Prevalence of Escherichia colicarrying a gene encoding ESBLs in patients with common infectious diseases visiting primary health care centres in some provinces and cities of Vietnam

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of E. coli carrying the gene encoding ESBLs in patients with common diseases visiting primary health care centres in 8 provinces of the Northern region (Ha Noi, Ha Nam, Hai Duong, Bac Ninh), the Central region (Thua Thien - Hue, Khanh Hoa), and the Southern region (Can Tho, Ben Tre) of Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was implemented on patients with symptoms of diarrhea, urinary tract infections, skin infections, and respiratory infections. The study used questionnaires to collect epidemiological information and samples to culture, isolate and test E. coli carrying genes encoding ESBLs by PCR technique. The results showed that the percentage of E. coli bacteria carrying genes encoding ESBLs was relatively high (57.4%), the highest rate was in E. coli bacteria on patients with diarrhea (65.4%), followed by urinary tract infections (22.1%), pneumonia (8.82%) and skin infections (3.68%). The rate of co-infection with two genes accounted for 40.9%. The TEM gene was dominant (88.2%), followed by the CTX-M gene (51%). Different types of specimens were also found to have a different rate of carrying this gene. E. coli isolated in the Southern region has a lower risk of carrying genes encoding antibiotic-resistant ESBL, only 42% of the Nothern region’s rates (RR=0.42, p<0.001). Families that used antibiotics also had a higher rate of being infected with bacteria carrying genes encoding ESBLs than families that did not use antibiotics.

Pyrazole-Based Water-Soluble Dendrimer Nanoparticles as a Potential New Agent against Staphylococci

Although the antimicrobial potency of the pyrazole nucleus is widely reported, the antimicrobial effects of the 2-(4-bromo-3,5-diphenyl-pyrazol-1-yl)-ethanol (BBB4), found to be active against several other conditions, have never been investigated. Considering the worldwide need for new antimicrobial agents, we thought it noteworthy to assess the minimum inhibitory concentration (MICs) of BBB4 but, due to its scarce water-solubility, unequivocal determinations were tricky. To obtain more reliable MICs and to obtain a substance also potentially applicable in vivo, we recently prepared water-soluble, BBB4-loaded dendrimer nanoparticles (BBB4-G4K NPs), which proved to have physicochemical properties suitable for clinical application. Here, with the aim of developing a new antibacterial agent based on BBB4, the BBB4-G4K NPs were tested on several strains of different species of the Staphylococcus genus. Very low MICs (1.5–3.0 µM), 15.5–124.3-fold lower than those of the free BBB4, were observed against several isolates of S. aureus and S. epidermidis, the most pathogenic species of this genus, regardless of their resistance patterns to antibiotics. Aiming at hypothesizing a clinical use of BBB4-G4K NPs for staphylococcal skin infections, cytotoxicity experiments on human keratinocytes were performed; it was found that the nano-manipulated BBB4 released from BBB4-G4K NPs (LD50 138.6 µM) was 2.5-fold less cytotoxic than the untreated BBB4 (55.9 µM). Due to its physicochemical and biological properties, BBB4-G4K NPs could be considered as a promising novel therapeutic option against the very frequent staphylococcal skin infections.

Formulation and Evaluation of Antimicrobial Herbal Soap

Bacterial skin infections are most common amongst people, requiring significant attention for treatment and also for maintaining healthy skin. Some herbal plant extracts and their oils were found to have antibacterial activity. The aim and objective of the present study are to formulate and evaluate anti-bacterial herbal soap using Azadirachta indica, Ocimum tenuiflorum oils. The antibacterial activity of the prepared formulations was tested using the agar well diffusion method against the organisms Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus and, Escherichia coli and they exhibited a good anti-bacterial effect. The prepared formulations were evaluated for various physicochemical parameters for which good characteristics were observed. The easy availability of plants and their effectiveness helps manufacturers with cost-effective benefits and with less or no side effects.

Recent Advances in Mupirocin Delivery Strategies for the Treatment of Bacterial Skin and Soft Tissue Infection

Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) have increased problematically in hospital and ambulatory settings due to the poor immunity of hosts and multidrug-resistant pathogens. Mupirocin (MUP), a global topical antibiotic, is used for the treatment of SSTIs caused by various pathogens due to its unique mechanism of action. However, the therapeutic efficiency of MUP is hampered due to the protein binding and drug resistance caused by frequent use. A combined report covering the various aspects of MUP, such as the synthesis of the novel formulation, loading of the drug, and application against various skin infections, is missing. This comprehensive review focuses on various novel drug delivery strategies such as composite biomaterials/scaffold, hydrogel dressings, liposomes, liposomal hydrogel, microparticles/microspheres, microsponges, nanocapsules, nanofibers, silicone-based adhesive patches, and topical sprays. The therapeutic effect of the MUP can be synergized by combining with other agents and using novel strategies. The objective is to enhance patient compliance, decrease the resistance, magnify the delivery of MUP, and overcome the limitations of conventional formulations. Moreover, the carriers/dressing materials are biocompatible, biodegradable, stimulate wound healing, protect the wound from external environmental contamination, adsorb the wound exudates, and are permeable to oxygen and moisture. This review will help researchers to explore further the treatment of various bacterial skin infections by using MUP-loaded novel formulations with better efficacy, utilizing the novel nanostructures or combinatorial methods.

A Review on SLN and NLC for Management of Fungal Infections

Fungal disease is an invasive, serious, and systemic topical infection that affects the mucous membranes, tissues, and skin of humans. Oral medicines, on the other hand, have significant side effects, making topical treatments a viable alternative. Many antifungal medications applied through the skin in various conventional forms (gels or creams) may cause skin redness, erythema, stinging, and burning sensations. A promising approach to overcome the limitation of conventional form is the use of Nanocarriers for the treatment of skin infections since it allows targeted drug delivery, enhanced skin permeability, and controlled release and hence offers a lower risk of side effects. During the last few decades, lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) such as solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) have gained a lot of attention. SLNs were designed to overcome the drawbacks of conventional colloidal carriers, such as emulsions, liposomes, and polymeric nanoparticles, by offering benefits such as a good release rate and drug targeting with high physical stability. NLCs are SLNs that have been modified (Second generation SLN) to improve stability and capacity loading. This review discusses the pathophysiology of the fungal diseases, the application of SLN and NLC, its method of preparation, Characterization, and an overview of clinical trials on SLN and NLC for the treatment of fungal infection.

PLASMA COAGULATING AND NON-COAGULATING STAPHYLOCOCCUS SPP. IN SKIN SAMPLES FROM DOGS AND THEIR RESISTANCE TO ANTIBIOTICS

Staphylococci are human and animal mucosal surface and skin commensals that can cause a variety of infections, such as purulent skin infections, otitis externa, pyoderma, urinary tract infections, and postoperative infections. Dog skin is one of the protective barriers for animals. However, dogs can have and transmit a variety of microorganisms on their skin, including staphylococci. Most studies have compared plasma coagulating and non-coagulating Staphylococcus spp. by dog breeds, sex, and coat length. The aim – to identify plasma coagulating and non-coagulating Staphylococcus spp. in skin samples from dogs and its resistance to antibiotics by place of residence. Staphylococci were detected in more than half of the samples tested, one third of which were plasma coagulating and the remaining two thirds were non-coagulating plasma. Plasma non-coagulating staphylococci were mainly increased among dogs living at home and plasma coagulating – among dogs living outdoors, the difference between these groups is statistically significant. Staphylococcus aureus was predominantly resistant to penicillin and clindamycin, while plasma non-coagulants were resistant to fusidic acid.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Community Antibiotic Prescribing and Stewardship: A Qualitative Interview Study with General Practitioners in England

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound impact on the delivery of primary care services. We aimed to identify general practitioners’ (GPs’) perceptions and experiences of how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced antibiotic prescribing and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in general practice in England. Twenty-four semi-structured interviews were conducted with 18 GPs at two time-points: autumn 2020 (14 interviews) and spring 2021 (10 interviews). Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically, taking a longitudinal approach. Participants reported a lower threshold for antibiotic prescribing (and fewer consultations) for respiratory infections and COVID-19 symptoms early in the pandemic, then returning to more usual (pre-pandemic) prescribing. They perceived the pandemic as having had less impact on antibiotic prescribing for urinary and skin infections. Participants perceived the changing ways of working and consulting (e.g., proportions of remote and in-person consultations) in addition to changing patient presentations and GP workloads as influencing the fluctuations in antibiotic prescribing. This was compounded by decreased engagement with, and priority of, AMS due to COVID-19-related urgent priorities. Re-engagement with AMS is needed, e.g., through reviving antibiotic prescribing feedback and targets/incentives. The pandemic disrupted, and required adaptations in, the usual ways of working and AMS. It is now important to identify opportunities, e.g., for re-organising ways of managing infections and AMS in the future.

Richardia brasiliensis Collected in Southern-Benin: Phytochemical Screening, Antimicrobial Activity and Toxicity

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of the R. brasiliensis aerial part extracts collected in southern-Benin. Methodology: The phytochemical screening was performed by a differential precipitation staining method. Aqueous and ethanolic extracts were made using conventional method with water and ethanol as solvent. The obtained extracts were used to evaluate their antimicrobial activity on Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections and ten reference strains by the solid-medium diffusion method. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC) were determined by the liquid macro-dilution method. The cytotoxic effect of the extracts was evaluated on Artemia salina larvae obtained by hatching. Results: The phytochemical screening showed a strong presence of tannins, flavonoids, terpenes, steroids and a medium presence of alkaloids, anthocyanins and mucilage’s. The extraction yields vary according to the solvent: water (15.5%) and ethanol (10.30%). The two extracts variously (p<0.001) inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections and four reference strains (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC29213, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853, Proteus mirabilis A24974, Escherichia coli ATCC25922). However, there is no difference (p > 0.05) in inhibition of strains growth between 24h and 48h. The largest diameter (21±0.75 mm) of inhibition with the reference strains was obtained with P. aeruginosa by action of the aqueous extract. Regarding Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin infections, the largest diameter of inhibition is about 19.25±2.75 mm obtained with strains isolated from ulcers. The average mics of 2.81 mg/ml and 2.08 mg/ml were obtained respectively for the aqueous and ethanolic extracts in the presence of the reference strains. The LC50 determination obtained using the regression line is 0.36 mg/ml for the aqueous extract and 1.16 mg/ml for the ethanolic extract. Conclusion: The aqueous extract is more effective because of its action spectrum. This extract can be used for the development of a soap or ointment to fight against skin infections.