An Application of Imipenem Discs or P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 Reference Strain Increases Sensitivity of Carbapenem Inactivation Method for Non-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacteria

Non-fermenting Gram-negative rods are one of the most commonly isolated bacteria from human infections. These microorganisms are typically opportunistic pathogens that pose a serious threat to public health due to possibility of transmission in the human population. Resistance to beta-lactams, due to carbapenemases synthesis, is one of the most important antimicrobial resistance mechanisms amongst them. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM), and its modifications, for the detection of carbapenemase activity amongst non-fermenting Gram-negative rods. This research involved 81 strains of Gram-negative rods. Of the tested strains, 55 (67.9%) synthesized carbapenemases. For non-fermenting rods, 100% sensitivity and specificity was obtained in the version of the CIM test using imipenem discs and E. coli ATCC 25922 strain. The CIM test allows for differentiation of carbapenems resistance mechanisms resulting from carbapenemase synthesis from other resistance types. It is a reliable diagnostic method for the detection of carbapenemase activity amongst non-fermenting Gram-negative rods. Application of imipenem discs and P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 reference strain increases CIM results sensitivity, while imipenem discs and E. coli ATCC 25922 strain use maintains full precision of the test for non-fermenting rods.

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Discovery of a Novel Class of Boron-Based Antibacterials with Activity against Gram-Negative Bacteria

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02058-12 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 57 (3) ◽

pp. 1394-1403 ◽

Cited By ~ 102

Author(s):

Vincent Hernandez ◽

Thibaut Crépin ◽

Andrés Palencia ◽

Stephen Cusack ◽

Tsutomu Akama ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Trna Synthetase ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Aminoacyl Trna Synthetase ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Drug Classes ◽

Medical Need ◽

Infection Models

ABSTRACTGram-negative bacteria cause approximately 70% of the infections in intensive care units. A growing number of bacterial isolates responsible for these infections are resistant to currently available antibiotics and to many in development. Most agents under development are modifications of existing drug classes, which only partially overcome existing resistance mechanisms. Therefore, new classes of Gram-negative antibacterials with truly novel modes of action are needed to circumvent these existing resistance mechanisms. We have previously identified a new a way to inhibit an aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase, leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS), in fungi via the oxaborole tRNA trapping (OBORT) mechanism. Herein, we show how we have modified the OBORT mechanism using a structure-guided approach to develop a new boron-based antibiotic class, the aminomethylbenzoxaboroles, which inhibit bacterial leucyl-tRNA synthetase and have activity against Gram-negative bacteria by largely evading the main efflux mechanisms inEscherichia coliandPseudomonas aeruginosa. The lead analogue, AN3365, is active against Gram-negative bacteria, includingEnterobacteriaceaebearing NDM-1 and KPC carbapenemases, as well asP. aeruginosa. This novel boron-based antibacterial, AN3365, has good mouse pharmacokinetics and was efficacious againstE. coliandP. aeruginosain murine thigh infection models, which suggest that this novel class of antibacterials has the potential to address this unmet medical need.

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Detection of Carbapenemase Production in Gram-negative Bacteria

Journal of Laboratory Physicians ◽

10.4103/0974-2727.141497 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 6 (02) ◽

pp. 069-075 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Sonal Asthana ◽

Purva Mathur ◽

Vibhor Tak

Keyword(s):

Susceptibility Testing ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Antimicrobial Treatment ◽

Klebsiella Pneumonia ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Beta Lactams ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Beta Lactamases ◽

Susceptibility Tests ◽

Almost All

ABSTRACTThe greatest threat to antimicrobial treatment of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria is the production of carbapenemases. Metallo-beta-lactamases and plasmid-mediated serine carbepenemases like Klebsiella pneumonia carbapenemase are threatening the utility of almost all currently available beta-lactams including carbapenems. Detection of organisms producing carbapenemases can be difficult, because their presence does not always produce a resistant phenotype on conventional disc diffusion or automated susceptibility testing methods. These enzymes are often associated with laboratory reports of false susceptibility to carbapenems which can be potentially fatal. Moreover, most laboratories do not attempt to detect carbapenemases. This may be due to the lack of availability of guidelines and procedures or lack of knowledge and expertise. Because routine susceptibility tests may be unreliable, special tests are required to detect the resistance mechanisms involved. This document describes the standard methodology for detection of various types of carbapenemases, which can be put to use by laboratories working on antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria.

