Submitted by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-08-22T12:35:45Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Camila Silva de Carvalho Costa - 2017.pdf: 705456 bytes, checksum: 8685250cc4dfd67d1f4827cc7d6281a7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2018-08-22T12:59:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Camila Silva de Carvalho Costa - 2017.pdf: 705456 bytes, checksum: 8685250cc4dfd67d1f4827cc7d6281a7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-22T12:59:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - Camila Silva de Carvalho Costa - 2017.pdf: 705456 bytes, checksum: 8685250cc4dfd67d1f4827cc7d6281a7 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-31 / Conselho Nacional de Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico - CNPq / Salmonella sp. in food of poultry origin represents a major problem for world public health. The viscera of broilers can also be contaminated with the microorganism being the potential carrier of this pathogen. In this context, the objective of this work was to investigate the occurrence of Salmonella sp. in edible and inedible viscera of broilers, the presence of virulence genes (invA, and spvC) and resistance genes (sul1 and bla TEM ), as well as susceptibility profile to antimicrobial bases. The samples were collected in two slaughterhouses where 405 samples were obtained, 150 hearts, 150 livers and 105 biliary vesicles. Of these, seven samples (1.73%) were positive. The serovars found were Salmonella Minnesota and Salmonella Swarzengrund. Antimicrobial principles were tested for susceptibility to antimicrobials. The highest percentages of resistance were observed for gentamicin (100%), ciprofloxacin (100%), enrofloxacin (100%) and florfenicol (100%), followed by ampicillin, doxycycline, tetracycline (71%) and amoxicillin (57%). All isolates were sensitive to sulfamethoxazole + trimethoprim. The invA gene was identified in all isolates. The The spvC gene was identified in 50% S. Minnesota. Regarding the resistance genes, bla TEM was identified in all isolates. The sul1 gene was detected in four of the seven isolates. From the results, S. Minnesota and S. Swarzengrund of avian origin have genes that enable invasion, as well as phenotypically express resistance to nine antimicrobial bases tested. / Salmonella sp. em alimentos de origem avícola representa grande problema para a saúde pública mundial. As vísceras de aves também podem ser contaminadas com o micro- organismo sendo potencial veiculador deste patógeno. Neste contexto objetivou-se com este trabalho investigar a ocorrência de Salmonella sp. em vísceras comestíveis e não comestíveis de frangos de corte, bem como perfil de suscetibilidade a bases antimicrobianas, presença de genes de virulência (invA, e spvC) e resistência (sul1 e blaTEM). As coletas ocorreram em dois frigoríficos onde foram obtidas 405 amostras, sendo 150 corações, 150 fígados e 105 vesículas biliares. Deste total, sete amostras (1,73%) foram positivas. Os sorovares encontrados foram Salmonella Minnesota e Salmonella Swarzengrund. Na avaliação da susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos foram testados 10 princípios antimicrobianos. Os maiores percentuais de resistência foram observados frente à gentamicina (100%), ciprofloxacina (100%), enrofloxacina (100%) e florfenicol (100%), seguidos de ampicilina, doxiciclina, tetraciclina (71%) e amoxicilina (57%). Todos os isolados foram sensíveis a sulfametoxazol+trimetoprim. O gene invA foi identificado em todos os isolados. O gene spvC foi identificado em 50% dos isolados de S. Minnesota. Quanto aos genes de resistência, observou-se blaTEM em todos os isolados. O gene sul1 foi detectado em quatro dos sete isolados. Pelos resultados, identifica-se que S. Minnesota e S. Swarzengrund de origem aviária apresentaram genes que habilitam à invasão e resistência a antimicrobianos, bem como fenotipicamente expressaram resistência a nove bases de antimicrobianos testados.

Des nouvelles résistances aux agents pathogènes introgressées dans les plantes cultivées sont fréquemment contournées dans différents pathosystèmes, engendrant des épidémies et des pertes économiques. En conséquence, la compréhension des stratégies évolutives impliquées dans l’adaptation des populations pathogènes est nécessaire pour améliorer la gestion durable des résistances. Bremia lactucae, agent pathogène de la laitue est un organisme diploïde, hétérothallique avec des cycles de reproduction sexuée et asexuée. Cet oomycète est soumis aux fortes pressions de sélection exercées par des gènes de résistance de la plante hôte. Sous cette pression de sélection, les populations de B. lactucae ont montré une rapide adaptation aux résistances hôtes qui se sont donc avérées peu durables. L’étude de la structure génétique d’un agent pathogène peut permettre de comprendre les mécanismes évolutifs impliqués dans le contournement des résistances variétales. Ainsi, une étude de la structure génétique (neutre et potentiellement soumise à sélection) des populations de B. lactucae en France a été conduite afin d’identifier les forces évolutives impliquées dans le contournement des résistances de l’hôte et de déterminer l’influence des pressions de sélection des gènes de résistance de la plante hôte sur cette structure. J’ai validé 12 microsatellites, marqueurs moléculaires neutres, pour analyser la structure génétique de B. lactucae en France. Plus de 800 isolats ont été prélevés dans les plus importants bassins de production de la plante hôte, Lactuca sativa. Ces isolats ont été prélevés sur différentes variétés regroupées selon leur combinaison de gènes de résistance. Par ailleurs, une prospection dans le compartiment sauvage a permis d’échantillonner des isolats de B. lactucae sur la plante hôte adventice L. serriola. Le polymorphisme de plusieurs effecteurs candidats à motif RxLR, a été étudié dans différentes populations de Bremia. La faible diversité génétique et l’excès d’hétérozygotie observés sont en faveur d’une reproduction clonale mais de rares évènements de reproduction sexuée sont également suggérés par les résultats. Par ailleurs, la faible différenciation génétique entre populations suggère des flux de gènes importants à l’échelle des régions. Des flux de gènes ont également été mis en évidence entre le pathosystème du compartiment sauvage et le pathosystème du compartiment cultivé évoquant un possible rôle de réservoir génétique des plantes hôtes adventices. Une structuration des populations en plusieurs lignées clonales résultant de la pression de sélection des gènes de résistance des cultivars est également indiquée par l’analyse des résultats des marqueurs neutres et sélectionnés. La caractérisation de la structure des populations de B. lactucae nous permet de mettre en évidence le fort potentiel évolutif (flux de gènes importants, système de reproduction mixe, sélection de mutants et de migrants par les gènes de résistance) de B. lactucae expliquant la rapide adaptation aux résistances hôtes. Ainsi, nous pouvons suggérer des pistes de gestion des gènes de résistance comme favoriser l’utilisation de résistances quantitatives et l’utilisation de cultures d’association afin d’améliorer la durabilité des résistances. / Resistance genes introgressed into cultivated plants are frequently overcame by pathogens, causing outbreaks and economic losses. Therefore, understanding the evolutionary strategies involved in the adaptation of pathogen populations is needed to improve the sustainable management of resistance. Bremia lactucae, the lettuce downy mildew, is under strong selection pressure exerted by host resistance genes. Under this selection pressure, B. lactucae populations showed a rapid adaptation to host resistance. The study of pathogen genetic structure may help to understand the evolutionary mechanisms involved in the overcoming of resistant genes. Study of the genetic structure (neutral and potentially selected markers) of B. lactucae populations in France was conducted in order to identify the evolutionary forces involved in the adaptation of the plant pathogen and to determine the influence of selective pressure of host resistance genes on the population structure. We developed 12 microsatellites markers, to study genetic structure of B. lactucae populations in France. Over 800 isolates were collected from the most important production areas of the host plant, Lactuca sativa. These isolates were taken from different cultivars grouped according to their resistance gene combinations. Moreover, a prospection in the wild compartment allowed sampling isolates of B. lactucae on the wild host L. serriola. The polymorphism of several RxLR candidate effectors was studied in several Bremia populations. Our results showed clonality in Bremia populations but rare events of sexual reproduction are also suggested. Weak genetic differentiation between populations suggested important gene flow between populations at French regional scale. Gene flow was also found between the wild and the crop pathosystems indicating a possible role of wild host plants as genetic reservoir. Moreover, analyzing the population genetic structure suggests the presence of different clonal lineages, resulting probably from selection pressure of resistance genes. Characterizing the population structure of B. lactucae allowed to highlight the strong evolutionary potential (significant gene flow, mixed mating system, selection by resistance genes) of B. lactucae explaining its rapid adaptation to host resistance. Thus, we can suggest some management strategies of resistance genes as promoting the use of quantitative resistance and use of crop association to improve the durability of resistance.

