Staphylococcus haemolyticus: An updated review on nosocomial infections, antimicrobial resistance, virulence, genetic traits, and strategies for combating this emerging opportunistic pathogen

Antibiofilm properties of 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkenylquinoline, a novel Burkholderia-derived alkaloid

Biofilms are an important colonization mechanism employed by several microbial species to better establish themselves and monopolize the acquisition of resources across different environs. Some bacteria have evolved specialized metabolites that, when secreted, disrupt the formation and stability of biofilms generated by competing heterospecies, providing the producing organism with an ecological advantage. Soil-derived species are probable candidates for the identification of such compounds, given the intense level of competition that occurs within the terrestrial ecosystem. The MS14 strain of Burkholderia contaminans isolated from soil in Mississippi has previously been shown to produce antimicrobial compounds like occidiofungin and ornibactin. In this report, we demonstrate that this strain also produces 4-hydroxy-3-methyl-2-alkenylquinoline (HMAQ-7), an alkaloid-based metabolite structurally similar to others produced by Burkholderia. HMAQ-7 was isolated and purified in sufficient quantities to enable the elucidation of its covalent structure and the evaluation of its biological effects. The compound was found to possess a unique ability to inhibit biofilm biosynthesis in several species, including opportunistic pathogens like Staphylococcus haemolyticus and within saliva-derived multispecies biofilms. HMAQ-7 also demonstrated an ability to modulate additional cellular behaviors in Bacillus subtilis, including motility and sporulation, suggesting that this molecule is important to the interspecies dynamics present across many diverse microenvironments.IMPORTANCEThe present study furthers our understanding of the structural complexity and the biological functions of the 2-alkyl-4(1H)-quinolone metabolites produced by Burkholderia spp. Low micromolar concentrations of HMAQ-7' induced observable bacterial growth morphology differences. The antibiofilm properties of the HMAQ-7' characterized in this study will promote future investigations into possible biological and applied roles. The ability to alter biofilm formation using HMAQ-7' may facilitate Burkholderia spp. colonization in a multitude of environments, that is, aquatic, soil, and possibly during infection. HMAQ may subvert competition by potential competitor species in natural environments of Burkholderia spp. and possibly lung infections of cystic fibrosis patients.

From farm effluent to biotechnological potential: pGLS, a novel and resilient temperate bacteriophage with synergistic activity and broad antibiofilm properties against Staphylococcus and Mammaliicoccus

AIMS

This study aimed to isolate and characterize a bacteriophage from dairy farm effluents capable of targeting Mammaliicoccus sciuri, a multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogen. The biotechnological potential of the phage, including its antibiofilm activity, synergistic interactions with antibiotics, and genomic features, was also assessed.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The bacteriophage pGLS was isolated using M. sciuri GLS3 as the host strain, exhibiting extreme specificity by lysing only its host. Despite its narrow lytic spectrum, pGLS effectively disrupted biofilms formed by multiple Staphylococcaceae species, including multidrug-resistant strains, and demonstrated synergism with erythromycin, significantly reducing the minimum inhibitory concentration of both the phage and the antibiotic. The phage also displayed remarkable stability under extreme environmental conditions, such as UV exposure and a wide range of pH and temperature. Genomic analysis classified pGLS as a novel temperate phage with a 41 499 bp genome encoding 67 open reading frames, 52% of which were functionally annotated. No virulence or antimicrobial resistance genes were detected, reinforcing its safety for therapeutic applications.

CONCLUSION

The unique genomic characteristics, high environmental resilience, and antibiofilm efficacy of pGLS highlight its strong biotechnological potential for mitigating antimicrobial resistance, particularly in livestock settings. Its synergistic interactions with antibiotics further support its potential as an adjunct therapy against resistant Staphylococcaceae infections.

