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Background: Nosocomial infections (NIs) in the postoperative period not only increase morbidity and mortality, but also impose a significant economic burden on the health care infrastructure. This retrospective study was undertaken to (a) evaluate the incidence, characteristics, risk factors and outcomes of NIs and (b) identify common microorganisms responsible for infection and their antibiotic resistance profile in our Cardiac Surgical Intensive Care Unit (CSICU). Patients and Methods: After ethics committee approval, the CSICU records of all patients who underwent cardiovascular surgery between January 2013 and December 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. The incidence of NI, distribution of NI sites, types of microorganisms and their antibiotic resistance, length of CSICU stay, and patient-outcome were determined. Results: Three hundred and nineteen of 6864 patients (4.6%) developed NI after cardiac surgery. Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) accounted for most of the infections (44.2%) followed by surgical-site infection (SSI, 11.6%), bloodstream infection (BSI, 7.5%), urinary tract infection (UTI, 6.9%) and infections from combined sources (29.8%). Acinetobacter, Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus were the most frequent pathogens isolated in patients with LRTI, BSI, UTI, and SSI, respectively. The Gram-negative bacteria isolated from different sources were found to be highly resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Conclusion: The incidence of NI and sepsis-related mortality, in our CSICU, was 4.6% and 1.9%, respectively. Lower respiratory tract was the most common site of infection and Gram-negative bacilli, the most common pathogens after cardiac surgery. Antibiotic resistance was maximum with Acinetobacter spp.

The South American tomato pinworm, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae), is an invasive pest difficult to control. Insecticide application is quite common and remains the prevalent control method particularly in open-field cultivation systems. As a result, insecticide resistance to many chemical classes of insecticides has been described both in South America and in Europe. The development of insecticide resistance is relatively fast in this species, and the main mechanisms involved are altered target-site sensitivity and/or enhanced detoxification, depending on the chemical class. However, insecticide resistance mechanisms do not differ between South America and Europe and are mainly due to simple genotype variations leading to high levels of resistance. The presence of resistance alleles at low frequency, especially against newer chemistry, is of major concern, as they tend to spread with the invasions making tomato pinworm particularly difficult to control. The monitoring methods and management programmes developed for the species benefited from the pro-activity of the Insecticide Resistance Action Committee and its country groups, particularly in Brazil and Spain. Bioassay methods were developed, resistance monitoring activities initiated and resistance management guidance was provided. The implementation of integrated control programmes and appropriate resistance management strategies as part of such programs is of utmost importance to keep tomato pinworm infestations under economic damage thresholds, thus guaranteeing sustainable yields.

Background Bacillus cereus is implicated in severe foodborne infection in humans. This study intended to assess the occurrence, gro EL gene sequencing, biofilm production, and resistance profiles of emerged multidrug resistant (MDR) B. cereus in meat and meat product samples. Moreover, this work highlights the virulence and toxigenic genes ( hbl ABCD complex, nhe ABC complex, cyt K, ces , and pc-plc ) and antimicrobial resistance genes ( bla 1, tet A, bla 2, tet B, and erm A). Methods Consequently, 200 samples (sausage, minced meat, luncheon, beef meat, and liver; n  = 40 for each) were indiscriminately collected from commercial supermarkets in Port Said Province, Egypt, from March to May 2021. Subsequently, food samples were bacteriologically examined. The obtained isolates were tested for gro EL gene sequence analysis, antibiotic susceptibility, biofilm production, and PCR screening of toxigenic and resistance genes. Results The overall prevalence of B. cereus among the inspected food samples was 21%, where the highest predominance was detected in minced meat (42.5%), followed by beef meat (30%). The phylogenetic analysis of the gro EL gene exposed that the examined B. cereus strain disclosed a notable genetic identity with other strains from the USA and China. Moreover, the obtained B. cereus strains revealed β-hemolytic activity, and 88.1% of the recovered strains tested positive for biofilm production. PCR evidenced that the obtained B. cereus strains usually inherited the nhe complex genes ( nhe A and nhe C: 100%, and nhe B: 83.3%), followed by cyt K (76.2%), hbl complex ( hbl C and hbl D: 59.5%, hbl B: 16.6%, and hbl A: 11.9%), ces (54.7%), and pc-plc (30.9%) virulence genes. Likewise, 42.9% of the examined B. cereus strains were MDR to six antimicrobial classes and encoded bla 1, bla 2, erm A, and tet A genes. Conclusion In summary, this study highlights the presence of MDR B. cereus in meat and meat products, posing a significant public health risk. The contamination by B. cereus is common in minced meat and beef meat. The molecular assay is a reliable fundamental tool for screening emerging MDR B. cereus strains in meat and meat products.

