers. Leaf water δ2 H was more closely correlated with δ2 H of xylem water or atmospheric vapour, whereas leaf water δ18 O was more closely correlated with air relative humidity. This resulted from the larger proportional range for δ2 H of meteoric waters relative to the extent of leaf water evaporative enrichment compared with δ18 O. We next expressed leaf water as isotopic enrichment above xylem water (Δ2 H and Δ18 O) to remove the impact of xylem water isotopic variation. For Δ2 H, leaf water still correlated with atmospheric vapour, whereas Δ18 O showed no such correlation. This was explained by covariance between air relative humidity and the Δ18 O of atmospheric vapour. This is consistent with a previously observed diurnal correlation between air relative humidity and the deuterium excess of atmospheric vapour across a range of ecosystems. We conclude that 2 H and 18 O in leaf water do indeed reflect the balance of environmental drivers differently; our results have implications for understanding isotopic effects associated with water cycling in terrestrial ecosystems and for inferring environmental change from isotopic biomarkers that act as proxies for leaf water.

Reporting Quality in Abstracts of Randomized Controlled Trials Published in High-Impact Occupational Therapy Journals.

IMPORTANCE: Adequate reporting in the abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is essential to enable occupational therapy practitioners to critically appraise the validity of findings. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reporting quality and characteristics of RCT abstracts published between 2008 and 2018 in the occupational therapy journals with the five highest impact factors in 2018. DESIGN: A descriptive cross-sectional study. DATA SOURCES: The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), Australian Occupational Therapy Journal (AOTJ), Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy (CJOT), Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy (SJOT), and Physical and Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics (POTP) were identified using a Web of Science search. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA COLLECTION: We searched Scopus for abstracts in the five included journals. We used a 17-point scale based on the CONSORT for Abstracts (CONSORT-A) checklist to assess reporting quality. We also identified characteristics of the abstracts. FINDINGS: Seventy-eight RCT abstracts were assessed and showed moderate to low adherence to the CONSORT-A checklist (Mdn = 8, interquartile range = 7-9). Abstracts of articles with authors from a higher number of institutions, European first authors, and >200 words had higher CONSORT-A scores. The most underreported CONSORT-A items were trial design, blinding, numbers analyzed, outcome (results), harms, trial registration, and funding. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Between 2008 and 2018, the reporting quality in RCT abstracts from the five highest impact occupational therapy journals was moderate to low. Inadequate reporting in RCT abstracts raises the risk that occupational therapy practitioners will make ineffective clinical decisions based on misinterpretation of findings. What This Article Adds: Reporting quality in RCT abstracts in occupational therapy journals is moderate to low. Journal editors should require authors of RCTs to use the CONSORT-A checklist to promote optimal reporting and transparency in abstracts.

Synthesis and Two-Dimensional Chiral Surface Self-Assembly of a π-Conjugated System with Three-Fold Symmetry: Benzotri(7-Azaindole).

The synthesis of a novel expanded π-conjugated system, namely benzotri(7-azaindole), BTAI, is reported. Its C3h symmetry along with the integration of six complementary donor and acceptor N-H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bonds in the conjugated structure promote the 2D self-assembly on Au(111) over extended areas. Besides, a perfect commensurability with the gold lattice endows the physisorbed molecular film with a remarkable stability. The structural features of BTAI result in two levels of surface chirality: Firstly, the molecules become chiral upon adsorption on the surface. Then, due to the favorable N-H⋅⋅⋅N hydrogen bond-directed self-assembly, along with the relative molecular rotation with respect to the substrate, supramolecular chirality manifests in two mirror enantiomorphous domains. Thus, the system undergoes spontaneous chiral resolution. LEED and STM assisted by theoretical simulations have been employed to characterize in detail these novel 2D conglomerates with relevant chiral properties for systems with C3h symmetry.

