An inexpensive infrared growth sensor array for detection of bacterial antibiotic susceptibility

Abstract An inexpensive infrared sensor was constructed and used for the rapid testing of bacterial antibiotic susceptibility by detection of changes in absorbance at 950 nm. By comparing cultures of clinical isolates together with control strains ( Escherichia coli NCTC 10418, Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 6571 or Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCTC 10662) after addition of an antibiotic, results on susceptibility were obtained within 3–5 h from the original plate culture. Representative strains of E. coli, P. aeruginosa , and S. aureus were tested successfully against ampicillin, penicillin, gentamicin or ciprofloxacin.     

Synergistic effect of ayurvedic pearl preparation on enhancing effectiveness of antibiotics

Studies were carried out with ayurvedic preparations derived from pearl, which include preparations bhasma and pishti. The synergistic effect to reduce the dose of antibiotic was tested against E. coli the test bacterium with ampicillin antibiotic by bore well and disks diffusion methods. It was observed that pearl preparations do not show any antibacterial activity but when used at 200 microg/ml concentration with antibiotics, then even at sub-lethal dose, the antibiotic has effectively shown the results with reduced contact time. The protocol was also tested with the other bacteria like, Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Vibrio cholarae, Salmonella typhi, and Staphylococcus aureus and has shown similar results. The pearl bhasma synergistic effect was also tested with other antibiotics such as erythromycin, kanamycin, and ampicillin.     

Modulation of antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens by oleanolic acid and ursolic acid

Antibiotic resistance among bacterial pathogens is a serious problem for human and veterinary medicine, which necessitates the development of novel therapeutics and antimicrobial strategies. Some plant-derived compounds, e.g. pentacyclic triterpenoids such as oleanolic acid (OA) and ursolic acid (UA), have potential as a new class of antibacterial agents as they are active against many bacterial species, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, and specifically target the cell envelope. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of OA and UA on the susceptibility of four bacterial pathogens (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis) to the β-lactam antibiotics ampicillin (Ap) and oxacillin (Ox). Antimicrobial assays were conducted with bacteria growing in liquid suspension cultures (planktonic cells) or as biofilms. Using FICI value estimation and the time-kill method it was demonstrated that in some combinations, the tested compounds acted in synergy to lower the susceptibility of S. aureus, S. epidermidis and L. monocytogenes to ampicillin and oxacillin, but no synergy was observed for P. aeruginosa. These results indicate that OA and UA may be useful when administered in combination with β-lactam antibiotics to combat bacterial infections caused by some Gram-positive pathogens.     

Combination effect with some aminoglycoside antibiotics

Strains of resistant species -- Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus faecalis -- isolated from material of nosocomial infections in the surgical department of a Prague hospital were tested for combined effect with further chemotherapeutics. The same concerned Ps, aeruginosa noted, at present, by a high degree of resistance. In Ps. aeruginosa it was the combination sisomicin-carfecillin that proved a success in 50 p. c. of cases as well as that of sisomicin-doxycyclin. At the same time the authors draw attention to the possibility of antagonistic action of the combination sisomicin-chloramphenicol in a third part of the strains tested. Potentiation of the effect in Staphylococcus aureus strains was observed also in the combination sisomicin-carfecillin in more than one half of the strains tested and in case of sisomicin-doxycyclin in one third of the strains. In Streptococcus faecalis strains sisomicin was combined with amoxycillin, carbenicillin, carfecillin and doxycyclin; synergistic action being observed with all those combinations in more than one half of strains tested. No antagonism was registered in those cases. (Ta.).     

In Vitro Action of Carbenicillin Against Bacteria Isolated from Clinical Material

More than 500 bacteria isolated from patient material were tested against carbenicillin (disodium alpha-carboxybenzylpenicillin) by diffusion and dilution modalities. The same bacteria, which included Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella-Aerobacter-Enterobacter group, various species of Proteus, Staphylococcus aureus and epiddermidis, enterococci, pneumococci, Streptococcus pyogenes, etc., were examined for susceptibility to other antibiotics commonly used with special emphasis on ampicillin and cephalothin. The responses of pyocine-typed P. aeruginosa were the most remarkable. The majority of these bacteria displayed susceptibility to carbenicillin by both the dilution and the diffusion techniques. The concentrations of this antibiotic used in the laboratory were of the same order of magnitude as that of the other drugs. The laboratory behavior of the other bacteria, toward this new semisynthetic penicillin derivative approximated their response to ampicillin and cephalothin.     

