Genomic and Biological Characterization of Ralstonia solanacearum Inovirus Brazil 1, an Inovirus that Alters the Pathogenicity of the Phytopathogen Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum.

Filamentous bacteriophages contain a single-stranded DNA genome and have a peculiar lifestyle, since they do not cause host cell lysis, but establish a persistent association with the host, often causing behavioral changes, with effects on bacterial ecology. Over the years, a gradual reduction in the incidence of bacterial wilt has been observed in some fields from Brazil. This event, which has been associated with the loss of pathogenicity of Rasltonia spp. isolates due to infection by filamentous viruses of the inovirus group, is widely reported for Ralstonia spp. Asian isolates infected by inoviruses. In an attempt to elucidate which factors are associated with the phenomenon reported in Brazil, we investigated one isolate of R. solanacearum (UB-2014), with unusual characteristics for R. solanacearum, obtained from eggplant with mild wilt symptoms. To verify if the presence of filamentous bacteriophage was related to this phenotype, we performed viral purification and nucleic acid extraction. The phage genome was sequenced, and phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that the virus belongs to the family Inoviridae and was named as Ralstonia solanacerarum inovirus Brazil 1 (RSIBR1). RSIBR1 was transmitted to R. pseudosolanacearum GMI1000, and the virus-infected GMI1000 (GMI1000 VI) isolate showed alterations in phenotypic characteristics, as well as loss of pathogenicity, similarly to that observed in R. solanacearum isolate UB-2014. The presence of virus-infected UB-2014 and GMI1000 VI plants without symptoms, after 3 months, confirms that the infected isolates can colonize the plant without causing disease, which demonstrates that the phage infection changed the behavior of these pathogens.

Genetic Structure of Ralstonia solanacearum and Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum in Brazil.

Bacterial wilt-causing Ralstonia threaten numerous crops throughout the world. We studied the population structure of 196 isolates of Ralstonia solanacearum and 39 isolates of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum, which were collected from potato- and tomato-growing areas in 19 states of Brazil. Regardless of the species, three groups of isolates were identified. One group encompassed R. pseudosolanacearum isolates. The other two groups comprise isolates of R. solanacearum (phylotype II) split according to geographic regions, one made of isolates from the North and Northeast and the other made of isolates from the Central, Southeast, and South regions (CSS). Among the isolates collected in CSS, those from tomato were genetically distinct from the potato isolates. The genetic variability in the population of R. pseudosolanacearum was lower than that of R. solanacearum, suggesting that the former was introduced in Brazil. Conversely, the high genetic variability of R. solanacearum in all regions, hosts, and times supports the hypothesis that this species is autochthonous in South America, more precisely in Brazil and Peru. For R. solanacearum, higher variability and lower migration rates were observed when tomato isolates were analyzed, indicating that the variability is caused mainly by the differences of the local, native soil population. The North subpopulation was distinct from all others, possibly because of differences in environmental features of this region. The proximity of some geographic regions and the movement of potato tubers could have facilitated migration and therefore low genetic differentiation between geographic regions. Finally, geography, which also influences host distribution, affects the structure of the population of R. solanacearum in Brazil. Despite quarantine procedures in Brazil, increasing levels of trade are a threat to biosecurity, and these results emphasize the need for improving our regional efforts to prevent the dispersal of pathogens.

La biblioteca de hospital en Portugal: la visión de los bibliotecarios / Hospital libraries in Portugal: a librarian's view

El objetivo de este trabajo fue identificar la perspectiva profesional de los bibliotecarios y de las bibliotecas de hospital en Portugal y su proyección futura. Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, por medio de una investigación no experimental, basada en un método de análisis cualitativo. Para este estudio se utilizó una muestra de 13 profesionales que, de alguna manera, tienen una conexión/conocimiento con el trabajo desarrollado en las bibliotecas hospitalarias. Se buscó disponer de una muestra que cubriera el país de norte a sur para que los resultados pudieran ser representativos de la realidad portuguesa. Los resultados indican que los profesionales que trabajan en las bibliotecas del área de salud en Portugal consideran que no existe una formación profesional específica para este campo con características muy particulares frente a otras realidades bibliotecarias. Además, estiman que los profesionales de la salud que trabajan en bibliotecas deberían estar integrados a los equipos clínicos y de investigación de sus instituciones. Por otra parte, dada la importancia que tiene hoy la medicina basada en la evidencia, se hace necesario el desarrollo de nuevos roles que los bibliotecarios deben asumir. También consideran que corresponde al bibliotecario de la salud asumir los desafíos, invertir en la actualización y adquisición continua de habilidades, fortalecer su papel en las instituciones en las que se inserta, y justificar, de este modo, el valor añadido de la profesión(AU)

The purpose of the study was to identify the professional perspective of hospital libraries and librarians in Portugal and their future projection. A qualitative non-experimental descriptive study was conducted of a sample of 13 professionals related to / acquainted with the work of hospital libraries. The sample was intended to cover the entire country from north to south, so that the results obtained would be representative of Portuguese reality. Results show that professionals from health libraries in Portugal consider that no specific professional training is available for this field, which is characterized by very particular features unique to this library type. They also think that health professionals working at libraries should be incorporated into the clinical and research teams of their institutions. On the other hand, and given the current importance of evidence-based medicine, it is necessary to develop new roles to be undertaken by librarians. They also consider that librarians should accept the challenges, invest time and energy in permanent skill acquisition and update, and strengthen their role at their institutions, thus justifying the added value of the profession(AU)

Oral soft tissue biopsies in Oporto, Portugal: An eight year retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND: The diseases that affect the oral cavity are wide and diverse, comprising a broad spectrum of either benign or malignant lesions. However, few histological-based studies were performed for the evaluation of oral cavity lesions, and very few directed to oral soft tissue pathology. The aim of this study was to carry out pioneering research, within a Portuguese population, to determine the frequency and characteristics of oral malignancies, potential malignant disorders, and soft benign tissues pathologies submitted for biopsy in a north Portugal (Oporto) hospital population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective study of soft tissue, oral cavity biopsies, in a hospital north of Portugal (Oporto) between 1999 and 2006. We analysed information on gender, age, location of the lesion, and the histopathological diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 1042 oral biopsies were observed, 557(53.5%) in females and 485 (46.5%) in males, with a mean age of 51.7 years (S.D. ±17.6). The topographic location most frequently affected was labial mucosa (n=306). Considering the nature of the lesions, 700 (67.2%) corresponded to non-neoplasic lesions, 45 (4.3%) to potentially malignant disorders, and 297 (28.5%) to neoplasms (93 benign and 204 malignant). Non-neoplasic lesions were more prevalent in female gender (59.9%) when compared with potentially malignant disorders (46.7%) and neoplasms (39.4%) (P< 0.001). Non-neoplasic lesions presented the lower mean age (49.2±17.6) and potentially malignant disorders the highest mean age (60.5±14.5) (P< 0.001). The most common lesion of entire sample was fibro-epithelial hyperplasia (n=186; 17.9%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (n=158; 15.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Fibro-epithelial hyperplasia, followed by squamous cell carcinoma, was the most common pathologies. This pioneering study provided, for the first time, data about the proportion of squamous cell carcinoma when compared with benign conditions in a Portuguese hospital population. KEY WORDS: Oral biopsies, oral cavity, oral pathology, Portugal, soft tissue lesions.

