Abu Baker Siddique

Occurrence and antibacterial susceptibility pattern of bacterial pathogens isolated from diarrheal patients in Pakistan

Objective: To determine the occurrence of bacterial pathogens responsible for diarrhea and to engender information regarding the effectiveness of commonly used antibiotic against diarrhea. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between April and July 2014. Samples were collected from the Divisional Headquarter and Allied Hospital, Faisalabad, Pakistan. The differential and selective media were used to isolate bacterial pathogens, which were identified through cultural characteristics, microscopy, and biochemical tests. Disc diffusion assay was carried out using Muller Hinton agar medium, and minimum inhibitory concentration was determined using broth dilution method against isolated pathogens. Results: One hundred and forty-one (100%) samples were positive for some bacteria. Frequency of occurrence was Bacillus cereus (B. cereus) (66%), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (48.5%), Salmonella typhi (S. Typhi) (27.7%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) (8.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) (4.3%). Single pathogen was detected in 20 (14.2%) samples whereas combinations were found in 121 (85.8%) samples. Bacillus cereus and E. coli were the most frequently detected pathogens followed by the S. Typhi, P. aeruginosa, and Staph. aureus. The percentage occurrence of isolated pathogens was 31% in B. cereus, 31% in E. coli, 18% in S. Typhi, 5% in P. aeruginosa, and 3% in Staph. aureus. Conclusion: Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed resistance against Amoxicillin and Cefotaxime, whereas S. aureus was found resistant against Cefotaxime. Statistical analysis using one way Analysis of Variance revealed that Ofloxacin and Gentamicin had significant (p<0.05) differences against all isolates as compared with other antibiotics used in this study.

Isolation, Characterization, and Antibacterial Activity of Bacteriophages Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Pakistan.

Background In recent years, antibiotic resistance has been indicated as a paramount threat to public health. The use of bacteriophages appears to be a safer alternative for the control of bacterial infections. Objectives The present study aims to explore sewage water for the presence of indigenous bacteriophages, and to investigate their antibacterial potential against Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Methods Bacterial isolates were first collected and identified from pus samples taken from the surgical and burn units using standard microbiological procedures. A cefoxitin disk screen test was then used and interpreted according to the clinical laboratory standards institute (CLSI) guidelines for the detection of MRSA. The sewage samples were processed and the phages enriched using S. aureus as a host organism. Turbid and clear plaques of different sizes were isolated using an overlay method, purified, and then enumerated by means of a dilution method. Results The phages exhibited good lytic activity against MRSA when tested in-vitro, and the highest activity was attained within three to six hours of phage infection. The isolated phage pq/48 was also found efficient in decreasing the bacterial count during an in-vivo trial in rabbits. A protein analysis using SDS-PAGE revealed 10 proteins of between 20 kDa and 155 kDa in size. Conclusions The overall results indicated that bacteriophages isolated from sewage exhibited excellent lytic activity against MRSA strains. In conclusion, bacteriophages can be further characterized and appear to be a promising candidate for phage therapy against MRSA in the future.