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Search Results (1,034)

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17 pages, 1698 KB  
Article
Diagnostic Underuse and Antimicrobial Resistance Patterns Among Hospitalized Children in a National Referral Hospital in Kenya: A Five-Year Retrospective Study
by Veronicah M. Chuchu, Teresa Ita, Irene Inwani, Julius Oyugi, S. M. Thumbi and Sylvia Omulo
Antibiotics 2025, 14(9), 872; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14090872 (registering DOI) - 29 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, with children in low- and middle-income countries bearing a disproportionate burden. Data on resistance patterns and diagnostic practices in pediatric populations remain limited. This study evaluated diagnostic utilization and AMR among children hospitalized [...] Read more.
Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing global health threat, with children in low- and middle-income countries bearing a disproportionate burden. Data on resistance patterns and diagnostic practices in pediatric populations remain limited. This study evaluated diagnostic utilization and AMR among children hospitalized with bacterial infections at a national referral hospital in Kenya. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of pediatric inpatients (0–12 years) admitted with bacterial infections between 2017 and 2021. Patient records were identified using ICD-10 codes and reviewed for diagnostic testing and antimicrobial susceptibility. Descriptive statistics were conducted to show infection counts, diagnostic testing, and resistance outcomes. Results: Among 1608 patients, 1009/1608 (63%) were infants under one year. Culture was conducted in 640/1608 (40%) and antimicrobial sensitivity testing in 111/640 (17%) patients. Gastroenteritis (46%) was the most common infection and blood the most frequently collected specimen (31%). Of 1039 cultured specimens, 896/1039 (86%) showed no growth. The most commonly isolated organisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae 19/128 (15%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (13%, 17/128), and Enterococcus faecium (13%, 16/128). Notably, K. pneumoniae showed 100% resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, suggestive of ESBL production. Among the tested samples, 92/128 (72%) had MDROs, and 26/92 (28%) were extensively drug-resistant (XDR). Among the patients tested, 84/111 (76%) had MDROs, of which 25/84 (30%) were XDR. Children under 5 years had higher odds (OR = 5.84, 95% CI: 1.17-38.21) of having MDRO infections, as well as those with multiple admissions (OR = 3.77, 95% CI: 1.06–20.34). Further, increasing age was inversely associated with MDRO presence. The odds of MDRO infection decreased by 24% for every year increase in age (aOR = 0.76; 95% CI: 0.60–0.93; p = 0.006). Conclusions: The findings highlight the limited diagnostic use and a high burden of MDROs and XDR infections in hospitalized children. Strengthening diagnostic capacity and pediatric antimicrobial stewardship is urgently needed in such settings. Full article
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17 pages, 5230 KB  
Article
Characterization of an Extensively Drug-Resistant Salmonella Kentucky ST198 Co-Harboring cfr, mcr-1 and tet(A) Variant from Retail Chicken Meat in Shanghai, China
by Zeqiang Zhan, Zifeng Mai and Mengjun Hu
Foods 2025, 14(17), 3025; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14173025 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 149
Abstract
The emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) foodborne pathogens poses grave threats to food safety. This study characterizes the genome of an XDR Salmonella Kentucky isolate (Sal23C1) co-harboring cfr, mcr-1 and tet(A) from Shanghai chicken meat in 2022, which was the only [...] Read more.
The emergence of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) foodborne pathogens poses grave threats to food safety. This study characterizes the genome of an XDR Salmonella Kentucky isolate (Sal23C1) co-harboring cfr, mcr-1 and tet(A) from Shanghai chicken meat in 2022, which was the only isolate co-harboring these three key resistance genes among 502 screened Salmonella isolates. Genomic analysis revealed that the multidrug resistance gene cfr, which confers resistance to phenicols, lincosamides, oxazolidinones, pleuromutilins and streptogramin A, was identified within a Tn3-IS6-cfr-IS6 structure on the transferable plasmid p3Sal23C1 (32,387 bp), showing high similarity to the Citrobacter braakii plasmid pCE32-2 (99% coverage, 99.98% identity). Concurrently, the mcr-1 gene resided in a pap2-mcr-1 structure on the transferable IncI2 plasmid p2Sal23C1 (63,103 bp). Notably, both genes could be co-transferred to recipient bacteria via conjugative plasmids at frequencies of (1.15 ± 0.98) × 10−6. Furthermore, a novel ~79 kb multidrug resistance region (MRR) chromosomally inserted at the bcfH locus was identified, carrying fosA3, mph(A), rmtB, qnrS1 and blaCTX-M-55. Additionally, a novel Salmonella Genomic Island 1 variant (SGI1-KI) harbored aadA7, qacEΔ1, sul1 and the tet(A) variant. The acquisition of these antibiotic resistance genes in this isolate enhanced bacterial resistance to 21 antimicrobials, including resistance to the critical last-resort antibiotics tigecycline and colistin, which left virtually no treatment options for potential infections. Taken together, this is the first comprehensive genomic report of an XDR poultry-derived Salmonella Kentucky isolate co-harboring cfr, mcr-1 and the tet(A) variant. The mobility of these resistance genes, facilitated by IS6 elements and conjugative plasmids, underscores significant public health risks associated with such isolates in the food chain. Full article
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34 pages, 2021 KB  
Review
Untangling the Complexity of Two-Component Signal Transduction in Bacteria
by Patrycja Wadach, Dagmara Jakimowicz and Martyna Gongerowska-Jac
Microorganisms 2025, 13(9), 2013; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13092013 - 28 Aug 2025
Viewed by 84
Abstract
Two-component systems (TCSs) are ubiquitous in bacteria and are central to their ability to sense and respond to diverse environmental and intracellular cues. Classically composed of a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate response regulator, TCSs control processes ranging from metabolism and development [...] Read more.
Two-component systems (TCSs) are ubiquitous in bacteria and are central to their ability to sense and respond to diverse environmental and intracellular cues. Classically composed of a sensor histidine kinase and a cognate response regulator, TCSs control processes ranging from metabolism and development to virulence and antibiotic resistance. In addition to their biological roles, TCSs are garnering attention in synthetic biology and antimicrobial drug development. While canonical architectures have been extensively studied, increasing evidence highlights the remarkable diversity in their organization and regulation. Despite substantial progress, key questions remain regarding the prevalence and physiological relevance of non-canonical TCSs, the mechanisms ensuring signal fidelity, and the potential for engineering these systems. This review explores non-typical TCSs, focusing on their varied transcriptional regulation, alternative response regulator activities, varied control by phosphorylation, and negative control mechanisms. We discuss how bacteria manage signaling specificity among numerous TCSs through cross-talk, hierarchical interactions, and phosphorelay systems and how these features shape adaptive responses. By synthesizing current understanding and highlighting still existing knowledge gaps, this review offers a novel perspective on TCS diversity, indicating directions for future research and potential translational applications in biotechnology and medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology and Immunology)
15 pages, 882 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Colistin Susceptibility of Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains Exposed to Rotating Magnetic Field
by Agata Pruss, Dagmara Kobylińska, Karol Fijałkowski, Helena Masiuk and Paweł Kwiatkowski
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(17), 8281; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26178281 - 26 Aug 2025
Viewed by 393
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae, due to its capacity to produce numerous virulence factors and form biofilms, is one of the most significant etiological agents of nosocomial infections. The extensive and often unwarranted use of antibiotic therapy has driven the emergence of various mutations, adaptive [...] Read more.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, due to its capacity to produce numerous virulence factors and form biofilms, is one of the most significant etiological agents of nosocomial infections. The extensive and often unwarranted use of antibiotic therapy has driven the emergence of various mutations, adaptive mechanisms, and horizontal gene transfer among K. pneumoniae strains, resulting in resistance to most beta-lactam antibiotics, carbapenems, and the last-resort drug—colistin. A promising alternative or adjunctive treatment is the application of rotating magnetic fields (RMFs). The present study aimed to evaluate changes in colistin susceptibility among 20 extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and 20 K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-positive K. pneumoniae strains isolated from hospital infections following exposure to RMF at frequencies of 5 and 50 Hz. Exposure to RMF at 5 Hz resulted in decreased colistin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in over half of the tested (ESBLs) and (KPC)-positive strains. Additionally, RMF at 50 Hz reduced colistin MIC values in 30% of (ESBL)-positive and 40% of (KPC)-positive strains. Therefore, in the future, RMF may be developed as a supportive therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy of antibiotics in the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens, including colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)
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16 pages, 533 KB  
Perspective
The Future of Oncology in Psychiatric Medications
by Napoleon Waszkiewicz
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(17), 6003; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14176003 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 295
Abstract
Recent years have provided numerous reports on the mechanisms of action of psychiatric medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidementia drugs) that directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells, as well as on their indirect effects on the psyche and immune system, and [...] Read more.
