Article
Immunology
Sara E. Oliver, Amy B. Rubis, Heidi M. Soeters, Arthur Reingold, Meghan Barnes, Susan Petit, Monica M. Farley, Lee H. Harrison, Kathy Como-Sabetti, Sarah A. Khanlian, Rachel Wester, Ann Thomas, William Schaffner, Henju Marjuki, Xin Wang, Susan Hariri
Summary: This study evaluated the epidemiology of NTHi disease in the US, including among pregnant women, infants, and PWH. Results showed that NTHi causes substantial invasive disease, especially among older adults, pregnant/postpartum women, and neonates. Enhanced surveillance and targeted interventions are needed to prevent perinatal NTHi infections.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nadia A. Kadry, Eric A. Porsch, Hao Shen, Joseph W. St Geme
Summary: NTHi is a common cause of respiratory tract disease and preventing colonization is a strategy to prevent disease. Immunization with HMW1 and HMW2 can protect against colonization by both parent NTHi strain and heterologous strains expressing distinct HMW1 and HMW2 proteins. The protection against heterologous strains is IL-17A dependent.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Timothy F. Murphy, Charmaine Kirkham, Adonis D'Mello, Sanjay Sethi, Melinda M. Pettigrew, Herve Tettelin
Summary: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and debilitating disorder that is the third leading cause of death worldwide. This study analyzed the persistence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) in COPD airways and found that the NTHi genome undergoes inversion during persistence, resulting in changes in expression of key virulence factors. It was also discovered that the adhesins HMW1 and HMW2 play a critical role in NTHi adherence and invasion of respiratory epithelial cells. These findings provide important insights into the mechanisms of NTHi persistence in COPD airways and may inform the development of novel interventions.
Article
Pediatrics
Grigorios Chatziparasidis, Ahmad Kantar, Keith Grimwood
Summary: The respiratory tract antimicrobial defense system protects the lungs from microorganisms through various defense mechanisms. Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), a potential pathogen, uses multiple strategies to colonize the lower airways and establish persistent infections. NTHi impairs mucociliary clearance, evades host defenses, and forms biofilms, causing chronic infections and inflammation. Understanding the molecular pathogenesis of NTHi is important for developing effective therapies and vaccines, considering its genetic heterogeneity. Currently, there are no vaccine candidates ready for large clinical trials.
PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Rika Nakahashi-Ouchida, Hiromi Mori, Yoshikazu Yuki, Shingo Umemoto, Takashi Hirano, Yohei Uchida, Tomonori Machita, Tomoyuki Yamanoue, Shin-ichi Sawada, Masashi Suzuki, Kohtaro Fujihashi, Kazunari Akiyoshi, Yuichi Kurono, Hiroshi Kiyono
Summary: A nasal vaccine containing the NTHi surface antigen P6 was developed, which effectively induced specific IgA antibodies and prevented NTHi colonization and biofilm formation, providing protection against infection in mice.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yesenia Osorio-Aguilar, Maria Cristina Gonzalez-Vazquez, Patricia Lozano-Zarain, Ygnacio Martinez-Laguna, Lidia Baylon-Pacheco, Jose Luis Rosales-Encina, Alejandro Carabarin-Lima, Rosa del Carmen Rocha-Gracia
Summary: Enolase proteins can interact with extracellular matrix proteins, such as collagens, to promote the colonization and invasion of pathogens. The study shows that non-typeable H. influenzae enolase strongly binds to type I collagen and has a higher affinity for it than type III collagen. This interaction may enhance the virulence and pathogenicity of H. influenzae.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sudeshna Saha, Alison Coady, Aniruddha Sasmal, Kunio Kawanishi, Biswa Choudhury, Hai Yu, Ricardo U. Sorensen, Jaime Inostroza, Ian C. Schoenhofen, Xi Chen, Anja Munster-Kuhnel, Chihiro Sato, Ken Kitajima, Sanjay Ram, Victor Nizet, Ajit Varki
Summary: This study demonstrates the presence of anti-Kdn antibodies in humans, suggesting a potential role for Kdn in combating pathogens that rely on nonhuman sialic acids for colonization and virulence. The interaction between Kdn and the immune system provides insights for potential therapeutic interventions against pathogenic bacteria that cloak themselves in external sialic acids.
