Biopolymeric drug delivery systems enhance the bioavailability and therapeutic efficacy of poorly soluble bioactive compounds. In this study, chitosan (Chi), dextran (Dex), carboxymethyl dextran (mDex), lignin (L), and curcumin (Cu) were combined to develop materials with controlled release, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. The mechanical evaluation showed that Chi-mDex-L-Cu exhibited the highest diametral tensile strength (2.40 MPa), a 1233% increase compared to Chi-mDex-L, due to strong hydrogen bonding interactions between curcumin and matrix components. Curcumin release kinetics, modeled using the Weibull equation, demonstrated that Chi-mDex-L-Cu presented the slowest release rate, reducing the cumulative release by 55.66% as compared to Chi-L-Cu, ensuring prolonged bioactivity. Despite its controlled release, Chi-mDex-L-Cu retained 60% antioxidant and 70% anti-inflammatory activity, making it a promising sustained-release system. The biocompatibility assessment confirmed cell viability above 85%, with Chi-mDex-L-Cu showing a slight (~10%) reduction at higher concentrations while remaining non-cytotoxic. These findings suggest that Chi-mDex-L-Cu is a strong candidate for biomedical applications requiring prolonged therapeutic effects, such as osteoarthritis treatment.

Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen with a high affinity for skin colonization and significant potential for nosocomial transmission. This study aimed to develop and evaluate chitosan-based hydrogels loaded with nystatin and propolis as a topical antifungal strategy for skin decolonization of C. auris. The formulations were selected based on our previous results and optimized for cutaneous application. The internal structure of the hydrogels was investigated by polarized light microscopy, confirming the amorphous nature of propolis and the partial dispersion of nystatin. The antifungal activity was assessed against ten fluconazole-resistant C. auris strains. The CS-NYS-PRO1 formulation demonstrated the highest antifungal performance in the agar test, also reducing viable cell counts to undetectable levels within 6 h. Time–kill assays and SEM imaging confirmed the rapid fungicidal effect and revealed severe membrane disruption and cytoplasmic leakage. Molecular docking analyses indicated the strong binding of nystatin to both sterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) and dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from C. auris, suggesting complementary membrane and intracellular mechanisms of action. These findings support the use of such hydrogels as a local, non-invasive, and biocompatible strategy for managing C. auris colonization, with promising implications for clinical use in infection control and the prevention of skin-mediated transmission in healthcare settings.

Mesenteric abscesses are an uncommon cause of septic peritonitis in dogs, and serial quantitative monitoring of bacterial load in peritoneal exudate has rarely been reported. This case report describes the diagnostic work-up and treatment response of a 14-month-old, 33 kg intact male Cane Corso with a mesenteric abscess complicated by septic peritonitis, two weeks after treatment for babesiosis. The dog presented with a 72 h history of anorexia, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Abdominal radiography revealed decreased peritoneal serosal contrast and findings suggestive of foreign material ingestion. Serial ultrasonography identified a mesenteric abscess with peritoneal effusion. Exploratory laparotomy confirmed the diagnosis; the abscess was excised, and the abdominal lavage was performed. Histopathology confirmed a mesenteric abscess with marked neutrophilic infiltration. Bacterial culture isolated Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecium, with antimicrobial therapy guided by susceptibility testing. Serial quantitative bacterial counts of the peritoneal exudate on three postoperative occasions showed a progressive decline, paralleling clinical and hematological improvement. The dog fully recovered, with complete clinical and laboratory normalization confirmed at the 60-day reassessment. This case suggests that a multimodal diagnostic approach may assist in guiding management and confirming treatment response in canine mesenteric abscess with septic peritonitis, although the role of serial quantitative monitoring requires further evaluation.