Metal-Resistant Heterotrophic Bacteria in Coastal Waters of Primorye

Colony-forming heterotrophic bacteria were isolated from several locations in coastal waters of Primorye that differ in the extent and character of heavy metal pollution. Statistically significant differences in the minimum inhibitory concentrations of some metals were found for bacteria isolated from the environments with different levels of pollution. Bacterial strains that were highly tolerant of several heavy metals also showed resistance to a wide spectrum of antibiotics, and some strains bore plasmids of varying numbers and sizes. Bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae and the genus Pseudomonas were the dominant metal-resistant bacterial forms in the polluted coastal wasters of Primorye. No strict correlation was found between metal resistance and taxonomic identity of bacteria.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Biologiya Morya, Bezverbnaya, Buzoleva, Khristoforova.     

Population distributions of minimum inhibitory concentration--increasing accuracy and utility

AIMS: To generate continuous minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) data that describes the discrete nature of experimentally derived population MIC data. METHODS AND RESULTS: A logistic model was fitted to experimentally derived MIC population cumulative distributions from clinical isolates of Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus (European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, BSAC and MYSTIC population susceptibility databases). From the model continuous distributions of population susceptibility were generated. The experimentally observed population distributions based on discrete MIC could be reproduced from this underlying continuous distribution. Monte Carlo (MC) simulation was used to confirm findings. Where the discrete experimental data contained few or no isolates with MIC greater or less than the antimicrobial concentration range tested, the true mean MIC was a factor of 0.707 times that normally reported and may be of little clinical significance. Where data contained isolates beyond the range of concentration used, the true MIC was dependent on the SD and the number of isolates and could be clinically significant. Subpopulations of differing susceptibilities could be modelled successfully using a modified logistic equation: this allows a more accurate examination of the data from these databases. CONCLUSIONS: The mean MIC and SD of population data currently reported are incorrect as the method of obtaining such parameters relies on normally distributed data which current MIC population data are not. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Obtaining the distribution parameters from the underlying continuous distribution of MIC can be carried out using a simple logistic equation. MC simulation using these values allows easy visualization of the discrete data. The analyses of subpopulations within the data should increase the usefulness of horizontal studies.     

Compensatory evolution reveals functional interactions between ribosomal proteins S12, L14 and L19

Certain mutations in S12, a ribosomal protein involved in translation elongation rate and translation accuracy, confer resistance to the aminoglycoside streptomycin. Previously we showed in Salmonella typhimurium that the fitness cost, i.e. reduced growth rate, due to the amino acid substitution K42N in S12 could be compensated by at least 35 different mutations located in the ribosomal proteins S4, S5 and L19. Here, we have characterized in vivo the fitness, translation speed and translation accuracy of four different L19 mutants. When separated from the resistance mutation located in S12, the three different compensatory amino acid substitutions in L19 at position 40 (Q40H, Q40L and Q40R) caused a decrease in fitness while the G104A change had no effect on bacterial growth. The rate of protein synthesis was unaffected or increased by the mutations at position 40 and the level of read-through of a UGA nonsense codon was increased in vivo, indicating a loss of translational accuracy. The mutations in L19 increased sensitivity to aminoglycosides active at the A-site, further indicating a perturbation of the decoding step. These phenotypes are similar to those of the classical S4 and S5 ram (ribosomal ambiguity) mutants. By evolving low-fitness L19 mutants by serial passage, we showed that the fitness cost conferred by the L19 mutations could be compensated by additional mutations in the ribosomal protein L19 itself, in S12 and in L14, a protein located close to L19. Our results reveal a novel functional role for the 50 S ribosomal protein L19 during protein synthesis, supporting published structural data suggesting that the interaction of L14 and L19 with 16 S rRNA could influence function of the 30 S subunit. Moreover, our study demonstrates how compensatory fitness-evolution can be used to discover new molecular functions of ribosomal proteins.     

Bioactive stilbenes from a Bacillus sp. N strain associated with a novel rhabditid entomopathogenic nematode

Aims: The aim of the present study was to purify and characterize a natural antimicrobial compound from Bacillus sp. strain N associated with a novel rhabditid entomopathogenic nematode. Methods and Results: The cell‐free culture filtrate of a bacterium associated with a novel entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Rhabditis (Oscheius) sp. exhibited strong antimicrobial activity. The ethyl acetate extract of the bacterial culture filtrate was purified by column chromatography, and two bioactive compounds were isolated and their chemical structures were established based on spectral analysis. The compounds were identified as 3,4′,5‐trihydroxystilbene (1) and 3,5‐dihydroxy‐4‐isopropylstilbene (2). The presence of 3,4′,5‐trihydroxystilbene (resveratrol) is reported for the first time in bacteria. Compound 1 showed antibacterial activity against all the four test bacteria, whereas compound 2 was effective against the Gram‐positive bacteria only. Compounds 1 and 2 were active against all the five fungi tested and are more effective than bavistin, the standard fungicide. The antifungal activity of the compounds against the plant pathogenic fungi, Rhizoctonia solani is reported for the first time. Conclusions: Cell‐free extract of the bacterium and isolated stilbenes demonstrated high antibacterial activity against bacteria and fungi especially against plant pathogenic fungi. We conclude that the bacterium‐associated EPN are promising sources of natural bioactive secondary metabolites. Significance and Impact of the Study: Stilbene compounds can be used for the control of fungi and bacteria.     

