Article
Infectious Diseases
Kevin Simon, Wolfgang Pier, Alex Kruettgen, Hans-Peter Horz
Summary: The combination of Sb-1 phage and oxacillin showed enhanced antibacterial effects against most S. aureus isolates, with rare antagonism observed. This heterologous antimicrobial pair provides a robust approach for controlling MRSA.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mark Hutchins, Richard A. Bovill, Peter J. Stephens, John A. Brazier, Helen M. I. Osborn
Summary: The increasing number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a serious threat to global human health. This study examines the glycosylation of nadifloxacin to improve its solubility and finds that one glycoside derivative has the potential to be an effective antibacterial agent.
Article
Biology
Salim Manoharadas, Mohammad Altaf, Abdulwahed Fahad Alrefaei, Naushad Ahmad, Shaik Althaf Hussain, Basel F. Al-Rayes
Summary: Researches have successfully designed an engineered antimicrobial protein to combat methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, showing strong activity. However, despite having a multimodular structure, the engineered protein failed to exhibit activity against a veterinary isolate of S. aureus.
Review
Plant Sciences
Miaomiao Liang, Xueliang Ge, Hui Xua, Kaifeng Ma, Wei Zhang, Yibo Zan, Thomas Efferth, Zheyong Xue, Xin Hua
Summary: This article reviews plant phytochemicals with anti-MRSA activity and summarizes their mechanisms of action. It was found that these phytochemicals exert anti-MRSA activity by destroying the membrane structure and inhibiting the efflux pump. Some compounds show excellent anti-MRSA activity and deserve further investigation.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sara Quero, Marina Serras-Pujol, Noemi Parraga-Nino, Carmen Torres, Marian Navarro, Anna Vilamala, Emma Puigoriol, Javier Diez de los Rios, Elisenda Arque, Judit Serra-Pladevall, Alba Romero, Daniel Molina, Roger Paredes, Maria Luisa Pedro-Botet, Esteban Reynaga
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) among workers in the pork production chain. The results showed that the prevalence of MRSA was high among workers in contact with live animals, especially in pig farms, livestock transporters, and slaughterhouses.
Article
Immunology
Syong H. Nam-Cha, Elena Dominguez-Jurado, Selena L. Tinoco-Valencia, Ramon Perez-Tanoira, Noelia Morata-Moreno, Rocio Alfaro-Ruiza, Agustin Lara-Sanchez, Jaime Esteban, Rafael Lujan, Carlos Alonso-Moreno, Pedro Segui, Alberto Ocana, Angel Lopez Gonzalez, John J. Aguilera-Correa, Francisco C. Perez-Martinez, Milagros Molina Alarcon
Summary: This study aimed to translate clinical research outcomes based on metallodrugs into clinical practice for the treatment of MRSA. The novel metallodrug 2P-Pt showed antibacterial effect against MRSA and inhibited biofilm formation. These findings suggest that 2P-Pt may be a promising therapeutic alternative for MRSA infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Maricely Ramirez-Hernandez, Javiera Norambuena, Hongnan Hu, Belvin Thomas, Chaoyun Tang, Jeffrey M. Boyd, Tewodros Asefa
Summary: The urgent need for materials that can more efficiently deliver antimicrobial agents has arisen due to the increase in microbial resistance to traditional antibiotics. This study presents the synthesis of amine-functionalized SBA-15 mesoporous silica nanomaterials loaded with rafoxanide and anchored Cu(II) ions, which exhibit enhanced antimicrobial efficacy against pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus. The structurally characterized nanomaterials demonstrate 10 times the bactericidal action compared to nanomaterials loaded with rafoxanide only, and the synthetic sequence used in the production significantly impacts their bactericidal efficacy.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Marzieh Asadi, Mortaza Taheri-Anganeh, Maryam Ranjbar, Seyyed Hossein Khatami, Amir Maleksabet, Zohreh Mostafavi-Pour, Younes Ghasemi, Abdolkhalegh Keshavarzi, Amir Savardashtaki
Summary: This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of a novel exolysin containing an SH3b domain against MRSA. The results showed that the chimeric exolysin LYZ2-SH3b had a more inhibitory effect on MRSA compared to LYZ2 and vancomycin.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Joshua. B. Parsons, Annette. C. Westgeest, Brian. P. B. Conlon, Vance. G. Fowler
Summary: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a deadly pathogen that can persist in the bloodstream for days despite appropriate antibiotics. Persistent MRSA bacteremia is common and associated with poor clinical outcomes. This review explores the factors related to host-pathogen interaction and discusses the clinical relevance of each element. Treatment options and diagnostic approaches for managing persistent MRSA bacteremia are also discussed.
Article
Biology
Low Yi Xin, Toh Hui Min, Puteri Nur Liyana Mohd Zin, Thiruchelvi Pulingam, Jimmy Nelson Appaturi, Thaigarajan Parumasivam
Summary: This study evaluates the antibacterial activities of 61 plant extracts from 49 Malaysian ethnomedicinal plants, with 7 plant extracts showing good efficacy against MSSA strains. When combined with vancomycin and ciprofloxacin, the active plant extracts showed no interaction against MSSA and MRSA strains.
