Abstract INTRODUCTION Salmonella enterica serovar Panama belongs to the D1 serogroup and is frequently associated with nontyphoidal salmonellosis in humans. This study aimed to characterize isolates collected from Northeast Brazil by phenotypic and molecular methods. METHODS Forty four S. Panama strains were examined for antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence genes, and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) types. RESULTS All strains were susceptible to antibiotics (except for streptomycin), presented classical virulence factors, and could be clustered into four groups and 18 pulsotypes. CONCLUSIONS This work calls for continuous surveillance for the emergence of antibiotic resistance and new clones in a geographical area.

Abstract Salmonella infections usually occur as gastroenteritis that is generally self-limited. However, some serotypes of Salmonella can cause severe extra-intestinal infections, such as bacteremia and meningitis. Here, we report the first Salmonella Panama case of meningitis in 4-month-old male newborn in Brazil. The invasive strain isolated was susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested. The genes agfA, fimA, invA, sfbA, phoP, and slyA were detected using polymerase chain reactions. These findings are relevant and physicians should be alert to the possibility of meningitis in newborns due to S. Panama, which can present a high rate of mortality or recurrence of infection.

Abstract Non-typhoidal salmonellosis is an important zoonotic disease caused by Salmonella enterica. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance in Salmonella spp. and its association with fluoroquinolone susceptibility in Brazil. A total of 129 NTS isolates (samples from human origin, food from animal origin, environmental, and animal) grouped as from animal (n = 62) and human (n = 67) food were evaluated between 2009 and 2013. These isolates were investigated through serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes (qnr, aac(6')-Ib) and associated integron genes (integrase, and conserved integron region). Resistance to quinolones and/or fluoroquinolones, from first to third generations, was observed. Fifteen isolates were positive for the presence of qnr genes (8 qnrS, 6 qnrB, and 1 qnrD) and twenty three of aac(6')-Ib. The conserved integron region was detected in 67 isolates as variable regions, from ±600 to >1000 pb. The spread of NTS involving PMQR carriers is of serious concern and should be carefully monitored.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of resistance to ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulphonamides, and tetracyclines (ACSSuT) in Salmonella serovar Typhimurium definitive [phage] type (DT) 193 strains isolated from human sources over the last four decades. METHODS: From 2008 to 2010, 553 DT193 isolates out of 810 human-origin Salmonella ser. Typhimurium phage-typed strains isolated from the 1970s through 2008 were selected and tested for ACSSuT resistance: 91 strains isolated during the 1970s, 65 from the 1980s, 70 from the 1990s, and 327 from 2000-2008. Resistance profiles were determined using the disk diffusion method. RESULTS: †An antimicrobial susceptibility assay indicated 20.9%, or 116, of all isolates tested were ACSSuT-resistant, 52.0% (287) were resistant to one or more drugs in the ACSSuT profile, and 27.1% (150) were nonresistant (susceptible to antimicrobials). Based on the assay, overall antimicrobial resistance was extremely high in the 1970s (affecting 99.0% of isolates from that period) and remained high during the 1980s, when 95.4% of isolates had some type of antimicrobial resistance and incidence of Salmonella ser. Typhimurium DT193 R-type ACSSuT increased to 73.8%. R-type ACSSuT dropped to 27.1% (19 isolates) during the 1990s, and to 5.2% (17) during 2000-2008, despite a substantial increase in the number of isolates tested (397 versus 204, 111, and 98, respectively, for the previous three decades). CONCLUSIONS: †Although prevalence of Salmonella ser. Typhimurium DT193 R-type ACSSuT in Brazil has decreased since the 1970s, ACSSuT resistance markers continue to circulate. Therefore, continuous surveillance should be conducted to evaluate the occurrence of Salmonella ser. Typhimurium DT193 and its antimicrobial resistance.

