Search Results (7,345)

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a significant global challenge, affecting approximately 7% of patients in developed countries and over 10% in developing regions, according to the World Health Organization. Medical textiles, particularly hospital bed linens and pillowcases, play a critical role in the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms due to their porous structure and moisture-retaining properties, which support microbial survival and proliferation, including bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. Conventional disinfection methods, including laundering and thermal treatments, provide only temporary protection, leading to rapid recontamination during use. In recent years, various antimicrobial agents and functionalization techniques have been developed to impart long-lasting antiseptic properties to textile materials. However, these approaches differ significantly in terms of antimicrobial efficiency, durability, cost-effectiveness, and environmental impact, making the selection of optimal strategies challenging for practical healthcare applications. This review provides a comprehensive comparative analysis of antimicrobial agents used in healthcare textile functionalization, including metal-based nanoparticles, organic compounds, and bio-based materials. In addition, it evaluates key modification methods such as coating, padding, and in situ synthesis, with particular emphasis on their influence on antimicrobial performance, wash durability, and practical applicability. Furthermore, this review discusses major challenges associated with the use of antiseptic coatings, including toxicity, environmental concerns, and economic limitations. Based on the analysis, promising directions for the development of safer, cost-effective, and durable antimicrobial textile systems are highlighted, offering valuable insights for future research and real-world healthcare applications. Full article

Thyme (Thymus callieri Borbás ex Velen) and summer savory (Satureja hortensis L.) are aromatic plants from the Lamiaceae family widely used in traditional medicine and the food industry. This study provides a comparative analysis of the phytochemical profiles and biological potential of the essential oils (EOs) of these two plant species from Bulgaria. The chemical composition was determined using GC-MS analysis. Biological evaluation included determination of antioxidant activity (DPPH assay), antimicrobial activity (MIC assay), ex vivo anti-inflammatory effects (IL-1β expression in rat stomach smooth muscle preparations), and in vitro antihemolytic activity. GC-MS analysis identified 16 compounds in T. callieri EO, dominated by p-cymene (46.42%) and thymol (35.80%). In contrast, 17 compounds were identified in S. hortensis EO, with carvacrol (58.81%) and γ-terpinene (22.46%) as major constituents. Both EOs exhibited concentration-dependent antioxidant activity, with S. hortensis showing higher radical scavenging potential. In antimicrobial tests, both oils demonstrated broad-spectrum efficacy with MIC values ranging from 0.313 to 2.5 mg/mL. Ex vivo experiments revealed that T. callieri EO significantly increased IL-1β expression, suggesting immune activation, while S. hortensis EO showed a lower effect, indicating higher anti-inflammatory potential. Furthermore, S. hortensis EO demonstrated superior erythrocyte membrane stabilization (antihemolytic activity) compared to T. callieri EO and the reference anti-inflammatory drug Aspirin. In conclusion, the findings highlighted the distinct biological potential of both Bulgarian EOs, suggesting their diverse applicability as natural bioactive agents in the pharmaceutical and food industries. Full article

Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory dermatosis characterized by recurrent nodules, abscesses, and sinus tract formation in intertriginous skin. Although HS is increasingly recognized as an autoinflammatory condition rather than a classical infection, antimicrobial therapies remain central to disease management, implicating a potential role for the cutaneous microbiome in disease activity. Recent advances in culture-independent sequencing techniques have enabled more detailed characterization of microbial communities in HS, revealing consistent alterations in microbial composition and diversity. Compared with healthy skin, HS lesions exhibit reduced microbial diversity, depletion of commensal organisms such as Cutibacterium acnes, and enrichment of anaerobic bacteria including Prevotella, Porphyromonas, and Finegoldia. These alterations are more pronounced in chronic, tunnel-forming disease and are frequently associated with biofilm formation, which may contribute to treatment resistance and persistent inflammation. Microbiome changes have also been observed beyond overtly lesional skin, suggesting a broader field effect. Evidence regarding extracutaneous microbial compartments, particularly the gut microbiome, remains limited and heterogeneous, while methodological variability in sampling, sequencing, and treatment exposure continues to complicate cross-study comparisons. Emerging data further suggest that immune-targeted therapies, including biologic and small-molecule agents, may indirectly influence microbial community structure through modulation of the inflammatory milieu. Collectively, the available evidence supports cutaneous dysbiosis as a characteristic feature of HS that may potentially interact bidirectionally with immune dysfunction. Future longitudinal, multi-omic studies integrated with clinical phenotyping will be critical to clarify causal relationships and to determine whether microbiome modulation can be leveraged to improve therapeutic outcomes in HS. Full article

Two hemostatic bionanocomposite dressings were developed using natural, semi-natural (or semi-synthetic) and synthetic polymers. The first system consisted of chitosan (CS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) (CS/PVA/CMC), while the second was based on CS, PVA, and starch (SR) (CS/PVA/SR). Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles and bicyclic monoterpene camphor (CP) ketone were incorporated as bioactive agents in order to enhance antimicrobial and hemostatic performance. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the successful solvent casting synthesis of the dressings and the interactions between the biopolymers and additives. XRD analysis indicated a predominantly amorphous structure, while SEM images and EDS analysis revealed uniform dispersion of ZnO particles within the polymer matrices without aggregation. Furthermore, the CS/PVA/CMC-1ZnO/CP sample exhibited a water sorption of 12,666 ± 126%, while CS/PVA/SR-1ZnO/CP reached 7013 ± 215%. ZnO incorporation also improved mechanical performance, with CS/PVA/SR-2ZnO/CP displaying the highest tensile strength (39.18 ± 0.2 MPa) and elongation at break (9.54 ± 1.04%). ZnO incorporation also led to a concentration-dependent increase in antibacterial activity, with SR-based dressings achieving near-complete bacterial reduction at higher ZnO loadings. All the dressings demonstrated good biocompatibility, while CS/PVA/SR-1ZnOCP showed the fastest clotting time (420s ± 40), highlighting its potential for hemostatic applications. Full article

To address the emerging multidrug-resistance crisis caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae, we expressed the endolysin Lys59 derived from phage VB_KpP_HS106 and performed a comprehensive analysis of its antibacterial activity and structural features. Molecular modeling revealed that Lys59 carries a highly positively charged N-terminus and an amphipathic helix at the C-terminus. In vitro antibacterial assays showed that Lys59 exhibited significant bactericidal activity against K. pneumoniae with an approximately 4 log reduction at 50 µg/mL in 2 h. Meanwhile, Lys59 exhibited potent, broad-spectrum activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Stability analysis indicated that Lys59 retained high activity over a pH range of 3–9 and a temperature range of 4–55 °C. Notably, the antibacterial activity of Lys59 was found to be regulated by metal ions. Molecular docking indicated that K⁺ can enhance binding stability by interacting with ASN35 and VAL57. In contrast, Mg²⁺ and Ca²⁺ suppressed catalytic function by binding to the essential GLU17 residue. Furthermore, treatment with 200 µg/mL of Lys59 resulted in a 44.6% reduction in K. pneumoniae biofilm biomass. Overall, this study identified a phage-derived endolysin with broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity and demonstrated its potential as an antibacterial agent against multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae. Full article

Background/Objectives: Reducing inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents in healthcare settings is a critical strategy to mitigate the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. Globally, the highest consumption of antimicrobials in human healthcare originates from antibiotic prescriptions made in General Practice settings. Small group learning has long held a key role in General Practice education, characterized by active participation, common learning goals, and opportunities for reflection. This mode of delivery has been explored as a potential approach to increase appropriate antibiotic prescribing, supported by research indicating that more didactic educational interventions are unlikely to effectively improve physician prescribing behaviours. This systematic review specifically sought to synthesise the evidence on the effectiveness of small group-based, interventions in improving appropriate antibiotic prescribing behaviours in general practice. Methods: A mixed methods systematic review was employed. Studies were eligible if they reported on in-person, small group-based educational interventions to improve antibiotic prescribing among GPs. Full-text screening resulted in 19 eligible studies. Key characteristics, such as study design, intervention content, and outcomes, were extracted. Results: The 19 included studies used single and multi-modal interventions, with 68% focusing on respiratory tract infections. Common topics were patient communication (n = 11) and adherence to prescribing guidelines (n = 8). Most (n = 11) reported positive outcomes like reduced prescribing and were acceptable to GPs. Conclusions: These types of interventions can be effective in increasing the appropriate use of antibiotics in General Practice and are well received by GP participants. However, further research is required on the optimal content delivered in interventions and their associated long-term impact. Full article

The plague, caused by Yersinia pestis, has resulted in significant mortality over the past century. Despite advances in antimicrobial therapy, plague remains a re-emerging infectious disease with ongoing outbreaks and increasing concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance. Today, plague cases are still being reported, and the loss of effectiveness of treatment methods remains a major challenge. Therefore, effective treatment strategies are needed. In this study, we aimed to develop aptamers specific to Yersinia outer protein M (YopM), a key immunosuppressive protein that is essential for virulence. Our goal was to develop an aptamer that binds to YopM and inhibits its interaction with the human DEAD-box helicase 3 (DDX3) protein. YopM-DDX3 protein interaction was targeted because of its key role in nucleocytoplasmic shuttling of YopM. To achieve this, we developed the YopM16 aptamer using magnetic bead-based (Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment) (SELEX). The selected YopM16 aptamer exhibited a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC₅₀) value of 103.3 ± 2 nM and effectively inhibited the interaction between YopM and DDX3. The inhibitory effect of the aptamer on protein interaction was confirmed using a pull-down assay and colorimetric test. Given that protein–protein interaction surfaces are considered undruggable, YopM16 is a promising inhibitor with the potential to serve as a molecular tool to investigate the virulence mechanism of YopM, as well as a novel antibacterial agent upon validation of its inhibition in cellular models. Full article

Pyrolysis liquid (PL) derived from biomass pyrolysis exhibits biopesticidal properties and represents a promising value-added product within the sustainable circular economy framework. However, knowledge about the antimicrobial potential of PLs produced from walnut residue at different pyrolysis temperatures remains limited. We investigated the chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of PLs obtained from agricultural walnut residue (Juglans regia L.) against selected plant pathogenic bacteria and fungi. PLs were produced at four temperature ranges: 200–300 °C (W-1), 300–400 °C (W-2), 400–500 °C (W-3), and 500–600 °C (W-4). Chemical characterization was performed using Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES), with determination of total phenolic and flavonoid contents. Pyrolysis temperature significantly influenced the chemical profile and bioactive compound content of the PLs, with W-4 showing the highest total phenolic and flavonoid levels. Heavy metal analysis indicated minimal contamination in all samples. Antibacterial activity was observed in stock solutions, whereas diluted applications showed limited effects. The W-4 fraction showed the strongest antibacterial activity and exhibited MIC values of 12.50 µL/mL against Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis, Xanthomonas euvesicatoria, and Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae, and 25.00 µL/mL against Erwinia amylovora. Antifungal activity differed markedly across temperature ranges, with W-3 and W-4 displaying superior activity against Fusarium oxysporum and Verticillium dahliae, achieving complete mycelial growth inhibition at 5%, compared to 10% for W-2 and 20% for W-1. Positive controls confirmed assay validity (ciprofloxacin for antibacterial assays and cycloheximide for antifungal assays), whereas negative controls showed no inhibitory effect. Overall, higher pyrolysis temperatures, particularly 400–600 °C, enhanced the antimicrobial potential of walnut residue-derived PLs, supporting their possible use as bio-based antifungal agents for sustainable crop protection. Full article

Antibiotics primarily exert their effect on planktonic microbial states, limiting their ability to eradicate biofilms commonly seen in chronic infections. This is because the minimal inhibitory concentration of antibiotics needed to kill microbes in biofilms can be up to 1000 times greater than when microbes are in their planktonic state. Yet up to 70% of all chronic infections are associated with a biofilm component. Consequently, novel therapeutics are needed to aid in the treatment of chronic biofilm infections. One such approach is to repurpose drugs that have demonstrated safety for non-infectious clinical indications. The main advantage of this approach is that the agents have already been shown to be safe for human administration, which can expedite clinical trial development of agents for biofilm infections. Unfortunately, most clinicians are unaware of the antimicrobial properties of some commonly used drugs. Thus, the aim of this Perspective was to discuss the potential of four drugs that have theoretical promise as adjuvants in the treatment of chronic biofilm infections. This was accomplished by providing detailed discussion of each agent with respect to current clinical use, potential mechanisms of antimicrobial activity, and present data to support use as adjuvant biofilm agents. Full article

The increasing global demand for sustainable production of high-nutritional-value food and feed has emerged the need of harnessing the agro-industrial residues applying various innovative bioconversion strategies. In this context, the utilization of legume production wastes constitutes an intriguing subject because of their high content in nutritious molecules. The study herein concerns the incorporation of Fava Santorinis (Lathyrus clymenum) pericarps, an agro-industrial byproduct, into Black Soldier Fly (BSF, Hermetia illucens) larvae rearing diets to produce nutritious insect meals. Thus, four dietary treatments of BSF larvae were evaluated consisting of a commercial feed as control diet and three experimental diets incorporating 15%, 30% and 45% inclusion levels of fava bean pericarps. When BSF larvae reached their sixth instar stage, their growth performance and the nutritional content of the produced insect meal were assessed. Best results were obtained for BSF rearing with feed containing 30% and 45% pericarps, establishing the valorization of a large amount of pericarp, achieving a high growth rate and a rich protein content exceeding 30%. On the other hand, the presence of saponines was not determined, although the overall larvae performance indicates a high tolerance to their presence. Finally, the assessment of insect meals lipidic profiles revealed the prevalence of saturated lauric acid, an established potent antimicrobial agent, along with lower amounts of unsaturated Ω-6 linolenic acid and Ω-3 linoleic acid acids. The results herein demonstrate a sustainable strategy for the bioconversion of Fava Santorinis production waste to nutritious animal feed in the context of circular economy. Full article

Otitis externa in dogs is primarily caused by Malassezia pachydermatis. Treatment involves antifungal and antiseptic agents; however, resistance among causative organisms has been noted. Pomelo (Citrus maxima) is a source of bioactive compounds with antimicrobial activity. Its extract mainly includes essential oils, which are mostly applied for alternative treatment for M. pachydermatis. The study aimed to investigate the anti-M. pachydermatis effects of pomelo peel extracts and their potential use in topical solutions for canine infections. M. pachydermatis was isolated from dogs and confirmed with Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS). Antifungal susceptibility of M. pachydermatis to itraconazole was evaluated. Phytochemicals of essential oil and crude extract from C. maxima peel were determined using Gas Chromatograph–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). In addition, the antifungal activity of the extracts was assessed using an agar plate dilution assay. The essential oil was formulated into a prototypic topical solution, and its effects on M. pachydermatis were observed in vitro. The prevalence of M. pachydermatis was 42%, with 53% having yeast on both ear sides. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of itraconazole, essential oil, and crude extract to M. pachydermatis were 0.03–0.25 µg/mL, 1.0% v/v, and >200 mg/mL, respectively. The prominent phytochemicals in peel extracts were meranzin hydrate and D-limonene, identified in the crude extract and essential oil, respectively. Moreover, a topical solution containing essential oils inhibited M. pachydermatis growth and showed destructive effects on the yeast cell wall at higher concentrations. The essential oil exhibits antifungal activity against M. pachydermatis, primarily due to the high concentration of D-limonene. The growth was inhibited completely at MIC, observed over a 5-day period. Furthermore, the prototypic topical solution demonstrated an anti-M. pachydermatis effect. These findings suggest potential veterinary applications for pomelo peel extract, though further studies are necessary to assess stability, mechanism of action, and industrial suitability. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Japanese Veterinary Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (JVARM) conducts longitudinal monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in indicator bacteria from food-producing animals. For Escherichia coli from healthy pigs, slaughterhouse-based sampling has been conducted for approximately a decade, yielding a substantial accumulation of MIC data. While JVARM reporting has traditionally focused on annual resistance proportions by drug, the availability of long-term data enables investigation of cross-drug relationships, including MIC similarity and co-resistance patterns. This study aimed to (i) identify the co-resistance structure among antimicrobial agents using MIC- and phenotype-based similarity measures and (ii) identify drug resistances most strongly associated with multidrug resistance (MDR). Methods: We analyzed broth microdilution MIC data obtained annually for E. coli isolates from healthy pigs in the JVARM program in Japan between 2012 and 2023. Antimicrobial resistance was classified from MIC results and annual resistance prevalence was calculated for each antimicrobial. For the co-resistance and MDR analyses, isolate-level data were pooled across the full study period. To identify co-resistance structure, we performed hierarchical clustering using (i) correlation-based similarity of MIC profiles and (ii) Jaccard similarity of binary resistance profiles (resistant/susceptible classification). Multidrug resistance (MDR; ≥3 antimicrobial classes) was further modeled using XGBoost with each drug resistance as a predictive feature, and feature contributions were evaluated using gain, permutation importance, and SHAP values. We also examined how SHAP-based attributions varied when the outcome definition was set to ≥1-, ≥2-, or ≥3-class resistance. Results: Within the study period, resistance remained highest for tetracycline and moderate for streptomycin, ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, and chloramphenicol, whereas resistance to other agents was low. MIC-based correlation analysis revealed coordinated variation among ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim, streptomycin, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. Separately, Jaccard similarity of binary resistance profiles identified two closely positioned co-resistance groupings (Ampicillin/Streptomycin/Tetracycline and chloramphenicol/sulfamethoxazole–trimethoprim). Ampicillin was identified as the medoid in both MIC-based and resistance-profile similarity spaces, with streptomycin also positioned near the center in both structures. In the XGBoost model for MDR (≥3 classes), ampicillin resistance was consistently the highest-contributing feature when evaluated by gain, permutation importance, and SHAP. When we examined how SHAP-based attributions varied across outcome definitions (≥1-, ≥2-, and ≥3-class resistance), feature importance largely followed resistance prevalence at ≥1–≥2 classes (tetracycline highest) but shifted at ≥3 classes to ampicillin as the top feature. Conclusions: Both MIC-based and phenotype-based analyses revealed co-resistance structures. Under the MDR definition used in this study, explainable machine-learning analyses showed that ampicillin resistance emerged as a leading resistance feature associated with MDR. Because these findings are associative rather than causal, further work will be needed to clarify mechanisms. These findings have important implications for antimicrobial resistance control in the Japanese pig sector, indicating that stewardship strategies may need to be tailored according to antimicrobial class and underlying co-resistance structure. Full article

Peptidoglycan, a crucial constituent of the bacterial cell envelope, is essential for maintaining cellular integrity and morphology. Elucidating the regulatory processes that coordinate its biosynthesis and turnover not only addresses a fundamental question in microbiology but also reveals promising targets for antimicrobial drug development. This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the mechanisms governing peptidoglycan regulation, emphasizing the coordinated control of synthetic and hydrolytic pathways through multilayered networks that include transcriptional regulators, two-component systems, non-coding small RNAs, scaffold proteins, and protein–protein interactions. Building on these insights, we discuss the application of these regulatory principles in industrial biotechnology and the development of next-generation antimicrobial agents. Finally, we outline future research directions aimed at providing novel strategies to combat bacterial resistance and enhancing microbial platform engineering. Full article

A clinical strain of the opportunistic pathogen Serratia rubidaea, a known contaminant of healthcare environments and an emerging cause of invasive infections, is described. The studied isolate, recovered from a nurse’s hand skin swab during routine screening, exhibits a broad profile of antibiotic resistance combined with reduced susceptibility to several disinfectants. Phenotypic susceptibility testing using a tablet-based microdilution and disk diffusion method was employed to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of antimicrobial agents from different classes, while broth microdilution assays with disinfectants revealed high-level tolerance to widely used agents, including 70% C₂H₅OH, 3% H₂O₂, 0.05% polyhexamethylene guanidine (PHMG) and others. Whole-genome sequencing identified multiple resistance-associated determinants, such as chromosome-encoded class C $\beta$-lactamase (ampC), several efflux systems (sdeXY, macAB, and emrAB) combined with multicopy tolC, and specific transferases (fos and arnT). Shotgun bottom-up HPLC-MS/MS proteomics confirmed baseline expression of these and other stress-tolerance-related proteins under non-inducing conditions. Taken together, these data underscore the importance of surveillance for Serratia spp. in healthcare facilities to detect strains that combine intrinsic or acquired multidrug resistance with robust survival traits such as disinfectant tolerance and biofilm formation. The present study provides a reference-level phenotypic, genomic, and proteomic characterization of a S. rubidaea clinical isolate, contributing to the understanding of the adaptive potential of this resilient opportunistic pathogen in clinical environments. Full article

Globally, the rise in MDR P. aeruginosa infections poses a serious threat to public health, as these strains frequently exhibit extensive resistance to conventional antibiotics, prompting interest in bacteriophages as alternative treatments. In this study, we isolated and characterized a lytic P. aeruginosa phage, vB_Pae_YuaWU01, from hospital sewage in southern Thailand. Morphological analysis revealed Siphovirus-like characteristics. The phage demonstrated efficient host adsorption, with approximately 85.9% of particles attached within 15 min, and exhibited a latent period of 50 min with a burst size of 17.2 PFU/cell. It showed strong lytic activity, consistently suppressing bacterial growth without no regrowth observed over 72 h. Notably, the phage significantly inhibited biofilm formation by up to 59.9% and reduced pre-established biofilms by 39.78% at the highest tested concentration (10⁹ PFU/mL). Genome analysis revealed a 61,824 bp double-stranded DNA genome with 64.48% GC content and 88 predicted genes. Bioinformatic analysis suggests that the genome is organized into structural, replication, and lysis modules. Importantly, no toxin, antimicrobial resistance, lysogeny, or tRNA genes were identified, suggesting a favorable safety profile. The phage was classified within the genus Yuavirus, showing 97.4% genomic similarity to Sphaerotilus phage SN1, which infects a different host strain. The findings highlight its potential as a genetically safe therapeutic agent; however, its limited host range indicates that it may be best positioned as a strategic component of phage cocktails or as a synergistic partner with antibiotics to maximize therapeutic efficacy. Full article