Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains express non-fimbrial surface proteins able to recognize and bind to specific host cells receptors. Protein extracts were obtained from bacterial cells by mechanical process and ammonium sulfate precipitation at 25 and 45% (w/v) saturation. SDS-PAGE analysis of the extracts detected two polypeptide bands of 67 and 72 kDa, named 67-72 p. The 67-72 p, rabbit anti-67-72 p IgG antibodies as well as human gastric mucin, N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetyl D-glucosamine molecules were able to inhibit bacterial hemagglutination. Hemagglutination assays using 67-72 p-coated latex beads and Western blot analysis of biotin-labeled 67-72 p and erythrocyte receptors demonstrated the binding of 67-72 p to human erythrocyte membranes. Immunolabeled colloidal gold-A protein transmission electron microscopy using anti-67-72 p revealed a diffuse distribution of non-fimbrial 67-72 p on the surface of C. diphtheriae strains of both sucrose-fermenting and non-fermenting biotypes. Non-fimbrial lectin-like surface 67-72 p may play a role as adhesins in bacterial attachment thereby facilitating the early steps in pathogenesis of both toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae. ß 2001 Published by Elsevier Science B.V. on behalf of the Federation of European Microbiological Societies.

It is well known that strain and virulence diversity exist within the population structure of Porphyromonas gingivalis. In the present study we investigate intra- and inter-species variability in biofilm formation of Porphyromonas gingivalis and partners Prevotella intermedia and Prevotella nigrescens. All strains tested showed similar hydrophobicity, except for P. gingivalis W83 which has roughly half of the hydrophobicity of P. gingivalis ATCC33277. An intraspecies variability in coaggregation of P. gingivalis with P. intermedia was also found. The association P. gingivalis W83/P. intermedia 17 produced the thickest biofilm and strain 17 was prevalent. In a two-compartment system P. gingivalis W83 stimulates an increase in biomass of strain 17 and the latter did not stimulate the growth of P. gingivalis W83. In addition, P. gingivalis W83 also stimulates the growth of P. intermedia ATCC25611 although strain W83 was prevalent in the association with P. intermedia ATCC25611. P. gingivalis ATCC33277 was prevalent in both associations with P. intermedia and both strains of P. intermedia stimulate the growth of P. gingivalis ATCC33277. FISH images also showed variability in biofilm structure. Thus, the outcome of the association P. gingivalis/P. intermedia seems to be strain-dependent, and both soluble factors and physical contact are relevant. The association P. gingivalis-P. nigrescens ATCC33563 produced larger biomass than each monotypic biofilm, and P. gingivalis was favored in consortia, while no differences were found in the two-compartment system. Therefore, in consortia P. gingivalis-P. nigrescens physical contact seems to favor P. gingivalis growth. The intraspecies variability found in our study suggests strain-dependence in ability of microorganisms to recognize molecules in other bacteria which may further elucidate the dysbiosis event during periodontitis development giving additional explanation for periodontal bacteria, such as P. gingivalis and P. intermedia, among others, to persist and establish chronic infections in the host.

Aeromonas spp. are associated with intestinal and extra-intestinal infections. However, the virulence factors of A. caviae remain, for the most part, poorly known. This study examined the interactions involved in the adherence of A. caviae isolates Ae56, Ae391 and Ae398 to HEp-2 cells. All strains expressed high levels of aggregative adherence. Maximum adhesion occurred with bacteria grown at 228C, but transmission electron microscopy did not reveal the presence of ®mbrial structures on the bacterial cell surface. Outer-membrane proteins (OMPs) extracted from isolate Ae398, grown at 228C and 378C, showed similar SDS-PAGE protein pro®les. Most proteins were < 60 kDa. A major 43-kDa protein was seen only in the boiled OMP extract. The biotinylated 43-kDa protein bound speci®cally to HEp-2 cells. Microbeads coated with the 43-kDa protein were also adherent to HEp-2 cells, and anti-43-kDa protein antibody blocked adherence of 43-kDa protein-coated latex beads. These data suggest that the 43-kDa OMP functions as an adhesin in A. caviae.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae strains express non-fimbrial surface proteins able to recognize and bind to specific host cells receptors. Protein extracts were obtained from bacterial cells by mechanical process and ammonium sulfate precipitation at 25 and 45% (w/v) saturation. SDS-PAGE analysis of the extracts detected two polypeptide bands of 67 and 72 kDa, named 67-72 p. The 67-72 p, rabbit anti-67-72 p IgG antibodies as well as human gastric mucin, N-acetylneuraminic acid and N-acetyl D-glucosamine molecules were able to inhibit bacterial hemagglutination. Hemagglutination assays using 67-72 p-coated latex beads and Western blot analysis of biotin-labeled 67-72 p and erythrocyte receptors demonstrated the binding of 67-72 p to human erythrocyte membranes. Immunolabeled colloidal gold-A protein transmission electron microscopy using anti-67-72 p revealed a diffuse distribution of non-fimbrial 67-72 p on the surface of C. diphtheriae strains of both sucrose-fermenting and non-fermenting biotypes. Non-fimbrial lectin-like surface 67-72 p may play a role as adhesins in bacterial attachment thereby facilitating the early steps in pathogenesis of both toxigenic and non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae.