Occurrence and diversity of Ralstonia solanacearum populations in Brazil / Ocorrência e diversidade de populações de Ralstonia solanacearum no Brasil

Ralstonia solanacearum is a gram-negative soil-borne bacterium capable of infection of hundreds of vegetable species over more than 50 botanical families, causing bacterial wilt, except for bananas, when the disease is called Moko. It deserves special attention, from all other plant pathogenic bacteria, for its high phenotypic and genotypic plasticity, a characteristic that makes disease control extremely difficult. In this context, frequent and necessary surveys are conduct in the attempt of characterizing the prevailing strains of R. solanacearum in each region where the disease has been reported. However, knowledge about occurrence and diversity of R. solanacearum in Brazil is fragmented and in some cases, based on inconclusive studies with few strains, little representative of a given region. The need to obtain a greater picture guided this review. The occurrence of this bacterium in Brazilian States and the possible causes for its dissemination are presented, with emphasis on studies of genetic variability of populations of R. solanacearum in the country. The compiled results report a wide distribution of the bacterium in Brazil and great variability of its populations among locations. Partly due to the difficulty of detecting small titer of bacteria in samples, paucity of information about the origin of inoculum in certain regions is observed, as well as the need for detecting the presence of the pathogen in asymptomatic plants, potato tubers with latent infections, soil, and water, which are the major causes of bacterial dissemination into areas without any disease history.

Ralstonia solanacearum é uma bactéria gram-negativa habitante do solo capaz de infectar centenas de espécies vegetais distribuídas em mais de 50 famílias botânicas, onde causa a murcha-bacteriana, exceto na bananeira, na qual recebe o nome de Moko. Destaca-se entre outras bactérias fitopatogênicas pela sua alta plasticidade fenotípica e genotípica, característica que contribui sobremaneira para dificultar o controle da doença. Nesse contexto, levantamentos frequentes e necessários são conduzidos na tentativa de caracterizar isolados de R. solanacearum prevalentes em cada região onde a doença tem sido relatada. No Brasil, o conhecimento sobre a ocorrência e a variabilidade de R. solanacearum está fragmentado e, em alguns casos, baseado em estudos inconclusivos pelo uso de amostras de isolados pouco representativas de uma região. A necessidade de agrupar essas informações norteou a presente revisão de literatura. A ocorrência da bactéria nos Estados brasileiros e as possíveis causas de sua disseminação são apresentadas, com ênfase nos estudos da variabilidade genética das populações de R. solanacearum no país de acordo com o atual esquema de classificação da bactéria. Os resultados de pesquisa compilados da literatura reportam ampla distribuição da bactéria no Brasil e grande variabilidade de suas populações entre locais. Em parte devido à dificuldade de detectar pequenos números de células bacterianas em amostras, nota-se escassez de informações sobre a origem do inóculo em determinadas regiões, bem como a necessidade de detectar a presença do patógeno em plantas assintomáticas, em tubérculos de batata com infecções latentes, no solo e na água, que são as principais causas da disseminação da bactéria para áreas sem histórico da doença.

A clinical-pathological and survival study of oral squamous cell carcinomas from a population of the North of Portugal

OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to analyze the clinical, pathological, and outcome characteristics of oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) from a population of the North of Portugal. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive study of 128 OSCC diagnosed between the years of 2000 and 2010 in the Centro Hospitalar do Porto. Through of the review of the clinical records we studied several clinical, pathological, and outcome variables. The overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test. Cox regression method was used for multivariate analysis. RESULTS: Of 128 patients with OSCC, 83 (64.8%) were male and 45 (35.2%) were female, (mean age of 62.13±15.57 years). The most affected location was the tongue (n=52; 40.6%). The most common cause of reference was a non-healing ulcer (n=35; 28.9%) followed by oral pain (n=27; 22.3%). Sixty (60.6%) patients were tobacco consumers and 55 (57.3%) alcohol consumers. The cumulative 3-years OS rate was 58.6% and DFS was 55.4%. In multivariable analysis for OS, we found an adverse independent prognostic value for advanced tumour size (p < 0.001) and for the presence of perineural permeation (p = 0.012). For DFS, advanced stage tumours presented adverse independent prognostic value (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: OSCC occurred most frequently in males, in older patients, and in patients with tobacco and/or alcohol habits. TNM and tumour stage additionally to the perineural permeation were the most important prognostic factor for the survival of these patients, contributing to identify high-risk subgroups and to guide therapy

