Aerobic Gram-positive Bacteria Research Articles

Bacterial Membrane Vesicles: The Missing Link Between Bacterial Infection and Alzheimer Disease.

Periodontitis is a common chronic inflammatory disease, affecting approximately 19% of the global adult population. A relationship between periodontal disease and Alzheimer disease has long been recognized, and recent evidence has been uncovered to link these 2 diseases mechanistically. Periodontitis is caused by dysbiosis in the subgingival plaque microbiome, with a pronounced shift in the oral microbiota from one consisting primarily of Gram-positive aerobic bacteria to one predominated by Gram-negative anaerobes, such as Porphyromonas gingivalis. A common phenomenon shared by all bacteria is the release of membrane vesicles to facilitate biomolecule delivery across long distances. In particular, the vesicles released by P gingivalis and other oral pathogens have been found to transport bacterial components across the blood-brain barrier, initiating the physiologic changes involved in Alzheimer disease. In this review, we summarize recent data that support the relationship between vesicles secreted by periodontal pathogens to Alzheimer disease pathology.

Study of Aerobic Bacteria from Surgical Site Infection and their Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern at a Tertiary Care Centre in Eastern Nepal

Background: The surgical site infections are the third most common nosocomial infection. The most common organism is Staphylococcus aureus. Nepal has a 4-7% overall prevalence rate for surgical site infection. The study objective was to find out the aerobic bacteria from surgical site infection and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern in a tertiary care hospital in Nepal. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care center with effect from September 2022 to September 2023 approval from the Institutional Review Committee. Pus samples were taken from the postoperative wound infection site and submitted to the microbiological laboratory for culture and sensitivity. Gram-positive aerobic bacteria and gram-negative aerobic bacteria were isolated and identified by standard microbiological procedures. An antimicrobial susceptibility test was done on Muller-Hinton agar using the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The result was interpreted according to clinical and laboratory standard institute guidelines. Results: The rate of surgical site infection was 22.24% and the most common organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus followed by Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. All the gram-positive cocci were sensitive to linezolid, teicoplanin, and vancomycin and gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, cefoperazone/sulbactam and cefepime. Conclusion: The present study concluded that the most common aerobic bacteria isolated from surgical site infection in our setting was found to be Staphylococcus aureus. This study also showed that the gram-positive aerobic bacteria were most susceptible tolinezolid, and teicoplanin, and gram-negative aerobic bacteria were sensitive to meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam, and cefoperazone/sulbactam.

Isolation and whole genomic analysis of mesophilic bacterium Pseudoglutamicibacter cumminsii in epithelial mesothelioma

The relationship between bacteria and tumors has been the hot spot of clinical research in recent years. Pseudoglutamicibacter cumminsii is an aerobic Gram-positive bacterium commonly found in soil. Recent studies have identified P. cumminsii in patients with cutaneous and urinary tract infections. However, little is known on its pathogenesis as well as involvement in other clinical symptoms. In this study, we first report the isolation of P. cumminsii in blood of an epithelial mesothelioma patient. The clinical and laboratory characteristics of P. cumminsii were first described and evaluated. The pure colony of P. cumminsii was then identified using automated microorganism identification system and mass spectrum. The whole genome of the newly identified strain was sequenced with third generation sequencing (TGS). The assembled genome was further annotated and analyzed. Whole genomic and comparative genomic analysis revealed that the isolated P. cumminsii strain in this study had a genome size of 2,179,930 bp and had considerable unique genes compared with strains reported in previous findings. Further phylogenetic analysis showed that this strain had divergent phylogenetic relationship with other P. cumminsii strains. Based on these results, the newly found P. cumminsii strain was named P. cumminsii XJ001 (PC1). Virulence analysis identified a total of 71 pathogenic genes with potential roles in adherence, immune modulation, nutrition/metabolism, and regulation in PC1. Functional analysis demonstrated that the annotated genes in PC1 were mainly clustered into amino acid metabolism (168 genes), carbohydrate metabolism (107 genes), cofactor and vitamin metabolisms (98 genes), and energy metabolism (68 genes). Specifically, six genes including yodJ, idh, katA, pyk, sodA, and glsA were identified within cancer pathways, and their corresponding homologous genes have been documented with precise roles in human cancer. Collectively, the above results first identified P. cumminsii in the blood of tumor patients and further provide whole genomic landscape of the newly identified PC1 strain, shedding light on future studies of bacteria in tumorigenesis.

