Alternative Antibiotics Research Articles

Survey of probable synergism between melittin and ciprofloxacin, rifampicin, and chloramphenicol against multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and also biofilm-associated infections is a great health concern due to the failure of available antibiotics. This has alerted scientists to developing alternative antibiotics. Melittin as an antimicrobial peptide has antibacterial synergistic activity in combining with conventional antibiotics against pathogenic bacteria. Accordingly, this study aimed to assess the synergistic effect of melittin in combination with Ciprofloxacin, Rifampicin, and Chloramphenicol against MDR strains of P. aeruginosa. Fifty strains of P. aeruginosa were isolated from clinical specimens. The antibiotic susceptibility of isolates was evaluated by the disk diffusion method. The MIC and MBC of melittin and melittin-antibiotics combination against isolated strains were examined by microdilution method. The probable synergism between melittin and antibiotics was assayed using the FIC protocol. Time-killing kinetics and anti-biofilm effects of melittin and melittin-antibiotics combination were evaluated using time-kill kinetics and crystal violet staining method, respectively. The toxicity of the melittin-antibiotics combination on the HEK293 cell line was also assessed by the MTT assay method. Out of 50 isolates of P. aeruginosa, 15 strains are considered to be multidrug strains. Among MDR strains of P. aeruginosa, 42.85% were resistant to cefepime and ceftazidime and all urine-originate isolates were resistant to cotrimoxazole. A combination of MIC dose of ciprofloxacin and melittin decreased resistance against ciprofloxacin up to 33%. The ciprofloxacin-melittin combination showed a favorable synergism and anti-biofilm effect and was also 30.3% less toxic than melittin alone at 4 μg/ml against the HEK293 cell line. In contrast to ciprofloxacin, with the melittin-rifampicin and melittin-chloramphenicol combinations, an addition effect occurred, respectively, in 86.66 and 53.33% of MDR strains of P. aeruginosa. Combining melittin's antibacterial and anti-biofilm properties with traditional antibiotics may offer a novel strategy to address antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa. The simultaneous administration of melittin and ciprofloxacin in a single dose has shown a marked increase in antibacterial effectiveness while minimizing toxicity to the HEK293 cell line. It is advisable to conduct additional research to explore the combined antibacterial effects of melittin and ciprofloxacin in a wider range of clinical samples, animal models, and clinical trial settings.

Application strategy of artificial intelligence technology in feed-based development of medicinal and edible homologous traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)resources in era of the "antibiotic ban"

In the context of the "antibiotic ban" era, the feed conversion of medicinal and edible traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) resources is a research hotspot in the field of antibiotic alternatives development. How to develop feed products that are beneficial to agriculture and livestock while ensuring nutrient balance and precision using medicinal and edible TCM resources as raw materials has become a challenge. Artificial intelligence(AI) technology has unique advantages in feed production and improving the efficiency of intelligent breeding. If AI technology is applied to the feed development of medicinal and edible TCM resources, it is possible to realize feeding and antibiotic-replacement value while ensuring precise nutrition. In order to better apply AI technology in the field of feed development of medicinal and edible TCM resources, this article used CiteSpace software to carry out literature visualization analysis and found that AI technology had a good application in the field of feed formulation optimization in recent years. However, there is still a gap in the research on the intelligent utilization of medicinal and edible TCM resources. Nonetheless, it is feasible for AI technology to be applied to the feed conversion of medicinal and edible TCM resources. Therefore, this article proposed for the first time an intelligent formulation system framework for feed materials derived from medicinal and edible TCM resources to provide new ideas for research in the field of feed development of medicinal and edible TCM resources and the research on the development of antibiotic alternatives. At the same time, it can pave the way for a new green industry chain for contemporary animal husbandry and the TCM industry.

