Multiplex identification of drug‐resistant Gram‐positive pathogens using stuffer‐free MLPA system

Early detection of pathogens from blood and identification of their drug resistance are essential for sepsis management. However, conventional culture‐based methods require relatively longer time to identify drug‐resistant pathogens, which delays therapeutic decisions. For precise multiplex detection of drug‐resistant Gram‐positive pathogens, we developed a method by using stuffer‐free multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) coupled with high‐resolution CE single‐strand conformation polymorphisms (CE‐SSCP) system. We designed three probe sets for genes specific to Gram‐positive species (Staphylococcus aureus: nuc, Enterococcus faecium: sodA, and Streptococcus pneumoniae: lytA) and two sets for genes associated with drug resistance (mecA and vanA) to discriminate major Gram‐positive pathogens with the resistance. A total of 94 different strains (34 reference strains and 60 clinical isolates) were used to validate this method and strain‐specific peaks were successfully observed for all the strains. To improve sensitivity of the method, a target‐specific preamplification step was introduced and, consequently, the sensitivity increased from 10 pg to 100 fg. We also reduced a total assay time to 8 h by optimizing hybridization time without compromising test sensitivity. Taken together, our multiplex detection system can improve detection of drug‐resistant Gram‐positive pathogens from sepsis patients’ blood.     

Differential characterization of biogenic amine‐producing bacteria involved in food poisoning using MALDI‐TOF mass fingerprinting

Histamine poisoning is caused by the consumption of fish and other foods that harbor bacteria possessing histidine decarboxylase activity. With the aim of preventing histamine formation, highly specific mass spectral fingerprints were obtained from the 16 major biogenic amine‐producing enteric and marine bacteria by means of MALDI‐TOF MS analysis. All bacterial strains analyzed exhibited specific spectral fingerprints that enabled its unambiguous differentiation. This technique also identified peaks common to certain bacterial groups. Thus, two protein peaks at m/z 4182±1 and 8363±6 were found to be present in all Enterobacteriaceae species analyzed except for Morganella morganii. Peaks at m/z 3635±1 and 7267±2 were specific to both M. morganii and Proteus spp. Biogenic amine‐forming Proteus spp. exhibited three genus‐specific peaks at m/z 3980, 7960±1 and 9584±2. The genus Photobacterium also showed three genus‐specific peaks at m/z 2980±1, 4275±1 and 6578±1. The two histamine‐producing Gram‐positive bacteria Lactobacillus sp. 30A and Staphylococcus xylosus exhibited a few protein peaks in the 2000–7000 m/z range and could be easily distinguished from biogenic amine‐forming Gram‐negative bacteria. Clustering based on MALDI‐TOF MS also exhibited a good correlation with phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence, validating the ability of the MALDI‐TOF technique to establish relationships between microbial strains and species. The approach described in this study leads the way toward the rapid and specific identification of major biogenic amine‐forming bacteria based on molecular protein markers with a goal to the timely prevention of histamine food poisoning.     

Capillary electrophoresis for fast detection of heterogeneous population in colistin‐resistant Gram‐negative bacteria

It has been shown that diverse strains of bacteria can be separated according to their characteristic surface properties by means of CE. We employed here this analytical technique to the study of colistin‐resistance in Gram‐negative bacteria, which involves the selection of mutants with modified outer membrane composition resulting in changes of surface cell properties. In the same way as with molecular entities, we performed firstly the validation of an ITP‐based CE method for three common pathogenic Gram‐negative bacteria namely Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Secondly, we compared the electrophoretic profiles of bacterial samples from a colistin‐susceptible clinical isolate of K. pneumoniae and from the corresponding colistin‐resistant derivative. By a simple CE run taking a few minutes, the coexistence of several bacterial subpopulations in the colistin‐resistant derivative was clearly evidenced. This work encourages further research that would allow applications of CE in clinical laboratory for a daily monitoring of bacterial population in cared patients when “last‐chance” colistin treatment is initiated against multidrug‐resistant bacteria.     