Important role of Bacillus subtilis as a probiotic and vaccine carrier in animal health maintenance.

Bacillus subtilis is a widespread Gram-positive facultative aerobic bacterium that is recognized as generally safe. It has shown significant application value and great development potential in the animal farming industry. As a probiotic, it is frequently used as a feed growth supplement to effectively replace antibiotics due to its favourable effects on regulating the intestinal flora, improving intestinal immunity, inhibiting harmful microorganisms, and secreting bioactive substances. Consequently, the gut health and disease resistance of farmed animals can be improved. Both vegetative and spore forms of B. subtilis have also been utilized as vaccine carriers for delivering the antigens of infectious pathogens for over a decade. Notably, its spore form is regarded as one of the most prospective for displaying heterologous antigens with high activity and stability. Previously published reviews have predominantly focused on the development and applications of B. subtilis spore surface display techniques. However, this review aims to summarize recent studies highlighting the important role of B. subtilis as a probiotic and vaccine carrier in maintaining animal health. Specifically, we focus on the beneficial effects and underlying mechanisms of B. subtilis in enhancing disease resistance among farmed animals as well as its potential application as mucosal vaccine carriers. It is anticipated that B. subtilis will assume an even more prominent role in promoting animal health with in-depth research on its characteristics and genetic manipulation tools.

Aerobic Bacteria and Their Antibiotic Resistance Profile in Neonatal Septicaemia: A cross Sectional Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Rajshahi, Bangladesh

Objective: Neonatal sepsis is an infection of the bloodstream in infants younger than 28 days old. It continues to be the major cause of morbidity and mortality among newborns, particularly in middle- and low-income nations. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify aerobic bacteria of neonatal sepsis by blood culture using FAN method followed by subculture and relevant biochemical tests. Methods: It was a cross sectional type of descriptive study where the sample size was 95 and data were collected purposively from the clinically suspected neonatal septicaemia cases from inpatient Pediatric department in Rajshahi Medical College Hospital, Rajshahi. Results: Most 34 (35.79%) of the cases were culture positive, whereas 61 (64%) were culture negative. 7 (21%) of the 34 positive cases were Gram-positive, while 27 (79%) were Gram-negative. S. aureus was found in 6 (17.65%) of the culture-positive isolates, followed by CoNS with 1 (02.94%), E. coli with 14 (41.17%), Klebsiella spp. with 6 (17.65%), P. aeruginosa with 6 (17.65%), and Acinetobacter with 1 (02.94%). Gram-positive bacteria were extremely susceptible to Vancomycin (90%), Gentamicin (90%), and Ciprofloxacin (80%) based on antibacterial susceptibility testing. Colistin (100%) and ampicillin (100%) exhibited the greatest resistance. Meropenem (90%), Amikacin (90%), and Colistin (89%) were the most effective antibiotics against Gram-negative bacteria, whereas Ceftazidime (60%) was the least effective. Vancomycin (100%) and ampicillin (100%) exhibited the highest degree of resistance. Conclusion: Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic bacteria were related with newborn septicaemia, and a significant proportion of them were resistant to multiple medicines. CME J 2024; 3(2); 4-11

Microbiological profile of diabetic foot infections in China and worldwide: a 20-year systematic review.

Pathogens causing diabetic foot infections (DFIs) vary by region globally; however, knowledge of the causative organism is essential for effective empirical treatment. We aimed to determine the incidence and antibiotic susceptibility of DFI pathogens worldwide, focusing on Asia and China. Through a comprehensive literature search, we identified published studies on organisms isolated from DFI wounds from January 2000 to December 2020. Based on our inclusion criteria, we analyzed 245 studies that cumulatively reported 38,744 patients and 41,427 isolated microorganisms. DFI pathogens varied according to time and region. Over time, the incidence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic bacteria have decreased and increased, respectively. America and Asia have the highest (62.74%) and lowest (44.82%) incidence of Gram-negative bacteria, respectively. Africa has the highest incidence (26.90%) of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Asia has the highest incidence (49.36%) of Gram-negative aerobic bacteria with species infection rates as follows: Escherichia coli, 10.77%; Enterobacter spp., 3.95%; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 11.08%, with higher local rates in China and Southeast Asia. Linezolid, vancomycin, and teicoplanin were the most active agents against Gram-positive aerobes, while imipenem and cefoperazone-sulbactam were the most active agents against Gram-negative aerobes. This systematic review showed that over 20 years, the pathogens causing DFIs varied considerably over time and region. This data may inform local clinical guidelines on empirical antibiotic therapy for DFI in China and globally. Regular large-scale epidemiological studies are necessary to identify trends in DFI pathogenic bacteria. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/, identifier CRD42023447645.

Isolation, Identification and Survival Strategy of <i>Dietzia maris</i> MX2 Halotolerant Strain from the Yakshinskoe Mineral Salts Deposit

Halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms have a high biotechnological potential. They are producers of biologically active substances, stress-protective agents, hydrolytic enzymes, and are used for environmental bioremediation. At the same time, the characterization of novel halotolerant bacteria and the disclosure of their salt tolerance strategy are topical fundamental problems. In the present work, a new strain MX2 was isolated from the salt well brine of the Yakshinskoe potassium-magnesium salt deposit. The isolate is represented by aerobic gram-positive non-motile bacteria that do not produce spores. The cell morphology varies from cocci to short rods that are capable of producing V-shaped forms. Colonies on the surface of agar nutrient medium were circular with an entire edge and raised center, glistening and orange. Bacteria of strain MX2 are halotolerant microorganisms capable of growing at NaCl concentrations up to 9%. Strain MX2 was sequenced. Its size was estimated at 3747717 b. p., the number of protein-coding genes — 3562. Strain MX2 was identified as belonging to the species Dietzia maris based on analysis of 16S rRNA, gyrB, rpoB, recA, ppk gene sequences and using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). D. maris MX2 has complete metabolic pathways for the synthesis of ectoine, hydroxyectoine, and trehalose, as well as transport systems for ectoine, hydroxyectoine, trehalose, glycerol, glycerol-3-phosphate, L-proline, and glycine-betaine. Thus, to ensure the osmotic balance, D. maris MX2 uses the strategy of accumulating compatible organic solutes.

Omadacycline for the treatment of patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia after experiencing liver dysfunction: case series.

Antibiotics frequently induce abnormal liver function. Omadacycline is a novel aminomethylcycline antibiotic, which shows potent activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic, anaerobic, and atypical (including Legionella pneumophila) bacteria. Of note, omadacycline is tolerable in most patients with liver impairment. However, evidence regarding the application of omadacycline in patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia after experiencing liver dysfunction is scarce. The current study reported 6 cases of patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia receiving omadacycline as subsequent antibiotics after experiencing liver dysfunction. These 6 cases were admitted to the hospital for pneumonia and received antibiotic therapy, including piperacillin-tazobactam, imipenem, meropenem, and moxifloxacin. After receiving these antibiotics, increased liver enzymes were noted. Although hepatoprotective therapy (such as magnesium isoglycyrrhizinate and glutathione) was given, the liver function was still abnormal. According to metagenomic next-generation sequencing, these patients were diagnosed with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia. Considering the abnormal liver function, the antibiotic therapy was switched to omadacycline-containing antibiotic therapy. After that, liver function was improved, and the infection was ameliorated. Ultimately, all patients discharged from the hospital, including 2 patients who achieved complete clinical symptomatic improvement and 4 patients who achieved partial clinical symptomatic improvement. This study emphasizes the successful treatment of switching to omadacycline after experiencing abnormal liver function in patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia. This study suggests that omadacycline may serve as an optional antibiotic for patients with Legionella pneumophila pneumonia, especially when occurring liver dysfunction. However, more clinical studies are required to validate our findings.

TA-Cloning for Diabetes Treatment: Expressing Corynebacterium Malic Enzyme Gene in E. coli.

Diabetes mellitus represents a persistent metabolic condition marked by heightened levels of blood glucose, presenting a considerable worldwide health concern, and finding targeted treatment for it is a crucial priority for global health. Gram-positive aerobic bacteria, predominantly inhabiting water and soil, are known carriers of various enzyme-encoding genetic material, which includes the malic enzyme gene that plays a role in insulin secretion. Corynebacterium glutamicum bacteria (ATCC 21799) were acquired from the Pasteur Institute and confirmed using microbiological and molecular tests, including DNA extraction. After identification, gene purification and cloning of the maeB gene were performed using the TA Cloning method. Additionally, the enhancement of enzyme expression was assessed using the expression vector pET-28a, and validation of simulation results was monitored through a real-time PCR analysis. Based on previous studies, the malic enzyme plays a pivotal role in maintaining glucose homeostasis, and increased expression of this enzyme has been associated with enhanced insulin sensitivity. However, the production of malic enzyme has encountered numerous challenges and difficulties. This study successfully isolated the malic enzyme genes via Corynebacterium glutamicum and introduced them into Escherichia coli for high-yield production. According to the results, the optimum temperature for the activity of enzymes has been identified as 39°C.

Complete genome sequence of Bacillus cereus A01.

Bacillus cereus, a class of facultative aerobic gram-positive bacteria, is frequently isolated from soil, growing plants, and the intestinal tract of insects and mammals. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of B. cereus A01, whose total genome length is 6,097,808 bp, with a GC content of 34.92%.

Targeted Clindamycin Delivery Systems: Promising Options for Preventing and Treating Bacterial Infections Using Biomaterials.

Targeted therapy represents a real opportunity to improve the health and lives of patients. Developments in this field are confirmed by the fact that the global market for drug carriers was worth nearly $40 million in 2022. For this reason, materials engineering and the development of new drug carrier compositions for targeted therapy has become a key area of research in pharmaceutical drug delivery in recent years. Ceramics, polymers, and metals, as well as composites, are of great interest, as when they are appropriately processed or combined with each other, it is possible to obtain biomaterials for hard tissues, soft tissues, and skin applications. After appropriate modification, these materials can release the drug directly at the site requiring a therapeutic effect. This brief literature review characterizes routes of drug delivery into the body and discusses biomaterials from different groups, options for their modification with clindamycin, an antibiotic used for infections caused by aerobic and anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria, and different methods for the final processing of carriers. Examples of coating materials for skin wound healing, acne therapy, and bone tissue fillers are given. Furthermore, the reasons why the use of antibiotic therapy is crucial for a smooth and successful recovery and the risks of bacterial infections are explained. It was demonstrated that there is no single proven delivery scheme, and that the drug can be successfully released from different carriers depending on the destination.

Study on optimized culture of microbial strains and their ability in wax removal and viscosity reduction of paraffin-based crude oil

High-viscosity paraffin-based crude oil is prone to wax deposition at low temperatures, hindering development and transportation efficiency while posing safety risks. Microbial technology offers a safe, eco-friendly, and economically viable solution. In this study, strain B-1 is isolated and cultivated optimally using statistical multifactorial synergistic optimization. Species identification reveals strain B-1 to be a new Gram-positive aerobic bacterium. After optimization, strain B-1′s growth activity increases by 11.5 %. Lipopeptide surfactants produced by strain B-1 reduce wax content and viscosity of the crude oil by 37.29 % and 23 %, respectively. It also shows a significant impact on long carbon chain heavy component hydrocarbon substrates, degrading C17-C40 hydrocarbons by 37.93 % on average. Moreover, strain B-1 transforms aggregated wax crystals into dispersed microcrystals, improving flowability. These findings offer a promising solution for enhancing reservoir development efficiency and ensuring pipeline transportation safety.

Structural and Functional Characterization of a Gene Cluster Responsible for Deglycosylation of C-glucosyl Flavonoids and Xanthonoids by Deinococcus aerius

Plant C-glycosylated aromatic polyketides are important for plant and animal health. These are specialized metabolites that perform functions both within the plant, and in interaction with soil or intestinal microbes. Despite the importance of these plant compounds, there is still limited knowledge of how they are metabolized. The Gram-positive aerobic soil bacterium Deinococcus aerius strain TR0125 and other Deinococcus species thrive in a wide range of harsh environments. In this work, we identified a C-glycoside deglycosylation gene cluster in the genome of D. aerius. The cluster includes three genes coding for a GMC-type oxidoreductase (DaCGO1) that oxidizes the glucosyl C3 position in aromatic C-glucosyl compounds, which in turn provides the substrate for the C-glycoside deglycosidase (DaCGD; composed of α+β subunits) that cleaves the glucosyl-aglycone C–C bond. Our results from size-exclusion chromatography, single particle cryo-electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography show that DaCGD is an α2β2 heterotetramer, which represents a novel oligomeric state among bacterial CGDs. Importantly, the high-resolution X-ray structure of DaCGD provides valuable insights into the activation of the catalytic hydroxide ion by Lys261. DaCGO1 is specific for the 6-C-glucosyl flavones isovitexin, isoorientin and the 2-C-glucosyl xanthonoid mangiferin, and the subsequent C–C-bond cleavage by DaCGD generated apigenin, luteolin and norathyriol, respectively. Of the substrates tested, isovitexin was the preferred substrate (DaCGO1, Km 0.047 mM, kcat 51 min−1; DaCGO1/DaCGD, Km 0.083 mM, kcat 0.42 min−1).

Eco-friendly bifunctional antibacterial and anticorrosive broad-spectrum rosin thiourea iminazole quaternary ammonium salt against microbiologically influenced corrosion

Bifunctional antibacterial and anticorrosive broad-spectrum rosin thiourea iminazole quaternary ammonium salt (RTIQAS) was investigated to inhibit microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) caused by anaerobic gram-negative sulfate reducing bacterium (SRB) Desulfovibrio vulgaris against X80 carbon steel and aerobic gram-positive bacterium Bacillus licheniformis against 316L stainless steel. It also indicated that RTIQAS was more effective than common commercial biocides THPS (tetrakis hydroxymethyl phosphonium sulfate) and glutaraldehyde at the same concentration against X80 carbon steel corrosion by D. vulgaris. In the molecular simulation, the interaction energy confirmed the favorable adsorption of RTIQAS on the metal surfaces, indicating its potential as an effective corrosion inhibitor.

Investigating antimicrobial-resistant bacteria from exotic domestic birds - a One Health concern.

Antimicrobial resistance is a natural mechanism in microorganisms, making the treatment of infections more complex in human and veterinary medicine. Global exotic and ornamental bird markets have significantly increased, and the close relationship between pets and humans makes exploring the potential role of these birds as vectors for the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria imperative. This study aimed to use culture-dependent methods to investigate cloacal bacteria and the presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in four breeding stocks of ornamental birds. Cloacal swab samples were collected from 53 birds (canaries = 32, cockatiels = 17, and budgies = 4) and used for culturing and isolating facultative anaerobic and/or obligatory aerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The antimicrobial susceptibility profile of each isolate was determined by the disk diffusion method. Thirty-four isolates were obtained, most of which belonged to the Staphylococcus genus. Bacterial richness was higher in canaries and in one of the breeding stockings, where Gram-negative bacteria were more abundant than in the others. In addition, canaries exhibited a predominance of resistant isolates, particularly multidrug-resistant strains, probably due to prophylactic antimicrobial usage. Most Gram-negative bacteria were resistant to at least one drug tested. A vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis strain was isolated. Most Staphylococcus strains were resistant to gentamycin, followed by penicillin. Eight strains were cefoxitin-resistant, including oxacillin-resistant S. epidermidis, in which the mecA gene was detected. Understanding the prevalence of resistance in avian species is crucial in the collaborative pursuit of maintaining antibiotic effectiveness and strengthening public health defense against emerging infectious risks.

