bims-fagtap 2026-01-11 papers

bims-fagtap

Biomed News

on Phage therapies and applications

Issue of 2026–01–11
thirty-one papers selected by
Luca Bolliger, lxBio

Modeling the phage properties best for therapy.
Potential of phage therapy for the treatment of diabetic foot infections.
Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Bacteriophage Therapy: A Scoping Review.
Genomic, Functional, and Evolutionary Insights into a Novel T7-like Phage B1 Infecting Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae.
Regulatory considerations for developing phage therapy medicinal products for the treatment of antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.
A Rational Approach to Developing a Phage Biopreparation: Boosting Lytic Efficiency and Countering Resistance in Pathogenic Escherichia coli.
Comparative Evaluation of Cameroonian Honey and Normal Saline in the Management of Chronic Wounds: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
Analysis of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Gene Response Patterns in Patients Receiving Phage Therapy.
Protein structure-informed bacteriophage genome annotation with Phold.
Healing Beyond the Operating Room: Bedside Strategies for Necrotizing Fasciitis.
The Biofilm Plight in Healthcare: Orchestration and Control by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.
Can we escape from top-priority ESKAPE pathogens?
Microbial Ecological Signatures Predict Pathogen Emergence and Multidrug Resistance in Cystic Fibrosis Airways up to a Year in Advance.
A Dual Setback: Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms From Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis Show Enhanced Virulence Capacity and Tolerance to Antibiotics.
What Primary Care Physicians Expect From Continuing Medical Education in Wound Management-A Survey Study.
Bridging discovery and therapy in precision medicine-Phage display as a catalyst for nanobody innovation: A review.
Linezolid-resistant and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium urinary isolate in a pediatric B-ALL patient.
Knowledge Domain and Emerging Research Trends Regarding the Use of Honey in Wound Management: A Bibliometric and Knowledge-Map Analysis.
The importance of the microbiome in uveitis.
Harnessing engineered virophages: a novel frontier against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.
Change of oral microbiome diversity by smoking across different age groups.
The power of resistance: mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its impact on tuberculosis management.
Nanomedicine applications for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections.
Dynamic changes in the pregnancy microbiome and their role in preterm birth.
Ageing with cystic fibrosis: Challenges ahead.
Enhancing infection diagnostics in advanced chronic liver disease: harnessing clinical metagenomics for rapid pathogen and antimicrobial resistance detection.
Phage-based dual-mode sensor using ECL and EIS for sensitive detection of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.
Harnessing the microbiome for cancer therapy.
Superiority of propolis and honey over topical acyclovir for herpes simplex: A meta-analysis.
Beyond the biofilm: KLF2 as a molecular gatekeeper in periodontal health and disease.
The Role of Bacterial Siderophores in Infection Therapy: From Anti-Infective Mechanisms to Therapeutic Advances.

bioRxiv. 2025 Dec 22. pii: 2025.12.21.695819. [Epub ahead of print]

Modeling the phage properties best for therapy.

James J Bull, Gurneet Kaur, Stephen M Krone.

The phages used to treat bacterial infections in phage therapy are commonly chosen based on their abilities to form plaques on the infecting bacterium - on host range. In practice, phage therapy is not always successful, leaving room for improvement. Here we use computational models to investigate whether some standard phage properties (burst size, lysis, adsorption, decay rate, growth rate) might serve as predictors of treatment success. As our measure of treatment success, we deviate from many other approaches by calculating the number of phage needed to suppress bacterial densities 100-fold in the short term, given that the patient's immune system is expected to regain control once bacterial numbers are reduced. Numerical analysis of 2400 combinations of different values of phage phenotypes reveals that, on average, adsorption rate and growth rate provide the most useful predictive values, decay rate provides some value, whereas burst size and lysis time offer essentially little or no value. Bacterial density is especially informative of the number of phage required for treatment. There is nonetheless often considerable variation around average behavior for a single phenotype. These results raise the possibility that adsorption rate and growth rate may be especially important in phage therapy performance for both high and low bacterial densities. Given that therapeutic phages are often evolved in vitro for broad host ranges rather than for individual hosts, it should be considered that selection for broad host range may have a downside of compromising adsorption to and growth rate on individual bacterial hosts.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.21.695819
Folia Microbiol (Praha). 2026 Jan 06.

Potential of phage therapy for the treatment of diabetic foot infections.

Sanaz Rastegar, Davood Kalantar-Neyestanaki, Saereh Mohammadpour, Ali Samareh, Mohammad Samare-Najaf, Majid Taati Moghadam, Salehe Sabouri, Hossein Hosseini-Nave.



Keywords:  Bacteriophage; Biofilms; Diabetic foot infections; Drug resistance; Phage therapy

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12223-025-01394-x
Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2026 Jan 07. pii: S0924-8579(25)00260-2. [Epub ahead of print] 107705

Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Bacteriophage Therapy: A Scoping Review.

Andrew T Nguyen, Nicita Mehta, KaiLan Mackey, Thomas Cummiskey, Edward K Rodriguez, Jason Young.

   OBJECTIVES: The interest in bacteriophage therapy has significantly increased due to the rising prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. However, the pharmacology of bacteriophage therapy has not been systematically reviewed. This scoping review aims to summarize the current state of bacteriophage pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics research to identify knowledge gaps and guide future research.
METHODS: Following PRISMA-ScR guidelines1, we conducted a scoping review through December 18th, 2023 of MEDLINE (Ovid), PubMed, Embase (Elsevier), Web of Science Core Collection (Clarivate), and Cochrane Central. We included studies that presented original data on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of bacteriophage therapy for in vivo infection treatment.
RESULTS: In total, 34 in vivo studies were identified varying in multiple dimensions, including model organisms, target bacteria, delivery vehicles, modes of administration, and phage type. The scoping review maps the current research landscape of in vivo bacteriophage pharmacology.
CONCLUSIONS: Bacteriophage therapy shows notable promise as a potential alternative or therapeutic adjunct to antibiotics in clinical disease settings. Several studies of phage pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics have been conducted; however, these studies differ in multiple dimensions, complicating attempts to develop general principles for standardized phage administration. Further, significant gaps remain in understanding the numerous intrinsic phage and host factors that might affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of phage therapy in vivo.

