Capsular Type, Sequence Type and Microbial Resistance Factors Impact on DNase Activity of Strains from Human and Bovine Origin.

Extracellular deoxyribonucleases (DNases) contribute to the spread of pathogenic bacteria through the evasion from host innate immunity. Our main objective was to evaluate the production of extracellular DNases by human and bovine clinical strains and perform a correlation of genetic lineages and DNase activity with capsular type, genetic determinants, clinical origin (colonization and infection), and host (human or bovine). DNase activity was evaluated by qualitative and quantitative assays for a collection of 406 human ( = 285) and bovine ( = 121) strains.

In silico scrutiny of genes revealing phylogenetic congruence with clinical prevalence or tropism properties of Chlamydia trachomatis strains.

Microbes possess a multiplicity of virulence factors that confer them the ability to specifically infect distinct biological niches. Contrary to what is known for other bacteria, for the obligate intracellular human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, the knowledge of the molecular basis underlying serovars' tissue specificity is scarce. We examined all ~900 genes to evaluate the association between individual phylogenies and cell-appetence or ecological success of C.

Accuracy of prenatal culture in predicting intrapartum group B streptococcus colonization status.

Objective: To evaluate the positive predictive value (PPV) of group B Streptococcus (GBS) cultures at 35-37 weeks of gestation relative to GBS colonization status at delivery.

Methods: Rectovaginal swabs from 221 women at labor in four Lisbon hospitals were collected for GBS screening according to the CDC guidelines.

Results: The PPV was 24.