Structural Features and In Vitro Antiviral Activities of Fungal Metabolites Sphaeropsidins A and B Against Bovine Coronavirus.

The scientific community's interest in natural compounds with antiviral properties has considerably increased after the emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), especially for their potential use in the treatment of the COVID-19 infection. From this perspective, bovine coronavirus (BCoV), member of the genus β-CoV, represents a valuable virus model to study human β-CoVs, bypassing the risks of handling highly pathogenic and contagious viruses. Pimarane diterpenes are a significant group of secondary metabolites produced by phytopathogenic fungi, including several species.

Expanding the Antiviral Spectrum of Scorpion-Derived Peptides Against Toscana Virus and Schmallenberg Virus.

Toscana virus (TOSV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) are arthropod-borne viruses from the class, posing significant human and animal health threats. TOSV, endemic to the Mediterranean region, is a notable human pathogen detected in various animals, suggesting potential zoonotic reservoirs. SBV emerged in Europe in 2011, affecting ruminants and causing reproductive issues, with substantial economic implications.

Screening and Identification of Multiple Peptides Homologous to the Fusion Glycoprotein Gc of Schmallenberg Virus Able to Inhibit Viral Infection.

Arthropod-borne viruses have been responsible for several emerging infections, causing a global issue in both human and veterinary fields. Within the Orthobunyaviruses, a novel and major member is the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) first detected in central Europe in 2011, and soon after was able to spread all over the continent by causing severe infection in ruminants, leading to abortion and congenital malformations. The viral particle is surrounded by a membrane in which two glycoproteins (Gn and Gc) mediate the entry, mainly through the class II fusion protein Gc, but this event requires the presence of Gn.

The inhibitory potential of three scorpion venom peptides against multidrug-resistant .

Background: The rise of drug-resistant bacterial infections, particularly those caused by underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic candidates. Hospital-acquired infections from carbapenemase (KPC)-producing bacteria pose a serious health threat, particularly impacting the respiratory and urinary tracts. This study investigates the antibacterial efficacy of three antimicrobial peptides, called pantinins, derived from scorpions' venom against and various KPC-producing clinical isolates.

Plasmonic optical fiber biosensors for ultra-low detection of respiratory syncytial virus via point-of-care tests.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, particularly in children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. Despite significant health impacts, annual RSV-related hospitalizations may be underreported due to undertesting and limited diagnostic sensitivity. Point-of-care tests (POCTs) could enhance the rapid and accurate detection of RSV, enabling timely treatment and reducing hospitalizations.

Correction: Zannella et al. Antiherpetic Activity of Taurisolo, a Grape Pomace Polyphenolic Extract. 2023, , 1346.

In the original publication [...

Prevalence of spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy.

Background: spp. is a common protozoan found in the gastrointestinal tract, typically existing as a non-pathogenic organism in humans and other animals. However, it can become pathogenic when the immune system is compromised due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or other parasitic infections, as well as systemic conditions, leading to symptomatic blastocystosis.

Prevalence of Multidrug Resistance in University Hospital Environment.

is a significant pathogen and a major contributor to healthcare-associated infections, particularly in intensive care units. Its high potential for developing multiple drug resistance (MDR) makes it a challenging pathogen to manage. This study investigates the prevalence and resistance patterns of MDR isolates over a six-year period at a university hospital in Southern Italy.

Silver Nanoparticle-Mediated Antiviral Efficacy against Enveloped Viruses: A Comprehensive Review.

Viral infections continue to pose a significant challenge to global health, with increasing resistance to conventional antiviral therapies highlighting the urgent need for alternative treatment strategies. Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have attracted attention as broad-spectrum antiviral agents due to their unique physicochemical properties and ability to target multiple stages of viral infection. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the antiviral mechanisms of AgNPs, highlighting their efficacy against clinically relevant enveloped viruses such as influenza, herpes simplex, hepatitis B, and coronaviruses.

KNR50: a moonlighting bioactive peptide hidden in the C-terminus of bovine casein αS2 with powerful antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antiviral and immunomodulatory activities.

Milk is a primary nutrition source for newborns and adults and, in addition, is also a valuable reservoir of bioactive peptides. Many of these peptides are hidden as "cryptic" sequences in milk proteins and released in the bioactive form through protease digestions. Caseins, the most abundant proteins in bovine milk, host several cryptic bioactive peptides including those antimicrobials.

Structural insights and bioactivity of a cell wall sulfated polysaccharide from the marine diatom Cyclotella cryptica.

Sulfated Polysaccharides (SPs) are abundant in marine organisms, where they play an essential role in the mechanisms of adaptation to saline environments. SPs from macro- and microalgae possess unique structural features, which often correlate to taxonomy, and are under active investigation due to their various potential fields of application. We have investigated the structure of the sulfated polysaccharide isolated from the cell wall of the marine diatom Cyclotella cryptica (CcSP), finding that it consisted of a homopolysaccharide with a backbone of (1 → 4)-⍺-d-Manp carrying, in the most abundant form, sulfation at O-6.

Frog Skin Peptides Hylin-a1, AR-23, and RV-23: Promising Tools Against Carbapenem-Resistant and Infections.

Background/objectives: One of the pressing challenges in global public health is the rise in infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Growing bacterial drug resistance, coupled with the slow development of new antibiotics, highlights the critical need to explore and develop new broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents able to inhibit bacterial growth efficiently. In recent years, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have gained significant attention as a promising alternative to conventional drugs, owing to their antimicrobial potency, low toxicity, and reduced propensity for fostering resistance. Our research aims to investigate the antibacterial ability of three amphibian AMPs, namely Hylin-a1, AR-23, and RV-23, against both antibiotic-sensitive and carbapenem-resistant strains of and .

In Vitro Evaluation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Involvement in Feline Coronavirus Infection.

Feline coronavirus (FCoV) is an alphacoronavirus (αCoV) that causes moderate or chronic asymptomatic infection in cats. However, in a single infected cat, FCoV can modify its cellular tropism by acquiring the ability to infect macrophages, resulting in the development of feline infectious peritonitis (FIP). In this context, to restrain the impact of FCoV infection, scientific research has focused attention on the development of antiviral therapies involving novel mechanisms of action.

A Case of Infection Successfully Treated With a Multidisciplinary Approach.

species constitute a diverse group of microorganisms classified as aerobic actinomyces. Among these species, many have been implicated as causative agents of severe human infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients, affecting lungs, skin, and nervous system. Here, we described a rare species, identified as isolated at the Complex Operative Unit of Virology and Microbiology from the subxiphoid formation and pseudonodular formation in the left leg of a 69-year-old immunocompetent patient, who was hospitalized and treated at the Complex Operative Unit of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics of the University Hospital of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" in an antimicrobial diagnostic stewardship context.

Antiviral Activity of the Marine Haptophyta .

There are still several viral infections affecting a considerable number of the world's population, causing thousands of deaths each year. There are no drugs available for most viral infections and for many not even a vaccine. The marine kingdom is characterized by a huge chemical diversity; however, there is currently on the market only one drug derived from the sea with antiviral properties, called Ara-A.

Getting insights into chemical composition and antiherpetic capability of jujube ( mill.) drupes.

Food plant diversity in bioactive compounds makes them an exploitable resource in the search for effective natural products to prevent or treat viral infections. Therefore, in the framework aimed at studying the antiviral properties of extractive mixtures from fruits (and their waste) grown in the Campania Region (Italy), jujube drupes ( Mill.) were our focus.

Antiviral Properties of Leaf Extracts against Respiratory Viruses.

() is a plant widely used for its beneficial properties both in medical and non-medical fields. Because they produce bioactive metabolites, plants are a major resource for drug discovery. In this study, two different cultivars of leaves of (Salento and Barletta) were obtained by maceration or microwave-assisted extraction (MAE).

Eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles from peel and juice C. limon and their antiviral efficacy against HSV-1 and SARS-CoV-2.

The growing threat of viral infections requires innovative therapeutic approaches to safeguard human health. Nanomaterials emerge as a promising solution to overcome the limitations associated with conventional therapies. The eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) currently represents a method that guarantees antimicrobial efficacy, safety, and cost-effectiveness.

Evaluation of antifungal spectrum of Cupferron against Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is an opportunistic yeast accounting for about 50-90 % of all cases of candidiasis in humans, ranging from superficial to systemic potentially life-threatening infections. The presence of several virulence factors, including biofilm, hyphal transition, and proteolytic enzymes production, worsens the fungal infections burden on healthcare system resources. Hence, developing new bioactive compounds with antifungal activity is a pressing urgence for the scientific community.

Aerobic vaginitis: antibiotic resistance trend and future actions of antimicrobial diagnostic stewardship.

The study objective is to examine epidemiological and microbiological aspects of aerobic vaginitis in female patients admitted to University Hospital of Campania "L. Vanvitelli" over five years. The most represented strains were E.

The antiherpetic and anti-inflammatory activity of the frog-derived peptide Hylin-a1.

Aim: The high incidence of virus-related infections and the large diffusion of drug-resistant pathogens stimulate the search and identification of new antiviral agents with a broad spectrum of action. Antivirals can be designed to act on a single target by interfering with a specific step in the viral lifecycle. On the contrary, antiviral peptides (AVPs) are known for acting on a wide range of viruses, with a diversified mechanism of action targeting virus and/or host cell.

Modulation of innate immunity related genes resulting in prophylactic antimicrobial and antiviral properties.

Background: The innate immunity acts during the early phases of infection and its failure in response to a multilayer network of co-infections is cause of immune system dysregulation. Epidemiological SARS-CoV-2 infections data, show that Influenza Virus (FLU-A-B-C) and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are co-habiting those respiratory traits. These viruses, especially in children (mostly affected by 'multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children' [MIS-C] and the winter pandemic FLU), in the aged population, and in 'fragile' patients are causing alteration in immune response.

Exploring the Antiviral Potential of Esters of Cinnamic Acids with Quercetin.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-related Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected more than 762 million people to date and has caused approximately 7 million deaths all around the world, involving more than 187 countries. Although currently available vaccines show high efficacy in preventing severe respiratory complications in infected patients, the high number of mutations in the S proteins of the current variants is responsible for the high level of immune evasion and transmissibility of the virus and the reduced effectiveness of acquired immunity. In this scenario, the development of safe and effective drugs of synthetic or natural origin to suppress viral replication and treat acute forms of COVID-19 remains a valid therapeutic challenge.

Characterization and Photocatalytic and Antibacterial Properties of Ag- and TiO-Based (x = 2, 3) Composite Nanomaterials under UV Irradiation.

Metal and metal oxide nanostructured materials have been chemically and physically characterized and tested concerning methylene blue (MB) photoremoval and UV antibacterial activity against and . In detail, silver nanoparticles and commercial BaTiO nanoparticles were modified to obtain nanocomposites through sonicated sol-gel TiO synthesis and the photodeposition of Ag nanoparticles, respectively. The characterization results of pristine nanomaterials and synthetized photocatalysts revealed significant differences in specific surface area (SSA), the presence of impurities in commercial Ag nanoparticles, an anatase phase with brookite traces for TiO-based nanomaterials, and a mixed cubic-tetragonal phase for BaTiO.

Antimicrobial Susceptibility Profiles of Strains Collected from Clinical Samples in a Hospital in Southern Italy.

Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria represent a serious threat to global public health. Recently, due to its increased resistance to carbapenems and -lactams, has become one of the main causes of septicemia, pneumonia, and urinary tract infections. It is crucial to take immediate action and implement effective measures to prevent further spread of this issue.