Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is recognized as a significant pathogen playing a crucial role in causing bacterial infections of skin and soft tissues due to its high capacity for biofilm formation. Niosome-based gel systems offer significant potential for enhancing transdermal drug delivery and increasing the effectiveness of loaded drugs. The current research investigates the feasibility of niosomal gel for formulating the topical administration of teicoplanin (TEC). The thin film hydration method was used for niosome formulation was composed of nonionic surfactant, cholesterol, and mPEG 2000. TEC niosomal gel was prepared with adding hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) and Poloxamer 407 polymers to the system. The physiochemical characteristics of prepared niosomal gel formulation, such as particle morphology, size, zeta surface charge, homogeneity, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro drug release, were evaluated. Also, the in vitro antibacterial potential of the prepared system was analyzed. Further, we examined the in vivo antibacterial activity of the synthesized niosomal gel on infected wounds in Wister rats. We found that the TEC niosomal gel had antibacterial and anti-biofilm capabilities against MRSA isolates, and could be an effective wound material for preventing therapeutic problems related to this superbug.

Background: The etiology of meningitis, an infection and inflammation of the meningeal membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, is multifactorial. Among the infectious etiologies are viruses, bacteria, parasites, and fungi. Objectives: The objective of this study is to utilize the molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to detect bacterial infections causing meningitis in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from hospitalized patients suspected of having meningitis. Subsequently, a comparison is made between the PCR results and the results of sample cultures obtained in the laboratories of Hamadan educational hospitals. Methods: This study was conducted on 104 CSF samples collected from hospitalized patients suspected of having meningitis at the educational hospitals of Hamadan University of Medical Sciences from February 2022 to August 2023. The most common etiological agents of bacterial meningitis were identified using culture and PCR methods. These included Escherichia coli K1, Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus agalactiae, Neisseria meningitidis, S. pneumoniae, and Haemophilus influenzae. Results: The mean age of the patients in this study was 31.57 ± 25.85 years. Of the participants, 53.85% were male and 46.15% were female. No bacteria were isolated from the studied samples by culture in hospital laboratories. However, the PCR method yielded the identification of five (4.81%) bacterial cases, including L. monocytogenes (0.96%), S. pneumoniae (1.92%), and S. agalactiae (1.92%), in the CSF samples under investigation. Conclusions: The findings of this study indicated a low prevalence of common bacterial infections in CSF samples. Furthermore, the study demonstrated that the molecular method is more precise and sensitive in detecting these bacteria compared to traditional culture techniques.