Prevalence of multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant phenotypes of Gram-negative bacilli isolated in clinical specimens at Centre Hospitalo-Universitaire Ibn Rochd, Morocco.

Introduction: antimicrobial resistance in gram-negative bacilli is one of the major concerns in public health. We aimed to evaluate gram-negative bacilli epidemiology, antimicrobial profiles, and the resistance´s mechanism for Enterobacteriaceae isolated from specimens of hospitalized patients in wards of University Hospital Center Ibn Rochd of Casablanca, Morocco. Methods: a prospective study of the patient's specimens, collected from December 2016 to 31st March 2017. Isolation and identification were performed using conventional biochemical tests. According to the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing guidelines, antibiotic susceptibility was determined. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) was used to detect ß-lactamase and carabapenemase genes: CTX-M, SHV, TEM, OXA-48, NDM, and VIM among the Enterobacteriaceae. Results: according to inclusion criteria, 38 Enterobacteriaceae, 25 Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), and 10 Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were included during the study period; these bacteria were mainly responsible for bacteremia. Fifty-five percent of enterobacteria were extended-spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL), 42% EBSL and carbapenemase, and 3% carbapenemase, with high coresistances. Eighty-four percent of A. baumannii were XDR. All P. aeruginosa were MDR; amikacin showed the best activity (70% susceptibility). The genotypic approach revealed the presence of blaCTX-M, blaSHV, blaTEM in 68%, 22%, and 11% respectively. Of the 22 carbapenemase-producers, 41% were blaOXA-48 and 18% blaNDM; none had blaVIM. Furthermore, various genes coexistence were detected: blaCTX-M+blaOXA-48; blaCTX-M+blaNDM; blaCTX-M+blaSHV+blaOXA-48; and blaSHV+blaOXA-48. Conclusion: findings revealed highly resistance rate among isolates. This raises the need to control antibiotics and regular screening to identify dynamics promoting resistance. Thus, we recommend developing antimicrobial stewardship programs and improving hygiene systems to prevent the nosocomial spreading of these phenotypes in our center.

Identification and assessment of antimicrobial resistance bacteria in a hemodialysis water treatment system.

The water treatment process is a vital factor for hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study aimed to assess the degree of contamination of HD water by bacteria at the HD center of Mohammedia, Morocco, in addition to evaluating the antimicrobial resistance of isolated bacteria. Fifty-four water samples were taken, the appropriate cultures were used to isolate the pathogenic bacteria, which were identified biochemically and molecularly by 16S RNA sequencing. Their susceptibility to antimicrobial drugs was determined by the disk diffusion method. Approximately 5.5% of water samples were above the norm. The isolated bacteria that colonized the HD systems were mostly Gram-negative bacilli, such as Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Pseudomonas spp., and Burkholderia cepacian. Results of the antibiotics test showed remarkable resistance levels. Among Pseudomonas spp. and S. maltophilia, 10 strains were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR), and 4 as extensively drug-resistant (XDR). The diversity of bacterial strains isolated in the water used for HD treatments, and their worrying resistance levels pose a significant risk to patients. For these reasons, an urgent need for periodic microbiological monitoring of water after each treatment step must be applied, and the treatment process should also be optimized.

A Review on Cistus sp.: Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activities.

Resistance to drugs is reaching alarming levels and is placing human health at risk. With the lack of new antimicrobials drugs, infectious diseases are becoming harder to treat. Hence, there is an increasing awareness of active phytochemicals with therapeutic functions. The tremendous research interest on the Cistus L. genus includes numerous plants used in traditional medicine by people living around the Mediterranean Sea, also resulted in some interesting discoveries and written literature. This review aimed at gathering scientific literature about Cistus species, describing phytochemical profiles and the various pharmacological activities. We also extensively reviewed the antimicrobial activities, including antiviral, antiparasitic, antifungal, and antibacterial potentials of Essential Oils (EO), raw extracts as well as isolated compounds. Mechanisms of action along with methods used are also investigated in this review. Considering the findings of the Cistus species extracts, this genus offers an adequate reserve of active phytochemicals since many have been used to create drugs. Therefore, this review work can serve society by providing a global view on Cistus L. sp. regarding pharmacological potentials and their chemical profiles.

Phytochemical Analysis, Cytotoxic, Antioxidant, and Antibacterial Activities of Lichens.

BACKGROUND: Lichens present a complex symbiotic relationship between a filamentous fungus, photoautotrophic partner (algae or cyanobacteria), and bacterial community. The Objective of the Study. This study aimed at investigating the chemical composition and cytotoxic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities of acetone extracts of Moroccan Evernia prunastri (E. prunastri), Ramalina farinacea (R. farinacea), and Pseudevernia furfuracea (P. furfuracea). Materials and Methods. The phytochemical analysis was carried out by HPLC-UV. The cytotoxic effect was assessed on human prostate cancer (22RV1), human colon carcinoma (HT-29), human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2), and Hamster ovarian cancer (CHO) cells lines by WST1 assay. The antioxidant power was assessed by DPPH and FRAP assays. The antibacterial effect was obtained using the broth microdilution method. RESULTS: The findings of phytochemical analysis showed that the lichens studied possess interesting bioactive molecules such as physodalic acid, evernic acid, and usnic acid, as well as protocetraric acid. According to the American National Cancer Institute guidelines, the WST-1 test showed that all crude extracts did not show significant cytotoxic effects against all concerous cell lines, and IC50 values ranged from 42.30 to 140.24 µg/mL. Regarding the antioxidant activity, P. furfuracea extract showed the highest free-radical-scavenging ability (IC50 = 498.40 µg/mL). The most potent antibacterial extract was recorded for P. furfuracea extract with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ranging from 0.039 to 0.31 mg/mL. CONCLUSION: In this research work, we report that the studied lichen extracts exhibit an important biological effect, supporting that lichens represent a hopeful source of original natural products for the research of new bioactive molecules having a pharmaceutical interest.