Bacterial vaginosis (VB) is a syndrome characterized by overgrowth of endogenous Gram negative bacterial flora and the lack of the normal flora. Within bacterial enzymes, sialidases have been considered a virulence factor of many pathogenic microorganisms colonizing the different mucous membranes. Their presence in vaginal discharges can be correlated with VB. The aim of this study was to detect the activity of this enzyme in women with this syndrome and without clinical evidence of genital infection. Out of a total 112 women studied, 51 were patients with VB and the other 61 women presented normal vaginal flora. For the quantification of enzyme activity, the technique based on the enzymatic hydrolysis of a derivative acid of the acetyl metoxifenil muramic acid was used. In the studied population both groups shared values from 0.5 to 5.1 nmoles of metoxifenol, whereas only 11 out of 52 patients with VB (21.17%), registered more than 5.1 nmoles. The presence of sialidase activity is not enough to confirm VB, except for values greater than 5.5 nmoles of the metoxifenol produced in the enzymatic reaction.

La vaginosis bacteriana (VB) es un síndrome caracterizado por el sobrecrecimiento bacteriano de flora endógena Gram negativa, que desplaza a la flora lactobacilar normal. Dentro de las enzimas bacterianas, las sialidasas han sido consideradas factores de virulencia de muchos microorganismos patógenos que colonizan las distintas mucosas. Su presencia en fluidos vaginales puede estar correlacionada con VB. El propósito de este estudio fue comprobar la actividad de dicha enzima en mujeres con este síndrome y sin evidencia clínica de infección genital. Se estudiaron 112 mujeres (51 fueron pacientes con VB y 61 mujeres con flora colonizante habitual). Para la cuantificación de la actividad sialidasa se empleó la técnica basada en la hidrólisis enzimática de un derivado ácido del ácido metoxifenil acetil murámico. En la población estudiada se encontró que ambos grupos mostraron valores comprendidos entre 0.5 a 5.1 nmoles de metoxifenol, mientras que 11 de 52 pacientes con VB (21.17%), registraron valores superiores a 5.1 nmoles. La presencia de actividad sialidasa solamente no es índice de VB, excepto para valores mayores de 5.5 nmoles de metoxifenol, producidos en la reacción enzimática.

The interaction of mercury(II) with sulfathiazole has been analyzed. IR and NMR spectral studies suggest a coordination of Hg(II) with the Nthiazolic atom, unlike related Hg-sulfadrugs compounds. The complex was screened for its activity against Escherichia coli, showing an appreciable antimicrobial activity compared with the ligand.

Apresentamos as espécies e serovars mais frequentes dos microorganismos enteropatógenos entre 1985 e 1990 em Rosario. Escherichia coli enteropatogênica (EPEC) foi a que predominou, afetando 144/570 (25,2%) crianças; 0111 representou 41,8%, 055 13,6%, 0119 12,7%. Entre as E. coli enterotoxigênicas (ETEC), ETEC-ST 0128:H21 e 0153:H45 foram as mais frequentes. Entre os 570 pacientes, Shigella spp. foi diagnosticada em 50 (8,8%); S. flexneri 7%, principalmente do tipo 2 (59,5%), S. sonnei 1,6% e S. dysenteriae tipo 2 (1%). Foram encontrados Campylobacter spp em 6,1% dos pacientes; C. jejuni 4,6%, C. coli 1,4% e C. lari 0,2%; exceto os grupos 0 13/50 e 0 4 (dois de cada um), não foram encontrados serogrupos predominantes. Salmonella foi encontrada em 2,8% dos casos, sendo o serovar S. typhimurium o predominante até 1986, mas desde 1987, foi observado um aumento importante de casos por S. enteritidis. Houve 1,9% de Aeromonas spp e dois casos por Vibrio cholerae não 01. Não se encontrou Yersinia spp. Nos pacientes com gastroenteritis por Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella e EPEC como único patógeno, foram observados leucocitos nas feses de 70%, 50%, 20% e 10% dos casos respectivamente.

We report the most frequent species and serovars of enteropathogenic organisms in Rosario from 1985 to 1993. Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli was the most prevalent agent affecting 144/570 (25.2%) children; 0111 represented 41.8%, 055: 13.6%, 0119: 12.7%. Among enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) the most frequent were ETEC-ST 0128:H21 and 0153:H45. Shigella spp were isolated in 8.8%; S.flexneri: 7%, principally type 2 (59.5%); S. sonnei: 1.6%, and S. dysenteriae type 2: 0.2%. Campylobacter spp were found in 6.1% of patients; C.jejuni: 4.6%; C. coli: 1.4% and C. lari: 0.2%; except groups 0 13,50 and 0 4 (2 cases each), no predominant serogroups were found. Salmonella was isolated in 2.8% of cases, being the predominant serovar S. typhimurium until 1986, but a dramatically increase of cases due to S. enteritidis was observed since 1987. There was 1.9% of Aeromonas spp and 2 cases due to Vibrio cholerae non 0-1. No Yersinia was found. In patients with gastroenteritis due to Shigella, Campylobacter, Salmonella, or EPEC as the unique pathogen, leukocytes were observed in the faeces in 70%, 50%, 20%, and 10% of cases respectively.