Made available in DSpace on 2016-05-17T16:51:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2015-05-29. Added 1 bitstream(s) on 2016-05-17T16:54:18Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 000860191.pdf: 1229013 bytes, checksum: d16d716da590068c25c2fbe7bdfdd03f (MD5) / Nas últimas décadas é crescente o número de infecções por enterobactérias oportunistas multidroga resistentes em animais domésticos e humanos, em geral secundárias ao uso abusivo de antimicrobianos, incluindo pelo gênero Proteus. No entanto, as infecções por linhagens do gênero Proteus em animais domésticos são negligenciadas, relegadas ao segundo plano ou, por vezes, o micro-organismo é considerado contaminante, ainda que em infecções como agente primário. Os registros de infecções por Proteus sp. em animais domésticos estão praticamente restritos aos relatos de casos, estudos retrospectivos ou compondo estudos com outros micro-organismos. São restritos no Brasil os estudos sistematizados envolvendo os principais aspectos clínico-epidemiológicos das afecções pelo gênero Proteus em grande número de animais domésticos, tampouco da presença de linhagens multirresistentes e/ou produtoras de beta-lactamases de espectro estendido (ESBL). O presente estudo investigou o índice de resistência múltipla (IRMA) e a concentração inibitória mínima (CIM) de 73 isolados de Proteus mirabilis (n=69) e Proteus vulgaris (n=4) a diferentes antimicrobianos, bem com a produção fenotípica de ESBL, em isolados obtidos de várias manifestações clínicas em animais domésticos. Em cães, o micro-organismo foi identificado predominantemente em casos de cistite (48,21%), enterite (21,42%), otite (14,29%), conjuntivite (3,57%), dermatite (1,79%), artrite (1,79%) e em secreção de ferida cirúrgica (1,79%). Nos bovinos, o agente foi isolado de casos enterite (22,22%), abscesso (11,11%), otite (11,11%), onfalite (11,11%), peritonite (11,11%), metrite (11,11%) e em fragmento de órgão (11,11%). Nos equinos, enterite (50,0%), artrite (22,22%) e abscesso (16,67%) foram as principais afecções clínicas, enquanto nos felinos o agente foi isolado exclusivamente de casos de enterite (100,0%). A maior sensibilidade dos isolados no... / In the last decades have been highlighted the increase number of infections in domestic animals and humans caused by opportunistic multidrug resistant enterobacteria, commonly associated to improper use of antimicrobials, including by Proteus species. However, Proteus infections in domestic animals have been misdiagnosed or the microorganism is considered a contaminant of microbiological cultures, besides to be a primary agent of diseases. Descriptions of Proteus infections in domestic animals usually are restricted to case reports, retrospective studies or part of studies involving other microorganisms. In Brazil, are restricted the comprehensive studies involving the main clinical and epidemiologic aspects of Proteus infections in a great number of domestic animals, as well as multiple drug resistant strains to conventional antimicrobials, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producers (ESBL). The present study investigated multiple antibiotic resistance index, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and ESBL production in 73 strains of Proteus mirabilis (n=69) and Proteus vulgaris (n=4) isolated from different clinical manifestations in domestic animals. In dogs, the pathogen was identified most commonly causing cystitis (48.21), enteritis (21.42%), otitis (14.29%), conjuntivitis (3.57%), dermatitis (1.79%), arthritis (1.79%), and from surgical wound secretion (1.79%). In bovines, the microorganism occurred predominantly in enteritis (22.22%), abscesses (11.11%), otitis (11.11%), omphalitis (11.11%), peritonitis (11.11%), and in organ fragments (11.11%). Among equines, diarrhea (50.0%), arthritis (22.22%), and abscesses (16.67%) were the most common clinical manifestations, whereas in domestic cats the agent was identified exclusively in two cases of enteritis. In vitro standard disk diffusion method showed that the most effective antimicrobials against strains were imipenem (98.63), norfloxacin (95.89), amikacin (95.89), levofloxacin ...

