[Detection of plasmid-mediated AmpC beta-lactamase production in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella spp. isolates]. / Escherichia coli ve Klebsiella spp. izolatlarinda plazmid kaynakli AmpC beta-laktamaz üretiminin arastirilmasi

This study was conducted to obtain data about prevalence of plasmid-mediated AmpC (pAmpC), efficacy of various phenotypic tests applied for the detection of pAmpC-mediated resistance and the enzyme types responsible for this resistance. A total of 1316 isolates (1030 Escherichia coli and 286 Klebsiella spp.) obtained from the clinical samples sent to our laboratory between 2008-2011 period, from various inpatient and outpatient clinics and intensive care units, were included in this study. Antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of the isolates were determined by using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Production of pAmpC was phenotypically investigated by Boronic Acid Inhibition Test (BAIT), Cefoxitin Hodge Test (CHT) and AmpC Disk Test (ACDT) in a total of 36 (2.7%) cefoxitin-resistant isolates (77% were E.coli, 23% were K.pneumoniae); and by synergy tests with or without AmpC inhibitors in a total of 165 (88% were E.coli, 12% were K.pneumoniae) cefoxitin-susceptible, third generation cephalosporin-resistant (S3R) isolates. For the detection of pAmpC genes a multiplex-PCR protocol was applied to the isolates found positive at least by one of the phenotypic tests. CHT, ACDT and BAIT were found positive in 21 (58%), 18 (50%) and 7 (19%) of the 36 cefoxitin-resistant isolates, respectively. In only 10 (27.7%) of these isolates (all were E.coli strains), pAmpC presence was detected by PCR; and the enzyme produced was assessed as CMY-2. Based on the positive PCR results; specificity rates of the phenotypic tests, BAIT, ACDT and CHT were 97%, 69% and 58%; while the sensitivity rates were 50%, 100% and 100%, respectively. Our data indicated that, pAmpC prevalence (10/1316, 0.8%) detected in this study, did not seem to be an important problem yet, in the population screened. However, since the first detection of this resistance was in 2010, it should be considered as a sign to get necessary precautions preventing its spread. In conclusion, none of the phenotypic methods were satisfactory alone for the detection of pAmpC-mediated resistance; and BAIT was superior in terms of specificity while the others were superior in terms of sensitivity. Thus, combined application of these phenotypic tests are necessary to screen and confirm the presence of pAmpC-mediated resistance.

Apilarnil reduces fear and advances sexual development in male broilers but has no effect on growth.

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the possibility of stimulating sexual development at an early age in male and female broiler chickens by administration of apilarnil, a natural bee product, in the pre-pubertal period. 2. From 28 to 55 d of age, birds were given apilarnil orally. The effects of low (2.5 g/bird) and high (7.5 g/bird) doses of apilarnil on growth performance, testicular weight, secondary sexual characteristics, blood lipids, testosterone and fearful behaviour were evaluated. 3. Apilarnil administration did not cause a positive effect on growth performance of male and female broilers suggesting that apilarnil did not have an anabolic effect. 4. Apilarnil administration suppressed blood glucose and cholesterol. 5. Birds receiving apilarnil remained immobile for a shorter period in a tonic imobiliy test and showed less home-cage avoidance responses suggesting a lower level of fearfulness. 6. Increases in testicular weight, testosterone concentration and comb growth in males receiving apilarnil implied that it stimulates the sexual maturation at an early age. However, a similar stimulation of secondary sexual characteristics was not observed in females.

[Antibiotic resistance rates of Shigella species isolated from stool cultures in the years 1999-2003]. / Diski kültürlerinden 1999-2003 yillari arasinda izole edilen Shigella türleri ve antibiyotiklere direnç oranlari.

In this study, species distribution, seasonal isolation rates and antibiotic susceptibilitiy patterns of 115 Shigella spp, isolated from 5396 stool samples in our microbiology laboratory between 1999 and 2003, were investigated. Of the isolates, 96 (83.5%) were S. sonnei, 15 (13%) were S. flexneri, 3 (2.6%) were S. dysenteriae and 1 (1.9%) was S. boydii. Maximum isolation rates were observed at summer and fall seasons, especially in August, September and November (24%, 40%, 17%, respectively). The resistance rates against trimetoprime-sulphametoxasole and ampicillin were 79.1% and 19.1%, respectively. The rate of co-resistance against these two drugs was 12.2 percent. No isolate was found to be resistant to ciprofloxacin. Only one S. sonnei isolate had extended spectrum beta-lactamase detected by double-disk synergy test. In conclusion, ciprofloxacin is the drug of choice for empirical treatment of shigellosis. However, to avoid the loss of this choice, ampicillin which still has an high effectivity rate, should be preferred for the treatment of shigellosis with the guidence of antibiogram results. On the other hand, emergence of ESBL production among Shigella spp. after Salmonella spp. should warn us about the unexpected results of inappropriate antibiotic therapy.

[Short communication: prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamases in gram negative rods: data of 2001-2004 period]. / Kisa bildiri: gram negatif çomaklarda genis spektrumlu beta-laktamaz sikligi: 2001-2004 yili verileri.

This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production by Gram negative rods (GNRs) isolated from various clinical specimens (3.240 urine, 336 pus, 277 feces, 83 blood, 38 sputum) sent to our hospital laboratory, between 2001-2004. Of isolated bacteria 71.4% were identified as Escherichia coli, 11.1% were Klebsiella spp, 4.2% were Salmonella spp, 3.7% were Pseudomonas spp, 3.5% were Proteus spp, 2.9% were Shigella spp, 2.3% were Enterobacter spp, 0.5% were Acinetobacter spp, 0.12% of each Serratia spp, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, 0.1% were Citrobacter spp, and one of each Providencia spp and Pantoeae spp. (0.02%). ESBL production were screened by using the double disk synergy test. Of a total of 3.974 isolates, 269 (6.8%) were found to be ESBL producers. Klebsiella spp had the highest rate (14.3%) which was followed by Enterobacter spp (8.6%) and E.coli (6.7%). All of the S.maltophilia isolates were resistant to carbapenems. One of the Shigella spp was found to be an ESBL producer, being the first case from Turkey and the fifth from the world. There was statistically significant difference in distribution of ESBL producing isolates between hospitalized (16%) and non-hospitalized patients (5%) (p<0.01). A significant increase in ESBL production rates (from 3.8% in 2001 to 10.6% in 2004) was observed over time (p<0.05). The increasing trend (about 300% in four years) in ESBL production rates, should be considered as an indicator for expansion propensity and speed of the threat against the effective treatment of infections, and possible preventive strategies should be established.

Nocardia farcinica brain abscess, a case report and review of the literature

La infección por nocardia no es rara, como se cree y su tasa de mortalidad es alta. Se aisla en las plantas y en el suelo en muchas regiones del mundo. Los huéspedes reúnen factores predisponentes y se adquiere a través del tracto respiratorio o de la piel. Estos microorganismos tienen tendencia a diseminarse por vía hematógena desde el punto de la infección hasta el cerebro, riñon, articulaciones, huesos y ojos. Se prefieren las sulfami-das, empíricamente, para el tratamiento. A causa del gran número de recurrencias, el tratamiento debe continuar durante 12 meses. En la infección por nocardia farcinica, debe tenerse en cuenta la resistencia característica a las cefalosporinas. En este artículo, se presenta un caso raro de infección por nocardia farcinica, con un absceso cerebral solitario. Se revisa la literatura (AU)

Nocardia infection is not rare as generally been assumed and its mortality rate is high. It is isolated from plants and soil in most regions of the worid. The hosts usually have predisposing conditions and the infection is acquired through the respiratory tract or skin. Nocardial organisms have a tendency to dissemi¬nate hematogenously from the primary site of infection to brain, kidney, joints, bones and eyes. Sulfonamides are preferred empirically for the treatment. Because of high relapse rates, the treatment must be continued for 12 months. In nocardia farcinica infection, the characte¬ristic resistance pattem to cephalosporines must be kept in mind. In this article, a rare case of nocardia farcinica infection with a solitary cerebral abscess is presented and the literature is reviewed (AU)

Prevalence of Candida dubliniensis among the stored vaginal Candida isolates in a Turkish hospital.

In this study, 600 stored Candida species, isolated from vaginal samples of immunocompetent women, and phenotypically identified as C. albicans on the basis of a positive germ tube test, were screened for the presence of C. dubliniensis by three phenotypical methods. Only one strain (0.17%) failed to grow at 45 degrees C, and produced abundant chlamydospores on both the cornmeal-Tween 80 agar and the Staib agar. This strain was identified as C. dubliniensis by using the ID-32C kit (bioMerieux Vitek) and confirmed by DNA sequencing of internal transcript spacer (ITS) region.

Effects of inclusion of poultry by-product meal and enzyme-prebiotic supplementation in grower diets on performance and feed digestibility of broilers.

1. Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of level of inclusion of poultry by-product and enzyme-prebiotic supplementation on grower diet digestibility and the performance of broilers. 2. Six grower diets were formulated to provide a similar nutrient profile with the exception of using three graded levels of poultry by-product, namely 0, 25, 40 g/kg of the diet with and without supplementation of enzyme preparation at the rate of 1 kg per tonne of feed and prebiotic preparation at the rate of 2 kg per tonne of feed. The experimental diets were used from 3 to 6 weeks of age. 3. Body weights, feed intake and feed conversion efficiency were not affected by poultry by-product; however, enzyme-prebiotic had a significant positive effect on feed conversion efficiency at 0 to 6 weeks in experiment 1. 4. Crude protein digestibility was decreased by feeding the diet containing poultry by-product while ether extract digestibility was increased by poultry by-product at the rate of 25 g per kg of feed only. Dry matter retention, crude fibre digestibility and organic matter retention were not affected by poultry by-product. Dry matter and organic matter retentions, crude protein, ether extract and crude fibre digestibilities were not affected by enzyme-prebiotic. 5. Protein efficiency ratio (PER) values were increased by poultry by-product at the rate of 40 g per kg of feed and addition of enzyme-prebiotic.

An extremely uncommon infection: Candida glabrata arthritis after total knee arthroplasty.

Prosthetic arthritis caused by Candida species is extremely rare. Of 30 such cases reported in the English literature, only 3 were due to Candida glabrata. We present herein a fourth case; to the best of our knowledge this is the first example of knee arthroplasty infection caused by C. glabrata.

Effect of dietary methionine on performance, carcase characteristics and breast meat composition of heterozygous naked neck (Na/na+) birds under spring and summer conditions.

1. Heterozygous naked neck (Na/na+) birds and their normally feathered counterparts (na+/na+) were fed from 0 to 7 weeks on 3 diets differing in methionine concentrations. From 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks, respectively, the concentrations were: low containing 4.3 and 3.3 g/kg; optimum containing 5.0 and 3.8 g/kg and; high with 5.7 and 4.4 g/kg under spring (optimum ambient temperature) and summer conditions (high ambient temperature). Performance, carcase characteristics and breast meat chemical composition were determined. 2. Summer rearing resulted in a decrease in body weight, body weight gain, food consumption, and yields of carcase and breast. The summer temperature effect was more pronounced in males. Under summer temperatures, the protein content of the breast decreased while the fat content increased compared to birds reared in spring. 3. By 7 weeks of age, both genotypes reached similar body weights in the spring experiment while, in summer Na/na+ birds were 3.3% heavier and gained more in the period from 3 to 7 weeks than na+/na+ birds. Carcase and breast yields of Na/na+ birds were greater than in na+/na+ birds. 3. Second order polynomial coefficients of the dietary methionine effect were found to be significant for body weight at 3 and 7 weeks. Daily body weight gain between 3 and 7 weeks was linearly affected by the dietary methionine concentration. There was no interaction between genotype and methionine. 4. Methionine had no significant effect on carcase yield. Second order polynomial coefficients of the dietary methionine effect were found to be significant for breast yield while the methionine effect on abdominal fat was linear. Na/na+ females fed on the low methionine diet had lower protein content than the Na/na+ males. 5. It is concluded that the methionine requirement of Na/na+ birds did not differ from that of their normally feathered counterparts under either spring or summer ambient temperature conditions.

Effect of season and dietary energy concentration on composition and strength of skin in naked neck fowl.

1. Two experiments, in spring and summer, were conducted to evaluate the effect of dietary energy concentration on the composition and strength of the skin of naked neck fowl. The heterozygous naked neck birds were also compared with their normally feathered sibs under summer temperatures. 2. The average temperatures were 21.2 degrees C and 27.1 degrees C in spring and summer experiments, respectively. Three concentrations of dietary energy were fed to the birds. The diets used were: a low energy diet of 12.12 MJ ME/kg; a medium energy diet of 12.96 MJ ME/kg; and a high energy diet of 13.79 MJ ME/kg. Two protein concentration per energy treatment, 230 and 200 g/kg, respectively were used from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks of age. 3. A significant season sex interaction showed that the skin of males had higher protein and collagen and lower dry matter and fat content than that of females, when grown under summer conditions. No sex differences were present under spring conditions. 4. The differences between sexes was not significant in spring but males had stronger skin than females in summer. Neither ambient temperature nor dietary energy concentration significantly affected skin displacement of naked neck birds. 5. In comparing the naked neck and their normally feathered sibs in the summer experiment, it was found that naked neck birds had lower skin fat content and higher skin protein content than normally feathered birds.

Influence of dietary energy on bird performance, carcase parts yields and nutrient composition of breast meat of heterozygous naked neck broilers reared at natural optimum and summer temperatures.

1. Heterozygous naked neck birds were raised under natural spring (average 21.2 degrees C) and summer temperatures (average 27.1 degrees C) to investigate the influence of dietary energy on broiler performance, carcase yield and nutrient composition of breast meat. 2. Birds were fed on a low energy diet of 12.12 MJ ME/kg, a medium energy diet of 12.96 MJ ME/kg and a high energy diet of 13.79 MJ ME/kg with 2 protein concentrations per energy treatment, 230 and 200 g/kg, from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks of age, respectively. 3. Summer rearing resulted in a decrease in body weight, body weight gain, carcase weight and carcase part yields of birds. 4. Increasing dietary energy from 12.12 to 13.79 MJ ME/kg increased body weight at 3 and 7 weeks, body weight gains from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks, carcase weights and relative abdominal fat weights of birds in a linear manner. There was no effect of dietary energy on the nutrient composition of breast meat. 5. It was concluded that there was no differences in dietary energy requirements of heterozygous naked neck birds when grown under natural optimum (21.2 degrees C) and summer temperatures (27.1 degrees C).

Effect of dietary protein content on live and carcase performance of heterozygous naked neck and normally feathered broilers.

1. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different dietary protein contents on the performance of naked neck (Na/na) and normally feathered (na/na) broilers. 2. Chicks from the two genotypes were reared in wire-floored cages and divided at random into 3 groups. Birds were fed on high protein (HP, 12.99 MJ ME, 238 g crude protein/kg and 12.94 MJ ME, 216 g crude protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks, respectively), medium protein (MP, 12.99 MJ ME, 219 g crude protein/kg and 12.87 MJ ME, 201 g crude protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks), and low protein (LP, 12.94 MJ ME, 205 g crude protein/kg and 12.75 MJ ME, 184 g protein/kg from 0 to 3 and 3 to 7 weeks) diets. 3. The LP diets resulted in a significantly lower daily body weight gain of males from 0 to 3 weeks. Dietary protein content had no effect on body weight gain from 3 to 7 weeks, body weight at 7 weeks, and the food intake of birds. Carcase composition of birds from both genotypes was unaffected by dietary protein. 4. Naked neck birds had significantly higher body weights at 7 weeks. Yields of carcase and breast of Na/na males were significantly higher than those of na/na males. There were no significant differences between females from the two genotypes as regards carcase yield. 5. It was concluded that the dietary protein requirements of naked neck birds were similar to those for normally feathered birds.