Gram-negative Aerobes Research Articles

Diabetic Foot Infection: Understanding the Disease its Diagnosis and Prevention

The purpose of this manuscript is to provide a thorough overview of current concepts regarding the evaluation and management of diabetic foot infections. One of the most serious and frequent complications that patients with diabetes mellitus come across is diabetic foot infections. A comprehensive investigation of the literature on diabetic foot infections has been conducted, with a focus on the Diabetes mellitus, pathophysiology, identifiable risk factors, evaluation (including physical examination and laboratory values), treatment approaches, and determining the infection's severity. Preventing severe limb loss and maintaining function are the goals of treating diabetic foot infections. Most diabetic foot infections are caused by polymicrobial organisms. It is probable that a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative aerobes are present at the infection site. Controlling the infection and avoiding more morbidity requires early lesion detection, timely initiation of the proper antibiotic therapy, and surgical excision of necrotic tissue and bone.

Overproduction Of Fibrinolysis Enzyme Produced By Mutant Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Compared To Wild Type Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Objective: The aim of the study is to increase the production of fibrinolytic enzyme produced by pseudomonas aeruginosa after mutagenesis with physical mutagens compared to the wild type. Study design: Cross-sectional in descriptive study design and case–control in analytical study design. Backgrounds: P. aeruginosa is a ubiquitous gram-negative aerobe. Its opportunistic pathogen that infects patients with cystic fibrosis, burn, wounds, immunodeficiency, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD), cancer. Fibrinolytic enzyme is a factor that lysis fibrin clots. This fibrinolytic factor has prospective use totreat cardiovascular diseases such as stroke and heart attack. Thrombotic disorders are the main cause of death world. Methodology: Study patients, specimens, collection of bacterial isolates. Plasma agar plate assay, Skim milk agar assay, Radial caseinolytic assay, Preparing magnetizing Water. Exposure P. aeruginosa to radioactive sources, lasers and magnetic water. Determination of optimal bacterial isolate for the fibrinolytic enzyme production. Results: Increased when P. aeruginosa were exposed to Na23 at an efficiency of 10 µci. Also exposed to 10 ml of magnetic water during 48 hr., then exposed to a cobalt radioactive source during 3 hr., another radioactive source is Cs137, Co60 and Sr90 in 1 hr. during 48 hours with exposure to laser and magnetized water. Conclusion: Conclude that the overproduction of fibrinolytic enzyme (clot-dissolving enzyme) increased when P. aeruginosa were exposed to Na23, Cs137, Co60 and Sr90 with exposed to laser and magnetized water in certain period.

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

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

In-vitro antibacterial activity of Zingiber officinale (ginger) against bacteria isolated from reproductive tract of clinical endometritic Murrah buffaloes

Endometritis, an inflammation of the innermost uterine layer, is caused by a variety of bacteria, including Gram- positive and Gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes. This study aimed to identify the active compounds in Zingiber officinale (ginger) and assess its effectiveness against common bacterial pathogens found in Murrah buffaloes suffering from endometritis. The infrared spectrum of ginger powder displayed a range of wavelengths from 3361.89/cm to 664.26/cm, indicating the presence of eight functional groups. In the hydro-ethanolic ginger extract, the spectrum ranged from 3402.8/cm to 765.35/cm, revealing 12 functional groups. A total of 42 vaginal mucus samples were collected, with E. coli being the most prevalent in 23 samples, followed by S. aureus in 21 samples, Pseudomonas spp. in 12 samples, and Campylobacter spp. in 11 samples. To evaluate the in vitro antibacterial activity of ginger extracts, antimicrobial susceptibility tests were conducted at concentrations of 2.5, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 mg/ml. Staphylococcus aureus exhibited the highest sensitivity to the ginger extract, while E. coli showed substantial resistance. In conclusion, ginger demonstrates potent antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant uterine pathogens and could serve as an alternative therapy to mitigate the risk of drug resistance in treating uterine infections.

Microbiology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Adult Dacryocystitis.

To investigate the microbiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of dacryocystitis in adults and identify the changing trends over time in Taiwan. This is a single-centered, retrospective study. We retrospectively reviewed adult patients with dacryocystitis from January 2012 to December 2021 in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan. The pathogens and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of the pus cultures from the lacrimal sac were collected. Thirty-five cultures in acute and 211 cultures in chronic dacryocystitis were collected. Of the 220 isolates, a similar proportion of gram-positive (44%) and gram-negative (43%) aerobes were demonstrated in chronic dacryocystitis and more gram-negative aerobes (50%) than gram-positive aereobes (41%) in acute dacryocystitis. The most common pathogens were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; 28.1%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (28.1%) in acute dacryocystitis, while coagulase-negative Staphylococci was the most common micro-organism in chronic dacryocystitis. The effective antibiotics for gram-positive aerobes were vancomycin (100%), moxifloxacin (88%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (78%). Meropenem (95%), amikacin (93%), and levofloxacin (91%) were sensitive to more than 90% of gram-negative aerobes in current study. High resistant species were also isolated in our cohort. More gram-negative pathogens and more resistant species are rising in adult dacryocystitis. Understanding the bacteriology and antimicrobial susceptibility of the region is crucial for the empirical antibiotic selection in clinical practice.

Bacteriology of Otitis Externa in a Tertiary Health-care Institution in Nigeria

Abstract Background: Otitis externa is the inflammation of the external auditory canal (EAC); it may be acute, subacute, or chronic in nature and the causative agents are usually bacteria, though occasionally fungi. Aim: This study aimed to determine the prevalence of bacterial acute otitis externa (AOE) and the pattern of bacterial isolates in AOE. Material and Methods: This was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study involving 100 patients with otitis externa. Patients were recruited from ear, nose, and throat (ENT) outpatient clinic using consecutive sampling technique until the required sample size was achieved. The discharge from discharging ears was taken with ear swabs and evaluated for microbial agents. Data analysis was done using SPSS-IBM version 25. Results: A total of 100 patients were recruited; the patients aged from 4 to 57 years (mean age is 18.78 ± 10.67) years, with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.1. One hundred and twenty-four external ear discharge samples were cultured among 100 study groups, of which bacteria was isolated in 77 (62.1%) and no bacterial agent was isolated in 47 (37.1%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa 32 (41.6%) was the most common bacteria isolated, followed by Staphylococcus aureus – 13 (16.9%); others include Proteus mirabilis – 7 (9.0%), Escherichia coli – 4 (5.2%), Streptococcus pneumonia – 4 (5.2%), Klebsiella pneumoniae – 3 (3.9%), Streptococcus pyogenes – 3 (3.9%), and Enterobacter aerogenes – 2 (2.6%). Conclusion: Otitis externa affects all age groups and genders; bacteria are a more prevalent causative agent. The common predisposing factors are the use of objects in scratching or cleaning EAC, use of earpiece, and swimming. The prevalence of bacterial otitis externa was 7.1%, and Gram-negative aerobes are the most prevalent.

Causative microbes and antibiotic susceptibility of acute appendicitis in adults and children

In recent years, some studies have found that acute uncomplicated appendicitis can be treated with antibiotics alone. Because of the lack of relevant research on treating acute appendicitis in Taiwan, this study investigated the microbiological characteristics of acute appendicitis to permit accurate empirical antibiotic use for uncomplicated appendicitis. In this single-center retrospective cohort study, patients listed in the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database with a discharge diagnosis of acute appendicitis were identified. Data for bacterial specimens and antibiotic susceptibility tests among patients treated at Tri-Service General Hospital between January 2016 and December 2021 were analyzed. Among 2805 patients diagnosed with acute appendicitis, 167 (6%) were <18 years old. The culture positivity rates among children and adults were 33% and 18%, respectively. In total, 367 aerobes and 207 anaerobes were isolated. The predominant aerobic gram-positive coccus was viridans group streptococci (8.9%), the most common aerobic gram-negative bacillus was Escherichia coli (27.9%), and the most common anaerobic microorganism was Bacteroides spp. (27.7%). The results of antibiotic susceptibility testing of the predominant microorganisms revealed that 86.3% of gram-positive aerobes were susceptible to ampicillin, 76.3% of gram-negative aerobes were susceptible to gentamicin, and all anaerobic isolates were susceptible to metronidazole. Triple first-line antibiotic combination therapy, including ampicillin, gentamicin, and metronidazole, remains highly effective against the pathogens that cause acute appendicitis.

Identification of an Antimicrobial Peptide from the Venom of the Trinidad Thick-Tailed Scorpion Tityus trinitatis with Potent Activity against ESKAPE Pathogens and Clostridioides difficile.

Envenomation by the Trinidad thick-tailed scorpion Tityus trinitatis may result in fatal myocarditis and there is a high incidence of acute pancreatitis among survivors. Peptidomic analysis (reversed-phase HPLC followed by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and automated Edman degradation) of T. trinitatis venom led to the isolation and characterization of three peptides with antimicrobial activity. Their primary structures were established asTtAP-1 (FLGSLFSIGSKLLPGVFKLFSRKKQ.NH2), TtAP-2 (IFGMIPGLIGGLISAFK.NH2) and TtAP-3 (FFSLIPSLIGGLVSAIK.NH2). In addition, potassium channel and sodium channel toxins, present in the venom in high abundance, were identified by CID-MS/MS sequence analysis. TtAP-1 was the most potent against a range of clinically relevant Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes and against the anaerobe Clostridioides difficile (MIC = 3.1-12.5 µg/mL). At a concentration of 1× MIC, TtAP-1 produced rapid cell death (<15 min against Acinetobacter baumannii and Staphylococcus aureus). The therapeutic potential of TtAP-1 as an anti-infective agent is limited by its high hemolytic activity (LC50 = 18 µg/mL against mouse erythrocytes) but the peptide constitutes a template for the design of analogs that maintain the high bactericidal activity against ESKAPE pathogens but are less toxic to human cells. It is suggested that the antimicrobial peptides in the scorpion venom facilitate the action of the neurotoxins by increasing the membrane permeability of cells from either prey or predator.

Profiles of oral microbiome associated with nasogastric tube feeding

ABSTRACT Background Dysbiosis of oral microbiome causes chronic diseases including dental caries and periodontitis, which frequently affect older patient populations. Severely disabled individuals with impaired swallowing functions may require nutritional supply via nasogastric (NG) tubes, further impacting their oral condition and possibly microbial composition. However, little is known about the effect of NG tube on oral microbes and its potential ramification. Methods By using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we characterized the tongue microbiome of 27 patients fed with NG tubes and 26 others fed orally. Results The microbial compositions of NG-tube and oral-feeding patients were substantially different, with more Gram-negative aerobes enriched in the presence of NG tube. Specifically, NG-tube patients presented more opportunistic pathogens like Pseudomonas and Corynebacterium associated with pneumonia and lower levels of commensal Streptococcus and Veillonella. Co-occurrence analysis further showed an inverse relationship between commensal and pathogenic species. Conclusion We present a systematic, high-throughput profiling of oral microbiome with regard to long-term NG tube feeding among the older patient population.

Clinical Pharmacology of Gentamicin

Gentamicin is an important agent for the treatment of many serious gram-negative bacillary infections. Gentamicin is the aminoglycoside of first-choice because the reliable activity against all but the most resistant gram-negative aerobes. Gentamicin preparations are available for parenteral, ophthalmic, and topical administration. The recommended intramuscular or intravenous dose of gentamicin sulphate for treatment of gram-negative organisms in adults with normal renal function is 5 to 7 mg/kg daily. For patients with renal dysfunction the interval between may be extended. The efficacy and safety of gentamicin have been reported but gentamicin may induce nephrotoxicity and/or ototoxicity in some patients. Gentamicin penetrates in significant amounts into bone, skeletal muscle, wound tissue, ischemic foot ulcers, and in subcutaneous tissue. The pharmacokinetics of gentamicin have been studied in febrile neutropenic adult patients and in healthy adult subjects and gentamicin elimination half-life is about 3 hours. The pharmacokinetics of gentamicin have been investigated in tetraplegic and in paraplegic adult patients and in healthy adult subjects and the elimination half-life of gentamicin is about 2 hours. The prophylaxis, treatment, and trials with gentamicin have been extensively reported. Gentamicin penetrates into the cerebrospinal fluid in significant amounts and treats bacterial meningitis in infants. Gentamicin is poorly transferred across the human placenta and poorly migrates into the breast-milk. The aim of this study is to review gentamicin efficacy and safety, toxicity, diffusion into body-tissues, pharmacokinetics, prophylaxis, treatment, trials, penetration into the cerebrospinal fluid, treatment of bacterial meningitis, transfer across the human placenta, and migration into the breast-milk.

Aminoglycoside-Related Nephrotoxicity and Ototoxicity in Clinical Practice: A Review of Pathophysiological Mechanism and Treatment Options.

Aminoglycosides are a class of medications used to treat certain bacterial infections, specifically gram-negative aerobes. These drugs can be used alone as first-line treatments or in combination with other medications. There can be many different formulations of aminoglycosides including oral, inhalants, intravascular, intramuscular, or intraventricular. There are many distinctive types of aminoglycosides, and although they provide excellent coverage, they can have a wide variety of side effects. The most prevalent side effects of aminoglycosides are nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity. Aminoglycoside-induced nephrotoxicity is concerning because of the effects that abnormal creatinine levels can have on other drugs and the potential for neurotoxicity. Fortunately, changes in renal function are typically reversible. The kidney is affected by the drug's ability to enter the proximal tubule and cause a buildup of phospholipids in the lysosomes, inhibiting their function. Exposure to aminoglycosides in utero can result in permanent ototoxicity. The mechanism of ototoxicity is through the drug's ability to freely pass into hair cells and cause reactive oxygen species to damage the mitochondria, resulting in cell death. There is not a substantial amount of research regarding the prevention and treatment of adverse effects of aminoglycosides. Future research on the mediation or modulation of these pathophysiological processes would expand their usage in modern medicine.

Comparison of Bacteriology Between Eosinophilic and Noneosinophilic Chronic Rhinosinusitis With Nasal Polyps

To compare culture results between eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (ECRSwNP) and noneosinophilic CRS with nasal polyps (nECRSwNP). Retrospective study. Tertiary medical center. We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of CRSwNP patients undergoing primary functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Prior to surgery, swab samples for bacterial culture were collected from their middle meatus using cotton tips. After surgery, postoperative specimens were histologically examined for tissue eosinophilia. A tissue eosinophil density of >10 cells at high power magnification was used to discriminate between ECRSwNP and nECRSwNP. A total of 295 patients were studied with polyps present on 471 sides of the nasal cavity. Among them, 236 sides were ECRSwNP, and the remaining 235 sides were nECRSwNP. Bacterial growth was found in 94 ECRSwNP sides, and in 88 nECRSwNP sides. Culture rates were similar between ECRSwNP and nECRSwNP sides (p = .595). However, Gram-negative aerobes were found in 25 of 236 ECRSwNP sides, and in 42 of 235 nECRSwNP sides. The Gram-negative culture rate was significantly higher in nECRSwNP than in ECRSwNP sides (p = .024). The bacteriology of CRS was different between ECRSwNP and nECRSwNP. The Gram-negative aerobes were present more in nECRSwNP than in ECRSwNP.

