Shigella Spp Research Articles

"Molecular Characterization of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Resistance in Pediatric Shigella Isolates in Egypt".

Shigellosis is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among children, especially in developing countries. The increased extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) resistance in Shigella poses a challenge for effective treatment. To examine the antibiotic resistance and ESBL profile of Shigella isolates from children with acute diarrhea. Shigella was isolated from stool cultures from pediatric patients suffering from acute diarrhea. The isolates were identified by bacteriological tests, serotyping, and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The antimicrobial resistance was examined by disc diffusion. Phenotypic tests and PCR examined the ESBLs and CTX-M, SHV, and TEM genes. A total of 100 Shigella (10% prevalence rate) were isolated. The S. sonnei and S. dysenteries were the most prevalent species (33% and 31%, respectively), followed by S. flexneri (27%), and only 9% were S. boydii. The isolates had complete resistance (100%) to ampicillin. There was lower resistance to ciprofloxacin (24%), and no resistance to imipenem. By phenotypic tests, 54% of isolates had ESBL. By PCR, bla-CTX-M gene was the most prevalent (50%), followed by bla-TEM (48.1%). Only one isolate (1.9%) had the bla-SHV gene. The alarmingly high rates of antibiotic resistance and ESBL resistance among Shigella spp highlight the urgent need to restrict the unguided use of these drugs. Continuous monitoring of local and global antibiotic resistance patterns is required to prevent the spread of resistance.

The Current Prevalence of the Food-Borne Shigella Spp in Local Stored Cheese in Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq: The Virulence ipaH and uidA Genes as Targets for a Molecular Study

The current study was carried out to evaluate the current prevalence of the food-borne pathogen; Shigella spp., in local stored cheese in Al-Diwaniyah City, Iraq, by using the virulence ipaH and uidA genes as targets for molecular tools. The study included the bacterial cultivation of 450 local cheese samples (collected during June to September, 2022) utilizing conventional methodology. The recovered Shigella spp. isolates were subjected to a real-time PCR (RT-PCR) that focused on the genes mentioned above. The results of the cultivation revealed the presence of 110 (24.4%) Shigella spp. isolates in the examined cheese samples. The RT-PCR showed that the virulence genes were identified in 84 (76.4%) and 98 (89.1%), respectively, in the bacterial isolates, which indicated the existence of Shigella dysenteriae. The current findings indicate the presence of Shigella spp. in local cheese, which needs urgent control to eliminate the source of infection or contamination.

Development and application of a bacteriophage cocktail for Shigella flexneri biofilm inhibition on the stainless steel surface

Food contamination and biofilm formation by Shigella in food processing facilities are major causes of acute gastrointestinal infection and mortality in humans. Bacteriophages (phages) are promising alternatives to antibiotics in controlling plankton and biofilms in food matrices. This study isolated two novel phages, S2_01 and S2_02, with lytic activity against various Shigella spp. From sewage samples. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that phages S2_01 and S2_02 belonged to the Caudovirales order. On characterizing their lytic ability, phage S2_01 initially exhibited relatively weak antibacterial activity, while phage S2_02 initially displayed rapid antibacterial activity after phage application. A combination of these phages in a 1:9 ratio was selected, as it has been suggested to elicit the most rapid and sustained lysis ability for up to 24 h. It demonstrated lytic activity against various foodborne pathogens, including six Shigella spp. The phage cocktail exhibited biofilm inhibition and disruption abilities of approximately 79.29% and 42.55%, respectively, after 24 h in a 96-well microplate. In addition, inhibition (up to 23.42%) and disruption (up to 19.89%) abilities were also observed on stainless steel surfaces, and plankton growth was also significantly suppressed. Therefore, the phage cocktail formulated in this study displays great potential as a biological control agent in improving food safety against biofilms and plankton.

Safety and Tolerability of ShigActive™, a Shigella spp. Targeting Bacteriophage Preparation, in a Phase 1 Randomized, Double-Blind, Controlled Clinical Trial.

