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.
1 November 2011 in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM-1) was initially identified in various Enterobacteriaceae and recently in Acinetobacter baumannii . This study described the clonal dissemination of an NDM-2-producing A. baumannii isolate in an Israeli rehabilitation ward and the genetic surroundings of the gene. The blaNDM-2 gene was surrounded by the ble and trpF genes downstream and two copies of the IS Aba125 on both sides. These are the first NDM-producing A. baumannii strains in Israel from patients with no previous travel or hospitalization on the Indian subcontinent.
Biofilms play an important role in infectious diseases. It has been estimated that most medical infections are due to bacterial biofilms, and about 60–70% of nosocomial infections are also caused by the formation of a biofilm. Historically, microalgae are an important source of bioactive compounds, having novel structures and potential biological functions that make them attractive for different industries such as food, animal feed, aquaculture, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical. Several studies have described compounds produced by microalgae and cyanobacteria species with antimicrobial activity. However, studies on the antibiofilm activity of extracts and/or molecules produced by these microorganisms are scarce. Quorum-sensing inhibitor and anti-adherent agents have, among others, been isolated from microalgae and cyanobacteria species. The use of tools such as nanotechnology increase their power of action and can be used for preventing and treating biofilm-related infections.
1 March 2014 in Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease