Том 22, № 2 (2024)

Trypanosoma cruzi, the parasite that causes Chagas disease, can only be cured with one of two drugs, benznidazole or nifurtimox. The main disadvantages of these drugs include their ineffectiveness outside of the acute or early infection phase, their unpleasant effects, and the parasite's tolerance to their activities. On the other hand, several institutions and research groups have been working on a number of ways that can help find a solution to the problem. These strategies have evolved over the last few years. Several examples of such advancements include the utilization of combination therapy, the repurposing of current treatments, and the change of dosages for traditional drugs. Research has also been conducted on antiparasitic plants and the substances that may be obtained from them, and it makes use of existing knowledge gathered through medical procedures. Some works have studied the parasite in order to identify important genes that have the potential to be used as therapeutic targets in the development of novel targeted medications. Even though a lot of these studies have shown promising results, only a small fraction of them make it to the clinical testing phase of the study. Institutions and research organizations should be rewarded for coordinating their efforts and addressing all areas of drug development, given their resources and information. Last but not least, distributing this information will result in novel Chagas disease therapies, which would assist impacted populations.

Introduction:Nosocomial urinary tract infections (NUTIs) are the most frequently acquired infection worldwide. This retrospective study aimed to determine the type of pathogens and antibiotic susceptibility testing in hospital-acquired UTIs.

Methods:Information from the recorded official database of the Alzahra, Isfahan/Iran tertiary specialist hospital was obtained. Urine was collected based on two methods: 1) central stream and 2) with a urinary catheter in place. The incidence of acquired infections (NUTIs-SUTI; Code 55) was described as a percentage. The statistical calculations were conducted using the statistical software. There were 2210 recorded NUTIs comprised of 1115 males and 1095 females. Among the total recorded data with NUTIs, 251 records were associated with deaths. The distribution of hospital stays in 57% was between 2-30 days. Available data showed that Candida (23%), Escherichia coli (22%), Klebsiella pneumonia (17%), and Enterococcus (faeciumfecalis; 12%) were the most ranked microorganisms in patients with NUTIs.

Resulsts:Sensitivity tests for Escherichia coli associated with different antibiotics were ranked as; 1) Meropenem (n= 160; S= 66%), 2) Vancomycin (n= 53; S= 64%), 3) Piperacillin/Tazobactam (n= 144; S= 58%), 4) Amikacin (n= 146; S= 44%), 5) Co-trimoxazole (n= 153; S=42%), 6) Penicillin (n=79; S=41%), 7) Cefepime (n=143; S=31%), 8) Ceftazidime (n=142; S=31%), 9) Ciprofloxacin (n=204; S=25%). Sensitivity tests for Klebsiella pneumonia associated with different antibiotics were ranked as; 1) Piperacillin/Tazobactam (n= 110; S= 55%), 2) Amikacin (n= 125; S= 55%), and 3) Ciprofloxacin (n=177; S=23%). Sensitivity tests for Enterococcus (faecium-fecalis) associated with different antibiotics were ranked as; 1) Piperacillin/Tazobactam (n= 79; S= 62%), 2) Amikacin (n= 83; S= 64%) and 3) Ciprofloxacin (n=120; S=30%).

Conclusion:Within the population studied, while Ciprofloxacin showed less than 30% sensitivity, Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Amikacin exhibited a sensitivity of more than 50% regarding Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and Enterococcus (faecium-fecalis) need further evidence-based investigations

Natural substances have been the principal source of medications since antiquity. Natural goods are gaining popularity as a source of novel medications. This article investigates a variety of variables like plant, marine, and microbial sources that contribute to the growing interest in natural goods as a source of novel medications. Viruses have remained resistant to treatment and prevention for a longer period than other forms of life. Viral diseases can currently only be treated with a limited number of drugs. Significant research initiatives have been committed to identifying novel antiviral natural compounds to fight viruses that harm people, plants, insects, animals, fungi, and microbes. A recent study of the prevalence and sources of antiviral medications licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has focused on natural products. Out of the estimated 250,000 higher plant species, only 5 to 15 percent have been thoroughly evaluated for the existence of bioactive substances in them, and the ability of the other species has hardly been investigated. This review aims to offer an overview of the crucial role played by natural products in the discovery and development of novel antiviral drugs with potent antiviral activity, including phytochemicals such as carbohydrates, coumarins, flavonoids, chromones, alkaloids, lignans, phenols, tannins, proteins, peptides, antiviral plant extracts, other marine, and microbial sources.