Therapy Of Infectious Diseases Research Articles

Характеристика CRISPR/CAS-системы штамма Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 50071 на основе биоинформационного анализа её структур

An algorithm for bioinformatic search and analysis of the structures of CRISPR/Cas systems of bacteria and screening of phages and plasmids through spacer sequences of CRISPR cassettes in the genome of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain DSM 50071 is presented.Using several search algorithms in the CRISPR/Cas system of the studied strain, the presence of three CRISPR loci and a group of Cas genes characteristic of Type-I Subtype-I-F was determined.Analysis of the spacer composition of CRISPR cassettes showed the presence of 31 to 43 spacers and a universal consensus repeat in all cassettes.Screening of the spacer sequences of the CRISPR cassettes of the studied strain showed their correspondence to the protospacers of phages and plasmids of bacteria of the families Pseudomonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae. A complete characterization of bacteriophages to which this strain is resistant is given with their accession number in NCBI. A complete identification of spacers to protospacers of phages specific for bacteria of the Pseudomonadaceae family, most often isolated from the lungs of patients with bronchiectasis, pneumonia, as well as from hospitals and reservoirs, has been established.Full correspondence between spacers and protospacers of bacterial plasmids with pan-resistance and causing the development of respiratory failure and pneumonia was revealed. Correspondence of a segment of one spacer with protospacers of several bacterial phages of the same family was noted. This may indicate that the bacterium “expediently” acquires new spacers from DNA regions that are conserved for phages of bacteria of the same family.Genes that have phage protospacers in their structure have been identified.It has been established that these genes are responsible for the synthesis of enzymes that regulate the processes of virus reproduction.Therefore, activation of the CRISPR/Cas system in the genome of this strain will allow the restriction endonuclease to introduce breaks into unmethylated DNA, which will lead to disruption of the synthesis of this enzyme, and, consequently, disruption of bacteriophage replication.Correspondences of spacer sequences with protospacers of plasmids included in the structure of genes responsible for the synthesis of conjugative transfer enzymes were revealed.These results suggested that activation of the CRISPR/Cas system of this strain would disrupt the processes replication of bacteriophage and conjugation.The proposed algorithm made it possible to obtain information about the structure of the CRISPR/Cas system of the P. aeruginosa DSM 50071 strain, about its resistance to certain phages and plasmids. In the future, this will serve as the basis for creating approaches for targeted therapy of infectious diseases.

A new Lactobacillus gasseri strain HMV18 inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria

To search for a new eco-friendly therapy for infectious disease caused by Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus or Klebsiella oxytoca, we collected the vaginal swabs from healthy women, screened for Lactobacillus and found a strain repressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The new isolate was identified as L. gasseri by the colony morphology, Gram staining, biochemical reactions and confirmed by the 16S rDNA sequencing. The HMV18 strain inhibited the growth of food-borne pathogens such as E. coli, S. aureus and K. oxytoca. The HMV18 strain was sensitive to penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, tetracycline and chloramphenicol. The HMV18 strain produced α-hemolysis. Pathological histology of the mice ileum showed that the mucosa, villi, lamina propria and crypt depth remained intact and there was no inflammation or hyperemia in the L. gasseri HMV18 gavaged group. L. gasseri HMV18 could not up-regulate inflammatory cytokines level of plasma. All the results suggested L. gasseri HMV18 is a candidate probiotic to be an additive for food preservation or drug to prevent food-borne diseases.

Short- versus prolonged-course antibiotic therapy for sepsis or infectious diseases in critically ill adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background The 2016 International Guidelines for the Management of Sepsis and Septic Shock recommend antibiotic therapy for 7–10 days for most patients with sepsis. However, evidence on critically ill patients is limited. Thus, we conducted the first systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the effectiveness and adverse events of shorter- (≤1 week) with longer-course antibiotics in adults with critical infections including sepsis. Methods We searched the MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi databases for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies (OSs) from inception to 31 March 2021. Results We included 6 of 3,766 identified articles, incorporating data from 4 RCTs and 2 OSs (1,721 patients) in meta-analyses. Three RCTs and one OS focussed on ventilator-associated pneumonia, and one RCT and one OS investigated intra-abdominal infections. The severity score levels were similar to that of sepsis, but no study comprehensively focussing on sepsis was found. There were no significant differences in mortality at a maximum follow-up of 30 days (RR 1.08, 95%CI 0.80–1.46); 28-day mortality, clinical cure, the occurrence of new events, and the emergence of resistant organisms between the groups in the RCTs. The OSs findings were consistent. The quality of evidence was assessed as very low to moderate using the GRADE approach, with no uniform description of severity scores, sepsis, or adverse events. Conclusions Shorter, fixed-duration antibiotic therapy for clinically heterogeneous sepsis or severe infections was not associated with poorer outcomes, but the overall quality of evidence was poor.

Mass spectrometric identification of immunogenic SARS-CoV-2 epitopes and cognate TCRs

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections elicit both humoral and cellular immune responses. For the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, it has become increasingly apparent that T cell responses are equally if not more important than humoral responses in mediating recovery and immune protection. One major challenge in developing T cell-based therapies for infectious and malignant diseases has been the identification of immunogenic epitopes that can elicit a meaningful T cell response. Traditionally, this has been achieved using sophisticated in silico methods to predict putative epitopes deduced from binding affinities. Our studies find that, in contrast to current convention, "immunodominant" SARS-CoV-2 peptides defined by such in silico methods often fail to elicit T cell responses recognizing naturally presented SARS-CoV-2 epitopes. We postulated that immunogenic epitopes for SARS-CoV-2 are best defined empirically by directly analyzing peptides eluted from the naturally processed peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and then validating immunogenicity by determining whether such peptides can elicit T cells recognizing SARS-CoV-2 antigen-expressing cells. Using a tandem mass spectrometry approach, we identified epitopes derived from not only structural but also nonstructural genes in regions highly conserved among SARS-CoV-2 strains, including recently recognized variants. Finally, there are no reported T cell receptor-engineered T cell technology that can redirect T cell specificity to recognize and kill SARS-CoV-2 target cells. We report here several SARS-CoV-2 epitopes defined by mass spectrometric analysis of MHC-eluted peptides, provide empiric evidence for their immunogenicity, and demonstrate engineered TCR-redirected killing.

Pd-Cu nanoalloy for dual stimuli-responsive chemo-photothermal therapy against pathogenic biofilm bacteria

Photothermal therapy (PTT) is a promising strategy for antimicrobial therapy. However, the application of PTT to treat bacterial infections remains a challenge as the high temperature required for bacterial elimination can partly damage healthy tissues. Selecting the appropriate treatment temperature is therefore a key factor for PTT. In this work, we designed a near-infrared/pH dual stimuli-responsive activated procedural antibacterial system based on zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8), which was bottom-up synthesized and utilized to encapsulate both Pd-Cu nanoalloy (PC) and the antibiotic amoxicillin (AMO). This procedural antibacterial therapy comprises chemotherapy (CT) and PTT. The former disrupts the bacterial cell wall by releasing AMO in an acidic environment, which depends on the sensitive response of ZIF-8 to pH value change. With the progression in time, the AMO release rate decreased gradually. The latter can then significantly stimulate drug release and further complete the antibacterial effect. This impactful attack consisted of two waves that constitute the procedural therapy for bacterial infection. Accordingly, the treatment temperature required for antibacterial therapy can be significantly lowered under this mode of treatment. This antibacterial system has a significant therapeutic effect on planktonic bacteria (G+/G−) and their biofilms and also has good biocompatibility; thus, it provides a promising strategy to develop an effective and safe treatment against bacterial infections. Statement of SignificanceWe have developed a near infrared/pH dual stimuli-responsive activated procedural antibacterial system that combines enhanced antibiotic delivery with photothermal therapy and has highly efficient antimicrobial activity. The antibacterial effect of this therapy was based on two mechanisms of action: chemotherapy, in which the bacterial cell wall was first destroyed, followed by photothermal therapy. After exposure to irradiation with an 808 nm laser, the inhibition rates were 99.8% and 99.1% for Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively, and the clearance rates for their established biofilms were 75.3% and 74.8%, respectively. Thus, this procedural antibacterial therapy has shown great potentiality for use in the photothermal therapy of bacterial infectious diseases, including biofilm elimination.

Polymeric micelles and nanomedicines: Shaping the future of next generation therapeutic strategies for infectious diseases

Despite all the advances in understanding the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and the development of novel treatments to combat them, these pathogenic disorders are among the most common reasons for hospitalizations and death worldwide.Polymeric micelles (PMs) are nano-sized drug delivery systems that in the last few years have raised special attention for optimizing the therapy of many infectious diseases, including those considered as neglected by the World Health Organization. These nanoscopic core/shell structures formed by self-assemblies of amphiphilic block copolymers represent an effective delivery system for poorly water-soluble drugs. In the last few years, many micellar formulations were studied for delivery of drugs, genes and nutraceuticals, and some of them are under clinical trials. This review will focus on the applications of polymeric single and mixed micelles for the treatment of infectious diseases and will discuss how these advancements have contributed to improve their pharmacotherapy, with a special emphasis on neglected tropical diseases. A summary of the nanomaterials used for the preparation of PMs is detailed. The current state of the art of several micellar formulations as nanocarriers of FDA-approved drugs for the therapy of many infectious diseases, including those under pre-clinical or clinical trials is provided. Finally, perspectives in the design of a more efficient pharmacotherapy to overcome the multi-drug resistance phenotype of pathogens or host cells are addressed.

Роль пищевых волокон в коррекции нарушений микробиоценоза кишечника на фоне антибактериальной терапии

Antibiotic-associated gut microbiocenosis disorders develop on average in every third patient in the form of both mild disorders and severe life-threatening conditions. The negative impact of antibacterial agents on the gut microbiota causes a decrease in the number and species diversity of microorganisms that produce butyric acid. Low concentrations of butyric acid can often induce inflammatory and atrophic processes of the gut mucosa, the water-electrolyte balance regulation disorders and, as a result, the gut motility and functions disorders. Long-term gut microbiocenosis disorders themselves can cause the development of the disease and in future, they become factors of its progression, thereby launching a whole cascade of new pathological processes. The article analyzes a representative clinical data published in authoritative international magazines from 1990 to 2020, indicating the effectiveness of the dietary fiber (DF) management for the correction of gut microbiocenosis disorders caused by antibacterial drugs intake. Partially hydrolyzed guar gum, registered in our country under the trade name “OptiFiber”, due to its effects such as the gut regulation, abdominal pain reduction, flatus and bloating reduction, increase the resident gut microflora amount and its metabolic activity, helps to restore and maintain of the gut eubiosis. Conclusion. “OptiFiber” can be administered for a long-term intake in order to increase the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy for various infectious diseases, as well as for the correction and prevention of gut microbiocenosis disorders associated with antibacterial drugs intake

Mesenchymal Stromal Cells: an Antimicrobial and Host-Directed Therapy for Complex Infectious Diseases.

There is an urgent need for new antimicrobial strategies for treating complex infections and emerging pathogens. Human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are adult multipotent cells with antimicrobial properties, mediated through direct bactericidal activity and modulation of host innate and adaptive immune cells. More than 30 in vivo studies have reported on the use of human MSCs for the treatment of infectious diseases, with many more studies of animal MSCs in same-species models of infection. MSCs demonstrate potent antimicrobial effects against the major classes of human pathogens (bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites) across a wide range of infection models. Mechanistic studies have yielded important insight into their immunomodulatory and bactericidal activity, which can be enhanced through various forms of preconditioning. MSCs are being investigated in over 80 clinical trials for difficult-to-treat infectious diseases, including sepsis and pulmonary, intra-abdominal, cutaneous, and viral infections. Completed trials consistently report MSCs to be safe and well tolerated, with signals of efficacy against some infectious diseases. Although significant obstacles must be overcome to produce a standardized, affordable, clinical-grade cell therapy, these studies suggest that MSCs may have particular potential as an adjunct therapy in complex or resistant infections.

