Molecular epidemiology of antibiotic-resistant genes and potent inhibitors against TEM, CTX-M-14, CTX-M-15, and SHV-1 proteins of Escherichia coli in district Peshawar, Pakistan

A computational odyssey: uncovering classical β-lactamase inhibitors in dry fruits

In the antibacterial arsenal, β-lactams have held a prominent position, but increasing resistance due to unauthorized use and genetic factors requires new strategies. Combining β-lactamase inhibitors with broad-spectrum β-lactams proves effective in combating this resistance. ESBL producers demand new inhibitors, leading to the exploration of plant-derived secondary metabolites for potent β-lactam antibiotics or alternative inhibitors. Using virtual screening, molecular docking, ADMET analysis, and molecular dynamic simulation, this study actively analyzed the inhibitory activity of figs, cashews, walnuts, and peanuts against SHV-1, NDM-1, KPC-2, and OXA-48 β-lactamases. Using AutoDock Vina, the docking affinities of various compounds for target enzymes were initially screened, revealing 12 bioactive compounds with higher affinities for the target enzymes compared to Avibactam and Tazobactam. Top-scoring metabolites, including Oleanolic acid, Protocatechuic acid, and Tannin, were subjected to MD simulation studies to further analyze the stability of the docked complexes using WebGro. The simulation coordinates, in terms of RMSD, RMSF, SASA, Rg, and hydrogen bonds formed, showed that these phytocompounds are stable enough to retain in the active sites at various orientations. The PCA and FEL analysis also showed the stability of the dynamic motion of Cα residues of phytochemical-bound enzymes. The pharmacokinetic analysis of the top phytochemicals was performed to analyze their bioavailability and toxicity. This study provides new insights into the therapeutic potential of phytochemicals of selected dry fruits and contributes to future experimental studies to identify βL inhibitors from plants.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Extended Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli from Poultry and Wild Birds (Sparrow) in Djelfa (Algeria), with Frequent Detection of CTX-M-14 in Sparrow

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat that is spreading more and more in both human and animal niches. This study investigates the antimicrobial resistance and virulence threats of Escherichia coli isolates recovered from intestinal and fecal samples of 100 chickens, 60 turkeys, and 30 sparrows. Extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing E. coli isolates were recovered in 12 of the animals tested, selecting one isolate per positive animal: sparrow (eight isolates, 26.7%), turkey (three isolates, 5%), and chicken (one isolate, 1%). The E. coli isolates were ascribed to B1 and D phylogenetic groups. The bla_CTX-M-14 gene was detected in all ESBL-producing E. coli isolates from sparrow. The bla_CTX-M-15 (two isolates) and bla_CTX-M-14 genes (one isolate) were detected in the isolates of turkey, and the bla_CTX-M-1 gene in one isolate from broiler. Three lineages were revealed among the tested isolates (ST/phylogenetic group/type of ESBL/origin): ST117/D/CTX-M-1/broiler, ST4492 (CC405)/D/CTX-M-15/turkey, and ST602/B1/CTX-M-14/sparrow. All isolates were negative for stx1, sxt2, and eae virulence genes. Our findings provide evidence that the sparrow could be a vector in the dissemination of ESBL-producing E. coli isolates to other environments. This study also reports, to our knowledge, the first detection of bla_CTX-M-14 from sparrow at a global level and in turkey in Algeria.

Diminished Susceptibility to Cefoperazone/Sulbactam and Piperacillin/Tazobactam in Enterobacteriaceae Due to Narrow-Spectrum β-Lactamases as Well as Omp Mutation

