Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil against Escherichia coli strains isolated from meat products.

The present study sought to evaluate the antimicrobial and anti-adherent potential of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil against food-borne strains of Escherichia coli. The study was performed using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC). In addition, the disk diffusion technique was used to evaluate the association of Eucalyptus radiata essential oil with synthetic antimicrobials. The Minimum Inhibitory Adherence Concentration (MIC) was also performed. The results revealed that E. radiata showed antimicrobial activity against the E. coli strains tested, with MIC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1000 µg/mL and MBC values ranging from 500 µg/mL to 1,024 µg/mL. As for the associations, it was observed that E. radiata oil exhibited a synergistic effect for some antibiotics, especially Ceftriaxone, with greater interference from the essential oil. Furthermore, it was effective in inhibiting the adherence of bacterial strains of E. coli, showing a more significant antibiofilm effect than the antibacterial agent 0.12% chlorhexidine digluconate. In summary, the essential oil of E. radiata showed antimicrobial potential against strains of E. coli of food origin, and can therefore, through in-depth studies, be used alone or in association with synthetic antimicrobials to combat infections caused by this pathogen.

p-Cresyl sulfate affects the oxidative burst, phagocytosis process, and antigen presentation of monocyte-derived macrophages.

Immune system dysfunction is a common condition in chronic kidney disease (CKD). The present study investigated the effect of p-Cresyl sulfate (pCS) on human cell line U937 monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) activity. MDM (1×106 cells/mL) were incubated with pCS (10, 25, or 50µg/mL), with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 25ng/mL) and then evaluated NO production, phagocytosis and antigen-presenting molecules expression (HLA-ABC, HLA-DR, CD80 and CD86). All analyses were performed by flow cytometry. All pCS concentrations were able to increase NO production (49±12.1%, 39.8±7.75%, 43.7±11.9%, respectively) compared to untreated cells (4.35±3.34%) after 6h incubation but only the lowest concentration increased this production after 12h (82.9±8.6%, 61±7.2%, 40.8±11.7%). Combined with LPS, the same results were observed. Regarding to phagocytosis, all concentrations were able to induce bead engulfment (35.4±2.71%, 30±3.04%, 23.28±4.58%). In addition, pCS (50µg/mL) was able to increase HLA-ABC and CD80 expression, showed a slight effect on HLA-DR expression and, no difference in basal CD86 levels. pCS can induce an increased oxidative burst and phagocytosis by human macrophages while no modulation of HLA-DR or CD86 expression was induced. Together, these results suggest that pCS induces macrophage activation but interfere in antigen processing, leading to a failure in adaptive immune response in CKD.

Comparative sequence analysis of the P-, M- and L-coding region of the measles virus CAM-70 live attenuated vaccine strain

Measles virus is a highly contagious agent which causes a major health problem in developing countries. The viral genomic RNA is single-stranded, nonsegmented and of negative polarity. Many live attenuated vaccines for measles virus have been developed using either the prototype Edmonston strain or other locally isolated measles strains. Despite the diverse geographic origins of the vaccine viruses and the different attenuation methods used, there was remarkable sequence similarity of H, F and N genes among all vaccine strains. CAM-70 is a Japanese measles attenuated vaccine strain widely used in Brazilian children and produced by Bio-Manguinhos since 1982. Previous studies have characterized this vaccine biologically and genomically. Nevertheless, only the F, H and N genes have been sequenced. In the present study we have sequenced the remaining P, M and L genes (approximately 1.6, 1.4 and 6.5 kb, respectively) to complete the genomic characterization of CAM-70 and to assess the extent of genetic relationship between CAM-70 and other current vaccines. These genes were amplified using long-range or standard RT-PCR techniques, and the cDNA was cloned and automatically sequenced using the dideoxy chain-termination method. The sequence analysis comparing previously sequenced genotype A strains with the CAM-70 Bio-Manguinhos strain showed a low divergence among them. However, the CAM-70 strains (CAM-70 Bio-Manguinhos and a recently sequenced CAM-70 submaster seed strain) were assigned to a specific group by phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method. Information about our product at the genomic level is important for monitoring vaccination campaigns and for future studies of measles virus attenuation.

Comparative sequence analysis of the P-, M- and L-coding region of the measles virus CAM-70 live attenuated vaccine strain.

Measles virus is a highly contagious agent which causes a major health problem in developing countries. The viral genomic RNA is single-stranded, nonsegmented and of negative polarity. Many live attenuated vaccines for measles virus have been developed using either the prototype Edmonston strain or other locally isolated measles strains. Despite the diverse geographic origins of the vaccine viruses and the different attenuation methods used, there was remarkable sequence similarity of H, F and N genes among all vaccine strains. CAM-70 is a Japanese measles attenuated vaccine strain widely used in Brazilian children and produced by Bio-Manguinhos since 1982. Previous studies have characterized this vaccine biologically and genomically. Nevertheless, only the F, H and N genes have been sequenced. In the present study we have sequenced the remaining P, M and L genes (approximately 1.6, 1.4 and 6.5 kb, respectively) to complete the genomic characterization of CAM-70 and to assess the extent of genetic relationship between CAM-70 and other current vaccines. These genes were amplified using long-range or standard RT-PCR techniques, and the cDNA was cloned and automatically sequenced using the dideoxy chain-termination method. The sequence analysis comparing previously sequenced genotype A strains with the CAM-70 Bio-Manguinhos strain showed a low divergence among them. However, the CAM-70 strains (CAM-70 Bio-Manguinhos and a recently sequenced CAM-70 submaster seed strain) were assigned to a specific group by phylogenetic analysis using the neighbor-joining method. Information about our product at the genomic level is important for monitoring vaccination campaigns and for future studies of measles virus attenuation.

Molecular characterization and transfer among Staphylococcus strains of a plasmid conferring high-level resistance to mupirocin.

In this work, mupirocin resistance was correlated with the presence of plasmids in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains isolated in the Rio de Janeiro Federal University Hospital in Brazil, where topical mupirocin has been used extensively since 1990. Of 19 strains studied, those exhibiting high-level resistance carried a large and relaxable plasmid of about 35 kb. Mupirocin-sensitive derivatives, obtained by growth at 42 C of a strain exhibiting high-level resistance, were devoid of the large plasmid, which was designated pMG1. Mupirocin resistance was transferred to strain RN8411 during overnight filter-matings at low frequencies (7.0 x 10(-9)/donor). The pMG1 plasmid was shown to be responsible for high-level mupirocin resistance in our isolates and to be incompatible with pGO1. Hybridization experiments suggested that mupirocin resistance in pMG1 is due to the presence of the ileS-2 gene. The pMG1 plasmid was successfully and bidirectionally transferred from Staphylococcus aureus to Staphylococcus epidermidis, suggesting that the latter may be a reservoir of this resistance plasmid. No transfer was detected to Staphylococcus haemolyticus. The development of self-transferable high-level mupirocin resistance should be considered when using mupirocin to control the spread of MRSA in hospitals.

Pilomatrixoma. An unusual case with secondary corneal ulcer.

A 51-year-old man presented with a three-month history of a red and painful right eye. A corneal ulcer was diagnosed, and laboratory workup failed to disclose an etiologic factor. A white tumor, with an irregular and calcified surface, found in the superior tarsal conjunctiva, was considered to be the cause of the corneal ulcer. The tumor proved to be a pilomatrixoma that presumably developed from a congenitally ectopic hair follicle.

[Chemoprophylaxis of schistosomiasis: molluscacidal activity of natural products--assays with adult snails and oviposition]. / Quimioprofilaxia da esquistossomose: atividade moluscicida de produtos naturais--ensaios com caramujos adultos e desovas.

