Bacterial Isolates and Antibiotic Susceptibility of Ear Infections in Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital, Baghdad, Iraq

Background: Ear infections can manifest in many forms depending on site of infection whether external, middle or internal ear and the culprit pathogen whether viral, bacterial or fungal. Acute middle ear infections are usually accompanied by aural discharge. Objective: 1. To get an overview on the bacterial pathogens involved in ear infections. 2. To assess the antibiotic resistance of bacterial pathogens. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted in Al-Kindy Teaching Hospital / Baghdad /Iraq. Swabs taken from 225 patients suffering from aural discharge were tested for culture and sensitivity for the duration of two years 2018-2019. Aural discharge is cultured by inoculating it into blood, MacConkey agar, chocolate agars and Sabouraud agar (for fungi). Then the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance is assessed by (Kirby-Bauer Method). Results: Then, by analyzing the percentage of pathogens involved in ear infections we have found that the highest percentage is for Pseudomonas aeruginosa (51%), followed by Staph, aureus (20%), Proteus vulgaris (11%). Discussion: Cefotaxime, which was known to be an efficient antibiotic against pseudomonas previously, has lost its effectiveness. Similarly, gentamycin is no longer effective against E.coli. Conclusion: Choosing the proper antibiotic in any bacterial infection is of tremendous importance. However, reassessment of antibiotic resistance profiles is vital and should be regarded as a routine task on regular intervals.

Investigation of TEM and SHV Beta-Lactamase Genes in Escherichia coli Isolated from Strawberry Samples in Sanandaj, Iran

Background: When animal manures are used, food products may include pathogenic bacteria, especially Escherichia coli. The major aim of the current study was to investigate TEM (blaTEM) and SHV beta-lactamase (blaSHV) genes in E. coli isolated from strawberry samples in Sanandaj, Iran. Methods: In this study, 150 strawberry samples were collected from farms (traditional), greenhouses, and packages in Sanandaj, Iran. E. coli contamination was done using routine culture methods. Then, isolates were investigated for Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) production and blaTEM or blaSHV genes using phenotypic and genotypic methods, respectively. Results: The most susceptibility and resistance of E. coli to antibiotics were related to chloramphenicol and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, respectively. Out of 21 isolates of E. coli, eight were resistant to ceftazidime and cefotaxime; from which, six isolates were ESBL-producer. Furthermore, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) analysis of six ESBL- producing E. coli isolates showed that four isolates included blaTEM gene, while no isolates included blaSHV gene. Conclusion: In this study, multiple antibiotic resistance patterns were seen in E. coli isolates, especially ESBL patterns in E. coli isolated from strawberries produced in Iran.

A STUDY OF COLLAPSE SUSCEPTIBILITY AND RESISTANCE OF LOADED CABLE-SUPPORTED PIPE STRUCTURE SUBJECT TO A SUDDEN BREAK OF CABLE MEMBER

Cable-supported pipe system (CSPS) provides a suitable system of structure for meeting the stringent structural requirements of pipeline bridges. However, due to a composite action of cable with truss and pipe members, the sudden failure of its structural member may lead to undesired vibratory response and collapse. The occurrence of a sudden break of the CSPS structural member is characterized by spontaneous dynamics and internal force rearrangement. The present study aims to investigate parametrically the collapse susceptibility and resistance of scaled down CSPS model in the event of a sudden break of the cable member by combined experimental and numerical procedures. The displacement of the structure, the pattern of internal force rearrangement, and dynamic responses were comparatively evaluated. Experimental results depict imminent cable failure under load and attendant dynamic response, but without a total collapse of the CSPS structure. Critical members causing large dynamic response amplitudes were identified and the mitigation of collapse was evaluated. Dynamic increasing factor (DIF) methods was utilized for the evaluation of the dynamic response of the sudden cable break resulting from the pattern of responses between the cable members and the rest of the CSPS structure. Comparison with provisions in other studies shows higher values DIF of the CSPS cable members which led to proposed evaluation using dynamic factor (DF). Thus, the dynamic factors for the sudden break of various cable members along the span and the errors were also estimated considering the parametric of design variables which will enable easy utilization during the structural process of CSPS.

Novel Facets of the Liver Transcriptome Are Associated with the Susceptibility and Resistance to Lipid-Related Metabolic Disorders in Periparturient Holstein Cows

Lipid-related metabolic disorders (LRMD) are prevalent in early lactation dairy cows, and have detrimental effects on productivity and health. Our objectives were to identify cows resistant or susceptible to LRMD using a ketosis induction protocol (KIP) to discover differentially expressed liver genes and metabolic pathways associated with disposition. Clustering cows based on postpartum lipid metabolite concentrations within dietary treatments identified cows more or less susceptible (MS vs. LS) to LRMD within the control treatment, and more or less resistant (MR vs. LR) within the KIP treatment. Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing was performed on liver samples (−28, +1, and +14 days relative to calving) to assess differential gene and pathway expression (LS vs. MS; MR vs. LR; n = 3 cows per cluster). Cows within the MS and LR clusters had evidence of greater blood serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentration and liver triglyceride content than the LS and MR clusters, respectively. The inferred metabolism of differentially expressed genes suggested a role of immune response (i.e., interferon-inducible proteins and major histocompatibility complex molecules). Additionally, unique roles for glutathione metabolism and eicosanoid metabolism in modulating susceptibility and resistance, respectively, were implicated. Overall, this research provides novel insight into the role of immunometabolism in LRMD pathology, and suggests the potential for unique control points for LRMD progression and severity.

Amphibian (Xenopus laevis) Tadpoles and Adult Frogs Differ in Their Antiviral Responses to Intestinal Frog Virus 3 Infections

The global amphibian declines are compounded by ranavirus infections such as Frog Virus 3 (FV3), and amphibian tadpoles more frequently succumb to these pathogens than adult animals. Amphibian gastrointestinal tracts represent a major route of ranavirus entry, and viral pathogenesis often leads to hemorrhaging and necrosis within this tissue. Alas, the differences between tadpole and adult amphibian immune responses to intestinal ranavirus infections remain poorly defined. As interferon (IFN) cytokine responses represent a cornerstone of vertebrate antiviral immunity, it is pertinent that the tadpoles and adults of the anuran Xenopus laevis frog mount disparate IFN responses to FV3 infections. Presently, we compared the tadpole and adult X. laevis responses to intestinal FV3 infections. Our results indicate that FV3-challenged tadpoles mount more robust intestinal type I and III IFN responses than adult frogs. These tadpole antiviral responses appear to be mediated by myeloid cells, which are recruited into tadpole intestines in response to FV3 infections. Conversely, myeloid cells bearing similar cytology already reside within the intestines of healthy (uninfected) adult frogs, possibly accounting for some of the anti-FV3 resistance of these animals. Further insight into the differences between tadpole and adult frog responses to ranaviral infections is critical to understanding the facets of susceptibility and resistance to these pathogens.

Anatomical Site, Typing, Virulence Gene Profiling, Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Resistance Genes of Streptococcus suis Isolates Recovered from Pigs in Spain

A set of 207 Streptococcus suis isolates were collected from ten autonomous communities from Spain in 2019 to 2020 from pigs with meningitis, pneumonic lungs, arthritic joints or other swollen viscera, to a lesser extent. Thirteen capsular types were detected being the most prevalent serotype 2 (21.7%), followed by serotypes 1 (21.3%), 9 (19.3%) and 3 (6.3%). Serotypes 2 and 9 were recovered mainly from the central nervous system (CNS), while serotype 1 was isolated mostly from swollen joints and serotype 3 from the lungs. Twenty-five isolates (12.1%) could not be typed. The most prevalent pathotype was epf + mrp + sly + luxS (49 isolates, 23.8%), and it was related mainly to serotypes 1 and 2. Serotypes 1–3 and 9 were significantly associated with anatomical sites of isolation and virulence factors, serotype 9 (CNS) and serotypes 3 and 9 (lungs) being associated with virulence profiles without the epf gene. S. suis isolates showed globally high antimicrobial resistances, but ampicillin followed by spectinomycin and tiamulin resulted in the highest activities, while the greatest resistances were detected for sulphadimethoxine, tetracyclines, neomycin, clindamycin and macrolides. A total of 87.4% isolates were positive to the tetO gene, 62.4% to the ermB gene and 25.2% to the fexA gene, while 14.6% were positive to all three genes simultaneously. A significative association between isolate resistances to tetracyclines and macrolides and the resistance genes tested was established, except for phenicol resistance and the fexA gene. A set of 14 multiresistance patterns were obtained according to the number of antimicrobials to which the isolates were resistant, the resistances to 12 or more agents being the most prevalent ones. A remarkable amount of multiresistance profiles could be seen among the S. suis serotype 9 isolates.

Neuroprotection in Glaucoma: NAD+/NADH Redox State as a Potential Biomarker and Therapeutic Target

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Its prevalence and incidence increase exponentially with age and the level of intraocular pressure (IOP). IOP reduction is currently the only therapeutic modality shown to slow glaucoma progression. However, patients still lose vision despite best treatment, suggesting that other factors confer susceptibility. Several studies indicate that mitochondrial function may underlie both susceptibility and resistance to developing glaucoma. Mitochondria meet high energy demand, in the form of ATP, that is required for the maintenance of optimum retinal ganglion cell (RGC) function. Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) levels have been closely correlated to mitochondrial dysfunction and have been implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases including glaucoma. NAD+ is at the centre of various metabolic reactions culminating in ATP production—essential for RGC function. In this review we present various pathways that influence the NAD+(H) redox state, affecting mitochondrial function and making RGCs susceptible to degeneration. Such disruptions of the NAD+(H) redox state are generalised and not solely induced in RGCs because of high IOP. This places the NAD+(H) redox state as a potential systemic biomarker for glaucoma susceptibility and progression; a hypothesis which may be tested in clinical trials and then translated to clinical practice.

METHODOLOGICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSESSING POTATO VARIETIES FOR RESISTANCE TO STRAWBERRY NEMATODE UNDER LABORATORY CONDITIONS

The tuber nematode Ditylenchus destructor is the causative agent of ditylenchiasis, or dry rot of potatoes, and causes significant damage to the crop both during the growing season and during storage. Methods for evaluating potato varieties for resistance to tuberous nematode in laboratory conditions have been developed to reduce the search term for a source or donor of nematode resistance. Methods for obtaining a suspension of a tuber nematode, methods of inoculation of tubers, a method for assessing potato varieties for susceptibility and resistance to the tuberous nematode Ditylenchus destructor are presented. Infection of tubers is carried out by introducing a suspension of nematodes into the wounds inflicted on the potato tubers. 6 methods were tested. The best infection and reproduction of nematodes occurred when nematodes were introduced into the “lattice”, “holes”, “pyramids”. Depending on the value of the average score of the lesion by ditylenchiasis and reproduction by the tuber nematode, the varieties are divided into 5 groups: highly resistant (average score 0), resistant (0.1–1), moderately resistant (1.1–3), susceptible (3.1–4), highly susceptible (4.1–5).

Adulticide Resistance Status of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Sarawak State, Malaysia

Resistance status of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) from 13 districts in Sarawak State, Malaysia, was evaluated against four major classes of adulticides, namely organochlorine, organophosphate, carbamate, and pyrethroid. Adult bioassays were performed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) standard protocols to assess knockdown and mortality rates of Ae. albopictus. Among the tested pyrethroids, only cyfluthrin was able to exhibit complete knockdown. On the other hand, different susceptibility and resistance patterns were observed in other adulticides. As for mortality rates, the mosquitoes were susceptible to cyfluthrin and dieldrin but exhibited various susceptibilities to other tested adulticides. Cross-resistance was discovered within and between tested insecticide classes. Significant correlations were found within pyrethroid and carbamate classes (i.e., bendiocab and propoxur, P = 0.036; etofenprox and permethrin, P = 0.000; deltamethrin and lambda-cyhalothrin, P = 0.822; deltamethrin and permethrin, P = 0.042). Additionally, insecticides belonging to different groups were also found significantly correlated (i.e., malathion and deltamethin, P = 0.019; malathion and bendiocarb, P = 0.008; malathion and propoxur, P = 0.007; and bendiocarb and deltamethrin, P = 0.031). In conclusion, cyfluthrin was effective for Aedes albopictus control in Sarawak State and these data may assist local authorities to improve future vector control operations.