ABSTRACT
The subfamily Triatominae (Hemiptera-Reduviidae) includes more than 150 blood-sucking species, potential vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, causative agent of Chagas disease. A distinctive cytogenetic characteristic of this group is the presence of extremely stable chromosome numbers. Unexpectedly, the analyses of the chromosomal location of ribosomal gene clusters and other repetitive sequences place Triatominae as a significantly diverse hemipteran subfamily. Here, we advance the understanding of Triatominae chromosomal evolution through the analysis of the 45S rDNA cluster chromosomal location in 92 Triatominae species. We found the 45S rDNA clusters in one to four loci per haploid genome with different chromosomal patterns: On one or two autosomes, on one, two or three sex chromosomes, on the X chromosome plus one to three autosomes. The movement of 45S rDNA clusters is discussed in an evolutionary context. Our results illustrate that rDNA mobility has been relatively common in the past and in recent evolutionary history of the group. The high frequency of rDNA patterns involving autosomes and sex chromosomes among closely related species could affect genetic recombination and the viability of hybrid populations, which suggests that the mobility of rDNA clusters could be a driver of species diversification.
Subject(s)
Chagas Disease , Reduviidae , Triatominae , Animals , Chagas Disease/veterinary , Chromosomes , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Triatominae/geneticsABSTRACT
Secondary constrictions or 45S rDNA sites are commonly reported to be located mainly in the terminal regions of the chromosomes. This distribution has been assumed to be related to the existence of a "chromosome field" lying between the centromere and the telomere, an area in which certain cytogenetic events may predominantly occur. If this hypothesis is true this distribution should not be observed in holokinetic chromosomes, as they do not have a localized centromere. In order to evaluate this hypothesis, a comparative study was made of the distributions of 5S and 45S rDNA sites using fluorescence in situ hybridization in representatives of the genera Eleocharis, Diplacrum, Fimbristylis, Kyllinga and Rhynchospora, all of which belong to the family Cyperaceae. The numbers of sites per diploid chromosome complement varied from 2 to â¼10 for 5S rDNA, and from 2 to â¼45 for 45S rDNA. All of the 11 species analyzed had terminally located 45S rDNA sites on the chromosomes whereas the 5S rDNA sites also generally had terminal distributions, except for the Rhynchospora species, where their position was almost always interstitial. These results, together with other previously published data, suggest that the variation in the number and position of the rDNA sites in species with holokinetic chromosomes is non-random and similar to that reported for species with monocentric chromosomes. Therefore, the predominant terminal position of the 45S rDNA sites does not appear to be influenced by the centromere-telomere polarization as suggested by the "chromosome field" hypothesis. Additionally, the hybridization of 5S and 45S rDNA sites provides interesting markers to distinguish several chromosomes on the rather symmetrical karyotypes of Cyperaceae.
Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Plant/chemistry , Plants/chemistry , RNA, Ribosomal, 5S/analysis , RNA, Ribosomal/analysis , Centromere/genetics , Cyperaceae/genetics , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Kinetics , Nucleolus Organizer Region , Telomere/geneticsABSTRACT
Several cytogenetic studies have shown that representatives of the family Cyperaceae have holocentric chromosomes. Despite their interesting chromosome morphology, the chromosome organization has not been studied. This paper reports on the number and distribution of 18S-5.8S-26S ribosomal RNA sites by fluorescence in situ hybridization in eight Brazilian species of Rhynchospora. The signal of the rDNA probe was always localized in the telomeric regions. A high degree of variation was observed in the number of labelled sites, ranging from 4-8 in karyotypes with 2n = 10 to 30 sites in a karyotype with 50 chromosomes. It is possible that the same mechanism involved in the multiplication of these regions in organisms with monocentric chromosomes also plays a role in the polymorphism observed in holocentric chromosomes of Rhynchospora. An interesting feature of most hybridization sites was their diffuse state observed through to early metaphase. The decondensed state probably reflects the later transcription of this region during the cell cycle.
