Quorum sensing (QS) is a perfectly orchestrated molecular communication system. It is a boon for Klebsiella pneumoniae, and bane for the host. This system is believed to make K. pneumoniae a leading cause of multidrug-resistant (MDR) nosocomial infections. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial and anti-biofilm potential of medicinal plant extracts through interfering with QS of K. pneumoniae. The effect of different concentrations of ethanolic extracts of cinnamon and clove on K. pneumoniae was determined by analyzing the growth curve, survival assay (MTT), Qualitative and quantitative biofilm formation, antibiotic resistance, along with studying gene expression of the genes encoding the above traits, using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The low concentrations of the plant extracts did not affect neither on the bacterial growth, nor on the viability of K. pneumoniae, supported with growth curves. Additionally, the biofilm production was inhibited even by lower plant concentrations, and both cinnamon and clove extracts were able to render the MDR bacteria to be more susceptible to antibiotics. At the molecular levels, the bacterium treated with either clove or cinnamon or in combination showed under expression of the biofilm formation regulation gene (bssS), the carbapenem resistance gene (bla), as well as the QS target gene (LuxS). Both clove and cinnamon ethanolic extracts exerted potent impacts on reducing pathogenic traits regulated by QS in K. pneumoniae. Finally, the study recommends further exploration of clove and cinnamon extracts separately or in combination to develop alternative therapies against MDR K. pneumoniae infections.
Background: Pilonidal sinus is a recurrence pathology that affects the gluteal area, cleft part of it. It affects many parts but mainly the sacral area and may present with various forms; from the asymptomatic cyst to severe infection in a form of painful abscess or sinus. The treatment of pilonidal sinus ranges from observation with good hygiene to excision of the sinus left wide incision. Recurrence may follow the excisional procedure and may need more operations. Many conservative ways had been used for the management of the sinus; laser (phototherapy) is one kind that may use. this paper aims to test the efficiency of the laser (diode 980nm) in the treatment of the sinus. material:
... Show MoreOwing to high antibacterial resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, it could be considered as the main reason behind the nosocomial infections. P. aeruginosa has a well-known biofilm forming ability. The expression of polysaccharide encoding locus (pelA gene) by P. aeruginosa is essential for this ability. The purpose of the current research was to determine the biofilm formation in P. aeruginosa isolated from clinical samples and to evaluate the role of the selected PelA gene in biofilm formation using PCR method in Iraqi patients. Results revealed that 24 (96%) isolates were found to have the ability to form biofilm that was remarkably related to gentamicin resistance. Moreover, the pelA gene was found in all biofilm-producers. In c
... Show MoreA total number of 33 isolates of Pseudomoans aeruginosa were collected from different clinical samples, such as: burn, wound and urine from patients attending Al-Yarmouk teaching hospital and some private clinical laboratories in Baghdad city through the period from October to December 2016. On the other hand, 21 isolates of P. aeruginosa were collected from 38 different food samples; such as: vegetables and fruits, from different local markets in Baghdad city during the period from November to December 2016. All isolates were identified by using different bacteriological and biochemical assays and confirmed by Vitek-2 identification system. The antimicrobial susceptibility test for clinical and food isolates towards 17 antimicrobial a
... Show MoreAround fifty isolates of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi were isolated from blood specimens of patients referring to several hospitals in Kirkuk province, Iraq. The results revealed that all isolates developed resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and chloramphenicol. However, neither sul2 nor tem genes were detected. Moreover, only ten isolates were positive for catP. Our data suggested participation of other genes or mechanisms allow these multidrug isolates to resist the antibiotics in question.
Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) were synthesized by two methods. The first was chemical method by using copper nitrate Cu (NO3)2 and NaOH, while the second was green method by using Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves extract and Cu (NO3)2. These methods easily give a large scale production of CuO nanoparticles. X-ray diffraction pattern (XRD) reveals single phase monoclinic structure. The average crystalline size of CuO NPs was measured and used by Scherrer equation which found 44.06nm from chemical method, while the average crystalline size was found from green method was 27.2nm. The morphology analysis using atomic force microscopy showed that the grain size for CuO NPs was synthesized by chemical and green methods were 77.70 and 89.24
... Show MoreProteus mirabilis is considered as a third common cause of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, with urease production, the potency of catheter blockage due to the formation of biofilm formation is significantly enhanced. Biofilms are major virulence factors expressed by pathogenic bacteria to resist antibiotics; in this concern the need for providing new alternatives for antibiotics is getting urgent need, This study aimed to explore whether green synthesized zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can function as an anti-biofilm agent produced by P.mirabilis. Bacterial cells were capable of catalyzing the biosynthesis process by producing reductive enzymes. The nanoparticles were synthesized from cell free
... Show MoreThe heavy metal cadmium is extremely harmful to both humans and animals. Zinc supplementation protects the biological system and reduces cadmium-induced toxicity. This study aimed to determine whether zinc chloride (ZnCl2) could protect male mice with the damaged liver induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2). The protective role of zinc chloride and expression of the metallothionein (MT), Ki-67, and Bcl-2 apoptotic proteins in hepatocytes were studied after subchronic exposure of mice to cadmium chloride for 21 days. Thirty male mice were randomly categorized into 6 groups (5 mice/group) as follows: a control group that did not receive any treatment, a group given ZnCl2 at 10 mg/kg alone, and two groups received ZnCl2 (10 mg/kg) i
... Show MoreMany condensed polymers [A1-A7] were prepared via reaction of (Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid = EDTA), with different prepared imide-diamines by modification [ modification of amino acids and antibiotics (B1- B7)] Imide-diamines were prepared by chlorination of L-amino acids such as [ L-Histidine, L-Alanine, L-Valine, L-Glycine and L-Aspargine ] or selected antibiotics such as [Cephallixine monohydrate and Amoxilline ] with thionyl chloride at 0°C, then reacted with ammonia to obtain imidediamines [B1-B7] . The physical properties of all prepared condensed polymers [A1-A7], new prepared diamines [B1-B7] were studied and characterized by FT -IR spectroscope to certify the structural formulas. The thermal analysis (TGA, DTA) were studied, a
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