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Antibiotics
Special Issues
Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing and Rapid Diagnostics of Antimicrobial Resistance
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Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing and Rapid Diagnostics of Antimicrobial Resistance

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2026 | Viewed by 1514

Editors

Dr. Maria Grazia Bocci

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Clinical and Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
Interests: infectious disease; intensive care; antimicrobial resistance (AMR); human health risk; microbiology diagnostic; healthcare associated infections (HAIs)
Dr. Giulia Capecchi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Clinical and Research Department, National Institute for Infectious Diseases “Lazzaro Spallanzani”—IRCCS, 00149 Rome, Italy
Interests: infectious disease; antimicrobial resistance (AMR); molecular microbiology; microbiology diagnostic; healthcare associated infections (HAIs)

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical threat to global health, leading to increased morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. The timely and accurate identification of resistant pathogens is essential for appropriate antimicrobial stewardship and improved clinical outcomes. This Special Issue focuses on recent advances and innovative strategies in antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) and rapid diagnostics of AMR.

We welcome original research articles, reviews, and technical reports that explore novel phenotypic and genotypic approaches to AST, molecular diagnostics, point-of-care testing, biosensors, and emerging technologies such as AI-assisted platforms. Studies addressing the clinical impact, implementation challenges, and real-world applications of rapid diagnostic tools across different healthcare settings are particularly encouraged.

This Special Issue aims to bring together multidisciplinary contributions from microbiologists, clinicians, pharmacologists, and bioengineers working to combat AMR through faster and more precise diagnostics.

Dr. Maria Grazia Bocci
Guest Editor

Dr. Giulia Capecchi
Guest Editor Assistant

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Antibiotics is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • antimicrobial resistance
  • antibiotic susceptibility testing
  • rapid diagnostics
  • molecular detection
  • point-of-care testing
  • clinical microbiology

