Phage therapy is becoming a widely recognized alternative for fighting pathogenic bacteria due to increasing antibiotic resistance problems. However, one of the common concerns related to the use of phages is the evolution of bacterial resistance against the phages, putatively disabling the treatment. Experimental adaptation of the phage (phage training) to infect a resistant host has been used to

Despite limited indications, redundant anaerobic antimicrobial prescriptions (RAAPs) are frequent. The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and characteristics of RAAPs in German acute care hospitals. In a retrospective data analysis, antimicrobial prescriptions from a point prevalence survey on antimicrobial use in German acute care hospitals in 2016 were analyzed and RAAPs were identified

Bak-ri-hyang (Thymus quinquecostatus Celak.) is an important medicinal and aromatic plant in Korea. T. quinquecostatus population and is always mixed with other thyme cultivars during cultivation and marketing. Hence, this study aimed to determine the genetic variability and the essential oil composition of three Korean native thyme, T. quinquecostatus cultivars collected from the Wolchul, Jiri, and

Note: In lieu of an abstract, this is an excerpt from the first page. In bacteria, a major resistance mechanism to β-lactam antibiotics is the production of one or more β-lactamase enzymes. β-Lactamases belong to two structurally and mechanistically unrelated families of enzymes, serine-β-lactamases (SBLs; classes A, C, and D) and metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs; class B). The interest in discovering novel

A rapid review of current evidence examining psychological issues regarding the use of antibiotics and antimicrobials and resistance to these in both human and animal populations was conducted. Specific areas of interest were studies examining psychological determinants of AMR and interventions which attempt to change behavior with regard to AMR in the general population; animals; and fish, in particular

The recent rapid rise of multi-drug resistant Enterobacteriaceae (MDR-E) is threatening the treatment of common infectious diseases. Infections with such strains lead to increased mortality and morbidity. Using a cross-sectional study, we aimed to estimate the prevalence of gut colonization with extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacteriaceae among healthy infants born in Pakistan

The efficacy of fluoroquinolone-based eradication therapy largely depends on the fluoroquinolone resistance of H. pylori. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the primary resistance rate of H. pylori to fluoroquinolone and the mechanism of resistance in Korea. A total of 153 strains and 48 strains of H. pylori were isolated at a tertiary hospital in 2005/2006 and 2017/2018, respectively

An antifungal lipodepsipeptide was obtained from cultures of the fungus Foliophoma fallens CF-236885. Its structure, elucidated by HRMS and NMR spectroscopy, contained Gly, Thr, Asn, β-Ala, Orn, Ala, two Ser residues, and 3-hydroxy-4-methylhexadecanoic acid. The absolute configuration of its amino acid residues was determined using Marfey’s analysis and J-based configuration analysis helped to establish

Biofilm-related infections are a matter of concern especially because of the poor susceptibility of microorganisms to conventional antimicrobial agents. Innovative approaches are needed. The antibiofilm activity of extracts of cyanobacteria Arthrospira platensis, rich in free fatty acids, as well as of extract-loaded copper alginate-based nanocarriers, were studied on single- and dual-species biofilms

Streptomycetes are well known antibiotic producers and are among the rare prokaryotes able to store carbon as lipids. Previous comparative studies of the weak antibiotic producer Streptomyces lividans with its ppk mutant and with Streptomyces coelicolor, which both produce antibiotics, suggested the existence of a negative correlation between total lipid content and the ability to produce antibiotics

Background: Given the increasing request for natural pharmacological molecules, this study assessed the antimicrobial capacity of Pistacia lentiscus L. essential oil (PLL-EO) obtained from the leaves of wild plants growing in North Sardinia (Italy) toward a wide range of periodontal bacteria and Candida, including laboratory and clinical isolates sp., together with its anti-inflammatory activity and

Patients admitted from the community with a suspected central nervous system (CNS) infection require prompt diagnostic evaluation and correct antimicrobial treatment. A retrospective, multicenter, pre/post intervention study was performed to evaluate the impact that the BioFire® FilmArray® meningitis/encephalitis (ME) panel run in-house had on the clinical management of adult patients admitted from

Iron is an essential element for various physiological processes, but its levels must remain tightly regulated to avoid cellular damage. Similarly, iron plays a dual role in systemic inflammation, such as with sepsis. Leukocytes utilize iron to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to kill bacteria, but pathologically increased iron-catalyzed ROS production in sepsis can lead to damage of host cells

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common bacterial infections among kidney transplant (KTX) recipients. The purpose of this study was to analyze antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in four most common pathogens responsible for UTIs in KTX recipients and determine risk factors (RF) for resistance in the same group. Methods: Analyzed antibiograms were based on urine samples positive

The aim of this study was to analyze the antibacterial activity of four essential oils (EOs), Melaleuca alternifolia, Eucalyptus globulus, Mentha piperita, and Thymus vulgaris, in preventing the development and spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL)-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and carbapenemase (KPC)-producing

The overuse of antibiotics in livestock contributes to the antibiotic resistance pandemic. The assessment of the actual antibiotic consumption is crucial in limiting the expansion of the problem effectively. The aim of this study was to provide the first qualitative and quantitative analysis of antimicrobial usage using data from paper-based registers on dairy and beef farms located in the Umbria region

Propionibacterium acnes plays an important role in the pathophysiology of acne vulgaris, the most common chronic inflammatory skin disease of the pilosebaceous unit. This study was conducted to investigate whether the entomopathogenic fungus Polycephalomyces phaothaiensis components have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects against P. acnes that may serve for acne treatment. A chemical study

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical bodies containing proteins and nucleic acids that are released by Gram-negative bacteria, including Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease. The functional relationship between B. burgdorferi OMVs and host neuron homeostasis is not well understood. The objective of this study was to examine how B. burgdorferi OMVs impact the host cell environment

The pathogenic free-living amoeba, Acanthamoeba castellanii, is responsible for a rare but deadly central nervous system infection, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis and a blinding eye disease called Acanthamoeba keratitis. Currently, a combination of biguanides, amidine, azoles and antibiotics are used to manage these infections; however, the host cell cytotoxicity of these drugs remains a challenge

In an era of multidrug-resistant bacterial infections overshadowed by a lack of innovation in the antimicrobial drug development pipeline, there has been a resurgence in multidisciplinary approaches aimed at tackling this global health problem. One such approach is to use metal complexes as a framework for new antimicrobials. Indeed, in this context, bismuth-, silver- and gold-derived compounds in

The diversity and distribution of specialized metabolite gene clusters within a community of bacteria living in the same soil habitat are poorly documented. Here we analyzed the genomes of 8 Streptomyces isolated at micro-scale from a forest soil that belong to the same species or to different species. The results reveal high levels of diversity, with a total of 261 biosynthesis gene clusters (BGCs)

Biofilms are clusters of bacteria that live in association with surfaces. Their main characteristic is that the bacteria inside the biofilms are attached to other bacterial cells and to the surface by an extracellular polymeric matrix. Biofilms are capable of adhering to a wide variety of surfaces, both biotic and abiotic, including human tissues, medical devices, and other materials. On these surfaces

A key element in phage therapy is the establishment of large phage collections, termed herein “banks”, where many well-characterized phages, ready to be used in the clinic, are stored. These phage banks serve for both research and clinical purposes. Phage banks are also a key element in clinical phage microbiology, the prior treatment matching of phages and antibiotics to specific bacterial targets

Streptomyces is the most frequently described genus of Actinomycetes, a producer of biologically active secondary metabolites. Indeed, the Streptomyces species produces about 70% of antibiotics and 60% of antifungal molecules used in agriculture. Our study was carried out with the goal of isolating and identifying antimicrobial secondary metabolites from Streptomyces misionensisV16R3Y1 isolated from