OBJETIVO: Determinar la prevalencia de resistencia a la ampicilina, el cloranfenicol, la estreptomicina, las sulfonamidas y las tetraciclinas (ACSSuT) en cepas de Salmonella serovariedad Typhimurium fagotipo definitivo (DT) 193 aisladas de fuentes de origen humano durante las cuatro últimas décadas. MÉTODOS: Entre el 2008 y el 2010 se seleccionaron 553 aislados de DT193 entre 810 cepas de Salmonella serovariedad Typhimurium fagotipificadas aisladas desde la década de 1970 hasta el 2008, y en ellos se analizó la resistencia a ACSSuT: se estudiaron 91 cepas aisladas durante la década de 1970, 65 aisladas durante la década de 1980, 70 aisladas durante la década de 1990, y 327 aisladas entre el 2000 y el 2008, respectivamente. Los perfiles de resistencia a los antibióticos se determinaron mediante el método de difusión en disco. RESULTADOS: El antibiograma indicó que 20,9% (116) de todos los aislados que se analizaron fueron resistentes a ACSSuT, 52,0% (287) fueron resistentes a uno o más antibióticos del grupo ACSSuT y 27,1% (150) no fueron resistentes (es decir, fueron sensibles a dichos antibióticos). Según el análisis, la resistencia general a los antibióticos fue muy alta en la década de 1970 (y comprendió a 99,0% de los aislados de ese período) y continuó siendo alta durante la década de 1980, cuando 95,4% de los aislados presentó algún tipo de resistencia a los antibióticos y la incidencia de Salmonella serovariedad Typhimurium DT193 con resistencia de tipo ACSSuT aumentó hasta 73,8%. La resistencia de tipo ACSSuT descendió a 27,1% (31 aislados) durante la década de 1990, y a 5,2% (17 aislados) entre el 2000 y el 2008, a pesar del aumento importante en el número de aislados que se evaluaron (397 frente a 204, 111 y 98 en las tres décadas anteriores, respectivamente). CONCLUSIONES: Aunque la prevalencia de Salmonella serovariedad Typhimurium DT193 con resistencia de tipo ACSSuT en el Brasil ha disminuido desde la década de 1970, los marcadores de resistencia a ACSSuT continúan en circulación. Por consiguiente, debe llevarse a cabo una vigilancia permanente para evaluar la aparición de infecciones por Salmonella serovariedad Typhimurium DT193 y su resistencia a los antibióticos.

O ambiente aquático é o habitat de vários microrganismos, incluindo Plesiomonasshigelloides e espécies de Aeromonas, os quais são patogênicos para o homem e os animais. Na presente investigação, foi avaliada a ocorrência destes patógenos a partir de swabs coletados de mamíferos marinhos encalhados ou capturados acidentalmente em redes de pesca nas regiões costeiras do sudeste (RJ) e sul (RS) do Brasil. O total de 198 swabs de 27 espécimes de mamíferos marinhos, incluindo 11 espécies distintas, foi coletado por profissionais dos institutos DEENSP, GEMARS-CECLIMAR/UFRGS e enviado ao LRNCEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ. Em seguida, as amostras foram submetidas a enriquecimento em Água Peptonada Alcalina (APA) adicionada de 1% de cloreto de sódio (NaCl) e APA com 3% de NaCl (37ºC/18-24 h). Posteriormente, as amostras foram semeadas em meio Agar Seletivo para Pseudomonas-Aeromonas (Agar GSP) e as colônias suspeitas submetidas à caracterização bioquímica. Um total de 114 cepas foram identificadas, incluindo dez espécies de Aeromonas e P.shigelloides. Os principais patógenos isolados foram A.veronii biogrupo veronii (19,3%), A. caviae (12,2%), A. hydrophila (9,6%) e Plesiomonasshigelloides (7%). Os patógenos foram encontrados tanto em espécies de mamíferos marinhos costeiros como oceânicos. Esses dados apontam para a importância da vigilância epidemiológica e monitoramento microbiológico, além de reforçar a necessidade de implantação de programas de proteção ambiental, particularmente relacionados aos mamíferos marinhos ameaçados de extinção.