Bacterial pathogens related to chronic suppurative otitis media in individuals with cleft palate: bacteriological culture and polymerase chain reaction.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the microbial etiology of chronic suppurative otitis media comparing the methods of classical bacteriological culture and polymerase chain reaction. DESIGN/SETTING/PATIENTS: Bacteriological analysis by classical culture and by molecular polymerase chain reaction of 35 effusion otitis samples from patients with cleft lip and palate attending the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies of the University of São Paulo, Bauru, Brazil. INTERVENTIONS: Collection of clinical samples of otitis by effusion through the external auditory tube. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Otolaryngologic diagnosis of chronic suppurative otitis media. RESULTS: Positive cultures were obtained from 83% of patients. Among the 31 bacterial lineages the following were isolated. In order of decreasing frequency: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (54.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (25.9%), and Enterococcus faecalis (19.2%). No anaerobes were isolated by culture. The polymerase chain reaction was positive for one or more bacteria investigated in 97.1% of samples. Anaerobe lineages were detected by the polymerase chain reaction method, such as Fusobacterium nucleatum , Bacteroides fragilis , and Peptostreptococcus anaerobius . CONCLUSIONS: Patients with cleft lip and palate with chronic suppurative otitis media presented high frequency of bacterial infection in the middle ear. The classical bacteriological culture did not detect strict anaerobes, whose presence was identified by the polymerase chain reaction method.

Search for Mycobacterium leprae in wild mammals.

Leprosy is still a worldwide public health problem. Brazil and India show the highest prevalence rates of the disease. Natural infection of armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus with Mycobacterium leprae has been reported in some regions of the United States. Identification of bacilli is difficult, particularly due to its inability to grow in vitro. The use of molecular tools represents a fast and sensitive alternative method for diagnosis of mycobacteriosis. In the present study, the diagnostic methods used were bacilloscopy, histopathology, microbiology, and PCR using specific primers for M. leprae repetitive sequences. PCR were performed using genomic DNA extracted from 138 samples of liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and skin of 44 D. novemcinctus, Euphractus sexcinctus, Cabassous unicinctus, and C. tatouay armadillos from the Middle Western region of the state of São Paulo and from the experimental station of Embrapa Pantanal, located in Pantanal da Nhecolândia of Mato Grosso do Sul state. Also, the molecular analysis of 19 samples from internal organs of other road killed species of wild animals, such as Nasua nasua (ring-tailed coati), Procyon cancrivoros (hand-skinned), Cerdocyon thous (dog-pity-bush), Cavia aperea (restless cavy), Didelphis albiventris (skunk), Sphigurrus spinosus (hedgehog), and Gallictis vittata (ferret) showed PCR negative data. None of the 157 analyzed samples had shown natural mycobacterial infection. Only the armadillo inoculated with material collected from untreated multibacillary leprosy patient presented PCR positive and its genomic sequencing revealed 100% identity with M. leprae. According to these preliminary studies, based on the used methodology, it is possible to conclude that wild mammals seem not to play an important role in the epidemiology of leprosy in the Middle Western region of the São Paulo state and in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul state.

