Spread Of Antibiotic Resistance Research Articles

Current Prescribing Practices in Bacterial Skin Infections in a Tertiary care hospital- A Prospective study

Background: Skin diseases of microbial etiology are caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and ectoparasites, of which bacterial infections are most common than others. Antibiotic resistance among the micro-organisms is developing due to indiscriminate use of antibiotics and irrational prescription of drugs. Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study were to assess various aspects of prescription pattern and rational use of antibiotics for bacterial infections in the department of dermatology. Materials and Methods: A prospective analysis of 120 patients attending Dermatology Out Patient Department, at Government Medical College, Srikakulam, for 16 months (June 2017–September 2018) was carried out to analyze the usage of antibiotics through various routes to treat dermatological infections. The number of antibiotics prescribed, their name, class of drug, frequency and route of administration, and duration were recorded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: Among the study population, 55.9% were male and 44.1% were female. Acne vulgaris (25%) is the most common condition, for which antibiotics were prescribed followed by impetigo (16.66%). Most commonly prescribed systemic antibiotics were penicillins (51.66%) followed by macrolides (18.33%). Most commonly prescribed topical antibiotic was mupirocin (33.33%) followed by clindamycin (25%). The most preferred route of antibiotic administration was oral route (62.44%). Conclusion: Prescription pattern of antibiotics in this study proved that dermatologists followed rationality and contributed their part to curb the spread of antibiotic resistance. Periodic screening of drug prescribing pattern studies should be done to rationalize the prescription, to reduce errors, and to increase therapeutic benefits and cost-effective management.

Collateral Impacts of Pandemic Covid-19 Drive the Nosocomial Spread of Antibiotic Resistance: A Modelling Study

Collateral Impacts of Pandemic Covid-19 Drive the Nosocomial Spread of Antibiotic Resistance: A Modelling Study

Enhanced degradation of ibuprofen in an integrated constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell: treatment efficiency, electrochemical characterization, and microbial community dynamics.

Over the past few decades, there has been a growing concern regarding the fate and transport of pharmaceuticals, particularly antibiotics, as emerging contaminants in the environment. It has been proposed that the presence of antibiotics at concentrations typically found in wastewater can impact the dynamics of bacterial populations and facilitate the spread of antibiotic resistance. The efficiency of currently-used wastewater treatment technologies in eliminating pharmaceuticals is often insufficient, resulting in the release of low concentrations of these compounds into the environment. In this study, we addressed these challenges by evaluating how different influent ibuprofen (IBU) concentrations influenced the efficiency of a laboratory-scale, integrated constructed wetland-microbial fuel cell (CW-MFC) system seeded with Eichhornia crassipes, in terms of organic matter removal, electricity generation, and change of bacterial community structure compared to unplanted, sediment MFC (S-MFC) and abiotic S-MFC (AS-MFC). We observed that the addition of IBU (5 mg L-1) resulted in a notable decrease in chemical oxygen demand (COD) and electricity generation, suggesting that high influent IBU concentrations caused partial inhibition for the electroactive microbial community due to its complexity and aromaticity. However, CW-MFC could recover from IBU inhibition after an acclimation period compared to unplanted S-MFC, even though the influent IBU level was increased up to 20 mg L-1, suggesting that plants in CW-MFCs have a beneficial role in relieving the inhibition of anode respiration due to the presence of high levels of IBU; thus, promoting the metabolic activity of the electroactive microbial community. Similarly, IBU removal efficiency for CW-MFC (i.e., 49-62%) was much higher compared to SMFC (i.e., 29-42%), and AS-MFC (i.e., 20-22%) during all experimental phases. In addition, our high throughput sequencing revealed that the high performance of CW-MFCs compared to S-MFC was associated with increasing the relative abundances of several microbial groups that are closely affiliated with anode respiration and organic matter fermentation. In summary, our results show that the CW-MFC system demonstrates suitability for high removal efficiency of IBU and effective electricity generation.

Highly efficient β-lactamase assay applying poly-dimethylacrylamide-based surface functionalization with β-lactam antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors.

In recent decades, the rise of β-lactamases has substantially led to the emergence and wide spread of antibiotic resistance posing a serious global health threat. There is growing need for the development of rapid, cost-effective and user-friendly diagnostic assays for the accurate detection of β-lactamases to optimize patient outcomes and prevent the spread of multidrug-resistances. In this article, we present a poly-dimethylacrylamide (PDMA)-based surface functionalization to immobilize β-lactam antibiotics and β-lactamase inhibitors of different subclasses. Immobilization was induced via UV-crosslinking through C,H-insertion reactions. The functional coatings were successfully applied in a highly efficient assay for the determination of recombinant β-lactamases as well as β-lactamases isolated from clinically relevant bacterial strains. Thus, this method describes an innovative approach with several significant benefits for diagnostic applications: the creation of specific detection platforms tailored for β-lactamase activity, the development of high-throughput diagnostic assays and benefits regarding stability and shelf-life. Furthermore, this method is highly adaptable to other surfaces, antibiotics, and analytes, offering far-reaching implications for various biomedical, environmental, and antimicrobial applications.

Prevalence, antimicrobial susceptibility, and antibiotic resistance gene transfer of Bacillus strains isolated from pasteurized milk.

Pasteurization is carried out in dairy industries to kill harmful bacteria present in raw milk. However, endospore-forming bacteria, such as Bacillus, cannot be completely eliminated by pasteurization. In this study, a total of 114 Bacillus strains were isolated from 133 pasteurized milk samples. Antibiotic susceptibility tests showed that the percentage of Bacillus with intrinsic resistance to ampicillin and penicillin were 80 and 86%, respectively. Meanwhile, some Bacillus isolates had acquired resistance, including trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance (10 isolates), clindamycin resistance (8 isolates), erythromycin resistance (2 isolates), and tetracycline resistance (1 isolate). To further locate these acquired resistance genes, the plasmids were investigated in these 16 Bacillus strains. The plasmid profile indicated that Bacillus cereus BA008, BA117, and BA119 harbored plasmids, respectively. Subsequently, the Illumina Novaseq PE150 was applied for the genomic and plasmid DNA sequencing. Notably, the gene tetL encoding tetracycline efflux protein was found to be located on plasmid pBC46-TL of B. cereus BA117. In vitro conjugative transfer indicated that pBC46-TL can be transferred into Bacillus invictae BA142, Bacillus safensis BA143, and Bacillus licheniformis BA130. The frequencies were of 1.5 × 10-7 to 1.7 × 10-5 transconjugants per donor cells. Therefore, Bacillus strains with acquired antibiotic resistance may represent a potential risk for the spread of antibiotic resistance between Bacillus and other clinical pathogens via horizontal gene transfer.

Antibiotic Resistance Profiling of Pathogenic Staphylococcus Species from Urinary Tract Infection Patients in Benin.

Staphylococci can cause urinary tract infections (UTIs). These UTIs are among the significant causes of antibiotic resistance and the spread of antibiotic-resistant diseases. The current study is aimed at establishing a resistance profile and determining the pathogenicity of Staphylococcus strains isolated from UTI samples collected in Benin. For this purpose, urine samples (one hundred and seventy) that were collected from clinics and hospitals showed UTI in patients admitted/visited in Benin. The biochemical assay method was used to identify Staphylococcus spp., and the disk diffusion method tested the antimicrobial susceptibility. The biofilm formation ability of the isolates of Staphylococcus spp. was investigated by the colorimetric method. The presence of mecA, edinB, edinC, cna, bbp, and ebp genes was examined by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The results showed that Staphylococcus species were identified in 15.29% of all infected individuals and that 58% of these strains formed biofilms. Most Staphylococcus strains (80.76%) were isolated in female samples, and the age group below 30 years appeared to be the most affected, with a rate of 50%. All Staphylococcus strains isolated were 100% resistant to penicillin and oxacillin. The lowest resistance rates were seen with ciprofloxacin (30.8%), gentamicin, and amikacin (26.90%). Amikacin was the best antibiotic against Staphylococcus strains isolated from UTIs. The isolates carried mecA (42.31%), bbp (19.23%), and ebp (26.92%) genes in varying proportions. This study provides new information on the risks posed to the population by the overuse of antibiotics. In addition, it will play an essential role in restoring people's public health and controlling the spread of antibiotic resistance in urinary tract infections in Benin.

Multidrug-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in the United Kingdom versus Egypt: Trends and Potential Natural Products Solutions.

