Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) in the host Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): first report of association with insects / Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) no hospedeiro Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): primeiro relato de associação com insetos

Endosymbiont bacteria can affect biological parameters and reduce the effectiveness of natural enemies in controlling the target insect. The objective of this work was to identify endosymbiont bacteria in Anaphes nitens (Girault, 1928) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), the main natural enemy used to manage Gonipterus platensis (Marelli, 1926) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Genomic DNA from six A. nitens populations was extracted and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed with the primers to detect endosymbiont bacteria in this insect. The PCR products were amplified, sequenced, and compared with sequences deposited in the GenBank for the bacteria identification. All A. nitens populations had the bacterium Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales:Enterobacteriaceae). This bacterium was originally described as free-living, and it is associated with and composes part of the A. nitens microbiota. This is the first report of Y. massiliensis in an insect host.

As bactérias endossimbiontes podem afetar os parâmetros biológicos e reduzirem a eficácia de inimigos naturais no controle do inseto alvo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar bactérias endossimbiontes em Anaphes nitens (Girault, 1928) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), o principal inimigo natural usado no manejo de Gonipterus platensis (Marelli, 1926) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). O DNA genômico de seis populações de A. nitens foi extraído e as reações em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) realizadas com os primers para detectar bactérias endossimbiontes neste inseto. Os produtos de PCR foram amplificados, sequenciados e comparados com as sequências depositadas no GenBank para identificação das bactérias. Todas as populações de A. nitens tinham a bactéria Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). Esta bactéria foi originalmente descrita como de vida livre e está associada e compõe parte da microbiota de A. nitens. Este é o primeiro relato de Y. massiliensis em um hospedeiro.

Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) in the host Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): first report of association with insects / Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae) no hospedeiro Anaphes nitens (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae): primeiro relato de associação com insetos

Endosymbiont bacteria can affect biological parameters and reduce the effectiveness of natural enemies in controlling the target insect. The objective of this work was to identify endosymbiont bacteria in Anaphes nitens (Girault, 1928) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), the main natural enemy used to manage Gonipterus platensis (Marelli, 1926) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Genomic DNA from six A. nitens populations was extracted and polymerase chain reactions (PCR) were performed with the primers to detect endosymbiont bacteria in this insect. The PCR products were amplified, sequenced, and compared with sequences deposited in the GenBank for the bacteria identification. All A. nitens populations had the bacterium Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). This bacterium was originally described as free-living, and it is associated with and composes part of the A. nitens microbiota. This is the first report of Y. massiliensis in an insect host.

As bactérias endossimbiontes podem afetar os parâmetros biológicos e reduzirem a eficácia de inimigos naturais no controle do inseto alvo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi identificar bactérias endossimbiontes em Anaphes nitens (Girault, 1928) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae), o principal inimigo natural usado no manejo de Gonipterus platensis (Marelli, 1926) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). O DNA genômico de seis populações de A. nitens foi extraído e as reações em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) realizadas com os primers para detectar bactérias endossimbiontes neste inseto. Os produtos de PCR foram amplificados, sequenciados e comparados com as sequências depositadas no GenBank para identificação das bactérias. Todas as populações de A. nitens tinham a bactéria Yersinia massiliensis (Enterobacteriales: Enterobacteriaceae). Esta bactéria foi originalmente descrita como de vida livre e está associada e compõe parte da microbiota de A. nitens. Este é o primeiro relato de Y. massiliensis em um hospedeiro.

Miocarditis por gram negativos / Gram-Negative Myocarditis

Resumen Objetivo: describir las características epidemiológicas, clínicas y microbiológicas de los pacientes que cursan con miocarditis por Enterobacterias. Métodos: se realizó una revisión sistemática de la literatura, en la que se incluyeron Pubmed, Ovid, Scopus, SciELO y LILACS sin exclusión por tipo de idioma. La población objetivo de estudio fueron los pacientes con diagnóstico de infección bacteriana por bacilo gram negativo mediante cultivo, técnicas moleculares o histopatología, y quienes presentaban biopsia de miocardio o, en su defecto, resonancia magnética cardiaca con hallazgos sugestivos de miocarditis. Resultados: se encontraron 742 artículos, de los cuales se incluyeron 24; en estos se reportaron 27 pacientes. La edad promedio fue de 31 años. El 81% de los pacientes eran de sexo masculino. El síntoma principal fue diarrea (80%), seguido de fiebre (53%) y dolor torácico (38%). El 37% de los pacientes fallecieron. El hallazgo más común en el electrocardiograma fue la elevación del segmento ST (36,7%). En quienes se realizó ecocardiograma se encontraron anormalidades en 50% de los casos, siendo más frecuente la disminución en la fracción de eyección. El microorganismo más común fue el Campylobacter jejuni, seguido por Salmonela sp. Conclusiones: la miocarditis causada por enterobacterias es más frecuente en pacientes adultos jóvenes de sexo masculino. Los síntomas gastrointestinales suelen estar presentes al momento de la presentación clínica. El diagnóstico requiere de alta sospecha clínica teniendo en cuenta que las anormalidades eléctricas y en ecocardiograma no se encuentran en todos los pacientes.

Abstract Objective: To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of patients with myocarditis due to Enterobacteria. Methods: A systematic review was carried out on the literature, which included Pubmed, Ovid, Scopus, SciELO, and LILACS, with no exclusions due to language. The target population of the study were patients with a diagnosis of bacterial infection due to gram negative bacillus by means of a culture, or using molecular or histopathology technique. They also had to have had a myocardial biopsy or, if not, a cardiac magnetic resonance scan with findings suggestive of myocarditis. Results: Out of a total of 742 articles found, 24 of these, in which 27 patients were described, were included. The mean age was 31 years, and 81% were male. The main symptom was diarrhoea (80%), followed by fever (53%), and chest pain (38%). More than one-third (37%) of the patients died. The most common finding on the electrocardiogram (ECG) was elevation of the ST segment (36.7%). Abnormalities were found in 50% of the cases, on whom a cardiac ultrasound was performed, with a decrease in the ejection fraction being the most common. The most common microorganism was Campylobacter jejuni, followed by Salmonella spp. Conclusions: Myocarditis caused by enterobacteria is most common in young male patients. The gastrointestinal symptoms are usually present from the clinical onset. The diagnosis requires a high clinical suspicion, taking into account that the abnormalities in the ECG and cardiac ultrasound are not found in all patients.

Acute kidney injury associated with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection: Forgotten but not gone

BACKGROUND: Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is known to cause fever, gastroenteritis, or acute kidney injury (AKI). There have been several Y. pseudotuberculosis infection outbreaks to date associated with ingestion of contaminated food or unsterile water. While this disease was considered to have practically been eradicated with the improvement in public health, we encountered several cases of AKI associated with Yersinia infection. METHODS: We retrospectively collected data from medical records of patients with suspected Y. pseudotuberculosis infection who visited Seoul National University Children’s Hospital in 2017. RESULTS: There were nine suspected cases of Yersinia infection (six males and three females; age range 2.99–12.18 years). Among them, five cases occurred in May, and seven patients were residing in the metropolitan Seoul area. Three patients had history of drinking mountain water. Every patient first presented with fever for a median of 13 days, followed by gastrointestinal symptoms and oliguria. Imaging studies revealed mesenteric lymphadenitis, terminal ileum wall thickening, and increased renal parenchymal echogenicity. Creatinine levels increased to 5.72 ± 2.18 mg/dL. Urinalysis revealed sterile pyuria, proteinuria, and glycosuria. Oliguria continued for 4 to 17 days, and two patients required dialysis; however, all of them recovered from AKI. Mucocutaneous manifestations developed later. In the diagnostic work-up, Yersinia was isolated from the stool culture in one patient. Anti-Yersinia immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG were positive in 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Y. pseudotuberculosis infection is an infrequent cause of interstitial nephritis presenting with AKI. When a patient presents with fever, gastroenteritis, and AKI not resolving despite hydration, the clinician should suspect Y. pseudotuberculosis infection.

Yersinia enterocolitica Exploits Signal Crosstalk between Complement 5a Receptor and Toll-like Receptor 1/2 and 4 to Avoid the Bacterial Clearance in M cells

In the intestinal mucosal surface, microfold cells (M cells) are the representative gateway for the uptake of luminal antigens. At the same time, M cells are the primary infection site for pathogens invading mucosal surface for their infection. Although it is well recognized that many mucosal pathogens exploit the M cells for their infection, the mechanism to infect M cells utilized by pathogens is not clearly understood yet. In this study, we found that M cells expressing complement 5a (C5a) receptor (C5aR) also express Toll-like receptor (TLR) 1/2 and TLR4. Infection of Yersinia enterocolitica, an M cell-invading pathogen, synergistically regulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase A (cAMP-PKA) signaling which are involved in signal crosstalk between C5aR and TLRs. In addition, Y. enterocolitica infection into M cells was enhanced by C5a treatment and this enhancement was abrogated by C5a antagonist treatment. Finally, Y. enterocolitica infection into M cells was unsuccessful in C5aR knock-out mice. Collectively, we suggest that exploit the crosstalk between C5aR and TLR signaling is one of infection mechanisms utilized by mucosal pathogens to infect M cells.

Prevalence of Bacteria in the Nationwide Survey of Stool Culture Performed in 2015, Korea / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: The spectrum of bacteria causing diarrhea is highly affected by geographic area, sanitation, travel, food consumption, and previous antibiotic use. A nationwide databank for stool cultures is undeveloped. The aim of our study was to investigate the current prevalence of gastroenteritis bacterial pathogens in Korea. METHODS: We requested microbiological data via questionnaire emails sent to 98 hospitals. The frequency of each pathogen was acquired from 32 institutes. Numbers of stool cultures performed ranged from 193 to 14,296 (mean 2,724, SD 3,261) in 2015. RESULTS: Among 86,744 requested stool specimens, 917 (1.06%, range 0-4.59%, 95% confidence interval 0.63-1.48%) were positive. Salmonella was most prevalent (59.0%), followed by Candida (12.4%), Campylobacter (4.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (4.0%), Vibrio (4.0%), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (1.75). Yersinia (0.3%) and Shigella (0.2%) were rarely isolated. CONCLUSION: As the positive rate of the stool cultures is very low (1.06%), more effort and concern should be provided to enhance the isolation of pathogens. Salmonella was the most prevalent pathogen and Campylobacter and Vibrio were relatively common pathogens causing bacterial gastroenteritis in Korea.

Clinical and microbiologic characteristics of vulvovaginitis in Korean prepubertal girls, 2009-2014: a single center experience

OBJECTIVE: To update information on the clinical and microbiologic characteristics of pediatric vulvovaginitis in Korean prepubertal girls. METHODS: A total of 120 girls (aged 0 to 9 years) with culture-confirmed pediatric vulvovaginitis, diagnosed between 2009 and 2014, were enrolled in the study. The epidemiologic and microbiologic characteristics, and clinical outcomes were assessed. Patients with sexual precocity, as well as those who were referred for suspected sexual abuse, were excluded. RESULTS: Girls aged 4 to 6 years were at the highest risk of pediatric vulvovaginitis. Seasonal distribution indicated obvious peaks in summer and winter. Of the 120 subjects, specific pathogens were identified in the genital specimens in only 20 cases (16.7%). Streptococcus pyogenes (n=12, 60%) was the leading cause of specific vulvovaginitis. Haemophilus influenzae was isolated in one patient. No cases presented with enteric pathogens, such as Shigella or Yersinia. A history of recent upper respiratory tract infection, swimming, and bubble bath use was reported in 37.5%, 15.8%, and 10.0% of patients, respectively. Recent upper respiratory tract infection was not significantly correlated with the detection of respiratory pathogens in genital specimens (P>0.05). Of 104 patients who underwent perineal hygienic care, 80 (76.9%) showed improvement of symptoms without antibiotic treatment. Furthermore, the efficacy of hygienic care was not significantly different between patients with or without specific pathogens (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Specific pathogens were only found in 16.7% of pediatric vulvovaginitis cases. Our results indicate an excellent outcome with hygienic care, irrespective of the presence of specific pathogens.

Evaluation of the Impact of Automated Specimen Inoculation, Using Previ Isola, on the Quality of and Technical Time for Stool Cultures

BACKGROUND: This study was designed as a quasi-experiment to evaluate automatic inoculation of fecal specimens, using the automated specimen inoculator Previ Isola (bioMerieux, France). METHODS: We evaluated the quality of cultures, recovery rates of enteropathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter, and Yersinia species), and cost-effectiveness in terms of technical time. The Previ Isola recovery rates for the two-year period from August 2009 to July 2011 were compared with historical manual inoculation data of the previous two years (August 2007 to July 2009). The regional (Baden-Wurttemberg) and nationwide (Germany) trends of recovery rates for this four-year period were referred. RESULTS: A total of 5,884 fecal specimens were collected over the study period. Most positive cultures were for Salmonella, followed by Campylobacter. Compared with the historical data, the numbers of Campylobacter-positive specimens for a year between August and July were increased significantly, from 19 in 2007-2008 and 10 in 2008-2009 to 32 in 2009-2010 (P=0.002) and 32 in 2010-2011 (P=0.003), respectively. During the study period, the official data for our region and nationwide did not show this increase in the recovery rate of Campylobacter. For Salmonella, Shigella, and Yersinia, no significant changes were observed. Compared with manual inoculation, the mean hands-on time with Previ Isola inoculation was significantly shortened, from 37:30 min to 8:42 min per 15 fecal specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Inoculation by Previ Isola improves the quality of routine culture of fecal specimens, with better sensitivity for Campylobacter and less hands-on time.

Trends in Isolation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility of Enteropathogenic Bacteria in 2001-2010 at a Korean Tertiary Care Hospital / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: Trends in the isolation of enteropathogenic bacteria may differ depending on environmental sanitation. The aims of this study were to determine trends in the isolation and antimicrobial resistance patterns of enteropathogenic bacteria over the last 10 years. METHODS: We analyzed stool cultures of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Plesiomonas shigelloides, Yersinia spp., Vibrio spp., and Campylobacter spp. collected at Severance Hospital between 2001 and 2010. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method for nontyphoidal Salmonella (NTS) and Campylobacter. RESULTS: The number of specimens for stool culture significantly increased from 13,412 during 1969-1978 to 60,714 over the past 10 years, whereas the ratio of positive specimens significantly decreased from 12.9% (1,732) to 1.1% (648). The proportion of Salmonella Typhi decreased from 97.2% in 1969-1978 to 0.8% in 2001-2010, whereas the proportion of NTS increased from 2.8% to 99.2%. The proportion of Shigella among all enteric pathogens was over 50% from 1969 to 1983, while only seven strains were isolated from 2001 to 2010, with the exception of one outbreak. Campylobacter is the second most prevalent organism. The rates of susceptibility to ampicillin and cotrimoxazole were 61% and 92%, respectively, for NTS isolated from 2006 to 2010. The ciprofloxacin susceptibility rate was 79.5% for Campylobacter between 2006 and 2010. CONCLUSION: The number of isolates of Salmonella Typhi and Shigella significantly decreased, while the proportion of NTS and Campylobacter increased. Continuous monitoring of ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter isolates is necessary.

A Case of Yersinia enterocolitica Enterocolitis Accompanied by Colonic Adhesion after Surgery for Uterine Myoma in an Adult Patient / 대한내과학회지

Yersinia enterocolitica infection in adults in Korea is reported rarely. Therefore, the possibility of Yersinia infection as a cause of abdominal pain may be overlooked. Because its clinical features are similar to those of acute appendicitis or other diseases that require operations, Yersinia enterocolitis should be diagnosed before surgery. We recently experienced a case of Y. enterocolitica enterocolitis accompanied by postoperative colonic adhesion. A 39-year-old female patient with a 5-year history of asymptomatic uterine myoma underwent transabdominal hysterectomy due to abdominal pain. However, the pain worsened. On CT, diffuse swelling of the right colon and adhesion of the sigmoid colon with luminal narrowing were found. Colonoscopy showed multiple aphthous ulcers with mucosal hyperemia from the cecum to the sigmoid colon. Multiplex PCR with stool specimens, a hemagglutination test for Y. enterocolitica O:3, and tissue culture were positive for Y. enterocolitica. After fluids and antibiotic therapy, her symptoms were relieved.

