Ludimila Paula Vaz Cardoso

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) limits the efficacy of conventional antibiotics, particularly in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. anoplin, a short membrane-active antimicrobial peptide, represents a promising scaffold for structural optimization. This study evaluated the antimicrobial performance of anoplin and its C-terminal lysine-mediated dimer, (anoplin)₂K, against clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenemase-producing and non-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strains. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC), time–kill kinetics, checkerboard interaction assays, and hemolytic activity were determined. While MIC values showed moderate differences between the peptides, (anoplin)₂K demonstrated enhanced bactericidal kinetics, achieving complete eradication of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa within 60 min at 256 µM. Additive effects predominated in combination assays, with selective synergism observed for sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim. Reduced susceptibility was observed for carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae. Although the dimeric analogue exhibited increased hemolytic activity at higher concentrations, the results indicate that C-terminal dimerization modulates killing dynamics and enhances antimicrobial performance. These findings support further optimization of anoplin-derived dimers as potential adjunct strategies against multidrug-resistant pathogens.

This study analyzed the biofilm production of S. pseudintermedius isolated from the ocular surface of dogs with ophthalmopathies and investigated the genes involved. Of the 63 isolates, 50.8% produced biofilm, 71.9% being weak, 25% moderate and 3.1% strong. All methicillin-resistant isolates had weak to moderate production, and multiresistant isolates produced biofilm at different intensities. Entropion was the ocular condition with the most biofilm-producing isolates, followed by keratoconjunctivitis sicca. A strong strain was identified in a dog with chalazion. The nuc gene was detected in 42.8% of isolates, while icaA and icaD were found together in 68.2%, icaD alone in 3.2%, and neither gene in 26.9%. Among genetically identified isolates, 74.1% had both genes, while 25.9% did not. Agreement between phenotypic and genotypic tests was poor (Kappa = 0.1046), highlighting the need for combined methods to identify biofilm production. S. pseudintermedius showed significant biofilm formation capacity, especially in species such as S. pseudintermedius, which represents a relevant single health problem.

RESUMO Objetivos: avaliar o perfil de resistência e formação de biofilme em isolados de centros cirúrgicos de 2 hospitais da região sudoeste de Goiás. Métodos: estudo de caráter experimental laboratorial, onde foram realizadas coletas durante os meses de março a agosto de 2023. Resultados: das 50 amostras coletadas, foram isoladas 104 bactérias, 81,7% (85/104) gram-positivas e 18,3% (19/104) gram-negativas. Destas, 55,3% (47/85) do gênero Staphylococcus foram classificadas como multidroga resistente e resistente a meticilina e 15,7% (3/19) das gram-negativas como multidroga resistente. 66,34% (69/104) foram produtoras de biofilme, sendo 79,7% (55/69) gram-positivas e 20,3% (14/69) gram-negativas. Conclusões: tal achado traz grande preocupação visto que estes microrganismos em ambientes hospitalares apresentam risco elevado para infecções de sítio cirúrgico de difícil tratamento devido às cepas multirresistentes.

Objectives: to evaluate the resistance profile and biofilm formation in isolates from operating rooms in two hospitals in the southwestern region of Goiás. Methods: an experimental laboratory study was conducted, with samples collected between March and August 2023. Results: of the 50 samples collected, 104 bacteria were isolated, 81.7% (85/104) gram-positive and 18.3% (19/104) gram-negative. Of these, 55.3% (47/85) of the Staphylococcus genus were classified as multidrug-resistant and methicillin-resistant, and 15.7% (3/19) of the Gram-negative bacteria were classified as multidrug-resistant. 66.34% (69/104) were biofilm producers, with 79.7% (55/69) being Gram-positive and 20.3% (14/69) Gram-negative. Conclusions: this finding is of great concern, as these microorganisms in hospital environments pose a high risk for surgical site infections that are difficult to treat due to multidrug-resistant strains.

