Development of a Triplex Endpoint PCR Assay for the Detection of SARS-CoV-2: Insights on Cost-Efficiency and Method Design.

Introduction: Lower respiratory tract infections, including COVID-19, have a substantial global impact, making the development of diagnostic tests crucial. The study aimed to develop a new, accurate, fast, and cost-effective PCR-based detection method for SARS-CoV-2, applicable in limited settings and capable of detecting all current variants and potential future pathogens.

Methods: The study was conducted between 2020 and 2022 at the molecular biology department of Mures County Clinical Hospital (MCCH), Romania.

Biofilm Formation and Antibiotic Resistance Profiles in Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Rods-A Comparative Analysis between Screening and Pathological Isolates.

(1) Background: Carbapenem-resistant (CR) bacteria pose a significant global public health challenge due to their ability to evade treatment with beta-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. This study investigates the biofilm-forming capabilities of CR clinical bacterial isolates and examines the impact of serum on biofilm formation. Additionally, the study evaluates the resistance profiles and genetic markers for carbapenemase production.

Invasive fungal pathogens from the tropical and temperate areas - a challenge in pathology and diagnosis.

Fungi play a vital role in ensuring a physiological balance in the surrounding environments, interacting closely with humans, plants, and animals. While most of the time their contribution is beneficial, occasionally, they can become harmful, especially in patients with weakened immune systems. The work at hand aims to present the most common fungal pathogens involved in invasive infections, focusing on fungi that are present in the tropical and temperate areas of the world.

Uncovering the Resistance Mechanisms in Extended-Drug-Resistant Clinical Isolates: Insights from Gene Expression and Phenotypic Tests.

(1) Background: The purpose of the study was to describe the activity of efflux pumps in Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) clinical isolates of and to compare the carbapenem-resistance identification tests with PCR; (2) Methods: Sixty MDR were analyzed for detection of carbapenemase by disk diffusion inhibitory method, carbapenem inactivation method and Modified Hodge Test. Endpoint PCR was used to detect 7 carbapenemase genes (, , , , , , ) and for colistin resistance. The expression of A, B, C, E and X genes corresponding to the four main efflux pumps was also evaluated; (3) Results: From the tested strains, 71.

Targeted EGFR Nanotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Despite advances in treatment, the prognosis remains poor, highlighting the need for novel therapeutic strategies. The present review explores the potential of targeted epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) nanotherapy as an alternative treatment for NSCLC, showing that EGFR-targeted nanoparticles are efficiently taken up by NSCLC cells, leading to a significant reduction in tumor growth in mouse models.

Filamentous Fungi Infections: Yet Another Victim of COVID-19?

Filamentous fungi have always been a matter of concern in the medical field, but nowadays, due to an increase in the risk factors and the added infections with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, they are slowly but surely emerging as a dangerous health threat worldwide. Our study aims to estimate the incidence of mold infections in central Romania, as well as assess the impact the pandemic had on them while evaluating other parameters such as age, associated bacterial and fungal infections and comorbidities. Purulent discharge and respiratory secretion specimens were collected and analyzed over a period of 10 years.

Antibacterial Effect of 16 Essential Oils and Modulation of Efflux Pumps Gene Expression on Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Isolates: Is Cinnamon a Good Fighter?

The purpose of the study was to describe the antimicrobial activity of 16 common essential oils (EOs) on multidrug-resistant (MDR) clinical isolates, including the determination of the effects on efflux pumps gene expression. Seventy-two clinical isolates of collected between 2020-2022 were screened for susceptibility to EOs using Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion to identify potential candidates for future alternative therapies. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was further determined for the EO that proved antibacterial activity following the disk diffusion screening.

Epidemiology, Evolution of Antimicrobial Profile and Genomic Fingerprints of before and during COVID-19: Transition from Resistance to Susceptibility.

Background: The purpose of the study was to describe the epidemiological implication of between 2017-2022 in a tertiary hospital from Romania, including the molecular fingerprinting of similar phenotypic strains (multidrug-resistant isolates), which would have an important health impact. The study also describes the resistance profile of before and during COVID-19, which might bring new information regarding the management of antibiotic treatments.

Materials And Methods: Information regarding wards, specimen types, species, and antibiotic resistance profile of 1994 strains of spp.

Hemolysin-Producing Strains among Diarrheagenic Isolated from Children under 2 Years Old with Diarrheal Disease.

Even if serotyping based on O antigens is still routinely used by most laboratories for the detection of diarrheagenic , this method can provide false-positive reactions, due to the high diversity of O antigens. Molecular methods represent a valuable tool that clarifies these situations. In the Bacteriology Laboratory of Mureș County Hospital, between May 2016 and July 2019, 160 diarrheagenic strains were isolated from children under 2 years old with diarrheic disease.