Indiscriminate Use Of Antibiotics Research Articles

Phenotypic and Genotypic Antibiotic Resistance Patterns of Clinical Shigella Isolates from Tehran, Iran

Background: The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Shigella is a health concern in both developed and developing countries. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics without considering resistance patterns has led to the emergence of resistant strains. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic patterns of antibiotic resistance and virulence gene distribution in Shigella isolates from patients in Tehran, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 Shigella isolates were collected from patients referred to Milad Hospital and Pasargad Laboratory in Tehran. The isolates were gathered over four months, from February 2023 to June 2023. After biochemical and genetic confirmation of the isolates, the disk diffusion method was employed to determine antibiotic resistance patterns. The distribution of beta-lactamase genes (blaCTX-M1, blaCTX-M2, blaCTX-M8, blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaOXA) and virulence genes (ial, virF, invE, sigA, and pic) was investigated in Shigella isolates using the multiplex PCR method. SPSS statistical software version 22 was used for data analysis. Results: Thirty-six percent of isolates were found to be MDR. The highest rate of resistance was against tetracycline (90%) and ampicillin (80%). The lowest resistance rate was against azithromycin (1.9%) and amikacin (7.1%). The blaCTX-M1 and blaCTX-M8 genes were more prevalent, detected in 38.3% and 50% of the isolates, respectively. However, the blaSHV and blaCTX-M2 genes were not detected in any of the isolates. Additionally, 32% of the MDR isolates harbored both the blaCTX-M1 and blaCTX-M8 genes simultaneously. The distribution of virulence genes ial, virF, invE, sigA, and pic in the studied isolates was 28.3%, 85%, 68.3%, 81.7%, and 15%, respectively. Conclusions: The present study emphasizes the increasing trend of MDR Shigella isolates. Therefore, serious measures are needed to prevent the spread of resistant genes. Furthermore, the detection of virulence factors could help in controlling shigellosis, which is a significant global health issue.

Occurrence of antimicrobial residues in broiler chickens from selected farms and markets in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in animal meant for human and animal’s consumption lead to occurrence of antibiotic residues which threaten the health of both animals and humans. The aim of the study was to detect the presence of antimicrobial residues in broiler chicken in Kano state, Nigeria. Samples of fresh breast muscle, thigh muscle, liver and kidney were collected from 100 birds and examined using microbial inhibition test and ELISA test to determine the occurrence of antimicrobial residues and Enrofloxacin residues. A questionnaire was also administered to 33 workers and managers of the selected bird’s farms to assess their knowledge on the use of antibiotics and presence of antimicrobial residues. The result of the study revealed that 43% of the studied birds tested positive to antibiotic residue. Kidney samples recorded the highest (43%) residue present while thigh muscles (35%) recorded the least. The result indicated that among the birds detected with positive antibiotic residues, 36.4% were also positive for Enrofloxacin residue. All the respondents were using one or more antibiotic for treatment, prophylaxis or both and to a lesser extent as growth promoters. Majority (55.5%) of the respondents were not aware of the presence of residues in poultry. Most of the respondents (63.7%) have knowledge of withdrawal period but all of them were not observing withdrawal practice before disposing their birds. Doxycycline antibiotic was found to be the most indiscriminately use antibiotic, while erythromycin and chloramphenicol are the least. The study advocates the need for awareness campaigns for the farmers on the correct way of administering the antibiotics with special emphasis on withdrawal periods as well as continuous monitoring of the residues for public health reasons.

Recent developments in antibiotic contamination of animal products, soil, and water worldwide

Abstract Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), facilitated by antibiotic consumption, remains one of the biggest threats to global health and food security. The burgeoning AMR has an estimated forecast of 10 million deaths and 100 trillion USD economic losses annually worldwide by 2050 if no urgent actions are taken. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in food animal production plays an expressive role in the AMR crisis. This paper compiles information regarding antibiotics and AMR in animals, animal-derived products, and agriculture-impacted environment. A holistic approach is needed to mitigate the burden of AMR within the context of human-animal-environment. Currently there are few approaches to this problem such as nanotechnology, anaerobic digestion, biochar composting, and alternatives to antibiotic treatments (like herbal plant extracts, probiotics, vaccines, enzymes, and antimicrobial peptides) have been developed. However, there are gaps in knowledge about AMR and areas for improvement are obvious. There is no a clear path to put an end to the persistent trends of AMR. Despite the trends for stricter regulation on the use of antibiotics worldwide, they find their way into food animal production, water, and soil as a result of misuses in many countries. We need to acknowledge the antibiotic contamination and/or AMR as a silent pandemic, and we are challenged to adopt a global approach to reducing and improving their use.

