Evaluation of the effects of sound exposure and low field electromagnetism on growth and antibiotics susceptibility of some microorganisms

Background The emergence of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms has been largely associated with drug misuse, drug abuse, and indiscriminate disposal of drugs; however, the interactions between some environmental factors and antibiotic resistance by microorganisms have been understudied. In this study, the effects of sound and electromagnetic field on the growth and antibiotic susceptibility of selected microorganisms to antibiotics were investigated. Results Microorganisms used include Gluconobacter oxydans ATCC 19,357, Rhodobacter sphaeroides ATCC 17,023, Citrobacter freundii ATCC 33,128, Yersina pestis ATCC 11,953, Bacillus subtilis 6633, Acetobacter aceti ATCC 15,973, Escherichia coli ATCC 25,922, Pseudomonas aeuriginosa ATCC 9027, Streptococcus pyogenes ATCC 19,613, Klebsiella pneumonia ATCC 25,955, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25,923 and Serratia marcescens ATCC 14,766. The antibiotics used were: Ciprofloxacin 5 μg, Imipenem 10 μg, Ampicillin 10 μg, Ceftazidime 30 μg and Tetracycline 30 μg for Gram-negative bacteria while Pefloxacin 10 μg, Gentamycin 10 μg, Amplicillin + Cloxacillin 30 μg, Cefuroxime 20 μg, Amoxacillin 30 μg, Ceftriaxone 25 μg, Ciprofloxacin 10 μg, Streptomycin 30 μg, Co-trimoxazole 30 μg, and Erythromycin 10 μg for Gram-positive bacteria, respectively. Acoustic treatment had varying effects on the antibiotics susceptibility profile of all test bacterial culture. Before exposure, P. aeruginosa had the highest zone of inhibition of 34 ± 3.4 mm, while B. subtilis had least inhibition zone of 12 ± 2.8. After exposure to acoustic treatment at 5000 Hz/90 dB at 72 h, C. freundii had highest zone of inhibition of 32 ± 0.7 mm and the least zone of 11 ± 1.4 mm observed in P. aeruginosa. At 1125 Hz/80 dB after 72 h, R. sphaeroides had highest zone of 34 ± 0.7 mm while A. aceti had least zone of inhibition of 10 ± 0 mm. Effect of electromagnetic flux treatment of 15 min showed E. coli to be the most inhibited having a growth rate of 0.08 log cfu/mL, antibiotics testing showed G. oxydans to have the highest zone of inhibition of 28 ± 3.5 mm and least zone was observed in B. subtilis having a zone of 13 ± 2.8 mm. Conclusion This study showed that environmental factor such as sound and electromagnetic flux (EMF) could interfere with the physiology of bacteria including resistance/susceptibility to antibiotics. However, further investigation will be needed to understand full mechanisms of action of sound and electromagnetic field on bacteria.

Revisited Hyperoxia Pathophysiology in the Perioperative Setting: A Narrative Review

The widespread use of high-dose oxygen, to avoid perioperative hypoxemia along with WHO-recommended intraoperative hyperoxia to reduce surgical site infections, is an established clinical practice. However, growing pathophysiological evidence has demonstrated that hyperoxia exerts deleterious effects on many organs, mainly mediated by reactive oxygen species. The purpose of this narrative review was to present the pathophysiology of perioperative hyperoxia on surgical wound healing, on systemic macro and microcirculation, on the lungs, heart, brain, kidneys, gut, coagulation, and infections. We reported here that a high systemic oxygen supply could induce oxidative stress with inflammation, vasoconstriction, impaired microcirculation, activation of hemostasis, acute and chronic lung injury, coronary blood flow disturbances, cerebral ischemia, surgical anastomosis impairment, gut dysbiosis, and altered antibiotics susceptibility. Clinical studies have provided rather conflicting results on the definitions and outcomes of hyperoxic patients, often not speculating on the biological basis of their results, while this review highlighted what happens when supranormal PaO2 values are reached in the surgical setting. Based on the assumptions analyzed in this study, we may suggest that the maintenance of PaO2 within physiological ranges, avoiding unnecessary oxygen administration, may be the basis for good clinical practice.