Search for Mycobacterium leprae in wild mammals

Leprosy is still a worldwide public health problem. Brazil and India show the highest prevalence rates of the disease. Natural infection of armadillos Dasypus novemcinctus with Mycobacterium leprae has been reported in some regions of the United States. Identification of bacilli is difficult, particularly due to its inability to grow in vitro. The use of molecular tools represents a fast and sensitive alternative method for diagnosis of mycobacteriosis. In the present study, the diagnostic methods used were bacilloscopy, histopathology, microbiology, and PCR using specific primers for M. leprae repetitive sequences. PCR were performed using genomic DNA extracted from 138 samples of liver, spleen, lymph nodes, and skin of 44 D. novemcinctus, Euphractus sexcinctus, Cabassous unicinctus, and C. tatouay armadillos from the Middle Western region of the state of São Paulo and from the experimental station of Embrapa Pantanal, located in Pantanal da Nhecolândia of Mato Grosso do Sul state. Also, the molecular analysis of 19 samples from internal organs of other road killed species of wild animals, such as Nasua nasua (ring-tailed coati), Procyon cancrivoros (hand-skinned), Cerdocyon thous (dog-pity-bush), Cavia aperea (restless cavy), Didelphis albiventris (skunk), Sphigurrus spinosus (hedgehog), and Gallictis vittata (ferret) showed PCR negative data. None of the 157 analyzed samples had shown natural mycobacterial infection. Only the armadillo inoculated with material collected from untreated multibacillary leprosy patient presented PCR positive and its genomic sequencing revealed 100 percent identity with M. leprae. According to these preliminary studies, based on the used methodology, it is possible to conclude that wild mammals seem not to play an important role in the epidemiology of leprosy in the Middle Western region of the São Paulo state and in the Pantanal of Mato Grosso do Sul state.

Chronic suppurative otitis media in cleft palate: microorganism etiology and susceptibilities.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microbial etiology of suppurative chronic otitis media (SCOM) in patients with complete cleft lip and palate and isolated cleft palate and to determine the sensitivity of isolated microorganisms to antibiotics by drug diffusion from impregnated discs in agar and the minimum inhibitory concentration of each drug to these microorganisms by drug dilution in agar. DESIGN/PATIENTS: Effusion samples of SCOM obtained from 40 patients with cleft lip and palate registered at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, at Bauru, Brazil, were bacteriologically analyzed by cultures. The isolated bacteria were submitted to an in vitro susceptibility test to clinically used drugs. RESULTS: Positive cultures were obtained in 100% of studied cases. Among the 57 strains observed, the most frequent were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.5%), Enterococcus faecalis (14%), and Proteus mirabilis (12%). The frequency of Gram-negative bacilli (enterobacteriaceae and nonfermentative bacilli) was 67%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa presented the highest sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, and enterobacteriaceae exhibited the highest sensitivity to gentamicin. The strains of S. aureus and E. faecalis presented the highest sensitivity to imipenem and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with cleft lip and palate presenting with SCOM exhibited 100% positive cultures, with the highest frequency of Pseudomonas and enterobacteriaceae. With regard to the action of antibiotics, imipenem was effective against the four species of isolated microorganisms, followed by ciprofloxacin, which was effective against 75% of isolated species.

Chronic suppurative otitis media in cleft palate: microorganism etiology and susceptibilities

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the microbial etiology of suppurative chronic otitis media (SCOM) in patients with complete cleft lip and palate and isolated cleft palate and to determine the sensitivity of isolated microorganisms to antibiotics by drug diffusion from impregnated discs in agar and the minimum inhibitory concentration of each drug to these microorganisms by drug dilution in agar. DESIGN/PATIENTS Effusion samples of SCOM obtained from 40 patients with cleft lip and palate registered at the Hospital for Rehabilitation of Craniofacial Anomalies, University of São Paulo, at Bauru, Brazil, were bacteriologically analyzed by cultures. The isolated bacteria were submitted to an in vitro susceptibility test to clinically used drugs. RESULTS: Positive cultures were obtained in 100% of studied cases. Among the 57 strains observed, the most frequent were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (35%), Staphylococcus aureus (15.5%), Enterococcus faecalis (14%), and Proteus mirabilis (12%). The frequency of Gram-negative bacilli (enterobacteriaceae and nonfermentative bacilli) was 67%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa presented the highest sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, and enterobacteriaceae exhibited the highest sensitivity to gentamicin. The strains of S. aureus and E. faecalis presented the highest sensitivity to imipenem and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with cleft lip and palate presenting with SCOM exhibited 100% positive cultures, with the highest frequency of Pseudomonas and enterobacteriaceae. With regard to the action of antibiotics, imipenem was effective against the four species of isolated microorganisms, followed by ciprofloxacin, which was effective against 75% of isolated species.

