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Cancer is a very aggressive disease and one of mankind's most important health problems, causing numerous deaths each year. Its etiology is complex, including genetic, gender-related, infectious diseases, dysbiosis, immunological imbalances, lifestyle, including dietary factors, pollution etc. Cancer patients also become immunosuppressed, frequently as side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and prone to infections, which further promote the proliferation of tumor cells. In recent decades, the role and importance of the microbiota in cancer has become a hot spot in human biology research, bringing together oncology and human microbiology. In addition to their roles in the etiology of different cancers, microorganisms interact with tumor cells and may be involved in modulating their response to treatment and in the toxicity of anti-tumor therapies. In this review, we present an update on the roles of microbiota in cancer with a focus on interference with anticancer treatments and anticancer potential.
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Progressão da Doença , Neoplasias , Humanos , Neoplasias/microbiologia , Neoplasias/terapia , Neoplasias/imunologia , Neoplasias/etiologia , Animais , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Microbiota , Microbioma Gastrointestinal/efeitos dos fármacos , DisbioseRESUMO
Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the sixth most common type of cancer, with more than half a million new cases annually. This review focuses on the role of oral dysbiosis and HPV infection in HNCs, presenting the involved taxons, molecular effectors and pathways, as well as the HPV-associated particularities of genetic and epigenetic changes and of the tumor microenvironment occurred in different stages of tumor development. Oral dysbiosis is associated with the evolution of HNCs, through multiple mechanisms such as inflammation, genotoxins release, modulation of the innate and acquired immune response, carcinogens and anticarcinogens production, generation of oxidative stress, induction of mutations. Thus, novel microbiome-derived biomarkers and interventions could significantly contribute to achieving the desideratum of personalized management of oncologic patients, regarding both early diagnosis and treatment. The results reported by different studies are not always congruent regarding the variations in the abundance of different taxons in HNCs. However, there is a consistent reporting of a higher abundance of Gram-negative species such as Fusobacterium, Leptotrichia, Treponema, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella, Bacteroidetes, Haemophilus, Veillonella, Pseudomonas, Enterobacterales, which are probably responsible of chronic inflammation and modulation of tumor microenvironment. Candida albicans is the dominant fungi found in oral carcinoma being also associated with shorter survival rate. Specific microbial signatures (e.g., F. nucleatum, Bacteroidetes and Peptostreptococcus) have been associated with later stages and larger tumor, suggesting their potential to be used as biomarkers for tumor stratification and prognosis. On the other hand, increased abundance of Corynebacterium, Kingella, Abiotrophia is associated with a reduced risk of HNC. Microbiome could also provide biomarkers for differentiating between oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers as well as between HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors. Ongoing clinical trials aim to validate non-invasive tests for microbiome-derived biomarkers detection in oral and throat cancers, especially within high-risk populations. Oro-pharyngeal dysbiosis could also impact the HNCs therapy and associated side-effects of radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and immunotherapy. HPV-positive tumors harbor fewer mutations, as well as different DNA methylation pattern and tumor microenvironment. Therefore, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms by which oral microbiota and HPV infection influence the HNC initiation and progression, screening for HPV infection and vaccination against HPV, adopting a good oral hygiene, and preventing oral dysbiosis are important tools for advancing in the battle with this public health global challenge.
