The herbal products proved to be more promising antimicrobials even though their antimicrobial activity is milder than commercially available antibiotics. Moreover, herbal drugs may act synergistically with antibiotics to kill microbes. In this study, we aimed to enhance the activity of penicillin against MRSA through combination with the active saponin fraction isolated from the Zygophyllum album plant. Three different types of metabolites (saponins, sterols, and phenolics) have been extracted from Zygophyllum album with ethanol and purified using different chromatographic techniques. The antibacterial activity of crude extract and the separated metabolites were checked against MRSA isolates, Saponin fraction (ZA-S) was only the active one followed by the crude extract. Therefore, the compounds in this fraction were identified using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography connected to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UHPLC/QTOF-MS) operated in positive and negative ionization modes. UHPLC/QTOF-MS revealed the presence of major six ursane-type tritepenoidal saponins (Quinovic acid, Quinovic acid 3β-O-β-D-quinovopyranoside, Zygophylloside C, Zygophylloside G, Zygophylloside K and Ursolic acid), in addition to Oleanolic acid. Interaction studies between saponin fraction and penicillin against MRSA were performed through the checkerboard method and time-kill assay. According to checkerboard results, only three combinations showed a fractional inhibitory concentration index less than 0.5 at concentrations of (62.5 + 312.5, 62.5 + 156.25, and 62.5 + 78.125 of penicillin and ZA-S, respectively). Time kill assay results showed that the highest reduction in log10 colony-forming unit (CFU)/ml of initial inoculum of MRSA after 24 h occurred by 3.7 at concentrations of 62.5 + 312.5 (µg/µg)/ml of penicillin and ZA-S, respectively. Thus, the combination between saponin fraction of Zygophyllum album and penicillin with these concentrations could be a potential agent against MRSA that can serve as possible model for new antibacterial drug.

Edible films and essential oil (EO) systems have the potency to enhance the microbial quality and shelf life of food. This investigation aimed to evaluate the efficacy of chitosan films including essential oils against spoilage bacteria and foodborne pathogens associated with meat. Antimicrobial activity (in vitro and in vivo) of chitosan films (CH) incorporated with oregano oil (OO) and thyme oil (TO) at 0.5 and 1% was done against spoilage bacteria and foodborne pathogens, compared to the control sample and CH alone. Preliminary experiments (in vitro) showed that the 1% OO and TO were more active against Staphylococcus aureus compared to Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium. In in vivo studies, CH containing OO and TO effectively inhibited the three foodborne pathogens and spoilage bacteria linked with packed beef meat which was kept at 4 °C/30 days compared to the control. The total phenolic content of the EOs was 201.52 mg GAE L−1 in thyme and 187.64 mg GAE L−1 in oregano. The antioxidant activity of thyme oil was higher than oregano oil. The results demonstrated that the shelf life of meat including CH with EOs was prolonged ~10 days compared to CH alone. Additionally, CH-OO and CH-TO have improved the sensory acceptability until 25 days, compared to the control. Results revealed that edible films made of chitosan and containing EOs improved the quality parameters and safety attributes of refrigerated or fresh meat.

Objectives: Urinary tract infection is the most common type of bacterial infection in kidney transplant procedures, with adverse effects on graft and patient survival. We aimed to evaluate the risk factors of recurrent urinary tract infection in renal transplant recipients and its impact on patient and graft survival. Materials and Methods: In a cohort of 1019 patients who were transplanted between 2000 and 2010 at Hamed Al-Essa Organ Transplant Center in Kuwait, 86% developed at least 1 episode of urinary tract infection, with only 6.2% of patients having recurrent infections. We compared patients with recurrent urinary tract infections (group 1) with those who had no recurrence (group 2) regarding their risk factors. Results: Patients in group 1 were significantly younger than those in group 2 (34.9 ± 23 vs 42.8 ± 16 y; P < .001), with female preponderance (P < .001). The percentage of patients with thymoglobulin induction (21.5%) was significantly higher in group 1. Patients with pretransplant urologic problems experienced significantly more recurrent urinary tract infections (P < .001). Hepatitis C infections were significantly more prevalent among group 1 (10.8% vs 3.8%; P = .008). Long-term graft outcome (functioning and failed) were 78.5% and 21.5% in group 1 versus 85.1% and 13.9% in group 2 (P = .18). Patient outcomes (living and deceased donors) were 98.4% and 1.6% in group 1 versus 95.7% and 4.3% in group 2 (P = .187). Conclusions: Adult females, thymoglobulin induction, pretransplant urologic problems, and hepatitis C infection were the risk factors of recurrent urinary tract infection among our renal transplant patients. However, recurrence did not adversely affect graft or patient survival.

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Introduction/Objective Introduction: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is one the most prevalent bacterial infection in the world, affecting more than 50% of the world’s population. H. pylori are gram negative bacteria usually found in the stomach, penetrate the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or esophagus. After many years, they can cause sores, called ulcers, in the lining of your stomach or the upper part of your small intestine. For some people, an infection can lead to Gastric cancer which is the second most common cancer worldwide Objectives: The aim of this study is to predict the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in gastrointestinal tract patients in Egypt. Methods Subjects and methods: A total of 1120 patients were enrolled in this study from The Delta region in Egypt. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits were used to detect H. pylori stool Antigen. Among the 1120 patient; 301 patients (26.9%) were males, 510 patients (45.6%) were females and 309 patients (27.5%) were children with age range from 1 years to 76 years. The mean of the age was 8,35,34 for children, males and females respectively. Results The overall prevalence of H. pylori infection was 52%. Among the 1120 patients, 576 patients (48%) were negative while 624 patients (52%) of the patients were Positive. It was observed that 169 patients (51.6%) of males were positive,275 patients (52.9%) of females were positive and 135 patients (41%) of children were positive. Furthermore, 133 patients (48.4%) of males were negative, 227 patients (47.2%) of females were negative and 181 patients 59% of children are negative. Conclusion This study revealed that the incidence and prevalence rates of H. Pylori in Egypt are relatively high. The high H. pylori prevalence is related to poor standard of living, low socio-economic conditions, poor sanitation and fecal contamination of food or water. It is crucial to launch educational awareness program for H. pylori in Egypt.

