Article
Microbiology
Shariful Islam, Anna C. Callender, Quynh N. Ho, Catherine A. Wakeman
Summary: Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus can adapt to host-induced selective pressures by developing the fermenting small-colony variant (SCV) phenotype, which is tolerant to certain antibiotics and heme toxicity. This study demonstrates that iron starvation in S. aureus represses respiration and induces the SCV phenotype. It also shows that prolonged growth in iron starvation promotes the emergence of stable aminoglycoside-resistant SCVs.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Luis Gafeira Goncalves, Susana Santos, Laidson Paes Gomes, Jean Armengaud, Maria Miragaia, Ana Varela Coelho
Summary: Staphylococcus epidermidis is a common bacterium found on human skin, which can act both as a commensal and an opportunistic pathogen. It is associated with 80% of medical devices related infections and is difficult to treat due to its ability to form biofilms and develop resistance to antimicrobials. Understanding the metabolic and cellular processes of S. epidermidis in different pH conditions could provide insights into colonization and disease processes. The study found that at skin pH, the bacteria were more active metabolically and promoted adhesion, while at blood pH, metabolism was reduced and a more virulent profile was observed. Targeting S. epidermidis proteins induced by pH 7.4 and promoting acidification could be strategies to treat and prevent S. epidermidis infections.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yoshihiro Ito, Takashi Sasaki, Youxian Li, Takeshi Tanoue, Yuki Sugiura, Ashwin N. Skelly, Wataru Suda, Yusuke Kawashima, Nobuyuki Okahashi, Eiichiro Watanabe, Hiroto Horikawa, Aiko Shiohama, Rina Kurokawa, Eiryo Kawakami, Hachiro Iseki, Hiroshi Kawasaki, Yoichiro Iwakura, Atsushi Shiota, Liansheng Yu, Junzo Hisatsune, Haruhiko Koseki, Motoyuki Sugai, Makoto Arita, Osamu Ohara, Takeshi Matsui, Makoto Suematsu, Masahira Hattori, Koji Atarashi, Masayuki Amagai, Kenya Honda
Summary: The research shows that Staphylococcus cohnii can beneficially inhibit skin inflammation, potentially offering a new therapeutic approach for chronic inflammatory skin conditions.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cassandra Pouget, Clotilde Chatre, Jean-Philippe Lavigne, Alix Pantel, Jacques Reynes, Catherine Dunyach-Remy
Summary: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of 15 days of antibiotic exposure at sub-inhibitory concentration on the resistance, fitness and genome evolution of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains responsible for catheter-related bacteremia. The results showed that antibiotic exposure affected bacterial pathogenicity and led to the emergence of resistant strains.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ervin Albert, Rita Sipos, Vincent Perreten, Akos Toth, Erika Ungvari, Marton Papp, Adam Dan, Imre Biksi
Summary: In Hungary, a study found that 83% of pig farms and 70% of swine professionals were carriers of Livestock-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA). The study highlights the significant increase in the occurrence of LA-MRSA in the swine industry in Hungary, calling for a reassessment of the risk it poses to public health.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Enkhbat Zayabaatar, Nguyen Mai Trinh Tang, Minh Tan Pham
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the effect of nasal administration of glycerol or flavin mononucleotide (FMN) on IL-6 production mediated by the SARS2-CoV nucleocapsid protein (NPP). The results show that nasal administration of FMN can reduce NPP-induced IL-6 production. This study suggests that Staphylococcus epidermidis K1 can protect the pulmonary system from SARS2-CoV invasion and has potential as a biotherapeutic for opportunistic infections.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Surgery
Yang-wei Pi, Yan Gong, Jia-jia Jiang, De-jin Zhu, Yue-xin Tong, Li-ming Jiang, Dong-xu Zhao
Summary: This article summarizes the key elements of early diagnosis and rational treatments for extensive spinal epidural abscess (SEA) through a case report of a 70-year-old male patient. Early diagnosis of SEA can be achieved through comprehensive emergency assessment, clinical symptoms, and MRI examination. For patients with extensive abscess or progressive neurological dysfunction, the combination of laminectomy, drainage, and systemic antibiotic therapy may be a rational treatment choice.
