Bacterial Isolates Research Articles

Escherichia coli diarrhoea among the adults – prospective research

Introduction: Eschrichia coli is common diarrhea causing agent. This study aimed to identify the bacterial pathogens responsible for diarrhea and abdominal pain in adults. Foodborne illnesses remain a significant public health concern, with Escherichia coli. Methods: The study, conducted from January to May 2021 at GSL Medical College, included adults with diarrhea and abdominal pain. Stool samples were collected, processed, and cultured on selective media to identify bacterial pathogens. Statistical analysis was performed to assess pathogen prevalence and its association with symptoms, using descriptive statistics for findings interpretation. Results: Among 100 adults with diarrhea and abdominal pain, 52% were male, and the majority (40%) were aged 31–45 years. Abdominal pain (80%) and diarrhea (75%) were the most common symptoms. Escherichia coli was the leading isolate (30%), followed by Salmonella spp. (25%) and Staphylococcus aureus (20%). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlights Escherichia coli as the primary bacterial cause of diarrhea among adults, followed by Salmonella spp. and Staphylococcus aureus. These findings underscore the importance of targeted food safety measures and public health interventions to address foodborne pathogens and prevent related illnesses in communities. Key words: Escherichia coli, Diarrhea, Foodborne pathogens, Abdominal pain, Bacterial isolation

Isolation and Characterization of Biosurfactant-Producing Bacteria for Enhancing Oil Recovery

Biosurfactants produced by bacteria possess remarkable emulsification properties for crude oil, significantly enhancing oil mobility and recovery rates. This study aimed to isolate and screen biosurfactant-producing bacteria for oil enhancing recovery. A total of 93 bacterial strains were isolated from marine sediments, with three high-yield biosurfactant-producing strains identified: Pseudomonas aeruginosa N33, Bacillus paralicheniformis Nian2, and Stenotrophomonas nematodicola T10. The fermentation conditions, such as pH, carbon source, nitrogen source, and C/N ratio, were optimized to maximize the yield and activity of biosurfactants. Further evaluations were performed to assess the stability of the bio-surfactant activity and its emulsification properties. The results indicated that all three strains produced biosurfactants that retained their oil displacement activity in the presence of Na+ and Mg2+, but showed a significant reduction in their activities in the presence of Ca2+. The biosurfactants maintained their original activity after treatment at 120 °C for 3 h. Additionally, the biosurfactants produced by all three strains demonstrated excellent oil emulsification capabilities. Static oil-washing and dynamic displacement experiments revealed static oil recovery rates of 28.1%, 23.4%, and 7.1%, respectively, for N33, Nian2, and T10, and dynamic oil displacement recovery rates of 95.0%, 74.1%, and 69.0%, respectively. This research provides valuable microbial resources for enhancing oil recovery via microorganisms and lays a foundation for practical application.

The Hidden Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance: A Case Study from A Private Hospital in Jordan

Antibiotic resistance is considered a widespread problem with global health implications, leading to increased patient morbidity and impacting the selection of effective antibiotics, consequently influencing patient recovery. This study aimed to assess antibiogram resistance patterns of bacterial records at the Islamic Hospital in Jordan using a retrospective study during the period 2020-2022. A total of 9369 samples obtained from different patients were cultured. Data were processed and analyzed with SPSS v.23.0. The results showed that 2841 (30.3%) samples were positive for bacterial infections. Microbial profiles of positive samples indicated the highest proportion for Escherichia coli, 39%, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae 12% were the most frequent Gram-negative bacterial isolates, whereas Staphylococcus aureus 13% and Streptococcus pneumoniae 4% were the most common Gram-positive bacterial isolates. Interestingly, multidrug-resistant bacteria comprised 61.7% of the isolates. The percentage of multi-drug resistance in isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae was 68.7%, 73.1%, and 72%, respectively. Escherichia coli was most resistant to ampicillin (89%) and most sensitive to imipenem (100%). Klebsiella pneumoniae showed a 100% sensitivity to meropenem but 49% resistance to ceftriaxone. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most sensitive to amikacin and colistin (86% and 100%, respectively). Staphylococcus aureus isolates have resistance rates of 78% for ciprofloxacin, 35.6% for clindamycin and an overall resistance rate of 68.7%. These findings indicate multiple resistance for isolated bacteria. Therefore, antimicrobial resistance should be monitored continuously, and patients should be treated based on anti-microbial susceptibility tests.

MosAIC: An annotated collection of mosquito-associated bacteria with high-quality genome assemblies.

Mosquitoes transmit medically important human pathogens, including viruses like dengue virus and parasites such as Plasmodium spp., the causative agent of malaria. Mosquito microbiomes are critically important for the ability of mosquitoes to transmit disease-causing agents. However, while large collections of bacterial isolates and genomic data exist for vertebrate microbiomes, the vast majority of work in mosquitoes to date is based on 16S rRNA gene amplicon data that provides limited taxonomic resolution and no functional information. To address this gap and facilitate future studies using experimental microbiome manipulations, we generated a bacterial Mosquito-Associated Isolate Collection (MosAIC) consisting of 392 bacterial isolates with extensive metadata and high-quality draft genome assemblies that are publicly available, both isolates and sequence data, for use by the scientific community. MosAIC encompasses 142 species spanning 29 bacterial families, with members of the Enterobacteriaceae comprising 40% of the collection. Phylogenomic analysis of 3 genera, Enterobacter, Serratia, and Elizabethkingia, reveal lineages of mosquito-associated bacteria isolated from different mosquito species in multiple laboratories. Investigation into species' pangenomes further reveals clusters of genes specific to these lineages, which are of interest for future work to test for functions connected to mosquito host association. Altogether, we describe the generation of a physical collection of mosquito-associated bacterial isolates, their genomic data, and analyses of selected groups in context of genome data from closely related isolates, providing a unique, highly valuable resource for research on bacterial colonisation and adaptation within mosquito hosts. Future efforts will expand the collection to include broader geographic and host species representation, especially from individuals collected from field populations, as well as other mosquito-associated microbes, including fungi, archaea, and protozoa.

Isolation and characterization of phosphate solubilizing bacteria from the rhizosphere of lentil (Lens culinaris M.) collected from Hagere Mariam district, Central Ethiopia.

Phosphorus plays a crucial role in regulating many of the plant's metabolic activities by enhancing physiological functions and stimulating biological activities such as nodulation, nitrogen fixation, and nutrient uptake in the soil rhizosphere environment. Inoculants of phosphorus solubilizing bacteria serve as an eco-friendly alternative technology that positively influences both soil sustainability and plant growth. The majority of North Shewa highland areas are characterized by low available phosphorus, primarily acidic, and exhibit strong phosphorus absorption. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify phosphorus solubilizing bacteria from the rhizosphere of lentils and characterize their phosphate solubilizing activity. The cultural, biochemical, physiological microbial analysis was conducted in the microbiology laboratory, department of biology. Pikovskaya's medium was utilized for the isolation, screening, and maintenance of phosphate solubilizing bacteria. Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria were isolated using tri-calcium phosphate as the sole source of phosphorus in indicator plates. Fifteen phosphate solubilizing bacteria were isolated from lentil rhizosphere soil samples, among which six were the most efficient phosphate solubilizers designated as PSBYE, PSBYR, PSBYM, PSBYL, PSBW, and PSBSW. All isolates notably solubilized tri-calcium phosphate compared to the uninoculated control. The highest phosphorous solubilization was observed from the isolate PSBYL, with a value of 10.61mg/50ml, followed by PSBW with a value of 9.08 mg/50ml. The decrease in pH value correlated with the levels of tri-phosphate solubilization in the PVK broth by the PSB isolates. The pH dropped to 4.64 from the initial pH of 7.2 when grown in the broth, which suggests that the production of organic acids is likely the primary mechanism for phosphate solubilization.

Isolation and Identification of Bacterial Pathogens from Blood Cultures in a Tertiary Care Hospital and Their Clinical Correlation

Objective: This study aimed to isolate and identify bacterial pathogens from blood cultures of patients with suspected bloodstream infections (BSIs) in a tertiary care hospital, analyze their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns, and establish clinical correlations. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Microbiology Department of a tertiary care hospital. Blood samples from 60 patients were collected aseptically, processed using BACTEC, and cultured on blood and MacConkey agar. Bacterial isolates were identified based on colonial morphology, Gram staining, and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the modified Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Results: The overall culture positivity rate was 26%, with higher positivity among female patients (31.57%) and neonates or infants under six months (26%). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequently isolated pathogen (53.33%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (20.00%), Escherichia coli (13.33%), and Citrobacter species (13.33%). Klebsiella pneumoniae showed high resistance to ceftazidime and piperacillin, while remaining sensitive to cefoperazone and tobramycin. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were resistant to penicillin and erythromycin but sensitive to vancomycin and cefazolin. The prevalence of multidrug resistance among isolates underscores the need for targeted empirical therapy. Conclusion: Klebsiella pneumoniae emerged as the primary pathogen in BSIs, with significant resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics. These findings highlight the necessity for enhanced infection control measures, especially in NICUs, and the implementation of local antibiograms to guide effective antibiotic therapy and mitigate resistance trends. Further research across multiple centers is recommended to validate these findings and inform broader clinical guidelines.

Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Bacteria from Urinary Tract Infection in Patients Attending Rwanda Military Hospital

Background: About 150 million people worldwide are diagnosed with urinary tract infection every year and more than half of women will get at least one in their lifetimes. Overuse and misuse of antibiotics have contributed to the growing problem of resistance amongst uropathogenic bacteria making it hard to treat UTIs. There is an increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance and that’s why area-specific monitoring studies to document the microorganisms causing UTIs and their antimicrobial susceptibility is mandatory for helping the selection of an effective empirical treatment. Aim: The present study aimed to determine bacteria causing UTIs and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns among patients attending Rwanda military hospital. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional study and a total number of 118 patient’s urine samples were tested in microbiology Lab. Results: Most frequently isolated bacteria to cause UTIs in this study was E. coli (59%) followed by Klebsiella pneumonia (16%), S. aureus (6%), Citrobacter freundii (5%), Proteus spp. (3%), S. Saprophyticus (3%), Streptococcus spp. (3%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2%), Klebsiella oxytosa (2%) and Acinetobacter baumanii (2%). Meropem, imipem, gentamicin and cefotaxime were the most effective antibiotics in susceptibility testing. Thus, ciprofloxacin, sulfamethoxazole and norfloxacin were mostly developed resistance to isolated bacteria. Conclusion: The study recommended that the ministry of health in Rwanda should establish the commission or government body which will be in charge of controlling use of antibiotics properly and fighting against drugs resistance in Rwanda. Keywords: Pathogenic bacteria, Urinary tract infections, E.coli, Antibiotics

Wild again: recovery of a beneficial Cannabis seed endophyte from low domestication genotypes.

Beyond carrying the plant embryo, seeds harbour intricate microbial communities whose transmission across successive plant generations can significantly influence the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of plant-microbe symbioses. The process of plant domestication has potential repercussions in genes involved in plant-microbiome interactions. However, the extent to which breeding can impact the seed microbiome is sparsely explored. Cannabis is a high-value crop but sparsely subjected to agricultural innovations established in other crop species during the last century. Here, we conduct a large-scale analysis of the bacterial seed microbiome of Cannabis across different domestication grades and investigate the potential of seed-associated endophytes as plant growth-promoting agents under both controlled and field conditions. Analysis of Cannabis seed endophyte composition and diversity across 46 plant genotypes revealed 813 different bacterial genera with a predominance of Gammaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Actinobacteria and Alphaproteobacteria but a genotype-specific microbiome. The assessment of domestication and breeding on microbial assembly revealed a higher bacterial diversity in low domestication genotypes (Shannon index, H': 1.21 vs. 1.05) and a higher homogeneity in bacterial composition caused by line development. Further, a seed bacterial isolate (Bacillus frigoritolerans C1141) associated with low domestication genotypes, and with genes associated with bio-fertilization, bioremediation and phytohormone production, increased plant growth by 42.3% at the time of harvest, under field conditions. This study addresses critical knowledge gaps related to the assembly of the Cannabis seed-endophytic microbiome. It reveals that Cannabis breeding is linked to alterations of seed microbial communities, which potentially led to the loss of bacteria with functional significance. These results highlight the importance of preserving seed microbiomes in plant breeding to support sustainable plant health and growth enhancement in Cannabis. Video Abstract.

Laboratory detection of carbapenemases among Gram-negative organisms.

SUMMARYThe carbapenems remain some of the most effective options available for treating patients with serious infections due to Gram-negative bacteria. Carbapenemases are enzymes that hydrolyze carbapenems and are the primary method driving carbapenem resistance globally. Detection of carbapenemases is required for patient management, the rapid implementation of infection prevention and control (IP&C) protocols, and for epidemiologic purposes. Therefore, clinical and public health microbiology laboratories must be able to detect and report carbapenemases among predominant Gram-negative organisms from both cultured isolates and direct from clinical specimens for treatment and surveillance purposes. There is not a "one size fits all" laboratory approach for the detection of bacteria with carbapenemases, and institutions need to determine what fits best with the goals of their antimicrobial stewardship and IP&C programs. Luckily, there are several options and approaches available for clinical laboratories to choose methods that best suits their individual needs. A laboratory approach to detect carbapenemases among bacterial isolates consists of two steps, namely a screening process (e.g., not susceptible to ertapenem, meropenem, and/or imipenem), followed by a confirmation test (i.e., phenotypic, genotypic or proteomic methods) for the presence of a carbapenemase. Direct from specimen testing for the most common carbapenemases generally involves detection via rapid, molecular approaches. The aim of this article is to provide brief overviews on Gram-negative bacteria carbapenem-resistant definitions, types of carbapenemases, global epidemiology, and then describe in detail the laboratory methods for the detection of carbapenemases among Gram-negative bacteria. We will specifically focus on the Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii complex.

Evaluation of the Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Erythrina senegalensis Leaf Extract Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

Biofilms are bacterial communities on surfaces within an extracellular matrix. Targeting biofilm-specific bacteria is crucial, and natural compounds with reported antibiofilm activity have garnered significant interest. The study evaluated the antibacterial and antibiofilm activity of Erythrina senegalensis leaf extract against multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, including Salmonella typhimurium, Salmonella typhi, Salmonella enteritidis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The leaf extract was prepared using aqueous and ethanol solvents, and qualitative phytochemical screening revealed the presence of various bioactive compounds such as tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinone, reducing sugar, and ketones. A Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion assay was performed to test the susceptibility of antibiotics, and the antibacterial efficacy of the aqueous and ethanol extracts of E. senegalensis was determined using the cup-plate method, while the antibiofilm activities were determined using the crystal violet titer-plate method. The aqueous and ethanol extracts of Erythrina senegalensis revealed the presence of tannins, saponins, cardiac glycosides, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, anthraquinone, reducing sugar, and ketones. The study found that the Gram-negative bacteria isolates that were MDR were S. typhimurium, S. enteritidis, and P. aeruginosa, while K. pneumoniae was resistant to beta-lactam and fluoroquinolones, and S. typhi was sensitive to all antibiotics tested. Statistically, susceptibility to antibiotics had an inverse, weak, and significant relationship with biofilm production (r = −0.453, −0.106, −0.124, −0.106, −0.018, n = 10, p < 0.05). The aqueous extract showed good biofilm inhibition against K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, and poor biofilm inhibition against S. enteritidis, while S. typhimurium and Salmonella typhi exhibited no biofilm inhibition. The ethanol extract did not demonstrate any antibiofilm activity against the tested Gram-negative pathogens. The study suggests that the Gram-negative bacteria’s capacity to form biofilms is negatively associated with their antibiotic resistance phenotypes, and the aqueous extract of E. senegalensis exhibited moderate antibiofilm activity against K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, and S. enteritidis.

Novel sequence types and low levels of antimicrobial resistance associated with clinical mastitis in sheep flocks across Scotland.

This research paper aimed to demonstrate that mammary secretions provided by sheep farmers across Scotland from cases of clinical mastitis are free from environmental contamination, as well as to provide information on the major bacterial causes of disease and levels of antimicrobial resistance. Mastitis represents one of most significant diseases of small ruminant production worldwide. Staphylococcus aureus, Mannheimia haemolytica, Streptococcus uberis and coagulase-negative Staphylococcal species are common pathogens isolated from cases of sheep mastitis. Sampling kits supplied to 23 farms provided 33 samples for bacteriology, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and genetic analysis. Of the bacterial isolates identified, 60% were S. aureus, 23% M. haemolytica and 7% coagulase-negative staphylococci. Low levels of antimicrobial resistance were identified in the S. aureus isolates which provided novel multi-locus sequence types. In conclusion, this proof-of-concept survey demonstrated that mammary secretions free from environmental contamination may be provided by sheep farmers. It also provided data on the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance associated with clinical mastitis in sheep and will inform on the scale required for larger surveys aiming to improve current strategies for mastitis control in sheep flocks across the UK.