Медикаментозне інгібування активності бактеріальних двокомпонентних систем регуляції

Існує декілька способів пристосування і збільшення шансів до виживання мікроорганізмів. Спеціалізовані системи, що беруть участь у рекогніції зовнішніх змін й організації відповідної реакції мікроорганізму, отримали назву «бактеріальні сенсорні системи». Вони можуть бути активовані як хімічними, так і механічними тригерами. Дані бактеріальні регуляторні системи поділяються на чотири основні групи: 1) групу систем quorum sensing; 2) групу одномолекулярних автономних регуляторів; 3) групу регуляторних РНК, які відіграють ключову роль у регуляції активності транскрипції і трансляції в еукаріот і бактерій; 4) групу двокомпонентних систем регуляції (two-component systems — TCS), які є найбільш поширеними бактеріальними регуляторними системами. У результаті порушення сенсорної кінази сигнальні ланцюги, асоційовані з TCS, призводять до активації експресії генів факторів вірулентності. У зв’язку з цим медикаментозне придушення TCS може знизити рівень вірулентності бактерій і сприяти розрішенню інфекційного процесу. Анти-TCS-препарати є перспективними антимікробними лікарськими засобами, та в недалекому майбутньому вони займуть гідне місце в терапії інфекційно-запальних захворювань респіраторного тракту, викликаних антибіотикорезистентними бактеріальними штамами.

Passive Tracer Visualization to Simulate Aerodynamic Virus Transport in Noninvasive Respiratory Support Methods

Background: Various forms of noninvasive respiratory support methods are used in the treatment of hypoxemic CO­VID-19 patients, but limited data are available about the corresponding respiratory droplet dispersion. Objectives: The aim of this study was to estimate the potential spread of infectious diseases for a broad selection of oxygen and respiratory support methods by revealing the therapy-induced aerodynamics and respiratory droplet dispersion. Methods: The exhaled air-smoke plume from a 3D-printed upper airway geometry was visualized by recording light reflection during simulated spontaneous breathing, standard oxygen mask application, nasal high-flow therapy (NHFT), continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and bilevel positive airway pressure (BiPAP). The dispersion of 100 μm particles was estimated from the initial velocity of exhaled air and the theoretical terminal velocity. Results: Estimated droplet dispersion was 16 cm for unassisted breathing, 10 cm for Venturi masks, 13 cm for the nebulizer, and 14 cm for the nonrebreathing mask. Estimated droplet spread increased up to 34 cm in NHFT, 57 cm in BiPAP, and 69 cm in CPAP. A nonsurgical face mask over the NHFT interface reduced estimated droplet dispersion. Conclusions: During NHFT and CPAP/BiPAP with vented masks, extensive jets with relatively high jet velocities were observed, indicating increased droplet spread and an increased risk of droplet-driven virus transmission. For the Venturi masks, a nonrebreathing mask, and a nebulizer, estimated jet velocities are comparable to unassisted breathing. Aerosols are transported unboundedly in all these unfiltered therapies. The adequate use of protective measures is of vital importance when using noninvasive unfiltered therapies in infectious respiratory diseases.

Biosynthesis of Copper Oxide Nanomaterials Using the Seeds of Date Fruits (Phoenix dactylifera L.) and Antibacterial Activity Evaluation.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Green chemistry approach is a simple, eco-friendly, less toxic, cost-effective and biological method. <i>Phoenix dactylifera </i>seed extract has been used as a reducing and capping agent for the green synthesis of copper oxide nanomaterials. This approach had forewarned the interest in researching natural waste products to increase the usage of alternative therapies for infectious diseases. The present investigation determined the production of biogenic copper oxide nanomaterials using the seeds of date fruits (<i>Phoenix dactylifera </i>L.) by green approaches and an eco-friendly process. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Extract of seeds of date fruits acted as potential and effective bio capping and reductant agents for bio-synthesis of copper oxide nanoparticles. The properties of biogenic copper oxide nanomaterials were assessed and characterized by the FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XRD and TGA analysis. <b>Results:</b> All the characterization results were confirming that produced copper oxide nanomaterials are spherical in shape with a size of 30±6 nm. Synthesized copper oxide nanomaterials are highly pure forms and resistant to high temperatures. Further, the antibacterial activity of green synthesized copper oxide nanomaterials against human bacterial pathogens was evaluated by the agar well diffusion method. The maximum zone of inhibition was obtained in <i>E. coli</i> as compared to the positive control (tetracycline). <b>Conclusion:</b> The results of the antibacterial assay indicate that biogenic copper oxide nanomaterials should be considered as an antibacterial agent for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases.

Recent Advances in the Use of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for the Diagnosis of Bacterial Infections.

Public awareness of infectious diseases has increased in recent months, not only due to the current COVID-19 outbreak but also because of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) being declared a top-10 global health threat by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019. These global issues have spiked the realization that new and more efficient methods and approaches are urgently required to efficiently combat and overcome the failures in the diagnosis and therapy of infectious disease. This holds true not only for current diseases, but we should also have enough readiness to fight the unforeseen diseases so as to avoid future pandemics. A paradigm shift is needed, not only in infection treatment, but also diagnostic practices, to overcome the potential failures associated with early diagnosis stages, leading to unnecessary and inefficient treatments, while simultaneously promoting AMR. With the development of nanotechnology, nanomaterials fabricated as multifunctional nano-platforms for antibacterial therapeutics, diagnostics, or both (known as “theranostics”) have attracted increasing attention. In the research field of nanomedicine, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN) with a tailored structure, large surface area, high loading capacity, abundant chemical versatility, and acceptable biocompatibility, have shown great potential to integrate the desired functions for diagnosis of bacterial infections. The focus of this review is to present the advances in mesoporous materials in the form of nanoparticles (NPs) or composites that can easily and flexibly accommodate dual or multifunctional capabilities of separation, identification and tracking performed during the diagnosis of infectious diseases together with the inspiring NP designs in diagnosis of bacterial infections.

Alexander Fleming (to the 140th anniversary of his birth)

Alexander Fleming is a prominent Scottish scientist, Nobel laureate, and bacteriologist who discovered penicillin. He was born near the small town Darwell in Scotland. He studied at St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School and received his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from London University. The research of the young scientist began with the study of the etiology, diagnosis and vaccine therapy of infectious diseases, he soon began working on finding treatment options for patients with bacterial infections with a talented military doctor Almroth Wright. Working in the Royal Military Medical Service during the First World War, A. Wright and O. Fleming showed that the use of antiseptics after injury does not destroy bacterial pathogens effectively. After the war, O. Fleming made an extremely important discovery of a lytic enzyme with a pronounced antibacterial effect - lysozyme. This discovery prompted him to search for antibacterial drugs actively. In 1928, Alexander Fleming discovered the first antibiotic – penicillin. He found that penicillin is an effective antibacterial substance that can affect pyogenic cocci and diphtheria bacilli. The widespread introduction of penicillin into clinical practice has saved hundreds millions of lives.
 Keywords: penicillin, lysozyme, antibiotics, bacterial infections.

A patent review of the antimicrobial applications of lectins: Perspectives on therapy of infectious diseases.

Patents of lectins with antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal applications were searched and reviewed. Lectins are proteins that reversibly bind to specific carbohydrates and have the potential for therapy of infectious diseases as biopharmaceuticals, biomedical tools or in drug design. Given the rising concerns over drug resistance and epidemics, our patent review aims to add information, open horizons and indicate our view of the future perspectives about the antimicrobial applications of lectins. Patents with publications until December 2020 were retrieved from Espacenet using defined search terms and Boolean operators. The documents were used to identify the geographical and temporal distribution of the patents, characterize their lectins, and classify and summarize their antiviral, antibiotic and antifungal applications. Lectins are promising antiviral agents against viruses with epidemics and drug resistance concerns. Mannose-binding lectins were the most suggested antiviral agents since glycans with mannose residues are commonly involved in viral entry mechanisms. They were also immobilized onto surfaces to trap viral particles and inhibit their spread and replication. Many patents described the extraction, isolation, amino acid and nucleotide sequences, and expression vectors of lectins with antibiotic and/or antifungal activities in terms of MIC and IC50 for in vitro assays. The inventions also included lectins as biological tools in nanosensors for antibiotics susceptibility tests, drug-delivery systems for the treatment of resistant bacteria, diagnostics of viral diseases and as a vaccine adjuvant. Although research and development of new medicines is highly expensive, antimicrobial lectins may be worth investments given the emergence of epidemics and drug resistance. For this purpose, less invasive routes should be developed as alternatives to the parenteral administration of biologics. While anti-glycan neutralizing antibodies are difficult to develop due to the low immunogenicity of carbohydrates, lectins can be produced more easily and have a broad-spectrum activity. Protein engineering technologies may make the antimicrobial applications of lectins more successful.

Targeting Human Papillomavirus-Associated Cancer by Oncoprotein-Specific Recombinant Antibodies.

In recent decades, recombinant antibodies against specific antigens have shown great promise for the therapy of infectious diseases and cancer. Human papillomaviruses (HPVs) are involved in the development of around 5% of all human cancers and HPV16 is the high-risk genotype with the highest prevalence worldwide, playing a dominant role in all HPV-associated cancers. Here, we describe the main biological activities of the HPV16 E6, E7, and E5 oncoproteins, which are involved in the subversion of important regulatory pathways directly associated with all known hallmarks of cancer. We then review the state of art of the recombinant antibodies targeted to HPV oncoproteins developed so far in different formats, and outline their mechanisms of action. We describe the advantages of a possible antibody-based therapy against the HPV-associated lesions and discuss the critical issue of delivery to tumour cells, which must be addressed in order to achieve the desired translation of the antibodies from the laboratory to the clinic.

Secretome screening reveals immunomodulating functions of IFN\u03b1-7, PAP and GDF-7 on regulatory T-cells

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are the key cells regulating peripheral autoreactive T lymphocytes. Tregs exert their function by suppressing effector T cells. Tregs have been shown to play essential roles in the control of a variety of physiological and pathological immune responses. However, Tregs are unstable and can lose the expression of FOXP3 and suppressive functions as a consequence of outer stimuli. Available literature suggests that secreted proteins regulate Treg functional states, such as differentiation, proliferation and suppressive function. Identification of secreted proteins that affect Treg cell function are highly interesting for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes in either hyperactive or immunosuppressed populations. Here, we report a phenotypic screening of a human secretome library in human Treg cells utilising a high throughput flow cytometry technology. Screening a library of 575 secreted proteins allowed us to identify proteins stabilising or destabilising the Treg phenotype as suggested by changes in expression of Treg marker proteins FOXP3 and/or CTLA4. Four proteins including GDF-7, IL-10, PAP and IFNα-7 were identified as positive regulators that increased FOXP3 and/or CTLA4 expression. PAP is a phosphatase. A catalytic-dead version of the protein did not induce an increase in FOXP3 expression. Ten interferon proteins were identified as negative regulators that reduced the expression of both CTLA4 and FOXP3, without affecting cell viability. A transcriptomics analysis supported the differential effect on Tregs of IFNα-7 versus other IFNα proteins, indicating differences in JAK/STAT signaling. A conformational model experiment confirmed a tenfold reduction in IFNAR-mediated ISG transcription for IFNα-7 compared to IFNα-10. This further strengthened the theory of a shift in downstream messaging upon external stimulation. As a summary, we have identified four positive regulators of FOXP3 and/or CTLA4 expression. Further exploration of these Treg modulators and their method of action has the potential to aid the discovery of novel therapies for both autoimmune and infectious diseases as well as for cancer.

Medicinal Plants for Prophylaxis and Therapy of Common Infectious Diseases In Poultry-A Systematic Review of In Vivo Studies.

Medicinal plants for prophylaxis and therapy of common infectious diseases in poultry have been studied for several years. The goal of this review was to systematically identify plant species and evaluate their potential in prophylaxis and therapy of common diseases in poultry caused by bacteria and gastrointestinal protozoa. The procedure followed the recommendations of the PRISMA statement and the AMSTAR measurement tool. The PICOS scheme was used to design the research questions. Two databases were consulted, and publications were manually selected, according to predefined in- and exclusion criteria. A scoring system was established to evaluate the remaining publications. Initially, 4197 identified publications were found, and 77 publications remained after manual sorting, including 38 publications with 70 experiments on bacterial infections and 39 publications with 78 experiments on gastrointestinal protozoa. In total, 83 plant species from 42 families were identified. Asteraceae and Lamiaceae were the most frequently found families with Artemisia annua being the most frequently found plant, followed by Origanum vulgare. As compared to placebo and positive or negative control groups, antimicrobial effects were found in 46 experiments, prebiotic effects in 19 experiments, and antiprotozoal effects in 47 experiments. In summary, a total of 274 positive effects predominated over 241 zero effects and 37 negative effects. Data indicate that O. vulgare, Coriandrum sativum, A.annua, and Bidens pilosa are promising plant species for prophylaxis and therapy of bacterial and protozoal diseases in poultry.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ДИНАМИКИ РАЗМНОЖЕНИЯ M.LEPRAE В УСЛОВИЯХ ПРИМЕНЕНИЯ ЭКСТРАКТА ЛОФАНТА АНИСОВОГО, ПОЛУЧЕННОГО МЕТОДОМ СВЕРХКРИТИЧЕСКОЙ ФЛЮИДНОЙ ЭКСТРАКЦИИ

One of the ways to solve the problem of drug resistance in the therapy of infectious diseases is to develop herbal preparations with high antibacterial activity, which have a good drug safety profile, is extremely significant for long-term therapy, the use of which could complement and improve the used combination therapy regimens. The aim of our study was to study the anti-leprosy activity of lofant anise extract obtained by supercritical fluid extraction using CO2 containing phenolic compounds such as gallic acid, coumarin, umbelliferon, luteolin, quercetin, taxifolin, rutin. Materials and methods. The anti-leprosy activity had been studied on Shepard's model. Blood parameters were examined on a SYSMEX XT – 2000i hematological analyzer (Japan). Conclusion. Lofant anise extract, obtained by supercritical fluid extraction using CO2, has a bacteriostatic effect on M. leprae, which is not only comparable to the effect of dapsone, but also with a more prolonged course exceeding it. Unlike the drug of choice (dapsone), the extract, when administered for 30 days, does not cause changes in red blood parameters and does not cause neutropenia. The identified effects actualize further research of the extract for the development of dosage forms based on it for practical health care.

Application of nano-graphene oxide as nontoxic disinfectant against alpha and betacoronaviruses.

New viruses are continuously emerging and recently there have been many great concerns on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS‐CoV‐2). Nanographene oxide (nanoGO) has received much attention and is widely investigated to be utilised in therapy for infectious diseases by viruses. Thus, antiviral activity of nanoGO was evaluated using the porcine epidemic diarrhoea virus (PEDV), bovine coronavirus (BCoV), and SARS‐CoV‐2, which are all Alpha‐ and Beta‐coronavirus. In a virus inhibition assay, the three viruses were inhibited by nanoGO in a dose‐dependent manner, including attempts in the presence of high serum solution which partially mimicked biological fluid.

Intravenous immunoglobulins for the treatment of the hyper-inflammatory response in COVID-19. Another failure of immunomodulatory therapy?

Diphtheria toxin was discovered in 1880, and shortly after this the treatment of infectious diseases with the serum of convalescent patients was proposed for the first time [1]. Since then, a long chapter has been written in the history of medicine about the use of serum or plasma containing immunoglobulins for the treatment, pre-emptive therapy or prophylaxis of infectious diseases. In the pandemic of influenza virus infection in 1918, called the ‘Spanish flu’, convalescent human serum was used for patients with pneumonia [2].