Common Microbial Pathogens Research Articles

Synthesis and Investigation of Biological Activity of New Betulonic Acid Derivatives Containing 1,2,3-Triazole Fragments.

The results of this study showed that the compounds synthesized by the authors have significant potential due to their antibacterial and cytotoxic properties. The apparent antibacterial activity demonstrated by the compounds suggests that they are active antimicrobial agents against common microbial pathogens that cause various socially significant infectious diseases. Compound 6 showed pronounced antimicrobial activity against the Gram-positive test strain Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538, and compound 7 demonstrated pronounced antimicrobial activity against the Gram-negative test strain Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 (MIC = 6.3 µg/mL). This allowed us to consider these compounds to have great potential.

Early Intervention in Septic Arthritis of the Hand, Optimizing Patient Outcomes in Hand Infections-A Five-Year Retrospective Study.

Background and Objectives: Hand septic arthritis is a potentially debilitating condition that can significantly affect patient functionality and quality of life. Understanding the demographic, clinical, and microbiological characteristics of this condition is crucial for its effective treatment and management. This study aimed to analyze the demographic and clinical profiles of patients with hand septic arthritis, to identify common microbial pathogens, and to evaluate the impact of various factors on clinical course and treatment outcomes. Material and Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study examined patients diagnosed with septic arthritis of the hand, focusing on their demographic data, clinical presentation, causative organisms, treatment methods, and outcomes. Data on age, sex, cause of infection, affected sites, surgical interventions, microbiological findings, and patient outcomes were also collected. Results: This study found a higher prevalence of septic arthritis in males and identified bite as the predominant cause. Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen. A large number of patients did not exhibit bacterial growth, and bacterial resistance did not significantly affect the outcome. Outcomes were statistically influenced by the timing of medical presentation and the presence of comorbidities. Conclusions: Early diagnosis and intervention are critical for effective management of hand septic arthritis. This study underscores the need for a comprehensive approach that considers patient demographic and clinical characteristics to optimize treatment outcomes. Awareness and preventive measures are essential to reduce the incidence and severity of this condition.

Antimicrobial Activity of Eel Mucus: A Review

Epidermal fish mucus contains a wide range of bioactive metabolites involved with the defence mechanism. This review explores the potential of eel mucus extract for its antagonistic potential against common pathogenic microbes, which are commonly implicated in foodborne and human infections. The ability to adhere and invade the host cell and disarm the growth of other pathogenic microbes will also be discussed. Modes of action for eel mucus, including the antibacterial and antifungal properties of the bioactive metabolites, shall also be explored. Thus, this overview represents the potent bioactivities of mucus extracted from eel, which could be further explored as an alternative to antibiotics or synthetic drug agents.

Green, Eco-Friendly, Highly Biocompatible and Bioactive Nanocomposite-Based Biopolymers Loaded with ZnO@Fe3O4 Nanoparticles.

Biocompatibility is a major concern for promising multifunctional bioactive materials. Unfortunately, bioactive materials lack biocompatibility in some respects, so active ingredient formulations are urgently needed. Bimetallic nanoparticles have demonstrated drawbacks in stabilized biocompatible formulations. This study examined the preparation of biomaterial-based multifunctional biopolymers via an eco-friendly formulation method using ultrasound. Bimetallic zinc oxide/iron oxide (magnetic form) nanoparticles (ZnO@Fe3O4NPs) were formulated using casein and starch as capping agents and stabilizers. The formulated nanocomposite was characterized using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Herein, the formulated nanocomposite was shown to have a thermally stable nanostructure, and the bimetallic ZnO@Fe3O4 NPs were measured as 85 nm length and 13 nm width. Additionally, the biocompatibility test showed its excellent cytocompatibility with Wi 38 and Vero normal cell lines, with IC50 550 and 650 mg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity was noted against six pathogens that are represent to the most common pathogenic microbes, with the time required for killing of bacteria and unicellular fungi being 19 h and 61 h for filamentous fungi with remarket an excellent antioxidant activity.

