Background: Enterococcus faecalis is a common gastrointestinal commensal and an important opportunistic pathogen. While vancomycin resistance is well characterized, data on virulence-associated genes in colonizing isolates remain limited. Methods: A total of 44 colonizing E. faecalis isolates recovered from routine VRE screening (rectal swabs) were included in the study. The presence of the virulence-associated genes asa, esp, eep, ccf, and cpd was investigated by PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using standardized methods, and isolates were subsequently classified as either vancomycin-resistant (VRE) or vancomycin-susceptible (VSE). A cumulative virulence gene score was calculated for each isolate and compared between the two groups. Results: Virulence-associated genes were heterogeneously distributed. Overall, the prevalence of the investigated virulence genes was cpd (33/44), eep (26/44), esp (24/44), ccf (22/44), and asa (8/44). Among these, only esp was significantly more prevalent in VRE than in VSE isolates (p < 0.01). VRE isolates showed a significantly higher median virulence gene score compared to VSE isolates (3 [IQR: 2–4] vs. 2 [IQR: 2–3]; p = 0.028, Mann–Whitney U test). The esp gene was more frequently detected among VRE isolates, while pheromone-associated genes displayed no clear group-specific pattern. Conclusions: Colonizing E. faecalis isolates carried a heterogeneous repertoire of the selected virulence-associated genes, with a higher burden of these genes among VRE isolates. These findings contribute additional data from Eastern Europe on the molecular characteristics of colonizing E. faecalis populations and support further investigation of their epidemiological relevance in healthcare settings.

Background: Peri-implant infections remain a major cause of dental implant failure, largely due to bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation on implant surfaces. This study aimed to investigate how surface topography influences bacterial colonisation and osteoblastic response. Methods: Titanium discs with machined (Ma), sandblasted, large-grit, and acid-etched (SLA), and nanostructured (Nano) surfaces were prepared, sterilised, and seeded with pre-differentiated dental follicle mesenchymal stem cells. Co-cultures with Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Streptococcus oralis (S. oralis) were established under CO2-free conditions, and cell–bacteria interactions were evaluated using fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis. Results: Nano surfaces showed the highest osteoblastic adhesion and viability, while significantly reducing bacterial proliferation and biofilm formation compared with Ma and SLA surfaces. The sequence of colonisation influenced cell–bacteria dynamics, with early cell attachment limiting subsequent bacterial adhesion. Conclusions: Nano titanium surfaces may offer a dual benefit by promoting osseointegration while limiting bacterial adhesion. These findings support their potential use as surface modifications to reduce peri-implant infection risk and improve long-term implant success.

Invasive candidiasis caused by drug-resistant Candida species represents a critical global health challenge, with few novel therapeutic scaffolds under development. Here, silver nanoparticles were synthesized using a 21-day fermented Chun Mee kombucha tea extract (K-AgNPs) and characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. LC-MS/MS profiling of the kombucha substrate documented a phytochemical landscape dominated by epigallocatechin (up to 122,631 µg/mL) and epigallocatechin gallate (up to 415 µg/mL), with a progressive ~80% decline in epicatechin and concomitant increases in gallic acid and chlorogenic acid across the 21-day fermentation. K-AgNPs obtained were spherical, 19.4 nm (±7.9 nm SD) in diameter, with a surface plasmon resonance peak at 415 nm. FTIR confirmed phenolic, carboxylate, and glycosidic surface capping. Antifungal susceptibility testing against eight Candida species, including the WHO critical-priority pathogen Candidozyma auris, showed concordant minimum inhibitory and minimum fungicidal concentrations of 0.80-1.60 µg/mL, confirming fungicidal activity. In vivo evaluation in Galleria mellonella larvae across six infection models demonstrated that K-AgNP treatment at the species-specific MIC significantly improved larval survival versus untreated infected controls (p < 0.01-0.001), while nanoparticle-only groups maintained ≥98% survival, indicating negligible toxicity. Co-treatment amplified total hemocyte mobilization, and K-AgNP-only larvae maintained hemocyte viability above 96% at all time points, indistinguishable from negative controls. Together, these findings demonstrate antifungal activity of K-AgNPs across the genus Candida in standardized in vitro and in vivo settings and provide justification for further investigation, including head-to-head comparison against licensed antifungals and physicochemical validation of nanoparticle stability under assay conditions.

Purpose: Campylobacter spp. are a common cause of acute enteric infections. In immunocompromised or elderly patients, they can lead to extraintestinal infections, including bacteremia. The clinical significance of Campylobacter bacteremia is not fully understood. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on Campylobacter spp. bacteremia, including studies published up to June 2024. Results: Twenty-five retrospective observational studies, published between 1978 and 2024, were included. The studies involved a total of 2480 patients, with a mean age range across studies from 1 to 70 years; 62.45% were male. The pooled prevalence of Campylobacter species was: C. jejuni 60% [95% CI 0.45–0.73], C. coli 8% [95% CI 0.04–0.13], C. fetus 7% [95% CI 0.03–0.15], and other species 9% [95% CI 0.04–0.16]. Mortality was the primary outcome in 22 studies, with a pooled case-fatality risk of 5% [95% CI 0.03–0.09]. Univariate meta-regression showed higher mortality associated with C. fetus (β = 3.217, [95% CI 0.632–5.802], p = 0.017), immunocompromised status (β = 2.749, [95% CI 0.316–5.184], p = 0.029), and chronic liver disease (β = 5.072, [95% CI 0.424–9.720], p = 0.034). Regarding complications, secondary localizations (e.g., endovascular infections) showed a pooled prevalence of 9% [95% CI: 0.04–0.18]; relapses, 3% [95% CI 0.02–0.04]; endocarditis, 2% [95% CI 0.01–0.03]; and persistent bacteremia, 1% [95% CI 0.001–0.27]. Conclusion: Campylobacter spp. bacteremia shows a considerable risk of mortality and complications.

Plants have been used in medicine for centuries to treat various diseases, with alcohol and ethanol being known as universal solvents for the extraction of medicinal plant substances. This article sheds light on Artemisia absinthium (wormwood) and absinthe usage in the history of medicine. The invention of absinthe in Switzerland in 1797 made it an integral part of everyday life and the harmful effects of the massive consumption of this product were labelled absinthism. The medicinal properties of wormwood and absinthe are explored from the earliest records of the use of wormwood from the Ebers Papyrus (copies of which date back to 1550 BC) to the military consumption of absinthe during the French invasion of Algiers in 1830. As widely accepted, A. absinthium has both anthelmintic and antiprotozoal properties. In addition, modern medicine has demonstrated antibacterial, antifungal and antibiofilm properties of the plant extracts. In order to fully utilise the therapeutic potential of A. absinthium, advances in pharmaceutical technology are essential. One promising solution could lie in nanotechnological delivery systems. In our opinion absinthe is another impressive example of how tonics containing various herbal substances were used in the history of medicine to manage infections before their efficacy was later proven in vitro and in vivo.

Supplement use has increased in recent years, despite limited evidence for its broad health benefits. Furthermore, exogenous antioxidants may determine pro-oxidant effects, depending on various factors such as dose, circadian window, and presence of metal ions. Although the effects of sleep deprivation (SD) on the brain are well-documented, its impact on peripheral organs remains relatively underexplored. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of a Cornus mas (C. mas) fruit extract on multiple peripheral sites in rats undergoing paradoxical sleep deprivation (PSD). Male Wistar rats were randomly distributed in four groups, including control, C. mas (CM), sleep deprivation (SD), and sleep deprivation and C. mas (SD+CM) (n = 7/group). Seven days of PSD were associated with ultrastructural liver injury and evidence of oxidative dysfunction in several organs: liver, kidney, spleen, and aorta. These alterations were accompanied by marked increases in the evaluated cytokines, including testicular Interleukin-1β, hepatic Interleukin-6, and aortic Interleukin-4. Although the C. mas extract largely maintained hepatic ultrastructure, its effects on other organs were limited. In the aorta, it normalized GSSG values but was also associated with a significant increase in lipid peroxidation. These findings highlight both the systemic impact of SD and caution against assuming uniform benefits of exogenous antioxidants across organ systems in this context.

