Laboratory Validation of EUCAST Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (RAST) and Its Clinical Impact on Sepsis Management
Serap Süzük Yıldız
Department of Clinical Microbiology, University of Health Sciences, Dr. Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ankara, Turkey
In sepsis, the most decisive modifiable factor influencing survival is the early administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. The turnaround time to obtain the conventional antimicrobial susceptibility testing results is 16–24 hours post-blood culture-positive results, which can delay targeted therapy administration and prolong empirical broad-spectrum antibiotic usage. The rapid antimicrobial susceptibility testing (RAST) method proposed by the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST) enables disk diffusion-based susceptibility interpretation directly from positive blood cultures within 4–8 hours. However, the clinical utility of RAST is dependent on rigorous laboratory validation to ensure acceptable analytical performance and minimize categorical errors. This mini review summarizes recent evidence on the EUCAST RAST methodology, validation requirements, analytical performance metrics, implementation strategies, and clinical impact in bloodstream infections and sepsis. The importance of local validation aligning with EUCAST quality control recommendations and the role of RAST in strengthening antimicrobial stewardship programs and supporting global antimicrobial resistance containment efforts have been discussed.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2026/4.1187 View / Download PdfFrom Silver(I) Exposure to Bacterial Defense: Focus on Sil and Cus Systems
Alexandre Bianchi1, and Katharina M. Fromm1*
1Univ. Fribourg, Department of Chemistry and National Center of Competence in Research Bio-inspired Materials, Chemin du Musée 9, CH-1700 Fribourg, Switzerland.
Silver ions (Ag+) have been shown to possess antimicrobial properties. However, some Gram-negative bacteria have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to tolerate their toxicity. Among these, the plasmid-encoded Sil system and the chromosomal Cus system are key efflux-based resistance mechanisms. The Sil system is composed of a two-component regulator (SilS and SilR), periplasmic chaperones (SilF, SilG, and SilE), a P-type ATPase (SilP), and a tripartite efflux pump (SilABC) to sense, sequester, and export Ag+. SilE, a small periplasmic protein, plays a pivotal role by binding multiple Ag+ through histidine and methionine residues, which undergo a transition from disordered to α-helical conformations upon Ag+ coordination. A comparative analysis with the Cus system reveals that, while CusF and CusABC perform analogous metal-binding and efflux functions, Cus primarily targets Cu+ and lacks auxiliary components such as SilP and SilE. Collectively, these two systems demonstrate the adaptive strategies that bacteria have developed to regulate toxic metal ion concentrations.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2026/4.1188 View / Download PdfEvaluating Low-Level Disinfection of Smartphones Using Disinfectant Wipes Under Laboratory-Simulated Conditions
Yulia Chaikin, Tanaya Meaders, Nataliya Marchenko
Sparrow Acoustics Inc., 95 Water Street, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, A1C 5W2, Canada
Background: Smartphones are now widely used in clinical settings for communication, documentation, and even diagnostic procedures such as digital auscultation. However, their frequent handling makes them potential carriers of microorganisms. Simple and effective cleaning methods are therefore essential to prevent the spread of healthcare-associated infections.
Methods: This study evaluated the efficacy of disinfectant wipes in reducing microbial contamination on mobile device surfaces used in clinical practice. Three commercially available smartphones were experimentally contaminated with bacterial suspensions of Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae supplemented with 5% bovine serum. After drying, each surface was wiped with CaviWipes™ containing isopropanol and quaternary ammonium compounds. Samples were then neutralized in Letheen broth, plated, and incubated to determine bacterial survival.
Results: Cleaning with disinfectant wipes completely eliminated all tested bacteria. No viable colonies were detected after treatment, corresponding to reductions greater than six log₁₀ units for each strain. These results confirm full bactericidal activity in accordance with accepted criteria for low-level disinfection of non-critical medical devices.
Conclusions: Regular cleaning of smartphones with disinfectant wipes is a fast, effective, and laboratory-confirmed method for maintaining microbiological safety in clinical use. This practical approach requires no additional equipment and should be incorporated into routine infection prevention practices in healthcare facilities.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2025/3.1186 View / Download PdfCommentary: Healthcare Lived Experiences of African, Caribbean, and Black Individuals in Alberta living with HIV/AIDS
Joseph Osuji
Professor and Director, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mount Royal University, Calgary, Canada
Despite biomedical advances that have made HIV a manageable chronic illness and the outcry over increasing access to care for marginalized groups, African, Caribbean, and Black (ACB) communities in Canada still experience disproportionate HIV rates and worse health outcomes related to HIV. A recent phenomenological study by Osuji, Domingo, and Olokude (2025) examines the lived experiences of ACB individuals in Alberta as they navigate HIV care.
Objective: This commentary critically analyses the findings of this study through the lenses of Critical Race Theory, intersectionality, public health policy, and health equity.
Discussion: This study's themes—health literacy and empowerment, non-belonging and invisibility, barriers to adherence, and psychosocial life impact—highlight how structural racism, stigma, and systemic neglect influence HIV care for ACB populations in Alberta. This commentary asserts that these inequities are not incidental but are deeply embedded in healthcare systems and broader societal structures. The invisibility of ACB people within HIV policy and data exemplifies structural racism, leading to poorer health outcomes and wider failures in public health.
Implications: Public health policies and practices must prioritize culturally responsive care, community-based interventions, disaggregated data collection, psychosocial support, and reforms to address the social determinants of health. Without intentional action, Canada will not achieve its HIV elimination targets or uphold its commitment to equity.
Conclusion: Ending HIV requires more than biomedical solutions. It involves dismantling systemic racism, fostering a sense of belonging, and creating inclusive systems where Black lives are visible, valued, and supported.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2025/2.1185 View / Download PdfMicrobes are Confronted Steadily by Numerous and Threatening Hazards. A Constant War! Another Point of View on Infective Microorganisms than that of Microbe Hunters.
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2025/1.1183 View / Download Pdf1Hof H, 2Strauss R
1MVZ Labor Limbach und Kollegen, Heidelberg Im Breitspiel 15, D-69126 Heidelberg, Germany
2Department of Medicine 1, University Hospital Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Ulmenweg 18, D-91054 Erlangen, Germany
Epidemiological and Experimental Evidence for an Infection-Mediated Childhood Leukemogenesis
DOI: 10.29245/2689-9981/2025/4.1181 View / Download PdfPaula Somoza-Cotillas1,2*, Belén Ruiz-Corzo1,2, Manuel Ramírez-Orellana3, Carolina Vicente-Dueñas2,4#, Isidro Sánchez-García1,2#
1Experimental Therapeutics and Translational Oncology Program, Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular del Cáncer, CSIC-USAL, Campus M. de Unamuno s/n, Salamanca, Spain
2Institute of Biomedical Research of Salamanca (IBSAL), Salamanca, Spain
3Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
4Department of Pediatrics, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Paseo de San Vicente, 58-182, Salamanca 37007, Spain