Background: Antibacterial resistance has become a critical global health concern. In recent years, significant efforts have been made to discover and utilize natural plant-based products as alternative antibacterial agents. This study aims to evaluate the antibacterial effects of essential oils from four medicinal plants against drug-resistant bacteria isolated from tracheal cultures of ventilator-dependent patients. Materials and methods: Essential oils were extracted from Oliveriadecumbens, Zatariamultiflora, Cuminumcyminum, and Trachyspermumammi using a Clevenger apparatus. The antibacterial efficacy was tested against drug-resistant bacterial strains, including four strains of Escherichia (E.) coli, five strains of Klebsiella (K.) pneumoniae, and four strains of Pseudomonas (P.) aeruginosa, all isolated from the sputum of ventilator-dependent patients. The disk diffusion method was used to assess antibacterial activity, and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method was employed to evaluate the antibacterial properties of the two most effective essential oils.Results: The antibiogram results demonstrated that Trachyspermum ammi produced the largest inhibition zones against all bacteria, followed by Oliveria decumbens. Trachyspermum ammi showed the highest antibacterial activity against E. coli, while Oliveria decumbens was most effective against K. pneumoniae. In MIC testing, Oliveria decumbens exhibited a stronger antibacterial effect at lower concentrations compared to Trachyspermum ammi.Conclusion: This study is the first to report the antibacterial effects of the essential oils from all four plants, particularly Trachyspermum ammi and Oliveria decumbens, against bacteria isolated from ventilator-dependent patients. Both plants show promising potential as antibacterial agents against these drug-resistant bacteria.

The aim of this report is to present, to our knowledge, the first case of Aeromonas (A.) caviae liver abscess. The following manuscript describes a case of a 75-year-old female patient with past medical history of pancreatic cancer, lung cancer, hypothyroidism, hypertension and chronic venous insufficiency who was diagnosed with A. caviae bacteremia and multiple liver abscesses in the right lobe. The patient was treated conservatively, with intravenous antibiotics for two months with adequate recovery. Aeromonas spp. is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic microorganism that lives in aquatic environments. There are many subtypes of Aeromonas spp., with the commonest being A. hydrophila, A. sobria and A. caviae. They tend to cause gastrointestinal and hepatobiliary disease in immunocompromised people, mostly those with underlined disease or malignancy of the hepatobiliary tract. Aeromonas spp. has been identified in chlorinated tap water, worldwide. Global warming contributes not only to the reproduction of more bacteria, but also to the development of antibiotic resistance genes and biofilms. Besides the fact that liver abscess due to Aeromonas caviae is rare; the following report highlights a major, public health concern, that is Global warming, and the devastating impact it can have on healthcare.

As hygiene and infection control take center stage in modern healthcare, it is crucial to remember the struggle of a pioneer who championed these principles long before they were widely accepted. Ignaz Philipp Semmelweis is often regarded as the "Pioneer of Hand Hygiene," the "Father of Infection Control", and the "Protector of Motherhood" for his transformative approach in combating childbed fever. These titles only touch the surface of his broader legacy as a researcher and public health hero. Although he received limited recognition during his lifetime, Semmelweis's posthumous legacy has laid the foundation for infection control and evidence-based medical practices. His enduring legacy is a powerful reminder of the importance of scientific inquiry and its lasting impact on public health.

This review examines physical environmental influences and their potential effect on human health. The factors discussed are noise (effect of sound), the physical effect of particulate matter (fine dust, particulate matter PM10, PM2.5, ultrafine particles UFP), various types of radiation (electromagnetic fields, radioactivity) and climate (especially heat). In order to identify hazard potentials, it is necessary to know the route of exposure and the mode of action. Environmental epidemiology studies help to illustrate the health consequences for the population. The limitations of the studies must also be considered.

