A cromoblastomicose é uma infecção fúngica subcutânea causada por fungos da família Dematiceae sendo o principal agente etiológico o fungo Fonsecaea pedrosoi (F. pedrosoi). Estes fungos induzem uma lesão crônica na pele de freqüente recidivas. O objetivo do trabalho foi avaliar alguns aspectos imunológicos na cromoblastomicose experimental através de dois modelos de infecção pelas vias: intraperitoneal (i.p.) e subcutânea (s.c.). No primeiro modelo de infecção pela via s.c. em camundongos BALB/c infectados com 106 conídios de F. pedrosoi, ocorreu a cura espontânea da infecção em aproximadamente 4 semanas. Na subtipagem de linfócitos T em linfonodos regionais ocorreu um predomínio de células T CD4+ que foi constante até a 4ª semana de infecção, no entanto, observamos aumento significativo de linfócitos T CD8+ ao longo da infecção sugerindo que essa população tenha também uma importante participação no controle da doença. Os ensaios de linfoproliferação demonstraram, na 1ª semana de infecção, elevado índice de proliferação celular quando as células de linfonodos foram estimuladas in vitro com antígenos de F. pedrosoi, além da liberação principalmente da citocina IFN-γ, já na 4ª semana de infecção não foi detectado proliferação celular. Esses resultados sugerem que no início da infecção a resposta celular seja mediada principalmente por linfócitos T CD4+ produtores de IFN-γ, o que nos sugere, que neste modelo experimental, polarize uma resposta de células T do tipo Th1. No segundo modelo de infecção, via intraperitoneal (i.p.), camundongos BALB/c infectados com 106 conídios de F. pedrosoi mostraram desenvolvimento de infecção crônica com preservação da imunidade celular mesmo após a 8ª semana. Ainda pela via i.p., os camundongos C57BL/6 nocautes de T CD4+ apresentaram uma maior carga fúngica no início da infecção e em tempos mais tardios a carga fúngica foi semelhante aos camundongos controles (C57BL/6); esses mesmos animais nocautes não apresentaram uma ativação da resposta celular medida pelo teste de HTT (Hipersensibilidade do Tipo Tardio). Quando avaliamos o padrão de citocinas, a citocina IFN-γ produzida pelos órgãos baço e fígado apresentou menores níveis no início da infecção quando comparado ao camundongos controle. Já os níveis de IL-10 aumentaram gradativamente ao longo da infecção e IL-4 não apresentou diferenças em relação ao controle. Nos camundongos nocautes para coa (C57BL/6 CD8 \"KO\"), a carga fúngica, os níveis de citocinas e o teste de HTT foram semelhantes aos animais controle. Esses resultados mostraram que pela via i.p. os linfócitos T, principalmente células T CD4+ são importantes no controle inicial da infecção. Em tempos mais tardios a infecção foi controlada mesmo em camundongos deficientes de linfócitos TCD 4+ ou T CD8+, sugerido que outras células como macrófagos ou NK, estariam atuando de forma mais efetiva no controle da infecção. / Abstract not available.

A sepse bacteriana constitui a causa mais frequente de óbitos neonatais, e seu diagnóstico é complexo devido à inexistência de um teste laboratorial definitivo. O presente estudo desenvolveu uma técnica de amplificação quantitativa (qPCR) do gene 16S rDNA de bactérias tanto para o diagnóstico de sepse neonatal, quanto para avaliar se a qPCR é capaz de monitorar o tratamento. Para ser recrutado o RN deveria apresentar ao menos dois sinais/sintomas sugestivos de sepse, e dois parâmetros laboratoriais alterados. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas no tempo zero (suspeita de sepse), 48 horas e sete dias após o início da antibioticoterapia. Foram analisados 73 RN (21 RNT e 52 RNPT) com suspeita de sepse neonatal. A hemocultura foi positiva em 32 RN (43,8% - sepse confirmada) e negativa em 41 (56,2% - sepse clínica), enquanto a qPCR foi positiva em 65 RN (89%) e negativa em oito casos (11%). Dentre os 32 RN com sepse confirmada (11 RNT e 21 RNPT), neutrofilia foi encontrada em 22 (68,75%), CRP elevada em 21 (65,62%), plaquetopenia em 15 (46,87%) e leucopenia em 14 (43,75%). Foram analisadas 200 amostras dos 73 casos suspeitos, considerando os três tempos de coleta, resultando em 36 hemoculturas positivas (18,0%) e 135 qPCR positivas (67,5%). Nas 36 hemoculturas positivas houve 38 isolamentos. Bactérias Gram-positivas foram encontradas em 32 amostras (84,21%) e Gram-negativas em seis (15,78%). Staphylococcus coagulase negativa predominou dentre as Gram-positivas (75,0%). No grupo de 32 RN com sepse confirmada a qPCR foi positiva em 30 (30/32 - 93,7%). Em 14 casos (47%) a qPCR antecipou o diagnóstico de sepse quando comparada à hemocultura e foi positiva no tempo zero em 22 casos (68,75%), enquanto a hemocultura foi positiva em 11. Dos 41 casos de sepse clínica, a qPCR foi positiva em 35 (85,4%); em 26 casos (74,3%) já no tempo zero. O teste de McNemar encontrou discordância entre os resultados das hemoculturas e qPCR (p<0,0001, IC de 95%), indicando superioridade da qPCR. Houve nove óbitos na casuística, todos com