Caracterización fenotípica de Staphylococcus epidermidis aislado de pacientes con endoftalmitis / Phenotypic characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from patients with endophthalmitis

Objetivo: Conocer las características fenotípicas de Staphylococcus epidermidis aislado de endoftalmitis relacionadas con el implante de lente intraocular de metilmetacrilato, su capacidad para formar biofilm y adherencia a proteínas de matriz extracelular y poliestireno. Métodos: Se estudiaron cinco cepas de Staphylococcus epidermidis aisladas de enfermos con endoftalmitis posterior la extracción del cristalino con implante de lente intraocular. Se investigó si estas cepas se adhieren a poliestireno, a colágena tipo I y a fibronectina, así como si las bacterias eran formadoras de biofilm. Al final se extrajeron las proteínas de superficie de las bacterias y se analizaron por electroforesis en gel de poliacrilamida. Resultados: Se encontró que las cinco cepas se unieron al poliestireno y que lo hicieron con mayor eficacia en la fase de crecimiento exponencial, con máxima adherencia a los 105 minutos; las cinco cepas se adhirieron a fibronectina y solo dos (CV y EN) a colágena. Dos cepas (CV y EN) fueron débiles formadoras de biofilm. Se identificaron proteínas que por peso molecular corresponden con las informadas en la literatura como proteínas de unión a biomateriales. Conclusiones: Las cepas estudiadas al no ser formadoras de biofilm tendrían que ser consideradas no patógenas, pero cumplen con el paso inicial de la patogenicidad, la adherencia, además de que fueron aisladas de un proceso infeccioso intraocular y produjeron endoftalmitis cuando fueron inoculadas en ojos de conejo.

OBJECTIVE: To carry out the phenotypic characterization of Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from endophthalmitis developed after cataract extraction and implantation of an intraocular lens. This bacteria produces a biofilm, adheres to polystyrene and host proteins such as collagen and fibronectine, significant virulence factors. METHODS: Five S. epidermidis strains were isolated from cases of endophthalmitis, they developed after crystalline extraction and implantation of an intraocular lens. We assessed if these strains adhere to polystyrene, to Type I collagen and to fibronectine and if bacteria produced biofilm. Finally, the bacterial surface proteins were obtained and analyzed using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: All five bacterial strains adhered to polystyrene, with a maximum adherence time of 105 min; they also displayed adherence to fibronectine but only two to collagen. Only two strains were weak biofilm producers. We identified proteins that by molecular weight are similar to those identified in the literature as proteins binding to biomaterials. CONCLUSIONS: As the strains that we studied were not biofilm-forming they should be considered as non-pathogenic. Nevertheless, they meet the initial criteria of pathogenicity and adherence, aside from being isolated from an intraocular infectious process and being able to provoke endophtalmitis when inoculated in rabbit eyes.

Electrophysiology and immunity of the mucosa in intestinal infections

We present here some of the major concepts and approach to study the electrophysiology of the intestinal mucosa, and review the pathophysiology of intestinal infections caused by enteropathogenic bacteria, protozoa - specially our own work on experimental amebiasis using intestinal preparations mounted in the Ussing chamber - and nematodes, and finally discuss briefly the immunophysiology of the intestinal mucosa