Subject(s)
Chromosome Mapping , DNA, Ribosomal/genetics , Plants/genetics , DNA Probes , DNA, Plant/genetics , In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence , Interphase/physiology , Karyotyping , Metaphase/physiology , RNA, Ribosomal/geneticsABSTRACT
Se investigó la presencia de Helicobacter pylori en 50 pacientes con trastornos gastroduodenales que concurrieron a dos centros de salud de la ciudad de San Luis. De cada paciente se tomaron cuatro muestras de biopsia de mucosa de antro gástrico, dos de ellas destinadas al estudio histológico y dos al análisis bacteriológico: observación al Gram, prueba de ureasa y cultivo. Helicobacter pylori se detectó en 38 (76 por ciento) de los pacientes mediante el estudio histológico y en 30 (60 por ciento) por la tinción de Gram. De estos últimos, 28 (93 por ciento) dieron positiva la prueba de ureasa coincidiendo con un número significativo de bacterias. El 80 por ciento (24/30) de las muestras positivas al Gram mostró un buen desarrollo microbiano en los medios de cultivo de Mueller-Hinton y de Skirrow indistintamente. Se recomienda la prueba de ureasa como una alternativa de diagnóstico: rápida, económica y efectiva cuando hay una cantidad suficiente de bacterias. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Argentina , Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification , Gastritis/microbiology , Peptic Ulcer/microbiology , Stomach Ulcer/microbiology , Urease/diagnosis , Microbiological Techniques , Duodenal Neoplasms/microbiology , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/microbiology , Duodenitis/microbiology , Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity , Gastritis/etiology , Stomach Ulcer/etiology , Peptic Ulcer/etiologyABSTRACT
Se investigó la presencia de Helicobacter pylori en 50 pacientes con trastornos gastroduodenales que concurrieron a dos centros de salud de la ciudad de San Luis. De cada paciente se tomaron cuatro muestras de biopsia de mucosa de antro gástrico, dos de ellas destinadas al estudio histológico y dos al análisis bacteriológico: observación al Gram, prueba de ureasa y cultivo. Helicobacter pylori se detectó en 38 (76 por ciento) de los pacientes mediante el estudio histológico y en 30 (60 por ciento) por la tinción de Gram. De estos últimos, 28 (93 por ciento) dieron positiva la prueba de ureasa coincidiendo con un número significativo de bacterias. El 80 por ciento (24/30) de las muestras positivas al Gram mostró un buen desarrollo microbiano en los medios de cultivo de Mueller-Hinton y de Skirrow indistintamente. Se recomienda la prueba de ureasa como una alternativa de diagnóstico: rápida, económica y efectiva cuando hay una cantidad suficiente de bacterias.
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Argentina , Duodenal Neoplasms/microbiology , Duodenitis/microbiology , Gastritis/microbiology , Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/microbiology , Helicobacter pylori/isolation & purification , Microbiological Techniques , Stomach Ulcer/microbiology , Peptic Ulcer/microbiology , Urease , Gastritis/etiology , Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity , Stomach Ulcer/etiology , Peptic Ulcer/etiologyABSTRACT
In order to detect subclinical mastitis by means of California Mastitis Test and recounting of somatic cells, 163 cows from the dairies of San Luis city, Argentina, were examined. Seventy six individuals (46.6%) exhibited an inflammatory response ranging > or = 2+ grade and a cellular recounting value of > or = 5 x 10(5), data compatible with those of subclinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 39 (51.3%) cultures as estimated by the sum of the two last values listed in Table 1. Organisms were isolated by plating on brain heart infusion agar with 5% of sheep blood and on Baird-Parker media. One hundred and three S. aureus isolates recovered from 51 of 63 cows were characterized by coagulase activity by the tube method using human and bovine plasma; clumping factor; glucose and mannitol fermentation; thermonuclease (TNase), pigment, gelatinase, fibrinolysin, acetoin, hemolysin production; egg yolk, tellurite and catalase reaction and crystal violet types. All isolates were susceptible to cephalothin, clindamycin, methicillin, gentamycin and vancomycin; 94.1% were susceptible to chloramphenicol and 53.8% to G penicillin. Sixty three isolates (61.1%) were classified according to Hájek and Marsálek scheme as biotype C (bovine and ovine ecovar), 33 isolates (32.0%) were classified as biotype B (swine and poultry ecovar); 1 isolated (0.9%) as intermediate between B and D; 5 isolates (4.8%) as biotype A (human ecovar) and 1 isolated (0.9%) as biotype D (ecovar silvestres spp) (Table 2). Production of enterotoxins A to E and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) was determined by the optimal susceptibility plate method on 27 isolates (26.2%) which were coagulase 3+ to 4+ and TNase highly positive. None of them produced enterotoxins including TSST-1. The subclinical mastitis data and the prevalence of S. aureus coincide with those of other authors, both from Argentina and from other countries.