Current treatment options for infections caused by vancomycin-resistant (VR) Enterococcus faecium remain limited and often suboptimal. This study investigates the in vitro activity of combination therapies involving fosfomycin and oxazolidinones (linezolid, contezolid, delpazolid, and sutezolid) against five vanA and five vanB E. faecium isolates obtained from blood cultures. The synergistic activity of fosfomycin combined with each oxazolidinone was assessed using checkerboard and time-kill assays. Synergistic interactions were demonstrated with all fosfomycin–oxazolidinone combinations, although the effect was more consistent with delpazolid. In some cases (one for contezolid, three for linezolid, four for sutezolid), the interaction was additive rather than synergistic. Synergy was mainly driven by a significant reduction in fosfomycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), up to 16-fold, while decreases in oxazolidinone MIC were modest. Time-kill assays performed on representative isolates Ef-3 (vanB) and Ef-10 (vanA) confirmed the synergistic interactions, showing a reduction in viable cell counts after 24 h. Our findings provide preclinical evidence supporting the use of fosfomycin in combination with novel oxazolidinones as a promising therapeutic strategy against VR E. faecium infections.

Antibiotic resistance is on the WHO’s top 10 list of global public health threats due to its rapid emergence and spread but also because of the high morbidity and mortality associated with it. Amongst the main species driving this phenomenon is A. baumannii, a member of the ESKAPE group of medical assistance-associated infections causing species famous for its extensively drug-resistant phenotypes. Our findings note a 91.52% frequency of extensively drug-resistant carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (XDR CRAB) phenotype amongst clinical isolates from multiple hospitals in two major cities from northwestern and central Romania, harboring multiple antibiotic resistance genes such as blaOXA-23-like in 108 (91.5%) isolates, blaOXA-24/40-like in 88 (74.6%) isolates, blaNDM in 29 (25%) isolates, ArmA in 75 (63.6%) isolates, and ant(3″)-I in 69 (58.5%) isolates and sul1 in 113 (95.76%) isolates. The isolates, although nearly identical in phenotype, displayed different genotypical profiles, with varying degrees of similarity across hospitals and cities, raising the possibility of both local outbreaks of a single clone and widespread dissemination of resistant isolates.

Background/Objectives: With the increasing use of dental implants in edentulous patients and the high prevalence of peri-implantitis, understanding its microbial and risk factors is crucial. This study investigated Romanian patients from two private dental clinics in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, diagnosed with peri-implantitis, focusing on identifying the predominant bacterial species at affected sites compared with healthy implant sites. Additionally, we examined the impact of factors such as smoking, gender, age, and prosthetic restoration type on disease prevalence. Methods: This cross-sectional study, conducted between January 2023 and December 2024, included randomly selected patients who met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. We enrolled 22 patients and 50 implants in the study. Data collected from medical records, clinical evaluations, and microbiological assessments were subsequently entered into a computerized database. Clinical data were analyzed using Social Science Statistics software(Jeremy Staangroom 2018). Bacterial samples were assessed, incubated, and subsequently identified using the Vitek 2 Compact System (BioMérieux, Marcy—l’ Étoile, France). Results: Peri-implantitis incidence was found to be independent of gender, more prevalent in the mandible, and equally affected smokers and non-smokers. The disease involves a complex polymicrobial infection, with pathogenic bacteria triggering the condition and opportunistic bacteria sustaining it. Conclusions: Peri-implantitis is a complex polymicrobial infection that arises from the interaction of strict pathogenic bacteria and opportunistic bacteria. Peri-implantitis results from intricate interactions of local, systemic, and microbial factors. Identifying its causes is essential for developing effective treatments, with future research emphasizing the role of opportunistic bacteria in disease progression.

