No description available.

The purpose of this thesis is to explore the interaction between antibiotics at sub-lethal doses, and E.coli. Initially we focussed on pairwise antibiotic interaction, and the potential to exploit these interactions to minimise antibiotic resistance. In testing the hypothesis that antagonism will slow adaptation by reducing selection for resistance we determined that there are conditions in which this fails to be the case. We furthermore caution against treating drug interactions as anything other than a dynamic property of the bacteria-drug interaction, by showing that the relationship between two drugs may be both synergistic and antagonistic depending on a variety of factors. Whilst exploring the adaptive response to drug combinations we discovered a highly unusual effect of Doxycycline to act as a growth stimulant to E.coli AG100. Chapter 3 and 4 are devoted to determining the nature and mechanism of this stimulation, and analysing any potential genomic changes using whole genome re-sequencing. Having shown that dose response is not always a monotone function of increasing drug dose, in chapter 5 we also look at the dose response in a diffusive context, using a custom built imaging system to show the common non-monotonicity of disk diffusion type assays, that manifest themselves as bullseye patterns of growth. We use a mathematical model to explore the ecological and adaptive reasons for such patterns. Finally in chapter 6 we look at the coevolutionary history of phage and E.coli REL606 strains, by determining trade-offs caused by lambda phage and the sole carbon source maltotriose both utilising the same porin (lamB) for cell entry.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Uppsala : Sveriges lantbruksuniv., 2006. / Härtill 5 uppsatser.

No description available.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo isolar e identificar os microrganismos aeróbicos e a frequência de isolamento de Escherichia coli patogênica ao homem em fezes de cães sem sintomas de colibacilose e assim averiguar a participação do cão como fonte de infeção de colibacilose humana. No período de setembro de 2002 a outubro de 2004, foram coletadas 220 amostras de fezes de animais capturados pelos CCZ de Guarulhos, Cotia e Barueri, cidades do Estado de São Paulo. O método de coleta foi através de swabs estéreis profundamente ao intestino dos animais anestesiados, mantidos sob refrigeração e em caldo BHI. As bactérias foram isoladas por semeadura em Mac Conkey, ágar sangue e Sabouraud. Houve crescimento de microrganismos em 100% delas. Foram isolados os seguintes microrganismos: 120 (54,54%) estirpes de E. coli em cultura pura e 76 (34,54%) estirpes em associação com outros agentes, Proteus mirabilis (2,27%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2,27%), dentre outros microrganismos. Deve-se ressaltar ainda o isolamento de leveduras (Candida albicans) em associação com outros agentes a partir de 05 (2,27%) amostras de swabs retais. Uma vez isoladas, seus genes de virulência foram detectados por PCR. De um total de 196 estirpes de E. coli isoladas, 123 (62,75%) apresentaram um ou mais dos fatores de virulência estudados. Dessas 196 estirpes, 16 (8,16%) foram positivas para afa, 54 (27,55%) foram positivas para sfa, 38 (19,38%) foram positivas para pap, 66 (33,67%) foram positivas para aer, 31 (15,81%) foram positivas para cnf, 13 (6,63%) foram positivas para hly, 01(0,51%) foi positiva para VT2 e nenhuma das linhagens foi positiva para LT, STa e STb. Os cães aparentemente sadios, sem sintomas de colibacilose, poderiam estar participando da cadeia epidemiológica como reservatórios de E. coli uropatogênica ao homem, pois os genes encontrados com maior número foram aer, sfa e pap presentes em infecções extraintestinais, mais especificamente infecções urinárias. Os cães podem participar como reservatório de estirpes de E. coli resistentes a antimicrobianos. Das amostras de E. coli testadas, 85,64% apresentaram resistência à Cefalotina e 0% de resistência à Norfloxacina. Há a necessidade de mais pesquisas sobre o modo de transmissão das E. coli patogênicas entre o cão e o homem e dos fatores de virulência uropatogênicos encontrados com maior frequência tais como aer, sfa e pap. / The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify aerobic microorganisms and the isolation frequency of E. coli pathogenic to man in faeces of dogs without colibacillosis symptoms and thus to verify the participation of dog as a source of human colibacillosis infection. In the period between September 2002 to October 2004, 220 samples of faeces were collected from animals captured by the CCZ of Guarulhos, Cotia and Barueri, cities in the São Paulo state. The collection method used was barren swabs deeply to the intestine of anesthetized animals, which were kept under refrigeration and in a BHI broth. The bacteria were isolated through sowing in Mac Conkey, agar blood and Sabouraud. In 100% of them there was microorganism growth. The following microorganisms were isolated: 120 (54.54%) E. coli lineages in pure culture and 76 (34.54% lineages in association with other agents, Proteus mirabilis (2,27%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.27%,) amongst other microorganisms. The isolation of yeasts (Candida Albicans) in association with other agents from 05 (2.27%) rectal samples swabs must be emphasized. Once isolated virulence genes were detected by PCR. Of a total of 196 isolated lineages of E.coli, 123 (62.75%) presented one or more of the studied virulence factors. Of these 196 lineages, 16 (8.16%) were positive for afa, 54 (27.55%) positive for sfa, 38 (19.38%) positive for pap, 66 (33.67%) positive for aer, 31 (15.81%) positive for caf, 13 (6.63%) positive for hly, 01 (0.51%) positive for VT2 and none of the lineages were positive for LT, Sta and STb. Apparently healthy dogs, without colibacillosis symptoms could be participating in the epidemiological chain as an E. coli reservoir uropathogenic to man, as the genes found with high frequency were aer, sfa and pap present in extraintestinal infections, more specifically urinary infections. The dogs can participate as a reservior of E. coli lineages resistant to antimicrobials. Of the E. coli samples tested, 85,64% presented resistance to Cefalotina and 0% resistance to Norfloxacina. More research is needed on how the transmission of pathogenic E. coli between the dog and man happens and also on the uropathogenic virulence factors found more frequently, such as aer, sfa and pap.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo isolar e identificar os microrganismos aeróbicos e a frequência de isolamento de Escherichia coli patogênica ao homem em fezes de cães sem sintomas de colibacilose e assim averiguar a participação do cão como fonte de infeção de colibacilose humana. No período de setembro de 2002 a outubro de 2004, foram coletadas 220 amostras de fezes de animais capturados pelos CCZ de Guarulhos, Cotia e Barueri, cidades do Estado de São Paulo. O método de coleta foi através de swabs estéreis profundamente ao intestino dos animais anestesiados, mantidos sob refrigeração e em caldo BHI. As bactérias foram isoladas por semeadura em Mac Conkey, ágar sangue e Sabouraud. Houve crescimento de microrganismos em 100% delas. Foram isolados os seguintes microrganismos: 120 (54,54%) estirpes de E. coli em cultura pura e 76 (34,54%) estirpes em associação com outros agentes, Proteus mirabilis (2,27%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2,27%), dentre outros microrganismos. Deve-se ressaltar ainda o isolamento de leveduras (Candida albicans) em associação com outros agentes a partir de 05 (2,27%) amostras de swabs retais. Uma vez isoladas, seus genes de virulência foram detectados por PCR. De um total de 196 estirpes de E. coli isoladas, 123 (62,75%) apresentaram um ou mais dos fatores de virulência estudados. Dessas 196 estirpes, 16 (8,16%) foram positivas para afa, 54 (27,55%) foram positivas para sfa, 38 (19,38%) foram positivas para pap, 66 (33,67%) foram positivas para aer, 31 (15,81%) foram positivas para cnf, 13 (6,63%) foram positivas