Predominant Bacterial Strains Research Articles

Synthesis, Characterization and Application of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles as Antibacterial and Antifungal Agents

In order to provide a straightforward, affordable, and environmentally friendly process for the synthesis of metallic nanoparticles, scientists are turning to natural ways like employing plant extract in response to rising antimicrobial resistance and the desire for novel biocidal agents. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of phyto-fabricated silver nanoparticles and antimicrobial agents against selected indoor bacterial and fungal strains isolated from the lecture and office rooms of Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University, Uli Nigeria. The indoor microorganisms were isolated, identified, and quantified using standard methods. To prepare and generate the aqueous extract employed in the biological synthesis of the silver nanoparticle, fresh soursop seeds were room dried, crushed, heated to boiling, and double filtered. The phyto-fabricated nanoparticles were centrifuged, dried and used for physicochemical characterization and antimicrobial assay. The synthesized silver nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transformed Infra-Red Spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses. The antimicrobial assay was carried out using agar well diffusion method. The results revealed that Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, Rhizopus, Aspergillus, Penicillium and Microsporum were identified as the predominant potential indoor bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains. The characterized biogenic nanoparticles revealed the optical, spectral and morphological features unique to silver nanoparticles. Also, the antibacterial screening revealed that the highest zone of inhibition was observed against Vibrio sp. (27.50 ± 7.5 mm) at a concentration of 30 μg/mL while standard antifungal drug (ketoconazole) had the highest zone of inhibition of 21.0 ± 1.0 mm at 3.25 μg/mL against Microsporum gypseum while standard antifungal drug (ketoconazole) and Ag-NPs had the lowest zone of inhibition of 11.0 ± 1.0 mm at 15.0 μg/mL and 7.5 μg/mL against Rhizopus sp. and Aspergillus flavus, respectively. The negative control (DMSO) had no zone of inhibition on any of the potential indoor bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains. Statistically, there was significant (P < 0.05) inhibition of bacterial and fungal pathogenic strains among the means of treatment doses of A. muricata AgNPs, ciprofloxacin and ketoconazole standard antibiotics. The excellent antimicrobial inhibition of the tested indoor bacterial and fungal strains by the A. muricata fabricated silver nanoparticles even at MIC of 3.25 μg/mL could be exploited as biostatic and biocidal agents where there is contamination or public health risk of pathogenic indoor bacteria and fungi.

Proving the Antimicrobial Therapeutic Activity on a New Copper-Thiosemicarbazone Complex.

The misuse and overdose of antimicrobial medicines are fostering the emergence of novel drug-resistant pathogens, providing negative repercussions not only on the global healthcare system due to the rise of long-term or chronic patients and inefficient therapies but also on the world trade, productivity, and, in short, to the global economic growth. In view of these scenarios, novel action plans to constrain this antibacterial resistance are needed. Thus, given the proven antiproliferative tumoral and microbial features of thiosemicarbazone (TSCN) ligands, we have here synthesized a novel effective antibacterial copper-thiosemicarbazone complex, demonstrating both its solubility profile and complex stability under physiological conditions, along with their safety and antibacterial activity in contact with human cellular nature and two most predominant bacterial strains, respectively. A significant growth inhibition (17% after 20 h) is evidenced over time, paving the way toward an effective antibacterial therapy based on these copper-TSCN complexes.

Isolation of hitherto-uncultivated microorganisms- Application of radical scavengers.

The culture filtrates of the predominant bacterial strains isolated from soil samples have been shown to increase the microbial colony counts on agar plates used for the isolation of uncultured bacteria. One of the factors in the culture filtrates responsible for this increase was identified to be superoxide dismutase (SOD). The generation of reactive oxygen species (O2-, H2O2, and ・OH) was detected from conventional laboratory agar media. The use of agar media supplemented with radical scavengers (SOD, catalase, ascorbic acid, or rutin) effectively increased the colony counts and kinds of microbial strains that grew from soil samples. Taxonomical studies on these isolates revealed new taxa for phylum Actinomycetota; one family, three genera, and nine species were newly described. One of the strains, Patulibacter minatonensis KV-614T belonging to the new family Patulibacteraceae, was isolated on agar medium supplemented with SOD. P. minatonensis KV-614T represents a novel lineage within the phylum Actinomycetota. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study using specific primers for the detection of strains related to the genus Patulibacter, order Solirubrobacterales, showed a high distribution frequency, with detection in over 70% of the soil samples tested. These data suggest that the use of radical scavengers may facilitate the isolation of some hitherto-uncultivated microorganisms widely distributed in soil.

