Prevalence Of Bacterial Infections Research Articles

Etiology of bloodstream infections among pediatric patients in Bauchi metropolis, north-east Nigeria

Background: The prevalence of bacterial infections in children is increasing by the day, this gives a cause for concern regarding the high rate of bloodstream infection (BSI) and associated mortality in developing countries. Physical signs and symptoms may be useful but have limited specificity which would be addressed with bacteriologic blood culture. This study was aimed at determining the etiologic agents of bacteremia and the prevalence in pediatric patients aged 0-5years. Methods: Two hundred and sixty- two (262) blood samples were analyzed from children aged 0-5years, attending hospitals within Bauchi metropolis with features suggestive of septicemia. Samples were collected under aseptic conditions and automated blood culture was done on BacT/ALERT 3D Biomerieux, Germany. Positive blood culture was sub-cultured on blood agar and MacConkey agar and identified on Vitek2 (bioMѐrieux, France) automated system after gram staining. Changes in pathogen distribution according to age and gender were determined by the chi-square test and statistical significance confirmed if a two-tailed p-value was not more than 0.01. Results: Bacteria was isolated in 119 (45.4) of samples with highest rate among neonates 54(45.3). Staphylococcus aureus 21 (17.6) was the most predominant organism isolated across all age groups with a higher occurrence in patients<1year old. A chi-square test of independence for culture positivity and age/gender at p<.01 was not significant Conclusion: In this study both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria are implicated in pediatric bloodstream infections. Staphylococcus aureus was the most predominant organism followed by members of the Enterobacterales (Enterobacter spp, Klebsiella spp and Escherichia coli).

Comparing amoxicillin and trimethoprim: Overall performance in combating Escherichia coli-causing urinary tract infection

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections in the world, and 80% of reported UTI cases are derived by gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli is strongly adaptive and resilient against immune response, forming Intracellular Bacterial Communities (IBC) inside uroepithelium cells that constitute the urethra and the bladder. Their rapid absorption of cellular nutrients enables them to advance upward toward the kidney and cause inflammation. Hence, based on the perceived severity of UTI, multiple antibiotics are used to treat UPEC-causing UTI. This article provides a detailed review on the contemporary performance of amoxicillin and trimethoprim, both widely used to treat UPEC-causing UTI for decades. Amoxicillin is a penicillin-derivative that produces bactericidal by inhibiting transpeptidase to disrupt peptidoglycan synthesis, causing rapid-growing bacteria to lyse. It is a well-tolerated drug that can be used on pregnant patients. Resistant UPEC develop beta-lactamase to counter amoxicillin. Trimethoprim, on the other hand, is a dihydropyrimidine antibiotic that impedes the production of tetrahydrofolic acids, producing either bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects. Resistant UPEC transforms the shape of tetrahydrofolic acids-producing enzyme, dihydrofolic reductase, to resist trimethoprim. Although amoxicillin and trimethoprim are competitive inhibitors are effective against a variety of gram-positive and gram-negative species, trimethoprim, in statistical study, is proven to be more effective than amoxicillin in treating gram-negative UTI. Today, the wide-spread resistant strains of UPEC exists for both drugs. Thus, amoxicillin and trimethoprim are implemented mainly through combination therapies, amoxicillin/clavulanate and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole, respectively. These combinations are more effective than the drugs to be used alone and are able to counter some resistant strains, but UPEC that are resistant to combinations also exists. Regardless, both amoxicillin and trimethoprim are still used as first-line antibiotics, while more powerful antibiotics are reserved for special multi-resistant superbugs.

Discovery and characterisation of new phage targeting uropathogenic Escherichia coli

Antimicrobial resistance is an escalating threat with few new therapeutic options in the pipeline. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections globally and are prone to becoming recurrent and antibiotic resistant. We discovered and characterized six novel Autographiviridae and Guernseyvirinae bacterial viruses (phage) against uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC), a leading cause of UTIs. The phage genomes were between 39,471 bp - 45,233 bp, with 45.0%–51.0% GC%, and 57–84 predicted coding sequences per genome. We show that tail fiber domain structure, predicted host capsule type, and host antiphage repertoire correlate with phage host range. In vitro characterisation of phage cocktails showed synergistic improvement against a mixed UPEC strain population and when sequentially dosed. Together, these phage are a new set extending available treatments for UTI from UPEC, and phage vM_EcoM_SHAK9454 represents a promising candidate for further improvement through engineering.

The Evolving Challenge of Appropriate Antibiotics Use in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients: A Systematic Literature Review.

The issue of bacterial infections in COVID-19 patients has received increasing attention. Scant data are available on the impact of bacterial superinfection and antibiotic administration on the outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We conducted a literature review from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2024 to assess the current burden of bacterial infection and the evidence for antibiotic use in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Published articles providing data on antibiotic use in COVID-19 patients were identified through computerized literature searches with the search terms [(antibiotic) AND (COVID-19)] or [(antibiotic treatment) AND (COVID-19)]. PubMed and SCOPUS databases were searched from 1 January 2022 to 31 March 2024. No attempt was made to obtain information about unpublished studies. English language restriction was applied. The quality of the included studies was evaluated by the tool recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Both quantitative and qualitative information were summarized by means of textual descriptions. Five hundred fifty-one studies were identified, and twenty-nine studies were included in this systematic review. Of the 29 included studies, 18 studies were on the prevalence of bacterial infection and antibiotic use in hospitalized COVID-19 patients; 4 studies reported on the efficacy of early antibiotic use in COVID-19; 4 studies were on the use of sepsis biomarkers to improve antibiotic use; 3 studies were on the efficacy of antimicrobial stewardship programs and predictive models among COVID-19-hospitalized patients. The quality of included studies was high in 35% and medium in 62%. High rates of hospital-acquired infections were reported among COVID-19 patients, ranging between 7.5 and 37.7%. A high antibiotic resistance rate was reported among COVID-19 patients developing hospital-acquired infections, with a high in-hospital mortality rate. The studies evaluating multi-faceted antimicrobial stewardship interventions reported efficacy in decreasing antibiotic consumption and lower in-hospital mortality.

Preparation of Bacterial Ghosts from Campylobacter jejuni Strain PP3894181

In the industrialized world, campylobacter jejuni is a prevalent foodborne bacterial infection. And is zoontic disease and causing gastroenteritis and others disease in the study using this bacteria as vaccine by preparing of bacterial ghost from C. jejuni This is the aim of the study for vaccine was prepared by determining the MIC, MGC of the bacteria that were grown on N.B medium after that a group of chemicals compound SDS, NaOH, CaCO3 and H2O2 were added at specific concentration and according to the Sponglike Protocol and using Plackett-Burman Experiment design and conducting a viability test for the bacteria, the concentration of MIC and MGC were determined.

Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections at a Tertiary Care Center: Microbial Diversity and Antibiotic Resistance Patterns

Abstract Introduction: Urinary tract infection (UTI) remains a prevalent bacterial infection among the pediatric age group, ranking as the third-most common bacterial infection in children in developing countries, following gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections. It continues to pose a significant health challenge. Materials and Methods: The urine samples underwent gross examination, wet mount, and Gram stain. Semiquantitative cultures were conducted on conventional media (MacConkey agar, blood agar, and CLED agar) and UTI chromogenic media. Uropathogen identification employed standard microbiological techniques. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined using the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method, with interpretation based on CLSI guidelines. Plates were incubated overnight, and clear zone diameters around antibiotic discs were measured for sensitivity or resistance determination. Results: The study comprised 64.75% male children and 35.25% female children. Analyzing the age distribution, the majority of participants fell within the age range of 1–5 years (35%), followed by those <1 year (33.75%), and the age group of 5–12 years, accounting for 31.25% of the total 400 participants. The findings from our investigation revealed a UTI prevalence of 17.25%, with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella emerging as the predominant uropathogens. Notably, these pathogens exhibited a significant susceptibility to carbapenems, nitrofurantoin, and amikacin. Conclusion: Our study identified a male predominance and various age distributions among UTI patients. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns revealed E. coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae’s high sensitivity to key antibiotics, whereas Enterococcus spp. exhibited significant high-level aminoglycoside resistance. This study underscores the importance of tailored antibiotic strategies based on local resistance profiles to combat UTIs effectively.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus PL1 and Lactobacillus plantarum PM1 versus Placebo as Prophylaxis for Recurrence of Urinary Tract Infections in Children.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) rank among the most prevalent bacterial infections in children. Probiotics appear to reduce the risk of recurrence of UTIs. This study aimed to evaluate whether probiotics containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus PL1 and Lactobacillus plantarum PM1 therapy prevent UTIs in the pediatric population compared to a placebo. A superiority, double-blind, randomized, controlled trial was conducted. In total, 54 children aged 3-18 years with recurrent UTIs or ≥one acute pyelonephritis and ≥one risk factor of recurrence of UTIs were randomly assigned (27 patients in each arm) to a 90-day probiotic or placebo arm. The age, sex, diagnosis, renal function, risk factors, and etiology of UTIs did not vary between the groups. During the intervention, 26% of children taking the probiotic had episodes of UTI, and it was not significantly less than in the placebo group. The number of UTI episodes during the intervention and the follow-up period decreased significantly in both groups, but the difference between them was insignificant. We observed a decrease in UTIs during the study of almost 50% in the probiotic group compared to the placebo group. Probiotics can be used as natural, safe prophylaxis for children with risk factors for UTIs in whom antibiotic prevention is not indicated.

