Processes

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Ivana Gobin

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: phytochemicals; antibacterial activity; water disinfection; water microbiology techniques; novel antibacterial agents from plants; anti-biofilm agents; disinfection methods

Dr. Dolores Peruč

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Interests: antibacterial activity of phytochemicals; mycobacterium

Dr. Martina Oder

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Sanitary Engineering, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
Interests: legionella pneumophila; legionnaires' disease; cooling towers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In drinking water distribution systems, microorganisms survive in biofilm communities. Biofilm formation is a significant problem to the drinking water industry as a potential source of bacterial contamination, including pathogens, and, in many cases, also affecting the taste and odor of drinking water and promoting the corrosion of pipes. The microorganisms embedded in the biofilm matrix show a high survival rate and persistence. Today's standard detection methods of water quality are not adequate for biofilm detection and analysis. In addition, their treatment is a big challenge, where re-growth occurs very often after classic treatments. Therefore, new research in the field of biofilm detection as well as biofilm treatment is necessary.

This Special issue aims to gather a collection of papers focused on new strategies to of biofilm detection and treatmant. We hope that this Special issue may contribute to disclose new promising approaches that could help as to prevent or eradicate bacterial biofilms in water distribution system.

The topics of interest for this Special Issue include (but are not limited to):

New approach in biofilm detection;
Anti-biofilm materials in water system;
Models for research biofilm in water systems;
Nanoparticles and biofilm formation;
Photodynamic treatment of biofilm;
Bacterial enzymes in biofilm treatment;
Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens - microbial residents of drinking water distribution systems.

Dr. Ivana Gobin
Dr. Dolores Peruč
Dr. Martina Oder
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

anti-biofilm agents
opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens
novel disinfection protocols
water disinfection
biofilm detection

Published Papers (2 papers)

Download All Papers

Research

Jump to: Review

17 pages, 2666 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Combined Application of Juniperus communis Essential Oil and Amikacin, Clarithromycin and Rifampicin against Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare

by Dolores Peruč, Sanja Štifter-Vretenar, Ana Planinić and Ivana Gobin

Processes 2024, 12(1), 111; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12010111 - 2 Jan 2024

Viewed by 799

Abstract

The group of nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) includes about 200 mycobacteria that are widespread in the natural environment as free-living saprophytic bacteria, commensals or symbionts. NTM, also referred to as atypical mycobacteria, are mostly apathogenic; nowadays, they are increasingly important environmental opportunistic pathogens. This study continues the work of previous studies which investigated the individual and synergistic effect of different essential oils (EOs) on NTM. The aim was to investigate the effect of the interaction of the common juniper (Juniperus communis) EO and the antimicrobials, amikacin, clarithromycin and rifampicin, against Mycobacterium avium and M. intracellulare using the checkerboard synergy method in an enriched Middlebrook 7H9 broth. Morphological changes of treated NTM cells were observed with a transmission electron microscope. The most synergistic combinations were found at subinhibitory concentrations of the common juniper EO and rifampicin against both tested NTM and this EO and clarithromycin against M. avium. A slightly smaller number of synergistic effects on both NTM were found using a combination of this EO and amikacin. Combinations of clarithromycin and the common juniper EO showed no synergism against M. intracellulare. The exposure of both NTM to synergistic combinations of this EO and antimicrobials caused significant morphological changes in mycobacterial cells. Synergism with the combined use of EOs and antimicrobials allows the use of low effective concentrations via the sustained antimicrobial effect of the tested substances, but with potentially reduced toxicity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Water Distribution Systems – Challange in Detection and Treatmant)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

32 pages, 3709 KiB

Open AccessReview

Photodynamic Inactivation of Opportunistic Premise Plumbing Pathogens and Their Biofilms

by Martina Mušković, Ivana Gobin and Nela Malatesti

Processes 2023, 11(11), 3074; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr11113074 - 26 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1030

Abstract

Opportunistic premise plumbing pathogens (OPPPs) form a group of microorganisms that normally live in water supply systems and have adapted especially well to the conditions in premise plumbing systems, and as such pose a threat to human health. Since the beginning of the 21st century, this threat has been escalating, and it is becoming increasingly evident that current water disinfection methods fall short in effectively controlling these pathogens. In researching new approaches to this emergency, phototherapy looks promising, especially one that combines photosensitizers, light, and oxygen, which is known as photodynamic inactivation (PDI). This review describes the main characteristics of the recognized (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Legionella pneumophila, and Mycobacterium avium) and most important emerging OPPPs, and it offers a brief overview of current disinfection methods and their limitations in the fight against OPPPs. The principle and outcomes of PDI with endogenous and, in particular, exogenous photosensitizers are then explained and described through representative examples of PDI on recognized and emerging OPPPs and their biofilms. Finally, the prospects and future directions of PDI research in water disinfection and control of OPPPs are discussed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biofilm Water Distribution Systems – Challange in Detection and Treatmant)

► Show Figures