Pollution of aquatic environments with natural and anthropogenically produced substances is one of the major environmental problems of the world. In many countries the decreasing quantity of water coupled with its increasing usage in multiple sectors has adversely affected water quality and caused problems of water pollution. Polluted water has been a main cause of adverse effects on plants, animals and humans throughout the world. Physicochemical analysis of water, which is a common method used for quality assessment of water, alone may not be enough as it cannot evaluate the impact on living organisms. Therefore, bioassessment of water and wastewater quality is considered to be essential to reflect the ultimate effects on living organisms. Many organisms like bacteria, algae, fish, invertebrates and protozoan are used as bioassay organisms for assessment of water quality. This review article elucidates the use of Euglena gracilis, a freshwater motile flagellate of the phylum Euglenophyta, as a suitable organism in ecotoxicological studies with special emphasis on its gravitactic orientation as a sensitive end point in ecotoxicological assessment of water pollutants.

Background: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)is a Gram-negative, microaerophilic, and spiral shape bacterium that resides inside the human stomach. The human stomach serves as its primary reservoir. Complaints about stomach complication due to H. pylori infections are reported in the majority of populations around the globe. Chronic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia of the gastric mucosa are major complications of a long-term H. pylori infections that can lead to gastric cancer in severe cases. This study aims to characterize H. pylori isolates from gastroenteritis patients and to determine the resistance of H. pylori to various antibiotics. Methods: In the current study, a total of (n = 80) gastric biopsy samples were randomly collected from gastroenteritis patients in brain-heart infusion broth. These were inoculated on Columbia blood agar supplemented with Helicobacter pylori selective supplement (DENT). After culturing, Microscopy and biochemical tests were performed. The susceptibility profile of H. pylori isolates was evaluated using the Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method. On the basis of the drug resistance profile, a total of (n = 20) isolates including (n = 10) from females and (n = 10) from males were selected for the detection and characterization of resistant genes. After confirmation of H. pylori using 16s rRNA, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done for the detection of resistance genes including Metronidazole resistance (rdxA gene), Clarithromycin resistance (23s rRNA gene) and Amoxicillin resistance (Penicillin-binding protein A1 (pbpA1) gene). Results: In a total of (n = 80) samples, H. pylori was isolated from 72.5% (n = 58) samples. Among the positive patients, there were 62% (n = 36) of female positive patients while in males, its ratio was 38% (n = 22). It was more common in the age between 30–50 years 55.17% (n = 32). It has shown the highest resistance towards Metronidazole 90% (n = 52), and the lowest toward Levofloxacin 65% (n = 38). Metronidazole resistance gene (rdxA gene) was detected in (n = 13) isolates including (n = 9) isolates from females and (n = 4) from males. In the case of, the Clarithromycin resistance gene (23s rRNA) (n = 10) was positive for H. pylori including (n = 6) isolates from females and (n = 7) were positive for Amoxicillin (pbpA1 gene) including (n = 2) in female and (n = 5) from male patients. Conclusion: This study highlights the increasing incidence of H. pylori infections in both male and female patients. It also revealed the current status of antibiotic resistance and its resistance genes in patients facing gastrointestinal issues. Continuous surveillance of resistant clones will help in formulating strategies that can help in combating of resistant clone. It will also help clinician in proper prescription and management of H. pylori infections.

The ability of microbes to resist or neutralize the action of drugs that have been used against microbes is considered as antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR among different strains of Escherichia coli is considered as a major threat to public health. Drug-resistant in E. coli is found predominantly in the hospital sittings, in the community, and surrounding environment. It has adopted different defensive strategies to minimize the effects of drugs. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), fluoroquinolones, and carbapenemases have been considered as strong resistance strategies being present in most of resistant bacterial strains. Mobile genetic elements (MGEs) have the major contribution in the transfer of resistance genes in between or among bacterial cells. Plasmids are normally present in most of resistant strains, helping in the transfer of genetic material between bacterial cells. Transposons another MGEs, are being considered as one of the major sources of resistance transmission. Collectively, MGEs play an important role in facilitating in exchange, acquisition, and dissemination of resistance genes. Resistance in E. coli has been reported worldwide and there is variation in its resistance pattern. CTX-M ESBLs, carbapenems, colistin-resistant, and ST-131 E. coli resistant clones are considered the most dominant phenotypes. The aforesaid resistant variants are predominantly found in densely populated regions, Sub-Saharan Africa, China, and South Asian countries.

Background: Helicobacter Pylori is the important medical pathogen, reporting in more than half of the world population. Its infections lead to gastric inflammation, peptic ulcer and sometime cause gastric cancer. Various treatment regimes are in use for the eradication of H.pylori, but due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance, its management is a big issue for clinicians. Methodology: In current study all suspected cases that has visited District Head Quarter Hospital Kohat, were consider for screening of H. pylori infections. Preliminary information about their age, gender; general health conditions, occupation etc were taken for consideration. After recording initial sign and symptoms, samples were considered for H. pylori detections using stool antigen test and endoscopy. A Fourteen days proton-pump inhibitor(ppi) base triple and quadruple therapies were administered to each patient comprising of Esomeprazole 40mg, Rebeprazol 20mg, Metronidazole 500mg, Levofloxacin 500mg and Bismuth subcitrate. Results: In total (n=178) positive patients, there were high numbers of positivity in patients aged below 30 years 82 (45.5%) most of which belonged to the rural areas. The MEL were given to 100patients, out of which, 88(88%) patients show successful eradication followed by the bismuth based quadruple therapy (MELB) which were given to (n=25) patients, of which 21(84%) show successful eradication.  Conclusion: This study conclude that there were high number of positive patients in aged below 30 years in which many patients were from rural area and according to this study the MEL is the most effective treatment regime for the eradication of H.pylori

Syphilis, caused by Treponema pallidum, is resurging globally. Molecular typing allows for the investigation of its epidemiology. In Pakistan and other nations, T. pallidum subsp. pallidum has developed widespread macrolide resistance in the past decade. A study at the Peshawar Regional Blood Centre from June 2020–June 2021 analyzed serum samples from 32,812 blood donors in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, to assess circulating T. pallidum strains and antibiotic resistance. Blood samples were initially screened for T. pallidum antibodies using a chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). CMIA-reactive samples underwent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeted the polA, tpp47, bmp, and tp0319 genes. PCR-positive samples were further analyzed for molecular subtyping using a CDC-developed procedure and tp0548 gene examination. All PCR-positive samples were analyzed for the presence of point mutations A2058G and A2059G in 23S rRNA, as well as the G1058C mutation in 16S rRNA. These mutations are known to impart antimicrobial resistance to macrolides and doxycycline, respectively. Out of 32,812 serum samples, 272 (0.83%) were CMIA-reactive, with 46 being PCR-positive. Nine T. pallidum subtypes were identified, predominantly 14d/f. The A2058G mutation in 23S rRNA was found in 78% of cases, while G1058C in 16S rRNA and A2059G in 23S rRNA were absent. The research found donor blood useful for assessing T. pallidum molecular subtypes and antibiotic resistance, especially when chancres are not present. The prevalent subtype was 14d/f (51.85%), and the high macrolide resistance of 36 (78%) indicates caution in using macrolides for syphilis treatment in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.