Urinary Schistosomiasis and Asymptomatic Bacteriuria among Individuals of Ipogun, Nigeria: Detection of Predominant Microorganisms Antibiotics Susceptibility and Profile.

The development of bacteriuria and subsequent antibiotic resistance may be facilitated by infection with the parasite Schistosoma hematobium. This situation has been described in some African countries like Nigeria, Sudan and Congo. The present study aimed to assess the association of bacteriuria with Schistosoma haematobium infection in Ipogun, located in Ifedore Local Government, South-west, Ondo State, Nigeria. One hundred and nine (109) terminal urine samples were collected from inhabitants of the village and analyzed for the presence of bacteriuria and ova of Schistosoma haematobium via culture and microscopy respectively. Our findings revealed that 81 (74.31%) samples had bacteriuria and 42 (38.53%) were infected with Schistosoma haematobium. Of the 42 samples that were positive for schistosomiasis, 32 (76.19%) were associated with bacteriuria. Gram negative bacteria associated with co-infection of urine samples with schistosomiasis demonstrated a higher level of resistance to conventional antibiotics compared to bacteria isolated from single bacteriuria infection. Findings from the study highlight the role of Schistosoma haematobium in the perpetuation of antibiotic resistance in cases of co-infection with bacteriuria.

Isolation of Microbes Associated With Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Keypads Studied at Rumuokoro Port Harcourt, Rivers State

The keypads of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are subjected to several microbial contaminations due to their large dermal contact by numerous users and different personal hygiene practice. The study investigated the bacterial diversity and level of contamination obtainable on the ATM keypads during transactions and antibiotics susceptibility pattern of the isolates. The population of culturable bacterial isolates was determined by plating. Isolates were characterized culturally, morphologically and biochemically. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined using the disc diffusion method. The total culturable heterotrophic bacterial counts ranssged from 5.23 to 9.25 log cfu/g. The bacterial identified and frequency of occurrence is Staphylococcus aureus (17.5%), Escherichia coli (22.5%), Bacillus spp (17.5%), Salmonella spp (10.0%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.0%), Proteus spp (7.5%) and Klebsiella spp (15.0%) respectively. Staphylococcus aureus were more susceptible to Chloramphenicol (37mm) and were more resistant to Rifampicin (00mm) and Levofloxacin (00mm) respectively. The Gram negative isolates in the study were susceptible to ciprofloxacin and gentamycin and more resistant to ceporex, nalidixic acid, septrin and ampicillin respectively. The highest gram negative isolates that showed more susceptible to all the used gram negative antibiotics were Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp while the lowest were Klebsiella spp and Proteus spp respectively. The study has revealed that bacterial contamination on ATM keypads is of health significance and could result to public health challenges if not properly managed. Therefore, adequate hand- washing hygienic practices and cleaning agents are advocated towards reducing the related ill- health among ATM users.

Antibiotic Resistance Pattern and Plasmid Profile of Bacteria Isolates from Household Water Distribution Tanks in Ado-Ekiti

Water is essential to life. The existence of all forms of life is dependent on an adequate water supply. The exigent need for water supply in homes prompted the construction of water sources and water storage devices in the homes. This however does not guarantee that the water is safe to drink. If the water is safe at the source, it may be contaminated during transportation storage and drawing at home. This study was carried out to determine the microbial counts, antibiotics susceptibility and plasmid profile of bacteria isolates from household water distribution tanks in the Ado-Ekiti metropolis. The total bacteria and coliform counts were determined using the pour plating technique. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the isolates was determined using the disc diffusion technique while the plasmid profile of the isolates was determined using the alkaline lysis method and agar gel electrophoresis. The mean total bacteria count of the water sample was 6.96 log10 CFU/ml, while the mean total of coliform count is 5.50 log10CFU/ml. The isolates with multiple antibiotics resistance belonged to five bacteria genera namely: Escherichia, Pseudomonas, Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Proteus. The plasmid analysis showed that four of the resistant strains had multiple plasmids, Enterobacter aerogens had 3 plasmids (1kb, 1.5kb and 2kb), Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella aerogens had two plasmids (1kb, 1.5kb) respectively while Proteus vulgaris and Escherichia coli had no plasmid.