Appearance Of Antibiotic Resistance Research Articles

From The Germ Theory to Antimicrobials and Antibiotic Resistance

The recognition that microorganisms (germs) are the major cause of human disease, not surprisingly, eventually had a dramatic impact on medicine. Although there were some farsighted proponents of the germ theory during the late seventeen hundreds, until well into the mid-nineteenth century the theory that disease was caused by bad air (so-called Miasma) held sway. The recognition that microbes can cause disease led to major improvements in hygiene and eventually led to the introduction of antiseptic and then aseptic surgery. The development of penicillin and other antibiotics at last provided a means of controlling bacterial infection, allowing for the application complex medical procedures, such as open heart and transplant surgery. The appearance of antibiotic resistance is no threatening the so-called golden age of antibiotics and there is a desperate need to develop new antibiotics, or new approaches to disease control. This review aims to provide a broad account of the history of the germ theory, which highlights some common misconceptions about the work of some of the pioneers involved, and emphasises the neglected contribution of others.

Layer-by-layer microneedle patch with antibacterial and antioxidant dual activities for accelerating bacterial-infected wound healing

Bacterial-infected wound healing has always been a huge challenge to humans. Owing to the appearance of antibiotic resistance, there is an emergency need to design antibiotic-free wound dressings to treat such wounds. Herein, a novel antibiotic-free microneedle patch was designed, which its backing layer with antioxidant effect was coated with sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, 2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-L-ascorbic acid (GLAA), and 2-hydroxypropyltrimethyl ammonium chloride chitosan through electrostatic interaction based on layer-by-layer self-assembly technique, and its tips consisted of gelatin and tannic acid (TA) via hydrogen bonding interaction (CGH/GTA MN patch). The obtained CGH/GTA MN patch could effectively puncture the skin, and exhibit properties of pH-responsive TA and GLAA release. In vitro experiments showed that the obtained CGH/GTA MN patch has excellent antioxidative (scavenging DPPH efficacy is above 80 %, and scavenging ABTS efficiency reaches about 100 %), antibacterial (antibacterial rates of nearly 100 % for both Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli)), biodegradable, and biocompatible properties. In the S. aureus-infected rat wounds, the CGH/GTA MN patch could efficiently accelerate infected-wound healing by eliminating S. aureus infection, inhibiting inflammation, promoting angiogenesis, and accelerating epidermal regeneration. Thus, this study will provide a promising strategy to heal bacterial-infected wounds.

Antimicrobial Peptides Originating from Expression Libraries of Aurelia aurita and Mnemiopsis leidyi Prevent Biofilm Formation of Opportunistic Pathogens.

The demand for novel antimicrobial compounds is rapidly growing due to the rising appearance of antibiotic resistance in bacteria; accordingly, alternative approaches are urgently needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising, since they are a naturally occurring part of the innate immune system and display remarkable broad-spectrum activity and high selectivity against various microbes. Marine invertebrates are a primary resource of natural AMPs. Consequently, cDNA expression (EST) libraries from the Cnidarian moon jellyfish Aurelia aurita and the Ctenophore comb jelly Mnemiopsis leidyi were constructed in Escherichia coli. Cell-free size-fractionated cell extracts (<3 kDa) of the two libraries (each with 29,952 clones) were consecutively screened for peptides preventing the biofilm formation of opportunistic pathogens using the crystal violet assay. The 3 kDa fraction of ten individual clones demonstrated promising biofilm-preventing activities against Klebsiella oxytoca and Staphylococcus epidermidis. Sequencing the respective activity-conferring inserts allowed for the identification of small ORFs encoding peptides (10-22 aa), which were subsequently chemically synthesized to validate their inhibitory potential. Although the peptides are likely artificial products from a random translation of EST inserts, the biofilm-preventing effects against K. oxytoca, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, S. epidermidis, and S. aureus were verified for five synthetic peptides in a concentration-dependent manner, with peptide BiP_Aa_5 showing the strongest effects. The impact of BiP_Aa_2, BiP_Aa_5, and BiP_Aa_6 on the dynamic biofilm formation of K. oxytoca was further validated in microfluidic flow cells, demonstrating a significant reduction in biofilm thickness and volume by BiP_Aa_2 and BiP_Aa_5. Overall, the structural characteristics of the marine invertebrate-derived AMPs, their physicochemical properties, and their promising antibiofilm effects highlight them as attractive candidates for discovering new antimicrobials.

