Routine Bacteriological Methods Research Articles

Detection of hypervirulent and classical type of Klebsiella pneumoniae and screening their resistant properties in Erbil city

Background and objective: Klebsiella pneumoniaei s an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium and is considered one of the main causes of nosocomial infection. Hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKp) has emerged as a pathogen of global importance. The current study aimed to determine Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase, carbapenem resistance, and serum bactericidal effect among the clinical isolates and to find the relationship of the above features with antimicrobial resistance. Methods: A total of 90 K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from different clinical specimens. Isolates were diagnosed using routine bacteriological methods and VITEK 2 compact system. Several phenotypic tests including string test, serum resistant, ESBL test, and Modified Carbapenem inactivation method were performed. The antibiotic resistance pattern was compared among ESBL-positive, carbapenem-resistant in both Hypervirulent (hvKp) and classical K. pneumoniae (cKp) isolates. Results: The results revealed that among 90 isolates, 56.7% of the isolates were of classical K. pneumoniae (cKp) type within which 70.6% of them were ESBL positive, 37.3% of them were resistant to carbapenem, and 51% were resistant to serum bactericidal activity. On the other hand, 43.3% were of hvKp type within which 61.5% of them were ESBL positive, 30.8% were carbapenem-resistant and all of the hvKp were resistant to human serum. The rate of antibiotic-resistant among cKp was higher than hvKp isolates. Conclusion: In this study, classical strains were more resistant to antibiotics and the rates of ESBL and Carbapenem resistance were higher compared to hvKp strains. but they were killed by serum bactericidal activities more rapidly.

Antibacterial Activity of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum‎ from Dairy Products ‎Against Some ‎Foodborne Bacteria


 
 
 
 Lactiplantibacillus plantarum‎, one of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), is found in various foods, ‎‎including dairy products, meat, and vegetables, and most of these bacteria offer beneficial ‎‎effects to humans and animals as potential probiotics with broad-spectrum antimicrobial ‎‎activities. The aim of this study was evaluating the antibacterial efficacy of L. ‎plantarum‎ ‎against ‎some foodborne bacteria isolated from dairy products. This research involved 34 dairy ‎products, ‎including local and imported milk, cheese, and yogurt sold locally in Baghdad ‎province, Iraq, during May ‎‎2022. For the isolation of L. ‎plantarum‎, a special medium called ‎MRS (de Man Rogosa and ‎Sharpe) was applied. Colonies were purified and identified by routine ‎bacteriological methods, ‎Vitek2 system, and confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ‎targeting the ‎16S rRNA‎ ‎gene followed by the amplicon sequencing. Other aerobic bacteria ‎contaminating dairy products ‎were also isolated onto sterile selective media specific for each ‎microorganism, and the isolates ‎were identified by routine diagnostics tests followed by ‎verification with Vitek2 system. Then, ‎the culture supernatant of L. ‎plantarum‎ was tested for its ‎antagonistic activity toward foodborne ‎bacteria by the use of agar well diffusion assay. The ‎findings showed the isolation of 2 L. ‎plantarum‎‎, 3 Pseudomonas aeruginosa‎, 4 Escherichia coli, ‎one isolate of Bacillus subtilis, and ‎another Staphylococcus hominis. The filtered supernatant of ‎L. ‎plantarum‎ was significantly ‎efficient in inhibiting the growth of the above bacteria. Each of E. ‎coli and B. subtilis‎ revealed ‎zones of inhibition of 36 and 38 mm in diameter, respectively, ‎while P. aeruginosa‎ and S. ‎hominis had inhibition zones diameters of 27 and 29 mm, ‎respectively. This suggests that the L. ‎plantarum‎‎ supernatant possesses a broad-spectrum ‎activity against foodborne bacteria. To ‎conclude, locally made dairy products can hold different ‎contaminating bacteria, which can be ‎eliminated by using probiotics, such as L. ‎plantarum‎, to ‎avoid foodborne diseases onset‎.
 
 
 

Assessment of the microbiological status of two Hungarian ostrich farms.

