Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mathias Fessler, Jonas Stenlokke Madsen, Yifeng Zhang
Summary: Microbial electrochemical systems have gained attention for their various environmental engineering applications. The focus has been on electroactive bacteria, but understanding the contribution of other inhabitants in the biofilm is crucial for improving the systems.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jonasz B. Patkowski, Tobias Dahlberg, Himani Amin, Dharmender K. Gahlot, Sukhithasri Vijayrajratnam, Joseph P. Vogel, Matthew S. Francis, Joseph L. Baker, Magnus Andersson, Tiago R. D. Costa
Summary: Conjugation is used by bacteria to propagate antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment. Central to this process are widespread conjugative F-pili that establish the connection between donor and recipient cells, facilitating the spread of IncF plasmids among enteropathogenic bacteria. F-pili are highly flexible but robust, with phosphatidylglycerol molecules contributing to their structural stability. This stability is important for the successful delivery of DNA during conjugation and the formation of biofilms that protect against antibiotics.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
John P. Marken, Richard M. Murray
Summary: Engineered consortia are a major research focus for synthetic biologists, and DNA messaging is a promising candidate for implementing complex communication. The authors develop a framework for addressable and adaptable DNA messaging using plasmid conjugation in E.coli. Their system can bias the transfer of messages and dynamically update recipient lists to control information flow. This work lays the foundation for engineering previously-inaccessible levels of complexity into biological systems.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Luis A. Estrella, Elizabeth A. Yates, Kenan P. Fears, Janna N. Schultzhaus, Heonjune Ryou, Dagmar H. Leary, Christopher R. So
Summary: Barnacles integrate protein components into nanofibers for permanent underwater attachment, the design principles and chemistry of which remain to be fully understood. The use of engineered bacterial biofilms to display a library of amyloid materials outside of the cell sheds light on the evolution of adhesive nanomaterials.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sijia Pan, Shuangqing Liu, Shuhong Tai, Jing Yu, Enwu Yuan, Yitao Duan
Summary: This study reports a pandrug-resistant E. coli ST167 isolate carrying multiple antibiotic resistance genes and the possibility of transmission between different species. Continued monitoring is necessary.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Steven Dunn, Laura Carrilero, Michael Brockhurst, Alan McNally
Summary: The study found that different E. coli strains vary in their ability to acquire and maintain MDR plasmids, with highly strain-specific transcriptional responses observed following plasmid acquisition. However, the subtle transcriptional responses consistent across all strains suggest that fitness costs arising from transcriptional disruption are unlikely to act as a barrier to dissemination of this MDR plasmid in E. coli.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jianxin Hu, Lin Chen, Guihua Li, Yu Pan, Yixing Lu, Jin Chen, Wenguang Xiong, Zhenling Zeng
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of fosB-positive Staphylococcus aureus in waterfowl farms in the Pearl River tributaries in Guangdong Province, China in 2020. The results showed that duck farm environment-derived strains contained the oxazolidinone drug resistance gene optrA, and fosB-positive S. aureus from humans and ducks could be clustered into the same clade. The study indicated that duck farms in Guangdong could be an important reservoir of fosB-positive S. aureus, and further monitoring of drug-resistant bacteria in waterfowl farms is needed.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Bingqing Yang, Zhiqiang Wang, Yuqian Jia, Dan Fang, Ruichao Li, Yuan Liu
Summary: This study found that paclitaxel and its derivative docetaxel facilitated the conjugative transfer of resistance plasmids carrying multiple antibiotic resistance genes. The underlying mechanisms involved a series of cellular responses, including up-regulation of rpoS expression, activated SOS response, increased cell membrane permeability, and enhanced plasmid replication and mating pilus formation.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuel Ares-Arroyo, Charles Coluzzi, Eduardo P.C. Rocha
Summary: Plasmids can be transferred between cells by conjugation, driving bacterial evolution. By studying plasmids in Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, we have solved the mystery of plasmid transfer mechanisms and revealed the functional dependencies between plasmids. These findings are important for understanding the evolutionary relationships of plasmids and the spread of antibiotic resistance genes.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yujie Hu, Seamus Fanning, Scott Nguyen, Wei Wang, Chang Liu, Xinnan Cui, Yinping Dong, Xin Gan, Jin Xu, Fengqin Li
Summary: CFSA629, a MDR S. Typhimurium ST34 isolate from China, carries a novel mcr-1.19 variant on an IncHI2 plasmid, highlighting the importance of surveillance to prevent the spread of mcr genes among foodborne Salmonella. Improved surveillance is crucial in controlling the dissemination of mcr genes worldwide.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Fengzhi Liu, Ang Tian, Jingyu Wang, Yanli Zhu, Zhijing Xie, Ruihua Zhang, Shijin Jiang
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and molecular characteristics of fosA3-harboring E. coli from ducks in Shandong province, China. The results highlighted the importance of ducks as a reservoir for multidrug-resistant fosA3-carrying E. coli.
Article
Microbiology
Julian A. Paganini, Nienke L. Plantinga, Sergio Arredondo-Alonso, Rob J. L. Willems, Anita C. Schurch
Summary: Infections caused by multidrug-resistant E. coli strains have increased in recent years. A study of 25 available plasmid prediction tools found that MOB-suite was the most effective in correctly reconstructing the majority of plasmids.
Article
Microbiology
Adam Valcek, Petra Sismova, Kristina Nesporova, Soren Overballe-Petersen, Ibrahim Bitar, Ivana Jamborova, Arie Kant, Jaroslav Hrabak, Jaap A. Wagenaar, Jean-Yves Madec, Peter Damborg, Engeline van Duijkeren, Christa Ewers, Joost Hordijk, Henrik Hasman, Michael S. M. Brouwer, Monika Dolejska
Summary: The study found that the equine-associated Escherichia coli strains ST1250 and its variants ST1250-SLV/DLV exhibit high genetic diversity at the genomic level, with a portion of the samples carrying the epidemic multidrug resistance plasmid lineage IncHI1/ST9 and fos operon associated with E. coli-ST1250.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Charles Coluzzi, Maria Pilar Garcillan-Barcia, Fernando de la Cruz, Eduardo P. C. Rocha
Summary: Conjugation drives the horizontal transfer of adaptive traits across prokaryotes, and the evolution of plasmid mobility is frequent and shapes the patterns of gene flow in bacteria and the ecology of plasmids.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ethan R. Wyrsch, Rhys N. Bushell, Marc S. Marenda, Glenn F. Browning, Steven P. Djordjevic
Summary: Lower urinary tract, renal, and bloodstream infections caused by phylogroup B2 extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. ST1193 is a multidrug-resistant sequence type of B2 phylogroup E. coli that is associated with various human infections. This study analyzed the virulence plasmids carried by ST1193 and found that they are similar to pUTI89, a key F virulence plasmid found in dominant extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli lineages. The findings of this study have significant implications for the epidemiological source tracking of ExPEC.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia Kloos, Joao A. Gama, Joachim Hegstad, Orjan Samuelsen, Pal J. Johnsen
Summary: Global chromosomal transcriptional rewiring during bacterial niche adaptation may facilitate the maintenance of plasmids, reducing fitness cost in clinical Escherichia coli strains.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joao S. Rebelo, Celia P. F. Domingues, Francisco Dionisio, Manuel C. Gomes, Ana Botelho, Teresa Nogueira
Summary: Research shows that reducing human contacts leads to a decrease in the diversity of antibiotic resistance genes in human microbiomes. Confinement and hygienic measures not only suppress the spread of pathogenic bacteria in a human network, but also reduce resistance and the need for antibiotic use.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joao S. Rebelo, Celia P. F. Domingues, Francisca Monteiro, Teresa Nogueira, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: The survival of susceptible cells under indirect resistance may arise from both persister and non-persister populations when the density of detoxifying cells is high. However, persistence is necessary when the initial density of detoxifying cells is low, even if persister cells remain in that dormancy state for just a few hours. The simulation results are consistent with both exponential and power-law decay of the persistence population, which should have an impact on antibiotic treatments.
Article
Biology
Celia P. F. Domingues, Joao S. Rebelo, Francisca Monteiro, Teresa Nogueira, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: Conjugative plasmids are mobile genetic elements found in bacteria. They can lower cells' growth rate upon acquisition, leading to debate over their ubiquity. This study proposes that plasmid-donor cells may use plasmids as a weapon to compete with plasmid-free cells, especially in structured environments. Mathematical modeling and computer simulations support this hypothesis, explaining the maintenance of conjugative plasmids without beneficial genes.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Helena Darmancier, Celia P. F. Domingues, Joao S. Rebelo, Ana Amaro, Francisco Dionisio, Joel Pothier, Octavio Serra, Teresa Nogueira
Summary: A comprehensive study found that there is no global correlation between the number and location of antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factor genes in bacterial genomes. However, certain categories of these genes do co-occur preferentially, particularly in the mobilome, suggesting that some bacterial pathogens are under selective pressure to be resistant to specific antibiotics, which could jeopardize antimicrobial therapy for human-threatening diseases.
