Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Properties of Total Polyphenols of Anchusa italica Retz

Anchusa italica Retz has been used for a long time in phytotherapy. The aim of the present study was to determine the antioxidant and antibacterial activities of extracts from the leaves and roots of Anchusa italica Retz. We first determined the content of phenolic compounds and flavonoids using Folin–Ciocalteu reagents and aluminum chloride (AlCl3). The antioxidant activity was determined using three methods: reducing power (FRAP), 2.2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), total antioxidant capacity (TAC). The antimicrobial activity was investigated against four strains of Escherichia coli, two strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, and one fungal strain of Candida albicans. The results showed that the root extract was rich in polyphenols (43.29 mg GAE/g extract), while the leave extract was rich in flavonoids (28.88 mg QE/g extract). The FRAP assay showed a strong iron reduction capacity for the root extract (IC50 of 0.11 µg/mL) in comparison to ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.121 µg/mL). The DPPH test determined an IC50 of 0.11 µg/mL for the root extract and an IC50 of 0.14 µg/mL for the leaf extract. These values are low compared to those for ascorbic acid (IC50 of 0.16 µg/mL) and BHT (IC50 0.20 µg/mL). The TAC values of the leaf and root extracts were 0.51 and 0.98 mg AAE/g extract, respectively. In vitro, the extract showed inhibitory activity against all strains studied, with diameters of zones of inhibition in the range of 11.00–16.00 mm for the root extract and 11.67–14.33 mm for the leaf extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration was recorded for the leaf extract against E. coli (ATB:57), corresponding to 5 mg/mL. Overall, this research indicates that the extracts of Anchusa italica Retz roots and leaves exert significant antioxidant and antibacterial activities, probably because of the high content of flavonoids and polyphenols.

Oral and gut microbiome biomarkers of susceptibility to respiratory tract infection in adults: a longitudinal cohort feasibility study

Background and aim: Respiratory tract infections (RTIs) are common in the community. There is some evidence that microbial biomarkers can be used to identify individuals most susceptible to RTI acquisition. We investigated the feasibility of recruiting healthy adults to collect at-home self-reported socio-demographic data and biological samples, saliva (oral) and stool (gut) at three time points (TPs): baseline/start of the study (TP-A), during an RTI (TP-B) and end of study (TP-C). Methods: Healthy adults were recruited from two urban Bristol GP practices. To identify respiratory pathogens in all saliva samples and RTI-S stool samples reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) was applied. We compared oral and gut samples from participants who developed RTI symptoms (RTI-S) and those who remained healthy (no-RTI) using 16S rRNA profiling microbiome analysis to identify the core microbiome, alpha and beta diversity, and biomarkers for susceptibility to RTIs from baseline samples (TP-A) when all participants were healthy. Results: We recruited 56 participants but due to the UK COVID-19 pandemic disruption we did not receive samples from 16 participants leaving 19 RTI-S and 21 no-RTI participants with socio-demographic and microbiome data. RT-PCR revealed coagulase-negative Staphylococcus carriage was significantly higher in RTI-S participants compared to those who remained healthy and RTI symptoms may have been due to viral influenzae and bacterial co-infection with Haemophilus influenzae. Core microbiomes of no-RTI participants contained a greater number of taxa compared to RTI-S participants. Microbial biomarkers of RTI susceptibility in the oral cavity were an increased abundance of the pathobiont Streptococcus sobrinus and decreased probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus salivarius whereas in the gut there was an increased abundance of the genus Veillonella and decreased abundance of Coprobacillus. Conclusion: In our feasibility study we found oral and gut microbial biomarkers for susceptibility to RTI acquisition. Strategies to identify those most vulnerable to RTI in the community could lead to novel interventions to decrease respiratory infection and associated health services burden.