L’adaptation des pathogènes à leurs hôtes et aux variations climatiques, particulièrement à la température est étudiée sur l’agent pathogène biotrophe obligatoire responsable de la rouille jaune du blé, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) au Moyen Orient. Cette étude s’est déroulée au Liban et en Syrie situés dans le berceau de la région de domestication du blé. Des gènes de résistance spécifique ont été postulés au stade plantule pour 87 lignées élites du programme d’amélioration de l’ICARDA,28 cultivars Libanais, et 23 landraces Libanaises en utilisant 11 pathotypes français disponibles à l’INRA-BIOGER. Un seul gène et une combinaison de gènes ont été postulés dans les lignées elites. Neuf gènes de résistance ont été identifiés dans les lignées élites ; plus de génotypes résistants figuraient parmi les lignées issues du programme d’amélioration. Les landraces sont les plus sensibles mais ont montré une ségrégation de réaction résistance parmi les plants sensibles.Pour la structuration de population pathogène du Liban et de la Syrie, un échantillonnage a été fait dans les deux pays sur du blé tendre, du blé dur et des repousses durant 2010-2011. Six isolats Libanais et 48 isolats Syriens ont été pathotypés avec une gamme de 43 hôtes différentiels. 275 échantillons ont été génotypés avec 20 marqueurs SSR. La population était clonale malgré avec la présence de l’hôte secondaire Berberis sp. dans la région, toutefois un nombre élevé de 50 MLG est observé était pour une population clonale. La présence de la race invasive PstS1/PstS2 caractérise cette région. Le profil de virulence Vr2, 6, 7, 9, 27 est le plus fréquent et typique du groupe génétique Méditerranéen (Bahri et al., 2009). La virulence Vr8 n’est pas fixée dans la population malgré sa présence dans la race invasive décrite depuis l’an 2000 (Milus et al., 2009). L’adaptation de la rouille jaune à la température a été décrite par Milus et al. (2009) et Mboup et al. (2012). Notre étude d’adaptation à la température a été faite sur un échantillon de 26 isolats provenant de zones froides et chaudes avec 4 isolats de référence. Nous avons testé deux paramètres d’agressivité, efficacité d’infection et période de latence sous quatre différents régimes de température (Chaud versus froid pour période de rosée et période d’incubation). Les isolats diffèrent pour leur réponse aux variations de température. Quelques isolats montrent une efficacité d’infection et une courte période de latence sous les différents régimes, d’autres sont efficaces au froid mais pas au chaud et vice versa. Pour l’efficacité d’infection, il n’y a pas d’adaptation mais par contre pour la période de latence on montre une adaptation à la température des isolats de la zone chaude ayant une efficacité d’infection. La température chaude de rosée a retardé la période de latence mais ce phénomène a été moins marqué pour les isolats d’origine chaude quand c’est incubé au chaud. Cette étude a montré que la population est clonale avec un haut nombre de pathotypes. Le germplasme n’est pas diversifié avec des gènes de résistance contre la rouille jaune. L’adaptation de l’agent de la rouille jaune à la température parmi les isolats testés a été décrite pour la période de latence pour les isolats provenant d’origine chaude. / The adaptation of fungal pathogen to its hosts and to the climate variation, in particular to the temperature, was investigated on wheat stripe (yellow) rust, caused by the biotroph fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) in the Middle East, focusing on Lebanon and Syria. This disease is a major problem for the crop in the region. Specific resistance genes were postulated in 138 wheat genotypes including elite lines, grown varieties and local landraces, using an array of 11 French pathotypes. Resistance gene diversity for yellow rust in wheat elite lines was higher than in current, commercial varieties grown in Lebanon, with nine Yr genes detected singly or in combination. Some varieties were resistant to all tested pathotypes and might provide interesting sources of resistance. Most of the Lebanese landraces were susceptible but also heterogeneous by their number of plants susceptible and resistant to a specific pathotype in a same landrace.A field survey was conducted in Lebanon and Syria in 2010-2011 and 275 Pst isolates were collected. The pathogen population was genotyped with 20 microsatellite markers and was found to be clonal, although the alternate host Berberis libanotica is present in the region. The dominant multilocus genotype shared similarity with the new invasive strain PstS1/PstS2 dispersed worldwide since 2000. The population was clonal with 10 pathotypes detected in Lebanon and Syria. 50 MLGs were detected considered high for clonal population. The virulence profiles combining Vr2, Vr6, Vr7, Vr9, and Vr27 are typical of the Mediterranean area according to group (Bahri et al., 2009) and corresponded to the worldwide invasive pathotype described since 2000 (Milus et al., 2009). The Vr8 was not fixed in this population, whereas this virulence is frequent in the Mediterranean genetic group (Bahri et al., 2009).Recently Pst strains have been described for adaptation to warm temperature (Milus et al., 2009; Mboup et al., 2012). The question of temperature adaptation in this study was whether the strains adapted to warm temperature are found in few clones of invasive strains or if they are selected in different pathogen genotypes locally under specific climate conditions. We selected 26 Pst isolates from the Middle East, 13 isolates from warm and 13 isolates from cold areas. We assessed their infection efficiency and latent period under four temperature regimes (high and warm temperature for the spore penetration phase, and high and warm temperature for the latency period). The isolates differed for the thermal aptitude for infection efficiency and latent period, but no clear relationship was established between the climate of the origin location of the isolate and its thermal aptitude. Some isolates were able to infect at high temperature but had long latency at high temperature and vice versa, some isolates had low infection efficiency and short latent period at high temperature, and few isolates were efficient either at high temperature or cold temperature for infection efficiency. Latency period showed pattern of local adaptation. Warm dew temperatures retarded sporulation, but this effect was far less marked for isolates from warm climates when incubated under warm conditions.This study provides details about probable effective yellow rust genes present in different genotypes and the prevalent pathotypes in the region. Moreover, the thermal aptitude for infection efficiency and latent period of some isolates under contrasting temperature will help us to build a better integrated disease management in the highlight of global warming.

