Biofilm production by multiresistant Corynebacterium striatum associated with nosocomial outbreak

Corynebacterium striatum is a potentially pathogenic microorganism that causes nosocomial outbreaks. However, little is known about its virulence factors that may contribute to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). We investigated the biofilm production on abiotic surfaces of multidrug-resistant (MDR) and multidrug-susceptible (MDS) strains of C. striatum of pulsed-field gel electrophoresis types I-MDR, II-MDR, III-MDS and IV-MDS isolated during a nosocomial outbreak in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The results showed that C. striatum was able to adhere to hydrophilic and hydrophobic abiotic surfaces. The C. striatum 1987/I-MDR strain, predominantly isolated from patients undergoing endotracheal intubation procedures, showed the greatest ability to adhere to all surfaces. C. striatum bound fibrinogen to its surface, which contributed to biofilm formation. Scanning electron microscopy showed the production of mature biofilms on polyurethane catheters by all pulsotypes. In conclusion, biofilm production may contribute to the establishment of HAIs caused by C. striatum.

Antimicrobial activity and bioautographic study of antistaphylococcal components from Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tull

The antimicrobial activity of dry methanol and ethyl acetate extracts for the leaves, bark of the stem, peel of the root, flower, fruit and seed of Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tull. (catingueira) was performed against seventeen isolates of Staphylococcus aureus MRSA multiresistant strains, which included two isolates of S. aureus MSSA and two ATCC strains. The antimicrobial activity was tested by the agar diffusion method and the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) was determined. The dry methanol extract of the root showed good antimicrobial activity with a MIC of less than 0.5 mg.mL-1. The dry ethyl acetate extracts exhibited lower antimicrobial activity, which might be explained by solubility problems and less diffusion in the agar medium. Results of the bioautographies also confirmed inhibition halos corresponding to the active substances present in the leaves, as well as in the flower of C. pyramidalis. The phytochemical study of the leaves, bark of the stem, peel of the root, flower and fruit of extracts from C. pyramidalis confirmed the presence of a number of known antimicrobial agents including ursolic acid, quercetin, catechin, ellagic acid, sitosterol, flavonoids, proanthocyanidins and gallic acid.

A determinação da atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos metanólicos e em acetato de etila da folha, casca do caule, casca da raiz, flor, fruto e semente de Caesalpinia pyramidalis Tull. foi realizada frente a dezessete isolados de Staphylococcus aureus MRSA multirresistentes, dois isolados de S. aureus MSSA e duas cepas padrão, pelas técnicas de poço/difusão em ágar e determinação das CMI pelo método de diluição em agar/multiinoculador de Stears. O extrato metanólico de casca da raiz indicou uma boa atividade, com CMI inferior a 0.5 mg.mL-1. Os extratos secos por extração em acetato de etila apresentaram menor atividade que se poderia explicar por problemas de solubilidade e menor difusão no meio de cultura em ágar. Resultados das bioautografias confirmaram zonas de inibição correspondente às substâncias ativas presente na folha, como também na flor da C. pyramidalis. No estudo fitoquímico das folhas, casca da caule, casca da raiz, flor e fruto dos extratos de C. pyramidalis evidenciou-se a presença de vários constituintes com reconhecida atividade antimicrobiana, entre estes o ácido ursólico, quercetina, catequina, ácido elágico, sitosterol, flavonóides, proantocianidinas e ácido gálico. Entre todos os metabólitos citados, somente o ultimo não observamos, por CCD, na casca da raiz de C. pyramidalis.

Genotyping of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained in the Northeast region of Brazil

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major agent of hospital infections worldwide. In Brazil, a multiresistant MRSA lineage (ST239-SCCmecIIIA), the so-called Brazilian epidemic clone (BEC), has predominated in all regions. However, an increase in nosocomial infections caused by non-multiresistant MRSA clones has recently been observed. In the present study, 45 clinical isolates of MRSA obtained from a university hospital located in Natal city, Brazil, were identified by standard laboratory methods and molecularly characterized using staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec (SCCmec) typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using CLSI methods. The MRSA isolates studied displayed a total of 8 different pulsed-field gel electrophoresis patterns (types A to H) with predominance (73 percent) of pattern A (BEC-related). However, MRSA harboring SCCmec type IV were also identified, 3 (7 percent) of which were genetically related to the pediatric clone - USA800 (ST5-SCCmecIV). In addition, we found a considerable genetic diversity within BEC isolates. MRSA displaying SCCmecIV are frequently susceptible to the majority of non-β-lactam antibiotics. However, emergence of multiresistant variants of USA800 was detected.