HPLC-UV was used to compare the major constituents of two Pelargonium × hortorum cultivars and Pelargonium sidoides root extract. It revealed the presence of catechin and gallic acid in high concentrations and the absence of umckalin in P. × hortorum root extracts. The antibacterial activity of these extracts was screened against 19 Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. P. × hortorum root extracts showed the lowest MIC values (512–1024 µg/mL). This activity was concluded to be attributable to the high concentrations of catechin and gallic acid. The anti-biofilm activity of catechin, gallic acid, and their combination was examined by a crystal violet assay. The combination reduced the percentage of strong and moderate biofilm-forming isolates from 52.63% to 5.26%. The impact on lasI and lasR genes expression using qRT-PCR and simultaneous docking against LasR protein was explored. The combination downregulated lasI and lasR gene expression in eight and six P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively, and showed the greatest docking score. Additionally, the in vivo protection capability of this combination in infected mice showed enhancement in the survival rate. Our study revealed the potential biofilm and quorum-sensing-inhibitory activity of the catechin and gallic acid combination as a novel alternative to inhibit bacterial pathogenicity.

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One of the global requirements for controlling the occurrence of resistance to antimicrobial drugs is to understanding the resistivity profile of various clinical isolates. Therefore, this study aimed to deliver the indication of different resistant profiles of clinically isolated Enterobacteriaceae from different sources of samples from Khartoum state, Sudan, and to determine the prevalence rate of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), multidrug-resistant (MDR), extensively drug-resistant (XDR), and pandrug-resistant (PDR) bacteria. A total of 144 Gram-negative bacteria were collected from different sources (vaginal swab, urine, catheter tip, sputum, blood, tracheal aspirate, pus, stool, pleural fluid, and throat swab). Samples were subcultured and identified according to their cultural characteristics and biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for twenty-four antibiotics from eleven categories against all isolated Enterobacteriaceae according to the recommendation of Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). The result showed that out of 144 isolates, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were predominant isolates with the percentage of 47.9 and 25%, respectively. The prevalence of ESBL was higher in K. pneumonia (38.9%) than E. coli (34.8%). All isolated E. coli were sensitive to nitrofurantoin and tigecycline. There was a high prevalence of MDR Enterobacteriaceae, and only one isolate was XDR, while PDR was zero for all isolated bacteria. Active antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) observation through constant data sharing and management of all stakeholders is crucial to recognize and control the AMR global burden. Also, effective antibiotic stewardship procedures would be applied to limit the unreasonable expenditure of antibiotics in Sudan.

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Klebsiella pneumoniae is an emergent pathogen causing respiratory tract, bloodstream, and urinary tract infections in humans. This study defines the genomic sequence data, genotypic and phenotypic characterization of K. pneumoniae clinically isolated from Al-Kharj, KSA. Whole-genome analysis of four K. pneumoniae strains was performed, including de novo assembly, functional annotation, whole-genome-phylogenetic analysis, antibiotic-resistant gene identification, prophage regions, virulent factor, and pan-genome analysis. The results showed that K6 and K7 strains were MDR and ESBL producers, K16 was an ESBL producer, and K8 was sensitive to all tested drugs except ampicillin. K6 and K7 were identified with sequence type (ST) 23, while K16 and K8 were identified with STs 353 and 592, respectively. K6 and K7 were identified with the K1 (wzi1 genotype) capsule and O1 serotype, while K8 was identified with the K57 (wzi206 genotype) capsule and O3b. K6 isolates harbored 10 antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) associated with four different plasmids; the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (catB3), blaOXA-1 and aac(6′)-Ib-cr genes were detected in plasmid pB-8922_OXA-48. K6 and K7 also carried a similar gene cassette in plasmid pC1K6P0122-2; the gene cassettes were the trimethoprim-resistant gene (dfrA14), integron integrase (IntI1), insertion sequence (IS1), transposase protein, and replication initiation protein (RepE). Two hypervirulent plasmids were reported in isolates K6 and K7 that carried synthesis genes (iucA, iucB, iucC, iucD, and iutA) and iron siderophore genes (iroB, iroC, iroD, and iroN). The presence of these plasmids in high-risk clones suggests their dissemination in our region, which represents a serious health problem.

Glaucoma is a progressive optic neuropathy characterized by a rise in the intraocular pressure (IOP) leading to optic nerve damage. Bimatoprost is a prostaglandin analogue used to reduce the elevated IOP in patients with glaucoma. The currently available dosage forms for Bimatoprost suffer from relatively low ocular bioavailability. The objective of this study was to fabricate and optimize solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) containing Bimatoprost for ocular administration for the management of glaucoma. Bimatoprost-loaded SLNs were fabricated by solvent evaporation/ultrasonication technique. Glyceryl Monostearate (GMS) was adopted as solid lipid and poloxamer 407 as surfactant. Optimization of SLNs was conducted by central composite design. The optimized formulation was assessed for average particle size, entrapment efficiency (%), zeta potential, surface morphology, drug release study, sterility test, isotonicity test, Hen’s egg test-chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM) test and histopathology studies. The optimized Bimatoprost-loaded SLNs formulation had an average size of 183.3 ± 13.3 nm, zeta potential of −9.96 ± 1.2 mV, and encapsulation efficiency percentage of 71.8 ± 1.1%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study revealed the nearly smooth surface of formulated particles with a nano-scale size range. In addition, SLNs significantly sustained Bimatoprost release for up to 12 h, compared to free drug (p < 005). Most importantly, HET-CAM test nullified the irritancy of the formulation was verified its tolerability upon ocular use, as manifested by a significant reduction in mean irritation score, compared to positive control (1% sodium dodecyl sulfate; p < 0.001). Histopathology study inferred the absence of any signs of cornea tissue damage upon treatment with Bimatoprost optimized formulation. Collectively, it was concluded that SLNs might represent a viable vehicle for enhancing the corneal permeation and ocular bioavailability of Bimatoprost for the management of glaucoma.

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Abstract16S rRNA gene sequence analysis is a robust tool for Background: characterization of new pathogens in clinical specimens with suspected bacterial disease. The aim of this study was to characterize Pseudomonas isolated from clinical specimens by sequencing the 16S rRNA aeruginosa gene.Forty bacterial isolates were obtained from different clinical Methods: specimens (wound, urine and sputum) using enrichment selective media and biochemical tests to characterize and identify the bacteria as P. aeruginosa. DNA was extracted from using the Chelex method. A universal P. aeruginosa primer was used to amplify 16S rRNA genes by a conventional PCR technique. The amplified PCR products were sequenced, and the sequences were viewed by Finch TV program version 1.4.0. The identity and similarity of the nucleotide sequence of the isolated strains was detected by comparing them with published sequences using BLASTn. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using Phylogeny.fr software.Sequence analysis by BLASTn displayed high similarity and identity Results: with from China KX461910, Australia JN609194 and with other P. aeruginosa isolates from the GenBank database. P. aeruginosaOur observation of isolates from different origin sites, further Conclusions: show the utility of 16s rRNA PCR amplification. This reveals the high specify of the primers and accuracy of the PCR. Thus, 16S rRNA sequencing can be used to identify genetically atypical isolates from different origins. P. aeruginosa