Browsing by Author "Sousa, Marta"
Now showing 1 - 6 of 6
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Antimicrobial susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci in oral and nasal cavitiesPublication . Sousa, Marta; Sampaio Maia, Benedita; Costa, Carolina; Campos, Carla; Campos, JoanaStaphylococcus infections are becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to the growing number of resistant strains to old and new antibiotics. Staphylococcus aureus is referenced as the most clinically relevant but other species, known as coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), have emerged as major causes of serious infections. Although nostrils are considered Staphylococcus preferred host habitat, the oral cavity has also been appointed as a relevant reservoir. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility (AS) of nasal and oral staphylococci isolates. Therefore, AS was determined to 102 nasal and 90 oral isolates, previously recovered from dentistry students, by disc diffusion agar for amoxicillin, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin, erythromycin, gentamicin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, tetracycline, and trimethoprim+sulfamethoxazole following the EUCAST/CLSI guidelines. In either nasal (N) or oral (O) cavities, the Staphylococcus isolates included 22% of S. aureus and 78% of CoNS isolates, namely S. epidermidis (41%-N,37%-O), S. warneri (15%-N,16%-O), S. capitis (10%-N,4%-O), S. saprophyticus (9%-N,6%-O), S. pasteuri (7%-O), S. lugdunensis (3%-O), and other (S. haemolyticus, S. hominis, S. sciuri, S. cohnii, and S. condimenti/S. carnosus). All S. aureus isolates presented resistance to at least one antibiotic, and 36% in oral and 25% in nasal cavities presented multidrug resistance (MDR). Among CoNS 65% in oral and 49% in nasal cavities presented resistance to at least one antibiotic, and ~5% presented MDR, namely isolates of S. epidermidis, S. pasteuri, S. haemolyticus, and S. hominis. In conclusion, this study revealed the relevance of the oral cavity as a colonization site for Staphylococcus, including S. aureus, and as a potential source/reservoir of antibiotic resistance, which has been widely neglected so far, highlighting the need for oral cavity inclusion in the Staphylococcus carriage and antibiotic screening.
- Association between maternal cardiometabolic risk factors and oral health of infantsPublication . Pestana, Rebeca Saad; Baptista, Manuel; Magalhães, Inês; Morais, Juliana; Ferreira, Ana Filipa; Marques, Sofia Cameron; Jerónimo, Maria Luís; Pinto, Carla; Sousa, Marta; Falcão-Pires, Inês; Duister, Denise; Zaura, Egija; Azevedo, Maria João; Maia, Benedita SampaioMaternal health conditions during pregnancy influence infant health1-3. Cardiometabolic risk factors (CRFs), such as obesity, hypertension, and gestational diabetes, increase maternal and neonatal complications due to chronic inflammation, which disrupts immune and endocrine adaptation4,5. While the effects of CRFs on infant development are well studied, their impact on oral health remains unclear. Therefore, this study aims to assess the association between maternal CRFs and oral health of infants at three years of age. The prospective OralBioBorn cohort follows pregnant women (healthy and with CRFs) and their children up to 36 months postpartum. At age three, oral hygiene habits, caries experience using ICDAS, and Quigley-Hein plaque index (PI) of children were assessed. PI was evaluated on buccal and lingual surfaces. Preliminary data from 36 children (26 from healthy mothers, 10 from mothers with CRFs) showed no cavitated, missing, or filled teeth due to caries, nor PUFA Index lesions, in either group. The PI did not differ significantly between children of healthy mothers and those of mothers with CRFs (0.17±0.32 vs. 0.49±0.72, p>0.05, Mann-Whitney U test). The lack of associations between maternal CRFs and child oral health may reflect multiple factors, including the small sample size, the young age of the children, and the possibility that maternal CRFs do not exert a strong early influence on oral health. Future work will focus on evaluating a larger cohort and considering additional determinants, such as oral hygiene and dietary habits, which may play a more prominent role in shaping early oral health outcomes. This will provide a deeper understanding of potential mediating factors influencing early oral health trajectories
- Breastfeeding and malocclusions: Characterization of a pediatric dentistry population enrolled in a birth cohort studyPublication . Marques, Sofia Cameron; Baptista, Manuel; Magalhães, Inês; Morais, Juliana; Ferreira, Ana Filipa; Pestana, Rebeca; Jerónimo, Maria Luís; Pinto, Carla; Sousa, Marta; Pires, Inês Falcão; Deuster, Denise; Zaura, Egija; Areias, Cristina; Maia, Benedita SampaioBreastfeeding plays an important role in the development of the craniofacial complex (1,2). However, the role of breastfeeding duration, non-nutritive sucking habits, and the timing of solid food introduction on the development of malocclusions is still in debate (25). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate these associations in a birth cohort. In the ongoing OralBioBorn birth cohort, occlusion of three-year-old children was assessed in maxiumum intercuspidation, examining the left and right sides, followed by a frontal assessment. In addition, the information on breastfeeding type and duration, solid food introduction, and non-nutritive sucking habits was collected through a parental questionnaire. Preliminary data from 39 children revealed a high prevalence of open bite (33.3%), crossbite (20.5%), and overbite (10.3%). Scissor bite, high/narrow palate, and crowding were observed in only one child each. The relationship between these occlusal characteristics and breastfeeding duration, non-nutritive sucking habits, and solid food introduction will be further explored. The preliminary findings suggest that malocclusions are frequent at an early age, reinforcing the need to investigate their potential early-life determinants. Future work will involve a more in-depth analysis of the associations between occlusal development and early feeding practices, considering additional factors such as genetic predisposition and environmental influences. Longitudinal follow-up of this cohort will provide valuable insights into the long-term impact of breastfeeding and oral habits on craniofacial growth, ultimately contributing to early preventive strategies.
- Crisis management in business tourism. An empirical study in the Iberian PeninsulaPublication . Ferreira, Fernanda A.; Liberato, Dália; Sousa, Marta; Liberato, Pedro; Costa, ElgaThe covid-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant humanitarian, social, and economic crisis, impacting various sectors, including tourism and hospitality. Among the affected segments, business tourism, which is a vital contributor to the local and regional economies and expected to grow, has also faced substantial challenges during this period. To understand and analyse the crisis management within the business tourism industry in the Iberian Peninsula, this research follows a qualitative methodological approach, through semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs from the tourism sector in Portugal and Spain. The overarching goal of this study is to assess the impact of the covid-19 crisis on business tourism in the Iberian Peninsula. To achieve this, specific objectives include comprehending the effects of the pandemic on business tourism, identifying crisis management practices, and analysing the measures adopted by tourism professionals in response to the crisis. Key findings from the study emphasize the changes in events organization, such as exhibitions, congresses, fairs, and shows, which had to adapt to new social distancing policies, leading to cancellations, postponements, or a shift to online formats where possible. Additionally, significant changes due to health and safety concerns were observed, with Regional Entities and the national DMO (Turismo de Portugal) initiating initiatives like the Clean & Safe seal, implementing safety measures, and adapting products and services. The digital environment emerged as a critical platform for strategies during this time. Regarding crisis management practices, it was noted that many companies lacked a structured crisis management model, often resorting to reactive action plans when faced with specific challenges. Notably, the support received from the government was considered fundamental in managing the crisis, alongside effective communication among stakeholders, strategic marketing approaches, and the development of resilience. In conclusion, the covid-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the business tourism industry in the Iberian Peninsula, requiring adaptive measures, particularly in event organization, safety implementation, and digital strategies. The study also highlights the importance of crisis management practices, emphasizing the role of government support, communication, marketing, and resilience in navigating the challenges posed by the pandemic. These insights provide valuable guidance for the industry's future preparedness and response to crises.
- Influência do modelo de chuteira na performance de futebolistas com e sem instabilidade crónica do tornozeloPublication . Silva, Diogo; Sousa, Marta; Moreira, Marta; Montes, António; Sousa, Andreia; Santos, RubimA entorse lateral do tornozelo (ELT) é uma das lesões mais comuns, representando 10 a 30% de todas as lesões músculo-esqueléticas. Potenciada por gestos desportivos como mudanças de direção ou receções ao solo após um salto, a ELT, dita que 40 a 70 % dos atletas desenvolvam instabilidade crónica do tornozelo (ICT). Esta condição clínica apresenta limitações funcionais e sintomas residuais de giving way que podem vir a comprometer a performance do atleta.
- Unveiling the relevance of the oral cavity as a staphylococcus aureus colonization site and potential source of antimicrobial resistancePublication . Campos, Joana; Faria Pires, Mariana; Sousa, Marta; Campos, Carla; Fernandes Ferreira Alves da Costa, Carolina; Sampaio-Maia, BeneditaStaphylococcus aureus is both a human commensal and a pathogen, that causes serious nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Despite nostrils being considered its preferred host habitat, the oral cavity has been demonstrated to be an ideal starting point for auto-infection and transmission. The antibiotic resistance assessment of S. aureus is a priority and is often reported in clinical settings. This study aimed to explore the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility of S. aureus in the oral and nasal cavities of healthy individuals. The participants (n = 101) were subjected to a demographic and clinical background survey, a caries evaluation, and to oral and nasal swabbing. Swabs were cultured in differential/selective media and S. aureus isolates were identified (MALDI-TOF MS) and tested for antibiotic susceptibility (EUCAST/CLSI). Similar S. aureus prevalence was found exclusively on nasal (13.9%) or oral (12.0%) habitats, whereas 9.9% of the population were simultaneous nasal and oral carriers. In oro-nasal cavities, similar antibiotic resistance rates (83.3–81.5%), including MDR (20.8–29.6%), were observed. Notably, 60% (6/10) of the simultaneous nasal and oral carriers exhibited different antibiotic resistance profiles between cavities. This study demonstrates the relevance of the oral cavity as an independent colonization site for S. aureus and as a potential source of antimicrobial resistance, a role which has been widely neglected so far.