The secrets of environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa in slaughterhouses: Antibiogram profile, virulence, and antibiotic resistance genes.

Environmental pollution is a serious problem that can cause sicknesses, fatality, and biological contaminants such as bacteria, which can trigger allergic reactions and infectious illnesses. There is also evidence that environmental pollutants can have an impact on the gut microbiome and contribute to the development of various mental health and metabolic disorders. This study aimed to study the antibiotic resistance and virulence potential of environmental Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) isolates in slaughterhouses. A total of 100 samples were collected from different slaughterhouse tools. The samples were identified by cultural and biochemical tests and confirmed by the VITEK 2 system. P. aeruginosa isolates were further confirmed by CHROMagar™ Pseudomonas and genetically by rpsL gene analysis. Molecular screening of virulence genes (fimH, papC, lasB, rhlI, lasI, csgA, toxA, and hly) and antibiotic resistance genes (blaCTX-M, blaAmpC, blaSHV, blaNDM, IMP-1, aac(6')-Ib-, ant(4')IIb, mexY, TEM, tetA, and qnrB) by PCR and testing the antibiotic sensitivity, biofilm formation, and production of pigments, and hemolysin were carried out in all isolated strains. A total of 62 isolates were identified as P. aeruginosa. All P. aeruginosa isolates were multidrug-resistant and most of them have multiple resistant genes. blaCTX-M gene was detected in all strains; 23 (37.1%) strains have the ability for biofilm formation, 33 strains had virulence genes, and 26 isolates from them have more than one virulence genes. There should be probably 60 (96.8%) P. aeruginosa strains that produce pyocyanin pigment. Slaughterhouse tools are sources for multidrug-resistant and virulent pathogenic microorganisms which are a serious health problem. Low-hygienic slaughterhouses could be a reservoir for resistance and virulence genes which could then be transferred to other pathogens.

Anti-capsular activity of CuO nanoparticles against Acinetobacter baumannii produce efflux pump.

Copper oxide nanoparticles are modern kinds of antimicrobials, which may get a lot of interest in the clinical application. This study aimed to detect the anti-capsular activity of CuO nanoparticles against Acinetobacter baumannii produce efflux pump. Thirty-four different clinical A. baumannii isolates were collected and identified by the phenotypic and genetic methods by the recA gene as housekeeping. Antibiotic sensitivity and biofilm-forming ability, capsular formation were carried out. The effect of CuO nanoparticles on capsular isolates was detected, the synergistic effects of a combination CuO nanoparticles and gentamicin against A. baumannii were determined by micro broth checkerboard method, and the effect of CuO nanoparticles on the expression of ptk, espA and mexX genes was analyzed. Results demonstrated that CuO nanoparticles with gentamicin revealed a synergistic effect. Gene expression results show reducing the expression of these capsular genes by CuO nanoparticles is major conduct over reducing A. baumannii capsular action. Furthermore, results proved that there was a relationship between the capsule-forming ability and the absence of biofilm-forming ability. As bacterial isolates which were negative biofilm formation were positive in capsule formation and vice versa. In conclusion, CuO nanoparticles have the potential to be used as an anti-capsular agent against A. baumannii, and their combination with gentamicin can enhance their antimicrobial effect. The study also suggests that the absence of biofilm formation may be associated with the presence of capsule formation in A. baumannii. These findings provide a basis for further research on the use of CuO nanoparticles as a novel antimicrobial agent against A. baumannii and other bacterial pathogens, also to investigate the potential of CuO nanoparticles to inhibit the production of efflux pumps in A. baumannii, which are a major mechanism of antibiotic resistance.

Spread of ESßL-producing Escherichia coli and the anti-virulence effect of graphene nano-sheets.

Despite the studies worldwide, the prevalence of ESßL E. coli in the Iraq is still unknown. Realization of the demographic characterization of ESßL E. coli infections will assist the prevention efforts. This study aimed to isolate clinical E. coli, determine their antimicrobial susceptibility, phenotypic and genotypic detection of ESßL-producing ability, detection of some virulence-related genes, estimate the impact of graphene nano-sheets as antibacterial, and study the adherence-related gene expressions in E. coli isolates. Graphene nano-sheets were synthesized and characterized using XRD, UV, TEM, and SEM. E. coli isolates were identified using 16S rRNA. Antibiotic resistance was detected, virulence genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, BlaCTX-M-15, papC, and fimH) were screened using PCR. The antibacterial activity of graphene nano-sheets was screened using well-diffusion assay and MIC. The gene expression of adherence genes after treatment with graphene nano-sheets was evaluated using QRT-PCR. From a total of 512 identified using 16S rRNA, 359 (69.9%) were ESßL-producing E. coli. The ESßL genotypes positive were 83.56% (300/359) of E. coli isolates with the frequencies: 85% for blaCTX-M gene, 26% for blaSHV gene, and 28% for blaTEM gene. Graphene nano-sheets showed effective antibacterial activity with MIC 25 µg/ml. Furthermore, graphene nano-sheets reduced the expression of papC, and fimH genes. This study has helped us to better understand the characteristics of ESßL E. coli, their adherence gene harboring, and the potential ability of graphene nano-sheets to reduce bacterial growth, and the expression of adherence genes. Furthermore, the current study showed further step to understand the mechanisms by which graphene nano-sheets can conflict bacterial virulence and resistance.

Biosensors as a future diagnostic approach for COVID-19.

Biosensors are important devices in clinical diagnostics, food processing, and environmental monitoring for detecting various analytes, especially viruses. These biosensors provide rapid and effective instruments for qualitative and quantitative detection of infectious diseases in real-time. Here, we report the development of biosensors based on various techniques. Additionally, we will explain the mechanisms, advantages, and disadvantages of the most common biosensors that are currently used for viral detection, which could be optical (e.g., surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), Surface plasmon resonance (SPR)) and electrochemical biosensors. Based on that, this review recommends methods for efficient, simple, low-cost, and rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 (the causative agent of COVID-19) that employ the two types of biosensors depending on attaching hemoglobin ß-chain and binding of specific antibodies with SARS-CoV-2 antigens, respectively.