THIS STUDY screen the antibacterial and antiviral activities of some bryophytes extracts. The pathogenic bacteria Listeria monocytogenes LMG 10470 (L. monocytogenes), Escherichia coli LMG 8223 (E. coli), Bacillus cereus ATCC 14579 (B. cereus) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa LMG 8029 (P. aeruginosa) were inhibited by the aqueous methanolic extracts (ME) of Imbibryum sp., Barbula convoluta and Trichostomum sp.. The mixture of Imbibryum sp.extract and tetracycline have synergistic effect against P. aeruginosa while the mixing of Trichostomum sp. extract with tetracycline has antagonistic effect against P. aeruginosa.Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) of P. aeruginosa, treated with ME of Barbula convolute, Imbibryum sp. and Trichostomum sp.indicated sheath surrounded the bacteria, signs of irregular wrinkled outer surface, adhesion and aggregation of damaged cells, malformations in bacterial shape compared to untreated bacterial control. The bryophyte species screened exhibiting considerable antiviral activity against zucchini yellow mosaic virus (ZYMV), so the bryophytes have been identified as a new source of antiviral activity. The highest degree of antiviral activity was shown ME of Barbula convoluta, Imbibryum sp. and Trichostomum sp.against ZYMV (94, 92 and 90%, respectively). The tested cucumber plants which mechanically infected by ZYMV and treated with different extracts of the most potent bryophytes (Imbibryum sp), contain high amount of phenolic compounds. The highest contents of total phenol are detected in infected cucumber plant, which treated with benzene extract of Imbibryum sp.,(3.48 mg/g fresh wt) followed by methanol extract (3.19 mg/g fresh wt). The bryophytes extracts have no toxic effect in Wistar Albino rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using Staphylococcus epidermidis cells as a probiotic to treat some skin infections. For this purpose, S. epidermidis Y73, which is an active bacteriocin producer and non-biofilm forming isolate, was selected among 134 skin isolates through primary and secondary screening. Tryptic soya broth was selected as the best medium to support bacteriocin production, while the optimal pH and temperature for S. epidermidis Y73 growth were 7 and 37°C, respectively, which were invested in the formula preparation. Furthermore, the possibility of using this isolate as a probiotic was investigated by preparing 4 potential cellulosic pads with 4 different formulae which were all subjected to an in vitro trial to select the one which is superior to the others in terms of supporting bacteriocin production and cells viability. The shelf life of the pad was estimated and the results showed that the cells remained vital until the 20th week. The selected pad formula was used to treat artificially induced wounds on rabbit skin. The wounds were infected with Staphylococcus aureus, Kocuria rosea and Pseudomonas. aeruginosa. The symptoms in both control and treated animals were recorded and, based on the results; the healing process with the presence of the S. epidermidis Y73 pad was significantly faster compared with that for the control. This research will serve as a base for future studies on using vital cells of S. epidermidis as probiotics and, hence, make a contribution to the current literature on using live cells to treat bacterial skin infections.

Background: Burst abdomen and incisional herniation are continuing problems for the general surgeon. A prospective study was carried out to define the extent of the problem.

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