Review
Microbiology
Edmund Bedeley, Andrea Gori, Dorothy Yeboah-Manu, Kanny Diallo
Summary: This review examines the threat posed by group B streptococcus (GBS) and Streptococcus pneumoniae to human health, discussing current treatment options and vaccination status, as well as investigating the biology and structural similarities of these pathogens.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Tan Phat Nguyen, Bao Trung Nguyen, Thi Ngoc Linh Dao, Thi Hang Ho, Po-Tsang Lee
Summary: In this study, the UNC93B1 gene was cloned from Nile tilapia tissue, and it was found to have the same genetic structure as the homologous gene in humans and mice. Gene expression analysis showed that UNC93B1 was highly expressed in the spleen and other immune-related tissues. Further experiments indicated that UNC93B1 may play a role as an accessory protein in fish-specific TLR signaling.
FISH & SHELLFISH IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
Elielma Lima de Sousa, Inacio Mateus Assane, Norival Alves Santos-Filho, Eduardo Maffud Cilli, Raphael Barbetta de Jesus, Fabiana Pilarski
Summary: The study evaluated the therapeutic effectiveness and potential adverse effects of peptide LL-37 against streptococcosis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile tilapia. The results showed that LL-37 had weak hemolytic activity against red blood cells of Nile tilapia and strong in vitro antimicrobial activity against S. agalactiae, but it was found to be ineffective in controlling streptococcosis in the fish.
Article
Microbiology
Edwin Murungi, Ednah Masila, Irene Ogali, Nathan Langat, Ruth Onywera, Vincent Malonza, Christine Inguyesi, Frank Onyambu, Hezron Wesonga, Monicah Maichomo
Summary: In this study, we report the draft genome sequence of Streptococcus agalactiae KALRO-LC1 strain obtained from a mastitis-infected camel in Laikipia County, Kenya. The 2,201,604-bp draft genome is assembled into 3 contigs with a GC content of 35.87% and is predicted to contain 1,192 protein-coding sequences.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Wanna Sirimanapong, Nguyen Ngoc Phuoc, Chiara Crestani, Swaine Chen, Ruth N. Zadoks
Summary: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major pathogen in humans and aquatic species, and the ST283 sequence type has been identified as the cause of severe foodborne GBS disease in healthy adults in Southeast Asia. The distribution of potentially human-pathogenic GBS in aquaculture species is poorly known, and further research is needed.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Subir Sarker, Michelle Sutherland
Summary: A novel avipoxvirus, named Crowpox virus (CRPV), was isolated from an Australian little crow. It showed high similarity to other avipoxviruses and represents a candidate species of avipoxviruses.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Zhi-Wen Luo, Yu-Hang Jiang, Lian-Bing Lin, Xian-Yu Deng, Qi Zhang, Qi-Lin Zhang
Summary: The study identified 952 differentially expressed genes in the intestines of zebrafish challenged with pathogenic Streptococcus agalactiae, primarily related to immunity, metabolism, and enzyme activity. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed involvement of pathways such as complement and coagulation cascades, cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, and metabolic pathways in the antibacterial response. Additionally, 53 immune-related genes were systematically identified in response to the challenge, providing valuable genomic information for understanding the intestinal antibacterial response in zebrafish and potential genes involved in the response.
AQUACULTURE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Cristina Gan, Elisa Langa, Antonio Valenzuela, Diego Ballestero, M. Rosa Pino-Otin
Summary: The use of synergistic combinations between natural compounds and commercial antibiotics can be an effective strategy to combat microbial resistance. In this study, the antimicrobial activity of four plant-derived compounds (thymol, gallic acid, salicylic acid, and gentisic acid) was analyzed against 14 pathogenic bacteria. Thymol showed the strongest antimicrobial activity and displayed synergistic effects when combined with certain antibiotics. The synergistic combinations exhibited bactericidal effects and inhibited bacterial growth.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Mi Hyun Bae, Min -Sun Kim, Taek Soo Kim, Sunjoo Kim, Dongeun Yong, Gyoung Yim Ha, Nam Hee Ryoo, Young Uh, Jong Hee Shin, Hye Soo Lee, Yong-Hak Sohn, Sue Shin, Mi-Na Kim
Summary: The distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogenic bacteria in Korea have changed significantly over the past 20 years. Staphylococcus aureus prevalence initially increased and then decreased, while Escherichia coli became the most common species with an increase in cefotaxime resistance. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii also increased in prevalence, along with imipenem resistance. Streptococcus agalactiae became the most common streptococcal species, and pneumococcal penicillin and levofloxacin susceptibility decreased.
JOURNAL OF KOREAN MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Filippo Barsi, Elena Carra, Matteo Ricchi, Gisella Gnali, Giuliano Pisoni, Simone Russo, Anita Filippi, Norma Arrigoni, Ruth N. Zadoks, Chiara Garbarino
Summary: This article reports an outbreak of mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae in a closed dairy herd in Italy. The outbreak was difficult to control even with classical control measures, suggesting a potential environmental transmission cycle of the pathogen. The addition of environmental hygiene measures helped to resolve the outbreak.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Hyunju Lee, Eu Suk Kim, Kyoung-Ho Song, Hong Bin Kim, Jeong Su Park, Kyoung Un Park
Summary: The molecular characteristics and antimicrobial resistance of invasive Group B Streptococcus (GBS) infections in Korean adults were investigated in this study. It was found that the serotype distribution and resistance patterns differed from those observed in infants, which may be attributed to selective pressure from antibiotics.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
AbdulRahman Muthanna, Mohd Nasir Mohd Desa, Wardah Alsalemi, Nur Aimi Liyana Abd Aziz, Nurul Diana Dzaraly, Nurul Hana Zainal Baharin, Nur Afiza Aziz, Marlindawati Mohd Ali, Lailatul Akmar Mat Nor, Zalina Ismail, Nur Hanani Ahmad, Chua Hui Shan, Mohammad Noor Amal Azmai, Syafinaz Amin-Nordin
Summary: This study compares human and fish-derived Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in terms of their antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype, virulence and pili genes, and sequence type (ST), aiming to investigate the potential zoonotic transmission in Malaysia. The GBS isolates from humans and fish show similar phenotypic characteristics but differ in virulence gene profile, antimicrobial susceptibility, serotype, and sequence type. The fish GBS isolates have lower genetic diversity and higher antibiotic susceptibility compared to human isolates. The detection of fish-adapted ST283 in human GBS isolates raises awareness of zoonotic potential between different species in Malaysia.
COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Kristin Jahn, Patience Shumba, Phoenicia Quach, Mathias Musken, Jan Wesche, Andreas Greinacher, Lakshmi Rajagopal, Sven Hammerschmidt, Nikolai Siemens
Summary: This study investigates the effects of GBS pigment on human platelets and finds that the pigment can induce platelet activation and necrotic cell death.
Article
Plant Sciences
Zhonghong Feng, Tom Hsiang, Xiaofei Liang, Rong Zhang, Guangyu Sun
Summary: The fungal genus Alternaria is highly diverse, with species like Alternaria burnsii being pathogenic, endophytic, and saprophytic, causing diseases in various crops. The first genome of A. burnsii has been sequenced and assembled in this study, serving as a reference for future research on related pathogens and comparative genomics of Alternaria species.
Article
Fisheries
Zihao Di, Jiping Zheng, Haiwen Zhang, Xin Wang, Guiying Guo, Youquan Lin, Qian Han, Roushan Li, Nuo Yang, Lixia Fan, Jifeng Zeng
Summary: Between June and September 2019, there was a disease outbreak in four American bullfrog farms in Wenchang, Hainan Province, China, resulting in high mortality rates. The outbreak was found to be caused by Streptococcus agalactiae serotype Ib ST261. This is the first report of natural infection of this strain in American bullfrogs.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anastasia N. Tellis, Sam M. Rowe, Ronald Coilparampil, Cheryl Jenkins, Andrew Dart, Ruth N. Zadoks, Corey D. Regnerus, Katrina L. Bosward
Summary: This study evaluated three testing methods for detecting C. burnetii infection in alpacas, with results showing that immunofluorescence assay (IFA) may be the most appropriate method for use in alpacas. Different testing methods had varying specificity and sensitivity, with low positive predictive values.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jesse R. Conklin, Yvonne Verkuil, Phil F. Battley, Chris J. Hassell, Job Ten Horn, James A. Johnson, Pavel S. Tomkovich, Allan J. Baker, Theunis Piersma, Michael C. Fontaine
Summary: The red knot, Calidris canutus, derives from two main lineages that diverged around 34,000 years ago, potentially persisting in both Palearctic and Nearctic refugia during the last glacial maximum. Previously unknown genetic structure was found in Beringian subspecies, while weak genetic differentiation was observed between two Nearctic populations.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Virginie Rougeron, Josquin Daron, Michael C. Fontaine, Franck Prugnolle
Summary: This review summarizes the most recent studies that have addressed the origin of malaria in the Americas and the transfer of Plasmodium vivax from humans to monkeys using genetic and genomic approaches.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jacqueline A. Robinson, Christopher C. Kyriazis, Sergio F. Nigenda-Morales, Annabel C. Beichman, Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, Kelly M. Robertson, Michael C. Fontaine, Robert K. Wayne, Kirk E. Lohmueller, Barbara L. Taylor, Phillip A. Morin
Summary: This study analyzed the genome sequences of the vaquita porpoise in Mexico and simulated the species' recovery potential. The research found that the vaquita's historical rarity reduced the risk of inbreeding depression, and it can recover if gillnet fishing is immediately halted.
Review
Veterinary Sciences
R. N. Zadoks, E. Scholz, S. M. Rowe, J. M. Norris, H. B. Pooley, J. House
Summary: There are many culture-based diagnostics available for on-farm detection of bacterial pathogens in milk, which may help improve antimicrobial use in udder health management. However, farms have limited diagnostic microbiology capacity. The World Health Organisation has established criteria called ASSURED for evaluating diagnostic tests in low-resource settings, and this article reviews how these criteria can be applied to the diagnosis of mastitis pathogens and the performance of on-farm diagnostics in Australia. The evaluation reveals trade-offs and highlights the importance of considering the specific needs and characteristics of each farm.
AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Derek T. Elsby, Ruth N. Zadoks, Kenneth Boyd, Nuno Silva, Margo Chase-Topping, Mairi C. Mitchel, Carol Currie, Mark A. Taggart
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a recognized threat to global health. This study examined the prevalence of AMR Escherichia coli in fecal samples from deer in Scotland and investigated potential risk factors associated with AMR occurrence. The results showed that resistant E. coli strains were present in wild deer populations, with different risk factors influencing resistance phenotypes and deer species. However, overall, resistance to critically important antimicrobials was found to be low, suggesting no immediate cause for concern regarding human health. Therefore, wild deer in Scotland could serve as a sentinel species for AMR surveillance in the Scottish environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Patricia B. A. Simoes, Lorenzo Viora, Pieter T. T. Pepler, Timothy Geraghty, Dominic J. J. McCafferty, Ruth N. N. Zadoks
Summary: Mastitis, which is a common disease among dairy cattle, can be overlooked in heifers. A study found that measuring udder surface temperature can help detect mastitis early. The research showed that a single thermal image can be used to scan the entire udder of primigravid heifers in a simple and safe way.
Editorial Material
Ecology
Christopher C. Kyriazis, Jacqueline A. Robinson, Sergio F. Nigenda-Morales, Annabel C. Beichman, Lorenzo Rojas-Bracho, Kelly M. Robertson, Michael C. Fontaine, Robert K. Wayne, Barbara L. Taylor, Kirk E. Lohmueller, Phillip A. Morin
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Margaux J. M. Lefebvre, Josquin Daron, Eric Legrand, Michael C. Fontaine, Virginie Rougeron, Franck Prugnolle
Summary: Plasmodium falciparum, the most virulent agent of human malaria, spread from Africa to all continents following human migrations. Through genome-wide polymorphism analysis, this study reveals the genetic structure, invasion history, and selective pressures associated with P. falciparum's adaptation in the Americas. The findings show that American populations originated from Africa with at least two independent introductions, leading to genetically distinct clusters in North and South America, along with an admixed Peruvian group. The study also identifies positive selection signals in genes related to host interactions and drug resistance, suggesting repeated evolution through adaptive introgression or selection on standing variation.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shazia Bashir, Nguyen Ngoc N. Phuoc, Tharangani Herath, Abdul Basit, Ruth Zadoks, Sudaxshina Murdan
Summary: Intensive tilapia farming has led to the emergence of novel pathogens, including Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) which caused the first outbreak of foodborne GBS illness in humans. A proof-of-concept study developed an oral vaccine that provided significant protection from GBS in tilapia, showing promise for future use against other bacterial pathogens and fish species.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Scott T. Small, Carlo Costantini, N'Fale Sagnon, Moussa W. Guelbeogo, Scott J. Emrich, Andrew D. Kern, Michael C. Fontaine, Nora J. Besansky
Summary: The two forms of the major African malaria mosquito Anopheles funestus, which are indistinguishable in morphology but different in their genetic makeup, show evidence of local adaptation to breeding in natural swamps and irrigated rice fields. This rapid adaptation is fueled by standing genetic variation predating the split between the two forms. Differences in inversion frequencies likely facilitated the adaptive divergence between the two forms by suppressing recombination.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Review
Fisheries
Olga L. M. Haenen, Ha Thanh Dong, Truong Dinh Hoai, Margaret Crumlish, Iddya Karunasagar, Timothy Barkham, Swaine L. Chen, Ruth Zadoks, Andreas Kiermeier, Bing Wang, Esther Garrido Gamarro, Masami Takeuchi, Mohammad Noor Amal Azmai, Belen Fouz, Rolando Pakingking, Zeng Wei Wei, Melba G. Bondad-Reantaso
Summary: Tilapia culture is a significant source of income and nutrition for rural families. However, intensification and global warming have led to bacterial disease outbreaks in tilapia farms, threatening sustainable production. This review provides an overview of common and emerging bacterial pathogens, diseases, diagnostics, and the risks of antimicrobial resistance in tilapia.
REVIEWS IN AQUACULTURE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Wanna Sirimanapong, Nguyen Ngoc Phuoc, Chiara Crestani, Swaine Chen, Ruth N. Zadoks
Summary: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major pathogen in humans and aquatic species, and the ST283 sequence type has been identified as the cause of severe foodborne GBS disease in healthy adults in Southeast Asia. The distribution of potentially human-pathogenic GBS in aquaculture species is poorly known, and further research is needed.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
S. Rowe, C. Cunningham, L. Ingenhoff, J. M. Norris, R. N. Zadoks
Summary: This study aimed to determine the presence of MRSA, ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and VRE in bulk tank milk in NSW, Australia. No samples tested positive for these antimicrobial resistant organisms, indicating a low prevalence in dairy herds in NSW.
AUSTRALIAN VETERINARY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carla A. Crossman, Michael C. Fontaine, Timothy R. Frasier
Summary: Through deep whole genome sequencing, researchers found that North Atlantic right whales have smaller effective population sizes, reduced genetic diversity, and higher inbreeding compared to southern right whales in the Southwest Atlantic. This study provides the first comprehensive assessment of genome-wide diversity of right whales and highlights the importance of understanding historical changes in effective population size in shaping contemporary diversity estimates.
