Beta-lactam, aminoglycoside, and quinolone resistance in Escherichia coli strains isolated from shrimps and mussels in the Marmara Sea.

The purpose of the study was to examine the prevalence of Escherichia coli in shrimps and mussels, and to determine the distribution of ß-lactam, aminoglycoside, quinolone, and multi-drug resistance phenotypically and genotypically in E. coli isolates obtained from mussels and shrimps in Istanbul. Faecal samples were collected from mussels (n = 96) and shrimps (n = 96) from the Marmara Sea coastline and fish markets in Istanbul. For the detection of antibiotic susceptibilities, seven antibiotic groups were used. ß-lactamase, aminoglycoside, and quinolone genes were also determined. A total of 34 (17.7%, 15 shrimps, and 19 mussels) E. coli were isolated, and 17 (50%) were found to be resistant to one or more antimicrobials. The highest resistance was seen against aminoglycosides with 11 isolates (32.35%), followed by quinolones with 10 isolates (29.41%) and extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) with 4 isolates (11.76%). Multi-drug resistance was detected in 5 isolates (14.7%) from 3 shrimp and 2 mussel samples. The prevalence of ESBL genes was demonstrated at 3.84% in mussels and shrimp samples. There were no AmpC and carbapenemase-producing genes. These samples harbored blaCTX-M-1 (n = 3) and blaTEM (n = 4). Ten isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides genotypically. Resistance genes detected were strB in 2 isolates, aadA in 5, strB and aadA together in 3, ANT('')-Ia, aphA1 and aphA2 simultaneously in 3, aphA1 in 1, aac(3)-IIa in 1 isolate. aac(6')-Ib-cr gene was detected in only one of 10 phenotypically resistant isolates to quinolones.

In vitro antifungal activity of heterocyclic organoboron compounds against Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis obtained from clinical isolates.

The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro activity of thirty-eight heterocyclic organoboron compounds (1a-o, 2a-j, 3a-m) against clinically isolated dermatophytes Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum canis. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of compounds (1a-o, 2a-j, 3a-m) were determined according to published protocol Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) M38-A2 broth microdilution method. The minimum fungicidal concentrations (MFCs) for both T. mentagrophytes and M. canis were found by subculturing each fungal suspension on potato dextrose agar. According to the results, heterocyclic organoboron compounds (1a-o, 2a-j, 3a-m) were found to be more effective against dermatophyte M. canis (MIC = 3.12-25 µg/ml) than T. mentagrophytes (MIC = 12.5-100 µg/ml). Our findings showed that 7-membered heterocyclic organoboron compounds (3a-m) (MIC = 12.5-50 µg/ml) have stronger in vitro antifungal activity against T. mentagrophytes than 5-membered heterocyclic organoboron compounds (1a-o, 2a-j) (MIC = 25-100 µg/ml). The MFC values for all compounds ranged from 6.25 to 200 µg/ml. The limited number of systemic antifungal agents used in the treatment of dermatophyte infections and the presence of side effects have led to the search for new treatment resources in recent years. Therefore, investigation of the effect of heterocyclic organoboron compounds against dermatophytes will be promising for the discovery of new antifungal compounds that have gained great importance today.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Examination of Antimicrobial Resistance in Thermophilic Campylobacter Species Isolated from Poultry in Turkey.

INTRODUCTION: The study aimed to isolate thermophilic Campylobacter from chickens raised three rearing methods, determine its antimicrobial susceptibilities, and examine resistance-related genes by PCR. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cloacal swabs or intestinal contents were taken in Istanbul, Sakarya, and Izmir provinces. Chickens were from small village-based family-run businesses (n = 70), organically raised (n = 71), and conventionally raised broilers (n = 79). The samples were cultured on modified charcoal cefoperazone desoxycholate (mCCD) agar. Suspect isolates were identified with multiplex PCR (mPCR). As per EUCAST standards, MIC values were derived by broth microdilution for tetracycline, ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, kanamycin, gentamicin, and erythromycin in isolates of C. jejuni (n = 98) and C. coli (n = 83). RESULTS: In C. jejuni, 78.6% tetracycline, 87.8% ciprofloxacin, and 81.6% nalidixic acid resistance was detected, but none was to kanamycin, gentamicin, or erythromycin. In C. coli, 98.8% ciprofloxacin and 63.9% nalidixic acid resistance was detected, whereas resistance to non-quinolones was not observed. C257T (Thr-86-Ile) mutation in the gyrA gene of all phenotypically quinolone-resistant isolates was detected through a mismatch amplification mutation assay PCR (MAMA-PCR). It emerged that all isolates bore the tet (O) resistance gene. CONCLUSION: Common tetracycline, nalidixic acid, and ciprofloxacin resistance exists in Campylobacter isolated from chickens raised three rearing methods.