Sodium butyrate and rosemary herb improve growth performance, biochemical profile, immunity, and carcass traits in broiler chickens

Background: Feed additives are products used in poultry nutrition to improve the quality of feed and safety of food byproducts from animal origin. They are promising antibiotic alternatives for production of broilers. Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effect of sodium butyrate (SB) and rosemary leaves (RL) on growth performance, biochemical profile, immunity, and carcass traits of broilers. Methods: Five hundred-one-day old chicks of Hubbard breed were reared on floor pens in a privet farm, Giza. The chicks were weighed on arrival (each chick weighted 43-45 gm) and randomly assigned into five equal groups, with four replicates each (25 chicks/replicate). Group 1 was fed on a broiler diet without any additions (control). The diets of groups 2 and 3 were supplemented with 500 g/ton SB and 4 kg/ton RL, respectively. In group 4, the diet was enriched with 250g/ton SB plus 2 kg/ton RL. Chicks in group 5 were fed on diet fortified with 500 g/ton SB plus 4 kg/ton RL. Results: Supplementation of broiler diet with 500 g/ton SB plus 4 kg /ton RL increased Body weight gain (BWG) and feed efficiency ratio (FER) of birds. It decreased serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol triglycerides, malondialdehyde, but increased superoxide dismutase, catalase, and immunoglobulins, phagocytic activity, lysozyme activity, and nitric oxide concentrations. Antibody titers against Newcastle disease virus were also elevated. Conclusion: Supplementation of broiler diet with 500 g/ton SB plus 4 kg/ton RL gives the best result regarding productive efficiency and immunity of broiler chickens.

Lactulose with synergists supplementation improving a health of chicks and reducing the environmental burden in poultry industry.

The study aims to understand the effect of new antibiotic-substituting supplements in feeding chickens of the Hisex Brown cross in industrial conditions. A total of 216 hatched chicks were randomly selected and distributed into Control, Test I, and Test II groups, with 3 replicates of 24 birds in three treatments. At the end of the experiment, BW of T1/T2 birds was higher by 6.12% (p <0.01) and 10.29% (p <0.001) than CON. In comparison with the control hens, T1/T2 birds had a higher feed conversion rate and digestibility of nutrients. The blood indicators of T1/T2 hens exceeded those in control. Prebiotic supplementations were positively influenced in the immune indices of birds. IgA, IgG, IgM increased in groups T1/T2. Similar regularity was found in the natural resistance of chicks fed S1/S2. In the caecum, the Lactobacilli number was higher than in CON by 17.03% (p <0.01) in T1 and by 18.47% (p <0.01)-in T2; Bifidobacteria-by 17.94 (p <0.001) and 19.09% (p <0.01), respectively; at the same time, the number of E. coli decreased by 21.05% (p <0.01) and 24.21% (p <0.01). The concentration of emitted excreta noxious gases decreased: ammonia by 22.40%-24.95% (p <0.01); hydrogen sulfide by 10.67%-16.00% (p <0.01); and mercaptans by 12.90%-17.74% (p <0.05). These findings support the use of lactulose-based supplements as antibiotic alternatives to improve production in poultry farming and to reduce the toxic load on the environment.

Assessing Tetracycline susceptibility in multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A clinical study in Kathmandu

Introduction: Staphylococcus aureus, recognized as an opportunistic pathogen, is frequently implicated in diverse human infections. Managing multidrug-resistant S. aureus poses a significant challenge in the clinical sector. Beyond B-lactam antibiotics, healthcare practitioners commonly prescribe Glycopeptides, Tetracycline, Quinolones, and Macrolide-Lincosamide-Streptogramin B antibiotics as alternative treatments for such infections. Consequently, this study was undertaken to evaluate the susceptibility of multidrug-resistant S. aureus to tetracycline in clinical samples. Methods: The study spanned 15 months, from March 2020 to May 2021, during which clinical samples were collected from three distinct hospitals in Kathmandu-Dirghayu Guru Hospital, Chabahil; Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital, Bhaktapur; and Shankarapur Hospital, Jorpati. Sample processing and laboratory work were conducted in the Microbiology Laboratory of Dirghyau Guru Hospital to assess the prevalence of different multidrug-resistant (MDR) phenotypes among S. aureus and their correlation with Methicillin resistance. The study included 266 isolates of S. aureus, and Methicillin resistance was determined using the Cefoxitin disc diffusion method. Results: Among 2004 clinical samples processed, 266 (13.27%) isolates were S. aureus. The multidrug resistant strain isolated from Outpatient department was 56.84% (54/95) and from inpatient department, the data was 43.15% (41/95). Among the 266 S. aureus, 28.94% Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and 71.05% Methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates were detected. Tetracycline resistance was found in 9.8% of total S. aureus isolates whereas 27.36% (26/95) among multidrug resistant S. aureus isolates. Resistance to Tetracycline was higher in MRSA as compared to MSSA. Conclusion: The detection rate of MRSA emphasizes the urgency to improve healthcare practices to control the spread of MRSA infections. Tetracycline can be used as a viable alternative antibiotic for combating S. aureus infections, particularly in Kathmandu.

