Pseudomonas Aeroginosa Research Articles

Proportions of Pathogenic Bacteria Isolated from Door Locks and Working Benches in Clinical Laboratory: A Laboratory Based Study.

Numerous studies have revealed the association of the door handle and contamination of pathogenic bacteria. Door handles of clinical and research laboratories have higher chances of contamination with pathogenic bacteria during closing and opening with contaminated gloves on, or sometimes after visiting the toilets without the use of disinfectant materials. There is limited epidemiological data regarding bacteria cross contamination of door locks of the Clinical laboratory at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre. This study aimed at providing the proportions of bacteria contaminating medical laboratory doors. A cross section laboratory-based study was conducted and it involved collection of swab samples from doors and working benches in the clinical laboratory. Prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Coagulase Negative Staphylococcus, Bacillus spp., Pseudomonas aeroginosa and coliforms were (26%, 22%, 18%, 8%, 4% and 4% respectively. This study has reported high proportion of pathogenic bacteria. The results entails that, internal and external environments are responsible for laboratory door contamination.

Microbiological analysis of sterile and nonsterile gloves before and during root canal treatment procedures

Objective: To evaluate the microbiological contamination of sterile (SG) and non-sterile (NSG) gloves before and during different stages of endodontic treatment. Methodology: Five brands (n = 10 per brand) of NSG (Supermax, UniGloves, Lemgruber, Nugard and Embramac) and four brands (n = 10 per brand) of SG (Sensitex, Sanro, Mucambo, Madeitex) were analyzed. Microbiological collections were performed at 3 different time-points: immediately after opening the packages (S1); after performing rubber dam placement (S2); and at the end of root canal treatment (S3). In the NSG group, to assess possible contamination by exposure to the clinical environment, samples were also collected within 24 hours (S4) and 7 days (S5) after opening the packages. After smearing the gloves with sterile swabs, the samples were immediately placed in test tubes containing specific BHI culture medium. These samples were incubated for 24 and 48h and the turbidity of the medium was evaluated. For turbid samples, bacterial identification was performed through culture and biochemical tests. Results: At S1, only the NSG UniGloves and Nugard brands showed contamination, while no contamination was observed in the SG. After S2 and S3 all brands showed contamination. In the NSG assessments, 24h after opening the packaging (S4) only the UniGloves brand showed no contamination, but this was not observed after 7 days (S5). The most observed species were Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus ssp, Staphylococcus intermedius, Neisseria ssp, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Conclusion: The NSG can be contaminated after opening the packaging and their exposure to the dental office environment can make it contaminated. SG are sterile but can also become contaminated during procedures. In the trans-operative period of root canal treatment, both NSG and SG can be contaminated by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Microbiological and Antibiotic Profile of Broncho-Alveolar Lavage Aspirate in Mechanically Ventilated Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Introduction: VAP increases the patient stay in the ICU and indirectly increases the cost of patient management. Based on the time of onset of VAP, it can be divided into two types. Early-onset VAP occurs during the first four days of mechanical ventilation and is usually caused by antibiotic sensitive bacteria. Late-onset VAP develops five or more days after initiation of MV and is caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens.5 Early diagnosis of VAP with appropriate antibiotic therapy can reduce the emergence of resistant organisms. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in College of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur, Chitwan after taking clearance from the institutional review committee. Study included all the patients who required mechanical ventilation for more than 72 hoursAll the included patients had their endotracheal tube aspirated using an ambu bronchoscope and sent to microbiology department for culture and sensitivity. The reports were collected after 72. Results: The most common organism grown during culture and gram staining were Acinetobacter Baumannii (81), followed by Klebsiella Peumoniae (44) than Pseudomonas Aeroginosa (32).. We observed a higher rate of culture positivity from the samples of male patients than those obtained from the female patients. Similar findings were observed by Morehead et al13and debjita debnath et al12 . In our study, gram-negative bacilli were the most commonly isolated pathogen from BAL which is similar to studies done by, debjita debnath, Fagon et al14 and Şimşek et al15. In our study, Acinetobacter Baumannii (81) was the most common followed by Klebsiella Peumoniae (44) than Pseudomonas Aeroginosa (32),first line of antibiotics in patients who were mechanically ventilated were piperacillin plus tazobactam, meropenem,cotrimoxazole, amikacin and gentamicin. The second line drugs were polymyxin B, colistimethate and tigecycline. Conclusions: Acinetobactor Baumanni is the most common causative organism of ventilator associated pneumonia. In most of the cases first line antibiotics ( meropenem, amikacin and clotrimoxazole) are sensitive. Among the second line antibiotics, Polymyxin B was found to be most effective.

