A kit based on an enzyme immunoassay, EIE-Recombinant-Chagas-Biomanguinhos, developed (syphilis, n=8; HTLV, n=8; HCV, n=7 and HBV, n=12)

In a study of university students, the percentage nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus was 40.8% (102/250). Of the isolates, MIC(50) of methicillin was 0.5 µg/mL and MIC(90) was 1 µg/mL. Six (5.8%) isolates were methicillin-resistant and carried the mecA gene. These results suggest that community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus may be spreading in Brazil.

In a study of university students, the percentage nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus was 40.8% (102/250). Of the isolates, MIC 50 of methicillin was 0.5 µg/mL and MIC 90 was 1 µg/mL. Six (5.8%) isolates were methicillin-resistant and carried the mecA gene. These results suggest that communityassociated methicillin-resistant S. aureus may be spreading in Brazil.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the leading causes of infections acquired in both community and hospital settings. In this study, MRSA isolated from different sources of hospitalized patients was characterized by molecular and phenotypic methods. Methodology: A total of 123 S. aureus isolates were characterized according to their genetic relatedness by repetitive element sequence based-PCR (REP-PCR), in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility profile, SCCmec typing and presence of seven virulence factor-encoding genes. Results: REP-PCR fingerprinting showed low relatedness between the isolates, and the predominance of one specific lineage or clonal group was not observed. All isolates were susceptible to teicoplanin and linezolide. All isolates were resistant to cefoxitin and penicillin, and the majority were also resistant to one or more other antimicrobials. Fifty isolates (41.7%) were intermediately resistant to vancomycin. Most isolates harbored SCCmec type II (53.7%), followed by type I (22.8%), type IV (8.1%) and type III (1.6%). All isolates harbored at least two virulence factor-encoding genes, and the prevalence was as follows: coa, 100%; icaA, 100%; hla, 13.0%; hlb, 91.1%, hld, 91.1%; lukS-PV and lukF-PV, 2.4%; and tst, 34.1%. A positive association with the presence of hla and SCCmec type II, and tst and SCCmec type I was observed. Conclusion: This study showed the high virulence potential of multidrug-resistant MRSA circulating in a teaching hospital. A high prevalence of MRSA showing intermediate vancomycin resistance was also observed, indicating the urgent need to improve strategies for controlling the use of antimicrobials for appropriate management of S. aureus infections.

Introduction: The mother plays a fundamental role in the constitution and regulation of her child's healthy microbiota, however, preterm newborns are separated from their mothers soon after birth and transferred to Neonatal Intensive Care Units, being exposed the constant risk for the development of multidrug-resistant microorganisms’ infections. The aim of this study was to explore the multidrug-resistant microorganism colonization of hospitalized babies and their mothers in the neonatal unit context. Methodology: A prospective case study conducted with hospitalized babies and their mothers in the Neonatal Unit at a university hospital. The sample was composed of 433 binomials (mother-child). Colonization culture samples were taken at the moment of the baby’s discharge, via two swabs in the oral, nasal, axillary, inguinal, and rectal regions. Results: The colonization incidence among the binomials, 30 (6.9%) were both colonized by multi-resistant microorganisms. Mothers of colonized babies (24.4%) demonstrated a higher chance of colonization in comparison to mothers of non-colonized babies (11.9%) (p = 0.002). Relationships were drawn between baby colonization and prematurity, extremely low birth weight, and non-exclusive maternal breastfeeding (p<0.05). ESBL-producing Gram-negative microorganisms were more frequent in the cultures of the binomials, with 35.9% of the babies colonized with Klebsiella spp. ESBL and 42.0% of the mothers with Escherichia coli ESBL. Furthermore, 50% of the binomials were colonized with E. coli ESBL. Conclusion: The prematurity, extremely low birth weight, and non-exclusive breastfeeding at hospital discharge were associated with baby colonization by multidrug-resistant microorganism. Furthermore, mothers of colonized children presented higher chances of colonization.