Bacterial diseases of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract continue to be a major worldwide cause of human morbidity and mortality. Among various enteric pathogens, Shigella spp. are some of the most common and deadly bacterial pathogens. They are responsible for ~125 million worldwide cases of shigellosis, and ~14,000 deaths annually, the majority in children under the age of 5 and occurring in developing countries. Preventing and treating shigellosis with conventional drugs (e.g., vaccines and antibiotics) has proven to be very difficult. Here, we assessed the safety and tolerability of ShigActive™, a lytic bacteriophage preparation targeting Shigella spp., in a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind Phase 1 clinical trial. Ten participants randomized 4:1 received ShigActive™ or placebo co-administered with sodium bicarbonate orally three times daily for 7 days. Solicited and unsolicited adverse events (AEs) were observed for 29 days. Fifty percent of the subjects receiving ShigActive™ reported mild GI-related symptoms, while one participant experienced moderate fatigue. No serious or medically attended AEs occurred through day 90. Additionally, no significant differences in GI-associated inflammatory mediators or fecal microbiome changes were observed between placebo- and ShigActive™-treated subjects, or from a participants' baseline value. The results of this first-in-human (FIH) randomized, controlled Phase 1 trial of ShigActive™ demonstrate that it is safe and well tolerated when orally administered with no significant differences compared to placebo controls.

Study of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) in Shigella spp. in India.

Antimicrobial agents are essential in reducing illness and mortality brought on by infectious diseases in both humans and animals. However, the therapeutic effect of antibiotics has diminished due to an increase in antimicrobial drug resistance (AMR). This article provides a retrospective analysis of AMR in Shigella infections in India, showing a rise in resistance that has contributed to a global burden. Shigella spp. are widespread and the second-leading cause of diarrheal death in people of all ages. The frequency and mortality rates of Shigella infections are decreased by antibiotic treatment. However, the growth of broad-spectrum antibiotic resistance is making it more difficult to treat many illnesses. Reduced cell permeability, efflux pumps, and the presence of enzymes that break down antibiotics are the causes of resistance. AMR is a multifaceted and cross-sectoral problem that affects humans, animals, food, and the environment. As a result, there is a growing need for new therapeutic approaches, and ongoing surveillance of Shigella spp. infections which should definitely be improved for disease prevention and management. This review emphasizes on the epidemiological data of India, and antimicrobial resistance in Shigella spp.

Bacteriological Quality of Beef Sold at different Retail Points in Owo Metropolis

The present study aimed to investigate the bacteriological characteristics of fresh beef sold in various retail centers within the Owo communities, located in Ondo State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from six different locations using a systematic random sampling method, with two samples collected from each location—one in the morning (M) and the other in the evening (E). The standard procedure for isolating microorganisms was followed. Morphological and biochemical characterization of isolates are presented in Table 1, while Table 2 displays bacterial counts on the fresh beef samples over a period of ten days. On the first day of analysis, the sample from Ikare Junction exhibited the highest bacterial counts (152 x 105cfu/g for the morning sample and 276 x 105cfu/g for the evening sample), which was statistically significant (p±>0.05). Conversely, the sample from Ehin-ogbe had the lowest bacterial count (36 x 105cfu/g) in the morning, while the sample from Ijebu had 116 x 105cfu/g in the evening. There was a noteworthy (p±>0.05) disparity between morning and evening samples across all locations, with the evening samples consistently showing higher bacterial counts. This discrepancy could be attributed to prolonged exposure to contamination over time. Table 1 also revealed the probable organisms according to the biochemical and morphological characterization of the isolates. The isolates were E. coli, Enterobacter spp., Serratia spp., Citrobacter spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidemidis, Bacillus subtilis, K. preumomiae, Lactobacillus spp., Leuconostoc spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis, Preteus mirabilis, Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp. The presence of these organisms in fresh beef depicts a deplorable state of poor hygienic and sanitary practices employed in the slaughtering and processing of fresh beef. Their presence indicates a public health hazard and gives a warning signal for the possible occurrence of food-borne intoxication. Proper hygiene practices should be observed during handling, marketing, and calls for concerted efforts on the part of relevant authorities to check the trend since it is a public health challenge.

Assessment of bacteriological quality of fruits and vegetables sold in Gombe metropolitan market

Fruits and vegetables are important components of human diet that could be contaminated by different kinds of microorganisms. Microbial contamination may occur during any steps of transportation or processing from farm-to-table due to many environmental, animal, and human sources as well as technological applications. This study aimed at assessing the bacteriological contaminants of fruits and vegetables sold in Gombe metropolitan. A total of 30 fruits and vegetables samples were purchased from different vendors and transported to the Microbiology Laboratory for processing. Ten-fold serial dilution was performed on each sample and aliquots of 10-1-10-3 dilutions were inoculated on Nutrient Agar and MacConkey Agar plates using pour-plate technique. The plates were incubated for 24 hours at 37oC and then observed for aerobic mesophilic and faecal coliform counts. The bacterial loads of the samples ranged from 3.7x104 to 2.7x105 and 2.9x104 to 8.7x104 for total mesophilic and faecal coliform counts, respectively. Subsequently, a total of eight bacteria were isolated and identified as Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Pseudomonas spp., Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Shigella spp. In conclusion, the fruits and vegetables were found to be contaminated with different bacterial species of public health concern.

Bacteriological Quality of Borehole Water in Gusau Metropolis

Study’s Novelty/Excerpt This study is novel as it presents the first extensive bacteriological assessment of borehole water quality in Gusau metropolis, highlighting significant public health concerns. By analyzing multiple contamination indicators including total bacterial load, total coliform, fecal coliform, and Salmonella-Shigella counts, this research provides a detailed and comprehensive evaluation of water safety. Furthermore, the identification of specific bacterial contaminants such as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella spp., combined with the finding that contamination levels exceed WHO standards, underscores the urgent need for water treatment interventions to prevent waterborne diseases. Full Abstract Microbes are ubiquitous and are known to contaminate materials, including food and water. We examined the bacteriological quality of borehole water in Gusau metropolis to determine its potability. Triplicate samples were collected from fifteen (15) different boreholes and analyzed. The total bacterial load, total coliform, fecal coliform, and Salmonella-Shigella count were determined using the membrane filtration technique. The average counts were as follows: total bacteria ranged from 6×10^1 cfu/ml to 39×10^1 cfu/ml, total coliform count from 3×10^1 cfu/ml to 65×10^1 cfu/ml, fecal coliform count from 1×10^0 cfu/ml to 4×10^0 cfu/ml, and Salmonella-Shigella count from 0 cfu/ml to 4×10^0 cfu/ml. The isolated organisms were identified as Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, and Shigella spp. The predominant bacterial isolate was Escherichia coli. Our study indicated that the bacteriological quality exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) allowable limits of 0 cfu/100ml for total bacterial load, total coliform count, fecal coliform count, and Salmonella-Shigella count due to the underground aquifers. Therefore, we recommend that borehole water sources be adequately treated before consumption to reduce the risk of waterborne diseases.

Estimated prevalence and associations of sexually transmissible bacterial enteric pathogens in asymptomatic men who have sex with men: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ObjectiveThe reservoir of sexually transmissible bacterial enteric pathogens in asymptomatic men who have sex with men (MSM) may impact future outbreaks, and the evolution of antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to...

Isolation and Identification of Bacteria from Electronic devices used by Students and Staffs in Ines Ruhengeri

Background: Electronic devices have become one of the most essential accessories being used in daily lives including schools. Those devices increase the communication and using them makes learning much easier. Microbial contamination of electronic devices and inanimate surface of electronic equipment at INES-Ruhengeri can have a significant role for transmission of pathogenic bacteria. Aim: The aim of this study was to isolate and identify bacteria from electronic devices used by students and staffs at INES-Ruhengeri University. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was done on 40 electronic devices such as computers, microscopes, global positioning system (GPS) and total stations A random sampling method was applied from sterile swab soaked in peptone water solution by the technique of bearing on the surface of the entire devices and then placed in a transport medium. Collected samples were then taken in INES-Ruhengeri Microbiology laboratory for further experiments. Results: All 40 electronic devices were contaminated with bacteria. The most predominant bacteria isolated from electronic devices was S.aureus (25.9%) followed by Bacillus spp(24.1%), K.pneumonia(12.9%), S.epidermis(12.9%), Micrococcus spp(7.4%), P.aeruginosa(5.5%), E.coli(3.3%), Salmonella spp(3.3%) and Shigella spp(3.3%). Antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of selected antibiotics was performed. Norfloxin was the most sensitive antibiotic on all isolated bacteria. Chloramphenicol antibiotic shown no activity over any of the isolated bacteria, to imply that all bacteria had resistance on it. Conclusion: This study shown that there is bacterial contamination to all devices and antibiotic susceptibility test shown that some antibiotics were sensitive and resistant to the isolated bacteria.

Streptomyces isolate SOM013, a potential agent against microbial resistance and gastric ulcers

The menace of microbial resistance and re-emerging disease is still a problem for healthcare givers globally, and the need for newer sources of potent antibiotics has become paramount. This study investigated the antimicrobial and antiulcer activities of Streptomyces isolate SOM013. Streptomyces isolates were cultivated and purified following standard microbiological protocols. Secondary metabolites were recovered and characterized from Streptomyces isolate SOM013 via broth fermentation and extraction. Varying concentrations (0.5 mg/mL, 0.025 mg/mL and 0.0125 mg/mL) of the SOM013 extract were used for antimicrobial screening against resistant bacteria and medically important fungi (methicillin-resistant Escherichia coli, Oxacillin resistant Helicobacter pylori, Shigella spp, extended broad-spectrum resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus spp, Campylobacter spp, Candida albicans, Aspergillus niger, and Aspergillus flavus). The antiulcer activity of the SOM013 was also examined in a methanol-induced gastric ulcer animal model. A total of 23 Streptomyces spp were recovered from the study. Methanolic extract of the SOM013 isolates was more potent across the clinical test microorganisms compared to water extract. The antimicrobial activity was dose dependent, with methanolic extract at 0.05 g/mL displaying the highest zone of inhibition (18.8 ± 0.3 mm) when tested against extended broad-spectrum resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Further, the extract's ulcer index and protection efficacy were significant as the concentration increased (P < 0.01). SOM013 isolate has a moderate antimicrobial and high antiulcer activity worthy of pharmacological exploration.

Investigation of the vaccine potential of an in silico designed FepA peptide vaccine against Shigella flexneri in mice model

BackgroundShigellosis is one of the significant causes of diarrhea in Bangladesh. It is a global health problem; approximately 1.3 million people die yearly from Shigellosis. The current treatment method, using different antibiotics against Shigellosis is ineffective. Moreover, it becomes a worrying situation due to the emergence of antibiotic-resistant pathogenic microbes responsible for these diarrheal diseases. MethodologyPrevious immunoinformatics study predicted a potential peptide from the Ferric enterobactin protein (FepA) of Shigella spp. In this study, we have chemically synthesized the FepA peptide. As a highly immunogenic, FepA peptide conjugated with KLH has been tested in mice model with complete and incomplete adjuvants as a vaccine candidate. ResultsImmunological analysis showed that all vaccinated mice were immunologically boosted, which was statistically significant (P-value 0.0325) compared to control mice. Immunological analysis for bacterial neutralization test result was also statistically significant (P-value 0.0468), where each ELISA plate was coated with 1 × 107S. flexneri cells. The Challenge test with 1 × 1012S. flexneri cells to each vaccinated and controlled mice showed that 37.5 % of control (non-vaccinated) mice died within seven days after the challenge was given while 100 % of vaccinated mice remained strong and stout. The analyses of the post-challenge weight loss of the mice were also significant (P-value 0.0367) as the weight loss percentage in control mice was much higher than in the vaccinated mice. The pathological and phenotypic appearances of vaccinated mice were also clearly differentiable compared with control mice. Thus all these immunological analysis and pathological appearances directly supported our FepA peptide as a potential immune booster. ConclusionThis study provides evidence that the FepA peptide is a highly immunogenic vaccine candidate against S. flexneri. Therefore, these findings inspire future trials for the evaluation of the suitability of this vaccine candidate against Shigellosis.

