Physiological changes induced in four bacterial strains following oxidative stress

In order to study the behaviour and resistance of bacteria under extreme conditions, physiological changes associated with oxidative stress were monitored using flow cytometry. The study was conducted to assess the maintenance of membrane integrity and potential as well as the esterase activity, the intracellular pH and the production of superoxide anions in four bacterial strains (Ralstonia metallidurans, Escherichia coli, Shewanella oneidensis and Deinococcus radiodurans). The strains were chosen for their potential usefulness in bioremediation. Suspensions of R. metallidurans, E. coli, S. oneidensis and D. radiodurans were submitted to 1 h oxidative stress (H2O2 at various concentrations from 0 to 880 mM). Cell membrane permeability (propidium iodide) and potential (rhodamine-123, 3,3'-dihexyloxacarbocyanine iodide), intracellular esterase activity (fluorescein diacetate), intracellular reactive oxygen species concentration (hydroethidine) and intracellular pH (carboxyflurorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (5(6)) were monitored to evaluate the physiological state and the overall fitness of individual bacterial cells under oxidative stress. The four bacterial strains exhibited varying sensitivities towards H2O2. However, for all bacterial strains, some physiological damage could already be observed from 13.25 mM H2O2 onwards, in particular with regard to their membrane permeability. Depending on the bacterial strains, moderate to high physiological damage could be observed between 13.25 mM and 220 mM H2O2. Membrane potential, esterase activity, intracellular pH and production of superoxide anion production were considerably modified at high H2O2 concentrations in all four strains. In conclusion, we show that a range of significant physiological alterations occurs when bacteria are challenged with H2O2 and fluorescent staining methods coupled with flow cytometry are useful for monitoring the changes induced not only by oxidative stress but also by other stresses like temperature, radiation, pressure, pH, etc....     

Direct generation of superoxide anions by flash photolysis of human oxyhemoglobin.

The results presented in this report suggest that human oxyhemoglobin can directly form methemoglobin and superoxide anion when flashed with low intensity (38 joules) white light. The effect only occurred in quartz but not glass (cut off lambda approximately equal to 300 nm) cuvettes. The formation of O2 was established by observing the reduction of oxidized cytochrome c concomitant with MetHb formation at pH 9, and by showing that superoxide dismultase and catalse inhibit cytochrome c reduction at that pH. The inhibition of cytochrome c reduction by catalase led us to explore the possibility that H2O2 might reduce oxidized cytochrome c at pH 9. We show that H2O2 does reduce oxidized cytochrome c at that pH but not at pH 7. Furthermore, catalase but not superoxide dismutase, almost completely inhibited this reduction process. These experiments serve to confirm our interpretation of the effect of catalase on the reduction of oxidized cytochrome c in the photolytic experiments, thus establishing that H2O2 was also formed. In addition, we were able to identify the production of O2 and H2O2 due to the photolysis of water in agreement with the results of McCord and Fridovich ((1973) Photochem. Photobiol. 17, 115-121). Production of O2 from this source was considerably less than that observed when HbO2 was present. Addition of MetHb to aerated solutions of oxidized cytochrome c did not cause additional reduction, unlike addition of HbO2. The production of MetHb was found to have at least two components. One component was the primary photolytic process, and the second was a strongly pH-dependent reattack of HbO2 by O2. Addition of superoxide dismutase inhibited this second component, but did not significantly effect the primary photolytic process.     

Virulence properties and antimicrobial susceptibility of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from healthy cattle from Paraná State, Brazil

The presence of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains in feces samples of cattle was determined using the cytotoxicity assay on Vero cells and a screening PCR system to detect stx genes. The STEC isolates were serotyped, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility, and analyzed for virulence genes using multiplex PCR. The verocytotoxin-producing E. coli - reverse passive latex agglutination (VTEC-RPLA) assay was also used to detect Shiga toxin production. The frequency of cattle shedding STEC was 36%. The isolates belonged to 33 different serotypes, of which O10:H42, O98:H41, and O159:H21 had not previously been associated with STEC. The most frequent serotypes were ONT:H7 (10%), O22:H8 (7%), O22:H16 (7%), and ONT:H21 (7%). Most of the strains (96%) were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested. Shiga toxin was detected by the VTEC-RPLA assay in most (89%) of the STEC strains. The frequency of virulence markers was as follows: stx1, 10%; stx2, 43%; stx1 plus stx2, 47%; ehxA, 44%; eae, 1%; and saa, 38%. Several strains belong to serotypes associated with human disease, and most of them carried a stx2-type gene, suggesting that they represent a risk to human health. The screening PCR assay showed fewer false-negative results for STEC than the Vero-cell assay and is suitable for laboratory routine.     

