Determination Of Virulence Factors Research Articles

In vitro determination of antifungal susceptibility and virulence factors in Candida species causing candidemia in North India Region

Candidiasis is the most incessant fungal disease affecting human population worldwide. In this research work, we explored the characteristics contributing to pathogenicity of Candida infections, from serious bloodstream conditions like candidemia. Candida spp. were isolated from the blood of 120 suspected patients and assessed their susceptibility to antifungal treatments via MIC measurements. Enzyme activities (phospholipase, proteinase, hemolysin, and esterase) were examined alongside biofilm formation, with surface analysis conducted via SEM. Statistical analysis, facilitated by GraphPad Prism 8.4.2, identified correlations among data points. Results reveal that non-albicans spp. like Candida auris heightened resistance to antifungal treatments compared to Candida albicans. Candida tropicalis exhibited no phospholipase activity but shows activity to proteinase and esterase. Conversely, C. albicans show a case of elevated hemolysin activity. Non-albicans Candida i.e. C. tropicalis and Candida krusei were isolated as high biofilm formers in comparison to C. albicans. Statistical analysis yielded a highly significant p-value (< 0.001), affirming the robustness of our results. In conclusion, non-albicans species exhibit a broader spectrum of resistance mechanisms compared to C. albicans in pathogenicity. This investigation sheds light on diverse virulence strategies employed by different Candida species, informing future treatment approaches.

Occurrence, molecular characterization, and antimicrobial susceptibility of sorbitol non-fermenting Escherichia coli in lake water, fish and humans in central Oromia, Ethiopia

Contaminated lake water and fish can be sources of bacterial pathogens of public health concern, including pathogenic E. coli. Within Ethiopia, specifically, Central Oromia, raw fish consumption is a common practice. Although there are few reports on occurrence of E. coli O157 in fish destined for human consumption and children under five years, information on the transmission pathways of E. coli O157 and other sorbitol non-fermenting (SN-F) E. coli from water-to-fish-to-human, and their virulence factors and antimicrobial resistant determinants along the fish supply chain is lacking. The study aimed to investigate the occurrence, molecular characteristics, and antimicrobial susceptibility of E. coli O157 and other SN-F E. coli strains in fish, lake water and humans in central Oromia, Ethiopia. A total of 750 samples (450 fish samples, 150 water samples, 150 human stool samples) were collected from five lakes and three health facilities. The samples were processed following the standard protocol recommended by European Food Safety Authority and Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method for detection of the bacteria, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests, respectively. Molecular characterization of presumptive isolates was performed using Whole-Genome Sequencing (WGS) for serotyping, determination of virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance traits, and genetic linkage of the isolates. Overall, 3.9% (29/750) of the samples had SN-F E. coli; of which 6.7% (n = 10), 1.8% (n = 8) and 7.3% (n = 11) were retrieved from water, fish, and diarrheic human patients, respectively. The WGS confirmed that all the isolates were SN-F non-O157: H7 E. coli strains. We reported two new E. coli strains with unknown O-antigen from fish and human samples. All the strains have multiple virulence factors and one or more genes encoding for them. Genetic relatedness was observed among strains from the same sources (water, fish, and humans). Most isolates were resistant to ampicillin (100%), tetracycline (100%), cefotaxime (100%), ceftazidime (100%), meropenem (100%), nalidixic acid (93.1%) and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (79.3%). Majority of the strains were resistant to chloramphenicol (58.6%) and ciprofloxacin (48.3%), while small fraction showed resistance to azithromycin (3.45%). Isolates had an overall MDR profile of 87.5%. Majority, (62.1%; n = 18) of the strains had acquired MDR traits. Genes encoding for mutational resistance and Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) were also detected. In conclusion, our study revealed the occurrence of virulent and MDR SN-F E. coli strains in water, fish, and humans. Although no genetic relatedness was observed among strains from various sources, the genomic clustering among strains from the same sources strongly suggests the potential risk of transmission along the supply chain at the human–fish-environment interface if strict hygienic fish production is not in place. Further robust genetic study of the new strains with unknown O-antigens, and the epidemiology of SN-F E. coli is required to elucidate the molecular profile and public health implications of the pathogens.

