There was good correlation between the presence of biochemical and cultural features indicating pathogenicity and the ability to produce enterotoxin, but not to such a degree that these features can be used as an indication of enterotoxin-producing ability. / Master of Science

Linezolida foi o primeiro fármaco da classe das oxazolidinonas a ser aprovado para o uso clínico. Esta nova oxazolidinona inibe a síntese protéica impedindo a formação do complexo de iniciação formado pelo mRNA, tRNA f-Met e a subunidade 50S do ribossomo bacteriano. Embora a resistência à linezolida possa ser mediada pelo produto do gene cfr ou por mutações nas proteínas ribossômicas L3, L4 e L22, o mecanismo de resistência mais comum envolve mutações no domínio V do gene rRNA 23S. Entre março de 2008 a dezembro de 2011, 38 cepas de estafilococos coagulase-negativos (SCNs) resistentes à linezolida (20 S. epidermidis, 14 S. haemolyticus, 3 S. hominis e 1 S. warneri) isoladas de hemoculturas e pontas de cateter de pacientes internados em dois hospitais terciários do Estado de São Paulo foram incluídas neste estudo para a determinação dos mecanismos de resistência e análise da estabilidade do fenótipo resistente. As cepas de SCNs apresentaram altos níveis de resistência à linezolida (CIMs de 16-128 µg/ml) e foram multi-resistentes, permanecendo sensíveis à vancomicina e teicoplanina. A mutação G2576T foi identificada no domínio V do gene rRNA 23S em todas as cepas de SCNs, exceto em uma cepa de S. haemolyticus. O gene cfr e mutações nas proteínas L4 e L22 não foram detectados. Em relação à proteína L3, todas as cepas de S. epidermidis do hospital A, incluindo a cepa controle sensível à linezolida, apresentaram a substituição Leu101Val, sugerindo que essa mutação seja um marcador clonal dessa população sem envolvimento com a resistência à linezolida. A única cepa proveniente do hospital B (S. epidermidis) foi selvagem para essa proteína ribossômica. Somente uma cepa de S. haemoyticus teve uma mutação no gene rplC, resultando na alteração Val154Leu. Em S. hominis, a mutação Phe147Ile foi identificada em uma cepa, enquanto a associação de Gly139Arg e Met156Thr foi observada nas outras duas cepas dessa espécie. A identificação dessas mutações na proteína L3 de cepas de S. haemoyticus e S. hominis resistentes à linezolida reforça o papel desses sítios na aquisição da resistência ao fármaco em Staphylococcus spp. No entanto, a presença de G2576T no rRNA 23S torna difícil determinar exatamente qual o envolvimento das mutações na L3 com os elevados níveis de resistência à linezolida apresentados por essas cepas. Na ausência da pressão seletiva do antimicrobiano, após 130 passagens, a resistência à linezolida mediada pela mutação G2576T permaneceu estável nas cepas de SCNs deste estudo, as quais, de acordo com os perfis de restrição do domínio V gerados por NheI, tinham tanto alelos rRNA 23S selvagens como mutados. O sequenciamento individual do domínio V das diferentes cópias do gene rRNA 23S mostrou G2576T em todas as cópias amplificadas por PCR: 4/4 e 5/5 em S. epidermidis e 3/3 em S. haemolyticus (CIMs de 16-32 µg/ml). A estabilidade da cópia rRNA 23S mutada foi observada mesmo em uma cepa S. epidermidis sensível à linezolida, a qual apresentou uma redução da CIM de 4 para 1 µg/ml mantendo seu único alelo mutado ao longo do processo de reversão ao fenótipo sensível. A similaridade genética foi determinada por PFGE e mostrou uma disseminação clonal das diferentes espécies de SCNs resistentes à linezolida. A análise das cepas de S. epidermidis por MLST mostrou a ocorrência do clone ST-2 (CC2) nos dois hospitais. O aumento da pressão seletiva devido a exposições cada vez mais frequentes à linezolida, provavelmente, favoreceu a seleção e a disseminação de clones endêmicos de SCNs com a mutação G2576T na instituição A desde 2008. De forma diferente, o uso mais restrito do fármaco na instituição B poderia explicar a ocorrência isolada de uma única cepa resistente desde 2005. / Linezolid was the first agent of the oxazolidinone class to be introduced clinically. This oxazolidinone inhibits protein biosynthesis by preventing the formation of the initiation complex that consists of the mRNA, the f-Met tRNA and the 50S subunit of the ribosome. Although linezolid resistance has been mediated by the cfr-encoded product or by ribosomal proteins (L3, L4 and L22), the most common mechanism of resistance involves mutations in the central loop of domain V of the 23S rRNA gene. From March 2008 to December 2011, 38 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) strains (20 S. epidermidis, 14 S. haemolyticus, 3 S. hominis e 1 S. warneri) exhibiting resistance to linezolid were isolated from blood and catheter cultures from patients in two tertiary care hospitals in the State of São Paulo and were included in this study for the ascertainment of the resistance mechanisms to this antimicrobial agent and for the analysis of the stability of this resistance. The strains exhibited high-level resistance to linezolid (MICs 16-128 µg/ml) and all were multidrug resistant, remaining susceptible to vancomycin and teicoplanin. The G2576T mutation in domain V region of 23S rRNA was identified in all isolates, except in a linezolid-resistant S. haemolyticus strain. The cfr gene and mutations in ribosomal proteins L4 and L22 were not