Thesis (MSc (Biomedical Technology))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2017. / Background: It is well established that Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is an opportunistic pathogenic organism that has been frequently identified as the cause of nosocomial and community acquired infections. Furthermore, studies have shown that over the last few decades strains of the genus Klebsiella have systematically developed resistance to numerous antibiotics. Aims and Methods: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of K. pneumoniae in nosocomial and community isolates in the Western Cape province of South Africa. Various identification techniques such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using the API 20 E, the VITEK®2 system, primers specific for the 16S-23S rDNA ITS region and the Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) were compared for the identification of this pathogen. The VITEK 2 system was used to detect antibiotic resistant profiles of the K. pneumoniae isolates and to identify the extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) phenotypic among these isolates. The PCR was used to detect Beta-lactam genes viz. CTX-M (blaCTX-M), TEM (blaTEM) and SHV (blaSHV) respectively in both the genome and plasmid DNA of K. pneumoniae using gene specific primers. Results: In total 57 agar plate bacterial cultures or glycerol stock bacterial cultures were obtained during 2011. Of the 57 isolates, the API 20 E test identified 47 (82.5%) of the isolates (n = 57) as K. pneumoniae while 10 isolates (17.5%) were identified as Raoultella species. The VITEK 2 method and PCR identified all 57 isolates as K. pneumoniae (100%). Of the isolates, 82.5% (47/57) were positively identified as Klebsiella species, 14% (8/57) were identified as Klebsiella variicola and 3.5% (2/57) were shown as no reliable identification (NRI) when using the MALDI-TOF MS. Examination of the 57 isolates using primers specific for the CTX-M (blaCTX-M), TEM (blaTEM) and SHV (blaSHV) respectively showed the following: PCR amplicons for the TEM gene were produced successfully for 46 (81%) of the 57 isolates included in this project, while 11 (19%) of the samples did not yield any TEM amplicons; PCR amplicons for the blaSHV gene were obtained successfully for 56 (98%) of the 57 DNA samples, while 1 sample (2%) did not yield any SHV amplicons; and PCR amplicons for the blaCTX-M gene were produced successfully by 89% (n = 51) of the DNA samples included in this project, while 11% (n = 6) did not yield any CTX-M amplicon. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase phenotypes had been confirmed in 84% (n = 48) K. pneumoniae isolates while nine isolates were found to be non-ESBL. Resistance rates for these 48 isolates were high and showed resistance patterns of: Amoxicillin/Ampicillin, Amoxycillin/Clavulanate, Ceftriaxone/Cefotaxime, Cefuroxime/Cefprozil and Ceftazidime (100%, n = 48); Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Cefoxitin (98%, 47/48); Cefepime (96%, 46/48); Aztreonam (94%; 45/48); Tobramycin (81%, 39/48); Gentamycin and Ciprofloxacin (77%, 37/48); Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole (67%, 32/48); and Tigecycline (25% 12/48). Conclusion: For the analysis by all four methods employed, a total agreement of 68.4% was obtained, indicating the positive identification of K. pneumoniae in 39 of the 57 samples analysed. An average agreement of 28.1% was then obtained for the comparison of results generated for three of the methods utilised, while a 3.5% average agreement was obtained for at least two methods. Furthermore, all four methods agreed that 82.5% of the isolates were Klebsiella species while three methods agreed that 17.5% of the isolates were Klebsiella species. Based on the results obtained in the current study, PCR and VITEK 2 were the methods of choice for the identification of K. pneumoniae. The current study also showed, that ESBL-K. pneumoniae strains are present in the Western Cape province, South Africa; with high resistance profiles to numerous antibiotics including the Cephalosporins.

Thesis (Ph.D. (Biochemistry)) --University of Limpopo, 2009 / Refer to document / National Research Foundation (NRF) and University of Limpopo

The waterborne bacterial pathogen Vibrio cholerae uses a process of cell-to-cell communication called quorum sensing (QS) to coordinate transcription of four sRNAs (Qrr1-4; quorum regulatory RNAs) in response to changes in extracellular QS signals that accumulate with cell density. The Qrr sRNAs are predicted to negatively control translation of several mRNAs, including hapR, which encodes the master QS transcription factor that controls genes for virulence factors, biofilm formation, protease production, and DNA uptake. The Qrr sRNAs are also predicted to positively control vca0939, which encodes a GGDEF family protein that promote biofilm formation by elevating intracellular levels of the second messenger molecule c-di-GMP. Using complementary in vivo, in vitro, and bioinformatic approaches, I showed that Qrr sRNAs base-pair with and repress translation of the mRNA encoding HapR. A single nucleotide mutation in Qrr RNA abolishes hapR pairing and thus prevents cholera toxin production and biofilm formation that are important in disease, and also alters expression of competence genes required for uptake of DNA in marine settings. I also demonstrated that base-pairing of the Qrr sRNAs with vca0939 disrupts an inhibitory structure in the 5' UTR of the mRNA. Qrr-activated translation of vca0939 was sufficient to promote synthesis of c-di-GMP and early biofilm formation in a HapR-independent manner. Thus, these studies define the non-coding Qrr sRNAs as a critical component allowing V. cholerae to sense and respond to environmental cues to regulate important developmental processes such as biofilm formation.