Pola Bakteri Kontaminan Serta Resistensinya di ICU dan Ruang Operasi Pada Rumah Sakit di Bandar Lampung

The ICU and operating rooms are places where sterility must be maintained. The purpose of this study was to determine the pattern of bacterial contaminants and their resistance in the ICU and operating rooms of several hospitals in Bandar Lampung. This type of research is descriptive, with a cross sectional design. Held in September – November 2019, at three hospitals which are BPJS referral hospitals in Bandar Lampung City, Indonesia. Samples were taken in the ICU and operating rooms by swab on walls, floors, beds, officers' clothes, equipment, and air samples. Sample examination includes microscopic examination, isolation, identification and antibiotic sensitivity testing. The results showed that from 54 samples examined, 61 isolates of contaminant bacteria were grouped into 11 bacterial species. The patterns of gram negative contaminants were Proteus morganii (19.7%), Pseudomonas aeroginosa (11.5%), and Proteus mirabilis (9.8%). The Gram positive bacteria were dominated by Staphylococcus aureus (13.1%). Proteus mirabilis bacteria were resistant (16.7% - 100%) to 9 antibiotics used in this study. Klebsiella pneumonia, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, on average were 56.82%, 54.55% and 45.45% resistant to antibiotics. Some bacterial species are still sensitive to ciprofloxacin and meropenem. The conclusion is that pathogenic bacteria are still found on the surfaces of objects in the ICU and operating rooms, and these bacteria are resistant to antibiotics.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Phytotoxic Assessment of Agave Americana, Mentha Spicata and Mangifera Indica L. Extract

Purpose: The research study was prototyped to assess pharmacological activities (antimicrobial, anti-oxidant, phytotoxic and haemagglutination) of Agave americana, Mentha spicata and Mangifera indica leaves extracts. The positive outcomes of the study can aid in formulations of novel therapeutic opportunities by using natural, eco-friendly, and economic raw materials having least side effects and aced potency. Method: Leaves extracts of Agave americana, Mentha spicata and Mangifera indica were prepared using analytical grade ethanol, methanol, acetone and n-hexane. Then the extracts were subjected to antibacterial, antifungal, antioxidant, phytotoxic and haemagglutination assay. Well-diffusion antibacterial protocol was followed against pathogenic bacteria. Tube dilution antifungal protocol was followed against pathogenic fungi. DPPH radical scavenging assay at variable sample dilutions was followed for antioxidant assay. Lemna minor lethality assay was followed for phytotoxic assay. Haemagglutination assay were assessed against ABO blood groups. Results: Crude leaves extracts (aqueous, acetone, methanolic and ethanolic) of preferred plants i.e., Agave americana, Mentha spicata and Mangifera indica owned superlative antimicrobial efficacy against all test micro-organisms specifically Escherichia coli ((91%), Pseudomonas aeroginosa (85%), Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (81%) and mycelium of Fusarium oxysporum (85%) was halted by Agave americana leaves extracts. In comparison to these crude extracts of Mentha spicata terrifically halted growth of Proteus mirabilis (80%) while leaves extracts Mangifera indica halted growth of Streptococcus griseus (90%) respectively. Excellent antioxidant and phytotoxic efficacy were recorded at higher sample concentrations. No haemagglutination efficacy recorded. Conclusion: From the study it was concluded that leaves of Agave americana, Mentha spicata and Mangifera indica possess excellent antimicrobial potentials which can aid to formulation new antibiotics having excellent effects in least doses. These extracts can also be used to treat many maladies by eliminating reactive oxidants and promoting healthy metabolism. These extracts can also be utilized as ecofriendly and user-friendly herbicide.