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Marina Fuertes, Sandra Antunes, Ines Martelo, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: This study examines the attachment relationship between infants with low/very low gestational birthweight and their mothers, finding that these infants are more likely to develop insecure attachment. In addition, maternal and infant interactive behavior and infant regulatory behavior are closely associated with attachment.
EARLY HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco Dionisio, Celia P. F. Domingues, Joao S. Rebelo, Francisca Monteiro, Teresa Nogueira
Summary: This review examines the fate of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes commonly found in microbiomes. The concept of R-0, which represents the average number of hosts colonized by one infected host, is crucial in epidemiology. If R-0 is above one, the pathogen can continue spreading through susceptible hosts, indicating its epidemic potential. Commensal bacteria can colonize hosts for prolonged periods, potentially carrying drug resistance and virulence genes. The spread of these genes is likely to be influenced by the diversity of microbiomes, contrary to common beliefs. Computational models and real data analysis support these predictions. The mechanisms and public health consequences are discussed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francisco Dionisio, Fernando Baquero, Marina Fuertes
Summary: Humans have flooded the environment with antimicrobials, leading to antibiotic resistance and causing serious public health issues. Hospitals and clinical settings have implemented stewardship measures to reduce antibiotic use, but these measures require multidisciplinary approaches and consideration of individual and macrocontextual factors. Research must include psychologically and sociologically based studies to improve stewardship measures.
TRENDS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marina Fuertes, Anabela Faria, Joana L. L. Goncalves, Sandra Antunes, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: This study found that the quality of mother-infant attachment and maternal sensitivity are related to the use of antibiotics. Infants with ambivalent attachment are more likely to use antibiotics than other infants. However, the impact of infant and maternal behavior on antibiotic prescription may disappear in prematurely born infants, especially those with less than 32 weeks of gestation.
Article
Biology
Daniel G. Silva, Celia P. F. Domingues, Joao F. Figueiredo, Francisco Dionisio, Ana Botelho, Teresa Nogueira
Summary: The overuse of antibiotics in aquaculture farms can lead to antibiotic resistance, which can be spread among bacteria in microbial communities. This study found a variety of antibiotic resistance genes in the sediments of aquaculture farms in three Portuguese river estuaries, with macrolide, tetracycline, and oxazolidinone resistance being the most prominent. These resistances can pose a risk to human and animal health by hindering the effective treatment of infections.
Article
Microbiology
Joao S. Rebelo, Celia P. F. Domingues, Teresa Nogueira, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: Bacterial cells that receive conjugative plasmids often have a fitness cost due to slower replication. However, compensatory mutations can help alleviate this cost. Computer simulations show that plasmid-bearing cells have a fitness advantage when transferring plasmids to unadapted cells. The advantage to donors is higher when transconjugants do not transfer plasmids, especially when donors are rare.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Joao S. Rebelo, Celia P. F. Domingues, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: Conjugative plasmids often carry virulence and antibiotic-resistant genes and understanding their behavior can provide insights into their spread. Despite the ubiquity of plasmids in nature, bacteria often replicate slower after plasmid entry, which is inconsistent with their prevalence. Previous research has proposed various hypotheses to explain plasmid maintenance among bacterial communities, but the diverse combinations of bacterial species, strains, plasmids, and environments require a robust explanatory mechanism. This study shows that donor cells benefit from harboring conjugative plasmids even if compensatory mutations occur in the plasmids rather than the chromosomes, providing new insights into the competition between plasmid-containing and plasmid-free cells.
Article
Pediatrics
Marina Fuertes, Anabela Faria, Joana L. Goncalves, Sandra Antunes, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: Prior research has found a link between mother-infant attachment and antibiotic use, with ambivalent-attached infants more likely to use antibiotics. This study aims to examine children with high-risk attachment relationships, such as disorganized attachment. The findings show that infants with disorganized attachment are more likely to use antibiotics, and their mothers tend to be less sensitive.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Celia P. F. Domingues, Joao S. Rebelo, Francisco Dionisio, Teresa Nogueira
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a significant threat to public health, as excessive use of antibiotics leads to the emergence of multi-drug resistance. Our large-scale analysis of bacterial genomes revealed that over 95% of the genomes contain genes associated with resistance to various antimicrobial classes. Additionally, we found unexpected co-occurrences of resistance genes in plasmids, increasing the potential for resistance dissemination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Marina Fuertes, Joana L. Goncalves, Anabela Faria, Pedro Lopes-dos-Santos, Ines C. Conceicao, Francisco Dionisio
Summary: This study suggests that maternal behavior and mother-infant attachment impact the consumption of antibiotics, with insecure-ambivalent infants being more likely to consume antibiotics.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)