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The widespread use of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. Therefore, it is essential to explore alternative strategies to effectively combat medically significant resistant pathogens. In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a promising alternative source of antimicrobial agents. While nanoscale particles were traditionally synthesized using chemical techniques, the development of metallic NPs using biological methods has garnered attention. This current study focuses on the synthesis of iron NPs (Fe NPs) using metal-tolerant fungal strains, as numerous microorganisms serve as environmentally safe and durable precursors to produce persistent and bi-functional NPs. The study involved the isolation and evaluation of ten fungal strains that are resistant to heavy metals to determine their ability to produce Fe NPs. The biologically synthesized Fe NPs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The XRD results indicated the presence of Fe in nanopowder form, displaying a series of reflection angles (2θ) at 65° and 75° indicating the existence of cubic planes. EDX analysis revealed the presence of ferrous and ferric elements, along with zero-valent Fe NPs. Micrographs of the surface topology displayed spherical aggregation of the synthesized NPs. Furthermore, the Fe NPs exhibited promising antibacterial potential against selected bacterial strains, including Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Cronobacter sakazakii, Listeria innocua, and Enterococcus fecalis. This study demonstrates that the biological synthesis of metallic NPs is environmentally safe, and Fe NPs produced through mycological means could be utilized to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogenic strains.

Simple Summary: Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease impacting buffaloes and cattle, which are vital to the global economy. The disease causes nodular skin lesions and sometimes affects other body systems, resulting in economic setbacks such as a lower milk yield, weight loss, fertility issues, and reduced livestock exports. Controlling LSD effectively involves vaccination, quarantine, vector management, and tracking animal movement, particularly across borders. Grasping its spread through epidemiological studies and training livestock handlers on recognizing symptoms of LSD, as well as implementing biosecurity measures, vaccination techniques, and vector management strategies, are crucial steps in managing and reducing the disease's effects. Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral infection that affects buffaloes and cattle across various regions, including both tropical and temperate climates. Intriguingly, the virus–carrying skin sores remain the primary source of infection for extended periods, exacerbated by the abundance of vectors in disease–endemic countries. Recent scientific advances have revealed the molecular aspects of LSD and offered improved vaccines and valuable antiviral targets. This review summarizes the molecular features of LSD and its effect on various livestock species. We then provide an extensive discussion on the transmission dynamics of LSD and the roles of vectors in its continued spread among livestock populations. Additionally, this review critically analyses the rationales behind, as well as the affordability and effectiveness, of current control strategies worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common infectious diseases in hospital settings, and they are frequently caused by uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC). The emergence of carbapenem-resistant (Carb-R) E. coli strains poses a significant threat due to their multidrug resistance and virulence. This study aims to characterize the antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles of Carb-R UPEC strains isolated from hospitalized patients. Methods: A total of 1100 urine samples were collected from patients in Lahore and Faisalabad, Pakistan, between May 2023 and April 2024. The samples were processed to isolate and identify E. coli using standard microbiological techniques and VITEK®2, followed by amplification of the uidA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method and broth microdilution. Resistance and virulence genes were detected through PCR and DNA sequencing, and sequence typing was performed using MLST. Results: Among the 118 Carb-R UPEC isolates, resistance was most frequently observed against sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (96.6%) and doxycycline (96.6%). All of the isolates remained sensitive to colistin and tigecycline. Sequence types ST405 (35.6%) and ST167 (21.2%) were predominant and carried the blaCTX-M-15 and blaNDM-5 genes. The distribution of virulence genes and a variety of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, tetracyclines, and sulfonamides, were observed as specifically linked to certain sequence types. Conclusions: This study provides insights into the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Uropathogenic E. coli (Carb-R UPEC) strains and highlights the presence of globally high-risk E. coli clones exhibiting extensive drug resistance phenotypes in Pakistani hospitals. The findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced surveillance and stringent antibiotic stewardship to manage the spread of these highly resistant and virulent strains within hospital settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Burn patients are more likely to get healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs). The current study aimed to investigate the characteristics of HAI and mortality risk factors among burn patients admitted to a tertiary center in Iran. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 2021 on burn patients who developed HAI after hospitalization in a tertiary center in Ahvaz, Iran. The records of patients admitted and managed between March 2019 and March 2020 were reviewed. Statistical analysis was carried out using IBM SPSS Version 26, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 1,659 admitted patients, 395 (23.8%) developed HAI during the study period. After excluding patients with incomplete medical records and those with fungal or viral infections, 363 patients remained. The majority of these cases occurred in male patients. The most common type of HAI was burn wound infection (56.2%). Patients were mainly affected by Gram‐negative bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (39.7%), while the most common Gram‐positive bacteria was Staphylococcus epidermididis (9.6%). The most common antibiotic resistance among P. aeruginosa‐infected patients was reported against imipenem, followed by gentamicin and ciprofloxacin; however, the mentioned organism was mainly sensitive to colistin. Gender, age, bloodstream infection (BSI), ventilator‐associated infection (VAI), ICU admission, and total burned surface area (TBSA) resulted in 3.585, 1.028, 2.222, 7.469, 5.278‐, and 1.031 times higher mortality rates, respectively. Conclusion: Female gender, advanced age, BSI, VAI, and ICU admission are risk factors for HAI. These findings emphasize the need for focused infection prevention and management to improve high‐risk burn patient survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is the first report in Italy on the molecular characterization by whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of a Streptococcus suis strain isolated from a human case of meningitis in Italy. The characterized S. suis strain was classified as a serotype 2 (SS2), multilocus sequence typing (MLST) sequence type ST1. The strain exhibited the presence of several virulence genes and resistance to penicillin, tetracycline and macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin. Finally, we found a frameshift mutation in the gene mrp determining the translation of two truncated forms of the corresponding muramidase‐release protein. These results highlight the importance of complete genomic data to understand the pathogenesis and epidemiology of this bacterium, capable to pose serious risks to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic resistance (ABR) is a growing public health concern worldwide, and it is now regarded as a critical One Health issue. One Health's interconnected domains contribute to the emergence, evolution, and spread of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms on a local and global scale, which is a significant risk factor for global health. The persistence and spread of resistant microbial species, and the association of determinants at the humananimal-environment interface can alter microbial genomes, resulting in resistant superbugs in various niches. ABR is motivated by a well-established link between three domains: human, animal, and environmental health. As a result, addressing ABR through the One Health approach makes sense. Several countries have implemented national action plans based on the One Health approach to combat antibiotic-resistant microbes, following the Tripartite's Commitment Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)-World Organization for Animal Health (OIE)-World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The ABR has been identified as a global health concern, and efforts are being made to mitigate this global health threat. To summarize, global interdisciplinary and unified approaches based on One Health principles are required to limit the ABR dissemination cycle, raise awareness and education about antibiotic use, and promote policy, advocacy, and antimicrobial stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic activities in the environment affect the ecosystem and can play an important role in selecting and spreading antibiotic‐resistant bacteria (ARB) and genes (ARGs). The dairy farm environment may serve as a hotspot and reservoir for exchanging and spreading ARGs, but studies are scarce. Here, we investigated and characterized the extended‐spectrum β‐lactamase producing Escherichia coli strains recovered from the dairy farm environment co‐harboring blaOXA−1, catB3, and arr-3 genes. The isolates were identified and characterized by PCR, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, conjugation assay, whole genome sequencing (WGS), and multiple bioinformatics tools. Seven E. coli strains co‐harboring blaOXA−1, catB3, and arr-3 genes were identified which belonged to distinct sequence types (STs) and carried diverse plasmid replicon types. The conjugation assay revealed a successful transfer of blaOXA−1, catB3, and arr-3 genes into the recipient E. coli J53 with a co‐conjugation frequency ranging from (2.25 ± 0.3) × 10−4 to (3.85 ± 0.3) × 10−3. Bioinformatics analysis of WGS revealed the diversity of acquired ARGs, conferring resistance to aminoglycosides, beta‐lactams, quinolones, tetracyclines, macrolides, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, phosphonic, phenicol, and rifamycin. The genetic environment analysis showed that aac(6′)‐Ib-cr-blaOXA−1‐catB3-arr-3-qacE1-sul1 was the common genetic backbone among the seven E. coli strains. Among the mobile genetic elements, insertion sequences were the predominant elements as compared to transposons. The phylogenetic analysis demonstrated a close relationship between the E. coli of this study and other strains of human–animal‐environment origin retrieved from the NCBI database. This study presented the whole genome‐based characterization of E. coli strains carrying the blaOXA−1‐catB3-arr-3 genes. It provided evidence that the dairy environment may harbor a variety of ARGs and act as a potential reservoir for their spread in the ecosystem. The results recommend the routine surveillance of ARGs carrying bacteria in dairy environments and the need for additional studies to understand the dissemination mechanism within One Health perspective to prevent their further spread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Staphylococcus aureus is a prominent component of the human flora; however, it can cause various pathological conditions. The emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MR-SA) has been significantly influenced by the overuse and inappropriate administration of antibiotics. The frequency of MR-SA nasal colonization among healthcare workers (HCWs) is increasing, and MR-SA is not restricted to hospital settings, with a notable rise in infections among individuals unrelated to HCWs. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among students at Government College University Faisalabad (GCUF), University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), a Government School (GS), and a Private School (PS) to characterize the phenotypic traits of isolates and evaluate antimicrobial resistance profiles. Materials and Methods: A total of 1200 nasal swabs were inoculated on blood and mannitol salt agar, followed by phenotypic identification of S. aureus and MR-SA using biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted via the Kirby–Bauer disk diffusion method, and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) determination was performed using the broth dilution method. Additionally, nuc and mecA gene amplification through PCR aided in isolate identification. Results: The results revealed that 14% (168) of students harbored S. aureus in their nasal cavities, with 8.5% (102) carrying methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) and 5.5% (66) carrying MR-SA. Male students exhibited higher S. aureus (57.7%) and MR-SA (21.4%) prevalence compared to females (42.3% and 17.9%, respectively). Urban students showed a higher S. aureus prevalence (54.2%), while rural students exhibited a higher MR-SA rate (22%). Overall, 80.3% of S. aureus isolates displayed resistance to erythromycin followed by fluoroquinolones (47.6%) and clindamycin (42.2%). All the S. aureus isolates, including MR-SA, remained susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid. PCR results revealed that 95.5% (63) of MR-SA isolates carried the mecA gene. Conclusions: The high prevalence of multi-drug-resistant (MDR) S. aureus raises significant public health concerns, with educational institutions potentially serving as reservoirs for bacterial transmission. The improper use of antibiotics contributes to bacterial resistance and increased infection rates. It is crucial to implement measures to prevent antibiotic misuse and develop comprehensive strategies within educational settings to effectively combat S. aureus and MR-SA prevalence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Carbapenem resistance is a growing global challenge for healthcare, and, therefore, monitoring its prevalence and patterns is crucial for implementing targeted interventions to mitigate its impact on patient outcomes and public health. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of carbapenem resistance among Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains in the largest tertiary care hospital of the capital territory of Pakistan and to characterize the isolates for the presence of antimicrobial resistance genes. Additionally, the most prevalent sequence types were analyzed. Materials and Methods: A total of 15,467 clinical samples were collected from November 2020 to May 2022, underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and were analyzed for antimicrobial resistance genes through conventional PCR and sequence typing using MLST. Results: In carbapenem-resistant E. coli (CR-EC), 74.19% of isolates harbored the blaNDM gene, with blaNDM-1 (66.96%), blaNDM-5 (12.17%), and blaNDM-7 (20.87%) variants detected. Additionally, blaIMP was found in 25.81% and blaOXA-48 in 35.48% of isolates. The presence of blaCTX-M15 and blaTEM was identified in 83.87% and 73.55% of CR-EC isolates, respectively, while armA and rmtB were detected in 40% and 65.16% of isolates, respectively. Colistin and tigecycline were the most effective drugs against CR-EC isolates, with both showing an MIC50 of 0.5 µg/mL. The MIC90 for colistin was 1 µg/mL, while for tigecycline, it was 2 µg/mL. MLST analysis revealed that the CR-EC isolates belonged to ST131 (24.52%), ST2279 (23.87%), ST3499 (16.13%), ST8051 (15.48%), ST8900 (9.68%), ST3329 (7.10%), ST88 (1.94%), and ST6293 (1.29%). The ST131 complex (70.97%) was the most prevalent, harboring 95.65% of the blaNDM gene, while the ST23 complex (18.06%) harbored 62.50% of the blaIMP gene. Conclusions: Implementing large-scale surveillance studies to monitor the spread of specific pathogens, along with active infection control policies, is crucial for the effective containment and prevention of future epidemics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ventilator‐associated pneumonia (VAP) represents an important nosocomial infection, frequently encountered in intensive care unit (ICU) settings which results in prolonged hospitals stays. The nosocomial infections caused by Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) bacteria pose a significant challenge in healthcare settings owing to their intrinsic resistance to many antibiotics. This study investigates the antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and mechanisms of carbapenem resistance among BCC bacteria from VAP patients and the ventilator tubing. The blood and respiratory specimens from patients diagnosed with VAP were collected. In addition, the ventilators were also screened for the presence of BCC bacteria. The susceptibility profiling of BCC isolates was performed against the various antimicrobial agents, and screening for acquired beta‐lactamase enzymes was conducted by polymerase chain reaction. Out of the total 134 patients with BCC‐associated VAP, B. cepacia, Burkholderia multivorans, and Burkholderia cenocepacia was 68.7% (n = 92), 18.7% (n = 25), and 12.7% (n = 17). Overall, the BCC isolates showed varying susceptibility to different antibiotics: 76.9% were susceptible to chloramphenicol, 76.1% to minocycline, 69.4% to meropenem, 60.4% to ceftazidime, 51.5% to trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole, and 50% to levofloxacin. Resistance to ceftazidime (51/92, 55.4%) and meropenem (36/92, 39.1%) was exclusively observed in B. cepacia isolates, and all isolates of B. multivorans and B. cenocepacia were found to be susceptible to both beta‐lactam drugs. Among the 134 clinical isolates, 15 were found to harbor the blaNDM variants, that is, blaNDM−1 and blaNDM−5. All carbapenem‐resistant isolates from the ventilator tubing were identified as B. cepacia and were found to harbor either the blaNDM−1 or the blaNDM−5 variants. The observed increase in resistance and the emergence of acquired beta‐lactamases among BCC isolates highlight a concerning trend that could potentially lead to serious outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate change, caused by both natural and human activities, poses significant threats to global health, including rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental disruptions. The One Health concept, emphasizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, is crucial in addressing these challenges. Climate change is linked to the emergence and resurgence of infectious diseases, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide due to outbreaks, floods, and disrupted trade, among other factors. Therefore, it is crucial to adapt to this changing climate to safeguard One Health. By implementing a One Health approach, we can effectively address the consequences of climate change and make substantial contributions to health and food safety. This approach also holds the potential to mitigate economic losses, particularly in low and middle-income countries. Additionally, in the future, research interventions based on the One Health framework may offer sustainable solutions to combat climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]