Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Dagmara A. Niedziela, Paul Cormican, Gilles Foucras, Finola C. Leonard, Orla M. Keane
Summary: This study elucidated the somatic cell transcriptomic response of cows to Staphylococcus aureus infection and found that different genotypes of infecting strains can lead to distinct immune responses and disease presentations.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jagadish Chandra Kumar Mangu, Marios Stylianou, Per-Erik Olsson, Jana Jass
Summary: The exposure to PFAS increases susceptibility to pathogens in Caenorhabditis elegans by reducing host immunity and increasing intestinal membrane permeability, while also increasing bacterial virulence, with potential implications for humans and other animals.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Emmanuel Chaumond, Sandrine Peron, Nathalie Daniel, Yann Le Gouar, Eric Guedon, David L. Williams, Yves Le Loir, Gwenal Jan, Nadia Berkova
Summary: This study demonstrates the development of innate immune memory in non-immune cells during Staphylococcus aureus infection and uncovers the epigenetic reprogramming mechanisms involved. These findings provide insight into the potential for new therapeutic approaches to prevent S.aureus infection.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jordy Evan Sulaiman, Lexin Long, Pei-Yuan Qian, Henry Lam
Summary: Elasnin not only exhibits excellent antibiofilm properties, but also shows antibacterial activity against growing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) planktonic cells. In this study, adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) was applied to generate evolved strains with increased elasnin tolerance, which were found to be more sensitive toward daptomycin and lysostaphin. Whole-genome sequencing identified a single point mutation in a putative phosphate transport regulator in all evolved strains, resulting in increased intracellular phosphate and polyphosphate levels. Proteomics and transcriptomics analyses revealed the downregulation of proteins related to cell division, cell wall synthesis, fatty acid metabolism, glycolysis, the two-component system, RNA degradation, and ribosomal proteins following elasnin treatment. In contrast, transport proteins and proteins involved in oxidative phosphorylation and the phosphotransferase system were upregulated in the evolved strain, suggesting their importance in elasnin tolerance.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Xiaoduo Li, Zhengcai Ma, Qin Tang, Zhenwei Gui, Biao Zhang, Guang Sun, Jingwei Li, Juan Li, Mengmeng Li, Xuegang Li, Hang Ma, Xiaoli Ye
Summary: This research uncovered the antimicrobial properties of a novel compound called 8-octyl berberine (OBBR) against Staphylococcus aureus. OBBR showed promising results with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) similar to levofloxacin, but with lower chances of inducing resistance. Mechanistically, OBBR induced morphological alterations in the bacteria, disrupted the bacterial cell wall and membrane, and inhibited the enzymatic activity of the protein MraY, ultimately inhibiting peptidoglycan synthesis. OBBR emerges as a potential alternative antibiotic against S. aureus with limited drug resistance development.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Marina Garcia-Moreno, Paul M. Jordan, Kerstin Guenther, Therese Dau, Christian Fritzsch, Monika Vermes, Astrid Schoppa, Anita Ignatius, Britt Wildemann, Oliver Werz, Bettina Loeffler, Lorena Tuchscherr
Summary: This study investigated the interaction between Staphylococcus aureus and osteoblasts or osteocytes during infection. The results showed that osteoblasts can induce an antimicrobial response and eliminate intracellular S. aureus, while osteocytes recruit immune cells and enhance inflammation but have a poor capacity for clearing bacterial infection. Additionally, signals from osteocytes enhance intracellular bacterial clearance by osteoblasts.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Susanna Di Mauro, Joel Filipe, Alessia Facchin, Laura Roveri, Maria Filippa Addis, Valentina Monistero, Renata Piccinini, Giulia Sala, Davide Pravettoni, Clarissa Zamboni, Fabrizio Ceciliani, Cristina Lecchi
Summary: This study compared the effects of two different S. aureus strains with opposite epidemiological behaviors on peripheral bovine mononuclear cells. The results showed that the secretome produced by these strains had different impacts on cell viability and inflammatory response.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aubin Souche, Francois Vandenesch, Anne Doleans-Jordheim, Karen Moreau
Summary: Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a severe genetic disease causing impaired lung function and premature death. Chronic infections with Staphylococcus aureus (SA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) are common in CF lungs. SA and PA are able to adapt to the host immune response through various strategies, including bypassing the airway epithelia, evading recognition, modulating host immune cell proliferation, and inhibiting the immune response. These mechanisms not only benefit the bacteria but also promote coinfections in CF lungs.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
M. Brittany Johnson, Kelli H. H. Furr, Samantha R. R. Suptela, Whitney Leach, Ian Marriott
Summary: Osteoblasts can respond to Staphylococcus aureus infection by producing IFN-beta, which mitigates the infection by inducing ISG expression.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Dominique Missiakas, Volker Winstel
Summary: Host cell death programs are essential for cellular homeostasis, embryonic development, and tissue regeneration. Pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus use cell death pathways to establish infection, manipulating apoptotic, necroptotic, and pyroptotic modes to shape the immune environment conducive to persistence. This exploitation of cell death pathways is a virulence strategy that must be considered alongside immune evasion mechanisms for the development of effective therapeutics and interventions.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rahul Chatterjee, Panchanan Sahoo, Soumya Ranjan Mahapatra, Jyotirmayee Dey, Mrinmoy Ghosh, Gajraj Singh Kushwaha, Namrata Misra, Mrutyunjay Suar, Vishakha Raina, Young-Ok Son
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a highly deadly Gram-positive bacterium that poses a major challenge for vaccine development. The novel vaccine candidate constructed using immunoinformatics approach shows promising immune response in worldwide populations. This chimeric vaccine has the potential to elicit both humoral and cell-mediated immune responses against the multidrug-resistant pathogen.
Review
Immunology
Mengyao Wang, Ziyao Fan, Hongbing Han
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathogen that can colonize various host organisms and evade host immune defenses through its accessory gene regulatory system. Host autophagy, a clearance pathway, plays a role in degrading S. aureus, and understanding the interaction between autophagy and the pathogen can help improve infection control.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Rosanna Leuzzi, Margherita Bodini, Isaac P. Thomsen, Elisabetta Soldaini, Erika Bartolini, Alessandro Muzzi, Bruna Clemente, Bruno Galletti, Andrea Guido Oreste Manetti, Cinzia Giovani, Stefano Censini, Sonia Budroni, Fabiana Spensieri, Erica Borgogni, Silvia Rossi Paccani, Immaculada Margarit, Fabio Bagnoli, Giuseppe Del Giudice, Clarence B. Creech
Summary: The study identified specific cytokine and functional antibody signatures in patients with different primary invasive diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus. These data provide insights into human responses to invasive staphylococcal infections and are important for guiding the identification of novel preventive and therapeutic interventions against S. aureus. Our findings showed distinct differences in inflammatory responses and antibody levels between patients with invasive S. aureus disease and healthy donors.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fouad Choueiry, Rui Xu, Jiangjiang Zhu
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus, an opportunistic pathogen, relies on host-derived environmental signals and metabolic adaptation to cause infections. In this study, we investigated the effects of environmental factors on SA metabolism and its correlation with the expression of virulence genes. Our findings provide insights into the adaptive growth and virulence of SA, and may facilitate the development of metabolic inhibitors/modulators to mitigate SA infections.
JOURNAL OF PROTEOME RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Kamila R. Santos, Fernando N. Souza, Eduardo M. Ramos-Sanchez, Camila F. Batista, Luiza C. Reis, Wesley F. Fotoran, Marcos B. Heinemann, Hiro Goto, Magnus Gidlund, Adriano F. Cunha, Angelica Rosa Faria, Helida M. Andrade, Andrey P. Lage, Monica M. O. P. Cerqueira, Alice M. M. P. Della Libera
Summary: Immunization with Staphylococcus aureus recombinant proteins in mice generated memory cells and led to an increase in IL-17A(+) cells, while combined with GM-CSF DNA vaccine. This approach fostered type 3 immunity, suggesting the development of a protective immune response against S. aureus.
Article
Peripheral Vascular Disease
Beatriz G. S. Rocha, Caroline C. Picoli, Bryan O. P. Goncalves, Walison N. Silva, Alinne C. Costa, Michele M. Moraes, Pedro A. C. Costa, Gabryella S. P. Santos, Milla R. Almeida, Luciana M. Silva, Youvika Singh, Marcelo Falchetti, Gabriela D. A. Guardia, Pedro P. G. Guimaraes, Remo C. Russo, Rodrigo R. Resende, Mauro C. X. Pinto, Jaime H. Amorim, Vasco A. C. Azevedo, Alexandre Kanashiro, Helder I. Nakaya, Edroaldo L. Rocha, Pedro A. F. Galante, Akiva Mintz, Paul S. Frenette, Alexander Birbrair
Summary: This study reveals the presence of perivascular GFAP+/Plp1+ cells derived from tissue-resident Schwann cells in the tumor microenvironment. Genetic ablation of Schwann cells slows down tumor growth and angiogenesis, while boosting immune surveillance by increasing tumor-infiltrating anti-tumor lymphocytes and reducing immune-suppressor cells. In humans, increased expression of Schwann cell-related genes within melanoma is associated with improved survival.
Article
Cell Biology
Kenneth Lundstrom, Altijana Hromic-Jahjefendic, Esma Bilajac, Alaa A. A. Aljabali, Katarina Baralic, Nagwa A. Sabri, Eslam M. Shehata, Mohamed Raslan, Ana Claudia B. H. Ferreira, Lidiane Orlandi, Angel Serrano-Aroca, Murtaza M. Tambuwala, Vladimir N. Uversky, Vasco Azevedo, Khalid J. Alzahrani, Khalaf F. Alsharifm, Ibrahim F. Halawani, Fuad M. Alzahrani, Elrashdy M. Redwan, Debmalya Barhl
Summary: This review summarizes major events of SARS-CoV-2 infection route, immune response following host-cell infection as an important factor for disease outcome, as well as comorbidity issues of various tissues and organs arising due to COVID-19. Investigations on alterations of host-cell machinery and viral interactions with multiple intracellular signaling pathways could represent a major factor in more effective disease management.
CELLULAR SIGNALLING
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Debmalya Barh, Sandeep Tiwari, Lucas Gabriel Rodrigues Gomes, Cecilia Horta Ramalho Pinto, Bruno Silva Andrade, Shaban Ahmad, Alaa A. A. Aljabali, Khalid J. Alzahrani, Hamsa Jameel Banjer, Sk Sarif Hassan, Elrashdy M. Redwan, Khalid Raza, Aristoteles Goes-Neto, Robinson Sabino-Silva, Kenneth Lundstrom, Vladimir N. Uversky, Vasco Azevedo, Murtaza M. Tambuwala
Summary: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 is highly transmissible with decreased disease severity. It has lower pathogenicity but higher antigenicity compared to other variants. These findings contribute to our understanding of variant dynamics and can help in managing emerging variants.
Article
Microbiology
Pedro Negri Bernardino, Carolina Lechinski de Paula, Ana Flavia Marques Pereira, Marcio Garcia Ribeiro, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo, Alexandre Secorun Borges, Ary Fernandes Jr, Jose Paes Oliveira-Filho
Summary: Caseous lymphadenitis is a disease caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis with minimal zoonotic potential. This study investigated the antimicrobial action of 2',3'-dideoxiadenosine (ddATP) against C. pseudotuberculosis and its potential synergy with penicillin, suggesting the potential of nucleotide analogs and combination therapy as a novel treatment for C. pseudotuberculosis infections.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Mauro A. F. Guimaraes, Natalia Pinheiro-Rosa, Rafael P. Oliveira, Sarah L. F. Aguiar, Mariana C. G. Miranda, Luisa Lemos, Adna L. Souza, Daniela S. dos Reis, Samara R. Medeiros, William A. Goncalves, Sylvia S. Amaral, Vanessa Pinho, Anderson Miyoshi, Vasco A. Z. Azevedo, Rafael M. Rezende, Ana M. C. Faria
Summary: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system. In this study, a protocol of oral tolerance induction using HSP65-producing Lactococcus lactis was proposed and successfully prevented and controlled MOG-induced experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in mice. The treatment resulted in a reduction in EAE clinical score, higher frequencies of regulatory T cells, and reduced leukocyte adherence in the spinal cord. These findings suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for MS and other autoimmune diseases.
CELLULAR IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Hendor N. R. Jesus, Juliana N. N. Ramos, Danilo J. P. G. Rocha, Daniele A. A. Alves, Carolina S. S. Silva, Joao V. O. Cruz, Veronica V. Vieira, Cassius Souza, Louisy S. S. Santos, Jesus Navas, Rommel T. J. Ramos, Vasco Azevedo, Eric R. G. R. Aguiar, Ana L. L. Mattos-Guaraldi, Luis G. C. Pacheco
Summary: This study analyzed the genomes of C. striatum isolates and identified genomic characteristics that contribute to its pathogenicity and multidrug resistance. The research sheds light on the transition of C. striatum from a normal skin microbiome constituent to a multidrug-resistant and invasive pathogen.
FUNCTIONAL & INTEGRATIVE GENOMICS
(2023)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Joyce da Cruz Ferraz Dutra, Marcele Fonseca Passos, Glen Jasper Yupanqui Garcia, Rosimeire Floripes Gomes, Tomas Andrade Magalhaes, Andria dos Santos Freitas, Juliana Guimaraes Laguna, Francielly Morais Rodrigues da Costa, Tales Fernando da Silva, Luciano Santos Rodrigues, Monique Ferrary Americo, Gabriela Munis Campos, Gilberto Pereira, Luciana Vandenbeghe, Carlos Ricardo Soccol, Aristoteles Goes-Neto, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo
Summary: This systematic review examines the potential of utilizing cocoa residues for energy conversion through anaerobic digestion and investigates methods for maximizing methane production. The review analyzed papers published in Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases, selecting articles according to the PRISMA method. The study found a lack of research on anaerobic digestion of cocoa residues, leading to significant heterogeneity in methane yields. However, the review concluded that anaerobic digestion is an effective method for treating cocoa residues. Optimization strategies did not have a significant impact on methane yields, but pretreatment using organic solvents can hinder the process. Anaerobic co-digestion was identified as a viable option depending on the co-substrate. This review is globally relevant for waste management and the exploration of sustainable energy alternatives. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study to utilize quantitative methods, such as multivariate and bivariate statistical approaches, and meta-analysis to address questions regarding the energy conversion of cocoa residues through anaerobic digestion.
ENERGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Parasitology
Gabriela Merker Breyer, Bianca Fagundes Saggin, Silvia de Carli, Maria Eduarda Rocha Jacques da Silva, Mateus Matiuzzi da Costa, Bertram Brenig, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo, Marisa Ribeiro de Itapema Cardoso, Franciele Maboni Siqueira
Summary: This study aims to uncover the virulence profile of Staphylococcus pseudintermedius strains from canine origin. MRSP and MSSP strains were compared to determine their clinical implications. The findings highlight the wide spread of highly virulent and drug-resistant strains, posing potential concerns for One Health issues.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Emilio Mateev, Maya Georgieva, Alexandrina Mateeva, Alexander Zlatkov, Shaban Ahmad, Khalid Raza, Vasco Azevedo, Debmalya Barh
Summary: With the increase in neurodegenerative diseases, monoamine oxidase type B (MAO-B) inhibitors are emerging as promising structures for treatment. Structure-based virtual screening (SBVS), specifically using molecular docking, is a useful tool for drug discovery and development. This study provides insight into the role of MAOs in treating neurodegenerative diseases, discusses the advantages and disadvantages of docking simulations and software, and explores the active sites of MAO-A and MAO-B. New chemical classes of MAO-B inhibitors and their essential fragments are also discussed, providing potential directions for further research.
Article
Oncology
Carolina Ferreira Amorim, Bernardo Almeida Iglesias, Ticiane Rosa Pinheiro, Luiz Eduardo Lacerda, Ana Rita Sokolonski, Beatriz Oliveira Pedreira, Kelly Schneider Moreira, Thiago Augusto Lima Burgo, Roberto Meyer, Vasco Azevedo, Ricardo Wagner Portela
Summary: Cationic porphyrins can effectively photo-inactivate different species of Candida and reduce their adhesion to the surface. These porphyrins have a broad spectrum of antimicrobial action and can inhibit the growth of Candida completely under photodynamic therapy conditions.
