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This study investigated the trends of nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) isolates and the minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antimicrobial agents in Korea. Data from 2013 to 2019 were collected from 69 medical institutions through 12 branches of the Korean Institute of Tuberculosis. NTM identification was conducted using the Advansure Mycobacteria Genoblot assay. The MIC of antibiotics against NTM species were measured using the broth microdilution method according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Over seven years, 86,194 NTM identifications were requested, with an annual increase from 8034 in 2013–17,229 in 2019. The most frequently identified NTM species were M. intracellulare (33,467; 47.3%) and M. avium (19,818; 27.2%), followed by M. abscessus (6858; 9.4%) and M. massiliense (3156; 4.3%). Regarding the antimicrobial agents, imipenem exhibited the greatest difference in MIC between M. intracellulare and M. avium , whereas clarithromycin showed the most significant difference between M. abscessus and M. massiliense. No notable changes were observed in the annual MIC distribution of most antibacterial agents, except for clarithromycin in M. abscessus. The prevalence of NTM in Korea is gradually increasing, and follow-up studies on NTM isolates identified as the causative agents of infection are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seventeen water samples were collected from four different thermal springs in Saudi Arabia. Microbiological assays were used to assess the antibacterial activities of bacterial colonies against antibiotic-resistant and susceptible-bacterial strains, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to identify the genus and species of these antibiotic-producing bacteria. Chromatography and spectroscopy were used to separate the active compounds and help figuring out what their structures were. Four compounds were isolated using bacteria: N -acetyltryptamine (1), isovaleric acid (2), ethyl-4-ethoxybenzoate (3) and phenylacetic acid (4). Compounds 1 , 2 and 4 were produced from Bacillus pumilus and 3 was from Bacillus licheniformis (AH-E1). The outcomes of the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) showed that all pure compounds produced in this work had antibacterial activities against Gram-positive pathogens (between 128 mg/L and 512 mg/L compared to the control) and compound 2 had activity against E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. Acute otitis media (AOM) is the inflammation of the middle ear. It constitutes one of the most frequent infections which affects children and usually occurs between 6 to 24 months of age. AOM can emerge due to viruses and/or bacteria. The aim of the current systematic review is to assess in children between 6 months and 12 years of age with AOM, the efficacy of any antimicrobial agent or placebo compared with amoxicillinclavulanate, to measure the resolution of AOM or symptoms. Methods. The medical databases PubMed (MEDLINE) and Web of Science were used. Data extraction and analysis were performed by two independent reviewers. Eligibility criteria were set, and only randomised control trials (RCTs) were included. Critical appraisal of the eligible studies was performed. Pooled analysis was conducted using the Review Manager v. 5.4.1 software (RevMan). Results. Twelve RCTs were totally included. Three (25.0%) RCTs studied the impact of azithromycin, two (16.7%) investigated the impact of cefdinir, two (16.7%) investigated placebo, three (25.0%) studied quinolones, one (8.3%) investigated cefaclor and one (8.3%) studied penicillin V, compared to amoxicillin-clavulanate. In five (41.7%) RCTs, amoxicillin-clavulanate proved to be superior to azithromycin, cefdinir, placebo, cefaclor and penicillin V, while in seven (58.3%) RCTs its efficacy was comparable with other antimicrobials or placebo. The rates of AOM relapse after treatment with amoxicillin-clavulanate were comparable to those of other antimicrobials or placebo. However, amoxicillin-clavulanate was more effective in eradicating Streptococcus pneumoniae from the culture, when compared to cefdinir. The results of the meta-analysis were not evaluated due to substantial heterogeneity between studies. Conclusions. Amoxicillin-clavulanate should be the treatment of choice for children between 6 months and 12 years of age with AOM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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[Display omitted] This review aimed to identify antimicrobial agents incorporated into dental materials obtained through additive manufacturing and their efficacy. Protocol registration was performed in Open Science Framework (osf.io/sp3xa/) and an electronic search was carried out in the databases PubMed, Science Direct, Embase, Lilacs, and Scopus, up to February 2022, combining the terms ("additive manufacturing" OR "3D printing") AND (antimicrobial). Eligibility criteria included: experimental studies that incorporated 3D printing material with an antimicrobial agent for dental application; that evaluated antimicrobial activity; articles published in peer-reviewed journals and in English. The database search resulted in 1139 references. The manual selection was carried out in 851 studies. Twenty-five articles were selected for full-text reading, of which 8 were included in this review. Polymers were the dental materials most often modified with antimicrobial agents for 3D printing, followed by metal alloy. The antimicrobials used were mainly nanoparticles, metal particles, antifungals, monomers containing quaternary ammonium salt, and antiseptics such as chlorhexidine. The addition of the antimicrobial agents in polymers and alloy for additive manufacturing showed promising efficacy against Candida spp., Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the present stage of development of society, in pandemic conditions, people are experiencing the growing influence of man-made factors (energy flows of internal and external origin, ionizing radiation, etc.), some drugs, pathogenic microflora (fungi viruses, bacteria, intracellular parasites). The origination of a critical mass of parasitogens can be prevented by using, in addition to traditional methods of prevention and treatment, textile materials with certain additional properties obtained by antimicrobial treatment. The aim is to study the change in the operational and hygienic properties of cellulosic materials after treatment with antimicrobials. To assess the effect of antimicrobials (biguanide derivatives and quaternary ammonium salts) on the operational and hygienic properties of cellulosic materials (cotton fabric) the following indicators were taken into account: strength, stiffness, wrinkle recovery, capillarity of materials, structural and morphological characteristics. The results of research have confirmed the possibility of using solutions of antimicrobial agents for effective processing of wales, without destructive effects on the structure of cellulosic materials; allowed to introduce a research methodology to provide antimicrobial properties of cellulosic materials of different assortment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, and cytotoxic properties of methanolic extracts of Neowestiellopsis persica (Nwp) and Desmonostoc sp. (Dns), for the first time and the preliminary identification of possible compounds in these extracts by measurement of total phenolic content, TLC-bioautography, HPLC and GC-Mass analysis. The results showed that the two selected extracts have a moderate to good MIC range (3.9 to 125μg/mL) exclusively against standard and clinical staphylococci. MTT assay showed that Nwp and Dns inhibited CHO cells with the IC 50 of 338.94 and 209.90 μg/mL. Also, Nwp was a more potent antioxidant than Dns. Although both extracts' antimicrobial properties were very similar, Nwp was chosen for identification analysis due to its antioxidant properties, higher extract production rate, and lower cytotoxicity. The TLC-recovered antimicrobial fraction (Nwp-derived compounds) in HPLC showed a sharp peak (retention time = of 1.855 min) that its analysis by GC-Mass introduced a unique and different derivative of phthalate, which is similar to Diisooctyl Phthalate and Bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. As a novelty, this study reports a derivative of phthalate from a Neowestiellopsis persica for the first time, which, along with exclusive antimicrobial properties against staphylococci and acceptable toxicity, has good antioxidant properties that can be introduced as a promising candidate for further in vitro and in vivo studies. However, more chemical and structural analyses such as high resolution mass spectrometry (HR-MS) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) are recommended for a better understanding of the