MP34-07 MV140 SUBLINGUAL VACCINE REDUCES RISK OF RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTION (RUTI) IN NORTH AMERICAN WOMEN: RESULTS FROM THE FIRST NORTH AMERICAN CLINICAL EXPERIENCE STUDY

You have accessJournal of UrologyCME1 Apr 2023MP34-07 MV140 SUBLINGUAL VACCINE REDUCES RISK OF RECURRENT URINARY TRACT INFECTION (RUTI) IN NORTH AMERICAN WOMEN: RESULTS FROM THE FIRST NORTH AMERICAN CLINICAL EXPERIENCE STUDY J. Curtis Nickel, Dean Elterman, Kerri-Lynn Kelly, Ashley Griffin, and R. Christopher Doiron J. Curtis NickelJ. Curtis Nickel More articles by this author , Dean EltermanDean Elterman More articles by this author , Kerri-Lynn KellyKerri-Lynn Kelly More articles by this author , Ashley GriffinAshley Griffin More articles by this author , and R. Christopher DoironR. Christopher Doiron More articles by this author View All Author Informationhttps://doi.org/10.1097/JU.0000000000003268.07AboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints ShareFacebookLinked InTwitterEmail Abstract INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Recurrent UTI in women is associated with widespread morbidity, massive antibiotic use, increasing antibiotic resistance, and significant costs. This is the first North American real-world, clinical experience evaluation of MV140, a novel bacterial sublingual vaccine for prevention of rUTI. METHODS: Females with ≥3 UTI/yr underwent 3-month (mo) vaccination treatment, 9-mo efficacy and subsequent 3-mo follow-up (total 15-mo) periods. Primary outcome was no clinically diagnosed UTI (symptoms requiring antibiotics) following vaccination. Secondary outcomes included reduction in UTI compared to pre-vaccination, quality of life (QoL), global response assessment (GRA), microbiology and safety. RESULTS: 67 subjects (mean age 55.6 yr; range 18-80) were enrolled; 64 completed 3-mo vaccination period and at least one post-vaccination assessment. Prior to vaccination, subjects reported 6.8±4.6 UTI/yr with E. coli (59%), Klebsiella (18%) and Enterococcus (15%) being the predominant causative bacterial species. The UTI free rate for the 9-mo post-vaccination efficacy period was 40.6%. Compared to the UTI rate in the year prior to vaccination (0.56 UTI/subject/mo), the reduction in UTI rate was 74.8% for the 9-mo efficacy period (0.14 UTI/subject/mo) post-vaccination. Total number of UTI and patients reporting UTI decreased substantially for each 3-mo follow-up period while the percentage of UTI free subjects increased following vaccination (Table 1). The predominant bacterial strains post-vaccination remained E. coli (60%), Klebsiella (14%) and Enterococcus (11%). At the 12-mo efficacy visit, 82% reported (GRA) that they were moderately/markedly improved; 59% were mostly satisfied, pleased or delighted while mean SF-12 improved by 1.5 points on QoL assessment. 11 adverse events (A/Es) in 9 subjects were potentially related to vaccine; all mild and resolved by 3 mo. None of the 13 Serious AEs were related to vaccine. CONCLUSIONS: This first Health Canada-approved North American experience with the sublingual vaccine, MV140, demonstrates its safety and potential effectiveness in real world clinical practice in reducing UTI risk and rendering a significant number of women suffering from rUTI completely UTI-free. Source of Funding: Inmunotek supplied MV140 vaccine © 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Volume 209Issue Supplement 4April 2023Page: e461 Advertisement Copyright & Permissions© 2023 by American Urological Association Education and Research, Inc.MetricsAuthor Information J. Curtis Nickel More articles by this author Dean Elterman More articles by this author Kerri-Lynn Kelly More articles by this author Ashley Griffin More articles by this author R. Christopher Doiron More articles by this author Expand All Advertisement PDF downloadLoading ...

