Exploring differential drug inhibition in Multidrug Resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Opportunistic Pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, and the Co-culture through Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test
Location
Poster #12
Department
Biology
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens presents a significant challenge and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Treating multidrug resistance patterns in gram-negative anaerobic facultative opportunistic nosocomial and ubiquitous bacteria is difficult due to the lack of effective therapies. Many conventional antibiotics from different classes are ineffective against these bacteria. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapies to treat bacterial infections. This study examines the differential antibiotic resistance of a co-culture of Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Citrobacter freundii is sensitive to tetracycline, while Klebsiella pneumoniae is resistant to tetracycline, and the co-culture exhibits intermediate sensitivity to tetracycline. The Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test, a simple, familiar, and popular method, was used in this study. Students learned about antibiotic classes, the mode of action, and the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test antibiotic susceptibility test application. Using the model bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, they compared the effects of different antibiotic classes on, for example, inhibition of the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall and the ribosome. This low-cost and practical method was used in a community college setting. Antibiotic resistance is associated with 1.27 million deaths worldwide. This number increased to 5 million deaths in 2019, as noted by the CDC. In the U.S. alone, 2.8 million antibacterial infections occur annually. Our research sheds light on antibacterial resistance, making society more resilient to natural shocks. Society will be better prepared for natural disasters like COVID-19, which are increasing in intensity and frequency.
Faculty Sponsor
Teesta Jain
Faculty Sponsor
Vijaylakshmi Natarajan
Faculty Sponsor
Kevin Jankowski
Exploring differential drug inhibition in Multidrug Resistant Enterobacteriaceae and Opportunistic Pathogens Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, and the Co-culture through Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test
Poster #12
Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens presents a significant challenge and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Treating multidrug resistance patterns in gram-negative anaerobic facultative opportunistic nosocomial and ubiquitous bacteria is difficult due to the lack of effective therapies. Many conventional antibiotics from different classes are ineffective against these bacteria. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapies to treat bacterial infections. This study examines the differential antibiotic resistance of a co-culture of Citrobacter freundii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Citrobacter freundii is sensitive to tetracycline, while Klebsiella pneumoniae is resistant to tetracycline, and the co-culture exhibits intermediate sensitivity to tetracycline. The Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test, a simple, familiar, and popular method, was used in this study. Students learned about antibiotic classes, the mode of action, and the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test antibiotic susceptibility test application. Using the model bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, they compared the effects of different antibiotic classes on, for example, inhibition of the bacterial peptidoglycan cell wall and the ribosome. This low-cost and practical method was used in a community college setting. Antibiotic resistance is associated with 1.27 million deaths worldwide. This number increased to 5 million deaths in 2019, as noted by the CDC. In the U.S. alone, 2.8 million antibacterial infections occur annually. Our research sheds light on antibacterial resistance, making society more resilient to natural shocks. Society will be better prepared for natural disasters like COVID-19, which are increasing in intensity and frequency.