Investigating Pathogenicity and Virulence of Staphylococcus pettenkoferi: An Emerging Pathogen

Staphylococcus pettenkoferi is a coagulase-negative Staphylococcus identified in 2002 that has been implicated in human diseases as an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium. Its multiresistant character is becoming a major health problem, yet the pathogenicity of S. pettenkoferi is poorly characterized. In this study, the pathogenicity of a S. pettenkoferi clinical isolate from diabetic foot osteomyelitis was compared with a Staphylococcus aureus strain in various in vitro and in vivo experiments. Growth kinetics were compared against S. aureus, and bacteria survival was assessed in the RAW 264.7 murine macrophage cell line, the THP-1 human leukemia monocytic cell line, and the HaCaT human keratinocyte cell line. Ex vivo analysis was performed in whole blood survival assays and in vivo assays via the infection model of zebrafish embryos. Moreover, whole-genome analysis was performed. Our results show that S. pettenkoferi was able to survive in human blood, human keratinocytes, murine macrophages, and human macrophages. S. pettenkoferi demonstrated its virulence by causing substantial embryo mortality in the zebrafish model. Genomic analysis revealed virulence factors such as biofilm-encoding genes (e.g., icaABCD; rsbUVW) and regulator-encoding genes (e.g., agr, mgrA, sarA, saeS) well characterized in S. aureus. This study thus advances the knowledge of this under-investigated pathogen and validates the zebrafish infection model for this bacterium.

Risk Factors for The First Episode of Peritonitis in Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis Patients in Pranangklao Hospital

Background: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) is a renal replacement therapy for end stage renal disease patients. Peritonitis is a common complication in CAPD patients leading cause of technical failure and patient mortality. Investigating the risk for the first episode of peritonitis could help to prevent and improve CAPD outcomes. Objective: To investigate the risk factors for the first episode of peritonitis in CAPD patients in Pranangklao Hospital. Materials and Methods: A single-center, retrospective descriptive study was conducted to evaluate patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). All incident CAPD patients between October 1, 2011 and March 1, 2021 were recruited. Baseline demographic, and clinical and laboratory data were collected from medical records. Results: In a cumulative 10,916.9 patient-months follow-up of the 411 CAPD patients, 227 were male and 184 were female. One hundred eightyeight (45.7%) patients presented the first episode of peritonitis. The mean age of peritonitis free group and first peritonitis group was 58.2 years and 56.7 years, respectively. The mean duration from starting CAPD to the first episode of peritonitis was 19.4 months. The average peritonitis rate was 0.26 episodes per year, or one episode per 46.84 patient-months. There were no significant differences in clinical characteristics and laboratory data between these two groups, except there were more diabetes mellitus in the infectious peritonitis group at 72.6% versus 62.8% (p=0.03). Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most common organism causing peritonitis. The multivariate logistic regression showed that diabetes mellitus (OR 1.59, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.46, p=0.04) was the risk factors associated with peritonitis. Conclusion: Diabetes mellitus was the risk factor associated with the first episode of peritonitis. Therefore, special supervision should be provided to this group of patients by optimally controlling the diabetic conditions. Keywords: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis; First peritonitis episode; Risk factors

Antimicrobial Activity of Fuller’s Earth, Turmeric, and Sandalwood against Streptococcus Mutans, Micrococci and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci -an In vitro Study

Introduction: Sandalwood powder (Santalum alba) is used if the skin is oily for removing dark spots on the skin. Sandalwood has an anti-tanning and anti-aging property. Turmeric powder (Curcuma longa) is mainly used to rejuvenate the skin. It helps to delay aging like wrinkles and also possesses other properties like antibacterial, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory, and many other properties. Multani mitti helps the skin in many different ways like the reduction of pore size pore sizes, removing blackheads and removing whiteheads fading freckles, soothing sunburns, cleansing skin, improving blood circulation, complexion, reducing acne and blemishes, and gives a glowing effect to your skin as they contain many-particles which can inhibit various organisms. Materials and Methods: In this investigation, the antimicrobial viability of Turmeric, sandalwood and Multani Mutti was tested against Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and coagulase-negative staphylococcus. The microorganisms were filled in strong media, and culture containing stock suspensions was made and, in this way, standard strains of Streptococcus mutans, Micrococci, and Coagulase-negative staphylococci were obtained. Microorganisms were subcultured in fitting society media to affirm their virtue. Results: The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Streptococcus mutans is about 11mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Micrococci is about 9 mm. The zone of inhibition of turmeric against Coagulase-negative staphylococci is about 13mm. There was no zone of inhibition for both sandalwood and Multani mitti for Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans, and Micrococci. Conclusion: The study proves the turmeric has antimicrobial potential against Coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus mutans,, and Micrococci with good prospects of development into antimicrobial face pack or face wash

Microbiological Study of Vaginal Microbiota and Endometrium in Women with Chronic Endometritis

The research objective was to study the spectrum of the vagina and endometrium microorganisms in women with chronic endometritis (CE) in order to take adequate therapeutic measures. Methods and Results: We did a cross-sectional study in 47 women (average age of 35.38±5.19 years) with histologically confirmed CE. The vaginal microbiota and endometrial biopsies were assessed using microbiological research methods in accordance with the medical technology "Integral assessment of the state of the vaginal microbiota." To identify the share of different types of microorganisms in the structure of the biocenosis, the coefficient of constancy of the species (C) was used. Only 19% of patients had a titer of Lactobacillus spp. within the age norm, while the deficit was observed in 80% of women. Among the representatives of Enterobacteriaecae, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella aerogenes were sown, which are considered to be random species (C=11% and C=2.1%, respectively). The average titer for E. coli was 3.6±1.3 lg CFU/swab and for K. aerogenes - 2.14 lg CFU/swab. An atypical variant of E. coli with hemolytic properties was found in only one sample. All isolates of the genus Staphylococcus were also random species (C did not exceed 25%). Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) were detected in 7 patients (C=15%), while the average titer was 2.1±0.4 lg CFU/swab. S. aureus was isolated from only one patient at a titer of 5 lg CFU/swab. Corynebacterium spp. were isolated in 11% of cases (C = 11% - random species), in a titer of 3.2±0.8 lg CFU/swab. Enterococcus spp. also belonged to random species (C=23.4%). At the same time, E. faecalis was inoculated in 19% of cases and E. faecium was sown in 4.3%, the average titer of which was 3.1±0.9 and 5 lg CFU/swab. Streptococcus spp. were recorded in only one case at a concentration of 5 lg CFU/swab. Fungi of the Candida were isolated as a random species in 8.5% of cases. The growth of microorganisms in endometrial samples was obtained only in 3 examined women with CE (6.4% of cases). The endometrial microbiota were represented only by random species, for which the C index ranged from 2.1% to 4.3%. Conclusion: The microbiological study of the microbiota of vaginal discharge showed the presence of dysbiotic disorders with a significant deficiency of lactobacilli (80%) without the dominance of representatives of the Lactobacillus spp. In the structure of opportunistic microflora, Escherichia coli, coagulase-negative staphylococcus, Enterococcus spp., and E. faecalis prevailed as random species. Representatives of the microbiota in endometrial biopsies were identified only in 6.4% of cases, and are represented by random species.

Multidrug resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococcus spp. isolated from cases of chronic rhinosinusitis in humans. Study from Poland

For many years, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) have been considered non-pathogenic bacteria. However, recently, CoNS are becoming more common bacteriological factors isolated from cases of chronic rhinosinusitis in humans. Moreover, most of them represent the multidrug-resistant or/and methicillin-resistant profile, which significantly increases the therapeutic difficulties. The aim of the study was to characterize profile of resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from cases of chronic rhinosinusitis in patients treated in a Medical Center in Warsaw in 2015–2016. The study material was derived from patients with diagnosed chronic rhinosinusitis treated at the MML Medical Center in Warsaw. The material was obtained intraoperatively from maxillary, frontal, and ethmoid sinuses. In total, 1,044 strains were isolated from the studied material. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were predominant, with the largest share of Staphylococcus epidermidis. Isolated CoNS were mainly resistant to macrolide, lincosamide, and tetracycline. Among the S. epidermidis strains, we also showed 35.6% of MDR and 34.7% of methicillin-resistant strains. The same values for other non-epidermidis species were 31.5% and 18.5%, respectively and the percentage of strains with MAR >0.2 was greater in S. epidermidis (32.6%) than S. non-epidermidis (23.9%). Although the percentage of strains resistant to tigecycline, glycopeptides, rifampicin and oxazolidinones was very small (2.3%, 1.9%, 1.4% and 0.7% respectively), single strains were reported in both groups. The study has shown a high proportion of MDR and methicillin-resistant CoNS strains, which indicates a large share of drug-resistant microorganisms in the process of persistence of chronic rhinosinusitis; therefore, isolation of this group of microorganisms from clinical cases using aseptic techniques should not be neglected.

Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CoNS): A Review

Coagulase-negative staphylococcus (CoNS) has gained more importance as pathogenic organism for infections in both human and animals. CoNS are especially prevalent in immunocompromised patients, critically ill patients, patients having invasive medical devices. The incidence of CoNS varied across different geographic locations in humans and animals. Also, there are varying antibiotic resistance patterns observed in CoNS species, with high methicillin resistance and cross resistance against many antibiotics. Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, Staphylococcus xylosus are the most commonly reported species in various studies. Various virulence factors in CoNS are responsible for enhanced pathogenicity. Because of advancement in diagnostic techniques understanding of molecular mechanisms of CoNS pathogenicity is possible. Recent advances in identification and typing methods, virulence screening methods will help to assess true pathogenic potential of CoNS species. This review focuses on various CoNS species, their identification and virulence factors and clinical importance.

Central line-associated bloodstream infection trend in Brazilian adult intensive care units: an ecological study

Introduction: Central line-associated bloodstream infections are the second most frequent infection in intensive care units. It represents an adverse event of significant magnitude, thus threatening the patient safety. The aim of this study was to analyze the historical trend of central line-associated bloodstream infections in patients in intensive care units, the rate of infection, central venous catheter utilization ratio, type of pathogen and their antimicrobial resistance pattern. Methodology: This ecological study was performed at 42 intensive care units from a state capital of the Midwest region of Brazil. Central line-associated bloodstream infections notifications were collected from two databases, the Municipal Coordination for Patient Safety and Infection Control at Healthcare Services, from 2012-2016, and the FormSUS (National Health System Data Processing Company), from 2014-2016. Results: The incidence of central line-associated bloodstream infections was high and stationary in the period (incidence rate of 2.3 to 3.2 per 1,000 catheter days, central venous catheter utilization ratio average 56,9%). The most frequent microorganisms were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Resistance to 3rd and 4th generation cephalosporins and carbapenems were detected among Gram-negative bacteria, and resistance to oxacillin among Gram-positive bacteria. Conclusions: Central line-associated bloodstream infections incidence rates were high, however the historical trend remained stationary in adult intensive care units. Infections were mostly caused by coagulase-negative Staphylococcus, K. pneumoniae, Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, including multi-drug resistant organisms. These findings point to the need of educational strategies addressing the adherence to established preventive measures and to the rational use of antimicrobials.

Generalized dermatophytosis caused by Trichophyton equinum in 8 juvenile black bears in California

From 2014–2019, 8 juvenile black bears ( Ursus americanus) from different geographic regions were presented to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife because of emaciation, alopecia, and exfoliative dermatitis that resulted in death or euthanasia. Autopsy and histopathology revealed that all 8 bears had generalized hyperkeratotic dermatitis, folliculitis, and furunculosis. Skin structures were heavily colonized by fungal hyphae and arthrospores; fungal cultures of skin from 7 bears yielded Trichophyton equinum, a zoophilic dermatophyte reported only rarely in non-equid species. Additional skin conditions included mites (5), ticks (2), and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus sp. infections (2). No other causes of morbidity or mortality were identified. Molecular comparisons performed at the University of Texas Fungal Reference Laboratory determined that all isolates produced identical banding patterns, potentially representing a clonal population. Dermatophytosis is commonly localized and limited to the stratum corneum of the epidermis and hair follicles. Generalized disease with dermal involvement is rare in immunocompetent individuals; illness, malnutrition, age, or immunosuppression may increase susceptibility. Underlying causes for the severe disease impact in these bears were not evident after physical or postmortem examination. The mechanism by which bears from different geographic locations had severe, T. equinum–associated dermatophytosis from a potentially clonal dermatophyte could not be explained and warrants further investigation.