Susceptibility of virulent and resistant Escherichia coli strains to non-polar and polar compounds identified in Microplumeria anomala.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Escherichia coli is one of the main pathogens responsible for veterinary and human infections, and it is associated with significant economic losses in the livestock, as it causes severe diseases to humans, particularly in children. For that reason, there is a need for introducing new drugs to treat E. coli diseases. The Brazilian species richness is a source of potential new antibacterial natural products. The study aimed at the biological and chemical investigation of the organic extract obtained from the stem of Microplumeria anomala (Apocynaceae), EB127, as it was identified as a potential source of new antibacterial compounds to be used in Veterinary. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antibacterial activity was evaluated by disk diffusion and microdilution assays; chromatography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry, and mass spectrometry were used in the isolation and identification of compounds. RESULTS: EB127 showed activity against E. coli ATCC25922, and against three E. coli strains that were isolated from frigarte's cloaca, named 31/1A, 35A, and 51A. Lupeol, 3-acetyl-11-oxo-ß-amyrin, 3-acetyl-11-oxo-α-amyrin, sitosterol, stigmasterol, 3ß,7α-dihydroxy-cholest-5-ene, 3ß-hydroxy-cholest-5-en-7-one, and 3ß-hydroxy-cholest-5,22-dien-7-one were identified in fraction Hex/CHCl3, while loganin, loganic acid, methylanomaline, and anomaline were all identified in EB127 and protocatechuic acid hexoside, ferulic acid, secoxyloganin, feruloylquinic acid, vanillic acid hexoside, protocatechuic acid-4-O-ß-hexoside, and rosmarinic acid were tentatively identified in fraction 10%ACN/H2O. E. coli 51A (virulent/non-resistant) showed sensitivity to the antibacterial action of fraction Hex/CHCl3 which contains alkaloids, triterpenes, and steroids, while E. coli 35A (resistant/non-virulent) were more susceptible to 10%ACN/H2O, which contains iridoids as loganin and loganic acid, and glycosylated and non-glycosylated caffeic acids. CONCLUSION: Fraction 10%ACN/H2O is of interest in pursuing new drugs to treat resistant E. coli, in veterinary. All compounds were isolated from the plant for the first time and have shown potential as new antibacterial natural products from Amazon plants to be used in veterinary and human diseases.

Free-Ranging Frigates (Fregata magnificens) of the Southeast Coast of Brazil Harbor Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Resistant to Antimicrobials.

Seabirds may be responsible for the spread of pathogenic/resistant organisms over great distances, playing a relevant role within the context of the One World, One Health concept. Diarrheagenic E. coli strains, known as STEC (shiga toxin-producing E. coli), and the extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC and the subpathotype APEC), are among the E. coli pathotypes with zoonotic potential associated with the birds. In order to identify health threats carried by frigates and to evaluate the anthropic influence on the southern coast of Brazil, the aim of this work was to characterize E. coli isolated from free-ranging frigates in relation to virulence genotypes, serotypes, phylogenetic groups and antimicrobial resistance. Cloacal and choanal swabs were sampled from 38 Fregata magnificens from two oceanic islands and one rescue center. Forty-three E. coli strains were recovered from 33 out of the 38 birds (86.8%); 88.4% of strains showed some of the virulence genes (VGs) searched, 48.8% contained three or more VGs. None of the strains presented VGs related to EPEC/STEC. Some of the isolates showed virulence genotypes, phylogenetic groups and serotypes of classical human ExPEC or APEC (O2:H7, O1:H6, ONT:H7, O25:H4). Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility, 62.8% showed resistance, and 11.6% (5/43) were multidrug-resistant. The E. coli present in the intestines of the frigates may reflect the environmental human impact on southeast coast of Brazil; they may also represent an unexplored threat for seabird species, especially considering the overlap of pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance present in these strains.

Isolation of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. from free-ranging wild animals.

Increasing interactions between humans, domestic animals and wildlife may result in inter-species transmission of infectious agents. To evaluate the presence of pathogenic E. coli and Salmonella spp. and to test the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates, rectal swabs from 36 different free-ranging wild mammals were taken from two distinct natural sites in Brazil: Cantareira State Park (CSP, state of São Paulo) and Santa Isabel do Rio Negro Region (SIRNR, state of Amazonas). The swabs were randomly collected and processed for bacterial isolation, identification, characterization and antimicrobial resistance. Eighteen E. coli strains from CSP and 20 from SIRNR were recovered from 14 and 22 individuals, respectively. Strains from animals captured in CSP, the site with the greatest anthropization, exhibited a higher range and percentage of virulence genes, including an eae+/bfpA+ strain. Antimicrobial resistance was verified in strains originating from both sites; however, in strains from SIRNR, aminopenicillins were almost the exclusive antimicrobial class to which strains exhibited resistance, whereas in CSP there were strains resistant to cephalosporins, sulfonamide, aminoglycoside, tetracycline and fluoroquinolone, in addition to strains exhibiting multidrug resistance. Two strains of Salmonella enterica that are known to be associated with reptiles, serotypes Belem and 60:r:e,n,z15, were recovered only from Amazonian animals and showed susceptibility to all classes of antimicrobials that were tested. Although the potential impact of these pathogens on wildlife remains unknown, bacteria isolated from free-ranging wild animals may provide relevant information about environmental health and should therefore be more deeply studied.

Surveillance using serological and molecular methods for the detection of infectious agents in captive Brazilian neotropic and exotic felids.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the exposure of captive wild felids to various infectious pathogens using serological and molecular methods. One hundred and fifty-nine neotropic felids and 51 exotic felids from 28 captive settings in Brazil were tested. While antibodies against Feline parvovirus and Feline coronavirus (FCoV), Feline calicivirus and Bartonella spp. were frequently detected by serologic tests, antibodies against Felid herpesvirus 1 or infection with hemotropic mycoplasmas were less prevalent. Serologic evidence of exposure to Ehrlichia spp., Feline immunodeficiency virus, and Feline leukemia virus (FeLV) was detected rarely, and infections with FeLV, Ehrlichia spp., and Cytauxzoon spp. were found infrequently. The detected Bartonella sequence was molecularly similar to B. koehlerae and B. henselae; for Cytauxzoon, the sequence resembled those from domestic cats. No Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Theileria spp. infections were detected. The positive test results varied significantly among different facilities and species. Additionally, FCoV seropositivity was more prevalent in captivity than in free-ranging populations. Results suggest that testing is appropriate prior to relocation of felids.

Asistencia de enfermería en el tratamiento de úlceras crónicas en portadores de deficiencia física causada por la lepra: relato de la experiencia en una excolonia de aislamiento en el Amazonas (Brasil) / No disponible

A pesar de que la lucha contra le lepra está volcada en los casos nuevos, principalmente para el diagnóstico, tratamiento y prevención de discapacidades, el equipo de salud debe estar capacitado para atender a los pacientes que adquirieron la enfermedad en una época que la cura no esta estandarizada. Su objetivo es prestar asistencia de enfermería a las personas afectadas por la lepra, portadoras de úlceras crónicas, residentes en un barrio de Manaus, Amazonas, Brasil. Inicialmente fue realizada la capacitación de los funcionarios seguido de la delimitación del área de cobertura. Los recursos materiales utilizados incluyen: coche para el transporte de funcionarios y pacientes, apósitos diversos, gasa, vendas, etc. La solución de limpieza disponible fue el Cloruro de Sodio 0,9%. Los profesionales envueltos fueron: 1 enfermera, 1 técnico en dermatología sanitaria, 8 auxiliares en enfermería, 1 conductor y otros. Entre los resultados obtenidos se destacan la reducción (44%) en el número de úlceras y la mejoría en la calidad de vida de los pacientes. La reducción del olor, extensión, profundidad de las lesiones, cantidad de referencias a dolor, mejora de auto-estima y relaciones interpersonales indican un resultado positivo importante. La acción desarrollada apuntó para la viabilidad del trabajo y la constatación de resultados positivos a partir de una intervención sistémica (AU)

Nursing Assistance in the Treatment of Chronic Ulcers in Physically Impaired People caused by Hansen´s disease: Report of an experience in a former isolation colony in Amazonas/Brasil. Despite the fight against leprosy be focused on new cases of the disease, mainly on diagnostic, treatment and prevention of dysfunctions, the health team involved must be trained to cater for the patients who acquired the disease in a time when there was no institutionalized cure for it. The objective of the intervention reported here was to give nursing assistance to people suffering from Hansen´s disease, who have chronic ulcers, and live in a specific residential area of Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil. Initially, the health agents were trained, and then the allocated area was circumscribed. Among the material resources used in the process are: a vehicle for the transport of health agents and patients, gauze, bandage and other miscellaneous thing’s Sodium Chloride 0,9% was the available cleaning solution. The health team was constituted of one nurse, one sanitary dermatology technician, eight nursing technicians and a driver. The reduction, extension and depth of the lesions, exudates quantity, pain complaints decrease, self-esteem increase and interpersonal relationship improvement are some indicators of significant positive results. Thus, the study seems to indicate that this kind of systematic intervention is not only viable, but can also render positive results (AU)