Streptococcus agalactiae Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Fluoroquinolone resistance is a growing problem that has only recently emerged in S. agalactiae. Between 2005-2007, WHONET--Argentina network evaluated levofloxacin susceptibility in 1128 clinical S. agalactiae isolates, 10 (0.9%) of which proved to be resistant. Nine of them had come from 5 hospitals (in Buenos Aires City and 4 Argentinean provinces) and recovered from urine (n=7) and vaginal screening cultures (n=2). Three strains were also resistant to macrolides, lincosamides and B streptogramins due to the ermA gene. All nine fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates bore the same two mutations, Ser79Phe in ParC and Ser81Leu in GyrA proteins. Genetic relationships were analyzed by Apal-PFGE and two clones were determined, A (n=6) and B (n=3). To our knowledge, these are the first fluoroquinolone-resistant S. agalactiae isolates detected in Latin America.

- by and +1
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- Argentina, Anti-Bacterial Agents, Streptococcus agalactiae, Fluoroquinolones
- by Concetta Beninati and +1
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- Microbiology, Macrophages, Signal Transduction, Mice

Objective To compare the cost-effectiveness of an additional 24-hour inpatient observation for asymptomatic term neonates born to group B streptococcus (GBS) -colonised mothers with adequate intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP) after... more

- by Mitchell Berger
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- Decision Trees, Pregnancy, United States, Antibiotic Prophylaxis

A series of experiments were conducted to determine the toxicity, behavior, blood glucose stress response, and disease susceptibility in Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus following un-ionized ammonia (UIA) exposure. The acute toxicity of un-ionized ammonia to Nile tilapia was measured in a 96-h static test. The median lethal concentration (LC50) was 1.46 mg/L UIA at 24 and 48 h postexposure, 1.33 mg/ L at 72 h postexposure, and 0.98 mg/L at 96 h postexposure. No mortalities were noted in unexposed (0 mg/ L) control fish or fish exposed to 0.5 mg/L UIA. However, 93-100% mortalities were observed within 24 h among fish exposed to 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0 mg/L UIA. In additional UIA exposure experiments, Nile tilapia were exposed to sublethal concentrations (0.32-0.37 mg/L UIA) for 24 h and then administered an intraperitoneal injection with 750 colony-forming units (CFU) of Streptococcus agalactiae per fish. Mortalities of UIAexposed and control fish were not significantly different 21 d postchallenge. Blood glucose levels were not significantly different between exposed and control fish 24 h after the beginning of UIA exposure or between preexposure fish and 24-h postexposure fish. Glucose levels in both groups increased significantly after UIA exposure and subsequent bacterial challenge, suggesting that Nile tilapia experienced handling or infection stress and not necessarily UIA exposure stress alone. During a time course study with 24-h UIA exposure, sequential blood glucose samples indicated acute stress responses 1-4 h postexposure that decreased by 24 h postexposure. The results of this study indicate that exposure to increased UIA concentrations alone had acute, transient effects on stress responses in Nile tilapia and that 24-h exposure to sublethal UIA concentrations up to 0.37 mg/L did not increase susceptibility to S. agalactiae.

- by Gregg Brill
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- Disease susceptibility, Blood Glucose, Stress response, Fisheries Sciences
- by Alejandra McCartney
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- Pregnancy, BMJ, Streptococcus agalactiae

The present study evaluates the effects of dietary kefir and low molecular weight sodium alginate (LWMSA) (singular or combined) on non-specific immune response, disease resistance and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Fish with average weight of 18.60 ± 0.04 g were supplied and randomly stocked in sixteen glass tanks (150 L) at density of 20 fish per tank. Fish were fed experimental diets as follows: 0 g kg À1 LMWSA (Control, Diet 1), 10 g kg À1 LMWSA (Diet 2), 40 g kg À1 kefir (Diet 3), and 10 g kg À1 LMWSA þ 40 g kg À1 kefir (Diet 4) for 50 days. At the end of the feeding trial, serum lysozyme (SL), phagocytosis (PI), respiratory burst (RB), and alternative complement (ACH50) activities as well as growth performance were measured. Singular and combined administration of kefir and low molecular weight sodium alginate (LMWSA) significantly increased serum SL, PI, RB, and ACH50 activities compared control group (P < 0.05); the highest innate immune responses were observed in fish fed combinational diet (kefir þ LMWSA) (P < 0.05). The results of experimental challenge revealed significantly higher resistance against Streptococcus agalactiae in fish fed supplemented diets and the highest post challenge survival rate was observed in synbiotic diet (P < 0.05). Similar results obtained in case of growth parameters. Feeding on supplemented diet significantly improved SGR and FCR and the highest growth parameters was observed in fish fed synbiotic diet (P < 0.05). These finding revealed that combined administration of dietary kefir and LMWSA can be considered for improving immune response, disease resistance and growth performance of Nile tilapia.

- by Wanaporn Tapingkae
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- Zoology, Probiotics, Biology, Diet

bifásico instantáneo (LBI) para la detección de SGB. Se tomaron muestras vaginales con torunda de 300 mujeres, se inocularon las torundas en LB, LBI o en caldo Todd-Hewitt, y se analizaron los resultados con el sistema ATB (método de comparación). RESULTADOS. La prevalencia de SGB fue del 20% (61/300). Los medios LB y Todd-Hewitt con ATB detectaron SGB en el 20% de mujeres, y el medio LBI en el 19%. No se observó crecimiento a las 4 h en ninguno de los medios estudiados. A las 10 y 14 h se pudo identificar SGB en 43/300 (14%) y en 53/300 (18%) de los cultivos en LBI, respectivamente, y en 32/300 (11%) y en 46/300 (15%) de los cultivos en LB. CONCLUSIÓN. Todos los medios usados son adecuados para la detección de SGB. La mayoría de SGB se identificaron en LBI y en LB a las 10 y a las 14 h.