Funiculitis causing sepsis-associated laminitis in a Mangalarga Marcha-dor gelding

Castration is one of the most common surgical procedures performed in equine practice, and potential complications may range from mild to life-threatening condi-tions. This paper aims to report clinical and la-boratory features, treatment, and long-term follow-up infor-mation in a case of fu-niculitis causing sepsis-associated laminitis and acute renal failure (ARF) in a Mangalarga Marchador gelding. A 5-years-old Mangalarga Marchador gelding was referred for hospital care after seven days of an open orchiectomy approach on farm-setting. Physical exami-nation revealed hypere-mic mucous mem-branes, dehydration, tachycardia, scrotal swelling with a foul-smelling serousangui-nous discharge, in-creased hoof tempera-ture and digital pulse amplitude, and lame-ness. Laboratory find-ings included leukocy-tosis by neutrophilia, hypoalbuminemia, high creatinine, and urea levels, and an increased number of bacteria, leukocytes, and hyaline cylinders on urine anal-ysis. After three days of intensive care, the horse underwent gen-eral anesthesia for scro-tal ablation and resec-tion of the infected spermatic cord stumps. Microbiological assays revealed Streptococcus spp. and a multi-resistant Escherichia coli. This report high-lights uncommon post-castration complications in a Mangalarga Marchador gelding as a consequence of septic funiculitis. Further-more, the microbiologi-cal isolation of a multi-resistant E. coli strain raises concerns about the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in equine practice.

The use of <i>Quercus cortex</i> extract and chlortetracycline in the diet: feed digestibility, slaughter traits and the content of chemicals in organism of broilers

In the poultry industry, feed additives with positive effects on the condition of the poultry are constantly used. Antimicrobials are used for this purpose. However, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics accelerates the spread of antibiotic resistance among bacteria. Hence, researchers have increased interest in finding alternative feed additives. Plant extracts are of considerable interest in this matter as they have a wide range of biological properties including antibacterial activity. Phytobiotics, have been found to increase productivity, feed conversion ratio, safety and meat quality. Among the potential phytobiotics, oak bark extract (Quercus cortex) should be emphasized, the activity of which is associated with the content of more active substances. With this in mind, the purpose of this work was formulated to study the effect of Quercus cortex extract and the feed antibiotic Biovit 200 based on 20% chlorotetracycline on feed digestibility, its slaughter properties and the content of chemicals in the body of broilers.The results obtained during the study suggest that the use of Quercus cortex extract (at a dose of 0,2 ml/kg) both alone and in combination with Biovit 200 (at a dose of 0,63 g/kg w.m./day contributed to an increase in the EIP index, digestibility coefficients. An excess in slaughter yield in I, II and III groups over the control group was recorded.

Stop in Time: How to Reduce Unnecessary Antibiotics in Newborns with Late-Onset Sepsis in Neonatal Intensive Care.

The fear of missing sepsis episodes in neonates frequently leads to indiscriminate use of antibiotics, and prescription program optimization is suggested for reducing this inappropriate usage. While different authors have studied how to reduce antibiotic overprescription in the case of early onset sepsis episodes, with different approaches being available, less is known about late-onset sepsis episodes. Biomarkers (such as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin-6 and 8, and presepsin) can play a crucial role in the prompt diagnosis of late-onset sepsis, but their role in antimicrobial stewardship should be further studied, given that different factors can influence their levels and newborns can be subjected to prolonged therapy if their levels are expected to return to zero. To date, procalcitonin has the best evidence of performance in this sense, as extrapolated from research on early onset cases, but more studies and protocols for biomarker-guided antibiotic stewardship are needed. Blood cultures (BCs) are considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of sepsis: positive BC rates in neonatal sepsis workups have been reported as low, implying that the majority of treated neonates may receive unneeded drugs. New identification methods can increase the accuracy of BCs and guide antibiotic de-escalation. To date, after 36-48 h, if BCs are negative and the baby is clinically stable, antibiotics should be stopped. In this narrative review, we provide a summary of current knowledge on the optimum approach to reduce antibiotic pressure in late-onset sepsis in neonates.