FRONTIERS IN SURGERY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Junlan Liu, Zhen Shen, Jin Tang, Qian Huang, Ying Jian, Yao Liu, Yanan Wang, Xiaowei Ma, Qian Liu, Lei He, Min Li
Summary: The study investigates the role of small colony variants (SCVs) in catheter infection, revealing mutations in metabolic processes and disturbances in biosynthetic pathways in stable SCV. SCV demonstrates higher biofilm-forming ability due to glycine shortage, excess pyruvic acid, and acetyl-CoA overflow. Despite decreased cell viability, SCV can facilitate biofilm formation and in vivo survival of normal counterparts.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Armando R. Caballero, Aihua Tang, Michael Bierdeman, Richard O'Callaghan, Mary Marquart
Summary: The activity of proteases and hemolysins in different strains of S. epidermidis is related to their ocular virulence in a rabbit model of infection, with the Esp protease being a major virulence factor.
CURRENT EYE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Brittany E. Herrin, Shariful Islam, Kaitlin N. Rentschler, Lauren H. Pert, Stephanie P. Kopanski, Catherine A. Wakeman
Summary: Haem toxicity in the host may select for respiration-deficient Staphylococcus aureus SCVs, which could dominate prior to antibiotic treatment.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andi Rofian Sultan, Mehri Tavakol, Nicole A. Lemmens-den Toom, Peter D. Croughs, Nelianne J. Verkaik, Annelies Verbon, Willem J. B. van Wamel
Summary: Isothermal microcalorimetry enables real-time monitoring of the sensitivity of Staphylococcus aureus biofilms towards antibiotics, showing that conventional susceptibility assays do not accurately represent the behavior of biofilm-associated S. aureus. The calorimetry-based biofilm susceptibility assay reveals that S. aureus biofilms, both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant strains, are resistant to most tested antibiotics.
Article
Microbiology
Xuyang Wang, Weizheng Li, Wenjie Wang, Shiyong Wang, Tao Xu, Jiazhen Chen, Wenhong Zhang
Summary: The deficiency in heme biosynthesis leads to decreased persister levels, which can be restored by complementing the corresponding genes or hemin. RNA-seq analysis revealed that various metabolic pathways were influenced, such as energy metabolism, amino acid metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and membrane transport. Overexpression of epiF and operon asp23 restored persister formation under acid stress in S. aureus strain USA500 Delta hemA, while knocking out operon arc further reduced persister formation under acid and oxidative stress.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hua Zou, Qian Li, Yan Su, Lei Zhang, Xinyuan Zhang, Chunli Li
Summary: Our study showed that the SCV of Klebsiella pneumoniae transitioned to a mucoid colony when exposed to subinhibitory concentrations of ciprofloxacin. The higher serum resistance of mucoid colonies may be related to the UmuC gene, while the increased intracellular survival of SCV may be related to the IcmK family type IV secretion proteins.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Avi Fellner, Yael Goldberg, Dorit Lev, Lina Basel-Salmon, Oded Shor, Felix Benninger
Summary: TUBB4A-associated disorder is a rare condition with a wide phenotypic spectrum. Entropy-based analysis and structural clustering revealed a continuum of genotype-phenotype correlation and clear separation of benign and pathogenic variants.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Karsten Becker
Summary: While modern molecular methods have greatly improved microbiological diagnostics, the detection and identification of phenotypic variants still pose challenges. This is particularly true for the small-colony-variant (SCV) phenotype formed by staphylococci, which is difficult to detect and characterize due to its unstable nature. The physiological and metabolic changes in SCVs make traditional growth-based methods unreliable, requiring prolonged incubation times and confirmation by molecular methods. Standardized protocols for SCV diagnostics are currently lacking, but their detection has significant implications for treatment and should be reported and managed collaboratively with microbiological laboratories and clinicians.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Maria Mksoud, Till Ittermann, Birte Holtfreter, Andreas Soehnel, Carmen Soehnel, Alexander Welk, Lena Ulm, Karsten Becker, Nils-Olaf Huebner, Andrea Rau, Stefan Kindler, Thomas Kocher
Summary: This study examined the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among dental teams in Germany during the pandemic. The results showed that the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission among dental teams was not higher than that in the general population.
