Serratia Spp Research Articles

Assessment of in vitro antimicrobial activity of ceftazidime-avibactam and phenotypic synergy testing with aztreonam against carbapenem resistant Gram-negative bacilli in a tertiary care hospital

Objectives: Ceftazidime avibactam (CZA) is a drug used against carbapenemase producing Gram-negative bacterial infections. Avibactam (AVI) is a non-beta-lactam-beta-lactamase inhibitor which has no action against metallo-β-lactamase (MBL) enzymes. This inadequacy is counteracted by combining CZA with aztreonam (ATM). The present study aims to denote the in vitro susceptibility pattern of the CZA and CZA-ATM combination in our area. Materials and Methods: In this study conducted prospectively from January to June 2023, the samples growing Enterobacterales and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were proceeded for carbapenemase detection by phenotypic testing for EDTA carbapenem inactivation method and modified carbapenem inactivation method. The minimum inhibitory concentration MIC of CZA was determined by E-strip and interpreted as per clinical and laboratory standard institute (CLSI) guidelines, while synergy testing of CZA and ATM was performed using ATM discs. Statistical Analysis: All data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed for basic statistics. Results: The study included 150 carbapenem resistant organisms (131 Enterobactarales and 19 P. aeruginosa). Among these Enterobacterale strains, 72 (54.9%) were MBL producers. CZA resistance was detected in 69.3% of Klebsiella spp., 61.53% of Escherichia coli, and 50% of Serratia spp. Among Klebsiella spp. and E. coli, 88.9% and 65.2% of MBL isolates showed in vitro synergy to CZA-ATM. Conclusions: The study highlights a good in vitro sensitivity pattern of the CZA and ATM combination. However, we also highlight a growing percentage of non-synergistic interactions that need further genetic evaluation.

Detection and Differentiation of Entomopathogenic Serratia spp. to Inform Reintroduction of the Critically Endangered Lord Howe Island Stick Insect Dryococelus australis.

Once rodents have been successfully eradicated from Lord Howe Island, Australia, the critically endangered Lord Howe Island stick insect (Dryococelus australis (Montrouzier)) may be reintroduced, a century after it was thought to have become extinct. In captive populations of D. australis, elevated mortalities have been associated with bacterial pathogens. To better define the infectious risk posed by entomopathogens to the reintroduction program, we investigated the bacteria isolated from captive D. australis kept at Melbourne Zoo and on Lord Howe Island and from environmental samples and free-living invertebrates collected on various parts of the island. At Melbourne Zoo, Serratia and Pseudomonas spp. were the bacteria most frequently isolated between 2013 and 2019. Serratia spp. were also the organisms most frequently isolated from insects sampled in April 2019 from the captive population on Lord Howe Island. In addition, Serratia spp. were isolated from a range of environmental samples collected on Lord Howe Island during March-April 2019. These environmental isolates had a broader range of biochemical and molecular characteristics than those obtained from the captive insect populations. A large proportion of these isolates were urease positive and had biochemical profiles previously not described for Serratia spp. This study highlights the need for better surveillance for potential pathogens in understudied regions and sites. We conclude that infections caused by Serratia spp. might pose a problem to the captive breeding program for D. australis but that the risk of introducing novel pathogens to Lord Howe Island through infected insects is low. Our study explores some of the potential risks involved in captive breeding and provides a valuable example of using pathogen surveillance to better inform an invertebrate conservation program.

Temporal patterns of physicochemical and bacteria profiles of static aquaculture systems: insights into health hazards for fish and the public

Knowledge on water quality in static aquaculture systems is crucial to gain understanding of health threats to fish or aquaculture personnel. In the present study, we investigated the temporal profiles of the bacteriological profiles and physicochemical status of static water aquaculture systems (earthen ponds and concrete tanks). All physicochemical parameters measured were within the optimum recommendation. Following microbial analyses in earthen pond water, the TVC and TCC showed temporal variations with concentration increasing with sampling time, however, FCC fluctuated, and 8 bacteria groups were isolated from both rearing enclosures. In which Gram (-) bacteria showed dominance, with 5 Gram negative (Escherichia coli, Proteus spp, Serratia spp, Enterobacter spp and Pseudomonas spp) and 3 Gram positive (Staphylococcus spp, Streptococcus spp, and Bacillus spp) encountered. From earthen pond water, the following microbial occurrences were reported: Staphylococcus spp (20%), Streptococcus spp (12%) Proteus spp (8%) Enterobacter spp (20%) Serratia spp (16%), Bacillus spp (9%), Escherichia coli (8%), Pseudomonas spp (7%). While Staphylococcus spp (18%), Streptococcus spp (16%), Proteus spp (8%), Enterobacter spp (22%), Serratia spp (8%), Bacillus spp (15%), Escherichia coli (8%), Pseudomonas spp (6%) occurred in concrete water. Taken together, although the physicochemical condition raised no well-fare concern, however, the bacteriological profile during this investigation showed potential health risk in static water aquaculture condition or to adjacent aquatic environment from end of production-discharge.

