Indiscriminate Use Of Antibiotics Research Articles

Neonatal intensive care units: extended spectrum β-lactamase genes and biofilm formation by Serratia marcescens.

The increasing cases of bloodstream infections among children at neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) led this work to investigate biofilm production, antibiotics and the presence of ESβL genes in Serratia marcescens (S. marcescens) strains isolated from blood. Twenty S. marcescens strains were isolated and identified by the VITEK-2 system over 7months from late 2022 to mid-2023 from Ibn Al-Balady Hospital in Baghdad. Kirby-Bauer test was used to measure antibiotic susceptibility. The results revealed that 95% of twenty S. marcescens isolates were non-susceptible to Ampicillin and Amoxicillin-clavulanic. Furthermore, S. marcescens isolates showed a high sensitivity rate 70% toward Imipenem. All S. marcescens strains 100% were produced biofilm. This work clarifies that, out of 20 S. marcescens strains, 80% were harbored ESβL genes. The coexistence of blaTEM, blaCTX and blaSHV genes was shown in 43.75% of strains, while 56.25% of S. marcescens strains harbored single ES[Formula: see text]L genes. The biofilm values increase with the accuracy of EsβL genes. Phylogenetic analyses based on the sequence of blaCTX-M and blaTEM were done with closely related genes in the GenBank using MEGA6 software. The distribution of blaTEM, blaCTX and blaSHV genes among local S. marcescens strains may be attributed to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics. The results confirmed the spread of ESβL genes in S. marcescens from blood infections among newborn infants.

Relationship Between Upper Respiratory Tract Symptoms And Treatment-Seeking Behaviour In Healthy Attendants Of Patients Presenting To Opd Clinics Of Bbs Teaching Hospital Abbottabad.

Indiscriminate use of antibiotics is a well-known reason for increasing antimicrobial resistance. Upper respiratory tract infection presents with similar symptoms and signs irrespective of its bacterial or viral causes and is either ignored or managed aggressively by the primary care physicians. The objective was to determine the relationship between upper respiratory tract infections and treatment-seeking behaviour in healthy individuals attending the OPD clinics of BBS Teaching Hospital with their sick family members. Six hundred and eighty-five healthy individuals who accompanied patients to the OPD clinics of BBS Teaching Hospital, Abbottabad were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey. They were given a modified questionnaire to respond to and their replies were analyzed for assessment. In a survey of 685 individuals, 98.2% were aware of antibiotics, but only 28.6% correctly understood their use against infections. Misconceptions about antibiotic resistance were common, with 54.5% believing it arises from human immunity. Only 31.53% consulted a doctor for upper respiratory symptoms and 72.6% of those expected antibiotics. Women showed higher antibiotic knowledge than men, but education level was a stronger predictor of both knowledge and attitudes. This study highlights a critical gap in public understanding and responsible usage of antibiotics, particularly in the context of upper respiratory tract infections. This study reveals that increased awareness and more informed attitudes about antibiotic resistance correlate with a decreased likelihood of inappropriate antibiotic prescription.

Prevalence of bacterial isolates and change in their antibiotic susceptibility patterns in urinary tract infections- A five year retrospective study

