Campylobacter species in chilean patients with chronic periodontitis / Espécies de Campylobacter em pacientes chilenos com periodontite crônica

The purpose of this study is to identify the presence of Campylobacter species (C. rectus, C. concisus, C. gracilis and C. ureolyticus) in Chilean patients with chronic periodontitis, and to establish the relationship of these microorganisms with the periodontal conditions of smoker and non-smoker patients. Subgingival plaque samples were collected from four periodontal-affected tissue sites of 15 smoker and 15 non-moker patients with chronic periodontitis. A sample per quadrant was obtained, with a probing depth of 6 mm and an insertion loss of >3 mm in each patient. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed with the specific 16S rDNA primers for the molecular detection of C. rectus and C. gracilis, specific cpn60 primers for C. concisus and hsp60 primers gene for C. ureolyticus. Campylobacter species showed an overall prevalence of 93.3% in periodontal patients, while C. rectus was the most frequent one (80%), followed by C. concisus (66.7%), C. gracilis (33.3%), and C. ureolyticus (10%). Only C. gracilis showed a statistically significant (p = 0.002) association with chronic periodontitis among samples from smoker and nonsmoker patients. A high prevalence of the Campylobacter genus in the analyzed populations (93.3%) was found, being C. rectus the most frequent (80%) species. Besides, C. gracilis showed a statistically significant association between smoker state and chronic periodontitis.

O objetivo deste estudo é identificar a presença de espécies de Campylobacter (C. rectus, C. concisus, C. gracilis e C. ureolyticus) em pacientes chilenos com periodontite crônica, e estabelecer a relação desses microrganismos com as condições periodontais de pacientes fumantes e não fumantes. Amostras de placa subgengival foram coletadas de quatro locais de tecido periodontal afetado de 15 pacientes fumantes e 15 não fumantes com periodontite crônica. Obteve-se uma amostra por quadrante, com profundidade de sondagem 6 mm e perda de inserção > 3 mm em cada paciente. A reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) foi realizada com os primers específicos 16S rDNA para a detecção molecular de C. rectus e C. gracilis, primers específicos de cpn60 para C. concisus e gene primers de hsp60 para C. ureolyticus. As espécies de Campylobacter apresentaram uma prevalência geral de 93,3% nos pacientes periodontais, enquanto C. rectus foi o mais frequente (80%), seguido por C. concisus (66,7%), C. gracilis (33,3%) e C. ureolyticus (10%). Apenas C. gracilis apresentou associação estatisticamente significante (p = 0,002) com a periodontite crônica entre as amostras de pacientes fumantes e não fumantes. Observou-se alta prevalência do gênero Campylobacter nas populações analisadas (93,3%), sendo C. reto as espécies mais frequentes (80%). Além disso, C. gracilis mostrou associação estatisticamente significante entre estado de fumante e periodontite crônica.

Prevalencia y caracterización del perfil de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de Campylobacter jejuni y Campylobacter coli en niños con diarrea de la ciudad de Loja, Ecuador / Prevalence and antimicrobial behavior of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in children with diarrhea in Loja city, Ecuador

Resumen Introducción: Campylobacter es un importante agente de diarrea en el ser humano. En Ecuador, la información sobre Campylobacter es escasa y no existen antecedentes de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana. Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia de Campylobacter en niños con diarrea y su comportamiento in vitro frente a cinco antimicrobianos. Método: Se estudiaron 253 niños entre siete meses y 9 años de edad, que consultaron por diarrea en dos hospitales de la ciudad de Loja. Se realizó cultivo de muestras fecales e identificación por pruebas fenotípicas y por RPC múltiple. La susceptibilidad antimicrobiana fue determinada por el método de difusión en disco. Resultados: Campylobacter fue diagnosticado en 16 (6,3%) de las muestras, aislándose C. jejuni en 13 (5,1%) y C. coli en 3 (1,2%). Todas las cepas fueron susceptibles a gentamicina y ampicilina/ ácido clavulánico, con baja resistencia a ampicilina y eritromicina y alta resistencia a ciprofloxacina.

Introduction: Campylobacter is an important agent of diarrhea in humans. In Ecuador, the information on Campylobacter is scarce and there are not antecedents about antimicrobial susceptibility. Objective: To describe Campylobacter prevalence in children with diarrhea and their behavior against five antimicrobials in vitro. Method: We studied 253 children with diarrhea aging 7 months to 9 years who consulted for diarrhea in two hospitals in the city of Loja. Fecal samples were cultured and identification by tests by phenotypic tests and multiplex PCR. Susceptibility to 5 antibiotics was determined by the disc-diffusion method. Results: Campylobacter was found in 16 (6.3%) children, being C. jejuni the most frequent one (5.1%), followed by C. coli (1.2%). All strains were susceptible to gentamicin and ampicillin/clavulanic acid, being found low resistance to ampicillin and erythromycin and high resistance to ciprofloxacin.

Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance of Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolated from domestic animals from Southern Ecuador / Ocorrência e comportamento antimicrobiano de espécies termotolerantes de Campylobacter isoladas de animais domésticos no sul do Equador

ABSTRACT: Occurrence and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli strains isolated from fecal samples of dogs, pigs, cows and hens in southern Ecuador were studied. Of the 250 samples studied, 84 (33.6%) were Campylobacter positive, with C. jejuni being more frequent (78.6%) than C. coli (21.4%), with the exception of porcine samples, from which C. coli was the only species isolated. Multidrug resistance was reported in 10 Campylobacter strains (11.9%), four C. jejuni and six C. coli, and was always associated with nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin resistance. All of the amoxicillin-resistant strains were susceptible to amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and were therefore beta-lactamase producers. However, one strain of C. jejuni remained resistant with additional resistance to gentamycin. This is an uncommon resistance pattern in Campylobacter and could reflect different resistance mechanisms.

RESUMO: A ocorrência e resistência antimicrobiana de cepas de Campylobacter jejuni e C. coli isoladas de amostras fecais obtidas de cães, suínos, vacas e galinhas no sul do Equador foram determinadas. Das 250 amostras estudadas, 84 (33.6%) foram Campylobacter positivas, sendo C. jejuni mais frequente (78.6%) que C. coli (21.4%) com a exceção das amostras de suínos, das quais só fora isolada a espécie C. coli. Multirresistência foi encontrada em 10 cepas (11,9%), quatro C. jejuni e 6 C. coli, sempre associada à resistência ao ácido nalidíxico e à ciprofloxacina. Todas as cepas resistentes à ampicilina foram susceptíveis para amoxicilina-ácido clavulánico demonstrando que foram produtoras de beta-lactamase. Porém, uma cepa de C. jejuni permaneceu sendo resistente, apresentando, também, resistência à gentamicina. Este é um padrão de multirresistência incomum em Campylobacter e pode refletir diferentes mecanismos de resistência.

Biotyping of Arcobacter butzleri isolated from poultry products: rescuing a phenotypic method / Biotipagem de Arcobacter butzleri desde produtos aviares: resgatando um método fenotípico

Arcobacter butzleri is an emergent zoonotic foodborne pathogen associated to enteritis and occasionally to bacteremia in human beings. Biotyping of this bacterium is important in order to establish the circulating strains and its dissemination routes. The purpose of this work was to determine the circulating A. butzleri biotypes in poultry products for human consumption in Southern Chile using the method proposed by Lior and Woodward, in order to explore the possibility of introducing this biotyping scheme as a routine laboratory tool. From the 60 strains studied the prevalent biotypes were 8A, 8B, 7A, 4A and 4B. The most frequently isolated biotype, independently of the sample of origin, was 8A with (44 strains, 73.3%). The less frequently isolated biotype was 4B (two strains 3.3%). The biotyping method used results to be simple, easy to handle and yields stable results. Therefore, it might be rescued to be used as a phenotypic tool for epidemiological marking of A. butzleri.

Arcobacter butzleri é um patógeno emergente, zoonótico e de transmissão alimentar, associado a enterite e, ocasionalmente, a bacteremia em seres humanos. A biotipagem desta bactéria é importante para estabelecer os biótipos circulantes e suas rotas de disseminação. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram determinar os biótipos de A. butzleri circulantes em alimentos de origem aviar para consumo humano, no sul do Chile, explorando a possibilidade de introduzir o método de biotipagem proposto por Lior e Woodward como uma ferramenta de rotina no laboratório. Entre as 60 cepas estudadas, os biótipos 8A, 8B, 7A e 4B foram os mais prevalentes. O biótipo mais frequentemente isolado, independentemente da amostra de origem, foi o biótipo 8A (44 cepas, 73,3%). O biótipo 4B apresentou a menor frequência de isolamento (duas cepas, 3,3%). O método de biotipagem utilizado resultou ser simples de executar, fácil de manusear e produz resultados estáveis. Portanto, pode ser resgatado para ser usado como uma ferramenta fenotípica para marcação epidemiológica de A. butzleri.

Actividad antibacteriana in vitro de propóleos chilenos sobre Helicobacter pylori / In vitro antibacterial activity of Chilean propolis against Helicobacter pylori

Introduction: Propolis is a natural product derived from beekeeping. It has anesthetic, anti-inflammatory, immune-stimulant and antibacterial properties on grampositive and gramnegative bacteria. However, little is known regarding its activity on Helicobacter pylori. This bacteria colonizes about half of the world’s population and is associated with chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer and gastric cancer. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of 22 propolis extracts from nine of the 11 beekeeping Chilean regions on 10 strains of H. pylori isolated from gastric mucosa. Methods: The antibacterial activity of the extracts was determined using the well diffusion method and diffusion disks. Results: 100% of the extracts were active on the tested strains, showing inhibition halos equal to or greater than 15 mm by both methods. Conclusions: our results show an effective anti H. pylori activity of propolis. However, additional microbiological studies are needed before a potential clinical utility of these natural products is warranted.

Introducción: El propóleos es un producto natural derivado de la apicultura que tiene propiedades anestésicas, anti-inflamatorias, inmuno-estimulantes y antibacterianas. Ejerce su acción sobre distintas bacterias grampositivas y gramnegativas. Sin embargo, es muy poco lo que se sabe en relación a su actividad sobre H. pylori, bacteria asociada con gastritis crónica, úlcera gastro-duodenal y cáncer gástrico y que coloniza a alrededor de la mitad de la población mundial. Objetivo: Evaluar la actividad inhibitoria de 22 extractos de propóleos de orígenes botánicos diferentes, provenientes de nueve de las once zonas mielíferas de Chile, en la época de otoño, sobre 10 cepas de H. pylori aisladas de mucosa gástrica. Metodología: La actividad antibacteriana de los extractos se determinó a través del método de difusión en pocillos y de difusión en discos. Resultados: 100% de los extractos fueron activos sobre las cepas ensayadas, observándose halos de inhibición iguales o mayores a 15 mm en ambos métodos. Conclusiones: Los datos obtenidos in vitro en el presente estudio muestran una efectiva actividad anti H. pylori de los propóleos chilenos, siendo necesario estudios microbiológicos y farmacológicos adicionales para avanzar en una posible utilidad clínica de estos productos naturales.

Arcobacter butzleri and A. cryaerophilus in human, animals and food sources, in southern Chile

The isolation frequency of Arcobacter species in children with diarrhea, fowls, mammals and food of avian and marine origin was established. In all the samples it was possible to isolate Arcobacter species corresponding 201 (39.4%) to A. butzleri and 24 (4.7) to A. cryaerophilus. Both species were simultaneously isolated in 19 (3.7%) being A. butzleri the most frequently isolated species.

Adhesive and invasive capacities of Edwarsiella tarda isolated from South American sea lion

Edwarsiella tarda is a zoonotic bacterium that can be isolated from humans, animals and the environment. Although E. tarda is primarily considered a fish pathogen, it is the only species of its genus considered to be pathogenic for humans as well. A survey of zoonotic intestinal bacteria in fresh feces from South American sea lions (SASL) Otaria flavescens, reported E. tarda as the most frequently isolated species. In this study, we used HEp-2 cells to establish in vitro the adherence and invasive ability of 17 E. tarda strains isolated from SASL fecal material. All the strains were able to adhere and invade HEp-2 cells with adhesion and invasion percentages ranging from 56 to 100% and 21 to 74%, respectively. Despite the expression of these pathogenic factors, further investigation is needed to determine whether this bacterium could play a role as primary pathogen for this and other species of pinnipeds.

RESISTANCE TO AMOXICILLIN, CLARITHROMYCIN AND CIPROFLOXACIN OF Helicobacter pylori ISOLATED FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL PATIENTS / Resistência à amoxicilina, claritromicina e ciprofloxacina de Helicobacter pylori isolados de pacientes do Sul do Brasil

Introduction: Helicobacter pylori is a bacteria which infects half the world population and is an important cause of gastric cancer. The eradication therapy is not always effective because resistance to antimicrobials may occur. The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility profile of H. pylori to amoxicillin, clarithromycin and ciprofloxacin in the population of Southern Brazil. Material and methods: Fifty four samples of H. pylori were evaluated. The antibiotics susceptibility was determined according to the guidelines of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy and the Comité de l'Antibiogramme de la Société Française de Microbiologie. Results: Six (11.1%) H. pylori isolates were resistant to clarithromycin, one (1.9%) to amoxicillin and three (5.5%) to ciprofloxacin. These indices of resistance are considered satisfactory and show that all of these antibiotics can be used in the empirical therapy. Conclusion: The antibiotics amoxicillin and clarithromycin are still a good option for first line anti-H. pylori treatment in the population of Southern Brazil.