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of 3‐(Substituted arylmethyl)‐4‐acylaminomethyloxazolidin‐2‐ones and Derivatization to Symmetrical Twin‐Drug Type Molecules

In connection with our studies on antibacterial active compounds in the class of new oxazolidinones against Gram‐positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli) strains, some molecular modifications were attempted. In this study, molecular modifications of 4‐aminomethyloxazolidin‐2‐ones ( 3a ) to the corresponding 4‐acylaminomethyloxazolidin‐2‐one derivatives ( 3c–d ) and preparations of the represented twin‐drug type molecules ( 10–14 ) were investigated. Some additional 4‐dialkylaminomethyloxazolidin‐2‐ones ( 2 ) were also synthesized. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for antibacterial activity with Gram‐positive (S. aureus) and Gram‐negative (E. coli) strains.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Activity of Some New N‐substituted‐5‐arylidene‐thiazolidine‐2,4‐diones

A total of 17 new N‐substituted derivatives ( 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e , 2f , 2g , 2h , 2i , 2j , 2k and 3b , 3c , 3d , 3e , 3f , 3g , 3h ) of 5‐((2‐phenylthiazol‐4‐yl)methylene) thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione ( 2a ) and 5‐(2,6‐dichloro‐ benzylidene)thiazolidine‐2,4‐dione ( 3a ) were synthesized. The structural elucidation of the newly synthesized compounds was based on elemental analysis and spectroscopic data (MS, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR), and their antimicrobial activities were assessed in vitro against several strains of Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria and one fungal strain (Candida albicans) as growth inhibition diameter. Some of them showed modest to good antibacterial activity against Gram‐negative Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium and Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, and Enterococcus fecalis bacterial strains, whereas almost all the compounds were inactive against Listeria monocytogenes. All of the synthesized compounds showed moderate to very good activity against C. albicans.     

Disperse Dyes Based on 5‐Arylazo‐thiazol‐2‐ylcarbamoyl‐thiophenes: Synthesis,Antimicrobial Activity and Their Application on Polyester

A series of novel 5‐arylazo‐thiazol‐2‐ylcarbamoyl‐thiophene derivatives was synthesized, and their chemical structures were secured by elemental and spectroscopic analyses. Their versatility for pharmaceutical purposes and textile dyeing as disperse dyes were reported. The synthesized dyes were applied to polyester fabrics by using high temperature dyeing method at 130°C. The dyed polyester fabrics displayed very good washing and perspiration fastness and moderate light fastness. Finally, the synthesized compounds showed biological activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive bacteria), Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram‐negative bacteria), while no effect had been reported against fungi. The minimum inhibitory concentration of the most active compound was evaluated.     

Synthesis of Novel Fused Thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidin‐3‐ols and Evaluation for their Antibacterial Activity

A series of novel fused thiazolo[3,2‐a]pyrimidin‐3‐ol derivatives have been synthesized by reaction of fused pyrimidine‐thiones with 4‐substituted phenacyl bromide/3(2‐bromoacetyl)coumarin in refluxing acetic acid with good yields. All the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectral studies and screened for their in vitro antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus thuringiensis (Gram positive), Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (Gram negative) bacterial strains. Activity results revealed that all the compounds were weak to good active against the tested bacterial strains on comparing with the standard drug gentamicin.     

Sequential one‐pot multicomponent synthesis of bis‐aminothiazols and evaluation of their antibacterial and antioxidant activities

A series of novel bis‐thiazoles were synthesized through a one‐pot semi‐five‐component reaction of the prepared α‐bisbromo ketones, aldehydes, and thiosemicarbazide in the presence of p‐TsOH under reflux condition. Products were obtained in reasonable yields via an efficient, convenient, and simple setup. The inhibitory activity on bacterial growth of the products was studied against Gram‐negative (Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Micrococcus luteus, Staphylococcus aureus) at different concentrations (25, 50, 100, and 200 μg/mL at 600 nm). Most of the products showed inhibitory activity at the concentration of 200 μg/mL. In addition, bis‐thiazoles showeed high to moderate antioxidant activity using the diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) method. Bis‐thiazoles 6i and 6j showed higher antioxidant activity than vitamin C and vitamin E.     