Complete DNA sequence analysis of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli plasmid pO157_2 in β-glucuronidase-positive E. coli O157:H7 reveals a novel evolutionary path

Strains of enterohemorragic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O157:H7 that are non-sorbitol fermenting (NSF) and β-glucuronidase negative (GUD(-)) carry a large virulence plasmid, pO157 (>90,000 bp), whereas closely related sorbitol-fermenting (SF) E. coli O157:H(-) strains carry plasmid pSFO157 (>120,000 bp). GUD(+) NSF O157:H7 strains are presumed to be precursors of GUD(-) NSF O157:H7 strains that also carry pO157. In this study, we report the complete sequence of a novel virulence plasmid, pO157-2 (89,762 bp), isolated from GUD(+) NSF O157:H7 strain G5101. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of pO157-2 in six other strains of GUD(+) NSF O157:H7. pO157-2 carries genes associated with virulence (e.g., hemolysin genes) and conjugation (tra and trb genes) but lacks katP and espP present in pO157. Comparative analysis of the three EHEC plasmids shows that pO157-2 is highly related to pO157 and pSFO157 but not ancestral to pO157. These results indicated that GUD(+) NSF O157:H7 strains might not be direct precursors to GUD(-) NSF O157:H7 as previously proposed but rather have evolved independently from a common ancestor.     

Protein damage and degradation by oxygen radicals. IV. Degradation of denatured protein

Proteolytic degradation of oxidatively damaged [3H] bovine serum albumin [( 3H]BSA) was studied during incubation with cell-free erythrocyte extracts and a wide variety (14) of purified proteases. [3H]BSA was pretreated by exposure (60Co radiation) to the hydroxyl radical (.OH), the superoxide anion radical (O2-), or the combination of .OH + O2- + oxygen. Treated (and untreated) samples were dialyzed and then incubated with erythrocyte extract or proteases for measurements of proteolytic susceptibility (release of acid-soluble counts). Both .OH and .OH + O2- + caused severalfold increases in proteolytic susceptibility (with extract and proteases), but O2- alone had no effect. Proteolytic susceptibility reached a maximum at 15 nmol of .OH/nmol of BSA and declined thereafter. In contrast, proteolytic susceptibility was still increasing at an .OH + O2-/BSA molar ratio of 100 (50% .OH + 50% O2-). Degradation in erythrocyte extracts was conducted by a novel ATP- and Ca2+-independent pathway, with maximal activity at pH 7.8. Inhibitor profiles indicate that this pathway may involve metalloproteases and serine proteases. Comparisons of proteolytic susceptibility with multiple modifications to BSA primary, secondary, and tertiary structure revealed a high correlation (r = 0.98) with denaturation/increased hydrophobicity by low concentrations of .OH. Covalent aggregation reactions (BSA cross-linking) may explain the declining proteolytic susceptibility observed at .OH/BSA molar ratios greater than 20. Protein denaturation may also have caused the increased proteolytic susceptibility induced by .OH + O2- + O2, but no simple correlation could be obtained. Results with .OH + O2- + O2 appear to have been complicated by direct BSA fragmentation reactions involving (.OH-induced) protein radicals and oxygen. These data indicate a direct and quantitative relationship between protein damage by oxygen radicals and increased proteolytic susceptibility. Oxidative denaturation may exemplify a simple, yet effective inherent mechanism for intracellular proteolysis.     