Le virus de la panachure jaune (RYMV) est une contrainte majeure pour la riziculture en Afrique. Deux gènes contrôlant des résistances récessives ont précédemment été décrits : RYMV1, qui code pour eIF(iso)4G1, un facteur d’initiation de la traduction et RYMV2, qui code pour CPR5-1, un probable composant du pore nucléaire impliqué dans la régulation des mécanismes de défense. Cependant, la capacité du virus à contourner ces résistances justifie la caractérisation de sources de résistance originales, présentes dans les espèces de riz africain O. glaberrima et O. barthii. Trois approches complémentaires ont été mises en œuvre afin d’identifier les facteurs génétiques contrôlant ces résistances.Une approche de cartographie génétique dans des populations bi-parentales a permis l’identification du gène RYMV3, contrôlant la résistance de l’accession Tog5307 et sans doute également de l’accession Tog5672. Il s’agit de la première résistance dominante identifiée dans le pathosystème riz/RYMV. RYMV3 a été cartographié dans un intervalle de 15 kb où deux gènes sont annotés, dont un gène NB-LRR. Des comparaisons de séquences entre accessions résistantes et accessions sensibles suggèrent que le polymorphisme responsable de la résistance est une mutation ponctuelle dans le domaine LRR du gène NB-LRR.Les deux autres approches ont reposé sur l’exploitation de données de séquençage Illumina de 163 accessions O. glaberrima et 84 accessions O. barthii. Les accessions O. glaberrima ont été phénotypées à la fois pour la résistance élevée et pour la résistance partielle au RYMV, et une partie des accessions O. barthii a été évaluée pour la résistance élevée. L’analyse de la variabilité allélique aux trois gènes majeurs de résistance a permis l’identification d’un probable nouvel allèle de résistance à RYMV1 et de six à RYMV2. Ces allèles sont actuellement en cours de validation. D’autre part, une approche de génétique d’association réalisée sur 125 accessions O. glaberrima a mis en évidence deux QTL de résistance partielle sur les chromosomes 6 et 11, dont l’un colocalise, en première approche, avec le gène RYMV3.Ce travail a ainsi permis l’identification d’un gène majeur, de deux QTL et de nouveaux allèles de résistance qui contribuent à une meilleure compréhension des interactions riz/RYMV et sont utilisables en sélection pour améliorer la durabilité des variétés résistantes. / The Rice yellow mottle virus (RYMV) is a major constraint for rice production in Africa. Two genes controlling recessive resistances have been previously described : RYMV1 coding for eIF(iso)4G1, a translation initiation factor, and RYMV2, coding for CPR5-1, a probable component of the nuclear pore complex involved in the regulation of defense mechanisms. However, the virus' ability to overcome these resistances highlight the need to characterize new sources of resistance in the African rice species O. glaberrima and O. barthii. Three complementary approaches were carried out in order to identify the genetic factors controlling these resistances.A genetic mapping strategy in bi-parental populations led to the identification of the RYMV3 gene, controlling resistance in the Tog5307 accession and probably also in the Tog5672 accession. It is the first dominant resistance identified in the rice/RYMV pathosystem. RYMV3 mapped in a 15 kb interval in which two genes annotated occur, including one NB-LRR gene.The two other strategies used were based on the utilization of Illumina sequencing data of 163 O. glaberrima accessions and 84 O. barthii accessions. O. glaberrima accessions were phenotyped for both high and partial resistance to RYMV, and the high resistance of a portion of the O. barthii accessions was assessed. Analysis of allelic variability at the previously identified genes led to the identification of a probable new resistance allele at RYMV1 and of six others at RYMV2. These alleles are currently undergoing validation. Furthermore, a genome wide association study was carried out on 125 O. glaberrima accessions, revealing two partial resistance QTLs on chromosomes 6 and 11, including one colocalized with RYMV3.This work has thus allowed the identification of one major resistance gene, of two QTLs and of new resistance alleles, contributing to a better understanding of rice/RYMV interactions and creating new prospects for the breeding for resistant varieties.

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has become a worldwide health problem, resulting in untreatable infections and escalating healthcare costs. Wastewater treatment plants are a critical point of control between anthropogenic sources of pathogens, antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARBs), antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and the environment through discharge of treated effluent and land application of biosolids. Recent studies observing an apparent resuscitation of pathogens and pathogen indicators and the widening realization of the importance of addressing environmental reservoirs of ARGs all lead toward the need for improved understanding of ARG fate and pathogen inactivation kinetics and mechanisms in sludge stabilization technologies. This research has investigated the fate of two pathogens, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Escherichia coli, and various ARGs under pasteurization, anaerobic digestion, biosolids storage, and land application conditions. Pathogen die-off occurs at a rate specific to each pathogen and matrix in ambient and mesophilic temperature environments. Viable but nonculturable (VBNC) states are initiated by thermal treatments, such as thermophilic digestion and possibly pasteurization, and allow the persistence of pathogen cells and any ARGs contained therein through treatment and into the receiving environment where resuscitation or transformation could occur. Raw sludge ARG content does affect digester effluent quality, although the predominant mechanisms of ARG persistence may be different in mesophilic versus thermophilic digestion. In both thermophilic and mesophilic digestion, a correlation was observed between raw sludge and digester ARGs associated with Class 1 integrons, possibly as a result of horizontal gene transfer. ARB survival was shown to contribute to ARG content in mesophilic digestion, but not thermophilic digestion. Thermophilic digestion may achieve a higher ARG reduction because of reduced microbial diversity compared to mesophilic digestion. However, it is evident that horizontal gene transfer still does occur, particularly with highly mobile integrons, so that complete reduction of all ARGs would not be possible with thermophilic digestion alone. Surprisingly, the experiments that introduced various concentrations of antibiotic sulfamethoxazole and antimicrobial nanosilver did not induce enhanced rates of horizontal gene transfer. Finally, ARG concentrations in biosolids increased during cold temperature storage suggesting that there is a stress induction of horizontal gene transfer of integron-associated ARGs. / Ph. D.

