Review
Microbiology
Hazem F. M. Abdelaal, Edward D. Chan, Lisa Young, Susan L. Baldwin, Rhea N. Coler
Summary: Mycobacterium abscessus is an opportunistic pathogen that causes pulmonary infections and is resistant to commonly used antibiotics, posing challenges for treatment. The lack of suitable animal models hampers research on prevention and treatment of this disease.
Article
Microbiology
Mathis Steindor, Florian Stehling, Margarete Olivier, Jan Kehrmann, Margo Diricks, Florian P. Maurer, Peter A. Horn, Svenja Strassburg, Matthias Welsner, Sivagurunathan Sutharsan, Monika Lindemann
Summary: MABC infection has devastating impacts on CF and non-CF lung diseases. A specific interferon-gamma release assay was established to improve diagnostics, and identified the protein MAB_0405c as a potential marker for MABC infection.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Qi Guo, Yongjie Zhang, Junsheng Fan, Haonan Zhang, Zhemin Zhang, Bing Li, Haiqing Chu
Summary: This study explored the potential mechanism by which MAB_2355c confers macrolide resistance in M. abscessus by investigating its ATP hydrolysis activity and the upregulation of mRNA expression after macrolide exposure. Results showed that MAB_2355c protects ribosomes from the action of macrolides, complementing other known resistance mechanisms.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gabrielle Froberg, Florian P. Maurer, Erja Chryssanthou, Louise Fernstrom, Hanaa Benmansour, Samira Boarbi, Anne Torunn Mengshoel, Peter Michael Keller, Miguel Viveiros, Diana Machado, Margaret M. Fitzgibbon, Simone Mok, Jim Werngren, Daniela Maria Cirillo, Fernando Alcaide, Hanne-Leena Hyyrylainen, Alexandra Aubry, Sonke Andres, Darshaalini Nadarajan, Erik Svensson, John Turnidge, Christian G. Giske, Gunnar Kahlmeter, Emmanuelle Cambau, Jakko van Ingen, Thomas Schon
Summary: The study evaluated the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) distributions of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) to establish antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) breakpoints. MIC distributions for drugs against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium abscessus (MAB) were collected from 12 laboratories. Epidemiological cut-off values (ECOFFs) and tentative ECOFFs (TECOFFs) were determined, highlighting the need for further method refinement in establishing clinical breakpoints for NTM.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Laura Victoria, Amolika Gupta, Jose Luis Gomez, Jaime Robledo
Summary: Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) is a clinically relevant species among nontuberculous mycobacteria, with increasing prevalence over the past two decades. High rates of antimicrobial resistance and low cure rates are common in MABC infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hiroaki Nagano, Takeshi Kinjo, Jiro Fujita, Tomoo Kishaba
Summary: This study aimed to compare the clinical background and chest HRCT findings between MABC-PD and MAC-PD patients. The results showed that MABC-PD patients had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular diseases and low attenuation on HRCT. The distribution of abnormal shadows and the number of involved lung lobes were also different between the two groups. The high virulence of MABC may contribute to these radiological features.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Takeshi Komine, Hyogo Ihara, Mari Inohana, Jennifer Caroline Kwok, Akane Shimizu, Tsumugi Terasawa, Ayaka Miyazaki, Saralee Srivorakul, Hajime Iwao, Sachiko Harada, Mitsunori Yoshida, Yoshihiko Hoshino, Osamu Kurata, Hanako Fukano, Shinpei Wada
Summary: This study provides fundamental information about the genetic diversity and phenotypic characteristics of M. montefiorense, as well as the pathology of the infection. The study identifies some drugs and disinfectants that may be effective against M. montefiorense.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Su-Young Kim, Dae Hun Kim, Seong Mi Moon, Ju Yeun Song, Hee Jae Huh, Nam Yong Lee, Sung Jae Shin, Won-Jung Koh, Byung Woo Jhun
Summary: This study evaluated the association between rrs mutations and amikacin resistance in clinical isolates of NTM in NTM-PD patients. The findings showed a higher prevalence of rrs mutations in high-level amikacin-resistant MAC isolates compared to low-level isolates, while all amikacin-resistant M. abscessus isolates had rrs mutations. These results emphasize the significance of phenotypic and genotypic susceptibility testing in managing MAC and M. abscessus-PD.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Christian Hendrix, Myah McCrary, Rong Hou, Getahun Abate
Summary: This review focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections, particularly MAC and MAB infections, as well as preventive strategies. The results show that the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary NTM infections are challenging, but the introduction of new methods and drugs provides hope.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sofia Carneiro, Miguel Pinto, Sonia Silva, Andrea Santos, Irene Rodrigues, Daniela Santos, Silvia Duarte, Luis Vieira, Joao Paulo Gomes, Rita Macedo
Summary: This study examined the genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance profiles of circulating Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABC) strains in Portugal. The results showed a high genetic diversity among the Portuguese isolates, suggesting the potential for international circulation or cross-border transmission.
