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The presence of salmonellae in fecal samples or cloacal swabs of 97 pet reptiles (15 snakes, 24 lizards and 58 chelonians) was investigated. Thirty seven animals had national origin and 60 were imported. Salmonella spp was detected in 39.1% of the reptiles, being 62.5% in lizards, 53.3% in snakes and 25.8% in chelonians. Strains belonged to subspecies I (44.7%), II (10.5%), IIIa (5.2%), IIIb (21.0%) and IV (18.5%) of the enterica species, with predominance (55.3%) of subspecies usually found in cold-blooded animals (II to IV). In the subspecies I, the serovars Albany, Enteritidis and Typhimurium predominated. The Trachemys scripta elegans imported turtles corresponded to 93.3% (14/15) of the salmonellae-positive chelonians. The national iguanas presented a high rate of colonization (77.7% - 7/9). These animals pose a potencial risk to the human health, demanding sanitary control and more information to the public.A presença de salmonelas em amostras de fezes ou swabs cloacais de 97 répteis de estimação (15 cobras, 24 lagartos e 58 quelônios), dos quais 37 eram de origem nacional e 60 importados, foi investigada. Salmonella spp foi detectada em 39,1% dos répteis estudados, sendo 62,5% em lagartos, 53,3% em cobras e 25,8% em quelônios. Foram caracterizadas as subespécies I (44,7%), II (10,5%), IIIa (5,2%), IIIb (21,0%) e IV (18,5%) da espécie enterica, com predominância (55,3%) das subespécies habitualmente encontradas em animais de sangue frio (II a IV). Na subespécie I, houve maior freqüência dos sorovares Albany, Enteritidis e Typhimurium. As tartarugas importadas Trachemys scripta elegans corresponderam a 93,3% dos quelônios portadores de salmonelas. Os iguanas nacionais apresentaram elevado índice de colonização (77,7% - 7/9). Conclui-se que esses animais apresentam risco potencial à saúde humana, havendo necessidade de controle sanitário e maior esclarecimento ao público.

Meningococcal disease caused by N. meningitidis serogroup B (MenB) has been endemic in Brazil since 1997. In this study, we determined the prevalence of serosubtypes of MenB isolated in 10 Brazilian states and the Federal District during 1997 and 1998 and investigated the extent of PorA VR sequence variation among the most prevalent serosubtypes to evaluate the possible use of an outer membrane vesicle (OMV)-, PorA-based vaccine to prevent meningococcal disease in Brazil. During this period, a total of 8,932 cases of meningococcal disease were reported. Only 42% ( n = 3,751) of the reported cases were laboratory confirmed, and about 60% ( n = 2,255) of those were identified as MenB. Among 1,297 MenB strains selected for this study, the most prevalent serosubtypes were P1.19,15 (66%), P1.7,1 (11%), and P1.7,16 (4%). PorA VR typing showed that 91% of the P1.19,15 strains analyzed had VR1 and VR2 sequences identical to those of the prototype strain. No sequence variation was detected among the 40 strains representing all isolated MenB P1.7,16 strains in the three southern states, where this serosubtype accounts for 75% of the serosubtypes identified. Similarly, all P1.7,1 strains were identified by PorA typing as P1.7-1,1. Although further improvements in the reporting of cases and collection of strains in Brazil are needed, our data suggest that a trivalent OMV-based vaccine prepared with PorA types P1.19,15, P1.7-1,1, and P1.7,16 may be appropriate to control serogroup B meningococcal disease in most of the Brazilian states.

As infecções hospitalares representam um aumento na morbidade e mortalidade de pacientes internados, com significativo aumento no custo de internação hospitalar. Teve-se como objetivo fazer uma análise epidemiológica de casos de infecção hospitalar ocorridos num Hospital Universitário na cidade do Rio de Janeiro. Assim, foram analisadas 238 cepas isoladas a partir de 14 espécimens clínicos diferentes oriundos de 166 pacientes internados no período de 08 de 1995 a 07 de 1997. A idade média dos pacientes foi de 33,4 anos, 72,9% faziam uso de antimicrobiano antes de apresentar a cultura positiva, as patologias de risco mais comuns foram: Cirurgia (19,3%), HIV ou AIDS positivo (18,1%) e Patologia Pulmonar (16,9%). Foram identificadas 24 espécies bacterianas distintas, com predominância de S. aureus (21%) e P. aeruginosa (18,5%). Foram detectados 36% de MRSA (Methicilin Resistant S. aureus). Os Gram negativos apresentaram altos níveis de resistência para aminoglicosídeos e cefalosporinas. Foi detectado um surto de diarréia em berçário patológico, provocado pela Salmonella sorovar Infantis, com altos níveis de resistência para antimicrobianos e um plasmídio de alto peso molecular (98Mda), codificador do fator R. Hospital infections cause an increase in morbidity and mortality of hospitalized patients with significant rise in hospital costs. The aim of this work was an epidemiological analysis of hospital infection cases occurred in a public University Hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Hence, 238 strains were isolated from 14 different clinical materials of 166 patients hospitalized in the period between August 1995 and July 1997. The average age of the patients was 33.4 years, 72.9% used antimicrobials before having a positive culture. The most common risk conditions were surgery (19.3%), positive HIV or AIDS (18.1%) and lung disease (16.9%). 24 different bacterial species were identified, S. aureus (21%) and P. aeruginosa (18.5%) were predominant. Among 50 S. aureus isolated strains 36% were classified as MRSA (Methicillin Resistant S. aureus). The Gram negative bacteria presented high resistance to aminoglycosides and cephalosporins. A diarrhea outbreak, detected in high-risk neonatology ward, was caused by Salmonella serovar Infantis strain, with high antimicrobial resistance and a plasmid of high molecular weight (98Mda) containing virulence genes and positive for R factor.

Neisseria meningitidis isolates are conventionally classified by serosubtyping, which characterizes the reactivities of the PorA outer membrane protein variable-region (VR) epitopes with monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). A newer method (PorA VR typing) uses predicted amino acid sequences derived from DNA sequence analysis. The resulting classification schemes are not standardized, offering conflicting and sometimes irreconcilable data from the two methods. In this paper, we propose a standardization of the PorA VR typing nomenclature that incorporates serologic information from traditional PorA serosubtyping with molecular data from predicted VR sequences. We performed a comprehensive literature and database search, generating a collection of strains and DNA sequences that reflects the diversity within PorA that exists to date. We have arranged this information in a comprehensive logical model that includes both serosubtype and PorA VR type assignments. Our data demonstrate that the current panel of serosubtype-defining MAbs underestimates PorA VR variability by at least 50%. Our proposal for VR typing is informative because amino acid sequence and serologic information, when serosubtype-defining MAbs are available, can be deduced simultaneously from the PorA VR designation. This scheme will be useful in future classification and applied epidemiologic studies of N. meningitidis , being a systematic way of selecting PorA vaccine candidates and analyzing vaccine coverage and failure.

The current serological typing scheme for Neisseria meningitidis is not comprehensive; a proportion of isolates are not serotypeable. DNA sequence analysis and predicted amino acid sequences were used to characterize the structures of variable-region (VR) epitopes on N. meningitidis PorB proteins (PorB VR typing). Twenty-six porB gene sequences were obtained from GenBank and aligned with 41 new sequences. Primary amino acid structures predicted from those genes were grouped into 30 VR families of related variants that displayed at least 60% similarity. We correlated VR families with monoclonal antibody (MAb) reactivities, establishing a relationship between VR families and epitope locations for 15 serotype-defining MAbs. The current panel of serotype-defining MAbs underestimates by at least 50% the PorB VR variability because reagents for several major VR families are lacking or because a number of VR variants within some families are not recognized by serotype-defining MAbs. These difficulties, also reported for serosubtyping based on the PorA protein, are shown as inconsistent results between serological and sequence analyses, leading to inaccurate strain identification and incomplete epidemiological data. The information from this study enabled the expansion of the panel of MAbs currently available for serotyping, by including MAbs of previously undetermined specificities. Use of the expanded serotype panel enabled us to improve the sensitivity of serotyping by resolving a number of formerly nonserotypeable strains. In most cases, this information can be used to predict the VR family placement of unknown PorB proteins without sequencing the entire porB gene. PorB VR typing complements serotyping, and a combination of both techniques may be used for full characterization of meningococcal strains. The present work represents the most complete and integrated data set of PorB VR sequences and MAb reactivities of serogroup B and C meningococci produced to date.

A large epidemic of serogroup B meningococcal disease (MD), has been occurring in greater São Paulo, Brazil, since 1988.21 A Cuban-produced vaccine, based on outer-membrane-protein (OMP) from serogroup B: serotype 4: serosubtype P1.15 (B:4:P1.15) Neisseria meningitidis, was given to about 2.4 million children aged from 3 months to 6 years during 1989 and 1990. The administration of vaccine had little or no measurable effects on this outbreak. In order to detect clonal changes that could explain the continued increase in the incidence of disease after the vaccination, we serotyped isolates recovered between 1990 and 1996 from 834 patients with systemic disease. Strains B:4:P1.15, which was detected in the area as early as 1977, has been the most prevalent phenotype since 1988. These strains are still prevalent in the area and were responsible for about 68% of 834 serogroup B cases in the last 7 years. We analyzed 438 (52%) of these strains by restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLPs) of rRNA genes (ribotyping). The most frequent pattern obtained was referred to as Rb1 (68%). We concluded that the same clone of B:4:P1.15-Rb1 strains was the most prevalent strain and responsible for the continued increase of incidence of serogroup B MD cases in greater São Paulo during the last 7 years in spite of the vaccination trial.Epidemia de doença meningocócica por sorogrupo B tem ocorrido na Grande São Paulo desde 1988. Uma vacina cubana, baseada em proteína de membrana externa de uma cepa de Neisseria meningitidis sorogrupo B: sorotipo 4: sorosubtipo P1.15 (B:4:P1.15), foi administrada em cerca de 2.4 milhões de crianças entre 3 meses a 6 anos de idade durante 1989 e 1990. A administração da vacina teve pouco ou nenhum efeito na evolução da epidemia. Para detectar mudança clonal que poderia explicar o contínuo aumento da doença depois da vacinação, foram sorotipadas 834 cepas isoladas entre 1990 e 1996 de pacientes com doença sistêmica. Cepas B:4:P1.15 isoladas desde 1977, têm sido o fenótipo mais prevalente desde 1988. Essas cepas ainda são prevalentes na região e foram responsáveis por cerca de 68% dos 834 casos por sorogrupo B nos últimos 7 anos. Foram analisados 438 (52%) dessas cepas por RFLP do rRNA gene (ribotipagem), e o perfil mais frequente foi o Rbl (68%). Concluímos que o clone B:4:P1.15 - Rbl foi o mais prevalente e responsável pelo contínuo aumento da doença meningocócica na Grande São Paulo durante os últimos 7 anos apesar da campanha de vacinação.

Six Salmonella Agona strains from an outbreak of 15 days duration which occurred in a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, were analyzed. The outbreak involved six infants (mean age, 24 days; mean body weight, 1612 g), all of them with severe clinical signs and symptoms. Two of them had surgical implications, two were preterm and two had respiratory distress at birth. The Salmonella strains were resistant to nine antimicrobial agents (ampicillin, cefalotine, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, amikacin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline). Analysis of the plasmid pattern of the wild strains and of the transconjugants confirmed that these were identical strains.

The occurrence of Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) phage types (PTs) in samples collected from healthy and diseased chickens, in outbreaks of human gastroenteritis related to the consumption of egg products, in samples of poultry meat, in pipped embryos of broiler chickens, in meat meal, in poultry-rearing environments, and in many foods (cheese, mayonnaise, cake, and bacon) is described for strains isolated from 1995 to 1997 in Brazil. SE strains were isolated, and the most common PT was found to be PT 4, followed by PTs 7, 21, 35, 6, 4a, 8, 30, 6a, 5a, 1, and 1b. Fourteen strains were classified as react-but-do-not-conform strains, and one strain was not typeable. The results of this study demonstrate that PT 4 has a wider distribution among the sources studied than do any other SE phage types and is the most important phage type in human salmonellosis.

In the present study we examine the potential use of oligonucleotide probes to characterize Neisseria meningitidis serotypes without the use of monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Antigenic diversity on PorB protein forms the bases of serotyping method. However, the current panel of MAbs underestimated, by at least 50% the PorB variability, presumably because reagents for several PorB variable regions (VRs) are lacking, or because a number of VR variants are not recognized by serotype-defining MAbs12. We analyzed the use of oligonucleotide probes to characterize serotype 10 and serotype 19 of N. meningitidis. The porB gene sequence for the prototype strain of serotype 10 was determined, aligned with 7 other porB sequences from different serotypes, and analysis of individual VRs were performed. The results of DNA probes 21U (VR1-A) and 615U (VR3-B) used against 72 N. meningitidis strains confirm that VR1 type A and VR3 type B encode epitopes for serotype-defined MAbs 19 and 10, respectively. The use of probes for characterizing serotypes possible can type 100% of the PorB VR diversity. It is a simple and rapid method specially useful for analysis of large number of samples. No presente trabalho nós examinamos o uso potencial de sondas de oligonucleotídeos para caracterizar sorotipos de Neisseria meningitidis sem o uso de anticorpos mono-clonais (MAbs). A diversidade antigênica da proteína PorB forma a base do método de sorotipagem, todavia, o atual painel de MAbs utilizados, sub-estima em no mínimo 50% a diversidade desta proteína devido a falta de reagentes para as várias regiões variáveis (VRs) da proteína PorB ou porque várias variantes das VRs não são reagentes com os MAbs disponíveis. Nós analisamos o uso de sondas de oligonucleotídeos para caracterizar os sorotipos 10 e 19 de N. meningitidis. O gene porB da cepa protótipo do sorotipo 10 foi sequenciado e alinhado com outras 7 sequências de diferentes sorotipos, e as individuais VRs foram então analisadas. Os resultados com as sondas 21U (VR1-A) e 615U (VR3-B) contra 72 cepas de N. meningitidis confirmaram que VR1-A e VR3-B codificam epítopos para os MAbs 19 e 10 respectivamente. É possível o uso de sondas para a caracterização dos sorotipos e podemos tipar 100% da diversidade da VR do gene porB. Trata-se de um método simples, rápido, e especialmente útil para a análise de um grande número de amostras.

326 samples of diarrheal feces obtained from children whose ages ranged from zero to 5 years, admitted in two rehydration hospitals in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, were analyzed. Feces were placed in Cary-Blair medium (4 degrees C) for shipment to the laboratory. There was no difference in the rate of bacteria isolation if the samples were analyzed within the period from 3 to 7 days of collection. 19.02% of the analyzed samples were positives for at least one of the searched bacteria, 26 Salmonella belonging to 3 species, 21 classic enteropathogenic E. coli, 1 invasive E. coli, 10 Shigella belonging to 3 serotypes and 1 Yersinia enterocolitica were found.

Com o intuito de se obter marcadores epidemiológicos, foram analisadas 240 amostras de S. agona isoladas de diferentes fontes (humana, alimentar e ambiental) oriundas de cinco Estados brasileiros (MG,SP,RJ,PE e RS). O sestudo da sensibilidade a 15 antimicrobianos e codificação numérica dos perfis de resistência propiciou o reconhecimento de 56 biotipos antimicrobianos, enquanto foram evidenciadas 40 amostras produtoras de colicina, pertencentes aos tipos: Ia (55%); B (32,5%), Ib (10%) e não tipável (2,5%). A aplicação desses elementos numa diferenciação intra-sorotipo é discutida. With the purpose of characterizing epidemiologic markers, 240 strains of S. agona isolated from differents sources (man, food and environment) and obtained from five Brazilian States (Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Sul) were analysed. The susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents and numeric codification of the resistance profiles allowed us to recognize 56 antibiotic resistance biotypes, while 40 strains were able to produce colicine, belonging to the types: la (55%); B (32.5%); Ib (10%) and (2.5%). the application of these elements into intra-serotype differentiation is discussed.

De 13.196 coproculturas realizadas durante o triênio 1978-1980 em Recife, Pernambuco, foram isoladas 1.720 salmonelas, das quais 1.387 foram caracterizadas sorologicamente. O estudo global possibilitou o reconhecimento de 63 sorotipos concentrados em primeiro plano no grupo sorológico B (73,18%) e identificando-se como tipos mais incidentes: S. typhimurium, S. saint-paul, S. poona, S. derby, S. agona, S. newport, S. oranienburg, S. infantis, S. tshiongwe e S. ndolo, que representaram 1.231 amostras ou 88,75% do total de isolamentos. Algumas considerações de ordem epidemiológica e bacteriológica são discutidas em relação aos quatros sorotipos mais freqüentes. From 13,196 faecal cultures made in Recife-Pernambuco during the period form 1978 to 1980, 1,720 strains of Salmonella were isolated. Serological typing on 1,387 of the isolates recognized 63 serotypes, 73,18% of which belonged to group B. The prevalent serotypes adding up to 1,231 strains (88,75% of the total of the isolats) were: S. typhimurium, S. saint-paul, S. poona, S. derby, S. agona, S. newport, S. oraniengurg, S. infantis, S. tshiongwe and S. ndolo. Some epidemiological and bacteriological aspects are discussed regarding the four commonest serotypes.

A investigação teve por objetivo a avaliação de resistência a drogas dessa importante salmonela de distribuição cosmopolita. Nesse sentido, analisou-se a resistência a antibióticos e quimioterápicos de 240 amostras de S.agona isoladas de diferentes fontes (humana, alimentar e ambiental) provenientes de cinco estados brasileiros (MG, SP, RJ, PE e RS). Paralelamente, determinou-se a presença de fatores R em 26 estirpes representativas da amostragem. The object of the investigation was the evaluation of the susceptibility to antibiotic and chemotherapeutic agents of 240 strains of Salmonella agona isolated from differents sources (human, food and environment) obtained from five Brazilian states (Minas Gerais, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Pernambuco and Rio Grande do Sul). The presence of R factors in 26 representative strains of the sample was also determined.