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Microorganisms
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Increase of Antimicrobial Resistance Following COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Knowledge and...
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Increase of Antimicrobial Resistance Following COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives

A special issue of Microorganisms (ISSN 2076-2607). This special issue belongs to the section "Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 November 2023) | Viewed by 7758

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Fabio Bagnoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Vaccines Research, GSK, Siena, Italy
Interests: microbiology; Staphylococcus aureus; antibodies; molecular biology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Barbara Bröker

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Immunology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
Interests: infection immunology; Staphylococcus aureus; adaptive immunity

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The 2022 special report by CDC on the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) shows that the pandemic increased antibiotic use and reduced preventive measures. This resulted in a significant increase of antimicrobial resistant infections.

This special issue aims at shedding light on the implications of this phenomenon to better predict the evolution of AMR. The issue will reflect current knowledge of epidemiology, pathogenesis and immunity of the major AMR pathogens, such as Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridioides difficile, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus spp. and Candida spp.

Furthermore, ways for decreasing emergence of AMR such as development of vaccines and mAbs, better diagnostics and novel antibiotics will also be discussed.

Dr. Fabio Bagnoli
Prof. Dr. Barbara Bröker
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. Microorganisms 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 2700 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

  • antimicrobial resistance
  • Staphylococcus
  • Clostridioides
  • Klebsiella
  • Pseudomonas
  • Enterococcus
  • Candida

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2461 KiB  
Article
Distribution and Drug Resistance of Bacterial Infection in Hospitalized Patients at the Respiratory Department before and after the COVID-19 Pandemic in Guangzhou, China
by Ling Hao, Xiao Yang, Huiling Chen, Shuquan Wei, Banglao Xu and Ziwen Zhao
Microorganisms 2023, 11(10), 2542; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11102542 - 12 Oct 2023
Viewed by 1122
Abstract
Since COVID-19 might have a lasting impact on global public health, it is crucial to analyze its effect on drug-resistant bacterial infections in the respiratory system for the prevention and control of hospital infections. This work aimed to investigate the impact of the [...] Read more.
Since COVID-19 might have a lasting impact on global public health, it is crucial to analyze its effect on drug-resistant bacterial infections in the respiratory system for the prevention and control of hospital infections. This work aimed to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the clinical distribution and antibiotic resistance of bacterial infection among hospitalized patients in the respiratory unit in order to establish strategies to control antibiotic-resistant infections. Electronic clinical data registry records from 2018 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 36,829 clinical specimens, including sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, blood, and urine, were collected from 16,073 patients admitted to the Guangzhou First People’s Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022. Among them, 2209 samples were culture-positive. The bacterial isolation rates of different types of samples showed a similar trend from 2019 to 2022, with an increase in 2020 and 2022 and a decrease in 2021. Different bacterial species were separated from different types of samples. The most reported pathogens were identified in sputum samples. Gram-positive isolates were prevalent in urine samples, while Gram-negative bacilli were the predominant pathogenic bacteria isolated from respiratory tract and blood samples. Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa), Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) complex, and Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) were the most abundant Gram-negative bacteria in sputum samples, of which A. baumannii complex had the highest resistance to all tested antibiotics except colistin. Notably, there has been a substantial prevalence of carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and K. pneumoniae in the past five years. This alarming situation calls for greater attention and precaution with prescribed antibiotics to limit the generation and spread of new multidrug-resistant bacteria and improve therapeutic management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Increase of Antimicrobial Resistance Following COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives)
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11 pages, 282 KiB  
Article
Multicentre Surveillance of Candida Species from Blood Cultures during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Southern Europe (CANCoVEU Project)
by Matteo Boattini, Margarida Feijó Pinto, Eirini Christaki, Teresa Fasciana, Iker Falces-Romero, Andreas Tofarides, Gabriele Bianco, Emilio Cendejas-Bueno, Maria Rita Tricoli, Giorgos Tsiolakkis, Julio García-Rodríguez, Rafail Matzaras, Sara Comini, Anna Giammanco, Diamanto Kasapi, André Almeida, Konstantina Gartzonika, Rossana Cavallo and Cristina Costa
Microorganisms 2023, 11(3), 560; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11030560 - 23 Feb 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1519
Abstract
Introduction: Surveillance of Candida species isolates from blood cultures (BCs) in Europe is considered fragmented, unable to allow the definition of targets of antifungal stewardship recommendations especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: We performed a multicentric retrospective study including all consecutive [...] Read more.
Introduction: Surveillance of Candida species isolates from blood cultures (BCs) in Europe is considered fragmented, unable to allow the definition of targets of antifungal stewardship recommendations especially during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: We performed a multicentric retrospective study including all consecutive BC Candida isolates from six Southern European tertiary hospitals (1st January 2020 to 31st December 2021). Etiology, antifungal susceptibility patterns, and clinical setting were analyzed and compared. Results: C. albicans was the dominant species (45.1%), while C. auris was undetected. Candida species positive BC events increased significantly in COVID-19 ICUs in 2021 but decreased in other ICUs. Resistance to azole increased significantly and remained very high in C. albicans (fluconazole from 0.7% to 4.5%, p = 0.03) and C. parapsilosis complex (fluconazole up to 24.5% and voriconazole up to 8.9%), respectively. Resistance to caspofungin was remarkable in C. tropicalis (10%) and C. krusei (20%), while resistance to at least one echinocandin increased in 2021, especially in C. parapsilosis complex (from 0.8% to 5.1%, p = 0.05). Although no significant differences were observed over the study period, fluconazole and echinocandin resistance increased in COVID-19 ICUs by up to 14% and 5.8%, respectively, but remained undetected in non-intensive COVID-19 wards. Conclusions: Antifungal stewardship activities aimed at monitoring resistance to echinocandin in C. tropicalis and C. krusei, and against the spread of fluconazole resistant C. parapsilosis complex isolates are highly desirable. In COVID-19 patients, antifungal resistance was mostly present when the illness had a critical course. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Increase of Antimicrobial Resistance Following COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives)
10 pages, 259 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Bacterial Pathogens among Symptomatic–SARS-CoV-2 PCR-Negative Patients
by Naveed Ahmed, Saman Habib, Moazza Muzzammil, Ali A. Rabaan, Safaa A. Turkistani, Mohammed Garout, Muhammad A. Halwani, Mohammed Aljeldah, Basim R. Al Shammari, Amal A. Sabour, Maha A. Alshiekheid, Areeg N. K. Abdalla, Jeehan H. Alestad, Saad Alhumaid, Bruno Silvester Lopes and Chan Yean Yean
Microorganisms 2022, 10(10), 1978; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10101978 - 6 Oct 2022
Viewed by 1592
Abstract
The epidemiological and clinical aspects of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been subjected to several investigations, but little is known about symptomatic patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR results. The current study investigated patients who presented to the hospital with respiratory symptoms (but negative SARS-CoV-2 [...] Read more.
The epidemiological and clinical aspects of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) have been subjected to several investigations, but little is known about symptomatic patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR results. The current study investigated patients who presented to the hospital with respiratory symptoms (but negative SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR results) to determine the prevalence of bacterial pathogens among these patients. A total of 1246 different samples were collected and 453 species of bacterial pathogens were identified by culture. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed via the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion test. Patients showed symptoms, such as fever (100%), cough (83%), tiredness (77%), loss of taste and smell (23%), rigors (93%), sweating (62%), and nausea (81%), but all tested negative for COVID-19 by PCR tests. Further examinations revealed additional and severe symptoms, such as sore throats (27%), body aches and pain (83%), diarrhea (11%), skin rashes (5%), eye irritation (21%), vomiting (42%), difficulty breathing (32%), and chest pain (67%). The sum of n = 1246 included the following: males, 289 were between 5 and 14 years, 183 (15–24 years), 157 (25–34 years), 113 (35–49 years), and 43 were 50+ years. Females: 138 were between 5 and 14 years, 93 (15–24 years), 72 (25–34 years), 89 (35–49 years), and 68 were 50+ years. The Gram-positive organisms isolated were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 111, 80.43%, MRSA 16.6%), E. faecalis (n = 20, 14.49%, VRE: 9.4%), and Streptococcus agalactiae (n = 7, 5.07%), while, Gram-negative organisms, such as E. coli (n = 135, 42.85%, CRE: 3.49%), K. pneumoniae (n = 93, 29.52%, CRE: 1.58%), P. aeruginosa (n = 43, 13.65%), C. freundii (n = 21, 6.66%), Serratia spp. (n = 8, 2.53%), and Proteus spp. (n = 15, 4.76%) were identified. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Increase of Antimicrobial Resistance Following COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives)

Review

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16 pages, 3134 KiB  
Review
Research Advances on the Role of Lipids in the Life Cycle of Human Coronaviruses
by Cuiling Ding, Yibo Chen, Gen Miao and Zhongtian Qi
Microorganisms 2024, 12(1), 63; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12010063 - 28 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 954
Abstract
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are emerging pathogens with a significant potential to cause life-threatening harm to human health. Since the beginning of the 21st century, three highly pathogenic and transmissible human CoVs have emerged, triggering epidemics and posing major threats to global public health. CoVs [...] Read more.
Coronaviruses (CoVs) are emerging pathogens with a significant potential to cause life-threatening harm to human health. Since the beginning of the 21st century, three highly pathogenic and transmissible human CoVs have emerged, triggering epidemics and posing major threats to global public health. CoVs are enveloped viruses encased in a lipid bilayer. As fundamental components of cells, lipids can play an integral role in many physiological processes, which have been reported to play important roles in the life cycle of CoVs, including viral entry, uncoating, replication, assembly, and release. Therefore, research on the role of lipids in the CoV life cycle can provide a basis for a better understanding of the infection mechanism of CoVs and provide lipid targets for the development of new antiviral strategies. In this review, research advances on the role of lipids in different stages of viral infection and the possible targets of lipids that interfere with the viral life cycle are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Increase of Antimicrobial Resistance Following COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives)
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19 pages, 345 KiB  
Review
The Hidden Cost of COVID-19: Focus on Antimicrobial Resistance in Bloodstream Infections
by Giulia Micheli, Flavio Sangiorgi, Francesca Catania, Marta Chiuchiarelli, Federico Frondizi, Eleonora Taddei and Rita Murri
Microorganisms 2023, 11(5), 1299; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms11051299 - 16 May 2023
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1983
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest growing public health threats and a worldwide priority. According to the WHO, drug-resistant diseases may cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050 and have a substantial impact on the global economy, driving up to 24 [...] Read more.
Antibiotic resistance is one of the greatest growing public health threats and a worldwide priority. According to the WHO, drug-resistant diseases may cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050 and have a substantial impact on the global economy, driving up to 24 million people into poverty. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the fallacies and vulnerability of healthcare systems worldwide, displacing resources from existing programs and reducing funding for antimicrobial resistance (AMR) fighting efforts. Moreover, as already seen for other respiratory viruses, such as flu, COVID-19 is often associated with superinfections, prolonged hospital stays, and increased ICU admissions, further aggravating healthcare disruption. These events are accompanied by widespread antibiotic use, misuse, and inappropriate compliance with standard procedures with a potential long-term impact on AMR. Still, COVID-19-related measures such as increasing personal and environmental hygiene, social distancing, and decreasing hospital admissions could theoretically help the AMR cause. However, several reports have shown increased antimicrobial resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic. This narrative review focuses on this “twindemic”, assessing the current knowledge of antimicrobial resistance in the COVID-19 era with a focus on bloodstream infections and provides insights into the lessons learned in the COVID-19 field that could be applied to antimicrobial stewardship initiatives. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Increase of Antimicrobial Resistance Following COVID-19 Pandemic: Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives)
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