Background Streptococcus agalactiae is implicated in severe infections in humans and causes considerable financial losses in the aquaculture industry, particularly in tilapia farming. Given its dual threat to public health and food security, this study was conducted to comprehensively assess the prevalence, molecular identification, multidrug resistance (MDR) patterns, virulence traits, antimicrobial resistance genes, and pathogenic potential of S. agalactiae strains isolated from Oreochromis niloticus . Notably, this study highlights the detection of critical virulence genes ( cfb , hyl B, lmb , and cyl E), which play essential roles in host invasion and immune evasion. In parallel, the presence of resistance determinants such as pbp 1A, aac (6’) -aph (2’’), tet M or tet K, and erm B or erm A underscores the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance in aquatic environments. Methods A total of 180 Oreochromis niloticus samples—comprising 90 apparently healthy and 90 moribund fish—were collected from private fish farms in Ismailia, Egypt. Clinical and postmortem (PM) examinations, along with bacteriological analysis, were subsequently performed. The recovered isolates were then subjected to molecular identification via 16 S rRNA gene amplification, antibiotic susceptibility testing via standard protocols, and PCR-based screening for key virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes. Results All recovered Streptococcus agalactiae isolates were confirmed by the presence of the species-specific 16 S rRNA gene. The overall prevalence of S. agalactiae among the examined O. niloticus was 10% (18/180), with the brain identified as the primary target organ for infection. PCR analysis revealed that the most frequently detected virulence-associated genes among the isolates were cfb (100%), hyl B (82.1%), lmb (78.5%), and cyl E (57.1%). Additionally, 35.7% of the S. agalactiae isolates exhibited multidrug resistance (MDR) to seven different antimicrobial classes and harbored resistance genes including pbp 1A, aac (6’) -aph (2’’), tet M, and erm B. Another 17.8% of the isolates were MDR to six antimicrobial classes and carried the pbp 1A, tet M, and erm A genes. Pathogenicity assays demonstrated a strong correlation between the presence of virulence genes and the observed mortality rates in experimentally infected fish. Notably, mortality sharply increased within the first 7 days post-inoculation, reaching approximately 73.3%, underscoring the high virulence potential of the recovered strains. Conclusion Briefly, this study highpoints the development of MDR S. agalactiae in O. niloticus , affirming a public health risk. The emerging MDR S. agalactiae strains in O. niloticus frequently harbor the cfb , hyl B, lmb , and cyl E virulence genes, and the pbp 1A, aac (6’) aph (2’’), tet M or tetK, and erm B or erm A resistance genes.

Descurainia sophia L. (flixweeds) is a noxious broad-leaf weed infesting winter wheat fields in China that has evolved high resistance to tribenuron-methyl. In this work, a brand new gene CYP77B34 was cloned from tribenuron-methyl-resistant (TR) D. sophia and transferred into Arabidopsis thaliana, and the sensitivities of Arabidopsis with or without the CYP77B34 transgene to herbicides with a different mode of actions (MoAs) were tested. Compared to Arabidopsis expressing pCAMBIA1302-GFP (empty plasmid), Arabidopsis transferring pCAMBIA1302-CYP77B34 (recombinant plasmid) became resistant to acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide tribenuron-methyl, protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicides carfentrazone-ethyl and oxyfluorfen. Cytochrome P450 inhibitor malathion could reverse the resistance to tribenuron-methyl, carfentrazone-ethyl and oxyfluorfen in transgenic Arabidopsis plants. In addition, the metabolic rates of tribenuron-methyl in Arabidopsis expressing CYP77B34 were significantly higher than those in Arabidopsis expressing pCAMBIA1302-GFP. Other than that, the transgenic plants showed some tolerance to very-long-chain fatty acid synthesis (VLCFAs)-inhibiting herbicide pretilachlor and photosystem (PS) II-inhibiting herbicide bromoxynil. Subcellular localization revealed that the CYP77B34 protein was located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). These results clearly indicated that CYP77B34 mediated D. sophia resistance to tribenuron-methyl and may have been involved in D. sophia cross-resistance to carfentrazone-ethyl, oxyfluorfen, pretilachlor and bromoxynil.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is associated with severe food-borne illness in humans as well as substantial financial setbacks in the fishing sector. To investigate the prevalence, pathogenicity, virulence, as well as the resistance patterns of V. parahaemolyticus retrieved from Oreochromis niloticus , 180 O. niloticus (moribund fish; n = 120 and apparently healthy; n = 60) were indiscriminately collected from Lake Manzala, Egypt. Consequently, the clinical inspection, necropsy finding, and bacteriological analysis were performed. All the retrieved isolates tested positive for the gro EL species-specific gene. Herein, the prevalence of V. parahaemolyticus in the collected fish was 8.9% (16/180), whereas the liver was the organ most prominently affected. PCR revealed that the most prevalent virulence-determinant genes associated with V. parahaemolyticus were the tox R and tlh genes (100% for each), then tdh (73.3%) and trh (26.7%) genes. Furthermore, 40% (18/45) of isolated V. parahaemolyticus were extensively drug-resistant (XDR) to seven antimicrobial classes and have bla TEM , bla OXA , sul 1, aad A, erm B, and tet A genes. Additionally, 17.8% (8/45) of the obtained V. parahaemolyticus were multidrug-resistant (MDR) to three antimicrobial classes and owned bla TEM , erm B, and aad A genes. The pathogenicity assay accentuated the correlation between cumulative mortality and the virulent characteristics exhibited by the inoculated strain. Definitely, 77% mortality was recorded within eight days in fish injected with a virulent V. parahaemolyticus strain. Briefly, this research accentuated the occurrence of XDR V. parahaemolyticus in fish specifying a public health concern. The emerging MDR and XDR V. parahaemolyticus frequently harbored tox R, tlh , and tdh virulence genes, and bla TEM , bla OXA , sul 1, aad A, erm B, and tet A or tet B antimicrobial resistance genes.

Background Aeromonas hydrophila is a potential zoonotic pathogen and primary fish pathogen. With overlapping characteristics, multiple isolates are often mislabelled and misclassified. Moreover, the potential pathogenic factors among the publicly available genomes in A. hydrophila strains of different origins have not yet been investigated. Results To identify the valid strains of A. hydrophila and their pathogenic factors, we performed a pan-genomic study. It revealed that there were 13 mislabelled strains and 49 valid strains that were further verified by Average nucleotide identity (ANI), digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) and in silico multiple locus strain typing (MLST). Multiple numbers of phages were detected among the strains and among them Aeromonas phi 018 was frequently present. The diversity in type III secretion system (T3SS) and conservation of type II and type VI secretion systems (T2SS and T6SS, respectively) among all the strains are important to study for designing future strategies. The most prevalent antibiotic resistances were found to be beta-lactamase, polymyxin and colistin resistances. The comparative analyses of sequence type (ST) 251 and other ST groups revealed that there were higher numbers of virulence factors in ST-251 than in other STs group. Conclusion Publicly available genomes have 13 mislabelled organisms, and there are only 49 valid A. hydrophila strains. This valid pan-genome identifies multiple prophages that can be further utilized. Different A. hydrophila strains harbour multiple virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes. Identification of such factors is important for designing future treatment regimes.

Escherichia coli and Shigella spp. are leading bacterial causes of acute diarrhea in sub-Saharan Africa and pose risks to global communities, travelers, and the US military. Increasing antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in those and other enteric pathogens creates treatment challenges for clinicians. Inappropriate use of antimicrobial drugs, such as azithromycin for viral respiratory infections, increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated AMR trends of 116 E. coli and 109 Shigella spp. isolates obtained from 1,672 pre-COVID-19 (2017-2019) and 1,118 post-COVID-19 (2022-2023) human fecal samples from Kenya. Azithromycin resistance increased significantly from before to after COVID-19, from 6.3% to 40.4% (p = 0.001). Phenotypic AMR profiles from a subset of isolates were compared with genotypic AMR information derived from whole genome sequencing. The most common AMR gene detected was the macrolide mph(A) gene. This study highlights the need for continued AMR surveillance.

Background Antibiotics have been used for decades against Cutibacterium acnes (previously known as Propionibacterium acnes; C. acnes). Alarmingly, antibiotic resistance to this bacterium has become a worldwide problem in recent years. No studies are available on the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of C. acnes among Jordanian acne patients and how that is influenced by antibiotic use. This study aims to assess antibiotic resistance patterns of C. acnes clinical isolates and neighboring Gram-positive normal flora of the skin obtained from acne patients attending dermatology clinics in Amman –Jordan appraising the role of antibiotic consumption. Methods This is a cross-sectional study of acne patients presenting to selected dermatology outpatient clinics over a 6-month study period. Swabs obtained from inflamed lesions were cultured aerobically and anaerobically. Isolates were identified and screened for antibiotic susceptibility. In addition, all patients were asked to fill in a questionnaire that included questions about the history of antibiotic treatment. Results C. acnes was isolated from lesions of 100 patients out of 115 participants included in this study. 73% of the isolates were resistant to erythromycin and 59% to clindamycin 37% to doxycycline, 36% to tetracycline, 31% to trimethoprim / sulfamethoxazole, 15% to levofloxacin, and 3% to minocycline. Multi drug resistance (MDR) in C. acnes isolates as well as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) with a similar pattern of resistance were detected from the same patient in most cases. A pattern of higher resistance towards variable antibiotic was observed in patients previously treated with antibiotics for acne management. Conclusions The findings of this study demonstrate the distribution of antibiotic resistance of C. acnes towards used antibiotics and emphasizes the influence of antibiotic consumption on development of antibiotic resistance. The similar pattern of resistance between skin bacteria tested in this study highlights the genetic transfer of resistance between skin commensals including S. aureus and S. epidermidis hence promoting its circulation in the community.

Introduction Bacterial bloodstream and urinary tract infections present a huge health burden especially in low-resource settings, which is worsened by the escalating burden of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, surveillance data on antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of pathogens remains scarce in Malawi. Therefore, this study aimed at establishing trends and patterns of AMR among common pathogens causing adult bloodstream and urinary tract infections in Malawi. Methods This was a secondary analysis of records from bacterial culture and susceptibility testing results of routinely collected adult blood and urinary tract samples from seven facilities in Malawi between January 2020 and August 2024. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was performed using the disk diffusion method and interpreted according to EUCAST guidelines. The outcome of interest was the AST results of the bacterial isolates. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 28. Results Out of the 2787 isolates collected, 80.6% ( n  = 2246) were from urine samples and 19.4% ( n  = 541) were from blood samples. 74.1% ( n  = 2066) of the isolates were Gram-negative organisms. Escherichia coli (37.6%, n  = 1048) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.3%, n  = 232) were the most frequent isolates. A total of 16,696 ASTs were performed on the isolates, with 54.3% ( n  = 9,068) showing resistance to the antibiotics tested. Among Gram-positive organisms, there was increasing resistance to co-trimoxazole (71.4-83.3%), vancomycin (20.0-31.0%), with consistently high resistance rates to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and gentamicin. Gram-negative organisms showed trends of increasing resistance to ceftriaxone (63.0-72.4%), co-trimoxazole (72.7-89.7%), and piperacillin and tazobactam (0.0-35.8%), with a notable significant increase in resistance to ciprofloxacin (66.7-81.0%, p  = 0.001). There was an increasing trend of Enterobacteriaceae resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (58.9-71.5%). Overall, pathogens with the highest resistance include Citrobacter freundii (62.1%, n  = 755/1216), Staphylococcus sp. (62.0%, n  = 163/263) and K. pneumoniae (57.1%, n  = 941/1648). Among the commonly isolated pathogens, E. coli , K. pneumoniae and Enterobacter spp. showed highest resistance to multiple antibiotics. Conclusion The study revealed high resistance levels among pathogens that cause BSIs and UTIs in public hospitals in Malawi. Most pathogens demonstrated high resistance against multiple antibiotic classes. The high AMR trends and patterns pose a significant risk to healthcare provision, calling for enhancing surveillance and upscaling efforts to address the challenge.