Keywords:  Bacteriophage; Infections; Phage delivery; Phage therapy; Phages; Scoping review

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2025.107705
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Dec 24. pii: 195. [Epub ahead of print]27(1):

Genomic, Functional, and Evolutionary Insights into a Novel T7-like Phage B1 Infecting Multidrug-Resistant Enterobacter cloacae.

Yun-Chan Tsai, Soon-Hian Teh, Philip Huang, Ling-Chun Lin, Nien-Tsung Lin.

  Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacter cloacae is a growing public health issue worldwide, highlighting the urgent need for alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study reports on a lytic phage, designated B1, isolated from sewage, which exhibits specificity and lytic efficiency against MDR E. cloacae. Morphological observation revealed that B1 possesses an icosahedral head (~54 nm) and a short tail (~13 nm). Phage B1 showed a narrow host range, demonstrated stability within a temperature range of 4-37 °C, tolerance to pH values between 5 and 11, and showed an excellent bacteriolytic capacity with a short latent period of less than 10 min and a burst size of approximately 150 PFU/initially infected cell, indicating a rapid lytic cycle and efficient replication capability. Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the phage genome consists of 40,163 base pairs of double-stranded DNA containing 52 open reading frames (ORFs) with a GC content of 52%. Comparative genome-wide analysis using VIRIDIC revealed that B1 shares 75% to 92% similarity with Escherichia phage IMM-002 (accession: NC_048071), Citrobacter phage SH4, and Cronobacter phage Dev2 (accession: NC_023558), but shares less than 70% similarity with other Enterobacter phages. According to ICTV criteria, B1 represents a new species within the same genus as T7-like phages belonging to Autographiviridae, subfamily Studiervirinae, genus Kayfunavirus. In addition, B1 lacks lysogeny-associated or virulence genes and exhibits potent lytic activity against multidrug-resistant E. cloacae, making it a promising candidate for phage therapy. These findings opened up our understanding of the diversity of T7-like phages and provided insights into their evolutionary adaptability and therapeutic potential.

Keywords:  Enterobacter cloacae; T7-like phage; antimicrobial resistance; bacteriophage; multidrug resistance; phage therapy

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010195
Front Pharmacol. 2025 ;16 1713471

Regulatory considerations for developing phage therapy medicinal products for the treatment of antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections.

Ai Fukaya-Shiba, Akiko Ogata, Ryosuke Kuribayashi, Akira Sakurai, Kanako Suzuki, Shunsuke Takadama, Jihei Nishimura, Jumpei Uchiyama, Hiroki Ohge, Takamasa Takeuchi, Hideyuki Tamaki, Tetsuya Matsumoto, Kotaro Kiga, Hidetomo Iwano.

  Recently, there have been growing expectations that treatment of infections with bacteriophages (phages), viruses which specifically infect bacteria, can be used as a treatment option for antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections. In Europe and the United States, in addition to phage therapy as a form of personalized medicine, development of pre-defined phage therapy medicinal products (PTMPs) is progressing, and clinical trials are underway. From October 2024 to July 2025, the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency exchanged opinions on trends and points to consider in drug development of PTMPs used for antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections with external experts. Development of PTMPs for regulatory approval requires quality control strategies, establishment of manufacturing methods, non-clinical evaluations, and clinical trial plans based on the characteristics of the phage. In this document, based on the regulatory and development trends in Europe and the United States, the current considerations on quality, non-clinical evaluation, and clinical trial planning including the Cartagena Act in the development of PTMPs in Japan are summarized. The basic concepts presented here are intended to be applied to antimicrobial resistant bacterial infections targeted by PTMPs but can be mostly applicable to bacterial infections in general. We hope that these findings will further accelerate more active development of PTMPs towards timely patient access to innovative products.

Keywords:  antimicrobial resistance (AMR); bacteriophage; clinical trial plan; non-clinical evaluation; phage therapy; quality considerations; the Cartagena Act

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2025.1713471
Bull Exp Biol Med. 2026 Jan 09.

A Rational Approach to Developing a Phage Biopreparation: Boosting Lytic Efficiency and Countering Resistance in Pathogenic Escherichia coli.

E R Zulkarneev, N V Pimenov, A S Tishchenko, T A Kapustina, S V Pozyabin.

  The antimicrobial activity of Escherichia phage Ec1-7 and Escherichia phage Ec2-7 was evaluated both separately and in a phage cocktail. The combination of phages significantly extended the spectrum of lytic activity and effectively inhibited the growth of bacteria, including strains with emerging resistance. The phage cocktail exhibited higher efficacy (3.6-4.8 lg(CFU/ml)) in comparison with monophages (1.3-2.8 lg(CFU/ml)) during a 6-h incubation period: it prevented secondary bacterial growth and reduced the likelihood of resistance development. Our findings corroborate the potential of phage cocktails in combating antibiotic-resistant strains.

Keywords:  E. coli (STEC, APEC, UPEC); antibiotic resistance; bacteriophage; phage therapy

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10517-026-06559-3
Health Sci Rep. 2026 Jan;9(1): e71719

Comparative Evaluation of Cameroonian Honey and Normal Saline in the Management of Chronic Wounds: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Bih Vanessa Tita, Chi Solange Ika, Ngwa Fabrice Ambe, Binwi Florence Endeley, Palle John Ngunde.

