Two Cases of Newly Characterized Neisseria Species, Brazil.

We describe 2 human cases of infection with a new Neisseria species (putatively N. brasiliensis), 1 of which involved bacteremia. Genomic analyses found that both isolates were distinct strains of the same species, were closely related to N. iguanae, and contained a capsule synthesis operon similar to N. meningitidis.

Validation of multiplex PCR for the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis in culture negative cerebrospinal fluid.

INTRODUCTION: This study evaluated the operational characteristics of the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with cellular and biochemical characteristics of acute bacterial meningitis and positive or negative CSF cultures. METHODS: Multiplex PCR was performed for 36 CSF samples: culture-proven acute bacterial meningitis (n = 7), culture-negative acute bacterial meningitis (n = 17), lymphocytic meningitis (n = 8), and normal CSF (n = 4). The operational characteristics of multiplex PCR were evaluated with definite and probable bacterial meningitis, using culture positive, cytological and biochemical CSF characteristics as the gold standard. RESULTS: Multiplex PCR for CSF was efficient in the group with CSF cellular and biochemical characteristics of acute bacterial meningitis but with a negative CSF culture. This group demonstrated high specificity, positive predictive value, and efficiency. CONCLUSIONS: Multiplex PCR for CSF can improve the speed and accuracy of acute bacterial meningitis diagnosis in a clinical setting as a complement to classical immunological and bacteriological assays in CSF. It is also useful for CSF culture-negative acute bacterial meningitis.

Validation of multiplex PCR for the diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis in culture negative cerebrospinal fluid / Validação do PCR multiplex para o diagnóstico de meningite bacteriana aguda com cultura de liquido cefalorraquidiano negativa

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the operational characteristics of the multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from patients with cellular and biochemical characteristics of acute bacterial meningitis and positive or negative CSF cultures. Methods: Multiplex PCR was performed for 36 CSF samples: culture-proven acute bacterial meningitis (n = 7), culture-negative acute bacterial meningitis (n = 17), lymphocytic meningitis (n = 8), and normal CSF (n = 4). The operational characteristics of multiplex PCR were evaluated with definite and probable bacterial meningitis, using culture positive, cytological and biochemical CSF characteristics as the gold standard. Results: Multiplex PCR for CSF was efficient in the group with CSF cellular and biochemical characteristics of acute bacterial meningitis but with a negative CSF culture. This group demonstrated high specificity, positive predictive value, and efficiency. Conclusions: Multiplex PCR for CSF can improve the speed and accuracy of acute bacterial meningitis diagnosis in a clinical setting as a complement to classical immunological and bacteriological assays in CSF. It is also useful for CSF culture-negative acute bacterial meningitis.

RESUMO Este estudo avaliou as características funcionais da reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) multiplex para amostras de líquido cefalorraquidiano (LCR) de pacientes com características celulares e bioquímicas de meningite bacteriana aguda e culturas de LCR positivas ou negativas. Métodos: O PCR multiplex foi realizado em 36 amostras de LCR: meningite bacteriana aguda comprovada por cultura (n = 7), meningite bacteriana aguda com cultura negativa (n = 17), meningite linfocítica (n = 8) e LCR normal (n = 4). As características funcionais do PCR multiplex foram avaliadas para meningite bacteriana definitiva e provável, utilizando cultura positiva, características citológicas e bioquímicas do LCR como padrão-ouro. Resultados: O PCR multiplex do LCR foi eficiente no grupo com características celulares e bioquímicas do LCR de meningite bacteriana, mas com cultura do LCR negativa. Este grupo demonstrou especificidade, valor preditivo positivo e eficiência altos. Conclusões: Os autores concluíram que o PCR multiplex do LCR pode melhorar a velocidade e a precisão do diagnóstico de meningite bacteriana em um ambiente clínico como complemento aos ensaios imunológicos e bacteriológicos clássicos no LCR. Também é útil para meningite bacteriana aguda com cultura de LCR negativa.

Low level of polymyxin resistance among nonclonal mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli from human sources in Brazil.

We report 26 human isolates of mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli, most of them (65.4%) with a polymyxin B MIC of 2 mg/L. Seventeen out of the 24 mcr-1-positive E. coli proved to be nonclonal by rep-PCR which strengthens the hypothesis of environmental or animal origin of these strains and reinforces the one health context of antimicrobial resistance.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of 942 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in southern Brazil.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is a major international health problem, and its identification in developing countries is based exclusively on phenotypic methods. The aim of this study was to assess the sensitivity and related parameters of the modified Hodge test (MHT). The assessment was performed in a large number of isolates obtained from different hospitals in several cities of a south Brazilian state. Bacterial species were identified using an automated method. The MHT was performed according to the guidelines set by the CLSI. The gene blaKPC was amplified in order to confirmation CRE expression. The sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive values were calculated. A total of 942 isolates were submitted to the reference laboratory for confirmation; 143 showed a negative MHT (15.18%) result, while 784 were positive (83.23%), and 15 samples displayed an indeterminate MHT (1.59%) result. All samples expressed the KPC-2 enzyme. Sensitivity, specificity, positive, and negative predictive percentiles were 99%, 89%, 98%, and 99% respectively. We conclude that the modified Hodge test is a reliable test for the prediction of KPC-producing bacteria.

Potencial antiinflamatório de Annona glabra, Annonaceae / Anti-inflammatory potential of Annona glabra, Annonaceae

Annona glabra Linneau, Annonaceae, é uma árvore de pequeno porte encontrada em todo território brasileiro, principalmente nas áreas costeiras e conhecida popularmente como araticum-do-brejo e araticum-bravo. Este trabalho teve como objetivos investigar os efeitos do extrato de A. glabra e do ácido caurenóico dele purificado sobre a migração de granulócitos humanos e seu potencial imunomodulatório. Os resultados demonstraram que o extrato de A. glabra inibe a migração natural de granulócitos, de acordo com a dose, sugerindo potencial antiinflamatório, enquanto o ácido caurenóico demonstrou estimulá-la de forma significativa. Em contraste, nenhum efeito foi observado com relação a imunomodulação. Os efeitos apresentados ainda não foram descritos e, dessa forma, contribuem para ampliar a lista de atividades biológicas descritas não só do extrato de A. glabra, como também para o ácido caurenóico.

Annona glabra Linneau, Annonaceae, is a small tree that grows over the Brazilian territory particularly in its coast, and is known as "araticum-do-brejo" and "araticum-bravo". The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the extract of A. glabra and its purified kaurenoic acid on the locomotion of human granulocytes and their immunomodulatory potential. The results herein presented showed a dose-dependent inhibition of the granulocyte migration for the extract, suggesting an anti-inflammatory activity, in contrast with a striking stimulation observed for the kaurenoic acid. When focusing immunomodulation properties, no activity could be drawn. The effects presented in this work are reported for the first time and extend the list of biological activities already described for the A. glabra extract as well as for the kaurenoic acid.