Analysis of the inflammatory reaction induced by the catfish (Cathorops spixii) venoms.

Cathorops spixii is one of the most abundant venomous fish of the southeastern coast of the State of São Paulo, and consequently causes a great part of the accidents seen there. The accidents affect mainly fishermen, swimmers and tourists and are characterized by punctiform or wide wounds, erythema, edema, pain, sudoresis, indisposition, fever, nausea, vomiting and secondary infection. The objective of this work was to characterize the inflammatory response induced in mice by both venoms (mucus and sting) of the catfish C. spixii. Our results demonstrated that both venoms induced a great number of rolling and adherent leukocytes in the post-capillary venules of cremaster muscle of mice, and an increase in the vascular permeability in peritoneal cavity. Mucus induced the recruitment of neutrophils immediately after injection followed later by macrophage infiltration. In contrast, the cellular infiltration elicited by sting venom was rapidly resolved. The peritonitis reaction provoked by venoms was characterized by cytokine (IL-6), chemokines (MCP-1 and KC) or lipid mediator (LTB4) production in the peritoneal cavity. The macrophages from 7-day mucus venom-induced exudates upon in vitro mucus venom stimulation, expressed CD11c x MHC class II and release bioactive IL-12p70. On the other hand, sting venom-elicited peritoneal macrophages lost the ability to differentiate into dendritic cells, following re-stimulation in vitro with sting venom, they do not express CD11c, nor do they exhibit sufficient levels of MHC class II. In conclusion, both types of venoms (mucus or sting) promote inflammatory reaction with different profiles, and the inflammatory reaction induced by the first was characterized by antigen persistence in peritoneal cavity that allowed the activation of phagocytic cells with capacity of antigenic presentation.

Study of virulence factors in coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from newborns.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) have been identified as the etiological agent in various infections and are currently the microorganisms most frequently isolated in nosocomial infections. However, little is known about the virulence factors produced by CNS that contribute to the pathogenesis of infections caused by these microorganisms. The study of CNS isolated from infectious processes of newborns hospitalized in the Neonatal Unit of the Hospital of the Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, indicated Staphylococcus epidermidis as the most frequently isolated species (77.8%), which was also associated with clinically significant situations. The analysis of virulence factors revealed the production of slime in 20 (17.1%) of all CNS samples isolated and the synthesis of a broad spectrum of enzymes and toxins, including hemolysins (19.6%), lipase (17.1%), lecithinase (3.4%), DNAse (15.4%), thermonuclease (7.7%), and enterotoxin A, B or C (37.6%). Taking into consideration that the etiological importance of CNS has often been neglected, the present investigation confirmed that these microorganisms should not be ignored or classified as mere contaminants.

Study of virulence factors in coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from newborns

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) have been identified as the etiological agent in various infections and are currently the microorganisms most frequently isolated in nosocomial infections. However, little is known about the virulence factors produced by CNS that contribute to the pathogenesis of infections caused by these microorganisms. The study of CNS isolated from infectious processes of newborns hospitalized in the Neonatal Unit of the Hospital of the Botucatu Medical School, Unesp, indicated Staphylococcus epidermidis as the most frequently isolated species (77.8 percent), which was also associated with clinically significant situations. The analysis of virulence factors revealed the production of slime in 20 (17.1 percent) of all CNS samples isolated and the synthesis of a broad spectrum of enzymes and toxins, including hemolysins (19.6 percent), lipase (17.1 percent), lecithinase (3.4 percent), DNAse (15.4 percent), thermonuclease (7.7 percent), and enterotoxin A, B or C (37.6 percent). Taking into consideration that the etiological importance of CNS has often been neglected, the present investigation confirmed that these microorganisms should not be ignored or classified as mere contaminants.

Microbiota characterization of the catfish (Cathorops agassizii and Genidens genidens) sting venom

This work aimed to study the bacterial contamination of the catfishes stings Genidens genidens (Valenciennes, 1839); and Cathorops agassizii (Agassiz, 1829) found in the estuary-bay complex of Santos and São Vicente (São Paulo State). Fish samples for bacteriological analyses were obtained and constituted of a group of 50 specimens, being 25 of Cathorops agassizii and 25 of Genidens genidens,. The bacteriological analyses showed that there was contamination of the stings by 13 different strains of Enterobacteriaceae with Klebsiella pneumoniae (26,80%) as the most frequent bacteria and lower percentual frequencies for Enterobacter sp and Escherichia coli (16,27%) and Serratia marcescens, Serratia sp. and Proteus mirabilis (1,16%). Gram positive bacteria, as well fungi species were not detected in the samples. In basis of the Gram negative species characterized , is possible to consider the bacterial strains are representative of the environmental public health conditions, as well as, accidents with these fish stings are able to develop significative acute secondary infections in humans.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo o estudo da contaminação bacteriana do veneno do ferrão dos bagres Genidens genidens (Valenciennes, 1839); e Cathorops agassizji (Agassiz, 1829) encontrados no Complexo Baia-Estuário de Santos e de São Vicente (Estado de São Paulo). Foram obtidas amostras dos peixes para análises bacteriológicas que constituíam de um grupo de 50 espécimes sendo, 25 Cathorops agassizii e 25 de Genidens genidens. As análises bacteriológicas mostraram que havia contaminação nos ferrões por 13 diferentes linhagens de Enterobacteriaceae, sendo a Klebsiella pneumoniae (26,80%) a bactéria mais freqüente enquanto que as Enterobacter sp e Escherichia coli (16,27%), Serratia marcescens, Serratia sp e Proteus mirabilis (1,16%) apresentaram os mais baixos percentuais de contaminação. Nas amostras que apresentaram Bactérias Gram positivas não foram detectadas espécies de fungos. Enquanto que nas amostras que apresentaram bactérias Gram negativas, foi possível considerar alta contaminação bacteriana representando periculosidade em relação aos aspectos ambientais voltados á saúde pública. Destaca-se ainda que acidentes ocorridos por ferimentos causados em função do ferrão do bagre podem desenvolver significativas infecções secundárias agudas em humanos.

Intestinal microbiota of patients with bacterial infection of the respiratory tract treated with amoxicillin.

The intestinal tract harbors a huge diversity of metabolically-active aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that interact, forming a complex ecosystem. This microbiota has an important role in human metabolism, nutrition, immunity, and protection against colonization by pathogenic microorganisms. Several factors can influence the intestinal microbiota; these include age, diet, inflammatory and infectious processes, and the use of antimicrobials. We investigated the influence of bacterial infection of the respiratory tract and of amoxicillin therapy on the normal intestinal microbiota of patients. Bacterial infectious processes affecting the respiratory tract were found to influence the intestinal microbiota, significantly decreasing the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) of Bacteroides spp. and Lactobacillus spp. per gram of feces. The use of amoxicillin also influenced the intestinal microbiota, significantly decreasing the CFU of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp./g of feces. Changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota need to be observed, since a decrease in the normal microorganisms can pose a number of hazards for hosts, including decreased resistance to colonization. With proper follow-up, health-care teams can minimize such hazards by implementing suitable therapy- and diet-related measures, thus reducing the occurrence of detrimental effects on the gastrointestinal ecosystem.

