Phenotypic Characterization and Antibiotic Susceptibility Profile of Coagulase Positive Staphylococci from The External Surfaces of Hospital Cockroaches (Periplaneta americana)

A study to phenotypically characterize and determine the antibiogram of coagulase positive Staphylococci (CoPS) from the external surfaces of hospital cockroaches (Periplaneta americana) was conducted using standard microbiological methods. Out of the 50 cockroaches collected from various hospitals in Uyo, sixty-two percent (n = 31) had coagulase positive Staphylococci which consisted of Staphylococcus aureus (44.0 %; n = 22) and Staphylococcus intermedius (18.0 %; n = 9). The CoPS isolates showed 100% resistance to Penicillin, Tetracycline, Clindamycin and 80.6% sensitivity to Amoxicillin-clavulanate. The CoPS showed multiple antibiotic resistances to ≥ 3 antibiotics, with 60 % exhibiting resistance to 6 antibiotics. Out of the 80 % (n = 31) of the multidrug resistant CoPS that were sensitive to Amoxicillin-clavulanate, none of them showed production of beta lactamase. The cockroaches bore multiple antibiotic resistant CoPS on their external surfaces and their contact can initiate contamination of patients' food. Pest control measures in hospital are hereby recommended to minimize cockroach related infections

Prevalência e susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos de Staphylococci isolados de vagina de ovelhas sadias / Prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococci isolated from the vagina of healthy ewes

Os objetivos deste estudo foram: identificar as espécies de Staphylococcus sp. da vagina de ovelhas sem sinal de infecção e determinar sua susceptibilidade in vitro aos antimicrobianos. Swabs estéreis foram usados para coletar as amostras da vagina de 24 ovelhas da raça Santa Inês, do mesmo rebanho, classificadas como livres de doenças genitais após um histórico e exame físico detalhados. Procedimentos bacteriológicos padronizados, como por exemplo, o isolamento em meio de cultura seletivo e crescimento das amostras em aerobiose, foram utilizados para identificação dos isolados. Espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase-positivo (CoPS) representaram 60% dos isolados e foram significantemente mais resistentes do que as espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo. A resistência aos antibióticos foi frequentemente observada, e 66,6% dos isolados demonstraram resistência à pelo menos uma droga. Ciprofloxacina foi o agente antimicrobiano mais eficiente, não apresentando nenhuma cepa resistente, enquanto a Penicilina G foi a droga menos efetiva (40% de resistência). Esse estudo confirma a presença de amostras estafilocócicas na vagina de ovelhas, com predominância de CoPS que apresentaram resistência a diversos antibióticos testados. Este trabalho contribui para um melhor esclarecimento sobre o papel dos staphylococci na vagina das ovelhas e sua susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos, colaborando para um tratamento de vaginite mais eficiente, que pode ser causada por este gênero bacteriano.

The aims of this study were identify the species of Staphylococcus sp. from the vagina of healthy ewes and determine their in vitro susceptibility to antibiotics. Sterile cotton swabs were used to collect samples from the vagina of 24 ewes. Standard bacteriological procedures were conducted. Coagulase-positive Staphylococcus species (COPS) represented 60% of the isolates and were significantly more resistant to antibiotics than coagulase-negative isolates. Resistance to antibiotics was frequently observed, and 66.6% of the isolates showed resistance to at least one tested drug. Ciprofloxacin was the most active antimicrobial agent (100%), while Penicillin G was the less effective (40% of resistance). This study confirms the presence of Staphylococcal isolates in the vagina of ewes, with predominance of CoPS isolates resistant to various antibiotics. This study contributes to a better knowledge about the role of Staphylococcus species in the ewe’s vagina and their antimicrobial susceptibility, collaborating for a better treatment of the vaginitis determined by these bacteria.

Caracterización molecular de cepas toxigénicas de Staphylococci aisladas de operarios de plantas de alimentos / Molecular characterization of toxigenic Staphylococci strains isolated from food handlers

Resumen Objetivo. Utilizar la técnica de amplificación aleatoria de ADN polimórfico ( random amplification of polymorphic DNA, RAPD para caracterizar molecularmente cepas de Staphylococci productoras de toxinas, aisladas de operarios de plantas de producción de alimentos. Materiales y métodos. Se utilizaron 31 aislamientos enterotoxigénicos de Staphylococci para la extracción y cuantificación de ADN. Posteriormente, se realizó un ciclo general de amplificación utilizando los oligonucleótidos HLWL-74 y arbitrario, seguido por la visualización de los productos de RAPD por electroforesis en gel de agarosa. Resultados. Para los dos oligonucleótidos utilizados, se observaron de 1 a 15 bandas, dos linajes, divididos en tres conglomerados (A, B y C). El oligonucleótido arbitrario generó 10 bandas polimórficas (66,66%) y el oligonucleótido HLWL-74 arrojó 13 bandas altamente polimórficas (86,66%). Cada oligonucleótido mostró un agrupamiento diferente de cada una de las cepas, lo cual muestra una alta diversidad de aislamientos de Staphylococci presentes en humanos. Conclusiones. Se presentó una alta diversidad molecular en cuanto a aislamientos de garganta, nariz y manos de un mismo individuo, así como en todos los aislamientos analizados, lo cual demuestra que las cepas enterotoxigénicas de Staphylococci encontradas en los operarios analizados tienen una alta diversidad molecular.

Objective. To use Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) to compare molecularly enterotoxigenic Staphylococci strains isolated from people working in food processing plants. Materials and methods. 31 Staphylococci enterotoxigenic isolates were used for extraction and quantification of DNA, followed by a general amplification cycle with the HLWL-74 and arbitrary oligonucleotides with visualization of the RAPD products by agarose gel electrophoresis. Results. The two oligonucleotides used generated 1 to 15 bands, two mayor lineages divided in three clusters (A, B, and C). The arbitrary oligonucleotide generated 10 polymorphic bands (66.66%), the HLWL-74 oligonucleotide generated 13 polymorphic bands (86.66%). Each oligonucleotide generated a different type of grouping with respect to each of the strains analyzed. This shows a high diversity between the human isolates of Staphylococci. Conclusion. A high molecular diversity was present amongst throat, nose and hands isolates from the same person, and among the analyzed isolates; this demonstrates a high molecular diversity in Staphylococci enterotoxigenic isolates.