The aquatic environment is the habitat of many microorganisms, including Plesiomonasshigelloides and Aeromonas species which are pathogenic to human and animals. In the present investigation, we evaluated the occurrence of these pathogens from marine mammals beached or accidentally captured by fishing net in southeastern (RJ) and southern (RS) coastal Brazilian regions. A total of 198 swabs from 27 specimens of marine mammals, including 11 different species, were collected by DEENSP and GEMARS-CECLIMAR/UFRGS Institutes and sent to LRNCEB/IOC/FIOCRUZ. The samples were enriched in Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) added with 1% of sodium chloride (NaCl), APW plus 3% NaCl and incubated at 37ºC for 18-24 hours. Following, samples were streaked onto Pseudomonas-Aeromonas Selective Agar Base (GSP Agar) and suspected colonies were biochemically characterized. The results revealed 114 strains, including ten Aeromonas species and P.shigelloides. The main pathogens isolated were A.veronii biogroup veronii (19.3%), A. caviae (12.3%), A. hydrophila (9.6%) and P.shigelloides (7%). The pathogens were isolated in both coastal and offshore marine mammals. These data point the importance of epidemiological surveillance and microbiological monitoring and reinforce the need to implement environmental protection programs, especially related to endangered cetacean species.

O ecossistema aquático é o habitat natural de microrganismos incluindo aqueles dos gêneros Vibrio e Aeromonas os quais são patogênicos para o homem e animais. Na presente investigação foi avaliada a freqüência destas bactérias e a característica enzimática de 34 cepas de Vibrio alginolyticus isoladas de bivalves coletados na Lagoa de Venice (Itália) e Baía de Guanabara (Brasil) durante o período de Novembro-2003 a Fevereiro-2004. As amostras de mexilhões foram submetidas a enriquecimento em Água Peptonada Alcalina (APA) adicionada de 1% de Cloreto de Sódio (NaCl) e APA com 3% de NaCl (37 ºC/18-24h). Em seguida as amostras foram semeadas em Agar TCBS (Agar Tiossulfato Citrato Bile Sacarose) e as colônias suspeitas foram submetidas à caracterização bioquímica. As cepas de Vibrio alginolyticus foram avaliadas quanto à produção das enzimas colagenase, elastase e condroitinase. Os resultados demonstraram o isolamento de 127 microrganismos assim distribuídos: 105 cepas de Vibrio das quais V. alginolyticus (32,4%), V. harveyi (19%) e V. parahaemolyticus (7,6%), 20 cepas de Aeromonas e 2 Plesiomonas shigelloides foram os principais patógenos isolados. Observou-se a produção das três enzimas a partir de V. alginolyticus, consideradas principais fatores de virulência da bactéria, em especial em casos de infecção dermatológica humana.

The aquatic ecosystem is the natural habitat of microorganisms including Vibrio and Aeromonas genus which are pathogenic to human and animals. In the present investigation the frequency of these bacteria and the enzymatic characteristics of 34 Vibrio alginolyticus strains isolated from bivalves harvested in Venice Lagoon (Italy) and Guanabara Bay (Brazil) were carried out from November 2003 to February 2004. The mussels' samples were submitted to enrichment in Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) added with 1% of sodium chloride (NaCl) and APW plus 3% NaCl incubated at 37 ºC for 18-24h. Following the samples were streaked onto TCBS Agar (Thiossulfate Citrate Bile Sucrose Agar) and the suspected colonies were submitted to biochemical characterization. Also, the Vibrio alginolyticus strains were evaluated to collagenase, elastase and chondroitinase production. The results showed the isolation of 127 microorganisms distributed as follows: 105 Vibrio strains such as V. alginolyticus (32.4%), V. harveyi (19%) and V. parahaemolyticus (7.6%), 20 Aeromonas strains and two Plesiomonas shigelloides were the main pathogens isolated. We observed the production of the three enzymes from V. alginolyticus strains considered as the main virulence factors of the bacteria, especially in cases of human dermatological infection.

A análise microbiológica dos mexilhões reflete a qualidade do habitat aquático, pois estes animais podem reter em seus organismos diversos patógenos, dentre os quais aqueles pertencentes à família Vibrionaceae. No presente estudo foi avaliada a presença de Vibrio spp. em mexilhões (in natura e pré-cozidos), comercializados na Estação Experimental de Cultivo de Mexilhões, situada em Jurujuba, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Foram avaliadas 86 amostras, tomando como procedimento, o enriquecimento em Água Peptonada Alcalina (APA) adicionada de 1 e 3% de NaCl, isolamento em Agar Tiossulfato Citrato Bile Sacarose (TCBS) e confirmação das colônias típicas por análise bioquímica. Dentre as 12 espécies de Vibrio identificadas destacaram-se como de maior prevalência as espécies Vibrio alginolyticus, V. cholerae não-O1, V. parahaemolyticus, V. carchariae e Vibrio vulnificus. A relevância epidemiológica destes patógenos associada a casos de gastrenterite humana após consumo de mexilhões crus ou parcialmente cozidos, reforça a importância de alertar as autoridades de Vigilância Sanitária sobre sua presença na cadeia alimentar e seus riscos para a Saúde Pública.

The microbiology analysis of mussels reflects the aquatic environment quality because these animals retain various pathogens such as Vibrionaceae family microorganisms in their organism. In the present investigation, we evaluated the presence of Vibrio spp. in mussels (in natura and precooked) commercialized at an Experimental Station Mussel Culture in Jurujuba, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. A total of 86 samples were analyzed using the enrichment in Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) added to 1 and 3% of NaCl, isolated in Thiossulfate Citrate Bile Sucrose Agar (TCBS) and confirmed that there were suspect colonies by biochemical tests. The results showed the identification of 12 different Vibrio species whereby Vibrio alginolyticus, V. cholerae non-O1, V. parahaemolyticus, V. carchariae and V. vulnificus were the prevalent species. The epidemiological relevance of these pathogens associated with cases of human gastroenteritis after in natura or precooked mussels show the need to alert Sanitary Officials about their presence in the food chain and their risks to Public Health.

A total of 296 Shigella spp. were received from State Public Health Laboratories, during the period from 1999 to 2004, by National Reference Laboratory for Cholera and Enteric Diseases (NRLCED) - IOC/Fiocruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The frequency of Shigella spp. was: S. flexneri (52.7%), S. sonnei (44.2%), S. boydii (2.3%), and S. dysenteriae (0.6%). The most frequent S. flexneri serovars were 2a and 1b. The highest incidence rates of Shigella isolation were observed in the Southeast (39%) and Northeast (34%) regions and the lowest rate in the South (3%) of Brazil. Strains were further analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility by disk diffusion method as part of a surveillance program on antimicrobial resistance. The highest rates of antimicrobial resistance were to trimethoprim-sulfamethozaxole (90%), tetracycline (88%), ampicillin (56%), and chloramphenicol (35%). The patterns of antimicrobial resistance among Shigella isolates pose a major difficulty in the determination of an appropriate drug for shigellosis treatment. Continuous monitoring of antimicrobial susceptibilities of Shigella spp. through a surveillance system is thus essential for effective therapy and control measures against shigellosis.

