Mycoplasma hominis Causes DNA Damage and Cell Death in Primary Human Keratinocytes.

Mycoplasma hominis can be isolated from the human urogenital tract. However, its interaction with the host remains poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of M. hominis infection on primary human keratinocytes (PHKs). Cells were quantified at different phases of the cell cycle. Proteins involved in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis progression were evaluated. The expression of genes encoding proteins that are associated with the DNA damage response and Toll-like receptor pathways was evaluated, and the cytokines involved in inflammatory responses were quantified. A greater number of keratinocytes were observed in the Sub-G0/G1 phase after infection with M. hominis. In the viable keratinocytes, infection resulted in G2/M-phase arrest; GADD45A expression was increased, as was the expression of proteins such as p53, p27, and p21 and others involved in apoptosis regulation and oxidative stress. In infected PHKs, the expression of genes associated with the Toll-like receptor pathways showed a change, and the production of IFN-γ, interleukin (IL) 1ß, IL-18, IL-6, and tumour necrosis factor alpha increased. The infection of PHKs by M. hominis causes cellular damage that can affect the cell cycle by activating the response pathways to cellular damage, oxidative stress, and Toll-like receptors. Overall, this response culminated in the reduction of cell proliferation/viability in vitro.

Citral modulates human monocyte responses to Staphylococcus aureus infection.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that is considered an important human pathogen. Due to its virulence and ability to acquire mechanisms of resistance to antibiotics, the clinical severity of S. aureus infection is driven by inflammatory responses to the bacteria. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the modulating role of citral in inflammation caused by S. aureus infection. For this, we used an isolate obtained from a nasal swab sample of a healthy child attending a day-care centre in Vitória da Conquista, Bahia, Brazil. The role of citral in modulating immunological factors against S. aureus infection was evaluated by isolating and cultivating human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. The monocytes were treated with 4%, 2%, and 1% citral before and after inoculation with S. aureus. The cells were analysed by immunophenotyping of monocyte cell surface molecules (CD54, CD282, CD80, HLA-DR, and CD86) and cytokine dosage (IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ, TGF-ß, and TNF-α), and evaluated for the expression of 84 genes related to innate and adaptive immune system responses. GraphPad Prism software and variables with P values < 0.05, were used for statistical analysis. Our data demonstrated citral's action on the expression of surface markers involved in recognition, presentation, and migration, such as CD14, CD54, and CD80, in global negative regulation of inflammation with inhibitory effects on NF-κB, JNK/p38, and IFN pathways. Consequently, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-12p70, IL-23, IFN-γ, and TNF-α cytokine expression was reduced in groups treated with citral and groups treated with citral at 4%, 2%, and 1% and infected, and levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 were increased. Furthermore, citral could be used as a supporting anti-inflammatory agent against infections caused by S. aureus. There are no data correlating citral, S. aureus, and the markers analysed here; thus, our study addresses this gap in the literature.

Citral modulates virulence factors in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for high morbidity and mortality rates. Citral has been studied in the pharmaceutical industry and has shown antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to analyze the antimicrobial activity of citral in inhibiting biofilm formation and modulating virulence genes, with the ultimate goal of finding a strategy for treating infections caused by MRSA strains. Citral showed antimicrobial activity against MRSA isolates with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values between 5 mg/mL (0.5%) and 40 mg/mL (4%), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values between 10 mg/mL (1%) and 40 mg/mL (4%). The sub-inhibitory dose was 2.5 mg/mL (0.25%). Citral, in an antibiogram, modulated synergistically, antagonistically, or indifferent to the different antibiotics tested. Prior to evaluating the antibiofilm effects of citral, we classified the bacteria according to their biofilm production capacity. Citral showed greater efficacy in the initial stage, and there was a significant reduction in biofilm formation compared to the mature biofilm. qPCR was used to assess the modulation of virulence factor genes, and icaA underexpression was observed in isolates 20 and 48. For icaD, seg, and sei, an increase was observed in the expression of ATCC 33,591. No significant differences were found for eta and etb. Citral could be used as a supplement to conventional antibiotics for MRSA infections.

Factors associated with spontaneous abortion: a systematic review / Fatores associados ao aborto espontâneo: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract Objectives: to compile studies produced regardinggenetic and non-genetic risks factors associated with occurrence of spontaneous abortion. Methods: it talks about a systematic review article, with studies between January of 2008 to November of 2018 according to SciELO, PubMed, Lilacs and BVS. Results: in total, 567 articles were found. After applying the definedeligibility criteria, 44 articles made part of the review, being the majority published on Asia between 2008 and 2011, and 10 articles published on Brazil. Not genetic causes like sociodemographic factors and healthy state were among the most associated conditions of spontaneous abortion. Asiatic continent had predominance about the correlation of spontaneous abortion with factors related to life style like obesity, smoking and labor activities, on the other hand, in the Americas, causes related to sociodemographics factors like low pay and low studies are high-lighted. Conclusions: the risk factors change about the occurrence region, being important to make local studies capable of subsidize the implantation of public politics and to reduce abortions.

Resumo Objetivos: compilar estudos produzidos acerca dos fatores de risco genéticos e não genéticos associados a ocorrência de aborto espontâneo. Métodos: trata-se de um artigo de revisão sistemática, com estudos publicados entre janeiro de 2008 a novembro de 2018 nas bases de dados SciELO, PubMed, Lilacs e BVS. Resultados: um total de 567 artigos foram encontrados. Após aplicação dos critérios de elegibilidade definidos, 44 artigos compuseram a presente revisão com a maioria publicada na Ásia, entre os anos de 2008 a 2011, e 10 artigos publicados no Brasil. Causas não genéticas, como fatores sociodemográficos e estado de saúde, estiveram entre as condições mais associadas ao abortamento espontâneo. No continente asiático houve predominância na correlação do aborto espontâneo com fatores relacionados ao estilo de vida como obesidade, tabagismo e atividades laborais; já nas Américas destacam-se causas relacionadas aos fatores sociodemográficos, como baixa renda e baixa escolaridade. Conclusões: os fatores de risco diferem em relação a região de ocorrência, sendo importante a realização de estudos detalhados para que sejam capazes de subsidiar a implantação de políticas públicas e, assim, minorar a ocorrência de abortos.