- by Rita Castro
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- Medical Microbiology, Pregnancy, Newborn Infant, Streptococcus agalactiae

A novel method for the sequential experimental design in order to optimize fed-batch fermentations was applied to a hyaluronidase fermentation by Streptococcus agalactiae. A ⌳-optimal design was introduced to minimize the model parameter estimation error and to maximize the performance of the fermentation process. The method employs hybrid models that contain mechanistic, fuzzy and neural network components.

- by Reinhard Guthke
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- Experimental Design, Neural Network, Environmental Biotechnology, Optimization

A method is described which permits the adaption of ELISA techniques for measurement of antibody against bacteria~ polysaccharides. First, the polysaccharide antigen is covalently bound to poly-L-lysine, using cyanuric chloride as the coupling agent. The poly-L-lysine then adsorbs to the walls of plastic tubes, thus immobilizing the polysaccharide coupled to the poly-L-lysine. The method is simple, rapid, and utilizes small amounts of polysaccharide antigen.

- by Brian Gray
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- Immunology, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Adsorption, Methods

The goal of the North American Urinary Tract Infection Collaborative Alliance (NAUTICA) study was to determine antibiotic susceptibility to commonly used agents for urinary tract infections against outpatient urinary isolates obtained in various geographic regions in the USA and Canada. Forty-one medical centres (30 from the USA and 11 from Canada) participated, with each centre submitting up to 50 consecutive outpatient midstream urine isolates. Isolates were identified to species level by the standard protocol of each laboratory. Susceptibility testing was determined using the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) microdilution method. Resistance breakpoints used were those published by the NCCLS, including: ampicillin (resistant ≥32 μg/mL), sulphamethoxazole/trimethoprim (SMX/TMP) (resistant ≥4 μg/mL), nitrofurantoin (resistant ≥128 μg/mL), ciprofloxacin (resistant ≥4 μg/mL) and levofloxacin (resistant ≥8 μg/mL). Of the 1990 isolates collected, 75.1% (1494) were collected from the USA and 24.9% (496) were collected from Canada. The mean age of the patients was 48.3 years (range 1 month to 99 years), and 79.5% and 20.5% of isolates were obtained from women and men, respectively. The most common organisms were Escherichia coli (57.5%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.4%), Enterococcus spp. (6.6%), Proteus mirabilis (5.4%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2.9%), Citrobacter spp. (2.7%), Staphylococcus aureus (2.2%), Enterobacter cloacae (1.9%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (1.3%), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (1.2%), Klebsiella spp. (1.2%), Enterobacter aerogenes (1.1%) and Streptococcus agalactiae (1.0%). Among all 1990 isolates, 45.9% were resistant to ampicillin, 20.4% to SMX/TMP, 14.3% to nitrofurantoin, 9.7% to ciprofloxacin and 8.1% to levofloxacin. Fluoroquinolone resistance was highest in patients ≥65 years of age. For the 1142 E. coli isolates, resistance rates were: ampicillin 37.7%, SMX/TMP 21.3%, ciprofloxacin 5.5%, levofloxacin 5.1% and nitrofurantoin 1.1%. For all 1990 isolates and for the 1142 E. coli only, resistance rates were significantly higher in US compared with Canadian medical centres. This study reports higher rates of antibiotic resistance in US versus Canadian outpatient urinary isolates and demonstrates the continuing evolution of resistance to antimicrobial agents.

- by Jack Johnson
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- Medical Microbiology, Adolescent, Antibiotic Resistance, Child

Group B streptococcus (GBS) remains worldwide a leading cause of severe neonatal disease. Since the end of the 1990s, various strategies for prevention of the early onset neonatal disease have been implemented and have evolved. When a universal antenatal GBS screening-based strategy is used to identify women who are given an intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis, a substantial reduction of incidence up to 80% has been reported in the USA as in other countries including European countries. However recommendations are still a matter of debate due to challenges and controversies on how best to identify candidates for prophylaxis and to drawbacks of intrapartum administration of antibiotics. In Europe, some countries recommend either antenatal GBS screening or risk-based strategies, or any combination, and others do not have national or any other kind of guidelines for prevention of GBS perinatal disease. Furthermore, accurate population-based data of incidence of GBS neonatal disease are not available in some countries and hamper good effectiveness evaluation of prevention strategies. To facilitate a consensus towards European guidelines for the management of pregnant women in labor and during pregnancy for the prevention of GBS perinatal disease, a conference was organized in 2013 with a group of experts in neonatology, gynecologyobstetrics and clinical microbiology coming from European representative countries. The group reviewed available data, identified areas where results were suboptimal, where revised procedures and new technologies could improve current practices for prevention of perinatal GBS disease. The key decision issued after the conference is to recommend intrapartum antimicrobial prophylaxis based on a universal intrapartum GBS screening strategy using a rapid real time testing.

- by M. Hod
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- Pregnancy, Europe, Antibiotic Prophylaxis, Newborn Infant