Isolation of Escherichia coli bacteriophages from Domestic Wastewater in Tangerang Selatan

In recent years, there has been a continuous increase in the prevalence of antibiotic resistance among bacteria responsible for infectious diseases. Several studies have shown that the occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic is a major factor contributing to this rapid increase. To overcome this challenge, one promising approach is the use of bacteriophages as a treatment option. Therefore, this study aims to isolate E. coli lytic bacteriophages as an alternative antibiotic for treating secondary bacterial infections of COVID-19. Isolation of bacteriophages was carried out using the plaque assay method with double layer agar technique. The isolate obtained was purified and tested for effectiveness in lysing E. coli ATCC 25922 bacterial cells. The results showed that E. coli had resistance to antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, Clindamycin, Ciprofloxacin, Azithromycin, and Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. BEB1 isolate obtained from domestic waste had activity in inhibiting the growth of the test bacteria with an effectiveness of 72% at the 25th hour. Based on these findings, it had the potential to be developed as an alternative antibiotic agent to overcome infectious diseases caused by E. coli ATCC 25922.

Recent Advances on Antimicrobial Peptides from Milk: Molecular Properties, Mechanisms, and Applications.

Traditional antibiotics are facing a tremendous challenge due to increased antimicrobial resistance; hence, there is an urgent need to find novel antibiotic alternatives. Milk protein-derived antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are currently attracting substantial attention considering that they showcase an extensive spectrum of antimicrobial activities, with slower development of antimicrobial resistance and safety of raw materials. This review summarizes the molecular properties, and activity mechanisms and highlights the applications and limitations of AMPs derived from milk proteins comprehensively. Also the analytical technologies, especially bioinformatics methodologies, applied in the process of screening, identification, and mechanism illustration of AMPs were underlined. This review will give some ideas for further research and broadening of the applications of milk protein-derived AMPs in the food field.

Clindamycin: An Effective Treatment for Granulomatous Mastitis Caused by Corynebacterium Kroppenstedtii in a Pregnant Patient.

Alternative antibiotics for treatment of granulomatous mastitis can be effective.The safety and efficacy of antibiotics in pregnancy is important.

Determining the In Vivo Efficacy of Plant-Based and Probiotic-Based Antibiotic Alternatives against Mixed Infection with Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli in Domestic Chickens.

Restrictions on the use of antimicrobial compounds have led to a surge of interest in alternative solutions, such as natural, plant-based compounds. In our study, we investigated the efficacy of three feed supplements containing different additives, namely, probiotics (Lactobacillus spp., "Test substance A"), turmeric (Curcuma longa L., "Test substance B"), and fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum, "Test substance C"). In the experiment, we tested 180 birds of the Bábolna Tetra-SL laying hybrid breed that were infected with Salmonella enteritidis strains. The birds were randomly divided into six groups: three groups treated with the different additives, a negative control group, a positive control group, and an antibiotic-treated group using enrofloxacin. We examined the maturation and the time course of shedding of Salmonella; at the end of rearing, pathological and histopathological examinations were performed. When Salmonella was isolated from the cloacal swab samples, the enrofloxacin-treated group had a high number of animals shedding Salmonella by day 9, which was like the group treated with test material C. The greatest reduction in Salmonella shedding was observed in the groups treated with test materials A and B. In terms of pathological parameters, villus length and crypt depth were significantly better in the group treated with test material C compared to the positive and negative controls, and when comparing the body weight of the tested animals, the group treated with test material B had a significantly larger absorption surface area compared to the positive control group. Overall, the supplement with test material C proved to be the most effective. In the future, it is worthwhile to investigate the combination of the tested active substances for their possible synergistic effects and to perform a dose-response study to select the optimal dosage.

