Article
Microbiology
Jie Liu, Suporn Pholwat, Jixian Zhang, Mami Taniuchi, Rashidul Haque, Masud Alam, John Benjamin Ochieng, Jennifer A. Jones, James A. Platts-Mills, Sharon M. Tennant, Eric Houpt
Summary: Real-time PCR assays were evaluated for identifying major serotypes of Shigella flexneri using 0-antigen modification genes. The assays demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional serotyping, with efficient performance on direct stool samples as well. These PCR assays provide a novel tool for S. flexneri serotype identification.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hessamaddin Sohrabi, Mir Reza Majidi, Karim Asadpour-Zeynali, Alireza Khataee, Mahsa Dastborhan, Ahad Mokhtarzadeh
Summary: A gene detection platform was developed to detect Shigella dysenteriae in human plasma samples, incorporating biochar, MoS2 nanosheets, and Au nanoparticles. The platform demonstrated high selectivity and sensitivity, with LOD and LOQ values calculated under optimal conditions. The method also showed good repeatability and could be easily reused for subsequent detection assays, highlighting its potential for practical applications in genetic screening.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Monica F. Torrez Lamberti, Lucrecia C. Teran, Fabian E. Lopez, Maria de las Mercedes Pescaretti, Monica A. Delgado
Summary: The study analyzed the genome and proteomic component of two Shigella flexneri 2a clinical isolates collected from pediatric patients in Argentina. The results showed a conserved core genome in the Shigella species, but also identified strain-specific genes and observed differences at the proteomic level. The findings contribute to understanding the mechanisms of colonization, survival, and infection of this pathogen in the population.
Article
Microbiology
Jasmin Koeffer, Melissa Kolb, Oceane Sorel, Camilla Ulekleiv, Jelena D. M. Feenstra, Ulrich Eigner
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical and analytical performance of the TAQPATH Enteric Bacterial Select Panel and found that it had 100% clinical sensitivity and specificity for Salmonella spp. and Shigella spp./Enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). It also showed higher clinical sensitivity for Campylobacter compared to routine stool culture. Additionally, the TAQPATH panel provided faster time-to-result, required less hands-on time, and used less laboratory plastic compared to conventional stool culture.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Aldo Ummarino, Michele Caputo, Francesco Antonio Tucci, Gaetano Pezzicoli, Ada Piepoli, Annamaria Gentile, Tiziana Latiano, Anna Panza, Nicholas Cala, Antonio Pio Ceglia, Giovanni Pistoio, Vincenzo Troiano, Michela Pucatti, Anna Latiano, Angelo Andriulli, Antonio Tucci, Orazio Palmieri
Summary: A PCR-based method for detecting Enterobius vermicularis (E. vermicularis) in clinical application was developed in this study. The method overcame the challenges of conventional tests and PCR-based approaches, demonstrating high diagnostic accuracy.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cristian Morales, Raul Arias-Carrasco, Vinicius Maracaja-Coutinho, Pamela Seron, Fernando Lanas, Luis A. Salazar, Nicolas Saavedra
Summary: This study aimed to identify differences in bacterial small RNAs between hypercholesterolemic and normocholesterolemic individuals at the gut level. Most of the small RNAs were of bacterial origin and had a higher number of readings in normocholesterolemic participants. Small RNA ID 2909606 associated with Coprococcus eutactus and small RNA ID 2149569 from the species Blautia wexlerae were upregulated in hypercholesterolemic subjects, and other bacterial and archaeal small RNAs interacting with the LDL receptor were identified.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alene Geteneh, Selamyhun Tadesse, Sirak Biset, Lencho Girma, Paulos Fissiha
Summary: Typhoid fever remains a major health burden in developing countries with poor hygiene and limited access to safe drinking water. The main diagnostic tool in Ethiopia, the Widal card agglutination test, has limitations in differentiating typhoid fever from other acute febrile illnesses. This study aims to assess the burden and potential risk factors of typhoid fever using a rapid stool antigen test in Northeast Ethiopia.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Dong-Chan Moon, Ji-Hyun Choi, Naila Boby, Hee-Young Kang, Su-Jeong Kim, Hyun-Ju Song, Ho-Sung Park, Min-Chan Gil, Soon-Seek Yoon, Suk-Kyung Lim
Summary: The prevalence and significance of bacterial infections in companion animals, specifically dogs, in Korea were investigated in this nationwide surveillance study. The results showed the distribution of bacterial species and prevalence rates in different samples obtained from veterinary hospital-visited dogs, providing valuable information for assessing bacterial infections and guiding therapeutic decisions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Felix Weinreich, Andreas Hahn, Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt, Simone Kann, Thomas Koeller, Philipp Warnke, Susann Dupke, Denise Dekker, Juergen May, Hagen Frickmann, Ulrike Loderstaedt
Summary: Prior to the implementation of new diagnostic techniques, a thorough evaluation is necessary to ensure diagnostic reliability. However, if positive samples are scarce, conducting such evaluations can be challenging. In this study, we evaluated the performance of four SeeGene Allplex real-time PCR assays in amplifying 28 bacteria, microsporidia, and parasitic nucleic acid sequences in human stool samples using a multicentric approach. The results showed varying sensitivity values for different pathogens, with bacteria ranging from 0% to 100%, protozoa from 0% to 100%, and helminths and microsporidia from 7% to 100%. The specificity was generally high, except for some bacteria with a range of 87% to 100%. The intra- and inter-assay variations were low, and manual nucleic acid extraction improved sensitivity for some helminth species. Overall, the findings suggest potential discordance between the Allplex assays and the reference assays, particularly in samples with low pathogen densities.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ye Wang, Yuling Zheng, Yan Li, Shengwei Zhang, Xin Wang, Huijun Zong, Wenhua Huang, Decong Kong, Yongqiang Jiang, Peng Liu, Qingyu Lv, Hua Jiang
Summary: In this study, a rapid, accurate, and sensitive AlphaLISA method was developed and evaluated for the detection of rotavirus infection. The results showed good consistency with the gold standard RT-qPCR method. AlphaLISA can be used for the rapid detection of rotavirus infection in clinical practice.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Yu-Jin Kwon, Hwan Jong Kwak, Hyung Ki Lee, Hyun Chul Lim, Dong-Hyuk Jung
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the microbial composition of different segments of the large intestine and assess the suitability of rectal swabs for identifying colon microbiota. The results showed that the microbial compositions of rectal swabs were most similar to those of the sigmoid colon and rectum, whereas the microbiota in stool were relatively different than those from the large intestine and rectal swabs.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Justine Franco, Lucie Benejat, Astrid Ducournau, Francis Megraud, Philippe Lehours, Emilie Bessede
Summary: Campylobacter spp. enteritis is a common bacterial infection with issues in sensitivity when diagnosed through culture, however, a new rapid immuno-enzymatic method has shown high sensitivity and specificity, making it suitable for clinical practice as a screening tool.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Evan A. Larson, Josiah J. Rensner, Kristina R. Larsen, Bryan Bellaire, Young Jin Lee
Summary: A new antimicrobial susceptibility test utilizing deuterium labeling of membrane lipids to track bacterial growth has been developed and validated. This method can differentiate between resistant and susceptible strains of bacteria and has clinical relevance.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Claudia Gimenez, Mirna L. Sanchez, Hugo A. Valdez, Maria E. Rodriguez, Mariano Grasselli
Summary: This paper analyzes disposable micropipette tips as reagent holders in PCR analysis, showing their potential for simplifying PCR analysis and reducing contamination. The study proves that the detection of Bordetella pertussis can be quickly done using functional tips.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Dong Chan Moon, Ji-Hyun Choi, Naila Boby, Su-Jeong Kim, Hyun-Ju Song, Ho-Sung Park, Min-Chan Gil, Soon-Seek Yoon, Suk-Kyung Lim
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of pathogenic bacteria associated with different site infections in cats in the Republic of Korea. Results showed that Escherichia coli was the most prevalent species in diarrheal stool and urine, while Staphylococcus felis and Pasteurella multocida were most prevalent in the skin and respiratory tract, respectively. There was no significant difference in bacterial distribution among different age groups in all samples.
Editorial Material
Urology & Nephrology
Rakesh Kumar Pilania, Deepanjan Bhattacharya, Neelam Taneja, Amit Rawat, Deepti Suri, Raja Ramachandran, Karalanglin Tiewsoh
JOURNAL OF NEPHROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Megan E. Carey, Ruby Jain, Mohammad Yousuf, Mailis Maes, Zoe A. Dyson, Trang Nguyen Hoang Thu, To Nguyen Thi Nguyen, Thanh Ho Ngoc Dan, Quynh Nhu Pham Nguyen, Jaspreet Mahindroo, Duy Thanh Pham, Kawaljeet Singh Sandha, Stephen Baker, Neelam Taneja
Summary: The study in Northern India identified 66 S. Typhi organisms with antimicrobial resistance, including 7 strains with R717Q mutation in the acrB gene conferring resistance to azithromycin and 6 strains with triple mutations in gyrA and parC genes leading to ciprofloxacin resistance. This findings suggest an urgent need for typhoid conjugate vaccines introduction in South Asia as an emerging broader problem of antimicrobial resistance.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
Vinay Modgil, Pankaj Chaudhary, Bhavneet Bharti, Jaspreet Mahindroo, Md Yousuf, Meenakshi Koundal, Balvinder Mohan, Neelam Taneja
Summary: The study aimed to investigate the role of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) in childhood diarrhea and as a commensal in children younger than five years old. EAEC detection was higher in children with acute diarrhea compared to nourished and malnourished controls. Adhesive variants like adhesion fimbriae IV and II were significantly associated with diarrhea, and aggR and aar genes showed associations with disease severity. High rates of multidrug resistance were observed in the diarrheal group. Phylogenetic analysis revealed differences in EAEC strains between diarrheal and non-diarrheal groups.
JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Harpreet Kaur, Manmohit Kalia, Neelam Taneja
Summary: The study identified novel drug targets for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii through three phases of analysis, and discovered some new drug targets.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Naveen Chaudhary, Chandradeo Narayan, Balvinder Mohan, Neelam Taneja
Summary: The study characterized a phage RDN37 isolated from community sewage water in Chandigarh, which showed activity against multidrug-resistant Uropathogenic E. coli. The phage demonstrated stability, lytic activity against resistant strains, and potential therapeutic application for treating drug-resistant urinary tract infections.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Neelam Taneja, Jutang Babat Ain Tiewsoh, Swati Gupta, Balvinder Mohan, Ritu Verma, Pinky Shankar, Chandradeo Narayan, Vivek Kumar Yadav, Muralidharan Jayashree, Surjit Singh
Summary: The study conducted at a tertiary care center in North India found that the most common serogroup of Shigella isolated was Shigella flexneri, with increasing drug resistance observed. Children under 5 years old had the highest incidence rate, while males were also significantly affected.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Naveen Chaudhary, Dharminder Singh, Chandradeo Narayan, Bhaskar Samui, Balvinder Mohan, Ravimohan S. Mavuduru, Neelam Taneja
Summary: Escherichia phage 590B, isolated from community sewage water in Chandigarh, India, shows lytic activity against extensively drug-resistant uropathogenic Escherichia coli. The phage has a linear, double-stranded genome of 44.39 kb and belongs to the Siphoviridae family, with closest similarity to phage vB_EcoS_XY2 isolated in China.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Harpreet Kaur, Vikram Singh, Manmohit Kalia, Balvinder Mohan, Neelam Taneja
Summary: Urinary tract infections are a serious health concern worldwide, especially in developing countries. The highly virulent Escherichia coli strain CFT073 contains 992 hypothetical proteins. Computational tools were used to analyze and classify these proteins, revealing their roles in various functional categories and metabolic pathways. Further analysis identified 35 non-homologous proteins as potential drug design targets, with 8 proteins showing virulence factors and 6 proteins successfully modelled for three-dimensional structures. The study provides valuable insights for understanding disease mechanisms and developing new drug targets against CFT073.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
T. T. Diep, P. P. Ray, A. D. Edwards
Summary: Traditional culture methods remain crucial in microbiology laboratories despite the shift towards automation and molecular techniques. Using inexpensive 3D printing technology, customised labware for microbial culture can be quickly prototyped and used for various microbiological methods. The flexibility and reusability of these tools can streamline workflows in microbiology laboratories.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tai The Diep, Samuel Bizley, Alexander Daniel Edwards
Summary: Early detection of antimicrobial resistance is crucial in selecting and optimizing antibiotic treatments. The current limitations of testing methods include bulky labware and time-consuming procedures. To address these limitations, researchers have developed a miniaturized device that can simultaneously detect bacterial species and antibiotic susceptibility in a simple and rapid manner.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thanh-Tu Thi Nguyen, Anh Viet Nguyen, Tai The Diep, Nhuan Ngoc Doan, Thao-Tran Thi Nguyen
Summary: This study investigated the essential oil components of seeds, peels, and leaves from Limnocitrus littoralis growing wildly on the southcentral coast of Vietnam. The findings highlight the aromatic value of these wild bearing oil plants.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Tai The Diep, Sarah Helen Needs, Samuel Bizley, Alexander D. Edwards
Summary: Antibiotic susceptibility testing is crucial in addressing the emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance. A new microdevice-miniature microscope cell measurement system, combined with inexpensive digital cameras and a 3D printing platform, allows for rapid and easy detection of bacterial motility, aiding in the detection of antibiotic resistance.
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Matthew Michael Long, Tai The Diep, Sarah Helen Needs, Marta Joan Ross, Alexander Daniel Edwards
Summary: Digital imaging is important for quantitation in many experiments, but existing laboratory digital imaging systems are expensive and specialized. The Raspberry Pi camera platform, combined with open source software and open-source 3D printed hardware, offers an affordable and customizable solution for automated and controlled imaging. The PiRamid enclosure is a compact, portable, and inexpensive solution that allows for autonomous imaging in both laboratory and field settings. It offers versatility in camera systems and lighting configurations, and its stackable design enables easy sample addition and camera focus adjustment. PiRamid simplifies both laboratory and field imaging, allowing for inexpensive digital capture and quantitation of a wide range of experiments.
Editorial Material
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Neelam Taneja, Swati Gupta, Jutang Babat Ain Tiewsoh, Sonakshi Srivastava
Summary: Cholera, a diarrheal disease causing major health issues in developing countries, is most prevalent in India, where vaccination and improved sanitation are key in controlling outbreaks.
INDIAN JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Tai The Diep, Samuel Bizley, Partha Pratim Ray, Alexander Daniel Edwards
Summary: Controlled temperature incubation is crucial in microbiological testing, and portable incubators powered by UPS and lithium batteries can ensure precise temperature control in field settings. They simplify field microbiology and increase access to vital analytical microbiology testing.
