Conventional Biochemical Tests Research Articles

Emergence of Virulent Extensively Drug-Resistant Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Among Diarrheic Pet Animals: A Possible Public Health Threat on the Move.

Background: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become an increasing public health concern in the past few decades, being associated with serious multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections. This study was conducted to investigate the role of diarrheic pet animals as potential reservoirs for virulent extensively drug-resistant (XDR) VRE and their threat on human health. Materials and Methods: Rectal swabs were collected from 153 diarrheic pet animals (80 dogs and 73 cats). The collected swabs were cultured on CHROMagarTMVRE for the isolation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, and then suspected colonies were identified as enterococci after Gram staining, conventional biochemical tests, and molecular techniques. VRE were basically identified using the disk diffusion method; however, molecular identification of vanA and vanB genes was carried out among confirmed VRE isolates. Moreover, three virulence genes (cytolysin A, cylA; enterococcal surface protein, esp; and hyaluronidase, hyl) were investigated in VRE isolates. Thereafter, VRE strains that harbored virulence genes were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: Eighteen out of 153 animals (11.8%) were positive for VRE, which were obtained from 15% and 8.2% of the examined dogs and cats, respectively. None of the obtained isolates carried the vanA gene, whereas the vanB gene was detected in E. faecalis (4/10) with a prevalence rate (40%). Of the obtained VRE isolates, five possessed esp and/or cylA, while all strains were negative for the hyl gene. Furthermore, four virulent VRE isolates exhibited an XDR pattern, and one isolate was MDR. Conclusion: Diarrheic pet animals could represent a potential zoonotic reservoir for virulent XDR vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis, which may have serious public health implications.

Prevalence of multidrug resistance Salmonella species isolated from clinical specimens at University of Gondar comprehensive specialized hospital Northwest Ethiopia: A retrospective study.

Multidrug resistance Salmonellosis remains an important public health problem globally. The disease is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries, but there have been limited recent studies about the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and multidrug resistance patterns of Salmonella isolates from various clinical specimens. Aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and multidrug resistance patterns of Salmonella isolates from clinical specimens at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialised Hospital, northwestern Ethiopia. A retrospective hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and multidrug resistance patterns of isolated from all clinical specimens at the University of Gondar Salmonella Comprehensive Specialised Hospital from June 1st, 2017 to June 3rd, 2022. A total of 26,154 data points were collected using a checklist of records of laboratory registration. Clinical specimens were collected, inoculated, and incubated for about a week with visual inspection for growth and gram staining. The isolates were grown on MacConkey agar and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar. Pure colonies were identified with a conventional biochemical test, and those unidentified at the species level were further identified by the analytical profile index-20E. Then, antimicrobial susceptibility was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion technique. The multidrug resistance Salmonella isolates was identified using the criteria set by Magiorakos. Finally, the data was cleaned and checked for completeness and then entered into SPSS version 26 for analysis. Then the results were displayed using tables and figures. Of the total 26,154 Salmonella suspected clinical samples, 41 (0.16%) Salmonella species were isolated. Most of the Salmonella isolates, 19 (46.3%), were in the age group of less than 18 years, followed by the age group of 19-44 years, 11 (26.8%). In this study, S. enterica subsp. arizonae accounts for the highest 21 (51%), followed by S. paratyphi A 9 (22%). Of the Salmonella isolates, S. typhi were highly resistant to ampicillin (100%), followed by tetracycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, each accounting for 83.3%. Furthermore, S. paratyphi A was resistant to ampicillin (100%), tetracycline (88.9%), and chloramphenicol (88.9%). The overall multi-drug resistance prevalence was 22 (53.7%; 95% CI: 39.7-61). Accordingly, S. paratyphi A was 100% multidrug-resistant, followed by S. typhi (66.6%). A low prevalence of Salmonella species was observed in the past six years. Moreover, most S. typhi and S. paratyphi strains in the study area were found to be resistant to routinely recommended antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone, compared to what was reported earlier. In addition, all isolates of S. paratyphi A and the majority of S. typhi were multidrug resistant. Therefore, health professionals should consider antimicrobial susceptibility tests and use antibiotics with caution for Salmonellosis management.