Bacillus predominates in the Ophiocordyceps pseudolloydii-infected ants, and it potentially improves protection and utilization of the host cadavers

The bacterial communities that colonize the cadaver environment of insects infected and killed by parasitic fungi can be selected by the sympatric fungi and provide novel impacts. In this study, we found that Bacillus cereus/thuringiensis predominate the bacterial community in Dolichoderus thoracicus ant cadavers colonized by O. pseudolloydii. The most predominant bacterial strains in these ant cadavers were hemolytic and able to produce hydrolytic enzymes for digesting the ant tissue. A relatively intense lethal effect on the co-cultured nematode was displayed by a hemolytic strain. Moreover, the antagonistic effect against pathogenic fungi detected in the bacteria sympatric with O. pseudolloydii was reported here. Naphthoquinones have been shown to confer antibacterial activities and produced by the ant-pathogenic Ophiocordyceps fungi. However, our results did not show the naphthoquinone tolerance we expected to be detected in the bacteria from the ant infected by O. pseudolloydii. The bacterial diversity in the samples associated with O. pseudolloydii infected ants as revealed in this study will be a step forward to the understanding of the roles playing by the microbial community in the native habitats of O. pseudolloydii.

Biohydrogen Producing Facultative Anaerobic Bacteria from Different Anaerobic Sludge

This study aims to isolate and characterize efficient biohydrogen generating facultative anaerobic bacteria from various samples, viz., biogas plant (BGP), municipal sewage (MS), and dairy industry treatment plant (DTP). The physicochemical properties of various untreated anaerobic sludge samples reflect the anoxic state and appropriateness of the substrate for separating biohydrogen generating bacteria. The biohydrogen producing bacterial strains were separated from methanogens using the heat-treatment method. The facultative anaerobic bacterial load of heat-treated test samples was determined viz., 27.2±0.57×106 (BGP), 21.8±0.43×106 (MS), and 18.6±0.92×106 (DTP) CFU mL-1 (Colony forming unit), which decreased from the total anaerobic bacterial load of untreated anaerobic sludge viz., 32.1±0.28×106 (BGP), 42.2±0.16×106 (MS), and 34.7±0.12×106 (DTP) CFU mL-1. The 28 predominant bacterial isolates strains were isolated from the heat-treated test samples. All 28 bacterial strains were identified using microscopic and biochemical techniques. Biohydrogen producing potential bacterial strains were screened using the Hungate technique with glucose as a carbon source. Among them, 12 strains were capable of producing biohydrogen, among these 5 strains being excellent biohydrogen producers. Based on the16s rRNA molecular sequencing, the 5 selected biohydrogen generating organisms were authenticated as viz., Salmonella bongori (MZ636759), Escherichia coli (MZ636716), Staphylococcus hominis (MZ636713), Yersinia enterocolitica (OM009292), and Shewanella oneidensis (MZ636800). The gas composition study by GC-TCD in a fermentative medium shows that Shewanella oneidensis (MZ636800) could produce the best biohydrogen (111.4±8.3 mLH2/L), followed by Salmonella bongori (MZ636759) with 98.1±2.9 mL H2/L and Escherichia coli (MZ636716) with 86.7±6.2 mLH2/L.

Factors affecting bacteriology of hand sepsis in South Africa

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Hand sepsis is a common cause of morbidity. The study was conducted in the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa, investigating the bacteriological profile and aetiology of hand sepsis, aiming at optimising empiric antibiotic therapy METHODS: This is a descriptive study of 120 patients who presented to the plastic surgery department of Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital with hand sepsis, from January 2017 to April 2019, that required surgical drainage. Data recorded included: aetiology of sepsis, underlying comorbidities, length of hospital stay, and outcome. A pus swab was taken during surgical drainage for microscopy, culture and sensitivity (MCS) analysis. The relationship between clinical factors and microbiological findings was analysed RESULTS: The predominant bacterial strains cultured from infected patients, excluding methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were Staphylococcus aureus (80.8%) and Streptococcus spp. (20.0%), mostly due to spontaneous onset infection (58.3%). Cultures of the more problematic Streptococcus spp. were more frequently associated in patients with diabetes mellitus (60.0%), penetrating trauma (41.9%), or blunt trauma (31.3%). The diabetes group in isolation had the longest median hospital stay of 8 (5-15) days, the most need for multiple procedures (60.0%), amputations (30.0%), and skin grafts (20.0%). The most effective antimicrobial drug particularly in mixed cultures was amoxicillin-clavulanic acid CONCLUSION: Staphylococcus aureus infection was the most common. Streptococcus spp. occurred more frequently in patients with traumatic injury and diabetes mellitus. The latter required further surgical procedures and an increased hospital stay. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is the preferred empiric antimicrobial agent Keywords: hand sepsis, bacteriology, optimising empiric antibiotic therapy

Bioenergy production and treatment of aquaculture wastewater using saline anode microbial fuel cell under saline condition

Saline anode microbial fuel cell (SA-MFC) equipped with carbon felt as anode and cathode, separated by nafion membrane was used to evaluate the aquaculture wastewater treatment efficiency and energy production under saline condition (4%). Operation of SA-MFC was executed at different organic load (OL) from 0.5 gCOD/L to 1.5 gCOD/L under saline condition. TCOD (Total Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal was 75 ± 1.4%, 81 ± 0.9% and 84 ± 1.1% at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 gCOD/L OL respectively. SCOD (Soluble Chemical Oxygen Demand) removal in SA-MFC was 68 ± 1.2%, 75 ± 0.8% and 81 ± 0.5% at 0.5, 0.75 and 1 g COD/L OL. Among the OL used 1.25 gCOD/L recorded high TCOD (92 ± 1.1%), SCOD (91 ± 0.5%) and TSS (Total Suspended Solids) removal (78 ± 0.7%) with a maximum power production (369 mW/m 2 ). Increase in OL to 1.5 gCOD/L revealed decline in TCOD (79 ± 1.3%), SCOD (74 ± 0.8%), TSS (71 ± 1.5%) removal and power production (310 mW/m 2 ). The predominant bacterial strains responsible for aquaculture wastewater treatment and energy production was identified as Ochrobactrum (53%), Marinobacter (22%) and Rhodococcus (15%). The other strains such as Bacillus , Stenotrophomonas , Xanthobacter , Sphingomonas , Pseudomonas and Sedimentibacter also present in the SA-MFC reactor operated under saline condition. • Treatment of aquaculture wastewater in SA-MFC under saline condition (4%). • TCOD and SCOD removal was 92 and 91% at 1.25 gCOD/L OL. • Maximum power density of 369 mW/m 2 at 1.25 OL. • Dominance of Ochrobactrum, Marinobacter and Rhodococcus in SA-MFC.

Microbial pollution of indoor air in Riyadh city government schools

The presence of microorganisms in indoor air represents a dangerous issue with a major impact in the field of health protection and environmental engineering. Low indoor air quality is a major trouble in government schools because of the massive density of students per classroom, inadequate supply of air from outside, as well as weak construction and poor maintenance of school buildings. Evaluation of microbial contamination within the indoor air is important to assess health dangers and establish requirements for tracking indoor air quality. Evaluation of microbial contamination is of notable significance in intensively populated centers as government schools. A study was carried out among a hundred and twenty randomly classrooms of twenty government primary schools of Riyadh city in the academic year 2018/2019. For the determination of microbial pollution, passive air sampling settle plate technique was utilized by exposing a Petri dish of appropriate agar media for one hour. Results showed that the counts of bacteria and fungi were higher in government schools in low socioeconomic districts as compared to those of high socioeconomic districts. The indoor analyses reveal that the concentration of bacteria was higher than counts of fungi. In general, Gram positive microorganisms were the dominant organisms. Gram positive bacteria, Bacillus, Micrococci and Staphylococci were the predominant bacterial strains in the schools under study. Attention has to be paid for controlling the physical factors that assist the growth and reproduction of microbes in indoor air of classrooms to keep the students and teachers healthy.

Characterization of bacterial communities associated with the exotic and heavy metal tolerant wetland plant Spartina alterniflora

Heavy metal pollution has seriously disrupted eco-balance and transformed estuaries into sewage depots. Quanzhou bay is a typical heavy metal-contaminated estuary, in which Spartina alterniflora has widely invaded. Plant-associated microbial communities are crucial for biogeochemical cycles, studies of which would be helpful to demonstrate the invasion mechanisms of plants. Meanwhile, they are indispensable to phytoremediation by enhancing the heavy metal tolerance of plants, facilitating heavy metal absorption rate and promoting growth of plants. In the present study, S. alterniflora-associated rhizo- and endobacterial communities from 3 experimental sites were investigated by 454-pyrosequencing. Heavy metal screening generated 16 culturable isolates, further biochemical assays suggested these clones possess various abilities such as phosphate solubilization, indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) production and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase production to accelerate heavy metal uptake and growth of the host. This study revealed the bacterial community structures and characterized the predominant resident bacterial strains of S. alterniflora-associated rhizo- and endobacteria under heavy metal stress, and isolated several bacterial species with potential ecological function.

Microbes from wastewater treated mangrove soil and their heavy metal accumulation and Zn solubilization

Abstract The present study isolated and identified six species of bacteria and fungi from the rhizosphere soil of mangroves species (Avicennia marina), treated for 60 days with artificial wastewater, and further tested for their potential in heavy metal accumulation and Zn solubilization. The wastewater treated mangrove soil had higher microbial counts, porewater salinity and nutrients (N, P, K, total organic carbon), but lower soil bulk density, pH and temperature. The predominant bacterial strains isolated from the treated soil were identified as Bacillus altitudinis, B. anthracis and B.marisflavi, and the fungal strains as Penicillium citrinum, Aspergillus quadrilineatus and Gibberella intermedia. The heavy metal accumulation was determined in those microbial strains cultured with artificial wastewater under shaker culture for seven days. The accumulation was the highest for Zn (70% over control), Cu (62%), Pb (62%) in the bacterium, B. marisflavi and for Mn (50%) in the fungus, P. citrinum. The B.marisflavi was further tested for Zn solublization in terms of pH decline, after 10 days of incubation with the insoluble Zn sources (ZnO, ZnSO4 and ZnCO3). The highest activity of 31.6% pH drop was observed with ZnO. Overall results revealed the potential of B. marisflavi in heavy metal removal and Zn solubilization.

Bioelectricity generation and effect studies from organic rich chocolaterie wastewater using continuous upflow anaerobic microbial fuel cell

The real wastewater generated from chocolateries is complex in nature and has high organic content. Microbial fuel cell (MFC) is the sustainable technology for the treatment of wastewater and simultaneous power generation. In this study an attempt has been made to utilize the chocolaterie wastewater as substrate in upflow anaerobic microbial fuel cell (UAMFC) for simultaneous waste treatment and power generation. The main aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and organic loading rate (OLR) on organic removal and power generation. Four bacterial species (Achromobacter insuavis strain BT1 (MF346036.1), Achromobacter insuavis strain B3 (MF346037.1), Bacillus encimensis strain B4 (MF346038.1) and Kocuria flava strain B5 (MF346039.1) were the predominant bacterial strains obtained from anode during biofilm analysis. They play a major role in substrate degradation and power generation. A maximum power density and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal of 98 mW/m2 and 70% was obtained at a HRT of 15 h. A mathematical modelling, Monod kinetics was done to predict the substrate dependency with that of power production. The model implied that the maximal achievable power density (Vmax) was calculated to be 104.9 mW/m2 at higher substrate concentration of 0.8 g/L.

Molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis of highly pathogenic Vibrio alginolyticus strains isolated during mortality outbreaks in cultured Ruditapes decussatus juvenile

In the summer of 2008 and 2009, a series of mortalities in growing out seeds of R. decussatus juveniles were occurred in the eastern Tunisian littoral. Nine predominant bacterial strains were isolated from dead and moribund juveniles and characterized as Vibrio alginolyticus. These isolates were subjected to biochemical and molecular characterization. All the Vibrio strains were tested for their susceptibility against the most widely used antibiotic in aquaculture as well as, the assessment of the presence of erythromycin (emrB) and tetracycline (tetS) resistance genes among the tested bacteria. The degree of genetic relatedness between V. alginolyticus strains was evaluated on the basis of the Entero-Bacterial Repetitive Intergenic Consensus (ERIC) and the Random Amplification of Polymorphic DNA-PCR (RAPD-PCR) approaches. We also looked for siderophore activity and the ability to grow under iron limitation. Furthermore, the pathogenic potential of the tested isolates was evaluated using R. decussatus larva and juveniles as infection models. On antimicrobial susceptibility test, Vibrio strains exhibited total resistance to at least four antibiotics. The MICs data revealed that flumequine and oxolinic acid were the most effective antibiotics to control the studied bacteria. Results also showed that studied antibiotics resistance genes were widely disseminated in the genome of V. alginolyticus strains. Both ERIC and RAPD-PCR fingerprinting showed the presence of genetic variation among Vibrio isolates. However, RAPD typing exhibited a higher discriminative potential than ERIC-PCR. Besides, we reported here for the first time the co-production of catechol and hydroxamte by V. alginolyticus species. The challenge experiment showed that most of Vibrio isolates caused high mortality rates for both larva and juveniles at 48-h post-exposure to a bacterial concentration of 106 CFU/ml.

Excellent Biofouling Alleviation of Thermoexfoliated Vermiculite Blended Poly(ether sulfone) Ultrafiltration Membrane.

Flux and antifouling properties of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are yet to attain satisfactory status. The objective of this study is to find a method for mitigating the biofouling of poly(ether sulfone) (PES) ultrafiltration membranes via blending of thermoexfoliated vermiculite (VMT). Flow cytometry analysis shows that the behaviors of Bacillus subtilis 168 as a Gram-positive bacterium and Escherichia coli DH5 alpha as a Gram-negative bacterium were different. Hence, cell property is a suspected contributory factor in biofilm formation. Accordingly, considering the local predominant bacterial strains, a regionally customized membrane could scientifically be an expert solution for biofouling mitigation. Fabricated composite membranes have shown a higher flux compared to control PES membrane. Among all composite membranes, the PES-VMT0.10 had the highest flux of 476.4 L/(m2 h) (LMH) before fouling, and the highest flux of 210.7 LMH after three cycles of usage. In addition, the rejection rate of the PES-VMT0.15 The bovine serum albumin (BSA) sample was >77%, while that of the PES-VMT0.10 was >84%. The results of the static BSA adsorption test and the bacterial attachment test indicated that the membranes with macro-roughness on their surface showed better antibiofouling resistance. The antifouling properties of the modified membranes were also improved, because of their optimal wettability. On one hand, the hydrophilicity of membranes caused damaging both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and bacteriocidal effect. On the other hand, BSA adsorption and bacterial attachment on the membrane surface were affected by pore diameter.

Burden of bacterial exacerbation in bronchial asthma in Assiut University Hospitals, Egypt

BackgroundAsthma is one of the most common chronic respiratory diseases. Despite advances in asthma management, acute exacerbations continue to occur and impose considerable morbidity and mortality on patients and constitute a major burden on healthcare resources.ObjectiveThis study aimed to determine the associations between bacterial infections and adult asthma exacerbations, together with detection of antibiotic resistance patterns in clinical practice.Patients and methodsSputa were collected from 60 adult asthmatic patients recruited from both Internal Medicine Department and Chest Disease Department and their critical care units during exacerbation attacks. Patients underwent thorough clinical examination, laboratory investigations, and pulmonary function tests. Bacterial isolates were identified using the standard diagnostic methods. Susceptibilities of the isolated bacterial strains were determined using disk diffusion method.ResultsSignificant bacterial growth was detected in 47 (78%) patients. Single etiological agent was detected among 44 (73%) patients, whereas mixed infection was found in three (5%) patients. A total of 52 bacterial strains were isolated from our asthmatic patients. The predominant bacterial strains were as follows in decreasing order: Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-negative bacilli constituted 52% (27 isolates) of the total bacterial isolates during the exacerbation attacks. Non-multidrug-resistant bacteria were 15 (30%) in number, 22 (44%) bacterial isolates were multidrug resistant, six (12%) bacterial isolates were extensively drug resistant, and seven (14%) isolates were pandrug resistant.ConclusionAcute exacerbation of asthma was associated with infection in most patients. Gram-negative bacteria and S. pneumoniae form a relevant part of the microbial pattern of exacerbation of asthma. Antibiotic resistance among bacterial strains remains a challenge for the management of asthma exacerbations in clinical settings.

A Controlled Antibiotic Release System for the Development of Single-Application Otitis Externa Therapeutics.

Ear infections are a commonly-occurring problem that can affect people of all ages. Treatment of these pathologies usually includes the administration of topical or systemic antibiotics, depending on the location of the infection. In this context, we sought to address the feasibility of a single-application slow-releasing therapeutic formulation of an antibiotic for the treatment of otitis externa. Thixotropic hydrogels, which are gels under static conditions but liquefy when shaken, were tested for their ability to act as drug controlled release systems and inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, the predominant bacterial strains associated with outer ear infections. Our overall proof of concept, including in vitro evaluations reflective of therapeutic ease of administration, formulation stability, cytocompatibility assessment, antibacterial efficacy, and formulation lifespan, indicate that these thixotropic materials have strong potential for development as otic treatment products.

Analysis of microbial diversity in Shenqu with different fermentation times by PCR-DGGE.

Shenqu is a fermented product that is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) to treat indigestion; however, the microbial strains in the fermentation process are still unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate microbial diversity in Shenqu using different fermentation time periods. DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) profiles indicated that a strain of Pediococcus acidilactici (band 9) is the predominant bacteria during fermentation and that the predominant fungi were uncultured Rhizopus, Aspergillus oryzae, and Rhizopus oryzae. In addition, pathogenic bacteria, such as Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Erwinia billingiae, and Pantoea vagan were detected in Shenqu. DGGE analysis showed that bacterial and fungal diversity declined over the course of fermentation. This determination of the predominant bacterial and fungal strains responsible for fermentation may contribute to further Shenqu research, such as optimization of the fermentation process.

Characterization of E. coli and Salmonella spp. isolates associated with omphalitis in baby chicks

0px; > Omphalitis is a major cause of increased first week-chick mortality. Omphalitis, navel-yolksac infection, is a hatchery-born disease, and also known as ‘mushy chick disease’ or ‘navelill’. It is a common disease of chicks and poults, often artificially hatched chicks, causinghigh losses in the brooding period, as a bacterium penetrates the porous egg shell. Asincubation conditions are suitable for bacterial growth and incubating eggs as well, variousbacteria, such as E. coli, staphylococci, Proteus, Clostridium fecali and Pseudomonas maybe involved in the yolk sac infection. The present study aimed to determine bacterialcauses of omphalitis through isolation and identification of such pathogens. Therefore,samples from 216 yolk sacs were collected from chicks with unabsorbed yolk materials thatcould even smell putrid. Among those, 196 (90.7%) were positive; 135 (62.5%) harbouredsingle bacterial strains and 61 (28.2%) had mixed infections. The most prevalent singlebacterial isolates were E. coli (110 isolates) and P. aeruginosa (11 isolates). Meanwhile, themost predominant mixed bacterial strains were E. coli with Salmonella spp. (16 isolates;7.4%) and E. coli with P. aeruginosa (13 isolates; 6%). Other mixed infections were found inlow percentages. Most E. coli strains were Congo red-positive and non-haemolytic.Different E. coli serogroups were serologically identified including O27 (4 isolates; 20%), O157(3isolates; 15%), O26 (3 isolates; 15%) and one isolate of each of the following; O78, O6, O125,O44, O15, O115, O25, O168, O112 and O63 (each of 5%). Different Salmonella serogroups wereidentified including S. cremieu (2 isolates) and one isolate of each of the following S.enteritidis, S. blegdam, S. senftenberg, S. kingston and S. emek.Isolated bacteria differed insusceptibility. The adhesion-encoding genes (crl and fimH genes) of E. coli were detectedby cPCR. It has been concluded that chicks with omphalitis harboured different pathogensand they are considered a source of infection during the successive days of life in broilerchickens.

Potentiality of Eisenia fetida to degrade disposable paper cups-an ecofriendly solution to solid waste pollution.

The aim of the present study was to subject the post-consumer waste, namely paper cups for vermicomposting along with cow dung in three different ratios for a period of 90-140 days employing Eisenia fetida. The post-consumer wastes are a menace in many developing countries including India. This waste was provided as feed for earthworms and was converted to vermicompost. Vermicompost prepared with paper cup waste was analyzed for their physicochemical properties. Based on the physicochemical properties, it was evident that the best manure is obtained from type A (paper cup/cow dung in the ratio 1:1) than type B (paper cup/cow dung in the ratio 1.5:0.5) and type C (paper cup/cow dung in the ratio 0.5:1.5). The results showed that earthworms accelerated the rate of mineralization and converted the wastes into compost with needed elements which could support the growth of crop plants. The predominant bacterial strains in the vermicompost were characterized biochemically as well as by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing. The bacterial strains like Bacillus anthracis (KM289159), Bacillus endophyticus (KM289167), Bacillus funiculus (KM289165), Virigibacillius chiquenigi (KM289163), Bacillus thuringiensis (KM289164), Bacillus cereus (KM289160), Bacillus toyonensis (KM289161), Acinetobacter baumanni (KM289162), and Lactobacillus pantheries (KM289166) were isolated and identified from the final compost. The total protein content of E. fetida involved in vermicomposting was extracted, and the banding pattern was analyzed. During final stages of vermicomposting, it was observed that the earthworm did not act on the plastic material coated inside the paper cups and stagnated it around the rim of the tub. Further, the degradation of paper cup waste was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis. Hence, vermicomposting was found to be an effective technology for the conversion of the paper cup waste material into a nutrient-rich manure, a value-added product.

Effect of herbicide adjuvants on the biodegradation rate of the methylthiotriazine herbicide prometryn

A microbial community, selected by its ability to degrade triazinic herbicides was acclimatized by successive transfers in batch cultures. Initially, its ability to degrade prometryn, was evaluated using free cells or cells attached to fragments of a porous support. As carbon, nitrogen and sulfur sources, prometryn, (98.8 % purity), or Gesagard, a herbicide formulation containing 44.5 % prometryn and 65.5 % of adjuvants, were used. In batch cultures, a considerable delay in the degradation of prometryn, presumptively caused by the elevated concentration of inhibitory adjuvants, occurred. When pure prometryn was used, volumetric removal rates remarkably higher than those obtained with the herbicide formulation were estimated by fitting the raw experimental data to sigmoidal decay models, and differentiating them. When the microbial consortium was immobilized in a continuously operated biofilm reactor, the negative effect of adjuvants on the rate and removal efficiency of prometryn could not be detected. Using the herbicide formulation, the consortium showed volumetric removal rates greater than 20 g m(-3) h(-1), with prometryn removal efficiencies of 100 %. The predominant bacterial strains isolated from the microbial consortium were Microbacterium sp., Enterobacter sp., Acinetobacter sp., and Flavobacterium sp. Finally, by comparison of the prometryn removal rates with others reported in the literature, it can be concluded that the use of microbial consortia immobilized in a biofilm reactor operated in continuous regime offer better results than batch cultures of pure microbial strains.