detected. Regarding L3 protein analysis, all S. epidermidis strains of hospital A, including the linezolid-susceptible control strain, showed the L3 Leu101Val mutation, suggesting that this alteration is probably not involved in linezolid resistance. The one strain from hospital B (S. epidermidis) was wild-type for this ribosomal protein. Only one S. haemolyticus strain had a mutation in the L3 protein, Val154Leu. Two S. hominis strains showed Gly139Arg/Met156Thr mutations whereas one strain had Phe147Ile in L3 protein. The identification of these mutations in L3 protein of the linezolid-resistant S. haemolyticus and S. hominis strains strengthens the role of these sites in the acquisition of linezolid resistance in Staphylococcus spp. However, the presence of G2576T in the 23S rRNA gene makes difficult to determine exactly the role of L3 mutations in conferring elevated linezolid MIC values showed by these clinical strains. In the absence of antibiotic pressure, after 130 passages, linezolid resistance was stable in the clinical strains of this study, which did not have all copies of the 23S rRNA gene mutated, according to the restriction of the domain V fragment with NheI enzyme. Sequencing of the individual copies of the 23S rRNA gene in the serially passaged strains showed G2576T in all amplified copies by PCR: 4/4 and 5/5 in S. epidermidis and 3/3 in S. haemolyticus strains (MIC of 16-32 µg/ml). The stability of the mutant rRNA copy was also observed in the linezolid-susceptible S. epidermidis strain (MIC of 4 µg/ml). After the passages in antibiotic-free medium, the linezolid MIC of this strain fell to 1 µg/ml and the G2576T mutation persisted in one 23S rRNA gene copy. The clonal relatedness of the strains was determined by PFGE and revealed a clonal dissemination of different CNS species. Regarding MLST analysis, all S. epidermidis strains belonged to the sequence type ST2 (CC2). Most likely, the increased selective pressure has contributed to the selection of endemic linezolid-resistant CNS clones showing the G2576T mutation that have been disseminated in the institution A since 2008. Differently, the restricted use of linezolid in the institution B could explain the occurrence of a single resistant strain since 2005.

Orientador: Maria de Lourdes Ribeiro de Souza da Cunha / Banca: Elisabeth Loschagin Pizzolitto / Banca: Eduardo Bagagli / Resumo: Os estafilococos coagulase-negativa (ECN) estão entre os microrganismos mais envolvidos em infecções nosocomiais, principalmente em recém-nascidos (RN) prematuros e de baixo peso. Entre os fatores de risco para infecções por esses agentes, a produção de um polissacarídeo extracelular e a conseqüente formação do biofilme, permitindo aderência às superfícies plásticas e lisas de cateteres e outros dispositivos médicos desempenham um papel importante. Uma coleção de 100 amostras de ECN, sendo 50 isoladas de pontas de cateteres e 30 de hemoculturas obtidas de RN da Unidade Neonatal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP e 20 obtidas de fossas nasais de portadores saudáveis foi analisada quanto à produção de biofilme pelos métodos do tubo (TM), ágar vermelho congo (CRA) e através do método quantitativo de aderência a placa de poliestireno (TCP). Esses métodos foram comparados com a pesquisa dos genes icaA, icaD e icaC envolvidos na produção de biofilme em ECN. Das 100 amostras de ECN estudadas, 82% foram positivas pela técnica de PCR, 82% pelo método do tubo, 81% pelo método da placa de poliestireno e 76% pelo CRA. O método de aderência ao tubo (TM) foi o teste que mostrou resultados mais confiáveis, com uma sensibilidade e especificidade de 100% e boa concordância quando comparado a técnica de PCR. Com o objetivo de determinar o papel do biofilme como fator de risco na ocorrência de infecções em RN, 130 amostras de estafilococos coagulasenegativa (ECN) isoladas de recém-nascidos (RN) internados na Unidade Neonatal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu foram identificadas e classificadas em significativas e contaminantes, baseado em dados clínicos e laboratoriais obtidos dos prontuários dos RN. Foram pesquisados fatores perinatais de risco para infecção, evolução clínica dos RN e antibiotico... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are most often associated with nosocomial infections, especially in premature and under weight newborns. The most important pathogenic factor of these microorganisms is the production of extracellular polysaccharide and the consequent formation of biofilm which facilitates their adherence to the surfaces of catheters and other medical devices. A total of 100 clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from infected medical devices received from the Neonatal Unit, University Hospital, Botucatu Medical Schooll, including 50 isolated from catheter tips, 30 from blood cultures, and 20 collected from the nasal cavity of healthy subjects were investigated in order to evaluate the efficiency of three phenotypic methods of detection of biofilm formation, and also analyze the icaA, icaD and icaC genes, using the PCR method. The clinical isolates were screened by tissue culture plate (TCP), Tube method (TM), and Congo Red Agar (CRA) method. Of the 100 tested isolates, 82% were positive in the PCR method; in the TM, 82%; in the TCP assay, 81%; and 76% in CRA method. The method of adherence to the test tube was shown that more reliable results, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and good agreement when compared with the PCR technique. In order to determine the role of biofilm as a risk factor in the occurrence of infections in newborns 130 clinical isolates of CNS were identified and classified as significant and contaminant, based on clinical data obtained from the patients' reports. Perinatal risk factors for infection, clinical evolution and antibiotic therapy for the newborns were studied, as well as the detection of the genes responsible for the production of biofilm in CNS.Of the 130 clinical isolates of CNS, 66 (50.8%) were classified as clinically significant and 64 (49.2%) as contaminant... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-28T20:17:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2007- Lidiane de Castro Soares.pdf: 1336181 bytes, checksum: 47680a74331a705e5ecd649c1639aa3f (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-02-28 / Funda??o Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro / Coagulasenegative staphylococci (SCN) take part of normal microbiota. Although it has been considered saprophytic, nowadays there is a concern about its pathogenic potential.Nevertheless, all advance in SCN identification assays, these microorganisms are continually neglected in laboratorial routine of infectious diseases, because of the wide range of species. In spite of the difficulties, it is necessary to make an appropriated species identification in order to differentiate the potential pathogenic agents and to determine its antimicrobial susceptibility pattern. Resistance in SCN is related to the presence of mecA gene, which expresses a heterogeneous pattern that can be detected through diverse phenotypics tests. In this study, 72 SCN isolates obtained from external ear conducts of dogs, bovine mastitis and human nosocomial infections were evaluated. Staphylococcus xylosus was the most prevalent microorganism in animal and S. cohnii subsp.urealyticus in human sample. The antimicrobial resistance patterns were evaluated through disc diffusion test, and a high level of resistance to penicillin and ampicillin were detected. The most efficient antibiotics evaluated were gentamicin, vancomicin and the association ampicillin+sulbactam. Oxacillin resistance was phenotypically detected by modified disc diffusion test, agar screen, broth microdilution and agar dilution. Presence of mecA gene where detected in 5,55% of the isolates by Polimerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Correlation with the detection of mecA gene was used as gold standard for evaluation of sensitivity and specificity of phenotypical assays. The low number of mecA positives isolates did not allowed the association between cefoxitin and oxacillin resistance as a test to detect the presence this gene. The broth microdilution and agar dilution tests presented the best accuracy in phenotypic detection of the oxacillin resistance. / Os estafilococos coagulasenegativos (ECN) fazem parte da microbiota normal da pele e apesar de terem sido considerados sapr?fitas por muito tempo, o seu significado cl?nico como agente etiol?gico tem aumentado com o passar dos anos. No entanto, apesar de todo avan?o nas t?cnicas de identifica??o dos ECN e do conhecimento destes como agentes etiol?gicos em diversos processos infecciosos, estes microrganismos muitas vezes s?o negligenciados na rotina laboratorial, devido a enorme diversidade de esp?cies encontradas. A identifica??o das esp?cies de ECN, embora de dif?cil realiza??o para a maioria dos laborat?rios cl?nicos, ? necess?ria para diferenciar o potencial patog?nico e o perfil de resist?ncia de cada isolado. A resist?ncia ? oxacilina em ECN ? mediada pelo gene mecA e usualmente heterog?nea, sendo detectada por v?rios m?todos fenot?picos. Neste estudo, foram avaliados 72 isolados de ECN provenientes de amostras do conduto auditivo de c?es da ra?a Beagles, de mastite bovina e de infec??es humanas. Staphylococcus xylosus foi o microrganismo mais isolado, nas amostras animais, e S. cohnii subsp.urealyticus em humanos, dentro de uma ampla gama de esp?cies identificadas. O perfil de resist?ncia aos antimicrobianos em isolados de animais e humanas foi avaliado atrav?s da t?cnica de difus?o em disco, na qual detectouse um elevado n?vel de resist?ncia ? penicilina e ampicilina. A gentamicina, vancomicina e associa??o ampicilina+sulbactam foram eficientes frente aos isolados testados. A avalia??o da resist?ncia ? oxacilina foi realizada atrav?s da difus?o em disco modificada, ?gar screen, microdilui??o em caldo e em ?gar. A presen?a do gene mecA foi determinada pelo m?todo da Rea??o em Cadeia de Polimerase (PCR), sendo 5,55% dos isolados mecA positivos. Os resultados fenot?picos de resist?ncia a cefoxitina e a oxacilina foram correlacionados com a detec??o do gene mecA, que foi utilizado como padr?o ouro para avalia??o da sensibilidade e especificidade das t?cnicas utilizadas. O reduzido n?mero de isolados mecA + n?o permitiu estabelecer o grau de correla??o entre a cefoxitina e a oxacilina como m?todo de predi??o do gene, embora ambas tenha apresentado o mesmo percentual de resist?ncia. O teste fenot?pico que apresentou melhor acur?cia na detec??o da resist?ncia ? oxacilina foi a microdilui??o em caldo.

Bacterial resistance to non-antibiotic agents is being increasingly studied. Plasmid-mediated resistance to cationic agents, which are important biocides, has been described in antibiotic-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Multi-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are often found to express resistance to a range of cationic biocides including quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs), biguanides, diamidino compounds, cationic dyes and nuclear stains. Three resistance determinants, qacA, qacB and smr genes, have been identified that confer resistance to cationic biocides in staphylococci. These genes encode multi-drug efflux pumps that remove the cationic biocides from the cytoplasm using a membrane bound pumping mechanism dependent on the cell's proton-motive force (PMF). This prevents the build up of lethal concentrations of cationic compounds within the cytoplasm avoiding cell death.This research project has focused on the S. aureus strain WBG4364, a transcipient strain carrying the cationic biocide resistant plasmid pWBG1773. The plasmid encodes resistance to several QACs, including benzalkonium chloride and CTAB, and cationic dyes rhodamine 6G, crystal violet and safranin O but not to the dye ethidium bromide and therefore differing from other cationic biocide resistant plasmids previously identified in staphylococci (Emslie et al. 1986). This unique phenotype was further classified in this study alongside those strains carrying the qac gene families, qacA/B and smr.Plasmid pWBG1773 was cloned, sequenced and analysed to reveal a unique plasmid of 2,916 bp in length. Plasmid pWBG1773 was placed with the pC194 family of rolling-circle replicating plasmids. This family appear to be largely composed of interchangeable cassette structures.The plasmid was found to carry three ORFs, designated ORF1, ORF2 and ORF3. ORF1 was homologous to rep genes of small staphylococcal ++ / plasmids belonging to the pC194 rolling-circle replication family and has been redefined as repWBG1773. ORF2 was found to have no similarity to any proteins of known function in the GenBank database whereas ORF3 was found to have homology to the marR gene, a regulator of the multiple antibiotic resistance (mar) operon of Gram-negative organisms. MIC analysis of these ORFs found both ORF2 and ORF3 were essential for expression of resistance to cationic biocides. The exact ORF2 sequence required for resistance to be expressed was reduced to only 141 nt in size. This translated to a 47 aa sequence that contained a hydrophobic C-terminus indicating ORF2 to be a membrane-bound protein. The aa sequence of ORF3 contained a helix-turn-helix motif characteristic of the DNA binding domains of MarR-like proteins. Further analysis of pWBG1773 identified a putative 'marbox', a binding site for the homologous transcriptional activators of mar, within the ORF2 sequence. This indicated that ORF3 was binding to the 'marbox' sequence and activating transcription. Induction studies have not been able to ascertain any compounds capable of interacting with the ORF3 regulatory protein resulting in induction of cationic biocide resistance. Each ORF when analysed alone had no effect on the expression of cationic biocide resistance and it is thought that a efflux pump was not involved. This is further corroborated by the CCCP efflux experiments performed in an attempt to determine the mechanism of resistance. The unique ORFs of plasmid pWBG1773 appears to encode a novel cationic biocide resistance phenotype and mechanism.MRSA strains from all around the world were analysed to determine if they possessed sequences homologous to ORF2 and ORF3. Sequences sharing a high degree of homology to ORF2 and/or ORF3 were detected in several MRSA strains including strains sensitive to all cationic ++ / biocides tested. These findings suggest that the appearance of ORF2 and ORF3 sequences in MRSAs was not an isolated event and the fact that some MRSAs do not carry both ORF2 and ORF3 sequences simultaneously indicates that these genes have another role that does not involve expression of resistance to cationic biocides.Bacteria are noteworthy for their remarkable ability to adapt to changes in their environments and possess an impressive set of tools with which to adjust the blueprint of the cell to this change. The acquisition of a single system that may decrease a potential pathogenic organisms susceptibility to a wide range of cationic biocides, such as seen in pWBG1773, poses a clinical threat, one that needs to be thoroughly investigated.

Σκοπός της παρούσας ερευνητικής εργασίας ήταν η επιδημιολογική μελέτη των σταφυλοκοκκικών λοιμώξεων από πηκτάση–αρνητικούς σταφυλοκόκκους (CNS) σε ασθενείς της Μονάδας Εντατικής Θεραπείας των πρόωρων νεογνών του Πανεπιστημιακoύ Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Πατρών (ΠΓΝΠ) μεταξύ 2002-2004. Κατά τη διάρκεια της μελέτης, συλλέχθηκαν συνολικά 287 στελέχη CNS. Τα στελέχη ελέγχθηκαν για την παραγωγή της πρωτεΐνης PBP2α και την ύπαρξη του γονιδίου mecA για τον προσδιορισμό των ανθεκτικών στη methicillin στελεχών CNS. Από το σύνολο των 287 CNS, τα 132 (46%) χαρακτηρίσθηκαν ως MRCNS. Τα MRCNS αποτελούν σοβαρό πρόβλημα για τα νοσοκομεία, γιατί αυξάνουν τον χρόνο παραμονής των ασθενών στο νοσοκομείο, άρα και το κόστος νοσηλείας και θεραπείας. Έγινε μελέτη του φαινοτύπου αντοχής των στελεχών σε αντιβιοτικά, της κλωνικής τους διασποράς και της ικανότητάς παραγωγής βιομεμβράνης σε σύγκριση με την παρουσία των γονιδίων του οπερονίου ica. Για την επιδημιολογική μελέτη των λοιμώξεων που οφείλονται σε MRCNS, μέθοδος αναφοράς