EXTENDED EXPECTRUM BETALACTAMASES IN UROPATHOGEN

Background: Urinary tract is the second most common site of bacterial infections in humans. Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) that possess Extended spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) genes have proven to be a concern to the medical community because of their high resistance rates to 3rd generation cephalosporins. ESBLs production has been associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates and has been reported in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. ESBLs are emerging worldwide, making rapid and adequate ESBLs detection crucial for the choice of correct antimicrobial therapy. The aim of the study is to determine the profile of uropathogen, their antibiogram and detection of ESBLs producing strains. Materials and methods: Isolation, identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of organism was done by standard Microbiological procedure. For Gram-negative bacilli ESBLs production was detected by DDST as per CLSI guidelines. Results: Three hundred urine specimens were studied. Significant bacteriuria was present in 35% of specimen. The most common pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli 52.4%. The Resistance pattern of uropathogens was for amikacin (AK) 19.04%, nitrofurantoin (NIT) 40%. We found 55% Gram-negative uropathogen harbored the ESBLs. Majority of ESBLs seen in Klebsiella pneumoniae 60% and Escherichia coli 55%. The ESBLs producing Escherichia coli were highly susceptible to Imipenum 90.90% and Meropenem 94.45%. Conclusions: Escherichia coli are the commonest cause of UTI. Majority of UTI are mono-microbial. Screening of multidrug resistant bacteria especially GNB poses considerable therapeutic challenges in critical care patients because of the production of ESBLs. Amikacin and Nitrofurantoin are the most suitable antibiotics for treatment. Key words: UTI, Uropathogen, Antimicrobial Resistance, ESBL   &nbsp

EVALUATION OF THE WOUND HEALING ACTIVITY OF CAESALPINIA BONDUCELLA AND CYCLEA PELTATA EXTRACTS IN EXPERIMENTALLY INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

Objective: The present study was conducted to verify the effect of Caesalpinia bonducella and Cyclea peltata extracts on experimentally induced excision wounds in diabetic rats.Methods: Methanolic and ethyl acetate extract of test sample in PEG base was applied and observed for wound healing effect for a period of 15 d.Results: The data demonstrated statistically significant wound contraction up to 98% in the treated sample as compared to 90% in diabetic control group. The results correlated (r ³ 0.95) with fasting blood glucose level, indicating the deleterious effect of hyperglycemia in wound healing. Histopathological studies indicated moderate granulation with marked epithelial enclose and moderate hyperplasia in groups treated with high dose (100 mg/kg BW) of methanolic extract of aerial part of Cyclea peltata and root of Caesalpinia bonducella. Conclusion: From the study, it can be hypothesized that tested plant extracts favours wound healing in diabetic animals and paves the way for the more detailed study of the phytochemical constituent for therapeutic applications. The present investigation adds to the existing knowledge in the field of therapeutic medicine and may even become the base for the development of herbal based gel formulations or ointments for treating wounds in diabetic patients and thereby continuous usage of synthetic drugs, its associated side effects could be avoided

URINARY TRACT INFECTION: ETIOLOGY AND ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE WITH REFERENCE TO ADHESIVE ORGANELLES

Background: Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a serious health problem, affecting millions of people each year. Aim: The present study was undertaken to study the profile of uropathogenic bacterial flora in adult, their antibiotic resistant pattern, adherence factors of uropathogens and in vitro adherence capabilities of Uropathogens. Material and Methods: The samples were tested microbiologically by standard procedure. Antibiotic susceptibility of the isolated pathogens was tested for commonly used antibiotics by Kirby-Bauer technique according to CLSI guidelines. Adherence assay were done by hemagglutination test and Giemsa staining technique. Detection of hemolysin production was done on 5% washed sheep blood agar. Motility test was done by stabbing the isolates into SIM biochemical media. Results: Significant bacteriuria was present in 40% of samples. The most common pathogens isolated were Escherichia coli (52%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (16%), Acinetobacter anitratus (11%), Proteus mirabilis (6%), Enterobacter species (5%), Citrobacter species (2%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (2%), Morganella morganii (1%), Enterococcus species (3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (2%). The mean susceptibility of uropathogens was for amikacin (Ak-81%), nitrofurantoin (Nf-60%), cefotaxime (52%), ceftriaxone (Ci-47%), ciprofloxacin (Cf-45%), norfloxacin (Nx-33%), cotrimoxazole (Co-18%) and nalidixic acid (Na-17%). Mean adherence of pathogens to epithelial cells was 70 bacteria cell-1. Of all, 52% isolates were hemagglutinating, 34% were alpha-hemolytic, 31% were beta-hemolytic and 68% were motile. Conclusion: Escherichia coli are the commonest cause of UTI. Adherence is one of the essential pre-requisites to establish UTI. Majority of UTI in men are mono-microbial. Most of uropathogens are susceptible to amikacin (81%) and nitrofurantoin (60%). Key words: UTI, uropathogens, adherence, antimicrobials

