Antimicrobial Sensitivity Assay Research Articles

Prevalence, Virulence Genes and Antibiogram Susceptibility Pattern of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae Isolated from Mastitic Ewes

Clinical mastitis is a common disease found in dairy ewes worldwide that results in great economic losses. This study was designed to investigate the prevalence rate of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus agalactiae isolated from clinically mastitic ewes, determine the virulence determinant genes, and identify antimicrobial sensitivity assay of the isolated bacteria. A total of 37 milk samples were collected from 27 ewes diagnosed with clinical mastitis. These revealed 12 isolates of S. aureus (32.4%), followed by 7 isolates of S. agalactiae (18.9%). Real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to identify eight strains of S. aureus as possessing the thermonuclease (nuc) gene, and five isolates of S. agalactiae were positive for the presence of the cell surface protein (cfb) gene. Eight isolates of S. aureus and five isolates of S. agalactiae isolated from dairy ewes with clinical mastitis in El-Sharkia, Egypt, possessed several virulence determinants. The antibiotic sensitivity pattern was performed and a large proportion of isolates of S. aureus were found to be sensitive to Vancomycin, Kanamycin, Ciprofloxacin, and Gentamycin, whereas large proportions were highly resistant to Penicillin G and Tetracycline. S. agalactiae isolates revealed full sensitivity to Vancomycin, Ciprofloxacin, and Oxacillin, but they were highly resistant to Kanamycin and Penicillin G. The virulence gene should be considered when developing prevention and treatment program for clinical mastitis in ewes in regional areas of isolation. It is necessary that the antibiogram findings of drugs with the highest sensitivity be used to replace the currently used antibiotics with those that are more effective.

Isolation and identification of Pseudomonas entomophila from Pinus massoniana and its insecticidal activity against Monochamus alternatus

ABSTRACT To identify microorganisms that can colonise pine trees and have a toxic effect on Monochamus alternatus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), we isolated the CSHH2 bacterial strain from the phloem of nematode-infected Pinus massoniana (Coniferales: Pinaceae). The isolated strain was identified as Pseudomonas entomophila (Pseudomonadales: Pseudomonadaceae) based on phenotypic traits, 16S rDNA gene sequencing, homology analysis, phylogenetic tree analysis, and physiological and biochemical analysis. P. entomophila CSHH2 was resistant only to cefathiamidine and polymyxin B but was sensitive to most drugs tested in the antimicrobial sensitivity assay. Furthermore, the bioassay indicated that the CSHH2 strain possesses significant insecticidal activity against the second instar larvae of M. alternatus (p < 0.0001). LC50 and LT50 were 5.37 × 107 CFU mL−1 and 5.630 days (1.63 × 108 CFU mL−1 bacteria per larva) respectively at 10 days post-treatment. The present study is the first to identify the toxicity of P. entomophila against M. alternatus larvae.

Clinical and laboratory differences between extended-spectrum β-lactamase-positive and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-negative bacteria in febrile urinary tract infection in pediatrics

Introduction: The prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria is rising, which needs more potent antibiotics, such as carbapenems. Objectives: To evaluate the clinical and laboratory differences between ESBL-positive and ESBL-negative bacteria in febrile UTI in children between one month to seven years to indicate prognostic parameters for ESBL+ UTI and to suggest appropriate antibiotic treatment. Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional study investigated 282 patients diagnosed with the first febrile UTI. The participants were assigned to ESBL-positive and ESBL-negative UTI groups. The groups were compared based on their clinical and laboratory characteristics and outcomes; the infant group was assessed separately (with the onset age of &lt;3 months). Results: The ESBL UTI was detected in 10.2% of the cases with a history of more frequent hospitalization (P=0.002), longer hospitalization (P=0.04), higher recurrence rate (P=0.003), and more red blood cell count in urine analysis findings (P=0.02). In the antimicrobial susceptibility assay, the ESBL-positive UTI group indicated resistance to third-generation cephalosporins; nevertheless, 93.1% of the cases responded clinically. The infant group showed 13% of the patients with ESBL-positive UTI that was correlated with a history of longer preonset hospital stay (P=0.001), elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) concentration (P=0.002), and elevated recurrence rate (P=0.03), compared to the older group. Conclusion: The ESBL UTI should be further considered due to the resulted recurrence rate. The antimicrobial sensitivity assay indicated resistance to third-generation cephalosporins; however, these drugs are applied as the first choice due to the high response rate. Aminoglycosides are applicable as second choice drugs prior to initiating the use of carbapenems, if third-generation cephalosporins did not indicate bactericidal impacts on ESBL UTI.

