Review
Virology
Qihang Tu, Mingfang Pu, Yahao Li, Yuer Wang, Maochen Li, Lihua Song, Mengzhe Li, Xiaoping An, Huahao Fan, Yigang Tong
Summary: This paper describes the different drug resistances and basic properties of Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii), and analyzes the interaction between phages and their hosts. It also focuses on A. baumannii phage therapies, discussing the chance and challenge of phage therapy. The aim of this paper is to provide a more comprehensive understanding of A. baumannii phages and theoretical support for their clinical application.
Article
Virology
Danielle L. Peters, Carly M. Davis, Greg Harris, Hongyan Zhou, Philip N. Rather, Sabahudin Hrapovic, Edmond Lam, Jonathan J. Dennis, Wangxue Chen
Summary: The world is currently facing a global health crisis due to the rapid increase in antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections. Acinetobacter baumannii, a Gram-negative bacterium with many intrinsic antibiotic resistance mechanisms and the ability to quickly acquire new resistance determinants, is one of the most concerning pathogens. Phage therapy, especially the myoviruses DLP1 and DLP2, shows potential as a treatment option against A. baumannii infections. These phages have a limited host range and exhibit different burst sizes, latency periods, and virulence indices.
Article
Virology
Meity Mardiana, Soon-Hian Teh, Ling-Chun Lin, Nien-Tsung Lin
Summary: In this study, a phage TCUP2199 that can infect multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDRAB) was isolated and characterized. TCUP2199 belongs to the Siphoviridae family, has a wide host range, rapid adsorption, and stability. It can be included in a phage cocktail for the treatment of A. baumannii infection.
Article
Virology
Anastasia S. Shchurova, Mikhail M. Shneider, Nikolay P. Arbatsky, Alexander S. Shashkov, Alexander O. Chizhov, Yuriy P. Skryabin, Yulia Mikhaylova, Olga S. Sokolova, Andrey A. Shelenkov, Konstantin A. Miroshnikov, Yuriy A. Knirel, Anastasia Popova
Summary: Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant nosocomial pathogen capable of producing structurally diverse capsular polysaccharides, which are targeted by bacteriophages encoding polysaccharide-degrading enzymes. A newly isolated myovirus, TaPaz, was found to infect A. baumannii strains with K47 capsular polysaccharide structure, containing genes for two tailspike depolymerases. One of these depolymerases was shown to specifically cleave the K47 CPS through a hydrolytic mechanism.
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Brianna M. Eales, Vincent H. Tam
Summary: This article presents a challenging case of ventilator-associated pneumonia in which bacteriophage therapy was used as a last resort treatment in combination with systemic antibiotics. The data are promising, and several key areas for future research are highlighted.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Greater Kayode Oyejobi, Sunday Olabode Olaniyan, Nana-Aishat Yusuf, Deborah Adepeju Ojewande, Mobolaji Johnson Awopetu, Goodness Opeyemi Oyeniran, Fazal Mehmood Khan, Peter Alabi Dare, Maryam Kikelomo Adegbite-Badmus
Summary: Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial and opportunistic pathogen with high antibiotic resistance. New treatment approaches like the use of bacteriophage, phage-antibiotic combinations, and resistance-driven fitness losses are crucial for controlling its infections.
MICROBIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Xiaoqing Wang, Belinda Loh, Fernando Gordillo Altamirano, Yunsong Yu, Xiaoting Hua, Sebastian Leptihn
Summary: Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections are on the rise, leading to the search for new therapeutic approaches. Phage therapy is gaining attention as an alternative treatment strategy, but faces the challenge of phage-resistant bacteria. This study aims to understand the mechanisms of phage resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii and identifies potential strategies that could be exploited in clinical settings.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Behnam Sisakhtpour, Arezoo Mirzaei, Vajihe Karbasizadeh, Nafiseh Hosseini, Mehdi Shabani, Sharareh Moghim
Summary: A newly isolated lytic phage, pIsf-AB02, showed potent activity against multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and demonstrated suitable stability and endolysin activity. It has the potential to be a therapeutic agent for controlling nosocomial infections.
ANNALS OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND ANTIMICROBIALS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Subhankar Mukhopadhyay, Pengfei Zhang, Kenneth K. W. To, Yannan Liu, Changqing Bai, Sharon S. Y. Leung
Summary: Bacteriophage therapy, utilizing phages as natural enemies of bacteria, is being reintroduced to treat multidrug-resistant bacterial infections. However, the narrow host spectrum and rapid emergence of resistance limit their clinical use. Therefore, the combination of phages and antibiotics, known as phage-antibiotic synergy (PAS), is proposed. This study utilized an Acinetobacter baumannii phage and colistin as a model to investigate the impact of treatment order on PAS. The results showed that simultaneous application of phage and antibiotic effectively suppressed the development of resistance and demonstrated superior antibacterial and antibiofilm activities.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Phitchayapak Wintachai, Komwit Surachat, Kamonnut Singkhamanan
Summary: This study successfully isolated a broad-spectrum lytic Acinetobacter phage and found its potential for targeted treatment of SSTIs. The study also demonstrated that the combination of this phage with tigecycline could effectively eliminate Acinetobacter baumannii.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Phitchayapak Wintachai, Supayang Piyawan Voravuthikunchai
Summary: This study discovered a specific phage against MDR Acinetobacter baumannii and investigated the antimicrobial activity of combining this phage with sacha inchi oil.
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Ehsanollah Ghaznavi-Rad, Majid Komijani, Alireza Moradabadi, Marzieh Rezaei, Nima Shaykh-Baygloo
Summary: This study aimed to isolate, identify, and analyze a new lytic bacteriophage targeting extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The results showed that the isolated phage exhibited high specificity, stability, and therapeutic efficacy in reducing lesion area in a rat model.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bartlomiej Grygorcewicz, Marta Roszak, Rafal Rakoczy, Adrian Augustyniak, Maciej Konopacki, Joanna Jablonska, Natalia Serwin, Elzbieta Cecerska-Heryc, Marian Kordas, Katarzyna Galant, Barbara Dolegowska
Summary: This study applied the PhageScore methodology to assess the activity of bacteriophage-antibiotic combination in liquid bacterial culture. The results showed that the addition of antibiotics had an impact on the lytic activity of bacteriophages. Therefore, the PhageScore method can be used as a tool for evaluating the synergy between bacteriophages and antibiotics.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Fernando L. Gordillo Altamirano, Xenia Kostoulias, Dinesh Subedi, Denis Korneev, Anton Y. Peleg, Jeremy J. Barr
Summary: This study demonstrates that the combination of phage and ceftazidime has a significant bactericidal effect against Acinetobacter baumannii AB900 in vivo. The combination treatment group showed a lower bacterial burden compared to the other treatment groups, suggesting that the combination therapy may be an effective strategy for treating multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bei Ran, Yuyu Yuan, Wenxi Xia, Mingle Li, Qichao Yao, Zuokai Wang, Lili Wang, Xiaoyu Li, Yongping Xu, Xiaojun Peng
Summary: This study introduces a unique cationic photosensitizer (NB) and bacteriophage (ABP)-based photodynamic antimicrobial agent (APNB) for precise bacterial eradication and biofilm ablation. The APNB demonstrates excellent reactive oxygen species (ROS)-production ability and specific binding to pathogenic microorganisms provided by bacteriophages. It shows potential for fighting against multidrug-resistant bacteria and biofilm ablation in practice.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Prasanth Manohar, Madhav Madurantakam Royam, Belinda Loh, Bulent Bozdogan, Ramesh Nachimuthu, Sebastian Leptihn
Summary: The study demonstrates the potential of using phage-antibiotic combinations as an effective therapeutic strategy against infections caused by multidrug resistant bacteria.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Prasanth Manohar, Belinda Loh, Namasivayam Elangovan, Archana Loganathan, Ramesh Nachimuthu, Sebastian Leptihn
Summary: To establish phage therapy as a standard clinical treatment, it is necessary to test each phage for its suitability and safety. However, there is a lack of standard and easy-to-use animal models. This study explores the use of C. elegans as a simple alternative model for testing phages, and the results demonstrate the efficacy of phages in eliminating bacterial pathogens and protecting the nematode from infections.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Editorial Material
Microbiology
Sebastian Leptihn, Belinda Loh
FUTURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jianzhong Fan, Heng Cai, Youhong Fang, Jintao He, Linghong Zhang, Qingye Xu, Yunxing Yang, Sebastian Leptihn, Yunsong Yu, Dongdong Zhao, Xiaoting Hua
Summary: In this study, two Salmonella strains carrying mcr-9 gene were identified from clinical isolates collected in a local hospital in Hangzhou, China. The mcr-9 genes were located on conjugative IncHI2 plasmids, potentially facilitating their dissemination through co-resistance mechanisms. Although the presence of mcr-9 cassette, the strains did not exhibit resistance to colistin.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Shuo Wang, Lukas Findeisen, Sebastian Leptihn, Mark I. Wallace, Marcel Hoerning, Stephan Nussberger
Summary: Wang et al. used single-molecule measurements to uncover a potentially new mechanosensitive functionality of mitochondrial TOM core complexes. They found that TOM-CC switches reversibly between different ion permeability states associated with protein diffusion. This behavior is explained by the mechanical binding of TOM-CC to a hydrogel and the opening and closing of beta-barrel pores.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yue Yao, Qianjin Zhou, Yu Feng, Sebastian Leptihn, Yunsong Yu, Xiaoting Hua
Summary: In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of Vibrio harveyi strain ATCC 33866, which consists of two circular chromosomes.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Nachimuthu Ramesh, Prasanth Manohar, Kandasamy Eniyan, Loganathan Archana, Sudarsanan Athira, Belinda Loh, Long Ma, Sebastian Leptihn
Summary: This study characterized a putative endolysin and found that it had strong antibacterial activity against Gram-negative pathogens. The study demonstrates the potential of this endolysin as an antibacterial protein.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Shri Natrajan Arumugam, Prasanth Manohar, Sunilkumar Sukumaran, Sathish Sadagopan, Belinda Loh, Sebastian Leptihn, Ramesh Nachimuthu
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of two Pseudomonas bacteriophages in the treatment of bacteremia in mice models. The results showed that a single dose of phages at higher concentrations was effective in eliminating bloodstream infection and achieving 100% mice survival.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Linyue Zhang, Ying Fu, Linghong Zhang, Qingye Xu, Yunxing Yang, Jintao He, Sebastian Leptihn, Belinda Loh, Robert A. Moran, Willem van Schaik, Mark Alexander Toleman, Qiong Chen, Lilin Liu, Yunsong Yu, Xiaoting Hua
Summary: This study investigates the co-evolutionary dynamics between carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and a plasmid encoding OXA-23 carbapenemase. The researchers found that the bacteria gradually adapted to the presence of the antibiotic imipenem through mechanisms such as duplication of the OXA-23 gene and chromosomal adaptations, leading to improved fitness of plasmid-carrying cells.
EVOLUTIONARY APPLICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mengjie Shao, Nanjiao Ying, Qian Liang, Nan Ma, Sebastian Leptihn, Yunsong Yu, Huan Chen, Chengzhi Liu, Xiaoting Hua
Summary: Studies have found a close relationship between pdif sites and antibiotic resistance gene modules, which facilitate cross-genus transfer. A web server called pdifFinder was developed to predict pdif-ARGs modules in bacterial genomes. This research is of great importance for understanding and controlling the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria in clinical settings.
BRIEFINGS IN BIOINFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jintao He, Qiucheng Shi, Zhifu Chen, Wang Zhang, Peng Lan, Qingye Xu, Huangdu Hu, Qiong Chen, Jianzhong Fan, Yan Jiang, Belinda Loh, Sebastian Leptihn, Quanming Zou, Jinyong Zhang, Yunsong Yu, Xiaoting Hua
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the in vivo evolution of the mucoid phenotype of ST11-KL64 carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) and gain insights into the diverse evolution and biology of these strains. Whole genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were used to determine the mutations involved in the mucoid phenotype. Gene knockout, bacterial morphology, and CPS extraction were used to verify the roles of wzc and wcaJ in the mucoid phenotypes. Antimicrobial susceptibility, growth assay, biofilm formation, host cell adhesion, and virulence assay were used to investigate the pleiotropic role of CPS changes in the CRKP strains.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yinfei Fang, Nanfei Wang, Zhaoxia Wu, Yijun Zhu, Yongjun Ma, Yue Li, Heng Cai, Piaopiao Zhang, Sebastian Leptihn, Yunsong Yu, Xiaoting Hua, Yuexing Tu