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
Respiratory System
Kartik Kumar, Charles L. Daley, David E. Griffith, Michael R. Loebinger
Summary: Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. The treatment process is prolonged and often accompanied by adverse effects. This review considers the factors influencing clinicians when treating NTM-PD and discusses the outcomes of key studies on the pharmacological management of different types of NTM-PD.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY REVIEW
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jeng-How Yang, Ping-Huai Wang, Sheng-Wei Pan, Yu-Feng Wei, Chung-Yu Chen, Ho-Sheng Lee, Chin-Chung Shu, Ting-Shu Wu
Summary: This study evaluated the effect of intravenous tigecycline-containing regimens on the treatment of Mycobacterium abscessus complex lung disease (MABC-LD). The results showed that treatment regimens with tigecycline and amikacin could increase microbiology success and reduce treatment failure.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Noah Alter, Robert W. Trenschel, Gary Schwartz, Joshua Sharan, Ryan P. Boyle, Mohammadali M. Shoja
Summary: This article reports a case of Mycobacterium abscessus osteomyelitis in a 28-year-old patient with a history of intravenous drug use and a recent surgical repair.
CUREUS JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Lucas Boeck, Sophie Burbaud, Marcin Skwark, Will H. Pearson, Jasper Sangen, Andreas W. Wuest, Eleanor K. P. Marshall, Aaron Weimann, Isobel Everall, Josephine M. Bryant, Sony Malhotra, Bridget P. Bannerman, Katrin Kierdorf, Tom L. Blundell, Marc S. Dionne, Julian Parkhill, R. Andres Floto
Summary: This study demonstrates the use of phenogenomic analysis, combining high-dimensional phenotyping with whole-genome sequencing, to rapidly reveal insights into bacterial pathobiology. By phenotyping 331 clinical isolates of Mycobacterium abscessus, three distinct clusters of isolates were discovered, each associated with different virulence traits and clinical outcomes. Genome-wide association studies, proteome-wide structural modeling, and direct coupling analysis were employed to identify causal variants and gene networks, leading to the discovery of clinically relevant virulence factors. This highlights the potential of phenogenomics in uncovering critical pathways in emerging pathogenic bacteria.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Gregory I. Snell, Bronwyn J. Levvey, Aimee Henriksen, Helen M. Whitford, Kovi Levin, Miranda Paraskeva, Sakhee Kotecha, Trevor Williams, Glen P. Westall, David McGiffin
HEART LUNG AND CIRCULATION
(2020)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
V. Madigan, O. Smibert, S. Chen, J. A. Trubiano, M. A. Slavin, B. W. Teh
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2020)
Article
Oncology
O. C. Smibert, M. A. Slavin, B. Teh, A. G. Heriot, J. Penno, H. Ismail, K. A. Thursky, L. J. Worth
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2020)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Pallavi Shamdasani, Jason A. Trubiano, Olivia C. Smibert, Claire E. Owen, David F. L. Liew
INTERNAL MEDICINE JOURNAL
(2020)
Review
Immunology
Jacqueline Fraser, Johanna Mousley, Adam Testro, Olivia Catherine Smibert, Anoop Ninan Koshy
TRANSPLANTATION PROCEEDINGS
(2020)
Article
Allergy
Ana Copaescu, Olivia Smibert, Andrew Gibson, Elizabeth J. Phillips, Jason A. Trubiano
JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Michael K. Mansour, Olivia C. Smibert, Avinash Kambadakone, Maroun M. Sfeir
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2020)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
George P. Drewett, Olivia C. Smibert, Natasha E. Holmes, Jason A. Trubiano
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jason A. Trubiano, Sara Vogrin, Olivia C. Smibert, Nada Marhoon, Adrian A. Alexander, Kyra Y. L. Chua, Fiona L. James, Nicholas R. L. Jones, Sam E. Grigg, Cecilia L. H. Xu, Nasreen Moini, Sam R. Stanley, Michael T. Birrell, Morgan T. Rose, Claire L. Gordon, Jason C. Kwong, Natasha E. Holmes
Review
Immunology
Olivia C. Smibert, Cody C. Allison, Marcel Doerflinger, Marc Pellegrini, Danny Rischin, Alesha Thai, Monica A. Slavin, Camille N. Kotton
Summary: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised hosts, with atypical presentations such as pseudotumors or cancer mimics described in the literature. This study discusses two previously unpublished cases in the context of newer immunomodulating therapy and reviews existing non-HIV-associated CMV pseudotumors.
