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8 pages, 629 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modulation of the Antibiotic Activity by the Mauritia flexuosa (Buriti) Fixed Oil against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) and Other Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Bacterial Strains

by Yara Faustino Pereira, Maria Do Socorro Costa, Saulo Relison Tintino, Janaína Esmeraldo Rocha, Fábio Fernandes Galvão Rodrigues, Maria Karine De Sá Barreto Feitosa, Irwin Rose Alencar De Menezes, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho, José Galberto Martins Da Costa and Erlânio Oliveira De Sousa

Pathogens 2018, 7(4), 98; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens7040098 - 10 Dec 2018

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 3514

Abstract

Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) is a typical Brazilian palm tree found in swampy regions with many plant forms. The fruit has various purposes with the pulps to the seeds being used for ice creams, sweets, creams, jellies, liqueurs, and vitamin production. A physicochemical characterization [...] Read more.

Mauritia flexuosa (buriti) is a typical Brazilian palm tree found in swampy regions with many plant forms. The fruit has various purposes with the pulps to the seeds being used for ice creams, sweets, creams, jellies, liqueurs, and vitamin production. A physicochemical characterization of the fixed pulp oil and its antibacterial and aminoglycoside antibiotic modifying activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative multiresistant bacterial strains were performed using broth microdilution assays. Physical properties, such as moisture, pH, acidity, peroxide index, relative density, and refractive index, indicated oil stability and chemical quality. In the GC/MS chemical composition analysis, a high content of unsaturated fatty acids (89.81%) in relation to saturated fatty acids (10.19%) was observed. Oleic acid (89.81%) was the main fatty acid identified. In the antibacterial test, the fixed oil obtained the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) ≥ 1024 μg/mL for all standard and multiresistant bacterial strains. The synergic effect of fixed pulp oil combined was observed only in Staphylococcus aureus SA–10, with an MIC reduction of the gentamicin and amikacin by 40.00% and 60.55%, respectively. The data indicates the M. flexuosa fixed oil as a valuable source of oleic acid and modulator of aminoglycoside activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathogenesis of Staphylococcal Infections)

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Review

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23 pages, 2245 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceReview

Manipulation of Innate and Adaptive Immunity by Staphylococcal Superantigens

by Stephen W. Tuffs, S. M. Mansour Haeryfar and John K. McCormick

Pathogens 2018, 7(2), 53; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens7020053 - 29 May 2018

Cited by 74 | Viewed by 9624

Abstract

Staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) constitute a family of potent exotoxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and other select staphylococcal species. SAgs function to cross-link major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules with T cell receptors (TCRs) to stimulate the uncontrolled activation of T lymphocytes, potentially [...] Read more.

Staphylococcal superantigens (SAgs) constitute a family of potent exotoxins secreted by Staphylococcus aureus and other select staphylococcal species. SAgs function to cross-link major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules with T cell receptors (TCRs) to stimulate the uncontrolled activation of T lymphocytes, potentially leading to severe human illnesses such as toxic shock syndrome. The ubiquity of SAgs in clinical S. aureus isolates suggests that they likely make an important contribution to the evolutionary fitness of S. aureus. Although the apparent redundancy of SAgs in S. aureus has not been explained, the high level of sequence diversity within this toxin family may allow for SAgs to recognize an assorted range of TCR and MHC class II molecules, as well as aid in the avoidance of humoral immunity. Herein, we outline the major diseases associated with the staphylococcal SAgs and how a dysregulated immune system may contribute to pathology. We then highlight recent research that considers the importance of SAgs in the pathogenesis of S. aureus infections, demonstrating that SAgs are more than simply an immunological diversion. We suggest that SAgs can act as targeted modulators that drive the immune response away from an effective response, and thus aid in S. aureus persistence. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathogenesis of Staphylococcal Infections)

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22 pages, 582 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Pathogenesis of Staphylococcus aureus Eye Infections

by Richard J. O’Callaghan

Pathogens 2018, 7(1), 9; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/pathogens7010009 - 10 Jan 2018

Cited by 79 | Viewed by 19249

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen of the eye able to infect the tear duct, eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior and posterior chambers, and the vitreous chamber. Of these infections, those involving the cornea (keratitis) or the inner chambers of the eye (endophthalmitis) are [...] Read more.

Staphylococcus aureus is a major pathogen of the eye able to infect the tear duct, eyelid, conjunctiva, cornea, anterior and posterior chambers, and the vitreous chamber. Of these infections, those involving the cornea (keratitis) or the inner chambers of the eye (endophthalmitis) are the most threatening because of their potential to cause a loss in visual acuity or even blindness. Each of these ocular sites is protected by the constitutive expression of a variety of antimicrobial factors and these defenses are augmented by a protective host response to the organism. Such infections often involve a predisposing factor that weakens the defenses, such as the use of contact lenses prior to the development of bacterial keratitis or, for endophthalmitis, the trauma caused by cataract surgery or intravitreal injection. The structural carbohydrates of the bacterial surface induce an inflammatory response able to reduce the bacterial load, but contribute to the tissue damage. A variety of bacterial secreted proteins including alpha-toxin, beta-toxin, gamma-toxin, Panton-Valentine leukocidin and other two-component leukocidins mediate tissue damage and contribute to the induction of the inflammatory response. Quantitative animal models of keratitis and endophthalmitis have provided insights into the S. aureus virulence and host factors active in limiting such infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Pathogenesis of Staphylococcal Infections)

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