Marine Antimicrobial Peptides: Emerging Strategies Against Multidrug-Resistant and Biofilm-Forming Bacteria.

The global rise in antimicrobial resistance poses a major threat to public health, with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections expected to surpass cancer in mortality by 2050. As traditional antibiotic pipelines stagnate, novel therapeutic alternatives are critically needed. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), particularly those derived from marine organisms, have emerged as promising antimicrobial candidates due to their broad-spectrum activity, structural diversity, and distinctive mechanisms of action.

Antimicrobial Potential of Bacteriophages JG005 and JG024 Against Isolates from Canine Otitis.

Canine otitis externa caused by is a relevant disease in veterinary medicine. Given high priority status for the development of new antimicrobials, innovative strategies like bacteriophage therapy are essential. Lytic bacteriophages are viruses with high specificity for their bacterial hosts, making them a promising therapeutic choice in both human and veterinary medicine.

Antimicrobial management of complex biofilms in diabetic foot ulcers: a microbiological perspective.

Introduction: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a significant health concern, often complicated by biofilm formation which delays healing and increases the risk of diabetic foot infections (DFIs). Effective management of complex biofilms is crucial for improving patient outcomes and reducing the risk of amputation and premature death.

Areas Covered: This review summarizes the current state of microbiological research on DFIs, focusing on bacterial populations, biofilm interactions, and their role in antibiotic resistance development, being based on a PubMed search from 1975 to 2025.

In Vivo Antimicrobial Activity of Nisin Z Against and Polyurea Pharmadendrimer PUREOEI Against from Diabetic Foot Infections.

Background/objectives: Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are commonly associated with frequent hospitalizations, limb amputations, and premature death due to the profile of the bacteria infecting foot ulcers. DFIs are generally colonized by a polymicrobial net of bacteria that grows in biofilms, developing an increased antimicrobial resistance to multiple antibiotics. DFI treatment is a hurdle, and the need to develop new therapies that do not promote resistance is urgent.

Non-antibiotic therapies for multidrug-resistant gastrointestinal infections: an overview of the use of probiotics, natural compounds, and bacteriophages.

The worldwide increasing frequency and severity of multidrug-resistant gastrointestinal (MDR-GI) infections not only raises awareness of the debilities of conventional antibiotic treatments but also highlights the demand for alternative interventions. One of these alternatives is probiotics, harmless bacteria that compete with pathogenic species, which have been considered beneficial due to their therapeutic potential since they strengthen the mucosal barrier and modulate the host immune response. Other natural compounds (e.

Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase-Producing in Dogs from Cape Verde and São Tomé and Príncipe: Implications for Public Health.

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing global threat, with surveillance providing essential information to control its spread and support rational treatment strategies. , a member of the Gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae family, frequently develops resistance mechanisms. This study analyzed 195 rectal swabs from companion and stray dogs in Santiago and São Nicolau (Cape Verde) and São Tomé and Príncipe, sampled during a neutering and deworming campaign conducted by Veterinary Without Borders Portugal, to detect extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria.

Insights into Molecular Profiles, Resistance Patterns, and Virulence Traits of Staphylococci from Companion Dogs in Angola.

Staphylococci are prevalent in dogs' microbiota, with commensal strains being able to exhibit resistance and virulence traits, complicating secondary infection management. As antimicrobial resistance is a global threat, particularly in middle-income countries like Angola, surveillance of resistant bacteria is crucial. We analyzed the prevalence, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence profiles of staphylococci from dogs in Angola.

Potential of Pine Biochar to Mitigate Bacterial Hazards Present in Recycled Manure Solids from Dairy Cows.

The use of recycled manure solids (RMS) as cow bedding in dairy farms poses concerns due to its potential to harbor pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study evaluated the impact of RMS supplementation with biochar at three concentrations (2.5%, 5%, and 10%) on bacterial counts and on the antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles of and isolates.

Supervision of students in a Portuguese veterinary medicine school-students' and supervisors' expectations, perceptions, and supervision impact.

Introduction: The student-supervisor relationship can be a major cause of psychological distress experienced by students during their study programs. Misalignment between students' and supervisors' expectations and perceptions can originate conflicts, highly affecting the wellbeing of students and hindering the progress of their studies. This study was based on a questionnaire focusing on the perceptions of students and supervisors regarding the most important student attributes and outcomes, supervision expectations and perceptions, and supervision impact on mental health of students from a Portuguese Veterinary Medicine School.

The nasal mycobiome of individuals with allergic rhinitis and asthma differs from that of healthy controls in composition, structure and function.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma (AS) are two of the most common chronic respiratory diseases and a major public health concern. Multiple studies have demonstrated the role of the nasal bacteriome in AR and AS, but little is known about the airway mycobiome and its potential association to airway inflammatory diseases. Here we used the internal transcriber spacers (ITS) 1 and 2 and high-throughput sequencing to characterize the nasal mycobiome of 339 individuals with AR, AR with asthma (ARAS), AS and healthy controls (CT).

Exploring the Gastrointestinal Microbiome of Eurasian Griffon Vultures () Under Rehabilitation in Portugal and Their Potential Role as Reservoirs of Human and Animal Pathogens.

The Eurasian griffon vulture (), a widely distributed scavenger, plays a crucial role in ecosystem health by consuming decomposing carcasses. Scavengers have adapted to avoid disease from the rotting carrion they feed on, probably through a specialized gut microbiome. This study aimed to characterize the gut microbiome of (n = 8) present in two rehabilitation centers in mainland Portugal and evaluate their potential as reservoirs of pathogens.

Biochar supplementation affects the microbiome of recycled manure solids for cow bedding: A metagenomic analysis.

The widespread use of recycled manure solids (RMS) as cow bedding material is not without risks, because cattle manure may act as a vehicle for pathogenic and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria dissemination. Thus, our aim was to evaluate RMS supplemented with a pine biochar produced in Portugal as a new cow bedding material, because the use of biochar has been shown to have the potential to mitigate the effect of relevant bacterial species when added to animal manure microbiota. Our experimental setup consisted on fresh RMS samples that were collected on a commercial dairy farm and placed in naturally-ventilated containers for a total of 4 groups: (1) nonsupplemented RMS, (2) RMS supplemented with 2.

Postingestive reward acts through behavioral reinforcement and is conserved in obesity and after bariatric surgery.

Postingestive nutrient stimulation conditions food preferences through striatal dopamine and may be associated with blunted brain responses in obesity. In a cross-sectional study, we tested flavor-nutrient conditioning (FNC) with maltodextrin-enriched yogurt, with maltodextrin previously optimized for concentration and dextrose equivalents (n = 57), and to mask texture cues (n = 102). After conditioning, healthy volunteers (n = 52) increased preference for maltodextrin-paired (+102 kcal, CS+), relative to control (+1.

Pathogenicity potential of enterococci isolated from a Veterinary Biological Isolation and Containment Unit.

Introduction: are considered an important genus in terms of Hospital-Acquired Infections (HAIs), which means that their characterization regarding resistance and virulence profiles in the hospital environment is of extreme importance. This article addresses this issue through the characterization of enterococci collected from a Veterinary Biological Isolation and Containment Unit (BICU).

Methods: A total of 73 isolates, collected from different surfaces of a Veterinary BICU, were identified as through PCR at species level, after which 34 isolates were selected as representatives using (GTG) fingerprinting.

Antimicrobial, Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Activities of the Mucus of the Tropical Sea Slug .

(Sacoglossa, Gastropoda) is a tropical sea slug known for its ability to incorporate functional chloroplasts from a variety of green macroalgae, a phenomenon termed kleptoplasty. This sea slug, amenable to laboratory cultivation, produces mucus, a viscous secretion that serves diverse purposes including protection, locomotion, and reproduction. In this study, we profiled the antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities of the mucus of this sea slug.

An Overview of the Recent Advances in Antimicrobial Resistance.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), frequently considered a major global public health threat, requires a comprehensive understanding of its emergence, mechanisms, advances, and implications. AMR's epidemiological landscape is characterized by its widespread prevalence and constantly evolving patterns, with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) creating new challenges every day. The most common mechanisms underlying AMR (i.

Validating alternative oxidase (AOX) gene family as efficient marker consortium for multiple-resilience in Xylella fastidiosa-infected Vitis holobionts.

AOX gene family in motion marks in-born efficiency of respiration adjustment; can serve for primer screening, genotype ranking, in vitro-plant discrimination and a SMART perspective for multiple-resilient plant holobiont selection. The bacteria Xylella fastidiosa (Xf) is a climate-dependent, global threat to many crops of high socio-economic value, including grapevine. Currently designed breeding strategies for Xf-tolerant or -resistant genotypes insufficiently address the danger of biodiversity loss by focusing on selected threats, neglecting future environmental conditions.

Antibiotic heteroresistance and persistence: an additional aid in hospital acquired infections by spp.?

, particularly and , are responsible for many hospital-acquired infections. With their intrinsic antibiotic resistance and ability to form biofilms, enterococcal infections are already challenging to manage. However, when heterogenous populations are present, such as those exhibiting heteroresistance and persistence, the complexity of these infections increases exponentially not only due to their treatment but also due to their difficult diagnosis.

Isolation from the Nasal Cavity of a Cat with Chronic Rhinitis.

The genus includes ubiquitous bacteria frequently described as animal and human opportunistic pathogens. A 9-year-old cat was referred for rhinoscopy at the Veterinary Hospital of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal, for an investigation of the chronic respiratory signs. Upon rhinoscopy, nasal and nasopharyngeal discharge were observed, and the nasal turbinates showed signs of inflammation.

The importance of "one health approach" to the AMR study and surveillance in Angola and other African countries.

The dissemination of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial isolates in low- and middle-income countries, including several African countries, is a major concern. The poor sanitary conditions of rural and urban families observed in certain regions may favor the transmission of bacterial infections between animals and humans, including those promoted by strains resistant to practically all available antibiotics. In Angola, in particular, the presence of these strains in human hospitals has already been described.

First Insights on Resistance and Virulence Potential of from Captive Birds of Prey in Portugal.

Captive birds of prey are often used for pest control in urban areas, while also participating in falconry exhibitions. Traveling across the country, these birds may represent a public health concern as they can host pathogenic and zoonotic agents and share the same environment as humans and synanthropic species. In this work, from the cloacal samples of 27 captive birds of prey were characterized to determine their pathogenic potential.

The Importance of Baseline Health Surveillance Efforts in Freshwater Fish Conservation Using the Threatened Iberian Leuciscids as an Example.

Freshwater fish species are experiencing the highest decline among vertebrates in this century. Although a great effort has been made to identify and tackle threats to the conservation of this taxa, several knowledge gaps still exist particularly for noncommercial endangered species, including considerations regarding fish health status. These species face deteriorating environmental conditions in their natural habitats that may lead to stress and increased risk for infectious disease outbreaks.