Exploring the antibacterial potential of venoms from Argentinian animals.

The resistance to antimicrobials developed by several bacterial species has become one of the main health problems in recent decades. It has been widely reported that natural products are important sources of antimicrobial compounds. Considering that animal venoms are under-explored in this line of research, in this study, we screened the antibacterial activity of venoms of eight snake and five lepidopteran species from northeastern Argentina. Twofold serial dilutions of venoms were tested by the agar well-diffusion method and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination against seven bacterial strains. We studied the comparative protein profile of the venoms showing antibacterial activity. Only the viperid and elapid venoms showed remarkable dose-dependent antibacterial activity towards most of the strains tested. Bothrops diporus venom showed the lowest MIC values against all the strains, and S. aureus ATCC 25923 was the most sensitive strain for all the active venoms. Micrurus baliocoryphus venom was unable to inhibit the growth of Enterococcus faecalis. Neither colubrid snake nor lepidopteran venoms exhibited activity on any bacterial strain tested. The snake venoms exhibiting antibacterial activity showed distinctive protein profiles by SDS-PAGE, highlighting that we could reveal for the first time the main protein families which may be thought to contribute to the antibacterial activity of M. baliocoryphus venom. This study paves the way to search for new antibacterial agents from Argentinian snake venoms, which may be a further opportunity to give an added value to the local biodiversity.

Unraveling the distinctive venomous features of the saturniid Hylesia sp.: An integrative approach of a public health concern in Argentina.

The saturniid genus Hylesia is well known for the cutaneous lepidopterism induced by airborne setae on contact with the skin. Although several cases of such dermatitis have been reported in Argentina, no information about their venoms and toxicological implications on human health is available yet. Thus, we conducted a morphological analysis of the setae/spines and a toxinological characterization (through biological assays and proteomic techniques) of the bristle extract from caterpillars and moths of Hylesia sp. from Misiones, Argentina. By scanning electron microscopy, we revealed the various and distinctive types of urticating structures: harpoon-shaped or spiny setae in caterpillars, and setae with barb-like structures in female moths. Their venom electrophoretic profiles were substantially different, presenting proteins related to toxicity, such as serpins and serine peptidases. The female moth venom exhibited higher caseinolytic activity than the caterpillar venom, and coincidentally only the former noticeably hydrolyzed fibrinogen and gelatin. In addition, the female venom displayed a dose-dependent procoagulant effect. The injection of this venom into mouse skin led to the rapid detection of an increased number of intact and degranulated mast cells in the dermis; a few areas of focal subcutaneous hemorrhage were also observed after 5 h of injection. Altogether, this study provides relevant information about the pathophysiological mechanisms whereby Hylesia sp. from northeastern Argentina can induce toxicity on human beings, and paves the way for treatment strategies of accidents caused by this saturniid lepidopteran.

[Resistance to antibiotics of clinical relevance in a hospital of Corrientes city]. / Resistencia a antibióticos de relevancia clínica en un hospital de Corrientes.

Carbapenemaseproducing bacteria are involved in infections and colonizations and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Their identification facilitates the design and implementation of interventions aimed at reducing the risk of infections and deaths. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing microorganisms in the main public hospital in the city of Corrientes, Argentina, and to determine their susceptibility to antibiotics commonly used in clinical practice. We analyzed 674 clinical samples from the same number of adults admitted to different inpatient units of the Hospital Escuela Gral. José Francisco de San Martín during the period September-December 2018. The bacterial identification was carried out through manual biochemical tests and the susceptibility to antimicrobials was evaluated according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. We identified 115 carbapenemase-producing bacteria of the following types: KPC (90, 78%), OXA-ACI (24, 21%) and OXA-163 (≈1%). Among the microorganisms involved in infections (n = 56; 49%), most of those of the KPC type (n = 32; 57%) showed sensitivity only against amikacin (27/32; 84%), while most of those of the OXA-ACI type ( 24; 43%) showed significant sensitivity only against minocycline (17/24; 71%) and colistin (n = 19/24; 79%). This study demonstrated the presence of carbapenemase-producing microorganisms in all the investigated hospital units and a high frequency of resistance to antimicrobials commonly used in clinical practice. This information is relevant to adapt the therapeutic schemes and hygienic-sanitary measures to the local reality.

