Persistence of Staphylococcus spp. in milk from cows undergoing homeopathy to control subclinical mastitis.

BACKGROUND: Mastitis is one of the major diseases in dairy cattle, as it causes great economic losses to producers due to the reduction of milk production and changes in the quality of the product. The disease is mainly caused by bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus spp., these microorganisms can express various virulence factors, such as biofilms for example. In herds with organic management, producers and technicians use unconventional ways to treat and control the disease, such as homeopathy. However, it is not known if this type of treatment is able to control pathogenic bacteria such as those of the genus Staphylococcus, of relevance to animal and human health. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the production of biofilm in vitro and its genes by Staphylococcus spp. isolated in the milk of cows treated with homeopathy, as well as the persistence of microorganisms in animals. METHODS: Ninety-nine isolates of Staphylococcus spp. from cows treated and not treated with homeopathy were identified by internal transcribed space-polymerase chain reaction and investigated for the presence of the icaABCD, bap, aap, atlE, and bhp genes and in vitro biofilm production using the adhesion method on polystyrene plates. The enzyme restriction profile was determined by Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis. Clusters of S. aureus and S. epidermidis with three or more isolates had an isolate selected for Multilocus Sequence Typing. RESULTS: The frequency of S. aureus isolations was similar in treated and untreated cows, while 71.4% of the coagulase-negative identified were isolated in cows treated with homeopathy. The distribution of the operon ica genes was similar in animals with and without treatment, except for the icaD gene, more frequent in treated cows. Production of biofilm was associated with presence of one or more genes from the icaADBC operon. S. aureus revealed a greater diversity and greater dissemination in cows treated and not treated with homeopathy. Sequence Types ST1, ST5, and ST126 were identified in S. aureus. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of biofilm-associated genes and the in vitro production of biofilms, combined with the persistence of clonal profiles of Staphylococcus spp. demonstrate other forms of control for bovine mastitis should be researched for organic production herds.

Community knowledge on dengue in territories under risk in the state of São Paulo

In the last decades, the global incidence of arboviruses transmitted by the vector Aedes aegypti has increased dramatically with the increased oh human mobility and urbanization. The study of the mosquito population is of great importance for public health in countries where climatic and environmental conditions are favorable for the spread of these diseases transmitted by A. aegypti. This was a cross-sectional study that assessed causal relationships between why mosquitoes are prevalent in the region studied and socioeconomic variables, practices, knowledge, attitudes, and the effect of the cause in two regions chosen according to vulnerability (São Paulo Social Vulnerability Index). Of the 435 residents interviewed, 95% (413/435) were informed about vector control and claimed to contribute to the day-to-day sanitary practices necessary to combat it, in addition to being able to identify it. Most participants in both regions believed they were at risk, but vector control practices did not match those recorded in the survey. A correlation was found between the population's level of education and the practices observed. Despite the high levels of knowledge and the perceptions of the interviewed population about A. aegypti, the erroneous behavior of the residents persisted, thus hindering disease prevention and vector control actions, promoting the conditions conducive to the proliferation of the vector, and, consequently, increasing the risk of disease. The study indicated that one of the most effective means to control the A. aegypti vector is a society informed about preventive measures in the surveillance sectors.

Qualidade microbiológica do peixe serra (Scomberomerus brasiliensis) e do gelo utilizado na sua conservação / Microbiological quality of the fish saw (Scomberomorus brasiliensis) and the ice used for its conservation

Objetivou-se avaliar a qualidade microbiológica do peixe serra (S. brasiliensis) desembarcado no município de Raposa (MA) e do gelo utilizado na sua conservação. As amostras de gelo e de peixe serra foram submetidas às análises de determinação do Número Mais Provável (NMP) de Coliformes Totais, Termotolerantes e Escherichia coli. Para as amostras de peixe, realizou-se ainda pesquisa de Staphylococcus coagulase positivo, Salmonella spp. e Aeromonas spp. Aplicou-se aos pescadores um questionário com 20 perguntas referentes à manipulação do pescado. As amostras de gelo apresentaram qualidade microbiológica insatisfatória. O peixe serra encontrou-se contaminado por A. hydrophila, podendo veicular este agente ao ser consumido pela população.(AU)

This study aimed at evaluating the microbiological quality of the saw fish (S. brasiliensis) landed in the city of Raposa (MA) and the ice used in its conservation. Samples of ice and saw fish were subjected to analysis to determine the Most Probable Number (MPN) of coliforms, thermo-tolerants and Escherichia coli. Fish samples were also tested for Staphylococcus coagulase positive, Salmonella spp. and Aeromonas spp. Fishermen were given a questionnaire with 20 questions concerning the handling of the fish. The ice samples showed unsatisfactory microbiological quality. The saw fish was contaminated with A. hydrophila, which means it could convey this agent to be consumed by the population.(AU)

Pescada amarela (Cynoscion acoupa) desembarcada: características microbiológicas e qualidade do gelo utilizado na sua conservação / Microbiological characteristics and quality of the ice used for preserving landed yellow hake (Cynoscion acoupa)

No presente estudo foram identificadas as características microbiológicas da pescada amarela (Cynoscion acoupa) desembarcada em Cedral/MA e avaliada a qualidade do gelo utilizado na sua conservação. Foram coletadas 42 amostras de pescada e analisadas quanto à pesquisa de Salmonella spp, V. parahaemolyticus, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus coagulase positivo, Aeromonas spp, contagem de bactérias aeróbias mesófilas e Número Mais Provável de coliformes a 35 °C e coliformes a 45 °C. Onze amostras de gelo foram analisadas quanto à contagem de coliformes a 35 °C e a 45 °C e de bactérias psicrotróficas. A pescada amarela mostrou contaminação por bactérias mesófilas, coliformes e A. hydrophila, e ausência de Salmonella, Staphylococcus coagulase positivo e V. parahaemolyticus. As amostras de gelo foram consideradas impróprias para uso na conservação do pescado.