Article
Infectious Diseases
Jin Liang, Yuanfang Hu, Mingxia Fu, Na Li, Fengxia Wang, Xiaojun Yu, Bing Ji
Summary: The study investigated the molecular epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in patients from the Yellow River Delta region and examined antibiotic resistance profiles in different genetic backgrounds. Antibiotic susceptibility testing, spa typing, and agr typing were conducted on all 204 strains. The results identified 39 MRSA strains and 22 hVISA isolates. The majority of MRSA isolates belonged to agrI and were associated with type IV SCCmec. The most common genotypes among MRSA population were ST59-t437-agrI-IVa and ST72-t2431-agrI-IVF. The study highlights the genetic diversity and drug resistance patterns among MSSA strains exhibiting phenotypic hVISA.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Yu-Ching Liu, Jang-Jih Lu, Lee-Chung Lin, Hsiao-Chuan Lin, Chao-Jung Chen
Summary: The rapid identification of methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (hVISA), and vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA) is crucial for accurate treatment, timely intervention, and outbreak prevention. Proteomics analysis of 90 S. aureus isolates led to the discovery of protein biomarkers that can discriminate among MSSA, hVISA, and VISA strains, with two VISA, two hVISA, and one MSSA protein biomarkers identified and verified for high sensitivities and specificities. Data is available via MassIVE with identifier MSV000085776.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pooi Yin Chung, Pey Lin Narissa Loh, Hui-min Neoh, Ramliza Ramli
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a significant threat to human health and has developed resistance to conventional antimicrobials. The presence of biofilms complicates treatment for infections caused by multi-drug resistant S. aureus. Alpha-amyrin has been shown to reduce biomass and inhibit metabolic activity of S. aureus. This study demonstrates that alpha-amyrin can reduce biofilm biomass of MSSA, MRSA, and VISA isolates, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for chronic S. aureus infections.
Article
Cell Biology
Zhimin Bai, Min Chen, Qiaofa Lin, Ying Ye, Hongmei Fan, Kaizhen Wen, Jianxing Zeng, Donghong Huang, Wenfei Mo, Ying Lei, Zhijun Liao
Summary: By extracting feature vectors from protein sequences and using classification tools, MRSA and MSSA were successfully distinguished. MRSA showed high resistance to penicillin and high pathogenic risk. Cross-infection between different types of MRSA was found in Quanzhou, and MRSA in traditional hospitals exhibited increasingly blurred molecular characteristics.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jun Song, Hongri Ruan, Li Chen, Yuqi Jin, Jiasan Zheng, Rui Wu, Dongbo Sun
Summary: SDQ, a specific lytic S. aureus bacteriophage, can effectively remove S. aureus biofilms. SDQ maintains its full activity under various environmental conditions and can be used in combination with detergents.
Article
Microbiology
Junyuan Qin, Lei Yu, Fu Peng, Xin Ye, Gangmin Li, Chen Sun, Fang Cheng, Cheng Peng, Xiaofang Xie
Summary: In this study, tannins isolated from Penthorum chinense Pursh (TPCP) were found to exhibit antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties against Staphylococcus aureus. The study showed that TPCP effectively destroyed the bacterial biofilms formed by MRSA, inhibiting its growth and reducing exopolysaccharide and extracellular DNA secretion.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xiaoying Cao, Yanbin Chang, Chunqing Tao, Sen Chen, Qiuxia Lin, Chao Ling, Shifeng Huang, Hengshu Zhang
Summary: In order to prevent and control MRSA infection, a fast and accurate nucleic acid detection platform was developed for identifying S. aureus and MRSA. The study constructed a CRISPR-Cas12a detection system paired with PCR, LAMP, and RPA to increase sensitivity. After comparing the different methods, the nuc-LAMP-Cas12a and mecA-LAMP-Cas12a platforms were determined to be the optimal detection methods with high specificity and sensitivity.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Joshua. B. Parsons, Annette. C. Westgeest, Brian. P. B. Conlon, Vance. G. Fowler
Summary: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a deadly pathogen that can persist in the bloodstream for days despite appropriate antibiotics. Persistent MRSA bacteremia is common and associated with poor clinical outcomes. This review explores the factors related to host-pathogen interaction and discusses the clinical relevance of each element. Treatment options and diagnostic approaches for managing persistent MRSA bacteremia are also discussed.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Matteo Bassetti, Laura Magnasco, Antonio Vena, Federica Portunato, Daniele Roberto Giacobbe
Summary: The burden of MRSA lung infection in patients with COVID-19 remains unclear due to heterogeneity in studies, but MRSA is among the most common causative agents of pulmonary infection in COVID-19 patients.
CURRENT OPINION IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jiade Zhu, Banghui Liu, Xueqin Shu, Baolin Sun
Summary: Through comparative genome analysis, this study identified 10 mutations in 9 genes and verified the role of a novel mutation, WalK (I237T), in conferring VISA characteristics in MSSA. The mutation resulted in thickened cell walls, reduced autolysis, attenuated virulence, and altered gene expression associated with cell wall metabolism and virulence control. Further assays showed that WalK can directly bind to specific promoter regions and regulate gene expression, providing insight into the molecular mechanisms of developmental VISA resistance in MSSA with point mutations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Martina Florianova, Kristyna Korena, Helena Juricova
Summary: This study evaluated the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in dry-fermented salami and found multidrug-resistant and virulent strains. The source of contamination was identified as raw pork and human carriers. Therefore, maintaining high standards of hygiene and manufacturing practices in food processing is crucial.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sara Quero, Marina Serras-Pujol, Noemi Parraga-Nino, Carmen Torres, Marian Navarro, Anna Vilamala, Emma Puigoriol, Javier Diez de los Rios, Elisenda Arque, Judit Serra-Pladevall, Alba Romero, Daniel Molina, Roger Paredes, Maria Luisa Pedro-Botet, Esteban Reynaga
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) among workers in the pork production chain. The results showed that the prevalence of MRSA was high among workers in contact with live animals, especially in pig farms, livestock transporters, and slaughterhouses.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Betsy E. Castro, Rafael Rios, Lina P. Carvajal, Monica L. Vargas, Monica P. Cala, Lizeth Leon, Blake Hanson, An Q. Dinh, Oscar Ortega-Recalde, Carlos Seas, Jose M. Munita, Cesar A. Arias, Sandra Rincon, Jinnethe Reyes, Lorena Diaz
Summary: This study characterized the biomolecular profile of clinical hVISA and found that the mechanism of hVISA involves major changes in regulatory systems, expression of virulence factors, and reduction in glycolysis via TCA cycle.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Melissa J. Karau, Suzannah M. Schmidt-Malan, Scott A. Cunningham, Jayawant N. Mandrekar, Bobbi S. Pritt, Tiffany R. Keepers, Alisa W. Serio, Surya Chitra, Robin Patel
Summary: Omadacycline, vancomycin, and rifampin, as well as rifampin combination therapies, were evaluated in an experimental rat model of MRSA osteomyelitis. The results showed that rifampin combination therapy was effective in reducing MRSA recovery without developing resistance. The combination of omadacycline and rifampin yielded negative MRSA detection, suggesting its potential as a treatment for osteomyelitis.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Feiteng Zhu, Hemu Zhuang, Shujuan Ji, Er Xu, Lingfang Di, Zhengan Wang, Shengnan Jiang, Haiping Wang, Lu Sun, Ping Shen, Yunsong Yu, Yan Chen
Summary: The study found that in households of CA-MRSA infected patients in China, most MRSA isolates belonged to epidemic CA-MRSA clones, while no MRSA was detected in the control group households. The research revealed that the home environment is an important reservoir for MRSA.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Yingbo Shen, Rong Zhang, Stefan Schwarz, Congming Wu, Jianzhong Shen, Timothy R. Walsh, Yang Wang
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sharmi Naha, Kirsty Sands, Subhankar Mukherjee, Chayan Roy, Moidu Jameela Rameez, Bijan Saha, Shanta Dutta, Timothy R. Walsh, Sulagna Basu
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dejun Liu, Weishuai Zhai, Huangwei Song, Yulin Fu, Stefan Schwarz, Tao He, Li Bai, Yang Wang, Timothy R. Walsh, Jianzhong Shen
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2020)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Refath Farzana, Lim S. Jones, Md. Anisur Rahman, Kirsty Sands, Edward Portal, Ian Boostrom, Md. Abul Kalam, Brekhna Hasan, Afifah Khan, Timothy R. Walsh
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Refath Farzana, Lim S. Jones, Andrew Barratt, Muhammad Anisur Rahman, Kirsty Sands, Edward Portal, Ian Boostrom, Laura Espina, Monira Pervin, A. K. M. Nasir Uddin, Timothy R. Walsh
Article
Microbiology
Tengfei Ma, Jiani Fu, Ning Xie, Shizhen Ma, Lei Lei, Weishuai Zhai, Yingbo Shen, Chengtao Sun, Shaolin Wang, Zhangqi Shen, Yang Wang, Timothy R. Walsh, Jianzhong Shen
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ruidong Zhai, Bo Fu, Xiaomin Shi, Chengtao Sun, Zhihai Liu, Shaolin Wang, Zhangqi Shen, Timothy R. Walsh, Chang Cai, Yang Wang, Congming Wu
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Willames M. B. S. Martins, Evelin R. Martins, Leticia K. de Andrade, Refath Farzana, Timothy R. Walsh, Mark A. Toleman, Mara C. L. Nogueira, Ana C. Gales
Summary: This study characterized a multidrug-resistant Enterobacter spp. isolate from a patient in a Brazilian tertiary hospital in 2014, showing the presence of new beta-lactamase variants and a mobile colistin resistance gene.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Muhammad Usman Qamar, Hasan Ejaz, Timothy R. Walsh, Asad Ali Shah, Dunia A. Al Farraj, Roua M. Alkufeidy, Noorah A. Alkubaisi, Sidrah Saleem, Shah Jahan
Summary: The study aims to determine the molecular epidemiology of bla(NDM)-producing clinically isolated Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-KP). The results showed that NDM-positive isolates were 100% resistant to beta-lactam antibiotics, carrying bla(NDM) on plasmids of approximately 140 kb. The study concluded that extensively resistant lineage of NDM-producing K. pneumoniae is prevalent in clinical settings.
FUTURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaomin Shi, Yiming Li, Yuying Yang, Zhangqi Shen, Chang Cai, Yang Wang, Timothy R. Walsh, Jianzhong Shen, Yongning Wu, Shaolin Wang
Summary: The study reveals the widespread presence of ARGs in farm environments, posing threats to food safety and public health. Broiler farm environments serve as important reservoirs for mcr-1, ESBL, and carbapenemase genes, while fecal treatment processes may impact the levels of ARG contamination in the environment.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Melanie Roch, Roberto Sierra, Kirsty Sands, Willames M. B. S. Martins, Jacques Schrenzel, Timothy R. Walsh, Ana C. Gales, Diego O. Andrey
Summary: The study found that a significant portion of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in a Brazilian hospital exhibited resistance to common aminoglycosides like gentamicin and amikacin, with the presence of the rmtB gene in 30% of the strains. The rmtB gene was mainly found in sequence type 258 (ST258) and a novel ST16 clone, carried on large IncC plasmids. Furthermore, most isolates remained susceptible to the veterinary approved drug apramycin. The dissemination of rmtB in an endemic setting for KPC-producing clones is concerning, as it confers resistance to clinically available aminoglycosides, including the novel plazomicin.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Uttapoln Tansawai, Yang Yu, Anong Kiddee, Kanit Assawatheptawee, Kirsty Sands, Brekhna Hassan, Timothy R. Walsh, Pannika R. Niumsup
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lydia C. Powell, Muthanna Abdulkarim, Joana Stokniene, Qiu E. Yang, Timothy R. Walsh, Katja E. Hill, Mark Gumbleton, David W. Thomas
Summary: The study utilized multiple particle tracking (MPT) to quantify the effects of antibiotic treatments on the physical and mechanical properties of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacterial biofilms. Results showed size-dependent and strain-related differences in diffusion coefficient values of biofilms, and dose-dependent treatment effects induced by polymyxin B (PMB) in E. coli biofilms. The ability of MPT to assess diffusion and mechanical effects of antibiotic therapies within the AMR biofilm matrix was highlighted, providing a valuable tool for pre-clinical screening of anti-biofilm therapies.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Muhammad Umair, Mashkoor Mohsin, Ute Wolff Soenksen, Timothy Rutland Walsh, Lothar Kreienbrock, Ramanan Laxminarayan
Summary: Global health and economies are expected to be severely affected by antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and three organizations are working to prevent future crises. Collaborative efforts are needed to develop and implement a globally accepted antimicrobial use metric system for reliable comparisons among different data sets.
Article
Immunology
Lei Lei, Yongqiang Wang, Junjia He, Chang Cai, Qingzhi Liu, Dawei Yang, Zhiyu Zou, Lingyu Shi, Jianqin Jia, Yang Wang, Timothy R. Walsh, Jianzhong Shen, Yougang Zhong
Summary: The study found a significant correlation between mcr-1 carriage in dogs and their owners, while bla (CTX-M) carriage in dogs was associated with antibiotic use in the previous three months. Although the prevalence of identical strains in one family is rare, the large number of dog ownership worldwide suggests that this threat should not be underestimated.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)