RESUMO
AIMS: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common pathogens in hospital environment and community. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) production is clinically associated with skin abscesses, soft tissues infections, bacteraemia and sepsis. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the presence of genes lukF/S-PV coding for PVL, in histological and haematological features during systemic infection, using a Swiss mice experimental model. METHODS AND RESULTS: Experiments were performed using 25 mice distributed into five experimental groups, intravenously inoculated with 50 µl suspensions at density 1·0 × 107 CFU per ml of strains: methicillin-susceptible (MSSA) and pvl-negative strains isolated from nasal colonization; MSSA pvl-positive strains isolated from nasal colonization; methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and pvl-positive strains isolated from peripheral blood of a patient with severe pulmonary infection; and a MRSA pvl-positive strains isolated from a peripheral blood culture of a patient with bacteraemia. Haematological analysis was performed at 24, 48, 72 and 96 h post-infection. Morphoanatomy and histopathological analyses were performed at 96 h post-infection. For all S. aureus strains tested, the capability of intravenous dissemination and survival into mice tissues was demonstrated. Inflammatory processes at different levels were related to the presence of pvl genes, and included alterations in the format, size and colour of the organs. Staphylococcus aureus pvl-positive strains were detected in greater numbers in the organs of the infected animals. CONCLUSIONS: The pvl-positive strains isolated from blood cultures were capable to induce the greatest modifications in both haematological and histopathological profiles, and seemed to aggravate the systemic infections. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These findings are valuable in characterizing infections caused by S. aureus in humans and murine.
Assuntos
Toxinas Bacterianas/metabolismo , Exotoxinas/metabolismo , Leucocidinas/metabolismo , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/patogenicidade , Infecções Estafilocócicas/microbiologia , Infecções Estafilocócicas/patologia , Animais , Bacteriemia/microbiologia , Bacteriemia/patologia , Toxinas Bacterianas/genética , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Exotoxinas/genética , Humanos , Leucocidinas/genética , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/genética , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina/metabolismo , Camundongos , Staphylococcus aureus/genética , Staphylococcus aureus/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Staphylococcus aureus/metabolismo , Staphylococcus aureus/patogenicidadeRESUMO
Streptococcus agalactiae is among the most relevant aetiologic agent of bovine clinical and subclinical mastitis, a major problem for the dairy industry. In Brazil, clonal diversity, capsular typing and multidrug resistance profiles of S. agalactiae related to human and bovine infections need further investigation. Presently, S. agalactiae isolates of bovine subclinical mastitis, from Brazilian Northeastern region, were submitted to capsular and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE)-typing, antimicrobial susceptibility and assays of biofilm formation at different time incubation and pH levels. Sixteen bovine isolates were characterized by polymerase chain reaction assay as S. agalactiae capsular type II (CTII) and classified by PFGE in A1/A2 (n = 06), B1/B2 (n = 06), C (n = 03) and D (n = 01) patterns. Bovine S. agalactiae CTII strains were classified as 25% multidrug-resistant (MDR) with susceptibility to penicillin, linezolid and vancomycin. Biofilm formation on abiotic surface was strain- and time-dependent with significantly higher rates at pH 6·5. In conclusion, S. agalactiae capsular type II isolates recovered from bovine subclinical mastitis produced different pH-dependent biofilm levels. Our findings suggest that biofilm production is modulated by environmental factors and provides S. agalactiae advantageous in colonizing mammary gland during mastitis development, including MDR strains. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Streptococcus agalactiae is among the most relevant aetiologic agent of bovine clinical and subclinical mastitis, a major problem for the dairy industry. The disease may cause significant economic loss due to decreased production and milk quality and increased use of medicaments. Presently, data demonstrated that biofilm formation favours the establishment of infectious process in health mammary tissue by S. agalactiae and emphasizes that an acidic pH promotes adhesion by biofilm-forming bacterial strains. S. agalactiae strains (25%) showed resistance to tetracycline, azithromycin, erythromycin and clindamycin, and consequently were classified as multidrug-resistant strains.
