Journal Description
Acta Microbiologica Hellenica
Acta Microbiologica Hellenica
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal on medical microbiology. The journal is owned by the Hellenic Society for Microbiology and is published quarterly online by MDPI (since Volume 69, Issue 1 - 2024). The Hellenic Society for Microbiology is affiliated with AMH and its members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, Biological Abstracts and BIOSIS Previews (Web of Science), and other databases.
- Rapid Publication: first decisions in 16 days; acceptance to publication in 5.8 days (median values for MDPI journals in the first half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: APC discount vouchers, optional signed peer review, and reviewer names published annually in the journal.
Latest Articles
Anti-HIV Activity of Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) Serum on Infected Human Mononuclear Cells
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(3), 180-186; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69030017 - 7 Aug 2024
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The search for effective inhibitors of HIV-1 replication remains a critical research area of research in virology and immunology. Natural products have emerged as promising candidates for antiviral therapies. In the present study, we assessed the potential inhibitory activity of Philippine crocodile serum
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The search for effective inhibitors of HIV-1 replication remains a critical research area of research in virology and immunology. Natural products have emerged as promising candidates for antiviral therapies. In the present study, we assessed the potential inhibitory activity of Philippine crocodile serum at both pre- and post-infection stages of the HIV-1 replication cycle. Freshly collected crocodile serum samples were used in a cell culture-based assay with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity in the treated cell culture system was assessed using colorimetric enzyme immunoassay. The crocodile serum at 0.5% and 0.25% vol/vol concentrations showed an inhibitory activity against HIV-1 replication both in pre-infection interactions (68.61 ± 1.67% and 69.95 ± 2.24%, respectively) and post-infection interactions (65.68 ± 2.93% and 69.92 ± 0.45%, respective). These findings suggest that Philippine crocodile serum may have potential as a natural inhibitor of HIV-1 replication and warrant further investigation into its therapeutic use.
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Open AccessReview
Exploring Bacteriophage Applications in Medicine and Beyond
by
Ahmed Elfadadny, Rokaia F. Ragab, Manar A. Abou Shehata, Medhat R. Elfadadny, Ahmed Farag, Ayman H. Abd El-Aziz and Hazim O. Khalifa
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(3), 167-179; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69030016 - 8 Jul 2024
Abstract
Bacteriophages, or phages, are microscopic viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacterial hosts. Their unique ability to target and control bacterial populations makes them valuable tools with applications ranging from human medicine and agriculture and environmental management to biotechnology. In this comprehensive
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Bacteriophages, or phages, are microscopic viruses that specifically infect and replicate within bacterial hosts. Their unique ability to target and control bacterial populations makes them valuable tools with applications ranging from human medicine and agriculture and environmental management to biotechnology. In this comprehensive review, we explore the diverse and promising medical and non-medical applications of bacteriophages, highlighting their pivotal role across various niches. From safeguarding food production through pathogen control to their innovative utilization in wastewater treatment, bacteriophages prove to be versatile agents. To achieve applications of phages on a larger scale, it is necessary to make the legal framework more suitable and flexible, create special approval programs (e.g., for novel antimicrobial drugs), and promote targeted research and development activities on phages. Additionally, a more intensive exchange between academia, industry, regulatory authorities, and stakeholders in the health system should be pursued.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Open AccessReview
Combating Malaria with Vaccines: Insights from the One Health Framework
by
Henry Sutanto
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(3), 153-166; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69030015 - 5 Jul 2024
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Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with significant efforts directed towards developing effective vaccines to curb its impact. The One Health concept, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and combating
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Malaria remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with significant efforts directed towards developing effective vaccines to curb its impact. The One Health concept, recognizing the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, offers a comprehensive approach to understanding and combating this disease. This review examines the development of malaria vaccine through the lens of the One Health framework, highlighting the integration of human, vector, and environmental factors in the fight against malaria. We discuss the current landscape of malaria vaccine development, including the deployment of the RTS,S/AS01 vaccine and the progress of other candidates such as the R21/Matrix-M and PfSPZ vaccine. The challenges posed by the complex lifecycle of the malaria parasite, its genetic diversity, and the environmental factors influencing transmission are explored. This review also discusses emerging technologies and innovations that could enhance vaccine efficacy and delivery. Additionally, we consider ethical, social, and economic factors critical to the successful implementation of vaccination programs. In concluding, this review underscores the importance of adopting a One Health approach to malaria vaccine development, advocating for integrated efforts to address the multifaceted challenges of malaria control and eradication.