Subject(s)
Mastitis, Bovine/microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/veterinary , Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Cattle , Drug Resistance, Microbial , Female , Incidence , Mastitis, Bovine/epidemiology , Milk/microbiology , Prevalence , Staphylococcal Infections/epidemiology , Staphylococcal Infections/microbiology , Staphylococcus aureus/classification , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effectsABSTRACT
In order to detect subclinical mastitis by means of California Mastitis Test and recounting of somatic cells, 163 cows from the dairies of San Luis city, Argentina, were examined. Seventy six individuals (46.6
) exhibited an inflammatory response ranging > or = 2+ grade and a cellular recounting value of > or = 5 x 10(5), data compatible with those of subclinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 39 (51.3
) cultures as estimated by the sum of the two last values listed in Table 1. Organisms were isolated by plating on brain heart infusion agar with 5
of sheep blood and on Baird-Parker media. One hundred and three S. aureus isolates recovered from 51 of 63 cows were characterized by coagulase activity by the tube method using human and bovine plasma; clumping factor; glucose and mannitol fermentation; thermonuclease (TNase), pigment, gelatinase, fibrinolysin, acetoin, hemolysin production; egg yolk, tellurite and catalase reaction and crystal violet types. All isolates were susceptible to cephalothin, clindamycin, methicillin, gentamycin and vancomycin; 94.1
were susceptible to chloramphenicol and 53.8
to G penicillin. Sixty three isolates (61.1
) were classified according to Hájek and Marsálek scheme as biotype C (bovine and ovine ecovar), 33 isolates (32.0
) were classified as biotype B (swine and poultry ecovar); 1 isolated (0.9
) as intermediate between B and D; 5 isolates (4.8
) as biotype A (human ecovar) and 1 isolated (0.9
) as biotype D (ecovar silvestres spp) (Table 2). Production of enterotoxins A to E and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) was determined by the optimal susceptibility plate method on 27 isolates (26.2
) which were coagulase 3+ to 4+ and TNase highly positive. None of them produced enterotoxins including TSST-1. The subclinical mastitis data and the prevalence of S. aureus coincide with those of other authors, both from Argentina and from other countries.
ABSTRACT
In order to detect subclinical mastitis by means of California Mastitis Test and recounting of somatic cells, 163 cows from the dairies of San Luis city, Argentina, were examined. Seventy six individuals (46.6
) exhibited an inflammatory response ranging > or = 2+ grade and a cellular recounting value of > or = 5 x 10(5), data compatible with those of subclinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 39 (51.3
) cultures as estimated by the sum of the two last values listed in Table 1. Organisms were isolated by plating on brain heart infusion agar with 5
of sheep blood and on Baird-Parker media. One hundred and three S. aureus isolates recovered from 51 of 63 cows were characterized by coagulase activity by the tube method using human and bovine plasma; clumping factor; glucose and mannitol fermentation; thermonuclease (TNase), pigment, gelatinase, fibrinolysin, acetoin, hemolysin production; egg yolk, tellurite and catalase reaction and crystal violet types. All isolates were susceptible to cephalothin, clindamycin, methicillin, gentamycin and vancomycin; 94.1
were susceptible to chloramphenicol and 53.8
to G penicillin. Sixty three isolates (61.1
) were classified according to Hájek and Marsálek scheme as biotype C (bovine and ovine ecovar), 33 isolates (32.0
) were classified as biotype B (swine and poultry ecovar); 1 isolated (0.9
) as intermediate between B and D; 5 isolates (4.8
) as biotype A (human ecovar) and 1 isolated (0.9
) as biotype D (ecovar silvestres spp) (Table 2). Production of enterotoxins A to E and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) was determined by the optimal susceptibility plate method on 27 isolates (26.2
) which were coagulase 3+ to 4+ and TNase highly positive. None of them produced enterotoxins including TSST-1. The subclinical mastitis data and the prevalence of S. aureus coincide with those of other authors, both from Argentina and from other countries.
