A5004150120- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Cystic Fibrosis Research Advances
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Antimicrobial Peptides and Activities
- Infections and bacterial resistance
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Essential Oils and Antimicrobial Activity
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Infective Endocarditis Diagnosis and Management
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Probiotics and Fermented Foods
- Fungal Infections and Studies
- Enterobacteriaceae and Cronobacter Research
- Biochemical and Structural Characterization
- Plant Pathogenic Bacteria Studies
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- Orthopedic Infections and Treatments
- Phytochemistry and Biological Activities
- Gut microbiota and health
- Antibiotics Pharmacokinetics and Efficacy
University of Naples Federico II
2016-2025
Federico II University Hospital
2011-2024
Magna Graecia University
2016-2018
University of Messina
2011
University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli"
2002
Czech Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
1997
Abstract Candida species cause cutaneous and systemic infections with a high mortality rate, especially in immunocompromised patients. The emergence of resistance to the most common antifungal drugs, also due biofilm formation, requires development alternative agents. antimicrobial peptide VLL-28, isolated from an archaeal transcription factor, shows comparable activity against 10 clinical isolates spp. Using fluoresceinated derivative this peptide, we found that VLL-28 binds surface...
The aims of this study were to evaluate the frequency Achromobacter xylosoxidans infection in a cohort cystic fibrosis patients, investigate antimicrobial sensitivity, establish possible clonal likeness among strains, and address clinical impact or colonization on general outcome these patients. was undertaken between January 2004 December 2008 300 patients receiving care at Regional Cystic Fibrosis Center Naples University "Federico II". Sputum samples checked for bacterial identification....
We investigated here the potential role of Toll-like receptors (TLR) and adaptor protein MyD88 in innate immunity responses to Cryptococcus neoformans, a pathogenic encapsulated yeast. Peritoneal macrophages from MyD88(-/-) or TLR2(-/-) mice released significantly less TNF-alpha, compared with wild-type controls, after vitro stimulation whole yeasts. In contrast, no differences TNF-alpha release were noted between C3H/HeJ mice, which have loss function mutation TLR4, relative C3H/HeN...
Although photodynamic therapy (PDT), a therapeutic approach that involves photosensitizer, light and O2, has been principally considered for the treatment of specific types cancers, other applications exist, including infections. Unfortunately, PDT does not always guarantee full success since it exerts lethal effects only in cells have taken up sufficient amount photosensitizer exposed to adequate doses, conditions are achieved. Based on our previous experience combination PDT/chemotherapy,...
Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometry (MS) fingerprinting has recently become an effective instrument for rapid microbiological diagnostics and in particular identification of micro-organisms directly a positive blood culture. The aim the study was to evaluate collection 82 stored yeast isolates from bloodstream infection, by MALDI-TOF MS; 21 were identified also cultures presence other co-infecting micro-organisms. Of grown on plates, 64...
Novel approaches are needed to combat antibiotic resistance. Here, we describe a computational–experimental framework for the discovery of novel cryptic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). The computational platform, based on previously validated scoring functions, indicated activation peptide pepsin A, main human stomach protease, and its N- C-terminal halves as peptides. three from pepsinogen A3 isoform were prepared in recombinant form using fusion carrier specifically developed express toxic...
Previous studies showed that the epidemic of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-KP) observed in Italy since 2010 was sustained mostly by strains clonal group (CG) 258 producing KPC-type carbapenemases. In framework National Antibiotic-Resistance Surveillance (AR-ISS), a countrywide survey conducted 2016 to explore evolution phenotypic and genotypic characteristics CR-KP isolates.From March July 2016, hospital laboratories participating AR-ISS were requested provide consecutive,...
ABSTRACT The production of proinflammatory cytokines is likely to play a major pathophysiological role in meningitis and other infections caused by Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib). Previous studies have shown that Hib porin contributes signaling the inflammatory cascade. We examined here Toll-like receptors (TLRs) TLR-associated adaptor protein MyD88 porin-induced tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) interleukin-6 (IL-6). TNF-α IL-6 was virtually eliminated macrophages from TLR2- or...
ABSTRACT A relatively high rate of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium not susceptible to linezolid was observed in intensive care unit patients. Linezolid-resistant isolates carried the G2576T mutation 23S rRNA gene, belonged different clones, and shared same allelic profile, which clusters C1 multilocus sequence typing epidemic lineage.
ABSTRACT The existence of a symbiotic relationship between Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma hominis , which is the first reported example symbiosis two obligate human pathogens, has been recently by our research group. In this work, we examined cellular location M. in respect to T. . By using gentamicin protection assays, double immunofluorescence, confocal microscopy, obtained strong evidence that located within protozoan cells. 5-Bromodeoxyuridine incorporation assays showed...
Bacteria that belong to the genus Sphingobacterium are Gram-negative, non-fermentative bacilli, ubiquitous in nature and rarely involved human infections. The aims of this study were evaluate epidemiology infection by a cohort patients affected Cystic Fibrosis (CF), antibiotic susceptibility DNA fingerprinting isolated strains analyze some clinical outcomes infected patients. Between January 2006 June 2008, (n = 332) attending Regional CF Unit Naples, Italy, enrolled. Sputum samples...
Introduction. Plant extracts may be suitable alternative treatments for caries. Aims . To investigate the in vitro and vivo antimicrobial effects of Plantago lanceolata herbal tea (from flowers leaves) on cariogenic bacteria to identify major constituents P. plant. Materials Methods. The MIC MBC against were determined tea. Subsequently, a controlled random clinical study was conducted. Group A instructed rinse with mouth rinse, B received placebo seven days. salivary colonisation by...
Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are a frequent complication associated with hospitalization of infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). The aim this study was to evaluate and describe the results surveillance HAIs III level NICU Naples, Italy during 2006–2010. covered 1,699 neonates all birth weight (BW) classes > 2 days stay. Infections were defined using standard Centers for Disease Control Prevention definitions adapted pathology considered be healthcare-associated if...
Many pathogens involved in human infection have rapidly increased their antibiotic resistance, reducing the effectiveness of therapies recent decades. Most them can form biofilms and effective drugs are not available to treat these formations. Natural products could represent an efficient solution discovering developing new overcome antimicrobial resistance biofilm-related infections. In this study, 20 secondary metabolites produced by pathogenic fungi forest plants belonging diverse classes...
Introduction It is well recognized that the human uterus and adjoining tissues of female reproductive tract exist in a non-sterile state where dysbiosis can impact outcomes. The endometrial microbiota part this greater milieu. To date, it has largely been studied using 16S rRNA or metagenomics-based methodologies. Despite known advantages sequencing analysis, several difficulties have noted including sample contamination standardization DNA extraction sequencing. aim study was to use...
Background Among multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria able to threaten human health, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) have become a major public health threat globally. National and international guidelines point out the importance of active routine surveillance policies prevent CRE transmission. Therefore, defining lines intervention strategies capable containing controlling spread is considered determinant. screening one main actions curb transmission control outbreaks, outlining...
Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) represent a severe complication of COVID-19, yet they are under-estimated. We conducted retrospective analysis including all the COVID-19 patients admitted to Infectious Diseases Unit Federico II University Hospital Naples until 1 July 2021. Among 409 patients, we reported seven cases IFIs by Candida spp., Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia, three invasive pulmonary aspergillosis, and one Trichosporon asahii. None presented underlying predisposing conditions,...
In this paper, the authors describe an experimental study carried out on biological samples consisting of a 96-h mature Methicillin-Resistant-Staphylococcus-Aureus biofilm. The initial objective was to electrically characterize biofilm using impedance spectroscopy, by scanning wide range frequencies [1 Hz ÷ 10 MHz]. Concurrently, confocal microscopy observations, XTT assays, crystal violet staining method and colony-forming unit assay were performed activity. investigation unexpectedly...
Three epidemiologically independent Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates, representative of the first VIM-1 metallo-beta-lactamase producers detected at three different hospitals in northern Italy, were investigated to determine their genomic relatedness and compare structures genetic supports for determinants. The all serotype O11, appeared be clonally related according results genotyping by macrorestriction analysis DNA pulsed-field gel electrophoresis random amplification polymorphic DNA....
This study aims to evaluate the activity of Italian vulnerary plants against most important oral pathogenic bacteria. estimate was accomplished through a fivefold process: (a) review ethnobotanical and microbiological data concerning plants; (b) development scoring system rank (c) comparative assessment properties; (d) potential cytotoxic effects on keratinocyte-like cells gingival fibroblasts in culture by XTT cell viability assay; (e) clinical evaluation suitable plant extract as...