Cedecea lapagei is a Gram-negative bacillus belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Although rarely reported, it has been implicated in various infections including pneumonia, bacteremia, wound superinfection, urinary tract infections, ventriculitis, osteomyelitis, and peritonitis. To the best of our knowledge, we have documented a rare instance of an infection at the site of a left hip amputation caused by Cedecea lapagei, along with a literature review. A 37-year-old man who does not have any significant past medical history sustained a Grade III open fracture of the left femur, classified according to Duparc and Cauchoix, caused by a road traffic accident. After being admitted, the laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis with neutrophils dominating, anemia, and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. Because of the high risk of infection, an amputation was performed on the affected limb, followed by the use of empirical antibiotics such as amoxicillin-clavulanate, gentamicin, and metronidazole. The clinical course was complicated by the rapid development of tissue necrosis and abscess formation. Cytobacteriological analysis was carried out on collected pus samples, which identified a Gram-negative bacillus, confirmed as Cedecea lapagei using the BD Phoenix identification system. The antibacterial susceptibility test indicated that the strain was resistant to cefazolin, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefepime, ertapenem, and colistin but was still able to respond to piperacillin/tazobactam, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and ciprofloxacin. The patient underwent drainage of purulent collections and surgical debridement of necrotic tissue, followed by intravenous ciprofloxacin 400 mg every 12 h, which resulted in favorable clinical outcomes. There is a lack of current knowledge about Cedecea lapagei's virulence factors and pathogenic potential due to its infrequent isolation (Rhoubi, 2025).

Biofilm-associated infections pose a persistent challenge in clinical practice, characterized by their chronic nature, resistance to conventional antimicrobial therapies, and frequent association with indwelling medical devices. Current diagnostic and treatment modalities often prove ineffective in detecting and eradicating these complex microbial communities. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI), encompassing machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL), has emerged as a promising paradigm to advance our understanding and management of these infections. This review explores the evolving landscape of AI-driven approaches, including advancements in biofilm detection, prediction of antibiotic resistance, and in silico discovery of novel antibiofilm compounds. Although initial results are encouraging, the translation of these technologies into clinical settings is hindered by limitations such as heterogeneous datasets, limited model interpretability, and regulatory issues. Addressing these barriers will require interdisciplinary collaboration to develop robust, transparent, and clinically relevant AI frameworks tailored to biofilm-related infections.

Necrotizing otitis externa (NOE) is a severe and potentially life-threatening infection of the external auditory canal, particularly affecting elderly diabetic or immunocompromised patients. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the most frequently isolated pathogen. Among fungi, Aspergillus and Candida spp. are the most commonly implicated. Nevertheless, Scedosporium sp. has also emerged as a notable pathogen in NOE. We report the case of a 67-year-old woman with poorly controlled diabetes who presented with persistent right-sided otorrhea and otalgia, complicated by facial paralysis. Imaging revealed bone erosion consistent with NOE. Mycological analysis of ear swabs identified Scedosporium sp. This case highlights the importance of considering fungal pathogens in refractory cases of otitis externa, particularly in high-risk patients. It underscores the need for early mycological investigations to ensure appropriate antifungal therapy.

The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, necessitating advanced computational approaches for early detection and prediction. This study presents a comprehensive comparative analysis of 13 machine learning algorithms across three critical tasks: antibiotic resistance prediction, multi-drug resistance (MDR) classification, and bacterial species identification. Using a large-scale dataset of 120,619 antimicrobial susceptibility testing records from 5,369 specimens collected over eight years (2016–2024), we evaluated tree-based methods, neural networks, support vector machines, and ensemble approaches. XGBoost achieved the highest performance in resistance prediction with 80.45

Pasteurella multocida is a common pathogen following cat bites; however, severe hand infections leading to amputation remain rare. We report the case of a 54-year-old woman who presented 10 days after a cat bite with pain, swelling, and purulent discharge of the right hand. Despite initial appropriate antibiotic therapy and surgical management, the infection progressed to extensive soft tissue necrosis, ultimately requiring amputation of the distal fifth metacarpal. Clinical improvement was observed after adjustment of the antibiotic regimen. This case underscores the potentially aggressive course of P. multocida hand infections and highlights the critical importance of early recognition and prompt management of cat bites to prevent severe complications, including tissue necrosis and amputation.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia is a severe infection associated with high morbidity and mortality due to its propensity for hematogenous dissemination and metastatic infection in distant organs. We report the case of a 60-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis receiving corticosteroid therapy and well-controlled diabetes mellitus who presented with a 15-day history of fever, bilateral polyarthralgia, and progressive functional impairment. On admission, the patient developed acute respiratory distress requiring intensive care. Imaging studies revealed multiple osteoarticular abscesses involving both shoulders, the sternoclavicular and costovertebral joints, complicated by mediastinitis, bilateral pneumonia, and pleural effusions. Cultures from blood, synovial fluid, periarticular collections, and mediastinal abscesses grew methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus. The patient underwent surgical drainage and received intravenous antimicrobial therapy, with favorable clinical and radiological outcomes. This case highlights an unusual presentation of disseminated Staphylococcus aureus infection with polyarticular septic arthritis and mediastinitis and emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and multidisciplinary management.

Many emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have been observed over the last few decades around the globe due to population growth, international travel, environmental changes, and microbial adaptation and evolution, despite advances in the medical field. The spread of these diseases is related to complex interactions between pathogens and their hosts. Accordingly, this review summarises current knowledge on infection development and discusses methods used for detection and modeling. Recent studies have revealed the limitations of two-dimensional models and increasingly rely on 3D systems, including spheroids, organoids, and organ-on-a-chip systems, that offer more realistic tissue environments, allowing researchers to more effectively study host–pathogen interactions. Overall, the integration of complementary approaches and the development of 3D models are crucial for enhancing diagnosis, developing new therapeutic approaches, and strengthening control strategies of emerging outbreaks.

Burkholderia cenocepacia (B. cenocepacia) is a strictly aerobic, nonfermenting, Gram-negative bacillus belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex. It is the most virulent and pathogenic species within this group. It poses a therapeutic challenge due to its intrinsic resistance to several commonly used antibiotics and the emergence of acquired resistance. It mainly causes respiratory infections in immunocompromised patients, particularly those with cystic fibrosis. We report a rare case of urinary tract infection caused by B. cenocepacia in a neonate admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for respiratory distress. Cytobacteriological examination of urine identified B. cenocepacia, with identification confirmed by MALDI-TOF (matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry). The isolate was susceptible only to sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim. The clinical course was marked by the patient's death before the initiation of targeted antibiotic therapy.

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging non-fermenting Gram-negative bacillus increasingly implicated in healthcare-associated infections. Its remarkable ability to form biofilms on inert surfaces and invasive medical devices, together with its intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms, makes it a major therapeutic challenge in hospital settings. Objective: This study aimed to describe the epidemiological characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates recovered in our microbiology laboratory. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on clinical isolates of S. maltophilia obtained from various clinical specimens. The bacterial exam was performed according to standard microbiological guidelines. Results: Over the study period, the prevalence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia isolates was 0.25% among all bacterial isolates (34 out of 13,959). Respiratory specimens were the most frequent source (23.53%, n = 8), followed by blood cultures (17.65%, n = 6). Most isolates originated from intensive care units (47.06%, n = 16). Trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole retained high efficacy with a susceptibility of 81.48%, while Minocycline demonstrated the highest activity, with a susceptibility rate of 100%. In contrast, the high resistance rates were observed for ceftazidime (61.90%). Conclusion: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia represents an emerging nosocomial pathogen with significant therapeutic implications. Continuous monitoring of local resistance profiles, along with strengthened infection prevention measures and appropriate antibiotic use, is essential to limit the spread of resistant strains.

Brevundimonas diminuta is a Gram-negative, non-fermenting, ubiquitous bacillus. It is rarely described in human infections. We report a case of Brevundimonas diminuta bacteremia in a young patient undergoing treatment for Hodgkin lymphoma. the patient was admitted for management of febrile neutropenia. The patient was treated with intravenous imipenem leading to a favorable outcome. Brevundimonas diminuta is an ever-increasing cause of infection, especially in critically ill patients. It is showing increased resistance to antimicrobial agents.

The increasing concern about antibiotic side effects and the rise of resistant bacterial strains have stimulated interest in natural antimicrobial alternatives. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of garlic (Allium sativum L.), honey, and particularly their combined effects in traditional macerations against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, along with their physicochemical properties, total phenolic content, and antioxidant activity. All honey samples met Codex Alimentarius standards, showing normal acidity and low hydroxymethylfurfural levels. Carob honey had the highest polyphenol content and antioxidant capacity, while jujube honey showed the highest flavonoid concentration. Individually, sliced and powdered garlic exhibited strong antibacterial effects, whereas steamed garlic was less active, and all honeys showed inhibitory activity, with jujube honey being the most effective. Notably, the combination of garlic and honey enhanced antibacterial activity compared to individual components, with the garlic powder–jujube honey maceration producing the highest inhibition. While garlic demonstrated bactericidal activity at high concentrations, honey and garlic–honey macerations mainly exhibited bacteriostatic effects. These findings highlight the added value of garlic–honey combinations as effective natural antibacterial agents against clinically important pathogens.

Background: Acute appendicitis is a common surgical emergency that may progress to severe complications such as perforation, generalized peritonitis, and intra-abdominal abscesses. Intra-abdominal infections are typically polymicrobial and rarely involve uncommon pathogens such as Enterococcus avium.Case report: We report a rare case of perforated appendicitis with generalized peritonitis caused by E.avium in a 45-year-old woman with schizophrenia treated with chlorpromazine, who presented with isolated diffuse abdominal pain without associated symptoms. Laboratory investigations revealed a marked inflammatory response, and abdominal computed tomography confirmed generalized appendicular peritonitis with multiple intra-abdominal abscesses. Emergency laparotomy revealed a perforated latero-cecal appendix with extensive purulent collections, and appendectomy with peritoneal lavage and drainage was performed. Microbiological analysis of peritoneal fluid identified E. avium using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The isolate demonstrated broad susceptibility to multiple antimicrobial classes. The patient received empirical intravenous ceftriaxone plus metronidazole, followed by oral ciprofloxacin and metronidazole after microbiological identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. She recovered without postoperative complications and remained asymptomatic at the 1-month follow-up.Conclusion: This case highlights the potential of E. avium to cause severe intra-abdominal infections, the importance of considering atypical presentations that may delay diagnosis, and the critical role of advanced microbiological techniques in guiding appropriate therapy.

Central nervous system infections caused by Pantoea agglomerans are extremely rare, particularly in immunocompetent adults and outside any neurosurgical context. This Gram-negative bacillus, ubiquitous in the environment, is now recognized as an emerging opportunistic pathogen.We report the case of a 63-year-old woman with no notable medical history, admitted for severe headaches that had been evolving for 15 days and were subsequently associated with nausea, vomiting, photophobia, drowsiness, and fever. Clinical examination revealed a meningeal syndrome without focal neurological signs, with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 15/15. Laboratory investigations showed leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. Lumbar puncture yielded cloudy cerebrospinal fluid, with neutrophil-predominant pleocytosis, elevated protein level, hypoglycorrhachia, and increased lactate level, suggestive of bacterial meningitis.Cerebrospinal fluid culture on blood agar revealed, after 48 hours of incubation, yellow-pigmented colonies, which were identified by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry as Pantoea agglomerans. The isolate was susceptible to the tested antibiotics, including ceftriaxone, which was initiated upon admission. Despite this management, the clinical course was rapidly unfavorable, marked by severe meningoencephalitis complicated by fatal cardiorespiratory arrest.This case highlights the rarity and potential severity of neuromeningeal infections caused by P. agglomerans in adults.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a rare but notable pathogen associated with deep visceral abscesses, especially in patients with underlying malignancies or immunosuppression. Commonly found in aquatic environments, it is typically implicated in gastrointestinal infections but can also cause severe conditions such as sepsis or necrotizing fasciitis. In this report, we describe the case of a 76-year-old female patient diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma and a concurrent abscess in the pancreatic region caused by A. hydrophila. The patient presented with epigastric pain, jaundice, and elevated liver biomarkers. After receiving systemic antibiotic therapy with gentamicin and ceftriaxone, the patient achieved full recovery. This case highlights the importance of recognizing A. hydrophila as a rare cause of deep visceral abscesses, emphasizing the need for early diagnosis and effective management to improve prognosis and survival rates.

Citrobacter koseri is a Gram-negative bacillus of the Enterobacteriaceae family, formerly known as Citrobacter diversus. While this pathogen is known to cause severe infections in neonates, cerebral abscesses due to C. koseri in adults are exceptionally uncommon. We present a rare case of a brain abscess in an elderly man caused by C. koseri, successfully treated with ceftriaxone, resulting in a favorable clinical outcome.

Genitourinary tuberculosis is a severe form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis. The kidneys are the most commonly affected organs, followed by the epididymis, testicles, bladder, ureter and prostate. Notably, epididymal tuberculosis is one of the forms of genital tuberculosis presenting with specific clinical features, which may include epididymitis, orchid-epididymitis or hydrocele. We report the case of a patient with a hydrocele that revealed epididymal tuberculosis. Utilizing molecular biology techniques, a diagnostic test for epididymal tuberculosis was established. The patient was treated conservatively with tuberculosis medication for 6 months.

Antibiotic resistance is a major concern for health systems worldwide, due to the irrational use of antibiotics. Honey can be considered an alternative therapy to antibiotics. Our study aims to evaluate the microbiological quality and presumed antibacterial activity of 7 natural honeys of different floral origins. Aerobic bacteria grew in 3 samples of honey: (jujube honey ( Bacillus subtilis ), fig honey ( Staphylococcus hominis , S. epidermidis, and S. pettenkoferi ) and holm oak honey ( Aerococcus viridans )). Only holm oak honey contained a yeast ( Cryptococcus neoformans ), while the other honeys were free of yeasts and molds. Holm oak honey was most effective on most bacterial strains studied, particularly S. pyogenes . The other honeys were mainly active against S. pyogenes . None of the honeys showed activity against P. aeruginosa , K. pneumoniae , S. aureus and C. albicans . The MIC was 25% for holm oak honey against the 5 bacterial strains which showed a response. For fig honey, the MIC varied between 50% ( S. pyogenes , S. aureus and S. epidermidis ) and 100% ( S. hominis and E. coli ). For most other honeys, the MIC was 100%, meaning only the pure form of honey could prevent bacterial growth. In this study, honey, consistent with its traditional use in the ENT sphere, was found to be effective against S. pyogenes , a bacteria often responsible for bacterial tonsillitis which can limit the inappropriate use of antibiotics. These results could guide pharmaceutical research aimed at extracting active ingredients from honey to develop new antibacterial agents.

Biofilms are structured microbial communities that form on biotic or abiotic surfaces. They are encased in a self-produced extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix, which allows them to persist, resist antibiotics, and evade the host immune system. Biofilm development is linked to persistent and recurrent infections, including those related to implanted medical devices, wounds, the urinary tract, the respiratory system, and the gastrointestinal tract. Bacteria within biofilms display unique phenotypes compared to their planktonic forms, including changes in gene expression, growth patterns, and metabolic processes, further complicating treatment. Understanding how biofilms develop and are regulated, along with their impact on antimicrobial resistance, is crucial for developing effective approaches to manage and treat biofilm-associated infections. This review examines the existing knowledge about biofilms in human infections, focusing on their formation, structure, and role in antimicrobial resistance and immune evasion. We analyze diagnostic and treatment challenges, explore recent advances in detection and characterization techniques, and discuss novel therapeutic strategies.