The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence of bacterial infection and contamination in two ostrich-producing farms. Compared to other poultry species, the hatchability of ostrich eggs is especially low. In a quest to identify factors that may affect hatchability, we collected faecal samples from adult birds, as well as eggs with dead-in-shell embryos, dead chicks and swab samples from the surface of the eggs and from the environment. The samples were screened for the presence of bacteria by routine bacteriological culture methods. The most prevalent bacteria, detected in the samples, were Escherichia coli, Bacillus spp. and coliform bacteria, whereas Pseudomonas spp. were less frequently found. The intensity and species compositon of the bacterial contamination was comparable in the two farms. Our results revealed that the bacteria, present in the environment, may likely be transmitted to the surface of the eggs. If they are able to penetrate the shell then the embryos and chicks become infected easily. These findings draw the attention to the special importance of enforcing efficient decontamination and disinfection measures to keep the environment and egg surface free from germs. Besides the appropriate egg treatment procedure, the incubation and hatching technology should also be kept under control.

Isolation and identification of Rahnella victoriana associated with bacterial canker of Eucalyptus in Iran

AbstractEucalypts are cultivated in many regions of the world because of their amenability to intensive plantation forestry (environmental adaptability and plasticity of clones, fast growth, easiness of rooting and strong re‐sprouting after coppicing), quality of the timber for multiple uses and high economic performance. Symptomatic Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees were sampled at two sites in the Mazandaran province of Iran. Plants showed trunk bark cracking and cankers accompanied by dark‐brown watery exudation from damaged tissues. Isolation, purification along with phenotypic and genotypic characterization of isolates were performed using routine bacteriological methods. Finally, the bacterial isolates obtained from cankers on symptomatic eucalyptus plants were identified as Rahnella victoriana based on results of biochemical tests in combination with analyses of partial sequences of the 16S rRNA, gyrB,rpoB, and atpD gene regions. When representative isolates were inoculated into the stem of 1‐year‐old E. camaldulensis saplings, necrotic lesions were visible in external and internal bark tissues 30 days after inoculation. The bacteria were re‐isolated from lesions up to 2 months post‐inoculation. This is the first report of bacterial canker of Eucalyptus caused by R. victoriana in Iran and in the world.

Study of biofilm formation and its correlation with drug resistance among E.coli positive samples in catheter-associated urinary tract infection

The present study was aimed to perform in vitro detection of biofilm formation among E. coli positive samples and to correlate the biofilm production with antibiotic resistance pattern. Samples were collected from patients of all age groups and both sexes with a urinary catheter for at least two days suffering from symptoms of UTIs and were characterized by routine bacteriological methods. Ninety six wellmicrotiter-plate tests were done to determine in vitro biofilm formation. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by using standard Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method in accordance with Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. In our study, among 120 E. coli isolates for UTIs in catheterized patients; One hundred and four isolates were biofilm producers, among which 64 (53.33%) were weak biofilm producers, followed by 33 (27.50%) moderate and 7 (5.83%) strong. 16 (13.33%) isolates were non biofilm producers. The correlation between biofilm producer and non-biofilm producer with antibiotic resistance was found statistically significant with(P<0.05) for ampicillin, ceftriaxone, cefotaxime, ciprofloxacin, co trimoxozole, norfloxacin, gentamicin, piperaclin tozobactam, cefoperazone + sulbactam, amikacin and meropenem. This study enhances understanding of biofilm detection and antibiotic resistance in E. coli. Conclusively it is helpful in the development of newer and more effective treatment in Catheter associated uterinetract infection (CAUTI) patients.

Detection of Enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureus in Patients with Gastroenteritis in Erbil/Iraq

