Objectives: Campylobacter spp. remain a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide, with resistance to antibiotics posing significant challenges to treatment and public health. This study examines profiles in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) for Campylobacter isolates from human and animal sources over the past decade. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive review of resistance data from studies spanning ten years, analyzing profiles in resistance to key antibiotics, ciprofloxacin (CIP), tetracycline (TET), erythromycin (ERY), chloramphenicol (CHL), and gentamicin (GEN). Data were collated from various regions to assess global and regional patterns of resistance. Results: The analysis reveals a concerning trend of increasing resistance patterns, particularly to CIP and TET, across multiple regions. While resistance to CHL and GEN remains relatively low, the high prevalence of CIP resistance has significantly compromised treatment options for campylobacteriosis. Discrepancies in resistance patterns were observed between human and animal isolates, with variations across different continents and countries. Notably, resistance to ERY and CHL showed regional variability, reflecting potential differences in antimicrobial usage and management practices. Conclusions: The findings underscore the ongoing challenge of AMR in Campylobacter, highlighting the need for continued surveillance and research. The rising resistance prevalence, coupled with discrepancies in resistance patterns between human and animal isolates, emphasize the importance of a One Health approach to address AMR. Enhanced monitoring, novel treatment strategies, and global cooperation are crucial for mitigating the impact of resistance and ensuring the effective management of Campylobacter-related infections.

Animal and food sources are seen as a potential transmission pathway of multi-drug resistance (MDR) micro-organisms to humans. Escherichia. coli is frequently used as an indicator of fecal contamination in the food industry and known as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). Microbial contamination as a major outcome for the poultry and egg industry and is a serious public health problem. In the present study we performed the quantification of β-glucoronidase positive E. coli in 60 fecal samples of breeding and laying hens collected in Portugal in 2019. Phylogenetic and pathotypic characterization, antimicrobial susceptibility, and detection of resistant extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) genes were assessed. The phylogenetic and pathogenic characterization and detection of ESBL genes were assessed by real-time PCR and antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated using the disk diffusion method. Overall, E. coli quantification was 6.03 log CFU/g in breeding hens and 6.02 log CFU/g in laying hens. The most frequent phylogroups were B1. None of the isolates was classified as diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC). In total, 57% of the isolates showed MDR and 3.8% were positive for ESBL. Our study highlights that consumers may be exposed to MDR E. coli, presenting a major hazard to food safety and a risk to public health.

Coastal environments have been recognized as key reservoirs for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The present study evaluated marine gastropods, Phorcus lineatus, as potential bioindicators to assess the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. P. lineatus was sampled in four sites, with different anthropogenic pressures, along the northwest Portuguese coastal area. From these specimens, bacteria were isolated and tested for their antimicrobial susceptibility, followed by their phylogenetic and pathotypic determination. All the Escherichia coli isolates showed resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent. The highest levels of multidrug resistance (25%) were observed in E. coli isolates obtained from SITE 2, which is impacted by the city of Porto and industrial settlements, while nearly 17% of these isolates showed a multiple antibiotic resistance (MAR) index higher than 0.2. Among the isolates, phylogroups A and B2 were the most prevalent, followed by phylogroup B1. The isolates of phylogroup A showed a higher prevalence of antimicrobial resistance. This study offers valuable insights into the antibiotic resistance risks posed to marine ecosystems and underscores the need for microbiological monitoring and the development of effective management strategies. The findings suggest P. lineatus as a potential bioindicator of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in marine environments.

Since their recognition as human pathogens in the 1970s, Campylobacter spp. have posed persistent challenges to microbiologists due to their fastidious growth requirements and environmental sensitivity. The continuous refinement of selective and differential culture media has been crucial for improving their detection, isolation, and characterization in both clinical and food microbiology. This comprehensive review provides a chronological overview of the evolution of Campylobacter culture media, highlighting the scientific milestones that shaped current cultivation practices—from early blood- and charcoal-based formulations to modern selective, chromogenic, and systems permitting incubation under less stringent atmospheric conditions. Emphasis is placed on the rationale behind medium composition, the transition from empirical experimentation to standardized formulations, and the integration of molecular and metabolic insights into media design. The evolution of Campylobacter growth media mirrors the broader trajectory of microbiology itself, moving from artisanal experimentation toward precision-driven innovation. Ongoing advancements in culture technology, including sustainable and data-guided formulations, will continue to enhance global surveillance, food safety, and pathogen ecology research.

Background: Domestic refrigeration and egg handling are key factors in ensuring household food safety. Inadequate temperature control and poor hygiene in refrigerators can promote the survival and growth of foodborne pathogens. This study aimed to (i) characterize refrigerator temperature profiles and surface microbial contamination and (ii) screen eggs and egg-storage areas for the presence of Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter spp. Methods: Fifty domestic refrigerators were monitored twice in 2024 and 2025 in Porto, Portugal. The temperatures were continuously logged on the lowest shelf, which was swabbed for microbiological analysis. Surface hygiene was evaluated using total viable counts (TVC), Enterobacteriaceae, and Escherichia coli enumerated following ISO methods. Detection of pathogens Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., and Campylobacter spp. was performed using real-time PCR. Eggs (n = 92 in 2024; n = 88 in 2025), and domestic egg storage areas (total n = 76) were screened for Salmonella and Campylobacter. Results: The mean refrigerator temperatures were 6.0 ± 0.5 °C in 2024 and 6.1 ± 0.5 °C in 2025; 44% and 50% of the units, respectively, exceeded the recommended 6 °C threshold. In 2025, 31 (62%) and 33 (66%) refrigerators showed higher TVC and Enterobacteriaceae counts compared to 2024, whereas E. coli was only detected sporadically. L. monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., or Campylobacter spp. were not recovered from the refrigerator surfaces. Likewise, Salmonella and Campylobacter were not detected in any of the eggs or egg-storage sites. Indicator microorganism’s counts were not associated with the mean temperature. Conclusions: The absence of correlation between ΔT and Δ microbial counts suggests that behaviour-driven hygiene factors, rather than the relatively small year-to-year temperature differences observed, are more influential in determining household bioburden. Maintaining refrigerator temperatures ≤ 6 °C together with simple hygiene practices remains essential for reducing household food safety risks.

Date (Phoenix dactylifera L.) pits are a by-product of the date processing industry and are being explored as a source of bioactive compounds within the framework of the circular economy. This study aimed to perform a preliminary safety screening of the in vivo toxicity and mutagenic potential of ethanolic extracts obtained from different date pit varieties. Extracts from Alig (DA), Deglet Nour (DDN), and Kentichi (DK) varieties were administered to Galleria mellonella larvae at different concentrations, and health indices and survival were monitored for 4 days. No significant toxicity was observed at concentrations up to the MIC (6.25 mg/mL), while higher doses (≥2 MIC) had moderate effects on larval viability. The mutagenic potential was evaluated for two extracts (DDN and DK) using the Ames test with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strains TA98 and TA100, in the absence of metabolic activation. Mutagenic index values were below 2.0 for all conditions tested, with the exception of DDN on TA98, where values consistently exceeded 2.0 without a clear dose–response relationship. Due to the absence of metabolic activation and the limited strain panel, the results should be interpreted as preliminary. Overall, the combined preliminary in vitro and in vivo initial findings suggest that ethanolic extracts of date pits do not exhibit an evident mutagenic or toxic effects at biologically relevant concentrations under the conditions tested, providing a basis for further safety evaluation towards their application in the food industry.