Acinetobacter baumannii is a problematic pathogen of global concern. It causes multiple types of infection, especially among immunocompromised individuals in intensive care units. One of the most serious concerns related to this pathogen is its ability to become resistant to almost all the available antibiotics used in clinical practice. Moreover, it has a great tendency to spread this resistance at a very high rate, crossing borders and affecting healthcare settings across multiple economic levels. In this review, we trace back the reported incidences in the PubMed and the Web of Science databases of A. baumannii infections in both the United Kingdom and Egypt as two representative examples for countries of two different economic levels: high and low-middle income countries. Additionally, we compare the efforts made by researchers from both countries to find solutions to the lack of available treatments by looking into natural products reservoirs. A total of 113 studies reporting infection incidence were included, with most of them being conducted in Egypt, especially the recent ones. On the one hand, this pathogen was detected in the UK many years before it was reported in Egypt; on the other hand, the contribution of Egyptian researchers to identifying a solution using natural products is more notable than that of researchers in the UK. Tracing the prevalence of A. baumannii infections over the years showed that the infections are on the rise, especially in Egypt vs. the UK. Further concerns are linked to the spread of antibiotic resistance among the isolates collected from Egypt reaching very alarming levels. Studies conducted in the UK showed earlier inclusion of high-throughput technologies in the tracking and detection of A. baumannii and its resistance than those conducted in Egypt. Possible explanations for these variations are analyzed and discussed.

Emergent crisis of antibiotic resistance: A silent pandemic threat to 21st century.

Antibiotic resistance has become an indispensably alarming menace to the global community. The primary factors are overuse and abuse of antibiotics, lack of novel medicines under development, the health care industry's focus on profit, and the absence of diagnostic testing prior to the prescription of antibiotics. Additionally, over the past few decades, the main factors contributing to the global spread of antibiotic resistance have been the overuse of antibiotics in livestock and other animals, drug efficacy, development of fewer new vaccines, environmental toxicity, transmission through travel, and lack of funding for healthcare research and development. These factors have accelerated resistance in microorganisms through structural and functional modifications in bacteria such as reduced drug permeability, increased efflux pumps, enzymatic antibiotic modification, and change in drug target, intracellular infection, and biofilm creation. There has been an increase in resistance during the pandemic and among cancer patients due to improper prescriptions. A number of modern therapeutic alternatives have been developed to curb widespread antibiotic resistance such as nanoparticle, bacteriophage, and antimicrobial biochemical approaches. It is high time to explore new alternatives to curtail enormous increase in resistant pathogens which could be an incurable global confrontation. This review highlights the complete insight on the global drivers of resistance along with the modes of action and impacts, finally discussing the latest therapeutic alternatives.

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In recent years, the use of probiotics has increased unprecedently, regardless of their origin and characteristics. In particular, the use of probiotics for nutritional and therapeutic purposes in infants and patients with a number of diseases (malignant neoplasms, diabetes, post-transplant period, etc.) needs reviews and clinical justification. Currently, in the production of dairy products, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of intestinal origin are of particular interest, which is explained by the fact that the final target of probiotics is the intestine of an animal or a person. However, there is some skepticism about the efficacy of using human gut-derived LABs in dairy production. LABs are widespread in nature: exist in large quantities in plant residues, soil, human and animal intestines. LABs are widely used both in health care and agriculture, as well as in fisheries and fish production. A task was set up to study a series of biosafety indicators of yoghurts obtained from the Lpb. plantarum ZPZ, Lcb. rhamnosus str. Vahe.am, Lpb. plantarum K1-3, L. delbrueckii IAHAHI probiotic strains. Yoghurts produced with biosafety indicators corresponding to the risk of spreading antibiotic resistance in yoghurts, heavy metals and M1 aflatoxin content, as well as to international standards for microbiological indicators were obtained from new probiotics isolated from the intestinal microbiota of children (Lpb. plantarum ZPZ, Lcb. rhamnosus str. Vahe) and dairy products (Lpb. plantarum K1-3, L. delbrueckii IAHAHI). The results of our research prove that yoghurts obtained from lactic acid bacteria of different origins are harmless to health.

