Complete Genome Sequences of Five Burkholderia Strains with Biocontrol Activity against Various Lettuce Pathogens

Numerous bacterial strains from the Burkholderia cepacia complex display biocontrol activity. Here, we report the complete genome sequences of five Burkholderia strains isolated from soil. Biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for the production of antimicrobial compounds were found in the genome of these strains, which display biocontrol activity against various lettuce pathogens.

Isolation and Identification of taxonomically diverse bacterial endophytes from citrus in Punjab Pakistan

<pre style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Courier New"; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-align: justify; line-height: 26.666664123535156px;"> <span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Citrus is an economically important fruit crop grown in all provinces of Pakistan, while Punjab accounting for 95 percent of total production due to its favorable climate for citrus production. Commercially grown varieties in Pakistan include sweet oranges, grapefruits, Mandarine, Lime, and lemon. The goal of this research was to see how diverse the cultivable bacterial populations are found in citrus cultivars. Out of 90 isolated cultures, 37 endophytic bacterial species and 15 </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">different genera of bacteria were characterized</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular methods from citrus leaves. All the isolated bacteria were subjected to PCR amplification through 16S rDNA followed by sequencing. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">RDP base classification revealed that class Bacilli has the largest percentage of isolates, whereas class Alpha, Beta, and Gamma Proteobacteria have the lowest percentage among all genotypes used. According to the findings, the phylum Firmicutes contains a common genus (Brevibacterium, 1%; Enterococcus, 6%; Staphylococcus, 7% and Bacillus, 60%). Alpha (Rhizobium) beta (Burkholderia cepacia; Comamonas terigena) gamma Proteobacteria (Enterobacter hermachei (1%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (1%), Proteus mirabilis (8%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5%), Psychrobacter pulmonis and Yersinia molalretti (1%) respectively. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">These results revealed that cultivars of the plants might contribute to the structure and endophytic bacterial communities associated with citrus. Endophytes extracted from leaf samples of different citrus cultivars in Pakistan are reported for the first time. The idea of employing endophytes bacteria to produce enzymes stimulate plant growth, and its purpose as a biological control agent will be investigated in the future.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 32px; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></pre>

Nhiễm trùng huyết cấy máu dương tính ở bệnh nhân mắc Covid-19

TÓM TẮT Đặt vấn đề: Nhiễm Covid-19 đồng thời nhiễm trùng huyết là một bệnh nặng, nguy cơ tử vong cao. Nghiên cứu này nhằm mô tả đặc điểm bệnh nhân Covid-19 nhiễm trùng huyết cấy máu dương tính; đặc điểm vi khuẩn gây nhiễm trùng huyết và mức độ đáp ứng kháng sinh của vi khuẩn trên kháng sinh đồ. Phương pháp nghiên cứu: Mô tả cắt ngang, 26 bệnh nhân Covid-19 cấy máu dương tính từ 8/2021 - 10/2021. Kết quả: 26 bệnh nhân có độ tuổi trung bình 57,89 (nhỏ nhất 32; lớn nhất 78) tuổi, 57,7% bệnh nhân lớn hơn 60 tuổi, nữ nhiều hơn nam, 69,23% bệnh nhân có bệnh nền, thời gian nằm viện trung bình là 16,35 ngày, 84,62% bệnh nhân cấy máu dương tính sau 48 giờ nằm viện, 23,08% bệnh nhân hồi phục sau điều trị. 96,15% bệnh nhân tăng CRP, 100% bệnh nhân tăng Procalcitonin, 86,46% bệnh nhân tăng bạch cầu chung và bạch cầu trung tính. Vi khuẩn gây nhiễm trùng huyết nhiều nhất là Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Burkholderia cepacia với tỷ lệ 19,23% mỗi loại. Vi khuẩn Gram âm nhạy cảm nhiều nhất với nhóm kháng sinh Carbapenem, Aminoglycosid, vi khuẩn Gram dương nhạy cảm nhiều với kháng sinh Linezolid, Vancomycin. Kết luận: Nhiễm trùng huyết trên bệnh nhân Covid làm tăng tỷ lệ tử vong, xác định chủng vi khuẩn và điều trị kháng sinh tích cực phù hợp với từng chủng vi khuẩn là cần thiết. ABSTRACT POSITIVE BLOOD CULTURE SEPSIS IN COVID-19 PATIENTS Background: Infection with Covid 19 and sepsis is a severedisease that leads to a high risk of death. This study aims to describe the characteristics of Covid-19 patients with positive blood culture, elements of bacteria causing sepsis, and the level of antibiotic response of bacteria on the antibiotic chart. Methods: A cross - sectional descriptive study was conducted on 26 Covid-19 patients with positive blood culture 8/2021-10/2021. Result: Twenty - six Covid-19 patients had an average age of 57.89 years (range: 32 - 78). Of these, 57.7% of patients were older than 60 years; women were more than men. 69.23% of patients had a medical history of the disease. The average treatment time was 16.35 days; 84.62% of patients had positive blood cultures after 48 hours of treatment. 23.08% of patients were recovered after treatment. 96.15% of patients increased CRP, 100% of patientsincreased Procalcitonin, and 86.46% increased leukocytosis and neutrophils. The bacteria that caused the most sepsis are Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Burkholderia cepacia with 19.23%. Gram - negative bacteria were most sensitive to Carbapenem, Aminoglycoside antibiotics. Gram - positive bacteria were more susceptible to Linezolid and Vancomycin antibiotics. Conclusion: Sepsis with positive blood culture in covid patients increases the mortality rate. Identifying bacterial strains and appropriate aggressive antibiotic treatment for each bacterial is necessary. Keywords: Sepsis, bacteria, sensitive, Covid-19.

