• Original Article

    Rinds to Ridges: Citrullus lanatus Rinds for the Cultivation of Salmonella and Pseudomonas
    Vhien Deniese Avendaño, Drenzen John Bernales, Avrille Jade Afable, Rei Jeziel Borais, Bea Marie Amor, Justin Kelly Alvaro, Alfonso Luis Bardon, Mary Rose Lirio
    Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a tropical fruit that is rich in saponin—a known antimicrobial agent in specific concentrations. Salmonella spp. … + READ MORE
    Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) is a tropical fruit that is rich in saponin—a known antimicrobial agent in specific concentrations. Salmonella spp. are an enteric, gram-negative bacteria that are major foodborne pathogens and typically isolated in clinical laboratories using Salmonella-Shigella agar. By contrast, Pseudomonas spp., which are nonenteric, gram-negative bacteria are known to contaminate laboratory isolates of Salmonella spp. Xylose lysine deoxycholate agar is widely used when isolating enteric bacteria in clinical and research laboratories. However, despite its use and efficiency, it produces false-positive results because nonenteric bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas spp., are able to grow when the enteric bacteria, Salmonella spp., decarboxylates lysine, resulting in an alkaline environment for its growth. Hence, because watermelon (C. lanatus) rinds are agricultural wastes, we explored the use of saponin as an alternative to the deoxycholate component—the inhibitory agent of the traditional Xylose lysine deoxycholate (XLD) agar—to obtain the aforementioned bacterial isolates. Standard operating protocols were applied with regard to bacterial load and dilution procedures, component substitution and adjustment, and the spread-plate technique. In addition, statistical analyses—including one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post-hoc test—were employed to consolidate and interpret the experimental findings. Treatment with 2.5% saponin resulted in preferential growth of Salmonella spp. and effective inhibition of Pseudomonas spp. at an initial bacterial load of 1 × 10⁸ CFU/mL. By contrast, 1% saponin showed inconsistent effects on both bacterial isolates across all test samples, whereas 5% saponin led to the complete inhibition of both Salmonella and Pseudomonas spp. Overall, these findings suggest that saponin derived from watermelon rinds has potential a promising alternative inhibitory agent for the selective isolation of enteric pathogen Salmonella spp. - COLLAPSE
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    31 March 2026

  • Original Article

    In Vitro Activity of Ceftaroline Against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Niger: Resistance Trends and Clinical Implications
    Issoufou Noma Massir, Yacouba Abdourahamane, Tapha Ounoussa, Moussa Harouna, Natatou Ibrahim Balkissa, Mahaman Moustapha Lamine, Ousmane Abdoulaye, Brah Souleymane, Mahamadou Doutchi, Ibrahim Mamane Laminou
    Multidrug-resistant bacteria, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pose a major therapeutic challenge in Niger. Ceftaroline, a fifth-generation cephalosporin, … + READ MORE
    Multidrug-resistant bacteria, including extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, pose a major therapeutic challenge in Niger. Ceftaroline, a fifth-generation cephalosporin, offers potential activity against these pathogens. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro activity of ceftaroline against multidrug-resistant bacteria isolated in Niger and to identify factors associated with resistance. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted from January to August 2025. A total of 212 non-duplicate multidrug-resistant isolates (160 extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, 52 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) were tested using the disk diffusion method. Logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with ceftaroline resistance. The overall resistance rate to ceftaroline was 69.3% (147/212). extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales isolates exhibited a very high resistance rate (80.6%), whereas methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates showed lower resistance (34.6%). In multivariate analysis, extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales phenotype (Odds Ratio=5.03; 95% Confidence Interval=2.13-11.83), concurrent resistance to aminoglycosides (Odds Ratio=2.55; 95% Confidence Interval=1.21-5.33), fosfomycin (Odds Ratio=3.42; 95% Confidence Interval=1.01-11.50), and cotrimoxazole (Odds Ratio=3.97; 95% Confidence Interval=1.20-13.02) were significant factors independently associated with ceftaroline resistance. This first study conducted in Niger reveals an alarming rate of in vitro resistance to ceftaroline among multidrug-resistant bacteria, primarily extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales. Ceftaroline should not be used empirically for suspected infections with these pathogens in this context. Its use against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus must be guided by susceptibility testing. These data call for revisions to therapeutic protocols and reinforcement of antimicrobial stewardship strategies. - COLLAPSE
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    31 March 2026

  • Original Article

    Carbapenem Resistance and Carbapenemases in Bloodstream Enterobacterales, Busan, 2018-2024
    Sohyun Park
    Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE) have emerged as a majorglobal health concern because of limited therapeutic options and high mortality in bloodstream infections.Regional epidemiologic … + READ MORE
    Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales(CRE) have emerged as a majorglobal health concern because of limited therapeutic options and high mortality in bloodstream infections.Regional epidemiologic data on bloodstream CRE infections are essential for guidinginfection-control strategies and antimicrobial stewardship. Methods: A total of 609 non-duplicate CRE isolates recovered from blood cultures at healthcare institutions in Busan, South Korea, between 2018 and 2024 were analyzed. Species identification was performed using the Vitek 2 Compact system(bioMérieux, France). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for four carbapenems was determined by broth microdilution, and ten carbapenemase genes were detected by PCR. Results: Klebsiella pneumoniae predominated (81.8%), followed by Escherichia coli (11.7%) and Enterobacter spp. (4.6%). Ertapenem resistance (MIC ≥ 2 µg/mL) was observed in 99.3% of isolates, and elevated MIC values (≥ 8 µg/mL) were frequently observed across all carbapenems. Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) accounted for 98.2% of isolates. KPC-type carbapenemases were most frequent (88.2%), predominantly KPC-2 (84.9%), whereas NDM- and OXA-type carbapenemases were detected sporadically. Conclusion: KPC-2-producing K. pneumoniae remains the principal cause of CRE bloodstream infections in Busan. The presence of diverse carbapenemase genotypes across healthcare institutions indicates ongoing regional disseminationof resistance determinants, underscoring the need for sustained molecular surveillance and coordinated infection-control efforts. - COLLAPSE
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    31 March 2026

  • Original Article

    Distribution and Co-detection of Bacterial Respiratory Pathogens Using Pertussis-Positive Specimens from Children and Adolescents in Busan, Korea
    Mi-Jung Park
    Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology of respiratory infectious diseases has changed substantially, with a marked resurgence of pertussis among children and … + READ MORE
    Following the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemiology of respiratory infectious diseases has changed substantially, with a marked resurgence of pertussis among children and adolescents in Korea in 2024. Although current molecular diagnostic methods for pertussis, based on detection of IS481, provides high sensitivity, they have limitations in differentiating closely related Bordetella species and in identifying concomitant bacterial respiratory pathogens. Moreover, region-specific surveillance data for bacterial respiratory infections remain limited compared with those for viral respiratory infections. From July–December 2024, in total, 607 respiratory specimens were collected from pertussis-positive patients under aged < 19 years at private medical institutions in Busan. These comprised 602 nasopharyngeal swabs and five sputum samples. Using nucleic acid amplification methods, six major bacterial respiratory pathogens, along with the pertussis-related species B. holmesii, were investigated. Age group–specific distributions, pathogen detection patterns, and co-detection profiles were evaluated. Among the 607 specimens, at least one bacterial respiratory pathogen was detected in 366 cases (60.3%). B. pertussis was the most frequently detected pathogen (205 cases), followed by Haemophilus influenzae (119 cases), B. holmesii (79 cases), Streptococcus pneumoniae (73 cases), and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (55 cases). Pathogen detection was most prominent in school-aged children and adolescents. Co-detection of two or more bacterial pathogens was identified in 142 cases (38.8%), including dual detections in 115 cases, triple co-detections in 25 cases, and quadruple co-detections in two cases. Notably, co-detections involving B. pertussis and M. pneumoniae was relatively common. This study provides a comprehensive characterization of the distribution and co-detection patterns of bacterial respiratory pathogens in pertussis-positive specimens from children and adolescents during the 2024 pertussis resurgence in Busan. These findings underscore the importance of considering concomitant bacterial infections in patients with pertussis-like symptoms and may serve as baseline data for strengthening region-specific surveillance and the development of multi-pathogen–oriented diagnostic and treatment strategies for bacterial respiratory infections. - COLLAPSE
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    31 March 2026

  • Original Article

    Prevalence of Serotypes and Antimicrobial Resistance in Salmonella Isolates from Meat Products in Gwangju Metropolitan City between 2022 and 2024
    Young Gyu Jo, Jeong Hee Park, Duck Woong Park, Eun Jin Seo, Hyo Hee Kim, Hae Bi Yun, Min Gyou Lee, Hye Jin Jeong, Geu Ne Oh, Soo Yeon Choi, Si Eun Seo, In Sook Kang, Min Ji Kim
    This study investigated the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella spp. isolated from retail meat products distributed in Gwangju Metropolitan … + READ MORE
    This study investigated the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Salmonella spp. isolated from retail meat products distributed in Gwangju Metropolitan City, Republic of Korea, between 2022 and 2024. A total of 139 Salmonella isolates were recovered from 994 meat samples collected from retail markets. All Salmonella isolates were serotyped and tested for antimicrobial susceptibility against 16 antimicrobial agents. Salmonella spp. Were predominantly isolated from poultry products, accounting for 94.2% of the total isolates. The highest isolation rates were observed in chicken (35.9%) and duck (27.5%), whereas pork (2.1%) and beef (0.6%) showed relatively low prevalence. Among poultry products, processed cut meats exhibited a higher isolation rate (40.6%) than raw meats (25.4%). Fifteen distinct serotypes were identified. S. Infantis was the most predominant serotype (70.5%), followed by S. Typhimurium (11.5%); together, these two serotypes accounted for more than 80% of all isolates. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed high resistance rates to nitrofurantoin (79.9%), ampicillin (74.1%), cefazolin (73.4%), and cefotaxime (73.4%). Multidrug resistance defined as resistance to two or more antimicrobial agents, was observed in 76.3% of isolates, while only 13.7% were susceptible to all tested agents. Notably, 98.0% of S. Infantis isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, and the majority were recovered from poultry products. These findings suggest that frequent bacterial transmission in poultry raised under intensive farming conditions, likely facilitated by close contact and highlight the need for strengthened surveillance and management practices to reduce Salmonella contamination in poultry products. The results of this study provide fundamental data for epidemiological investigations and clinical management of Salmonella-associated foodborne illnesses in the Gwangju region. - COLLAPSE
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    31 March 2026

  • Original Article

    Bayesian Analysis of NPI and Vaccination Effects on SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in South Korea 2020–2022
    Chaeyeon Yang, Yong Seok Jeong
    The relative and combined effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 transmission remain incompletely quantified, particularly in East Asian settings … + READ MORE
    The relative and combined effects of non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and vaccination on SARS-CoV-2 transmission remain incompletely quantified, particularly in East Asian settings characterized by high policy compliance. We analyzed the epidemic trajectory in South Korea from May 2020 to July 2022 using a Bayesian hierarchical framework that incorporated variant-weighted transmissibility, NPI stringency indices, vaccine efficacy-adjusted coverage, and humidity as a control variable. Time-varying reproduction numbers were estimated and compared with EpiEstim-derived values for validation. Variant-specific weights were applied to account for shifts from the ancestral strain to Delta and Omicron lineages. Vaccination impact was modeled using product-specific efficacy and coverage proportions to reflect practical transmission reduction. Prior to vaccine rollout, NPIs accounted for a 55.5-77.8% reduction in transmission. Following vaccination initiation in early 2021, NPI effectiveness remained stable (68.6-77.8%), while vaccination effects increased progressively, reaching 54.5% by July 2022. The combined effect of NPIs and vaccination reached 91.7%, substantially exceeding their isolated contributions. Unlike observations in several European countries, NPI effectiveness in South Korea did not markedly decline after vaccine deployment. Humidity exerted a modest seasonal influence, and residual factors showed high uncertainty. Model robustness was confirmed through MCMC convergence diagnostics and PSIS-LOO validation. These findings demonstrate that sustained NPIs and vaccination functioned complementarily rather than competitively in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission. The results highlight the importance of integrated public health strategies and suggest that premature relaxation of NPIs following vaccine introduction may compromise epidemic control. - COLLAPSE
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    31 March 2026
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