Urinary Tract Infection and Antibiotic-Resistant Patterns of Isolated Bacteria in Geriatric Patients.

Age-related risk factors influence the prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in older people. Therefore, early detection is important to prevent adverse consequences. A retrospective study was conducted on 206 geriatric patients (65 years old and above) who were seen in various clinics at University College Hospital, Ibadan. There were 138 men (67%) and 68 women (33%) in total. A significant growth of >105 cfu/ml of bacteria was found in a total of 44 (21.4%) samples. Escherichia coli was the most common pathogen isolated (40.9%), and it was followed in order by Klebsiella pneumonia (29.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13.6%), Klebsiella oxytoca (9.1%), and Proteus mirabilis (6.8%). The distribution of UTI by gender was statistically significant (P = 0.009), with men (33%) having a higher prevalence than women (11%). Most of the isolated bacteria were resistant to the first line of antibiotics, with Escherichia coli showing the highest level of resistance to the commonly prescribed antibiotics. There is a need to step up the campaign against the indiscriminate use of antibiotics to prevent a rise in antibiotic resistance.

Detection of Multidrug-Resistant Integrons Associated with Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical and Environmental Samples

The emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) among pathogenic bacteria is a root cause of severe infections. It is threatening to observe that MDR is also found in ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) pathogens, which has caused a hike in nosocomial infection. The diminishing spectrum of treatment against these pathogens demands an alternative realm of treatment. One such nosocomial pathogen, Acinetobacter baumannii is known to cause pneumonia, blood stream infection, urinary tract infections, especially affecting immunocompromised individuals. Due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics, these pathogens have gained resistance to major classes of antibiotics through mutation and horizontal gene transfer via mobile genetic elements such as plasmids, transposons and integrons. This study mainly aims at identifying integron mediated drug resistance among clinical and environmental strains of A. baumannii. In this study, A. baumannii strains isolated from clinical and environmental samples were screened for antibiotic susceptibility tests. The multidrug resistant isolates were then checked for the presence of 3 classes of integrons viz Intl1 (Class 1), Intl2 (class 2) and, Intl3 (class 3). The integron region of the positive isolates was sequenced, and the drug-resistance gene cassettes were identified. All the clinical and environmental isolates were multidrug resistant. Three clinical isolates of A. baumannii showed positive amplification to Intl1 at 2kb, while none of the environmental isolates carried integrons, though they were multidrug resistant. The sequencing of the integron region of clinical isolates revealed the presence of three antibiotic resistance genes within the integron that encode resistance to chloramphenicol, rifampin, and aminoglycoside. This study prominently highlights the presence of class 1 integrons carrying different antimicrobial resistance determinants among A. baumannii isolated from clinical samples.

Bacillus sp. as potential probiotics for use in tilapia fish farming aquaculture – a review

Abstract Aquaculture is a crucial and rapidly expanding industry in global food production. Fisheries are, also an essential socio-economic activity, providing abundant resources and remarkable prospects. However, due to the deteriorating ecological environment, aquatic animals are often exposed to traumatic conditions and are susceptible to bacterial infections that pose significant challenges for aquaculture production. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics in the past has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens and sudden outbreaks of infectious diseases, resulting in serious economic losses. Moreover, the use of expensive chemotherapeutic drugs and antibiotics has negative impacts on aquatic environments. Therefore, it is increasingly important to adopt alternative natural agents, such as probiotics and their metabolites, to enhance healthy fish production. Probiotics are microorganisms that have numerous beneficial effects on their hosts. They are environmentally friendly, nontoxic, and cost-effective. This review specifically focuses on the use of Bacillus sp. as probiotics to promote healthy tilapia production in the aquatic sector, while also examining their interactions with the immune system and gut microbiota. The information presented in this review can guide future research and promote effective and healthy tilapia culture production.