The Effect of Nisin and Chloramphenicol Combinationon Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 Biofilm Structure

Nowadays, due to the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance and the difficulty of discovering new antimicrobial agents, the reuse and combinational strategies of old antibiotics have come to the fore. In this study, we investigated the combinational efficacy of nisin and chloramphenicol against the ATCC 6538 strain of Staphylococcus aureus. The MIC values of nisin and chloramphenicol were >64 and 32 µg/mL, respectively. The checkerboard assay was carried out for the inspection of synergism between nisin and chloramphenicol. Furthermore, the crystal violet assay was employed to assess antibiofilm effects. Additionally, the expressions of various virulence genes (agrA, spa, icaA and saeR) were investigated using the colony biofilm assay and qRT-PCR methods. In combination application, MIC values of nisin and chloramphenicol was decreased. In addition, biofilm formation was decreased.It was shown that the expression level of the agrA gene decreased compared to the control in the nisin, chloramphenicol and combinational applications. The expression levels of other genes were increased compared to the control. The results showed that the activities of nisin and chloramphenicol combinations had synergistic and antibiofilm activity. This study sheds light on the combinatorial use of older antibiotics.

The problem of antibiotic resistance of microorganisms in Ukraine and the world

Basically, antibiotic resistance develops due to the incorrect use of antibiotics in various branches of animal husbandry, both during the treatment or prevention of diseases, and due to their long-term use as growth stimulants. As a result, costs for the treatment of farm animals and companion animals are increasing. Antibiotic resistance among microorganisms is a threat to every person, every patient, medical and veterinary worker. Also, this is a big challenge for the field of health care, veterinary medicine and agriculture as a whole. It is very difficult to solve the problem of resistance, because it is not one-sided. Medicines that were effective a few years ago are losing their positions today, and their use is being forced to be limited. According to data from the World Health Organization, the rapid increase in the resistance of microorganisms to antibacterial drugs threatens the scientific gains made by scientists during the last 50-70 years. The formation of antibiotic resistance is due to the genetic properties of microorganisms, as a result of their acquisition of new genetic information, or due to a change in the level of expression of the bacterial cell's own genes. An important factor in the fight against the spread of antibiotic resistance is the pharmacodynamic substantiation of the dosing regimens of antibacterial drugs and their use for specific microorganisms.There are guiding documents that control and recommend the reliability of determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics, in particular - methodological recommendations of the European organization EUCAST, the data and material of which are periodically (annually) updated. These documents are developed primarily for routine use in clinical laboratories that do not cover technical procedures for identifying resistance mechanisms at the molecular level. However, a significant part of the given data, research on determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to antibiotics, is performed in national reference laboratories. There is a change in the sensitivity of the micro-flora to antibiotics, which is not covered by the screening of multi-resistant microorganisms, or the direct detection of resistance in clinical samples. Therefore, the study of the problem remains relevant and expedient. Key words: microorganisms, resistance, antibiotics, gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, control, disease, spread, problem, treatment, animals.

Vertical and horizontal gene transfer tradeoffs direct plasmid fitness

Plasmid fitness is directed by two orthogonal processes—vertical transfer through cell division and horizontal transfer through conjugation. When considered individually, improvements in either mode of transfer can promote how well a plasmid spreads and persists. Together, however, the metabolic cost of conjugation could create a tradeoff that constrains plasmid evolution. Here, we present evidence for the presence, consequences, and molecular basis of a conjugation‐growth tradeoff across 40 plasmids derived from clinical Escherichia coli pathogens. We discover that most plasmids operate below a conjugation efficiency threshold for major growth effects, indicating strong natural selection for vertical transfer. Below this threshold, E. coli demonstrates a remarkable growth tolerance to over four orders of magnitude change in conjugation efficiency. This tolerance fades as nutrients become scarce and horizontal transfer attracts a greater share of host resources. Our results provide insight into evolutionary constraints directing plasmid fitness and strategies to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance.

Evolution and Emergence of Antibiotic Resistance in Given Ecosystems: Possible Strategies for Addressing the Challenge of Antibiotic Resistance.

Antibiotics were once considered the magic bullet for all human infections. However, their success was short-lived, and today, microorganisms have become resistant to almost all known antimicrobials. The most recent decade of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century have witnessed the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance (ABR) in different pathogenic microorganisms worldwide. Therefore, this narrative review examined the history of antibiotics and the ecological roles of antibiotics, and their resistance. The evolution of bacterial antibiotic resistance in different environments, including aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and modern tools used for the identification were addressed. Finally, the review addressed the ecotoxicological impact of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and public health concerns and concluded with possible strategies for addressing the ABR challenge. The information provided in this review will enhance our understanding of ABR and its implications for human, animal, and environmental health. Understanding the environmental dimension will also strengthen the need to prevent pollution as the factors influencing ABR in this setting are more than just antibiotics but involve others like heavy metals and biocides, usually not considered when studying ABR.