Sleep deprivation (SD) induces significant neurobiological changes, including oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and behavioural impairments. This study was designed as a proof of concept to assess the potential for modulating the effects of SD through a short-term seven-day administration of Cornus mas (C. mas) in a rapid eye movement (REM) SD rodent paradigm. Adult male Wistar rats were randomised in four groups (n = 7): control, C. mas (CM), sleep deprivation (SD), and sleep deprivation with C. mas (SD + CM). Behaviourally, SD induced hyperactivity and hyperlocomotion. SD determined histological alterations in the prefrontal cortex and corpus callosum myelin coupled with ultrastructural mitochondrial and cellular abnormalities in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, and pineal gland. Despite evidence of systemic oxidative stress coupled with decreased serum GABA and BDNF following SD, no significant changes were observed in redox markers or inflammatory cytokine levels (TNF-α, IL-1β) within the prefrontal cortex or hippocampus. C. mas extract has shown an overall modest modulatory action, mainly evidenced on behavioural, histological, and ultrastructural parameters. Taken together, these findings highlight behavioural changes and region-specific molecular and structural abnormalities following prolonged REM SD in rats.

Weeksella virosa (W. virosa) is a rare, non-saccharolytic Gram-negative bacterium initially described in the 1970s, later proposed as a distinct genus in 1986. The genus Weeksella currently contains two species, namely W. virosa and W. massiliensis. Although primarily considered non-pathogenic, recent evidence has linked W. virosa to a limited number of clinical infections, mostly in immunocompromised patients. This review aims to consolidate the current body of knowledge on W. virosa, encompassing its microbiological and biochemical characteristics, involvement in human and animal infections, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and a critical evaluation of existing diagnostic methodologies. This review includes 13 case reports detailing 16 human cases retrieved from multiple databases, highlighting diagnostic inconsistencies and a lack of standardized antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Although W. virosa is generally susceptible to most antibiotics with the exception of aminoglycosides, recent reports seem to suggest a possible emerging resistance trend. The presence of this organism in hospital environments raises concerns about its potential transmission within healthcare settings. While biochemical testing appears to offer reasonably accurate identification of W. virosa, molecular confirmation may be warranted in some cases mainly due to the organism’s rarity. The reliability of MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of W. virosa remains currently uncertain. Further studies, including electron microscopy and genome-wide analysis, are urgently needed to clarify the pathogenic potential of this bacterium and guide clinical management. This review underscores the necessity for awareness among clinicians and microbiologists regarding this underrecognized pathogen.

Biofilms are involved in both acute and chronic respiratory infections. While cigarette smoke extract (CSE) has been shown to increase biofilm formation by certain respiratory pathogens, the impact of emerging heated tobacco products (HTPs) remains unclear. We compared the effects of CSE with two HTP aerosol extracts on biofilm biomass and metabolic activity of common respiratory pathogens. Reference strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), known respiratory pathogens, were grown as 24 h biofilms in 96-well plates (48 h for S. aureus and P. aeruginosa). These were exposed to CSE and HTP extracts from iQOS™ (Terea™ Turquoise, ILUMA™ device) and glo™ (neo™ Azure, HyperPro™ device), prepared in liquid culture media. Biofilm density was quantified by the crystal violet assay. Metabolic activity (planktonic and biofilm) was assessed by MTT reduction to formazan. At 24 h, CSE markedly reduced H. influenzae biomass versus iQOS™, glo™, and control, while K. pneumoniae, S. aureus, and P. aeruginosa showed no significant biomass differences. At 48 h, CSE significantly increased biomass in P. aeruginosa and S. aureus versus other exposures. Biofilm MTT assay measured metabolic activity increased in CSE exposure for K. pneumoniae versus iQOS™ and control, and for S. aureus versus control. Overall, HTP extracts showed limited, inconsistent effects compared with CSE, indicating combustion-derived constituents more strongly promote biofilm maturation in this model.