Assuntos
Biofilmes , Mastite Bovina/microbiologia , Leite/microbiologia , Streptococcus agalactiae/fisiologia , Animais , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Biofilmes/efeitos dos fármacos , Brasil , Bovinos , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana Múltipla , Feminino , Leite/química , Streptococcus agalactiae/efeitos dos fármacos , Streptococcus agalactiae/genética , Streptococcus agalactiae/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
Rhodococcus equi is a well-recognized Gram-positive intracellular facultative bacterium that is opportunistic in nature, which causes pyogranulomatous infections in humans and multiple host animals. The pathogenicity of the microorganism has been attributed to the presence of plasmid-encoded virulence-associated proteins (Vap). To date, three host-associated virulence plasmid types of R. equi have been identified as follows: the circular pVAPA and pVAPB, related, respectively, to equine and porcine isolates, and a recently described linear pVAPN plasmid associated with bovine strains, although these three types are found in human isolates. Recent phylogenomic studies support the evidence that human R. equi infection is zoonotically acquired. Nevertheless, data regarding distribution and prevalence of the host-adapted virulence plasmid types of R. equi isolated from meat animals are scarce or unnoticed. Here, the three host-associated virulence plasmid types (pVAPA, pVAPB, and pVAPN) were investigated in 154 R. equi isolates recovered from lymph nodes of cattle with lymphadenitis (n = 31), faeces of cattle without enteric signs (n = 49), as well as different clinical specimens from human patients (n = 74). The analysis of virulence profile of 74 R. equi from humans revealed six (8.1%) isolates pVAPB (type 8), two (2.7%) pVAPN, and one (1.3%) pVAPB (type 11), all of which were from lung samples from people living with HIV/AIDS. From the lymph node samples of cattle, 41.9% (13 of 31) isolates revealed pVAPN type, whereas all isolates from faecal samples were negative for three host-associated types. Here, recently described bovine-associated pVAPN type was detected in R. equi isolates recovered from the lungs of people living with HIV/AIDS and lymph nodes from slaughtered cattle intended for human consumption; a finding that represents a public health concern, mainly in countries where undercooked or raw meat are traditionally consumed.
Assuntos
Infecções por Actinomycetales/veterinária , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Doenças dos Bovinos/microbiologia , Infecções por HIV/microbiologia , Pneumopatias/microbiologia , Linfonodos/microbiologia , Rhodococcus equi/isolamento & purificação , Fatores de Virulência/genética , Infecções por Actinomycetales/microbiologia , Animais , Bovinos , DNA Bacteriano/genética , Fezes , Humanos , Plasmídeos/genética , Prevalência , Rhodococcus equi/genéticaRESUMO
Although the highest burden of Streptococcus agalactiae infections has been reported in industrialized countries, studies on the characterization and epidemiology are still limited in developing countries and implementation of control strategies remains undefined. The aim of this retrospective study was to assess the epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological aspects of S. agalactiae infections in cancer patients treated at a Reference Brazilian National Cancer Institute - INCA, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. We reviewed the clinical and laboratory records of all cancer patients identified as having invasive S. agalactiae disease during 2010-2014. The isolates were identified by biochemical analysis and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. A total of 263 strains of S. agalactiae were isolated from cancer patients who had been clinically and microbiologically classified as infected. S. agalactiae infections were mostly detected among adults with solid tumors (94 %) and/or patients who have used indwelling medical devices (77.2 %) or submitted to surgical procedures (71.5 %). Mortality rates (in-hospital mortality during 30 days after the identification of S. agalactiae) related to invasive S. agalactiae infections (n = 28; 31.1 %) for the specific category of neoplasic diseases were: gastrointestinal (46 %), head and neck (25 %), lung (11 %), hematologic (11 %), gynecologic (4 %), and genitourinary (3 %). We also found an increase in S. agalactiae resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin and the emergence of penicillin-less susceptible isolates. A remarkable number of cases of invasive infections due to S. agalactiae strains was identified, mostly in adult patients. Our findings reinforce the need for S. agalactiae control measures in Brazil, including cancer patients.
Assuntos
Neoplasias/complicações , Neoplasias/epidemiologia , Infecções Estreptocócicas/epidemiologia , Infecções Estreptocócicas/etiologia , Streptococcus agalactiae , Adulto , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Brasil/epidemiologia , Terapia Combinada , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Mortalidade , Neoplasias/terapia , Vigilância da População , Estudos Retrospectivos , Infecções Estreptocócicas/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções Estreptocócicas/mortalidade , Streptococcus agalactiae/classificação , Streptococcus agalactiae/efeitos dos fármacos , Streptococcus agalactiae/genéticaRESUMO
We describe microbiological, clinical and epidemiological aspects of a diphtheria outbreak that occurred in Maranhão, Brazil. The majority of the 27 confirmed cases occurred in partially (n = 16) or completely (n = 10) immunized children (n = 26). Clinical signs and characteristic symptoms of diphtheria such as cervical lymphadenopathy and pseudomembrane formation were absent in 48% and 7% of the cases, respectively. Complications such as paralysis of lower limbs were observed. Three cases resulted in death, two of them in completely immunized children. Microbiological analysis identified the isolates as Corynebacterium diphtheriae biovar intermedius with a predominant PFGE type. Most of them were toxigenic and some showed a decrease in penicillin G susceptibility. In conclusion, diphtheria remains endemic in Brazil. Health professionals need to be aware of the possibility of atypical cases of C. diphtheriae infection, including pharyngitis without pseudomembrane formation.
Assuntos
Difteria/epidemiologia , Surtos de Doenças , Adolescente , Adulto , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Corynebacterium diphtheriae/efeitos dos fármacos , Difteria/tratamento farmacológico , Difteria/microbiologia , Difteria/patologia , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana , Eletroforese em Gel de Campo Pulsado , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Adulto JovemRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Despite the recent advances in diagnosis and treatment, mortality rates due to infective endocarditis (IE) remain high if not aggressively treated with antibiotics, whether or not associated with surgery. Data on the prevalence, epidemiology and etiology of IE from developing countries remain scarce. The aim of this observational, prospective cohort study was to report a 5-year experience of IE at two teaching hospitals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Demographical, anamnestic and microbiological characteristics of 71 IE patients were evaluated during the period of January 2009 to March 2013. RESULTS: The mean age of the IE patients was 49.8 ± 2.4 years, of which 41 (57.7%) were males. The median time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis of IE was 35.8 ± 4.8 days. A total of 31 (43.6%) cases of community-acquired infective endocarditis (CAIE) and 40 (56.3%) cases of healthcare-acquired infective endocarditis (HAIE) were observed. Staphylococcus aureus (30%) was the predominant cause of IE. Streptococcus spp. (45.1 %) was the predominant cause of the CAIE while S. aureus (32.5%) and Enterococcus spp. (27.2 %) were the main etiological agents of HAIE. For 64 (90.1 %) patients with native valve endocarditis, the mitral valve was the most commonly affected (48.3%). The main source of IE in this cohort was intravascular catheter. The tricuspid valve and renal chronic insufficiency were more frequent in patients with HAIE than CAIE (p = 0.001). The risk factors associated with in-hospital mortality rate (46.4%) in IE patients were: age over 45 (OR 3.4; 95% CI 1.03-11.24; p = 0.04) and chronic renal insufficiency (OR 38.3; 95% CI 3.2-449.4; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: At two main teaching hospitals in Brazil, Streptococcus spp. was the principal pathogen of CAIE while S. aureus and Enterococcus spp. were the most frequent causes of HAIE. IE remains a serious disease associated with high in-hospital mortality rate (46.6%); especially, in individuals over 45 years of age and with renal failure. Data suggest that early surgery may improve the outcome of IE patients.
Assuntos
Bactérias/isolamento & purificação , Infecções Bacterianas/mortalidade , Endocardite/mortalidade , Mortalidade Hospitalar , Adulto , Infecções Bacterianas/microbiologia , Brasil/epidemiologia , Infecções Comunitárias Adquiridas/microbiologia , Infecções Comunitárias Adquiridas/mortalidade , Infecção Hospitalar/microbiologia , Infecção Hospitalar/mortalidade , Endocardite/microbiologia , Feminino , Hospitais de Ensino/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
A fatal case of aortic valve endocarditis due to Abiotrophia defectiva was reported in Brazil. An overview of cases of endocarditis and other human infections related to A. defectiva in developing countries was also accomplished.
Assuntos
Abiotrophia/isolamento & purificação , Valva Aórtica/patologia , Endocardite Bacteriana/epidemiologia , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/epidemiologia , Valva Aórtica/microbiologia , Brasil , Análise por Conglomerados , DNA Bacteriano/química , DNA Bacteriano/genética , DNA Ribossômico/química , DNA Ribossômico/genética , Países em Desenvolvimento , Endocardite Bacteriana/microbiologia , Evolução Fatal , Feminino , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Positivas/microbiologia , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dados de Sequência Molecular , Filogenia , RNA Ribossômico 16S/genética , Análise de Sequência de DNARESUMO
Subinhibitory concentrations (subMICs) of antibiotics may alter bacterial surface properties and change microbial physiology. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a subMIC (⅛ MIC) of penicillin (PEN) and erythromycin (ERY) on bacterial morphology, haemagglutinating activity, cell-surface hydrophobicity (CSH) and biofilm formation on glass and polystyrene surfaces, as well as the distribution of cell-surface acidic anionic residues of Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains (HC01 tox(-) strain; CDC-E8392 and 241 tox(+) strains). All micro-organisms tested were susceptible to PEN and ERY. Growth in the presence of PEN induced bacterial filamentation, whereas subMIC of ERY caused cell-size reduction of strains 241 and CDC-E8392. Adherence to human erythrocytes was reduced after growth in the presence of ERY, while CSH was increased by a subMIC of both antibiotics in bacterial adherence to n-hexadecane assays. Conversely, antibiotic inhibition of biofilm formation was not observed. All strains enhanced biofilm formation on glass after treatment with ERY, while only strain 241 increased glass adherence after cultivation in the presence of PEN. Biofilm production on polystyrene surfaces was improved by ⅛ MIC of ERY. After growth in the presence of both antimicrobial agents, strains 241 and CDC-E8392 exhibited anionic surface charges with focal distribution. In conclusion, subMICs of PEN and ERY modified bacterial surface properties and enhanced not only biofilm formation but also cell-surface hydrophobicity. Antibiotic-induced biofilm formation may contribute to the inconsistent success of antimicrobial therapy for C. diphtheriae infections.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Biofilmes/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Corynebacterium diphtheriae/efeitos dos fármacos , Eritromicina/farmacologia , Penicilinas/farmacologia , Animais , Biofilmes/efeitos dos fármacos , Corynebacterium diphtheriae/fisiologia , Corynebacterium diphtheriae/ultraestrutura , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana , Vidro , Interações Hidrofóbicas e Hidrofílicas , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão , Poliestirenos , Propriedades de SuperfícieRESUMO
Invasive infections caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae in vaccinated and non-vaccinated individuals have been reported increasingly. In this study we used multilocus sequence typing (MLST) to study genetic relationships between six invasive strains of this bacterium isolated solely in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during a 10-year period. Of note, all the strains rendered negative results in PCR reactions for the tox gene, and four strains presented an atypical sucrose-fermenting ability. Five strains represented new sequence types. MLST results did not support the hypothesis that invasive (sucrose-positive) strains of C. diphtheriae are part of a single clonal complex. Instead, one of the main findings of the study was that such strains can be normally found in clonal complexes with strains related to non-invasive disease. Comparative analyses with C. diphtheriae isolated in different countries provided further information on the geographical circulation of some sequence types.
Assuntos
Corynebacterium diphtheriae/genética , Difteria/microbiologia , Adolescente , Adulto , Idoso , Técnicas de Tipagem Bacteriana , Brasil/epidemiologia , Criança , Difteria/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Tipagem de Sequências MultilocusRESUMO
Despite the existence of a vaccine against diphtheria, this disease remains endemic and is reemerging in several regions due to many factors, including variations in genes coding for virulence factors. One common feature of virulence factors is their high concentration in pathogenicity islands (PAIs), very unstable regions acquired via horizontal gene transfer, which has lead to the emergence of various bacterial pathogens. The 13 putative PAIs in Corynebacterium diphtheriae NCTC 13129 and the reemergence of this disease point to the great variability in the PAIs of this species, which may reflect on bacterial life style and physiological versatility. We investigated the relationships between the large number of PAIs in C. diphtheriae and the possible implications of their plasticity in virulence. The GenoFrag software was used to design primers to analyze the genome plasticity of two pathogenicity islands of the reference strain (PiCds 3 and 8) in 11 different strains. We found that PiCd 3 was absent in only two strains, showing genes playing putative important roles in virulence and that only one strain harbored PiCd 8, due to its location in a putative "hotspot" for horizontal gene transfer events.