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BACKGROUND: Infections resulting from multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales (MDR-E) pose a growing global threat, presenting challenges in treatment and contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality rates. The main objective of this study was to characterize phenotypically and genetically extended-spectrum ß-lactamase- and carbapenemase- producing Enterobacterales (ESBLE and CPE respectively) isolated from clinical samples in the West Bank, Palestine. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted in October 2023 on clinical bacterial isolates collected from five governmental hospitals in the West Bank, Palestine. The isolates obtained from the microbiology laboratories of the participating hospitals, underwent identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) using the VITEK® 2 Compact system. ESBL production was determined by the Vitek2 Compact system. A modified carbapenem inactivation method (mCIM) was employed to identify carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). Resistance genes were detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Out of the total 1380 collected isolates, we randomly selected 600 isolates for analysis. Our analysis indicated that 287 (47.83%) were extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers (ESBLE), and 102 (17%) as carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) isolates. A total of 424 isolates (70.67%) were identified as multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales (MDRE). The most prevalent ESBL species were K. pneumoniae (n = 124; 43.2%), E. coli (n = 119; 41.5%) and E. cloacae (n = 31; 10.8%). Among the CRE isolates, 85 (83.33%) were carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). The most frequent CRE species were K. pneumoniae (n = 63; 61.7%), E. coli (n = 25; 24.5%) and E. cloacae (n = 13; 12.8%). Additionally, 47 (7.83%) isolates exhibited resistance to colistin (CT), with 38 (37.62%) being CT-resistant CRE and 9 (3.14%) being CT-resistant ESBLE while sensitive to carbapenems. We noticed that 11 isolates (6 Klebsiella pneumoniae and 5 Enterobacter cloacae complex) demonstrated sensitivity to carbapenems by phenotype but carried silent CPE genes (1 blaOXA48, and 6 blaNDM, 4 blaOXA48, blaNDM). ESBL-producing Enterobacterales strains exhibited varied resistance patterns across different antibiotic classes. E. coli isolates showed notable 48% resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. K. pneumoniae isolates displayed a significant resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, and fosfomycin (54%, 90%, and 70% respectively). E. cloacae isolates showed complete resistance to nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin. P. mirabilis isolates exhibited high resistance against fluoroquinolones (83%), and complete resistance to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin. CONCLUSION: This study showed the high burden of the ESBLE and CRE among the samples collected from the participating hospitals. The most common species were K. pneumoniae and E. coli. There was a high prevalence of blaCTXm. Adopting both conventional and molecular techniques is essential for better surveillance of the emergence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant Enterobacterales infections in Palestine.
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Antibacterianos , Proteínas de Bactérias , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana Múltipla , Infecções por Enterobacteriaceae , Enterobacteriaceae , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , beta-Lactamases , Humanos , beta-Lactamases/genética , Estudos Transversais , Infecções por Enterobacteriaceae/microbiologia , Infecções por Enterobacteriaceae/epidemiologia , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana Múltipla/genética , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Oriente Médio/epidemiologia , Feminino , Adulto , Enterobacteriaceae/genética , Enterobacteriaceae/efeitos dos fármacos , Enterobacteriaceae/isolamento & purificação , Enterobacteriaceae/enzimologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fenótipo , Enterobacteriáceas Resistentes a Carbapenêmicos/genética , Enterobacteriáceas Resistentes a Carbapenêmicos/isolamento & purificação , Enterobacteriáceas Resistentes a Carbapenêmicos/efeitos dos fármacos , Adulto Jovem , Adolescente , Idoso , Criança , Carbapenêmicos/farmacologia , Pré-EscolarRESUMO
Graves'-associated upper eyelid retraction (GAUER) is the commonest manifestation of orbitopathy in adults. Surgical management typically follows a 3-step staged approach commencing with orbital decompression. The rationale behind this is that certain surgical interventions can influence the parameters and outcomes of subsequent procedures. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis evaluating the effects of orbital decompression on GAUER in adult patients with Graves' orbitopathy. All original English, non-pediatric studies meeting the study inclusion criteria from the last 20 years were included. The characteristics of margin reflex distance 1 (MRD-1) pre- and post-orbital decompression of 688 orbits were collected, and a meta-analysis of 472 orbits was performed. The average reduction in MRD-1 across 688 orbits was found to be 0.40 mm. Meta-analysis of 6 applicable articles demonstrated that orbital decompression decreases MRD-1 by an average of 0.35 mm (n = 472, p = .007, 95% CI = [0.08, 0.63]). This study demonstrates that although statistically significant, orbital decompression does not appear to have a clinically significant effect on GAUER. This has implications for clinical practice, namely the likely requirement of eyelid surgery following or in combination with orbital decompression, and the importance of counselling patients on this preoperatively.