Biological Control of soft rot bacteria of onion in Bangladesh

An investigation was conducted to search antagonistic bacteria as biological control agents of soft rotting bacterial pathogen of onion (Allium cepa L.) in vitro and in storage. Antibacterial activity of previously isolated 91 bacterial isolates was tested in vitro against onion soft rot bacteria Burkholderia cepacia O-15. Two isolates namely, R-15 and E-37 were found antagonistic against onion soft rot bacteria. Isolate R-15 was identified as the genus Bacillus and the isolate E-37 to Lactobacillus sp. Isolate R-15 proved to be a strong antagonist against onion soft rot bacteria was selected for bio-control of onion in storage. That was also effectively reduces the soft rot disease of onion in storage condition. Percentage of disease reduction (PDR) due to treatment with antagonistic bacteria was 72.4% compared to untreated control. It is therefore suggested that this isolate could be exploited as biocontrol agent for onion soft rot in Bangladesh. Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res.56(4), 231-240, 2021

Evaluation of Three Culture Media for Isolation of Burkholderia cepacia Complex from Respiratory Samples of Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) is a significant pathogen causing respiratory disease in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). Diagnosis is typically achieved by isolation of BCC on selective culture media following culture of sputum or other respiratory samples. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of three commercially available selective media for the isolation of BCC. The three media comprised Burkholderia cepacia selective agar (BCSA; bioMérieux), BD Cepacia medium (BD: Becton–Dickinson) and MAST Cepacia medium (MAST laboratories). Each medium was challenged with 270 respiratory samples from individuals with CF as well as an international collection of BCC (n = 26) and 14 other isolates of Burkholderia species at a range of inocula. The international collection was also used to artificially “spike” 26 respiratory samples. From a total of 34 respiratory samples containing BCC, 97% were recovered on BD and 94% were detected on MAST and BCSA. All three media were effective for isolation of BCC. BCSA was much more selective than the other two media (p < 0.0001) meaning that fewer isolates required processing to exclude the presence of BCC.

Burkholderia cepacia: An unusual cause of pneumonia

Burkholderia Cepacia is a gram negative organism, an uncommon cause of pneumonia. When isolated, it usually represents colonisation. In the presence of immunocompromising conditions, it can cause disease, ranging from mild illness to the highly fatal Cepacia syndrome. The organism is intrinsically resistant to many antibiotics. We report a 57 years old male farmer, who has diabetes mellitus and bronchial asthma, who presented with a acute history of high grade fever, pain abdomen and cough. He was diagnosed with a ruptured liver abscess, with the infection spreading to the right lower lobe. Laparotomy was performed. Pus culture grew Pseudomonas aeruginosa. He improved upon antibiotic therapy, only to return after one month with severe cough, chest X-ray revealing a lung abscess in the right lower lobe. Bronchoalveolar lavage culture grew Burkholderia cepacia, and sensitive antibiotics were initiated, however the patient succumbed to the illness. The implicated source of the organism was the nebulisation solution which he was using regularly. Emphasis should be laid on the need for improved aseptic practices while using medical solutions at either hospital or home setting. An index of suspicion may guide optimal antibiotic prescription practices in susceptible individuals.