Search Results (3,632)

Among the many concerns surrounding global health, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is widely recognized as a major threat, especially critical within livestock production, where restrictions on antibiotic use demand effective preventive alternatives. The documented health benefits and structural stability have positioned yeast-derived postbiotics as an attractive alternative, but research has largely focused on Saccharomyces cerevisiae, leaving non-Saccharomyces yeast species underexplored. To this end, in this study nine non-conventional yeast strains were selected and subjected to different thermal and chemical inactivation methods to determine the most suitable conditions for postbiotic obtention. Based on their physicochemical characterization and scalability potential, heat-treated postbiotics were selected for subsequent in vitro evaluation. Immunomodulatory assays demonstrated that heat-inactivated postbiotics from the different yeast strains were internalized by macrophages and induced dose-and-species-dependent expression of maturation markers CD40 and CD86, as well as TNF-α production, eliciting a proinflammatory response in vitro. Moreover, among all the species evaluated in this work, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Wickerhamomyces anomalus stood out for their ability to significantly reduce the adhesion of the enteropathogen enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) to intestinal cells in vitro. These results highlight the species-dependent immunomodulatory and anti-infective properties of selected yeast-derived postbiotics. Full article

Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) is one of the oldest medicinal plants known to humankind, valued across ancient civilisations for treating parasitic, microbial, and metabolic diseases. Its exceptionally rich phytochemical composition, dominated by punicalagins, ellagic acid, anthocyanins, flavonoids, piperidine alkaloids, and the unique conjugated fatty acid punicic acid, confers a remarkably broad spectrum of biological activities of direct relevance to contemporary veterinary medicine. While human-health applications have been extensively reviewed, a comprehensive synthesis of veterinary evidence across multiple species remains lacking. This review consolidates current preclinical and field knowledge on the pharmacological effects of pomegranate preparations in poultry, ruminants, swine, fish, companion animals, and laboratory models. In poultry—the most extensively studied taxon—dietary inclusion of pomegranate peel powder or extract consistently enhances growth performance, antioxidant status, and humoral immunity while exerting meaningful anticoccidial activity. The antiparasitic properties are compellingly supported by evidence against gastrointestinal nematodes of ruminants, tapeworms, schistosomes, and protozoa including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and Leishmania spp., as well as monogenean fish parasites. Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity extends to major veterinary pathogens such as Salmonella, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus (including MRSA), and Clostridium perfringens. Rodent models have validated antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, nephroprotective, and reproductive benefits, including improved post-thaw sperm quality and enhanced litter size. The safety profile is generally favourable at conventional doses, although high dietary inclusion elicits anti-nutritional effects from condensed tannins, and potential drug interactions via cytochrome P450 inhibition warrant clinical caution. Despite this substantial evidence, significant translational barriers persist, including extract heterogeneity, absence of pharmacokinetic data in target species, and scarcity of controlled clinical trials. By providing a species- and pathology-driven synthesis, this review identifies critical research priorities and highlights the immense potential of this ancient, accessible, and economically viable phytobiotic as a natural alternative to antibiotic growth promoters and synthetic antiparasitics in veterinary practice. Full article

Global poultry consumption continues to rise, while worldwide bans on in-feed antibiotic growth promoters raise an urgent requirement for eco-friendly alternatives to guarantee production efficiency and food safety. Probiotics, live beneficial microorganisms that improve host intestinal health, are reviewed. We elaborate four core functional pathways of probiotics: competitive exclusion of pathogens, enhancement of intestinal barrier integrity, immune modulation and regulation of microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids. Their mitigating effects against heat stress, suboptimal rearing environments, mycotoxin contamination, heavy metal exposure and immune stress are analyzed. We further evaluate the capacity of single and compound probiotics to control major poultry diseases. Early-life intervention strategies and innovative preparations (multistrain probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics) are systematically summarized. Critical bottlenecks restricting industrial translation are highlighted, including empirical strain combination, non-standardized administration protocols, divergent evaluation indicators and single-factor laboratory challenge models inconsistent with actual farm conditions. Finally, we propose future research directions covering multi-omics-assisted strain screening, optimized delivery technology, unified industrial quality control standards and field verification under compound stress. This review offers integrated references for mechanistic research, strain development and precise industrial application of probiotics in sustainable antibiotic-free poultry breeding. Full article