Intestinal microbiota of patients with bacterial infection of the respiratory tract treated with amoxicillin

The intestinal tract harbors a huge diversity of metabolically-active aerobic and anaerobic bacteria that interact, forming a complex ecosystem. This microbiota has an important role in human metabolism, nutrition, immunity, and protection against colonization by pathogenic microorganisms. Several factors can influence the intestinal microbiota; these include age, diet, inflammatory and infectious processes, and the use of antimicrobials. We investigated the influence of bacterial infection of the respiratory tract and of amoxicillin therapy on the normal intestinal microbiota of patients. Bacterial infectious processes affecting the respiratory tract were found to influence the intestinal microbiota, significantly decreasing the number of colony-forming units (CFUs) of Bacteroides spp. and Lactobacillus spp. per gram of feces. The use of amoxicillin also influenced the intestinal microbiota, significantly decreasing the CFU of Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp. /g of feces. Changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota need to be observed, since a decrease in the normal microorganisms can pose a number of hazards for hosts, including decreased resistance to colonization. With proper follow-up, health-care teams can minimize such hazards by implementing suitable therapy- and diet-related measures, thus reducing the occurrence of detrimental effects on the gastrointestinal ecosystem.

Isolamento de Corynebacterium aquaticum em leite bubalino / Corynebacterium aquaticum isolated in bubaline milk

Estudou-se 548 quartos mamários de búfalas, realizando-se exame clínico, CMT para detecção de mastite e coleta de amostras para isolamento bacteriano. Houve crescimento em duas amostras de Corynebacterium aquaticum caracterizadas bioquimicamente. Relata-se a participação do agente como colonizador do úbere e possível causador de mastites em bubalinos.

Sazonalidade dos microorganismos em ostras consumidas na grande Recife, PE / Sazonalidade of the microrganisms in oysters consumed in the Recife, PE

O consumo de ostras cruas ou parcialmente cozidas tem sido apontado como causa de diversas toxinfecções. Em muitos países, principalmente em desenvolvimento, a maioria das ostras é obtida por processo extrativo, sem nenhum tratamento higiênico. Ostras comercializadas na Grande Recife / PE, provenientes do município Itapissuma / PE, foram analisadas quanto a Escherichia coli, Vibrio spp., Yersinia spp., Staphylococcus aureus a Salmonella spp., no período de fevereiro a dezembro de 1999 e janeiro de 2000. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente através de Modelos Lineares Generalizados (GLM). As ostras apresentaram contaminação por v. parahaemolyticus, V. algynolyticus, Vibrio sp., V. furnissii, V. hollisae, V. angullarum, V. harveyi, V. fluvialis, V. carchariae, V. cincinnatiensis, V. vulnificus, V. cholerae não 01 e V. damsela, por Aeromonas hydrophila e A. caviae, por Salmonella entérica sorovar Infantis e Albany, por E. coli EPEC e EIEC, não apresentando Shigella, Yersinia ou staphylococcus aureus. Concluiu-se que o nível de contaminação das ostras é influenciado pela forma de estocagem empregada e que não houve interferência significativa da sazonalidade sobre o isolamento de víbrios em ostra, sendo isoladas diversas espécies durante todo o ano.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium (Apicomplexa, Cryptosporidiidae) in Crotalus durissus terrificus (Serpentes, Viperidae) in Brazil.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium (Apicomplexa, Cryptosporidiidae) in the snake Crotalus durissus terrificus (Serpentes, Viperidae). Fifty animals were evaluated for the presence of oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. at the time of arrival and 30 and 60 days later. Intestinal washings with saline solution (1% body weight), fecal samples, and organ scrapings were collected during the study. Oocysts were concentrated by an ether-phosphate-buffered saline sedimentation technique and then separated by a density gradient centrifugation technique. Smears were made with the sediment and submitted to modified acid-fast and auramine-rhodamine staining. Cryptosporidium-positive smears were used as controls for the experimental findings. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts was 14%. Among the positive snakes, oocysts were detected only in the intestinal washing in two specimens, only in the feces in four specimens, and in both materials at least once in one specimen. The positive snakes were predominantly from Santa Maria da Serra city State of São Paulo (57.1%). We also observed that all of the examinations that presented positive results were obtained at least 27 days after the capture of the animals.