Ocular microbial infection has emerged as a major public health crisis during the past two decades. A variety of causative agents can cause ocular microbial infections; which are characterized by persistent and destructive inflammation of the ocular tissue; progressive visual disturbance; and may result in loss of visual function in patients if early and effective treatments are not received. The conventional therapeutic approaches to treat vision impairment and blindness resulting from microbial infections involve antimicrobial therapy to eliminate the offending pathogens or in severe cases; by surgical methods and retinal prosthesis replacing of the infected area. In cases where there is concurrent inflammation, once infection is controlled, anti-inflammatory agents are indicated to reduce ocular damage from inflammation which ensues. Despite advances in medical research; progress in the control of ocular microbial infections remains slow. The varying level of ocular tissue recovery in individuals and the incomplete visual functional restoration indicate the chief limitations of current strategies. The development of a more extensive therapy is needed to help in healing to regain vision in patients. Stem cells are multipotent stromal cells that can give rise to a vast variety of cell types following proper differentiation protocol. Stem cell therapy shows promise in reducing inflammation and repairing tissue damage on the eye caused by microbial infections by its ability to modulate immune response and promote tissue regeneration. This article reviews a selected list of common infectious agents affecting the eye; which include fungi; viruses; parasites and bacteria with the aim of discussing the current antimicrobial treatments and the associated therapeutic challenges. We also provide recent updates of the advances in stem cells studies on sepsis therapy as a suggestion of optimum treatment regime for ocular microbial infections.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5855780 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijms19020558 | DOI Listing |
Microbiol Spectr
January 2025
Institute for Microbial Systems and Society, Faculty of Science, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada.
Unlabelled: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat. The identification and characterization of novel resistance genes is integral to AMR surveillance. The (55) gene was originally identified through whole genome sequencing of macrolide-resistant strains of .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFmSphere
January 2025
Department of Food Science and Technology and Nebraska Food for Health Center, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA.
Treatment with antibiotics is a major risk factor for infection, likely due to depletion of the gastrointestinal microbiota. Two microbiota-mediated mechanisms thought to limit colonization include the conversion of conjugated primary bile salts into secondary bile salts toxic to growth and competition between the microbiota and for limiting nutrients. Using a continuous flow model that simulates the nutrient conditions of the distal colon, we investigated how treatment with 6 clinically used antibiotics influenced susceptibility to infection in 12 different microbial communities cultivated from healthy individuals.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppl Environ Microbiol
January 2025
Clinical Infection Department, Chelsea and Westminster Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.
Unlabelled: Remote polar regions offer unique opportunities and significant challenges for antimicrobial resistance research in a near-pristine environment. While core microbiology techniques continue to have an important role in supporting environmental research, the severe cold climate presents considerable challenges to laboratory research. We explore adaptations required for core bacteriology investigations in polar regions on an unsupported remote expedition c.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNucleic Acids Res
January 2025
Quantitative Biology Group, University of Belgrade - Faculty of Biology, Studentski trg 16, Belgrade11000, Serbia.
Type II restriction-modification (R-M) systems play a pivotal role in bacterial defense against invading DNA, influencing the spread of pathogenic traits. These systems often involve coordinated expression of a regulatory protein (C) with restriction (R) enzymes, employing complex feedback loops for regulation. Recent studies highlight the crucial balance between R and M enzymes in controlling horizontal gene transfer (HGT).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGut Microbes
December 2025
APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
is a major cause of nosocomial diarrhea. As current antibiotic treatment failures and recurrence of infections are highly frequent, alternative strategies are needed for the treatment of this disease. This study explores the use of bacteriocins, specifically lacticin 3147 and pediocin PA-1, which have reported inhibitory activity against .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!