D. Tech. Water care. / Groundwater is the main source of drinking in most rural areas of South Africa and is supplied to the communities without prior treatment. However, the contamination of groundwater sources by pathogenic bacteria poses a public health concern to these communities. This study was aimed at developing and evaluating the effectiveness of filter materials coated with silver nanoparticles for the removal of pathogenic microorganisms from groundwater as well as the inhibition of biofilm formation in drinking water systems.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Biotechnology)- Dept. of Biotechnology & Food Technology, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xv, 102 leaves / For decades the genus Aspergillus (of fungi) has been classified based on morphological and growth criteria. Members of the Aspergillus section Flavi are economically valuable and methods of differentiating them are thus very important. Several molecular methods have been developed to distinguish these strains. Also, a number of biochemical and genetic studies have been used in order to provide a better means of classification (Lee et al., 2004). Aflatoxins, the most frequently studied mycotoxins, are produced by certain Aspergillus species/strains/isolates of fungi. The aflatoxin biosynthetic pathway studies have led to a number of discoveries. Several structural and regulatory genes (and their enzymes) involved in the biosynthesis of aflatoxins have been discovered and purified (Trail et al., 1995). Aflatoxin production and contamination of agricultural crops are major causes of economic losses in agriculture. Thus, better methods of characterization/differentiation are required for both aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic isolates. Molecular biology is one of the current tools used to differentiate between these isolates. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis has been used successfully in the analysis of DNA relatedness of species of fungi, bacteria, plants and animals. Dendograms which evaluate/assess the likeness between different isolates has also been used (Martinez et al., 2001). Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis has been applied to a number of studies to detect differences between fungi and to establish relationships between them. Therefore, the scope of this study was to investigate RAPD analysis (with dendograms) and detection of RFLPs by hybridization as molecular methods that can distinctly differentiate or characterize the aflatoxigenic and non-aflatoxigenic Aspergillus isolates.

Access to abstract permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Access to thesis permanently restricted to Ball State community only / Department of Biology

Capes / Uma superfície mal higienizada em um ambiente produtivo, somada à capacidade de adesão de um microrganismo, pode se tornar uma fonte potencial de contaminação e levar à formação de biofilmes. Estes, uma vez formados, são de difícil remoção e podem proliferar para a contaminação de alimentos. A preocupação com a segurança dos alimentos é um desafio, visto que problemas a ela relacionados podem comprometer a saúde do consumidor. O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar microrganismos patogênicos potenciais produtores de biofilme microbiano presentes no processamento industrial de um frigorífico bovino. O desenvolvimento do trabalho se resume em três fases: entrevista com o coordenador de qualidade de um frigorífico da região dos Campos Gerais; diagnóstico de pontos críticos no controle de qualidade do processamento industrial desse frigorífico, por meio de um diagrama decisório e coleta de amostras durante o processo industrial através de swabs, utilizados no isolamento por microbiologia. Em seguida, foi identificado o perfil genético das amostras, por meio do isolamento de DNA, seguida de amplificação por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase com os primers universais rD1 e fD1. Os dados gerados na primeira fase indicam os programas de controle de qualidade aplicados na indústria frigorífica em estudo. A entrevistada, responsável pelo controle de qualidade da indústria, salientou o uso de Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF), Análise de Perigo e Pontos Críticos de Controle (APPCC), Procedimento Padrão de Higiene Operacional (PPHO), Monitoramento de Pragas (MIP) e Folha de Verificação (FV). A partir do diagrama decisório, foram identificados 25 pontos para a coleta de amostras para a identificação de microrganismos patogênicos. Dentre esses, dez pontos amostrais foram isolados por microbiologia convencional com meio de cultura EMB, indicando contaminação de conteúdo gastrointestinal por coliformes fecais. Em dez pontos, nem sempre distintos, houve crescimento em meio de cultura SS – Salmonella Shigella, indicando contaminação durante o abate a partir da manipulação da carne pelos funcionários, uma vez que esses podem ser portadores sadios de microrganismos patogênicos. Para identificação genotípica das amostras sequenciadas, os resultados chegaram a nível de gênero, sendo Escherichia, Proteus, Hafnia e Bacillus, todos pertencentes ao grupo de Enterobactérias, com exceção de Bacillus. Verificou-se através da identificação genotípica, relacionada com os locais de coleta das amostras no fluxograma, que há contaminação cruzada no ambiente produtivo do presente frigorífico, na maioria dos pontos, relacionadas com o manipulador. / An unhygienic surface in a productive environment, added to the adhesion capacity of a microorganism, can become a potential source of contamination and lead to the formation of biofilms. These, once formed, are difficult to remove and can proliferate for food contamination. Concern about food safety is a challenge, as related problems can compromise consumer health. The objective of this work is to select potential pathogenic microorganisms producing microbial biofilms present in the industrial processing of a beef cattle. The development of the work is summarized in three phases: interview with the quality coordinator of a refrigerator in the Campos Gerais region; diagnosis of critical points in the quality control of the industrial processing of this refrigerator, through a decision diagram and sample collection during the industrial process through swabs, used in the isolation by microbiology. Then, the genetic profile of the samples was identified through DNA isolation, followed by amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction with the universal primers rD1 and fD1. The data generated in the first phase indicated the quality control programs in the refrigeration industry under study. The interviewee, responsible for the quality control of the industry, emphasized the use of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Standard Operating Procedures (PPHO), Pest Monitoring (IPM) And Verification Sheet (FV). From the decision diagram, 25 points were identified for the collection of samples for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Among these, ten sample points were isolated by conventional microbiology with EMB culture, indicating contamination of gastrointestinal contents by fecal coliforms. At ten points, not always distinct, there was growth in the SS - Salmonella Shigella culture, indicating contamination during slaughter from the handling of the meat by the employees, since they may be healthy carriers of pathogenic microorganisms. For genotypic identification of the sequenced samples, the results reached the species level, being Escherichia, Proteus, Hafnia and Bacillus, all belonging to the group of Enterobacteria, except for Bacillus. It was verified through the genotypic identification, related to the sample collection sites in the flowchart, that there is cross contamination in the productive environment of the present refrigerator, in most of the points, related to the manipulator.

Capes / Uma superfície mal higienizada em um ambiente produtivo, somada à capacidade de adesão de um microrganismo, pode se tornar uma fonte potencial de contaminação e levar à formação de biofilmes. Estes, uma vez formados, são de difícil remoção e podem proliferar para a contaminação de alimentos. A preocupação com a segurança dos alimentos é um desafio, visto que problemas a ela relacionados podem comprometer a saúde do consumidor. O objetivo deste trabalho foi isolar microrganismos patogênicos potenciais produtores de biofilme microbiano presentes no processamento industrial de um frigorífico bovino. O desenvolvimento do trabalho se resume em três fases: entrevista com o coordenador de qualidade de um frigorífico da região dos Campos Gerais; diagnóstico de pontos críticos no controle de qualidade do processamento industrial desse frigorífico, por meio de um diagrama decisório e coleta de amostras durante o processo industrial através de swabs, utilizados no isolamento por microbiologia. Em seguida, foi identificado o perfil genético das amostras, por meio do isolamento de DNA, seguida de amplificação por Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase com os primers universais rD1 e fD1. Os dados gerados na primeira fase indicam os programas de controle de qualidade aplicados na indústria frigorífica em estudo. A entrevistada, responsável pelo controle de qualidade da indústria, salientou o uso de Boas Práticas de Fabricação (BPF), Análise de Perigo e Pontos Críticos de Controle (APPCC), Procedimento Padrão de Higiene Operacional (PPHO), Monitoramento de Pragas (MIP) e Folha de Verificação (FV). A partir do diagrama decisório, foram identificados 25 pontos para a coleta de amostras para a identificação de microrganismos patogênicos. Dentre esses, dez pontos amostrais foram isolados por microbiologia convencional com meio de cultura EMB, indicando contaminação de conteúdo gastrointestinal por coliformes fecais. Em dez pontos, nem sempre distintos, houve crescimento em meio de cultura SS – Salmonella Shigella, indicando contaminação durante o abate a partir da manipulação da carne pelos funcionários, uma vez que esses podem ser portadores sadios de microrganismos patogênicos. Para identificação genotípica das amostras sequenciadas, os resultados chegaram a nível de gênero, sendo Escherichia, Proteus, Hafnia e Bacillus, todos pertencentes ao grupo de Enterobactérias, com exceção de Bacillus. Verificou-se através da identificação genotípica, relacionada com os locais de coleta das amostras no fluxograma, que há contaminação cruzada no ambiente produtivo do presente frigorífico, na maioria dos pontos, relacionadas com o manipulador. / An unhygienic surface in a productive environment, added to the adhesion capacity of a microorganism, can become a potential source of contamination and lead to the formation of biofilms. These, once formed, are difficult to remove and can proliferate for food contamination. Concern about food safety is a challenge, as related problems can compromise consumer health. The objective of this work is to select potential pathogenic microorganisms producing microbial biofilms present in the industrial processing of a beef cattle. The development of the work is summarized in three phases: interview with the quality coordinator of a refrigerator in the Campos Gerais region; diagnosis of critical points in the quality control of the industrial processing of this refrigerator, through a decision diagram and sample collection during the industrial process through swabs, used in the isolation by microbiology. Then, the genetic profile of the samples was identified through DNA isolation, followed by amplification by Polymerase Chain Reaction with the universal primers rD1 and fD1. The data generated in the first phase indicated the quality control programs in the refrigeration industry under study. The interviewee, responsible for the quality control of the industry, emphasized the use of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP), Standard Operating Procedures (PPHO), Pest Monitoring (IPM) And Verification Sheet (FV). From the decision diagram, 25 points were identified for the collection of samples for the identification of pathogenic microorganisms. Among these, ten sample points were isolated by conventional microbiology with EMB culture, indicating contamination of gastrointestinal contents by fecal coliforms. At ten points, not always distinct, there was growth in the SS - Salmonella Shigella culture, indicating contamination during slaughter from the handling of the meat by the employees, since they may be healthy carriers of pathogenic microorganisms. For genotypic identification of the sequenced samples, the results reached the species level, being Escherichia, Proteus, Hafnia and Bacillus, all belonging to the group of Enterobacteria, except for Bacillus. It was verified through the genotypic identification, related to the sample collection sites in the flowchart, that there is cross contamination in the productive environment of the present refrigerator, in most of the points, related to the manipulator.

A utilização de embalagens biodegradáveis, tais como os filmes e coberturas comestíveis, apresenta-se como alternativa ao uso de recursos não-renováveis como material de embalagem. A incorporação de substâncias antimicrobianas em embalagens tem como objetivo minimizar o problema da contaminação microbiana em alimentos e, entre elas, os óleos essenciais (OE) têm recebido atenção especial por serem substâncias naturais e atenderem à preferência dos consumidores. Porém, a utilização de OE como um agente antimicrobiano natural é limitada por critérios organolépticos, sendo necessário determinar a concentração mínima necessária para inibir o desenvolvimento de microrganismos sem afetar sensorialmente as características do alimento. Assim, os objetivos desta pesquisa foram: desenvolver um filme comestível à base de alginato com incorporação de agentes antimicrobianos naturais e avaliar a adição de diferentes concentrações de cloreto de cálcio (CaCl2) como agente crosslinking na formulação do filme e na etapa complementar de formação do filme; caracterizar o filme frente às propriedades mecânicas e propriedades de barreira; determinar a concentração mínima inibitória (CIM) de óleos essenciais para Pseudomonas spp., Salmonella spp. e Listeria monocytogenes presentes em carne de frango, e verificar a aceitação pelo consumidor, através da análise sensorial (aroma), de pedaços de peito de frango in natura embalado com o filme antimicrobiano O OE de cravo foi o que se apresentou mais eficiente para os microrganismos testados com CIM de 0,2% sendo este o limite mínimo estudado no planejamento experimental para o desenvolvimento do filme antimicrobiano. As variáveis independentes neste planejamento foram: CaCl2 na faixa de concentração de 0,02 a 0,1% e OE cravo na faixa de 0,2 a 1,0%. Valores acima de 0,0316% de CaCl2, independente da concentração de OE estudada, diminuiram a zona de inibição do crescimento microbiano em testes realizados in vitro, possivelmente devido a formação de um gel muito forte que pode ter dificultado a incorporação da emulsão de OE na matriz polimérica dos filmes. Os resultados de permeabilidade ao vapor de água mostraram que a adição de CaCl2 à formulação dos filmes diminuiu a permeabilidade enquanto a adição de OE cravo foi responsável pelo aumento dessa propriedade. Com relação às propriedades mecânicas, tanto a adição de CaCl2 como a de OE cravo à formulação dos filmes aumentou a resistência máxima à tração. Porém, com relação ao alongamento máximo na ruptura, valores menores foram obtidos com a adição de CaCl2, enquanto maiores valores foram encontrados com a adição de OE cravo à formulação dos filmes. A avaliação da atividade antimicrobiana dos filmes em carne de frango foi realizada somente com a formulação que apresentou os maiores valores de zona de inibição in vitro (CaCl2=0,0316% e OE cravo=0,884%). Após 5 dias de armazenagem a 7º C, observou-se que a utilização do filme adicionado de OE de cravo como embalagem primária em amostras de carne de peito de frango promoveu o controle da multiplicação de L. monocytogenes o mesmo não ocorrendo para as populações de Salmonella spp. e Pseudomonas spp. A análise sensorial relacionada ao aroma da carne de peito de frango mostrou que o uso do filme à base de alginato incorporado de OE cravo é viável. Porém, este filme poderá sofrer interferência da matriz alimentar caso esta matriz apresente exsudação. / The use of biodegradable packaging such as edible films and coatings are an alternative to the use of non-recyclable packaging. The incorporation of antimicrobial substances in packaging aims at reducing food microbial contamination among which, essential oils (EO) have received special attention being natural and attending consumer demand. However, the use of EO as a natural antimicrobial agent is limited by organoleptic criteria making it necessary to determine the minimum concentration to inhibit the multiplication of microorganisms without affecting the sensory characteristics of the food. Therefore, the aims of this research were: to develop an alginate based edible film with natural antimicrobial agents, evaluating the addition of different concentrations of calcium chloride as a crosslinking agent in the formulation of the film and in the complementary stage; to characterize the mechanical properties and barrier properties; to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of EO for Pseudomonas spp, Salmonella spp and Listeria monocytogenes found in chicken meat and to verify consumer acceptance of the product through sensorial analysis (aroma). Among the studied EO, the concentration of 0.2% of clove oil was effective in inhibiting the microorganisms tested, this concentration being the minimum limit used in the experimental design for film development. The independent variables studied in this design were calcium chloride in the range of 0.02 to 0.01% and clove EO in the range of 0.2 to 1.0%. Concentrations of CaCl2 above 0.0316%, independent of the EO concentration, reduced the inhibition zone of microbial growth in in vitro tests, possibly due to the formation of a very strong gel which could have made the incorporation of the EO emulsion in the polymeric matrix of the film very difficult. The results of water vapor permeability tests showed that the addition of CaCl2 to the formulation of the films reduced the permeability while the addition of clove EO increased this property. Regarding to mechanical properties, the addition of CaCl2 as well as clove EO to the film formulation increased the values of tensile strength. On the other hand, relating to elongation at the break, smaller values were obtained with the addition of the salt while the addition of EO provided higher values. The evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the films in chicken meat was performed only with the formulation that showed the highest inhibition values presented in vitro (CaCl2=0.0316% and clove EO=0.0884%). After five days of storage at 7° C, it was observed that the use of the film added by clove EO as primary packaging provided the control of L. monocytogenes growth in samples of chicken meat but not of Salmonella spp and Pseudomonas spp. The sensorial analysis - aroma - showed that the use of alginate based film incorporated with clove EO is viable in food. However, when the food matrix presents exudation, it can interfere in this film.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen which readily establishes itself in the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (CF). Most CF patients have life-long P. aeruginosa infections. By modulating its own virulence and forming biofilms, P. aeruginosa is able to evade both host immune responses and antibiotic treatments. Previous studies have shown that the magnesium transporter MgtE plays a role in virulence modulation by inhibiting transcription of the type III secretion system, a mechanism by which bacteria inject toxins directly into the eukaryotic host cell. MgtE had already been identified as a magnesium transporter, and thus its role in regulating cytotoxicity was indicative of dual functions for this protein. This research focused on a structure-function analysis of MgtE, with the hypothesis that the magnesium transport and cytotoxicity functions could be exerted independently. Cytotoxicity assays were conducted using a co-culture model system of cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells and a ∆mgtE strain of P. aeruginosa transformed with plasmids carrying wild type or mutated mgtE. Magnesium transport was assessed using the same mgtE plasmids in a Salmonella strain deficient in all magnesium transporters. Through analysis of a number of mgtE mutants, we found two constructs – a mutation in a putative magnesium binding site, and an N-terminal truncation – which demonstrated a separation of functions. We further demonstrated the uncoupling of functions by showing that different mgtE mutants vary widely in their ability to regulate cytotoxicity, whether or not they are able to transport magnesium. Overall, these results support the hypothesis of MgtE as a dual function protein and may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms underlying P. aeruginosa virulence. By understanding virulence mechanisms, we may be able to develop treatments to reduce infections and pave the way to better health for people with cystic fibrosis.