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) continues to be one of the commonly occurring infections in medical practice despite the widespread availability of antibiotics. Presence of risk factors like elderly age, diabetes, immune-suppression, and other comorbidity pose a challenge in its treatment. Over the years, the etiology and antibiotic resistance of the uropathogens has been inconsistent. Therefore, it is important to determine the causative agents of UTI and their resistance patterns locally, in each region, so that appropriate empiric therapy can be started before the culture and antibiotic sensitivity results are available. This study aims to highlight the prevalence of uropathogens and determine the antibiotic sensitivity pattern over the period of five years.The urine samples from patients with suspected urinary tract infections (UTI) received in the laboratory at Nanavati Max Super speciality hospital were processed by standard protocol from January 2018 to December 2022. Antibiotic susceptibility test for the bacterial isolates was carried out by the VITEK2 automated system and interpreted as per CLSI guidelines. The data collected over the study period of five years was interpreted by using the WHO Net Antibiotic Susceptibility Surveillance Software in February 2023. From a total of 8068 urine samples received over five years, uropathogens were isolated in 4209 (52.16%) samples. E.coli was the most common isolate causing UTI, with prevalence of 380(46.7%) in 2018 and 480(50.6%) in 2022 of total samples. Amongst gram positive organisms, a rise in Enterococcus species was seen from 41(5%) in 2018 to 87(9%) in 2022, with significantly fewer Staphylococcus species isolated, from 32(4%) in 2018 to 7(0.7%) in 2022. The Enterobacteriaceae showed high sensitivity to Amikacin, Tigecycline and Meropenem all throughout the study. However, rise in resistance to Nitrofurantoin and Fosfomycin, antibiotics commonly used for UTIs, was observed. Also the prevalence of Extended Spectrum of Beta lactamase (ESBL) producers decreased from 213(36%) to 127(17%) with a rise in Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae from 48(8%) to 298(40%) over the five years study period.Amongst Lactose Nonfermenting gram negative bacilli only 32 % were sensitive to Carbapenems and 37% sensitive to Aminoglycosides.By 2022, Enterococcus species showed an increase in sensitivity to Nitrofurantoin (27%), High level Aminoglycosides (37%), Fluoroquinolones (25%) and Ampicillin (37%).The change in antibiotic sensitivity patterns over time and rise in resistance to antibiotics commonly used in empirical treatment of UTIs warrants the need for regular surveillance, so the physicians can be updated regarding the most prevalent organism and its susceptibility and the empirical treatment for UTIs can be modified accordingly. This can help curb indiscriminate use of antibiotics and development of antibiotic resistance.

Investigating the pivotal role of gut microbiota in cognitive disorders

Background: The human intestine harbors a collection of microorganisms known as intestinal microbiota, which encompasses bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. However, bacteria reign supreme as the most prevalent members of the intestinal microbiota. Notably, the gut microbiota plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological functions of the human body. In addition to its influence on digestion, the gut microbiota also exerts control over the function of the brain and central nervous system, earning the enteric nervous system the title of the "second brain." The behavior and mood, as well as the progression of nervous system diseases like multiple sclerosis, autism, Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, and Parkinson's, can potentially be regulated by the intestinal microbiota. Through the intestinal nervous system, production of metabolites, stimulation of entero-endocrine cells, and the immune system, the gut microbiota plays a role in regulating the function of the central nervous system. Disturbances caused by improper nutrition, indiscriminate use of antibiotics, stress, anxiety, and depression are significant factors that can worsen these diseases and disrupt the balance of gut microbiota.

A Review On Mucormycosis In A Clinical Microbiological Dilemma

Mucormycetes are a type of rare but opportunistic fungal pathogen that can cause serious and sometimes fatal fungal infections, including mucormycosis. During the second wave of the catastrophic COVID-19 epidemic, which occurred in India between April and June of 2021, mucormycosis, also known as black fungus, caused extreme disruption due to its abrupt and destructive surge that resulted in up to 50% mortality rate.People with diabetes who have recovered from COVID-19 infection have been found to be more susceptible to mucormycosis. However, in order to understand the pathophysiology and pathological components of this lethal infection and to find appropriate prophylactic and therapeutic measures, it is necessary to examine the exact cause and mechanism(s) driving its rise. The indiscriminate use of zinc, steroids, and antibiotics as self-medication during the COVID-19 pandemic is thought to have contributed to gut microbiota dysbiosis, which has been linked to immune suppression and increased susceptibility to mycotic diseases in the risk group. Given this scenarios, this timely article makes an effort to consider and talk about a few probable contributing elements and mechanisms that might aid in understanding and explaining the mystery surrounding the unexpected, sharp, and lethal spike in mucormycosis infections during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Incidence of uterine infections, major bacteria and antimicrobial resistance in postpartum dairy cows in southern Ethiopia

