Alternative Antibiotics Research Articles

Efficacy and safety of co-trimoxazole in device-related bone and joint infections: a CRIOGO multicentre case-control study.

Co-trimoxazole could be an alternative antibiotic to treat device-related bone and joint infection (BJI) but there are few published data about its efficacy and safety in this complex scenario to treat infection. The objective was to compare the outcome of patients with device-related BJI treated with an antibiotic regimen including co-trimoxazole versus a regimen without co-trimoxazole. This multicentre case-control study included consecutive adult patients diagnosed with device-related BJI. Each patient receiving co-trimoxazole was included in the co-trimoxazole group and was matched with two control patients, with stratification on microbial aetiology and age. The primary outcome was composite and defined by death or treatment failure during the follow-up. In this study, 150 patients were included, 50 in the co-trimoxazole group and 100 in the control group. The rate of reaching the primary endpoint was 18% in the co-trimoxazole group (9/50 cases) versus 21% in the control group (21/100) (P = 0.66). Co-trimoxazole use was not associated with an unfavourable outcome in the multivariate analysis (adjusted OR 0.8, 95% CI 0.31-2.06, P = 0.64). Although no significant difference was observed in premature discontinuation of treatment due to an adverse event between both groups (14 versus 12%, P = 0.73), treatment-related adverse events were significantly more frequently reported in patients of the co-trimoxazole group than the control group [34% (17/50) versus 18% (18/100), P = 0.03]. Co-trimoxazole appears to be an effective alternative for the treatment of BJI, even when it occurs on a device, but the safety profile requires close monitoring of adverse effects.

PSV-28 Liver abscess microbiota of beef cattle administered in-feed tylosin differ according to abscess size and fraction

Abstract Liver abscesses (LA) pose a significant challenge to the Canadian beef industry as they are estimated to cost the industry ~ $61.2 million annually. This is likely an underestimate as it does not account for losses in animal productivity. Tylosin phosphate is widely used to reduce LA, but concerns over antimicrobial use selecting for antimicrobial resistance has created an urgency to explore alternative approaches. Understanding the impact of tylosin on the microbial ecology of LA is crucial to this. We hypothesized that altering the duration of in-feed administration of tylosin to feedlot cattle would alter the microbial community of LA. To investigate this, we collected abscessed livers from cattle fed a diet containing tylosin 1) throughout finishing, 2) during the first 78% of the feeding or 3) during the last 75% of the feeding period. We examined LA microbial ecology of purulent material, abscess capsule tissue, originating from abscesses of different sizes using a metataxonomic approach. Our findings revealed that shortening tylosin administration did not notably alter the alpha (P > 0.05) or beta-diversity (P > 0.05) of LA microbial communities. There was a significant difference in microbial richness associated with abscess capsule (P < 0.05) compared with bulk purulent material. Fusobacterium or Bacteroides ASVs dominated LA microbiomes, alongside probable opportunistic gut pathogens and other bacteria. Interestingly, classifying samples based on whether they originated from a liver with a single abscess, multiple abscesses or a very large abscess tended to differ in microbiome composition (P = 0.06). These insights contribute to our understanding of factors impacting liver abscess microbial ecology and will be valuable in identifying antibiotic alternatives. They underscore the importance of exploring varied approaches to address liver abscesses while reducing reliance on in-feed antibiotics.

Isolation and characterization of a multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infecting phage and its therapeutic use in mice.

In recent years, the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria has limited the selection of drugs for treating bacterial infections, reduced clinical efficacy, and increased treatment costs and mortality. It is urgent to find alternative antibiotics. In order to explore a new method for controlling methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), this study isolated and purified a multidrug-resistant S. aureus broad-spectrum phage JPL-50 from wastewater. JPL-50 belongs to the Siphoviridae family after morphological observation, biological characterization, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) fragmentation spectrum analysis. It can cleave 84% of tested S. aureus (168/200), in which 100% of tested mastitis-associated strains (48/48) and 72.04% of MRSA strains (67/93) were lysed. In addition, it has an optimal growth temperature of about 30°C, a high activity within a wide pH range (pH 3-10), and an optimal multiplicity of infection of 0.01. The one-step growth curve shows a latent time of 20 min, an explosive time of 80 min. JPL-50 was 16 927bp in length and was encoded by double-stranded DNA, with no genes associated with bacterial resistance or virulence factors detected. In a therapeutic study, injection of the phage JPL-50 once and for 7 times in 7 days protected 40% and 60% of the mice from fatal S. aureus infection, respectively. More importantly, JPL-50-doxycycline combination could effectively inhibit host S. aureus in vitro and reduce the use of doxycycline within 8 h. In conclusion, the bacteriophage JPL-50 has a wide lysis spectrum, high lysis rate, high tolerance to extreme environments, and moderate in vivo activity, providing ideas for developing multidrug-resistant S. aureus infections.

Encapsulation of Saccharomyces spp. for Use as Probiotic in Food and Feed: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Probiotics, particularly yeasts from the genus Saccharomyces, are valuable for their health benefits and potential as antibiotic alternatives. To be effective, these microorganisms must withstand harsh environmental conditions, necessitating advanced protective technologies such as encapsulation to maintain probiotic viability during processing, storage, and passage through the digestive system. This review and meta-analysis aims to describe and compare methods and agents used for encapsulating Saccharomyces spp., examining operating conditions, yeast origins, and species. It provides an overview of the literature on the health benefits of nutritional yeast consumption. A bibliographic survey was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The meta-analysis compared encapsulation methods regarding their viability after encapsulation and exposure to the gastrointestinal tract. Nineteen studies were selected after applying inclusion/exclusion criteria. Freeze drying was found to be the most efficient for cell survival, while ionic gelation was best for maintaining viability after exposure to the gastrointestinal tract. Consequently, the combination of freeze drying and ionic gelation proved most effective in maintaining high cell viability during encapsulation, storage, and consumption. Research on probiotics for human food and animal feed indicates that combining freeze drying and ionic gelation effectively protects Saccharomyces spp.; however, industrial scalability must be considered. Reports on yeast encapsulation using agro-industrial residues as encapsulants offer promising strategies for preserving potential probiotic yeasts, contributing to the environmental sustainability of industrial processes.

Antibiotic alternatives to produce organic poultry meat as a safe food source and the impact of its consumption on human health: A review

Abstract The scientific evidence on the effects of consuming organic chicken meat on human health is examined in this review article. Few studies particularly look at the effects of eating organic chicken meat on people’s health. Although the evidence is conflicting, they speculate that consuming organic chicken meat may reduce the incidence of obesity and allergy-related illnesses. Customers who purchase organic chicken meat generally have healthier eating habits. The significance of these discoveries for human health is unclear. Still, animal and poultry studies suggest that whether agriculture produces food from conventional or organic sources has different effects on early development and physiology. Omega-3 fatty acids and meat are more abundant in organic than in common meat. However, this is not nutritionally relevant compared to other dietary sources. The widespread use of pharmaceuticals is one of the primary drivers of antimicrobial resistance in traditional animal agriculture. It is possible to reduce this risk and potentially have significant positive effects on public health by preventing animal sickness and using antibiotics more sparingly, as is done in organic farming. The review highlights the importance of organic feeds as an effective and vital alternative to antibiotics in the poultry industry and their impact on human health.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of surgical site infections following colorectal surgery: protocol for network meta-analysis of randomized trials

BackgroundSurgical site infections continue to be a significant challenge following colorectal surgery. These can result in extended hospital stays, hospital readmissions, increased treatment costs, and negative effects on patients’ quality of life. Antibiotic prophylaxis plays a crucial role in preventing infection during surgery, specifically in preventing surgical site infections after colorectal surgery in adult patients. However, the optimal antibiotic regimen is still unclear based on current evidence. Considering the limitations of existing reviews, our goal is to conduct a comprehensive systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials to evaluate the comparative benefits and harms of available antibiotic prophylaxis regimens for preventing surgical site infections following colorectal surgery in adult patients.MethodsWe will search the Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases to identify relevant randomized controlled trials. We will include trials that (1) enrolled adults who underwent colorectal surgeries and (2) randomized them to any systemic administration of antibiotic (single or combined) prophylaxis before surgery compared to an alternative systemic antibiotic (single or combined antibiotic), placebo, control, or no prophylactic treatment. Pairs of reviewers will independently assess the risk of bias among eligible trials using a modified Cochrane risk of bias instrument for randomized trials. Our outcomes of interest include the rate of surgical site infection within 30 days of surgery, hospital length of stay, 30-day mortality, and treatment-related adverse effects. We will perform a contrast-based network meta-analysis using a frequentist random-effects model assuming a common heterogeneity parameter. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach will be utilized to assess the certainty of evidence for treatment effects.DiscussionBy synthesizing evidence from available RCTs, this study will provide valuable insight for clinicians, patients, and health policymakers on the most effective antibiotics for preventing surgical site infection.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO CRD42023434544.