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Introduction: Globally, healthcare facilities face a great challenge in the form of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). Aside from the morbidity and mortality they cause, these illnesses are also extremely costly. Research on infection transmission in the medical field has been considerable, but not so much in the radiology department. Aim: This study aims to identify the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbes on surfaces that are frequently touched in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound (US), plain X-ray examination rooms, and portable radiography that are susceptible to contamination as well as to investigate the potential dangers of contracting MDR organisms to patients and healthcare providers. Materials and Method. In this study, 160 swab samples were collected from the radiology department during May and June 2022. Samples were obtained from 80 predefined surfaces twice within and outside of CT and MRI examination rooms as well as from US and plain X-ray machines and portable X-ray machines. Samples were taken at 7:00 a.m. using cotton swabs following the regular cleaning procedure. Bacterial colony-forming units (CFUs) per square centimeter were calculated after swabbing a 100 cm2 surface. Results: Nearly all of the surfaces tested had bacterial CFUs. The highest contamination rate was found on keyboards ranging from (1.2-8) CFU/cm2, the sides of patient tables (1.2-20) CFU/cm2, knee coil (2.4-3) CFU/cm2, and patient leg supports (1.2-8) CFU/cm2. A noticeable increase in the contamination was noticed in June compared to May, and this was consistent with the increase in the number of isolated patients in the hospital, the workload in the radiology department, and the number of patients referred to the hospital. In our study, none of the examined sites showed contamination with MDR Gram-negative bacteria such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases producing Enterobacterales (ESPL) or Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). On the other hand, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus (MRS), vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus (VRS), and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) were detected. Conclusion: All of the radiology department equipment and sites could be a source of bacterial infection including MDR, so the obligatory and committed disinfection protocol must be revised and implemented in the morning and between patients.
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Pelargonium graveolens leaves are widely used in traditional medicine for relieving some cardiovascular, dental, gastrointestinal, and respiratory disorders. They are also used as food and tea additives in Palestine and many other countries. Consequently, this investigation aimed to describe the chemical markers, cytotoxic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, metabolic, and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes inhibitory characteristics of P. graveolens essential oil (PGEO) from Palestine utilizing reference methods. There were 70 chemicals found in the GCMS analysis, and oxygenated terpenoids were the most abundant group of the total PGEO. Citronellol (24.44%), citronellyl formate (15.63%), γ-eudesmol (7.60%), and iso-menthone (7.66%) were the dominant chemical markers. The EO displayed strong antioxidant activity (IC50 = 3.88 ± 0.45 µg/mL) and weak lipase and α-amylase suppressant effects. Notably, the PGEO displayed high α-glucosidase inhibitory efficacy compared with Acarbose, with IC50 doses of 52.44 ± 0.29 and 37.15 ± 0.33 µg/mL, respectively. PGEO remarkably repressed the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), even more than Ampicillin and Ciprofloxacin, and strongly inhibited Candida albicans compared with Fluconazole. The highest cytotoxic effect of the PGEO was noticed against MCF-7, followed by Hep3B and HeLa cancer cells, with IC50 doses of 32.71 ± 1.25, 40.71 ± 1.89, and 315.19 ± 20.5 µg/mL, respectively, compared with doxorubicin. Moreover, the screened EO demonstrated selective inhibitory activity against COX-1 (IC50 = 14.03 µg/mL). Additionally, PGEO showed a weak suppressant effect on COX-2 (IC50 = 275.97 µg/mL). The current research can be considered the most comprehensive investigation of the chemical and pharmacological characterization of the PGEO. The results obtained in this study demonstrate, without doubt, that this plant represents a rich source of bioactive substances that can be further investigated and authenticated for their medicinal potential.
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Anti-Infecciosos , Staphylococcus aureus Resistente à Meticilina , Óleos Voláteis , Pelargonium , Anti-Infecciosos/química , Anti-Infecciosos/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/química , Óleos Voláteis/química , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Pelargonium/químicaRESUMO
Bacterial infections, especially drug-resistant infections, are a major global health issue. The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Enterobacteriaceae and the lack of new antibiotics have worrisome prospects for all of humanity. Colistin is considered the last-line drug for MDR Gram-negative bacteria (GNB), and it is often used for treatment of respiratory infections caused by MDR-GNB. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the incidence of colistin-resistant infections. The main objective of this study was to investigate the presence of colistin resistance among clinical GNB isolated from Gaza Strip hospitals. Clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolates (100) were obtained from microbiology laboratories of the hospitals of different geographical locations in Gaza Strip Governorate over a period of six months. Samples were cultured, and bacterial identification was performed by standard microbiological procedures. Enterobacteriaceae isolates were tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility by the disk diffusion method and the MIC method for colistin. Varying degrees of susceptibility were observed for the isolates against the tested antimicrobials even within members of the same antimicrobial class. Amikacin was the most effective drug (74%), followed by chloramphenicol (48%), fosfomycin, and gentamicin (45%). High resistance was recorded against trimethoprim (85%) and tetracycline (83%). Only 59% of the tested isolates were interpreted as susceptible, while 41% was classified as resistant. The highest resistance to colistin was found to be among the Proteus spp. (63.2%), followed by Serratia spp. (57.1%). The lowest resistance was observed among Klebsiella isolates (31.6%). Only 39.0% of meropenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was susceptible to colistin, while 45.8% of imipenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was susceptible to colistin. The overall resistance to colistin was high (41%) among tested clinical isolates. Furthermore, 89% was MDR. These limit and complicate treatment options for the infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae in Gaza Strip. This calls for immediate actions to control and monitor the use of antimicrobials in general and colistin in particular.
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BACKGROUND: Maternal Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus (GBS)) colonization is an important cause of complications in mothers and neonates during gestation and after delivery. The data regarding GBS colonization among pregnant women in Palestine is scarce. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence of GBS colonization, its associated risk factors, and the antibiotic sensitivity patterns in Nablus, West Bank, Palestine. METHODS: A cross-sectional, single center study conducted at Rafidia Governmental Hospital in Nablus, West Bank, Palestine. Samples were collected between November 2019 and January 2020. Vaginal swabs from 200 pregnant women (≥35 weeks of gestation) attending the labor and delivery department were plated directly on CHROMagarTM StrepB (CHROM agar, France) and placed in an incubator at 35-37°C. After 24 and 48 hours, the plates were checked for growth and classified into three categories: growth of GBS with mauve colonies on chromogenic media, no growth, or other growth. The identification of the mauve colonies was confirmed by the CAMP test. Identified GBS isolates were tested for susceptibility to vancomycin, ampicillin, clindamycin, cefotaxime, erythromycin, and levofloxacin using the disc diffusion method. Clinical and demographic information were collected using a questionnaire. RESULT: The overall prevalence of GBS colonization was 12%. The median age of the study population was 27 years. GBS colonization was significantly associated with age (p=0.013), history of previous preterm delivery (p=0.013), and parity (p=0.015). No association was noted with smoking, previous abortion, previous history of fetal demise, vaginitis, or urinary tract infection. Resistance to ampicillin, vancomycin, cefotaxime, erythromycin, clindamycin, and levofloxacin was found to be 91.7%, 54.2%, 45.8%, 29.2%, 25%, and 8.3%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vaginal GBS in this study was 12% from Nablus, West Bank. Further research is needed to determine the GBS serotypes common in West Bank and the burden they cause on the health system. Moreover, this study also highlights the need to establish a screening program suited to a developing country with low control on the antibiotic's prescription protocols.
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BACKGROUND: Healthcare workers (HCWs) may be using their mobile phones (MPs) to carry microbes that cause hospital-acquired and community infections in general. With antibiotic resistance problem emergence, these infections can be challenging to eradicate. Hence, this study aimed to determine the microbial contamination of HCW MPs and identify and classify bacterial isolates in Palestine. METHODS: This was a 7-month comparative cross-sectional analysis of 200 HCW MPs from 2 hospitals and 100 MPs from university students (non-HCWs). Data collection was done using a self-administrated questionnaire, and a swab sample from both HCW and non-HCW MPs was obtained and transferred to An-Najah National University (NNU) microbiology lab for bacterial identification and antibiotic susceptibility. Data were analyzed using Social Sciences Statistical Package (SPSS) version 22.0. RESULT: Among HCWs, the microbial contamination was 87.5%. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS; 67.3%), methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA; 17.5%), Gram-positive bacilli (4.1%), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA; 1.6%), and Gram-negative species (1.6%) were the most predominant bacterial isolates. More than half of staphylococci isolates were resistant to penicillin and erythromycin. Male gender, using a mobile phone in the bathroom, and entry to the operating theatre were associated with mobile phone contamination and increased resistance against specific antibiotics. Among non-HCWs, the contamination was 86%. The most predominant bacterial isolates were CoNS, MSSA, and Gram-positive bacilli, with a contamination of 66.8%, 28.5%, and 2.6%, respectively. No MRSA or Gram-negative species were detected in this group. Antibiotic resistance percentage of staphylococci was nearly half of that yielded in the HCW group against each antibiotic. CONCLUSION: Significant numbers of bacteria have been isolated from HCW MPs. Working in a hospital environment frequently raises the probability of presence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria on a MP. Therefore, infection control teams should discuss methods to prevent the transmission of drug-resistant pathogens from HCW MPs.
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Pseudomonas aeruginosa adaptation to survive in the host hinges on its ability to probe the environment and respond appropriately. Rapid adaptation is often mediated by two-component regulatory systems, such as the PhoP/PhoQ system that responds to Mg2+ ion concentration. However, there is limited information about the role of PhoQ in P. aeruginosa bloodstream infections. We used a murine model of systemic infection to test the virulence of a PhoQ-deficient mutant. Mutation of PhoQ impaired the virulence and the ability to cause bacteremia of P. aeruginosa. In the presence of blood concentrations of Mg2+ , a PhoQ mutant bound more C3 and was more susceptible to complement-mediated opsonophagocytosis than the parent strain, suggesting a direct effect of the Mg2+ on the modulation of expression of a bacterial component controlled by the PhoP/PhoQ system. Ligand blot analysis, C3 binding experiments and opsonophagocytosis assays identified this component as the outer membrane protein OprH, expression of which impaired the virulence of P. aeruginosa in a murine model of systemic infection. We demonstrate that expression of PhoQ is essential to detect Mg2+ and reduce the expression of OprH, a previously unrecognized C3 binding molecule that promotes the opsonophagocytosis of P. aeruginosa.
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Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/metabolismo , Proteínas de Bactérias/metabolismo , Complemento C3/imunologia , Regulação Bacteriana da Expressão Gênica , Fagocitose/imunologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/imunologia , Animais , Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Modelos Animais de Doenças , Humanos , Magnésio , Masculino , Camundongos , Ligação Proteica/imunologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/genética , VirulênciaRESUMO
Surfactant protein A (SP-A) plays a critical role in the clearance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the lung. However, there is limited information about the interaction of this protein with P. aeruginosa isolates from individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF). We characterized the interplay between SP-A and a collection of isogenic sequential isolates from 7 patients with CF. We identified outer membrane protein OprH as a novel ligand for SP-A on P. aeruginosa The last-available (late) isolates from patients with CF bound significantly less SP-A than their respective first-available (early) isolates. This difference could be associated with a reduction in the expression of OprH. Binding of SP-A to OprH promoted phagocytic killing; thus, late CF isolates were at least 2-fold more resistant to SP-A-mediated killing by human macrophages than their respective early isolates. We postulate that the reduction of OprH expression is a previously unrecognized adaptation of P. aeruginosa to the lung of individuals with CF that facilitates the escape of the microorganism from SP-A-mediated phagocytic killing.
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Proteínas da Membrana Bacteriana Externa/metabolismo , Fibrose Cística/metabolismo , Fibrose Cística/microbiologia , Infecções por Pseudomonas/metabolismo , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/metabolismo , Proteína A Associada a Surfactante Pulmonar/metabolismo , Humanos , Pulmão/metabolismo , Pulmão/microbiologiaRESUMO
Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify the prevalent pathogens that caused neonatal septicemia and their corresponding antimicrobial sensitivities in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the West Bank. Methods: In this retrospective study, we extracted records of neonates with suspected neonatal sepsis (NS) admitted to three NICUs in the West Bank between 2019 and 2021 from the Ministry of Health's electronic database. Results: Out of 6090 suspected episodes of NS, 884 tested positive for blood cultures, and 554 were primary cases; 59.5% were male, 26.6% were preterm, and 52.7% were aged 0-7 days. Moreover, 29% of 884 positive cultures were contributed by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO). Only 14.6% of episodes aligned with both Word Health Organization-recommended antibiotic regimens, 5.2% matched with one regimen, and 80.3% did not match either regimen. Specifically, 19.6% of cases matched with ampicillin-gentamicin, and 14.7% matched with ampicillin-cefotaxime. The likelihood of a match between early-onset sepsis and empiric antibiotic regimens was greater than late-onset sepsis (odds ratio = 2.549, [95% confidence interval: 1.276-5.092]). MDRO was more likely than non-MDRO to match with one antibiotic regimen (odds ratio = 4.142 [95% confidence interval: 1.913-8.966]). Conclusion: There is an alarming prevalence of MDRO among Palestinian neonates in the NICU of the West Bank. The study highlights the urgent need for implementation of effective infection control measures and antimicrobial stewardship programs in the NICUs of hospitals in the West Bank to reduce the prevalence of MDRO and improve neonatal health outcomes.
