Determining the pathogenicity of bacteria present in wetland waters and crow feces in Bothell / Determinando a patogenicidade de bactérias presentes nas águas dos pântanos e em fezes de corvos em Bothell

This study will determine the pathogenicity of bacteria isolated from the wetland waters and crows feces within the UWBothell campus. This emanated from the need to determine whether the American crow (Corvus brachyrhyncos) has arole in the epidemiology of diarrheal disease along with its significant con-tribution to the high level of fecal coliformsin the stream water that runs through the crow roosting area. Modified from previous studies, we developed protocolsto culture Escherichia coli and Campylobacter, both are known to be pathogenic and present in crow feces, to isolateDNA from cultures or samples, and to perform PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction)/qPCR (Quantitative PolymeraseChain Reaction) to detect virulence genes. We found that the virulence genes eae and rfb that are necessary to causediarrhea were absent in a representative number of E. coli strains isolated from the water samples and the fecal samples.The virulence genes flaA and cad in the Campylobacter species were detected in fecal samples (77.8% and 73%,respectively) and in water samples (75% each). In conclusion, our hypothesis could not be verified, but our resultssuggest that the Campylobacter isolated from wetland water and crow feces are potentially pathogenic. However, theresults are not conclusive and more sample and virulence genes specific to ex-traintestinal pathogenic E. coli, need to bescreened in order to accurately assess the pathogenicity of these bacteria(AU)

Este estudo determinará a patogenicidade de bactérias isoladas das águas pantanais e fezes de corvos den-tro do campusUW (University of Washington) Bothell. Este estudo emanou da necessidade de determinar se o corvo americano (Corvusbrachyrhyncos) tem um papel na epidemiologia da doença diarréica, junta-mente com sua contribuição significativapara o alto nível de coliformes fecais na água do fluxo que per-corre a área onde as aves se alojam. Modificado a partirde estudos anteriores, desenvolvemos protocolos para cultura de Escherichia coli e Campylobacter, ambas conhecidaspor serem patogênicas e presentes em fezes de corvos, isolar DNA de culturas ou amostras e realizar PCR/qPCR paradetectar genes de virulên-cia. Descobriu-se que os genes de virulência eae e rfb que são necessários para causar diarreiaestavam au-sentes num número representativo de estirpes de E. coli isoladas das amostras de água e das amostras fecais.Os genes de virulência flaA e cad em espécies de Campylobacter foram detectados em amostras fecais (77,8% e73%, respectivamente) e em amostras de água (75% cada). Concluindo, nossa hipotese não pôde ser confirmada, masnossos resultados sugerem que a Campylobacter isolada das amostras de água e de fezes de corvo é potencialmentepatogênica. No entanto, os resultados não são conclusivos e mais amostras e genes de virulência específicos para E. coliextraintestinal patogênica necessitam ser identificados, a fim de avaliar com precisão a patogenicidade destas bactérias(AU)

Avaliação da qualidade de águas minerais comercializadas nas cidades do Vale do Jamari, amazônia ocidental, Rondônia - Brasil / Quality assessment of mineral waters in cities of commercially Jamari Valley, western amazon, Brazil Rondonia

O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de avaliar a qualidade microbiológica de forma qualitativa, e quantitativamente as propriedades físico-químicas das águas minerais comercializadas na Região do Vale do Jamari ­ Rondônia ­ Brasil, composta hoje por nove municípios. Para as análises foram utilizadas seis marcas diferentes e de cada uma delas, três lotes distintos. Ao se tratar das análises da qualidade microbiológica foi utilizado o método rápido de Colitag em 100 ml de água mineral, identificando a presença de Coliformes totais e Coliformes termotolerantes (Escherichia coli). As análises físico-químicas avaliaram os parâmetros de pH, condutividade elétrica, temperatura, turbidez e a concentração de flúor presente. Os resultados apresentaram contaminação com bactérias do grupo coliformes totais em todos os lotes analisados, e em alguns a presença de Escherichia coli. Em relação às análises físico-químicas a maioria das marcas apresentou resultados próximos em comparação às informações contidas nos rótulos.

This study aimed to evaluate the microbiological quality qualitatively and quantitatively the physicochemical properties of mineral waters marketed in Vale do Jamari - Rondônia - Brazil, composed of nine counties today. For the analysis we used six different brands and each of three different lots. When dealing with the analysis of microbiological method was used for rapid Colitag in 100 ml of mineral water, identifying the presence of total coliforms and thermotolerant coliforms (Escherichia coli). The physico-chemical parameters evaluated for pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, turbidity and fluoride concentration. The results were contaminated with total coliform bacteria in all analyzed batches, and in some cases the presence of Escherichia coli. Regarding physicochemical analyzes most brands had similar results compared to the information on the labels.

Assessment of immunity against avian colibacillosis induced by an aroA mutant containing increased serum survival gene in broilers

Colibacillosis is an important disease in the poultry industry which causes serious economic damages. As it is suggested that vaccination is one of the means to control colibacillosis, we tried to investigate the vaccine potential of a ÃaroA derivative of an O78:K80 avian pathogenic Escherichia coli containing increased serum survival gene. 490 chicks were selected as follows: For assessment of virulence of ÃaroA mutant, 30 chicks were divided into three groups and injected with 0.5ml of PBS or bacterial suspension containing either10(7)colony forming units (CFU) of mutant or parent strains via subcutaneous route. Macroscopic lesions and mortality rate were recorded in different groups during the week after challenge. For assessment of safety and immunogenicity of the ÃaroA mutant, three groups of 20 chicks were vaccinated by aerosol administration of 250 ml of suspension containing 10(8) CFU of mutant strain at days 1 and 14, while the two other groups received PBS or wild type strain. Macroscopic lesions and mortality rate were recorded in different groups until day 21. To determine whether the vaccination is protective against challenges or not, the chickens were vaccinated at days 1 and 14 and challenged intramuscularly with either a homologous or heterologous strains at day 21. Macroscopic lesions and mortality rate were recorded in different groups during the week after challenge. The results revealed that the ÃaroA mutant was slightly virulent, however it was safe and did not cause mortality, lesions or weight loss after vaccination. Antibody responses were similar in the control and mutant groups and vaccination did not induce a significant humoral immunity. The mutant could not protect chickens against both homologous and heterologous challenges. This could be due to several factors such as the high amount of maternal antibodies in the first two weeks of life, and the vaccination procedure.

Estudio prospectivo, randomizado, comparativo de la eficacia, seguridad y costos de cefuroxima vs cefradina en la pielonefritis aguda del embarazo / Efficacy, safety and cost of cefuroxime compared with cephradine in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy

Background: Second generation cephalosporins (CFPs) are more active in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy but their cost is considerably higher than their predecessors. Cefuroxime, a second generation CFP with oral and parenteral presentations, might offer significant advantages and become a first choice antimicrobial in this setting. Aim: To compare the efficacy, safety and cost of cefuroxime and cephradine in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis in pregnancy. Patients and methods: Hospitalized women with 12 to 34 weeks of pregnancy, with clinical and bacteriological diagnosis of acute pyelonephritis, were randomly assigned to receive cefuroxime (Curocef (r), GlaxoWellcome) 750 mg t.i.d, i.v or cephradine 1 g q.i.d., i.v. If the isolated organism was resistant to the assigned drug the patient was excluded. Once patients were afebrile, they were switched to an oral form of the same antimicrobial. They were discharged according to the clinical status and treated for a total of 14 days. Laboratory tests, including urine culture were requested during controls and at the end of follow-up at 28 days. Results: One hundred and one patients were randomized: 49 to receive cephradine and 52 to receive cefuroxime. Patients in the cefuroxime group had fewer febrile days (mean 1.7 vs 2.2, p<0.05), faster clinical recovery (mean 2.7 vs 3.1 days, p<0.05), a higher rate of bacteriological cure at 28 days (78.8 percent and 59.2 percent, p<0.05) and lower rate of failure (21.2 percent vs 40.8 percent p<0.05). The rate of resistance of isolated uropathogens was l4 percent to cephradine and 1 percent to cefuroxime. Conclusions: Cefuroxime can be considered as a first choice option in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy due to its tolerance, microbiological activity and efficacy