Introdução: Helicobacter pylori é uma bactéria que infecta metade da população mundial e é considerada importante causa de câncer gástrico. A terapia de erradicação nem sempre é eficaz, pois pode ocorrer a resistência aos antimicrobianos. Este estudo determinou a sensibilidade de H. pylori frente à amoxicilina, claritromicina e ciprofloxacina na população do Sul do Brasil. Material e métodos: Foram avaliadas 54 amostras de H. pylori. A sensibilidade aos antibióticos foi determinada segundo as orientações da British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy e do Comité de l'Antibiogramme de la Société Française de Microbiologie. Resultados e discussão: Sete (13%) isolados de H. pylori foram resistentes à claritromicina, um (1,9%) à amoxicilina e três (5,5%) à ciprofloxacina. Estes índices são satisfatórios e demonstram que esses antibióticos podem ser utilizados na terapia empírica. Conclusão: Os antibióticos amoxicilina e claritromicina ainda são uma boa opção no tratamento de primeira linha anti-H. pylori na população do Sul do Brasil.

Arcobacter: un patógeno emergente de origen alimentario / Arcobacter: a foodborne emerging pathogen

En las últimas tres décadas, se han identificado gran número de enfermedades emergentes que afectan al ser humano, la mayoría de las cuales son de origen infeccioso e incluyen enfermedades bacterianas, virales, parasitarias, entre otras. Muchas de éstas son de origen zoonótico, tal es el caso de algunas especies de Arcobacter, actualmente consideradas bacterias emergentes y, también, asociadas a transmisión alimentaria y de creciente importancia en salud pública. El incremento en los datos de prevalencia e incidencia de casos asociados a esta sugiere que la infección en humanos y animales ha sido subestimada, debido a la carencia de conocimientos al respecto y de un protocolo estándar, universalmente aceptado, para el aislamiento primario de este organismo y al uso de correctos métodos y técnicas de identificación. El incremento en el hallazgo de Arcobacter en alimentos derivados de animales y en muestras tomadas durante el proceso de producción de alimentos, hace que aumente la preocupación en materia de salud pública, ya que aún se conoce muy poco del potencial patogénico de las especies Arcobacter y los pocos estudios que se han llevado a cabo, muestran una gran cantidad de especies hospederas y rutas de transmisión. Dado lo anterior, el objetivo de la presente revisión es el actualizar al lector en las características más destacadas de esta bacteria en cuanto a su morfología, distribución, clasificación, transmisión, asociación con aguas, alimentos, mascotas y animales de crianza, como también sobre su aislamiento en laboratorio, factores de virulencia y patrones de sensibilidad a antibióticos.

In the last three decades, several emergent diseases affecting human beings have been identified, most of them from infectious origin including bacterial, viral, parasitic and even difficult to classify as spongiform encephalopathy. Most of these are zoonotic as it is the case of Arcobacter, currently considered as an emerging and food borne pathogen, of growing importance for public health. The increase in the prevalence and incidence of cases associated to this bacteria as well as in the number of actual researches and reports, suggest that the infection in human beings and animals has been underestimated due to a lack in knowledge about this bacteria and of a standardized isolation protocols, as well as the use of correct identification methods and techniques. Increasing trends in the isolation of Arcobacter from animal derivates used as food and from samples taken during production processes, cause an augment in public health awareness, since there is little knowledge about the pathogenic potential of Arcobacter species and the few focused in this bacterial group, show many different transmission routes and host species. Given this, the objective of the present review is to actualize the reader in the most important characteristics of this bacterium, including its morphology, distribution, classification, transmission, association with water, food, pets and animals, as well as the laboratory isolation techniques, virulence factors and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns.

Enhancing adherence of Arcobacter butzleri after serial intraperitoneal passages in mice / Enhancing adherence of Arcobacter butzleri after serial intraperitoneal passages in mice.

We investigated the possibility of enhancing the adherence capacity of four low-adherent Arcobacter butzleri strains after serial intraperitoneal passage (i.p.) in mice. All the strains enhanced their adherence capacity after the first passage, increasing their adhesion rates after each passage. These results suggest that i.p. passage enhances the expression of adherence in A. butzleri strains.

Subtyping of Chilean Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains carrying the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec type I

The cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) present in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has two essential components, the ccr gene complex and the mec gene complex. Additionally, SCCmec has non-essential components called J regions which are used for MRSA subtyping. This study was performed to determine subtypes MRSA strains carrying SCCmec type I based on polymorphism of regions located downstream of the mecA gene. A total of 98 MRSA strains carrying SCCmec type I isolated from patients hospitalized at the County Hospital of Valdivia (Chile) between May 2007 and May 2008, were analyzed by multiplex PCR designed to amplify the mecA gene and 7 DNA hypervariable regions located around the mecA gene. MRSA strains were classified into seventeen genotypes accordingly to amplification patterns of DNA hypervariable regions. Five genotypes showed amplification patterns previously described. The remaining twelve genotypes showed new amplification patterns. Genotypes 18 and Genotype 19 were the most frequently detected. Regions HVR, Ins117 and pI258 stand out as being present in more than 60% of tested isolates. The acquisition of hypervariable regions by MRSA is a continuous horizontal transfer process through which the SCCmec have been preserved intact, or even may give rise to new types and subtypes of SCCmec. Therefore it is possible to infer that most MRSA strains isolated at the County Hospital of Valdivia (Chile) were originated from two local clones which correspond to Genotype 18 and Genotype 19.

Isolation of Helicobacter pylori in gastric mucosa and susceptibility to five antimicrobial drugs in Southern Chile

Helicobacter pylori colonizes more than 50 percent of the world population thus, it is considered an important cause of gastric cancer. The aim of this study was to determine the isolation frequency of H. pylori in Southern Chile from patients with symptomatology compatible with gastritis or gastric ulcer and to correlate these findings with demographic parameters of infected patients and the susceptibility profiles of the isolated strains to the antimicrobial drugs used in the eradication treatments. A total of 240 patients were enrolled in the study. Each gastric biopsy was homogenized and seeded onto blood agar plates containing a selective antibiotics mixture (DENT supplement). Plates were incubated at 37° C in a microaerophilic environment for five days. The susceptibility profiles to amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, tetracycline and metronidazole were determined using the E-test method. H. pylori was isolated from 99 patients (41.3 percent) with slightly higher frequency in female (42 percent positive cultures) than male (40.2 percent positive cultures). With regard to age and educational level, the highest isolation frequencies were obtained in patients between 21-30 (55 percent) and 41-50 (52.6 percent) years old, and patients with secondary (43.9 percent) and university (46.2 percent) educational levels. Nineteen (21.6 percent) strains showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial drug. Tetracycline was the most active antimicrobial in vitro, whereas metronidazole was the less active. One strain (5.3 percent) showed resistance to amoxicillin, clarithomycin and metronidazole, simultaneously.

Arcobacter butzleri: first isolation report from chicken carcasses in costa rica

Arcobacter butzleri isolation from chicken carcasses in Costa Rica is reported for the first time. The isolated strains (P and R) were presumptively identified by their phenotypic characteristics. Definitive identification was made using a multiplex PCR assay for the simultaneous detection and identification of Arcobacter butzleri, Arcobacter cryaerophilus and Arcobacter skirrowii. These first isolations indicate the necessity of further investigation about the prevalence, distribution, ecology and interactions with human beings of this and other Arcobacter species.

Campylobacter y campylobacteriosis: una mirada desde América del Sur / Campylobacter and campylobacteriosis: a view from South America

Las especies termotolerantes de Campylobacter han adquirido gran importancia en la salud pública, por ser considerados agentes de diarrea infecciosa para el ser humano. En esta breve revisión se presenta información sobre aspectos epidemiológicos, clínicos y bacteriológicos de campylobacteriosis en América del Sur. Asimismo, se señalan algunas diferencias con relación a su presentación en países industrializados.

The thermotolerant species of Campylobacter have become very important in public health, especially as agents of infectious diarrhea in human beings. In this brief revision we present part of the available information generated in South America about epidemiological, clinical and bacteriological aspects of campylobacteriosis and we identify some differences between the observed and documented campylobacteriosis in South America compared to those described in industrialized countries.

Campylobacter insulaenigrae: first isolation report from South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens, (Shaw, 1800)

Campylobacter insulaenigrae have been isolated from different pinnipeds but not from South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens). The aim of this work is to report the first isolation of C. insulaenigrae from South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens). The isolate, identified by its phenotypic and molecular characteristics, allow recognizing O. flavescens as a new host for C. insulaenigrae.

Growth capacity of thermotolerant campylobacters in culture media supplemented with pig and cow blood

In this work 60 thermotolerant Campylobacter strains (37 C. jejuni and 23 C. coli) isolated from the cows, pigs, chickens and ducks (15 strains of each type of animal) were used to establish their growth capacity on media containing cow or swine blood as potential substitutes of sheep or horse blood. The growth capacity was assessed by viable counts on cow and swine blood media, using the modified Miles and Misra method. Campylobacter strains showed better growth in the media supplemented with pig or sheep blood than with cow blood. Thus, the use of pig blood could be a supplement for Campylobacter culture medium, when there was no availability of sheep or horse blood.

Na cidade de Iquitos (Região Amazônica do Peru), tanto o sangue de carneiro quanto o de eqüino, ambos recomendados como suplemento nos meios de cultura para Campylobacter, são difíceis de encontrar. No entanto, sangues de bovino e de suíno são de fácil disponibilidade. Por esta razão, 60 amostras de Campylobacter termotolerantes (37 C. jejuni e 23 C. coli) isoladas de bovinos, suínos, frangos e patos (15 amostras de cada animal) foram utilizadas para estabelecer sua capacidade de crescimento em meios de cultura contendo sangue de bovino ou de suíno como potenciais substitutos do sangue de carneiro ou de eqüino. A capacidade de crescimento foi estabelecida através da contagem de células viáveis utilizando o método de Miles e Misra modificado. Todas as amostras de Campylobacter mostraram melhor crescimento em meios suplementados com sangue de eqüino ou de suíno. Estes resultados permitem propor o uso de sangue de suíno como suplementos em meios de cultura para Campylobacter.

Phenotypic and Genetic Characterization of Antimicrobial Profiles of Helicobacter pylori Strains in Cuba.

The study evaluated the antibiotic resistance patterns of Helicobacter pylori strains against metronidazole and clarithromycin in a hospital in Havana, Cuba. Eighty-five percent, 22.5%, and 10% of 40 H. pylori strains investigated were resistant to metronidazole, ciprofloxacin, and clarithromycin respectively but all were susceptible to amoxicillin and tetracycline. RdxA truncation was found only in metronidazole-resistant strains. In such strains, reported are eight and two novel mutations in the rdxA and frxA genes respectively. Two-point mutations in the 23S rRNA genes of clarithromycin-resistant strains were detected. A high prevalence of metronidazole resistance was found in Cuban H. pylori strains. Mutations in the rdxA gene may contribute more significantly than frxA gene to the high level of resistance to metronidazole. This study supports the need to continue monitoring the antibiotic susceptibility in H. pylori in Cuba to guide the treatment of such infection.

Determinación de Helicobacter spp, en úlceras gástricas en caballos / Determination of Helicobacter spp., from gastric ulcers in horses

Objetivo. Determinar la presencia de Helicobacter spp., en úlceras gástricas en caballos. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 40 caballos, 28 machos y 12 hembras, (4-17, años). Se analizó en forma descriptiva la frecuencia de presentación de bacterias tipo Helicobacter spp., mediante las pruebas de ureasa (TU), tinción de Gram directo (GD) y tinción de Whartin Starry (WS), las bacterias se identificaron por su morfología y por su actividad sobre urea. Se consideraron las variables del total de animales, zona anatómica, sexo y edad. Resultados. Se encontraron bacterias tipo Helicobacter spp. El 65% de los caballos fueron positivos al test de ureasa, el 75% fueron positivos a la tinción de Whartin Starry y el 50% resultaron positivos a la tinción de Gram directo. Sólo el 62.5 % de animales fueronpositivos en 2 pruebas (TU y WS), mientras que el 50% fueron positivos en 3 pruebas (TU, WS y GD). El 22.5% de los animales resultaron negativos a todas las pruebas. El 100% de las muestras positivas correspondieron a la mucosa glandular, principalmente a nivel del fundus y pocas del antro gástrico. Las bacterias fueron encontradas en todos los grupos etáreos y en ambos sexos, se observó mayor positividad en los machos a dos pruebas o más. Microscópicamente se demostró la presencia de bacterias curvo-espiraladas compatibles con Helicobacter spp., el test de ureasa fue moderado, un escaso número de muestras positivas mostró una alta cantidad de bacterias con la tinción de Whartin Starry. Conclusiones. Se hallaron bacterias con morfología compatible con Helicobacter spp., presentes en las úlceras gástricas de caballos.