ABSTRACT Detection of virulent strains associated with aquatic environment is a current concern for the management and control of human and animal health. Thus, Vibrio diversity was investigated in four estuaries from state of Ceará (Pacoti, Choró, Pirangi and Jaguaribe) followed by antimicrobial susceptibility to different antimicrobials used in aquaculture and detection of main virulence factors to human health. Isolation and identification were performed on TCBS agar (selective medium) and dichotomous key based on biochemical characteristics, respectively. Nineteen strains of genus Vibrio were catalogued. Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Choró River) and V. alginolyticus (Pacoti River) were the most abundant species in the four estuaries. All strains were submitted to disk diffusion technique (15 antimicrobials were tested). Resistance was found to: penicillin (82%), ampicillin (54%), cephalotin (7%), aztreonan (1%), gentamicin, cefotaxime and ceftriaxone (0.5%). Five pathogenic strains were chosen to verification of virulence factors. Four estuaries showed a high abundance of species. High number of tested positive strains for virulence is concerning, since some of those strains are associated to human diseases, while others are known pathogens of aquatic organisms.

CONTEXTUALIZAÇÃO: A dor lombar crônica não-específica é um problema de saúde associado à redução do desempenho funcional e a alterações emocionais. Os métodos Back School e Mckenzie têm se mostrado eficazes no tratamento desse sintoma. OBJETIVOS: Realizar uma análise preliminar da eficácia dessas técnicas em pacientes com dor lombar crônica não-específica para os desfechos intensidade da dor, desempenho funcional e amplitude de movimento (ADM) de flexão de coluna e testar a viabilidade da condução de um estudo controlado aleatorizado utilizando essas intervenções nessa população. MÉTODOS: Os indivíduos foram avaliados por um examinador cego e distribuídos aleatoriamente para os grupos de tratamento. A análise dos dados foi realizada em 18 pacientes, e o estudo continua em andamento, portanto os resultados apresentados se referem a esses pacientes como sendo de um só grupo. RESULTADOS:Os pacientes obtiveram melhora nos desfechos intensidade da dor (média das diferenças de 2,4 pontos e IC a 95% - 0,84 a 3,93) e desempenho funcional (5,2 pontos e IC 95% - 2,55 a 7,78), mas não para a ADM de flexão de coluna (7,2 graus e IC 95% - 1,82 a 16,29). CONCLUSÃO: Os métodos Back School e Mckenzie podem ser benéficos no tratamento de indivíduos com dor lombar crônica não-específica. Além disso, concluiu-se que o estudo é viável e continua sem alterações no projeto inicial. Estudo previamente registrado no Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) sob o número ACTRN12610000435088.

BACKGROUND: Chronic non-specific low back pain is both a health and a socio-economic problem which is associated with disability as well as with emotional distress. The Mckenzie and Back School’s techniques have been shown to be effective in the treatment of this condition. OBJECTIVES: to perform a preliminary analysis of the effects of these treatments in patients with chronic non specific low back pain for the following outcomes: pain, disability and trunk flexion range of motion and to test the feasibility of randomized controlled trial testing these interventions on this population. METHODS: the participants were assessed by a blinded assessor and randomly assigned into one of the treatment groups. The data analysis was performed in only 18 patients and the study is still ongoing, so the results are restricted to these patients, as a single group. RESULTS: the patients improved for the outcomes pain intensity (mean difference of 2.4 points and 95% CI 0.84 to 3.93) and disability (5.2 points and 95% CI 2.55 to 7.78), but no improvement in range of motion in flexion was observed (7.2 degrees 95% CI -1.82 to 16.29). CONCLUSION:the Mckenzie and Back School’s approaches may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with chronic non specific low back pain for the outcomes pain intensity and disability. We also concluded that the study is feasible and we will continue performing the current study without any adjustments of the original research protocol. This study was prospectively registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) number ACTRN12610000435088.

Foram realizadas análises concernentes à quantificação e distribuição de Vibrio em 24 amostras de água do estuário do Rio Coreaú (CE) no período de junho a novembro de 2005. O Número Mais Provável (NMP/100 mL) de Vibrio oscilou de 230 x 10³ a 240 x 10(11). O pH foi o fator ambiental que mais favoreceu ao aumento da microbiota de Vibrio. Foram isoladas 62 cepas de Vibrio, sendo observada uma distribuição de sete espécies nos meses de junho a setembro, e oito espécies no mês de outubro. As espécies mais freqüentes nos isolamentos foram V. parahaemolyticus e V. cholerae.

Vibrios were quantified and their distribution determined for the estuary of the Coreaú river, in Northeastern Brazil, based on 24 water samples collected between June and October 2005. The most probable number of vibrios per 100 mL ranged from 230 x 10³ to 240 x 10(11). The pH value was the environmental factor most strongly associated with the abundance of vibrios. Sixty-two vibrio strains were isolated belonging to 15 species (6 of which observed in June-September and 8 in October). The most frequently isolated species were V. parahaemolyticus and V. cholerae.