Brain abscesses caused by anaerobic microorganisms: a systematic review

The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review of the characteristics, causative microorganisms and outcome of brain abscesses caused by anaerobic bacteria over the past 25 years. We reviewed studies on brain abscesses which included infection due to anaerobic microorganisms published between 1998 and 2022. We excluded reports with polymicrobial infections (more than 2 anaerobic bacteria isolated) and those that do not provide enough information to make comparisons, the reports with only one case of brain abscess due to anaerobes, as well as those focused on an only anaerobic bacterium. Also, we have excluded the cases in pediatric population. We searched the scientific literature through the Cochrane Library, EMBASE and PubMed/MEDLINE databases for studies of this condition. We finally included 28 studies with 6,167 patients, of which 715 (11.5%) were cases caused by anaerobic bacteria. There was a male predominance (70%) and mean age of 40.3 years. Most infections were monomicrobial (59.4%). The most common anaerobic microorganisms isolated were Bacteroides spp (43.4%) and Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (35.1%). Cases of brain abscesses caused by anaerobic bacteria were most frequent in Asia and Europe. The source of infection most frequent was otogenic in 84.6% followed by a neurosurgery procedure infection in 23% of patients. The main symptom observed was headache in 95.6% of patients followed by fever (69.5%). Surgical treatment was performed in 48 % of patients and the percentage of patients in whom antibiotic treatment was applied range 88.8% to 100%. The main limitation of this review is the non-inclusion of studies published before of 1998 in which MALDI-TOF MS system had not been introduced in the majority of laboratories for routine identification. (AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue realizar una revisión sistemática de las características, los microorganismos causantes y evolución de los abscesos cerebrales causados por bacterias anaerobias en los últimos 25 años. Revisamos los estudios sobre abscesos cerebrales que incluyeron infección por microorganismos anaerobios publicados entre 1998 y 2022. Se excluyeron estudios con infecciones polimicrobianas (más de 2 bacterias anaerobias aisladas) y aquellos que no proporcionaban suficiente información para realizar comparaciones, los estudios con solo un caso de absceso por anaerobios así como aquellos focalizados solo en una bacteria anaerobia. También se excluyeron los casos en población pediátrica. Se realizó búsqueda de la literatura científica a través de la librería Cochrane y base de datos EMBASE y PubMed/MEDLINE para estudios con esas características. Se incluyeron finalmente 28 estudios con 6167 pacientes, de los cuales 715 (11,5%) fueron casos causados por bacterias anaerobias. Hubo predominio masculino (70%) y edad media de 40,3 años. La mayoría de las infecciones fueron monomicrobianas (59,4%). Los microorganismos anaerobios más comunes aislados fueron Bacteroides spp (43,4%) y cocos anaerobios grampositivos (35,1%). Los casos de abscesos cerebrales causados por bacterias anaerobias fueron más frecuentes en Asia y Europa. La fuente de infección más frecuente fue la otogénica en un 84,6% seguida de una infección por procedimiento de neurocirugía en un 23% de los pacientes. El principal síntoma observado fue la cefalea en el 95,6% de los pacientes seguido de fiebre (69,5%). Se realizó tratamiento quirúrgico en el 48 % de los pacientes y el porcentaje de pacientes en los que se aplicó tratamiento antibiótico oscila entre el 88,8 % y el 100 %. La principal limitación de esta revisión fue la no inclusión de estudios anteriores a 1998 en los que todavía no se había introducido MALDI-TOF MS en la mayoría de los laboratorios para el diagnóstico rutinario. (AU)

Tichowtungia aerotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel representative of the phylum Kiritimatiellaeota and proposal of Tichowtungiaceae fam. nov., Tichowtungiales ord. nov. and Tichowtungiia class. nov.

