Synergistic combination of colistin with imipenem,amikacine or ciprofloxacin against <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> carbapenem-resistant isolated in Annaba hospital Algeria

Objective: The aim of this study is to detect in vitro the synergetic activity of colistin in combination with imipenem, amikacin or ciprofloxacin, at sub-inhibitory concentrations, against carbapenems-resistant (CR) Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from various wards in Annaba teaching hospital in eastern Algeria.
Materials and Methods: The minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) were determined by broth macrodilution (BMD). Carbapenemase encoding genes were screened using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The activity of colistin in combination with second antibiotic was evaluated by the Checkerboard Technique.
Results: 39 CR P. aeruginosa and 21 CR A. baumanni strains where collected. The MIC values ranging from (0.25 to 4 µg/ml) to colistin, ≥16 µg/ml for imipenem, ≥4 µg/ml to amikacin and ≥8 µg/ml ciprofloxacin. The PCR reveals the presence of the genes bla_OXA23 (n = 12), blaOXA24 (n = 6), blaNDM1 (n = 3) in A. baumannii and blaVIM2 (n = 12) in P. aeruginosa. The combination of colistin with imipenem showed synergistic effect on 57.14% and 46.15% of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively. For colistin and amikacin, the synergistic effect is detected in 28.6% of A. baumannii and 30.8% of P. aeruginosa. While colistin and ciprofloxacin showed synergy on 14.29% and 15.38% of A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa isolates, respectively.
Conclusion: CR A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa remain the most prevalent infection agents in patients from high-risk wards at Annaba Hospital. Colistin associated with imipenem or with amikacin at sub-inhibitory concentrations gives very encouraging results allowing better management of infections caused by this type of bacteria.     

双元系蒸煮助剂的复配使用研究

随着我国造纸行业的飞速发展,造纸原料的需求量越来越大,对制浆得浆率的要求也越来越高。该文对麦草纸浆生产中复配使用渗透型蒸煮剂和反应型蒸煮剂进行了研究。结果表明,相比使用单一蒸煮添加剂,渗透型蒸煮剂和反应型蒸煮剂双元助剂体系极大地提高了纸浆的得浆率,缩短了蒸煮时间,降低了生产成本。     

THE EFFECT OF IRRIGATION WITH TREATED WASTEWATER ON "CHEMLALI" OLIVE OIL QUALITY

The aim of this work was to study the effect of the irrigation with treated wastewater (TWW) on the quality parameters of "Chemlali" olive oil through two crop seasons (2004/2005 and 2006/2007). The results showed that irrigation with TWW did not affect the examined oil quality indices (free acidity, specific ultraviolet absorbance K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀). During the two crop seasons, the mean values of these parameters are lower than the upper limits established for the best commercial olive oil quality designated as "Extra Virgin." However, a significant increase of palmitic, palmitoleic, linoleic, linolenic and stearic acid contents was found in the 2006/2007 crop season in the plot irrigated with TWW as compared to the one treated with well water. In addition, a decrease of oleic acid and polyphenol content was observed at the end of experimental period.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The availability of fresh water is very scarce in the Middle East and North Africa. Yet consequently, good quality water is used to irrigate crops more sensitive to water shortage than olive trees. Brackish water or recycled wastewater can be used for irrigation, minimizing the exploitation of natural water resources. In Tunisia, treated wastewater (TWW) is commonly used to irrigate olive trees. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in quality characteristics (free acidity, specific ultraviolet absorbance K₂₃₂ and K₂₇₀, fatty acid composition and total phenolic compounds) of "Chemlali" olive oil obtained from trees irrigated with TWW.