Background: Increasingly frequent reports of vancomycin treatment failures for serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections provide impetus for comparative in vitro studies to assess the activity of newer antimicrobial agents against a range of MRSA isolates. Methods: A sample of 168 MRSA derived from a long-term MRSA collection was subjected to susceptibility testing to telavancin, daptomycin, linezolid, tigecycline and vancomycin by broth micro-dilution. Data were reviewed for sporadic occurrence of isolates with reduced susceptibility. Analyses were performed to test for temporal trends toward decreasing susceptibility and to compare susceptibility of isolates from different infection sites. Results: No MRSA isolate from any time period was resistant to test antibiotics. For daptomycin, linezolid and tigecycline, there were no susceptibility differences between the pre- and postclinical availability periods. All newer agents here active against MRSA isolates with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of vancomycin >1 mg/l, but there were significant correlations in susceptibility among several pairs of antibiotics. Conclusions: Telavancin and other newer antistaphylococcal agents were fully active against MRSA from various infection sites including isolates with vancomycin MIC >1 mg/l.

Thesis (Msc. (Medical Sciences)) -- University of LImpopo, 2000 / Refer to document / Medical Research Council (MRC)

<p> </p> <p>Disinfectant application on environmental surfaces is generally accepted to be effective</p> <p>against vegetative pathogens. However, several important application considerations are not being evaluated</p> <p>in the registration of these disinfectant solutions. This thesis looks into factors impacting the disinfectant wipes' bactericidal and fungicidal efficacy on hard, non-porous surfaces and how the interaction between the disinfectant solution and wipe substrate lead to changes in the efficacy of disinfection.</p>

The gonococcal transferrin binding proteins (Tbps) are two surface-exposed outer membrane proteins, TbpA and TbpB, which together function to remove and internalized iron from human transferrin. Iron is an essential nutrient to the gonococcus, without which it cannot survive. The Tbps have been established as virulence factors, demonstrating their importance in establishing infection. Both TbpA and TbpB are well conserved among gonococcal isolates, and have been considered potential vaccine targets. Vaccine studies with the closely related species Neisseria meningitidis, have demonstrated these proteins to be protective in murine challenge studies. Though the meningococcal Tbps have demonstrated promise, no similar gonococcal vaccine experiments have been conducted prior to the current studies. Here we demonstrate purification of recombinant TbpA and TbpB. These recombinant proteins were utilized to evaluate the human immune response to these proteins during natural infections, and their immunogenicity in murine vaccine studies. Our results demonstrate a paucity of antibodies elicited to these proteins during natural infections in serum and mucosal secretions from infected individuals. From this study we hypothesized the induction of both serum and genital antibodies to these proteins could serve to protect an individual from infection. To begin testing this hypothesis, we immunized mice both intranasally (IN) and subcutaneously (s.c.) with full-length Tbps in conjunction with the B subunit of cholera toxin (Ctb) as an adjuvant. We also performed another vaccine study using domains from both proteins in genetic fusions with Ctb and E. coli heat labile toxin IIb (LtbIIb). Both studies demonstrated that these antigens were immunogenic, as Tbp-specific antibodies were elicited in the serum and vaginal washes of female Balb/C mice. Intranasal immunization however was the only route with which we were able to elicit vaginal Tbp-specific IgA, and IgG, whereas subcutaneous immunization only elicited vaginal IgG. Furthermore, we found the full-length Tbps and the Ctb/LtbIIb chimeras were able to elicit bactericidal antibodies, which were also effective in killing heterologous gonococcal strains. This body of work comprises the first published study using the gonococcal transferrin binding proteins as vaccine antigens, and highlights their potential as vaccine antigens in the development of an efficacious gonococcal vaccine.

As fosfolipases A2 (PLA2s, ou fosfatidil-acil hidrolases EC 3.1.1.4) catalisam especificamente a hidrólise das ligações ácido-éster na posição sn-2 de glicerofosfolipídios liberando, como produto da catálise, ácidos graxos e lisofosfolipídio. São encontradas em plantas, mamíferos e em veneno de animais vertebrados e invertebrados e estão envolvidas em uma ampla variedade de processos fisiológicos. A fosfolipase A2 secretada humana do grupo IIA (hsPLA2 gIIA) é uma proteína de fase aguda da resposta imunológica, pois sua expressão é induzida por endotoxinas e citocinas via processos autócrinos e/ou parácrinos durante processos inflamatórios de relevância clínica. A hsPLA2 gIIA mostra efeito bactericida contra infecção por Staphylococcus aureus, e tem marcada preferência por fosfolipídios aniônicos tais como fosfatidilglicerol (PG) encontrados em membranas bacterianas. Uma grande variedade de inibidores de PLA2 do grupo IIA foi descrita na literatura, incluindo substâncias polianiônicas que atuam contra os efeitos inflamatórios destas enzimas. Suramina é um derivado de naftiluréia polissulfonado que recentemente mostrou ligação com os resíduos catiônicos no sítio de reconhecimento interfacial de Bothropstoxina-I (BthTX-I), uma PLA2-Lys49 isolada do veneno de Bothrops jararacussu, inibindo a atividade miotóxica da proteína. Devido ao tipo de interação diferenciada da suramina com BthTX-I em relação aos inibidores competitivos de PLA2, nós avaliamos a especificidade de ligação da suramina na hsPLA2 gIIA como um modelo para estudar este novo tipo de inibidor de PLA2s. O efeito da suramina nas atividades biológicas e de membranas artificiais da hsPLA2 gIIA foi avaliado. A suramina aboliu tanto a atividade hidrolítica da hsPLA2 gIIA quanto a atividade de danificação de membranas artificiais Ca2+ independente. Embora a suramina não tenha inibido a atividade bactericida da hsPLA2 gIIA contra a linhagem Micrococcus luteus, a ativação de macrófagos foi abolida pela mesma de maneira dependente de hidrólise. Além disso, técnicas de simulação de dinâmica molecular, calorimetria de titulação isotérmica e mutagênese sítio dirigida foram utilizadas para mapear os sítios de ligação da suramina na proteína. A interação da suramina com a hsPLA2 gIIA resultou de interações eletrostáticas entre grupos sulfonados com cadeias laterais de aminoácidos da região do sítio ativo e dos resíduos em torno das posições 15 e 116 localizados, respectivamente, na N- e Cterminal. Portanto, estes resultados permitem sugerir que a suramina pode atuar como inibidor de sPLA2s / Suramin is a polysulphonated napthylurea used as an antiprotozoal drug that presents inhibitory activity against a broad range of enzymes. We have evaluated the effect of suramin against the artificial and biological activities of the secreted human group IIA phospholipase A2 (hsPLA2 gIIA), a protein involved in inflammatory processes. To map the suramin binding sites on the hsPLA2 gIIA, proteins with mutations in the active site region and in the protein surface that makes contact with the phospholipids membrane were expressed in E. coli and refolded from inclusion bodies. The activation of macrophage cell line RAW 264.7 by hsPLA2 gIIA was monitored by nitric oxide release, and bactericidal activity of the protein against Micrococcus luteus was evaluated by colony counting and by flow cytometry. The hydrolytic activity of the hsPLA2 gIIA against lipossomes composed of a mixture of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine/dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPC/DOPG) was inhibited by a concentration of 100 nM suramin. The activation of macrophages by hsPLA2 gIIA was abolished at protein/suramin molar ratios where the hydrolytic activity of the enzyme was inhibited. In contrast, both the bactericidal activity of hsPLA2 gIIA against Micrococcus luteus and permeabilization of the bacterial inner membrane were unaffected by suramin concentrations up to 50 M. The affinity of interaction of the suramin with hsPLA2 gIIA was evaluated by suramine fluorescence and the mutants K15A, K38A, R54A and K123A presented a reduced affinity. The binding of the suramin/hsPLA2 gIIA complex was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations, which indicated two conformations of the bound inhibitor, which involve cationic amino-acid side chains in the active-site region and residues around positions 15 and 116 located in the N- and C-termini respectively in the substrate recognition surface. These results were correlated with isothermal titration calorimetry data, which demonstrated 2.7 suramin-binding sites on the hsPLA2 gIIA. These results suggested that suramin represents a novel class of phospholipase A2 inhibitor

Orientador: Luciane Alarcão Dias-Melicio / Resumo: Recentemente, a deficiência de vitamina D vem se tornando um problema de abrangência mundial em virtude de hábitos rotineiros da população, como o trabalho por períodos prolongados em ambientes fechados e diminuição da exposição solar. Trabalhos recentes demonstram que a vitamina D age não somente na homeostase do cálcio, mas também na regulação do sistema imune. Diante da multiplicidade de funções dessa vitamina, sua deficiência tem sido associada ao risco de desenvolvimento de uma série de doenças, entre elas doenças infecciosas como as causadas por S. aureus. As infecções por essa bactéria têm trazido expressiva preocupação para a população humana em decorrência do aumento da prevalência de cepas resistentes aos fármacos antibacterianos, dificultando, dessa maneira, o tratamento e contribuindo para a busca de métodos alternativos para combater esse tipo de infecção. Além disso, o S. aureus conta com um potente arsenal de fatores de virulência que contribuem para a evasão da resposta imune do hospedeiro. Nesse contexto, torna-se importante avaliar se a vitamina D pode modular os efeitos bactericidas de neutrófilos humanos através de mecanismos intra e extracelulares, favorecendo, portanto, o combate a infecções, especialmente aquelas causadas por microrganismos resistentes aos principais tratamentos. Dessa maneira, nós demonstramos que neutrófilos tratados com vitamina D e desafiados com duas cepas de S. aureus tiveram um aumento nas taxas de fagocitose e atividade bacteric... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: In the last years, vitamin D deficiency has become a worldwide problem due to routine population habits, such as prolonged work indoors and increased use of sunscreen/decreased sun exposure in attempt to avoid high rates of skin cancer. Recent studies demonstrated that vitamin D acts not only on calcium homeostasis, but also on the regulation and function of the immune system. Facing the countless functions of vitamin D, its deficiency has been associated with the risk of development of many diseases, including infectious diseases such as those caused by S. aureus. Infections caused by these bacteria have brought significant concern to the human population due to the increased prevalence of strains resistant to antibiotics, thus making it difficult to treat and contributing to the search for alternative methods to combat this type of infection. In addition, S. aureus have a variety of virulence factors, which confer the ability to evade host immune responses. In this context, it is important to evaluate whether vitamin D can modulate the bactericidal effects of human neutrophils through intra- and extracellular mechanisms, such as phagocytosis, bacterial killing and release of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), thus contributing to the response against infections, especially those caused by microorganisms resistant to the main treatments. Thus, we demonstrated that neutrophils treated with Vitamin D and challenged with two strains of S. aureus had an increase in phagocyti... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Immobilizing antimicrobial substances onto biocompatible materials is an important approach for the design of novel, functionalized medical devices. By choosing antimicrobial substances from innate immune systems, the risk for development of resistance in pathogenic microbes is lower than if conventional antibiotics are used. Combining natural antimicrobial peptides and bactericidal enzymes with strong and elastic spider silk through recombinant protein technology would enable large-scale production of materials that could serve as functionalized wound dressings. Herein, fusion proteins with the engineered spider silk sequence 4RepCT and five different antimicrobial substances were constructed using two different strategies. In the first, the fusion proteins had a His-tag as well as a solubility-enhancing domain N-terminally to the antimicrobial agent during expression. The tags were cleaved and separated from the target protein during the purification process. The other approach provided a His-tag but no additional solubility domain. The antimicrobial agents included in the work were a charge engineered enzyme and four antimicrobial peptides herein called Peptide A, Peptide B, Peptide C and Peptide D. Four out of five fusion proteins could be expressed in Escherichia coli without exhibiting noticeable toxicity to the host. However, most target proteins were found in the non-soluble fraction. For D-4RepCT, neither soluble nor non-soluble proteins were identified. An operating strategy for expression and purification of antimicrobial spider silk proteins was developed, where the construct system providing the solubility-enhancing domain N-terminally to the antimicrobial sequence, and long time expression at low temperatures is a promising approach. The fusion proteins A-4RepCT and C-4RepCT could be produced in adequate amounts, and they proved to possess the ability to assemble into stable fibers. When