Article
Infectious Diseases
Mitsuyo Kawaguchiya, Noriko Urushibara, Meiji Soe Aung, Kenji Kudo, Masahiko Ito, Satoshi Habadera, Nobumichi Kobayashi
Summary: This study identified novel penicillin binding protein (PBP) profiles and mutations associated with penicillin nonsusceptibility in nonencapsulated Streptococcus pneumoniae (NESp). The results revealed that the PBP profiles 13-16-ne1 and 13-7-ne4, as well as PBP1a type-13 and-131, PBP2b type-7,-ne1, and-ne2 were closely associated with penicillin nonsusceptibility in NESp.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Katharina Peters, Inga Schweizer, Regine Hakenbeck, Dalia Denapaite
Summary: The reduced amounts of essential penicillin-binding protein 2x (PBP2x) in cefotaxime-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae mutants were found to be due to post-transcriptional regulation and degradation by HtrA protease, affecting beta-lactam resistance. Depletion of PBP2x was confirmed in different genetic backgrounds, with HtrA being able to be overexpressed to specific levels in pneumococcal cells depending on the genetic background. The quantitative Western blotting results showed that the PBP2x amount in the mutant strain was less than 20% compared to the parental strain, indicating PBP2x is an abundant protein in S. pneumoniae R6 strain.
Article
Microbiology
Menglan Zhou, Lulu Wang, Ziran Wang, Timothy Kudinha, Yao Wang, Yingchun Xu, Zhengyin Liu
Summary: This study investigated the serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance patterns of Streptococcus pneumoniae strains causing invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs) in China and explored the association between penicillin susceptibility and variations in penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs).
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Cassandra Lenoir, Anais Pelletier, Sylvie Manuse, Hugo Millat, Adrien Ducret, Anne Galinier, Thierry Doan, Christophe Grangeasse
Summary: This study characterizes the regulatory function of the previously unknown protein Spr1400 in controlling the activity and localization of two important Penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), PBP1a and PBP2b, in Streptococcus pneumoniae. The research utilizes a combination of techniques including genetic manipulation, protein biochemistry, and microscopy imaging to demonstrate that Spr1400 interacts with PBPs and influences their dynamics during the cell cycle. These findings highlight the importance of Spr1400 as a spatio-temporal regulator of PBP1a and PBP2b in pneumococcal morphogenesis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rosemol Varghese, Ayyanraj Neeravi, Nithya Subramanian, Pavithra Baskar, Kavipriya Anandhan, Balaji Veeraraghavan
Summary: The emergence of increased penicillin resistance in meningeal isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae in India is linked to mutations in pbp genes and the gradual expansion of resistant clones CC320, CC230, and CC63.
MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Samuel Raemy, Carlo Casanova, Rossella Baldan, Erin Barreto, Aaron J. Tande, Andrea Endimiani, Stephen L. Leib, Urs Fischer, Parham Sendi
Summary: The recommended dosing regimen for acute bacterial meningitis in adults with penicillin-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae is either 2 g every 12 h or a single dose of 2 g every 24 h. This study aimed to evaluate ceftriaxone susceptibility and clinical outcomes following different dosing regimens. The results showed that all isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and there was no statistical difference in outcome between the two dosing regimens.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sara de Miguel, Marta Perez-Abeledo, Belen Ramos, Luis Garcia, Araceli Arce, Rodrigo Martinez-Arce, Jose Yuste, Juan Carlos Sanz
Summary: The use of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has impacted the epidemiology and distribution of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes causing Invasive Pneumococcal Disease (IPD). This study analyzed the evolution of antimicrobial susceptibility to penicillin (PEN) in IPD strains isolated in Madrid, Spain, from 2007 to 2021. The results showed the emergence of non-PCV13 pneumococcal strains with different resistance patterns, including the worrisome event of serotype 11A becoming resistant to penicillin.
Article
Microbiology
Helle Brander Eriksen, Kurt Fuursted, Anders Jensen, Christian Salgard Jensen, Xiaohui Nielsen, Jens Jorgen Christensen, Patricia Shewmaker, Ana Rita Rebelo, Frank Moller Aarestrup, Kristian Schonning, Hans-Christian Slotved
Summary: The susceptibility of Streptococcus pneumoniae to beta-lactam drugs can be predicted from the amino acid sequence of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). A BLAST analysis can accurately predict the susceptibility of Danish S. pneumoniae isolates and some internationally collected MGS isolates. However, the current database is not effective in predicting the susceptibility of other MGS strains.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Soo Tein Ngoi, Anis Najwa Muhamad, Cindy Shuan Ju Teh, Chun Wie Chong, Kartini Abdul Jabar, Lay Ching Chai, Kin Chong Leong, Loong Hua Tee, Sazaly AbuBakar
Summary: The study assessed the trends and mechanisms of beta-lactam resistance in 150 upper respiratory tract infection strains in a tertiary care hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The findings revealed that Streptococcus pneumoniae showed high rates of non-susceptibility to penicillin antibiotics, while Haemophilus influenzae remained highly susceptible to most beta-lactams. Methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strains exhibited high resistance to penicillin G. Overall, beta-lactam antibiotics, except penicillins, remained largely effective against upper respiratory tract infection pathogens in the region.
