Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Janaina Esmeraldo Rocha, Thiago Sampaio de Freitas, Jayze da Cunha Xavier, Raimundo Luiz Silva Pereira, Francisco Nascimento Pereira Junior, Carlos Emidio Sampaio Nogueira, Marcia Machado Marinho, Paulo Nogueira Bandeira, Mateus Rodrigues de Oliveira, Emmanuel Silva Marinho, Alexandre Magno Rodrigues Teixeira, Helcio Silva dos Santos, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho
Summary: A large number of infections worldwide are caused by multi-resistant bacteria, resulting in approximately 700,000 deaths per year. Chalcones, a class of compounds known for their broad biological activities, including antimicrobial and anticancer properties, are being studied for their potential to combat microbial drug resistance.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Honghao Huang, Peng Wan, Xinyue Luo, Yixing Lu, Xiaoshen Li, Wenguang Xiong, Zhenling Zeng
Summary: Previous analysis has shown that overexpression of MepA is an exact mechanism involved in tigecycline resistance apart from the rpsJ mutation and is usually dependent on the mutant mepR. However, no research has evaluated the effects of diverse mutations discovered in TRSA in MepA. This study explores mutations in the mepA genes and identifies tigecycline resistance-associated mutations T29I, E287G, and T29I+E287G in MepA, demonstrating their role in promoting tigecycline efflux and providing genetic references for identifying TRSA.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Katerina Holasova, Bara Krizkovska, Lan Hoang, Simona Dobiasova, Jan Lipov, Tomas Macek, Vladimir Kren, Katerina Valentova, Tomas Ruml, Jitka Viktorova
Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a serious health problem, and the discovery of new antibiotics alone is no longer sufficient in combating multidrug-resistant infections. Adjuvant therapy and reducing bacterial virulence are gaining importance. Silymarin, a complex of flavonoids and flavonolignans, has a wide range of biological activities and can modulate drug resistance in cancer. This study tested eleven optically pure silymarin flavonolignans and found that some of them can reverse the multidrug resistance phenotype of Staphylococcus aureus and reduce its virulence.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nisha Mahey, Rushikesh Tambat, Nishtha Chandal, Dipesh Kumar Verma, Krishan Gopal Thakur, Hemraj Nandanwar
Summary: This study identified six clinically approved drugs that can inhibit the NorA efflux pump, showing synergism with fluoroquinolones and reducing antibiotic resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. These drugs also displayed anti-biofilm properties and efficacy in treating severe S. aureus infections in animal models.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nisha Mahey, Rushikesh Tambat, Dipesh Kumar Verma, Nishtha Chandal, Krishan Gopal Thakur, Hemraj Nandanwar
Summary: In this study, the researchers identified five azoles as potential efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) for Staphylococcus aureus, demonstrating synergistic effects with tetracycline against the bacterium and reducing biofilm formation significantly at clinically relevant concentrations. This suggests that repurposing approved drugs like azoles could be a promising strategy for combating antimicrobial resistance and reducing biofilm formation in clinical settings.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gautam Kumar, Asha Kiran Tudu
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a pathogen responsible for various infections with life-threatening complications. The misuse of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant pathogens. Bacteria have developed mechanisms to avoid the effects of antibiotics. Inhibitors of multidrug efflux pumps are considered alternative therapeutic options. Natural products and their derived compounds can serve as NorA efflux pump inhibitors.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Banani Deka, Mrinaly Suri, Sangita Sarma, Anamika Bora, Tejosmita Sen, Anjum Dihingia, Pallab Pahari, Anil Kumar Singh, Moirangthem Veigyabati Devi
Summary: The study synthesized 17 dihydroquinazoline analogues and found that they significantly reduced drug resistance in S. aureus 1199B as NorA efflux pump inhibitors, with low toxicity in human cells, indicating potential as a therapeutic approach.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Patricia Perez-Palacios, Ana Gual-de-Torrella, Mercedes Delgado-Valverde, Jesus Oteo-Iglesias, Carmen Hidalgo-Diaz, Alvaro Pascual, Felipe Fernandez-Cuenca
Summary: The study found that biofilm formation can affect the spread of OXA-48-Kpn, especially in high-risk clones. The presence of biocides reduced the fold changes in CF-BF/CF-PK in HR isolates, while it had minimal effect on non-HR isolates.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Debora Feitosa Muniz, Cristina Rodrigues dos Santos Barbosa, Irwin Rose Alencar de Menezes, Erlanio Oliveira de Sousa, Raimundo Luiz Silva Pereira, Joao Tavares Calixto Junior, Pedro Silvino Pereira, Yedda M. L. S. de Matos, Roger H. S. da Costa, Cicera Datiane de Morais Oliveira-Tintino, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho, Jose Maria Barbosa Filho, Gabriela Ribeiro de Sousa, Jaime Ribeiro Filho, Jose Pinto Siqueira-Junior, Saulo Relison Tintino
Summary: This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of eugenol and its derivatives against Staphylococcus aureus NorA efflux pump, showing synergistic effects with some compounds. The findings suggest the potential use of eugenol derivatives in antibacterial drug development, particularly in strains carrying the NorA pump.
Article
Immunology
Gopalakrishnan Thamilselvan, Hema Bhagavathi Sarveswari, Sahana Vasudevan, Alex Stanley, Karthi Shanmugam, Pothiappan Vairaprakash, Adline Princy Solomon
Summary: Efflux pumps are a major mechanism leading to bacterial multidrug resistance, and NorA efflux pumps can be inhibited to increase bacterial sensitivity to existing antibiotics.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nishtha Chandal, Rushikesh Tambat, Ritu Kalia, Gautam Kumar, Nisha Mahey, Sanjay Jachak, Hemraj Nandanwar
Summary: In this study, a chemically synthesized indole derivative, SMJ-5, was found to be a potent NorA efflux pump inhibitor in Staphylococcus aureus. It increased the accumulation of ethidium bromide and norfloxacin, eradicated biofilm, and prolong the post-antibiotic effect when combined with ciprofloxacin. SMJ-5 also inhibited the staphyloxanthin virulence and showed enhanced bactericidal activity against S. aureus. Additionally, SMJ-5 indirectly inhibited the NorA efflux pump at the transcriptional level.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nishtha Chandal, Rushikesh Tambat, Ritu Kalia, Gautam Kumar, Nisha Mahey, Sanjay Jachak, Hemraj Nandanwar
Summary: In this study, chemically synthesized indole derivatives were screened and a potent NorA efflux pump inhibitor, SMJ-5, was identified. The combination of SMJ-5 and ciprofloxacin showed enhanced bactericidal activity against S. aureus, and could eradicate S. aureus biofilm and prolong the post-antibiotic effect. SMJ-5 also inhibited staphyloxanthin virulence and NorA efflux pump at the transcriptional level indirectly.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Josisleine Recalde Allaion, Karina Ghougassian Barrionuevo, Maria Jose Grande Burgos, Antonio Galvez, Bernadette Dora Gombossy de Melo Franco
Summary: This study evaluated the tolerance of Staphylococcus aureus isolated from Minas artisanal cheeses to various biocides, as well as their resistance genes and enterotoxin production. The results showed that a significant percentage of isolates were resistant to at least one biocide and carried antibiotic resistance genes and enterotoxin genes. This highlights the importance of proper hygiene monitoring programs to ensure the safety of these products.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tanjina Akter Suma, Nushrat Alam, Sheikh Zahir Raihan, Md. Al Zahid, Shankar Chandra Mandal, Fahrin Jahan Suchana, Ripa Kundu, Anwar Hossain, Md. Abdul Muhit
Summary: The association between antibiotic susceptibility and the prevalence of different efflux pump genes was investigated in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus. The study found that the presence of multiple efflux pump genes may play a pivotal role in the development of multidrug resistance in S. aureus.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Darcio Luiz de Sousa Junior, Paula Patricia Marques Cordeiro, Cristina Rodrigues dos Santos Barbosa, Debora Feitosa Muniz, Zildene de Sousa Silveira, Nair Silva Macedo, Luiz Jardelino de Lacerda Neto, Thiago Sampaio de Freitas, Joycy Francely Sampaio dos Santos, Henrique Douglas Melo Coutinho, Ligia Claudia Castro de Oliveira, Francisco Assis Bezerra da Cunha
Summary: This study evaluated the ability of isoeugenol to inhibit Staphylococcus aureus efflux pumps and its toxicity against a eukaryotic model (Drosophila melanogaster). Isoeugenol showed antibacterial and synergistic effects when combined with antibiotics, while also demonstrating acute toxicity against D. melanogaster.
Editorial Material
Respiratory System
Sophia B. Georghiou, Timothy C. Rodwell, Alexei Korobitsyn, Said H. Abbadi, Kanchan Ajbani, Jan-Willem Alffenaar, David Alland, Nataly Alvarez, Sonke Andres, Elisa Ardizzoni, Alexandra Aubry, Rossella Baldan, Marie Ballif, Ivan Barilar, Erik C. Bottger, Soumitesh Chakravorty, Pauline M. Claxton, Daniela M. Cirillo, Inaki Comas, Chris Coulter, Claudia M. Denkinger, Brigitta Derendinger, Edward P. Desmond, Jurriaan E. M. de Steenwinkel, Keertan Dheda, Andreas H. Diacon, David L. Dolinger, Kelly E. Dooley, Matthias Egger, Maha R. Farhat, Lanfranco Fattorini, Iris Finci, Laure Fournier Le Ray, Victoria Furio, Ramona Groenheit, Tawanda Gumbo, Scott K. Heysell, Doris Hillemann, Harald Hoffmann, Po-Ren Hsueh, Yi Hu, Hairong Huang, Alamdar Hussain, Farzana Ismail, Kiyohiko Izumi, Tomasz Jagielski, John L. Johnson, Priti Kambli, Kone Kaniga, G. H. R. Eranga Karunaratne, Meenu Kaushal Sharma, Peter M. Keller, Ellis C. Kelly, Margarita Kholina, Mikashmi Kohli, Katharina Kranzer, Ian F. Laurenson, Jason Limberis, S-Y Grace Lin, Yongge Liu, Alexandre Lopez-Gavin, Anna Lyander, Diana Machado, Elena Martinez, Faisal Masood, Satoshi Mitarai, Nomonde R. Mvelase, Stefan Niemann, Vladyslav Nikolayevskyy, Florian P. Maurer, Matthias Merker, Paolo Miotto, Shaheed Omar, Ralf Otto-Knapp, Moises Palaci, Juan Jose Palacios Gutierrez, Sharon J. Peacock, Charles A. Peloquin, Jennifer Perera, Catherine Pierre-Audigier, Suporn Pholwat, James E. Posey, Therdsak Prammananan, Leen Rigouts, Jaime Robledo, Neesha Rockwood, Camilla Rodrigues, Max Salfinger, Marcos C. Schechter, Marva Seifert, Sarah Sengstake, Thomas Shinnick, Natalia Shubladze, Vitali Sintchenko, Frederick Sirgel, Sulochana Somasundaram, Timothy R. Sterling, Andrea Spitaleri, Elizabeth Streicher, Philip Supply, Erik Svensson, Elisa Tagliani, Sabira Tahseen, Akiko Takaki, Grant Theron, Gabriela Torrea, Armand Van Deun, Annelies Van Rie, Dick van Soolingen, Roger Vargas, Amour Venter, Nicolas Veziris, Cristina Villellas, Miguel Viveiros, Robin Warren, Shu'an Wen, Jim Werngren, Robert J. Wilkinson, Caie Yang, Tingting Zhang, Danila Zimenkov, Nazir Ismail, Thomas Schon, Claudio U. Koser, Soudeh Ehsani, Jakko van Ingen, F. Ferda Yilmaz
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2022)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
A. L. Kritski, M. Viveiros, A. C. C. C. Arvalho
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF TUBERCULOSIS AND LUNG DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anna Bateson, Julio Ortiz Canseco, Timothy D. McHugh, Adam A. Witney, Silke Feuerriegel, Matthias Merker, Thomas A. Kohl, Christian Utpatel, Stefan Niemann, Sonke Andres, Katharina Kranzer, Florian P. Maurer, Arash Ghodousi, Emanuele Borroni, Daniela Maria Cirillo, Maria Wijkander, Juan C. Toro, Ramona Groenheit, Jim Werngren, Diana Machado, Miguel Viveiros, Robin M. Warren, Frederick Sirgel, Anzaan Dippenaar, Claudio U. Koeser, Eugene Sun, Juliano Timm
Summary: The study reveals ancient differences in susceptibility to pretomanid among different lineages of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and recent emergence of resistance. The findings highlight the significance of considering global diversity of MTBC in clinical drug development and defining breakpoints for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Liliana Rodrigues, Renata Bento Cunha, Tatiana Vassilevskaia, Miguel Viveiros, Celso Cunha
Summary: This article provides an overview of the main developments in COVID-19 treatment and the contribution of drug repurposing. It also introduces a new drug repurposing strategy and lists 11 compounds that may be effective against COVID-19.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Joaquim Trigo Marques, Catarina Frazao De Faria, Marina Reis, Diana Machado, Susana Santos, Maria da Soledade Santos, Miguel Viveiros, Filomena Martins, Rodrigo F. M. De Almeida
Summary: The increase in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis has made the challenge of ending this epidemic by 2030 even tougher. This has led to a search for more efficient antitubercular compounds, with a focus on isoniazid derivatives in this study. The study evaluates the cytotoxicity, binding to human serum albumin, and activity against resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis of these derivatives, showing promising results for their potential use as improved treatments.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sofia Santos Costa, Rute Ribeiro, Maria Serrano, Ketlyn Oliveira, Carolina Ferreira, Marta Leal, Constanca Pomba, Isabel Couto
Summary: This study investigated Staphylococcus aureus as a cause of skin and soft tissue infections in animals. It found a high frequency of MRSA strains and highlighted the circulation of clonal lineages between companion animals and humans.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Anton Spadar, Jody Phelan, Rita Elias, Ana Modesto, Catia Caneiras, Catia Marques, Luis Lito, Margarida Pinto, Patricia Cavaco-Silva, Helena Ferreira, Constanca Pomba, Gabriela J. Da Silva, Maria Jose Saavedra, Jose Melo-Cristino, Aida Duarte, Susana Campino, Joao Perdigao, Taane G. Clark
Summary: Kp bacteria in Portugal exhibit widespread antimicrobial resistance, with predominant sequence types of ST15, ST147, ST14, and ST13. The most common carbapenemase gene is bla(KPC-3). The plasmid group associated with bla(CTX-M-15) appears to have been replaced by another group carrying bla(KPC-3) gene.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Catarina Silva-Costa, Joana Gomes-Silva, Marcos D. Pinho, Ana Friaes, Mario Ramirez, Jose Melo-Cristino
Summary: Despite the use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), vaccine serotypes still remain important causes of pneumonia with pleural effusion and empyema. Serotype 3 is the most frequent serotype associated with vaccine breakthrough cases. Molecular diagnostics play a crucial role in identifying and serotyping Streptococcus pneumoniae.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marta Hernandez-Garcia, Maria Garcia-Castillo, Jose Melo-Cristino, Margarida F. Pinto, Elsa Goncalves, Valquiria Alves, Ana Raquel Vieira, Elmano Ramalheira, Luisa Sancho, Jose Diogo, Rui Ferreira, Hugo Cruz, Catarina Chaves, German Bou, Emilia Cercenado, Mercedes Delgado-Valverde, Antonio Oliver, Cristina Pitart, Jesus Rodriguez-Lozano, Nuria Tormo, Jazmin Diaz-Reganon, Leonor Passaro, Joana Duarte, Rafael Canton
Summary: This study analyzed the in vitro activity and resistance mechanisms of imipenem/relebactam in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from Portugal and Spain. The results showed that imipenem/relebactam displayed comparable activity to other comparators and had a relatively low resistance rate. Different genetic structures and carbapenemase gene distributions were found in isolates from the two countries.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Marta Hernandez-Garcia, Maria Garcia-Castillo, German Bou, Emilia Cercenado, Mercedes Delgado-Valverde, Antonio Oliver, Cristina Pitart, Jesus Rodriguez-Lozano, Nuria Tormo, Jose Melo-Cristino, Margarida F. Pinto, Elsa Goncalves, Valquiria Alves, Ana Raquel Vieira, Elmano Ramalheira, Luisa Sancho, Jose Diogo, Rui Ferreira, Hugo Cruz, Catarina Chaves, Joana Duarte, Leonor Passaro, Jazmin Diaz-Reganon, Rafael Canton
Summary: This study evaluated the in vitro activity of imipenem-relebactam and comparators against Enterobacterales clinical isolates and found that imipenem-relebactam showed excellent activity against extended-spectrum beta-lactamase and carbapenemase-producing isolates, with low resistance rates in multidrug-resistant strains.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carolina Ferreira, Patricia Abrantes, Sofia Santos Costa, Miguel Viveiros, Isabel Couto
Summary: This study identified the variability of norA within Staphylococcus aureus and its distribution among other staphylococci. It also demonstrated the applicability of a PCR-based algorithm to detect and differentiate norA alleles, and found the association of norA alleles with specific S. aureus clonal lineages.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gabrielle Froberg, Florian P. Maurer, Erja Chryssanthou, Louise Fernstrom, Hanaa Benmansour, Samira Boarbi, Anne Torunn Mengshoel, Peter Michael Keller, Miguel Viveiros, Diana Machado, Margaret M. Fitzgibbon, Simone Mok, Jim Werngren, Daniela Maria Cirillo, Fernando Alcaide, Hanne-Leena Hyyrylainen, Alexandra Aubry, Sonke Andres, Darshaalini Nadarajan, Erik Svensson, John Turnidge, Christian G. Giske, Gunnar Kahlmeter, Emmanuelle Cambau, Jakko van Ingen, Thomas Schon
Summary: The study evaluated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) to establish antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) breakpoints. MIC distributions for drugs against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB) were collected from 12 laboratories. Epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) and tentative ECOFFs (TECOFFs) were determined, highlighting the need for further method refinement in establishing clinical breakpoints for NTM.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Marta Leal, Catarina Morais, Barbara Ramos, Constanca Pomba, Patricia Abrantes, Sofia Santos Costa, Isabel Couto
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the contribution of efflux to biocide and fluoroquinolone resistance in S. pseudintermedius. The results showed that efflux activity significantly increased resistance to biocides, which was strain-specific and glucose-dependent. Fluoroquinolone resistance was mainly related to target gene mutations. This study highlights the importance of efflux-mediated resistance in S. pseudintermedius and provides a methodological basis for further studies on this important veterinary pathogen.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Paulo Ferrinho, Miguel Viveiros, Ines Fronteira
Review
Infectious Diseases
Allison M. Hitchcock, Wesley D. Kufel, Keri A. Mastro Dwyer, Eric F. Sidman
Summary: Lenacapavir is a novel HIV-1 treatment option for patients with multidrug-resistant (MDR) HIV-1 infection. It has a favorable pharmacokinetic profile and has shown good tolerability and efficacy in clinical trials.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2024)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Roberta Gagliardini, Alessandro Tavelli, Stefano Rusconi, Sergio Lo Caputo, Vincenzo Spagnuolo, Maria Mercedes Santoro, Andrea Costantini, Alessandra Vergori, Franco Maggiolo, Andrea Giacomelli, Giulia Burastero, Giordano Madeddu, Eugenia Quiros Roldan, Antonella d'Arminio Monforte, Andrea Antinori, Alessandro Cozzi-Lepri
Summary: This study evaluated multiple treatment failures to modern antiretroviral therapy in HIV-infected individuals and found that approximately 4% of them were difficult to treat. The difficult to treat group, compared to the non-difficult to treat group, was characterized by older age, higher prevalence of AIDS, lower CD4+ cell count, and higher risk of treatment failure.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2024)