incubating solutions of Escherichia coli on the functionalized silk material A-4RepCT, it showed to decrease the number of living bacteria in solution, in contrary to wild-type 4RepCT on which bacteria continued to proliferate. Initial studies of the viability of bacteria adhered to the surface of the functionalized spider silk are so far inconclusive. A larger sample size, complementary experiments and methodology optimization is needed for a proper assessment of antibacterial properties. However, preliminary results for the development of antimicrobial spider silk are positive, and the approach elaborated in this work is believed to be applicable for the construction of functional spider silk with a wide range of natural antimicrobial agents for future wound healing applications.

Neste trabalho, foram empregadas duas resinas comerciais de caráter fortemente básico. Ambas tendo como base copolímeros de estireno e divinilbenzeno (DVB), sendo que a VPOC 1950 contém em sua composição grupos quaternários de amônio do tipo 1, que apresentam três grupos metila e a VPOC 1960 grupos quaternários de amônio do tipo 2, que apresentam um grupo etanoíla e dois grupos metila. As resinas comerciais citadas foram escolhidas por apresentarem grande capacidade de troca iônica, estabilidade e grupos funcionais de interesse para a impregnação com iodo. As resinas foram impregnadas com iodo por meio de três metodologias distintas, uma solução metanólica de iodo 0,08 mol/L com e sem iodeto de potássio 0,14 mol/L, e iodo 0,08 mol/L em heptano. As resinas foram caracterizadas por área específica, volume do poro, grau de inchamento, microscopia ótica, espectrometria de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), análise elementar, termogravimetria, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e determinação do iodo fixado por iodometria. A avaliação da atividade biocida foi realizada através do método da contagem em placas, utilizando-se uma cepa de Escherichia coli ATCC11775 em concentrações de 103 a 107 células/mL. Todas as resinas impregnadas mostraram atividade bactericida significante devido à presença de iodo correlacionada às características da resina, tais como: grupos funcionais, tamanho e formato dos poros. Para efeito de comparação, foram realizados ensaios bactericidas com as resinas de partida para comprovação ou não da ação bactericida ser atribuída somente ao iodo / In this study, we employed two commercial resins strongly basic character. Both based on copolymers of styrene and divinylbenzene (DVB), and the VPOC 1950 contains in its composition quaternary ammonium groups of the type 1 (has three methyl groups) and VPOC 1960 quaternary ammonium groups of the type 2 (where a group ethanol replaces one of the methyl groups). The aforementioned commercial resins were chosen because they have a high ion exchange capacity, stability and functional groups of interest for impregnation with iodine. The resins were impregnated with iodine by three different methodologies, a methanol solution of 0.08 mol/L iodine with and without 0.14 mol/L potassium iodide and 0.08 mol/L iodine in heptane. The resins were characterized by surface area, pore volume, degree of swelling, optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy by Fourier transform (FTIR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and determination of iodine prescribed by iodometry. The biocidal activity evaluation was performed by the method of plate counting, using a strain of Escherichia coli ATCC11775 at concentrations 103-107 cells/ml. All resins impregnated showed significant bactericidal activity due to the presence of iodine correlated characteristics of the resin, such as functional groups, size and shape of the pores. For comparison, tests were performed with bactericidal resins departure for confirmation or not of bactericidal only be attributed to iodine

Submitted by Luciana Sebin (lusebin@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-20T12:56:58Z No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAC.pdf: 1834490 bytes, checksum: 6410aa8c3bfff59b075e6e4699033664 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-21T12:45:23Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAC.pdf: 1834490 bytes, checksum: 6410aa8c3bfff59b075e6e4699033664 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Marina Freitas (marinapf@ufscar.br) on 2016-09-21T12:45:32Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAC.pdf: 1834490 bytes, checksum: 6410aa8c3bfff59b075e6e4699033664 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-09-21T12:45:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DissLAC.pdf: 1834490 bytes, checksum: 6410aa8c3bfff59b075e6e4699033664 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-08-21 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Millions of surgeries for implants and prosthesis placement are performed annually