Labile carbon-induced soil organic matter turnover in a subtropical forest under different redox conditions

Labile organic carbon (LOC) input strongly affects soil organic matter (SOM) dynamics, including gains and losses. However, it is unclear how redox fluctuations regulate these processes of SOM decomposition and formation induced by LOC input. The objective of this study was to explore the impacts of LOC input on SOM turnover under different redox conditions. Soil samples were collected in a subtropical forest. A single pulse of 13C-labeled glucose (i.e., LOC) was applied to the soil. Soil samples were incubated for 40 days under three redox treatments, including aerobic, anoxic, and 10-day aerobic followed by 10-day anoxic conditions. Results showed that LOC input affected soil priming and 13C-SOM accumulation differently under distinct redox conditions by altering the activities of various microorganisms. 13C-PLFAs (phospholipid fatty acids) were analyzed to determine the role of microbial groups in SOM turnover. Increased activities of fungi and gram-positive bacteria (i.e., the K-strategists) by LOC input could ingest metabolites or residues of the r-strategists (e.g., gram-negative bacteria) to result in positive priming. Fungi could use gram-negative bacteria to stimulate priming intensity via microbial turnover in aerobic conditions first. Reduced activities of K-strategists as a result of the aerobic to anoxic transition decreased priming intensity. The difference in LOC retention in SOM under different redox conditions was mainly attributable to 13C-particulate organic carbon (13C-POC) accumulation. Under aerobic conditions, fungi and gram-positive bacteria used derivatives from gram-negative bacteria to reduce newly formed POC. However, anoxic conditions were not conducive to the uptake of gram-negative bacteria by fungi and gram-positive bacteria, favoring SOM retention. This work indicated that redox-regulated microbial activities can control SOM decomposition and formation induced by LOC input. It is extremely valuable for understanding the contribution of soil affected by redox fluctuations to the carbon cycle.

Self emulsifying drug delivery system: norfloxacin model drug

Background Norfloxacin is a synthetic antibacterial fluoroquinolone that is poorly water soluble and active against a wide spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative aerobic bacteria. The goal of this work was to create a self-nanoemulsion (SNE) as a colloidal dispersed drug delivery system for increasing norfloxacin dissolving rate, while also assuming intestinal lymphatic transport participation for such a nano-size system that would increase norfloxacin oral bioavailability. Methods Depending on the solubility of norfloxacin in various components, several formulations of liquid SNEDDS of the antibiotic were created using oleic acid (oil), tween20 (surfactant), and PEG200 (co-surfactant). To assess the presence of a nanoemulsion region, phase diagram was generated at various oil: surfactant: co-surfactant ratios. Results The in-vitro dissolution profile suggested an optimum norfloxacin SEDD formulation (F1) comprised of oleic acid (10%), tween 20 (45%), and PEG200 (45%), as opposed to commercially available traditional tablets. The F1 formula exhibited thermodynamic stability with a zeta potential of +60.78mV and a droplet size of 57.4nm. The F1 formula revealed an improved dissolving profile as compared to the commercial Tablet of norfloxacin. Conclusion Based on the findings, this study indicated that preparing norfloxacin as a liquid self-nanoemulsifying system improved the solubility and drug release of norfloxacin counteract the inconsistent bioavailability of the commercial tablet.

DETECTION OF EXTENDED SPECTRUM BETA LACTAMASES-PRODUCING KLEBSIELLA PNEUMONIAE ISOLATES IN CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASES PATIENTS

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. 80% of acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) are triggered by respiratory viruses, atypical bacteria, and aerobic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of our study was to analyze the prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Klebsiella pneumoniae and detection of extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBL)-producing K. pneumoniae isolates from COPD patients. Methods: Sputum samples received from seventy-five diagnosed cases of COPD from the department of General Medicine and Chest Medicine, TSRM MCH and RC, Trichy, from March 2022 to August 2022. Direct Gram stain was done for all sputum samples. The suitable sputum samples were cultured. The identification of organism and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by standard microbiological techniques. Results: Out of seventy-five cases, 64% were males and 36% were females. Forty-seven were sputum positive, and the prevalence of Gram- negative bacteria was 64%. K. pneumoniae was the most common bacteria isolated (42.2%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.5%). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of K. pneumoniae was sensitive to imipenem (78.94%), aminoglycosides (78.94%), amoxycillin-clavulinic acid (63.15%), ciprofloxacin (57.89%), Piperacillin-Taxobactam (57.89%), and the phenotypic tests showed 13 (68%) isolates were ESBL producers. Conclusion: This study showed that K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa are the most common organisms associated with AECOPD and increased rate of ESBL producers were observed.

