Impact of Genetic Diversity of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains on the Dissemination of Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactam Resistance Genes in Côte d’Ivoire

The increase and spread of bacterial resistance to extended-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics are reported in many infections and are a real public health problem worldwide. Drug pressure is a factor that favors the emergence of a population of better adapted bacteria. However, there is no literature highlighting the genetic diversity and evolutionary structure of E. coli and K. pneumoniae in an environment with high selection pressure in Côte d’Ivoire. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic diversity of E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains circulating at the HKB Hospital in Abobo and at the Daloa Regional Hospital and its impact on the dissemination of extended spectrum beta-lactam resistance genes. A total of 39 strains isolated from the urinary tract of infected patients, including 30 strains of E. coli and 9 strains of K. pneumoniae were studied. A total of 39 strains isolated from the urinary tract of infected patients, including 30 strains of E. coli and 9 strains of K. pneumoniae were studied. From genomic DNA extracts, ESBL resistance genes were amplified by PCR and sequenced, in addition to genetic typing by ERIC-PCR. The data obtained were submitted to genetic and bioinformatics analyses. The results have shown a genetic diversity important in E. coli and K. pneumoniae with diversity indexs (SID) ranging from 0.5 to 0.77. The genetic structure of the bacterial species studied has shown a clonal distribution of strains with clones expressing TEM-9 and CTX-M-15 variants. Also, this clonal structure was correlated with the spread of resistance genes in E. coli and K. pneumoniae. The spread of resistant clones is a factor that might limit the fight against antibiotic resistance.

Multidrug-Resistant of Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. Strains in Chicken Feces Intended for Consumption in Open Spaces of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Resistant bacteria can be transmitted to humans through feces or contaminated meat from local chickens. Bacterial strains were isolated from the intestinal contents of 400 local chicken samples from various sales sites. These strains were then characterized using bacteriological and biochemical methods to identify resistant strains. In a study conducted in Ouagadougou, we systematically collected chicken fecal samples from 20 locations across the city, followed by isolation and identification of Salmonella spp. using specific enrichment and culture methods, as well as Escherichia coli. Bacterial strains were characterized using antibiotic resistance profiles were determined through agar diffusion tests, revealing sensitivity or resistance to a range of antibiotics based on established scientific criteria. The results showed that out of the 400 samples collected, 81.25% and 63.5% were contaminated by Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp., respectively. Among these, 86.15% of identified Escherichia coli and 50.78% of Salmonella spp. displayed resistance to at least one tested antibiotic. Among 280 Escherichia coli isolates identified resistant to at least one antibiotic, 31.07% were resistant to cefotaxime (CTX), 20.35% to ceftazidime (CAZ), 21.07% to ceftriaxone (CTR), 75% to amoxicillin clavulanic acid (AMC), 23.57% aztreoname (ATM) and 27.14% were resistant to imipenem (IMP). In the case of the 129 Salmonella spp. isolates resistant to at least one tested antibiotic, 34.88% were resistant to CTX;41.08% to CAZ;35.65% to CTR, 92% to AMC, 39.53% to ATM and finally 47.28% were resistant to IMP. Our study revealed high prevalence of resistance in bacterial strains isolated from local chickens sold outdoors in Ouagadougou. These findings raise significant public health concerns, due to the possible transmission of these resistant strains to humans through the consumption of contaminated meat, thus complicating the treatment of bacterial infections.

Antibacterial mechanism of kojic acid and tea polyphenols against Escherichia coli O157:H7 through transcriptomic analysis

Escherichia coli O157:H7 is one of the major foodborne pathogenic bacterial that cause infectious diseases in humans.The previous found that a combination of kojic acid and tea polyphenols exhibited better activity against E.coli O157:H7 than using either alone.This study aimed to explore responses underlying the antibacterial mechanisms of kojic acid and tea polyphenols from the gene level.The functional enrichment analysis by comparing kojic acid and tea polyphenols individually or synergistically against E.coli O157:H7 found that acid resistance systems in kojic acid were activated,and the cell membrane and genomic DNA were destructed in the cells,resulting in“oxygen starvation”.The oxidative stress response triggered by tea polyphenols inhibited both sulfur uptake and the synthesis of ATP,which affected the bacteria's life metabolic process.Interestingly,we found that kojic acid combined with tea polyphenols hindered the uptake of iron that played an essential role in the synthesis of DNA,respiration,tricarboxylic acid cycle.The results suggested that the iron uptake pathways may represent a novel approach for kojic acid and tea polyphenols synergistically against E.coli O157:H7 and provided a theoretical basis for bacterial pathogen control in the food industry.

Effects of dietary supplementation of probiotic,Clostridium butyricum,on growth performance,immune response,intestinal barrier function,and digestive enzyme activity in broiler chickens challenged with Escherichia coli K88

Background： Colibacillosis caused by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coil （E. coil} results in economic losses in the poultry industry. Antibiotics are usually used to control colibacillosis, however, E. coli has varying degrees of resistance to different antibiotics. Therefore the use of probiotics is becoming accepted as an alternative to antibiotics. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Clostfidium butyricum （C. butyficum） on growth performance, immune response, intestinal barrier function, and digestive enzyme activity in broiler chickens challenged with Eschefichia coli （E. coil） K88. Methods： The chickens were randomly divided into four treatment groups for 28 days. Negative control treatment （NC） consisted of birds fed a basal diet without E. coil K88 challenge and positive control treatment （PC） consisted of birds fed a basal diet and challenged with E. coil K88. C. buO/ricum probiotic treatment （CB） consisted of birds fed a diet containing 2 x 107 cfu C. buO/ricum/kg of diet and challenged with E. coil K88. Colistin sulfate antibiotic treatment （CS） consisted of birds fed a diet containing 20 mg colistin sulfate/kg of diet and challenged with E. coil K88. Results： The body weight （BW） and average day gain （ADG） in the broilers of CB group were higher （P 〈 0.05） than the broilers in the PC group overall except the ADG in the 14-21 d post-challenge. The birds in CB treatment had higher （P 〈 0.05） concentration of tumor necrosis factor-a （TNF-a） at 3 and 7 d post-challenge, and higher （P 〈 0.05） concentration of interleukin-4 （IL-4） at 14 d post-challenge than those in the PC treatment group. The concentration of serum endotoxin in CB birds was lower （P 〈 0.05） at 21 d post-challenge, and the concentrations of serum diamine oxidase in CB birds were lower （P 〈 0.05） at 14 and 21 d post-challenge than in PC birds. Birds in CB treatment group had higher （P 〈 0.05） jejunum villi height than those in PC, NC, or CS treatment at 7, 14, and 21 d post-challenge. In comparison to PC birds, the CB birds had lower （P 〈 0.05） jejunum crypt depth during the whole experiment. The birds in CB or CS treatment group had higher （P 〈 0.05） activities of amylase and protease at 3, 7, and 14 d post-challenge, and higher （P 〈 0.05） activity of lipase at 3, 7 d post-challenge than PC birds.

Chemical analysis and in vitro antimicrobial effects and mechanism of action of Trachyspermum copticum essential oil against Escherichia coli

Objective: To find a natural plant essential oil (EO) with excellent antimicrobial effect on food-borne bacteria and to explore the mechanism of its antimicrobial function against Escherichia colt (E. cal). Methods: The antimicrobial activity of seven EOs against Gramnegative E. coli ATCC 8739 and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 was investigated using agar disk diffusion method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of each EO was determined using the broth dilution method. The chemical composition of the Trachyspermum copticum (T. copticum) EO was analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC/MS). In order to explore the mechanism of the antimicrobial action, 1 MIC and 2 MIC of T. copticum. EO was added to a suspension of E. coli, the growth curve and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis of E. coli, and the release of cell constituents and protein and potassium ions from the bacterial cell were measured. Results: The T. optician EO had the best antimicrobial activity against the test bacteria, and 10 compounds accounting for 94.57% of the total oil were identified, with the major components being thymol (46.22%), p-cymene (19.03%), and y-terpinene (22.41%). The addition of I MIC T. copticum. EO significantly inhibited the growth of E. coli and increased the release of cell constituents and protein and potassium ions from the bacterial cells. Scanning electron micrographs showed that T. copticum EO caused most of the E. co/i cell membranes to collapse and rupture, leading to cell death. Conclusions: These results indicate that T. copticum EO is a good natural antimicrobial agent for food-borne pathogens.

Preparation of Monoclonal Antibody and Development of Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay Specific for Escherichia coli O157 in Foods

To prepare monoclonal antibodies （MAb） and antisera specific for Escherichia coli （E.coli） O157, and to develop a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） to detect Eocoli O157 in foods. Methods Spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with the somatic antigen of E.coli O157：H7 were fused with routine Sp2/0 myeloma cells. The hybridoma cell line specific for E.coli O157 was established after having been subcloned. Antisera specific for E.coli O157 was prepared by intravenous injection into New Zealand rabbits with a stain of E.coli O157：H7. The sandwich ELISA was developed with the polyclonal antibody as the capture antibody and the MAb 3A5 as the detection antibody. The inoculated ground poultry meat and pasteurized miLk were tested to confirm efficiency of the method. Results MAb 3A5 specific for E.coli O157 and O 113：H21 belonged to subtype IgM. The ascetic titers of the antibody was 1：1× 10^6. No cross-reactivity of the MAb was observed with strains of Salmonella spp, Yersinia enterocolitica, Shigella dysenteriae, etc. The purified polyclonal antibody had a titer of 1： 1× 10^5 with E.coli O 157. The detection limit of this sandwich ELISA was 10^3- 10^4 cfu E.coli O157/mL in pure culture with a high specificity, which was characterized by every non-O157 strain with negative response. With 10h enrichment procedure, E.coli O157：H7 recovered well from inoculated ground poultry meat and pasteurized milk at levels of 0.1 cfu/g and 0.1 cfu/mL. Conclusion MAb 3A5 specific for E.coli O 157 and O 113：H21 can be produced by immunizing BALB/c mice with a strain of E.coli O157：H7. Then a sandwich ELISA can be developed with the polyclonal antibody as the capture antibody and the MAb 3A5 as the detection antibody. The method is proved to be a sensitive and specific technique to detect low number of E.coli O157 in food.

Response to an Escherichia coli K88 oral challenge and productivity of weanling pigs receiving a dietary nucleotides supplement

Background： Dietary nucleotides, considered as antibiotics alternative, were shown to have positive effects on intestinal hyperaemia, systemic immunity, small-intestinal growth, and hepatic composition in pigs. However, there is no previous research on nucleotide supplementation in weanling pigs under an oral challenged E. coil K88. Therefore, 2 experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of dietary nucleotides on weanling pig growth performance, nutrient digestibility, fecal score, and blood profile after being orally challenged with E. coli K88. Methods： In Exp. 1, a total of 140 weanling pigs [8.33 ± 0.33 kg of body weight （BW）, 28-d old] were used in this 42-d feeding trial. Pigs were distributed into 1 of 4 treatments, 5 pigs/pen （3 barrows and 2 gilts） and 7 pens/treatment. Treatments were a control basal diet （CON） or the CON supplemented with 150 （R150）, 220 （R220）, or 275 （R275） mg/kg to give the three treatment diets. In Exp. 2, 28 weanling pigs （BW = 8.40 ± 0.22 kg, 28-d old） were distributed into 1 of 4 treatments to give 1 pig/pen and 7 pens/treatment in a 42-d feeding and challenge trial. Dietary treatments were the same as in Exp. 1. 0n d 14, all those pigs （BW= 13.3±0.15 kg, 42-d old） were orally dosed with 1.5 mL suspension containing 10 cfu/mL of E. coli K88. Twenty four hours after challenge, blood and excreta samples were collected from each pigs for analysis. Fecal scores were measured on d 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the study. Results： In Exp. 1, overall BW, average daily gain （ADG）, gain/feed （G/F） ratio, and nutrient digestibilities were lower （P 〈 0.05） in CON group compared with the nucleotides fed pigs. In Exp. 2, after challenge, IgA, IgM, and IGF-I were higher （P〈 0.05） in the nucleotide groups compared with CON. However, the nucleotide groups had lower （P 〈 0.05） cortisol and TNF-o compared with CON. Fecal E. coil counts and fecal score for the nucleotide groups were lower （P 〈 0.05） than for CON. Conclusions： In conclusion, dietary nucleotides supplementation could improve growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immune status, microbial balance, reduce diarrhea, and provide protection against enterotoxigenic E. coli K88 infection in weanling pigs.

Preclinical and clinical evidence of the association of colibactinproducing Escherichia coli with anxiety and depression in colon cancer

BACKGROUND The association between the intestinal microbiota and psychiatric disorders is becoming increasingly apparent.The gut microbiota contributes to colorectal carcinogenesis(CRC),as demonstrated with colibactin-producing Escherichia coli(CoPEC).AIM To evaluate the association between CoPEC prevalence and anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors with both preclinical and clinical approaches.METHODS Patients followed after a CRC surgery and for whom the prevalence of CoPEC has been investigated underwent a psychiatric interview.Results were compared according to the CoPEC colonization.In parallel C57BL6/J wild type mice and mice with a CRC susceptibility were chronically infected with a CoPEC strain.Their behavior was assessed using the Elevated Plus Maze test,the Forced Swimming Test and the Behavior recognition system PhenoTyper®.RESULTS In a limited cohort,all patients with CoPEC colonization presented with psychiatric disorders several years before cancer diagnosis,whereas only one patient(17%)without CoPEC did.This result was confirmed in C57BL6/J wildtype mice and in a CRC susceptibility mouse model(adenomatous polyposis colimultiple intestinal neoplasia/+).Mice exhibited a significant increase in anxiety-and depressive-like behaviors after chronic infection with a CoPEC strain.CONCLUSION This finding provides the first evidence that CoPEC infection can induce microbiota-gut-brain axis disturbances in addition to its procarcinogenic properties.

Comparison of extended spectrum β-lactamasesproducing Escherichia coli with non-ESBLsproducing E.coli:drug-resistance and virulence

The virulent factors of Escherichia coil （E.cofi） play an important role in the process of pathopoiesis. The study aimed to compare drug-resistant genes and virulence genes between extended spectrum β-1actamases （ESBLs）-producing E.coli and non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi to provide a reference for physicians in management of hospital infection. From October 2010 to August 2011,96 drug-resistant strains of E. coli isolated were collected from the specimens in Qingdao Municipal Hospital, Qingdao, China. These bacteria strains were divided into a ESBLs-producing group and a non-ESBLs-producing group. Drug sensitivity tests were performed using the Kirby-Bauer （K-B） method. Disinfectant gene, qacEAl-sull and 8 virulence genes （CNF2, hlyA, eaeA, VT1, est, bfpA, elt, and CNF1） were tested by polymerase chain reaction （PCR）. Among the 96 E.coli isolates, the ESBLs-producing E.coli comprised 46 （47.9%） strains and the non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi consisted of 50 （52.1%） strains. The detection rates of multiple drug-resistant strain, qacEAl-sull, CNF2, hlyA, eaeA,VT1, est, bfpA, elt, and CNF1 in 46 ESBLs-producing E.coli isolates were 89.1%, 76.1%, 6.5%, 69.6%, 69.6%, 89.1%, 10.9%, 26.1%, 8.7%, and 19.6%, respectively. In the non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi strains, the positive rates of multiple drug-resistant strain, qacEAl-sull, CNF2, hlyA, eaeA, VT1, est, bfpA, elt, and CNF1 were 62.0%, 80.0%, 16.0%, 28.0%, 64.0%, 38.0%, 6.0%, 34.0%, 10.0%, and 24.0%, respectively. The difference in the detection rates of multiple drug-resistant strain, hlyA and VT1 between the ESBLs-producing E.cofi strains and the non-ESBLs-producing E.cofi strains was statistically significant （P〈0.05）. The positive rate of multiple drug-resistant strains is higher in the ESBLs-producing strains than in the non-ESBLs-producing strains. The expression of some virulence genes hlyA and VT1 varies between the ESBLs-producing strains and the non-ESBLs-producing strains. Increased awareness of clinicians and enhanced testing by laboratories are required to reduce treatment failures and prevent the spread of multiple drug-resistant strains.

The virulence regulator AbsR in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli has pleiotropic effects on bacterial physiology

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli(APEC)belonging to extraintestinal pathogenic E.coli(ExPEC)can cause severe infections in extraintestinal tissues in birds and humans,such as the lungs and blood.MprA(microcin production regulation,locus A,herein renamed AbsR,a blood survival regulator),a member of the MarR(multiple antibiotic resistance regulator)transcriptional regulator family,governs the expression of capsule biosynthetic genes in human ExPEC and represents a promising druggable target for antimicrobials.However,a deep understanding of the AbsR regulatory mechanism as well as its regulon is lacking.In this study,we present a systems-level analysis of the APEC AbsR regulon using ChIP-Seq(chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing)and RNA-Seq(RNA sequencing)methods.We found that AbsR directly regulates 99 genes and indirectly regulates 667 genes.Furthermore,we showed that:1)AbsR contributes to antiphagocytotic effects by macrophages and virulence in a mouse model for systemic infection by directly activating the capsular gene cluster;2)AbsR positively impacts biofilm formation via direct regulation of the T2SS(type II secretion system)but plays a marginal role in virulence;and 3)AbsR directly upregulates the acid tolerance signaling system EvgAS to withstand acid stress but is dispensable in ExPEC virulence.Finally,our data indicate that the role of AbsR in virulence gene regulation is relatively conserved in ExPEC strains.Altogether,this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the AbsR regulon and regulatory mechanism,and our data suggest that AbsR likely influences virulence primarily through the control of capsule production.Interestingly,we found that AbsR severely represses the expression of the type I-F CRISPR(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas(CRISPR associated)systems,which could have implications in CRISPR biology and application.

Prevalence and characteristics of extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from bovine mastitis cases in China

The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence and characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamase （ESBL）- producing Escherichia coli isolated from bovine mastitis cases in China. ChromID ESBL agar was used to confirm ESBL-producing E. coli. PCR and DNA sequencing were employed to characterize the genotype of ESBL-producers. Antimicrobial susceptibility was measured by disc diffusion. Overall, 73 of 318 E. coli isolates （22.96％） were identified as ESBL-producers. Of these ESBL-producing E. coli, the prevalence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM-1 was 97.26 and 71.23％, respectively. The predominant CTX-M-type ESBL was CTX-M-15 （65.75％）, followed by CTX-M-14 （10.96％）, CTX-M-55 （9.59％）, CTX-M-64 （5.48％）, CTX-M-65 （4.11％） and CTX-M-3 （1.37％）. This study is the first report of CTX-M-64 and CTX-M-65 in E. coli isolated from bovine mastitis. Furthermore, 72 ESBL-producing E. coli isolates （98.63％） were found to be multidrug-resistance. This study noted high prevalence and rates of antimicrobial resistance of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from bovine mastitis cases in China.

Prevalence of Drug Resistant Uropathogenic Escherichia coli from Immunocompromised Diabetic Patients Attending Selected Health Facilities in Benue State

Escherichia coli is the commonest bacterial uropathogen of UTIs, the commonest infections in immunocompromised diabetic patients. Better understanding of their main resistance mechanisms to commonly used antibacterial agents will help to reduce the burden of this infection. The prevalence of drug resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolates from immunocompromised diabetic patients attending selected health facilities in Benue State was investigated. Two hundred and ninety-six midstream urine samples were collected for both study and control diabetic patients. Bacterial isolation was done using semi-quantitative method. Drug resistant Escherichia coli were identified as multidrug resistant (MDR), extensive drug resistant (XDR) and pan-drug resistant organisms (PDR). Statistical significance was considered at p E. coli isolates from the study and control subjects with overall prevalence of 20.9% and 8.4% respectively. The isolates were highly resistant to penicillin (ampicillin), monobactam (aztreonam), older quinolone (nalidixic acid) whereas the majority of them showed high susceptibility to aminoglycoside (streptomycin), cephalosporin (cefotaxime) and carbapenem (imipenem). None showed complete susceptibility to all the tested antibiotics. Twenty-five E. coli were identified in this MDR, eight, XDR while 5 were PDR. High numbers of drug resistant E. coli isolates were identified in the study group of which 25 were MDR, 8 XDR while 5 were PDR isolates. High prevalence of UTI and drug resistant isolates occur in diabetic patients with hyperglycemic condition.

Post-appendectomy pelvic abscess with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli : A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND Appendicitis, the inflammation of the appendix, is the most common abdominal surgical emergency requiring expedient surgical intervention. Extendedspectrum beta-lactamases(ESBLs) are bacterial enzymes that catalyse the degradation of the betalactam ring of penicillins and cephalosporins(but without carbapenemase activity), leading to resistance of these bacteria to beta-lactam antibiotics. Recent increases in incidence of ESBL-producing bacteria have caused alarm worldwide. Proportion estimates of ESBLEnterobacteriaceae hover around 46% in China, 42% in East Africa, 12% in Germany, and 8% in the United States.CASE SUMMARY The impact of ESBL-producing bacteria on appendiceal abscesses and consequent pelvic abscesses are yet to be examined in depth. A literature review using the search words "appendiceal abscesses" and "ESBL Escherichia coli(E. coli)" revealed very few cases involving ESBL E. coli in any capacity in the context of appendiceal abscesses. This report describes the clinical aspects of a patient with appendicitis whodeveloped a postoperative pelvic abscess infected with ESBL-producing E. coli. In this report, we discuss the risk factors for contracting ESBL E. coli infection in appendicitis and post-appendectomy pelvis abscesses. We also discuss our management approach for postappendectomy ESBL E. coli pelvic abscesses, including drainage, pathogen identification, and pathogen characterisation. When ESBL E. coli is confirmed, carbapenem antibiotics should be promptly administered, as was done efficaciously with this patient. Our report is the first one in a developed country involving ESBL E. coli related surgical complications in association with a routine laparoscopic appendectomy.CONCLUSION Our report is the first involving ESBL E. coli and appendiceal abscesses, and that too consequent to laparoscopic appendectomy.

Phytochemicals of Aloe barbadensis miller as Potential Inhibitors of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli for Urinary Tract Infection Therapy: An in Silico Approach

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infections caused by normal skin or rectum bacteria that get into the urethra and infect the urinary tract. Although the infection can affect various parts of the tract, bladder infections are the most prevalent kind. Uropathogenic Escherichia Coli (UPEC) is the most common pathogen associated with UTI development. Therefore, inhibiting the UPEC protein target (PDB ID: 8BVD) appears to be a promising therapeutic strategy. Therefore, in this study, molecular docking and dynamics were conducted to examine the antibacterial activity of Aloe barbadensis miller against UPEC bacteria. The Aloe barbadensis miller natural compounds licochalcone A, palmidin B and palmidin C were downloaded from PubChem with amoxicillin, which was used as a control drug and studied against the target molecule. The potential parameters examined were the docking scores, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, toxicity (ADMET), bioavailability, root mean square deviation (RMSD), root mean square fluctuation (RMSF), hydrogen bonding, radius of gyration, and potential energy of the system. Docking scores showed that all ligands demonstrated an admirable candidature as an inhibitor to 8BVD molecule, and the score hierarchy is licochalcone A (-6.4 kcal/mol), palmidin C (-6.1 kcal/mol), palmidin B (-6.0 kcal/mol), and amoxicillin (-5.9 kcal/mol). All ligands appeared to have good drug-like properties and oral bioavailability. Molecular dynamic studies showed that all ligands exhibited an excellent nominee as inhibitors in their vicinity at 20 ns. However, there is a relatively high fluctuation of palmidin B compared with other compounds, which seems to be more stable. This work suggests that the selected phytoconstituents could be used as inhibitors of the 8BVD protein in the fight against UTIs. However, further investigation on the clinical and experimental validation of UTI treatment’s specific mechanisms and effects is still welcomed.

Effects of Sodium Lactate on the Survival of <i>Listeria Monocytogenes</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>O157:H7, and <i>Salmonella</i>spp. in Cooked Ham at Refrigerated and Abuse Temperatures

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of sodium lactate on the survival of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157: H7, and Salmonella spp. in cooked ham during storage at refrigerated and abuse temperatures. Cooked ham was added with 0% - 3% lactate, inoculated with a multiple-strain mixture of L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157: H7, or Salmonella spp. and stored at 4oC - 15oC for up to 35 day. The growth of the three pathogens was inhibited in ham containing 3% lactate, and no growth of E. coli O157: H7 and Salmonella spp. occurred at the lowest storage tem- peratures of 6 and 8oC, respectively. In ham containing no lactate, the average growth rates were 0.256 - 0.380 log CFU/day for L. monocytogenes at 4oC - 8oC, 0.242 - 0.315 log CFU/day for E. coli O157: H7 at 8oC - 15oC, and 0.249 - 0.328 log CFU/day for Salmonella spp. at 10oC - 15oC. The addition of 1% or 2% lactate significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the growth rates of the three pathogens, and the effect was more profound at lower temperatures. Salmonella spp. were more sensitive to the effect of lactate than L. monocytogenes and E. coli O157: H7. Polynomial models were developed to describe the growth rates of the three pathogens as affected by the lactate concentration and storage tem- perature. Results from this study demonstrate the effect of lactate on the growth of L. monocytogenes, E. coli O157: H7, and Salmonella spp. in cooked ham and indicate the effective lactate concentrations and storage temperatures that can be used to enhance the microbiological safety of ready-to-eat ham products.

Antibiotic susceptibility and molecular characterization of resistance genes among Escherichia coli and among Salmonella subsp. in chicken food chains

Objective: To investigate the occurrence of resistance genes among Escherichia coli(E. coli) and Salmonella subsp. isolated in chicken food chains in Phnom Penh, 2012–2013.Methods: Six hundred eighty two E. coli and 181 Salmonella Albany, Corvallis, and Kentucky strains were examined for susceptibilities to eight antimicrobials and following resistance genes were identified by PCR: blaTem, Str A, aad A, sul1, sul2, gyr A, Tet(A), and Tet(B).Results: E. coli presented high resistances to tetracycline, amoxicillin, and sulfamethoxazole(63.1%–76.1%). Salmonella Albany and Salmonella Kentucky traduced high resistance percentages to amoxicillin, tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole, and nalidixic acid(84.6%–100%). Among amoxicillin-resistant isolates, blaTemgenes were observed for 62% of E. coli isolates and 20% of 65 Salmonella Kentucky. The Str A gene was prevalent in 36% of 331 aminoglycoside-resistant E. coli and 90% of 40 aminoglycoside-resistant Salmonella Corvallis. The sul2 gene was predominant among sulfamethoxazole-resistant isolates, for 56% of 431 E. coli and 53% of 66 Salmonella Corvallis; the sul1 gene was observed in 54% of Salmonella Albany. The Tet(A) resistance gene was prevalent in E.coli(86%), Salmonella Corvallis(82%), Salmonella Kentucky(84%). High percentages of gyr A genes observed among nalidixic-acid resistant E. coli(91%), Salmonella Albany(92%), Salmonella Corvallis(75%) and Salmonella Kentucky(85%).Conclusions: Important occurrences of resistance gene were observed among E. coli and Salmonella in chicken food chains in Cambodia.

Use of a naturally occurring codon bias for identifying topoisomerase mutations in ciprofloxacin resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i>using PCR and future prospects with other bacterial genera: A pilot study

We developed a novel PCR method aimed at identi- fying and amplifying native codon sequences of muta- tion-prone amino acids in DNA gyrase implicated in quinolone resistance using a naturally occurring co- don bias in E. coli DNA gyrase A.

Co-ordinated combination of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas pathway and pentose phosphate pathway in Escherichia coli to promote L-tryptophan production

In this study,phosphoenolpyruvate and erythrose-4-phosphate are efficiently supplied by collaborative design of Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas(EMP)pathway and pentose phosphate(PP)pathway in Escherichia coli,thus increasing the L-tryptophan production.Firstly,the effects of disrupting EMP pathway on L-tryptophan production were studied,and the results indicated that the strain with deletion of phosphofructokinase A(i.e.,E.coli JW-5ΔpfkA)produced 23.4±2.1 g/L of L-tryptophan production.However,deletion of phosphofructokinase A and glucosephosphate isomerase is not conducive to glucose consumption and cell growth,especially deletion of glucosephosphate isomerase.Next,the carbon flux in PP pathway was enhanced by introduction of the desensitized glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase(zwf)and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase(gnd)and thus increasing the L-tryptophan production(i.e.,26.5±3.2 g/L vs.21.7±1.3 g/L)without obviously changing the cell growth(i.e.,0.41 h^(-1) vs.0.44 h^(-1))as compared with the original strain JW-5.Finally,the effects of co-modifying EMP pathway and PP pathway on L-tryptophan production were investigated.It was found that the strain with deletion of phosphofructokinase A as well as introduction of the desensitized zwf and gnd(i.e.,E.coli JW-5 zwf243 gnd361ΔpfkA)produced 31.9±2.7 g/L of L-tryptophan,which was 47.0%higher than that of strain JW-5.In addition,the glucose consumption rate of strain JW-5 zwf243 gnd361ΔpfkA was obviously increased despite of the bad cell growth as compared with strain JW-5.The results of this study have important reference value for the following application of metabolic engineering to improve aromatic amino acids producing strains.

E.coli HPI通过NLRP3/caspase-1信号通路诱导细胞焦亡而促进肠道炎症

目的:探究大肠埃希菌(Escherichia coli,E.coli)强毒力岛(high-pathogenicity island,HPI)对细胞焦亡及肠道炎症的影响。方法:用含HPI的E.coli株(HPI+)、HPI缺失的E.coli株(△HPI)和脂多糖(lipopolysaccharide,LPS)分别处理昆明小鼠和IPEC-J2细胞(猪小肠上皮细胞)。测定小鼠肠道乳酸脱氢酶(lactate dehydrogenase,LDH)活性、超氧化物歧化酶(superoxide dismutase,SOD)活性、IgA表达和分泌性IgA(secretory IgA,SIgA)含量;HE和TUNEL染色观察肠道损伤;RT-qPCR、免疫组织化学染色和Western blot检测小鼠肠组织和IPEC-J2细胞中核苷酸结合寡聚化结构域样受体蛋白3(nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3,NLRP3)/caspase-1信号通路关键调控点的表达;ELISA检测小鼠血清和IPEC-J2细胞培养上清液中白细胞介素1β(interleukin-1β,IL-1β)和IL-18含量;共聚焦显微镜观察NLRP3与caspase-1的共定位。siRNA沉默IPEC-J2细胞的NLRP3,验证NLRP3在E.coli HPI感染中的关键调控功能。结果:相对于△HPI感染,E.coli HPI显著降低小鼠肠道SOD活性,增加IgA+B细胞,并促进LDH的释放和SIgA的分泌;ELISA、HE染色和TUNEL染色结果显示,E.coli HPI促进了小鼠肠道上皮细胞DNA断裂、组织损伤和炎症;Western blot结果显示,相对于△HPI,E.coli HPI感染使得小鼠肠道消皮素D的N端片段(gasdermin D N-terminal fragment,GSDMD-N)蛋白水平显著升高;RT-qPCR和免疫组织化学染色结果显示,E.coli HPI显著促进了小鼠肠道和IPEC-J2细胞中NLRP3、含caspase募集结构域的凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain,ASC)、caspase-1、GSDMD、IL-1β和IL-18的mRNA和蛋白表达,IL-1β和IL-18分泌增加;共聚焦显微镜观察发现,相对于△HPI感染,E.coli HPI显著促进了NLRP3炎症小体的组装,使得NLRP3与caspase-1发生共定位;此外,在NLRP3沉默的IPEC-J2细胞中观察到E.coli HPI诱导的细胞炎症、细胞损伤及NLRP3/caspase-1信号通路的激活被缓解。结论:HPI的存在增强了E.coli的毒力水平,促进肠道炎症;NLRP3/caspase-1信号通路调控的细胞焦亡参与了E.coli HPI诱导的肠道损伤。