Repositório Científico do Instituto Nacional de Saúde
Entradas recentes
Bats as Hosts of Antimicrobial-Resistant Mammaliicoccus lentus and Staphylococcus epidermidis with Zoonotic Relevance
Publication . Silva, Vanessa; Caniça, Manuela; de la Rivière, Rani; Barros, Paulo; Cabral, João Alexandre; Poeta, Patrícia; Igrejas, Gilberto
Bats are increasingly recognized as reservoirs for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, playing a potential role in the dissemination of resistance genes across species and regions. In this study, 105 bats from 19 species in Portugal were sampled to investigate the presence, antimicrobial resistance, and genetic characteristics of Mammaliicoccus and Staphylococcus isolates. Thirteen Mammaliicoccus lentus and Staphylococcus epidermidis were recovered. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed multidrug resistance in three isolates, with S. epidermidis carrying mph(C), msr(A), and dfrC genes, and M. lentus harboring salB, tet(K), and str. Notably, qacA was detected in S. epidermidis, highlighting its plasmid-associated potential for horizontal gene transfer to more pathogenic bacteria. Heavy metal resistance genes (arsB and cadD) were also identified, suggesting the role of environmental factors in co-selecting antimicrobial resistance. Molecular typing revealed the S. epidermidis strain as ST297, a clone associated with both healthy humans and invasive infections. These findings emphasize the need for monitoring bats as reservoirs of resistance determinants, particularly in the context of zoonotic and environmental health. The presence of mobile genetic elements and plasmids further underscores the potential for the dissemination of resistance. This study reinforces the importance of adopting a One Health approach to mitigate the risks associated with antimicrobial resistance.
Impact of manure and artificial fertilizer application on metal and metalloid distributions in agricultural soils and crops
Publication . Felipe-Sotelo, M.; Brandtner, M.; Ward, N. I.; Al Sid Cheikh, M.; Chambers, M. A.; Rab, G.; Rosel, A. Cabal; Woegerbauer, M.; Hassan, M. M.; La Ragione, R.; Tenson, T.; Kisand, V.; Jeremejeva, J.; Kořínková, M.; Drahošová, Z.; de Menezes, A. B.; Gajda, A.; Gbylik-Sikorska, M.; Caniça, M.
The application of animal manure to agricultural soil is a very common practice to improve soils fertility, providing a rich source of organic matter and nutrients. However, the presence of certain trace elements in the manure can result in a threat for food safety and the environment. In addition to their potential toxic effects on crops, animal and humans, certain metals such as cadmium, chromium, copper, nickel, mercury, cobalt, lead and zinc may play a role in the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance, as they can increase the selective pressure on bacteria. To evaluate holistically the impact of manure application on the concentration of metals and metalloids (metal(loid)s) in different environmental compartments, samples of manure, farmed and wild animal faeces, soils, crops and water were collected from farming environments in Austria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Portugal, Republic of Ireland and Great Britain. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to quantify 17 elements, namely vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, arsenic, selenium, strontium, molybdenum, cadmium, mercury, antimony, barium, and lead. The data were analysed using Pearson correlation and Principal Components Analysis (PCA). The statistical analyses revealed that zinc, copper and potentially manganese can be used as markers of the presence and impact of manure in the environment. Minimum co-selective concentrations (MCC) for copper and zinc were exceeded in water and manure samples, indicating that these elements may act as drivers for bacterial antibiotic resistance. However, the results of the total concentration of metal(loid)s in crops and the bioavailable concentrations in soils did not show any significant differences between application of manure and artificial fertilizers. Other confounding effects, such as the soil matrix and/or the type of crops, seem to have a more significant effect on the concentration and distribution of the metal(loid)s in these systems.
Genomic epidemiology and resistome dynamics of species in a Portuguese Open Air Laboratory: the emergence of the FRI-8 carbapenemase
Publication . Teixeira, Pedro; Ramos, Miguel; Rivière, Rani; Azevedo, Mónica; Ferreira, Mário; Cano, Maria Manuela; Vieira, Patrícia; Reis, Lígia; Matias, Rui; Rodrigues, João; Menezes, Carina; Rosado, Tânia; Sequeira, António; Moreira, Olga; Ruppitsch, Werner; Cabal-Rosel, Adriana; Mo, Solveig Sølverød; Dias, Elsa; Woegerbauer, Markus; Caniça, Manuela; Manageiro, Vera
Interconnected reservoirs contribute to the global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including carbapenem- and colistin-resistant , highlighting the need for a One Health approach. We assessed the genomic epidemiology, diversity and AMR mechanisms of spp. across interconnected human, animal, plant, and environmental reservoirs in a Portuguese Open Air Laboratory. Over a one year monitoring period, samples from 12 different compartments were collected and processed using selective media to isolate spp., which were subjected to antibiotic susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing and subsequent analyses to identify AMR determinants, characterize plasmids and phylogenetic relationships. We established a collection of 61 isolates spanning nine species and 32 sequence types, including 16 novel ones, across nine compartments (river water, wastewater, soil, manure, feed, air, farmers, pigs, wild animals), reflecting the diversity and ubiquity of species. Core-genome analysis revealed eight genetic clusters, suggesting clonal transmission across compartments. In total, 29 antibiotic resistance genes were detected across all isolates. Notably, this is the first documentation of -harbouring in European environmental settings and the first to describe , and genes in Portugal. was detected in all isolates ( = 17), located on four different IncFII(Yp) plasmids, and in an isolate, flanked by IS3 family transposases. and the -harbouring isolate were resistant to carbapenems. A gene was identified in an isolate on an IncFII(pECLA) plasmid. These plasmids exhibited high sequence similarity with global counterparts, indicating potential for horizontal gene transfer. Other antimicrobial resistance genes included , , and . Our findings underscore the importance of as vectors for AMR and the critical role of environmental compartments in its dissemination, reinforcing the importance of adopting a One Health approach to fully understand AMR dynamics.
Tracking epidemiological shifts in hepatitis A in Portugal: a comparison of seroprevalence between two nationwide surveys, 2001 to 2002 and 2015 to 2016
Publication . Manageiro, Vera; Matos, Rita; Palminha, Paula; Cortes-Martins, Helena; Nunes, Baltazar; de Sousa, Rita
Hepatitis A incidence in Portugal declined from 20.1 to 0.4/100,000 population between 1987 and 2023, changing non-vaccinated population susceptibility. This shift has contributed to more frequent outbreaks, including in 2024-25, highlighting the need to enhance surveillance and integrate serological data.
We aimed to describe the exposure profile of the Portuguese population to hepatitis A virus (HAV) over time by estimating and comparing the seroprevalence of hepatitis A in two nationwide surveys. Data from two cross-sectional seroprevalence studies performed in 2001-02 and 2015-16 in the population aged ≥ 2 years were analysed. Seroprevalence was weighted for population distribution by age, sex and region, and then analysed by birth cohort (1911 -2014) and compared using Poisson regression. Overall prevalence of anti-HAV IgG antibodies was 67.3% (95% CI: 64.2-70.3) in 2001-02 (n = 1,642) and 56.3% (95% CI: 52.4-60.2) in 2015-16 (n = 2,052), showing an 11-percentage-point decline. Birth cohort analysis revealed consistent seroprevalence within each cohort in both surveys, i.e. seroprevalence for the 1981-90 birth cohort was 16.7% and 18.7%, respectively, suggesting that higher seroprevalence is more closely associated with birth cohort (cohort effect) rather than a specific time point. Additionally, we found that individuals aged ≥ 30 years, born before the 1980s, and those with lower education had higher seroprevalence. The immunological profile of anti-HAV antibodies in the Portuguese population has shifted over the last decades. High susceptibility and shifting age distribution of Hepatitis A-seropositive individuals highlight the need to revise future vaccination strategies in Portugal.
Insights into Persian Gulf Beach Sand Mycobiomes: Promises and Challenges in Fungal Diversity
Publication . Saravani, Abolfazl; Brandão, João; Ahmadi, Bahram; Rezaei-Matehkolaei, Ali; Hedayati, Mohammad Taghi; Abastabar, Mahdi; Zarrinfar, Hossein; Nabili, Mojtaba; Faeli, Leila; Javidnia, Javad; Parsay, Shima; Abtahian, Zahra; Moazeni, Maryam; Badali, Hamid; Ali
Beach Sand Mycobiome is currently among the most important health challenges for viticulture in the world. Remarkably, the study of fungal communities in coastal beach sand and recreational waters remains underexplored despite their potential implications for human health. This research aimed to assess the prevalence of fungal species and the antifungal susceptibility profiles of fungi recovered from the beaches of the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Sand and seawater samples from 39 stations distributed within 13 beaches along the coastline were collected between May and July 2023. The grown isolates were identified at the species level based on morphological characteristics and DNA sequencing. Antifungal susceptibility testing was performed according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Of 222 recovered isolates, 206 (92.8%) filamentous fungi and 16 (7.2%) yeast strains were identified. Sand-recovered fungi comprised 82.9%, while water-originated fungi accounted for 17.1%. The DNA sequencing technique categorized 191 isolates into 13 genera and 26 species. The most recovered genus was Aspergillus (68.9%), and Aspergillus terreus sensu stricto was the commonly identified species (26.14%). Voriconazole was the most effective antifungal drug against Aspergillus species. Research on fungal contamination levels at these locations could provide a foundation for establishing regulatory frameworks to diminish fungal risks, thereby enhancing public health protection. The ecological significance of fungal communities in sandy beaches to human infections remains to be explored, and earlier reports in the literature may motivate researchers to focus on detecting this mycobiome in natural environments where further investigation is warranted. Ultimately, our discovery serves as a reminder that much remains to be learned about pathogenic fungi and underscores the need for vigilance in areas where emerging pathogens have not yet been identified.