Kiritimatiellaeota is widespread and ecologically important in various anoxic environments. However, the portion of culturable bacteria within this phylum is quite low and, in fact, there is only one currently described species. In this study, a novel anaerobic, non-motile, coccoid, Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain, designated S-5007T, was isolated from surface marine sediment. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was found to have very low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the nearest known type strain, Kiritimatiella glycovorans L21-Fru-ABT (84.9 %). The taxonomic position of the novel isolate was investigated using a polyphasic approach and comparative genomic analysis. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes and genomes indicated that strain S-5007T branched within the radiation of the phylum Kiritimatiellaeota. Different from the type strain, strain S-5007T can grow under microaerobic conditions, and the genomes of strain S-5007T and the other strains in its branch have many more antioxidant-related genes. Meanwhile, other different metabolic features deduced from genome analysis supported the separate evolution of the proposed class (strain S-5007T branch) and K. glycovorans L21-Fru-ABT. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic characterization studies, Tichowtungia aerotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed with S-5007T (=MCCC 1H00402T=KCTC 15876T) as the type strain, as the first representative of novel taxa, Tichowtungiales ord. nov., Tichowtungiaceae fam. nov. in Tichowtungiia class. nov.

Primer caso de absceso renal por Parvimonas micra / First case of renal abscess by Parvimonas micra

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Vigilancia de la sensibilidad antibiótica de anaerobios gramnegativos: RedMiVa 2010-2016 / Antibiotic susceptibility surveillance of Gram-negative anaerobes: RedMiVa 2010-2016

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Efecto de una combinación nutritiva y selectiva con sustratos cromogénicos para diagnóstico de cocos grampositivos / Effect of a selective nutrient combination of chromogenic substrates for diagnosis of Grampositive cocci

Introducción: la reemergencia de infecciones por bacterias grampositivas y el aumento de su patogenicidad, requiere de un diagnóstico microbiológico rápido y certero. En BioCen se desarrolló una composición cromogénica para el aislamiento, cultivo y diferenciación rápida y presuntiva de microorganismos grampositivos por medio de reacciones cromogénicas específicas, donde las bacterias gramnegativas se encuentran inhibidas de manera parcial o total. Objetivo: evaluar el efecto de la combinación de bases nutritivas, inhibidores selectivos y sustratos cromogénicos para aumentar la selectivad y capacidad diferencial para especies de los géneros Enterococcus, Streptococcus y Staphylococcus de importancia clínica. Métodos: se evaluaron 21 cepas microbianas de la American Type Culture Collection y 24 aislamientos clínicos de Streptococcus, Enterococcus y Staphylococcus y otros microorganismos gramnegativos. Se evaluaron diferentes combinaciones de bases nutritivas, acetato de talio, ácido nalidíxico y sustratos cromogénicos para la promoción del crecimiento y diferenciación de las bacterias grampositivas. Se evaluó la funcionalidad microbiológica y se le determinaron los parámetros de calidad diagnóstica. Resultados: la combinación de bases nutritivas permitió el desarrollo de los microorganismos grampositivos, en 24 h y su diferenciación por reacciones cromogénicas específicas. El crecimiento de los microorganismos gramnegativos fue inhibido por la acción del acetato de talio (0,014 g·L-1) y ácido nalidíxico (0,008 g·L-1), excepto Proteus mirabilis y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cuyas características morfológicas no interfieren en la diferenciación de los microorganismos diana. La sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud diagnósticas fueron del 100 por ciento...

Introduction: reemergence of Grampositive bacteria infections and the rise of their pathogenicity require a quick and accurate microbiological diagnosis. BioCen has developed a chromogenic composition for isolation, culturing and rapid and presumptive differentiation of gram-positive microorganisms through specific chromogenic reactions in which the inhibition of gramnegative bacteria is partial or total. Objective: to evaluate the effect of a combination of nutrient bases, selective inhibitors and chromogenic substrates to increase the selectivity and differential capacity to detect Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species of clinical importance. Methods: twenty one microbial strains from the American Type Culture Collection and 24 clinical isolates of Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus and of other gramnegative microorganisms were evaluated. Various combinations of nutrient bases, thallium acetate, nalidixic acid and chromogenic substrates were also assessed for the promotion, growth and differentiation of grampositive bacteria. The microbiological functionality was evaluated whereas the diagnostic quality parameters were determined. Results: the combination of nutrient bases allowed the development of grampositive microorganisms in 24 hours and their differentiation through specific chromogenic reactions. The growth of gramnegative microorganisms was inhibited by the thallium acetate (0.014 g·L-1) and nalidixic acid (0,008 g·L-1) except for Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa whose morphological characteristics do not interfere with differentiation of target microorganisms. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosis were 100 percent...