BACKGROUND Infections are one of the most common reasons for patients attending primary care. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is perhaps one of the biggest threats to modern medicine; data show that 81% of antibiotics in the UK are prescribed in primary care. AIM To identify where the perceived gaps in knowledge, skills, guidance and research around infections and antibiotic use lie from the general

This study investigates GT-1 (also known as LCB10-0200), a novel-siderophore cephalosporin, inhibited multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative pathogen, via a Trojan horse strategy exploiting iron-uptake systems. We investigated GT-1 activity and the role of siderophore uptake systems, and the combination of GT-1 and a non-β-lactam β-lactamase inhibitor (BLI) of diazabicyclooctane, GT-055, (also referred

Biocolourants have been investigated as alternatives to synthetic dyes. However, natural origin per se is not a label of harmlessness and research is needed to obtain safe dyes. We studied the cytotoxicity of the extracts from fungal (Cortinarius semisanguineus, Tapinella atrotomentosa) and plant (Tanacetum vulgare, Salix phylicifolia) sources and the woollen fabrics dyed with the extracts. Cytotoxicity

Background: The main aim of the study was to analyse characteristics of sepsis according to the setting of occurrence and to identify predictors of sepsis-related in-hospital mortality. Methods: 544 medical records of adult patients with a diagnosis of sepsis were consulted and divided into two groups according to the setting where sepsis originated: community-acquired (CA) and healthcare-associated

As bacteria are becoming more resistant to commonly used antibiotics, alternative therapies are being sought. whISOBAX (WH) is a witch hazel extract that is highly stable (tested up to 2 months in 37 °C) and contains a high phenolic content, where 75% of it is hamamelitannin and traces of gallic acid. Phenolic compounds like gallic acid are known to inhibit bacterial growth, while hamamelitannin is

: Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are an important group of honeybee gut microbiota. These bacteria are involved in food digestion, stimulate the immune system, and may antagonize undesirable microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract. Lactobacillus kunkeei is a fructophilic lactic acid bacterium (FLAB) most frequently found in the gastrointestinal tracts of honeybees. Ascosphaera apis is an important

Synthesis of nanoparticles using the plants has several advantages over other methods due to the environmentally friendly nature of plants. Besides being environmentally friendly, the synthesis of nanoparticles using plants or parts of the plants is also cost effective. The present study focuses on the biosynthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using the seed extract of Butea monsoperma and

Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the most important pathogens concerned with multidrug resistance in healthcare-associated infections. The treating of infections caused by this bacterium is complicated due to the emergence and rapid spreading of carbapenem-resistant strains, which are associated with high mortality rates. Recently, several hypervirulent and carbapenemase-producing isolates were reported

Since the discovery and subsequent use of penicillin, antibiotics have been used to treat most bacterial infections in the U.S. Over time, the repeated prescription of many antibiotics has given rise to many antibiotic-resistant microbes. A bacterial strain becomes resistant by horizontal gene transfer, where surviving microbes acquire genetic material or DNA fragments from adjacent bacteria that encode

Recently, the research community has had a real-world look at reasons for improving vaccine responses to emerging RNA viruses. Here, a vaccine non-specialist suggests how this might be done. I propose two alternative options and compare the primary alternative option with current practice. The basis of comparison is feasibility in achieving what we need: a safe, mass-produced, emerging virus-targeted

OXA-48-like carbapenemase gene remains a hidden threat, as different OXA-48 variants have varying presentations of susceptibility to antibiotics that might affect the treatment decisions. Rapid detection and differentiation of OXA-48-like carbapenemase genes are critical for targeted treatment and infection control. In this study, we aimed to develop high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis for the differentiation

Bacteriophages, natural killers of bacteria, and plant secondary metabolites, such as condensed tannins, are potential agents for the control of foodborne pathogens. The first objective of this study evaluated the efficacy of a bacteriophage SA21RB in reducing pre-formed biofilms on stainless-steel produced by two Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) strains, one from South Africa and the

The medicinal plant Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv. (Bignoniaceae) has been traditionally applied for the prevention and treatment of diseases of the kidney and urinary system, the skin, the gastrointestinal tract, and inflammation in general. The present work shows for the first time how chemical components from this plant inhibit Helicobacter pylori growth by urease inhibition and modulation of virulence

New antibiotics are desperately needed to overcome the societal challenges being encountered with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In this study, a new tetracene derivative, named Mersaquinone (1), and the known Tetracenomycin D (2), Resistoflavin (3) and Resistomycin (4) have been isolated from the organic extract of the marine Streptomyces sp. EG1. The strain was isolated from

The self-assessment tool (SAT) is a 16-question self-report of antimicrobial stewardship practices in primary care, available in the TARGET (Treat Antibiotics Responsibly, Guidance Education and Tools) Antibiotics Toolkit. This study analysed responses to the SAT and compared them to previous SAT data (2014-2016). Data from June 2016 to September 2019 were anonymised and analysed using Microsoft Excel

OBJECTIVES There is debate on whether the use of third-generation cephalosporins (3GC) increases the risk of clinical failure in bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by chromosomally-mediated AmpC-producing Enterobacterales (CAE). This study evaluates the impact of definitive 3GC therapy versus other antibiotics on clinical outcomes in BSIs due to Enterobacter, Serratia, or Citrobacter species. METHODS

Implementation of antibiotic stewardship is difficult in patients with sepsis because of severity of disease. We evaluated the impact of glycopeptide discontinuation (GD) in patients with culture negative severe sepsis or septic shock who received glycopeptides as initial empiric antibiotic therapy at admission. We conducted a single center retrospective cohort study between January 2010 and March

The adherent invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) pathotype has been associated with the aetiology of Crohn's disease (CD). Scarce reports have shown the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of AIEC. Despite antibiotics not being recommended to treat CD, antimicrobial therapy could be useful in stratified patients, such as AIEC carriers. We examined the antimicrobial resistance profiles of AIEC strains

The application of various isonitrile-based multicomponent reactions to protected (2-oxoethyl)boronic acid (as the carbonyl component) is described. The Ugi reaction, both in the four components and in the four centers-three components versions, and the van Leusen reaction, proved effective at providing small libraries of MIDA-protected β-aminoboronic acids. The corresponding free β-aminoboronic acids

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of oregano essential oil (OEO) and monensin sodium on the oxidative stability, colour, texture, and the fatty acid profile of lamb meat (m. Longissimus lumborum). Twenty Dorper x Pelibuey lambs were randomly divided into five treatments; control (CON), monensin sodium (SM, Rumensin 200® 33 mg/kg), a low level of OEO (LO, 0.2 g/kg dry matter (DM)), a medium

Considering the evidence that essential oils, as well as safrole, could modulate bacterial growth in different resistant strains, this study aims to characterize the phytochemical profile and evaluate the antibacterial and antibiotic-modulating properties of the essential oil Ocotea odorífera (EOOO) and safrole against efflux pump (EP)-carrying strains. The EOOO was extracted by hydrodistillation,

Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR Kp), in particular carbapenem-resistant Kp (CR-Kp), has become endemic in Italy, where alarming data have been reported on the spread of colistin-resistant CR-Kp (CRCR-Kp). During the period 2013-2014, 27 CRCR-Kp nosocomial strains were isolated within the Modena University Hospital Policlinico (MUHP) multidrug resistance surveillance program. We retrospectively

The evaluation of antibacterial activity of metal surfaces can be carried out using various published guidelines which do not always agree with each other on technical conditions and result interpretation. Moreover, these technical conditions are sometimes remote from real-life ones, especially those found in health-care facilities, and do not include a variety of antibiotic-resistant strains. A worst-case

Treatment of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a challenge for clinicians. The large increase in drug-resistant strains makes the formulation of new therapeutic strategies fundamental. The frequent onset of side effects during antibiotic treatment (mainly due to intestinal dysbiosis) should not be underestimated as it may cause the interruption of treatment, failure of H. pylori eradication

Antibiotic resistance represents a tremendous contemporary clinical challenge. Given this challenge, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are regarded as one of the most promising new options for next-generation lead antibiotics. Here, we describe the antibacterial activities of a cationic peptide named DRP-AC4, obtained from frog skin secretion using shotgun cloning. Two modified peptides were derived by

Phage lysins are promising new therapeutics against multidrug-resistant bacteria. These so-called enzybiotics offer, amongst their most notable advantages, high target specificity and low resistance development. Moreover, there are numerous recent and ongoing studies aimed at demonstrating the efficacy and safety of endolysins in animal models or even in clinical trials. Nonetheless, as is the case

This is a case of a 72 year old male with a chronic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prosthetic joint infection. After the third intravenous dose of bacteriophage therapy, an unusual, reversible transaminitis prompted stoppage of bacteriophage therapy. Nevertheless, treatment was successful and the patient's severe chronic infection was eradicated.

Pregnadiene-11-hydroxy-16α,17α-epoxy-3,20-dione-1 (PYED-1), a heterocyclic corticosteroid derivative of deflazacort, exhibits broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Here, we investigated the effect of PYED-1 on the biofilms of Staphylococcus aureus, an etiological agent of biofilm-based chronic infections such as osteomyelitis, indwelling medical device

For the past several decades, the success of bacterial strains in infecting their host has been essentially ascribed to the presence of canonical virulence genes. While it is unclear how much growth rate impacts the outcome of an infection, it is long known that the efficacy of the most commonly used antibiotics is correlated to growth. This applies especially to -lactams, whose efficacy is nearly

To prevent infections local delivery of antibiotics is a useful tool. Especially in bone fractures, vancomycin impregnated bone cements are often used allowing high concentrations of antibiotics at the infection side without high serum concentrations. However, besides potential pathogens, cells involved in tissue regeneration may also be affected by the drug. We investigated the effect of vancomycin

Low diversity intestinal dysbiosis has been associated with inflammatory bowel disease, including patients with ulcerative colitis with an ileo-anal pouch anastomosis. Furthermore, specific Escherichia coli phylogroups have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease. Our aim was to characterize the differences among microbiota and E. coli phylogroups in active and inactive pouchitis. Disease activity

Two new sulfur compounds, designated thioporidiol A (1) and B (2), were discovered by the MoS-screening program from a culture broth of Trichoderma polypori FKI-7382. The structures of 1 and 2 were determined as C13 lipid structures with an N-acetylcysteine moiety. The relative configuration at the C-5 and C-6 position of 1 was determined by the derivatives of -methoxy--phenylacetic acid diesters

Persister bacterial cells are great at surviving antibiotics. The phenotypic means by which they do that are underexplored. As such, atomic force microscope (AFM) was used to quantify the contributions of the surface properties of the outer membrane of multidrug resistance (MDR)-Escherichia coli Strains (A5 and A9) in the presence of ampicillin at minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) (resistant cells)

There is a lack of evidence in the attitude and prescribing practice of implantologists in dental implant post-operative assessment; therefore, the aims of this cross-sectional study were to investigate these habits and the knowledge about radiographic aspect of retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI) among Italian implantologists. A questionnaire was sent via email to dentists randomly selected from the

A series of ethyl 1-(substituted benzoyl)-5-methylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-3-carboxylates 4a-f and dimethyl 1-(substituted benzoyl)-5-methylpyrrolo[1,2-a]quinoline-2,3-dicarboxylates 4g-k have been synthesized and evaluated for their anti-tubercular (TB) activities against H37Rv (American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) strain 25177) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

(1) Objective: Bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotic therapy is an increasingly significant worldwide challenge to human health. The objective is to evaluate whether bacteriophage therapy could complement or be a viable alternative to conventional antibiotic therapy in critical cases of bacterial infection related to cardiothoracic surgery. (2) Methods: Since September 2015, eight patients