Search Results (10,350)

The opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa poses a serious threat to immunocompromised patients. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), a widely used flavor enhancer, has been reported to possess anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, its therapeutic potential and mechanism against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection have remained unexplored. This study systematically elucidated the protective effects and molecular mechanisms of MSG against P. aeruginosa-induced acute lung injury (ALI). In a murine pneumonia model, MSG administration effectively alleviated lung pathological damage, edema, and inflammatory responses. Mechanistically, MSG exerted protection through a multifaceted strategy, including direct suppression of bacterial virulence via binding to PopB of T3SS inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/MAPK-driven inflammatory cascade and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, enhancement of endogenous antioxidant defense (SOD, CAT), and reshaping of pulmonary macrophages from the M1 to M2 phenotype. Notably, the anti-virulence effect of MSG, achieved by binding to PopB (K_D = 3.52 × 10⁻⁶ M), presented a distinct advantage over traditional antimicrobials by potentially mitigating resistance development. Collectively, these findings indicated that MSG can alleviate ALI caused by P. aeruginosa infection. Full article

Crop fungal and viral diseases cause annual economic losses exceeding USD 150 billion globally, demanding rapid, sensitive, and field-deployable diagnostic technologies. This review critically evaluates recent advances in electrochemical biosensing platforms for early crop pathogen detection, focusing on immunosensors, genosensors, aptasensors, and VOC-based systems. Reported analytical performances demonstrate ultralow detection capabilities, including 0.3 fg mL⁻¹ for viral coat proteins, 15 DNA copies for bacterial pathogens, 0.5 fg µL⁻¹ RNA detection for viroids, and nanomolar-level VOC sensing (35–62 nM), with response times ranging from 2 to 60 min. Comparative analysis reveals that genosensors and aptasensors generally achieve the lowest LODs due to nucleic acid amplification or high-affinity recognition, while immunosensors provide robust protein-level specificity validated against ELISA. Volatile organic compound (VOC) sensors enable non-invasive, pre-symptomatic monitoring but face specificity challenges. Despite strong laboratory performance, practical adoption is limited by matrix-derived electrochemical interference, environmental instability of biorecognition elements, workflow complexity, and insufficient standardization across studies. Emerging innovations, including magnetic bead enrichment, nanoporous and graphene-based electrodes, microfluidic integration, AI-assisted impedance interpretation, and biodegradable substrates, are progressively addressing these bottlenecks. This review emphasizes that successful field translation requires holistic workflow engineering, matrix-matched validation, and harmonized performance metrics rather than incremental sensitivity improvements alone. By integrating analytical chemistry, nanomaterials engineering, and agricultural decision-support frameworks, electrochemical biosensing platforms hold significant potential to enable decentralized, rapid, and sustainable crop disease management. Full article

Background/Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections and represent a major source of antimicrobial use. Increasing antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens, particularly the emergence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms, complicates empiric treatment strategies. ESBL-producing organisms are clinically relevant because they are frequently associated with multidrug resistance and significantly limit empiric antimicrobial treatment options in urinary tract infections. The study period starting in 2019 was selected to reflect contemporary resistance patterns and to ensure consistency with the updated EUCAST antimicrobial susceptibility interpretation criteria introduced at that time. This study aimed to characterize antimicrobial resistance patterns among uropathogens isolated from lower UTIs and to identify independent predictors of antimicrobial resistance using isolate-level analyses. Methods: This retrospective observational study included 1470 patients and isolates with clinically suspected lower UTIs who underwent urine culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing between 2019 and 2024 at a single clinical center. Antimicrobial susceptibility was interpreted according to European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) criteria, and ESBL production was assessed among Gram-negative (GN) isolates. Multivariable generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression models accounting for patient clustering were used to identify predictors of resistance. Results: A total of 1470 patients and isolates were included. Escherichia coli was the most frequent uropathogen (66.0%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterococcus faecalis. Among Gram-negative isolates, 17.3% were ESBL-positive. Resistance rates were highest for ciprofloxacin (35.4%) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (31.7%), while fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin retained high activity against E. coli. In multivariable analyses, ESBL production was the strongest independent predictor of resistance to several antimicrobials, including ciprofloxacin (aOR 9.83), amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (aOR 3.22), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (aOR 2.89), and cefotaxime (aOR 1337). Pathogen identity was also independently associated with resistance. Conclusions: Antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens was heterogeneous and predominantly driven by pathogen identity and ESBL production. ESBL status emerged as the most consistent and powerful predictor of resistance across multiple antimicrobials, underscoring its clinical relevance for empiric treatment decisions and antimicrobial stewardship in urinary tract infections. Full article