The Prevalence of Yersinia Infection in Adult Patients with Acute Right Lower Quadrant Pain / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Clinical manifestations of intestinal yersiniosis include enterocolitis, mesenteric adenitis, and terminal ileitis presenting with fever, right lower quadrant pain, and leukocytosis. According to a previous Korean study in 1997, Yersinia was revealed in two among 15 adult patients with mesenteric adenitis (13%). However, recent reports on the prevalence of Yersinia infection in adult patients are few. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Yersinia infection in adult patients with acute right lower quadrant pain. METHODS: Adult patients (>18 years) who visited Eulji medical center, due to acute right lower quadrant pain were enrolled prospectively from December 2007 to July 2009. Abdominal CT, stool culture, serologic test for Yersinia, and Widal test were performed. RESULTS: Among 115 patients, 5 patients were excluded due to positive Widal test or salmonella culture. In 110 patients, abdominal CT showed right colitis in 20 (18.2%), terminal ileitis in 16 (14.5%), mesenteric adenitis in 13 (11.8%), acute appendicitis in 10 (9.1%), acute diverticulitis in 7 (6.4%), non specific mucosal edema in 36 (32.7%) and no specific lesion in 8 (7.3%). Two (1.8%) of the 110 patients had antibodies to Yersinia. One patient showed acute enteritis and the other patient was diagnosed with acute appendicitis and underwent appendectomy. No Yersinia species were grown on stool or tissue culture. CONCLUSIONS: Nowadays, among adult Korean patients presenting with acute right lower quadrant pain, there have been few incidences of Yersinia infection.

Enteropathogenic Bacteria Contamination of Unchlorinated Drinking Water in Korea, 2010

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the microbiological quality of unchlorinated drinking water in Korea, 2010. One hundred and eighty unchlorinated drinking water samples were collected from various sites in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. METHODS: To investigate bacterial presence, the pour plate method was used with cultures grown on selective media for total bacteria, total coliforms, and Staphylococcus spp., respectively. RESULTS: In the 180 total bacteria investigation, 72 samples from Seoul and 33 samples from Gyeonggi province were of an unacceptable quality (>10(2) CFU/mL). Of all the samples tested, total coliforms were detected in 28 samples (15.6%) and Staphylococcus spp. in 12 samples (6.7%). Most of the coliform isolates exhibited high-level resistance to cefazolin (88.2%), cefonicid (64.7%) and ceftazidime (20.6%). In addition, Staphylococcus spp. isolates exhibited high-level resistance to mupirocin (42%). Species of Pseudomonas, Acinetobacter, Cupriavidus, Hafnia, Rahnella, Serratia, and Yersinia were isolated from the water samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that consumption of unchlorinated drinking water could represent a notable risk to the health of consumers. As such, there is need for continuous monitoring of these water sources and to establish standards.

Formation and regulation of Yersinia biofilms

Flea-borne transmission is a recent evolutionary adaptation that distinguishes the deadly Yersinia pestis from its progenitor Y. Pseudotuberculosis, a mild pathogen transmitted via the food-borne route. Y. Pestis synthesizes biofilms in the flea gut, which is important for fleaborne transmission. Yersinia biofilms are bacterial colonies surrounded by extracellular matrix primarily containing a homopolymer of N-acetyl-D-glucosamine that are synthesized by a set of specific enzymes. Yersinia biofilm production is tightly regulated at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. All the known structural genes responsible for biofilm production are harbored in both Y. Pseudotuberculosis and Y. Pestis, but Y. Pestis has evolved changes in the regulation of biofilm development, thereby acquiring efficient arthropod-borne transmission.