Molecular determination of virulence factors of Mycoplasma cynos isolated from household dogs

Mycoplasma cynos is a member of the class Mollicutes. It is more pathogenic, more host specific than other canine Mycoplasma, and only associated with respiratory diseases in dogs due to producing many virulence factors, recently neuraminidase and hemagglutinin. The study was done to detect the neuraminidase and hemagglutinin of Mycoplasma cynos isolated from the upper respiratory tract and conjunctival infections in household dogs. Mycoplasma isolates obtained from nasal, oropharyngeal, and conjunctival swabs from household dogs suffering from respiratory diseases in different veterinary clinics in Mosul city. DNA extraction was prepared , PCR and sequencing of 16S rRNA, then Mycoplasma cynos was examined for neuraminidase and hemagglutinin using specific primers.The results showed the identification of Mycoplasma cynos strain "SM-MY-M23" under accession number“OQ446513” in percentage (67.6%), and detection of neuraminidase only. Results obtained are considered the first record of M. cynos and the important virulence factor (Neuraminidase) from household dogs in Iraq.

Determination of Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Resistance Profile of E. coli O157:H7 in some Marine and Freshwater Fish from Samsun, Türkiye

In this study, Escherichia coli O157:H7 contamination was investigated in Engraulis encrasicolus, Merlangius euxmus, Trachurus mediterraneus, Mullus barbutus, Tinca tinca, Cyprinus carpio and Oncorchynhus mykiss (total of 300 samples). The presence of certain virulence genes such as shiga toxin 1 (stx1), shiga toxin 2 (stx2), intimin (eaeA), and hemolysin (hlyA) was determined. The E-test method was employed to determine the antibiotic resistance profile and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of the isolates. Out of a total 141 freshwater fish samples, E. coli O157:H7 was detected in 5 of them (3.5%). In 159 marine fish, 2 of them (1.25%) were E. coli O157 positive. In terms of virulence characteristics, the E. coli O157:H7 isolate obtained from the Oncorhynchus mykiss sample had the stx1, eaeA, and hlyA genes. Both eaeA and hlyA genes were determined as positive in the E. coli O157 isolate identified from the Merlangius euxmus sample. Resistance to tetracycline, cefotaxime, cefepime, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ertapenem and cefoxitin was demonstrated in both samples. In this study, the presence of E. coli O157 in fish, detection of virulence genes and antibiotic resistance profile indicate the potential risk of infection from contaminated seafood.

Determination of Glycopeptide Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolates and the Relationship Between Glycopeptide Resistance Genes and Endogenous/Exogenous Flora

Determination of Glycopeptide Resistance Genes and Virulence Factors in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolates and the Relationship Between Glycopeptide Resistance Genes and Endogenous/Exogenous Flora

Evaluation of Virulence Factors of Yeasts Isolated from Cancer Patients and their Surrounding Environment

Objective: This study included the determination of virulence factors for yeasts isolated from cancer patients and their surrounding environment through the study of extracellular hydrolytic enzymes and biofilms.Methods: Using particular media for enzymes, there were three enzymes used, phospholipase, proteinase, and hemolysin, to examine the enzyme activity of yeasts isolated during the study. The microtiter plate method was also used for the purpose ofbiofilm detection.Results: The results showed the activity of yeasts towards enzymes as well as biofilm. The largest percentage of yeasts showed proteinase and hemolysin activity. It reached 80 (78.43%) and 79 (77.45%), respectively, while phospholipase was the lowest percentage 49(48.03%). Also, the isolates showed their effectiveness in biofilm formation, as 73 (71.56%) isolates produced biofilm while 29 (28.43%) did not.Conclusions: The present work concluded that the yeast isolates collected from cancer patients and the environment surrounding them, the great majority of them possess enzymatic activity also have the ability to form biofilms, and this matter is worrying and dangerous for theme because of their presence in the environments of immunocompromised patients and their chance of infection with these yeasts were exactly existent.

Evaluation ofStreptococcus species isolated from subclinical sheep mastitis bymolecular methods and determination ofvirulence factors and antimicrobial resistance genes.