Efecto de una combinación nutritiva y selectiva con sustratos cromogénicos para diagnóstico de cocos grampositivos / Effect of a selective nutrient combination of chromogenic substrates for diagnosis of Grampositive cocci

INTRODUCCIÓN: la reemergencia de infecciones por bacterias grampositivas y el aumento de su patogenicidad, requiere de un diagnóstico microbiológico rápido y certero. En BioCen se desarrolló una composición cromogénica para el aislamiento, cultivo y diferenciación rápida y presuntiva de microorganismos grampositivos por medio de reacciones cromogénicas específicas, donde las bacterias gramnegativas se encuentran inhibidas de manera parcial o total. OBJETIVO: evaluar el efecto de la combinación de bases nutritivas, inhibidores selectivos y sustratos cromogénicos para aumentar la selectivad y capacidad diferencial para especies de los géneros Enterococcus, Streptococcus y Staphylococcus de importancia clínica. MÉTODOS: se evaluaron 21 cepas microbianas de la American Type Culture Collection y 24 aislamientos clínicos de Streptococcus, Enterococcus y Staphylococcus y otros microorganismos gramnegativos. Se evaluaron diferentes combinaciones de bases nutritivas, acetato de talio, ácido nalidíxico y sustratos cromogénicos para la promoción del crecimiento y diferenciación de las bacterias grampositivas. Se evaluó la funcionalidad microbiológica y se le determinaron los parámetros de calidad diagnóstica. RESULTADOS: la combinación de bases nutritivas permitió el desarrollo de los microorganismos grampositivos, en 24 h y su diferenciación por reacciones cromogénicas específicas. El crecimiento de los microorganismos gramnegativos fue inhibido por la acción del acetato de talio (0,014 g·L-1) y ácido nalidíxico (0,008 g·L-1), excepto Proteus mirabilis y Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cuyas características morfológicas no interfieren en la diferenciación de los microorganismos diana. La sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud diagnósticas fueron del 100 %. CONCLUSIÓN: la combinación de las bases nutritivas, los inhibidores selectivos y los sustratos cromogénicos permitió el desarrollo y diferenciación de especies de los microorganismos evaluados. La inoculación en el medio cromogénico de microorganismos diana y no diana y la diferenciación de aquellas cepas donde se detectó color similar de las colonias por medio de pruebas complementarias rápidas, le confirió al medio elevadas sensibilidad, especificidad y exactitud diagnóstica.

INTRODUCTION: reemergence of Grampositive bacteria infections and the rise of their pathogenicity require a quick and accurate microbiological diagnosis. BioCen has developed a chromogenic composition for isolation, culturing and rapid and presumptive differentiation of gram-positive microorganisms through specific chromogenic reactions in which the inhibition of gramnegative bacteria is partial or total. OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the effect of a combination of nutrient bases, selective inhibitors and chromogenic substrates to increase the selectivity and differential capacity to detect Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus species of clinical importance. METHODS: twenty one microbial strains from the American Type Culture Collection and 24 clinical isolates of Enterococcus, Streptococcus and Staphylococcus and of other gramnegative microorganisms were evaluated. Various combinations of nutrient bases, thallium acetate, nalidixic acid and chromogenic substrates were also assessed for the promotion, growth and differentiation of grampositive bacteria. The microbiological functionality was evaluated whereas the diagnostic quality parameters were determined. RESULTS: the combination of nutrient bases allowed the development of grampositive microorganisms in 24 hours and their differentiation through specific chromogenic reactions. The growth of gramnegative microorganisms was inhibited by the thallium acetate (0.014 g·L-1) and nalidixic acid (0,008 g·L-1) except for Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa whose morphological characteristics do not interfere with differentiation of target microorganisms. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy for diagnosis were 100 %. CONCLUSIONS: the combination of nutrient bases, selective inhibitors and chromogenic substrates allowed the development and differentiation of the evaluated microorganism species. The inoculation of target and non-target microorganisms in the chromogenic medium and the differentiation of those strains where a similar color of the colonies was detected by means of supplementary rapid tests provided the medium with high diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and accuracy.

Analysis of the intraimplant microflora of two-piece dental implants.