Molecular Differentiation and Detection of AMR Genes from Nosocomial Staphylococcus spp

Staphylococcus spp. is a major nosocomial pathogen, particularly affecting immunocompromised patients and infants. It is associated with bacteremia, endocarditis, and co-infections. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococci (MRS) carry the mecA gene, encoding PBP2a, which confers resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. The aim of this study is to investigate resistance profiles and develop a molecular method to identify nosocomial Staphylococcus spp. strains. A total of 64 strains from public hospitals in Rio de Janeiro were analyzed using phenotypic and molecular methods, with 17 classified as MDR. Different melting temperatures (Tm) were obtained through qPCR-HRM analysis, to identify S. aureus- (70.4 °C), S. haemolyticus- (79 °C), S. epidermidis- (74.1 °C) and mecA (70.5 °C)-positive strains (MRS). The mecA gene was detected in 51 strains, with 22 showing SCCmec type IV. The spread of MRSA and MDR Staphylococci, particularly MDR S. haemolyticus, is a growing concern. In our study, among 64 Staphylococci strains, only 11 were susceptible to methicillin, showing the continuous emergence of resistant strains. qPCR-HRM is a cost-effective, sensitive and fast method for rapid Staphylococcus spp. identification, aiding in nosocomial infection control.

Hydrocleys nymphoides (water poppy): a cosmopolitan aquatic plant with a phytochemical-rich extract exhibiting antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus

Antimicrobial resistance among Staphylococcus species, including multidrug-resistant and biofilm-forming strains, poses a critical threat to global health, demanding innovative therapeutic solutions. In this context, this study explores the antimicrobial and antibiofilm potential of the aquatic plant Hydrocleys nymphoides as a promising alternative. Extracts from the plant's leaves and roots were obtained using solvents of increasing polarity and tested against five key pathogenic Staphylococcus species: S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, S. pseudintermedius, and S. coagulans. The hexane extract of H. nymphoides leaves showed the most notable activity, with inhibition zones of 9-17 mm and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) as low as 0.8 mg/ml for certain strains. Subinhibitory concentrations of the extract significantly reduced biofilm formation in most strains, with reductions up to 46.9%. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry revealed bioactive compounds such as linoleic acid, n-hexadecanoic acid, 9-octadecenal, eicosane, and tetratriacontane, known for their antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties. Although cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations near the MIC, lower concentrations were non-toxic, indicating potential for controlled therapeutic applications. These findings underscore the biotechnological value of H. nymphoides as a sustainable source of antimicrobial agents against multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus. This work emphasizes the critical role of phytotherapy in combating the escalating antimicrobial resistance crisis.

Revealing the clinical relevance of Staphylococcus borealis

Staphylococcus borealis, previously misidentified as Staphylococcus haemolyticus, was first described as a new species in 2020. In this study, we aimed to describe the clinical relevance of S. borealis by combining clinical data, antibiotic susceptibility profiles, and biofilm formation in isolates obtained from hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients. We established a collection of 129 S. borealis isolates from 129 adult patients from seven Norwegian hospitals. We describe clinical data at the time of microbiological specimen collection. Antibiotic susceptibility and biofilm formation were tested using established methods. Of 129 isolates (37%), 48 were from patients admitted to a hospital, the remaining from outpatients. The median (IQR) age was 62 (51-78) years, and 85/129 (66%) of the isolates were from male patients. The majority (81/129, 63%) of the S. borealis isolates were isolated from urine cultures, followed by isolation from skin and soft tissue cultures (35/129, 27%), blood cultures (8/129, 6%), and two implant-associated infections (2/129, 2%). Resistance to ≥3 antibiotic classes was observed in 43/129 (33%) of the isolates. All isolates formed a biofilm under the conditions tested; 59/129 (46%) weak, 40/129 (31%) medium, and 29/129 (23%) were strong biofilm producers. S. borealis clinical samples were predominately obtained from elderly male patients, and the majority of samples were from patients with suspected urinary tract or skin and soft tissue infections. The level of multidrug resistance was comparable to other coagulase-negative staphylococcal species, but resistance toward methicillin and penicillin was lower than in clinical S. haemolyticus isolates.

IMPORTANCE

This study contributes novel knowledge on the clinical relevance of Staphylococcus borealis; this is of importance when clinical microbiologists encounter S. borealis identified in patient samples. S. borealis was mainly identified in microbiological specimens from middle-aged to elderly patients, predominantly males. Hospitalized patients were also frequently immunocompromised and had other underlying conditions accompanying a suspected S. borealis infection.

Clonal dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcaceae between Algerian sheep farms

OBJECTIVES

Sheep farming represents an important economic sector in Algeria, and the potential dissemination of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcaceae (MRS) is a critical veterinary and public health concern. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and types of MRS in ovine in Algeria and characterize them using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) analysis.

