High Prevalence of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus haemolyticus Isolated From Commensals in Healthy Adults

@#Introduction: S. haemolyticus is known to be commensals residing on human skin. However, their ability to develop as pathogens among the healthy community has becoming increasingly vital. Methods: In this study, a total of 49 non-duplicated samples of S. haemolyticus was isolated from the skin of healthy adults and confirmed via sodA gene sequencing method. Cefoxitin (30μg) disc diffusion test was performed to determine methicillin resistance among the S. haemolyticus isolates. The isolates were then subjected to mecA amplification and Staphylococcus Cassette Chromosome (SCCmec) typing of I, II, III, IV and V. Results: Interestingly, 59.2% of the S. haemolyticus commensal isolates were found to be methicillin-resistant (MRSH) while the remaining 40.8% was methicillin-sensitive (MSSH). Amplification of mecA gene showed that 43 isolates (87.8%) were positive while only six isolates were negative for the gene. A majority of the positive mecA isolates (90.7%) were discovered to harbour SCCmec Type II while the remaining 44.2% were Type V followed by 23.3% of Type I and 18.6% of Type IV. Only one of the isolates was found to be SCCmec Type III while another isolate, T187 was non-typeable. Conclusion: The data indicates the acquisition of SCCmec typing circulated among the commensal strains which could be a potential route of pathogenicity among the isolates.

Frequency of intestinal parasites and commensals in street waste pickers from two cooperatives in the Brazilian Federal District

This study describes the occurrence of intestinal parasites and commensals among street waste pickers (SWPs) of two cooperatives of recyclable materials in the Federal District, Brazil. Stool samples from 75 individuals were analyzed using the Rugai method and spontaneous sedimentation. A questionnaire was applied to assess the awareness of SWPs regarding diseases caused by garbage handling and their prevention methods. Sixty SWPs (80%) were diagnosed with intestinal helminths or protozoa. The most frequent protozoa found were Entamoeba coli (43%), Endolimax nana (28%), and Entamoeba hartmanni (15%), and helminths such as Ascaris lumbricoides (12%), hookworms (8%), and Strongyloides stercoralis (8%) were also found. Other species identified in the workers were E. histolytica/dispar (8%), Giardia lamblia (7%), Hymenolepis diminuta (3%), and Hymenolepis nana (3%). Thirty nine SWPs (65%) had mixed infections. Most (80%) SWPs reported having parasitic diseases in the past, and 72% reported having undergone a stool test. All individuals considered important to use personal protective equipment but only 40% wore gloves. The adoption of healthy hygiene habits and the proper use of personal protective equipment should decrease the occurrence of intestinal parasites in these individuals

An Assessment of the Benefit of Surgical Face Masks in Preventing Aerosol Droplet Spread during a Simulated Spinal Anaesthetic-a Blinded in vitro Study.

Aims: The purpose of this study was to assess the benefit of wearing a surgical face mask in reducing aerosol contamination of agar plates in a simulated spinal anaesthetic. The contamination of plates with virulent organisms, association of growth with recent upper respiratory tract infection and food intake were also studied. Methods: A poster containing written text was fixed to a wall, with a standard agar plate suspended at its midpoint. Each volunteer (n=30) then read the text from the wall chart to simulate verbal interaction with a patient during a spinal anaesthetic, initially wearing a surgical mask and then once again without a mask. Results: This study revealed an increased risk (p =0.006) of bacterial growth on agar plates when not wearing a surgical face mask. Results also suggest that eating prior to surgical procedures may increase the risk of contamination of the surgical field in the absence of a barrier mask.

Avaliação parasitológica em amostras de alfaces (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) comercializadas no Município de Quatá, São Paulo, Brasil / Evaluation parasitological in samples of lettuces (Lactuca sativa var. crispa) marketed from the municipality of Quatá, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Existem poucas pesquisas sobre as práticas de fiscalização sanitária na cadeia de produção de hortaliças até o consumidor, especialmente os que são ingeridos crus, pois são passiveis de veicular microorganismo como bactérias, parasitos e fungos, contribuindo para possíveis malefícios à saúde. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar qualitativamente a contaminação por parasitos e/ou comensais de interesse médico em folhas de alface (Lactuca sativa) in natura comercializadas no município de Quatá, São Paulo. Um total de 15 amostras foi analisado aleatoriamente em dias alternados nos três diferentes locais que comercializam hortaliças (quitanda, supermercado e a horta comunitária) durante o mês de maio de 2011. Os parasitos e/ou comensais encontrados nas alfaces foram Entamoeba coli (67%), Entamoeba histolytica (20%), Giardia sp (13%) e Ascaris lumbricoides (7%). A análise mostrou a presença de parasitos e/ou comensais em todas as amostras, exceto nas cultivadas na horta o que evidenciou más condições sanitárias, provavelmente pela contaminação no transporte e manuseio por terceiros no supermercado e na quitanda. O monitoramento parasitário das condições higiênicas de hortaliças comercializadas em ambientes urbanos torna-se relevante para tomada de medidas preventivas evitando a continuidade do ciclo parasitário e possíveis complicações futuras à saúde.