Las bacterias productoras de carbapenemasas están involucradas en infecciones y colonizaciones y se asocian a elevada morbimortalidad. Su identificación facilita el diseño y la implementación de intervenciones dirigidas a reducir el riesgo de infecciones y óbitos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de microorganismos productores de carbapenemasas en el principal hospital público de la ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina, y determinar sus perfiles de susceptibilidad a antibióticos comúnmente usados en la práctica clínica. Fueron incluidos 674 muestras clínicas provenientes del mismo número de adultos de las diferentes unidades de internación del Hospital Escuela Gral. José Francisco de San Martín durante el período septiembre-diciembre 2018. La identificación de las bacterias se realizó mediante pruebas bioquímicas manuales y la susceptibilidad a los antimicrobianos se evaluó según las recomendaciones del Clinical and Laboratory Standars Institute. Fueron identificadas 115 bacterias productoras de carbapenemasas de tipo KPC (90, 78%), OXA­ACI (24, 21%) y OXA-163 (≈1%). De los 56 (49%) microorganismos involucrados en infecciones, la mayoría de las del tipo KPC (n=32; 57%) mostró sensibilidad solo a amikacina (27/32; 84%), mientras que la mayoría de las del tipo OXA­ACI (n=24; 43%) solo frente a minociclina (17/24; 71%) y colistina (19/24; 79%). En todas las unidades de hospitalización investigadas se comprobó la presencia de microorganismos productores de carbapenemasas y alta frecuencia de resistencia a antimicrobianos de uso habitual en la práctica clínica. Esta información es relevante para adecuar los esquemas terapéuticos y las medidas higiénico-sanitarias a la realidad local.

Resistencia a antibióticos de relevancia clínica en un hospital de Corrientes / Resistance to antibiotics of clinical relevance in a hospital of Corrientes city

Resumen Las bacterias productoras de carbapenemasas están involucradas en infecciones y colonizaciones y se asocian a elevada morbimortalidad. Su identificación facilita el diseño y la implementación de intervenciones dirigidas a reducir el riesgo de infecciones y óbitos. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de microorganismos productores de carbapenemasas en el principal hospital público de la ciudad de Corrientes, Argentina, y determinar sus perfiles de susceptibilidad a antibióticos comúnmente usados en la práctica clínica. Fueron incluidos 674 muestras clínicas provenientes del mismo número de adultos de las diferentes unidades de internación del Hospital Escuela Gral. José Francisco de San Martín durante el período septiembre-diciembre 2018. La identificación de las bacterias se realizó mediante pruebas bioquímicas manua les y la susceptibilidad a los antimicrobianos se evaluó según las recomendaciones del Clinical and Laboratory Standars Institute. Fueron identificadas 115 bacterias productoras de carbapenemasas de tipo KPC (90, 78%), OXA-ACI (24, 21%) y OXA-163 (~1%). De los 56 (49%) microorganismos involucrados en infecciones, la mayoría de las del tipo KPC (n=32; 57%) mostró sensibilidad solo a amikacina (27/32; 84%), mientras que la mayoría de las del tipo OXA-ACI (n=24; 43%) solo frente a minociclina (17/24; 71%) y colistina (19/24; 79%). En todas las unidades de hospitalización investigadas se comprobó la presencia de microorganismos productores de carbapenemasas y alta frecuencia de resistencia a antimicrobianos de uso habitual en la práctica clínica. Esta información es relevante para adecuar los esquemas terapéuticos y las medidas higiénico-sanitarias a la realidad local.

Abstract Carbapenemase-producing bacteria are involved in infections and colonizations and associated with high morbidity and mortality. Their identification facilitates the design and implementation of interventions aimed at reducing the risk of infections and deaths. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing microorganisms in the main public hospital in the city of Corrientes, Argentina, and to determine their susceptibil ity to antibiotics commonly used in clinical practice. We analyzed 674 clinical samples from the same number of adults admitted to different inpatient units of the Hospital Escuela Gral. José Francisco de San Martín during the period September-December 2018. The bacterial identification was carried out through manual biochemical tests and the susceptibility to antimicrobials was evaluated according to the recommendations of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute. We identified 115 carbapenemase-producing bacteria of the following types: KPC (90, 78%), OXA-ACI (24, 21%) and OXA-163 (~1%). Among the microorganisms involved in infections (n = 56; 49%), most of those of the KPC type (n = 32; 57%) showed sensitivity only against amikacin (27/32; 84%), while most of those of the OXA-ACI type ( 24; 43%) showed significant sensitivity only against minocycline (17/24; 71%) and colistin (n = 19/24; 79%). This study demonstrated the presence of carbapenemase-producing microorgan isms in all the investigated hospital units and a high frequency of resistance to antimicrobials commonly used in clinical practice. This information is relevant to adapt the therapeutic schemes and hygienic-sanitary measures to the local reality.

First insights into the biochemical and toxicological characterization of venom from the Banded Cat-eyed Snake Leptodeira annulata pulchriceps.

With the aim to widen the current knowledge of toxinological implications of bites from rear-fanged snakes and biological roles of their venoms, this study focuses on the biochemical composition and toxic effects of the venom of Leptodeira annulata pulchriceps from Argentina. We analyzed the protein composition by electrophoresis and mass spectrometry, and enzymatic properties by quantitative assays on different substrates. Additionally, we evaluated local and systemic toxicity in mice, and tested its cross-reactivity with elapid and viperid antivenoms used in Argentina. This venom showed features reminiscent of venoms from snakes of Bothrops genus, containing components ranging from ~17 to 75 kDa, which are mainly tissue-damaging toxins such as proteinases. Although showing low lethality to mice (LD50 = 20 µg/g body weight), prominent hemorrhage developed locally in mice intramuscularly and intradermally injected with the venom, and the minimum hemorrhagic dose was found to be 12.7 µg/mouse. This study is the first comprehensive investigation of the venom of L. a. pulchriceps, and sheds new light on differences between this and those of the other two subspecies of L. annulata. Additionally, the study provides new insights into the venom components of "colubrid" snakes, advocating for considering bites from this rich diversity of snakes as a public health problem that needs to be addressed worldwide.

Understanding toxicological implications of accidents with caterpillars Megalopyge lanata and Podalia orsilochus (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae).

Megalopygids Megalopyge lanata and Podalia orsilochus are common causative agents of accidents in agricultural workers. These accidents are provoked by dermal contact at their larval stage and are characterized by cutaneous reactions, such as burning pain, edema and erythema, typically mild and self-limited. There is very little information about their venoms and their toxicological implications on human health. Thus, we employed proteomic techniques and biological assays to characterize venoms (bristle extracts) from caterpillars of both species collected from Misiones, Argentina. The electrophoretic profiles of both venoms were substantially different, and they presented proteins related to toxicity, such as serinepeptidases, serpins and lectins. P. orsilochus venom exhibited higher caseinolytic activity than M. lanata venom, agreeing with the fact that only P. orsilochus venom hydrolyzed human fibrin(ogen). In addition, the latter shortened the clotting time triggered by calcium. While the venom of M. lanata induced a mild inflammatory lesion in mouse skin, P. orsilochus venom caused prominent necrosis, inflammatory infiltration and hemorrhage at the site of venom injection. On the other hand, P. orsilochus venom was better recognized by Lonomia obliqua antivenom, although many of its proteins could not be cross-reacted, what may explain the difference in the clinical manifestations between accidents by Podalia and those by Lonomia. Altogether, this study provides relevant information about the pathophysiological mechanisms whereby both caterpillars can induce toxicity on human beings, and paves the way for novel discovery of naturally occurring bioactive compounds.

Understanding toxicological implications of accidents with caterpillars Megalopyge lanata and Podalia orsilochus (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae)

Megalopygids Megalopyge lanata and Podalia orsilochus are common causative agents of accidents in agricultural workers. These accidents are provoked by dermal contact at their larval stage and are characterized by cutaneous reactions, such as burning pain, edema and erythema, typically mild and self-limited. There is very little information about their venoms and their toxicological implications on human health. Thus, we employed proteomic techniques and biological assays to characterize venoms (bristle extracts) from caterpillars of both species collected from Misiones, Argentina. The electrophoretic profiles of both venoms were substantially different, and they presented proteins related to toxicity, such as serinepeptidases, serpins and lectins. P. orsilochus venom exhibited higher caseinolytic activity than M. lanata venom, agreeing with the fact that only P. orsilochus venom hydrolyzed human fibrin(ogen). In addition, the latter shortened the clotting time triggered by calcium. While the venom of M. lanata induced a mild inflammatory lesion in mouse skin, P. orsilochus venom caused prominent necrosis, inflammatory infiltration and hemorrhage at the site of venom injection. On the other hand, P. orsilochus venom was better recognized by Lonomia obliqua antivenom, although many of its proteins could not be cross-reacted, what may explain the difference in the clinical manifestations between accidents by Podalia and those by Lonomia. Altogether, this study provides relevant information about the pathophysiological mechanisms whereby both caterpillars can induce toxicity on human beings, and paves the way for novel discovery of naturally occurring bioactive compounds.

Understanding toxicological implications of accidents with caterpillars Megalopyge lanata and Podalia orsilochus (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae)

Megalopygids Megalopyge lanata and Podalia orsilochus are common causative agents of accidents in agricultural workers. These accidents are provoked by dermal contact at their larval stage and are characterized by cutaneous reactions, such as burning pain, edema and erythema, typically mild and self-limited. There is very little information about their venoms and their toxicological implications on human health. Thus, we employed proteomic techniques and biological assays to characterize venoms (bristle extracts) from caterpillars of both species collected from Misiones, Argentina. The electrophoretic profiles of both venoms were substantially different, and they presented proteins related to toxicity, such as serinepeptidases, serpins and lectins. P. orsilochus venom exhibited higher caseinolytic activity than M. lanata venom, agreeing with the fact that only P. orsilochus venom hydrolyzed human fibrin(ogen). In addition, the latter shortened the clotting time triggered by calcium. While the venom of M. lanata induced a mild inflammatory lesion in mouse skin, P. orsilochus venom caused prominent necrosis, inflammatory infiltration and hemorrhage at the site of venom injection. On the other hand, P. orsilochus venom was better recognized by Lonomia obliqua antivenom, although many of its proteins could not be cross-reacted, what may explain the difference in the clinical manifestations between accidents by Podalia and those by Lonomia. Altogether, this study provides relevant information about the pathophysiological mechanisms whereby both caterpillars can induce toxicity on human beings, and paves the way for novel discovery of naturally occurring bioactive compounds.