Multiple resistance to primary pests of grain sorghum hybrids: Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), and Diceraeus melacanthus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

ABSTRACT Plant resistance is an important tactic within the precepts of Integrated Pest Management, and the existence of grain sorghum hybrids with multiple insect resistance could benefit crop management and sustainability. This study evaluated the susceptibility of 30 grain-sorghum hybrids to three major pests, namely, fall armyworm (FAW) Spodoptera frugiperda, sugarcane borer (SCB) Diatraea saccharalis, and green-belly stink bug (GBS) Diceraeus melacanthus. The hybrids were cultivated and experiments with each insect species were conducted separately in a greenhouse. For FAW, visual injury assessments were performed on plants 7 and 14 days after infestation (DAI). For SCB, insect presence and injury were assessed 40 DAI. For GBS, the plants were evaluated using a damage rating scale 12, 19, and 26 DAI. Cluster analysis allowed separating the grain sorghum hybrids into groups regarding the levels of resistance to each pest. Hybrid BRS373 stood out as moderately resistant to FAW; AG1090, 80G20, BRAVO, BRS373, AG1615, and IG220 were the most promising for SCB; and for GBS, hybrids 50A40, A9735R, JADE, ENFORCER, BUSTER, 50A10, and IG244 were the most nominated. This information will significantly aid sorghum breeding programs focused on developing commercial hybrids that comprise both insect-resistance and high-yield characteristics. However, further research should evaluate potential chemical and morphological plant traits underlying the lower levels of susceptibility to FAW, SCB, and GBS found in the selected sorghum hybrids.

A suspected case of COVID-19 vaccine (Covishield) induced Guillain Barre syndrome-a case report

Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS)is a collection of clinical syndromes that manifest as an acute inflammatory poly radiculopathy. It usually presents as an acute, non-febrile, monophonic, post infectious illness manifesting as ascending weakness and areflexia. It is an autoimmune disorder characterized by production of antibodies against the myelin and is often triggered by bacterial and viral infections, vaccines against rabies, flu and COVID-19. Here we present a case of 31 years old male with characteristic signs and symptoms of GBSpossibly triggered by Covishield vaccine.

Study on colonization of Group B Streptococcus in pregnant women of Mongolian and Han nationality and the status of neonatal early-onset septicemia / 中华急诊医学杂志