ABSTRACT
In order to detect subclinical mastitis by means of California Mastitis Test and recounting of somatic cells, 163 cows from the dairies of San Luis city, Argentina, were examined. Seventy six individuals (46.6
) exhibited an inflammatory response ranging > or = 2+ grade and a cellular recounting value of > or = 5 x 10(5), data compatible with those of subclinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 39 (51.3
) cultures as estimated by the sum of the two last values listed in Table 1. Organisms were isolated by plating on brain heart infusion agar with 5
of sheep blood and on Baird-Parker media. One hundred and three S. aureus isolates recovered from 51 of 63 cows were characterized by coagulase activity by the tube method using human and bovine plasma; clumping factor; glucose and mannitol fermentation; thermonuclease (TNase), pigment, gelatinase, fibrinolysin, acetoin, hemolysin production; egg yolk, tellurite and catalase reaction and crystal violet types. All isolates were susceptible to cephalothin, clindamycin, methicillin, gentamycin and vancomycin; 94.1
were susceptible to chloramphenicol and 53.8
) were classified according to Hájek and Marsálek scheme as biotype C (bovine and ovine ecovar), 33 isolates (32.0
) were classified as biotype B (swine and poultry ecovar); 1 isolated (0.9
) as intermediate between B and D; 5 isolates (4.8
) as biotype A (human ecovar) and 1 isolated (0.9
) as biotype D (ecovar silvestres spp) (Table 2). Production of enterotoxins A to E and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) was determined by the optimal susceptibility plate method on 27 isolates (26.2
) which were coagulase 3+ to 4+ and TNase highly positive. None of them produced enterotoxins including TSST-1. The subclinical mastitis data and the prevalence of S. aureus coincide with those of other authors, both from Argentina and from other countries.
ABSTRACT
In order to detect subclinical mastitis by means of California Mastitis Test and recounting of somatic cells, 163 cows from the dairies of San Luis city, Argentina, were examined. Seventy six individuals (46.6
) exhibited an inflammatory response ranging > or = 2+ grade and a cellular recounting value of > or = 5 x 10(5), data compatible with those of subclinical mastitis. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 39 (51.3
) cultures as estimated by the sum of the two last values listed in Table 1. Organisms were isolated by plating on brain heart infusion agar with 5
of sheep blood and on Baird-Parker media. One hundred and three S. aureus isolates recovered from 51 of 63 cows were characterized by coagulase activity by the tube method using human and bovine plasma; clumping factor; glucose and mannitol fermentation; thermonuclease (TNase), pigment, gelatinase, fibrinolysin, acetoin, hemolysin production; egg yolk, tellurite and catalase reaction and crystal violet types. All isolates were susceptible to cephalothin, clindamycin, methicillin, gentamycin and vancomycin; 94.1
were susceptible to chloramphenicol and 53.8
) were classified according to Hájek and Marsálek scheme as biotype C (bovine and ovine ecovar), 33 isolates (32.0
) were classified as biotype B (swine and poultry ecovar); 1 isolated (0.9
) as intermediate between B and D; 5 isolates (4.8
) as biotype A (human ecovar) and 1 isolated (0.9
) as biotype D (ecovar silvestres spp) (Table 2). Production of enterotoxins A to E and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1) was determined by the optimal susceptibility plate method on 27 isolates (26.2
) which were coagulase 3+ to 4+ and TNase highly positive. None of them produced enterotoxins including TSST-1. The subclinical mastitis data and the prevalence of S. aureus coincide with those of other authors, both from Argentina and from other countries.