hemocultura e qPCR positiva. Em seis dos nove óbitos somente a terceira hemocultura foi positiva, enquanto a qPCR foi positiva em cinco casos já no tempo zero e não negativou em seis casos. A qPCR empregou a técnica de touchdown, com temperaturas de annealing decaindo de 66 a 62oC, limiar de detecção entre 1-10 UFC/mL. As cargas bacterianas foram em geral baixas (< 50 UFC/mL) mesmo nos casos com sepse confirmada e óbitos, porém quando as medianas das cargas bacterianas no tempo zero dos grupos com sepse confirmada (37,10 UFC/mL) e sepse clínica (24,49 UFC/mL) foram comparadas, foi encontrada uma diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,0402). O estudo concluiu que a qPCR é capaz de detectar mais casos de sepse neonatal que a hemocultura, antecipando o diagnóstico na maior parte deles. Em relação à monitorização do tratamento, a qPCR apresentou associação com o sucesso ou falha terapêutica, negativou em casos que tiveram evolução favorável, não negativou na maior parte dos óbitos, porém há necessidade de confirmação destes dados / Bacterial sepsis constitutes one of the most frequent causes of neonatal deaths and its diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of a definitive laboratorial approach. The present study developed a bacterial 16S rDNA-based quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) both to the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and to evaluate if qPCR is capable of monitoring antimicrobial treatment. For enrollment, the newborn (NB) should present, at least, two signs/symptoms suggestive of sepsis, and two abnormal laboratory parameters. Blood samples were collected on day zero (suspected sepsis), 48 hours and 7 days after the initiation of antibiotic therapy. Seventy-three newborns with suspected sepsis were recruited (21 term NB and 52 preterm NB), blood culture was positive in 32 (43.8% - confirmed sepsis) and negative in 41 (56.2% - clinical sepsis), while qPCR was positive in 65 (89.0%) and negative in 8 cases (11.0%). Considering the group of 32 NB with confirmed sepsis (11 TNB and 21PTNB), qPCR was positive in 30 (30/32 - 93.7%). Neutrophilia was found in 22 NB (68.75%), elevated CRP in 21 (65.62%), thrombocytopenia in 15 (46.87%) and leukopenia in 14 (43.75%). Of the 73 cases, taking into account the three collected samples (day zero, 48h and 7 days), 200 samples were analyzed, with 36 positive blood culture (18.0%) and 135 positive qPCR (67.5%). Of the 36 positive blood cultures, there were 38 bacterial isolations. Gram-positive bacteria were found in 32 samples (84.21%) and Gram-negative in 6 (15.78%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was predominant in the Grampositive group (75.0%). In 14 cases, qPCR anticipated the diagnosis when compared with blood culture, and was positive in 22 cases on day zero (68.75%), whereas blood culture was positive in 11. Among the 41 cases of clinical sepsis, qPCR was positive in 35 (85.4%); of these 26 (74.3%) on day zero. McNemar test found discordance between the results of blood cultures and qPCR (p < 0.0001, CI of 95%), indicating superiority of qPCR. There were nine deaths in the casuistic, all with positive blood culture and qPCR. In six of the nine deaths only the third blood culture was positive, while qPCR was positive in five cases already on day zero, and was still positive in the third sample in 6 cases. The qPCR employed the touchdown technique, with annealing temperatures decreasing from 66 to 62oC, detection threshold between 1-10 CFU/ml. Bacterial loads were generally low ( < 50 CFU/ml), even in those cases with confirmed sepsis and deaths, however when bacterial load medians on day zero were compared between confirmed (37.1 CFU/ml) and clinical (24.49 CFU/ml) sepsis groups, a statistically significant difference was found (p = 0.0402). The study concluded that qPCR can detect more cases of neonatal sepsis than blood culture, anticipating the diagnosis in most of them. Regarding the monitoring of treatment, qPCR was associated with success or treatment failure, became negative in cases that progressed favorably, remained positive in the majority of the deaths, however these data need to be confirmed

Quarenta e nove amostras EPEC típica (tEPEC) e atípica (aEPEC) pertencentes a diferentes sorotipos, isoladas de humanos e animais (cães, gatos, bovinos, ovinos, coelhos e sagüis) foram investigadas quanto ao perfil de virulência pela PCR e similaridade clonal por Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) e Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis (PFGE). O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar se animais atuam como reservatório e fonte infecção de aEPEC para humanos. Os marcadores de virulência analisados revelaram que cepas aEPEC isoladas de animais possuem potencial para causar diarréia em humanos. As técnicas MLST e PFGE revelaram que amostras isoladas de animais e humanos compartilham relações clonais próximas ou idênticas. Estes