Use of Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour for Microbiological Disinfection in Hospital Environments: A Review.

Disinfection of nosocomial pathogens in hospitals is crucial to combat healthcare-acquired infections, which can be acquired by patients, visitors and healthcare workers. However, the presence of a wide range of pathogens and biofilms, combined with the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, presents infection control teams in healthcare facilities with ongoing challenges in the selection of biocides and application methods. This necessitates the development of biocides and innovative disinfection methods that overcome the shortcomings of conventional methods. This comprehensive review finds the use of hydrogen peroxide vapour to be a superior alternative to conventional methods. Motivated by observations in previous studies, herein, we provide a comprehensive overview on the utilisation of hydrogen peroxide vapour as a superior high-level disinfection alternative in hospital settings. This review finds hydrogen peroxide vapour to be very close to an ideal disinfectant due to its proven efficacy against a wide range of microorganisms, safety to use, lack of toxicity concerns and good material compatibility. The superiority of hydrogen peroxide vapour was recently demonstrated in the case of decontamination of N95/FFP2 masks for reuse to address the critical shortage caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the significant number of studies demonstrating antimicrobial activity, there remains a need to critically understand the mechanism of action by performing studies that simultaneously measure damage to all bacterial cell components and assess the correlation of this damage with a reduction in viable cell count. This can lead to improvement in antimicrobial efficacy and foster the development of superior approaches.

The Fragmented Picture of Antimicrobial Resistance in Kenya: A Situational Analysis of Antimicrobial Consumption and the Imperative for Antimicrobial Stewardship.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) jeopardizes the effectiveness of essential antimicrobial agents in treating infectious diseases. Accelerated by human activities, AMR is prevalent in Sub-Saharan Africa, including Kenya, due to indiscriminate antibiotic use and limited diagnostics. This study aimed to assess Kenya's AMR efforts through a situational analysis of policy efficacy, interventions, and implementation, culminating in recommendations for strengthening mitigation. Employing two methodologies, this study evaluated Kenya's AMR endeavors. A systematic scoping review summarized AMR dynamic, and an expert validated the findings, providing an on-the-ground perspective. Antibiotic resistance is driven by factors including widespread misuse in human medicine due to irrational practices, consumer demand, and substandard antibiotics. Heavy antibiotic use in the agricultural sector leads to contamination of the food chain. The National Action Plan (NAP) reflects a One Health approach, yet decentralized healthcare and funding gaps hinder its execution. Although AMR surveillance includes multiple facets, diagnostic deficiencies persist. Expert insights recognize proactive NAP but underscore implementation obstacles. Kenya grapples with escalating resistance, but commendable policy efforts exist. However, fragmented implementations and complexities persist. Addressing this global threat demands investment in healthcare infrastructure, diagnostics, international partnerships, and sustainable strategies.

Assessing the ecotoxicity of florfenicol exposure at environmental levels: A case study of histology, apoptosis and microbiota in hepatopancreas of Eriocheir sinensis

The intensification of production practices in the aquaculture industry has led to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics to combat diseases and reduce costs, which has resulted in environmental pollution, posing serious threats to aquaculture sustainability and food safety. However, the toxic effect of florfenicol (FF) exposure on the hepatopancreas of crustaceans remains unclear. Herein, by employing Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) as subjects to investigate the toxic effects on histopathology, oxidative stress, apoptosis and microbiota of hepatopancreas under environment-relevant (0.5 and 5 μg/L), and extreme concentrations (50 μg/L) of FF. Our results revealed that the damage of hepatopancreas tissue structure caused by FF exposure in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Combined with the increased expression of apoptosis-related genes (Caspase 3, Caspase 8, p53, Bax and Bcl-2) at mRNA and protein levels, activation of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation, FF exposure also induced oxidative stress, and apoptosis in hepatopancreas. Interestingly, 7 days exposure triggered more pronounced toxic effect in crabs than 14 days under environment-relevant FF concentration. Integrated biomarker response version 2 (IBRv2) index indicated that 14 days FF exposure under extreme concentration has serious toxicity effect on crabs. Furthermore, 14 days exposure to FF changed the diversity and composition of hepatopancreas microbiota leading remarkable increase of pathogenic microorganism Spirochaetes following exposure to 50 μg/L of FF. Taken together, our study explained potential mechanism of FF toxicity on hepatopancreas of crustaceans, and provided a reference for the concentration of FF to be used in culture of Chinese mitten crab.

