Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a global health threat, with multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa contributing to the burden, especially in Bulgaria. This study investigates recent resistance trends of these pathogens in Bulgaria and evaluates the antibacterial effects of commercially available oregano (Origanum vulgare) and thyme (Thymus vulgaris) essential oils (EOs), both alone and in combination with conventional antibiotics. The chemical composition of the EOs was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing carvacrol (84.2%) as the main component in oregano EO and thymol (45.74%) in thyme EO. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of the EOs were determined using the serial dilution method. Oregano EO exhibited lower MIC and MBC values (0.039–1.250%) compared to thyme EO (0.156–5.000%) against both pathogens. The disk diffusion assay showed that oregano EO exhibits more potent antibacterial effects than thyme EO in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains. The findings highlight the potential of EOs as adjunctive therapies to enhance the efficacy of conventional antibiotics against MDR Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in Bulgaria.

Resistance of microorganisms to antibiotics represents a formidable global challenge, manifesting in intricate public health ramifications including escalated mortality rates and augmented healthcare costs. The current efforts to manage antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are limited mainly to the standard therapeutic approaches. The aim of this study is to present and analyze the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the search for new phyto-compounds and novel interactions with antimicrobial effects. The ambition of the current research study is to support researchers by providing summarized information and ideas for future research in the battle with AMR. Inevitably, the AI role in healthcare is growing exponentially. The reviewed AI models reveal new data on essential oils (EOs) as potential therapeutic agents. In terms of antibacterial activity, EOs show activity against MDR bacteria, reduce resistance by sensitizing bacteria to the action of antibiotics, and improve therapeutic efficiency when combined with antibiotics. AI models can also serve for the detailed study of other therapeutic applications of EOs such as respiratory diseases, immune diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, and oncological diseases. The last 5 years have seen an increasing application of AI in the search for potential plant sources to control AMR. For the time being, the application of machine-learning (ML) models is greater in the studies of EOs. Future attention of research teams may also be directed toward a more efficient search for plant antimicrobial peptides (PAMPs). Of course, investments in this direction are a necessary preface, but the excitement of new possibilities should not override the role of human intelligence in directing research processes. In this report, tradition meets innovation to address the “silent pandemic” of AMR.

Background: Burnout is a common occupational health risk among healthcare professionals. While the phenomenon has been studied in physicians and nurses, limited evidence exists regarding pharmacists and public health inspectors despite their critical role in ensuring safe medication use and protecting population health. The study aims to identify and analyze the influence of work environment characteristics on the level of professional burnout among master pharmacists, assistant pharmacists, and public health inspectors. Methods: A cross-sectional anonymous survey was conducted among 491 healthcare professionals (221 master pharmacists, 151 assistant pharmacists, and 119 public health inspectors). Burnout was assessed using the validated Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS (MP)), covering three dimensions: emotional exhaustion (EE), depersonalization (DP), and personal accomplishment (PA). Work environment characteristics were examined across four domains: work tasks, stressors, occupational risks, and social environment. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests with IBM SPSS. Results: High levels of EE (66.6%) and DP (53%) were reported, while low PA was less frequent (6.7%). Significant factors associated with EE included time constraints (χ² = 9.985; p < 0.01), workflow disruptions (χ² = 23.987; p < 0.001), insufficient information (χ² = 22.890; p < 0.001), and lack of recognition (χ² = 16.498; p < 0.001). The social environment demonstrated the broadest impact, influencing all three burnout dimensions. Conclusions: The study found a risk of professional burnout among the surveyed groups which is associated with modifiable work environment characteristics. Preventive interventions aimed at promoting a supportive work environment could help mitigate this risk.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the potential antimicrobial activity of four commercial essential oils: Thymus vulgaris and Origanum vulgare (two for external use and two for internal one). The antimicrobial activity of the tested essential oils was determined by using the serial two-fold dilutions method. The following bacterial and yeast strains were purchased and used in the study: E. coli, S. aureus, and C. albicans. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Thyme oil (external use) against E. coli, and C. albicans was 2 µg/ml and 4 µg/ml, respectively. The observed minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) for Thyme oil (external use) against S. aureus was 8 µg/ml. The Thyme oil for internal use demonstrated higher antimicrobial activity than the topical form. The evaluated MBC against S. aureus was 4 µg/ml, and for E.coli, and C. albicans, it was even lower than 1 µg/ml. While determining the MBC of Oregano oil (external) against S. aureus, E. coli, and C. albicans, antimicrobial activity is reported as : 16 µg/ml against S. aureus, 4 µg/ml for E.coli and 32 µg/ml against C. albicans. Also, the observed antimicrobial activity of Oregano oil for internal use is higher than external form – 2 µg/ml against S. aureus and lower than 1 µg/ml for the other pathogens. The results of MIC and MBC determination of Thyme and Oregano oils showed that E. coli, S. aureus and C. albicans demonstrate high sensitivity and can be used in therapeutic practice, and some of them probably in combination with other antimicrobial agents.

Premature infants are an especially vulnerable group that often needs extended intensive care. Prematurity naturally hampers the development of the immune system, significantly increasing the risk of infections. In the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), antibiotic treatment is often a crucial, life-saving measure. For parents, the birth of a very preterm infant (before 32 weeks of gestation) turns what should be a happy event into a period filled with deep uncertainty and distress. Maintaining hope amid these difficulties relies heavily on maintaining regular communication with and trusting the medical team. Clinical realities in the NICU include a high risk of infection that requires multiple medications, including antibiotics. There is an inverse relationship between gestational age and pharmaceutical exposure. Parents worry about the amount of medication their child receives and the potential long-term effects on development. Over the past thirty years, initiatives such as antimicrobial stewardship programs have worked to reduce antibiotic use and treatment duration in the NICU, emphasizing proper care for premature infants worldwide. This article examines the ethical landscape from the perspectives of three primary stakeholders: parents, healthcare providers, and regulatory bodies. The key ethical question is whether these groups achieve meaningful cooperation or if institutional and professional priorities overshadow clinical practice. In the NICU, decision-making responsibility mainly lies with the medical team, as parents often have limited influence over treatment decisions, and regulatory oversight usually occurs indirectly. This concentration of authority underscores the complex and critical nature of neonatal intensive care.