Ballast water: a review of the impact on the world public health

Since the nineteenth century ships have been using ballast water (BW) for safety, stability, propulsion and maneuverability, as well as to redress loss of fuel weight and water consumption, and to maintain structural stress at acceptable levels. Ballast water has been spreading many non-native species around the globe, but little is known about the extent and potential significance of ship-mediated transfer of microorganisms. The global movements of ballast water by ships create a long-distance dispersal mechanism for human pathogens that may be important in the worldwide distribution of microorganisms, as well as for the epidemiology of waterborne diseases. Only a few studies have been carried out on this subject, most of them involving ballast water containing crustacean larvae and phytoplankton. Specialized microbiological studies on these waters are necessary to avoid a repeat of what happened in 1991, when epidemic cholera was reported in Peru and rapidly spread through Latin America and Mexico. In July of 1992, Vibrio cholerae was found in the USA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) determined that it came from ballast water of ships whose last port of call was in South America. In Brazil, just a few studies about the subject have been performed. An exploratory study by the Brazilian National Health Surveillance Agency (Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária - ANVISA) found in ballast water different microorganisms, such as fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Clostridium perfringens, coliphages, Vibrio cholerae O1 and Vibrio cholerae non-O1. Until now, Brazil has been focusing only on organisms transported to its territory from other countries by ballast water, to avoid their establishment and dissemination in Brazilian areas. Studies that can assess the probability that water ballast carries pathogenic microorganisms are extremely important, as is the examination of ships that arrive in the country. Treatment of the human...

Intestinal microbiota and HIV-1 infection

The intestinal microbiota consists of a qualitatively and quantitatively diverse range of microorganisms dynamically interacting with the host. It is remarkably stable with regard to the presence of microorganisms and their roles which, however, can be altered due to pathological conditions, diet composition, gastrointestinal disturbances and/or drug ingestion. The present review aimed at contributing to the discussion about changes in the intestinal microbiota due to HIV-1 infection, focusing on the triad infection-microbiota-nutrition as factors that promote intestinal bacterial imbalance. Intestinal microbiota alterations can be due to the HIV-1 infection as a primary factor or the pharmacotherapy employed, or they can be one of the consequences of the disease.

Environmental parameters and antimicrobial susceptibility of enterobacteriaceae isolated from estuarine waters of São Vicente, São Paulo state, Brazil

Diseases transmitted by water consists a serious public health problem and enterobacteria are the main group of microorganisms responsible for outbreaks in humans. Such pathogenic bacteria proliferate in water polluted by domestic and industrial sewage and reach the population through seawater contact. The aim of the present work was to study environmental parameters as well as to identify Enterobacteriaceae species and their antimicrobial susceptibility in water samples collected from the estuarine area of São Vicente city (São Paulo State, Brazil). Strains were identified by using traditional biochemical tests described in literature and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were carried out using the disk diffusion method. Out of 26 samples, Escherichia coli was the most frequent species (40.1 percent), followed by Citrobacter, Enterobacter and Klebsiella. The most effective drugs against the tested microorganisms were gentamycin, netilmicin, ciprofloxacin and cefepime. Since these bacteria are commonly found in seashore contaminated by sewage effluents, it can be concluded that estuarine waters of São Vicente are polluted and potentially capable of causing diseases and spreading pathogenic bacteria to human communities.

Study on the susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis from infectious processes to ciprofloxacin and vancomycin

Enterococcus faecalis is considered a pathogen responsible for hospital infections and, due to its frequent multi-resistant profile, has caused preoccupations among many medical authorities. The objective of this study was to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of 74 strains isolated from blood cultures and purulent secretions to vancomycin and ciprofloxacin through the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) by using the Microdilution test. The results showed a greater efficacy of vancomycin compared to ciprofloxacin (98.6% of the strains were inhibited by vancomycin at lower concentrations: 0.06 - 1 mg/ml). However, in the MBC analysis 73% of the strains showed a MBC of vancomycin only at high concentrations (equal to or higher than 64 mg/ml). For ciprofloxacin, the strains showed a broad sensitivity with MICs and MBCs distributed along all the MIC classes. Results also revealed a probability that some strains are tolerant to vancomycin, which indicates the need of other tests to confirm this characteristic

Isolation of an Ophidian Paramyxovirus in a captive rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) from Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, Brazil

This study reports the isolation of an Ophidian Paramyxovirus (OPMV) in sputum of a captive rattlesnake (Crotalus durissus terrificus) kept in a serpentarium located in Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, Brazil. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and nested-PCR were performed for the identification of the isolated virus.

