Molecular Characteristics of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis on the Abdominal Skin of Females before Laparotomy.

Staphylococcus epidermidis, especially methicillin-resistant strains, may be the source of surgical site infections and may be a reservoir of staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) for S. aureus. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of methicillin-resistant S. epidermidis (MRSE) on the abdominal skin of females before laparotomy and determine the molecular characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of these isolates. MRSE was found in 54 of 157 isolates based on mecA gene detection, and there was no difference in icaA gene carriage rate between MRSE and methicillin-susceptible S. epidermidis (MSSE) isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles were determined by broth microdilution antimicrobial susceptibility testing according to the latest CLSI manuals. All MRSE isolates had unfavorable antimicrobial susceptibility patterns. Twenty-three MRSE strains (42.6%) were multi-drug resistant. SCCmec typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing was performed. Thirty-nine (72.2%) had a single SCCmec type, whereas 1.9% had two types. Fourteen strains (25.9%) were non-typeable (NT). The most frequent MRSE genotype was SCCmec type IVa. High diversity with PFGE patterns was obtained for MRSE, and there were no isolates exhibiting identical pulsotype. The results confirm that methicillin-resistant strains are frequently present among S. epidermidis on the abdominal skin of females before laparotomy. Moreover, resistance profiles seem to have no association with the SCCmec types or PFGE types for most common antibiotics.

[Mycoplasma hominis symbiosis and Trichomonas vaginalis metronidazole resistance].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relation of Mycoplasma hominis symbiosis and the resistance of Trichomonas vaginalis to metronidazole. METHODS: From November 2010 to July 2011, 160 isolates of T. vaginalis were collected from the genital tract secretion of gynecological out-patients at the Sichuan Provincial Hospital for Women and Children. The minimum lethal concentration (MLC) to metronidazole of these isolates was determined by an in vitro sensitivity assay with different concentration gradients of metronidazole (from 1 to 1 024 microg/ml), and M. hominis DNA in T. vaginalis was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique with specific 16S rRNA primers. After clearance of M. hominis from the parasites by 32 microg/ml doxycycline, MLC was determined and compared with that before clearance. RESULTS: MLC of metronidazole in T. vaginalis ranged from 1 to 256 microg/ml, with 61.3% isolates (98/160) ranging from 1 to 8 microg/ml, 26.3% isolates (42/160) ranging from 16 to 32 microg/ml, and 12.5% isolates (20/160) ranging from 64 to 256 microg/ml. 61 isolates were PCR positive for M. hominis DNA in the 160 isolates of T. vaginalis. The M. hominis DNA positive rate was significantly higher in the T. vaginalis isolates with higher MLC than those isolates with lower MLC (P<0.01). However, when M. hominis was cleared by doxycycline from 8 isolates among the 61 ones, no change was observed in sensitivity of the isolates to metronidazole. CONCLUSION: M. hominis symbiosis might be associated with the metronidazole-resistance of T. vaginalis. However, it needs direct evidence.

[Influence of bifidobacterial whole peptidoglycan on cellular immune response induced by recombinant HBsAg].

AIM: To explore the effect of bifidobacterial whole peptidoglycan (BWPG) on cellular immune response to recombinant hepatitis B surface antigen (rHBsAg). METHODS: BWPG was used as an adjuvant of rHBsAg to immunize BALB/c mice. The growth state and development of central lymphoid organ of immunized mice were observed. Then the killing activities of NK cells and CTLs, the proliferation and cytokine production of splenic lymphocytes were examined. RESULTS: After immunization with BWPG, no visible side effect was observed in immunized mice. The thymus and spleen tissues assumed hyperplasia appearance. The killing activities of NK cells and CTLs in spleen were enhanced. The proliferation of splenic lymphocytes was active and cytokine production was increased. CONCLUSION: BWPG can promote hyperplasia of central lymphoid organ and enhance the cellular immune response to rHBsAg.