Molecular Detection of Mutations within the Quinolone Resistance-Determining Regions in Non Typhoidal Salmonella Isolates from Malaysia

Introduction: The efficacy of chemotherapy in bacteraemia caused by non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) is compromised by antibiotic resistance. Objective: This study was undertaken to describe the mechanism of resistance among clinical NTS isolates. Materials & Methodology: Thirty of NTS were isolated from blood (n = 19), stool (n = 10) and bronchioalveolar lavage (BAL;n = 1) respectively. These isolates were tested for susceptibility testing by disc diffusion method against ampicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, co-trimoxazole, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin and ceftriaxone. Epsilometer tests (E-test) for nalidixic acid and ciprofloxacin were performed for nalidixic acid resistant isolates by disc diffusion method. DNA sequencing was carried out on six of the nalidixic acid resistant Salmonella Enteritidis isolates to identify mutations within quinolones resistance determining regions (QRDR) of gyrA, gyrB, parC and parE genes. Results: Resistance rates of NTS isolates from blood, stool, and BAL were respectively 37%, 20% and 0% for ampicillin, 79%, 40% and 0% for tetracycline, 32%, 40% and 0% for co-trimoxazole, 37%, 10% and 100% for nalidixic acid. Eight isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid and had exhibited reduced susceptibility towards ciprofloxacin by E-test. Mutation within QRDR was detected in gyrA gene (n = 6;Asp 47 → His [3], Asp 51 → Asn [1], Asp 73 → Gly [1], and Gly 48 → Asp [1]) and double mutation was detected in parE gene (n = 3;Gly 48 → Asp [3], Glu 82 → Ser [3]). Out of six isolates, three isolates were found to have both gyrA and parE gene mutations. Conclusions: There was no mutation observed in gyrB and parC gene. Mutation in gyrA gene was sufficient to induce decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin. Variation in amino acid sequences are novel, while detection of other gene mutation was uncommon.

Impact of hepatitis C virus heterogeneity on interferon sensitivity:An overview

Hepatitis C virus(HCV)is a major cause of liver disease worldwide.HCV is able to evade host defense mechanisms,including both innate and acquired immune responses,to establish persistent infection,which results in a broad spectrum of pathogenicity,such as lipid and glucose metabolism disorders and hepatocellular carcinoma development.The HCV genome is characterized by a high degree of genetic diversity,which can be associated with viral sensitivity or resistance(reflected by different virological responses)to interferon(IFN)-based therapy.In this regard,it is of importance to note that polymorphisms in certain HCV genomic regions have shown a close correlation with treatment outcome.In particular,among the HCV proteins,the core and nonstructural proteins(NS)5A have been extensively studied for their correlation with responses to IFN-based treatment.This review aims to cover updated information on the impact of major HCV genetic factors,including HCV genotype,mutations in amino acids 70 and91 of the core protein and sequence heterogeneity in the IFN sensitivity-determining region and IFN/ribavirin resistance-determining region of NS5A,on virological responses to IFN-based therapy.