Faucets and keyboards as a major reservoir of gram-negative bacilli in a regional hospital in Northeast Brazil

Infections related to healthcare assistance represent a major public health problem worldwide, and the main etiological agents associated with these infections are microorganisms also found on inanimate hospital surfaces. Therefore, understanding the dynamics of bacterial contamination of hospital surfaces is essential for professionals working in these services. Objective: To evaluate the contamination of inanimate surfaces by Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) in a Regional Hospital in Northeast Brazil. Methods: This is an observational and cross-sectional study. Samples were collected from different hospital wards using a sterile swab soaked in saline solution. They were then plated on MacConkey agar and incubated at 36°C for 48 hours. The bacterial isolates were counted and identified using the Gram staining method, TSI agar, and oxidase test. Results: Out of the 150 samples collected, 71 showed no microbiological growth, 11 showed growth of filamentous fungi, and 66 showed growth of Colony Forming Units (CFU). A total of 132 morphologically distinct colonies were identified, with 55 identified as yeasts and 77 as GNB. In the evaluation of hospital wards, the Adult Emergency Room and the Orthopedic Surgical Clinic showed the highest growth of GNB. Regarding the surfaces studied, the most contaminated were faucets, computer keyboards, mattresses, and beds. Conclusions: Hospital areas with higher human traffic are the most contaminated, particularly on frequently handled objects. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on disinfecting these surfaces to break the transmission chain of these etiological agents.

Screening of multi-metal tolerant plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) Stutzerimonas stutzeri WA4 and its assistance on phytoextraction of heavy metals (Cu, Ag and Pb)

In the current study, coal fly ash contaminated soil was collected in and around Mettur Thermal Power Station, Salem district, Tamil Nadu. The metal concentrations present in the coal fly ash soil samples were analyzed and also used for the isolation of bacteria. The isolates were screened for their multi-metal resistance against three heavy metals (Cu, Ag and Pb) and plant growth-promoting traits (siderophore, phosphate solubilization, IAA, cellulase, HCN, and ammonia production). Among the 12 isolates, the WA4 strain revealed promising results for both metal-resistant and plant growth-promoting activity. In the in vitro pot experiment, Spinacia oleracea (Palak), Red amaranth (Red spinach), Capsicum annum (Green chilly) and Solanum melongena (Brinjal) plants were grown in ash-contaminated soil treated with different concentrations of selected bacterial inoculum (25%, 50%, 75% and 100%) along with a control pot. The results of the study indicated that the ash-contaminated soil treated with bacterial inoculum distinctly increased the growth of plants when compared to untreated soil (control). Thus, the best-performing strain WA4 could be utilized as a good bio-stimulant for promoting the growth of selected plants in the re-vegetation programs of ash-contaminated soil.

Bacteriological Profile and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Isolates from Suspected Neonatal Septicemia Patients in Different Hospitals of Chattogram

Background: Bacterial blood stream infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. This study was undertaken to identify the bacterial isolates from suspected neonatal septicemia patients and to understand their antimicrobial susceptibility pattern in Chattogram. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional descriptive type of study was done for a period of two years from January 2022 to December 2023. Blood samples from 340 neonates with clinically suspected septicemia were taken for automated culture and susceptibility test was conducted in Bacteriology Laboratory of IbneSina, Chattogram. The samples were collected and processed following standard microbiological techniques and an antibiotic susceptibility test was done on pure culture isolates using disc-diffusion method for the commonly used antibiotics. The data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20 and the results were summarized by using tables and graphs. Results: Out of 340 blood culture done, 62 (18.24%) were positive. Among them 61.3% were of early onset sepsis. The predominant bacteria isolated was Klebsiella spp. 27 (43.6%) followed by Coagulase negative staphylococci 12(19.4%), Salmonella typhi 10 (16.1%), E. coli 6 (9.6%) and Pseudomonas 5 (8.0%). Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that the most sensitive antibiotics to Gram-negative organisms wereImipenem (81-100%), Tazobactam-Piperacillin (74-100%), Amikacin (67-90%), Ceftriaxone (60-100%) and Levofloxacin (63-80%). Maximum resistance among Gram-negative organisms were seen in Ampicillin (60-100%), Cotrimoxazole (60-100%) and Cefixime (30-80%). Among Gram-positive organisms, all strains (100%) were sensitive to Linezolid and Vancomycin. Other alternates with good sensitivity were Amikacin (92%), Imipenem (83%), Ceftriaxone (83%) and Levofloxacin (75%). While maximum resistance was seen to Ampicillin (83%), Amoxiclav (75%), Cefixime (75%) and Ciprofloxacin (75%). Conclusions: In the present study, most of the pathogens isolated from blood cultures were Gram negative and they showed high resistance to commonly used antibiotics. Therefore, rational use of antibiotics after sensitivity testing should be practiced. IAHS Medical Journal Vol 7(1), June 2024; 68-73

Effects of Silver Nanoparticles on Ctenopharyngodon idella: Synthesis, Characterization, Antibacterial Activity, and Toxicological Assessment.

Currently, nanotechnology (NT) and nanoparticles (NPs) have gained significant attention in the scientific field due to their diverse application history. Particularly, in environmental applications, their antibacterial efficiency in fisheries due to antibacterial resistance. However, the NPs have been found toxic in the environment. Therefore, the current study aimed to fabricate less toxic NPs using environmentally dried leaves to check their antibacterial efficacy and possible toxicity against grass carp. The findings confirmed the good dispersity of obtained AgNPs, which further showed promising antibacterial activity against several bacterial isolates including Staphylococcus with a zone of inhibition (23.73 ± 0.57 nm). Also, the AgNPs were exposed to the grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) for possible toxicity and toxic effects. First, the bioaccumulation of AgNPs was significantly observed in gills followed by intestines and muscles (p < 0.05). Finally, the AgNPs mainly accumulate in the liver, followed by the intestine, gills, and muscles. Additionally, the deposition of AgNPs in various organs resulted in histological alteration such as necrosis and infiltration of red blood cells in the intestine and the fusion of gill lamella. Hence, the synthesized NPs using dried leaf extract could be a promising approach in applied science. The significant features of the nanoparticles in the present work using green synthesis can help in synthesizing less toxic materials.

Biogenic Selenium Synthesis by Extracellular Extracts of Bacterial Isolates from Coastal Soils and Their Environmental Applicability

Biogenic Selenium Synthesis by Extracellular Extracts of Bacterial Isolates from Coastal Soils and Their Environmental Applicability

Detection and molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacterial isolates.

Antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) are responsible for increased mortality and morbidity. Therefore, this study focuses on evaluating traditional and molecular diagnostic tools of carbapenem-resistant gram-negative bacteria (CRGNB). In order to achieve this, 94 samples, from different patients' specimens, and surrounding environment, were collected from intensive care units (ICUs) at Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital and the National Cancer Institute, Cairo, Egypt. The swabs were cultured on appropriate media, including Chromogenic medium (HiCrome KPC Agar Base "HIMEDI AM1831"), and MacConkey-10µg imipenem disc resulting in 136 isolates with different culture characteristics. Next, the selected isolates were subjected to VITEK 2 machine and 16SrRNA (16S ribosomal RNA) sequencing. The sensitivity of HiCROME KPC agar for CRGNB detection was 99.3% and 94.7%, in reference to the MacConkey-disc and VITEK-2 methods, respectively. The HiCrome KPC agar assumptions for bacterial identification were not as consistent as those of VITEK 2 (with only 47.4% agreement) and 16SrRNA gene sequencing analysis. The approaches discussed in this study facilitate providing rapid diagnosis and treatment of CRGNB, which helps increase survival rates. HiCrome KPC agar is considered a relatively accurate and easy method that can be used in any laboratory. In addition, the selected strains were deposited in the gene bank with the accession numbers OR553657, OR553658, and OR553659. It is noteworthy that Genus Acinetobacter is the major CRGNB isolated from the patients and environmental surfaces in the hospitals. This highlights the importance of proper environmental and terminal cleaning procedures in healthcare facilities and applying control measures to ensure infection prevention.

Investigation of Antibiotic Resistance of E. coli Associated with Farm Animal Feces with Participation of Citizen Scientists

This paper presents the findings of a large-scale study on antibiotic resistance in bacteria found in farm animal feces across Russia. The study included 6578 samples of farm animal manure from 13 regions in Russia, with the help of citizen scientists. Molecular and microbiological methods were used to analyze 1111 samples of E. coli. The microbiological analysis focused on culturing the microorganisms present in the fecal samples on selective media for E. coli and evaluating the sensitivity of the bacteria to different antibiotics, including ampicillin, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, cefotaxime, and ciprofloxacin. The molecular analysis involved isolating the genomic DNA of the bacteria and conducting PCR assays to detect the vanA, vanB, and mcr-1 antibiotic resistance genes. The results demonstrated significant differences in antibiotic sensitivity of the samples that are morphologically identical to E. coli from different regions. For example, 98.0% and 82.5% of E. coli and other fecal bacterial isolates from the Omsk and Vologda regions lacked antibiotic resistance genes, while 97.7% of samples from the Voronezh region possessed three resistance genes simultaneously. The phenotypic antibiotic sensitivity test also revealed regional differences. For instance, 98.1% of fecal bacterial samples from cattle in the Udmurt Republic were sensitive to all five antibiotics tested, whereas 92.8% of samples from the Voronezh region showed resistance to all five antibiotics. The high level of antibiotic resistance observed may be attributed to their use in farming practices. The distinctive feature of our research is that comprehensive geographical coverage was achieved by using a citizen science platform. Citizen scientists, specifically students from colleges and universities, were responsible for the collection and initial analysis of samples. The project attracted 3096 student participants, enabling the collection and analysis of a significant number of samples from various locations in Russia.

The Influence of COVID-19 on Antimicrobial-Resistance in Gram-Positive Bacteria at a Private Saudi Hospital: A Five-Year Evaluation

Due to the emergence of antimicrobial-resistance (AR) as a public health threat, the Saudi National Action Plan (SNAP) was implemented in 2017, incorporating various strategies to combat AR. To evaluate the effectiveness of SNAP and the impact of COVID-19, the study analyzed pre- and post-pandemic rates of AR, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and multidrug resistance (MDR) among Gram-positive bacteria at a private medical center in Saudi Arabia. This study reviewed the cases of all patients who had been diagnosed with Gram-positive bacterial infection between January 2017 and December 2021. Bacterial strain identification was conducted using VITEK-2 ID-GP cards, while AR, MRSA, and MDR were defined using AST-GP 67 and AST-ST02 cards, all adhering to the manufacturer’s recommended protocols. The five-year study from 2017 to 2021 yielded 6,271 Gram-positive bacteria isolates from patients in a Saudi private hospital. Though the rate of AR initially declined between 2017 and 2019, it spiked significantly from 2020 to 2021. Similarly, the MRSA rate exhibited a substantial decrease (p &lt; 0.05) from 2017 to 2019, followed by a significant rise (p &lt; 0.05) between 2020 and 2021. Out of the isolated pathogens, 1,031 (16.44%) exhibited MDR, with all isolates showing a marked increase (p &lt; 0.05) in MDR from 2020 to 2021. The study highlights the aggravating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on AR, underscoring the need for the SNAP to intensify its efforts in combating AR.

Biodegradation of crude oil using bacterial strains isolated from the oil contaminated soil of Shakar Dara oil fields of Pakistan

Oil spillage is an important environmental concern especially in areas near to the oil fields. Microorganisms present one of the most suitable and sustainable way of oil degradation and soil remediation for reuse. The present study was based on the identification of the oil degrading bacteria isolated from the oil contaminated soils located near the Shakar Dara oil fields of Kohat District, Pakistan. The rate of oil degradation by the selected bacterial isolates and the required optimum pH and temperature conditions were also assessed in the present study. Out of the total 15 bacterial isolates, 12 had noticeable oil degrading abilities. In the hydrocarbons sensitivity assays using 5% crude oil, 04 isolates denoted as M1, M2A, M3 and M7 displayed the maximum growth and were chosen for further optimization. The maximum growth was observed at pH 7 and at a mesophilic temperature range (37 °C–40 °C). The selected isolates M1, and M3 were identified as Stenotrophomonas, and Bacillus while, the isolates M2A and M7 were identified as Salmonella spp. respectively. The oil degrading efficiency of Stenotrophomonas sp. M1 was 43% followed by that of Bacillus sp. M3 as 34%. It was concluded that the selected indigenous bacterial strains specifically M1 and M3 aid in the removal of organic contaminants probably owing to some specific enzyme systems synthesized by bacteria. The novel strains being capable of degrading crude oils will help in understanding the activated enzyme machinery and further in the development of an indigenous technology for bioremediation of such contaminated areas.