Susceptibility of food-borne bacteria to binary combinations of antimicrobials at selected a(w) and pH

AIM: To evaluate the antibacterial susceptibilities of food-borne bacteria to individual and binary mixtures of a synthetic antimicrobial agent with a natural phenolic compound. METHODS AND RESULTS: Antibacterial susceptibilities of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphylococcus aureus to individual and binary mixtures of potassium sorbate with a phenolic compound (thymol, carvacrol, or eugenol) were evaluated, at selected water activity (a(w); 0.99 or 0.97) and pH (5.5 or 4.5). The bacteria studied were susceptible to the action of the antimicrobials individually with minimal inhibitory concentrations that varied from 800-ppm potassium sorbate for Staph. aureus at a(w) 0.99, and pH 5.5 to 100-ppm thymol or carvacrol for the four studied bacteria at a(w) 0.97 and pH 4.5. Several binary mixtures of potassium sorbate with thymol, carvacrol or eugenol inhibited bacterial growth. Antimicrobial agent inhibitory concentrations in the mixture varied among bacteria, additionally depending on the a(w) and the pH tested. CONCLUSIONS: Synergistic binary mixtures with fractional inhibitory concentration index <0.6 include 100- or 200-ppm potassium sorbate with 50- or 100-ppm thymol, carvacrol or eugenol. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The synergistic combinations could be useful in reducing the amounts of antimicrobials needed to inhibit growth, thus diminishing consumer concerns regarding chemical preservatives.     

The phototoxicity of phenothiazinium derivatives against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus

Phenothiazinium dyes, and derivatives, were tested for toxicity to Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The dyes were generally lipophilic (log P>1) and showed inherent dark toxicity (minimum lethal concentrations: 3.1-1000 microM). Dye illumination (total light dose of 3.15 J cm(-1) over 30 min) led to up to eight-fold reductions in minimum lethal concentrations. Most of the illuminated dyes showed significant relative singlet oxygen yields (phi'delta: 0.18-1.35) suggesting a type II mechanism of generating a phototoxic response. Although generally up to six-fold more effective against S. aureus, the dyes tested efficiently killed E. coli and may be of particular use in combating Gram-negative pathogens.     

A new gel tube method for the direct detection, identification and susceptibility testing of bacteria in clinical samples

We recently developed a simple new method which is designed to separate and concentrate bacteria from a sample by centrifugation in a gel system. Bacterial enzyme activity is then detected inside the gel without further manipulation using a colorimetric or fluorogenic substrate. The method provides a rapid, direct means of detecting bacteria in clinical samples, dispensing with the 24-h period normally required to isolate colonies on agar. Various applications of the method are described below, e.g. screening of negative urine samples, identification of Escherichia coli in urine samples, identification of Staphylococcus aureus in blood culture broths and detection of oxacillin-resistant S. aureus in blood culture broths. The advantages of the gel system and other applications are discussed.     

Persister cells and tolerance to antimicrobials

Bacterial populations produce persister cells that neither grow nor die in the presence of microbicidal antibiotics. Persisters are largely responsible for high levels of biofilm tolerance to antimicrobials, but virtually nothing was known about their biology. Tolerance of Escherichia coli to ampicillin and ofloxacin was tested at different growth stages to gain insight into the nature of persisters. The number of persisters did not change in lag or early exponential phase, and increased dramatically in mid-exponential phase. Similar dynamics were observed with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ofloxacin) and Staphylococcus aureus (ciprofloxacin and penicillin). This shows that production of persisters depends on growth stage. Maintaining a culture of E. coli at early exponential phase by reinoculation eliminated persisters. This suggests that persisters are not at a particular stage in the cell cycle, neither are they defective cells nor cells created in response to antibiotics. Our data indicate that persisters are specialized survivor cells.     

聚乙二醇小檗碱液对大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌生长的抑制作用

目的 明确聚乙二醇小檗碱液在琼脂培养基表面的抑菌特点,及其对大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的标准菌株、抗生素敏感菌株与多重耐药菌株生长的抑制作用,研究评价药物在皮肤黏膜表面的抑菌作用的合理实验方法.方法 以大肠埃希菌和金黄色葡萄球菌(标准菌株、抗生素敏感菌株和多重耐药菌株)为研究对象,用常量肉汤稀释法测定聚乙二醇小檗碱液的最低抑菌浓度(Minimum Inhibitory Concentration,MIC);用平皿琼脂培养法和试管肉汤培养法测定不同浓度聚乙二醇小檗碱液的抑菌作用.结果 在不同浓度的聚乙二醇小檗碱液的作用下,在琼脂培养基表面上或肉汤培养基中细菌的生长受到明显抑制,抑制作用与小檗碱浓度正相关,且对抗生素敏感菌株和多重耐药菌株的抑制作用差异无统计学意义;聚乙二醇小檗碱液在平皿琼脂表面和试管肉汤中对大肠埃希菌、金黄色葡萄球菌抑制100％菌株的浓度分别为1 500和375 mg/L、1 500和375 mg/L.聚乙二醇小檗碱液在琼脂培养基表面的抑菌作用明显低于在肉汤培养基中的抑制作用,在琼脂培养基表面的抑菌浓度是肉汤培养基中的抑菌浓度的4倍.并且金黄色葡萄球菌与大肠埃希菌之间差异无统计学意义.聚乙二醇小檗碱液必须达到肉汤培养基中4倍以上浓度时,才能获得抑制100％细菌在琼脂培养基表面生长的效果.结论 高浓度的聚乙二醇小檗碱液可以抑制皮肤黏膜表面的细菌,包括抗生素耐药菌株的生长;皮肤黏膜表面应用聚乙二醇小檗碱液的适宜浓度为1 500 mg/L.琼脂培养基法适用于评价药物在皮肤黏膜表面的抑菌作用.     

沙门菌、大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的多重PCR检测

根据沙门菌invA基因、大肠杆菌phoA基因和金黄色葡萄球菌nuc基因序列,设计3对特异性引物进行多重PCR并对反应条件进行优化。结果表明3对引物能特异地扩增出284bp、622bp、484bp的目的条带;最佳反应条件为沙门菌、大肠杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌的引物浓度分别为40nmol／L、40nmol／L、80nmol／L,Mg^2＋浓度2．4mmol／L,dNTP浓度2001μmol／L,Taq DNA聚合酶1.5u,退火温度55．0℃-57．4℃之间;在此条件下多重PCR同时检测DNA的敏感性分别是10．2pg、10．2pg、102．0pg,检测时间4h。建立的多重PCR是一种敏感、特异、准确、快速的方法,为同时检测食品中沙门菌、大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌奠定了基础。     

苦参、黄芩、乌梅对金黄色葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌和白假丝酵母菌抗菌活性的研究

目的观察苦参、黄芩和乌梅的体外抗菌活性。方法采用M-H琼脂连续稀释法做抗菌作用测定,测出各中药的最小抑菌浓度。结果苦参对金黄色葡萄球菌的MIC值最低（2.5mg/ml）,乌梅对大肠埃希菌的MIC值最低（1.25mg/ml）,乌梅对白假丝酵母菌的MIC值最低（2.5mg/ml）。结论苦参、黄芩和乌梅对革兰阳性球菌、革兰阴性杆菌和真菌均有较好的抑菌活性。     

黑大蒜提取物联合抗生素对金黄色葡萄球菌和肠埃希菌的体外抗菌作用研究

评价黑大蒜提取物分别与头孢唑林或庆大霉素联合应用,对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌的体外抗菌效应。采用液体稀释法分别测定黑大蒜提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌的最低抑菌浓度（MIC）。采用棋盘法设计,微量肉汤稀释法测定黑大蒜提取物联合头孢唑林或庆大霉素对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌的MIC,并计算部分抑菌浓度（FIC指数）。测定黑大蒜提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌的时间-杀菌曲线。黑大蒜提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌的MIC为256μg/mL,黑大蒜提取物对大肠埃希菌的MIC为256μg/mL。时间-杀菌曲线结果显示黑大蒜提取物对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌的抑菌作用呈现较强的浓度依赖性。黑大蒜提取物联合头孢唑林后对金黄色葡萄球菌的FIC指数为0.75;黑大蒜提取物联合庆大霉素后对大肠埃希菌的FIC指数为0.5。黑大蒜提取物与头孢唑林或庆大霉素联合用药,可明显降低抗生素对金黄色葡萄球菌和大肠埃希菌的MIC,表现为相加和协同效应。     

Comparative assessment of the bactericidal effect of nanoparticles of copper oxide,silver, and chitosan-silver against Escherichia coli infection in broilers

Escherichia coli infection is considered one of the most economically important multi-systemic diseases in poultry farms. Several nanoparticles such as silver, chitosan, and copper oxide are known to be highly toxic to several microbes. However, there are no data concerning their success against in vivo experimental E. coli infection in broilers. Therefore, the present study was designed to investigate the bactericidal effect of low doses of CuO-NPs (5 mg/kg bwt), Ag-NPs (0.5 mg/kg bwt), and Ch-Ag NPs (0.5 mg/kg bwt) against E. coli experimental infection in broilers. One hundred chicks were divided into five groups as follows: (1) control; (2) E. coli (4 × 10⁸ CFU/ml) challenged; (3) E. coli +CuO-NPs; (4) E. coli +Ag-NPs; (5) E. coli +Ch-Ag NPs. The challenged untreated group, not NPs treated groups, recorded the lowest weight gain as well as the highest bacterial count and lesion score in all examined organs. The highest liver content of silver was observed in Ag-NPs treated group compared with the Ch-Ag NPs treated group. Our results concluded that Ch-Ag NPs not only had the best antibacterial effects but also acted as a growth promoter in broilers without leaving any residues in edible organs. We recommend using Ch-Ag NPs in broiler farms instead of antibiotics or probiotics.     

Activity of natural antimicrobial compounds against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium

AIMS: The objective of this study was to evaluate the inhibitory activity of several natural organic compounds alone or in combination with nisin against Escherichia coli and Salmonella Typhimurium. METHODS AND RESULTS: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of five natural organic compounds were determined, and the effect of their combinations with nisin was evaluated by the checkerboard assay using the Bioscreen C. As expected, nisin by itself showed no inhibition against either of the Gram-negative bacteria. Thymol was found to be the most effective with the lowest MIC values of 1.0 and 1.2 mmol 1-1 against Salm. Typhimurium and E. coli, respectively. After thymol, the antimicrobial order of the natural organic compounds was carvacrol > eugenol > cinnamic acid > diacetyl. However, the combination of nisin with the natural organic compounds did not result in the enhancement of their antimicrobial activities. On the contrary, combination of nisin with diacetyl against Salm. Typhimurium resulted in an antagonism of diacetyl activity. CONCLUSIONS: While the individual natural organic compounds showed inhibitory activity against the two Gram-negatives, their combinations with nisin showed no improvement of antimicrobial activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study shows the potential of the natural organic compounds to control E. coli and Salm. Typhimurium.     

High pressure homogenization inactivation of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus in phosphate buffered saline,milk and apple juice

High pressure homogenization (HPH) offers new opportunities for food pasteurization/sterilization. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus suspended in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) buffer, milk and apple juice at initial concentration of ~10⁶ log₁₀ CFU per ml were subjected to HPH treatments up to 200 MPa with inlet temperatures at 4–40°C. After HPH at 200 MPa with the inlet temperature at 40°C, the count of E. coli suspended in PBS, milk and apple juice reduced by 3·42, 3·67 and 3·19 log₁₀ CFU per ml respectively while the count of S. aureus decreased by 2·21, 1·02 and 2·33 log₁₀ CFU per ml respectively suggesting that S. aureus was more resistant. The inactivation data were well fitted by the polynomial equation. Milk could provide a protective effect for S. aureus against HPH. After HPH at 200 MPa with the inlet temperature at 20°C, the cell structure of E. coli was destroyed, while no obvious damages were found for S. aureus.     

地衣芽胞杆菌对白色念珠菌等的拮抗作用

目的了解地衣芽胞杆菌在试管内与阴道正常菌群共生关系的情况。方法将地衣芽胞杆菌菌液分别与葡萄球菌、大肠埃希菌、白色念珠菌、德氏乳杆菌混合培养,定量计数各菌在不同时间内单独培养和混合培养时各菌的活菌数。结果地衣芽胞杆菌生长不受金黄色葡萄球菌、白色念珠菌和大肠埃希菌的影响,金黄色葡萄球菌和白色念珠菌在有地衣芽胞杆菌存在的情况下,其生长受到明显的抑制（P〈0.05）;乳杆菌在12-48 h内,有显著的抑制地衣芽胞杆菌生长的作用,而乳杆菌的生长不受地衣芽胞杆菌的存在与否而正常生长。结论地衣芽胞杆菌对金黄色葡萄球菌及白色念珠菌在体外具有明显的拮抗作用,地衣芽胞杆菌对大肠埃希菌、乳杆菌无明显的体外拮抗作用。     

一种能同时富集沙门菌、大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的增菌培养基

研究设计出一种能同时富集培养沙门菌、大肠杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌的缓冲盐水肉汤(buffed saline broth,BSB),主要组分和含量为:蛋白胨10g、牛肉膏3g、磷酸氢二钠9g、磷酸二氢钾1.5g、添加剂50g、蒸馏水定容至1000mL,pH7.2。将1cfu/mL的上述3种菌同时分别接种到97mLBSB、蛋白缓冲水、乳糖肉汤、营养肉汤、大肠杆菌肉汤、氯化镁孔雀绿增菌液、7.5%氯化钠肉汤增菌培养基中,37℃增菌18h。结果表明BSB能使这3种菌以相对一致的速度增殖,分别达到106、106、107cfu/mL,并且多重PCR能同时分别扩增沙门菌invA基因284bp、大肠杆菌phoA基因622bp和金黄色葡萄球菌nuc基因484bp的特异性条带。相反,其他几种培养基则不能同时协调增殖上述3种菌。这些结果表明,BSB有较好的应用前景。     

Antibacterial properties of nine pure metals: a laboratory study using Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli

Bacterial attachment and growth on material surfaces are considered to be the primary steps leading to the formation of biofilm. Biofilms in hospital and food processing settings can result in bacterial infection and food contamination, respectively. Prevention of bacterial attachment, therefore, is considered to be the best strategy for abating these menaces and therefore the development of antibacterial metals becomes important. In this study, nine pure metals, viz. titanium, cobalt, nickel, copper, zinc, zirconium, molybdenum, tin, and lead have been tested for their antibacterial properties against two bacterial strains, Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative Escherichia coli. This was accomplished using two assay methods, the film contact method and the shaking flask method. The results show that the antibacterial properties varied significantly with different metals and the effectiveness of metals to resist bacterial attachment varied with the bacterial strain. Among the metals tested, titanium and tin did not exhibit antibacterial properties. TEM images showed that metal accumulation resulted in the disruption of the bacterial cell wall and other cellular components.     

Overexpression of inhA,but not kasA,confers resistance to isoniazid and ethionamide in Mycobacterium smegmatis,M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis

The inhA and kasA genes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis have each been proposed to encode the primary target of the antibiotic isoniazid (INH). Previous studies investigating whether overexpressed inhA or kasA could confer resistance to INH yielded disparate results. In this work, multicopy plasmids expressing either inhA or kasA genes were transformed into M. smegmatis, M. bovis BCG and three different M. tuberculosis strains. The resulting transformants, as well as previously published M. tuberculosis strains with multicopy inhA or kasAB plasmids, were tested for their resistance to INH, ethionamide (ETH) or thiolactomycin (TLM). Mycobacteria containing inhA plasmids uniformly exhibited 20-fold or greater increased resistance to INH and 10-fold or greater increased resistance to ETH. In contrast, the kasA plasmid conferred no increased resistance to INH or ETH in any of the five strains, but it did confer resistance to thiolactomycin, a known KasA inhibitor. INH is known to increase the expression of kasA in INH-susceptible M. tuberculosis strains. Using molecular beacons, quantified inhA and kasA mRNA levels showed that increased inhA mRNA levels corre--lated with INH resistance, whereas kasA mRNA levels did not. In summary, analysis of strains harbouring inhA or kasA plasmids yielded the same conclusion: overexpressed inhA, but not kasA, confers INH and ETH resistance to M. smegmatis, M. bovis BCG and M. tuberculosis. Therefore, InhA is the primary target of action of INH and ETH in all three species.     

一株盐湖芽孢杆菌LG的鉴定及其抗金黄色葡萄球菌活性研究

【目的】从运城盐湖中分离获得一株耐盐细菌LG,对其进行分类鉴定及抗菌特性研究。【方法】利用16S rRNA基因序列分析对菌株进行分类鉴定。以金黄色葡萄球菌为指示菌,采用杯碟法对菌株LG发酵上清液进行抗菌活性检测,利用扫描电镜和透射电镜观察其抗菌效果。研究不同因素对上清液抗菌活性的影响,并采用PCR技术对菌株基因组进行功能基因筛查。【结果】系统发育分析表明该菌为Bacillus属成员,在0–25%的NaCl浓度范围内生长良好,为耐盐细菌。电镜观察发现,菌株LG发酵上清液处理金黄色葡萄球菌可导致细胞结构明显出现异常,细胞质泄漏。抗菌稳定性研究表明,菌株LG发酵上清液活性稳定,表现出了良好的对紫外光、温度、pH和NaCl的耐受性。采用特异性引物,通过PCR筛查发现菌株LG基因组中含有聚酮合酶(PKS I)基因和非核糖体肽合成酶(NRPS)基因,表明该菌具有产多种代谢产物的潜力。【结论】极端环境中的微生物资源可作为抗菌活性物质的潜在新来源。     

Bacteriostatic activity of human lactoferrin against Staphylococcus aureus is a function of its iron-binding properties and is not influenced by antibiotic resistance

The in vitro antistaphylococcal activity of lactoferrin and the antibiotic resistance of clinical Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from three different sites of infection were examined. Antibiotic, but not lactoferrin resistance correlated with selective antibiotic pressure, and nosocomial and most community isolates were antibiotic resistant, whereas only a third of each group was resistant to lactoferrin. The antimicrobial activity of lactoferrin, both in defined medium and in normal human plasma serum, was dependent upon its ferrochelating properties. Therapeutic approaches based on the use of ferrochelating agents such as lactoferrin combined with antimicrobial drugs may help to counteract the reduced efficacy of current antibiotics.