La récupération assistée des hydrocarbures par des microorganismes (MEOR) est une technologie potentiellement utilisable pour améliorer l’efficacité de l’extraction pétrolière. Cette technique utilise les capacités métaboliques de certaines souches bactériennes pour récupérer les huiles des réservoirs. Cependant, le manque de connaissances sur la physiologie et les activités métaboliques des microorganismes des réservoirs est un obstacle majeur pour le développement de cette approche. L’objectif de ce travail était d’étudier la physiologie des microorganismes indigènes de réservoirs pétroliers, en déterminant leurs capacités métaboliques, leurs conditions de croissances et leur positionnement taxonomique. Pour cela, trois activités physiologiques d’intérêt pour la MEOR : (1) la dégradation de l’hexadécane ;(2) la production de biosurfactant et (3) la formation de biofilm ont été évaluées sur 84 souches bactériens anaérobies isolées exclusivement de plusieurs réservoirs pétroliers. Ces isolats appartiennent à deux groupes métaboliques : les bactéries sulfato-réductrices (BSR) et les anaérobies fermentaires. Ainsi, cette prospection à donner une image de la diversité des souches de réservoirs possédant des activités appropriées pour la MEOR. Le séquençage et l’analyse phylogénétique du gène codant pour L’ARNr 16S a permet d’identifier deux nouvelles espèces bactériennes d’anaérobies fermentaires, SRL 4223 et SRL 4209 capables de produire des biosurfactants. Ainsi la caractérisation de ces deux isolats a révélé que la souche SRL 4223 présentait toutes les caractéristiques phénotypiques et génétiques autorisant sa classification un nouveau genre nommé Pleomorphochaeta caudata et que la souche SRL 4209 peut être affilié comme une nouvelle espèce de ce nouveau genre. / The Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a potentially useful technology to improve the efficiency of oil extraction. This technique utilizes microorganisms and/or their metabolites (biosurfactants, polymers, biomass…etc.) to recover oil from reservoirs. However, the lack of basic knowledge about physiology and metabolic capacities of reservoir microorganisms is a major obstacle for the development of this approach. The objective of this work was to study the physiology of indigenous reservoir microorganisms by determining their metabolic capacities, their growth conditions and their taxonomic position. For this, three activities related to MEOR: (1) hexadecane degradation; (2) biofilm formation and (3) biosurfactant production were evaluated on 84 anaerobic bacterial strains isolated exclusively from several petroleum reservoirs. These isolates belong to two metabolic groups: sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) and anaerobic fermentative bacteria. This study gives a picture of the diversity of indigenous strains possessing proper activities for MEOR. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of 16S rRNA gene identified two new species of fermentative bacteria: SRL 4223 and SRL 4209, capable of producing biosurfactants. Characterization of these isolates revealed that the strain SRL 4223 had all the phenotypic and genetic characteristics allowing its classification as a new genus named Pleomorphochaeta caudata and the strain SRL 4209 was affiliated as a new species of this genus.

Na aquacultura de recirculação são utilizados filtros biológicos para o tratamento do efluente antes que este retorne aos tanques. Estas unidades de tratamento têm como finalidade a transformação de nitrogênio amoniacal em nitrato, pois a amônia e o nitrito são tóxicos para os peixes. O nitrogênio amoniacal tende a se acumular na água de cultivo, pois é um importante produto de excreção dos organismos aquáticos e degradação da ração não consumida. Nestes filtros biológicos, os microorganismos responsáveis pelo tratamento da água residuária se encontram aderidos no meio de preenchimento, formando um biofilme. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar as comunidades microbianas presentes no biofilme associado ao filtro biológico de uma unidade experimental de tratamento de efluente de aquacultura. Durante o experimento, realizado em dois sistemas paralelos representando unidades de aquacultura com e sem recirculação de água, também foram monitorados parâmetros de qualidade da água. Os tanques experimentais foram povoados com juvenis de tilápias-do-Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), que foram submetidos a pesagens a cada quinze dias para avaliar seu ganho de biomassa. As bactérias foram identificadas através da técnica de análise microbiológica da hibridização fluorescente in situ (FISH). A estrutura do biofilme foi avaliada através de microscopia eletrônica de varredura. Os resultados indicam que a nitrificação teve um papel mais importante no controle da qualidade da água no sistema com recirculação em relação ao tanque sem recirculação. A análise microbiológica do meio de preenchimento do filtro revelou uma presença marcante (com proporções de Cy3/DAPI variando entre 0,5% e 7,6%) de células ativas de organismos nitrificantes (oxidadores de amônia e de nitrito), pertencendo a gêneros distintos como Nitrobacter, Nitrococcus e Nitrosomonas, além de outros grupos de presença expressiva, como bactérias filamentosas (com proporções de 11,2% a 17,3% da contagem de células marcadas com DAPI). As imagens de Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura revelaram a natureza do arranjo destas bactérias no meio filtrante, caracterizando um biofilme bem desenvolvido, composto por diversos morfotipos microbianos. O conhecimento das bactérias que compõe este biofilme pode tornar possível a geração de melhorias que podem ser implementadas para aumentar a eficiência do sistema. / In recirculating aquaculture, biological filters are used for treating the effluent before it returns to tanks. These treatment units are intended for transforming ammoniacal nitrogen into nitrate, since ammonia and nitrite are toxic to fish. Ammoniacal nitrogen tends to accumulate in culture water, because it is an important excretion product from aquatic organisms and also due to degradation of non consumed feed. In these biological filters, microorganisms responsible for the treatment of waste water adhere to the filler, forming a biofilm. The present work intended to characterize the microbial community present in the biofilm associated to the biological filter at an experimental aquaculture effluent treatment unit. During the experiment, conducted in two parallel systems representing aquaculture units with and without water recirculation, water quality parameters were also monitored. Experimental tanks were populated with juvenile Nile Tilapias (Oreochromis niloticus), which were subjected to weighing every 15 days in order to assess their biomass gain. Bacteria were identified through the microbiological analysis technique of Fluorescent In Situ Hybridization (FISH). The biofilm structure was assessed using scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that nitrification had a more important role in the control of water quality in the system with recirculation compared with the tank without recirculation. The microbiological analysis of the filter media revealed a significant presence (with Cy3/DAPI range between 0.5% e 7.6%) of active cells from nitrifying organisms (ammonia and nitrite oxidizers), which belonged to different genera such as Nitrobacter, Nitrococcus and Nitrosomonas, in addition to groups that had an expressive presence, such as filamentous bacteria (representing 11.2% to 17.3% of the total DAPI stained cells). Scanning Electron Microscopy images revealed the nature of the arrangement of these bacteria in the filtering media, characterizing a well developed biofilm made up of diverse microbial morphotypes. The knowledge about the bacteria making up the biofilm may enable improvements that can be implemented to increase system effectiveness.

Foram avaliados 528 isolados clínicos de Pseudomonas aeruginosa de 131 pacientes fibrocísticos atendidos em um centro de referência em fibrose cística (FC) durante o período de 2005 a 2008. 135 isolados clínicos (25,6%) apresentaram subpopulação hipermutante (isolados com altas taxas de mutações) utilizando teste modificado de suscetibilidade aos antimicrobianos. Destes, 9 isolados (6,7%) de 7 pacientes foram classificados como hipermutantes (HPM) segundo estimativa da freqüência de mutação. Após seqüenciamento do gene mutS e análise de mutações relacionadas à inativação do sistema de reparo de erros no pareamento do DNA (Mismatch Repair System - MRS), foi possível observar este tipo de mutação em 5 isolados HPM de 4 pacientes. Avaliamos a formação de biofilme em 45 isolados NHPM, 9 HPM e suas respectivas subpopulações por duas metodologias. Segundo o primeiro método, 24 (53,3%) e 3 (21,4%) isolados NHPM e HPM, respectivamente, foram classificados como não-formadores de biofilme. Pelo segundo método, apenas 4 (8,9%) isolados NHPM e nenhum isolado HPM foram classificados nessa categoria. Os percentuais de resistência aos antibióticos ceftazidima, ciprofloxacino e tobramicina em condições de biofilme foram mais elevados que aqueles obtidos em crescimento plantônico e, em ambas as condições, foi possível evidenciar forte associação entre hipermutabilidade e aumento de resistência antibiótica. A associação dos macrolídeos azitromicina e claritromicina, em concentrações sub-inibidoras, com os antibióticos anti-pseudomonas, demonstrou ação inibitória sobre isolados clínicos de P. aeruginosa em condições de biofilme, o que sugere sua indicação no tratamento de infecções por P. aeruginosa pela sua ação anti-biofilme. / We evaluated 528 clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 131 CF patients attended at a referral center for cystic fibrosis (CF) during the period of 2005 to 2008. 135 clinical isolates (25.6%) presented hypermutable subpopulation (isolates with high mutation rates) using a modified antimicrobial susceptibility method. Of these, 9 isolates (6.7%) of 7 patients were classified as hypermutable (HPM) according to the estimate of mutation frequency. After gene sequencing and analysis of mutS mutations related to inactivation of the repair system errors in DNA pairing (Mismatch Repair System - MRS), we observed this type of mutation in 5 HPM isolates of 4 patients. We evaluated the biofilm formation in 45 isolates NHPM, 9 HPM and their subpopulations by two methods. According the first method, 24 (53.3%) and 3 (21.4%) isolates NHPM and HPM, respectively, were classified as non-biofilm formers. According the second method, only 4 (8.9%) isolates NHPM and none HPM were classified in this category. The percentages of resistance to antibiotics ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and tobramycin in conditions of biofilm were higher than those obtained in planktonic growth, and in both conditions, it was observed a strong association between hypermutability and increased antibiotic resistance. The association of macrolides azithromycin and clarithromycin, in sub-inhibitory concentrations, with anti-pseudomonas antibiotics, has shown inhibitory activity on clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa in biofilm conditions, which should be recommended for treatment of CF P. aeruginosa infections due to its anti-biofilm action.

Alguns estudos caracterizaram a microbiota de canais radiculares de dentes decíduos com necrose pulpar como polimicrobiana, com predomínio de microrganismos anaeróbios. No entanto, nenhum estudo até o presente momento investigou a presença de genes de resistência a antimicrobianos em diferentes ecossistemas da cavidade oral de crianças. Este estudo tem por objetivo determinar a presença de espécies de Prevotella e do gene cfxa/cfxa2 associados à resistência à beta-lactâmicos, em diferentes ecossistemas orais de crianças com necrose pulpar. Vinte e sete crianças, que estavam sob cuidados odontológicos no Ambulatório de Clínica Infanto-Juvenil da Faculdade de Odontologia da UFRGS, e que apresentavam, pelo menos, um dente decíduo com necrose pulpar foram selecionados para este estudo. Foram coletadas amostras de saliva, biofilme supragengival, biofilme da câmara pulpar e do canal radicular de 32 dentes (27 posteriores e 5 anteriores). Após isolamento do DNA microbiano, a presença das bactérias Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella tannerae e do gene cfxA/cfxA2 foi avaliada através do método de PCR. A amostra foi composta de pacientes com idade média de 5,5 anos (± 1,76). A taxa total de espécies de Prevotella foi de 29,1%, 25%, 21,8% e 32,29% em amostras de saliva, biofilme, câmara pulpar e canal radicular, respectivamente. As três espécies juntas não foram detectadas em todos os micro-ambientes do mesmo paciente, mas estavam presentes em 3,1% (n=1) de amostras do canal radicular. Prevotella nigrescens foi a bactéria mais frequentemente encontrada em todos os ecossistemas estudados. Foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas em relação à presença de P. nigrescens em pelo menos um local e idade do paciente (teste t, p = 0,04). Também foi encontrada associação entre a presença desta bactéria, em pelo menos um local e uso de antimicrobianos (teste exato de Fisher, p = 0,014). A presença do gene de resistência à beta-lactâmicos, cfxA/cfxA2, foi testada em 12 pacientes da amostra, nos quatro micro-ambientes orais. Entre esses pacientes, 55,6% eram meninas, com idade média de 6 anos (± 2,5). Não foi detectada a presença deste gene em nenhuma amostra investigada. Os dados sugerem que a cavidade bucal de crianças com necrose pulpar apresenta presença diversificada de espécies de Prevotella em diferentes micro-ambientes orais. A ausência do gene cfxA/cfxA2 foi observada em todas as amostras investigadas. Estudos futuros, testando a presença de outros genes de resistência à beta-lactâmicos, são importantes para uma investigação abrangente. / Some studies characterized the microbiota of root canals of primary teeth with pulp necrosis as polymicrobial, with a predominance of anaerobic microorganisms. However, no study to date has investigated the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes in different ecosystems of the oral cavity of children. This study aims to determine the presence of Prevotella species and genes associated with resistance to beta-lactams in different oral enviroments of children with pulp necrosis. Twenty-seven children who were under dental care at the Children and Youth Clinic (Dental School, UFRGS, Porto Alegre, Brazil), and who had at least one primary tooth with pulp necrosis were selected for this study. Saliva, supragingival biofilm, pulp chamber biofilm and root canal biofilm were collected of 32 teeth (27 posterior and 5 anterior). After isolation of microbial DNA, the presence of Prevotella intermedia, Prevotella nigrescens, Prevotella tannerae and cfxA/cfxA2 gene were evaluated using the PCR. The sample consisted of patients with a mean age of 5.5 years (± 1.76). The total rate of Prevotella species was 29.1%, 25%, 21.8% and 32.29% in saliva samples, biofilm, pulp chamber and root canal, respectively. The three strains were not detected in all enviroments of the same patient, but were present at 3.1% (n = 1) of the root canal samples. Prevotella nigrescens was the most common bacteria in all oral enviroments. Statistical significant differences were observed for the presence of P. nigrescens at least one oral enviroment and age of the patient (t-test, p = 0.04). Also an association was observed, among the presence of these bacteria in at least one enviroment and use of antimicrobials (Fisher's exact test, p = 0.014). The presence of the resistance gene to beta-lactams, cfxA/cfxA2, was tested on 12 patients of the sample at all four oral enviroments. Among these patients, 55.6% were girls with a mean age of 6 years (± 2.5). Absence of this gene in the sample investigated was detected. The absence of cfxA/cfxA2 gene was observed in all the investigated samples. Future studies testing the presence of other resistance genes to beta-lactams, are important for a comprehensive investigation.

Salmonella enterica is an important cause of food poisoning and is responsible for approximately a billion human infections each year. Disease manifestation in humans varies from severe systemic enteric (typhoid) fever to self-limiting gastroenteritis depending upon the infecting S. enterica serovar. S. Typhimurium is responsible for acute gastroenteritis in humans but causes a typhoid-like disease in mice and thus serves as an important model for studying the pathogenesis of systemic salmonellosis. Following ingestion, S. Typhimurium employs a variety of virulence mechanisms to survive within its host and establishes infection in the intestinal tract by invading the epithelial cells. Recent studies have revealed the importance of sulfur compounds in the intestine, such as tetrathionate and thiosulfate for the disease progression. S. Typhimurium is capable of utilising these sulfur compounds as terminal electron acceptors for its anaerobic respiration and thus gains a growth advantage over host microbiota during infection. However, the regulation of sulfur availability within S. Typhimurium and the mechanisms involved in mitigating cellular sulfide toxicity are not well-defined. During this study, we have identified the sstRA operon in S. Typhimurium encoding a deduced SmtB/ArsR family of transcriptional regulatory protein (SstR) and a deduced rhodanese-family sulfurtransferase (SstA) and demonstrated a role in mitigating the effects of cellular sulfide toxicity. SstR has been confirmed to act as a transcriptional repressor from the sstRA operator-promoter and the SstR-dependent repression is alleviated by low pH and sulfide stress (sodium thiosulfate), consistent with a role for SstR in sensing sulfide stress to trigger gene expression. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays confirm binding of purified SstR to the sstRA operator-promoter region. Furthermore, a conserved pair of cysteine residues within SstR was identified to be crucial for alleviating SstR-mediated repression, with the substitution of either cysteine causing constitutive repression. This is consistent with SstR inducer-responsiveness involving a thiol-based redox switch. Importantly, S. Typhimurium mutants lacking the sstRA operon have reduced tolerance to sulfide stress, consistent with the sstRA operon having a role in cellular sulfide detoxification. Work is continuing to further characterise the roles of sstR and sstA in S. Typhimurium on their contributions to infections.

La compréhension des mécanismes qui contrôlent le transfert des éléments en traces métalliques (ETM) dans les hydro-systèmes est fondamentale car ceux-ci constituent des contaminants toxiques potentiels pour l'environnement et l'Homme. Dans ces travaux, la contribution des biofilms phototrophes, principaux acteurs du fonctionnement écologique et biogéochimique des eaux courantes continentales, a été évaluée dans le transfert et le fractionnement isotopique des ETM choisis, le cuivre (Cu) et le zinc (Zn). L'objectif est de mieux appréhender, via le couplage géochimique, microbiologique et écologique, les effets de l'exposition de biofilms aux ETM, conduite en conditions contrôlées, tant sur le comportement des ETM que la réponse de la communauté microbienne. Les expérimentations de 96 h d'exposition d'un biofilm mature aux ETM en milieux fermés et ouverts montrent un fractionnement isotopique opposé entre les processus physico-chimiques et biologiques sollicités. L'adsorption induit un enrichissement du biofilm en isotopes lourds par rapport à la solution avec un facteur d'enrichissement de +1,1±0,3 ‰ pour le Cu et de +1,2±0,4 ‰ pour le Zn. Inversement, le fractionnement isotopique induit lors de l'incorporation du Cu et du Zn dans le biofilm varie avec un facteur d'enrichissement allant de -0,6 à +0,8 ‰ pour le Cu et de +0,1 à +0,5 ‰ pour le Zn. Les analyses in-situ XAS (au seuil K du Cu) montrent que l'enrichissement en isotopes légers lors de l'incorporation du Cu est contrôlé par une réduction du Cu(II) en Cu(I). La variabilité du fractionnement isotopique lors de l'incorporation est expliquée par les différents processus intervenant au sein de la matrice du biofilm (diffusion, adsorption sur les groupes fonctionnels de la matrice d'exopolymères et à la surface des cellules, incorporation intracellulaire). Lors de l'excrétion de ces ETM, le biofilm induit aussi un fractionnement opposé et différent en fonction de la nature de l'ETM. La fraction métallique désorbée par le biofilm lors des premières heures est enrichie en isotopes légers de Zn et en isotopes lourds de Cu par rapport au biofilm avec un enrichissement variant respectivement entre -1,4 et 0 ‰ et entre +0,8 et +0,5 ‰. Les mécanismes d'efflux et de diffusion diminuent la magnitude de l'enrichissement et enduisent un enrichissement de la fraction excrétée par rapport au biofilm compris entre -0,7 et -0,3 ‰ pour le Zn et entre -0,36 et +0,35 ‰ pour le Cu. Ces résultats sont également obtenus dans le cadre d'une étude dynamique du fractionnement isotopique sur deux cycles circadiens consécutifs en système ouvert. Les études du fractionnement isotopique en fonction de la croissance du biofilm en relation avec l'évolution des communautés durant 59 jours de culture montrent une dépendance du fractionnement isotopique à la diversité des communautés et à son évolution temporelle. Le biofilm induit un enrichissement en isotopes lourds de +0,5±0,1 ‰ au 24ième jour qui diminue avec la diminution du rapport de la surface du biofilm sur son volume pour atteindre +0,0±0,3 ‰ au 59ième jour. Pour le Zn, en fonction de la diversité algale, la croissance du biofilm induit soit un fractionnement négatif d'une valeur moyenne de -0,16±0,04 ‰, soit n'induit pas de fractionnement entre le 24ième et 59ième jour (-0,1 <-66Zn(biofilm-solution) <+0,1 ‰). Cette étude reflète la complexité des processus biologiques associés aux biofilms phototrophes. Ainsi, l'utilisation des isotopes pour tracer les processus contrôlés biologiquement lors du transport du Cu et du Zn dans les cours d'eau demande i) la connaissance du temps de résidence du métal dans le biofilm, ii) le degré d'assimilation du métal dans la biomasse par rapport à son adsorption en surface, et iii) les différentes réactions élémentaires intervenant dans le biofilm. / Understanding mechanisms that control the metal trace elements (MTE) transfer in aquatic systems is fundamental because MTE are potential toxic contaminants to the environment and human populations. In this work, the contribution of benthic microbial aggregates (phototrophic biofilms), main actors of the ecological functioning and biogeochemistry of freshwater, was evaluated by the transfer and isotopic fractionation of selected two toxic and potentially essential metals, Cu and Zn. The aim is to better understand, via the coupling between different approaches (geochemical, isotopic, structural, microbiological, ecotoxicological), the relation between MTE concentration and isotope signature in solution and within the biofilm, depending on environmental conditions and the microbial community response. Sorption by a mature phototrophic biofilm of MTE during 96 h exposure in batch and open systems reactors exhibits opposite isotopic fractionation between physico-chemical and biological processes. The adsorption induces an enrichment in heavy isotopes of the biofilm relative to the solution during metal complexation with the surface functional groups with an enrichment factor of +1.1±0.3‰ for Cu and +1.2±0.4‰ for Zn. Conversely, the isotopic fractionation during Cu and Zn incorporation inside the biofilm is variable with an enrichment factor between the biofilm and the solution ranging from -0.6 to +0.8 ‰ for Cu and +0.1 to +0.5‰ for Zn. In situ X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy analysis of Cu chemical and structural status in the biofilm show that the enrichment in light isotopes during Cu incorporation is controlled by the reduction of Cu(II) in Cu(I). The variability of isotopic fractionation during incorporation are explained by different processes involved in the biofilm matrix (diffusion, adsorption by the functional groups of the exopolymeric matrix and at the surface of the cells, intracellular incorporation). During ETM excretion from the biofilm into the solution, contrasting fractionation of Cu and Zn is observed. The metal fraction desorbed by the biofilm at the beginning of excretion is enriched in lighter isotopes of Zn and in heavy isotope of Cu compared to the biofilm with an enrichment ranging from 0 to -1.4‰ and from +0.8 to +0.5‰ for Zn and Cu, respectively. Active efflux and diffusion processes decrease the isotopic enrichment magnitude inducing an enrichment of the excreted fraction compared to the biofilm ranging from -0.7 and -0.3‰ for Zn and from -0.36 and +0.35‰ for Cu. The isotopic results found for a dynamic study of Cu and Zn isotopic fractionation on two consecutive circadian cycles in open system are in general agreement with our 96 h sorption and excretion experiments. The isotopic fractionation experiments during the biofilm growth in relation to the evolution of communities (ecological succession) over 59 days exhibit a relationship between metallic isotopic fractionation and the community diversity and its temporal evolution. However, a general trend is observed for Cu with an enrichment in heavy isotopes of +0.5±0.1‰ after 24th day of growth that decreases with the decrease of the biofilm's surface/volume ratio to reach a value of +0.0±0.3 ‰ at the 59th day of growth. For Zn, in relation to algal diversity, the growth of the biofilm produces whether a negative isotopic fractionation equal to -0.16±0.04‰, or does not produce any isotopic fractionation between the 24th and 59th days of growth (-0.1<-66Zn(biofilm-solution)<+0.1 ‰).This study reflects the complexity of biological processes associated with phototrophic biofilms. The use of stable isotopes to trace the processes controlled biologically during transport of Cu and Zn in surface waters requests i) knowledge of metal residence time in the biofilm, ii) the degree of assimilation of the metal in biomass compared to its surface adsorption, and iii) the various elementary reactions involved in the biofilm.

Papermaking process require large amounts of energy and water; therefore, pulp and paper mills can be potentially very polluting. The wastewater resulting from the papermaking process must be carefully managed as it is very rich in dissolved organic matter and contain compounds that make it difficult to treat. MBBR technology emerged as a possibility to increase the treatment capacity and to make more compact treatment systems designed to remove high organic loads, since in addition to having biomass in suspension as the activated sludge process, also has biomass adhered to plastic supports. This research was commissioned by Stora Enso Kvarnsveden and emerged in need of a bioreactor modification due to reduction of the wastewater load after the closure of PM11 in 2013 and PM8 in 2017. An evaluation of the performance of bioreactors is necessary with possible results to only run one bioreactor in the future and save energy. For performance analysis, two weeks of measurements were performed, one with the two bioreactors running at the same time and one with only K150 reactor running, trying to simulate what happens if one of them is stopped. Analysis of the main operating parameters of the MBBR system were evaluated during this research. As result, it was recommended an action to remove the excess of adhered biomass and an increase of the filling rating to 50%, in order to optimize TOC reduction.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito antibacteriano e a dissolução de biofilme promovido pela terapia fotodinâmica (PDT) associada com o hipoclorito de sódio (NaOCl) 2,5% e a clorexidina (CHX) sobre biofilmes mono-espécie e multi-espécies. No modelo de biofilme mono-espécie, quarenta e seis prémolares inferiores foram contaminados com cepas de Enterococcus faecalis (ATCCC 29212) por 21 dias. Os espécimes foram divididos em três grupos de acordo com a solução irrigadora utilizada: soro fisiológico, CHX 2% e NaOCl 2,5%. Após irrigação com 5 mL de cada irrigante, a PDT foi realizada. Amostras foram coletadas previamente aos protocolos de irrigação (S1), após irrigação (S2) e após PDT (S3). No modelo de biofilme multi-espécies, sessenta blocos de dentina bovina foram infectados intraoral e divididos em seis grupos: soro fisiológico, soro fisiológico/PDT, CHX, CHX/PDT, NaOCl e NaOCl/PDT. Microscopia confocal a laser foi usada para avaliar a porcentagem e o biovolume de células vivas e o volume total de biofilme. Todos os grupos reduziram as contagens de UFCs após os procedimentos de irrigação (S1-S2); porém a CHX e o NaOCl promoveram as menores contagens de UFCs (P < 0,05). A PDT diminuiu significativamente a contagem bacteriana no grupo do soro fisiológico (S2-S3; P < 0,05). No modelo de biofilme multi-espécies, a menor quantidade de células vivas foi observada nos grupos CHX, CHX/PDT, NaOCl e NaOCl/PDT, sem diferenças entre si (P > 0,05). A PDT não reduziu o volume total de biofilme (P > 0,05); porém parece diminuir o biovolume e a quantidade de células vivas após irrigação com CHX 2% e NaOCl 2,5%. A terapia fotodinâmica associada ao soro fisiológico reduziu a carga bacteriana em canais infectados com E. faecalis. A PDT parece reduzir a quantidade e o volume de células vivas, mas não o volume total de células em biofilme multiespécies induzido in situ. Finalmente, o tipo de irrigante foi decisivo para dissolver biofilme multi-espécies. / The aim of this study was to evaluate the antibacterial effect and the biofilm dissolution promoted by photodynamic therapy (PDT) associated with 2.5% NaOCl and 2% CHX over monospecies and multispecies biofilms. In monospecies biofilm model, forty-six mandibular premolars were contaminated with Enterococcus faecalis strains (ATCC 29212) broth culture for 21 days. Specimens were divided into three groups according to the irrigant used: saline, 2% of CHX and 2.5% of NaOCl. After irrigation with 5 mL of each irrigant, PDT was performed. Samples were collected at baseline (S1), after irrigation (S2) and after PDT (S3). In multispecies biofilm model, sixty bovine dentin blocs were infected intraorally, and divided into six groups: saline, saline/PDT, CHX, CHX/PDT, NaOCl and NaOCl/PDT. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was used to assess the percentage and the biovolume of live cells and the total biovolume. All groups reduced UFC’ counts after irrigation procedures (S1-S2); however CHX and NaOCl promoted the lowest UFCs counts (P < 0.05). PDT significantly reduced the bacterial counts in saline group (S2-S3; P < 0.05). In multispecies biofilm model, the lowest amount of live cells was observed in CHX, CHX/PDT, NaOCl and NaOCl/PDT groups, with no differences among them (P > 0.05). PDT did not reduce the total biovolume (P > 0.05); however it appears to decrease the biovolume and the amount of live cells after irrigation with 2% CHX and 2.5% NaOCl. PDT associated with saline reduced the bacterial load in canal infected with E. faecalis. PDT seems to reduce the amount and the biovolume of live cells, but did not reduce the total biovolume of cells in multispecies biofilm induced in situ. Finally, the irrigant was decisive to dissolve multispecies biofilm.

Muitas espécies de pimentas vermelhas do gênero Capsicum são utilizadas em práticas medicinais tradicionais. Essas plantas são empregadas em algumas preparações para tratar uma variedade de doenças, incluindo infecções. Algumas bactérias produzem biofilme como um importante fator de virulência, pois a estrutura do biofilme intermedia a adesão bacteriana a superfícies, como em dispositivos implantados, sondas e cateteres além de promover proteção física contra os antibióticos ou as respostas do sistema imunológico. Dessa maneira, este estudo investigou a capacidade do extrato e de produtos isolados das sementes de Capsicum baccatum como agentes antibiofilme. Este estudo demonstra, pela primeira vez, que um extrato de C. baccatum apresentou importante atividade antibiofilme contra Staphylococcus epidermidis e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A fração ativa foi obtida através de ensaios bioguiados e analisada por HPLC-DAD-MS, MALDI-TOF MS e MALDI-MS/MS, identificando-a como peptídeos da proteína 2S sulfur-rich seed storage protein 2-like. Estes peptídeos (2mg/ml) foram potentes no controle da formação de biofilme de S. epidermidis (>96%) em solução e adsorvidos em lâminas de Permanox® recobertas. De modo interessante, não inibiram o crescimento bacteriano, indicando que a inibição do biofilme é independente da morte celular bacteriana. Ainda, esses peptídeos foram capazes de preservar eritrócitos, bem como a integridade de linfócitos humanos após 24 e 48 horas de exposição, demonstrando que o fracionamento do extrato de C. baccatum potencializou a sua atividade antibiofilme e reduziu significativamente a sua citotoxicidade. Nossos resultados corroboram com a pesquisa de novas estratégias não antibióticas para combater microrganismos com reduzida possibilidade para o desenvolvimento de resistência. / Many species of Capsicum red peppers are used in traditional medicinal practices. These plants are utilized in a number of preparations to treat a variety of illnesses including infections. Some bacteria produce biofilm as an important virulence factor, due to this its structure mediates the adhesion to surfaces as implanted devices, probes, catheters and also promotes physical protection against the antibiotics or the immune system response. Accordingly, this study investigated the ability of the extract and isolated products from seeds of Capsicum baccatum as anti-biofilm agent. This study demonstrates by the first time that an extract from C. baccatum presented relevant anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The active fraction was obtained by bio-guided assays and analyzed by HPLC-DAD-MS, MALDI-TOF MS and MALDI-MS/MS, identifying it as peptides from 2S sulfur-rich seed storage protein 2-like. It strongly controlled (2mg/ml) the S. epidermidis biofilm formation (>96%) when the compound was in solution and adsorbed on Permanox™ slides. Interestingly, it did not inhibit the growth of this bacterium, indicating the inhibition of biofilm is independent of bacterial cell death. Moreover, this peptides preserved human erythrocytes and lymphocytes integrity after 24-48 h of exposure, suggesting the fractionation potentiated the anti-biofilm activity of the C. baccatum crude extract while absolutely reduced its cytotoxicity. Our results corroborate to the search of new non-antibiotic strategies to combat microorganisms with a reduced pressure for resistance development.

Objetivo: Avaliar a influência da infecção por Pseudomonas aeruginosa formadora de biofilme na penetração pulmonar da tobramicina através da modelagem populacional dos dados de plasma e microdialisado em animais sadios e infectados. Metodologia: A pneumonia foi desenvolvida através de inoculação de P. aeruginosa (cepa PA14) pela via intratraqueal (109 UFC/mL) a ratos Wistar. Sete dias após a inoculação os animais infectados (n = 5) receberam tobramicina 10 mg/kg i.v. bolus. Animais saudáveis (n = 6) foram utilizados como controle. As concentrações livres pulmonares foram coletadas por microdiálise (sonda CMA/20). As sondas de microdiálise foram calibradas in vitro através de diálise e retrodiálise e in vivo utilizando retrodiálise. A ligação da tobramicina às proteínas plasmáticas foi determinada por microdiálise. As concentrações do fármaco nas amostras foram determinadas por cromatografia líquida em tandem com espectrometria de massas (CLAE-EM/EM) utilizando metodologia validada. Os parâmetros farmacocinéticos foram determinados por abordagem não-compartimental (Phoenix®) e modelagem populacional (popPK) (Monolix®). Resultados e Discussão: A recuperação relativa (RR) das sondas foi independente da concentração de tobramicina e inversamente proporcional ao fluxo de perfusão. A RR determinada in vivo foi de 27,64 % ± 7,70 para animais sadios e 24,47 % ± 1,66 para animais infectados. A ligação às proteínas plasmáticas foi de 11,3 ± 1,9%. A infecção com formação de biofilme não alterou a farmacocinética plasmática da tobramicina, entretanto reduziu em cerca de 70% a penetração pulmonar do fármaco. As concentrações plasmáticas e teciduais foram simultaneamente descritas por um modelo farmacocinético populacional de dois compartimentos, tanto em animais sadios como infectados. A infecção, utilizada como covariável categórica, permitiu descrever as alterações no volume do compartimento periférico e na constante de eliminação do compartimento central devido à infecção. Conclusões: As concentrações plasmáticas da tobramicina, utilizadas para ajuste posológico, superestimam as concentrações ativas no pulmão infectado. O modelo popPK descrito permite a previsão das concentrações livres pulmonares da tobramicina em pulmão infectado, podendo auxiliar na otimização da terapia de pneumonias com P. aeruginosa formadora de biofilme. / Objective: To evaluate the influence of biofilm-forming Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection on tobramycin lung penetration by population pharmacokinetic modeling of plasma and microdialysate data in healthy and infected rats. Methodology: The infection was developed by intratracheal inoculation (109 CFU/mL) of P. aeruginosa (PA14 strain) to Wistar rats. In order to determine plasma and tissue concentrations, seven days after the inoculation the infected animals (n = 5) received tobramycin 10 mg/kg i.v. bolus dose via femoral vein. A healthy group (n = 6) was used as control. Free lung concentrations were determined in microdialysate samples obtained using CMA/20 probes. Microdialysis probes were calibrated in vitro by dialysis and retrodialysis and in vivo by retrodialysis. Tobramycin plasma protein binding was determined by microdialysis. Plasma and tissue concentrations were quantified by a developed and validated liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method. Compartmental and non-compartmental analyses were carried out by Monolix™ and Phoenix™ software, respectively. Results and Discussion: Microdialysis probes relative recovery was independent of the tobramycin concentration and is inversely proportional to the perfusion flow rate investigated. The in vivo probe recovery was 27.64 % ± 7.70 (healthy rats) and 24.47 % ± 1.66 (infected rats). The plasma protein binding was 11.3 ± 1.9%. The biofilm-forming lung infection did not alter tobramycin plasma pharmacokinetics, however, reduced lung penetration in about 70%. The plasma and tissue concentrations-time profiles were simultaneously described by a two compartment popPK model in healthy and infected animals. The infection process, used as categorical covariate allowed describing the changes observed in the volume of the peripheral compartment and in constant rate of elimination from the central compartment. Conclusions: Tobramycin plasma concentrations, used for dosing adjustments, overestimate active concentrations in infected lung. The described popPK model allows predicting free tobramycin lung concentrations in infected lung and could be useful to optimize the treatment of pneumonia caused by biofilm-forming P. aeruginosa with this drug.