Future microbiology最新文献

Extraparenchymal neurocysticercosis (EP-NC) responds poorly to anthelmintic treatment. Several factors are involved in this low responsiveness, including the host's heterogeneous immune response and the ability of the parasite to evade it. In this study, we present radiological and in vitro findings that demonstrate that Taenia solium cysts have the capacity to repair from injuries. Six patients (three with cases of subarachnoid, two with cases of intraventricular, and one with a case of mixed subarachnoid and intraventricular cysts) presented with neurological complaints and underwent either medical or surgical treatment. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed apparent resolution of the cysts. However, months later (10-56) new MRI scans revealed cysts at the same sites observed before treatment. Cysts surgically removed were maintained in RPMI-1640 medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. Monthly assessments demonstrated the growth of the parasites and the release of HP-10. Our findings demonstrate the ability of T. solium extraparenchymal cysts to grow and repair themselves. This capacity is likely another factor involved in the disease's poor treatment response.

Kawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic immune vasculitis with predominant involvement of the medium and small arteries. It mostly affects pediatric patients, representing the most common form of pediatric vasculitis in children less than 5 years old. Numerous diseases, especially those related to the immune system, have established links with the intestinal flora. Recent studies have investigated the intestinal flora changes throughout the management of KD. There was gut microbiota dysbiosis in pediatric KD at the acute phase, particularly the downregulation of short-chain fat acids-producing microbiota and the over-proliferation of opportunistic pathogens. The relationship between the response to therapies in individuals with KD and specific microbiota remains uncertain. Targeted microbial supplements and dietary regulation may serve as potential measures to alleviate KD complications and thus improve prognosis. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of the interplay of the gut microbiota and KD. Furthermore, it discusses the possibility of altering the gut microbiota to reinstate a healthy condition.

Cefepime-enmetazobactam is a β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor (BL/BLI) combination that has demonstrated potent activity against extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales, recently approved by the US FDA for the treatment of complicated urinary tract infections (cUTI) and by the European Medicines Agency and the UK Healthcare products Regulatory Agency for the treatment of cUTI, hospital-acquired pneumonia including ventilator-associated pneumonia and bacteremia in adults. Cefepime is a 4th generation cephalosporin with a broad spectrum bactericidal activity and enhanced stability to degradation by chromosomal and plasmid-mediated AmpC cephalosporinases as well as carbapenemase OXA-48 like enzymes. Enmetazobactam is a novel penicillanic acid sulfone β-lactamase inhibitor structurally similar to tazobactam with activity against CTX-M, TEM, and SHV ESBL, and other class A β-lactamases, that restores cefepime activity in vitro and in vivo against ESBLs-producing Enterobacterales. The targeted activity of cefepime-enmetazobactam against ESBLs infections which are resistant to common antibiotics, together with its superior results against piperacillin/tazobactam in a phase 3 trial make this new BL/BLI combination an effective carbapenem sparing option for the treatment of serious infections caused by ESBLs-producing Enterobacterales. In addition, if clinical data are supportive, cefepime-enmetazobactam has a potential role in the treatment of pathogens co-producing OXA-48 like enzymes along with ESBLs.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of two nitrofuran derivatives against biofilms formed by two strains of Histoplasma capsulatum and to study the toxicity of these compounds in alternative models: Caenorhabditis elegans, Galleria mellonella, and zebrafish.

Methods: The metabolic activity of biofilms was measured after treatment using the XTT reduction assay. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy were used to observe damage to mature biofilms. Survival curves were generated for G. mellonella, while percentage survival was determined for C. elegans and zebrafish.

Results: The compounds showed efficacy against early and mature biofilms at concentrations equal to or up to two times higher than those required to eliminate planktonic fungal cells (3.90 to 31.25 μg/mL). Micrographs showed a reduction in metabolic activity, biofilm thickness, and extracellular matrix. In addition, the compounds showed little or no toxicity in alternative models, even at the highest concentrations tested.

Conclusion: These results are promising for the development of new therapeutic alternatives, especially for species, such as H. capsulatum, which are recognized as high-priority pathogens. Few studies have investigated resistance and antifungal treatment targeting biofilms of this species, making this work a relevant contribution to future approaches.

Aim: Leishmaniasis is a globally prevalent parasitic disease that has drawn significant attention. Killer yeasts offer a novel biological control method, presenting a potential alternative for treating leishmaniasis. This study evaluates the antileishmanial activity of Kluyveromyces lactis and Saccharomyces cerevisiae killer toxins against Leishmania major.

Materials & methods: Killer yeasts were isolated using the Well method. The genes encoding K2 and K.L killer toxins were identified by PCR, and the toxins were purified via SDS-PAGE. Antileishmanial and cytotoxic effects on L. major promastigotes and amastigotes were evaluated using the MTT assay.

Results: The first killer isolate was identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae ZBAM (GenBank accession: OQ376749.1) and the second as Kluyveromyces lactis ZBAM (GenBank accession: OQ401036.1). IC50 values of K2 and K.L toxins against L. major promastigotes were significantly lower than Glucantime and Amphotericin B. The EC50 values at 24 hours for Glucantime, K2, and K.L were 11.83 ± 0.02 μg/ml, 2.35 ± 0.01 μg/ml, and 3.23 ± 0.03 μg/ml, respectively. The EC50 values for K2 and K.L against L. major amastigotes were also lower than Glucantime.

Conclusion: This is the first report of the antileishmanial effects of K2 and K.L toxins against L. major, suggesting these yeasts as promising candidates for biological leishmaniasis treatment.

Rhinosinusitis is a highly prevalent, inflammatory condition affecting the nose and paranasal sinuses, impacting an individual's quality of life with significant health care burden. Sinusitis is more frequent in females, and they typically present with more severe symptoms and worse quality of life scores. Males are more likely to present with nasal polyps and have higher objective scores on imaging studies. Differences in sinus microbiota by sex may play a role in understanding differences in clinical presentations between them, but additional research is required. An improved understanding of sex and gender-based differences in pathophysiology and clinical presentations will help to decrease inequities in accessing healthcare and optimizing long-term personalized patient outcomes.

Aim: Chronic wound infections present a prevalent medical issue and a multifaceted problem that significantly impacts healthcare systems worldwide. Biofilms formed by pathogenic bacteria are fundamental virulence factors implicated in the complexity and persistence of bacterial-associated wound infections, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased risk of infection. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial effectiveness of commonly employed bioactive wound healing compositions with a particular emphasis on their effectiveness against common bacterial pathogens encountered in chronic wounds - Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to identify optimal wound product composition for managing chronic wound infections.

Methods: This study tested the antibacterial and antibiofilm effectiveness of four bioactive wound healing materials by performing in vitro antibacterial assays and measuring ion release profiles.

Results: The anti-biofilm effectiveness differed extensively among the biomaterials tested and slightly among the bacterial species. Particularly, copper and zinc-doped borate bioactive glass wound healing compositions inhibited the three clinically relevant bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm forms, which were found to be ascribed to the copper and zinc gradual release.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that copper and zinc-doped bioactive glasses hold great promise for improving chronic wound management by providing strong antibacterial action and promoting faster healing.