PHOTODIAGNOSIS AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Juan Carlos Ariute, Andrei Giachetto Felice, Siomar Soares, Marco Aurelio Siqueira da Gama, Elineide Barbosa de Souza, Vasco Azevedo, Bertram Brenig, Flavia Aburjaile, Ana Maria Benko-Iseppon
Summary: In this study, 14 Ralstonia solanacearum isolates from Brazil were sequenced and analyzed, revealing their similarity to R. solanacearum genomes in NCBI. The new isolates shared more Rips with Moko IIA and Moko IIB than with other public BW genome isolates from Brazil. These findings provide important insights into the association between Rips repertoire and host specificities.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jordana Almeida Santana, Amanda Oliveira Paraguassu, Ranielle Stephanie Toledo Santana, Rafael Gariglio Clark Xavier, Patricia Maria Colleto Freitas, Flavia Figueira Aburjaile, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo, Bertram Brenig, Anders Miki Bojesen, Rodrigo Otavio Silveira Silva
Summary: This study evaluated the risk factors associated with MRSP colonization in dogs admitted to an ICU, and reported antimicrobial resistance profiles and genetic relatedness of MRSP isolates. The results found that female sex, age (>7 years), and previous antimicrobial treatment were associated with MRSP acquisition. Whole-genome sequencing revealed the presence of the same MRSP clone causing infections in dogs outside the ICU. Therefore, improved infection prevention and control practices are necessary in veterinary hospitals, especially in ICUs.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jose Cleves da Silva Maia, Gabriel Amorim de Albuquerque Silva, Leticia Stheffany de Barros Cunha, Gisele Veneroni Gouveia, Aristoteles Goes-Neto, Bertram Brenig, Fabricio Almeida Araujo, Flavia Aburjaile, Rommel Thiago Juca Ramos, Siomar Castro Soares, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo, Mateus Matiuzzi da Costa, Joao Jose de Simoni Gouveia
Summary: This study sequenced and compared Aeromonas veronii isolates to reveal misidentification of genomes and identify a significant number of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes. The results highlight the importance of using methods like ANI to correctly classify genomes, and indicate that A. veronii from local isolates possess similar virulence characteristics as those in public databases, with widespread colistin resistance genes requiring greater attention for surveillance systems.
Article
Microbiology
Max Roberto Batista Araujo, Juliana Nunes Ramos, Lincoln de Oliveira Sant'Anna, Sergio Bokermann, Marlon Benedito Nascimento Santos, Ana Luiza Mattos-Guaraldi, Vasco Azevedo, Fernanda Diniz Prates, Diego Lucas Neres Rodrigues, Flavia Figueira Aburjaile, Claudio Tavares Sacchi, Karoline Rodrigues Campos, Luige Biciati Alvim, Veronica Viana Vieira, Carlos Henrique Camargo, Louisy Sanches dos Santos
Summary: This report presents a case of cutaneous infection caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae, confirming it to be a non-toxigenic strain. The study suggests the possible circulation of ST-536 in Brazil, causing cutaneous infections.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Danitza Xiomara Romero-Calle, Francisnei Pedrosa-Silva, Luiz Marcelo Ribeiro Tome, Vagner Fonseca, Raquel Guimaraes Benevides, Leila Thaise Santana de Oliveira Santos, Tulio de Oliveira, Mateus Matiuzzi da Costa, Luiz Carlos Junior Alcantara, Vasco Ariston de Carvalho Azevedo, Bertram Brenig, Thiago M. Venancio, Craig Billington, Aristoteles Goes-Neto
Summary: Despite the use of new treatments, antimicrobial resistance is still increasing, calling for novel strategies. Bacteriophages have the potential to control bacterial pathogens like Salmonella. A Salmonella phage, Wara, was isolated from water samples in the Subae River Basin in Brazil. Its genome was sequenced using Oxford Nanopore Technologies and Illumina HiSeq, and assembly was carried out using Racon and Unicycler. Wara was found to be a member of the Tequintavirus genus and has therapeutic and biocontrol potential against Salmonella in healthcare and agriculture.