A Self-Assembled Small-Molecule-Based Hole-Transporting Material for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells have recently emerged as one of the most promising low-cost photovoltaic technologies. The remarkable progress of perovskite photovoltaics is closely related to advances in interfacial engineering and development of charge selective interlayers. Herein, we present the synthesis and characterization of a fused azapolyheteroaromatic small molecule, namely anthradi-7-azaindole (ADAI), with outstanding performance as a hole-transporting layer in perovskite solar cells with inverted architecture. Its molecular arrangement, induced by hydrogen-bond-directed self-assembly, favors a suitable morphology of the perovskite layer, reducing the effects of recombination as revealed by light intensity dependence, photoluminescence, and electroluminescence studies.

Naturally monozygotic quadruplets in a Braford cow confirmed by DNA analysis: A case report.

Cattle are a monotocous species, despite naturally conceived multiple births are sometimes observed. Although the number of twins has consistently increased, triplet and quadruplet pregnancies represent 0.015% and 0.004% of the total births, respectively. Multiple births are the result of multiple ovulation and/or the spontaneous cleavage of one fertilized oocyte, which is known as monozygotic (MZ) twinning. In cattle, approximately 5% to 14% of all twin births are MZ, and births with more than two MZ calves are extremely rare. Monozygotic animals are genetically identical, and those derived from two or more zygotes are genetically different. Furthermore, the presence of placental vascular anastomosis can result in foetal chimerism. Notwithstanding, animals born as single calves can be chimeras when one of the foetal twins dies undetected in utero. Here, we used DNA testing to study the zygotic condition of an unusual female quadruplet born from a Braford cow bred in a multi-sire natural mating system without hormone stimulation. Two tissues with different embryological origin were sampled to test zygosity and possible chimerism. The results showed an identical genotype, confirming they all originated in an MZ pregnancy and suggesting the lack of chimerism in all animals. The use of MZ twins in breeding and selection systems provides an alternative to the conventional progeny testing. Some works have suggested a genetic background of MZ twins in humans. This female and her daughters could be the founders of a lineage to study the possible inheritance of MZ multiple births in cattle.

UNILATERAL SINGLE VAGINAL ECTOPIC URETER WITH IPSILATERAL HYPOPLASTIC AND DEGENERATED KIDNEY ASSOCIATED WITH INFERTILITY IN IBERIAN IBEX (CAPRA PYRENAICA) DOES.

This article describes the urinogenital condition of three female Iberian ibexes (Capra pyrenaica-one infertile 3-yr-old adult and two prepubertal animals aged 1 (PP1) and 2 (PP2) yr, respectively, all raised in captivity. All showed constant urinal dribbling, leading to ulcerative dermatitis in the vulvar area. Housed in a stable with other females, the adult did not become pregnant after male contact in either of two consecutive mating seasons. Vaginoscopy and laparoscopic exploration performed on the prepubertal females revealed abnormalities of the vagina and urinary bladder. Ultrasound examination revealed atrophy of the left kidney in the adult female and PP1, and of the right kidney in PP2, with degeneration of the renal pelvis. A paraovarian cyst with hydrosalpinx was also detected in the left oviduct of the adult female. Postmortem analysis of the adult and PP2, which shared a mother, confirmed an extramural single ectopic ureter with vaginal insertion associated with atrophy of the ipsilateral kidney. Though PP1 was officially unrelated to the latter animals, all three might have had a common ancestor in their lineages.

Detection of MRSA of Lineages CC130-mecC and CC398-mecA and Staphylococcus delphini-lnu(A) in Magpies and Cinereous Vultures in Spain.

The aim of this study was to determine the carriage rate of coagulase-positive staphylococci (CoPS) in wild birds and to characterize recovered isolates. Tracheal samples from 324 wild birds, obtained in different Spanish regions during 2015-2016, were screened for CoPS carriage. The antimicrobial resistance profile and the virulence gene content were investigated. Molecular typing was performed by spa, agr, MLST, SCCmec, and S. delphini group classification. CoPS were recovered from 26 samples of wild birds (8.3%), and 27 isolates were further characterized. Two CoPS species were detected: S. aureus (n = 15; eight cinereous vultures and seven magpies) and S. delphini (n = 12; 11 cinereous vultures and one red kite). Thirteen S. aureus were methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and the remaining two strains were methicillin-susceptible (MSSA). Twelve MRSA were mecC-positive, typed as t843-ST1583/ST1945/ST1581/ST1571 (n = 11) and t1535-ST1945 (n = 1) (all of clonal-complex CC130); they were susceptible to the non-ß-lactams tested. The remaining MRSA strain carried the mecA gene, was typed as t011-ST398-CC398-agrI-SCCmec-V, and showed a multiresistance phenotype. MSSA isolates were ascribed to lineages ST97-CC97 and ST425-CC425. All S. aureus lacked the studied virulence genes (lukS/F-PV, tst, eta, etb, and etd), and the IEC type E (with scn and sak genes) was detected in four mecC-positive and one MSSA isolates. S. delphini strains were methicillin-susceptible but showed resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested, with high penicillin (75%, with blaZ gene) and tetracycline [58%, with tet(K)± tet(L)] resistance rates. All S. delphini isolates presented the virulence genes lukS-I, siet, and se-int, and four carried the clindamycin-resistance lnu(A) gene.

Magnetic resonance imaging as an assessment tool following intervention with an AdVance XP suburethral sling for postprostatectomy urinary incontinence.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to compare magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters in patients with mild incontinence after radical prostatectomy, who had undergone treatment with a suburethral sling. The objective was to compare patients who had been successfully treated with unsuccessful patients. METHODS: This observational cohort study at a single institution evaluated consecutive patients treated with an AdVance XP sling. MRI was performed using a 1.5 Tesla system. Preoperative urodynamic assessment and flexible cystoscopy were performed. The qualitative analysis was based on sling indentation (complete vs incomplete). The quantitative analysis comprised the following three parameters: the sling-pubis distance, the thickness of the proximal urethral bulb, and the sling backward distance (SBD), defined as the distance between the prolongation of a line through the major axis of the pubis (the line-segment joining the vertices of the pubis) and the sling indentation. The primary outcome was pad count at 3 months; cure as zero pads. A logistic univariate regression model was employed to assess the potential predictors of successful outcomes. An adjusted multivariate logistic regression model using the significant univariate factors was developed. RESULTS: Of the 83 patients enrolled, the univariate analysis revealed a relationship between failure and adverse urodynamics and between success and sling indentation, thickness of the proximal bulb and SBD. Only the association with SBD persisted in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: MRI revealed a strong relationship between proper positioning of the sling (small SBD) and continence outcome. These data have important implications for a second surgery following initial sling failure.

Validation of the Spanish version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen (S-OCS): psychometric properties of a short cognitive stroke-specific screening tool.

OBJECTIVE:: The aim of this study is to examine the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen in a subacute stroke population. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING:: Fifty-seven subacute stroke outpatients and 54 healthy individuals were recruited in Alicante province, Spain. MAIN MEASURE:: The Oxford Cognitive Screen. OTHER MEASURES:: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, the Barcelona test, and the Barthel Index. DESIGN:: A validation study was conducted to analyze the inter-rater, intra-rater, test-retest, and internal consistency of the Spanish version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen. Concurrent validity was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment and the Barcelona test, and divergent validity using the Barthel index. Discriminant indices such as the sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, and optimal cut-offs were also estimated. RESULTS:: The subtests of the Spanish version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen showed excellent estimates for the inter-reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.790 to 1.000; rs = 0.693 to 1.000), and acceptable-good for intra-reliability (ICC = 0.181 to 0.990) and test-retest reliability ( rs = 0.173 to 0.971). Internal consistency was also excellent (standardized Cronbach's α = 0.907). Spearman correlations for the concurrent validity were low-strong ( rs = -0.193 to 0.95) and low-moderate ( rs = -0.091 to 0.443) for divergent validity. The optimal cut-offs estimated for the subtests of the Spanish version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen showed good-high specificity (66.7%-100%) and positive predictive value (67.9%-100%), and low-good sensitivity (14.8%-83.3%) and moderate-good negative predictive value (53.5%-76.6%). Discriminant power as measured by the area under the curve indicated acceptable-good values (0.397 to 0.894). CONCLUSION:: Our findings support that the Spanish version of the Oxford Cognitive Screen is a reliable and valid tool for screening cognitive impairments in subacute stroke patients.

Catatonia in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis.

AIM: There is a lack of studies related to the frequency, phenomenology, and associated features of catatonic syndrome in patients with anti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (ANMDARE). This study aimed to measure the frequency of catatonia in this condition and to delineate its particular symptoms. METHODS: A prospective study was done with all inpatients who fulfilled the criteria of definite ANMDARE admitted to the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery of Mexico from January 2014 to September 2018. The Bush-Francis Catatonia Rating Scale and Braünig Catatonia Rating Scale were administered at admission. RESULTS: Fifty-eight patients were included and catatonia was diagnosed in 41 of these patients (70.6%). Immobility, staring, mutism, and posturing were the most frequent catatonic signs. Catatonia was associated with delirium, hallucinations, psychomotor agitation, generalized electroencephalography dysfunction, and previous use of antipsychotics. Mortality was present in 10% of the total sample; it was associated with status epilepticus, and was less frequent in the catatonia group. After immunotherapy, all cases showed a complete recovery from catatonic signs. CONCLUSION: This systematic assessment of catatonic syndrome shows that it is a frequent feature in patients with ANMDARE as part of a clinical pattern that includes delirium, psychomotor agitation, and hallucinations. The lack of recognition of this pattern may be a source of diagnostic and therapeutic errors, as most physicians associate catatonia with schizophrenia and affective disorders.

The Tridimensional Structure of Sociosexuality: Spanish Validation of the Revised Sociosexual Orientation Inventory.

Casual sex has become a common experience for many university students. Therefore, it is necessary to have instruments and studies that analyze youth's orientation toward sociosexuality. The SOI-R assesses sociosexual behavior, attitudes toward sociosexuality, and the desire for relationships without commitment with just nine items. The goal of this study was to validate the Spanish version of the SOI-R, to improve the scale, and to contribute evidence of the utility of the Sociosexual Desire subscale. Participants were 839 heterosexual university students of both sexes, aged between 18 and 26, who completed a battery of online questionnaires. The internal structure of the SOI-R revealed the three proposed theoretical dimensions, with medium to low relationships between factors. The instrument has measurement invariance with regards to sex and age. The Spanish version of the SOI-R had adequate levels of reliability. The modification of the first item of the scale is suggested, as well as the relevance of assessing sociosexual desire as an independent construct. The relation between sociosexuality and other sociodemographic and psychosocial variables was also analyzed. The discussion highlights the need for research to determine youth's sociosexual orientation and patterns of casual sex.

The frontal assessment battery in clinical practice: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: The frontal assessment battery (FAB) is a brief tool designed to evaluate executive function. Some studies have particularly focused on assessing its applicability addressing two issues: first, on detecting the brain regions responsible for the FAB performance, and second, on determining its capability for differential diagnosis. Our aim was to summarize and analyze critically the studies that assessed the neuroanatomical correspondence and the differential diagnostic value of the FAB in several study populations suffering from different pathologies. METHODS: We completed a literature search in MEDLINE (via PubMed) database by using the term "frontal assessment battery" and the combination of this term with "applicability" or "use" or "usefulness". The search was limited to articles in English or Spanish languages, published between 1 September 2000 and 30 September 2016, human studies, and journal articles. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies met inclusion criteria. Seventeen studies were aimed at identifying the brain regions or the neural substrates involved in executive functions measured by the FAB and 15 studies at verifying that the FAB was an appropriate tool for the differential diagnosis in neurological diseases. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that the FAB may be an adequate assessment tool for executive function and may provide useful information for differential diagnosis in several diseases. Given that the FAB takes short time and is easy to administer, its usage may be of great interest as part of a full neuropsychological assessment in clinical settings. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Staphylococcus aureus isolated from wastewater treatment plants in Tunisia: occurrence of human and animal associated lineages.

The objective was to characterize Staphylococcus aureus isolated from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in Tunis City (Tunisia), during the period 2014-2015. Genetic lineages, antibiotic resistance mechanisms and virulence factors were determined for the recovered isolates. S. aureus isolates were recovered from 12 of the 62 wastewater samples tested (19.35%), and one isolate/sample was characterized, all of them being methicillin-susceptible (MSSA). Six spa types (t587, t674, t224, t127, t701 and t1534) were found among the 12 isolates, and the spa-t587, associated with the new sequence type ST3245, was the most predominant one (7 isolates). The remaining isolates were assigned to five clonal complexes (CC5, CC97, CC1, CC6 and CC522) according to the sequence-type determined and/or the spa-type detected. S. aureus isolates were ascribed to agrI (n = 3), agrII (n = 7) and agrIII (n = 1); however, one isolate was non-typeable. S. aureus showed resistance to (number of isolates): penicillin (12), erythromycin (7), tetracycline (one) and clindamycin (one). Among the virulence factors investigated, only one isolate harboured the tst gene, encoding the TSST-1 (toxic shock syndrome toxin 1). Despite the low number of studied isolates, the present study reports the occurrence of both human- and animal-associated S. aureus clonal complexes in WWTPs in Tunisia.

Detection of MRSA ST3061-t843-mecC and ST398-t011-mecA in white stork nestlings exposed to human residues.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to analyse the prevalence of tracheal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus/MRSA in storks and to study the resistance and virulence genes in the obtained isolates. METHODS: Tracheal samples from 92 stork nestlings of two landfill-associated and two natural-habitat colonies were inoculated in specific media for S. aureus and MRSA recovery. Antimicrobial susceptibility was tested, and the presence of resistance, virulence and immune evasion cluster (IEC) genes was analysed by PCR. S. aureus isolates were characterized by spa and agr typing. Staphylococcal cassette chromosome (SCC) mec type was determined for mecC-positive isolates, and MLST was performed for 17 selected S. aureus isolates. RESULTS: S. aureus isolates were identified in 32/92 samples (34.8%), and 38 isolates were recovered. The prevalence of S. aureus was higher in nestlings from landfills (24/43, 55.8%) than in those from natural habitats (8/49, 16.3%). Three birds from landfill-associated colonies carried MRSA, two with mecA-positive strains [clonal complex (CC) 5-spa-t002 and CC398-spa-t011] and one with a mecC-positive strain [sequence type (ST) 3061-CC130-spa-t843-agr-III-SCCmecXI). None of the MRSA isolates presented IEC genes. Thirty-five MSSA isolates, which showed 18 different spa types (ascribed to CC5, CC7, CC22, CC30, CC45, CC59, CC133 and CC398), were obtained. The agr types detected were I (63%), II (29%) and III (8%). Resistance and virulence genes identified in MSSA were blaZ (n = 25), erm(T) (n = 9), erm(A) (n = 1), tet(M) (n = 2), fexA (n = 3), str (n = 2), tst (n = 2), eta (n = 1) and cna (n = 15). The IEC types B, C, D and G were found in MSSA isolates, and two new STs were identified (ST3060 and ST3061). CONCLUSIONS: White storks are frequently tracheal carriers of S. aureus, including ST398 isolates. MRSA isolates of lineages CC398-mecA and CC130-mecC were detected in storks from landfill-associated colonies exposed to human residues.