Effectiveness of raw bacteriocin produced from lactic acid bacteria on biofilm of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Background and Aim: Probiotics are proven beneficial to health since they enhance immunity against dangerous pathogens and increase resistance to illness. Bacteriocin produced by lactic acid bacteria (LAB), demonstrates a broad inhibitory spectrum and therapeutic potential. This study aimed to isolate LAB-producing bacteriocin and investigate the effect of crude bacteriocin on biofilm from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Materials and Methods: This study used randomly collected 80 white soft local cheeses (40 each from cows and sheep) from different supermarkets in Basrah Province. The obtained samples were cultured and the bacterial suspension of S. aureus was prepared at 1.5 × 108 cells/mL. The crude bacteriocin extracted from LAB was obtained, and the tube was dried and inverted to detect the biofilm loss at the bottom. Results: There were 67 (83.75%) LAB isolates. Among 40 milk samples collected directly and indirectly, there were 36 (83.33%). Staphylococcus aureus isolates based on conventional bacteriological analysis and biochemical tests. Molecular testing was conducted to identify LAB and MRSA. Depending on genotypic results, the effect of white soft local cheese (cows and sheep) and the amplification results of the 16S rRNA gene were detected in 46 LAB isolates from white soft local cheese from cows and sheep. Based on the molecular identification of the mecA, results on Staphylococcus determined that only 2 of 36 isolates of S. aureus carried the mecA. Moreover, there were 26 (86.66%) isolates (MRSA) from samples of raw milk from local markets and subclinical mastitis in cows. The ability of LAB isolates was tested. The effects of bacteriocin production on preventing biofilm growth and formation were investigated. Results demonstrated that bacteriocin has high activity. Microtiter plates applied to investigate the ability of S. aureus to produce biofilms revealed that all isolates were either weak or moderate biofilm producers, with neither non-biofilm nor strong biofilm producers found among the tested isolates. Conclusion: Lactic acid bacteria demonstrate a high ability to produce bacteriocin. Crude bacteriocin from LAB has a restrictive effect on biofilms produced by MRSA; thus, it can be used to reduce the pathogenicity of this bacterium

First molecular confirmation of Coenurus cerebralis in sheep and goats with neurological behaviors in Iraq

Background and Aim: Coenurus cerebralis is the intermediate stage of the canine cestode, which infect sheep and goats, resulting mainly in neurological signs and causing direct and indirect economic losses. This study aimed to demonstrate the existence of C. cerebralis and to elucidate the role of this parasite in inducing neurological behaviors in sheep and goats. Materials and Methods: On the basis of historical data on neurological signs, we subjected 76 animals (49 sheep and 27 goats) of different ages, sexes, and geographical areas for molecular examination of their blood samples using the polymerase chain reaction assay. Results: Of the 76 animals, 23.68% tested positive for C. cerebralis infection. We found significant increases in infection (p0.05) variation between sheep ages ≥1-3 years and ≥3 years; however, both groups had a significantly (p≤0.043) higher positivity rate than did sheep ages <1 year. The findings of sheep ages <1 year and ≥1-3 years were significantly higher than those of the goats, but not for goats ages ≥3 years. Female sheep and goats showed a significant increase in positivity versus that for the males. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report in Iraq targeting detection of C. cerebralis in sheep and goats with neurological behaviors; therefore, additional studies involving different animals in other regions using molecular techniques are needed

Molecular and histopathological identification of ovine neosporosis (Neospora caninum) in aborted ewes in Iraq

Aim: The objective of the present study was to detect Neospora caninum DNA in the placenta of sheep and evaluate the association of risk factors to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) positive and histopathological analysis of the placenta and fetal tissue samples of aborted fetuses. Materials and Methods: Fresh placenta from 51 aborted ewes was collected for PCR assay. Placental and fetal tissues of aborted fetuses, including brain, heart, liver, lung, and thymus, were collected for histopathological analysis, besides the risk factor data were obtained during the time of sampling. Results: From 51 placentas examined by PCR, 13.73% appeared positive to N. caninum DNA. The relationship between PCR positive and the risk factors revealed a significant difference (p0.05). Histopathological investigation of placental and fetal tissues of positive samples showed tissue cyst-like structure, necrotic foci, and infiltration of mononuclear cells. Other lesions were thickening in chorionic plate in placenta, severe vacuolization and death of neurons, microgliosis, demyelination, edema, and proliferation of astrocytes in brain. In addition, fibrous and fat deposition with stenosis in the heart, parenchymal necrosis, severe atrophy, vacuolization and hyalinization of hepatocytes, megakaryocyte, portal fibrosis in the liver, and interlobular septal thickening in lung without obvious lesions is seen in the thymus tissue samples. Conclusion: This is a unique study that confirmed N. caninum DNA in the placenta of aborted ewes in Iraq using PCR assay. Histopathological analysis of some aborted fetuses organs could provide a more confirmatory and reliable data for a significant role of neosporosis in increasing the rate of abortion in sheep, while the clinical data of risk factors could be used to control the transmission of N. caninum infection