Antibiotics-Basel最新文献

{"title":"Honey as a Natural Antimicrobial.","authors":"Matthew Chidozie Ogwu, Sylvester Chibueze Izah","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030255","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030255","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Honey, a natural product with a rich history of medicinal use, has gained increasing recognition for its potent antimicrobial properties, particularly against antibiotic-resistant pathogens. This review focuses on the antimicrobial mechanisms of honey, including its efficacy against resistant bacteria, such as Methicillin-resistant <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> and <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>. The antimicrobial action of honey is multifactorial, involving hydrogen peroxide production, phenolic compounds, high sugar concentrations, and the presence of bee defensin-1. The composition of honey varies based on its floral source, which can influence its antimicrobial strength. Certain types, such as Manuka honey, are particularly effective in clinical applications due to their higher levels of bioactive compounds. Honey has also been shown to disrupt bacterial biofilms, a major factor in antibiotic resistance, enhancing its therapeutic potential in treating chronic wounds and infections, especially in patients with compromised immune systems. Moreover, honey's ability to improve wound healing, reduce inflammation, and promote tissue regeneration highlights its broad therapeutic profile. As antibiotic resistance continues to challenge modern healthcare, honey offers a promising complementary treatment in antimicrobial therapy. Research into its specific bioactive components and potential synergistic effects with other natural agents, like ginger and propolis, could expand its applications. Standardizing honey products for medical use and establishing clinical guidelines are essential for optimizing its therapeutic benefits. As scientific understanding of honey's antimicrobial mechanisms deepens, its integration into healthcare systems as an adjunct therapy is expected to increase, offering a natural and effective alternative in the fight against infectious diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939154/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733086","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fitness Burden for the Stepwise Acquisition of First- and Second-Line Antimicrobial Reduced-Susceptibility in High-Risk ESKAPE MRSA Superbugs.","authors":"Eleonora Chines, Gaia Vertillo Aluisio, Maria Santagati, Maria Lina Mezzatesta, Viviana Cafiso","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030244","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030244","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> The fitness costs (FCs) of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are crucial issues in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) onset, spread, and, consequently, public health. In <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, AMR can induce significant FCs due to slow growth, low competitiveness, and virulence. Here, we investigated the genomics and FCs emerging for progressively acquiring daptomycin (DAP) and glycopeptide (GLY) reduced susceptibility in MRSA. <b>Methods:</b> Genomics was carried out using Illumina-MiSeq Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatics. The biological FCs of isogenic MRSA strain pairs progressively acquiring DAP and GLY-reduced susceptibility, under DAP/GLY mono or combined therapy, were performed by in-vitro independent and competitive mixed growth, phenotypic in-vitro virulence analysis, and in-vivo <i>G. mellonella</i> larvae killing. <b>Results:</b> Genomics evidenced four different extremely resistant high-risk clones, i.e., ST-5 N315 HA-MRSA, ST-398 LA-MRSA, ST-22 USA-100 HA-EMRSA-15, and ST-1 MW2 CA-MRSA. In-vitro fitness assays revealed slow growth, lower competitiveness, and reduced virulence, predominantly in <i>Galleria mellonella</i> killing ability, in DAP-S hGISA, DAP-R GSSA, DAP-R hGISA, and DAP-R GISA strains. <b>Conclusions:</b> The occurrence of glycopeptide and daptomycin reduced susceptibility conferred increasing FCs, paid as a gradual reduction in virulence, competitiveness, and slow growth performance.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939686/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733080","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multiplex PCR Pneumonia Panel in Critically Ill Patients Did Not Modify Mortality: A Cohort Study.","authors":"Luisa Fernanda Riaño-Sánchez, Carlos Arturo Alvarez-Moreno, Marcela Godoy, Claudia Rocío Sierra, Margarita Inés Castañeda, Jorge Alberto Cortés","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030245","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030245","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In critically ill patients, identification of the pathogen may allow for the timely adjustment of antibiotics and improved outcomes. <b>Background/Objectives</b>: The aim of the study was to assess whether performing a multiplex PCR pneumonia panel (PN-panel) in patients with pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU) had any effect on mortality or other important clinical outcomes. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on adult patients with pneumonia who required ICU admission in four institutions in Bogotá between November 2019 and June 2023. Mortality at 30 days, the length of the hospital and ICU stay, the duration of antibiotics, and their association with the PN-panel performance were evaluated using an inverse probability of the treatment weighting to adjust for covariates and potential confounders. <b>Results</b>: A total of 304 patients were included, including 150 with PN-panel, with a mean age of 65.0 years (SD 14.6). SARS-CoV-2 was the primary etiologic agent in 186 (61.2%) patients, and 256 (84.2%) patients had community-acquired pneumonia. No association was found between 30-day mortality and the PN-panel, with a HR of 1.14 (CI 95% 0.76-1.70), although the assessment by an infectious disease specialist was associated with a lower mortality HR of 0.29 (CI 95% 0.19-0.45). There was no association between the PN-panel and antimicrobial therapy duration or other clinical outcomes. <b>Conclusions</b>: The use of the PN-panel was not associated with changes in mortality, the duration of antibiotics, or hospital and ICU stays. To acquire greater rational decision-making, microbiological data produced by this test should be interpreted with aid of an antimicrobial stewardship program oriented by an infectious disease team that could take the clinical data and integrate the information provided.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939521/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733077","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multidrug-Resistant <i>Escherichia coli</i> in Broiler and Indigenous Farm Environments in Klang Valley, Malaysia.","authors":"Yuvaneswary Veloo, Syahidiah Syed Abu Thahir, Rafiza Shaharudin, Sakshaleni Rajendiran","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030246","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030246","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> The global health threat posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a cause for serious concern. Poultry farming in Asia, particularly with indiscriminate use, has been identified as a major contributor to AMR, resulting in the emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, particularly <i>Escherichia coli</i> (<i>E. coli</i>). Considering the environment's role in harboring pathogens, this study aimed to determine the distribution of MDR <i>E. coli</i> in the environments of broiler and indigenous farms in Klang Valley, Malaysia. <b>Methods:</b> Soil and effluent samples were collected from 30 poultry (19 broiler and 11 indigenous) farms. Selective chromogenic <i>E. coli</i> agar plates were used for the isolation of bacteria. The VITEX^® 2 system was employed for identification and susceptibility testing. <b>Results:</b> A total of 117 <i>E. coli</i> isolates were recovered. The isolates were highly resistant to ampicillin (76.1%), followed by trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (47.9%), and ampicillin-sulbactam (46.2%). AMR rates were higher in broiler farms (91.3%) than in indigenous farms (64.6%) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). The high multiple antibiotic resistance index in the environment of broiler farms (0.22) implies a higher risk of contamination compared to indigenous farms (0.10). <b>Conclusions:</b> The elevated levels of AMR observed in broiler farms underscore the need for collaborative efforts across sectors to address this issue. As AMR is a global One Health issue, monitoring AMR in the environment is essential to complement existing health programs. Implementing best practices, biosecurity, hygiene, continuous monitoring, and food safety management systems is crucial to reduce antimicrobial use and curb the rise of MDR bacteria.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939170/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733070","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"National Antimicrobial Consumption in Latin America and the Caribbean: Measurements and Results from 2019-2022.","authors":"Gustavo H Marin, Lucía Giangreco, Paola Lichtenberger, Cristian Dorati, Perla Mordujovich, Robin Rojas-Cortés, Tatiana Orjuela-Rodríguez, Pilar Ramón-Pardo, José Luis Castro, Danini Marin, Ana Ramirez, André Lacerda Ulysses de Carvalho, Silvia Boni, Julie Williams, Maria Francisca Aldunate-González, Mónica López-Peña, Shing Mi Ching Fung, Hugo Marín-Piva, Ismary Alfonso-Orta, Sunil Singh, Alex Rodríguez-Mejía, Alicia María Molina, Carmen Buzarquis, Hilda Mantilla-Ponte, Vanessa Matthew, Gracious M James, Rajeev P Nagassar","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030240","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030240","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a major threat to health with significant global economic and safety implications. One of the major drives of this resistance is the misuse and overuse of antimicrobials. <b>Background/Objectives:</b> In this sense, WHO proposed to it members to estimate the antimicrobial consumption (AMC) at each country level, in order to help local authorities in their decision making related to AMR control. Although this program is already installed worldwide, in the American continent, the rate of countries' inclusion has been delayed. This paper describes the efforts of Latin American & Caribbean countries in terms of AMC local assessment. <b>Methods</b>: AMC data collection was done as per the GLASS tool proposed by WHO. Analysis was performed using Daily Defined Dose each one thousand inhabitants day (DID) for global, therapeutical group or each antibiotic. Access, Watch and target Reserve (AWaRe) WHO classification was applied after data collection. <b>Results</b>: 13 countries were included during the period 2019-2022. The global DID ranged from 2.55 DID to 36.26 DID. The trend of this consumption did downward along the years. One of the factors than impacted the AMC was the COVID-19 pandemic. The most problematic antimicrobial misuse was seen in certain beta lactams and macrolides, like ceftriaxone and azithromycin. Regarding the AWaRe classification, 5 out of 13 countries accomplished the target until 2023 of 60% consumption for \"Access antimicrobial's group by 2023). This data helped local health managers to propose changes for better control of the AMR problem (ceftriaxone usage limitations in Peru, antimicrobial law in Argentina, etc.). <b>Conclusions</b>: The first steps towards AMC country's assessment has been initiated. The present work provided essential inputs to local health authorities for decision making related to AMR control. It will be necessary to keep applying this results in regulate antibiotic usage at country level, as well as enrolling more countries in the AMC project.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939307/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733059","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Significance of Probiotics in Aquaculture: A Review of Research Trend and Latest Scientific Findings.","authors":"Elshafia Ali Hamid Mohammed, Abdelhakam Esmaeil Mohamed Ahmed, Béla Kovács, Károly Pál","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030242","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030242","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Millions of people around the world rely on aquaculture as a major source of food. In the recent few years, probiotics have gained considerable attention as an alternative agent to antibiotics. They have been shown to play an important role in improving aquaculture species through different mechanisms, mainly disease management, improving their growth performance, and improving water quality. Consequently, this review aimed to identify the key areas of research in the global literature about the influence of probiotics on aquaculture based on the selected keywords \"aquaculture\" AND \"probiotics\" AND \"growth performance\" AND \"disease resistance\" (APGD). The meta-data of the published literature were extracted from the Web of Science (WoS) database on 23 December 2024, and then the co-authors, countries, and keywords were analyzed and visualized using VOSviewer (v. 1.6.20). The search found a remarkable number of documents, which included 175 APGD documents. The results of the bibliometric analysis of the global literature reveal a substantial increase in the publication of APGD documents from 2019 to 2024. Asia, particularly China (32.3% of documents), has emerged as a leader of APGD publications, followed by Iran (8.67%), India (8.01%), Malaysia (7.5%), and Spain (7.5%), respectively. Keyword analysis revealed the prevalence of disease resistance (length = 1793), probiotics (1348), aquaculture (1169), and growth performance (913) as the most impactful keywords based on the WoS database. This could indicate that most of the APGD documents were focused on disease resistance and probiotics relationships. In addition, an extensive review of the recent literature showed that probiotics have demonstrated a remarkable efficacy in improving the growth performance, feed utilization efficiency, disease prevention, and water quality management in various aquaculture species under different aquaculture systems when used as feed or water additives for 30-90 days. It can be concluded that Asia is the lead continent in aquaculture probiotics research, with a significant increase in APGD documents in the last 5 years. Probiotics played a major role in improving aquatic species. This research aims to provide valuable insight into the use of probiotics in aquaculture and highlights the need for further research to fully understand their benefits and mechanisms of action.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939380/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733049","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Therapeutic Potential of West Indian Lemongrass (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>) Essential Oil-Based Ointment in the Treatment of Pitted Keratolysis.","authors":"György Schneider, Bettina Schweitzer, Anita S Steinbach, Ágnes S Hodován, Marianna Horváth, Eszter Bakó, Anna Mayer, Szilárd Pál","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030241","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030241","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Due to their antibacterial activities, essential oils can be potential alternatives to antibiotics in certain cases. West Indian lemongrass (<i>Cymbopogon citratus</i>) essential oil (LEO) is effective against a broad range of bacteria by inhibiting spore formation, and is considered safe. In this study, we demonstrated its therapeutical potential in the treatment of pitted keratolysis (PK), a superficial skin infection affecting the pressure-bearing areas of plantar surfaces. <b>Methods:</b> For in vitro antibacterial efficacy testing, LEO was mixed into different ointment bases, including Hydrogelum methylcellulose FoNo VIII., Ungentum oleosum FoNo VIII. (Ung. oleoso), Unguentum stearini FoNo VIII. (Ung. stearin), and Vaselinum cholesterinatum FoNo VIII. (Vasel. cholest.), at different concentrations of 1, 3, and 5%. These formulations were tested on representatives of three bacterial species associated with PK: <i>Kytococcus sedentarius</i>, <i>Dermatophilus congolensis</i>, and <i>Bacillus thuringiensis</i>. <b>Results:</b> In the in vitro tests, Hydrogelum methylcellulose (HM) gel best supported the antibacterial effects of LEO, reducing the number of living bacteria on agar plates by 4-5 orders of magnitude in a concentration-dependent manner during the 30 min exposure times. This was also confirmed by the Franz diffusion cell drug release test; after 30 min, several active compounds could be detected in the HM samples, in contrast to the other bases. Shelf-life experiments showed that the HM base supported the antibacterial features of 3% LEO for at least 2 years without significant loss of efficacy. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our study highlights that ointments containing essential oils potentially have a place in the treatment of PK. Therefore, antibiotics may potentially be replaced for the treatment of PK, thereby reducing environmental antibiotic pressure, which is one of the driving forces behind the spread of antibiotic resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939757/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732980","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Longitudinal Patterns in the Isolation and Antimicrobial Resistance of Bovine Mastitis-Causing Bacteria in Ireland.","authors":"Amalia Naranjo-Lucena, Philip Becker, Gillian Madigan, Rebecca Cupial, Brian Byrne, Alan Johnson","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030243","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives</b>: Bovine mastitis remains a challenge for the Irish dairy industry. This study aimed to explore the seasonality and antimicrobial resistance of mastitis pathogens obtained by the regional laboratories (RVL) of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. <b>Methods</b>: Seasonality of isolation of the most common bacterial species and antimicrobial resistance of those species repeatedly obtained in the same herds in different years were explored using the RVL diagnostic data. Additionally, whole genome sequencing (WGS) was employed to establish the persistency of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> strains within the same herd. <b>Results</b>: A clear seasonality was observed in the isolation of <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i>, <i>Streptococcus uberis</i>, and <i>Escherichia coli</i> from milk. Seasonal differences were statistically significant within and between bacterium. Persistence of resistance within herds was highest in <i>S. aureus</i> against penicillin (35.5% of herds) and in <i>S. uberis</i> against pirlimycin (14% of herds), while <i>E. coli</i> did not show persistence of resistance to any antimicrobials. Sequencing of <i>S. aureus</i> isolates revealed that the strains causing mastitis in ten out of twenty-one herds were similar genetically in different years. In seven of these herds, <i>S. aureus</i> was persistently resistant to penicillin. Isolates from two different herds were practically identical and carried the human immune evasion cluster genes (IEC, <i>scn</i>, <i>sak</i>, <i>chp</i> and <i>sea</i>) suggesting a recent human-bovine host switch event. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings underscore the importance of implementing targeted biosecurity measures and monitoring programs to mitigate the spread of mastitis-causing pathogens and enhance antimicrobial stewardship in the Irish dairy industry, while it also highlights the significance of including a One Health perspective in surveillance programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939333/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733039","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Changing Epidemiology of Carbapenemases Among Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in a Greek Tertiary Care Hospital in Athens, 2020 to 2023.","authors":"Vasiliki Koumaki, Eleni Voudanta, Aikaterini Michelaki, Maria Orfanidou, Eleni Vagiakou, Georgia Vrioni, Athanassios Tsakris","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030239","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030239","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background:</b> Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPEs) represent a significant global health threat, particularly in the context of nosocomial infections. The current study constitutes a retrospective epidemiological survey that aimed to provide updated data on the prevalence and characteristics of carbapenemases among carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CREs) in a Greek tertiary hospital in Athens during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. <b>Results</b>: A total of 2021 non-duplicate CPE clinical isolates were detected. A significant increase in the number of carbapenemase-positive Enterobacterales was revealed during the study period (<i>p</i> < 0.05). KPC remained the predominant carbapenemase type through all four years of the survey, representing 40.7%, 39.9%, 53.5%, and 45.7% of the CPE isolates, respectively. However, a rapid transition from VIM to NDM metal-β-lactamase types was revealed, changing the epidemiological image of carbapenemases in the hospital setting. Notably, among the CPEs, antimicrobial resistance rates were significantly raised in the post-COVID-19 period (2022 and 2023) compared to the first study year (2020) for almost all the tested antibiotics, including those characterized as last-resort antibiotics. <b>Methods</b>: CREs were identified and subjected to screening for the five most prevalent carbapenemase genes [<i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> carbapenemase (KPC), Verona integron-borne metallo-β-lactamase (VIM), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), imipenemase (IMP), and oxacillin-hydrolyzing (OXA-48)] using a lateral flow immunoassay, and the CREs recovered from blood cultures were analyzed using a FilmArray system. Their clinical and epidemiological characteristics, as well as their antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, were also subjected to analysis <b>Conclusions</b>: Given this alarming situation, which is exacerbated by the limited treatment options, the development of new, effective antimicrobial agents is needed. The continued monitoring of the changing epidemiology of carbapenemases is also imperative in order to undertake rational public health interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939492/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143733036","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological Activities of <i>Leonotis ocymifolia</i> (Burm.f.) and Its Antibacterial Activities Against ESKAPE Pathogens.","authors":"Tshepo Divine Matlou, Mashilo Mash Matotoka, Talita Jessica Mnisi, Peter Masoko","doi":"10.3390/antibiotics14030238","DOIUrl":"10.3390/antibiotics14030238","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Background/Objectives:</b> The rise in antibiotic-resistant ESKAPE pathogens, which are responsible for severe and hard-to-treat infections, highlights the urgent need for alternative therapeutic agents. While species in the <i>Leonotis</i> genus have demonstrated antimicrobial potential, limited research exists on <i>Leonotis ocymifolia</i>. This study evaluated the phytochemical profiles and antioxidant, antibacterial, and antibiofilm activities of <i>L. ocymifolia</i> leaf and stem extracts. <b>Methods:</b> Acidified acetone and hexane were used for extraction, followed by liquid-liquid fractionation with dichloromethane (DCM), ethyl acetate, and butanol. Phytochemicals were profiled using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), while polyphenolic content and antioxidant activity were determined using colorimetric and DPPH assays, respectively. Antibacterial activity was assessed via bioautography and micro-broth dilution assays. Antibiofilm activities were evaluated using crystal violet staining, and metabolic activity was assessed using tetrazolium salt as a cell viability indicator. <b>Results:</b> Ethyl acetate fractions had the highest phenolic (98.15 ± 9.63 mg GAE/g) and tannin contents (108.28 ± 8.78 mg GAE/g), with strong DPPH scavenging activity (79-90% at 250 µg/mL). DCM extracts had potent antibacterial activity, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.31-0.625 mg/mL against <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, <i>Escherichia coli</i>, and <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>. Antibiofilm assays revealed over 50% inhibition across biofilm formation phases, with DCM leaf extracts disrupting biofilms by inhibiting microbial metabolism. <b>Conclusions:</b> This study highlights <i>L. ocymifolia</i> as a promising source of bioactive compounds with significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties. The DCM and ethyl acetate extracts demonstrated high polyphenol content and effective biofilm inhibition. Further studies are warranted to isolate bioactive compounds and elucidate their mechanisms of action.</p>","PeriodicalId":54246,"journal":{"name":"Antibiotics-Basel","volume":"14 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.3,"publicationDate":"2025-02-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11939289/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143732945","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}