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Translational Medicine @ UniSa 2024Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant challenge, impacting patient safety and treatment effectiveness. This retrospective study investigates the...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) pose a significant challenge, impacting patient safety and treatment effectiveness. This retrospective study investigates the correlation between pre-operative hospital stays and HCAIs in ICU cardiac surgery patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Medical records of 35 patients who died post-cardiac surgery in the ICU were analyzed, focusing on the duration of pre-operative hospitalization.
RESULTS
Prolonged pre-operative stays strongly correlate (r = 0.993) with increased HCAIs, indicating a critical risk factor.
CONCLUSIONS
The duration of pre-operative hospital stays is pivotal in HCAI risk. Prospective multicenter studies are needed for validation, which is crucial for enhancing patient safety and treatment efficacy.
PubMed: 38957730
DOI: 10.37825/2239-9747.1051 -
Ghana Medical Journal Mar 2024This study aims to examine the frequency of Paratyphi found in blood cultures and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates to different antibiotics....
OBJECTIVE
This study aims to examine the frequency of Paratyphi found in blood cultures and evaluate the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of isolates to different antibiotics. Additionally, the study aims to assess the paradigm shift in the trend of enteric fever caused by Typhi (. Typhi) to Paratyphi(. Paratyphi) .
STUDY DESIGN
Retrospective study.
PARTICIPANT
The study enrolled patients aged 12 years and above diagnosed with enteric fever (positive blood culture) and admitted to Peelamedu Samanaidu Govindasamy Naidu (PSG) Hospital.
INTERVENTIONS
The study analyzed demographic and antibiotic susceptibility profiles of isolates collected from 106 enteric fever patients in the hospital between 2010 and 2022. The susceptibility profiles of isolates to multiple antibiotics were assessed.
RESULTS
There were 106 participants, and 95 (89.62%) of them had enteric fever linked to Typhi, while only 11 (10.38%) had enteric fever linked to Paratyphi A. From 2010 to 2022, the study discovered a general decline in the prevalence of enteric fever caused by species. But between 2014 and 2022, the incidence of enteric fever linked to rapidly increased. Azithromycin (100% , n = 106) and ceftriaxone (99% , n = 105) were highly effective against the isolates, whereas nalidixic acid was resisted by 3 isolates (4.72%, n = 3).
CONCLUSION
The study observed a higher incidence of Typhi in comparison to Paratyphi A and a greater susceptibility of males to enteric fever.
FUNDING
None declared.
Topics: Humans; Male; Female; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Typhoid Fever; Retrospective Studies; Salmonella typhi; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Salmonella paratyphi A; Adult; Adolescent; Child; Middle Aged; Young Adult; Paratyphoid Fever; Incidence; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Azithromycin; Ceftriaxone; Aged; Prevalence
PubMed: 38957275
DOI: 10.4314/gmj.v58i1.12 -
Cureus Jun 2024Background The escalating global rise in multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria presents an increasingly substantial threat to patient safety. Over the past decade,...
Background The escalating global rise in multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria presents an increasingly substantial threat to patient safety. Over the past decade, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) have emerged as one of the most critical pathogens in hospital-acquired infections, notably within intensive care units. Colistin has become one of the last-resort antimicrobial agents utilized to combat infections caused by CRE. However, the use of colistin has been accompanied by a notable increase in the prevalence of colistin-resistant bacteria. This study aimed to investigate plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes ranging from -1 to -8 among members of the Enterobacterales order. Materials and methods This prospective study was conducted in the microbiology laboratory of Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University Health Research and Practice Center between May 1, 2021 and July 31, 2022. A total of 2,646 Enterobacterales isolates were obtained from all culture-positive clinical samples sent from various clinics. Of these, 79 isolates exhibiting resistance to carbapenem antibiotics were included in the study. Among the 79 isolates, the presence of -1 to -8 genes was investigated in 27 isolates that were shown to be resistant to colistin. The identification of bacteria at the species level and antibiotic susceptibility tests were conducted using the VITEK 2 automated system (bioMérieux, USA). Colistin resistance among Enterobacterales strains exhibiting carbapenem resistance was evaluated using the broth microdilution technique (ComASP™ Colistin, Liofilchem, Italy), in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. Results In our in vitro investigations, the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values for meropenem were determined to be >8 µg/ml, whereas for colistin, the MIC50 value was >16 µg/ml and the MIC90 value was 8 µg/ml. A total of 27 colistin-resistant strains were identified among the 79 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales strains analyzed. The most prevalent agent among colistin-resistant strains was ( ), representing 66.7% of the isolates. This was followed by ( ) with 29.6% and () with 3.7%. The colistin resistance rate among carbapenem-resistant strains was found to be 34.2%, with colistin MIC values in strains tested by the broth microdilution method ranging from 4 to >16 µg/ml concentrations. In polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies, the -1 gene region was successfully detected by real-time PCR in the positive control isolate. Nevertheless, none of the gene regions from -1 to -8 were identified in our study investigating the presence of plasmid-mediated genes using a multiplex PCR kit. Conclusion Although our study demonstrated the presence of increased colistin resistance rates in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales isolates, it resulted in the failure to detect genes from -1 to -8 by the multiplex PCR method. Therefore, it is concluded that the colistin resistance observed in Enterobacteriaceae isolates in our region is not due to the genes screened, but to different resistance development mechanisms.
PubMed: 38957246
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.61538 -
Animal Models and Experimental Medicine Jul 2024This review compiles information from the literature on the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and molecular mechanisms of earthworm extract (EE) and... (Review)
Review
This review compiles information from the literature on the chemical composition, pharmacological effects, and molecular mechanisms of earthworm extract (EE) and suggests possibilities for clinical translation of EE. We also consider future trends and concerns in this domain. We summarize the bioactive components of EE, including G-90, lysenin, lumbrokinase, antimicrobial peptides, earthworm serine protease (ESP), and polyphenols, and detail the antitumor, antithrombotic, antiviral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antioxidant, wound-healing, antifibrotic, and hypoglycemic activities and mechanisms of action of EE based on existing in vitro and in vivo studies. We further propose the potential of EE for clinical translation in anticancer and lipid-modifying therapies, and its promise as source of a novel agent for wound healing and resistance to antibiotic tolerance. The earthworm enzyme lumbrokinase embodies highly effective anticoagulant and thrombolytic properties and has the advantage of not causing bleeding phenomena due to hyperfibrinolysis. Its antifibrotic properties can reduce the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix. The glycolipoprotein extract G-90 can effectively scavenge reactive oxygen groups and protect cellular tissues from oxidative damage. Earthworms have evolved a well-developed defense mechanism to fight against microbial infections, and the bioactive agents in EE have shown good antibacterial, fungal, and viral properties in in vitro and in vivo experiments and can alleviate inflammatory responses caused by infections, effectively reducing pain. Recent studies have also highlighted the role of EE in lowering blood glucose. EE shows high medicinal value and is expected to be a source of many bioactive compounds.
PubMed: 38957072
DOI: 10.1002/ame2.12465 -
Journal of Ovarian Research Jul 2024This study investigated changes in plasma microbial-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance (PCOS-IR)...
INTRODUCTION
This study investigated changes in plasma microbial-derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome and insulin resistance (PCOS-IR) before and after metformin treatment, and aimed to identify bacterial taxa within EVs that were biologically and statistically significant for diagnosis and treatment.
METHODS
The case-control study was conducted at Xiamen Chang Gung Hospital, Hua Qiao University. Plasma samples were collected from five PCOS-IR patients of childbearing age before and after 3 months of metformin treatment, and the samples were sequenced. The diversity and taxonomic composition of different microbial communities were analyzed through full-length 16 S glycosomal RNA gene sequencing.
RESULTS
After metformin treatment, fasting plasma glucose levels and IR degree of PCOS-IR patients were significantly improved. The 16 S analysis of plasma EVs from metformin-treated patients showed higher microbial diversity. There were significant differences in EVs derived from some environmental bacteria before and after metformin treatment. Notably, Streptococcus salivarius was more abundant in the metformin-treated group, suggesting it may be a potential probiotic.
DISCUSSION
The study demonstrated changes in the microbial composition of plasma EVs before and after metformin treatment. The findings may offer new insights into the pathogenesis of PCOS-IR and provide new avenues for research.
Topics: Humans; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome; Metformin; Female; Extracellular Vesicles; Insulin Resistance; Adult; Case-Control Studies; Hypoglycemic Agents; Young Adult
PubMed: 38956672
DOI: 10.1186/s13048-024-01444-x -
BMC Medicine Jul 2024With the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating adverse events (AEs) post-antibiotic treatment for common...
Risk of emergency hospital admission related to adverse events after antibiotic treatment in adults with a common infection: impact of COVID-19 and derivation and validation of risk prediction models.
BACKGROUND
With the global challenge of antimicrobial resistance intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic, evaluating adverse events (AEs) post-antibiotic treatment for common infections is crucial. This study aims to examines the changes in incidence rates of AEs during the COVID-19 pandemic and predict AE risk following antibiotic prescriptions for common infections, considering their previous antibiotic exposure and other long-term clinical conditions.
METHODS
With the approval of NHS England, we used OpenSAFELY platform and analysed electronic health records from patients aged 18-110, prescribed antibiotics for urinary tract infection (UTI), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), sinusitis, otitis externa, and otitis media between January 2019 and June 2023. We evaluated the temporal trends in the incidence rate of AEs for each infection, analysing monthly changes over time. The survival probability of emergency AE hospitalisation was estimated in each COVID-19 period (period 1: 1 January 2019 to 25 March 2020, period 2: 26 March 2020 to 8 March 2021, period 3: 9 March 2021 to 30 June 2023) using the Kaplan-Meier approach. Prognostic models, using Cox proportional hazards regression, were developed and validated to predict AE risk within 30 days post-prescription using the records in Period 1.
RESULTS
Out of 9.4 million patients who received antibiotics, 0.6% of UTI, 0.3% of URTI, and 0.5% of LRTI patients experienced AEs. UTI and LRTI patients demonstrated a higher risk of AEs, with a noted increase in AE incidence during the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher comorbidity and recent antibiotic use emerged as significant AE predictors. The developed models exhibited good calibration and discrimination, especially for UTIs and LRTIs, with a C-statistic above 0.70.
CONCLUSIONS
The study reveals a variable incidence of AEs post-antibiotic treatment for common infections, with UTI and LRTI patients facing higher risks. AE risks varied between infections and COVID-19 periods. These findings underscore the necessity for cautious antibiotic prescribing and call for further exploration into the intricate dynamics between antibiotic use, AEs, and the pandemic.
Topics: Humans; COVID-19; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Adult; Middle Aged; Female; Aged; Male; Aged, 80 and over; Young Adult; Adolescent; Risk Assessment; Hospitalization; England; SARS-CoV-2; Emergency Service, Hospital; Incidence
PubMed: 38956603
DOI: 10.1186/s12916-024-03480-2 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Jul 2024Infections due to Citrobacter species are increasingly observed in hospitalized patients and are often multidrug-resistant. Yet, the magnitude and burden of Citrobacter... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Infections due to Citrobacter species are increasingly observed in hospitalized patients and are often multidrug-resistant. Yet, the magnitude and burden of Citrobacter spp. resistance in the hospital setting have not been reported. We aimed to evaluate the epidemiology of Citrobacter spp. infections among hospitalized patients, their main resistance patterns and Citrobacter spp. involvement in hospital outbreaks.
METHODS
We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of published literature (PROSPERO registration Jan-2023, CRD42023390084). We searched Embase, Medline and grey literature for studies on hospitalized patients diagnosed with Citrobacter spp. infections, and nosocomial outbreaks due to Citrobacter spp. published during the years 2000-2022. We included observational, interventional, surveillance studies and outbreak reports. Outcomes of interest were the frequency of Citrobacter spp. infections among hospitalized patients and 3rd generation cephalosporin and/or carbapenem resistance percentages in these infections. We used random-effects models to generate pooled outcome estimates and evaluated risk of bias and quality of reporting of outbreaks.
RESULTS
We screened 1609 deduplicated publications, assessed 148 full-texts, and included 41 studies (15 observational, 13 surveillance and 13 outbreak studies). Citrobacter spp. urinary tract- and bloodstream infections were most frequently reported, with Citrobacter freundii being the main causative species. Hospital-acquired infection occurred in 85% (838/990) of hospitalized patients with Citrobacter infection. After 2010, an increasing number of patients with Citrobacter spp. infections was reported in observational studies. Pooled frequency estimates for Citrobacter spp. infections could not be generated due to lack of data. The pooled prevalence of ESBL and carbapenemase producers among Citrobacter isolates were 22% (95%CI 4-50%, 7 studies) and 18% (95%CI 0-63%, 4 studies), respectively. An increased frequency of reported Citrobacter outbreaks was observed after 2016, with an infection/colonization ratio of 1:3 and a case-fatality ratio of 7% (6/89 patients). Common outbreak sources were sinks, toilets, contaminated food and injection material. Implemented preventive measures included environmental cleaning, isolation of positive patients and reinforcement of hand hygiene. Only seven out of 13 outbreaks (54%) were definitively controlled.
CONCLUSION
This review highlights the clinical importance of endemic and epidemic Citrobacter spp. in healthcare settings. As an emerging, multidrug‑resistant nosocomial pathogen it requires heightened awareness and further dedicated surveillance efforts.
Topics: Humans; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Citrobacter; Cross Infection; Hospitalization; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Disease Outbreaks; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Urinary Tract Infections
PubMed: 38956542
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-024-09575-8 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2024Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) is a major global pest, causing direct damage to plants and transmitting viral plant diseases. Management of T....
Greenhouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) is a major global pest, causing direct damage to plants and transmitting viral plant diseases. Management of T. vaporariorum is problematic because of widespread pesticide resistance, and many greenhouse growers rely on biological control agents to regulate T. vaporariorum populations. However, these are often slow and vary in efficacy, leading to subsequent application of chemical insecticides when pest populations exceed threshold levels. Combining chemical and biological pesticides has great potential but can result in different outcomes, from positive to negative interactions. In this study, we evaluated co-applications of the entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) Beauveria bassiana and Cordyceps farinosa and the chemical insecticide spiromesifen in laboratory bioassays. Complex interactions between the EPFs and insecticide were described using an ecotoxicological mixtures model, the MixTox analysis. Depending on the EPF and chemical concentrations applied, mixtures resulted in additivity, synergism, or antagonism in terms of total whitefly mortality. Combinations of B. bassiana and spiromesifen, compared to single treatments, increased the rate of kill by 5 days. Results indicate the potential for combined applications of EPF and spiromesifen as an effective integrated pest management strategy and demonstrate the applicability of the MixTox model to describe complex mixture interactions.
Topics: Animals; Hemiptera; Insecticides; Beauveria; Pest Control, Biological; Cordyceps; Spiro Compounds
PubMed: 38956259
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-66051-8 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2024Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem that imposes a devastating effect on developing countries and requires immediate interventions. Initially, most of the...
Antibiotic resistance is a worldwide problem that imposes a devastating effect on developing countries and requires immediate interventions. Initially, most of the antibiotic drugs were identified by culturing soil microbes. However, this method is prone to discovering the same antibiotics repeatedly. The present study employed a shotgun metagenomics approach to investigate the taxonomic diversity, functional potential, and biosynthetic capacity of microbiomes from two natural agricultural farmlands located in Bekeka and Welmera Choke Kebelle in Ethiopia for the first time. Analysis of the small subunit rRNA revealed bacterial domain accounting for 83.33% and 87.24% in the two selected natural farmlands. Additionally, the analysis showed the dominance of Proteobacteria representing 27.27% and 28.79% followed by Actinobacteria making up 12.73% and 13.64% of the phyla composition. Furthermore, the analysis revealed the presence of unassigned bacteria in the studied samples. The metagenome functional analysis showed 176,961 and 104, 636 number of protein-coding sequences (pCDS) from the two samples found a match with 172,655 and 102, 275 numbers of InterPro entries, respectively. The Genome ontology annotation suggests the presence of 5517 and 3293 pCDS assigned to the "biosynthesis process". Numerous Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes modules (KEGG modules) involved in the biosynthesis of terpenoids and polyketides were identified. Furthermore, both known and novel Biosynthetic gene clusters, responsible for the production of secondary metabolites, such as polyketide synthases, non-ribosomal peptide synthetase, ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (Ripp), and Terpene, were discovered. Generally, from the results it can be concluded that the microbiomes in the selected sampling sites have a hidden functional potential for the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. Overall, this study can serve as a strong preliminary step in the long journey of bringing new antibiotics to the market.
Topics: Soil Microbiology; Metagenomics; Microbiota; Multigene Family; Secondary Metabolism; Metagenome; Farms; Bacteria; Ethiopia; Phylogeny
PubMed: 38956049
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63254-x -
Current Microbiology Jul 2024Antimicrobial resistance is a global health issue, in which microorganisms develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs, making infections more difficult to treat. This...
Antimicrobial resistance is a global health issue, in which microorganisms develop resistance to antimicrobial drugs, making infections more difficult to treat. This threatens the effectiveness of standard medical treatments and necessitates the urgent development of new strategies to combat resistant microbes. Studies have increasingly explored natural sources of new antimicrobial agents that harness the rich diversity of compounds found in plant species. This pursuit holds promise for the discovery of novel treatments for combating antimicrobial resistance. In this context, the chemical composition, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities of the essential oil from Croton urticifolius Lam. leaves (CuEO) were evaluated. CuEO was extracted via hydrodistillation, and its chemical constituents were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC/MS). The antibacterial activity of CuEO was evaluated in a 96-well plate via the microdilution method, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values were determined. The effect of CuEO on biofilm formation was assessed by quantifying the biomass using crystal violet staining and viable cell counting. In addition, alterations in the cellular morphology of biofilms treated with CuEO were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser confocal microscopy. GC/MS analysis identified 26 compounds, with elemicine (39.72%); eucalyptol (19.03%), E-caryophyllene (5.36%), and methyleugenol (4.12%) as the major compounds. In terms of antibacterial activity, CuEO showed bacteriostatic effects against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 700698, S. aureus ATCC 25923, Staphylococcus epidermidis ATCC 12228, and Escherichia coli ATCC 11303, and bactericidal activity against S. aureus ATCC 700698. In addition, CuEO significantly inhibited bacterial biofilm formation. Microscopic analysis showed that CuEO damaged the bacterial membrane by leaching out the cytoplasmic content. Therefore, the results of this study show that the essential oil of C. urticifolius may be a promising natural alternative for preventing infections caused by bacterial biofilms. This study is the first to report the antibiofilm activity of C. urticifolius essential oil.
Topics: Biofilms; Oils, Volatile; Croton; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Plant Leaves; Staphylococcus aureus; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Plant Extracts; Cell Membrane
PubMed: 38955831
DOI: 10.1007/s00284-024-03779-6