OBJECTIVE: Information about the spectrum of microorganisms in the intraimplant cavities of two-piece dental implants is scarce. The purpose of this study was to assess the intraimplant microflora of two-piece dental implants by conventional biochemical testing, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and 16 s rDNA gene sequencing. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten patients (six men and four women; average age = 66.7 years; age range = 58-78 years) received 35 two-piece titanium implants carrying ball attachments. Biofilm sampling was performed with sterile microbrushes, and nonadherent microbial samples were obtained by injection and reuptake of predefined volumes of NaCl solution. The samples were cultured and analyzed by conventional biochemical testing, MALDI-TOF MS, and 16 s rDNA gene sequencing. RESULTS: Of the 103 species detected, 27 and 33 were identified only in the biofilm and nonadherent microbial samples, respectively. Forty-three species were identified in both types of samples. CONCLUSIONS: Two-piece dental implants harbored a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes, especially rods and cocci. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: These findings confirm bacterial translocation from the oral cavity to intraimplant cavities. Microbiological methods as used in this study are necessary to reveal the complete vital microflora of intraimplant cavities.

Phycisphaera mikurensis gen. nov., sp. nov., isolated from a marine alga, and proposal of Phycisphaeraceae fam. nov., Phycisphaerales ord. nov. and Phycisphaerae classis nov. in the phylum Planctomycetes.

Three strains, FYK2301M01(T), FYK2301M18 and FYK2301M52, all being Gram-negative, spherical, motile and facultatively anaerobic, were isolated from a marine alga (Porphyra sp.) collected on Mikura Island, Japan. Colonies of the strains were circular and pink-pigmented on Marine Agar 2216 (Difco) at 25 degrees C. Cells of the strains reproduced by binary fission. The G+C content of the DNA was 73 mol%. The major isoprenoid quinone was MK-6. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the strains are the members of the WPS-1 group (Nogales et al., 2001) comprising no validly described taxa within the phylum Planctomycetes. The highest similarity value of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of the strains to those in the established bacterial taxa was only 78.7% to Planctomyces brasiliensis DSM 5305(T). From the taxonomic data obtained in this study, it is proposed that the new marine isolates be placed in a novel genus and species named Phycisphaera mikurensis gen. nov., sp. nov. within a new family, order and class Phycisphaeraceae fam. nov., Phycisphaerales ord. nov. and Phycisphaerae classis nov. in the phylum Planctomycetes. The type strain of Phycisphaera mikurensis is FYK2301M01(T) (= NBRC 102666(T) = KCTC 22515(T)).

Endocarditis por Peptostreptococcus: presentación de dos casos y revisión de la literatura / Peptostreptococcus endocarditis: presentation of two cases and literature review

Describimos dos nuevos casos de endocarditis por Peptostreptococcus, uno de ellos sobre válvula protésica y causado por P. micros, y otro caso de endocarditis tricuspídea por P. assacharolyticus en un paciente ADVP. Revisamos los 9 casos previamente publicados en la literatura de endocarditis causada por anaerobios del género Peptostreptococcus

We describe two new cases of Peptostreptococcus endocarditis, one case of Peptostreptococcus micros prosthetic valve endocarditis and the other of Peptostreptococcus assaccharolyticus tricuspid native valve endocarditis in an intravenous drug user (IDU) patient and review nine cases previously reported

European surveillance study on antimicrobial susceptibility of Gram-positive anaerobic cocci.

Gram-positive anaerobic cocci (GPAC) are a heterogeneous group of microorganisms frequently isolated from local and systemic infections. In this study, the antimicrobial susceptibilities of clinical strains isolated in 10 European countries were investigated. After identification of 299 GPAC to species level, the minimum inhibitory concentrations of penicillin, imipenem, clindamycin, metronidazole, vancomycin and linezolid were determined by the agar dilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. The majority of isolates were identified as Finegoldia magna and Parvimonas micra (formerly Peptostreptococcus micros), isolated from skin and soft tissue infections. All isolates were susceptible to imipenem, metronidazole, vancomycin and linezolid. Twenty-one isolates (7%) were resistant to penicillin (n=13) and/or to clindamycin (n=12). Four isolates were resistant to both agents. The majority of resistant isolates were identified as F. magna and originated from blood, abscesses and soft tissue infections.