ABSTRACT
Thirty nine milk handlers from a factory of dairy products in the Province of Buenos Aires were examined for their nasal carriage of S. aureus strains capable of producing toxic-shock-syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). In addition, chance samples of handled foods, crude milk and milky fermented derivates (MFD) were studied. Strain isolation was made on Mannitol Salt Agar and on Baird-Parker Agar. Typical colonies were identified by their biochemical properties. Cultures that were found to be S. aureus were selected for analysis of the TSST-1 production. Eight milk handlers (20.5%) were carriers of S. aureus strains. Seven isolates (87.5%) were classified as biotype A (human ecovar) and 1(12.5%) was classified as biotype B (swine and poultry ecovar). Three out of 8 S. aureus biotype A isolates (37.5%), produced TSST-1. Taking into account the number of milk food handlers sampled (39), the carried rate of toxigenic strains was 7.6%. Three S. aureus strains were isolated from crude milk; 1(33.3%) was classified as biotype B and 2(66.6%) as biotype C (cattle and sheep ecovar). Thirteen S. aureus strains were isolated from MDF; 5(38.0%) were classified as biotype A, 1(7.7%) as belonging to biotype B and 7(53.8%) as belonging to biotype C. None of them had the ability to produce TSST-1.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Toxins , Carrier State/epidemiology , Dairy Products , Enterotoxins/isolation & purification , Food Contamination , Food Handling , Food Microbiology , Staphylococcal Infections/transmission , Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Superantigens , Animals , Argentina/epidemiology , Humans , Milk , Nasal Cavity/microbiology , Staphylococcus aureus/metabolismABSTRACT
Thirty nine milk handlers from a factory of dairy products in the Province of Buenos Aires were examined for their nasal carriage of S. aureus strains capable of producing toxic-shock-syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). In addition, chance samples of handled foods, crude milk and milky fermented derivates (MFD) were studied. Strain isolation was made on Mannitol Salt Agar and on Baird-Parker Agar. Typical colonies were identified by their biochemical properties. Cultures that were found to be S. aureus were selected for analysis of the TSST-1 production. Eight milk handlers (20.5
) were carriers of S. aureus strains. Seven isolates (87.5
) were classified as biotype A (human ecovar) and 1(12.5
) was classified as biotype B (swine and poultry ecovar). Three out of 8 S. aureus biotype A isolates (37.5
), produced TSST-1. Taking into account the number of milk food handlers sampled (39), the carried rate of toxigenic strains was 7.6
. Three S. aureus strains were isolated from crude milk; 1(33.3
) was classified as biotype B and 2(66.6
) as biotype C (cattle and sheep ecovar). Thirteen S. aureus strains were isolated from MDF; 5(38.0
) were classified as biotype A, 1(7.7
) as belonging to biotype B and 7(53.8
) as belonging to biotype C. None of them had the ability to produce TSST-1.
ABSTRACT
In order to determine the sanitary quality of ice-creams and the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic species of Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica, 50 samples from 5 different industrial and semi-industrial producers in San Luis (Argentine) were examined. The enumeration of coliforms was positive for all the samples with values less than or equal to 20/g. Fourteen per cent of the samples were positive for the investigation of Staphylococcus aureus in 1 g. For the plates enumeration 12.0% of the samples gave less than 10 u.f.c./g, 4.0% between 101 and 1000 and 4.0% between 1001 and 10,000. Fifteen strains were isolated, 26.6% biotype A (human ecovar) and the others biotype C (bovine ecovar). All of them were susceptible to chloramphenicol, cephalosporin and erythromycin; 46.6% to penicillin G and ampicillin; 93.3% to kanamycin (6.6% intermediate ones = I); 73.3% to methicillin (26.6% I); 86.6% to tetracycline (13.3% I). Six per cent of the samples over came the acceptability limit for S. aureus. Salmonella spp was not isolated. In 4.0% of the samples Y. enterocolitica were isolated, one of them typified as B1; 0:3, 50, 51, Lis Xz. The latter, isolated in samples with values of coliforms inferior to the limit fixed by some legislations, suggests a post elaboration contamination.
Subject(s)
Food Microbiology/standards , Ice Cream , Salmonella/isolation & purification , Yersinia enterocolitica/isolation & purification , Enterobacteriaceae/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
In order to determine the sanitary quality of ice-creams and the presence of pathogenic or potentially pathogenic species of Salmonella and Yersinia enterocolitica, 50 samples from 5 different industrial and semi-industrial producers in San Luis (Argentine) were examined. The enumeration of coliforms was positive for all the samples with values less than or equal to 20/g. Fourteen per cent of the samples were positive for the investigation of Staphylococcus aureus in 1 g. For the plates enumeration 12.0
of the samples gave less than 10 u.f.c./g, 4.0
between 101 and 1000 and 4.0
between 1001 and 10,000. Fifteen strains were isolated, 26.6
biotype A (human ecovar) and the others biotype C (bovine ecovar). All of them were susceptible to chloramphenicol, cephalosporin and erythromycin; 46.6
to penicillin G and ampicillin; 93.3
to kanamycin (6.6
intermediate ones = I); 73.3
to methicillin (26.6
I); 86.6
to tetracycline (13.3
I). Six per cent of the samples over came the acceptability limit for S. aureus. Salmonella spp was not isolated. In 4.0
of the samples Y. enterocolitica were isolated, one of them typified as B1; 0:3, 50, 51, Lis Xz. The latter, isolated in samples with values of coliforms inferior to the limit fixed by some legislations, suggests a post elaboration contamination.