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BACKGROUND: Plants have historically been a rich source of medicinal compounds, with many modern pharmaceuticals derived from botanical origins. In contemporary healthcare, there is a resurgence in utilizing botanical substances as recognized medicinal agents. This study delved into understanding the phytochemical makeup and the multifaceted biological activities of an aqueous extract from Cymbopogon citratus (C. citratus). The investigated activities were its effect on AMPA receptors, antioxidant capacity, anti-lipase, anti-α-amylase actions, cytotoxicity, and antimicrobial properties. METHODS: The extract of C. citratus received a comprehensive investigation, which included the study of its phytochemical composition, assessment of its antioxidant and anti-lipase properties, evaluation of its capacity to inhibit α-amylase, analysis of its impact on cell viability, and assessment of its antimicrobial activity. The approaches are used to clarify the complex physiological and biochemical characteristics. RESULTS: The results were compelling; receptor kinetics had a marked impact, notably on the GluA2 subunit. Regarding its medicinal potential, the extract demonstrated potent antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities with IC50 values of 15.13 and 101.14 µg/mL, respectively. Additionally, it displayed significant inhibitory effects on the lipase enzyme and showed cytotoxicity against the Hep3B cancer cell line, with IC50 values of 144.35 and 148.37 µg/mL. In contrast, its effects on the normal LX-2 cell line were minimal, indicating selectivity. CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of C. citratus shows promising therapeutic properties. The findings advocate for further research into its compounds for potential isolation, purification, and in-depth pharmacological studies, especially in areas like nervous system disorders, diabetes, obesity, and combating oxidative stress.
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Anti-Infecciosos , Cymbopogon , Humanos , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Árabes , Lipase , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Anti-Infecciosos/farmacologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Origanum punonense Danin is one of the old traditional medicinal plants Bedouins utilize in the Dead Sea region to treat a variety of illnesses, those caused by infections. The current study aimed to identify the phytochemical components of O. punonense essential oil (EO) and determine its antiproliferative and antimicrobial effects. METHODS: Gas chromatography and mass spectrometry were employed to detect the phytochemical constituents of O. punonense EO. Broth microdilution assay was utilized to determine the antimicrobial effects against various microbial species, including those causing diabetic foot infections. RESULTS: This study revealed that O. punonense EO contains 44 phytochemical compounds, of which 41 compounds were detectable and amounted to 99.78% of the total oil. The main chemical components of the oil were carvacrol (57.4%), p-cymene (6.66%), carvone (5.35%), pinene (4.9%), and terpinene (2.96%). The antiproliferative activity of different concentrations of O. punonense EO was noted in all of the investigated cell lines, with the best activity at the concentration of 500 µg/mL. The greatest antibacterial activity was against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus vulgaris, with MIC values of 1.56 µL/mL. In addition, and the O. punonense EO showed strong antifungal activity against Candida albicans with a MIC value of 0.8 µL/mL. In addition, the O. punonense EO showed potent antibacterial activity against all MRSA samples obtained from the diabetic foot with a MIC value of 3.13 µL/mL. The O. punonense EO demonstrated potent activity against Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, Citrobacter freundii, and K. pneumoniae, with MICs value of 6.25 µL/mL. CONCLUSION: The potent antiproliferative and broad antimicrobial activity of O. punonense EO makes it an effective strategy for treating infections, especially in immunocompromised patients with chronic comorbidities such as cancer and diabetes mellitus.
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Anti-Infecciosos , Antineoplásicos , Pé Diabético , Óleos Voláteis , Origanum , Humanos , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Óleos Voláteis/química , Origanum/química , Árabes , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Anti-Infecciosos/farmacologia , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Antineoplásicos/farmacologia , Escherichia coli , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologiaRESUMO
The numbers of infections caused by Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and those that are carbapenem resistant, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), are increasing, and these infections are becoming a global public health problem. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of infections caused by ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in patients hospitalized at An-Najah National University Hospital in Nablus, Palestine, and to provide healthcare workers with valuable information on the treatment of these infections. A retrospective cross-sectional investigation was conducted at a large tertiary care teaching hospital. The study included patients admitted to the hospital between January and December 2021, from whom ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli were isolated. The patients' clinical and demographic information was obtained from the hospital information system. In addition, information regarding the bacterial isolates and antibiotic resistance was obtained from the hospital's microbiology laboratory. This study included a total of 188 patients-91 males (48.4%) and 97 females (51.6%). The general surgical ward accounted for the highest proportion of infections (30.9%), followed by the surgical ICU (12.2%). The most common infections were caused by ESBL-producing E. coli, which accounted for 62.8% of the cases. Among them, urinary tract infections caused by this microorganism were the most prevalent (44.7% of patients). Over 50% of the patients (54.2%) had a history of antibiotic use, and 77.8% had been hospitalized within the past three months. ESBL-producing E. coli was significantly isolated from blood cultures (p-value = 0.000), and CR-K. pneumoniae was significantly isolated from endotracheal isolates (p-value = 0.001). This study emphasizes the concerning frequency of healthcare-acquired infections caused by ESBL-producing and carbapenem-resistant GNB in a tertiary care hospital. The substantial prevalence of antibiotic resistance presents considerable obstacles to the successful administration of routinely employed antibiotics. The results highlight the immediate need for improved antimicrobial stewardship and the implementation of infection control strategies to reduce the effects of multidrug-resistant GNB on patient well-being and public health.