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Open AccessCommunication
Assembly and Annotation of the Complete Genome Sequence of the Paenibacillus Bacteriophage phJNUCC32
by
Yang Xu, Xuhui Liang and Chang-Gu Hyun
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(3), 144-152; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69030014 - 5 Jul 2024
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A potential biocontrol agent for American foulbrood (AFB), the Paenibacillus bacteriophage phJNUCC32, was isolated from Baengnokdam in Halla Mountain. This study aimed to investigate its genomic characteristics through whole-genome sequencing. The genome of phJNUCC32 was found to be 62,871 base pairs in length,
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A potential biocontrol agent for American foulbrood (AFB), the Paenibacillus bacteriophage phJNUCC32, was isolated from Baengnokdam in Halla Mountain. This study aimed to investigate its genomic characteristics through whole-genome sequencing. The genome of phJNUCC32 was found to be 62,871 base pairs in length, with a G + C content of 51.98%. Phylogenetic analysis classified phJNUCC32 within the unclassified Caudoviricetes bacteriophage category. The genome prediction confirmed the absence of virulence factors and antibiotic-resistance genes, ensuring its genetic safety. A total of 63 coding DNA sequences were identified, revealing a modular arrangement. Notably, the annotation of gene function indicates that phJNUCC32 harbors the holin/lysin system, suggesting significant potential for controlling bacterial infections in AFB and agriculture.
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Open AccessEditorial
The Value of a “One Health” Approach—The Updated Scope of Acta Microbiologica Hellenica
by
Athanasios Tsakris
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(3), 142-143; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69030013 - 4 Jul 2024
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged the resilience of public health sectors worldwide [...]
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Open AccessArticle
Mathematical Modelling of Gonorrhoea Spread in Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2022
by
Gabor Kiss, Daniel Corken, Rebecca Hall, Alhassan Ibrahim, Salissou Moutari, Frank Kee, Gillian Armstrong, Declan Bradley, Maeve Middleton, Lynsey Patterson and Felicity Lamrock
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(2), 114-141; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69020012 - 6 Jun 2024
Abstract
The number of confirmed positive tests of various sexually transmitted infections has grown recently in the United Kingdom. The objective of this study is to propose a deterministic compartmental model to investigate gonorrhoea spread in Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2022. The differential
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The number of confirmed positive tests of various sexually transmitted infections has grown recently in the United Kingdom. The objective of this study is to propose a deterministic compartmental model to investigate gonorrhoea spread in Northern Ireland between 2012 and 2022. The differential equation based model includes both symptomatic and asymptomatic spread, spontaneous recovery and treatment compartments. After fitting our model to the monthly number of new positive tests, we found that the basic reproduction number is approximately . In addition, we derive the endemic equilibrium of the model, which exists if and only if . The sensitivity analyses of the basic reproduction number and the endemic values of the compartments of treated individuals indicate that infection spreading time can have a significant impact on gonorrhoea spread.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Immunological Insights: A Multicenter Longitudinal Study on Humoral Response to COVID-19 Vaccines in Greece
by
Eleni Makri, Ekatherina Charvalos, Elisavet Stavropoulou, Constantina Skanavis, Areti Lagiou and Anastasia Barbounis
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(2), 101-113; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69020011 - 5 Jun 2024
Abstract
Vaccination has emerged as the most effective tool in the battle against COVID-19. To optimize vaccination protocols, a deeper understanding of the immune response to vaccination, including influential factors and its duration, is essential. This study aimed to assess the humoral response in
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Vaccination has emerged as the most effective tool in the battle against COVID-19. To optimize vaccination protocols, a deeper understanding of the immune response to vaccination, including influential factors and its duration, is essential. This study aimed to assess the humoral response in vaccinated individuals with or without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. A prospective observational study was conducted across 14 private healthcare structures in Greece. Anti-spike IgG titers were measured at different timepoints following the initial vaccination and booster doses of the BNT162b2, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1 nCoV-19, and Ad26.COV2.S vaccines. A total of 505 participants were included in the first phase, evaluating the humoral response after the initial vaccination, and 311 participants were involved in the second phase, assessing the effects of booster vaccination. All vaccines elicited high anti-S IgG titers initially, followed by a subsequent decline that was addressed