Background The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes in environmental microbiomes pose a critical threat to global health security. Current detection methods are time-consuming and often lack the sensitivity required for early environmental surveillance. Methods We developed a novel CRISPR-Cas13a-based biosensor system coupled with isothermal amplification for rapid, field-deployable detection of clinically relevant AMR genes (blaNDM-1, mcr-1, and vanA) in environmental samples. The system integrates microfluidic sample processing with fluorescent readout and smartphone-based detection. Results Our biosensor demonstrated exceptional sensitivity with detection limits of 10 copies/μL for target AMR genes, achieving 100% specificity against non-target sequences. Field testing across 150 environmental samples from wastewater treatment plants, agricultural runoff, and hospital effluents revealed previously undetected AMR hotspots. The system provided results within 45 minutes compared to 72 hours for conventional PCR-based methods. Longitudinal monitoring revealed seasonal fluctuations in AMR gene prevalence, with peak concentrations coinciding with agricultural antibiotic usage patterns. Conclusions This innovative biosensor platform enables rapid, sensitive detection of AMR genes in environmental settings, providing a powerful tool for real-time surveillance and early warning systems. The technology addresses critical gaps in current AMR monitoring capabilities and offers significant potential for global implementation in resource-limited settings.

Background: The human microbiome represents a complex ecosystem that significantly influences antimicrobial resistance (AMR) patterns through multiple interconnected mechanisms. This review synthesizes current understanding of microbiome-pathogen interactions in the context of AMR development, persistence, and transmission. The gut microbiome serves as both a reservoir for resistance genes and a protective barrier against pathogen colonization through colonization resistance mechanisms. Horizontal gene transfer within microbial communities facilitates the dissemination of resistance determinants, while microbiome diversity acts as a critical factor in maintaining ecosystem stability. Dysbiosis induced by antibiotic therapy disrupts these protective functions, creating ecological niches that facilitate the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant organisms. The resistome, comprising all resistance genes within the microbiome, demonstrates remarkable plasticity in response to selective pressures. Recent advances in microbiome research have revealed novel therapeutic targets, including fecal microbiota transplantation for recurrent infections, selective microbiome modulators that preserve beneficial bacteria, and precision antibiotic strategies guided by microbiome profiling. Postbiotic interventions and engineered probiotics represent emerging frontiers in microbiome-based therapeutics. Understanding these complex interactions is crucial for developing next-generation antimicrobial stewardship programs and innovative therapeutic approaches. This review examines the bidirectional relationship between microbiome composition and AMR, explores emerging therapeutic interventions, and discusses future research directions that may transform our approach to infectious disease management in the era of rising antimicrobial resistance.

The widespread use of organophosphate pesticides in agriculture has resulted in significant soil contamination leading to environmental and health concerns. This study aimed to isolate and identify microbial strains capable of degrading organophosphate pesticides, particularly chlorpyrifos from contaminated soils and evaluate their degradation efficiency under controlled conditions. Microorganisms were isolated from pesticide-contaminated soils collected in January 2024 from agricultural fields in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria (7°29'38"N 7°10'54"E). The isolated strains were tested for their ability to degrade chlorpyrifos a commonly used organophosphate pesticide. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze the degradation process, while soil health parameters such as organic matter content and pH were monitored. All experiments were performed in triplicate and analyzed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Tukey's post-hoc test. Results indicate that microbial strains, particularly Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus cereus degraded 82% and 75% of chlorpyrifos, respectively within 21 days under optimal conditions (30°C, pH 6.5). Soil pH increased from 6.2 to 6.8, while organic carbon content improved by 15% (from 1.80% to 2.07%) following microbial treatment. GC-MS analysis revealed complete mineralization pathways with 3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridinol as the major intermediate metabolite. This research highlights the potential of microbial bioremediation as an eco-friendly and cost-effective method for managing pesticide-polluted soils with implications for sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation.

The ecological functions of soil streptomycetes within the plant root surroundings are currently gaining multiplied interest. This assessment describes our recent advances in elucidating the complex interactions between streptomycetes, plant lifes, and pathogenic and symbiotic microorganisms. Streptomycetes play diverse roles in plant-related microbial groups. Some act as biocontrol tools, inhibiting plant interactions with pathogenic organisms. As a result of the adversarial properties of streptomycetes, they exert a selective strain on soil microbes, which won’t constantly be for plant benefit. Others modulate the formation of symbioses among plant roots and microbes, and that is made possible due to their direct superb influence at the symbiotic association, expressed as, for example, enabling of hyphal elongation of symbiotic fungi. At present, streptomycetes have been diagnosed as modulators of plant defense using repressing plant responses to pathogens that they facilitate root colonization with pathogenic fungi. In contrast, other strains induce local and systemic resistance against pathogens or promote plant growth. In conclusion, while streptomycetes have an obvious ability of appearing as biocontrol agents, care has to be taken to avoid strains that become virulent pathogens or promote disease development. We argue toward using an included screening approach in the look for efficient biocontrol agents, consisting of assays on in vitro antagonism, plant growth, and disorder suppression.

Objectives: The use of herbal treatment is an old practice usually employed in diseases treatments. It is sometimes referred to as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). The aim of this study was to bacteriologically assess some liquid herbal mixtures sold in Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Materials and method: Eight (8) liquid herbal mixtures (4 NAFDAC registered and four unregistered) were purchased from different vendors in Anyigba and analyzed for their bacteriological quality by determining the levels of bacteria in them. Aliquots of the various serially diluted herbal products were cultured on nutrient agar media plates. Results: Total bacterial count of 4.0*10³ – 5.2*10⁴ CFU/ml, total coliform count of 2.0 x 102 to 4.4 x 105CFU/ ml. The result showed that 75% of the registered herbal mixtures met the World Health Organization standard of liquid herbal drugs while 28% of the unregistered ones met the WHO standard. There was a significant difference between the total heterotrophic bacterial count and total coliform of registered and unregistered drugs. Isolates gotten from both samples includes Enterobacter spp, Ancinetobacter spp, Staphylococcus spp, Bacillus spp. The antimicrobial susceptibility test by agar well diffusion methods showed that Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas spp was the most susceptible. Conclusion: The findings from this research work emphasized the need for constant quality assessment of herbal drugs on sale in order to ensure the production of therapeutic products of human consumption. The findings of this study showed that registered herbal mixtures have better bacteriological quality than the herbal mixtures have better bacteriological quality than the unregistered ones. It also showed that the herbal mixtures tested had high level of activity against some of the tested organisms. This implies that the herbal mixtures are safe for consumption but might not necessarily treat target infection.

Background: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) remain one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide, with increasing antimicrobial resistance posing significant therapeutic challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial resistance patterns of uropathogens and identify emerging trends in a Nigerian tertiary care setting. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 2,847 urine cultures from patients with UTIs between January 2022 and December 2024 at Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital Anyigba, Kogi State. Bacterial identification was performed using conventional biochemical methods, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method according to Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute guidelines. Results were statistically analysed using SPSS version 28.0, with significance set at p65 years) demonstrated significantly higher resistance rates (p<0.001). Seasonal analysis revealed peak resistance during the dry season months (November-March). Conclusions: The study reveals alarming levels of antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens, with multidrug resistance becoming increasingly prevalent. These findings emphasize the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship programs and revised empirical treatment guidelines for UTI management in Nigeria.