Acetophenones with selective antimycobacterial activity

AIMS: Mycobacteria are a serious cause of infections in humans, with limited treatment options, as no new antibiotics have been developed against mycobacteria since the 1960s. In this study, the antimycobacterial activity of a small library of acetophenone (AP) compounds was analysed. METHODS AND RESULTS: Twenty-three AP derivatives were examined for activity against mycobacteria using a microbroth assay. The compounds were bacteriostatic, with the most effective (cyclohexylacetophenone and piperidinoacetophenone) having minimal inhibitory concentrations of 246 microM. Active compounds tended to be more hydrophobic, and may work by alkylation of as yet undetermined intracellular target protein(s). Cytotoxicity against eukaryotic cells was also determined and appears to be unrelated to the bacteriostatic activity. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: AP may serve as a novel group of useful therapeutics against the mycobacteria.     

链霉菌H03发酵液提取物的抗菌活性研究

以常见的病原细菌和植物病原真菌为指示菌研究了链霉菌发酵液提取物的抗菌活性,测定了发酵液提取物的抗菌谱和最小抑菌浓度(MIC)。结果表明:与青霉素、链霉素相比,该菌发酵液提取物的抗菌范围更广,对植物病原真菌棉花黄萎病菌、苹果轮纹病菌、小麦赤霉病菌、油菜菌核病菌、黄瓜炭疽病菌、甜菜褐斑病菌、稻瘟病菌,以及常见病原细菌大肠杆菌、枯草杆菌、绿脓杆菌和金黄色葡萄球菌都具有明显的抑制作用。利用试管二倍稀释法测定发酵液提取物对上述诸菌的最小抑菌浓度(MIC),结果分别为0.125、0.062 5、0.125、0.25、0.015、0.03、0.015、0.015、0.03、0.250、.015 mg/mL。其中对植物病原真菌中的黄瓜炭疽病菌、甜菜褐斑病菌、稻瘟病菌,以及病原细菌中的大肠杆菌、枯草杆菌、金黄色葡萄球菌抑制效果最佳。将发酵液提取物置于100℃下加热处理10 min后,其对金黄色葡萄球菌的抑菌活性不变,说明该发酵液提取物具有较好的热稳定性。     

棘白菌素对氟康唑耐药的念珠菌体外药物敏感性的研究

目的评价3种棘白菌素类药物（卡泊芬净、米卡芬净、阿尼多芬净）体外对氟康唑耐药念珠菌的药物敏感性。方法采用微量液体稀释法和琼脂稀释法测定最小抑制浓度（MIC）。结果微量液体稀释法：59株耐药白念珠菌3种药物MIC50均为0.06μg/mL,米卡芬净、阿尼多芬净的MIC范围均为0.015～0.125μg/mL,卡泊芬净为0.015～0.25μg/mL;8株耐药光滑念珠菌MIC值均为0.063μg/mL。琼脂稀释法：59株耐药白念珠菌和8株耐药光滑念珠菌3种药物MIC值均为0.063μg/mL。结论3种棘白菌素类药物可能具有治疗氟康唑耐药的念珠菌感染的临床价值。     

Antifungal activity of essential oils and their combinations in in vitro and in vivo conditions

Natural additives are in demand for the control of microbial growth in foods. Several natural compounds including essential oils (EOs) are being explored for food uses. In the present investigation, the antifungal activity of cinnamaldehyde, eugenol, peppermint and clove EOs and their combinations was evaluated against 12 species of Aspergillus, Fusarium, Penicillium and Rhizopus in in vitro and tomato fruit system (in-vivo). The EOs were able to inhibit complete growth of tested fungi at or below 0.6% level and 80?μL of EOs (except peppermint oil) in in vitro condition and tomato system, respectively. The fractional inhibitory studies showed either additive or indifferent effect by combining eugenol and peppermint, and indifferent or antagonist effect by combining the cinnamaldehyde and clove in both in vitro and in vivo studies. The findings may be useful for application of these EOs in foods, but their effects on organoleptic quality of foods need to be investigated.     

Template synthesis of macrocyclic complexes and their spectroscopic and antibacterial studies

A new series of macrocyclic complexes of type [M(TML)X]X₂, where M = Cr(III), Fe(III), TML is tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, and X = Cl^?, NO₃^?, CH₃COO^?, have been synthesized by condensation of isatin and ethylenediamine in the presence of metal salt. The complexes were synthesized by both conventional and microwave methods. The complexes have been characterized with the help of elemental analysis, conductance measurement, magnetic measurement, and infrared, far infrared, and electronic spectral studies. Molar conductance values indicate them to be 1:2 electrolytes. Electronic spectra along with magnetic moments suggest five-coordinate square pyramidal geometry for these complexes. The complexes were also tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity. Some of the complexes showed satisfactory antibacterial activitiy.     

Antimicrobial activity of honey from the stingless bee Trigona carbonaria determined by agar diffusion,agar dilution,broth microdilution and time‐kill methodology

Aims: The aim of this study was to determine the spectrum of antimicrobial activity of 11 samples of stingless bee honey compared to medicinal, table and artificial honeys. Methods and Results: Activity was assessed by agar diffusion, agar dilution, broth microdilution and time‐kill viability assays. By agar dilution, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranges were 4% to >10% (w/v) for Gram‐positive bacteria, 6% to >16% (w/v) for Gram‐negative bacteria and 6% to >10% (w/v) for Candida spp. By broth microdilution, all organisms with the exception of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata were inhibited at ≤32% (w/v). Geometric MIC (w/v) means for stingless bee honeys ranged from 7·1% to 16·0% and were 11·7% for medicinal honey and 26·5% for table honey. Treatment of organisms with 20% (w/v) stingless bee honey for 60 min resulted in decreases of 1–3 log for Staphylococcus aureus, >3 log for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and <1 log for C. albicans. Similar treatment with each control honey resulted in decreases of <1 log for all organisms. Conclusions: Stingless bee honey has broad‐spectrum antibacterial activity although activity against Candida was limited. Stingless bee honey samples varied in activity and the basis for this remains to be determined. Significance and Impact of the Study: Stingless bee honey had similar activity to medicinal honey and may therefore have a role as a medicinal agent.     

氨基糖苷-(3)-乙酰转移酶Ⅱ的表达纯化及初步活性

用PCR扩增的氨基糖苷-（3）-乙酰转移酶Ⅱ[aac（3）-Ⅱ]基因构建了能表达较高活性AAC（3）-Ⅱ的重组工程菌,并获取重组AAC（3）-Ⅱ。含pET28a质粒的工程菌转入aac（3）-Ⅱ基因前后对氨基糖苷类抗生素的最低抑菌浓度进行比较,重组菌超声裂解上清液及其纯化的AAC（3）-Ⅱ进行SDS-PAGE和Western印迹电泳鉴定。最低抑菌浓度表明转入aac（3）-Ⅱ基因的工程菌比未转入的工程菌对庆大霉素（gentamicin,GEN）的提高了256倍,对妥布霉素（tobramycin,TOB）及其奈替米星（netilmicin,NTL）提高了16倍,电泳鉴定表明纯化荻取的是重组AAC（3）-Ⅱ,其相对分子质量约为32kDa,纯度大于95％,纯化后的10μg AAC（3）-Ⅱ,分别在10s内使80μg GEN、30s内使80μg TOB和NTL乙酰化而失去抑菌作用。研究为氨基糖苷类抗生素伴侣的开发研究初步打下基础。     

氨基糖苷-(3)-乙酰转移酶II的表达纯化及初步活性

用PCR扩增的氨基糖苷-(3)-乙酰转移酶II[aac(3)-II]基因构建了能表达较高活性AAC(3)-II的重组工程菌,并获取重组AAC(3)-II。含pET28a质粒的工程菌转入aac(3)-II基因前后对氨基糖苷类抗生素的最低抑菌浓度进行比较,重组菌超声裂解上清液及其纯化的AAC(3)-II进行SDS-PAGE和Western印迹电泳鉴定。最低抑菌浓度表明转入aac(3)-II基因的工程菌比未转入的工程菌对庆大霉素(gentamicin,GEN)的提高了256倍,对妥布霉素(tobramycin,TOB)及其奈替米星(netilmicin,NTL)提高了16倍,电泳鉴定表明纯化获取的是重组AAC(3)-II,其相对分子质量约为32kDa,纯度大于95%,纯化后的10μgAAC(3)-II,分别在10s内使80μgGEN、30s内使80μgTOB和NTL乙酰化而失去抑菌作用。研究为氨基糖苷类抗生素伴侣的开发研究初步打下基础。     

分离自母婴肠道的假小链双歧杆菌的耐药性分析

【背景】由于滥用抗生素导致细菌耐药性日益严重。对于双歧杆菌,人们往往注重其益生功能的挖掘而忽视了对其耐药性的研究,存在一定的安全隐患。【目的】检测母婴肠道中假小链双歧杆菌的耐药性,探究婴儿肠道中假小链双歧杆菌耐药性的来源。【方法】利用微量肉汤稀释法测定48株分离自母婴肠道的假小链双歧杆菌对14种抗生素的耐药性,比较分离自不同家庭母婴肠道中假小链双歧杆菌的耐药性。【结果】48株母婴肠道分离株对四环素、氯霉素、新霉素、环丙沙星100%耐药,对其余10种抗生素耐药率依次为：卡那霉素98%、利福平80%、克林霉素78%、甲氧苄啶63%、红霉素59%、庆大霉素43%、链霉素16%、万古霉素14%、氨苄西林6%、利奈唑胺2%。母婴肠道分离株的耐药性无显著差异,分离自同一家庭母婴肠道的菌株具有相似的耐药表型。【结论】分离自母婴肠道的假小链双歧杆菌对多种抗生素具有耐药性,婴儿肠道中假小链双歧杆菌的耐药性可能是由母亲肠道垂直传递而来。     

An adaptable HPLC method for the analysis of frequently used antibiotics in ocular samples

Four different antibiotics, delivered individually to rabbit eyes via hydrophilic intraocular lenses soaked in the drug solution prior to implantation, were measured in aqueous and vitreous humor samples from the eyes. To meet this analytical need, we developed a sensitive, high performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method for measuring the concentrations of moxifloxacin, gatifloxacin, linezolid, and cefuroxime in the ocular tissue. Separations were carried out on a LichroSpher RP-18 column, maintained at room temperature. The fluoroquinolones were eluted with a mobile phase consisting of 20% acetonitrile, in 0.1% trifluoroacetic acid (pH 3.0) with 30 mM tetrabutylammonium chloride. Linezolid and cefuroxime were eluted with 25% acetonitrile in 25 mM Na acetate buffer, pH 5.0. All elutions were isocratic. With ultraviolet detection, the lower limit of quantitation (LLOQ) for these compounds approached 1 ng (on-column injection). By using fluorescence detection, the LLOQ for the fluoroquinolones improved to 200 pg. The overall accuracy of the method was ≥90%. With minor modifications, the method was optimized for each of the agents, and the resulting analytical sensitivity made the method suitable for clinical investigations of the ocular penetration of these drugs.     

中西药结合抗菌性"壳聚多糖"的体外抗菌效果的实验研究

目的 探讨中西药结合抗菌性“壳聚多糖”体外抑菌和杀菌效果。方法 选用０．４％环丙沙星和１０％儿茶胺作对照。采用液体稀释法测其最小抑菌浓度（ＭＩＣ）,转种血平板测其最小杀菌浓度（ＭＢＣ）。结果 儿茶胺不具有抑菌效果,中西药结合抗菌性“壳聚多糖”和０．４％环丙沙星在抑菌和杀菌等方面无显著差异,使用中西药结合抗菌性“壳聚多糖”既具有促进伤口愈合的能力,又保证了体外抑菌和杀菌的活性。０．４％中西药结合抗菌性“壳聚多糖”在６０ｍｉｎ内将３株标准菌株全部杀死。     

新型氟喹诺酮衍生物对水产致病菌及其生物被膜的抑制作用研究北大核心

【目的】细菌的耐药性给动物抗感染和疾病治疗带来了极大的困难和挑战,生物被膜是导致细菌耐药性的主要原因之一,本研究检测分析了氯丙酰基克林沙星对7株菌株的抗菌活性及其生物被膜形成能力,以期发现氯丙酰基克林沙星是否具有抗菌活性。【方法】本研究通过打孔法和微量肉汤二倍稀释法进行常规药敏试验以测定最小抑菌浓度(minimum inhibitory concentration,MIC)和最小杀菌浓度(minimum bactericidal concentration,MBC),通过结晶紫染色法检测这7株受试菌在药物亚抑菌浓度下的生物被膜形成能力以及生长速率来测定氯丙酰基克林沙星的抑菌能力。【结果】实验结果显示,氟喹诺酮类衍生物氯丙酰基克林沙星药物对4株受试革兰氏阴性菌的MIC≤10 mg/L、MBC≤48 mg/L,对3株受试革兰氏阳性菌也呈现敏感状态(MIC≤10 mg/L,MBC≤10 mg/L)。结晶紫染色法检测发现,这7株受试菌在药物亚抑菌浓度下的生物被膜形成能力以及生长速率显著下降,说明氯丙酰基克林沙星在亚抑菌浓度即具有良好的抑菌活性。【结论】本研究证明氯丙酰基克林沙星可用作抗菌剂,并为新型生物被膜抗菌剂或细菌感染治疗药物的开发提供了新的依据。