4‐Quinolone Derivatives and Their Activities Against Gram‐negative Pathogens

Gram‐negative pathogens represent a significant global health threat, while the emergency and widespread of drug resistance make the situation even worse. As “privileged building blocks,” 4‐quinolones including fluoroquinolones are mainstays of chemotherapy against various bacterial infections. However, as other antibiotics, the resistance of Gram‐negative bacteria to 4‐quinolones develops rapidly and spreads widely throughout the world. To overcome the resistance and improve the potency, a number of 4‐quinolone derivatives were designed, synthesized, and screened for their in vitro and in vivo activities against representative Gram‐negative pathogens. This review aims to summarize the recent advances made towards the discovery of 4‐quinolone derivatives as anti‐Gram‐negative agents as well as their structure–activity relationship. The enriched structure–activity relationship paves the way to the further rational development of 4‐quinolones with excellent potency against both drug‐susceptible and drug‐resistant Gram‐negative pathogens.     

Di‐N‐Methylation of Anti‐Gram‐Positive Aminoglycoside‐Derived Membrane Disruptors Improves Antimicrobial Potency and Broadens Spectrum to Gram‐Negative Bacteria

The effect of di‐N‐methylation of bacterial membrane disruptors derived from aminoglycosides (AGs) on antimicrobial activity is reported. Di‐N‐methylation of cationic amphiphiles derived from several diversely structured AGs resulted in a significant increase in hydrophobicity compared to the parent compounds that improved their interactions with membrane lipids. The modification led to an enhancement in antibacterial activity and a broader antimicrobial spectrum. While the parent compounds were either modestly active or inactive against Gram‐negative pathogens, the corresponding di‐N‐methylated compounds were potent against the tested Gram‐negative as well as Gram‐positive bacterial strains. The reported modification offers a robust strategy for the development of broad‐spectrum membrane‐disrupting antibiotics for topical use.     

Hybrid 4‐Aminoquinoline‐1,3,5‐triazine Derivatives: Design,Synthesis, Characterization,and Antibacterial Evaluation

A series of novel 4‐aminoquinoline 1,3,5‐triazine derivatives were synthesized and characterized by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, ¹³C‐NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. The antibacterial activities of synthesized compounds were tested against three Gram‐positive bacteria, namely Bacillus subtilis (NCIM‐2063), Bacillus cereus (NCIM‐2156), and Staphylococcus aureus (NCIM‐2079), and four Gram‐negative bacteria, namely Proteus vulgaris (NCIM‐2027), Proteus mirabilis (NCIM‐2241), Escherichia coli (NCIM‐2065), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (NCIM‐2036), using ciprofloxacin as reference standard drug. Results showed compound 9a and 9e as potent antibacterial agents against all bacterial strains except Bacillus cereus (NCIM‐2156). Copyright © 2014 HeteroCorporation     

A Facile and Efficient Synthesis of 2‐(5‐(4‐Substitutedphenyl)‐4, 5‐dihydro‐3‐phenylpyrazol‐1‐yl)‐6‐Substitutedbenzothiazoles and Their Biological Studies

A series of new 1‐substituted 3, 5‐diarylpyrazolines ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) were synthesized in good yield by both conventional and microwave‐assisted synthesis from α, β‐ unsaturated ketones ( 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 ) in n‐butanol and benzothiazole hydrazines ( 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ). All the new compounds were characterized by IR, NMR, and mass spectral data. The synthesized compounds ( 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 ) were evaluated for antibacterial and anthelmintic activities. The compounds showed potent anthelmintic activity against earthworm species (Eudrilus eugeniae) and moderate antibacterial activity against bacterial strains such as Gram positive bacteria, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, and Gram negative bacteria, Escherichia coli and Proteus mirabilis.     

Antibacterial poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) fibrous membranes containing quaternary ammonium salts

In this study, antimicrobial membranes based on biodegradable material poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) [P(3HB‐4HB)] and quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) by two methods have been performed. Three QASs with varied alkyl chain lengths have been synthesized successfully and characterized by ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared. The synthesized QASs were blended with P(3HB‐4HB) and electrospun into composite fibrous membranes or casted into conventional membranes. Electrospun fibrous membranes with large surface areas are a superior type of antimicrobial biomaterials, and they exhibit preferable properties than solution casting membranes. Specifically, electrospun fibrous membranes are tougher and can inactivate both Gram‐positive Staphylococcus aureus and Gram‐negative Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a contact time of 30 min, whereas the solution casting membranes cannot. The length of alkyl chain in the quaternary ammonium groups on the modified P(3HB‐4HB) membranes is able to influence the antimicrobial activity. This type of antimicrobial material may have potential applications in biomaterial field. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Polyfused Heterocycles‐Based Quinolone

Syntheses of some new heterocyclic compounds incorporating quinolone moieties were achieved via reaction of 4‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 1 ) or 3‐bromo‐4‐hydroxy‐7‐methoxyquinolin‐2(1H)‐one ( 2 ) with binucleophilic reagents. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental analyses and spectral data (IR, ¹H‐NMR and mass spectra). The newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria (Bacillus thuringiensis) and Gram‐negative bacteria (Escherichia coli). The results showed clearly that compounds 1 and 3 are the more potent antibacterial agents against E. coli, compounds 4 , 5 , 6 and 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 exhibited moderate activities against E. coli strain, and compounds 7 and 11 exhibited weak activities compared with Gentamicin as a well known standard drug.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial evaluation of some new bicyclopyrazolone‐based thiopyran ring systems

A series of bicyclopyrazolones were synthesized from the condensation reaction of methyl 4‐oxotetrahydro‐2H‐thiopyran‐3‐carboxylate with hydrazine derivatives in ethanol. All synthesized products were characterized by FT‐IR, ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectral data, elemental analyses, and mass spectrometry. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of these compounds were evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis as Gram‐positive bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as Gram‐negative bacteria, and the fungus Candida albicans. The results revealed that bicyclopyrazolones including an aryl or aryl sulfonyl group in the N‐2 position of the pyrazolone moiety are the most effective against all the microorganisms studied in this work.     

A Rapid and Sensitive Aptamer‐Based Electrochemical Biosensor for Direct Detection of Escherichia Coli O111

A sensitive and specific electrochemical biosensor based on target‐induced aptamer displacement was developed for direct detection of Escherichia coli O111. The aptamer for Escherichia coli O111 was immobilized on a gold electrode by hybridization with the capture probe anchored on the electrode surface through Au‐thiol binding. In the presence of Escherichia coli O111, the aptamer was dissociated from the capture probe‐aptamer duplex due to the stronger interaction between the aptamer and the Escherichia coli O111. The consequent single‐strand capture probe could be hybridized with biotinylated detection probe and tagged with streptavidin‐alkaline phosphatase, producing sensitive enzyme‐catalyzed electrochemical response to Escherichia coli O111. The designed biosensor showed weak electrochemical signal to Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus and common non‐pathogenic Escherichia coli, indicating high specificity for Escherichia coli O111. Under the optimal conditions, the proposed strategy could directly detect Escherichia coli O111 with the detection limit of 112 CFU mL^?1 in phosphate buffer saline and 305 CFU mL^?1 in milk within 3.5 h, demonstrated the sensitive and accurate quantification of target pathogenic bacteria. The designed biosensor could become a powerful tool for pathogenic microorganisms screening in clinical diagnostics, food safety, biothreat detection and environmental monitoring.     

Synthesis and Antimicrobial Screening of Some Novel 2‐(5‐(4‐(1H‐Benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)phenols Incorporated by Triazole Moiety

A novel series of 2‐(5‐(4‐(1H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐4,5‐dihydro‐1H‐pyrazol‐3‐yl)phenols derivative has been synthesized from (E)‐3‐(4‐(1H‐benzo[d][1,2,3]triazol‐1‐yl)phenyl)‐1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐ones in ethanol and hydrazine hydrate under reflux condition. The synthesized compounds were screened for antibacterial activity against Gram‐positive bacteria viz Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis and Gram‐negative bacteria viz Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi, respectively. Some of the tested compounds showed significant antimicrobial activity. IR, ¹H NMR, mass spectral data, and elemental analysis elucidated the structures of all the newly synthesized compounds.     

