ABSTRACT Many infants are nurtured with milk supplied by human banks, whose bacteriological and physical-chemical profiles are a major issue. We investigated the bacteriological and physical-chemical characteristics, as well as genotypic and phenotypic and profiles of Staphylococcus species isolated from 240 samples of breast milk from a bank in a teaching hospital. Dornic acidity of milk revealed that 95.4% (229/240) had acceptable limits (< 8.0 oD). Caloric intake showed a wide variation in cream content (4%), fat (4%) and energy values (559.81 Kcal/L). Staphylococcus (105/186 or 56.5%) and Enterobacter (25/186 or 13.4%) were the most prevalent genera, although other microorganisms were identified, including Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (125/157 or 79.6%), vancomycin (115/157 or 73.2%), and cephalexin (112/157 or 71.3%) were the most effective antimicrobials. High resistance rates of isolates were found to penicillin G (141/157 or 89.8%), ampicillin (135/157 or 86%), and oxacillin (118/157 or 75.2%). Multidrug resistance to ≥ 3 antimicrobials occurred in 66.2% (123/186) of the isolates. Residues of microbial multiplication inhibitory substances were found in 85% (204/240) of samples. Among the coagulase-positive-CPS and negative-CoNS staphylococci, the mecA gene was detected in 53.3% (8/15) and 75% (30/40), respectively. Genes sea, seb and sec were detected in 20% (3/15) of CPS, while tsst-1 was detected in 13.34% (2/15). In addition, 13.3% (2/15) of S. aureus were toxin-producers. Genes sea, seb and sec were detected in 90% (36/40), 5% (2/40) and 15% (6/40) CoNS, respectively. Enterotoxin production was identified in 5% (2/40) of CoNS. The identification of multidrug-resistant bacteria, staphylococci species toxin-producers harboring methicillin-resistance genes, and residues of microbial multiplication inhibitory substances reinforce the need for a continuous vigilance of milk quality offered to infant consumption by human banks.

RESUMO: Foram investigados a etiologia, o índice de resistência múltipla aos antibióticos e o perfil de proteínas de fase aguda, no soro ou líquido sinovial, de 44 equinos com sinais clínicos compatíveis com artrite séptica. Foram amostrados animais até 24 meses de idade não submetidos a doma. As amostras de líquido sinovial dos 44 animais foram submetidas à cultura bacteriológica e fúngica, e os isolados bacterianos submetidos in vitro diante de 18 antimicrobianos visando investigar a multirresistência. Também foram avaliados os aspectos hematológicos e o fibrinogênio sérico, bem como os níveis séricos de certas proteínas de fase aguda (proteína total, albumina, globulina, amilóide sérico A e proteína C reativa). O isolamento microbiano das amostras foi dividido em quatro grupos: G1 = animais com isolamento negativo; G2 = isolamento de bactérias Gram-negativas; G3 = isolamento de bactérias Gram-positivas e G4 = isolamento fúngico. O isolamento microbiano foi obtido em 77,2% (32/44) das amostras de líquido sinovial. Escherichia coli (7/44 = 15,9%), Staphylococcus aureus (5/44 = 11,4%), Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (3/44 = 6,8%), Aspergillus niger (3/44 = 6,8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2/44 = 4,5%), Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (1/44 = 2,3%), Trueperella pyogenes (1/44=2,3%) e Rhodococcus equi (1/44 = 2,3%) foram os patógenos mais frequentes. Aspergillus niger é relatado pela primeira vez como agente primário de artrite séptica em cavalos. Gentamicina (84,9%), marbofloxacino (79,3%) e ceftriaxona (72,4%) foram os antimicrobianos mais eficazes, enquanto elevada resistência dos isolados (>50%) foi encontrada para eritromicina (75,9%), claritromicina (75,9%), penicilina (69%), clindamicina (58,6%) e estreptomicina (55,2%). O índice de resistência múltipla aos antibióticos (≥ 0,3) foi identificado em 50% (16/32) dos isolados, com maior resistência obervada em bactérias Gram-negativas. Os níveis séricos de amilóide A, proteína C reativa, fibrinogênio, globulina e concentração total de proteínas, bem como o número de células nucleadas no líquido sinovial apresentaram valores acima da referência para equinos saudáveis, reforçando o uso destas proteínas de fase aguda como biomarcadores no diagnóstico da doença. O presente estudo enfatiza a diversidade de microrganismos que podem estar envolvidos na artrite séptica equina, a alta resistência dos isolados aos antimicrobianos convencionais, a alta mortalidade de equinos jovens com artrite séptica e a importância de realizar o tratamento da afecção com respaldo em testes de sensibilidade microbiana in vitro.

ABSTRACT: Etiology, multiple antibiotic resistance index, and acute-phase protein profile in the serum and synovial fluid of 44 horses presenting septic arthritis were investigated. Young animals up to 24 months of age not yet submitted to taming were sampled. Synovial samples from the horses were submitted to culture and bacterial isolates subjected to 18 antimicrobials to investigate the in vitro multidrug resistance pattern. Also, hematological aspects, fibrinogen, and serum levels of some acute-phase proteins (total protein, albumin, globulin, amyloid A, and C-reactive protein) were assessed. To statistical analysis, microbiological isolation were divided into four groups: G1 = animals with negative isolation, G2 = isolation of Gram-negative bacteria, G3 = isolation of Gram-positive bacteria), and G4 = isolation of fungi. Microbial isolation was obtained from 77.2% (32/44) of the synovial samples. Escherichia coli (7/44 = 15.9%), Staphylococcus aureus (5/44 = 11.4%), Streptococcus equi subsp. equi (3/44 = 6.8%), Aspergillus niger (3/44 = 6.8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2/44 = 4.5%), Streptococcus equi subsp. zooepidemicus (1/44 = 2.3%), Trueperella pyogenes (1/44 = 2.3%), and Rhodococcus equi (1/44 = 2.3%) were prevalent bacterial agents. Aspergillus niger is reported by the first time as a primary agent of septic arthritis in horses. Gentamicin (84.9%), marbofloxacin (79.3%) and ceftriaxone (72.4%) were the most effective antimicrobials, whereas high resistance of the isolates (>50%) was found to erythromycin (75.9%), clarithromycin (75.9%), penicillin (69%), clindamycin (58.6%), and streptomycin (55.2%). Multiple antibiotic resistance index (≥ 0.3) was identified in 50% (16/32) of the isolates, with highest resistance in Gram-negative bacterial isolates. Serum levels of amyloid A, C-reactive protein, fibrinogen, globulin, and total protein, as well as the number of nucleated cells in the synovial fluid had values above the reference for horses, reinforcing acute-phase proteins as biomarkers in diagnosis of septic arthritis. We highlighted the diversity of microorganisms that may be involved in equine septic arthritis, the high resistance of bacterial isolates to conventional antimicrobials, the high lethality of young horses with septic arthritis, and importance of in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility pattern tests to therapeutic approaches in the disease.

ABSTRACT Although the tuberculin test represents the main in vivo diagnostic method used in the control and eradication of bovine tuberculosis, few studies have focused on the identification of mycobacteria in the milk from cows positive to the tuberculin test. The aim of this study was to identify Mycobacterium species in milk samples from cows positive to the comparative intradermal test. Milk samples from 142 cows positive to the comparative intradermal test carried out in 4,766 animals were aseptically collected, cultivated on Lowenstein-Jensen and Stonebrink media and incubated for up to 90 days. Colonies compatible with mycobacteria were stained by Ziehl-Neelsen to detect acid-fast bacilli, while to confirm the Mycobacterium genus, conventional PCR was performed. Fourteen mycobacterial strains were isolated from 12 cows (8.4%). The hsp65 gene sequencing identified M. engbaekii (n=5), M. arupense (n=4), M. nonchromogenicum (n=3), and M. heraklionense (n=2) species belong to the Mycobacterium terrae complex. Despite the absence of M. tuberculosis complex species in the milk samples, identification of these mycobacteria highlights the risk of pathogen transmission from bovines to humans throughout milk or dairy products, since many of mycobacterial species described here have been reported in pulmonary and extrapulmonary diseases both in immunocompetent and immunocompromised people.

RESUMO: A dermatofilose bovina é uma dermatite caracterizada por lesões focais ou localizadas com aspecto de “pincel” e, ocasionalmente, como lesão cutânea disseminada. Relata-se o caso de uma fêmea bovina de um ano de idade, que foi atendida apresentando história de lesões cutâneas crônicas imediatamente após um período de alta pluviosidade. Ao exame clínico, lesões serosas a purulentas, com hiperqueratose, coalescentes, não pruriginosas, ressecadas, de coloração amarelada à acinzentada foram observadas distribuídas de modo generalizado pelo animal. A remoção das crostas revelou áreas ulceradas ou hemorrágicas, com crostas irregulares e elevadas semelhantes a “pincel”. O diagnóstico microbiológico possibilitou a identificação do micro-organismo Dermatophilus congolensis. Apesar das lesões disseminadas e crônicas, a cura do animal foi obtida com tratamento parenteral usando oxitetraciclina de longa duração, baseado em teste in vitro de sensibilidade microbiana modificado. O presente relato ressalta o sucesso no tratamento de caso incomum de lesões generalizadas de dermatofilose bovina com respaldo de teste in vitro de sensibilidade modificado, bem como a necessidade do uso responsável de antimicrobianos em animais de produção.

ABSTRACT: Bovine dermatophilosis is a dermatitis characterized by typical focal or localized lesions with “paintbrush” aspect and occasionally as disseminated cutaneous disease. We report the case of a one-year-old Nelore female with history of chronic cutaneous disseminated lesions that appeared immediately after a rainfall period. Serous to purulent exudates, hair with tufted appearance, hyperkeratotic, non-pruritic, hardened, yellowish to brown, and coalescent crusty lesions were observed distributed all over its body. Removal of the crusts revealed ulcerated or hemorrhagic areas, with irregular elevated crusts like “paintbrush”. Microbiological diagnosis enabled the identification of a microorganism, the Dermatophilus congolensis. Despite disseminated and chronic lesions, we obtained a successful therapy with parenteral therapy using long-acting tetracycline based on modified in vitro disk diffusion test. The present report highlights success therapy in uncommon generalized bovine dermatophilosis with selection of first-choice drugs based on modified in vitro susceptibility test, and need of responsible use of antimicrobials in livestock.

Relata-se caso incomum de osteomielite mandibular deformante em vaca, causada por Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, na face ventro-lateral da porção caudal do ramo direito da mandíbula. A punção aspirativa de fragmento da lesão permitiu a caracterização citológica, o isolamento microbiano e identificação de T. pyogenes. Exame radiográfico mostrou acentuada reação periodontal na mandíbula direita, com predomínio de áreas líticas e destruição da cortical óssea. Apesar da instituição do tratamento baseado no teste de sensibilidade microbiana in vitro, foi recomendada a eutanásia, em virtude da piora progressiva do estado geral do animal. No exame post-mortem foram observados múltiplos abscessos na lesão que, histologicamente, foi caracterizada como piogranuloma. A colheita de material da região mandibular afetada, após a necropsia, resultou no reisolamento microbiológico de T. pyogenes

This study reports an unusual case of deforming mandibular osteomyelitis in a cow caused by Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, on the face of the ventrolateral caudal portion of the right branch of the mandible. Fragment aspired of lesion by fine needle allowed cytological characterization, isolation and identification of T. pyogenes. Radiographic examination showed marked periosteal reaction in the right mandible, numerous lytic areas and cortical bone destruction. Despite of treatment based on in vitro antimicrobial sensitivity test, it was recommended the euthanasia due to progressive worsening of the cow's condition. Multiple abscesses were observed in the mandibular region at necropsy. Pyogranuloma was characterized in histological exam. Sampled material collected from the lesion after necropsy resulted in microbiological reisolation of T. pyogenes

Comparou-se a sensibilidade microbiana in vitro de isolados de Rhodococcus equi pelo teste padrão de difusão com discos, com o modificado, pela adição de 5% de dimetilsulfóxido-DMSO. Observou-se aumento da sensibilidade do R. equi no teste com DMSO, frente a aminoglicosídeos (canamicina, amicacina, estreptomicina) e ao cloranfenicol, enquanto para a eritromicina e derivados ß-lactâmicos (penicilina G, cefalosporinas, amoxicilina, oxacilina), constatou-se redução da sensibilidade do agente.

In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of strains of Rhodococcus equi by standard diffusion disk test and a modified method, by the addition dimethyl sulphoxide (5%), was evaluated. Increase in sensitivity of R. equi using modified method was observed in aminoglycosides group (kanamycin, amikacin, streptomycin) and cloramphenicol, while erythromycin and ß-lactam derivates (penicillin G, cephalosporins, amoxicillin, oxacillin) showed a reduction in sensitivity to the agent.