Functional Foods and the Gut Microbiome

The diversity of microorganisms that inhabits the gut play vital roles as determinants of human health. Among other factors, diet has a significant impact on gut microbial composition and function. This is as a result of the biotransformation of food components and the production of metabolites by the microorganisms. Examples of gut microbiota include Bifidobacterium, Lac-tobacillus, Streptococcus, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The interplay between the diet, gut micro-biota, and the host occurs as the diet changes the gut microbiota composition and function, which in turn affects the host biochemical processes. Thus, diet is currently considered one of the most critical factors that control microbiota structure and metabolism. Functional foods such as probiotic products, prebiotics, symbiotic and dietary polyphenols can modulate the microbio-ta. This is a result of the health benefits associated with these foods. More knowledge of the interactions between functional foods and specific intestinal bacteria could contribute to a better understanding of both positive and negative interactions in vivo and the identification of new microorganisms inhabiting the gut

Molecular Detection of ESBLs, TEM, SHV, and CTX‐M in Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates in Ogun State

This study sought to detect the Class A extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases (ESBLs) present in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from clinical samples using molecular methods. Twenty‐seven P. aeruginosa isolates were characterized among one hundred and fifty clinical samples obtained from three major hospitals in Ogun State. Twenty‐five isolates were found to be ESBL producers upon phenotypic screening. DNA was extracted using Zymo DNA extraction kit. Polymerase chain reaction was used to amplify the ESBL genes using specific primers for the CTX‐M, SHV, and TEM genes. Agarose gel electrophoresis was used to resolve the amplicons, and they were visualized with a UV transilluminator, 64% (16 isolates) were found positive for TEM, 52 and (13 isolates) for SHV, and 44% (11 isolates) for CTX‐M. Some isolates were found positive for two or more of the screened genes. This research identifies the need for surveillance of ESBL producers within Ogun state

Antibiotic Resistance Status of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Clinical Isolates in Ogun State

Pathogenic Gram-negative bacteria mostly produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), a feature that confers resistance to some newer generations of antibiotics. The study was aimed at evaluating the antibiotic resistance status of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from September to November 2020 from tertiary care hospitals in Ogun State, Nigeria. One hundred fifty isolates from clinical samples (high vaginal swab, wound, urine, ear, blood) were obtained, and their susceptibility pattern was determined against eight antibiotics. Out of the 150 samples, 27 P. aeruginosa were identified. Anti-microbial susceptibility testing was carried out on the isolates using the modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, and ESBL production was detected phenotypically. The mean age group of the patients was 29.56 years. Gentamicin from the aminoglycoside class showed best activity (74.1%), and ampicillin and penicillin showed little to no activity (100% and 96.3%, respectively). Cephalosporins, ceftazidime and cefuroxime were 100% resistant, while the fluoroquinolones Ciprofloxacin and Ofloxacin had a mean resistance of 40.7%. The moderate active antibiotic was streptomycin (44.4% susceptible). The poor monitoring of antibiotic usage, the abuse of their availability and the acquisition of resistance elements by organisms in hospitals and the community may be the causes of high antibiotic resistanc

Evaluation of Efflux-Mediated Resistance and Biofilm Formation in Virulent Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated with Healthcare Infections

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant pathogen identified with healthcare-associated infections. The present study evaluates the role of biofilm and efflux pump activities in influencing high-level resistance in virulent P. aeruginosa strains in clinical infection. Phenotypic resistance in biotyped Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 147) from diagnosed disease conditions was classified based on multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) indices and analysed with logistic regression for risk factors. Efflux pump activity, biofilm formation, and virulence factors were analysed for optimal association in Pseudomonas infection using receiver operation characteristics (ROC). Agespecificity (OR [CI] = 0.986 [0.946–1.027]), gender (OR [CI] = 1.44 [0.211–9.827]) and infection sources (OR [CI] = 0.860 [0.438–1.688]) were risk variables for multidrug resistance (MDR)-P. aeruginosa infection (p < 0.05). Biofilm formers caused 48.2% and 18.5% otorrhea and wound infections (95% CI = 0.820–1.032; p = 0.001) respectively and more than 30% multidrug resistance (MDR) strains demonstrated high-level efflux pump activity (95% CI = 0.762–1.016; p = 0.001), protease (95% CI = 0.112–0.480; p = 0.003), lipase (95% CI = 0.143–0.523; p = 0.001), and hemolysin (95% CI = 1.109–1.780; p = 0.001). Resistance relatedness of more than 80% and 60% to cell wall biosynthesis inhibitors (ceftazidime, ceffproxil, augumentin, ampicillin) and, DNA translational and transcriptional inhibitors (gentamicin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, nitrofurantoin) were observed (p < 0.05). Strong efflux correlation (r = 0.85, p = 0.034) with MDR strains, with high predictive performances in efflux pump activity (ROC-AUC 0.78), biofilm formation (ROC-AUC 0.520), and virulence hierarchical-clustering. Combine activities of the expressed efflux pump and biofilm formation in MDR-P. aeruginosa pose risk to clinical management and infection control