Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sara Sa, Carina Silva, Maria Clara Dias, Marlene Veiga, Sofia Lopes, Ruben Fernandes, Ana Catarina Rocha, Patrick J. Pais, Marco Oliveira, Joao Mendes, Goncalo Novais, Carla Luis, Alvaro Gestoso, Jose Mario Macedo, Daniela Martins-Mendes, Ana Claudia Pereira, Pilar Baylina
Summary: This study investigated the effects of gene mutations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PAO1) on its virulence traits, susceptibility to antibiotics and phage infection. The results showed that the mutations decreased the expression of certain genes and increased biofilm production. The mutant strains also exhibited increased protease production but decreased production of rhamnolipids and pyocyanins. Furthermore, the growth of mutant strains was inhibited in the presence of phages. These findings highlight the importance of the studied genes in the proliferation and treatment of PAO1 infections, and suggest potential strategies to overcome antibiotic resistance.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yibin Xu, Yuanyuan Wang, Xiaoqing Ding, Jiangshui Wang, Xiuan Zhan
Summary: This study demonstrates the antibacterial and antibiofilm properties of reuterin derived from L. reuteri strains. Reuterin exerts its bactericidal activity through ROS production. Furthermore, co-cultures with glycerol enhance the inhibitory effects of LR 21 on Cp 13124, reducing bacterial count and the production of virulence factors.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tao Yu, Xiaojie Jiang, Xiaobo Xu, Congyi Jiang, Rui Kang, Xiaobing Jiang
Summary: Although andrographolide did not affect luxS expression or AI-2 production in L. monocytogenes, it significantly decreased the expression levels of agr genes and the activity of the agr promoter P-2, leading to inhibition of biofilm formation.
Article
Microbiology
Wen-Ru Li, Tao-Hua Zeng, Zhi-Qing Zhang, Qing-Shan Shi, Xiao-Bao Xie
Summary: In this study, it was found that geraniol can inhibit the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, prolong the lag phase and growth period. Geraniol also suppresses the expression of the three quorum sensing systems of P. aeruginosa, thereby attenuating the virulence factors regulated by these systems. This research is significant for improving the treatment of bacterial infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Giulia Bernabe, Giovanni Marzaro, Giuseppe Di Pietra, Ana Otero, Massimo Bellato, Anthony Pauletto, Melania Scarpa, Stefania Sut, Adriana Chilin, Stefano Dall'Acqua, Paola Brun, Ignazio Castagliuolo
Summary: In this study, a novel inhibitor of acyl-homoserine lactone (AHL)-mediated signaling in P. aeruginosa, GM-50, was identified. GM-50 reduced virulence factors, enhanced the anti-biofilm activity of aztreonam, and protected Galleria mellonella larvae from damage induced by P. aeruginosa. It also showed activity against clinical strains, highlighting its potential as a starting point for the development of new phenolic derivatives as QS inhibitors in P. aeruginosa infections.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Norhan H. Mahdally, Riham F. George, Mona T. Kashef, Medhat Al-Ghobashy, Fathia E. Murad, Ahmed S. Attia
Summary: The development of a compound named staquorsin as an Agr inhibitor for Staphylococcus aureus showed promising results in inhibiting virulence factors without affecting bacterial viability. In in vitro and in vivo testing, the compound effectively controlled the infection and demonstrated potential as a drug candidate against S. aureus.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Dan Yang, Suqi Hao, Ling Zhao, Fei Shi, Gang Ye, Yuanfeng Zou, Xu Song, Lixia Li, Zhongqiong Yin, Xiaoli He, Shiling Feng, Helin Chen, Yu Zhang, Yuanze Gao, Yinglun Li, Huaqiao Tang
Summary: The study found that paeonol has good anti-biofilm activity against Gram-negative bacteria and anti-QS activity, effectively reducing the virulence of P. aeruginosa. In vivo studies showed that paeonol could reduce the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa and enhance the survival rate of C. elegans.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asma Lamin, Anna H. Kaksonen, Ivan S. Cole, Xiao-Bo Chen
Summary: Quorum sensing is a bacterial communication process that regulates gene expression in response to cell density using biochemical signals. It plays a role in controlling bacterial physiological functions and has potential as a solution to antibiotic resistance. QS inhibitors have shown promise in addressing biofilm-related challenges.
BIOELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Subhasree Saha, Shifu Aggarwal, Durg Vijai Singh
Summary: This study found that phytomolecules, quercetin and naringenin, can modulate the quorum sensing pathway of Vibrio cholerae, reducing biofilm formation and expression of virulence factors. These phytochemicals were more effective compared to common quorum sensing inhibitors.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Xiangpeng Han, Qingying Chen, Xingguo Zhang, Xiaolan Chen, Dongsheng Luo, Qingping Zhong
Summary: This study found that Lactiplantibacillus plantarum 2057 can effectively inhibit the formation of Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilm and interfere with its adhesion ability. In addition, the extract of L. plantarum Z057 significantly reduces the biofilm biomass, metabolic activity, and various important components of V. parahaemolyticus. These findings suggest that L. plantarum 2057 could be a biocontrol strategy alternative to chemical methods against foodborne pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Dimitrios Skliros, Stavros Droubogiannis, Chrysanthi Kalloniati, Pantelis Katharios, Emmanouil Flemetakis
Summary: Bacteria employ various molecular mechanisms to resist bacteriophages, but some bacterial species can develop resistance through metabolic adaptation strategies. Our study explores how bacteriophage resistance in Vibrio species disrupts quorum sensing cascade and affects bacterial physiology. We found that phage-resistant bacteria downregulate the expression of quorum-sensing regulatory proteins, leading to altered biofilm formation, reduced growth, and reduced virulence.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Sukesh Kumar Bajire, Supriya Jain, Renjith P. Johnson, Rajesh P. Shastry
Summary: 6-Methylcoumarin in polyurethane blend shows significant antibiofilm activity and effectively inhibits P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and virulence factors to combat infection. Docking studies and in vitro/in vivo experiments confirm the functional activity of 6-MC, and its use in combination with polyurethane demonstrates effective antibiofilm applications on solid surfaces.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Soha Lotfy Elshaer, Moataz A. Shaldam, Mona Shaaban
Summary: This study found that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ketoprofen, piroxicam, and indomethacin can inhibit the quorum sensing of Acinetobacter baumannii and suppress its QS-related virulence factors. These drugs may provide potential options for combating the pathogenesis of A. baumannii.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Fisheries
Shengping Li, Shun Zhou, Qiuhong Yang, Yongtao Liu, Yibin Yang, Ning Xu, Xiaohui Ai, Jing Dong
Summary: A study found that cinnamaldehyde, extracted from a natural plant, has inhibitory effects on Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Cinnamaldehyde disrupts the bacterial quorum sensing system, reducing the pathogenic behaviors of A. hydrophila without affecting bacterial growth. It was also observed that cinnamaldehyde downregulates the expression of related genes and can effectively decrease host cell injury and increase the survival rate in A. hydrophila-infected hosts. These results suggest that cinnamaldehyde could be a potential candidate as a quorum sensing inhibitor against A. hydrophila infection.
Article
Plant Sciences
Muzamil Ahmad Rather, Kuldeep Gupta, Manabendra Mandal
Summary: The study evaluated the inhibitory effect of methanol extract of Cuphea carthagenensis on biofilm and quorum sensing (QS) activity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, demonstrating a significant suppression of biofilm formation and virulence factors.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Andrew M. Borman, Holly Fountain, Rebecca Guy, Ella Casale, Sarah M. Gerver, Suzanne Elgohari, Colin S. Brown, Susan Hopkins, Victoria J. Chalker, Elizabeth M. Johnson
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
R. Kovacs, L. Majoros
Summary: This article summarizes the progress in research on antifungal lock therapy in terms of Candida-related in vitro, in vivo data and case studies. The number of clinical studies remains limited and further research is needed to ensure the safe implementation of this therapy.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Renato Kovacs
Article
Microbiology
Andrew M. Borman, Mark Fraser, Zoe Patterson, Christopher J. Linton, Michael Palmer, Elizabeth M. Johnson
Summary: This study investigated subcutaneous fungal infections in humans and animals, revealing 106 cases involving 39 fungal species. Alternaria species were the most common pathogens, and some infections occurred in solid organ transplant recipients post transplantation. The study highlighted the diversity of fungi causing subcutaneous infections and indicated that certain genera may possess virulence factors or inhabit natural niches that make them more likely to cause traumatic inoculation.
Article
Dermatology
Geoffrey Brent, Alya Abdul-Wahab, Andrew M. Borman, Leila Ferguson, Laura Ferreras-Antolin, Bernard Ho, Elizabeth M. Johnson, Yasaman Mashhoudi, Elsje van Rijswijk, Nilukshi Wijesuriya, Nazish Mansoor
Summary: Fusarium is a plant pathogen that can cause opportunistic human infections. Treatment is challenging, and antifungal susceptibility testing is essential. Early suspicion, isolation of the organism, and prompt treatment are crucial for recovery.
PEDIATRIC DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Renato Kovacs, Lorand Erdelyi, Ferenc Fenyvesi, Noemi Balla, Fruzsina Kovacs, Gyoergy Vamosi, Agnes Klusoczki, Alexandra Gyoengyoesi, Ildiko Bacskay, Miklos Vecsernyes, Judit Varadi
Summary: The antimicrobial effect of chitosan and its derivatives has been confirmed on various bacteria and fungi. The tests conducted on pathogenic microorganisms revealed the inhibitory effect mechanism and concentration dependence of chitosan. By adding commercially available chitosan derivatives to a probiotic strain, it was determined that chitosan has a viabilty decreasing effect at concentrations above the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). The study also identified increased cell membrane permeability and irreversible interaction between low molecular weight chitosan and bacterial cells.
Review
Microbiology
Andrew M. M. Borman, Elizabeth M. M. Johnson
Summary: This article summarizes recent changes in nomenclature for medically important fungi published from 2020 to 2021, including new species and revised names for existing ones. Many of the revised names have been widely adopted, but names concerning common human pathogens may take longer to become generally used. Reporting new and current names together can help increase familiarity with the correct taxonomic classification.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Awid Adnan, Andrew M. Borman, Zoltan Toth, Lajos Forgacs, Renato Kovacs, David Balazsi, Bence Balazs, Gergely Udvarhelyi, Gabor Kardos, Laszlo Majoros
Summary: This study evaluated the killing activities of anidulafungin and micafungin with and without the chitin synthase inhibitor nikkomycin Z against C. auris isolates. Results showed that anidulafungin and micafungin alone had weak fungistatic activity against wild-type isolates, but when combined with nikkomycin Z, they exhibited a significant fungicidal effect.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
James R. Barnacle, Yimmy J. Chow, Andrew M. Borman, Steven Wyllie, Valentin Dominguez, Katherine Russell, Helen Roberts, Darius Armstrong-James, Ashley M. Whittington
Summary: An epidemic of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis has become a major public health threat in Brazil. We report the first cases of cat-transmitted sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis outside South America, including the first cases in the United Kingdom. We provide an overview of the public health implications and outbreak response, highlighting the importance of vigilance among clinicians and veterinarians worldwide.
MEDICAL MYCOLOGY CASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Boglarka Skopko, Melinda Paholcsek, Anna Szilagyi-Racz, Peter Fauszt, Peter David, Laszlo Stundl, Judit Varadi, Renato Kovacs, Kinga Bagyi, Judit Remenyik
Summary: Sour cherry contains anthocyanins with bactericidal action against oral bacteria and anti-biofilm action against certain bacteria and fungi. Chewing sour cherry anthocyanin gum and changing toothbrushes can lead to a more stable and diverse oral microbiota, with lower levels of certain harmful bacteria and increased connections among beneficial Streptococcal bacteria.
Review
Microbiology
Andrew M. Borman, Elizabeth M. Johnson
Summary: Many medically significant fungal species have recently undergone and are likely to undergo further nomenclatural changes as a result of molecular approaches to fungal classification and abandonment of dual nomenclature. This article summarizes the changes affecting key groups of medically important fungi, explaining the taxonomic rationale behind the changes and the clinical relevance of the nomenclatural revisions. Potential mechanisms to mitigate unnecessary taxonomic instability are suggested, along with approaches to raise awareness of important changes and minimize potential clinical confusion.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Ophthalmology
Stephen Tuft, Neil R. H. Stone, Matthew J. Burton, Elizabeth M. Johnson, Andrew M. Borman
Summary: This study reports the identification and susceptibility testing results of fungal isolates from the cornea or contact lens care systems. The results show that natamycin has good in vitro susceptibility for the treatment of fungal keratitis in the UK.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Sybren de Hoog, Thomas J. Walsh, Sarah A. Ahmed, Ana Alastruey-Izquierdo, Barbara D. Alexander, Maiken Cavling Arendrup, Esther Babady, Feng-Yan Bai, Joan-Miquel Balada-Llasat, Andrew Borman, Anuradha Chowdhary, Andrew Clark, Robert C. Colgrove, Oliver A. Cornely, Tanis C. Dingle, Philippe J. Dufresne, Jeff Fuller, Jean-Pierre Gangneux, Connie Gibas, Heather Glasgow, Yvonne Graeser, Jacques Guillot, Andreas H. Groll, Gerhard Haase, Kimberly Hanson, Amanda Harrington, David L. Hawksworth, Randall T. Hayden, Martin Hoenigl, Vit Hubka, Kristie Johnson, Julianne V. Kus, Ruoyu Li, Jacques F. Meis, Michaela Lackner, Fanny Lanternier, Sixto M. Leal Jr, Francesca Lee, Shawn R. Lockhart, Paul Luethy, Isabella Martin, Kyung J. Kwon-Chung, Wieland Meyer, M. Hong Nguyen, Luis Ostrosky-Zeichner, Elizabeth Palavecino, Preeti Pancholi, Peter G. Pappas, Gary W. Procop, Scott A. Redhead, Daniel D. Rhoads, Stefan Riedel, Bryan Stevens, Kaede Ota Sullivan, Paschalis Vergidis, Emmanuel Roilides, Amir Seyedmousavi, Lili Tao, Vania A. Vicente, Roxana G. Vitale, Qi-Ming Wang, Nancy L. Wengenack, Lars Westblade, Nathan Wiederhold, Lewis White, Christina M. Wojewoda, Sean X. Zhang
Summary: The rapid pace of name changes of medically important fungi creates challenges for clinical laboratories and clinicians. Suggestions are made to reduce the number of name changes and provide diagnostic markers. It is recommended to maintain stability at the genus level and report both overarching species and molecular siblings. An open access online database of all medically important fungi names is essential, and new name changes should be reviewed routinely by a standing committee.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Noemi Balla, Agnes Jakab, Fruzsina Kovacs, Agota Ragyak, Zoltan Toth, David Balazsi, Lajos Forgacs, Aliz Bozo, Farah Al Refai, Andrew M. Borman, Laszlo Majoros, Renato Kovacs
Summary: Tyrosol, a secondary metabolite of Candida species, has potential therapeutic effects against multi-resistant fungal superbug Candida auris. It significantly decreases fungal cell growth and alters intracellular physiological processes and gene transcription. This study is important for the development of novel treatment approaches against this important pathogen.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jennifer M. G. Shelton, Johanna Rhodes, Christopher B. Uzzell, Samuel Hemmings, Amelie P. Brackin, Thomas R. Sewell, Asmaa Alghamdi, Paul S. Dyer, Mark Fraser, Andrew M. Borman, Elizabeth M. Johnson, Frederic B. Piel, Andrew C. Singer, Matthew C. Fisher
Summary: Using a citizen science approach, researchers found that at least 40% of azole-resistant A. Fumigatus infections are acquired from environmental exposures. The study also revealed that hotspots and coldspots of aerosolized azole-resistant spores were not stable between seasons. The ubiquity of this measured exposure highlights the importance of determining sources of azole-resistant A. fumigatus to reduce treatment failure in patients with aspergillosis.