Emergence of serotype 19A Streptococcus pneumoniae after PCV10 associated with a ST320 in adult population, in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has caused emergence of non-vaccine serotypes. No Brazilian data specifically about serotype 19A are available. We aimed to evaluate the frequency of occurrence, susceptibility profile and molecular epidemiology of serotype 19A before and after vaccine introduction in Brazil. Pneumococcal identification was performed by the conventional method. Strain serotype was determined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or Quellung reaction. Resistance was determined by Etest® and PCR was performed to determine the presence of macrolide resistance genes, ermB and/or mefA. Pneumococci were typed by Multilocus Sequence Typing. Thirty-eight serotype 19A Streptococcus pneumoniae were recovered, mostly from invasive diseases. Prevalence of serotype 19A increased following vaccination (from 3.5% before vaccination to 8.1% after, p = 0.04196). Non-susceptibility increased to most antimicrobials after vaccine introduction and was associated with clonal complex (CC)320. MLST showed nine different STs, which were grouped in one main CC: CC320 (63.9%). During the post-vaccination era, the frequency of this serotype increased significantly from 1.2% in 2011 to 18.5% in 2014 (p = 0.00001), with a concomitant decrease in the genetic variability: ST320 consistently predominated after vaccine-introduction (61.1%). Overall, our results showed a post-PCV10 increase in the frequency of serotype 19A. This was accompanied by a selection of CC320 and antimicrobial resistance.

Teneurin-2 presence in rat and human odontoblasts.

Teneurins are transmembrane proteins consisting of four paralogues (Ten-1-4), notably expressed in the central nervous system during development. All teneurins contain a bioactive peptide in their carboxyl terminal named teneurin C-terminal associated peptide (TCAP). The present study analyzed the detailed distribution of teneurin-2-like immunoreactive (Ten-2-LI) cells in developing and mature rat molar teeth, as well as in mature human dental pulps. Ten-2 and TCAP-2 genic expressions were also evaluated in rat and human dental pulps. Finally, Ten-2-LI cells were analyzed during the repair process after dentin-pulp complex injury in rat lower molar teeth. For this, histological sections of rat molar teeth and human dental pulps were submitted to immunohistochemical techniques, while total RNA from developing rat teeth and mature human dental pulps were submitted to conventional RT-PCR. Ten-2-LI cells were evident in the initial bell stage of rat molar teeth development, especially in ectomesenchymal cells of the dental papilla. Ten-2-LI odontoblasts showed strong immunoreactivity in rat and human mature teeth. Ten-2 and TCAP-2 genic expressions were confirmed in rat and human dental pulps. Dentin-pulp complex injury resulted in a decrease of Ten-2-LI odontoblasts after traumatic injury. Interestingly, Ten-2-LI cells were also evident in the pulp cell-rich zone in all postoperative days. In conclusion, Ten-2-LI presence in rat and human odontoblasts was demonstrated for the first time and Ten-2/TCAP-2 genic expressions were confirmed in rat and human dental pulps. Furthermore, it was revealed that Ten-2-LI rat odontoblasts can be modulated during the regenerative process.

Translocation and radio-telemetry monitoring of pygmy marmoset, Cebuella pygmaea (Spix, 1823), in the Brazilian Amazon.

Two groups of pygmy marmoset (Cebuella pygmaea) were rescued along the left bank of the Madeira River during the formation of Santo Antônio Hydroelectric Dam reservoir in the state of Rondônia, Northern Brazil. Reintroduction of both groups occurred in areas of open Tropical rainforest located within the project´s Permanent Preservation Area. A post-release monitoring was conducted for three months using radio-telemetry. Individuals of each group remained together and settled in stable home ranges near their respective release sites. The mortality rate of translocated animals was about 7%. This seems to be the first report documenting the complete group translocation of C. pygmaea and the first to successfully employ radio-telemetry techniques in monitoring this species. This study demonstrated the feasibility of translocation and the use of radio-telemetry in monitoring C. pygmaea.

eIF5A: uma proteína essencial para a viabilidade celular cuja função permanece obscura / eIF5A: an essential protein for cell viability whose function remains obscure

O provável fator de início de tradução 5A (eIF5A) é uma proteína abundante e altamente conservada em todos os organismos eucarióticos observados e também está presente em arquebactérias. eIF5A é essencial para aviabilidade celular e esse fator é a única proteína descrita que contém o resíduo de aminoácido hipusina. Em Saccharomyces cerevisiae, eIF5A é expressa em condições aeróbicas pelo gene TIF51A. Apesar de eIF5A ser conhecida há quase 30 anos, a sua função biológica ainda é obscura. Este artigo revisa os estudos de caracterização funcional de eIF5A, evidenciando como esse fator foi envolvido com diferentes etapas do metabolismo de RNA mensageiro (mRNA), como o início de tradução, o transporte nucleocitoplasmático e o decaimento de RNA mensageiro. Ainda, estudos que evidenciaram o envolvimento de eIF5A com a proliferação celular e progressão no ciclo celular também foram abordados. Finalmente, esse artigo apresenta os resultados recentes dos experimentos que colocam eIF5A novamente no cenário da tradução. Novos experimentos serão necessários para definir o papel desempenhado por eIF5A na maquinaria de tradução.

Evaluation of an automated system for the identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of enterococci.

The performance of a new version of an automated system panel, the Positive Combo Panel Type 11 of MicroScan WalkAway 96 (WA96; Dade Behring) was evaluated and compared to that of reference methods for the identification and for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the different enterococcal species. A total of 376 enterococcal isolates were tested. The MicroScan WA96 correctly identified 99.6% (266/267), 78.3% (18/23) and 68.6% (59/86) of Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and species other than E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. Although low probability of accurate identification was obtained for 37 (9.8%) strains, the system indicated that supplementary tests were necessary for precise identification of 8 (9.3%) among the 86 strains included in the non-faecalis/non-faecium group and of 3 (13.0%) among the E. faecium isolates. In comparison to the agar screening method, the percentage of agreement for detection of resistance markers by the automated system was 90.2% (37/41) for ampicillin, 90.6% (48/53) for high-level resistance to streptomycin (HLRS), 96.4% (80/83) for high-level resistance to gentamicin (HLRG), and 100% (14/14) for vancomycin. The results indicate that the MicroScan WA96 performed well for the identification of E. faecalis and typical E. faecium isolates, and for the detection of resistance to vancomycin and HLRG. However, the system still needs further improvement in order to provide reliable results for the characterization of the other enterococcal species, including atypical variants of E. faecium.

Antimicrobial resistance in respiratory pathogens isolated in Brazil during 1999-2000.

The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of the respiratory pathogens Streptococcus Pneumoniae, Hemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis to commonly tested and prescribed agents was investigated during 1999-2000 and compared with results obtained during a previous 1997-1998 study. Of 448 isolates of S. Pneumoniae collected and tested in 1999-2000, 77.2% were susceptible, 19.9% were intermediate, and 2.9% were resistant to penicillin, demonstrating that there were no major changes in susceptibility to penicillin from 1997-1998 (77.1% susceptible, 18.7% intermediate, 4.2% resistant). All S. Pneumoniae isolates from 1999-2000 were susceptible to levofloxacin and vancomycin and >90% were susceptible to the B-lactams (amoxicillin-clavulanate, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime) and macrolides (axithyromycin and clarithromycin), showing that susceptibility to these agents also remained unchanged since 1997-1998. The most notable increase in resistance between the two studies was demonstrated by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, which increased from 23.4% to 38.6%. Penicillin resistance correlated with resistance to B-lactams, macrolides, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole in both studies. In H. influenzae, the prevalence of B-lactamase-producing isolates remained unchanged (10.6% in 1999-2000; 11.0% in 1997-1998). All H. influenzae isolates were susceptible to levofloxacine, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, and azithromycin, and showed no change between the two studies. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance was present in 40.1% of isolates in 1999-2000, and in 45.2% in 1997-1998. In M. catarrhalis, the prevalence of B-lactamase-producing isolates was unchanged (97.9% in 1999-2000;98.0% in 1997-1998). The most active agents against M. catarrhalis were azithromycin (MIC(90),< or = 0.03 microg/ml) and levofloxacin (MIC(90),< or = 0.03 microg/ml). Overall, these results suggest that, in Brazil, between 1999-2000 and 1997-1998, there have been no significant changes in the susceptibility of respiratory pathogens to any of the commonly tested and prescribed agents with the exception of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for S. Pneumoniae.

Acute limb ischemia as manifestation of a pheochromocytoma.

A case is described of a woman admitted to the emergency room with myocardial infarction and acute leg ischemia and suspected thromboembolism. Surgical exploration of the common femoral artery and its branches was performed. The surgical outcome and the subsequent clinical course suggested the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma which was supported by isotopic red-cell labelling study and catecholamine measurement. The very high values of catecholamine production explained the marked and persistent arterial vasospasm which led to marked and irreversible ischemia.

Drug addiction among adolescents.

Of the 5,419 drug abusers who came to the attention of three regional centres in Portugal during the period 1978 to 1981, the great majority were young people. Of these, 65 per cent were in the 15-21 age group or younger; 57 per cent were male and 43 per cent were female. Among 4,338 drug abusers classified by the type of drug used, cannabis was most frequently abused (33 per cent), followed by opiates (24 per cent), barbiturate type (13 per cent), amphetamine type (11 per cent), hallucinogens (7 per cent), alcohol (5 per cent), cocaine (4 per cent) and others (3 per cent). Depression and narcissistic regression were often observed among young addicts, particularly those abusing opiates. Emphasis is placed on primary prevention and in this regard particular importance is attached to the strengthening of the identity of young drug abusers.

Isolamento de Campylobacter fetus ss.jejuni em tres casos de enterite infantil. / Isolation of Campylobacter fetus ss. jejuni in three cases of enteritis in children

Campylobacter jejuni, especie bacteriana reconhecida como enteropatogenica em adultos e criancas, foi verificada em Porto Alegre como agente etiologico em tres casos de diarreia. O diagnostico bacteriologico e minuciosamente discutido assim como os antibiogramas respectivos, sao apresentados

Transplantation, identity and drug addiction.

This report is the follow-up of an earlier work in which the authors set forth some considerations on the psychopathological aspects connected with the transplantation of young Portuguese from the ex-colonies. The group studied was composed of 22 cases of drug addiction admitted to the Centre for Drug Research and Prophylaxis, Coimbra, over a specified period. A qualitative and quantitative change in drug consumption and an increase in delinquent behaviour were considered of particular interest and specifically linked to transplantation. An initial analysis indicated the enormous importance of the conflict of identity which existed in the transplantation situation which was subsequently explored in more depth. Transplantation put to the test the capacity to adapt and involved profound changes in defensive mechanisms, which under unfavourable social conditions took on a distinctly regressive character. In view of the age group of the cases under study (adolescents), the frustrations resulting from transplantation were thus added to a crisis of maturation which was already regressive in itself. Some clinical examples are provided.