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Life
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Diagnosis and Management of Microbial Infections
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Diagnosis and Management of Microbial Infections

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Microbiology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 29 August 2025 | Viewed by 2971

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Iulia-Cristina Bagiu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Microbiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square No. 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: microbiology; bacteriology; antimicrobial resistance phenotypes; COVID-19
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The diagnosis and management of microbial infections require a multifaceted approach that integrates clinical evaluation, laboratory testing, and targeted treatment strategies. The early identification of causative pathogens through techniques such as culture, PCR, and serology is critical for effective management. Advances in diagnostic technologies, including rapid molecular assays and next-generation sequencing, have significantly enhanced the accuracy and speed of pathogen detection.

Effective management includes the use of antimicrobial agents, guided by susceptibility profiles to mitigate resistance development. This ensures that the chosen antimicrobial therapy is both effective and responsible, reducing the risk of promoting resistant strains. Comprehensive strategies also emphasize infection prevention, control measures, and patient education to curb the spread of infectious diseases. These measures include hand hygiene, vaccination, use of personal protective equipment, and environmental sanitation.

Patient education is vital, as it encourages adherence to treatment regimens and understanding of preventive practices. Integrating these approaches—advanced diagnostics, targeted antimicrobial therapy, and robust preventive measures—is essential to improve patient outcomes and protect public health. This holistic approach ensures that infections are promptly and accurately diagnosed, effectively treated, and prevented from spreading, ultimately enhancing overall healthcare efficacy.

Dr. Iulia-Cristina Bagiu
Guest Editor

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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life 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 2600 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

  • microbiology
  • infection
  • germs
  • antimicrobial agents
  • antimicrobial therapy

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

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17 pages, 2364 KiB  
Article
Phenotypical and Molecular Characterization of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolated from Hospitalized Patients During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Brazil
by Paula Araujo de Souza, Milena Cristina Nunes dos Santos, Rebeca Vitória da Silva Lage de Miranda, Luciana Veloso da Costa, Raphael Paiva Paschoal da Silva, Cátia Aparecida Chaia de Miranda, Greice Maria Silva da Conceição, Stephen James Forsythe, Maria Helena Simões Villas Bôas and Marcelo Luiz Lima Brandão
Life 2025, 15(4), 623; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15040623 - 8 Apr 2025
Viewed by 386
Abstract
The goal of the present study was to analyze Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from hospitalized patients in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic by phenotypic and molecular methods and evaluate their antimicrobial resistance patterns and biofilm production. Forty-seven strains were isolated in 2021–2022 [...] Read more.
The goal of the present study was to analyze Acinetobacter baumannii strains isolated from hospitalized patients in the period of the COVID-19 pandemic by phenotypic and molecular methods and evaluate their antimicrobial resistance patterns and biofilm production. Forty-seven strains were isolated in 2021–2022 from a hospital in Brazil, and were identified by VITEK®2, MALDI-TOF/MS (VITEK MS® and MALDI Biotyper®), and 16S rRNA sequencing. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was applied for typing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). In addition, biofilm formation and disinfectant tolerance tests were used. All methods accurately identified all the A. baumannii strains. FTIR typing identified 23 different profiles and 11 clusters, as well as differentiated between the strains from patients with and without COVID-19. Most strains exhibited resistance to the drugs tested, 91.5% of the strains were classified as XDR, 6.4% of the strains were MDR and only 1 strain was classified as non-MDR. Over half of the strains (n = 27, 57.4%) produced biofilms on polystyrene. Sodium hypochlorite (1.0%/15 min) was the best option for effective disinfection. Overall, this study will lay the foundation for further research on effective cleaning protocols for the eradication of A. baumannii biofilms, as well as the use of FTIR for pathogen surveillance in healthcare settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of Microbial Infections)
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21 pages, 1958 KiB  
Article
Morphological and Molecular Characterization of Three Myxosporean Species of the Genera Myxobolus, Henneguya, and Myxidium (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) Infecting Freshwater Fish, Isolated for the First Time in Japan
by Mariko Sekiya, Haruya Sakai, Ying-Chun Li, Imron Rosyadi, Muchammad Yunus and Hiroshi Sato
Life 2024, 14(8), 974; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14080974 - 2 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1515
Abstract
The majority of myxosporean species (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) of the genera Myxobolus (35 species), Henneguya (8 species), and Myxidium (9 species) from freshwater or brackish fish in Japan were recorded more than 30 years ago (accumulatively 81.1% [43/53]). The re-discovery and molecular–genetic characterization of [...] Read more.
The majority of myxosporean species (Cnidaria: Myxozoa) of the genera Myxobolus (35 species), Henneguya (8 species), and Myxidium (9 species) from freshwater or brackish fish in Japan were recorded more than 30 years ago (accumulatively 81.1% [43/53]). The re-discovery and molecular–genetic characterization of these species is a current research priority. During our myxosporean survey in Japanese freshwater fish, we detected three species that had never been recorded in Japan, but in the Russian Far East (Sakhalin Island, and Maritime Province): Myxobolus tribolodonus sp. n., forming cysts in the gills of Tribolodon sachalinensis (syn. M. marinus sensu Aseeva, 2000; M. marinus sensu Sokolov et Frolova, 2015, recorded from the gills of Pseudaspius (syn. Tribolodon) spp.); Henneguya pungitii Achmerov, 1953, forming cysts in the subcutis of external skin and buccal submucosa of Pungitius sinensis; and Myxidium salvelini Konovalov et Shulman, 1966, in the urinary bladder of Oncorhynchus masou ishikawae. These new isolates were characterized by integrated taxonomic approaches, i.e., myxospore morphology and molecular–genetic characterization of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene (SSU rDNA). These new isolates were phylogenetically differentiated from any species whose SSU rDNA sequences were deposited in the DNA databases, and concurrently compared with recorded species based on classical morphological criteria. All three species were differentiated from myxosporeans previously recorded in Japan, indicating new distribution records out of the Russian Far East. For reliable species identification, accumulation of at least SSU rDNA sequences of known species worldwide is critically important. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of Microbial Infections)
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Review

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18 pages, 800 KiB  
Review
Fluoroquinolones for the Prophylaxis of Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis in Patients with Liver Cirrhosis: Are They Losing Ground?
by Simona Juncu, Horia Minea, Andreea Lungu, Alina Jucan, Raluca Avram, Ana-Maria Buzuleac, Camelia Cojocariu, Laura Sorina Diaconu, Carol Stanciu, Anca Trifan and Ana-Maria Sîngeap
Life 2025, 15(4), 586; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15040586 - 2 Apr 2025
Viewed by 437
Abstract
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the most common bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients. Historically, the bacterial spectrum was dominated by Gram-negative bacteria. However, recent studies showed that fluoroquinolone (FQ)-based prophylaxis promotes the intestinal overgrowth of Gram-positive bacteria and contributes to the selection of [...] Read more.
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is the most common bacterial infection in cirrhotic patients. Historically, the bacterial spectrum was dominated by Gram-negative bacteria. However, recent studies showed that fluoroquinolone (FQ)-based prophylaxis promotes the intestinal overgrowth of Gram-positive bacteria and contributes to the selection of quinolone-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, increasing multidrug-resistant (MDR) organism infections. FQ resistance rates reach up to nearly one-third in community-acquired cases and 50% in hospital-acquired cases, raising concerns about FQ efficacy. Moreover, rare but serious side effects further limit FQ use. Predictive factors of FQ treatment failure have been identified, guiding management strategies. Rifaximin has emerged as a promising alternative for SBP prophylaxis, with encouraging results. This review aims to explore the shifting role of FQ-based SBP prophylaxis, focusing on the emerging concerns, side effects, and alternative strategies. While norfloxacin remains a first-line prophylactic in cirrhotic patients with low ascitic protein levels, its efficacy appears to be reduced in those with advanced liver failure or additional risk factors for MDR organisms. In these subgroups, alternative prophylactics, such as trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole or rifaximin, may be preferable. We propose a risk-stratification approach to guide treatment selection, with further studies needed to refine these criteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diagnosis and Management of Microbial Infections)
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