The zoonotic potential to cause human and/or animal infections among multidrug-resistant extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli from avian origin was investigated. Twenty-seven extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli isolates containing the increased survival gene (iss) were obtained from the livers of healthy and diseased poultry carcasses at two slaughterhouses in Salvador, northeastern Brazil. The antimicrobial resistance-susceptibility profiles were conducted with antibiotics of avian and/or human use by the standardized disc-diffusion method. Antimicrobial resistance was higher for levofloxacin (51.8%), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (70.4%), ampicillin (81.5%), cefalotin (88.8%), tetracycline (100%) and streptomycin (100%). The minimum inhibitory concentrations above the resistance breakpoints of doxycycline, neomycin, oxytetracycline and enrofloxacin reached, respectively, 88.0%, 100%, 75% and 91.7% of the isolates. Strains with high and low antimicrobial resistance were i.p. administered to Swiss mice, and histopathological examination was carried out seven days after infection. Resistance to goat and human serum complement was also evaluated. The results show that Swiss mice challenged with strain 2B (resistant to 11 antimicrobials) provoked a severe degeneration of hepatocytes besides lymphocytic infiltration in the liver, whereas the spleen showed areas of degeneration of the white and red pulp. Conversely, the spleen and liver of mice challenged with strain 4A (resistant to two antimicrobials) were morphologically preserved. In addition, complement resistance to goat and human serum was high for strain 2B and low for strain 4A. Our data show that multidrug resistance and pathogenesis can be correlated in extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli strains obtained from apparently healthy poultry carcasses, increasing the risk for human public healthy.

OBJETIVO: Avaliar o impacto das doenças oculares sobre a qualidade de vida de uma população idosa do sertão de Pernambuco, localizado na região nordeste do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Foram entrevistados 580 indivíduos acima de 59 anos, por meio do questionário de avaliação de qualidade de vida "Visual Functioning Questionnaire" (VFQ). Todos os indivíduos foram submetidos a exame oftalmológico completo. Os resultados das variáveis quantitativas foram expressos por suas médias e desvios- padrão. Os resultados das variáveis qualitativas foram expressos por suas frequências absolutas e relativas. RESULTADOS: A média de idade foi de 70 ± 8,1 anos. Cerca de 86,0% dos entrevistados declararam ser analfabetos ou ter o ensino fundamental incompleto. As principais queixas foram: baixa visual (71,1%) e ardor/prurido (69,0%). A acuidade visual não era normal em 37,4% dos idosos. Por volta de 75,0% dos entrevistados relataram ter saúde regular ou ruim, e 77,0% diziam ter uma visão regular ou ruim. A qualidade de vida foi considerada pior conforme a piora da condição visual do idoso. CONCLUSÃO: O déficit visual representou um impacto negativo sobre a qualidade de vida dos idosos do sertão Pernambucano.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of visual impairment on the quality of life of the elderly population living in the western countryside of Pernambuco State, located in northeast of Brazil. METHODS: Five hundred and eighty subjects over 59 years of age were interviewed using the Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ). All subjects underwent complete eye examination. The results of the quantitative parameters were expressed by mean ± SD. The results of categorical parameters were expressed by their frequencies. RESULTS: Mean age was of 70 ± 8.1 years. About 86% of the interviewed elderly were illiterate or had incomplete education. The mean complaints were low visual acuity (71.1%) and itching/burning (69.0%). The visual acuity was not normal in 37.4% of the elderly. About 75.0% of the subjects reported to have regular or bad health, and 77.0% reported to have regular or bad vision. The reported quality of life decreased according to the worsening of the visual acuity. CONCLUSION: Visual impairment had a negative impact on the quality of life of the elderly population from the western countryside of Pernambuco State.