BackgroundUterine infections, primarily caused by bacterial pathogens, pose a significant problem for dairy farmers worldwide, leading to poor reproductive performance and economic losses. However, the bacteria responsible for uterine infections have not been adequately studied, nor has the antibiotic susceptibility of the causative bacteria been frequently tested in Ethiopia. This study aims to estimate the cumulative incidence of uterine infections in postpartum dairy cows, identify bacterial causes and determine antimicrobial susceptibility profile of the isolated bacteria.MethodsA prospective cohort study was conducted in which 236 cows from 74 dairy farms were monitored biweekly from calving to 90 days postpartum for metritis, endometritis and other disorders. Aseptic uterine swab samples were collected from 40 cows with uterine infections. The samples were cultured, and the isolated bacteria were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility using the disk diffusion method.ResultsOut of 236 cows monitored during the postpartum phase, 45 (19.1%) were found to have contracted uterine infection. The cumulative incidence of metritis was 11.4% (n = 27), while the cumulative incidence of endometritis was 7.6% (n = 18). Of the 40 cultured swab samples, 29 (72.5%) had one or more bacteria isolated. The most commonly isolated bacteria were Escherichia coli (45%), coagulase-positive staphylococci (30%), and Klebsiella spp. (22.5%). Other bacterial spp, including Arcanobacterium pyogenes (12.5%), Fusobacterium spp. (12.5%), Enterobacter aerogenes (12.5%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (12.5%), Streptococcus spp. (7.5%), Salmonella spp, (5%) Proteus spp (5%) and Pasteurella spp (2.5%) were also isolated. All of the isolated bacteria demonstrated resistance to at least one of the antimicrobials tested. Multidrug resistance was observed in E. coli, Klebsiella spp., A. pyogenes, and Fusobacterium spp. Gentamicin was found to be the most effective antimicrobial against all bacteria tested, while tetracycline was the least effective of all.ConclusionThe study found that a significant proportion of cows in the population were affected by uterine infections and the isolated bacteria developed resistance to several antimicrobials. The study emphasizes the need for responsible use of antimicrobials to prevent the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. It also highlights the importance of raising awareness among dairy farmers to avoid the indiscriminate use of antibiotics and its consequences.

Clinical and laboratory profile of Expanded Dengue Syndrome: experience of 2019 outbreak from Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh is afflicted with periodic dengue outbreak every few years and one of the worst upsurges was recorded in 2019 during which there was an increasing trend of dengue with unusual symptoms which were not so common before. This study aims to describe the experience of three tertiary care centres of Dhaka regarding the clinical and laboratory, hospital outcome and management profile of the Expanded Dengue Syndrome (EDS) cases admitted from the 2019 outbreak. The current work was a cross-sectional observational study which took place from August 1 to December 31 2019 at three major tertiary care centres in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Out of total 2017 screened dengue cases, 49 met the inclusion criteria and 39 were enrolled after taking informed written consent. Data was analysed using Microsoft Excel and Graph pad prism 9.3.1. A probability value of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Out of the 39 cases, majority were male (79.49%) with median (±IQR) age of 33(±9) years. Hypertension (4; 10.26%) was the most commonly associated co-morbidity. Among the systemic manifestations, most prevalent was hepatitis (38.49%) followed by encephalopathy (12.82%). Majority of the patients were suffering from primary infection (85%). Case fatality rate was 15.38%. Hepatitis and meningoencephalitis were the predominant cause of death. This study records the only known case report of Acute respiratory dress syndrome (ARDS) complicating dengue from Bangladesh. None of the patients from our cohort were managed by steroids. Only two (5.13%) out of 39 cases received antibiotics. In the year 2019, an unusual rise in EDS cases with about 15.4% fatalities were observed in this study. Hepatitis was the most common presentation and cause of death. Here, we report the first ARDS case encountered in Bangladesh. Despite the multifaceted presentation of EDS, indiscriminate use of antibiotics and steroid was minimal. Early recognition of multifarious features of EDS is important for choosing the targeted treatment option which can avert many deaths. The results of this study underline the necessity for more in-depth research into the risk factors that are contributing to mortality in EDS cases.

A Retrospective Study of the Antimicrobial Resistant Escherichia Coli, Klebsiella Pneumoniae and Pseudomonas Aeruginosa in Clinical Samples from a Healthcare Facility in Osogbo, Nigeria

Background: Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae are gram-negative bacteria that have been linked with various healthcare-associated and community-acquired infections. These three organisms have been identified as critical multi-drug resistant pathogens that require new drugs to combat their infections in humans. Due to the scarcity of data about the true burden of AMR in the 3 microorganisms in this locality, this study investigated the prevalence, pattern and trend of antimicrobial resistance exhibited by K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa and E. coli within Osogbo metropolis. Method: Antimicrobial resistance prevalence, patterns and trends in E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa isolates from clinical samples submitted for microbial culture and sensitivity test between January and December 2022 were analyzed. In this study, nine antibiotics including Cefixime, Cefotaxime, Cefuroxime, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin, Augmentin, Imipenem, Ciprofloxacin and Levofloxacin were selected based on the spectrum of activity. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 25 for statistical analyses. Results: There were 171, 83 and 32 isolates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa identified in this study respectively. Overall, the three organisms showed higher AMR prevalence to IMP and ZEM, and least resistance to LBC. Essentially, 24 P. aeruginosa, 113 E. coli, and 59 K. pneumoniae isolates demonstrated multidrug resistance pattern. All P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited resistance to at least one antibiotic. AUG-CIP-CRO-CTX-CXM-GEN-IMP-LBC-ZEM resistance pattern occurred in both urine and wound samples for P. aeruginosa, as well as E. coli isolated from high vagina swab. Observed AMR in respect of carbapenem (IMP) and cephalosporin (cefuroxime, cefixime and cefotaxime) was above average for the 3 microorganisms. Patient age, nature and source of specimen are marginal factors influencing AMR of these isolates. Conclusion: This study identified the high rate of resistance by the bacterial isolates most especially to cephalosporins. The high MAR-index suggests the practice of self-medication due to unrestricted access to over-the-counter medications. Hence, there is the need for effective campaigns to sensitize the public on the need to halt indiscriminate use of antibiotics, as well as advocate for laws and policies to guide the sale and purchase of antibiotics at the community level.

Class 1 Integron (Inti1) Gene In Gram Negative Multi-Drug Resistant Bacteria Isolated From Clinical Samples In Bayelsa State, Nigeria

Background and Objective: Integrons are common features of bacterial genomes that allow efficient capture and expression of new genes which are embedded in gene cassettes. Class 1 integron are mostly identified among clinical Gram-negative bacteria as the major factor responsible for drug resistance. This study was aimed at detecting the presence of the integron-integrase 1 gene (inti1) in Gram negative bacteria. Materials and Methods: The isolates were determined using Standard Bacteriological methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was carried out using Modified Kirby Bauer disc-diffusion method and the genomic DNA was extracted by boiling method. The presence of Inti1 gene was determined using Polymerase Chain Reaction. Results: A total of 121 clinical samples were collected, of which 99 (81.8%) were urine samples, 5 (4.13%) were Endocervical swabs, 4 (3.31%) were sputum samples, 4 (3.31%) were High vaginal swabs, 6 (4.95%) were wound samples and 3 (2.48%) were ear swabs, 45 (37.2%) samples were collected from males and 76 (62.8%) were collected from females. The findings showed that out of 121 samples analysed, a total of 95 isolates were obtained from the samples with E.coli having a high prevalence of 32 (33.7%), followed by Klebsiella oxytoca 30 (31.6%), Klebsiella pneumonia 21 (22.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa 6 (6.31%), Enterobacter aerogenes 3 (3.2%) and Citrobacter fruendii 3 (3.2%). Antibiotics susceptibility pattern showed the resistance percentage of each of the antibiotics used; Gentamicin (50.5%) Pefloxacine (68.4), Narivid (67.4%), Streptomycin (81.1%), Septrin (66.3%) Chloramphenicol (70.5%), Spectinomycin (53.7%), Ciprofloxacin (56.8%), Amoxacillin (53.7%) and Augmentin (88.4%). Out of the 30 isolates selected for molecular analysis, the Inti 1 gene was detected in 26 isolates. Conclusion: This study showed that there is high prevalence of class 1 integron in multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria. To prevent the development of multi-drug resistance bacteria, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics should be avoided.