Background: Australia has experienced high rates of antibiotic shortages, yet little is known about how Australian pharmacists experience and manage them. This study aimed to explore Australian community and hospital pharmacists’ experiences of antibiotic shortages, including their perceived clinical impact and approaches to managing shortages. Methods: An exploratory qualitative study using semi-structured interviews was conducted with Australian community and hospital pharmacists between May and August 2024. Participants were recruited via convenience sampling through professional networks and social media. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed thematically using an inductive–deductive approach, with coding performed independently by two researchers. Results: Fifteen interviews were conducted before data saturation was reached. Sixty percent of participants were female, 67% worked in hospital settings, and pharmacists were located across five Australian states. Four overarching themes were identified: factors driving shortages, communication and collaboration, impact of shortages, and mitigation and prevention. Pharmacists described antibiotic shortages as frequent and unpredictable, attributing them to supply-chain vulnerabilities, limited manufacturing, and market competition. Shortages were reported to affect treatment choice, contribute to antimicrobial resistance concerns, increase pharmacist workload and stress, and negatively affect patients. Pharmacists used strategies such as stock management, collaboration, and importing alternatives, but felt that lasting solutions required coordinated national action. Conclusions: Australian pharmacists perceive antibiotic shortages as a complex challenge affecting patient care, antimicrobial stewardship, workload, and healthcare efficiency. While pharmacists have developed reactive strategies to manage shortages, stronger communication, collaboration, and national policy coordination, alongside improved supply-chain resilience, are needed to reduce the impact of future shortages. Full article

The ban on antibiotic growth promoters has created an urgent need for effective alternatives to maintain intestinal health and production performance. This exploratory study evaluated the effects of a novel antibiotic alternative additive at graded inclusion levels (control, 1%, 3%, 5%) on growth performance, intestinal histomorphology, gut microbiome ecology, and host metabolome in Tibetan pigs (n = 40). Forty Tibetan pigs were randomly assigned to four dietary treatment groups for a 21-day feeding trial. Growth performance, intestinal histopathology, metatranscriptomic sequencing (bacteria, viruses, fungi), and untargeted metabolomics were analyzed. Tibetan pigs fed the 3% additive diet exhibited the highest numerical average daily gain (0.197 vs. 0.148 kg/d, +33.1%) and lowest feed conversion ratio (2.61 vs. 3.59, −27.3%), with overall treatment effects reaching statistical significance (ADG: p = 0.027; FCR: p = 0.023). Metatranscriptomic profiling revealed fundamentally distinct microbial communities between the duodenum and colon. Multi-omics integration identified 79 significant microbiome-pathology associations in the duodenum and 38 in the colon, with SCFA-producing bacteria positively correlated with mucosal architectural parameters. The multi-omics network revealed a core-periphery architecture with Eubacterium, Lactobacillus, and Escherichia as keystone hubs. Dietary supplementation at 3% showed the most favorable effects on growth performance and metabolic modulation without compromising intestinal structural integrity, supporting its potential as a viable antibiotic alternative. Full article

Background/Objectives: When presented with chronic osteomyelitis of the adult diabetic foot (DFO), clinicians, patients and their families have two options: rational use of antibiotics or direct surgery. Methods: We conducted a scientific literature review of 118 different articles and administered questionnaires to eighty DFO international and Swiss experts who have already published on the specific choice between a first-line conservative, antibiotic-based therapy versus direct surgery for DFO. Results: According to this specific literature and the ranking of clinical importance, the presence of ischemia came first (91% consensus favoring surgery), followed by the presence of gangrene (94% consensus), the perceived frailty of the patient (80%), sepsis (83%), and major soft tissue loss (81% consensus). Generally, for more than 90% of all experts, gangrene, bone exposed to air, destroyed bone, and hindfoot DFO motivated for direct surgery. We obtained twenty-four questionnaires from colleagues who we addressed as experts. Their opinions aligned with the literature. Compared to the international experts, Swiss clinicians were less hesitant to amputate in case of long-lasting foot ulcers, soft tissue loss, sepsis or patients with a history of low compliance. Combining literature reviews and questionnaires, large necrotic areas and destructed bone may predict direct surgery. Alternatively, clinicians can choose a first-line antibiotic therapy with minimal soft tissue debridement, off-loading and professional wound care. Conclusions: There is no universal consensus. The decision between antibiotics and surgery remains individualized, while severe ischemia, destroyed bone and large tissue loss are predictors of direct surgery; their absence favors antibiotic treatment. Full article

Azithromycin is widely used in dentistry as a systemic antibiotic, particularly for odontogenic infections and as an alternative in patients with β-lactam hypersensitivity. Beyond its antimicrobial activity, azithromycin possesses unique pharmacokinetic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-biofilm properties. Together with growing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance and antibiotic stewardship, these characteristics have stimulated interest in local drug-delivery strategies that may reduce systemic antibiotic exposure while maintaining therapeutic efficacy. This narrative review evaluates the rationale, potential clinical applications, and current evidence supporting local azithromycin delivery in dentistry. The available literature on azithromycin pharmacology, systemic dental use, immunomodulatory mechanisms, biofilm-related effects, local drug-delivery systems, safety, and regulatory considerations was critically reviewed. Current evidence suggests that locally delivered azithromycin may achieve high drug concentrations at the target site, enhance anti-biofilm activity, modulate local inflammation, and minimize systemic exposure. Potential applications include periodontitis, peri-implant diseases, persistent endodontic infections, oral surgery, and regenerative procedures such as bone augmentation and maxillary sinus floor elevation. Emerging delivery platforms, such as hydrogels, thermoresponsive gels, nanoparticles, and chitosan-based systems, further support the feasibility of this approach. Experimental findings also indicate that azithromycin may inhibit osteoclast activity, suggesting additional benefits for bone preservation and regenerative healing. Despite these promising findings, current evidence remains limited and is derived mainly from preclinical studies and small clinical investigations. Further translational research and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to establish the safety, efficacy, and optimal clinical role of locally delivered azithromycin in evidence-based dental practice. Full article

Background/Objectives: Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional antibiotics in response to the escalating global threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), owing to their potent antimicrobial activity and low propensity for resistance development. However, their clinical application remains limited by poor selectivity and undesirable toxicity toward mammalian cells. Methods: In this study, the naturally occurring frog-derived AMP Dermaseptin-A4 (A4) was selected as a template for rational design. Guided by the principle that optimising the balance between peptide hydrophobicity and cationicity could improve bacterial membrane targeting while reducing interactions with mammalian membranes, three analogues were designed through the targeted modulation of these physicochemical properties. Results: Among the designed analogues, A4-3 exhibited the best overall biological profile. A4-3 maintained a stable α-helical conformation in membrane-mimicking environments and displayed potent antimicrobial activity against tested Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria while exhibiting lower haemolytic and cytotoxic effects than the parent peptide. As a result, A4-3 showed improved selectivity, achieving a selectivity index of up to 34.5. A4-3 rapidly eradicated bacterial cells through a membrane-targeting mechanism, leading to membrane disruption and the loss of cellular integrity, and exhibited a low propensity for resistance development following prolonged exposure. A4-3 also retained its antimicrobial activity under physiologically relevant conditions. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that achieving an optimal balance between peptide hydrophobicity and cationicity is an effective strategy for enhancing antimicrobial selectivity without compromising antibacterial activity, highlighting A4-3 as a promising lead candidate for the development of novel antimicrobial therapeutics against drug-resistant bacterial infections. Full article