Food-borne illness outbreaks are occasionally associated with fresh-vegetable consumption, in part due to lack of a microbial inactivation step before consumption. Raw manure or improperly composted manure applied as soil amendments is an established source of pathogenic bacterial contamination. However, less is known about whether such soil amendments could serve as a source of transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) or antibiotic-resistance genes (ARGs) via fresh produce. As such knowledge is developing, it is useful to identify strategies for mitigating ARGs and ARB on vegetable surfaces, especially those that are synergistic with known benefits in terms of general pathogen reduction on fresh produce. Sanitizers play an important role in post-harvest processing of vegetables, especially in terms of disinfecting the wash water and preventing cross-contamination. Further, temperature and time of storage of vegetables are critical to prevent the growth of microorganisms. To provide a background inoculum representing potential pre-harvest carryover of ARB and ARGs, carrots or romaine lettuce leaves were dipped in a slurry derived from composted manure from dairy cows previously dosed with antibiotics and further inoculated with multi-drug resistant E. coli O157:H7, a human pathogen, and a spoilage-associated and opportunistic pathogenic strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Inoculated carrots (n=3, 25 g) were washed with water containing different sanitizers (sodium hypochlorite or peroxyacetic acid) or unwashed (control), packaged and stored at 10ºC for 7d or 2ºC for up to 60 d. Inoculated lettuce leaves (n=3, 100 g) were washed with sodium hypochlorite, packaged in modified atmosphere conditions (98% nitrogen), irradiated (1.0 kGy) and subsequently stored at 4ºC for 14 d. The effect of post-harvest treatment were compared at various times by enumeration on selective media. In addition, cultureindependent techniques were also performed to determine changes to the surficial carrot and lettuce microbiota by sequencing bacterial 16S rRNA gene amplicons. The effect of post-harvest treatments on the types and relative abundance of ARGs, also known as the “resistome,” were profiled by shotgun metagenomic sequencing and qPCR. Addition of a sanitizer during wash, storage temperature, and duration of storage affected the bacterial community structures on carrots, represented by the weighted Unifrac distance matrices (ANOSIM, R=0.465). Storage of sanitizer-washed carrots at 10ºC was associated with an increase in relative abundance of Pseudomonadaceae compared to 2ºC storage for 7 d (Wilcoxon, p<0.05). Increase in storage temperature from 2ºC (optimum) to 10ºC (temperature abuse) of sanitizer-washed carrots resulted in enrichment of ARGs conferring resistance to the following antibiotic classes: multidrug, peptide, polymyxin, quinolone, triclosan, aminoglycoside, bacitracin, β-lactam, and fosfomycin. Irradiation resulted in significant reductions (~3.5 log CFU/g) of inoculated antibiotic-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and Pseudomonas sp. on lettuce surfaces (ANOVA, p<0.05). The lettuce resistome, represented by the Bray-Curtis similarity of ARG occurrence, was affected by irradiation (ANOSIM, R=0.406). Irradiation of lettuce followed by 14 d of storage at 4ºC resulted in 2-4-fold reductions in relative abundance of ARGs encoding resistance to the following antibiotic classes: triclosan, quinolones, multidrug, polymyxin and β-lactam (Wilcoxon, p<0.05). No additional increase or reduction of the tet(A) gene present on inoculated P. aeruginosa was evident after 14d storage at 4ºC on irradiated samples. Results of this study suggest that inclusion of a sanitizer in wash water, irradiation, and storage at optimum refrigerated temperatures may offer effective strategies to combat proliferation of antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes on fresh produce. Further research is needed develop interventions that can mitigate tet(A) and other ARGs on produce that were not significantly reduced by irradiation. This study will guide future research on microbiome and metagenome of processed produce and assessment of critical control points to reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance from farm-to-fork. / PHD / Post-harvest interventions; such as washing, irradiation and cold storage, are employed to provide safe and wholesome fresh vegetables to consumers. Washing of vegetables in water that includes a sanitizing agent, such as chlorine or peroxyacetic acid (POAA), removes soil from the surface, reduces the bacteria in wash water and prevent cross-contamination between vegetables. It has an additional benefit to reduce microorganisms on produce surfaces that may cause the vegetables to spoil or result in illness in humans. Low temperature storage of produce, usually 0-5ºC, decreases the respiration rate of vegetables and reduces growth of microorganisms during storage. Some of the spoilage and/or pathogenic bacteria may also be antibiotic-resistant, which are commonly termed as antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB). Antibiotic resistance is a significant public health concern that leads to ineffective medical treatments, prolonged duration of illnesses and increased hospitalization costs. Antibiotic resistance is encoded by genes that confer resistance to wide range of antibiotic classes, including antibiotics used to treat human illnesses. These genes are termed as antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). In this study we examined the effect of three common post-harvest interventions, washing with sanitizers, gamma irradiation, and cold storage to reduce antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens and antibiotic-resistant spoilage bacteria on carrots and lettuce. Storage temperature, inclusion of sanitizer in wash water, and length of chilled storage significantly influenced the diversity of bacteria found on carrot surface. Inclusion of either sanitizer in the wash water significantly reduced the populations of antibiotic-resistant E. coli O157:H7 (a pathogenic bacterium that causes a dangerous form of gastrointestinal illness) and Pseudomonas sp. (a bacterial species that commonly causes food spoilage). Storage at recommended temperature (2ºC) did not allow these bacteria to regrow and also reduced total ARGs on carrot surfaces. Washing of lettuce with sodium hypochlorite followed by irradiation (1.0 kGy) and storage at recommended temperature (4ºC) were effective in reducing the populations of antibiotic-resistant E. coli O157:H7 and Pseudomonas sp., and additionally reduced the number of some ARGs conferring resistance to select classes of antibiotics, including triclosan, quinolones, multidrug, polymyxin and β-lactam antibiotics on the lettuce surface. A novelty of this research is that it employed new, cutting-edge “metagenomic” DNA sequencing technique to identify and track antibiotic resistance through the various post-harvest interventions. Overall results of this research suggest that inclusion of sanitizer in wash water for fresh produce, followed by storage at refrigerated temperatures below 4ºC may reduce the risk posed by antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes on produce.

Bibliography / Thesis (PhD (Pathology. Medical Microbiology))--University of Stellenbosch, 2010. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Overview: Mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas are not routinely diagnosed and are under researched in South Africa. Prevalence, population shifts especially concerning genital flora and implications in infection or other conditions are unknown. Information pertaining to Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratory disease is similarly lacking. There is little information on antimicrobial susceptibilities and resistance development against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) syndromic management approaches. Aims: a) Elucidate mycoplasmal and ureaplasmal prevalence and contributing factors concerning cervical colonisation or preterm delivery in conjunction with HIV and Chlamydia trachomatis b) Investigate prevalence of M. pneumoniae in respiratory infections in conjunction with HIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Pneumocystis jiroveci. c) Determine antimicrobial susceptibilities of mycoplasmas and ureaplasmas and analyse resistance genes. d) Assess the inter-generic transfer potential of resistance gene (tetM) between Ureaplasma spp. and Neisseria gonorrhea. Genital setting: The prevalence of genital mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and Chlamydia on women attending their first prenatal visit, in conjunction with preterm labour or HIV status was investigated. For preterm labour (2003), 199 women were monitored for preterm delivery (<37 weeks); for colonisation and HIV (2005), 219 women were screened. Microbial detection was performed on DNA extracted from endocervical swabs employing PCR techniques. Colonisation was seen to be highest in the 14-20 year group from 2003. In women aged ±21 years, co-colonisation was 13% although there was a shift from co-colonisation with Mycoplasma hominis and Ureaplasma spp. in 2003 to other dual/triple combinations in 2005. Overall major trends from both collection periods were that the prevalence of Ureaplasma spp. tended to be higher in women ±26 years, whilst prevalence of C. trachomatis and M. hominis were lower. No association was evident between colonisation with M. hominis, U. urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum and labour outcome. HIV status had no effect on the prevalence/co-colonisation of M. hominis, Ureaplasma spp. or C. trachomatis. Respiratory setting: Studies were conducted to determine the prevalence of community acquired atypical pneumonias in adults (M. pneumoniae and P. jiroveci) and neonates (mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and Chlamydia trachomatis) in order to improve treatment management programmes in the Port Elizabeth region. Sputum specimens from 102 adult patients presenting with pneumonia/symptoms of pneumonia admitted to hospitals were assessed by PCR. Details of patient’s gender, age, HIV and Mycobacterium tuberculosis status were provided by the hospitals. Women were seen to be at high risk for community-acquired P. jiroveci colonisation. Overall, prevalence of P. jiroveci was 52.9% (54/102 patients). P. jiroveci was mainly associated with HIV (25/74) (P. jiroveci and HIV positive patients in patient sample for which clinical data and HIV status was available) and co-infection with M. tuberculosis was observed in 12 HIV cases and one HIV negative patient. No DHPS (20) or DHFR (17) resistance associated mutations were found in P. jiroveci. M. pneumoniae was detected in one patient. For prevalence studies (2007-2008) on atypical pneumonia in neonates, 69 endotracheal aspirates were obtained. PCR detection of M. hominis, U. urealyticum and C. trachomatis was performed and U. parvum detected in two specimens. Antibiotic susceptibilities and resistance genes: The following investigations on clinical isolates of U. parvum and U. urealyticum were conducted (i) antibiotic susceptibility profiles, (ii) detection of drug target gene mutations, or gene acquisitions and (iii) inter-generic resistance gene transfer potential to Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Culture techniques applied to 132 endocervical specimens provided 66 Ureaplasma cultures (35 U. parvum, 9 U. urealyticum, 22 U. parvum + U. urealyticum). MIC determinations to ofloxacin, erythromycin, tetracycline, doxycycline, azithromycin and josamycin were performed. Thirty-seven ureaplasma cultures were fully susceptible to all antibiotics tested; 21 showed intermediate resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin and ofloxacin; while seven were resistant to tetracycline, three of which were also resistant to doxycycline and one also resistant to azithromycin. Concerning ofloxacin resistance directed at quinolone resistance determining regions, a substitution of Ser83Leu in ParC was demonstrated in one intermediately-resistant Ureaplasma (MIC 4 µg/ml) while a triple substitution of Asp112Glu in GyrA along with Ala125Thr and Ala136Thr in ParC was found in six further intermediately-resistant strains. No mutations were found in strains with MICs 1 µg/ml. No mutations were detected in 23S rRNA operons, L4 or L22 proteins. TetM and int-Tn genes were found in seven tetracycline-resistant strains. On screening 59 tetracycline-susceptible and -intermediate strains, eleven whilst possessing an int-Tn gene lacked a large region of tetM and 48 only contained small regions of tetM. The tetM genes of the seven tetracycline-resistant strains were sequenced and comparisons performed against GenBank sequences of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus pneumoniae and U. urealyticum. For five strains tetM was seen to be highly mosaic in structure containing regions that were similar to those of the GenBank strains and others that were unique. In the tetM leader region, four hot spot recombination sites were identified that could certainly influence the formation of the mosaic structures, upstream insertion sequences/open reading frames and transposon regions that regulate expression. On characterising the int-Tn genes of the seven tetracycline-resistant strains, three types were present indicating transposons from different origins had integrated into ureaplasma genomes. Reciprocal tetracycline resistance gene transfer between ureaplasmas and N. gonorrhoeae were unsuccessful. However, low-level tetracycline resistance (MICs 4-8 µg/ml) was transferred to a U. parvum recipient from one U. urealyticum and three U. parvum donors that carried tetM with MICs 16-64 µg/ml. On tetM PCR analysis, tetM was not detected in the transformants. Conclusions: The importance of genital mycoplasmas, ureaplasmas and C. trachomatis in long term aetiologies requires further investigations, certainly in relation with syndromic management regimens that fail to reduce colonisation rates. The high prevalence of P. jiroveci, the presence of M. pneumoniae in cases of pneumonia and detection of U. parvum in two cases of neonatal pneumonia investigated emphasises that in the absence of definitive diagnoses, it is crucial to monitor treatment responses carefully, especially when first line antibiotic preferences are ß-lactams, in order to ensure adequate and informed delivery of medical care. The finding of transposon and/or tetM regions in all ureaplasmas investigated with or without full expression of tetracycline resistance, in conjunction with tetM gene diversity, certainly places ureaplasmas strongly in the picture for intra- and inter-generic exchange of antibiotic resistance genes. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Oorsig: Mikoplasma en ureaplasma word nie roetineweg gediagnoseer nie en in Suid Afrika is nog min navorsing daaroor gedoen. Prevalensie, populasie verskuiwings, veral in genital flora, en die impliksies van infeksie en ander toestande is onbekend. Inligting rakende Mycoplasma pneumoniae in respiratoriese siekte is ook gebrekkig. Daar is min inligting beskikbaar rakende die antimikrobiale vatbaarheid en die ontwikkeling van weerstandigheid gesien teen die benadering tot sindromiese hantering van seksueel oordraagbare siektes. Doelwitte: a) Om inligting te verskaf oor die prevalensie van mikoplasma en ureaplasma en bydraende faktore betreffende voortydige kraam tesame met MIV en Chlamydia trachomatis. b) Ondersoek van die prevalensie van M. pneumoniae in respiratoriese infeksies tesame met MIV, Mycobacterium tuberculosis en Pneumocystis jiroveci. c) Bepaling van die antimikrobiale vatbaarheid van mikoplasma en ureaplasma en analisevan weerstandigheids gene. d) Bereken die inter-genetiese oordrag potensiaal van weerstandigheids gene (tetM) tussen Ureaplasma spp. en Naisseria gonorrhoeae. Genitale omgewing: Die prevalensie van genitale mikoplasma, ureaplasma en Chlamydia in vroue tydens hul eerste prenatale besoek, tesame met vroegtydige kraam en MIV status is ondersoek. In voortydige kraam (2003), is 199 vroue gemonitor vir voortydige kraam (<37 weke); vir kolonisasie en MIV (2005), is 219 vroue getoets. Mikrobiale toetsing is gedoen deur DNS te win vanaf endoservikale deppers met PKR tegnieke. Kolonisasie was die hoogste in die ouderdomsgroep 14.20 jaar, in 2003. In vroue van ±21 jaar was medekolonisasie 13% alhoewel daar en verskuiwing was van mede-kolonisasie met Mycoplasma hominis en Ureaplasma spp. in 2003 tot ander dubbel/trippel kombinasies in 2005. Die oorkoepelende tendens in altwee die tydperke van waarneming was dat die prevalensie van Ureoplasma spp. geneig was om hoër te wees in vroue ±26 jaar, terwyl prevalensie van C. trachomatis en M. hominis laer was. Geen assosiasie kon getoon word tussen koloniesasie met M. hominis, U. urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum en uitkoms van kraam nie. MIV status het geen effek gehad op die prevalensie/mede-kolonisasie van M. hominis, Ureaplasma spp. of C. Trachomatis nie. Respiratories: Studies is gedoen om die prevalensie van gemeenskaps verworwe atipiese pneumonie in volwassenes (M. pneumoniae en P. jiroveci) en neonate (mikoplasma, ureaplasma en Chlamydia trachomatis) te bepaal om behandeling en hantering programme in die Port Elizabeth area te verbeter. Sputum monsters van 102 volwasse pasiënte wat presenteer het met pneumonie of simptome van pneumonie en wat tot hospitale toegelaat was, is ontleed. Besonderhede van die pasiënte se geslag, ouderdom, MIV en Mycobacterium tuberculosis status is deur die hospitale verskaf. PKR is gedoen met inleiers gerig teen die volgende gene: P. jiroveci vir die aantoning van mitokondriale groot subeenheid RNS en vir die analise van mutasies vir ko-trimoksasool weerstandigheid dihydropteroaat sintetase (DHPS) en dihydrofolaat reduktase (DHFR); M. pneumoniae vir die aantoning van P1 adhesien en 16S rRNS. Vroue het ‘n hoë risiko vir gemeenskapsverworwe P. jiroveci kolonisasie gehad. In die algemeen was die prevalensie van P. jiroveci 52.9% (54/102 pasiënte). P. jiroveci was hoofsaaklik geassosieerd met MIV (25/74) (P. jiroveci en MIV positiewe pasiënte in die pasiënt monster waarvoor daar kliniese data en MIV status bekend was) en mede-infeksie met M. tuberculosis is gesien in 12 MIV gevalle en een MIV negatiewe pasiënt. Geen DHPS (20) of DHFR (17) weerstandigheids geassosieerde mutasies is gevind in P. Jiroveci nie. M. pneumoniae was aangetoon in een pasiënt. Vir prevalensie studies (2007-2008) op atipiese pneumonie in neonate is 69 endotrageale aspirate verkry. PKR toetsing vir M. hominis, U. urealyticum en C. trachomatis is gedoen met ‘primers’ soos voorheen gepubliseer. Ureaplasma parvum is aangetoon in twee neonate met PKR met negatiewe kultuur resultate. Antibiotika sensitiwiteite en weerstandigheids gene: Die volgende toetse is gedoen op kliniese isolate van U. parvum en U. urealyticum (i) antibiotika sensitiwiteits profiele, (ii) aantoning van teiken geen mutasies, of geen aanwinste en (iii) potensiaal vir inter-generiese weerstandigheids geen oordrag na Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Kultuur tegnieke toegepas op 132 endoservikale monsters het 66 Ureaplasma kulture gelewer (35 U. parvum, 9 U. urealyticum, 22 U. parvum + U. urealyticum). MIK bepaling vir ofloksasien, eritromisien, tetrasiklien, doksisiklien, azitromisien en josamisien is gedoen. Sewe-en-dertig kulture was ten volle sensitief vir alle antibiotika wat getoets is; een-en twintig het intermediere weerstandigheid teenoor eritromisien, azitromisien en ofloksasien getoon, terwyl sewe weerstandig was vir tetrasiklien, drie daarvan was ook weerstandig vir doksisiklien. Wat betref ofloksasien weerstandigheid gemik teen kwinoloon weerstandigheids bepalende gebiede, is vervanging van Ser83Leu in ParC gedemonstreer in een intermedier weerstandige Ureaplasma (MIK 4 µml) terwyl en trippel vervanging van Asp112Glu in GyrA saam met Ala125Thr en Ala136Thr in ParC gevind is in ses ander intermedier weerstandige stamme. Geen mutasies is gevind in stamme met MIKs van MICs 1 µg/ml nie. Geeneen van die ureaplasma was weerstandig vir eritromisien/azitromisien nie en geen mutasies is gevind in 23S rRNA operons , L4 of L22 proteine nie. TetM en int- Tn gene is gevind in sewe tetrasiklien weerstandige stamme. 58 Tetrasiklien sensitiewe en .intermediere stamme is getoets, waarvan elf en int-Tn geen gekort het sowel as en groot deel van tetM, terwyl 48 slegs klein dele van TetM bevat het. Die tetM gene van die sewe tetrasiklein-werstandige stamme se geenvolgorde is bepaal en vergelykings is getref teenoor die GenBank volgordes van Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Streptococcus pneumoniae en U. urealyticum. In vyf stamme is gevind dat die tetM geen hoogs mosaiek in struktuur was met areas wat ooreenstem met die in GenBank stamme, en ander areas wat uniek is. In die tetM leier area, is vier ehot spot f herkombinasie areas geidentifiseer wat sekerlik die vorming van die mosaiiek strukture kon beinvloed, asook transposon areas wat geenuitdrukking bepaal. Met karakterisering van die int-Tn gene van die sewe tetrasikleinweerstandlige stamme, was drie tipes teenwoordig waarin transposons vanaf verskillende oorsprong aangedui was, geintegreerd met die ureaplama genome. Resiprokale tetrasiklien weerstandigheids geen oordrag tussen ureaplasma en n. gonorrhoea was nie suksesvol nie. Lae-vlak tetrasiklien weerstandigheid (MIK fs van 4 . 8 µg/ml) is wel suksesvol oorgedra na en U. parvum ontvanger vanaf een U. urealyticum en drie U. parvum ontvangers wat tetM gedra het met MIKs van 16-64 µg/ml. Met die analise van tetM met PKR, kon tetM nie aangetoon word in die transformante nie. Gevolgtrekkings: Die belang van genitale mykoplasma, ureaplasma en C. trachomatis in langtermyn etologie benodig verdere ondersoek, veral in die lig van die sindromiese behandeling regimes wat nie kolonisasie verminder nie. Die hoe prevalensie van P. jiroveci, die teenwoordigheid van M. pneumoniae in gevalle van pneumonie en die aantoning van U. parvum in twee gevalle van neonatale pneumonie benadruk dat, in die afwesigheid van en definitiewe diagnose, dit noodsaaklik is om respons tot behandeling sorgvuldig te moniteer, veral indien die eerste lyn antibiotika keuse ß-laktam antimikrobiale middels of kefalosporiene is, sodat behoorlike en ingeligde gesondheidsorg gelewer kan word. Die bevinding van transposon en/of tetM gebiede in alle ureaplasma wat ondersoek is met of sonder volle uitdrukking van tetrasiklien weerstandigheid, in samehang met tetM diversiteit, plaas verseker ureaplasma sterk in die prentjie vir intra- en inter-generiese uitruiling van antibiotika weerstandigheids gene. / Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University / National Research Foundation (NRF Thuthuka) / Medical Research Council

Plusieurs études ont examiné la sensibilité aux antimicrobiens chez les bactéries d’organismes provenant de produits issus de l’aquaculture ou de leur environnement. Aucune information n’est cependant disponible concernant la résistance aux antimicrobiens dans les bactéries de la flore de poissons ou de fruits de mer vendus au détail au Canada. C’est particulièrement vrai en ce qui a trait aux bactéries des genres Aeromonas et Vibrio, dont certaines espèces sont des agents pathogènes zoonotiques connus. Au cours de cette étude, la sensibilité aux antimicrobiens d’isolats d’Aeromonas spp. et de Vibrio spp. provenant de poissons et de crevettes domestiques et importés a été mesurée à l’aide de techniques de micro dilution en bouillon et/ou de diffusion sur disque. Les classes d’antimicrobiens examinés comprenaient les tétracyclines (TET), les inhibiteurs de la voie des folates (sulfadiméthoxine-triméthoprime, SXT), le florfenicol (FLO), et les quinolones (acide nalidixique / enrofloxacine, NA/ENO). Des valeurs seuils épidémiologiques pour Aeromonas et Vibrio ont été établies en utilisant la méthode d’interprétation normalisée des données de résistance provenant de diffusion sur disque. La recherche de gènes de résistance associés au profil de résistance des isolats a été effectuée en utilisant des PCRs et des puces ADN. Le nombre d’isolats résistants aux divers antimicrobiens parmi les 201 isolats d’Aeromonas et les 185 isolats de Vibrio étaient respectivement les suivants: TET (n=24 et 10), FLO (n=1 et 0), SXT (n=2 et 8), NA (n=7 et 5) et ENO (n= 5 et 0). Diverses associations de gènes tet(A), tet(B), tet(E), floR, sul1, sul2, et intI1 ont été détectées, les gènes tet(E), intI1, sul2 et tet(B) étant les plus communs. Les espèces d’Aeromonas et de Vibrio isolées de poissons au détail et de fruits de mer peuvent héberger une variété de gènes de résistance, bien que peu fréquemment. Le risque que représente ces gènes de résistance reste à évaluer en considérant le potentiel infectieux des bactéries, l’utilisation des ces agents antimicrobiens pour le traitement des maladies en aquaculture et en médecine humaine et leur rôle en tant que réservoir de la résistance antimicrobienne. / Multiple studies have examined antimicrobial susceptibility in bacteria from aquacultured products microorganisms and their environment. However, no information is available concerning antimicrobial resistance in bacterial flora of fish and seafood available at the retail level in Canada. This is particularly true for the common aquatic commensals, Aeromonas and Vibrio, for which some species are known zoonotic pathogens. In the course of this study, the antimicrobial susceptibility among Aeromonas spp. and Vibrio spp. from domestic and imported fish and seafood was characterized. Aeromonas and Vibrio spp. isolates cultured from finfish and shrimp samples were evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility by broth microdilution and/or disk diffusion techniques. Antimicrobial classes examined in detail included: tetracyclines (TET), folate pathway inhibitors (sulfadimethoxine-trimethoprim, SXT), florfenicol (FLO), and the quinolones (nalidixic acid / enrofloxacin, NA/ENO). Epidemiological cut-off values (ECV’s) for Aeromonas/Vibrio were established using normalized resistance interpretation (NRI) of disk diffusion data. Isolates were further examined by PCR and microarray for genes associated with their antimicrobial resistance. Of 201 Aeromonas and 185 Vibrio isolates, those classified as resistant were as follows, respectively: TET (n=24 and 10), FLO (n=1 and 0), SXT (n=2 and 8), NA (n=7 and 5) and ENO (n=5 and 0). Various combinations of tet(A), tet(B), tet(E), floR, sul1, sul2 and intI1 genes were detected with tet(E), intI1, sul2 and tet(B) being the most common. Vibrio and Aeromonas species isolated from retail fish and seafood sources can harbor a variety of resistance determinants, although their occurrence is not high. The risk represented by these resistances remains to be evaluated in view of the potential for bacterial infection and their role as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance.

Introdução. Quinolonas são antimicrobianos sintéticos que inibem as enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV resultando na morte bacteriana. São altamente eficazes no tratamento de infecções bacterianas, especialmente causadas por bactérias Gram negativas, e portanto amplamente utilizados na medicina humana e veterinária, na qual também são empregados como profiláticos. Porém, o uso indiscriminado e inadequado levou ao aumento de bactérias resistentes a estes compostos. Esta resistência pode ocorrer devido a mutações nas enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV, e também por genes contidos em plasmídeos. Estes últimos são os principais responsáveis pela disseminação e circulação da resistência entre o meio ambiente e o ambiente hospitalar. Objetivos. Pesquisar genes de resistência a antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas em bactérias Gram negativas de origem clínica e ambiental que apresentam resistência fenotípica a este grupo. Material e Métodos. 73 cepas de Enterobacteriaceae e Aeromonas sp. de origem clínica e ambiental foram selecionadas para o estudo, e avaliadas quanto à sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas e à pesquisa de genes de resistência a este mesmo grupo e mutações no gene que codifica a enzima DNA-girase por meio de PCR e sequenciamento. Resultados. Das 73 cepas previamente selecionadas para compor o estudo, 65 foram utilizadas, devido à exclusão de perfis clonais similares. Nestas, foram observados os genes, qnrS1 (1,5 por cento ), qnrS2 (26,2 por cento ), qnrB1 (3,1 por cento ), qnrB19 (12,3 por cento ), qnrD1 (1,5 por cento ), aac(6)-Ib-cr (10,8 por cento ), oqxA (43,1 por cento ) e oqxB (41,5 por cento ), e duas variantes determinadas qnrB-like (3,1 por cento ) e qnrB69-like (1,5 por cento ). Os genes qnrA, qnrC e qepA não foram identificados. Mutações na enzima DNA-girase foram observadas em 97,9 por cento das cepas positivas para algum dos genes pesquisados. Em 4 cepas foi possível estabelecer a associação do gene aac(6)-Ib-cr com integron de classe 1. Foi realizado sequenciamento e caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde estava inserido o gene qnrD1. Conclusões. Este estudo relata pela primeira vez no Brasil a ocorrência dos genes qnrS2, oqxA e oqxB, a associação entre o elemento genético integron de classe 1 e o gene aac(6)-Ib-cr, e o gene qnrD1 e a caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde este estava inserido. Os genes qnrB1, qnrB19, e aac(6)-Ib-cr, anteriormente apenas relatados em cepas clínicas, foram observados em cepas ambientais. Os resultados deste estudo mostram alta frequência de genes de resistência a quinolonas tanto em isolados clínicos quanto em isolados ambientais, alertando quanto à disseminação da resistência entre fontes diferentes, e possível manutenção destes genes por cepas ambientais. / Introduction. Quinolones are synthetic antimicrobial agents that inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes resulting in bacterial death. They are highly effective in the treatment of bacterial infections, especially the ones caused by Gram negative bacteria, as well as for prophylaxy. Therefore they are widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, indiscriminate and improper use led to an increase of bacteria resistance to these compounds. This resistance can be due to mutations in DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes and also by genes contained in plasmids, which are mainly responsible for the spread and transmission of resistance between the environment and the hospital set. Objectives. To search for genes of resistance to quinolone antimicrobial agents in Gram-negative bacteria from clinical and environmental strains that present phenotypic resistance to this group. Material and Methods. 73 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonas spp., from clinical and environmental origin, were selected for this study, and evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility of quinolone and search of resistance genes in this same group and also for mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme DNA gyrase by PCR and sequencing. Results. Of the 73 strains previously selected to compose this study, 65 were used, due to the exclusion of similar clonal profiles. In these, genes qnrS1 (1.5 per cent ), qnrS2 (26.2 per cent ) qnrB1 (3.1 per cent ), qnrB19 (12.3 per cent ) qnrD1 (1.5 per cent ) aac(6\')-Ib-cr (10.8 per cent ) oqxA (43.1 per cent ) and oqxB (41.5 per cent ) were observed, and two variants were named as qnrB-like (3.1 per cent ) and qnrB69-like (1.5 per cent ). The qnrA, qnrC and qepA genes were not identified. Mutations in DNA gyrase enzyme were observed in 97.9 per cent of the positive strains for at least one of the genes studied. It was possible to establish the association of aac(6\')-Ib-cr with class 1 integron gene in four strains. Complete sequencing and characterization of plasmid qnrD1, where the gene was inserted, was performed. Conclusions. This study reports, for the first time in Brazil, the occurrence of qnrS2, oqxA and oqxB genes, the association between genetic element integron class 1 gene and the aac (6 \')-Ib-cr, and qnrD1 gene and the characterization of the complete plasmid where this was inserted. qnrB1, qnrB19, and aac(6\')-Ib-cr genes, previously only reported in clinical strains, were observed in environmental strains. The results of this study show a high frequency of quinolone-resistance genes for both clinical and environmental isolates, warning about the spread of resistance through different sources, and the possible maintenance of these genes by environmental strains.

