Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jen-Fu Hsu, Jang-Jih Lu, Chih Lin, Shih-Ming Chu, Lee-Chung Lin, Mei-Yin Lai, Hsuan-Rong Huang, Ming-Chou Chiang, Ming-Horng Tsai
Summary: In this study, a new approach using CRISPR and RFLP analyses was utilized to study 103 CC17/III GBS isolates causing neonatal invasive diseases. It was found that GBS isolates with different CRISPR-RFLP patterns exhibited significant differences in occurrences of severe sepsis and meningitis. These findings suggest that a specific CRISPR-RFLP pattern could potentially be used as a new biomarker to predict meningitis and illness severity in CC17/III GBS infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Christian M. J. Delannoy, Hakim Samai, Lauke Labrie
Summary: Streptococcus agalactiae is a multi-host pathogen causing economic losses in tilapia aquaculture globally. This study identified a new serotype of the bacterium in fish, and successfully reproduced the disease in experimental challenges, fulfilling Koch's postulate. Monitoring and typing of isolates are important to detect new epidemiological trends and implement proper prophylactic measures.
Article
Immunology
Alyssa R. Golden, Brigitte Lefebvre, Genevieve Deceuninck, Nicholas Brousseau, Philippe De Wals, Caroline Quach, Walter H. B. Demczuk, Irene Martin
Summary: This study aimed to determine the clonal composition of serotype 19A isolates collected from children <5 years in the Canadian province of Québec from 2016 to 2021. The results showed three common clones of serotype 19A: CC199, CC320, and ST695. ST695 was the most common clone collected in Québec, while CC320 was more common in other Canadian jurisdictions. Continued genomic surveillance is important to track the prevalence and clonal distribution of serotype 19A in Québec and to monitor its spread to other regions.
Article
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Fariborz Goodarzi, Somayeh Hosseininejad, Per K. Pedersen, Thomas Gentzis, Hamed Sanei
Summary: The Cretaceous Second White Specks Formation oil shales from Canada were analyzed to determine their composition, depositional environment, and hydrocarbon generating potential. The study identified different depositional facies and found variations in TOC content, boron content, and hydrocarbon potential among the oil shales.
MARINE AND PETROLEUM GEOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anusak Kerdsin, Rujirat Hatrongjit, Thidathip Wongsurawat, Piroon Jenjaroenpun, Peechanika Chopjitt, Parichart Boueroy, Nahuel Fittipaldi, Han Zheng, Marcelo Gottschalk
Summary: Streptococcus suis is a zoonotic pathogen that can cause invasive infections in both humans and pigs, with different serotypes leading to distinct clinical manifestations and infection characteristics. Some strains exhibit antimicrobial resistance while lacking specific virulence-associated genes.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Stefanie Desmet, Heidi Theeten, Lies Laenen, Lize Cuypers, Piet Maes, Wouter Bossuyt, Liesbet Van Heirstraeten, Willy E. Peetermans, Katrien Lagrou
Summary: After switching from PCV13 to PCV10, there was a rapid reemergence of serotype 19A invasive pneumococcal disease in children in Belgium. Whole-genome sequencing revealed 24 sequence types, with ST416 and ST994 being predominant during the PCV10 period.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ki Wook Yun, Kyuyol Rhie, Jin Han Kang, Kyung-Hyo Kim, Jong Gyun Ahn, Yae-Jean Kim, Byung Wook Eun, Sung Hee Oh, Hye-Kyung Cho, Young Jin Hong, Nam Hee Kim, Yun-Kyung Kim, Hyunju Lee, Taekjin Lee, Hwang Min Kim, Eun Young Cho, Chun Soo Kim, Su Eun Park, Chi Eun Oh, Dae Sun Jo, Eun Song Song, Jina Lee, Jae Hong Choi, Joon Kee Lee, Hoan Jong Lee, Eun Hwa Choi
Summary: After the introduction of extended-valency pneumococcal conjugate vaccines, the replacement with nonvaccine serotypes among invasive pneumococcal diseases varies by country. In South Korea, the most common nonvaccine serotype in pediatric IPD cases was 10A, with a significant increasing trend over the study period. Other nonvaccine serotypes showed a decreasing trend, with notable reductions in serotype 12F.