Direct Application of Multiplex PCR on Stool Specimens for Detection of Enteropathogenic Bacteria / 대한임상미생물학회지

BACKGROUND: Causative bacterial agents of infectious diarrheal disease were traditionally diagnosed by stool cultures. Stool culture, however, has a problem because of relatively low sensitivity and long turnaround time. In this study, we evaluated multiplex PCR applied on stool specimens directly to diagnose enteropathogenic bacteria. METHODS: From June to September 2009, 173 diarrheal stools submitted for stool cultures were tested by Seeplex(R) Diarrhea ACE Detection kit (Seegene, Korea) to detect 10 enteropathogenic bacteria. Specimens were cultured for Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, and Yersinia. Late 50 specimens were also cultured for Campylobacter. The specimens positive for verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) were further subcultured for detecting enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7. Electronic medical records were reviewed for clinical and laboratory findings. RESULTS: Of 173 specimens, multiplex PCR and cultures identified enteropathogens in 36 (20.8%) and 8 specimens (4.6%), respectively. While multiplex PCR detected 5 Salmonella, 15 Campylobacter, 1 Vibrio, 4 Clostridium difficiles toxin B, 5 Clostridium perfringens, 1 Yersinia enterocolitica, 5 Aeromonas, and 2 VTEC, cultures detected 5 Salmonella, 1 Vibrio, 1 Y. enterocolitica, 1 Aeromonas, and 2 E. coli O157:H7. CONCLUSION: Multiplex PCR would be useful to detect Campylobacter, VTEC and C. perfringens, as well as have equivalent sensitivity to conventional culture for ordinary enteropathogens such as Salmonella, Shigella, Vibrio, Y. enterocolitica. Direct application of multiplex PCR combined with conventional cultures on stool warrants remarkable improvement of sensitivity to diagnose enteropathogenic bacteria.

Is the Yersinia enterocolitica Possible Infectious Agent in Acute Appendicitis?

PURPOSE: With increasing frequency, Yersinia enterocolitica is being recognized as an important bacterial cause of acute gastrointestinal infection with abdominal pain. In addition, the association of Y. enterocolitica infections with acute appendicitis has been suggested. This study was undertaken to ascertain whether Y. enterocolitica is a possible infectious agent in acute appendicitis. METHODS: Between December 2007 and April 2008, 162 patients who underwent appendectomy for presumed appendicitis, enrolled in this prospective study. After surgical excision of appendix, a portion of each specimen was cultured for Y. enterocolitica with highly selective media (Cefsulodin-Irgasan-Novobiocin agar). RESULTS: Pathologically, 150 of the patients had appendicitis and 12 patients had normal appendices. Only one of the 150 patients (0.7%) with appendicitis was found to be culture positive for Y. enterocolitica, while it was not detected from normal appendices. CONCLUSION: The authors were unable to implicate Y. enterocolitica as a major pathogen in acute appendicitis within the Seoul area. However, we thought there to be more need for investigation for association of Y. enterocolitica with acute appendicitis over a broader area and season.

A Case of Reactive Arthritis in a Patient with Clostridium Difficile Diarrhea / 대한류마티스학회지

Clostridium difficile is the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. The frequent use of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents increases the likelihood of acquiring Clostridium difficile-associated disease. Reactive arthritis is a recognized sequela of infection with a many types of enteric or urogenital pathogens. Although the main bacterial causes of reactive arthritis following enteric infection are Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter and Yersinia, Clostridium difficile should be considered as a rare cause of reactive arthritis. We report here on a case of a 63-year-old man who presented with reactive arthritis following an infection with Clostridium difficile.

Isolation of Yersinia spp. from cases of diarrhoea in Iraqi infants and children

All 250 children presenting with diarrhoea at 2 teaching hospitals in Mosul, Iraq over a 9-month period were studied for the presence of Yersinia spp. in stools by cold-enrichment culture at 4 [0]C for 21 days. Pathogenicity of the isolated Yersinia was determined. Antibodies to Y. enterocolitica were raised for rapid Yersinia detection in the stool. Yersinia spp. were isolated from the stools of only 4 patients; 3 isolates were identified as Y. enterocolitica and 1 was Y. pseudotuberculosis. The blood culture was also positive for Y. enterocolitica in 1 case. The antibiogram test for the isolated Yersinia was determined. Cross-reaction between Y. pseudotuberculosis and Salmonella typhi or S. paratyphi B, and between Y. enterocolitica and Brucella was detected serologically

Panoramic view of the occurrence of Yersinia species other than Y. pestis in Brazil

Data on the occurrence of Yersinia species. other than Y. pestis in Brazil are presented. Over the past 40 years, 767 Yersinia strains have been identified and typed by the National Reference Center on Yersinia spp. other than Y. pestis, using the classical biochemical tests for species characterization. The strains were further classified into biotypes, serotypes and phagetypes when pertinent. These tests led to the identification of Yersinia cultures belonging to the species Y. enterocolitica, Y.pseudotuberculosis, Y. intermedia, Y. frederiksenii and Y. kristensenii. Six isolates could not be classified in any of the known Yersinia species and for this reason were defined as Non-typable (NT). The bio-sero-phagetypes of these strains were diverse. The following species of Yersinia were not identified among the Brazilian strains by the classical phenotypic or biochemical tests: Y. aldovae, Y. rhodei, Y. mollaretti, Y. bercovieri and Y.ruckeri. The Yersinia strains were isolated from clinical material taken from sick and/or healthy humans and animals, from various types of food and from the environment, by investigators of various Institutions localized in different cities and regions of Brazil.

[Comparison of the prevalence of microbial contamination in packed and unpacked redmeat and chicken mea tat retail outlets and department stores in southern Tehran]

Despite advances in disease prevention and food materials technology, food borne diseases are still a major problem in both developed and developing countries. Moreover, meat plays a key role in transfer of bacteria, especially "Zoonotic" to humans. Therefore, we decided to investigate the outbreak of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella,Campylobacter. Yersinia and Aeromonas in red meat and chicken offered as packed and unpacked in areas under the authority of Tehran university of medical sciences 630 samples including 315 raw chicken meat and 315 raw red meat samples were collected and tested for a period of one year from July, 2004 to August.2005. Samples were collected from shops selling packed meat and chicken as well as shops selling unpacked meat and chicken in different parts of the south of Tehran The methods used for the laboratory investigation were based on Iranian National Standard Procedure No. 2394. Of the 630 samples of chicken and meat, 183 samples [29%] were contaminated. 49.2 percent of the contaminated samples were chicken meat and 8.9 percent were red meat. From the total, 71 samples were contaminated with salmonella [11.3%], 68 samples with Campylobacter [10.8%], 26 samples with Yersinia entrocolitica [4.1%] and 18 samples with Aeromonas [2.9%]. In red meat samples, microbial contamination was observed in 4.9% of packed and 10.3 percent of unpacked samples. Contamination rate of chicken samples was higher including 59.3% of packed and 45.7% of unpacked chicken samples. The observed difference between the remitting samples of packed and unpacked chicken was statistically significant. [P< 0.05] Our results indicated that although the centers selling packed and unpacked red meat from south of Teheran showed different microbial contamination rate, the differences were statistically insignificant. [P> 0.05]

Contenido microbiológico cultivable del tracto intestinal y polen almacenado de Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) / Cultured Microbiological Content of the Intestinal Tract and Stored Pollen of Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae)

Se caracterizaron los microorganismos cultivables asociados con Apis mellifera. Las muestras fueron tomadas a partir de polen almacenado (joven y maduro) y transportado en corbículas y tracto digestivo de las abejas (forrajeras y recién nacidas). Se aislaron bacterias pertenecientes a los géneros Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, Micrococcus, Lactobacillus, Klebsiella, Proteus, Yersinia y Arthrobacter y hongos de los géneros Rhizopus, Alternaria y Epicoccum. De acuerdo a sus propiedades bioquímicas, algunas de estas bacterias pueden estar involucradas en la degradación de los compuestos de la capa externa del polen y son adquiridas por las abejas a través del alimento y contacto con otros individuos de la colmena. La presencia de los hongos se explica por su amplia distribución en el ambiente, ya que los tres géneros se encuentran comúnmente en el suelo y en las plantas que las abejas pueden seleccionar como fuente de alimento.