Summary: The increased carbapenem resistance among Pseudomonas aeruginosa worldwide has led to the emergence of an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strain PA30, which carries multiple resistance genes, including bla(IMP-45), bla(AFM-1), and bla(KPC-2). The plasmids pPA30_1 and pPA30_2 obtained through characterization of PA30 contain different combinations of these resistance genes and have similarities to previously reported plasmids. The findings indicate potential dissemination of these plasmids among different clones of P. aeruginosa.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xiaochen Liu, Yunjie Chang, Qingye Xu, Wang Zhang, Zhen Huang, Linyue Zhang, Shanshan Weng, Sebastian Leptihn, Yan Jiang, Yunsong Yu, Xiaoting Hua
Summary: The widespread prevalence of multi-drug-resistant A. baumannii (MDRAB) is a significant challenge for treatment. Cefiderocol is a promising antibiotic for MDRAB infections. This study demonstrated that mutations in baeS and baeR reduce susceptibility to cefiderocol by increasing the expression of efflux pumps. The study also revealed the regulatory effects of BaeSR on other operons and provided insights into cefiderocol resistance and virulence in A. baumannii.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yinping Wang, Jintao He, Long Sun, Yan Jiang, Lihua Hu, Sebastian Leptihn, Pengfei Zhu, Xiaoting Fu, Yunsong Yu, Xiaoting Hua
Summary: This study characterized two Escherichia coli strains isolated from a patient before and after treatment, showing increased resistance and gene copy number variation in the post-treatment strain. The increased gene copy number did not impose fitness costs on the strain.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Mohamed S. H. Hassan, Ahmed Ali, Motamed Elsayed Mahmoud, Danah Altakrouni, Shahnas M. Najimudeen, Mohamed Faizal Abdul-Careem
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of different vaccination programs against Canadian DMV/1639 IBV and found that the autogenous inactivated DMV/1639 vaccine was more effective in reducing viral loads and boosting virus neutralization titers. Both vaccination programs provided significant protection against pathological effects.
Article
Virology
Wanda Christ, Jonas Klingstrom, Janne Tynell
Summary: The integrated stress response (ISR) is activated in response to SARS-CoV-2 infection, triggering translational arrest and inhibiting stress granule formation. However, the stress-responsive transcription factors ATF4 and CHOP are not induced. Different SARS-CoV-2 variants show variant-specific differences in ISR activation, suggesting potential impacts on pathogenesis and treatment strategies.
Article
Virology
Xiao Han, Hankun Xu, Yifan Weng, Rong Chen, Jidong Xu, Tong Cao, Renjie Sun, Ying Shan, Fang He, Weihuan Fang, Xiaoliang Li
Summary: Classical swine fever virus (CSFV) can inhibit the host innate immunity by decreasing the level of high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), and CSFV Npro can evade host antiviral immune response through upregulating HMGB1 acetylation.
Article
Virology
Sunjian Lyu, Fulei Xiong, Tianpeng Qi, Weifeng Shen, Qi Guo, Mingming Han, Li Liu, Weishao Bu, Julin Yuan, Bao Lou
Summary: This study identified and characterized a novel temperate A. hydrophila phage, P05B, which has strong lytic ability and stability across different temperatures and pH values.
Article
Virology
Siyuan Liu, Wei Chen, Raphael Nyaruaba, Shunlong Wang, Cihan Yang, Qun Wu, Ying Liu, Puyu Liu, Fei Wang, Jingling Wang, Zhiming Yuan, Dingwei Sun, Han Xia
Summary: Specific, sensitive, and reliable RT-qPCR assays for the detection of OYAV and EBIV have been successfully developed in this study. These assays hold great promise for their potential application in clinical and field samples in the future.
Article
Virology
Rui Wang, Qiang Sun, Jinbo Xiao, Congcong Wang, Xiaoliang Li, Jichen Li, Yang Song, Huanhuan Lu, Ying Liu, Shuangli Zhu, Zhijun Liu, Yong Zhang
Summary: Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) has emerged as an important agent causing hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Mutations in residue 64 of the virus have been found to increase resistance to ribavirin and decrease sensitivity to guanidine hydrochloride. This mutation also leads to increased replication fidelity and reduced pathogenicity. These findings provide a foundation for the development of a safe and effective live attenuated CVA6 vaccine.
Article
Virology
Yao Xiong, Keran Ma, Xiao Zou, Yantao Liang, Kaiyang Zheng, Tiancong Wang, Hong Zhang, Yue Dong, Ziyue Wang, Yundan Liu, Hongbing Shao, Andrew Mcminn, Min Wang
Summary: This study isolated a novel virus, vB_VviC_ZQ26, infecting Vibrio cyclitrophicus from coastal waters near Qingdao, China. It was found that vB_VviC_ZQ26 belongs to a new vibriophage-specific family, Coheviridae, and is mainly found in temperate and tropical epipelagic zones.
Article
Virology
Xing Li, Zhiping Ye, Ewan P. Plant
Summary: By analyzing clinical and cultured samples using the same bioinformatic pipeline, it was found that 5' copyback DVGs are prevalent in human clinical samples but not in cultured samples. Furthermore, there are differences in DVG production and composition between in vivo and in vitro infections.
Article
Virology
Shreya Banerjee, Rakesh Sarkar, Arpita Mukherjee, Suvrotoa Mitra, Animesh Gope, Mamta Chawla-Sarkar
Summary: Rotavirus is a major cause of viral gastroenteritis in infants and continues to be a severe issue in underdeveloped nations. Recent research has shown that a long non-coding RNA called SLC7A11-AS1 is upregulated during rotavirus infection and plays a role in facilitating the virus's propagation by regulating intracellular glutathione and lipid peroxidation.
Article
Virology
Eiichi Hondo, Tetsufumi Katta, Ayato Sato, Naoya Kadofusa, Tomoki Ishibashi, Hiroshi Shimoda, Hirokazu Katoh, Atsuo Iida
Summary: Bat-borne emerging viruses, such as the Ebola virus and Nipah virus, pose a significant threat to public health. In this study, we identified micafungin as a potential antiviral drug against Pteropine orthoreovirus (PRV) and found that it inhibits viral release in human cells through activating the endoplasmic reticulum stress response pathway. This research provides valuable insights into the development of effective treatments for future virus pandemics.
Article
Virology
M. Joubert, N. van den Berg, J. Theron, V. Swart
Summary: This study investigated the host gene expression in asymptomatic avocado nursery trees infected with Avocado sunblotch viroid (ASBVd) using RNA sequencing. The results showed that 631 genes were differentially expressed during infection, with 63% upregulated. ASBVd infection significantly affected plant defence responses, phytohormone networks, gene expression pathways, secondary metabolism, cellular transport, as well as protein modification and degradation. This study provides insights into the molecular interactions underlying avsunviroid-host interactions.
Article
Virology
Wanling Zhang, Haiyan Yang, Zhengyun Liu, Shengyu Wang, Tianyang Chen, Hong Song, Yunbin Xu, Fajin Li, Guo Luo, Huan Wang
Summary: EV71 infection leads to changes in mitochondrial morphology and dynamics in human neuroblastoma cells, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction that may contribute to nervous system dysfunction.
Article
Virology
Mikhail Oliveira Leastro, Elliot Watanabe Kitajima, Vicente Pallas, Jesus Angel Sanchez- Navarro
Summary: This study reports the construction and validation of an infectious cDNA clone of Citrus leprosis virus C (CiLV-C) based on an agroinfection system. Agro-injected Nicotiana benthamiana plants showed localized lesions similar to the natural infection process. The virus recovered from the infected plant tissue could be mechanically transmitted between plants. The CiLV-C reverse genetic system provides a powerful molecular tool for unraveling the peculiarities of the citrus leprosis pathosystem.
Article
Virology
Manel Essaidi-Laziosi, Francisco J. Perez-Rodriguez, Catia Alvarez, Pascale Sattonnet-Roche, Giulia Torriani, Meriem Bekliz, Kenneth Adea, Matthias Lenk, Tasnim Suliman, Wolfgang Preiser, Marcel A. Mueller, Christian Drosten, Laurent Kaiser, Isabella Eckerle
Summary: This study found that the Omicron variant has different replication characteristics compared to other variants of concern, being able to efficiently produce infectious virus in nasal cells but not lung cells. In addition, the Delta and Omicron variants showed increased infection efficiency in A549 cells. These findings suggest that the variants of concern have better adaptation to humans but do not have an extended host range.
Article
Virology
Martin Faye, Modeste Name Faye, Babacar Ndiaye, Moussa Moise Diagne, Safietou Sankhe, Ndeye Marieme Top, Amadou Diallo, Cheikh Loucoubar, Ndongo Dia, Amadou Alpha Sall, Ousmane Faye
Summary: Genomic surveillance in Senegal since March 2020 has detected the emergence of Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 sublineages in June 2022. Next-generation sequencing and phylogeny analysis of isolates from a cluster of cases in Northern Senegal in July 2022 revealed that the BA.4 cases originated from a XAS recombinant, marking the first reported sequence of this variant from Senegal. Continuous genomic surveillance of positive SARS-CoV-2 samples is crucial.
