Antimicrobial Susceptibility Patterns of Enterococcal Isolates And its Relevance With Biofilms Formation And Β -Lactamase Production

Background: Enteroccci are part of the normal intestinal flora of human and animal, but with increasing antimicrobial resistance, enterococci are recognized as serious nosocomial as well as community pathogens.                                                                                                                                                    Objectives: To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of 44 isolates of enterococci recovered from different pathological specimens from in-and out-patients from Diyala province. Materials and methods: The present study was conducted in Baquba GeneralHospital and Al-BatoolHospital for Maternity and children during the period from 1st. September/2005 to 30th. September /2006. A total of 343 specimens were collected from 213 inpatients and 130 outpatients. 200 (58.3%) were females and 143 (41.7%) were males. The mean age of patients was (32.8 ± 17.2) years. Specimens include, urine, stool, vaginal swabs, throat swabs, burn swabs, blood for culture, middle ear swabs, wound swabs, sputum and cerebrospinal fluid. Specimens were streaked on blood agar, and other differential and selective media. 44 isolates of enterococci (30 E. faecalis, 10 E. faecium, 3 E. gallinarium, and 1 E. avium) were recovered and identified according to standard bacteriological and biochemical criteria. The susceptibility patterns toward 13 antimicrobial agents were done by disc diffusion method. Data were statistically analysed. Results: The results revealed that the highest susceptibility of enterococcal isolates was toward the Nalidixic acid (79.5%), Ciprofloxacin (61.4%), Amoxacillin+clavilanic acid (61.4%), Rifampicillin (36.4%),Trimethoprim (22.7%),  Vancomycin (11.4%). However, all isolates were resistant to Cloxacillin, Cefotaxim, Amoxicillin, Tetracycline, and Erythromycin. The susceptibility of non- β -lactamase producing isolates to penicillin were significantly higher than β - lactamase producing isolates (p<0.001). Furthermore, the sensitivity of non-biofilms former isolates were significantly higher than that of biofilms former isolates (p= 0.002). Conclusion: The overall susceptibility rates of enterococcal isolates recovered from nosocomial as well as community acquired infections to available antimicrobials are low

Microbial Contamination Associated with Computer Keyboards and Mouse Devices in Diyala University

Background: Surface contamination of public user interface systems such as computer keyboards and mouse devices may play a role in community-acquired outbreaks by acting as an environmental vehicle in transmission of potential hazardous microorganisms. There is no economical way to test all keyboards and mice out there, but there is a common-sense way to prevent bacterial contamination or eliminate it if it exists. Objectives: To explore the bacterial contamination rates in multi-user and single-user computer accessories (keyboards and mouse devices) in certain colleges of the Diyala University. Materials and methods: This study was conducted in Bacteriology laboratory- Colleges of Veterinary Medicine- Diyala University for the period from October 2012 to April 2013. A total of 155 swabs were collected aseptically from 60 computers in 4 colleges, namely, College of Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Science, and Education- Pure Science. Swabs were streaked on blood and MacConkey's agar plates then incubated for 24 hours at 37 ̊ C. Final identification of bacterial species was based on standard bacteriological and biochemical criteria. Results: The results showed that the overall contamination rate in the four colleges was (54.8%).  The highest isolation rate of bacterial contaminant was Staphylococcus epidermidis (30.6%), followed by Escherichia coli (29.4%). Fungi constitute (17.6 %) of isolates. The College of Veterinary Medicine rank at the top with significant highest contamination rate (52.7%), followed by the College of Medicine with a contamination rate (21.2). Computers of the internet centers harbor the significant highest contamination rate compared to administrative units (71.8% and 28.2%) respectively. The contamination rate was higher in mouse devices compared to keyboards (57.6% vs 42.3%). Conclusion: The study concluded that continuous education of students and employees about the risk of bacterial contamination arise from using the computers, beside the periodic disinfection of computer accessories may aid the fight against transmission and spreading of infectious pathogens