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.

Influence of Long Chain Free Fatty Acids on the Thermal Resistance Reduction of Bacterial Spores

Aims: The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of free fatty acid length chain and unsaturated bond number on the heat resistance and recovery media of bacterial spores. Methods and results: For 6 species, bacterial spore heat resistances were estimated at different free fatty acid concentrations added to heating media or in recovery media. The addition of free fatty acids to heating media has a slight influence on the heat resistance of bacterial spores whatever the species or type of acid studied. On the contrary, the addition of free fatty acids to the recovery medium after the heat treatment greatly reduces the ability to bacterial spores to recover and form colonies. This effect varies depending on chain length, unsaturated bond number of fatty acid and on the bacterial strain studied. Conclusion: The presence of free acids in the recovery media is an additive stress which decreases the capability of injured spores to germinate and grow thereafter. Significance and impact of this study: The impact of free fatty acids presented in this study can be taken into account to reduce the thermal intensity of food sterilization in relation to their availability in food matrix.

Isolation and Characterization of Enterococci Bacteriocinic Strains from Tunisian Fish Viscera

A collection of lactic acid bacteria isolates from fish viscera was studied and investigated regarding to their functional properties and safety aspects. From these, three isolates GM1, GM2 and GM3 were identified as Enterococcus feacium species using molecular methods. Partial Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis (partial ARDRA) with restriction enzyme HaeIII separated these isolates into distinctive group which suggest genotypic variability within enterococci strains isolated from fish viscera. The three strains GM1, GM2 and GM3 exhibited antimicrobial activity. Indeed strains have been shown to produce bacteriocins with inhibitory effect against food spoilage bacteria and pathogenic fish including Carnobacterium maltaromaticum. The molecular mass of bacteriocin, as calculated by tricine-SDS-PAGE, was found to be 4.5 kDa. All isolates were tested positive upon PCR amplification of enterocin A structural gene. Investigations of antibiotic resistance show that the isolates were mostly sensitive to several antibiotics (ampicillin, penicillin, tetracycline, gentamycine) and resistance to rifampicin. All isolates grow in esculin azide agar as a selective medium for enumeration of probiotic enterococci. This study suggests that our strains can be employed as probiotic or to improve the safety of food products.

Fine Roots Dynamics in Two Forest Strata of a Semi-Deciduous Forest in Northern Republic of Congo

The belowground biomass is represented by coarse and fine roots. Concentrated in the superficial horizons of the soil, the fine roots play a crucial role in the functioning of a forest ecosystem. However, studies on their dynamics in natural forests are almost non-existent in the Republic of Congo. Here, we estimated the biomass, production, turnover and fine root lifespan of two forest strata of a semi-deciduous forest: the Gilbertiodendron dewevrei (De Wild.) J. Léonard forest (GF) and the mixed forest (MF) of land. The ingrowth cores method was used to estimate the biomass, production, turnover and lifespan of fine roots. The results of this study revealed that the biomass, production and fine root turnover of the two forest strata studied significantly decreased with increasing soil depth, with an increase in lifespan. The annual fine root biomass of GF (2284.50 ± 37.62 and 1034.61 ± 14.52 ) was slightly lower than that of MF (2430.07 ± 40.68 and 1043.10 ± 11.75 ) in the 0-15 cm and 15-30 cm horizons, respectively. The annual production of fine roots from these latter horizons was respectively 1300.19 ± 32.17 and 539.18 ± 11.55 in GF and 1362.24 ± 39.59 and 492.95 ± 14.38 in the MF. Root turnover was higher in the GF (1.68 ± 0.05 and 1.35 ± 0.03 ) than in the MF (1.57 ± 0.05 and 1.13 ± 0.02 ). The lifespan of fine roots increased with the depth of the soil. The difference in fine root dynamics observed between the forest strata studied was influenced by the Evenness index and the above-ground biomass.

Spatial and Temporal Structures of the Macrozoobenthos from the Intertidal Zone of the Kneiss Islands (Central Mediterranean Sea)

The present study analyses the spatio-temporal variability of the macrozoobenthos from the intertidal zone of the Kneiss Islands (Gulf of Gabès, Tunisia). Samples were collected once from 34 stations, while seasonal variations were studied by sampling four times at 12 stations over the period 2013-2014. A total of 159 macrobenthos taxa associated with intertidal Zostera noltei beds are identified from the 34 stations, with a taxonomic dominance of crustaceans (32%), molluscs (29%) and annelids (27%). Abundance varies from 9244 to 36,844 ind·m-2 with a mean value of 14,346 ind·m-2. Analysis of the trophic structure shows that the majority of stations are strongly represented by carnivores (41%), followed by the non-selective deposit feeders (16%). Cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling allow identification of three main benthic assemblages based on species abundance, corresponding to different sediment types and organic matter contents. The seasonal variability in abundance, diversity and community structure is mainly due to spring and summer recruitment. The biotic indices (i.e. AMBI, BO2A and BENTIX) show that the intertidal area of Kneiss Islands exhibits a good ecological status.

Metazoan Parasites of the Mediterranean Garfish <i>Belone belone gracilis</i>(Teleostei: Belonidae) as a Tool for Stock Discrimination

The aim of the present study was to provide a current survey of metazoan parasites of the Mediterranean garfish Belone belone gracilis Lowe, 1839 off Tunisian coast and their potential use as biological tags for discriminate stocks. Parasitological analysis of 453 specimens of B. b. gracilis along the eastern Tunisian coast revealed the presence of ten species of metazoan parasites: one monogenean Axine belones Abildgaard, 1794;four digeneansLecithostaphylus retroflexus (Molin, 1859), Tergestia acanthocephala (Stossich, 1887) Stossich, 1899, Aponurus laguncula Looss, 1907 and Condylocotyla pilodora(metacercaria) Pearson et Prévot, 1985;one copepod Bomolochus bellonesBurmeister, 1835;two isopods Irona nana Schioedte et Meinert, 1884 andNerocila orbignyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1832);1 acanthocephalan Telosentis exiguus (Von Linstow, 1901) and one nematod Anisakid larvae. Discriminant analysis using parasites as biological tags, allowed identifying two stocks ofB. b. gracilis. Digenea L. retroflexus, A. laguncula and Anisakid larvae were the most important species in determining the position of sampled fishes from the central coast off Tunisia. Metacercaria C. pilodora characterized specimens from the Southern coast off Tunisia. These results were corroborated by comparing parameters of prevalence and mean abundance between zones. Discriminant analysis used for the separation of B. b. gracilis between seasons in both localities showed that a seasonal variation affected mainly specimens from the center suggesting seasonal move of fishes.

Laxative Effect of Some Plants Extracts Used in Traditional Pharmacopoeia on the Intestine of Rabbit

Constipation is a condition in which a person or animal has difficulty in eliminating solid waste from the body and the faeces are hard and dry. It is mainly characterized by a difficulty in defecation. The aim of the study is to assess the laxative effect of some plants such as Adansonia digitata , Ziziphus mauritiana and Psidium guayava traditionally used in Chad to treat the problems of constipation. The Microdynamometer method (Biomecatronics) is used to carry out this study. The outcomes show that the extracts’ leaves of Psidium guayava and barks of Ziziphus mauritiana did not lead a significant contraction of duodenum of rabbit until a maximum concentration of 1000 μg, but the extracts’ leaves of Adansonia digitata had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on the intestinal motility of rabbit. This effect of the extract of Adansonia digitata varies with the increase of its concentration (dose dependent) with a maximum of 500 μg and the minimal effect is inferior to 10 μg. On the other hand, the extract of Adansonia digitata has a musculotrope effect because the results have shown that inhibitive molecules such as the atropine and the naloxone do not have to inhibit the action of Adansonia digitata on the intestinal motility of rabbit. Thus, the extract of this plant would reduce significantly the time of intestinal transit and it will be an important laxative drug candidate as described traditionally in Chad.

Anti-Obesity Effect of Boscia senegalensis in Rabbits

Introduction: Obesity is defined as excessive and abnormal accumulation of fatty tissue with significant somatic, psychological and social consequences on quality of life. Obesity has long been considered a simple aesthetic problem linked to excessive gluttony. It is however recognized today as a real pathology, so much so that the WHO has declared it as “the first non-infectious epidemic in history and a major problem of the century”. In addition, many studies have been carried out aimed at the production of less fatty foods and, scientifically, at the development of anti-obesity drugs. Thus, the objective of this study is to evaluate the anti-obesity effect of the extract of Boscia senegalensis (Capparaceae) used in Chad to fight against type II diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Methodology: A bromatological study of Boscia senegalensis extract was carried out at the Food Quality Control Centre (CECOQDA) in Ndjamena (Chad), followed by an in vivo study of rabbits carried out at the IRED Biotechnop&#244;le laboratory (Chad). Results: The results obtained from the 100 g bromatological study of the dry extract of Boscia senegalensis are as follows: protein content (20.24% ± 0.007%), fat content (5.92% ± 0.21%), carbohydrate content (35.16% ± 1.05%), fibre content (2.11% ± 0.26%), moisture content (5.7% ± 0.14%) and ash content (2.90% ± 0.03%). No aflatoxin was detected in the dry extract of Boscia senegalensis. A significant decrease (p = 0.04) in body weight was observed in rabbits treated with Boscia senegalensis extract compared to controls. In addition, histological sections of the various organs (liver, spleen, kidneys) of treated rabbits showed no lesions following the incorporation of the extract of Boscia senegalensis. Conclusion: This study showed the anti-obesity effect of Boscia senegalensis. It also made it possible to verify the harmlessness of the product with regard to the results on chronic toxicity.

Effect of Herbicides Used in Horticulture (2,4-D, Glyphosate and Nicosulfuron) on Snails <i>Achatina fulica</i>(Bowdich, 1720)

2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic (2,4-D), glyphosate, and nicosulfuron, because of their modes of action and selectivity, are the most widely used herbicides in Ivorian horticulture. Fuels toxicity was the reason of many debates in the world because of their massive and uncontrolled use. They are frequently blamed for the reduction of soil fertility and terrestrial biodiversity observed in agricultural areas. In view of the debates raised by their toxicities, the use of these herbicides requires the greatest caution and clear information on the real risk incurred by the edaphic fauna by conducting ecotoxicity studies. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of 2,4-D, glyphosate and nicosulfuron herbicides on the growth and reproduction of Achatina fulica snails in microcosm. To do this, we treated each plot on which snail microcosms were placed with 2,4-D, glyphosate or nicosulfuron herbicides according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. The results showed for all the herbicides used, that after 28 days of exposure, the growth of juvenile snails was slowed down. The number of eggs laid per pair was reduced in adult snails. The egg hatchability test revealed a reduction in egg hatchability. In addition, each effect was dependent on the herbicide used. Thus, toxicity was found to be greater according to the following order: nicosulfuron ? glyphosate ? 2,4-D. From the results obtained, we concluded that 2,4-D, glyphosate, and nicosulfuron treatments under field conditions are a potential threat to the sustainability of snail species and therefore to soil life. The intensity of the effect depends on the toxicity of the herbicides used.