Molecular Characterization and Evaluation of Antibiotic Resistance Gene of Bacteria Associated with Gills of Arius heudelotii and Clarias gariepinus

This study was aimed at the isolation and molecular characterization of bacteria associated with catfish from culture and wild environments. Samples of gills of Arius heudelotii and Claris gariepinus fishes of economic value from the New Calabar River Choba and earthen ponds from Aluu in Rivers State were collected and analysed. Characterization of isolates from the gills of the catfish was done using the 16S rRNA gene sequencing method to identify their relationship. The presence of a resistance gene was examined by polymerase chain reaction followed by agarose gel electrophoresis of the amplification products. The mean total heterotrophic bacterial counts was 6.5995±0.947 LogCFU/g for the gills’ samples obtained from the earthen pond Aluu. New Calabar River had 4.5041±1.054 LogCFU/g for the gills’ samples. A total of 12 bacterial flora were isolated from the gills of the sampled catfish: Escherichia coli, Klebsiella spp., Enterobacter spp., Citrobacter spp., Bacillus subtilis, Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus spp., Shigella spp. Staphylococcus spp., Micrococcus spp., Vibrio spp. and Acinetobacter spp. Vibrio azureus, Aeromonas dhakensis, Proteus vulgaris, Aeromonas hydrophila. Vibrio azureus and Providencia alcalifaciens were found to be carriers of the TEM gene, while Providencia alcalifaciens carried the CTX-M gene. SHV gene was found in Vibrio azureus, Providencia alcalifacians, Proteus vulgaris, Aeromonas hydrophila, Providencia alcalifacians. However, the Oxa gene was not identified in the bacterial genera. The high probability of transferring them to other microbes to cause antibiotic pollution has become a serious public health challenge. Microbial loads with high or low presence of some potential pathogens call for public concern.

Field evaluation of a simple and rapid diagnostic test, RLDT to detect Shigella and enterotoxigenic E. coli in Indian children

The diagnostic assays currently used to detect Shigella spp. (Shigella) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) are complex or elaborate which make them difficult to apply in resource poor settings where these diseases are endemic. The simple and rapid nucleic acid amplification-based assay "Rapid LAMP-based Diagnostic Test (RLDT)" was evaluated to detect Shigella spp (Shigella) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and determine the epidemiology of these pathogens in Kolkata, India. Stool samples (n = 405) from children under five years old with diarrhea seeking care at the hospitals were tested, and 85(21%) and 68(17%) by RLDT, 91(23%) and 58(14%) by quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 35(9%) and 15(4%) by culture, were positive for Shigella and ETEC, respectively. The RLDT showed almost perfect agreement with qPCR, Kappa 0.96 and 0.89; sensitivity 93% and 98%; specificity 100% and 97% for Shigella and ETEC, respectively. While RLDT detected additional 12% Shigella and 13% ETEC than culture, all culture positives for Shigella and ETEC except one each were also positive by the RLDT, sensitivity 97% and 93% respectively. RLDT is a simple, sensitive, and rapid assay that could be implemented with minimum training in the endemic regions to strengthen the disease surveillance system and rapid outbreak detection.

Physicochemical and Bacteriological Analyses of Eniong River Water and Sediment in Southern Nigeria

The diversity of bacteria in freshwater is influenced by some important physicochemical factors and autotrophic nutrients. Their diversity can be employed as a sensitive pollution indicator in the environment and change because bacteria respond quickly to changes in the ecosystem. Analysis of physicochemical and bacteriological quality of humic freshwater and sediment was carried out on samples from three (3) geo-referenced sections of Eniong River, AkwaIbom State designated ST3 (Upstream), ST2 (Midstream) and ST1 (Downstream) using standard analytical methods. The results obtained were compared with World Health Organization (WHO) and Federal Ministry of Environment (FMENV) standards. The study revealed that thesamples had a mean heterotrophic bacterial count of 5.95±0.41 log10 CFU/g and heavy pollution with faecal bacteria such as (4.31±2.51 log10CFU/g TCC and 5.19 ±0.33 log10CFU/g FCC), including mean counts of Staphylococcus spp (5.90±1.16log10CFU/g), Vibrio spp (.21±1.04 log10CFU/g), Salmonella-Shigella (3.15±0.33 log10CFU/g), and Actinomycetes (3.29±2.49 log10CFU/g) that considerably exceeded the recommended range of WHO/FMENV for portability. The most abundance bacteria in were Bacillus subtilis, S. aureus and Shigella spp (55.6%) followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella, Nocardia sp, Proteus sp., Staphylococcu sspp, Burkholderia pseudomallei and Enterococcus faecalis with a prevalence rate of 44.4%. The results showed the mean DO (7.67±0.037 mg/ml)), EC (85.07±0.52 μS/cm) and temperature (27.480C±0.049) of Eniong river water were within acceptable standard values while TSS (12.5 mg/ml) and TDS (19.0±1.30 mg/ml) values were not. Also, Pb, Cd, Vn, Ni and Cu recorded higher values while the concentrations of Fe2+, K+, Na+, Ca2+ and Mg2+ were remarkably low in both water and sediment. The mean pH of the river and sediment were 6.48±0.018 and 6.42±0.019, respectively. Similarly, among the anionic surfactant, the mean values for nitrate, carbonate and sulphate were higher in sediment than in water, while carbonate was not detected in water. The findings imply that the quality of Eniong River water and sediment is heavily compromised. Therefore, the creation of awareness on the importance of water safety and hygiene, regular monitoring of drinking water quality and enforcement of compliance with the standards by regulatory agencies are recommended to eschew possible health hazards.

Shigella Detection and Molecular Serotyping With a Customized TaqMan Array Card in the Enterics for Global Health (EFGH): Shigella Surveillance Study.

Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) targeting ipaH has been proven to be highly efficient in detecting Shigella in clinical samples compared to culture-based methods, which underestimate Shigella burden by 2- to 3-fold. qPCR assays have also been developed for Shigella speciation and serotyping, which is critical for both vaccine development and evaluation. The Enterics for Global Health (EFGH) Shigella surveillance study will utilize a customized real-time PCR-based TaqMan Array Card (TAC) interrogating 82 targets, for the detection and differentiation of Shigella spp, Shigella sonnei, Shigella flexneri serotypes, other diarrhea-associated enteropathogens, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Total nucleic acid will be extracted from rectal swabs or stool samples, and assayed on TAC. Quantitative analysis will be performed to determine the likely attribution of Shigella and other particular etiologies of diarrhea using the quantification cycle cutoffs derived from previous studies. The qPCR results will be compared to conventional culture, serotyping, and phenotypic susceptibility approaches in EFGH. TAC enables simultaneous detection of diarrheal etiologies, the principal pathogen subtypes, and AMR genes. The high sensitivity of the assay enables more accurate estimation of Shigella-attributed disease burden, which is critical to informing policy and in the design of future clinical trials.

Genome-Wide Investigation Reveals Potential Therapeutic Targets in Shigella spp.

Shigella stands as a major contributor to bacterial dysentery worldwide scale, particularly in developing countries with inadequate sanitation and hygiene. The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains exacerbates the challenge of treating Shigella infections, particularly in regions where access to healthcare and alternative antibiotics is limited. Therefore, investigations on how bacteria evade antibiotics and eventually develop resistance could open new avenues for research to develop novel therapeutics. The aim of this study was to analyze whole genome sequence (WGS) of human pathogenic Shigella spp. to elucidate the antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and their mechanism of resistance, gene-drug interactions, protein-protein interactions, and functional pathways to screen potential therapeutic candidate(s). We comprehensively analyzed 45 WGS of Shigella, including S. flexneri (n = 17), S. dysenteriae (n = 14), S. boydii (n = 11), and S. sonnei (n = 13), through different bioinformatics tools. Evolutionary phylogenetic analysis showed three distinct clades among the circulating strains of Shigella worldwide, with less genomic diversity. In this study, 2,146 ARGs were predicted in 45 genomes (average 47.69 ARGs/genome), of which only 91 ARGs were found to be shared across the genomes. Majority of these ARGs conferred their resistance through antibiotic efflux pump (51.0%) followed by antibiotic target alteration (23%) and antibiotic target replacement (18%). We identified 13 hub proteins, of which four proteins (e.g., tolC, acrR, mdtA, and gyrA) were detected as potential hub proteins to be associated with antibiotic efflux pump and target alteration mechanisms. These hub proteins were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in biological process, molecular function, and cellular components. Therefore, the finding of this study suggests that human pathogenic Shigella strains harbored a wide range of ARGs that confer resistance through antibiotic efflux pumps and antibiotic target modification mechanisms, which must be taken into account to devise and formulate treatment strategy against this pathogen. Moreover, the identified hub proteins could be exploited to design and develop novel therapeutics against MDR pathogens like Shigella.

Factors associated with Entamoeba histolytica proctocolitis in men who have sex with men: a systematic review

ObjectiveEntamoeba histolytica is parasitic infection that can cause a proctocolitis (amoebiasis) and extraintestinal sequelae (eg, liver abscess) and can be sexually transmitted in men who have sex with men (MSM)....

Antimicrobial Activity of Jatropha Curcas Sap on Selected Microorganisms

Jatropha curcas sap is used for medicinal purposes.It has played a major role in the treatment of various diseases including bacterial and fungal infections.This study evaluated the antimicrobial activity of Jatropha curcas sap against selected microorganisms (Shigella spp, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella spp,Candida albicans and Trichophyton spp) using standard procedures.The qualitative phytochemical screening of the sap reveals the presence of saponins, alkaloids, flavonoids,tannins, carbohydrate, glycosides while Steroids was absent. It was observed that the test organisms were more susceptible at high concentration which is 100. The highest zone of inhibition for bacteria was observed on Staphylococcus aureus and the lowest zone of inhibition was on Salmonella sp. For fungi the highest zone of inhibition was on Candida albicans and the lowest zone of inhibition was on Trichophyton sp. There was no zone of inhibition for water which serves as negative control. But there was zone of inhibition for the positive controls which were Ciprofloxacin and Ketoconazole. Jatropha curcas sap is a potential antimicrobial substance, active against Gram negative and Gram-positive bacteria and some fungi. It is therefore a potential antimicrobial agent.

Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility test and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella in ready-to-eat fruit juices and salads in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia

BackgroundFood borne diseases is a challenging problem nowadays. Salmonella and Shigella species are great concern of food-born outbreaks. Thus, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility test and associated factors of Salmonella and Shigella species in fruit juices and salads.MethodsA community based cross sectional study design was carried out on 50 juice houses from December to March 2020 in Mekelle. One hundred fifty samples were collected aseptically from the juice houses for laboratory analysis. Information related to risk factors was obtained using a structured questionnaire. In the laboratory, samples were homogenized using peptone water and incubated overnight for enrichment. Then, Salmonella and Shigella species were isolated on Salmonella-Shigella agar and Xylose Lysine Deoxycholate agar. Disc diffusion method was used to perform antimicrobial susceptibility test. Using SPSS (version 22) package, descriptive statistics and Chi square test (χ2) were used to analyze the data, and p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant.ResultThe overall prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella species was 41/150 (27.33%; 95% CI: 20.20 – 34.46) with 33 (22%) Salmonella spp. and 8(5.33%) Shigella spp. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests of both Salmonella and Shigella spp.showed high resistance against ampicillin (100%), tetracycline (63.6 and 62.5%, respectively) and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (100%). Accessibility of fruits to flies and dust had statistical association (p = 0.021) with occurrence of Salmonell a and/or Shigella spp.ConclusionThe overall prevalence of Salmonella and Shigella spp. was found to be significant. The resistant rate of isolates against ampicillin, tetracycline and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was high. Storage sites for fruits should be inaccessible to flies and dust. Therefore, routine monitoring of juice houses should be promoted and regular evaluation of bacterial resistance pattern should be done for selective antimicrobial therapy. Furthermore, consistent training of juice makers on food safety and hygiene should be implemented by the concerned body.