Article
Immunology
Natalie R. Lindgren, Lea Novak, Benjamin C. Hunt, Melissa S. McDaniel, W. Edward Swords
Summary: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) commonly experience lifelong respiratory infections. This study found that initial colonization with non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) reduces susceptibility to subsequent Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection in the respiratory tract, likely due to the priming of host innate immunity.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sharon L. Clark, Elke J. Seppanen, Lea-Ann S. Kirkham, Laura A. Novotny, Lauren O. Bakaletz, Allan W. Cripps, Karli Corscadden, Harvey Coates, Shyan Vijayasekaran, Peter C. Richmond, Ruth B. Thornton
Summary: The study found that Australian Aboriginal children with chronic and recurrent otitis media had lower serum IgG titers to non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) protein vaccine candidate antigens, suggesting a reduced ability to develop persistent IgG responses due to repeated exposure to various bacterial strains.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yesenia Osorio-Aguilar, Maria Cristina Gonzalez-Vazquez, Diana Elizabeth Hernandez-Ceron, Patricia Lozano-Zarain, Ygnacio Martinez-Laguna, Cesar Raul Gonzalez-Bonilla, Rosa del Carmen Rocha-Gracia, Alejandro Carabarin-Lima
Summary: Haemophilus influenzae causes invasive pediatric diseases, while non-typeable H. influenzae strains are associated with localized infections. Enolase in these bacteria acts as a receptor for plasminogen, promoting tissue invasion. The interaction between NTHi enolase and human plasminogen may be a mechanism used by H. influenzae for host cell adhesion and invasion.
Article
Microbiology
Benjamin C. Hunt, Xin Xu, Amit Gaggar, W. Edward Swords
Summary: This study found that thiol-mediated redox homeostasis is a key determinant of the persistence of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) within biofilm communities in smoke-exposed individuals.
Article
Microbiology
Benjamin C. Hunt, Xin Xu, Amit Gaggar, W. Edward Swords
Summary: Smoke exposure is a risk factor for community-acquired pneumonia, and redox homeostasis plays a crucial role in the persistence of NTHi within biofilm communities.
Article
Microbiology
Stephen C. Watts, Louise M. Judd, Rosemary Carzino, Sarath Ranganathan, Kathryn E. Holt
Summary: Respiratory infection during childhood is a key risk factor in early cystic fibrosis lung disease progression. Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae are commonly isolated from the lungs of children with CF, with a high frequency of colonization and antimicrobial resistance. The genetic basis for AMR in these bacteria was identified, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae had a higher prevalence of acquired AMR genes than H. influenzae.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Sam J. Moons, Emiel Rossing, Jurriaan J. A. Heming, Mathilde A. C. H. Janssen, Monique van Scherpenzeel, Dirk J. Lefeber, Marien de Jonge, Jeroen D. Langereis, Thomas J. Boltje
Summary: The study explores the structure-activity relationship of sialic acid-based inhibitors that prevent the transfer of host sialic acids to Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae. Small modifications are tolerated at the C-5 and C-9 positions, while the C-8 position does not allow for modification. These findings define the chemical space available for developing selective bacterial sialylation inhibitors.
BIOCONJUGATE CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Brianna Atto, Dale Kunde, David A. Gell, Stephen Tristram
Summary: The study suggests that carrying Haemophilus haemolyticus (Hh) strains producing the novel haemophilin protein can reduce the prevalence and density of Nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) colonisation in the oropharynx. Adults and elderly individuals carrying Hh-hpl(+) are less likely to have NTHi colonization, with high densities of Hh-hpl(+) correlating with lower NTHi carriage.
Article
Microbiology
Magnus Paulsson, Kasper Norskov Kragh, Yu-Ching Su, Linda Sandblad, Birendra Singh, Thomas Bjarnsholt, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: The OmpA family proteins play crucial roles in cell morphology, membrane stability, and biofilm and outer membrane vesicle (OMV) formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The lipoprotein from gene locus PA1041 was identified as a potential virulence factor that binds to peptidoglycan (PG) and influences the phenotype of the bacteria, leading to disordered biofilm formation. Mutants lacking this lipoprotein, designated as peptidoglycan-binding anchor (Pba), exhibited severe phenotypic changes, including enlarged periplasm spaces and increased release of OMV.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Oskar Thofte, Serena Bettoni, Yu-Ching Su, John Thegerstrom, Sandra Jonsson, Emma Mattsson, Linda Sandblad, Sara Marti, Junkal Garmendia, Anna M. Blom, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: The study identified P5 of NTHi as a novel ligand of C4BP, with P5-deficient mutants showing decreased serum resistance. Clinical isolates showed a positive correlation between P5 expression and C4BP binding, with higher P5 surface expression in isolates from the lower respiratory tract of COPD patients and tonsil specimens.
JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Fabian Udden, Elisabeth Runow, Hans-Christian Slotved, Kurt Fuursted, Jonas Ahl, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: This study investigated the serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance of Streptococcus pneumoniae associated with mucosal infections in patients of all ages following the transition from PCV10 to PCV13. The results showed that 17% of isolates were covered by PCV13, with serotypes 3 and 19A being the most common. Nonvaccine serotypes such as 11A, 23B, 15A, and 35F were also identified, with certain serotypes showing multidrug resistance or penicillin nonsusceptibility.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Oskar Ljungquist, Ale Persmark, Magnus Grabe, Ane Krag Jakobsen, Axel Gerdtsson, Gustav Torisson, Anders Bjartell, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: This study reports an increasing trend of bloodstream infection (BSI) and urinary tract infection (UTI) after transrectal ultrasonography-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS PBx) over a 15-year period. The rise in infectious complications is not associated with quinolone-resistance. Further longitudinal studies are needed to explore the reasons for the increasing infection complications after TRUS PBx.
Review
Immunology
Martina Janouskova, Megan Laura Straw, Yu-Ching Su, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: This review discusses the multifaceted gene regulation mechanisms employed by S. pneumoniae, H. influenzae, and M. catarrhalis during middle ear infection. Through phase variation- and quorum sensing-dependent gene regulation, these pathogens control their virulence phenotypes for survival and host adaptation. Understanding the gene expression regulation mechanisms during the onset of OM may lead to the development of new antimicrobial agents to combat antimicrobial resistance.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Michal Magda, Serena Bettoni, Maisem Laabei, Derek Fairley, Thomas A. Russo, Kristian Riesbeck, Anna M. Blom
Summary: This study investigated the resistance mechanisms of clinical Acinetobacter spp. isolates to the complement system. The results showed that most isolates were highly resistant to serum killing, yet efficiently recognized by the complement system. The production of a capsular polysaccharide was identified as a mechanism mediating resistance to complement-mediated bactericidal activity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Karlhans F. Che, Magnus Paulsson, Krzysztof Piersiala, Jakob Sax, Ibrahim Mboob, Mizanur Rahman, Rokeya S. Rekha, Jesper Safholm, Mikael Adner, Peter Bergman, Lars-Olaf Cardell, Kristian Riesbeck, Anders Linden
Summary: IL-26 plays a critical role in bacterial lung infection by modulating innate immune responses and promoting bacteria killing. IL-26 has both diagnostic and therapeutic potential in pneumonia and deserves further evaluation.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
