Prevalence of blaKPC-2, blaKPC-3 and blaKPC-30-Carrying Plasmids in Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated in a Brazilian Hospital.

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) actively hydrolyzes carbapenems, antibiotics often used a last-line treatment for multidrug-resistant bacteria. KPC clinical relevance resides in its widespread dissemination. In this work, we report the genomic context of KPC coding genes blaKPC-2, blaKPC-3 and blaKPC-30 in multidrug-resistant Klebsiellapneumoniae isolates from Brazil. Plasmids harboring blaKPC-3 and blaKPC-30 were identified. Fifteen additional carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates were selected from the same tertiary hospital, collected over a period of 8 years. Their genomes were sequenced in order to evaluate the prevalence and dissemination of blaKPC-harboring plasmids. We found that blaKPC genes were mostly carried by one of two isoforms of transposon Tn4401 (Tn4401a or Tn4401b) that were predominantly located on plasmids highly similar to the previously described plasmid pKPC_FCF3SP (IncN). The identified pKPC_FCF3SP-like plasmids carried either blaKPC-2 or blaKPC-30. Two K. pneumoniae isolates harbored pKpQIL-like (IncFII) plasmids, only recently identified in Brazil; one of them harbored blaKPC-3 in a Tn4401a transposon. Underlining the risk of horizontal spread of KPC coding genes, this study reports the prevalence of blaKPC-2 and the recent spread of blaKPC-3, and blaKPC-30, in association with different isoforms of Tn4401, together with high synteny of plasmid backbones among isolates studied here and in comparison with previous reports.

Spatial exploration of Streptococcus pneumoniae clonal clustering in São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVES: To examine the spatial distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae and its clonal patterns collected between 2002 and 2006 in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: As part of an observational study in São Paulo city, Brazil, S. pneumoniae isolates routinely cultured from blood, respiratory specimens, or cerebrospinal and other profound fluids were selected. Additionally, only isolates with either penicillin (PEN) intermediate (I) or resistant (R) status on routine antibiogram were included, in order to obtain a higher probability of clonal isolates. A single I/R S. pneumoniae isolate per patient was included and submitted to genotypic determination by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for the isolates by Etest® to PEN and other antimicrobials. Each isolate was geocoded in a digital map. The Kernel function and ratio methods between total isolates vs. clones were used in order to explore possible cluster formations. RESULTS: Seventy-eight (78) S. pneumoniae community isolates from two major outpatient centers in São Paulo, Brazil, were selected from the databank according to their penicillin susceptibility profile, i.e. R or I to penicillin assessed by oxacillin disc diffusion. Of these, 69 were submitted to PFGE, 65 to MIC determination, and 48 to spatial analytical procedures. Preliminary spatial analysis method showed two possible cluster formation located in southwest and southeast regions of the city. CONCLUSION: Further analyses are required for precisely determining the existence of S. pneumoniae clusters and their related risk factors. Apparently there is a specific transmission pattern of S. pneumoniae clones within certain regions and populations. GIS and spatial methods can be applied to better understand epidemiological patterns and to identify target areas for public health interventions.

Spatial exploration of Streptococcus pneumoniae clonal clustering in São Paulo, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the spatial distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae and its clonal patterns collected between 2002 and 2006 in São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: As part of an observational study in São Paulo city, Brazil, S. pneumoniae isolates routinely cultured from blood, respiratory specimens, or cerebrospinal and other profound fluids were selected. Additionally, only isolates with either penicillin (PEN) intermediate (I) or resistant (R) status on routine antibiogram were included, in order to obtain a higher probability of clonal isolates. A single I/R S. pneumoniae isolate per patient was included and submitted to genotypic determination by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined for the isolates by Etest® to PEN and other antimicrobials. Each isolate was geocoded in a digital map. The Kernel function and ratio methods between total isolates vs. clones were used in order to explore possible cluster formations. RESULTS: Seventy-eight (78) S. pneumoniae community isolates from two major outpatient centers in São Paulo, Brazil, were selected from the databank according to their penicillin susceptibility profile, i.e. R or I to penicillin assessed by oxacillin disc diffusion. Of these, 69 were submitted to PFGE, 65 to MIC determination, and 48 to spatial analytical procedures. Preliminary spatial analysis method showed two possible cluster formation located in southwest and southeast regions of the city. CONCLUSION: Further analyses are required for precisely determining the existence of S. pneumoniae clusters and their related risk factors. Apparently there is a specific transmission pattern of S. pneumoniae clones within certain regions and populations. GIS and spatial methods can be applied to better understand epidemiological patterns and to identify target areas for public health interventions.

In vitro synergy test of meropenem and sulbactam against clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii.

Meropenem and imipenem are often the drugs of choice for the treatment of infections due to multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The present study aimed at evaluating the interaction between meropenem and sulbactam through microdilution and checkerboard methods against 48 clinical isolates of A. baumannii collected from Brazilian hospitals. All the isolates presented elevated minimum inhibitory concentration (>or=2 microg/mL) to either meropenem or sulbactam. The checkerboard method with the combination of meropenem and sulbactam demonstrated 29.2% (14/48) synergism, 47.9% (23/48) partial synergism, 10.5% (5/48) additive, 6.2% (3/48) indifference, and 6.2% (3/48) antagonism (SigmaFIC(min)=0.09 and SigmaFIC(max)=8). Thus, combinations of meropenem and sulbactam may show synergism or partial synergism for most A. baumannii isolates. Further studies may help identify treatment options for patients with infections caused by these organisms, particularly with this combination, where both drugs have time-dependent activities and might be suitable for therapy optimization studies.

Inhibition of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin by neoglycoprotein and anti-lectin antibodies which mimic GM1 receptor.

Escherichia coli producing heat-labile enterotoxin is responsible for numerous cases of diarrhea worldwide, leading to considerable morbidity and mortality. The B subunits of this toxin are responsible for the binding to the receptor, the complex ganglioside GM1 which has galactose as its terminal sugar. In this study we showed that analogs of galactose (gal) and N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) interfere with the binding of heat-labile toxin to GM1. Antibodies to lectins which mimic sugar structures and neoglycoprotein were employed. These compounds were able to inhibit heat-labile toxin activity efficiently in Vero cells: 37 microg of IgG-enriched fraction from an antiserum inhibited up to 70% of this activity, and 50% of the binding of heat-labile toxin to GM1. Neoglycoprotein was more efficient than antibodies, since 2.5 microg of this ligand completely abolished the activity of heat-labile toxin on Vero cells. These data suggest that these molecules could be developed for prophylaxis and diagnosis of diarrhea caused by heat-labile toxin.