Metagenomic Insights for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Soils with Different Land Uses in Brazil.

Land-use conversion changes soil properties and their microbial communities, which, combined with the overuse of antibiotics in human and animal health, promotes the expansion of the soil resistome. In this context, we aimed to profile the resistome and the microbiota of soils under different land practices. We collected eight soil samples from different locations in the countryside of São Paulo (Brazil), assessed the community profiles based on 16S rRNA sequencing, and analyzed the soil metagenomes based on shotgun sequencing. We found differences in the communities' structures and their dynamics that were correlated with land practices, such as the dominance of Staphylococcus and Bacillus genera in agriculture fields. Additionally, we surveyed the abundance and diversity of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factors (VFs) across studied soils, observing a higher presence and homogeneity of the vanRO gene in livestock soils. Moreover, three ß-lactamases were identified in orchard and urban square soils. Together, our findings reinforce the importance and urgency of AMR surveillance in the environment, especially in soils undergoing deep land-use transformations, providing an initial exploration under the One Health approach of environmental levels of resistance and profiling soil communities.

Virulence, biofilm formation ability and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococcus aureus isolated from cell phones of university students / Virulência, capacidade de formação de biofilme e resistência antimicrobiana de staphylococcus aureus isolado de telefones celulares de estudantes universitários

INTRODUCTION: Contamination of cell phones can contribute to the dissemination of pathogens in the community and/or hospital environment. OBJECTIVE: To characterize Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from cell phones of university students. METHODS: Samples were collected from 100 cell phones. Detection of genes associated with virulence factors such as biofilm formation (icaA and icaD), enterotoxins production (SEA, SEB, SEC, and SED), and resistance to methicillin (mecA and mecC) was performed in S. aureus isolates by PCR. Typing mecA gene performed by multiplex PCR. Susceptibility to antimicrobials and biofilm formation rate also evaluated by using disk diffusion test and crystal violet staining. RESULTS: S. aureus was present in 40% of the total samples and about 70% of them belonged to Nursing students. Of the isolates, 85% presented resistance to penicillin and 50% were classified as moderate biofilm producers. In addition, 92.5% of isolates contained the gene icaA and 60% of the gene icaD. Approximately 25% of the isolates presented the mecA gene. Typing of the mecA gene showed the presence of staphylococcal chromosome cassette SCCmec I and c III respectively in 20% and 10% of the isolates. 70% of the samples could not be typed by the technique. Regarding the enterotoxins, the most prevalent gene was SEA (30%) followed by the SEC gene (2.5%). The presence of SED and SEB genes not observed in any of the isolates. CONCLUSION: The cleaning and periodic disinfection of cell phones can contribute to the reduction of the risk of nosocomial infection.

INTRODUÇÃO: A contaminação de celulares pode contribuir para a disseminação de patógenos na comunidade e/ou ambiente hospitalar. OBJETIVO: Caracterizar cepas de Staphylococcus aureus de telefones celulares de estudantes universitários. MÉTODOS: Foram coletadas amostras de 100 telefones celulares. Detecção de genes associados a fatores de virulência quanto a: formação de biofilme (icaA e icaD), produção de enterotoxinas (SEA, SEB, SEC e SED) e resistência à meticilina (mecA e mecC) foi realizada em isolados de S. aureus por PCR. A Tipagem do gene mecA foi realizada por PCR multiplex. A susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos e a taxa de formação de biofilme pelo teste de difusão em disco e coloração com cristal violeta. RESULTADOS: S. aureus esteve presente em 40% do total de amostras, destas, 70% pertenciam a estudantes do curso de enfermagem. Dos isolados, 85% apresentaram resistência à penicilina e 50% foram classificados com moderada formação de biofilme. Além disso, 92,5% dos isolados continham o gene icaA e 60% o gene icaD. Aproximadamente 25% dos isolados apresentaram o gene mecA. A tipagem do gene mecA mostrou a presença do cassete cromossômico estafilocócico SSCmec I e III em respectivamente 20% e 10% dos isolados. 70% das amostras não puderam ser identificadas pela técnica. Das enterotoxinas, o gene mais prevalente foi o SEA (30%), seguido pelo gene SEC (2.5%). A presença dos genes SED e SEB não foi observada nos isolados. CONCLUSÃO: A limpeza e desinfecção periódica dos telefones celulares podem contribuir para a redução do risco de infecção nosocomiais.

Qualidade higiênico-sanitária de suco de laranja in natura e estabelecimentos comerciais / Hygiene and sanitary quality of in natura orange juice and commercial establishments

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a qualidade microbiológica de suco de laranja in natura em Presidente Prudente (SP) e estabelecimentos comerciais. Foi avaliada a qualidade higiêncio-sanitária do ambiente de trabalho mediante um check-list e a qualidade do suco de laranja por contagem em placa. Os resultados foram submetidos à análise de variância (ANOVA) para dados não paramétricos (Kruskal-Wallis) com p <0,05. A maioria dos estabelecimentos apresentou boas práticas de higiene adequadas. Não foi confirmada a presença de coliformes termotolerantes. Para os demais parâmetros microbiológicos foram observadas altas contaminações em algumas amostras de suco. As bactérias ácido-láticas (BAL's) apresentaram contagem entre 3,15 (dp=0,21) a 5,68 (dp=0,01) log UFC/mL, e sua avaliação inibitória foram satisfatórias, uma vez que conseguiram inibir Escherichia coli (15 a 27 mm) e Listeria monocytogenes (23 a 27 mm). A adoção de medidas de boas práticas de higiene, além da educação continuada dos manipuladores de alimentos, promove a redução da contaminação.

Current paper analyzes the microbiological quality of in natura orange juice in Presidente Prudente, Brazil, and in commercial establishments. Hygiene and sanitary conditions of work environment was investigated through a check-list and the quality of orange juice was analyzed by plate counts for ANOVA results for non-parameter data (Kruskal-Wallis) at p<0.05. Most commercial establishments had good hygiene practice and thermo-tolerant coliforms were not extant. There were, however, high contaminations in several juice samples. Acid-lactic bacteria had counts between 3.15(dp=0.21) and 5.68(dp=0.01) log CFU/mL. Inhibitory evaluation was satisfactory since their impaired Escherichia coli (15 - 27 mm) and Listeria monocytogenes (23 - 27mm). Good practice in hygiene and continued education by food handlers cause a reduction of contamination.

Comparative Study Of Genetic Diversity, Virulence Genotype, Biofilm Formation And Antimicrobial Resistance Of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) Isolated From Nosocomial And Community Acquired Urinary Tract Infections.

INTRODUCTION: Escherichia coli is a Gram-negative opportunistic human pathogen, which has aroused considerable medical interest for being involved in cases of urinary tract infection. AIM: Characterize the E. coli isolated both in the hospital and in the community. METHODOLOGY: A total of 200 E. coli isolated in urine samples from hospital and community were evaluated in biofilm formation assay and hydrophobicity MATS method. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed through agar-diffusion technique. Virulence and ESBL production genes were observed through the polymerase chain reaction amplification of papC, fimH, fliC, kpsMTII, blaTEM, blaCTX-M, blaSHV , and blaOXA. The phylogenetic classification was based on the pattern chuA and yjaA and the region TspE4.C2 by PCR Multiplex. RESULTS: A higher frequency of non-adherent or poorly adherent isolates was observed in the community group. Approximately 85% of the community isolates were distributed in the highest hydrophilicity group (p<0.05). The level of resistant microorganisms was present at the same level in both source (p>0.05). About 14% of the hospital isolates were positive in the ESBL phenotypic detection test (p>0.05). Among the samples, 95% presented ESBL-encoding genes. The predominant phylogenetic group was B2 (78%). Community isolates showed a higher prevalence of virulence genes fimH, papC, and kpsMTII when compared to hospital samples. CONCLUSION: These data confirm the worldwide trend that isolates in the community present sometimes higher levels of virulence and antimicrobial resistance.