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Topic Review
Biocontrol Agents
Biocontrol agents (BCAs) are living organisms and their derivatives that act against plant diseases and pests via direct antagonistic effects but also indirectly via the induction of plant resistance. They have been proposed as an alternative to standard fungicides but their disease management capacity is usually incomplete and heavily relies on uncontrollable environmental conditions. An integrated approach of combining BCAs with fungicides can reduce the fungicide doses to manage plant diseases and thereby their residual effects that affect the environment and human health.
  • 3.3K
  • 16 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Polyenes
Polyenes were, after griseofulvin, the first fungal-specific antibiotics on the market and ever since, more than 200 polyene antifungals have been discovered, of which amphotericin B, nystatin and natamycin are most commonly used in antifungal therapy .
  • 3.3K
  • 12 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Epithelioid Cell
According to a common point of view Epithelioid cells (also called Epithelioid histiocytes) are derivatives of activated macrophages resembling epithelial cells.
  • 3.2K
  • 04 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Detection and Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19
Latest weeks the humanity is faced with the spread of a new coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2 that causes a respiratory illness with high mortality rates, COVID-19. Since there is no approved treatment or vaccination against that specific coronavirus the reduce in virus spread is essential. That is based in the use of appropriate tools, enabling the accurate and early detection. Molecular biology and immunological techniques are widely used in order to predict the COVID-19 cases in a very short period of time. These are commonly based either in identification of the SARS-CoV-2’s genetic material or in detection of antibodies that have been produced by the immune system against the virus. Many of the above mentioned tests have been validated and approved by local authorities. However, there are much more companies that provide detection tests, without basic validation processes, contributing in non-precise data. The present review aim to analyze the most common platforms that are used in COVID-19 detection, analyzing their advantages and weaknesses. Therefore, each physician will be equipped with appropriate information required for each test.
  • 3.0K
  • 29 Oct 2020
Topic Review
Multi-Drug Resistance
Multidrug-resistance is a long debated term. Since 1980 it was used to imply the resistance of a microorganism to multiple pharmaceutical agents, without the number or types of antimicrobials being specified.Currently, the most widely accepted definition of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria include a lack of susceptibility in three or more antimicrobial categories active against the isolated microorganism.
  • 2.7K
  • 27 Aug 2020
Topic Review
Antimicrobial Peptides for Wound Infections
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), also called host defense peptides (HDPs), are found in bacteria, fungi, plants, and animals. They typically consist of 10–50 amino acid residues (very rarely up to 100 amino acids) and generally possess cationic (net charge ranging from −4 to +20) and amphipathic structures. 
  • 2.7K
  • 09 Dec 2020
Topic Review
Cyanophyceae
Cyanobacteria (/saɪˌænoʊbækˈtɪəri.ə/), also known as Cyanophyta, are a phylum of Gram-negative bacteria that obtain energy via photosynthesis. The name cyanobacteria refers to their color (from grc κυανός (kuanós) 'blue'), which similarly forms the basis of cyanobacteria's common name, blue-green algae.[note 1] They appear to have originated in a freshwater or terrestrial environment. Sericytochromatia, the proposed name of the paraphyletic and most basal group, is the ancestor of both the non-photosynthetic group Melainabacteria and the photosynthetic cyanobacteria, also called Oxyphotobacteria. Cyanobacteria use photosynthetic pigments, such as carotenoids, phycobilins, and various forms of chlorophyll, which absorb energy from light. Unlike heterotrophic prokaryotes, cyanobacteria have internal membranes. These are flattened sacs called thylakoids where photosynthesis is performed. Phototrophic eukaryotes such as green plants perform photosynthesis in plastids that are thought to have their ancestry in cyanobacteria, acquired long ago via a process called endosymbiosis. These endosymbiotic cyanobacteria in eukaryotes then evolved and differentiated into specialized organelles such as chloroplasts, chromoplasts, etioplasts, and leucoplasts, collectively known as plastids. Cyanobacteria are the first organisms known to have produced oxygen. By producing and releasing oxygen as a byproduct of photosynthesis, cyanobacteria are thought to have converted the early oxygen-poor, reducing atmosphere into an oxidizing one, causing the Great Oxidation Event and the "rusting of the Earth", which dramatically changed the composition of the Earth's life forms. The cyanobacteria Synechocystis and Cyanothece are important model organisms with potential applications in biotechnology for bioethanol production, food colorings, as a source of human and animal food, dietary supplements and raw materials. Cyanobacteria produce a range of toxins known as cyanotoxins that can pose a danger to humans and animals.
  • 2.7K
  • 01 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequent cause of infection among non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, predominantly affecting immunocompromised patients, but its pathogenic role should not be disregarded in immunocompetent patients. seudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequent cause of infection among non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, predominantly affecting immunocompromised patients, but its pathogenic role should not be disregarded in immunocompetent patients.
  • 2.7K
  • 21 Jan 2021
Topic Review
Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are the additional opportunistic pathogenic mycobacterial complex groups that consists of M. avium, M. marinum, M. hemophilum, M. kansasii, M. scrofulaceum, M. gordonae, M. abscessus, M. fortuitum and M. chelonae. They do not cause TB; however, they can produce pulmonary infections, lymphadenitis, skin disease, endometritis and disseminated disease. Thus, NTM are denoted by other names such as environmental mycobacteria or mycobacteria other than tuberculosis (MOTT) and atypical mycobacteria (ATM) [1–4].
  • 2.6K
  • 06 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Methicilin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus
Antibiotic resistance is a global health challenge nowadays, and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) is a skin infection presents as pimples, boils, abscesses, or infected cuts and is not resistant to certain antibiotics. MSSA affects people of all ages and is known to cause epidemics among sports teams, families, prison inmates, and people who live and work in close quarters and is a global health challenge nowadays, creating problems in antibiotic therapy.
  • 2.6K
  • 10 Nov 2020
Topic Review
Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB)
The salinization of soils is the main threat of agriculture, it affects a large area every year. thus, instead of chemical buffers, bacteria are suggested as an effective solution. In addition, bacteria promoting plant growth are in fact known as a potential alternative to restore, promote and protect crops.
  • 2.5K
  • 27 Oct 2020
Topic Review
MecA (Gene)
The mecA gene is a gene found in bacterial cells which allows a bacterium to be resistant to antibiotics such as methicillin, penicillin and other penicillin-like antibiotics. The most commonly known carrier of the mecA gene is the bacterium known as Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). In Staphylococcus species, mecA is spread on the SCCmec genetic element. Resistant strains are responsible for many infections originating in hospitals. The mecA gene does not allow the ringlike structure of penicillin-like antibiotics to bind to the enzymes that help form the cell wall of the bacterium (transpeptidases), and hence the bacteria is able to replicate as normal. mecA is located on the staphylococcal chromosome cassette mec. The gene encodes the protein PBP2A (penicillin binding protein 2A). PBP2A has a low affinity for beta-lactam antibiotics such as methicillin and penicillin. This enables transpeptidase activity in the presence of beta-lactams, preventing them from inhibiting cell wall synthesis.
  • 2.5K
  • 03 Nov 2022
Topic Review
Streptococcus gordonii
Streptococcus gordonii, a Gram-positive bacterium, is a commensal bacterium that is commonly found in the skin, oral cavity, and intestine.  It is also known as an opportunistic pathogen that can cause local or systemic diseases, such as apical periodontitis and infective endocarditis. S. gordonii, an early colonizer, easily attaches to host tissues, including tooth surfaces and heart valves, forming biofilms. S. gordonii penetrates into root canals and blood streams, subsequently interacting with various host immune and non-immune cells. The cell wall components of S. gordonii, which include lipoteichoic acids, lipoproteins, serine-rich repeat adhesins, peptidoglycans, and cell wall proteins, are recognizable by individual host receptors. They are involved in virulence and immunoregulatory processes causing host inflammatory responses. Therefore, S. gordonii cell wall components act as virulence factors that often progressively develop diseases through overwhelming host responses.
  • 2.5K
  • 29 Dec 2020
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Entomopathogenic Fungi: Interactions and Applications
Entomopathogenic fungi are a special group of soil-dwelling microorganisms that infects and kills insects and other arthropods through cuticle penetration. They are currently used as biocontrol agents against insect plant pests and play a vital role in their management. Regardless that entomopathogenic fungi are currently on the agriculture market, their full potential has not yet been utterly explored. Up to date substantial research has covered the topic revealing numerous uses in pest management but also on their ability as endophytes, assisting the plant host on growth and pathogen resistance. This article addresses the literature on entomopathogenic fungi through the years, noting their mode of action, advantages, potential applications, and prospects.
  • 2.5K
  • 14 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Airsacculitis
Airsacculitis, also known as air sacculitis, aerosacculitis, air sac disease, air sac infection, air sac syndrome and simply sac disease, is a common inflammatory condition of air sacs that occurs in birds and is caused by various microbial (mostly bacterial) taxa. Having multiple different causative agents, the condition is widely distributed around the world. Since the disease is highly infectious it is especially dangerous for domesticated birds (poultry) bred on big farms. Occurrence of airsacculitis in big flocks can mean high economic loss, as infected poultry needs to be carefully observed, with all of the infected tissue disposed of and not used for human food. In severe cases of the disease whole infected bird carcasses need to be disposed. Usually the disease affects younger birds, aged between 6 and 12 weeks. The most characteristic sign of airsacculitis is an inflamed mucous membrane of bird air sacs, which swells and becomes red, with infected birds exhibiting different symptoms, such as coughing, lethargy, swelling of the neck, difficult breathing, appetite and weight loss etc. The same term is used for bacterial infection and subsequent inflammation of laryngeal air sacs in non-human primates.
  • 2.5K
  • 25 Oct 2022
Topic Review
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacteria are high G+C Gram positive bacteria belonging to the Actinobacteria phylum isolated from the gastrointestinal tract of different mammals, birds and social insects.
  • 2.4K
  • 11 Jan 2021
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Main Carotenoids Produced by Microorganisms
Carotenoids are the pigments present in plants, animals, and microorganisms which are responsible for a broad variety of colors found in nature. Their capacity as antioxidants mainly established their marketable success as health, food, and feed supplements, and cosmetics components. Currently, chemical synthesis dominates the worldwide market; however, due to the high biological value of natural carotenoids, the production scheme is moving towards microbial production as a profitable alternative. 
  • 2.4K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Malaria
Malaria is a severe disease caused by parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which is transmitted to humans by a bite of an infected female mosquito of the species Anopheles. Malaria remains the leading cause of mortality around the world, and early diagnosis and fast-acting treatment prevent unwanted outcomes. It is the most common disease in Africa and some countries of Asia, while in the developed world malaria occurs as imported from endemic areas. The sweet sagewort plant was used as early as the second century BC to treat malaria fever in China. Much later, quinine started being used as an antimalaria drug. A global battle against malaria started in 1955. The World Health Organization carries out a malaria control program on a global scale, focusing on local strengthening of primary health care, early diagnosis of the disease, timely treatment, and disease prevention. Globally, the burden of malaria is lower than ten years ago. However, in the last few years, there has been an increase in the number of malaria cases around the world. It is moving towards targets established by the WHO, but that progress has slowed down.
  • 2.4K
  • 17 Feb 2021
Topic Review
Fundamentals of Chlorine Disinfection
Chlorine first reacts with organic and inorganic matters before pathogens inactivation. The amount of chlorine consumed in this process is termed chlorine demand. The combined chlorine that forms together with any free available chlorine in the water is called the chlorine residual. This is the component of the added chlorine that disinfects the water. Free available chlorine is formed by differences in the concentrations of hypochlorous and hypochlorite ions, a process that depends on the pH of the water. Even though the chlorination procedure is well-researched, establishing an appropriate chlorine dose remains a difficult task for many field applications. Nevertheless, the effective chlorine dose should be sufficient to destroy pathogens and oxidize the organic contaminants as well as maintain sufficient free available chlorine in the water distribution system, post-chlorination.
  • 2.4K
  • 06 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Biosurfactants
Biosurfactants can play a significant role in the prevention, control and treatment of diseases caused by a range of pathogenic agents through various therapeutic, pharmaceutical, environmental and hygiene approaches. 
  • 2.3K
  • 28 Jan 2021
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