nature of this substance. • Neowestiellopsis persica has similar antimicrobial and anti-biofilm effects. • N. persica produces a new phthalate derivative. • New phthalate is exclusively active against staphylococci strains. • New phthalate was similar to compounds diisooctyl phthalate and Bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate. • N. persica extract is a good antioxidant agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Teaching and learning the spectrum of activity (SOA) of antimicrobial agents can be a challenge in pharmacy education. This study describes the implementation and assessment of a novel tool to aid in the instruction of SOA. Physical manipulatives were used as an active-learning technique to model bacterial pathogens for antimicrobial SOA in an infectious diseases (ID) integrated medication therapy management course. Pharmacy students enrolled in two consecutive years of the ID course were provided the opportunity to utilize a set of manipulatives for in-class activities and out-of-class practice. The manipulatives were small, colored building blocks that could be used to model bacterial pathogens for antimicrobial SOA. A key was included with each set of blocks, color-coding each block to represent a different bacterial pathogen or pathogen group. Blocks were used during classroom instruction to model the SOA of antimicrobial agents, compare/contrast SOA between medications, and model bacterial pathogens requiring empiric coverage for various infections, allowing students to produce "bug-drug" matches. Course data from the previous year was utilized to compare pre-implementation aggregate performance with post-implementation data. Performance on SOA-related questions was assessed during the course, using an independent samples t -test. The intervention group exhibited a statistically significant increased mean score on test questions relating to SOA as compared to the control group. The use of manipulatives was associated with improved performance on SOA-related questions in an integrated ID course of pharmacy students. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous epidemiological and animal studies have showed the lipid metabolic disruption of antimicrobial triclocarban (TCC) and triclosan (TCS). However, the present in vivo researches were mainly devoted to the hepatic lipid metabolism, while the evidence about the impacts of TCC/TCS on the adipose tissue is very limited and the potential mechanism is unclear, especially the molecular initiation events. Moreover, little is known about the toxic difference between TCC and TCS. This study aimed to demonstrate the differential adipogenic activity of TCC/TCS as well as the potential molecular mechanism via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα/β/γ). The in vitro experiment based on 3T3-L1 cells showed that TCC/TCS promoted the differentiation of preadipocytes into mature adipocytes at nanomolar to micromolar concentrations, which was approach to their human exposure levels. We revealed for the first time by reporter gene assay that TCC could activate three PPARs signaling pathways in a concentration-dependent manner, while TCS only activate PPARβ. The molecular docking strategy was applied to simulate the interactions of TCC/TCS with PPARs, which explained well the different PPARs activities between TCC and TCS. TCC up-regulated the mRNA expression of three PPARs, but TCS only up-regulated PPARβ and PPARγ significantly. Meanwhile, TCC/TCS also promoted the expression of adipogenic genes targeted by PPARs to different extent. The cellular and simulating studies demonstrated that TCC exerted higher adipogenic effects and PPARs activities than TCS. Our mice in vivo experiment showed that TCC could lead to adipocyte size increase, adipocyte lipid accumulation growing, fat weight and body weight gain at human-related exposure levels, and high fat diet exacerbated these effects. Moreover, male mice tended to be more susceptible to TCC induced obesogenic effect than female mice. This work highlights the potential obesogenic risks of TCC/TCS via PPARs signaling pathways, and TCC deserves more concerns for its higher activity. [Display omitted] • TCC and TCS promoted 3T3-L1 adipogenic differentiation at human-related levels. • TCC activated three PPARs signaling pathways while TCS only activate PPARβ. • TCC exhibited higher adipogenic effects and PPARs activity than TCS. • TCC and TCS up-regulated PPARs and adipogenesis-related target genes. • TCC exerted obesogenic effects on female and male mice at human exposure levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aimed to provide a critical appraisal of alternative antimicrobial strategies in lieu of traditional triple antibiotic paste (TAP). This review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The literature search was performed in 8 databases (PubMed/Medline, Embase, LILACS, Web of Science, Scopus, BVS, SciELO, and the Cochrane Library), selecting clinical, in vitro , in vivo , and in situ studies that evaluated antimicrobial alternatives to TAP in regenerative endodontics. Studies lacking an experimental TAP group were excluded. A total of 1705 potentially relevant records were initially identified. From the 38 studies retrieved for full-text reading, 16 fulfilled all selection criteria and were included in the qualitative analysis. According to the study design, 11 studies were solely in vitro , 1 study was both in vitro and in vivo (animal model), 2 studies were solely animal experiments, and 2 studies were clinical trials. The alternative antimicrobial agents to TAP consisted of modified TAP formulations (eg, a combination of TAP with chitosan); TAP-eluting nanofibers; propolis; chlorhexidine (CHX) gels/solutions; double antibiotic pastes composed of distinct combinations of antibiotics; Ca(OH) 2 -based formulations; and sodium hypochlorite. Overall, most of the alternative agents performed similarly to TAP, although some strategies (eg, Ca(OH) 2 - and CHX-based formulations) seemed to present dubious importance in the control of infection. TAP still remains an excellent option in terms of the complete elimination of microorganisms. This review points to the use of electrospun fibers as a drug delivery system to offer a controlled release of the antimicrobial agent, as well as the use of natural compounds, deserving future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seed-borne fungus Penicillium duclauxii was examined in this study to investigate its capability of synthesizing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs). In vitro experiments were conducted using corn-grain contaminating fungal isolate. Ag-NPs detection and characterization were assayed by the aid of spectroscopic techniques. Spectroscopy (energy dispersive), X-ray diffraction, transmission electron-microscope and optical absorption dimensions were employed. Ag-NPs with biosynthesized were used to test invitro against Bipolaris sorghicola ; the cause of target leaf spot disease on sorghum plants. The myco-synthesis of Ag NPs using Penicillium duclauxii was proved in this study. Moreover, Bipolaris sorghicola was successfully inhibited by such Ag NPs in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The drug resistance phenomenon in microbes is resulting in the ineffectiveness of available drugs to treat the infections. Thus, there is a continued need to discover new molecules to combat the drug resistance phenomenon. Norfloxacin is a fluoroquinolone antibiotic that is used for the treatment of urinary tract infections. In this research work, norfloxacin is structurally modified by hybridizing with a range of substituted acetohydrazidic moieties through a multistep reaction. The first step involves the coupling of norfloxacin 1 with methyl chloroacetate followed by the treatment with hydrazine hydrate to result in corresponding acetohydrazide 3. A range of substituted benzaldehydes were reacted with the acetohydrazide to form the targeted series of norfloxacin derivatives 4a-i. The final compounds were screened for antimicrobial activity. Among the tested compounds, 4c, 4d, 4e and 4f displayed better antifungal activity against F.avenaceum, while compound 4c and 4e were active against F. bubigeum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It has not been investigated whether the quick sepsis-related organ failure assessment score (qSOFA), a new bedside tool for early sepsis detection, may help accelerating antibiotic initiation in ED patients with sepsis.Methods: In this prospective pre/post quasi-experimental single-ED study, patients admitted with a suspected bacterial infection were managed using standard triage procedures only (baseline) or in association with qSOFA (intervention, with prioritization of patients with a qSOFA ≥ 2).Results: A total of 151/328 (46.0%) and 185/350 (52.8%) patients with definite bacterial infection met the criteria for sepsis in the baseline and intervention periods, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of a qSOFA ≥ 2 for sepsis prediction were 17.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6%-21.7%) and 98.8% (95% CI, 97.0%-99.5%). Eleven (7.3%) and 28 (13.5%) patients with sepsis in the baseline and intervention periods received a first antibiotic dose within one hour following triage (primary endpoint, absolute difference 6.2%, 95% CI [-0.5%, 12.7%], P = 0.08). The proportions of patients with sepsis receiving a first antibiotic dose within three hours following triage (39.7% [50/151] versus 36.8% [68/185], absolute difference - 2.9%, 95% CI [-13.3%, 7.3%], P = 0.65), requiring ICU admission, or dying in the hospital were similar in both periods. The median ED occupation rate at triage was 104.3% (interquartile range [IQR], 80.4%-128.3%), with a median number of 157 ED visits per day (IQR, 147-169).Conclusions: A qSOFA-based triage procedure does not improve antibiotic timing and outcomes in patients with sepsis admitted to a high-volume ED. The qSOFA value at triage was poorly sensitive for early sepsis detection. Trial registration (ClinicalTrials.gov): NCT03299894. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active diabetic foot disease relates to problems associated with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), infection and/or neuropathy. Diabetes still remains one of the main causes of non-traumatic limb amputation and premature death, both of which may be preventable Prompers et al, 2007; National Institute for Health and Care Excellence [NICE], 2019). The purpose of this article is to discuss three of the clinical emergencies seen in the diabetic foot, namely PAD, infection and Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy (Charcot foot). The aim is to provide a refresher of diabetes and the associated complications and to enhance knowledge and clinical skills in the management of diabetic foot disease. A case report is used to provide narrative to the potential complexity seen within the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Antibiotics change the composition of the intestinal microbiota. The magnitude of the effect of antibiotics on the microbiota and whether the effects are short-term or persist long-term remain uncertain. In this review, we summarise studies that have investigated the effect of antibiotics on the composition of the human intestinal microbiota.Methods: A systematic search was done to identify original studies that have investigated the effect of systemic antibiotics on the intestinal microbiota in humans.Results: We identified 129 studies investigating 2076 participants and 301 controls. Many studies reported a decrease in bacterial diversity with antibiotic treatment. Penicillin only had minor effects on the intestinal microbiota. Amoxicillin, amoxcillin/clavulanate, cephalosporins, lipopolyglycopeptides, macrolides, ketolides, clindamycin, tigecycline, quinolones and fosfomycin all increased abundance of Enterobacteriaea other than E. coli (mainly Citrobacter spp., Enterobacter spp. and Klebsiella spp.). Amoxcillin, cephalosporins, macrolides, clindamycin, quinolones and sulphonamides decreased abundance of E. coli, while amoxcillin/clavulante, in contrast to other penicillins, increased abundance of E. coli. Amoxicllin, piperacillin and ticarcillin, cephalosporins (except fifth generation cephalosporins), carbapenems and lipoglycopeptides were associated with increased abundance of Enterococcus spp., while macrolides and doxycycline decreased its abundance. Piperacillin and ticarcillin, carbapenems, macrolides, clindamycin and quinolones strongly decreased the abundance of anaerobic bacteria. In the studies that investigated persistence, the longest duration of changes was reported after treatment with ciprofloxacin (one year), clindamycin (two years) and clarithromycin plus metronidazole (four years). Many antibiotics were associated with a decrease in butyrate or butryrate-producing bacteria.Conclusion: Antibiotics have profound and sometimes persisting effects on the intestinal microbiota, characterised by diminished abundance of beneficial commensals and increased abundance of potentially detrimental microorganisms. Understanding these effects will help tailor antibiotic treatment and the use of probiotics to minimise this 'collateral damage'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To identify and isolate phenolic compounds from Cuspidaria convoluta, and to evaluate their antibacterial activity and synergistic effect with antibiotics. Methods: The crude extract was prepared by maceration with methanol (5%). The dry extract was suspended in water and fractionated successively. The most active extract was selected by its antibacterial activity and its total phenol content was determined by spectrophotometry and by HPLC-MS/MS. Bioactive fractions of the most active extract were separated by column chromatography and evaluated by bioautography. Isolated compounds were identified. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of these compounds was determined by microdilution broth method, and synergism with antibiotics (ampicillin, gentamicin and oxacillin) was tested by checkerboard and time-kill assays. Results: Coumaric acid, catechin/epicatechin, and luteolin were purified and identified from the extract. There was an increase in the antibacterial activity of antibiotics when they were combined with these compounds. The combination of luteolin and ampicillin had the most potent antibacterial activities. The MICs of oxacillin for each of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains were reduced between 4 and 8-fold when these strains were coincubated with sub-MIC (≤ ½ MIC) levels of these compounds, demonstrating that the combination had synergistic effect for all cases. Conclusions: Cuspidaria convoluta contains important pharmacologically active substances that can be used to improve antibiotic efficacy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterborne disease transmission is just one of several environmental and human health risks posed by biological water pollution. The public health crisis posed by biological contamination has prompted intensive research into the development of antimicrobial agents for preventing bacterial growth, stopping biofilm formation, and disinfection. Traditional water treatment procedures frequently fail to properly eliminate microbiological pollutants, necessitating the use of alternate methods. By enabling the production of nanoparticles with superior antibacterial characteristics, the growing science of nanotechnology provides intriguing possibilities. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have recently gained attention as potential materials for antimicrobial applications due to their highly functionalized structures and porous crystalline nature. MOFs are composed of inorganic metal ions and organic linkers. This review aims to explore into various MOFs possessing antimicrobial properties and explores their synthesis techniques and characterization approaches. The study investigates how the conjugation of nanoparticles to MOFs affects their structural features, such as porosity, structure, pore volume, and surface area, as well as their antimicrobial efficacy. The design principles of effective MOF-based antimicrobial materials, including their components, fundamental antibacterial mechanisms, and assessment of antimicrobial activities, are thoroughly examined. The research also investigates the antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral capabilities of different types of MOFs, showcasing their potential for purifying water contaminated with various harmful microbes. Furthermore, this study intends to contribute to the progress of sustainable and efficient ways for water purification and microbial control by thoroughly investigating the synthesis methods, characteristics, and antibacterial efficacy of MOF-based nanomaterials. [Display omitted] • Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can serve as potent antimicrobial agents. • MOFs are composed of inorganic metal ions and organic linkers. • Highly functionalized and porous MOF structure makes it ideal antibacterial agent. • Conjugation of nanoparticles to MOFs improves their antimicrobial efficacy. • MOF can be a sustainable and effective material for water purification systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Misuse and abuse of veterinary antimicrobial agents have led to an alarming increase in bacterial resistance, clinical treatment failure, and drug residues. To address these problems, consistent and appropriate dosage regimens for veterinary antimicrobial agents are needed. Pharmacokinetics/Pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) models have been widely used to establish rational dosage regimens for veterinary antimicrobial agents that can achieve effective prevention and treatment of bacterial diseases and avoid the development of bacterial resistance. This review introduces building methods for PK/PD models and describes current PK/PD research progress toward rational dosage regimens for veterinary antimicrobial agents. Finally, the challenges and prospects of PK/PD models in the design of dosage regimens for veterinary antimicrobial agents are reviewed. This review will help to increase awareness of PK/PD modeling among veterinarians and hopefully promote its development and future use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sheds the light on the presence of (some) food-borne pathogens in raw market milk in Mansoura city, (Egypt) using several techniques for isolation and identification including serology and PCR. It determines, further, the susceptibility of the isolated pathogens to some antimicrobial agents and natural oils, including watercress, basil, parsley, and hot green pepper oils. From 100 milk samples, 22 Escherichia coli isolates harboured stx1, stx2 and/or eae genes. Additionally, 17 Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) isolates harboured hylA gene. Moreover, other related pathogens such as Shigella flexneri and Klebsiella pneumoniae were also detected. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that E. coli strains were (completely) resistant to amoxicillin and sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim but highly sensitive to gentamicin. L. monocytogenes strains showed complete resistance against oxytetracycline while the highest percentage of sensitivity was observed against norfloxacin. This study has also proved the following: L. monocytogenes was susceptible to all of the investigated oils, Klebsiella pneumoniae was sensitive to two types of oils, but E. coli and Shigella flexneri were resistant to all oils. In conclusion, it is risky to consume unpasteurized milk. Further, some natural oils (e.g. parsley and hot green pepper oils) can successfully be used as food additives to control the presence of some pathogens in milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence suggests that biofilm is present in at least 78% of nonhealing wounds, and it is widely accepted that its presence may be a cause for delayed healing in some patients. As the majority of chronic wounds are managed in a community setting, it is important that clinicians have an understanding of what biofilm is, how to identify its presence in the wound, and how to carry out biofilm-based wound care (BBWC). AQUACEL® Ag+ Extra™ is a unique dressing that has been specifically designed to manage biofilm. It combines antimicrobial and anti-biofilm components, which work in synergy to successfully disrupt biofilm, expose microorganisms to the broadspectrum antimicrobial activity of ionic silver in chronic wounds and to help prevent biofilm re-formation, thus making it worthy of inclusion in the biofilm care pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rational use of antibiotics is an important part of clinical pharmacy in hospitals. In this paper, we compared and analyzed the use of antibiotics in 2016 and 2017, and put forward corresponding interventions. The results showed that the irrational use of drugs after the intervention was significantly reduced (p<0.05). The antibacterials used before the intervention was mainly cephalosporins (45.4%) and quinolones (26.2%). The antibiotics used after intervention was mainly cephalosporins (77.9%) and clindamycin (11.6%). There is no significant difference in the incidence of SSI in combination with a selection of appropriate antimicrobial agents and a variety of antibiotics and an irrational combination of drugs will increase the incidence of adverse drug reactions. Through the implementation of various intervention measures, the clinicians' awareness of the rational application of antimicrobial drugs has been improved significantly, and the rationality of drug use indications, medication course, drug selection, sample delivery rate and so on have been improved to varying degrees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Gram-negative bacteria have become the main pathogens and cause serious clinical problems with increased morbidity and mortality. However, the slow discovery of new antimicrobial agents is unable to meet the need for the treatment of bacterial infections caused by drug-resistant strains. The interaction of L12 and L10 is essential for ribosomal function and protein synthesis. In this study, a yeast two-hybrid system was established to successfully detect the interaction between L12 and L10 proteins from gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli , which allows us to screen compounds that specifically disrupt this interaction. With this system, we identified two compounds IMB-84 and IMB-87 that block L12−L10 interaction and show bactericidal activity against E. coli. We used glutathione- S -transferase (GST) pull-down and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assays to demonstrate that these compounds disrupt L12−L10 interaction in vitro and the target of compounds was further confirmed by the overexpression of target proteins. Moreover, protein synthesis and elongation factor G-dependent GTPase activities are inhibited by two compounds. Therefore, we have identified two antibacterial agents that disrupt L12−L10 interaction by using yeast two-hybrid system. Graphical abstract In this study, a yeast two-hybrid system was established to detect the interaction between L12 and L10 proteins from E. coli. With this system, we identified two compounds IMB-84 and IMB-87 that block L12–L10 interaction and show bactericidal activity against E. coli. fx1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of novel antimicrobial food additives that display anti-biofilm properties offers an alternative approach to prevent biofilm-related oral diseases. We evaluated the individual and combined effect of two food additives, magnolia bark extract (MBE) and ethyl-lauroyl-arginate (LAE), against multi-species oral biofilms. Using static and microfluidic in-vitro biofilm models, multi-species oral biofilms were treated with different concentrations of MBE, LAE or combinations of both. Biofilms were imaged using confocal laser scanning microscopy, and biomass, thickness and viability were determined. Both actives significantly reduced biomass, thickness and viability of developed biofilms, although some antimicrobial/anti-biofilm effects differed between the static and microfluidic models. When both actives were combined, the association of 0.005% MBE and 0.0025% LAE was the most effective. In conclusion, MBE and LAE exhibited anti-biofilm and antimicrobial effects. The combination of MBE and LAE improved their individual effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The screening of plants for medicinal purposes represents an effort to discover newer, safer, and possibly more effective drugs. Design of the present study was made aiming to the optimization of the antibacterial activity of ethanolic extracts of Eucalyptus tereticornis (leaves) and Nigella sativa (seeds) against bacteria belongings to both Gram-positive (Bacillus subtilis and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) spectrum by using response surface methodology. 20 g powder of each E. tereticornis (leaf) and N. sativa (seeds) were mixed with 200ml of ethanol at room temperature, and then it was centrifuged at 4000 rpm for 10 min to separate the supernatants, and allowed to dry in order to obtain ethanol free extracts. A fresh bacterial culture of 100μl of test microorganism was inoculated onto media and spread homogeneously. The antimicrobial activity of ethanolic extracts showed that all the concentrations tested were effective against the test microorganisms. The diameters of zones of inhibition exhibited by S. aureus PCSIR-83 were in the range of 0-28mm, E. coli PCSIR-102 (0-28mm) and B. subtilis PCSIR-05 (15-26mm). The combination of N. sativa (15mg/μl) and E. tereticornis (20mg/μl) were found most effective at pH 9.0 and temperature 35°C. Our results clearly indicate that Gram positive bacteria showed more sensitivity than Gram-negative bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The free-living amoeba (FLA) Acanthamoeba sp. is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause amoebic keratitis (AK) or granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). While current treatments of AK are long with some relapses, no consensus therapy has been developed for GAE remaining lethal in 90% of the cases. In this context, efficient antiacanthamoebal drugs have to be identified. In this work, 15 drugs used in the treatment of AK or GAE or in other parasitic diseases were evaluated for their in vitro activity on A. castellanii . Hexamidine, voriconazole and clotrimazole exhibited the highest activities with IC 50 values at 0.05 μM, 0.40 μM and 0.80 μM, respectively, while rifampicin, metronidazole and cotrimoxazole were inactive. Among 15 drug associations evaluated, no synergistic effect was observed, and one antagonism was determined between hexamidine and chlorhexidine. Interestingly, amphotericin B was the only drug presenting an increase of IC 50 as a function of treatment duration. The amoebae susceptibility to amphotericin B cultured in the presence of 250 μM of the drug was similar to the one of a naive control, revealing that no resistant strain could be selected. However, the amoebae susceptibility always returned to an initial level at each passage. This natural and non-acquired adaptation to amphotericin B, qualified as resilience, was observed in several strains of A. castellanii and A. polyphaga . Using a pharmacological approach with effectors of different cellular mechanisms or transports, and an ultrastructural analysis of amphotericin B-treated amoebae, the involvement of several mitochondria-dependent pathways as well as multidrug resistant transporters was determined in amphotericin B resilience. Based on the observations from this study, the relevance of using amphotericin B in GAE treatments may be reconsidered, while the use of some other drugs, such as rifampicin or cotrimoxazole, is not relative to intrinsic antiacanthamoebal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunistic bacteria that cause life-threatening infections are still a central problem associated with a healthcare setting. Bacteriophage capsid immobilization on nanostructured polymers maximizes its tail exposure and looks promising in applications toward skin-infections as alternative to antibiotics standardly used. The main goal of this work was to investigate the covalent immobilization of vB_Pae_Kakheti25 bacteriophage capsid on polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers (non-woven textile), as a potential effective antimicrobial, laundry resistant and non-toxic dressing for biomedical use. Surface analyses showed that the immobilization of vB_Pae_Kakheti25 bacteriophage capsid on PCL nanofibres oriented bacteriophage tails to interact with bacteria. Furthermore, antimicrobial assays showed a very effective 6 log bacterial reduction, which was equivalent to 99.9999%, after immediate and 2 hours of contact, even following 25 washing cycles (due to covalent bond). The activity of PCL-vB_Pae_Kakheti25 against P. aeruginosa was immediate and its reduction was complete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work was conducted to evaluate the ability of grape molding fungus; Penicillium citrinum to synthesize silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs). The potency of biosynthesized Ag NPs was checked against the aflatoxigenic Aspergillus flavus var. columnaris , isolated from sorghum grains. Biosynthesized Ag NPs were characterized and confirmed in different ways. X ray diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and optical absorption measurements confirmed the bio-synthesis of Ag NPs. The in vitro antifungal investigation showed that biosynthesized Ag NPs were capable of inhibiting the growth of aflatoxigenic A. flavus var. columnaris . Utilization of plant pathogenic fungi in the Ag NPs biosynthesis as well as the use of bio-Ag NPs to control fungal plant diseases instead of chemicals is promising. Further work is needed to confirm the efficacy of the bio-Ag NPs against different mycotoxigenic fungi and to determine the potent applicable doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was designed to discuss key points regarding the clinical observations and nursing of patients with acute pancreatitis and stress ulcer bleeding. Retrospective analysis of 280 cases admitted to our hospital between January 2010 and January 2015 with acute pancreatitis and stress ulcer bleeding. At the same time, we treated patients with antimicrobial agents based on the epidemiology of sever acute pancreatitis (SAP) infection. According to the results of bacterial culture and drug sensitivity, we analyzed the sequence of pathogenic bacteria and the rate of bacterial resistance. During hospitalization, patients were given omeprazole and other intravenous drip line. Within this group, there was one death. The rest were all cured and discharged. Cases of acute pancreatitis, especially cases combined with biliary stone obstruction, pancreatic abscess, or pancreatic pseudo cyst are likely to show stress ulcer hemorrhage. There is a high risk of bleeding within 7 weeks of onset. The key is good nursing assessment and dynamic observation. Timely and effective anti-shock treatment is crucial to nursing when cooperating in rescues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The condensation of (1H-benzimidazole-2-yl) methanamine, with 2-hydroxy naphthaldehyde lead to Schiff base ligand (H2L) (1). This was later reacted with metal salts (ZnCl 2 , CrCl 3 ·6H 2 O, and MnCl 2 ·4H 2 O) to afford the corresponding metal complexes. Biological activity findings indicate that the metal complexes have promising activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis and modest activity against Aspergillus niger. The in vitro anticancer activities of Zn (II), Cr (III), and Mn (II) complexes were investigated and the best results were observed with Mn (II) complex as the most potent cytotoxic agent toward human cell lines colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT 116, hepatocellular carcinoma HepG 2 and breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 with 0.7, 1.1 and 6.7 μg of inhibitory concentration IC 50 values respectively. Consequently, the Mn (II) complex and ligand were docked inside the energetic site of ERK2 and exhibited favorable energy for binding. The investigation of biological tests towards mosquito larvae indicates that Cr (III) and Mn (II) complexes manifest strong toxicity against Aedes aegypti larvae with 3.458 and 4.764 ppm values of lethal concentration LC 50 , respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The combination of inherent antimicrobial resistance and high mortality after bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by chromosomally mediated AmpC-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CAE) emphasizes the importance of identifying patients at risk of BSI because of these bacteria. This retrospective case-control study examines chronic hemodialysis among other risk factors for BSI caused by CAE. Methods Hospitalized adults with Enterobacteriaceae BSI from January 1, 2010-June 30, 2014, at 2 large community hospitals in the Southeastern United States were identified. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine risk factors for CAE BSI. Results Among 831 Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream isolates, 106 (13%) met the phenotypic definition of CAE. Enterobacter spp accounted for 47% (50/106) of CAE BSIs. Chronic hemodialysis was an independent risk factor for CAE BSI (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.34; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-4.44). Other predictors of CAE BSI included nosocomial acquisition (aOR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.02-2.87) and exposure to β-lactam antibiotics within the last 30 days (aOR, 2.39; 95% CI, 1.37-4.14). Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate an increased risk of CAE BSI in patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing chronic hemodialysis. This highlights the importance of effective infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship interventions in hemodialysis clinics. Further studies to examine the impact of antibiotics on intestinal microbiota and rates of CAE colonization in this patient population are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Astragalus membranaceus and Lycium barbarum on the growth performance and non-specific immunity of grass carp and Nile tilapia were studied. Herb extracts of Chinese medicinal herbs (2 g kg −1 or 20 g kg −1 ) were incorporated into food waste based fish feed pellets. Fish growth and selected non-specific immune parameters of grass carp and Nile tilapia were studied in two separate feeding trials. Both grass carp and Nile tilapia fed diets of feed pellets containing 2 g kg −1 Lycium barbarum extract achieved the best relative weight gain, feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate and protein efficiency ratio among all experimental diets. Fish fed with diets containing 2 g kg −1 Lycium barbarum also resulted in significantly higher total immunoglobin, bactericidal activity and anti-protease activity; and also a lower mortality when challenged with pathogenic bacteria. On the other hand, both fish species fed with diets containing 20 g kg −1 of Astragalus membranaceus and 20 g kg −1 Lycium barbarum, resulted in significantly impaired weight gain. In addition, incorporation of 2 g kg −1 Lycium barbarum extract would be a more suitable dose for both fish species, in terms of achieving better feed conversion ratio, specific growth rate, protein digestibility, and improved non-specific immune parameters. Based on this study, it can be concluded that waste based feed pellets incorporated with Chinese medicinal herb extracts have the ability to enhance growth and immunity of fish. Therefore, the use of Chinese medicinal herbs in aquaculture should be encouraged, in order to replace certain antibiotics known to impose environmental and health effects through the discharge of aquaculture effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The assessment and management of patients with threatened midtrimester miscarriage is a clinical challenge because the etiology of this condition is poorly understood.Objective: This study aimed to examine the frequency of intraamniotic infection or inflammation and the effect of antibiotics in patients presenting with regular uterine contractions and intact membranes before 20 weeks of gestation.Study Design: This retrospective study comprised patients who met the following criteria: (1) singleton gestation, (2) gestational age before 20 weeks, (3) the presence of regular uterine contractions confirmed by a tocodynamometer (8 or more contractions in 60 minutes), (4) intact amniotic membranes, and (5) transabdominal amniocentesis performed for the evaluation of the microbiologic and inflammatory status of the amniotic cavity. Samples of amniotic fluid were cultured for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria and genital mycoplasmas, and polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect Ureaplasma species. Amniotic fluid was tested for white blood cell counts and matrix metalloproteinase-8 concentrations to diagnose intraamniotic inflammation. Patients with intraamniotic inflammation, or intraamniotic infection, were treated with antibiotics (a combination of ceftriaxone, clarithromycin, and metronidazole). Treatment success was defined as the resolution of intraamniotic infection/inflammation at the follow-up amniocentesis or delivery after 34 weeks of gestation.Results: 1) Intraamniotic inflammation was present in 88% (15/17) of patients, whereas infection was detectable in only 2 cases; 2) objective evidence of resolution of intraamniotic inflammation after antibiotic treatment was demonstrated in 100% (4/4) of patients who underwent a follow-up amniocentesis; 3) 30% (5/15) of women receiving antibiotics delivered after 34 weeks of gestation (3 of the 5 patients had a negative follow-up amniocentesis, and 2 of the women were without a follow-up amniocentesis); 4) the overall treatment success of antibiotics was 40% (6/15; 4 cases of objective evidence of resolution of intra-amniotic inflammation and 5 cases of delivery after 34 weeks of gestation).Conclusion: The prevalence of intraamniotic inflammation in patients who presented with a threatened midtrimester miscarriage was 88% (15/17), and, in most cases, microorganisms could not be detected. Antibiotic treatment, administered to patients with intraamniotic inflammation, was associated with either objective resolution of intraamniotic inflammation or delivery after 34 weeks of gestation in 40% (6/15) of the cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mastitis in cows, one of the most common and economically important infectious diseases of dairy cattle, all over the world, with significant impact due to economic losses, occurs when the udder becomes inflamed because the leukocytes are released into the mammary gland usually in response to bacteria invasion of the teat canal. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from milk in order to design specific control programs for bovine mastitis in this area. A total of 204 milk samples aseptically collected both from farms and private owners were processed during May 2014 and March 2016 within the Microbiology Laboratory of the Faculty of Veterinary Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The microbiological examination was carried out by inoculation on blood agar and MacConkey medium. After the overnight incubation in aerobic conditions, the identification of the isolates was performed using microscopic, cultural and biochemical methods. Biochemical identification was based on API 20 Biomerieux system. Susceptibility to antibiotics was evaluated using Kirby Bauer disk diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar; the antibiotics were represented by Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid, Ceftiofur, Florfenicol, Mastidiscs, Enrofloxacin, Penicillin and Tetracycline. Staphylococcus spp. was the most common isolated pathogen, in 54.9% of the specimens, followed by Streptococcus spp. in 20.1%, Escherichia coli in 10.78%, Klebsiella spp. in 8.34%, Bacillus spp. in 5.88%. The most frequent associations were represented by staphylococci-streptococci in 62.7% of the samples, followed by streptococci-bacillus in 19.8% of the samples. The most important etiological agents identified were Staphylococcus aureus, S uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Escherichia coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility test for the total isolates revealed good sensitivity to Enrofloxacin, Mastidiscs and Amoxicillin and Clavulanic Acid. Resistance was observed for Penicillin and Tetracycline. The major mastitis pathogens identified was Staphylococcus aureus, while recurrent mastitis treatment was based on systemic and local administration of Enrofloxacin and Mastidiscs respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a root canal filling material with high antimicrobial activity, we prepared gutta-percha supplemented with the cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Thermoplastic gutta-percha was supplemented with 0.05%, 0.2%, or 0.8% CPC. The gutta-percha containing CPC was tightly packed at the bottom of a 24-well plate. Its antimicrobial activity against eight representative endodontic pathogens-including gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and fungi-was evaluated by adding 0.5 mL of liquid samples containing pathogens to the wells. After 24 h of cultivation under appropriate conditions, microbial growth was analyzed by counting colony-forming units (CFU). Gutta-percha alone (without CPC) partially inhibited microbial growth, probably through the antimicrobial effect of some of its components, such as zinc oxide. Addition of CPC dose-dependently increased the antimicrobial efficacy of gutta-percha. Addition of 0.05%, 0.2%, and 0.8% CPC reduced the viable microbial number to below the lower limit of detection (20 CFU/mL) for all tested pathogens except Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was detected in 0.8% CPC-containing gutta-percha, although the viable number significantly decreased. Gutta-percha with CPC might be useful for preventing microbial infections during root canal therapy. (J Oral Sci 58, 277-282, 2016). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria of genus Vibrio with multidrug resistance in shrimp farm environment were recurrent. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance profile of 70 strains of Vibrio isolated from water and sediment of Acaraú estuary, Ceará, Brazil. In order to achieve this goal, disk diffusion technique was used with the following antimicrobial agents: ampicillin (Amp), aztreonam (Atm), cephalothin (Cef), cefotaxime (Ctx), ceftriaxone (Cro), ciprofloxacin (Cip), chloramphenicol (Clo), florfenicol (Flo), nitrofurantoin (Nit), gentamicin (Gen), oxytetracycline (Otc), tetracycline (Tet), streptomycin (Str), nalidixic acid (Nal), and sulfazotrim (Sut). All Vibrio strains were resistant to at least one antimicrobial agent, being verified as 17 multidrug-resistant profiles. All strains resistant to Otc and Tet were characterized to exhibit plasmidial resistance. Therefore, Vibrio strains from Acaraú estuary pose a risk to public health and aquatic culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis accounts for up to 28% of all maternal deaths. Prompt, appropriate treatment improves maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. To date, there are no validated tools for identification of sepsis in pregnant women, and tools used in the general population tend to overestimate mortality. Once identified, management of pregnancy-associated sepsis is goal-directed, but because of the lack of studies of sepsis management in pregnancy, it must be assumed that modifications need to be made on the basis of the physiologic changes of pregnancy. Key to management is early fluid resuscitation and early initiation of appropriate antimicrobial therapy directed toward the likely source of infection or, if the source is unknown, empiric broad-spectrum therapy. Efforts directed at identifying the source of infection and appropriate source control measures are critical. Development of an illness severity scoring system and treatment algorithms validated in pregnant women needs to be a research priority. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing highly effective antibacterial agents is important for a wide range of applications. However, the emergence of multiple antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a public health threat. Many developed agents have limited practical application due to chemical instability, low biocompatibility, and poor long-term antibacterial efficiency. In the following study, we synthesize a synergistic nanocomposite by conjugating quercetin (Qu) and acetylcholine (Ach) to the surface of Se nanoparticles (Qu–Ach@SeNPs). Quercetin has been reported to exhibit a wide range of biological activities related to their antibacterial activity and acetylcholine as a neurotransmitter, which can combine with the receptor on the bacterial cell. Arrows indicate NPs and arrowheads indicate compromised cell walls. The study demonstrated how Qu–Ach@SeNPs exhibit a synergistically enhanced antibacterial performance against the multidrug-resistant superbugs (MDRs) compared to Qu@SeNPs and Ach@SeNPs alone. Qu–Ach@SeNPs are effective against MDRs, such as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), at a low dose. The mechanistic studies showed that Qu–Ach@SeNPs attach to the bacterial cell wall, causing irreversible damage to the membrane, and thereby achieving a remarkable synergistic antibacterial effect to inhibit MRSA. The findings suggested that the synergistic properties of quercetin and acetylcholine enhance the antibacterial activity of SeNPs. In this way, Qu–Ach@SeNPs comprise a new class of inorganic nano-antibacterial agents that can be used as useful applications in biomedical devices. Statement of significance The Qu–Ach@SeNPs have low cytotoxicity when tested on normal human cells in vitro. Qu–Ach@SeNPs are effective against MDRs, such as Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), at a low dose. Importantly, Qu–Ach@SeNPs showed no emergence of resistance. These results suggest that Qu–Ach@SeNPs have excellent antibacterial activities. These agents can serve as good antibacterial agents against superbugs. Our data suggest that these antibacterial agents may have widespread application in the field of medicine for combating infectious diseases caused by MDRs, as well as other infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decontamination by adjunctive antiseptic agents such as chlorhexidine (CHX) is often recommended for the treatment of peri-implant infections. However, its action on the titanium implant surface needs further research. This study is designed to evaluate the ability of modified titanium surfaces to release chlorhexidine after periodic CHX exposure.Methods: Four titanium surfaces were prepared: 1) no surface treatment control (machined surface [MA]); 2) an acid mix of 10% HNO3 and 5% HF (HNF); 3) resorbable blast media (RBM); and 4) sandblasting and acid etching (SLA). Each surface was analyzed using a confocal laser scanning microscope and a scanning electron microscope. Each sample was incubated with whole saliva or phosphate-buffered saline for 2 hours. Measurements of CHX release were performed using spectrometry on days 1, 2, and 5 after 1-minute exposure to 0.5% chlorhexidine digluconate solution during a 5-day cycle. CHX-releasing experiments were repeated three consecutive times for 15 days. The antimicrobial activity of CHX-adsorbed disks was determined by a disk diffusion test using Streptococcus gordonii.Results: The CHX-adsorbed titanium surfaces exhibited a short-term release of CHX, and CHX levels dropped rapidly within 3 days. SLA and RBM with smaller and narrower depressions released more CHX than HNF and MA, specifically in the saliva-coated group. The disk diffusion test revealed that after CHX uptake, saliva-coated SLA and RBM showed the highest antimicrobial activity.Conclusion: This study suggests that CHX release is significantly influenced by titanium surface modifications and that SLA and RBM might provide effective CHX uptake capacity in the saliva-filled oral cavity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The mouth supports a diverse microbiota which exists as structurally-organised biofilms on mucosal and dental surfaces. The oral microbiota provides major benefits to the host including: (a) colonisation resistance, (b) down-regulation of potentially damaging host inflammatory responses, and (c) active contributions to the normal development of the physiology of the mouth and the host defences. Highlight Generally, these communities live in harmony (symbiosis) with the host but, on occasions, this symbiotic relationship breaks down and disease occurs (dysbiosis). Disease is associated with shifts in the balance of the oral microbiota driven by changes in the local environment. These changes include more regular conditions of low pH in the biofilm, as a result of an altered diet or reduced saliva flow, thereby favouring the growth and metabolism of acidogenic and acid-tolerating bacteria, at the expense of beneficial oral micro-organisms, and increasing the risk of dental caries. The host mounts an inflammatory response if biofilm accumulates around the gingivae beyond levels compatible with health. If this fails to reduce the biomass, the altered environment selects for increased proportions of obligately anaerobic and proteolytic species that can subvert the host response leading, ultimately, to pocket formation and loss of attachment. Conclusion An appreciation of ecological principles can lead to new strategies for treatment by identifying and removing the factors that drive dysbiosis, while actively supporting the growth of the natural oral microbiota. Also, the beneficial activities of the resident oral microbiota are retained and the risk of dysbiosis is reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • COVID-19 pandemic has traumatized the entire world. During this outbreak, an upsurge in MDR-associated pathogenic microbial organisms has been recorded. • The increasing human microbial diseases pose a severe danger to global human safety. • The infectious microbes have developed multiple tolerance strategies to overcome the negative drug impacts. • Several naturally occurring chemicals produced from bacteria, plants, animals, marine species, and other sources with antimicrobial characteristics have been reviewed. • These compounds show promise in minimizing the globally increasing microbial diseases. Human infectious diseases caused by various microbial pathogens, in general, impact a large population of individuals every year. These microbial diseases that spread quickly remain to be a big issue in various health-related domains and to withstand the negative drug impacts, the antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic microbial organisms (pathogenic bacteria and pathogenic fungi) have developed a variety of resistance processes against many antimicrobial drug classes. During the COVID-19 outbreak, there seems to be an upsurge in drug and multidrug resistant-associated pathogenic microbial species. The preponderance of existing antimicrobials isn't completely effective, which limits their application in clinical settings. Several naturally occurring chemicals produced from bacteria, plants, animals, marine species, and other sources are now being studied for antimicrobial characteristics. These natural antimicrobial compounds extracted from different sources have been demonstrated to be effective against a variety of diseases, although plants remain the most abundant source. These compounds have shown promise in reducing the microbial diseases linked to the development of drug tolerance and resistance. This paper offers a detailed review of some of the most vital and promising natural compounds and their derivatives against various human infectious microbial organisms. The inhibitory action of different natural antimicrobial compounds, and their possible mechanism of antimicrobial action against a range of pathogenic fungal and bacterial organisms, is provided. The review will be useful in refining current antimicrobial (antifungal and antibacterial) medicines as well as establishing new treatment strategies to tackle the rising number of human bacterial and fungal-associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Symptoms suggestive of acute urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common reasons why women consult a health professional. Antimicrobial agents are usually prescribed for the treatment of symptomatic UTIs seen in clinical practice. However, the extensive use of antimicrobial agents for community-acquired UTIs has resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. Increasing concern about the association between the use of antimicrobial agents and acquired antimicrobial resistance has highlighted the need for rational pharmacotherapy when treating UTIs. This article discusses currently recommended antimicrobial therapy for uncomplicated UTIs in women, UTIs during pregnancy and recurrent UTIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of the study was to compare the efficacy of chlorhexidine gluconate 2.5 mg (Periochip) and Minocycline hydrochloride 1 mg (Arestin) as local drug delivery agents in the management of chronic periodontitis. Materials and Methods: Twenty patients in the age group of 30-50 years suffering from chronic periodontitis (12 males and 8 females), with almost identical probing depth bilaterally (5-8 mm), and exhibiting bleeding on probing were selected and divided into two groups: Group I consisted of periodontal pockets on the left side and received Periochip and group II consisted of periodontal pockets on the right side and received Arestin. Patients were recalled after 6 weeks and 3 months intervals from the baseline visit to record plaque index, gingival index, and probing depth. Results: There was reduction in all the parameters in both the groups at 6 weeks and 3 months as compared to baseline. Conclusion: From the results of the present study, it was concluded that both the drugs were equally effective in reduction of plaque scores as well as gingival scores. It was further observed that Arestin resulted in better results at 6 weeks while Periochip showed better results at 3 months with respect to probing depth reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance is a problem of deep scientific concern both in hospital and community settings. Rapid detection in clinical laboratories is essential for the judicious recognition of antimicrobial resistant organisms. Production of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) is a significant resistance-mechanism that impedes the antimicrobial treatment of infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae and is a serious threat to the currently available antibiotic armory. ESBLs are classified into several groups according to their amino acid sequence homology. Proper infection control practices and barriers are essential to prevent spread and outbreaks of ESBL producing bacteria. As bacteria have developed different strategies to counter the effects of antibiotics, the identification of the resistance mechanism may help in the discovery and design of new antimicrobial agents. The carbapenems are widely regarded as the drugs of choice for the treatment of severe infections caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae , although comparative clinical trials are scarce. Hence, more expeditious diagnostic testing of ESBL-producing bacteria and the feasible modification of guidelines for community-onset bacteremia associated with different infections are prescribed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess and compare the efficacy of 3% garlic extract, 0.2% tea tree oil, 0.2% chlorhexidine, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride, and ultravoilet (UV) toothbrush sanitizing device as toothbrush disinfectants against Streptococcus mutans. Materials and Methods: A double blind randomized controlled parallel study was done on 210 dental students. The subjects were divided into one control group using distilled water and five study groups representing 0.2% tea tree oil, 3% garlic extract, 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate, 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride and UV toothbrush sanitizing device. Participants were provided with new toothbrushes and toothpastes for both baseline and intervention phases. The toothbrushes were collected after two weeks for microbial analysis in both phases. The data were analysed and compared using appropriate statistical analysis. Results: On comparing pre- and post-intervention, S. mutans colony counts, a highly significant (P < 0.001) difference was observed in all the groups. Differences of 77.74 colony forming units (CFU) in tea tree oil group, 102.87 CFU in garlic group, 68.13 CFU in chlorhexidine group, 82.47 CFU in cetylpyridinium group and 42.67 CFU in UV toothbrush sanitizer group were observed. Garlic group showed the highest reduction (100%) whereas UV toothbrush sanitizer group showed the least reduction (47.4%) in S. mutans colonies. Conclusions: The antimicrobial agents used in this study effectively reduced the S. mutans counts and hence can be considered as toothbrush disinfectants to prevent dental caries. The 3% garlic was the most effective among the antimicrobial agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acinetobacter baumannii is a rapidly emerging, highly resistant clinical pathogen with increasing prevalence. In recent years, the limited number of antimicrobial agents available for treatment of infections with multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains reinforced tendency for discovery of novel antimicrobial agents or treatment strategies. The aim of the study was to determine antimicrobial effectiveness of three Myrtus communis L. essential oils, both alone and in combination with conventional antibiotics, against MDR A. baumannii wound isolates. The results obtained highlighted the occurrence of good antibacterial effect of myrtle oils when administered alone. Using checkerboard method, the combinations of subinhibitory concentrations of myrtle essential oils and conventional antibiotics, i.e. polymixin B and ciprofloxacine were examined. The results proved synergism among M. communis L. essential oils and both antibiotics against MDR A. baumannii wound isolates, with a FIC index under or equal 0.50. Combination of subinhibitory concentrations of essential oils and ciprofloxacin most frequently reduced bacterial growth in synergistic manner. The similar has been shown for combination with polymyxin B; furthermore, the myrtle essential oil resulted in re-sensitization of the MDR wound isolates, i.e. MICs used in combination were below the cut off for the sensitivity to the antibiotic. Time-kill curve method confirmed efficacy of myrtle essential oil and polymyxin B combination, with complete reduction of bacterial count after 6 h. The detected synergy offers an opportunity for future development of treatment strategies for potentially lethal wound infections caused by MDR A. baumannii. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Collegium Antropologicum is the property of Croatian Anthropological Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista Medica Herediana is the property of Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Aims. The aim of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial effects of five natural substances against 50 clinical isolates of Mycoplasma hominis. Methods and Results. The in vitro activity of selected natural compounds, cinnamon bark oil, anethole, carvacrol, eugenol and guaiazulene, was investigated against 50 M. hominis isolates cultivated from cervical swabs by the broth dilution method. All showed valuable antimicrobial activity against the tested isolates. Oil from the bark of Cinnamomum zeylanicum (MBC90 = 500 μg/mL) however was found to be the most effective. Carvacrol (MBC90 = 600 μg/mL) and eugenol (MBC90 = 1000 μg/mL) also possessed strong antimycoplasmal activity. Conclusions. The results indicate that cinnamon bark oil, carvacrol and eugenol have strong antimycoplasmal activity and the potential for use as antimicrobial agents in the treatment of mycoplasmal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the difference between the effect of a 5-day and a 1-day postoperative course of antibiotics on the incidence of infection after midfacial fractures. A total of 98 patients with displaced Le Fort or zygomatic fractures that required operation were randomly assigned into 2 groups, both of which were given amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 1.2g intravenously every 8h from the time of admission until 24h postoperatively. The 5-day group was then given amoxicillin/clavulanic acid 625mg orally 8-hourly for another 4 days. The 1-day group was given placebo orally at the same time points. Patients were followed up 1, 2, 4, 6, and 12 weeks, and 6 months, postoperatively. The development of an infection of the wound was the primary end point. Ninety-four of the 98 patients completed the study. Two of the 45 patients in the 5-day group (4%) and 2/49 in the 1-day group (4%) developed postoperative wound infections. One in each group had a purulent infection, while the others had only wound breakdown. Two patients of the 5-day group and one in the 1-day group developed rashes on the trunk. There were no significant differences in the incidence of infection or side effects between the groups. In midfacial fractures a 1-day course of antibiotics postoperatively is as effective in preventing infective complications as a 5-day regimen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]