para hly, 01(0,51%) foi positiva para VT2 e nenhuma das linhagens foi positiva para LT, STa e STb. Os cães aparentemente sadios, sem sintomas de colibacilose, poderiam estar participando da cadeia epidemiológica como reservatórios de E. coli uropatogênica ao homem, pois os genes encontrados com maior número foram aer, sfa e pap presentes em infecções extraintestinais, mais especificamente infecções urinárias. Os cães podem participar como reservatório de estirpes de E. coli resistentes a antimicrobianos. Das amostras de E. coli testadas, 85,64% apresentaram resistência à Cefalotina e 0% de resistência à Norfloxacina. Há a necessidade de mais pesquisas sobre o modo de transmissão das E. coli patogênicas entre o cão e o homem e dos fatores de virulência uropatogênicos encontrados com maior frequência tais como aer, sfa e pap. / The objective of the present study was to isolate and identify aerobic microorganisms and the isolation frequency of E. coli pathogenic to man in faeces of dogs without colibacillosis symptoms and thus to verify the participation of dog as a source of human colibacillosis infection. In the period between September 2002 to October 2004, 220 samples of faeces were collected from animals captured by the CCZ of Guarulhos, Cotia and Barueri, cities in the São Paulo state. The collection method used was barren swabs deeply to the intestine of anesthetized animals, which were kept under refrigeration and in a BHI broth. The bacteria were isolated through sowing in Mac Conkey, agar blood and Sabouraud. In 100% of them there was microorganism growth. The following microorganisms were isolated: 120 (54.54%) E. coli lineages in pure culture and 76 (34.54% lineages in association with other agents, Proteus mirabilis (2,27%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (2.27%,) amongst other microorganisms. The isolation of yeasts (Candida Albicans) in association with other agents from 05 (2.27%) rectal samples swabs must be emphasized. Once isolated virulence genes were detected by PCR. Of a total of 196 isolated lineages of E.coli, 123 (62.75%) presented one or more of the studied virulence factors. Of these 196 lineages, 16 (8.16%) were positive for afa, 54 (27.55%) positive for sfa, 38 (19.38%) positive for pap, 66 (33.67%) positive for aer, 31 (15.81%) positive for caf, 13 (6.63%) positive for hly, 01 (0.51%) positive for VT2 and none of the lineages were positive for LT, Sta and STb. Apparently healthy dogs, without colibacillosis symptoms could be participating in the epidemiological chain as an E. coli reservoir uropathogenic to man, as the genes found with high frequency were aer, sfa and pap present in extraintestinal infections, more specifically urinary infections. The dogs can participate as a reservior of E. coli lineages resistant to antimicrobials. Of the E. coli samples tested, 85,64% presented resistance to Cefalotina and 0% resistance to Norfloxacina. More research is needed on how the transmission of pathogenic E. coli between the dog and man happens and also on the uropathogenic virulence factors found more frequently, such as aer, sfa and pap.

Rhodococcushas been recognized as a potential antibiotic producer. Recently, a strain of Rhodococcussp. MTM3W5.2 was isolated from a soil sample collected in Morristown, Tennessee and was found to produce an inhibitory compound which is active against other related species. The purpose of this research is to extract, purify and analyze the active metabolite. The compound was extracted from RM broth cultures and purified by preliminary fractionation of crude extract through a Sephadex LH-20 column. Further purification was completed using semi-preparative reversed phase column chromatography. Final purification was obtained using multiple rounds of an analytical C18 HPLC column. Based on the results achieved in the UV-Vis spectroscopy and high-resolution mass spectroscopy, the two desired compounds at a retention time of at 57 and 72 min could be polyketides with the molecular formulas C52H78O13 and C19H32O1N1/C13H34O1N1, respectively.

