Invitro Antibacterial Activity of the Prosopis Juliflora Seed Pods on Some Common Pathogens.

INTRODUCTION: Prosopis juliflora is probably the most widespread species of genus Prosopis and it is a good source of compounds that have been shown to be pharmacologically active. This plant has been used as a traditional treatment for several diseases. AIM: To investigate the in-vitro antibacterial activity of the P. juliflora seed pods from Bushehr, South West of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, the antibacterial activity of P. juliflora seed pods extract was tested against Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the extract was determined for each test microorganism. RESULTS: P. juliflora seed pods extract exhibited antibacterial activity against all four test organisms. The MIC of the extract was 0.312 mg/ml and 0.078 mg/ml for S. aureus and S. epidermidis, respectively and 1.25 mg/ml for both E.coli and P.aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: P. juliflora seed pods from Bushehr, South West of Iran could be an appropriate source of antibacterial compounds that makes it a promising candidate for further studies.

Antimicrobial susceptibility and analysis of macrolide resistance genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in Hamadan.

OBJECTIVES: Macrolide resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae pose an emerging problem globally. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ermB and mefA genes (macrolide resistant genes) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method and to detect drug resistance patterns of S. pneumoniae isolated from clinical samples to macrolides and other antibiotic agents by E-test method. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty five isolates of S. pneumoniae were obtained from clinical samples with microbial tests. The antibiotic susceptibility of isolates for erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, ceftazidime, ciprofloxacin and vancomycin were determined by E-test method. Genotypic antibiotic resistance pattern was determined by PCR with primer designed for ermB and mefA genes. RESULTS: The number of S. pneumoniae isolates resistance to erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin, ceftazidim, ciprofloxacin were 25.5%, 18.2%, 16.4%, 21.8% and 10.9%, respectively while no resistance to vancomycin was observed. The macrolide resistance genes of ermB and mefA were found in 10.9% and 18.2% of the isolates, respectively. CONCLUSION: The result of the current study suggests the necessity of evaluation the changes in MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values as well as genetic mutations to estimate the prevalence of the resistance antimicrobial agents in S. pneumoniae.

Antimicrobial Susceptibilities and Distribution of Resistance Genes for ß-Lactams in Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolated in Hamadan.

BACKGROUND: ß-lactams resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae are an emerging problem throughout the world. Several resistance mechanisms have been reported, including expression of drug-destroying enzymes such as ß-lactamases, altered drug targets such as conformational changes in PBPs, decreased bacterial permeability, and increased drug efflux. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to determine the relationship between the results of polymerase chain reaction identification of the Pbp1a, Pbp2b and Pbp2x genes (penicillin-binding proteins) and susceptibilities of ß-lactam antibiotics against S. pneumoniae. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty five isolates of S. pneumoniae were obtained from clinical samples with antimicrobial tests. The susceptibilities of isolates to benzylpenicillin, imipenem, oxacillin, ceftazidime were determined. The resistance genotype was determined by the polymerase chain reaction with primers designed for the PBP genes. RESULTS: The number of S. pneumoniae isolates resistant to benzylpenicillin, imipenem, oxacillin and ceftazidime were 94.5%, 100%, 100%, and 21.8%, respectively. Analysis of mutation in the genes for pbp showed that 85% of isolates had mutations in pbp2x, pbp2b and pbp1a. Susceptibility to benzylpenicillin was decreased once the number of mutated pbp genes in S. pneumonia increased. According to the results of this study, S. pneumoniae isolates showed reduced susceptibility due to accumulation of resistance genes. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that studies should be performed to evaluate changes in Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) values as well as genetic mutations in order to determine prevalence of S. pneumoniae resistance against antimicrobial agents.