METHODS

Two hundred sheep from 20 different Algerian farms across 3 regions were screened for nasal colonization with MRS. The isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), their minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined by broth microdilution, and the presence of the mec gene was confirmed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The mec-positive isolates were sequenced using Illumina technology to build species specific core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST)- and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)-based phylogenies and perform an in silico screening for antimicrobial resistance genes.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MRS-positive farms was 85% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 69.34%-100%) across the sampled farms. Ten distinct Staphylococcaceae species were identified, with Staphylococcus saprophyticus (S. saprophyticus; n = 29), Mammaliicoccus lentus (M. lentus; n = 24), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (S. haemolyticus; n = 19) being the predominant species. WGS-based phylogeny and SNP analysis (0 to 126 SNPs) revealed that isolates of these three species were highly related, indicating clonal dissemination within and between farms. MRS exhibited a multi-drug resistance pattern, with detection of resistance genes for β-lactams, tetracyclines, fusidic acid, trimethoprim, aminoglycosides, tiamulin, and macrolides.

CONCLUSIONS

Specific clonal lineages of methicillin-resistant S. saprophyticus, S. haemolyticus, and M. lentus are widespread in Algerian sheep farms. Enhancing hygiene practices on farms is recommended to prevent further dissemination of these resistant strains to animals and humans. © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of International Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy.

Novel Method for the Rapid Establishment of Antibiotic Susceptibility Profiles in Bacterial Strains Linked to Musculoskeletal Infections Using Scattered Light Integrated Collector Technology

Bacterial antibiotic resistance is an important challenge that the healthcare system is continually battling and a major problem in the treatment of musculoskeletal infections such as periprosthetic joint infections. Current methods to identify infectious microbes and define susceptibility to antibiotics require two to ten days from isolation to the establishment of an antibiogram. This slow process limits advances in antimicrobial drug discovery and, in the clinical context, delays the delivery of targeted treatments, with potentially devastating outcomes for patients. With this in mind, we strived to establish a quicker and more sensitive method to deliver antibiotic susceptibility profiles of clinically relevant microbes using Scattered Light Integrated Collector (SLIC) technology. We established antibiotic panels to obtain an approximate identification of a wide variety of microbes linked to periprosthetic joint infections and determine their susceptibility to antibiotics. We challenged microbes isolated from patients with our tailored antibiotic panels and found that SLIC detects perturbations in bacterial growth accurately and reproducibly within minutes of culture. Indeed, we could show that SLIC can be used to measure the dose-dependent inhibitory or bacteriolytic activity of broad classes of antibiotics. Our panel design enabled us to establish a profile similar to an antibiogram for the tested bacteria within 90 min. Our method can provide information on the class of bacteria tested and potential treatment avenues in parallel. Our proof-of-principle experiments using isolated clinical strains of bacteria demonstrate that SLIC, together with our specifically designed antibiotic panels, could be used to rapidly provide information on the identity of an infecting microbe, such as those associated with periprosthetic joint infections, and guide physicians to prescribe targeted antibiotic treatment early-on. The constant emergence of resistant strains of bacteria pushes the pharmaceutical industry to develop further effective drugs. Our optimized method could significantly accelerate this work by characterizing the efficacy of new classes of compounds against bacterial viability within minutes, a timeframe far shorter than the current standards.

Comprehensive analysis of antimicrobial resistance dynamics among broiler and duck intensive production systems

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health challenge requiring cross-sector action, with research largely focused on chickens, leaving ducks underexplored. This study examines AMR dynamics in Ross 308 broilers and Cherry Valley ducks over 15 months and 15 stocking periods under consistent rearing conditions. A total of 96 pooled samples were collected: 50 from broiler farms (26 biological, 24 environmental) and 46 from duck farms (24 biological, 22 environmental). Using next-generation shotgun sequencing, 3,665 distinct AMR types were identified: 1,918 in broilers and 1,747 in ducks. Host-specific AMRs comprised 25.3% in broilers and 18% in ducks, while 56.7% were shared. AMR diversity declined across production phases, with broilers losing 641 types and ducks losing 308, yet AMR frequencies increased significantly by the finisher phase (p < 0.0001). Based on in silico data, prophylactic antibiotic use significantly reduced the prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in both poultry species (p < 0.05). Hospital-acquired infection-associated AMRs were higher in broilers than in ducks at the start of production but declined significantly by the end of the rearing period (p < 0.0001). Above-average resistance markers accounted for approximately 10% of all detected resistance determinants. Tetracycline and phenicol resistances emerged as the most prevalent. 13 high-resistance carrier (HRC) species were shared between both hosts. Broiler-specific HRCs exhibited significantly higher abundances (relative frequency: 0.08) than duck-specific HRCs (relative frequency: 0.003, p = 0.035). The grower phase emerged as a critical intervention point. In farm environments 15 broiler-specific and 9 duck-specific biomarker species were identified, each strongly correlated with poultry-core HRCs (correlation coefficient > 0.7). Broiler exhibited higher abundances of key resistance genes, with tetracycline resistance predominantly associated with Bacteroides coprosuis, Pasteurella multocida, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Despite its limitations, this research provides key insights into AMR trends in two major poultry types, guiding targeted interventions and sustainable management strategies.

From Farm to Community: Dispersal of Potentially Pathogenic Staphylococcus and Mammaliicoccus Species and Antimicrobial Resistance Across Shared Environments

Staphylococcaceae are a diverse bacterial family with important implications for human and animal health. This study highlights the One Health relevance of their environmental dispersal, particularly, by identifying closely related or genetically identical strains circulating between farm and community environments. Environmental Staphylococcaceae strains were isolated from animal farms and interconnected areas within a university setting, both influenced by anthropogenic activities. Genetic diversity analysis via GTG5-PCR revealed that specific strains circulated across these environments, likely facilitated by human interaction, supporting the potential for cross-environmental bacterial transfer. The strains were further tested for antimicrobial resistance against a panel of antibiotics, biofilm formation, and the presence of resistance-associated genes. We identified a wide array of Staphylococcaceae species (n = 16), with over half being pathogenic to humans and animals, including S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. haemolyticus, and S. saprophyticus. Notably, 55.5% of the strains exhibited multidrug resistance, and 15.9% harbored the methicillin resistance gene mecA, underscoring the challenges these infections might pose to treatment. Biofilm-forming capabilities further enhance the environmental persistence of these strains. These findings underscore the critical need for surveillance and targeted intervention strategies in a One Health framework to mitigate antimicrobial resistance across shared environments.

Profiling and comprehensive analysis of microbiome and ARGs of nurses and nursing workers in China: a cross-sectional study

Hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represent major challenges in healthcare system. Despite numerous studies have assessed environmental and patient samples, very few studies have explored the microbiome and resistome profiles of medical staff including nursing workers. This cross-sectional study was performed in a tertiary hospital in China and involved 25 nurses (NSs), 25 nursing workers (NWs), and 55 non-medical control (NC). Stool samples from all participants and hand samples (i.e., the microbiome sample from hand skin, which were collected by swabbing both hands with a sponge-swab soaked with neutralized buffer and centrifuging the liquid buffer) from NSs and NWs were collected for metagenomic analysis. Metagenomic analysis revealed that medical staff exhibited lower abundances of beneficial species such as Blautia, and Bifidobacterium in the gut microbiome. However, an important potential pathogen, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, was enriched in the hands of NWs, suggesting a considerable prevalence of pathogenesis and multi-drug resistance. Accordantly, ARG analysis revealed worse hand hygiene among NWs than among NSs, characterized by a higher diversity of ARGs and a higher abundance of ARGs conferring multi-drug resistance including mdtF, acrB, AcrF and evgS. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the microbial and ARG profiles in the gut and hands of NSs and NWs. The higher abundance of potential pathogens and diverse multi-drug resistant ARGs in NWs hands indicates insufficient hand hygiene and a higher risk of HAI in this subgroup. This study is the first to highlight the critical need to improve hand hygiene among NWs, thus mitigating the risks of AMR and HAI.