Digestive tract microbiota in healthy volunteers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to standardize the methods of sample collection of mucus from the digestive tract and to determine the microbiota in healthy volunteers from Brazil, collecting samples from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum. METHODS: Microbiota of selected healthy volunteers from the oral cavity (n=10), the esophagus (n=10), the upper digestive tract (n=20), and the lower digestive tract (n=24) were evaluated through distinct collection methods. Collection methods took into account the different sites, using basic scraping and swabbing techniques, stimulated saliva from the oral cavity, irrigation-aspiration with sterile catheters especially designed for the esophagus, a probe especially designed for upper digestive tract, and a special catheter for the lower digestive tract. RESULTS: (i) Mixed microbiota were identified in the oral cavity, predominantly Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic cocci; (ii) transitional flora mainly in the esophagus; (iii) Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp, and Clostridium sp in the stomach and duodenum; (iv) in the jejunum and upper ileum, we observed Bacteroides sp, Proteus sp, and Staphylococcus sp, in addition to Veillonella sp; (v) in the colon, the presence of "nonpathogenic" anaerobic bacteria Veillonella sp (average 10(5) UFC) indicates the existence of a low oxidation-reduction potential environment, which suggests the possibility of adoption of these bacteria as biological markers of total digestive tract health. CONCLUSIONS: The collection methods were efficient in obtaining adequate samples from each segment of the total digestive tract to reveal the normal microbiota. These procedures are safe and easily reproducible for microbiological studies.

[Infectious spondylodiskitis and epidural abscess after spinal puncture for pilonidal sinus excision]. / Espondilodiscitis infecciosa y absceso epidural después de una punción subaracnoidea para escisión de sinus pilonidal.

Vertebral infections after spinal puncture are rare and often inadequately documented. Their incidence does not exceed that of spontaneous epidural abscesses and we should therefore be cautious about assuming a causal relation between puncture and an abscess. After analyzing 10 published cases we saw that only half of them reported on aseptic conditions and only 2 patients seem to have had a prior infection. In 3 cases, the abscesses appeared after technically simple punctures whereas half the reports did not even mention the type of puncture. This complication should be considered whenever a patient develops back pain and fever, even if there are no neurological deficits and even after a simple spinal puncture. Given that early diagnosis and treatment have proven effective in improving the survival rate and reducing the rate of neurological sequelae, magnetic resonance images should be ordered urgently so that early treatment can be established.

Digestive tract microbiota in healthy volunteers

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to standardize the methods of sample collection of mucus from the digestive tract and to determine the microbiota in healthy volunteers from Brazil, collecting samples from the mouth, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, colon, and rectum. METHODS: Microbiota of selected healthy volunteers from the oral cavity (n=10), the esophagus (n=10), the upper digestive tract (n=20), and the lower digestive tract (n=24) were evaluated through distinct collection methods. Collection methods took into account the different sites, using basic scraping and swabbing techniques, stimulated saliva from the oral cavity, irrigation-aspiration with sterile catheters especially designed for the esophagus, a probe especially designed for upper digestive tract, and a special catheter for the lower digestive tract. RESULTS: (i) Mixed microbiota were identified in the oral cavity, predominantly Gram-positive aerobic and anaerobic cocci; (ii) transitional flora mainly in the esophagus; (iii) Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp, and Clostridium sp in the stomach and duodenum; (iv) in the jejunum and upper ileum, we observed Bacteroides sp, Proteus sp, and Staphylococcus sp, in addition to Veillonella sp; (v) in the colon, the presence of "nonpathogenic" anaerobic bacteria Veillonella sp (average 10(5) UFC) indicates the existence of a low oxidation-reduction potential environment, which suggests the possibility of adoption of these bacteria as biological markers of total digestive tract health. CONCLUSIONS: The collection methods were efficient in obtaining adequate samples from each segment of the total digestive tract to reveal the normal microbiota. These procedures are safe and easily reproducible for microbiological studies.