Article
Microbiology
Peris Wambugu, Mohammad-Monir Shah, Hien-Anh Nguyen, Kim-Anh Le, Huy-Hoang Le, Hien-Minh Vo, Michiko Toizumi, Minh-Xuan Bui, Duc-Anh Dang, Lay-Myint Yoshida
Summary: A study conducted in Nha Trang, Vietnam, found that Streptococcus pneumoniae is the main cause of high pneumonia morbidity and mortality in children. The study showed that children attending school and older children were more likely to be infected with S. pneumoniae. The study also identified common serotypes and high resistance to certain antibiotics, as well as a high genetic diversity among the isolates.
Article
Microbiology
Sarah Lohsen, David S. Stephens
Summary: In Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn), the Macrolide Genetic Assembly (Mega) encodes an efflux pump (Mef[E]) and a ribosomal protection protein (Mel), leading to antibiotic resistance. The macrolide-inducible Mega operon provides heteroresistance to 14- and 15-membered ring macrolides. Heteroresistance is concerning as resistant subpopulations can persist despite treatment.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Akuzike Kalizang'oma, Chrispin Chaguza, Andrea Gori, Charlotte Davison, Sandra Beleza, Martin Antonio, Bernard Beall, David Goldblatt, Brenda Kwambana-Adams, Stephen D. Bentley, Robert S. Heyderman
Summary: Interspecies horizontal genetic transfer plays a role in betalactam resistance among Streptococcus pneumoniae and its close relatives. Pneumococci acquire pbp fragments from species like S. mitis, leading to increased resistance to penicillin.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sara de Miguel, Marta Perez-Abeledo, Belen Ramos, Luis Garcia, Araceli Arce, Rodrigo Martinez-Arce, Jose Yuste, Juan Carlos Sanz
Summary: After the introduction of conjugate vaccines, the invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) was included in the Madrid Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System, and Streptococcus pneumoniae was included in the Spanish Plan of Antibiotic Resistance. This study analyzed the distribution of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from sterile clinical samples in Madrid, Spain from 2007 to 2021. The prevalence of MDR strains was low, with only 0.7% identified as MDRPSDR and 0.1% as MDR.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kamonwan Lunha, Wiyada Chumpol, Surasak Jiemsup, Sukuma Samngamnim, Pornchalit Assavacheep, Suganya Yongkiettrakul
Summary: The study aims to investigate the genetic basis for the decrease in susceptibility to penicillin and other beta-lactams among Streptococcus suis. The findings suggest a growing trend of reduced susceptibility to beta-lactams and the presence of substitutions within penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) associated with this decrease. The study highlights the importance of genetic mutations in mediating antibiotic resistance in S. suis.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Xiaoyu Han, Lu Jin, Zhimin Zhao, Xinjun Xu, Shiyi Liu, Yuquan Huang, Xiaoli Liu, Yuehong Xu, Depo Yang, Wei Huang, Li Wang
Summary: The leaves of Strobilanthes cusia Kuntze exhibit antibacterial effects on penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae. Confocal assay and Transmission Electron Microscopy revealed reduced cell wall integrity and capsule thickness in the treated bacteria. Proteomics analysis identified glycometabolism-related pathways and 23 bio-active compounds, among which Tryptanthrin showed the most promising effect.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joachim Muller, Nicoleta Anghel, Dennis Imhof, Kai Hanggeli, Anne-Christine Uldry, Sophie Braga-Lagache, Manfred Heller, Kayode K. Ojo, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Wesley C. Van Voorhis, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: Neospora caninum, closely related to Toxoplasma gondii, is a parasite that can cause fetal malformations in livestock. The development of calcium-dependent protein kinase 1 inhibitors has shown promise in treating neosporosis. However, some of these inhibitors have adverse effects on fertility in pregnant mouse models and cause embryonic malformations in zebrafish models. Through affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry, it has been found that BKI-1748 interacts not only with specific targets in apicomplexans but also with targets in other eukaryotes, indicating involvement in common essential pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Dermatology
Sarah Kaiser-Thom, Markus Hilty, Alessandra Ramseyer, Pascale Epper, Vinzenz Gerber
Summary: The study found that Equine Pastern Dermatitis (EPD) lesions tended to worsen in autumn and at the beginning of spring. The relationship between lesion severity and precipitation was not clearly evident, and affected pasterns showed changes in skin microbiota. Additionally, meteorological factors had considerable influences on the bacterial composition and these influences were more pronounced in the affected pasterns.
VETERINARY DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne-Christine Uldry, Anabel Maciel-Dominguez, Maiwenn Jornod, Natasha Buchs, Sophie Braga-Lagache, Justine Brodard, Jovana Jankovic, Nicolas Bonadies, Manfred Heller
Summary: This study investigates the effects of different transportation methods on the protein composition and particle size distribution of circulating extracellular vesicles (cEV) in humans. The findings show that pneumatic tube systems (PTS) transportation leads to a broadening of nanoparticle size distribution, while human carriers (C) transportation mainly causes oscillations. Cell-type specific cEV-associated protein abundances are minimally affected by the transportation method. Platelet-free plasma (PFP) should be preferred for further analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Julia G. Kraemer, Markus Hilty, Anne Oppliger
Summary: Airborne concentrations of organic dust on animal farms, containing microorganisms that are responsible for health effects, have been studied in four seasons on 31 pig farms in Switzerland. The study found that levels of fungi and endotoxins in the air exceeded recommended limits, and exposure to certain allergens occurred throughout the year. Accumulations of faecal matter, humidity, and dusty pathways were associated with increased concentrations of (1 -> 3)-β-D-glucans. The study highlights the need for better information on occupational risks and measures to improve air quality on pig farms.
ANNALS OF WORK EXPOSURES AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Emilia Radulovic, Kemal Mehinagic, Tsering Wuethrich, Markus Hilty, Horst Posthaus, Artur Summerfield, Nicolas Ruggli, Charaf Benarafa
Summary: In this study, the immunological profile of specific pathogen-free (SPF) and farm-raised Large White domestic pigs before and after African Swine Fever virus (ASFV) infection was compared. The results showed that SPF pigs had lower immune cell counts and basal inflammatory responses at steady state. When infected with a highly virulent virus strain, SPF pigs showed earlier and more severe clinical signs and pro-inflammatory cytokines, indicating a reduced ability to control early virus replication. In contrast, SPF pigs presented a milder and shorter disease course with full recovery when infected with an attenuated virus strain.
Article
Microbiology
Oluwaseun Rume-Abiola Oyewole, Philipp Latzin, Silvio D. Brugger, Markus Hilty
Summary: This study investigated the strain-level carriage and co-colonization dynamics of Streptococcus pneumoniae in a Swiss birth cohort using PacBio single-molecule real-time sequencing. The results showed a high prevalence of pneumococcal carriage and identified co-colonization with different strains. Furthermore, the study found that having more siblings increased the risk of infection.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joachim Mueller, Ghalia Boubaker, Dennis Imhof, Kai Haenggeli, Noe Haudenschild, Anne-Christine Uldry, Sophie Braga-Lagache, Manfred Heller, Luis-Miguel Ortega-Mora, Andrew Hemphill
Summary: Leucinostatins are antimicrobial peptides that have a broad range of activities. In this study, a derivative peptide called 6027 was tested for its activity against Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic organism. While effective in vitro, the application of peptide 6027 in mice infected with T. gondii worsened the infection. Peptide 6027 also affected the viability of mouse splenocytes. Through differential affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry, common targets for peptide 6027 were identified in both T. gondii and mouse spleen extracts. This method can be a useful way to identify drug targets in pathogens and hosts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Timpanaro, Caroline Piccand, Anne-Christine Uldry, Peter Karl Bode, Dzhangar Dzhumashev, Rita Sala, Manfred Heller, Jochen Rossler, Michele Bernasconi
Summary: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a common soft tissue sarcoma in children. More effective and less toxic therapies are needed for high-grade and metastatic RMS. Surface proteins profiling revealed potential targets for immunotherapies of RMS, including known targets FGFR4, NCAM1, and CD276/B7-H3, and also newly discovered targets AGRL2, JAM3, MEGF10, GPC4, and CADM2. L1CAM showed strong expression in alveolar RMS tumors, making it a practical target for antibody-based therapies of this subtype.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Janine Lux, Lalaina Holivololona, Raquel San Millan Gutierrez, Markus Hilty, Alban Ramette, Manfred Heller, Lucy J. Hathaway
Summary: Streptococcus pneumoniae is able to sense the presence of Klebsiella pneumoniae peptides in the environment and interacts with them through its substrate binding proteins. This interaction leads to the suppression of pneumococcal growth, with the effect depending on the length of the peptides.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Duangdao Sudatip, Nadezda Mostacci, Visanu Thamlikitkul, Anne Oppliger, Markus Hilty
Summary: The study found that pig farming has an influence on the composition of the human gut microbiota in Thailand, but the extent of this influence is unclear. The impact of poultry farming on gut microbiota composition also needs further investigation.
Article
Microbiology
A. Cristina Paulo, Joao Lanca, Sonia T. Almeida, Markus Hilty, Raquel Sa-Leao
Summary: This study investigated the composition of the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal microbiota in healthy adults and found significant differences between the two. The presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae, smoking habits, and contact with children were identified as important factors influencing the microbiota in the upper respiratory tract of adults.
Article
Microbiology
Nadja Mostacci, Tsering Monika Wuethrich, Lea Siegwald, Silas Kieser, Ruth Steinberg, Olga Sakwinska, Philipp Latzin, Insa Korten, Markus Hilty
Summary: This study validates the use of StrainPhlAn 3 for strain-level tracking of the respiratory microbiome by comparing its results with data from bacterial cultures. Careful optimization of parameters is necessary to accommodate low biomass microbiomes with high host DNA content.
Article
Medical Informatics
David Shaw, Raquel Abad, Zahin Amin-Chowdhury, Adriana Bautista, Desiree Bennett, Karen Broughton, Bin Cao, Carlo Casanova, Eun Hwa Choi, Yiu-Wai Chu, Heike Claus, Juliana Coelho, Mary Corcoran, Simon Cottrell, Robert Cunney, Lize Cuypers, Tine Dalby, Heather Davies, Linda de Gouveia, Ala-Eddine Deghmane, Walter Demczuk, Stefanie Desmet, Mirian Domenech, Richard Drew, Mignon du Plessis, Carolina Duarte, Helga Erlendsdottir, Norman K. Fry, Kurt Fuursted, Thomas Hale, Desiree Henares, Birgitta Henriques-Normark, Markus Hilty, Steen Hoffmann, Hilary Humphreys, Margaret Ip, Susanne Jacobsson, Christopher Johnson, Jillian Johnston, Keith A. Jolley, Anibal Kawabata, Jana Kozakova, Karl G. Kristinsson, Pavla Krizova, Alicja Kuch, Shamez Ladhani, Thien-Tri Lam, Maria Eugenia Leon, Laura Lindholm, David Litt, Martin C. J. Maiden, Irene Martin, Delphine Martiny, Wesley Mattheus, Noel Mccarthy, Mary Meehan, Susan Meiring, Paula Moelling, Eva Morfeldt, Julie Morgan, Robert Mulhall, Carmen Munoz-Almagro, David Murdoch, Joy Murphy, Martin Musilek, Alexandre Mzabi, Ludmila Novakova, Shahin Oftadeh, Amaresh Perez-Arguello, Maria Perez-Vazquez, Monique Perrin, Malorie Perry, Benoit Prevost, Maria Roberts, Assaf Rokney, Merav Ron, Olga Marina Sanabria, Kevin J. Scott, Carmen Sheppard, Lotta Siira, Vitali Sintchenko, Anna Skoczynska, Monica Sloan, Hans-Christian Slotved, Andrew J. Smith, Anneke Steens, Muhamed-Kheir Taha, Maija Toropainen, Georgina Tzanakaki, Anni Vainio, Mark P. G. van der Linden, Nina M. van Sorge, Emmanuelle Varon, Sandra Vohrnova, Anne von Gottberg, Jose Yuste, Rosemeire Zanella, Fei Zhou, Angela B. Brueggemann
Summary: This study analyzed the incidence and distribution of invasive diseases caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitidis, and Streptococcus agalactiae during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed a sustained decrease in the incidence of these diseases during the pandemic, but an increase in cases was observed after pandemic restrictions were lifted in some countries in 2021.
LANCET DIGITAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Celine Ruttimann, Annika Nissen-Kratzert, Nadja Mostacci, Noemi Kunstle, Andrea Marten, Amanda Gisler, Katharina Bacher, Sophie Yammine, Ruth Steinberg, Sven Schulzke, Martin Roosli, Philipp Latzin, Markus Hilty, Urs Frey, Olga Gorlanova
Summary: This study found that prenatal antibiotic exposure was associated with decreased diversity of nasal microbiome in infancy and respiratory symptoms, but not with symptoms later in life. Nasal microbiome was not a mediating factor for respiratory symptoms.
Article
Immunology
Annelies Mueller, Jackie Kleynhans, Linda de Gouveia, Susan Meiring, Cheryl Cohen, Lucy Jane Hathaway, Anne von Gottberg
Summary: The association between Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes and disease severity was assessed in South Africa from 2012 to 2018. Specific serotypes were found to be associated with increased case-fatality ratio (CFR) in invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD), but not in meningitis. Serotype 1 was associated with increased CFR in all ages of meningitis patients. The study suggests monitoring specific serotypes and considering their inclusion in vaccines to reduce deaths caused by S. pneumoniae.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