This work reports on the synthesis, characterization and the physicochemical properties of novel unsymmetrically substituted zinc phthalocyanines: namely tris{11,19, 27-(1,2- diethylaminoethylthiol)-2-(captopril) phthalocyanine Zn ((ZnMCapPc (1.5)), hexakis{8,11,16,19,42,27-(octylthio)-1-(4-phenoxycarboxy) phthalocyanine} Zn (ZnMPCPc(1.7)) and Tris {11, 19, 27-(1,2-diethylaminoethylthiol)-1,2(caffeic acid) phthalocyanine} Zn ((ZnMCafPc (1.3)). Symmetrically substituted counterparts (tetrakis(diethylamino)zinc phthalocyaninato (3.8), octakis(octylthio)zinc phthalocyaninato (3.9) and tetrakis (carboxyphenoxy)zinc phthalocyaninato (3.10) complexes) were also synthesized for comparison of the photophysicochemical properties and to investigate the effect of the substituents on the low symmetry Pcs. The complexes were successfully characterized by IR, NMR, mass spectral and elemental analyses. All the complexes showed the ability to produce singlet oxygen, while the highest triplet quantum yields were obtained for 1.7, 1.5 and 3.9 (0.80, 0.65 and 0.62 respectively and the lowest were obtained for 1.3 and 3.10 (0.57 and 0.47 respectively). High triplet lifetimes (109-286 μs) were also obtained for all complexes, with 1.7 being the highest (286 μs) which also corresponds to its triplet and singlet quantum yields (0.80 and 0.77 respectively). The photosensitizing properties of low symmetry derivatives, ZnMCapPc and ZnMCafPc were investigated by conjugating glutathione (GSH) capped silver nanoparticles (AgNP). The formation of the amide bond was confirmed by IR and UV-Vis spectroscopies. The photophysicochemical behaviour of the novel phthalocyanine-GSH-AgNP conjugates and the simple mixture of the Ag NPs with low the symmetry phthalocyanines were investigated. It was observed that upon conjugation of the phthalocyanines to the GSH-AgNPs, a blue shift in the Q band was induced. The triplet lifetimes and quantum yields improved upon conjugation as compared to the phthalocyanines (Pc) alone. Complex 1.5 triplet lifetimes increased from 109 to 148 and triplet quantum yield from 0.65 to 0.86 upon conjugation. Fluorescence lifetimes and quantum yields decreased for the conjugates compared to the phthalocyanines alone, due to the quenching caused by the Ag NPs. The antimicrobial activity of the zinc phthalocyanines (complexes 1.3 and 1.5) and their conjugates against Escherichia coli was investigated. Only 1.3 and 1.5 complexes were investigated because of the availability of the sample. In general phthalocyanines showed increase in antibacterial activity with the increase in phthalocyanines concentration in the presence and absence of light. The Pc complexes and their Ag NP conjugates showed an increase in antibacterial activity, due to the synergistic effect afforded by Ag NP and Pcs. Improved antibacterial properties were obtained upon irradiation. 1.5-AgNPs had the highest antibacterial activity compared to 1.3-AgNPs conjugate; these results are in agreement with the photophysical behaviour. This work demonstrates improved photophysicochemical properties of low symm

This thesis reports on the syntheses of novel low symmetrically substituted Zn, Sn, Ge and Ti MPc complexes containing a single carboxylic or cysteinyl group available for attachments to MNPs. The complexes were extensively characterized by various techniques to ensure their purity. Various metallic nanoparticles consisting of silver (AgNPs), gold (AuNPs) as well as quantum dots (QDs) were successfully prepared and conjugated to the low symmetry phthalocyanine complexes. The conjugates were successfully characterized using many techniques. The Q-band maxima of the MPcs were observed at completely different wavelength regions depending on the nature of the substituents and the central metal used. Blue shifting of the Q band in the absorption spectra was observed for the complexes in the presence of AuNPs, while aggregation was observed in the presence of quantum dots. The complexes were successfully electrospun into polymer fibers for the antimicrobial inhibition of bacteria. The photophysical and photochemical properties of these complexes were extensively investigated. Higher triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields were achieved for the Ge Pc complexes, with all the complexes giving reasonable singlet oxygen quantum yields. An enhancement in triplet and singlet oxygen quantum yields was observed for all the complexes in the presence of metal nanoparticles. However, the singlet oxygen quantum yields decreased for all the complexes when incorporated into electrospun fibers. The antimicrobial behaviour of the complexes was investigated against Bacillus Subtilis and Staphylococcus Aureus in solution and in the fiber matrix. High antimicrobial inhibitions were observed for the Ge complexes followed by the ZnPc derivatives. All the low symmetry ZnPc derivatives were conjugated to AgNPs and their antimicrobial behaviour was compared to their symmetrical counterparts. The best antimicrobial inhibition behaviour was observed for the low symmetry Pcs when compared to their symmetrical counterparts. In the absence and in the presence of AgNPs, axially ligated SiPc also showed better antimicrobial activity when it was compared to the unsubstituted ZnPc complex.

Thesis (MTech (Biomedical Sciences))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015. / Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are designed to remove/decrease conventional pollution parameters from the wastewater influent, so that the final effluent (run off) does not compromise the receiving surface water source. However, as hospital and clinical effluent may form part of the initial influent at a WWTP, bacteria may be exposed to various antibiotics or pharmaceuticals throughout the various stages of primary, secondary and tertiary processes utilised to remove or reduce the level of pollutants. Numerous studies have then indicated that WWTPs have become potential reservoirs for antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and due to ineffective treatment practices, antibiotics are being released into the environment. Consequently, research has shown that relatively low concentrations of these compounds still promotes the development of bacterial resistance, which potentiates the rapid spread of ARB in the environment. The primary aim of this study was thus to identify and trace the antibiotic resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) throughout the Stellenbosch WWTP. This was done in order to determine the persistance of the ARB organisms at the various stages of treatment and to ascertain which identification and antibiotic resistance detection methods are ideal for the routine application and detection of these organisms. / National Research Foundation

Orientador: Marcelo Brocchi / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T01:54:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Gosse_JessicaThandara_M.pdf: 9918536 bytes, checksum: dc4c91a89de0bb62c2d5c3f1c2ea0b3c (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: O resumo poderá ser visualizado no texto completo da tese digital quando for liberada / Abstract: The abstract is available with the full electronic document when available / Mestrado / Genetica de Microorganismos / Mestra em Genética e Biologia Molecular

Orientador: Marcelo Brocchi / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-23T15:34:06Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Lima_BrunadeAraujo_D.pdf: 3794605 bytes, checksum: 178a4bf447e5292f789a4713d5500b38 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013 / Resumo: A violaceína é um pigmento violeta produzido por algumas espécies bacterianas de origem ambiental, tais como Chromobacterium violaceum e Janthinobacterium lividum. Esta molécula apresenta várias propriedades biológicas incluindo antibacteriana, antifúngica, antiviral, antiprotozoária e antitumoral, apesar de sua função exata na fisiologia dos micro-organismos que a produz, ainda é desconhecido. No presente trabalho, a atividade antimicrobiana da violaceína produzida comercialmente, o extrato semi purificado e nanopartículas de vanadato de prata foram avaliados contra espécies de bacterianas gram-positivas e gram-negativas. A violaceína exibiu efeito antimicrobiano contra Staphylococcus aureus resistente à meticilina (MRSA) e Enterococcus resistente à vancomicina (VRE), que são micro-organismos frequentemente relacionados com infecções adquiridas em hospitais. Os valores de MIC (concentração inibitória mínima) e MBC (concentração bactericida mínima) da violaceína produzida comercialmente foram de 0,625 ?M e 1,25 ?M respectivamente e, análise de curvas de crescimento e tempo-morte revelaram um efeito antibacteriano durante 12 horas contra MRSA. A microscopia eletrônica de transmissão mostrou os efeitos da violaceína com alterações morfológicas e ultra estruturais, incluindo alterações na parede celular e formação de septos de divisão anormais. Nos resultados obtidos das análises de proteômica e transcriptoma a violaceína afetou a expressão de várias classes funcionais de proteínas e genes em MRSA, incluindo processos biológicos em biossíntese da parede celular e divisão celular que corroboram as alterações ultra estruturais visualizadas. Em conclusão, a violaceína produzida comercialmente demonstrou atividade antimicrobiana para S. aureus MRSA e pela primeira vez, os efeitos da violaceína sobre o metabolismo de S. aureus foram descritos, indicando possíveis alvos e vias metabólicas afetadas por esta droga. No seu conjunto, estes dados indicam a violaceína como uma droga potencial para o tratamento de infecções provocadas por MRSA / Abstract: Violacein is a violet pigment produced by some bacterial species of environmental source, such as Chromobacterium violaceum and Janthinobacterium lividum. This molecule has numerous biological properties including antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, antiprotozoal and antitumor activity, although the exact role in the physiology of producing microorganisms is still unknown. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of violacein produced commercially, semi purified extract and silver vanadate nanoparticles were evaluated against several species of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Violacein exhibited antimicrobial activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), microorganisms that are often related to hospital-acquired infections. MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) and MBC (minimum bactericidal concentration) values of violacein produced commercially were 1.25 ?M mM and 0.625 ?M respectively, and analysis of growth and time-kill curves showed an antibacterial effect against MRSA for 12 hours. The transmission electron microscopy showed the effects of violacein with morphological and ultra-structural changes, including changes in cell wall formation and abnormal division septum. The results obtained from the analysis of proteomic and transcriptomic revealed that violacein affects the expression of several functional classes of proteins and genes in MRSA, including biological processes in cell wall biosynthesis and cell division, supporting ultra-structural changes. In conclusion, violacein produced commercially demonstrated antimicrobial activity against S. aureus MRSA and the effects on the metabolism of S. aureus have been described, indicating possible targets and pathways affected by this drug. These data indicate violacein as a potential drug for the treatment of infections caused by MRSA / Doutorado / Microbiologia / Doutora em Genética e Biologia Molecular

The undeniable efficacy of medicinal plants and wide range of biological activities attributed to plant secondary metabolites are an indication that plants can serve as an excellent pool of bioactive compounds with useful therapeutic properties. The South African flora is recognised as one of the richest centres of plant diversity in the world. From this enormous biodiversity a large number of species has the potential to yield pharmacologically active compounds. C. album is an indigenous plant belonging to the Cape fynbos biome with potentially useful bioactivities. The aim of this study was to evaluate the bioactivity of C. album by screening plant extracts for antibacterial, anti-mycobacterial, antifungal, antioxidant and anti-HIV activity. For rapid and effective screening for the presence of bioactive compounds, a bioassay-guided fractionation methodology was followed. Extracts from plant material obtained from two different geographic regions, the Cape and Highveld, were prepared by liquid extraction in a ratio of 150g fresh plant material per litre solvent, either acetone or ethanol. Qualitative analysis of the crude extracts by TLC and RP-HPLC documented the multi-component plant constituents as a fingerprint, revealing a highly complex, but similar profile of extracted components in both plant groups. Preliminary identification and structural information of the bioactive components present in the active C. album extracts was obtained by a combination of preparative TLC and LC/MS. The development of resistance to all available classes of antibiotic agents, their decreased effectiveness and the re-emergence of previously uncommon infections has necessitated the search for antimicrobial substances with novel antimicrobial mechanisms. The antimicrobial activity, including the antibacterial (Gram-positive and Gram-negative), anti-mycobacterial and antifungal activity of the crude extracts were evaluated. The TLC-bioautographic method used to screen the plant extracts for antimicrobial activity, as well as the localisation of compounds with antibacterial and antifungal activity, indicated the presence of a number of inhibitory compounds with activity against all the microorganisms tested. Evaluation of the inhibitory strength of each extract by the serial microdilution assay indicated that the C. album extracts effectively inhibited all the microorganisms, with the minimum inhibitory concentrations in the low mg/ml range. The significant antimicrobial activity exhibited against all the microorganisms, especially against the Gram-negative bacteria, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Candida albicans, could suggest the potential use of the extracts or their active constituents as therapeutic agents for the treatment of infectious diseases. The need for natural antioxidants in the health care sector and food industry, due to the role that free radicals play in the pathology of a variety of human diseases and radical-induced deterioration of food products, supported the evaluation of the free radical scavenging activity of C. album extracts against relevant free radical species. The antioxidant activity of the extracts measured using the TLC-DPPH method, revealed the presence of a number of compounds with antioxidant activity. Quantification of the radical scavenging activity by the DPPHspectrophotometric assay revealed that the acetone extracts had a higher radical scavenging activity compared to the ethanol extracts, a pattern that was also found with the fluorescencemicroplate based oxygen radical absorbance assay (ORAC), specific for peroxyl radicals. The observed antioxidant activity were correlated with the total polyphenol content of the crude extracts, determined by the Folin-Ciocalteau procedure, but not with the reducing capacity evaluated by a Fe3 + - Fe2 + reduction method. HIV/AIDS has gained significant interest due to the high mortality rate and the rapid spread of the disease. The appearance of HIV strains resistant to certain antiretroviral drugs, in addition to the high cost, severe metabolic side effects and therapeutic failure of currently available antiretroviral agents, served as motivation for evaluation of C. album for anti-HIV properties and to evaluate potential cytotoxicity of plant extracts in mammalian cell cultures. The effects of the crude extracts on the in vitro HIV-1 subtype C (the predominant HIV-1 form in South Africa) replication and cytopathic effect on CEMnkrCCR5 lymphoid cells were determined. Viability assays using tetrazolium salts and viability dyes allowed the assessment of the host cell responses in the cytotoxicity and anti-HIV screening. Assays were performed at the maximum non-toxic concentration of 50 μg/ml. Some of the plant extracts exhibited significant reduction of the virusinduced cytopathic effect and induced a significant increase in cellular viability. The effect of the extracts on HIV activity was also investigated by determining the viral p24 core protein level, an indication of the replication fitness of the virus; and a significant decrease in p24 antigen level, was found. An attempt to clarify the main active compounds and the structural elements conferring the bioactivity in the analysed systems, revealed the presence of phenolic compounds, primarily coumarins and flavonoids, which are thought to be responsible for the observed antibacterial and antioxidant activities. The results of this study indicate that C. album possess strong bioactivity that warrants further investigation. / Prof. I.A. Dubery Dr. D. Meyer

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / The reproductive health of individuals is severely compromised by HIV infection, with candidiasis being the most prevalent oral complication in patients. Although not usually associated with severe morbidity, oropharyngeal candidiasis can be clinically significant, as it can interfere with the administration of medications and adequate nutritional intake, and may spread to the esophagus. Azole antifungal agents are commonly prescribed for the treatment and prophylaxis of candidal infections. However, the emergence of drug resistant strains and dose limiting toxic effects have complicated the treatment of candidiasis. Consequently, safe and effective and affordable medicine is required to combat this fungus. Commercial garlic (Allium sativum) has been used time since immemorial as a natural antibiotic, however very little is known about the antifungal properties of two indigenous South African species of garlic, namely Tulbaghia alliacea and Tulbaghia violacea, that are used as folk medicines for a variety of infections. This study compares the in vitro anti-candidal activity of Tulbaghia alliacea, Tulbaghia violacea and Allium sativum extracts. It was found that the greatest concentrations of inhibitory components were extracted by chloroform or water. The IC50 concentrations of Tulbaghia alliacea were between 0.007 - 0.038% (w/v). Assays using S. cerevisiae revealed that the T. alliacea extract was fungicidal, with a killing half-life of approximately 2 hours. This inhibitory effect of the T. alliacea extracts was observed via TLC, and may be due to an active compound called Marasmicin, that was identified using NMR. This investigation confirms that extracts of T.alliacea exhibit anti-infective activity against candida species in vitro. / South Africa

Prevention of the accumulation of undesirable biological material i.e. biofouling upon a solid surface requires the use of antifouling systems. The solid surface may be a contact lens, an off shore oil rig or a living organism. When chemicals are employed as a mechanism of defense against biofouling, the agents involved are known as antifouling agents. Marine algae must protect themselves from fouling organisms and it is thought that one of the mechanisms used by these organisms is the production of secondary metabolites with an array of biological activities. In vitro studies have shown numerous compounds isolated from marine algae to possess antibacterial, antifungal and antimacrofouling activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the secondary metabolite extracts of selected Southern African marine macro-algae as a potential source of compounds that inhibit biofilm formation and that could be used as antifouling agents. In this project, marine macro-algae were collected from various sites along the South African coastline. Their extracts were screened for antimicrobial activity against four ubiquitous microorganisms, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Mycobacterium aurm and Candida albicans. Results of screening assays guided the fractionation of two Rhodophyta, Plocamium corallorhiza and Laurencia flexuosa. The algae were fractionated using silica gel column chromatography and compounds were isolated by semi-preparative normal phase HPLC. Compound characterization was performed using UV, IR and advanced one- and two-dimensional NMR (¹H, ¹³C NMR, COSY, HSQC, HMBC and NOESY) spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Ten halogenated monoterpenes including four members of the small class of halogenated monoterpene aldehydes were isolated from extracts of P. corallorhiza. The compounds isolated included the known compounds 3,4,6,7-tetrachloro-3,7-dimethyl-1-octene; 4,6-dibromo-1, 1-dichloro-3,7 -dimethyl-2E,7 octadiene; 4,8-d ibromo-1,1,7 -trichloro-3, 7-dimethyl-2,5Eoctadiene;1 ,4,8-tribromo-3, 7 -dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-1 E,5E-octadiene; 8-bremo-6, 7-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-2E,4E-dienal; 4-Bromo-8-chloro-3,7-dimethyl-octa-2E,6E-dienal; 4,6- Dibromo-3,7-dimethyl-octa-2E,7-dienal; 2,4-dichloro-1-(2-chlorovinyl)-1-methyl-5-methylidene-cyclohexane and two new metabolites 4,8-chloro-3,7-dimethyl-2Z,4,6Z-octatrien-1-al and Compound 3.47. Methodology was developed for the chemical derivatization and mass spectrometric analysis of the aldehydic compounds, The aldehyde trapping reagent 0-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl)hydroxylamine hydrochloride was used to derivatize the molecules, stabilizing them and allowing for their complete characterization. From Laurencia flexuosa a new cuparene sesquiterpene 4-bremo-2-(5-hydroxy-1,2,2- trimethylcyclopent-3-enyl)-5-methylphenol was isolated along with two geometric isomers of the vinyl acetylene bromofucin , An halogenated monoterpene 3S*,4R*-1-bromo-3,4,8-trichloro-9-dichloromethyl-1-E,5-E,7-Z-octatriene was also isolated but was suspected to be a contaminant and an investigation into its biological source revealed that it originated from Plocamium suhrii. A third alga, Martensia elegans was extracted based on published reports of antimicrobial compounds in related species. A new a-alkyl malate derivative was isolated and characterized. Selected compounds isolated during the course of the study were employed in preliminary assays that tested their ability to inhibit biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The halogenated monoterpenes isolated from the Plocamium species were the only active compounds. 3S*,4R*-1-bromo-3,4,S-trichloro-g-dichloromethyl-1-E,5-E,7-octatriene from P. suhrii inhibited biofilm formation through antibacterial activity on planktonic cells but could not prevent biofilm formation when employed as a film on the surface of microtitre plate wells. 1,4,8-tribromo-3,7-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-1E,5E-octadiene and 4,6-dibromo-1,1-dichloro-3,7-dimethyl-2E,7-octadiene inhibited biofilm formation when applied as a film to the microtitre plate wells but had no significant antibacterial activity. No potential antifouling agents were identified in this project but the antimicrobial activity exhibited by the crude algal extracts was highly encouraging and a number of new research areas have been identified. / KMBT_363 / Adobe Acrobat 9.54 Paper Capture Plug-in

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has been a great problem for many years. The degree of resistance and the speed with which resistance develops varies with different organisms and different drugs. Enzymes called β-lactamases are produced by bacteria and are one mechanism in which bacteria develop antimicrobial resistance. Gram-negative bacteria producing enzymes called ESBLs because of their wide substrate range are of a particular concern in nosocomial infections. In many countries people still use traditional medicine derived from plants as an alternative to the Western medicine due to increased cost of Western medicine and microbial resistance of antibiotic treatments. Biologically active compounds isolated from plants species are used in herbal medicine. Because of the high prevalence of the ESBLs and their increasing resistance to the antibiotics, this research study was done to test the antimicrobial activities of selected medicinal plants of the Eastern Cape; G. incanum, D. angustifolia and E. autumnalis which were traditionally used to treat various infections. The in vitro antimicrobial activity of three different extracts (acetone, methanol & distilled water) and the traditional preparations of the three plants were tested against the selected strains of ESBL-producing bacteria, non β-lactamase producers and the different fungal species. The extracts were screened against 26 Gram-positive bacterial strains, 53 Gram-negative bacterial strains and 15 fungal strains. The Gram-positive bacteria included strains from S. aureus, B. cereus and E. faecalis. The Gram-negative bacteria included strains from E. ii coli, E. cloacae, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and Acinetobacter spp. The fungal strains included 9 strains of Candida albicans and a single strain of each of the following opportunistic fungi, Mucor sp, Geotrichium sp, Penicillium sp, Fusarium sp and Rhizopus sp. The agar dilution assay was used for the antimicrobial screening of the plants extracts and for the determination of the MICs. The Ames test was performed for the determination of probable carcinogenicity of the extracts of G. incanum and D. angustifolia. The distilled water extracts followed by acetone extracts of the plants revealed the highest antimicrobial activity against the different microbial strains. The extracts of G. incanum followed by the extracts of D. angustifolia inhibited the highest number of microbial strains. The extracts of E. autumnalis did not show any antimicrobial activity against all the pathogens in this study. More of the Gram-positive bacteria were inhibited by the plant extracts. The lowest MIC was obtained with Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial strains of E. faecalis and P. aeruginosa were not inhibited by any of the plants extracts in the agar dilution assay yet Acinetobacter species which are MDR were inhibited by the distilled water and methanol extracts of G. incanum. A single strain of Mucor sp was the only spore forming fungi that was inhibited by the distilled water extracts of G. incanum. None of the plants extracts showed any mutagenic effects on the TA100 S. typhimurium strains incorporated on the Ames test. Apart from revealing of new antimicrobial agents that may be used against resistant organisms, the proper use of antimicrobial agents should be recommended. The study has highlighted a need for further investigations on the properties of the medicinal plants used in this study.