LindaYamba Yamba, Fabian Udden, Kurt Fuursted, Jonas Ahl, Hans-Christian Slotved, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: This study characterized the molecular epidemiology, presence of resistance genes, and selected virulence genes of extensively drug-resistant (XDR) and multidrug-resistant (MDR) Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from clinical respiratory tract samples in a southern Swedish county from 2016 to 2018. The study found a high correlation between the isolates and global multidrug-resistant pneumococci.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Farshid Jalalvand, Yu-Ching Su, Guillaume Manat, Alexey Chernobrovkin, Mahendar Kadari, Sandra Jonsson, Martina Janouskova, Dorothea Rutishauser, Szabolcs Semsey, Anders Lobner-Olesen, Linda Sandblad, Klas Flardh, Dominique Mengin-Lecreulx, Roman A. Zubarev, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: This study used mass spectrometry to investigate vesiculation and the distribution of proteins in the outer membrane of Haemophilus influenzae. It found that the peptidoglycan synthase-activator Lipoprotein A (LpoA) was accumulated in outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) and played an important role in peptidoglycan biogenesis. Fluorescence microscopy also revealed the localization of LpoA in the cell envelope and during cell division.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Oskar Ljungquist, Oleksandr Nazarchuk, Gunnar Kahlmeter, Vigith Andrews, Thalea Koithan, Lisa Wasserstrom, Dmytro Dmytriiev, Nadiia Fomina, Vira Bebyk, Erika Matuschek, Kristian Riesbeck
LANCET INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Yu-Ching Su, Mahendar Kadari, Megan L. L. Straw, Martina Janouskova, Sandra Jonsson, Oskar Thofte, Farshid Jalalvand, Erika Matuschek, Linda Sandblad, Akos Vegvari, Roman A. A. Zubarev, Kristian Riesbeck
Summary: Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi) is a Gram-negative human pathogen that causes various airway diseases. The outer membrane protein P5 contributes to bacterial serum resistance and also plays a critical role in maintaining bacterial outer membrane integrity and protein composition.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Karin Hansen, Elisabeth Runow, Gustav Torisson, Christian Theilacker, Andreas Palmborg, Kaijie Pan, Qin Jiang, Jo Southern, Rohini Beavon, Bradford D. Gessner, Kristian Riesbeck, Jonas Ahl
Summary: The serotype distribution and potential coverage of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in adults with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in Sweden were unknown. This study found that PCV20 expands the coverage of all-cause CAP compared to PCV13, indicating its potential effectiveness in preventing CAP caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Emma Appelqvist, Madelene Danielsson, Asha Jama, Lina Schollin Ask, Christina Stenhammar, Ann Lindstrand, Kristian Riesbeck, Adam Roth
Summary: This study aimed to assess parental vaccine acceptance and explore factors contributing to the high vaccine acceptance in Sweden. Parents of children aged 1-2 years and 8-12 years were recruited through purposive sampling and participated in focus group discussions. The results showed that both individual and societal perspectives influenced the vaccination decision for childhood immunizations. Nurses play a key role in providing support and tools to help parents make informed decisions.
Article
Cell Biology
Zihui Wei, Fiona Angrisano, Emily M. Eriksson, Ramin Mazhari, Huy Van, Shuning Zheng, Rob J. Center, James McMahon, Jillian Lau, Nicholas Kiernan-Walker, Shazia Ruybal-Pesantez, Ivo Mueller, Leanne J. Robinson, David A. Anderson, Heidi E. Drummer
Summary: Current serological tests cannot differentiate between total immunoglobulin A (IgA) and dimeric IgA (dIgA) associated with mucosal immunity. Two new assays, dIgA-ELISA and dIgA-multiplex bead assay (MBA), can differentiate dIgA from monomeric IgA. The assays showed high specificity for dIgA and revealed sustained levels of dIgA in severe COVID-19 cases, compared to mild cases with short-lived dIgA responses.
IMMUNOLOGY AND CELL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Magnus Paulsson, Louise Thelaus, Kristian Riesbeck, Ingemar Qvarfordt, Margaretha E. Smith, Anders Linden, Adam Linder
Summary: The study found that HBP concentrations were significantly higher in lower airway samples from patients with pneumonia compared to control subjects, indicating it may be a potentially useful biomarker for diagnosing VAP.
RESPIRATORY RESEARCH
(2021)