La polymérase d'A.R.N. la protéine obligatoire (le RbpA) est l'activateur transcriptional global (mondial) de l'espèce actinomycetes qui est essentielle pour la croissance et qu'augmente la tolérance de bactéries aux antibiotiques. RbpA de la tuberculose Mycobacterium (Mtb) stimule spécifiquement la transcription par la polymérase d'A.R.N. (RNAP) contenant σA ou les sous-unités σB, mais aucune de la 11 autre alternative σ des facteurs. Il a été rapporté que le fonctionnement de RbpA est dépendant de promoteur et c'est indispensable pour le déroulement de promoteur du promoteur sigAP constitutif.Pour déchiffrer la nature de spécificité de promoteur de RbpA, nous avons utilisé des essais biochimiques, mutagensis et des approches de génomique. Nous avons identifié ce remplacement 'TG' le motif entre-14 à-17 positions (postes) dans le promoteur sauvage-type sigAP fait la transcription indépendante de RbpA. Aussi, nous avons montré que la capacité d'augmentations de RbpA de RNAP pour fondre le promoteur sigAP aux températures sous-optimales et stabilise des complexes de promoteur. Mutational l'analyse de résidus d'acide aminé H166 et E169 dans la région σB 3.0 (σR3.0) a démontré une implication de σR3.0 dans la stabilisation RbpA-servie-d'intermédiaire de complexes de promoteur RNAP. Plus loin, la substitution à RbpA au résidu d'acide aminé R79 a affecté la stabilité complexe de promoteur, tandis que les substitutions à RbpA resdiues K73, K74 a affecté l'initiation de transcription. Cependant, aucun des mutants RbpA n'a étudié l'ouverture ici affectée de l'ADN de promoteur par RNAP. Les rôles différentiels joués par ces résidus RbpA dans la stabilisation de complexe de promoteur et l'initiation de transcription ensemble avec l'effet produit par les mutations σB suggèrent l'implication de R3.0 σB dans l'action de RbpA. Ensuite, nous avons exécuté la large de génome cartographie des gènes RbpA-dépendants du σB regulon en utilisant une Analyse de Puce à ADN de Finale(d'Écoulement) in vitro (des ROMS). L'analyse ROM a montré la preuve claire de 15 augmentation de pli du nombre de gènes activés par σB-RNAP en présence de RbpA. L'analyse de bio-informatique de 140 gènes contrôlés par la paire de RbpA-σB nous a permis d'identifier la signature caractéristique dans le-10 consensus ('TANNNT') spécifique à la sous-unité σB.Notre étude sur l'impact d'échelle de génome de RbpA, ensemble avec le déchiffrement du mécanisme moléculaire d'action de RbpA, souligne une importance de l'interaction entre σR3.0 et RbpA dans la transcription Mtb. Basé sur nos résultats nous proposons que RbpA puisse jouer un rôle du remplacement(remplaçant) fonctionnel pour-10 motifs prolongés(étendus) dans l'espèce mycobacterium. / RNA polymerase binding protein A (RbpA) is global transcriptional activator from actinomycetes species which is essential for growth and which increases tolerance of bacteria to antibiotics. RbpA from Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) specifically stimulates transcription by RNA polymerase (RNAP) containing either the σA or σB subunits but none of the other 11 alternative σ factors. It has been reported that the functioning of RbpA is promoter-dependent and it is indispensible for promoter unwinding of the constitutive sigAP promoter. To decipher the nature of promoter specificity of RbpA, we used biochemical assays, mutagensis and genomics approaches. We found that placing ‘TG-motif' between -14 to -17 positions in sigAP wild-type promoter makes transcription independent of RbpA. Also, we have shown that RbpA increases ability of RNAP to melt sigAP promoter at sub-optimal temperatures and stabilises promoter complexes. Mutational analysis of amino acid residues H166 and E169 in the σB region 3.0 (σR3.0), interacting with TG-motif, demonstrated an implication of σR3.0 in RbpA-mediated stabilisation of RNAP promoter complexes. Substitution in RbpA at amino acid residue R79 affected the promoter-complex stability, while the substitutions at RbpA resdiues K73, K74 affected the transcription initiation. However, none of the RbpA mutants studied here affected opening of the promoter DNA. The differential roles played by these RbpA residues in promoter complex stabilization and transcription initiation together with the effect produced by the σB mutations suggest the implication of σR3.0 in RbpA action. Next, we performed genome-wide cartography of the RbpA-dependent genes from the σB regulon by using an in vitro RunOff Microarray Analysis (ROMA). ROMA analysis has shown clear evidence of 15 fold increase in the number of genes activated by σB-RNAP in the presence of RbpA. Bioinformatics analysis of 140 genes controlled by RbpA-σB pair allowed us to identify characteristic signature in the -10 consensus (‘TANNNT’) specific to σB subunit. Our study underlines an importance of the interplay between σR3.0 and RbpA in Mtb transcription. Based on our results we propose that RbpA may play a role of functional replacement for TG-motif of the extended -10 elements in mycobacterium species.

L’émergence des déterminants de résistances plasmidiques aux quinolones (PMQR), auxquels appartient le gène qnrD, participent de manière significative à la sélection des résistances de haut-niveau aux permet les réparations de l’ADN lors des stress soumis aux bactéries, et d’autre part, que les aminosides, une autre classe d’antibiotiques que les fluoroquinolones, induisaient la réponse SOS chez Escherichia coli. En effet, nous avons montré que les petits plasmides-qnrD chez E. coli, induisent la formation de monoxyde de nitrogène et l’inhibition de la voie de détoxification Hmp-dépendante. Ces processus génèrent des lésions à l’ADN qui s’ajoutent à celles occasionnées par les aminosides concourant à activer la réponse SOS chez E. coli. L’ensemble de nos résultats montrent que l’émergence de la résistance aux fluoroquinolones peut être occasionnée par l’exposition d’E. coli à une autre classe d’antibiotiques, ici les aminosides. / The emerging plasmid-mediated quinolones resistance (PMQR) determinants significantly participate in the selection of high-level of resistance to the major antibiotics fluoroquinolones, leading to numerous clinical failures. In this study, we reported for the first time that PMQR expression could be triggered by the fluoroquinolones but also by another major class of antibiotics, the aminoglycosides. We were able to show that this unique cross selection of antibiotic resistance was the consequence of the PMQR determinant qnrD being SOS-regulated in a RecA-LexA dependent manner. We demonstrated that sub inhibitory concentration of aminoglycoside induced nitric oxide formation associated with the repression of the Hmp-mediated detoxification pathway, resulting in the induction of the SOS response and thus up-regulation of the PMQR. Overall, our findings revealed an unexpected antibiotic resistance cross-selection with low aminoglycosides concentrations promoting emergence of fluoroquinolones resistance.

Escherichia coli foi isolado de amostras de água de lastro, água de regiões portuárias e de bivalves. 49,6% (164/331) apresentaram múltipla resistência variando de 2 a 8 antibióticos. Dos sete fatores associados à virulência pesquisados: Toxina termoestável (ST), Toxina termolábil (LT), Adesão agregativa (EAEC), Fator de invasão (INV), Toxina Shiga-like I (stx-1), Toxina Shiga-like II (stx-2), e o gene intimina (eae): 4 isolados continham genes homólogos para EAEC, 3 para eae, 3 para ST e uma para stx-2. Um total de 80,0% (24/30), 72,3% (68/94) e 75,3% (55/73) dos isolados de E. coli de amostras de água de lastro, água de regiões portuárias e moluscos bivalves apresentaram plasmídeos, respectivamente. O método ERIC-PCR apresentou melhor desempenho para a análise de agrupamentos. Os isolados de E. coli, com as características encontradas, nos permitirá avaliar o perigo de sua presença no ambiente marinho costeiro e na água de lastro e programas de vigilância sanitária devem ser implementadas para proteger a saúde humana, animal e do ecossistema marinho. / Escherichia coli was isolated from ballast water, port areas water and bivalves samples. 49.6% (164/331) had multiple antibiotics resistant varied from 2 to 8 antibiotics. From seven virulence associated factors investigated: heat stable toxin (ST), heat labile toxin (LT), aggregative adhesion (EAEC), invasion factor (INV), Shiga-like I toxin (STx-1), Shiga-like II toxin (STx-2), and the gene that codify for intimin (eae): 4 isolates had homology to the EAEC, 3 for eae gene, 3 for ST and one for stx2. A total of 80.0% (24/30), 72.3% (68/94) and 75.3% (55/73) of E. coli isolates from ballast water, port area water and bivalves samples had plasmids, respectively. The ERIC-PCR was more efficiency to analyze the groups. The presence of E. coli isolates with the characteristics found will allow evaluate the hazard present at the coast area ecosystem and ballast water samples and sanitary surveillance programs must be implemented for human, animal and aquatic ecosystem health protection.