Streptococcus agalactiae, group B streptococci (GBS) is the leading cause of severe bacterial infections in newborns. GBS expression studies allowed the identification and characterization of virulence factors and a better understanding of the host-pathogen-environment interactions. The measurement of transcript levels by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) is a widely used technique in GBS; however, a systematic evaluation and validation of reference gene stability for normalization purposes in GBS expression studies is currently lacking. Therefore, we analyzed the stability of 10 candidate reference genes (16SrRNA, glcK, glnA, groEL, gyrA, recA, rpoB, rpsL, sdhA and tkt) in three GBS prototype strains (O90R, NEM316 and 2603V/R) grown at different temperature conditions (37°C and 40°C). Our approach was based on the calibration of transcript levels from each gene against the number of bacteria from the same sample (ratio messenger RNA/genomic DNA). As a complementary analysis, reference gene stability was also investigated through the bioinformatic applications, geNorm and NormFinder. Considering the whole GBS development cycle, only a minority of genes were stable under both growth conditions, but this number increased when restricting the analysis to the logarithmic time-points. The range of stable genes was higher at 37°C, where recA and sdhA were stable simultaneously for the three strains, and six out of 10 genes were stable for at least two strains. At 40°C, recA showed up again as one of the best options, suggesting its potential use as reference gene in future qRT-PCR studies. The results generated with geNorm and NormFinder were consistent with those obtained experimentally and evidenced minor variations either among strains or temperature conditions. In conclusion, the fluctuation of expression of reference genes observed among different GBS strains and growth conditions highlights the importance of carefully validating, for each experimental scenario, the use of reference genes for qRT-PCR normalization purposes. Nevertheless, recA seems to be a good candidate for such optimizations.

- by Maria José Palma Borrego
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- Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Gene expression, Transcriptome

Group B streptococcus is not often isolated by gynaecologists when a clinical diagnosis of cervicitis is made. I report on a patient suffering from cervicitis and urethritis caused by this organism, whose symptoms completely resolved... more

Determination of growth ratc of streptococci of serological group B at early logarythmic phase by measuring optical density of the growth medium and by measuring the change of conductivity of the culture fluid appeared to be closely related to the serotype of the respective cultures. Most of the human and bovine group B streptococci with type patterns Ia/c, 11, I11 and IV exhibited clearly visible growth of the culture medium after 4 h incubation and changed the conductivity of the culture fluid to a point defined as time to detection within 4 h. No comparable growth could be observed with most of the cultures possessing type antigens R and X, either alone, or in combination with polysaccharide antigens. The importance of type specific capsule sialylation to the growth rate of the bacteria could be additionally shown with two group B streptococci of serotype 111 and their transposon mutagenized asialo capsular mutants. Both sialylated wild-type group B streptococci grew much quicker than their asialo capsular mutants. The results from additional experiments revealed that the growth velocity seemed to be significantly related to the chain length of the bacteria, to growth patterns of the group B streptococci in fluid media and soft agar and to the surface hydrophobicity of the bacteria. Determination of growth rate at early logarythmic phase could be used to predict various degrees of capsular sialylation of group B streptococci. This might help to understand the pathogenicity of individual group B streptococcal isolates in clinical cases.

- by I Wayan Teguh Wibawan
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- Biological Sciences, Cattle, Streptococcus agalactiae, Culture Media

c Service de gynécologie obstétrique, centre hospitalier universitaire de Lomé, Togo Reçu le 7 mai 2003 ; accepté le 11 février 2005 Disponible sur internet le 25 mars 2005 Résumé L'infection bactérienne reste une cause majeure de morbidité et de mortalité. Objectif. -Déterminer l'écologie bactérienne et les états génitaux pathologiques chez la femme enceinte au dernier trimestre de la grossesse et les germes responsables de septicémie précoce du nouveau-né, afin d'évaluer le risque infectieux maternofoetal et adapter une antibioprophylaxie. Méthode. -Les prélèvements vaginaux et endocervicaux réalisés en général au premier trimestre de la grossesse, ont été différés et effectués au dernier. Un examen macroscopique a décrit l'aspect du vagin, du col, des leucorrhées et d'éventuelles lésions inflammatoires ou ulcérations. Un examen microscopique a recherché à l'état frais, des parasites, cellules épithéliales et leucocytes altérés. Les cultures sur milieux adaptés ont été faites après lecture du Gram et score d'évaluation de la flore vaginale. Les aspects cliniques et cytobactériologiques ont permis de définir l'écologie bactérienne et les états génitaux pathologiques. Seul le nouveau-né suspect d'infection ou la mère suspecte d'infection ont subi une exploration de l'infection. Résultats. -Les prélèvements ont été réalisés chez 306 femmes enceintes dont 118 (38,56 %) entre 29 et 32 semaines d'aménorrhée, 104 (34 %) entre 33 et 36, et 84 (27,45 %) entre 37 et 40. Les germes les plus fréquents étaient C. albicans (33,3 %), les entérobactéries (20,3 %) avec E. coli (10,9 %), S. aureus (15,4 %), Gardnerella (13,6 %), et Trichomonas (10,6 %), en portage monomicrobien (79,2 %) ou polymicrobien (20,8 %). Des états génitaux pathologiques à type de vaginite (29,4 %), de vaginose (21,5 %) ou d'endocervicite (10,4 %), un portage bactérien asymptomatique (23,5 %) et une flore génitale normale (15 %) ont été identifiés. L'issue de ces grossesses a donné 334 nouveau-nés dont 27 cas de septicémie néonatale précoce à laquelle l'endocervicite (25 %) et la vaginose (19,7 %) ont été le plus souvent associées.

- by A. Dagnra
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- Newborn Infant, Pregnant Women, Neonatal Sepsis, Bacterial Vaginosis

Numerous recommendations have been addressed this past decade in relation with the frequency and severity of bacterial infections of the newborn induced by maternal-foetal contamination. They are principally aimed at promoting the Streptococcus agalactiae screening and its eradication by a per partum antibiotherapy. In this literature review we attempt to present a synthesis of the successive published French and American recommendations, with a focus on the related drawbacks: difficulty of application, maternal risk in relation with the antibiotherapy, i.e., the emergence of resistant Gram-bacteria, the neonatal risk, since the results of these strategies suggest their likeliness to be inefficacious (outbreak of bacteria-resistant neonatal infections, sepsis onset, use of antibiotherapies with wider spectrum, and increased rate of bacteriaresistant nosocomial infections). Finally we will consider the factors involved in the risk of infection, and propose some types of management.