Identification and characterization of resistance and pathogenicity of Enterococcus spp. in samples of donor breast milk.

BACKGROUND: Breast milk is the primary source of nutrition for newborns. Hospitalized babies frequently need nutritional support from Human Milk Banks. As bacterial species of the genus Enterococcus are part of the microbiota of healthy donors, they may contaminate samples of pumped breast milk. AIM: To identify and characterize the bacterial virulence and resistance in samples isolated from the nipple-areolar region, hands, and breast milk aliquots from donors at the Human Milk Bank of Municipal Hospital Esaú Matos in the city of Vitória da Conquista, Bahia State, Brazil. METHODS: The personal hygiene and sanitation of donors were analyzed with the aim of identifying possible reasons for contamination of pumped milk. Cutaneous samples as well as aliquots of unpasteurized and pasteurized milk from 30 participants were obtained. Each Enterococcus spp. isolate underwent a disk diffusion susceptibility test and molecular biology techniques to determine resistance and virulence genes. RESULTS: Enterococcus spp. were identified in 30% of donors (n = 9), and 11 specimens were isolated. Resistance to tetracycline was highly prevalent, being detectable in 63% of the isolates (n = 7) and followed by intermediate sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, observed in 27% of the specimens (n = 3). The efaA gene was found in 63% (n = 7) of the isolates, while the ace gene was detected in 27% (n = 3). CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the importance of microbiological monitoring by Human Milk Banks and the need for alternatives to prevent the presence of Enterococcus spp. in hospital settings.

Prevalence of syphilis, diagnostic methods and associated factors in patients treated in the laboratory of Health Foundation of Vitória da Conquista (BA) / Prevalência de sífilis e fatores associados em pacientes atendidos no laboratório da Fundação de Saúde de Vitória da Conquista (BA)

Introduction: In spite been discovered centuries ago, syphilis remains a sexually transmitted infectious disease of major public health impact given thehigh prevalence found in Brazil and worldwide. The laboratory detection, with subsequent treatment of this disease, can reduce vertical contamination rates among adults and reduce sequelae from its clinical manifestations. Objective: To determine the prevalence of syphilis, as well the gestationaland congenital forms of syphilis, and associated factors among patients attending the laboratory of Health Foundation of Vitória da Conquista (FSVC).Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional study, using secondary data obtained from the system of notification for syphilis, from FSVC laboratory fromJuly 2012 to July 2013, following the ordinance criteria nº 3242 of 2011. Results: 134 patients were identified with positive diagnostic tests for syphilisamong the 6,699 patients that were tested, revealing a global prevalence of 2%. The prevalence of congenital syphilis was 2.84 and 2.24% for gestational syphilis. It stands out among the positive ones that 19.4% of the patients were aged less or equal to one year old, 37.3% were pregnant women and the vastmajority (94%) of them lived in urban areas. 47% of the patients had venereal disease research laboratory (VDRL) titers up to 1:4. Among those patientswith primary positive test, 94% got positive results from the confirmatory test. Between newborns that tested positive for syphilis, 60% had titers up to 1:2.Conclusion: The prevalence rates are high considering the parameters established by World Health Organization (WHO) and are capable of representing burden for the population. How ever, they point out good chances of screening the county from the disease, which is an essential step in addressing this serious infection to the Public Health.

Introdução: A sífilis continua sendo uma doença infecciosa sexualmente transmissível de grande impacto para a Saúde Pública, dadas as elevadas prevalências encontradas no Brasil e no mundo, apesar de ter sido descoberta há séculos. Sua detecção laboratorial, com posterior tratamento, pode reduziras taxas de contaminação vertical entre adultos, além de reduzir sequelas de suas manifestações clínicas. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência de sífilis,incluindo as formas gestacional e congênita, e fatores associados em pacientes atendidos no laboratório da Fundação de Saúde de Vitória da Conquista(FSVC). Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal retrospectivo realizado com dados secundários obtidos do sistema de laudos e norteado pela planilha de notificação para sífilis do laboratório da FSVC no período de julho de 2012 a julho de 2013, obedecendo aos critérios da Portaria nº 3.242, de 2011.Resultados: Foram identificados 134 pacientes com provas diagnósticas positivas para sífilis entre 6.699 pacientes testados, revelando uma prevalência global de 2%. A prevalência da sífilis congênita foi de 2,84% e a de sífilis gestacional de 2,24%. Destaca-se entre os positivos que 19,4% dos pacientes tinham idade igual ou inferior a um ano, 37,3% eram gestantes, 94% residiam na zona urbana e 47% tinham títulos de venereal disease research laboratory(VDRL) de até 1:4. Desses pacientes com teste primário positivo, 94% tiveram positividade no teste confirmatório. Entre recém-nascidos positivos, 60%tinham títulos de até 1:2. Conclusão: As prevalências encontradas estão elevadas levando em consideração os parâmetros estabelecidos pela Organização Mundial da Saúde (OMS) e são capazes de representar ônus para população. No entanto, apontam boa capacidade de triagem do município frente a doença,o que é um passo essencial para a Saúde Pública combater esta grave infecção.