Abstract
BackgroundThe rise in antimicrobial resistance in a plethora of nosocomial and opportunistic bacterial pathogens often isolated from commercial eggs, poses a serious public health concern. The existence of these contaminants may also serve as a drawback in the current efforts of improving the well-being of immunocompromised patients. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of plant extracts that had good activity on Escherichia coli in previous word on pathogens isolated from eggs for possible use in combating pathogens from eggs.MethodsAcetone leaf extracts of nine trees with good activities against Escherichia coli were tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity against six opportunistic bacterial isolates from commercial eggs (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Salmonella serotype Typhimurium, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli) using a serial microdilution method with tetrazolium violet as indicator of growth. Cytotoxicity was determined using a tetrazolium-based colorimetric assay against Vero kidney cells, and selectivity index calculated.ResultsThe MIC values range of the different extracts against Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was 0.08-0.31 mg/ml, Klebsiella pneumonia 0.08-0.63 mg/ml, Salmonella ser. Typhimurium 0.08-0.63 mg/ml, Proteus mirabilis 0.02-1.25 mg/ml, Enterobacter cloacae 0.08-0.31 mg/ml and Escherichia coli 0.08-0.16 mg/ml respectively. Escherichia coli was the most sensitive while Proteus mirabilis was most resistant pathogen to the different test extracts, with mean MIC values of 0.08 mg/ml and 0.46 mg/ml respectively. Cremaspora triflora extracts had good activity against all the pathogenic egg isolates, with the exception of Proteus mirabilis. Maesa lanceolata and Elaeodendron croceum had the best total antibacterial activity (TAA), while generally the selectivity index of the extract was low (SI < 1).ConclusionThe exceptional activity of C. triflora extracts suggests that the plant has potential as a therapeutic agent against some members of the Enterobacteriaceae. Further pharmacological investigations may be interesting in the search for new antimicrobial leads.
Highlights
The rise in antimicrobial resistance in a plethora of nosocomial and opportunistic bacterial pathogens often isolated from commercial eggs, poses a serious public health concern
Providencia spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, either from whole or cracked eggs. These pathogenic microbes are capable of causing food spoilage, and infectious diseases in consumers when introduced into the food chain [1, 5,6,7]
Collection of plant material, drying and storage Fresh leaves from nine South African medicinal plants with excellent activity against Escherichia coli were collected from the Lowveld National Botanical Garden, Pretoria National Botanical Garden and University of Pretoria Manie van der Schyff Botanical Garden
Summary
The rise in antimicrobial resistance in a plethora of nosocomial and opportunistic bacterial pathogens often isolated from commercial eggs, poses a serious public health concern. The existence of these contaminants may serve as a drawback in the current efforts of improving the well-being of immunocompromised patients. Enteric pathogens like Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli have been isolated from the outer shells of eggs and their internal contents [5]. Providencia spp. and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, either from whole or cracked eggs These pathogenic microbes are capable of causing food spoilage, and infectious diseases in consumers when introduced into the food chain [1, 5,6,7]
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