CLINICAL ORAL INVESTIGATIONS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Corinna Glasner, Matthijs S. Berends, Karsten Becker, Jutta Esser, Jens Gieffers, Annette Jurke, Greetje Kampinga, Stefanie Kampmeier, Rob Klont, Robin Koeck, Lutz von Mueller, Nashwan Al Naemi, Alewijn Ott, Gijs Ruijs, Katja Saris, Adriana Tami, Andreas Voss, Karola Waar, Jan van Zeijl, Alex W. Friedrich
Summary: This first multicenter screening study in a European cross-border region reveals high heterogeneity in the carriage prevalence of MDROs in ICUs in the Netherlands-Germany cross-border region. This indicates that the prevalence is likely influenced by different healthcare structures.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jesper Larsen, Claire L. Raisen, Xiaoliang Ba, Nicholas J. Sadgrove, Guillermo F. Padilla-Gonzalez, Monique S. J. Simmonds, Igor Loncaric, Heidrun Kerschner, Petra Apfalter, Rainer Hartl, Ariane Deplano, Stien Vandendriessche, Barbora Cerna Bolfikova, Pavel Hulva, Maiken C. Arendrup, Rasmus K. Hare, Celine Barnadas, Marc Stegger, Raphael N. Sieber, Robert L. Skov, Andreas Petersen, Oystein Angen, Sophie L. Rasmussen, Carmen Espinosa-Gongora, Frank M. Aarestrup, Laura J. Lindholm, Suvi M. Nykasenoja, Frederic Laurent, Karsten Becker, Birgit Walther, Corinna Kehrenberg, Christiane Cuny, Franziska Layer, Guido Werner, Wolfgang Witte, Ivonne Stamm, Paolo Moroni, Hannah J. Jorgensen, Herminia de Lencastre, Emilia Cercenado, Fernando Garcia-Garrote, Stefan Borjesson, Sara Haeggman, Vincent Perreten, Christopher J. Teale, Andrew S. Waller, Bruno Pichon, Martin D. Curran, Matthew J. Ellington, John J. Welch, Sharon J. Peacock, David J. Seilly, Fiona J. E. Morgan, Julian Parkhill, Nazreen F. Hadjirin, Jodi A. Lindsay, Matthew T. G. Holden, Giles F. Edwards, Geoffrey Foster, Gavin K. Paterson, Xavier Didelot, Mark A. Holmes, Ewan M. Harrison, Anders R. Larsen
Summary: This study reveals that methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains were present in European hedgehogs before the discovery of antibiotics and have spread among hedgehog populations and between hedgehogs and secondary hosts. The study also shows that the hedgehog dermatophyte Trichophyton erinacei produces two beta-lactam antibiotics that give an advantage to MRSA strains. These findings emphasize the importance of understanding and managing antibiotic resistance in both wild animals and different ecosystems.
Article
Microbiology
Ursula Kaspar, Nina Schleimer, Evgeny A. Idelevich, Sonja Molinaro, Karsten Becker
Summary: Recombinant bacteriophage endolysins PRF-119 and its successor HY-133 have been found to be highly active against various MRSA clonal lineages. However, in vitro re-growth phenomenon was observed, necessitating clarification for the assessment of the agent's stability and activity as well as for methodological aspects of endolysin testing. Factors such as the shape and material of culture vessels and shaking conditions were identified to influence the in vitro stability and activity of HY-133. The findings provide a basis for future standardization and accurate determination of the antimicrobial activities of engineered endolysins.
Article
Pediatrics
Kristin Klar, Dennis Knaack, Stefanie Kampmeier, Anna Katharina Hein, Dennis Goerlich, Siegfried Steltenkamp, Ulrike Weyland, Karsten Becker
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge of primary school children about infectious diseases and their prevention measures. The results showed that most children already have some awareness of infections, but their knowledge is not always accurate and adequately supported. The condition of sanitary facilities also has a significant impact on their usage behavior.
Article
Microbiology
Muzaffar Hussain, Christian Kohler, Karsten Becker
Summary: This study demonstrates for the first time a moonlighting function of the enolase protein in S. lugdunensis, which acts as both a metabolic enzyme and an adherence factor. The interaction between SlEno and various extracellular matrix components as well as plasminogen enhances the colonization and invasion ability of S. lugdunensis. These findings suggest that SlEno may serve as a potential vaccine candidate for preventing severe infections caused by this pathogen.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Elias Eger, Michael Schwabe, Lukas Schulig, Nils-Olaf Huebner, Juergen A. Bohnert, Uwe T. Bornscheuer, Stefan E. Heiden, Justus U. Mueller, Fazal Adnan, Karsten Becker, Carlos L. Correa-Martinez, Sebastian Guenther, Evgeny A. Idelevich, Daniel Baecker, Katharina Schaufler
Summary: The ability of extensively drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae to rapidly acquire resistance to novel antibiotics is a global concern. This study investigated the development of resistance against the drug combination ceftazidime-avibactam in a specific strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae and explored the mechanisms of resistance and the resulting fitness and virulence costs. The study reveals the crucial role of a specific porin channel mutation in resistance development and identifies a major metabolic regulator for ameliorating fitness and virulence costs.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elisa Heuser, Karsten Becker, Evgeny A. Idelevich
Summary: Sodium bituminosulfonate has been shown to have bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus and is effective at higher concentrations.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Frieder Schaumburg, Bettina Loefler, Karsten Becker
DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Elvira R. Shaidullina, Michael Schwabe, Thomas Rohde, Valeria V. Shapovalova, Marina S. Dyachkova, Alina D. Matsvay, Yuliya A. Savochkina, Andrey A. Shelenkov, Yulia V. Mikhaylova, Katharina Sydow, Francois Lebreton, Evgeny A. Idelevich, Stefan E. Heiden, Karsten Becker, Roman S. Kozlov, German A. Shipulin, Vasiliy G. Akimkin, Michael Lalk, Sebastian Guenther, Andreas E. Zautner, Juergen A. Bohnert, Ayslu M. Mardanova, Ruth Bouganim, Dror Marchaim, Katharina J. Hoff, Katharina Schaufler, Mikhail V. Edelstein
Summary: This study is the first to investigate a large international collection of K. pneumoniae ST395 genomes, revealing the phylogenetics and detailed genomic characteristics of this emerging high-risk clonal lineage.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Loris Busch, Anna Maria Hanuschik, Yuri Avlasevich, Katrin Darm, Elisa F. F. Hochheiser, Christian Kohler, Evgeny A. A. Idelevich, Karsten Becker, Peter Rotsch, Katharina Landfester, Maxim E. E. Darvin, Martina C. C. Meinke, Cornelia M. M. Keck, Axel Kramer, Paula Zwicker
Summary: Hair follicles are important drug delivery targets for skin antisepsis due to their high concentration of skin microbiome. Nanoparticles can penetrate deeply into hair follicles and can be triggered to release drugs through various mechanisms. The study introduces UV-responsive nanocapsules containing hydroxyethyl starch, which demonstrated efficient release of ethanol and a strong reduction in microbial load on porcine ear skin. The findings suggest the potential for advanced skin antisepsis using UVA-responsive nanocapsules.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer K. Bender, Elsa Baufeld, Karsten Becker, Heike Claus, Anna Dudakova, Achim Doerre, Nikoletta Fila, Carola Fleige, Axel Hamprecht, Armin Hoffmann, Michael Hogardt, Achim J. Kaasch, Axel Kola, Nancy Kriebel, Franziska Layer-Nicolaou, Matthias Marschal, Ernst Molitor, Nico T. Mutters, Jan Liese, Claudia Nelkenbrecher, Bernd Neumann, Holger Rohde, Joerg Steinmann, Michael Soerensen, Philipp Thelen, Michael Weig, Andreas E. Zautner, Guido Werner
Summary: An increasing number of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) has been recognized in Germany. However, there is a lack of reliable and rapid diagnostic methods for screening LRE in epidemiologically linked hospital settings. CHROMAgar™ LIN-R provides a simple and efficient screening tool for LRE in clinical settings. The prevalence of LRE among German hospital patients was estimated to be 1% based on the study results.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Evgeny A. Idelevich, Betty Nedow, Marcus Vollmer, Karsten Becker
Summary: Over the past decade, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) has become a standard method for identifying bacteria and yeasts. However, further optimization of the identification process is necessary to streamline workflows and save resources. This study evaluated the use of a multipurpose benchtop tool, MBT FAST Shuttle IVD, for accelerated drying of liquid assay components on a MALDI target. The results showed that using the MBT FAST Shuttle significantly reduced drying time and improved identification success.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Elisa Heuser, Karsten Becker, Evgeny A. Idelevich
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and time savings of automated colony counting. The results showed that fully automatic counting resulted in low accuracy, especially for plates with very high or very low colony numbers. Visual correction improved the concordance with manual counts, but there was no benefit in counting time.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Karsten Becker
Summary: While modern molecular methods have greatly improved microbiological diagnostics, the detection and identification of phenotypic variants still pose challenges. This is particularly true for the small-colony-variant (SCV) phenotype formed by staphylococci, which is difficult to detect and characterize due to its unstable nature. The physiological and metabolic changes in SCVs make traditional growth-based methods unreliable, requiring prolonged incubation times and confirmation by molecular methods. Standardized protocols for SCV diagnostics are currently lacking, but their detection has significant implications for treatment and should be reported and managed collaboratively with microbiological laboratories and clinicians.