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The Target of Daptomycin Is Absent from Escherichia coli and Other Gram-Negative Pathogens

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02005-12 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 637-639 ◽

Cited By ~ 62

Author(s):

Christopher P. Randall ◽

Katherine R. Mariner ◽

Ian Chopra ◽

Alex J. O'Neill

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Efflux Transporters ◽

Permeability Barrier ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Intrinsic Resistance ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli

ABSTRACTAntistaphylococcal agents commonly lack activity against Gram-negative bacteria likeEscherichia coliowing to the permeability barrier presented by the outer membrane and/or the action of efflux transporters. When these intrinsic resistance mechanisms are artificially compromised, such agents almost invariably demonstrate antibacterial activity against Gram negatives. Here we show that this is not the case for the antibiotic daptomycin, whose target appears to be absent fromE. coliand other Gram-negative pathogens.

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Opening Pandora’s box: high level resistance to antibiotics of last resort in Gram negative bacteria from Nigeria

10.1101/344093 ◽

2018 ◽

Author(s):

David O Ogbolu ◽

Laura J V Piddock ◽

Mark A Webber

Keyword(s):

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

First Line Therapy ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

High Level ◽

Third Generation Cephalosporins ◽

Level Resistance

ABSTRACTAntimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global problem but information about the prevalence and mechanisms of resistance in sub-Saharan Africa are lacking. We determined the percentage of drug resistant isolates and resistance mechanisms in 307 Gram negative isolates randomly collected from south western Nigeria. Susceptibility testing revealed 78.1%, 92.2% and 52.6% of all isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones, third generation cephalosporins and carbapenems respectively. There were more resistant isolates from the stools of uninfected patients than from specimens of patients with symptoms of infections. Only a small proportion of E. coli (10%) and Klebsiella (7%) isolates produced a carbapenemase. Whole genome sequencing of selected isolates identified the presence of globally disseminated clones. This depicts a crisis for the use of first line therapy in Nigerian patients, it is likely that Nigeria is playing a significant role in the spread of AMR due to her high population and mobility across the globe.

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Disinfection of Fruits with Activated Water

JOURNAL OF ADVANCES IN AGRICULTURE ◽

10.24297/jaa.v10i0.8462 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. 1864-1872

Author(s):

Prof. Teodora P. Popova

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Aqueous Solutions ◽

Antimicrobial Properties ◽

The Other ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

High Antimicrobial Activity ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Number Of Microorganisms ◽

Lower Effect

The effect of ionized aqueous solutions (anolytes and catholyte) in the processing of fruits (cherries, morellos, and strawberries) for decontamination has been tested. Freshly prepared analytes and catholyte without the addition of salts were used, as well as stored for 7 months anolytes, prepared with 0.5% NaCl and a combination of 0.5% NaCl and 0.5% Na2CO3. The anolyte prepared with a combination of 0.5% NaCl and 0.5% Na2CO3, as well as the anolyte obtained with 0.5% NaCl, exhibit high antimicrobial activity against the surface microflora of strawberries, cherries, and sour cherries. They inactivate E. coli for 15 minutes. The other species of the fam. Enterobacteriaceae were also affected to the maximum extent, as is the total number of microorganisms, especially in cherries and sour cherries. Even stored for 7 months, they largely retain their antimicrobial properties. Anolyte and catholyte, obtained without the addition of salts, showed a lower effect on the total number of microorganisms, but had a significant effect on Gram-negative bacteria, and especially with regard to the sanitary indicative E. coli.

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Structure-Activity Relationship and Antimicrobial Evaluation of N-Phenylpyrazole Curcumin Derivatives

Current Bioactive Compounds ◽

10.2174/1573407215666190124115010 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (4) ◽

pp. 481-488

Author(s):

Heli Sanghvi ◽

Satyendra Mishra

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Pyrazole Derivatives ◽

Gram Positive ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Curcumin Derivatives ◽

Structure Activity ◽

Electron Donating Groups ◽

Derivatives Of

Background: Curcumin, one of the most important pharmacologically significant natural products, has gained significant consideration among scientists for decades since its multipharmacological activities. 1, 3-Dicarbonyl moiety of curcumin was found to be accountable for the rapid degradation of curcumin molecule. The aim of present work is to replace 1, 3-dicarbonyl moiety of curcumin by pyrazole and phenylpyrazole derivatives with a view to improving its stability and to investigate the role of substitution in N-phenylpyrazole curcumin on its antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive as well as Gram-negative bacteria. Methods: Pyrazole derivatives of curcumin were prepared by heating curcumin with phenyhydrazine/ substituted phenyhydrazine derivatives in AcOH. The residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography. Structures of purified compounds were confirmed by 1H NMR and Mass spectroscopy. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial activity by the microdilution broth susceptibility test method against gram positive (S. aureus) and gram negative (E. coli). Results: Effects of substitution in N-phenylpyrazole curcumin derivatives against S. aureus and E. coli were studied. The most active N-(3-Nitrophenylpyrazole) curcumin (12) exhibits twenty-fold more potency against S. aureus (MIC: 10μg/mL)) and N-(2-Fluoroophenylpyrazole) curcumin (5) fivefold more potency against E. coli (MIC; 50 μg/mL) than N-phenylpyrazole curcumin (4). Whereas, a remarkable decline in anti-bacterial activity against S. aureus and E. coli was observed when electron donating groups were incorporated in N-phenylpyrazole curcumin (4). Comparative studies of synthesized compounds suggest the effects of electron withdrawing and electron donating groups on unsubstituted phenylpyrazole curcumin (4). Conclusion: The structure-activity relationship (SAR) results indicated that the electron withdrawing and electron donating at N-phenylpyrazole curcumin played key roles for their bacterial inhibitory effects. The results of the antibacterial evaluation showed that the synthesized pyrazole derivatives of curcumin displayed moderate to very high activity in S. aureus. In conclusion, the series of novel curcumin derivatives were designed, synthesized and tested for their antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli. Among them, N-(3-Nitrophenylpyrazole curcumin; 12) was most active against S. aureus (Gram-positive) and N-(2-Fluoroophenylpyrazole) curcumin (5) against E. coli (Gram-negative) bacteria.

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Quality Improvement of the DNA extracted by boiling method in Gram negative bacteria

International Journal of Bioassays ◽

10.21746/ijbio.2017.04.004 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 6 (04) ◽

pp. 5347 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Omar B. Ahmed* ◽

Anas S. Dablool

Keyword(s):

Dna Extraction ◽

Control Method ◽

Extraction Procedure ◽

Cost Effective ◽

High Yield ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Bacterial Dna ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli

Several methods of Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) extraction have been applied to extract bacterial DNA. The amount and the quality of the DNA obtained for each one of those methods are variable. The study aimed to evaluate bacterial DNA extraction using conventional boiling method followed by alcohol precipitation. DNA extraction from Gram negative bacilli was extracted and precipitated using boiling method with further precipitation by ethanol. The extraction procedure performed using the boiling method resulted in high DNA yields for both E. coli and K. pneumoniae bacteria in (199.7 and 285.7μg/ml, respectively) which was close to control method (229.3 and 440.3μg/ml). It was concluded that after alcohol precipitation boiling procedure was easy, cost-effective, and applicable for high-yield quality of DNA in Gram-negative bacteria.

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Clonal Clusters, Molecular Resistance Mechanisms and Virulence Factors of Gram-Negative Bacteria Isolated from Chronic Wounds in Ghana

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10030339 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 339

Author(s):

Denise Dekker ◽

Frederik Pankok ◽

Thorsten Thye ◽

Stefan Taudien ◽

Kwabena Oppong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Epidemiology ◽

Virulence Factors ◽

Iron Uptake ◽

Chronic Wounds ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Beta Lactamase ◽

Secretion Systems ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli

Wound infections are common medical problems in sub-Saharan Africa but data on the molecular epidemiology are rare. Within this study we assessed the clonal lineages, resistance genes and virulence factors of Gram-negative bacteria isolated from Ghanaian patients with chronic wounds. From a previous study, 49 Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 21 Klebsiellapneumoniae complex members and 12 Escherichia coli were subjected to whole genome sequencing. Sequence analysis indicated high clonal diversity with only nine P. aeruginosa clusters comprising two strains each and one E. coli cluster comprising three strains with high phylogenetic relationship suggesting nosocomial transmission. Acquired beta-lactamase genes were observed in some isolates next to a broad spectrum of additional genetic resistance determinants. Phenotypical expression of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase activity in the Enterobacterales was associated with blaCTX-M-15 genes, which are frequent in Ghana. Frequently recorded virulence genes comprised genes related to invasion and iron-uptake in E. coli, genes related to adherence, iron-uptake, secretion systems and antiphagocytosis in P. aeruginosa and genes related to adherence, biofilm formation, immune evasion, iron-uptake and secretion systems in K. pneumonia complex. In summary, the study provides a piece in the puzzle of the molecular epidemiology of Gram-negative bacteria in chronic wounds in rural Ghana.

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Apomorphine Targets the Pleiotropic Bacterial Regulator Hfq

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics10030257 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 257

Author(s):

Florian Turbant ◽

David Partouche ◽

Omar El Hamoui ◽

Sylvain Trépout ◽

Théa Legoubey ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Small Rnas ◽

Antibacterial Agents ◽

Amyloid Fibrils ◽

Noncoding Rnas ◽

Amyloid Formation ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Translation Efficiency ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Bacterial Adaptation ◽

E Coli

Hfq is a bacterial regulator with key roles in gene expression. The protein notably regulates translation efficiency and RNA decay in Gram-negative bacteria, thanks to its binding to small regulatory noncoding RNAs. This property is of primary importance for bacterial adaptation and survival in hosts. Small RNAs and Hfq are, for instance, involved in the response to antibiotics. Previous work has shown that the E. coli Hfq C-terminal region (Hfq-CTR) self-assembles into an amyloid structure. It was also demonstrated that the green tea compound EpiGallo Catechin Gallate (EGCG) binds to Hfq-CTR amyloid fibrils and remodels them into nonamyloid structures. Thus, compounds that target the amyloid region of Hfq may be used as antibacterial agents. Here, we show that another compound that inhibits amyloid formation, apomorphine, may also serve as a new antibacterial. Our results provide an alternative in order to repurpose apomorphine, commonly used in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, as an antibiotic to block bacterial adaptation to treat infections.

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Proteomic response of Escherichia coli to a membrane lytic and iron chelating truncated Amaranthus tricolor defensin

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02176-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Tessa B. Moyer ◽

Ashleigh L. Purvis ◽

Andrew J. Wommack ◽

Leslie M. Hicks

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Antimicrobial Peptides ◽

Mechanism Of Action ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Amaranthus Tricolor ◽

Core Motif ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Membrane Lysis

Abstract Background Plant defensins are a broadly distributed family of antimicrobial peptides which have been primarily studied for agriculturally relevant antifungal activity. Recent studies have probed defensins against Gram-negative bacteria revealing evidence for multiple mechanisms of action including membrane lysis and ribosomal inhibition. Herein, a truncated synthetic analog containing the γ-core motif of Amaranthus tricolor DEF2 (Atr-DEF2) reveals Gram-negative antibacterial activity and its mechanism of action is probed via proteomics, outer membrane permeability studies, and iron reduction/chelation assays. Results Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) demonstrated activity against two Gram-negative human bacterial pathogens, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Quantitative proteomics revealed changes in the E. coli proteome in response to treatment of sub-lethal concentrations of the truncated defensin, including bacterial outer membrane (OM) and iron acquisition/processing related proteins. Modification of OM charge is a common response of Gram-negative bacteria to membrane lytic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to reduce electrostatic interactions, and this mechanism of action was confirmed for Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) via an N-phenylnaphthalen-1-amine uptake assay. Additionally, in vitro assays confirmed the capacity of Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) to reduce Fe3+ and chelate Fe2+ at cell culture relevant concentrations, thus limiting the availability of essential enzymatic cofactors. Conclusions This study highlights the utility of plant defensin γ-core motif synthetic analogs for characterization of novel defensin activity. Proteomic changes in E. coli after treatment with Atr-DEF2(G39-C54) supported the hypothesis that membrane lysis is an important component of γ-core motif mediated antibacterial activity but also emphasized that other properties, such as metal sequestration, may contribute to a multifaceted mechanism of action.

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