Curcumin (CUR) is a natural compound extracted from turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) used to cure acne, wound healing, etc. Its disadvantages, such as poor solubility and permeability, limit its efficacy. Nanoemulsion (NE)-based drug delivery systems have gained popularity due to their advantages. This study aimed to optimize a CUR-NE-based gel and evaluate its physicochemical and biological properties. A NE was prepared using the catastrophic phase inversion method and optimized using the Design Expert 12.0 software. The CUR-NE gel was characterized in terms of visual appearance, pH, drug release, antibacterial and wound healing effects. The optimal formulation contained CUR, Capryol 90 (oil), Labrasol:Cremophor RH40 (1:1) (surfactants), propylene glycol (co-surfactant), and water. The NE had a droplet size of 22.87 nm and a polydispersity index of 0.348. The obtained CUR-NE gel had a soft, smooth texture and a pH of 5.34 ± 0.05. The in vitro release of CUR from the NE-based gel was higher than that from a commercial gel with nanosized CUR (21.68 ± 1.25 µg/cm², 13.62 ± 1.63 µg/cm² after 10 h, respectively). The CUR-NE gel accelerated in vitro antibacterial and in vivo wound healing activities as compared to other CUR-loaded gels. The CUR-NE gel has potential for transdermal applications.

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) is a mosquito-borne alphavirus that affects the world’s popula-tion with chikungunya disease. Adaptation of the viral life cycle to their host cells’ environment is a key step for establishing their infection and pathogenesis. Recently, the accumulating evidence advocates a principal role of extracellular vesicles (EVs), including exosomes, in both the infection and pathogenesis of infectious diseases. However, the participation of exosomes in CHIKV infec-tion and transmission is not well clarified. Here, we demonstrated that the CHIKV RNA and pro-teins were captured in exosomes, which were released by viral-infected epithelial cells. A viral genomic element in the isolated exosomes was infectious to naïve mammalian epithelial cells. The assay of particle size distribution and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed CHIKV-derived exosomes with a size range from 50 to 250 nm. Treatments with RNase A, Triton X-100, and immunoglobulin G antibodies from CHIKV-positive patient plasma indicated that in-fectious viral elements are encompassed inside the exosomes. Interestingly, our viral plaque for-mation also exhibited that infectious viral elements might be securely transmitted to neighboring cells by a secreted exosomal pathway. Taken together, our recent findings emphasize the evidence for a complementary means of CHIKV infection and suggest the role of exosome-mediated CHIKV transmission.

Ticks harbour diverse microorganisms of veterinary and potential public health importance, yet their microbial diversity remains poorly characterized in several regions of Southeast Asia. We investigated tick-associated microorganisms in dog-associated Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato ticks from central Vietnam using an exploratory Nanopore sequencing approach followed by targeted molecular screening of 140 ticks collected from privately owned dogs in Huế (n = 98) and Đà Nẵng (n = 42). Exploratory full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing of two pools, each comprising 20 tick DNA samples from one location, with reads cumulated across three DNA input amounts per pool, identified bacterial targets for subsequent individual-level screening. Although most reads were assigned to Coxiella-related and skin-associated genera, low-abundance sequences compatible with the canine pathogens Anaplasma platys (8 reads) and Ehrlichia canis (1 read) were also detected and subsequently confirmed by targeted molecular assays in individual ticks. A two-read Anaplasmataceae-associated signal, initially classified by automated taxonomic assignment as Candidatus Ehrlichia khabarensis but divergent from available reference sequences by BLAST analysis (≤93.8% nucleotide identity), prompted targeted investigation. Targeted screening of individual ticks detected Anaplasma platys in 12/140 (8.6%), Ehrlichia canis in 11/140 (7.9%), Hepatozoon canis in 6/140 (4.3%) and Coxiella-like bacteria in 110/140 (78.6%). No Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Rickettsia spp. or piroplasms were detected. The divergent Anaplasmataceae lineage, first indicated by exploratory sequencing, was confirmed in one tick from Huế. Phylogenetic analyses based on partial 16S rRNA, groEL and concatenated sequences consistently placed this lineage within Anaplasmataceae, but distinct from currently recognized genera. The divergent lineage is provisionally designated Candidatus Neoanaplasma albertii pending further taxonomic characterization. These findings illustrate the potential of combining exploratory Nanopore sequencing with individual-tick molecular screening to support target discovery and investigate microbial diversity in dog-associated ticks from undercharacterized regions, including the identification of genetically divergent Anaplasmataceae lineages.

Đặt vấn đề: Nhiễm khuẩn đường tiết niệu là nhiễm khuẩn khá phổ biến. Hiểu biết về tác nhân gây bệnh và tính nhạy cảm với kháng sinh là cần thiết để có phương pháp điều trị hiệu quả. Mục tiêu của đề tài nhằm xác định tác nhân vi khuẩn gây nhiễm khuẩn đường tiết niệu và tính nhạy cảm với kháng sinh. Đối tượng và phương pháp nghiên cứu: Nghiên cứu mô tả cắt ngang ở bệnh nhân chẩn đoán nhiễm khuẩn tiết niệu tại Bệnh viện Trường Đại học Y - Dược Huế ĐHYD Huế từ 3/2022 đến 3/2023. Nuôi cấy định danh vi khuẩn và kháng sinh đồ theo quy trình chuẩn của Khoa Vi sinh. Kết quả: Căn nguyên gây nhiễm khuẩn đường tiết niệu chủ yếu là Escherichia coli (57,9%); Entercoccus spp. là tác nhân Gram dương thường gặp (9,2%). Escherichia coli nhạy hoàn toàn với Nitrofurantoin; kháng > 50% với nhóm Quinolone và các thế hệ Cephalosporin trong khi Enterococcus spp kháng ≥ 60% với nhóm Fluoroquinolon. Kết luận: Escherichia coli là căn nguyên chủ yếu gây nhiễm khuẩn đường tiết niệu. Các chủng vi khuẩn phân lập được kháng khá cao với các nhóm kháng sinh điều trị thông thường.

Background: Urinary tract infections caused by Extended-Spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains are a major concern and a key driver of β-lactam antibiotic group’s resistance. Finding the frequency of ESBL-producing E. coli isolated from urine samples and analyzing their antibiotic resistance profiles were the objectives of this study. Materials and methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted on urine samples at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from January 2023 to April 2024. Bacterial culture, identification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing were performed according to standard microbiology laboratory procedures. Results: 104 ESBL-producing E. coli strains were isolated, accounting for 45.2% of patients with urinary tract infections caused by E. coli. This group was most common in patients over 60 years old, primarily from patients of the Urology outpatient clinic and the Department of General Internal Medicine - Endocrinology - Musculoskeletal and the prevalence was quite similar between males and females (46.9% and 44.6% respectively). The isolates showed high resistance to ampicillin, some cephalosporins, and quinolones, but still remained highly susceptible (>90%) to carbapenems and fosfomycin, and fully susceptible to nitrofurantoin. Conclusion: E. coli producing ESBL are a real burden in the treatment of urinary tract infections. Consequently, investigating the antibiotic resistance profiles of ESBL-producing E. coli in clinical settings is essential for informing physicians’ decisions on appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Background: The current state of infections in general and hospital-acquired infections is increasingly rising, not only in Vietnam but also worldwide. This study aims to evaluate the antibiotic resistance characteristics of ESKAPEE pathogens isolated from clinical samples at Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in 2024. Methods: We designed the study using a cross-sectional descriptive method and a convenience sample approach. The study was conducted at the Department of Microbiology, Hue University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital from January 2024 to December 2024. Results: Among 1001 ESKAPEE group-isolated pathogens, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were both accounted for with a high proportion (33.67%; 23.58%). In addition, these two bacteria also exhibited the high rate of resistance type for methicillin (known as MRSA) and produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (known as ESBL). 100% of the Staphylococcus aureus showed their resistance ability to penicillins group, while the Gram negative bacteria showed high resistance to ampicillin (90.21%) and cefazolin (71.21%). 59.74% of the isolated strains from this research belonged to multidrug-resistant strains, in which Escherichia coli was accounted for with the highest rate (78.93%). Conclusions: This study revealed a concerningly high rate of antimicrobial resistance among ESKAPEE-isolated pathogens at Hue University Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in 2024. Immediate action is necessary to implement an antibiotic stewardship program aimed at reducing the current levels of antibiotic resistance and preventing further complications.