Objective:To explore the carrier status of group B streptococci (GBS) in pregnant women of Mongolian and Han nationality and the neonatal GBS infection in order to identify the high risk factors of GBS infection in Mongolian and Han newborns in this area.Methods:Totally 7289 pregnant women and their newborns born alive were tested for GBS in the Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia Medical University from June 2017 to June 2020, and their newborns were cultured for GBS, and the venous blood of newborns delivered by GBS positive women were detected for anti-GBS capsular polysaccharide antibody level, in order to determine the high risk factors of neonatal GBS infection.Results:Among the 7289 pregnant women, 3136 were Mongolian pregnant women (2599 full-term delivery and 537 premature delivery) and 4153 were Han pregnant women (3541 full-term delivery and 612 premature delivery). The results of GBS test showed that the GBS carrier rate was 8.19% in the Mongolian preterm delivery group, 4.35% in the Mongolian term group, 11.93% in the Han preterm group, and 5.76% in the Han term group, indicating that the carrier rate of GBS in the preterm group was significantly higher than that in the term group, regardless of Mongolian and Han nationality ( P < 0.05). Further comparing the GBS carrier rate of Mongolian and Han pregnant women, the GBS carrier rate of Mongolian pregnant women was significantly lower than that of Han pregnant women regardless of the premature delivery group and term group ( P < 0.05). (2) A total of 434 newborns were born by GBS positive parturients. The positive rates of GBS in Mongolian premature infants, Mongolian full-term infants, Han premature infants and Han full-term infants were 29.55%, 14.16%, 31.51% and 17.65%, respectively, suggesting that the positive rate of GBS in premature infants was significantly higher than that in full-term infants, regardless of Mongolian and Han nationality ( P<0.05). Further comparing the positive rate of GBS in Mongolian and Han newborns, there was no significant difference in the positive rate of GBS between Mongolian newborns and Han newborns, no matter the premature delivery group and the full-term group. (3) This study compared the incidence of early-onset GBS septicemia in Mongolian and Han newborns. The results showed that the incidence of early-onset GBS septicemia in Mongolian premature infants was 23.08%, and none in full-term infants. The incidence of early-onset GBS septicemia in Han premature infants was 26.09%. The incidence of early-onset GBS septicemia in term infants was 5.56%. The incidence of neonatal GBS septicemia in the preterm group was significantly higher than that in the term group, regardless of Mongolian and Han nationality. By further comparing the incidence of GBS septicemia in Mongolian and Han newborns, there was no significant difference in the positive rate of GBS between Mongolian newborns and Han newborns regardless of the premature delivery group and the term group. (4) In both Mongolian and Han nationality, the level of anti-GBS capsular polysaccharide antibody in premature infants was significantly lower than that in term infants ( P < 0.05). (5) Regardless of the Mongolian and Han nationality, compared with GBS negative group, GBS positive rate was higher in pregnant women aged≥35 years old, with history of menstruation, miscarriage, vaginitis, floating population, and those who had not undergone pre-pregnancy examination,,which were the high risk factors for GBS-positive pregnant women during pregnancy. (6) In both Mongolian and Han nationality, the incidence of chorioamnionitis, puerperal infection, premature delivery and premature rupture of membranes in the GBS positive group was higher than that in the GBS negative group, and the incidence of fetal distress and neonatal asphyxia in the GBS positive group was also higher than that in the GBS negative group. Conclusions:The carrier rate of GBS in Mongolian pregnant women is lower than that in Han pregnant women, and positive GBS during pregnancy will increase the incidence of adverse maternal and fetal outcomes such as chorioamnionitis, puerperal infection, premature delivery, premature rupture of membranes, fetal distress, neonatal asphyxia and neonatal early-onset GBS septicemia. The high risk factors are maternal age ≥ 35 years old, history of menstruation, abortion, vaginitis, floating population, and infection without pre-pregnancy examination. We should attach great importance to the perinatal high risk factors and formulate corresponding intervention measures accordingly, and make rational use of antibiotics for prenatal prevention, so as to further reduce the incidence of early-onset GBS septicemia in newborns.

Haematochezia and Higher Glasgow-Blatchford Score are Predictive Factors for Higher Red Blood Cells Transfusion Units in a Hospital-based Retrospective Study

@#Introduction: The association between clinical characteristics and endoscopic profile of acute non-variceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) patients with red blood cell (RBC) transfusion has not been well explored in Malaysia. Therefore, a retrospective study was performed using a five-years database to analyse the factors clinically and endoscopically for RBC transfusion. Methods: All adult NVUGIB patients who received RBC transfusion within the study period of 2012-2017 in Putrajaya Hospital were enrolled. There were 180 patients selected by systematic random sampling. Our composed clinical data include demography, risk factor, aetiology, presenting symptoms, Glasgow-Blatchford Score (GBS), endoscopic findings according to Forrest Classification and number unit of RBC transfusion. These data were analysed using Mann-Whitney U-Test, Pearson Correlation and Multiple Linear Regression (MLR). Results: Total 180 patients, the mean age was 63.9 (SD 11.6). Their presenting symptoms were melaena (62.8%), haematemesis (38.3%), and haematochezia (10.6%), with the cause of bleeding was gastric erosion (65.6%), duodenitis/duodenal ulcer (26.1%), and oesophagitis (7.8%). The mean GBS score was 10.7, and the number of RBC transfusion unit was 2.8. The Forrest Classification showed Forrest III (36.1%), Forrest IIc (22.8%), Forrest IIb and Ib (14.4%) respectively. Pearson’s Correlation showed a strong correlation between GBS and unit of RBC transfusion (r = 0.922, p-value <0.001). MLR analysis revealed haematochezia (p = 0.022) and higher GBS (p <0.001) were independent factors associated with a higher number of RBC transfusion unit. Conclusion: Haematochezia and higher GBS score were two predictive factors for a higher RBC transfusion unit in NVUGIB patients.