Drug Utilization Evaluation and Impact of Pharmacist Interventions on Optimization of Piperacillin/Tazobactam Use: A Retrospective Analysis and Prospective Audit.

(1) Background: Piperacillin/tazobactam is a broad-spectrum antimicrobial encompassing most Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. The inappropriate use of such broad-spectrum antibiotics is an important contributor to the rising rates of antimicrobial drug resistance worldwide. Drug utilization evaluation studies and pharmacists' interventions are vital to assess, develop, and promote the rational use of antibiotics. This drug utilization study aimed to evaluate the current utilization practice of piperacillin/tazobactam in a hospital setting and assess the impact of pharmacist intervention in improving its appropriate use. (2) Methodology: In this study, we used a retrospective cohort and a prospective cohort, a cross-sectional, observational method. It included a retrospective (Cycle A/pre-intervention-CycA) phase followed by an educational interventional phase conducted by the pharmacists. During the 2 months of educational intervention, pharmacists used several methods, including workshops, lectures, oral presentations, and the development and reinforcement of clinical pathways to promote the judicious use of piperacillin/tazobactam. This was followed by a prospective (Cycle B/post-intervention-CycB) phase to improve piperacillin/tazobactam usage appropriateness. The appropriateness criteria for this drug utilization evaluation were established based on antimicrobial guidelines, the published literature, the institutional antibiogram, consultation from the antimicrobial stewardship committee, and the product monograph (Tazocin). The appropriateness of CycA and CycB patients was compared using the measurable elements, including indication and dose based on renal function, timely order for cultures, de-escalation, and use of extended infusion protocol. (3) Results: The study population comprised 100 patients in both CycA and CycB. The mean age of the patients was 66.28 ± 16.15 and 67.35 ± 17.98, and the ratios of men to women were found to be 49:51 and 61:39 in CycA and CycB, respectively. It was observed that inappropriate usage was high in CycA patients, and the appropriateness was improved in CycB patients. A total of 31% of inappropriate empirical broad-spectrum use was found in CycA, and it was reduced to 12% in CycB patients. The transition of appropriateness was observed in all measurable criteria, which includes the optimized dose according to the renal function (CycA = 49% to CycB = 94%), timely bacterial culture orders (CycA = 47% to CycB = 74%), prompt de-escalation (CycA = 31% to CycB = 53%), and adherence to extended infusion institutional guidelines (CycA = 34% to CycB = 86%). (4) Conclusions: The study highlighted important aspects of inappropriate piperacillin/tazobactam use. This can be considerably improved by proper education and timely interventions based on the pharmacists' vigilant approach. The study results emphasized the need for surveillance of piperacillin/tazobactam usage by conducting similar drug utilization evaluations and practice to improve quality and safety in healthcare organizations globally.

Distribution and Genetic Diversity of Genes from Brazilian Bacillus thuringiensis Strains Toxic to Agricultural Insect Pests Revealed by Real-Time PCR.

Bacillus thuringiensis is a Gram-positive aerobic bacterium and the most used biopesticide worldwide. Given the importance of B. thuringiensis strain characterization for the development of new bioinsecticides or transgenic events and the identification and classification of new B. thuringiensis genes and strains to understand its distribution and diversity, this work is aimed at creating a gene identification system based on qPCR reactions utilizing core B. thuringiensis genes cry1, cry2, cry3, cry4, cry5, app6, cry7, cry8, cry9, cry10, cry11, vpb1, vpa2, vip3, cyt1, and cyt2 for the characterization of 257 strains of B. thuringiensis. This system was based on the Invertebrate Bacteria Collection from Embrapa Genetic Resources and Biotechnology and analyzed (a) the degree of correlation between the distribution of these strains and the origin of the substrate from which the strain was isolated and (b) between its distribution and geoclimatic conditions. This study made it possible to observe that the cry1, cry2, and vip3A/B genes occur homogeneously in the Brazilian territory, and some genes are found in specific regions. The biggest reservoir of variability is within B. thuringiensis strains in each region, and it is suggested that both geoclimatic conditions and regional crops interfere with the genetic diversity of the B. thuringiensis strains present in the region, and B. thuringiensis strains can constantly exchange genetic information.