Percentage Incidences of Bacteria in Mahseer (Tor putitora), Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) Fish Collected from Hatcheries and Local Markets of District Malakand and Peshawar of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Fish is the main source of animal protein for human diet. The aim of this study was to find out prevalence of pathogenic bacteria of two selected economically important fish of Pakistan namely Mahseer (Tor putitora) and Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix). Live fish samples from hatcheries and dead fish samples from different markets of study area were randomly collected. The fish samples were analyzed for isolation, identification and prevalence of bacteria. The isolated bacteria from study fish were identified through biochemical test and about 10 species of pathogenic bacteria were identified including the pathogenic bacteria to human and fish namely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus iniae, Serratia spp. Citrobacter spp. Stenotrophomonas spp. Bacillus spp. and Salmonella spp. The bacterial percentage frequency of occurrence in Silver carp and Mahseer fish showed Pseudomonas aeruginosa 21.42%, Staphylococcus epidermidis 17.85%, Escherichia coli 11.90%, Staphylococcus aureus 9.52%, Citrobacter spp. 9.52%, Serratia spp. 8.33%, Streptococcus iniae 7.14%, Stenotrophomonas spp. 5.95%, Bacillus spp. 4.76% and Salmonella spp. 3.57%. The study revealed that Fish samples of Mahseer and Silver carp that were collected from markets have found more isolates (10 bacterial species) than did the fresh fish pond samples (03 bacterial species) of hatcheries. The occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in study fish showed risk factor for public health consumers.

Isolation and characterization of bacteria associated with silkworm gut under antibiotic-treated larval feeding.

The impact of antibiotics on growth, cocoon production was assessed in addition to isolation and characterization of bacteria associated with silkworm gut of infected larvae. Larval rearing was maintained at recommended conditions of temperature and humidity. Silkworm larvae showing abnormal symptoms were collected from the control group and dissected for gut collection. Bacteria were isolated from the gut content by spreading on agar plates and incubated at 37 °C for 48 hrs. Bacterial identification and phylogenetic analysis were carried out by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The isolated bacteria were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility test (disc diffusion methods) by using Penicillin (10 µg/mL), Tetracycline (30 µg/mL), Amoxicillin (25 µg/mL), Ampicillin (10 µg/mL), and Erythromycin (15 µg/mL). All isolated strains showed positive results for the catalase test. We isolated and identified bacterial strains (n = 06) from the gut of healthy and diseased silkworm larvae. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, isolated bacteria showed close relation with Serratia, Bacillus, and Pseudomonas spp. Notably, 83.3% of strains were resistant to Penicillin, Tetracycline, Amoxicillin, Ampicillin, and Erythromycin but 16.6% showed antibiotic susceptibility to the above-mentioned commonly used antibiotics. Silkworm larvae fed on penicillin-treated leaves showed significant improvement in larval weight, larval length, and cocoon production. Significantly higher larval weight (6.88g), larval length (5.84cm), and cocoon weight (1.33g) were recorded for larvae fed on leaves treated with penicillin as compared to other antibiotics. Isolated bacterial strains showed close relation with Serratia spp., Bacillus spp. and Pseudomonas spp.

Systematic Intrinsic Biodegradation Studies of Crude Oil Contaminated Soil of Bdere Community in South-South, Nigeria

Crude oil pollution is a perennial environmental menace that has bedevilled the South-South ecosystem of Nigeria. This study was aimed at using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique to investigate the biodegradation capabilities of nine bacterial cultures on crude oil residues in Bdere area in South-South, Nigeria. These microorganisms include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus cereus, Micrococcus spp, Pseudomonas putida, Clostridium spp, Bacillus spp, Streptococcus spp, and Serratia spp. The results from the microbial-degraded samples were compared with an abiotic control. The findings reveal that the total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) in the microbial-treated samples was significantly attenuated compared to the control, confirming the microrganism's ability to degrade crude oil components. The primary degradation pathway involved biological oxidation of the aliphatic hydrocarbons, transforming them to primary alcohols, aldehydes, and fatty acid derivatives. Degradation was also observed across a wide range of short and long-chain alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). However, some resistant compounds persisted, and certain degradation products inhibited the rate of further biodegradation. The generation of new metabolites and intermediates confirmed the effective microbial remediation. These findings expand our understanding of microbial degradation of hydrocarbons, offering potential strategies for environmental remediation of oil-contaminated sites.

Effects of Automobile Battery Wastes Disposal on Soil Health Indices

This study was designed to assess the impact of automobile battery waste disposal on the indices of soil health and fertility. Soil samples were collected from three major mechanic villages in Akure and Owo in Ondo State. The physicochemical parameters were analyzed using standard methods while the heavy metal content was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Also, the microbial population was determined using the pour plate method and some biochemical tests. The results show that the soil sample from Owo had the least total bacterial count of 65.10x 105 CFU/g) while the sample from Akure 2 had the highest bacterial count of 185.50 x 105 CFU/g. The probable organisms isolated from the samples were Klebsiella spp, Escherichia spp, Staphylococcus spp, Proteus spp, Pseudomonas spp, Bacillus spp, Serratia spp and Enterobacter spp. There were significant differences between the physicochemical parameters of the contaminated soil samples and the uncontaminated control soil. The electrical conductivity of the contaminated soil samples (1.20, 0.92 and 0.38) was higher significantly (p<0.05) than the uncontaminated (0.21) soil sample. The pH values were acidic (4.57) compared with the control (7.42). Other indices like C, Ca. CEC and bulk density among others have values that were different significantly (P<0.05) between the contaminated soil and the control. In addition, the levels of heavy metals such as Lead, Cadmium and Chromium in the contaminated soil were significantly higher than in the control soil sample. The study confirms that the health indicators of the battery waste-receiving soil in the studied area are highly compromised therefore it may need remediation to reduce soil pollution.

Valorization of oily sludge waste using biosurfactant-producing bacteria.

Oily sludge generated by the petroleum industry is not only an environmental hazard, but since it contains crude oil too, it is a valuable resource as well. This study demonstrates a methodology for the valorization of the oily sludge that allows the recovery of oil fractions by the action of microbes producing surface-active metabolites. Two bacterial isolates were used in the study that were producing different biosurfactants, identified via FTIR analysis as well as through genomic mapping of the biosurfactant pathways using RAST, ANTISMASH 7.0, STRING databases. Serratia spp. AKBS12, produced a mono-rhamnolipid, while Acinetobacter spp. AKBS16, produced emulsan. Although recovery efficiency of both biosurfactants was similar, the recovery profile with respect to the class of hydrocarbons differed. The rhamnolipid produced by Serratia spp. AKBS12 extracted mono-chained paraffins and linear alkanes, while emulsan, produced by Acinetobacter spp. AKBS16 could extract heavier paraffins. The extraction procedure is simple and involves mixing the biosurfactant with oily sludge at a temperature of 30 °C with an incubation of 9days. Sulphuric acid precipitation releases the oil trapped in the oily sludge. The study is the first step in developing user-friendly, innovative technologies that can be linked to the concept of a circular economy.

Study on Multidrug, Extensive Drug and Pan Drug Resistance in Septicemic Infants

Background: Septicemia is common in neonates and is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the early stages of life. With positive signs and symptoms, early-stage diagnosis and treatment of neonates are important to decrease death rates and complications. This article will provide an in-depth study to evaluate the resistance pattern including multi, extensive and pan drugs resistance in septicemic infants. Materials and Method: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), Hayatabad Medical Hospital (HMC) and Khyber Teaching Hospital (KTH), Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) and 999 blood samples were collected from septicemic infants (1 day to 1 year of age) belonging to both genders. Blood was screened for the presence of pathogenic bacteria and their complete data was collected and analyzed with SPSS-20. Results: In total 999 collected blood samples, 105 (10.5%) were found positive for septicemia. In these 105 positive cases, males were 70 (66.6%) while 35 (33.3%) were female infants. Out of 105 positive cases, 66 (62.8%) revealed growth of Gram positive while 39 (37.1%) for Gram negative bacteria. The most common Gram positive bacterial isolates were Staphylococcus aureus 56 (53.3%) and Enterococcus spp 10 (9.5%) while Gram negative were Klebsiella pneumonia 11 (10.5%) followed by Escherichia coli 10 (9.5%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7(6.7%), Acinetobacter baumannii 5 (4.8%), Stenotrophomonas mettophilia 3 (2.9%) and Enterobacter, Serratia and Citrobacter spp (one isolate each). Conclusion: The S. aureus isolates were resistant to Penicillin and Cephalosporin while were sensitive to Glycopeptides and Oxazolidinone group. The Enterococcus isolates were resistant to Aminoglycoside and Macrolides group while were sensitive to Glycopeptides, Rifamycin and Oxazolidinone. The isolates of Enterobacteriaceae were mostly resistant to penicillins and were sensitive to colistin and Piperacillin/ Tazobactam. In the current study 63.8% isolates were MDR, 2.9% XDR and luckily no PDR isolate was found.

Differential Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes in Chlorine-Resistant Acinetobacter and Serratia spp. Isolated from Water Distribution Sites in Mumbai: A Study on Mechanisms of Chlorine Resistance for Sustainable Water Treatment Strategies

Chlorination is a widely used process for disinfecting drinking water, but the emergence of chlorine-resistant bacteria has become a significant concern. While previous research has focused on identifying chlorine-resistant organisms, there has been limited investigation into the mechanisms behind chlorine resistance. Some bacterial isolates that display resistance to chlorine treatment may protect themselves using various mechanisms, including biofilm production, antibiotic resistance, horizontal transfer of antibiotic resistance genes, or producing antioxidant enzymes. Given that chlorination employs hypochlorous acid (HOCl), which is an extremely potent oxidizing agent, the most critical mechanism to investigate is antioxidant enzymes. This study investigated the antioxidant profile of eight chlorine-resistant isolates (three of the Serratia sp. and five of the Acinetobacter) after chlorine exposure. The profiles, both between and within species, were noticeably different. Among the isolates, Acinetobacter junii NA 3-2 showed a significant increase in the specific activity of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase after exposure to 20 ppm chlorine. In the guaiacol peroxidase (GPX) assay, only isolates belonging to Serratia marcescens showed GPX activity, and Serratia marcescens 3929-1 showed significant increase after exposure to 20 ppm of chlorine. None of the isolates belonging to Acinetobacter spp. showed GPX activity. Additionally, almost all control samples exhibited some enzyme activity, which may explain their survival against chlorine treatment in reservoirs. Principal component analysis revealed no strain-dependent similarities, while the balance of scavenging enzymes changed, as demonstrated in the heat map. Thus, this study suggests that antioxidant enzymes may be one mechanism of protection for some bacterial species against oxidative stress from chlorination, resulting in chlorine resistance. Understanding the mechanism of chlorine resistance is critical to identifying potential solutions. This study highlights the need to consider more modern approaches to disinfecting drinking water.

Identification of a cytotoxic factor from a non-pigmented entomopathogenic Serratia marcescens isolate toxic towards human carcinoma cell lines.

It has been reported that cell-free culture broths and some proteins from pigmented and non-pigmented Serratia spp. are cytotoxic towards cancerous and non-cancerous human cell lines. Looking for new molecules toxic against human cancerous cells but harmless towards normal human cells, the aim of this work was (a) to determine whether cell-free broths from the entomopathogenic non-pigmented S. marcescens 81 (Sm81), S. marcescens 89 (Sm89) and S. entomophila (SeMor4.1) presented cytotoxic activity towards human carcinoma cell lines; (b) to identify and purify the associated cytotoxic factor(s) and (c) to evaluate whether the cytotoxic factor(s) was cytotoxic towards non-cancerous human cells. This research was focussed on the observed morphology changes and the proportion of remaining viable cells after incubation in the presence of cell-free culture broths from the Serratia spp isolates to evaluate cytotoxic activity. The results showed that broths from both S. marcescens isolates presented cytotoxic activity and induced cytopathic-like effects on the human neuroblastoma CHP-212 and the breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Slight cytotoxicity was observed in the SeMor4.1 broth. A serralysin-like protein of 50 kDa was identified in Sm81 broth as responsible for cytotoxic activity after purification by ammonium sulphate precipitation and ion-exchange chromatography followed by tandem-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The serralysin-like protein was toxic against CHP-212 (neuroblastoma), SiHa (human cervical carcinoma) and D-54 (human glioblastoma) cell lines in a dose-dependent manner and showed no cytotoxic activity in primary cultures of normal non-cancerous human keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Therefore, this protein should be evaluated for a potential use as an anticancer agent.

Isolation and diagnosis of some types of Gram negative bacteria from different sources of output at the Republican Educational Hospital in the city of Mosul

The study included the isolation and diagnosis of some Gram negative bacterial species from different sources of extraction (blood, vaginal swabs, wound swabs, burns, middle ear secretions and fractures) from patients in the Republican Education Hospital in Mosul for both sexes from August 2014 to February 2015 And in different ages.
 The results showed isolating (21) type of Gram negative bacteria (86.7%). E.coli was the most common among isolates 38 isolates (45.6%) followed by Pseudomonas spp. 27 isolates and (31.86%) followed by Enterobactar spp. (22.6%), Klebsiella pneumonia 9 (10.62%), Proteus mirabilis 7 (8.26%), Acinetobacter bumannii 6 (7.08%), Serratia spp 4 (4.72%) and 2 isolates (2.36% ) Of the Raoutella spp. The bacterial species Providencia stuartii, Morganella morgana, Shigellaflexneri, Moraxella lacunatae, Hafnia alvi and Yersina were isolated by 1.2% each.
 The results revealed that the isolates were the most isolated isolates from isolates, with isolates isolating 30 isolates and 36% followed by wound samples 28 (33.6%) and eye burns (28.6%). The percentage of isolation in the samples (vaginal swabs, fractures and purulent secretions of the middle ear) was 15 (18%), 12 (14.4%) and 7 (8.4%), respectively.
 In the investigation of the dominance of the bacterial species in the source of the isolation, E.coli was found to be found in the samples of the citrus, followed by Enterobacter spp isolates, while in the samples of burns, the dominance of Pseudomonas spp isolates was followed by acinetobacter bumannii isolates. In the wounds samples, Pseudomonas spp isolates and Enterobacter spp isolates Eucoli isolates were more frequent, while the isolates of Pseudomonas spp were larger by 6%, followed by E. coli, Klebsiella pneumonia by 8.4%. Within the samples of the respiratory secretions, Pseudomonas spp .

Detection and prevalence of extended spectrum β-lactamases in gram-negative bacteria at our health-care center

Background: Emergence of extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing strains of Gram-negative bacteria can lead to serious infections frequently complicates the clinical and treatment outcome. Aims and Objectives: The purpose of this study was to know the prevalence of ESBLs and to know the most common Gram-negative bacteria, which produce ESBLs at our health-care facility. Materials and Methods: This study comprised all of the isolates of Gram-negative bacteria that were acquired from various clinical samples. For the purpose of the investigation, a sample of an isolate that showed resistance to two or more third-generation cephalosporins was taken. ESBL detection and antibiotic sensitivity tests were carried out using conventional microbiological techniques. Results: We isolated a total of 284 Gram-negative bacteria and 54 (19%) were identified as ESBL producers. Out 54 ESBL producers, 18 (33%) isolates were Escherichia coli, 11 (20%) were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 12 (22%) were Klebsiellae, 6 (11%) were Enterobacter, 2 (4%) were Citrobacter, 4 (8%) were Acinetobacter, and 1 (2%) were Serratia spp. Conclusion: Clinical decision-makers can make the best antibiotic treatment by regularly monitoring multi-drug resistant bacteria like ESBL producers. This also helps to improve infection control procedures. In addition, we must maintain reserve medications like carbapenems on hand for judicial use.

Antibiotic Sensitivity Pattern of Serratia Species from Clinical Samples at a Tertiary Care Hospital in Rawalpindi

Objective. To determine the antibiotic resistance profile of Serratia spp isolated from various clinical specimens. Study Design and Settings: A descriptive cross-sectional study on antibiotic resistance profile of Serratia spp isolated from various clinical specimens was carried out in the Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology, Rawalpindi, from 1st July 2017 to 30th June 2021. Methodology: 464 clinical specimens yielding growth of Serratia spp were included in the study. Serratia spp were identified by using Standard Microbiological procedures. Modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method was used for Antibiotic Susceptibility testing. The clinical data was analyzed prospectively from July 2017 to June 2021 for a period of 4 years. The spectrum of diseases caused by Serratia spp along with resistance profiles were analyzed. . Data obtained was analysed using SPSS 24. Results: High yield of this bug was obtained from pus and tissue specimens 150 (32%).130(28%) isolates were retrieved from blood cultures, whereas respiratory specimens contributed to 89(19 %) isolates of Serratia spp. According to the antimicrobial susceptibility pattern, 154 (33.3%) isolates were sensitive to Meropenem, 150(32.2%) were susceptible to Doxycycline and 118 (25.5%) to Amikacin, making them the preferred antibiotics to be used in our setup. Conclusion: Serratia marcescens isolates are increasingly resistant to antibiotics. Clinical isolates of Serratia exhibited highest resistance to Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin and Piperacillin/tazobactam

Microbial community in resistant and susceptible Churra sheep infected by Teladorsagia circumcincta

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are a major threat to health and welfare in small ruminants worldwide. Teladorsagia circumcincta is a nematode that inhabits the abomasum of sheep, especially in temperate regions, causing important economic losses. Given that T. circumcincta and microbiome share the same niche, interactions between them and the host are expected. Although it is known that within a sheep breed there are animals that are more resistant than others to infection by GIN, it is not known if the microbiome influences the phenotype of these animals. Under this condition, 12 sheep were classified according to their cumulative faecal egg count (cFEC) at the end of a first experimental infection, 6 as resistant group (RG) and 6 as susceptible group (SG) to T. circumcincta infection. Then, all sheep were experimentally infected with 70,000 L3 of T. circumcincta and at day 7 days post-infection were euthanized. At necropsy, gastric mucosa and gastric content from abomasum were collected to extract bacterial DNA and sequence V3-V4 region from 16S rRNA gene using Ilumina technology. After bioanalysis performed, results showed that α-diversity and β-diversity remained similar in both groups. However, resistant phenotype sheep showed a higher number of bacteria butyrate-fermenting species as Clostridium sensu stricto 1 (abundance in RG: 1.29% and in SG: 0.069%; p = 0.05), and Turicibacter (abundance in RG: 0.31% and in SG: 0.027%; p = 0.07) in gastric content but also Serratia spp in gastric mucosa (abundance in RG: 0.12% and in SG: 0.041%; p = 0.07). A trend towards a significant negative correlation between cFEC and Clostridium sensu stricto 1 abundance in gastric content was detected (r = − 0.537; p = 0.08). These data suggest that microbiome composition could be another factor associated with the development of the resistant phenotype modifying the interaction with the host and the in last instance affecting the individual risk of infection.

Pathogenic Bacteria Profiles in Street Cooked and Raw Meat from Selected Markets in Entebbe Municipality, Uganda

Background: Microbial contaminations and their toxins have a lead role in food-borne outbreaks (FBOs) through food poisoning, spoilage, and intoxications. In Africa, it’s approximated that 92 million people fall ill from consuming contaminated foods, resulting in 137,000 deaths each year. And yet, food safety does not seem to be a major concern within many countries in this continent. This study aimed at isolating pathogenic bacteria from street-cooked and raw meat from selected markets in Entebbe municipality, Uganda.
 Methodology: This was a descriptive randomized cross-sectional study. Samples were in two clusters that is cooked and raw meat (chicken and beef). All of them were analyzed in the microbiology laboratory uniformly. A sample size of 40 was used. Selective media and bio-chemicals were used in the bacterial species isolation and identification respectively.
 Results: A total of 11 isolates of bacteria were isolated and identified. These included gram-positive cocci: Staphylococcus spp (23.5%), and Enterococcus spp (12.3%); gram-positive rods: Corynebacterium spp (23.5%), and Mycobacterium spp (3.7%); and gram-negative rods: Serratia spp (1.2%), Citrobacter spp (9.9%), E. coli spp (1.2%), Salmonella spp (1.2%), and Shigella spp (1.2%).
 Conclusion: There are significant levels of microbial contamination associated with street foods and these accounts for food-borne illnesses.

Physicochemical and Microbial Properties of the Soil Samples Collected from Auto-Mechanic Workshop, Orubor-Agbor, Delta State, Nigeria

Auto-mechanic workshops are major concerns due to the repeated discharge of spent engine oil to the receiving soil. This study investigated the qualities of soil samples from an auto-mechanic workshop located in Orubor, Abgor, Delta State, Nigeria. The collected soil (n=36) was characterized for physicochemical and bacteriological quality using standard procedures. The physicochemical results wet season were pH (5.25 ± 0.07 to 6.15 ± 0.07), electrical conductivity (45.0 ± 7.07 to 165 ± 7.07 µS/cm), organic carbon (1.53 ± 0.42 to 10.1 ± 0.16 %), nitrogen (0.05 ± 0.00 to 0.44 ± 0.01 %), phosphorus (0.69 ± 0.05 to 5.20 ±0.02 mg/kg) and total hydrocarbon content (151 ± 1.41 to 572 ± 3.53 mg/kg). The dry season recorded pH (4.78 ± 0.04 to 5.73 ± 0.04), electrical conductivity (44.1 ± 6.29 to 1.62 ± 4.60 µS/cm), organic carbon (1.21 ± 0.07 to 7.52 ± 0.13 %), nitrogen (0.47 ± 0.00 to 0.58 ± 0.00 %), phosphorus (0.90 ± 0.57 to 6.79 ± 0.09 mg/kg) and total hydrocarbon content (98.9 ± 0.44 to 373 ± 6.36 mg/kg). There was no significant difference (p˃0.05) in the physicochemical parameters concerning the sampling periods. The total heterotrophic bacterial and total naphthalene utilizing bacterial counts were 9.67 ± 1.04 × 105 cfu/g and 5.40 ± 0.88 × 105 cfu/g respectively. The major bacterial isolates were Serratia, Pseudomonas, Enterococcus, and Providencia spp. Findings from this study revealed the necessity for public education and stricter waste management practices within auto-mechanic workshops to stem the negative effects of spent auto-engine oil pollution in the

The role of plant growth-promoting bacteria in alleviating drought stress on pepper plants

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are important microorganisms that can be used to improve plant responses against biotic and abiotic stresses. Thus, 60 bacterial strains were isolated from pepper plants cultivated in a semiarid region in southeast Ethiopia. Initial screening for drought tolerance revealed that 12 (20.0%) isolates were able to grow in the presence of 2 M NaCl (w/v), 11 (18.33%) isolates were shown thermotolerance capacity up to 65 °C and 18 (30.0%) isolates were shown maximum tolerance for polyethylene glycol concentration (15%). Moreover, 16 (26.67%) of the strains were strong biofilm producers, while 54 (90%) were EPS producers with a better production in the medium containing 10% glucose. Also, the highest flocculation yield was recorded by AAUSR23 (148 mg/L) at 0.5 M of NaCl. A subset of 10 strains was identified based on a semi-automated Biolog MicroPlate identification system and belonged to fourteen genera (Bacillus spp, Pseudomonas spp. Stenotrophomonas spp, Enterobacter spp, Achromobacter spp, Comamonas spp, Acinetobacter spp, Burkholderia spp, Serratia spp, Ocrobactrum spp, Pantoea spp, Rhizobium spp, Aeromonas spp, and Klebsiella spp). Four selected strains produce auxin on the root tip of Arabidopsis thaliana when treated with DR5::GUS. The bacterized seeds of pepper with four selected drought resistant bacterial strains were evaluated in the greenhouse; the inoculated plants showed 23.6–52.8% and 41–79.6% higher shoot and root lengths, respectively, compared with the control. Our results showed that drought resistant bacteria isolated from the rhizosphere and endophyte of pepper grown on water deficient lands might be used for alleviating drought stress in crop plants.

Characterization of a novel chitinolytic Serratia marcescens strain TC-1 with broad insecticidal spectrum

The Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen of many organisms, including insects. We report the identification and optimal in vitro chitinase production conditions of a novel chitinolytic S. marcescens strain TC-1 isolated from a naturally infected white grub (Anomala corpulenta) collected from a peanut field at Nanyang city, Henan province, China. Strain identification was conducted by morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular analyses. The amplified 16S rRNA gene of TC-1 showed a similarity greater than 99% with multiple strains of S. marcescens. Based on Neighbor-joining phylogenetic tree analysis of bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequences, TC-1 formed a clade with S. marcescens, clearly separated from other Serratia spp. The strain TC-1 showed larvicidal activities against five insect species (A. corpulenta, Plutella xylostella, Spodoptera exigua, Helicoverpa armigera, Bombyx mori) and the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, but not against S. litura. The operating parameters of chitinase production by TC-1 were optimized by response surface methodology using a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken experimental design. The effects of three independent variables i.e. colloidal chitin concentration (7–13 g l−1), incubation time (24–72 h) and incubation temperature (24–32 °C) on chitinase production by TC-1 were investigated. A regression model was proposed to correlate the independent variables for an optimal chitinase activity predicted as 20.946 U ml−1, using a combination of colloidal chitin concentration, incubation time and incubation temperature of 9.06 g l−1, 63.83 h and 28.12 °C, respectively. The latter agreed well with a mean chitinase activity of 20.761 ± 0.102 U ml−1 measured in the culture supernatants of TC-1 grown under similar conditions with a colloidal chitin concentration, incubation time and incubation temperature of 9 g l−1, 64 h and 28 °C, respectively. Our study revealed the S. marcescens strain TC-1 with potential as a biocontrol agent of insect pests and nematodes and demonstrated the proposed regression model's potential to guide chitinase production by this strain.

Bacteriological Quality of Money from the Cash Registers of Banks and Markets in the Port Harcourt Metropolis and Bacterial Susceptibility to Antibiotics

Bacterial contamination of money acts as vehicle for the transmission of pathogenic and drug resistant organisms. This study was carried out to investigate the bacteriological quality and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of money bank cash-points and markets in Port Harcourt metropolis. Two hundred and eighty-eight (288) naira notes belonging to the following denominations, N5, N10, N20, N50, N100, N200, N500 and N1000 were collected for three months from banks and markets and subjected to standard microbiological procedures such as standard plate counts, identification, sensitivity testing using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Total heterotrophic bacterial count (THB) ranged from 0.6±0.00x106 to 12.80±9.19x106cfu/g; 0.65±0.21x106 to 13.05±9.55x106cfu/g; 0.65±0.20x106 to 8.05±2.48x106Cfu/g in N5 and N100 from Access Bank (AB), United Bank of Africa (UBA) and Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), respectively. There was a significant difference (p≤0.05) in the THB between the different naira notes. Total coliform count (TCC) ranged from 0.00 x104 to 56.90±28.43x104Cfu/g; 0.00 x104 to 61.90±35.49x104Cfu/g; 0.00x104 to 17.75±12.79x104Cfu/g in N5, and N100 for AB, UBA and GTB respectively. THB ranged from 2.69±1.55x106 to 9.95±3.22x106cfu/g; 3.00±1.69x106 to 12.30±9.89x106cfu/g; 3.30±1.82x106 to 17.30±6.97x106cfu/g in N1000, N10 and N100 naira for Mile 1, Mile 3 and Creek road markets respectively. There was a significant difference (p≤0.05) in the THB between the different naira notes sampled in both Banks and markets. TCC ranged from 0.77±0.28x104 to 45.59±10.18x104Cfu/g; 0.78±0.88x104 to 40.59±3.11x104Cfu/g; 1.45±0.07x104 to 55.60±10.18x104Cfu/g in N1000 and N100 Mile 1, Mile 3 and Creek road market respectively. Faecal coliform count ranged from 0.00x103 to 1.53±0.15x103Cfu/g for only mile 1 market. There was a significant difference (p≤0.05) in the total and faecal coliform counts between the different naira notes sampled in Banks and markets. The bacterial isolates identified were; Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus cereus and Serratia marcesens. Twenty-one (21) bacteria were isolated from Banks and Markets. Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus leteus, Escherichia coli and Serratia marcesens were significantly high in N100 (41.67%) (66.67%), (100%), (100%) respectively. Staphylococcus spp was susceptible to Gentamicin (33.3%), Bacillus spp to Ofloxacin (100%), Micrococcus spp to Ofloxacin and Gentamicin (100%), Serratia spp and Escherichia coli were susceptible to Ofloxacin, Gentamicin and Nitrofurantoin (100%) and they were all resistant to Ceftazidime, Cefixime, Cloxacillin, Augmentin, Cefuroxime and Ceftriaxone (100%)> Erythromycin and Gentamicin (75%). Hundred-percent (100%) of the bacterial isolates had multidrug resistance index greater than 0.2. Public awareness on personal hygiene should be encouraged while drug abuse should be discouraged.