Virulotyping, Antimicrobial Resistance Profiling and DNA Fingerprinting of Escherichia coli Isolates from Neonatal Calves

Escherichia coli harbors various virulence factors responsible for diarrhea and other diseases in neonatal calves. The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among the diarrheagenic and non-diarrheagenic E. coli may impose a potential health hazard among the calves and make the antibacterial therapy ineffective. The virulence gene expression among AMR strains plays a crucial role in establishing diarrheal disease with therapeutic complications. This study investigates the diversity of E. coli isolates from neonatal calves. E. coli isolated from the fecal samples were subsequently subjected to pathotyping and virulotyping using the PCR technique. AMR profiling was done by phenotypic and genotypic methods. The ERIC pattern of E. coli pathotypes was compared and correlated with the pattern of AMR and virulence traits. 179 isolates were obtained from 158 fecal samples collected from neonatal calves. Forty-two isolates were pathotypable; predominated by shigatoxigenic E. coli. Seventy-four isolates were ESBL producers. Nineteen isolates were carbapenem resistant and 68 isolates exhibited quinolone resistance. blaAmpC, blaVIM and qnrS were the predominant genes detected among ESBL, carbapenem and quinolone resistance genes, respectively. The present study indicated diverse virulence profiles and the presence of significant ESBL, carbapenem and fluoroquinolone resistance among E. coli pathotypes from calves. The analysis of resistance profiling indicates the risks associated with the indiscriminate antibiotic use among farm animals, which may pose a potential health hazard to livestock owners.

Antibiotic Prescription and Consumption in Brazil: Impact in the Global Health

Despite the antibiotic sale prohibition without medical prescription since 2010, excessive and often inappropriate antibiotic prescription and self-medication, are still common practices in Brazil. Indiscriminate antibiotic use is directly involved with the dissemination of resistant bacteria causing serious infections increasingly difficult to treat. The present review work exposes data about the prescription and consumption of antibiotics in Brazil in the last decade and reveals a worrisome panorama about antibiotic use in the country.

Recent advances in micro/nanomotors for antibacterial applications.

Currently, the rapid spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria derived from the indiscriminate use of traditional antibiotics poses a significant threat to public health worldwide. Moreover, established bacterial biofilms are extremely difficult to eradicate because of their high tolerance to traditional antimicrobial agents and extraordinary resistance to phagocytosis. Hence, it is of universal significance to develop novel robust and efficient antibacterial strategies to combat bacterial infections. Micro/nanomotors exhibit many intriguing properties, including enhanced mass transfer and micro-mixing resulting from their locomotion, intrinsic antimicrobial capabilities, active cargo delivery, and targeted treatment with precise micromanipulation, which facilitate the targeted delivery of antimicrobials to infected sites and their deep permeation into sites of bacterial biofilms for fast inactivation. Thus, the ideal antimicrobial activity of antibacterial micro/nanorobots makes them desirable alternatives to traditional antimicrobial treatments and has aroused extensive interest in recent years. In this review, recent advancements in antibacterial micro/nanomotors are briefly summarized, focusing on their synthetic methods, propulsion mechanism, and versatile antibacterial applications. Finally, some personal insights into the current challenges and possible future directions to translate proof-of-concept research to clinic application are proposed.

Multi-drug Resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli in Marketed Raw Meat in Kathmandu Valley

Antimicrobial resistance is a critical worldwide issue that affects both humans and animals. Antimicrobial resistance in microorganisms has been associated to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics in livestock and poultry. Bacterial antimicrobial resistance is witnessing a rapid rise in both human and animal health sector. Still antimicrobial resistance patterns in Nepal are poorly documented, with only a few studies on bacterial prevalence and antimicrobial resistance pattern have been done. This study characterized and provided antimicrobial resistance status of bacteria from raw meat sold in Kathmandu valley. This study was conducted with an objective to find the prevalence and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli from raw meat sold in Kathmandu valley. The cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2022 at Nepalese Farming Institute, Dillibazar, Kathmandu. A total of 100 raw meat samples, chicken (n= 60), pork (n=20) and buff (n=20) were collected from different retail shops. The meat samples were minced and enriched in M-Staph broth and MacConkey broth at 37°C for 24 h. The suspension was sub-cultured on Mannitol salt agar and MacConkey agar. The bacterial isolates were identified on the basis of colony morphology, Gram’s staining reaction and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility pattern of bacterial isolates were determined by modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method according to Clinical &amp; Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Out of 100 meat samples, 162 bacterial isolates were detected, where E. coli 51.85% (n=84) was the most prevalent bacteria followed by S. aureus 48.15% (n=78). Majority of E. coli isolates (63.09%) were resistant to tetracycline and most of S. aureus isolates (37.1%) were resistant to gentamicin. Multi-drug resistance was higher in E. coli (51.1%) than S. aureus (23.07%). Therefore controlled use of antibiotics in all sectors should be implemented and proper policy and regulations should be formulated on meat handling.

Drug Utilization and Evaluation of Antibiotics and Classifying them based on WHO AWaRe Classification

Antibiotics are the most prescribed medicaments in medical practices worldwide. Indiscriminate use of antibiotics adds to the emergence of Antibiotic resistance (ABR) leading to inefficiency of antibiotics. WHO fostered three unique classification systems - Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWaRe classification)- a tool to identify the safe use of antibiotics. The study aimed to evaluate antibiotic use in the Department of Surgery using the WHO ATC/DDD method and further classified the antibiotics based on WHO AWaRe Classification. An observational study was carried out among 305 samples in the In-Patient Department of Surgery at a teaching hospital, in Bangalore. Data was collected from the patient’s case files using a self-designed data collection form. The collected data were entered in Microsoft Excel and appropriate statistical analysis were performed. It was found that most (28.53%) of the patients belonged to the age group of 38-47 years and most of them received antibiotic therapy as prophylaxis (69%). It was found that Ceftriaxone (28.51%), Metronidazole (21.15%), and Cefixime (18.52%) were the most frequently prescribed antibiotics. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic class was Beta-lactams (65.3%), and most prescribed antibiotics belonged to the Watch Group (53%). The most utilized antibiotics were Ceftriaxone (3.32 DDD/100 bed days) followed by Cefixime (2.15 DDD/100 bed days) and Metronidazole (1.59 DDD/100 bed days). This study shows a need to prepare and implement proper policies or guidelines for prescribing antibiotics in the hospital.

Antibiogram Profiling of Clinical Isolates From Several Renowned Diagnostic Centers In Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Antibiotic resistance is a global concern that has emerged in recent years due to inappropriate and indiscriminate use of antibiotics. It is important to follow the changes in this antibiotic resistance for the sake of better treatment and patient management. The aim of this study was to collect clinical isolates from some renowned diagnostic centers and to determine their susceptibility patterns in different age and sex groups of patients. Clinical samples from a number of patients with various infectious symptoms were selected and microbiologically analyzed. Antibiotic resistance patterns for 15 different antibiotics Amikacin, Azithromycin, Ciprofloxacin, Ceftriaxone, Cefuroxime, Erythromycin, Cefoxitin, Gentamicin, Imipenem, Linezolid, Meropenem, Norfloxacin, Piperacillin, Penicillin and Vancomycin were evaluated by the Agar-disc-diffusion method. The highest resistance of the studied pathogens to antimicrobials was seen against Azithromycin (100%) and Penicillin (100%) whereas the isolates were highly sensitive to Norfloxacin, Vancomycin, Linezolid and Cefoxitin. Stamford Journal of Microbiology, 2023. Vol. 13, Issue 1, p. 11-14

Biomarkers of Neonatal Sepsis: Review

Neonatal sepsis is a bacterial bloodstream infection predominant to excessive clinical manifestations frequently associated with loss of existence or irreversible long-term deficits. Antibiotics are the drug of choice to address sepsis, no matter age. In neonates, the lack of dependable requirements for a unique prognosis and the supposition that an early antibiotic administration ought to restrict sepsis improvement in youngsters at chance have brought about an applicable antibiotic overuse for each prevention and therapy. the provision of biomarkers of neonatal sepsis that have to alert the physician to an early analysis of neonatal sepsis may additionally want to decorate the quick and long-term outcomes of real sepsis instances and restrict the indiscriminate and deleterious use of preventive antibiotics. The fundamental aim of this assessment is to summarize the crucial outcomes in this regard and to detail the accuracy of currently used biomarkers for the early prognosis of neonatal sepsis. Literature assessment showed that, irrespective of excessive studies, the diagnosis of neonatal sepsis and the behaviour of antibiotic remedy cannot be at current determined on the basis of a single biomarker. Given the significance of the hassle and the want to decrease the abuse of antibiotics, in addition studies are urgently required. but, as a substitute of looking for new biomarkers, it looks less complicated and greater productive to test combinations of or extra of the existing on hand biomarkers. furthermore, research based mostly on omics applied sciences have to be strongly boosted. but, while geared up for new statistics, the use of the clinical ratings prepared through some medical institutions must be counselled. Based totally on maternal risk factors and infant clinical signs, sepsis threat may be calculated, and a big reduction in antibiotic intake may be obtained.

Antibiotic Resistance Genes, Virulence Factors, and Biofilm Formation in Coagulase-Negative Staphylococcus spp. Isolates from European Hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) Caught in the Northeast Atlantic Ocean.

The indiscriminate use of antibiotics has contributed to the dissemination of multiresistant bacteria, which represents a public health concern. The aim of this work was to characterize 27 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) isolated from eight wild Northeast Atlantic hakes (Merluccius merluccius, L.) and taxonomically identified as Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 16), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (n = 4), Staphylococcus hominis (n = 3), Staphylococcus pasteuri (n = 2), Staphylococcus edaphicus (n = 1), and Staphylococcus capitis (n = 1). Biofilm formation was evaluated with a microtiter assay, antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disk diffusion method, and antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants were detected by PCR. Our results showed that all staphylococci produced biofilms and that 92.6% of the isolates were resistant to at least one antibiotic, mainly penicillin (88.8%), fusidic acid (40.7%), and erythromycin (37%). The penicillin resistance gene (blaZ) was detected in 66.6% (18) of the isolates, of which 10 also carried resistance genes to macrolides and lincosamides (mphC, msr(A/B), lnuA, or vgaA), 4 to fusidic acid (fusB), and 3 to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (dfrA). At least one virulence gene (scn, hla, SCCmecIII, and/or SCCmecV) was detected in 48% of the isolates. This study suggests that wild European hake destined for human consumption could act as a vector of CoNS carrying antibiotic resistance genes and/or virulence factors.

Does the Ethnomedicinal Use of Pequi Oil for the Treatment of Infections Reveal its Antifungal Potential?

In Brazil, the use of medicinal plants has been on the rise over the years, especially as an alternative for the treatment of diseases caused by fungal infections. Fungal infections have become a major public health problem, primarily due to the indiscriminate and prolonged use of antibiotics. In this context, among the various species of the Brazilian flora, an endemic species stands out, Caryocar coriaceum, popularly known as "pequi," is widely used in nutrition and is also employed by the population for medicinal purposes to treat infectious diseases. Thus, this study aims to evaluate the chemical composition, antifungal action of the medicinal oil from Caryocar coriaceum, test the combined effect with the drug Fluconazole, and finally determine the chemical constituents present in the oil of pequi fruits. Initially, the fruits of this species were subjected to boiling in broth microdilution, and the combined effect with Fluconazole was assessed at sub-inhibitory concentrations (1/8 MIC), followed by spectrophotometric readings used to determine the IC50. The C. coriaceum species is composed of four fatty acids, of which two were more prevalent, oleic acid and palmitic acid. The fixed oil showed low antifungal activity when evaluated individually for Candida albicans and Candida tropicalis strains, with IC50 values of 593.8 μg/mL, exhibiting greater modification for the standard drug with IC50 values for C. albicans at 16.07 μg/mL and C. tropicalis at 4.77 μg/mL. However, for the Candida krusei strain, the fixed oil exhibited more potent antifungal activity than Fluconazole at concentrations of 32 μg/mL and 64 μg/mL, while Fluconazole had intensified activity at concentrations from 2 μg/mL up to 128 μg/mL. Regarding the potentiating action for Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis and Candida krusei strains, the oil associated with Fluconazole enhanced the antifungal effect with IC50 values of 0.02792 μg/mL for C. albicans, 0.09903 μg/mL for C. tropicalis, and 15.15 μg/mL for C. krusei. Thus, the oil contains promising compounds in its composition for the development of medications to treat infectious diseases.

Protective effects of puerarin on liver tissue in Salmonella-infected chicks: a proteomic analysis

Salmonella enterica is a zoonotic bacterium that not only causes serious economic losses to the livestock and poultry industries but also seriously endangers human health. Long-term indiscriminate use of antibiotics has led to drug resistance in Salmonella, and thus the identification of alternatives to antibiotics is crucial. In this study, the effects of puerarin on the S. enterica-infected chickens were investigated. A total of 360 chicks were randomly assigned as the control group (CON), the S. enterica group (S), and puerarin-treatment group (P). Chicks in the P group were fed the basal diet supplemented with 50 (P50), 100 (P100), 200 (P200), and 400 (P400) mg/kg puerarin, respectively. It was found that puerarin treatment markedly altered the serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), together with the malondialdehyde (MDA) and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) contents in the serum. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, Bcl-2, and caspase-8 in the livers of S. enterica-infected chicks was increased after infection but significantly reduced after treatment with puerarin. Histologic analysis showed that puerarin effectively mitigated morphological damage in the liver caused by S. enterica. Proteomic analysis revealed that S. enterica infection led to metabolic disorders in the liver, resulting in oxidative stress, increased inflammation, and significantly elevated levels of hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers. The findings of the filtered sequencing were verified by using quantitative PCR (qPCR). Treatment with 100 mg/mL puerarin thus effectively alleviated disordered liver metabolism, reduced inflammation and oxidative damage and significantly reduced the levels of hepatocellular carcinoma biomarkers in the liver. The results suggest that puerarin has the potential to replace antibiotics to control Salmonella infection in poultry and thus improve food safety.

Evaluation of the Antimicrobial Activity of a Formulation Containing Ascorbic Acid and Eudragit FS 30D Microparticles for the Controlled Release of a Curcumin-Boric Acid Solid Dispersion in Turkey Poults Infected with Salmonella enteritidis: A Therapeutic Model.

The selection of components within a formulation or for treatment must stop being arbitrary and must be focused on scientific evidence that supports the inclusion of each one. Therefore, the objective of the present study was to obtain a formulation based on ascorbic acid (AA) and Eudragit FS 30D microparticles containing curcumin-boric acid (CUR-BA) considering interaction studies between the active components carried out via Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to minimize antagonistic effects, and comprehensively and effectively treat turkey poults infected with Salmonella enteritidis (S. enteritidis). The DSC and FTIR studies clearly demonstrated the interactions between AA, BA, and CUR. Consequently, the combination of AA with CUR and/or BA should be avoided, but not CUR and BA. Furthermore, the Eudragit FS 30D microparticles containing CUR-BA (SD CUR-BA MP) showed a limited release of CUR-BA in an acidic medium, but they were released at a pH 6.8-7.0, which reduced the interactions between CUR-BA and AA. Finally, in the S. enteritidis infection model, turkey poults treated with the combination of AA and SD CUR-BA MP presented lower counts of S. enteritidis in cecal tonsils after 10 days of treatment. These results pointed out that the use of an adequate combination of AA and CUR-BA as an integral treatment of S. enteritidis infections could be a viable option to replace the indiscriminate use of antibiotics.