Rapid identification of bacterial mixtures in urine using MALDI-TOF MS-based algorithm profiling coupled with magnetic enrichment

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are severe public health problem and caused by mono- or poly-bacteria. Culture-based methods are routinely used for the diagnosis of UTIs in clinical practice, but those...

Development of a Tetrazolium-Derived Paper-Based Diagnostic Device as an Early, Alternative Bacteria Screening Tool

(1) Background: The complexity, amount of time, and the large amount of resource required to perform gold-standard bacteria culture procedures makes it difficult to perform timely pathogenic analyses, especially in areas where such resources are not readily available. A paper-based biochemical analytical tool can potentially tackle problems economically in terms of time and convenience, potentially finding utility in applications where simple and timely detection of bacteria is necessary; (2) Methods: The utility of paper-based MTT-PMS strips was tested using a simple colorimetric analytical methodology; (3) Results: Sufficient evidence was obtained to suggest that the strips can potentially be used as a rapid and convenient early, alternative bacteria screening tool for a variety of applications; (4) Conclusions: The potential of strips for the rapid detection of bacteria compared to standard bacteria culture is a key advantage in certain clinical, agricultural, and environmental applications.

Preparation, physicochemical and microbiological evaluations of italian type salami fermented with kefir

Industrialized meat product, known as salami, is composed of some types of meat, such as pork, beef or pork and beef together, added ingredients and bacon. This research aimed to elaborate Italian salami using the fermentation process with standard starter bacteria, such as control, water and milk kefir, and evaluate the physicochemical and microbiological characteristics of the final product. The use of kefir grains aimed to analyze the possibility for their use in the production of salami as starter cultures from their symbiotic association of yeasts, acid-lactic bacteria, acetic bacteria and also their probiotic and antimicrobial action. The microbiological and physicochemical composition indicates that kefir is a product with probiotic characteristics, because it has in its composition living microorganisms capable of improving the intestinal microbial balance producing beneficial effects on the health of the individual who consumes it. At the end of the analyses, it was observed that the salami based on standard starter bacteria culture presented greater diversity of fungi, and the fungus Exophiala spp was present in the 3 types of salamis. The samples showed absence of pathogenic bacteria such as Salmonella ssp, Shigella ssp and E.coli. There was little variation in the physical-chemical characteristics of the salamis evaluated. It was concluded that kefir can replace industrial fermentation culture without affecting the microbiological and physicochemical pattern of salami.

Antibacterial Properties of PEO/PVA Nanofibers containing Juniper Leaf Extract

As the resistance of bacteria to antibiotics has become a rising issue, the discovery of new antibiotics with minimal side effects is more crucial. In this study, the antibacterial properties of a plant extract were assessed by investigating the antimicrobial effects of methanolic extract of Juniper leaf on standard microbial strains in skin infections. In order to compare different methods, the disk diffusion method sample containing 400 μg.ml-1 of Juniper extract, the well-established method samples containing 400 μg.ml-1 of Juniper extract, 48% samples of blank disk nanofibers method and 48% samples of round coverslip were selected due to their better performance and were assessed and compared to the blank sample. An increase in growth zone diameter is seen in the polymeric nanofibers containing the extracts synthesized on the round coverslip compared to the polymeric solution containing the pre-electrophoretic extract in the bacteria culture medium. In addition, the results of the comparison of the growth zone diameter were similar for polymer nanofibers containing plant extract and gentamicin disc in gram-positive bacteria common in skin infection such as Staphylococcus Aureus and Staphylococcus Epidermidis.

The Role of Lysobacter antibioticus HS124 on the Control of Fall Webworm (Hyphantria cunea Drury) and Growth Promotion of Canadian Poplar (Populus canadensis Moench) at Saemangeum Reclaimed Land in Korea

Populus canadensis Moench forests established in Saemangeum-reclaimed land have been invaded by Hyphantria cunea Drury, causing defoliation and stunted growth. This study investigated the biocontrol potential of cuticle degrading chitinase and protease secreted by Lysobacter antibioticus HS124 against H. cunea larvae. In addition, L. antibioticus HS124 was examined for indole-3-acetic acid phytohormone production for plant growth promotion. To determine the larvicidal activity in the laboratory experiments, crude enzymes, bacteria culture, CY medium, and water (control) were sprayed on the larvae reared on natural diet in insect rearing dishes. Treatment with crude enzymes and bacteria culture caused 76.7% and 66.7% larvae mortality, respectively. The larvae cuticle, mainly composed of chitin and proteins, was degraded by cuticle-degrading enzymes, chitinase, and protease in both the bacteria culture and crude enzyme treatments, causing swelling and disintegration of the cuticle. Field application of the bacteria culture was achieved by vehicle-mounted sprayer. Bacterial treatment caused morphological damage on the larvae cuticles and subsequent mortality. Foliar application of the bacteria culture reduced tree defoliation by H. cunea and enhanced growth compared to the control. Especially, L. antibioticus HS124 produced auxins, and increased growth of poplar trees.

Liver Abscess Caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum: A Case Report

Introduction: Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a serious infectious disease of the liver. PLA caused by Fusobacterium nucleatum is extremely rare. Here we report the first case of liver abscess caused by F. nucleatum in China. Case Presentation: The case was a 34-year-old female patient admitted to the hospital due to high fever. The diagnosis of liver abscess was confirmed by imaging studies and liver puncture. We finally confirmed the pathogen as F. nucleatum by next-generation sequencing (NGS). After the targeted anti-infective treatment, the patient recovered and discharged. Conclusions: As a new microbial detection method, NGS can still help in clinical practice. In addition, to improve the positive rate of anaerobic bacteria culture, we should pay attention to avoid contact with air in the process of specimen collection when the pathogenic bacteria are suspected to be anaerobic bacteria.

Preclinical Models of Brucellar Spondylodiscitis

Brucellar spondylodiscitis, the most prevalent and significant osteoarticular presentation of human Brucellosis, is difficult to diagnose and usually yields irreversible neurologic deficits and spinal deformities. Relevant aspects of Brucella pathogenesis have been intensively investigated in preclinical models. Mice, rats, rabbits, and sheep are representing available models to induce Brucellosis. Evaluation of Brucellar spondylodiscitis may be performed using a large variety of methods, including plain radiography, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, histological analysis, blood test, and bacteria culture. This chapter focuses on these preclinical models of Brucellar spondylodiscitis. The requirements for preclinical models of Brucellar spondylodiscitis, pearls and pitfalls of the preclinical model establishment, and comprehensive analyses of Brucellar spondylodiscitis in animals are also depicted.

Detection of Escherichia Coli Using PCR Analysis Without DNA Extraction

This study aimed to detect Escherichia coli directly without DNA extraction. The nucleus membrane and cell membranes of the Escherichia coli are composed of a phospholipid bilayer, damaged if heated at 950C. Pre-denaturation and denaturation of PCR were carried out at 950C. The two stages are thought to break down the Escherichia coli cells, so that the DNA that comes out of the cells can directly become a template in the PCR analysis. In this study, PCR analysis was carried out using Escherichia coli culture, Escherichia coli bacteria culture incubated at 950C, and Escherichia coli bacteria cultures incubated at 650C + on ice as templates. The results showed that PCR analysis using Escherichia coli culture directly and Escherichia coli culture incubated at 650C + on ice as templates produced very thin DNA bands with a size of 580 bp. while PCR analysis using Escherichia coli bacteria culture incubated at 950C as a template produced thick DNA bands with a size of 580 bp. This study's results are very useful for saving time and costs in the detection of Escherichia coli bacteria. The sample to be tested does not need DNA isolation as usual, but only needs to be incubated at 950C for 10 minutes.

The effectiveness of dalethyne dressings for reducing bacteria in diabetic foot ulcers

Objective This study evaluates the effectiveness of a dalethyne dressing for decreasing bacteria in diabetic patients with infected foot ulcers. Methods This study was conducted from March to September 2018 with a sample of 30 participants from the outpatient Kitamura Wound Clinic in Pontianak City, Indonesia. A quasi-experimental non-equivalent pretest–posttest control group design was used for the study. Participants were divided into two groups: an intervention group (treated with a dalethyne dressing) and a control group (treated with a standard dressing). Two trained research assistants collected the data using the Wagner wound classification system and a bacteria counter. The assistants swabbed each wound surface with sterile cotton, and the swabs were used to conduct a bacteria culture and count. Results The study population was 50% female and 50% male with no significant differences between each other in age, HbA1c, blood pressure, or ankle-brachial index (ABI; P > 0.05). Both groups had a significant reduction in the number of bacteria from the pretest to posttest (P < 0.05). Mann–Whitney analysis of posttest data indicated a significant difference in bacteria reduction between the control group (median = 2.25) and the intervention group (median = 7.6; P = 0.018). It was noted that Staphylococcus aureus was found in the control group at posttest, but not in the intervention group. Conclusions This study provides evidence that a dalethyne dressing is effective for killing S. aureus in the infected foot ulcers of diabetic patients.