Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA) is one of the most frequently isolated agents in both nosocomial and community settings. It is a constant challenge for antibacterial therapy. Therefore, it becomes essential to understand the epidemiology of MRSA isolates in the institution and/or region to guide empirical therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics of MRSA isolates in the state of Santa Catarina, Brazil, and determine if there is a clonal spread. We evaluated 124 clinical isolates of MRSA obtained from various anatomical sites from patients in the state of Santa Catarina in Southern Brazil. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile was evaluated by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by Etest and broth macrodilution. SCCmectypes were determined by multiplex PCR and the clonal relationship among isolates was assessed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis. Antimicrobials that have demonstrated lower rates of resistance were tetracycline (20.2%), sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (20.2%) and chloramphenicol (12.9%). We did not detect any resistance to glycopeptides, daptomycin, linezolid, and tigecycline. SCCmectype III was predominant (54%), followed by type II (21.8%), consistent with other Brazilian studies. Twenty-six clones were observed grouping 72 (58%) isolates and no clonal relationship was observed between our isolates and the major epidemic clones circulating in Brazil. An intriguing distinct MRSA epidemiology was observed in Santa Catarina, compared to other Brazilian regions.

A dinâmica da microbiota no trato gastrointestinal (TG) de animais pode ser afetada por patógenos, tais como Eimeria spp. Os enterococos são bactérias saprófitas que colonizam o TG de mamíferos e aves. A influência sobre a microbiota intestinal está relacionada com a capacidade de adaptação das bactérias em se aderir às células hospedeiras e de colonizar as células das mucosas. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a frequência de genes de virulência ace, agg e operon do bopABCD em Enterococcus faecalis isolados de swabs cloacais de frangos de corte desafiados com Eimeria spp e alimentados com dietas padrões suplementadas ou não com anticoccidiano (monesina) e também avaliar a capacidade dessas cepas em formar biofilmes sob condições in vitro. Um total de 70 E. faecalis foram selecionadas e o gene agg foi mais freqüente em cepas isoladas de frangos de corte alimentados com anticoccidiano (92,3%) quando comparado ao grupo que não recebeu anticoccidiano (70,5%). Por outro lado, os genes ace e do operon bopABCD não demostraram nenhuma diferença significativa entre os dois grupos de frangos (P>0,005). Os E. faecalis isolados de frangos de corte alimentados com anticoccidiano demostraram uma maior frequência de fortes aderentes quando crescendo em meio suplementado com glicose (92,3-88,5%) e urina (77%), quando comparado com enterococos isolados de frangos que não receberam anticoccidiano. Observou-se que E. faecalis isolados de frangos tratados com anticoccidiano mostraram uma maior frequêencia dos genes dos fatores de virulência e de perfil de fortes formadores de biofilme, o que indica uma melhor adaptação dos isolados em ambiente intestinal saudável.

The microbiota dynamics in the gastrointestinal tract (GT) of animals can be disrupted by pathogens, such as Eimeria spp. Enterococci are saprophytic bacteria that colonize the GT of mammals and birds. The influence on the intestinal microbiota is related to the adaptive capacity of bacteria to adhere to host cells and colonize the mucosal cells. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of virulence genes ace, agg and bopABCD operon in Enterococcus faecalis isolated from cloacal swabs of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. and fed with a standard diet supplemented or not with anticoccidial (monensin), and, also to evaluate for the ability of these strains to form biofilms under in vitro conditions. A total of 70 E. faecalis were selected and the agg gene was more frequent in strains isolated from the broilers treated with anticoccidial (92.3%) when compared to the group that not received anticoccidial (70.5%). On the other hand, the ace and bopABCD operon genes showed no significant difference between the two groups of broilers (P>0.005). The E. faecalis isolated from the broilers treated with anticoccidial showed a higher frequency of strong biofilm formation when growing in medium supplemented with glucose (92.3-88.5%) and urine (77%) when compared with enterococci isolated from broilers that not received anticoccidial. It was observed that E. faecalis isolated from broilers treated with anticoccidial showed a higher frequency of virulence factors genes and stronger biofilms formation, indicating better adaptation of the isolates in healthy intestinal environment.

CONTEXTO: A infecção de sítio cirúrgico é uma complicação grave da cirurgia vascular periférica. O recente aparecimento de microorganismos resistentes e agressivos gera uma nova preocupação com relação ao manejo dessas infecções. OBJETIVO: Verificar a prevalência de resistência bacteriana, a epidemiologia, os possíveis fatores associados e o padrão de resistência nas infecções de ferida operatória das cirurgias arteriais periféricas. MÉTODOS: Estudo de prevalência, envolvendo 40 pacientes portadores de infecção da ferida operatória e submetidos à cirurgia de revascularização arterial periférica no período de janeiro de 2007 a maio de 2008. RESULTADOS: Participaram do estudo pacientes com média de idade de 64,2 anos, predominantemente do sexo masculino (70%). A prevalência geral de resistência bacteriana foi 72,5%, e de multirresistência, 60%. O microorganismo mais freqüentemente isolado foi o Staphylococcus aureus (40%), sendo 11 das 16 culturas (68,7%) resistentes à oxacilina. As taxas de resistência aos principais antimicrobianos testados foram: ampicilina, 85,7%; cefalosporina, 76,9%; oxacilina, 65%; e ciprofloxacina, 62,5%. Não foi identificada resistência à vancomicina e ao imipenem. CONCLUSÕES: Os achados deste estudo sugerem que a resistência bacteriana é um problema atual e muito prevalente nas cirurgias arteriais periféricas. O Staphylococcus aureus segue sendo o principal patógeno envolvido, demonstrando altas taxas de resistência. A vancomicina e o imipenem seguem sendo as principais opções terapêuticas para esse tipo de infecção.

BACKGROUND: Surgical wound infection is a severe complication of peripheral vascular surgery. The recent appearance of resistant and aggressive pathogens brings new concerns related to the management of these infections. OBJECTIVE: To verify the prevalence of bacterial resistance, epidemiology, possibly associated factors and resistance patterns in wound infections of peripheral arterial surgeries. METHODS: Prevalence study of 40 patients with surgical wound infections submitted to peripheral arterial revascularization procedures between January 2007 and May 2008. RESULTS: Mean age was 64.2 years, males represented 70% of all cases. The overall prevalence of bacterial resistance was 72.5% and multiresistance 60%. The commonest single cultured microorganism was the Staphylococcus aureus (40%), and 11 of 16 cultures (68.7%) were oxacillin-resistant. Prevalence of resistance to the main tested antibiotics: ampicillin 85.7%; cephalosporin 76.9%; oxacillin 65%; and ciprofloxacin 62.5%. Resistance to vancomycin and imipenem was not identified. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that bacterial resistance is a prevalent and current problem in peripheral vascular surgeries. Staphylococcus aureus is still the most frequently involved pathogen, showing high resistance rates. Vancomycin and imipenem are still the best therapeutic options to treat these infections.

Extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production by Klebsiella sp. and E. coli is an emerging problem. In this study, 107 clinical isolates (53 E. coli, 47 K. pneumoniae and 7 K. oxytoca) screened as ESBL producers by the NCCLS disk diffusion procedure were submitted to a double disk confirmatory test (DDT) and to the E-test double strip for confirmation of ESBL production by demonstration of clavulanic acid inhibition effect (CAIE). Only 72/107 (67%) of the isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers by DDT, with diverse results among species. By the E-test, 58/107 (54%) isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers, and 18/107 (17%) were not determinable. Susceptibility to cefoxitin was found in 57/68 (83%) of strains that did not show CAIE. ESBL detection remains a controversial issue and clinical laboratories are in need of a simple and effective way to recognize strains with this kind of resistance.