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Mammalians sense antigenic messages from infectious agents that penetrate the respiratory and digestive epithelium, as well as signals from damaged host cells through membrane and cytosolic receptors. The transduction of these signals triggers a personalized response, depending on the nature of the stimulus and the host's genetics, physiological condition, and comorbidities. Interferons (IFNs) are the primary effectors of the innate immune response, and their synthesis is activated in most cells within a few hours after pathogen invasion. IFNs are primarily synthesized in infected cells, but their anti-infective effect is extended to the neighboring cells by autocrine and paracrine action. The emergence of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in 2019 was a stark reminder of the potential threat posed by newly emerging viruses. This pandemic has also triggered an overwhelming influx of research studies aiming to unveil the mechanisms of protective versus pathogenic host immune responses induced by SARS-CoV-2. The purpose of this review is to describe the role of IFNs as vital players in the battle against SARS-CoV-2 infection. We will briefly characterize and classify IFNs, present the inductors of IFN synthesis, their sensors, and signaling pathways, and then discuss the role of IFNs in controlling the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical outcome. Finally, we will present the perspectives and controversies regarding the prophylactic and therapeutic potential of IFNs in SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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COVID-19 , Interferons , Animais , Interferons/metabolismo , SARS-CoV-2/metabolismo , Imunidade Inata , Antivirais/farmacologia , Antivirais/uso terapêutico , Mamíferos/metabolismoRESUMO
The imbalance of microbial composition and diversity in favor of pathogenic microorganisms combined with a loss of beneficial gut microbiota taxa results from factors such as age, diet, antimicrobial administration for different infections, other underlying medical conditions, etc. Probiotics are known for their capacity to improve health by stimulating the indigenous gut microbiota, enhancing host immunity resistance to infection, helping digestion, and carrying out various other functions. Concurrently, the metabolites produced by these microorganisms, termed postbiotics, which include compounds like bacteriocins, lactic acid, and hydrogen peroxide, contribute to inhibiting a wide range of pathogenic bacteria. This review presents an update on using probiotics in managing and treating various human diseases, including complications that may emerge during or after a COVID-19 infection.
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Antimicrobial and anticancer drug resistance represent two of the main global challenges for the public health, requiring immediate practical solutions. In line with this, we need a better understanding of the origins of drug resistance in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells and the evolutionary processes leading to the occurrence of adaptive phenotypes in response to the selective pressure of therapeutic agents. The purpose of this paper is to present some of the analogies between the antimicrobial and anticancer drug resistance. Antimicrobial and anticancer drugs share common targets and mechanisms of action as well as similar mechanisms of resistance (e.g., increased drug efflux, drug inactivation, target alteration, persister cells' selection, protection of bacterial communities/malignant tissue by an extracellular matrix, etc.). Both individual and collective stress responses triggered by the chemotherapeutic agent involving complex intercellular communication processes, as well as with the surrounding microenvironment, will be considered. The common themes in antimicrobial and anticancer drug resistance recommend the utility of bacterial experimental models for unraveling the mechanisms that facilitate the evolution and adaptation of malignant cells to antineoplastic drugs.
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The ability of TiO2 to generate reactive oxygen species under UV radiation makes it an efficient candidate in antimicrobial studies. In this context, the preparation of TiO2 microparticles coated with Ca- and Cu-based composite layers over which Cu(II), Cu(I), and Cu(0) species were identified is presented here. The obtained materials were characterized by a wide range of analytical methods, such as X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy (TEM, SEM), X-ray photoelectron (XPS), and UV-VIS spectroscopy. The antimicrobial efficiency was evaluated using qualitative and quantitative standard methods and standard clinical microbial strains. A significant aspect of this composite is that the antimicrobial properties were evidenced both in the presence and absence of the light, as result of competition between photo and electrical effects. However, the antibacterial effect was similar in darkness and light for all samples. Because no photocatalytic properties were found in the absence of copper, the results sustain the antibacterial effect of the electric field (generated by the electrostatic potential of the composite layer) both under the dark and in light conditions. In this way, the composite layers supported on the TiO2 microparticles' surface can offer continuous antibacterial protection and do not require the presence of a permanent light source for activation. However, the antimicrobial effect in the dark is more significant and is considered to be the result of the electric field effect generated on the composite layer.
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Luz , Titânio , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Catálise , Microscopia Eletrônica de Varredura , Titânio/química , Titânio/farmacologiaRESUMO
Viral infections are a significant public health problem, primarily due to their high transmission rate, various pathological manifestations, ranging from mild to severe symptoms and subclinical onset. Laboratory diagnostic tests for infectious diseases, with a short enough turnaround time, are promising tools to improve patient care, antiviral therapeutic decisions, and infection prevention. Numerous microbiological molecular and serological diagnostic testing devices have been developed and authorised as benchtop systems, and only a few as rapid miniaturised, fully automated, portable digital platforms. Their successful implementation in virology relies on their performance and impact on patient management. This review describes the current progress and perspectives in developing micro- and nanotechnology-based solutions for rapidly detecting human viral respiratory infectious diseases. It provides a nonexhaustive overview of currently commercially available and under-study diagnostic testing methods and discusses the sampling and viral genetic trends as preanalytical components influencing the results. We describe the clinical performance of tests, focusing on alternatives such as microfluidics-, biosensors-, Internet-of-Things (IoT)-based devices for rapid and accurate viral loads and immunological responses detection. The conclusions highlight the potential impact of the newly developed devices on laboratory diagnostic and clinical outcomes.
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Técnicas Biossensoriais , Doenças Transmissíveis , Infecções Respiratórias , Técnicas Biossensoriais/métodos , Humanos , Microfluídica , Infecções Respiratórias/diagnóstico , Testes SorológicosRESUMO
After two previous episodes, in 2002 and 2012, when two highly pathogenic coronaviruses (SARS, MERS) with a zoonotic origin emerged in humans and caused fatal respiratory illness, we are today experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic produced by SARS-CoV-2. The main question of the year 2021 is if naturally- or artificially-acquired active immunity will be effective against the evolving SARS-CoV-2 variants. This review starts with the presentation of the two compartments of antiviral immunity-humoral and cellular, innate and adaptive-underlining how the involved cellular and molecular actors are intrinsically connected in the development of the immune response in SARS-CoV-2 infection. Then, the SARS-CoV-2 immunopathology, as well as the derived diagnosis and therapeutic approaches, will be discussed.
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Preventing and controlling the spread of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria implicated in healthcare-associated infections is the greatest challenge of the health systems. In recent decades, research has shown the need for passive antibacterial protection of surfaces in order to reduce the microbial load and microbial biofilm development, frequently associated with transmission of infections. The aim of the present study is to analyze the efficiency of photocatalytic antimicrobial protection methods of surfaces using the new photocatalytic paint activated by light in the visible spectrum. The new composition is characterized by a wide range of analytical methods, such as UV-VIS spectroscopy, electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray powder diffraction (PXRD) or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The photocatalytic activity in the UV-A was compared with the one in the visible light spectrum using an internal method developed on the basis of DIN 52980: 2008-10 standard and ISO 10678-2010 standard. Migration of metal ions in the composition was tested based on SR EN1186-3: 2003 standard. The new photocatalytic antimicrobial method uses a type of photocatalytic paint that is active in the visible spectral range and generates reactive oxygen species with inhibitory effect against all tested microbial strains.
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Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) have been investigated for various skin therapies in recent years. These NPs can improve the healing and modulate inflammation in the wounds, but the mechanisms involved in such changes are yet to be known. In this study, we have designed a facile ZnO nano-coated dressing with improved antimicrobial efficiency against typical wound pathogens involved in biofilm and chronic infections. ZnO NPs were obtained by hydrothermal method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Antibacterial and antibiofilm effects were evaluated against laboratory and clinical isolates of significant Gram-negative (Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis) opportunistic pathogens, by quantitative methods. Our results have shown that the developed dressings have a high antibacterial efficiency after 6-24 h of contact when containing 0.6 and 0.9% ZnO NPs and this effect is similar against reference and clinical isolates. Moreover, biofilm development is significantly impaired for up to three days of contact, depending on the NPs load and microbial species. These results show that ZnO-coated dressings prevent biofilm development of main wound pathogens and represent efficient candidates for developing bioactive dressings to fight chronic wounds.
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Efficient antibiotics to cure Pseudomonas aeruginosa persistent infections are currently insufficient and alternative options are needed. A promising lead is to design therapeutics able to modulate key phenotypes in microbial virulence and thus control the progression of the infectious process without selecting resistant mutants. In this study, we developed a nanostructured system based on Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and eugenol, a natural plant-compound which has been previously shown to interfere with microbial virulence when utilized in subinhibitory concentrations. The obtained functional NPs are crystalline, with a spherical shape and 10-15 nm in size. The subinhibitory concentrations (MIC 1/2) of the eugenol embedded magnetite NPs (Fe3O4@EUG) modulate key virulence phenotypes, such as attachment, biofilm formation, persister selection by ciprofloxacin, and the production of soluble enzymes. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the ability of functional magnetite NPs to modulate P. aeruginosa virulence and phenotypic resistance; our data highlights the potential of these bioactive nanostructures to be used as anti-pathogenic agents.
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Eugenol/química , Nanopartículas de Magnetita/química , Infecções por Pseudomonas/tratamento farmacológico , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/efeitos dos fármacos , Fatores de Virulência/química , Antibacterianos/química , Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Biofilmes/efeitos dos fármacos , Ciprofloxacina/química , Ciprofloxacina/farmacologia , Eugenol/farmacologia , Humanos , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Infecções por Pseudomonas/microbiologia , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/patogenicidade , Percepção de Quorum/efeitos dos fármacos , Virulência/efeitos dos fármacos , Fatores de Virulência/genéticaRESUMO
Anaerobic bacteria are predominant residents of the normal microbiota of the skin and mucous membranes but are also known to be associated with a number of human infections including peritonitis, appendicitis, abscesses, ulcers and wound infections. Herein, we investigate the antibiotic resistance profiles as well as the genetic support of antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants of anaerobic bacteria isolated from intra-abdominal infections. The study was performed on 198 Romanian patients from which different clinical samples were taken intra-operatory and sent for microbiological analyses. From the total number of isolated strains, a subset of 75 Bacteroides spp. were selected and further investigated for antibiotic resistance and virulence features, at phenotypic and genetic level. Our results obtained through the analysis of a significant number of Bacteroides strains could shed light on the virulence potential and mechanisms by which anaerobic bacteria can cause endogenous infections.
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Coronaviruses are large, enveloped viruses with a single-stranded RNA genome, infecting both humans and a wide range of wild and domestic animals. SARS-CoV-2, the agent of the COVID-19 pandemic, has 80% sequence homology with SARS-CoV-1 and 96-98% homology with coronaviruses isolated from bats. The spread of infection is favored by prolonged exposure to high densities of aerosols indoors. Current studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 is much more stable than other coronaviruses and viral respiratory pathogens. The severe forms of infection are associated with several risk factors, including advanced age, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, obesity, chronic inflammatory or autoimmune disease, and other preexisting infectious diseases, all having in common the pre-existence of a pro-inflammatory condition. Consequently, it is essential to understand the relationship between the inflammatory process and the specific immune response in SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this review, we present a general characterization of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (origin, sensitivity to chemical and physical factors, multiplication cycle, genetic variability), the molecular mechanisms of COVID-19 pathology, the host immune response and discuss how the inflammatory conditions associated with different diseases could increase the risk of COVID-19. Last, but not least, we briefly review the SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics, pharmacology, and future approaches toward vaccine development.
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Introduction. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are both commensals of the human nasopharynx with a high capacity to cause upper and lower respiratory tract infections.Aim. Molecular testing of nasopharyngeal samples from children at the primary care paediatric department presenting with acute respiratory tract infections (ARTIs).Methodology. From June 2016 to May 2017, 156 nasopharyngeal swabs from children diagnosed with ARTIs who had been admitted to or followed up as outpatients at the Department of Paediatrics, SANADOR Hospital (Bucharest, Romania) were tested for the presence of S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, Legionella pneumophila, Bordetella pertussis and Bordetella parapertussis DNA.Results. S. pneumoniae had the highest detection rate (53.8 %, n=84/156), followed by H. influenzae (41 %, n=64/156) and S. pneumoniae/H. influenzae co-detection (26.2 %, n=41/156).Conclusion. A definitive laboratory diagnosis of these micro-organisms can be made for invasive disease, but there are difficulties in establishing the aetiology for mucosal infection. Molecular detection tests could complement culture-based tests by strengthening their surveillance.
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Infecções por Haemophilus/microbiologia , Haemophilus influenzae/isolamento & purificação , Nasofaringe/microbiologia , Infecções Pneumocócicas/microbiologia , Streptococcus pneumoniae/isolamento & purificação , Doença Aguda/terapia , Adolescente , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Feminino , Infecções por Haemophilus/diagnóstico , Infecções por Haemophilus/terapia , Haemophilus influenzae/genética , Hospitais/estatística & dados numéricos , Humanos , Lactente , Masculino , Infecções Pneumocócicas/diagnóstico , Infecções Pneumocócicas/terapia , Romênia , Streptococcus pneumoniae/genéticaRESUMO
We describe a rubella outbreak that occurred in Romania between September 2011 and December 2012. During this period 24,627 rubella cases, 41.1% (n=10,134) of which female, were notified based on clinical criteria, and a total of 6,182 individuals were found serologically positive for IgM-specific rubella antibody. The median age of notified cases was 18 years (range: <1-65) and the most affected age group 15 to 19 years (n=16,245 cases). Of all notified cases, 24,067 cases (97.7%) reported no history of vaccination. Phylogenetic analysis of 19 sequences (739 nucleotides each), from 10 districts of the country revealed that the outbreak was caused by two distinct rubella virus strains of genotype 2B, which co-circulated with both temporal and geographical overlap. In addition to the 6,182 IgM-positive rubella cases, 28 cases of congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) were identified, including 11 neonatal deaths and one stillbirth. The outbreak underscores the need to encourage higher vaccination uptake in the population, particularly in women of reproductive age, and to strengthen epidemiological and laboratory investigations of suspected rubella cases. Genetic characterisation of wild-type rubella virus is an essential component to enhance surveillance and here we report rubella virus sequences from Romania.
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Surtos de Doenças , Imunoglobulina M/sangue , Vírus da Rubéola/genética , Rubéola (Sarampo Alemão)/epidemiologia , Vacinação/estatística & dados numéricos , Adolescente , Adulto , Distribuição por Idade , Idoso , Anticorpos Antivirais/análise , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Notificação de Doenças/estatística & dados numéricos , Ensaio de Imunoadsorção Enzimática , Feminino , Genótipo , Humanos , Lactente , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Filogenia , Vigilância da População , Romênia/epidemiologia , Rubéola (Sarampo Alemão)/diagnóstico , Rubéola (Sarampo Alemão)/prevenção & controle , Síndrome da Rubéola Congênita/diagnóstico , Síndrome da Rubéola Congênita/epidemiologia , Síndrome da Rubéola Congênita/prevenção & controle , Vacina contra Rubéola/administração & dosagem , Vírus da Rubéola/isolamento & purificação , Distribuição por Sexo , Adulto JovemAssuntos
Infecção Hospitalar/microbiologia , Transferência Genética Horizontal , Genótipo , Infecções por Klebsiella/microbiologia , Klebsiella pneumoniae/classificação , Plasmídeos/análise , beta-Lactamases/metabolismo , Infecção Hospitalar/epidemiologia , Hospitais , Humanos , Infecções por Klebsiella/epidemiologia , Klebsiella pneumoniae/enzimologia , Klebsiella pneumoniae/genética , Klebsiella pneumoniae/isolamento & purificação , Epidemiologia Molecular , Plasmídeos/classificação , Romênia/epidemiologiaRESUMO
Human torque teno viruses (TTVs) are new, emerging infectious agents, recently assigned to the family Anelloviridae. The first representative of the genus, torque teno virus (TTV), was discovered in 1997, followed by torque teno mini virus (TTMV) in 2000, and torque teno midi virus (TTMDV) in 2007. These viruses are characterized by an extremely high prevalence, with relatively uniform distribution worldwide and a high level of genomic heterogeneity, as well as an apparent pan-tropism at the host level. Although these viruses have a very high prevalence in the general population across the globe, neither their interaction with their hosts nor their direct involvement in the etiology of specific diseases are fully understood. Since their discovery, human anelloviruses, and especially TTV, have been suggested to be associated with various diseases, such as hepatitis, respiratory diseases, cancer, hematological and autoimmune disorders, with few arguments for their direct involvement. Recent studies have started to reveal interactions between TTVs and the host's immune system, leading to new hypotheses for potential pathological mechanisms of these viruses. In this review article, we discuss the most important aspects and current status of human TTVs in order to guide future studies.
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Anelloviridae/genética , Infecções por Vírus de DNA/virologia , Anelloviridae/classificação , Anelloviridae/isolamento & purificação , Anelloviridae/fisiologia , Animais , Infecções por Vírus de DNA/epidemiologia , Infecções por Vírus de DNA/transmissão , Genoma Viral , Humanos , Epidemiologia Molecular , FilogeniaRESUMO
This is the first study, to our knowledge, performed on a significant number of strains (79 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae and 84 carbapenem-resistant non-fermenting Gram-negative rods, GNRs) isolated from tissue samples taken from patients in the intensive care units of two large hospitals in Bucharest, Romania, between 2011 and 2012. The results revealed a high prevalence and great diversity of carbapenemase genes (CRG), in both fermenting and non-fermenting Gram-negative carbapenem-resistant strains. The molecular screening of carbapenem-resistant GNRs revealed the presence of worldwide-distributed CRGs (i.e. blaOXA-48 and blaNDM-1 in Enterobacteriaceae and blaOXA-23, blaVIM-4, blaOXA-10-like, blaOXA-60-like, blaSPM-like and blaGES-like in non-fermenting GNRs), reflecting the rapid evolution and spread of carbapenemase producers, particularly in hospitals. Rapid identification of the colonized or infected patients is required, as are epidemiological investigations to establish the local or imported origin of the respective strains.
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Proteínas de Bactérias/genética , Bactérias Gram-Negativas/enzimologia , Infecções por Bactérias Gram-Negativas/microbiologia , Unidades de Terapia Intensiva , beta-Lactamases/genética , Coleta de Dados , Genótipo , Bactérias Gram-Negativas/isolamento & purificação , Humanos , RomêniaRESUMO
A series of N-(1-methyl-1 Hpyrazole-4-carbonyl)-thiourea derivatives were assessed for their in vitro antimicrobial and anti-pathogenic activity against twenty-two strains of Erwinia amylovora isolated from different regions in Romania. The compounds were solubilised in dimethylsulfoxide and screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity. The qualitative screening of the susceptibility spectra of various strains to the compounds was performed by adapted diffusion techniques (distribution of the tested compound solution directly on the solid medium previously seeded with the bacterial inoculums). The quantitative assay of the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC, microg/mL) was based on liquid medium two-fold microdilutions. The subinhibitory concentrations of the tested substances were investigated for their influence on biofilm development on inert substrata. The present study showed that six new thiourea compounds exhibited a low antibacterial activity (MIC values > 500 microg/ml), but the subinhibitory concentrations inhibited the biofilm development on inert substrata. Thus, these results could suggest the usefulness of the tested compounds as control agents for preventing the first stage (colonization) of the infection with the fire blight pathogen.
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Antibacterianos/farmacologia , Erwinia amylovora/efeitos dos fármacos , Tioureia/análogos & derivados , Testes de Sensibilidade Microbiana , Tioureia/farmacologiaRESUMO
The increasing rate of antimicrobial resistance drastically reduced the efficiency of conventional antibiotics and led to the reconsideration of the interspecies interactions in influencing bacterial virulence and response to therapy. The aim of the study was the investigation of the influence of the soluble and cellular fractions of Enterococcus (E.) faecium CMGB16 probiotic culture on the virulence and antibiotic resistance markers expression in clinical enteropathogenic Escherichia (E.) coli strains. The 7 clinical enteropathogenic E. coli strains, one standard E. coli ATCC 25,922 and one Bacillus (B.) cereus strains were cultivated in nutrient broth, aerobically at 37 °C, for 24 h. The E. faecium CMGB16 probiotic strain was cultivated in anaerobic conditions, at 37 °C in MRS (Man Rogosa Sharpe) broth, and co-cultivated with two pathogenic strains (B. cereus and E. coli O28) culture fractions (supernatant, washed sediment and heat-inactivated culture) for 6 h, at 37 °C. After co-cultivation, the soluble and cellular fractions of the probiotic strain cultivated in the presence of two pathogenic strains were separated by centrifugation (6000 rpm, 10 min), heat-inactivated (15 min, 100 °C) and co-cultivated with the clinical enteropathogenic E. coli strains in McConkey broth, for 24 h, at 37 °C, in order to investigate the influence of the probiotic fractions on the adherence capacity and antibiotic susceptibility. All tested probiotic combinations influenced the adherence pattern of E. coli tested strains. The enteropathogenic E. coli strains susceptibility to aminoglycosides, beta-lactams and quinolones was increased by all probiotic combinations and decreased for amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. This study demonstrates that the plurifactorial anti-infective action of probiotics is also due to the modulation of virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility expression in E. coli pathogenic strains.