TRANSPLANT INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
George P. Drewett, Ana Copaescu, Effie Mouhtouris, Natalie Hannan, Fiona James, Olivia Smibert, Natasha E. Holmes, Jason A. Trubiano
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Ana Copaescu, Fiona James, Effie Mouhtouris, Sara Vogrin, Olivia C. Smibert, Claire L. Gordon, George Drewett, Natasha E. Holmes, Jason A. Trubiano
Summary: The study found that IL-6 levels were elevated in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 positive patients on admission, but were lower compared to matched SAB patients. IL-6 and CRP levels decreased post-treatment, with a more significant reduction in patients treated with remdesivir and/or dexamethasone. CRP and bedside vital signs were the strongest predictors of COVID-19 severity.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Marios Koutsakos, Louise C. Rowntree, Luca Hensen, Brendon Y. Chua, Carolien E. van de Sandt, Jennifer R. Habel, Wuji Zhang, Xiaoxiao Jia, Lukasz Kedzierski, Thomas M. Ashhurst, Givanna H. Putri, Felix Marsh-Wakefield, Mark N. Read, Davis N. Edwards, E. Bridie Clemens, Chinn Yi Wong, Francesca L. Mordant, Jennifer A. Juno, Fatima Amanat, Jennifer Audsley, Natasha E. Holmes, Claire L. Gordon, Olivia C. Smibert, Jason A. Trubiano, Carly M. Hughes, Mike Catton, Justin T. Denholm, Steven Y. C. Tong, Denise L. Doolan, Tom C. Kotsimbos, David C. Jackson, Florian Krammer, Dale Godfrey, Amy W. Chung, Nicholas J. C. King, Sharon R. Lewin, Adam K. Wheatley, Stephen J. Kent, Kanta Subbarao, James McMahon, Irani Thevarajan, Thi H O Nguyen, Allen C. Cheng, Katherine Kedzierska
Summary: The study found that the immune response in COVID-19 patients differs between the acute phase and convalescent phase, with more severe immune activation and cellular hyperactivation in critically ill patients. The research also revealed the crucial role of activated CXCR3(+)cT(FH)1 cells in predicting antibody levels and neutralization activity.
CELL REPORTS MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Stephen Muhi, Nick Tayler, Tuyet Hoang, Susan A. Ballard, Maryza Graham, Amanda Rojek, Jason C. Kwong, Jason A. Trubiano, Olivia Smibert, George Drewett, Fiona James, Emma Gardiner, Socheata Chea, Nicole Isles, Michelle Sait, Shivani Pasricha, George Taiaroa, Julie McAuley, Eloise Williams, Katherine B. Gibney, Timothy P. Stinear, Katherine Bond, Sharon R. Lewin, Mark Putland, Benjamin P. Howden, Deborah A. Williamson
Summary: The study evaluates the performance and implementation of rapid antigen-based SARS-CoV-2 testing in a setting with low prevalence of COVID-19 infections. Results show high specificity and relatively high sensitivity in early-stage symptomatic patients, while also identifying implementation challenges for consideration in future testing strategies.
LANCET REGIONAL HEALTH-WESTERN PACIFIC
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Olivia C. Smibert, Jason A. Trubiano, Monica A. Slavin, Jason C. Kwong
CURRENT OPINION IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2020)