Introduction: Mold, which includes the components and metabolic products of mold fungi as well as other factors associated with moisture, such as yeasts, bacteria (actinobacteria) and mites, occurs indoors when there is increased moisture. In addition to known causes of damp/mold damage such as structural defects (including thermal bridges, rising damp, insufficient ventilation), water damage and incorrect ventilation and heating options, construction work plays an important role in hospitals and medical practices.Methods: The AWMF S2k guideline “Medical clinical diagnostics for indoor mold exposure” was first published in 2016. Following a new systematic literature search, an updated version of this guideline was published in October 2023 with the cooperation of various medical disciplines and other experts. The guideline is intended to close the existing knowledge gap in terms of rational and efficient medical diagnosis in cases of indoor mold contamination. Recommendations are given on general and specific examination methods. Non-evidence-based diagnostic methods, some of which are still used in practice, are not recommended. Furthermore, treatment options for health problems and diseases caused by mold fungi are presented. It is explained why, in most cases, indoor measurements of molds, their components or metabolites are not required for medical evaluation. Results: Individuals who are immunosuppressed (grade 2 and 3 of the immunosuppression grades according the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention [KRINKO] at the Robert Koch Institute [RKI]), or are suffering from severe influenza, severe COVID-19, cystic fibrosis and uncontrolled bronchial asthma are at increased risk of exposure to mold fungi. For these patients, exposure to mold damage must be ruled out in the clinic and practice as well as in the home environment.Conclusion: If, despite all precautionary measures, moisture/mold damage can be detected in the environment of these particularly vulnerable patients, it must be remediated immediately. Indoor measurements of mold exposure are not indicated for medical reasons. Rather, all measures that help to avoid moisture damage are crucial for prevention.

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Purpose: Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) cause significant morbidity and mortality. Central line (CL) bundles for the prevention of CLABSI are very effective, but there is a paucity of research concerning this in Pediatric Surgery Intensive Care Units (PSICU). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of CLB including PFS and mechanical valve type NFC in a pediatric surgery intensive care unit.Materials and methods: In a retrospective cross-sectional study, the CLABSI rate was compared before and after the introduction of a CL bundle including mechanical valve-type needle-free connectors and prefilled flushing syringes.Results: Throughout the research period, a total of 1,092 patients were hospitalized at the PSICU and a total of 142 patients (13.0%) with central venous catheter (CVC) was included. During the pre-bundle period, 6 CLABSIs were diagnosed in 509 CVC days, with an overall rate of 11.79 CLABSIs per 1,000 CVC days. After the implementation of the bundle, 1 CLABSI was diagnosed in 621 CVC days with an overall rate of 1.61 CLABSIs per 1,000 CVC days. The CLABSI rate was thus significantly lower rate in the bundle period (p=0.03). Conclusion: Because the CVC bundle including mechanical valve-type needle-free connectors and prefilled flushing syringes significantly reduced the CLABSI rates in the PSICU, it should be implemented in pediatric surgical ICUs as well as ICUs for other patient groups

An ecological community of commensals, symbiotic and pathogenic organisms share our body space. Alterations in the ecologically balanced population of microflora result in dysbiosis and are critical determinants of systemic health and diseases, especially in the context of immunosuppression. The oral microbiome and chronic inflammation may have a role in carcinogenesis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risk of airborne transmission of viruses, especially in public indoor spaces or healthcare settings. Effective indoor air purification systems are necessary to limit the spread of these pathogens, and the deployment of portable air cleaners (PACs) has increased rapidly since then. Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) radiation technologies have recently supplemented conventional air filtration technologies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the air decontamination efficacy of a PAC using a 275-nm UVC-LED unit and fibrous-media air filters. Method: Two different filters were used in the study: a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter and an Efficient Particulate Air (EPA) filter. The PAC was operated in an experimental aerosol chamber with an airflow rate of 200 m³/hour for 10 or 20 minutes. Subsequently, the concentration of infectious viruses and particles in the air was measured. Decontamination efficacy was compared between UVC-LED radiation, filtration, and a combination thereof against Feline Coronavirus (FCoV) and influenza A virus (H3N2) aerosols. Results: Infectious virus reductions were comparable between the UVC and filter measurements. A decrease of 94% in FCoV concentration was observed after 10 minutes of device runtime, increasing to 99.8% after 20 minutes compared to control measurements. H3N2 showed greater susceptibility, with a reduction of 99.7% achieved after 10 minutes. Interestingly, a synergistic effect was observed with significantly lower virus concentrations when both technologies were combined. Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of PACs equipped with emerging UVC-LED technologies as effective tools for indoor air decontamination. The deployment of PACs equipped with UVC radiation and filtration could be a promising alternative or supplement to ventilation systems, especially in healthcare settings and other public spaces.

Although dental surgeons implemented effective measures to minimize contamination risks, continuous training and awareness strategies remain essential to enhance protection in dental settings.