by the booster vaccination. The humoral response was sustained up to one year after the booster vaccination. mRNA vaccines induced higher anti-S IgG titers compared to vector vaccines, with mRNA-1273 eliciting higher titers than BNT162b2. Vaccination resulted in higher antibody titers than natural infection alone; however, convalescent patients who received vaccination had significantly higher anti-S IgG titers compared to those who received the booster vaccine without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Lower antibody titers were observed in men and older patients (>51.5 years old), as well as smokers, although the decline rate was lower in these subgroups. These results underscore the importance of booster doses and reveal the potential influence of age, gender, smoking habits, and vaccine type on varying humoral responses. Long-term monitoring of antibody persistence, evaluation of cellular immune responses, and assessment of vaccine efficacy against emerging variants should be considered to enhance our understanding of immunity dynamics and inform vaccine development and deployment strategies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Open AccessReview
What’s in a Name? Hellenic Origins of Microbiological Nomenclature
by
Georgia Vrioni and Theodoros A. Peppas
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(2), 93-100; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69020010 - 30 May 2024
Abstract
Our intention was to trace the origins of names that every microbiologist comes to pronounce or write down in her/his daily practice and, particularly, to elucidate the etymological debt of this medical field to the two great languages of classical antiquity, Greek and
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Our intention was to trace the origins of names that every microbiologist comes to pronounce or write down in her/his daily practice and, particularly, to elucidate the etymological debt of this medical field to the two great languages of classical antiquity, Greek and Latin. According to the system of binomial nomenclature established by Linnaeus in the 1750s to give a unique name to each species, consisting of two terms, the name of the genus and the name of the species, combinations were based on Greek and Latin. The two major cocci consist of a literally classical example. Streptococci, named so by Bilroth from the Greek word “στρεπτόν—strepton” (necklace), and staphylococci, baptised by Ogston from “staphyli—σταφύλι” (grape), were both so named due to their appearance under microscopy. Two well-known species of these genera bear Latin names denoting colour, greenish for S. viridans and golden for S. aureus. Other bacteria display the discovering scientist like, E. coli for Escherich, Brucella from Bruce, or Pasteurella from Louis Pasteur. Similar pathways also exist for viruses, even back to Hippocrates, like Herpesviruses from “έρπης—herpes” (creeping) or Arenaviruses from “arena—sand”, and fungi, as mycology itself originates from “μύκης—myces”, Greek for fungus, and Aspergillus from the verb “aspergo” (to sprinkle).
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
Open AccessArticle
Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia: Counterbalance between the Endemic Load and the Infection Control Program in a Hospital
by
Amalia Papanikolopoulou, Louisa Vini, Athina Stoupis, Dimitra Kalimeri, Anastasia Pangalis, Genovefa Chronopoulou, Nikos Pantazis, Panagiotis Gargalianos-Kakolyris and Maria Kantzanou
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(2), 81-92; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69020009 - 8 May 2024
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) remains a significant public health threat, given the associated increased healthcare burden and mortality rate. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between the incidence of CRKP bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, and infection control measures in
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Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) remains a significant public health threat, given the associated increased healthcare burden and mortality rate. The objective of the current study was to investigate the association between the incidence of CRKP bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, and infection control measures in a tertiary-care hospital spanning the years 2013–2018. The analyzed indices included the incidence of CRKP bacteremia, antibiotic consumption, the use of hand hygiene solutions, and isolation rates of multidrug-resistant (MDR) carriers. In the total hospital, the incidence of CRKP bacteremia exhibited an absolute decrease during the study period, although this decrease did not reach statistical significance. Antibiotics used to treat CRKP infections, including carbapenems, colistin, tigecycline, and fosfomycin, as well as all classes of antibiotics, correlated positively with an increased incidence of CRKP bacteremia. On the contrary, increased use of scrub disinfectant solutions correlated negatively with a decreased incidence of CRKP bacteremia (IRR: 0.74, 95%CI: 0.59–0.93, p-value: 0.008) in the Adults ICU. Additionally, increased isolation rates of MDR carrier patients correlated negatively with a decreased incidence of CRKP bacteremia (IRR: 0.35, 95%CI: 0.13–0.97, p-value: 0.044). In conclusion, the implementation of multimodal infection control measures in our hospital contributed to the containment of CRKP, particularly in specific hospital sectors. However, the study suggests the need for additional strategies to overcome the endemic plateau.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Pulmonary Cavitation as a Complication of COVID-19: Case Series and a Brief Review of the Literature