Objetivo: analisar o potencial de formigas como veículos mecânicos de bactérias do gênero Staphylococcus aureus no centro cirúrgico e unidade de terapia intensiva de um hospital público. Metodologia: trata-se de um estudo descritivo. As formigas foram coletadas utilizando-se iscas atrativas que ficavam expostas por três horas sendo, após a exposição, incubadas por 24h a 35ºC. A susceptibilidade aos antimicrobianos foi analisada através da técnica de disco-difusão. Os isolados de Cocos gram-positivos foram submetidos a Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase e observado os genes nuc, mecA blaZ e icaAD. Resultados: foram coletadas 592 formigas pertencentes à espécie Tapinoma melanocephalum e Pheidole sp. Todos os isolados apresentaram o gene mecA, 93,7% apresentaram resultado positivo para o gene blaZ e 12,5% para o gene icaA e icaD. Sete isolados apresentaram multirresistência. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que as formigas podem agir como veiculadoras de bactérias multirresistentes no ambiente hospitalar. Abstract Objective: to analyze the potential of ants as mechanical vehicles of bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus Aureus in the surgical center and intensive care unit of a public hospital. Methodology: this was a descriptive study. The ants were collected using attractive baits that were exposed for three hours and, after exposure, incubated for 24 hours at 35ºC. The susceptibility to antimicrobials was analyzed using the disk-diffusion technique. Gram-positive Cocos isolates were subjected to Polymerase Chain Reaction and the nuc, mecA blaZ and icaAD genes were observed. Results: 592 ants belonging to the species Tapinoma melanocephalum and Pheidole sp. All isolates showed the mecA gene, 93.7% were positive for the blaZ gene and 12.5% for the icaA and icaD gene. Seven isolates showed multidrug resistance. Conclusion: the results suggest that ants can act as carriers of multidrug-resistant bacteria in the hospital environment.

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A procura por novos recursos pedagógicos vem crescendo com o passar do tempo, pois nos dias de hoje se faz necessário desvencilhar-se de uma proposta pedagógica desatualizada. É de suma importância que os docentes reconheçam que o modo de ensinar mudou e que aquele modo de aprendizado apenas por repetição não surte o efeito esperado nos educandos, ocasionado assim insucesso na aprendizagem.  Há uma percepção geral na educação que grande parte desse insucesso é consequência das más propostas pedagógicas institucionalizadas. Essa não é apenas uma realidade do ensino básico; notamos que o ensino superior também passa pelo mesmo problema: proposta pedagógica ultrapassada. Refletindo por essa vertente, será de grande valia que os docentes comecem a integrar às suas técnicas de ensino novas propostas pedagógicas e alternativas que a complementem e que despertem um interesse maior por parte dos estudantes. Em meio a essas propostas, está à aplicação de jogos como finalidade didática para trazer um embasamento ao conteúdo ministrado. Sendo assim, esse trabalho vem mostrar a importância que os jogos didáticos podem trazer ao aprendizado dos educandos no ensino superior, em particular na disciplina de microbiologia. A utilização de jogos didáticos na microbiologia tem impacto positivo no processo cognitivo, comportamental e afetivo da aprendizagem sobre os estudantes de graduação.

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