Search Results (9,719)

The persistent residue of antibiotics in aquatic environments and the subsequent global spread of antibiotic resistance (AMR) pose major threats to ecological security and public health. Advanced oxidation processes based on peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, which generate highly reactive species such as sulfate radicals, hydroxyl radicals, singlet oxygen, and high-valent metal-oxo species, have shown remarkable potential for the advanced treatment of antibiotic-contaminated wastewater. In recent years, copper-based single-atom catalysts (Cu SACs), featuring atomically dispersed active centers, nearly 100% atomic utilization, and highly tunable coordination microenvironments, have emerged as a research frontier in PMS activation. This review systematically summarizes the current status of antibiotic pollution and associated eco-health risks, and comprehensively discusses the main synthesis strategies for Cu SACs (e.g., MOF-pyrolysis, salt-assisted templating, nanoconfinement, multi-site synergistic systems, and biomass-derived methods) as well as structural characterization techniques. It focuses on the regulation mechanisms of PMS activation pathways through precise chemical strategies including coordination number regulation, heteroatom doping (S, P, etc.), axial/second-shell coordination engineering, and atomic inter-site spacing modulation. The competitive and synergistic relationships among radical, singlet oxygen, high-valent copper-oxo, and electron transfer pathways are systematically analyzed. Furthermore, this review evaluates the intrinsic activity, selectivity, wide pH adaptability, mineralization efficiency, catalyst stability, and performance in real water matrices for antibiotic degradation by Cu SACs. Finally, it highlights the key scientific challenges and future directions, including the precise construction of single-atom-cluster synergistic systems, integration of in situ/operando characterization with multiscale simulation, scalable synthesis and engineering lifetime validation, machine-learning-assisted high-throughput rational design, and holistic control of environmental risks throughout the treatment chain. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus frequently colonizes the skin and upper airways and produces a broad repertoire of immunomodulatory molecules. In asthma, the most consistent evidence concerns staphylococcal enterotoxins (SEs), which can act both as superantigens and as allergens, and IgE sensitization to SEs (SE-sIgE). SE-sIgE is associated with severe asthma, type 2 inflammation, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), exacerbations, and, in some longitudinal studies, persistent airflow obstruction. However, this relationship is not necessarily causal: SE-sIgE may reflect exposure, an immune response, or a biologically active endotype, whereas colonization, local toxin production, and systemic sensitization are not equivalent. SEs simultaneously bind class II MHC molecules and Vbeta regions of the T-cell receptor, activating large fractions of T lymphocytes; they also promote IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 production, polyclonal B-cell activation, local IgE synthesis, mast-cell degranulation, eosinophilia, and IL-8/neutrophil circuits. Alpha-toxin (Hla) and SEB can damage the epithelial barrier, facilitating allergen penetration and alarmin signalling. These observations support an interaction model in which dysbiosis, barrier dysfunction, and type 2 immunity mutually reinforce one another along the nasobronchial axis. Corticosteroids and antibiotics may modify selected nodes in this circuit, but current evidence is insufficient to recommend decolonization or antitoxin therapy in stable asthma. Biologics interrupt downstream pathways potentially fuelled by toxins: omalizumab neutralizes free IgE; mepolizumab and benralizumab reduce the eosinophilic axis; dupilumab blocks IL-4/IL-13 signalling; and tezepelumab acts upstream on TSLP. Nevertheless, randomized trials stratified by SE-sIgE are lacking, and no evidence demonstrates that these treatments eliminate colonization or toxin production. SE-sIgE therefore appears to be a promising biomarker, particularly in severe asthma with CRSwNP, but it is not yet an autonomous criterion for biologic selection. A broader barrier-organ analysis also identifies nasal, cutaneous, and intestinal colonization as distinct ecological states; atopic dermatitis as a complementary model of toxin-amplified type 2 inflammation; and biofilms and extracellular vesicles as candidate mechanisms of persistent toxin delivery. These data increase biological plausibility but remain indirect for asthma. Full article