Prevalence of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and intestinal parasites among food handlers working in University of Gondar student's cafeteria, Northwest Ethiopia.

Food-borne infections continue to be a major public health problem at the international level. The issue becomes more serious in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species and intestinal parasites, as well as antimicrobial resistance patterns and associated factors among food handlers at the University of Gondar cafeteria in northwest Ethiopia. An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from February to June 2021 in the University of Gondar cafeterias. Data related to the socio-demographic characteristics and hygienic practices of study participants were collected using structured questionnaires. A total of 290 stool samples were collected from food handlers. Culture and conventional biochemical tests were used to isolate the Salmonella and the Shigella species. Wet mount, Formol-ether concentration, and Kato Katz techniques were applied to identify intestinal parasites. Additionally, drug susceptibility tests were performed using the disk diffusion method. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 26. Of 290 food handlers' stool samples analyzed, Twenty-seven 27 (9.3%) were positive for both Salmonella and Shigella species. The prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species was 16 (5.5%) and 11 (3.8%), respectively. Most of the isolated pathogens were resistant to tetracycline 19 (70.4%), and trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole 19 (70.4%). The overall rate of multi-drug resistant Shigella and Salmonella isolate was 59.3%. Besides, Fifty-seven 57 (19.7%) of the participants were positive for one or more intestinal parasites. The most prevalent intestinal Parasitosis was E. histolytica/dispar 22 (7.6%), followed by G. lamblia 13 (4.5%), and Ascaris lumbricoides 11 (3.8) not washing hands after using the toilet (AOR: 4.42, 95% CI: 1.57, 10.56), and consuming unpasteurized milk (AOR: 3.14, 95% CI: 1.65, 3.96), were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of Salmonella, and Shigella infection. Similarly, not washing hands after using the toilet (AOR: 2.19, 95% CI: 1.0, 1.4), and consuming unpasteurized milk (AOR: 10.4, 95% CI: 3.8, 28.8), were factors significantly associated with the prevalence of intestinal parasites infection. The prevalence of intestinal parasites, Salmonella, and Shigella species was high. Therefore, it is imperative to implement a public health policy that includes ongoing microbiological surveillance.

Bacteriological evaluation, antibiogram, and phenotypic detection of MBL-producing gram-negative bacteria isolated from outdoor patients with otorrhea attending Ayub medical Complex

Otitis media is frequently prevalent in developing countries and is primarily caused by bacteria. The current study aimed to study the patients to assess the occurrence rate, susceptibility pattern, and prevalence rate of metallo beta-lactamase (MBL) producing gram-negative bacteria to prevent the prevalent strains and direct the physicians to appropriate antibiotic therapy. The research study was conducted over nine-months, from November 2020 to July 2021, in which a total of 110 samples were collected from the outdoor-patients’ ear, nose, and throat (ENT) wards using sterile swabs and inoculated immediately on suitable culture media. The isolates were identified via conventional biochemical tests, and the susceptibility pattern of each isolate was tested using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Out of the 110 total samples, merely 88.18% (97/110) ear samples were detected positive for the various strains of bacteria both in male and female patients with a mean age of 18.21 ± 15.86, contributing 54.64% and 45.36%, respectively. The most prevalent bacterial strain was Staphylococcus aureus (49.48%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (16.50%), Proteus spp. (13.40%), S. epidermidis (7.22%), E. coli (6.19%), S. saprophyticus (4.12%), and Klebsiella spp. (3.09%). Of the gram-negative isolated strains, only 18.75% (3/16) of the P. aeruginosa strains exhibited MBL production. A high prevalence rate was observed in the age-group 0–4 years (19.58%), followed by the age-groups, 5–9 and 15–19 (16.49% each), and the age-group >39 (10.31%). Levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and fusidic acid were highly effective against the gram-positive, whereas ciprofloxacin, amikacin, and levofloxacin were potent against the gram-negative (except P. aeruginosa), while carbenicillin, meropenem and imipenem against the P. aeruginosa. The MBL-producers were highly (100%) resistant to IMP and MEM while highly (100%) sensitive to CAZ. In conclusion, the current study showed a high prevalence of S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and MBL-producing P. aeruginosa (18.75%). Nevertheless, a high degree of resistance to antibiotics was noted, which could not be ignored.

