In fish, bacteriosis has been widely linked with Aeromonas species, but co‐infection by these bacteria has been little addressed. The aims of this study were to report on an outbreak of disease in pirarucu Arapaima gigas caused by Aeromonas and to investigate experimental co‐infection and characterize resistance profile, virulence factors and phenotypic and molecular differentiation. Fish samples with clinical signs of bacteriosis were collected and used to study experimental co‐infection. The bacterial isolates were characterized phenotypically as Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas jandaei. Virulence genes aerA, gcat, lip, dnase and hlyA were detected using the polymerase chain reaction, while the alt, act and ser genes were not found. Resistance to imipenem and ceftriaxone was observed; however, all isolates were susceptible to most of the antibiotics assayed. Phenotypic tests to determine the presence of metallo‐β‐lactamases showed positivity only for A. jandaei strains. Assays for the resistance genes kpc, ndm, imp, oxa‐48 and vim showed negative results. The co‐infection and pathogenicity of A. hydrophila in association with A. jandaei in A. gigas, established in accordance with Koch's postulate, provided experimental support for the existence of synergism between these bacteria. This has several implications relating to occurrences of this co‐infection and determinants of virulence.

The increasing prevalence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli in distinct ecological niches, comprising water sources and food-producing animals, such as fish species, has been widely reported. In the present study, quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates from Arapirama gigas, a major fish species in the Brazilian Amazon rivers and fish farms, were characterized regarding their antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence, and genetic diversity. A total of forty (40) specimens of A. gigas, including 20 farmed and 20 wild fish, were included. Thirty-four quinolone-resistant E. coli isolates were phenotypically tested by broth microdilution, while resistance and virulence genes were detected by PCR. Molecular epidemiology and genetic relatedness were analyzed by MLST and PFGE typing. The majority of isolates were classified as MDR and detected harboring blaCTX-M, qnrA and qnrB genes. Enterotoxigenic E. coli pathotype (ETEC) isolates were presented in low prevalence among farmed animals. MLST and PFGE genotyping revealed a wide genetic background, including the detection of internationally spread clones. The obtained data point out A. gigas as a reservoir in Brazilian Amazon aquatic ecosystems and warns of the interference of AMR strains in wildlife and environmental matrices.

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A adoção de práticas fraudulentas é comum na cadeia produtiva do mel e está associada à popularidade desse alimento e a dificuldade de detecção da adulteração do produto a olho nu ou por degustação. O objetivo deste trabalho foi verificar se práticas fraudulentas são adotadas em méis comercializados no estado do Pará. Para a realização da pesquisa, 14 amostras comerciais de méis provenientes de 06 (seis) municípios, no estado do Pará foram submetidas às análises Lund, Fiehe, Lugol e melissopalinologia. Os resultados obtidos demostraram que 57,14% das amostras apresentaram alteração do precipitado para reação de Lund, indicando alteração no teor proteico. A coloração o azul intenso na reação de Lugol foi observada em 64,28% das amostras, indicando possível adição de amido. Ainda, 85,71% das amostras analisadas apresentaram mudança de coloração para a reação de Fiehe, indicando alteração no teor de hidroximetilfurfural. O conteúdo polínico foi observado em somente 35,71% das amostras e apenas 2,42% do total das amostras analisadas foram consideradas autenticas mediante as análises realizadas. Concluímos que os testes de autenticidade, quando aplicados em conjunto, foram capazes de detectar fraudes nas mostras de mel comercializadas no estado do Pará e que adulterações nos méis comercialmente disponíveis na região alvo do estudo são uma realidade.

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Introduction: The garrafadas, mixtures of plants with medicinal purposes conveyed in alcoholic beverages, do not have regulation and, for being presented with many therapeutic indications and no contraindication, they can be risky for the population. Methods: For this reason, the objective of this study was to evaluate the Brix degree°, evaluate the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, analyze the chemical characteristics pH and mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS) and evaluate the label of syrup samples and garrafadas suspicious of adulteration seized by police. Results: The degree Brix° value of the samples was within the standards. The chemical analysis of the pH of the garrafadas and syrups samples obtained acid pH values, which can cause chemical instability on the components. Through the mass spectrometry, it was possible to detect some fragments of compounds related to the plants described on the labels, and no synthetic chemicals or drugs of abuse were found. The result of the microbiological evaluation detected Staphylococcus spp. in 4 samples, and, in 2 syrups, fungus growth occurred, beeing for fungi the growth were within limits established in the Farmacopeia Brasileira for this microorganism. In only four of the twelve samples evaluated, it was possible to detect mass fragments related to chemical substances of the plants described on the labels of the packages and most of them was made up of sugars only. Conclusions: Based on the results found, these products are not safe for consumers, as there is no way to guarantee their safety and efficacy.