Probiotic microencapsulation is a promising way to produce functional food, while their stability and sensory acceptability still a challenge. This study aims to enhance the functional properties of strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa, cultivar Camarosa) nectar and sensory acceptance using novel anthocyanin-colored microencapsulation of Lactobacillus rhamnosus. Four formulations (F1–F4) of coated materials (alginate, whey protein, and pullulan) integrated with anthocyanin pigment were used for encapsulation. The physical properties of microencapsulated probiotics (size, color, efficiency, stability, and survival rate) and quality parameters of nectar (pH, anthocyanin, and sensory acceptability) during 4 weeks of storage at 4 and 25 °C were evaluated. All formulations exhibited high encapsulation efficiency (> 89%), medium bead size (406–504 μm), and proper color (red color). The microencapsulated cells were stable in simulated gastrointestinal and processing conditions (up 7 log10 CFU mL−1) compared to free cells. F4 (alginate 2% + anthocyanin 0.1% + whey protein 2% + pullulan 2% + cocoa butter 1% + L. rhamnosus GG) showed the greatest viability in nectar during storage (6.72 log10 CFU mL−1/4 °C/4 weeks), while a significant decrease in pH (< 2) and anthocyanin (< 60 mg 100 g−1) was observed in nectar-containing free cells. The sensory scores with a difference-preference test as exploratory and preliminary responses revealed that colored probiotic microcapsules enhanced the sensory characters (up to 4 weeks) and commercially accepted (> 80% agreed) of strawberry nectar. Results demonstrated that anthocyanin-colored alginate-whey protein-pullulan matrix had the potential to enhance probiotic viability in functional nectar without negative impact.

ABO blood group was first discovered by Landsteiner in 1901. Currently, there are more than 30 blood group systems, but ABO system remains the most clinically important of all blood groups in transfusion practice. The ABO blood group system antibodies are naturally occurring without any exposure to RBCs through transfusion or pregnancy, unlike the other blood group systems. Method The study was performed on a total of 40,591 healthy blood donors in Egypt. ABO and Rh (D) groupings were performed on all donors’ samples. Data on the frequency of ABO and Rh(D) blood groups were reported in numbers and percentages. Results The study showed that type A is the most common blood group (35.12%) in Egypt followed by O at 31.94%, followed by B at 23.12%, while AB had the least prevalence at 9.74%; A > O > B > AB. Our study showed that 91.78% of the donor population were Rh positive and 8.22% were Rh negative. The frequencies of the IA, IB, and IO alleles were calculated using the Hardy-Weinberg law of equilibrium. The calculated gene frequencies are 0.2537 for IA (p), 0.1812 for IB (q), and 0.5651 for IO (r). In the Egyptian population, O (r) records the highest value, followed by B (q) and A (p); O > B > A. The homozygous types were as follows: OO, 31.94%; AA, 6.43%; and BB, 3.28%. The heterozygous types were AO, 28.67%; BO, 20.47%; and AB, 9.78%. Conclusions The study provides the first accurate ABO gene frequency data as well as information on the distribution of ABO blood group Rh groups of various alleles in the Egyptian population. This information is very helpful in the effective management of the blood bank inventory. It will help transfusion services planning for future health challenge and improve blood transfusion practice.

Listeria monocytogenes is among the most important foodborne pathogens. It may enter foodprocessing environments through raw materials, handlers or equipment and may persist due to ineffective cleaning or sanitation. The bacterium can be isolated from both frozen vegetables and fresh food substances. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of L. monocytogenes in spices and frozen vegetables and screen for some virulence factors and drug-resistance determinants of the isolated bacteria. First, conventional microbiological methods were used for the isolation and identification of bacteria. Next, the identity of isolated bacteria was confirmed by molecular techniques, and the virulence genes iap and hlyA were identified by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The hemolytic activity of the isolates was assessed by cultivation on sheep blood agar. Furthermore, the antimicrobial susceptibility of confirmed L. monocytogenes isolates was tested by the disk diffusion method against 10 antibiotics. Out of 331 vegetable samples, 47 isolates were confirmed to contain L. monocytogenes, whereas none of 40 spice samples tested positive. All isolates were positive for iap and hlyA genes. Susceptibility testing indicated that all isolates were sensitive to trimethoprim/ sulfamethoxazole, but only 36% were sensitive to penicillin G, while 100% and 70% showed intermediate resistance to chloramphenicol and erythromycin, respectively. All tested isolates were resistant to amoxicillin, gentamicin and norfloxacin; on the other hand, 90, 86 and 84% of the tested strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin, ceftazidime/clavulanic acid and amikacin, respectively. In summary, L. monocytogenes isolates disseminated in frozen vegetable samples from the Egyptian market were highly virulent, entirely multiple-drug resistant and were enriched in iron-containing vegetables. Since L. monocytogenes is primarily pathogenic to humans and causes a life-threatening disease, there is a potential infection risk for people who usually deal with frozen vegetables before cooking. Hence, surveillance to L. monocytogenes in frozen products, together with implementation of tight measures would be valuable in preventing listeriosis, and are highly recommended.