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The global rise of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) strains poses a critical challenge to healthcare systems due to limited therapeutic options and high mortality rates, especially in intensive care settings. This review explores the epidemiological landscape and molecular mechanisms driving carbapenem resistance, including the production of diverse beta-lactamases (particularly OXA-type enzymes), porin loss, efflux pump overexpression, and mutations in antibiotic targets. Emerging treatment strategies are discussed, such as the use of new beta-lactam–beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations (e.g., sulbactam–durlobactam), siderophore cephalosporins, next-generation polymyxins, as well as novel agents like zosurabalpin and rifabutin (BV100). Alternative approaches—including phage therapy, antimicrobial peptides, CRISPR-based gene editing, and nanoparticle-based delivery systems—are also evaluated for their potential to bypass traditional resistance mechanisms. Furthermore, advances in artificial intelligence and multi-omics integration are highlighted as tools for identifying novel drug targets and predicting resistance profiles. Together, these innovations represent a multifaceted strategy to overcome CRAB infections, yet their successful implementation requires further clinical validation and coordinated surveillance efforts. This analysis highlights the urgent need for continued investment in innovative treatments and effective resistance monitoring to limit the spread of CRAB and protect the effectiveness of last-line antibiotics.

The complete blood count (CBC) is one of the most requested tests by physicians. CBC tests, most realized in conventional hematological analyzers, are restricted to centralized laboratories due to frequent maintenance, large devices, and expensive costs required. On the other hand, most handheld CBC devices commercially available show high prices and are not liable to calibration or control procedures, which results in poor quality compared to standard hematology instruments. The Hilab system is a small-handed hematological platform that uses microscopy and chromatography techniques for blood cells and hematimetric parameters analysis through artificial intelligence, machine learning, and deep learning techniques. For clinical evaluation of the handheld CBC device, 450 blood samples were analyzed. The samples encompassed normal (82%) and pathological conditions (18%), such as thalassemias (2.2%), anemias (6.6%), and infections (9.2%). For all analytes, accuracy, precision, method comparison, and flagging capabilities of the Hilab System, were compared with the Sysmex XE-2100 (Sysmex, Japan) results. The sample source (venous and capillary) influences were also evaluated. Pearson correlation, Student t test, bias, and the Bland–Altman plot of each blood count analyte were calculated and shown. The significance level was set at p ≤ 0.05. For clinical evaluation, Hilab System and the Sysmex XE-2100 showed a strong correlation (r ≥ 0.9) for most evaluated parameters. In the precision study, analytes showed CV inside the limits established according to European Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine guidelines. The flagging capabilities of the Hilab system, compared to the manual microscopy technique, presented high sensibility, specificity, and accuracy. Venous and capillary samples (p > 0.05) do not differ statistically. Considering the need for point-of-care CBCs, the study indicated that the Hilab system provides fast, accurate, low cost, and robust analysis for reliable clinical use.

ABSTRACT Objectives: to understand the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of tuberculosis, from the perspective of individuals who experienced the disease during this period. Methods: this is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Eleven individuals participated in the study, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were processed using the IRAMUTEQ software (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) and analyzed using content analysis techniques, as proposed by Bardin. Results: four categories emerged, through which it was possible to identify that the pandemic contributed to generating or exacerbating programmatic and social vulnerabilities, such as the lack of home visits and Directly Observed Treatment, treatment interruption, delays, and errors in diagnosis, as well as stigmatization. Final Considerations: There is an inferred need to strengthen policies and investments to ensure that tuberculosis control and monitoring actions are maintained, even during public health crises. RESUMEN Objetivos: comprender las repercusiones de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el enfrentamiento de la tuberculosis, desde la perspectiva de las personas que experimentaron la enfermedad durante este periodo. Métodos: investigación descriptiva con enfoque cualitativo. Participaron 11 individuos en la investigación, y se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los datos fueron procesados utilizando el software IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) y analizados mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido propuesta por Bardin. Resultados: emergieron cuatro categorías a través de las cuales fue posible identificar que la pandemia contribuyó a generar o potenciar vulnerabilidades programáticas y sociales, tales como: la no realización de visitas domiciliarias y del Tratamiento Directamente Observado, la interrupción del tratamiento, retrasos y errores en el diagnóstico, además de la estigmatización. Consideraciones Finales: se infiere la necesidad de fortalecer las políticas e inversiones para que las acciones de control y seguimiento de la tuberculosis se mantengan, incluso en períodos de crisis sanitarias. RESUMO Objetivos: compreender as repercussões da pandemia de COVID-19 no enfrentamento da tuberculose, a partir do olhar das pessoas que vivenciaram a doença nesse período. Métodos: pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa. Participaram da pesquisa 11 indivíduos, e foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os dados foram processados pelo software IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) e analisados por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo, proposta por Bardin. Resultados: emergiram quatro categorias, através das quais foi possível identificar que a pandemia contribuiu para gerar ou potencializar vulnerabilidades programáticas e sociais, tais como: a não realização de visitas domiciliares e do Tratamento Diretamente Observado, interrupção do tratamento, atraso e equívocos no diagnóstico, além da estigmatização. Considerações Finais: infere-se a necessidade de fortalecer políticas e investimentos para que as ações de controle e acompanhamento da tuberculose sejam mantidas, mesmo em períodos de crises sanitárias.

RESUMO Objetivos: compreender as repercussões da pandemia de COVID-19 no enfrentamento da tuberculose, a partir do olhar das pessoas que vivenciaram a doença nesse período. Métodos: pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa. Participaram da pesquisa 11 indivíduos, e foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas. Os dados foram processados pelo software IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) e analisados por meio da técnica de análise de conteúdo, proposta por Bardin. Resultados: emergiram quatro categorias, através das quais foi possível identificar que a pandemia contribuiu para gerar ou potencializar vulnerabilidades programáticas e sociais, tais como: a não realização de visitas domiciliares e do Tratamento Diretamente Observado, interrupção do tratamento, atraso e equívocos no diagnóstico, além da estigmatização. Considerações Finais: infere-se a necessidade de fortalecer políticas e investimentos para que as ações de controle e acompanhamento da tuberculose sejam mantidas, mesmo em períodos de crises sanitárias. ABSTRACT Objectives: to understand the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management of tuberculosis, from the perspective of individuals who experienced the disease during this period. Methods: this is a descriptive study with a qualitative approach. Eleven individuals participated in the study, and semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were processed using the IRAMUTEQ software (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) and analyzed using content analysis techniques, as proposed by Bardin. Results: four categories emerged, through which it was possible to identify that the pandemic contributed to generating or exacerbating programmatic and social vulnerabilities, such as the lack of home visits and Directly Observed Treatment, treatment interruption, delays, and errors in diagnosis, as well as stigmatization. Final Considerations: There is an inferred need to strengthen policies and investments to ensure that tuberculosis control and monitoring actions are maintained, even during public health crises. RESUMEN Objetivos: comprender las repercusiones de la pandemia de COVID-19 en el enfrentamiento de la tuberculosis, desde la perspectiva de las personas que experimentaron la enfermedad durante este periodo. Métodos: investigación descriptiva con enfoque cualitativo. Participaron 11 individuos en la investigación, y se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas. Los datos fueron procesados utilizando el software IRAMUTEQ (Interface de R pour les Analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires) y analizados mediante la técnica de análisis de contenido propuesta por Bardin. Resultados: emergieron cuatro categorías a través de las cuales fue posible identificar que la pandemia contribuyó a generar o potenciar vulnerabilidades programáticas y sociales, tales como: la no realización de visitas domiciliarias y del Tratamiento Directamente Observado, la interrupción del tratamiento, retrasos y errores en el diagnóstico, además de la estigmatización. Consideraciones Finales: se infiere la necesidad de fortalecer las políticas e inversiones para que las acciones de control y seguimiento de la tuberculosis se mantengan, incluso en períodos de crisis sanitarias.