ABSTRACT
Thirty-six Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from 35 of 204 young goats at slaughter were characterized. All isolates were susceptible to cephalothin, clindamycin, chloramphenicol, gentamicin, kanamycin, and amikacin. All but 2 were susceptible to erythromycin and tetracycline, and 19 and 20 were susceptible to penicillin and ampicillin, respectively. Thirteen isolates were classified as biotype A, 9 isolates were classified as biotype B, 8 isolates were classified as biotype C, and 6 isolates were classified as intermediate between B and C or were not biotypable. Six biotype A isolates were enterotoxigenic; 4 produced enterotoxin B, 1 produced enterotoxin C, and 1 produced enterotoxin D. Two biotype B strains produced enterotoxin B, and all 8 biotype C isolates produced enterotoxin C and the toxic shock syndrome toxin-1.
Subject(s)
Goats/microbiology , Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Animals , Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology , Enterotoxins/biosynthesis , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Staphylococcus aureus/analysis , Staphylococcus aureus/drug effects , Staphylococcus aureus/metabolismABSTRACT
Staphylococcus sp was investigated in the female lower genital tract of 102 healthy women aged between 18 and 48 years in San Luis, Argentina. Three hundred and six samples were obtained from labia, introitus and vagina (posterior fornix). Samples were plated on sheep blood, mannitol salt and Baird-Parker media. Strains were identified by tube coagulase test; thermonuclease, fibrinolysin, pigment and hemolysin production; glucose and mannitol utilization and novobiocin sensitivity. Antibiotic susceptibility was assayed. Strains were examined for their ability to produce staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). Fourteen women (13.7%) had S. aureus in one or more samples: 10.7% labia, 3.9% introitus and 3.9% vaginal. All strains were sensitive to cephalotin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamycin and chloramphenicol; 21.0% were intermediate to methicillin; 15.7% were resistant to methicillin, 94.7% to penicillin and 21.0% to tetracycline. Three strains (15.7%) produced SEB, three (15.7%) SED, one (5.7%) SEC and three (15.7%) TSST-1. Only one strain (5.7%) produced both SEB and TSST-1. All strains produced hemolysins. Coagulase negative staphylococci were found in 40.1% of vaginal samples: S. epidermidis (32.2%) and S. saprophyticus (9.8%) were identified.
Subject(s)
Bacterial Toxins , Enterotoxins/analysis , Staphylococcus aureus/isolation & purification , Superantigens , Vagina/microbiology , Vulva/microbiology , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Microbial Sensitivity Tests , Middle Aged , Staphylococcus aureus/metabolismABSTRACT
Staphylococcus sp was investigated in the female lower genital tract of 102 healthy women aged between 18 and 48 years in San Luis, Argentina. Three hundred and six samples were obtained from labia, introitus and vagina (posterior fornix). Samples were plated on sheep blood, mannitol salt and Baird-Parker media. Strains were identified by tube coagulase test; thermonuclease, fibrinolysin, pigment and hemolysin production; glucose and mannitol utilization and novobiocin sensitivity. Antibiotic susceptibility was assayed. Strains were examined for their ability to produce staphylococcal enterotoxins (SE) and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). Fourteen women (13.7
) had S. aureus in one or more samples: 10.7
labia, 3.9
introitus and 3.9
vaginal. All strains were sensitive to cephalotin, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamycin and chloramphenicol; 21.0
were intermediate to methicillin; 15.7
were resistant to methicillin, 94.7
to penicillin and 21.0
to tetracycline. Three strains (15.7
) produced SEB, three (15.7
) SED, one (5.7
) SEC and three (15.7
) TSST-1. Only one strain (5.7
) produced both SEB and TSST-1. All strains produced hemolysins. Coagulase negative staphylococci were found in 40.1
of vaginal samples: S. epidermidis (32.2
) and S. saprophyticus (9.8
) were identified.