Abstract Candida spp. is one of the main pathogens associated with nosocomial infection in Brazil and worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of Candida yeasts in the ICU and their susceptibility to the antifungal agents terbinafine and fluconazole. The samples were collected by swabbing nine surfaces in the ICU of a hospital located in Pelotas, RS. These isolates were genetically characterized by sequencing the internal transcript spacer (ITS) using the primers ITS1 and ITS4. The test against antifungals was performed by Microdilution in Broth (CLSI-M27-A4). 64 yeasts identified as Candida parapsilosis (45.31%; n = 29), Meyerozyma (Pichia) guilliermondii (28.12%; n = 18), Claviceps lusitaneae (25%; n = 16) and Candida tropicalis (1, 56%; n = 1) mostly at the counter used for handling medicines and food distribution (68.75%; n = 44). Susceptibility to antifungals varied between species. These results describe potentially pathogenic Candida species as contaminants in the ICU environment. The study environment is a potential source of exogenous infection for hospitalized patients.

Resumo As lipases têm a capacidade de catalisar diversas reações e são importantes em diferentes aplicações biotecnológicas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo isolar e caracterizar microrganismos produtores de lipases, provenientes de diferentes efluentes de indústrias alimentícias da região de Pelotas, RS. As bactérias foram identificadas quanto à coloração de Gram e a provas bioquímicas (Vitek 2(r)). Os fungos foram identificados quanto às características de macro e micromorfologia. A produção de lipase extracelular foi avaliada pelo teste rodamina B e a atividade enzimática, por titulação. Foram isoladas 21 bactérias, identificadas como Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter aerogenes, Raoultella ornithinolytica e Raoultella planticola. Os fungos filamentosos isolados foram caracterizados aos gêneros Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp., Geotrichum sp., Gliocladium sp., Mucor sp., Paecilomyces sp. e Trichoderma sp.. A produção de lipase extracelular foi observada em 71,43% das bactérias e 57,14% dos fungos. A bactéria que apresentou atividade enzimática mais promissora foi a E. aerogenes (1,54 U/ml), entretanto, entre os fungos, não houve diferença significativa entre os quatro isolados. O estudo revela que assim como microrganismos produtores de lipases estão presentes em efluentes industriais, estas enzimas apresentam potencial de biodegradação de compostos lipídicos.

ABSTRACT The lipases have ability to catalyze diverse reactions and are important in different biotechnological applications. The aim of this work was to isolate and characterize microorganisms that produce lipases, from different food industry effluents localized in Pelotas, RS/Brazil. Bacteria were identified using Gram stain and biochemical tests (Vitek 2(r)). Fungi were identified according to macro and micromorphology characteristics. The extracellular lipase production was evaluated using the Rhodamine B test and the enzymatic activity by titration. Twenty-one bacteria were isolated and identified as Klebsiella pneumoniae ssp. pneumoniae, Serratia marcescens, Enterobacter aerogenes, Raoultella ornithinolytica and Raoultella planticola. Were characterized isolated filamentous fungi by the following genera: Alternaria sp., Fusarium sp., Geotrichum sp., Gliocladium sp., Mucor sp., Paecilomyces sp. and Trichoderma sp. Extracellular lipase production was observed in 71.43% of the bacteria and 57.14% of the fungi. The bacterium that presented better promising enzymatic activity was E. aerogenes (1.54 U/ml) however between fungi there was not significant difference between the four isolates. This study indicated that microorganisms lipase producers are present in the industrial effluents, as well as these enzymes have potential of biodegradation of lipid compounds.