Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fabian Schnitker, Yongjie Liu, Simone Keitsch, Matthias Soddemann, Hedda Luise Verhasselt, Jan Kehrmann, Heike Grassme, Markus Kamler, Erich Gulbins, Yuqing Wu
Summary: This study suggests that the deficiency of cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) leads to reduced sphingosine levels, making cystic fibrosis (CF) patients more susceptible to Mycobacterium abscessus (M. abscessus) infection. The researchers also found that increasing sphingosine levels can protect CF cells and CF mice lungs against M. abscessus infection.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jerry A. Nick, Rebekah M. Dedrick, Alice L. Gray, Eszter K. Vladar, Bailey E. Smith, Krista G. Freeman, Kenneth C. Malcolm, L. Elaine Epperson, Nabeeh A. Hasan, Jo Hendrix, Kimberly Callahan, Kendra Walton, Brian Vestal, Emily Wheeler, Noel M. Rysavy, Katie Poch, Silvia Caceres, Valerie K. Lovell, Katherine B. Hisert, Vinicius Calado de Moura, Delphi Chatterjee, Prithwiraj De, Natalia Weakly, Stacey L. Martiniano, David A. Lynch, Charles L. Daley, Michael Strong, Fan Jia, Graham F. Hatfull, Rebecca M. Davidson
Summary: This study describes a successful phage treatment of treatment-refractory Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary infection in a patient with severe lung disease. The phages used in the treatment were engineered to enhance their ability to lyse M. abscessus and were specifically selected based on their effectiveness against the patient's bacterial isolate. The treatment resulted in genetic stability of the bacterial isolate and improved clinical symptoms in the patient.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Josephine M. Bryant, Karen P. Brown, Sophie Burbaud, Isobel Everall, Juan M. Belardinelli, Daniela Rodriguez-Rincon, Dorothy M. Grogono, Chelsea M. Peterson, Deepshikha Verma, Ieuan E. Evans, Christopher Ruis, Aaron Weimann, Divya Arora, Sony Malhotra, Bridget Bannerman, Charlotte Passemar, Kerra Templeton, Gordon MacGregor, Kasim Jiwa, Andrew J. Fisher, Tom L. Blundell, Diane J. Ordway, Mary Jackson, Julian Parkhill, R. Andres Floto
Summary: The study suggests that epigenetic modifiers acquired through horizontal gene transfer can lead to sudden increases in the pathogenic potential of specific environmental clones, while allopatric parallel evolution during chronic lung infection promotes rapid increases in virulence. The findings indicate that constrained pathogenic evolution is observed while person-to-person transmission remains indirect.
Article
Immunology
Astrid Lewin, Elisabeth Kamal, Torsten Semmler, Katja Winter, Sandra Kaiser, Hubert Schafer, Lei Mao, Patience Eschenhagen, Claudia Grehn, Jennifer Bender, Carsten Schwarz
Summary: The study on Mycobacterium abscessus infections in Cystic Fibrosis patients revealed an accumulation of gene mutations during chronic lung infection, emphasizing the need for increased attention to genetic diversity during new control strategies against these infections. The strategy of M. abscessus populations in chronic lung infection involves maintaining a wide range of genetic variants for adaptation to changing living conditions in the lung, rather than clonal expansion of dominant variants.
Article
Microbiology
Nils Wetzstein, Margo Diricks, Thomas A. Kohl, Thomas A. Wichelhaus, Soenke Andres, Laura Paulowski, Carsten Schwarz, Astrid Lewin, Jan Kehrmann, Barbara C. Kahl, Karl Dichtl, Christian Huegel, Olaf Eickmeier, Christina Smaczny, Annika Schmidt, Stefan Zimmermann, Lutz Naehrlich, Sylvia Hafkemeyer, Stefan Niemann, Florian P. Maurer, Michael Hogardt
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiological situation of M. abscessus among CF patients in Germany by performing whole-genome sequencing of isolates. The study identified representatives of all reported DCCs but found no evidence for nosocomial transmission.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Rebecca M. Davidson, Nabeeh A. Hasan, L. Elaine Epperson, Jeanne B. Benoit, Sara M. Kammlade, Adrah R. Levin, Vinicius Calado de Moura, Joshua Hunkins, Natalia Weakly, Sean Beagle, Scott D. Sagel, Stacey L. Martiniano, Max Salfinger, Charles L. Daley, Jerry A. Nick, Michael Strong
Summary: The study identified dominant circulating clones of two subspecies of Mycobacterium abscessus in U.S. cystic fibrosis patients, with evidence of shared strains between patients in CF Care Centers. The presence of these dominant clones suggests the potential for transmission events within healthcare settings and the environment.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Vincent Le Moigne, Anne-Laure Roux, Helene Mahoudo, Gaetan Christien, Agnes Ferroni, Oana Dumitrescu, Gerard Lina, Jean-Philippe Bouchara, Patrick Plesiat, Jean-Louis Gaillard, Stephane Canaan, Genevieve Hery-Arnaud, Jean-Louis Herrmann
Summary: IgA serological assay is found to be clinically useful in the diagnosis of NTM infections, particularly Mycobacterium abscessus, in patients with cystic fibrosis.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Renan Marrichi Mauch, Peter ostrup Jensen, Tavs Qvist, Mette Kolpen, Claus Moser, Tacjana Pressler, Marcos Tadeu Nolasco da Silva, Niels Hoiby, Copenhagen Study Grp Mycobacterial Infect Cyst Fibrosis
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the adaptive immune response to Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSC) and its cross-reactivity with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and non-CF controls. The results showed a similar immune response pattern in CF patients with MABSC and BCG-vaccinated controls, suggesting cross-reactivity. Importance: 6/10.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Daniel Schafle, Petra Selchow, Barbara Borer, Michael Meuli, Anna Rominski, Bettina Schulthess, Peter Sander
Summary: The study suggests that rifabutin may not be inactivated by Arr in Mycobacterium abscessus, leading to decreased MIC values and potentially enhancing drug efficacy in treating infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mitsunori Yoshida, Jung-Yien Chien, Kozo Morimoto, Takeshi Kinjo, Akio Aono, Yoshiro Murase, Keiji Fujiwara, Yuta Morishige, Hiroaki Nagano, Ruwen Jou, Naoki Hasegawa, Manabu Ato, Yoshihiko Hoshino, Po-Ren Hsueh, Satoshi Mitarai
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence of predominant Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) clones in Japan and Taiwan, and their association with dominant circulating clones (DCCs) in the global cystic fibrosis (CF) patient community. The study revealed the occurrence of macrolide resistance-associated mutations and the spread of erm(41) T28C mutants globally. The findings provide insights into the genetic characteristics of MABC strains isolated from patients with or without CF, as well as the differences between globally spread and regionally specific strains.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bailey F. Keefe, Luiz E. Bermudez
Summary: Our study shows that in vitro conditions mimicking the airways of patients with cystic fibrosis facilitate the establishment of M. abscessus infection, and the removal of magnesium from the environment may affect the pathogen's ability to establish infection.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Shicheng Sun, Michael See, Hieu T. Nim, Kathleen Strumila, Elizabeth S. Ng, Alejandro Hidalgo, Mirana Ramialison, Philip Sutton, Andrew G. Elefanty, Sohinee Sarkar, Edouard G. Stanley
Summary: This study established a reliable model for M. abscessus infection using human pluripotent stem cell-derived macrophages. The model can be used to study pathogen-host interaction and drug discovery.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nicholas Waglechner, Elizabeth Tullis, Anne L. Stephenson, Valerie Waters, Fiona McIntosh, Jennifer Ma, Frances B. Jamieson, Marcel A. Behr, Jane Batt, Robyn S. Lee
Summary: Transmission of Mycobacterium abscessus among patients with Cystic Fibrosis is rare, as demonstrated by genomic and epidemiologic analysis of isolates from a hospital in Ontario, Canada.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Deborah Recchia, Giovanni Stelitano, Alessandro Stamilla, Damaris L. Gutierrez, Giulia Degiacomi, Laurent R. Chiarelli, Maria Rosalia Pasca
Summary: This review provides an overview of the latest ongoing findings in fighting M. abscessus infections. It discusses emerging and alternative treatments, novel drug delivery strategies, and innovative molecules. M. abscessus is an opportunistic pathogen that primarily infects cystic fibrosis patients' lungs and is naturally resistant to many antibiotics. The current therapeutic regimens are ineffective and mostly rely on repurposed drugs used against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections. Therefore, new approaches and novel strategies are urgently needed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Anna Engell Holm, Hans Henrik Lawaetz Schultz, Helle Krogh Johansen, Tania Pressler, Thomas Kromann Lund, Martin Iversen, Michael Perch
Summary: This study monitored the time of bacterial re-colonization in lung transplant patients with cystic fibrosis and found that 70% of patients were re-colonized by bacteria after 2 years, with no observed impact on survival rates from re-colonization or different bacterial species.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Editorial Material
Surgery
Michaela Orlitova, Marc Gewillig, Jan Van Slambrouck, Dirk Vlasselaers, Bart Jacobs, Arne P. Neyrinck, Lieven Depypere, Laurent Godinas, Robin Vos, Geert M. Verleden, Dirk E. Van Raemdonck, Laurens J. Ceulemans
Summary: Pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) and pulmonary vein occlusion (PVO) are rare complications after lung transplantation (LTx) with limited treatment options and a high risk of graft loss. We describe two cases of successful endovascular transatrial stenting following double LTx. Both patients, one with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the other with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, underwent endovascular transatrial dilatation and stenting to treat PVS and PVO respectively, avoiding the need for surgical reintervention. This treatment option appears to be effective and safe for these life-threatening complications after LTx.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Tom Vandaele, Jan Van Slambrouck, Viktor Proesmans, Paul Clement, Maarten Lambrecht, Philippe Nafteux, Dirk Van Raemdonck, Laurens J. Ceulemans
Summary: This review provides an overview of the current literature on hyperthermic intrathoracic chemotherapy (HITHOC) for thymoma with pleural dissemination (TPD). The results suggest that combining cytoreductive surgery and HITHOC is feasible and safe for TPD, but there is significant heterogeneity in the literature, calling for further research to better understand the additional benefit of HITHOC in TPD treatment.
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Oncology
Tom Vandaele, Jan Van Slambrouck, Viktor Proesmans, Paul Clement, Maarten Lambrecht, Philippe Nafteux, Dirk Van Raemdonck, Laurens J. Ceulemans
ANNALS OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Laura P. M. H. de Rooij, Lisa M. Becker, Laure Anne Teuwen, Bram Boeckx, Sander Jansen, Simon Feys, Stijn Verleden, Laurens Liesenborghs, Anna K. Stalder, Sasha Libbrecht, Tina Van Buyten, Gino Philips, Abhishek Subramanian, Sebastien J. Dumas, Elda Meta, Mila Borri, Liliana Sokol, Amelie Dendooven, Anh Co K. Truong, Jan Gunst, Pierre Van Mol, Jasmin D. Haslbauer, Katerina Rohlenova, Thomas Menter, Robbert Boudewijns, Vincent Geldhof, Stefan Vinckier, Jacob Amersfoort, Wim Wuyts, Dirk Van Raemdonck, Werner Jacobs, Laurens J. Ceulemans, Birgit Weynand, Bernard Thienpont, Martin Lammens, Mark Kuehnel, Guy Eelen, Mieke Dewerchin, Luc Schoonjans, Danny Jonigk, Jo van Dorpe, Alexandar Tzankov, Els Wauters, Massimiliano Mazzone, Johan Neyts, Joost Wauters, Diether Lambrechts, Peter Carmeliet
Summary: This study provides new insights into the abundance, expression patterns, and interactomes of endothelial cell (EC) subtypes in COVID-19 and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). The findings suggest the importance of ECs in the pathophysiology of both conditions and may contribute to future investigations into the progression and treatment of COVID-19 and IPF.
CARDIOVASCULAR RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Allergy
Janne Goossens, Josefien Vandekerckhove, Anne-Charlotte Jonckheere, Ellen Dilissen, Sven F. Seys, Vincent Vanbelle, Sven Aertgeerts, Jeroen Stappers, Koen Peers, Marc Raes, Sophie Verelst, Jasmine Leus, Lieven J. Dupont, Dominique M. A. Bullens
PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Janne Goossens, Anne-Charlotte Jonckheere, Sven F. Seys, Ellen Dilissen, Tatjana Decaesteker, Camille Goossens, Koen Peers, Vincent Vanbelle, Jeroen Stappers, Sven Aertgeerts, Barbara De Wilde, Jasmine Leus, Sophie Verelst, Marc Raes, Lieven Dupont, Dominique M. Bullens
Summary: The study investigated the effects of intense exercise and air pollution exposure on the airway barrier and exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) in adolescent elite athletes. Results showed that athletes had increased markers of air pollution exposure, epithelial damage, and airway inflammation compared with controls. The incidence of EIB in athletes was also linked to prior exposure to PM10 and PM2.5.
Article
Respiratory System
Michael R. Loebinger, Roald van der Laan, Marko Obradovic, Jakko van Ingen
Summary: This survey aimed to evaluate current testing practices for nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and identify testing triggers. The results showed that bronchiectasis, COPD, and immunosuppressants were the factors most likely to prompt testing among physicians. Radiological findings were the most common reason for considering NTM testing in patients with bronchiectasis and COPD.
Article
Physiology
Michaela Orlitova, Tom Verbelen, Anna E. Frick, Arno Vanstapel, Dieter Van Beersel, Sofie Ordies, Jan Van Slambrouck, Janne Kaes, Xin Jin, Walter Coudyzer, Stijn E. Verleden, Geert M. Verleden, Bart M. Vanaudenaerde, Dirk E. Van Raemdonck, Robin Vos, Laurens J. Ceulemans, Piet Claus, Arne P. Neyrinck
Summary: Lung transplantation is a challenging procedure and can result in severe damage to the transplanted pulmonary graft. The interaction between right ventricular function and lung injury during the transplantation process is poorly understood. Through a translational porcine model, it was found that right ventricular failure can occur as a result of forcing the entire cardiac output through a lung suffering from ischemia-reperfusion injury. The study also revealed a delicate balance between the development of pulmonary ischemia-reperfusion injury and right ventricular function, highlighting the potential benefits of extracorporeal life support technology in these cases.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-LUNG CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR PHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jodie A. Schildkraut, Jelmer Raaijmakers, Rob Aarnoutse, Wouter Hoefsloot, Heiman F. L. Wertheim, Jakko van Ingen
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of azithromycin-ethambutol backbone therapy with and without rifampicin for the treatment of Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease. The results showed that the addition of rifampicin did not significantly enhance the antimycobacterial effect or suppress the emergence of resistance. These findings raise questions about the necessity of rifampicin in the current recommended therapy.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Vincent Geudens, Jan Van Slambrouck, Gitte Aerts, Lynn Willems, Tinne Goos, Janne Kaes, Andrea Zajacova, Iwein Gyselinck, Celine Aelbrecht, Astrid Vermaut, Hanne Beeckmans, Marie Vermant, Charlotte De Fays, Annelore Sacreas, Lucia Aversa, Michaela Orlitova, Arno Vanstapel, Ivan Josipovic, Matthieu N. Boone, John E. McDonough, Birgit Weynand, Charles Pilette, Wim Janssens, Lieven Dupont, Wim A. Wuyts, Geert M. Verleden, Dirk E. van Raemdonck, Robin Vos, Ghislaine Gayan-Ramirez, Laurens J. Ceulemans, Bart M. Vanaudenaerde
Summary: This study assessed disease progression in COVID-19 patients using in vivo CT and ex vivo microCT, and described the changes in lung volume and density as well as airway morphology. Results showed that COVID-19 lung volumes decreased and densities increased over time, mainly in the lower lobes. Ex vivo microCT revealed a 60% reduction in lung volume compared to controls, and increased visibility of airways in COVID-19 lungs, possibly due to fibrosis and increased airway diameter. Small-partition microCT further showed deformations in airway morphology and heterogeneous fibrotic organization in severely affected regions, which was confirmed by histology.
JOURNAL OF THORACIC DISEASE
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Critical Care Medicine
C. De Fays, H. Beeckmans, P. Kerckhof, V. Geudens, A. Vermaut, I. Gyselinck, T. Goos, M. Vermant, J. Kaes, J. Van Slambrouck, Y. Mohamady, L. Willems, L. Aversa, K. Maes, C. Aelbrecht, S. Everaerts, J. E. Mcdonough, L. J. De Sadeleer, S. Gohy, J. Ambroise, W. A. Wuyts, W. L. Janssens, L. J. Ceulemans, D. E. M. Van Raemdonck, R. Vos, T. Hackett, J. C. Hogg, N. Kaminski, C. Pilette, G. Gayan-Ramirez, B. Vanaudenaerde
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Annalisa Barbarossa, Dirk Van Raemdonck, Walter Weder, Laurens J. Ceulemans
Summary: Secondary pneumothorax due to emphysema is a life-threatening condition that often requires surgery. In this case, we used LVRS to not only remove part of the lung but also close the fistula. The patient experienced improved lung function and quality of life after urgent and elective LVRS surgeries, with resolution of the air leak.
INTERDISCIPLINARY CARDIOVASCULAR AND THORACIC SURGERY
(2023)
Meeting Abstract
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
M. Villavicencio, A. Kashem, G. Loor, E. D'Silva, M. Hartwig, K. Ghadimi, F. Ius, S. Jawad, N. Langer, A. Osho, S. Chandrashekaran, T. Machuca, P. Sanchez, K. Subramaniam, D. Van Raemdonck, A. Neyrinck, S. Huddleston, A. Shaffer, B. Lahr, Y. Toyoda
JOURNAL OF HEART AND LUNG TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ralf Stemkens, Maarten Cobussen, Wouter Hoefsloot, Erik de Laat, Reinout van Crevel, Rob E. Aarnoutse, Jakko van Ingen
Summary: Treatment of skin and soft tissue infections caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria can be challenging. Negative pressure wound therapy with instillation and dwell time of topical antibiotics can be a successful and well-tolerated treatment option.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Letter
Critical Care Medicine
Michael R. Loebinger, Jennifer K. Quint, Roald van der Laan, Marko Obradovic, Rajinder Chawla, Amit Kishore, Jakko van Ingen
