Article
Environmental Sciences
Derek T. Elsby, Ruth N. Zadoks, Kenneth Boyd, Nuno Silva, Margo Chase-Topping, Mairi C. Mitchel, Carol Currie, Mark A. Taggart
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a recognized threat to global health. This study examined the prevalence of AMR Escherichia coli in fecal samples from deer in Scotland and investigated potential risk factors associated with AMR occurrence. The results showed that resistant E. coli strains were present in wild deer populations, with different risk factors influencing resistance phenotypes and deer species. However, overall, resistance to critically important antimicrobials was found to be low, suggesting no immediate cause for concern regarding human health. Therefore, wild deer in Scotland could serve as a sentinel species for AMR surveillance in the Scottish environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Geneva M. Wilson, Katie J. Suda, Margaret A. Fitzpatrick, Brian Bartle, Christopher D. Pfeiffer, Makoto Jones, Michael A. Rubin, Eli Perencevich, Martin Evans, Charlesnika T. Evans
Summary: Among US veterans with CP-CRE, African Americans, patients with congestive heart failure, and those with gastroesophageal reflux disease were more likely to have CP-CRE cultures. Roughly one in four patients with CP-CRE had no known antibiotic exposure in the year before their positive culture.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Enrico Maria Trecarichi, Gabriele Giuliano, Chiara Cattaneo, Stelvio Ballanti, Marianna Criscuolo, Anna Candoni, Francesco Marchesi, Marica Laurino, Michelina Dargenio, Rosa Fanci, Mariagiovanna Cefalo, Mario Delia, Angelica Spolzino, Laura Maracci, Valentina Bonuomo, Alessandro Busca, Maria Ilaria Del Principe, Rosa Daffini, Edoardo Simonetti, Giulia Dragonetti, Maria Elena Zannier, Livio Pagano, Mario Tumbarello
Summary: Bloodstream infections caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria in patients with hematological malignancies are associated with high mortality rates. A multicenter cohort study found a reduction in fluoroquinolone prophylaxis and increased susceptibility rates to ciprofloxacin among Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter cloacae isolates compared to a previous survey. There was also an increased susceptibility of P. aeruginosa isolates to ceftazidime, meropenem, and gentamicin.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Dejuan Wang, Jingru Shi, Chen Chen, Zhiqiang Wang, Yuan Liu
Summary: This study focuses on modifying the natural antimicrobial peptide Pleurocidin to develop potent and orally available antimicrobial agents. By truncating 11 amino acids at the C-terminus of Pleurocidin, four peptide analogues were obtained. Among them, GK-4 exhibited rapid bacteriostatic activity, stability, low hemolysis, and enhanced resistance to pepsin treatment. Mechanistic studies revealed that GK-4 induced membrane damage, dissipated bacterial membrane potential, and promoted ROS generation. SEM and CD analysis confirmed the resistance of GK-4 to pepsin hydrolysis. Overall, GK-4 shows promise as a potential orally available candidate for treating infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mabel Kamweli Aworh, Oluwadamilola Abiodun-Adewusi, Nwando Mba, Birgitte Helwigh, Rene S. Hendriksen
Summary: The prevalence of drug-resistant E. coli among slaughterhouse workers in Nigeria was found to be high, with butchers having the highest prevalence of MDR E. coli. Keeping animals, eating at the slaughterhouse, and waste-collection were identified as independent risk factors for acquiring MDR E. coli among slaughterhouse workers. Hand-hygiene and responsible antibiotic use should be encouraged in this population.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mutasim E. Ibrahim
Summary: This study investigated the prevalence and risk factors for multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection among hospitalized patients in southern Saudi Arabia. The study found that 66.8% of patients were infected with multidrug-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. Factors such as gender, age, intensive care unit admission, invasive medical devices, and chronic illness were significantly associated with the infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xiaoxue Liang, Ping Chen, Baoguo Deng, Feng-Hui Sun, Yongqiang Yang, Yanxian Yang, Ruowen He, Mingyang Qin, Yiping Wu, Fan Yang, Guo-Bao Tian, Min Dai
Summary: This study compared the antimicrobial resistance, virulence, clinical characteristics, and risk factors between carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CRKP) and carbapenem-susceptible K. pneumoniae (CSKP) isolates from patients with bloodstream infections (BSIs) in China. The results demonstrated that CRKP isolates were more drug-resistant, more virulent, and associated with poorer outcomes compared to CSKP isolates.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sylvia Omulo, Teresa Ita, Robert Mugoh, Charchil Ayodo, Ulzii Luvsansharav, Susan Bollinger, Ashley Styczynski, Brooke M. Ramay, Mark A. Caudell, Guy H. Palmer, Samuel Kariuki, Douglas R. Call, Rachel M. Smith
Summary: This study in Kenya identified potential risk factors for colonization with extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) among hospitalized patients. The results suggest the importance of robust infection prevention and control measures and antibiotic stewardship programs in hospitals to prevent colonization.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Matthew Davies, Gianluca Galazzo, Jarne M. van Hattem, Maris S. Arcilla, Damian C. Melles, Menno D. de Jong, Constance Schultsz, Petra Wolffs, Alan McNally, Willem van Schaik, John Penders
Summary: Previous studies have shown a high risk of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae acquisition among international travelers visiting AMR hotspots. This study investigated whether successful colonization of ESBL-E during travel is associated with the composition, functional capacity, and resilience of the traveler's microbiome. The results suggest that changes in the microbial composition and abundance of certain bacteria may play a role in preventing ESBL-E acquisition.
Article
Microbiology
Giorgia Montrucchio, Andrea Costamagna, Tommaso Pierani, Alessandra Petitti, Gabriele Sales, Emanuele Pivetta, Silvia Corcione, Antonio Curtoni, Rossana Cavallo, Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa, Luca Brazzi
Summary: Considering the increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria bloodstream infection in ICUs, it is crucial to identify specific risk factors and develop a predictive model for early identification. This retrospective case-control study found several significant risk factors and proposed a prognostic model based on age, sepsis, previous cardiovascular surgery, SAPS II score, rectal colonization, and invasive respiratory infection.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Zaira R. Palacios-Baena, Maddalena Giannella, Davide Manissero, Jesus Rodriguez-Bano, Pierluigi Viale, Sara Lopes, Katy Wilson, Rachael McCool, Christopher Longshaw
Summary: The systematic literature review identified several strong risk factors for CR infection, including previous antibiotic use and previous carbapenem use. Interventions to prevent CR infection should focus on targeting these factors.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Chao Zhong, Fangyan Zhang, Jia Yao, Yuewen Zhu, Ningyi Zhu, Yun Zhang, Hui Liu, Sanhu Gou, Jingman Ni
Summary: A series of new symmetric peptides were designed and synthesized in this study, with FRRW showing high selectivity and antimicrobial potential against bacteria, as well as the ability to inhibit bacterial resistance.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jordan E. Sealey, Ashley Hammond, Oliver Mounsey, Virginia C. Gould, Kristen K. Reyher, Matthew B. Avison
Summary: This study compares faecal third-generation cephalosporin-resistant (3GC-R) Escherichia coli isolates from dogs living in a city and a rural area, and also compares isolates from dogs, cattle, and humans in these regions. Risk factors associated with 3GC-R E. coli carriage in dogs were determined. The results indicate that in rural dogs, carriage of 3GC-R E. coli, particularly CTX-M producers, is phylogenetically associated with interaction with local cattle and epidemiologically associated with feeding raw meat. In urban dogs, sources of 3GC-R E. coli appear to be more varied and include environments such as rivers.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Manuel Madrazo, Ian Lopez-Cruz, Laura Piles, Sofia Vinola, Juan Alberola, Jose Maria Eiros, Arturo Artero
Summary: This study analyzed the risk factors for multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) in community-acquired urinary sepsis (US) and their influence on outcomes. The results showed that healthcare-associated US was an independent risk factor for MDR bacteria. Although the impact of MDR bacteria on the outcomes of community-acquired US was mild, this study still has important implications for understanding the risk factors and outcomes of MDR bacteria.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Haomin Wu, Pengfei Xu, Ya Huang, Liping Wang, Xinyue Ye, Xiaowei Huang, Lingman Ma, ChangLin Zhou
Summary: Novel antimicrobial peptides were designed and characterized, with hybrid peptides PCL-1 and Pb2-1TI showing superior broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity compared to the original peptide Pb2-1. PCL-1 exhibited lower cytotoxicity and high stability, making it a promising candidate for clinical treatment of bacterial infections.
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
M. Hasanul Kaisar, Mohammed Saruar Bhuiyan, Aklima Akter, Danial Saleem, Anita S. Iyer, Pinki Dash, Al Hakim, Fahima Chowdhury, Ashraful Islam Khan, Stephen B. Calderwood, Jason B. Harris, Edward T. Ryan, Firdausi Qadri, Richelle C. Charles, Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan
Summary: The study found that cholera patients develop age-related immune responses against sialidase, with adults and older children showing more significant antibody responses compared to younger children. The presence of serum anti-sialidase antibodies was associated with a decreased risk of subsequent infection in household contacts.
Article
Immunology
Denise Chac, Taufiqur R. Bhuiyan, Amit Saha, Mohammad M. Alam, Umme Salma, Nusrat Jahan, Fahima Chowdhury, Ashraful Khan, Edward T. Ryan, Regina LaRocque, Jason B. Harris, Firdausi Qadri, Ana A. Weil
Summary: The gut microbiota may impact immune responses to oral cholera vaccines, with individuals having specific bacterial communities more likely to generate immune responses against cholera virus.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Pathology
Melis N. Anahtar, Bennett M. Shaw, Damien Slater, Elizabeth H. Byrne, Yolanda Botti-Lodovico, Gordon Adams, Stephen F. Schaffner, Jacqueline E. G. Eversley, Graham McGrath, Tasos Gogakos, Jochen Lennerz, Hetal Desai Marble, Lauren L. Ritterhouse, Julie M. Batten, N. Zeke Georgantas, Rebecca Pellerin, Sylvia Signorelli, Julia Thierauf, Molly Kemball, Christian Happi, Donald S. Grant, Daouda Ndiaye, Katherine J. Siddle, Samar B. Mehta, Jason B. Harris, Edward T. Ryan, Virginia M. Pierce, Regina C. LaRocque, Jacob E. Lemieux, Pardis C. Sabeti, Eric S. Rosenberg, John A. Branda, Sarah E. Turbett
Summary: Developing and deploying new diagnostic tests, especially during a pandemic like COVID-19, is crucial. Laboratories play a key role in detecting active infection, with PCR remaining the gold standard of nucleic acid-based assays. Some hospitals are actively developing new testing methods to address local testing capacity shortages.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Meagan Kelly, Richelle C. Charles, Jason B. Harris, Stephen B. Calderwood, Aklima Akter, Rajib Biswas, M. Hasanul Kaisar, Taufiqur R. Bhuiyan, Louise C. Ivers, Ralph Ternier, Jean-Gregory Jerome, Helene B. Pfister, Xiaowei Lu, Sameh E. Soliman, Bart Ruttens, Rina Saksena, Jana Mecarova, Alzbeta Cizova, Firdausi Qadri, Slavomir Bystricky, Pavol Kovac, Peng Xu, Edward T. Ryan
Summary: The study found that immune responses to O139 OSP are not prominent following vaccination with the currently available oral cholera vaccine in immunologically naive individuals, suggesting that vaccines targeting V. cholerae O139 should be based on native OSP-core or terminal tetrasaccharide.
Article
Microbiology
Ines Levade, Ashraful Khan, Fahima Chowdhury, Stephen B. Calderwood, Edward T. Ryan, Jason B. Harris, Regina C. LaRocque, Taufiqur R. Bhuiyan, Firdausi Qadri, Ana A. Weil, B. Jesse Shapiro
Summary: The study revealed the genetic diversity of V. cholerae within infected hosts, with evidence of hypermutator evolution within patients. The findings emphasize the importance of using multiple sequencing methods to characterize within-host diversity in acute V. cholerae infections, and provide insight into the role of hypermutators in within-patient evolution.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Taufiqur R. Bhuiyan, M. Arifur Rahman, Shubhanshi Trivedi, Taliman Afroz, Hasan Al Banna, Mohammad Rubel Hoq, Ioana Pop, Owen Jensen, Rasheduzzaman Rashu, Muhammad Ikhtear Uddin, Motaher Hossain, Ashraful Khan, Fahima Chowdhury, Jason B. Harris, Stephen B. Calderwood, Edward T. Ryan, Firdausi Qadri, Daniel T. Leung
Summary: During cholera infection, MAIT cells are present in the lamina propria of the duodenum, more activated, and their loss is correlated with intestinal permeability and inflammation.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biology
Kelsey Barrasso, Denise Chac, Meti D. Debela, Catherine Geigel, Anjali Steenhaut, Abigail Rivera Seda, Chelsea N. Dunmire, Jason B. Harris, Regina C. Larocque, Firas S. Midani, Firdausi Qadri, Jing Yan, Ana A. Weil, Wai-Leung Ng, Melanie Blokesch
Summary: Recent studies suggest that the presence of Paracoccus aminovorans, a commensal bacterium, in the human intestine may enhance the colonization of Vibrio cholerae. The interaction between the two species was shown to form a dual-species biofilm structure with novel features, and this interaction was found to be dependent on the Vibrio exopolysaccharide and other major components of mature V. cholerae biofilm. These findings demonstrate that multispecies biofilm formation could be a mechanism used by gut microbes to increase the virulence of pathogens and potentially impact the outcomes of enteric infections.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zannat Kawser, Mohabbat Hossain, Sara Suliman, Shahin Lockman, Jesse Gitaka, Gama Bandawe, Redwan Rahmat, Imrul Hasan, Abu Bakar Siddik, Mokibul Hassan Afrad, Mohammed Ziaur Rahman, Glenn Miller, David R. Walt, Louise C. Ivers, Regina C. LaRocque, Jason B. Harris, Firdausi Qadri
Summary: Early detection of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial. This study evaluated the performance of the BD Veritor rapid antigen detection test compared to Standard Q and RT-PCR. The BD Veritor test showed high sensitivity and specificity, making it a potential tool for quick assessment of SARS-CoV-2.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Forrest K. Jones, Taufiqur R. Bhuiyan, Rachel E. Muise, Ashraful Khan, Damien M. Slater, Kian Robert Hutt Vater, Fahima Chowdhury, Meagan Kelly, Peng Xu, Pavol Kovac, Rajib Biswas, Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Edward T. Ryan, Stephen B. Calderwood, Regina C. LaRocque, Justin Lessler, Richelle C. Charles, Daniel T. Leung, Firdausi Qadri, Jason B. Harris, Andrew S. Azman
Summary: Cross-sectional serologic profiles measured with a high-throughput multiplex bead assay can accurately identify individuals infected with pandemic Vibrio cholerae O1, allowing for estimates of seroincidence. This scalable cholera serosurveillance tool provides a new avenue for understanding the epidemiology of cholera, identifying priority areas for prevention/control efforts, and tracking progress in the fight against this ancient disease.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniel H. F. Rubin, Franz G. Zingl, Deborah R. Leitner, Ralph Ternier, Valusnor Compere, Samson Marseille, Damien Slater, Jason B. Harris, Fahima Chowdhury, Firdausi Qadri, Jacques Boncy, Louise C. Ivers, Matthew K. Waldor
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Fahima Chowdhury, Afroza Akter, Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Rajib Biswas, Md. Golam Firoj, Imam Tauheed, Jason B. Harris, Regina C. Larocque, Allen G. Ross, Nigel A. J. McMillan, Richelle C. Charles, Edward T. Ryan, Stephen B. Calderwood, Firdausi Qadri
Summary: This study found age-dependent differences in immune responses targeting sialidase after cholera infection. Adult patients developed immune responses against sialidase after acute infection, which decreased over time. In contrast, children showed weaker antibody responses, with a late response observed at the end of the study. Stunted children had lower immune responses, while cases with parasitic co-infection had stronger immune responses.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marjahan Akhtar, Salima Raiyan Basher, Nuder Nower Nizam, Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Fatema Khaton, Hasan Al Banna, M. Hasanul Kaisar, Polash Chandra Karmakar, Al Hakim, Afroza Akter, Tasnuva Ahmed, Imam Tauheed, Shaumik Islam, Faisal Ahmmed, Shakil Mahamud, Mohammad Abul Hasnat, Mostafa Aziz Sumon, Asif Rashed, Shuvro Ghosh, Stephen B. Calderwood, Jason B. Harris, Richelle C. Charles, Regina C. LaRocque, Edward T. Ryan, Sayera Banu, Tahmina Shirin, Fahima Chowdhury, Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan, Firdausi Qadri
Summary: The longevity of immune responses induced by different degrees of SARS-CoV-2 infection depends on the severity of the disease. Symptomatic patients show an increase in effector memory T cells, including Th1, Th2, Th17, and follicular helper T cells.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kristen Aiemjoy, John Rumunu, Juma John Hassen, Kirsten E. Wiens, Denise Garrett, Polina Kamenskaya, Jason B. Harris, Andrew S. Azman, Peter Teunis, Jessica C. Seidman, Joseph F. Wamala, Jason R. Andrews, Richelle C. Charles
Summary: In this study, a new serosurveillance tool was applied to estimate the burden of typhoidal Salmonella in a population in Juba, South Sudan. Using dried blood spot testing, the study found an enteric fever seroincidence rate of 30/100 person-years and a cumulative incidence of 74% over a 4-year period.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kirsten E. Wiens, Pinyi Nyimol Mawien, John Rumunu, Damien Slater, Forrest K. Jones, Serina Moheed, Andrea Caflisch, Bior K. Bior, Iboyi Amanya Jacob, Richard Lino Lako, Argata Guracha Guyo, Olushayo Oluseun Olu, Sylvester Maleghemi, Andrew Baguma, Juma John Hassen, Sheila K. Baya, Lul Deng, Justin Lessler, Maya N. Demby, Vanessa Sanchez, Rachel Mills, Clare Fraser, Richelle C. Charles, Jason B. Harris, Andrew S. Azman, Joseph F. Wamala
Summary: A study conducted in Juba, South Sudan found that approximately 38.3% of the population had been infected with SARS-CoV-2, with unreported infections likely being much higher than reported cases. Additionally, differences in background reactivity were observed between Juba and Boston, Massachusetts, where the immunoassay was validated.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