Antibiotic prescribing and bacterial infection in COVID-19 inpatients in Southeast Asia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The prescribing of antibiotics to treat COVID-19 patients has been observed to occur frequently, often without clear justification. This trend raises concerns that it may have exacerbated antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Despite longstanding concerns over AMR in Southeast Asian countries, data on this issue are notably lacking. To explore the impact of COVID-19 on antibiotic prescribing, bacterial infection prevalence and common resistant pathogens in COVID-19 inpatients. We searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and ThaiJO (a Thai academic database) to identify studies conducted in ASEAN member countries and published between December 2019 and March 2023. Screening and data extraction were done by two independent reviewers, with results synthesized using random-effects meta-analyses and descriptive statistical analyses. This review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42023454337). Of the 29 studies (19 750 confirmed COVID-19 cases) included for final analysis, the antibiotic prescribing rate was 62.0% (95%CI: 46.0%-76.0%) with a prescribing rate of 58.0% (21.0%-91.0%) in mild/moderate cases versus 91.0% (82.0%-98.0%) in severe/critical cases. Notably, 80.5% of antibiotics prescribed fall under the WHO AWaRe 'Watch' list, followed by 'Access' at 18.4% and 'Reserve' at 1.0%. The reported bacterial infection prevalence was 16.0% (7.0%-29.0%), with Acinetobacter baumannii being the most common resistant bacterium at 7.7%. Singapore was notable for its lower antibiotic prescribing rate of 17.0% and a lower bacterial infection rate of 10.0%. High antibiotic prescribing rates, disproportionate to bacterial infections and varying practices for COVID-19 inpatients across countries highlight the urgent need for this region to collaborate to tackle and mitigate AMR.

Exploring Genomic Patterns to Identify Drug-Resistant TB: A Comprehensive Study of Age, Gender, Lineage, and Outcome

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is a prevalent bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), primarily affecting the lungs, with rising incidence rates. Drug-resistant TB strains, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) types, pose challenges with poor treatment success rates and increased mortality. Demographic factors and genomic patterns contribute to drug resistance, emphasizing the need for new drugs targeting specific genomic patterns.Methods: This study analyzes the impact of demographics, treatment outcomes, and genomic mutations on drug-resistant TB using pattern identification techniques and whole-genome sequencing to discover therapeutic targets. This study primarily focused on the identification and analysis of MDR and XDR strains, considering various demographic characteristics and treatment outcomes. A dataset comprising 2,602 observations was utilized, and pattern recognition techniques were employed to identify significant features. Additionally, the study employs the whole-genome sequencing (WGS) pipeline to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that result in new mutations in drug-resistant Mtb strains.Results: The findings of the study revealed that XDR and MDR non-XDR TB were the most prevalent types of drug resistance, and they were associated with unfavorable treatment outcomes, including death or treatment failure. Males exhibited a higher susceptibility to both XDR and MDR non-XDR TB compared to females. The age of onset for both types of resistance was approximately 40 years. Among the observed variants in 31 commonly occurring genes,Conclusion: These findings introduce a novel set of therapeutic targets specific to MDR and XDR Mtb types, which warrant further investigation for potential therapeutic interventions.Keywords: Tuberculosis; Drug Resistance; Multidrug resistance; Demographics; Dataset; Gene; Mutations

Effect of concurrent infection of Helicobacter pylori with Toxoplasma gondii infection on gastric pathology

BackgroundToxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) and Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) are among the most prevalent foodborne parasitic and bacterial infections worldwide. However, the concurrent impact of coinfection on gastric pathology has yet to be studied in depth. The effect of coinfection generally either adds a synergetic or antagonistic impact; we aimed in the current work to assess the impact of T. gondii coinfection on the progression of H. pylori-associated gastric pathology and reporting H. pylori virulent strains. The study was conducted on 82 patients complaining of persistent gastrointestinal symptoms with failed treatment response and prone to endoscopy. They were subjected to stool examination to detect H. pylori antigen, serological screening for latent toxoplasmosis, endoscopy, histopathological examination, and molecular detection of H. pylori virulence strains in gastric biopsies. Out of the 82 patients, 62 patients were positive for H. pylori antigen in stool and 55 patients confirmed positivity by histopathology; out of them, 37 patients had isolated Vac As1 variants, 11 patients had combined Vac As1 and Cag A variants, and 7 patients had combined Vac As1, Cag A and VacAs2 variants. Patients with the combined two or three variances showed significantly deteriorated histopathological features than patients with a single Vac As1 variant (P < 0.05). Latent toxoplasmosis was positive among 35/82 patients. Combined H. pylori and Toxoplasma gondii infection had significantly marked inflammation than patients with isolated infection (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Screening for toxoplasmosis among H. pylori-infected patients is recommended as it is considered a potential risk factor for gastric inflammation severity. H. pylori gastric inflammation may be heightened by Toxoplasma coinfection.

Erythrasma of the Vulva: An Invisible Dermatosis.

Erythrasma is a prevalent superficial bacterial infection typically caused by Corynebacteria species and preferentially affecting intertriginous sites including axillary, interdigital, and inguinal skin folds. However, erythrasma of the vulva is uncommon, with only 2 cases previously reported. Although erythrasma can be diagnosed clinically using Woods lamp examination, it may not always be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with persistent vulvar pruritus. We report 12 cases of vulvar erythrasma identified by histopathology, with a review of clinical and histologic features. The mean patient age was 60.1yr and the mean patient BMI was 30.5. Five of 12 patients presented with pruritic rash. The time from symptom onset to diagnosis was 9mo in 1 case, >18mo in 4 cases, and unknown in the remaining cases. The characteristic histologic features were compact orthokeratosis and mild perivascular chronic inflammation. In all 12 cases, Periodic Acid-Schiff-diastase (PAS-D) staining highlighted intracorneal filamentous rods which were not readily appreciable on H&E. After the diagnosis of erythrasma, 4 patients were treated with topical lincomycin, of whom 3 had clinical improvement in symptoms. One patient was treated with topical macrolide antibiotic and also reported improvement in symptoms. Consideration of erythrasma on the differential for patients presenting with vulvar rash and pruritus may shorten the time to diagnosis and treatment, minimize patient discomfort, and reduce the scope and cost of diagnostic testing.

Green graphene supported Cu2O-Ag2O S-scheme photocatalyst with high disinfection activity for prevention of urinary tract infection in toilets: A metagenomic analysis

Amongst the universal infectious diseases, the urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most prevalent bacterial infections. Pathogenic microorganisms causing UTI mainly enter the human body from the unhygienic toilet environment. In this study, a graphene structured material (GSM) supported Cu2O-Ag2O composite was synthesized using the co-precipitation method and its photocatalysis-assisted disinfection performance against UTI-causing pathogens was assessed under LED irradiation. The metagenomic analysis of UTI-causing sites was performed by targeting the 16 S rRNA gene region using Illumina sequencing. The results showed that the common phylum identified in the toilets under study is Proteobacteria (76%) and the most dominating genera identified were Acinetobacteria (33%) and Pseudomonas (26%). 8 × 106 CFU mL−1 of Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli were completely disinfected using the GSM-Cu2O-Ag2O composite within 30 min under LED irradiation. Enterococcus faecalis and mixed bacterial culture took 40 and 75 min, respectively, for complete inactivation. Holes are the major reactive species responsible for photocatalytic inactivation of bacteria. The structural changes of the cells were observed using scanning electron microscopy which indicates that photocatalytic disinfection caused drastic damage to the bacterial cell walls and it was further substantiated by the measurements of DNA and K+ leakage. The composite displayed complete inactivation, remarkable stability and acceptable reusability even after four consecutive cycles. The green composite, after degradation, is supposed to get sequestered in the natural environment without any persistence and bio-magnification prospects. Its potential use can usher in a new greener alternative to traditional toxic disinfectants like benzalkonium chlorides that can exert adverse impacts on the biological environment including human health.

Frequency of drug-resistant bacterial isolates among pregnant women with UTI in maternity and children’s hospital, Bisha, Saudi Arabia

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are one of the most prevalent bacterial infections affecting humans, with a higher incidence among women. Pregnant women are at an increased risk of developing UTIs, which can have detrimental consequences for both the mother and fetus. UTIs can be caused by various bacteria, and the prevalence of drug-resistant UTIs in maternity and children’s hospitals is a cause for concern due to the potential for severe complications if left untreated. The primary objective of the current study was to determine the distribution of UTI-causing bacteria and investigate the antibiotic sensitivity patterns of isolated cultures obtained from pregnant women with UTIs at the Maternity and Children’s Hospital, Bisha, Saudi Arabia. This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2021 to October 2023, involving the analysis of urine samples collected from 321 participants who acquired UTIs during pregnancy. Using biochemical tests and standard cultures, the urine samples were examined for pathogenic bacteria and their anti-microbial sensitivity patterns. The study analyzed susceptibility results according to the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines (M100, 28th Edition, 2018). Bacterial strains demonstrating resistance to three or more antibiotics were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). This study revealed the distribution of UTI-causing bacteria to be as follows: Escherichia coli, 57.01%; Klebsiella pneumoniae, 24.61%; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 4.36%; Proteus mirabilis and Enterobacter cloacae, 3.74%; Streptococcus agalactiae, 3.11%; Enterococcus faecalis, 2.18%; and Staphylococcus aureus, 1.24%. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing varied among gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. Gentamicin demonstrated the highest sensitivity among both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria; piperacillin-tazobactam was the second most effective drug against gram-negative bacteria. The bacterial isolates showed varying susceptibility to different antibiotics, with Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa being mainly sensitive to gentamicin, piperacillin-tazobactam, and ciprofloxacin, respectively. The strategies for reducing the risk of UTIs need to be improved to limit the spread of MDR bacteria. These strategies may include promoting hygienic practices and administering appropriate antibiotics to prevent the emergence and spread of drug-resistant bacteria. Further research is required to monitor the trends in antibiotic resistance among UTI-causing bacteria and develop effective strategies for managing this public health menace.

Risks, Identification, and Antibiotic Susceptibility Against High Prevalence of Bacterial Infection in Contact Lens Solutions

Background: Contact lens wear has become increasingly common for vision correction and cosmetic purposes. However, it also causes risks of microbial contamination leading to ocular infections. The aim of our study was to investigate the bacterial contamination in commercial contact lens solutions. Method: A total of 33 samples were collected and analyzed for bacterial presence using both phenotypic and molecular methods. Phenotypic diagnosis involved culturing samples on specific media and utilizing the Vitik system. Results: Our results showed the presence of various bacterial groups in contact lens preservation solutions, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus epidermidis being the most prevalent at 27.2% and 21.2%, respectively. The highest percentage of infections occurred in the age range of 12-20 years (41%), followed by 21-30 years (22%), 31-40 years (19%), 41-50 years (13%), and 51-60 years (5%). Regarding education level, individuals with primary education showed a higher percentage of eye infections (63%) compared to those with secondary education (27%) or higher education (10%). A higher percentage of infections was observed among individuals wearing lenses for 24 hours (57%) compared to those wearing them for 12, 6, or 1 hour, at 22%, 14%, and 7% respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, the study demonstrated the importance of adherence to proper lens care practices to improve lens safety and reduce microbial contamination. Effective measures are essential to mitigate the risks associated with contact lens wear and maintain optimal eye health.

Risk of serious bacterial infections in pediatric patients with hyperpyrexia.

Hyperpyrexia has been associated with a greater prevalence of bacterial infections in the pediatric population, which prior to routine childhood vaccinations, has led to invasive testing and empiric antibiotic use for urinary tract infections, bacterial pneumonia, bacteremia, and bacterial meningitis. Since the implementation of routine childhood vaccinations, the prevalence of serious bacterial infections (SBIs) has declined. This study aims to determine if there is an association between hyperpyrexia and serious bacterial infections in well-appearing febrile pediatric patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). This is a cross-sectional study conducted between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2019, at a single urban tertiary care pediatric ED. Patients were included if they were between 61 days and ≤18 years old presenting with a chief complaint of fever. Patients were excluded if they received antibiotics within 3 days of presentation, underwent surgical procedures within 2weeks of presentation, had an ED visit for febrile illness within 2weeks of study visit, were transferred from another institution, or were ill appearing. Prevalence of SBI was described and compared by presence of hyperpyrexia, age group, chronic medical condition, gender, and vaccination status. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between SBIs and hyperpyrexia. Of the 3862 charts reviewed, 2565 patients were included. The prevalence of SBI was 5.6%. A total of 413 patients presented with hyperpyrexia. Of the patients with hyperpyrexia, 31 (7.5%) had a serious bacterial infection. Hyperpyrexia was not significantly associated with SBIs in our logistic regression models (adjusted Odds Ratio 1.40, 95% confidence interval 0.92-2.12). Serious bacterial infections were uncommon in our population. There is no statistically significant association between hyperpyrexia and SBIs in well-appearing pediatric patients presenting to the ED with fever. The lack of a statistically significant association between hyperpyrexia and SBIs argues that clinicians should be cautious using hyperpyrexia as an independent risk factor for SBIs. More research is needed to identify independent and grouped SBI risk factors in well-appearing pediatric patients presenting to the ED.

Evaluation of novel compounds as anti-bacterial or anti-virulence agents.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, leading to an alarming increase in the prevalence of bacterial infections that can no longer be treated with available antibiotics. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050 up to 10 million deaths per year could be associated with antimicrobial resistance, which would equal the annual number of cancer deaths worldwide. To overcome this emerging crisis, novel anti-bacterial compounds are urgently needed. There are two possible approaches in the fight against bacterial infections: a) targeting structures within bacterial cells, similar to existing antibiotics; and/or b) targeting virulence factors rather than bacterial growth. Here, for the first time, we provide a comprehensive overview of the key steps in the evaluation of potential new anti-bacterial and/or anti-virulence compounds. The methods described in this review include: a) in silico methods for the evaluation of novel compounds; b) anti-bacterial assays (MIC, MBC, Time-kill); b) anti-virulence assays (anti-biofilm, anti-quorum sensing, anti-adhesion); and c) evaluation of safety aspects (cytotoxicity assay and Ames test). Overall, we provide a detailed description of the methods that are an essential tool for chemists, computational chemists, microbiologists, and toxicologists in the evaluation of potential novel antimicrobial compounds. These methods are cost-effective and have high predictive value. They are widely used in preclinical studies to identify new molecular candidates, for further investigation in animal and human trials.

Effect of Probiotics on Urinary Tract Infections in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most prevalent bacterial infections that occur in children worldwide. This meta-analysis aims to investigate the utility of probiotics as preventive therapy in children with a UTI. The Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus were searched for articles that investigated the relationship between probiotic consumption and the risk of UTIs. The quality of the articles was evaluated using the Jadad scale. The pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses were also conducted. The Cochran Q test and the statistic I2 were used to evaluate heterogeneity. To determine any potential publication bias, the Egger's and Begg's tests were used. In total, eleven studies were selected for the systematic review and meta-analysis. Compared to children who did not receive probiotics, the OR of developing or having a recurring urinary tract infection in those who received probiotics was 0.94 (95% CI; 0.88-0.999; p-value=0.046). The Begg's and Egger's tests showed no evidence of publication bias between probiotics and the risk of developing new or recurring urinary tract infections. Based on this systematic review and meta-analysis, probiotics could be an alternative therapy for children who are at risk of developing a UTI. They are non-pharmaceutical options and could be used as natural prophylaxis for UTIs. However, the currently published evidence does not irrefutably confirm that probiotics provide a protective effect against urinary bacterial infections. Therefore, there need to be large-scale randomized clinical trials undertaken to investigate the possible prophylaxis of probiotics.

OVERVIEW OF LABORATORY DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN HELICOBACTERIOSIS

Helicobacter pylori (H.pylori)(HP) is the causative agent of helicobacteriosis. Found often there, it irritates and inflames the stomach and small intestinal walls. In 2015, an estimated 4.4 billion people globally carried Helicobacter pylori infections. Adenocarcinoma risk has increased since this bacterium was originally isolated, suggesting that it may be one of the most prevalent human bacterial infections. As a result, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a Category 1 carcinogen in 1994. Several assays are available for use in the laboratory for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection from patient samples. These tests may be broken down into two categories: invasive and non-invasive treatments, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. However, there are limitations to each in terms of actual clinical use. Clinical context, probability ratio of positive and negative tests, cost-effectiveness of testing approach, and availability of the test should all factor into the choice of test. Paying close attention to the positive news about Helicobacter pylori is crucial to reducing the incidence of H. pylori infection and its associated symptoms. These problems can be avoided altogether if the illness is caught and treated in time. In this review, we will discuss the methods used to identify Helicobacteriosis in humans in the laboratory, both invasive and non-invasive.

Retrospective analysis of antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens from pet rabbits in Hong Kong, 2019-2022.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing threat to human and animal health. Data are limited on the prevalence of resistant bacteria in pet rabbits. Therefore, we aimed to identify prevalent bacterial infections and AMR profiles among pet rabbits in Hong Kong (HK). Our search of the CityU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (VDL) database found 301 cases of pet rabbits submitted for bacteriologic and antimicrobial susceptibility testing by veterinarians at 20 exotic veterinary clinics across HK between 2019 and 2022. The rabbits were of 8 different breeds and had a median age of 6.5 y, with 54.8% males, 40.2% females, and 5% unspecified. Of the 301 samples received, 168 (55.8%) had positive bacterial growth; 125 (74.4%) had single bacterial isolates, and 43 (25.6%) had mixed cultures. Cultures included Enterococcus faecalis (21.3%) as the most frequently isolated gram-positive bacterium, followed by Streptococcus intermedius (12.5%), and Staphylococcus aureus (11.3%). The most frequently isolated gram-negative bacteria were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (18.1%), followed by Escherichia coli (8.3%), Pasteurella multocida (6.9%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (4.2%). Approximately 83% of the isolates had acquired resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent, and 49.4% were multidrug-resistant. The isolated bacteria had high levels of resistance to penicillin (69.8%), clindamycin (47.4%), and doxycycline (46.9%). Our findings highlight the high levels of AMR in bacteria isolated from pet rabbit clinical samples in HK; many of these bacteria are zoonotic and pose a public health threat.

Evaluation of CpG-Oligodeoxynucleotides as Immunostimulants and Protecting Agents AgainstAeromonas hydrophilain Freshwater Lobster (Cherax quadricarinatus)

MAS disease (Motyle Aeromonas hydrophila) is a prevalent bacterial infection that affects freshwater lobsters. This research aimed to evaluate the potential of CpG-ODN as an immunostimulant and protecting agent inCherax quadricarinatus lobsters. The study was conducted at the Fish Health Laboratory, Pangkep State Polytechnic, Indonesia. The lobsters were divided into different groups and injected with three types of CpG-ODN (2133, 2006, 1668) or a control group using PBS. Parameters such as Total Hemocyte Count, Phagocytic Index, and Lysozyme Activity were measured at multiple time points, including before and after injection. CpG-ODN 2006 showed significant immunostimulant effects, as evidenced by a notable increase in total hemocyte count, phagocytic index, and lysozyme activity compared to the other CpG-ODN types. On the other hand, CpG-ODN 2133 exhibited potential as a protecting agent againstAeromonas hydrophila, as lobsters injected with this CpG-ODN demonstrated higher survival rates in the challenge test compared to the control group. These findings contribute to our understanding of immunostimulant strategies and protective mechanisms in freshwater lobsters. CpG-ODN, particularly CpG-ODN 2006, shows promise as an effective immunostimulant, while CpG-ODN 2133 exhibits potential as a protecting agent against A. hydrophila. Further exploration of CpG-ODN applications could lead to advancements in disease management in aquaculture.