Due to bacterial resistance to antimicrobials, antibiotic therapy for urinary tract infections (UTIs) has become a major challenge for clinicians. The present work aimed to compare the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of 53 uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolates, assessed using the disk diffusion method and two automated systems (PHOENIX BD™ and VITEK2), with interpretations based on CLSI and BrCAST guidelines. Twenty-five antibiotics were tested to assess differences in susceptibility profiles. Statistical tools, including Kappa coefficient analysis and chi-square tests, were applied to assess concordance and significance between methods. Among the main discrepancies found, BrCAST has classified a greater number of UPEC isolates as resistant to more than half of the antibiotics tested by the disk diffusion method, when compared to CLSI. Although faster, the PHOENIX BD and VITEK2 automated systems exhibited significant discrepancies, with divergences observed for half of the antimicrobials tested. Both automated methods showed discrepancies compared to the disk diffusion method under CLSI and BrCAST guidelines. PHOENIX BD classified some isolates resistant by DD/CLSI as susceptible, while VITEK2 misclassified 25% to 50% of the antimicrobials tested. Conversely, VITEK2 also classified some isolates susceptible to DD/CLSI as resistant to 25% of the antimicrobials tested. Regarding DD/BrCAST, PHOENIX BD classified resistant isolates as susceptible (to 50% of the antimicrobials tested). In comparison, VITEK2 classified resistant isolates as susceptible and susceptible isolates as resistant (25% of the antimicrobials for both). These findings highlight the need for careful selection of susceptibility testing methods, as variations in interpretive criteria between CLSI and BrCAST could impact clinical decision-making. This study underscores the importance of methodological consistency in accurately informing antibiotic therapy in UTI management, especially in the face of rising resistance.

The increasing prevalence of bacterial resistance to conventional disinfectants and antibiotics has intensified the search for effective, natural alternatives in the dairy industry. This study evaluates the bactericidal efficacy of Punica granatum L. (pomegranate) peel ethanolic extract, focusing on its application in pre- and post-dipping procedures for mastitis prevention. The extract exhibited potent activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, two major mastitis pathogens. At a concentration of 10 mg/mL, the extract induced significant membrane disruption within 30 s of exposure, as evidenced by propidium iodide uptake and elevated extracellular DNA levels (Escherichia coli: 64.25 ng/μL; Staphylococcus aureus: 83.25 ng/μL) compared to controls (11.20 ng/μL and 35.20 ng/μL, respectively; p < 0.05). Complete growth inhibition (100%) was achieved within 30 s at 25 and 50 mg/mL, matching the efficacy of commercial chlorhexidine and high-concentration hypochlorite. Phytochemical analysis identified punicalagin as the predominant bioactive compound. These findings establish Punica granatum peel extract as a fast-acting bactericidal agent, exhibiting an efficacy comparable to or exceeding that of conventional disinfectants. Its rapid action and plant-based origin highlight its potential as a viable alternative for the prevention and control of bovine mastitis in dairy farming.

The increasing prevalence and dissemination of multidrug-resistant bacteria represent a serious concern for public health. Aeromonas caviae is a pathogenic microorganism that causes a wide spectrum of diseases in fish and humans and is often associated with aquatic environments and isolated from foods and animals. Here, we present the isolation and characterization of the V15^T strain isolated from a drinking water storage tank in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The V15^T strain has a genome length of 4,443,347 bp with an average G + C content of 61.78% and a total of 4028 open reading frames. Its genome harbors eight types of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) involving resistance to beta-lactamases, macrolides, and quinolones. The presence of bla_MOX-6, bla_OXA-427/bla_OXA-504, and mutations in parC were detected. In addition, other ARGs (macA, macB, opmH, and qnrA) and multidrug efflux pumps (such as MdtL), along with several resistance determinants and 106 genes encoding virulence factors, including adherence (polar and lateral flagella), secretion (T2SS, T6SS), toxin (hlyA), and stress adaptation (katG) systems, were observed. The genome sequence reported here provides insights into antibiotic resistance, biofilm formation, evolution, and virulence in Aeromonas strains, highlighting the need for more public health attention and the further monitoring of drinking water systems. Also, the results of physiological and phylogenetic data, average nucleotide identity (ANI) calculation, and digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) analysis support the inclusion of the strain V15^T in the genus Aeromonas as a new subspecies with the proposed name Aeromonas caviae subsp. aquatica subsp. nov. (V15^T = P53320^T). This study highlights the genomic plasticity and pathogenic potential of Aeromonas within household drinking water systems, calling for the revision of water treatment protocols to address biofilm-mediated resistance and the implementation of routine genomic surveillance to mitigate public health risks.

Background/Objectives: Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) is the leading cause of urinary tract infections in both community and hospital settings worldwide. Antimicrobial-resistant UPEC strains pose a significant challenge for effective antibiotic therapy. In this study, 50 bacterial isolates recovered from urine samples of patients attended in different sectors of a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro over five months were analyzed to assess antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles through broad gene screening. Methods: Biofilm production was assessed using a semi-quantitative adherence assay. PCR was employed to investigate 27 resistance genes, 6 virulence genes, sequence types (STs), and phylogroups. Susceptibility to 25 antimicrobial agents was determined by disk diffusion testing. Furthermore, the pathogenic potential was evaluated in vivo using the Tenebrio molitor larvae infection model. Results: Most UPEC isolates were moderate or strong biofilm producers (41/50; 82%). The sul1 and sul2 resistance genes were the most frequently detected (58%). Two virulence gene patterns were identified: fyuA, iutA, fimH, cnf1 and fyuA, iutA, fimH (13 isolates; 26%). ST131 and ST73 were the most common sequence types (16% each), and phylogroup B2 was the most prevalent (50%). Thirty isolates (60%) were multidrug-resistant, most of which belonged to phylogroup B2. UPEC exhibited dose-dependent lethality, causing 100% mortality at 2.6 × 10⁸ CFU/mL within 24 h. Conclusions: These findings reinforce the urgent need for surveillance strategies and effective antimicrobial stewardship in clinical practice.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR), once a natural evolutionary phenomenon, has become a critical global public health threat due to the excessive and indiscriminate use of antibiotics. Over recent decades, widespread antibiotic use in clinical, agricultural, and environmental settings has exerted substantial selective pressure on microbial populations, accelerating the emergence and horizontal transfer of resistance genes. These resistant organisms, and their genetic elements, now circulate not only in healthcare systems but also in natural ecosystems, highlighting the scale and complexity of the problem. This study adopts a qualitative, applied research design grounded in a multiple case study methodology with cross-case synthesis, complemented by bibliometric network analysis using VOSviewer software. A literature review spanning the years 2014 to 2024 was conducted using a curated set of interdisciplinary keywords to capture the convergence of environmental science, microbiology, and public health. The findings revealed thematic clusters and knowledge structures associated with AMR, particularly its links to environmental contaminants such as heavy metals. By situating AMR within the One Health framework, this manuscript emphasizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It calls for integrative and transdisciplinary strategies capable of responding to the biological, social, economic, and policy-related dimensions of AMR, underscoring the urgent need for systemic and coordinated global action.

A Natureza é fonte de recursos para a sobrevivência do homem desde sempre, porém o ser humano também viu nela uma oportunidade de utilização com outras finalidades, passando a explorar então o potencial patogênico de diversos organismos a fim de tirar vantagens econômicas e em conflitos. Dessa forma, foram necessárias medidas que visassem controlar o acesso e uso desses organismos, a bioproteção. Assim como muitos outros assuntos, a bioproteção e o bioterrorismo são temáticas de difícil abordagem. Assim, se fazem necessárias técnicas que viabilizem a aproximação e melhorem a abordagem do tema junto ao estudante. O objetivo desse trabalho foi fazer através de revisão na literatura, um levantamento de atividades e ferramentas que possam ser utilizadas como meios de aproximação e divulgação científica, dentro da temática bioproteção e bioterrorismo, propondo um curso de extensão que desperte o interesse dos alunos.