Streptococcus pneumoniae é um importante patógeno respiratório que causa pneumonia, meningite e otite média. A vacina atualmente utilizada, composta de polissacarídeos capsulares (PS) derivados de 23 sorotipos diferentes, tem pouca eficácia em crianças, idosos e em pacientes imunocomprometidos. Vacinas com PS conjugados à proteína são mais eficientes, mas sua produção tem alto custo para ser amplamente utilizada. Além disso, o aumento de isolados clínicos de S. pneumoniae resistentes à antibióticos suporta o desenvolvimento de uma nova e mais eficiente vacina. O uso de bactérias ácido-lácticas (LAB) recombinantes vivas, como um sistema de apresentação do antígeno, representa uma estratégia promissora de vacinação de mucosa, já que são bactérias geralmente consideradas seguras (GRAS-status) e capazes de induzir resposta imune sistêmica e de mucosa. Neste trabalho, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus casei e Lactobacillus helveticus foram engenheirados para expressão constitutiva de PspA (proteína A de superfície de pneumococo), um importante fator de virulência de S. pneumoniae. As bactérias recombinantes foram capazes de expressar PspA em duas localizações celulares: intracelular ou ancorada à parede celular, como analisado por Western-blot, utilizando anticorpos policlonais produzidos contra PspA recombinante purificada de E. coli. A estimulação humoral do sistema imune foi avaliada em termos de produção de anticorpos anti-PspA do tipo IgG no soro ou do tipo IgA na saliva, após administração intranasal de LABs recombinantes em camundongos. / Streptococcus pneumoniae is an important respiratory pathogen that causes pneumonia, meningitis and otitis media. The current vaccine in use is composed of capsular polysaccharides (PS) derived from 23 different serotypes, and has little efficacy in young children, elderly and in patients with immunodeficiencies. PS-protein conjugate vaccines are more effective, but their production is expensive for widespread use. Moreover, the increase in antibiotic-resistant S. pneumoniae clinical isolates supports the development of new and more effective vaccines. The use of live recombinant lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as antigen delivery and presentation systems represents a promising strategy for mucosal vaccination, since they are generally regarded as safe bacteria (GRAS-status) and are able to elicit both systemic and mucosal immune responses. In this work, Lactococcus lactis, Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus helveticus were engineered for constitutive expression of PspA (Pneumococcal Surface Protein A), an important S. pneumoniae virulence factor. Recombinant bacteria were able to express PspA in two cellular locations: intracellular or cell-surface exposed, as analyzed by Western-blot, using polyclonal antibodies produced against recombinant PspA purified from E. coli. Stimulation of humoral immune system was evaluated in terms of production of anti-PspA IgG in the sera or IgA in saliva, after intranasal administration of recombinant LAB in mice.

Le biofilm est défini comme une communauté microbienne adhérant à une surface biotique ou abiotique, et engluée dans une matrice extracellulaire auto-produite. Les biofilms naturels sont composés de plusieurs espèces microbiennes et leurs interactions, qu'elles soient synergiques ou antagonistes, jouent un rôle important dans le développement, la composition et le fonctionnement des consortia impliqués. De plus, ces relations impliquent souvent la production de molécules antagonistes limitant la croissance ou l'adhésion bactérienne. Enfin la composition de la matrice extracellulaire joue un rôle important dans la robustesse du biofilm. Au cours de ce travail, l'étude des interactions au sein de biofilms mixtes constitués par K. pneumoniae et S. epidermidis a permis d'isoler un polysaccharide produit par K. pneumoniae, capable d'inhiber l'adhésion aux surfaces abiotiques de plusieurs autres espèces bactériennes à Gram-négatif et à Gram-positif. La caractérisation physico-chimique de cette molécules de haut poids moléculaire a permis de mettre en évidence qu'elle était composée de galactose, glucose, rhamnose et d'acide glucuronique. Par ailleurs, l'analyse d'extraits de mutants déficients pour la production de capsule a montré que ce polysaccharide correspondait à la capsule de K. pneumoniae. Son mode d'action consisterait à inhiber les interactions initiales entre bactéries et surface. Le suivi dans le temps de la formation de biofilm monospecies par K. pneumoniae avec la technique Biofilm Ring Test® a également permis de mettre en évidence un phénotype original. En effet, la détection initiale d'agrégats bactériens est suivie par une modification apparente de leur structure, qui serait liée à des changements de leur robustesse face aux forces d'aimantation magnétique. La présence d'ADN extracellulaire au sein de la matrice du biofilm pourrait jouer un rôle dans la survenue de ce phénotype comme l'indique les mesures effectuées en présence de l'enzyme DNAse I. En parallèle, l'observation de biofilm formés par K. pneumoniae dans des modèles expérimentaux cinétiques a mis en évidence des décrochements massifs de biomasse au cours de la maturation du biofilm, qui pourraient être corrélées aux modifications internes de robustesse de la matrice. L'ensemble de ces données