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 1766 KB  
Article
Evolution and Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles of Klebsiella spp. Infections in Companion Animals in the Iberian Peninsula
by María Jiménez-Serrano, Anna Vidal, Inma Duran, Chiara Seminati and Laila Darwich
Antibiotics 2026, 15(7), 678; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15070678 - 10 Jul 2026
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in companion animals is an increasing concern within the One Health framework, particularly regarding opportunistic pathogens such as Klebsiella spp. This retrospective study evaluated the epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and temporal resistance trends of Klebsiella spp. infections in dogs [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in companion animals is an increasing concern within the One Health framework, particularly regarding opportunistic pathogens such as Klebsiella spp. This retrospective study evaluated the epidemiology, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and temporal resistance trends of Klebsiella spp. infections in dogs and cats across the Iberian Peninsula. Methods: A total of 809 clinical isolates collected between 2016 and 2024 and submitted to a private diagnostic laboratory in Barcelona were analysed. Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae was the predominant species (70%), more frequently identified in cats (76%) than in dogs (68%). Dermatological and respiratory samples exhibited the highest prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. Overall MDR prevalence was high, particularly in cats (51.1%; 95% CI 41.1–60.9%) compared with dogs (38.4%; 95% CI 34.1–42.8%) although it was not statistically significant. K. pneumoniae generally exhibited higher resistance rates than K. oxytoca, particularly to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, first-/second-generation cephalosporins, third-/fourth-generation cephalosporins (3/4th GC), fluoroquinolones, and tetracyclines. In both bacterial species, resistance rates were consistently higher among feline isolates. In contrast, aminoglycosides and phenicols retained high activity against most isolates. Temporal analysis revealed a significant increasing resistance trend to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, which is particularly concerning given the widespread use of this antimicrobial as a first-line treatment in small animal practice. However, resistance trend to aminoglycosides showed a significant decline. No significant temporal changes were detected for 3/4th GC and fluoroquinolones, suggesting the persistence of resistant populations within companion animals. Resistance to aminoglycosides and phenicols remained comparatively low in this study. Whereas critically important category B antimicrobials, such as 3/4th GC and fluoroquinolones, exhibited low to moderate effectiveness, raising concerns about their empirical use. Conclusions: These findings highlight the substantial AMR and MDR burden of K. pneumoniae in companion animals in the Iberian Peninsula and reinforce the need for prudent antimicrobial use, routine susceptibility testing, and integrated One Health surveillance strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing and Rapid Diagnostics of Antimicrobial Resistance)
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25 pages, 2912 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Beta-Lactamase-Producing Strains Isolated in a Tertiary Nephrology Hospital in Romania
by Edgar-Costin Chelaru, Andrei-Alexandru Muntean, Ioana Manea, Mihai-Octav Hogea, Crina-Mihaela Dinuță, Mioara Mazăre, Mădălina-Maria Muntean, Călin-Constantin Ghițulescu, Bogdan-Florin Ciomaga, Costin-Ștefan Caracoti, Diana-Maria Preoteasa and Mircea Ioan Popa
Antibiotics 2026, 15(6), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15060580 - 7 Jun 2026
Viewed by 309
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Given the ongoing threat of antimicrobial resistance, the identification and characterization of multidrug-resistant isolates are essential. An increase in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has been reported in Romania, but national data are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) isolated [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Given the ongoing threat of antimicrobial resistance, the identification and characterization of multidrug-resistant isolates are essential. An increase in antimicrobial-resistant bacteria has been reported in Romania, but national data are still scarce. This study aimed to evaluate beta-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacteria (GNB) isolated over two years at a Romanian nephrology hospital, while comparing carbapenemase detection phenotypic methods. Methods: Gram-negative bacterial isolates collected between January 2022 and May 2024 that met antimicrobial resistance screening criteria were evaluated. After identification, extensive disk diffusion antibiograms were performed, read, and interpreted, complemented by testing on cloxacillin/oxacillin-supplemented Mueller–Hinton agar. The colistin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was not assessed, and aztreonam–avibactam was not tested for Enterobacterales. For non-fermenter GNB, the colistin MIC was determined. Phenotypic carbapenemase production tests were performed for all strains (BlueCarba Test, CIM, mCIM, zCIM, and rCIM). Carbapenemase detection immunochromatographic tests were performed for a set of strains. Results: Among the 397 evaluated strains, 335 (84.38%) were Enterobacterales and 62 (15.62%) non-fermenter GNB, showing high antimicrobial resistance levels. Of these, 188 (47.35%) were Klebsiella pneumoniae; 139/188 (73.93%) showed carbapenem resistance and carbapenemase production; 49/188 (26.06%) produced two carbapenemases; and 45/188 (23.93%) presented resistance to all tested antimicrobials. MALDI-TOF identified 28 KPC-producing K. pneumoniae strains. Lateral flow assays revealed NDM, VIM, KPC, and OXA-48-like enzymes in 48 of 56 tested Enterobacterales; 12/48 strains produced two carbapenemases. Of the 62 non-fermenter GNB, 33 were Pseudomonas spp. and 20 Acinetobacter baumannii; one Pseudomonas spp. was susceptible only to colistin and seven only to cefiderocol; four A. baumannii were susceptible only to colistin and three only to cefiderocol. Lateral flow assays detected VIM or IMP enzymes in 13/33 Pseudomonas spp. and OXA-23 and/or OXA-40/-58 enzymes in all 20 A. baumannii. Conclusions: Among the evaluated strains, many showed resistance to multiple antimicrobial classes. Furthermore, strains co-producing two carbapenemases were identified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing and Rapid Diagnostics of Antimicrobial Resistance)
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16 pages, 468 KB  
Article
Evaluating the Practical Impact of Fast Microbiology on the Treatment of Bloodstream Infections: Real-World Evidence from a High-Complexity Infectious Disease Center
by Maria Grazia Bocci, Stefania Cicalini, Giulia Capecchi, Sara Leone, Emanuela Caraffa, Giulia Valeria Stazi, Barbara Massa, Silvia D’Arezzo, Marina Selleri and Carla Fontana
Antibiotics 2026, 15(5), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15050457 - 30 Apr 2026
Viewed by 460
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly when delays in pathogen identification hinder timely and targeted antimicrobial therapy. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) accelerate microbiological identification, yet their clinical impact remains heterogeneous across different healthcare settings. This study [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly when delays in pathogen identification hinder timely and targeted antimicrobial therapy. Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) accelerate microbiological identification, yet their clinical impact remains heterogeneous across different healthcare settings. This study aimed to evaluate the real-world effect of implementing FAST microbiology, a diagnostic workflow that integrates RDTs into conventional blood culture processing, on diagnostic timeliness, antimicrobial decision-making, and patient management in a hospital specializing in complex infectious diseases. Methods: We conducted a quasi-experimental study comparing non-FAST and FAST workflows over a 24-month period, including 166 adult patients with sepsis admitted to ICU and non-ICU units, accounting for 231 BSIs. Microbiological outcomes, treatment dynamics, time to targeted therapy, and key clinical endpoints were compared between non-FAST and FAST groups. Results: FAST microbiology significantly reduced the time to initiation of targeted therapy across clinical settings. No statistically significant differences were observed in hospital length of stay, overall mortality, or 28-day mortality between the two groups. Baseline clinical severity, age, and comorbidity burden remained the main determinants of clinical outcomes. Conclusions: These real-world findings support the integration of rapid diagnostics into existing antimicrobial stewardship frameworks by improving diagnostic timeliness and supporting earlier microbiologically guided therapeutic decisions. However, the results also highlight that accelerating diagnostics alone may not be sufficient to improve survival in critically ill patients with complex infectious diseases, where outcomes are predominantly driven by patient- and disease-related factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing and Rapid Diagnostics of Antimicrobial Resistance)
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