- by F. Gold and +1
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- Literature Review, Spectrum, Streptococcus agalactiae, Bacterial Infection

Contagious diseases are a threat to animal health and productivity, both nationally and at the farm level. This makes implementation of biosecurity measures to prevent their introduction and spread within countries and farms a necessity. Mastitis is the most common and costly contagious disease affecting dairy farms in the western world. The major mastitis pathogens are endemic in most countries, and biosecurity measures to prevent introduction and transmission must therefore be implemented at farm level. The 40-yr-old mastitis control plan remains a solid foundation to prevent the spread of contagious intramammary infections. Contagious diseases that do not affect the mammary gland directly may have an indirect effect on mastitis. This is true for list A diseases such as foot and mouth disease, for which biosecurity measures may need to be taken at national level, and for other infections with nonmastitis pathogens such as bovine viral diarrhea virus and Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis. Maintaining a closed herd decreases the risk of introduction of pathogens that affect udder health directly or indirectly. If animals are purchased,their udder health history should be evaluated and they should be examined and tested forcontagious diseases. Transmission of infections by and to humans and nonbovine animals mayoccur. Contact with visitors and nonbovine animals should therefore be minimized. Because of globalization and heightened consumer awareness, the importance of biosecurity now supersedesindividual farms, and increased pressure to control transmission of contagious diseases can beexpected at industry or government levels in western countries and elsewhere.

- by Herman W Barkema
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- Health Promotion, Dairy Science, Communicable Diseases, Bovine Mastitis
- by Mario Younan
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- Mastitis, Kenya, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, Camels

The aim of present study was determination effects of dietary administration of C. militaris spent mushroom substrate (SMS) on mucosal and serum immune parameters, disease resistance, and growth performance of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Two hundred twenty five fish of similar weight (37.28 ± 0.10 g) were assigned to the following diets [0 (T1- Control), 5 (T2), 10 (T3), 20 (T4) and 40 g kg(-1) (T5) SMS]. After 60 days of feeding trial, growth performance, skin mucus lysozyme and peroxidase activities as well as serum innate immune were measured. In addition, survival rate and innate immune responses were calculated after challenge test (15 days) against Streptococcus agalactiae. The results revealed that regardless of inclusion levels, feeding Nile tilapia with SMS supplemented diets significantly increased skin mucus lysozyme and peroxidase activities as well as serum immune parameters (SL, ACH50, PI, RB, and RB) compared control group (P < 0.05). The highest incremen...

- by Wanaporn Tapingkae
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- Zoology, Probiotics, Diet, Fish Diseases

A commercially available latex agglutination reagent, Directigen (Hynson, Westcott & Dunning, Div. Becton Dickinson & Co., Baltimore, Md.), in which a murine monoclonal antibody to group B streptococcal (GBS) antigen is the active component, was evaluated by using body fluid specimens from 94 sick infants. Antigen was detected in one or more admission specimens from 18 of 19 (94.7%) infants with symptomatic GBS infection. In 15 patients with GBS meningitis, cerebrospinal fluid, serum, and 10-fold-concentrated urine specimens were positive in 87, 50, and 100%, respectively. GBS antigen was detected in 50% of unconcentrated urines, but in no sera from infants with nonmeningitic GBS sepsis. Among specimens from 27 infants with invasive infection due to organisms other than GBS and from 48 culture-negative sick infants, false-positive latex agglutination reactions occurred in only 4 (9.5%) urine specimens and in no cerebrospinal fluid or serum specimens. The 94.7% sensitivity and specificity of the Directigen GBS test indicate that it is a useful reagent for the rapid diagnosis of invasive GBS infection in young infants.

- by Marcia Rench
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- Clinical Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Infant, Monoclonal Antibodies

This study was conducted to establish guidelines for monitoring bulk tank milk somatic cell count and bacterial counts, and to understand the relationship between different bacterial groups that occur in bulk tank milk. One hundred twenty-six dairy farms in 14 counties of Pennsylvania participated, each providing one bulk tank milk sample every 15 d for 2 mo. The 4 bulk tank milk samples from each farm were examined for bulk tank somatic cell count and bacterial counts including standard plate count, preliminary incubation count, laboratory pasteurization count, coagulase-negative staphylococcal count, environmental streptococcal count, coliform count, and gram-negative noncoliform count. The milk samples were also examined for presence of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Mycoplasma. The bacterial counts of 4 bulk tank milk samples examined over an 8-wk period were averaged and expressed as mean bacterial count per milliliter. The study revealed that an increase ...

- by David Wolfgang
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- Dairy Science, Bovine Mastitis, Animal Production, Staphylococcus aureus

A cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2008 to May 2009 in smallholder dairy farms in and around Hawassa to estimate the prevalence of mastitis, to isolate and characterize major bacterial pathogens, and to identify possible associated factors. The study involved a total of 201 milking cows randomly drawn from smallholder farms. The prevalence of clinical and subclinical mastitis was determined through clinical examination of the udder and using mastitis indicator paper (Bovivet® indicator paper, Kruuse, Denmark). The prevalence of mastitis at cow and quarter level was 30.3 (61/201) and 10.3 (79/766), respectively. Subclinical mastitis was 25.4% and 5.0% was clinical. Stage of lactation significantly affected (P<0.05) the prevalence of mastitis, with the highest prevalence observed in the late stage of lactation (41.3%) as compared to early (25.0%) and mid (22.1%) stages of lactation. Floor type and bedding had association (P<0.05) with mastitis prevalence. Cows housed in concrete-floored houses had lower prevalence (19.0%) of mastitis compared to cows kept in soil-floored houses (47.6%). Mastitis prevalence was low in farms which do not use bedding (23.5%) as compared to farms using hay/straw bedding (37.4%). However, age, parity, and history of mastitis had no association (P>0.05) on the prevalence of mastitis. The pathogens isolated from mastitic cows were Staphylococcus aureus (48.6%), other staphylococci species (15.7%), Streptococcus agalactiae (11.4%), other streptococci (17.1%), Bacillus species (2.9%), and coliforms (Escherichia coli and Klebsiella species) (4.3%). Strict hygienic measure of housing and bedding should be considered, in reducing the prevalence of mastitis.