Improving the sensitivity and selectivity of sulfonamides electrochemical detection with double-system imprinted polymers

The extensive use of antibiotics leading to the rapid spread of antibiotic resistance poses high health risks to humans, but to date there is still lack of an on-site detection method of SA residues. In this study, we integrated radical polymerization using sodium p-styrenesulfonate as a functional monomer and the self-polymerization of dopamine to prepare double-system imprinted polymers (DIPs) using sulfonamide antibiotics as templates. We found that the DIPs were semi-interpenetrating polymer networks and introduction of poly(dopamine) improved the selectivity of the imprinted cavities as well as the conductivity. The selectivity and sensitivity of the sensor using DIPs were much higher than those using single-system MIPs. This sensor could determine sulfonamides in complex samples in the presence of structural analogues. The linear range was from 0.01 to 10.00 μmol L−1 with a detection limit of 4.00 nmol L−1. Furthermore, based on the highly selective DIPs and statistics analysis, this method could be used for simultaneous analysis of 4 sulfonamide types in real samples with an accuracy of 94.87 %. This work provides a strategy to improve the selectivity and sensitivity of MIPs based-sensor that can serve as tool for the simultaneous analysis of antibiotic residues in environment samples.

Response of Bacteria Isolated from Spent Engine Oil Contaminated Soil to Hydrocarbons, Metals and Antibiotics

ABSTRACT Automobile Mechanic Workshops (AMWs) in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC) contribute to the problem of soil contamination with petroleum hydrocarbons and toxic heavy metals as a result of indiscriminate disposal of spent engine oil (SEO). Such contaminated soil ecosystems can serve as reservoirs of bacteria harboring adaptive tolerance to metals and hydrocarbons as well as resistance to antibiotics. This study investigated the growth response of bacteria isolated from spent engine oil contaminated soils collected from AMWs in South-West, Nigeria to different concentrations of petroleum hydrocarbons, heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and their mixture) and clinically relevant antibiotics. Sixty percent of the bacterial isolates (n = 192) from the hydrocarbon contaminated soil samples possess the unique ability to metabolize various hydrocarbons, tolerate heavy metals and resist at least one of the tested antibiotics. The isolates were identified as members of the Genera Pseudomonas, Bacillus, Enterobacter, Burkholderia, Micrococcus, Staphylococcus, Actinomycetes, Citrobacter and Serratia. Significant correlation (p < .05) was observed between hydrocarbon utilization and antibiotic resistance. Results showed SEO contamination plays a role in the development and spread of antibiotic resistance in the soil ecosystem. Thus, it is necessary to enforce stricter regulations on the disposal of SEO and other petroleum hydrocarbons to limit their human and environment associated hazards.

Mapping the evidence of the effects of environmental factors on the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the non-built environment: Protocol for a systematic evidence map

BackgroundHuman, animal, and environmental health are increasingly threatened by the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. Inappropriate use of antibiotic treatments commonly contributes to this threat, but it is also becoming apparent that multiple, interconnected environmental factors can play a significant role. Thus, a One Health approach is required for a comprehensive understanding of the environmental dimensions of antibiotic resistance and inform science-based decisions and actions. The broad and multidisciplinary nature of the problem poses several open questions drawing upon a wide heterogeneous range of studies. ObjectiveThis study seeks to collect and catalogue the evidence of the potential effects of environmental factors on the abundance or detection of antibiotic resistance determinants in the outdoor environment, i.e., antibiotic resistant bacteria and mobile genetic elements carrying antibiotic resistance genes, and the effect on those caused by local environmental conditions of either natural or anthropogenic origin. MethodsHere, we describe the protocol for a systematic evidence map to address this, which will be performed in adherence to best practice guidelines. We will search the literature from 1990 to present, using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, Embase, and the Web of Science Core Collection as well as the grey literature. We shall include full-text, scientific articles published in English. Reviewers will work in pairs to screen title, abstract and keywords first and then full-text documents. Data extraction will adhere to a code book purposely designed. Risk of bias assessment will not be conducted as part of this SEM.We will combine tables, graphs, and other suitable visualisation techniques to compile a database i) of studies investigating the factors associated with the prevalence of antibiotic resistance in the environment and ii) map the distribution, network, cross-disciplinarity, impact and trends in the literature.

Occurrence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and resistance genes in the urban water cycle.

This study investigates the antibiotic resistance fate in the urban water cycle, evaluating the dynamics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) in three different full-scale wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and two drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs) located in the same geographical area (North-West of Italy). ARB (tetracycline-, ampicillin-, and sulfonamide-resistant bacteria) were quantified by plate counting and the abundances of selected ARGs (i.e., tetA, blaTEM, and sulII) and intI1 gene were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Higher concentrations of ARB and ARGs were observed in the WWTPs with respect to the DWTPs identifying the WWTP as hotspot for the spread of antibiotic resistances. Although a significant reduction of ARB and ARGs was observed in WWTPs and DWTPs after the treatment, none of the detected ARB or ARGs was completely removed in drinking water. The stability of the antibiotic-resistant rates between inlet and outlet associated with the reduction of relative ARG abundances underlined that both the treatments (WWTs and DWTs) did not apply any selective pressure. The overall results highlighted the importance to investigate the antibiotic resistance dynamics in aquatic ecosystems involved in urban water cycle integrating the information obtained by culture-dependent method with the culture-independent one and the need to monitor the presence of ARB and ARGs mainly in drinking water that represents a potential route of transmission to human.

The effect of disinfectants and antiseptics on co- and cross-selection of resistance to antibiotics in aquatic environments and wastewater treatment plants.

The outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic led to increased use of disinfectants and antiseptics (DAs), resulting in higher concentrations of these compounds in wastewaters, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and receiving water bodies. Their constant presence in water bodies may lead to development and acquisition of resistance against the DAs. In addition, they may also promote antibiotic resistance (AR) due to cross- and co-selection of AR among bacteria that are exposed to the DAs, which is a highly important issue with regards to human and environmental health. This review addresses this issue and provides an overview of DAs structure together with their modes of action against microorganisms. Relevant examples of the most effective treatment techniques to increase the DAs removal efficiency from wastewater are discussed. Moreover, insight on the resistance mechanisms to DAs and the mechanism of DAs enhancement of cross- and co-selection of ARs are presented. Furthermore, this review discusses the impact of DAs on resistance against antibiotics, the occurrence of DAs in aquatic systems, and DA removal mechanisms in WWTPs, which in principle serve as the final barrier before releasing these compounds into the receiving environment. By recognition of important research gaps, research needs to determine the impact of the majority of DAs in WWTPs and the consequences of their presence and spread of antibiotic resistance were identified.

Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance in Lotic Ecosystems

Antibiotic resistance is a matter of global public health concern. Antibiotic resistance isdisseminated by antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) which are carried by antibiotic resistancebacteria (ARBs). Lotic ecosystems like rivers which has flowing water can spread ARGs fromone location to another. Such dispersion of ARGs can also move through food chains and foodwebs making the spread of antibiotic resistance more complex and widespread. Detection ofthese ARGs is important for understanding the origin and pathways of antibiotic resistancein our waterways. Both culturing and non-culturing methods can be used for detection ofthese ARGs. Overall, understanding the sources, assessing the presence, and determining thedissemination of antibiotic resistance is important for us to understand the level of antibioticpollution in our waterbodies.

An optimized antimicrobial peptide analog acts as an antibiotic adjuvant to reverse methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

The misuse of antibiotics in animal protein production has driven the emergence of a range of drug-resistant pathogens, which threaten existing public health security. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop novel antimicrobials and new infection treatment options to address the challenges posed by the dramatic spread of antibiotic resistance. Piscidins, a class of fish-specific antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are regarded as promising therapies for biomedical applications. Progress towards potential analogs from the piscidin family has been hampered by unenforceable structural optimization strategies. Here, we leverage a strategy of bioinformatics analysis combined with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to identify specific functional hotspots in piscidins and rationally design related analogues. As expected, this approach yields a potent and non-toxic PIS-A-1 that can be used as an antibiotic adjuvant to reverse methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) pathogens. Remarkably, the structural optimization scheme and application strategy proposed here will contribute richer therapeutic options for the safe production of animal protein.