Colonization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae as animal gut microbiota is a substantial global threat. This study aimed to determine the molecular characterization of bla_SHV, bla_TEM, and bla_CTX-M variants in animals, as well as to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance conferred by these genes. We prospectively analyzed 1273 fecal specimens of farm and domestic animals for the isolation of enterobacteria that had the ESBL phenotype by using biochemical methods. The extracted genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced for the characterization of bla_SHV, bla_TEM, and bla_CTX-M variants. The drug-resistance spectrum and hierarchical clusters were analyzed against 19 antibacterial agents. Out of 245 (19.2%) ESBL enterobacteria, 180 (75.5%) Escherichia coli and 34 (13.9%) Klebsiella pneumoniae were prevalent species. A total of 73.9% bla_CTX-M, 26.1% bla_TEM, and 14.2% bla_SHV were found among the enterobacteria; however, their association with farm or domestic animals was not statistically significant. The distribution of bla gene variants showed the highest number of bla_CTX-M-1 (133; 54.3%), followed by bla_CTX-M-15 (28; 11.4%), bla_TEM-52 (40; 16.3%), and bla_SHV-12 (22; 9%). In addition, 84.5% of the enterobacteria had the integrons intI1. We observed ±100% enterobacteria resistant to cephalosporin, 7 (2.9%) to colistin (minimum inhibitory concentration breakpoint ≥4 μg/mL), 9 (3.7%) to piperacillin-tazobactam, 11 (4.5%) to imipenem, 14 (5.7%) to meropenem, and 18 (7.3%) to cefoperazone-sulbactam, without statistically significant association. Animal gut microbiota contain a considerable number of bla_CTX-M, bla_TEM, bla_SHV, and integrons, which are a potential source of acquired extensive drug resistance in human strains and leaves fewer therapeutic substitutes.

The third coronavirus outbreak in the last two decades has caused significant damage to the world’s economy and community health. The highly contagious COVID-19 infection has affected millions of people to date and has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths worldwide. Aside from the highly infectious nature of SARS-CoV-2, the lack of a treatment or vaccine has been the main reason for its spread. Thus, it has become necessary to find alternative methods for controlling SARS-CoV-2. For the present review, we conducted an online search for different available nutrition-based therapies for previously known coronavirus infections and RNA-based virus infections as well as general antiviral therapies. These treatments have promise for combating COVID-19, as various nutrients and minerals play direct and indirect roles in the control and prevention of this newly emerged viral infection. The patients’ nutritional status with COVID-19 must be analyzed before administering any treatment, and nutritional supplements should be given to the affected individuals along with routine treatment. We suggest a potential interventional role of nutrients to strengthen the immune system against the emerging infection caused by COVID-19.

Plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (Col-R) conferred by mcr genes endangers the last therapeutic option for multifarious β-lactamase-producing bacteria. The current study aimed to explore the mcr gene molecular epidemiology in extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria. Col-R gram-negative bacterial strains were screened using a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoint ≥4 µg/mL. Resistant isolates were examined for mcr variants, extended-spectrum β-lactamase, AmpC, and carbapenemase genes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The MIC breakpoints for mcr-positive strains were determined using broth microdilution and E-test strips. Overall, 19/718 (2.6%) gram-negative rods (GNRs) harboring mcr were identified, particularly in pus (p = 0.01) and tracheal secretions (p = 0.03). Molecular epidemiology data confirmed 18/19 (95%) mcr-1 and 1/19 (5%) mcr-2 genes. Integron detection revealed 15/17 (88%) Int-1 and 2/17 (12%) Int-2. Common co-expressing drug-resistant β-lactamase genes included 8/16 (50%) bla_CTM-1, 3/16 (19%) bla_CTM-15, 3/3 (100%) bla_CMY-2, 2/8 (25%) bla_NDM-1, and 2/8 (25%) bla_NDM-5. The MIC₅₀ and MIC₉₀ values (µg/mL) were as follows: Escherichia coli, 12 and 24; Klebsiella pneumoniae, 12 and 32; Acinetobacter baumannii, 8 and 12; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 32 and 64, respectively. Treatment of XDR strains has become challenging owing to the co-expression of mcr-1, mcr-2, multifarious β-lactamase genes, and integrons.

Background: The emergence of the New Dehli metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM) gene in Enterobacteriaceae is responsible for multidrug resistance responsible for severe infections and serious morbidity in patients. Our study aimed to define the molecular characteristics and antibiogram of the NDM-1 producing Enterobacteriaceae. Methods: We isolated 370 individual enterobacteria from the clinical specimens collected from the two tertiary hospitals in Sakaka, Saudi Arabia. Bacterial isolation was performed using standard microbiological techniques and the Phoenix and Microscan WalkAway Plus automated analyzers. Bacterial strains were characterized by phenotypic methods and PCR, and DNA sequencing was used for the molecular characterization of NDM genes. Results: The bla(NDM) gene was detected among the 68 members of the Enterobacteriaceae including a single case of rarely reported Cedecea lapagei. Of these 68, 43 isolates (63.2%) were bla(NDM-1) and 25 (36.8%) were bla(NDM) variants. A statistically significant relationship between the NDM-1 and Klebsiella pneumoniae (p = 0.004) was seen, and the relationship between the NDM variants was significantly associated with Citrobacter freundii (p = 0.02) and Escherichia coli (p = 0.03). The in vitro minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae revealed a very high rate of antibiotic resistance against several groups of antibiotics. These bacterial strains were less resistant to two aminoglycosides, gentamicin (39; 57.3%) and amikacin (27; 39.7%), and showed minimum resistance to tigecycline (25; 36.8%). Conclusions: The emergence of a large number of NDM-1 enterobacteria in our study identifies a substantial public concern, both within hospitals and the wider community, and leaves us a narrow choice of therapeutic options: the aminoglycosides, co-trimoxazole, and tigecycline.

Objective: The aims of the current study were to evaluate the capacity of K. pneumoniae isolated from hospital-acquired urinary tract infection to form biofilm, the relation of this capacity to various virulence genes and the prevalence of Extended Spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL) among these isolates by phenotypic and genotypic methods. Material and Methods: The study included 100 non-duplicate strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from 100 different urine samples from patients with hospital-acquired urinary tract infection. The isolated strains were studied for biofilm formation, ESBL production by phenotypic methods. Molecular studies were applied for the detection of ESβLs genes bla_TEM, bla_SHV, bla_CTX-M and for detection of virulence genes fimH, uge, rmpA, mag A, wzy, kfa and aerobactin genes. Result: The majority of the isolates had the capacity to form a biofilm (81%), with ESBL prevalence rate 41%. The most prevalent gene among ESBL producing K. pneumoniae was bla_CTX-M (73.2%) followed by bla_SHV (53.6%) and bla_TEM (51.2%). Among the virulence genes studied in K. pneumoniae isolates, the most prevalent gene was fimH (76%), uge (70%). There was significant association between ESBL production, and resistance to amikacin, cefepime, ceftazidime, gentamicin, imipenem and meropenem and biofilm production in K. pneumoniae isolates. There was significant association between bla_CTX-M, bla_SHV, fimH, mag, kfa, wzy, rmpA and aerobactin and biofilm production in K. pneumoniae. Conclusion: The present study highlights the prevalence of virulence genes among biofilm-forming strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from hospital-acquired urinary tract infection. Moreover, there was association between biofilm formation and ESBL production. Further studies are required to elucidate the clinical impact of the association of these different mechanisms.