The Effects of Octapeptin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemistry, Serum Immunity, and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets.

With the prohibition of antibiotics in animal feed, the livestock industry faces significant challenges, including increased morbidity and mortality rates and reduced farming efficiency. Developing green, natural, and safe antibiotic alternatives has become a research hotspot. This study evaluated the effects of octapeptin as a feed additive on growth performance, diarrhea incidence, serum biochemistry, serum immune factors, and gut microbiota of weaned piglets. Seventy-two weaned piglets were randomly assigned to three groups based on body weight and sex, with each group receiving different dietary treatments: a negative control group (CON, basal diet), a positive control group (MC, basal diet + 5 mg/kg Microcin C7), and an octapeptin supplement group (OP, basal diet + 40 mg/kg octapeptin). After 28 days of feeding experimental diets, the results demonstrated that supplementing the diet of weaned piglets with octapeptin significantly improved the feed conversion ratio compared to the control group (p < 0.05) over the entire experimental period. Furthermore, a reduction in diarrhea incidence was observed during the late nursery period (14-28 d), resulting in an overall improvement in diarrhea compared to the other two groups (p < 0.01). Serum biochemical analysis results revealed a trend towards decreased alanine aminotransferase level in the octapeptin group, with no significant differences in other indicators, suggesting potential improvements in liver function without causing liver damage. In addition, compared to the control group, octapeptin enhanced mucosal immunity by decreasing TNF-α level (p < 0.05). Fecal microbiota analysis results showed a significant increase in beneficial bacteria such as Collinsella and Olsenella in the octapeptin group compared to the other two groups (p < 0.05), indicating a positive impact on gut health. These findings supported the potential of octapeptin as an alternative to antibiotic growth promoters in weaned piglets' diets.

The in vitro Antimicrobial Effects of Hydrolysable and Condensed Tannin Extracts on Escherichia coli Isolated from Pathological Samples of Deceased Poultry

Abstract Colibacillosis, caused by avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC), is one of the most prevalent and economically damaging bacterial diseases affecting poultry globally. Managing colibacillosis is difficult and frequently ineffective because APEC strains have developed widespread resistance to antibiotics, and the strict regulations and public concerns towards using antimicrobial agents in poultry further complicate the situation. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of hydrolysable (sweet chestnut extract) and condensed (quebracho extract) tannins on Escherichia coli (E. coli) isolates from poultry, exploring their potential as antibiotic alternatives in managing colibacillosis. E. coli was isolated from the internal organs of deceased poultry across 18 farms, including layers, broilers, and broiler breeders. Each isolate was assessed for the presence of APEC strain predictors (virulence genes iutA, hlyF, iss, iroN, and ompT), antimicrobial resistance to 14 antibiotics using the disc diffusion method, and the presence of resistance genes for specific antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin, tetracycline, and quinolones). Out of 43 isolates, 27 (62.8%) were classified as APEC, 30 (69.8%) showed resistance to three or more antibiotic classes, and 32 (74.4%) carried at least one AMR gene. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for the hydrolysable tannins from sweet chestnut extract (Castanea sativa Mill.) (SwCh) ranged from 0.5 to 3 mg/mL, while for the condensed tannins from quebracho extract (Schinopsis lorentzii) (Que), the MICs ranged from 1.5 to 4.5 mg/mL. The results indicate that both hydrolysable and condensed tannins possess significant in vitro antimicrobial activity against APEC, offering a potentially valuable alternative for controlling colibacillosis in the poultry industry.

Uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns among diabetic patients at st. john of god hospital, duayaw nkwanta, Ghana: a cross-sectional study.

Uropathogens are microorganisms that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). Owing to higher blood glucose levels and compromised immune functions, treatment of uropathogens in diabetic patients is a challenge. This study aims to assess the prevalence of uropathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility among diabetic patients at St. John of God Hospital at Duayaw Nkwanta (SJGHDN) in the Ahafo region of Ghana. The cross-sectional study recruited 175 diabetic patients at SJGHDN between August and September 2023. Questionnaires were used to collect patients' background information. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) was assessed by using a glucometer. Urine samples were examined for the presence of uropathogens. A sterile inoculating loop with a calibrated volume of 2 µl was used for plating. Each colony equals 500 CFU/mL. Significant uropathogen was determined by multiplying the counted colonies by 500 to obtain CFU/mL. Positive uropathogen was defined as CFU ≥ 105/mL. Significant uropathogen was defined as ≥200 colonies per sample. The disc diffusion method was used to determine antibiotic susceptibility. Out of the 175 patients, 19.4% expressed various uropathogens with Escherichia coli being the predominant. Suboptimal glucose level was the most significant risk factor (p = 0.038). Glucosuria (p = 0.036), hazy urine (p = 0.028), positive leukocyte esterase (p = 0.001), and pus cells in urine sediment (p = 0.020) were significant indicators of uropathogen occurrence. Klebsiella pneumonia and Proteus mirabilis were resistant to ≥4 antibiotics. Amikacin, nitrofurantoin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftriaxone demonstrated efficacy against the isolates. This study underscores the notable prevalence of uropathogens in diabetic patients and the alarming levels of antibiotic resistance observed. The results highlight the critical need for vigilant monitoring and customized treatment approaches, particularly for diabetic patients exhibiting risk factors such as elevated urine glucose levels, cloudy urine, and presence of leukocyte esterase and pus cells in urine sediment. The significant resistance to frequently used antibiotics like co-trimoxazole and tetracycline points to the necessity of routine susceptibility testing and the use of alternative antibiotics for effective treatment. These findings can assist healthcare providers in more effectively managing and preventing UTIs in diabetic populations.

Screening canine sources for novel antimicrobials reveals the circular broad-spectrum bacteriocin, caledonicin, produced by Staphylococcus caledonicus.

Antimicrobial-resistant pathogens present an ongoing threat to human and animal health, with deaths linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) predicted to increase annually. While the misuse and overuse of antibiotics in humans undoubtedly contribute to this escalation, antibiotic use in the veterinary field, including companion animals, also plays a contributing role. Pet owners' desire to improve the quality of life of their pets is likely to support antibiotic use in this field. Consequently, there is a need for antibiotic alternatives to treat bacterial infections. This study set out to screen for antimicrobial peptides known as bacteriocins from bacterial isolates of aerobic/microaerophilic environments of canine sources and determine their potential as antibiotic alternatives against clinically relevant pathogens. Following a laboratory-based protocol, 22 bacterial isolates were subjected to whole-genome sequencing (WGS), and a total of 14 putative novel bacteriocins were identified from both class I and II bacteriocin classes. One particular bacteriocin, herein named caledonicin, was identified via in silico analysis from a Staphylococcus caledonicus strain and partially purified for further in vitro evaluation. Caledonicin is a 64-amino acid (IAANLGVSSGTAYS MANALNNISNVATA LTIIGTFTGVGTIGSGIA ATILAILKKKGVAAAAAF) novel circular bacteriocin most closely related to enterocin_NKR-5-3B based on core peptide alignment (39.1%), with a molecular weight of 6077.1 Da. Caledonicin exhibits a broad-spectrum of activity against a range of pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP), and Listeria monocytogenes; and the gut-related bacterium associated with Crohn's disease, Mediterraneibacter gnavus ATCC 29149 (previously Ruminococcus gnavus ATCC 29149). This represents the first bacteriocin screening study involving bacteria from canine sources and confirms this is a rich environment for bacteriocin-producing strains. This study also identifies and characterises the first novel bacteriocin from the staphylococcal species, Staphylococcus caledonicus.

Fluoroquinolones in orthopaedic infection: balancing risks and rewards.

This article discusses the recent regulatory restrictions on the use of fluoroquinolones and their impact on treating orthopaedic infections. We focus on the balance between the benefits and risks of fluoroquinolones in scenarios involving severe infections where alternative antibiotics may be less effective. The discussion includes a summary of recent evidence on adverse effects and the implications for clinical practice.

Evaluation of indications and efficacy of doxycycline for surgical antibiotic prophylaxis.

Given medical advancements in global healthcare systems over the past decade, it may be reasonable to assume that the incidence of surgical site infections would have decreased; however, surveillance data indicate that these rates have held constant. Surgical prophylaxis guidelines from the United States and United Kingdom recommend cefazolin, vancomycin and clindamycin in most surgeries for no longer than 24 hours. As a result of medication shortages impacting the global supply chain, surgeons have needed to evaluate alternative perioperative antibiotics, such as doxycycline; however, research into using doxycycline for preventing surgical site infections is limited. The goal of this study is to retrospectively assess doxycycline's efficacy, safety and role in preventing surgical site infections.

Reassessing the management of uncomplicated urinary tract infection: A retrospective analysis using machine learning causal inference.

Uncomplicated urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common indication for outpatient antimicrobial therapy. National guidelines for the management of uncomplicated UTI were published by the Infectious Diseases Society of America in 2011, however it is not fully known the extent to which they align with current practices, patient diversity, and pathogen biology, all of which have evolved significantly in the time since their publication. We aimed to re-evaluate efficacy and adverse events for first-line antibiotics (nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole), versus second-line antibiotics (fluoroquinolones) and versus alternative agents (oral β-lactams) for uncomplicated UTI in contemporary clinical practice by applying machine learning algorithms to a large claims database formatted into the Observational Medical Outcomes Partnership (OMOP) common data model. Our primary outcome was a composite endpoint for treatment failure, defined as outpatient or inpatient re-visit within 30 days for UTI, pyelonephritis or sepsis. Secondary outcomes were the risk of 4 common antibiotic-associated adverse events: gastrointestinal symptoms, rash, kidney injury and C. difficile infection. We adjusted for covariate-dependent censoring and treatment indication using a broad set of domain-expert derived features. Sensitivity analyses were conducted using OMOP-learn, an automated feature engineering package for OMOP datasets. Our study included 57,585 episodes of UTI from 49,037 patients. First-line antibiotics were prescribed in 35,018 (61%) episodes, second-line antibiotics were prescribed in 21,140 (37%) episodes and alternative antibiotics were prescribed in 1,427 (2%) episodes. After adjustment, patients receiving first-line therapies had an absolute risk difference of -2.1% [95% CI -2.9% to -1.6%] for having a revisit for UTI within 30 days of diagnosis relative to second-line antibiotics. First-line therapies had an absolute risk difference of -6.6% [95% CI -9.4% to -3.8%] for 30-day revisit compared to alternative β-lactam antibiotics. Differences in adverse events were clinically similar between first and second line agents, but lower for first-line agents relative to alternative antibiotics (-3.5% [95% CI -5.9% to -1.2%]). Results were similar for models built with OMOPlearn. Our study provides support for the continued use of first-line antibiotics for the management of uncomplicated UTI. Our results also provide proof-of-principle that automated feature extraction methods for OMOP formatted data can emulate manually curated models, thereby promoting reproducibility and generalizability.

Antimicrobial Peptide Identified via Machine Learning Presents Both Potent Antibacterial Properties and Low Toxicity toward Human Cells.

Preventing infection is a critical clinical challenge; however, the extensive use of antibiotics has resulted in remarkably increased antibiotic resistance. A variety of antibiotic alternatives including antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been studied. Unfortunately, like most conventional antibiotics, most current AMPs have shown significantly high toxicity toward the host, and therefore induce compromised host responses that may lead to negative clinical outcomes such as delayed wound healing. In this study, one of the AMPs with a short length of nine amino acids was first identified via machine learning to present potentially low cytotoxicity, and then synthesized and validated in vitro against both bacteria and mammalian cells. It was found that this short AMP presented strong and fast-acting antimicrobial properties against bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, one of the most common bacteria clinically, and it targeted and depolarized bacterial membranes. This AMP also demonstrated significantly lower (e.g., 30%) toxicity toward mammalian cells like osteoblasts, which are important cells for new bone formation, compared to conventional antibiotics like gentamicin, vancomycin, rifampin, cefazolin, and fusidic acid at short treatment times (e.g., 2 h). In addition, this short AMP demonstrated relatively low toxicity, similar to osteoblasts, toward an epithelial cell line like BEAS-2B cells.

Do Prophylactic Postoperative Antibiotics Prevent Sacral Neuromodulation Infections?

There are no definitive guidelines for use of postoperative antibiotics after sacral neuromodulation (SNM) leading to practice pattern variation among health care professionals. The objectives of this study were to determine if additional antibiotics beyond preoperative intravenous antibiotics and surgical preparation decrease postoperative infections and to determine if additional antibiotics are associated with other postoperative complications. This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of all SNM procedures from 2014 to 2023 performed by 12 surgeons. Cohorts were stratified between patients who received preoperative antibiotics only (OnlyPreAbx) and patients who received both preoperative antibiotics and postoperative antibiotics (PrePostAbx) after either insertion of tined lead and/or after insertion of a neurostimulator. There were 212 patients included in this study: 70 (33.0%) in the OnlyPreAbx group and 142 (67.0%) in the PrePostAbx group. Of patients receiving postoperative antibiotics, 76 (53.5%) received cephalexin, 49 (34.5%) received sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and 17 (12.0%) received alternative antibiotics. Six patients overall (2.8%) experienced infections after SNM. There was no difference in the rates of infection between groups (4 [1.9%] PrePostAbx vs 2 [0.9%] OnlyPreAbx, P = 0.99). Of the 4 patients with postoperative infections in the PrePostAbx group, 2 had cellulitis requiring antibiotics and 2 required full explantation. Of the 2 patients with postoperative infections in the OnlyPreAbx group, both patients required explantation. In a subanalysis comparing infected and noninfected patients, infected patients (n = 6) had higher rates of hypertension (n = 6, 100%; P = 0.02) and diabetes mellitus (n = 3, 50%; P = 0.05). Additional postoperative antibiotics did not decrease infection rates in patients undergoing SNM. Similar comparative analyses should be performed with larger sample sizes.

A call to address penicillin allergy labels in patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplants: How to avoid rash decisions.

Among patients with hematopoietic stem cell transplants, infections, particularly multidrug-resistant infections, pose a grave threat. In this setting, penicillin allergy labels are both common and harmful. Though the majority of patients who report penicillin allergy can actually tolerate penicillin, penicillin allergy labels are associated with use of alternative antibiotics, which are often more broad spectrum, less effective, and more toxic. In turn, they are associated with more severe infections, multidrug-resistant infections, Clostridium difficile, and increased mortality. Evaluating penicillin allergy labels can immediately expand access to preferred therapeutic options, which are critical to care in patients with recent hematopoietic stem cell transplants. Point-of-care assessment and clinical decision tools now exist to aid the nonallergist in assessment of penicillin allergy. This can aid in expanding use of other beta-lactam antibiotics and assist in risk-stratifying patients to determine a testing strategy. In patients with low-risk reaction histories, direct oral challenges can be employed to efficiently delabel patients across clinical care settings. We advocate for multidisciplinary efforts to evaluate patients with penicillin allergy labels prior to transplantation.

Frequency of Bacteria Causing Urinary Tract Infection and Their Antibiotic Resistance Among Children

Background: Childhood urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most prevalent diseases. In recent years, the overuse of common antibiotics has increased antibiotic resistance among urinary tract pathogens worldwide, with changes in the pattern of microbial resistance varying by geographical area and time. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the pattern of microbial resistance of UTI pathogens in pediatric patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, children aged &lt; 13 years with UTI and positive urine cultures, who were admitted to Bahrami Hospital in Tehran, Iran, between 2015 and 2019, were evaluated. The pathogens' frequency, their antimicrobial resistance, and clinical and demographic information were extracted from the patients' files. Statistical relationships between clinical and demographic data and antibiotic resistance were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: The files of 202 patients were evaluated. The majority of patients were female (79.2%). UTI was more common among the 12 - 60 months age group (36.3%) in females and the 1 - 12 months age group (50%) in males. The most common UTI pathogen was Escherichia coli (85.1%). The lowest rates of microbial resistance were related to Meropenem (0% resistance), Gentamicin (9.2%), and Amikacin (10.8%). Conversely, the highest resistance rates were observed for Cotrimoxazole (74.6%), Ampicillin (74.5%), and Cephalothin (64.9%). Conclusions: UTI is more common in females aged 1 to 60 months. E. coli is the most common cause of UTI. Microbial resistance to antibiotics used for empirical treatment, such as ceftriaxone, is high and changes over time. It is recommended to use alternative antibiotics and avoid the inappropriate administration of antibiotics.

Bacteriocins sourced from traditional fermented foods for ensuring food safety: the microbial guards.

Concerns about food safety have consistently driven the exploration of potent antimicrobials with probiotic origins. Identification of probiotic-derived bacteriocins as robust alternatives to antibiotics has gained traction following the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, the global market is witnessing an increasing preference for minimally processed food products free from chemical additives. Another contributing factor to the search for potent antimicrobials is the escalating number of infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the need to mitigate the significant damage inflicted on the commensal human microbiota by broad-spectrum antibiotics. As an alternative bio-preservation strategy, there is substantial enthusiasm for the use of bacteriocins or starter cultures producing bacteriocins in preserving a variety of food items. This review specifically focuses on bacteriocins originating from lactic acid bacteria associated with fermented foods and explores their technological applications as nanobiotics. The food-grade antibiotic alternatives, whether utilized independently or in combination with other antimicrobials and administered directly or encapsulated, are anticipated to possess qualities of safety, stability and non-toxicity suitable for application in the food sector. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Mangosteen extract reduces the bacterial load of eggshell and improves egg quality

The increasing emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance accelerate the desire for antibiotic alternatives. Plant extracts have emerged as a promising and relatively unexplored area of research as potential substitutes. Herein, we investigated the prevalence and distribution patterns of bacteria on egg surfaces and evaluated the inhibitory effects of mangosteen extract on these surface bacteria. In addition, we examined the antioxidant activity and egg quality in improving the ability of mangosteen extract. The results showed that the predominant bacteria isolated from eggshells were Gram-positive, with Staphylococcus and Micrococcus as the dominant genera. Notably, mangosteen extract exhibited significant bactericidal activity, effectively inhibiting Gram-positive bacteria on the surface of chicken eggshells. Moreover, the supplementation of mangosteen extract in the feed of laying hens yielded a noteworthy improvement in egg quality, accompanied by positively shaped structure and function of microbial communities on the egg surface and in the feces. Collectively, our findings suggested that mangosteen extract was an effective alternative to traditional antibiotics, offering valuable insights for animal husbandry development.

High-throughput detection of potential bacteriocin producers in a large strain library using live fluorescent biosensors.

The global increase in antibiotic resistances demands for additional efforts to identify novel antimicrobials such as bacteriocins. These antimicrobial peptides of bacterial origin are already used widely in food preservation and promising alternatives for antibiotics in animal feed and some clinical setting. Identification of novel antimicrobials is facilitated by appropriate high throughput screening (HTS) methods. Previously, we have described a rapid, simple and cost-efficient assay based on live biosensor bacteria for detection of antimicrobial compounds that act on membrane integrity using the ratiometric pH-dependent fluorescent protein pHluorin2 (pHin2). Here, we use these biosensors to develop an integrated pipeline for high-throughput identification of bacteriocin producers and their biosynthetic gene clusters. We extend the existing portfolio of biosensors by generating pHin2 expressing strains of Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These strains were characterized, and control experiments were performed to assess heterogeneity of these biosensors in response to known bacteriocins and develop a robust HTS system. To allow detection of compounds that inhibit target bacteria by inhibiting growth without disturbing membrane integrity, the HTS system was extended with a growth-dependent readout. Using this HTS system, we screened supernatants of a total of 395 strains of a collection of lactic acid bacteria. After two rounds of screening 19 strains of the collection were identified that produced antimicrobial activity against Listeria innocua and Listeria monocytogenes. Genomes of confirmed hits were sequenced and annotated. In silico analysis revealed that the identified strains encode between one and six biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for bacteriocins. Our results suggest that pHin2 biosensors provides a flexible, cheap, fast, robust and easy to handle HTS system for identification of potential bacteriocins and their BGCs in large strain collections.