Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus (MRSA) continues to be a global problem in infection control. The highest proportions of MRSA are reported by Jordan, Egypt and Cyprus investigators, where more than 50% of the invasive isolates are methicillin-resistant. The aim of this work was to study the prevalence, antibiotic sensitivity and genetic discrimination of MRSA in Egypt. Microbiological identification was done using Gram stain, catalase, coagulase and mannitol fermentation along with biochemical identification by analytical profile index (API) tests. Molecular identification was conducted by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting 16S ribosomal RNA and the nuc genes. Additionally, identification of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was performed by the amplification of 310 bp of the mecA gene. Antibiograms were performed for all isolates. Only 73 isolates out of 166 were oxacillin resistant. The percentage of resistant isolates to erythromycin, rifampicin, vancomycin, Ofloxacin, gentamycin, Amoxicillin clavulanic acid, ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, teicoplanin and tetracycline were 58, 32.50, 2.4, 45.18, 37.9, 39.7, 23.5, 21.6, 40.3, 0 and 39.1%, respectively. MRSA isolates were subdivided into eight biotypes according to their resistance pattern. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and repetitive sequence DNA (REP) were performed on samples representing each biotype.

Olea europeae (L.) has been reported to have antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral activities. The aim of the present study is to evaluate antiviral activity of olive leaves extract (OLE) against herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type-1 virus. Screening of antiviral activity was assessed by measuring inhibition of viralinduced cytopathic effect of in vero cells of different OLE fractions that have been successively extracted using solvents of increasing polarities, against HSV type-1 virus. Negligible antiviral activity has been shown of different fractions, except for ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions, showing strong and moderate anti-HSV type -1 activity, respectively. High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) chromatographic analysis of both fractions revealed high oleuropein content in ethyl acetate fraction in addition to other phenolic and flavonoid contents, whereas n-butanol fraction showed only high content of other phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Cytotoxicity of ethyl acetate fraction was assessed in vero cell line, the mean cytotoxic concentration CC50, was reported to be 610 µg/ml. On the other hand, the 50% inhibitory concentration (IC50), against HSV-1, was of value as low as 40 µg/ml (SI = 15.2). This concentration could be more reduced to 33 µg/ml (SI = 16.9); that is, 17% reduction in dose, by formulating a microemulsion dosage form, with particle size of 13 to 19 nm, being assessed by Malvern Zetasizer Ver. 6.2 and electron microscopy. Acyclovir, a recommended anti-HSV agent, was used as a positive control. Oleuropein pure standard and the main phenolic component of OLE, was also assessed for its anti-HSV type-1 virus. As conclusion, microemulsion formulation enhanced antiviral activity of crude OLE.

Introduction: Salmonella typhiVi capsular polysaccharide (ViCPS) is a licensed vaccine against typhoid fever in many countries; in Egypt, the killed whole-cell vaccine is still used. In this study, mice were used as an animal model to evaluate the immune response to ViCPS and other S. typhiantigens such as heat-killed whole cells and outer membrane protein (OMP). Methodology: The three antigens were laboratory prepared, injected into mice groups, and the humoral response was evaluated using the indirect whole-cell enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The sensitivity of this assay was investigated using in situ or pre-heated whole cells as coating antigens. In addition, the effect of the immunization route for ViCPS was examined. Results: Immunizing doses of heat-killed whole cells as well as ViCPS, 2 and 4 µg given subcutaneously (SC) and 4 µg given intraperitoneally (IP), showed significant immune response compared to controls. However, the responses to these doses were not significantly different from each other. The OMP showed a higher significant response. The sensitivity of indirect whole-cell ELISA was enhanced significantly by in situ heat treatment of the coating antigen rather than the pre-heated coating antigen. Conclusions: The three antigens showed significant immune response. The immune response to OMP was higher. Though heat-killed whole cells and ViCPS are almost similar in immunizing level, ViCPS is recommended. The SC route was more immunizing than the IP one. Furthermore, the sensitivity of the indirect whole-cell ELISA technique could be enhanced by in situ heat inactivation of the coating cells.

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