Bacterial Detection, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing, 2nd Edition

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 1836

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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microbiological diagnostics plays a pivotal role in guiding appropriate therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases. Recent technological advances have significantly improved the accuracy of microbiological diagnosis while substantially reducing turnaround times. In parallel, several novel antimicrobial agents have been introduced into clinical practice to address infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria.

Against this background, this Special Issue aims to highlight cutting-edge approaches in clinical microbiology. We invite authors to submit original research articles and comprehensive reviews focusing on innovative diagnostic techniques for rapid detection and identification of bacterial pathogens as well as on conventional and rapid methods for antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Particular emphasis will be placed on studies evaluating the in vitro susceptibility of MDR bacteria to newly developed antimicrobial agents, providing critical insights into their potential clinical utility.

Dr. Gabriele Bianco
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • identification methods
  • rapid diagnostics
  • MALDI-TOF MS
  • molecular testing
  • rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing
  • antimicrobial susceptibility
  • synergy testing
  • β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor
  • fosfomycin
  • colistin

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Review

31 pages, 487 KB  
Review
Cefepime Combined with Late-Generation β-Lactamase Inhibitors: Mechanisms of Action, In Vitro Activity, PK/PD Characteristics, Clinical Evidence and Resistance Mechanisms
by Sara Comini, Matteo Boattini, Paolo Gaibani and Gabriele Bianco
Antibiotics 2026, 15(3), 263; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15030263 - 3 Mar 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1546
Abstract
Cefepime combined with late-generation β-lactamase inhibitors—enmetazobactam, zidebactam, and taniborbactam—represents a promising strategy to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. These combinations expand the therapeutic armamentarium beyond established β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor regimens, offering targeted activity against ESBL-, AmpC-, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, as well as multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa [...] Read more.
Cefepime combined with late-generation β-lactamase inhibitors—enmetazobactam, zidebactam, and taniborbactam—represents a promising strategy to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative infections. These combinations expand the therapeutic armamentarium beyond established β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor regimens, offering targeted activity against ESBL-, AmpC-, and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, as well as multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In vitro studies highlight potent and broad activity, with mechanisms including β-lactamase inhibition and, in the case of zidebactam, dual β-lactam enhancement through PBP2 binding. Clinical evidence demonstrates efficacy in complicated urinary tract infections and suggests potential for treating extensively drug-resistant infections, including those unresponsive to conventional β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitors. Emerging resistance mechanisms—such as PBP alterations, porin loss, efflux pump overexpression, and evolving KPC or NDM variants—underscore the need for ongoing surveillance and robust susceptibility testing. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms of action, in vitro activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic properties, clinical outcomes, and resistance patterns of these cefepime-based combinations. It also highlights future directions, including the establishment of clinical breakpoints, evaluation in severe infections, and exploration of combination strategies to counteract complex resistance. Overall, these agents exemplify a strategic evolution in β-lactam therapy, offering versatile options to reduce carbapenem reliance while maintaining high efficacy against multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Full article
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