International Journal of Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Coencapsulation of Multistrain <i>Bacillus</i> Spores With Alginate and <i>Gracilaria</i> Polysaccharide Enhances Stability, Egg Production, and Gut Health in Laying Hens.","authors":"Waraphorn Sihamok, Orathai Dangsawat, Apinan Nuisiri, Jessada Rattanawut, Rapeewan Sowanpreecha, Umaporn Pastsart, Chatchawan Chotimarkorn, Papungkorn Sangsawad, Luu Tang Phuc Khang, Orranee Srinual, Nguyen Vu Linh, Patima Permpoonpattana","doi":"10.1155/ijm/8530924","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/8530924","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Stable and effective probiotic supplements are essential for sustainability in animal production. To optimize delivery systems and evaluate the in vivo performance of a multistrain spore-forming probiotic for laying hens, a comparative study was conducted. Sodium alginate alone (AO) and an alginate-<i>Gracilaria fisheri</i> polysaccharide compound (AP) were evaluated as encapsulation matrices. This study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of a multistrain probiotic supplement for laying hens. The supplement was formulated with spores from four promising <i>Bacillus</i> strains including <i>Bacillus aryabhattai</i> CKNJH11, <i>Bacillus</i> sp. THPS1, <i>Lysinibacillus</i> sp. PWR01, and <i>Bacillus marisflavi</i> OYNH19. The results showed that coencapsulating spores with AP demonstrated a significantly higher encapsulation yield (<i>p</i> < 0.05) and improved survival under simulated gastrointestinal conditions, heat treatment, lysozyme exposure, and 60-day storage. In vivo feeding trials with Hi-sex Brown laying hens (35 weeks) showed that AP microcapsules delivering 1 × 10⁶ spores/g feed significantly increased egg production (peak at 95.88%), body-weight gain, and egg quality compared to the control and free-spore groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Feed conversion ratio (FCR) and Haugh unit (HU) remained unchanged (<i>p</i> > 0.05) at 38 weeks. Additionally, hens fed the encapsulated probiotic spores demonstrated a notably decreased fecal <i>Salmonella</i> sp. level (5.29-5.40 log₁₀ CFU/g) when compared to control groups (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Coencapsulating multistrain <i>Bacillus</i> spores with AP improved spore stability and maintained measurable production and gut-health-related outcomes under laying hen conditions, supporting encapsulation-matrix selection as a determinant of probiotic product performance in poultry production.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"8530924"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13147348/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837739","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial Activity of Actinobacteria Isolated From Kratom (<i>Mitragyna speciosa</i>) Leaves: Secondary Metabolite Profiling and Genome Analysis of <i>Micromonospora chersina</i> NRAIS18.","authors":"Nittaya Pitiwittayakul, Nanthavut Niyomvong, Nisachon Tedsree, Somboon Tanasupawat","doi":"10.1155/ijm/3823241","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/3823241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Actinobacteria associated with medicinal plants are recognized as prolific sources of novel bioactive compounds. Kratom (<i>Mitragyna speciosa</i>) leaves have been reported to contain a diverse array of secondary metabolites with pharmacological activities, including antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In this study, 16 actinobacterial isolates were successfully obtained from the leaves of <i>M. speciosa</i>. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the isolates were identified as members of <i>Streptomyces</i> and non-<i>Streptomyces</i> genera, including <i>Micromonospora</i>, <i>Pseudonocardia</i>, <i>Quadrisphaera</i>, <i>Prauserella</i>, and <i>Actinomycetospora</i>. All isolates were screened for antibacterial activity, among which <i>Micromonospora chersina</i> NRAIS18 demonstrated notable inhibitory effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens. The ethyl acetate crude extract of NRAIS18 exhibited the most potent activity against <i>Listeria monocytogenes</i> ATCC 7644, followed by <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> ATCC 27853. Metabolomic profiling using LC-MS and GC-MS revealed diverse secondary metabolites in the crude extract, including the isoflavone daidzein, harman, norharman, and soyasaponin Bb; siderophores such as ferrioxamine E and desferrioxamine E; and other volatile bioactive compounds such as fatty acids, isoquinolines, and esters. Several of these metabolites have been reported to possess antibacterial properties. These findings suggest that <i>M. chersina</i> NRAIS18 demonstrates significant promise as a source of antibacterial agents for pharmaceutical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3823241"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13140871/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837572","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characterization of Giant Myoviridae With Therapeutic Potential Against Grouper Pathogen, <i>Vibrio alginolyticus</i>.","authors":"Mohammad Tamrin Mohamad Lal, Rafidah Othman, Elliecpearl Jasca Joning, Gilbert Ringgit, Nor Azman Kasan, Motohiko Sano, Ibnu Bangkit Bioshina Suryadi, Attabik Mukhamad Amrillah, Julian Ransangan","doi":"10.1155/ijm/3932069","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/3932069","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong><i>Vibrio alginolyticus</i> is a gram-negative bacterium responsible for mass mortality in cultured groupers, leading to significant economic losses in the aquaculture industry. Although preventive measures such as chemical treatments, antibiotics, and pesticides have been employed, these methods have been reported to be toxic to the environment and contribute to the development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in treated fish.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this study, a giant Myoviridae phage strain (ValKK1-20) was isolated from the sandy area of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. The purified phage was characterized based on transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and its genomic DNA. The adsorption assay and one-step growth analyses were conducted to predict the critical phase of ValKK3 infection.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>TEM analysis revealed that the phage possessed an elongated head with a sheathed tail, resembling members of the T4-like Myoviridae group. The genome characterization revealed that the phage belongs to T4 phage with a genome size 248,088 bp with 41.2% <i>G</i> + <i>C</i> content and 390 predicted open reading frames. Additionally, it demonstrated a short eclipse period of 36 min and a latent period of 48 min, with a large burst size of approximately 174 plaque-forming units (PFU) per cell.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>In conclusion, this study highlights the potential of selected phage ValKK3 as a biocontrol agent against <i>V. alginolyticus</i>, offering a promising alternative for sustainable aquaculture management.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3932069"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13142089/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837684","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Surface Contamination by Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Healthcare Facility: Resistance Determinants and Biofilm-Associated Adhesion.","authors":"Asmaa Dihmane, Rafik Aniba, Habiba Raqraq, Amina Ressmi, Kaotar Nayme, Mohammed Timinouni, Abouddihaj Barguigua","doi":"10.1155/ijm/5734443","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/5734443","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hospital surfaces represent a major reservoir of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (MDR-GNB), which contributes to healthcare-associated infections. This study characterized the occurrence, resistance determinants, and biofilm-forming behavior of MDR-GNB isolated from hospital surfaces in a Moroccan regional hospital. Samples were collected from multiple departments and subjected to phenotypic and molecular analysis to characterize antimicrobial resistance, resistance genes, and adhesion properties. Among the 154 sampled surfaces, 62% were contaminated with Gram-negative bacilli, predominantly <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> (39%), <i>Escherichia coli</i> (21%), and <i>Enterobacter cloacae</i> (11%). Based on molecular analyses, the key resistance genes were <i>bla</i> _NDM-1, <i>bla</i> _OXA-48, <i>bla</i> _VIM-1, and <i>qacΔ</i>E1, and 73% of the isolates were multidrug resistant (a multiple antibiotic resistance index ≥ 0.6). The majority of the isolates (72.7%) were weak biofilm producers. The isolates adhered more strongly to hydrophobic materials (polyvinyl chloride and latex) than to hydrophilic glass (<i>p</i> < 0.001). Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering linked antimicrobial resistance, biocide tolerance, and surface colonization. The co-occurrence of antibiotic- and disinfectant-resistance genes in MDR-GNB underlies their ability to persist in clinical environments. These findings support risk-based surface hygiene strategies that incorporate molecular surveillance, the selection of proper materials, and targeted disinfection protocols.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"5734443"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13140921/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Essential Oils as Natural Defenders: Exploring Their Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Potential Against Multidrug-Resistant (MDR) Bacteria.","authors":"Sahar Dahbi, Fatima-Ezzahra En-Naciri, Asmae Alaoui, Mouhcine Fadil, Yassine Ait Zengui, Zakaria Marmat, Fatimazahra Ouatiq, Mohammed Raouane, Souad Amghar","doi":"10.1155/ijm/8834643","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/8834643","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study explores the potential of six essential oils (EOs): clove (<i>Syzygium aromaticum</i>); pennyroyal (<i>Mentha pulegium</i>); jasmine <i>(Jasmin officinal</i>); pin (<i>Pinus sylvestris</i> var. <i>sylvestris</i> L); rosemary (<i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i>); and peppermint (<i>Mentha x piperita</i>), extracted from aromatic and medicinal plants highlighting their bioactive properties. Phytochemical analysis was conducted throughout GC-MS. The antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH method, and their antimicrobial potential was tested against three reference bacterial strains and one isolated multidrug-resistant bacterium (<i>S. capitis</i>), using the tests of disc-diffusion, minimum inhibitory, and bactericidal concentrations. The chemical composition identified major compounds including: eugenol 74.5% in <i>S. aromaticum</i>, pulegone 73.07% in <i>M. pulegium</i>, n-hexyl cinnamaldehyde 23.61% in <i>J. officinal</i>, terpinen-4-ol 24.24% in <i>P. sylvestris</i>, eucalyptol 41.82% in <i>R. officinalis</i>, and menthol 44.67%, in <i>M. piperita</i>. In addition, <i>M. pulegium</i> showed the weakest antioxidant potential, whereas <i>S. aromaticum</i> was the most effective EO, as it illustrated the highest antioxidant effect and the strongest antimicrobial activity. In addition, its combination with each tested antibiotic significantly enhanced the antimicrobial activity against <i>S. capitis</i>, highlighting the synergistic potential of these combinations. This study fills a critical gap in the literature, as no prior research has examined these interactions. The statistical analysis revealed distinct groupings among the six EOs based on their chemical composition and biological activities. In this way, strong positive correlations were observed between major compounds, antibacterial, and antioxidant activities. This research highlights the promising use of some EOs as remarkable antioxidant and to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria, indicating their promising therapeutic applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"8834643"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13136519/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activities of Bluestem (<i>Andropogon</i> spp.) Extracts against <i>Vibrio cholerae</i>.","authors":"Jant Cres Caigoy, Tadashi Shimamoto, Tran Dang Xuan, Nguyen Van Quan","doi":"10.1155/ijm/9982329","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/9982329","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Vibrio cholerae</i> is a gram-negative bacterium found in water, particularly in brackish and estuarine environments, and causes cholera-an acute disease transmitted through contaminated food or water. Biofilm formation in <i>V. cholerae</i> enhances its resistance to antimicrobial agents and protection against host immune responses. Natural plant extracts have gained attention for their potential antibiofilm properties against human pathogens such as <i>V. cholerae</i>. This study evaluates the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of bluestem (<i>Andropogon</i> spp.) extracts against pathogenic <i>V. cholerae</i> strains using antibacterial assays, biofilm inhibition and eradication assays, and gene expression analysis. Two extracts, denoted as EAV1 and EAV2, primarily composed of two flavonoid C-glycosides species, demonstrated significant bactericidal effects on <i>V. cholerae</i>. Sub-MIC levels of the extracts also inhibited the growth of biofilms. Gene expression analysis revealed downregulation of genes encoding biofilm transcriptional regulators, <i>Vibrio</i> polysaccharide, and biofilm matrix proteins upon EAV treatment. Results indicate a potential quorum-quenching activity by targeting the transcription of biofilm regulators and biofilm matrix genes. These findings suggest that <i>Andropogon</i> spp. extract is a promising antibacterial and antibiofilm agent against <i>V. cholerae</i>, highlighting the potential of plant species with invasive tendencies as sources of antibacterial and antibiofilm compounds against clinically important pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"9982329"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-05-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13136520/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147837564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring the Antibacterial and Antioxidant Effects of <i>Rhus coriaria</i> L. Aqueous Extract Against Carbapenem-Resistant <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i>.","authors":"Israa Assaf, Ziad Jabbour, Antoine Abou Fayyad, Jamilah Borjac","doi":"10.1155/ijm/5238068","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/5238068","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> (CRAB) are a major concern for clinicians due to its multidrug resistance profile. This has led them to revert to traditional treatment methods. This study is aimed at assessing the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of the aqueous extract of <i>Rhus coriaria</i>. Whole-genome sequencing of CRAB isolates was carried out. The extract was screened for its antioxidant activity. Antibacterial activities were detected by determining the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC and MBC), and the time-dependent growth inhibition assay for the assessment of the extract's time and dose dependency. The antibiofilm inhibition and destruction activities were also tested using the crystal violet assay, and the ability of the extract to induce hemolysis of erythrocytes through the hemolytic assay. This study proved that <i>R</i>. <i>coriaria</i> aqueous extract has antioxidant activity reaching 90.69% at a concentration of 3 mg/mL. Moreover, this extract has no toxicity effect on human red blood cells, with a hemolytic activity of 1.3% at this concentration. Additionally, good antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of <i>R. coriaria</i> were also detected against all CRAB isolates, with MIC and MBC values of 0.75 mg/mL, and biofilm inhibition reaching 95.22% at 2× MIC. A time- and concentration-dependent effect of the extract was also determined, with a significant rapid decline in growth observed at 6 h of treatment at 2× MIC, then 1× MIC. This study suggests <i>R. coriaria</i> extract as an effective adjuvant to antimicrobials for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"5238068"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13130849/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147814024","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut-Derived Lactic Acid Bacteria, <i>Pediococcus pentosaceus</i>, Enhances Growth Performance and Resistance to Pathogenic <i>Vibrio harveyi</i> of Hatchery-Bred Milkfish (<i>Chanos chanos</i>) in Nursery Culture.","authors":"Ludevito S Batilong, Rex Ferdinand M Traifalgar, Carmelo S Del Castillo, Kate Alyssa G Jore, Issa Ricci L Fantonalgo, Fredson H Huervana, Therese F Javellana, Mary Jessa Bell B Pagapulan, Alan N Failaman, Vyenge Erre D Gayosa","doi":"10.1155/ijm/6489487","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/6489487","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hatchery-bred milkfish (<i>Chanos chanos</i>) fry continue to face stocking challenges due to inferior growth performance and reduced resilience compared with wild-caught fry. Recent metagenomic studies have shown that wild fry harbor a higher relative abundance of bacterial taxa belonging to the phylum Bacillota. These include lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which are widely recognized for their probiotic potential in aquaculture. Building on this metagenomic insight, the present study adopted a targeted approach to isolate LAB with anti-<i>Vibrio</i> activity and evaluate its probiotic potential in hatchery-bred <i>C. chanos</i> nursery culture. <i>Screening identified Pediococcus pentosaceus</i> HLAB22 <i>as a promising LAB candidate, which was subsequently assessed through in vivo probiotic trials.</i> Probiotic supplementation significantly improved growth performance, survival, and reduced the incidence of opercular deformities in early juveniles. The most pronounced effects observed at 10⁶ CFU, followed by 10³ CFU g^-1 feed compared with the control group. Gut colonization experiment demonstrated that dietary supplementation with <i>P. pentosaceus</i> HLAB22 at 10⁶ CFU g^-1 feed enabled intestinal colonization within 12 days. This also resulted in near-complete suppression of <i>Vibrio</i> populations, supporting the significant decrease in water and <i>C. chanos</i> gut <i>Vibrio</i> load during the feeding trial. Furthermore, during immersion challenge with pathogenic <i>V. harveyi</i>, the in vitro anti-<i>Vibrio</i> activity of <i>P. pentosaceus</i> HLAB22 was translated into enhanced <i>in vivo</i> protection, yielding a survival rate of 83.33% in treated fish compared with 33.33% in the control group. Collectively, these findings indicate that oral application of <i>P. pentosaceus</i> HLAB22 at 10⁶ CFU g^-1 feed is an effective strategy for promoting growth and enhancing resilience in <i>C. chanos</i> nursery culture. This study supports the use of targeted, host-associated probiotics to improve the performance of hatchery-bred milkfish fry and mitigate key challenges in nursery production systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6489487"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13130854/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147814091","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence and Risk Factors of Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Major Bacterial Pathogens: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"I Made Bayu Anggriawan, Ike Dhiah Rochmawati","doi":"10.1155/ijm/3173058","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/3173058","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The widespread use of fluoroquinolones for the treatment of Gram-negative bacterial infections has contributed to the rising prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. However, limited studies have systematically analyzed the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance (FQR) and its associated risk factors.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted, screening studies published between January 1, 2014, and October 31, 2024, from the PubMed, Medline, Embase, and CINAHL databases. Studies were included based on the following criteria: observational designs, evaluation of Gram-negative bacteria for FQR in human subjects, and investigation of FQR and associated risk factors. Data analysis, including pooled prevalence estimation and odds ratio calculation, was performed using R Studio (Version 4.2.3) with the metafor package. Heterogeneity among studies was assessed using <i>Q</i> and <i>I</i> ² statistics. A funnel plot was used to assess potential publication bias among the included studies.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 24 studies were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of FQR across pathogens was 35% (95% CI: 30%-40%), with species-specific rates of <i>Campylobacter</i> spp. (49%), <i>Escherichia coli</i> (35%), <i>Klebsiella</i> spp. (23%), <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (40%), <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> (34%), <i>Proteus</i> spp. (45%), and others (26%). Subgroup analyses showed variation by fluoroquinolone generation and year of publication, with <i>E. coli</i> displaying increasing resistance trends over time. Risk factors significantly associated with FQR included the presence of an indwelling catheter, advanced age, prior hospitalization, previous fluoroquinolone or other antibiotic use, drug-resistant TB, international travel, sex, and unfavorable treatment outcomes.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Although the overall prevalence of FQR was modest, increasing trends in <i>E. coli</i> and the presence of multiple associated risk factors highlight important clinical implications. These findings emphasize the need to consider prior antibiotic use and hospitalization when guiding treatment and antimicrobial stewardship. However, these results should be interpreted with caution due to high heterogeneity and variability across the included studies.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"3173058"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13122566/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147771007","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Brukina</i> in Focus: A Narrative Review on Metagenomic Approaches to Fermentation and Food Safety.","authors":"Alexander Kwarteng, David Amedorme, Humphrey Precious Kwame Addy, Emmanuel Kobla Atsu Amewu, Priscilla Osei-Poku, Amma Larbi","doi":"10.1155/ijm/6677609","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/ijm/6677609","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Brukina</i>, a traditional fermented beverage smoothie made from milk and millet, is popular in Ghana and other West African countries due to its tasty flavor, high nutritional content, and affordability. Despite its widespread consumption, the nature of its production through artisanal fermentation processes presents concerns regarding microbial consistency, nutritional optimization, and food safety. This literature review explores the potential of metagenomic approaches to uncover microbial diversity, functional capacity, and safety profiles of <i>Brukina</i>. By integrating insights from amplicon-targeted and shotgun whole-genome sequencing studies on fermented foods, we highlight how next-generation sequencing technologies can characterize lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and other microorganisms that drive fermentation. Additionally, we discuss how metagenomics can identify functional genes influencing carbohydrate metabolism, flavor and aroma generation, and production of antimicrobial resistance compounds. Thus, metagenomics provides a powerful framework for assessing public health risks and nutritional benefits. Bioinformatic tools have also been highlighted, and their relevant application in analyzing sequenced data to achieve taxonomic classification, identification of biochemical pathways, and functional profiling of microbial ecology of fermented foods. This review outlines key research gaps and recommends future directions, including starter culture development, standardization of <i>Brukina</i> production, multi-omics integration in metagenomics, and microbiome-informed food safety standards. Metagenomic profiling of <i>Brukina</i> holds promise for improving product quality, consumer safety, and scientific understanding of traditional fermented foods. By tackling the challenges raised, metagenomic techniques can be extremely helpful in maximizing <i>Brukina</i> fermentation, guaranteeing food safety, and maintaining the customs that give this product its distinctive character.</p>","PeriodicalId":14098,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Microbiology","volume":"2026 ","pages":"6677609"},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2026-04-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13122258/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147770924","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}