Biofilm formation, agr typing and antibiotic resistance pattern in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital environments.

Biofilm development significantly enhances the virulence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), leading to severe infections and decreased susceptibility to antibiotics, especially in strains associated with hospital environments. This study examined the occurrence of MRSA, their ability to form biofilms, agr typing, and the antibiotic resistance profiles of biofilm-forming MRSA strains isolated from environmental surfaces at Mymensingh Medical College Hospital (MMCH). From 120 swab samples, 86 (71.67%) tested positive for S. aureus. MRSA was identified in 86 isolates using the disk diffusion technique, and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), 56 (65.1%) isolates were confirmed to carry the mecA gene. The Crystal Violet Microtiter Plate (CVMP) test revealed that 80.35% (45 isolates) were biofilm-forming and 19.6% (11 isolates) were non-biofilm-forming. Out of 45 biofilm producer isolates 37.5% and 42.9% isolates exhibited strong and intermediate biofilm-forming characteristics, respectively. Molecular analysis revealed that 17.78% of MRSA isolates carried at least one gene related to biofilm formation, specifically icaA, icaB, and icaD genes were discovered in 13.33%, 8.89%, 6.67% of the MRSA isolates, respectively. In agr typing, the most prevalent group was agr I (71.11%), followed by group III (17.78%) and group II (11.11%). Group IV was not detected. The distribution of agr gene groups showed a significant difference among biofilm-forming isolates (p < 0.05). In agr group I, 18.75% of isolates carried the icaA gene, 12.5% carried the icaB gene, and 9.37% carried the icaD gene. Biofilm-forming genes were not detected in any of the isolates from agr groups II or III. There are no statistically significant differences between agr groups and the presence of these genes (p > 0.05). Antibiotic resistance varied significantly among agr groups, with agr group I displaying the highest resistance, agr group II, and agr group III exhibiting the least resistance (p < 0.05). Seventy-three (73.3%) of the isolates were multi-drug resistant, with agr group I displaying nineteen MDR patterns. The occurrence of MRSA in hospital environments and their capacity to form biofilm raises concerns for public health. These findings support the importance of further research focused on agr quorum sensing systems as a basis for developing novel antibacterial agents.

The Re-Emergence of Mpox: Old Illness, Modern Challenges.

The Mpox virus (MPXV) is known to cause zoonotic disease in humans. The virus belongs to the genus Orthopoxvirus, of the family Poxviridae, and was first reported in monkeys in 1959 in Denmark and in humans in 1970 in the Congo. MPXV first appeared in the U.S. in 2003, re-emerged in 2017, and spread globally within a few years. Wild African rodents are thought to be the reservoir of MPXV. The exotic trade of animals and international travel can contribute to the spread of the Mpox virus. A phylogenetic analysis of MPXV revealed two distinct clades (Central African clade and West African clade). The smallpox vaccine shows cross-protection against MPXV infections in humans. Those who have not previously been exposed to Orthopoxvirus infections are more vulnerable to MPXV infections. Clinical manifestations in humans include fever, muscle pain, headache, and vesicle formation on the skin of infected individuals. Pathognomonic lesions include ballooning degenerations with Guarnieri-like inclusions in vesicular epithelial cells. Alterations in viral genome through genetic mutations might favor the re-emergence of a version of MPXV with enhanced virulence. As of November 2023, 92,783 cases and 171 deaths have been reported in 116 countries, representing a global public health concern. Here, we provide insights on the re-emergence of MPXV in humans. This review covers the origin, emergence, re-emergence, transmission, pathology, diagnosis, control measures, and immunomodulation of the virus, as well as clinical manifestations. Concerted efforts of health professionals and scientists are needed to prevent the disease and stop its transmission in vulnerable populations.

Poultry farming and farmers perception towards the farming condition during COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is threating global public health and has declared as a pandemic crisis around the world. An attempt was made to ascertain the effect of COVID-19 on practices in poultry farming (PPF), problem faced for poultry farming (PFPF) and poultry farmer's perception on COVID-19. A questionnaire based cross-sectional study was conducted among 397 poultry farmers during the period of October to December 2020 in selected area of Bangladesh. The PPF score at just prior and during of the COVID-19 was 7.11 ± 3.25 and 6.53 ± 3.12 having significant difference (p < 0.01). But, the training on poultry farming can improve the PPF score at just prior (7.57 ± 3.20) and during (6.91 ± 3.13) of the COVID-19. Additionally, the mean PFPF score was found of 10.67 ± 6.15. In logistic regression analysis, the farmers of ≥18-29 years aged and had no training were 0.42 (95% CI:0.20-0.88; p < 0.01) and 0.58 (95% CI:0.35-0.98; p < 0.05) times respectively less likely to have satisfactory score on PPF. Similarly, the farmers of ≥18 to 29 and ≥ 40-49 years aged were 2.52 (95% CI:1.36-4.69; p < 0.01) and 2.08 (95% CI:1.12-3.87; p < 0.05) times respectively more likely to have considerable score on PFPF than the farmers of other age group. Interestingly, the internet users had 2.51 (95% CI:0.95-6.57; p < 0.05) times higher to have more satisfactory PPF score (≥60%). Moreover, the farmers of ≥18-29 years aged, masters level education and had training, significantly (p < 0.01) thought the COVID-19 is more dangerous indicated by the higher median (median = 8). In conclusion, the PPF and PFPF score was significantly varied by demographical characteristics of farmers. Therefore, the farmers had the concept about COVID-19 and more than 75% of them believe that COVID-19 doesn't transmit from poultry.

Functional Profiling and Future Research Direction of Rice Bran Oil in Bangladesh.

Rice bran oil (RBO) has been demonstrated to affect complex malfunctioned conditions such as oxidative stress, hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, hypertension, inflammation, abnormal cell growth (cancer), ulceration, immune and cognitive modulation. This unique effect of RBO is due to the presence of well-balanced fatty acid composition and several bioactive compounds, γ- oryzanol (cycloartenyl ferulate, 24-methylenecycloartanyl ferulate, campesterol ferulate, and ß-sitosteryl ferulate), vitamin E (tocopherol and tocotrienol), phytosterols (ß-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol) and other nutrients. The RBO composition of bioactive compounds varied geographically, thus the clear-cut mechanisms of action on complex disease cascades are still required. This review article summarized the RBO compositional profiling and compared it with other edible oils. This article also summarized Bangladesh RBO profiling and their proposed mechanism of action as well as the first line of defense in the prevention, management, and control of complex disease conditions. This review indicates how Bangladesh RBO increase their opportunity to be functional food for 21st century's ailment.

Molecular diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis in bovine and human samples: implications for zoonosis.

AIM: To develop emerging diagnostic technique for bovine tuberculosis and to identify its potential risk factors. MATERIALS & METHODS: Bacterial genomic DNA was isolated from bovine milk and human sputum samples and subjected to PCR using specific primer pairs. PCR results were validated using bacteriological cultures. RESULTS: PCR amplification of the targeted DNA fragment of Mycobacterium bovis was successful in 12.33% (37/300) of the bovine samples. Interestingly, 500-bp DNA fragment was also amplified in 6.67% (6/90) of the sputum indicating the possibility of zoonotic transmission. Rearing of livestock in household, unpasteurized milk consumption and smoking were identified as potential risk factors. CONCLUSION: Results of the study may add value to bovine tuberculosis eradication campaigns to achieve the One Health initiative.