Detection and Molecular Characterization of Salmonella enterica Serovar Eppendorf Circulating in Chicken Farms in Tunisia.

Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Eppendorf, with antigenic formula 1,4,12,[27]:d:1,5, is an infrequent serovar. However, 14% (20 of 142) of the isolates recovered during June-July 2012 in chicken farms in Tunisia belonged to S. Eppendorf. These isolates were analysed for resistance and virulence profiles. None of them were susceptible to all antimicrobials tested, while 70%, 60%, 50%, 50%, 20% and 5% were resistant to sulphonamides (sul1, sul2 and sul3), streptomycin (aadA1-like), trimethoprim (dfrA1-like), nalidixic acid (GyrA Asp87 →Asn and not identified), gentamicin (not identified) and ampicillin (blaTEM -1-like). About 30% of the isolates showed decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin and carried the qnrB gene; 65% of the isolates were multidrug resistant and contained class 1 integrons with sul1 or sul3 in the 3' conserved segment. The orgA, ssaQ, mgtC, siiD and sopB virulence genes located on SPI1 to SPI5 and the fimbrial bcfC gene were present in all isolates; the sopE1 and sodC1 carried by prophages were variably detected; however, the prophage gipA gene and the spvC gene of serovar-specific virulence plasmids were absent. Altogether, ten resistance and three virulence profiles were identified. Typing of the isolates with XbaI- and BlnI-PFGE supports a close relationship, although they appear to be evolving under selective pressure probably caused by antimicrobial use in chicken husbandry. As far as we know, this is the first study investigating the molecular bases of antimicrobial drug resistance, the virulence gene content and the PFGE profiles of S. Eppendorf. The epidemiological surveillance of this serovar would be necessary to evaluate its possible impact on human health, particularly in Tunisia and other African countries where it was already reported.

High inhibition of Paenibacillus larvae and Listeria monocytogenes by Enterococcus isolated from different sources in Tunisia and identification of their bacteriocin genes.

UNLABELLED: A total of 300 isolates of Enterococcus, from different sources including faeces of poultry, cow and sheep, raw milk, ricotta cheese and water, in Tunisia, were screened for their antibacterial activity. Amongst them, 59 bacteriocin-producing strains were detected and identified by molecular methods. Genes encoding for entA, entP, entB, entL50A/B, AS-48 and bac31 bacteriocins were targeted by PCR. The bacteriocin-producing strains were assigned to the species Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus mundtii and Enterococcus durans, respectively, 34, 19, 3, 2 and 1 isolates. Antimicrobial activity was specifically observed against different spoilage and pathogenic micro-organisms, such as Listeria monocytogenes, Listeria innocua, Listeria ivanovii, Escherichia coli, Ent. faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis and Paenibacillus larvae. The inhibitory activity was totally lost after proteinase K treatment, thereby revealing the proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compound. Only three bacteriocin genes, namely entP, entA and entL50A/B were detected in the isolates included in this study. Enterocins A and P were the most frequent genes and they were found in 55 (93.2%) and 39 isolates (66.1%), respectively, followed by enterocin L50A/B present in 27 isolates (45.7%). These newly identified bacteriocin-producing enterococci have the potential to be used in bio-preservation of food as well as biological control of foulbrood disease. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Enterococci possess interesting properties not only for the food industry, but also for animal and human health. The antimicrobial potential of these bacteria includes principally bacteriocin-like molecules. With the aim of identifying bacteriocinogenic strains, a collection of 300 enterococci isolated from different origins were screened and their spectrum of action, as well as the gene encoding the bacteriocin, was determined. Fifty-nine bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus showed high activity against Listeria monocytogenes and Paenibacillus larvae, the causative agent of American foulbrood. Enterocins A, P and L50A/B were found in various combinations. The most important finding of this study is the growth inhibition of P. larvae due to bacteriocin-producing Enterococcus, which opens up the possibility to use these strains to control the disease in honeybees.

[Report of 2180 laparoscopic tubal ligations with the Yoon ring]. / A propos de 2180 sterilisations tubaires per-coelioscopiques par procede mecanique de Yoon.

PIP: Records of 2180 tubal sterilizations carried out using the Yoon procedure between March 1978-March 1980 in a pilot family planning clinic in Tunis, Tunisia, were examined to assess the medical, social, and psychosexual impact of the operation. Patients were seen by a social worker who obtained the couple's consent and evaluated their socioeconomic status, a midwife who took a careful medical and fertility history, and a medical specialist who ruled out pregnancy and contraindications. 2 of the 2180 women were unmarried. The average age was 34.6 years. No previous contraception had been used in 1300 cases, the pill had been used in 294, IUD in 593, and other methods in 45. 84 women had 0-3 living children, 1350 had 4-6, 682 had 7-9, and 60 had over 9. 1100 women had no induced abortions before the sterilization, 741 had 1, 197 had 2, 86 had 3, 30 had 4, and 26 had 5. Laparoscopy revealed 36 cases of pelvic infection, 29 of ovarian cysts, 14 of fibromas, 5 of varicoceles, 3 of endometriosis, 1 of G.E.U., 1 of developing mass, 1 of a mesosalpingeal granulation, and 1 of a Lippes loop. Most perioperative complications were associated with inexperienced operators; among them, 2 hematomas required laparotomy. There were 20 cases of uterine perforation. 8 cases of minor injury to abdominopelvic organs occurred but none required laparotomy. In 9 cases there was difficulty in creating the pneumoperitoneum, in 70 cases there was poor insertion of the ring, and in 7 cases there were errors in insertion of the ring. In 52 cases there were minor complications in the 1st postoperative week. 15.62% of the women later complained of pain related to the procedure, 9.71% of menstrual difficulties, .09% of fridigity, and .22% of dyspareunia. 2.17% complained of behavioral problems including anorexia, headaches, trembling and backaches, and frank psychic manifestations. 5 cases of poststerilization pregnancy were discovered, a failure rate of .08%.^ieng