Detection mecA gene and Staphylococcus aureus resistance to several antibiotics isolated from cat ear swabs at a veterinary hospital located at Surabaya ­ Indonesia / Detecção do gene mecA e resistência a diversos antibióticos em Staphylococcus aureus isolados do ouvido de gatos em um hospital localizado em Surabaya ­ Indonesia

Cats are susceptible to S. aureus, which mainly colonizes the nose and ears of these feline species. Otitis externa in cat ears is one of the illnesses produced by S. aureus in animals. Antibiotic therapy for affected animals is the conventional treatment for infections by S. aureus. Antibiotic use during prolonged treatment and given at the wrong doses can cause germs to become resistant. Given this context, research on S. aureus isolated from cat ears and tests for antibiotic resistance and the mecA gene is required. Samples of cat ears were obtained from the Amies media using a sterile cotton swab. Bacterial isolation was done on MSA media, and then the catalase and coagulase assays were used to identify the bacteria. S. aureus isolates were evaluated for sensitivity using disks of the antibiotics cefoxitin, tetracycline, erythromycin, gentamicin, and chloramphenicol connected to MHA media. All positive isolates of S. aureus underwent MRSA testing, and then the mecA gene was detected. The sample investigation revealed that 91% (91/100) were positive for S. aureus, and 3.30% (3/91) were confirmed to be multidrug-resistant (MDR) because they are resistant to 3­4 antibiotic classes. Out of the 12 MRSA isolates analyzed, the mecA gene was detected in one isolate. Inappropriate antibiotic use causes bacterial resistance in pets. Additionally, excessive antibiotic use in a population might develop acquired bacterial resistance to an antibiotic. Antibiotic use in animals must be assessed to administer medication and prevent the development of antibiotic resistance appropriately.(AU)

Gatos são suscetíveis a adquirir S.aureus que colonizam principalmente as narinas e os ouvidos de espécies de felinos. A otite externa no ouvido dos gatos é uma das doenças produzidas pelo S.aureus nos animais. A terapia com antibióticos é o tratamento convencional para as infecções produzidas pelo S.aureus. Os antibióticos utilizados durante o prolongado tratamento e o emprego de sub doses podem selecionar microorganismos resistentes. Com base em tais argumentos torna-se necessária a pesquisa de S.aureus isolados do ouvido dos gatos, bem como, a realização de testes para a resistência a antibióticos e do gene mecA. Empregando swabs estéreis de algodão foram obtidas amostras dos ouvidos dos gatos em meio de Amies. O isolamento bacteriano foi efetuado em meio MAS e os testes catalase e coagulase foram realizados para a identificação das bactérias. A sensibilidade dos isolados de S.aureus foi avaliada com o emprego de discos dos antibióticos cefoxitin, tetraxiclina, eritromicina, gentamicina e cloranfenicol, incorporados no meio MHA. Todos os isolados positivos de S.aureus foram submetidos ao test MRSA para a detecção do gene mecA. A amostra investigada revelou 91% (91/100) de positivos para S.aureus, dos quais, 3,30% (3/91) foram resistentes a múltiplas drogas (MDR) pois foram resistentes a 3-4 classes de antibióticos. De 12 MRSA isolados analisados o gene mecA foi detectado em um isolado. O uso inapropriado de antibióticos é a causa da resistência bacteriana em pets. Adicionalmente o emprego excessivo de antibióticos em uma população pode resultar no desenvolvimento de resistência bacteriana adquirida a antibióticos. O uso de antibióticos em animais deve ser ordenado por uma administração de medicamentos apropriada para prevenir o desenvolvimento da resistência.(AU)

Perspectives on sustainable management of the Poso Lake (Indonesia) endemic ricefish, Oryzias nigrimas (Actinopterygii: Adrianichthyidae) / Perspectivas sobre el manejo sostenible del pez Oryzias nigrimas, endémico del Lago Poso en Indonesia (Actinopterygii: Adrianichthyidae)

Introduction: The endemic fishes of the ancient lakes of Sulawesi are under increasing threat. Objective: To evaluate the data and information available from a holistic management perspective and to formulate measures to conserve the endemic ricefish Oryzias nigrimas in Poso Lake, Indonesia. Methods: Collection of primary data from three stations around Lake Poso and literature study. Results: Threats to O. nigrimas include habitat degradation and loss, introduced alien species, and exploitation as a locally important food fish. Options to promote sustainable fisheries management include spatial and temporal limitations to minimise catch of gravid or brooding fish. Habitat protection should include measures to minimise impacts from activities which can reduce water quality and disturb or kill aquatic vegetation. Conclusion: Measures to prevent further O. nigrimas population decline are considered urgent and further research is recommended to fill identified knowledge gaps. Ex-situ conservation, including the development of captive breeding, could also contribute to a holistic O. nigrimas conservation strategy.

Introducción: Los peces endémicos de los antiguos lagos de Sulawesi están cada vez más amenazados. Objetivo: Evaluar los datos y la información disponible desde una perspectiva de gestión holística y formular medidas para conservar el pez endémico Oryzias nigrimas en el lago Poso, Indonesia. Métodos: Recopilación de datos primarios de tres estaciones alrededor del lago Poso y revisión de la literatura. Resultados: Las amenazas para O. nigrimas incluyen la degradación y pérdida del hábitat, la introducción de especies exóticas y la explotación como producto pesquero de importancia local. Las opciones para promover la ordenación pesquera sostenible incluyen limitaciones espaciales y temporales para minimizar la captura de peces grávidos o reproductores. La protección del hábitat debe incluir medidas para minimizar los impactos de las actividades que pueden reducir la calidad del agua y perturbar o matar la vegetación acuática. Conclusión: Las medidas para prevenir una disminución de la población de O. nigrimas se consideran urgentes y se recomienda realizar más investigaciones para llenar los vacíos de conocimiento identificados. La conservación ex situ, incluido el desarrollo de la cría en cautividad, también podría contribuir a una estrategia de conservación holística de O. nigrimas.

Biological monitoring of solar UV radiation at 17 sites in Asia, Europe and South America from 1999 to 2004.

A small and robust dosimeter for determining the biologically effective dose of ambient UV radiation has been developed using UV-sensitive mutant spores of Bacillus subtilis strain TKJ6312. A membrane filter with four spots of the spores was snapped to a slide mount. The slide was wrapped and covered with two or more layers of polyethylene sheet to protect the sample from rain and snow and to reduce monthly-cumulative doses within the measurable range. From 1999, monthly data were collected at 17 sites for more than 1 year, and data for 4 to 6 consecutive years were obtained from 12 sites. Yearly total values of the spore inactivation dose (SID) ranged from 3200 at subarctic Oulu to 96 000 at tropical Denpasar, and the mean yearly values of SID exhibited an exponential dependence on latitude in both hemispheres with a doubling for about every 14 degrees of change. During the observation period, increasing trends of UV doses have been observed at all sites with more than 5 years of data available. Year-to-year variations at high and middle latitude sites are considered due mostly to climatic variation. At three tropical sites, negative correlations between the yearly doses and the column ozone amounts were observed. The results verified the applicability of spore dosimetry for global and long-time monitoring of solar UV radiation, in particular at tropical sites where no monitoring is taking place.