Antimicrobial Agent Use for Urinary Tract Infection in Long-Term Care Facilities in Spain: Results from a Retrospective Analytical Cohort Analysis.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are highly prevalent in long-term care facilities, constituting the most common infection in this setting. Our research focuses on analyzing clinical characteristics and antimicrobial prescriptions for UTIs in residents across nursing homes (NH) in Spain. This is a retrospective analytical cohort analysis using a multifaceted approach based on the normalization process theory to improve healthcare quality provided by nursing staff in 34 NHs in Spain. In this study, we present the results of the first audit including 719 UTI cases collected between February and April 2023, with an average age of 85.5 years and 74.5% being women. Cystitis and pyelonephritis presented distinct symptom patterns. Notably, 6% of asymptomatic bacteriuria cases were treated. The prevalence of dipstick usage was 83%, and that of urine culture was only 16%, raising concerns about overreliance, including in the 46 asymptomatic cases, leading to potential overdiagnosis and antibiotic overtreatment. Improved diagnostic criteria and personalized strategies are crucial for UTI management in NHs, emphasizing the need for personalized guidelines on the management of UTIs to mitigate indiscriminate antibiotic use in asymptomatic cases.

Physico-Chemical Investigation and Antimicrobial Efficacy of Ozonated Oils: The Case Study of Commercial Ozonated Olive and Sunflower Seed Refined Oils.

Drug resistance represents one of the great plagues of our time worldwide. This largely limits the treatment of common infections and requires the development of new antibiotics or other alternative approaches. Noteworthy, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics is mostly responsible for the selection of mutations that confer drug resistance to microbes. In this regard, recently, ozone has been raising interest for its unique biological properties when dissolved in natural oils. Ozonated oils have been reported to act in a non-specific way on microorganisms hindering the acquisition of advantageous mutations that result in resistance. Here, we focused on the antimicrobial effect of two commercial olive (OOO) and sunflower seeds (OSO) oils. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and thermal analysis showed the change in the chemical composition of the oils after ozonation treatment. Different ozonated oil concentrations were then used to evaluate their antimicrobial profile against Candida albicans, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli by agar diffusion and broth dilution methods. Cytotoxicity was also evaluated in keratinocytes and epithelial cells. Overall, our results revealed that both OOO and OSO showed a potent microbicidal effect, especially against C. albicans (IC50 = OOO: 0.3 mg/mL and OSO: 0.2 mg/mL) and E. faecalis (IC50 = OOO: 0.4 mg/mL and OSO: 2.8 mg/mL) albeit exerting a certain effect also against S. aureus and E. coli. Moreover, both OOO and OSO do not yield any relevant cytotoxic effect at the active concentrations in both cell lines. This indicates that the ozonated oils studied are not toxic for mammalian cells despite exerting a potent antimicrobial effect on specific microorganisms. Therefore, OOO and OSO may be considered to integrate standard therapies in the treatment of common infections, likely overcoming drug resistance issues.

Promoting the suitability of graphitic carbon nitride and metal oxide nanoparticles: A review of sulfonamides photocatalytic degradation

The widespread consumption of pharmaceutical drugs and their incomplete breakdown in organisms has led to their extensive presence in aquatic environments. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics, such as sulfonamides, has contributed to the development of drug-resistant bacteria and the persistent pollution of water bodies, posing a threat to human health and the safety of the environment. Thus, it is paramount to explore remediation technologies aimed at decomposing and complete elimination of the toxic contaminants from pharmaceutical wastewater. The review aims to explore the utilization of metal-oxide nanoparticles (MONPs) and graphitic carbon nitrides (g-C3N4) in photocatalytic degradation of sulfonamides from wastewater. Recent advances in oxidation techniques such as photocatalytic degradation are being exploited in the elimination of the sulfonamides from wastewater. MONP and g-C3N4 are commonly evolved nano substances with intrinsic properties. They possessed nano-scale structure, considerable porosity semi-conducting properties, responsible for decomposing wide range of water pollutants. They are widely applied for photocatalytic degradation of organic and inorganic substances which continue to evolve due to the low-cost, efficiency, less toxicity, and more environmentally friendliness of the materials. The review focuses on the current advances in the application of these materials, their efficiencies, degradation mechanisms, and recyclability in the context of sulfonamides photocatalytic degradation.

Neonatal intensive care units: extended spectrum β-lactamase genes and biofilm formation by Serratia marcescens.

The increasing cases of bloodstream infections among children at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) led this work to investigate biofilm production, antibiotics and the presence of ESβL genes in Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) strains isolated from blood. Twenty S. marcescens strains were isolated and identified by the VITEK-2 system over 7months from late 2022 to mid-2023 from Ibn Al-Balady Hospital in Baghdad. Kirby-Bauer test was used to measure antibiotic susceptibility. The results revealed that 95% of twenty S. marcescens isolates were non-susceptible to Ampicillin and Amoxicillin-clavulanic. Furthermore, S. marcescens isolates showed a high sensitivity rate 70% toward Imipenem. All S. marcescens strains 100% were produced biofilm. This work clarifies that, out of 20 S. marcescens strains, 80% were harbored ESβL genes. The coexistence of blaTEM, blaCTX and blaSHV genes was shown in 43.75% of strains, while 56.25% of S. marcescens strains harbored single ES[Formula: see text]L genes. The biofilm values increase with the accuracy of EsβL genes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the sequence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM were done with closely related genes in the GenBank using MEGA6 software. The distribution of blaTEM, blaCTX and blaSHV genes among local S. marcescens strains may be attributed to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. The results confirmed the spread of ESβL genes in S. marcescens from blood infections among newborn infants.

Prevalence of bacterial isolates and change in their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in urinary tract infections- A five year retrospective study

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) continues to be one of the commonly occurring infections in medical practice despite the widespread availability of antibiotics. Presence of risk factors like elderly age, diabetes, immune-suppression, and other comorbidity pose a challenge in its treatment. Over the years, the etiology and antibiotic resistance of the uropathogens has been inconsistent. Therefore, it is important to determine the causative agents of UTI and their resistance patterns locally, in each region, so that appropriate empiric therapy can be started before the culture and antibiotic sensitivity results are available. This study aims to highlight the prevalence of uropathogens and determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern over the period of five years.The urine samples from patients with suspected urinary tract infections (UTI) received in the laboratory at Nanavati Max Super speciality hospital were processed by standard protocol from January 2018 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility test for the bacterial isolates was carried out by the VITEK2 automated system and interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. The data collected over the study period of five years was interpreted by using the WHO Net Antibiotic Susceptibility Surveillance Software in February 2023. From a total of 8068 urine samples received over five years, uropathogens were isolated in 4209 (52.16%) samples. E.coli was the most common isolate causing UTI, with prevalence of 380(46.7%) in 2018 and 480(50.6%) in 2022 of total samples. Amongst gram positive organisms, a rise in Enterococcus species was seen from 41(5%) in 2018 to 87(9%) in 2022, with significantly fewer Staphylococcus species isolated, from 32(4%) in 2018 to 7(0.7%) in 2022. The Enterobacteriaceae showed high sensitivity to Amikacin, Tigecycline and Meropenem all throughout the study. However, rise in resistance to Nitrofurantoin and Fosfomycin, antibiotics commonly used for UTIs, was observed. Also the prevalence of Extended Spectrum of Beta lactamase (ESBL) producers decreased from 213(36%) to 127(17%) with a rise in Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae from 48(8%) to 298(40%) over the five years study period.Amongst Lactose Nonfermenting gram negative bacilli only 32 % were sensitive to Carbapenems and 37% sensitive to Aminoglycosides.By 2022, Enterococcus species showed an increase in sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin (27%), High level Aminoglycosides (37%), Fluoroquinolones (25%) and Ampicillin (37%).The change in antibiotic sensitivity patterns over time and rise in resistance to antibiotics commonly used in empirical treatment of UTIs warrants the need for regular surveillance, so the physicians can be updated regarding the most prevalent organism and its susceptibility and the empirical treatment for UTIs can be modified accordingly. This can help curb indiscriminate use of antibiotics and development of antibiotic resistance.

Investigating the pivotal role of gut microbiota in cognitive disorders

Background: The human intestine harbors a collection of microorganisms known as intestinal microbiota, which encompasses bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. However, bacteria reign supreme as the most prevalent members of the intestinal microbiota. Notably, the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions of the human body. In addition to its influence on digestion, the gut microbiota also exerts control over the function of the brain and central nervous system, earning the enteric nervous system the title of the "second brain." The behavior and mood, as well as the progression of nervous system diseases like multiple sclerosis, autism, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's, can potentially be regulated by the intestinal microbiota. Through the intestinal nervous system, production of metabolites, stimulation of entero-endocrine cells, and the immune system, the gut microbiota plays a role in regulating the function of the central nervous system. Disturbances caused by improper nutrition, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, stress, anxiety, and depression are significant factors that can worsen these diseases and disrupt the balance of gut microbiota.

A Review On Mucormycosis In A Clinical Microbiological Dilemma

Mucormycetes are a type of rare but opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause serious and sometimes fatal fungal infections, including mucormycosis. During the second wave of the catastrophic COVID-19 epidemic, which occurred in India between April and June of 2021, mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, caused extreme disruption due to its abrupt and destructive surge that resulted in up to 50% mortality rate.People with diabetes who have recovered from COVID-19 infection have been found to be more susceptible to mucormycosis. However, in order to understand the pathophysiology and pathological components of this lethal infection and to find appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic measures, it is necessary to examine the exact cause and mechanism(s) driving its rise. The indiscriminate use of zinc, steroids, and antibiotics as self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic is thought to have contributed to gut microbiota dysbiosis, which has been linked to immune suppression and increased susceptibility to mycotic diseases in the risk group. Given this scenarios, this timely article makes an effort to consider and talk about a few probable contributing elements and mechanisms that might aid in understanding and explaining the mystery surrounding the unexpected, sharp, and lethal spike in mucormycosis infections during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidence of uterine infections, major bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in postpartum dairy cows in southern Ethiopia

BackgroundUterine infections, primarily caused by bacterial pathogens, pose a significant problem for dairy farmers worldwide, leading to poor reproductive performance and economic losses. However, the bacteria responsible for uterine infections have not been adequately studied, nor has the antibiotic susceptibility of the causative bacteria been frequently tested in Ethiopia. This study aims to estimate the cumulative incidence of uterine infections in postpartum dairy cows, identify bacterial causes and determine antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolated bacteria.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted in which 236 cows from 74 dairy farms were monitored biweekly from calving to 90 days postpartum for metritis, endometritis and other disorders. Aseptic uterine swab samples were collected from 40 cows with uterine infections. The samples were cultured, and the isolated bacteria were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion method.ResultsOut of 236 cows monitored during the postpartum phase, 45 (19.1%) were found to have contracted uterine infection. The cumulative incidence of metritis was 11.4% (n = 27), while the cumulative incidence of endometritis was 7.6% (n = 18). Of the 40 cultured swab samples, 29 (72.5%) had one or more bacteria isolated. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (45%), coagulase-positive staphylococci (30%), and Klebsiella spp. (22.5%). Other bacterial spp, including Arcanobacterium pyogenes (12.5%), Fusobacterium spp. (12.5%), Enterobacter aerogenes (12.5%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (12.5%), Streptococcus spp. (7.5%), Salmonella spp, (5%) Proteus spp (5%) and Pasteurella spp (2.5%) were also isolated. All of the isolated bacteria demonstrated resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested. Multidrug resistance was observed in E. coli, Klebsiella spp., A. pyogenes, and Fusobacterium spp. Gentamicin was found to be the most effective antimicrobial against all bacteria tested, while tetracycline was the least effective of all.ConclusionThe study found that a significant proportion of cows in the population were affected by uterine infections and the isolated bacteria developed resistance to several antimicrobials. The study emphasizes the need for responsible use of antimicrobials to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. It also highlights the importance of raising awareness among dairy farmers to avoid the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and its consequences.