“Pattern of Disease among the Patients Suffering from Otitis Externa in ENT Outpatient Department at Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, Bogura, Bangladesh”

Introduction: Otitis externa is a common otologic problem affecting between 5% -20% of patients seen in an otolaryngological practice in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, a general practitioner can expect to see 16 new cases per year. Objective: To assess the pattern of disease among the patients suffering from otitis externa in ENT outpatient department at shaheed ziaur rahman medical college hospital, bogura, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out on the patients suffering from aural symptoms suggestive of otitis externa in ENT outpatient department of Shaheed Ziaur Rahman Medical College Hospital, Bogura, Bangladesh. Among 202 patients (222 affected ears) with the aural symptoms suggestive of otitis externa and 111 healthy control (222 ears), from January 2019 to December 2020. We also included age and sex matched 111 healthy individuals to serve as control, which provided total 222 control units. The patients having symptoms suggestive of otitis externa were randomly selected from the ENT outpatient department of SZRMCH. Results: Our study maximum 71(35.1%) patients were in the 21 -30 years age group followed by 47 (23.2%) were in the 11 -20 years age group. 30 (14.8%) patients were within 31 - 40 years. 18 (8.9%) patients were within both 41 -50 years and > 60 years of age groups. Out of the total 202 patients 113 (55.9%) patients were male and remaining 89 (44.0%) were female. The male -female ratio was 1.3:1. Shows that 106 (52%) patients were smoker and 96 (48%) patients were non-smoker. Maximum number of 169(76.1%) cases were acute otitis externa, which had been suffering for less than two months. Rest 53(23.8%) were chronic cases suffering for more than two months. Most of the ears had multiple complains of which commonest was itching in 203 (91.4%) affected ears, followed by earache in 177(79.7%) ears, sense of blocked ear in 132 (59.4%) ears, discharge in 114 (51.3%) ears, deafness in 26 (11.7%) ears and tinnitus in 17 (7.6%) affected ears. From the results of microscopic examination and culture of ear swab we detected pure bacterial growth in 48 (21.6%) acute cases and 10 (4.5%) chronic cases, pure fungal growth in 74 (33.3%) acute cases and 22 (9.9%) chronic cases, mixed bacterial and fungal growth in 16 (7.2%) acute cases and 10 (4.5%) chronic cases, no growth or contamination in 32 (14.4%) acute cases and 10 (4.5%) cases. Most of the ears were affected by fungal infection accounting 49.0% (109 cases), followed by bacterial infection in 31.9% ears. Out of 71 cases of otitis externa caused by bacteria 29 (40.8%) were due to Pseudomonas aeroginosa, 26 (36.6%) were due to Staphylococcus aureus, 10 (14.0%) were due to E.coli and 6 (8.4%) were due to Proteus mirabilis. Among the culture positive ears 13 (38.2%) were due to Aspergillus, 9 (26.4%) were due to Candida, 6 (17.6%) Penicillium, 3 (8.8%) Mucor and 3 (8.8%) were due to other fungal strains. The microbiological and culture finding of ear swabs among the healthy population of bacterial isolates of which 10 (16.6%) were Staphylococcus aureus, 26 (43.3%) were Staphylococcus epidermidis, 8 (13.3%) were Diphtheroids, 7 (11.6%) were E. coll. 3 (5.0%) were Proteus and 6 (10.0%) were Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Conclusion: From this study it is also evident that although bacteria could be detected from control cases but the isolation of fungus were negligible. Most of the bacteria were normal commensal. Whereas in diseased ear presence of fungus in the ear canal was highly significant, which signifies the prerequisite of an altered aural flora and fauna for the development of fungal infection.

ZnO AND ALKALINE EARTH METAL (Mg) DOPED ZnO NANOPARTICLES FOR ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITY, STRUCTURAL AND THERMAL STUDIES

The chemical co-precipitation method was used to prepare zinc oxide and magnesium doped ZnO nanoparticles (MgZnO NPs), and their structural, optical, thermal, and antibacterial properties were investigated. XRD spectra revealed that all synthesized NPs are hexagonal wurtzite structure and the size of ZnO and Mg-ZnO NPs is 51 and 42 nm. The FTIR spectra of ZnO and Mg-ZnO NPs have peaks at 463 and 470 cm-1 respectively. Mg-ZnO NPs have increased the thermal stability region from (177-288°C) to (198-296°C). ZnO NPs have high antibacterial activity against E. coli, whereas Mg-ZnO NPs have antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeroginosa.

