Coexistence Of Blaoxa-48, Blavim, And Blashv Genes In Klebsiella Pneumoniae And Escherichia Coli Isolated From Urinary Tract Infections: Microbiological And Epidemiological Analysis.

Objectives: To investigate antimicrobial resistance mechanisms of isolated bacterialstrains, and their correlation with virulence profile. Method: The cross-sectional study was conducted in January 2020 at outpatient health centres in Kafrelsheikh Governorate of Egypt, and comprised urine samples from patients regardless of age and gender. Midstream samples were collected into sterile swaps which were kept in ice-cooled boxes until transported to the laboratory within 5h. Antimicrobial resistance profile of the isolated Enterobacteriaceae was done using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method and was confirmed withVitek compact 2. The phenotypic of carbapenemases and extended-spectrum beta lactamase was determined, and polymerase chain reaction was used, as appropriate. Data was analysed using SPSS 20. RESULTS: Of the 199 patients, 101(50.7%) were females and 98(49.3%) were males. The majority 73(36.6%) were aged 30-50 years. Urinary tract infection was found in 68(34.2%) patients. In 28(41.2%) of these patients, there were 32 isolates of Enterobacterales; 21(65.62%) Klebsiella pneumoniae, 7(21.87%) Escherichia coli and 4(12.5%) Enterobacter cloacae. Of the 28(41.2%) patients, 24(85.7%) were infected with a single strain; 17(70.8%) Klebsiella pneumoniae, 4(16.7%) Escherichia coli and 3(12.5%) Enterobacter cloacae. In 3(10.7%) cases, there was co-infection with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and 1(3.6%)sample had mixed infection with Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae. The other 40(58.8%) patients had other causative agents. Housewives, agricultural workers and those aged >50 years had a higher risk of urinary tract infections(p<0.05) Among Klebsiella pneumonia isolates, 6(28.5%) possessed carbapenemase-related genes and 4(19.1%) extended-spectrum beta lactamase-related genes. The carbapenemase related genes were bla-Verona integron-encoded metallo beta lactamase 6(100%) bla-New Delhi metallo beta lactamase-1 4(66.6%) and bla-oxacillinase-48 2(33.3%). The 4(19.1%) cases of extended-spectrum beta lactamase related genes had bla-temoneira gene 3(75%) and bla-sulfhydryl variable gene 4(100%). In Escherichia coli isolates, bla-oxacillinase-48 and bla-Cefotaximase genes were observed in 2(28.5%) cases.Virulence genes uridine diphosphate glucose 4-epimerase, fimbrial adhesion and mannose-resistance adhesin of Klebsiella spp genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates were positive in in 16(76.2%), 14(66.7%) and 10(47.6%) cases, respectively. All 21(100%) isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were negative for mucoviscosity-associated gene A. CONCLUSIONS: There was evidence of the coexistence of bla- oxacillinase-48, bla-Verona integron-encoded metallo beta lactamase and bla-sulfhydryl variable genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli isolates from mixed urinary tract infection samples.

Ultrastructural and molecular implications of ecofriendly made silver nanoparticles treatments in pea (Pisum sativum L.).

BACKGROUND: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are the most widely used nanomaterial in agricultural and environmental applications. In this study, the impact of AgNPs solutions at 20 mg/L, 40 mg/L, 80 mg/L, and 160 mg/L on cell ultrastructure have been examined in pea (Pisum sativum L) using a transmission electron microscope (TEM). The effect of AgNPs treatments on the α, ß esterase (EST), and peroxidase (POX) enzymes expression as well as gain or loss of inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSRs) markers has been described. RESULTS: Different structural malformations in the cell wall and mitochondria, as well as plasmolysis and vacuolation were recorded in root cells. Damaged chloroplast and mitochondria were frequently observed in leaves and the osmiophilic plastoglobuli were more observed as AgNPs concentration increased. Starch grains increased by the treatment with 20 mg/L AgNPs. The expressions of α, ß EST, and POX were slightly changed but considerable polymorphism in ISSR profiles, using 17 different primers, were scored indicating gain or loss of gene loci as a result of AgNPs treatments. This indicates considerable variations in genomic DNA and point mutations that may be induced by AgNPs as a genotoxic nanomaterial. CONCLUSION: AgNPs may be used to induce genetic variation at low concentrations. However, considerations should be given to the uncontrolled use of nanoparticles and calls for evaluating their impact on plant growth and potential genotoxicity are justified.

Temporal Potential of Phragmites australis as a Phytoremediator to Remove Ni and Pb from Water and Sediment in Lake Burullus, Egypt.

In the current work, we investigated the concentration of Ni and Pb in different organs of Phragmites australis to evaluate its potential application as a phytoremediator to remove these two metals from contaminated water and sediment in Lake Burullus (a Ramsar site in Egypt). Above- and below-ground biomass of P. australis, water and sediment were sampled monthly for 1 year at six sites of Lake Burullus (three sites represent each of the northern and southern parts of the lake) using six randomly distributed quadrats (each of 0.5 × 0.5 m) at each sampling site. Significant variation was detected for Ni and Pb concentrations in the sediments and waters between the northern and southern sites of the lake. The biomass of P. australis in the southern sites was greater than that in the northern sites; in addition, the above-ground biomass was higher than the below-ground biomass. The above-ground organs accumulated higher concentrations of Ni and Pb than the below-ground organs. The Ni and Pb standing stocks data indicated that the organs of P. australis extracted higher amounts of Ni and Pb per its area from the southern rather than the northern sites. In the current study, the Ni and Pb above-ground standing stocks increased from the early growing season (February) and reached its peak during August and then decreased. The highest monthly Ni and Pb standing stock (18.2 and 18.4 g m- 2, respectively) was recorded in the above-ground organs of plants in the southern sites in August. The bioaccumulation factor of Ni was 157.6 and 153.4 in the northern and southern sites, respectively, whereas that of Pb was 175.3 and 158.3. The translocation factor of Ni and Pb from the below- to above-ground organs was generally > 1. Thus, this reed species is a potential candidate for Ni and Pb phytoextraction. Based on our results, P. australis could be used for the extraction of Ni and Pb to reduce the pollution in Lake Burullus, if the above-ground biomass is harvested at its maximum value in August, as was the case regarding the maximum standing stock of Ni and Pb.

Bioaccumulation and translocation of nine heavy metals by Eichhornia crassipes in Nile Delta, Egypt: perspectives for phytoremediation.

The current research was carried out to estimate the potential of water hyacinth (WH) for removal of nine heavy metals (HMs) from three irrigation canals in Nile Delta. Sampling was achieved in monospecific and homogeneous WH stands at three irrigation canals in the study area, and WH biomass was sampled at monthly intervals from April 2014 to November 2014 using five randomly distributed quadrats (each 0.5 × 0.5 m) at each canal. All HM concentrations were significantly higher in the roots compared with the other WH organs. The WH was recognized by a bioaccumulation factor >1.0 for all HMs. The WH was recognized by translocation factor <1.0 for all HMs (except Pb). In many cases, the concentrations of the HMs in the different organs of WH were correlated with the same HMs in the water. Such correlations indicate that WH reflects the cumulative influences of environmental pollution from the water, and thereby suggesting its potential use in the bio-monitoring of most examined HMs. In conclusion, WH is a promising macrophyte for remediation of irrigation canals polluted with Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn.