Review
Immunology
Andres F. Londono, Diana G. G. Scorpio, J. Stephen Dumler
Summary: Rickettsial agents are diverse alpha-proteobacteria that can cause human diseases. They are mainly transmitted by arthropod vectors and have evolved various mechanisms to evade the host innate immune responses. This review focuses on the mechanisms used by two common rickettsial agents, Rickettsia species and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, to survive within and propagate from host cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Duc Long Phi, Xuan Duong Tran, Minh Manh To, Hai Yen Dang, Thi Dung Pham, Thi Thu Trang Vu, Trong Kiem Tran, Manh Dung Do, Thi Thuy Vu, Stephane Ranque, Laetitia Ninove, Sylvie Pillet, Philippe Colson, Bernard La Scola, Van Thuan Hoang, Philippe Gautret
Summary: From July to October 2020, there was a significant increase in the number of central nervous system infections in Thai Binh Pediatric Hospital, Viet Nam, with enteroviruses as the predominant pathogen. Older age and higher white blood cell count in the cerebrospinal fluid were significantly associated with CNS infections. Patients received empirical antimicrobial treatment, but there were no recorded deaths.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ying Liu, Weiwei Zhu, Mengfan Jiao, Wenhu Guo, Yonggang Luo
Summary: The clinical value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in central nervous system (CNS) infections was evaluated in this study. mNGS and routine examination of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples were retrospectively analyzed and compared with clinical diagnosis. The results showed that mNGS had a higher detection rate and identified additional pathogens compared to conventional methods. The sensitivity and specificity of mNGS in the diagnosis of CNS infections were 89.5% and 44%, respectively.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Fereshte Sheybani, Diederik van de Beek, Matthijs C. Brouwer
Summary: Half of the patients with suspected CNS infections are diagnosed with a CNS infection, and this was not related to CD4 counts. The best predictor for CNS infections was the CSF leukocyte count.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Janaki Manoja Vinnakota, Robert Zeiser
Summary: Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (allo-HCT) is an effective therapy for hematological malignancies, but acute Graft versus host disease (GVHD) as a side effect may cause immune-mediated damage to the central nervous system (CNS). Recent preclinical data suggest that microglia and T cells play crucial roles in this process, but accurate diagnosis of CNS damage etiology in clinical settings remains a challenge.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Shu-Ping Liu, Jing Xiao, Ya-Li Liu, Yue-E Wu, Hui Qi, Zhuang-Zhuang Wang, A-Dong Shen, Gang Liu, Wei Zhao
Summary: Based on current evidence, using vancomycin to treat central nervous system infections appears to be effective and safe. However, the optimal treatment regimens are still unclear, and higher quality clinical trials are needed to explore the disposition of vancomycin within the CNS.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Virology
Ivanildo P. Sousa Jr, Flavia B. dos Santos, Vanessa S. de Paula, Tuane C. R. G. Vieira, Helver G. Dias, Caroline A. Barros, Edson E. da Silva
Summary: Virus-induced infections of the central nervous system pose serious public health problems, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Common viruses include herpes simplex virus and varicella-zoster virus. More research is needed, particularly in countries like Brazil, to better understand the most common viruses involved in CNS infections.
Article
Infectious Diseases
I. E. van Zeggeren, A. W. D. Edridge, D. van de Beek, M. Deijs, S. M. Koekkoek, K. C. Wolthers, L. van der Hoek, M. C. Brouwer
Summary: The study evaluated the diagnostic accuracy of VIDISCA NGS in detecting viral CNS infections using CSF samples. The overall sensitivity of VIDISCA NGS was 52%, and it was able to detect a broader range of viruses compared to quantitative PCR testing. However, it is not yet sufficient to replace quantitative PCR testing in routine diagnostics.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Yaqian Li, Wenpeng Lu, Xuecheng Zheng, Linhui Zhang, Weichong Dong, Xiaoxiao Zhao, Zongmao Zhao, Zhiqing Zhang
Summary: This study demonstrates that combined intravenous and intrathecal administration can significantly shorten the treatment time of MRSA ventriculitis and increase the exposure of the drug in cerebrospinal fluid without an increased risk of adverse reactions.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Clare E. Warrell, Jane Osborne, Laura Nabarro, Barry Gibney, Daniel P. Carter, Jennifer Warner, Catherine F. Houlihan, Timothy J. G. Brooks, Tommy Rampling
Summary: This retrospective study describes the burden of imported rickettsial infection in the UK. Through categorization and analysis of rickettsial cases diagnosed at the national reference laboratory between 2015 and 2022, it was found that there were 220 patients with rickettsioses, with acute spotted fever group infection being the most common import. Thorough history, examination, and timely treatment with doxycycline should be considered if there is suspicion of Rickettsia infection before testing.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Virology
Mohamed Ridha, Dylan G. Jones, David P. Lerner, Michal Vytopil, Barbara Voetsch, Joseph D. Burns, Anil Ramineni, Pooja Raibagkar
Summary: EBV-related neurologic complications following solid organ transplant can present in various syndromes, posing challenges in diagnosis. Careful correlation of clinical, pathologic, and radiologic findings is crucial for appropriate management in post-transplant patients.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xiaojiao Xu, Yuheng Shan, Yuying Cen, Jiahua Zhao, Xiaosa Yang, Rui Liu, Qingche Tan, Yubao Ma, Mianwang He, Jiatang Zhang, Fei Yang, Shengyuan Yu
Summary: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical characteristics, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of patients with central nervous system (CNS) listeriosis. The study enrolled patients with CNS listeriosis admitted to the Department of Neurology, the First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital, from March 2018 to August 2022. The results showed that the clinical manifestations included fever, headache, altered mental status, vomiting, seizures, neck rigidity, hemiplegia, and cranial nerve palsies. The positive rates of blood and CSF culture were 40% and 28.57%, respectively. All patients received antibiotic treatment, with seven being cured and one dying.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
David Luque-Paz, Matthieu Revest, Francois Eugene, Sarrah Boukthir, Loren Dejoies, Pierre Tattevin, Pierre-Jean Le Reste
Summary: Ventriculitis is a severe complication of brain abscess, meningitis, or neurosurgery, with an in-hospital mortality rate of 30% and neurological sequelae in 60% of survivors.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Anesthesiology
Signe A. Wolthers, Cecilie P. Engelholm, Bulent Uslu, Christian T. Brandt
Summary: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring is crucial in the management of traumatic brain injury, but its application in other brain pathologies like acute bacterial meningitis remains unclear. Increased ICP is known to occur in severe neuroinfections, which can lead to brain stem herniation. This review evaluates different modalities of ICP monitoring and suggests that non-invasive alternatives may be considered in neuroinfection patients at low risk of increased ICP.
MINERVA ANESTESIOLOGICA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Shanshan Zhang, Gang Wu, Yuru Shi, Ting Liu, Liangfei Xu, Yuanyuan Dai, Wenjiao Chang, Xiaoling Ma
Summary: In this study, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) identified a wide variety of pathogens in CA-CNS infections, many of which were undetectable by conventional methods.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Cell Biology
Martin Cente, Katarina Matyasova, Nikoleta Csicsatkova, Adela Tomikova, Sara Porubska, Yun Niu, Marek Majdan, Peter Filipcik, Igor Jurisica
Summary: The history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant risk factor for the development of dementia and neurodegenerative disorders in later life. By analyzing peripheral blood microRNAs, this study identified genes, proteins, and pathways connected to neurodegenerative cascades following severe TBI. These findings have implications for potential therapeutic targets and biomarkers.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Virology
Philippe Colson, Philippe Gautret, Jeremy Delerce, Herve Chaudet, Pierre Pontarotti, Patrick Forterre, Raphael Tola, Marielle Bedotto, Lea Delorme, Wahiba Bader, Anthony Levasseur, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Matthieu Million, Nouara Yahi, Jacques Fantini, Bernard La Scola, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Didier Raoult
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of the French variant Marseille-4 of SARS-CoV-2 over a 10-month period, identifying two subvariants and analyzing their mutations and lifetimes. The findings suggest that beneficial mutations can initiate new outbreaks, while the accumulation of other mutations can result in the disappearance of lineages.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Malak Zoaiter, Reham Magdy Wasfy, Aurelia Caputo, Florence Fenollar, Zaher Zeaiter, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Linda Houhamdi
Summary: Strain Marseille-Q6994 was isolated from a 72-year-old patient with pneumonia in France. Through bacterial morphology, gene sequence comparison, and genomic analysis, the study confirmed that the strain belongs to a new species, named Streptococcus bouchesdurhonensis.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Malak Zoaiter, Zaher Zeaiter, Oleg Mediannikov, Cheikh Sokhna, Pierre-Edouard Fournier
Summary: Brucella intermedia, a non-fermentative bacterium, has intrinsic resistance to polymyxins, including colistin. Efflux pump inhibitors such as verapamil, reserpine, phe-arg beta-naphthylamide dihydrochloride, and carbonyl cyanide 3-chloro phenyl hydrazone were evaluated on colistin-resistant strains of B. intermedia, and it was found that the combination of CO and CCCP significantly reduced the colistin minimal inhibitory concentration, indicating the involvement of an efflux pump mechanism. Inhibitory effects on biofilm formation and a bactericidal effect were also observed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Elise Klement-Frutos, Oleg Mediannikov, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Julien Haroche, Veronique Leblond, Eric Caumes
Summary: Candidatus mycoplasma haemohominis (cMh) is a highly adapted and lethal haemoplasma infection in humans, commonly found in bats worldwide. It should be suspected in individuals with fever of unknown origin, splenomegaly, and haemolytic anaemia or haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, especially among travellers in Asia Pacific. Doxycycline should be initiated as a preventive measure, with retrospective confirmation of diagnosis.
JOURNAL OF TRAVEL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephen Lu, Monika Danchenko, Kevin R. Macaluso, Jose M. C. Ribeiro
Summary: Hematophagous behavior has independently evolved in various arthropod species. The salivary gland and saliva composition of blood-feeding arthropods have been found to interfere with host defensive response and facilitate blood acquisition and pathogen transmission. The study focuses on the cat flea's salivary gland composition using Illumina-based sequencing, which reveals coding sequences belonging to various functional classes and confirms the presence of several putative secreted protein families.
Article
Virology
Anna Julienne Selbe Ndiaye, Mamadou Beye, Gora Lo, Idir Kacel, Aissatou Sow, Nafissatou Leye, Abdou Padane, Aminata Mboup, Halimatou Diop-Ndiaye, Cheikh Sokhna, Coumba Toure Kane, Philippe Colson, Florence Fenollar, Souleymane Mboup, Pierre-Edouard Fournier
Summary: We used whole genome sequencing to analyze mutations in SARS-CoV-2 during the deadliest wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Senegal. A total of 291 genotypable consensus genome sequences were obtained, revealing diversification and the presence of a Senegalese strain belonging to the P.1.14 sublineage of the Brazilian P.1 lineage. This study highlights the significant genomic variations of SARS-CoV-2 in Senegal.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bekir Celebi, Derya Karatas Yeni, Yusuf Yilmaz, Ferhat Matur, Cahit Babur, Mehmet Ali Oktem, Mustafa Sozen, Ahmet Karatas, Didier Raoult, Oleg Mediannikov, Pierre Edouard Fournier
Summary: This study examined Borrelia species in rodents captured from rural areas of Turkey. Borrelia miyamotoi was discovered in 1.7% of the blood samples collected from wild rodents. This is the first report of B. miyamotoi presence in rodents in Turkey.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Afaf Hamame, Reham Magdy Wasfy, Cheikh Ibrahima Lo, Florence Fenollar, Didier Raoult, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Linda Houhamdi
Summary: Two new bacterial strains, Marseille-P2698(T) and Marseille-P2260(T), were isolated from human stools using the culturomic method. These two strains were fully described using the taxonogenomic approach. Marseille-P2698(T) was identified as a Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, while Marseille-P2260(T) was identified as a Gram-positive, motile, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Nasserdine Papa Mze, Idir Kacel, Mamadou Beye, Raphael Tola, Mariema Sarr, Leonardo Basco, Herve Bogreau, Philippe Colson, Pierre-Edouard Fournier
Summary: A rapid and cost-effective sequencing protocol is proposed to validate its reliability by comparing the SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences obtained using the modified Illumina COVIDSeq protocol with the standard protocol. The modified protocol saves time and costs, providing high-quality results comparable to the standard protocol.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Martin Cente, Janka Perackova, Pavol Peracek, Marek Majdan, Igor Toth, Martin Mikulic, Jozef Hanes, Sara Porubska, Marian Spajdel, Barbora Kazickova, Igor Jurisica, Peter Filipcik
Summary: This study investigates the dynamics of phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau(181)) levels and the ratio of p-tau(181) to total tau in individuals after nonconcussive head impacts. The results show that intense physical activity and repetitive head impacts lead to elevated levels of total tau and p-tau(181) in plasma, as well as negative impacts on attention and cognitive flexibility.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bo Bodker Jensen, Nanna Skaarup Andersen, Silke Woelfel, Ming Chen, Helene M. Paarup, Carsten Riis Olesen, Pierre Edouard Fournier, Per Moestrup Jensen, Sigurdur Skarphedinsson
Summary: Rickettsia helvetica infection rate in ticks in Denmark is 4.9%, with higher rates in adult ticks. The prevalence of anti-R. helvetica antibodies in roe deer is 2.8% and 6% in Lyme neuroborreliosis patients.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Marie Jumpertz, Jacques Sevestre, Lea Luciani, Linda Houhamdi, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Philippe Parola
Summary: Monitoring and analyzing ticks removed from patients in Marseille, France, revealed the presence of various tick species and bacterial pathogens. Identification of the ticks and detection of bacterial DNA in the ticks can aid in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance of tickborne diseases. The most common bacterial pathogens found were Rickettsia raoultii, R. slovaca, Borrelia spp., and R. massiliae.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
History
Pierre Fournier
Summary: On Easter Friday in 1466, two Franciscan preachers in Cambrai preached a controversial thesis, which caused outrage. The dean of the cathedral chapter, Gilles Charlier, reacted intensely by writing and compiling a series of polemical treatises on the subject. These writings were important as they showcased a skillfully constructed polemic and provided insight into the dynamics of the Parisian university during the second half of the 15th century.
REVUE DE L HISTOIRE DES RELIGIONS
(2023)
Correction
Microbiology
Cheikh Ibrahima Lo, Niokhor Dione, Aminata Mbaye, Patricia Fernandez-Mellado Gomez, Issa Isaac Ngom, Camille Valles, Stephane Alibar, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Florence Fenollar, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Didier Raoult, Seydina M. Diene
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