Microbiological evaluation of bacterial conjunctivitis in children

Bacterial conjunctivitis is a common condition in paediatric ophthalmology. Incidence and symptoms depend on etiological factor, clinical presentation and age. The most common pathogens which cause bacterial conjunctivitis are: Staphylococcus aureus, Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Moraxella catarrhalis etc. Conjunctivitis is treated empirically in most cases, the treatment is defined by symptoms and clinical findings, physician prescribes the available antibiotic treatment. Eye swab is indicated in cases of prolonged or non efficient treatment or in case of relapse. Goals: To evaluate bacterial conjunctivitis according to microbial pathogen detected in eye swab, the most common microbial pathogens found and drug susceptibility of antimicrobial agents given in antibiogram. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 73 microbiological findings of eye swabs in 53 children between January 2019 and March 2020. The sample was cultured on blood and chocolate Gram staining agar incubated under 5-10% CO2, 35-37ËšC with daily reading 40-48h. Bacteria collected from eye swabs were tested for the following antibiotics: chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, moxifloxacin, ofloxacin, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, erythromycin, ampicillin, azithromycin, amoxicillin, clindamycin and penicillin. Results: In a total of 53 patients eye swabs were taken, 23(43,39%) male and 30(56,60%) female, age ranged from 0-17 (mean age 32,3±52,3 months or 2,7±4,4 years) most common patient age was 2 years in 40(75,5%) cases. Number of performed eye swabs was 73, and pathogens were isolated in 70(95,9%) cases, and only in 3(4,1%) cases there were no pathogens in eye swab, meaning that indication for eye swab was highly justified. Among isolated pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus was proved to be the most common, in 20(27,4%) cases, the antibiotic with highest drug susceptibility was chloramphenicol in 33(62,3%) cases. Conclusion: Microbiological evaluation of bacterial conjunctivitis is reasonable in moderate to severe cases associated with mucopurulent discharge, prolonged treatment, and as confirmation of diagnosis. Choosing the accurate antibiotic therapy requires identification of pathogen and assessing its susceptibility. Targeted treatment reduces risk of antibiotic overdosing or unnecessary use of antibiotics. Prudent use of antibiotics reduces antimicrobial resistance.Â

IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF NATURAL HERBAL EXTRACTS FOR ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY

Objective: Herbal medicine is still the mainstay of about 75-80% of the whole population, and the major part of traditional therapy involves the use of plant extract and their active constituents against infectious pathogens. Objective: The study aimed to investigate in vitro antibacterial activity of extracts from some medicinal plants against the most common microbial pathogens including MDR bacteria.
 Methods: The processing of plant materials was performed with the washing, drying and grinding of collected plant materials. The plant extracts were prepared by mixing 10 g of powder to 150 ml of ethanol solvent for 5 h at room temperature and sonicated for 15 min; for prepared test samples under laboratory conditions, the air-dried samples were mixed with the respective solvent (1:15 w/v) for 72 h at room temperature with occasional and then filtered through Whattman filter paper No.1. The obtained extract was freed from the solvent by evaporation under reduced pressure and then resuspended in the appropriate solvent to make the solution of known concentration of 10-50 mg/ml. The extract was stored at 4 °C in airtight glass bottle for the antibacterial assay using the Agar-well diffusion method. Ciprofloxacin was used as a control antibiotic.
 Results: The growth of K. pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, P. aeruginosa and E. coli were inhibited better with the plant extract Tinospora cardifolia leaves than ciprofloxacin antibiotic. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci was inhibited greatly with Costus igneus leaf extract. The growth of Enterococcus faecalic was inhibited significantly with Tridax procumbens leaf extract than ciprofloxacin. 
 Conclusion: The present study indicates Tridax procumbens, T. cordifolia and Costus igneus methanolic leaf extracts were showed strong antimicrobial activity against all the tested cultures. They were rich in primary and secondary constituents. Most of the biologically active phytochemicals were present in methanolic extract. The tested plant extracts were more efficient than standard antibiotic ciprofloxacin used in the current study.

