# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 4745 | 0 | 1.0000 | Determination of Antimicrobial Resistance and the Impact of Imipenem + Cilastatin Synergy with Tetracycline in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Sepsis. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is among the most ubiquitous bacteria in the natural world, exhibiting metabolic and physiological versatility, which makes it highly adaptable. Imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline are antibiotic combinations commonly used to treat infections caused by P. aeruginosa, including serious infections such as sepsis. In the context of bacterial infections, biofilm, formed by bacterial cells surrounded by extracellular substances forming a matrix, plays a pivotal role in the resistance of P. aeruginosa to antibiotics. This study aimed to characterize a representative panel of P. aeruginosa isolates from septicemias, assessing their susceptibility to various antibiotics, specifically, imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline, and the impact of these treatments on biofilm formation. Results from antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed sensitivity in most isolates to six antibiotics, with four showing near or equal to 100% sensitivity. However, resistance was observed in some antibiotics, albeit at minimal levels. Notably, tetracycline showed a 100% resistance phenotype, while imipenem + cilastatin predominantly displayed an intermediate phenotype (85.72%), with some resistance (38.1%). Microdilution susceptibility testing identified effective combinations against different isolates. Regarding biofilm formation, P. aeruginosa demonstrated the ability to produce biofilms. The staining of microtiter plates confirmed that specific concentrations of imipenem + cilastatin and tetracycline could inhibit biofilm production. A significant proportion of isolates exhibited resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics because of the presence of modifying genes (aac(3)-II and aac(3)-III), reducing their effectiveness. This study also explored various resistance genes, unveiling diverse resistance mechanisms among P. aeruginosa isolates. Several virulence genes were detected, including the las quorum-sensing system genes (lasI and lasR) in a significant proportion of isolates, contributing to virulence factor activation. However, genes related to the type IV pili (T4P) system (pilB and pilA) were found in limited isolates. In conclusion, this comprehensive study sheds light on the intricate dynamics of P. aeruginosa, a remarkably adaptable bacterium with a widespread presence in the natural world. Our findings provide valuable insights into the ongoing battle against P. aeruginosa infections, highlighting the need for tailored antibiotic therapies and innovative approaches to combat biofilm-related resistance. | 2023 | 38004699 |
| 4744 | 1 | 0.9998 | Whole-Genome Sequencing of Resistance, Virulence and Regulation Genes in Extremely Resistant Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a clinically significant opportunistic pathogen, renowned for its ability to acquire and develop diverse mechanisms of antibiotic resistance. This study examines the resistance, virulence, and regulatory mechanisms in extensively drug-resistant clinical strains of P. aeruginosa. METHODS: Antibiotic susceptibility was assessed using the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) method, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on the Illumina NovaSeq platform. RESULTS: The analysis demonstrated a higher prevalence of virulence genes compared to resistance and regulatory genes. Key virulence factors identified included secretion systems, motility, adhesion, and biofilm formation. Resistance mechanisms observed comprised efflux pumps and beta-lactamases, while regulatory systems involved two-component systems, transcriptional regulators, and sigma factors. Additionally, phenotypic profiles were found to correlate with resistance genes identified through genotypic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the significant resistance and virulence of the clinical P. aeruginosa strains analyzed, highlighting the urgent need for alternative strategies to address infections caused by extensively drug-resistant bacteria. | 2025 | 39846701 |
| 5672 | 2 | 0.9998 | Antibiotic Resistance, Biofilm Formation, and Presence of Genes Encoding Virulence Factors in Strains Isolated from the Pharmaceutical Production Environment. The spread of bacterial resistance to antibiotics affects various areas of life. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and other bacteria mainly from orders Enterobacterales and Staphylococcus in the pharmaceutical production sites, and to characterize isolated strains in the aspects of antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, and presence of genes encoding virulence factors. Genes encoding selected virulence factors were detected using PCR techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was applied in accordance with the EUCAST recommendations. A total of 46 P. aeruginosa strains were isolated and 85% strains showed a strong biofilm-forming ability. The qualitative identification of genes taking part in Quorum Sensing system demonstrated that over 89% of strains contained lasR and rhlI genes. An antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed nine strains resistant to at least one antibiotic, and two isolates were the metallo-β-lactamase producers. Moreover, the majority of P. aeruginosa strains contained genes encoding various virulence factors. Presence of even low level of pathogenic microorganisms or higher level of opportunistic pathogens and their toxic metabolites might result in the production inefficiency. Therefore, the prevention of microbial contamination, effectiveness of sanitary and hygienic applied protocols, and constant microbiological monitoring of the environment are of great importance. | 2021 | 33513933 |