OBJETIVO: Padronizar os métodos de coleta do muco do trato digestivo e determinar a microbiota, em voluntários saudáveis no Brasil, coletando amostras da boca, esôfago, estômago, duodeno, jejunos e íleo, cólons e reto. MÉTODOS: A microbiota de voluntários saudáveis foi avaliada através de diferentes métodos de coleta: cavidade oral (n=10 voluntários), do esôfago (n=10), do trato digestivo alto (n=20) e do trato digestivo baixo (n=24). Métodos de coleta foram adotados em cada sítio restrito, usando derramar saliva, técnica de esfregar a mucosa e saliva estimulada da cavidade oral, irrigação-aspiração, cateteres específicos designados para o esôfago, sonda especial para o trato digestivo alto e cateteres especiais para o trato digestivo baixo. RESULTADOS: Identificados: (i) na cavidade oral, microbiota mista, predominando cocos aeróbios e anaeróbios Gram positivos; (ii) no esôfago, flora transitória; (iii) no estômago e duodeno, Veillonella sp, Lactobacillus sp and Clostridium sp; (iv) no jejuno e íleo proximal, Bacteróides sp, Proteus sp and Staphilococcus sp, além da Veillonella sp ; (v) no colon, foi revelada a presença "não patogênica" da bactéria anaeróbica Veillonella sp numa concentração média de 10(5) unidades formadoras de colônia, indicando um meio de baixo potencial de oxido-redução e a possibilidade de se conceituar esta bactéria como um marcador biológico do trato digestivo total em sadios. CONCLUSÃO: Estes métodos de coleta foram considerados eficientes para obtenção adequada de amostra em cada segmento do trato digestivo total para caracterizar a microbiota normal. Estes procedimentos são seguros e facilmente reprodutível para estudo microbiológico.

Espondilodiscitis infecciosa y absceso epidural después de una punción subaracnoidea para escisión de sinus pilonidal / Infectious spondylodiskitis and epidural abscess after spinal puncture for pilonidal sinus excision

Las infecciones vertebrales tras punción subaracnoidea son excepcionales y a menudo están insuficientemente documentadas. Su incidencia no supera la de los abscesos epidurales espontáneos, lo que debería obligarnos a ser prudentes antes de afirmar la relación causal entre punción y absceso. Tras analizar 10 casos publicados observamos que sólo en la mitad de ellos se aportan datos sobre las condiciones de asepsia de las punciones y únicamente en dos pacientes parece haber una infección previa. En tres casos los abscesos aparecen tras punciones técnicamente sencillas, mientras que en la mitad de ellos ni siquiera se menciona este evento. Debe considerarse esta complicación ante un paciente con dolor de espalda y fiebre, aunque no aparezcan déficit neurológicos, e incluso tras punción subaracnoidea sencilla. Es importante solicitar urgentemente una resonancia magnética, con el fin de establecer con premura un tratamiento adecuado, puesto que el diagnóstico y tratamiento precoces han demostrado su eficacia para mejorar la supervivencia y disminuir el porcentaje de pacientes con secuelas neurológicas

Vertebral infections after spinal puncture are rare and often inadequately documented. Their incidence does not exceed that of spontaneous epidural abscesses and we should therefore be cautious about assuming a causal relation between puncture and an abscess. After analyzing 10 published cases we saw that only half of them reported on aseptic conditions and only 2 patients seem to have had a prior infection. In 3 cases, the abscesses appeared after technically simple punctures whereas half the reports did not even mention the type of puncture. This complication should be considered whenever a patient develops back pain and fever, even if there are no neurological deficits and even after a simple spinal puncture. Given that early diagnosis and treatment have proven effective in improving the survival rate and reducing the rate of neurological sequelae, magnetic resonance images should be ordered urgently so that early treatment can be established

Victivallis vadensis gen. nov., sp. nov., a sugar-fermenting anaerobe from human faeces.

A novel strictly anaerobic, cellobiose-degrading bacterium, strain CelloT, was isolated from a human faecal sample by combining enrichments in liquid and soft-agar basal media. A noteworthy characteristic was its inability to grow on normal agar plates and in roll tubes. The cells were coccus shaped and non-motile, with an extracellular slime layer. Growth of strain CelloT occurred between 20 and 40degrees C, with optimal growth at 37 degrees C. The pH range for growth was 5-7.5 with an optimum at 6.5. In pure culture, strain CelloT could only grow on a variety of sugars. Glucose was converted to acetate, ethanol and H2. The doubling time on glucose was 0.5 h. In a syntrophic co-culture with Methanospirillum hungatei strain JF-1T, strain CelloT converted glucose to acetate and H2. The G+C content was 59.2 mol%. 16S rDNA analysis revealed that the closest relatives of strain CelloT were two uncultured bacteria from anaerobic digesters, both with 94% 16S rDNA sequence similarity. The closest cultured representatives belong to genera of the bacterial division 'Verrucomicrobia'. The name Victivallis vadensis gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed for strain CelloT (=DSM 14823T =ATCC BAA-548T).

Atividade antimicrobiana in vitro de quinupristina/dalfopristina para cocos gram-positivos isolados de cinco centros brasileiros: resultado do estudo de vigilância L-SMART / Antimicrobial in vitro activity of quinupristin/dalfopristin against gram-positive cocci isolated from 5 Brazilian centers: results from the local smart (L-SMART) surveillance study

Há alguns anos tem-se verificado um aumento progressivo da resistência de alguns cocos gram-positivos a determinados antimicrobianos. Este aumento da resistência tem sido observado principalmente no ambiente hospitalar, e as bactérias mais comumente envolvidas são os Staphylococcus spp. e os Enterococcus spp. Devido a este fato, novos antimicrobianos são avaliados para o tratamento de infecções causadas por estas cepas multirresistentes. A associação quinupristina/dalfopristina (Q/D), também conhecida como Synercid©, é um antibacteriano da classe das estreptograminas, de uso endovenoso, composto por dois derivados semi-sintéticos da pristanamicina. A combinação das estreptograminas B e A na razão de 30:70 tem atividade antimicrobiana voltada para cocos gram-positivos, como Staphylococcus spp., Streptococcus spp., incluindo S. pneumoniae e Enterococcus faecium, sendo o E. faecalis habitualmente resistente. Neste estudo foi avaliada atividade in vitro de Q/D e outros oito antimicrobianos frente a 631 amostras de cocos gram-positivos isoladas de cinco centros brasileiros, complementadas com outras 20 cepas de E. faecium resistentes à vancomicina, provenientes dos Estados Unidos. Para a avaliação da sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos foi determinada a concentração inibitória mínima (MIC) pelo método do Etest (AB Biodisk, Solna, Suécia) e as cepas testadas foram: Staphylococcus aureus (n=267), Staphylococcus coagulase negativo (n=131), Streptoccus pneumoniae (n=130), Streptococcus beta-hemolíticos (n=28), Enteroccus faecalis (n=44) e E. faecium (n=51). A Q/D demonstrou excelente atividade contra Staphylococcus spp., independente de serem sensíveis ou resistentes à oxacilina. Para S. pneumoniae, a Q/D apresentou igualmente uma ótima atividade, inclusive para as cepas com resistência intermediária ou total para penicilina. Entre as cepas de E. faecium sensíveis à vancomicina, o MIC 90 de Q/D obtido foi de 3µg/ml, sendo que 45 por cento das cepas testadas foram sensíveis e 55 por cento apresentaram sensibilidade intermediária à associação. Desta forma, pode-se afirmar que a associação. Desta forma, pode-se afirmar que a associação Q/D representa uma nova opção para o tratamento endovenoso de infecções causadas por cocos gram-positivos, principalmente para as cepas multiresistentes, sendo também uma alternativa ao uso de glicopeptídeos

[Metabolism of rumen microbial populations formed on biosubstrates with different assimilation under the effect of pentachlorophenol]. / Metabolizm mikrobnykh populiatsii rubtsia, sformovanykh na biosubstratakh riznoï dostupnosti, za diï pentakhlorfenolu.

It has been established that metabolism of mixed microbial population formed on easy assimilated sources of energy and nitrogen (concentrate diet) progressed on higher level. There is increase of amilolytic activity, formation of lactate, ammonia, low molecular carbonic acids with predomination of propionate molar fraction. The increased resistance to effect of pentachlorophenol (PCP) is characteristic nature of the latter. The role of the most resistant synthrophic bacteria to PCP increases. The pure strains of Streptococcus bovis and Megasphaera elsdenii do not stop metabolism at 100 microM of PCP. Mixed population of microorganisms formed on hard accessible biosubstrates (cellulose) and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens have the increased cellulosolytic activity and while the high sensibility even to low doses of PCP (10-40 microM) is observed. It has been supposed that mechanism of PCP effect is ambiguous for various species of microbial complex of rumen. It's effect strength on all main chains of metabolism (membrane transport, energetic exchange, protein biosynthesis, etc.) significantly depends on capacity of pool of metabolic intermediates formed as a result of definite program of biotechnology of nurture, but significantly decreases the harmful effect of biocides.