Species Distribution of the Aerobic Bacterial Profile in Pyoderma with Special Reference to Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of the Isolates at a Tertiary Care Hospital of West Bengal, India

Introduction: Pyoderma is a common health problem characterised by pyogenic infections of the skin and its appendages. Though easily treatable, the condition is known for its chronicity, recurrence and other complications. Therefore, timely recognition and prompt bacterial diagnosis with antimicrobial sensitivity is imperative for the effective management and treatment of pyoderma. It is a common bacterial skin infection accounting for nearly 25% of patients attending Dermatology Outpatient Department (OPD) in India and other tropical countries. Aim: To determine the incidence of pyoderma in relation to age, sex and socio-economic status, to isolate and identify the common aerobic microbial pathogens associated with pyoderma prevalent in the community and antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Materials and Methods: An institutional based crosssectional observational study was conducted on 148 cases in Department of Microbiology, Rampurhat Government Medical College and Hospital, Burdwan, West Bengal, India, clinical features of suspected pyoderma for a period of 12 months from March 2021 to February 2022. Lesion swabs were collected and isolates were identified; antibiotic susceptibility testing was also performed according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines using antibiotic discs. Descriptive data was presented as count and percentages. Results: Out of 148 samples collected 144 (97.3%) were culture positive while, rest 04 (2.7%) were culture negative. Overcrowding and low socio-economic group were closely related with pyoderma patients. Primary pyoderma (72.2%) cases were detected more than the secondary (27.8%) cases. Impetigo contagiosa (54%) were detected more among the primary pyoderma patients. High numbers (66.7%) of pyoderma were detected among children (0 to 10 years). The culture positive samples were more in male patients (68.7%) than in female patients (31.3%) and mostly detected from OPD. Out of 144 isolates, 89 (61.8%) were Staphylococcus aureus, 23 (15.9%) isolates were Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) and 04 (2.8%) were Streptococcus pyogens. Further 06 (4.2%) isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 10 (6.9%) isolates of Escherichia coli and 08 (5.5%) isolates of Klebsiella pneumonia were found. Conclusion: The present study results suggest that the era of antibiotics has ushered in an unprecedented predominance of Staphylococcal rather than Streptococcal infections and other gram negative infections for pyoderma cases. Increasing incidence of methicillin, quinolones and amikacin resistance in Staphylococci and other gram negative isolates have limited treatment options. For this, a single infection like pyoderma is challenging in all the healthcare facility.

Molecular Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia odocoilei, Babesia species and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato in Songbirds

The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is known to carry various tick-borne zoonotic pathogens with the potential to cause debilitating human and animal diseases. Juvenile I. scapularis parasitize songbirds and, perhaps, these avifauna are competent hosts of common microbial pathogens. We extracted brachial venous blood from 18 ground-foraging passerine birds that were parasitized by I. scapularis larvae and nymphs. Using molecular identification, namely PCR, DNA sequencing, and Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLAST), we targeted Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp. and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Overall, 15 (83%) of 18 passerine birds were positive for 3 microbial zoonotic pathogens that comprised of A. phagocytophilum (n = 8), Babesia odocoilei (n = 6), Babesia spp. 20-5A74 (n = 1), and B. burgdorferi sensu lato (n = 9). The pathogen load consisted of 8 singles, 5 doubles, and 2 triples. One novel Babesia sp. (Babesia spp. 20-5A74) was found, and the remaining Babesia infections were B. odocoilei. Our findings reveal that ground-foraging, passerine birds are avian hosts of zoonotic pathogens. We provide the first-ever documentation that songbirds are hosts of B. odocoilei. Based on our data, B. odocoilei outnumbered other Babesia spp., and elucidated the authentic fact that B. odocoilei is the predominant Babesia sp. in North America. As avian hosts, passerine birds play a significant role in the enzootic transmission cycle of B. burgdorferi sensu lato, A. phagocytophilum, and Babesia species.