Multidrug resistant staphylococci isolated from pigs with exudative epidermitis in North eastern Region of India.

Exudative epidermatitis or greasy pig disease (GPD) is a contagious disease of pig and endemic worldwide caused by toxigenic strains under genus Staphylococcus. The present study reported an outbreak of GPD in Champhai district of Mizoram adjoining to the southern border of Myanmar. A total of 60 samples were collected from 22 clinically affected animals and processed for isolation and identification of Staphylococcus spp. All the isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity assay, biofilm production assay and detection of virulence genes, biofilm genes and mec genes followed by cloning and sequencing for phylogenetic analysis. A total of 44 staphylococci belonged to four species (S. sciuri, S. aureus,S. lentus, and S. hyicus) were isolated. Majority of the isolates were multidrug resistant with maximum resistance against ampicillin, penicillin including vancomycin. None of the S. hyicus isolates was methicillin resistant (MRSH) but 66·67% isolates were MRSA. By PCR, mecA gene was detected in S. aureus (n=2), S. sciuri (n=4) and S. lentus (n=3). Biofilm associated gene icaD was detected in S. aureus (n=3), S. sciuri (n=5), S. hyicus (n=4) and S. lentus (n=6). The exfoliative toxin genes (ehxB, shetA and tsst1) were detected in S. hyicus (n=3) and S. aureus (n=1) isolates. All the isolates were closely related with the isolates from pigs of China, Germany, Japan and USA. The pathogens might be transmitted through illegal migration of pigs from Myanmar to India.

Transferable blaCTX-M Carrying Multidrug Resistant Escherichia coli from Pig Population of North Eastern Region of India

Background: We investigated the occurrence of blaCTX-M carrying extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli in pigs from 8 North-eastern states of India with special emphasis on the transferability of ESBL gene from resistant E. coli strains to the susceptible Salmonella strains by in vitro and in vivo.Methods: Fecal samples (n=790) were collected from pigs reared under organized and unorganized farming set up of entire North-eastern region of India. All the samples were processed for isolation and identification of E. coli. All the isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity assay by disc diffusion method followed by determination of ESBLs producing ability by double disc synergy test (DDST). All the ESBLs producing isolates were screened for blaCTX-M gene by PCR using specific primers. The representative blaCTX-M gene positive isolates were used as donor to determine the ability to transfer of resistance gene in Salmonella by in vitro and in vivo assays with and without antibiotic selection pressure. Result: A total of 2,291 E. coli was isolated, of which 1113 and 1178 were from organized and unorganized farms, respectively. Majority of the isolates were multi-drug resistant with highest resistance against amoxicillin (84.81%) followed by cefalexin (77.17%), sulphafurazole (56.79%), piperacillin (46.40%), tetracycline (38.29%) and cefexime (35.66%). Isolates from unorganized farms showed higher resistance than the isolates recovered from organized farms. A total of 654 (28.55%) isolates were confirmed as ESBL producers by double disc synergy test (DDST) method, of which 65 (2.84%) isolates were positive for blaCTX-M gene. Genotypically, isolates with specific amino acids substitution revealed variation in their antibiotic susceptibility by phenotypic method. blaCTX-M gene could be successfully transferred horizontally from E. coli (donor) to Salmonella (recipient) by in vitro (3.6±2.07x10-8 to 4.4±2.88x10-8 transconjugate per donor) and in vivo method. By in vivo method in pig model, the frequency of transfer was higher under the antibiotic selection pressure (6.6±3.05x10-5 to 7.2±1.92x10-5 trans-conjugants per donor) than without antibiotic pressure (5.6±2.3x10-4 to 6.8±3.35x10-4 trans-conjugants per donor).

