The genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance rates of clinical Salmonella isolates (2007-2008) at the University of Malaya Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, were investigated and the genetic diversity of the isolates was determined by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and repetitive extragenic palindromic (REP)-PCR. XbaI-PFGE analysis generated 57 profiles (Dice coefficient, F=0.08-1.00), whereas REP-PCR using the REP primer generated only 35 (F=0.34-1.00). PFGE was therefore the more discriminative and reproducible method for assessing the genetic diversity of salmonellae. The antibiograms of 78 Salmonella isolates were assessed against 19 antimicrobials using the disk diffusion method. Twenty serotypes were identified, with the most common being S. Enteritidis (18%) followed by S. Typhimurium (14%), S. Paratyphi B var Java (9%), S. Weltevreden (9%), and S. Corvallis (9%). A total of 38 resistant profiles were defined, with 53.8% of the isolates being resistant to three or more antimicrobials. The highest resistance rates were observed for cephalothin (55.1%), tetracycline (47.4%), and nalidixic acid (35.9%). The presence of multidrug-resistant Salmonella strains is a cause for concern as it may limit the treatment of severe salmonellosis. One multidrug-resistant S. Enteritidis strain was a putative extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producer, based on a double disk diffusion analysis, and was resistant to ceftriaxone (MIC>32 microg/mL). The data generated by this study will contribute towards epidemiological monitoring and investigations of Salmonella infections in Malaysia.
A series of novel bionanocomposites were cast using different contents of zinc oxide-silver nanoparticles (ZnO-AgNPs) stabilized by cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) as multifunctional nanosized fillers in poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan (PVA/Cs) matrices. The morphological structure, mechanical properties, ultraviolet-visible absorption, and antimicrobial properties of the prepared films were investigated as a function of their CNC/ZnO-AgNP content and compared with PVA/chitosan/CNC bionanocomposite films. X-ray diffraction and field emission scanning electron microscopic analyses showed that the CNC/ZnO-AgNPs were homogeneously dispersed in the PVA/Cs matrix and the crystallinity increased with increasing nanosized filler content. Compared with pure PVA/Cs, the tensile strength and modulus in the films increased from 0.055 to 0.205 GPa and from 0.395 to 1.20 GPa, respectively. Ultraviolet and visible light can be efficiently absorbed by incorporating ZnO-AgNPs into a PVA/Cs matrix, suggesting that these bionanocomposite films show good visibility and ultraviolet-shielding effects. The bionanocomposite films had excellent antimicrobial properties, killing both Gram-negative Salmonella choleraesuis and Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus. The enhanced physical properties achieved by incorporating CNC/ZnO-AgNPs could be beneficial in various applications.