There is little research on the practices of sanitary inspection in the chain of production of vegetables to the consumer, especially those eaten raw, they are liable to serve microorganism such as bacteria, fungi and parasites, contributing to possible health hazards. The aim of this study was to assess qualitatively contamination by parasites and / or commensals of medical interest in lettuce leaves (Lactuca sativa) "fresh" market in the municipality of Quatá, São Paulo. A total of 15 random samples were analyzed every other day of the three different places that sell vegetables a grocery store, a supermarket and a vegetable garden during the month of May 2011. The parasites and / or commensals found in lettuce were Entamoeba coli (67%), Entamoeba histolytica (20%), Giardia sp (13%) and Ascaris lumbricoides (7%). The analysis showed the presence of parasites and / or commensals in all samples, except in the cultivated garden which showed poor sanitary conditions, probably due to contamination in the shipping and handling by third parties in supermarket and grocery store. The parasite monitoring sanitary conditions of vegetables sold in urban environments becomes relevant for preventive measures to avoid the continued parasitic cycle and possible future health complications.

Evolución de la prevalencia de enteroparasitosis en la ciudad de Talca, Región del Maule, Chile / Evolution of the prevalence the enteroparasitoses in Talca-Chile

Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y retrospectivo de pre-valencia de enteroparasitosis en preescolares y escolares de la zona periférica de la ciudad de Talca y zonas rurales de la región del Maule, a partir de los resultados obtenidos en los exámenes copro-parasitológicos seriados y test de Graham, procesados en el Laboratorio de Parasitología de la Universidad de Talca, durante el período comprendido entre los años 1980 y 2008. Observamos la prevalencia total de la población calculada en 76,2 por ciento de niños infectados con parásitos, ya fuesen comensales o patógenos. Se observó un franco descenso, de 9,8 por ciento a 2,5 por ciento, de enteroparasitosis causadas por los siguientes patógenos: Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Trichocephalos trichiuris, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana, Taenia sp. Las enteroparasitosis por comensales como Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba bütschlii, Endolimax nana y Chilomastix mesnili experimentaron un leve descenso. A pesar de esta disminución, los parásitos comensales muestran un aumento a través del tiempo, dado por el significativo aumento en la portación de Blastocystis hominis (de 7,6 a 72,9 por ciento). Se observó además un cambio en la portación de poliparasitosis (de 64,5 a 9,6 por ciento) y monoparasitosis (de 10,0 a 35,5 por ciento).

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in preschool and school children in the city of Talca and rural areas belonging to the Maule Region, was assessed annually by means of the serial parasitological studies in stool which were performed in the Parasitology Laboratory of the “Universidad de Talca”. For consecutive periods since 1980 until 2008, an estimated prevalence of parasitism of 76.2 percent in the population studied was found. These results show a marked decrease from 9.8 percent to 2.5 percent in pathogenic enteroparasites like: Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba his-tolytica, Trichocephalos trichiuris, Ascaris lumbricoides, Hymenolepis nana and Taenia sp. Commensal parasites as Entamoeba coli, Iodamoeba butschlii, Endolimax nana and Chilomastix mesnili experimented a diminished recovery too. However commensal parasites globally showed an increase in time, given the significant increase of Blastocystis hominis (from 7.6 to 72.9 percent). A change was also observed in the carriage of polyparasitosis (from 64.5 percent to 9.6 percent) and monoparasitosis (from 10.0 to 35.5 percent).