resultados indicam que os animais estudados atuam como reservatório de aEPEC e representam fonte de infecção para humanos. Pelo fato de humanos, também atuarem como reservatório de aEPEC, ciclos de infecção cruzada animal-humano não podem ser descartados, pois a dinâmica de transmissão entre reservatórios de aEPEC não é muito bem compreendida. / Forty-nine typical and atypical EPEC strains belonging to different serotypes, isolated from humans, pets (cats and dogs), farm (bovines, sheep and rabbits) and wild animals (monkeys) were investigated for virulence markers and clonal similarity by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The virulence markers analyzed revealed that atypical EPEC strains isolated from animals have the potential to cause diarrhea in humans. Close clonal relationship between human and animal isolates was found with MLST and PFGE. These results indicate that these animals act as atypical EPEC reservoirs and may represent sources of infection for humans. Since humans also act as a reservoir of atypical EPEC strains, the cycle of mutual infection of atypical EPEC between animals and humans, mainly pets and their owners, cannot be ruled out, since the transmission dynamics between the reservoirs are not yet clearly understood.

Introdução: Infecções relacionadas à assistência de saúde (IRAS) representam hoje um dos principais desafios da qualidade do cuidado do paciente, principalmente em pacientes submetido a transplante de células tronco e hematopoiéticas (TCTH) O banho diário com a clorexidina (CHG) degermante a 2% tem sido proposto principalmente em unidades de terapia intensivas (UTIs) para diminuir a colonização bacteriana do paciente e assim diminuir IRAS. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o impacto do banho com CHG degermante a 2% em unidade de internação de TCTH na incidência de infecção e colonização por patógenos multirresistentes e ainda avaliar seu impacto na sensibilidade das bactérias ao antisséptico. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo quasi-experimental, com duração de 9 anos, com início em janeiro/2005 até dezembro/2013. A intervenção foi iniciada em agosto de 2009, sendo que os períodos pré e pós-intervenção tiveram duração de 4,5 anos. As taxas de IRAS, infecção por gram-negativos multirresistentes e infecção e colonização por enterococo resistente a vancomicina (VRE) foram avaliadas através de série temporal, para estudar o impacto da intervenção. As concentrações inibitórias mínimas (CIM) das bactérias para a CHG com e sem o inibidor de bomba de efluxo (CCCP) foram avaliadas nos dois períodos. Os genes de resistência a CHG foram estudados por meio da PCR e a clonalidade dos isolados por eletroforese em campo pulsátil. Resultados: Foi observada redução significativa na incidência de infecção e colonização de VRE na unidade no período pós-intervenção (p: 0,001). Essa taxa permaneceu estável em outras UTIs clínicas do hospital. Contudo as taxas de infecção por Gram negativos multirresistentes aumentou nos últimos anos na unidade. Não ocorreu diminuição na taxa de IRAS na unidade. As CIMs testadas de CHG aumentaram nas amostras de VRE e K. pneumoniae após o período de exposição ao antisséptico, com queda importante da CIM após o uso do CCCP, revelando ser a bomba de efluxo, um importante mecanismo de resistência à CHG. As amostras de A. baumannii e P. aeruginosa não apresentaram aumento da CIM após período de exposição à clorexidina. As bombas de efluxo Ade A, B e C estiveram presentes na maioria dos A. baumannii do grupo controle (66%). A bomba cepA foi encontrada em 67% de todas as K. pneumoniae testadas e em 44,5% das P. aeruginosas do grupo pré intervenção. Observamos uma relação positiva entre a presença da CepA nas amostras de K. pneumoniae e a resposta ao CCCP: de todas as 49 amostras CepA positivas 67,3% obtiveram redução do seu MIC em 4 diluições após adição do CCCP. A avaliação de clonalidade demonstrou padrão policlonal das amostras de VRE, K. pneumoniae e A. baumannii avaliadas. Em relação às amostras de P. aeruginosa foi observado que no período pós-intervenção ocorreu predominância de um clone com > 80% semelhança em 10 das 22 amostras avaliadas pelo dendrograma. Conclusões: O banho de clorexidina teve impacto na redução da incidência de infecção e colonização por VRE na unidade de TCTH, e não teve o mesmo impacto nas bactérias gram-negativas. Os mecanismos moleculares de resistência à clorexidina estão intimamente ligados à presença de bomba de efluxo, sendo provavelmente o principal mecanismo de resistência e tolerância das bactérias ao antisséptico / Background and objectives: Daily skin cleansing with 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) in patients in intensive care unit is associated with reduction in incidence of multiresistant microorganisms (MR). Data in Hematological Steam Cell Transplant (HSCT), however, is scarce, and studies addressing the impact of this intervention in this population are needed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of daily bathing with CHG in reducing infection and colonization by MR (vancomycin resistance Enterococcus -VRE, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae) in HSCT patients and also evaluated the antiseptic susceptibility comparing pre and post intervention period. Methods: We perform a 9 year pre and post interventional study. In August 2009, was implemented daily bathing with CHG, replacing regular soap in all patients in a 12 beds HSCT ward, located in a tertiary reference hospital in Sao Paulo/Brazil. The goal of the intervention was decreasing MR prevalence in the unit. Therefore we evaluated the incidence-density (ID=cases/1000 patient days) of MR colonization and infection in periods of 4.5 years before and 4.5 years after intervention. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were tested for CHG using Muller-Hinton agar dilution in MR strains isolated pre and post intervention period. The behavior of the strains after introduction of an efflux pump inhibitor (CCCP) was also assessed to study the importance of this resistance mechanism in relation to CHG. Statistical analyzes were performed using time-series analyses in ARIMA model, and SPSS program was used. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A significant reduction in infection and colonization VRE incidence was observed in post-intervention period (p 0.001). The opposite occurred with gran-negative infection and colonization rates, which had increased in recent years at the unit (p < 0.001). Rates of blood stream infection (BSI) remained stable in both periods. The VRE and K. pneumoniae strains showed two fold MIC 50 increase in in the post exposure period. However the strains of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii had no MIC 50 increase after antiseptic exposure period. All MIC 50 strains was significant reduced after using the efflux pump inhibitor (CCCP) Conclusions: The CHG bath showed to be effective in reducing VRE infection and colonization in HSCT unit, and corroborating the literature the same impact was not taken in gram-negative bacteria. The unit microbiota has been impacted by the CHG massive use, however the increase MIC seemed not influence the efficacy of intervention in VRE cases. Molecular mechanisms of resistance to chlorhexidine are closely linked to the presence of efflux pump

Introdução: Em estudo prospectivo, os efeitos da gastroplastia redutora com reconstrução em Y de Roux sobre a flora bacteriana e produção de citoquinas nas câmaras gástricas proximal e excluída foram estudados. Métodos: pacientes bariátricos (n=37) foram submetidos à avaliação endoscópica em ambos reservatórios gástricos,7,3+-1,4 anos após a gastroplastia. Idade foi de 42,4+-9,9 anos (70,2% sexo feminino), IMC pré-operatório de 53,5+-10,6, e IMC atual de 32,6+-7,8kg/m2. TNFalfa e TGF-beta foram medidos pelo método ELISA em biópsias da mucosa gástrica., assim como cultura quantitativa da secreção gástrica, com pH gástrico e teste respiratório lactulose/hidrogênio.Resultados: Nenhum dos pacientes apresentou queixas sugestivas de supercrescimento bacteriano gastrointestinal. Todavia, contagens elevadas de bactérias e fungos foram identificadas nas duas câmaras, principalmente no estômago proximal. Gram-positivos representaram a maioria dos isolados. O pH foi neutro na câmara proximal, enquanto que também na câmara distal nem sempre conservou-se em níveis esperados. Conclusões: 1)Produção elevadas de TNF-alfa e TGF-beta, com a colonização de aeróbios, anaeróbios e fungos em ambas câmaras gástricas foram identificadas; 2)O pH gástrico como a contagem bacteriana foram maiores no estômago proximal funcionante; 3)Teste respiratório foi positivo para supercrescimento bacteriano em 40,5% dos pacientes,entretanto não foram identificadas manifestações clínicas de supercrescimento bacteriano gastrointestinal. / Background: In a prospective study, the effect of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) on bacterial flora and cytokines production in the used (proximal pouch) and unused (large bypassed) gastric chamber was analysed. Methods: Bariatric subjects (n=37) were submitted to endoscopic examination of both gastric reservoirs, 7.3 ± 1.4 years after RYGBP. Age was 42.4 ± 9.9 years (70.2% females), preoperative BMI was 53.5 ± 10.6, and current BMI was 32.6 ± 7.8 kg/m2.TNF-alpha and TGF-beta were meausured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) from gastric mucosal biopsies. Quantitative culture of gastric secretion along with gastric pH and actulose/hydrogen breath test were also investigated.Results: None of the subjects displayed complaints suggestive of GI bacterial overgrowth. Elevated counts of bacteria and fungi were identified in both chambers, mostly in the proximal stomach. Gram-positives represented the majority of the isolates. Gastric pH was neutral in the proximal pouch, whereas the distal chamber mostly but not always onserved the expected acidity. Conclusions: 1)Increased TNF-alpha and TGFbeta production, as aerobes, anaerobes and fungi colonization of both gastric chambers was detected; 2) Gastric pH as well as bacterial count was higher in the functioning proximal stomach; 3) Breath test was positive for bacterial overgrowth in 40.5% of the subjects, however clinical manifestation of GI bacterial overgrowth were not demonstrated

A sepse bacteriana constitui a causa mais frequente de óbitos neonatais, e seu diagnóstico é complexo devido à inexistência de um teste laboratorial definitivo. O presente estudo desenvolveu uma técnica de amplificação quantitativa (qPCR) do gene 16S rDNA de bactérias tanto para o diagnóstico de sepse neonatal, quanto para avaliar se a qPCR é capaz de monitorar o tratamento. Para ser recrutado o RN deveria apresentar ao menos dois sinais/sintomas sugestivos de sepse, e dois parâmetros laboratoriais alterados. Amostras de sangue foram colhidas no tempo zero (suspeita de sepse), 48 horas e sete dias após o início da antibioticoterapia. Foram analisados 73 RN (21 RNT e 52 RNPT) com suspeita de sepse neonatal. A hemocultura foi positiva em 32 RN (43,8% - sepse confirmada) e negativa em 41 (56,2% - sepse clínica), enquanto a qPCR foi positiva em 65 RN (89%) e negativa em oito casos (11%). Dentre os 32 RN com sepse confirmada (11 RNT e 21 RNPT), neutrofilia foi encontrada em 22 (68,75%), CRP elevada em 21 (65,62%), plaquetopenia em 15 (46,87%) e leucopenia em 14 (43,75%). Foram analisadas 200 amostras dos 73 casos suspeitos, considerando os três tempos de coleta, resultando em 36 hemoculturas positivas (18,0%) e 135 qPCR positivas (67,5%). Nas 36 hemoculturas positivas houve 38 isolamentos. Bactérias Gram-positivas foram encontradas em 32 amostras (84,21%) e Gram-negativas em seis (15,78%). Staphylococcus coagulase negativa predominou dentre as Gram-positivas (75,0%). No grupo de 32 RN com sepse confirmada a qPCR foi positiva em 30 (30/32 - 93,7%). Em 14 casos (47%) a qPCR antecipou o diagnóstico de sepse quando comparada à hemocultura e foi positiva no tempo zero em 22 casos (68,75%), enquanto a hemocultura foi positiva em 11. Dos 41 casos de sepse clínica, a qPCR foi positiva em 35 (85,4%); em 26 casos (74,3%) já no tempo zero. O teste de McNemar encontrou discordância entre os resultados das hemoculturas e qPCR (p<0,0001, IC de 95%), indicando superioridade da qPCR. Houve nove óbitos na casuística, todos com hemocultura e qPCR positiva. Em seis dos nove óbitos somente a terceira hemocultura foi positiva, enquanto a qPCR foi positiva em cinco casos já no tempo zero e não negativou em seis casos. A qPCR empregou a técnica de touchdown, com temperaturas de annealing decaindo de 66 a 62oC, limiar de detecção entre 1-10 UFC/mL. As cargas bacterianas foram em geral baixas (< 50 UFC/mL) mesmo nos casos com sepse confirmada e óbitos, porém quando as medianas das cargas bacterianas no tempo zero dos grupos com sepse confirmada (37,10 UFC/mL) e sepse clínica (24,49 UFC/mL) foram comparadas, foi encontrada uma diferença estatisticamente significante (p=0,0402). O estudo concluiu que a qPCR é capaz de detectar mais casos de sepse neonatal que a hemocultura, antecipando o diagnóstico na maior parte deles. Em relação à monitorização do tratamento, a qPCR apresentou associação com o sucesso ou falha terapêutica, negativou em casos que tiveram evolução favorável, não negativou na maior parte dos óbitos, porém há necessidade de confirmação destes dados / Bacterial sepsis constitutes one of the most frequent causes of neonatal deaths and its diagnosis is difficult due to the lack of a definitive laboratorial approach. The present study developed a bacterial 16S rDNA-based quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) both to the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and to evaluate if qPCR is capable of monitoring antimicrobial treatment. For enrollment, the newborn (NB) should present, at least, two signs/symptoms suggestive of sepsis, and two abnormal laboratory parameters. Blood samples were collected on day zero (suspected sepsis), 48 hours and 7 days after the initiation of antibiotic therapy. Seventy-three newborns with suspected sepsis were recruited (21 term NB and 52 preterm NB), blood culture was positive in 32 (43.8% - confirmed sepsis) and negative in 41 (56.2% - clinical sepsis), while qPCR was positive in 65 (89.0%) and negative in 8 cases (11.0%). Considering the group of 32 NB with confirmed sepsis (11 TNB and 21PTNB), qPCR was positive in 30 (30/32 - 93.7%). Neutrophilia was found in 22 NB (68.75%), elevated CRP in 21 (65.62%), thrombocytopenia in 15 (46.87%) and leukopenia in 14 (43.75%). Of the 73 cases, taking into account the three collected samples (day zero, 48h and 7 days), 200 samples were analyzed, with 36 positive blood culture (18.0%) and 135 positive qPCR (67.5%). Of the 36 positive blood cultures, there were 38 bacterial isolations. Gram-positive bacteria were found in 32 samples (84.21%) and Gram-negative in 6 (15.78%). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was predominant in the Grampositive group (75.0%). In 14 cases, qPCR anticipated the diagnosis when compared with blood culture, and was positive in 22 cases on day zero (68.75%), whereas blood culture was positive in 11. Among the 41 cases of clinical sepsis, qPCR was positive in 35 (85.4%); of these 26 (74.3%) on day zero. McNemar test found discordance between the results of blood cultures and qPCR (p < 0.0001, CI of 95%), indicating superiority of qPCR. There were nine deaths in the casuistic, all with positive blood culture and qPCR. In six of the nine deaths only the third blood culture was positive, while qPCR was positive in five cases already on day zero, and was still positive in the third sample in 6 cases. The qPCR employed the touchdown technique, with annealing temperatures decreasing from 66 to 62oC, detection threshold between 1-10 CFU/ml. Bacterial loads were generally low ( < 50 CFU/ml), even in those cases with confirmed sepsis and deaths, however when bacterial load medians on day zero were compared between confirmed (37.1 CFU/ml) and clinical (24.49 CFU/ml) sepsis groups, a statistically significant difference was found (p = 0.0402). The study concluded that qPCR can detect more cases of neonatal sepsis than blood culture, anticipating the diagnosis in most of them. Regarding the monitoring of treatment, qPCR was associated with success or treatment failure, became negative in cases that progressed favorably, remained positive in the majority of the deaths, however these data need to be confirmed

Lee, Ching Ching. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2010. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 90-103). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Acknowledgments --- p.i / Abstract --- p.ii / 論文摘要 --- p.iv / Table of Contents --- p.vi / List of Tables --- p.x / List of Figures --- p.xi / Chapter Chapter 1 --- Introduction / Chapter 1.1. --- Quinolone Antimicrobial Agents --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.1. --- Development --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1.2. --- Mode of action --- p.3 / Chapter 1.1.3. --- Mechanisms of resistance to quinolones --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3.1. --- Target genes mutations --- p.4 / Chapter 1.1.3.2. --- Decreased intracellular quinolone accumulation --- p.5 / Chapter 1.1.3.3. --- Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance --- p.6 / Chapter 1.2. --- Plasmid-mediated Quinolone Resistance Genes (qnr) --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.1. --- Discovery of qnrA genes --- p.8 / Chapter 1.2.2. --- Discovery of qnrS genes --- p.9 / Chapter 1.2.3. --- Discovery of qnrB genes --- p.10 / Chapter 1.2.4. --- Discovery of qnrC genes --- p.11 / Chapter 1.2.5. --- Discovery of qnrD genes --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.6. --- Origins of qnr genes --- p.12 / Chapter 1.2.7. --- Qnr proteins and mode of action --- p.14 / Chapter 1.2.8. --- Epidemiology and quinolones resistance activity of qnr genes --- p.16 / Chapter 1.2.9. --- Epidemiology of fluoroquinolone-resistant Enterobacteriaceae --- p.17 / Chapter 1.2.10 --- Multidrug-resistant in extended-spectrum-B-lactamase- and AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae --- p.19 / Chapter 1.3. --- Background of Study --- p.20 / Chapter 1.4. --- Objectives of Study --- p.21 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Materials & Methods / Chapter 2.1. --- Study Design --- p.22 / Chapter 2.2. --- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Bacterial isolates --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Screening for ESBL and AmpC production by disk diffusion test --- p.24 / Chapter 2.2.3. --- Determination of minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) --- p.25 / Chapter 2.3. --- "Detection of qnrA, qnrB and qnrS Genes by Multiplex PCR" --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.1. --- Total DNA preparation --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.2. --- "Multiplex PCR assay for qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes detection" --- p.27 / Chapter 2.3.3. --- Agarose gel electrophoresis --- p.29 / Chapter 2.4. --- "Detection of TEM-, SHV-, CTX- and PMAmpC Type B-Lactamase Genes by PCR" --- p.30 / Chapter 2.5. --- PCR Assays for Further Genotypic Characterization Purpose --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5.1. --- PCR assay to amplify qnrB genes --- p.32 / Chapter 2.5.2. --- PCR assay to amplify qnrS genes --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.3. --- "PCR assays for genotypic characterizations of the co-existed blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M and PMAmpC genes of all qnr-positive isolates" --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.3.1. --- Genotypic characterizations