Synbiotic supplements as antibiotic alternatives in broiler diets

Antibiotics can contribute to bacterial resistance, posing a significant public health concern. Synbiotics represent an effective alternative to antibiotics, promoting the balance of intestinal microbiota and creating a conducive environment for beneficial bacteria growth. This study aimed to assess the utility of the synbiotic supplement (+Poultry) as a substitute for antibiotics in broiler diets from 1 to 42 days of age. We evaluated its impact on performance during two stages: 1 to 21 days and 1 to 42 days, digestibility coefficients, metabolizable energy, duodenum and jejunum morphometry, carcass yield, and hematological parameters. A total of 440 Ross 308 strain broiler chicks, both males and females, were accommodated in 2m² cages from day 1 to day 42. The birds were randomly assigned to four treatments, with each treatment having five replications consisting of 22 birds, thus forming 20 experimental plots. The treatment groups were as follows: Basal diet (BD) without the addition of antibiotics or synbiotics, BD with 150ppm zinc bacitracin (BCZ), BD with 0.5kg/t of synbiotic, and BD with 1kg/t of synbiotic. The synbiotic supplement (+Poultry) used in this experiment, provided by Nutri+, contained amino acids, minerals, probiotic culture, prebiotic additives, and flavoring additives. Throughout the experiment, all birds were subjected to a weekly sanitary challenge, which involved using reused litter and water contaminated with litter. Treatment effects were observed on feed conversion (P = 0.0100) of broilers aged 1 to 21 days, indicating improved feed conversion in broilers consuming BD + 1kg/t synbiotic compared to BD alone. Consequently, we recommend the incorporation of a synbiotic supplement at a rate of 1kg/t as a viable antibiotic replacement for chickens aged 1 to 21 days. The tested synbiotic supplement shows promise as an antibiotic alternative in broiler diets at all life stages, maintaining both performance and bird health.

Antimicrobial Activity and Mechanisms of Walnut Green Husk Extract.

Walnut green husks (WGHs), by-products of walnut production, are believed to possess antimicrobial properties, making them a potential alternative to antibiotics. In this study, the antibacterial activities of three extracts, derived from WGH, against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, and Escherichia coli were investigated, and the antibacterial mechanisms of an anhydrous ethanol extract of WGH (WGHa) were examined. The results showed that WGHa exhibited inhibitory effects on all tested bacteria. The ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major active compounds present in WGHa were terpenoids, phenols, and flavonoids. Treatment with WGHa resulted in the leakage of intracellular ions and alkaline phosphatase; a reduction in intracellular ATP content, ATPase activity, and nucleic acid content; as well as cellular metabolic viability. The transmission electron microscopy images showed varying degrees of cell deformation and membrane damage following WGHa treatment. The transcriptome sequencing and differentially expressed gene enrichment analyses revealed an up-regulation in pathways associated with RNA degradation, translation, protein export, and oxidative phosphorylation. Conversely, pathways involved in cell movement and localization, as well as cell wall organization and carbohydrate transport, were found to be down-regulated. These findings suggest that WGHa alters cell membrane permeability and causes damage to the cell wall. Additionally, WGHa interferes with cellular energy metabolism, compromises RNA integrity, and induces DNA replication stress, consequently inhibiting the normal growth and proliferation of bacteria. These findings unveiled the antimicrobial mechanisms of WGHa, highlighting its potential application as an antibiotic alternative.