worldwide. Among these surgical procedures are observed some types of failures. The most worrying complication is the infection that can cause deformity in the region, amputation of body parts, and may progress to osteomyelitis and patient death. In this context, the bactericidal property of the bioactive glasses is being widely studied. The F18 is a new bioglass that was developed at Vitreous Materials Laboratory (LaMaV) and can be manipulated in different forms to be used as auxiliary agent in the medical treatment of infectious processes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the bactericidal activity of F18 in powder form for coating implants and in fibers form to be used in wound healing, on the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In addition, it was proposed to compare the kinetic of bactericidal activity of F18 in powder, F18 in powder doped with silver (F18Ag), and the standard bioglass called 45S5, on S. aureus. The bactericidal activity of F18 was tested using an analysis method based on a standard JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) Z2801: 2010, where the inoculum was in contact with the material for 24 hours and the reduction of viable cells was observed after this period. For the realization of kinetic tests the powder samples from different materials were placed in contact with the S. aureus suspension and an aliquot of these mixtures was plated in a culture media at different times. The direct count of colony on Petri dishes demonstrated the viable cells reduction. F18 both in powder form and in the form of fibers showed an extremely efficient bactericidal activity. The elimination of the microorganisms was close to 100%. The log of reduction of bacteria was between 5.9 ± 0.4 and 7.0 ± 0.2 log10 CFU ml-1, and the standard considers as a bactericide the material that shows a reduction of 2.0 logs or more. The bactericidal activity of F18Ag began after the first 30 minutes of contact with microorganisms and practically eliminated the bacterial colonies after one hour of contact. The bactericidal action of F18 started after six hours and eliminated viable cells after 24 hours. Both materials demonstrated bactericidal action similar to that presented by the standard 45S5. / Milhões de cirurgias para colocação de implantes e próteses são realizadas anualmente no mundo todo. Dentre estes procedimentos cirúrgicos, são observadas alguns tipos de falhas. A complicação mais preocupante é a infecção que pode causar deformidade corporal na região, amputação de partes do corpo, e pode evoluir para osteomielite e morte do paciente. Nesse contexto, a propriedade bactericida dos vidros bioativos está sendo amplamente estudada. O F18 é um novo biovidro desenvolvido no Laboratório de Materiais Vítreos (LaMaV) da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, e que apresenta possibilidade de manipulação em diferentes formatos, podendo ser utilizado como agente auxiliar no tratamento médico de processos infecciosos. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram investigar a ação bactericida do F18 sob a forma de pó para ser utilizado em recobrimento de implantes, e sob a forma de manta composta por fibras de biovidro para utilização no auxílio de cicatrização de feridas. Os microrganismos utilizados nos testes foram Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Além disso, buscou-se comparar a cinética de atividade bactericida sobre S. aureus do F18 em pó, F18 em pó acrescido de prata (F18Ag), e o biovidro padrão no mercado atual, chamado de 45S5. A atividade bactericida do F18 foi testada, primeiramente, utilizando-se uma metodologia de análise baseada na norma JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) Z2801:2010, onde o inóculo padrão permaneceu em contato com o material durante 24 horas. Para a realização dos ensaios cinéticos as amostras dos materiais em teste foram colocadas em contato com a suspensão bacteriana de S. aureus e uma alíquota das misturas foi plaqueada em diferentes tempos. A redução de células bacterianas viáveis foi observada por meio de contagem direta de colônias em placas de Petri. O F18 tanto na forma de pó quanto na forma de manta apresentou elevada atividade bactericida. A eliminação dos microrganismos foi próxima a 100%. A redução logarítmica das bactérias foi entre 5,9 ± 0,4 e 7,0 ± 0,2 log10 UFC ml-1, sendo que a norma utilizada considera como bactericida o material que apresenta redução a partir de 2,0 logs. Nos testes cinéticos observou-se que a atividade bactericida do F18Ag iniciou-se logo após os primeiros 30 minutos de contato com os microrganismos e as células viáveis foram eliminadas após uma hora. Nos ensaios cinéticos também observou-se que a ação bactericida do F18 iniciou-se após seis horas e eliminou as células viáveis em 24 horas. Ambos os materiais demonstraram ação bactericida similar àquela apresentada pelo padrão 45S5.

Neste trabalho, foram empregadas duas resinas comerciais de caráter fortemente básico. Ambas tendo como base copolímeros de estireno e divinilbenzeno (DVB), sendo que a VPOC 1950 contém em sua composição grupos quaternários de amônio do tipo 1, que apresentam três grupos metila e a VPOC 1960 grupos quaternários de amônio do tipo 2, que apresentam um grupo etanoíla e dois grupos metila. As resinas comerciais citadas foram escolhidas por apresentarem grande capacidade de troca iônica, estabilidade e grupos funcionais de interesse para a impregnação com iodo. As resinas foram impregnadas com iodo por meio de três metodologias distintas, uma solução metanólica de iodo 0,08 mol/L com e sem iodeto de potássio 0,14 mol/L, e iodo 0,08 mol/L em heptano. As resinas foram caracterizadas por área específica, volume do poro, grau de inchamento, microscopia ótica, espectrometria de infravermelho por transformada de Fourier (FTIR), análise elementar, termogravimetria, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e determinação do iodo fixado por iodometria. A avaliação da atividade biocida foi realizada através do método da contagem em placas, utilizando-se uma cepa de Escherichia coli ATCC11775 em concentrações de 103 a 107 células/mL. Todas as resinas impregnadas mostraram atividade bactericida significante devido à presença de iodo correlacionada às características da resina, tais como: grupos funcionais, tamanho e formato dos poros. Para efeito de comparação, foram realizados ensaios bactericidas com as resinas de partida para comprovação ou não da ação bactericida ser atribuída somente ao iodo / In this study, we employed two commercial resins strongly basic character. Both based on copolymers of styrene and divinylbenzene (DVB), and the VPOC 1950 contains in its composition quaternary ammonium groups of the type 1 (has three methyl groups) and VPOC 1960 quaternary ammonium groups of the type 2 (where a group ethanol replaces one of the methyl groups). The aforementioned commercial resins were chosen because they have a high ion exchange capacity, stability and functional groups of interest for impregnation with iodine. The resins were impregnated with iodine by three different methodologies, a methanol solution of 0.08 mol/L iodine with and without 0.14 mol/L potassium iodide and 0.08 mol/L iodine in heptane. The resins were characterized by surface area, pore volume, degree of swelling, optical microscopy, infrared spectroscopy by Fourier transform (FTIR), elemental analysis, thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and determination of iodine prescribed by iodometry. The biocidal activity evaluation was performed by the method of plate counting, using a strain of Escherichia coli ATCC11775 at concentrations 103-107 cells/ml. All resins impregnated showed significant bactericidal activity due to the presence of iodine correlated characteristics of the resin, such as functional groups, size and shape of the pores. For comparison, tests were performed with bactericidal resins departure for confirmation or not of bactericidal only be attributed to iodine