Presence of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococci and Carbapenemase-Positive Acinetobacter Isolates on Surfaces in German Dog Daycare Facilities and Correlation with Cleaning Practices

Many bacteria, including methicillin-resistant staphylococci and opportunistic pathogens such as Acinetobacter (A.) species, in particular members of the A. calcoaceticus-A. baumannii (Acb) complex, are known to survive in environmental settings. This increases the risk of bacterial spreading and transmission to animals and humans, especially in institutions with a high animal population density. This study aimed to identify the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) staphylococci and Acinetobacter species in dog daycare facilities (DDFs). The surfaces of 16 DDFs were sampled and information about cleaning practices was obtained. After microbial identification, the detected isolates were investigated by multiplex PCR for antimicrobial resistance genes. In 200 location samples, 38 staphylococci and 109 Acinetobacter spp. isolates were identified. Methicillin-resistant genes were confirmed in 18 staphylococci isolates from four DDFs, including Staphylococcus (S.) equorum, S. saprophyticus, S. cohnii, S. lentus, and S. haemolyticus. Eight A. radioresistens isolates comprising the blaOXA-23 carbapenemase gene and seventeen isolates belonging to the Acb complex were also isolated. This is the first investigation for MDR pathogens in DDFs, a close human-animal interaction environment. Though the role of DDFs in the transmission and spreading of MDR bacteria is not known, the findings should contribute to the public awareness and underscore the necessity of adequate cleaning protocols.

Preliminary Assessment of the Protective and Antitumor Effects of Several Phytoene-Containing Bacterial and Microalgal Extracts in Colorectal Cancer

The identification of new functional food constituents is a priority to improve the prognosis and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, several bacterial and algal phytoene-enriched extracts were obtained, and their potential activity against oxidative damage and their ability to inhibit proliferation and cell migration in several human colon-adenocarcinoma-derived cell lines were assessed. The main conclusions indicate that total extracts of Sphingomonas echinoides and Chlorella sorokiniana exhibited the highest protective effect against oxidative damage. All extracts enhanced the activity of detoxifying enzymes, particularly importantly the increase of NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase activity, which reached a value 40% higher than that of untreated control cells upon exposure to Escherichia coli extracts. Staphylococcus haemolyticus and transgenic E. coli extracts significantly arrested the migration capacity of both cell lines, while S. haemolyticus and C. sorokiniana extracts inhibited cell proliferation by 15 to 20% compared to untreated cells. These results point to these extracts as potential antioxidant complements able to protect cells against oxidative damage and with a moderate ability to inhibit the proliferation and migration of CRC tumor cells, paving the way to design functional foods or probiotic formulations with preventive properties against oxidative stress-related diseases, such as cancer, or as starting point for purifying anticancer compounds.

A Systematic Review and Comprehensive Analysis of mcr Gene Prevalence in Bacterial Isolates in Arab Countries

BACKGROUND

The resurgence of colistin has become critical in combating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the emergence of mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) genes presents a crucial global challenge, particularly in the Arab world, which includes regions with unique conditions and ongoing conflicts in some parts.

METHODS

To address this issue, a systematic review was conducted using multiple databases, including Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Arab World Research Source.

RESULTS

A total of 153 studies were included, revealing substantial heterogeneity in the prevalence of mcr genes across 15 Arab countries, with notable findings indicating that Egypt and Lebanon reported the highest number of cases. The analysis indicated that the most prevalent sequence types were ST10, ST101, and ST1011, all of which are Escherichia coli strains linked to significant levels of colistin resistance and multiple antimicrobial resistance profiles.

CONCLUSIONS

By analyzing the diverse findings from different Arab countries, this review lays a critical foundation for future research and highlights the necessity for enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions to address the looming threat of colistin resistance in the region.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO CRD42024584379.

Draft genomes of one Staphylococcus haemolyticus and five Staphylococcus lugdunensis strains isolated from catheterized urine samples of females

Although Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus lugdunensis are members of the normal human flora, they also can cause infection. Here, we present the draft genomes of five strains of S. lugdunensis and one strain of S. haemolyticus isolated from transurethral catheterized urine samples from different females experiencing lower urinary tract symptoms.

Mammaliicoccus sciuri's Pan-Immune System and the Dynamics of Horizontal Gene Transfer Among Staphylococcaceae: a One-Health CRISPR Tale

Recently emancipated from the Staphylococcus genus due to genomic differences, Mammaliicoccus sciuri, previously classified as an occasional pathogen, emerges as a significant player in the landscape of resistance gene dissemination among Staphylococcaceae. Despite its classification, its role remained enigmatic. In this study, we delved into the genomic repertoire of M. sciuri to unravel its contribution to resistance and virulence gene transfer in the context of One Health. Through comprehensive analysis of publicly available genomes, we unveiled a diverse pan-immune system adept at defending against exogenous genetic elements, yet concurrently fostering horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Specifically, exploration of CRISPR-Cas systems, with spacer sequences as molecular signatures, elucidated a global dissemination pattern spanning environmental, animal, and human hosts. Notably, we identified the integration of CRISPR-Cas systems within SCCmecs (Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec), harboring key genes associated with pathogenicity and resistance, especially the methicillin resistance gene mecA, suggesting a strategic adaptation to outcompete other mobile genetic elements. Our findings underscored M. sciuri's active engagement in HGT dynamics and evolutionary trajectories within Staphylococcaceae, emphasizing its central role in shaping microbial communities and highlighting the significance of understanding its implications in the One Health framework, an interdisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health to address global health challenges.

Characterization of longitudinal nasopharyngeal microbiome patterns in maternally HIV-exposed Zambian infants

Background

Previous studies of infants born to HIV-positive mothers have linked HIV exposure to poor outcomes from gastrointestinal and respiratory illnesses, and to overall increased mortality rates. The mechanism behind this is unknown, but it is possible that differences in the nasopharyngeal (NP) microbiome between infants who are HIV-unexposed or HIV-exposed could play a role in perpetuating some outcomes.

Methods

We conducted a longitudinal analysis of 170 NP swabs of healthy infants who are HIV-exposed (n=10) infants and their HIV(+) mothers, and infants who are HIV-unexposed, uninfected (HUU; n=10) .and their HIV(-) mothers. These swabs were identified from a sample library collected in Lusaka, Zambia between 2015 and 2016. Using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we characterized the maturation of the microbiome over the first 14 weeks of life to determine what quantifiable differences exist between HIV-exposed and HUU infants, and what patterns are reflected in the mothers' NP microbiomes.

Results

In both HIV-exposed and HUU infants, Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium began as primary colonizers of the NP microbiome but were in time replaced by Dolosigranulum, Streptococcus, Moraxella and Haemophilus. When evaluating the interaction between HIV exposure status and time of sampling among infants, the microbe Staphylococcus haemolyticus showed a distinctive high association with HIV exposure at birth. When comparing infants to their mothers with paired analyses, HIV-exposed infants' NP microbiome composition was only slightly different from their HIV(+) mothers at birth or 14 weeks, including in their carriage of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and S. haemolyticus.

Conclusions

Our analyses indicate that the HIV-exposed infants in our study exhibit subtle differences in the NP microbial composition throughout the sampling interval. Given our results and the sampling limitations of our study, we believe that further research must be conducted in order to confidently understand the relationship between HIV exposure and infants' NP microbiomes.

Bacteriocins: potentials and prospects in health and agrifood systems

Bacteriocins are highly diverse, abundant, and heterogeneous antimicrobial peptides that are ribosomally synthesized by bacteria and archaea. Since their discovery about a century ago, there has been a growing interest in bacteriocin research and applications. This is mainly due to their high antimicrobial properties, narrow or broad spectrum of activity, specificity, low cytotoxicity, and stability. Though initially used to improve food quality and safety, bacteriocins are now globally exploited for innovative applications in human, animal, and food systems as sustainable alternatives to antibiotics. Bacteriocins have the potential to beneficially modulate microbiota, providing viable microbiome-based solutions for the treatment, management, and non-invasive bio-diagnosis of infectious and non-infectious diseases. The use of bacteriocins holds great promise in the modulation of food microbiomes, antimicrobial food packaging, bio-sanitizers and antibiofilm, pre/post-harvest biocontrol, functional food, growth promotion, and sustainable aquaculture. This can undoubtedly improve food security, safety, and quality globally. This review highlights the current trends in bacteriocin research, especially the increasing research outputs and funding, which we believe may proportionate the soaring global interest in bacteriocins. The use of cutting-edge technologies, such as bioengineering, can further enhance the exploitation of bacteriocins for innovative applications in human, animal, and food systems.