The tibetan medicine Zuozhu-Daxi can prevent Helicobacter pylori induced-gastric mucosa inflammation by inhibiting lipid metabolism

BackgroundTibetan medicine has been used in clinical practice for more than 3800 years. Zuozhu-Daxi (ZZDX), a classic traditional Tibetan medicine, has been proved to be effective in the treatment of digestive diseases, such as chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, etc. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), one of the most common pathogenic microbes, is regarded as the most common cause of gastritis. Researching on the effects of ZZDX on H. pylori-induced gastric mucosa inflammation could provide more evidences on H. pylori treatment and promote the development of Tibetan medicine. This study aimed to explore whether ZZDX could rescue H. pylori-induced gastric mucosa inflammation and its mechanism.MethodsMale C57BL/6 mice were infected with H. pylori, and orally treated with ZZDX to rescue gastric mucosa inflammation induced by H. pylori infection. Pathology of gastric mucosa inflammation was evaluated under microscopy by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining. The infection status of H. pylori was evaluated by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) level in serum was evaluated using a detection kit. IL-1α, IL-6, and PGE2 expression levels in serum were measured using ELISA. IL-1α, IL-8, TNF-α, and NOD1 expression levels in gastric tissues were measured using real-time PCR. RNA sequencing and gene certification of interest were performed to explore the mechanisms in vivo and in vitro.ResultsThe results showed that ZZDX could significantly inhibit H. pylori-induced gastric mucosa inflammation using HE staining. IL-1α, IL-6, and PGE2 expression levels in serum were significantly decreased after treatment with ZZDX. ZZDX treatment significantly decreased the mRNA expression of IL-8 induced by H. pylori infection in gastric tissues. Elovl4, Acot1 and Scd1 might be involved in the mechanisms of ZZDX treatment. However, the H. pylori infection status in the gastric mucosa was not reduced after ZZDX treatment.ConclusionsZZDX reversed gastric mucosal injury and alleviated gastric mucosa inflammation induced by H. pylori infection.

Characterization of NiONPs synthesized by aqueous extract of orange fruit waste and assessed their antimicrobial and antioxidant potential

This research was performed to evaluate the nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) fabricating potential of orange fruit waste (OFW) aqueous extract. Moreover characterize the synthesized OFW-NiONPs through standard techniques such as UV–vis. spectrophotometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses. Furthermore, the antimicrobial and antioxidant potential of OFW-NiONPs were studied against most common microbial pathogens (Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Aspergillus niger) and free radicals (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), H2O2, OH, and FRAP). A sharp absorbance peak was obtained at 324 nm under UV–vis spectrum analysis that confirmed that the synthesis of OFW-NiONPs and it has been capped and stabilized by numbers of active functional groups studied through FTIR analysis. SEM and DLS analyses revealed that the cubic and triangle shaped OFW-NiONPs with the size intensity distribution was ranging from 21 nm to 130 nm. Interestingly, the OFW-NiONPs showed remarkable antimicrobial activity against the common microbial pathogens in the order of E. coli > A. niger > K. pneumoniae > B. subtilis > S. aureus at increased concentration of 200 μg mL−1. Similarly, the synthesized OFW-NiONPs also possess significant free radicals scavenging activity against DPPH, OH, and FRAP. These results conclude that this OFW-NiONPs can be considered for some biomedical applications after the investigations of some in-vivo research.

Prevalence and antimicrobial resistance patterns of microbes isolated from individuals attending private diagnostic centre in Cape Coast Metropolis of Ghana

The evidence of rising numbers of multidrug-resistant organisms requires the implementation of effective stewardship programs. However, this should be informed by evidence-based knowledge of local antimicrobial resistance patterns. The current study aims to establish the prevalence of common pathogenic microbes including their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and distribution in the Cape Coast Metropolis. This was a retrospective study where microbial culture and antimicrobial susceptibility records for 331 patients were reviewed from January to December 2019, at a private health centre. All data were analysed using Excel (Microsoft Office, USA), SPSS and GraphPad Prism 8 software programs. Among the samples tested, 125 (37.76%) were positive for microbes with high vaginal swab (HVS) samples recording the highest number of pathogens (44%), followed by urine (40%) and both pleural and semen samples having the least (0.3% each). Again, gram-negative isolates were more prevalent than the gram-positive isolates. The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance was very significant with isolates resistant to more than one antibiotic (P < 0.05). Escherichia coli showed the highest level of resistance, followed by Citrobacter spp. These were followed by Klebsiella spp., Staphylococcus spp., Coliforms, Pseudomonas spp., Commensals and Candida spp. The high resistance pattern suggests an inevitable catastrophe requiring continuous monitoring and implementation of effective antibiotic stewardship.

Wastewater reuse for irrigation of produce: A review of research, regulations, and risks

The burden of disease caused by the contamination of ready-to-eat produce with common waterborne microbial pathogens suggests that irrigation supplies should be closely monitored and regulated. Simultaneously freshwater resources have become increasingly scarce worldwide while global demand continues to grow. Since the turn of the 20th century with the advent of modern wastewater treatment plants, the reuse of treated wastewater is considered a safe and viable water source for irrigation of ready-to-eat vegetables. However strict, and often costly, treatment regimens mean that only a fraction of the world's wastewater supplies are being put to reuse. The purpose of this review is to explore the available literature on the risks associated with reuse water for ready-to-eat produce production including different approaches to reducing those risks as the demand for reuse water increases. It is not the intent of the authors to determine which methods of treatment should be applied, which pathogens should be considered of greatest concern, or which regulations should be applied. Rather, it is meant to be a discussion of the evolving guidelines governing irrigation with reuse water, potential risks from known pathogens common to produce production and recommendations for improving the adoption of water reuse moving forward.To date, there is little evidence to suggest that adequately treated reuse water poses more risk for produce-related illness or outbreaks than other sources of irrigation water. However, multiple epidemiological and quantitative risk assessment models suggest that guidelines for the use of reuse water should be regionally specific and based on local growing practices, available technologies for wastewater treatment, and overall population health. Though research suggests water reuse is generally safe, the assumptions of risk are both personal and of public interest, they should be considered carefully before water reuse is either allowed or disallowed in produce production environments.

Synthesis and antimicrobial potential of spirooxindolopyrrolidine tethered oxindole heterocyclic hybrid against multidrug resistant microbial pathogens

Infectious diseases are a major public health concern worldwide and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Spirooxindolopyrrolidine moiety is attractive in this connection, because this structural unit predominates in many biologically relevant natural alkaloids and displayed multifarious biological profiles including antimicrobial activities. In present study, we have synthesized new class of spirooxindolopyrrolidine hybrid heterocycles employing multicomponent cycloaddition methodology. Compound thus synthesized were evaluated for their antimicrobial activity against common microbial pathogens. Of the compounds 4a-d, the compound 4b bearing trifluoromethoxy unit on the oxindole ring exhibited significant antimicrobial activity with an inhibition range from 7.00 ± 0.15 to 20.00 ± 0.08 mm and MIC value from 8.00 to >256.00 μg/mL against selected microbial pathogens. Hence, the compound 4b was a potential candidate to compacting infectious diseases causing microbial pathogens. The overall results of this study indicated that compound 4b has higher potential activities against both multidrug-resistant bacteria and fungal pathogens. Further research studies are needed to fully understand their medicinal properties of new hybrid heterocycles that are being developed in our laboratory for potential therapeutic development to treat various diseases caused by microbial pathogens.

PHYTOCHEMICAL VARIABILITY AND ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF EXTRACTS OF Citropsis articulata LEAVES FROM THREE TROPICAL FORESTS IN UGANDA

Empirical evidence of the presence of bioactive compounds in plants is indispensable, given that medicinal plants play a pivotal role in the quest for new antimicrobials. In this study, leaves of Citropsis articulata from three forest reserves (Mabira, Budongo, and Kibale) in Uganda were extracted with distilled water and methanol using infusion and maceration methods, respectively. The total phenolic (TP), total flavonoid (TF), total alkaloid (TA) and total saponin (TS) contents of the extracts were evaluated using UV-Vis spectrophotometric based methods before the fingerprint of each extract was established using high-performance liquid chromatography. In vitro antimicrobial activities of the extracts were examined against standard strains of common pathogenic microbes, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans using agar well diffusion and microtitre plate-based assays. Results showed that the methanol extract had a significantly higher content of the secondary metabolites compared to the aqueous extract, with samples from Mabira showing the highest level of TP (68.92 mg GAE/g), samples from Budongo had the highest level of TF (11.28 mg QE/g) and TS (101.94 mg DE/g). In comparison, samples from Kibale showed the highest level of TA (66.29 mg AE/g). In the antimicrobial study, methanol extract showed significantly higher potency than the aqueous extract for all samples from the three locations. The plant extracts showed substantially high potency against Escherichia coli, with samples from Mabira exhibiting the maximum zone of inhibition (29.5±0.5 mm) at 50% w/v and lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.56% w/v. The extracts also demonstrated bactericidal (MBC) and fungicidal (MFC) potency against the test microorganisms in the order; Escherichia coli &gt; Staphylococcus aureus &gt; Pseudomonas aeruginosa &gt; Candida albicans. This study demonstrated that Citropsis articulata leaves have potentially potent bioactive compounds that could be explored for future antimicrobial drug development.

Antimicrobial activities of spirooxindolopyrrolidine tethered dicarbonitrile heterocycles against multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogens

BackgroundMicrobial infections together with rising drug resistance pose a threat to immunocompromised individual. In this perspective, compounds with spirooxindolopyrrolidine play a significant role in research on antimicrobial drug delivery research owing to their various pharmaceutical activities. Spiroheterocyclic compounds are present in number of medications as active motif due to their exceptional structural properties which enable for easy interaction with the protein of the biological target. Inspired by this biological precedent encouraged to synthesize a new class of dispirooxindole fused pyrrolidine heterocycles via a three-component cycloaddition strategy. Materials and MethodsThe new class of structurally intriguing spirooxindolopyrrolidines were synthesized through three component cycloaddition process and the structure of products were assigned through spectroscopic analysis. The newly synthesized compounds were assessed for their antimicrobial sensitivity test with standard Kirby Bauer method with common drugs. ResultsThe structurally unexplored hybrid heterocycles fused spirooxindolopyrrolidine exhibited excellent antimicrobial activity against the common nosocomial microbial pathogens. Of four compounds, the compound bearing a chlorine atom on the aryl ring (4a) exhibited significant antimicrobial activity (zone of inhibition: 9.00 ± 1.00–17.00 ± 0.35 mm and MIC: 16.00–256.00 μg/mL) against selected nosocomial infection causing microbial pathogens. Hence, the compound 4a has been considered as an effective drug of interest in therapeutic field for compacting infectious diseases causing pathogens. ConclusionWith an aim of developing more effective and economically more affordable antimicrobial leads with a unique mechanism of action, we have designed and synthesized structurally diverse spirooxindolopyrrolidine tethered hybrids that has been assayed against multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogens. The regioisomer having chloro substituted on the phenyl ring showed potent activity when compared to standard drug. Future studies are required to explicate the pharmacological properties of new hybrid heterocycles that have been synthesized in our laboratory for the novel therapeutic development.

Multicentre clinical trial to evaluate microbial spectrum in acute diffuse otitis externa in the residents of Ukraine

Introduction: Acute diffuse otitis externa is a spread skin inflammation of the external ear canal of the bacterial origin. It is reported at an incidence of up to 10% among healthy population of all age groups. Treatment is known to be based on the empirical approach for prescribing topical antibacterials. Therefore studying the bacterial spectrum of otitis externa causative agents is of great value in terms of relevant antimicrobial therapy. Aim: The objective of the study was to evaluate microbial spectrum in diffuse otitis externa in patients – residents of Ukraine. Materials and methods: Four hundred and ninety-three out-patients diagnosed with acute diffuse otitis externa were enrolled. Microbial composition of the external ear canal microflora was tested and aetiologically relevant titres of colony-forming units (CFU) were determined. Criteria for evaluation: titres of 104 to 106 CFU and &gt;106 CFU were considered aetiologically relevant. titres of &lt;104 CFU were considered aetiologically nonrelevant. Results and discussion: In the majority of cases of acute diffuse otitis externa, infection with Staphylococcus aureus in aetiologically relevant titres is reported in 53.2% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa in 23.6%. Cases of multimicrobial infection predominantly involving Gram-negative flora were also reported in 27.9%; each of them results in no more than 2 to 3% of otitis externa. Titres of Candida spp. (3.2%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (2.6%) were measured as aetiologically non-relevant. Conclusion: common microbial pathogens in acute diffuse otitis externa in patients of the Ukrainian population are Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Multimicrobial associations predominantly involving Gram-negative flora, which do not exceed 2 to 3% of cases. Fungal infections are a rare cause of otitis externa.

Comparison of causative microorganisms of posttraumatic endophthalmitis with and without retained intraocular foreign bodies

BackgroundThe goals of this work were to report the demographic characteristics of patients with clinically diagnosed endophthalmitis with or without intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) and to analyze the causative microorganisms.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 1257 patients with clinically diagnosed posttraumatic endophthalmitis who were admitted to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center between January 1, 2013, and August 31, 2020.ResultsOf the 1257 patients with clinically diagnosed posttraumatic endophthalmitis, 452 (36.0%) patients had IOFBs. Male dominance was more common among the patients with IOFBs than the patients without IOFBs. The average age of the patients with IOFBs was older than that of the patients without IOFBs. The most common microbial pathogens in these two groups were Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative bacilli. Gram-positive bacilli were more common in the patients with IOFBs than in those without IOFBs (17.9 vs. 9.4%), and Bacillus spp. accounted for 12.6 and 5.5%, respectively. Fungi were less abundant in the patients with IOFBs than in those without IOFBs (8.0 vs. 15.6%).ConclusionsPatients with IOFBs were mostly male and older than those without IOFBs. Gram-positive bacilli were more common and fungi were less common in patients with IOFBs than in those without IOFBs.

Attempts to Improve Antimicrobial Efficiency by Mixed-Lactobacillus Extracts as Crude or Nano-formulated Against Pathogenic and Food Spoilage Bacteria, Molds and Yeasts

Over the world, there are millions of disease cases, in addition to thousands of deaths due to food-based outbreaks every year. In order to diminish the risk of foodborne infection and intoxications and control microbial food spoilage, there is a great need to improve modes of food preservation. As well-known, nature-dependent preservation enables consumers to keep their safety while eating highly qualified food. This work aims to enhance the safety and quality of common popular food products by introducing new preservative applications suggestions. The idea is to use different lactobacilli-based fermentations; in single or mixed-status and study the obtained extracts to evaluate their influence to manage microbial contamination of food. A set of five Lactobacillus strains was utilized by this study, methanol extract of cold acetone precipitate, Diethyl ether extract, and both were tested as crude or Nano-formulated against common microbial pathogens and food spoilers. Methanol extract of all lactobacillus strains shows antibacterial-specific activity with inhibition zone ranging from 7 mm in the case of Lactobacillus rhamnosus against Salmonella enterica, to 24 mm in the case of Lactobacillus helveticus against Escherichia coli. Diethyl ether extracts based on Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus plantarum show a considerable inhibition to all utilized microbial concerns, including Saccharomyces cerviceae. Upon estimating three forms of mixed-Lactobacillus that are based on Lactobacillus helveticus (h), Lactobacillus plantarum (p), and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (G), the ph-dependant combination showed uprising inhibition that reached maximally 58% over that of single Lactobacilli. Nano formulation of mixed-based total extracts maximally upraised the inhibition to 39%, 32%, and 100% against gram-positive, gram-negative, and the fungus; Penicillium chrysogenum, respectively.

Molecular Structural Evolution of Near-Infrared Cationic Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens: Preclinical Antimicrobial Pathogens Activities and Tissues Regeneration

Molecular Structural Evolution of Near-Infrared Cationic Aggregation-Induced Emission Luminogens: Preclinical Antimicrobial Pathogens Activities and Tissues Regeneration

Antimicrobial Activity of Medicinal Plants: A Weapon to Combat Multi-Drug Resistant Pathogens

Medicinal plants are extensively used in traditional systems of medicine for the treatment of different ailments. Bio-active compounds of plants and herbs show excellent antimicrobial properties against different pathogens. Plant extracts are known to control microbial growth by their anti-quorum sensing and anti-biofilm formation activities. The emergence and rapid spread of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens and the evolution of new multi-drug resistant strains of disease-causing microorganisms are of remarkable alarm to the healthcare systems across the globe. Therefore the antimicrobial properties of the plant extract may represent an important alternative therapeutic route to conventional drugs. Phytochemical analysis of extract also exclusively facilitates understanding their biochemical and molecular nature for drug discovery shortly. The article focuses on the antimicrobial activity of some selected medicinal plants against the most common microbial pathogens, including clinical multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria.