ROLE OF TWO-COMPONENT SIGNAL TRANSDUCTION SYSTEMS IN ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE OF GRAM-NEGATIVE PATHOGENS
ADVANCEMENTS OF MICROBIOLOGY
Authors: Raczkowska, Adrianna; Jaworska, Karolina; Wyrozemski, Lukasz; Brzostek, Katarzyna
Abstract
Two-component signal transduction systems composed of histidine sensor kinase and response regulator are involved in adaptive response of pathogenic bacteria to environmental signals by regulating gene expression involved in many physiological processes, bacterial virulence, and antibiotic resistance (antibacterial compounds). Antibiotic resistance of pathogenic bacteria is one of the most important public health problems worldwide. The paper describes a signal transduction mechanism based on phosphotransfer, functioning in two-component systems and the mechanisms of antibiotic resistance governed by these systems. Several signal transduction pathways associated with resistance to antibacterial compounds and functioning in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Aeromonas, Salmonella and Yersinia spp. have been characterized (PhoP-PhoQ, PmrA-PmrB, ParR-ParS, CzcR-CzcS, CopR-CopS, PprB-PprA, CbrB-CbrA, BIrA-BIrB and OmpR-EnvZ systems). Their role in modifying the bacterial cell surface, limiting the inflow or increasing the drug efflux from the cell, producing antibiotic-degrading enzymes or the biofllm formation is presented.
The use of High-Pressure Processing (HPP) to improve the safety and quality of raw coconut (Cocos nucifera L) water
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
Authors: Raghubeer, Errol, V; Bick Ngoc Phan; Onuoha, Emmanuel; Diggins, Sheylend; Aguilar, Viviana; Swanson, Sara; Lee, Alvin
Abstract
This research investigated the use of high-pressure processing (HPP) for inactivating vegetative pathogens and spoilage microbiota in fresh unfiltered coconut water (Cocos nucifera L) from nuts obtained from Florida and frozen CW from Brazil with pH 5.0 and storage at 4 degrees C. Additionally, CW was evaluated to determine if it supported the growth and toxin production of Clostridium botulinum with or without the use of HPP when stored at refrigeration temperatures. Samples of fresh unfiltered CW were inoculated to 5.5 to 6.5 logs/mL with multiple strain cocktails of E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella spp. and Listeria monocytogenes and HPP at 593 MPa for 3 min at 4 degrees C. HPP and inoculated non-HPP controls were stored at 4 degrees C for 54 and 75 days for Florida CW and Brazil CW, respectively. Results of analyses showed HPP samples with <1 CFU/mL and no detection (negative/25 mL) with enrichment procedures for the 3 inoculated pathogens for all analyses. The non-HPP control samples did not show growth of the pathogens but a gradual decrease in levels to ca. 3-Logs/mL by day 54 in the fresh Florida CW and similarly in frozen Brazil CW by Day 75. Microbial spoilage of uninoculated samples was evaluated for normal spoilage microbiota through 120 days storage at 4 degrees C. Microbial counts remained at ca. 2 logs with no detectable signs of spoilage for HPP samples through 120 d. The non-HPP control samples spoiled within 2 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C with gas production, cloudiness, and off-odors. To evaluate if CW supports the growth and toxin production of C. botulinum, samples of unfiltered and filtered (0.2 mu m) CW were inoculated with either proteolytic or non-proteolytic C. botulinum spores at 2 log CFU/mL that were processed at 593 MPa for 3 min and stored at 4 degrees C and 10 degrees C for 45 days. Inoculated positive and non-inoculated negative controls were prepared and stored as the HPP treated and non-HPP samples. No growth of C. botulinum or toxin production was detected in either the unfiltered or filtered CW regardless if products were HPP treated or not. All inoculated samples with C. botulinum spores were enriched at Day-45 in PYGS media to determine the viability of the inoculated spores at the end of shelf-life and screened for C. botulinum toxins. In all samples, C. botulinum toxin Types A, B and E were detected indicating spores were viable throughout the storage. Type F toxin was not detected possibly due to inherent conditions in the samples that may affected toxin screening.