Search

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of mastitis worldwide. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns of S. aureus in mastitic milk samples collected from camel farms in Matrouh Governorate, Egypt. A total of 200 mastitic camel milk samples were evaluated for S. aureus using both conventional culture-based and molecular-based methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of S. aureus isolates was conducted using disc diffusion and agar dilution methods, with antibiotic resistance genes identified through polymerase chain reaction with specific primers. Out of samples tested, 60 (30.00%) were positive for S. aureus. The isolates displayed the highest of resistance against piperacillin-tazobactam (55.00%) followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (45.00%) and amoxicillin (40.00%). Half of the isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR). The AMR genes included methicillin-resistant gene (mecA), ß-lactamase gene (blaZ), tetracycline resistance gene (tetK), erythromycin resistance gene (ermB) and vancomycin resistant gene (vanA) were detected in 100%, 100%, 95.00%, 90.00% and 20.00% of the isolates, respectively. In conclusion, the presence of MDRS aureus as a cause of clinical camel mastitis is a significant veterinary and public health concern. These findings highlight the importance of proper antibiotic use in Egyptian camel farms and the need for molecular techniques to fully understand the genetic profile of antimicrobial-resistant S. aureus isolates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Minced meat is a valuable source of nutrients, but it is vulnerable to contamination by microorganisms commonly present in the environment. In addition, there is a risk of adulteration with cheaper meat sources, which can be harmful to consumers. Aim: It is crucial to identify meat adulteration with distinct microbiological analysis for legal, economic, religious, and public health purposes. Methods: A total of 100 minced meat samples were collected from several markets in Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. These samples were then subjected to bacteriological testing and an advanced multiplex PCR method. This method enables the detection of bovine, equine, porcine, and dog species in meat samples with just one step. Results: The adulterated samples had a higher total bacterial count and pH values compared to pure bovine meat. These differences in bacterial count and pH values were statistically significant, with p-values of 0.843 (log10) and 0.233, respectively. The frequency of Escherichia coli occurrence was 13%, and the O111 serotype was predominant in the adulterated samples. Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus were isolated with prevalence rates of 3% and 29%, respectively. Besides, the SYBR-green multiplex real-time PCR assay used in this study detected adulteration with dog, equine, and porcine meats in the examined samples at rates of 9%, 5%, and 4%, respectively. Conclusion: This method provides a sensitive and specific approach to detect issues related to well-being and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrio species are significant pathogens affecting aquatic species. Around 12 species of Vibrio can cause a gastrointestinal illness (gastroenteritis) in humans resulting from eating contaminated food such as raw or undercooked shellfish. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics accelerates the development of resistance representing a severe challenge for controlling Vibrio outbreaks. In this study, the antibiotic resistance profile and the prevalence of pathogenic Vibrio species of apparently healthy and diseased fishes isolated from different types of fish in Kafr ELSheikh Governorate in Egypt during 2018 were determined. Samples obtained from fishes were inoculated onto a Vibrio-selective medium (TCBS) and phenotypically identified using the biochemical characteristics and representative cultures were checked by PCR to confirm the identified isolates. In the present study, V. alginolyticus (16.00%) was the predominant species followed by V. cholerae (7.33%) and V. parahaemolyticus (5.33%). The tested isolates were resistant to ampicillin (80.00%) and sensitive to ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin (100%). A total number of 15 Vibrio isolates (five Vibrio parahaemolyticus, five V. alginolyticus, and five V. cholerae) were screened for five housekeeping genes and pathogenic virulence markers by PCR. Results showed that 100% of the V. parahaemolyticus isolates carried the tlh gene and 60.00% carried the tdh gene. In V. alginolyticus, 100% of the isolates carried the collagenase gene 0.00% carry the tdh gene; and 80.00% of V. cholerae isolates carried the ctx gene. The results showed that many isolates in this study had virulence characteristics that might correspond with the potential of infections and diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study was designed to estimate the effect of γ-radiation on male rats pretreated with Levetiracetam (LEV) and/ or Oxcarbazepine (OXC). Poly-treatment of rats with LEV, OXC and γ-radiation showed a significant elevation in the activity of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and isoenzyme creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB) along with, an increase in the level of creatinine, urea, cardiac troponin (cTnI) and glutamate. These increases were associated with a decrease in acetylcholine (Ach) and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels. The data further revealed a significant increase of the apoptotic mediator's tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and brain caspase3 as well as, alterations in the oxidative stress parameters. The Results of the histopathological examination of liver, kidney, heart and brain tissues indicated coincidence with those recorded by the biochemical analysis. It seems promising to conclude that the exposure to γ- radiation intensified the deleterious and detrimental effect of dual treatment of LEV and OXC in rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofilm-producing ability has been identified as a serious virulence factor in staphylococci and increases their antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to investigate the biofilm forming ability of staphylococci isolated from cow milk samples. Moreover, we assessed the antibiofilm activity of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against methicillin resistant (MRSA) and biofilm forming staphylococci. The results revealed that 82.14% (23/28) and 91.66% (11/12) of the coagulase positive staphylococci (CPS) and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) isolates, respectively produced biofilm on Congo red agar (CRA). In the case of the microtiter plates (MTP) method, all CPS and CNS isolates produced biofilm at different levels. These results revealed a substantial agreement between CRA and MTP results according to the kappa coefficient test (kappa value = 0.773). Staphylococcus aureus species specific nuc gene and the determinant of methicillin resistance (mecA) gene were amplified from S. aureus isolates (n=10). The intercellular adhesion gene A (icaA), and intercellular adhesion gene D (icaD) were amplified from all the CPS and CNS isolates, but none of the isolates were positive for the biofilm associated protein (bap) gene. Antibiotic susceptibility testing showed that all isolates were oxacillin resistant. AgNPs (100 μg/mL) inhibited the growth of Staphylococci isolates (inhibition zone diameters ranged from 22 to 28 mm). AgNPs decreased biofilm formation in the biofilm forming Staphylococci isolates with percent ranged from 67.05 to 98.02% using MTP assay. In conclusion, AgNPs have antistaphylococcal activity and inhibit biofilm formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]