Candida albicans (C. albicans) is an opportunistic fungal pathogen and a major cause of nosocomial infections, especially in immunocompromised patients. Conventional diagnostic approaches such as blood culture and biochemical assays are accurate but require multi-step sample processing and prolonged turnaround times, limiting their applicability for rapid clinical screening. In the present study, we developed an electrochemical biosensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology for the rapid and selective detection of intact C. albicans cells. The MIP layer was electropolymerized onto a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE), forming selective recognition cavities complementary to the fungal morphology. Electrochemical characterization and detection were performed using cyclic voltammetry in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). The system demonstrated a wide linear detection range, enabling reliable quantification of C. albicans across concentrations spanning from 1 to 10⁴ CFU/mL and achieved an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 1.30 CFU/mL, demonstrating high sensitivity. High selectivity was confirmed against E. coli, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa, demonstrating that the imprinted cavities effectively distinguish fungal cells from bacterial contaminants. These findings highlight the promise of MIP-based electrochemical biosensors as a simple, low-cost, and portable alternative for early fungal diagnostics. Full article

Bacterial wilt caused by Ralstonia solanacearum is a major constraint on tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) production, yet the molecular basis of quantitative resistance remains poorly understood. In this study, comparative transcriptome profiling was performed on resistant (‘ZM3’) and susceptible (‘ZM86’) tomato inbred lines following pathogen inoculation in roots, stems, and leaves. Differential expression analysis and weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) were conducted to identify resistance-associated regulatory modules and hub genes. The results revealed distinct gene expression patterns between the two genotypes after infection. Several co-expression modules were significantly associated with resistance or susceptibility traits. Functional enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly involved in plant hormone signal transduction, plant–pathogen interaction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and cell wall modification. Genes related to ethylene and salicylic acid signaling were strongly induced following infection, whereas brassinosteroid-associated genes showed genotype-dependent expression patterns. Network analysis further identified several hub genes within defense-related modules, including ACO (Solyc04g007980), ERF1 (Solyc09g091950), MAPK9, receptor-like kinase RLK (Solyc07g006770), and a dirigent family gene (Solyc10g008900). Taken together, our results suggest that tomato resistance to Ralstonia solanacearum involves a coordinated defense network integrating hormone-mediated transcriptional regulation and structural reinforcement, and provides candidate genes for breeding bacterial wilt-resistant cultivars. Full article

Rates of foodborne infectious disease are increasing globally. The One Health zoonoses report shows increasing cases of shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli, campylobacteriosis, salmonellosis and listeriosis in the last 5 years. The ESKAPE pathogens are the top priority due to their alarming rate of resistance to broad-spectrum beta-lactams, carbapenems, glycopeptides, fluoroquinolones, aminoglycosides and biocide solutions. Research assessing alternative biocontrol options highlight the advantages of bacteriophages in the control of resistant bacterial species. Phage formulations including ListShield^TM and SalmoFresh^TM have gained FDA approval for food production. As biocontrol agents, however, phages are limited by their specificity in a multispecies environment, the presence of environmental variables and bacterial resistance mechanisms. Genetic modification and the use of phage cocktails aim to overcome such limitations. Future research is warranted in a harmonised approach supported by a defined legal framework to establish best formulation and exposure protocols. This review discusses phages as biocontrol agents in the control of high-risk pathobionts associated with foodborne illness. Pathobionts associated with bovine livestock are discussed due to the morbidity and incidence of disease associated with such pathogens. Full article

Background: The global rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has created an urgent need for innovative antibacterial strategies and localized delivery systems. This study aimed to develop and characterize electrospun poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanofibers co-loaded with atorvastatin (ATR) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles for use as a multifunctional topical platform for wound healing and infection control. Methods: ZnO nanoparticles were prepared via ball milling and characterized for size and zeta potential. Four PVA-based nanofiber formulations were fabricated using electrospinning: blank (F1), ZnO-loaded (F2), ATR-loaded (F3), and ATR/ZnO co-loaded (F4). The nanofibers were evaluated for morphology, thermal properties, crystallinity, and drug release. Antibacterial efficacy was tested against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, MRSA, and P. aeruginosa using broth microdilution and checkerboard assays. Biocompatibility and wound healing potential were assessed via MTT and fibroblast scratch assays on human foreskin fibroblasts (hFFs). Results: SEM imaging confirmed the production of uniform, bead-free nanofibers. ATR and ZnO nanoparticles were successfully incorporated in the nanofiber. The co-loaded formulation (F4) demonstrated a sustained release profile, releasing approximately 78.7% of ATR over 24 h. While all treatments showed limited activity against P. aeruginosa, the ATR/ZnO co-loaded nanofibers exhibited significantly enhanced antibacterial activity against Gram-positive strains, achieving the lowest MIC values (1.5–2.0 mg/mL). Synergy analysis confirmed an enhanced effect with ATR and ZnO against MRSA. Furthermore, F4 achieved the highest wound closure rate of 92.41% in 24 h while maintaining acceptable cytocompatibility. Conclusions: The integration of ATR and ZnO into PVA nanofibers provides an enhanced antibacterial effect consistent with the synergistic potential observed between free agents targeting Gram-positive wound pathogens. The platform’s ability to simultaneously inhibit bacterial growth and promote rapid fibroblast migration positions it as a promising localized therapeutic for managing infected wounds. Full article

Widespread, sometimes careless use of antibiotics has accelerated the rise and spread of antibiotic-resistant pathogens. These resistant bacteria are now often found in animal-based foods like meat, milk, and eggs, as well as in plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables. Contaminated food is a key way these bacteria travel through the food chain and eventually reach people. This review brings together global trends in antibiotic contamination, explains the molecular mechanisms underlying antimicrobial resistance, and examines current approaches to addressing this problem. It also highlights new technologies that could work alongside or improve on traditional antibiotics. Some promising options are antimicrobial peptides, natural bioactive compounds, nanomaterials, and monoclonal antibody-based therapies. Tackling antimicrobial resistance requires teamwork across fields such as microbiology, food science, pharmacology, environmental science, and public health. Future research should strengthen global surveillance, standardize resistance-assessment methods, expand studies on non-bacterial pathogens, and ensure rigorous evaluation of novel therapies for pharmacokinetics, toxicity, scalability, and regulatory compliance. Ongoing global cooperation and new scientific ideas are crucial to slow the spread of resistant microbes and protect food safety and human health. Full article

Background/Objectives: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) has emerged as a significant bacterial pathogen responsible for nosocomial infections. The most common clinical manifestations of Ab infection include ventilator-associated pneumonia and catheter-related bloodstream/urinary infections. Given the extensive MDR phenotype of Ab, preventive vaccination strategies are crucial for protecting susceptible populations. Methods: We utilized immunoinformatics to identify candidate peptides containing both putative B- and T-cell epitopes from proteins associated with Ab pathogenesis. Subsequently, we designed novel Acinetobacter Multi-Epitope Vaccines (AMEVs), each comprising an Ab thioredoxin A (TrxA) leader protein, five to seven of the identified peptide antigens, and a C-terminal His(6x)-tag to facilitate protein purification. Results: Subcutaneous vaccination of C57BL/6 mice with AMEV1 or AMEV2, formulated with TiterMax adjuvant, conferred 60% and 80% protection, respectively, against intraperitoneal Ab challenge. AMEV vaccination induced a robust antibody response to each corresponding whole protein and most of its component peptides. We then constructed an improved vaccine, AMEV5, which included the Ab TrxA protein and seven confirmed B-cell epitope peptides. Subcutaneous immunization of BALB/c mice (n = 10 per group) with rAMEV5 emulsified in Adda03 adjuvant activated antigen-specific IL-5-secreting T cells and antibody-producing B cells. Evaluation of vaccine efficacy demonstrated that AMEV2- and AMEV5-immunized mice were protected from a lethal intraperitoneal Ab challenge, with survival rates of 70% and 90%, respectively. Conclusions: These study results provide insights into the application of reverse vaccinology to combat the rise of MDR Acinetobacter infection. Full article

Staphylococcus epidermidis is a leading opportunistic pathogen in medical device-associated infections due to its ability to adhere to abiotic materials and develop biofilms that are difficult to eradicate. This study investigated the antibiofilm potential of an ethanolic extract of the red seaweed Gracilaria fisheri and its purified constituent, N-benzylcinnamamide, against S. epidermidis. Antibacterial activity was determined, and antibiofilm effects were assessed using the crystal violet assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Early bacterial adhesion on glass and polyurethane (PU) surfaces was measured. The effect on catheter-associated biofilms was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Transcripts of biofilm- and quorum-sensing-associated genes (icaA and luxS) were assessed by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assay. At 200 µg/mL, biofilm biomass decreased to 48.21 ± 5.52% with the extract and to 36.65 ± 6.82% with N-benzylcinnamamide. CLSM time-course imaging showed delayed biofilm maturation and less consolidated, discontinuous structures. Surface exposure to the extract markedly reduced early attachment on both materials. On PU catheter segments, SEM demonstrated that N-benzylcinnamamide markedly reduced surface coverage and disrupted three-dimensional biofilm architecture. At the molecular level, transcription of icaA and luxS was reduced. Both the extract and N-benzylcinnamamide showed minimal cytotoxicity in HeLa cells. These findings support further evaluation of these marine-derived agents as candidates for antibiofilm surface treatments to reduce early medical device colonization. Full article

Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum J. Presl) bark essential oil (CBO) represents a promising source of natural bioactive compounds for biological plant protection. For the first time, the antibacterial and antifungal activity of CBO was systematically evaluated against a curated panel of phytopathogenic strains (IOR collection), revealing broad-spectrum efficacy across both bacteria and filamentous pathogens. This study evaluated its chemical composition, antimicrobial activity against phytopathogens, effects on bacterial metabolic activity, and its ability to induce plant defence responses. CBO was dominated by cinnamaldehyde, linalool, and eucalyptol. The oil exhibited strong antibacterial activity against Dickeya dadantii, Pectobacterium carotovorum, Pseudomonas syringae, and Xanthomonas hortorum as well as antifungal activity against Fusarium graminearum, F. culmorum, Rhizoctonia solani and Phytophthora cinnamomi. Metabolic assays revealed a marked reduction in bacterial metabolic activity, indicating that CBO disrupts physiological processes and inhibits growth. In planta experiments showed that foliar application of CBO stimulated PAL activity in wheat leaves without visible phytotoxic symptoms. These findings demonstrate a multifunctional mode of action of CBO, combining direct antimicrobial effects with the elicitation of plant defence responses, and support its potential application in sustainable crop protection. Full article

Shigellosis remains a significant global cause of infectious colitis, increasingly complicated by multidrug-resistant strains and the microbiota-disrupting effects of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Although conventional antimicrobial therapy can reduce symptom duration and bacterial shedding, it also contributes to gut dysbiosis, loss of colonization resistance, and further selection for antimicrobial resistance. These challenges have renewed interest in precision antimicrobial strategies, particularly bacteriophage therapy, which provides strain-level specificity and preserves the gut microbiota. This narrative review evaluates the biological rationale, preclinical and early clinical evidence, safety considerations, and translational challenges associated with bacteriophage therapy targeting Shigella spp. The historical development and mechanistic basis of phage therapy are summarized, with emphasis on the advantages of obligately lytic phages, receptor-specific targeting, self-amplification at infection sites, and activity against both planktonic and biofilm-associated bacteria. Recent microbiota research indicates that shigellosis is closely associated with early and persistent disruption of gut ecology, including depletion of short-chain fatty acids-producing taxa and reduced microbial resilience. Phage-based approaches may reduce pathogen burden while preserving beneficial microbial communities. Evidence from in vitro systems, animal models, human intestinal organoids, and a Phase 1 clinical trial demonstrates targeted efficacy and favorable safety profiles for Shigella-specific phages and phage cocktails. Major barriers to clinical adoption include immune interactions, phage resistance dynamics, genomic safety screening, regulatory classification, and the need for standardized susceptibility testing. Future directions emphasize the development of personalized phage therapy platforms that integrate rapid diagnostics, phage libraries, metagenomics, and artificial intelligence-assisted matching to enable scalable, precision treatment. Full article

Soil-borne diseases have become increasingly serious due to continuous planting. Soil fumigation may be inadequate because of the persistence of soil-borne pathogens on ginger seed rhizome. A combined strategy of soil fumigation and seed rhizome disinfection would be necessary to achieve synergistic control. In this study, the approach of soil fumigation with chloropicrin (CP) coupled with seed rhizome disinfection (Copper, Cu) was first adopted to evaluate the synergistic effects on soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities and microbial communities, and therefore reveal mechanisms for soil microecological health and crop yield promotion. The results showed the comprehensive strategy could reduce NO₃⁻-N content, and the activities of soil enzymes, while increased NH₄⁺-N content, EX-Cu, and OXI-Cu content, which were positively correlated with ginger yield but negatively correlated with soil-borne pathogens and plant mortality. On the other hand, there was a reduction in bacterial diversity and richness, which was positively correlated with the abundance of soil-borne pathogens. Moreover, some beneficial soil microorganisms’ relative abundance (such as Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacillus, and Sphingomonas.) was increased. The strategy decreased the abundance of Fusarium spp. and Phytophthora spp. by 49.41–90.07% and 43.34–89.21%, respectively. Compared with other treatments, the combination decreased the ginger mortality by 5.70–57.02% and increased the growth of ginger plants and yield by 3.58–139.96%, and 13.11–399.74%, respectively. This study highlights a prospect to promote ginger growth and yield by blocking the transmission of primary infection pathogens in ginger cultivation and improving soil ecological environment. Full article

Rhodococcus equi is an opportunistic intracellular pathogen responsible for severe pneumonia in foals and has emerged as an important cause of infection in immunocompromised humans. The treatment of R. equi infections in foals relies mainly on the combination of macrolides and rifampin. However, the increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates has raised significant therapeutic challenges. The mechanisms underlying this resistance include mutations in target genes, activation of efflux pumps, and biofilm formation, which collectively compromise the efficacy of conventional antibiotics. Recently, growing concern over antibiotic failure has accelerated research into alternative and synergistic strategies to enhance antibacterial efficacy and reduce the development of resistance. Natural and synthetic compounds, as well as optimized antibiotic combinations, have shown promising synergistic effects by enhancing intracellular accumulation, disrupting redox homeostasis, or inhibiting efflux systems. Experimental models employing checkerboard and time-kill assays, as well as redox-sensitive biosensors, have demonstrated that certain antibiotic combinations can influence bacterial susceptibility to antibiotic exposure. Furthermore, integrating molecular tools provides valuable insight into bacterial responses to oxidative and antibiotic stress, paving the way for novel therapeutic designs. This review summarizes the current understanding of the molecular factors contributing to antimicrobial resistance in R. equi and assesses new therapeutic approaches aimed at overcoming these challenges. It highlights recent findings on strategies to improve treatment outcomes and manage antimicrobial resistance. Full article

Nematodes in the genus Oscheius (Rhabditidae) have traditionally been regarded as free-living bacteriophagous or necromenic associates of insects. Over the past two decades, however, multiple Oscheius species and isolates have been shown to express facultative pathogenicity toward insects and, in some cases, parasitism of mollusks. This has stimulated interest in Oscheius as a complementary group of biological control agents that may function under conditions limiting classical entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) of the genera Steinernema and Heterorhabditis. Here, we synthesize current knowledge on Oscheius taxonomy and diversity, life-history strategies, bacterial associations and virulence mechanisms, evidence for control of insect and mollusk pests, and recent advances in chemo-ecology relevant to host finding. We emphasize that Oscheius represents a continuum of ecological strategies, and we adopt conservative terminology in which “entomopathogenic” is reserved for Oscheius species/isolates that meet operational criteria of insect pathogenicity. Finally, we highlight key barriers to wider implementation—strain variability, bacterial partner instability, non-target and community effects, and production/quality control needs—and propose research priorities for the development of robust, field-reliable Oscheius-based biocontrol. Full article