Article
Entomology
Willem G. van Herk, Robert S. Vernon, Ted J. Labun, Mika H. Sevcik, Timothy D. Schwinghamer
Summary: A general survey of pest wireworms in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba from 2004 to 2019 identified Hypnoidus bicolor as the predominant species, with shifts in species composition suggesting an increase in the relative importance of Limonius californicus as a pest species. Co-occurrence of different species at or near the same location was frequently observed, with soil characteristics such as organic matter and water retention capacity significantly influencing wireworm presence.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Brett MacDonald, Rick Baydack, A. Richard Westwood, David Walker
Summary: The goal of this study was to predict the emergence and peak activity of the invasive emerald ash borer in Winnipeg, providing information for improved timing of management measures and monitoring to increase the lifespan of ash trees in the region.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Catarina Candeias, Sofia Felix, Sara Handem, Herminia de Lencastre, Raquel Sa-Leao
Summary: In Portugal, the private use of PCV13 from 2010 to 2015 led to serotype replacement and increased antimicrobial susceptibility among pneumococcal strains carried by children. Genotyping of pneumococcal isolates collected from day care centers in two regions of Portugal revealed clonal changes and the emergence of multidrug-resistant lineages expressing non-PCV13 serotypes. This study highlights the significant clonal composition changes triggered by the private use of PCV13 in Portugal.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yinle Lan, Lin Liu, Dongping Hu, Lihong Ge, Xi Xiang, Minfei Peng, Ying Fu, Yanfei Wang, Shuxian Li, Yan Chen, Yan Jiang, Yuexing Tu, Jorge E. Vidal, Yunsong Yu, Zhimin Chen, Xueqing Wu
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiology of Streptococcus pneumoniae in a pediatric fever clinic in China and explored the genomic basis of the limited vaccine response of serotype 14 strains worldwide. Results showed that the presence and high carriage of pneumococcus in the nasopharynx were significantly associated with pneumonia development. Living with siblings and non-vaccination were important factors contributing to pneumococcus carriage. The genome analysis of serotype 14 strains indicated that these strains had limited vaccine responses, high recombination activities, and unique variation patterns in certain genes.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ashley N. Williams, Matthew A. Croxen, Walter H. B. Demczuk, Irene Martin, Gregory J. Tyrrell
Summary: Genomic analysis was used to characterize fourteen adult invasive serotype VIII isolates from 2009 to 2021 in Alberta. The study found an emerging trend of invasive GBS serotype VIII, mainly caused by ST42, and identified the susceptibility and resistance patterns of these isolates. The presence of potential vaccine targets in the isolate genomes highlights the importance of continued surveillance and characterization for outbreak prevention, vaccine development, and understanding the global epidemiology of this rare serotype.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Smitha Shambhu, Eleonora Cella, Mohammad Jubair, Taj Azarian
Summary: The complete genomes of nine Streptococcus pneumoniae strains belonging to serotype 3 clonal complex 180 (CC180) were announced. Analysis revealed 1,762 core genes and 412 accessory genes. These genomes serve as the foundation for future population genomic studies.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jen-Fu Hsu, Ming-Horng Tsai, Lee-Chung Lin, Shih-Ming Chu, Mei-Yin Lai, Hsuan-Rong Huang, Ming-Chou Chiang, Peng-Hong Yang, Jang-Jih Lu
Summary: The antibiotic resistance rates were found to be higher in type III/ST-17 Streptococcus agalactiae strains, with loss of PI-1 and ISSag5 and acquisition of ICESag37 playing a key role in the resistance mechanism. This highlights the urgent need for continuous surveillance of GBS infections with the emergence of a hypervirulent strain with antibiotic resistance.
Article
Microbiology
M. Belen Cubria, Luis Alberto Vega, William C. Shropshire, Misu A. Sanson, Brittany J. Shah, Shrijana Regmi, Marcia Rench, Carol J. Baker, Anthony R. Flores
Summary: Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a major cause of invasive bacterial disease in neonates and young infants, and it also affects adults and the elderly. GBS isolates are becoming resistant to second line antibiotics. This study examined the association of antimicrobial resistance with the emergence of invasive GBS in adults by analyzing whole-genome sequencing data from strains isolated in the United States and Canada over a 45-year period. The findings show a temporal association between increased macrolide resistance and the emergence of GBS subpopulations causing invasive disease in adults and infants. The presence of macrolide resistance genes in mobile genetic elements contributes to GBS virulence. This research provides a foundation for further investigation into the genetic features contributing to the prevalence and pathogenesis of GBS in adult invasive disease.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Christopher E. Kandel, Andra Banete, Maureen Taylor, Andrea Llanes, Janine McCready, Gloria Crowl, Matthew Young, Angel X. Li, Emily Chien, Winfield Yim, Lily Yip, Robert Kozak, Allison J. McGeer, Samira Mubareka, Jeff E. Powis
Summary: There was no difference in viral shedding between outpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) delta (delta) variant who received 2 vaccine doses at 7 days after symptom onset and those who did not receive the vaccine, with SARS-CoV-2 cultured from 2 (7%) of 28 and 1 (4%) of 26 outpatients, respectively.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ahmed Vanker, Lara de Waal, Allison McGeer, Matthew Morgan
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Immunology
Matthew P. Muller, Sharmistha Mishra, Allison McGeer, Samir Patel, Jonathan Gubbay, Maan Hasso, Adrienne K. Chan, Robert Kozak, Jerome A. Leis, Darrell S. Tan
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Julie A. Bettinger, Michael A. Irvine, Hennady P. Shulha, Louis Valiquette, Matthew P. Muller, Otto G. Vanderkooi, James D. Kellner, Karina A. Top, Manish Sadarangani, Allison McGeer, Jennifer E. Isenor, Kimberly Marty, Phyumar Soe, Gaston De Serres
Summary: This study examined the short-term safety of COVID-19 vaccines in adults with a previous history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. It found that adults with moderate or severe previous infection were more likely to experience health events after each vaccine dose, while the risk associated with previous infection was attenuated after subsequent doses.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Selina Casalino, Erika Frangione, Monica Chung, Georgia MacDonald, Sunakshi Chowdhary, Chloe Mighton, Hanna Faghfoury, Yvonne Bombard, Lisa Strug, Trevor J. Pugh, Jared Simpson, Saranya Arnoldo, Navneet Aujla, Erin Bearss, Alexandra Binnie, Bjug Borgundvaag, Howard Chertkow, Marc Clausen, Marc Dagher, Luke Devine, David Di Iorio, Steven Marc Friedman, Chun Yiu Jordan Fung, Anne-Claude Gingras, Lee W. Goneau, Deepanjali Kaushik, Zeeshan Khan, Elisa Lapadula, Tiffany Lu, Tony Mazzulli, Allison McGeer, Shelley L. McLeod, Gregory Morgan, David Richardson, Harpreet Singh, Seth Stern, Ahmed Taher, Iris Wong, Natasha Zarei, Elena Greenfeld, Limin Hao, Matthew Lebo, William Lane, Abdul Noor, Jennifer Taher, Jordan Lerner-Ellis
Summary: Rapid advancements in genome sequencing technology have improved our understanding of the relationship between genes and human disease. This study collected blood samples from COVID-19 patients and performed genome sequencing to analyze the data. The researchers developed a comprehensive report that includes information on disease risks, genetic variants, and ancestry. They emphasize the importance of genetic counseling and offer counseling and referrals for clinically significant findings.
Article
Immunology
Jacqui van Warmerdam, Aaron Campigotto, Ari Bitnun, Georgina MacDougall, Melanie Kirby-Allen, Blake Papsin, Allison McGeer, Upton Allen, Shaun K. Morris
Summary: Despite the availability of pneumococcal vaccines, children with high-risk conditions are still susceptible to invasive pneumococcal disease. Insufficient vaccination is the main factor contributing to the occurrence of the disease.
PEDIATRIC INFECTIOUS DISEASE JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Elizabeth Marie Sabroske, Misu Ailin Sanson Iglesias, Marcia Rench, Trevor Moore, Hanna Harvey, Morven Edwards, Carol J. Baker, Anthony R. Flores
Summary: This study investigated the changes in antibiotic resistance of a collection of GBS isolates over time and found a significant increase in clindamycin and erythromycin resistance. Obstetricians should be aware of this trend for penicillin-allergic women who may consider using clindamycin.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Correction
Microbiology
Bradley Pickering, Oliver Lung, Finlay Maguire, Peter Kruczkiewicz, Jonathon D. Kotwa, Tore Buchanan, Marianne Gagnier, Jennifer L. Guthrie, Claire M. Jardine, Alex Marchand-Austin, Ariane Masse, Heather McClinchey, Kuganya Nirmalarajah, Patryk Aftanas, Juliette Blais-Savoie, Hsien-Yao Chee, Emily Chien, Winfield Yim, Andra Banete, Bryan D. Griffin, Lily Yip, Melissa Goolia, Matthew Suderman, Mathieu Pinette, Greg Smith, Daniel Sullivan, Josip Rudar, Oksana Vernygora, Elizabeth Adey, Michelle Nebroski, Guillaume Goyette, Andres Finzi, Genevieve Laroche, Ardeshir Ariana, Brett Vahkal, Marceline Cote, Allison J. McGeer, Larissa Nituch, Samira Mubareka, Jeff Bowman
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Hannah Chung, Michael A. Campitelli, Sarah A. Buchan, Aaron Campigotto, Branson Chen, Natasha S. Crowcroft, Vinita Dubey, Jonathan B. Gubbay, Timothy Karnauchow, Kevin Katz, Allison J. McGeer, J. Dayre McNally, Samira Mubareka, Michelle Murti, David C. Richardson, Laura C. Rosella, Kevin L. Schwartz, Marek Smieja, George Zahariadis, Jeffrey C. Kwong
Summary: The effectiveness of influenza vaccine against laboratory-confirmed influenza was similar between statin users and nonusers. However, statin users had a higher risk of influenza infection compared to nonusers, regardless of vaccination status. This study suggests that statin use may affect the effectiveness of influenza vaccine and increase the risk of influenza infection.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Aya Aboulhosn, Misu A. Sanson, Luis Alberto Vega, Maria G. Segura, Sommer Sommer, Marritta Joseph, J. Chase McNeil, Anthony R. Flores
Summary: Starting from October 2022, there has been a notable rise in the number of cases of invasive group A Streptococcus (GAS) disease among children in Houston, Texas. The prevalence of Emm12 GAS strains was disproportionately higher, but the overall proportion of invasive GAS infections during the current surge remains similar to pre-pandemic years.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Dylan C. Kain, Sandra Isabel, Mariana Abdulnoor, Karel Boissinot, Richard De Borja, Amanda Filkin, Bernard Lam, Jason Li, Ilinca Lungu, Liz McCreight, Allison McGeer, Tony Mazzulli, Aimee Paterson, Philip Zuzarte, Felicia Vincelli, Cassandra Bergwerff, Ramzi Fattouh, Jared T. Simpson, Jennie Johnstone
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, a severe SARS-CoV-2 outbreak occurred in a hospital in Toronto, Canada, from November 2020 to January 2021. The outbreak involved 8 patients and 10 staff and resulted in 3 patient deaths. Investigation revealed that patients cared for in geriatric chairs at the nursing station were at high risk for both acquiring and transmitting SARS-CoV-2. Therefore, it is important to consider the risk of informal patient care settings and prioritize room-based care during high-risk periods or outbreaks.
INFECTION CONTROL AND HOSPITAL EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Nicola Horstmann, Chau Nguyen Tran, Anthony R. Flores, Samuel A. Shelburne
Summary: The CovRS gene regulatory system plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of many streptococci. In this study, the researchers used chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIPseq) to investigate the global DNA occupancy of CovR in emm3 group A streptococci. They found that elimination of CovS phosphatase activity increased CovR occupancy at the promoters of virulence factor-encoding genes, including the key regulator Mga and M protein. The study also identified different binding patterns of CovR at high and low phosphorylation levels, suggesting a dimeric and monomeric interaction, respectively.
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Economics
Ryan O'Reilly, Hong Lu, Jeffrey C. C. Kwong, Allison McGeer, Teresa To, Beate Sander
Summary: The present study aimed to determine the short- and long-term healthcare costs associated with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) from the healthcare payer perspective in Ontario, Canada. Through a retrospective population-based matched cohort study, it was found that CAP is associated with significantly increased acute and long-term healthcare costs compared to unexposed subjects. This study highlights the burden of CAP in both the inpatient and outpatient setting, and will inform strategic healthcare planning for future interventions and healthcare programs.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kuganya Nirmalarajah, Winfield Yim, Patryk Aftanas, Angel X. Li, Altynay Shigayeva, Lily Yip, Zoe Zhong, Allison J. Mcgeer, Finlay Maguire, Samira Mubareka, Robert Kozak
Summary: This study investigated the effects of Remdesivir (RDV) treatment on intra-host SARS-CoV-2 diversity and low-frequency mutations in moderately ill hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The results showed minimal intra-host variability and few low-frequency variants in patients receiving short courses of RDV, suggesting little selective pressure.
INFLUENZA AND OTHER RESPIRATORY VIRUSES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
William C. Shropshire, Benjamin Strope, Selvalakshmi Selvaraj Anand, Jordan Bremer, Patrick McDaneld, Micah M. Bhatti, Anthony R. Flores, Awdhesh Kalia, Samuel A. Shelburne
Summary: Using whole-genome sequencing, this study characterized the molecular epidemiology of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Escherichia coli (ESC-R-Ec) infections at a cancer center in Houston. The study identified a temporal dynamic of ESC-R-Ec infections, with peaks occurring in the last 6 months of the year, and a stable proportion of STc131 strains throughout the study period. The study also revealed the presence of genetically diverse ESC-R-Ec clonal complexes during infection peaks.