The sensitivity of electrodiagnostic criteria in subtype identification at the presentation in patients of Guillain-Barre syndrome

Introduction: Electrophysiology plays a pivotal role in identifying various GBS subtypes. Despite having many electrodiagnostic criteria,studies addressing their applicability in patients of GBS at diagnosis are quite a few. Purpose: This study evaluates the sensitivity of 5 known electrophysiological criteria in patients with GBS at the time of presentation. Material & Methods: Clinical and electrophysiological data of GBS patients admitted with us between January 2011 and December 2016 were collected retrospectively from our hospital database, compiled and analyzed. For each patient, 5 different criteria for the electrophysiological diagnosis of GBS were applied, and the sensitivity of these 5 criteria in the diagnosis was evaluated. Results: A total of 288 patients were included. Closer concordance was noted between the criteria in diagnosing axonal subtype (Range- 36.81% to 41.32%).Italian criteria had the highest sensitivity (41.32%). There was a wider variation in the diagnosis of AIDP (Range- 19.79 to 34.72%). Hadden criteria showed the highest sensitivity (34.72%) closely followed by Ho et al (34.02%). Conclusion: As the timing of Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and the severity of disease influence the grouping of each patient into a specific electrophysiologic subtype, one should be cautious in interpreting electrodiagnosticdata. Serial nerve conduction studies may be required to subtype each patient as electrophysiology evolves over the first few weeks of illness.

Acute Onset Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy: A Case Series Of 4 Patients From Tertiary Care Center

Acute onset CIDP(A-CIDP) is an often unrecognized CIDP variant which needs differentiation from Guillain -Barre syndrome(GBS) due to its different prognostic and treatment outcomes. METHODS: We report clinical course and investigations including electrophysiology of 4 patients of A-CIDP and comparison with Electrophysiology of 20 GBS patients. RESULTS: Four patients with initial GBS like clinical presentation were later diagnosed as A-CIDP. Three patients improved with immunotherapy but had exacerbation of weakness more than 8 weeks later while one patient had subacute onset progressive weakness. These patients were further managed with steroids and maintenance immunotherapy. CONCLUSION: GBS is diagnosed on the basis of clinical and electrophysiological criteria and managed with IVIg. Although some clinical features and initial electrorophysiology can suggest the possibility of A- CIDP, the diagnosis is conrmed on follow up only.

A study on therapeutic plasma exchange using apheresis in treatment of Guillain-Barré syndrome in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is the separation and removal of plasma from whole blood with replacement by a crystalloid/colloid solution (typically albumin or plasma). The DGHS has established guidelines and recommendations for application of therapeutic apheresis in clinical practice. Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is considered category I indications for TPE. This study was undertaken to establish the effectiveness and safety of therapeutic plasma exchange in GBS which is one of the common indication for TPE at our tertiary care teaching hospital.Methods: A retrospective study of 30 patients admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital, from January 2014 to December 2016 with clinical signs of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and/or GBS variants were evaluated for performing TPE. A total of 104 procedures were performed for 30 patients. Replacement of crystalloids and plasma was used. Medical Research Council scale was used to assess the clinical improvement by measuring the grade of muscle power. Information was collected in a structured proforma and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software (version 20). P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results: During the study period, 104 procedures were performed on 30 patients on an average of three procedures per patient. The average age of the patients was 41.4±10.4 years. The mean period of illness at admission was 14.5±5.4 (range 4-32) days. In 23 out of 30 patients, more than three TPE procedures were done, out of which 21 patients clinically improved. The common complications during the procedure were chills (16%), hypotension (10%) and non-hemolytic febrile transfusion reaction (10%) and they were managed accordingly. Two (6.7%) patients who were not ambulatory at discharge had significantly (p <0.05) lower grade of power in lower limbs at admission and all patients recovered fully on follow up.Conclusions: GBS is one of the most commonly occurring clinical paralytic disorders. 76.7% of patients underwent three or more cycles of TPE with 70% had excellent clinical improvement which was comparable with various other studies. Based on results published by various other studies, therapeutic plasma exchange is a comparatively safe and effective procedure

Analysis of Serological Distribution,Virulence Gene and Drug Resistance among Group B Streptococcus from Shenzhen Patients / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To understand the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles,serotype distribution and virulence genes.Methods A total of 515 group B Streptococcus (GBS) including 108 virulence,112 non virulence,and 295 colonizing isolates were collected in four Shenzhen hospitals.Isolates were characterized by conventional and molecular serotyping.The virulence genes of scpB,lmb,hylB,cylE,bac,bca and rib of GBS isolates were detected by PCR.Antimicrobial susceptibility to penicillins,macrolides,lincosamides,quinolones and tetracyclines was tested using disk diffusion and the MICs for penicillin were determined by E test.Results Molecular serotyping for all eight serotypes (Ⅰa,Ⅰb,Ⅱ ～ Ⅵ,Ⅸ) was in full accordance with conventional serotyping.Taking MS and CS together,serotype Ⅲ was the most common capsular type (56.5 ％),followed by Ⅰb (17.5 ％),Ⅰa (12.6 ％),V (7.4 ％),Ⅱ (2.7 ％),Ⅵ (1.4 ％),Ⅳ (1.0 ％) and Ⅸ (1.0 ％).Serotype Ⅲ was the main serotype in different groups,serotype Ⅰ a was significantly more common among patients with invasive infections (11.1％) and no invasive infections (29.5％),serotype Ⅰb isolates were significantly more common among clone (19.3％).Virulence gene screening using PCR method showed the presence of cylE,lmb,scpB and hylB in almost all the isolates,while rib,bca and bac genes were found in 29.1％,14.6％ and 9.7％ of the isolates.Certain genes were significantly associated with specific serotypes,for example,rib with serotypes Ⅲ,Ⅰa and Ⅰb,bca and bac with serotypes Ⅲ and Ⅰb.Drug susceptibility results showed that GBS susceptibility to β lactam antimicrobials was prevalent (100 ％).Resistance rates for erythromycin,clindamycin and tetracycline were 67.0 ％,61.9 ％ and 86.0 ％,respectively.Conclusion Serotype distribution,virulence genes and antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of GBS contributes to the clinical therapy,epidemiological studies and design of Vaccines.

Genotyping and Molecular Epidemiology Investigation of GBS Pathogenic Strains of GBS Positive Pregnant Women in Guangzhou / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To study genotyping and molecular epidemiology distribution of GBS pathogenic strains of GBS positive pregnant women in Guangzhou,for GBS pathogenic strains of rapid molecular diagnosis and epidemiological surveillance pro-vide certain theoretical basis and method.Methods In the Guangzhou area,used multi stage stratified sampling method col-lecting GBS positive pregnant women’s reproductive tract specimens from January to December 2015,drug sensitivity quality control standard strains:Streptococcus pneumoniae (ATCC49619)and Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC25923),took culture of bacterial,strain,identification,DNA extraction,PCR,gene detection method,through the relevant software for data analy-sis,analyzed GBS strains of gene and molecular epidemiology.Results In the study,collected 2 812 samples of secretions,af-ter identification of strains isolated from 178 strains of pathogenic GBS strains,the detection rate was 6.33%.GBS patho-genic strains to linezolid vancomycin,penicillin,nitrfurantion and other antimicrobial drug resistance rate was 0,GBS parho-genic strains to ampicillin,ciprfloxacin moxifloxacin and levofloxacintesistant parts,the restance rates were 1.1%,16.9%, 18.0% and 22.5%,but GBS pathogenic strains to erythromycin,clindamycin tetracydine antibiotics showed a high resistance rate,the resistance rates were 50.6%,47.8%(of which 20 cases of erythromycin induced clindamycin resistance accouted for 23.5%)and 73.0%.Among them,65 strains of GBS detected the mreA gene,56 strains of GBS detected the ermB gene,36 strains of GBS detected the mefA gene,28 strains of GBS detected the mefE gene,5 strains of GBS detected the ermA gene, ermC gene was not detected in the gene.Among them,carried five multidrug resistance gene of 3 strains (1.6 9%)and 4 kinds of resistant gene carried with 15 strains (8.43%),carried three resistance genes of 19 strains (10.67%),2 kinds of resistant gene carrying a 25 strains (14.04%),carried the resistance gene of 5 strains (2.81%),did not carry resistance gene of 1 strain (0.56%).The nucleotide sequences of the five drug resistance genes were 100%,and no gene mutation oc-curred.Conclusion The main GBS disease resistant gene was mreA,ermA,ermB,mrfA,mefE and its nucleotide sequence homology was 100%.The clinical need to strengthen the detection of resistant gene and molecular level and guide clinical more scientific and rational drug use.

Posttraumatic Guillain-Barré Syndrome Immediately Following a Traffic Accident

Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is an inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy characterized by areflexic paralysis. Most cases of GBS are preceded by an infection, however, posttraumatic GBS has also recently been reported. We report a case of posttraumatic GBS immediately following a traffic accident. We think this case is of clinical significance for practitioners because of the rare cause of a sudden flaccid paralysis following trauma.

Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with the Zika virus outbreak in Brazil / Síndrome de Guillain-Barré associada ao surto de infecção por vírus Zika no Brasil

ABSTRACT Zika virus (ZIKV) is now considered an emerging flavivirosis, with a first large outbreak registered in the Yap Islands in 2007. In 2013, a new outbreak was reported in the French Polynesia, with associated cases of neurological complications including Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS). The incidence of GBS has increased in Brazil since 2015, what is speculated to be secondary to the ZIKV infection outbreak. The gold-standard test for detection of acute ZIKV infection is the polymerase-chain reaction technique, an essay largely unavailable in Brazil. The diagnosis of GBS is feasible even in resource-limited areas using the criteria proposed by the GBS Classification Group, which is based solely on clinical grounds. Further understanding on the relationship of ZIKV with neurological complications is a research urgency.

RESUMO O vírus Zika (VZIK) é agora considerado uma flavivirose emergente, com um primeiro grande surto registrado nas ilhas Yap, em 2007. Em 2013, novo surto foi registado na Polinésia francesa, com complicações neurológicas, incluindo a síndrome de Guillain-Barré (SGB). A incidência de SGB experimentou um aumento durante o ano de 2015, o que se especula ser secundário ao surto de infecção pelo ZIKV. A técnica em reação em cadeia de polimerase é considerado o teste padrão-ouro, mas é pouco disponível no Brasil. O diagnóstico da SGB é possível mesmo em áreas com recursos limitados usando os critérios propostos pelo GBS Classification Group, os quais são baseados exclusivamente em achados clínicos. Um maior entendimento da relação entre a infecção pelo ZIKV e complicações neurológicas é uma urgência de pesquisa.

Clinical outcome of Gullian-Barre Syndrome in a tertiary care teaching hospital A prospective observational study

Background: Gullian-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) with autoimmune background. The clinical management of GBS is by nerve conduction velocity (NCV) and supportive care, intravenous immunoglobulin’s (IVIG) and Plasmapheresis. We have studied the clinical outcome of Gullian-Barre Syndrome patients visiting to the tertiary care hospital in Andhra Pradesh. Material and methods: A cross sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital at Andhra Pradesh in 50 patients over the period of 2 years. Neurological examination like higher mental functions, cranial nerves, motor system, sensory system and autonomic system was done for all patients. Descriptive analysis of clinical presentation, type of GBS, occurrence of complications and final outcome was also done. Results: A total of 50 participants were included in the study. Majority (52%) of the study participants were aged below 40 years. Diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN) were the Vasa VK, Chowdary DB, Kalyani OM. Clinical outcome of Gullian-Barre Syndrome in a tertiary care teaching hospital – A prospective observational study. IAIM, 2016; 3(1): 105-109. Page 106 most common co-existing illnesses reported in 8% and 6% of study population respectively. Conclusion: The majority of the Guillain-Barre Syndrome patients recovered smoothly without going for complications. Prognostic outcome was poor in our study with increasing age and co-existing illness like diabetes mellitus or ischemic heart disease.

Group B Streptococcus Infection in Vaginal Tract of Perinatal Pregnant Women and Drug Resistance Analysis / 现代检验医学杂志

Objective To provide evidences which are for clinicians to formulate effective prevention and treatment measures by analyzing the perinatal pregnant women vaginal group B streptococcus (GBS)infection and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Methods From January 2013 to February 2015,the vaginal secretions were sampled from 795 cases of perinatal pregnant women for culture identification of GBS,the final results were statistical analyzed.Results In the 795 pregnant women ca-ses,there were 256 GBS carriers cases,the carrier rate was 32.2%.There was statistically significance (χ2 = 19.095,P <0.01)between less than 30 years old group (28.9%)and greater than or equal to 30 years old group (42.3%).The differ-ent incidence rate of clinical symptoms between GBS negative cases and GBS positive cases (18.8% vs 8.0%)was also had statistically significance (χ2 =39.514,P <0.01).The antimicrobial resistant rates of ten kinds of antibacterial drugs (vanco-mycin,linezolid,penicillin,ampicillin,ceftriaxone,nitrofurantoin,levofloxacin,clindamycin,erythromycin and tetracycline) was 0,0,0.6%,3.1%,6.6%,9.6%,21.9%,23.8%,29.9% and 58.1% respectively.The positive rate of D-bacteriostatic ring experiment was 23.9%.Conclusion The carrier rate of perinatal pregnant women GBS was higher in this region,and the elderly were easier to be infected.Perinatal pregnant women infected with GBS to vancomycin and rina thiazole amine and penicillin and ampicillin and ceftriaxone and with nitrofurantoin because of the sensitive rate is high.

Prediction of Functional Outcome in Axonal Guillain-Barre Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: To identify the factors that could predict the functional outcome in patients with the axonal type of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). METHODS: Two hundred and two GBS patients admitted to our university hospital between 2003 and 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. We defined a good outcome as being "able to walk independently at 1 month after onset" and a poor outcome as being "unable to walk independently at 1 month after onset". We evaluated the factors that differed between the good and poor outcome groups. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients were classified into the acute motor axonal neuropathy type. There was a statistically significant difference between the good and poor outcome groups in terms of the GBS disability score at admission, and GBS disability score and Medical Research Council sum score at 1 month after admission. In an electrophysiologic analysis, the good outcome group showed greater amplitude of median, ulnar, deep peroneal, and posterior tibial nerve compound muscle action potentials (CMAP) and greater amplitude of median, ulnar, and superficial peroneal sensory nerve action potentials (SNAP) than the poor outcome group. CONCLUSION: A lower GBS disability score at admission, high amplitude of median, ulnar, deep peroneal, and posterior tibial CMAPs, and high amplitude of median, ulnar, and superficial peroneal SNAPs were associated with being able to walk at 1 month in patients with axonal GBS.

A Relapsing Case Of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS)- With Full Term Pregnancy.

Abstracts: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)-complicating pregnancy is rare with estimated incidence between 1.2 and 1.9cases per 100,000 people annually., and it is generally believed that it carries a high maternal and fetal risk. We reported a case of 25 year old3rdgrvida patient with relapse of predominantly motor GBS(affecting lower limb muscles) complicating pregnancy without history of antecedent infection. patient managed with IV corticosteroids and IVIG.Patient successfully delivered vaginaly with vaccume without any operative intervention with uneventful postpartum period.

Post dengue neurological complication

Dengue infection is highly endemic in many tropical countries including Malaysia. However, neurological complications arising from dengue infection is not common; Gullain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is one of these infrequent complications. In this paper, we have reported a case in which a 39-year-old woman presented with a neurological complication of dengue infection without typical symptoms and signs of dengue fever. She had a history of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) followed by an upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) weeks prior to her presentation rendering GBS secondary to the post viral URTI and AGE as the most likely diagnosis. Presence of thrombocytopenia was the only clue for dengue in this case.

Conjugative transfer of resistance determinants among human and bovine Streptococcus agalactiae

Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) is a major source of human perinatal diseases and bovine mastitis. Erythromycin (Ery) and tetracycline (Tet) are usually employed for preventing human and bovine infections although resistance to such agents has become common among GBS strains. Ery and Tet resistance genes are usually carried by conjugative transposons (CTns) belonging to the Tn916 family, but their presence and transferability among GBS strains have not been totally explored. Here we evaluated the presence of Tet resistance genes (tetM and tetO) and CTns among Ery-resistant (Ery-R) and Ery-susceptible (Ery-S) GBS strains isolated from human and bovine sources; and analyzed the ability for transferring resistance determinants between strains from both origins. Tet resistance and int-Tn genes were more common among Ery-R when compared to Ery-S isolates. Conjugative transfer of all resistance genes detected among the GBS strains included in this study (ermA, ermB, mef, tetM and tetO), in frequencies between 1.10-7 and 9.10-7, was possible from bovine donor strains to human recipient strain, but not the other way around. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of in vitro conjugation of Ery and Tet resistance genes among GBS strains recovered from different hosts.