Streptococcus (S.) species are important pathogens that cause mastitis insheep. The study aimed toexamine Streptococcus species insheep milk with subclinical mastitis, assessing their prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence genes. Atotal of200milk samples were collected from sheep farms inİzmir's five districts. Out of32 (28.6%) Streptococcus isolates identified byphenotypic methods, 25 were genotypically identified asS.uberis, 5asS.agalactiae, and 2 asS.dysgalactiae. Disk diffusion was used todetermine the antimicrobial resistance oftheisolates. PCR was employed toidentify antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes inthe isolates. Thehighest resistance was found for cloxacillin (100%), and the highest sensitivity was found for florfenicol (84%). Themost common resistance gene combination was tetM+tetS (3/32) for S.uberis in9.4%. Atotal offive virulence genes were detected. GapC+sua (56.2%) constituted the most common gene pattern. The highest virulence gene gapC was detected in78.1% (25/32) ofthe isolates. The cylE gene was not detected (0%) inthe isolates. Streptococcus species may play arole inmastitis insheep, emphasising the need for meticulous hygienic milking practices.

Retrospective Analysis of Official Data on Anthrax in Europe with a Special Reference to Ukraine.

Anthrax is an acute infectious zoonotic disease caused by Bacillus anthracis that mostly affects grazing livestock and wildlife. Furthermore, B. anthracis is considered one of the most important biological agents of bioterrorism that could also be potentially misused in biological weapons. The distribution of anthrax in domestic animals and wildlife in Europe with a particular focus on Ukraine as a country of war was analyzed. Between 2005 and 2022, 267 anthrax cases were registered at the World Organization of Animal Health (WOAH) in animals in Europe, including 251 cases in domestic animals and 16 in wildlife. The highest numbers of cases were recorded in 2005 and 2016 followed by 2008, and the highest numbers of registered cases were reported from Albania, Russia, and Italy. In Ukraine, anthrax is currently a sporadic infection. Since 2007, 28 notifications were registered, with isolates mainly from soil samples. The highest number of confirmed anthrax cases was registered in 2018, and Odesa, which is close to Moldova, had the highest number of cases, followed by the Cherkasy region. The presence of thousands of biothermal pits and burial grounds of fallen cattle nationwide favors the re-emergence of new foci. Most confirmed cases were in cattle; however, single cases were confirmed in dogs, horses, and pigs. Further investigation of the disease in wildlife and in environmental samples is needed. The genetic analysis of isolates, investigation of susceptibility to antimicrobial compounds, and determination of virulence and pathogenicity factors are required in this volatile region of the world for awareness raising and preparedness.

Bacteriological and Genetic study of some species of Bacteria that isolated from patients and healthy of Diabetes

The study was conducted in the Laboratories of Teaching Tikrit Hospital and the laboratories of the Biology Department - College of Science –Tikrit University from January 2010 to the January 2011. In this study five hundreds thirty four samples of urine and wounds from patients with diabetes and healthy were collected from both sexes and all ages to isolation and identification of pathogenic bacteria by morphological, cultural and biochemical characteristics then determination of virulence factors and genetic variation between dominant type depending on the isolating source and the type of infection in diabetic patients. The counts of urinary tract infections and wound infection in non _diabetic patients were 118 and 52 respectively.The percentage of positive isolation of bacteria for both of them were 44, and 38.4% respectively and from the same patients with urinary tract Infections and wounds and Insulin Depended Diabetes (IDD) patients were 158 and 68 samples respectively and the percentage of bacterial isolation were at 78.5 and 67.6% respectively. The patients with Insulin Non-dependent Diabetes (INDD) were 69 and 42 samples, where positive isolates from bacteria were 75 and 71.4% respectively. The infections females from the Healthy and Diabetes Patients that (IDD) or (INDD) were larger than that of the males patients and with the same state with the wounds infections state for (IDD) patients, whereas the rate was smaller than of males for wounds infections to patients with the other diabetes infections type. The age group between 41-60 years was the larger percentage with all infections, except with wounds infections to (INDD) patients, while the age group between 16-40 years was the larger, and the infections were the largest means in the Winter and Autumn compare the other seasons. The higher rate of bacteria that isolated from patients with Urinary Tract Infections was Escherichia coli then other types like Citrobacter diversus , Proteus mirabilis, Morganella morganii, and Enterobacter aerogenes. The larger rate of bacteria in patients with diabetes and wounds Infections was Escherichia coli then Citrobacter diversus, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter aerogenes, Morganella morganii and Staphylococcus aureus. The rate of diabetes infections with urinary tract infections and wounds increased in winter and autumn seasons more than of summer and spring seasons, Most bacterial isolates where sensitive for chloramphenicol. Other antibiotics were highly variable in their ability to inhibit bacterial isolates. the bacterial isolates were different in their ability to produce virulence factors, the diabetes infections was the reason of increase the variation in their ability to produce that virulence factor and the bacteria that isolated from diabetes patients produced haemolysine factor and capsule .PCR technique was used to show the genetic variations for the more repeats bacterial isolates isolated from all sources infections and used the Specific Primers (KPSMT II) group II capsule, (CNF1) Cytotoxic Necrotizing factor, (CNFs) and (HLY A) haemolysine, the bands appeared after electrophoresis to represent the used Primers, one band was appeared in the sample of diabetes Patients with Urinary Tract Infections (KPSMT II) at molecular weight 270 bp ,and one band appeared in the sample of diabetes with urinary tract infections for Primer (HLY A) and it is molecular weight was 177 bp. One band appeared in the sample of diabetes patients for the primer (CNF1) hg with Wound Infections and it is molecular weight 450bp, and there is not any band in the Primer (CNFs).