SAUDI JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Philip Nikolic, Poonam Mudgil, David G. Harman, John Whitehall
Summary: This study aimed to identify and compare the general differences in protein profiles among clinical strains of S. aureus sensitive and resistant to methicillin. The proteomic analysis revealed differences in protein abundances related to virulence, metabolism, and protein synthesis between MSSA and MRSA strains.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Junshu Yang, Christopher Brown, Wayland Noland, Timothy J. Johnson, Yinduo Ji
Summary: The slow discovery of new antibiotics and the rapid development of bacterial resistance have put us in a vulnerable position. We are running out of effective treatment options for antibiotic-resistant infections. However, a study has identified a promising molecule called MZ-01, which exhibits potent bactericidal activity against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacterial pathogens, including MRSA. MZ-01 also has low cytotoxicity, making it a potential scaffold for the development of novel antibacterial agents.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Onanong Vorasin, Khanchyd Momphanao, Praewpan Katrun, Chutima Kuhakarn, Chutima Jiarpinitnun
Summary: The study identified a range of potential antibacterial vinyl sulfone derivatives, with nitrile-substituted vinyl phenyl sulfones showing the strongest activity and potentially functioning through sulfhydryl conjugation. Additionally, these compounds could also affect host cell adhesion, suggesting promising therapeutic potential for S. aureus and MRSA.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sandra Truong, Poonam Mudgil
Summary: This systematic review examines the antibacterial properties of lavender essential oil (LEO) against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA. The findings suggest mixed results, with some studies reporting significant effectiveness and others reporting minimal to negligible effect. However, it is noted that LEO works synergistically with other antibacterial substances, highlighting the need for further research.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yongliang Fang, Jack R. Kirsch, Liang Li, Seth A. Brooks, Spencer Heim, Cynthia Tan, Susan Eszterhas, Hao D. Cheng, Hongliang Zhao, Yan Q. Xiong, Karl E. Griswold
Summary: The urgent need for novel agents to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections like MRSA is underscored. F12, an innovative anti-MRSA lysin, shows high potency, rapid onset of action, narrow selectivity against pathogenic staphylococci, and synergy with multiple standard-of-care antibiotics. Moreover, F12 not only resensitizes normally resistant MRSA strains to beta-lactams but also exhibits mutually exclusive resistance with beta-lactam antibiotics.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Hanan Hasan, Muhamad Hafiz Abd Rahim, Leona Campbell, Dee Carter, Ali Abbas, Alejandro Montoya
Summary: This study demonstrated the application of metabolic engineering in redirecting metabolic pathways in Aspergillus terreus to increase lovastatin production, while utilizing glycerol as a sustainable carbon source. By eliminating the synthesis of competing metabolites and increasing precursor flux, the efficiency of carbon flux towards lovastatin was enhanced, resulting in higher production levels of the valuable compound.
MOLECULAR BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joanna G. Rothwell, David Alam, Dee A. Carter, Behdad Soltani, Robyn McConchie, Renwu Zhou, Patrick J. Cullen, Anne Mai-Prochnow
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of two novel plasma reactors in generating plasma-activated water (PAW) against pathogenic foodborne illness organisms. The results showed that DBDD-PAW demonstrated rapid antimicrobial activity against pathogenic bacteria, with superoxide being the critical reactive species. This study highlights the potential of DBDD-PAW as a feasible and cost-effective option for antimicrobial applications, including food safety.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Leena Asfour, Daniel Smyth, Cynthia B. Whitchurch, Rosalia Cavaliere, J. Thomas Roland
Summary: Microbial analysis of explanted devices can aid in further understanding treatment approaches to infected CIs.
ACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matthew Payne, Amy L. L. Bottomley, Anthony Och, Hugh G. G. Hiscocks, Anjar P. P. Asmara, Elizabeth J. J. Harry, Alison T. T. Ung
Summary: Antibiotic resistance poses a major threat to modern medicine, driving the need for novel antibiotics with low resistance potential. A study on the synthesis of 18 novel compounds revealed one molecule with potent antibacterial activity against S. aureus and M. tuberculosis without observed resistance. Further development of this molecule and its analogues could be promising in addressing antibiotic resistance.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Kate Jenns, Hannah P. Sassi, Renwu Zhou, Patrick J. Cullen, Dee Carter, Anne Mai-Prochnow
Summary: This review evaluates the potential of cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as a method for inactivating foodborne viruses. CAP has been shown to successfully inactivate foodborne viruses and its non-toxic, residue-free sanitation system for fresh foods makes it highly attractive to the industry. However, the lack of standard devices or protocols makes it difficult to translate these findings into meaningful applications.
TRENDS IN FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kenya E. Fernandes, James A. Fraser, Dee A. Carter
Summary: Cryptococcosis is a devastating cause of death and disease worldwide. During infection, Cryptococcus cells can undergo substantial changes to their size and shape. In this study, researchers found that hypervirulent strains of Cryptococcus had larger capsules, greater variation in cell size, and produced more microcells and shed capsule. These hypervirulent strains had a mutation in the SGF29 gene, which encodes a component of the SAGA complex involved in epigenetic regulation. Analysis of clinical isolates also showed a correlation between loss-of-function mutations in SGF29 and higher patient death rates. The study suggests that the ability to undergo morphological variation is linked to virulence in Cryptococcus, and this can occur through epigenetic mechanisms.
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Aidan Kane, Dee A. Carter
Summary: Fungal infections have a significant impact on millions of people each year and there is an urgent need for novel antifungal strategies. Recent research has focused on improving azoles by seeking synergistic interactions with secondary compounds to expand the antifungal arsenal.
Review
Microbiology
James J. Lazenby, Erica S. Li, Cynthia B. Whitchurch
Summary: This article reviews the historical research on cell wall deficient (CWD) bacteria, including their generation methods, survival requirements, replicative processes, and the reversion to a walled state. It presents evidence that CWD variants are not all the same and can arise through adaptive lifestyle switches for survival and avoiding antimicrobial activity. The implications of CWD bacteria in recurring infections, antibiotic therapy tolerance, and antimicrobial resistance highlight the importance of understanding CWD bacteria in human health and disease.
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kenya E. Fernandes, Elizabeth A. Frost, Emily J. Remnant, Kathleen R. Schell, Nural N. Cokcetin, Dee A. Carter
Summary: Honey not only serves as a source of nutrition but also protects honey bees from various stresses. It detoxifies potentially toxic compounds, enhances tolerance to toxins, prevents oxidative damage, influences developmental pathways, regulates stress response, and inhibits honey bee pathogens. Understanding the diverse functional properties of honey is of great importance for honey bee and hive health and management.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Nutrition & Dietetics
Kathleen R. Schell, Kenya E. Fernandes, Erin Shanahan, Isabella Wilson, Shona E. Blair, Dee A. Carter, Nural N. Cokcetin
Summary: Honey has a long history of use in treating digestive ailments, with certain types showing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Some kinds of honey have prebiotic activity, promoting a healthy balance in the gut microbiota and reducing infection and inflammation.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kenya E. Fernandes, Bridie Stanfield, Elizabeth A. Frost, Erin R. Shanahan, Daniel Susantio, Andrew Z. Dong, Trong D. Tran, Nural N. Cokcetin, Dee A. Carter
Summary: Honey bees serve as important pollinators and produce valuable products. Various stressors can disrupt honey bee colonies, affecting their health and productivity. This study found that honey from healthy hives had higher antimicrobial activity and phenolics and antioxidant content compared to honey from stressed hives. The bacterial and fungal microbiome of the bee gut and hive environment also differed between healthy and stressed hives. These results highlight the importance of understanding and managing bee health.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Amira Farzana Samat, Dee Carter, Ali Abbas
Summary: This study focuses on the degradation of polypropylene (PP) using Aspergillus terreus ATCC 20542 and Engyodontium album BRIP 61534a, with emphasis on pre-treatment. UV and heat-treated metallised film (MFPP) demonstrated significant weight loss when incubated with A. terreus. Biomass production, reduction rate, FTIR, and SEM analyses support the degradation rate. The results indicate that PP can be utilized as a carbon source by A. terreus and E. album with the aid of pre-treatment, promoting biological pathways for plastic waste treatment.
NPJ MATERIALS DEGRADATION
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andrew Z. Dong, Nural Cokcetin, Dee A. Carter, Kenya E. Fernandes
Summary: This study investigates the antimicrobial activity and chemical properties of honey produced by the Australian honeypot ant. Results show that the honeypot ant honey has strong activity against Staphylococcus aureus but not other bacteria, and strong non-peroxide activity against Cryptococcus and Aspergillus sp. The antimicrobial activity and chemical properties of honeypot ant honey differ significantly from jarrah and manuka honey produced by honey bees. The bacterial microbiome of honeypot ants is dominated by Candidatus Blochmannia, while the fungal microbiome is dominated by the plant-associated genus Neocelosporium.
Article
Microbiology
Joanna G. G. Rothwell, Jungmi Hong, Stuart J. J. Morrison, Heema Kumari Nilesh Vyas, Binbin Xia, Anne Mai-Prochnow, Robyn McConchie, Kim-Yen Phan-Thien, Patrick J. J. Cullen, Dee A. A. Carter
Summary: Plasma-activated water (PAW) is a competitive sanitizer technology in the fresh food industry, achieving significant reduction of pathogens and spoilage microorganisms while maintaining the quality and shelf life of the produce item.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Binbin Xia, Heema Kumari Nilesh Vyas, Renwu Zhou, Tianqi Zhang, Jungmi Hong, Joanna G. Rothwell, Scott A. Rice, Dee Carter, Kostya (Ken) Ostrikov, Patrick J. Cullen, Anne Mai-Prochnow
Summary: Microbial biofilms cause contaminations and pose risks to human health. Cold plasma and plasma-activated water (PAW) have disinfectant activity, but the best gas choice for generating PAW is unclear.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)