The co-contamination of aquatic environments by antibiotic residues and organic dyes poses a serious threat to ecological security and human health, underscoring the urgent need for high-efficiency, recyclable, and environmentally benign adsorbents. Chitosan, a naturally occurring alkaline polysaccharide rich in reactive functional groups, has attracted considerable attention in water treatment applications. Nevertheless, its practical use is often constrained by intrinsic limitations, including poor stability in acidic media, inadequate mechanical strength, and difficulties in solid–liquid separation. Chitosan-based hydrogels, featuring unique three-dimensional cross-linked networks, high porosity, and strong hydrophilicity, provide efficient mass-transfer pathways for macromolecular contaminants and thus offer a promising strategy to overcome the shortcomings of pristine chitosan. This review comprehensively summarizes recent advances in chitosan-based hydrogel adsorbents, with a focus on elucidating the critical structure–performance relationships that link molecular/structural design to adsorption efficacy. First, fabrication strategies are systematically reviewed, ranging from molecular-level modifications (e.g., grafting, chemical cross-linking, and interpenetrating polymer networks) to macroscopic structural engineering approaches (e.g., mechanically reinforced, magnetic, and stimuli-responsive hydrogels). Subsequently, adsorption behaviors toward representative classes of antibiotics, including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and sulfonamides, are critically examined, with emphasis on the underlying mechanisms such as electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π–π stacking, and pore-filling effects. In addition, the removal performance of chitosan-based hydrogels for organic dyes with varying charge characteristics is summarized, together with an analysis of how environmental factors (e.g., pH and ionic strength) influence adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics. Finally, key challenges related to mechanical robustness, selective adsorption, and recyclability are discussed, and future perspectives are proposed for the development of multifunctional, synergistic, and intelligent, environmentally responsive chitosan-based hydrogel materials. This review aims to provide systematic insights and guidance for the rational design of advanced hydrogel adsorbents for the treatment of complex wastewater. Full article

Tylosin (TYL), a macrolide antibiotic, is commonly used to treat respiratory infections in weaned piglets. Despite its utility, TYL administration is associated with adverse side effects, including immune dysregulation and gut microbiota imbalance. This study evaluated whether methyl gallate (MG), a natural polyphenolic compound with antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties, could mitigate these side effects of TYL. Forty weaned piglets were randomly assigned to a saline control group, a TYL (10 mg/kg) group, an MG (10 mg/kg) group, and a TYL + MG (10 mg/kg each) group. Changes in body weight, hematological parameters, plasma cytokines, culturable fecal bacterial populations, and 16S rRNA-based gut microbiota composition were evaluated in all weaned piglets. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in ADG, ADFI, or FE among the treatment groups. Hematological analysis revealed significant changes in neutrophil and eosinophil counts, showing significant fluctuations in the MG-treated group compared with the control. TYL administration significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β levels while increasing IL-10 and IL-1ra concentrations, indicating immunomodulatory effects. In contrast, MG significantly increased adaptive immune-associated cytokines, including IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-12. Culture-based fecal microbiological analysis revealed that TYL reduced Lactobacillus abundance and lowered the culture-based Lactobacillus/Enterobacteriaceae ratio, suggesting acute dysbiosis. Co-administration of MG partially attenuated these microbiota-associated alterations and promoted the recovery of bacterial populations. Moreover, 16S rRNA sequencing demonstrated that similar relative abundances of Proteobacteria were observed in the TYL and TYL + MG groups. Therefore, no clear reduction in relative abundance of Proteobacteria was demonstrated under the present experimental conditions. These findings support the possibility that MG may partially attenuate selected TYL-associated immunological and gut microbiota-related changes under the conditions of the present exploratory study. A graphical summary of the study design and the principal findings is presented in the Graphical Abstract. Full article

