Quinolone resistance and extended spectrum beta lactamase production has increased in E.coli and considered a serious problem worldwide. It is worth to monitor resistance mechanism in E.coli to provide guidance for optimizing antimicrobial treatments,control and spread of resistance. The objective of this study was to molecularly characterize gyrA, parC genes and plasmid mediated qepA efflux pump gene, in QR-ESBL E. coli isolates obtained from patients in HTAA, Kuantan. The antibiotic susceptibility profile was also studied. Materials and Method: 32 QR-ESBL and six quinolone-susceptible E. coli isolates from September 30 November,2018) included in the study. The isolates were reconfirmed with known phenotypic tests and antibiotic susceptibility test was performed. PCR and DNA sequencing were performed for the identification of mutations in quinolone resistance determining region. Result: Resistance to ampicillin, tetracycline, nalidixic acid was (100%) followed by cefotaxime (96.9%), ciprofloxacin (78.1%) trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (75%), ceftazidime (56.3%), cefepime (43.8%) and gentamycin (25%). None of the isolates was resistant to piperacillin-tazobactam, amikacin, imipenem, meropenem, ertapenem, and colistin. PCR successfully amplified the gyrA and parC genes, however, qepA gene was not detected by PCR in the isolates. Majority of the isolates had point mutation in (QRDR) of GyrA at codons 83 and 87 and in ParC at codons 80 and 84. Two isolates had mutations outside of QRDR at codons 144 and 167 in ParC. Strong positive correlation was found between MIC levels of ciprofloxacin and the number of resistance mutations. Sequencing of 6 (QS-ESBL) E. coli revealed absence of resistance mutations. Conclusion: Quinolone resistance in the isolates was mainly due to mutations in gyrA, ParC genes. Acquisition of multidrug resistance genes through innate gene mutations and mobile genetic elements contribute to the emergence of (MDR). This study reinforces the importance of being vigilant in utilizing molecular techniques to monitor for emergence of resistance genes in different locations.
Antibacterial activity of different types of P. odorata leaf extracts was evaluated in combination with
standard antibiotics. Persicaria. odorata leaves were extracted with n-hexane (n-hex), dichloromethane
(DCM) and methanol (MeOH). Each extract was applied on vancomycin (30µg), erythromycin (15µg) and
gentamicin (10µg) discs, respectively. Disk diffusion method was used to evaluate the synergistic activity of
each combination on Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus pyogenes,
Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Escherichia coli. Minimum
inhibitory concentration (MIC) and gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS) analysis was performed on
the active extract. Synergistic effects seen were mainly from the n-hex+antibiotics combinations, mainly on
the Gram-positive bacteria (7 additive, 5 antagonistic), with MIC range from 50 µg/ml to 100 µg/ml, as well
as Gram-negative bacteria (2 additive, 2 indifferent, 5 antagonistic). In particular, synergism showed by the
combination of n-hex+van were all additive against the susceptible bacteria. DCM extract combination
showed synergistic effects on three Gram-positive species (S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. pyogenes).
Meanwhile, MeOH+antibiotics combination showed significant additive synergistic effects (p
The existence of new entity called occult hepatitis C virus (HCV) has
become a raising and escalating concern among healthcare professionals worldwide. It
is defined by the presence of viral RNA in liver and/or peripheral blood mononuclear
cells (PBMCs) within non HCV-infected patients. Previous study had shown the occult
HCV is infectious and capable of transmitting the virus to another host. Till today, HCV
infection remains common among hemodialysis patients despite having the best
preventive plans. Because of this, there is a significant concern about the source of viral
transmission. The aim of the study was to identify and characterize occult HCV infection
in PBMC sample of hemodialysis patients. This was an observational and cross sectional
study. (Copied from article).
Quorum sensing controls a wide spectrum of processes and phenotypic
behaviours including biofilm formation that helps in the survival and virulence of
bacteria in hosts. Thus, anti-quorum sensing is suggested to combat bacterial infections.
This study aimed to evaluate the anti-biofilm forming and anti-quorum sensing activities
which may contribute to the anti-bacterial effect of ethanol and aqueous extracts of
Orthosiphon stamineus and Andrographis paniculata leaves and stems. (Copied from article).
Trichophyton rubrum is a common pathogenic fungal species that is responsible for causing infection on
human skin, hair and nail. The antifungal-resistant strains complicate the treatment regime.
Hydroxychavicol (HC) is one of the main compounds from Piper betel leaf that have antifungal potential and
its mechanism of action has not been studied yet. The objective of this preliminary study to determine the
antifungal properties of HC against T. rubrum using transmission electron microscope (TEM) on gross and
ultrastructure of T. rubrum hypha. T. rubrum was treated with HC and miconazole (MI) at concentrations of
1.25, 2.5, 5 and 10 mg/mL for 1, 3, 5 and 7 days continuously. Generally, fungi structures became more
severely damaged at increasing treatment duration. Microscopically, the fungi’s cell wall treated with HC
showed a rough surface, shrinkage and demolition similar to the MI treated group. The fungi organelles were
also demolished and disorganized. This study revealed that HC has the ability to inhibit T. rubrum growth
and has potential to be an antifungal agent for skin infections.
Mixed-genotypes hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections are normally ignored in chronic hemodialysis patients. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of mixed-genotypes infections among hemodialysis patients in Pahang province, Malaysia. Reverse-transcription and polymerase chain reaction methods were performed using two different sets of primers, targeting the 5' untranslated region and nonstructural 5B region. Target region base sequences were obtained by direct sequencing. Discrepancy in outcomes from phylogenetic analysis of both regions suggests double infections. Of 40 subjects in eight hemodialysis centres, evidence of mixed-genotypes infections was found in 5 subjects (12.5%) from three different centres. Four patients were infected with mixed genotypes 3 and 1 and one with genotypes 3 and 4. Cases of mixed HCV genotypes infection were considered high among hemodialysis patients in Pahang. However, further investigation is needed to confirm whether they are true mixed infections or perhaps infection with recombinant virus and also to assess the clinicopathologic characteristics of the infection.