Seasonal effect of brazilian propolis on Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis

Recently, propolis has been attracting the attention of researchers due to various biological activities and therapeutic properties. In Brazil, propolis is produced all year long, so there may be some seasonal variations. This work was carried out in order to compare propolis collected during the four seasons by its in vitro antimicrobial activity on yeast pathogens isolated from human infections. Propolis was produced by africanized honeybees in Botucatu, Säo Paulo State, collected throughout a year and pooled by season. Hydroalcoholic solutions of propolis were prepared with each pool and diluted in agar, using serial concentrations of propolis from each pool. A determination of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was performed. The results show that Candida tropicalis and Candida albicans were susceptible to low concentrations of propolis, the latter showing a higher susceptibility. No differences were seen in relation to seasonal effects in the minimal inhibitory concentration of propolis

Ocorrência de Campylobacter em genitais de bovinos vasectomizados mantidos em central de transferência de embriöes / Occurrence of Campylobacter in the genitals of teaser bulls maintained at an embryo transfer center

Em central de transferência de embriöes, após os procedimentos de reconhecimento do cio em 37 vacas receptoras, através de quatro rufiöes vasectomizados, observou-se que 83 por cento delas apresentavam retorno ao cio e algum corrimento serofibrinoso. Nos exames bacteriológicos realizados nos lavados prepuciais dos rufiöes foi isolado o Campylobacter fetus subsp. venerealis em todos, fato que, analisado associadamente com o retorno ao cio das vacas receptoras, é indicativo da ocorrência de campilobacteriose no plantel. Essa ocorrência demonstra a necessidade de medidas eficazes de planejamento de saúde animal, pela utilizaçäo de rufiöes com desvio lateral do pênis. Uma vez impossibilitado o contato sexual, seria impedida a transmissäo do agente durante o coito. Torna-se imperioso consignar que a prática da prevençäo racional de enfermidades continua sendo o procedimento mais econômico para uma produtividade animal mais rentável

The detection of Ochetosoma heterocoelium (Travassos, 1921) (Trematoda: Digenea: Ochetosomatidae) in Chironius exoletus (Linnaeus, 1758) Ophidia: Colubridae)

Two hundred and fifty-two specimens of Ochetosoma heterocoelium (Travassos, 1921) (Trematoda: Digenea: Ochetosomatidae) were detected in the mouth and esophagus of the snake Chironius exoletus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Ophidia: Colubridae) at the serpentarium of the Center for the Study of Venoms and Venomous Animals (CEVAP) of Säo Paulo State University (UNESP) in Botucatu, State of Säo Paulo, Brazil.

A report on a case of melanism in a specimen of Crotalus durissus terrificus (Laurenti, 1768)

This report documents a case of a melanic specimen of Crotalus durissus terrificus (Laurenti, 1768) found in Bofete, Säo Paulo State, Brazil. The authors describe this melanic snake, determine the electrophoretic pattern of its venom, and compare the venom of this specimen against that of normal Crotalus durissus terrificus. This report is very important because melanism is a rare chromatic anomaly.

Atividade in vitro do danofloxacin e de sete drogas antimicrobianas frente a linhagens de Staphylococcus aureus isoladas de mastite bovina / Antimicrobial activity of danofloxacin and seven other drugs against Staphylococcus aureus from bovine mastitis

Duzentas estirpes mastitogênicas de Staphylococcus aureus foram submetidas à atividade antimicrobiana de oito drogas (danofloxacin, cefuroxime, ciprofloxacin, trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol, cloranfenicol, imipenem, tetraciclina e oxacilina). O danofloxacin, antimicrobiano da família das 4-fluoroquinolonas, foi recém-lançado para uso exclusivo em veterinária. O estudo comparativo das drogas antimicrobianas foi realizado pela técnica do disco (Bauer-Kirby) e da determinaçäo da concentraçäo inibitória mínima (CIM) juntamente com a avaliaçäo da concentraçäo bactericida mínima (CBM). Os resultados demonstraram que as drogas mais eficientes foram: imipenem (100 por cento), trimetoprim/sulfametoxazol (98,9 por cento), cefuroxime (97,3 por cento), tetraciclina (96,9 por cento), danofloxacin (95,4 por cento), cloranfenicol (93,9 por cento), oxacilina (93,4 por cento) e ciprofloxacin (91,1 por cento), considerando-se somente os percentuais de linhagens sensíveis. Levando-se em conta também as linhagens moderadamente sensíveis, o danofloxacin foi considerado o terceiro antimicrobiano mais eficiente. O estudo da determinaçäo da CIM e da CBM do danofloxacin caracterizou sua elevada eficiência antimicrobiana, tendo em vista a proximidade entre elas (CIM90 por cento subscrito - 0,18 µg/ml - CBM90 por cento subscrito - 0,23 µg/ml) e a relaçäo CIM/CBM de 1:1 e 1:2 para a maioria das linhagens em estudo

Avaliaçäo da sensibilidade do Califórnia Mastitis Test (CMT) e Whiteside (WS) na mastite caprina / Sensitivity of California mastitis (CMT) and Whiteside (WS) tests on the diagnosis of caprine mastitis

Considerando que uma das medidas para o controle da mastite caprina consiste, inicialmente, na determinaçäo da taxa de mastite subclínica, e também diante da importância da caprinocultura, o presente estudo teve por objetivo comparar o teste California Mastitis test (CMT) com o Whiteside (WS), utilizando-se 322 amostras de leite de cabra. Dessas, 67 (21 por cento) reagiram concomitantemente ao CMT e ao WS, 210 (65 por cento) apresentaram-se negativas para ambos os testes e 45 (14 por cento) apresentaram resultados discordantes entre os dois testes, 41 (91 por cento) delas positivas ao CMT e negativas ao WS. Os resultados permitiram apontar o CMT como o mais sensível e que, por ser mais prático, poderá trazer benefícios no planejamento do controle da mastite caprina

Population analysis of susceptibility to propolis reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Susceptibility to several ethanolic extracts of propolis (EEP) concentrations was tested with the population analysis technique in reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Escherichia coli (ATCC 35218). The results of these tests showed that all bacteria were killed by EEP concentrations approximately equal or higher (2.0 per cent v/v - S. aureus, 10.0 per cent v/v - E. coli) than the respective minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC). Regarding the susceptibility to propolis, there was a homogeneity of data with the respective time kill curves showing a clear bactericidal effect during 6 to 9 h of exposition.

Incidência e caracterizaçäo de bactérias com resistência múltipla antimicrobiana em leite mastítico bovino da regiäo centro-oeste do Estado de Säo Paulo, Brasil / Incidence and characterization of mastitic bovine milk antimicrobial multi-drug resistant bacteria in middle west region of Sao Paulo, Brazil

Foram analisadas a incidência e a multi-resistência a drogas antimicrobianas em bactérias patogênicas isoladas de 750 amostras de leite de vacas com mastite sub-clínica, na regiäo-centro oeste do Estado de Säo Paulo. Os microorganismos do gênero Staphylococcus (75,8 por cento), principalmente representados pelos S. aureus e S. epidermes, e a Escherichia coli (7,1 por cento) foram as bactérias mais freqüentemente isoladas. A maioria dos agentes etiológicos apresentou-se em cultura pura, embora associaçöes de microorganismos tenham sido encontradas em algumas amostras. A resistência múltipla a drogas antimicrobianas (penicilina, ampicilina, dicloxacilina, estreptomicina, tetraciclina e oxacilina) foi observada somente entre bactérias Gram negativas e em algumas linhagens de S. aureus (39,9 por cento). Os demais agentes bacterianos Gram positivos demonstraram sensibilidade às drogas testadas. Os problemas conseqüentes da resistência múltipla a drogas constituem um obstáculo à terapêutica e de difícil soluçäo, principalmente através de programas de controle a curto prazo

Characterization of aerobic bacteria in the uterus and cervix of mares with suspected or clinical metritis

Quatrocentos e trinta éguas com metrite clínica ou suspeita foram examinadas clínica e bacteriologicamente quanto à análise comparativa entre o diagnóstico clínico e o sucesso na resposta bacteriológica. De 303 (70,4 por cento) éguas que mostraram contaminaçäo bacteriana, 172 (40 por cento) apresentaram organismos Gram negativos e 131 (30,4 por cento) bactérias Gram positivas, sendo a E. coli (n = 82), K. pneumoniae (n = 26), P. aeruginosa (n = 20), S. aureus (n = 19) e S. zooepidemicus (n = 18) os patógenos mais frequentes. Contra um conjunto de 18 agentes antimicrobianos, os microrganismos Gram-negativos mostraram resistência in vitro à maioria das drogas, enquanto que os Gram positivos (excluindo-se S. aureus e E. faecalis) foram todos sensíveis. Nitrofurantoína, sulfamethoxazol + trimethoprim e gentamicina foram os agentes de açäo antimicrobiana mais efetivos contra todas as bactérias

In vitro activity of propolis against bacterial and yeast pathogens isolated from human infections

The in vitro activity of propolis against 118 Staphylococcus aureus, 108 Escherichia coli, 60 Salmonella typhimurium, 50 Candida albicans, 23 Candida parapsilosis, 19 Candida tropicalis and 14 Candida guilliermondii isolated from human infections was studied by the agar dilution method. Among the bacteria, the Gram-negative were the least susceptible organisms showing minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 90 per cent of the strains tested ranging from 22.5 mg/ml - 10,2 per cent, 23.1 mg/ml - 10.5 per cent V/V. The MIC's for Candida ranged from 0.80 mg/ml to > 11 mg/ml (0.40 per cent V/V to>5.0 per cent V/V) the strains of C. parapsilosis being the least susceptible. The relative order of susceptibility among all isolates,was: S.aureus > C.tropicalis > C.albicans > C.guilliermondii > C.parapsilosis > S.typhimurium > E.coli.