Article
Immunology
Alissa Hammoud, Meriem Louni, Florence Fenollar, Hubert Bassene, Masse Sambou, Nathalie Duclos, Georges Diatta, Cheikh Sokhna, Anthony Levasseur, Didier Raoult, Oleg Mediannikov
Summary: The current paradigm of trench fever transmission by body lice is challenged by the isolation of identical strains of Bartonella quintana from patients and head lice. Confirmation of head lice as a vector will have implications for the treatment and prevention of louse-borne diseases. This study provides evidence of head lice vectorial capacity by detecting live B. quintana in head lice and finding genetic identity between strains from patients' blood and head lice during an outbreak.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Toshinori Sasaki, Mayumi Matsuoka, Kyoko Sawabe, Haruhiko Isawa, Keigo Shibayama, Mutsuo Kobayashi
Summary: This study aimed to detect Bartonella quintana in body lice and blood samples obtained from people staying in shelters in Osaka using PCR and ELISA. The results showed that trench fever was endemic among the homeless population in Osaka between 2009 and 2010.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Toshinori Sasaki, Tomohide Adachi, Kazuto Itoh, Mayumi Matsuoka, Takuya Yamagishi, Maki Hirao, Haruhiko Isawa, Kazunori Oishi, Keigo Shibayama, Kyoko Sawabe
Summary: The prevalence of B. quintana infection among homeless individuals in Tokyo between 2013 and 2015 was found to be significant, highlighting the need for it to be considered in the differential diagnoses for febrile homeless patients.
JAPANESE JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Parasitology
Kyungjae Andrew Yoon, Do Eun Lee, Si Hyeock Lee, Ju Hyeon Kim
Summary: The body and head lice of humans are conspecific, but only the body louse functions as a vector to transmit bacterial pathogens such as Bartonella quintana. Differences in the molecular and functional properties of the two louse subspecies may contribute to the differential vector competence between them.
PARASITES & VECTORS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Wanat Sricharern, Supakarn Kaewchot, Phirabhat Saengsawang, Sarawan Kaewmongkol, Tawin Inpankaew
Summary: Bartonella quintana, a zoonotic pathogen with a global distribution, was found in long-tailed macaques in Thailand, indicating the potential role of these primates as reservoir hosts. Despite a low infection rate, the study suggests that long-tailed macaques may serve as a reservoir for B. quintana.
Review
Immunology
Carl Boodman, Nitin Gupta, Christina A. Nelson, Johan van Griensven
Summary: Bartonella quintana endocarditis is a global disease that disproportionately affects marginalized populations and patients in low-income countries. Improved education and diagnostic capacity are needed to identify and treat this condition before it progresses to endocarditis.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zachary Shepard, Lilian Vargas Barahona, Gabrielle Montalbano, Sarah E. Rowan, Carlos Franco-Paredes, Nancy Madinger
Summary: B. quintana is an underrecognized cause of serious infection in individuals experiencing homelessness. Serologic and microbiologic testing, including prolonged culture incubation, should be considered in at-risk patients due to ongoing transmission in homeless populations.
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Katarina Petrikova, Monika Halanova, Ingrid Babinska, Mariia Logoida, Karin Kaliarikova, Peter Jarcuska, Sylvia Drazilova, Vladimira Sobolova, Martin Janicko
Summary: The genus Bartonella is a rapidly expanding group of bacteria that occur in different animal species and can also be transmitted to humans. Three species, B. henselae, B. bacilliformis, and B. quintana, are responsible for the majority of human cases. A pilot study in Eastern Slovakia found a seroprevalence of 23.5% for B. henselae and 24.8% for B. quintana, with a statistically higher prevalence in women for B. quintana. Significant but clinically irrelevant differences were observed in uric acid levels and serum creatinine between seropositive and seronegative groups.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Joshua Kamani, Yaarit Nachum-Biala, Laminu Bukar, Mike Shand, Shimon Harrus
Summary: This study used molecular methods to detect the DNA of pathogens in human lice collected from children in conflict-affected areas in Nigeria. Results showed the presence of DNA from Bartonella quintana, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Acinetobacter haemolyticus in the lice samples. More body lice than head lice tested positive for pathogen's DNA, but the difference was not significant. Two lice samples were found to have mixed DNA of B. quintana and A. baumannii. This is the first report of molecular identification of human lice and detection of DNA from pathogens in lice in Nigeria. The findings have important implications for policymakers and medical practitioners in providing comprehensive healthcare to internally displaced people.