Antibiotic sensitivity of the main opportunistic pathogenic aerobic bacteria

Antibiotic sensitivity of 1421 strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Proteus vulgaris, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp. was studied. Gentamicin, levomycetin (chloramphenicol) and ristomycin proved to be the antibiotics of choice in treatment of purulent inflammatory diseases caused by S. epidermidis and S. aureus. For antibiotic therapy of infections caused by gram-negative organisms gentamicin and polymixin might be recommended.     

Anti-infective properties of Lactobacillus fermentum against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Surgical wounds and implant-associated Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections are often difficult to treat because of limited susceptibility of several of these strains to conventional antibiotics. As a result, there is a constant need for new alternative drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial properties of Lactobacillus fermentum, a probiotic bacterium, which we have isolated from colonic biopsies. The inhibition of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa growth was evaluated by coincubating with L. fermentum strains. Growth inhibition was tested for several of their clinical isolates using agar well diffusion assays. For biofilm assay S. aureus and P. aeruginosa were grown on the glass slides and in 96-well plates in presence of 2.5 μg/ml culture filtrate of L. fermentum. Biofilms were photographed using confocal microscope or stained with 0.1% crystal violet. Reduction in the cytotoxicity of S. aureus and P. aeruginosa was observed in presence of 2.5 μg/ml L. fermentum-spent media. Using in vitroexperiments, we showed that L. fermentum-secreted compound(s) inhibits the growth, cytotoxicity and biofilm formation of several S. aureus and P. aeruginosa strains. Compound(s) present in the culture supernatant of L. fermentum may have promising applications in treating hospital-acquired infections.     

In Vitro Activity of Coumermycin A1

The in vitro activity of coumermycin A(1) was compared with that of novobiocin, ampicillin, and minocycline. Coumermycin was found to be the most active antibiotic of the four against Staphylococcus aureus. It was about 50 times more active than novobiocin or minocycline against the strains tested. Coumermycin also showed good activity against group A streptococci and pneumococci, moderate activity against Escherichia coli, indole-positive Proteus species, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and poor activity against Klebsiella-Enterobacter and enterococci. Against P. mirabilis, however, coumermycin activity was almost equal to that of ampicillin. The new antibiotic was further found to be greatly reduced in activity in the presence of plasma, but its minimal inhibitory concentration was not greatly affected by inoculum size. Coumermycin was found to be bacteriostatic in its action, and resistance to it developed slowly. Also, cross-resistance was present with novobiocin but absent with ampicillin or minocycline.     

广州儿童医院重症监护病房感染病原菌的分布及耐药性分析

目的探讨儿科重症监护病房（PICU）感染病原菌的分布及耐药情况,为临床合理选用抗菌药提供参考。方法对广州市儿童医院PICU病房2003年11月-2005年10月各类感染标本所分离的病原菌的分布及耐药性进行回顾性分析。结果共检出295株病原菌,其中革兰阴性杆菌213株（72．2％）,主要为铜绿假单胞菌、不动杆菌等非发酵菌;革兰阳性球菌58株（19．7％）,主要为葡萄球菌;真菌24株（8．1％）。药敏结果提示铜绿假单胞菌及不动杆菌对亚胺培南、头孢哌酮／舒巴坦、环丙沙星及阿米卡星较为敏感,铜绿假单胞菌对头孢噻肟耐药率较高,而不动杆菌对头孢哌酮、氨曲南、庆大霉素耐药严藿。肠杆菌科细菌对氨苄西林、氨苄西林／舒巴坦、哌拉西林及多种头孢菌素耐药率较高而对亚胺培南、头孢哌酮／舒巴坦、阿米卡星等较敏感。葡萄球菌对青霉素、红霉素严重耐药,但对万古霉素、替考拉宁及阿米卡星敏感性高。结论铜绿假单胞菌等非发酵菌已成为PICU病房感染的主要病原菌。根据病原菌种类及药敏结果合理应用抗菌药是有效控制危重病患儿感染和减少耐药菌株产生的重要手段。     

神经外科颅内出血患者下呼吸道感染病原菌的耐药性监测

目的了解神经外科重症监护室（NICU）颅内出血患者下呼吸道感染病原菌的种类及耐药情况,为临床合理用药提供依据。方法对2010年1月至2011年1月颅内出血的患者,其下呼吸道感染病原菌的种类及耐药性进行回顾性分析。结果分离出的374例病原菌中以革兰阴性杆菌为主,占81．8％,革兰阳性球菌占4．0％,真菌占14．2％。分离率较高的细菌依次为鲍曼不动杆菌、铜绿假单胞菌、肺炎克雷伯菌、嗜麦芽窄食单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌。其中,产超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBLs）的肺炎克雷伯菌的检出率为50．0％;耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）的检出率为73．3％。鲍曼不动杆菌和铜绿假单胞菌对丁胺卡那、妥布霉素、多粘菌素B有较好的敏感性;而金黄色葡萄球菌对复方新诺明、呋喃妥因、万古霉素耐药率较低。结论NICU颅内出血患者下呼吸道感染以多重耐药的革兰阴性杆菌为主,临床应根据药敏结果合理用药,控制和减少感染的发生。     

椒样薄荷、薄荷和苏格兰留兰香精油与抗生素的协同抑菌功能

以开花期的椒样薄荷（Mentha×piperita）、薄荷（M.haplocalyx）和苏格兰留兰香（M.×gentilis）叶片部位提取的精油为研究对象,通过GC-MS分析,并采用纸片扩散法研究了3种精油单独使用及与抗生素联合使用时对金黄色葡萄球菌、蜡状芽孢杆菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌和肺炎克雷伯氏菌的抑制情况。结果表明,（1）椒样薄荷与薄荷精油中含量最高的成分为薄荷醇、薄荷酮和异薄荷酮,苏格兰留兰香精油的主要成分为香芹酮和柠檬烯。薄荷和苏格兰留兰香精油符合欧洲药典与ISO标准,椒样薄荷需要继续改良以提高其精油品质与抑菌功能。（2）精油单独使用时,Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC15442对椒样薄荷精油和薄荷精油敏感;P.aeruginosa ATCC27853对薄荷精油和苏格兰留兰香精油敏感。精油与抗生素联合使用时抑菌范围和强度均有所改变：绿脓杆菌的2个菌株对精油与抗生素的组合最为敏感,其中,椒样薄荷精油与头孢他啶的组合对P.aeruginosa ATCC15442显示出最强的增效作用,薄荷精油与头孢他啶混合之后对P.aeruginosa ATCC27853出现拮抗作用。Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923对所有精油以及精油与抗生素混合物均有抗性。（3）椒样薄荷、薄荷和苏格兰留兰香精油的不同成分及其含量差异不仅对精油品质有影响,而且影响精油对测试菌种的抑制作用,可考虑将其作为薄荷属植物品质育种的参考指标。     

The primary screening of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli strains to develop effective probiotic preparations based on them

10 Bifidobacterium strains and 10 Lactobacillus strains were studied for their antagonistic activity with respect to Escherichia coli, Klebsiella ozaenae, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and for their sensitivity to antibiotics, widely used in clinical practice. L. acidophilus strain 5/4, L. acidophilus strain 18/4, B. adolescentis strain UX, B. longum strain 44 exhibited the highest antagonistic activity and the highest degree of antibiotic resistance. The restriction analysis of the chromosomal DNA of these strains was then made and their plasmid content was studied, making it possible to recognize these strains in future in the course of in vivo experiments.     

Effects of disodium salt of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (Na2EDTA) and tetracyclines on drug resistant bacteria. Studies in vitro

An effect of Na2EDTA and tetracycline (oxytetracycline and doxycycline) resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was tested. The strains were isolated from clinical specimens. The tests were performed in vitro by serial dilutions of the drugs in liquid medium. MIC for Na2EDTA, tetracyclines and a combination of Na2EDTA and tetracyclines was determined. It was shown that the combination of oxytetracycline or doxycycline with Na2EDTA caused changes in sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to these antibiotics. After an application of the mixture of various concentrations of tetracycline and Na2EDTA it was observed that, with the reduction of the effective Na2EDTA dose by about half, the lowest concentrations of tetracyclines inhibiting the growth of resistant bacteria were 2-64 times lower than MIC values of antibiotics without Na2EDTA.     

椒样薄荷、薄荷和苏格兰留兰香精油与抗生素的协同抑菌功能

以开花期的椒样薄荷(Mentha × piperita)、薄荷(M. haplocalyx)和苏格兰留兰香(M. × gentilis)叶片部位提取的精油为研究对象, 通过GC-MS分析, 并采用纸片扩散法研究了3种精油单独使用及与抗生素联合使用时对金黄色葡萄球菌、蜡状芽孢杆菌、大肠杆菌、绿脓杆菌和肺炎克雷伯氏菌的抑制情况。结果表明, (1) 椒样薄荷与薄荷精油中含量最高的成分为薄荷醇、薄荷酮和异薄荷酮, 苏格兰留兰香精油的主要成分为香芹酮和柠檬烯。薄荷和苏格兰留兰香精油符合欧洲药典与ISO标准, 椒样薄荷需要继续改良以提高其精油品质与抑菌功能。(2) 精油单独使用时, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442对椒样薄荷精油和薄荷精油敏感; P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853对薄荷精油和苏格兰留兰香精油敏感。精油与抗生素联合使用时抑菌范围和强度均有所改变: 绿脓杆菌的2个菌株对精油与抗生素的组合最为敏感, 其中, 椒样薄荷精油与头孢他啶的组合对P. aeruginosa ATCC 15442显示出最强的增效作用, 薄荷精油与头孢他啶混合之后对P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853出现拮抗作用。Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923对所有精油以及精油与抗生素混合物均有抗性。(3) 椒样薄荷、薄荷和苏格兰留兰香精油的不同成分及其含量差异不仅对精油品质有影响, 而且影响精油对测试菌种的抑制作用, 可考虑将其作为薄荷属植物品质育种的参考指标。     

土壤拮抗放线菌的分离筛选及其抑菌物质特性的研究

目的从土壤中筛选拮抗能力强且抑菌特性稳定的放线菌菌株。方法采用双层琼脂法筛选出4株拮抗放线菌菌株,然后采用杯碟法测这4株菌株发酵液提取物的抗菌谱、最小抑菌浓度、热稳定性和酸碱稳定性。结果 4株菌株发酵液提取物都能抑制金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌、铜绿假单胞菌和白色念珠菌的生长。以金黄色葡萄球菌为指示菌测发酵液提取物的最小抑制浓度,6#和9#拮抗作用较强,发酵液提取物稀释0.125mg/ml仍有抑菌作用。6#菌株在100℃处理30min后仍有40%的抑菌活性。6#菌株发酵液提取物在碱性环境条件下比在酸性环境条件下稳定。结论 4株菌株中6#菌株发酵液提取物具有拮抗能力强、最小抑菌浓度低和在碱性条件下活性较稳定的特点。     

A note on antibiotic resistance in the bacterial flora of raw sewage and sewage-polluted River Tigris in Mosul, Iraq

Polluted water samples collected from the River Tigris in the vicinity of a raw sewage outfall were examined for the incidence of antibiotic resistance among coli-form bacteria on three occasions during 1983. Eighty percent or more of the coli-form bacteria were resistant to one or more antibiotics. At the same time, raw sewage samples were examined for the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and Escherchia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were selected for sensitivity testing. Collectively, more than 90% of the 480 strains of the three organisms were resistant to one or more antibiotics. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin for twenty-nine strains including coliforms, E. coli, Klebsiella sp., Serratia sp., Ps. aeruginosa, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Staph. aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Bacillus sp. from raw sewage and polluted River Tigris water was determined and that for Ps. aeruginosa was 250 μg/ml. The high incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in natural waters could be related to the widespread use of antibiotics in this locality.     

A note on antibiotic resistance in the bacterial flora of raw sewage and sewage-polluted River Tigris in Mosul, Iraq

Polluted water samples collected from the River Tigris in the vicinity of a raw sewage outfall were examined for the incidence of antibiotic resistance among coliform bacteria on three occasions during 1983. Eighty percent or more of the coliform bacteria were resistant to one or more antibiotics. At the same time, raw sewage samples were examined for the incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were selected for sensitivity testing. Collectively, more than 90% of the 480 strains of the three organisms were resistant to one or more antibiotics. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ampicillin for twenty-nine strains including coliforms, E. coli, Klebsiella sp., Serratia sp., Ps. aeruginosa, Pseudomonas sp., Micrococcus sp., Staph. aureus, Streptococcus faecalis and Bacillus sp. from raw sewage and polluted River Tigris water was determined and that for Ps. aeruginosa was 250 micrograms/ml. The high incidence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in natural waters could be related to the widespread use of antibiotics in this locality.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activities of 5-hydroxy-4-amino-2(5H)-furanones

Starting from the mucohalogen acids 1a and b 5-hydroxy-2(5H)-furanones 2a-h have been prepared and tested. These novel 4-amino-5-hydroxy 2(5H)-furananones have shown a broad antibiotic activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923, Escherichia coli ATCC 25922, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27853 in the micromolar range. A one step synthesis from mucohalogen acids towards the antibacterials 2a-h was developed, in which the target was obtained from 1a and b under reflux in toluene in presence of a catalytic amount of sulfuric acid. The derivatives 2b and c displayed a MIC and MBC of 4/8mug/ml, against Staphylococcus aureus with a selectivity towards the resistant strains.     

In vitro activity of amphibian peptides alone and in combination with antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant pathogens isolated from surgical wound infection

The in vitro activities of three amphibian peptides magainin II amide, citropin 1.1 and temporin A alone and in combination with eight clinically used antimicrobial agents (imipenem, ceftazidime, clarithromycin, vancomycin, amikacin, polymyxin E, ciprofloxacin and linezolid) were investigated against several multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from surgical wound infections. Antimicrobial activities were measured by MIC, MBC and time-kill studies. P. aeruginosa strains were more susceptible to magainin II amide and less susceptible to temporin A. S. aureus isolates were highly susceptible to temporin A and citropin 1.1. The combination studies showed synergy between citropin 1.1 and clarithromycin. Magainin II amide and temporin A showed synergism with imipenem and ceftazidime. Finally, all peptides showed synergistic effects with polymyxin E. These results provide evidence for the potential use of these antimicrobial peptides in the topical or systemic treatment of surgical wound infections.     

烧伤病区感染常见病原菌及抗生素的选择

目的探讨内江市第一人民医院烧伤病区感染的常见病原菌及其对常用抗生素的耐药性．以指导临床抗生素的选择,提出防治措施。方法对1999年1月～2003年12月该院烧伤病区患者因感染而分离出的658株病原菌进行回顾性分析。结果分离出的658株病原菌中．革兰阴性菌425株(64．6％),革兰阳性菌209株(31．8％)．真菌24株(3．6％)。主要病原菌分别为铜绿假单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌、凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌和阴沟肠杆菌。药敏提示除真菌外的大多数病原菌出现多重耐药性。革兰阴性菌对亚胺培南、头孢哌酮-舒巴坦、头孢西丁和妥布霉素较为敏感。革兰阳性球菌对替考拉丁和万古霉素高度敏感。结论烧伤感染中以铜绿假单胞菌为主．其次为金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌和凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌。了解病原菌的结构及其变化趋势．对于加强抗感染治疗的针对性和主动性,取得最佳的感染防治效果具有重要意义。