Superoxide dismutase-rich bacteria. Paradoxical increase in oxidant toxicity

Superoxide dismutase is considered important in protection of aerobes against oxidant damage, and increased tolerance to oxidant stress is associated with induction of this enzyme. However, the importance of superoxide dismutase in this tolerance is not clear because conditions which promote the synthesis of superoxide dismutase likewise affect other antioxidant enzymes and substances. To clarify the role of superoxide dismutase per se in organismal defense against oxidant-generating drugs, we employed Escherichia coli transformed with multiple copies of the gene for bacterial iron superoxide dismutase. These bacteria have greater than ten times the superoxide dismutase activity of wild-type E. coli but, importantly, are normal in other oxidant defense parameters including catalase, peroxidases, glutathione, and glutathione reductase. High superoxide dismutase and control bacteria were exposed to the O2- -generating drug paraquat and to elevated pO2. We find; high superoxide dismutase E. coli are more readily killed by paraquat under aerobic, but not anaerobic, conditions. During exposure to paraquat, high superoxide dismutase E. coli accumulate more H2O2. Coincidentally, the reduced glutathione content of high superoxide dismutase E. coli declines more than in control E. coli. E. coli with high superoxide dismutase activity are also more readily killed by hyperoxia. Interestingly, the susceptibility of the parental and high superoxide dismutase E. coli to killing by exogenous H2O2 is not significantly different. Thus, under these experimental conditions, greatly enhanced superoxide dismutase activity accelerates H2O2 formation. The increased H2O2 probably accounts for the exaggerated sensitivity of high superoxide dismutase bacteria to oxidant-generating drugs. These results support the concept that the product of superoxide dismutase, H2O2, is at least as hazardous as the substrate, O2-. We conclude that effective organismal defense against reactive oxygen species may require balanced increments in antioxidant enzymes and cannot necessarily be improved by increases in the activity of single enzymes.     

A model of Helicobacter pylori persistence in a case of gastric cancer

The aim of this work was to analyze several clones of Helicobacter pylori isolated from a patient with gastric cancer, to evaluate i) genetic variability ii) virulence factors profile and iii) antimicrobial susceptibility against the drugs commonly used in the H. pylori therapy. A total of 32 H. pylori clones isolated from a biopsy sample coming from a patient with gastric cancer previously treated for H. pylori infection, were analyzed for: the genetic variability by amplified fragment polymorphism analysis; the vacA, cagA virulence status by PCR; the antimicrobial susceptibility by minimum inhibitory concentrations with the agar dilution method towards amoxicillin, clarithromycin, levofloxacin and tinidazole. The patient showed a mixed infection with the presence of at least 3 different strains. The clones isolated possessed the vacA, cagA virulence factors with a different allelic combination (vacA s1/i1/m1; s1/i1i2/m1; s2/i2/m2; s2/i1i2/m2) together with repeated cagA EPIYA motif pattern P1P2P3P3P3. Moreover, a pattern of multi-drug resistance was disclosed in the different clones. The presence of multiple H. pylori strains colonizing the same patient, with the main virulence factors displaying a different allelic combination and a different multi-drug resistance among isolates, point out the role of genetic variability generating, in time, more virulent and adapted strains.     

Mycobacterial growth inhibition by interferon-gamma-activated bone marrow macrophages and differential susceptibility among strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Growth inhibition of the intracellular bacterial pathogens Mycobacterium bovis and M. tuberculosis by lymphokine-activated murine bone marrow macrophages was studied. Mycobacterial growth was assessed by the uptake of 3H-uracil or by determination of colony-forming units. Stimulation of macrophages with recombinant interferon-gamma (r-IFN-gamma) or with IFN-gamma-containing supernatants from antigen- or mitogen-stimulated T cells markedly reduced growth of M. bovis strain BCG Phipps or M. tuberculosis strain H37Rv. In contrast, M. tuberculosis strain Middelburg proved resistant to lymphokine-stimulated macrophages, suggesting heterogeneous susceptibility toward lymphokine-activated macrophages among different M. tuberculosis strains. Stimulation could be blocked by anti-IFN-gamma antiserum, indicating that IFN-gamma was capable of activating antimycobacterial macrophage functions. Stimulation with r-IFN-gamma and subsequent phagocytosis of M. bovis did not lead to increased chemiluminescence responses by bone marrow macrophages, suggesting that mycobacterial growth inhibition was not paralleled by the release of reactive oxygen metabolites. We conclude that IFN-gamma-mediated macrophage activation represents a major step in acquired resistance against tuberculosis and that evasion from this mechanism contributes to mycobacterial virulence.     