Data concerning the molluscicidal activity of 159 extracts from 84 Brazilian plants on Biomphalaria glabrata, the most important intermediate host of Schistosoma mansoni in Brazil, are presented. Seventy eight extracts (49,0%) showed activity against snails or eggs, but only twenty nine (18.2%) were active on both, snails and eggs. Extracts of two species (Mikania hirsutissima and Qualea multiflora) have shown to be lethals to adult snails at 10 ppm concentration.

Quimioprofilaxia da esquistossomose: atividade moluscicida de produtos naturais - ensaios com caramulos adultos e desovas. / Chemoprophylaxis of schistosomiasis: molluscacidal activity of natural products - assays with adult snails and oviposition

Sao apresentados os dados relativos a atividade moluscicida de 159 extratos, de 84 plantas brasileiras, sobre Biomphalaria glabrata, o mais importante hospedeiro intermediario do Schistosoma mansoni no Brasil. Setenta e oito (49,0%) dos extratos mostraram atividade contra caramujos ou desovas, porem, somente vinte e nove (18,2%)foram ativos sobre ambos. Os extratos de duas especies de vegetais (Mikania hirsutissima e Qualea multiflora) foram letais aos caramujos adultos, na concentracao de 10 ppm

Melanoma de coroide em jovem. Inflamacao e hipertensao intra-ocular aguda como manifestacoes clinicas iniciais. / Choroidal melanoma in young patients. Acute intraocular inflammation and hypertension with initial clinical manifestations

E relatado um caso de melanoma de coroide em jovem de 16 anos, cujas manifestacoes iniciais foram reacao inflamatoria intra-ocular moderada e hipertensao ocular de desenvolvimento agudo, acompanhados de dor ocular intensa e ausencia total de visao.Sao feitas consideracoes sobre a incidencia pouco comum do melanoma em jovens bem como sobre as caracteristicas clinicas observadas no caso em questao

Controle biologico: Helobdella triserialis lineata Blanchard, 1849 (Hirudinea: Glossiphonidae) sobre Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818 (Mollusca: Planorbidae), em laboratorio. / Biological control: Helobdella triserialis lineata Blanchard, 1849 (Hirudinea: Glossiphonidae) on Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818 (Mollusca: Planorbidae), in laboratory

A predacao de Helobdella triserialis lineata Blanchard, 1849 sobre desovas e exemplares de Biomphalaria glabrata Say, 1818, foi acompanhada visando por um lado verificar a extensao desta predacao sobre criacoes deste molusco em laboratorio e, por outro, avaliar a possivel utilizacao desta sanguessuga no controle biologico de planorbineos hospedeiros intermediarios da esquistossomose mansoni em condicoes naturais. Nas condicoes do experimento, H. t.lineata mostrou-se eficaz predadora de exemplares de B. glabrata recem-eclodidos, jovens e adultos com diametro de ate 10 mm Nao ocorreu predacao sobre desovas. Observou-se uma aceleracao do crescimento e uma reducao na oviposicao dos planorbineos mantidos juntos com os hirudineos.Foram feitas algumas observacoes sobre a biologia de H. t. lineata e sugeridas medidas de controle deste hirudineo em criacoes de planorbineos de laboratorio

Carcinoma do saco lacrimal: apresentacao de 2 casos e revisao da literatura. / Carcinoma of the lacrimal sac: report of 2 cases and review of the literature

Os autores apresentam 2 casos de carcinoma do saco lacrimal, com evolucao respectivamente de 5 anos e 8 anos, este considerado atipico. Uma revisao da literatura internacional demonstrou a existencia de 81 casos publicados de carcinoma do saco lacrimal, inexistindo trabalhos nacionais sobre o assunto. Os carcinomas do saco lacrimal podem simular dacriocistites. Tal ocorreu com o caso numero 1 apresentado no presente trabalho.O exame histopatologico de toda dacriocistectomia devera ser obrigatorio em decorrencia do exposto acima. Os carcinomas do saco lacrimal podem originar-se de papilomas da mucosa daquela estrutura. Tem carater polifocal podendo manifestar-se clinicamente como tumores isolados das palpebras, como ocorreu no caso numero 2 do presente trabalho, com recidivas frequentes apesar dos tratamentos cirurgicos e radioterapicos efetuados. Os carcinomas palpebrais recidivantes exigem uma pesquisa das vias excretoras lacrimais que poderao ser a sede primaria oculta do tumor, causador das recidivas

Estudo comparativo da suscetibilidade de populacoes de Biomphalaria glabrata de Belo Horizonte (MG), a infeccao com Schistosoma mansoni e a moluscicidas. / Comparative study of the susceptibility of Biomphalaria glabrata populations of Belo Horizonte (MG),to infection with Schistosoma mansoni and to molluscacides

O objetivo do estudo foi verificar se haveria diferencas intraespecificas marcantes entre populacoes de Biomphalaria glabrata que habitam criadouros proximos. Foram estudadas 12 populacoes, procedentes do Municipio de Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Parte dos descendentes desses moluscos foram infectados com duas cepas de Schistosoma mansoni; "LE", de origem local e "SJ", procedente de Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo. Outra parte foi usada em ensaios biologicos com os moluscicidas bayluscide (niclosamida) e pentaclorofenol. Os resultados mostraram que existem diferencas na suscetibilidade dos moluscos as duas cepas de S. mansoni. As taxas de infeccao com a cepa "LE" variaram de 27,0 a 94,0% e com "SJ", de 9,0 a 61,0%. Houve diferenca na duracao do periodo de adaptacao dos caramujos as condicoes de laboratorio. Nao houve diferenca estatisticamente significante na suscetibilidade desses moluscos ao bayluscide e pentaclorofenol. Nao houve indicacao de desenvolvimento de resistencia nos moluscos apesar do bayluscide ter sido usado intermitentemente nessa area durante os ultimos 20 anos

Suscetibilidade de populacoes de Biomphalaria Straminea (Dunker, 1848) de Minas Gerais, a infeccao por Schistosoma mansoni. / Susceptibility of populations of Biomphalaria straminea (Dunker, 1848) from Minas Gerais, to infection due to Schistosoma mansoni

Caramujos Biomphalaria straminea descendentes de exemplares coletados em cinco municipios do Estado de Minas Gerais, foram infectados experimentalmente com duas cepas de Schistosoma mansoni: LE, procedente de Belo Horizonte (MG) e SJ, procedente de Sao Jose dos Campos (SP). As taxas de infeccao com a cepa LE variaram de 0,0 a 5,0% e com a cepa SJ de 2,0% a 11,0%. A mortalidade maxima observada nos experimentos foi de 56,0% e nos controles foi de 50,0%. Os indices de infeccao experimental foram semelhantes aos registrados por outros autores. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que essas populacoes de B. straminea de Minas Gerais nao sao refratarias a infeccao pelo S. mansoni

Estudo comparativo de duas tecnicas para obtencao de miracidios de Schistosoma mansoni em fezes humanas. / Comparative study of 2 technics for obtention of miracidia of Schistosoma mansoni from human feces

Foi comparada a eficacia de duas tecnicas para obtencao de miracidios de Schistosoma mansoni de ovos provenientes de fezes humanas para infeccao de Biomphalaria glabrata. Na tecnica "A" utilizou-se agua desclorada a 4 graus C e na "B", solucao salina (0,85%) e agua destilada em temperatura ambiente para suspender as fezes. Foram utilizadas 8 cepas humanas de S. mansoni, procedentes de cinco localidades do Estado de Minas Gerais, antes do tratamento. O numero de ovos de S. mansoni por grama de fezes variou de 360 a 2.328. As taxas de eclosao dos ovos e de infeccao dos moluscos foram de 3,3% e 37,0% respectivamente, com a tecnica "A" e de 6,9% e 27,0% respectivamente, com a tecnica "B". Nao houve diferenca significativa entre a mortalidade dos moluscos nas duas tecnicas. A analise dos resultados mostrou que a tecnica "B" apresentou maior porcentagem de eclosao dos ovos de S. mansoni mas a tecnica "A" apresentou melhor taxa de infeccao dos moluscos