Antibacterial effect of fresh and liquid PRP on three nosocomial bacteria including Methicilline Resistant Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (MRCONS) ,E.coli (ESBL) and pseudomonas aeroginosa (ATCC 27853)

Antibacterial effect of fresh and liquid PRP on three nosocomial bacteria including Methicilline Resistant Coagulase negative Staphylococcus (MRCONS) ,E.coli (ESBL) and pseudomonas aeroginosa (ATCC 27853)

Isolasi dan Karakterisasi Bakteri Endofit dari Daun Sirsak Annona Muricata L. dan Aktivitas Antibakterinya terhadap Beberapa Bakteri Patogen

Soursop (Annona muricata L.) is a plant with many health benefits. Soursop leaves are widely used as traditional medicine by Indonesian citizen for wound infection healing. The antibacterial activity of soursop leaves cannot be separated from the presence of endophytic microbes that live inside. Endophytic bacteria live in plant tissues and have beneficial for their host plants. Endophytic microbes are able to produce same secondary metabolites as their host such as producing antibacterial compounds. Thirty one bacterial endophytes were isolated from soursop leaves that from 3 different regions: Garut, Cianjur, and Sukabumi. Morphologically, endophytic bacterial isolates from the three regions had different diversity. Bacterial isolates were tested for their activity against 4 test pathogenic bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus mutans, and Streptococcus aureus. Antibacterial test using disc diffusion method with chloramphenicol 500 m/mL as positive control. Based on the antibacterial activity test, isolate G42 was able to inhibit all types of test bacteria. G42 isolates forms a zone of inhibition up to 17 mm in P. aeroginosa. Based on 16S rRNA, G42 isolates had similarity with Pantoea wallisii up to 93.24%. This study shows that endophytic bacteria isolated from soursop leaves have the potential to be developed into antibacterial agents.

ANTIMICROBIAL ACTIVITY OF Dichrostachys glomerata ON BACTERIAL ISOLATES FROM WOUNDS IN PATIENTS ATTENDING UNIVERSITY OF BENIN TEACHING HOSPITAL(UBTH),BENIN CITY, NIGERIA

The increasing emergence of multidrug resistant(MDR) phenotypes poses a major health problem in the treatment of bacterial infections worldwide .The phytochemical and antibacterial properties of Dichrostachys glomerata extract against wound infection isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis and Candida albicans were studied. Fresh plant leaves were collected from the orchard of the College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria and identified in the Department of Plant Biology and Biotechnology in University of Benin. The phytochemical analysis of the dried leaves was carried out using standard tests. The antibiotic susceptibility test was done by the disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hiinton agar using commercially available antibiotics disc .The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined with graded concentrations of oxacillin in Mueller-Hinton agar .Results showed the presence alkaloids, carbohydrate, saponin, flavonoids, phenols and anthraquinone derivatives in the leaves. The susceptibility of Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis to the various extract (99 % methanol, chloroform and ethyl acetate ) showed mean zone of inhibition of 22.2 ±0.1 mm for methanol, 14.3± 0.01 mm for Chloroform and 14.6 ± -1.5mm for ethyl acetate. No antimicrobial activity was observed for petroleum ether extract. The MIC ranged from 24 -40 mg/ml. The overall results provide information for the possible use of the extract of Dichrostachys glomerata in the control of bacterial infections,especially those involving multiple drug resistance.

ANTIMICROBIAL PROPERTIES AND EFFECT OF ETHANOL EXTRACT OF Mangifera indica (MANGO) SEED KERNEL ON SERUM ELECTROLYTES OF MONOSODIUM GLUTAMATE-CHALLENGED RATS

Attention is shifting to plant food waste sourced diets and drugs. This study investigated the in vitro antimicrobial properties and in vivo electrolyte imbalance in monosodium glutamate (MSG)-challenged rats' serum of ethanol extract of pulverized Mangifera indica (mango) seed kernel, MSKE. Antimicrobial activity of MSKE was evaluated by agar well diffusion method against five fungi - Histoplasma capsulatum, Fusarium oxysporum f. spp, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Penicilium notatum and six bacteria - Escherichia coli, Neisseria gonorrhea, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Streptococcus Pneumonia and Salmonella typhi. Intoxicating dose of MSG and MSKE were given to adult rats for 14 days by conventional methods. Antimicrobial activity of MSKE revealed a dose dependent activity on the tested pathogens with maximum and comparable activity to Ciprofloxacin and Ketoconazole standards on all organisms observed at 2000 mg/ml inhibition zone. Antibacterial activity was highest in S. pneumonia followed by E. coli, S. typhi, N. gonorrhea, S. auerus and P. aeroginosa. Antifungal activity was highest in C. albicans followed by P. notatum, H. capsulatum, A. Niger and F. oxysporum f. spp (F. spp). Administration of MSG significantly (p < 0.05) hampered the electrolytes while MSKE co-administration negated these effects by MSG notably on sodium and bicarbonate ions concentration in rats' serum. Thus, MSKE had comparable-to-standards antimicrobial properties against the tested pathogens at 2000 mg/ml inhibition zone and tended to normalize MSG-related alteration of electrolyte balance via probable beneficial sodium and bicarbonate ions metabolism in the rats' serum.

Seleção in vitro de bactérias probióticas do peixe ornamental Amazônico Nannostomus beckfordi

ABSTRACT This study aimed to isolate and select in vitro bacteria with probiotic potential for the Amazon ornamental fish Nannostomus beckfordi. For isolate, twelve fish underwent surgery procedure to remove their intestinal tract, macerate and then inoculate in the plate petri containing de Man Rugosa Sharped Agar (MRS). After bacterial growth (48 hours at 35ºC), selected strains were inoculated in MRS broth and submitted to resistance test with NaCl (0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0%), pH (4, 5, 6, 8 and 9) and bile salts (5% w/v). Inhibition test against pathogenic bacteria Aeromonas hydrophila, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Streptococcus agalactiae and Aeromonas Jandaei was also performed. Within the isolated strains group (23 strains), only six (S1, S2, S3, S4, S5 and S6) showed probiotic potential. Strains S1 and S6 showed the greater resistance for NaCl (0.5% and 1%) and pH (5 and 6), but only S1 obtained better results to resist the bile salts. Even against pathogenic bacteria, the S1 showed the best results with inhibition halos greater than 9 mm. In the end, this bacterial strain (S1) was identified as Enterococcus faecium 11037CHB. Thus, this is the first report regarding isolated autochthonous bacterium E. faecium with probiotic potential of N. beckfordi.

Study of Antibiotic Resistant Genes in Pseudomonas aeroginosa Isolated from Burns and Wounds.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is frequently associated with infections with high mortality rates. The intrinsically high resistance to many antibiotics and multidrug resistance in the hospital setting is considered to be among the reasons for high pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa. In this study, a total of 200 wound and burn swabs were collected from patients. The collected specimens were examined for P. aeruginosa through biochemical and antibacterial sensitivity tests performed in the Microbiology Laboratory in College of Medicine, University of Kirkuk, Kirkuk, Iraq. The polymerase chain reaction was then used to detect mexA, mexB, mexR, and oprD genes. In total, 31 isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from 200 patients with wounds and burns. Most cases were isolated from 23 (74.19%) and 8 (25.80%) wound and burn swabs, respectively. Antibiotic sensitivity was tested on all isolates against 17 antimicrobial agents. The obtained results revealed a high resistance rate to gentamicin, trimethoprim, amikacin, and amoxicillin, and a low resistance rate was observed to ceftazidime, tobramycin, levofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, ciprofloxacin, and aztreonam. Regarding antibiotic resistance, mexB, mexR, and oprD genes were observed in three isolates, in which mexB and mexR were detected in two isolates, and only one isolate carried mexA gene.

ASPIRATION PNEUMONIA DUE TO NON-FATAL DROWNING

<p>Abstract<br />Nonfatal Drowning was defined as survival, after suffocation by immersion or subemersion. Aspiration pneumonia is one of the most common complications of nonfatal drowning. It was reported that a female patient, aged 50 years, drowned in the Pariaman sea, found aspiration pneumonia due to nonfatal drowning. Bronchial specimen were carried out, a type of gram-negative bacteria was found, namely Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Patients received meropenem and fluroquinolone (levofloxacin). Based on clinical evaluation, laboratory and chest X-ray, the patient improved after 7 days of treatment.<br />Keywords: seawater, nonfatal drowning, aspiration pneumonia, pseudomonas aeroginosa</p>

Exploration of antimicrobial potential of snuhi ksheer according to ksheer sangrahan kaal - A comparative study

