Skin injuries constitute a gateway for pathogenic bacteria that can be either part of tissue microbiota or acquired from the environmental. These microorganisms (such as Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) produce virulence factors that impair tissue integrity and sustain the inflammatory phase leading for establishment of chronic wounds. The high levels of antimicrobial resistance have limited the therapeutic arsenal for combatting skin infections. Thus, the treatment of non-healing chronic wounds is a huge challenge for health services worldwide, imposing great socio-economic damage to the affected individuals. This scenario has encouraged the use of natural polymers, such as polysaccharide, in order to develop new formulations (membranes, nanoparticles, hydrogels, scaffolds) to be applied in the treatment of skin infections. In this non-exhaustive review, we discuss the applications of polysaccharide-based formulations in the healing of infected wounds in animal models and clinical trials. The formulations discussed in this review were prepared using alginate, cellulose, chitosan, and hyaluronic acid. In addition to have healing actions per se, these polysaccharide formulations can act as transdermal drug delivery systems, controlling the release of active ingredients (such as antimicrobial and healing agents). The papers show that these polysaccharides-based formulations are efficient in controlling infection and improve the healing, even in chronic infected wounds. These data should positively impact the design of new dressings to treat skin infections.

The skin is the largest organ in the human body, acting as a physical and immunological barrier against pathogenic microorganisms. The cutaneous lesions constitute a gateway for microbial contamination that can lead to chronic wounds and other invasive infections. Chronic wounds are considered as serious public health problems due the related social, psychological and economic consequences. The group of bacteria known as ESKAPE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter sp.) are among the most prevalent bacteria in cutaneous infections. These pathogens have a high level of incidence in hospital environments and several strains present phenotypes of multidrug resistance. In this review, we discuss some important aspects of skin immunology and the involvement of ESKAPE in wound infections. First, we introduce some fundamental aspects of skin physiology and immunology related to cutaneous infections. Following this, the major virulence factors involved in colonization and tissue damage are highlighted, as well as the most frequently detected antimicrobial resistance genes. ESKAPE pathogens express several virulence determinants that overcome the skin’s physical and immunological barriers, enabling them to cause severe wound infections. The high ability these bacteria to acquire resistance is alarming, particularly in the hospital settings where immunocompromised individuals are exposed to these pathogens. Knowledge about the virulence and resistance markers of these species is important in order to develop new strategies to detect and treat their associated infections.

Temas de grande importância, como a tuberculose, são plausíveis de abordagem dentro da comunidade escolar, visto que, é uma doença com grande ocorrência e relevância. O objetivo do projeto foi promover o conhecimento da comunidade escolar acerca da importância da tuberculose, assegurando a disseminação de informações ao público-alvo. O projeto foi realizado na Escola Caminho das Estrelas, situada dentro do Centro de Lançamento do Município de Alcântara – Maranhão. A unidade de ensino contempla o ensino fundamental para 132 crianças do 1º ao 9º ano. Todos os alunos foram pré-avaliados para que fossem mensurados seus conhecimentos acerca da tuberculose. Em seguida, a temática foi explorada através de uma peça teatral com a presença dos membros executores do projeto, onde foram contemplados conceitos, sintomatologia, diagnóstico e tratamento da doença. Posteriormente, os alunos foram novamente avaliados, para assim, medir-se o aprendizado e desempenho dos alunos frente à ação proposta. Foi possível concluir através da intervenção, os escolares (1º ao 9º ano) tem pouco conhecimento sobre microbiologia, além disso, 36 (60%) das crianças do grupo 1 nunca tinham ouvido falar sobre tuberculose e 48 (80%) não sabiam sobre a cicatriz vacinal da BCG. O grupo 2, 4,33% acreditam que o tratamento da tuberculose é realizado através de chás ou de cirurgia. Por isso, se faz necessárias intervenções para que as crianças e adolescentes saibam o máximo de informações sobre a tuberculose, assegurando a disseminação de informações por elas para a comunidade em geral a sua volta.

In this study, an integrated chemical and biomarker approach was applied using the mangrove crab Ucides cordatus to assess trace element contamination and its biological impacts across two distinct Amazonian estuaries. Crabs were collected from São José Bay (A1—minimally impacted) and São Marcos Bay (A2—impacted by port activities) on the Amazon coast of Brazil. Simultaneously with crab sampling, physicochemical parameters and trace element levels in sediment and water samples were assessed. Biometric measurements included cephalothorax length and width, cheliped propodus length and width, movable finger length and width, and total weight. Two biomarkers, genotoxic responses (micronuclei) and histopathological lesions (gills and liver hepatopancreas), were measured. Abiotic parameters, such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and salinity, were similar between the two study areas (A1 and A2). However, the concentrations of trace elements (Zn, Fe, Al, and Mn) in the water were increased in A2. Biometric data revealed that crabs from A2 were significantly smaller and lighter ( p < 0.05) than those from A1. Gill lesions (marginal canal deformation, pillar cell rupture, and necrosis) were frequently observed in crabs from both sites, with a higher prevalence in A2. Hepatopancreas histological alterations (e.g., necrosis) were significantly more common in crabs from A2 ( p < 0.05). Genotoxic responses, such as pycnotic nuclei, were also significantly more frequent in A2 ( p < 0.05). The results demonstrate that Ucides cordatus effectively reflects environmental contamination through measurable histological and genotoxic biomarkers, which is consistent with the chemical evidence of trace element pollution in estuarine environments.

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Ucides cordatus as a sentinel organism by linking histological and genotoxic biomarkers to environmental contamination, assessed through chemical analyses of water and sediment in two estuarine bays on the Amazon coast of Brazil. Crabs were collected from São José Bay (A1 – minimally impacted) and São Marcos Bay (A2 – impacted by port activities), both in Maranhão State. Concurrently, physicochemical parameters and trace element levels in water and sediment were measured. Biometric data included cephalothorax and cheliped dimensions, movable finger measurements, and total weight. For histological and genotoxic analyses, 20 crabs per site were sampled during both rainy and dry seasons (n=40). Abiotic parameters (pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity) were similar between sites. However, trace element concentrations (Zn, Fe, Al, Mn) in water were higher in A2. Crabs from A2 were significantly smaller and lighter (p < 0.05). Gill lesions, such as marginal canal deformation, pillar cell rupture, and necrosis, were observed at both sites, with greater prevalence in A2. Hepatopancreas alterations, particularly necrosis, were also significantly more frequent in A2 (p < 0.05). Genotoxic biomarkers, including pyknotic nuclei, followed the same pattern, with higher occurrence in A2 (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that U. cordatus effectively reflects environmental contamination through measurable histological and genotoxic responses, consistent with chemical evidence of trace element pollution. Elevated trace element levels, reduced biometric parameters, and increased tissue damage in crabs from the impacted site confirm the species’ suitability as a sentinel organism. The integration of biomarker responses with environmental chemistry proved effective in distinguishing contamination levels between sites, supporting its application in environmental monitoring of Amazonian estuaries.