Plant extracts contain multiple bioactive compounds and have been extensively investigated as alternatives to antibiotic-based feed additives in aquaculture. The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with galangal (Alpinia officinarum) extract (AO) on the growth, immune response, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, gut microbiota, and resistance to A. hydrophila in red claw crayfish (Cherax quadricarinatus). Crayfish with an initial body weight of 0.83 ± 0.05 g were randomly assigned to 18 tanks (6 groups × 3 replicates) and were fed basal diets supplemented with 0, 0.5, 1, 3, 5, or 7 g/kg of AO for 8 weeks. The weight gain rate (WGR) and specific growth rate (SGR) of crayfish were significantly higher in the 3 g/kg and 5 g/kg groups than in the control group. Dietary supplementation with 3–5 g/kg AO significantly elevated the crude protein content and reduced the crude lipid content in the muscle. AO supplementation at 3–5 g/kg significantly enhanced the total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the activities of glutathione peroxidase (GPx), catalase (CAT), acid phosphatase (ACP), and phenol oxidase (PO), whereas the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly reduced. Dietary AO supplementation markedly increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes, Cytophaga, and norank_o_Saccharimonadales. Moreover, dietary AO significantly upregulated the expression of multiple functional genes in the hepatopancreas, including ecCu, Zn-SOD, Trx1, ALF, C-LZM, GPx, and Se-GPx, and improved the survival of the C. quadricarinatus under challenge with A. hydrophila. Collectively, the findings of the present study indicate that dietary supplementation with 3–5 g/kg AO enhances the growth performance, intestinal digestive enzyme activities, immune function, and disease resistance in the red claw crayfish (C. quadricarinatus). Full article

Distinguishing tuberculous spondylodiscitis (TS) from pyogenic spondylodiscitis (PS) on imaging remains clinically important because the two entities differ in antimicrobial strategy, surgical timing, and the urgency of microbiological workup, yet no single imaging sign is pathognomonic for either diagnosis. When tissue confirmation is delayed, imaging becomes the primary tool that shifts pre-test probability and guides biopsy strategy—a role that is particularly critical in culture-negative disease, in antibiotic-exposed patients, and in settings with limited access to rapid mycobacterial diagnostics. This narrative review maps the imaging evidence most useful for routine TS-versus-PS differentiation, synthesizes recent prediction models and quantitative tools, and evaluates the adjunctive role of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in biopsy-oriented decision-making. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched from inception to 31 March 2026 using pre-specified search terms across three concept blocks. This was a narrative review without formal pooling of quantitative estimates or prospective protocol registration. A secondary Scopus search identified no additional eligible records. Priority was given to comparative TS-versus-PS imaging cohorts, meta-analyses of MRI and CT features, prediction-model studies, and the recent radiomics and PET/CT literature; radiomics and deep-learning studies are appraised as a distinct evidence tier given their retrospective single-center derivation and predominantly internal-only validation. In total, 14 comparative TS-versus-PS imaging cohorts, three meta-analyses, and 14 prediction-model, quantitative-scoring, radiomics, or deep-learning studies formed the core evidence base. MRI yields the greatest differentiating information and is the recommended first-line modality. Features favoring TS include thoracic predominance, multilevel or non-contiguous involvement, relative early disc preservation, subligamentous spread, intraosseous abscesses, thin-walled paravertebral collections, and severe vertebral collapse with kyphotic deformity. Features favoring PS include lumbar predominance, early disc-endplate destruction, homogeneous inflammatory enhancement, facet-joint arthritis, and epidural phlegmon. CT adds osseous detail—including sequestra, subligamentous bone erosion, and paravertebral calcification—and remains the primary guidance modality for biopsy. Recent prediction models combining imaging and laboratory variables have shown high discriminative performance in derivation cohorts; however, most remain internally validated and locally calibrated. Pending external validation, none should be considered ready for unmodified clinical adoption, and they should therefore be used as probability modifiers rather than stand-alone diagnostic rules. ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT is complementary rather than primary and is most useful when MRI is contraindicated or equivocal, in hardware-associated infection, and for whole-body staging in suspected disseminated tuberculosis. Non-infectious mimics and alternative infectious diagnoses should be considered when the imaging pattern is internally inconsistent or when standard cultures remain negative. Imaging findings should refine etiological probability and guide biopsy strategy, but should not replace tissue confirmation when tissue is feasible. Non-imaging evidence complementing this review is addressed in the companion manuscript, Part I. Full article

Background/Objectives: Q fever, caused by Coxiella burnetii, is a zoonotic disease usually treated with doxycycline, but alternative options are needed when doxycycline is unsuitable. This study evaluated inhaled liposomal ciprofloxacin (Apulmiq^®) as a post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) compared with oral doxycycline in a common marmoset model. Methods: Marmosets were exposed to aerosolised C. burnetii and treated 24 h later with Apulmiq (0.8 mg/kg inhaled), doxycycline (6 mg/kg oral), or placebo for 7 days. Outcomes included fever, weight loss, bacterial burden, histopathology, liver enzymes, and immune responses. Results: Both treatments delayed fever onset and reduced disease severity versus placebo. Doxycycline prevented fever during treatment and significantly reduced bacterial loads in the lungs and spleen by Day 28. Apulmiq slightly delayed the onset of fever and reduced early bacteraemia but was less effective at bacterial clearance. Immune analyses showed macrophage activation and elevation of IFN-γ during acute infection, and adaptive immune responses by Day 28. Conclusions: Inhaled Apulmiq provided partial prophylactic protection but did not achieve bacterial clearance. Doxycycline reduced bacterial burden but did not completely eliminate disease. Inhaled antibiotics may have potential for use as an alternative approach for PEP treatment, although further optimisation and investigation are needed. Full article

With global restrictions on in-feed antibiotics, sustainable alternatives are urgently needed to combat weaning-induced intestinal dysfunction in piglets. Fucoidan, a bioactive seaweed polysaccharide, exerts beneficial effects on gut health due to its immunomodulatory and prebiotic properties, but its mechanisms in the gastrointestinal tract of piglets remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of dietary fucoidan supplementation on growth performance, intestinal morphology, gut microbiota composition, and microbial metabolites in weaned piglets. The extracted fucoidan was characterized by a sulfate content of 23.7%, a molecular weight of 29.3 kDa, and fucose as the predominant monosaccharide. A total of 48 weaned piglets were randomly divided into two groups (n = 24 per group): a control group and a 500 mg/kg fucoidan treatment group. Growth performance was evaluated throughout the experiment. On day 28, jejunal and colonic tissues were collected to assess mucosal morphology (n = 6 per group), while cecal and colonic contents were collected for analysis of the gut microbiota and bacterial metabolites. Fucoidan supplementation significantly enhanced average daily gain (ADG, p < 0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR, p < 0.05) and mitigated diarrhea during the trial. Notably, piglets fed fucoidan exhibited increased villus height compared to controls (p < 0.05). Fucoidan modulated the gut microbiota by increasing cecal microbial diversity (p < 0.05) and shifting bacterial composition. These modifications involved an altered Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio, as well as an enrichment of Prevotellaceae, Lactobacillus, and Lachnospiraceae (p < 0.05). Consistently, metabolite profiling analysis revealed increased cecal concentrations of lactate (p < 0.05) and butyrate (p < 0.05), which were positively associated with the growth of beneficial taxa. These findings demonstrate that fucoidan alleviates weaning-induced intestinal disorders by improving intestinal morphology and modulating gut microbiota and their metabolites. This study provides a strategy for utilizing marine-derived polysaccharides as functional feed additives to enhance animal health. Full article

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant Vibrio parahaemolyticus poses a challenge to sustainable shrimp aquaculture and highlights the need for effective antibacterial alternatives. In this study, silver nanoparticles were biosynthesized using Eri silk fibroin (ESF) as both a reducing and stabilizing biopolymer. Eri silkworms can be reared on cassava leaves, an abundant agricultural by-product in Thailand, thereby supporting waste valorization and the circular bioeconomy. Optimal synthesis was achieved at an AgNO₃-to-ESF weight ratio of 1:4, 60 °C, and 4 h, yielding 82.8% ESF-AgNPs with a particle size of 10.8 ± 2.3 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.19 ± 0.01. TEM, XRD, and XPS confirmed the formation of well-dispersed metallic Ag⁰. The particles remained colloidally stable for at least four weeks. ESF-AgNPs exhibited minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations of 12.5 and 25 µg/mL, respectively; inhibited biofilm formation by 52.45–99.98%; and increased intracellular reactive oxygen species generation. After 72 h, silver release reached 5.70% in deionized water and 9.30% in TSB containing 3% NaCl. Artemia franciscana survival remained 96.2% after 24 h at the MBC. These findings support ESF as a sustainable platform for producing antibacterial and antibiofilm AgNPs with a preliminary safety margin, although further in vivo efficacy and chronic-toxicity studies are required before practical application. Full article

In this study, quince-derived biochar was employed as a sustainable and multifunctional material for the removal of organic pollutants through different treatment alternatives depending on the pH (natural or modified), including adsorption and electro-Fenton degradation processes. The biochar, obtained by pyrolysis (500 °C, 14 h) of quince (Cydonia oblonga) biomass, exhibited a high intrinsic iron content (1296 mg/kg), which contributed to its electroactive properties and catalytic potential. Batch experiments demonstrated highly efficient adsorption of the target pollutant, the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole, achieving a maximum retention capacity of 35.51 mg/g. Regarding the degradation pathway, the electrochemical treatment achieved significant degradation rates under mild operating conditions, reaching total removal in less than 90 min. Both treatment options, under their respective optimal conditions, were subsequently evaluated using tertiary wastewater from a wastewater treatment plant, achieving good removal efficiencies exceeding 60% within 120 min. Finally, the treated effluent under optimal conditions was subjected to an ecotoxicity assay using the microalga Raphidocelis subcapitata, confirming the effectiveness of the treatment and the absence of harmful effects on this key microorganism in the aquatic food chain. These findings highlight the potential of iron-rich quince biochar as a low-cost and environmentally friendly material for various water treatment applications. Moreover, the results provide a promising approach for valorizing agricultural waste with inherent metallic content in heterogeneous electro-Fenton. Full article

Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses major public health threats, due to its robust, treatment-resistant biofilms, which contribute to multi-drug resistance. Bacteriophages offer a promising alternative. This study evaluates giant Phikzvirus and conventional Pbunavirus phages against pre-formed biofilms from four multi-drug-resistant P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. We tested six phages (three Phikzvirus, three Pbunavirus) against four clinical strains, isolated from chronic urological and pulmonary infections (Ur1, Ur14, Lu3, Lu9) at MOIs 0.001–0.1, quantifying biofilm biomass by crystal violet and visualizing architecture by SEM. Phage treatment leads to significant disrupted biofilms in three isolates achieving more than 50% reduction—comparable with typical antibiotic efficacy against mature biofilms. All biofilms retained their EPS architecture after the treatment, as revealed by SEM, suggesting that residual eDNA-polysaccharide complexes could maintain structural cohesion even after bacterial lysis. The phage’s ability to reduce biofilm biomass demonstrated a significant dependence on the multiplicity of infection (MOI). The best results of anti-biofilm activity of phages (reduction in biofilm biomass by more than 75%) were observed for the phage phiKZ for two strains—Ur1 at MOI = 0.001 and Lu9 at MOI = 0.01—and for the phage phi14/1 for the Ur1 strain at MOI = 0.001. The biofilm formed by the antibiotic-resistant clinical isolate Ur14 demonstrated exceptional resistance to both types of bacteriophages despite the sensitivity of bacteria of this strain to the studied phages. This highlights the need for personalized phage therapy, where tailored phage cocktails are selected for each specific bacterial strain to achieve optimal destruction of the biofilm. Full article