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Escherichia coli , beta-Lactamases , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Estudos Retrospectivos , Centros de Atenção Terciária , Estudos Transversais , beta-Lactamases/farmacologia , Bactérias Gram-Negativas , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Carbapenêmicos/farmacologia , Farmacorresistência Bacteriana Múltipla , Klebsiella pneumoniae , Atenção à Saúde , Testes de Sensibilidade MicrobianaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: The historical use of Laurus nobilis L., the plant is native to the Mediterranean region and has been cultivated for its aromatic leaves, which are used as a flavoring agent in cooking and for their potential therapeutic properties. METHODS: The purpose of the current investigation was to characterize the essential oil composition of the fresh L. nobilis leaves from Palestine by using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and 3,5-dinitro salicylic acid (DNSA) methods were employed to estimate the antioxidant, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects of the essential oil. While MTS assay were used to evaluate their antiproliferative activities on panels of cell lines. Moreover, the docking studies were aided by the Prime MM GBSA method for estimating binding affinities. RESULTS: The GC-MS investigation demonstrated that the fresh L. nobilis leaves essential oil has a variety of chemicals, about 31 different biochemicals were identified, and the major compounds were 1,8-cineole (48.54 ± 0.91%), terpinyl acetate (13.46 ± 0.34%), and α-terpinyl (3.84 ± 0.35%). Furthermore, the investigated oil demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against all tested bacterial and candidal strains and significantly inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cancerous cells more than the chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin. Furthermore, it contains robust DPPH free radicals, as well as porcine pancreatic α-amylase and lipase enzymes. Using the 1,8-cineole compound as the predominant biomolecule found in the L. nobilis essential oil, molecular docking studies were performed to confirm these observed fabulous results. The molecular docking simulations proposed that these recorded biological activities almost emanated from its high ability to form strong and effective hydrophobic interactions, this led to the getting of optimal fitting and interaction patterns within the binding sites of the applied crystallographic protein targets. CONCLUSION: The results of these experiments showed that the fresh L. nobilis leaves essential oil has outstanding pharmacological capabilities, making this oil a potential source of natural medications.
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Laurus , Simulação de Acoplamento Molecular , Óleos Voláteis , Compostos Fitoquímicos , Folhas de Planta , Óleos Voláteis/farmacologia , Óleos Voláteis/química , Folhas de Planta/química , Humanos , Laurus/química , Compostos Fitoquímicos/farmacologia , Compostos Fitoquímicos/química , Antioxidantes/farmacologia , Antioxidantes/química , Oriente Médio , Cromatografia Gasosa-Espectrometria de Massas , Linhagem Celular TumoralRESUMO
Background: Arum palaestinum Boiss (AP) is a wild plant in Palestine whose leaves have a long history as food and medicine in Middle Eastern countries. The current study aimed to evaluate the biological characteristics of AP flower extract, including its antimicrobial and coagulation cascade activities and its effects on anticancer molecular pathways. Methods: The antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of AP flowers was assessed using a microdilution assay against eight pathogens. The coagulation properties were assessed by prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and thrombin time (TT) tests using standard hematological methods. The biological effects of AP on hepatocellular carcinoma were measured by assessing the impact of AP on cell cycle, proliferation (CFSE), apoptosis (annexin-v+/PI), and tumorigenicity (αFP and HBsAg), as well as its effects on the PI3K-AKT-mTOR molecular signaling pathway. Results: The antimicrobial screening results revealed that the aqueous extract of AP had potent antibacterial effects against P. vulgaris and E. faecium compared to ampicillin, with MIC values of 6.25, 6.25, and 18 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the AP aqueous extract exerted anticoagulant activity, with significant prolonged results in the aPTT and TT tests (25 µg/mL and 50 µg/mL, respectively) and slightly prolonged results in the PT test (50 µg/mL). The anticancer results indicated a delay in the cell cycle through decreased cell proliferation rates following incubation with AP fractions. The effect of the aqueous fraction was most evident in a delay in the S phase. The aqueous and DMSO fractions maintained the cells in the G2-M phase, similar to the DOX, while the flower extract in methanol accelerated the cells in the G2-M phase, suggesting that AF flower extracts may have anti-cancer properties. The aqueous extract of AP 1) reduced secretions of HCC αFP by 1.55-fold and 3.3-fold at the 50 and 100 µg/mL concentrations, respectively (p = 0.0008); 2) decreased phosphorylation in the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling pathway (p < 0.05); and 3) shifted cells from necrosis to apoptosis by 50% and 70% at the 50 and 100 µg/mL concentrations, respectively (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The results of this study showed the activities of the bioactive components for the treatment of infectious diseases and blood coagulation disorders, which could also be a potential therapeutic approach for delaying HCC tumorigenicity.