| 5657 | 3 | 0.9997 | Biofilm and Antibiotic Resistance Study of Bacteria Involved in Nosocomial Infections. Nosocomial infections are increasingly problematic due to growing bacterial resistance. Biofilms play a key role in the persistence of these infections, leading to treatment failures and poor patient outcomes. Addressing antibiotic resistance within biofilms is especially critical in hospitals, making it essential to develop new strategies to manage biofilm-related infections and curb bacterial resistance. The study, conducted at the regional hospital center in Agadir, Morocco, analyzed 75 bacteria (37 antibiotic-sensitive and 38 resistant). Seven bacteria were isolated from catheters, and others from preserved samples. Biofilm formation was assessed using the tissue culture plate (TCP) method, involving strain recovery; culture on cystine, lactose, electrolyte-deficient (CLED) medium; microplate inoculation; staining with crystal violet; and optical density (OD) measurement. The results showed that 77.33% of the bacteria formed biofilms. All catheter-isolated bacteria showed biofilm formation. Strong biofilm production was observed in 66.67% of Acinetobacter baumannii and in most Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. Enterobacteriaceae also demonstrated significant biofilm formation. Notably, 70% of carbapenem-resistant bacteria showed strong biofilm production. Most nosocomial bacteria form biofilms, with a higher prevalence in antibiotic-resistant strains. Sensitive bacteria also form biofilms but less frequently. Bacterial conjugation may facilitate the acquisition of carbapenem resistance within biofilms. | 2025 | 39926624 |
| 5671 | 4 | 0.9997 | Biofilms and antibiotic susceptibility of multidrug-resistant bacteria from wild animals. BACKGROUND: The "One Health" concept recognizes that human health and animal health are interdependent and bound to the health of the ecosystem in which they (co)exist. This interconnection favors the transmission of bacteria and other infectious agents as well as the flow of genetic elements containing antibiotic resistance genes. This problem is worsened when pathogenic bacteria have the ability to establish as biofilms. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics and behaviour of microorganisms in both planktonic and biofilms states from the most diverse environmental niches to mitigate the emergence and dissemination of resistance. METHODS: The purpose of this work was to assess the antibiotic susceptibility of four bacteria (Acinetobacter spp., Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas fluorescens and Shewanella putrefaciens) isolated from wild animals and their ability to form biofilms. The effect of two antibiotics, imipenem (IPM) and ciprofloxacin (CIP), on biofilm removal was also assessed. Screening of resistance genetic determinants was performed by PCR. Biofilm tests were performed by a modified microtiter plate method. Bacterial surface hydrophobicity was determined by sessile drop contact angles. RESULTS: The susceptibility profile classified the bacteria as multidrug-resistant. Three genes coding for β-lactamases were detected in K. pneumoniae (TEM, SHV, OXA-aer) and one in P. fluorescens (OXA-aer). K. pneumoniae was the microorganism that carried more β-lactamase genes and it was the most proficient biofilm producer, while P. fluorescens demonstrated the highest adhesion ability. Antibiotics at their MIC, 5 × MIC and 10 × MIC were ineffective in total biofilm removal. The highest biomass reductions were found with IPM (54% at 10 × MIC) against K. pneumoniae biofilms and with CIP (40% at 10 × MIC) against P. fluorescens biofilms. DISCUSSION: The results highlight wildlife as important host reservoirs and vectors for the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria and genetic determinants of resistance. The ability of these bacteria to form biofilms should increase their persistence. | 2018 | 29910986 |
| 4817 | 5 | 0.9997 | Relationship Between Biofilm Formation and Antimicrobial Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria. Gram-negative microorganisms are a significant cause of infection in both community and nosocomial settings. The increase, emergence, and spread of antimicrobial resistance among bacteria are the most important health problems worldwide. One of the mechanisms of resistance used by bacteria is biofilm formation, which is also a mechanism of virulence. This study analyzed the possible relationship between antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation among isolates of three Gram-negative bacteria species. Several relationships were found between the ability to form biofilm and antimicrobial resistance, being different for each species. Indeed, gentamicin and ceftazidime resistance was related to biofilm formation in Escherichia coli, piperacillin/tazobactam, and colistin in Klebsiella pneumoniae, and ciprofloxacin in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, no relationship was observed between global resistance or multidrug-resistance and biofilm formation. In addition, compared with other reported data, the isolates in the present study showed higher rates of antimicrobial resistance. In conclusion, the acquisition of specific antimicrobial resistance can compromise or enhance biofilm formation in several species of Gram-negative bacteria. However, multidrug-resistant isolates do not show a trend to being greater biofilm producers than non-multiresistant isolates. | 2019 | 30142035 |
| 5674 | 6 | 0.9997 | Evaluation of Resistance by Clinically Pathogenic Bacteria to Antimicrobials and Common Disinfectants in Beijing, China. BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria is well recognized among clinicians; however, studies that directly evaluate the bacterial resistance to commonly used disinfectants in clinical settings are lacking. Currently available reports focus on the resistance of single strains to single disinfectants and do not adequately examine the degree of resistance and cross-resistance to antimicrobials in the large-scale clinical use of disinfectants. METHODS: We investigated the resistance capacity to 11 antibiotics and 7 chemical disinfectants by bacterial strains collected from body fluids of patients in 10 hospitals in Beijing, China over a 1-year period. Bacterial resistance to disinfectants was tested using minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration using agar dilution methods based on commercially available reference strains. RESULTS: A total of 1,104 pathogenic strains were identified, of which 23% were Gram-positive bacteria, 74% were Gram-negative bacteria, and 3% were fungi. Overall, resistance to antibiotics for the most common strains was significantly higher than their resistance to disinfectants. The least effective antibiotics and disinfectants were aztreonam and glutaral, respectively, exhibiting the highest overall resistance rates; while amikacin and alcohol had the lowest resistance rates. Consistently, Acinetobacter baumannii exhibited the most resistance, while Escherichia coli had the least resistance for both antibiotics and disinfectants. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the pathogen spectrum for bacterial infective pathogens evaluated in this study, as well as the status quo of their resistance to antimicrobial agents and common clinical disinfectants, it is essential for healthcare professionals to pay attention not only to the standardized use of antimicrobial agents but also to the rational application of disinfectants. | 2018 | 30568055 |
| 5760 | 7 | 0.9997 | Downregulation of Klebsiella pneumoniae RND efflux pump genes following indole signal produced by Escherichia coli. BACKGROUND: More than a century has passed since it was discovered that many bacteria produce indole, but research into the actual biological roles of this molecule is just now beginning. The influence of indole on bacterial virulence was extensively investigated in indole-producing bacteria like Escherichia coli. To gain a deeper comprehension of its functional role, this study investigated how indole at concentrations of 0.5-1.0 mM found in the supernatant of Escherichia coli stationary phase culture was able to alter the virulence of non-indole-producing bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, and Klebsiella pneumoniae, which are naturally exposed to indole in mixed infections with Escherichia coli. RESULTS: Biofilm formation, antimicrobial susceptibility, and efflux pump activity were the three phenotypic tests that were assessed. Indole was found to influence antibiotic susceptibly of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae to ciprofloxacin, imipenem, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, and amikacin through significant reduction in MIC with fold change ranged from 4 to 16. Biofilm production was partially abrogated in both 32/45 Pseudomonas aeruginosa and all eight Proteus mirabilis, while induced biofilm production was observed in 30/40 Klebsiella pneumoniae. Moreover, acrAB and oqxAB, which encode four genes responsible for resistance-nodulation-division multidrug efflux pumps in five isolates of Klebsiella pneumoniae were investigated genotypically using quantitative real-time (qRT)-PCR. This revealed that all four genes exhibited reduced expression indicated by 2^-ΔΔCT < 1 in indole-treated isolates compared to control group. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of qRT-PCR investigation of efflux pump expression have established a novel clear correlation of the molecular mechanism that lies beneath the influence of indole on bacterial antibiotic tolerance. This research provides novel perspectives on the various mechanisms and diverse biological functions of indole signaling and how it impacts the pathogenicity of non-indole-producing bacteria. | 2024 | 39182027 |
| 4816 | 8 | 0.9997 | Sub-inhibitory concentrations of colistin and imipenem impact the expression of biofilm-associated genes in Acinetobacter baumannii. Acinetobacter baumannii is an opportunistic pathogen that is responsible for nosocomial infections. Imipenem and colistin are drugs that are commonly used to treat severe infections caused by A. baumannii, such as sepsis, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and bacteremia. However, some strains of A. baumannii have become resistant to these drugs, which is a concern for public health. Biofilms produced by A. baumannii increase their resistance to antibiotics and the cells within the inner layers of biofilm are exposed to sub-inhibitory concentrations (sub-MICs) of antibiotics. There is limited information available regarding how the genes of A. baumannii are linked to biofilm formation when the bacteria are exposed to sub-MICs of imipenem and colistin. Thus, this study's objective was to explore this relationship by examining the genes involved in biofilm formation in A. baumannii when exposed to low levels of imipenem and colistin. The study found that exposing an isolate of A. baumannii to low levels of these drugs caused changes in their drug susceptibility pattern. The relative gene expression profiles of the biofilm-associated genes exhibited a change in their expression profile during short-term and long-term exposure. This study highlights the potential consequences of overuse and misuse of antibiotics, which can help bacteria become resistant to these drugs. | 2024 | 38489041 |
| 5759 | 9 | 0.9997 | The Relationship between Antibiotic Susceptibility and pH in the Case of Uropathogenic Bacteria. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common bacterial infections caused mainly by enteric bacteria. Numerous virulence factors assist bacteria in the colonization of the bladder. Bacterial efflux pumps also contribute to bacterial communication and to biofilm formation. In this study, the phenotypic and genetic antibiotic resistance of clinical UTI pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis were determined by disk diffusion method and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Following this, different classes of antibiotics were evaluated for their antibacterial activity at pH 5, 6, 7 and 8 by a microdilution method. Gentamicin (GEN) was the most potent antibacterial agent against E. coli strains. The effect of GEN on the relative expression of marR and sdiA genes was evaluated by quantitative PCR. The slightly acidic pH (pH 6) and GEN treatment induced the upregulation of marR antibiotic resistance and sdiA QS activator genes in both E. coli strains. Consequently, bacteria had become more susceptible to GEN. It can be concluded that antibiotic activity is pH dependent and so the artificial manipulation of urinary pH can contribute to a more effective therapy of multidrug resistant bacterial infections. | 2021 | 34943643 |
| 5673 | 10 | 0.9997 | Antimicrobial Resistance, Genetic Lineages, and Biofilm Formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolated from Human Infections: An Emerging One Health Concern. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) is a leading nosocomial pathogen and has great versatility due to a complex interplay between antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. PA has also turned into one the most relevant model organisms for the study of biofilm-associated infections. The objective of the study focused on analyzing the antimicrobial susceptibility, resistance genes, virulence factors, and biofilm formation ability of thirty-two isolates of PA. PA isolates were characterized by the following analyses: susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents, the presence of resistance genes and virulence factors in PCR assays, and the quantification of biofilm production as evaluated by two distinct assays. Selected PA isolates were analyzed through multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Thirty PA isolates have a multi-resistant phenotype, and most of the isolates showed high levels of resistance to the tested antibiotics. Carbapenems showed the highest prevalence of resistance. Various virulence factors were detected and, for the quantification of biofilm production, the effectiveness of different methods was assessed. The microtiter plate method showed the highest accuracy and reproducibility for detecting biofilm-producing bacteria. MLST revealed four distinct sequence types (STs) in clinical PA, with three of them considered high-risk clones of PA, namely ST175, ST235, and ST244. These clones are associated with multidrug resistance and are prevalent in hospitals worldwide. Overall, the study highlights the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance, the presence of carbapenemase genes, the diversity of virulence factors, and the importance of biofilm formation in PA clinical isolates. Understanding these factors is crucial for effective infection control measures and the development of targeted treatment strategies. | 2023 | 37627668 |
| 4726 | 11 | 0.9997 | Overcoming Multidrug Resistance in E. coli and Salmonella Isolates from Nile Tilapia: Synergistic Effects of Novel Antibiotic Combinations. Escherichia coli and Salmonella are significant foodborne zoonotic pathogens, causing serious human illness. The rising global prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in these species exacerbates their public health risk, complicating the treatment of bacterial infection. This study investigates its prevalence, resistant genes, and treatment strategy against antibiotic-resistant bacteria, focusing on E. coli and Salmonella isolates from Nile tilapia. Prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella was found to be 32 and 22% respectively. Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed resistance to five antibiotics in E. coli and four in Salmonella. Physiochemical properties of antibiotic resistance genes (ABRGs) indicated that the TetB gene has the highest aliphatic index in both bacteria, suggesting greater stability. All Bla proteins were hydrophobic as indicated by negative GRAVY values, which may contribute to antibiotic efflux or modification of antibiotic targets. Motif analysis identified functional domains, and cellular localization prediction showed that TetA and TetB genes are primarily expressed in the cell membrane. To combat this resistance, a checkerboard method was used to explore novel antibiotic combinations. For E. coli, one synergistic and two additive combinations were identified, while for Salmonella, two synergistic and one additive combination were effective. These results highlight the importance of regularly evaluating antibiotic combinations to combat resistance and preserve antibiotic efficacy. | 2025 | 40581898 |
| 5508 | 12 | 0.9997 | Genomic and phenotypic comparison of environmental and patient-derived isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa suggest that antimicrobial resistance is rare within the environment. Patient-derived isolates of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa are frequently resistant to antibiotics due to the presence of sequence variants in resistance-associated genes. However, the frequency of antibiotic resistance and of resistance-associated sequence variants in environmental isolates of P. aeruginosa has not been well studied. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime, meropenem, tobramycin) of environmental (n=50) and cystic fibrosis (n=42) P. aeruginosa isolates was carried out. Following whole genome sequencing of all isolates, 25 resistance-associated genes were analysed for the presence of likely function-altering sequence variants. Environmental isolates were susceptible to all antibiotics with one exception, whereas patient-derived isolates had significant frequencies of resistance to each antibiotic and a greater number of likely resistance-associated genetic variants. These findings indicate that the natural environment does not act as a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant P. aeruginosa, supporting a model in which antibiotic susceptible environmental bacteria infect patients and develop resistance during infection. | 2019 | 31553303 |
| 5156 | 13 | 0.9997 | Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from animal with high virulence genes content and highly sensitive to antimicrobials. OBJECTIVES: P. aeruginosa is one of the most metabolically versatile bacteria having the ability to survive in multiple environments through its accessory genome. An important hallmark of P. aeruginosa is the high level of antibiotic resistance, which often makes eradication difficult and sometimes impossible. Evolutionary forces have led to this bacterium to develop high antimicrobial resistance with a variety of elements contributing to both intrinsic and acquired resistance. The objectives were to genetically and phenotypically characterizer P. aeruginosa strains isolated from companion animals of different species. METHODS: We characterized a collection of 39 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from infected animals. The genetic characterization was in relation to chromosomal profile by PFGE; content of virulence gene; presence of genomic islands (GIs); genes of the cytotoxins exported by T3SS: exoU, exoS, exoT and exoY; and type IV pili allele. The phenotypic characterization was based on patterns of susceptibility to different antimicrobials. RESULTS: Each strain had a PFGE profile, a high virulence genes content, and a large accessory genome. However, most of the strains presented high sensitivity to almost all antimicrobials tested, showing no acquired resistance (no β-lactamases). The exception to this lack of resistance was seen with penicillin. CONCLUSIONS: P. aeruginosa could be a naturally sensitive bacterium to standard antimicrobials but could rapidly develop intrinsic and acquired resistance when the bacterium is exposed to pressure exerted by antibiotics, as observed in hospital settings. | 2024 | 38452900 |
| 5658 | 14 | 0.9997 | Molecular identification and biofilm formation of aerobic and anaerobic coinfection bacterial isolated from cystic fibrosis patients in southwest Iran from 2014 to 2022. BACKGROUND: Coinfections and resistant bacterial infections are more likely to occur in cystic fibrosis patients because their immune systems are weak. The purpose of this study was to identify by molecular means as well as the formation of biofilm of aerobic and anaerobic coinfection bacteria isolated from cystic fibrosis patients in southwest Iran from 2014 to 2022. METHODS: In this investigation, 130 clinical specimens were collected from 130 CF patients by universal primer. Biofilm formation was investigated using the microtiter plate method. Antibiotic resistance was measured using Vitec 2 device. In addition, identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus using genes mecA was performed. MAIN FINDINGS: In aerobic bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa was detected in (32%) of samples. In anaerobic bacteria (16%) Prevotella spp. was the most frequently isolated anaerobe bacteria found in of the CF patients. In this study, 75% of the bacteria could form biofilms, while 23% were unable to biofilm formation. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, P. aeruginosa was found to be the most frequently isolated bacterium from patients with CF, and many of these bacteria could form biofilms. Additionally, the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance indicates the urgent need for increased attention to antibiotic preparation and patient screening concerning bacterial coinfections and the virulence and adhesion factors of these bacteria. Furthermore, the present study demonstrates that the coinfection of bacteria with high antibiotic resistance and a high capacity for biofilm formation can pose a life-threatening risk to CF patients, mainly due to their weakened immune systems. | 2023 | 37566205 |
| 5659 | 15 | 0.9997 | Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in Egypt: phenotypic, genotypic, and antibiofilm assessment of Pluronic F-127. BACKGROUND: Virulence factors play an important role in developing bacterial resistance leading to the increased severity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Several genes encoding for virulence factors is coordinated by the quorum sensing (QS) system. In the present study, the prevalence of virulence genes, particularly those involved in controlling biofilm formation, and their correlation with antibiotic resistance patterns was investigated. The ability of the pathogens to form biofilm and the impact of Pluronic F-127 as a potential biofilm inhibitor was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 118 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were collected. The highest resistance rates were observed against ceftazidime (94%), while colistin was the most effective followed by polymyxin B with sensitivity rate 72% and 59%, respectively. Out of 118 isolates: 111 (94%) were biofilm producers, 24.6% of them were strong. The QS genes; lasR and rhlR, were detected in 85% and 89% of the isolates, respectively, toxA gene in 95% and ampC gene in 69% of the isolates. Pluronic F-127 was confirmed as a biofilm inhibitor in lowest concentration used 1.25 mg/ml which inhibits 78% of strong biofilm forming isolates and has better effect on detachment of established biofilm by 90% of biofilm forming isolates. CONCLUSION: The ability of bacteria to form biofilms contributes greatly to the development of antibiotic resistance, which leads to the occurrence of persistent and chronic bacterial illnesses. Many isolates exhibited moderate to strong biofilm forming ability, which showed a high resistance pattern. The results demonstrated that Pluronic F-127 has a promising level of biofilm inhibition and detachment in most isolates. It has a chance to serve as a substitute means for combating biofilm formation. | 2025 | 40281406 |
| 5817 | 16 | 0.9997 | Comparative genomics reveals the correlations of stress response genes and bacteriophages in developing antibiotic resistance of Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Staphylococcus saprophyticus is the second most common bacteria associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) in women. The antimicrobial treatment regimen for uncomplicated UTI is normally nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX), or a fluoroquinolone without routine susceptibility testing of S. saprophyticus recovered from urine specimens. However, TMP-SMX-resistant S. saprophyticus has been detected recently in UTI patients, as well as in our cohort. Herein, we investigated the understudied resistance patterns of this pathogenic species by linking genomic antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) content to susceptibility phenotypes. We describe ARG associations with known and novel SCCmec configurations as well as phage elements in S. saprophyticus, which may serve as intervention or diagnostic targets to limit resistance transmission. Our analyses yielded a comprehensive database of phenotypic data associated with the ARG sequence in clinical S. saprophyticus isolates, which will be crucial for resistance surveillance and prediction to enable precise diagnosis and effective treatment of S. saprophyticus UTIs. | 2023 | 38051037 |
| 4746 | 17 | 0.9997 | Correlation of QRDR mutations and MIC levels in fluoroquinolone-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates. Antimicrobial resistance is a global health problem. Among various antibiotic-resistant bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, particularly methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), is a clinically important pathogen responsible for serious infections because of its multidrug resistance (MDR) and association with high mortality rates. The MDR nature of MRSA, including resistance to macrolides, aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines, limits therapeutic choices and poses significant challenges in clinical management. This study aimed to analyze the correlation between mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of fluoroquinolone drugs, such as ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin, in MRSA and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). A total of 63 S. aureus clinical strains were isolated from blood samples of sepsis patients. DNA sequence analysis was performed using gDNA extracted from all S. aureus clinical isolates to identify mutations in the QRDR of gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE. The MICs of antimicrobials were determined by the broth microdilution method. Among these genes, only mutations in parC showed a statistically significant positive correlation with elevated MIC levels, underscoring the primary role of parC in mediating resistance in our clinical isolates. Notably, all isolates exhibited a substitution at serine 80 (S80) in parC, and those harboring simultaneous substitutions at both S80 and glutamic acid 84 (E84) demonstrated markedly increased MIC values for both drugs. These findings reinforce previously reported associations between dual mutations and high-level fluoroquinolone resistance, while highlighting the distinct contribution of parC among the QRDR genes analyzed in this study. Furthermore, we found that the most frequent mutation in the QRDR was the cytosine-to-thymine mutation.IMPORTANCEAntimicrobial resistance is a growing global health crisis, making bacterial infections harder to treat. Staphylococcus aureus, especially MRSA, is a major concern due to its resistance to multiple antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones like ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin. Our study highlights how specific genetic mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) influence fluoroquinolone resistance. We found that mutations in the parC gene, particularly substitutions at serine 80 (S80) and glutamic acid 84 (E84), significantly increase resistance. Understanding these mutations helps predict antibiotic resistance and may guide more effective treatment strategies. By identifying key genetic changes that drive fluoroquinolone resistance, our research contributes to developing improved diagnostic tools and targeted therapies to combat drug-resistant S. aureus infections. This knowledge is crucial for clinicians and researchers working to control the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and improve patient outcomes. | 2025 | 41081515 |
| 5765 | 18 | 0.9997 | Expression of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Antibiotic Resistance Genes Varies Greatly during Infections in Cystic Fibrosis Patients. The lungs of individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) become chronically infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa that is difficult to eradicate by antibiotic treatment. Two key P. aeruginosa antibiotic resistance mechanisms are the AmpC β-lactamase that degrades β-lactam antibiotics and MexXYOprM, a three-protein efflux pump that expels aminoglycoside antibiotics from the bacterial cells. Levels of antibiotic resistance gene expression are likely to be a key factor in antibiotic resistance but have not been determined during infection. The aims of this research were to investigate the expression of the ampC and mexX genes during infection in patients with CF and in bacteria isolated from the same patients and grown under laboratory conditions. P. aeruginosa isolates from 36 CF patients were grown in laboratory culture and gene expression measured by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). The expression of ampC varied over 20,000-fold and that of mexX over 2,000-fold between isolates. The median expression levels of both genes were increased by the presence of subinhibitory concentrations of antibiotics. To measure P. aeruginosa gene expression during infection, we carried out RT-qPCR using RNA extracted from fresh sputum samples obtained from 31 patients. The expression of ampC varied over 4,000-fold, while mexX expression varied over 100-fold, between patients. Despite these wide variations, median levels of expression of ampC in bacteria in sputum were similar to those in laboratory-grown bacteria. The expression of mexX was higher in sputum than in laboratory-grown bacteria. Overall, our data demonstrate that genes that contribute to antibiotic resistance can be highly expressed in patients, but there is extensive isolate-to-isolate and patient-to-patient variation. | 2018 | 30201819 |
| 5836 | 19 | 0.9996 | Identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa genes associated with antibiotic susceptibility. Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes acute and chronic infections in humans and these infections are difficult to treat due to the bacteria's high-level of intrinsic and acquired resistance to antibiotics. To address this problem, it is crucial to investigate the molecular mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in this organism. In this study, a P. aeruginosa transposon insertion library of 17000 clones was constructed and screened for altered susceptibility to seven antibiotics. Colonies grown on agar plates containing antibiotics at minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and those unable to grow at 1/2 MIC were collected. The transposon-disrupted genes in 43 confirmed mutants that showed at least a three-fold increase or a two-fold decrease in susceptibility to at least one antibiotic were determined by semi-random PCR and subsequent sequencing analysis. In addition to nine genes known to be associated with antibiotic resistance, including mexI, mexB and mexR, 24 new antibiotic resistance-associated genes were identified, including a fimbrial biogenesis gene pilY1 whose disruption resulted in a 128-fold increase in the MIC of carbenicillin. Twelve of the 43 genes identified were of unknown function. These genes could serve as targets to control or reverse antibiotic resistance in this important human pathogen. | 2010 | 20953948 |