Virulence profile and genetic variability of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from artisanal cheese.

The objectives of this study were to characterize Staphylococcus aureus isolated from artisanal and industrialized Minas frescal cheeses, to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility profile as well as the genetic similarity among the isolates. The isolates were also tested for staphylococcal enterotoxin genes and other virulence factors. Fifty-six artisanal raw milk cheeses sold at street fairs and 10 industrialized cheeses commercialized in supermarkets of Goiânia, Goiás, were analyzed. Staphylococcus aureus was confirmed in 19 samples (33.9%) of artisanal cheese by detection of femA gene, in which 29 isolates were obtained. These isolates were submitted to the antimicrobial susceptibility test and classified into 9 different profiles (A-I). Thirteen isolates (44.8) were resistant to penicillin and 3 (10.3) to tetracycline, with 2 (7.4) resistant to both. The multiplex PCR technique was performed to detect virulence genes that code for the production of hemolysins (Hla and Hlb), toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1), exfoliative toxins (ETa and ETb), and staphylococcal enterotoxins [SE; SEA-SEE, SEG-SEJ, SEM-SEO]. All the isolates amplified for the hla gene and 14 (48.3%) for the hlb gene. The seh gene was the most frequently detected (n=11, 37.9%), followed by seo gene (n=3; 10.3%). In one isolate (3.4%), 4 enterotoxins genes were detected, and in another, 6 (3.4%) were detected. The comparison performed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis of the 29 isolates revealed 18 genotypic profiles, which were grouped into 5 clusters. The genotyping found high genetic similarity among the isolates. Identical isolates were obtained from different samples and one sample showed more than one genetically different isolate. The high prevalence of S. aureus in the Minas Frescal cheese samples, as well as the detection of toxin encoding genes identified in this study, warns of the necessity to reduce the contamination levels in this type of cheese through monitoring and controlling the production and trade of the product.

Effect of ultraviolet-B radiation on salt marsh vegetation: Trends of the genus Salicornia along the Americas.

The effects of natural UV-B radiation on growth, photosynthetic and photoprotective pigment composition of different Salicornia species were analyzed in salt marshes at three different sites along the Americas (Puerto Rico, southern Brazil and Patagonia, Argentina). Plants were exposed to different levels of UV-B radiation for 1-2 years in situ as well as in outdoor garden UV-B exclusion experiments. Different UV-B levels were obtained by covering plants with UV-B opaque (blocked 93-100% of ambient UV-B) and UV-B attenuating (near-ambient) filters (reduced 20-25% of UV-B). Unfiltered plants were exposed to natural irradiance. UV-B filters had significant effects on temperature and photosynthetic pigments (due to changes in PAR; 400-700 nm). The growth of Salicornia species was inhibited after 35 to 88 days of exposure to mean UV-B radiation dosages between 3.6 and 4.1 kJ m(-2) day(-1). The highest number of branches on the main shoot (S. bigelovii and S. gaudichaudiana) and longest total length of the branches (S. gaudichaudiana) were observed in the UV-B opaque treatment. Salicornia species responded to increasing levels of UV-B radiation by increasing the amount of UV-B absorbing pigments up to 330%. Chromatographic analyses of seedlings and adult S. bigelovii plants found seven different UV-B absorbing flavonoids that are likely to serve as UV-B filtering pigments. No evidence of differential sensitivity or resilience to UV-B radiation was found between Salicornia species from low-mid latitudes and a previously published study of a high-latitude population.

Extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma).

The authors describe the case of a 19-year-old female patient with an abdominal paraaortic extra-adrenal pheochromocytoma (paraganglioma), presenting arterial hypertension. The predominant catecholamine produced by the tumor was norepinephrine (4110 pg/ml; normal < 450 pg/ml). 131I metaiodobenzylguanidine (131I-MIBG), computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging allowed location and characterization of the tumor. Histologically the tumor (weight = 34.2 g; 5.8 x 4 x 3 cm) was a typical pheochromocytoma.

Educaçäo em saúde no combate à AIDS / Health education in the struggle against AIDS

Descreve atividades, problemas e resultados observados, por uma equipe multiprofissional no desenvolvimento de um projeto de educaçäo em saúde sobre a temática AIDS, junto aos alunos e professores de uma escola pública de primeiro grau. Mostra que a efetiva integraçäo entre profissionais das áreas de Saúde e Educaçäo permite a viabilizaçäo deste tipo de proposta, mesmo tratando de temas considerados tabu, o que dificulta ou até impede a sua abordagem junto aos alunos