Biogenic Copper-Based Nanoparticles: Emerging Antimicrobial Agents Against Pathogenic Microorganisms | Nanomedicine & Infection Control #researchawards

Introduction

Biogenic copper-based nanoparticles (CuNPs) have emerged as promising antimicrobial agents due to their potent activity and environmentally sustainable synthesis routes. Green synthesis approaches utilize plants, microorganisms, and biological wastes, where phytochemicals, enzymes, and proteins act as natural reducing and stabilizing agents. These processes avoid toxic chemicals, operate under mild conditions, and yield nanoparticles typically smaller than 100 nm with bioactive surface coatings. Such features not only enhance antimicrobial performance but also align with global demands for eco-friendly nanotechnologies in healthcare, agriculture, aquaculture, and food safety.

Green Synthesis Strategies and Biological Control of Nanoparticle Properties

Biological systems play a decisive role in governing the morphology, size, crystallinity, and stability of copper-based nanoparticles. Plant extracts rich in polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids enable rapid reduction and effective capping, while bacteria, fungi, and algae provide enzymatic and protein-mediated pathways for controlled nanoparticle formation. The choice of biological source, extraction method, and reaction parameters strongly influences nanoparticle uniformity, dispersibility, and long-term stability, directly impacting antimicrobial efficiency.

Antimicrobial Mechanisms of Biogenic Copper-Based Nanoparticles

The antimicrobial activity of biogenic CuNPs arises from multiple interconnected mechanisms. These include the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), sustained release of Cu²⁺ ions, disruption of microbial cell membranes, and interference with enzymatic, metabolic, and genetic processes. Surface-bound biomolecules from green synthesis further enhance microbial interaction and biofilm penetration, enabling broad-spectrum activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, fungi, and resistant microbial communities.

Monometallic versus Hybrid Copper-Based Nanoparticle Systems

While monometallic Cu and CuO nanoparticles exhibit strong antimicrobial properties, hybrid systems such as Ag–Cu, Zn–CuO, and CuS nanoparticles demonstrate enhanced efficacy through synergistic effects. These hybrids integrate redox activity, ion release, and in some cases photothermal or photocatalytic mechanisms, leading to improved microbial killing at lower doses. Comparative studies highlight the potential of hybrid systems to overcome antimicrobial resistance and expand functional applications.

Applications in Medicine, Agriculture, Aquaculture, and Food Safety

Biogenic copper-based nanoparticles have found diverse applications due to their antimicrobial versatility. In medicine, they are incorporated into wound dressings, implants, and antimicrobial coatings. In agriculture and aquaculture, they support sustainable crop protection and disease management by reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and antibiotics. In food safety and packaging, CuNPs help inhibit spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms, extending shelf life while maintaining eco-friendly standards.

Toxicity, Challenges, and Future Directions

Despite their benefits, the toxicity of biogenic CuNPs is highly context-dependent, influenced by size, shape, surface chemistry, capping agents, concentration, and exposure conditions. Poorly capped or ultra-small nanoparticles may induce cytotoxicity, hemolysis, developmental defects, or growth inhibition, whereas appropriate functionalization improves biocompatibility and selectivity. Future research must focus on standardized physicochemical characterization, harmonized toxicity testing, and mechanistic studies to enable safe translation, regulatory approval, and responsible commercialization of biogenic copper-based nanomaterials.

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Hashtags:

#CopperNanoparticles, #GreenNanotechnology, #BiogenicNanoparticles, #AntimicrobialNanomaterials, #SustainableSynthesis, #NanoMedicine, #AgriculturalNanotech, #AquacultureHealth, #FoodSafetyNanotech, #HybridNanoparticles, #CuONanoparticles, #ROSMechanism, #BiofilmControl, #EcoFriendlyMaterials, #Nanotoxicology, #RegulatoryNanotech, #PlantMediatedSynthesis, #MicrobialNanoparticles, #NanoparticleCharacterization, #FutureNanotechnology,

Phenotypic & Molecular Insights into Carbapenem-Resistant E. coli in Retail Meats | Thailand Study #pencis #researchawards

Introduction

Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CREC) has emerged as a critical public health concern due to its resistance to last-resort antibiotics and its increasing detection outside hospital settings. The presence of CREC in retail meats represents a potential pathway for transmission of antimicrobial resistance from food-producing animals to humans. Understanding the occurrence, resistance mechanisms, and genetic characteristics of CREC in food sources is essential for risk assessment and the development of effective surveillance and control strategies, particularly in regions where antimicrobial use in animal production is common.