The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the weights of lymphoid organs, cell-mediated immune response, heterophil functions and antibody production in laying hens.

The effects of environmental enrichment and transport stress on the immune system were investigated in laying hens. A total of 48 1-day-old chickens were used, half of the chickens were reared in conventional cages (RCC) and the rest in enriched cages (REC). Transport stress was applied in the 17th week. Liver weight decreased, spleen and bursa of Fabricius weights, white blood cell count, CD4+ and CD8+ cell proportions increased due to the transport. Environmental enrichment significantly increased antibody production and tended to increase monocyte percentage and CD8+ cell proportion. The effect of transport on, heterophil (H) and lymphocyte (L) percentages was not significant in RCC chickens. While heterophil percentage and H:L ratio increased, lymphocyte percentage decreased in REC chickens subjected to transport. Transport stress increased heterophil functions both in REC and RCC chickens, but the increase was higher in REC hens than in RCC hens. In conclusion, although environmental enrichment did not neutralize the effect of transport on lymphoid organs, it activated the non-specific immune system, cellular and the humoral branches of the specific immune system by increasing heterophil functions, CD8+ cells and antibody production, respectively. Therefore, environmental enrichment suggested for improving animal welfare may also be beneficial to improve the immune system of birds exposed to stress.

The effect of furnished cages on the immune response of laying hens under social stress.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of cage furnishing and social stress on some lymphoid organ weight and innate, cell-mediated, and humoral immune responses in laying hens. Sixty-four chickens were used. The chickens were divided into 2 groups; one of the groups was reared in furnished cages (RFC) and the other was reared in conventional cages (RCC). In wk 17, social stress was applied. Heterophil and lymphocyte percentages; liver, spleen, thymus, and bursa of Fabricius weights; phagocytic activity; oxidative burst and chemotaxic activity of heterophil; CD4+ and CD8+ cell proportions; and antibody production were measured. The effect of rearing methods was significant on heterophil, lymphocyte percentage, heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio, and antibody production. Heterophil percentage and H/L ratio were lower (P=0.001, P=0.001, respectively), and antibody production was higher (P=0.003) in RFC hens compared to RCC hens. The main effect of social stress was also significant on heterophil, lymphocyte percentages, and H/L ratio. Heterophil percentage was higher (P=0.049); H/L ratio tended to be higher (P=0.068); and lymphocyte percentage tended to be lower (P=0.072) due to stress. In addition, thymus and bursa of Fabricius weights tended to be lower (P=0.073 and P=0.074, respectively) in stressed hens. There were significant interactions between rearing methods and social stress on oxidative burst, chemotaxic activity, and CD4+ and CD8+ proportion (P=0.001, P=0.004, P=0.054, and P=0.001, respectively). These parameters were significantly higher in RFC hens, when they were exposed to stress. On the other hand, they did not differ in RCC or unstressed RFC hens. These results indicated that cage furnishing positively affected heterophil functions, CD4+ and CD8+ cell proportions, and antibody production. Therefore, we suggest that cage furnishing, which is recommended for improving the welfare of animals, is also beneficial for improving the immune response of hens under the stress condition.

Investigation of intestinal parasites in pig feces that are also human pathogens.

A total of 238 pig fecal specimens were collected from pig farms in Corlu (Tekirdag), Ayazma, and Arnavutköy (Istanbul) during the summer. Out of the 238 pig specimens, 105 were from pigs younger than 6 months and 133 from pigs older than 6 months. These were investigated for intestine parasites in particular the ones that are human pathogens. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected In 21 fecal specimens (8.8%), Giardia spp. in 9 (3.7%), Balantidium coli cysts in 4 (1.6%) and Ascaris suum eggs in 9 (4.1%). Giardia lamblia were found in 8 (7.6%) of 105 pigs younger than 6 months, Cryptosporidium spp. in 12 (11.4%), Balantidium coli cysts in 2 (1.5%). In the pigs older than 6 months Giardia lamblia were found in 1 (0.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. in 9 (6.7%), Balantidium coli cysts in 2 (1.5%). and Ascaris suum eggs in 9 (6.7%). The difference in the rate of G. lamblia (p=0.01) in pigs less than 6 months and of A. suum in those over 6 months was found to be statistically significant (p=0.005). Our results revealed that pigs are important sources of these parasites.