Characterization of complex,heterogeneous lipid A samples using HPLC–MS/MS technique II. Structural elucidation of non‐phosphorylated lipid A by negative‐ion mode tandem mass spectrometry

Non‐phosphorylated lipid A species confer reduced inflammatory potential for the bacteria. Knowledge on their chemical structure and presence in bacterial pathogens may contribute to the understanding of bacterial resistance and activation of the host innate immune system. In this study, we report the fragmentation pathways of negatively charged, non‐phosphorylated lipid A species under low‐energy collision‐induced dissociation conditions of an electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight instrument. Charge‐promoted consecutive and competitive eliminations of the acyl chains and cross‐ring cleavages of the sugar residues were observed. The A‐type fragment ion series and the complementary X‐type fragment(s) with corresponding deprotonated carboxamide(s) were diagnostic for the distribution of the primary and secondary acyl residues on the non‐reducing and the reducing ends, respectively, of the non‐phosphorylated lipid A backbone. Reversed‐phase liquid chromatography in combination with negative‐ion electrospray ionization quadrupole time‐of‐flight tandem mass spectrometry could provide sufficient information on the primary and secondary acyl residues of a non‐phosphorylated lipid A. As a standard, the hexa‐acylated ion at m/z 1636 with the Escherichia coli‐type acyl distribution (from E. coli O111) was used. The method was tested and refined with the analysis of other non‐phosphorylated hexa‐ and several hepta‐, penta‐, and tetra‐acylated lipid A species detected in crude lipid A fractions from E. coli O111 and Proteus morganii O34 bacteria. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

N‐Phenyl‐substituted carbene precursors and their silver complexes: synthesis,characterization and antimicrobial activities

A series of unsymmetrically substituted N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors ( 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e ) were synthesized from the reaction of N‐phenylbenzimidazole with various alkyl halides. These compounds were used to synthesize NHC–silver(I) complexes ( 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e ). The five new 1‐phenyl‐3‐alkylbenzimidazolium salts ( 1a , 1b , 1c , 1d , 1e ) and their NHC–silver complexes ( 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d , 2e ) were characterized by the ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopic methods and elemental analysis techniques. Also, the two NHC–silver complexes 2b and 2c were characterized by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallography, which confirmed the linear C―Ag―Cl arrangements. The antibacterial activities of the NHC precursor and NHC–silver complexes were tested against three Gram‐positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis, Listeria monocytogenes and Staphylococcus aureus) and three Gram‐negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) using the microdilution broth method. The NHC–silver complexes showed higher antibacterial activity than the NHC precursors. In addition, silver complexes 2a , 2b , 2c , 2d showed high antibacterial activity against the Gram‐positive bacteria L. monocytogenes and S. aureus compared to the standard, tetracycline. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and Antibacterial Activity of Novel (4‐Fluorophenyl)(4‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐6‐aryl‐2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1(6H)‐yl)methanone Derivatives

A novel series of (4‐fluorophenyl)(4‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐6‐aryl‐2‐thioxo‐2,3‐dihydropyrimidin‐1(6H)‐yl)methanone derivatives were synthesized from reaction of 6‐(naphthalen‐2‐yl)‐4‐aryl‐3,4‐dihydropyrimidine‐2(1H)‐thiones with 4‐fluorobenzoylchloride in dichloromethane in the presence of triethylamine. The synthesized compounds were screened for antibacterial activity against Gram positive bacteria, namely, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923 and Listeria monocytogenes MTCC657, and Gram negative bacteria, namely, Escherichia coli ATCC25922 and Klebsiella pneumoniae ATCC700603, respectively. Some of the tested compounds showed significant antimicrobial activity.