Microbiological Profile of Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Kerala

Abstract Introduction: One of the major complications of diabetes mellitus is diabetic foot ulcer (DFU). Fifteen percent of diabetes mellitus patients develop DFUs and 84% of foot amputations. The present study was carried out to determine the aerobic bacterial isolates cultured from diabetic foot infections and their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the aerobic bacterial isolates cultured from diabetic foot infections and their susceptibility to commonly used antibiotics. Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective observational study involving 104 patients with DFUs, who attended the general surgery/endocrinology outpatient department of our institution over 18 months. Results: This study showed that the most common organisms present in diabetic foot infections were Gram-negative aerobes, which accounted for 73.4%, while Gram-positive was 26%. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (20.1%) was the most predominant single organism isolated from the ulcer, followed by Klebsiella pneumonia and Escherichia coli (15.6% each). Staphylococcus aureus (7.8%) was the most common Gram-positive infective bacteria in DFU. Pseudomonas showed high sensitivity towards cefepime (93.3%), amikacin (93.6%), meropenem (89.7%) and piperacillin-tazobactam (83.9%) and low resistance towards ceftazidime (6.9%). In the current study, K. pneumonia showed good sensitivity towards meropenem (81.8%), amikacin and imipenem (70% each). One of the most important observations was the high resistance rate towards ertapenem (63.6%) and cefepime (60%). E. coli showed 100% sensitivity towards amikacin; it also had good sensitivity towards meropenem (89.5%) and imipenem (87.5%). Proteus species showed 100% sensitivity towards piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin and meropenem, while an alarming rate of resistance towards imipenem (71.4%). Enterococcus spp. was 100% sensitive to amikacin, vancomycin and linezolid. S. aureus was 100% sensitive to cloxacillin, cefuroxime and ceftriaxone, and also showed 66.7% sensitivity to clindamycin. We also found that all the patients with methicillin-resistant S. aureus in diabetic foot infection wound swabs were 100% sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin. Conclusion: Appropriate management of DFU is of paramount importance as it can prevent limb amputation and even sometimes potentially life-threatening limb complications. Isolation of microbial agents and determination of the sensitivity/resistance of different antimicrobial drugs are vital for the in-hospital management of these patients. The development of multi-drug resistance can be prevented by the institution of an appropriate antibiotic regimen.

Faropenem, a Stable and Orally Bioavailable β-Lactam, to Counteract Resistant Pathogens and Infectious Diseases

Antimicrobial resistance is a huge challenge for the effective prevention and treatment of infectious diseases worldwide. Community-onset infections with extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) producing bacteria are a challenge. In various studies, ESBL-producing isolates were consistently susceptible only to carbapenems. When treatment with other antibiotics fails, carbapenems are used as the last-line antibiotics for treating severe and/or resistant bacterial infections. In this narrative review, we aim to present the pharmacology of Faropenem, which is an orally administered penem antibiotic with a broad-spectrum activity against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes, and anaerobes. Faropenem is effective in the treatment of uncomplicated cystitis and is a potential solution to combat the emergence of resistance among respiratory tract pathogens. It is an alternative to fluoroquinolones or macrolides/ketolides when there is a concern with resistant pathogens.

Assessment of Safety Signals for Aztreonam in Different Age Groups: National and International Drug Safety Monitoring

Aztreonam is the only approved monocyclic β-lactam antibiotic for human use that is active against Gram-negative aerobes, primarily Pseudomonas аeruginosa. Aztreonam has been used for more than 35 years, and aztreonam lysine has been on the market for 15 years. Although the medicinal products show clinical and microbiological efficacy in severe infections and are significant for cystic fibrosis patients, little information is published on their safety. In the meantime, new data have accumulated.The aim of the study was to analyse the data on adverse reactions in patients of different age groups receiving aztreonam, collected in the safety monitoring databases VigiBase and Pharmacovigilance.Materials and methods: the data on adverse reactions associated with aztreonam, in any dosage form, from the individual case reports submitted to VigiBase (the database of the Uppsala Monitoring Centre) before 15.09.2021 and to Pharmacovigilance (the database for spontaneous reports in the Automated Information System of the Federal Service for Surveillance in Healthcare of the Russian Federation) before 05.10.2021.Results: the analysis of adverse reactions during the use of aztreonam for approved indications showed differences in frequency, types and severity of the adverse reactions amongst the age groups. The most common adverse reaction with aztreonam was cystic fibrosis referred to in 1828 reports (12.0%). It was recorded more often in patients aged 18–44 years (39.2%).Conclusions: the data obtained allowed the authors to identify a new safety signal for aztreonam, namely an increased risk of inefficacy or insufficient efficacy in cystic fibrosis considered an adverse reaction in the individual reports from the databases of spontaneous reports. Confirmation of the signal requires further monitoring.