Gastroenteritis is one of the words serious public health problem, and enterotoxigenic Staphylococcus aureusis one of the causes of gastroenteritis. The aim of this study was the molecular detection of enterotoxigenicgenes in Staphylococcus aureus, then detection the association of resistance patterns with the toxigenicityof strains. Microbiological analysis of fecal samples from patients with gastroenteritis was performed fordetection of S. aureus. The samples were cultured and identified by routine bacteriological methods andVITEK 2 system. Subsequently PCR amplification of enterotoxin genes (sea and seb) was carried outon all S. aureus strains. The results indicated that in total of 417 fecal samples taken from patients withacute gastroenteritis, 30 grew S. aureus (7.19%), and of 417 fecal samples 96 yielded bacterial pathogens(23.02%), S. aureus was the most common bacterial pathogen found in 30/96 cases (31.25%). In 30 isolatedof S. aureus, penicillin sensitive S. aureus were 2 (6.67%), methicillin sensitive S. aureus were 19 (63.33%),multidrug resistant S. aureus were 12 (40%), methicillin resistant S. aureus were 11 (36.67%), Extensivedrug resistance were 3 (10%), and none of them was pan drug resistant,and all isolates were sensitive tovancomycin. The PCR results showed that 7/30 (23.33%) of the S. aureus isolates possessed the sea gene,and 3/30 (10 %) had the seb gene. In total of 30 isolates Staphylococcal enterotoxin genes sea and seb weremore prevalent among methicillin resistant S. aureus were 6/11 (54.54%), 3/11 (27.27%) respectively, thenin multidrug resistant S. aureus which were 6/12 (50%), and 3/12 (25%) respectively, and in Extensivelydrug resistance S. aureus sea was1/3 (33.33%) and there is no seb genes, while in methicillin sensitive S.aureus sea was 1/19 (5.26%), and there is no seb genes, and there was no Staphylococcal enterotoxin genessea and seb in penicillin sensitive S. aureus. The result confirmed the involvement of enterotoxigenic S.aureus in the occurrence of gastroenteritis, and isolates with enterotoxin genes have a higher drug resistancerate.

Detection of the Antiseptic Resistance Gene among Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes a number of infections in immunocompromised patients. This organism appears to improve resistance to many antimicrobial agents and a high percentage of clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa exhibit multidrug resistance (MDR) phenotype . The purpose of this study is to screen the antibiotic susceptibility patterns and the prevalence of qacE delta1 gene among bacterial isolates. Accordingly, 145 samples were collected from different clinical sources from patients who admitted to different hospitals in Baghdad city in a period ranged 23/8/2018-1/1/2019. The isolates were diagnosed as P. aeruginosa based on routine bacteriological methods and confirmed by a molecular method using 16SrRNA gene. The antibiotic susceptibility test was performed to all identified isolates by Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion method using ten types of antibiotics. The results of antibiotics susceptibility test revealed high levels of resistance toward Piperacillin (72.22%), Trimethoprim (68%), Ceftazidime (68%), Colistin (40.28%), and Levofloxacin (33.33%). And , the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Cetrimide was tested using different concentrations (2.048 to 0.004µg/100µl) and the results showed that MIC values ranged between 2.048 and 0.016) μg/100μL, and the concentration of 0.256 μg/100μl was more frequent . Finally, the prevalence of qacE delta1 gene among bacterial isolates was detected in percentage 63.88% among bacterial isolates .

A Mixed Frigoribacterium faeni and Lactococcus garvieae Infection in Cultured Rainbow Trout (O. mykiss)

The aim of this study was to diagnose the bacterial pathogens of moribund rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) reared in a dam-lake cage farm located in the Black Sea Region of Turkey and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility and histopathological effects by using routine bacteriological, histopathological and molecular methods. Besides possibility of the use of two probiotics against these pathogens for the prevention of further infections was investigated. In this study, a mixed bacterial infection case caused by Frigoribacterium faeni and Lactococcus garvieae was diagnosed in rainbow trout samples of 100-250 g with general clinical and histopathological symptoms of bacterial hemorrhagic septicemia. Pathogens were found to be resistant against most of the antibiotics tested and the possibility of the use of Bacillus subtilis as a probiotic to prevent diseases caused by these pathogens was proposed.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics and morphological peculiarities of urogenital trichomoniasis nowadays

Importance of the topic is stipulated with the current significant spread of infectious diseases of the urogenital tract, caused by the representatives of the protozoa genus Trichomonas.Aim. Evaluate the prevalence and peculiarities of contemporary trichomonas infection (Trichomonas vaginalis, Pentatrichomonas hominis, Trichomonas tenax), with the consideration of the associated bacterial infections that cause the urogenital pathology and the ultrastructural peculiarities of Trichomonas vaginalis morphotypes in the patients with chronic infectious diseases of the genitourinary organs.Material and methods. The research was carried out among 377 patients with chronic infectious diseases of the genitourinary organs. Routine bacterioscopic and bacteriological methods were applied. In addition, Trichomonas tenax and Pentatrichomonas hominis were detected using real-time polymerase chain reaction and applying original experimental primers. The ultrastructure of the trichomonads was studied using a PEM-125K electron microscope equipped with the SAI-01A (SELMI) system, using a CCD camera DX 2 and KAPPA software package.Results. Trichomonas vaginalis was detected in 48.3 % using the methods of optical microscopy and culture media inoculation. Trichomonas tenax was detected in 18.2 % and Pentatrichomonas hominis was detected in 67.1 % with the polymerase chain reaction. Development of the pathological process in the urogenital system of the studied patients (up to 90 %) was caused with the microbial associations, in particular, with Ureaplasma urealyticum (26.1 %), Chlamydia trachomatis (16.7 %), Mycoplasma hominis and Mycoplasma genitalium (13.9 %) and various kinds of opportunistic pathogenic microflora (up to 60 %), which lead to dysbiosis of urogenital system. It was proved that the oval morphotype Trichomonas vaginalis may be referred to the virulent forms; it was detected more often (68 %) than the piriform morphotype.Conclusions. Possible presence of trichomonads of three species: Trichomonas vaginalis, Trichomonas tenax, Pentatrichomonas hominis, in particular in pathological microbial associations, as important factors of the emergence and / or development of the pathological process, was established in the human genitourinary system. It is reasonable to refer the oval morphotype Trichomonas vaginalis to the virulent forms of this agent.

Antibiotic profiles of Microbial Infection in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

Introduction and aim: Diabetic foot ulcers are a serious medical and economic worry. It is the most common reason for diabetic patients to be admitted to hospital. If not treated appropriately, the infection might lead to amputation of the infected foot. The current research aims to recognise the frequencies of isolated aerobic bacterial pathogens associated with diabetic foot ulcers and detect their antibiotic susceptibility and resistance patterns to reduce the risk of complications.
 Methodology: This cohort study included 140 swab samples from diabetic foot ulcers from patients referred to the surgery department at Al-Azhar University Hospital in New Damietta, Egypt, in the period between January and December 2018. All samples were processed for the identification of aerobic bacterial strains were identified using routine bacteriological culture methods and antimicrobial susceptibility by the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.
 Results: Out of 140 pus and tissue samples obtained of diabetic foot ulcers, 120 (85.7%) exhibited aerobic organism growth, yielding a total of 132 isolates with an average of 1.1 isolates per specimen. Polymicrobial infection was 10%. Gram-negative isolates were prominent (62.88%), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (26.5%) being the most common strain causing diabetic foot infections, followed by E. coli (20.5%). Staph aureus was the most common Gram-positive bacteria (8.9%). Out of 83 Gram-negative bacteria, 54 (65%) produced extended-spectrum lactamase (ESBL). The majority of Gram-negative isolates were resistant to levofloxacin, gentamicin, ampicillin-sulbactam, and gatifloxacin. All Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to imipenem. Of the 25 Staph aureus, 15 (60%) were Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid.
 Conclusion: Pseudomonas sp. was the most prevalent cause of infections. Most isolates were multidrug resistant. In our study, Gram-negative bacteria were the main cause of diabetic foot infections. A significant number of MDR isolates were also observed. The inappropriate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics may be the main cause of the increase in the frequency of MDR isolates.

Evaluation of the Frequency of Enterotoxin A (SEA) and Enterotoxin B (SEB) Genes in Clinical Isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in Rafsanjan, Iran

Background: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most important human pathogens that produces a wide range of toxins and causes various diseases. Staphylococcal enterotoxin is the most common cause of food poisoning. In addition, S. aureus enterotoxins are classified into 18 serotypes A to U based on serological and biological properties. Methods: The samples were isolated from clinical specimens and identified by routine bacteriological methods. The isolated S. aureus was evaluated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of the genes encoding SEA and SEA. Results: Based on the PCR results, 3 isolates possessed the enterotoxins B (SEB) gene while none of them showed enterotoxins A (SEA) gene. Conclusions: The obtained results revealed that the clinical samples might be a potential source of the enterotoxigenic strains of S. aureus.

Fecal Colonization of Extended-Spectrum Beta Lactamase-Producing Salmonella spp. in Broilers in Lorestan Province of Iran

Background: Poultry is considered as a major source of human contamination with nontyphoidal Salmonella species. Global concern regarding the emergence and dispersion of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBLs)-producing isolates in broilers has increased during recent years. Objective: This study was proposed to evaluate the prevalence of Salmonella and the associated ESBLs in broilers in Lorestan province of Iran. Materials and Methods: Five hundred fresh fecal samples of broilers were phenotypically screened for Salmonella. The isolates were confirmed molecularly using an invA-based polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Confirmatory combination disk method was applied for phenotypic detection of ESBLs among the isolates, followed by molecular identification of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, and blaSHV genes in 3 single PCR assays among positive isolates. Chi-square test in SPSS software was used for the assessment of statistical relationships. Results: Of the 95 Salmonella isolates detected using routine bacteriological methods, all were confirmed molecularly. They generated the expected 254-bp amplicon. Moreover, 13 isolates were phenotypically recognized as ESBL determinants, among which 9 and 4 harbored blaCTX-M and blaTEM, respectively. No blaSHV and co-existence of the genes were determined. Conclusion: The threat imposed by dissemination of ESBL-producing non-typhoidal Salmonella spp. isolated from broilers was confirmed in the studied region. Continuous monitoring programs, application of biosecurity measures, and prudent prescription of antibiotics are warranted in order to prevent the introduction or dispersion of the ESBL-producing Salmonella.

Isolation of Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus from salami sold at street fairs in Porto Alegre, Brazil

ABSTRACT: Salami is a ready-to-eat (RTE) product frequently purchased at street fairs in Porto Alegre. Salmonella enterica, Listeria monocytogenes, and coagulase-positive Staphylococcus (CPS) are important causes of foodborne disease and can be transmitted through the consumption of RTE foods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of these pathogens in salami sold at street fairs. Ninety salami samples from three commercial brands available at street fairs were analyzed by routine bacteriological methods for Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp., as well as enumeration of CPS. In addition, two samples from each commercial brand were analyzed for water activity (aw). Samples of brand A showed aw values (0.938 and 0.942) above those set by the legislation, while brand B (0.849 and 0.860) and brand C (0.826 and 0.854) were compliant. Microbiological analyses showed that 67.7% were negative to all investigated bacteria. Salmonella Typhimurium was isolated from 4.4% (4/90) of salami samples, all from commercial brand A. Listeria monocytogenes was detected in 3.3% (3/90) of samples, from commercial brands B and C. Moreover, 7.7% (7/90) of samples contained CPS populations non-compliant with legislation. Although the great majority of salami sold at street fairs of Porto Alegre was compliant with standards, S. enterica, L. monocytogenes, and CPS ≥ 5 × 103 cfu.g-1 could be found in this RTE product. Therefore, control measures in the processing industry and consumer’s education about foodborne illness prevention should be maintained.

Fecal calprotectin in the differential diagnosis of acute intestinal infections

Infectious diarrhea takes a leading position in all infectious diseases worldwide. As a result of the pathogens diversity, patient-specific diagnosis and treatments are needed. Additional laboratory tests are crucial for differentiation among pathogens, as routine bacteriological and virological methods are time-consuming. One of them is fecal calprotectin. Aim: examination of the potential role of fecal calprotectin in infectious diarrhea. Materials and methods: the national and international medical literature sources were analyzed. Results: the data regarding fecal calprotectins’ structure, functional activity and diagnostic value are presented. Conclusions: the study of fecal calprotectin, as a correlative biomarker of bacterial gastroenteritis, can be helpful for clinicians with diagnostic approach to the patient.

Detection of Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in Cerebrospinal Fluid by Multiplex PCR for Diagnosis of Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Paediatric Population

The present study was done to evaluate a multiplex PCR based method for simultaneous detection of Neisseria meningitidis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae in CSF. A cross sectional study was carried out with 140 children (2 months to 12 years of age) with clinical suspicion of acute meningitis during July 2010 to June 2011. Three species-specific primers were used along with universal primers of bacterial gene 16S rRNA, in a two-stage PCR assay for diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis.Among 140 patients, 42 (30%) cases were diagnosed as bacterial meningitis and other 98 (70%) as viral meningitis by clinical and cytobiochemical criteria. Out of 42 bacterial meningitis cases, 9 (21.43%) were positive by Gram stain.These 9 cases were also positive by bacterial culture and PCR. Again, 15 (35.71%) were positive by bacterial culture which were also PCR positive. In 27 cases (out of 42), the etiologic diagnosis was not possible using routine bacteriological methods; in 11 of these patients, the etiologic agents were identified by PCR. In addition, PCR recognized 5 more cases whose etiologic diagnosis was not possible, as they were identified by universal primer of 16S rRNA. Hence, among 31 (73.81%) PCR positive cases, 12 (38.71%) were S. pneumoniae, 10 (32.26%) were H. influenzae, 4 (12.9%) were N. meningitidis and 5 (16.13%) were other bacteria.Among the antibiotic users, bacterial meningitis case detection by PCR was higher (65.52%) than that of culture (10.34%) and Gram staining (6.90%). The overall sensitivity and specificity of PCR assay was 100% and 66% respectively when bacterial culture was considered as gold standard. PCR can be used as a valuable supplementary diagnostic technique in routine clinical practice for diagnosis of acute bacterial meningitis in hospital setting.
 Bangladesh J Med Microbiol 2017; 11 (2): 9-16

Occurrence and antibiogram of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> in dairy products consumed in parts of Kaduna State, Nigeria

total of 160 dairy products comprising of 80 each of fresh milk and ‘Nono’ (Fermented and defatted) were collected. The samples were cultured and identified by routine bacteriological methods. Prevalence of S.aureus (8.75%) in the products was; for fresh milk 3.75% and ‘Nono’ 5%. The susceptibility profile of the isolates to nine antimicrobial agents revealed a high susceptibility to Gentamicin (100%), Ciprofloxaxin (92.86%) and Chloramphenicol (92.86%). The isolates had high resistance to Tetracycline (85.71%), Cefoxitin (64.29%), Amoxicillin/Clavulanic acid (64.29%) and Erythromycin (64.29%). A total of 9(64.29%) isolates were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Multiple antibiotics resistance index (MARI) ranged from 7.14% (0.7) to 21.43% (0.3). The presence of S.aureus and resistance to commonly used antibiotics by the isolates posses a health risk for consumers of these milk products. Key words : Dairy Products, Staphylococcus aureus , susceptibility profile, fresh milk, ‘Nono’.

Experience and Efficiency of Laboratory Diagnosis of Tuberculosis with PCR Detector System GeneXpert in Belgorod Region

Purpose of the study. To assess the effectiveness of, and to develop an optimal model for the laboratory diagnosis of tuberculosis using automated PCR detector system GeneXpert. Materials and methods. The efficiency of a technique to identify the causative agent of tuberculosis in an automated PCR analyzer GeneXpert compared to routine bacteriological methods is analyzed as well as the survey coverage rates of patients and the proportion of TB cases diagnosed in GeneXpert. Results. In the Belgorod region an effective organizational model to identify TB, including MDR, in an automatic PCR analyzer GeneXpert occurred. Coverage of the survey of newly diagnosed patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and relapse exceeded 70%; using GeneXpert revealed more than half of all cases of tuberculosis of smear. Term identify Mycobacterium tuberculosis in GeneXpert averaged 2.3 days from the start of examination of the patient. The efficiency of detection of tuberculosis pathogen is slightly lower than in culture, and is 50.4% of newly diagnosed patients with pulmonary tuberculosis and 69.0% have relapses. The sensitivity and specificity of the pathogen resistance to rifampicin in the sputum of patients with newly diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis in GeneXpert compared to routine bacteriological methods reach 90-95%. Summary and Conclusions. The introduction of TB services Belgorod region the technique to identify the causative agent of tuberculosis and to determine its susceptibility to rifampicin using automated PCR analyzer the GeneXpert, the development of an optimal model of appliance use allowed in a short time, up to 4 days, with high specificity to provide an etiological diagnosis most epidemiologically dangerous new cases of pulmonary tuberculosis and relapse among patients in the area.

