Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global superbug widely distributed in hospitals, communities and livestock settings. This study investigated the presence and molecular characterizat...Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global superbug widely distributed in hospitals, communities and livestock settings. This study investigated the presence and molecular characterization of MRSA co-resistance to clindamycin and vancomycin in the southeastern region of Nigeria. The susceptibility of these organisms to other selected antibiotics was also investigated. Method: Biological samples were obtained from consenting patients from three establishments in Enugu, Nigeria and cultured for isolation and purification. The pure isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility profiling using conventional antibiotics. The genomic DNAs of the pure isolates were isolated using the Promega genomic DNA purification kit while the antibiotic resistance genes (mecA) genes were identified using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration of the clindamycin and vancomycin antibiotics was determined as well as their combined activity on the MRSA isolates. Results: A large proportion (71%) of the MRSA isolates was from urine samples and then from the High Vaginal Swab (19%). All the isolates were resistant to cloxacillin while 95% were resistant to ciprofloxacin. MRSA isolates demonstrated resistance to clindamycin (with MIC of 23.44 - 250 μg/ml) and to vancomycin (with MIC of 62.5 - 250 μg/ml). The isolated MRSA also demonstrated multidrug-resistant traits. The combined effects of vancomycin and clindamycin against different species of MRSA exhibited additive, antagonistic and indifferent effects and none had a synergistic effect. Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction revealed that the majority of the strains were positive for the 162-bp internal fragment of the mecA gene of MRSA and basically displayed SCCmec type III, indicating that they were multidrug-resistant and hospital-acquired. Conclusion: Clindamycin and vancomycin-resistant MRSA infections are also within the Eastern region of Nigeria as found in other countries of the world. This superbug, therefore, may require drastic and urgent measures to curtail its spread and attendant healthcare challenges like outbreaks of infections. In addition, strict adherence to antibiotic policy and continuous surveillance is highly advocated.展开更多
Nanoemulsions have attracted great attention in research, dosage form design and pharmacotherapy. This is as a result of a number of attributes peculiar to nanoemulsions such as optical clarity, ease of preparation, t...Nanoemulsions have attracted great attention in research, dosage form design and pharmacotherapy. This is as a result of a number of attributes peculiar to nanoemulsions such as optical clarity, ease of preparation, thermodynamic stability and increased surface area. Nanoemulsions also known as submicron emulsions serve as vehicles for the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as other bioactives. They are designed to address some of the problems associated with conventional drug delivery systems such as low bioavailability and noncompliance. The importance of design and development of emulsion nanocarrier systems aimed at controlling and/or improving required bioavailability levels of therapeutic agents cannot be overemphasized. Reducing droplet sizes to the nanoscale leads to some very interesting physical properties, such as optical transparency and unusual elastic behaviour. This review sheds light on the current state of nanoemulsions in the delivery of drugs and other bioactives. The morphology, formulation, characteristics and characterization of nanoemulsions were also addressed.展开更多
文摘Objectives: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a global superbug widely distributed in hospitals, communities and livestock settings. This study investigated the presence and molecular characterization of MRSA co-resistance to clindamycin and vancomycin in the southeastern region of Nigeria. The susceptibility of these organisms to other selected antibiotics was also investigated. Method: Biological samples were obtained from consenting patients from three establishments in Enugu, Nigeria and cultured for isolation and purification. The pure isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility profiling using conventional antibiotics. The genomic DNAs of the pure isolates were isolated using the Promega genomic DNA purification kit while the antibiotic resistance genes (mecA) genes were identified using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Also, the minimum inhibitory concentration of the clindamycin and vancomycin antibiotics was determined as well as their combined activity on the MRSA isolates. Results: A large proportion (71%) of the MRSA isolates was from urine samples and then from the High Vaginal Swab (19%). All the isolates were resistant to cloxacillin while 95% were resistant to ciprofloxacin. MRSA isolates demonstrated resistance to clindamycin (with MIC of 23.44 - 250 μg/ml) and to vancomycin (with MIC of 62.5 - 250 μg/ml). The isolated MRSA also demonstrated multidrug-resistant traits. The combined effects of vancomycin and clindamycin against different species of MRSA exhibited additive, antagonistic and indifferent effects and none had a synergistic effect. Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction revealed that the majority of the strains were positive for the 162-bp internal fragment of the mecA gene of MRSA and basically displayed SCCmec type III, indicating that they were multidrug-resistant and hospital-acquired. Conclusion: Clindamycin and vancomycin-resistant MRSA infections are also within the Eastern region of Nigeria as found in other countries of the world. This superbug, therefore, may require drastic and urgent measures to curtail its spread and attendant healthcare challenges like outbreaks of infections. In addition, strict adherence to antibiotic policy and continuous surveillance is highly advocated.
文摘Nanoemulsions have attracted great attention in research, dosage form design and pharmacotherapy. This is as a result of a number of attributes peculiar to nanoemulsions such as optical clarity, ease of preparation, thermodynamic stability and increased surface area. Nanoemulsions also known as submicron emulsions serve as vehicles for the delivery of active pharmaceutical ingredients as well as other bioactives. They are designed to address some of the problems associated with conventional drug delivery systems such as low bioavailability and noncompliance. The importance of design and development of emulsion nanocarrier systems aimed at controlling and/or improving required bioavailability levels of therapeutic agents cannot be overemphasized. Reducing droplet sizes to the nanoscale leads to some very interesting physical properties, such as optical transparency and unusual elastic behaviour. This review sheds light on the current state of nanoemulsions in the delivery of drugs and other bioactives. The morphology, formulation, characteristics and characterization of nanoemulsions were also addressed.