Enteroparasites and commensals among children in four peripheral districts of Uberlândia, State of Minas Gerais / Enteroparasitas e comensais em crianças de quatro bairros da periferia de Uberlândia, Estado de Minas Gerais

The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of intestinal parasites and commensals among children in four peripheral districts located in the northern, southern, eastern and western sectors of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, using the Baermann methods as modified by Moraes and Lutz. Out of 160 individuals studied, 93 (58.1 percent CI: 50.4-65.7) were infected, distributed among the sectors as follows: northern (72.5 percent), southern (47.5 percent), eastern (57.5 percent) and western (55 percent). The positive findings according to age groups were: 0-5 years (26.9 percent), 5-10 years (21.2 percent) and 10-15 years (10 percent). Male children presented 2.7 times higher risk of infection than females did (OR: 2.7; CI: 1052-7001). The parasites and commensals identified were: Giardia lamblia (27.5 percent), Entamoeba coli (20.6 percent), Ascaris lumbricoides (14.4 percent), Enterobius vermicularis (8.8 percent), Hymenolepis nana (7.5 percent), Hymenolepis diminuta (5 percent), hookworms (3.1 percent), Trichuris trichiura (2.5 percent), Endolimax nana (2.5 percent), Entamoeba hartmanni (2.5 percent), Strongyloides stercoralis (1.3 percent), Iodamoeba butschlii (1.3 percent) and Capillaria hepatica (0.6 percent). The infection rate in these children was high and showed the need to implement prophylactic education programs in the community.

O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de parasitas e comensais intestinais em crianças de quatro bairros periféricos, localizados nos setores norte, sul, leste e oeste em Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, utilizando os métodos de Baermann modificado por Moraes, e de Lutz. Dos 160 indivíduos estudados, 93 (58,1 por cento, IC: 50,4-65,7) estavam infectados, assim distribuídos: setor norte (72,5 por cento), sul (47,5 por cento), leste (57,5 por cento) e oeste (55 por cento). A positividade por faixa etária foi: 0 - 5 anos (26,9 por cento), 5 - 10 (21,2 por cento) e 10 - 15 anos (10 por cento). As crianças do sexo masculino mostraram 2,7 maior risco de infecção (OR: 2,7, IC: 1052-7001). Os agentes identificados foram: Giardia lamblia (27,5 por cento), Entamoeba coli (20,6 por cento), Ascaris lumbricoides (14,4 por cento), Enterobius vermicularis (8,8 por cento), Hymenolepis nana (7,5 por cento), Hymenolepis diminuta (5 por cento), ancilostomídeos (3,1 por cento), Trichuris trichiura (2,5 por cento), Endolimax nana (2,5 por cento), Entamoeba hartmanni (2,5 por cento), Strongyloides stercoralis (1,3 por cento), Iodamoeba butschlii (1,3 por cento) e Capillaria hepatica (0,6 por cento). A porcentagem de infecção nas crianças foi alta e mostrou a necessidade de implantação de programas de educação profilática na comunidade.

Intestinal protozoa and helminths among Terena Indians in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul: high prevalence of Blastocystis hominis

A parasitological survey was carried out among Terena Indians living in the Tereré settlement in the municipality of Sidrolândia, State of Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Single samples of feces from 313 Indians were processed by means of the spontaneous sedimentation method. In the population studied, 73.5 percent were infected with at least one intestinal parasite or commensal. Protozoa predominated. Blastocystis hominis (40.9 percent), Entamoeba coli (33.2 percent) and Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (31.6 percent) were the most common. Bivariate analysis showed that females were generally more infected and presented higher rates of infection by Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar and Entamoeba coli. Males were more infected by hookworms and Strongyloides stercoralis than females. The precarious sanitary conditions of the Tereré settlement are probably a contributory factor towards the high prevalence of intestinal protozoa.

Um inquérito parasitológico foi realizado em índios Terena da aldeia Tereré, do município de Sidrolândia, Estado do Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil. Amostras únicas de fezes de 313 índios foram processadas pelo método de sedimentação espontânea. Na população estudada, 73.5 por cento estavam infectados por pelo menos um parasita ou comensal intestinal. Os protozoários predominaram. Blastocystis hominis (40.9 por cento), Entamoeba coli (33.2 por cento) e Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar (31.6 por cento) foram os mais comuns. A análise bivariada demonstrou que as mulheres estavam mais infectadas no geral e apresentavam maior taxa de infecção para Entamoeba histolytica/Entamoeba dispar e Entamoeba coli. Os homens estavam mais infectados por ancilostomídeos e Strongyloides stercoralis que as mulheres. As precárias condições sanitárias da aldeia Tereré são provavelmente um fator contribuinte para a alta prevalência de protozoários.