είναι η PFGE, κυρίως σε συνδυασμό και με υβριδισμό του χρωμοσωμικού DNA με ειδικούς ανιχνευτές. Όλα τα στελέχη MRCNS ήταν πολυανθεκτικά και η πλειονότητά τους παρήγαγε βιομεμβράνη (89%). Μεταξύ των 115 στελεχών S. epidermidis αναδείχθηκε ένας κυριάρχος κλώνος (z) (77 στελέχη) και ακολούθησε ο κλώνος (g). Τα δέκα από τα δεκαέξι στελέχη του είδους S. haemolyticus ανήκαν στον κλώνο (y). Το οπερόνιο ica συμβάλλει στην παραγωγή της εξωκυττάριας ουσίας polysaccharide-intercellular-adhesin (ΡΙΑ) που είναι το κύριο συστατικό του biofilm. Η έκφραση των γονιδίων του οπερονίου ica επάγεται από την παρουσία του ρυθμιστικού γονιδίου sarA, ενώ καταστέλλεται από το γονίδιο icaR. Τα περισσότερα στελέχη που ήταν biofilm-θετικά (80%) έφεραν όλα τα γονίδια του οπερονίου ica και το τρανσποζόνιο IS256, ενώ τα υπόλοιπα 23 είχαν ποικίλους συνδυασμούς των γονιδίων. Η παρουσία όλων των γονιδίων του οπερονίου ica ανιχνεύθηκε σε τρία από τα δεκαπέντε biofilm-αρνητικά στελέχη. Αναδείχθηκαν ένας κύριος και δύο δευτερεύοντες biofilm-θετικοί, πολυανθεκτικοί MRCNS κλώνοι, που αποίκισαν και προξένησαν λοιμώξεις στα πρόωρα νεογνά. Μέρος της παρούσας ερευνητικής εργασίας ήταν η διερεύνηση της επίδρασης του χρόνου επώασης στη γονιδιακή έκφραση σε δεκατέσσερα αντιπροσωπευτικά στελέχη. Αυτό έγινε μέσω της ποσοτικοποίησης με αλυσιδωτή αντίδραση πολυμεράσης πραγματικού χρόνου (RT-PCR) των γονιδίων icaA και icaD τα οποία κυρίως σχετίζονται με την παραγωγή biofilm, καθώς και δύο ρυθμιστικών γονιδίων icaR και sarA σε σύγκριση με ένα συντηρημένο γονίδιο αναφοράς (23S rDNA). Ο έλεγχος έγινε σε στελέχη S. epidermidis που ήταν ανθεκτικά στη methicillin, κατατάσσονταν σε διαφορετικούς κλώνους, εμφάνιζαν διαφορετικό φαινότυπο σύνθεσης βιομεμβράνης και έφεραν ποικίλους συνδυασμούς γονίδιων. Οι αντιδράσεις απόλυτης ποσοτικοποίησης έκφρασης των γονιδίων είχαν υψηλή απόδοση (1,86 και 1,84 για την επώαση στις τέσσερις ώρες και δύο ώρες, αντίστοιχα). Η μαθηματική ανάλυση δεν έδειξε ιδιαίτερα μεγάλες διαφορές μεταξύ των αποτελεσμάτων για τα τέσσερα γονίδια και τους δύο χρόνους επώασης. Αυτό που παρατηρήθηκε ήταν οτι η έκφραση ήταν υψηλότερη στα biofilm-θετικά στελέχη. Προκειμένου να μελετηθεί η επίδραση της βακτηριακής προσκόλλησης στις διάφορες επιφάνειες τροποποιημένου και μη τροποποιημένου γυαλιού, πραγματοποιήθηκαν δυναμικά πειράματα, κάτω από δύο διαφορετικές συνθήκες ροής, σε δύο χρόνους επώασης σε τέσσερα στελέχη S. epidermidis. Η βακτηριακή προσκόλληση, η παραγωγή biofilm και ο σχηματισμός βιομεμβράνης στις τροποποιημένες επιφάνειες ήταν αυξημένα σε σχέση με τις μη τροποποιημένες. Αυτό ήταν σε συμφωνία με τα αποτελέσματα της γονιδιακής έκφρασης των γονιδίων icaA και icaD, μετά από ανάλυση της έκφρασης των γονιδίων icaA και icaD με RT-PCR, που έδειξε αυξημένες τιμές στις τροποποιημένες επιφάνειες, κυρίως στην υψηλή ροή. Επομένως, ο συνδυασμός της δράσης της χημείας της επιφάνειας και της ροής, επηρεάζουν την προσκόλληση, τον φαινότυπο και το γονότυπο των βακτηριακών στελεχών, όπως και την προσαρμογή τους στις αλλαγές του περιβάλλοντος. Η μελέτη της γονιδιακής έκφρασης μπορεί να βοηθήσει στην κατανόηση των αλληλεπιδράσεων της βακτηριακής προσκόλλησης με το βιοϋλικό. / A total of 132 methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCNS) isolated from preterm neonates were studied for antibiotic resistance patterns, clonal distribution and biofilm formation in relation to the presence of ica operon. All MR-CNS were multi-resistant while the majority (89%) produced biofilm. Among 115 Staphylococcus epidermidis, a major clone (z) was identified (77 strains), followed by clone g. Ten out of 16 S. haemolyticus belonged to a common clone (y). Most of the biofilm-positive strains (80%) possessed all tested genes, while the remaining 23 had a variety of gene combinations. Presence of the entire ica cluster was detected in three out of 15 biofilm-negative strains. One major and two minor biofilm-positive, multi-resistant MRCNS clones were disseminated, colonizing and infecting hospitalized preterm neonates. Fourteen representative MR- S. epidermidis strains were selected and investigated for the expression of icaA and icaD genes, and two regulatory genes, icaR (repressor) and sarA (inducer), towards a housekeeping gene (23SrDNA), by Real-Time PCR (RT-PCR). These strains belonged to various clones, had different combinations of ica genes and biofilm-forming phenotypes. The experiments were performed in two incubation times, after two and four hours. Νο differences were observed at the gene expression level at the two tested times. In general, biofilm-positive strains had higher expression rates for ica operon and sarA genes and lower for the repressor of ica cluster gene (icaR). In order to investigate the interaction of bacteria with the surfaces after attachment, dynamic experiments were performed under two flow conditions. Two different surfaces were used, a modified and a non-modified glass surface. Bacterial adhesion, as well as biofilm production and biofilm formation, was much higher on the modified surface than on the non-modified one for four S. epidermidis strains. This was in agreement with icaA and icaD gene expression that showed increased expression by RT-PCR, for the bacteria adhered at the modified substrate, especially under the high shear rate. Therefore, the combined effect of surface chemistry and shear significantly influence the adhesion of interacting bacterial cells. This indicates that analysis of gene expression not only can greatly refine our knowledge of bacterial-material interactions, but also yield novel biomarkers for potential use in biocompatibility assessment.

Vancomicina é o antimicrobiano de escolha no tratamento de bacteremias causadas por estafilococos resistentes à meticilina. No entanto, estudos recentes têm reportado que a vancomicina apresenta atividade reduzida contra Staphylococcus aureus resistentes à meticilina com concentrações inibitórias mínimas (CIMs) próximas do limite do ponto de corte de suscetibilidade, conforme critérios do CLSI, indicando falha terapêutica. Entretanto, existem poucos estudos à respeito dos Staphylococcus sp. coagulase negativa resistentes à meticilina (SCoNRM). Ademais, para determinação da CIM, deveria ser utilizado o método de referência microdiluição em caldo (MDC), mas a maioria dos laboratórios clínicos utiliza a técnica de Etest ou sistemas automatizados. Alguns estudos com S. aureus demonstraram discrepâncias entre MDC e Etest, contudo não existem dados referentes aos SCoN. Os objetivos deste estudo foram avaliar a correlação entre as CIMs de vancomicina determinadas pelas técnicas de MDC e Etest em 130 SCoNRM isolados de hemocultura, bem como verificar a relação entre valores de CIM e falha terapêutica entre pacientes com bacteremia por SCoNRM tratados com este antimicrobiano. A maioria dos resultados de CIM por MDC (98,5%) foram ≤1,0 mg/mL, enquanto o Etest apresentou 72,3% de CIM ≥ 1,5 mg/mL. As CIMs de vancomicina obtidas por Etest foram, em geral, uma a duas diluições maiores do que as CIMs obtidas por MDC. Os resultados indicam que a técnica de Etest gera valores de CIM consistentemente maiores do que os obtidos por MDC nos SCoNRM. Apenas 37 (28,5%) dos 130 pacientes com hemocultura positiva para SCoNRM apresentaram dados clínicos compatíveis com bacteremia. A maioria dos pacientes com bacteremia comprovada (n=24) apresentaram CIMs de vancomicina ≥1,5 mg/mL, sendo que 13 pacientes (35,1%) obtiveram CIM < 1,5 mg/mL. Este estudo não observou relação estatisticamente significativa entre valores de CIM de vancomicina que pudessem ser associados com falha terapêutica em pacientes com bacteremia por SCoNRM. / Vancomycin is the first-line therapy for methicillin-resistant staphylococci bacteremia. However, recent studies have reported that vancomycin demonstrates reduced activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia, with vancomycin MICs at the high end of the CLSI susceptibility range indicating treatment failure. There is, however, little data considering methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci (MRCoNS) bacteremia. Besides, the reference method that should be used for MIC determination is the broth microdilution (BMD), but many clinical laboratories use the commercial Etest technique or automated systems. Some reports have showed a growing number of vancomycin MIC discrepancies between BMD and Etest method for S. aureus, but there are no studies about CoNS. The aims of this study were to evaluated the correlation between the vancomycin MIC determined by the Etest and the BMD method for a total of 130 MRCoNS bloodstream isolates as well as to examine the relationship between vancomycin MICs and failure among patients with MRCoNS bacteremia treated with vancomycin. The vast majority (98.5%) of MIC results by BMD were ≤1.0 mg/mL in contrast to MIC by Etest which majority (72.3%) was ≥1.5 mg/mL. The vancomycin MICs obtained by the Etest for the same isolates were, in general, one to twofold higher than those obtained by the BMD method. The results indicate that the Etest provides vancomycin MIC values consistently higher than those obtained by BMD method for MRCoNS. Only 37 (28.5%) out of the 130 patients with a positive MRCoNS bloodstream culture met the eligibility criteria to be considered bacteremic. The majority of these patients (n = 24, 64.9%) presented vancomycin MIC ≥ 1.5 mg/mL, in opposite to 13 patients (35.1%) with MIC < 1.5 mg/mL. This study did not observe any statistical significative relationship between vancomycin MIC and treatment failure.

Nas últimas décadas, os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo, têm sido considerados como patógenos verdadeiros, sendo um dos principais grupos bacterianos responsáveis pelas infecções relacionadas a assistência a saúde (IRAS). O presente estudo teve como objetivo geral: avaliação da relação entre a resistência a oxacilina e a produção de biofilme de amostras Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo de origem comunitária e hospitalar. Neste sentido, foram desenvolvidos os seguintes objetivos específico: identificar ao nível de espécie os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo; analisar por técnica fenotípica (Ágar vermelho do Congo) a produção de slime; avaliar quantitativamente, a produção de biofilme; correlacionar a produção de polissacarídeos extracelulares (slime) com a produção de biofilme; avaliar a relação da resistência a oxacilina como indicador da presença do gene mecA; avaliar a relação entre a concentração inibitória mínima e a concentração bactericida mínima para oxacilina; pesquisar a presença dos genes mecA, icaAD e atlE, pela técnica de PCR. Foi estudado um total de 150 amostras, sendo 50 isoladas de fômites, 50 isoladas de sangue e 50 isoladas de comunidade. Independente da origem, foram identificadas 14 espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo, sendo mais frequentes S. epidermidis 42,6%, S. haemolyticus 13,3% e S. cohnii cohnii 10,7%. A análise geral da expressão fenotípica de slime mostrou que 64% das amostras avaliadas eram produtoras de slime. Das 150 amostras testadas neste estudo, 95,3% foram produtoras de biofilme. Ao considerarmos a análise da quantificação do biofilme em relação às origens das amostras estudadas não encontramos diferenças significativas e a maioria das amostras foi considerada moderadamente produtora de biofilme. O gene mecA foi detectado em 6 amostras comunitárias, 34 amostras de fômites e 34 amostras de sangue. Não houve diferença significativa entre as amostras de fômites e sangue. Porém, houve diferença significativa entre as amostras de origem comunitária e as de origem hospitalar - fômites e sangue (p < 0,0001). Ao compararmos as três origens de isolamento quanto a presença do gene atlE observamos que houve diferença significativa (p = 0,0012) entre elas. Sendo, as amostras isoladas de sangue, as que apresentaram maior número de amostras que possuíam o gene atlE (n = 18). Das 150 amostras testadas observamos a presença do gene icaAD em 46% amostras comunitárias, 56% amostras de fômites e 60% amostras de sangue, não encontramos diferença significativa (p = 0,5750). Observamos uma correlação entre a resistência a oxacilina e a produção de slime, pois as amostras de origem hospitalar (fômites e sangue) apresentaram altos níveis de resistência a oxacilina e em sua grande maioria foram produtoras de slime. A espécie S. epidermidis foi a mais isolada e deve-se ressaltar que, quando comparada com as outras espécies, apresentou altos níveis de resistência a oxacilina, sendo a maioria produtora de slime e biofilme. / In recent decades, coagulase-negative Stapphylococci have been considered as true pathogen, one of the major bacterial groups responsible for hospital infection. The present study aimed to: assess the relationship between oxacillin resistance and biofilm production samples coagulase-negative Stapphylococci of community and hospital. In this sense, we have developed the following specific objectives: to identify to species level coagulase-negative Staphylococci; analyze by phenotypic test (Congo red Agar) slime production, evaluate quantitatively the biofilm production; correlate the production of extracellular polysaccharides (slime) with biofilm production; evaluate the relationship of resistance to oxacillin as an indicator of the presence of the mecA gene; evaluate the relationship between minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration for oxacillin; investigate the presence of the mecA gene, atlE and icaAD, by PCR. We studied a total of 150 samples, 50 were isolated from fomites, 50 from community and 50 isolated from blood. Regardless of origin, 14 species of coagulase-negative Stapphylococci were identified , being more frequent 42.6% S.epidermidis, 13.3% S. haemolyticus and 10.7% S. cohnii cohnii. A general analysis of the phenotypic expression of slime showed that 64% of the samples were slime producers. Of the 150 samples tested in this study, 95.3% produced biofilm. When we consider the analysis of quantification of biofilm in relation to the origins of the samples studied we did not find significant differences and most of the samples were considered moderately biofilm producers. The mecA gene was detected in 6 community samples, 34 samples of fomites and 34 blood samples. There was no significant difference between the samples of blood and fomites. However, there was significant differences between the samples from the community and nosocomial - fomites and blood (p <0.0001). Comparing the three origins insulation as the presence of the gene atlE we observed a significant difference (p = 0.0012) between them. Being the isolated blood samples which showed the highest number of samples that had the gene atlE (n = 18). From the 150 tested samples we observed the presence of the gene icaAD 46% in community samples, 56% samples from fomites and 60% of blood samples, we found no significant difference (p = 0.5750). We observed a correlation between oxacillin resistance and slime production, because the nosocomial (fomites and blood) samples showed high levels of resistance to oxacillin and mostly were slime producers. The species S. epidermidis were the most isolated and it should be noted that, compared with other species, it showed high levels of resistance to oxacillin, mostly producing slime and biofilm.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:23:01Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-06-26Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:28:47Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 oliveira_a_me_botib.pdf: 2150093 bytes, checksum: 919f378505685748f61cc9d4768d368e (MD5) / Os estafilococos coagulase-negativa (ECN) estão entre os microrganismos mais envolvidos em infecções nosocomiais, principalmente em recém-nascidos (RN) prematuros e de baixo peso. Entre os fatores de risco para infecções por esses agentes, a produção de um polissacarídeo extracelular e a conseqüente formação do biofilme, permitindo aderência às superfícies plásticas e lisas de cateteres e outros dispositivos médicos desempenham um papel importante. Uma coleção de 100 amostras de ECN, sendo 50 isoladas de pontas de cateteres e 30 de hemoculturas obtidas de RN da Unidade Neonatal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu, UNESP e 20 obtidas de fossas nasais de portadores saudáveis foi analisada quanto à produção de biofilme pelos métodos do tubo (TM), ágar vermelho congo (CRA) e através do método quantitativo de aderência a placa de poliestireno (TCP). Esses métodos foram comparados com a pesquisa dos genes icaA, icaD e icaC envolvidos na produção de biofilme em ECN. Das 100 amostras de ECN estudadas, 82% foram positivas pela técnica de PCR, 82% pelo método do tubo, 81% pelo método da placa de poliestireno e 76% pelo CRA. O método de aderência ao tubo (TM) foi o teste que mostrou resultados mais confiáveis, com uma sensibilidade e especificidade de 100% e boa concordância quando comparado a técnica de PCR. Com o objetivo de determinar o papel do biofilme como fator de risco na ocorrência de infecções em RN, 130 amostras de estafilococos coagulasenegativa (ECN) isoladas de recém-nascidos (RN) internados na Unidade Neonatal do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina de Botucatu foram identificadas e classificadas em significativas e contaminantes, baseado em dados clínicos e laboratoriais obtidos dos prontuários dos RN. Foram pesquisados fatores perinatais de risco para infecção, evolução clínica dos RN e antibiotico... / Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are most often associated with nosocomial infections, especially in premature and under weight newborns. The most important pathogenic factor of these microorganisms is the production of extracellular polysaccharide and the consequent formation of biofilm which facilitates their adherence to the surfaces of catheters and other medical devices. A total of 100 clinical isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolated from infected medical devices received from the Neonatal Unit, University Hospital, Botucatu Medical Schooll, including 50 isolated from catheter tips, 30 from blood cultures, and 20 collected from the nasal cavity of healthy subjects were investigated in order to evaluate the efficiency of three phenotypic methods of detection of biofilm formation, and also analyze the icaA, icaD and icaC genes, using the PCR method. The clinical isolates were screened by tissue culture plate (TCP), Tube method (TM), and Congo Red Agar (CRA) method. Of the 100 tested isolates, 82% were positive in the PCR method; in the TM, 82%; in the TCP assay, 81%; and 76% in CRA method. The method of adherence to the test tube was shown that more reliable results, with a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and good agreement when compared with the PCR technique. In order to determine the role of biofilm as a risk factor in the occurrence of infections in newborns 130 clinical isolates of CNS were identified and classified as significant and contaminant, based on clinical data obtained from the patients’ reports. Perinatal risk factors for infection, clinical evolution and antibiotic therapy for the newborns were studied, as well as the detection of the genes responsible for the production of biofilm in CNS.Of the 130 clinical isolates of CNS, 66 (50.8%) were classified as clinically significant and 64 (49.2%) as contaminant... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Nas últimas décadas, os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo, têm sido considerados como patógenos verdadeiros, sendo um dos principais grupos bacterianos responsáveis pelas infecções relacionadas a assistência a saúde (IRAS). O presente estudo teve como objetivo geral: avaliação da relação entre a resistência a oxacilina e a produção de biofilme de amostras Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo de origem comunitária e hospitalar. Neste sentido, foram desenvolvidos os seguintes objetivos específico: identificar ao nível de espécie os Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo; analisar por técnica fenotípica (Ágar vermelho do Congo) a produção de slime; avaliar quantitativamente, a produção de biofilme; correlacionar a produção de polissacarídeos extracelulares (slime) com a produção de biofilme; avaliar a relação da resistência a oxacilina como indicador da presença do gene mecA; avaliar a relação entre a concentração inibitória mínima e a concentração bactericida mínima para oxacilina; pesquisar a presença dos genes mecA, icaAD e atlE, pela técnica de PCR. Foi estudado um total de 150 amostras, sendo 50 isoladas de fômites, 50 isoladas de sangue e 50 isoladas de comunidade. Independente da origem, foram identificadas 14 espécies de Staphylococcus coagulase-negativo, sendo mais frequentes S. epidermidis 42,6%, S. haemolyticus 13,3% e S. cohnii cohnii 10,7%. A análise geral da expressão fenotípica de slime mostrou que 64% das amostras avaliadas eram produtoras de slime. Das 150 amostras testadas neste estudo, 95,3% foram produtoras de biofilme. Ao considerarmos a análise da quantificação do biofilme em relação às origens das amostras estudadas não encontramos diferenças significativas e a maioria das amostras foi considerada moderadamente produtora de biofilme. O gene mecA foi detectado em 6 amostras comunitárias, 34 amostras de fômites e 34 amostras de sangue. Não houve diferença significativa entre as amostras de fômites e sangue. Porém, houve diferença significativa entre as amostras de origem comunitária e as de origem hospitalar - fômites e sangue (p < 0,0001). Ao compararmos as três origens de isolamento quanto a presença do gene atlE observamos que houve diferença significativa (p = 0,0012) entre elas. Sendo, as amostras isoladas de sangue, as que apresentaram maior número de amostras que possuíam o gene atlE (n = 18). Das 150 amostras testadas observamos a presença do gene icaAD em 46% amostras comunitárias, 56% amostras de fômites e 60% amostras de sangue, não encontramos diferença significativa (p = 0,5750). Observamos uma correlação entre a resistência a oxacilina e a produção de slime, pois as amostras de origem hospitalar (fômites e sangue) apresentaram altos níveis de resistência a oxacilina e em sua grande maioria foram produtoras de slime. A espécie S. epidermidis foi a mais isolada e deve-se ressaltar que, quando comparada com as outras espécies, apresentou altos níveis de resistência a oxacilina, sendo a maioria produtora de slime e biofilme. / In recent decades, coagulase-negative Stapphylococci have been considered as true pathogen, one of the major bacterial groups responsible for hospital infection. The present study aimed to: assess the relationship between oxacillin resistance and biofilm production samples coagulase-negative Stapphylococci of community and hospital. In this sense, we have developed the following specific objectives: to identify to species level coagulase-negative Staphylococci; analyze by phenotypic test (Congo red Agar) slime production, evaluate quantitatively the biofilm production; correlate the production of extracellular polysaccharides (slime) with biofilm production; evaluate the relationship of resistance to oxacillin as an indicator of the presence of the mecA gene; evaluate the relationship between minimal inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration for oxacillin; investigate the presence of the mecA gene, atlE and icaAD, by PCR. We studied a total of 150 samples, 50 were isolated from fomites, 50 from community and 50 isolated from blood. Regardless of origin, 14 species of coagulase-negative Stapphylococci were identified , being more frequent 42.6% S.epidermidis, 13.3% S. haemolyticus and 10.7% S. cohnii cohnii. A general analysis of the phenotypic expression of slime showed that 64% of the samples were slime producers. Of the 150 samples tested in this study, 95.3% produced biofilm. When we consider the analysis of quantification of biofilm in relation to the origins of the samples studied we did not find significant differences and most of the samples were considered moderately biofilm producers. The mecA gene was detected in 6 community samples, 34 samples of fomites and 34 blood samples. There was no significant difference between the samples of blood and fomites. However, there was significant differences between the samples from the community and nosocomial - fomites and blood (p <0.0001). Comparing the three origins insulation as the presence of the gene atlE we observed a significant difference (p = 0.0012) between them. Being the isolated blood samples which showed the highest number of samples that had the gene atlE (n = 18). From the 150 tested samples we observed the presence of the gene icaAD 46% in community samples, 56% samples from fomites and 60% of blood samples, we found no significant difference (p = 0.5750). We observed a correlation between oxacillin resistance and slime production, because the nosocomial (fomites and blood) samples showed high levels of resistance to oxacillin and mostly were slime producers. The species S. epidermidis were the most isolated and it should be noted that, compared with other species, it showed high levels of resistance to oxacillin, mostly producing slime and biofilm.