The purpose of this review is to highlight the complex influence of antibiotics on human fertility and the need for them not to be underestimated. In creating this review article, data and information from the following international databases were used: PubMed, Scopus and Clarivate Analytics. Only full text articles were used. Antibacterial antibiotics are a group of drugs essential in fighting infections, having multiple mechanisms of action at the level of the bacterial cell; but at the same time they also act on human cells. One of the important actions of antibiotics is on fertility. There are both experimental and clinical data showing the influence of some antibiotics on fertility. There are both positive and negative influences of these drugs on fertility. Some of the most important actions with a positive impact on fertility are: therapy of pelvic infections in women, treatment of endometritis, reduction in post-abortion infections, treatment of infections of the male genital tract—infections that reduce fertility. The most important negative implications of some antibiotics are the direct effects of reducing the production of gametes, decreasing the activity or quality of the gametes, reducing the synthesis of sexual hormones and negative influences on the evolution of pregnancy, including spontaneous abortion in some cases. Other negative influences are produced by the direct action of some antibiotics on the embryo. Some antibiotics such as azithromycin and nitrofurantoin increase the risk of miscarriage. Although only a limited number of antibiotics are known to have an influence on fertility, this influence should not be underestimated in clinical practice. Full article

Systematic field data on adjuvant-amended microbial-derived pesticides against L. pratensis in arid, high-ultraviolet cotton regions remain scarce. This study systematically evaluated the laboratory toxicity and field efficacy of four kinds of microbial-derived pesticides (abamectin, emamectin benzoate, B. bassiana, and M. anisopliae) and their combinations with adjuvants against L. pratensis in Xinjiang cotton fields. As a comprehensive regional study, this work elucidates the differential enhancement patterns of d-limonene and mineral oil on antibiotic insecticides and entomopathogenic fungi, providing targeted field data for pesticide reduction strategies. The laboratory toxicity of seven microbial-derived pesticides was determined using the leaf-tube residual film method. Four effective agents were selected and combined with d-limonene or mineral oil for field efficacy trials. Abamectin and emamectin benzoate exhibited rapid and high insecticidal activity, with 48 h LC₅₀ values of 1.198 mg/L and 3.424 mg/L, respectively. The two entomopathogenic fungi exhibited slower insecticidal activity than the chemical insecticides but maintained relatively stable control effects throughout the observation period. In field trials, when abamectin or emamectin benzoate was applied at a 30% reduced rate in combination with mineral oil or d-limonene, the control efficacy was equivalent to or higher than that of the full-rate application of the pesticide alone. The treatment of abamectin (4.20 g a.i./hm²) plus mineral oil achieved the highest control efficacy (89.24%) at 3 days post-treatment. For B. bassiana and M. anisopliae, reduced-rate adjuvant-amended treatments showed numerically higher initial and residual efficacy than the full-rate single-agent fungal treatments. The treatment of M. anisopliae (7.35 × 10¹² spores/hm²) plus d-limonene reached 70.50% efficacy at 7 days post-treatment, which was significantly higher than that of the full-rate fungal treatment alone. No phytotoxicity symptoms were observed on cotton plants. Under the tested conditions, the rational combination of microbial-derived pesticides with appropriate adjuvants demonstrates the potential for a 30% reduction in pesticide dosage while maintaining or improving field efficacy, providing region-specific reference for the sustainable management of L. pratensis in Xinjiang cotton fields. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and streptococcal native joint septic arthritis (NJSA). Methods: This retrospective multicenter study included adult patients with NJSA from three tertiary care hospitals between 2004 and 2023. Patients were categorized into three groups based on bacterial virulence and differences among streptococcal species: MSSA, non-viridans streptococci, and viridans streptococci. Results: A total of 213 NJSA cases were identified, comprising 164 MSSA, 35 non-viridans streptococcal, and 14 viridans streptococcal cases. Non-viridans streptococcal NJSA exhibited significantly more acute clinical features associated with systemic inflammation, including frequent fever, leukocytosis, thrombocytopenia, elevated C-reactive protein levels, higher total bilirubin levels, and acute kidney injury, compared to MSSA and viridans streptococcal NJSA. The clinical presentations were similar between the MSSA and viridans streptococcal groups. The non-viridans streptococcal group showed a higher incidence of concomitant bacteremia, but a lower proportion of positive joint culture results. Treatment approaches were consistent across the groups, except for a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy in the viridans group. Treatment failure rates were comparable: 9.8% for MSSA, 14.3% for non-viridans streptococci, and 21.4% for viridans streptococci. Conclusions: This study highlights the heterogeneous nature of streptococcal NJSA, with non-viridans streptococci presenting more aggressive clinical manifestations despite similar treatment responses across groups. These findings challenge conventional views on streptococci as a less virulent pathogen than MSSA and emphasize the need for diagnostic and management strategies tailored to the unique pathogenic traits of these bacteria. Full article

Severe bacterial keratitis and endophthalmitis are leading causes of corneal scarring, enucleation, and permanent vision loss, and are increasingly complicated by multidrug-resistant Gram-positive ocular pathogens. In the United States, according to the ARMOR surveillance program (2009–2020), methicillin resistance reached 45.9% of intraocular Staphylococcus aureus and 47.9% of coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), with multidrug resistance exceeding 70% among methicillin-resistant intraocular isolates. While new antibiotics have been approved for systemic infections, vancomycin remains the standard of care for severe Gram-positive ocular infections. However, its ophthalmic use is constrained by limited ocular surface tolerability, physical incompatibility with intravitreal ceftazidime, and an association with hemorrhagic occlusive retinal vasculitis. To address this gap and further stimulate the development of next-generation targeted therapies in ophthalmology, this review focuses on current recommendations and new vancomycin alternative treatments for Gram-positive ocular infections in the antibiotic resistance era. This review details the current antimicrobial recommendations for the most frequent ocular infections, followed by the epidemiology and molecular mechanisms of resistance in S. aureus, CoNS, and S. pneumoniae. Finally, this review discusses new drugs that represent promising alternatives to vancomycin in ophthalmology. Full article

Conventional antibiotics exhibit limited ability to penetrate host cell membranes, making intracellular bacterial infections difficult to eradicate completely. As naturally derived nanoscale membrane structures, bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) possess excellent biocompatibility and intrinsic transmembrane transport capability, thereby demonstrating unique advantages for in vivo drug delivery. The present study investigated the feasibility of using EVs derived from the avirulent Streptococcus suis T15 as novel carriers for ciprofloxacin delivery. We also comprehensively evaluated the biosafety and anti-infective efficacy of this nanodrug delivery system in vitro and in vivo. Cytotoxicity assays, live/dead cell staining, and hemolysis analyses demonstrated that T15-derived EVs at concentrations below 50 μg/mL did not cause significant cellular damage or hemolysis. Serum biochemical analyses in mice further confirmed the absence of obvious organ toxicity, indicating favorable biosafety within the tested concentration range. Ciprofloxacin was successfully loaded into EVs using a combination of ultrasonication and electroporation, achieving a drug concentration of 438.6 μg/mL and a loading efficiency of 10.96%. The ciprofloxacin-loaded EVs (EV-CIP) exhibited significantly greater antibacterial activity than free ciprofloxacin against both intracellular bacteria and fluoroquinolone-resistant strains exhibiting efflux pump activity. Evaluation in animal infection models showed that EV-CIP markedly reduced mortality in infected Galleria mellonella larvae. It also decreased bacterial burdens in multiple mouse organs and significantly alleviated histopathological damage. These results collectively suggest that EVs derived from the avirulent S. suis T15 were safe and effective within the tested concentration range and experimental conditions. The EV-based ciprofloxacin delivery system substantially enhanced the clearance of intracellular pathogens and fluoroquinolone efflux pump-positive bacteria, suggesting its potential application in the treatment of difficult-to-treat bacterial infections. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for the further development of novel EV-based anti-infective drug delivery strategies for livestock and poultry. Full article

Background/Objectives: Staphylococcal scalded skin syndrome (SSSS) is a toxin-mediated skin disorder caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), mainly affecting young children. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology, clinical features, microbiology, and management of pediatric SSSS and to explore factors associated with culture positivity, antimicrobial resistance, and complications. Methods: Retrospective cohort study of children hospitalized with SSSS at the major tertiary pediatric hospital in Greece, from January 2009 to December 2019. Exploratory association testing and parsimonious logistic regression were performed. Results: Overall, 51 children with a mean (±SD) age 2.5 ± 2 years were identified. Prior to diagnosis, 70.6% (36/51) of children had not received any antibiotic treatment. S. aureus was isolated from cultures in 43.1% (22/51) of cases. Carriage of S. aureus was detected in 34.0% (16/47) of children and 37.0% (10/27) of parents. Antibiotic resistance (%) for S. aureus was penicillin 95.5%, oxacillin 4.5%, erythromycin 4.5%, clindamycin 9.1%, mupirocin 40.9%, and fusidic acid 18.2%. Annual incidence of SSSS was estimated at 0.00–0.32/1000 hospitalizations from 2009 to 2016, but increased after 2017, reaching the highest incidence in 2019 (1.05/1000 hospitalizations); 50.7% of cases occurred in 2018–2019 (p < 0.001). During this period, resistance to oxacillin (MRSA strains) did not change (p = 0.53), whereas resistance to mupirocin increased over time, from 0% in 2009–2014 to 34.6% in 2018–2019 (p = 0.05). Penicillin was excluded from the composite drug-resistance outcome. Child nasal S. aureus carriage was independently associated with positive S. aureus culture (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 4.18, 95% CI 1.14–15.27; p = 0.031) and with non-penicillin antibiotic resistance (aOR 25.68, 95% CI 2.64–249.50; p = 0.005). Elevated inflammatory markers were independently associated with complications (aOR 13.66, 95% CI 1.47–126.64; p = 0.021). Regarding treatment, clindamycin was the first-line agent in 58.8% (30/51) and was used as monotherapy in 49.0% (25/51). Conclusions: A notable increase in the incidence of SSSS was detected after 2017. Oxacillin resistance remained stable, but mupirocin resistance increased. Child nasal S. aureus carriage was associated with culture positivity and clinically relevant non-penicillin antibiotic resistance. Continuous surveillance is necessary as regional resistance patterns should guide therapy. Full article

The widespread occurrence of antibiotics in the environment threatens public health and ecosystem safety. This review summarizes the global occurrence of antibiotic contamination across the different environmental media, i.e., water systems, solid wastes, and soils, and provides a comprehensive analysis of physical, chemical, and biological removal methods, including their mechanisms, application advantages and disadvantages. It is deduced that physical methods aid in antibiotic enrichment, which leads to residual accumulation and fails to achieve complete degradation. In comparison, chemical methods are more efficient and rapid, but they are largely limited by high costs and secondary pollution. Biological methods, despite being appealing due to their low costs and environmental friendliness, may generate and spread antibiotic-resistant bacteria. To overcome the disadvantages of these conventional treatment methods, this review emphasizes the significant potential of integrated antibiotic removal systems, such as coupled advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), physical methods combined with AOPs and chemical methods combined with biological methods, which could achieve superior treatment performance. Future research should focus on optimizing and simplifying coupled systems and developing innovative treatment methods to enhance removal efficiency, reduce operational costs, and minimize secondary toxicity, thereby enabling effective antibiotic pollution remediation. This review summarizes the global state of antibiotic residues and stresses the importance of combined treatment methods for enhancing antibiotic degradation and removal, providing the valuable insights for green and efficient antibiotic treatment. Full article

The prolonged outdoor storage of coal gangue leads to significant environmental issues, while the contamination of water by antibiotics poses a worldwide health concern. Conventional adsorbents are often hindered by their expense and fragility. Current studies on ceramsite derived from coal gangue have not successfully combined the repurposing of solid waste with the management of water pollution. This research utilized coal gangue and waste electric porcelain as primary materials, incorporating 2 wt.% calcium carbonate as a foaming agent, and produced ceramsite through a gradient-heating sintering process. The investigation thoroughly examined how sintering temperature and particle size distribution influenced the material’s performance. Findings indicated that mullite-based ceramsite, sintered at 1400 °C for 15 min, achieved an apparent porosity of 35.68% and a compressive strength of 10.03 MPa. A particle size distribution following a normal model resulted in a 7.9% removal efficiency of 20.00 mg/L tetracycline hydrochloride in just 30 min, with a minimal post-adsorption strength decrease of 3.7%. This study offers a theoretical framework and practical guidance for the effective utilization of coal gangue and the economical treatment of antibiotic-laden wastewater. Full article

Objectives: Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) requiring surgical intervention represent a significant cause of morbidity in pediatric patients, often leading to prolonged hospitalization and increased antimicrobial exposure. This study aimed to characterize the distribution of pathogenic bacteria, antimicrobial resistance patterns, and clinical associations in pediatric intra-abdominal infections complicated by surgical site involvement. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on children aged 0–16 years, who underwent surgery for intra-abdominal infections with microbiological confirmation. Peritoneal fluid, pus, and other intraoperative or postoperative specimens were analyzed using standard microbiological techniques. Infections were classified as monomicrobial or polymicrobial, and antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed phenotypically. Associations between bacterial pathogens, patient age, underlying diagnosis, surgical procedures, and antibiotic susceptibility patterns were analyzed. Results: 177 pediatric patients were included. Appendicitis was the most common diagnosis (53.53%), followed by intra-abdominal abscesses (32.94%). Gram-negative (GN) bacteria predominated (44.07%), with Escherichia coli being the most frequently isolated pathogen (83.33%). Double and triple GN and GP associations were identified in approximately 25% of cases, particularly in abscesses, complicated appendicitis, and surgical site infections. Our findings revealed that piperacillin–tazobactam and carbapenems were expected to be effective against almost all GN pathogens identified in surgical specimens of pediatric patients. Pathogen distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility varied significantly according to age group and clinical diagnosis. Conclusions: In pediatric patients, intra-abdominal infections requiring surgical management were mainly caused by Gram-negative bacteria and polymicrobial associations. Effective treatment relies on prompt surgical source control and empiric broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy, followed by culture-guided de-escalation to support antimicrobial stewardship. Full article

Background and Objectives: Acute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency in children. The standard of care has been appendectomy for many years. However, in recent years, studies investigating antibiotic therapy alone have increased rapidly, suggesting that non-operative management may be an effective alternative with a lower risk of complications. In this study, we compared two antibiotic regimens (ceftazidime/metronidazole and ampicillin/metronidazole) to evaluate the effectiveness of two antibacterial strategies. Materials and Methods: A total of 41 children aged 7–18 years were enrolled and randomly assigned to one of the two treatment groups, with the follow-up conducted over one year to assess recurrence. For the evaluation of antibiotic effectiveness, inflammation was assessed using leukocyte count, C-reactive protein, and the biomarkers IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1, which were measured on each of the three days of inpatient antibiotic therapy. Results: Analysis of the collected data revealed no statistically significant difference in inflammatory markers between the two treatment groups. Conclusions: These findings suggest that both antibiotic regimens offer comparable clinical outcomes and may be used interchangeably in clinical practice. Full article

Pharmaceuticals are essential to modern healthcare but increasingly represent a pervasive and biologically active class of environmental contaminants. Following administration, many drugs are incompletely metabolised in the human body and are excreted as parent compounds or active metabolites, subsequently entering municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Conventional treatment processes only partially remove many pharmaceuticals, resulting in chronic sub-therapeutic exposure of microbial communities which act as both functional agents of biodegradation and sensitive ecological targets. Such exposure alters microbial structure and function, reduces biotransformation capacity, promotes the persistence of recalcitrant compounds such as carbamazepine and diclofenac, and drives the selection and dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes. These effects may propagate across aquatic, terrestrial, agricultural, and food systems via treated effluents and biosolids, linking human medical practices to environmental and public health outcomes. By integrating Pharmaceutical science, wastewater engineering, microbiome ecology, and antimicrobial resistance research, this work frames pharmaceutical pollution as a closed-loop OneHealth challenge. Full article