Introduction: Snuhi, botanically identified as Euphorbia neriifolia L., is a deciduous tree or shrub, belongs to the family Euphorbiaceae, commonly known as milk hedge. Snuhi is one of the constituents of Kshaarasootra, which is used to treat anal fistula. In Charaka Samhita, Snuhiksheera (latex) collection is mentioned specifically at the end of Shishir Ritu (mid-Jan-mid March); on the other hand, the Ksheera collection of any medicinal plant for therapeutic use should be collected in Sharad Ritu (mid-Sept-mid Nov). The study aimed to compare the antimicrobial activity of Snuhi Ksheera collected in Shishirante and Sharadritu. Methods: The antimicrobial efficacy was evaluated against three bacterial strains (Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeroginosa). The study was evaluated using Agar well diffusion method. For samples preparation, 5% solution (ciprofloxacin 500 mg) was used as positive control and 20% dimethyl sulfoxide was used as the negative control. Mueller-Hinton agar medium was used as a culture media for microbes. Results: The results showed that both the ksheera (Shishirante and Sharadritu) have a significant zone of inhibition (ZOI) and Activity Index (AI), but Shishirante collected Snuhi Ksheer have relatively higher ZOI and AI. Hence, both Ksheera can kill the pathogen, but Shishirante collected Snuhi Ksheer showed more potent antimicrobial activity. Conclusion: Antimicrobial activity was better shown by Shishirante collected Snuhi Ksheer against all three microorganisms.

Evaluation of In-vitro functional potential of developed synergistic Fe-Vit C rich powder for anemic adolescent girls

Nutritional anemia is a major public health issue in India affecting more than 60% of adolescent girls. The present study was conducted for phytochemical screening, estimation of total phenolic content, antioxidant and antimicrobial potential of methanolic extracts of iron and vitamin C rich powder mix (Fe-Vit C powder mix) developed from cauliflower and turnip leaves, garden cress seeds, rice flakes and Aonla, to combat iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls. The total phenolic content was 180.02 mg GAE/g of powder. At the concentration of 500µg/ml, the extracts showed 91.8 ± 0.370 and 91.4 ± 0.312% scavenging activity by DPPH and Hydrogen peroxide method, respectively. The methanolic extracts of powder were found to have significant antimicrobial activity against all the three test microorganisms i.e. Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeroginosa and Candida albicans. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of extracts showed the presence of almost all phytochemicals only, Anthocyanins and sterols were found to be absent. Fe-Vit C powder mix appeared to be successful alternative for nutrition intervention and supplementary feeding programme to reduce the prevalence of iron deficiency anemia among adolescent girls.

3D Models of Cellular Spheroids As a Universal Tool for Studying the Cytotoxic Properties of Anticancer Compounds In Vitro.

The aim of this work is to develop a 3D cell culture model based on cell spheroids for predicting the functional activity of various compounds in vivo. Agarose gel molds were made using 3D printing. The solidified agarose gel is a matrix consisting of nine low-adhesive U-shaped microwells of 2.3 × 3.3 mm for 3D cell spheroid formation and growth. This matrix is placed into a single well of a 12-well plate. The effectiveness of the cell culture method was demonstrated using human ovarian carcinoma SKOVip-kat cells stably expressing the red fluorescent protein Katushka in the cytoplasm and overexpressing the membrane-associated tumor marker HER2. The SKOVip-kat cell spheroids were visualized by fluorescence microscopy. The cell concentration required for the formation of same-shape and same-size spheroids with tight intercellular contacts was optimized. To verify the developed model, the cytotoxicity of the targeted immunotoxin anti-HER2 consisting of the anti-HER2 scaffold DARP 9_29 and a fragment of the Pseudomonas aeroginosa exotoxin, DARP-LoPE, was studied in 2D and 3D SKOVip-kat cell cultures. The existence of a difference in the cytotoxic properties of DARP-LoPE between the 2D and 3D cultures has been demonstrated: the IC50 value in the 3D culture is an order of magnitude higher than that in the monolayer culture. The present work describes a universal tool for 3D cultivation of mammalian cells based on reusable agarose gel molds that allows for reproducible formation of multicellular spheroids with tight contacts for molecular and cell biology studies.

Investigation of the Role of Vitamin C In Enhancing the Activity of Antibacterial Agents and Biofilm Formation

Resistance to antibiotics is rapidly spreading across the globe, posing a new health-care challenge for all countries. Bacterial biofilms are three-dimensional formations made up of cells encased in a matrix of polymeric, making cells resistant to the drugs and the immune system. As a result, new tactics for inhibiting the production of the EPS matrix may lead to more efficient use of already available antibiotics. The mechanism of vitamins C effect on boosting the effectiveness of several anti-bacterial drugs was investigated in this study, the target isolates were obtained from University of Mosul/ Biology department/ bacterial culture collections and evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively. The isolates involved: Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli ,Klebsiella sp., Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aeroginosa. Antibiotic sensitivity tests and biofilm producing assay results revealed that the majority of the isolates were resistant to a range of antibiotics and had a large capacity for biofilm formation when grown on a cover glass surface. Vitamin C is an antioxidant, a scavenger of active metabolites. The Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of Vitamin C against selected isolates had been determined, and all further experiments used concentrations below the MIC. Our results showed that Vit.C pre-treatment enhance the bactericidal effect of antibiotic and increases bacterial susceptibility to antibiotics. Using light microscopy, experiments of sub inhibitory doses of Vitamin C revealed good suppression of selected isolates biofilm development on the cover glass surface. Vitamin C can be utilized as an antibiotic adjuvant in combination with antibiotic and has effective biofilm inhibition, caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria, according to evidence.

Assessment of Microbial Contaminations Associated with Steering Wheels and Palms of Commercial Drivers at the University of Cape Coast’s Taxi Rank

Aims: The study aimed at enumerating, identifying and showing similarities and variation of microbial species found on the palms of drivers and steering wheels.
 Methodology: Twenty-one (21) samples each from steering and palms were randomly collected into sterile bags and transported to the microbiology laboratory of the Department of Laboratory Technology for microbial analyses. Samples were cultured on Plate Count Agar (PCA), McConkey and Sabouraud Dextrose agar (SDA) for enumerations and identifications of total viable counts, bacteria and yeast and molds, respectively.
 Results: Steering wheels had the highest microbial load (9.48 x105cfu/ml) whilst the palms of drivers had the lowest (8.88 x 105 cfu/ml) and that all 42 samples (100%) investigated were contaminated. A total of 163 bacteria of eight (8) different genera were obtained from both steering wheels and palms as well as sixty-two (62) fungi species made of five (5) different genera were also obtained. Bacterial isolates included Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Bacillus spp, Klebsiella pneumonia, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Citrobacter spp and Enterococcus faecalis. For fungal genera, Altenaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, Aspergillus niger, Penicillium spp, Candida spp were isolated. The steering wheels had higher bacterial and fungal contaminations than the palms of the drivers which showed no significant difference (P = 0.0832). This indicates that though there were numerical difference in contamination load, their effects were independent of each other.
 Conclusion: This study confirms the contamination of fomites by microbes and the assertion that fomites are sources of transmission of many diseases.

Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Bioactivities of Cola acuminata Extracts

Background: From centuries of evolution, knowledge and technological progress for mankind to one day rediscover nature. Currently, the control of bacterial infections is becoming complex due to the concern of antibiotic resistance, which has been a significant global health problem. The aim was to determine and compare phytochemical constituents and in the in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of aqueous, methanol, acetate, dichloromethane extracts from Cola acuminata nuts grown in the Nord Ubangi Province, DRC. Methods: The nuts of Cola acuminata were harvested in April 2016 at Yakoma city, Nord-Ubangi, DRC. The microscopic features of this species were performed in order to identify specific histological structures. Three bacterial strains notably Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 8739 and Pseudomonas aeroginosa ATCC 9027 were used for the assessment of the antibacterial activity. The qualitative and quantitative phytochemical screening were used for compound identification using different fractions and fractions which presented a good extraction yield was used for further analysis. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using ABTS and DPPH scavenging tests while the antibacterial activity was performed using the diffusion method. Findings: The micrography of C. acuminata revealed the presence of following histological elements of which: fibers, spiral vessels, trichomes, ovoid starch grains, sclerenchyma and the fragments of endosperm. Only the methanol and aqueous extracts presented a good extraction yield. The phytochemistry shows the presence of flavonoids, anthocyanins, terpenes, iridoids and tannins. All fractions showed IC50 values lower than 10 µg/mL in the ABTS test and lower than 100 µg/mL in the DPPH test. The antibacterial activity of this plant was low against the three strains used. Conclusion: Seeing the potency of C. acuminata and different biological activities displayed, further analysis are required in order to identify and purify the active ingredients, to study the toxicity of cell lines in vitro, to perform the in vivo experiments and to test for other activities such as the anti-hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory.