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Topic Review
Photodynamic Therapy against Fungal Keratitis
Fungal keratitis is a serious clinical infection on the cornea caused by fungi and is one of the leading causes of blindness in Asian countries. The treatment options are currently limited to a few antifungal agents. With the increasing incidence of drug-resistant infections, many patients fail to respond to antibiotics. Riboflavin-mediated corneal crosslinking (similar to photodynamic therapy (PDT)) for corneal ectasia was approved in the US in the early 2000s. Current evidence suggests that PDT could have the potential to inhibit fungal biofilm formation and overcome drug resistance by using riboflavin and rose bengal as photosensitizers. 
  • 913
  • 02 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Epidemiology of Clinical Sporotrichosis in the Americas
Sporotrichosis is a fungal infection caused by species of the Sporothrix genus. In the found 124 publications with reports related to sporotrichosis in the Americas, 12,636 patients got infection caused by species of the genus Sporothrix. It was observed that 87.45% (11,050) were reported in South America, 11.55% (1460) in North America, and 1.00% (126) in Central America and the Caribbean.
  • 913
  • 17 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Klebsiella pneumoniae vs. Non-Klebsiella pneumoniae Pyogenic Liver Abscess
Pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) is a common global public health problem as it contributes to 13% of intra-abdominal abscesses. With advancements in diagnostic microbiology, imaging technology, improved understanding of sepsis and critical care, and minimally invasive image-guided interventions such as percutaneous drainage (PD), clinical outcomes continue to improve; however, PLA-related mortality remains high, in the range of 10–30%. Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) is the leading causative organism for PLA, followed by Escherichia coli (EC). Klebsiella pneumoniae pyogenic liver abscess (KPPLA) is associated with DM and gas formation, possibly impacting clinical outcomes.
  • 913
  • 07 Sep 2022
Topic Review
Lassa Fever Symptoms and Pathogenesis
Lassa virus (LASV) is the causative agent of Lassa fever (LF). LF symptoms typically appear 1–3 weeks post-infection. Eighty percent of cases are asymptomatic or present with mild, non-specific febrile symptoms such as fever, sore throat, headache, and general malaise, that may be misdiagnosed as typhoid, malaria, or appendicitis.
  • 912
  • 15 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Reevaluating Therapeutic Use of Antibiotics in Liver Cirrhosis
Impairments in liver function lead to different complications. As chronic liver disease progresses (CLD), hypoalbuminemia and alterations in bile acid compositions lead to changes in gut microbiota and, therefore, in the host–microbiome interaction, leading to a proinflammatory state. Alterations in gut microbiota composition and permeability, known as gut dysbiosis, have important implications in CLD; alterations in the gut–liver axis are a consequence of liver disease, but also a cause of CLD. Furthermore, gut dysbiosis plays an important role in the progression of liver cirrhosis and decompensation, particularly with complications such as hepatic encephalopathy and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.
  • 910
  • 26 Sep 2023
Topic Review
The Long-Term Cardiovascular Effects of COVID-19
COVID-19 had stormed through the world in early March of 2019, and on 5 May 2023, SARS-CoV-2 was officially declared to no longer be a global health emergency. The rise of new COVID-19 variants XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16, a product of recombinant variants and sub-strains, has fueled a need for continued surveillance of the pandemic as they have been deemed increasingly infectious. This has caused an increase in hospitalizations, a strain in resources, and a rise of concern for public health. In addition, there is a growing population of patients experiencing cardiovascular complications as a result of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19.
  • 909
  • 30 Aug 2023
Topic Review
Delta and Lambda Variants of SARS-CoV-2
The high transmissibility of Delta and Lambda variants has raised the need to determine the reason for the infectivity of these variants. Since the Delta variant first emerged in India in June 2020, the global incidence of the Delta variant has made it a VOC. The Delta variant is 60% more infectious than the original Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 strain. Similarly, Lambda, a VOI, was first reported in Peru in December, 2020 and currently, its diverse mutations and increased frequency in over 29 countries has raised more attention.
  • 906
  • 23 Nov 2021
Topic Review
COVID-19 during Gestation
COVID-19, the disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 has reached pandemic proportions worldwide, with considerable consequences for both health and the economy. In pregnant women, COVID-19 can alter the metabolic environment, iron metabolism, and oxygen supply of trophoblastic cells, and therefore have a negative influence on pregnant women and mechanisms of fetal development, with implications in the postnatal life. The purpose of this study was to investigate, for the first time, the effects of COVID-19 infection during pregnancy with regard to the oxidative/antioxidant status in mothers’ serum and placenta, together with placental iron metabolism. Results showed no differences in superoxide dismutase activity and placental antioxidant capacity. However, antioxidant capacity decreased in the serum of infected mothers. Catalase activity decreased in the COVID-19 group, while an increase in 8-hydroxy-2’-deoxyguanosine, hydroperoxides, 15-FT-isoprostanes, and carbonyl groups were recorded in this group. Placental vitamin D, E, and Coenzyme-Q10 also showed to be increased in the COVID-19 group. As for iron-related proteins, an up-regulation of placental DMT1, ferroportin-1, and ferritin expression was recorded in infected women. Due to the potential role of iron metabolism and oxidative stress in placental function and complications, further research is needed to explain the pathogenic mechanism of COVID-19 that may affect pregnancy, so as to assess the short-term and long-term outcomes in mothers’ and infants’ health.
  • 906
  • 28 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Nucleic Acid Vaccines against SARS-CoV-2
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread worldwide and imposed a substantial burden on human health, the environment, and socioeconomic development, which has also accelerated the process of nucleic acid vaccine development and licensure. Nucleic acid vaccines are viral genetic sequence-based vaccines and third-generation vaccines after whole virus vaccines and recombinant subunit vaccines, including DNA vaccines and RNA vaccines.
  • 906
  • 29 Nov 2022
Topic Review
The Engineered Antibiotic Peptide PLG0206
PLG0206, an engineered cationic antibiotic peptide that is 24 residues long, has been designed to address some limitations of other natural antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), such as toxicity, pharmacokinetics, and limited activity due to pH and ion concentrations.
  • 905
  • 07 Jan 2022
Topic Review
Alveolar NLRP3 Inflammasome Regulators
Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the causative agent of tuberculosis (TB), is a successful intracellular pathogen that is responsible for the highest mortality rate among diseases caused by bacterial infections. During early interaction with the host innate cells, M. tuberculosis cell surface antigens interact with Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) to activate the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich-repeat containing family, pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) canonical, and non-canonical inflammasome pathways. NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the alveoli has been reported to contribute to the early inflammatory response that is needed for an effective anti-TB response through production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, including those of the Interleukin 1 (IL1) family. However, overstimulation of the alveolar NLRP3 inflammasomes can induce excessive inflammation that is pathological to the host. Several studies have explored the use of medicinal plants and/or their active derivatives to inhibit excessive stimulation of the inflammasomes and its associated factors, thus reducing immunopathological response in the host. This review describes the molecular mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome activation in the alveoli during M. tuberculosis infection. Furthermore, the mechanisms of inflammasome inhibition using medicinal plant and their derivatives will also be explored, thus offering a novel perspective on the alternative control strategies of M. tuberculosis-induced immunopathology. 
  • 904
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Mediterranean Wild Edible Plants
Mediterranean wild edible plants (MWEPs) and their antimicrobial properties have been known from ancient times, and nowadays, a growing number of people have rediscovered them as natural remedies for common infections. One of the problems concerning their use is the heterogeneity of the protocols used to extract and analyze the properties of their active principles; such heterogeneity still marks the overall set of scientific studies on MWEPs, not to mention the enormous heterogeneity that characterizes the properties of plants at the outset. We reviewed the current literature on medicinal value of Mediterranean native edible plants trying to emphasize both the weaknesses and the opportunities of these plants. The majority of the reviewed MWEPs can inhibit both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, and fungi.
  • 903
  • 24 Nov 2021
Topic Review
SARS-CoV-2 Variants and Clinical Outcomes
From the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, new SARS-CoV-2 variants have emerged that potentially affect transmissibility, severity, and immune evasion in infected individuals. Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 variants can potentially have an impact on clinical outcomes.
  • 902
  • 25 Feb 2022
Topic Review
COVID-19 in Seminal Fluid
Major concerns about the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on male fertility have increased, and one of the important questions is the present probability of COVID-19 in the seminal fluid of infected individuals. For the detection of virus co-expression, both angiotensin I-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and transmembrane serine protease TMPRSS2 were required in the testis of COVID-19 individuals, raising concerns regarding the virus entrance from the blood–testis barrier and the presence of COVID-19 in testis tissue and seminal fluid.
  • 902
  • 12 Dec 2022
Topic Review
Drug Remedies and Host Cell Responses for COVID-19
In light of the COVID-19 global pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2, ongoing research has centered on minimizing viral spread either by stopping viral entry or inhibiting viral replication. Repurposing antiviral drugs, typically nucleoside analogs, has proven successful at inhibiting virus replication. 
  • 900
  • 20 Oct 2023
Topic Review
Local Bacteriotherapy for Preventing Respiratory Infections
Recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs) account for relevant economic and social implications and significantly affect family life. Local Bacteriotherapy (LB) represents an innovative option in preventing RRIs. Local bacteriotherapy consists of administering “good” and safe bacteria (probiotics) by nasal or oral route. 
  • 898
  • 24 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Microscopy Diagnosis of Trichomoniasis
More than one million curable sexually transmitted infections occur every day. Trichomonas vaginalis is one of the main infections responsible for these epidemiological data. The diagnosis of this protozoan is mainly based on microscopic and culture identification. 
  • 895
  • 15 Mar 2024
Topic Review
Microbial Natural Products with Anti-Human Immunodeficiency Virus
The resurgence and re-emergence of fatal viral infections pose a grave threat to public health. The emergence and spread of animal viruses are existential threats to humanity due to a number of intertwined and synergistic events, such as altered human behaviors, high-density rapid urbanization and demographic shift, modernization that encourages people with high mobility, large gatherings, global warming and destruction that altered the ecosystem, and an inadequate global public health system. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a type of retrovirus that infects humans. 
  • 894
  • 21 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Alternatives to Antibiotics
Infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are one of the major global health challenges. In addition to developing new antibiotics to combat ARB, sensitizing ARB, or pursuing alternatives to existing antibiotics are promising options to counter antibiotic resistance.  Anti-ARB strategies include the following: (i) discovery of novel antibiotics by modification of existing antibiotics, screening of small-molecule libraries, or exploration of peculiar places; (ii) improvement in the efficacy of existing antibiotics through metabolic stimulation or by loading a novel, more efficient delivery systems; (iii) development of alternatives to conventional antibiotics such as bacteriophages and their encoded endolysins, anti-biofilm drugs, probiotics, nanomaterials, vaccines, and antibody therapies. 
  • 893
  • 12 Jan 2023
Topic Review
Multitargeting Compounds for Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) is an airborne infectious disease caused by the bacillus Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). To date, MTB still represents one of the most dangerous pathogens, claiming millions of lives each year worldwide. Polypharmacology could have features that make it an approach more effective than the classical polypharmacy, in which different drugs with high affinity for one target are taken together. Firstly, for a compound that has multiple targets, the probability of development of resistance should be considerably reduced. Moreover, such compounds should have higher efficacy, and could show synergic effects. Lastly, the use of a single molecule should be conceivably associated with a lower risk of side effects, and problems of drug–drug interaction.
  • 892
  • 19 Nov 2021
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