Antimicrobial susceptibility of Rhodococcus equi strains isolated from foals in Chile

Rhodococcus equi is responsible for foal pneumonia worldwide, with a significant economic impact on the production and breeding of horses. In Chile, the first case was reported in 2000, and since then, its incidence has been increasing. Distinctive characteristics of R. equi as an intracellular pathogen in macrophages, emergence of virulence plasmids encoding surface lipoprotein antigens, and appearance of antibiotic resistance against macrolides and rifampicin have significantly complicated the treatment of R. equi pneumonia in foals. Therefore, in vitro susceptibility studies of first-line and newer antibiotics against R. equi are the first step to establishing effective treatments and optimizing new therapeutic options. The aim of the present study is to determine the susceptibility profile of fourteen strains of R. equi isolated from foals in Chile to several antibiotics of the macrolide group including azithromycin, amikacin, tildipirosin and gamithromycin as well as others such as rifampicin, doxycycline and ceftiofur. Identification of R. equi in collected isolates from foals in Chile has been performed by CAMP test and PCR based on detecting of the gene encoding the 16 S rRNA. The presence of genes encoding virulence plasmids was also determined using PCR. Results obtained have demonstrated presence of virulent R. equi strains in Chile. In vitro susceptibility pattern to different antibiotics has shown better results for doxycycline and rifampicin similar to previous studies performed. Current macrolides have been evaluated in order to consider alternative treatment options in a context of emerging resistance to classic macrolides and rifampicin, obtaining better results with gamithromycin (MIC range of 0.125 to 128 mg/ml) than with tildipirosin (MIC range of 16 to 128 mg/ml). An adequate diagnosis of bacterial susceptibility based on antibiograms is necessary to treat the Rhodococcus equi infection in foals.

Analysis of the use of antibiotics in modern laying hen farms in the Dakar region and surrounding area

have shown sometimes worrying prevalences. This prompted us to carry out this study, which aims to assess antibiotic use practices in laying hen farms where the withdrawal period is often not respected. Surveys were carried out in 70 farms, 59 of which were in the Dakar region and 11 in the Thiès region. A cross-sectional survey made it possible to determine the typology of farms according to the level of hygiene and it appeared that 50% of the farms had a good level of hygiene (class 3), 24.29% an acceptable level of hygiene (class 2) and 25.71% a poor level of hygiene (class 1). The surveys also showed that supervised farms had a better level of hygiene than unsupervised farms. This level of hygiene was closely related to the occurrence of diseases and the use of antimicrobials. Among the antibiotics, Quinolones are the most used (51%), followed by the Tetracycline family (16%) in the treatment of laying hens where self-medication is practiced in 50% and the dosage was strictly respected in only 27% of the farms. A follow-up of 15 of the 70 farms surveyed was carried out to check whether the behaviour of the farmers observed during the survey persisted. This follow-up showed results similar to those obtained during the cross-sectional survey. None of the farms respected the withdrawal periods for antibiotics used during production. These results show: failures of antibiotic therapy, the risk of the appearance of antibiotic resistance, as well as the risk of antibiotic residues in eggs. We recommend the implementation of antibiotic residue monitoring in poultry farming and the sensitisation of poultry farmers to the risk of antibiotic residues in consumed eggs.

Promising Photocytotoxicity of Water-Soluble Phtalocyanine against Planktonic and Biofilm Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Lower Respiratory Tract and Chronic Wounds

Alternative methods of killing microbes have been extensively researched in connection with the widespread appearance of antibiotic resistance among pathogenic bacteria. In this study, we report on in vitro antimicrobial phototoxicity research of cationic phthalocyanine with 2-(4-N-methylmorpholin-4-ium-4-yl)ethoxy substituents against selected clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from the lower respiratory tract and chronic wounds. The microorganisms tested in the research were analyzed in terms of drug resistance and biofilm formation. The photocytotoxic effect of phthalocyanine was determined by the reduction factor of bacteria. The studied cationic phthalocyanine at a concentration of 1.0 × 10−4 M, when activated by light, revealed a significant reduction factor, ranging from nearly 4 to 6 log, of P. aeruginosa cells when compared to the untreated control group. After single irradiation, a decrease in the number of bacteria in biofilm ranging from 1.3 to 4.2 log was observed, whereas the second treatment significantly improved the bacterial reduction factor from 3.4 to 5.5 log. It is worth mentioning that a boosted cell-death response was observed after the third irradiation, with a bacterial reduction factor ranging from 4.6 to 6.4 log. According to the obtained results, the tested photosensitizer can be considered as a potential antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa.

Green Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles using Crude Extract of Crotalaria burhia

Background: Appearance of antibiotic resistance has raised the demand to find alternative therapies and modified drug delivery system of medicinal plants to treat bacterial infections.&#x0D; Objective: The aim of this study is the green synthesis and characterization of silver nanoparticles by using crude extract of Crotalaria burhia and to evaluate their antibacterial potential.&#x0D; Methods: The roots and stems of plant were used to prepare the crude extract. The phytochemical analysis of different compounds in extract was performed. 1mM AgNO3 and different concentrations of plant extract were used for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The particles size and zeta potential were measured by zeta sizer while surface morphology of silver nanoparticles was observed with Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The antibacterial activity of silver nanoparticles was performed by 96 well microdilution plate method.&#x0D; Results: The particle size and zeta potential of optimized formulation was 92 nm and -24.8 mV. The SEM analysis showed that silver nanoparticles are irregular and spherical shape. The antibacterial activity showed that MIC value of silver nanoparticles was lower for E. coli than S. aureus.&#x0D; Conclusion: Silver nanoparticles possess potent bactericidal activity against E. coli and moderate activity against S. aureus. It had been concluded that these nanoparticles can be used against multi-drug resistant bacterial infections.

Triazolylthioacetamides Confer Inhibitory Efficacy against Metallo-β- Lactamase IMP-1

Background: : The appearance of antibiotic resistance caused by metallo-β-lactamases (MβLs) is a global public health threat. Developing MβLs inhibitor is an effective way to overcome antibiotic resistance. Recently, azolylthioacetamides were reported to be promising MβLs inhibitors. Methods:: Triazolylthioacetamides were synthesized and tested for inhibition activity against the purified MβL IMP-1. Antimicrobial activities of these inhibitors in combination with cefazolin were evaluated. Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC) was employed to characterize the binding of the inhibitor to IMP-1, and their action mechanism was studied by molecular docking. Results: Twenty compounds exhibited specific inhibitory activity against IMP-1 with an IC50 value in the range of 3.1-62.5 μM. Eight of the compounds can restore the antibacterial efficacy of cefazolin against E. coli BL21 strain producing IMP-1 by 2-4 fold. ITC monitoring showed that 1c exhibited dose-dependent inhibition on IMP-1. Docking studies revealed that the triazole group in 1c and 2d played an essential role in the inhibition activity. Cytotoxicity assay showed that 1c and 2d have low toxicity in L929 mouse fibroblastic cells. Conclusion: : The triazolylthioacetamides are efficient inhibitors of IMP-1 in vitro and in vivo.

Synthesis and characterization of cotton-silver-graphene quantum dots (cotton/Ag/GQDs) nanocomposite as a new antibacterial nanopad

Appearance of antibiotic resistance in bacteria is a convoluted topic, particularly in treating pestiferous immunodeficiency correlated diseases. The main objective of the current research is to fabricate antibacterial pads by utilizing of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) as a linker, stabilizing, and reduction agent of in situ synthesized Ag nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on cotton pad. Five different antibacterial pads including cotton/Ag pad, cotton/GQDs/Ag pad, cotton/Ag/GQDs pad, cotton/GQDs/Ag/GQDs pad, and cotton/Ag/GQDs/Ag were fabricated and their antibacterial activities were compared to those of as-synthesized Ag/GQDs nanocomposites. The results indicate that cotton/GQDs/Ag pad shows a very promising minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) of 0.09 and 0.01 against S. aureus and E. coli, respectively. Using GQDs as a linker (cotton/GQDs/Ag) and as a stabilizing agent (cotton/Ag/GQDs) significantly improves the antibacterial activity of Ag NPs.

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of Enzymes Responsible of Polymyxin Resistance in Gram-Negative Bacteria

Though humans have evolved defense mechanisms that are activated upon bacterial infections, bacteria can evade these defenses in multiple ways which still are not thoroughly understood. As a consequence, devastating diseases from typhoid fever and dysentery to nosocomial infections, are increasingly harder to treat and remain among the leading causes of death in the world. Their reemergence is linked with the appearance of antibiotic resistance: an alarming issue due to the lack of therapeutic options with long term efficiency to circumvent them. For example, polymyxin antibiotics conform a last-line strategy with strong bactericidal activity against Gram-Negative bacteria. This action is linked to their ability to bind to phosphate groups found in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS), followed by a permeabilization of the membrane and therefore, causing bacterial death. However, bacteria can resist their activity through modifications in the Lipid A, one of the three components of LPS, where the positively charged polymyxins initially interact. In Salmonella enterica, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, such modifications involve the addition of an amino sugar (Ara4N) to the phosphate groups in Lipid A, impairing the crucial electrostatic interaction with polymyxins, which results in high levels of resistance of up to 512 mg/L. The biosynthesis and addition of Ara4N requires the coordinated action of multiple enzymes to synthesize the amino pentose from glucose and transfer it to Lipid A. These enzymes are essential for the modification process and several intermediate substrates are not present in human cells, conferring a notorious opportunity in the development of selective inhibitors. In this project we biochemically and structurally characterize the enzymes responsible for Ara4N-Lipid A biosynthesis and polymyxin resistance as a platform for development of selective inhibitors of resistance.

Zn/Fe LDH as a clay-like adsorbent for the removal of oxytetracycline from water: combining experimental results and molecular simulations to understand the removal mechanism.

Pharmaceuticals are detected at trace levels in water. Their adverse effects on human health and aquatic ecosystems required novel pharmaceutical remediation methods for treating wastewater effluents. Layer double hydroxide (LDH) is abundantly available by simple preparation methods and with low costs. The extensive use of antibiotics nowadays leads to increasing the appearance of antibiotic resistance between bacteria and decreasing the effectiveness of antibiotics. In this work, the removal of one of these antibiotics named "oxytetracycline hydrochloride (OTC)" by Zn/Fe LDH was investigated. The Zn/Fe LDH before and after adsorption was characterized by X-ray diffraction, FT-IR analysis, zeta potential, particle size, BET surface area, HRTEM, FESEM, and XPS. The effects of different factors on the OTC adsorption performance were investigated. The removal percentage of OTC was 77.23% by Zn/Fe LDH. The isothermal and kinetic study of OTC adsorption was carried out at pH6 at 25°C using different models. The adsorption mechanism was investigated by Monte Carlo and molecular dynamic simulations.

Sol-gel derived boehmite nanostructures is a versatile nanoplatform for biomedical applications

Alumina is one of the most promising carriers for drug delivery due to the long history of its usage as a vaccine adjuvant. Sol-gel synthesis provides excellent conditions for entrapment of biomolecules within an inorganic cage providing stabilization of proteins under the extremal conditions. In this paper, we show in vitro investigation of monodisperse alumina xerogel nanocontainers (AXNCs) using bovine serum albumin as a model protein entrapped in sol-gel alumina building blocks. Particularly, dose and cell-type dependent cytotoxicity in HeLa and A549 cancer cell lines were employed as well as investigation of antibacterial effect and stability of AXNCs in different biological media. It was shown, that the release of entrapped protein could be provided only in low pH buffer (as in cancer cell cytoplasm). This property could be applied for anticancer drug development. We also discovered boehmite nanoparticles effect on horizontal gene transfer and observed the appearance of antibiotic resistance by means of exchanging of the corresponding plasmid between two different E. coli strains. The present work may help to understand better the influence of AXNCs on various biological systems, such as prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and the activity of AXNCs in different biological media.