Identification and Biochemical Characterization of Pathogenic Escherichia coli in Raw Beef Sold in Otuoke Market, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Meat and meat products are a very important category of food consumed widely to meet the nutritional requirements of humans. Due to the high nutrient and moisture content of meat, they readily support the growth of diverse microorganisms. The consumption of these products, when contaminated by pathogenic microorganisms can pose a risk to health leading to possible food poisoning, with Escherichia coli being the most implicated organism. Thus, this research focused on the isolation of Escherichia coli from raw beef (Bos taurus) retailed in Otuoke market, its biochemical identification, pathogenicity testing and antibiogram. A total of 90 raw beef samples were collected from three retail points (30 samples per point) over 3 months and cultured on Eosin-Methylene Blue (EMB) agar for the elucidation of E. coli. Conventional biochemical tests were performed on isolates to identify E. coli. The isolates were subjected to Congo-red assay to test for pathogenicity and the agar-diffusion assay to test sensitivity to commonly utilized antibiotics. A total of 51 samples (56%) were contaminated with E. coli of which 24 samples (26.6%) had mean aerobic bacteria counts greater than 5.0 Log CFU/gm which is above the European Commission Regulation No. 2073/2005 guideline for fresh beef. All E. coli isolates tested positive to the Congo-red assay, thus indicating their potential pathogenicity. Antimicrobial sensitivity assay indicates the resistance of isolates to Tetracycline (60%), Erythromycin (80%) and Amoxicillin (85%). However, the isolates were sensitive to Nitrofurantoin (90%), Gentamicin (78%) and Ciprofloxacin (82%). The results obtained highlights the high level of contamination by potentially pathogenic E. coli in retailed fresh meats which are highly resistant to some of the commonly used antibiotics. The results obtained from this study is of public health significance as it indicates possible risks of infection to people through the consumption of inadequately cooked meat or the cross-contamination of other food items by the meat products which may lead to outbreaks of food poisoning.

Antimicrobial Sensitivity Assay for Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus.

Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus, an obligate predatory bacterium [i.e., bacteria that kill and feed on other bacteria (prey)], has the potential to be used as a probiotic for the disinfection of surfaces or for the treatment of bacterial infections. One option is to use this organism in combination with antimicrobials to potentiate the effectiveness of treatments. In order to make this approach feasible more has to be known about the ability of B. bacteriovorus to resist antibiotics itself. Standard assays to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) are not suitable for B. bacteriovorus, since the small size of this bacterium (0.25-0.35 by 0.5-2 μm) prevents scattering at OD600. Since these predatory bacteria require larger prey bacteria for growth (e.g., E. coli dimensions are 1 by 1-2 μm), the basis for the antimicrobial sensitivity assay described here is the reduction of the OD600 caused by prey lysis during growth. Previous studies on predatory bacteria resistance to antimicrobials employed methods that did not allow a direct comparison of antimicrobial resistance levels to those of other bacterial species. Here, we describe a procedure to determine B. bacteriovorus sensitivity to antimicrobials which can be compared to a reference organism tested as close as possible to the same experimental conditions. Briefly, minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of B. bacteriovorus are determined by measuring the reduction in absorbance at 600 nm of mixed predator/prey cultures in presence and absence of different antimicrobial concentrations. Of note, this method can be modified to obtain antimicrobial MIC values of other predatory bacteria, using different conditions, prey bacteria and/or antimicrobials.

Characterization of Diarrheagenic Strains of Escherichia coli Isolated From Cattle Raised in Three Regions of Mexico

Intestinal infections represent an important public health concern worldwide. Escherichia coli is one of the main bacterial agents involved in the pathogenesis of different diseases. In 2011, an outbreak of hemorrhagic colitis (HC) and hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in Germany was related to a non-O157 STEC strain of O104:H4 serotype. The difficulty in identifying the origin of the bacteria related to the outbreak showed the importance of having epidemiological information from different parts of the world. The aim of this study was to perform a retrospective analysis to determine if E. coli strains isolated from cattle from different locations in Mexico have similar characteristics to those isolated in other countries. Samples obtained in different years from 252 cows belonging to 5 herds were analyzed. A total of 1,260 colonies were selected from the 252 samples, 841 (67%) of which corresponded to E. coli and 419 (33%) to other enterobacteria. In total, 78% (656) of the E. coli strains could be serotyped, of which 393 (59.9%) belonged to 5 diarrheagenic (DEC) pathotypes. Serotyping showed STEC (40.7%) and ETEC (26.7%) strains were more common. PCR assays were used to determine the presence of STEC (eae, stx1, stx2, and ehxA) and EAEC (aatA, aggR, and aapA) genes, and phylogenetic groups. The results showed that 70 strains belonging to 23 serogroups were stx1 and stx2 positive, while 13 strains from the O9 serogroup were ehxA, aggR, and eae positive. Phylogenetic analysis showed 58 (82.9%) strains belonged to A and B1 commensal phylogroups and 12 (17.1%) to B2, D and E virulent phylogroups. An assay to evaluate cross-antigenic reactivity in the serum of cattle between K9 capsular antigen and O104 LPS by ELISA showed similar responses against both antigens (p > 0.05). The antimicrobial sensitivity assay of the strains showed resistance to AM, CEP, CXM, TE, SXT, cephalosporins and fluoroquinolones. The results show that cattle are carriers and potential transmitters of STEC and ETEC strains containing virulence genes. Epidemiological retrospective studies in different countries are of great help for identifying virulent bacterial strains with the potential to cause outbreaks that may have epidemiological impact in susceptible countries.

Prevalence of multi drug resistant enteropathogenic and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli isolated from children with and without diarrhea in Northeast Indian population

BackgroundDiarrheagenic Escherichia coli are associated with infantile diarrhea in the developing countries. The present study was conducted to determine the occurrence and antimicrobial resistance pattern of enteropathogenic and enteroinvasive E. coli associated with diarrhoea among the paediatric patients.MethodsA total of 262 stool samples were collected from children with and without diarrhea from Mizoram, Northeast India. E. coli were isolated and subjected to multiplex PCR to detect virulent genes of EPEC (eaeA and bfpA) and EIEC (ial). Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial sensitivity assay using disc diffusion method. Selected eaeA genes were sequenced for identification and genetic relationship.ResultsA total of 334 E. coli was isolated, of which 17.37% were carrying at least one virulent gene. Altogether, 14.97 and 2.40% isolates were categorized as EPEC and EIEC, respectively. Among the DEC isolates, 4.79% were EPEC and 7.78% were EIEC. A total of 8 (2.40%) isolates were EIEC (ial+), of which 6 (1.80%) and 2 (0.60%) were from diarrhoeic and non-diarrhoeic patients, respectively. A total of 24 (41.40%) DEC isolates were MDR (resistance against ≥5 antimicrobials).ConclusionsA high frequency of EPEC pathotypes associated with paediatric diarrhea was observed in Mizoram, Northeast India and majority of the isolates are resistant to antibiotics with a high frequency of MDR, which is a matter of concern to the public health. This also raises an alarm to the world communities to monitor the resistance pattern and analyse in a global scale to combat the problems of resistance development.

In Vivo Antidiabetic and In Vitro Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity of Aqueous Leaves Extract of Chamaecostus cuspidatus

Herbal plants are very major traditional sources of our country. The roles of medicinal plants on various biomedical applications have been proved. The present investigation of this study is to evaluate characterization of Chamaecostus cuspidatus leaves aqueous extract using UV-vis spectrophotometer and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antidiabetic activity of the plant extract was tested against streptozotocin induced toxicity in male albino rats. The antioxidant activity of plant extract was analysed using 2, 2-diphenyl-1picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), Superoxide anion scavenging activity, Hydroxyl radical scavenging assay and Reducing power analysis methods. The potential antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, and the antifungal activity against the Aspergillus flavus, Candida albicans was performed by antimicrobial sensitivity assay. The plant extract resulted good antidiabetic, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities.

Use of Energy Healing Medicine Against &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Escherichia coli&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; for Antimicrobial Susceptibility, Biochemical Reaction and Biotyping

Escherichia coli (E. coli) infections are the major health concern, as it causes infections in human mainly in urinary tract, ear, and wound infections. The present study evaluates the impact of biofield energy treatment on E. coli regarding antimicrobial sensitivity assay, biochemical study and biotype number. Four multidrug resistant (MDR) clinical lab isolates (LSs) of E. coli (LS 12, LS 13, LS 42, and LS 51) were taken in two groups i.e. control and treated. After treatment, above mentioned parameter were evaluated on day 10 in control and treated samples using MicroScan Walk-Away® system. The antimicrobial sensitivity assay was reported with 46.67% alteration (14 out of 30 tested antimicrobials) in treated group of MDR E. coli isolates. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) study showed the alteration in MIC values of about 34.37% (11 out of 32) tested antimicrobials, after biofield treatment in clinical isolates of E. coli. Piperacillin/tazobactam was reported with improved sensitivity and four-fold decrease in the MIC value (64 to ≤16 µg/mL) in LS 42, as compared with the control. Amoxicillin/k-clavulanate reported with improved sensitivity pattern from resistance to susceptible, with two-fold decrease in MIC value (>16/8 to ≤8/4 µg/mL) in biofield treated LS 51. Further, biochemical study showed 24.24% alteration (8 out of 33) in tested biochemical reactions after treatment among four isolates of E. coli as compared to the control. A change in biotype number (7774 4272) was reported as compared to the control, (7311 4012), with new organism identified as Klebsiella pneumonia in biofield treated LS 13 with respect to the control organism, E. coli. Overall, data suggested that Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment can be applied to alter the antimicrobial sensitivity, biochemical reactions and biotype number of E. coli.

Biofield Treatment: An Alternative Approach to Combat Multidrug-Resistant Susceptibility Pattern of Raoultella ornithinolytica

Raoultella ornithinolytica is belongs to the family of Enterobacteriaceae, a Gram-negative encapsulated aerobic bacillus associated with bacteremia and urinary tract infections. As biofield therapy is increasingly popular in biomedical heath care, so present study aimed to evaluate the impact of Mr. Trivedi’s biofield treatment on antimicrobial sensitivity, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), biochemical study, and biotype number of multidrug resistant strain of R. ornithinolytica. Clinical sample of R. ornithinolytica was divided into two groups i.e. control and biofield treated which were analyzed for the above parameters using MicroScan Walk-Away® system on day 10 after treatment. Antimicrobial sensitivity assay results showed a significant increase (60.71%) in sensitivity pattern of antimicrobials i.e. changed from resistant to susceptible while 10.71% of tested antimicrobials changed from intermediate to susceptible as compared to control. MIC results showed a significant decrease in MIC values of 71.88% tested antimicrobials as compared to control. Biochemical reaction study showed 15.15% alteration in different biochemical such as cetrimide, cephalothin, kanamycin, and ornithine after biofield treatment as compared to control. A significant change in biotype number (7775 4370) was also observed with organism identified as Klebsiella oxytoca after biofield treatment as compared to control (7775 5372). Overall results conclude that biofield treatment could be used as complementary and alternative treatment strategy against multidrug resistant strain of R. ornithinolytica with respect to improve the sensitivity and reduce the MIC values of antimicrobials. Hence, it is assumed that biofield treatment might be a suitable cost effective treatment strategy in near future, which could have therapeutic value in patients suffering from multidrug resistant pathogens.

Antibiogram of Multidrug-Resistant Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa after Biofield Treatment

In recent years, prevalence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) has been noticed with high morbidity and mortality. Aim of the present study was to determine the impact of Mr. Trivedi’s biofield treatment on MDR clinical lab isolates (LS) of P. aeruginosa. Five MDR clinical lab isolates (LS 22, LS 23, LS 38, LS 47, and LS 58) of P. aeruginosa were taken and divided into two groups i.e. control and biofield treated. Control and treated group were analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), biochemical study and biotype number using MicroScan Walk-Away® system. The analysis was done on day 10 after biofield treatment as compared with control group. Antimicrobial sensitivity assay showed 60% alteration in sensitivity of tested antimicrobials in MDR isolates of P. aeruginosa after biofield treatment. MIC results showed an alteration in 42.85% tested antimicrobials out of twenty eight after biofield treatment in five isolates of MDR P. aeruginosa. Biochemical study showed a 48.48% change in tested biochemical reactions out of thirty three as compared to control. A significant change in biotype numbers was reported in three clinical lab isolates of MDR P. aeruginosa out of five, after biofield treatment as compared to respective control. On the basis of changed biotype number (7302 0052) in biofield treated LS 23, new organism was identified as Citrobacter freundii as compared to control (0206 3336). A very rare biotype number (7400 4263) was found in biofield treated LS 38, as compared to control (0206 3736). Study results suggest that biofield treatment on lab isolates of MDR P. aeruginosa has significant effect on the antimicrobial sensitivity, MIC values, biochemical reactions and biotype number. Biofield treatment might prevent the emergence of absolute resistance pattern of useful antimicrobials against MDR isolates of P. aeruginosa.

Antibiogram Typing and Biochemical Characterization of Klebsiella pneumoniae after Biofield Treatment

Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is a common nosocomial pathogen causing respiratory tract (pneumoniae) and blood stream infections. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates of K. pneumoniae infections are difficult to treat in patients in health care settings. Aim of the present study was to determine the impact of Mr. Trivedi’s biofield treatment on four MDR clinical lab isolates (LS) of K. pneumoniae (LS 2, LS 6, LS 7, and LS 14). Samples were divided into two groups i.e. control and biofield treated. Control and treated groups were analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), biochemical study and biotype number using MicroScan Walk-Away® system. The analysis was done on day 10 after biofield treatment as compared with control group. Antimicrobial sensitivity assay showed that there was 46.42% alteration in sensitivity of tested antimicrobials in treated group of MDR K. pneumonia isolates. MIC results showed an alteration in 30% of tested antimicrobials out of thirty after biofield treatment in clinical isolates of K. pneumoniae. An increase in antimicrobial sensitivity and decrease in MIC value was reported (in LS 6) in case of piperacillin/tazobactam and piperacillin. Biochemical study showed a 15.15% change in biochemical reactions as compared to control. A significant change in biotype numbers were reported in all four clinical isolates of MDR K. pneumoniae after biofield treatment as compared to control group. On the basis of changed biotype number after biofield treatment, new organism was identified as Enterobacter aerogenes in LS 2 and LS 14. These results suggest that biofield treatment has a significant effect on altering the antimicrobial sensitivity, MIC values, biochemical reactions and biotype number of multidrug-resistant isolates of K. pneumoniae.

Assessment of Antibiogram of Multidrug-Resistant Isolates of Enterobacter aerogenes after Biofield Energy Treatment

Enterobacter aerogenes (E. aerogenes) has been reported as the versatile opportunistic pathogen associated with the hospital infections worldwide. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment on multidrug resistant clinical lab isolates (LSs) of E. aerogenes. The MDR isolates of E. aerogenes (i.e., LS 45 and LS 54) were divided into two groups, i.e., control and treated. Samples were analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), biochemical study, and biotype number using MicroScan Walk-Away® system, on day 10 after the biofield treatment. The antimicrobial sensitivity assay showed 14.28% alteration out of twenty eight tested antimicrobials with respect to the control. The cefotetan sensitivity changed from intermediate (I) to inducible β-lactamase (IB), while piperacillin/tazobactam changed from resistant to IB in the treated LS 45. Improved sensitivity was reported in tetracycline, i.e., from I to susceptible (S) in LS 45, while chloramphenicol and tetracycline sensitivity changed from R to I in treated LS 54. Four-fold decrease in MIC value was reported in piperacillin/tazobactam, and two-fold decrease in cefotetan and tetracycline in the biofield treated LS 45 as compared to the control. MIC results showed an overall decreased MIC values in 12.50% tested antimicrobials such as chloramphenicol (16 μg/mL) and tetracycline (8 μg/mL) in LS 54. The biochemical study showed an overall 45.45% negative reaction in the tested biochemical in both the treated isolates as compared to the control. A change in biotype number was reported in MDR isolates (LS 45 and LS 54), while in LS 54, altered biotype number, i.e., 0406 0374 as compared to the control (7770 4376), with identification of the new species as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia with brown color as special characteristic. The study findings suggest that Mr. Trivedi’s biofield energy treatment on clinical MDR isolates of E. aerogenes has the significant effect on altering the sensitivity of antimicrobials, decreasing the MIC values, changed biochemical reactions, and biotype number.

Plasmid profile and drug resistance pattern of zoonotic Salmonella isolates from Indian buffaloes

Buffalo is the major source of animal protein in south-east Asia, including India; therefore, the presence of multiple drug resistance in Salmonella strains of buffalo meat and milk products is of immense public health concern. Forty-six strains of Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica belonging to eight serovars (S. Anatum, 13; S. Weltevreden, 13; S. Rostock, 6; S. Typhimurium, 5; S. Gallinarum, 5; S. Stockholm, 1; S. Dublin, 1; and S. Orion, 2), isolated from buffalo meat and diseased buffaloes were studied for their antibiotic sensitivity and plasmid profile. All except six strains of Salmonella had one or more plasmids. Virulence plasmid of ~35MdA was present in 39 isolates while 19 strains had one to six additional plasmids with molecular weight ranging from 1 Mda > 35 Mda. A plasmid-free S. Anatum strain was resistant to seven drugs including fluoroquinolones, while strains having six to seven plasmids were resistant to fewer antimicrobial drugs. One S. Anatum isolate, resistant to 11 antibiotics, had only one plasmid. Eight serovars of Salmonella could be divided into 28 resistotypes on the basis of antimicrobial sensitivity assay. Most strains were resistant to streptomycin (84.8%) followed by kanamycin (58.7%), gentamicin (52.2%), ampicillin (50%) and oxytetracycline (50%). Few strains were resistant to cefotaxime (2.2%), amoxycillin (2.2%) and newer fluoroquinolones (6.5%). Multiple drug resistance was common among Salmonella isolates of buffalo origin, particularly against aminoglycosides, oxytetracycin, ampicillin and cephalexin. Presence of plasmids is not mandatory for occurrence of multiple drug resistance in S. enterica strains.