Antibiotics: Fighting Disease and Promoting Health by Embracing the Two Sides of the Same Coin

A special issue of Antibiotics (ISSN 2079-6382). This special issue belongs to the section "The Global Need for Effective Antibiotics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 October 2024 | Viewed by 3367

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, University of Ioannina, 47100 Arta, Greece
Interests: microbiology; microbial ecology; public health; food-borne diseases; food technology; food safety; nutrients; fermented foods; lactic acid bacteria; antimicrobial resistance
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Guest Editor
Department of Infectious Diseases, CHUV (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Vaudois), 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland
Interests: infectious diseases; antibiotics; probiotics; microbial ecology; health; disease; microbiota; hygiene; diet; intestine
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Guest Editor
Laboratory of Hygiene and Environmental Protection, Department of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, 68100 Alexandroupolis, Greece
Interests: microbiome; antimicrobials; antibiotics; biofilms
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The resistance to antibiotics has been characterized as a silent yet salient pandemic. Published research from every part of the globe reveals this resistance phenomenon in either clinical or environmental isolates. Although many aspects of the bacterial survival mechanisms are thoroughly understood, questions remain. Studying the resistance effect is essential but what can contemporary science propose as possible solutions to this problem? Are there ways to increase the efficacy of the existing antibiotics? Are there other substances with satisfactory antibiotic activity? Can certain microorganisms play the role of antibiotics? Are we able to prevent the dissemination of resistance determinants through the food chain? These and other relevant questions will be addressed in this Special Issue of "Antibiotics". The term -biotic stems from the Greek word bios (βίος) , meaning life. By adding a suitable prefix to this term, e.g., antibiotic, probiotic, prebiotic, or symbiotic, perhaps we can influence life sciences towards new approaches to older problems. Researchers are invited to submit study and review articles that will contribute towards addressing these issues. 

Dr. Chrysa Voidarou
Dr. Elisavet Stavropoulou
Prof. Dr. Eugenia Bezirtzoglou
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

  • antibiotics
  • probiotics
  • antibacterial activity
  • functional food
  • natural compounds
  • natural antimicrobials
  • microbiome
  • antimicrobial resistance
  • resistome

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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18 pages, 14208 KiB  
Article
Genomic Insights into Pediococcus pentosaceus ENM104: A Probiotic with Potential Antimicrobial and Cholesterol-Reducing Properties
by Siriwan Kompramool, Kamonnut Singkhamanan, Rattanaruji Pomwised, Nattarika Chaichana, Sirikan Suwannasin, Monwadee Wonglapsuwan, Jirayu Jitpakdee, Duangporn Kantachote, Thunchanok Yaikhan and Komwit Surachat
Antibiotics 2024, 13(9), 813; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13090813 - 27 Aug 2024
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Abstract
Pediococcus pentosaceus, which often occurs in fermented foods, is characterized by numerous positive effects on the human health, such as the presence of possible probiotic abilities, the reduction of cholesterol levels, satisfactory antimicrobial activity, and certain therapeutic functions. This study was conducted [...] Read more.
Pediococcus pentosaceus, which often occurs in fermented foods, is characterized by numerous positive effects on the human health, such as the presence of possible probiotic abilities, the reduction of cholesterol levels, satisfactory antimicrobial activity, and certain therapeutic functions. This study was conducted with the goal of describing the genomic content of Pediococcus pentosaceus ENM104, a strain known for its inhibitory effects against pathogenic bacteria and its remarkable probiotic potential, including the induction of significant reductions in cholesterol levels and the production of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). The P. pentosaceus ENM104 chromosome is circular. The chromosome is 1,734,928 bp with a GC content of 37.2%. P. pentosaceus also harbors a circular plasmid, pENM104, that is 71,811 bp with a GC content of 38.1%. Functional annotations identified numerous genes associated with probiotic traits, including those involved in stress adaptation (e.g., heat stress: htpX, dnaK, and dnaJ), bile tolerance (e.g., ppaC), vitamin biosynthesis (e.g., ribU, ribZ, ribF, and btuD), immunomodulation (e.g., dltA, dltC, and dltD), and bacteriocin production (e.g., pedA). Notably, genes responsible for lowering cholesterol levels (bile salt hydrolase, bsh) and GABA synthesis (glutamate/GABA antiporter, gadC) were also identified. The in vitro assay results using cell-free supernatants of P. pentosaceus ENM104 revealed antibacterial activity against carbapenem-resistant bacteria, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Acinetobacter baumannii, and the inhibition zone diameter increased progressively over time. This comprehensive study provides valuable insights into the molecular characteristics of P. pentosaceus ENM104, emphasizing its potential as a probiotic. Its notable cholesterol-lowering, GABA-producing, and antimicrobial capabilities suggest promising applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Future research should focus on further exploring these functional properties and assessing the strain’s efficacy in clinical settings. Full article
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Review

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15 pages, 471 KiB  
Review
Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic Antimicrobial Resistance
by Lucia Boccabella, Elena Gialluca Palma, Ludovico Abenavoli, Giuseppe Guido Maria Scarlata, Mariavirginia Boni, Gianluca Ianiro, Pierangelo Santori, Jan F. Tack and Emidio Scarpellini
Antibiotics 2024, 13(3), 233; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13030233 - 29 Feb 2024
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2354
Abstract
Background and aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a chronic issue of our Westernized society, mainly because of the uncontrolled and improper use of antimicrobials. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered and expanded AMR diffusion all over the world, and its clinical [...] Read more.
Background and aim: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a chronic issue of our Westernized society, mainly because of the uncontrolled and improper use of antimicrobials. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has triggered and expanded AMR diffusion all over the world, and its clinical and therapeutic features have changed. Thus, we aimed to review evidence from the literature on the definition and causative agents of AMR in the frame of the COVID-19 post-pandemic era. Methods: We conducted a search on PubMed and Medline for original articles, reviews, meta-analyses, and case series using the following keywords, their acronyms, and their associations: antibiotics, antimicrobial resistance, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2), COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment. Results: AMR had a significant rise in incidence both in in-hospital and outpatient populations (ranging from 5 up to 50%) worldwide, but with a variegated profile according to the germ and microorganism considered. Not only bacteria but also fungi have developed more frequent and diffuse AMR. These findings are explained by the increased use and misuse of antibiotics and preventive measures during the first waves of the SARS-CoV2 pandemic, especially in hospitalized patients. Subsequently, the reduction in and end of the lockdown and the use of personal protective equipment have allowed for the indiscriminate circulation of resistant microorganisms from low-income countries to the rest of the world with the emergence of new multi- and polyresistant organisms. However, there is not a clear association between COVID-19 and AMR changes in the post-pandemic period. Conclusions: AMR in some microorganisms has significantly increased and changed its characteristics during and after the end of the pandemic phase of COVID-19. An integrated supranational monitoring approach to this challenge is warranted in the years to come. In detail, a rational, personalized, and regulated use of antibiotics and antimicrobials is needed. Full article
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