Recent years have provided numerous reports on the mechanisms of action of psychiatric medications (antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and antidementia drugs) that directly inhibit the growth of cancer cells, as well as on their indirect effects on the psyche and immune system, and their supportive effects on chemotherapeutic agents. The mechanisms of the anticancer activity of psychiatric drugs include inhibition of dopamine and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors that work via signaling pathways (PI3K/AKT/mTOR/NF-κB, ERK, Wnt/ß-catenin, and bcl2), metabolic pathways (ornithine decarboxylase, intracellular cholesterol transport, lysosomal enzymes, and glycolysis), autophagy, Ca2+-dependent signaling cascades, and various other proteins (actin-related protein complex, sirtuin 1, p21, p53, etc.). The anticancer potential of psychiatric drugs seems to be extremely broad, and the most extensive anticancer literature has been reported on antidepressants (fluoxetine, amitriptyline, imipramine, mirtazapine, and St John’s Wort) and antipsychotics (chlorpromazine, pimozide, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine). Among mood stabilizers, lithium and valproates have the largest body of literature. Among antidementia drugs, memantine has documented anticancer effects, while there is limited evidence for galantamine. Of the new psychiatric substances, the antipsychotic drug brexpiprazole and the antidepressant vortioxetine have a very interesting body of literature regarding glioblastoma, based on in vitro and in vivo animal survival studies. Their use in brain tumors and metastases is particularly compelling, as these substances readily cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Moreover, the synergistic effect of psychiatric drugs with traditional cancer treatment seems to be extremely important in the fight against chemo- and radio-resistance of tumors. Although there are some studies describing the possible carcinogenic effects of psychiatric drugs in animals, the anticancer effect seems to be extremely significant, especially in combination treatment with radio/chemotherapy. The emerging evidence supporting the anticancer properties of psychiatric drugs presents an exciting frontier in oncology. The anticancer properties of psychiatric drugs may prove particularly useful in the period between chemotherapy and radiotherapy sessions to maintain the tumor-inhibitory effect. While further research is necessary to elucidate the mechanisms, clinical implications, dose-dependence of the effect, and clear guidelines for the use of psychiatric medications in cancer therapy, the potential for these commonly prescribed medications to contribute to cancer treatment enhances their value in the management of patients facing the dual challenges of mental health and cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mental Health)
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20 pages, 891 KB  
Review
Phytocannabinoids and Nanotechnology in Lung Cancer: A Review of Therapeutic Strategies with a Focus on Halloysite Nanotubes
by Dorota Bęben, Helena Moreira and Ewa Barg
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(9), 1244; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18091244 - 22 Aug 2025
Viewed by 351
Abstract
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with a poor prognosis driven by late diagnosis, systemic toxicity of existing therapies, and rapid development of multidrug resistance (MDR) to agents such as paclitaxel and cisplatin. MDR arises through multiple mechanisms, including [...] Read more.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide, with a poor prognosis driven by late diagnosis, systemic toxicity of existing therapies, and rapid development of multidrug resistance (MDR) to agents such as paclitaxel and cisplatin. MDR arises through multiple mechanisms, including overexpression of efflux transporters, alterations in apoptotic pathways, and tumour microenvironment-mediated resistance. The application of nanotechnology offers a potential solution to the aforementioned challenges by facilitating the enhancement of drug solubility, stability, bioavailability, and tumour-specific delivery. Additionally, it facilitates the co-loading of agents, thereby enabling the attainment of synergistic effects. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are naturally occurring aluminosilicate nanocarriers with unique dual-surface chemistry, allowing hydrophobic drug encapsulation in the positively charged lumen and functionalisation of the negatively charged outer surface with targeting ligands or MDR modulators. This architecture supports dual-delivery strategies, enabling simultaneous administration of phytocannabinoids and chemotherapeutics or efflux pump inhibitors to enhance intracellular retention and cytotoxicity in resistant tumour cells. HNTs offer additional advantages over conventional nanocarriers, including mechanical and chemical stability and low production cost. Phytocannabinoids such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG) show multitarget anticancer activity in lung cancer models, including apoptosis induction, proliferation inhibition, and oxidative stress modulation. However, poor solubility, instability, and extensive first-pass metabolism have limited their clinical use. Encapsulation in HNTs can overcome these barriers, protect against degradation, and enable controlled, tumour-targeted release. This review examined the therapeutic potential of HNT-based phytocannabinoid delivery systems in the treatment of lung cancer, with an emphasis on improving therapeutic selectivity, which represents a promising direction for more effective and patient-friendly treatments for lung cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Combating Drug Resistance in Cancer)
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10 pages, 2422 KB  
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Multilayered Insights into Poorly Differentiated, BRAFV600E-Positive, Thyroid Carcinoma in a Rapidly Developing Goiter with Retrosternal Extension: From En “Y” Cervicotomy to SPECT/CT-Positive Lung Metastases
by Oana-Claudia Sima, Anca-Pati Cucu, Dana Terzea, Claudiu Nistor, Florina Vasilescu, Lucian-George Eftimie, Mihai-Lucian Ciobica, Mihai Costachescu and Mara Carsote
Diagnostics 2025, 15(16), 2049; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15162049 - 15 Aug 2025
Viewed by 370
Abstract
Poorly differentiated thyroid malignancy, a rare histological type of aggressive thyroid malignancy with associated difficulties and gaps in its histological and molecular characterization, might lead to challenging clinical presentations that require a prompt multimodal approach. This case study involved a 56-year-old, non-smoking male [...] Read more.
Poorly differentiated thyroid malignancy, a rare histological type of aggressive thyroid malignancy with associated difficulties and gaps in its histological and molecular characterization, might lead to challenging clinical presentations that require a prompt multimodal approach. This case study involved a 56-year-old, non-smoking male with a rapidly developing goiter (within 2–3 months) in association with mild, non-specific neck compressive symptoms. His medical history was irrelevant. A voluminous goiter with substernal and posterior extension up to the vertebral bodies was detected using an ultrasound and computed tomography (CT) scan and required emergency thyroidectomy. He had normal thyroid function, as well as negative thyroid autoimmunity and serum calcitonin. The surgery was successful upon “Y” incision, which was used to give better access to the retrosternal component in order to avoid a sternotomy. Post-operatively, the subject developed hypoparathyroidism-related hypocalcemia and showed a very high serum thyroglobulin level (>550 ng/mL). The pathological report confirmed poorly differentiated, multifocal thyroid carcinoma (with an insular, solid, and trabecular pattern) against a background of papillary carcinoma (pT3b, pN0, and pM1; L1; V2; Pn0; R1; and stage IVB). The subject received 200 mCi of radioiodine therapy for 6 weeks following the thoracic surgery. Whole-body scintigraphy was performed before radioiodine therapy and showed increased radiotracer uptake at the thyroid remnants and pre-tracheal levels. Additionally, single-photon emission computed tomography combined with CT (SPECT/CT) was performed, and confirmed the areas of intense uptake, in addition to a moderate uptake in the right and left pulmonary parenchyma, suggesting lung metastasis. To conclude, an overall low level of statistical evidence exists regarding poorly differentiated malignancy in substernal goiters, and the data also remains scarce regarding the impact of genetic and molecular configurations, such as the BRAF-positive profile, in this specific instance. Furthermore, multimodal management includes additional diagnosis methods such as SPECT/CT, while long-term multilayered therapy includes tyrosine kinase inhibitors if the outcome shows an iodine-resistant profile with a poor prognosis. Awareness remains a key factor in cases of a poorly differentiated carcinoma presenting as a rapidly growing goiter with substernal extension in an apparently healthy adult. A surgical approach, while varying with the surgeon’s skills, represents a mandatory step to ensure a better prognosis. In addition to a meticulous histological characterization, genetic/molecular features provide valuable information regarding the outcome and can further help with the decision to use new anti-cancer drugs if tumor response upon radioiodine therapy is no longer achieved; such a development is expected in this disease stage in association with a BRAF-positive configuration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thyroid Cancer: Types, Symptoms, Diagnosis and Management)
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15 pages, 1900 KB  
Article
Lessons from Four Years (2021–2024) of Klebsiella Pneumoniae Resistance Surveillance Epidemiological Trends in a Romanian Intensive Care Unit
by Mihai Sava, Bogdan Ioan Vintila, Alina Simona Bereanu, Anca Maria Fratila and Ioana Roxana Codru
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 825; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080825 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 647
Abstract
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae represents a major cause of healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units, with resistance profiles ranging from multidrug-resistant to extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant. Critically ill patients, who often require invasive devices and prolonged antibiotic therapy, are especially vulnerable to colonization [...] Read more.
Background: Klebsiella pneumoniae represents a major cause of healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units, with resistance profiles ranging from multidrug-resistant to extensively drug-resistant and pandrug-resistant. Critically ill patients, who often require invasive devices and prolonged antibiotic therapy, are especially vulnerable to colonization and infection by these strains. Surveillance data on resistance trends and specimen-specific patterns in Romanian intensive care units (ICUs) remain limited. Methods: We conducted a four-year surveillance study (2021–2024) in a tertiary Romanian ICU, analyzing K. pneumoniae isolates collected from diverse clinical specimens. Resistance phenotypes were classified as MDR, XDR, PDR, or susceptible based on standard definitions. Trends over time were assessed using Cramér’s V and correspondence analysis, while stratification by specimen type evaluated associations between anatomical site and resistance profiles. Results: A total of 254 K. pneumoniae isolates were analyzed. MDR strains predominated in 2021 and 2022 but sharply declined by 2024 (from 80% to 8.3%). In parallel, XDR and PDR phenotypes increased substantially, indicating a shift toward more complex resistance profiles. A significant temporal association was found (Cramér’s V = 0.43), with 2024 marked by a sharp decline in MDR isolates and a predominance of XDR and PDR phenotypes, reflecting an advanced resistance profile. Specimen-type analysis showed tracheal aspirates as the main reservoir for resistant strains, followed by urine and blood cultures, with a weaker but meaningful association (Cramér’s V = 0.24). Conclusions: These findings reveal a change in resistance patterns in ICU-acquired K. pneumoniae infections, with MDR strains being displaced by XDR and PDR phenotypes. These findings highlight the urgent need for time- and specimen-informed resistance monitoring and adaptive antimicrobial stewardship. Without targeted interventions, gains made in controlling MDR strains risk being rapidly eclipsed by the spread of highly resistant organisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antibiotics Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship)
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11 pages, 672 KB  
Article
Antimicrobial Unusual Small Molecules from Marine Streptomyces spp.
by M. A. Mojid Mondol, Tanvir Islam Shovo, Abul Hasnat Md. Shamim and Abdullah Al Azam
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(16), 7771; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26167771 - 12 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1172
Abstract
The widespread emergence of resistant pathogenic microorganisms are diminishing the effectiveness of existing antimicrobial drugs, posing an enormous threat to global public health. This phenomenon, known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is primarily driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs. Natural product [...] Read more.
The widespread emergence of resistant pathogenic microorganisms are diminishing the effectiveness of existing antimicrobial drugs, posing an enormous threat to global public health. This phenomenon, known as antimicrobial resistance (AMR), is primarily driven by the misuse and overuse of antimicrobial drugs. Natural product researchers around the globe, in response to antibiotics resistance, are searching for new antimicrobial lead compounds from unexplored or underexplored ecological niches such as the marine environment. In order to isolate new antimicrobial lead compounds, two Streptomyces spp. were isolated from marine sediment samples by a serial dilution technique and subsequently cultured in modified Bennett’s broth medium. Repeated chromatographic steps of ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extracts obtained from the culture broth led to the isolation of a new compound with an unusual chemical skeleton, streptopiperithiazol (1), and a synthetically known (2) compound. These compounds were characterized by the extensive analysis of 1D and 2D spectroscopic as well as HRMS data. The absolute configuration of 1 was unresolved due to limited yield and lack of proper facilities for taking CD and ECD spectra. In vitro activity study of compounds 1 and 2 revealed that these compounds had better activity against Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria and yeast. Full article
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12 pages, 389 KB  
Article
Evolution of Respiratory Pathogens and Antimicrobial Resistance over the COVID-19 Timeline: A Study of Hospitalized and Ambulatory Patient Populations
by Luigi Regenburgh De La Motte, Loredana Deflorio, Erika Stefano, Matteo Covi, Angela Uslenghi, Carmen Sommese and Lorenzo Drago
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 796; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080796 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 392
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered the clinical and microbiological landscape of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), potentially reshaping pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles across care settings. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess temporal trends in respiratory bacterial [...] Read more.
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly altered the clinical and microbiological landscape of respiratory tract infections (RTIs), potentially reshaping pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles across care settings. Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess temporal trends in respiratory bacterial pathogens, antimicrobial resistance, and polymicrobial infections across three pandemic phases—pre-COVID (2018–2019), COVID (2020–2022), and post-COVID (2022–2024)—in hospitalized and ambulatory patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1827 respiratory bacterial isolates (hospitalized patients, n = 1032; ambulatory patients, n = 795) collected at a tertiary care center in Northern Italy. Data were stratified by care setting, anatomical site, and pandemic phase. Species identification and susceptibility testing followed EUCAST guidelines. Statistical analysis included chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests. Results: In hospitalized patients, a significant increase in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (from 45.5% pre-COVID to 58.6% post-COVID, p < 0.0001) and Acinetobacter baumannii (from 1.2% to 11.1% during COVID, p < 0.0001) was observed, with 100% extensively drug-resistant (XDR) rates for A. baumannii during the pandemic. Conversely, Staphylococcus aureus significantly declined from 23.6% pre-COVID to 13.7% post-COVID (p = 0.0012). In ambulatory patients, polymicrobial infections peaked at 41.2% during COVID, frequently involving co-isolation of Candida spp. Notably, resistance to benzylpenicillin in Streptococcus pneumoniae reached 80% (4/5 isolates) in hospitalized patients during COVID, and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (CRPA) significantly increased post-pandemic in ambulatory patients (0% pre-COVID vs. 23.5% post-COVID, p = 0.0014). Conclusions: The pandemic markedly shifted respiratory pathogen dynamics and resistance profiles, with distinct trends observed in hospital and community settings. Persistent resistance phenotypes and frequent polymicrobial infections, particularly involving Candida spp. in outpatients, underscore the need for targeted surveillance and antimicrobial stewardship strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antibiotic Therapy in Infectious Diseases)
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26 pages, 1426 KB  
Review
Mycobacteriophages in the Treatment of Mycobacterial Infections: From Compassionate Use to Targeted Therapy
by Magdalena Druszczynska, Beata Sadowska, Agnieszka Zablotni, Lesia Zhuravska, Jakub Kulesza and Marek Fol
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8543; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158543 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 644
Abstract
This review addresses the urgent need for alternative strategies to combat drug-resistant mycobacterial infections, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis, as well as non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases. Traditional antibiotics are increasingly limited by resistance, toxicity, and poor efficacy, particularly in immunocompromised [...] Read more.
This review addresses the urgent need for alternative strategies to combat drug-resistant mycobacterial infections, including multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis, as well as non-tuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) diseases. Traditional antibiotics are increasingly limited by resistance, toxicity, and poor efficacy, particularly in immunocompromised patients. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, covering publications primarily from 2000 to 2025. Only articles published in English were included to ensure consistency in data interpretation. Search terms included “mycobacteriophages,” “phage therapy,” “drug-resistant mycobacteria, “diagnostic phages,” and “phage engineering.” The review examines the therapeutic and diagnostic potential of mycobacteriophages—viruses that specifically infect mycobacteria—focusing on their molecular biology, engineering advances, delivery systems, and clinical applications. Evidence suggests that mycobacteriophages offer high specificity, potent bactericidal activity, and adaptability, positioning them as promising candidates for targeted therapy. Although significant obstacles remain—including immune interactions, limited host range, and regulatory challenges—rapid progress in synthetic biology and delivery platforms continues to expand their clinical potential. As research advances and clinical frameworks evolve, mycobacteriophages are poised to become a valuable asset in the fight against drug-resistant mycobacterial diseases, offering new precision-based solutions where conventional therapies fail. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tuberculosis—a Millennial Disease in the Age of New Technologies)
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19 pages, 1716 KB  
Review
Combination Therapy Using Phytochemicals and PARP Inhibitors in Hybrid Nanocarriers: An Optimistic Approach for the Management of Colon Cancer
by Mohammad Javed Qureshi, Gurpreet Kaur Narde, Alka Ahuja, Dhanalekshmi Unnikrishnan Meenakshi and Khalid Al Balushi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157350 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 591
Abstract
DNA damage repair is a hallmark of any cancer growth, eventually leading to drug resistance and death. The poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) enzyme is vital in repairing damaged DNA in normal and cancer cells with mutated DNA damage response (DDR) genes. [...] Read more.
DNA damage repair is a hallmark of any cancer growth, eventually leading to drug resistance and death. The poly ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) enzyme is vital in repairing damaged DNA in normal and cancer cells with mutated DNA damage response (DDR) genes. Inhibitors of the PARP enzyme aid in chemotherapy, as shown by drug combinations such as Olaparib and Irinotecan in breast cancer treatment. However, the effect of Olaparib in colon cancer has not been studied extensively. Synthetic drugs have a significant limitation in cancer treatment due to drug resistance, leading to colon cancer relapse. Bioavailability of Olaparib and other PARP inhibitors is limited due to their hydrophobicity, which poses a significant challenge. These limitations and challenges can be addressed by encapsulating Olaparib in nanoparticles that could possibly increase the bioavailability of the drug at the site of action. New age nanoparticles, such as hybrid nanoparticles, provide superior quality in terms of design and circulatory time of the drug in the plasma. The side effects of Olaparib as a chemotherapeutic pave the way for exploring phytochemicals that may have similar effects. The combined impact of Olaparib and phytochemicals such as genistein, resveratrol and others in nano-encapsulated form can be explored in the treatment of colon cancer. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Anticancer Drug Discovery Based on Natural Products)
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20 pages, 15855 KB  
Article
Resistance Response and Regulatory Mechanisms of Ciprofloxacin-Induced Resistant Salmonella Typhimurium Based on Comprehensive Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Analysis
by Xiaohan Yang, Jinhua Chu, Lulu Huang, Muhammad Haris Raza Farhan, Mengyao Feng, Jiapeng Bai, Bangjuan Wang and Guyue Cheng
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 767; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080767 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 491
Abstract
Background: Salmonella infections pose a serious threat to both animal and human health worldwide. Notably, there is an increasing trend in the resistance of Salmonella to fluoroquinolones, the first-line drugs for clinical treatment. Methods: Utilizing Salmonella Typhimurium CICC 10420 as the test strain, [...] Read more.
Background: Salmonella infections pose a serious threat to both animal and human health worldwide. Notably, there is an increasing trend in the resistance of Salmonella to fluoroquinolones, the first-line drugs for clinical treatment. Methods: Utilizing Salmonella Typhimurium CICC 10420 as the test strain, ciprofloxacin was used for in vitro induction to develop the drug-resistant strain H1. Changes in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of various antimicrobial agents were determined using the broth microdilution method. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted to investigate alterations in gene and metabolite expression. A combined drug susceptibility test was performed to evaluate the potential of exogenous metabolites to restore antibiotic susceptibility. Results: The MICs of strain H1 for ofloxacin and enrofloxacin increased by 128- and 256-fold, respectively, and the strain also exhibited resistance to ceftriaxone, ampicillin, and tetracycline. A single-point mutation of Glu469Asp in the GyrB was detected in strain H1. Integrated multi-omics analysis showed significant differences in gene and metabolite expression across multiple pathways, including two-component systems, ABC transporters, pentose phosphate pathway, purine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, arginine and proline biosynthesis, and glutathione metabolism. Notably, the addition of exogenous glutamine, in combination with tetracycline, significantly reduced the resistance of strain H1 to tetracycline. Conclusion: Ciprofloxacin-induced Salmonella resistance involves both target site mutations and extensive reprogramming of the metabolic network. Exogenous metabolite supplementation presents a promising strategy for reversing resistance and enhancing antibiotic efficacy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance)
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22 pages, 5657 KB  
Article
SUL-150 Limits Vascular Remodeling and Ventricular Failure in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
by Lysanne M. Jorna, Dalibor Nakládal, Johannes N. van Heuveln, Diederik E. van der Feen, Quint A. J. Hagdorn, Guido P. L. Bossers, Annemieke van Oosten, Michel Weij, Ludmila Tkáčiková, Soňa Tkáčiková, Robert H. Henning, Martin C. Harmsen, Rolf M. F. Berger and Guido Krenning
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7181; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157181 - 25 Jul 2025
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Abstract
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease characterized by an elevated pulmonary blood pressure, extensive remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and culminating in right ventricular failure. Mitochondrial dysfunction has a major role in the pathogenesis [...] Read more.
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare, progressive, and incurable disease characterized by an elevated pulmonary blood pressure, extensive remodeling of the pulmonary vasculature, increased pulmonary vascular resistance, and culminating in right ventricular failure. Mitochondrial dysfunction has a major role in the pathogenesis of PAH and secondary right ventricular failure, and its targeting may offer therapeutic benefit. In this study, we provide proof-of-concept for the use of the mitochondrially active drug SUL-150 to treat PAH. PAH was induced in rats by monocrotaline, followed by the placement of an aortocaval shunt one week later. The mitoprotective compound SUL-150 (~6 mg·kg−1·day−1) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally via osmotic minipump for 28 days, implanted at the time of aortocaval shunt placement. Vehicle-treated PAH rats had dyspnea and showed pulmonary artery remodeling with increased responsiveness to phenylephrine, in addition to remodeling of the intrapulmonary arterioles. SUL-150 administration mitigated the dyspnea and the remodeling responses. Vehicle-treated PAH rats developed right ventricular hypertrophy, fibrosis, and failure. SUL-150 administration precluded cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and inhibited ventricular fibrogenesis. Right ventricular failure in vehicle-treated PAH rats induced mitochondrial loss and dysfunction associated with a decrease in mitophagy. SUL-150 was unable to prevent the mitochondrial loss but improved mitochondrial health in the right ventricle, which culminated in the preservation of right ventricular function. We conclude that SUL-150 improves PAH-associated morbidity by the amelioration of pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular failure and may be considered a promising therapeutic candidate to slow disease progression in pulmonary arterial hypertension and secondary right ventricular failure. Full article
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23 pages, 6061 KB  
Article
Genomic Insights into Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Chryseobacterium indologenes Strains: First Report from Thailand
by Orathai Yinsai, Sastra Yuantrakul, Punnaporn Srisithan, Wenting Zhou, Sorawit Chittaprapan, Natthawat Intajak, Thanakorn Kruayoo, Phadungkiat Khamnoi, Siripong Tongjai and Kwanjit Daungsonk
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080746 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 605
Abstract
Background: Chryseobacterium indologenes, an environmental bacterium, is increasingly recognized as an emerging nosocomial pathogen, particularly in Asia, and is often characterized by multidrug resistance. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the genomic features of clinical C. indologenes isolates from Maharaj [...] Read more.
Background: Chryseobacterium indologenes, an environmental bacterium, is increasingly recognized as an emerging nosocomial pathogen, particularly in Asia, and is often characterized by multidrug resistance. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the genomic features of clinical C. indologenes isolates from Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai Hospital, Thailand, to understand their mechanisms of multidrug resistance, virulence factors, and mobile genetic elements (MGEs). Methods: Twelve C. indologenes isolates were identified, and their antibiotic susceptibility profiles were determined. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using a hybrid approach combining Illumina short-reads and Oxford Nanopore long-reads to generate complete bacterial genomes. The hybrid assembled genomes were subsequently analyzed to detect antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, virulence factors, and MGEs. Results: C. indologenes isolates were primarily recovered from urine samples of hospitalized elderly male patients with underlying conditions. These isolates generally exhibited extensive drug resistance, which was subsequently explored and correlated with genomic determinants. With one exception, CMCI13 showed a lower resistance profile (Multidrug resistance, MDR). Genomic analysis revealed isolates with genome sizes of 4.83–5.00 Mb and GC content of 37.15–37.35%. Genomic characterization identified conserved resistance genes (blaIND-2, blaCIA-4, adeF, vanT, and qacG) and various virulence factors. Phylogenetic and pangenome analysis showed 11 isolates clustering closely with Chinese strain 3125, while one isolate (CMCI13) formed a distinct branch. Importantly, each isolate, except CMCI13, harbored a large genomic island (approximately 94–100 kb) carrying significant resistance genes (blaOXA-347, tetX, aadS, and ermF). The absence of this genomic island in CMCI13 correlated with its less resistant phenotype. No plasmids, integrons, or CRISPR-Cas systems were detected in any isolate. Conclusions: This study highlights the alarming emergence of multidrug-resistant C. indologenes in a hospital setting in Thailand. The genomic insights into specific resistance mechanisms, virulence factors, and potential horizontal gene transfer (HGT) events, particularly the association of a large genomic island with the XDR phenotype, underscore the critical need for continuous genomic surveillance to monitor transmission patterns and develop effective treatment strategies for this emerging pathogen. Full article
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