Determination of Virulence Factors and Resistance Profile of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains among Different Types of spa, agr, and SCCmec.

In order to restrict the spread of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in hospitals, it is necessary to characterize isolates rapidly and precisely. The objective of this study was to determine virulence factors and resistance profiles of MRSA strains among spa, agr, and SCCmec types. In total, 55 MRSA isolates were collected from clinical specimens. The MRSA isolates were characterized by antimicrobial susceptibility testing, virulence genes, agr typing, spa typing, and SCCmec typing. According to our findings, all MRSA strains were resistant to cefoxitin; 88% and 86.7% of which were resistant to erythromycin and clindamycin, respectively. Type II agr was predominant with 54.54% frequency. Among 27 different spa types, type t030 was most frequently (25.45%). Most MRSA isolates (63.3%) were SCCmec type III. The pvl and tst genes were found in 25.3% and 32.7% of MRSA isolates, respectively. Among the MRSA strains, ermA, ermB, and ermC were present in 50%, 33.3%, and 57.3% of cases, respectively. In addition, 43 of the 55 MRSA strains (78%) harbored aminoglycoside resistance genes. The results of our study revealed that the MRSA rate in our region is dramatically high. Better infection control guidelines in hospitals, as well as ongoing epidemiological surveillance studies, could be strongly suggested for effective prevention of the spread of MRSA to inpatients.

Determination of Virulence Factors in Candida albicans isolated from Cattle with Mastitis

In recent years, the importance of yeast in the etiology of bovine mastitis is increasing. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Candida albicans in milk samples collected from cows with mastitis, to identify the phenotypic and genotypic methods and to determine the virulence factors. According to the results of the surveys, 686 milk samples were collected from 178 animals with mastitis problems from 20 dairy cattle farms. Forty nine yeast isolates were obtained from these samples. Five isolates were identified as C. albicans with phenotypic tests (germ tube test, chlamydospor formation, chromogenic medium and reproduction at 45°C). Five isolates that were found to be phenotypically C. albicans were confirmed by PCR using specific primers for the C. albicans CALB1 gene. It was determined that 2 (%40) of the C. albicans isolates had ALS1 and PLB1, 1 (%20) had ALS1 and 1 (%20) had PLB1 genes and no gene were not found in 1 (%20) isolate. When the biofilm formation properties of C. albicans isolates were examined by tube adherence method, it was determined that 3 (%60) isolates were strong, 1 (%20) isolate was weak positive and 1 (%20) isolate was negative. In conclusion, in the C. albicans isolates which were isolated from cows with mastitis had ALS1 and PLB1 genes and biofilm formation.

Determination of Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Resistances of Enterococcus spp. Identified from Different Stages of Ripened (Classical) White Cheese Production

The objective of this research was to determine the presence of virulence genes (asa1, gelE, cylA, ace, esp, hyl and efaA), and vancomycin resistance genes (vanA, vanB, vanC2/C3) and the resistance to some antibiotics of Enterococcus spp. isolates previously identified from different stages of ripened white cheese production. In addition, gelatinase, β-hemolytic and DNase activity, and biofilm formations were examined phenotypically. In this study, efaA in 95.9%, asa1 in 89%, ace in 68.5%, esp in 52.1%, gelE in 78.1%, cylA in 16.4% and hyl in 23.3% of isolates were detected. Also, vanA in 31.5%, vanB in 8.2%, and in vanC2/C3 23.3% resistance genes were determined. β-hemolytic and DNase activity were detected in 23.2% and 16.4% of the isolates, while gelatinase activity and biofilm formation could not be detected phenotypically. Moreover, streptomycin and erythromycin resistances were found in 73.9% and in %43.8 of isolates. As a result, it was concluded that Enterococcus spp. may pose a risk for public health and food safety in terms of their virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. For this reason, it was suggested that the strains to be selected as starter cultures should be used after evaluating their virulence factors and resistance to antibiotics.

Pan and Core Genome Analysis of 183 Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains Revealed a High Inter-Species Diversity among the Human Adapted Strains.

Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne communicable disease with high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in developing countries. The causal agents of TB belong to the complex Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTBc), which is composed of different human and animal TB associated species. Some animal associated species have zoonotic potential and add to the burden of TB management. The BCG (“Bacillus Calmette-Guérin”) vaccine is widely used for the prevention against TB, but its use is limited in immunocompromised patients and animals due to the adverse effects and disseminated life-threatening complications. In this study, we aimed to carry out a comparative genome analysis between the human adapted species including BCG vaccine strains to identify and pinpoint the conserved genes related to the virulence across all the species, which could add a new value for vaccine development. For this purpose, the sequences of 183 Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) strains were retrieved from the freely available WGS dataset at NCBI. The species included: 168 sensu stricto MTB species with other human MTB complex associated strains: M. tuberculosis var. africanum (3), M. tuberculosis var. bovis (2 draft genomes) and 10 BCG species, which enabled the analysis of core genome which contains the conserved genes and some virulence factor determinants. Further, a phylogenetic tree was constructed including the genomes of human (183); animals MTB adapted strains (6) and the environmental Mycobacterium strain “M. canettii”. Our results showed that the core genome consists of 1166 conserved genes among these species, which represents a small portion of the pangenome (7036 genes). The remaining genes in the pangenome (5870) are accessory genes, adding a high inter-species diversity. Further, the core genome includes several virulence-associated genes and this could explain the rare infectiousness potential of some attenuated vaccine strains in some patients. This study reveals that low number of conserved genes in human adapted MTBc species and high inter-species diversity of the pan-genome could be considered for vaccine candidate development.

Resistance rate and novel virulence factor determinants of Arcobacter spp., from cattle fresh meat products from Iraq

Arcobacter spp colonize in human and animals intestine and cause food-associated infections. Hence, characterization of their virulence potential and health impacts is required. Our subject was isolation and characterization of Arcobacter spp, from meat marketplaces. A total of 1297 fresh raw cattle meat samples were purchased randomly from various marketplaces in Baghdad, Iraq. One-hundred and twenty isolates were identified, including Arcobacter butzleri (A. butzleri n = 100) and Arcobacter cryaerophilus (A. cryaerophilus n = 20). Susceptibility to antimicrobials was examined using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method. Molecular investigation of antibiotic resistance and virulence factors was also conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Most of A. butzleri were resistant to tetracycline (72%), amoxicillin (69%), erythromycin (67%) and cefoxitin (66%), while 33% and 6% of them were resistant to ceftazidime and carbapenems, respectively. All were susceptible to gentamicin, colistin and fosfomycin. Fifty-five and nine isolates of A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus were respectively multidrug-resistant (MDR). The existence of tetA, tetB, dfrA, sul1, blaCTX-M1 and blaIMP included 61%, 58%, 57%, 34%, 46% and 3%, respectively. The virulence genes cadF, irgA, tylA, cdtC and cdtA genes were detected in all the A. butzleri and A. cryaerophilus isolates. While, ciaB mviN and pldA genes were respectively detected in 91%, 88% and 84% of A. butzleri and 97%, 93% and 87% of A. cryaerophilus isolates. There was a significant relation between MDR and existence of virulence genes. Existence of pathogenic and drug-resistant- Arcobacter spp in raw meat is a threat for human health, necessitating confirmation of quality and safety of meat products.

