New Microbiologica最新文献

Beta-lactams are extensively used antibiotics known for their safety and effectiveness. The rise in patients who receive care in outpatient settings has increased the interest in subcutaneous administration (SA). The aim of the study is to assess the safety and pharmacokinetic (PK) profiles of SA of beta-lactams compared with other routes. The protocol was registered in the PROSPERO database and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines were followed. Online databases were searched, and the quality of the eligible studies was assessed. The data extracted related to adverse events (AEs) and PK were summarised narratively. Sixteen studies were included. The reported AEs were generally mild, localised, and temporary. Although SA and intravenous administration had similar PK profiles, SA resulted in lower peak drug concentrations and slower absorption. Heterogeneity in the populations, medication delivery, outcome measures, and methodological quality emerged across the studies. The mild severity of AEs suggests that SA is a viable route. Additionally, SA appears to demonstrate effective PK profiles and delays drug release, with potential to reduce the dosing frequency and prolong the therapeutic effects. SA of beta-lactams is a promising viable alternative to intravenous administration, potentially enhancing treatment in the outpatient and long-term care settings.

Microbiota defines all microorganisms that are vital for our immunological, hormonal, and metabolic homeostasis by living symbiotically in different parts of our body. On the other hand, the microbiome is a collection of microorganisms that can be detected together. The lungs are constantly exposed to airborne microorganisms found in the upper respiratory tract. Until recently, the lower respiratory tract was considered sterile, as bacteria were rarely isolated from the lungs by conventional culture methods. Most chronic inflammatory lung diseases are caused by dysregulation of the lung microbiota, which has been discussed in many review papers. However, little is known whether microbiota dysymbiosis is a consequence or a cause of these diseases. In this review, we provide an overview of lung microbiota and lung immunity.

The flu outbreak after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put a heavy burden on the medical system. We aimed to investigate the infection indicators and risk factors for influenza A virus, with the intention of offering valuable insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment. A total of 1590 throat swabs were collected from patients with influenza-like illness admitted to our hospital for treatment in March 2023. Influenza virus in infected patients was detected by the rapid antigen method and qPCR. We used statistical methods to compare clinical manifestations and laboratory tests between positive and negative patients. Among the 1590 influenza-like illness patients, 1004 (63.1%) were infected with influenza A, mainly children aged 0-9 years (52.8%); more males than females were infected, and the main clinical symptoms were fever, cough, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting, and muscle soreness. The leukocyte (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), eosinophil (EOS), platelet (PLT), C-reactive protein (CRP) and lymphocyte/monocyte (LMR) levels in the positive group were lower than those in the negative group, while the neutrophil (NEU) and monocyte (MON) levels were higher than those in the negative group (P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age 0-9 years, cough, antiviral treatment time>48 h, and reduced PLT and LMR levels were independent risk factors for influenza A patients.

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriales (CPE) represent an emerging threat for global public health and a serious problem for clinicians due to the limited available treatment options. The emergence of CPE has been recently described worldwide by describing different antimicrobial mechanisms. Here, we describe a CPE carrying dual-carbapenemase isolated in Italy and we provide a deep characterization of the antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence-factors and prophage regions within the genome.

Only toxigenic serogroups O1 and O139 Vibrio cholerae have been associated with widespread cholera epidemics. Other serogroups (non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae or NOVC) most often cause sporadic gastrointestinal manifestations. Rarely, NOVC can result in severe extraintestinal manifestations in immunocompromised hosts. Although the presence of Vibrio cholerae is well documented in Mediterranean waters, it is not routinely tested in food sources in European countries. Here we report the case of a 46-year-old woman with a history of Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome who had previously undergone major hepatic and pancreatic surgeries and was on Everolimus, which caused neutropenia and mucositis. She was admitted to our emergency department with fever, chills, nausea, and abdominal pain, and was diagnosed with sepsis and acute cholangitis. Empiric piperacillin/ tazobactam was started, and blood cultures later identified non-O1/non-O139 Vibrio cholerae, linked to recent oyster consumption. The ongoing therapy resulted in initial clinical stabilization and microbiological clearance. However, fever persisted, along with the onset of diarrhoea (with negative stool cultures), leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, and elevated CRP levels. Ciprofloxacin was then added to the regimen, resulting in improved condition, fever resolution, normalization of bowel function, relief from abdominal pain, and radiological resolution of cholangitis. She was discharged in stable condition after 15 days of treatment. NOVC systemic infections are rising globally. Physicians should think of this pathogen in patients with risk factors, suggestive symptoms, and seafood ingestion. The literature shows significant heterogeneity in antimicrobial strategies, but association of beta-lactam antibiotic with ciprofloxacin proved to be an effective choice.

Some members of the Chlamydiales order, particularly Chlamydia, Waddlia, and Parachlamydia, have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in humans and animals. Recently, the existence of another Chlamydia-like bacterium, namely Simkania, has been confirmed in the genitalia of adult females, but its possible pathogenic role has not yet been examined. In comparison to other members of Chlamydiales, the presence of Parachlamydia in the urogenitalia of human females and its involvement in obstetrical complications is less convincingly investigated and still a matter of debate. This study aims to examine the existence of Parachlamydia and to assess its prevalence in the genital and urinary tracts of a population of women by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methodology. Endocervical and vaginal specimens were collected from 103 married females, while only 60 females agreed to give urine samples. Among the examined population, 29 women (about 28%) had experienced miscarriage. Clinical samples were tested for Parachlamydia DNA by species-specific PCR assay. Nucleic acids of P. acanthamoebae were not detected in any endocervical, vaginal, and urine specimens tested. This investigation could not bring evidence for the existence of Parachlamydia in the urogenitalia of the female cohort tested. The role of Parachlamydia as a probable emerging obstetrical agent remains to be explained in future controlled studies targeting a larger number of females with prior unsuccessful pregnancies.

Data from the literature indicates that the human ocular surface is inhabited by diverse commensal microbial communities, crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of healthy eyes. The ocular surface microbiome (OSM) plays a protective immunoregulatory role against pathogenic species, and any dysbiosis may contribute to disease onset. Traditional culture methods, employed in both clinical and research settings, have limitations. Certain pathogens are challenging to grow under routine conditions, leading to lower bacterial detection compared to next-generation sequencing (NGS). Despite the extensive use of NGS in published studies, variable results are observed. This variability may be attributed to factors such as limited sample size, differences in analytical procedures (from sampling to sequencing platforms), age and gender variations in included populations, diverse inclusion criteria, and geographical differences. These factors collectively impact the generated genomic data. Moreover, consistent reports on diversity indices are lacking in various published studies, whereas these indices could enhance the definition of OSM changes in disease states. Therefore, this review emphasizes the current imperative to standardize OSM sample collection, preparation, and analysis. This standardization is vital for accurately defining the composition of OSM in both healthy and pathogenic conditions and facilitating meaningful comparisons among studies.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 with Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab in immunocompromised patients has reduced the risk of breakthrough infection, disease, hospitalization, and COVID-19 related mortality. However, the advent of the Kraken variant (XBB.1.5) has limited the use of this monoclonal antibody, based on poor efficacy in in vitro studies The objective of the study was to evaluate the risk of breakthrough infection, symptomatic disease, hospitalization, intensive care admission, and COVID-19 related death in kidney transplant recipients receiving pre-exposure prophylaxis with Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab for COVID-19 in the era of the Kraken variant (XBB.1.5). In a prospective, observational study, we enrolled kidney transplant patients undergoing pre-exposure prophylaxis for COVID-19 with Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab at the Division of Infectious Diseases of Federico II University of Naples from February 2023 to August 2023. Each patient subsequently underwent a six-month follow-up with symptom monitoring and surveillance nasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection every 30 days, regardless of symptoms. Thirty-four kidney transplant patients were enrolled, and in the follow-up period only one tested positive for the nasopharyngeal swab for SARSCoV-2 research with asymptomatic infection and virological recovery on the eighth day after diagnosis of infection. Therefore, no patient developed disease, no patient needed hospitalization, and no death occurred. No adverse drug reaction to Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab occurred. Our data, although derived from a limited and uncontrolled sample, show the potential of Tixagevimab/Cilgavimab as a valid and viable therapeutic strategy in pre-exposure prophylaxis for immunocompromised patients. These findings highlight the importance of conducting clinical studies on this topic.

Chlamydia pneumoniae is the etiologic agent of respiratory tract infections in humans, including community-acquired pneumonia, and has been associated with atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. The present systematic review of reviews aimed at answering important questions on the involvement of C. pneumoniae in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, its cellular and molecular mechanisms, and whether there is evidence of a causal relationship. The databases PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for all review articles published from 2003 to the end of 2023. A total of 27 reviews, systematic reviews, and systematic reviews with metanalysis were included. Overall, current evidence suggests that C. pneumoniae is a biologically plausible candidate for the causation of atherosclerosis, albeit not all the 4 Koch postulates are fulfilled; oxidative stress and inflammation are the most likely pathogenic mechanisms mediated by C. pneumoniae. However, it is still unclear how the persistent form, responsible for chronic inflammation, fits into this etiopathogenetic scenario. In the future, the newly-designed transformation systems for the genomic manipulation of C. pneumoniae will surely help expand our knowledge on the role of this pathogen in atherogenesis.

The escalating global population poses formidable challenges to addressing pressing environmental concerns, hindering progress towards sustainable development goals. Unregulated human activities, particularly the excessive reliance on fossil fuels and unsustainable agricultural practices, contribute to pollution, climate change, and resource depletion. Inadequate waste management systems exacerbate environmental degradation and pose risks to public health. Leveraging biological resources and urban/industrial waste emerges as a promising solution. Various waste materials, such as food waste and agro-industrial by-products, have been efficiently repurposed into valuable bio-based products. This review explores the diverse applications of agricultural and food waste repurposing, including microbial production of biopolymers and biosurfactants, as well as the extraction of biologically active compounds for potential antimicrobial drugs.