OBJETIVOS: Avaliar, em mulheres em idade fértil, a associação entre o uso de anticoncepcionais (ACO) orais de baixa dosagem e alterações na visão de cores. MÉTODOS: Foram incluídas no estudo 30 mulheres, 16 usuárias de ACO oral há menos de cinco anos (Grupo I) e 14 usuárias de anticoncepcionais orais há mais de cinco anos (Grupo II). Foram utilizados os testes de Ishihara, City University Color Vision Test e D 15 dessaturado. RESULTADOS: Não foram observados padrões característicos de distúrbio da visão cromática em nenhum teste dos dois grupos. CONCLUSÃO: Na amostra estudada, o uso de ACO oral de baixa dosagem não influenciou a visão de cores, independente do tempo de uso.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the association between oral low-dose contraceptives and color vision alterations. METHODS: Were included in the study 30 women, sixteen used oral contraceptive for less than five years (Group I) and 14 used it for more than five years (Group II). The Ishihara, City University Color Vision Test, and the D 15 desaturated tests were used. RESULTS: No characteristic alterations in the chromatic perception were found in any of the groups. CONCLUSION: In the studied sample, low-dose oral contraceptive has not influenced color vision, independent of the time of use.

OBJETIVO: A Fundação Altino Ventura realizou o projeto "Enxergando através das mãos", com o objetivo de investigar a situação atual da múltipla deficiência no estado de Pernambuco, verificar a demanda reprimida nesta área e analisar relevância para implantação de um centro especializado de referência para o diagnóstico e tratamento desses pacientes. MÉTODOS: Foi avaliado o perfil de um grupo de pacientes atendidos em cinco serviços de referência do grande Recife. Os casos foram avaliados quanto a ocorrências perinatais, inclusão social e dificuldades de acesso aos serviços especializados. Promoveu-se o atendimento oftalmológico especializado e o tratamento indicado para cada caso. O projeto foi desenvolvido de forma prospectiva, seguindo protocolo e organograma previamente elaborados. Os atendimentos foram realizados em seis dias não consecutivos, durante os quais todos os casos passavam pelas etapas de entrevista dos genitores e exame oftalmológico completo. Durante o período de espera entre entrevista e exame oftalmológico os pacientes realizavam atividades lúdicas com artistas plásticas. Contou-se com equipe multidisciplinar de 31 profissionais. RESULTADOS: Foram atendidos 309 pacientes. Estavam incluídos na sociedade 83,1% dos pacientes, apenas 45,4% freqüentavam escola (normal ou especial). A dificuldade de acesso aos serviços na área de oftalmologia foi relatada por 51,1% dos casos. Foram identificadas 274 crianças com múltiplas deficiências, destas, 154 (56,2%) nunca haviam sido examinadas pelo oftalmologista e 33% tinham baixa de visão (inferior à 20/60 na tabela de Snellen). Os diagnósticos oftalmológicos mais freqüentes foram: erro refracional, estrabismo, ambliopia, alterações do nervo óptico (glaucoma e atrofia), e catarata. Foram prescritos e doados 84 óculos. CONCLUSÃO: O projeto foi pioneiro na região, permitindo a obtenção de importantes dados quanto à problemática da deficiência visual e/ou múltipla, possibilitando o acesso ao oftalmologista e tratamento especializado dos casos.

PURPOSE: The Project "Vision through the hands" was performed by the Altino Ventura Foundation, with the purpose of investigating the present child situation with multiple disabilities in the state of Pernambuco, Brazil. METHODS: Birth and social conditions, social problems, and difficulty in accessing the specialized services were evaluated, aiming to collect relevant data with the goal of posterior implantation of a specialized diagnosis and treatment center. Ophthalmologic care and proper treatment were offered. RESULTS: Three hundred and nine children from five reference institutions in disabilities were attended, on six non consecutive days. All cases underwent ophthalmologic examinations and parent interviews. During the waiting time between the ophthalmologic visits and parent interviews the patients performed activities with artists. A multidisciplinary team of 31 professionals was available. According to parent information 83.1% of the patients were considered included in the society and only 45.4% attended school (normal or special). The difficulty to get access to ophthalmologic service was reported by 51.1%. Two hundred and seventy children with multiple disabilities were indentified, 154 (56.2%) of whom underwent an ophthalmologic examination for the first time, and 33.0% had low visual acuity (inferior to 20/60 Snellen). The most frequent diagnoses were: refraction error, strabismus, ambliopia, alterations of optic nerve (glaucoma and atrophy), and cataract. Eighty-four glasses were prescribed. CONCLUSION: This project was pioneer in the region, allowing to obtain the information about important problems regarding multiple disabilities, and making possible ophthalmologic care and specialized treatment to the children.