Molecular analysis of blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX-M in extended-spectrum ß-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae recovered from fecal specimens of animals.

Colonization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae as animal gut microbiota is a substantial global threat. This study aimed to determine the molecular characterization of blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX-M variants in animals, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance conferred by these genes. We prospectively analyzed 1273 fecal specimens of farm and domestic animals for the isolation of enterobacteria that had the ESBL phenotype by using biochemical methods. The extracted genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced for the characterization of blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX-M variants. The drug-resistance spectrum and hierarchical clusters were analyzed against 19 antibacterial agents. Out of 245 (19.2%) ESBL enterobacteria, 180 (75.5%) Escherichia coli and 34 (13.9%) Klebsiella pneumoniae were prevalent species. A total of 73.9% blaCTX-M, 26.1% blaTEM, and 14.2% blaSHV were found among the enterobacteria; however, their association with farm or domestic animals was not statistically significant. The distribution of bla gene variants showed the highest number of blaCTX-M-1 (133; 54.3%), followed by blaCTX-M-15 (28; 11.4%), blaTEM-52 (40; 16.3%), and blaSHV-12 (22; 9%). In addition, 84.5% of the enterobacteria had the integrons intI1. We observed ±100% enterobacteria resistant to cephalosporin, 7 (2.9%) to colistin (minimum inhibitory concentration breakpoint ≥4 µg/mL), 9 (3.7%) to piperacillin-tazobactam, 11 (4.5%) to imipenem, 14 (5.7%) to meropenem, and 18 (7.3%) to cefoperazone-sulbactam, without statistically significant association. Animal gut microbiota contain a considerable number of blaCTX-M, blaTEM, blaSHV, and integrons, which are a potential source of acquired extensive drug resistance in human strains and leaves fewer therapeutic substitutes.

Covid-19 Pandemic: Through the Lens of Science, a Painstaking Review.

BACKGROUND: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has imperiled human lives and global infrastructure since the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in China. The current review meticulously summarizes the COVID-19 pandemic situation through the lens of science from the inception of the outbreak to the current progression, which is valuable to mitigate the current pandemic situation. METHODS: We reviewed all the relevant literature available on PubMed, Web of Sciences, Google Scholar, and World Health Organization (WHO) website related to COVID-19 from the inception of the outbreak to 18 June 2020. We selected ninety different scientific studies and reports to compile the current review. RESULTS: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a betacoronavirus with four major structural proteins encoded by S, M, E, and N genes and distinct in morphology. The potential provenance of SARS-Cov-2 is zoonotic, and it binds to the host cell receptors by spike protein. The SARS-CoV-2 infectious cycle carries on through direct contact, air, inanimate objects, and contaminated surfaces. The reproductive number (R0) of SARS-CoV-2 is 2 to 3.5, representing that one infected patient can spread this virus to two to three people. An expeditious laboratory diagnosis has a pivotal role in patient management and prevention. Due to the lack of definitive treatment, symptomatic medication regimen and supportive organ therapies are adapted for debilitated patients. CONCLUSIONS: Nucleoside analogs and protease-inhibitors have approved to attenuate the viral infection until the discovery of a specific drug. The other treatment strategies comprise antimalarial drugs, monoclonal antibodies, and glucocorticoids. The use of alcoholic scrubs, sodium hypochlorite, masks, social distancing, and quarantine the affected individual is inevitable to eradicate the infection vector and to break the transmission path.

Effective Immune Functions of Micronutrients against SARS-CoV-2.

The third coronavirus outbreak in the last two decades has caused significant damage to the world's economy and community health. The highly contagious COVID-19 infection has affected millions of people to date and has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Aside from the highly infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2, the lack of a treatment or vaccine has been the main reason for its spread. Thus, it has become necessary to find alternative methods for controlling SARS-CoV-2. For the present review, we conducted an online search for different available nutrition-based therapies for previously known coronavirus infections and RNA-based virus infections as well as general antiviral therapies. These treatments have promise for combating COVID-19, as various nutrients and minerals play direct and indirect roles in the control and prevention of this newly emerged viral infection. The patients' nutritional status with COVID-19 must be analyzed before administering any treatment, and nutritional supplements should be given to the affected individuals along with routine treatment. We suggest a potential interventional role of nutrients to strengthen the immune system against the emerging infection caused by COVID-19.

Molecular Analysis of the Antibiotic Resistant NDM-1 Gene in Clinical Isolates of Enterobacteriaceae.

BACKGROUND: The emergence of the New Dehli metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) gene in Enterobacteriaceae is responsible for multidrug resistance responsible for severe infections and serious morbidity in patients. Our study aimed to define the molecular characteristics and antibiogram of the NDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae. METHODS: We isolated 370 individual enterobacteria from the clinical specimens collected from the two tertiary hospitals in Sakaka, Saudi Arabia. Bacterial isolation was performed using standard microbiological techniques and the Phoenix and Microscan WalkAway Plus automated analyzers. Bacterial strains were characterized by phenotypic methods and PCR, and DNA sequencing was used for the molecular characterization of NDM genes. RESULTS: The blaNDM gene was detected among the 68 members of the Enterobacteriaceae including a single case of rarely reported Cedecea lapagei. Of these 68, 43 isolates (63.2%) were blaNDM-1 and 25 (36.8%) were blaNDM variants. A statistically significant relationship between the NDM-1 and Klebsiella pneumoniae (p = 0.004) was seen, and the relationship between the NDM variants was significantly associated with Citrobacter freundii (p = 0.02) and Escherichia coli (p = 0.03). The in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae revealed a very high rate of antibiotic resistance against several groups of antibiotics. These bacterial strains were less resistant to two aminoglycosides, gentamicin (39; 57.3%) and amikacin (27; 39.7%), and showed minimum resistance to tigecycline (25; 36.8%). CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of a large number of NDM-1 enterobacteria in our study identifies a substantial public concern, both within hospitals and the wider community, and leaves us a narrow choice of therapeutic options: the aminoglycosides, co-trimoxazole, and tigecycline.