Biological activities, and phytocompounds of northwest Algeria Ajuga iva (L) extracts: Partial identification of the antibacterial fraction

The use of synthetic food additive and the appearance of antibiotic resistance are at the basis of important human health problems. The substitution of synthetic compounds with new natural substances extracted from plants or microorganisms is therefore the ideal solution to this scourge. The objective of this work was to evaluate the phyto-constituents (polyphenols, flavonoids and condensed tannins), and to test the biological activities (antioxidant, antibacterial and antiviral) of the Ajuga iva (L) aerial part extracts. The antioxidant activity assayed by DPPH method showed an IC50 of 0.43 ± 0.03 mg/mL. Antibacterial activity of aqueous and hydro methalonic extracts was tested against seven pathogenic bacteria (Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRS), Listeria monocytogenes, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis) using the diffusion method. A Thin Layer Chromatography-bioautotography-guided was performed, and the isolated antibacterial fraction was identified by CG-MS analysis. Antiviral effect of methanolic extract performed on 4 viruses: Coxsackie Virus type B-3 (CVB-3), Adenovirus type 5 (ADV-5), Respiratory Syncytial Virus type B (RSV-B) and Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 (HSV-2) showed an activity against Coxsackie Virus. As a result of this study, the aerial parts of Ajuga iva (L) extract could be used in the food, cosmetic, medical and health sectors.

English

Since their discovery in 1928 antibiotics have transformed medicine and saved millions of lives; however, the current global appearance of antibiotic resistance and absence of new antibiotics commercialization to the health sector return to the post-antibiotic era. Today, scientists are working to revive a century old technique of using bacteriophage as an option to currently available antibiotics in management of bacterial pathogens (resistant or otherwise), and for other practical applications. Bacteriophages, specialist viral predator of bacteria, are considered to be among the most plentiful and diversified organisms in this world and were co-discovered in the early 1900s by Twort in 1915 and d&rsquo;Herelle in 1917. Since then, phages were investigated by d&rsquo;Herelle and others for their promising therapeutic role against medically important bacterial infections, and were commercially developed in the 1930s. However, the golden age of antibiotics, together with the scientific controversy regarding their use, the interest in phage therapy rapidly declined. As a mark of the transformed attention, the field of phage research, using intact phage and phage products, has broadened to focus on several different areas: and have been successfully applied in agriculture and food industry to control bacteria pathogens; for the detection of bacterial pathogens, as deliverance carriers for DNA and protein vaccines; and as agents for selection to libraries of proteins, antibodies (phage display). Despite these remarkable achievements, it is important to remember that phages are not infallible, and that there are real concerns that need to be addressed, like narrow host range, bacterial phage resistance, phage clearance in bodily fluids, side effects of bacterial lysis and virulence genes transfer. Up to date progress in biotechnology and synthetic biology can help conquer these methodological obstacles, and provide a more versatile approach for the current antibiotics resistance crisis. Key words: Bacteriophages, biotechnological application, antibiotics resistance, phage products. &nbsp

Antibiotics resistance in El Tor Vibrio cholerae 01 isolated during cholera outbreaks in Mozambique from 2012 to 2015.

