Background: The global emergence and spread of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales, especially Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, have been recognized as a public health concern as severe infections caused by these microorganisms increase morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of ESBL-positive E. coli and K. pneumoniae strains isolated from hospitalized patients in Chiangrai Prachanukroh hospital, Chiangrai province, Thailand.Methods: This retrospective analysis was conducted from January 2016 to December 2020. A total of 384,001 clinical specimens were collected aseptically and further cultivated on an appropriate medium. All clinical isolates (one isolate per patient) were identified based on standard laboratory methods. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion technique following CLSI guidelines. ESBL production was screened with ceftazidime and cefotaxime discs based on the CLSI recommendations. Phenotypic confirmation of ESBL production was carried out using a double-disc synergy technique following the CLSI standard.Results: Of a total of 384,001 clinical samples analyzed for bacterial species identification, 11,065 (2.9%) tested positive for E. coli and 5,617 (1.5%) for K. pneumoniae. Approximately 42.5% (4,706/11,065) of E. coli and 30.2% (1,697/5,617) of K. pneumoniae isolates were classified as ESBL producers. A higher proportion of ESBL producers was found in patients older than 60 years and male groups. The highest infection rates of ESBL-positive pathogens were observed among patients in a medical unit. ESBL-producing E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were predominantly found in urine and sputum, respectively. ESBL producers exhibited a high resistance rate to ampicillin (99.8–100%), cefazolin (100%), cefotaxime (100%), fluoroquinolones, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.Conclusions: This study demonstrated the high prevalence and emerging antibiotic resistance of ESBL-positive E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from patients admitted to a provincial hospital in northern Thailand. Most ESBL-producing strains were highly resistant to several antimicrobial agents apart from carbapenems and aminoglycosides. These findings indicated that carbapenems and aminoglycosides should be advised as the first-line drugs of choice for serious infections with ESBL-producing Enterobacterales.

The phytochemical constituents of red (RR) and black (BR) rice extracts were determined using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of catechin, rutin, isoquercetin, cyanidin 3-glucoside, cyanidin 3-O-rutinoside, peonidin and quercetin. The anti-diabetic activities of RR and BR extracts on diabetic complications were examined in a streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat model. Rats (n = 80) were divided into 10 groups (n = 8 rats per group). Healthy and diabetic RR or BR-treated groups received 10, 50, or 200 mg of RR or BR per kg of body weight daily for 45 days. The results demonstrated significantly improved glucose control in rats administered RR or BR, while triglyceride and cholesterol levels were reduced in the diabetic groups. Moreover, RR or BR treatment led to decreased levels of malondialdehyde, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine. Further, glutathione concentration was significantly increased in both serum and liver tissue from RR- and BR-treated diabetic rats.

Curcumin (CUR), a polyphenolic compound, shows promising biological properties, particularly antioxidant activity. However, its medical applications are limited due to its low water solubility, bioavailability, and pH-instability. CUR-loaded albumin microparticles (CUR-HSA-MPs) of submicron size in the range of 800 to 900 nm and a zeta potential of −15 mV were prepared. The CUR loading efficiency was up to 65%. A maximum release of 37% of the encapsulated CUR was observed within 6 h when the CUR-HSA-MPs were dispersed in 50% ethanol in PBS at pH 7, while in RPMI 1640 medium the release was 7%. This demonstrates a sustainable release. The in vitro cytotoxicity of CUR-HSA-MPs showed promising anticancer potential against human hepatocellular carcinoma (Huh-7) and human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7) cell lines, although this effect was less pronounced in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFB) and human cholangiocyte (MMN) cell lines. Confocal microscopy was used to confirm the uptake of CUR-HSA-MPs by cancer cells. Our studies revealed that HSA-MPs are potentially promising vehicles for increasing the solubility and bioavailability of CUR.

Northern Thai culture offers a rich variety of traditional fermented foods beneficial for gastrointestinal health. In this study, we characterized lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from various indigenous fermented foods as potential probiotic candidates and determined their properties for application in commercial synbiotic formulation. Five isolates demonstrating high tolerance to low pH (2.0) and 0.3% bile salts were collected and characterized. These included three strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum isolated from nham (NB1, NP2, and NP11) and two strains of Limosilactobacillus fermentum isolated from pla-som (PS4 and PS7). All the selected LAB isolates exhibited γ-hemolytic activity, strong antimicrobial activity, and high resistance to gastric and duodenal digestion conditions. Among the LAB isolates, L. plantarum NB1 demonstrated the highest capacity for adhesion to Caco-2 cells, auto-aggregation, and antioxidant activity, differing significantly (p < 0.05) from the other isolates. Furthermore, the NB1 strain exhibited preferential growth in the presence of commercial prebiotics (fructooligosaccharide, lactose, and inulin) and good survival after lyophilization, which is a desirable characteristic for a powdered ingredient. Therefore, the NB1 strain is a suitable probiotic candidate for applications in synbiotic formulation or as a functional food ingredient.

Background and Aim: Houseflies (Musca domestica) are recognized mechanical vectors of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, particularly in environments with intensive food-handling. Their role in disseminating virulent and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli at the food–environment–human interface remains underexplored in Northern Thailand. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, phylogenetic distribution, virulence gene carriage, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and resistance determinants of E. coli isolated from houseflies collected at food markets in Phayao Province. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional surveillance study was conducted between June and November 2023 in Muang District, Phayao Province. A total of 350 houseflies were collected from meat, vegetable, and cooked-food markets using sticky traps. E. coli isolates were identified by culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the uidA gene. Phylogenetic grouping was performed using chuA, yjaA, and TSPE4.C2. Virulence genes associated with diarrheagenic E. coli were detected by PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the disc diffusion method against 12 antibiotics representing eight antimicrobial classes. Multidrug resistance was defined as resistance to three or more antimicrobial classes. Resistance-associated genes were screened by PCR. Associations were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: Overall, 106 E. coli isolates (30.3%) were recovered, with the highest prevalence in meat markets (39.5%) (p < 0.0001). Phylogroup A predominated (49.1%), followed by D (19.8%), B1 (18.9%), and B2 (12.3%). Virulence genes were detected in 69.8% of isolates, with bfpA being the most prevalent (26.4%). Universal resistance to penicillin G and erythromycin was observed, while high resistance rates were noted for ampicillin (66.0%) and tetracycline (35.8%). MDR was identified in 46.2% of isolates and was significantly more common in meat markets (p = 0.0225). The highest MDR prevalence occurred in phylogroup D (57.1%). The most frequently detected resistance genes were blaSHV, ereA, and tetA. Conclusion: Houseflies from food markets in Northern Thailand harbor virulent and MDR E. coli, highlighting their role as environmental sentinels and potential disseminators of antimicrobial resistance. These findings underscore the need for improved market hygiene and incorporation of insect vectors into One Health–based antimicrobial resistance surveillance strategies. Keywords: antimicrobial resistance, Escherichia coli, food markets, houseflies, multidrug resistance, Northern Thailand, One Health, virulence genes.