Journal of Medical Bacteriology

Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci and Trend of Antimicrobial Susceptibility in Urine Cultures

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0430

Background: Enterococci are emerging nosocomial pathogen showing resistance to broad spectrum antibiotics. As reported by the center for disease control and prevention, enterococci (13.9%) are the second leading cause of urinary tract infection, after Escherichia coli. After the first report of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in England (1988), India reported its first vancomycin resistant enterococci isolate from New Delhi (1999). The prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci ranges from 1-9%, in India. To evaluate the prevalence of vancomycin resistant enterococci among urinary isolates and to check their antimicrobial resistance pattern.
Methods: A retrospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Data were analysed from November, 2017 to October, 2018. A total of 12,129 urine samples were received and subjected to culture on HiCrome UTI agar (Hi-Media laboratories, Mumbai) and incubated at 37 °C for a period of 18-24 hours. Antimicrobial susceptibility was performed using Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method. Identification was done on the basis of colony colour and species identification was done by using biochemical test as per standard laboratory protocol. In one case automated siemens microscan walkaway identification system was used for confirmation.
Results: Enterococci were isolated in 4.06% from urine cultures out of which 7.52% were vancomycin resistant. Most of the vancomycin resistant enterococci isolate (86.49%) were multi drug resistant.

Frequent Evaluation of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2 in Women with Genital Herpes by Realtime PCR

Behnaz Montazeri, Haniyeh Bashi Zadeh Fakhar, Babak Shaghaghi, Forouzan Rostami — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0430

Background:   Herpes simplex type 2 is a common infection worldwide. This disease is common in both developed and developing countries. Early detection of infection is very important to reduce the risk of infection. Real-time reliable PCR is a very sensitive and specific method that can be used as the best marker in determining the therapeutic effect by identifying a viral genome in an individual. The prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 in women with genital herpes was evaluated by Real time PCR method.
Methods:   From January 1999 to March 2010, 45 samples of vaginal swab
s and cervix of women with genital herpes were examined for HSV virus DNA detection using Real Time PCR.
Results:   The mean age of the patients was 35.9 + 5.9. The percentage of positive cases of herpes simplex virus type 2 in the studied women was 22.2% and the history of infection with hpv was 33.3% vs. 12.5%. = 0.094 which was significant.

Peracute Enterotoxemia in Saanen and Alpine Goat Herd

Hossein Esmaeili, Seyed Mehdi Joghataei — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 09:24:28 +0430

Background:   Enterotoxemia" or "overeating disease" is considered a common and often fatal disease affecting the economy of small ruminant breeding systems. This study presents findings on the occurrence of a peracute form of enterotoxemia in a herd of Saanen and Alpine, including an examination of the clinical signs, post-mortem findings, and methods for diagnosis.
Methods:   In a herd of goats a distressing situation occurred where the goats displayed signs (Sudden death and high fever) of peracute enterotoxemia (125 kids). It is noteworthy that these goats had previously been vaccinated against enterotoxemia. The onset of the condition seemed to be linked to three instances of interruption and reconnection of concentrate feed. To obtain a definitive diagnosis, the findings from postmortem examinations and ELISA were utilized.
Results:   In total, 60 Alpine and 65 Saanen succumbed to this peracute form. These losses occurred over three days but were successfully stopped by re-vaccination after two days. Clinical signs, post-mortem observations, bacterial analysis, and ELISA results all provided confirmation of enterotoxemia. Notable findings included high fever (90%), duodenum hyperemia (89%), pulmonary edema (82%), convulsions (43%), and hemorrhage in the pericardium and endocardium (58%).
Conclusion: Frequent and consecutive changes in goats' diet or discontinuation of concentrate supply by breeders can disrupt the vaccine-induced immune barrier, increasing the likelihood of enterotoxemia, and leading to casualties and economic losses. Consistent and stable nutrition practices are essential for maintaining vaccination efficacy and preventing enterotoxemia in goats, particularly kids.

Genotypic Characterisation of Carbapenemases in Clinical Isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital of Kerala

Lakshmi K Sathyanesan, Rosmi Jose, Chithra Valsan, Liji Maria Joy — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 09:33:42 +0430

Background: The multidrug-resistant and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains are an increasing global concern. The primary cause of carbapenem resistance in A. baumannii is production of various beta-lactamases with versatile hydrolytic capacities. The present study investigates the prevalence of different carbapenemases among clinical isolates of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Kerala, India.
Methods: Non-duplicate isolates from sputum, endotracheal aspirate, pus, urine, and blood samples were included in the study. Isolate identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates were done using vitek 2 system. A conventional polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the carbapenemase-encoding genes in the isolates.
Results: A total of the 126 isolates studied, among these 105 (83.3%) isolates were from intensive care unit patients and 21(16.6%) were from non-ICU inpatients. Most of the isolates were obtained from respiratory specimens-78(61.9%) followed by pus-33(26.2%), urine-12(9.5%) and blood- 3(2.4%). The prevalence of carbapenemase genes were as follows:blaOXA-51(n=126, 100%) blaOXA-23 (n=98, 77.7%), blaOXA-58 (n=7, 5.6%), blaNDM (n=66, 52.4%), blaIMP (n=26, 20.6%), and blaVIM (n=20, 15.9%). Among the total isolates 78 (61.9%) isolates harbored metallo-beta-lactamase genes, 47(37.3%) isolates harboured a single carbapenemase gene, while 69(54.8%) isolates harbored two or more genes.
Conclusion: This study reveals a higher prevalence of metallo-beta lactamases and the co-occurrence of multiple carbapenemase genes in Carbapenem resistant A. baumannii isolates.

Antibiotic Therapy in Asthma as One of First Step Treatment, a Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial

Majid Mirsadraee, Sara Nejati, Shadi Ghafari — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 11:48:53 +0430

Background:   Focus of this study was on subjects suffering from new onset asthma, but actually, they may involve with an infection. Objectives: The target of this study was to determine the frequency of total control of asthma in new onset asthma.
Methods:    this is a phase 3 randomized clinical trial. The participants were 50 new onset asthma, who feel suffering from respiratory infection, however the physician diagnosis was asthma according to wheezy chest, spirometry and clear chest roentgenogram. Age less than 18 years and pregnant women were excluded. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups, doxycycline hyclate and the placebo arms. The drugs were repacked in similar in shape container. Primary endpoint was time to first recurrence. Secondary endpoints were frequency of total control of asthma, dyspnea, cough, asthma control test (ACT) score, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, eosinophil and neutrophil in blood and sputum.
Results:   The difference of clinical findings between two groups before the trial were not significant. Ten percent reported acute attack of asthma during last two months. Treatment with Doxycyline revealed significant improvement of clinical findings, asthma attack and ACT score after two months of treatment, however, complete resolution of clinical findings were significantly higher in Doxycyline group compare to placebo. Clinical findings and FEV1 percent predicted in Doxycyline group T2low asthma group showed significant improvement which were not depicted in T2high group. Eighteen months follow up of the subjects showed complete resolution of asthma symptoms in 12 (48%) on Doxycyline group, which was significantly higher than control group (5 (20%). Time to first exacerbation in doxycycline group was 13.6±5.64 months which was significantly longer than control group (7.49±6.95, P=0.002). Time to first exacerbation in CRP positive was significantly longer (13.64±5.35 months) than CRP negative subjects (9.67±7.76 months, P=0.02).
Conclusion: Doxycycline is an effective antibiotic for preventing recurrence of asthma, in selected new subjects who suspicious for respiratory infection.

Immune system responses against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its mechanisms to escape from the immune system

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 12:08:11 +0430

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) employs a variety of strategies to evade the host immune response, enabling its persistence and the development of tuberculosis. These evasion tactics involve thwarting lysosome formation, manipulating intracellular pH, and disrupting apoptosis and autophagy processes within host cells. Specifically, MTB interferes with lysosome acidification by modulating calcium ions (Ca2+), iron ions, and hydrogen ions (H+), creating an optimal environment for its survival within host cells. Furthermore, MTB inhibits host cell apoptosis and autophagy, critical defense mechanisms against intracellular pathogens. Understanding these immunological escape mechanisms is paramount for developing effective tuberculosis therapies. Future research should focus on targeting MTB evasion strategies to pave the way for innovative tuberculosis treatments.

Listeria grayi meningitis in a polypathological patient: A case report

Rachida Issa Moussa; Ikram Habboubat; Yassine Ben Lahlou, Mariama Chadli — Thu, 22 Aug 2024 00:00:00 +0430

Background:   The various species of the Listeria genus are frequently isolated from food and drink products. They are classified into two categories according to their pathogenicity. Pathogenic species are frequently incriminated in infections of the elderly, immunocompromised and pregnant women. The Listeria grayi species is rarely isolated as a pathogen in human pathologies. We report a case of L. grayi meningitis in a polypathological patient. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed resistance to ampicillin and susceptibility to Meropenem. Therapeutic failure was recorded despite in vitro sensitivity.
Methods:   Conventional biochemical test and Api Listeria gallery was used for identification of the isolate.
Results:   We report a case of L. grayi meningitis in a polypathological patient. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed resistance to ampicillin and susceptibility to Meropenem. Therapeutic failure was recorded despite in vitro sensitivity.
Conclusion: Given its infrequent reporting, Listeria grayi meningitis warrants consideration, especially in elderly patients with multiple pathologies.