RESUMO
We report the use of a new multiplex Real-Time PCR platform to simultaneously identify 24 pathogens and 3 antimicrobial-resistance genes directly from respiratory samples of COVID-19 patients. Results were compared to culture-based diagnosis. Secondary infections were detected in 60% of COVID-19 patients by molecular analysis and 73% by microbiological assays, with no significant differences in accuracy, indicating Gram-negative bacteria as the predominant species. Among fungal superinfections, Aspergillus spp. were detected by both methods in more than 7% of COVID-19 patients. Oxacillin-resistant S. aureus and carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae were highlighted by both methods. Secondary microbial infections in SARS-CoV-2 patients are associated with poor outcomes and an increased risk of death. Since PCR-based tests significantly reduce the turnaround time to 4 hours and 30 minutes (compared to 48 hours for microbial culture), we strongly support the routine use of molecular techniques, in conjunction with microbiological analysis, to identify co/secondary infections.
Assuntos
COVID-19 , Coinfecção , SARS-CoV-2 , Humanos , COVID-19/diagnóstico , COVID-19/microbiologia , SARS-CoV-2/genética , Coinfecção/diagnóstico , Coinfecção/microbiologia , Coinfecção/virologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Feminino , Técnicas de Diagnóstico Molecular/métodos , Idoso , Infecções Respiratórias/microbiologia , Infecções Respiratórias/diagnóstico , Infecções Respiratórias/virologia , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase Multiplex/métodos , Adulto , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana/genética , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase em Tempo Real/métodos , Bactérias/genética , Bactérias/efeitos dos fármacos , Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Bactérias/classificação , Infecções Bacterianas/diagnóstico , Infecções Bacterianas/microbiologiaRESUMO
The cultivation of cyanobacteria by exploiting available in situ resources represents a possible way to supply food and oxygen to astronauts during long-term crewed missions on Mars. Here, we evaluated the possibility of cultivating the extremophile cyanobacterium Chroococcidiopsis thermalis CCALA 050 under operating conditions that should occur within a dome hosting a recently patented process to produce nutrients and oxygen on Mars. The medium adopted to cultivate this cyanobacterium, named Martian medium, was obtained using a mixture of regolith leachate and astronauts' urine simulants that would be available in situ resources whose exploitation could reduce the mission payload. The results demonstrated that C. thermalis can grow in such a medium. For producing high biomass, the best medium consisted of specific percentages (40%vol) of Martian medium and a standard medium (60%vol). Biomass produced in such a medium exhibits excellent antioxidant properties and contains significant amounts of pigments. Lipidomic analysis demonstrated that biomass contains strategic lipid classes able to help the astronauts facing the oxidative stress and inflammatory phenomena taking place on Mars. These characteristics suggest that this strain could serve as a valuable nutritional resource for astronauts.