: HIV infection is a worldwide epidemic. Antiretroviral therapy allows people living with HIV (PLHIV) increased longevity and a better quality of life. Among the various ways of monitoring the clinical evolution of PLHIV, handgrip strength (HGS) is a promising strategy, as this test can be used to assess the health condition quickly and at a low cost. In this sense, the present study aims to describe, through a literature review, the relationship between HGS and the clinical evolution of PLHIV, especially with morbimortality. Initially, it is highlighted that aging, HIV infection, and excess body fat are related to the loss of HGS in PLHIV. Furthermore, PLHIV is more likely to present cardiometabolic diseases that can be aggravated by reduced HGS. Thus, in people without positive HIV serology, low HGS indirectly, through the presence of risk factors or cardiometabolic diseases, or directly increases the chance of mortality. In conclusion, the lack of studies on this topic for PLHIV is highlighted, and more longitudinal studies, including control groups, are needed.

Background: The time elapsed since HIV infection diagnosis (TdiagHIV) affects the quality of life (QoL) and can get worse when chronic illnesses start. Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiovascular risk (CVR) on the QoL of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Methods: Cross-sectional study, with 60 PLHIV followed at a Reference Center in the city of Jataí, Goiás, Brazil. Data collection involved sociodemographic, clinical, CVR, MetS, and QoL information. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, with the BioEstat 5.3 program adopting p0.05. Results: There was a predominance of men (61.7%), aged ≥38 years (53.3%), with a TdiagHIV of 97.88Añ85.65 months and use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) of 80.13Añ69.37 months. The worst domain of QoL was concern about confidentiality (40 points), and the best was medication concerns (95 points). MetS predominated at 18.3% and a moderate CVR at 11.7%. MetS was positively associated with age 38 years, the female sex, with the lowest score in QoL for general function, and the highest for TdiagHIV and the use of ART (p0.05). A moderate CRV was positively related to higher TdiagHIV and ART use, and low HDL-c, and the lowest score for QoL was found for trust in a professional (p0.05). Conclusion: PLHIV who are older, have a higher TdiagHIV, and use ART are more likely to develop MetS and moderate CVR. The presence of these diseases in PLHIV causes impairment in areas of QoL.

Toxoplasma gondii é um parasita intracelular obrigatório que possui um ciclo de vida heteroxênico, tendo como hospedeiro definitivo os felinos, fato que culmina na manutenção do ciclo de vida parasitário. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a prevalência de Toxoplasma gondii em fezes de gatos por meio da Copro-PCR, bem como avaliar a frequência de positividade entre gatos errantes e domiciliados, machos e fêmeas e castrados e não castrados. Para tal, foram coletadas 120 amostras fecais de gatos que, posteriormente, foram submetidas à sedimentação espontânea. Após 24 horas extraiu-se o DNA das amostras com um kit comercial, com adaptações. Após a extração, realizou-se a PCR com os primers que amplificam o gene B1, seguida da eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida a 6%. Foi possível obter uma prevalência para T. gondii de 14,1% (17/120) na Copro-PCR ao passo que o Exame Parasitológico de Fezes não detectou nenhuma amostra positiva. Além disso, os gatos errantes obtiveram maior frequência de positividade quando comparado aos domiciliados. Não houve diferença significativa em relação ao sexo e aos animais castrados ou não castrados. Foi possível concluir que a copro-PCR do Gene B1 utilizada na detecção de T. gondii possui uma alta sensibilidade, detectando até mesmo amostras negativas no Exame Parasitológico de Fezes e que os gatos errantes possuem maior probabilidade de se infectarem com T. gondii do que os domiciliados.

To conduct a serological screening for toxoplasmosis in the heel prick test and to evaluate its epidemiological aspects in newborns and postpartum women in Jataí, Goiás.

Realizar a triagem sorológica da toxoplasmose no teste do pezinho e avaliar os aspectos epidemiológicos em recém-nascidos e puérperas de Jataí, Goiás.

The aim of this study was to perform the laboratory and molecular diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii in patients with neurological brain disorders in the city of Jataí, GO, Brazil as well as highlighting the toxoplasmosis’ risk behavior. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire was applied to these patients, and it was associated with the blood for serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) collection. The samples were analyzed by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). The results indicated contact with stray cats, fresh vegetables, raw meat and meat products consumption. Seroreactivity for IgG in serum samples was 100% (14/14) and in CSF, 6.7% (1/14). In the molecular diagnosis, the presence of T. gondii DNA was not detected. Our data suggests that educational actions on toxoplasmosis prophylaxis are recommended using several tools, such as social media, to raise public awareness about this. KEY WORDS: Neurological infectious disorders; T. gondii serology; T. gondii molecular diagnosis; Toxoplasma gondii.