Antimicrobial Potential of Different Isolates of Chaetomium globosum Combined with Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Chemical Profiling.

The antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic microorganisms against commercial drugs has become a major problem worldwide. This study is the first of its kind to be carried out in Egypt to produce antimicrobial pharmaceuticals from isolated native taxa of the fungal Chaetomium, followed by a chemical investigation of the existing bioactive metabolites. Here, of the 155 clinical specimens in total, 100 pathogenic microbial isolates were found to be multi-drug resistant (MDR) bacteria. The Chaetomium isolates were recovered from different soil samples, and wild host plants collected from Egypt showed strong inhibitory activity against MDR isolates. Chaetomium isolates displayed broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity against C. albicans, Gram-positive, and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones of 11.3 to 25.6 mm, 10.4 to 26.0 mm, and 10.5 to 26.5 mm, respectively. As a consecutive result, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of Chaetomium isolates ranged from 3.9 to 62.5 µg/mL. Liquid chromatography combined with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis was performed for selected Chaetomium isolates with the most promising antimicrobial potential against MDR bacteria. The LC-MS/MS analysis of Chaetomium species isolated from cultivated soil at Assuit Governate, Upper Egypt (3), and the host plant Zygophyllum album grown in Wadi El-Arbaein, Saint Katherine, South Sinai (5), revealed the presence of alkaloids as the predominant bioactive metabolites. Most detected bioactive metabolites previously displayed antimicrobial activity, confirming the antibacterial potential of selected isolates. Therefore, the Chaetomium isolates recovered from harsh habitats in Egypt are rich sources of antimicrobial metabolites, which will be a possible solution to the multi-drug resistant bacteria tragedy.

Curcumin assisted green synthesis of silver and zinc oxide nanostructures and their antibacterial activity against some clinical pathogenic multi-drug resistant bacteria.

According to WHO warnings, the antibiotic resistance crisis is a severe health issue in the 21st century, attributed to the overuse and misuse of these medications. Consequently, the dramatic spreading rate of the drug-resistant microbial pathogens strains. The microbiological, biochemical tests and antibiotic sensitivity identified the bacteria's multi-drug resistance (MDR). About 150 different clinical samples were taken from hospitalized patients, both males, and females, ranging from 9 to 68 years. Gram-negative strains were (70.0%), while Gram-positive isolates were (30.0%). Among sixteen antibiotics, antibiotic susceptibility of imipenem was found to be the most efficient drug against most of the Gram-negative and Gram-positive isolates, followed by meropenem, depending on the culture and sensitivity results. All the experimental bacteria showed multidrug-resistant phenomena. In this study, green synthesized silver (Cur-Ag NPs) and zinc oxide (Cur-ZnO NPs) nanoparticles in the presence of curcumin extract. In addition, their physicochemical properties have been characterized using different techniques such as UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), and colloidal properties techniques. Furthermore, curcumin-capped silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) exhibited solid antimicrobial action against the experimental bacterial isolates, except Proteus vulgaris (i.e., P. vulgaris). Curcumin-capped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) found antimicrobial activity against all tested strains. Finally, the minimum inhibitory concentration exhibited values from 3.9 to 15.6 µg ml-1, which is too small compared to other traditional antibiotics. In addition, the green-synthesized Cur-Ag NPs and Cur-ZnO NPs showed good biocompatibility.

Seasonal variation of infestation rate with lice, tick and mite among rodents in certain Egyptian regions.

Four species of mites (Ornithonyssus bacoti, Haemolaelaps glusgowi, Echinolaelaps echinolelaps & Dermanyssus gallinae), two species of ticks (Rhipicephalus sanguineus & Hyalomma dromedarrii) and one species of lice (Polyplax spinulose) were identified on rodents during 4 successive seasons (2005) trapped in five governorates (Suez, Menoufia, Giza, Damietta and Beni-Sewaf). The rodents were Rattus norvegicus, Rattus rattus alexandrinus, Rattus rattus frugivourus, Acomys cahirinus and Mus musculus Rodents in Suez were the highly ecto-parasites infested ones.

Rodents as reservoir host of intestinal helminthes in different Egyptian agroecosystems.

Hymenolepis diminuta were detected in rodents in all zones surveyed Governorates under studied (Suez, Menoufia, Giza, Damietta and Beni-Sewaf). The highest infestation recorded at Suez and Demiatta Governorates. On the other hand, rodents at Menoufia and Beni-Sewaf showed there is no convincing evidence that they infested with H. diminuta. The existence of one species of nematode namely, Streptopharagus kuntzi were recorded at Suez, Giza and Demiatta Governorates only. While Menoufia and Beni-Sewaf Governorates showed no convincing evidence that, they infested with nematode. Worms were recovered from Norway rats. Data indicated that Rattus norvegicus were the most vulnerable species at infection with H. diminuta and Streptopharagus kuntzi. Summer is highly infested with nematode in comparison with other seasonal study.

Susceptibility of Culex pipiens complex to some insecticides in Qatar.

Insecticides susceptibility tests were conducted on Culex pipiens larvae from both Doha and Al-Rayan. The insecticides used were chloropyrifos, propetamphos (Organophosphorous), cyphenothrin, cyfluthrin (Synthetic) and etofenprox. Larvae in Al-Rayan district were more susceptible to all insecticides than in Doha. The chlorophyrifos and cyfluthrin were the most effective larvicides, cyphenothrin was moderate and propetamphos and etofanprox were the least ones.

Dipterous flies species and their densities in fourteen Egyptian Governorates.

The present study focused on dipterous flies, distribution and densities in 14 Egyptian Governorates. The abundance and distribution of flies was carried out in three phases. The first was in 1999 in 5 governorates, Qalyobia, Menoufia, Fayium, Behiera & Assuit included species of the families: Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Drosophilidae, Milichiidae, Muscidae, Otitidae, Piophilidae, Sarcophagidae, Sepsidae, Sphaeroceridae and Syrphidae. The second was in 2000 in another five Governorates, Kafr-ElSheikh, Giza, Menia, Aswan and Sharkia included sp. of the families: Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Drosophilidae, Milichiidae, Muscidae, Otitidae, Piophilidae, Sarcophagidae, Sepsidae, Sphaeroceridae and Syrphidae. The third phase was in 2001 in 4 Governorates: Kena, El-Wady El-Gedied, Da-kahlia and South Sinai included species of the families: Calliphoridae, Chloropidae, Drosophilidae, Milichiidae, Muscidae, Otitidae, Phoridae, Piophilidae, Sarcophagidae, Sepsidae, Sphaeroceridae and Syrphidae. Musca domestica was the most abundant sp. found throughout the work. The results are a step in drawing an update map for insect-vectors to help in the national control programs.

Merogony of Toxoplasma gondii (Apicomplexa: Coccidia) and its effect on the mortality and histopathology in the house mouse Mus musculus.

Merogonic stages of Toxoplasma gondii, their effects on the mortality and histopathological changes in the orally-inoculated male house mice Mus musculus with low and high doses (LD&HD) of T. gondii sporulated oocysts was investigated. The mortality percentage in LD group was 16%, 20%, 28% and 72%, while that in HD group was 36%, 56%, 72% and 100% in the 1st-4th week, respectively. Meanwhile, the maximum mortality percentage of the control group reached 6%. The histopathological changes induced by the parasite in different organs such as kidneys, liver, brain, spleen, heart, lungs and testes were discussed.

Seasonal distribution of fleas infesting rodents in various Egyptian eco-geographical areas and their susceptibility to malathion.

The rodent population and their ectoparasites especially fleas, in various Egyptian eco-geographical areas were studied It was noticed that flea infestation varied according to rodent species and to the bioclimatic conditions. High flea indices were recorded in certain seasons of the year. The flea index was above one during spring in the southern of Nile Delta and semi-arid coastal areas, in summer in northern coastal areas and in autumn in southern of Nile Delta. Susceptibility tests were conducted using the WHO diagnostic dose of malathion (5%) on three populations of fleas collected from Qualyobia, Suez and Beni-Suef Governorates. The results indicated that malathion (5%) was very effective on fleas collected from Beni-Suef and Suez, but there was an evidence of increased tolerance among flea population collected from Qualyobia Governorate.

Mosquito species and their densities in some Egyptian governorates.

The present work studied the mosquito's identification, distribution and densities in fourteen Egyptian Governorates. The abundance and distribution of mosquito species monitored by three phases. The first was carried out in 1999 in five governorates, Qalyobia, Menoufia, Behaira, Fayium and Assuit. The second was in the year 2000 in Kafr El Sheikh, Giza, Sharkia, Menia and Aswan. The third was in the year 2001 in Kena, El Wady El Gadeed, Dakahlia and South Sinai. Culex species were the commonest mainly C. pipiens, C. antennatus and C. univittatus. C. thelerei was found only in El Kharga Oasis. Culiseta sp. was found in Qalyobia, Menofia, Behaira, Fayium, El Wady El Gadeed, Dakahlia and South Sinai and as larvae in Kafr El Sheikh, Giza, and Menia. Aedes detritus was found in Assiut, Fayium, Giza, Aswan, El Wady El Gadeed and South Sinai. Ae. caspius was found in Assiut and Aswan and as larvae in Kena and El Wady El Gadeed. Anopheles pharoensis was found in Behaira and Fayium, while A. algeriensis in Aswan. A. multicolor and A. sergentii were found in Fayium, Aswan and El Wady El Gadeed; but in Kena A. sergentii was found as larvae and A. multicolor as adults.

Field studies on the susceptibility of housefly to certain insecticides in nine Egyptian governorates.

Standard WHO test methods were used to determine the susceptibility of field population of housefly to four organophosphorous and two pyrethroid insecticides. Field population flies collected from nine governorates, Giza, Faiyoum, Suez, Behaira, Menoufia, Sharkia, Kafr El-Sheikh, Assiut and Aswan. The results indicated that, all tested insecticides were very effective on flies collected, from Sharkia, Kafr El-Sheikh and Aswan, but there was an evidence of increased vigor tolerance among those collected from Kafr El-Sheikh for bioresmethrin and tolerance for diazinon in Aswan. In Assiut, flies exhibited high sensitivity to diazinon, deltamethrin and bromophos while malathion was the least effective adulticide. Resistance to malathion, diazinon, fenthion and bioresmethrin was noticed in varying degrees at all governorates. The highest average resistance ratio was recorded for malathion in Behaira (55.3 folds) and in Suez (26 folds). Resistance was also more pronounced in Menoulia for diazinon (23.3 folds). As for bioresmethrin an apparent increase in the resistance ratio was detected in Suez (25 folds). In Giza. houseflies were resistant to fenthion (14.5 folds). Regarding the difference between the six insecticides used, deltamethrin was the most potent insecticide in all governorates.

Some field and laboratory studies on Rattus rattus subspecies and Rattus norvegicus in two Egyptian governorates of different ecological characters.

Both Damietta and Qualyobia governorates were examined for the seasonal activities of Rattus species and subspecies and their natural infection with Trypanosoma lewisi. The common domestic rodents identified were Rattus r. alexandrinus, R. r. frugivorus and Rattus norvegicus. They were common all the year round except in winter for R. norvegicus in Damietta. Gravid females of the three rodent species, were identified in Damietta in summer, in addition to Autumn for R. norvegicus only. In Qualyobia, gravid females of the three rodent species, were identified in spring, in addition to autumn for R. norvegicus only. The heaviest rodent in weight, was R. norvegicus, in summer (Damietta), and in spring (Qualyobia). The three rodent species were naturally infected with T. lewisi. The whole results were discussed on the light of the work done before, with reference to the feasible time to apply rodenticides.