permet de mieux caractériser les interactions intimes survenant à l'intérieur de biofilms constitués par K. pneumoniae et à terme de mieux caractériser et donc prévenir leur formation et dissémination. / Biofilms are defined as microbial communities adhering to biotic or abiotic surfaces and embedded in a self-produced extracellular matrix. Natural biofilms are composed of several microbial species and their interactions, synergistic or antagonistic, play important roles in development, composition and functioning of the consortia. Furthermore, the relationships often involve the production of antagonist molecules that impair competitors' growth or adhesion. The composition and evolution of the extracellular matrix plays also an important role in the biofilms' robustness. In this work, study of the interactions within biofilms formed by K. pneumoniae and S. epidermidis led to the isolation of a polysaccharide produced by K. pneumoniae able to inhibit the adherence to abiotic surfaces of several Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial species. The physico-chemical characterization of this high molecular weight molecule showed it was composed of galactose, glucose, rhamnose and glucuronic acid. This data, together with the analysis of extracts from capsule-deficient mutants, indicated that the capsule of K. pneumoniae was responsible for the biofilm inhibition phenotype, probably by inhibiting the initial interactions between bacteria and surface. By monitoring the formation of monospecies biofilm by K. pneumoniae with the Biofilm Ring Test® technique, we were able to detect an original phenotype. Indeed, detection of bacterial aggregates still occurred after a few hours of incubation but in a different way, probably related to changes of the biofilm robustness towards magnetic forces. The presence of extracellular DNA in the matrix of the biofilm is likely to play a role in the occurrence of this phenotype, as indicated by the assays performed in presence of the enzyme DNase I. At the same time, observations of biofilm formed by K. pneumoniae in kinetic experimental models showed massive detachment events during biofilm maturation, which could be correlated to changes in internal strength of the matrix. All these dtat contribute to a better characterization of the intimate interactions occuring within biofilms formed by K. pneumoniae and will ultimately lead to the development of efficient anti-biofilm strategies.

Orientador: Antonio Olavo Cardoso Jorge / Coorientador: João Manoel Theotonio dos Santos / Banca: Luciane Dias Oliveira / Banca: Graziella Nuernberg Back Brito / Resumo: A resistência adquirida pelas bactérias aos antibióticos de amplo espectro tornou-se uma ameaça à saúde global. A necessidade de encontrar fármacos que consigam combater micro-organismos multirresistentes tem se tornado um grande desafio. Neste cenário, as plantas medicinais são promissoras por terem propriedades antimicrobianas eficazes, devido à presença de compostos fitoquímicos com atividades biológicas diversas. O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar a ação antimicrobiana dos extratos glicólicos de Hamamelis virginiana (hamamélis) e de Persea americana (abacateiro) sobre cepas multirresistentes de Klebsiella pneumoniae e Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana dos extratos vegetais foi realizada em sete cepas clínicas de K. pneumoniae e de P. aeruginosa, em comparação com uma cepa de referência de K. pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) e de P. aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). Para a determinação das concentrações inibitórias mínimas (CIM) e bactericida mínima (CBM) dos extratos de abacateiro e de hamamélis foi utilizado o método de microdiluição em caldo, segundo NCCLS. Após obtenção destes resultados, foi verificada a ação dos extratos sobre biofilmes monomicrobianos de oito cepas de K. pneumoniae e de P. aeruginosa (1 cepa ATCC e 7 cepas clínicas resistentes). Após o período de 48 horas para a formação do biofilme, os extratos foram adicionados separadamente, pelo período de cinco minutos, na concentração efetiva pré-determinada (CBM) e concentrações superiores. Poster... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract : The resistance created by bacteria to broad-spectrum antibiotics has become a threat to global health. The need to find drugs that can combat multidrug-resistant microorganisms has become a major challenge. In this scenario, medicinal plants are promising because they have effective antimicrobial properties due to the presence of phytochemical compounds with diverse biological activities. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial action of the glycolic extracts of Hamamelis virginiana (hamamelis) and Persea americana (avocado) on multiresistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The evaluation of the antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts was carried out in seven clinical strains of K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, compared to an strain of K. pneumoniae (ATCC 4352) and P. aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). The broth microdilution method, according to NCCLS, was used to determine the minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal (MBM) concentrations of the extracts of avocado and witch hazel. After obtaining these results, the extracts on monomicrobial biofilms of eight strains of K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa (1 strain ATCC and 7 resistant clinical strains) were verified. After the 48 hour period for biofilm formation, the extracts were removed, with a five-minute interval, in the effective exercise session (MBC) and in the upper sets. Afterwards, the biofilms were washed and measured by two different testicles, in which the biofilm biomass was evaluated by the violet glass and the viability of the microorganisms by the MTT test. The experiments were performed with n = 10, using two replicates for each strain / extract. The data were analyzed statistically by the ANOVA method, complemented by the Tukey test, with a significance level of 5% (p≤0.05). The results demonstrated an antibacterial activity of both extracts against the standard strain and as the clinical .... / Mestre

Orientador: Luciane Dias de Oliveira / Banca: Marianne Spalding / Banca: Vivian Cristina Costa Castilho Hyodo / Resumo: Pseudomonas aeruginosa e Klebsiella pneumoniae são enterobactérias que acometem especialmente indivíduos imunologicamente comprometidos com grande importância por sua resistência a antibióticos, dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a atividade antimicrobiana de extratos de própolis (glicólico e aquoso) distribuídos comercialmente em cepas ATCC e clínicas multirresistentes das espécies. Inicialmente foram determinados os valores de Concentração Microbicida Mínima (CMM) sobre cultura planctônica por microdiluição em caldo, segundo Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), seguido por semeadura em ágar. A concentração correspondente ao quádruplo da CMM foi utilizada para testes em biofilmes monotípicos (contato de 5 min). Foi usada como controle positivo a solução de clorexidina (0,12%) e como controle negativo caldo BHI. Após o tratamento foi verificada a viabilidade dos micro-organismos pelo teste MTT, com leitura em espectrofotômetro de microplacas. Os dados de densidade óptica foram convertidos em porcentagem de redução microbiana e foi realizada a análise estatística com 5% de significância em todos os testes. Os extratos apresentaram ação contra forma planctônica e biofilmes de cepas multirresistentes de ambas as espécies. Para culturas planctônicas, P. aeruginosa apresentou CMM de 6,25 e 12,5 mg/mL para o extrato glicólico e de 13,75 e 55 mg/mL para o extrato aquoso, enquanto K. pneumoniae apresentou CMM de 6,25 a 25 mg/mL para o extrato glicólico e de ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae are enterobacteria that especially affect immunologically compromised individuals with great importance for their resistance to antibiotics. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of propolis extracts (glycolic and aqueous) commercially distributed in ATCC and multiresistant clinics strains of these species. The values of Minimum Microbicidal Concentration (MMC) on plankton culture were determined by microdilution in broth, according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), followed by sowing in agar. The concentration corresponding to the quadruple MMC was used for monotypic biofilm tests (5-minute contact). A positive control solution of chlorhexidine (0.12%) and as a negative control BHI broth were used. After the treatment, the viability of the microorganisms was verified by the MTT test, with microplate spectrophotometer reading. Optical density data were converted to microbial reduction percentage and statistical analysis was performed with 5% significance in all tests. The extracts showed action against planktonic form and biofilms of multiresistant strains of both species. For planktonic cultures, P. aeruginosa presented MMC of 6.25 and 12.5 mg / mL for the glycolic extract and 13.75 and 55 mg / mL for the aqueous extract, while K. pneumoniae had MMC of 6.25 to 25 mg / mL for the glycolic extract and 55 mg / mL for the aqueous extract. The reduction of viability in biofilms of P. aeruginosa reached 54.42% for the glycolic extract, and 64.66% for the aqueous extract. K. pneumoniae presented a maximum reduction of 64.24% with glycolic extract and 65.13% with aqueous extract, these reductions being statistically significant in relation to the negative control (p <0.05). Therefore, it can be concluded that propolis extracts present an important ...(Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

The rapid spread of carbapenem-resistant lineages of Klebsiella pneumoniae, clustered within the clonal group CG258, is a growing public health problem associated with healthcareassociated infections. The objective of this study was to perform a genomic analysis of KPC-2 and/or CTX-M &#946;-lactamase-producing strains of K. pneumoniae belonging to CG258 (ST11, ST258, ST340, ST437) circulating at the human-animal-environment interface, in Brazil and South America. The analysis was conducted to characterize the antimicrobial resistome, virulome, genetic elements of transfer and mobilization associated with the dissemination of the blaKPC-2 gene, and to perform a detailed comparative genomic analysis of the CG258; with subsequent pathogenicity evaluation in an invertebrate (Galleria mellonella) model of infection, aiming to identify biomarkers of virulence. The main results are presented in the format of six manuscripts. Manuscript I: New draft genome sequence of a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain 1194/11, belonging to ST340, showing a wide resisto-me. Manuscript II: The first draft genome sequence of a Klebsiella pneumoniae 606B ST340 carrying blaCTX-M-15 in food-producing animal isolated in Brazil. Manuscript III: The first draft genome sequence of a Klebsiella pneumoniae strain Kp171, recovered from a water sample collected in an urban river in Brazil, demonstrating that anthropogenic activities, including the release of wastewater and sewage from hospitals, may have contributed to the contamination of aquatic environments, raising a concern to public health. Manuscript IV: Identification and complete sequence analysis of an IncX3 plasmid carrying a non-Tn4401 genetic element (NTEKPC-Ic), originating from a hospital associated lineage of K. pneumoniae ST340, showing the spread of blaKPC-2 in new Incompatibility group. Manuscript V: Dissemination of blaKPC-2 in novel non-Tn4401 Element (NTEKPC-IId) carry by new small IncQ1 and Col-Like plasmids in lineages of Klebsiella pneumoniae ST11 and ST340. Manuscript VI: Yersiniabactin, colibactin and wider resistome contribute to enhanced virulence and persistence of KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae CG258 in South America. The results obtained in the present study allow us to obtain a first genomic landscape of K. pneumoniae lineages of the CG258, circulating at the human-animal-environment interface, in Brazil and South America. In this regard, most likely the interplay of yersiniabactin and/or colibactin, and resistance to clinically significant antibiotics (as carbapenems and polymyxins) are contributing to the emergence of highly virulent and MDR lineages that pose great risk to human health. On the other hand, the wide antimicrobial resistome (antibiotics, disinfectants and heavy metals) could be contributing to adaptation of KPC-2- and/or CTX-M-producing K. pneumoniae CG258 in the human-animal-environment interface, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced control efforts. In conclusion, these findings could contribute to the development of strategies for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of K. pneumoniae infections. / A rápida disseminação de linhagens de Klebsiella pneumoniae resistentes aos carbapenêmicos, agrupadas dentro do grupo clonal GC258, e um crescente problema de saúde pública associado com infecções relacionadas a assistência a saúde. O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma análise genômica de cepas de K. pneumoniae produtoras de &#946;-lactamases KPC-2 e/ou CTX-M, pertencentes ao GC258 (ST11, ST258, ST340, ST437), circulando na interface humana-ambiente-animal, no Brasil e na América do Sul. A análise foi direcionada para caracterizar o resistoma e viruloma, elementos genéticos de transferência e mobilização associados com a disseminação de genes blaKPC-2, e realizar uma análise de genômica comparativa detalhada do GC258, com posterior avaliação da patogenicidade em modelo invertebrado (Galleria mellonella) de infecção, visando identificar biomarcadores de virulência. Os principais resultados são apresentados na forma de seis manuscritos. Manuscrito I: Nova sequência \"draft\" do genoma de K. pneumoniae 1194/11isolado de amostra clínica, pertencente ao ST340, mostrando um amplo resistoma. Manuscrito II: O reporte da primeira sequência \"draft\" do genoma de K. pneumoniae 606B (ST340), contendo blaCTX-M-15 em animais de produção isolados no Brasil. Manuscrito III: O primeiro esboço da sequência do genoma de K. pneumoniae Kp171, recuperado de uma amostra de água coletada em um rio urbano no Brasil, demonstrando que atividades antrópicas, incluindo a liberação de esgoto e esgoto de hospitais, podem ter contribuído para a contaminação ambientes aquáticos, levantando uma preocupação para a saúde pública. Manuscripto IV: Identificação e análise de sequencia completa de um plasmídeo IncX3 portador de um elemento genético não Tn4401 (NTEKPC-Ic), originado de uma linhagem hospitalar associada a K. pneumoniae ST340, mostrando a disseminação de blaKPC-2 no novo grupo Incompatibilidade. Manuscrito V: Disseminação de blaKPC-2 no novo elemento non-Tn4401 (NTEKPC-IId) portado por novos pequenos plasmídeos IncQ1 e Col-Like em linhagens de K. pneumoniae ST11 e ST340. Manuscrito VI: Os resultados obtidos no presente estudo permitem gerar um panorama genômico das linhagens de K. pneumoniae do GC258, circulando na interface humana-animal-ambiente, no Brasil e na América do Sul. De principal interesse, a convergência da virulência associada com genes codificando yersiniabactina e/ou a colibactina e a resistência a antibióticos clinicamente significativos (como carbapenemicos e polimixinas), estão contribuindo para o aparecimento de linhagens altamente virulentas e multirresistentes que apresentam um grande risco a saúde humana. Por outro lado, a ampla resistência aos antimicrobiana (antibióticos, desinfetantes e metais pesados) poderia estar contribuindo para a adaptação de estirpes de K. pneumoniae do GC258, produtoras de KPC-2- e/ou CTX-M, na interface humana-ambiente-animal, destacando a necessidade urgente de medidas para o controle de disseminação. Em conclusão, esses achados poderiam contribuir para o desenvolvimento de estratégias de prevenção, diagnóstico e tratamento das infecções por K. pneumoniae.

Streptococcus pneumoniae[italicized everytime] (S. pneumoniae) causes a spectrum of disease severity, and human host factors likely play a role in this variation. One candidate factor is macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine and upstream regulator of innate immunity. The MIF[italicized when not in parenthesis] promoter contains two functional polymorphisms, a tetranucleotide (CATT) repeat such that MIF expression increases with repeat number from 5-8 and a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) leading to a G-to-C transition, which results in increased MIF expression in cell line reporter assays. Emerging data suggest an association between high-expression MIF alleles and inflammatory disease. This study comprised two parts. For the in vitro portion, we hypothesized that peripheral blood monocytic cells (pBMCs) cultured from healthy individuals with low-expressing MIF genotypes (5-CATT alleles or SNP-GG) would have lower MIF content and release than those from individuals with high-expressing MIF genotypes (7-CATT or SNP-C alleles). For the in vivo study, we hypothesized that individuals with low-expressing MIF genotypes would have less severe systemic inflammatory responses than individuals with high-expressing MIF genotypes in response to S. pneumoniae infection. Blood samples and chart findings were collected prospectively at three Connecticut hospitals from 30 inpatients with documented invasive S. pneumoniae infections. Genomic DNA was isolated from host blood, amplified, and genotyped using fragment analysis (CATT repeat) and allelic discrimination (SNP) methods. Fishers exact tests were used to compare genotypes and disease severity. For the in vitro experiments, there were no differences observed in serum MIF levels or MIF content or release from pBMCs based on MIF genotype. In the cohort of patients infected with S. pneumoniae, serum MIF levels among enrolled subjects were significantly higher than the reported normal values, but levels did not vary with genotype or disease severity. The SNP genotype was not correlated with disease severity or occurrence of meningitis. The CATT genotype did not correlate significantly with disease severity or occurrence of meningitis, although there was a trend suggesting an association between the 7-CATT allele and meningitis (p = 0.1188, 8% without meningitis had a 7-CATT allele vs. 40% with meningitis). More patient samples will need to be analyzed in order to definitively elucidate the role of MIF genetics in infection with S. pneumoniae

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2003. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains xii, 243 p. : ill. Vita. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 213-240).

Disertacijos tema: Potencialių hospitalinės pneumonijos sukėlėjų Pseudomonas aeruginosa ir Klebsiella pneumoniae patogeniškumo veiksniai bei jų įtaka ligos eigai Darbo tikslas -ištirti Pseudomonas aeruginosa ir Klebsiella pneumoniae padermių, kolonizavusių apatinius kvėpavimo takus ar sukėlusių hospitalinę pneumoniją, patogeniškumo veiksnius ir jų įtaką hospitalinės pneumonijos eigai. Uždaviniai: • Ištirti hospitalinę pneumoniją sukėlusių ar apatinius kvėpavimo takus kolonizavusių Pseudomonas aeruginosa padermių patogeniškumo veiksnius - atsparumą serumo baktericidiniam poveikiui, gebėjimą įsiskverbti į kvėpavimo takų epitelio ląsteles, atsparumą antibiotikams ir O serogrupinę priklausomybę. • Įvertinti Pseudomonas aeruginosa padermių patogeniškumo veiksnių tarpusavio sąsajas. • Ištirti Klebsiella pneumoniae padermių, sukėlusių hospitalinę pneumoniją ar kolonizavusių apatinius kvėpavimo takus, gebėjimą gaminti plataus spektro beta laktamazes bei atsparumą antibiotikams. • Įvertinti Pseudomonas aeruginosa ir Klebsiella pneumoniae padermių patogeniškumo veiksnių įtaką hospitalinės pneumonijos eigai. Darbas yra pirmas Lietuvoje, kurio metu ne tik nustatytas Pseudomonas aeruginosa patogeniškumo veiksnys – atsparumas serumo baktericidiniam poveikiui, bet ir įvertinta galima šį patogeniškumo veiksnį įgijusių Pseudomonas aeruginosa padermių įtaka hospitalinės pneumonijos vystytis bei ligos eigai. Pirmą kartą apskritai vertintas Pseudomonas aeruginosa padermių gebėjimas įsiskverbti į... [toliau žr. visą tekstą] / The aim of the study: To examine pathogenicity factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, colonizing lower respiratory tract or causing hospital-acquired pneumonia, and to evaluate their influence on the course of hospital-acquired pneumonia. Objectives of the sudy: 1. To examine pathogenicity factors – resistance to serum bactericidal activity, ability to penetrate epithelial cells of the respiratory tract, dependence of O serogroup, and resistance to antibiotics – of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, colonizing lower respiratory tract or causing hospital-acquired pneumonia. 2. To evaluate the relationship between pathogenicity factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. 3. To examine the ability of Klebsiella pneumoniae strains, colonizing lower respiratory tract or causing hospital-acquired pneumonia, to produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and resistance of these pathogen to antibiotics. 4. To evaluate the influence of pathogenicity factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae strains on the course of hospital-acquired pneumonia. Such work is first in Lithuania, because we determined not only pathogenicity factors of Pseudomonas aeruginosa – i.e., resistance to bactericidal activity of serum, but also evaluated possible influence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, having this pathogenicity factor, on hospital-acquired pneumonia development and outcome. Therefore, the ability of Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains to invasive into... [to full text]

Darbo tikslas Įvertinti globos įstaigose gyvenančių vaikų S. pneumoniae kolonizacijos nosiaryklėje ryšį su respiracinių infekcijų paplitimu bei pneumokokinės vakcinos veiksmingumą apsaugant nuo ūminių respiracinių ligų. Uždaviniai: 1. Įvertinti respiracinių infekcijų paplitimą vaikų globos įstaigose, atsižvelgiant į amžių ir lytį. 2. Ištirti S. pneumoniae kolonizacijos sveikų vaikų nosiaryklės gleivinėje paplitimą. 3. Nustatyti iš sveikų vaikų nosiaryklės išskirtų S. pneumoniae serotipus. 4. Įvertinti S. pneumoniae kolonizacijos ryšį su sergamumu respiracinėmis infekcinėmis ligomis. 5. Nustatyti pneumokokinės vakcinos poveikį vienerių metų laikotarpiu po skiepijimo respiracinėmis infekcinėmis ligomis sergantiems vaikams. / The aim of the study To evaluate the relation between S. pneumoniae colonization in nasopharynx with incidence of acute respiratory infections, and the efficiency of pneumococcal vaccination on prevention of ARI in children living in Kaunas foster homes. Objectives of the study 1. To evaluate the incidence of respiratory infections in children foster homes, depending on children’s age and gender. 2. To explore the prevalence of S. pneumoniae colonization in nasopharynx of healthy children. 3. To determine the serotypes of S. pneumoniae isolated in healthy children. 4. To evaluate the relation between S. pneumoniae colonization and morbidity with respiratory infections. 5. To determine one year postvaccination efficiency of pneumococcal (Pneumo 23) vaccine for children, often suffering from respiratory infections.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae is the causative agent of the respiratory disease Swine Enzootic Pneumonia, a mild chronic lower respiratory tract infection that affects pig populations world wide. The disease causes decreased growth rates and poor feed conversion in infected pigs and results in significant economic losses. While several swine enzootic pneumonia vaccines arc available, none are totally effective. These current vaccines are based on bacterins or cell fractions. As yet, no commercial vaccines composed of recombinant subunits are available. Prior to the commencement of this study, three candidate vaccinc antigens had been identified in this laboratory, from the Australian M. hyopneumoniae field isolate Beaufort. The three proteins (48 kDa, 52 kDa and 74 kDa) reacted with antibody secreting cell probes, derived from hyper-immune swine lung tissue, indicating they are important in the local antibody response to M. hyopneumoniae infection. (For complete abstract open document)