ZOONOSES AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Lauren Kress, Rashaun Potts, Jose E. Pietri
Summary: Bartonella quintana can be transmitted to humans through body lice, but the vertical transmission from infected lice to their eggs has limited impact on the transmission dynamics to humans.
PATHOGENS AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Carl Boodman, William MacDougall, Michael Hawkes, Gregory Tyrrell, Sergio Fanella
Summary: A case of Bartonella quintana endocarditis in an 11-year-old child from Northern Manitoba, Canada is described. The case highlights the neglected endemicity of B. quintana in Northern Canada and emphasizes the need for improved case finding and identification of specific risk factors for B. quintana infection. The authors hypothesize that B. quintana's endemicity in Northern Canada is linked to inadequate access to suitable housing and running water among remote communities.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shingo Sato, Lev Shapira, Diana Tasher, Soichi Maruyama, Michael Giladi
Summary: By analyzing the genetic characteristics of B. quintana strains from patients with endocarditis in Eastern Africa and Israel, this study identified 5 new sequence types and 6 previously known ones. The findings suggest that B. quintana has co-evolved with host species, leading to host-specific patterns. ST26 is suggested as the primary founder of the human lineage and ST2 is associated with B. quintana endocarditis. Further molecular epidemiological studies are needed to confirm these findings.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
David W. McCormick, Sarah E. Rowan, Ryan Pappert, Brook Yockey, Elizabeth A. Dietrich, Jeannine M. Petersen, Alison F. Hinckley, Grace E. Marx
Summary: In a recent outbreak of Bartonella quintana disease in Denver, 15% of 241 homeless individuals tested for SARS-CoV-2 were found to be seroreactive for Bartonella. Improved recognition of B. quintana disease and prevention of louse infestation are crucial for this vulnerable population.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manachai Yingklang, Chadaporn Nuchjangreed Gordon, Patchana Hengboriboonpong Jaidee, Phonpilas Thongpon, Somchai Pinlaor
Summary: This study compared the efficacy of botanical and synthetic pediculicides with that of 4% dimeticone liquid gel for treating lice in Thailand. The results showed that 4% dimeticone demonstrated higher pediculicidal efficacy compared to chemical and botanical pediculicides. It suggests that 4% dimeticone could be considered as an alternative treatment option for lice in Thailand.
Article
Microbiology
Tafese Beyene Tufa, Gabriele Margos, Volker Fingerle, Christine Hartberger, Sven Poppert, Richard J. Birtles, Peter Kraiczy, Volkhard A. J. Kempf, Hagen Frickmann, Torsten Feldt
Summary: By screening human lice from homeless Ethiopian individuals, this study confirmed the presence of Bartonella quintana in the local louse population. The findings emphasize the need for larger studies to accurately assess the infection risk of lice-infested individuals and stress the importance of prevention among homeless individuals, especially considering the ongoing migration of refugees.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Emilie Javelle, Aurelie Mayet, Rodrigue S. Allodji, Catherine Marimoutou, Chrystel Lavagna, Jerome Desplans, Matthieu Million, Didier Raoult, Gaetan Texier
Summary: This study evaluated the impact of doxycycline (DOXY) on body weight in military international travelers. The results showed that DOXY did not cause significant weight gain in soldiers. However, other factors such as fatty food, sedentary lifestyle, and strain-specific probiotics may contribute to weight gain.
Article
Virology
Philippe Colson, Philippe Gautret, Jeremy Delerce, Herve Chaudet, Pierre Pontarotti, Patrick Forterre, Raphael Tola, Marielle Bedotto, Lea Delorme, Wahiba Bader, Anthony Levasseur, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Matthieu Million, Nouara Yahi, Jacques Fantini, Bernard La Scola, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Didier Raoult
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of the French variant Marseille-4 of SARS-CoV-2 over a 10-month period, identifying two subvariants and analyzing their mutations and lifetimes. The findings suggest that beneficial mutations can initiate new outbreaks, while the accumulation of other mutations can result in the disappearance of lineages.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Rossella Maria Benvenga, Christophe Tribouilloy, Hector I. Michelena, Angelo Silverio, Florent Arregle, Helene Martel, Seyhan Denev, Yohann Bohbot, Sandrine Hubert, Sebastien Renard, Laurence Camoin, Anne Claire Casalta, Jean Paul Casalta, Frederic Gouyier, Alberto Riberi, Hubert Lepidi, Frederic Collart, Didier Raoult, Michel Drancourt, Gennaro Galasso, Daniel C. DeSimone, Rodolfo Citro, Gilbert Habb
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of different bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) morphology in infective endocarditis (IE). Patients were divided into two groups based on echocardiographic definition: right-left coronary (RL type) and right noncoronary or left noncoronary (non-RL type) cusp fusion. The study found that patients with BAV and IE may have different clinical and echocardiographic features according to valve morphology, and they tend to be referred late, even with pre-existing BAV disease.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY OF ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Reham Magdy Wasfy, Malak Zoaiter, Melhem Bilen, Maryam Tidjani Alou, Cheikh Ibrahima Lo, Sara Bellali, Aurelia Caputo, Stephane Alibar, Claudia Andrieu, Didier Raoult, Pierre Edouard Fournier, Matthieu Million
Summary: This article reports a novel bacterial strain Marseille-P4005(T) isolated from a stool sample of a healthy donor. It is a Gram-stain negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming rod that grows optimally at 37 degrees C and at pH 7.0. Genomic analysis revealed it as a new species within the genus Agathobaculum, named Agathobaculum massiliense sp. nov. The strain showed resistance to several antibiotics and exhibited specific metabolic capabilities.
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Myrto Koutantou, Konstantinos Kambas, Sofia Makka, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Didier Raoult, Emmanouil Angelakis
Summary: Cat scratch disease (CSD) is difficult to diagnose, and serological assays have limitations in terms of sensitivity and specificity. Molecular assays should be considered as the gold standard for confirming CSD, and lymph node biopsy may be necessary in suspicious cases.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES & MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Sory Ibrahima Traore, Cheikh Ibrahima Lo, Maaloum Mossaab, Guillaume Durand, Jean Christophe Lagier, Didier Raoult, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Florence Fenollar
Summary: Bacterial strain Marseille-P3954 was isolated from a stool sample of a 35-year-old male patient living in France. It belongs to a new bacterial genus, classified in a new family, based on its genomic, phenotypic, and phylogenetic evidences. The proposed classification is Maliibacterium massiliense gen. nov., sp. nov. with the type strain Marseille-P3954 (CSUR P3954 = CECT 9568).
CURRENT MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Bekir Celebi, Derya Karatas Yeni, Yusuf Yilmaz, Ferhat Matur, Cahit Babur, Mehmet Ali Oktem, Mustafa Sozen, Ahmet Karatas, Didier Raoult, Oleg Mediannikov, Pierre Edouard Fournier
Summary: This study examined Borrelia species in rodents captured from rural areas of Turkey. Borrelia miyamotoi was discovered in 1.7% of the blood samples collected from wild rodents. This is the first report of B. miyamotoi presence in rodents in Turkey.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Afaf Hamame, Reham Magdy Wasfy, Cheikh Ibrahima Lo, Florence Fenollar, Didier Raoult, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Linda Houhamdi
Summary: Two new bacterial strains, Marseille-P2698(T) and Marseille-P2260(T), were isolated from human stools using the culturomic method. These two strains were fully described using the taxonogenomic approach. Marseille-P2698(T) was identified as a Gram-negative, motile, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, while Marseille-P2260(T) was identified as a Gram-positive, motile, spore-forming rod-shaped bacterium.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Philippe Brouqui, Michel Drancourt, Didier Raoult
NEW MICROBES AND NEW INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anna Barbiero, Tommaso Manciulli, Michele Spinicci, Iacopo Vellere, Maria Grazia Colao, Gian Maria Rossolini, Alessandro Bartoloni, Didier Raoult, Lorenzo Zammarchi
Summary: This study reports ten cases of SENLAT in Tuscany, Italy, with symptoms including scalp eschar and cervical lymphadenopathy. The difficulty of microbiological diagnosis and previous antibiotic treatment administration hindered the identification of the causative agent.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Akiko Hisada, Erino Matsumoto, Ryo Hirano, Mami Konomi, Jacques Yaacoub Bou Khalil, Didier Raoult, Yusuke Ominami
Summary: Rapid determination of drug efficacy against bacterial pathogens is crucial for detecting potentially resistant bacteria and optimizing the use of antimicrobials. This study proposes a simplified method for assessing antimicrobial efficacy by detecting immediate damage to bacterial cells using tabletop SEM. The method involves staining unaffected bacterial cell envelopes and whole affected cells, with brighter images indicating lethal damage. By quantifying single-cell images based on brightness, the efficacy of antimicrobials in causing bacterial-cell-envelope damage can be determined.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Correction
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Thi Loi Dao, Van Thuan Hoang, Amal Magmoun, Tran Duc Anh Ly, Sophie Alexandra Baron, Linda Hadjadj, Naomie Canard, Tassadit Drali, Frederique Gouriet, Didier Raoult, Philippe Parola, Pierre Marty, Jean-Marc Rolain, Philippe Gautret
TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Sabrina Naud, Camille Valles, Abdourahim Abdillah, Linda Abou Chacra, Fatima Zouina Mekhalif, Ahmad Ibrahim, Aurelia Caputo, Jean-Pierre Baudoin, Frederique Gouriet, Fadi Bittar, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Stephane Ranque, Florence Fenollar, Maryam Tidjani Alou, Didier Raoult
Summary: In this study, TM7 were found to be ubiquitous members of the human oral microbiota and were also detected in other human samples, including fecal, breast milk, vaginal, and urine samples. TM7 were also detected in infectious samples, such as blood cultures and cardiac valves, at a low prevalence. The findings suggest that TM7 are human commensals and may have a role in a pathological setting, warranting further investigation.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Seydina M. Diene, Pierre Pontarotti, Said Azza, Nicholas Armstrong, Lucile Pinault, Eric Chabriere, Philippe Colson, Jean-Marc Rolain, Didier Raoult
Summary: Beta-lactamase enzymes are capable of conferring resistance to widely used antibiotics in human medicine, making them a topic of significant interest. Among these enzymes, the class B beta-lactamases are a type of metallo-beta-lactamase fold protein found not only in bacteria but also in other organisms. Previously unexplored in other organisms due to various barriers, modern search approaches have now uncovered their presence in different organisms including Bacteria, Archaea, Nanoarchaeota, Asgard, Humans, Giant viruses, and Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR). These multifunctional enzymes exhibit diverse enzymatic or non-enzymatic activities, with at least thirteen reported activities such as beta-lactamase, ribonuclease, nuclease, glyoxalase, lactonase, phytase, ascorbic acid degradation, anti-cancer drug degradation, or membrane transport. This review discusses the existence of M beta L fold enzymes in different domains of life, presents suitable approaches for studying their homologous sequences in unexpected sources, and presents described M beta L fold enzymes with demonstrated enzymatic or non-enzymatic activities.
Correction
Microbiology
Cheikh Ibrahima Lo, Niokhor Dione, Aminata Mbaye, Patricia Fernandez-Mellado Gomez, Issa Isaac Ngom, Camille Valles, Stephane Alibar, Jean-Christophe Lagier, Florence Fenollar, Pierre-Edouard Fournier, Didier Raoult, Seydina M. Diene
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