of the co-existed bla-TEM and genes --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.3.2. --- PCR assays to amplify the co-existed blaCTX_M genes --- p.33 / Chapter 2.5.3.3. --- PCR assay to amplify the co-existed PMAmpC genes --- p.34 / Chapter 2.5.4. --- Sequencing reaction --- p.36 / Chapter 2.5.4.1. --- Purification of PCR product and sequence determination --- p.36 / Chapter 2.5.4.2. --- Sequence analysis --- p.37 / Chapter 2.6. --- Collection of Clinical Data --- p.38 / Chapter 2.6.1. --- Demographics and clinical data --- p.38 / Chapter 2.6.2. --- Definitions --- p.38 / Chapter 2.6.3. --- Data analysis --- p.40 / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Results / Chapter 3.1. --- Bacterial Isolates --- p.41 / Chapter 3.2. --- "Demographics, Medical History, Clinical Features and Clinical Outcomes of Patients" --- p.42 / Chapter 3.3. --- Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing --- p.44 / Chapter 3.4. --- Detection of qnr Genes --- p.48 / Chapter 3.4.1. --- "Detection of qnrA, qnrB and qnrS genes by multiplex PCR" --- p.48 / Chapter 3.5. --- Detection of ESBLs --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.1. --- Detection of TEM- and SHV-type ESBLs --- p.49 / Chapter 3.5.2. --- Detection of CTX-M- type ESBLs --- p.51 / Chapter 3.6. --- Detection of PMAmpC Genes --- p.52 / Chapter 3.6.1. --- Detection of PMAmpC genes --- p.52 / Chapter 3.7. --- "The Distribution of qnr and bla Genes for TEM, SHV, CTX-M and PMAmpC" --- p.53 / Chapter 3.8. --- The Characteristics of qnr Isolates --- p.54 / Chapter 3.8.1. --- Genotypes of qnrB and qnrS --- p.54 / Chapter 3.8.2. --- Antimicrobial susceptibility of qnr isolates --- p.58 / Chapter 3.9. --- "The Associations of qnr Genes with Other Bacterial Resistance Genotypes, and the Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients" --- p.62 / Chapter 3.9.1. --- "Univariate analysis of the associations of qnr genes with other bacterial resistance genotypes, and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients" --- p.62 / Chapter 3.9.2. --- "Multivariate analysis of the associations of qnr genes with other bacterial resistance genotypes, and the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients" --- p.65 / Chapter 3.9.2.1. --- "Multivariate analysis of the associations of qnr genes with other bacterial resistance genotypes, and the clinical characteristics of patients" --- p.65 / Chapter 3.9.2.2. --- "Multivariate analysis of the associations of mortality with qnr genes, bacterial resistance genotypes and other clinical characteristics of patients" --- p.66 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Discussion / Chapter 4.1. --- Prevalences and Susceptibility of ESBL and PMAmpC in Bacteraemic Enterobacteriaceae Isolates --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2. --- Epidemiology of Plasmid-mediated Quinolone Resistance (qnr) Genes --- p.69 / Chapter 4.3. --- Genotypes of qnr-positive Isolates --- p.72 / Chapter 4.4. --- Antimicrobial Susceptibility of qnr-positive Isolates --- p.75 / Chapter 4.5. --- "The Associations of qnr Genes with Other Bacterial Resistance Genotypes, and the Clinical Characteristics of Patients" --- p.79 / Chapter 4.6. --- "The Associations of Mortality with qnr Genes, Bacterial Resistance Genotypes and Other Clinical Characteristics of Patients" --- p.80 / Chapter 4.7. --- Clinical Importance and Clinical Implications of qnr Genes --- p.82 / Chapter 4.8. --- Limitations of the Current Study --- p.85 / Chapter 4.9. --- Future Studies --- p.87 / Chapter 4.10. --- Conclusions --- p.89 / References --- p.90

Escherichia coli enteropatogênica atípica (EPECa) é causadora de diarréia infantil e apresenta alta heterogeneidade quanto aos fatores de virulência. O objetivo deste trabalho foi estudar o comportamento de EPECa na interação com fagócitos profissionais. Duas amostras de EPECa sorotipo O55:H7 mostraram-se capazes de reduzir a fagocitose. Os sobrenadantes dos cultivos foram submetidos a SPE e HPLC e as frações com efeito antifagocítico foram submetidas a espectrometria de massas. A fração capaz de reduzir a fagocitose de bactérias reduziu também a fagocitose de Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Além de mostrar que EPECa é capaz de induzir a antifagocitose, mostrou-se também que o fator antifagocitico é secretado, solúvel em meio aquoso, termoestável, apresenta baixo peso molecular, não é microbicida ou citotóxico e, por último, há indicativos de que possa apresentar uma região glicosídica. Estes achados sugerem que o fator antifagocítico pode, embora não sozinho, exercer um papel importante na adaptabilidade e patogenicidade das EPECa. / Atypical enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (aEPEC) causes diarrhea mainly in children and presents a high heterogeneity of virulence factors. The objective of this work was to study the behavior of aEPEC regarding its interaction with professional phagocytes. Two samples of aEPEC serotype O55:H7 were able to reduce phagocytosis, The culture supernatants were submitted to SPE and HPLC and the active fractions were tested and analyzed by mass spectrometry. The results show that the fraction with bacterial antiphagocytic activity also reduces phagocytosis of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. In addition to demonstrating that aEPEC can induce antiphagocytosis, this work shows that it is due to a secreted antiphagocytic factor that is soluble in aqueous medium, is thermo-stable, has a low molecular weight, is not bactericide or cytotoxic and, finally, possibly presents a glycosidic region. These findings suggest that the antiphagocytic factor may, though maybe not alone, play an important role in the adaptability and pathogenicity of aEPEC.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic pathogen that is present in the normal flora in a majority of individuals. One key factor in C. albicans virulence is the ability to change its morphology from yeast to an elongated or hyphal form. The regulation of this morphogenesis relies in part upon quorum sensing (QS) molecules. C. albicans often exists as part of a mixed culture alongside other microbes and is influenced by their presence as well as the presence of QS molecules that they produce. In this study, a library of diploid homozygous transcriptional regulator knockout (TRKO) mutants were screened to identify strains capable of forming hyphae in the presence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli. We identified three strains that showed increased hyphae development compared to wild type C. albicans. The strains identified had deletions of the transcriptional regulating genes Orf19.3928, Orf19.2842 (GZF3), and Orf19.3865 (RFX1). These strains were tested for alterations of filamentation in liquid media, and biofilm formation. All three strains showed increased rates of biofilm formation compared to the wild type. Orf19.3928 showed altered response to farnesol, a marked in biofilm formation and no inhibition of filamentation when farnesol was present in liquid media. The GZF3 deletion strain showed enhanced filamentation with all three bacterial species while the RFX1 deletion strain showed increased filamentation only with E. coli and S. aureus. In spent media, GZF3 showed slight increases in filamentation in E. coli and S. aureus while RFX1 had moderate increases in filamentation in E. coli and S. aureus and slight increases with P. aeruginosa.

Sepsis is the most frequent cause of mortality in most intensive care units. Cardiovascular dysfunction is a major complication associated with sepsis, with high mortality rates up to 70%. Currently, there is no effective treatment approach for sepsis. The integrity of the endothelium is fundamental for the homeostasis of the cardiovascular system. Sepsis induces endothelial cell injury which is the key factor for multiple organ failure. The increased expression of adhesion molecules and chemokines in endothelial cell promotes leukocytes infiltration into the tissue. The loss of tight junction proteins and increased permeability of the endothelial cells will provoke tissue hypoxia and subsequent organ failure. Therefore, preservation of endothelial function is a critical approach for improving sepsis-induced outcome. Here, we showed that endothelial specific protein HSPA12B plays a critical role in the preservation of cardiovascular function in polymicrobial sepsis. HSPA12B is the newest member of HSP70 family which predominantly expresses in endothelial cells. We observed that HSPA12B deficiency (HSPA12B-/-) exaggerated polymicrobial sepsis-induced endothelial dysfunction, leading to worse cardiac dysfunction. HSPA12B-/- significantly increases the expression of adhesion molecules, decreases tight junction protein levels and enhances vascular permeability. HSPA12B-/- alsomarkedly promotes the infiltration of inflammatory cells into the myocardium and inflammatory cytokine production. We investigated the cardioprotective mechanisms of HSPA12B in sepsis induced cardiovascular dysfunction. Exosomes play a critical role in intercellular communication. Exosome is a natural vehicle of microRNAs. We found that exosomes isolated from HSPA12B-/- septic mice induced more expression of adhesion molecules in endothelial cells and inflammation in macrophages. Interestingly, the levels of miR-126 in serum exosomes isolated from HSPA12B-/- septic mice were significantly lowers than in WT septic mice. Importantly, delivery of miR-126 carried exosomes significantly improved cardiac function, suppressed the expression of adhesion molecules, reduced immune cell infiltration in the myocardium, and improved vascular permeability in HSPA12B-/- septic mice. The data suggests that HSPA12B is essential for endothelial function in sepsis and that miR-126 containing exosomes plays a critical role in cardiovascular-protective mechanisms of endothelial HSPA12B in polymicrobial sepsis.