- by Mesele Abebe
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- Bovine Mastitis, Lactation, Ethiopia, Escherichia coli

Clinical significance of Streptococcus agalactiae isolation from urine samples of outpatients from health care centers INTRODUCTION. Streptococcus agalactiae is a w ell-recognized pathogen in the obstetric population and is a cause of invasive infection in adults w ith underlying diseases. Nevertheless, the role of S. agalactiae in urinary tract infections in the adult non-pregnant population treated in outpatient health care centers has been less extensively studied. METHODS. The clinical significance of S. agalactiae isolation in urine samples from health care center patients w as studied in five areas of Spain over a period of six months. The study protocol included the collection of personal, epidemiological and clinical data. A total of 85 patients w ere studied; 79 w ere w omen (17 pregnant) and 6 men. RESULTS. Pyuria w as found in 72.9% of the cases. A total of 26.4% (n ‫؍‬ 18) of non-pregnant w omen and all the men had some type of chronic underlying disease and 35.3% (n ‫؍‬ 24) had urinary disease. Among the pregnant w omen, 53% had asymptomatic bacteriuria and 35.3% had vaginal and/ or urethral colonization. Among the group of men and non-pregnant w omen, the most frequent entity w as non-complicated cystitis, seen in 66.1% (45 of 68) of cases, follow ed by complicated infection in 19.1% and asymptomatic bacteriuria in 11.8%. Of the 45 patients w ith non-complicated cystitis, 35 (77.7%) w ere over 40 years old and 19 (42.2%) w ere over 60 years old. CONCLUSIONS. Among the population of non-pregnant adults treated in outpatient health care centers, S. agalactiae isolation from urine w as found mainly in w omen over 40 years old and w as the cause of non-complicated urinary tract infection in more than half of cases.

- by DIEGO AGUIRRE
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- Medical Microbiology, Streptococcus agalactiae

Resumen El estreptococo beta-hemolítico del grupo B (SGB) es uno de los principales agentes causantes de sepsis neonatal precoz. La mortalidad de los afectados oscila entre el 6 y el 20%, y la tasa de secuela neurológica llega al 30%. En 1996 el Centro de Prevención y Control de Enfermedades de Atlanta, el Colegio Americano de Obstetras y Ginecólogos y la Academia Americana de Pediatría sugirieron en consenso que el personal de atención de salud materna-neonatal debía adoptar una estrategia para la prevención de la sepsis por este germen. Los objetivos del presente trabajo prospectivo fueron determinar el porcentaje de colonización por SGB en las pacientes gestantes asistidas del 1° de julio de 2001 al 31 de diciembre de 2002 e implementar un programa de prevención de sepsis neonatal precoz por SGB a través de profilaxis antibiótica intraparto basado en cultivos. Sobre 1756 pacientes, se realizaron cultivos con hisopado vaginal y anal a 1228 (69.9%). El porcentaje de colonización materna por SGB fue del 1.4% (17 pacientes). Se presentó un caso de sepsis neonatal compatible con SGB (0.6‰) en una madre con cultivo negativo. Sólo una paciente portadora de SGB presentó factores de riesgo. Los resultados nos sugieren continuar con la estrategia de prevención basada en cultivos debido a que la mayoría de las pacientes colonizadas no presentaron factores de riesgo. Son necesarios estudios de relación costo-beneficio en nuestro medio para definir si esta estrategia de prevención es aplicable a la realidad sanitaria argentina.

- by Fabian Gomez
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- Química, Disease Control, Risk factors, Pregnant Women

Streptococcus strains from animal and human sources identified biochemically as Streptococcus porcinus were investigated by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The nine human strains isolated between 1997 and 2005 formed a single cluster with more than 2.1% dissimilarity with S. porcinus strains from animal sources. A novel species, Streptococcus pseudoporcinus sp. nov., is proposed.

- by Lelia Raynal
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- Clinical Microbiology, Biological Sciences, Phylogeny, Cluster Analysis

The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effects associated with intramammary infection (IMI) by a bacterium or a group of bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, coliforms, Staphylococci other than S. aureus, and Corynebacterium bovis) on the somatic cell count (SCC) in quarter milk of dairy cows. Papers selected for analysis had to provide SCC values associated with the natural infection in quarters by different bacteria. Sampling for measurement of SCC and determination of the infection had to be done on the same day. Only papers published in English or in French after 1971 were considered. Twenty-one papers fulfilled the selection criteria. The animals sampled, the measurement techniques for SCC and the bacteriological identification, as well as the definition of the infection, all differed widely among the selected studies. The meta-analysis method was used to estimate both the mean SCC (arithmetic and geometric) value and the average increase on SCC of each type of infection. The geometric mean SCC in bacteriologically negative quarters was 68 000 c/mL. In case of IMI, the retained SCC was 357 000, 857 000, 547 000, 1 024 000, 1 151 000, 138 000 and 105 000 c/mL in quarters infected by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, coliforms, staphylococci other than S. aureus and Corynebacterium bovis, respectively. The variation factors that could influence these SCC values and the bacteriological results are discussed.

- by Djabri Belgacem
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- Microbiology, Bovine Mastitis, Veterinary, Staphylococcus aureus

A group B streptococcus vaccine for pregnant women would add to the currently available vaccines given during pregnancy to protect mothers and their infants against serious and potentially lethal diseases, including tetanus, influenza, pertussis and meningococcal infection. Implementation of the administration of these high priority vaccines during routine prenatal care would result in a maternal immunization program with the potential to have a positive impact in public health globally, by reducing maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality.