Aerobic Microbiological Spectrum and Antibiotic Resistance in Children Operated for Anorectal Abscesses.

(1) Background: Anorectal abscesses are a relatively rare pathology in childhood. Most often, male children under 1 year of age are affected. The importance of microbiological examination for the diagnosis and treatment of such patients remains debatable among surgeons, resulting in scarce data being available in the literature. We aimed to identify the aerobic microbiological spectrum and antibiotic resistance of isolates in children undergoing operation to treat anorectal abscesses. (2) Methods: We performed a case series of 102 children diagnosed and operated for anorectal abscesses over a period of 10 years (2010-2019). Purulent wound exudate was used for microbiological evaluation, which was subsequently cultured on 5% sheep-blood agar and eosin-methylene blue agar. For microbiological identification, conventional biochemical tests and semi-automated (API 20, bioMerieux, Marcy-l'Étoile, France) tests were used, as well as automated systems (Vitek-2 Compact, bioMerieux, France). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by the disk diffusion method of Bauer-Kirby and by determining the minimal inhibitory concentrations for glycopeptides. The results were interpreted according to the EUCAST standard for the corresponding year. (3) Results: Microbiological testing in children operated for anorectal abscesses mainly identified the gut commensals that normally reside in the rectal mucosa. Monocultures were found in just over half of the cases. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae complex, and Proteus mirabilis were the most frequently isolated. In addition, Staphylococcus aureus was found in 7% of patients. In Gram-negative bacteria, antibiotic resistance was most often observed in penicillins, cephalosporins, sulfonamides, and fluoroquinolones. (4) Conclusions: The increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance impose the need for the local monitoring of circulating commensal bacteria associated with anorectal abscesses in children to guide antibiotic therapy when indicated.

Molecular Detection of Some Most Important Pathogenic Bacteria by Multiplex PCR for Diagnosis of Subclinical Mastitis in Bovine

Background: The dairy sector faces formidable obstacles in the early detection of the bacteria causing subclinical mastitis and in the proactive treatment of those cases. The objective of the study was to access multiplex PCR assays (MPCR) and conventional methods for the concurrent identification of significant bacteria that cause sub-clinical mastitis and to compare these methods. 200 samples of pooled milk from cows and buffaloes in Rajasthan were gathered between 2020 and 2021. Methods: The primary bacterial pathogens in milk samples were identified using conventional methods such multiplex PCR, biochemical testing and culture. Result: From 200 combined samples of cow and buffalo milk, the traditional approach was able to extract 97 different strains. Staphylococcus aureus 54 (27%), Streptococcus spp. 30 (15%) and E. coli 13 (6.5%) were shown to be prevalent as single or mixed infections, respectively. Staphylococcus was the main pathogen that was discovered. concurrently, S. aureus, Streptococcus and E. coli. Direct detection of Staphylococcus 65 (32.5%), Streptococcus 37 (18.5%), E. coli and 16 (8%) by multiplex PCR was found in milk samples. The analysis revealed that because multiplex PCR assays have higher specificity and sensitivity than conventional procedures, they are more reliable. The multiplex PCR method employed in the current study was a simple and quick technique to identify the major pathogens and it has the potential to be a very helpful tool for determining the pathogens that cause environmental mastitis and evaluating the health of the herd.

Antimicrobial resistance trends in clinical Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in Ethiopia.

Clinicians rely on local antimicrobial resistance pattern data to guide empiric treatment for seriously ill patients when culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results are not immediately available. This study aimed to analyse 5-year trends in antimicrobial resistance profiles of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates. Bacteriology reports from 2017 to 2021 at the Ethiopian Public Health Institute were analysed retrospectively. Isolates were identified using either the VITEK 2 Compact system, the BD Phoenix M50 instrument, or conventional biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using either the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method or the VITEK 2 Compact system and BD Phoenix M50 systems available at the time of testing. The Cochran Armitage trend test was employed to test the significance of antimicrobial resistance trends over time. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Of the 5382 bacteriology reports examined, 458 (9%) were on E. coli and 266 (5%) were on K. pneumoniae. Both K. pneumoniae (88%) and E. coli (65%) demonstrated high resistance to extended-spectrum cephalosporins. However, both K. pneumoniae (14%) and E. coli (5%) showed lower rates of resistance to carbapenems compared to other antimicrobials. In K. pneumoniae, resistance to carbapenems (from 0% to 38%; p < 0.001) and ciprofloxacin (from 41% to 90%; p < 0.001) increased significantly between 2017 and 2021. Both organisms showed very high resistance to broad-spectrum antibiotics. Additionally, K. pneumoniae demonstrated a statistically significant rise in ciprofloxacin and carbapenem resistance. This study emphasises the significance of regular reporting of local antimicrobial resistance patterns as this information can guide appropriate empiric therapy and efforts to address antimicrobial resistance issues.

