Prevalence of Enteric Pathogens Associated with Infections among Table Egg Consumers in Some Primary Health Establishments in the Center Region of Cameroon

Method: In Cameroon limited data are available regarding the prevalence of enteric bacteria associated with table egg consuming infections. As such, a situational-based study was performed in patients with complains of stomach disorders after egg consumption. Data related to sociodemographic characteristics and other factors were collected using a structured based questionnaire. Stool culture of utmost importance in stomach disorders patients and serum were collected for typhoid serological test. Results: A total of 207 participants took part in the survey, Results indicated nontyphoidal Salmonella infections were highest in the 3 areas of study with Mfoundi (73.44%) having the highest level of infection compared to other bacterial infection. other enteric bacteria associated to this infection were E. coli serotype 157, Aeromonas, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloaca and typhi salmonella. Meanwhile salmonelosis caused by typhic salmonella had highest prevalence in the Lekie Division (13.11%) as a result of poor hygienic practices associated with the conservation and preparation of eggs, Stool culture was observed to detect more positive cases in the diagnosis of typhoid fever than Widal test, but with no statistically significant (p > 0.05) difference between the stool culture and Widal test in the 3 areas of study. Conclusion: this study revealed that egg consumers are pruned to enteric bacterial and salmonella infections depending on how and where egg is consumed.

Updated roles of the gut microbiota in exploring shrimp etiology, polymicrobial pathogens, and disease incidence

Litopenaeus vannamei is the most extensively cultured shrimp species globally,recognized for its scale,production,and economic value.However,its aquaculture is plagued by frequent disease outbreaks,resulting in rapid and massive mortality.etiological research often lags behind the emergence of new diseases,leaving the causal agents of some shrimp diseases unidentified and leading to nomenclature based on symptomatic presentations,especially in cases involving co-and polymicrobial pathogens.Comprehensive data on shrimp disease statuses remain limited.In this review,we summarize current knowledge on shrimp diseases and their effects on the gut microbiome.Furthermore,we also propose a workflow integrating primary colonizers,“driver”taxa in gut networks from healthy to diseased states,disease-discriminatory taxa,and virulence genes to identify potential polymicrobial pathogens.We examine both abiotic and biotic factors(e.g.,external and internal sources and specific-disease effects)that influence shrimp gut microbiota,with an emphasis on the“holobiome”concept and common features of gut microbiota response to diverse diseases.After excluding the effects of confounding factors,we provide a diagnosis model for quantitatively predicting shrimp disease incidence using disease common-discriminatory taxa,irrespective of the causal agents.Due to the conservation of functional genes used in designing specific primers,we propose a practical strategy applying qPCR-assayed abundances of disease common-discriminatory functional genes.This review updates the roles of the gut microbiota in exploring shrimp etiology,polymicrobial pathogens,and disease incidence,offering a refined perspective for advancing shrimp aquaculture health management.

Research Progress on Pathogens of Main Diseases of Dictyophora rubrovalvata and Their Occurrence

Dictyophora rubrovalvata is an edible fungus with rich nutritional value.It contains various nutrients and bioactive components,and has immunomodulation,anti-tumor,anti-oxidation,anti-fatigue,anti-aging,anti-inflammation and alcoholic hepatitis-protection effects.With the continuous expansion of planting area of Dictyophora,the disease problem has become a major problem affecting the development of Dictyophora industry.In this paper,the pathogens,harmful symptoms and causes of main diseases in Dictyophora were summarized,so as to provide reference for comprehensive control of Dictyophora diseases and promote the high-quality development of Dictyophora industry.

A Natural Catalytic Converter® for Continuously Inactivating Air and Surface Pathogens with More Effect than Ventilation and Filtration

Study Objective: The purpose of the study is to present independent laboratory testing for a novel technology in air and on surfaces. Since 2020, public health goals have focused on improving indoor air quality. This includes protection from airborne pathogens, such as tuberculosis, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, common cold or influenza viruses, measles, and others. Engineering controls are highly effective at reducing hazardous pathogens found in indoor air and from recontamination of surfaces. This occurs from a continuous cycle of settling of small, sustained airborne pathogens, which may become dehumidified, becoming airborne again, carried by room air currents around indoor spaces, then repeating the cycle. Methods: The novel technology utilizes a catalytic process to produce safe levels of hydrogen peroxide gas that are effective in reducing pathogens in the air and on surfaces. Air testing was performed with the MS2 bacteriophage, the test organism for ASHRAE standard 241, and methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Surface testing was performed with SARS-COV-2 (Coronavirus COVID-19) and H1N1 (Influenza). Typical ventilation and filtration does not effectively remove disbursed pathogens from the entire facility, due to inconsistent air circulation and surface deposits of pathogens. Results: MS2 was reduced by 99.9%;MRSA was reduced by 99.9%;SARS-CoV-2 was reduced by 99.9%;H1N1 was reduced by 99.9%. Conclusion: This novel catalytic converter reduces a variety of pathogens in the air (99%) and on surfaces (99%), by actively disinfecting with the introduction of gaseous hydrogen peroxide. This active disinfection provides a strong solution for protecting the entire facility and its occupants.

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.

Clinical Efficacy and Safety Analysis of Tigecycline in the Treatment of Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Combined with Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infection

Objective:To study the clinical efficacy and safety of tigecycline in the treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)combined with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection.Methods:113 patients with acute exacerbation of COPD combined with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection were recruited between January 2021 and January 2023,and given tigecycline treatment.The total effective rate,lung function indexes,related biochemical index levels,and the incidence rate of adverse reactions were observed after the treatment.Results:After the treatment,100 patients were cured,1 case with apparent effect,2 cases were effective,10 cases were ineffective,and the total effective rate was 91.15%.The post-treatment CRP(21.22±3.35 mg/L),PCT(3.18±1.11 ng/L),CRE(76.36±9.24μmol/L),and ALT(37.76±6.99 U/L)were significantly improved as compared to the pre-treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,10 cases of vomiting(8.85%),13 cases of nausea(11.50%),4 cases of diarrhea(3.53%),1 case of abdominal pain(0.88%),and 2 cases of allergy(1.77%)were observed in 113 patients.Conclusion:Tigecycline therapy for patients with acute exacerbation of COPD combined with multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection not only has significant therapeutic efficacy but also has a high degree of safety.

Purification and Antimicrobial Assay of an Antimicrobial Protein from a Biocontrol Bacterium Strain K2-1 against Aquatic Pathogens

[Objective] The aim of this study was to purify an antimicrobial protein from a biocontrol bacterium strain K2-1 and analyze its antimicrobial activity in vitro against some typical aquatic pathogens. [Method] The antimicrobial protein was ob- tained by using ammonium sulfate precipitation and Sephadex chromatography combined with hot water bath. The antimicrobial assay was conducted by means of agar diffusion technique, using Vibrio alginolyticus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Aeromonas. Sobria, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Vibrio Parahaemolyticus, Vibrio har- veyi and Vibrio anguillarum as test bacteria. [Result] Antimicrobial protein APK2 can be derived from fermentation broth of strain K2-1 and purified to the chromatogra- phy pure level by the methods provided, the final yield of the antimicrobial compo- nent is approximately 0.08%. This antimicrobial protein had a strong antimicrobial activity against the growth of most those bacteria. [Conclusion] The results show that APK2 could be a potential alternative to replace chemical antimicrobial agent in the control and prevention of aquatic diseases.

Anaerobic soil disinfestation:A chemical-independent approach to pre-plant control of plant pathogens

Due to increasing regulations and restrictions, there is an urgent need to develop effective alternatives to chemical-dependent fumigation control of soilborne pests and pathogens. Anaerobic soil disinfestation （ASD） is one such alternative showing great promise for use in the control of soilborne pathogens and pests. This method involves the application of a carbon source, irrigation to field capacity, and covering the soil with a plastic tarp. While the mechanisms of ASD are not completely understood, they appear to be a combination of changes in the soil microbial community composition, production of volatile organic compounds, and the generation of lethal anaerobic conditions. The variety of materials and options for ASD application, including carbon sources, soil temperature, and plastic tarp type, influence the efficacy of pathogen sup- pression and disease control. Currently, both dry （e.g., rice bran） and liquid （e.g., ethanol） carbon sources are commonly used, but with different results depending on environmental conditions. While solarization is not an essential component of ASD, it can enhance efficacy. Understanding the mechanisms that mediate biological changes occurring in the soil during ASD will facilitate our ability to increase ASD efficacy while enhancing its commercial viability.

The frequency and antimicrobial resistance patterns of nosocomial pathogens recovered from cancer patients and hospital environments

Objective:To determine the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance rates of nosocomial pathogens isolated from cancer patients and hospital environments.Methods:A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted between December 2010 to May 2013 at Radiation and Isotopes Centre of Khartoum,Sudan.A total of 1 503 samples(505 clinical and 998 environmental)were examined.Isolates were identified,and their antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using standard laboratory procedures.Results:Out of 505 clinical samples,nosocomial pathogens were found as 48.1%.Among hospital environment samples,bacterial contaminants were detected in 29.7%of samples.The main microorganisms recovered from cancer patients were Proteus spp.(23.5%),Escherichia coli(22.2%),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa)(21.0%)and Staphylococcus aureus(20.2%).The most frequent isolates from hospital environments were Bacillus spp.(50.0%),Staphylococcus aureus(14.2%)and P.aeruginosa(11.5%).The proportions of resistance among Gram-negative pathogens from cancer patients were high for ampicillin,cefotaxime,ceftazidime and ceftriaxone.Moderate resistance rates were recorded to ciprofloxacin,such as 51.0%for P.aeruginosa,21.7%for Klebsiella pneumoniae and 55.5%for Escherichia coli.Except Klebsiella,there were no significant differences(P0.05)of resistance rates between Gram-negative isolates from cancer patients to those from the hospital environments.The proportions of extended-spectrum b-lactamase producing isolates from cancer patients were not differ significantly(P=0.763)from those collected from the hospital environments(49.2%;91/185 vs.47%;32/68).Conclusions:The prevalence of nosocomial infection among cancer patients was high(48.1%)with the increasing of antimicrobial resistance rates.Hospital environments are potential reservoirs for nosocomial infections,which calls for intervention program to reduce environmental transmission of pathogens.

Simultaneous Detection of 13 Key Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens by Combination of Multiplex PCR and Capillary Electrophoresis

Objective Lower respiratory tract infections continue to pose a significant threat to human health. It is important to accurately and rapidly detect respiratory bacteria. To compensate for the limits of current respiratory bacteria detection methods, we developed a combination of multiplex polymerase chain reaction （PCR） and capillary electrophoresis （MPCE） assay to detect thirteen bacterial pathogens responsible for lower respiratory tract infections, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catorrholis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Legionella spp., Bordetella pertussis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex, Corynebactefium diphthefiae, and Streptococcus pyogenes. Methods Three multiplex PCR reactions were built, and the products were analyzed by capillary electrophoresis using the high-throughput DNA analyzer. The specificity of the MPCE assay was examined and the detection limit was evaluated using DNA samples from each bacterial strain and the simulative samples of each strain. This assay was further evaluated using 152 clinical specimens and compared with real-time PCR reactions. For this assay, three nested-multiplex-PCRs were used to detect these clinical specimens. Results The detection limits of the MPCE assay for the 13 pathogens were very low and ranged from 10-7 to 10-2 ng/μL. Furthermore, analysis of the 252 clinical specimens yielded a specificity ranging from 96.5%-100.0%, and a sensitivity of 100.0% for the 13 pathogens. Conclusion This study revealed that the MPCE with high specificity and sensitivity. This assay survey of respiratory pathogens. assay is a rapid, reliable, and high-throughput method has great potential in the molecular epidemiological.

The effect of leaves extracts of Clitoria ternatea Linn against the fish pathogens

Objective:To investigate the antimicrobial activity of Clitoria ternatea(C.ternatea) against the fish pathogens viz.,Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa),Escherichia coli(E.coli),Klebsiella pneumonia(K.pneumonia),Bacillus subtilis(B.subtilis),Aeromonas formican(A.formicans)s, Aeromonas hydrophila(A.hydrophila) and Streptococcus agalactiae(S.agalactiae )isolated from diseased Tilapia(Oreochromis niloticus).Methods:The extracts of C.ternatea was tested against P.aeruginosa,E.coli,K.pneumonia,B.subtilis,A.formicans,A.hydrophila and S.agalactiae by the agar well diffusion method.Results:Different extracts of C.ternatea showed inhibitory effects against P.aeruginosa,E.coli,K.pneumonia,B.subtilis,A.formicans,A.hydrophila and S. agalactiae.Ethyl acetate extracts of C.ternatea showed maximum of zone of inhibition against A. formicans(18 mm),A.hydrophilia(19 mm),B.subtilis(19 mm) and P.aeruginosa(21 mm) next to that ethanol extract of C.ternatea showed A.formicans(18 mm) and E.coli(14 mm) followed by Acetone extract showed maximum zone of inhibition S.agalactiae(19 mm) and K.pneumonia(17 mm).Conclusions:The antimicrobial activities of all the four plant extracts are comparable and their potential as alternative in the treatment of infectious by these microorganisms was present in the fish.Susceptibility testing is conducted on isolates using drugs selected on the basis of their importance to human medicine and use in fish production.

Market Disease Pathogens Detection of Imported Fruits in Shanghai

A tremendous amount of imported fresh fruits has been delivered to Shanghai markets, increasing the risk of invasion by harmful plant pathogens. Therefore, it is important to establish an effective detection and supervision system to survey the outbreak of the market diseases of the imported fruits during marketing. The samples were regularly surveyed in different markets to examine varieties, prices, localities, selling conditions, and diseases of the imported fruits from 2004 to 2008. The survey showed that 58 species of 30 different fruits were imported to Shanghai from 16 countries with more expensive price. The larger products were bananas, grapes, apples, and oranges. During the investigation, we found that the imported fruits frequently brought about the relatively serious market diseases. On the basis of morphology and the nuclear internal transcribed spacer （ITS） of ribosomal DNA （rDNA） analysis, 151 isolates of 15 fungi genera, which shown to be pathogenic after the inoculation assay, were finally identified. Among the identified fungi, Alternaria was the most frequent one with the highest detection rate （47.68%）, followed by Penicillium （14.57%） and Fusarium （11.92%）, respectively. Additionally, Pestalotiopsis microspora （detected in grapes Red-Globe coming from the USA） and Botrytis sp. （detected in black-plums coming from the USA） were first reported in China market. The present study summarized the selling situation of the imported fruits in Shanghai markets and constructed a library of the pathogens detected in the imported fruits during the selling period. The results obtained are useful to offer technical parameters for Chinese quarantine in order to prevent an invasion of the foreign harmful micro-organisms.

Quantification of Zoonotic Bacterial Pathogens within Commercial Poultry Processing Water Samples Using Droplet Digital PCR

Raw poultry and poultry products are a significant source of zoonotic bacterial pathogen transmission;thus the sensitive detection of major zoonotic pathogens (Salmonella spp., Campylobacter jejuni, and Listeria monocytogenes) is a vital food safety issue. Recently, third generation PCR technology, known as droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) has been developed to be more accurate and sensitive to detect genetic targets than current quantification methods, but this technology has not been tested within an industrial setting. There is an on-going study within our laboratory is investigating the effects of sampling times and sampling methods on the cultural and molecular (via qPCR) quantification of dominant zoonotic pathogens within a poultry processing facility. This presents a unique opportunity to compare the quantification resulted from this emerging, third generation technology to traditional quantification methods currently employed by the poultry industry. The results show that ddPCR detected pathogen-specific genes from more pathogen:sampling time combinations than either the qPCR or culturing methods from the final scalder and chiller tanks at three stages of processing (Start, Mid, and End). In fact, both ddPCR and qPCR substantially outperformed culture methods commonly used in poultry processing food safety-related studies, with Salmonella recovered only from the Mid and End sampling times from the scalder tank. While neither C. jejuni nor L. monocytogenes were recovered culturally, ddPCR was able to detect their respective genes commonly throughout the processing day in both the scalder and chiller water samples. Additionally, the use of unfiltered processing water provided significantly greater detection of bacterial and pathogen-specific gene abundances than did an analysis of larger volumes of filtered water. Considering the ddPCR-derived concentrations of the bacterial pathogens were consistent with what was previously found culturally in commercial poultry processing operations, ddPCR represented a significant advancement in poultry processing zoonotic pathogen quantification.

Multidrug-resistant organisms in intensive care units and logistic analysis of risk factors

BACKGROUND Intensive care unit(ICU)patients are critically ill and have low immunity.They will undergo various trauma medical procedures during diagnosis and treatment.The use of high-dose hormones and broad-spectrum antibiotics will increase the incidence of nosocomial infection in ICU patients.Therefore,it is necessary to explore the causes of nosocomial infection in ICU and provide basis for the prevention and control of nosocomial infection in ICU.AIM To explore major pathogens of nosocomial infection in ICUs,methods of detection and drug resistance trends.METHODS Risk factors of multidrug-resistant infection were analyzed to provide a basis for clinical rational use of antimicrobial drugs in the ICU.These findings were used to standardize rational use of antimicrobial agents.BD PhoenixTM100 automatic bacterial identification analyzer was used to for cell identification in specimens collected from the ICU between January 2016 and December 2019.Drug sensitivity tests were carried out and drug resistance trends were analyzed using the optical disc diffusion method.Odds ratios and corresponding 95%CI of independent variables were calculated using a logistic regression model.Backward elimination(trend=0.1)was used as an inclusion criterion for multivariate analysis.All data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0,and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.RESULTS We collected 2070 samples from ICU patients between January 2016 and December 2019.Sample types comprised sputum(1139 strains,55.02%),blood(521 strains,25.17%),and drainage fluid(117 strains,5.65%).A total of 1051 strains of major pathogens,including Acinetobacter baumannii,Escherichia coli(E.coli),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa),Klebsiella pneumoniae(K.pneumoniae)and Staphylococcus aureus,were detected,with a detection rate of 35.97%(378/1051).Most of these strains were resistant to antibiotics.Detection rate of E.coli was 21.79%(229/1051),and it was generally sensitive to many antimicrobial drugs.Detection rate of P.aeruginosa was 24.74%(260/1051),and showed low sensitivity to most antibiotics.Detection rate of K.pneumoniae was 9.42%(99/1051),which was generally resistant to multiple antimicrobial drugs and resistant forms.K.pneumoniae was resistant to imipenem for approximate 4 years,and showed a 19.9%(19/99)and 20.20%(20/99)rate of meropenem resistance.Logistic analysis showed that mechanical ventilation and ureteral intubation were risk factors for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.CONCLUSION This study showed a high incidence of ICU infections.Mechanical ventilation and urine tube intubation were risk factors for infection with multidrug-resistant bacteria.

A Study on Detecting and Identifying Enteric Pathogens With PCR

Objective To develop a rapid and definite diagnostic test of bacterial enteritis caused by pathogenic enterobacteria, the most frequent etiologic agent of infectious enteritis in the world. Methods A set of conventional PCR assays were applied to detect and identify salmonella, shigella, and E. coli O157:H7 directly from pure culture and fecal samples. The general primers of pathogenic enterobacteria were located on the uidA gene, which were found not only in E. coli nuclear acid, but also in Shigella and salmonella genes. Shigella primer was from ipaH gene whose coded invasive plasmid relative antigen existed both in plasmid and in genome. The primers of salmonella were designed from the 16SrRNA sequence. The primer of E.coli O157:H7 was taken from eaeA gene. Five random primers were selected for RAPD. The detection system included common PCR, semi-nested PCR and RAPD. Results This method was more sensitive, specific and efficient and its processing was rapid and simple. For example, the method could be used to specifically detect and identify salmonella, shigella, and E. coli O157:H7, and its sensitivity ranged from 3 to 50 CFU, and its detection time was 4 hours. Conclusion This PCR method, therefore, can serve as a routine and practical protocol for detecting and identifying pathogenic microorganisms from clinical samples.

Antibiotic sensitivity pattern of bacterial pathogens in the intensive care unit of Fatmawati Hospital,Indonesia

Objective:To evaluate the sensitivity pattern of bacterial pathogens in the intensive care unit(ICU) of a tertiary care of Falmawati Hospital Jakarta Indonesia.Methods:A cross sectional retrospective study of bacterial pathogen was carried out on a total of 722 patients that were admitted to the ICU of Fatmawati Hospital Jakarta Indonesia during January 2009 to March 2010. All bacteria were identified by standard microbiologic methods,and(heir antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using disk diffusion method.Results:Specimens were collected from 385 patients who were given antimicrobial treatment,of which 249(64.68%) were cultured positive and 136(35.32%) were negative.The most predominant isolate was Pseudomonas aeruginosa(P.aeruginosa)(26.5%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae(K.pneumoniae)(15.3%) and Staphylococcus epidermidis(14.9%).P.aeruginosa isolates showed high rate of resistance to cephalexin(95.3%),cefotaxime(64.1%),and ceftriaxone(60.9%).Amikacin was the most effective(84.4%) antibiotic against P.aeruginosa followed by imipenem(81.2%),and meropenem(75.0%).K.pneumoniae showed resistance to cephalexin(86.5%),ceftriaxone(75.7%),ceftazidime(73.0%),cefpirome(73.0%) and cefotaxime(67.9%),respectively.Conclusions:Most bacteria isolated from ICU of Fatmawati Hospital Jakarta Indonesia were resistant to the third generation of cephalosporins,and quinolone antibiotics.Regular surveillance of antibiotic susceptibility pallerns is very important for setting orders to guide the clinician in choosing empirical or directed therapy of infected patients.

Probiotics improve survival of septic rats by suppressing conditioned pathogens in ascites

AIM: To investigate the benefits of probiotics treatment in septic rats. METHODS: The septic rats were induced by cecal ligation and puncture. The animals of control, septic model and probiotics treated groups were treated with vehicle and mixed probiotics, respectively. The mixture of probiotics included Bifidobacterium longum , Lacto-bacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus . We observed the survival of septic rats using different amounts of mixed probiotics. We also detected the bacterial population in ascites and blood of experimental sepsis using cultivation and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The severity of mucosal inflammation in colonic tissues was determined. RESULTS: Probiotics treatment improved survival of the rats significantly and this effect was dose dependent. The survival rate was 30% for vehicle-treated septic model group. However, 1 and 1/4 doses of probiotics treatment increased survival rate significantly comparedwith septic model group (80% and 55% vs 30%, P < 0.05). The total viable counts of bacteria in ascites decreased significantly in probiotics treated group compared with septic model group (5.20 ± 0.57 vs 9.81 ± 0.67, P < 0.05). The total positive rate of hemoculture decreased significantly in probiotics treated group compared with septic model group (33.3% vs 100.0%, P < 0.05). The population of Escherichia coli and Staphy-lococcus aureus in ascites of probiotics treated group were decreased significantly compared with that of septic model group (3.93 ± 0.73vs 8.80 ± 0.83,P < 0.05; 2.80 ± 1.04 vs 5.39 ± 1.21, P < 0.05). With probiotics treatment, there was a decrease in the scores of inflammatory cell infiltration into the intestinal mucosa in septic animals (1.50 ± 0.25vs 2.88 ± 0.14,P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus may be primary pathogens in septic rats. Probiotics improve survival of septic rats by suppressing these conditioned pathogens.

A STUDY ON PATHOGENS OF CHINESE PRAWN (PENAEUS CHINENSIS) VIRUS DISEASES

This pathogenic study shows that the viral diseases of Chinese prawns (Penaeus chinensis. O’sbeck)is due to three kinds of viruses: epithelium envelope baculovirus of Penaeus chinensis (EEBV-PC, de-tected by the authors in 1993), infections hypodermal and hematopoietic necrosis virus, andhepatopancreatic parvo-like virus, and that the first two viruses seem to be the main pathogens of theepidemic in the northern regions in 1993.

In vitro antibacterial activity of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis flower extract against human pathogens

Objective:To access the in vitro antibacterial activity of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis(H.rosa-sinensis) flower extract against human pathogens.Methods:Antibacterial activity was evaluated by using disc and agar diffusion methods.The protein was run through poly acrylmide gel electrophoresis to view their protein profile.Results:The results showed that the cold extraction illustrates a maximum zone of inhibition against Bacillus suhtillis(B.suhtillis),Escherichia coli(E.coli) viz.,(17.00±2.91),(14.50±1.71)mm.followed by hot extraction against.E.coli.Salmonella sp.as(11.66 ±3.14),(10.60±3.09)mm.In methanol extraction showed a highest zone of inhibition recorded against B.suhtillis,E.coli as(18.86±0.18),(18.00±1.63) mm pursued by ethanol extraction shower) utmost zone of inhibition recorded against Salmonella sp.at(20.40±1.54) mm.The crude protein from flower showed a maximum inhibitory zone observed against Salmonella sp.,E.coli viz.,(16.55±1.16),(14.30±2.86)mm.The flower material can be taken as an alternative source of antibacterial agent against the human pathogens.Conclusions:The extracts of the H.rosasinensis art;proved to have potential antibacterial activity,further studies arc highly need for the drug development.

In vitro activity of moxifloxacin and piperacillin/sulbactam against pathogens of acute cholangitis

AIM：To analyze the in vitro activity of moxifloxacin and piperacillin/sulbactam against pathogens isolated from patients with acute cholangitis. METHODS： In this prospective study a total of 65 patients with acute cholangitis due to biliary stone obstruction （n = 7）, benign biliary stricture （n = 16）, and malignant biliary stricture （n = 42） were investigated with regard to spectrum of bacterial infection and antibiotic resistance. Pathogens were isolated from bile cultures in all study patients. In 22 febrile patients, blood cultures were also obtained. In vitro activity of moxifloxacin and piperacillin/ sulbactam was determined by agar diffusion. RESULTS： Thirty-one out of 65 patients had positive bile and/or blood cultures. In 31 patients, 63 isolates with 17 different species were identified. The predominant strains were Enterococcus species （26/63）, Ecoli （13/63） and Klebsiella species （8/63）. A comparable in vitro activity of moxifloxacin and piperacillin/sulbactam was observed for E.coli and Klebsiella species. In contrast, Enterococcus species had higher resistances towards moxifloxacin. Overall bacteria showed antibiotic resistances in vitro of 34.9% for piperacillin/sulbactam and 36.5% for moxifioxacin.CONCLUSION： Enterococcus species, E.co/i and Klebsiella species were the most common bacteria isolated from bile and/or blood from patients with acute cholangitis. Overall, a mixed infection with several species was observed, and bacteria showed a comparable in vitro activity for piperacillin/sulbactam and moxifloxacin.