Emerging Resistance and Virulence Patterns in : Insights into Silver Nanoparticles as an Antimicrobial Strategy.

Background/objectives: This study aims to characterize antibiotic resistance (AR) and virulence markers in spp. isolated from Romanian outpatients' stool samples.

Methods: In 2019, community-acquired strains were collected and identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, antibiotic susceptibility profiles have been determined with the MicroScan system, and soluble virulence factors were evaluated using specific culture media, while biofilm formation was quantified in 96-well plates.

Caught Between Stewardship and Resistance: How to Treat Acute Complicated Diverticulitis in Areas of Low Antimicrobial Susceptibility?

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the main threats to public health, with multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogens on the rise across continents. Although treatment guidelines generally recommend antimicrobial therapy for acute complicated diverticulitis, they do not specify treatment pathways according to local or national resistance profiles. There is sparse data regarding specific pathogens involved in Hinchey II-IV patients who undergo surgery.

Host-Microbiome Crosstalk in Chronic Wound Healing.

The pathogenesis of chronic wounds (CW) involves a multifaceted interplay of biochemical, immunological, hematological, and microbiological interactions. Biofilm development is a significant virulence trait which enhances microbial survival and pathogenicity and has various implications on the development and management of CW. Biofilms induce a prolonged suboptimal inflammation in the wound microenvironment, associated with delayed healing.

The Importance of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales in African Countries: Evolution and Current Burden.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a worldwide healthcare problem. Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) can spread quickly owing to their resistance mechanisms. Although colonized individuals are crucial for MDRO dissemination, colonizing microbes can lead to symptomatic infections in carriers.

Cystic Echinococcosis in the Early 2020s: A Review.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a zoonosis caused by metacestodes, the larval stage of . Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has defined CE as a neglected disease, it is the second most important foodborne parasitic disease, and it remains an important public health issue, considering its zonal endemicity and potential morbidity. The control and prevention of CE is a relevant WHO target, especially from a One Health perspective, as the disease affects not only animals and humans but also the food chain.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Recently Isolated Multidrug-Resistant Clinical and Aquatic Strains and Demonstration of Silver Nanoparticle Potency.

This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on multidrug-resistant (MDR) (AB) strains isolated from the clinical and aquatic environment. Three types of Ag NPs were investigated for their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence properties on a total number of 132 AB strains isolated in the same temporal sequence from intra-hospital infections (IHIs), wastewater (WW), and surface water (SW) samples between 2019 and 2022 from different Romanian locations and characterized at the phenotypic and genotypic levels. The comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance (AR) profiles according to the isolation source and the geographical location demonstrated a decrease in MDR level in AB recovered from WW samples in 2022 from north-eastern/central/southern regions (N-E/C-W/analyzed strains S): 87.

Recent Advances in the Management Strategies for Buruli Ulcers.

Buruli ulcer (BU) is a bacterial skin infection that is caused by and mainly affects people who reside in the rural areas of Africa and in suburban and beach resort communities in Australia. The infection typically begins as a painless papule or nodule that gradually develops into a large ulcer that can cause substantial impairment, damaging soft tissues and even bones. Early detection and immediate treatment are crucial to preventing further tissue damage and any potential complications, although it is worth noting that access to proper therapeutic resources can be limited in certain areas.

Complicated Clinical Course of a Patient with Multivisceral Cystic Echinococcosis Requiring Extensive Surgical and Medical Treatment.

Cystic echinococcosis is an often-overlooked condition that otherwise negatively impacts both the individual and the community, prompting major public health concerns. Early diagnosis and treatment, as well as collaboration between specialties including surgery and parasitology, are essential for avoiding complications and disease relapse. To better illustrate this, we present the case of an elderly person with a rare localization of the disease at the muscular level.

Temporo-spatial variations in resistance determinants and clonality of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from Romanian hospitals and wastewaters.

Background: Romania is one of the European countries reporting very high antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates and consumption of antimicrobials. We aimed to characterize the AMR profiles and clonality of 304 multi-drug resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) strains isolated during two consecutive years (2018 and 2019) from hospital settings, hospital collecting sewage tanks and the receiving wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) located in the main geographical regions of Romania.

Methods: The strains were isolated on chromogenic media and identified by MALDI-TOF-MS.

Comment on Mitteregger et al. A Variant Carbapenem Inactivation Method (CIM) for Group with Shortened Time-to-Result: rCIM-A. 2022, , 482.

We have read the article published by Mitteregger et al. [..

Oxidative Stress in Chronic Hepatitis B-An Update.

In recent years, the role of oxidative stress has been investigated in an increasing number of infections. There is a close link between the inflammation that accompanies infections and oxidative stress. Excessive reactive oxygen species induce harmful effects on cell components, including lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids.

Phenotypic and genotypic detection methods for antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE pathogens (Review).

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a growing public health problem worldwide. Infections with such bacteria lead to longer hospitalization times, higher healthcare costs and greater morbidity and mortality. Thus, there is a greater need for rapid detection methods in order to limit their spread.

Recent Advances in Understanding the Inflammatory Response in Malaria: A Review of the Dual Role of Cytokines.

Malaria is a serious and, in some unfortunate cases, fatal disease caused by a parasite of the genus. It predominantly occurs in tropical areas where it is transmitted through the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. The pathogenesis of malaria is complex and incompletely elucidated.

The Impact of Long-Term Antibiotic Therapy of Cutaneous Adverse Reactions to EGFR Inhibitors in Colorectal Cancer Patients.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is an important public health issue, in terms of incidence and mortality, with approximately 1.8 million new cases reported worldwide in 2018. Advancements in understanding pathophysiological key steps in CRC tumorigenesis have led to the development of new targeted therapies such as those based on epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFR inhibitors).

Optimization of the rapid carbapenem inactivation method for use with AmpC hyperproducers.

Objectives: Detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPEs) is sometimes difficult with AmpC-hyperproducing Enterobacterales (AHEs), as they may falsely be classified as CPEs. Here, we present a rapid Carbapenem Inactivation Method (rCIM) optimized for AmpC producers (rCIM-A) that allows rapid and easy discrimination between AHEs and CPEs.

Methods: Enterobacterales (n = 249), including natural AmpC producers, AHEs, CPEs and non-carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant control strains were evaluated, using Carba NP, rCIM and rCIM-A.

New markers of oxidative stress in lichen planus and the influence of hepatitis C virus infection - a pilot study.

Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous T-cell mediated disorder of unknown etiology. There is growing evidence that oxidative stress is an important player in the pathogenesis of LP. Therefore, we have investigated oxidative stress markers in LP and the influence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a frequently associated condition, on oxidative stress in LP patients.

Phenotypic and genotypic virulence features of staphylococcal strains isolated from difficult-to-treat skin and soft tissue infections.

Chronic infections represent an important burden on the healthcare system and have a significant impact on the patients' quality of life. While Staphylococcus spp. are commensal bacteria, they can become pathogenic, leading to various types of infections.

Antibiotic resistance profiles in cultivable microbiota isolated from some romanian natural fishery lakes included in Natura 2000 network.

Background: The present study aims the characterization of antibiotic resistance phenotypes and encoding genes in bacterial strains isolated from some Romanian aquatic fishery lowland salted lakes.

Material/methods: This study was conducted on 44 bacterial strains, mainly belonging to species used as microbiological indicators of fecal pollution isolated from four natural fishery lakes. All strains were tested for their antibiotic susceptibility by disk diffusion method.

Knowledge and Attitudes on Vaccination in Southern Romanians: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire.

Vaccines are fundamental instruments upon which all modern medicine is hinged. This has recently come into the light because of the COVID-19 pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2. We aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes of the public regarding vaccination.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing for Species Isolated from Clinical Samples in Romania.

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the most important public health issues. Besides classical multidrug resistance species associated with medical care involved in superficial or invasive infections, there are strains less commonly associated with hospital or outpatient setting's infections. Non-diphtheria spp.

The Relationship between the Soluble Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products and Oxidative Stress in Patients with Palmoplantar Warts.

Background And Objectives: Warts are the most common lesions caused by human papillomavirus (HPV). Recent research suggests that oxidative stress and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of HPV-related lesions. It has been shown that the soluble receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) may act as a protective factor against the deleterious effects of inflammation and oxidative stress, two interconnected processes.

Reactive Carbonyl Species as Potential Pro-Oxidant Factors Involved in Lichen Planus Pathogenesis.

The constant generation of reactive carbonyl species (RCSs) by lipid peroxidation during aerobic metabolism denotes their involvement in cell homeostasis. Skin represents the largest organ of the body that is exposed to lipid peroxidation. Previous studies have suggested the involvement of oxidative stress in the development of lichen planus (LP), a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a complex pathogenesis.