Revelation of Specific Ferocity Genes in Escherichia coli Isolated from Patient with Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

Background: The purpose of this research is to detect the occurrence of ferocity genes in uropathogenic E. coli that isolated from urinary tract infections by Polymerase chain reaction technique. Method: A whole of five strains of E.coli were obtained from patient with urinary tract infections. Identification of E.coli was depended on colonial morphology in culture media, gram stain, and conventional biochemical tests. ferocity factors genes (cnf-1, hly,urea A and ndv B) of E.coli strain were revelated by molecular technique. Results: ferocity genes were detected successfully by molecular technique in five isolates of E.coli, the predominance of genes in isolates are seen in percentage 100% Conclusion: Urinary tract infections still the major universal infection in the worldwide. The one of the most prevalent infectious diseases induce renal failure in patients is UTI that generated by UPEC. The presence of ferocity factors are critical features where the grade of pathogenicity of UPEC strains relied on it. This study indicate that was a real relationship between the ferocity factor genes of E.coli and clinical symptoms of UTI.

EFFECT OF PENICILLIUM SPECIES ON THE ANTIBIOTIC RESISTANCE PROFILE OF ALCALIGENES FAECALIS.

Infectious diseases due to antibiotic resistant pathogens are a global public health problem. This study aimed at determining the potential effect of bacterial-fungal interaction on the antibiotic susceptibility profile of Alcaligenes faecalis. Alcaligenes faecalis was isolated from water samples. The isolate was identified using the conventional biochemical tests and the 16S rRNA molecular sequencing technique. Additionally, Penicillium species was isolated and identified based on colony morphological characteristics and microscopic features. Standardized isolates were co-cultured in broth medium. Antibiotic susceptibility evaluation of the Alcaligenes faecalis from the co-culture and the original Alcaligenes faecalis was carried out using the Kirby bauer disk diffusion method. The antibiotic susceptibility profile of Alcaligenes faecalis before and after co-culture remained largely unchanged except in the case of chloramphenicol, where the isolate showed reduced susceptibility. Molecular analysis of resistance gene revealed the absence of tested gene encoding antibiotic resistance, including the streptomycin resistance (str) genes (stra and strb) and the erythromycin resistance methylase (erm) gene. The result of this study showed that there is a minimal influence of Penicillium cultures on the susceptibility of A. faecalis. Further research involving a wide spectrum of microorganisms and their interactions should be conducted to acquire a thorough understanding of the influence of microbial interactions on antibiotic susceptibility profiles in order to pave way for novel strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance.

Evaluation of Some Selected Medical Equipment in Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital for Staphylococcus aureus of Nosocomial Threat

Hospital is an establishment where patients that are diseased, infected, ill or injured receive medical care. A medical staff and equipment are required for the task of medical care delivery. The equipment that are employed in hospital could be classified as critical, semi-critical and non-critical depending on their design and tasks. A total of Eighty-five (85) samples of hospital equipment swab were obtained from Olabisi Onabanjo Teaching Hospital of which 40 samples of Staphylococcus aureus were isolated. The isolates were Gram stained followed by conventional biochemical test for the identification of Staphylococcus aureus. Antibiogram of the isolates was determined. The isolates exhibited resistance to ampiclox (87.5%), zinnacef (92.5%), amoxicillin (92.5%), rocephin (80%), and septrin (55%), while susceptible to pefloxacin (77.5%), gentamicin (80%), streptomycin (72.5%), and ciprofloxacin (52.5%). Some of the resistant isolates were exposed to plasmid DNA analysis and were found to be plasmid borne of varied molecular weight, which could be responsible for resistance to the antibiotics observed. There is therefore a need for regular disinfection, properly sterilization and preservation of medical equipment before and after use, which could curtailed or reduce the spread of equipment borne nosocomial infection.

Resistencia a antibióticos de Staphylococcus aureus aislado de la cavidad bucal de participantes paraguayos de Coronel Oviedo, año 2021

A cross-sectional study was carried out to identify the resistance profile of Staphylococcus aureus colonizing the oral cavity of patients. Sampling was carried out with sterile swabs. Mannitol-positive colonies were cultured on blood agar, identifying S. aureus by conventional biochemical tests that included positive results for catalase, coagulase, DNAse and latex agglutination test for S. aureus. The resistance to 11 antibiotics was tested. Forty-three subjects were included; 83.7% presented oral pathologies, and 6.9% had a history of hospitalization, 18.6% mentioned having used antibiotics in the last three months. S. aureus was isolated in 3 patients; the 3 isolates presented resistance to penicillin, while 2 of the three isolates were resistant to oxacillin and cefoxitin. Resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was also present in one patient. Two of the cases presented resistance to various drugs and didn´t report any risk factors.

Phenotypic and Molecular Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolated from Patients Admitted to Teaching Hospitals in Shiraz, Iran

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (Cr-KPN) poses a significant global public health challenge. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and expression levels of carbapenemase-encoding genes in Cr-KPN isolated from patients admitted to teaching hospitals in Shiraz, Iran. Methods: A total of 671 distinct clinical samples were collected from two teaching hospitals in Shiraz. Initial identification and final confirmation of K. pneumoniae isolates were carried out using conventional biochemical tests and PCR assays, respectively. The detection of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae, both phenotypically and genotypically, was performed through modified carbapenem inactivation methods (mCIM) and multiplex PCR assays. Real-time PCR was utilized to assess the expression levels of carbapenemase-encoding genes. Results: The overall frequency of K. pneumoniae strains was 14.9% (n = 100/671). mCIM indicated that 26% of K. pneumoniae isolates exhibited carbapenemase production. Furthermore, 24% and 17% of K. pneumoniae isolates demonstrated resistance to imipenem and meropenem, respectively. The blaIMI/IMP gene was detected in 91% of the isolates. Among imipenem-resistant isolates, 62.5% tested positive for the blaOXA-48 gene. Additionally, 29.4%, 76.5%, and 11.8% of meropenem-resistant isolates were positive for the blaKPC, blaOXA-48, and blaNDM genes, respectively. Real-time PCR analysis revealed increased expression levels of blaKPC (1.66-fold), blaOXA-48 (7.30-fold), blaNDM (4.22-fold), and blaIMI/NMC (2.39-fold) genes in resistant isolates when exposed to imipenem. Conclusions: These findings underscore the significance of establishing active surveillance networks to monitor and track the dissemination of carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae, which presents a global public health threat.

Bacteriological Profile and Antibiogram of Aerobic Blood Culture Isolates among Suspected Blood Stream Infections: A Cross-sectional Study

Introduction: Bloodstream Infections (BSIs) are important causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Blood culture is the most important diagnostic tool for BSI. The epidemiology and outcome of BSI are constantly changing due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, changing patterns of antibiotic drug usage, and the increased use of transient or permanent medical devices. Thus, regular monitoring of the bacterial aetiology of BSI and their antibiograms is necessary. Aim: To determine the bacteriological profile and antibiotic susceptibility patterns among suspected BSI patients. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Medical Sciences (JNIMS), Imphal, Manipur, India, from September 2018 to August 2020. A total of 481 suspected BSI patients were included in the study. The blood culture samples were collected under aseptic conditions and cultured for seven days. The isolates were identified using conventional biochemical tests, and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined by the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and the epsilometer test (E-test). Methicillin resistance among the staphylococcal isolates was detected using the cefoxitin disk diffusion method. Data analysis was performed using EpiInfoTM version 7.0, and the Chi-square test was used as a statistical test. Results: A total of 150 (31.2%) blood samples were culture positive out of the 481 samples processed from suspected BSI patients. The predominant isolates were gram-positive, accounting for 113/150 (75.3%), while gram-negatives accounted for 37/150 (24.7%). Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS) were the primary pathogens isolated. Methicillin resistance was detected in 59 (54.6%) of the staphylococcal isolates {52 (54.7%) were Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA), and out of the 13 CoNS isolates, 7 (53.9%) were Methicillin Resistant CoNS (MRCoNS)}. The most susceptible drugs for gram-positives were vancomycin and linezolid, while aminoglycosides and imipenem were the most susceptible drugs for gram-negatives. Conclusion: The study highlighted the prevalence and pattern of aerobic bacterial isolates in BSI cases at JNIMS Hospital, as well as, the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of the isolates. Regular epidemiological studies of BSIs, regarding the pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns, are necessary to guide clinicians in choosing appropriate empirical therapy and to update the hospital antibiotic policy from time to time. This promotes rational antibiotic use and reduces resistance among bacteria.

Isolation and identification of multidrug resistance bacterial agents implicated in duck enteritis with first record of Salmonella enterica subspecies arizonae in Egypt.

Bacterial infections causing digestive problems are among the most serious threats to Egypt's duck industry, owing to their effects on feed utilization and body weight gain. As a result, the goal of this study was to identify bacterial pathogens causing enteritis in ducks as well as testing their antimicrobials resistance capabilities. Forty-two duck flocks from different localities at four Egyptian Governorates (El-Sharkia, El-Gharbia, El-Dakahlia, and El-Qaliobia) have been subjected to clinical and postmortem examination as well as bacterial isolation and identification. The liver samples have been collected aseptically from freshly euthanized ducks for bacterial isolation followed by identification using conventional biochemical tests, VITEK 2 system, and confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for detection of the uid A gene (beta-glucuronidase enzyme) of Escherichia coli. In addition, antimicrobial sensitivity testing for the isolates against different antimicrobials by the VITEK 2 system was used. Forty-six positive bacterial isolates were identified using conventional methods and the VITEK 2 system including Staphylococcus spp. (52.17%), E. coli (41.30%), and 2.17% for each of Enterococcus casseli lavus, Salmonella enterica subspecies arizonae, and Enterobacter cloacae. PCR was positive for E. coli uid A gene at 556 bp. The antibiogram patterns of isolated pathogens from naturally infected ducks in our work demonstrated 87% multidrug resistance with varying results against different antimicrobial drugs tested. Such findings supported the fact of the upgrading multidrug resistance of Staphylococci and Enterobacteriacae. The most prevalent bacterial pathogens associated with duck enteritis were Staphylococcus spp. and E. coli with the first report of S. enterica subspecies arizonae causing duck enteritis in Egypt.

First report of Kurthia gibsonii in the digestive system of Apis mellifera in an indigenous community in the south of Mexico

The insect digestive system is an outstanding niche for recognizing and understanding features and interactions with unique microbiota. Apis melliferaplay an important role in honey production and pollination, but their populations have decreased over time, so their study and comprehension are vital. Specimens were collected to study the culturable microbiota of the digestive system in an indigenous community in southern Mexico. Digestive samples of bees from four apiaries were randomly analyzed and cultured, and Gram-positive bacilli were identified through conventional biochemical tests and with molecular markers. Kurthia gibsoniiwas identified in 7.5% (6/80) of the cases, and the sequences obtained were reported in GenBank. This is the first report of K. gibsoniiin the digestive system of bees in apiaries in southern Mexico.

ISOLATION, MOLECULAR IDENTIFICATION AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY OF SALMONELLA FROM BUFFALO FECES IN SYLHET DISTRICT OF BANGLADESH

Salmonella is a widely distributed foodborne pathogen affecting humans and animals around the globe. This cross-sectional bacteriological study was aimed at isolation of Salmonella from fecal samples of buffalos in Sylhet district (Upazilas Jaintapur and Fenchuganj) of Bangladesh, their molecular confirmation, and learning their antibiotic sensitivity patterns. A total of 334 fecal samples were collected using a simple random sampling technique. Standard conventional bacteriological culture and biochemical tests were done to isolate and confirm Salmonella. The isolates were confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In this study, Salmonella was isolated from 56 samples (16.77%) using bacteriological culture methods and biochemical tests, and all isolates were confirmed in PCR tests. The prevalence of Salmonella was estimated to be 17.57% and 13.93% in Jaintapur and Fenchuganj Upazilas, respectively. Buffalo calves under one year of age had a higher prevalence (24.32%) than older animals aged 1 - 2 (18.62%), 2 - 4 (13.25%), and &gt; 4 years (10.67%). Furthermore, the prevalence was substantially higher in diarrheic animals (72.22%) than in their healthy counterparts (13.60%). It did not vary significantly (p &gt; 0.05) between animals from Jaintapur and Fenchuganj Upazilas. Likewise, no significant difference (p &gt; 0.05) in Salmonella isolates was detected between different age groups. The results revealed that the isolation rate of Salmonella was significantly (p &lt; 0.05) higher in female and diarrheic animals. The most effective antibiotics against the majority of Salmonella isolates were gentamycin (100%), levofloxacin (100%), and ciprofloxacin (76.67%). On the other hand, Salmonella isolates were highly resistant to tetracycline (100%), ampicillin (87.5%), and streptomycin (78.6%). Pathogenic microorganisms in feces are a potential risk to public health due to environmental and animal food contamination. Therefore, infection control and establishing strategic antibiotic therapy should be a priority.

Occurrence of Salmonella Species in Local and Commercial Chickens Slaughtered at Samaru and Sabongari Live Bird Markets, Kaduna State

Salmonellosis is a bacterial infection caused by members of the genus Salmonella. It is one of the most common and important zoonotic diseases. The route of infection from animals to humans is usually through contaminated food, water and environment. Bacteriological investigation on 303 cloacal swab samples collected from local (139) and commercial (164) chickens slaughtered at Samaru and Sabon-gari live bird markets, Kaduna State was carried out to determine the occurrence of Salmonella species. Cultural isolation and identification using conventional biochemical tests, microgen test kit™ and Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) amplification of invA gene of the Salmonella isolates was carried out. Isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests, phenotypic detection of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBLs) producing Salmonella isolates using the modified Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) ESBL confirmatory test. The occurrence of Salmonella species based on cultural and biochemical tests was found to be 13 (4.29%), microgen kit identified 7 (53.8%) of the 13 Salmonella species while PCR based on invA gene confirmed 9 (69.2%) as the overall occurrence rate of Salmonella species. Meanwhile, the study also revealed rate of occurrence of Salmonella species in local chickens 8 (61.5%) which was higher compared to commercial chickens 1 (7.69%) with a statistical significant association (χ2 = 8.775, P = 0.003) between the occurrence of Salmonella species in local and commercial chickens. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using panel of 12 antibiotics from 8 different antibiotic classes. Highest rate of sensitivity of the isolates to antibiotics was observed for Ofloxacin with 90%, while all the isolates (100%) were resistant to Nalidixic Acid, Cefazolin, Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid, Oxacillin and Penicillin. This study revealed multidrug-resistance (MDR) profile of Salmonella with a total of (25%) of Salmonella isolates being resistant to 5 antibiotics belonging to 4 different classes of antimicrobials with the highest multiple antibiotic-resistant (MAR) indices ranging from 0.58 to 0.91. All the nine (9) isolates of Salmonella tested were found to be negative for ESBLs production. Therefore, it is concluded that Salmonella species are present in local and commercial chickens slaughtered at Samaru and Sabon-gari live bird markets, Kaduna State and could pose serious public health risks to handlers and to consumers of poultry meat and its products.

First US Case of Vagococcus Lutrae Infection in a Human: A Case Report

Abstract Introduction/Objective Vagococcus Lutrae is a gram-positive, catalase-negative bacterium, that has been isolated from different animal species. It is an extremely rare pathogen in humans and has been documented in only two human cases globally. We present a case of V. Lutrae infection in humans, which is the third in the world and first in the US to be documented in literature. Methods/Case Report Our patient was a 75-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia who presented with a right groin abscess with associated skin necrosis and cellulitis. V. Lutrae was identified in the culture of the abscess fluid. The diagnosis was made after conventional biochemical tests, automated methodology, and mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The patient underwent incision and drainage of the abscess, was treated with antibiotics, and showed improvement upon follow-up. Results (if a Case Study enter NA) NA Conclusion Our case highlights the importance of considering V. Lutrae as a potential pathogen in patients with skin infections, particularly those with a history of contact with contaminated water or soil. Further studies are needed to better understand the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of V. Lutrae infections in humans.

Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci as an Etiologic Agent of Ovine Mastitis, with a Focus on Subclinical Forms.

The objective of this review is to investigate the distribution and the characteristics of coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) implicated in ovine mastitis, and especially in subclinical cases, in order to provide a global perspective of the current research data and analyze specific critical aspects of the issue. PRISMA guidelines were implemented in the search of the last 20 years of the related literature in two databases. In total, 139 studies were included in this review. Relevant data were tracked down, assembled, and compared. Regarding the geographical distribution, most studies originated from Europe (68), followed by South America (33). Lacaune was the most examined breed, while S. epidermidis was the predominantly identified species, representing approximately 39% of the obtained isolates. Antibiotic resistance in the relevant bacteria was documented mostly for Penicillin (32.8%) and Amoxicillin (32.1%), while biofilm- and toxin-associated genes were encountered in variable rates because significant inequalities were observed between different articles. Significantly higher rates of antimicrobial resistance were detected in Asia and South America compared to Europe. Finally, the diagnostic procedures carried out in the respective studies were evaluated. Conventional culture and biochemical tests were mostly performed for simple strain identification; therefore, further molecular investigation of isolates should be pursued in future studies, as this will provide important data regarding specific aspects of the implication of CoNS in ovine mastitis.

Bacterial profile of surgical site infection and antimicrobial resistance patterns in Ethiopia: a multicentre prospective cross-sectional study

BackgroundGlobally, surgical site infections (SSI) are the most commonly reported healthcare-associated infections.MethodsA multicentre study was conducted among patients who underwent surgical procedures at four hospitals located in Northern (Debre Tabor), Southern (Hawassa), Southwest (Jimma), and Central (Tikur Anbessa) parts of Ethiopia. A total of 752 patients clinically studied for surgical site infection were enrolled. The number of patients from Debre Tabor, Hawassa, Jimma, and Tikur Anbessa, hospitals was 172, 184, 193, and 203, respectively. At each study site, SSI discharge culture was performed from all patients, and positive cultures were characterized by colony characteristics, Gram stain, and conventional biochemical tests. Each bacterial species was confirmed using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI TOF). An antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was done on Mueller–Hinton agar using the disk diffusion method. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess associations of dependent and independent variables. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Data were analysed using STATA 16 software.ResultsAmong 752 wound discharge cultures performed, 65.5% yielded growth. Among these, 57.9% and 42.1% were Gram-negative and Gram-positive isolates, respectively. In this study, a total of 494 bacteria were isolated; Staphylococcus aureus (31%), Escherichia coli (20.7%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (9.8%) were the most common. Rare isolates (0.8% each) included Raoultella ornithinolytica, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Alcalignes faecalis, Pantoea ecurina, Bacillus flexus, and Paenibacillus tylopili. Enterobacteriaceae showed high levels of resistance to most of the tested antibiotics but lower levels of ertapenem (32.9%), amikacin (24.3%), imipenem (20.3%), and meropenem (17.6%) resistance. Multidrug-resistant (MDR) frequency of Enterobacteriaceae at Debre Tabor, Hawassa, Jimma, and Tikur Anbessa hospitals was 84.5%, 96.5%, 97.3%, and 94%, respectively. Ages ≥ 61 years (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.02–7.99; P 0.046), prolonged duration of hospital stay (AOR = 4.15, 95% CI: 2.87–6.01; P 0.000), history of previous antibiotics use (AOR = 2.83, 95% CI: 1.06–2.80; P 0.028), history of smoking (AOR = 2.35, 95% CI: 1.44–3.83; P 0.001), emergency surgery (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI: 1.92–3.66; P 0.000), and duration of operation (AOR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.181–0.392; P 0.000) were significant risk factors.ConclusionThe most prevalent isolates from Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria across all hospitals were S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Many newly emerging Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria were identified. Variation between hospitals was found for both SSI etiology type and MDR frequencies. Hence, to prevent the emergence and spread of MDR bacteria, standard bacteriological tests and their AST are indispensable for effective antimicrobial stewardship.