ABSTRACT
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest concerns for human health globally. Developing rapid and accurate methods to identify and characterize AMR is critical to improve patient outcome and limit the spread of antibiotic resistance. High throughput sequencing allows for high-throughput massively sequencing of thousands to billions of DNA fragments independently and simultaneously being used to identify AMR. The 3 main applications of high throughput sequencing in AMR include whole genome sequencing (WGS), targeted NGS (tNGS) and metagenomics NGS (mNGS). The sequencing platforms include the second sequencing platforms (Illumina, Ion Torrent, BGIseq) and the third sequencing platforms (Pacific Biosciences, Oxford Nonopore). The computational prediction of AMR depends largely on the maturation of well-curated gene databases of antimicrobial resistance. Generalized, specialized and hidden Markov model-based databases have been developed and updated continuously. We highlighted the high throughput sequencing technologies, computational methods, platforms and AMR databases used in antimicrobial resistance studies.
ABSTRACT
BackgroundIn view of the gravity of the problem of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic bacteria against conventional bactericidal agents, investigation on alternative approaches to combat bacterial infections is warranted.ObjectiveCurrent study aimed at investigating anti-infective potential of a polyherbal ayurvedic formulation namely panchvalkal against three different pathogenic bacteria.Materials and methodsThe panchvalkal formulation available as Pentaphyte P5® was tested for its possible in vitro quorum-modulatory potential against Chromobacterium violaceum, Serratia marcescens, and Staphylococcus aureus through broth dilution assay. Invivo efficacy was demonstrated employing Caenorhabditis elegans as the model host for test pathogens.ResultsThis formulation was found to exert quorum-modulatory effect on C. violaceum, S. marcescens, and S. aureus at 250–750 μg/ml. Besides altering production of the quorum sensing-regulated pigments in these bacteria, the test formulation also had in vitro effect on antibiotic susceptibility, catalase activity and haemolytic potential of the pathogens. Invivo assay confirmed the protective effect of this panchvalkal formulation on C. elegans, when challenged with the pathogenic bacteria. Repeated exposure of S. aureus to panchvalkal did not induce resistance in this bacterium.ConclusionTo the best of our awareness, this the first report on quorum-modulatory potential of panchvalkal formulation, validating the anti-infective potential and moderate prebiotic property of this polyherbal preparation.