The potential of Spirulina platensis to substitute antibiotics in Japanese quail diets: impacts on growth, carcass traits, antioxidant status, blood biochemical parameters, and cecal microorganisms

The development of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms prompted the investigation of possible antibiotic substitutes. As a result, the purpose of the current study is to assess the effect of dietary Spirulina platensis extract as an antibiotic alternative on Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) growth, antioxidant status, blood parameters, and cecal microorganisms. There was a total of 150 Japanese quails used in this study, divided equally among 5 experimental groups (10 birds per group with 3 replicates): group 1 (G1) received a basal diet without any S. platensis extract, group 2 (G2) received a basal diet supplemented with 1 mL S. platensis extract/kg, group 3 (G3) received a basal diet supplemented with 2 mL S. platensis extract/kg, group 4 (G4) received a basal diet supplemented with 3 mL S. platensis extract/kg, and group 5 (G5) received a basal diet supplemented with 4 mL S. platensis extract/kg from d 7 until d 35. The results showed that compared to the control birds in G1, Japanese quail supplemented with 4 mL of S. platensis extract/kg of diet (G5) had significantly better live body weight, body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, digestive enzymes, blood parameters, liver and kidney functions, lipid profile, antioxidant profile, immunological parameters, and cecal microorganism's count. There were no significant changes in the percentage of carcasses, liver, and total giblets among all the 5 groups. Only gizzard percentage showed a significant increase in G2 compared to birds in G1. In addition, intestinal pH showed a significant drop in G2 and G5 compared to birds in G1. After cooking the quail meat, the juiciness and tenderness increased as S. platensis extract levels increased, whereas aroma and taste declined slightly as S. platensis extract levels increased. Furthermore, when a high concentration of S. platensis extract was used, the lightness of the meat reduced while its redness and yellowness increased. The disk diffusion assay showed that S. platensis extract had significant antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter jejuni, and Salmonella typhi, with inhibition zones ranging from 16 to 42 mm. This activity may be attributable to the volatile chemicals in S. platensis extract, of which Geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol are the primary components. In the diet of Japanese quails, it is possible to draw the conclusion that the extract of S. platensis can be utilized as a feed additive and as an alternative to antibiotics.

&lt;i&gt;In vivo&lt;/i&gt; therapeutic evaluation of phage cocktail and probiotic in reducing &lt;i&gt;Salmonella &lt;/i&gt;infection in Broilers

Antimicrobial resistance and ban on the usage of most of the antibiotics in food producing animals especially in poultry and pigs propelled research towards antibiotic alternatives. Food borne and multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens like Salmonella can enter food chain via consumption of the contaminated meat. Bacteriophage (phage) therapy could be used during rearing or pre-harvest stages of poultry production to overcome these emerging problems. The present study was conducted to determine the therapeutic effectiveness of bacteriophage cocktail and probiotics against Salmonella gallinarum in experimentally infected broiler chicks based on mortality, clinical manifestations, and faecal shedding. In vitro evaluation revealed that optical density (OD) of Salmonella gallinarum at MOIs of 102 was significantly reduced by individual phages as well as phage cocktail, with comparably less decrease in optical density in the culture treated with individual phage than the phage cocktail. Bacteriophage cocktail with concentration 1011 PFU/ml was able to protect 100% birds infected with Salmonella gallinarum. Faecal shedding rate was significantly low in the birds treated with bacteriophage cocktail and probiotics (1.2%) than untreated group. Significant improvement in body weight was seen in the bacteriophage treated groups as compared to untreated infected group. Based on the findings of the current study, administering high titre bacteriophages alone or in combination with probiotics for the effective management of Salmonella infection in broiler chicks may be suggested as an alternative to antibiotics as well as a useful strategy to control food borne pathogens in the food chain.

Enzymatically prepared neoagarooligosaccharides improve gut health and function through promoting the production of spermidine by Faecalibacterium in chickens

Maintaining animal gut health through modulating the gut microbiota is a constant need when antibiotics are not used in animal feed during the food animal production process. Prebiotics is regarded as one of the most promising antibiotic alternatives for such purpose. As an attractive prebiotic, the role and mechanisms of neoagarooligosaccharides (NAOS) in promoting animal growth and gut health have not been elucidated. In this study, we first cloned and expressed marine bacterial β-agarase in yeast to optimize the NAOS preparation and then investigated the role and the underlying mechanisms of the prepared NAOS in improving chicken gut health and function. The marine bacterial β-agarase PDE13B was expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 and generated even-numbered NAOS. Dietary the prepared NAOS promoted chicken growth and improved intestinal morphology, its barrier, and digestion capabilities, and absorption function. Metagenomic analysis indicated that NAOS modulated the chicken gut microbiota structure and function, and microbial interactions, and promoted the growth of spermidine-producing bacteria especially Faecalibacterium. Through integration of gut metagenome, gut content metabolome, and gut tissue transcriptome, we established connections among NAOS, gut microbes, spermidine, and chicken gut gene expression. The spermidine regulation of genes related to autophagy, immunity, and inflammation was further confirmed in chicken embryo intestinal epithelium cells. We also verified that NAOS can be utilized by Faecalibacterium prausnitzii to grow and produce spermidine in in vitro experiments. Collectively, we provide a systematic investigation of the role of NAOS in regulating gut health and demonstrate the microbial spermidine-mediated mechanism involved in prebiotic effects of NAOS, which lays foundation for future use of NAOS as a new antibiotic alternative in animal production.

Intervention effects of fructooligosaccharide and astragalus polysaccharide, as typical antibiotic alternatives, on antibiotic resistance genes in feces of layer breeding: advantages and defects

Although antibiotic alternatives are widely used in livestock and poultry breeding industry after in-feed antibiotics ban, their intervention effects on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in these food animals’ feces remain poorly understood. Here effects of fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and astragalus polysaccharide (APS), as typical antibiotic alternatives in China, on ARGs in layer feces were estimated by performing metagenomic sequencings and fluorescence quantitative PCR. Fructooligosaccharide significantly reduced sum abundance of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) by increasing Lactobacillus clones and reducing Escherichia clones which had relatively higher abundances of ARG subtypes and MGE subtypes in layer feces. However, at least parts of core ARGs and MGEs categories were not reduced by FOS, such as aminoglycosides- and tetracyclines-resistant genes, Tn916, Integrase, and so on. MGEs and microbiome, especially Escherichia genus and Lactobacillus genus, were the key factors affecting ARGs’ sum abundance. MGEs had a higher correlation coefficient with ARGs’ sum abundance than Escherichia genus and Lactobacillus genus. These findings firstly reveal the defects of antibiotic alternatives in controlling bacterial resistance in livestock and poultry breeding after in-feed antibiotics ban, and more strategies are needed to control pollutions and risks of core ARGs and MGEs in food animals’ feces under a special environment.

Effects of short-term florfenicol exposure on the gene expression pattern, midgut microbiota, and metabolome in the lepidopteran model silkworm (Bombyx mori)

Florfenicol (FF), an alternative veterinary antibiotic for chloramphenicol, has been widely utilized in livestock breeding to prevent and treat bacterial diseases. However, the toxicological effects of FF have yet to be fully disclosed. The domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori), a lepidopteran model, was selected to assess the toxicological effects of FF dietary exposure with multi-omics. The findings showed that high-dose (250 μg/L) FF exposure increased the whole cocoon weight. High-dose FF exposure affected the species richness and community diversity of the microbiota in the silkworm midgut. Biochemical processes and innate immunity were impacted by FF exposure. The KEGG pathways impacted by the midgut microbiota and their metabolites were compared, and several pathways were found to be related to the two ecosystems. In addition, the innate immunity and lipid metabolism pathways were impacted, and some of the differentially expressed genes were enriched in these pathways. These related pathways may involve crosstalk between the midgut microbiota shift, midgut biological functions, and global gene expression. Therefore, our study also advances the application of the silkworm larval model in assessing antibiotic metabolic toxicity and provides novel insights into the potential risks of FF.

International Conclave on AMR and Future of Antibiotics (ICAFA - 2023)

Dear Esteemed Guests, Distinguished Speakers, Honourable Delegates, and all participants of the "International Conclave on AMR and Future of Antibiotics," It is a great pleasure to extend our warmest welcome to the International Conclave on AMR and Future of Antibiotics, organized by the Department of Biological Sciences, SRM University - AP, Andhra Pradesh, in collaboration with The AMR Insights, The Netherlands, Infection Control Academy of India (IFCAI), Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), and NITTE (Deemed to be University), Mangaluru. This conference is scheduled to take place at SRM University AP, Andhra Pradesh, on November 8 and 9, 2023. The conference addresses antimicrobial resistance issues and discusses antibiotic alternatives, which are paramount in our global healthcare landscape. During this conference, leading experts worldwide and across India will join hands to combat AMR and enlighten young participants on the direction of research, policies, and the significance of antibiotic alternatives. We aim to bring together experts from UK Innovate, AMR Insights (The Netherlands), Global AMR Hub (Berlin, Germany), leading Indian experts, innovators, and stakeholders of the Andhra Pradesh state action plan for the containment of AMR. Andhra Pradesh is the fourth state in India to acknowledge the danger of AMR and proactively initiate steps toward its containment by releasing the Andhra Pradesh Action Plan for the Containment of Antimicrobial Resistance. This conference will be held in a hybrid mode, with both in-person and virtual participants, facilitating the exchange of ideas, networking opportunities, education for the younger generation, and ensuring healthcare safety through policies, awareness, and action plans. Participants, both physical and online attendees, are now important social ambassadors in the fight against the surge of AMR. This two-day conference will include keynote lectures, presentations by young scientists, panel discussions, poster and oral sessions, and interactive networking. The conference will comprise the following seven sessions: AMR in One Health, AMR and Environment, AMR and Omics, AMR – Action Plans and Policy, Alternatives to Antibiotics, AMR and Pathogen Strategies, and the Young Scientist Session. In addition to the main conference event, on November 9, 2023, three roundtables with the themes: 1) One Health, 2) Therapeutics and Vaccines, and 3) Diagnostics and Therapeutics, each lasting 90 minutes, will include experts from UK Innovate, representatives from the Andhra Pradesh Government departments involved in the state action plan, leading researchers from AIIMS Mangalagiri and other universities, and industrial partners. These roundtables will discuss several actions to be taken forward and list "Ten Mantras to Contain AMR Pathogens" – emergency response and action protocols. We quote, " நோய்நாடி நோய்முதல் நாடி அதுதணிக்கும் வாய்நாடி வாய்ப்பச் செயல்" (Kural 948) – Thirukkural, which means diagnosing the root cause of disease, identifying the correct curing, and ensuring its success. Together, we can succeed in containing AMR. Once again, we are honored to welcome you to this unique conference, and let us work towards a safe future.

Analysis of important features to identify potential compound as Antibiotic Growth Promoter (AGP) using C5.0

AGP (Antibacterial Growth Promoter) functions as an antibiotic that prevents the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the digestive tract of livestock, so that livestock have a better body weight and feed conversion ratio. Unfortunately, the continuous use of AGP has a detrimental impact on human health, because AGP stimulates pathogenic bacteria to become resistant to antibiotics. Therefore, the search for alternative antibiotics as an alternative for AGP is crucial in livestock production. Conventional search for antibiotics cannot be carried out because of the problemof dereplication. Furthermore, thesearch for antibiotics leads to synthetic compounds. The huge number of candidate compounds available to be tested is a strong reason for using in silico method. This study looks for the best features that can be used to select significant compounds. The feature selection method applied is C5.0, because this method has been widely used in various fields and gives the expected results. Based on the five available descriptors, the topological descriptor gives the best performance among others, especially for the nRings4, SCH.3, khs.dssC and khs.aasN features. While based on all features by all descriptors, there are 8 best features: BCUTc.1h, BCUTp.1l, nBase, nRings4, SCH.3, khs.dssC, khs.aasN, nHBAcc.