RationaleMozambique has recorded cyclically epidemic outbreaks of cholera. Antibiotic therapy is recommended in specific situations for management and control of cholera outbreaks. However, an increase in resistance rates to antibiotics by Vibrio cholerae has been reported in several epidemic outbreaks worldwide. On the other hand, there are few recent records of continuous surveillance of antibiotics susceptibility pattern of V. cholerae in Mozambique.GoalsThe purpose of this study was to evaluate antibiotics resistance pattern of Vibrio cholerae O1 Ogawa isolated during Cholera outbreaks in Mozambique to commonly used antibiotics.MethodologyWe analyzed data from samples received in the context of surveillance and response to Cholera outbreaks in the National Reference Laboratory of Microbiology from the National Institute of Health of Mozambique, 159 samples suspected of cholera from cholera treatment centers of, Metangula (09), Memba (01), Tete City (08), Moatize (01), Morrumbala (01) districts, City of Quelimane (01), Lichinga (06) and Nampula (86) districts, from 2012 to 2015. Laboratory culture and standard biochemical tests were employed to isolate and identify Vibrio cholerae; serotypes were determined by antisera agglutination reaction in blade. Biotype and presence of important virulence factors analysis was done by PCR. Antibiotics susceptibility pattern was detected by disk diffusion method Kirby Bauer. Antibiotic susceptibility and results were interpreted by following as per recommendations of CLSI (Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute) 2014. All samples were collected and tested in the context of Africhol Project, approved by the National Bioethics Committee for Health.ResultsAmong isolates from of Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor Ogawa resistance to Sulphamethoxazole-trimethropim was 100% (53/53) to Trimethoprim-, being 100% (54/54) for Ampicillin, 99% (72/74) for Nalidixic Acid, 97% (64/66) to Chloramphenicol, 95% (42/44) for Nitrofurantoin and (19/20) Cotrimoxazole, 83% (80/97) Tetracycline, 56% (5/13) Doxycycline, 56% (39/70) Azithromycin and 0% (0/101) for Ciprofloxacin. PCR analysis suggested strains of V. cholerae O1 being descendants of the current seventh pandemic V. cholerae O1 CIRS 101 hybrid variant. The V. cholerae O1 currently causing cholera epidemics in north and central Mozambique confirmed a CTXΦ genotype and a molecular arrangement similar to the V. cholerae O1 CIRS 101.ConclusionAlthough V. cholerae infections in Mozambique are generally not treated with antibiotics circulating strains of the bacteria showed high frequency of in vitro resistance to available antibiotics. Continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance pattern of epidemic strains is therefore crucial since the appearance of antibiotic resistance can influence cholera control strategies.

Functional characterization of Helicobacter pylori 26695 sedoheptulose 7-phosphate isomerase encoded by hp0857 and its association with lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis and adhesion

Helicobacter pylori is a notorious human pathogen and the appearance of antibiotic resistance of this bacterium has posed a serious threat to human health. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is a key virulence factor and plays important roles in pathogenesis of H. pylori infection. Sedoheptulose 7-phosphate isomerase (GmhA), as an enzyme participating in the first step of heptose biosynthesis, is indispensable for the formation of inner core oligosaccharide of LPS. In this study, we cloned one putative gmhA ortholog, hp0857, from H. pylori 26695 and overexpressed it in Eschericha coli. Based on the results of molecular weight determination, the recombinant HP0857 is likely a homodimer. Analysis of enzymatic kinetic properties of this protein confirmed that hp0857 is indeed encoded a phosphoheptose isomerase which can utilize sedoheptulose 7-phosphate as the substrate in the ADP-L-glycero-D-manno-heptose (ADP- L,D-Hep) biosynthesis pathway. We also generated an HP0857 knockout mutant and explored its phenotypic changes. This mutant exhibited a decreased growth rate and displayed a “deep rough” type of LPS structure. In addition, it also had a slight decrease in its motility and was more susceptible to hydrophobic antibiotic novobiocin and detergents Triton X-100 and SDS. Furthermore, the adhesive capacity of the HP0857 knockout mutant to AGS cells was reduced significantly, and most of the infected cells didn’t show a classic hummingbird phenotype. However, complementation of the HP0857 knockout mutation restored most of these phenotypic changes. In conclusion, we demonstrated that HP0857 protein is essential for inner core biosynthesis of H. pylori LPS and is a potential target for developing new antimicrobial agents against H. pylori infection.

Lysozyme as a cotreatment during antibiotics use against vaginal infections: An in vitro study on Gardnerella vaginalis biofilm models.