Cefoperazone/sulbactam (CSL) and piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) are commonly used in clinical practice in China because of their excellent antimicrobial activity. CSL and TZP-nonsusceptible Enterobacteriaceae are typically resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporins such as ceftriaxone (CRO). However, 11 nonrepetitive Enterobacteriaceae strains, which were resistant to CSL and TZP yet susceptible to CRO, were collected from January to December 2020. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and whole-genome sequencing were conducted to elucidate the mechanism for this rare phenotype. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that all isolates were amoxicillin/clavulanic-acid resistant and sensitive to ceftazidime, cefepime, cefepime/tazobactam, cefepime/zidebactam, ceftazidime/avibactam, and ceftolozane/tazobactam. Whole-genome sequencing revealed three of seven Klebsiella pneumoniae strains harbored bla _SHV-1 only, and four harbored bla _SHV-1 and bla _TEM-1B. Two Escherichia coli strains carried bla _TEM-1B only, while two Klebsiella oxytoca isolates harbored bla _OXY-1-3 and bla _OXY-1-1, respectively. No mutation in the β-lactamase gene and promoter sequence was found. Outer membrane protein (Omp) gene detection revealed that numerous missense mutations of OmpK36 and OmpK37 were found in all strains of K. pneumoniae. Numerous missense mutations of OmpK36 and OmpK35 and OmpK37 deficiency were found in one K. oxytoca strain, and no OmpK gene was found in the other. No Omp mutations were found in E. coli isolates. These results indicated that narrow spectrum β-lactamases, TEM-1, SHV-1, and OXY-1, alone or in combination with Omp mutation, contributed to the resistance to CSL and TZP in CRO-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae. Antibiotic susceptibility tests Antibiotics Breakpoint, (μg/ml) Klebsiella pneumoniae Escherichia cou Klebriehd axyoca E1 E3 E4 E7 E9 E10 E11 E6 E8 E2 E5 CRO ≤1≥4 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 1 ≤0.5 1 ≤0.5 ≤0.5 1 1 CAZ 4 ≥16 1 2 1 4 4 4 4 2 4 1 1 FEP ≤2 216 1 1 0.25 1 2 2 2 0.5 2 1 1 AMC ≤8 ≥32 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 ≥128 CSL ≤16 ≥64 64 64 64 64 ≥128 128 ≥128 64 128 128 ≥128 TZP ≤16 ≥128 ≥256 ≥256 ≥256 ≥256 2256 2256 ≥256 ≥256 ≥256 ≥256 ≥256 FPT ≤2 ≥16 1 0.5 0.06 0.125 2 1 2 0.25 1 0.125 0.25 FPZ ≤2 216 0.25 0.25 0.06 0.125 0.25 0.25 1 0.125 0.25 0.125 0.125 CZA ≤8 216 1 0.5 0.25 0.25 1 0.25 1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.25 CZT ≤2 28 2 1 0.5 1 2 2 2 1 1 2 2 CROceftriaxone, CAZceftazidime, FEPcefepime, AMC:amoxicillin clavulanic-acid, CSLcefoperazone/sulbactam, TZP:piperadllin/tazobactam, FPT:cefepime tazobactam, FPZ:cefepime/zidebactam, CZA:ceftazidime/avibactam, CZTceftolozane/tazobactam Gene sequencing results Number Strain ST p-Lactamase gene Promoter sequence mutation Omp mutation El Kpn 45 blaSHV-1, blaTEM-lB none OmpK36, OmpK3 7 E3 Kpn 45 blaSHV-1, blaTEM-lB none OmpK36. OmpK3 7 E4 Kpn 2854 blaSHV-1 none OmpK36, OmpK3 7 E7 Kpn 2358 blaSHV-1 - blaTEM-lB none OmpK36, OmpK3 7 E9 Kpn 2358 blaSHV-1. blaTEM-lB none OmpK36. OmpK3 7 E10 Kpn 18 9 blaSHV-1 none OmpK36. OmpK3 7 Ell Kpn 45 blaSHV-1 none OmpK36, OmpK3 7 E6 Eco 88 blaTEM-lB none none ES Eco 409 blaTEM-1B none none E2 Kox 194 blaOXY-1-3 none OmpK36 mutations. OmpK35 and OmpK 37 deficiency E5 Kox 11 blaOXY-1-1 none no OmpK (OmpK3 5, OmpK36 and OmpK37) gene found.

Study of intestinal microbial flora of local chickens to investigate the effect of probiotics Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus coagulans on the expression of ctxM and luxS pathogenic genes in isolates of Escherichia coli

Background and objective: Antibiotics are widely used worldwide. However, due to the emergence of antibiotic resistance in a wide range of microorganisms, their use worldwide has failed. Probiotics are suggested as complementary and alternative medicine. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of probiotics isolated from local chickens on the expression of luxS and ctxM genes in resistant Escherichia coli.

Materials and methods: 300 fecal samples were taken from patients referring to Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran during May–September 2016 and Escherichia coli samples were isolated using specific culture media and biochemical tests and then the presence of luxS and ctxM genes were identified using PCR with specific primers. In order to extract the probiotics forming spores, the intestinal contents of 10 poultry that had not used any antibiotics and probiotics were cultured, isolated, and identified using biochemical and PCR methods. Commercial strains of Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus coagulans were purchased to compare their effects with native bacteria. These strains were then co-cultured with resistant Escherichia coli strains containing ctxM and luxS genes. Real-time PCR was used to evaluate the effect of these probiotics on gene expression

Results: The results indicated that 40 isolates (7.5%) of Escherichia coli were obtained from the 300 fecal samples. Thirteen samples (32.5%) were outpatients and 27 (67.5%) were inpatients. All isolates were isolated from men and women aged 21–62. Four Escherichia coli strains were isolated from patients carrying ctxM and luxS genes. Isolation of Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis from samples was confirmed by biochemical and molecular experiments. The commercial and native strains of Bacillus coagulans reduced the expression of the luxS and ctxM genes by 3.60, 3.30, 1.58, and 2.70 times respectively. Also, the commercial and native strains of Bacillus subtilis decreased the expression of the luxS and ctxM genes by 1.37, 1.10, 2.20, and 2.80 times respectively. The results of statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the presence of native and commercial probiotics in culture and reduced expression of ctxM and luxS genes.

Conclusion: According to the results, supplements of Bacillus coagulans and Bacillus subtilis increase the effect of antibiotics resistance in Escherichia coli by reducing the expression of resistance genes.