Article
Microbiology
Valeria Mateo-Estrada, Jose Luis Fernandez-Vazquez, Julia Moreno-Manjon, Ismael L. Hernandez-Gonzalez, Eduardo Rodriguez-Noriega, Rayo Morfin-Otero, Maria Dolores Alcantar-Curiel, Santiago Castillo-Ramirez
Summary: This study used whole-genome sequencing to uncover the transmission dynamics of extensive and multidrug-resistant A. baumannii in a tertiary hospital over a decade, showing that accessory genome variation can be a powerful tool for conducting genomic epidemiology.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Christopher J. Harmer, Francois Lebreton, Jason Stam, Patrick T. McGann, Ruth M. Hall
Summary: This study examines the causes of antibiotic resistance in the extensively resistant global clone 1 (GC1) Acinetobacter baumannii isolate MRSN 56. The study identified acquired resistance genes at different locations in the chromosome and discovered a new sublineage of GC1 lineage 1 with novel features. The involvement of the mar operon in fluoroquinolone resistance was also noted for the first time.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Carina Mueller, Sandra Reuter, Julia Wille, Kyriaki Xanthopoulou, Danuta Stefanik, Hajo Grundmann, Paul G. Higgins, Harald Seifert
Summary: This study conducted molecular epidemiology and global distribution research on 313 carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii isolated from 114 study centers in 47 countries. The results revealed a wide variation in the distribution of carbapenemase encoding genes among different geographical regions.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stephanie J. Ambrose, Pierre Ibri, Christopher J. Harmer, Carol H. Pong, Ruth M. Hall
Summary: The study aimed to characterize an early clinical multiply antibiotic resistant Acinetobacter baumannii global clone 1 (GC1) isolate from Africa. The draft genome sequence of LUH6050 isolate was determined and compared to other early GC1 isolates, revealing the presence of multiple antibiotic resistance genes and plasmids. These data contribute to the understanding of the emergence, evolution, and dissemination of the A. baumannii GC1 clonal complex.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Ghazal Naderi, Mahla Asadian, Pegah Afarinesh Khaki, Mohammadreza Salehi, Alireza Abdollahi, Masoumeh Douraghi
Summary: This study aimed to determine the occurrence of Acinetobacter baumannii genomic resistance islands (AbGRIs) in GC2 A. baumannii obtained from COVID-19 patients in a referral hospital in Tehran, Iran. PCR and sequencing were performed to characterize the structure of AbGRI resistance islands in the tested isolates. The results showed that AbGRI3 was the most frequent resistance island detected, followed by AbGRI1 and AbGRI2. Notably, AbGRIs were also identified in a strain of A. baumannii isolated from a medical device used in the ICU.
Article
Immunology
Xiufeng Zhang, Fangping Li, Furqan Awan, Hongye Jiang, Zhenling Zeng, Weibiao Lv
Summary: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a significant concern in hospitals worldwide. A study in a Chinese hospital ICU over six years found that all 105 CRAB isolates belonged to a global clone CC2, with some popular clones and significant differences in community structure over time. The findings suggest a potential clone outbreak in the hospital ICU, highlighting the substantial burden of multidrug-resistant CRAB in this environment.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Veronica Elizabeth Alvarez, Maria Paula Quiroga, Daniela Centron
Summary: Since the emergence of high-risk clones, there have been efforts to understand their molecular basis for prevalence in nosocomial settings. A machine learning algorithm has identified a biomarker (U1 sequence) for early and accurate detection of Acinetobacter baumannii global clone 1 (GC1). These findings suggest the potential use of machine learning to identify relevant biomarkers for other multidrug-resistant high-risk clones.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xinrong Zhou, Lei Zhou, Pingping Zhang, Xinna Ge, Xin Guo, Jun Han, Yongning Zhang, Hanchun Yang
Summary: In this study, Chinese researchers isolated a strain of porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) from the faeces of a diarrhoeic piglet, designated as CHN-HN-1601. The virus was found to cause severe diarrhea and villous atrophy of the small intestines in infected piglets.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Weiwei Li, Ailan Wang
Summary: The study investigated the spread of Genomic Islands (GIs) in Enterococcus strains and their correlation with antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). It was found that GIs were universal in Enterococcus, with an average of 3.2 GIs in each strain. Some GIs were associated with multiple mobile genetic elements and might mediate the spread of antibiotic resistance genes through transformation, transduction, and conjugation.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jonathan Koong, Claire Johnson, Rayane Rafei, Monzer Hamze, Garry S. A. Myers, Johanna J. Kenyon, Allison J. Lopatkin, Mohammad Hamidian
Summary: The study used a combination of sequencing technologies to obtain genome sequences of two antibiotic-sensitive Acinetobacter baumannii strains, revealing multiple lineages and distribution patterns of antibiotic resistance genes. Analysis of capsule and outer core polysaccharide loci suggested a complex evolutionary history. More genome data from diverse geographic regions are needed to accurately understand the population structure of this globally distributed clone.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Jonathan Koong, Claire Johnson, Rayane Rafei, Monzer Hamze, Garry S. A. Myers, Johanna J. Kenyon, Allison J. Lopatkin, Mohammad Hamidian
Summary: This study completed the genome sequences of two antibiotic-sensitive Acinetobacter baumannii strains, Ex003 and Ax270, using a hybrid assembly method. Evolutionary analysis revealed five main lineages and other individual lineages. Analysis of capsule and outer core polysaccharide loci revealed a complex evolutionary history.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cunwei Liu, Lei Wang, Ping Wang, Di Xiao, Qinghua Zou
Summary: In this study, we investigated the mechanisms of tigecycline resistance in A. baumannii strains. Proteomic and genomic analyses revealed the upregulation of proteins associated with efflux pump, biofilm formation, iron acquisition, stress response, and metabolic ability in tigecycline-resistant strains. Genomic analysis also identified changes in the genome that explained the increased level of efflux pump. These findings enhance our understanding of tigecycline resistance and provide potential targets for the treatment of multiple drug-resistant A. baumannii.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Lydia R. Heasley, Juan Lucas Argueso
Summary: How microbial cells use their phenotypic potential to survive in a changing environment is a complex problem. This study investigates the mechanism behind colony morphology phenotype switching in a pathogenic yeast strain, YJM311. The results show that this switching is driven by genomic variations, particularly in copy number alterations, rather than changes in allelic identity. The study also reveals that these variant karyotypes are acquired during episodes of genomic instability, but can be stably propagated over generations. These findings demonstrate the importance of genome stability and plasticity in driving phenotypic and genomic diversity in microbial populations.
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xingchen Bian, Xiaofen Liu, Xuefei Zhang, Xin Li, Jing Zhang, Huajun Zheng, Sichao Song, Xiang Li, Meiqing Feng
Summary: Acinetobacter baumannii is a common nosocomial pathogen with high carbapenem resistance rates in Chinese hospitals. The predominant clone carrying bla(OXA-23) gene is CC208. Multi-drug resistant A. baumannii isolates exhibit various virulence factors related to bacterial motility and polysaccharide biosynthesis.
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
Immunology
Enrique L. Louge Uriarte, Ramon A. Gonzalez Pasayo, Mariana Masso, Laura Carrera Paez, Manuel Dominguez Moncla, Nicolas Donis, Rosana Malena, Alejandra Mendez, Eleonora Morrell, Federico Giannitti, Joaquin Armendano, Claudia Faverin, Daniela Centron, Viviana Parreno, Anselmo C. Odeon, Maria Paula Quiroga, Ana Rita Moreira
Summary: Escherichia coli is an important pathogen causing septicemia and neonatal meningitis in dairy calves. This study aimed to characterize the virulence potential, phylogroups, antimicrobial susceptibility, integron content, and fluoroquinolone resistance mechanisms of E. coli from calves with meningitis and septicemia. The study found that E. coli isolates from both diarrheic and nondiarrheic calves had diverse virulence gene profiles and belonged to phylogroups A and C. Antimicrobial resistance was partly explained by integron gene cassettes and target-site mutations. The study highlights the importance of antimicrobial resistance surveillance in pathogenic bacteria from food-producing animals.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Teolincacihuatl Ayala Nunez, Gabriela N. Cerbino, Maria Florencia Rapisardi, Cecilia Quiroga, Daniela Centron
Summary: In this study, we evaluated the occurrence of integrase genes, integron systems, and their genetic surroundings in the genus Shewanella. We identified 22 integrase gene types, including 17 newly described ones, indicating multiple lateral genetic transfer events. Our findings suggest that integrase genes and mobile integrons may contribute to the development of multidrug resistance in Shewanella strains.
Review
Microbiology
Barbara Prack McCormick, Maria P. Quiroga, Veronica E. Alvarez, Daniela Centron, Pablo Tittonell
Summary: The abuse and misuse of antimicrobial agents have led to the rapid spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. This study provides a systematic review and meta-analysis of the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in swine, chicken, and cattle in Argentina, confirming the association between antimicrobial use in agriculture and the prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant infections in humans.
REVISTA ARGENTINA DE MICROBIOLOGIA
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Camila A. Knecht, Natalia Garcia Allende, Veronica E. Alvarez, Barbara Prack McCormick, Mariana G. Masso, Maria Piekar, Josefina Campos, Barbara Fox, Gabriela Camicia, Anahi S. Gambino, Ana Carolina del Valle Leguina, Nicolas Donis, Liliana Fernandez-Canigia, Maria Paula Quiroga, Daniela Centron
Summary: According to the WHO, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) belong to the highest priority group for new antibiotic development. A study in Argentina showed increasing rates of resistance to imipenem in Gram-negative bacteria, particularly in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter cloacae Complex (ECC). The study found that high-risk clones of KPC-producing ECC and KPC-producing K. pneumoniae can coexist and compete in the same hospital environment, suggesting a role in the spread of KPC.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Piekar, Veronica E. Alvarez, Camila Knecht, Carolina Leguina, Natalia Garcia Allende, Laura Carrera Paez, Anahi S. Gambino, Adrian Gonzalez Machuca, Josefina Campos, Barbara Fox, Eduardo Carpio, Andrea Aguilar, Fernando M. Alonso, Liliana Fernandez Canigia, Maria Paula Quiroga, Daniela Centron
Summary: This study investigated the genomic features of a multi-drug resistant strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Escherichia coli. The strain carried 19 antibiotic resistance genes and had the potential for global dissemination.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Veronica E. Alvarez, Natalia Garcia Allende, Mariana G. Masso, Maria Piekar, Josefina Campos, Barbara Fox, Anahi S. Gambino, Liliana Fernandez-Canigia, Maria P. Quiroga, Daniela Centron
Summary: This study performed whole-genome sequencing on three KPC-producing Gram-negative bacilli strains isolated from a hospitalized patient and identified the same gene configuration for dissemination of blaKPC-2 in different species of infecting strains, suggesting the possibility of in-hospital transmission of antimicrobial resistance genes.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Camila A. Knecht, Natalia Garcia Allende, Veronica E. Alvarez, Barbara Prack McCormick, Mariana G. Masso, Josefina Campos, Barbara Fox, Fernando Martin Alonso, Nicolas Donis, Liliana Fernandez Canigia, Maria Paula Quiroga, Daniela Centron
Summary: This study conducted whole-genome sequencing and analysis of a KPC-producing and MDR ECC strain isolated in Argentina, revealing its close MLST profile to the high-risk clone E. hormaechei ST66, multiple acquired antibiotic resistance genes, and the presence of a secretion system, indicating the potential of this strain to become a new high-risk clone.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Gabriela N. Cerbino, German M. Traglia, Teolincacihuatl Ayala Nunez, Gisela Parmeciano Di Noto, Maria Soledad Ramirez, Daniela Centron, Andres Iriarte, Cecilia Quiroga
Summary: Shewanella spp. are widespread Gram-negative rods found in aquatic and human-associated environments, and their infections have increased in recent years. This study analyzed the genetic traits of 144 genomes from Shewanella spp. isolates, focusing on the mobilome, resistome, and virulome. The results showed a diverse range of mobile genetic elements (MGEs), with many associated with clinical isolates. Additionally, antimicrobial resistant genes were found in 79 out of 144 genomes, especially in clinical-related lineages. The analysis also revealed the presence of different virulence genes in all Shewanella spp., which may contribute to their survival and adaptation. This research highlights the evolutionary nature of Shewanella spp. genomes and their potential impact on human and animal health.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Veronica Elizabeth Alvarez, Maria Paula Quiroga, Daniela Centron
Summary: Since the emergence of high-risk clones, there have been efforts to understand their molecular basis for prevalence in nosocomial settings. A machine learning algorithm has identified a biomarker (U1 sequence) for early and accurate detection of Acinetobacter baumannii global clone 1 (GC1). These findings suggest the potential use of machine learning to identify relevant biomarkers for other multidrug-resistant high-risk clones.