by
Mehdi Aghamohammadi, Samad Ghodrati, Milad Etemadi Sh, Mohammad Soroush Sehat and Javad Alizargar
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(2), 65-80; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69020008 - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in respiratory illness cases worldwide. Although uncommon, pulmonary cavitation has been reported as a potential complication of COVID-19. This case series report describes four cases of COVID-19 patients with lung cavities, highlighting the various
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The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented surge in respiratory illness cases worldwide. Although uncommon, pulmonary cavitation has been reported as a potential complication of COVID-19. This case series report describes four cases of COVID-19 patients with lung cavities, highlighting the various causes and clinical manifestations of this complication, and a review of the literature on the presence of lung cavities in COVID-19 patients. In two cases, the cavities were most likely due to secondary bacterial superinfections, with one case being complicated by multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Another case developed cavities secondary to a fungal infection, while the third case was directly caused by SARS-CoV-2 invasion in the lungs. The presence of cavities with or without air-fluid level or pneumothorax in COVID-19 patients should be considered as a potential complication of this infection, especially in those with respiratory symptoms. Physicians should remain vigilant for the development of pulmonary cavitation in COVID-19 patients, particularly those receiving high doses of steroids. Additionally, spontaneous pneumothorax should be considered an alarming sign in COVID-19 patients.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Lower Urinary Tract Infections: An Approach for Greek Community Health Practitioners
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Diamantis Klimentidis and Georgios Pappas
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(2), 50-64; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69020007 - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause a significant infectious burden in the community and demand a coordinated approach from all first-line health professionals. Uncomplicated UTIs refer to infections in non-pregnant females without any underlying localized or generalized pathology, diagnosed through history by the presence
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Urinary tract infections (UTIs) cause a significant infectious burden in the community and demand a coordinated approach from all first-line health professionals. Uncomplicated UTIs refer to infections in non-pregnant females without any underlying localized or generalized pathology, diagnosed through history by the presence of specific local symptoms and in the absence of systemic ones like fever. Uncomplicated UTIs are usually caused by Escherichia coli species; thus, empirical antibiotic treatment can be immediately initiated. A percentage of patients can experience a resolution of symptoms without therapy; however, this “wait and observe” approach is supported only by the relevant British guidelines. There are limited quality studies in the literature on adjuvant treatment options; these can include BNO 145, a phytotherapeutic medicine, and XHP, a medical technology product. Despite being licensed by the European Medicines Agency on the basis of traditional use, there is inadequate support in the medical literature for the use of cranberry extracts and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi extracts. The use of antibiotics is associated with higher response rates and urine culture sterilization as well as lower recurrence/relapse rates; on the other hand, side effect rates are also higher. In choosing the proper empirical antibiotic therapy, one has to take into account individual patient characteristics and community resistance patterns as well as the antimicrobial resistance pressure exerted by the wide use of a specific antibiotic. There is a need for a common framework through which all frontline health practitioners should operate when faced with a case of uncomplicated UTI. In Greece, there are three different guidelines for UTI treatment, developed by the Ministry of Health, the National Organization for Medicines, and the Hellenic Society for Infectious Diseases. The authors of the present study aim at synthesizing these guidelines as well as relevant guidelines from international scientific or other national regulatory organizations while taking into account local resistance patterns. The authors propose the first-line use of either fosfomycin, nitrofurantoin, or pivmecillinam. The use of trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole is discouraged due to increased resistance of Greek community E. coli isolates. Fluoroquinolone use should be avoided due to high E. coli community resistance (exceeding 20% for Greece), along with their unfavorable benefit/side effect balance in uncomplicated UTIs, as well as the overall community resistance pressure exerted by their use. A 5-day regimen remains superior to a 3-day one; the latter may be suitable for certain, not yet adequately characterized, patients.
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Open AccessCommunication
Development of a 3D Microfluidic Analytical Device for the Detection of Pathogenic Bacteria in Commercial Food Samples with Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
by
Spyridon-Andreas Papatheodorou, Dimitra Houhoula, Sotirios Magoulas, Andreas G. Tsantes, Efstathia Tsakali, Simen Akkermans, Jan Van Impe, Panagiotis Halvatsiotis and Argyrios E. Tsantes
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(1), 41-49; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69010006 - 14 Mar 2024
Abstract
Traditional methods of detecting foodborne pathogens take several days to produce the required results. Furthermore, various molecular techniques (e.g., PCR) that also produce reliable results in the detection of pathogenic bacteria have been introduced, but the cost–time ratio required does not allow them
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Traditional methods of detecting foodborne pathogens take several days to produce the required results. Furthermore, various molecular techniques (e.g., PCR) that also produce reliable results in the detection of pathogenic bacteria have been introduced, but the cost–time ratio required does not allow them to be considered a substantial solution to this specific problem. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology provides the ability to design and manufacture microfluidic analytical devices using conventional 3D printers, which, in combination with colorimetric loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP), may further simplify the process. The overall reduction in time and cost may provide the opportunity to upscale this diagnostic modality. Moreover, unlike most microfluidic analytical devices, this technique is simpler and more user-friendly, as it does not require any expertise or additional equipment apart from a conventional oven. A 3D-printed microfluidic analytical device in combination with LAMP was developed and tested for the simultaneous detection of foodborne pathogens in food samples. A total of 150 commercial food specimens (50 milk, 50 chicken, 50 lettuce samples) were analyzed for possible contamination with Salmonella typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli. The 3D-printed microfluidic device was 100% precise for both negative (80 samples) and positive samples (7 samples were positive for S. typhimurium, 28 for L. monocytogenes, and 35 for E. coli) for all pathogens. Overall, the amount of data analyzed led to a high level of confidence in the precision of this device. As such, this new 3D device in combination with LAMP provides a precise detection method for food pathogens with a low detection limit.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Histomorphology of Chorionic Villi of Term Placentae of Mothers Exposed to Retroviral and Hepatitis B Viruses
by
John Ahenkorah, Stephen Opoku-Nyarko, Kevin Kofi Adutwum-Ofosu, Bismarck Hottor, Joana Twasam, Emmanuel Afutu, Clement Nyadroh, Fleischer C. N. Kotey, Eric S. Donkor, Nicholas T. K. D. Dayie, Edem M. A. Tette and Patience B. Tetteh-Quarcoo
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(1), 29-40; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69010005 - 26 Feb 2024
Abstract
Retroviral and hepatitis B infections can be potential threats to foetomaternal health through inducing distortions of the architecture and structure of the placenta. Improved insights into the effects of these infections on placental morphology would be integral to our understanding of maternal and
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Retroviral and hepatitis B infections can be potential threats to foetomaternal health through inducing distortions of the architecture and structure of the placenta. Improved insights into the effects of these infections on placental morphology would be integral to our understanding of maternal and neonatal health. Aim: To histomorphologically and stereologically investigate selected placental structures in virus-infected (HIV [human immunodeficiency virus] and hepatitis B virus [HBV]) and uninfected women at term. Method: This cross-sectional study involved the screening of 237 placentae collected at term (38 ± 2 weeks) from the maternity delivery units and surgical theatres of the LEKMA and Weija/Gbawe Municipal Hospitals in Accra. Venous blood samples from the umbilical vein and placenta basal plate blood were screened for HIV, HBV, and hepatitis C virus (HCV) using serological test kits (RDT). A total of 34 placentae were selected, comprising 20 cases and 14 controls that were gestational age-matched. Using stereology and a systematic random sampling technique with test point and intersection counting of photomicrographs, the mean volume densities of syncytial knots, syncytial denudations, foetal capillaries, and intervillous spaces of the placentae were estimated on a total of 2720 photomicrographs. Results: On stereological assessment, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean volume densities of syncytial knots (HIV-infected = 0.562 ± 0.115, HBV-infected = 0.516 ± 0.090, control group = 0.171 ± 0.018, p = 0.001), syncytial denudations (HIV-infected = 0.121 ± 0.022, HBV-infected = 0.111 ± 0.016, control group = 0.051 ± 0.00, p = 0.004), and foetal capillaries (HIV-infected = 0.725 ± 0.152, HBV-infected = 0.902 ± 0.078, control group = 0.451 ± 0.064, p = 0.006) among the different groups of placentae (control) at term. A statistically significant decrease in intervillous space (p = 0.022) was recorded in HBV-infected placentae compared to the control (from 15.450 ± 1.075 to 11.32 ± 0.952). Conclusion: Placental viral infections might lead to significant increases in syncytial knots, foetal capillaries, and syncytial denuded areas of the chorionic villi and a significant decrease in intervillous spaces. This finding could signify evidence of advanced gestation, placental malperfusion, hypermaturity of the placenta, and a possible vertical transmission of the viral antigen to the foetus, which may be crucial in understanding perinatal outcomes.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Open AccessSystematic Review
Endometrial Microbiome and Its Correlation to Female Infertility: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by
Panagiota Foteinidou, Maria Exindari, Dimitrios Chatzidimitriou and Georgia Gioula
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(1), 14-28; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69010004 - 26 Feb 2024
Abstract
The endometrial cavity was considered sterile until the second half of the 20th century. Through modern technological advances and the sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, it was proven that the area possesses its own unique microbiome, which can be categorised into
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The endometrial cavity was considered sterile until the second half of the 20th century. Through modern technological advances and the sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene, it was proven that the area possesses its own unique microbiome, which can be categorised into two types, Lactobacillus-dominant (LD, with a Lactobacillus spp. abundance percentage greater than 90%) and non-Lactobacillus-dominant (non-LD, with a Lactobacillus spp. abundance percentage smaller than 90%), with other species like Bifidobacterium, Gardnerella, Prevotella, and Streptococcus also being prominent. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible correlation of the endometrial microbiome to female infertility, through the identification and appraisal of studies published in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus. Moreover, 12 studies met the research criteria, including the analysis of endometrial fluid or tissue samples from infertile women through PCR, culturomics-based, or NGS methods. According to most of these studies, a eubiotic LD-type microbiome seems to be best for maximising endometrial receptivity and pregnancy chances, whereas a dysbiotic non-LD-type microbiome, with increased α-diversity and a higher number of pathogens, has a harmful effect. There were few studies that presented contradictory results without, however, a satisfactory explanation. Thus, more time and a greater number of studies are required to clarify contradictions and achieve more certain results.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology in 2024)
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Open AccessArticle
Bibliographic Insights into Biofilm Engineering
by
Shan Chen and Yuanzhao Ding
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(1), 3-13; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69010003 - 26 Feb 2024
Abstract
Biofilms exert a profound impact on various facets of human life. Positive instances of biofilm usage involve their capacity to immobilize pollutants such as heavy metals, while adverse cases result in infections like urinary tract infections. Therefore, the study of biofilm engineering emerges
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Biofilms exert a profound impact on various facets of human life. Positive instances of biofilm usage involve their capacity to immobilize pollutants such as heavy metals, while adverse cases result in infections like urinary tract infections. Therefore, the study of biofilm engineering emerges as crucial. Employing a bibliographic research approach, this paper delves into biofilm engineering, identifying key species like Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, among others. The investigation also unveils major research subjects and corresponding institutions dedicated to biofilm research. A comprehensive understanding of biofilm engineering holds profound implications for advancing knowledge in this domain.
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Open AccessEditorial
Publisher’s Note: Acta Microbiologica Hellenica—Continued Publication by MDPI
by
Maria Fotiou
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(1), 2; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69010002 - 1 Jan 2024
Abstract
Acta Microbiologica Hellenica was launched in 1956 as the official bimonthly journal of the Hellenic Society for Microbiology, aiming to provide a constant educational platform for biopathologists, clinical microbiologists, and every scientist involved in laboratory and clinical medicine [...]
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Open AccessEditorial
Acta Microbiologica Hellenica: A New Era of a Historical Journal
by
Athanasios Tsakris
Acta Microbiol. Hell. 2024, 69(1), 1; https://doi.org/10.3390/amh69010001 - 1 Jan 2024
Abstract
The first issue of Acta Microbiologica Hellenica, a bimonthly journal in Greek, was published in 1956 by the Hellenic Society for Microbiology, one of the oldest and most respected scientific Greek medical societies, founded in 1932 [...]
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Guest Editor: Athanasios TsakrisDeadline: 31 December 2024
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Research in the Mediterranean and Neighboring Regions for COVID-19: Facts Scenarios and Growing Awareness
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