Identification of Escherichia coli and Trueperella pyogenes isolated from the uterus of dairy cows using routine bacteriological testing and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

BackgroundUterine disorders are common postpartum diseases in dairy cows. In practice, uterine treatment is often based on systemic or locally applied antimicrobials with no previous identification of pathogens. Accurate on-farm diagnostics are not available, and routine testing is time-consuming and cost intensive. An accurate method that could simplify the identification of uterine pathogenic bacteria and improve pathogen-specific treatments could be an important advance to practitioners. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether a database built with uterine bacteria from European dairy cows could be used to identify bacteria from Argentinean cows by Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Uterine samples from 64 multiparous dairy cows with different types of vaginal discharge (VD) were collected between 5 and 60 days postpartum, analyzed by routine bacteriological testing methods and then re-evaluated by FTIR spectroscopy (n = 27).ResultsFTIR spectroscopy identified Escherichia coli in 12 out of 14 samples and Trueperella pyogenes in 8 out of 10 samples. The agreement between the two methods was good with a Kappa coefficient of 0.73. In addition, the likelihood for bacterial growth of common uterine pathogens such as E. coli and T. pyogenes tended to increase with VD score. The odds for a positive result to E. coli or T. pyogenes was 1.88 times higher in cows with fetid VD than in herdmates with clear normal VD.ConclusionsWe conclude that the presence of E. coli and T. pyogenes in uterine samples from Argentinean dairy cows can be detected with FTIR with the use of a database built with uterine bacteria from European dairy cows. Future studies are needed to determine if FTIR can be used as an alternative to routine bacteriological testing methods.

ДИАГНОСТИЧЕСКАЯ ЗНАЧИМОСТЬ ТЕСТА GENE XPERT MTB-RIF ВО ФТИЗИАТРИЧЕСКОЙ ПРАКТИКЕ

The article presents the data on the use of Gene Хpert MBT-RIF testing in 122 patients. In 69 (56.6%) patients the diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed, and some other non-tuberculous pulmonary diseases were verified in 53 (43.4%) patients. Efficiency of tuberculous causative agent detection by Gene Xpert was compared to routine bacteriological methods. The sensitivity of this method made 63.8%, specificity made 98.1%, prognostic value of the positive result - 97.8%, prognostic value of negative result - 67.5%. Factors associated with positive results of this method are presented.

Characterization of Shigella Strains by Plasmid Profile Analysis and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns in a Pediatric Hospital in Ahvaz

Background: High incidences of dysentery and diarrhea were reported in a pediatric hospital in Ahvaz, Iran during March to April, 2013. Objectives: A cross-sectional study was therefore undertaken to identify the causative agents. Patients and Methods: A total of 230 diarrhea samples were collected from the patients and analyzed by routine bacteriological methods. Bacterial identification, serological assay, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) screening and plasmid profile analysis were performed according to the standard guidelines. Results: A total of 70 Shigella strains including %70 (n = 49) S. sonnei and 30% (n = 21) S. flexneri were isolated from diarrhea samples. Most of the Shigella isolates showed high degrees of resistance to ampicillin, ulafamethoxazole- trimethoprime and cefexim. Concurrent resistance to sulafametoxazole- trimethoprime and ampicillin was the most common resistance pattern. Overall, 11.4% of Shigella isolates showed the ESBL producer criteria. The plasmid profile patterns of all the strains were determined by a modified alkaline lysis method. By plasmid profile analysis 23 genotypes were identified among all the isolates, 14 and 9 genotypes among the S. sonnei and S. Flexneri respectively. S. sonnei and S. flexneri isolates demonstrated unique plasmid profiles. Conclusions: These data demonstrated that S. sonnei strains are the main cause of shigellosis as the prevalent Shigella serotype in Iran. We also found that the antibiotic resistance rates are increasing among Shigella strains. Plasmid profile analysis is more reliable than antibiotic susceptibility patterns in epidemiologic studies.