Microbiological Factors Research Articles

1006. Association of Development of Pneumonia and Virulence Gene Expression in Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Clinical Specimens

BackgroundNot all Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from respiratory specimens are true pathogens. Distinguishing between true pathogens and colonizers is important to initiate early treatment and to reduce the unnecessary prescription of antibiotics. To determine the microbiological factors contributing to the development of A. baumannii pneumonia, we investigated the association between the expression level of known A. baumannii virulence genes such as ompA and hisF and pneumonia. MethodsPatients in whose respiratory specimens A. baumannii was identified between January 2018 and January 2019 in a tertiary university hospital were recruited into this study. Relevant radiologic findings and more than 5 days of susceptible antibiotic prescription started within 3 days of bacterial isolation were considered as having pneumonia. The absence of radiologic findings of pneumonia until 7 days after the isolation of A. baumannii was defined as colonization. The expression of ompA and hisF was determined with quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Host factors known to be associated with pneumonia and expression levels of virulent genes were compared between the groups. ResultsOverall, 246 patients in whose respiratory specimens A. baumannii was identified were recruited into this study. Among them, 17 and 24 patients were assigned to the pneumonia and colonizer groups, respectively. In the univariable analysis, ompA, ICU stay, and mechanical ventilation were significantly associated with pneumonia (p = 0.03, < 0.01, < 0.01 respectively). In the multivariable analysis, mechanical ventilation was significantly associated with pneumonia (OR = 9.75, p = 0.03). ompA expression was not significantly associated with pneumonia in the multivariable analysis (OR = 1.12, p = 0.75) (Table 1). ompA and hisF were significantly associated with the 30-day in-hospital mortality (p = 0.02, < 0.01).Table 1. Univariable and multivariable analysis of factors related to pneumonia ConclusionThe association between increased ompA expression in A. baumannii and the development of pneumonia was not statistically significant after adjusting for patient factors. However, the relatively high expression of ompA in pneumonia patients and their association with increased mortality suggests the need for larger-scale prospective studies to draw a conclusion.Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Microbiological Degradation of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate) Films in Different Edaphoclimatic Zones of Siberia

The urgency of handling plastic waste is escalating every year and the problem can be only solved using an integrated approach. Replacing non-degradable materials synthesised from fossil fuels with carbon-neutral biopolymers can reduce non-biodegradable waste, CO2 emissions and energy use. However, even completely biodegradable biopolymer materials will stay in the environment for a long time since the rate of their biodegradation depends on many factors. The paper evaluates the influence of edaphoclimatic and microbiological factors on the biodegradation rate of biopolymer films from the poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB)] when exposed to soddy-carbonate, cryogenic, and agrogenically transformed Siberian soils. A principal component analysis showed that in different soils, characterised by specific temperature, moisture content, pH values, biogenicity and abundance of microorganisms, the kinetics of mass loss of P(3HB)-films were primarily determined by the temperature- precipitation ratio and it increased as the content of humus in soil increased. The maximum rates of film mass loss of 0.63 ± 0.09 and 0.93 ± 0.01 mg ∙ day-1 were detected in agrogenic soils. No correlation between mass loss of the films and the total number of microorganisms was found. A phylogenetic analysis revealed differences in the composition of primary P(3HB)-degrading microorganisms in different soil types

Epidemiology, clinical profile and treatment outcomes of bacterial and fungal keratitis.

The purpose of the study is to determine the microbiological etiology, epidemiological factors, and clinical profile and treatment outcomes of infective keratitis in Ophthalmology department, Minia University, Egypt. Prospective, nonrandomized, observational clinical series of cases, including 150 patients with mean age 30 (range 12 to 85years), 90 patients (60%) were males and 60 (40%) were females, clinically diagnosed as infective corneal ulcer, attending the Ophthalmology Department-Faculty of Medicine. Minia University, Minia, Egypt. From December 2018 to December 2020. Detailed history taking and all clinical findings were collected. Corneal scrapings were obtained from patients and subjected to staining and culture for bacterial and fungal pathogens; Bacterial and fungal growth were identified by standard laboratory procedures. Corneal trauma by a vegetative matter was the commonest risk factor associated with infective keratitis in 92 cases (61.3%). Smear and culture was positive in 83 cases (58.4%) of 142 corneal scrapings obtained, of which 60 cases were fungal (72.3%), 21 cases were bacterial (25.3%) and two cases were mixed bacterial and fungal (2.4%), Aspergillus species was the commonest fungal species isolated in fungal keratitis. One hundred forty-two cases (94.67%) healed completely with scar. Only six cases (4%) required evisceration due to aggressive presentation from the start and keratoplasty was performed for two cases (1.33%). Fungal keratitis was the commonest type in cases attending to our department. Adequate diagnosis, management and follow-up helped in achieving high successful curative outcomes. Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04894630. Time of registration 1 December 2018.

Clinical and Microbiological Factors Associated With Abscess Formation in Adult Acute Epiglottitis.

To evaluate clinical and microbiological findings that are correlated with abscess formation in adult acute epiglottitis (AE). We reviewed 140 cases of adult AE. Demographic, clinical, imaging, and microbiological findings are analyzed for all patients with AE in comparison to those with epiglottic abscess (EA). A total of 113 patients presented with AE and 27 presented or progressed to EA (19.3%). Age, sex, seasonality, smoking, body mass index (BMI), and comorbidities were statistically insignificant between the 2 groups. Muffled voice (P < .013), respiratory distress (P < .001), and pre-existence of epiglottic cyst (P < .001) are symptoms and signs connected with abscess formation. A total of 120 patients were treated conservatively. Surgical treatment was performed on 20 patients with EA. About 72 out of 80 cultures revealed monomicrobial infection. Mixed flora was isolated in 8 patients with EA. Streptococcus was isolated in 51 out of 80 positive cultures (64%). Haemophilus Influenza (Hib) was not isolated in any sample. EA and mixed flora relates to a higher rate of airway intervention (P < .001). A high level of suspicion for abscess formation is required if clinical examination reveals dyspnea, muffled voice, or an epiglottic cyst in adult with AE. The existence of EA doubles the duration of hospitalization. EA is typically found on the lingual surface of the epiglottis. Supraglottic or deep neck space expansion should be treated surgically. EA is associated with a mixed flora and a higher rate of airway obstruction. Streptococcus is discovered to be the most common pathogen.

New Insights into Controlling Homoacetogenesis in the Co-digestion of Coffee Waste: Effect of Operational Conditions and Characterization of Microbial Communities.

In this research batch reactors were operated with coffee processing waste and autochthonous microbial consortium, and a taxonomic and functional analysis was performed for phase I of stabilization of maximum H2 production and for phase II of maximum H2 consumption. During phase I, the reactor's operating conditions were pH 4.84 to 8.18, headspace 33.18% to 66.82%, and pulp and husk from 6.95 to 17.05g/L. These assays continued for phase II, with initial pH conditions of 5.8-8.1, headspace of 33.18-66.82%, and pulp and husk remaining from phase I. The highest homoacetogenesis was observed in assay 5 with pH 7.7, 40% headspace, and 15g/L of pulp and husk (initial concentrations of phase I). A relative abundance of Clostridium 41%, Lactobacillus 20% and Acetobacter 14% was observed in phase I. In phase II, there was a change in relative abundance of 21%, 63%, and 1%, respectively, and functional genes involved with autotrophic (formyltetrahydrofolate synthase) and heterotrophic (enolase) homoacetogenesis, butanol (3-hydroxybutyryl-CoA dehydrogenase), and propionic acid (propionate CoA-transferase) were identified. This study provides a new and amplified insight into the physicochemical and microbiological factors, which can be used to propose adequate operational conditions to maximize the bioenergy production and reduce homoacetogenesis in biological reactors.

Sensory profile and acceptance of maize tortillas by rural and urban consumers in Mexico.

Maize tortillas are the staple food of Mexico and their consumption contributes to preserving the gastronomic patrimony and food security of the population. The aim of the present study was to generate a reference sensory profile for different types of tortillas and to evaluate the effect that these sensory characteristics have on consumer liking and how this influences their consumption preferences and purchase intent. Three types of maize tortillas were analyzed: traditional (T1), combined (T2) and industrialized (T3). The samples were characterized using the modified flash profile method. Sensory acceptability and preference tests were conducted on 240 urban and rural consumers. The judges characterized 19 attributes in the tortilla samples, eight of which were also identified by consumers. In the case of traditional tortillas, the matching attributes were maize flavor, color, thickness and moisture. Only rural consumers were able to perceive significant differences between the samples in terms of aroma and taste/flavor. The study has contributed to understanding the complex mechanisms of sensory acceptance through the use of tools that combine qualitative and quantitative data. Although 56% of rural and urban consumers prefer traditional tortillas for their sensory characteristics, purchase intent is also affected by socioeconomic, cultural and microbiological factors. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Silage fermentation characteristics and microbial diversity of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) in response to exogenous microbiota from temperate grasses.

The objective of this study was to explore the microbiological factors that cause the difference in silage fermentation characteristics between grass and legume. Specifically, the effects of epiphytic microbiota from alfalfa, oat and Italian ryegrass on ensiling characteristics and microbial community of alfalfa were assessed. By γ-ray irradiation sterilization and microbiota transplantation technology, the sterile alfalfa was inoculated as follows: (i) aseptic water (STAL); (ii) epiphytic bacteria from alfalfa (ALAL); (iii) epiphytic bacteria from oat (ALOT); (iv) epiphytic bacteria from Italian ryegrass (ALIR). Alfalfa at the initial flowering stage was ensiled in laboratory-scale silos for 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60 days. Compared with ALAL and ALIR, higher lactic acid contents and ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid, and lower acetic acid, propionic acid, ethanol and ammonia nitrogen contents were observed in ALOT after 60 days of fermentation. In each treated group, Lactobacillus was the most dominant genus after 60 days of ensiling. Relatively higher abundance of Weissella, Hafnia-Obesumbacterium, Enterobacteriaceae or hetero-fermentative Lactobacillus was found in ALAL and ALIR after 60 days. Co-occurrence network analysis proved Pediococcus and Lactococcus were pivotal in deciding the fermentation pattern of alfalfa silage. According to the 16S rRNA gene-predicted functional profiles, the metabolism of amino acids was inhibited by the epiphytic microbiota from oat. Overall, ALOT showed a homo-fermentative process, whereas ALAL and ALIR exhibited a hetero-fermentative pattern. Furthermore, the exogenous microorganisms inhibiting the metabolism of amino acids can be a good potential source to improve the silage quality of legume forage.

Lethality by neonatal sepsis, risk factors and microbiological characteristics

Neonatal sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in this population and is related to gestational and perinatal factors as well as factors inherent in the newborn. To associate perinatal, neonatal, and microbiological factors to sepsis mortality. Retrospective ca se-control study of hospitalized newborns with confirmed neonatal sepsis through blood cultures, from 2013 to 2019. Cases were defined as those patients with confirmed sepsis that presented a fa tal outcome and controls as those newborns with confirmed sepsis without a fatal outcome. Cases and controls were compared regarding maternal, perinatal, neonatal, and microbiological factors for quantitative variables in order to identify the trend and concentration of the variables studied. Eleven cases were identified and three controls were randomly assigned to each case, stra tified by gestational age groups. The median birth weight and gestational age were 1,004 grams and 28 weeks, respectively. Escherichia coli was identified in 21% of the patients, Candida parapsilosis in 16%, and Staphylococcus aureus in 14%. There was a statistically significant association between sepsis lethality and vaginal delivery (P = 0.023), infection before 7 days of life (P = 0.025), and Can dida parapsilosis infection (P = 0.049). The multivariate analysis determined a statistically significant association between neonatal sepsis lethality and vaginal delivery and microbiological identification of Candida parapsilosis. Neonatal sepsis lethality was more frequent in the group of extremely preterm infants, newborns withhistory of vaginal delivery, early microbiological isolation, and t infection with Candida parapsilosis.

A comprehensive study of microbiological profile, risk factors and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of catheter associated urinary tract infection in a teaching hospital of Gujarat

A comprehensive study of microbiological profile, risk factors and antibiotic sensitivity pattern of catheter associated urinary tract infection in a teaching hospital of Gujarat

Group B streptococcal infections in infants in Iceland: clinical and microbiological factors.

IntroductionGroup B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of invasive neonatal infections. These have been divided into early-onset disease (EOD; <7 days) and late-onset disease (LOD; 7–89 days), with different GBS clonal complexes (CCs) associated with different disease presentations.Hypothesis/Gap StatementDifferent GBS CCs are associated with timing of infection (EOD or LOD) and clinical presentation (sepsis, meningitis or pneumonia).AimTo study infant GBS infections in Iceland from 1975 to 2019. Are specific GBS CCs related to disease presentation? Is CC17 overrepresented in infant GBS infections in Iceland?MethodologyAll culture-confirmed invasive GBS infections in infants (<90 days) in Iceland from 1975 to 2019 were included. Clinical information was gathered from medical records.ResultsA total of 127 invasive GBS infections in infants were diagnosed, but 105 infants were included in the study. Of these, 56 had EOD and 49 had LOD. The incidence of GBS infections declined from 2000 onwards but increased again at the end of the study period. Furthermore, there was a significant increase in LOD over the study period (P=0.0001). The most common presenting symptoms were respiratory difficulties and fever and the most common presentation was sepsis alone. Approximately one-third of the cases were caused by GBS CC17 of serotype III with surface protein RIB and pili PI-1+PI-2b or PI-2b. CC17 was significantly associated with LOD (P<0.001).ConclusionCC17 is a major cause of GBS infection in infants in Iceland. This clone is associated with LOD, which has been increasing in incidence. Because intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis only prevents EOD, it is important to continue the development of a GBS vaccine in order to prevent LOD infections.

Infectious complications following chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for a hematologic malignancy within 28 days

目的探讨血液肿瘤患者在回输嵌合抗原受体T细胞（CAR-T细胞）后28 d内感染的发生率、临床和微生物学特征及危险因素。方法回顾性分析2016年1月至2020年12月在华中科技大学同济医学院附属协和医院血液科成功接受CAR-T细胞输注的170例血液肿瘤患者基线资料以及回输后28 d内发生感染的临床与病原菌特征。使用泊松回归评估基线特征与感染密度的相关性，单因素和多因素Cox比例风险回归模型评估CAR-T细胞回输后感染的高危因素。结果170例患者中急性淋巴细胞白血病（ALL）72例、非霍奇金淋巴瘤（NHL）56例、多发性骨髓瘤（MM）42例，99例患者在28 d内共发生119次感染，累积感染发生率为（58.2±3.8）％；其中细菌感染98次（45.9％），总感染密度为2.01，首次感染发生的中位时间为回输后12（1～18）d。多因素泊松回归显示ALL患者、难治性疾病、既往30 d内感染病史、回输前ANC<0.5×109/L、前期治疗方案≥4种的患者在28 d内与感染密度有更高的相关性；多因素Cox回归显示≥3级细胞因子释放综合征（CRS）是发生感染的独立危险因素（HR＝3.74，95％CI 1.29～5.72，P<0.001）。结论感染是血液病患者CAR-T治疗后常见的并发症之一，不同肿瘤的感染发生率与类型有所差异，但均以细菌感染为主。ALL患者、难治性疾病、既往30天内感染病史、回输前ANC<0.5×109/L、前期治疗方案≥4种与感染密度相关；3级以上CRS是感染发生的独立危险因素。中国临床试验注册中心：ChiCTR-OIC-17011180、ChiCTR1800018143

Sanitary condition of soil in the territory of Astrakhan state technical university and nearby territories of higher educational institutions

Objective. The authors of this article studied and analyzed the sanitary condition of the soil in the territory of Astrakhan State Technical University and the nearby territories of higher educational institutions. Materials and methods. The study was carried out in May June 2019 on the basis of the laboratory of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology of Astrakhan State Medical University and the laboratory of the Department of Applied Biology and Microbiology of Astrakhan State Technical University. Thirty soil samples were taken from these territories. The studies of soil samples for parasitological indicators were performed according to the guidelines "Control Methods. Biological and Microbiological Factors. Methods of Sanitary and Parasitological Research", for microbiological indicators "Methods of Soil Microbiological Control". Results. The following results were obtained: the sanitary-parasitological condition of the soil in parks near higher educational institutions in Astrakhan remains very tense as evidenced by positive findings of geohelminthoses; when assessing the degree of epidemic hazard of soil, there were identified nematode eggs and adult worm Strongyloids, that corresponds to the indicators of moderately hazard soil; the presence of live strongylid larvae in the studied samples indicates contamination of the soil with feces of infested animals, and the presence of Ascaris eggs indicates contamination of the soil with sewage or feces of infested children walking and resting in these territories; the total microbial number on average gave indicators for evaluating the selected soil samples as a slightly polluted soil. Conclusions. The sanitary and parasitological state of soil in parks of Astrakhan higher educational institutions remains rather tense as evidenced by positive findings of geohelminthoses.

Ceftolozane/tazobactam versus meropenem in patients with ventilated hospital-acquired bacterial pneumonia: subset analysis of the ASPECT-NP randomized, controlled phase 3 trial

BackgroundCeftolozane/tazobactam is approved for treatment of hospital-acquired/ventilator-associated bacterial pneumonia (HABP/VABP) at double the dose approved for other infection sites. Among nosocomial pneumonia subtypes, ventilated HABP (vHABP) is associated with the lowest survival. In the ASPECT-NP randomized, controlled trial, participants with vHABP treated with ceftolozane/tazobactam had lower 28-day all-cause mortality (ACM) than those receiving meropenem. We conducted a series of post hoc analyses to explore the clinical significance of this finding.MethodsASPECT-NP was a multinational, phase 3, noninferiority trial comparing ceftolozane/tazobactam with meropenem for treating vHABP and VABP; study design, efficacy, and safety results have been reported previously. The primary endpoint was 28-day ACM. The key secondary endpoint was clinical response at test-of-cure. Participants with vHABP were a prospectively defined subgroup, but subgroup analyses were not powered for noninferiority testing. We compared baseline and treatment factors, efficacy, and safety between ceftolozane/tazobactam and meropenem in participants with vHABP. We also conducted a retrospective multivariable logistic regression analysis in this subgroup to determine the impact of treatment arm on mortality when adjusted for significant prognostic factors.ResultsOverall, 99 participants in the ceftolozane/tazobactam and 108 in the meropenem arm had vHABP. 28-day ACM was 24.2% and 37.0%, respectively, in the intention-to-treat population (95% confidence interval [CI] for difference: 0.2, 24.8) and 18.2% and 36.6%, respectively, in the microbiologic intention-to-treat population (95% CI 2.5, 32.5). Clinical cure rates in the intention-to-treat population were 50.5% and 44.4%, respectively (95% CI − 7.4, 19.3). Baseline clinical, baseline microbiologic, and treatment factors were comparable between treatment arms. Multivariable regression identified concomitant vasopressor use and baseline bacteremia as significantly impacting ACM in ASPECT-NP; adjusting for these two factors, the odds of dying by day 28 were 2.3-fold greater when participants received meropenem instead of ceftolozane/tazobactam.ConclusionsThere were no underlying differences between treatment arms expected to have biased the observed survival advantage with ceftolozane/tazobactam in the vHABP subgroup. After adjusting for clinically relevant factors found to impact ACM significantly in this trial, the mortality risk in participants with vHABP was over twice as high when treated with meropenem compared with ceftolozane/tazobactam.Trial registrationclinicaltrials.gov, NCT02070757. Registered 25 February, 2014, clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02070757.

Exploring the ensiling characteristics and bacterial community of red clover inoculated with the epiphytic bacteria from temperate gramineous grasses.

To explore the microbiological factors that cause the difference in silage fermentation characteristics between temperate gramineous (Italian ryegrass and oat) grass and legume forage. Through γ-ray irradiation sterilization and bacterial transplantation technology, the sterilized red clover was inoculated as follows: (i) aseptic water (STRC); (ii) epiphytic bacteria on red clover (RCRC); (iii) epiphytic bacteria on oat (RCOT); and (iv) epiphytic bacteria on Italian ryegrass (RCIR). Red clover was ensiled in laboratory-scale silos made of vacuum-packed plastic bags for 1, 3, 7, 14, 30 and 60days. STRC remained unfermented state based on similar chemical components with fresh red clover. Compared with RCRC and RCIR, higher lactic acid content and ratio of lactic acid to acetic acid, and lower pH, acetic acid and ammonia nitrogen contents were observed in RCOT after 60days of ensiling. Using next-generation sequencing, higher abundances of Methylobacterium and Sphingomonas were observed in the epiphytic bacteria on red clover. Pediococcus was dominant in RCRC after 3days of ensiling. Lactobacillus was the most predominant in each group after 60days of fermentation. RCRC and RCIR had a more hetero-fermentative process, while RCOT possessed a more homo-fermentative pathway. According to the 16S rRNA gene-predicted functional profiles, the metabolism of amino acids was accelerated by the epiphytic bacteria from red clover. Inoculating the epiphytic bacteria from oat could alter the fermentation characteristics and bacterial compositions of red clover silage. The relative abundance and activity of Methylobacterium, Sphingomonas, Enterobacteriaceae and hetero-fermentative Lactobacillus in red clover silage could be changed by the epiphytic bacteria on temperate gramineous grass. The exogenous micro-organisms inhibiting the metabolism of amino acids can be a good potential source to improve the silage quality of legume forage.

Bloodstream infections in adult patients with malignancy, epidemiology, microbiology, and risk factors associated with mortality and multi-drug resistance

BackgroundThis study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, microbiology, and risk factors associated with mortality and multi-drug resistance bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) among adult cancer patients in Shiraz, Iran. We also report a four-year trend of antimicrobial resistance patterns of BSIs.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study at a referral oncology hospital from July 2015 to August 2019, which included all adults with confirmed BSI.Results2393 blood cultures tested during the four-year study period; 414 positive cultures were included. The mean age of our patients was 47.57 ± 17.46 years old. Central Line-Associated BSI (CLABSI) was more common in solid tumors than patients with hematological malignancies. Gram-negative (GN) bacteria were more detected (63.3%, 262) than gram-positive bacteria (36.7%, 152). Escherichia coli was the most common gram-negative organism (123/262, 47%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. (82/262, 31%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (38/262, 14.5%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) was the most frequently isolated pathogen among gram-positive bacteria (83/152, 54.6%). Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., E. coli, and K. pneumoniae were the most common Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producers (100, 96.2, 66.7%, and 60.7, respectively). Acinetobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Enterobacter spp., E. coli, and K. pneumoniae were the most common carbapenem-resistant (CR) isolates (77.8, 70.7, 33.3, 24.4, and 13.2%, respectively). Out of 257 Enterobacterales and non-fermenter gram-negative BSIs, 39.3% (101/257) were carbapenem-resistant. Although the incidence of multi-drug resistance (MDR) gram-negative BSI increased annually during 2015–2018, the mortality rate of gram-negative BSI remains unchanged at about 20% (p-value = 0.55); however, the mortality rate was significantly greater (35.4%) in those with resistant gram-positive BSI (p-value = 0.001). The overall mortality rate was 21.5%. Early (7-day mortality) and late mortality rate (30-day mortality) were 10 and 3.4%, respectively.ConclusionsThe emergence of MDR gram-negative BSI is a significant healthcare problem in oncology centers. The high proportion of the most frequently isolated pathogens were CR and ESBL-producing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas spp. We have few effective choices against MDRGN BSI, especially in high-risk cancer patients, which necessitate newer treatment options.

COVID-19 Impacts on Beaches and Coastal Water Pollution at Selected Sites in Ecuador, and Management Proposals Post-pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has obliged Governments all around the world to implement confinement and social distancing measures. Leisure and business activities on beaches and in ports have restricted direct and indirect contamination from, for example, plastics, hydrocarbon spillage, microbiological loads, and noise levels. This has led to temporarily improved environmental conditions, and the beaches having conditions closer to Marine Protected Areas. Here we report some impacts that have been studied using local surveys and qualitative observations in Ecuador at the popular beaches and ports of Salinas, Manta, and Galapagos. Satellite data support this information. Online surveys were carried out at critical moments of the pandemic: May (15th) and just after when measures were relaxed a little, but within lockdown in July (21st) 2020. Respondents were asked to compare conditions before and during the pandemic lockdown. Most (97–99%) suggested that beaches had significantly improved from visual observations during confinement. On a scale from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), the beaches of Salinas and Manta respectively were rated 2.2 and 2.8 (less than acceptable) before quarantine, and 4.5 and 4.3 after; results from the second survey (after 18 weeks of restrictions) were much the same. Replies from Galapagos showed a similar trend but with less marked differences. In addition to the beaches having less plastic and garbage, more fish, and large marine organisms, including humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), dolphin (bottlenose, Tursiops truncatus), and manta ray (Manta sp.) were observed near to shore. At Galapagos beaches, turtles, sea lions, and sharks were observed many more times than pre COVID. Quantitative satellite data on Chlorophyl and attenuation coefficient (Kd, 490 nm) support the qualitative survey data that there is an improvement in coastal environment quality. Here we recommend that this unique opportunity resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic is used locally, regionally and globally to construct baseline data sets that include information on physical, chemical, biological, and microbiological factors in coastal zones. These parameters can then help establish an effective Coastal Zone Management Plan based on beach description and quality (water standards, noise pollution), as well as the human dimension (tourist load, cultural heritage, and economic value indices). This data and information gathering ideally should be done before the beaches become more heavily used again as the pandemic recedes.

Microbiological Profile, Antibiogram, and Risk Factors of Patients with Diabetic Foot Infections

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is considered a major social and economic problem, and it is also known as a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. Patients with DFUs frequently require amputation of the lower limbs, and in more than half of the cases, infection is the predominant factor. The aim of this systemic review is to highlight the risk factors such as age and gender associated with DFU infections, whether the infection is caused by single bacteria or polymicrobial infection and what is the most prevalent bacteria and their susceptibility pattern to currently used antibiotics. Methods: Three databases were searched from December 2020 to February 2021 including PubMed, Hinari, and Google Scholar. A total of 12 articles were included in the current meta-analysis. Results: Higher frequency of DFU in males than in females and maximum number of DFU mostly occur within the age group 40–60 years was reported. Monomicrobial infections in DFU were higher than monomicrobial infection. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus aureus were the most prominent microorganism. The higher grades of the DFUs were infected with more than one organism. High resistance rates of the isolated bacteria to the most commonly used antibiotics were documented and there were alarming growing resistance rate to Carbapenems which were considered the most effective Antibiotics nowadays. Conclusions: DFU infections are one of the major social and economic problems. There is an urgent need for continuous antibiotic sensitivity testing for the isolated bacteria to choose the appropriate antibiotics during the management and limit the spreading of multidrug-resistant bacteria and reduce the burden of health-care cost.

Optimization of periodontal disease diagnosis by the results of clinical laboratory tests

Relevance. The authors have established that the microbiological and local risk factors prevail in changing the clinical condition of the periodontium. Aim – сlinical and diagnosis argumentation of the gingival tissue condition according to the criteria of the New International Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions and Proceedings of the 2017 World Workshop jointly held together by the American Association of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).Materials and methods. Clinical and laboratory assessment of 105 young patients was conducted. Three patient groups were formed according to the detected risk factor and according to the data of the New International Classification of Periodontal and Peri-implant Diseases and Conditions. The main group consisted of 70 (66.6%) patients with diagnosed chronic plaque-induced gingivitis (33.3%) and initial periodontitis (33.3%) (mild chronic periodontitis). The control group comprised 35 patients with clinically healthy gingiva on an intact periodontium (71.1%) and reduced periodontium (22.9%). Periodontal pathogens as a risk factor were assessed by PCR using DNA-express commercial sets (Liteh, LLC, scientific manufacturing company, Russia). Cytology of the gingival crevicular fluid impression smears stained by Romanovsky-Giemsa method was performed.Results. Changes in the hygiene and periodontal indices were revealed on full dental examination. PCR detected low or critical number of periodontal pathogens in the studied samples. Neutrophilic leukocytes, histiocytes and epithelial cells were present in the impression smears, polymorphonyclear neutrophils significantly increased and macrophages, histiocytes, epithelial cells appeared; macrophages decreased.Conclusion. Full dental examination and laboratory tests revealed the following clinical conditions: clinically healthy gingiva on an intact periodontium, clinically healthy gingiva on a reduced periodontium, plaque-induced gingivitis, stage I periodontitis – initial periodontitis, which corresponded to the New International Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions and Proceedings of the 2017 World Workshop held by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP).

Comparative analysis of the effectiveness of treatment of inflammatory post-prosthetic complications in dental implantation by the method of wedge-shaped dehydration

Mucositis is one of the most common diseases during dental implantation. The genesis of the development of diseases, first of all, refers to microbiological factors. However, when conducting antimicrobial therapy, the success of the treatment is not always achieved. In this paper, a comparative analysis of the effectiveness of treatment of inflammatory post-prosthetic complications by modern methods is carried out by the method of wedge-shaped dehydration. The assessment of local crystal structures is an informative criterion in the assessment of the systemic organization of biological fluids, in particular, oral fluid. The most relevant method of visualizing the structural and spatial organization of the oral fluid is crystallographic research, the essence of which is a morphological study using light and polarization microscopy of a dried drop of oral fluid –facies. Patients in the first group received conventional treatment, the second group received ozone therapy, the third group received transcranial electrical stimulation, and the fourth group received a combination of ozone therapy and transcranial electrical stimulation. The crystallographic method was used to evaluate the qualitative and quantitative indicators of oral fluid, on the basis of which it can be concluded that the combined method is one of the objective, reliable methods for evaluating the effectiveness of treatment.

Clinical and microbiological factors predicting outcomes of nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis

Peritonitis due to gram-negative bacilli (GNB), particularly nonfermenting GNB (NF-GNB), is a serious complication of peritoneal dialysis with a low resolution rate. Beyond the patient’s condition, microbiological properties such as antimicrobial resistance, biofilm production and other virulence factors can explain the poor outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the influence of patient condition, microbiological characteristics, including biofilm production, and treatment on peritonitis outcome. We reviewed the records of 62 index episodes caused by NF-GNB that occurred between 1997 and 2015 in our center. The etiologies were species of Pseudomonas (51.6%), Acinetobacter (32.2%), and other NF-GNB (16.1%). There was a high (72.9%) proportion of biofilm producer lineages. The in vitro susceptibility rate of Pseudomonas spp. to amikacin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftazidime was significantly greater than that of Acinetobacter spp. and other species; however, there was a similar low resolution rate (< 45%) among the episodes attributable to them. Preexisting exit-site infection was independently associated with nonresolution. No other factor, including biofilm production, was associated with the outcome. The higher in vitro susceptibility of Pseudomonas compared to other NF-GNB that presented a similar resolution rate suggests that bacterial virulence factors such as biofilms can act in concert, thereby worsening the outcome.