- by Flor Muñoz
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- Biological Sciences, Pregnancy, Vaccine, Newborn Infant

The association of common bacterial pathogens in milk samples during calving with udder shape or the presence of 'teat-end' lesions was investigated in 240 dairy cows from two herds. Sixty-three of 120 cows (53%) in one herd (herd A) and 54/120 animals (45%) in a second herd (herd B) had normal-shaped udders. The remaining animals had udder shapes defined as follows: large pendulous (18% herd A, 26% herd B); large between hindquarter (10% herd A, 17% herd B); overall small (8% herd A, 5% herd B); or small but pendulous (11% herd A, 7% herd B). At calving teat-end lesions were present in 63% and 76% of the quarters of herd A and B animals, respectively. There was no herd effect on udder shape or teatend lesions.

- by Zerai Woldehiwet
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- Bovine Mastitis, Veterinary, Biological Sciences, Escherichia coli

How to obtain copies of this and other HTA programme reports An electronic version of this publication, in Adobe Acrobat format, is available for downloading free of charge for personal use from the HTA website (www.hta.ac.uk). A fully... more

- by Helen Pattison
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- Midwifery, Pregnancy, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Young Adult

Bakteri S. agalactiae merupakan patogen utama yang menyerang ikan nila mulai fase benih hingga dewasa. Fase benih merupakan fase rawan disebabkan banyak terjadi kematian akibat belum berkembangnya sistem imun dengan sempurna. Rekayasa transfer imunitas maternal melalui vaksinasi induk ikan merupakan teknik alternatif dalam mengantisipasi tingginya angka kematian benih. Pemberian vaksin S. agalactiae di induk ikan nila pada pemijahan pertama mampu meningkatkan imunitas induk maupun benih dan memproteksi benih dari infeksi S. agalactiae. Namun, transfer imunitas maternal pada pemijahan kedua dari induk yang telah divaksin mengalami penurunan. Hal tersebut disebabkan karena dalam jangka waktu tertentu keberadaan antibodi dalam tubuh dan proteksinya akan semakin menurun. Tujuan penelitian ini yaitu untuk menguji efikasi vaksin ulang S. agalactiae di induk ikan nila pada pemijahan kedua terhadap imunitas maternal untuk pencegahan streptococcosis. Vaksin dibuat dengan cara menginaktivasi bakteri S. agalactiae menggunakan formalin sebanyak 3% (v/v). Vaksin yang digunakan adalah gabungan sediaan sel utuh dan produk ekstraselular (ECP) S. agalactiae. Vaksin gabungan diinjeksi sebanyak 0,4 mL/kg induk ikan dengan perbandingan 50:50% (v/v) dari dosis penyuntikan, sedangkan kontrol diinjeksi dengan phosphate buffered saline (PBS). Vaksin diberikan ke induk ikan pada fase tingkat
kematangan gonad dua (TKG 2). Penelitian terdiri dari tiga perlakuan dan tiga ulangan yaitu induk diinjeksi PBS (K), induk diinjeksi vaksin satu kali (A), dan induk diinjeksi vaksin dua kali dengan selang waktu satu bulan (B). Uji tantang benih dari setiap induk perlakuan dilakukan melalui perendaman S. agalactiae 107 CFU/mL selama 30 menit pada umur benih 5, 10, 15, dan 20 hari setelah menetas. Parameter yang diamati pada induk ikan meliputi level antibodi, aktivitas lisosim, gambaran darah, dan fekunditas telur. Parameter yang diamati pada telur dan benih meliputi daya tetas telur, level antibodi, aktivitas lisosim, mortalitas benih
setelah uji tantang, relative percent survival (RPS) dan perubahan patologi anatomi mikroskopis jaringan otak benih setelah infeksi S. agalaciae. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan total eritrosit, hemoglobin, dan hematokrit induk ikan tidak berbeda signifikan (P>0,05) antara semua perlakuan. Namun, terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan (P<0,05) pada total leukosit dan aktivitas fagositik. Perlakuan induk B memiliki total leukosit dan aktivitas fagositik yang signifikan lebih tinggi (P<0,05) dibandingkan dengan perlakuan induk lainnya. Level antibodi induk, telur, dan benih dari perlakuan B signifikan lebih tinggi (P<0,05) dibandingkan dengan perlakuan induk lainnya. Level antibodi benih dari perlakuan induk A tidak berbeda signifikan (P>0,05) dengan benih dari perlakuan induk K pada hari ke-20. Aktivitas lisosim induk, telur, dan benih dari perlakuan B berbeda signifikan lebih tinggi (P<0,05) dibandingkan dengan perlakuan induk lainnya. Aktivitas lisosim telur dari induk perlakuan A tidak berbeda signifikan (P>0,05) dengan telur dari induk K. Aktivitas lisosim benih dari induk perlakuan A tidak berbeda signifikan (P>0,05) dengan benih dari induk K mulai hari ke-10 hingga hari ke-20.
Fekunditas telur tidak berbeda signifikan (P>0,05) pada semua perlakuan. Namun, terdapat perbedaan yang signifikan terhadap daya tetas telur. Daya tetas telur dari perlakuan induk B (94,52%) signifikan lebih tinggi (P<0,05) dari pada perlakuan induk lainnya. Tingkat mortalitas benih perlakuan induk B signifikan lebih rendah (P<0,05) dari perlakuan lainnya hingga hari ke-20. Namun, mortalitas benih perlakuan induk B tidak berbeda signifikan (P>0,05) dengan perlakuan benih dari induk A pada hari ke-5. Nilai RPS benih dari perlakuan induk B tidak berbeda signifikan (P>0,05) dengan perlakuan benih dari induk A pada hari ke-5 tetapi, signifikan lebih tinggi (P<0,05) pada hari ke-10 hingga hari ke-20. Hasil histologi jaringan otak ikan yang terinfeksi S. agalactiae terlihat mengalami nekrosis dan degenerasi, namun tidak terlihat pada jaringan otak benih ikan normal. Kesimpulan penelitian yaitu pemberian vaksin ulang di induk ikan nila pada pemijahan kedua dapat menstimulasi imunitas dan transfer imunitas maternal ke anaknya untuk pencegahan streptococcosis.

- by dendi hidayatullah
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- Fish Vaccination, Tilapia, Streptococcus agalactiae

Groups A and B streptococci are of great significance in the history of obstetrics. Group A streptococci were a great threat to the puerperium, especially in the 19th century, when homebirth was replaced by institutional birth in lying-in hospitals. The history of the rise and fall of puerperal fever is indeed a tragedy. Some people, like Semmelweis, who brought new and important evidence based findings were not believed by their fellow obstetricians, an attitude that spoilt thousands of innocent lives. Even today group A streptococci, though seldom, may be the cause of puerperal sepsis. Group B streptococci are widespread and may cause sepsis and important lifelong morbidity or mortality of the newborn. Obstetricians today try to establish cost-effective prophylactic measures during labor to prevent these neonatal infections.

- by Albert Adriaanse
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- Pregnancy, Streptococcus Pyogenes, Cost effectiveness, Austria

The incidence of invasive group B streptococcus (GBS) infections in non-pregnant adults is increasing. Little is known about GBS in periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs). We aimed to analyse the clinical presentation of GBS PJI and its treatment in association with the outcome. The characteristics of 36 GBS PJIs collected from 10 centres were investigated. In 34 episodes, follow-up examination of 2 years was available, allowing treatment and outcome analysis. Most infections (75%) occurred 3 months after implantation. Most patients (91%) had at least one comorbidity; 69% presented with acute symptoms and 83% with damaged periprosthetic soft tissue. In 20 of 34 episodes debridement and retention of implant was attempted, but in five of these the prosthesis was ultimately removed. Hence, in 19 (56%) episodes, the implant was removed, including 14 immediate removals. In four episodes the removal was permanent. Penicillin derivatives and clindamycin were the most common antimicrobials administered (68%). In 94% the infection was cured, and in 82% functional mobility preserved. Debridement with implant retention was successful if the duration of symptoms was short, the prosthesis stable, and the tissue damage minor (10/10 vs 3/10 episodes, P ¼ 0.003). Surgery that complied with a published algorithm was associated with a favourable outcome (P ¼ 0.049).

- by Yvonne Achermann and +1
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- Hospital Infection, Treatment Outcome, Osteoarthritis, Clinical Sciences

In the present study, 188 coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (CNS) strains were isolated from bovine mastitis cases from 56 different Brazilian dairy herds, located in the Southeast region of the country, and were tested for antimicrobial substance production. Twelve CNS strains (6.4%) exhibited antagonistic activity against a Corynebacterium fimi indicator strain. Most antimicrobial substances were sensitive to proteolytic enzymes suggesting that they might be bacteriocins (Bac). Amongst the CNS producers, six were identified as S. epidermidis, two as S. simulans, two as S. saprophyticus, one as S. hominis and one as S. arlettae. Plasmid profile analysis of these strains revealed the presence of at least one plasmid. The Bac + strains presented either no or few antibiotic resistance phenotypes. Three strains were shown to produce a bacteriocin either identical or similar to aureocin A70, a bacteriocin previously isolated from an S. aureus strain isolated from food. The remaining Bac + strains produce antimicrobial peptides that seem to be distinct from the best characterised staphylococcal bacteriocins described so far. Some of them were able to inhibit Listeria monocytogenes, an important food-borne pathogen, and several strains of Streptococcus agalactiae associated with bovine mastitis, suggesting a potential use of these bacteriocins either in the prevention or in the treatment of streptococcal mastitis. #

- by Patricia Regina Carmo
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- Microbiology, Veterinary Microbiology, Bovine Mastitis, Veterinary

Group B streptococcus (GBS) emerged as the leading infectious cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the United States in the 1970s (1--4). Initial case series reported case-fatality ratios as high as 50%. In the early 1980s, clinical trials demonstrated that administering antibiotics during labor to women at risk of transmitting GBS to their newborns could prevent invasive disease in the first week of life (i.e., early-onset disease) (5). As a result of the collaborative efforts of clinicians, researchers, professional organizations, parent advocacy groups, and the public health community in the 1990s, recommendations for intrapartum prophylaxis to prevent perinatal GBS disease were issued in 1996 by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) (6) and CDC , and in 1997 by the American Academy of Pediatrics (8).

- by Kristi Fultz-Butts
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- Microbiology, Obstetrics, Medical Microbiology, India

Streptococcus agalactiae, or Group B Streptococcus, is a leading cause of neonatal infections and an increasing cause of infections in adults with underlying diseases. In an effort to reconstruct the transcriptional networks involved in S. agalactiae physiology and pathogenesis, we performed an extensive and robust characterization of its transcriptome through a combination of differential RNA-sequencing in eight different growth conditions or genetic backgrounds and strand-specific RNA-sequencing. Our study identified 1,210 transcription start sites (TSSs) and 655 transcript ends as well as 39 riboswitches and cis-regulatory regions, 39 cis-antisense non-coding RNAs and 47 small RNAs potentially acting in trans. Among these putative regulatory RNAs, ten were differentially expressed in response to an acid stress and two riboswitches sensed directly or indirectly the pH modification. Strikingly, 15% of the TSSs identified were associated with the incorporation of pseudo-templated nu...

- by O. Sismeiro and +1
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- Biological Sciences, Gene Regulatory Networks, Streptococcus agalactiae, Nucleotides

El pulmón constituye el lugar más común de asentamiento de los microorganismos causales de sepsis del recién nacido. Este origen corresponde tanto a la vida prenatal y al parto como a la vida posnatal. Es por ello por lo que deben observarse estrechamente los signos sugerentes de dificultad respiratoria en el neonato, con el fin de llevar a cabo un diagnóstico y un tratamiento precoces. Estos cuadros se asocian a una gran morbilidad, pues se estima en unas 800.000 las muertes neonatales al año debidas a infecciones respiratorias en países en vías de desarrollo. En nuestro medio se estima que la incidencia es menor del 1%, pero sería cercana al 10% en niños con comorbilidad si se englobasen tanto los recién nacidos con peso adecuado para la edad gestacional como los de bajo peso. Además, en la práctica clínica se observa que casi en la totalidad de los cuadros sépticos existe afectación neumónica más o menos significativa tanto clínica como radiológica.

- by Gianella Avila
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- Streptococcus agalactiae

Pili are essential virulence factors in many Gram-negative bacteria; however, they have not been described in most important Gram-positive pathogens. While screening the sequence of multiple genomes of Group B Streptococcus , we identified protective antigens that formed high molecular weight polymers. Immunogold electron microscopy revealed that the structures have a pilus-like form. These large structures have gone unrecognized in decades of studies of Group B Streptococcus .

- by Anna Rita Taddei
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- Science, Biology, Immunohistochemistry, Medicine
- by editor ijmrhs
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- Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, The Internet, Clinical Microbiology

Streptococcus agalactiae is reported to be an asymptomatic vaginal colonizer in Indian women, although it is considered one of the major causes of neonatal infections in many European countries. DNA based molecular typing methods are more reliable than the conventional serotyping method for identification and typing of this pathogen. In the present study, we have evaluated genetic diversity among colonizing S. agalactiae strains (n=86) by using a PCR-based genotyping method i.e. Enterobacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus PCR (ERIC-PCR). With ERIC-PCR fingerprinting at 60% similarity level in a dendrogram generated by UPGMA cluster analysis, 10 different ERIC groups were identified, which were subdivided into 62 distinct genotypes at ≥ 95% similarity level. Based on these findings, we demonstrate that ERIC-PCR is a simple, rapid, and inexpensive tool with sufficient discriminatory power and is applicable for characterization and genotyping of a large number of clinical isolates of S. agalactiae at molecular level.

- by ibe rama
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- Microbiology, Medical Microbiology, Genetic Diversity, Molecular typing

The roles of humoral and cellular defence mechanisms in protection of the mammary gland against bacterial infection are reviewed. Effective protection depends on opsonisation of pathogens and subsequent phagocytosis by neutrophils. A concomitant requirement for protection is the rapid infiltration of neutrophils into the infected gland. Immunological studies have shown the need to prime animals against antigens expressed by bacteria when they grow in v i v a Vaccination procedures which promote these mammary defence mechanisms are discussed.

- by Dennis Watson
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- Mastitis, Bovine Mastitis, Pregnancy, Sheep

Clinical and subclinical mastitis directly affect mammary gland function and have a great economic impact on the sheep and goat dairy industries. The present study explores molecular diagnosis of ovine subclinical mastitis as a faster and more precise screening method compared with microbiology and biochemical techniques to assess the molecular and chemical properties of raw milk samples from healthy animals from 3 breeds of sheep raised in Portugal. Based on 16S ribosomal RNA screening by PCR, milk samples from all sheep were categorized as contaminated (n = 123) or noncontaminated (n = 104). For contaminated milk, different specific primers were used for pathogen identification (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, and Streptococcus uberis). Streptococcus agalactiae was identified as the most frequent agent. We further assessed whether contaminated versus noncontaminated samples were chemically different in terms of fat, protein, lactose, pH, and solids-not-fat. This molecular screening method allowed rapid and efficient identification of contaminated raw sheep milk, including pathogen identification, before significant alterations in milk chemical properties could be detected. This methodology may lead to a specific and efficient animal treatment and consequently less expensive flock management.

- by Zelia Velez
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- Dairy Science, Mastitis, Animal Production, Sheep

Introduction Screening strategies among pregnant women have decreased the incidence of group B Streptococcus, which causes severe neonatal infections. The incidence of these infections has increased among diabetic patients, however. Objectives To specify the characteristics of diabetic foot infections in which surgical samples have isolated one or several germs including group B Streptococcus, study its risk factors and determine its course.

- by Louis Bernard
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- Bacteria, Streptococcus agalactiae

Background: Streptococcus uberis, a Gram positive bacterial pathogen responsible for a significant proportion of bovine mastitis in commercial dairy herds, colonises multiple body sites of the cow including the gut, genital tract and mammary gland. Comparative analysis of the complete genome sequence of S. uberis strain 0140J was undertaken to help elucidate the biology of this effective bovine pathogen.

- by Sharon Egan
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- Molecular Evolution, Comparative Genomics, Bovine Mastitis, Ecological Niche Modeling

Background. The burden from group B streptococcal (GBS) disease in elderly persons (age, у65 years) has increased. Rates of colonization and prevalence of antibodies against capsular polysaccharides (CPS) that might confer protection... more

- by Marcia Rench
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- Aging, Biological Sciences, Aged, Streptococcus agalactiae

A 33-primer multiplex PCR-based reverse line blot (mPCR/RLB) assay was developed to identify Streptococcus agalactiae serotypes and surface protein antigen genes simultaneously. It was evaluated by using 551 clinical isolates. The mPCR/RLB assay was more sensitive than conventional serotyping, especially for protein antigen typing, but otherwise the results correlated well.

- by Fanrong Kong
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- Membrane Proteins, Czech Republic, Clinical Microbiology, Biological Sciences