Induction of In Vitro Resistance to Penicillin in Viridans Group Streptococci and Its Effect on Susceptibility Pattern of Other Antimicrobial Agents

Background: The development of resistance to penicillin in Viridans Group Streptococci (VGS) during therapy has been reported. However, the in vitro development of resistance to penicillin or other antimicrobial agents in VGS is mostly overlooked and rarely reported. Aim & Objectives: To induce in vitro resistance to penicillin in VGS and to study its effect on susceptibility pattern of other structurally related (Beta–lactams) and unrelated antimicrobial agents. Material and Methods: Four isolates of VGS susceptible to all antimicrobial agents were manipulated in vitro to induce resistance to penicillin by sequential exposure to increasing concentrations of penicillin. Results: Increase in MIC values of penicillin from 0.06-0.12 µg/ml to 2-32 µg/ml was observed indicating development of resistance to penicillin. A significant increase in Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values of ampicillin and slight increase in MIC values of other antimicrobial agents in some isolates was also noted. Conclusions: Exposure to increasing concentrations of penicillin can promote the development of resistance to penicillin and cross-resistance to other antimicrobial agents suggesting its mutagenic role

Stimulus-triggered Fate Conversion of Somatic Cells into Pluripotency in Chronic Wounds in Human Beings?

Bone-marrow derived stem cells are multi potential or totipotent and are able to differentiate into numerous cell types. Their application is indicated in various reconstructive and restorative surgeries for rapid healing. A technique for creating cells that have the embryonic ability to turn into almost any cell type in the mammalian body has been reported. Recently, an unexpected phenomenon of somatic cell reprogramming into pluripotent cells by exposing to sublethal stimuli such as citrate based acidic medium has been reported. With the concept of creating acidic environment in chronic infected wounds to make a condition unsuitable for growth and multiplication of bacteria using 3% citric acid has been reported. It would be interesting to study whether the phenomenon of pluripotency takes place in chronic infected wounds in human beings following the application of 3% citric acid and plays an important role in formation of healthy granulation tissue