Introdução. Quinolonas são antimicrobianos sintéticos que inibem as enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV resultando na morte bacteriana. São altamente eficazes no tratamento de infecções bacterianas, especialmente causadas por bactérias Gram negativas, e portanto amplamente utilizados na medicina humana e veterinária, na qual também são empregados como profiláticos. Porém, o uso indiscriminado e inadequado levou ao aumento de bactérias resistentes a estes compostos. Esta resistência pode ocorrer devido a mutações nas enzimas DNA-girase e topoisomerase IV, e também por genes contidos em plasmídeos. Estes últimos são os principais responsáveis pela disseminação e circulação da resistência entre o meio ambiente e o ambiente hospitalar. Objetivos. Pesquisar genes de resistência a antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas em bactérias Gram negativas de origem clínica e ambiental que apresentam resistência fenotípica a este grupo. Material e Métodos. 73 cepas de Enterobacteriaceae e Aeromonas sp. de origem clínica e ambiental foram selecionadas para o estudo, e avaliadas quanto à sensibilidade aos antimicrobianos do grupo das quinolonas e à pesquisa de genes de resistência a este mesmo grupo e mutações no gene que codifica a enzima DNA-girase por meio de PCR e sequenciamento. Resultados. Das 73 cepas previamente selecionadas para compor o estudo, 65 foram utilizadas, devido à exclusão de perfis clonais similares. Nestas, foram observados os genes, qnrS1 (1,5 por cento ), qnrS2 (26,2 por cento ), qnrB1 (3,1 por cento ), qnrB19 (12,3 por cento ), qnrD1 (1,5 por cento ), aac(6)-Ib-cr (10,8 por cento ), oqxA (43,1 por cento ) e oqxB (41,5 por cento ), e duas variantes determinadas qnrB-like (3,1 por cento ) e qnrB69-like (1,5 por cento ). Os genes qnrA, qnrC e qepA não foram identificados. Mutações na enzima DNA-girase foram observadas em 97,9 por cento das cepas positivas para algum dos genes pesquisados. Em 4 cepas foi possível estabelecer a associação do gene aac(6)-Ib-cr com integron de classe 1. Foi realizado sequenciamento e caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde estava inserido o gene qnrD1. Conclusões. Este estudo relata pela primeira vez no Brasil a ocorrência dos genes qnrS2, oqxA e oqxB, a associação entre o elemento genético integron de classe 1 e o gene aac(6)-Ib-cr, e o gene qnrD1 e a caracterização do plasmídeo completo onde este estava inserido. Os genes qnrB1, qnrB19, e aac(6)-Ib-cr, anteriormente apenas relatados em cepas clínicas, foram observados em cepas ambientais. Os resultados deste estudo mostram alta frequência de genes de resistência a quinolonas tanto em isolados clínicos quanto em isolados ambientais, alertando quanto à disseminação da resistência entre fontes diferentes, e possível manutenção destes genes por cepas ambientais. / Introduction. Quinolones are synthetic antimicrobial agents that inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes resulting in bacterial death. They are highly effective in the treatment of bacterial infections, especially the ones caused by Gram negative bacteria, as well as for prophylaxy. Therefore they are widely used in human and veterinary medicine. However, indiscriminate and improper use led to an increase of bacteria resistance to these compounds. This resistance can be due to mutations in DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV enzymes and also by genes contained in plasmids, which are mainly responsible for the spread and transmission of resistance between the environment and the hospital set. Objectives. To search for genes of resistance to quinolone antimicrobial agents in Gram-negative bacteria from clinical and environmental strains that present phenotypic resistance to this group. Material and Methods. 73 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Aeromonas spp., from clinical and environmental origin, were selected for this study, and evaluated for antimicrobial susceptibility of quinolone and search of resistance genes in this same group and also for mutations in the gene encoding the enzyme DNA gyrase by PCR and sequencing. Results. Of the 73 strains previously selected to compose this study, 65 were used, due to the exclusion of similar clonal profiles. In these, genes qnrS1 (1.5 per cent ), qnrS2 (26.2 per cent ) qnrB1 (3.1 per cent ), qnrB19 (12.3 per cent ) qnrD1 (1.5 per cent ) aac(6\')-Ib-cr (10.8 per cent ) oqxA (43.1 per cent ) and oqxB (41.5 per cent ) were observed, and two variants were named as qnrB-like (3.1 per cent ) and qnrB69-like (1.5 per cent ). The qnrA, qnrC and qepA genes were not identified. Mutations in DNA gyrase enzyme were observed in 97.9 per cent of the positive strains for at least one of the genes studied. It was possible to establish the association of aac(6\')-Ib-cr with class 1 integron gene in four strains. Complete sequencing and characterization of plasmid qnrD1, where the gene was inserted, was performed. Conclusions. This study reports, for the first time in Brazil, the occurrence of qnrS2, oqxA and oqxB genes, the association between genetic element integron class 1 gene and the aac (6 \')-Ib-cr, and qnrD1 gene and the characterization of the complete plasmid where this was inserted. qnrB1, qnrB19, and aac(6\')-Ib-cr genes, previously only reported in clinical strains, were observed in environmental strains. The results of this study show a high frequency of quinolone-resistance genes for both clinical and environmental isolates, warning about the spread of resistance through different sources, and the possible maintenance of these genes by environmental strains.