   Background and Aim: In Cameroon, honey shows potential as a low-cost, effective wound treatment due to its antimicrobial and wound-healing properties. This study seeks to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Cameroon honey compared to normal saline in the management of chronic wounds at the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon.
Methods: This hospital-based randomized controlled trial was conducted at Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon, over 6 months. Eighteen patients with chronic wounds were randomly assigned to receive either honey (n = 9) or normal saline (n = 9) dressings. Honey-treated wounds were dressed with unprocessed Cameroonian honey, while saline-treated wounds received saline applications. Wound size, granulation tissue formation, infection rates, and pain were monitored over 12 weeks. Wound swabs were collected and inoculated on blood and MacConkey Agar. Isolates were identified using API 20. Data were analyzed using SPSS, and statistical significance was p < 0.05.
Results: Honey-treated wounds achieved a significantly higher wound closure rate (97%) and granulation tissue formation (90%) compared to saline-treated wounds (63% and 70%, respectively; p < 0.001). By Week 12, no bacteria were isolated from the honey group, while saline-treated wounds harbored Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus. Pain, exudate, and inflammation were reduced faster in the honey group, with higher patient satisfaction.
Conclusion: Honey is a superior alternative to normal saline for managing chronic wounds, offering improved healing outcomes, effective infection control, and enhanced patient satisfaction. Its integration into routine wound care in resource-limited settings like Cameroon is highly recommended.
Relevance to Clinical Practice: This study explores the potential of Cameroonian honey to promote quicker wound healing and improve the quality of life for patients with chronic wounds. By offering a low-cost, accessible alternative to normal saline, it supports better outcomes in resource-limited settings. What does this paper contribute to the wider global clinical community? The findings contribute to global evidence on natural therapies, supporting the integration of locally sourced solutions like honey into wound care practices.They highlight the potential of such remedies to accelerate healing, reduce complications, and improve patient well-being.
Patient Contribution: Patients participated as the primary subjects in the study, consenting to receive either Cameroonian honey or normal saline for the dressing of their chronic wounds. Through their involvement, they provided firsthand data on wound healing progress and any side effects or improvements experienced.

Keywords:  Cameroonian honey; chronic wounds; normal saline; wound healing; wound management

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/hsr2.71719
Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Dec 23. pii: 172. [Epub ahead of print]27(1):

Analysis of Pro- and Anti-Inflammatory Gene Response Patterns in Patients Receiving Phage Therapy.

Hubert Kasprzak, Maciej Przybylski, Wojciech Fortuna, Sławomir Letkiewicz, Paweł Rogóż, Barbara Bubak, Andrzej Górski, Ryszard Międzybrodzki.

  Phage therapy (PT) is a promising alternative for antibiotic-resistant infections, but its immunomodulatory effects in clinical settings remain poorly understood. This exploratory observational study aimed to characterize pro- and anti-inflammatory gene response patterns in ten patients undergoing personalized PT at the Phage Therapy Unit in Wrocław. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and granulocytes were analyzed to assess changes in the expression of 22 selected immune-related genes associated with innate and adaptive immune signaling pathways. While no uniform pattern of immune gene expression was observed across the cohort, individual cases exhibited significant up- or downregulation of specific genes. Interestingly, we identified biological age as a potential determinant of the host response. Specifically, older patients showed higher activation of the innate sensing machinery in PBMCs, characterized by a higher TLR4 fold change which may reflect the "inflammaging" phenomenon. These findings suggest that chronic exposure to bacterial viruses (bacteriophages), unlike many viral infections, does not trigger a predictable, significant systemic immune activation and that immune responses to PT are highly individualized by host- and phage-related biological factors. By documenting this spectrum of real-world responses, our work provides baseline data and hypotheses to guide the rational design of future preclinical and clinical investigations.

Keywords:  anti-inflammatory genes; bacteriophages; gene expression; immune response; phage therapy; pro-inflammatory genes

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27010172
Nucleic Acids Res. 2026 Jan 05. pii: gkaf1448. [Epub ahead of print]54(1):

Protein structure-informed bacteriophage genome annotation with Phold.

George Bouras, Susanna R Grigson, Milot Mirdita, Michael Heinzinger, Bhavya Papudeshi, Vijini Mallawaarachchi, Renee Green, Rachel Seongeun Kim, Victor Mihalia, Alkis James Psaltis, Peter-John Wormald, Sarah Vreugde, Martin Steinegger, Robert A Edwards.

Bacteriophage (phage) genome annotation is essential for understanding their functional potential and suitability for use as therapeutic agents. Here, we introduce Phold, an annotation framework utilizing protein structural information that combines the ProstT5 protein language model and structural alignment tool Foldseek. Phold assigns annotations using a database of over 1.36 million predicted phage protein structures with high-quality functional labels. Benchmarking reveals that Phold outperforms existing sequence-based homology approaches in functional annotation sensitivity whilst maintaining speed, consistency, and scalability. Applying Phold to diverse cultured and metagenomic phage genomes shows it consistently annotates over 50% of genes on an average phage and 40% on an average archaeal virus. Comparisons of phage protein structures to other protein structures across the tree of life reveal that phage proteins commonly have structural homology to proteins shared across the tree of life, particularly those that have nucleic acid metabolism and enzymatic functions. Phold is available as free and open-source software at https://github.com/gbouras13/phold.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/nar/gkaf1448
Am J Case Rep. 2026 Jan 05. 27 e949754

Healing Beyond the Operating Room: Bedside Strategies for Necrotizing Fasciitis.

Gabriela Kot, Łukasz Świątek, Tomasz Banasiewicz.

BACKGROUND Necrotizing fasciitis, a subtype of necrotizing soft-tissue infection, is a rare but life-threatening condition that requires a prompt and decisive approach. Early surgical debridement remains a key treatment; however, after debridement, the management of complex wounds, particularly in high-risk patients, remains a major clinical challenge and often requires prolonged hospitalization and multiple surgical interventions. These situations may warrant alternative techniques, such as negative pressure wound therapy, to support effective wound healing. This case demonstrates that a bedside strategy to manage necrotizing fasciitis may offer a safe and effective alternative in patients for whom repeated operations carry substantial risks. CASE REPORT A 52-year-old woman with multiple comorbidities developed abdominal necrotizing fasciitis. After the initial radical debridement, all subsequent interventions were successfully performed at the patient's bedside, including negative pressure wound therapy, continuous antiseptic irrigation with an elastomeric infusion pump, and kinesiotaping. This minimally invasive approach resulted in complete wound closure within 3 months, without requiring additional surgical procedures. CONCLUSIONS This case highlights the potential of bedside management in selected patients with necrotizing fasciitis, particularly those exhibiting a high risk of surgical complications. Adjunctive therapies such as negative pressure wound therapy and kinesiotaping played a key role in accelerating wound healing and reducing treatment costs. Bedside strategies may offer a cost-effective alternative to conventional operative care in some cases of necrotizing fasciitis.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.12659/AJCR.949754
Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2026 Jan 03.

The Biofilm Plight in Healthcare: Orchestration and Control by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum.

Sharleen Livina Isaac, Adelene Ai-Lian Song, Wan Nur Ismah Wan Ahmad Kamil.

  The clinical consequences of biofilm-related infections are on the rise. Biofilm-related infections represent a mounting burden on healthcare worldwide, posing a significant challenge to patient care and health infrastructure. Another notorious function that needs to be underlined is the association of biofilms with medical devices. Considering the fact that bacteria under biofilm make them virulent and resistant to antibiotics, targeting the biofilms is a crucial area of investigation. Therefore, alternative approaches that extend beyond conventional antibiotic therapies are necessary to overcome biofilm-related infections. In this regard, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, a probiotic bacterium, has lately shown promising outcomes as an antibiofilm agent. Largely renowned for its antimicrobial metabolite production, L. plantarum could be a potential alternative to improve biofilm-related treatment and its cost associated with biofilm infections. Therefore, the present review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding and implications of L. plantarum as an antibiofilm agent regardless of its biological form against pathogens in healthcare. Additionally, the potential of L. plantarum as a biofilm producer and its engineered applications in clinical applications and therapeutic use will also be discussed in this review.

Keywords:   Lactiplantibacillus plantarum ; Antibiofilm; Antimicrobial resistance; Biofilm; Postbiotic

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s12602-025-10892-w
Emerg Microbes Infect. 2026 Jan 08. 2614739

Can we escape from top-priority ESKAPE pathogens?

Lingbing Zeng, YouJun Feng, Minggui Wang.

The ESKAPE pathogens-Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.-are designated by the World Health Organization as critical-priority multidrug-resistant organisms. These bacteria are leading contributors to the global antimicrobial resistance crisis, significantly increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs worldwide. Their capacity to evade conventional antibiotics continues to complicate clinical management and undermine infection control efforts. Tackling the global threat of ESKAPE pathogens demands coordinated and sustained interventions. This mini review summarizes recent evidence on the burden and prevalence of ESKAPE infections and assesses emerging strategies to combat resistance. Progress in surveillance and promising preclinical and clinical studies of novel therapies underscore that integrated approaches are crucial. Moving forward, a balanced emphasis on prevention, surveillance, and therapeutic innovation will be essential to mitigating the threat posed by ESKAPE pathogens over the coming decade.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/22221751.2026.2614739
medRxiv. 2026 Jan 02. pii: 2025.12.28.25342520. [Epub ahead of print]

Microbial Ecological Signatures Predict Pathogen Emergence and Multidrug Resistance in Cystic Fibrosis Airways up to a Year in Advance.

Thomas R Goddard, Jessica Ap Carlson-Jones, Judith Morton, Chee Y Ooi, Andrew Tai, Morgyn S Warner, John Wong, Ieuan Es Evans, Emily Hopkins, Jonathan R Iredell, Hubertus Pa Jersmann, Katrine L Whiteson, George Bouras, Michael P Doane, Nicholas W Falk, Renee Green, Susanna R Grigson, Vijini Mallawaarachchi, Belinda Martin, Michael J Roach, Feargal J Ryan, Anita Tarasenko, Bhavya Papudeshi, Barbara Drigo, Sarah K Giles, Clarice M Harker, Ryan D Hesse, Riley J Hodgson, Art Hussnain, Abbey Hutton, Laura K Inglis, Christopher Keneally, Emma N Kerr, Craig Liddicoat, Shawn D Peddle, Carl D Watson, Qi Yang, Przemysław Decewicz, Peter G Speck, James G Mitchell, Elizabeth A Dinsdale, Robert A Edwards.

Chronic infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) emerge from gradual ecological transitions in the airway microbiome, yet early predictive markers remain poorly defined. We developed a new autoencoder-based framework that outperforms read-based or metagenome-assembled genome-based analyses at capturing the continuum from health-associated commensals to pathogen-dominated, antibiotic-tolerant communities. This improvement is achieved by integrating taxonomic and functional data from 127 sputum and bronchoalveolar lavage metagenomes from 64 people with CF into latent "Clusters of Phylogeny and Functions" (COPFs). Coupled with gradient-boosted random forests, COPFs predicted Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation, multidrug resistance, and impending infection up to a year before clinical detection. The multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa signature showed the same resistance-mechanism evolution as found in laboratory experiments. The inclusion of eukaryotic markers revealed persistent Aspergillus fumigatus signatures even during culture-negative intervals. Applying our South Australian-trained model to over 1,000 global metagenomes from 22 independent CF datasets, we achieved 94% accuracy in predicting P. aeruginosa status across platforms and geographies, validating the model's universal utility. Our results demonstrate that combining datasets with deep learning reveals conserved ecological and metabolic mechanisms in disease progression, transforming metagenomics into a predictive framework for managing chronic infections.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.28.25342520
Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2026 Jan 06.

A Dual Setback: Staphylococcus aureus Biofilms From Severe Chronic Rhinosinusitis Show Enhanced Virulence Capacity and Tolerance to Antibiotics.

Gohar Shaghayegh, Clare Cooksley, Cate Cheney, Sima Kianpour Rad, Beula Subashini Panchatcharam, Emma F Barry, Sholeh Feizi, George Bouras, Alkis James Psaltis, Peter-John Wormald, Sarah Vreugde.

   BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus biofilms play a crucial role in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), leading to the persistence of symptoms. Severe CRS patients are frequently infected with S. aureus strains that exhibit higher biofilm properties (e.g., biomass, exoprotein production) compared to S. aureus from controls. S. aureus biofilms resist antibiotic treatment; however, the relationship between bacterial biofilm properties, antibiotic susceptibility, and CRS severity has not yet been defined and is the subject of this study.
METHODS: S. aureus clinical isolates and reference strains, and matched clinical datasets were collected from CRS patients and controls (n = 35). Antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates to clindamycin, mupirocin, clarithromycin, doxycycline, and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid was determined by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC).
RESULTS: S. aureus MBEC values (n = 35) were significantly higher (up to 11 times) than the MIC for all five antibiotics (p < 0.001). Among the various antibiotics tested, mupirocin had the strongest antibiofilm activity and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid the weakest: at antibiotic concentrations that are deemed to indicate susceptibility or intermediate resistance when testing in planktonic form, 80% biofilm eradication was reached for all isolates using mupirocin and only 5/35 isolates using amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. The biofilm metabolic activity, biomass, colony-forming units, and exoprotein production were positively correlated with the MBEC values for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and clarithromycin, but not for the other antibiotics. Lund-Mackay and Lund-Kennedy disease severity scores showed positive correlations with the MBEC values of clarithromycin.
CONCLUSION: These findings show that whilst severe CRS patients are frequently infected with S. aureus strains that exhibit higher biofilm-mediated virulence, these biofilms are also more difficult to control with standard of care antibiotics. Better personalized therapies are required to manage biofilm-mediated infections in severe CRS patients.

Keywords:  MIC and MBEC values; S. aureus biofilm; antibiotic susceptibility; chronic rhinosinusitis; disease severity; exoproteins; virulence genes

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1002/alr.70092
Int Wound J. 2026 Jan;23(1): e70809

What Primary Care Physicians Expect From Continuing Medical Education in Wound Management-A Survey Study.

Veerakaisa Koivunen, Tuukka Veija, Heli Lagus, Kirsi Isoherranen, Maarit Venermo, Virve Koljonen.

  We aimed to investigate the learning needs of general practitioners and their preferences as regards the most appropriate teaching session for continuing medical education in wound management. A survey targeting general practitioners at the public health centres in the City of Helsinki. Twenty-seven general practitioners participated in the study. The majority (74.1%) had received education in medical school, 40.7% from wound care nurses, and 40.7% from colleagues. Participants felt the most competent in wound diagnosis (59.3%) and etiological tests (55.6%) and requested training in these topics (74.1% and 74.1%). A peer-led lecture (88.9%) was the most preferred technique, followed by lectures by wound care nurses (55.6%), an educational video (44.4%), a specialist-led lecture (37.0%), an interactive wound product session (29.6%), and digital self-study (29.6%). Wound diagnostics and etiological tests are recognised as crucial topics for continuing medical education. Peer-led lectures were preferred over other techniques; however, we observed varying preferences regarding the most optimal technique. Based on our results, we propose a half-day training including lectures, interactive and hands-on activities, and reflection, led by a peer and a wound care nurse with supporting video materials. Future studies could assess its impact on learning outcomes and wound care quality.

Keywords:  chronic wound; continuing medical education; general practitioner; primary care; wound diagnostics; wound management

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1111/iwj.70809
Int J Biol Macromol. 2026 Jan 02. pii: S0141-8130(26)00009-7. [Epub ahead of print]340(Pt 1): 150083

Bridging discovery and therapy in precision medicine-Phage display as a catalyst for nanobody innovation: A review.

Hee Eon Lee, Jae Hyeon Hwang, Michael Lim, Sukmook Lee.

  Monoclonal antibodies, particularly immunoglobulin G (IgG)-based formats, have shown significant efficacy in targeted therapies; however, they face limitations such as poor tissue penetration, complex manufacturing, and antigen escape. These limitations have driven the development of alternative therapeutic strategies, such as bispecific antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, and chimeric antigen receptor T cells, each with their own technical and translational challenges. Nanobodies (Nbs), derived from camelid heavy-chain-only antibodies, are the smallest functional antibody fragments and are gaining attention as next-generation therapeutics. Their small size, high stability, superior solubility, efficient tissue penetration, and ease of genetic manipulation make them well-suited for addressing limitations of conventional antibodies. The FDA approval of caplacizumab and ciltacabtagene autoleucel validates the clinical potential of Nb therapeutics. However, continued innovation in their discovery and development remains essential. This review focuses specifically on the role of phage display in the advancement of FDA-approved and clinical-stage Nb therapeutics as of April 2025. It highlights how the Nb format design affects their mechanism of action and therapeutic potential across various diseases. By summarizing recent developments and outlining future directions, this review highlights the transformative role of phage display-derived Nb therapeutics in precision medicine and the management of complex diseases.

Keywords:  Drug discovery; Nanobody therapeutics; Phage display technology; Precision medicine; Targeted therapy

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.150083
ASM Case Rep. 2026 Jan;pii: e00085-25. [Epub ahead of print]1(2):

Linezolid-resistant and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium urinary isolate in a pediatric B-ALL patient.

Emma Seevak, Tanvi S Sharma, Alaric W D'Souza.

   Background: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts. Linezolid is a key therapeutic agent due to its oral bioavailability and activity against resistant Gram-positive bacteria. While rare in U.S. pediatric patients, linezolid resistance can severely limit treatment options.
Case Summary: We describe a 16-year-old female with high-risk B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia whose hospitalization was complicated by urinary tract infection with VRE. Serial isolates tested on multiple antimicrobial susceptibility testing platforms yielded discordant results for linezolid susceptibility. Minimum inhibitory concentrations to linezolid and chloramphenicol increased together, suggesting potential ribosomal-target-mediated resistance. She ultimately required daptomycin therapy for linezolid-resistant VRE urinary tract infection treatment.
Conclusion: This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in detecting emerging linezolid resistance in E. faecium, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Accurate, timely susceptibility testing and improved access to confirmatory or molecular diagnostics are essential to guide therapy for VRE where linezolid remains one of the few viable therapeutic options.

Keywords:  VRE; antibiotic resistance; immunocompromised; linezolid; pediatrics; urinary tract infection; vancomycin resistance

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1128/asmcr.00085-25
J Craniofac Surg. 2026 Jan 07.

Knowledge Domain and Emerging Research Trends Regarding the Use of Honey in Wound Management: A Bibliometric and Knowledge-Map Analysis.

Yungang Hu, Lin Zhi, Yiwen Wang, Muzi Huang, Xiaohua Hu, Yuming Shen, Weili Du.

  Wound management poses a significant global challenge for healthcare systems, due to the high prevalence and treatment costs of chronic wounds. Honey, with its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-regenerative properties, offers unique advantages in wound treatment. However, research trends lack a comprehensive bibliometric analysis. The Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) was searched. Data were extracted for publications related to honey in wound management indexed from 2004-2024. Bibliometric analysis and visualisation were then performed. Global research in this field is growing at a rate of 9.79% annually. Iran and the United States (US) led in publication volume (495 and 480 papers, respectively), with the US showing academic dominance through high citations (5113 citations) and H-index (61). Australia showed the highest average citation frequency (15.16 per paper), highlighting the quality of its research. The Egyptian Knowledge Bank predominated in publication volume (126 papers), while the United States Department of Agriculture stood out for its research impact. Journal analysis revealed that the Journal of Wound Care published the most papers (32 papers), while the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules had the highest impact factor (IF=7.7). Keyword clustering identified four major research hotspots: antibacterial activity, wound management, biomaterial integration, and antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties. This study is the first to reveal the evolution of the knowledge structure and future development trends related to honey in wound management through visual analysis, providing strong support for academic research and clinical practice.

Keywords:  Antibacterial properties; bibliometric analysis; chronic wound healing; honey-based wound care

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/SCS.0000000000012360
Curr Opin Ophthalmol. 2026 Jan 06.

The importance of the microbiome in uveitis.

Phoebe Lin.

   PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The purpose of this review was to summarize the literature on preclinical and clinical studies demonstrating the impact of the intestinal microbiome in noninfectious uveitis.
RECENT FINDINGS: Preclinical studies using the experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) model have shown commensals such as Desulfovibrio and Prevotella, as well as Ruminococcaceae, associated with uveitis, which overlap with some clinical studies in uveitis patients. Interventions that target the microbiome that can be developed for the treatment of uveitis include antibiotics, fecal metabolites or metabolite agonists that are protective in uveitis, probiotics, dietary interventions, or fecal microbial transplant.
SUMMARY: There is significant data supporting the importance of the intestinal microbiome in noninfectious uveitis through enrichment or depletion of certain gut bacteria as well as their metabolites. Targeting the intestinal microbiome or their metabolites might be a viable option for the treatment of noninfectious uveitis.

Keywords:  antibiotics; fecal metabolites; intestinal microbiome; short chain fatty acids; uveitis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/ICU.0000000000001197
Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2026 Jan;88(1): 5-6

Harnessing engineered virophages: a novel frontier against antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

Muhammad Talha, Maliha Khalid, Hamza Muhammad Jafar, Aminath Waafira.



Keywords:  antimicrobial resistance; engineered virophages; multidrug-resistant bacteria

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1097/MS9.0000000000004322
Front Microbiol. 2025 ;16 1714229

Change of oral microbiome diversity by smoking across different age groups.

Kang Seo, Jin-Young Min, Kyoung-Bok Min, Kun-Hee Oh, Seung-Woo Ryoo, Seok-Yoon Son, Ji-Hyeon Lee.

   Introduction: The oral microbiome, a complex ecosystem linked to both oral and systemic diseases, undergoes compositional and functional changes with aging. Tobacco exposure is a known disruptor of microbial homeostasis, yet its effect on microbial diversity remains inconsistent. Whether agingmodifies the relationship between smoking and the oral microbiome remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate (1) the association between serum cotinine and oral microbial diversity, (2) whether this association varies by age, and (3) taxonomic shifts that may explain smoking-related dysbiosis.
Method: We analyzed data from 4,387 adults aged 30-69 years in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2009-2012. Serumcotinine, an objective biomarker of nicotine exposure, was used as the primary exposure. Oral microbiome diversity was assessed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing of oral rinse samples. Microbial profiles were analyzed using observed amplicon sequence variants and Bray-Curtis. Alpha diversity declined progressively with age, with the most pronounced reduction among current smokers.
Results: Serum cotinine was inversely associated with alpha diversity, particularly in current smokers aged 60-69 years (adjusted β = -0.1081, p = 0.0002). Beta diversity differed significantly by smoking status (PERMANOVA p < 0.0001). Analysis identified 29 genera were associated with serum cotinine: Haemophilus, Neisseria, and Gemella decreased with higher exposure, while Atopobium and Lactobacillus increased. Tobacco exposure is associated with reduced oral microbial diversity, particularly in older adults.
Discussion: This highlights the synergistic impact of aging and smoking on the oral microbiome and underscores the need for age-specific prevention strategies. Prospective studies are warranted to confirm causality and assess the reversibility of smoking-induced dysbiosis.

Keywords:  age specific; alpha diversity; beta diversity; cotinine; oral microbiome; smoking

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1714229
Clin Microbiol Rev. 2026 Jan 07. e0019425

The power of resistance: mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis and its impact on tuberculosis management.

Radha Gopalaswamy, Selvakumar Subbian.

  SUMMARYThe global resurgence of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) presents a formidable challenge to public health, driven by a complex interplay of mycobacterial evolution, dynamics and outcomes of host-pathogen interactions and systemic gaps in diagnosis and treatment strategies. This comprehensive review delineates the multifactorial basis of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), integrating molecular, immunological, and pharmacological perspectives to inform next-generation strategies for effective TB control. We reconceptualize TB as a dynamic clinical spectrum-ranging from asymptomatic infection to overt disease-shaped by granuloma biology and bacterial adaptation. This spectrum underpins both diagnostic ambiguity and therapeutic failure, particularly in the context of phenotypic drug tolerance/resistance to current anti-TB drugs. We discuss Mtb's intrinsic and extrinsic resistance mechanisms, including the lipid-rich cell envelope, efflux systems, and enzymatic drug modification, which are compounded by acquired mutations that disrupt drug activation, alter targets, and confer cross-resistance. These adaptations are further potentiated by granuloma-induced pharmacokinetic heterogeneity and host-induced metabolic quiescence. We highlight the emerging role of therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling in optimizing individualized therapy, particularly for novel regimens incorporating bedaquiline, pretomanid, and linezolid. Moreover, we underscore the diagnostic limitations in detecting heteroresistance and early-stage disease, advocating for expanded deployment of advanced and targeted molecular diagnostic modalities. Finally, we propose a paradigm shift toward integrated, precision-based TB management, leveraging host-directed therapies, biofilm-disrupting agents, and real-time pharmacokinetics-guided dosing to preempt resistance emergence and improve clinical outcomes. This review provides a translational framework for addressing the biological and operational complexities of DR-TB in the era of AMR.

Keywords:  CRISPR/Cas; MALDI-ToF/MS; antimicrobial resistance; biofilm; drug metabolism; drug repurposing; gene mutations; granuloma; therapeutic drug monitoring

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00194-25
FEMS Microbiol Rev. 2026 Jan 05. pii: fuaf068. [Epub ahead of print]

Nanomedicine applications for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections.

Harita Yedavally, Jan Maarten van Dijl, Anna Salvati.

  Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium capable of infecting multiple types of cells, organs and tissues in the human body. Treatment can become highly challenging, especially in the case of intracellular infections and upon biofilm formation. Additionally, this pathogen has developed several antimicrobial resistance mechanisms, and resistant strains such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) are among the most difficult to treat. Within this context, nanomedicine can offer novel and more efficient treatments against S. aureus. Here, we first introduce the challenges in the treatment of S. aureus infections, focusing on intracellular infections and biofilms, and challenges associated with the development of resistance. We then provide an overview of the multiple applications of nanomedicine against S. aureus infection and discuss how nanomedicine may overcome the challenges in reaching this pathogen and eliminating it, including potential solutions less prone to generating resistance. Finally, we discuss the current clinical development of antimicrobial nanomedicines, where only one out of 35 completed trials has so far targeted methicillin-resistant S. aureus, indicating that most research is still at the pre-clinical stage. Challenges in the clinical translation of antimicrobial nanomedicines are discussed, together with strategies to support the development of these promising therapeutic agents.

Keywords:   staphylococcus aureus ; antimicrobial resistance; biofilms; drug delivery; intracellular infections; nanomedicine

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1093/femsre/fuaf068
Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2025 ;15 1683610

Dynamic changes in the pregnancy microbiome and their role in preterm birth.

Zhuojun Xie, Zhongsheng Chen, Guangyu Ma.

  Preterm birth (PTB) remains a leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality worldwide, posing significant challenges to maternal and child health. Recent advances have highlighted the critical role of the maternal microbiome-encompassing vaginal, gut, and oral microbial communities-n influencing pregnancy outcomes. This review comprehensively summarizes the dynamic changes of the pregnancy microbiome and elucidates its association with PTB. During healthy pregnancy, the vaginal microbiome is dominated by Lactobacillus with low diversity, while dysbiosis with fewer Lactobacilli and more anaerobes increases PTB risk. The gut microbiome also shifts, with reduced beneficial bacteria and more pro-inflammatory species linked to adverse outcomes. Changes in the oral microbiome and periodontal disease can promote systemic inflammation contributing to PTB. Microbial imbalance may trigger PTB through inflammation, immune changes, and microbial spread to the uterus. Targeting the microbiome via probiotics shows promise, but more clinical studies are needed. This review highlights the pregnancy microbiome as a key biomarker and intervention target to reduce PTB.

Keywords:  gut microbiome; oral microbiome; preterm birth; probiotics; vaginal microbiome

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1683610
J Cyst Fibros. 2026 Jan 07. pii: S1569-1993(25)02546-9. [Epub ahead of print]

Ageing with cystic fibrosis: Challenges ahead.

Sacha Spelier, Maud I M van der Wijst, Isabelle Fajac, Damian G Downey.

  As life expectancy for people with cystic fibrosis continues to improve due to advances in care and CFTR modulator therapies, age-related comorbidities are emerging as new clinical challenges. This short review summarizes insights from a symposium focusing on ageing and CF at the 20th ECFS Basic Science Conference in March 2025 in Pisa, Italy. Mechanisms of ageing and their involvement in CF disease are first outlined. We then highlight two age-associated comorbidities in CF, cardiovascular disease and colorectal cancer, and outline future research directions to clarify how CF-specific and general ageing mechanisms intersect. Understanding these processes will be crucial for tailoring long-term care strategies in the ageing CF population.

Keywords:  Ageing; CRC; CVD; Comorbidities; Cystic fibrosis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcf.2025.12.015
NPJ Antimicrob Resist. 2026 Jan 08. 4(1): 3

Enhancing infection diagnostics in advanced chronic liver disease: harnessing clinical metagenomics for rapid pathogen and antimicrobial resistance detection.

Merianne Mohamad, Chrysi Sergaki, Vishal C Patel.

Patients with advanced chronic liver disease who have underlying cirrhosis are highly susceptible to bacterial infections, which significantly increase the risk of complications and mortality, compounded by escalating antimicrobial resistance. The current gold standard for infection detection and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiling remains dependant on traditional microbiological methods. These conventional approaches are slow, labour-intensive, and often fail to deliver timely and accurate results, delaying critical antimicrobial treatment decisions. Clinical metagenomics (CMg) is emerging as a transformative molecular-based tool in infection diagnostics. By enabling the direct sequencing of pathogens from patient-derived samples, CMg offers rapid and comprehensive identification of pathogens and their resistance profiles. Incorporating this technology into the clinical management of patients with cirrhosis has potential to address diagnostic challenges, reduce reliance on broad-spectrum antibiotics and improve outcomes. To effectively incorporate CMg into infection diagnostics, it will be essential to embed of point-of-care sequencing, standardisation of AMR databases, and accessibility to bioinformatics workflows.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s44259-025-00171-7
Bioelectrochemistry. 2025 Dec 31. pii: S1567-5394(25)00315-9. [Epub ahead of print]169 109212

Phage-based dual-mode sensor using ECL and EIS for sensitive detection of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa.

Maryam Allahyari, Emre Dokuzparmak, Arzum Erdem, Alper Akkaya, Bahattin Tanyolac.

  Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major pathogen responsible for severe infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients and those with chronic conditions. Its increasing resistance to antibiotics underscores the urgent need for effective detection systems. This study introduces a novel biosensor based on bacteriophage (M-PAP1) in combination with MWCNT-COOH modified SPE and its application for the sensitive identification of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The phage provides high specificity and strong target binding, while the combined ECL and EIS modes offer complementary signal outputs, enhancing analytical reliability and reducing false responses. The ECL sensor achieved LoD of 0.755 CFU ml-1and demonstrated a broad linear working range of 2.28 to 1010 CFU ml-1 (R2: 0.9981). In artificial urine samples, the sensor demonstrated a recovery rate of 92% to 97%, indicating its effectiveness in real biological matrices. The dual functionality for both ECL and EIS measurements highlights the system's versatility and potential for real-time clinical applications. The system also exhibited exceptional selectivity and minimal interference from non-specific bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas putida and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Overall, the dual-mode strategy significantly strengthens diagnostic accuracy by enabling cross-validated detection signals, offering a robust platform for rapid monitoring of P. aeruginosa in the context of rising antimicrobial resistance.

Keywords:  Bacteriophage; Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy; Electrochemiluminescence; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Screen-printed electrode

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioelechem.2025.109212
Nat Rev Microbiol. 2026 Jan 05.

Harnessing the microbiome for cancer therapy.

Roy Hajjar, Ruben A T Mars, Purna C Kashyap.

The microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key player in cancer pathogenesis and treatment response, acting through both local and systemic mechanisms. Microbial communities and their metabolites can directly influence drug metabolism, shape the immune landscape, and alter transcriptional and epigenetic programmes in the gut, systemically and in the tumour microenvironment. Emerging data support the potential of microbiome-targeted interventions (such as faecal microbiota transplantation, diet, prebiotics and probiotics) as adjuncts to conventional cancer therapies, with the goal of enhancing efficacy and reducing toxicity. This Review highlights the promise of the microbiome as a prognostic and predictive biomarker, a modifiable factor in cancer care and prevention, and a therapeutic target. We also discuss major knowledge gaps, limitations in current study designs, and the need for mechanism-guided, personalized strategies to advance clinical translation.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41579-025-01268-6
Int J STD AIDS. 2026 Jan 06. 9564624251413431

Superiority of propolis and honey over topical acyclovir for herpes simplex: A meta-analysis.

Nurdjannah Jane Niode, Paulus Mario Christopher, Trina Ekawati Tallei.

  BackgroundTopical antiviral agents, particularly acyclovir, are standard over-the-counter treatments for minor herpes simplex infections. However, natural products such as propolis and honey have drawn attention for their potential antiviral and wound healing-promoting properties. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety profiles of propolis and/or honey with 5% topical acyclovir in the management of labial and genital herpes.MethodsA systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, Europe PMC, and the Cochrane Library was performed to identify studies comparing topical propolis and/or honey with 5% acyclovir for herpes simplex lesions. Clinical outcomes were synthesized using random-effects models, with outcomes reported as mean difference (MD) and odds ratio (OR).ResultsSeven studies were included in the analysis. Treatment with propolis and/or honey was associated with quicker lesion resolution (MD: -1.87 days; 95% CI: -2.73 to -1.01; p < 0.0001) and higher healing rates by day 7 (OR: 4.71; 95% CI: 2.70-8.25; p < 0.00001). No significant difference was observed in the number of aborted attacks (p = 0.66). Propolis and/or honey also reported reduced pain duration (MD: -0.96 days; p = 0.03) and pain intensity (MD: -6.53; p = 0.0002), with more patients reporting being symptom-free by day 3. No significant difference was observed in adverse events (AEs) rates between the natural therapy and acyclovir groups.ConclusionsPropolis and/or honey demonstrated superior lesion healing and pain relief compared to 5% acyclovir, with comparable safety, supporting their potential as safe and effective alternatives to conventional antiviral therapy.

Keywords:  acyclovir; genital herpes; herpes simplex; honey; labial herpes; propolis

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1177/09564624251413431
Odontology. 2026 Jan 06.

Beyond the biofilm: KLF2 as a molecular gatekeeper in periodontal health and disease.

Sreejith Krishna, Sheetal Dahiya, Neelima Chauhan, Radhika Goyal.

  Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition resulting from complex interactions between microbial dysbiosis and host immune responses, leading to progressive destruction of the periodontium. Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), a zinc-finger transcription factor, has emerged as a key regulator of immune modulation and tissue homeostasis. KLF2 orchestrates anti-inflammatory pathways, controls immune cell activation, and influences periodontal tissue integrity. Dysregulation of KLF2 is implicated in enhanced inflammation and periodontal tissue breakdown. This review summarizes the molecular biology of KLF2, its role in immune regulation, and its emerging significance in periodontal health and disease. We also discuss potential therapeutic applications targeting KLF2 pathways for improved periodontal disease management.Please confirm the author names and initials are correct. Also, kindly confirm the details in the metadata are correct.oth Authors details are correct, but in the previous submission we had modified and added 2 more coauthors as 3rd and 4th co-author respectively, ieDr Neelima Chauhan (Department of Dentistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Raipur, Chhattisgarh, India, Email - drneelima158@gmail.com)Dr Radhika Goyal (Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Rayat Bahara Dental College and Hospital, Mohali, Punjab India, Email Id- radhikagoyal538@gmail.com).

Keywords:  Inflammation; KLF-2; Periodontitis; Transcription factor

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.1007/s10266-025-01272-5
Int J Nanomedicine. 2025 ;20 15951-15978

The Role of Bacterial Siderophores in Infection Therapy: From Anti-Infective Mechanisms to Therapeutic Advances.

Jian Xiao, Yitian Bu, Yeqing Tao, Zhi Zhou, Jiaxuan Zou, Wushi Cui, Zhuokai Yang.

  Siderophores are low-molecular-weight iron chelators that mediate microbial iron acquisition and critically shape host-pathogen interactions. This review highlights the structural diversity, regulatory networks, and virulence functions of bacterial siderophores, including their roles in overcoming host nutritional immunity, modulating immune responses, promoting biofilms, and coordinating metal homeostasis. We further discuss therapeutic strategies that exploit siderophore pathways, from "Trojan horse" siderophore-antibiotic conjugates such as cefiderocol to emerging non-antibiotic conjugates incorporating metal complexes, peptides, nucleic acids, vaccines, and nanomaterials. Beyond antibacterial applications, siderophores show promise in antifungal and antiparasitic therapies and as infection-specific imaging probes. Despite these advances, translational challenges-including adaptive resistance, pharmacokinetic instability, and competition with endogenous siderophores-limit clinical progression. Innovative approaches such as engineered siderophore scaffolds, multifunctional delivery platforms, and nanotechnology-enabled systems may help overcome these barriers. Overall, this review underscores the central role of siderophores in microbial pathogenesis and their growing potential as versatile platforms for next-generation anti-infective and diagnostic development.

Keywords:  anti-infective therapy; antimicrobial resistance; bacterial pathogenesis; iron acquisition; siderophores

DOI:  https://doi.org/10.2147/IJN.S576272