Probiotics for the Management of Infectious Diseases: Reviewing the State of the Art

Concomitant Therapy of Inactivated Enterococcus faecalis CECT7121 with Fluoroquinolones in a Salmonella Enteritidis Murine Sepsis Model

Optimization of existing antimicrobial therapies is a strategy proposed for extending antimicrobial activity and delaying resistance development. This study aimed to assess the effect of inactivated E. faecalis CECT7121 (I-EFCECT7121) in a combined therapy with Enrofloxacin or Ciprofloxacin in a S. Enteritidis murine sepsis model. Firstly, dose titration studies were performed to set up: (a) Salmonella Enteritidis (SE) Lethal dose 99 (LD99) and (b) safety of I-EFCECT7121 (c) I-EFCECT7121 dosage scheme. Then, I-EFCECT7121 in combined therapy with 4 doses (5 mg/kg) per 12 h of CFX and EFX in an LD99 BALB/c infection, were evaluated. Survival rate was monitored for 20 days in order to estimate the treatment success. The efficacy of both drugs was improved by combining them with the inactivated bacteria. However, only a significant increase (p < 0.05) was observed after I-EFCECT7121 and CFX combined treatment (40% of survival rate). By contrast, each drug alone achieved a 10% of survival rate. These outcomes showed a potential therapeutic synergism when I-EFCECT7121 was concomitantly given with ciprofloxacin.

Microbiome Dynamics: A Paradigm Shift in Combatting Infectious Diseases

Infectious diseases have long posed a significant threat to global health and require constant innovation in treatment approaches. However, recent groundbreaking research has shed light on a previously overlooked player in the pathogenesis of disease-the human microbiome. This review article addresses the intricate relationship between the microbiome and infectious diseases and unravels its role as a crucial mediator of host-pathogen interactions. We explore the remarkable potential of harnessing this dynamic ecosystem to develop innovative treatment strategies that could revolutionize the management of infectious diseases. By exploring the latest advances and emerging trends, this review aims to provide a new perspective on combating infectious diseases by targeting the microbiome.

Nanotechnology in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Antibiotic-Resistant Infections

The development of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), along with the relative reduction in the production of new antimicrobials, significantly limits the therapeutic options in infectious diseases. Thus, novel treatments, especially in the current era, where AMR is increasing, are urgently needed. There are several ongoing studies on non-classical therapies for infectious diseases, such as bacteriophages, antimicrobial peptides, and nanotechnology, among others. Nanomaterials involve materials on the nanoscale that could be used in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious diseases. This review provides an overview of the applications of nanotechnology in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases from a clinician's perspective, with a focus on pathogens with AMR. Applications of nanomaterials in diagnosis, by taking advantage of their electrochemical, optic, magnetic, and fluorescent properties, are described. Moreover, the potential of metallic or organic nanoparticles (NPs) in the treatment of infections is also addressed. Finally, the potential use of NPs in the development of safe and efficient vaccines is also reviewed. Further studies are needed to prove the safety and efficacy of NPs that would facilitate their approval by regulatory authorities for clinical use.

Galectin-9 is a target for the treatment of cancer: A patent review

Galectins, which correspond to a group of proteins capable of recognizing and reversibly binding to β-galactoside carbohydrates, have been the subject of innovation and development of technological products. Galectins play biological roles, such as cell proliferation and apoptosis, and some studies showed differences in the concentrations of galectins dispersed in serum of patients with cancer. For this reason, different studies have evaluated the biotechnological potential of these proteins as biomarkers for the prognosis and/or diagnosis of physiological disorders. Thus, this review discusses recent technological advancements in targeting galectins for the treatment of cancer and using galectins for cancer prognosis and diagnosis. Data mining was performed using the search descriptors "Galectin 9* and cancer*" and the ESPACENET and Cortellis Drug Discovery Intelligence (CDDI) databases. PRISMA guidelines were followed as a basis for literature review which aimed to conduct a systematic study of galectin-9 patents related to cancer prognosis, diagnosis and treatment. Results showed the importance of galectin-9 protein patents in furthering biomedical advancements in the global fight against cancer.

Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Profiling of Volatile Metabolites Produced by Some Bacillus spp. and Evaluation of Their Antibacterial and Antibiotic Activities

Bacillus species produce different classes of antimicrobial and antioxidant substances: peptides or proteins with different structural compositions and molecular masses and a broad range of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), some of which may serve as biomarkers for microorganism identification. The aim of this study is the identification of biologically active compounds synthesized by five Bacillus species using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The current study profoundly enhances the knowledge of antibacterial and antioxidant metabolites ensuring the unambiguous identification of VOCs produced by some Bacillus species, which were isolated from vegetable samples of potato, carrot, and tomato. Phylogenetic and biochemical studies were used to identify the bacterial isolates after culturing. Phylogenetic analysis proved that five bacterial isolates BSS12, BSS13, BSS16, BSS21, and BSS25 showed 99% nucleotide sequence similarities with Bacillus safensis AS-08, Bacillus cereus WAB2133, Bacillus acidiproducens NiuFun, Bacillus toyonesis FORT 102, and Bacillus thuringiensis F3, respectively. The crude extract was prepared from bacterial isolates to assess the antibiotic resistance potency and the antimicrobial potential against various targeted multidrug-resistant strains, including yeast strains such as Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and bacterial strains of Enterococcus hirae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella aerogenes, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus group B, Streptococcus mutans, Shigella sonnei, Salmonella enteritidis, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Proteus vulgaris. GC-MS analysis of bacterial strains found that VOCs from Bacillus species come in a variety of chemical forms, such as ketones, alcohols, terpenoids, alkenes, etc. Overall, 69 volatile organic compounds were identified from five Bacillus species, and all five were found to share different chemical classes of volatile organic components, which have a variety of pharmacological applications. However, eight antibacterial compounds with different concentrations were commonly found in all five species: acetoin, acetic acid, butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, oxime-, methoxy-phenyl, phenol, 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, bis(2-methylpropyl) ester, nonanoic acid, and hexadecanoic acid, methyl. The present study has demonstrated that bacterial isolates BSS25, BSS21, and BSS16 display potent inhibitory effects against Candida albicans, while BSS25, BSS21, and BSS13 exhibit the ability to restrain the growth and activity of Candida krusei. Notably, BSS25 and BSS21 are the only isolates that demonstrate substantial inhibitory activity against Klebsiella aerogenes. This disparity in inhibitory effects could be attributed to the higher concentrations of acetoin in BSS25 and BSS21, whereas BSS16 and BSS13 have relatively elevated levels of butanoic acid, 2-methyl-. Certainly, the presence of acetoin and butanoic acid, 2-methyl-, contributes to the enhanced antibacterial potential of these bacterial strains, in conjunction with other organic volatile compounds and peptides, among other factors. The biology and physiology of Bacillus can be better understood using these results, which can also be used to create novel biotechnological procedures and applications. Moreover, because of its exceptional ability to synthesize and produce a variety of different antibacterial compounds, Bacillus species can serve as natural and universal carriers for antibiotic compounds in the form of probiotic cultures and strains to fight different pathogens, including mycobacteria.

The potential of Bacillus and Enterococcus probiotic strains to combat helicobacter pylori attachment to the biotic and abiotic surfaces

The prevention of biofilm formation plays a pivotal role in managing Helicobacter pylori inside the body and the environment. This study showed in vitro potentials of two recently isolated probiotic strains, Bacillus sp. 1630F and Enterococcus sp. 7C37, to form biofilm and combat H. pylori attachment to the abiotic and biotic surfaces. Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum were used as the reference probiotics. The biofilm rates were the highest in the solid-liquid interface for Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium and the air-liquid interface for Bacillus and Enterococcus. The highest tolerances to the environmental conditions were observed during the biofilm formations of Enterococcus and Bifidobacterium (pH), Enterococcus and Bacillus (bile), and Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus (NaCl) on the polystyrene and glass substratum, respectively. Biofilms occurred more quickly by Bacillus and Enterococcus strains than reference strains on the polystyrene and glass substratum, respectively. Enterococcus (competition) and Bacillus (exclusion) achieved the most inhibition of H. pylori biofilm formations on the polystyrene and AGS cells, respectively. Expression of luxS was promoted by Bacillus (exclusion, 3.2 fold) and Enterococcus (competition, 2.0 fold). Expression of ropD was decreased when H. pylori biofilm was excluded by Bacillus (0.4 fold) and Enterococcus (0.2 fold) cells. This study demonstrated the ability of Bacillus and Enterococcus probiotic bacteria to form biofilm and combat H. pylori biofilm formation.

Reviewing the state of the art of probiotics as clinical modalities for brain-gut-microbiota axis associated disorders

The rise in prevalence of mental and neurological disorders is causing a high burden on society, however adequate interventions are not always available. The brain-gut-microbiota axis (BGMA) may provide a new angle for the development of clinical modalities. Due to the intricate bi-directional signaling between the brain and the gut, it may be helpful to look into interventions that target the gut, such as probiotics. Therefore, this review aimed to investigate the state of the art of probiotics and their potential as clinical modalities for BGMA-associated indications by gaining insight into patents and clinical trials that have been applied for and executed since 1999. A total of 565 patents and 390 clinical trials were found, focusing on probiotic applications for 83 indications. Since the start of the 21st century, the highest numbers of patents and clinical trials were related to primary neuropsychological, affective (depression, anxiety) and cognitive disorders, neurodegenerative and/or inflammatory brain disorders (Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amongst others), and gastrointestinal disorders (irritable bowel syndrome). The locations where the most patents and clinical trials were registered included China, the United States, and Iran. From 1999 to ~2013 a slight growth could be seen in the numbers of patents and clinical trials, followed by an almost exponential growth from ~2013 onwards. Overall, the developments of the state of the art were in accordance with previous research, however it appeared that clinical trials showed a slightly slower growth compared to patents, which may have implications for the future implementation of probiotics as clinical modalities for BGMA-associated indications.