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Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh is a tree species that is commonly used for various purposes, including forestry, agroforestry, and conservation. The present investigation was designed to determine the composition of E. camaldulensis leaves essential oil and estimate its free radicals, porcine pancreatic lipase, α-amylase inhibitory, and antimicrobial properties in vitro. The chemical constituents were analyzed using the gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), p-nitrophenyl butyrate, and 3,5-dinitro salicylic acid (DNSA) methods were employed to estimate the antioxidant, antiobesity, and antidiabetic effects of the essential oil. The microdilution assay was employed to assess the antimicrobial efficacy of the substance against a total of seven distinct microbial species. The GC-MS results revealed that E. camaldulensis essential oil contains 52 components that makeup 100% of the entire oil. The main chemical constituents in E. camaldulensis essential oil are p-cymene (38.64%), followed by aromadendrene (29.65%), and 1,8-cineol (6.45%), with monocyclic monoterpene being the most abundant phytochemical group, followed by the sesquiterpene hydrocarbon group, representing 44.27 and 31.46%, respectively. The essential oil showed a weak antioxidant effect and had no antilipase or antiamylase effects. At the same time, the oil showed a strong antimicrobial effect against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Staphylococcus aureus, and Proteus vulgaris, which was even more potent than the positive controls, ciprofloxacin and ampicillin, which had MIC doses of 0.2 ± 0.01, 0.2 ± 0.01, and 6.25 ± 0.1 µg/mL, respectively. It also has a strong anti-Candida albicans effect with a MIC of 0.2 ± 0.01 µg/mL. In light of these findings, in vivo studies should be conducted to determine the efficiency of the E. camaldulensis essential oil in treating microbial infections.
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Spinocerebellar ataxia type 31 (SCA31) is an autosomal dominant disease, classified amongst pure cerebellar ataxias (ADCA type 3). While SCA31 is the third most prevalent autosomal dominant ataxia in Japan, it is extremely rare in other countries. A literature review was conducted on PubMed, where we included all case reports and studies describing the clinical presentation of original SCA31 cases. The clinical and radiological features of 374 patients issued from 25 studies were collected. This review revealed that the average age of onset was 59.1 ± 3.3 years, with symptoms of slowly progressing ataxia and dysarthria. Other common clinical features were oculomotor dysfunction (38.8%), dysphagia (22.1%), hypoacousia (23.3%), vibratory hypoesthesia (24.3%), and dysreflexia (41.6%). Unfrequently, abnormal movements (7.4%), extrapyramidal symptoms (4.5%) and cognitive impairment (6.9%) may be observed. Upon radiological examination, clinicians can expect a high prevalence of cerebellar atrophy (78.7%), occasionally accompanied by brainstem (9.1%) and cortical (9.1%) atrophy. Although SCA31 is described as a slowly progressive pure cerebellar syndrome characterized by cerebellar signs such as ataxia, dysarthria and oculomotor dysfunction, this study evaluated a high prevalence of extracerebellar manifestations. Extracerebellar signs were observed in 52.5% of patients, primarily consisting of dysreflexia, vibratory hypoesthesia and hypoacousia. Nonetheless, we must consider the old age and longstanding disease course of patients as a confounding factor for extracerebellar sign development, as some may not be directly attributable to SCA31. Clinicians should consider SCA31 in patients with a hereditary, pure cerebellar syndrome and in patients with extracerebellar signs.
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Ataxia Cerebelar , Ataxias Espinocerebelares , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Disartria/complicações , Hipestesia , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/complicações , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/diagnóstico por imagem , Ataxias Espinocerebelares/genética , Ataxia Cerebelar/complicações , Atrofia/complicaçõesRESUMO
Background and objectives: An increasing number of research studies point toward the importance and prevalence of long-term neurocognitive symptoms following infection with COVID-19. Our objectives were to capture the prevalence of cognitive impairments from 1 to 16 months post-COVID-19 infection, assess the changes in neuropsychological functions over time, and identify factors that can predict long-term deficits in cognition. Methodology: A cross-sectional research design was adopted to compare four sub-samples recruited over a 16-month timeframe (1-4, 5-8, 9-12, and 13-16 months). Phone interviews were conducted at least 6 weeks after being infected by COVID-19. Sociodemographic and clinical questionnaires were administered followed by standardized neurocognitive and psychological tests and health questionnaires screening cognitive symptoms, anxiety, depression, fatigue, and autonomy. Results: Regarding general health questionnaires, 55.2% of the 134 participants had symptoms of psychiatric illness, while 21.6% of patients had moderate-to-severe anxiety or depression. Cognitive efficiency was diminished in 19.4% of our population. Executive dysfunction was screened in 56% of patients, and an impairment of cognitive flexibility and inhibition was revealed in 38.8%. Depression, hospital or intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and the duration of hospital or ICU stay were associated with an inhibition deficit. The duration elapsed from the initial infection, and the neurocognitive assessment was not associated with a decrease in inhibition deficit. The prevalence of cognitive impairments, other than inhibition deficit, tended to decrease during the study period. Discussion: This study supports the extensive literature on the cognitive and neuropsychiatric sequelae of COVID-19 and highlights long-lasting inhibition deficits, while other cognitive functions seemed to improve over time. The severity of infection could interact as a catalyst in the complex interplay between depression and executive functions. The absence of a relation between inhibition deficits and sociodemographic or medical factors reinforces the need for cognitive screening in all COVID-19 patients. Future research should focus on inhibition deficits longitudinally to assess the progression of this impairment.
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BACKGROUND: Recessive forms of megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts (MLC, OMIM 604004) is a rare early-onset leukodystrophy that presents with macrocephaly, seizures, slowly progressive gross motor deterioration, and MRI evidence of diffuse symmetric white matter swelling and subcortical cysts in the anterior temporal and frontoparietal regions. Later in the disease course, significant spasticity and ataxia develop, which may be accompanied by intellectual deterioration. This disease is caused mostly by biallelic pathogenic variants in the MLC1 gene. METHODS: In this study, we analysed the clinical and molecular architecture of 6 individuals, belonging to 4 unrelated consanguineous Palestinian families, presenting with consistent MLC features. We sequenced the entire coding and flanking intronic regions of the MLC1 gene. RESULTS: In all recruited individuals, we detected one recurrent homozygous splice donor mutation NM_015166.4: c.423 + 1G > A. All parents were heterozygous carriers. The mutation abolishes a highly conserved splice site in humans and other species. In silico splice predictors suggested the loss of a canonical splice donor site (CADD score 33.0. SpliceAI: 0.980). The c.423 + 1G > A variant is rare; it was detected in only 4 heterozygous carriers in gnomAD. CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified a recurrent MLC1 variant (c.423 + 1G > A) as the cause of MLC among a group of Palestinian patients originating from a particular region of the country. Cost-effective studies should be performed to evaluate the implementation of carrier screening in adults originating from this region. Our findings have the potential to contribute to improved genetic diagnosis and carrier testing for individuals within this population and the wider community.
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Cistos , Doenças Desmielinizantes Hereditárias do Sistema Nervoso Central , Proteínas de Membrana , Árabes/genética , Consanguinidade , Doenças Desmielinizantes Hereditárias do Sistema Nervoso Central/diagnóstico por imagem , Doenças Desmielinizantes Hereditárias do Sistema Nervoso Central/genética , Humanos , Proteínas de Membrana/genética , MutaçãoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Microbial resistance, diabetes mellitus, and obesity are global health care problems that have posed a serious threat to both human and environmental ecosystems. The goals of the present investigations are to investigate the phytoconstituents, antilipase, anti-α-amylase, and antimicrobial activity of Orobanche aegyptiaca Pers. (OA) from Palestine. METHODS: Identification of the phytoconstituents of OA plant petroleum ether, methylene chloride, chloroform, acetone, and methanol extracts were conducted using pharmacopeia's methods, while porcine pancreatic lipase and α-amylase inhibitory activities were examined using p-nitrophenyl butyrate and 3,5-dinitro salicylic acid methods, respectively. Moreover, the antimicrobial activity was evaluated utilizing broth microdilution assay against eight bacterial and fungal strains. RESULTS: The phytochemical screening results showed that the methanol extract of the OA plant is rich in phytochemical components, also this extract has powerful antilipase potential with an IC50 value of 19.49 ± 0.16 µg/ml comparing with the positive control (Orlistat) which has antilipase activity with IC50 value of 12.3 ± 0.35 µg/ml. Moreover, the methanol and chloroform extracts have powerful α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC50 values of 28.18 ± 0.22 and 28.18 ± 1.22 µg/ml, respectively comparing with Acarbose which has α-amylase inhibitory activity with IC50 dose of 26.3.18 ± 0.28 µg/ml. The antibacterial results showed that the methylene chloride extract exhibited the highest antibacterial activity among the other OA plant extracts with a MIC value of 0.78 mg/ml against S. aureus, while, the methylene chloride, petroleum ether, and chloroform extracts of the OA plant showed potential antifungal activity against C. albicans strains with MIC value of 0.78 mg/ml. CONCLUSION: The OA methanol and chloroform extracts could be excellent candidates as antilipase and anti-α-amylase bioactive materials. In addition, methylene chloride, petroleum ether, and chloroform extracts could be potential natural antimicrobial products.