O ecossistema aquático é o habitat de mexilhões (Perna perna), animais filtradores que refletem a qualidade ambiental através de análise microbiológica de sua carne. No presente trabalho avaliou-se a presença de patógenos emergentes (Aeromonas hydrophila e Plesiomonas shigelloides), em mexilhões in natura e pré-cozidos coletados por pescadores da Estação Experimental de Cultivo de Mexilhões situada em Jurujuba, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro. Foram analisadas 86 amostras de mexilhões (43 in natura e 43 pré-cozidos) as quais foram submetidas a enriquecimento em Água Peptonada Alcalina (APA) acrescida de 1 e 3% de Cloreto de Sódio (NaCl) e em solução Salina de Butterfield, incubadas a 37ºC por 24 horas. Em seguida, foram semeadas em Ágar Seletivo para Pseudomonas-Aeromonas (GSP), Ágar Tiossulfato Citrato Bile Sacarose (TCBS) e Ágar Inositol Bile Verde Brilhante (IBB). A análise geral dos resultados permitiu a identificação de Areomonas spp e Plesiomonas shigelloides em 86% das amostras de mexilhões in natura e pré-cozidas avaliadas. A posterior caracterização bioquímica permitiu a identificação das espécies Aeromonas media (37,10%), A. hydrophila (15,50%), A. caviae (14,80%), A. veronii biogrupo veronii (11,60%), Aeromonas sp. (7,36%), A. sobria (4,20%), A. trota (4,20%), A. schubertii (1,31%), A. jandaei (1,31%), A. veronii biogrupo sobria (0,52%) e Plesiomonas shigelloides (2,10%). A relevância epidemiológica desses microrganismos em casos de gastrenterite humana, após consumo de mexilhões crus ou parcialmente cozidos, revela a importância de alertar as autoridades de Saúde Pública no Brasil, sobre a presença desses patógenos na cadeia alimentar e seus riscos para a saúde humana.

The aquatic ecosystem is the habitat of mussels, filtrating animals that reflect the ambient quality through microbiological analysis. In the present investigation, we evaluated the presence of emergent pathogens (Aeromonas hydrophila and Plesiomonas shigelloides) from in natura and pre-cooked mussels collected by workers at the Experimental Station Mussels Cultive situated in Jurujuba, Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro. A total of 86 mussels (43 each in natura and precooked) were analyzed and the samples were submitted to enrichment in Alkaline Peptone Water (APW) added of 1 and 3% Sodium Chloride (NaCl) and Butterfield's Saline incubated at 37ºC for 24 hours. After, the samples were streaked onto Pseudomonas-Aeromonas Selective Agar (GSP), Thiossulfate Citrate Bile Sucrose Agar (TCBS) and Inositol Brilliant Green Bile Salts Agar (IBB). Aeromonas spp and Plesiomonas shigelloides were isolated from 86% in natura and precooked mussels avaliated. The biochemical characterization showed strains of Aeromonas media (37.10%), A. hydrophila (15.50%), A. caviae (14.80%), A. veronii biogroupe veronii (11.60%), Aeromonas sp. (7.36%), A. sobria (4.20%), A. trota (4.20%), A. schubertii (1.31%), A. jandaei (1.31%), A. veronii biogroupe sobria (0.52%), and Plesiomonas shigelloides (2.10%). The epidemiological relevance of these microorganisms in cases of human gastroenteritis after mussels consumption without fully cooking reveal the importance to alert the Brazilian health authorities on the presence of these pathogens in food chain and the risks for human health.

Faeces from 17 children less than 1.6 years old 15 adultsmore than 22 years old were collected during an outbreak of gastroenteritis in aday care nursery and screened for the presence of adenovirus and rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay (EIARA) and other viruses by electron microscopy (EM) and polycrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). Ten samples (58.8 per cent) from childrenand one (6.7 per cent) from adults were positive for rotavirus and all samples were negative for bacteria and parasites. No other viruses were observed in EM. An enzyme immunoassay test using monoclonal antibodies (MAb-EIA) to determine the subgroup(s) and the serotype(s) of rotavirus was performed and the results showedthat all positive samples belong to serotype 1, subgroup II of group A rotaviruses. In PAGE test all samples had the same profile and the 10 and 11 dsRNA segments corresponed to the "long" profile of group A of rotaviruses. These results corroborated the MAbEIA results and indicate a sole source of infection. The majorsymptoms observed were: vomiting (60 per cent), fever (70 per cent) and diarrhoea (100 per cent). In previous years (1989 to 1991) we observed only rotavirus serotype 2 in this same day care nursery, but no outbreak was reported.