Participation in a Master’s Thesis Defense Committee
Dr. Ghaida Hussein, Associate Professor from the Environmental Biotechnology Department at the Center for Biotechnology Research, Al-Nahrain University, participated as a member of the defense committee for the Master’s thesis titled: “Investigating the Influence of Piper cubeba Extract on Biofilm Formation and Expression of csgA and fimH Genes in Escherichia coli”. The thesis was presented by Zahraa Faris from the College of Biotechnology at the same university.
The study aimed to investigate the effect of Piper cubeba extract on biofilm formation and the expression of the csgA and fimH genes in Escherichia coli. The research involved studying 100 urine samples collected from patients suffering from urinary tract infections (UTIs) in Baghdad between September and December 2023. The bacterial samples were identified using culture techniques and Vitek2 testing.
The findings revealed that 52% of the isolates were Escherichia coli, while 48% belonged to other bacteria such as Staphylococcus spp. and Klebsiella spp.. Antibiotic sensitivity testing showed high resistance among the bacteria to several antibiotics. Additionally, 88% of the isolates were capable of forming biofilms, and the virulence genes fimH and csgA were detected in most E. coli isolates.
Methanolic extracts of Piper cubeba were tested against four resistant isolates, demonstrating antibacterial activity, reducing biofilm formation, and increasing the expression of certain virulence-related genes.
The study recommended that Piper cubeba extract holds promising therapeutic potential against antibiotic-resistant UTIs. After successfully defending her thesis, the researcher was awarded an Excellent grade