Mini Review Therapeutic Strategies Targeting for Biofilm and Bone Infections.

Bone infection results in a complex inflammatory response and bone destruction. A broad spectrum of bacterial species has been involved for jaw osteomyelitis, hematogenous osteomyelitis, vertebral osteomyelitis or diabetes mellitus, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), coagulase-negative Staphylococcus species, and aerobic gram-negative bacilli. S. aureus is the major pathogenic bacterium for osteomyelitis, which results in a complex inflammatory response and bone destruction. Although various antibiotics have been applied for bone infection, the emergence of drug resistance and biofilm formation significantly decrease the effectiveness of those agents. In combination with gram-positive aerobes, gram-negative aerobes and anaerobes functionally equivalent pathogroups interact synergistically, developing as pathogenic biofilms and causing recurrent infections. The adhesion of biofilms to bone promotes bone destruction and protects bacteria from antimicrobial agent stress and host immune system infiltration. Moreover, bone is characterized by low permeability and reduced blood flow, further hindering the therapeutic effect for bone infections. To minimize systemic toxicity and enhance antibacterial effectiveness, therapeutic strategies targeting on biofilm and bone infection can serve as a promising modality. Herein, we focus on biofilm and bone infection eradication with targeting therapeutic strategies. We summarize recent targeting moieties on biofilm and bone infection with peptide-, nucleic acid-, bacteriophage-, CaP- and turnover homeostasis-based strategies. The antibacterial and antibiofilm mechanisms of those therapeutic strategies include increasing antibacterial agents’ accumulation by bone specific affinity, specific recognition of phage-bacteria, inhibition biofilm formation in transcription level. As chronic inflammation induced by infection can trigger osteoclast activation and inhibit osteoblast functioning, we additionally expand the potential applications of turnover homeostasis-based therapeutic strategies on biofilm or infection related immunity homeostasis for host-bacteria. Based on this review, we expect to provide useful insights of targeting therapeutic efficacy for biofilm and bone infection eradication.

Sulopenem: An Intravenous and Oral Penem for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections Due to Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

Sulopenem: An Intravenous and Oral Penem for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections Due to Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria.

Fatal Disseminated Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Infection in a Captive Green Iguana (Iguana iguana)

Abstract Infections with various bacteria, especially gram-negative aerobes, are a well-recognized problem in captive cold-blooded animals with immunocompromised health status, or in those kept under poor conditions. Pseudomonas is one of the most represented genera. Here, we present a case of fatal disseminated infection caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a captive green iguana kept at the “Pionirska dolina” Zoo in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At necropsy, severe stomatitis, pneumonia, hepatitis and nephritis, accompanied with focally extensive dermatitis were observed. Histopathology revealed multifocal necrosis in various visceral organs. Culture and subsequent MALDI-TOF MS analysis were conducted to identify the isolate as P. aeruginosa. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a wide susceptibility of the isolate, however applied therapy was instilled too late in the presented case. This case demonstrates the significance of timely and accurate identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of bacterial isolates implicated in the pathology of captive reptiles. The importance of monitoring the adequate environmental conditions (enclosure temperature, humidity and conformation), health status and possible clinical signs of illness are highlighted.

Bacteriological Profiles of Pyogenic Wound Infection among Adults with Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern at a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Aims: A wide variety of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria either singly or in combination has been implicated in pyogenic wound infection and this has been associated with treatment failures due to antibiotic resistance. This study aims at investigating the agents of pyogenic wound infection and their antibiotic susceptibility.&#x0D; Study Design: A descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at the only tertiary Teaching Hospital in Uyo, Nigeria and carried out on 136 wound samples.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo, Nigeria, between April and October, 2018.&#x0D; Methodology: Aspirated pus or wound swab samples were collected and inoculated on two separate agar plates containing 25% Sheep Blood and incubated aerobically and anaerobically at 37°C for 48 – 72 hours. Identification of isolates was performed following standard procedures. Data obtained were analyzed using SPSS software.&#x0D; Results: Of the 136 collected wound samples from 76 (55.9%) males and 60 (44.1%) females patients from ages 20 to 70 years and above, 127 (93.4%) had growth of different bacterial isolates totaling 214 in number. Among these were aerobes 132 (61.6%) anaerobes 82 (38.4%). The Gram-negative aerobes had the highest prevalence 81 (37.9%), while the Gram-positive anaerobes 20 (9.4%) was the least prevalent. Staphylococcus aureus, 44 (86.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 24 (29.6%), were the predominant Gram-positive and Gram-negative aerobes respectively. Peptococci spp. 8 (40%) and Bacteriodes fragilis 28 (54.9%) were the predominant Gram-positive and Gram-negative anaerobes respectively. Some rarely reported pathogens revealed include Acinetobacter iwoffi, Enterobacter cloacae and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia 1(1.2%) and they showed 100% resistance to all tested antibiotics. The majority of the Gram-positive aerobes 29 (56.9%) were Vancomycin resistant and there was also an increasing prevalence of Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (45%).&#x0D; Conclusion: The bacterial agents causing pyogenic wound infection in Uyo comprised of 61.6% aerobes and 38.4% anaerobes. Some rarely reported bacteria such as Enterobacter cloacae and A. iwofii implicated in the infections were resistant to all commonly used antibiotics including Imipenem, a reserved antibiotic. Staphylococcus aureus was the commonest cause of pyogenic wound infection and up to 45% of them were Methicillin resistant.

Subtractive proteomics and immunoinformatics approaches to explore Bartonella bacilliformis proteome (virulence factors) to design B and T cell multi-epitope subunit vaccine.

Bartonella bacilliformis a gram-negative facultative aerobe responsible for the Carrion's disease widely distributed in Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia with a high mortality rate when no specific treatment is received. B bacilliformis is transmitted by Sand fly (Lutzomyia verrucarum) to healthy individuals. Immunoinformatic and subtractive proteomics approaches were employed in this study to prioritize the best candidates for vaccine designing. These approaches resulted in five vaccine candidates, flagellar biosynthetic protein (Uniprot ID: A1UTU1), heme exporter protein C (UniProt ID: A1UU82), Cytochrome c-type biogenesis protein (Uniprot ID: A1URZ7), Hemin ABC transporter (Uniprot ID: A1US20) and Phosphatidate cytidylyltransferase (Uniprot ID: A1USE3). The mentioned proteins are antigenic and essential for pathogen survival. A range of immune-informatics tools was applied for the prediction of B and T cell epitopes for the vaccine candidate proteins. In-silico vaccine was constructed using carefully evaluated epitopes and consequently modeled for docking with human Toll-like receptor 4. TLR-4 agonist 50S ribosomal protein L7/L12 (UniproKB ID; P9WHE3) was linked to the vaccine as an adjuvant to boost immune response towards the vaccine. For stability evaluation of the vaccine-TLR-4 docked complex, MD simulations were performed. The final vaccine was back-translated and cloned in Eschericia coli to attain the maximal expression of the vaccine protein. The maximal expression was ensured, and the CAI score of 0.96 was reported. The current vaccine requires future experimental validation to confirm its effectiveness. The vaccine developed will be helpful to protect against B bacilliformis associated infections.