Antibiotics

Background: The widespread use of antibiotics in dentistry has become a significant driver of the global rise in antibiotic resistance, posing serious risks to both oral and overall health. Objectives: This study aims to review antibiotic use in dentistry, elucidates the mechanisms of resistance development, identifies contributing factors, and discusses strategies to mitigate this growing global health threat. Methods: This narrative review examines current patterns of antibiotic prescribing in dentistry and evaluates evidence showing that antibiotics, although essential for preventing and managing odontogenic infections, are often prescribed unnecessarily or inappropriately. Results: The analysis highlights the growing resistance of key oral pathogens such as Streptococcus spp., Enterococcus faecalis, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, which increasingly limits the effectiveness of conventional treatments. Factors contributing to this trend include inconsistent adherence to clinical guidelines, patient pressure, and insufficient awareness of antibiotics stewardship among dental professionals. To address these challenges, the review emphasizes the importance of evidence-based prescription, strengthened stewardship programs, and the development of alternative therapies, including host-modulating agents and bacteriophage applications. Ongoing education and professional development are equally vital to enhance clinical judgment and promote responsible prescribing habits. Conclusions: Overcoming antibiotic resistance in dentistry requires coordinated effort among clinicians, researchers, educators, and policymakers. Expanding surveillance, enforcing stewardship-driven policies, and supporting innovation in therapeutic research are key to reducing antibiotic misuse and preserving their effectiveness. Through collective commitment and informed practice, the dental profession can play a crucial role in protecting antibiotic efficacy and promoting sustainable, high-quality patient care.

Background: Artichoke, a medicinal plant with various therapeutic uses, is widely cultivated in many of the world’s geographical areas. The aim of this study was to establish the antimicrobial profile by means of comparative evaluation of the phytochemical constituents, antioxidant, anti-lipid peroxidation, and antimicrobial activities of the basal and cauline leaves, as well as the following by-products: stems, bracts, and inflorescences, from Cynara scolymus L. cultivated in the Republic of Moldova. Methods: Qualitative and quantitative characterization of the main phenolic compounds from ethanolic extracts was carried out by the HPLC-UV-MS method. The in vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH˙, ABTS˙⁺, FRAP, and NO˙ scavenging methods. The lipid-lowering effect was established with a malonic dialdehyde complex and thiobarbituric acid. Antimicrobial properties were screened using the diffusion method. Results: The HPLC UV-MS analysis highlighted that the green aerial parts of C. scolymus are characterized by the presence of five phenolic acids (kaempferol, gentisic, chlorogenic, p-coumaric, ferulic, and caffeic) and four flavonoid heterosides and aglycones (isoquercitrin, quercitrin, luteolin, and apigenin). Correlation between total polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity was found to be statistically significant (p < 0.01). The extracts of C. scolymus’s aerial parts exhibited significant antibacterial and antifungal activities (p < 0.05) against all tested microorganisms, while no inhibitory effect for inflorescences was observed. Conclusions: Artichoke leaves and by-products may be considered important and promising sources of bioactive compounds for herbal medicinal products, functional foods, and nutraceuticals, due to their antimicrobial properties. This study makes an original contribution to the specialized literature by the detailed characterization of the antimicrobial profile of the extracts obtained from artichoke cultivated in the Republic of Moldova, a species introduced for the first time on the territory of this country. The obtained results highlight the medicinal potential and economic value of the Moldovan artichoke, with particular emphasis on its by-products: stems, bracts, and inflorescences, which less explored so far, as sources of bioactive compounds. Our analyses indicate that the leaves and by-products of the plant represent promising resources for the development of phytopharmaceutical preparations, functional foods, and nutraceuticals, offering new directions for the integral and sustainable valorization of this species acclimatized in Moldova.

Background/Objectives: Helicobacter pylori infection remains a significant health concern, as increasing antimicrobial resistance compromises the efficacy of eradication. Understanding regional antimicrobial resistance profiles is crucial for optimizing eradication strategies. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and identify the factors influencing H. pylori culture success. Methods: In this prospective study, 697 gastric tissue samples were collected from consecutive patients who underwent upper endoscopy between November 2023 and May 2025. Tissue samples obtained by forceps biopsy or recovered from rapid urease test kits were cultured for H. pylori. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the agar dilution method; factors associated with successful culture were analyzed using logistic regression. Results: Among 488 patients with H. pylori infection, culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were successful in 387 (79.3%). The overall antimicrobial resistance rates were 17.8%, 27.1%, 29.5%, 0.3%, and 32.8% for amoxicillin, clarithromycin, metronidazole, tetracycline, and levofloxacin, respectively. Notably, 27.6% (107/387) of the isolates were resistant to two or more antibiotics. Using multivariate analysis, the use of fresh biopsy tissue (odds ratio [OR]: 1.646, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.046–2.591, p = 0.031), transport interval (OR: 0.911, 95% CI: 0.853–0.973, p = 0.005), and presence of prior eradication therapy (OR: 0.318, 95% CI: 0.156–0.648, p = 0.002) were identified as significant predictors of culture success. Conclusions: The high rate of clarithromycin resistance underscores the need for susceptibility-guided eradication strategies in this region. Optimizing sample handling, particularly by minimizing transport time and using fresh biopsy tissue, may improve culture yields.