Background and Objective: Gastritis represents one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal diseases and has a multifactorial etiology, many forms of manifestation, and various symptoms. Diagnosis of gastritis is made based on clinical, endoscopic, and histological criteria, and although it is a thorough process, many cases are misdiagnosed or overlooked. This systematic review aims to provide an extensive overview of current artificial intelligence (AI) applications in gastritis diagnosis and evaluate the precision of these systems. This evaluation could highlight the role of AI as a helpful and useful tool in facilitating timely and accurate diagnoses, which in turn could improve patient outcomes. Methods: We have conducted an extensive and comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, including studies published until July 2024. Results: Despite variations in study design, participant numbers and characteristics, and outcome measures, our observations suggest that implementing an AI automatic diagnostic tool into clinical practice is currently feasible, with the current systems achieving high levels of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. Our findings indicate that AI outperformed human experts in most studies, with multiple studies exhibiting an accuracy of over 90% for AI compared to human experts. These results highlight the significant potential of AI to enhance diagnostic accuracy and efficiency in gastroenterology. Conclusions: AI-based technologies can now automatically diagnose using images provided by gastroscopy, digital pathology, and radiology imaging. Deep learning models exhibited high levels of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity while assessing the diagnosis, staging, and risk of neoplasia for different types of gastritis, results that are superior to those of human experts in most studies.

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a significant cause of mortality, especially in healthcare environments. Reliable biomarkers that can accurately predict mortality in CDI patients are yet to be evaluated. Our study aims to evaluate the accuracy of several inflammatory biomarkers and hemogram-derived ratios in predicting mortality in CDI patients, such as the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), the platelet-to-neutrophil ratio (PNR), the derived neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (dNLR), C-reactive protein (CRP), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and procalcitonin (PCT). Results: NLR showed a sensitivity of 72.5% and a specificity of 58.42% with an area under curve (AUC) = 0.652. SII had a sensitivity of 77.5%, a specificity of 54.74%, and an AUC = 0.64. PNR, neutrophils, dNLR, and lymphocytes had lower AUCs which ranged from 0.595 to 0.616, with varied sensitivity and specificity. CRP, leukocytes, and platelets showed modest predictive values with AUCs below 0.6. PCT had a sensitivity of 100%, a low specificity of 7.41%, and an AUC = 0.528. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of CDI patients from two different hospital settings in Italy and Romania during the COVID-19 pandemic, from 1 January 2020 to 5 May 2023. Statistical analyses included t-tests, Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, χ2 tests, and multivariate logistic regression to identify predictors of mortality. ROC analysis assessed the accuracy of biomarkers and hemogram-derived ratios. A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. Conclusions: Neutrophils, dNLR, NLR, SII, and PNR are valuable biomarkers for predicting mortality in CDI patients. Understanding these predictors can improve risk stratification and clinical outcomes for CDI patients.

Background: Biofilm-associated infections frequently span multiple body sites and represent a significant clinical challenge, often requiring a multidisciplinary approach involving surgery and antimicrobial therapy. These infections are commonly healthcare-associated and frequently related to internal or external medical devices. The formation of biofilms complicates treatment, as they create environments that are difficult for most antimicrobial agents to penetrate. Fluoroquinolones play a critical role in the eradication of biofilm-related infections. Numerous studies have investigated the synergistic potential of combining fluoroquinolones with other chemical agents to augment their efficacy while minimizing potential toxicity. Comparative research suggests that the antibiofilm activity of fluoroquinolones is superior to that of beta-lactams and glycopeptides. However, their activity remains less effective than that of minocycline and fosfomycin. Noteworthy combinations include fluoroquinolones with fosfomycin and aminoglycosides for enhanced activity against Gram-negative organisms and fluoroquinolones with minocycline and rifampin for more effective treatment of Gram-positive infections. Despite the limitations of fluoroquinolones due to the intrinsic characteristics of this antibiotic, they remain fundamental in this setting thanks to their bioavailability and synergisms with other drugs. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted using online databases (PubMed/MEDLINE/Google Scholar) and books written by experts in microbiology and infectious diseases to identify relevant studies on fluoroquinolones and biofilm. Results: This review critically assesses the role of fluoroquinolones in managing biofilm-associated infections in various clinical settings while also exploring the potential benefits of combination therapy with these antibiotics. Conclusions: The literature predominantly consists of in vitro studies, with limited in vivo investigations. Although real world data are scarce, they are in accordance with fluoroquinolones’ effectiveness in managing early biofilm-associated infections. Also, future perspectives of newer treatment options to be placed alongside fluoroquinolones are discussed. This review underscores the role of fluoroquinolones in the setting of biofilm-associated infections, providing a comprehensive guide for physicians regarding the best use of this class of antibiotics while highlighting the existing critical issues.

Effective treatment of infectious diseases requires prompt and accurate bacterial identification and tailored antimicrobial treatments. Traditional culture methods are considered the gold standard, but their effectiveness diminishes for fastidious and hard-to-grow microorganisms. In recent years, molecular diagnostic tools such as 16S rRNA gene next-generation sequencing (16S NGS) have gained popularity in the field. We analysed data from samples submitted for 16S NGS between July 2022 and July 2023 at the Department of Advanced Translational Microbiology in Trieste, Italy. The study included samples submitted for both culture-based identification and 16S NGS. Conventional media were used for culture, and bacterial identification was performed using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. The V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene was sequenced using the Ion PGM platform. Among the 123 samples submitted, drainage fluids (38%) and blood (23%) were the most common, with requests predominantly from the Infectious Diseases (31.7%) and Orthopedic (21.13%) Units. In samples collected from patients with confirmed infections, 16S NGS demonstrated diagnostic utility in over 60% of cases, either by confirming culture results in 21% or providing enhanced detection in 40% of instances. Among the 71 patients who had received antibiotic therapies before sampling (mean 2.3 prior antibiotic days), pre-sampling antibiotic consumption did not significantly affect the sensitivity of 16S NGS. In routine microbiology laboratories, combining 16S NGS with culture method enhances the sensitivity of microbiological diagnostics, even when sampling is conducted during antibiotic therapy.

Enterococci commonly cause nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSIs), and the global incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) BSIs is rising. This study aimed to assess the risk factors for enterococcal BSIs and 30-day mortality, stratified by Enterococcus species, vancomycin resistance, and treatment appropriateness. We conducted a retrospective cohort study (2014–2021) including all hospitalized adult patients with at least one blood culture positive for Enterococcus faecalis or Enterococcus faecium. We included 584 patients with enterococcal BSI: 93 were attributed to vancomycin-resistant E. faecium. The overall 30-day mortality was 27.5%; higher in cases of BSI due to vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (36.6%) and vancomycin-sensitive E. faecium (31.8%) compared to E. faecalis BSIs (23.2%) (p = 0.016). This result was confirmed by multivariable Cox analysis. Independent predictors of increased mortality included the PITT score, complicated bacteremia, and age (HR = 1.269, p < 0.001; HR = 1.818, p < 0.001; HR = 1.022, p = 0.005, respectively). Conversely, male gender, consultation with infectious disease (ID) specialists, and appropriate treatment were associated with reduced mortality (HR = 0.666, p = 0.014; HR = 0.504, p < 0.001; HR = 0.682, p = 0.026, respectively). In conclusion, vancomycin-resistant E. faecium bacteremia is independently associated with a higher risk of 30-day mortality.

Yokenella regensburgei is a Gram-negative rod part of the Enterobacteriaceae family (order Enterobacterales) and a rare cause of human infections. Although improved diagnostic methods have led to an increase in reports of this elusive pathogen, information remains limited. In order to provide a better understanding of this bacterium, we developed the first comprehensive review of its biology, biochemical profile, antimicrobial resistance pattern, virulence factors, natural reservoir and involvement in various veterinary and human infections. Human infections with this bacterium are scarcely reported, most probably due to constraints regarding its identification and biochemical similarities to Hafnia alvei. Multiple systematic searches revealed 23 cases of human infection, with a seemingly worldwide distribution, mostly in middle-aged or elderly male patients, often associated with immunosuppression. To date, Y. regensburgei has been reported in skin and soft tissue infections, bacteremia and sepsis, osteoarticular infections and in others such as urinary tract and digestive infections. The unique ability of Y. regensburgei to degrade polystyrene presents a novel and promising avenue for addressing plastic pollution in the near future. However, large-scale applications of this bacterium will undoubtedly increase human exposure, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive research into its role in human and veterinary infections, pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance.