Article
Cell Biology
Charles Jakielaszek, Mohammad Hossain, Lian Qian, Cindy Fishman, Katherine Widdowson, Jamese J. Hilliard, Frank Mannino, Aparna Raychaudhuri, Elisabeth Carniel, Samandra Demons, Henry S. Heine, Jeremy Hershfield, Riccardo Russo, William M. Mega, David Revelli, Karen O'Dwyer
Summary: The study demonstrates that gepotidacin shows efficacy in the African green monkey model of pneumonic plague caused by Y. pestis, with activity observed against various Y. pestis isolates. The results support the potential use of gepotidacin as a treatment for pneumonic plague caused by Y. pestis.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, David M. Wagner, Dawn N. Birdsell, Birgit Nikolay, Faniry Rakotoarimanana, Lovasoa N. Randriantseheno, Amy J. Vogler, Jason W. Sahl, Carina M. Hall, Nawarat Somprasong, Simon Cauchemez, Herbert P. Schweizer, Harimahefa Razafimandimby, Christophe Rogier, Minoarisoa Rajerison
Summary: This study retrospectively characterized a pneumonic plague outbreak in Madagascar, finding that the infection was caused by a Yersinia pestis strain resistant to streptomycin. The outbreak occurred during funeral practices and all patients recovered after antimicrobial therapy.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Samantha D. Crane, Srijon K. Banerjee, Kara R. Eichelberger, Richard C. Kurten, William E. Goldman, Roger D. Pechous
Summary: Yersinia pestis, a highly virulent pathogen that causes different types of plague, utilizes BipA as a virulence factor in primary pneumonic plague to defend against early neutrophil-mediated bacterial killing. This highlights the importance of bacterial/neutrophil interactions in the lung during the early stages of primary pneumonic plague.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Hayley M. Theriot, Priyangi A. Malaviarachchi, Madeleine G. Scott, Kenneth T. Appell, Srijon K. Banerjee, Roger D. Pechous
Summary: Inhalation of respiratory droplets infected with Y. pestis leads to primary pneumonic plague, characterized by a biphasic disease progression. The initial preinflammatory phase is marked by rapid bacterial replication in the lungs without detectable host immune responses. This is followed by a proinflammatory phase with cytokine upregulation and neutrophil accumulation. The virulence factor Pla plays a crucial role in Y. pestis survival, acting as an adhesin that promotes binding to alveolar macrophages and facilitates translocation of effector proteins. Pla-mediated suppression of IL-17 expression in alveolar macrophages and neutrophils contributes to the establishment of the preinflammatory phase, while IL-17 ultimately promotes neutrophil migration and the proinflammatory phase.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Samantha D. Crane, Srijon K. Banerjee, Roger D. Pechous
Summary: Severe and late-stage pneumonias are difficult to treat with antibiotics alone due to host inflammatory responses. This study found that pre-treatment with intranasal fluticasone propionate enhanced the efficacy of delayed antibiotic delivery and improved survival in a murine model of primary pneumonic plague. These findings suggest that targeting host inflammatory responses may improve treatment outcomes for severe and late-stage pneumonia.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Quirine Ten Bosch, Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, Beza Ramasindrazana, Guillain Mikaty, Rado J. L. Rakotonanahary, Birgit Nikolay, Soloandry Rahajandraibe, Maxence Feher, Quentin Grassin, Juliette Paireau, Soanandrasana Rahelinirina, Rindra Randremanana, Feno Rakotoarimanana, Marie Melocco, Voahangy Rasolofo, Javier Pizarro-Cerda, Anne-Sophie Le Guern, Eric Bertherat, Maherisoa Ratsitorahina, Andre Spiegel, Laurence Baril, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Simon Cauchemez
Summary: During outbreaks, the lack of a diagnostic gold standard can hinder resource allocation and mask the true burden of infection. This study presents an analytical framework to evaluate and optimize the use of diagnostics when multiple imperfect tests are available. By analyzing laboratory results from the 2017 pneumonic and bubonic plague outbreak in Madagascar, the study found that the extent of the outbreaks had been unclear due to nonoptimal assays. Molecular biology methods offered the best compromise between sensitivity and specificity.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hailian Wu, Haisheng Wu, Yongshun Wang, Hongying Li, Fuzhang Tian, Kuizhang Zhou, Zhizhen Qi, Yiquan Zhang, Qingwen Zhang, Xuefei Zhang
Summary: This study developed a Himalayan marmot information collection system based on 3S technology and V3.0, and drew a spatial distribution map of Himalayan marmots in Qinghai Province. The accuracy of the map was validated through field data collection, leading to improved efficiency in plague surveillance and reduced workload for researchers.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aida Andrades Valtuena, Gunnar U. Neumann, Maria A. Spyrou, Lyazzat Musralina, Franziska Aron, Arman Beisenov, Andrey B. Belinskiy, Kirsten I. Bos, Alexandra Buzhilova, Matthias Conrad, Leyla B. Djansugurova, Miroslav Dobes, Michal Ernee, Javier Fernandez-Eraso, Bruno Frohlich, Miroslaw Furmanek, Agata Haluszko, Svend Hansen, Eadaoin Harney, Alina N. Hiss, Alexander Hubner, Felix M. Key, Elmira Khussainova, Egor Kitov, Alexandra O. Kitova, Corina Knipper, Denise Kuhnert, Carles Lalueza-Fox, Judith Littleton, Ken Massy, Alissa Mittnik, Jose Antonio Mujika-Alustiza, Inigo Olalde, Luka Papac, Sandra Penske, Jaroslav Peska, Ron Pinhasi, David Reich, Sabine Reinhold, Raphaela Stahl, Harald Stauble, Rezeda I. Tukhbatova, Sergey Vasilyev, Elizaveta Veselovskaya, Christina Warinner, Philipp W. Stockhammer, Wolfgang Haak, Johannes Krause, Alexander Herbig
Summary: A study reveals the dynamic nature of early evolution and ecology of the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, which caused devastating outbreaks throughout human history. The study presents 17 ancient Y. pestis genomes dating back 5,000 to 2,500 years ago, showing correlations between temporal, geographical, and genetic distance and providing clues on its early evolution and potential adaptation.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Saber Esmaeili, Ahmad Mahmoudi, Parisa Esmaeili, Zohreh Yousefi Ghalejoogh, Alireza Mordadi, Ahmad Ghasemi, Ali Mohammadi, Amin Bagheri, Aria Sohrabi, Mina Latifian, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Javier Pizarro-Cerda, Ehsan Mostafavi
Summary: This study conducted a large-scale investigation of Yersinia pestis infection in shepherd dogs, rodents, and their fleas in old foci for plague in Western Iran. The results showed serological evidence of Y. pestis infection, indicating the ongoing presence of plague in this region and the need for continuous surveillance.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
R. Barbieri, M. Signoli, D. Cheve, C. Costedoat, S. Tzortzis, G. Aboudharam, D. Raoult, M. Drancourt
Summary: Plague can be transmitted through different routes, including fecal-oral, respiratory, and ingestion routes. Control of plague infection relies on early diagnosis, antibiotic treatment, and isolation measures. The disease has existed for at least 5,000 years, with well-established monitoring and prevention measures in Eurasia.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jianyun Li, Yumeng Wang, Fang Liu, Xiaona Shen, Yiting Wang, Mengguang Fan, Yao Peng, Shuyi Wang, Yilan Feng, Wen Zhang, Yanning Lv, Huijuan Zhang, Xin Lu, Enmin Zhang, Jianchun Wei, Lijuan Chen, Biao Kan, Zhongbing Zhang, Jianguo Xu, Wenrui Wang, Wei Li
Summary: The study highlights the significant threat of plague to human health, as seen in the plague outbreaks in Madagascar in 2017 and Inner Mongolia in 2019. By utilizing genome-wide SNP analysis and PCR-based molecular subtyping, the research identifies that local rodent plague epizootics are the source of human plague cases and emphasizes the importance of early warning and risk communication due to the lack of geographic barriers between the plague foci in Inner Mongolia and Mongolia.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Guillain Mikaty, Christian E. Demeure, Sofia Filali, Javier Pizarro-Cerda, Pierre Goossens, Elisabeth Carniel
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether DIC occurs at the late stages of plague and anthrax. The results showed that animals infected with anthrax exhibited typical DIC characteristics, while those infected with plague did not. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms behind these hemorrhages is crucial.
MICROBES AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Saugata Majumder, Rachel M. Olson, Amit Singh, Xiuran Wang, Peng Li, Hatem Kittana, Paul E. Anderson, Deborah M. Anderson, Wei Sun
Summary: In this study, a newly attenuated Yptb1 strain with triple mutation and chromosomal insertion of Y. pestis operon was constructed as a live vaccine platform. Oral immunization with Yptb1 provided complete short-term and long-term protection against pneumonic plague in mice and rats, without causing any disease symptoms. The Yptb1 also induced potent antibody and cellular immune responses, showing high potential as an oral vaccine candidate.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Raysa Rosario-Acevedo, Sergei S. Biryukov, Joel A. Bozue, Christopher K. Cote
Summary: Plague, caused by the bacterial pathogen Yersinia pestis, is a vector-borne disease that continues to infect humans worldwide. Research on vaccines and therapeutics for plague is important for infection mitigation and disease treatment, as plague remains a public health threat and biodefense concern.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diego Leandro Reis da Silva Fernandes, Elainne Christine de Souza Gomes, Matheus Filgueira Bezerra, Ricardo Jose de Paula Souza e Guimaraes, Alzira Maria Paiva de Almeida
Summary: This study utilized satellite data and historical files to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of human plague cases in Pernambuco, Northeastern Brazil. The findings revealed a shift of infection from urban to wild-sylvatic areas and the reemergence of cases after a period of quiescence.
Article
Microbiology
Roger D. Pechous, Christopher A. Broberg, Nikolas M. Stasulli, Virginia L. Miller, William E. Goldman
Article
Microbiology
Nikolas M. Stasulli, Kara R. Eichelberger, Paul A. Price, Roger D. Pechous, Stephanie A. Montgomery, Joel S. Parker, William E. Goldman
Article
Microbiology
Vijay Sivaraman, Roger D. Pechous, Nikolas M. Stasulli, Edward A. Miao, William E. Goldman
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laura Goeser, Ting-Jia Fan, Sandrine Tchaptchet, Nikolas Stasulli, William E. Goldman, R. Balfour Sartor, Jonathan J. Hansen
Article
Microbiology
Roger D. Pechous, Vijay Sivaraman, Paul A. Price, Nikolas M. Stasulli, William E. Goldman
Article
Microbiology
Scott M. Yourstone, Ilon Weinstein, Elizabeth Ademski, Elizabeth A. Shank, Nikolas M. Stasulli
Summary: This study compares the bacterial communities of environmental samples from the detritus of leaf cavities of Sarracenia minor and Sarracenia flava pitcher plants, revealing that different species of Sarracenia contain distinct bacterial members within their pitchers. This indicates that these communities are potentially enriched by the plants' chemical or physical environment, rather than randomly established based on environmental factors and prey availability. These naturally occurring confined microbial ecosystems within Sarracenia pitchers could help establish carnivorous pitcher plants as a model system for understanding the development and succession of microbial communities.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Timothy Yaroshuk, Nikolas M. Stasulli
Summary: In this study, we report the complete genome sequence of Luteibacter anthropi strain SM7.4, isolated from decaying insect detritus inside a carnivorous pitcher plant (Sarracenia minor), using a combination of Oxford Nanopore MinION flow cell and paired-end Illumina sequencing approaches.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Nikolas M. Stasulli, Elizabeth A. Shank
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2016)
