Exposure to sub-inhibitory ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin concentrations increases recA gene expression in uropathogenic Escherichia coli: The role of RecA protein as a drug target.

Sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MIC) of antimicrobial agents can lead to genetic changes in bacteria, modulating the expression of genes related to bacterial stress and leading to drug resistance. Herein we describe the impact of sub-MIC of ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin on three uropathogenic Escherichia coli strains. Disk-diffusion assays with different antimicrobial agents were tested to detect phenotype alterations, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to analyze the expression of ompF and recA genes. Significant reduction on the susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and nitrofurantoin was detected on disk diffusion test. The qRT-PCR results revealed a 1.2-4.7 increase in recA expression in all E. coli studied, while the ompF expression varied. Because RecA was pointed as an important component to the development of drug resistance, molecular docking studies were performed with three experimentally known inhibitors of this enzyme. These studies aimed to understand the inhibitory binding mode of such compounds. The results confirmed the ADP/ATP binding site as a potential site of inhibitor recognition and a binding mode based on π-stacking interactions with Tyr103 and hydrogen bonds with Tyr264. These findings can be useful for guiding the search and design of new antimicrobial agents, mainly concerning the treatment of infections with resistant bacterial strains.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the ICU: prevalence, resistance profile, and antimicrobial consumption

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the main pathogens causing infection in intensive care units (ICUs) and usually presents antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: Data were obtained from ICUs between 2010 and 2013. RESULTS: P. aeruginosa had a prevalence of 14.5% of which 48.7% were multidrug resistant. We observed increasing resistance to carbapenems and polymyxin B and growing consumption of aminoglycosides, meropenem, ceftazidime, and polymyxin B. The regression impact between resistance and consumption was significant with respect to amikacin, imipenem, meropenem, and polymyxin B. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring antimicrobial consumption and resistant microorganisms should be reinforced to combat antimicrobial- and multi-drug resistance.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the ICU: prevalence, resistance profile, and antimicrobial consumption.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the main pathogens causing infection in intensive care units (ICUs) and usually presents antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: Data were obtained from ICUs between 2010 and 2013. RESULTS: P. aeruginosa had a prevalence of 14.5% of which 48.7% were multidrug resistant. We observed increasing resistance to carbapenems and polymyxin B and growing consumption of aminoglycosides, meropenem, ceftazidime, and polymyxin B. The regression impact between resistance and consumption was significant with respect to amikacin, imipenem, meropenem, and polymyxin B. CONCLUSIONS: Monitoring antimicrobial consumption and resistant microorganisms should be reinforced to combat antimicrobial- and multi-drug resistance.

Alimentacao escolar como espaco para educacao em saude: percepcao das merendeiras do municipio do Rio de Janeiro, Brasil / School meals as an area for education in health: the perception of school cooks in the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Ao considerar a escola como um espaço para a educação em saúde, as merendeiras ocupam lugar central no debate por serem as responsáveis diretas pelo preparo da alimentação. Assim, o presente estudo tem por principal objetivo indicar as possibilidades da participação dessas importantes componentes nos processos educativos, reconhecendo que elas não se resumem a indivíduos que desenvolvem mera atividade no "espaço cozinha-refeitório". De modo a atingir sua consecução, utilizou-se uma abordagem quantitativa, com base no método de pesquisa Survey: Para delineamento dos dados, foram realizadas análises descritivas, além do teste de associação Qui-Quadrado e métodos de análise fatorial. Por fim, identificaram-se alterações em algumas características socioeconômicas e na forma de contratação das merendeiras. No entanto, também restou comprovado que o reconhecimento de seu papel como agente da educação em saúde ainda depende de uma série de transformações na estrutura, valores e concepções sobre o relevante trabalho que desenvolvem e as mais eficazes formas de sua inserção no ambiente escolar.

By considering the school as an opportune space for health education, school cooks can play an essential role in the debate as they are directly responsible for the preparation of school meals. The main objective of this study is to highlight the potential of the participation of these professionals in educational processes, acknowledging that they are not merely individuals who perform an activity in the kitchen and dining-hall areas. In order to achieve this, a quantitative survey was conducted followed by a descriptive analysis of the data by performing a chi-square test and factor analysis. Some changes in social and economic aspects and in the form of hiring the cooks were identified. However, it was also ascertained that the acknowledgement of this professional as an actor in health education still depends upon a series of transformations in the structure, values and concepts regarding the important role that they perform and the most effective way of incorporating them in the educational environment.