Abstract
Background – Trichomonas vaginalis (T. vaginalis) is a motile, flagellated protozoan that exclusively infects humans. It is a significant etiological agent of vaginitis and has been associated with adverse reproductive outcomes such as preterm birth and infertility. Candida albicans (C. albicans) accounts for approximately 85–90 % of fungal vaginitis cases. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of trichomonal and candidal vaginitis among married women attending health centers in Khorramabad, using both conventional laboratory techniques and molecular diagnostics.

Methods – In this descriptive-analytical study, vaginal specimens were collected from 304 married women attending health centers in Khorramabad during 2024. Samples were analyzed using conventional laboratory methods, including direct smear, Giemsa staining, culture on Sabouraud Dextrose Agar (SDA), germ tube test, Corn Meal agar culture, and incubation at 45 °C, as well as molecular techniques (PCR and sequencing). Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS version 27.

Results

1. vaginalis was identified in 9 cases (3 %) via PCR and in 2 cases (0.7 %) via direct smear. The kappa coefficient for agreement between direct smear and PCR was 0.36 (p < 0.001), indicating fair concordance. For C. albicans, PCR detected 20 positive cases (6.6 %), while conventional methods yielded the following results: direct smear 56 cases (18.4 %), SDA culture 65 cases (21.4 %), germ tube test 63 cases (20 %), Corn Meal agar culture 58 cases (19.1 %), and incubation at 45 °C 12 cases (3.9 %).

Conclusion – PCR demonstrated superior sensitivity for detecting T. vaginalis, whereas SDA culture exhibited the highest sensitivity for C. albicans. The low prevalence of trichomoniasis (3 %) contrasted with the relatively high prevalence of candidiasis (6.6–21.4 %), underscoring the need for targeted educational and preventive health programs.

Biography
Dr. Shirzad Fallahi is a Professor at the Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Lorestan Province, Iran. With specialized expertise in Molecular Parasitology, he has made substantial contributions to medical education, clinical research, and public health initiatives across western Iran. Over his academic career, he has supervised numerous graduate and doctoral candidates, published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, and led interdisciplinary research projects supported by national health agencies. Dr. Fallahi actively participates in academic committees, journal editorial boards, and collaborative networks focused on improving regional healthcare delivery. His research interests include molecular diagnosis and epidemiology of infectious diseases, especially parasitic diseases, such as Toxoplasmosis, Malaria, and Leishmania, with a consistent emphasis on translating evidence-based findings into practical clinical and policy applications. Recognized for his dedication to scholarly excellence and community health, he continues to mentor emerging healthcare professionals while fostering national and international academic partnerships. Through his teaching, publications, and service-oriented initiatives, Dr. Fallahi remains a committed advocate for sustainable medical education and the advancement of Iran’s health systems.

Abstract
Despite remarkable advances in microbial biomanufacturing, progress continues to be driven predominantly by the optimization of individual process variables. Yet microbial production systems operate as integrated biological networks, in which interactions among cultivation factors often influence system behavior more profoundly than the individual variables themselves. Consequently, optimization alone may improve production performance without necessarily advancing our understanding of the biological relationships that govern system-level responses.

This presentation proposes a complementary perspective in which biological interactions are viewed not only as components of optimization models, but also as sources of transferable biological insight. Rather than simply identifying optimal cultivation conditions, interpreting interaction effects can reveal how microbial production systems behave as integrated biological networks whose responses cannot be fully explained by isolated cultivation variables.

To explore this perspective, interaction effects among FeSO₄, NaCl, and NaNO₃ on phycobiliprotein production in Arthrospira platensis were systematically investigated using a multivariable response surface framework. Rather than serving solely as an optimization tool, the experimental design was interpreted as a framework for revealing biologically informative interaction patterns. In this way, interaction effects were considered not merely as statistical descriptors, but as biological clues to system behavior under combined cultivation conditions.

The interaction-driven experimental framework revealed robust interaction patterns, with statistically significant interaction effects demonstrating that microbial production behavior could not be adequately explained by the independent effects of individual cultivation variables alone. Instead, interaction patterns exposed biological dependencies that emerged only when environmental factors were considered collectively, highlighting the inherently context-dependent nature of production optimization. Collectively, these findings suggest that interaction effects should be interpreted not merely as statistical descriptors within optimization models, but as biologically informative clues capable of generating transferable insight into system behavior beyond the identification of optimal cultivation conditions.

Although illustrated through phycobiliprotein production, the perspective presented here extends well beyond a single product or cultivation system. The broader value of biological interactions lies not merely in identifying optimal cultivation conditions, but in deepening our understanding of how microbial production systems behave under combined process conditions. By reframing interaction effects as sources of transferable biological insight rather than solely as optimization outcomes, this perspective invites us to rethink microbial biomanufacturing—not simply as a process of finding better conditions, but as a process of learning how biological systems behave.

Biography
Dr. Elnaz Kyavar is a plant biologist whose research focuses on microbial biomanufacturing, cyanobacterial physiology, and the development of sustainable production strategies for high-value biomolecules. She received her Ph.D. in Plant Biology from the Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Her research integrates microbial physiology, cultivation optimization, and systems-level interpretation of biological responses to improve phycobiliprotein production and advance microbial cell factory development.

Her recent work emphasizes understanding biological interactions underlying microbial production systems rather than viewing optimization solely as a process engineering objective. She is particularly interested in translating complex biological phenomena into practical frameworks that support robust, scalable, and application-oriented biomanufacturing. Her research interests include microbial biotechnology, phycobiliproteins, cyanobacterial physiology, process optimization, systems biology, and biological interaction-driven bioprocess design.

Dr. Kyavar also serves as an international peer reviewer for several scientific journals. Through both her research and scientific presentations, she aims to bridge experimental evidence with conceptual understanding, promoting scientific storytelling as a means of making complex biological systems more understandable while maintaining scientific rigor.

Abstract:
Up to 25% of the US population harbor Clostridioides difficile in the gut. Following antibiotic disruption of the gut microbiota, C. difficile can act as an opportunistic pathogen and induce potentially lethal infections. Consequently, reducing the colonization of C. difficile in at-risk populations is warranted, prompting us to identify and characterize a probiotic candidate specifically targeting C. difficile colonization. We identified Bacillus velezensis DSM 33864 as a promising strain to reduce C. difficile levels in vitro. We further investigated the effects of B. velezensis DSM 33864 in an assay including human fecal medium and in healthy or clindamycin-treated mouse models of C. difficile colonization. The addition of B. velezensis DSM 33864 to human fecal samples was shown to reduce the colonization of C. difficile in vitro. This was supported in vivo where orally administered B. velezensis DSM 33864 spores reduced C. difficile levels in clindamycin-treated mice. The commensal microbiota composition or post-antibiotic reconstitution was not impacted by B. velezensis DSM 33864 in human fecal samples, short-, or long-term administration in mice. In conclusion, oral administration of B. velezensis DSM 33864 specifically reduced C. difficile colonization in vitro and in vivo without adversely impacting the commensal gut microbiota composition.

Background: Cryptococcal meningitis (CM) is associated with high mortality. The relation between antifungal susceptibility and treatment outcomes is not well characterized. There is paucity of surveillance data of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) isolates of cryptococcus investigated with YEASTONE colorimetric broth microdilution susceptibility testing.
Methods: This was a retrospective study of laboratory-confirmed CM patients at a single-center between 2010 and 2016. Antifungal susceptibility of CSF isolates was determined by YEASTONE colorimetric broth microdilution. Clinical parameters, CSF laboratory indices, and antifungal susceptibility results were analyzed to identify risk factors for mortality.
Results: There were 53 isolates. High rates of resistance to fluconazole and flucytosine were observed in this cohort. Voriconazole showed the lowest MIC (0.06 µg/mL) and lowest rate of resistance (3.8%). There was no significant correlation between antifungal susceptibility and mortality. On univariate analysis, hematological malignancy, concurrent cryptococcemia, high Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score, low Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score, low CSF glucose level, high CSF cryptococcal antigen titer, and high serum cryptococcal antigen burden were associated with mortality. On multivariate analysis, meningitis with concurrent cryptococcemia, GCS score, and high CSF cryptococcus burden, were independent predictors of poor prognosis.
Conclusion: Concomitant cryptococcemia, low CSF glucose level, high CSF and serum cryptococcus antigen burden were risk factors for mortality. CM patients with fluconazole MIC ≥64 µg/mL showed extremely high mortality. However, both early and late mortality rates were not significantly different between CM wild type and non-wild type species.

Traditional medicine and the use of medicinal plants are well established in the African health system. For example, Violaceae plants are used for antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory applications in traditional medicine. This study describes the phytochemical analysis and bioactivity screening of four species of the purple Allexis tribe found in Cameroon. Allexis cauliflora, Allexis obanensis, Allexis batangae and Allexis zygomorpha were assessed for the expression of circular peptides (cyclotides) by mass spectrometry. The unique cystine-rich cyclic motif was identified in several peptides from all four species. Knowing that members of this family of peptides are endowed with antimicrobial properties, the plant extracts and two cyclotides (Alca1 and Alca2) newly isolated and described and synthesized as well as their analogues were evaluated for antibacterial inhibition. These macrocycle peptides and plant extracts were tested against nine strains of microbes. The peptides were specific for Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus with a minimum inhibition concentration of approximately 0.32 microM. Alca1 showed potent activity against Escherichia coli with a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.82 microM. Both peptides were inactive against Candida albicans. These macrocycles are cytotoxic and lyse human red blood cells with a 40% lethal dose of 400 microM. Modification of the Arg residue in Alca1 with a keto aldehyde significantly reduced its activity against S. aureus, whereas blocking the Arg in Alca2 produced no significant effects. The two-disulfide variants and their scrambled disulfide isomers exhibited antimicrobial profiles and potency similar to their native peptides. However, in high-salt assays (100 mM NaCl), few of these macrocyclic peptides, native or analogues, retained their antimicrobial activity. These results show that macrocyclic peptides possess specific and potent salt-dependent antimicrobial activity and that their initial interactions with microbial surfaces can be electrostatic, an effect commonly observed in defensin antimicrobial peptides. Furthermore, their end-to-end ring structure with a cystine knot motif represents a molecular structure of antimicrobials and may provide a useful model for the design of new peptide antibiotics

Abstract:
Infectious keratitis is a sight-threatening condition that is usually an ocular emergency. The visual outcome depends on prompt and accurate clinical management as well as geographic and epidemiological awareness. We conducted a retrospective observational study to define the epidemiological and laboratory profile, as well as the clinical course of bacterial keratitis in a tertiary hospital in São Paulo over 21 years. Information about age, sex, predisposing factors, topical and surgical treatment, visual acuity, ulcers’ classification, bacterioscopy, culture, and antibiotic sensitivity tests were collected. This study included 160 patients. The mean age was 65,1 ± 18,4 years and risk factors were identified in 83,1% of the patients. Empirical topical fortified cephalosporin with an aminoglycoside or fourth-generation fluoroquinolone was curative for 66,2% of the cases. The mean treatment duration was 22,5 ± 9 days. The mean variation of visual acuity was -0,25 logMAR, p<0,001. Culture revealed 64% of Gram-positive bacteria. All Gram-positive bacteria were sensitive to cephalothin, vancomycin, and quinolones. All Gram-negative bacteria were sensitive to gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and ciprofloxacin. These findings reinforce the importance of prompt empirical treatment of severe corneal ulcers with a fortified cephalosporin and aminoglycoside or a fourth-generation fluoroquinolone as there are equally effective. Collected data was insufficient to evaluate resistance of ocular infections over time in this population.

Introduction and aim: Multi-drug resistant Gram-negative bacteria represent a big issue in the management of diseases. Aim of our study was to evaluate the in-vitro activity of N-acetil-cysteine (NAC) alone or in combination with a single antibiotic or more antibiotics.
Material and methods: Fifteen Acinetobacter baumannii (Ab) and 10 Klebsiella pneumoniae (Kp) both resistant to carbapenems isolated from different types of infections, were included. The antibacterial activity of NAC and of the single antibiotics was tested by MIC and MBC measurements. Synergy testing of NAC in association with antibiotics was evaluated by qualitative methods (chekerboard FIC index) and quantitative tests (Time Killing Curves TKC, bactericidal activity). Morphological changes at scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were also examined.
Results: MICs 50/90 (μg/ml) for Ab and Kp were the following: MEM (meropenem) 128/512 and 256/1024, COL (colistin) 0.25/4 and 256/1024, RIF (rifampicin) 2/4 and 32/256 respectively, TIG (tigecycline) 0.5/1 for both, A/S (ampicillin/sulbactam) only for Ab 64/256 and ERT (ertapenem) only for Kp 1024/2048, NAC 2.5/5 and 5/5 mg/ml for Ab and Kp. As for the strains of Ab, NAC alone was bactericidal at 2.5 mg/ml (1/2 MIC) after 2 hrs up to the end of the experiment (24 hrs). The association of NAC resulted as being 100% synergic with MEM and A/S, 93% with RIF whereas was indifferent with COL and TIG. Following the TKC, NAC was able to completely restore the activity of MEM and A/S at concentrations easily achievable in the serum (8-16 μg/ml) which, alone, don’t result effective. As for the strains of Kp, a marked synergism between MEM at 8 μg/ml and NAC at 0.5 MIC was detected. The association COL (2 μg/ml)+0.5 MIC MER (512 μg/ml) was inactive whereas in the presence of NAC at sub-MIC and MEM at 8 μg/ml resulted as fully synergistic. TKC showed that the addition of NAC to MEM at concentrations without bactericidal effect alone, induced a fast and lasting bactericidal activity that persisted overtime. Morphological alterations at SEM (bacterium lengthening and formation of outer membrane vescicles) were strongly evident in the cultures with antibiotics + NAC or with NAC alone compared with the controls.
Conclusions: In summary, NAC not only seems to show a considerable activity against difficult-to-treat bacteria but results as being able to restore the efficacy of the antibiotics associated, at concentrations achievable in the serum.

Abstract: The Anisakidae family nematodes are potentially zoonotic parasites; that infect a wide variety of aquatic species worldwide, with marine fish being the paratenic hosts. This family of eight genera could infest a wide variety of aquatic hosts during the development of their larval stages, mainly marine mammals, aquatic birds, such as pelicans, and freshwater fish, such crucian carp, these being the hosts where the life cycle is completed. These of clinical importance to human health are highlighted: Anisakis pegreffi, A. simplex sensu stricto, Contracaecum osculatum, Pseudoterranova azarazi, P. cattani, P. decipiens and P. krabbei. The geographical distribution of these genera and species is located mainly in the European continent, Asia, and South America, as well as in North and Central America and Australia. Its ability to adapt to the human organism has led to it being considered as a zoonotic agent. The disease in humans manifests nonspecifically, however the consumption of raw or semi-raw seafood is crucial information to link the presentation of the parasite with the disease. But what we need to know about the zoonosis, how do I know I have possible clinical presentation, and when I need to doubt if maybe I´m sick. We need to focus on knowledge education and clinical strategies.