Determination of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of E. coli isolated from calf diarrhea, part of eastern Turkey

Microorganisms have a primary role in the formation of calf diarrhea. Escherichia coli pose an environmental risk to young animals caused by fecal excretion. In this study, rectal swab samples (n= 133) were collected from calves with diarrhea aged from 1 day to 3 months, between August 2017 and August 2018. The samples were cultured on MacConkey agar, and then antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence genes for Escherichia coli isolates (n= 133) were investigated by disk diffusion method according to clinical and laboratory standards institute standards and multiplex polymerase chain reaction, respectively. The isolates were found to be highly resistant to oxytetracycline (78.9%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (69.2%), neomycin (60.9%), and erythromycin (58.6%). Besides, multidrug resistance was determined in 71.4% of isolates. Thirty-three of 133 (24.81%) isolates were positive for at least one virulence factor. The pathotypes of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (F5 and/or F41 fimbria and STa), enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (Stx and eae), enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (eae) and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (Stx-eae) were found in 51.5%, 6.1%, 15.2%, and 12.1%, respectively. However, the virulence properties were detected as; Stx1 (3.03%), Stx2 (9.09%), STa (21.21%), and eae (15.15%); the F41 and F5 were not detected. Also, the fifteen-point two percent of strains (5/33) were the hybrid type that carried both Stx (either Stx1 or Stx2) and enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli specific enterotoxin gene STa. The existence of different virulence factors found in this study supports the statement that calves are possible bearers of pathogens that are dangerous to public health.

Safety Assessment of a Nham Starter Culture Lactobacillus plantarum BCC9546 via Whole-genome Analysis

The safety of microbial cultures utilized for consumption is vital for public health and should be thoroughly assessed. Although general aspects on the safety assessment of microbial cultures have been suggested, no methodological detail nor procedural guideline have been published. Herein, we propose a detailed protocol on microbial strain safety assessment via whole-genome sequence analysis. A starter culture employed in traditional fermented pork production, nham, namely Lactobacillus plantarum BCC9546, was used as an example. The strain’s whole-genome was sequenced through several next-generation sequencing techniques. Incomplete plasmid information from the PacBio sequencing platform and shorter chromosome size from the hybrid Oxford Nanopore-Illumina platform were noted. The methods for 1) unambiguous species identification using 16S rRNA gene and average nucleotide identity, 2) determination of virulence factors and undesirable genes, 3) determination of antimicrobial resistance properties and their possibility of transfer, and 4) determination of antimicrobial drug production capability of the strain were provided in detail. Applicability of the search tools and limitations of databases were discussed. Finally, a procedural guideline for the safety assessment of microbial strains via whole-genome analysis was proposed.

Biofilm formation capacity and presence of virulence factors among commensal Enterococcus spp. from wild birds

Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens that can form biofilms during infections and many virulence determinants are involved in this process. Although the virulence factors are often analysed in Enterococcus spp. from humans and food animals, little is known about gut enterococcal isolates from wild birds. Therefore, the determination of virulence factors among enterococci isolated from wild birds may provide new information about a possible source of infection for humans and animals or vice versa via the environment. We analysed different phenotypic and genotypic traits in enterococci from wild birds related to potential virulence in humans and animals and to evaluate biofilm formation and its relationship to virulence genes. The E. faecalis isolates were characterised by greater frequency of biofilm formation in BHI than E. faecium. There was a correlation between hydrophobicity and biofilm formation in BHI broth in E. faecalis. None of the isolates was haemolytic. The presence of some adhesion and gelatinase genes was detected in biofilm-positive isolates. The enterococcal pathogenic factors (esp, hyl, and cyl operon genes) did not seem to be necessary or sufficient for production of biofilm by analysed bacteria. Enterococcus species isolated from wild birds should be considered as a possible source of some virulence determinants.

Pathogenicity patterns of mucormycosis: epidemiology, interaction with immune cells and virulence factors.

Fungi of the basal lineage order Mucorales are able to cause infections in animals and humans. Mucormycosis is a well-known, life-threatening disease especially in patients with a compromised immune system. The rate of mortality and morbidity caused by mucormycosis has increased rapidly during the last decades, especially in developing countries. The systematic, phylogenetic, and epidemiological distributions of mucoralean fungi are addressed in relation to infection in immunocompromised patients. The review highlights the current achievements in (i) diagnostics and management of mucormycosis, (ii) the study of the interaction of Mucorales with cells of the innate immune system, (iii) the assessment of the virulence of Mucorales in vertebrate and invertebrate infection models, and (iv) the determination of virulence factors that are key players in the infection process, for example, high-affinity iron permease (FTR1), spore coat protein (CotH), alkaline Rhizopus protease enzyme (ARP), ADP-ribosylation factor (ARF), dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase, calcineurin (CaN), serine and aspartate proteases (SAPs). The present mini-review attempts to increase the awareness of these difficult-to-manage fungal infections and to encourage research in the detection of ligands and receptors as potential diagnostic parameters and drug targets.

Determination of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors in Escherichia coli isolated from Turkish patients with urinary tract infection.

: Escherichia coli ranks among the most common sources of urinary tract infections (UTI). Between November 2015 and August 2016, 90 isolates of E. coli were isolated from patients at Rize Education and Research Hospital in Turkey. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined for all isolates using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. These E. coli isolates were also screened for virulence genes, β-lactamase coding genes, quinolone resistance genes, and class 1 integrons by PCR. With respect to the antibiotic resistance profile, imipenem and meropenem were effective against 98% and 90% of isolates, respectively. A high percentage of the isolates showed resistance against β lactam/β lactamase inhibitor combinations, quinolones, and cephalosporins. PCR results revealed that 63% (57/90) of the strains carried class 1 integrons. In addition, a high predominance of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) was observed. The qnrA, qnrB, and qnrS genes were found in 24 (26.6%), 6 (6.6%), and 3 (3.3%), isolates, respectively. The most common virulence gene was fim (82.2%).The afa, hly, and cnf1 genes were detected in 16.6%, 16.6%, and 3.3% of isolates, respectively. Moreover, we observed eleven different virulence patterns in the 90 E. coli isolates. The most prevalent pattern was fım, while hly-fım, afa-aer-cnf-fım, aer-cnf, afa-aer, and afa-cnf-fım patterns were less common. Most of the E. coli virulence genes investigated in this study were observed in E. coli isolates from UTI patients. Virulence genes are very important for the establishment and maintenance of infection.

Escherichia coli isolates from patients with inflammatory bowel disease: ExPEC virulence- and colicin-determinants are more frequent compared to healthy controls

A set of 178 Escherichia coli isolates taken from patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) was analyzed for bacteriocin production and tested for the prevalence of 30 bacteriocin and 22 virulence factor determinants. Additionally, E. coli phylogenetic groups were also determined. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for exclusion of clonal character of isolates. Results were compared to data from a previously published analysis of 1283 fecal commensal E. coli isolates.The frequency of bacteriocinogenic isolates (66.9%) was significantly higher in IBD E. coli compared to fecal commensal E. coli isolates (54.2%, p < 0.01). In the group of IBD E. coli isolates, a higher prevalence of determinants for group B colicins (i.e., colicins B, D, Ia, Ib, M, and 5/10) (p < 0.01), including a higher prevalence of the colicin B determinant (p < 0.01) was found. Virulence factor determinants encoding fimbriae (fimA, 91.0%; pap, 27.5%), cytotoxic necrotizing factor (cnf1, 11.2%), aerobactin synthesis (aer, 43.3%), and the locus associated with invasivity (ial, 9.0%) were more prevalent in IBD E. coli (p < 0.05 for all five determinants). E. coli isolates from IBD mucosal biopsies were more frequently bacteriocinogenic (84.6%, p < 0.01) compared to fecal IBD isolates and fecal commensal E. coli. PFGE analysis revealed clusters specific for IBD E. coli isolates (n = 11), for fecal isolates (n = 13), and clusters containing both IBD and fecal isolates (n = 10).ExPEC (Extraintestinal Pathogenic E. coli) virulence and colicin determinants appear to be important characteristics of IBD E. coli isolates, especially the E. coli isolates obtained directly from biopsy samples.