Comparison of genotypic features between two groups of antibiotic resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae clinical isolates obtained before and after the COVID-19 pandemic from Egypt.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common pathogen capable of causing a wide range of infections. Antibiotic resistance complicates treatment of these infections significantly. We are comparing resistance levels and genotypes among two collections of K.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of commensal staphylococci isolated from young volunteers in Alexandria, Egypt.

Nasally colonized staphylococci carry antibiotic resistance genes and may lead to serious opportunistic infections. We are investigating nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococci other than S. aureus (SOSA) among young volunteers in Egypt to determine their risk potential.

Phenotypic and molecular characterization of extended spectrum- and metallo- beta lactamase producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from Egypt.

Background: Antimicrobial resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), a leading cause of nosocomial infections worldwide, is escalating. This study investigated the prevalence of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) among 104 P.

Enzyme-Linked Lipid Nanocarriers for Coping Pseudomonal Pulmonary Infection. Would Nanocarriers Complement Biofilm Disruption or Pave Its Road?

Introduction: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is associated with pulmonary infections persistent to antibiotics.

Methods: To eradicate biofilms, solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) loaded with quorum-sensing-inhibitor (QSI, disrupting bacterial crosstalk), coated with chitosan (CS, improving internalization) and immobilized with alginate lyase (AL, destroying alginate biofilms) were developed.

Results: SLNs (140-205 nm) showed prolonged release of QSI with no sign of acute toxicity to A549 and Calu-3 cells.

Prevalence of different virulence factors and their association with antimicrobial resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from Egypt.

Background: Emergence of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, coupled with the pathogen's versatile virulence factors, lead to high morbidity and mortality rates. The current study investigated the potential association between the antibiotic resistance and the production of virulence factors among P. aeruginosa clinical isolates collected from Alexandria Main University Hospital in Egypt.

Knowledge, attitudes and behaviour of Egyptians towards antibiotic use in the community: can we do better?

Background: Infectious diseases are among the leading causes of death worldwide. This is concerning because of the increasing capacity of the pathogens to develop antibiotic resistance. Antibiotic overuse and misuse remain the main drivers of resistance development.

Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci other than from domestic animals and livestock in Africa: a systematic review.

Introduction: Staphylococci other than Staphylococcus aureus (SOSA) in animals are becoming more pathogenic and antibiotic resistant and can potentially disseminate to humans. However, there is little synthesized information regarding SOSA from animals in Africa. This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of the epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of SOSA in companion animals (pets) and livestock in Africa.

Whole-Genome Sequencing of and Clinical Isolates from Egypt.

Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant are a global concern. This is true in the Middle East, where increasingly resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus haemolyticus strains have been detected. While extensive surveys have revealed the prevalence of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant staphylococci in Europe, Asia, and North America, the population structure of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci recovered from patients and clinical settings in Egypt remains uncharacterized.

A 6-Year Update on the Diversity of Methicillin-Resistant Clones in Africa: A Systematic Review.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a leading cause of hospital-associated (HA) and community-associated (CA) infections globally. The multi-drug resistant nature of this pathogen and its capacity to cause outbreaks in hospital and community settings highlight the need for effective interventions, including its surveillance for prevention and control. This study provides an update on the clonal distribution of MRSA in Africa.

Diversity of carbapenem-resistant and bacteriophage-mediated spread of the Oxa23 carbapenemase.

Carbapenem-resistant are prevalent in low- and middle-income countries such as Egypt, but little is known about the molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of resistance in these settings. Here, we characterize carbapenem-resistant from Alexandria, Egypt, and place it in a regional context. Fifty-four carbapenem-resistant isolates from Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH), Alexandria, Egypt, collected between 2010 and 2015 were genome sequenced using Illumina technology.

Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci in Community-Based Healthy Individuals in Germany.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are common opportunistic pathogens, but also ubiquitous human and animal commensals. Infection-associated CoNS from healthcare environments are typically characterized by pronounced antimicrobial resistance (AMR) including both methicillin- and multidrug-resistant isolates. Less is known about AMR patterns of CoNS colonizing the general population.

Investigation of Plasmids Among Clinical and Isolates From Egypt.

Staphylococci can cause a wide array of infections that can be life threatening. These infections become more deadly when the isolates are antibiotic resistant and thus harder to treat. Many resistance determinants are plasmid-mediated; however, staphylococcal plasmids have not yet been fully characterized.

Examination of Prophages Circulating in Egypt.

infections are of growing concern given the increased incidence of antibiotic resistant strains. Egypt, like several other countries, has seen alarming increases in methicillin-resistant (MRSA) infections. This species can rapidly acquire genes associated with resistance, as well as virulence factors, through mobile genetic elements, including phages.

Association between fluoroquinolone resistance and MRSA genotype in Alexandria, Egypt.

Antimicrobial stewardship isn't strictly observed in most Egyptian hospitals, raising antibiotic resistance. Epidemiology of Egyptian MRSA isolates, or associations with resistance to other antibiotics remain largely unknown. We identified MRSA genotypes in Alexandria Main University Hospital (AMUH) and investigated rates of moxifloxacin resistance, an alternative MRSA treatment, among different genotypes.

Prevalence and mechanisms of linezolid resistance among staphylococcal clinical isolates from Egypt.

The emergence of methicillin-resistant staphylococci necessitated the search for alternative agents as linezolid, introduced to treat infections due to multidrug-resistant bacteria. Linezolid resistance has since emerged, yet its global prevalence remains low. In Egypt, little is known about the situation.

Role of plasmid carrying in mediating antibiotic resistance among clinical isolates from Egypt.

We investigated antibiotic resistance levels among -positive ( = 9) and -negative ( = 65) clinical isolates collected in 2010 and 2015 from Alexandria Main University Hospital, Egypt using disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination. Plasmids from -positive isolates were transformed into a carbapenem-susceptible (CS-AB) isolate to assess the role of plasmid transfer in mediating carbapenem resistance. Imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem MIC90 values against -positive isolates were 128, > 256, and 256 µg/mL, respectively.

Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of carbapenem-resistant isolates from Egypt.

Background: Antibiotic use is largely under-regulated in Egypt leading to the emergence of resistant isolates. Carbapenems are last resort agents to treat infections resistant to other classes of antibiotics. However, carbapenem-resistant isolates are emerging at an alarming rate.

Over-the-Counter Herbal Weight Loss Supplements in Egypt: Label Claim, Microbiological and Pharmaceutical Quality, and Safety Assessments.

Objectives: Nutraceuticals are advertised and sold with the label claim of being natural and safe herbal products. Due to the absence of clear regulations and guidelines for safety assessments of these products, nutraceuticals are commonly adulterated in order to increase sales. The objective of the current study was to design a comprehensive evaluation system to assess the safety, efficacy, authenticity according to label claim, and pharmaceutical quality of herbal slimming products in between 2015 and 2017.

The Status of Methicillin Resistance Among Egyptian Staphylococcus aureus Isolates: An Overview.

Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is responsible for a large number of antibiotic resistant infections worldwide. Understanding the epidemiology and identifying the molecular characteristics of MRSA is elemental in designing infection control plans to minimize the risks associated with these infections. The prevalence of MRSA varies between the different geographic regions.

Investigation and Treatment of Fusidic Acid Resistance Among Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcal Isolates from Egypt.

Methicillin resistance among staphylococci isolated from patients in northern Egypt has escalated alarmingly in the past decade. Data about the prevalence of fusidic acid (FA) resistance in Egyptian clinical isolates are limited. This work investigates the prevalence and mechanism of FA resistance among 81 methicillin-resistant staphylococcal isolates from major hospitals of Alexandria, Egypt.

The degree of virulence does not necessarily affect MRSA biofilm strength and response to photodynamic therapy.

Biofilm formation transforms infections from acute to chronic, increasing patient mortality and significantly increasing healthcare costs. We are studying the prevalence of some virulence genes among methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates relative to biofilm formation and the potential of photoactivated hypericin to treat these infections. Isolates were collected from three Egyptian governorates over seven months in 2011, 100 isolates were identified as MRSA.

The E. coli sirtuin CobB shows no preference for enzymatic and nonenzymatic lysine acetylation substrate sites.

N(ε) -lysine acetylation is an abundant posttranslational modification of thousands of proteins involved in diverse cellular processes. In the model bacterium Escherichia coli, the ε-amino group of a lysine residue can be acetylated either catalytically by acetyl-coenzyme A (acCoA) and lysine acetyltransferases, or nonenzymatically by acetyl phosphate (acP). It is well known that catalytic acCoA-dependent N(ε) -lysine acetylation can be reversed by deacetylases.