利用表型芯片系统高通量分析H37Ra与H37Rv差异表型

H37Rv是结核分枝杆菌标准有毒株,H37Ra是从H37Rv获得的稳定减毒株,但目前H37Ra毒力减弱原因尚不完全清楚。本研究利用表型芯片系统,高通量分析H37Ra生长表型,并与H37Rv表型比较,筛选两菌株表型差异,分析与H37Ra毒力减弱可能的相关表型及分子机制。结果发现,与H37Rv相比,H37Ra耐酸及耐渗透压能力显著下降,且不能利用丁二酸单甲酯和吐温40作为碳源。结核分枝杆菌耐酸能力直接影响其在吞噬体中的生存和代谢,耐高渗能力影响其必需营养物质的跨膜运输,代谢途径的改变影响其在宿主内的能量摄取,三者改变均可能与H37Ra毒力减弱相关。     

Enhanced susceptibility of multidrug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis to granulysin peptides correlates with a reduced fitness phenotype

Previously it was shown that the antimicrobial protein granulysin possesses potent membranolytic activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Here we demonstrate that granF2 and G13, which are two short synthetic peptides derived from granulysin, inhibited the in vitro growth of clinical isolates of both multidrug resistant and drug susceptible strains of M. tuberculosis. Importantly, a particularly high activity against multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis correlated with a reduced growth rate compared to drug susceptible strains. A synergistic antibacterial effect of granF2 was further observed in combination with ethambutol, a compound with a documented effect on cell wall permeability. This finding suggests that granF2 and ethambutol exert their functions at different levels of the mycobacterial surface. Upon infection of macrophages in vitro, granF2 but not G13 efficiently reduced the intracellular growth of multidrug resistant M. tuberculosis in the presence of the pore-forming protein streptolysin O. The apoptotic function of granF2 apparently promoted destruction of host cells whereby the peptide gained access to and killed intracellular bacteria. Thus, a cost of resistance and a subsequent reduced fitness, measured as decreased growth among multidrug resistant strains of M. tuberculosis, could be associated with increased susceptibility to natural immune defense mechanisms, such as antimicrobial peptides of granulysin. However, a robust cell wall and the membrane of cells still provide physical shelter for the bacteria that may spare sensitive M. tuberculosis stains from being killed.     

Stx genotypes and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains isolated from human infections, cattle and foods in Brazil

A total of 107 Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains (STEC) isolated from different origins in S?o Paulo, Brazil, and belonging to different serotypes were characterized regarding stx subtypes and susceptibility to antimicrobial agents. Most of the human STEC strains harbored stx1 (85.7%), while stx2, associated or not to stx1, was identified preferentially in the animal and food strains. None of the STEC strains carried stx1c. Some genotypes occurred exclusively among strains of bovine origin as stx2c, stx1+2+2c (16.5% each), and stx2d (0.9%), whereas stx2+2c2vha) was only identified among the O157:H7 human strains. Moreover, the stx(2c2vhb) subtype was found more frequently among bovine than human strains (39% vs. 4.8%). The highest frequencies of susceptibility to antimicrobial agents were observed among bovine (87%) and food (100%) STEC strains, while 47.6% of the human isolates were resistant to at least one drug. Multiresistance occurred among O111 STEC strains from human and bovine origin. The antimicrobials to which resistance was most frequently observed were tetracycline (90%) and streptomycin (75%) among human strains, and also sulphazotrin (88%) in animal strains. A few serotypes were commonly identified among STEC strains isolated from diverse sources in Brazil, but in general the strains presented distinct stx subtypes and/or antimicrobial resistance profiles.     

Resistance to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha)-induced apoptosis in rat hepatoma cells expressing TNF-alpha is linked to low antioxidant enzyme expression

In order to study the mechanisms of resistance to tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), we have constructed two stable transfectants producing TNF-alpha (Yv12-2 and Yv13-44) from the rat hepatoma H4IIE cell, which does not produce TNF-alpha. H4IIE cells were highly sensitive to apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha, whereas Yv2-12 and Yv13-44 cells were resistant. Manganous superoxide dismutase was not up-regulated in Yv2-12 and Yv13-44 cells and was unresponsive to induction by exogenous TNF-alpha and by H2O2 in H4IIE cells and in the transfectants. Catalase expression and activity were lower in Yv2-12 and Yv13-44 cells than in H4IIE cells; furthermore, the transfectants were more susceptible to H2O2. Treatment with exogenous TNF-alpha down-regulated catalase in H4IIE cells but not in Yv2-12 and Yv13-44 cells. Treatment of H4IIE cells with the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole rendered them resistant to exogenous TNF-alpha. These data suggest a causal relationship between resistance to TNF-alpha and low catalase activity. Expression of copper and zinc containing superoxide dismutase was also decreased, whereas expression of glutathione peroxidase-1 was unchanged in Yv2-12 and Yv13-44 cells. Data from a microarray point to a down-regulation of genes in the resistant clones that code for antioxidative proteins and proteins involved in glutathione synthesis and function. We assume that a prooxidant signal linked to the down-regulation of antioxidant defense may be associated with resistance to apoptosis induced by TNF-alpha.     

Role of the PhoP-PhoQ system in the virulence of Erwinia chrysanthemi strain 3937: involvement in sensitivity to plant antimicrobial peptides, survival at acid Hh, and regulation of pectolytic enzymes

Erwinia chrysanthemi is a phytopathogenic bacterium that causes soft-rot diseases in a broad number of crops. The PhoP-PhoQ system is a key factor in pathogenicity of several bacteria and is involved in the bacterial resistance to different factors, including acid stress. Since E. chrysanthemi is confronted by acid pH during pathogenesis, we have studied the role of this system in the virulence of this bacterium. In this work, we have isolated and characterized the phoP and phoQ mutants of E. chrysanthemi strain 3937. It was found that: (i) they were not altered in their growth at acid pH; (ii) the phoQ mutant showed diminished ability to survive at acid pH; (iii) susceptibility to the antimicrobial peptide thionin was increased; (iv) the virulence of the phoQ mutant was diminished at low and high magnesium concentrations, whereas the virulence of the phoP was diminished only at low magnesium concentrations; (v) in planta Pel activity of both mutant strains was drastically reduced; and (vi) both mutants lagged behind the wild type in their capacity to change the apoplastic pH. These results suggest that the PhoP-PhoQ system plays a role in the virulence of this bacterium in plant tissues, although it does not contribute to bacterial growth at acid pH.     

A multiresistant clone of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli O118:[H16] is spread in cattle and humans over different European countries

Multiresistant Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O118:H16 and O118 nonmotile strains (designated O118:[H16]) were detected by examination of 171 STEC isolates for their antimicrobial sensitivity. Of 48 STEC O118:[H16] strains, 98% were resistant to sulfonamide, 96% were resistant to streptomycin, 79% were resistant to kanamycin, 75% were resistant to tetracycline, 67% were resistant to ampicillin, 60% were resistant to chloramphenicol, 48% were resistant to trimethoprim, and 10% each were resistant to gentamicin and nalidixic acid. Nalidixic acid resistance and reduced susceptibility to ciprofloxacin were associated with the mutation gyrA(LEU-83). The STEC O118:[H16] strains were found to belong to a single genetic clone as investigated by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and by multilocus sequence analysis of E. coli housekeeping genes. The STEC O118:[H16] strains originated from humans and cattle and were isolated in seven different countries of Europe between 1986 and 1999. Strains showing multiresistance to up to eight different antimicrobials predominated among the more recent STEC O118:[H16] strains. The genes in parentheses were associated with resistance to kanamycin (aphA1-Ia), chloramphenicol (catA1), tetracycline [tet(A)], and ampicillin (bla(TEM-1)). Class 1 integrons containing sulI (sulfonamide resistance), aadA1a (streptomycin resistance), or dfrA1 (trimethoprim resistance)-aadA1a gene cassettes were detected in 28 strains. The bla(TEM-1b) gene was present in 18 of 21 strains that were examined by nucleotide sequencing. Class 1 integrons and bla(TEM) genes were localized on plasmids and/or on the chromosome in different STEC O118:[H16] strains. Hybridization of XbaI-digested chromosomal DNA separated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed that bla(TEM) genes were integrated at different positions in the chromosome of STEC O118:[H16] strains that could have occurred by Tn2 insertion. Our data suggest that strains belonging to the STEC O118:[H16] clonal group have a characteristic propensity for acquisition and maintenance of resistance determinants, thus contrasting to STEC belonging to other serotypes.     

Differences in virulence among Escherichia coli O157:H7 strains isolated from humans during disease outbreaks and from healthy cattle

Escherichia coli O157:H7 causes life-threatening outbreaks of diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis, and hemolytic-uremic syndrome in humans and significant economic loss in agriculture and could be a potential agent of bioterrorism. Although the prevalence of E. coli O157:H7 in cattle and other species with which humans have frequent contact is high, human infections are relatively uncommon, despite a low infectious dose. A plausible explanation for the low disease incidence is the possibility that not all strains are virulent in humans. If there are substantial differences in virulence among strains in nature, then human disease may select for high virulence. We used a gnotobiotic piglet model to investigate the virulence of isolates from healthy cattle and from humans in disease outbreaks and to determine the correlation between production of Shiga toxin 1 (Stx1) and Stx2 and virulence. Overall, E. coli O157:H7 strains isolated from healthy cattle were less virulent in gnotobiotic piglets than strains isolated from humans during disease outbreaks. The amount of Stx2 produced by E. coli O157:H7 strains correlated with strain virulence as measured by a reduction in piglet survival and signs of central nervous system disease due to brain infarction. The amount of Stx1 produced in culture was not correlated with the length of time of piglet survival or with signs of central nervous system disease. We suggest that disease outbreaks select for producers of high levels of Stx2 among E. coli O157:H7 strains shed by animals and further suggest that Stx1 expression is unlikely to be significant in human outbreaks.     

Probiotic potential and safety of enterococci strains

The aims of this research were to evaluate the safety and probiotic potential of Enterococcus spp. strains and select novel strains for future development of new functional fermented products. Bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, capacity of auto-aggregation and co-aggregation, hydrophobicity, tolerance to different pH values and NaCl content, mucin degradation, and antibiotic susceptibility were evaluated. Considering the preliminary probiotic features and safety, the strains were selected for complementary tests: tolerance to gastrointestinal tract (GIT) conditions, adhesion to Caco-2 cells and β-galactosidase activity, and presence of genes encoding virulence factors, antibiotic resistance, and biogenic amines were also performed for the selected strains. Enterococcus faecium SJRP20 and SJRP65 resisted well to the GIT conditions, presented low adhesion property, produced β-galactosidase although they did not present genes implicated in adhesion, aggregation, and colonization. Enterococcus faecium SJRP65 showed fewer genes related to antibiotic resistance and virulence factors and presented good functional properties, with interesting features for future application in dairy products.     

Susceptibility and detoxifying enzyme activity in two spider mite species (Acari: Tetranychidae) after selection with three insecticides

Changes in the susceptibility and detoxifying enzyme activity were measured in laboratory strains of Banks grass mite, Oligonychus pratensis (Banks), and twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, that were repeatedly exposed to three insecticides. Three strains of each mite species were exposed to one of two pyrethroids, bifenthrin, and lambda-cyhalothrin, or an organophosphate, dimethoate, for 10 selection cycles at the LC60 for each insecticide. A reference or nonselected strain of each mite species was not exposed to insecticides. After 10 cycles of exposure, susceptibility to the corresponding insecticides, bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and dimethoate, decreased 4.5-, 5.9-, and 289.2-fold, respectively, relative to the reference strain in the respective O. pratensis strains, and 14.8-, 5.7-, and 104.7-fold, respectively, relative to the reference strain in the respective T. urticae strains. In the bifenthrin-exposed O. pratensis strain, there was a 88.9-fold cross-resistance to dimethoate. In the dimethoate-exposed T. urticae strain, there was a 15.9-fold cross-resistance to bifenthrin. These results suggest that there may be cross-resistance between dimethoate and bifenthrin. The reduced susceptibility to dimethoate remained stable for three months in the absence of selection pressure in both mites. The decrease in susceptibility in the O. pratensis strains exposed to bifenthrin, lambda-cyhalothrin, and dimethoate was associated with a 4.7-, 3.0-, and 3.6-fold increase in general esterase activity, respectively. The decrease in susceptibility in the T. urticae strains exposed to bifenthrin and lambda-cyhalothrin was associated with a 1.3- and 1.1-fold increase in general esterase activity, respectively. The mean general esterase activity was significantly higher in the pyrethroid-exposed O. pratensis and T. urticae strains than in the nonselected strain. There was no significant increase in esterase activity in the dimethoate-exposed T. urticae strain. The decrease in susceptibility to insecticides was also associated with reduced glutathione S-transferase 1-chloro-2, 4-dinitrobenzene conjugation activity, but this did not appear to be related to changes in insecticide susceptibility. These results suggest that in these mites, the general esterases may play a role in conferring resistance to pyrethroids. However, some other untested mechanism, such as target site insensitivity, must be involved in conferring dimethoate resistance.     

An Environmental Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli O145 Clonal Population Exhibits High-Level Phenotypic Variation That Includes Virulence Traits

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) serotype O145 is one of the major non-O157 serotypes associated with severe human disease. Here we examined the genetic diversity, population structure, virulence potential, and antimicrobial resistance profiles of environmental O145 strains recovered from a major produce production region in California. Multilocus sequence typing analyses revealed that sequence type 78 (ST-78), a common ST in clinical strains, was the predominant genotype among the environmental strains. Similarly, all California environmental strains belonged to H28, a common H serotype in clinical strains. Although most environmental strains carried an intact fliC gene, only one strain retained swimming motility. Diverse stx subtypes were identified, including stx_1a, stx_2a, stx_2c, and stx_2e. Although no correlation was detected between the stx genotype and Stx1 production, high Stx2 production was detected mainly in strains carrying stx_2a only and was correlated positively with the cytotoxicity of Shiga toxin. All environmental strains were capable of producing enterohemolysin, whereas only 10 strains were positive for anaerobic hemolytic activity. Multidrug resistance appeared to be common, as nearly half of the tested O145 strains displayed resistance to at least two different classes of antibiotics. The core virulence determinants of enterohemorrhagic E. coli were conserved in the environmental STEC O145 strains; however, there was large variation in the expression of virulence traits among the strains that were highly related genotypically, implying a trend of clonal divergence. Several cattle isolates exhibited key virulence traits comparable to those of the STEC O145 outbreak strains, emphasizing the emergence of hypervirulent strains in agricultural environments.     

Vanadate-stimulated NADH oxidation by xanthine oxidase: an intrinsic property

Vanadate-dependent oxidation of NADH by xanthine oxidase does not require the presence of xanthine and therefore is not due to cooxidation. Addition of NADH or xanthine had no effect on the oxidation of the other substrate. Oxidation of NADH was high at acid pH and oxidation of xanthine was high at alkaline pH. The specific activity was relatively very high with NADH. Concentration-dependent oxidation of NADH Concentration-dependent oxidation of NADH was obtained in the presence of the polymeric form of vanadate, but not orthovanadate or metavanadate. Both NADH and NADPH were oxidized, as in the nonenzymatic system. Oxidation of NADH, but not xanthine, was inhibited by KCN, ascorbate, MnCl2, cytochrome c, mannitol, Tris, epinephrine, norepinephrine, and triiodothyronine. Oxidation of NADH was accompanied by uptake of oxygen and generation of H2O2 with a stoichiometry of 1:1:1 for NADH:O2:H2O2. A 240-nm-absorbing species was formed during the reaction which was different from H2O2 or superoxide. A mechanism of NADH oxidation is suggested wherein Vv and O2 receive one electron each successively from NADH followed by VIV giving the second electron to superoxide and reducing it to H2O2.