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[Antibiotic sensitivity of the H- and O-forms of bacteria in the genus Proteus]
Insights
Antibiotic resistance in Proteus strains from infants was observed for several antibiotics, but sensitivity increased for others. Urease activity showed an inverse relationship with tetracycline sensitivity in these pediatric gut bacteria.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Antimicrobial Resistance
Background:
- Proteus species are common inhabitants of the gastro-intestinal tract.
- Infants are particularly susceptible to infections and colonization by opportunistic pathogens.
- Antimicrobial resistance in gut microbiota poses a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the antibiotic resistance patterns of Proteus strains isolated from infants.
- To investigate the relationship between bacterial form (H- and O-form) and antibiotic sensitivity.
- To explore the correlation between urease activity and tetracycline sensitivity in Proteus.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and identification of Proteus strains from infant gastro-intestinal tracts.
- Antibiotic susceptibility testing using various antimicrobial agents.
- Assessment of urease activity in different bacterial forms.
- Correlation analysis between antibiotic sensitivity and urease activity.
Main Results:
- Proteus strains exhibited resistance to oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, benzylpenicillin, and erythromycin.
- Increased sensitivity was noted towards neomycin, monomycin, and streptomycin.
- Antibiotic sensitivity improved in Pr. mirabilis and Pr. vulgaris upon transfer from H- to O-form.
- An inverse relationship was observed between urease activity and tetracycline sensitivity.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric-isolated Proteus strains display significant antibiotic resistance, particularly to tetracyclines and penicillin.
- Bacterial form influences antibiotic sensitivity, with O-form showing enhanced susceptibility.
- Urease activity is inversely correlated with tetracycline resistance, suggesting a potential mechanism or marker.
Abstract:
Proteus strains isolated from the gastro-intestinal tract of children not older than 1 year were characterized by resistance to oxytetracycline, chlortetracycline, benzylpenicillin and erythromycin. The strains were more sensitive to neomycin, monomycin and streptomycin. Antibiotic sensitivity of Pr. mirabilis and Pr. vulgaris strains increased on transfer from H- to O-form. Inverse dependence of the urease activity of the strains on their sensitivity to tetracyclines was noted.