(1) Background: Hybrid uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) strains carry virulence markers of the diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) pathotypes, which may increase their virulence potential. This study analyzed the frequency and virulence potential of hybrid strains among 452 UPEC strains. (2) Methods: Strains were tested for the DEC virulence diagnostic genes’ presence by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Those carrying at least one gene were classified as hybrid and further tested for 10 UPEC and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) virulence genes and phylogenetic classification. Also, their ability to produce hemolysis, adhere to HeLa and renal HEK 293T cells, form a biofilm, and antimicrobial susceptibility were evaluated. (3) Results: Nine (2%) hybrid strains were detected; seven of them carried aggR and two, eae, and were classified as UPEC/EAEC (enteroaggregative E. coli) and UPEC/aEPEC (atypical enteropathogenic E. coli), respectively. They belonged to phylogroups A (five strains), B1 (three), and D (one), and adhered to both cell lineages tested. Only the UPEC/EAEC strains were hemolytic (five strains) and produced biofilm. One UPEC/aEPEC strain was resistant to third-generation cephalosporins and carried blaCTX-M-15. (4) Conclusions: Our findings contribute to understanding the occurrence and pathogenicity of hybrid UPEC strains, which may cause more severe infections.

Hybrid strains of Escherichia coli combine virulence traits of diarrheagenic (DEC) and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC), but it is poorly understood whether these combined features improve the virulence potential of such strains. We have previously identified a uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain (UPEC 252) harboring the eae gene that encodes the adhesin intimin and is located in the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) pathogenicity island. The LEE-encoded proteins allow enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) to form attaching and effacing (A/E) lesions in enterocytes. We sought to characterize UPEC 252 through whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic virulence assays. Genome analysis unveiled that this strain harbors a complete LEE region, with more than 97% of identity comparing to E2348/69 (EPEC) and O157:H7 Sakai (EHEC) prototype strains, which was functional, since UPEC 252 expressed the LEE-encoded proteins EspB and intimin and induced actin accumulation foci in HeLa cells. Phylogenetic analysis performed comparing 1,000 single-copy shared genes clustered UPEC 252 with atypical EPEC strains that belong to the sequence type 10, phylogroup A. Additionally, UPEC 252 was resistant to the bactericidal power of human serum and colonized cells of the urinary (T24 and HEK293-T) and intestinal (Caco-2 and LS174T) tracts. Our findings suggest that UPEC 252 is an atypical EPEC strain that emerges as a hybrid strain (aEPEC/UPEC), which could colonize new niches and potentially cause intestinal and extraintestinal infections.

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RESUMONos últimos anos é visível o aumento no consumo de medicamentos psicotrópicos, dentre eles o metilfenidato, que em muitos casos são utilizados por universitários afim de melhorar o aprendizado. O presente estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar o perfil do uso de metilfenidato entre acadêmicos de um centro universitário localizado no interior do estado de Rondônia. Constituíram o estudo 150 acadêmicos oriundos dos cursos de biomedicina, enfermagem e farmácia. Houve predominância do sexo feminino, a maior parte dos entrevistados já haviacursado a disciplina de farmacologia, no entanto apenas 48%souberam definir medicamentos psicotrópicos. Com relação ao uso de metilfenidato 18% afirmaram já tê-lo praticado, sendo que desses 45% o adquiriram com receita médica. O principal motivo de uso foi para melhoria do aprendizado (85%), onde a maioria dos acadêmicos afirmou terem alcançado o efeito desejado, apesar de 59% relataram efeitos adversos. Os dados obtidos evidenciam a utilização do metilfenidato para obtenção de melhora no desempenho estudantil, tendência observada em outros estudos, que tem trazido preocupação no contexto de Saúde Pública. Palavras-chave: Psicotrópicos. Universitários. Metilfenidato. Uso irracional. Aprimoramento cognitivo. ABSTRACTIn recent years visible is the increase in consumption of psychotropic drugs, including methylphenidate, which in many cases are used by students to improve learning. This study aimed to characterize the profile of the use of methylphenidate among academics of a university located in the state of Rondonia. They constituted the study 150 students coming from biomedicine courses, nursing and pharmacy. Patients were predominantly female, the majority of respondents had taken the course of pharmacology, however only 48% could define psychotropic medications. Regarding the use of methylphenidate 18% said they already have it practiced, and of these 45% have purchased it with a prescription. The main reason for usage was to improve learning (85%), where most of the scholars said they have achieved the desired effect, while 59% reported adverse effects. The data show the use of methylphenidate to obtain improvement in student performance, trend observed in other studies, which have brought concern the public health context. Keywords: Psychotropics. University.Methylphenidate.Irrational Use. CognitiveImprovement. INTRODUÇÃO