Bacterial vaginoses are frequent in women, most of them involving Gardnerella vaginalis. In more than 50% of the cases, usual antibiotic treatments are not capable of eliminating completely the infection, leading to recurrent vaginosis. In addition to the appearance of antibiotic resistance, recurrence can be due to the development of a biofilm by G. vaginalis. In vitro experiments on G. vaginalis biofilms showed that the biofilm protected bacteria from the antibiotic clindamycin. Also, recombinant human lysozyme (rhLys) was able to both degrade biofilms and prevent their formation. This degradation effect persisted whenever other vaginal commensal or pathogenic microorganisms were added to the culture and on each tested clinical biofilm-producing strain of G. vaginalis. The co-administration of rhLys and clindamycin or metronidazole improved both antibiotics' efficiency and lysozyme-driven biofilm degradation. The comparison of both clindamycin and metronidazole antibacterial spectra showed that metronidazole was preferable to treat vaginosis. This suggests that human lysozyme could be added as an anti-biofilm cotreatment to vaginal antibiotherapy, preferably metronidazole, against Gardnerella vaginalis infection in vivo. [Int Microbiol 19(2): 101-107 (2016)].

An Introduction to the Avian Gut Microbiota and the Effects of Yeast-Based Prebiotic-Type Compounds as Potential Feed Additives.

The poultry industry has been searching for a replacement for antibiotic growth promoters in poultry feed as public concerns over the use of antibiotics and the appearance of antibiotic resistance has become more intense. An ideal replacement would be feed amendments that could eliminate pathogens and disease while retaining economic value via improvements on body weight and feed conversion ratios. Establishing a healthy gut microbiota can have a positive impact on growth and development of both body weight and the immune system of poultry while reducing pathogen invasion and disease. The addition of prebiotics to poultry feed represents one such recognized way to establish a healthy gut microbiota. Prebiotics are feed additives, mainly in the form of specific types of carbohydrates that are indigestible to the host while serving as substrates to select beneficial bacteria and altering the gut microbiota. Beneficial bacteria in the ceca easily ferment commonly studied prebiotics, producing short-chain fatty acids, while pathogenic bacteria and the host are unable to digest their molecular bonds. Prebiotic-like substances are less commonly studied, but show promise in their effects on the prevention of pathogen colonization, improvements on the immune system, and host growth. Inclusion of yeast and yeast derivatives as probiotic and prebiotic-like substances, respectively, in animal feed has demonstrated positive associations with growth performance and modification of gut morphology. This review will aim to link together how such prebiotics and prebiotic-like substances function to influence the native and beneficial microorganisms that result in a diverse and well-developed gut microbiota.

Can Clays in Livestock Feed Promote Antibiotic Resistance and Virulence in Pathogenic Bacteria?

The use of antibiotics in animal husbandry has long been associated with the appearance of antibiotic resistance and virulence factor determinants. Nonetheless, the number of cases of human infection involving resistant or virulent microorganisms that originate in farms is increasing. While many antibiotics have been banned as dietary supplements in some countries, other additives thought to be innocuous in terms of the development and spread of antibiotic resistance are used as growth promoters. In fact, several clay materials are routinely added to animal feed with the aim of improving growth and animal product quality. However, recent findings suggest that sepiolite, a clay additive, mediates the direct transfer of plasmids between different bacterial species. We therefore hypothesize that clays present in animal feed facilitate the horizontal transfer of resistance determinants in the digestive tract of farm animals.

The Antimicrobial Therapy of the Future: Combating Resistances

The appearance of antibiotic resistance is an increasing problem in our society, where the adaptation of microorganisms to conventional therapies has been favored due to their incorrect use. This has driven the scientific community to develop new therapeutic alternatives hoping to obtain treatments that are more effective against increasingly resistant bacteria. The purpose of this study is to review the existent knowledge on the therapeutic alternatives that are being developed to treat cases of infection with antibiotic resistant bacteria. To do so, scientific publications were consulted on the MEDLINE database using different search terms. The bibliography consulted indicates that a great variety of therapeutic alternatives are currently being developed among which the most relevant are probiotics, synthetic peptides, bacteriophages and nanoparticles. Some of these measures, such as probiotics, are already being introduced in some hospitals with positive results. Others, such as synthetic peptides, bacteriophages or nanoparticles are still in the early stages of development and clinical trials. Moreover, there is a clear tendency to go back to the more classical medicine turning to plant extracts and essential oils whose active ingredients have been proven to have therapeutic activity. This shift towards less conventional therapies is marking the beginning of a post-antibacterial era in which antibiotics will most probably be replaced for probiotics, bacteriophages, synthetic peptides or even inorganic nanoparticles.