Prevalence of Carbapenem-Non-Susceptible E. coli in Retail Meats

The investigation demonstrated a high prevalence of presumptive carbapenem-non-susceptible E. coli (CNSEC) in retail meat samples, with beef showing the highest contamination rate. The large proportion of CNSEC isolates subsequently confirmed as CREC highlights retail meat as a significant reservoir of carbapenem-resistant bacteria. These findings suggest that the food chain may play an underrecognized role in the dissemination of carbapenem resistance, emphasizing the need for systematic monitoring of antimicrobial resistance in meat products.

Phenotypic Antimicrobial Resistance Profiles

Phenotypic susceptibility testing revealed that a substantial proportion of isolates exhibited resistance to both imipenem and meropenem, confirming their classification as CREC. The high level of resistance observed across different meat types underscores the limited therapeutic options available for infections caused by these strains. Such phenotypic resistance patterns also raise concerns about selective pressure from antimicrobial use in livestock, which may contribute to the maintenance and spread of highly resistant E. coli populations.

Molecular Detection of Carbapenemase Genes

Molecular analysis showed that only a small percentage of CREC isolates carried carbapenemase genes, predominantly the blaNDM gene, with one isolate also harboring blaVIM. Although the prevalence of these genes was low, their presence is alarming because blaNDM is associated with rapid global dissemination and high-level resistance. The detection of these genes in food-associated isolates indicates the potential for horizontal gene transfer and highlights the importance of molecular surveillance alongside phenotypic testing.

Virulence Factors and Phylogenetic Characteristics

All carbapenemase-positive CREC isolates carried the fimH gene, a key adhesion factor involved in colonization, but lacked other major virulence determinants. Phylogenetic analysis classified these isolates within Group D, which is often associated with extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli. This combination of antimicrobial resistance and phylogenetic background suggests that even isolates with limited virulence gene profiles may still pose a risk if they acquire additional pathogenic traits or are transmitted to vulnerable populations.

Public Health Implications and Research Perspectives

The identification of CREC carrying clinically important resistance genes in retail meats has significant implications for food safety and public health. These findings reinforce the need for a One Health approach integrating human, animal, and environmental surveillance of antimicrobial resistance. Future research should focus on tracking transmission pathways, assessing the role of food handling and preparation practices, and evaluating interventions to reduce the emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant bacteria within the food supply chain.

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Hashtags:

#CarbapenemResistance, #CREC, #AntimicrobialResistance, #FoodSafetyResearch, #OneHealth, #EscherichiaColi, #RetailMeatSurveillance, #blaNDM, #CarbapenemaseGenes, #MolecularEpidemiology, #PublicHealthMicrobiology, #ZoonoticRisk, #AMRResearch, #PhylogeneticAnalysis, #VirulenceFactors, #FoodbornePathogens, #GlobalHealthThreat, #ThailandResearch, #ClinicalMicrobiology, #InfectiousDiseaseResearch,

Mucocutaneous Eruption Children | Mycoplasma pneumoniae Clinical & Immunological #researchawards

Introduction

Reactive infectious mucocutaneous eruption (RIME) is an emerging pediatric mucocutaneous syndrome characterized by prominent mucositis with limited or absent skin involvement and an infectious, rather than drug-induced, etiology. First distinguished from Stevens–Johnson syndrome (SJS), RIME poses diagnostic challenges due to overlapping clinical features. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is the most frequently implicated pathogen, particularly in children, where recognition is critical to avoid misdiagnosis and inappropriate management. Understanding RIME as a distinct clinical entity has significant implications for diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis in pediatric infectious diseases and dermatology research.

Etiopathogenesis and Infectious Triggers

Current evidence highlights M. pneumoniae as the predominant trigger of RIME, with pathogenesis believed to involve immune-mediated mechanisms rather than direct pathogen invasion. Molecular mimicry and immune complex formation are hypothesized contributors to mucosal injury. Recent literature has expanded the spectrum of infectious triggers to include viral and bacterial pathogens, emphasizing RIME as a post-infectious immunologic phenomenon. Research into host susceptibility, immune pathways, and pathogen-specific responses remains crucial to elucidate disease mechanisms.

Clinical Spectrum and Phenotypic Variability

RIME demonstrates marked clinical heterogeneity, ranging from isolated mucositis to multisite involvement of oral, ocular, and genital mucosa, with minimal or variable cutaneous findings. This variability complicates early diagnosis and contributes to confusion with SJS or erythema multiforme. Pediatric case series, including the described male patients aged 2–12 years, illustrate presentations from absent skin lesions to widespread rash, underscoring the need for phenotype-based clinical classification in future research.

Diagnostic Challenges and Differential Diagnosis

Differentiating RIME from SJS is a central clinical and research challenge due to overlapping mucocutaneous features but divergent etiologies and prognoses. Accurate diagnosis relies on thorough clinical assessment, exclusion of drug triggers, and confirmation of infectious etiology through serology or PCR. Research efforts should focus on developing standardized diagnostic criteria and biomarkers to facilitate early recognition and reduce misclassification in both clinical practice and epidemiologic studies.

Management Strategies and Therapeutic Outcomes

Management of RIME is largely supportive and multidisciplinary, involving antimicrobial therapy targeting M. pneumoniae, mucosal care, and systemic treatment for complications such as pneumonia or sepsis. The favorable recovery observed within 10–21 days in reported cases supports the effectiveness of timely intervention. However, variability in disease severity and recurrence highlights the need for clinical trials and consensus guidelines to optimize therapeutic strategies and long-term follow-up.

Prognosis, Recurrence, and Research Implications

Although generally associated with good outcomes, RIME can exhibit a relapsing phenotype, as demonstrated by recurrent hospitalizations in some patients. Long-term sequelae, including post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or ocular complications, warrant further investigation. From a research perspective, RIME represents an important model of infection-triggered mucocutaneous disease, emphasizing the need for multicenter studies to define epidemiology, recurrence risk, and preventive strategies in pediatric populations.

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#ReactiveInfectiousMucocutaneousEruption, #RIME, #MycoplasmaPneumoniae, #PediatricDermatology, #PediatricInfectiousDiseases, #Mucositis, #ExtraPulmonaryManifestations, #StevensJohnsonSyndrome, #ClinicalResearch, #RareDiseases, #ImmuneMediatedDisease, #PediatricCaseSeries, #InfectiousTriggers, #DiagnosticChallenges, #MultidisciplinaryCare, #RelapsingDisease, #ClinicalPhenotypes, #MucocutaneousDisorders, #TranslationalResearch, #PediatricImmunology,

Two-Time Longitudinal Assessment of Healthcare Workers’ COVID-19 Exposure #pencis #researchawards

Introduction

Healthcare workers (HCWs) have been at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic and have faced prolonged occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Despite widespread implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures, the persistence of the pandemic and its transition into more routine phases have raised concerns about sustained exposure risks and behavioral fatigue. Understanding how occupational and community exposure risks evolve over time, along with adherence to IPC practices, is essential for protecting HCWs and maintaining healthcare system resilience. This study addresses an important gap by prospectively examining exposure risks and IPC adherence among HCWs beyond the acute pandemic phase.

Study Design and Setting

This prospective observational study was conducted across four public hospitals in the Thessaly region of Greece, providing a representative snapshot of HCWs operating in diverse clinical environments. Data collection occurred at two time points—baseline (January–March 2022) and a six-month follow-up—allowing for temporal comparisons. By focusing on HCWs who reported contact with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 cases, the study targeted individuals with meaningful exposure risk, thereby strengthening the relevance of its findings to real-world clinical practice.

Assessment of Occupational and Community Exposure

Exposure risk was systematically evaluated using the World Health Organization’s standardized risk assessment questionnaire for HCWs. This instrument captured both occupational exposure, such as patient contact during routine care or aerosol-generating procedures, and community exposure outside the workplace. The consistent finding that nearly three-quarters of participants reported occupational exposure at both time points underscores the sustained nature of risk for HCWs, even as pandemic dynamics evolved.

Temporal Changes in Risk Classification

Among HCWs with occupational exposure, a significant increase in high-risk classification was observed over time, rising from 76% at baseline to 88% at follow-up. This shift indicates that although the proportion of exposed HCWs remained stable, the intensity or quality of exposure worsened. The more than twofold increase in odds of being classified as high-risk highlights a substantial effect size and suggests growing vulnerability, potentially linked to cumulative exposure, changes in work practices, or declining vigilance.

Professional Role and Differential Risk

The study revealed notable differences in exposure risk by professional role, with nurses consistently demonstrating higher risk compared with physicians. This disparity likely reflects the nature of nursing duties, which involve more frequent and prolonged patient contact, including close bedside care. These findings emphasize the need for role-specific risk mitigation strategies and targeted support for professional groups disproportionately affected by occupational exposure.

Adherence to Infection Prevention and Control Practices

While overall use of personal protective equipment (PPE) remained high throughout the study period, adherence to several critical IPC practices declined over time. Specifically, proper removal and replacement of PPE and routine decontamination of high-touch surfaces were less consistently followed at follow-up. This decline may reflect pandemic fatigue or normalization of risk, underscoring the importance of continuous training, monitoring, and reinforcement of IPC measures to sustain protective behaviors among HCWs.

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#COVID19Research #HealthcareWorkers #OccupationalExposure #InfectionPrevention #IPCPractices #PandemicFatigue #ProspectiveStudy #HospitalEpidemiology #PublicHealthResearch #SARSCoV2 #PPECompliance #AerosolGeneratingProcedures #RiskAssessment #NursingResearch #PhysicianSafety #WorkplaceHealth #EpidemiologyStudy #HealthcareSafety #WHOGuidelines #PostPandemicCare