Improved Feed Efficiency and Nutritional Property Effects of Honey from Apis mellifera L. as an Additive for Broiler Chickens’ Drinking Water

Antimicrobial usage is particularly high in poultry production. Honey as a water supplement to poultry has been explored as a natural and safe antibiotic alternative. This study aimed to investigate the effects of different levels of honey as a water supplement on broilers' growth performance and chemical properties. Five dietary treatments were used: no supplement (T1), commercial electrolytes (T2), 5mL honey (T3), (7.5mL honey (T4), and 10mL honey (T5) per liter of water. The experiment used 150 1-day-old Cobb-400 broiler chicks, assigned to five treatments with three replications of ten (10) birds each (N=30) employing the Complete Block Design (RCBD) in three blocks. Results indicated that 5mL/L-10mL/L honey supplementation led to a significant (p &lt; 0.05) decrease of 4.3% to 7% in feed consumption compared to those with electrolytes. Similarly, using 5mL/L of honey showed 12.5% lower FCR compared with T2 and 24.3% compared with T1. However, a higher level of honey was comparable to T2, indicating that honey supplementation improved feed utilization and reduced feed cost at a certain level. Results of the proximate analysis, particularly on moisture content (MC), crude protein (CP), crude fat (CF), and total carbohydrates ((TC), revealed numerical differences. Samples with 5mL/L to 7.5mL/L levels of honey showed a higher MC, CP, and TC content and lower CF than T2. This implies that honey as a drinking water supplement offers practical advantages in feed consumption and efficiency and in improving the chemical and nutritional properties of chicken meat. A choice for healthier production.

Antibiotic prescription patterns in patients with suspected urinary tract infections in Ecuador.

Urinary tract infections (UTI) are among the most common cause to prescribe antibiotics in primary care. Diagnosis is based on the presence of clinical symptoms in combination with the results of laboratory tests. Antibiotic therapy is the primary approach to the treatment of UTIs; however, some studies indicate that therapeutics in UTIs may be suboptimal, potentially leading to therapeutic failure and increased bacterial resistance. This study aimed to analyze the antibiotic prescription patterns in adult patients with suspected UTIs and to evaluate the appropriateness of the antibiotic prescription. This is a cross-sectional study of patients treated in outpatient centers and in a second-level hospital of the Ministry of Public Health (MOPH) in a city in Ecuador during 2019. The International Classification of Disease Tenth Revision (ICD-10) was used for the selection of the acute UTI cases. The patients included in this study were those treated by family, emergency, and internal medicine physicians. We included a total of 507 patients in the analysis and 502 were prescribed antibiotics at first contact, constituting an immediate antibiotic prescription rate of 99.01%. Appropriate criteria for antibiotic prescription were met in 284 patients, representing an appropriate prescription rate of 56.02%. Less than 10% of patients with UTI had a urine culture. The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were alternative antibiotics (also known as second-line antibiotics), such as ciprofloxacin (50.39%) and cephalexin (23.55%). Factors associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing for UTIs were physician age over forty years, OR: 2.87 (95% CI, 1.65-5.12) p<0.0001, medical care by a general practitioner, OR: 1.89 (95% CI, 1.20-2.99) p = 0.006, not using point-of-care testing, OR: 1.96 (95% CI, 1.23-3.15) p = 0.005, and care at the first level of health, OR: 15.72 (95% CI, 8.57-30.88) p<0.0001. The results of our study indicate an appropriate prescription rate of 56.02%. Recommended antibiotics such as nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin for UTIs are underutilized. The odds for inappropriate antibiotic prescription were 15.72 times higher at the first level of care compared to the second. Effective strategies are needed to improve the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs.