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Copyright of Farmacia is the property of Societatea de Stiinte Farmaceutice Romania and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The genus Borrelia is represented by spirochetes that, once entered the human or animal body, can migrate to different organs, including the central nervous system. The aim of the study was to develop a murine neuroborreliosis model by inoculating a strain of Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). 2 studies were conducted using BALB/c and CD1 mice strains, female, 8 weeks old, 22 grams at baseline. The selected animals were inoculated with Bb (106 spirochetes/mL), depending on the protocol, intradermally (100µL/animal) or intracerebrally (10µL/animal). For the evaluation of the neuroborreliosis development, endpoints were established at 1, 3, 6, 8 and 13 weeks post-infection, when samples of dura mater, brain, ear, heart, knee joint and bladder were collected, and maintained in culture medium specific for the growth of Borrelia. Recovery of Bb was possible from samples harvested 7 days post-infection from animals inoculated both intradermally and intracerebrally. Through the experiments we have developed a model of neuroborreliosis in two mice strains that can be useful for the study of the development of new therapeutic approaches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) on multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (AB) strains isolated from the clinical and aquatic environment. Three types of Ag NPs were investigated for their antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antivirulence properties on a total number of 132 AB strains isolated in the same temporal sequence from intra-hospital infections (IHIs), wastewater (WW), and surface water (SW) samples between 2019 and 2022 from different Romanian locations and characterized at the phenotypic and genotypic levels. The comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance (AR) profiles according to the isolation source and the geographical location demonstrated a decrease in MDR level in AB recovered from WW samples in 2022 from north-eastern/central/southern regions (N-E/C-W/analyzed strains S): 87.5/60/32.5%. The AB strains were lecithinase, caseinase, amylase, and lipase producers, had variable biofilm formation ability, and belonged to six genotypes associated with the presence of different virulence genes (ompA, csuE, bap, and bfmS). The Ag NPs synthesized with the solvothermal method exhibited an inhibitory effect on microbial growth, the adherence capacity to the inert substratum, and on the production of soluble virulence factors. We report here the first description of a powerful antibacterial agent against MDR AB strains circulating between hospitals and anthropically polluted water in Romania. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neisseria meningitidis (Nm) is the pathogen carried asymptomatically in the nasopharynx but which under certain conditions can produce meningitis or even multi-organ failure. Experimental induction of meningitis in an animal model is necessary for testing new nanopharmaceutical products. Thus, the aim of the study was to establish the concentration of Nm capable of inducing the disease. We carried out 2 studies where we tested different concentrations of Nm obtained by the nephelometric and spectrophotometric methods. In the first study we included 20 BALB/c mice, and in the second 24. Local and general clinical signs, complete with body temperature values, body weight, hematological, microbiological and histopathological examination were important indicators for the assessment of the establishment of meningitis. The clinical results have pronounced depression in the first 2 days after inoculation, then the general condition will appear. The microbiological and histopathological examination indicated the presence of bacteria at the brain level and specific meningeal lesions only in the case of the second attempt, but the early mortality, requires additional testing of the bacterial concentration that induces meningites in a stable and persistent way so that treatment against the condition can be tested later. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Romanian Archives of Microbiology & Immunology is the property of Institutul Cantacuzino and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Romanian Archives of Microbiology & Immunology is the property of Institutul Cantacuzino and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Fast and accurate diagnostic tests to identify carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are mandatory for proper antimicrobial therapy and implementing infection control measures. Here, we have developed a rapid Carbapenem Inactivation Method (rCIM) for CPE detection.Methods: The rCIM consists of the incubation of a potential carbapenemase producer with meropenem discs and use of the resulting supernatant to challenge a susceptible indicator strain. Growth of the indicator strain is monitored using a nephelometer. The performances of the rCIM were compared with the CIM and Carba NP tests using a collection of 113 well-characterized carbapenem-resistant enterobacterial isolates, including 85 carbapenemase producers and 28 non-carbapenemase producers. In addition, rCIM was compared with the Carba NP test and PCR sequencing in a prospective analysis of 101 carbapenem-resistant enterobacterial isolates addressed to the French National Reference Center for Antimicrobial Resistance in July 2017.Results and discussion: The rCIM correctly identified 84/85 carbapenemase producers and 28/28 non-carbapenemase producers, yielding a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100%, slightly higher than the CIM and Carba NP test. In the prospective validation study, the rCIM showed a sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 95%, respectively. Two cephalosporinase-hyperproducing Enterobacter cloacae gave false-positive results, whereas an IMI-17-producing Enterobacter asburiae gave a false-negative result. The result was, however, positive when the isolate was grown on selective antibiotic-containing media.Conclusions: The rCIM is a rapid (less than 3 h), cheap and accurate test for the detection of CPEs, which can be implemented in low-resource settings, making it a useful tool for microbiology laboratories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbapenems are last resort antibiotics used in infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections are an increasingly global threat, especially because carbapenemase production is more frequent than other resistance mechanisms and is encoded by genes located on transferable genetic structures. The production of classes A (KPC), B (IMP, VIM, NDM) and D (OXA-48 and its variants) of carbapenemases has important clinical consequences and is a constant pool of resistance. This review tries to show the diversity of carbapenemases and to underline their importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Respiratory tract infections (upper and lower) represent one of the most frequent problems that lead to community medical visits, according to official data. In the hospital environment, the treatment of infections requiring inpatient care needs to be carried out in accordance with institutional guidelines, adapted to local antimicrobial resistance patterns. Information about the spectrum of bacterial resistance is often absent. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of the antibiogram registry of the Bacteriology Laboratory of the “Marius Nasta” National Institute of Pneumophtysiology (NIP) in Bucharest. The most frequent microorganisms isolated from pulmonary samples of adult inpatients in 2015 were analyzed. Results: The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was analyzed. We reported the total number of isolates, the number of analyzed isolates (the ones that come from patients who meet the inclusion criteria) and the absolute and proportion figures for resistant, intermediate and sensitive strains. Resistance is described for each of the microorganisms. Special cases of resistance (like methicillin resistant staphylococci and carbapenem resistant enterobacteriaceae; CRE) have been highlighted because of the need to monitor their evolution over time as well as the importance to approach them systemically (prevention and treatment). Discussions: The spectrum of resistance varies according to the ward where the patient was cared for. The isolates from the medical wards were, in general, less resistant than those from the ICU/surgery wards. Conclusions: Due to the high variability in the spectrum of bacterial resistance of the most frequent isolates from medical practice, heightened attention is required in choosing the appropriate empiric antibiotic coverage and adherence to sampling and diagnostic procedures. The present article helps to better characterize the epidemiology of infections and antibiotic resistance in the “Marius Nasta” Institute; it identifies the difficulties faced in gathering and analyzing the data and can be considered as a reference point to improve medical practice policies with regards to the use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of carbapenemases is one of the most important mechanisms that lead to carbapenem resistance. At the same time, the carbapenemases present on extracromosomial genetic material (plasmids) are transmitted between various bacteria. Although the genes Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Escherichia are most commonly involved in infections, the identification of carbapenemases in other genes may be very important for controlling infections. In this article, we will review a recent study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which evaluated the production of carbapenemases in enterobacteria belonging to genes less commonly involved in clinical practice. All strains of enterobacteria transmitted to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in Atlanta and the Public Health Laboratory of the Minnesota Health Department (MDH) from 1 January 2014 to 30 September 2017 were screened for the identification of five carbapenemases (KPC, NDM, OXA-48, IMP, and VIM). Among these, the results for the genera Klebsiella, Enterobacter and Escherichia were excluded. CDC received 1039 EPC-RC isolates during the study, of which 63 (6.1%) of the infrequently identified genera. Over the same period, 149 (12%) of the 1241 CREs were producing carbapenemases. Although in small numbers, isolates from more infrequent genera of enterobacteria that produce carbapenemases may be an important reservoir for dissemination to other bacteria. Additionally, we will add suggestions for current, cost-effective methodological solutions that can improve the knowledge of carbapenemase production in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Globally, more than 50% of HIV infected people are women. HIV infection in women has its particularities, especially because of pregnancy and because of the adverse effects of antiretroviral therapy. Heterosexual contact is the most frequent way of HIV transmission in women. Some gynecological infections like vaginal candidiasis seem to be more persistent and more severe as compared to uninfected female patients. Also, HIV infected women have a higher risk for cervical dysplasia and cancer as compared to uninfected women. The risk of mother-to-child transmission of the virus has dropped significantly in the last decades because of the implementation of routine HIV screening testing in pregnancy, counseling regarding prevention and the large access to antiretroviral treatment. Today, because of the diversity of the therapeutic options and using good prophylactic measures, HIV infected women can have a normal life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute bronchitis is a frequent clinical entity, characterized by an acute, which is sometimes associated with upper respiratory tract infection. The m ajority of acute com m unity acquired bronchitis is caused by viral infections. Although in the absence of comorbidities and complications the prognosis is excellent, bronchitis is a frequent cause of antibiotic prescription. The present article wishes to review the clinical and functional aspects pertaining to the disease, as well as the microbiology and treatment of uncomplicated bronchitis in the immunocompetent adult. The role of influenza vaccination is highlighted as a preventive measure. We hope that the article will draw an alarm signal regarding antibiotic prescription in the frequent condition and that it will help in limiting the phenomenon of antibiotic resistance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Infectio.ro is the property of MEDICHUB MEDIA, S.R.L. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Infectio.ro is the property of MEDICHUB MEDIA, S.R.L. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)