Beneficial microbes promote plant growth and induce systemic resistance in sunflower against downy mildew disease caused by Plasmopara halstedii

Seven plant growth promoting fungi (PGPF) native to the rhizosphere soil were screened for their potential to promote growth and to induce resistance in sunflower against Plasmopara halstedii, an incitant of sunflower downy mildew disease. Effect of seed priming with each of these seven PGPF isolates on seed quality parameters and resistance induction were studied under in vitro and green house conditions. Root colonization ability of these PGPF was also studied under green house conditions. The results showed that seed priming with conidial suspension of PGPF at 1 x 108 cfu ml-1 significantly increased seed germination and seedling vigor compared to non primed control. Plants raised with primed seeds demonstrated a significant reduction in downy mildew disease severity and provided a maximum of 61% protection under green house conditions when compared to the untreated control. The experimental results proved that the tested PGPF, promoted growth and induced systemic resistance (ISR) in sunflower plants against the downy mildew disease caused by P. halstedii, due to their growth promoting and biocontrol abilities. Present study has revealed the fact that there is a strong correlation between root colonization and resistance induction in PGPF treated plants

Isolation and characterization of bioactive moiety from leaf extract of ipomoea mauritiana and evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity by Carrageenan induced rat paw edema test

Ipomoea mauritiana Jacq. is a member of family Convolvulaceae and commonly called as Ksheervidari is widely used in various traditional medicines for the treatment of many diseases. In the present work the column fractions of leaf extracts of I. mauritiana obtained by Soxhlet exrtaction was subjected to TLC, column chromatography, HPLC and liquid chromatography and mass spectroscopy (LC-MS). The compounds like caffeic acid and β-amyric acetate were tentatively identified to be present in one of the purified fraction. The column fraction was also tested for anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan induced rat paw edema assay. The column fraction tested showed a very good anti inflammatory activity

Effect of endophytic and plant growth promoting rhizobacteria against foot rot disease of piper nigrum L

Abstract: — Crop loss in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) due to pathogenic diseases is mainly induced by soil borne fungi, bacteria, nematodes and viruses. Foot rot disease caused by Phytophthora capsici Leonian is a major production constraint in South India and other south East Asian countries. Combination of biocontrol agents that are compatible with each other is one of the emerging strategies to control plant disease and pest. The present study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of compatible endophytic fungal (Trichoderma harzianum Th16 and Th5) and rhizobacterial (Pseudomonas fluorescens Pf1) strains against pepper foot rot disease. Our results showed that T. harzianum (Th16 and Th5) and P. fluorescens (Pf1) were compatible and effectively inhibited the growth of P. capsici. The application of endophytic and rhizobacterial strains, alone and in combination in green house and field conditions were found to be effective in controlling the foot rot of pepper caused by P. capsici by inducing systemic resistance (ISR) as evidenced by enhanced activities of PO, PPO, PAL, β-1,3-glucanase, chitinase and total phenolics involved in the synthesis of phytoalexins thereby promoting the growth of plants. However, combinations of Th16 + Th5 + Pf1 were more effective than individual treatments. The findings suggest that synergistic interactions of biocontrol agents may be responsible for the management of foot rot of pepper caused by P. capsici

Molecular identification of dermatophytosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detection of source of infection by restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)

Introduction Dermatophytes are responsible for most superficial fungal infections and the estimated lifetime risk of acquiring a dermatophyte infection is between 10-20%. These fungi are mainly classified in three major genera Microsporum, Trichophyton and Epidermophyton. Materials and Methods Clinically suspected 200 cases of dermatophyte infected patients from K. R. Hospital Mysore and Mission Hospital Mysore were included in this descriptive study from January 2011 to June 2012. All the culture positive smear- 10% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and culture in different dermatophytic medium patients were confirmed by PCR and source of infection was detected (n=10) from PCR positive patients and (n=10) from their domestic animals by PCR-RFLP methods targeting 18S rDNA regions of fungi. Results Out of 200 clinically suspected cases KOH mount was positive in 143 (71.5%) cases and culture was positive in 132(66%) cases. The isolates belonged to three genera and eight species as T.mentagrophytes 52(39.4%), T.rubrum 30(22.7%), T.violacium 18(13.6%), T.verrucosum 11(8.3%), E.floccosum 10(7.6%), M.canis 6(4.5%), T.tonsurans 03(2.3%) and T.schollenii 2(1.5%). To identify the source of infection 10 animals ,one each from the houses of 10 patients who were PCR positive were also subjected to PCR and RFLP. The animals and the patients were found to be infected by same organisms T.verrucosum .This indicates that T.verrucosum infection is from animal source. Conclusion Dermatophytic infections are more common infectious disease. Preliminary diagnosis of dermatophytosis can be done by KOH mount and culture, which takes longer time to report and cannot differentiate at the genus and species level. Results indicate that PCR-RFLP may be considered as gold standard for the diagnosis and confirmation of source of infection of dermatophytosis and can aid the clinician in initiating prompt and appropriate antifungal therapy. Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2012, Vol-8, No-4, 7-15 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i4.8694</p

Insight into limnological regime of Mandya lakes, Karnataka

In the present study physico-chemical quality of seven lakes of Mandya district were determined in four seasons i.e., Post Monsoon, Winter, Pre Monsoon and Monsoon from October 2011 to July 2013, with an objective to estimate their impact on quality of lakes water. Water samples were analyzed for various physical parameters like temperature, pH, turbidity, conductivity and total dissolved solids; chemical parameters like total hardness, calcium, magnesium, nitrate, sulphate, phosphate, iron, fluoride, alkalinity, carbonate, bicarbonate, COD, DO and BOD. Two way ANOVA and the distance similarity matrix of cluster analysis were carried out. Statistical analysis between the sampling spots, showed significant variation in temperature followed by the nitrate, chloride, magnesium, phosphate, COD and iron. A significant relation between the total alkalinity and conductivity followed by magnesium with total hardness, conductivity with total dissolved solids and sulphate with total alkalinity were also established

Evaluation of the wound healing activity of caesalpinia bonducella and cyclea peltata extracts in experimentally induced diabetic rats

Objective: The present study was conducted to verify the effect of Caesalpinia bonducella and Cyclea peltata extracts on experimentally induced excision wounds in diabetic rats. Methods: Methanolic and ethyl acetate extract of test sample in PEG base was applied and observed for wound healing effect for a period of 15 d. Results: The data demonstrated statistically significant wound contraction up to 98% in the treated sample as compared to 90% in diabetic control group. The results correlated (r ³ 0.95) with fasting blood glucose level, indicating the deleterious effect of hyperglycemia in wound healing. Histopathological studies indicated moderate granulation with marked epithelial enclose and moderate hyperplasia in groups treated with high dose (100 mg/kg BW) of methanolic extract of aerial part of Cyclea peltata and root of Caesalpinia bonducella. Conclusion: From the study, it can be hypothesized that tested plant extracts favours wound healing in diabetic animals and paves the way for the more detailed study of the phytochemical constituent for therapeutic applications. The present investigation adds to the existing knowledge in the field of therapeutic medicine and may even become the base for the development of herbal based gel formulations or ointments for treating wounds in diabetic patients and thereby continuous usage of synthetic drugs, its associated side effects could be avoided

Molecular identification of dermatophytosis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and detection of source of infection by restricted fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)

<p><strong>Introduction </strong>Dermatophytes are responsible for most superficial fungal infections and the estimated lifetime risk of acquiring a dermatophyte infection is between 10-20%. These fungi are mainly classified in three major genera <em>Microsporum</em>, <em>Trichophyton </em>and <em>Epidermophyton.</em></p> <p><strong>Materials and Methods </strong>Clinically suspected 200 cases of dermatophyte infected patients from K. R. Hospital Mysore and Mission Hospital Mysore were included in this descriptive study from January 2011 to June 2012. All the culture positive smear- 10% Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and culture in different dermatophytic medium patients were confirmed by PCR and source of infection was detected (n=10) from PCR positive patients and (n=10) from their domestic animals by PCR-RFLP methods targeting 18S rDNA regions of fungi.</p> <p><strong>Results </strong>Out of 200 clinically suspected cases KOH mount was positive in 143 (71.5%) cases and culture was positive in 132(66%) cases. The isolates belonged to three genera and eight species as <em>T.mentagrophytes </em>52(39.4%), <em>T.rubrum </em>30(22.7%), <em>T.violacium </em>18(13.6%), <em>T.verrucosum </em>11(8.3%), <em>E.floccosum </em>10(7.6%), <em>M.canis </em>6(4.5%), <em>T.tonsurans </em>03(2.3%) and <em>T.schollenii </em>2(1.5%). To identify the source of infection 10 animals ,one each from the houses of 10 patients who were PCR positive were also subjected to PCR and RFLP. The animals and the patients were found to be infected by same organisms <em>T.verrucosum .</em>This indicates that <em>T.verrucosum </em>infection is from animal source.</p> <p><strong>Conclusion </strong>Dermatophytic infections are more common infectious disease. Preliminary diagnosis of dermatophytosis can be done by KOH mount and culture, which takes longer time to report and cannot differentiate at the genus and species level. Results indicate that PCR-RFLP may be considered as gold standard for the diagnosis and confirmation of source of infection of dermatophytosis and can aid the clinician in initiating prompt and appropriate antifungal therapy.</p> <p><em>Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, 2012, Vol-8, No-4, 7-15</em></p> <p>DOI: <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i4.8694">http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmsn.v8i4.8694</a></p