Sepsis neonatal por streptococcus grupo B y bacterias gram negativas: prevalencia y riesgo de meningitis / Sepsis neonatal group B streptococcus and gram negative bacteria: prevalence and risk of meningitis

Introducción: La sepsis y meningitis son importante causa de morbi-mortalidad neonatal. Objetivo: Identificar la prevalencia y riesgo de meningitis en neonatos con sepsis por Streptococcus del grupo B (SGB) y bacterias Gram negativas (BGN), además de comparar factores de riesgo, características clínicas y de laboratorio. Pacientes y Método: Estudio de corte transversal con 30 neonatos con SGB y 41 con BGN. Los datos fueron analizados en Stata® 11.0, empleando medidas de tendencia central y dispersión de acuerdo a su distribución para comparar diferencias. Las variables categóricas fueron comparadas con prueba de χ2 o Exacta de Fisher y las asociaciones mediante razones de prevalencia (RP) y odds ratio (OR) con su intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento. Se empleó un nivel de probabilidad < 0,05 como criterio de significancia. Resultados: La prevalencia de meningitis entre neonatos con sepsis fue 16,9 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento: 7,5-26,3 por ciento). El 33,3 por ciento (10/30) de sepsis por SGB se asoció a meningitis, mientras 4,9 por ciento (2/40) a sepsis por BGN, hallándose una asociación entre sepsis y meningitis en neonatos con SGB (OR: 9,5; IC 95 por ciento: 1,7-94,3). El 80 por ciento (IC 95 por ciento: 44,4-97,5 por ciento) de casos de meningitis asociada a sepsis por SGB ocurrió en neonatos mayores de 72 h de vida. Conclusión: La meningitis fue más frecuente en neonatos con sepsis por SGB, principalmente en casos de sepsis tardía. La asociación entre sepsis por BGN y meningitis fue menos frecuente en sepsis temprana, y no se halló en sepsis tardía.

Introduction: Sepsis and meningitis are major causes of neonatal morbidity and mortality. Objective: To identify the prevalence and risk of meningitis in neonates with sepsis due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) and gram-negative bacteria (GNB), and to compare risk factors, clinical and laboratory characteristics. Patients and Method: Cross-sectional study of 30 infants with infections due to GBS and 41 due to BGN. Data were analyzed by Stata® 11.0, using measures of central tendency and dispersion, according to their distribution, to compare differences. Categorical variables were compared using χ2 test or Fisher's Exact Test and associations using prevalence ratios (PR) and odds ratio (OR) with 95 percent confidence interval. A level of probability of < 0.05 was used as a significance criterion. Results: The prevalence of meningitis among infants with sepsis was 16.9 percent (95 percent CI: 7.5-26.3 percent. 33.3 percent(10/30) of sepsis due to GBS was associated with meningitis, while 4.9 percent (2/40) was associated with GNB, finding a clear connection between sepsis and meningitis in neonates with GBS (OR: 9.5; CI 95 percent:1.7-94.3). 80 percent (CI 95 percent: 44,4-97,5 percent) of cases of meningitis associated with GBS sepsis occurred in infants older than 72 hours. Conclusion: Meningitis was more common in infants with GBS sepsis, mainly in cases of late-onset sepsis. The association between GNB sepsis and meningitis was less frequent in early sepsis, and was not found in late sepsis.

Prevalence of group b streptococcal colonization among pregnant women in a Tertiary Care Hospital on Coastal Karnataka.

The aim of our study was to evaluate maternal colonization with Group B Streptococci (GBS) which may predispose to adverse neonatal outcome. The study was carried out in a tertiary care hospital in Mangalore for a duration of one year. Duplicate sterile swabs of all samples from vagina of antenatal cases (35 to 37 wks gestation) who visited the Gynaecology OPD and wards were collected. Samples were transported without delay and cultured and identified by biochemical and agglutination tests. The antibiogram for the isolates were performed as per CLSI guidelines. Of the 349 antenatal cases screened during the third trimester for GBS colonization, 29 (8.31%) were found to harbour Group B Streptococcus. The different rates of colonization of GBS in the population has led to the conclusion of potential hazards to neonates among pregnant women warranting mandatory screening of not only vaginal but also urine and rectal samples to get a more reliable result leading to better early intrapartum treatment and safer neonatal outcomes.

Apoptose induzida por estreptococos do grupo B em células epiteliais respiratórias A549 / Apoptosis induced by group B streptococci in respiratory epithelial cells A549

Streptococcus agalactiae, ou Streptococcus do grupo B (GBS), é um importante patógeno oportunista que causa pneumonia, sepse e meningite em recém-nascidos e infecções em adultos imunocomprometidos. O pulmão aparentemente é o portal de entrada para o EGB na corrente sanguínea o que pode evoluir para uma septicemia. Os mecanismos de virulência relevantes envolve a habilidade do EGB em penetrar e sobreviver intracelularmente em células hospedeiras. Neste trabalho, foram analisados os mecanismos moleculares da apoptose epitelial induzida pelo EGB, e a produção de óxido nítrico (NO) e espécies reativas de oxigênio (ROS) em células epiteliais respiratórias A549 durante a infecção por EGB. Todas as amostras de EGB exibiram a capacidade de aderir e invadir células A549. A sobrevivência intracelular do EGB em células A549 ocorreu durante 24 h de incubação sem replicação do patógeno. No entanto, a amsotra 88641-V isolada de vagina não sobreviveu após 0,5 h de interação. O EGB promoveu a perda de viabilidade do epitélio durante a infecção. As alterações morfológicas em células A549 infectadas com o EGB incluem arredondamento celular, condensação nuclear, encolhimento celular e perda de contato célula-célula e célula-substrato. A dupla marcação AV/IP revelou que amostras de EGB sorotipo III induziram apoptose enquanto amostras do sorotipo V induziram morte celular semelhante a necrose em células A549. Caspase-3 foi ativada durante a apoptose induzida por EGB em células epiteliais. No entanto, a ativação de caspases-8 e -9 foi detectada apenas para a amostra 88641-V e as amostras EGB do sorotipo III, respectivamente. Experimentos comparativos de Immunoblotting revelaram que o EGB induziu um aumento da expressão Bim, uma proteína pró-apoptótica e diminuiu a expressão de Bcl-2 e Bcl-xL, proteínas anti-apoptóticas. As células A549 apresentaram perda de potencial de membrana mitocondrial Δψm e co-localização com o Bax...

Streptococcus agalactiae, or group B Streptococcus (GBS), is an important opportunistic pathogen that causes pneumonia, sepsis, and meningitis in neonates and severe diseases in immunocompromised adults. The lung is the apparent portal of entry for GBS into the bloodstream, after which septicemia may ensue. A relevant virulence mechanism involves the ability of GBS to penetrate and to survive intracellularly within these host cells. In this work, we analyzed the molecular mechanisms of GBS-induced epithelial apoptosis, and nitric oxide (NO) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by lung epithelial cell line A549 cells during infection with GBS. All GBS exhibited the ability to adhere and to invade A549 cells. The survival of GBS within A549 cells without replication was shown during 24 h incubation. However, the 88641-V strain isolated from vagina did not survive after 0.5 h of interaction. GBS promoted the loss of viability of the epithelium during infection. The morphological changes in A549 cells infected with GBS included cell rounding, nuclear condensation, cellular shrinkage and loss of cell-cell contact and cell-substrate. The double staining AV / IP revealed that GBS serotype III induced apoptosis while GBS serotype V induced like necrosis cell death in A549 cells. Caspase-3 was activated during GBS-induced endothelial apoptosis. However, activation of caspases-8 and -9 was detected only by GBS 88641-V and GBS-III, respectively. Comparative immunoblotting experiments revealed that GBS induced an increasing pro-apoptotic Bim expression and decreasing anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 and Bcl-XL expression. A549 cells exhibited loss of mitochondrial membrane potential Δψm with Bax colocalization...