Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Josephine M. Bryant, Karen P. Brown, Sophie Burbaud, Isobel Everall, Juan M. Belardinelli, Daniela Rodriguez-Rincon, Dorothy M. Grogono, Chelsea M. Peterson, Deepshikha Verma, Ieuan E. Evans, Christopher Ruis, Aaron Weimann, Divya Arora, Sony Malhotra, Bridget Bannerman, Charlotte Passemar, Kerra Templeton, Gordon MacGregor, Kasim Jiwa, Andrew J. Fisher, Tom L. Blundell, Diane J. Ordway, Mary Jackson, Julian Parkhill, R. Andres Floto
Summary: The study suggests that epigenetic modifiers acquired through horizontal gene transfer can lead to sudden increases in the pathogenic potential of specific environmental clones, while allopatric parallel evolution during chronic lung infection promotes rapid increases in virulence. The findings indicate that constrained pathogenic evolution is observed while person-to-person transmission remains indirect.
Article
Respiratory System
Rebecca M. Davidson, Nabeeh A. Hasan, L. Elaine Epperson, Jeanne B. Benoit, Sara M. Kammlade, Adrah R. Levin, Vinicius Calado de Moura, Joshua Hunkins, Natalia Weakly, Sean Beagle, Scott D. Sagel, Stacey L. Martiniano, Max Salfinger, Charles L. Daley, Jerry A. Nick, Michael Strong
Summary: The study identified dominant circulating clones of two subspecies of Mycobacterium abscessus in U.S. cystic fibrosis patients, with evidence of shared strains between patients in CF Care Centers. The presence of these dominant clones suggests the potential for transmission events within healthcare settings and the environment.
ANNALS OF THE AMERICAN THORACIC SOCIETY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Kelley Hurst-Hess, Amanda Walz, Yong Yang, Helen McGuirk, Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero, Graham F. Hatfull, Pallavi Ghosh, Anil K. Ojha
Summary: In this study, it was found that a mycobacteriophage-encoded lysin B efficiently kills Mycobacterium abscessus and reduces the bacterial load in mice, suggesting its potential as a treatment for pulmonary M. abscessus infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Renan Marrichi Mauch, Peter ostrup Jensen, Tavs Qvist, Mette Kolpen, Claus Moser, Tacjana Pressler, Marcos Tadeu Nolasco da Silva, Niels Hoiby, Copenhagen Study Grp Mycobacterial Infect Cyst Fibrosis
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the adaptive immune response to Mycobacterium abscessus complex (MABSC) and its cross-reactivity with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) and Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and non-CF controls. The results showed a similar immune response pattern in CF patients with MABSC and BCG-vaccinated controls, suggesting cross-reactivity. Importance: 6/10.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Stephen Adonai Leon-Icaza, Salimata Bagayoko, Romain Verge, Nino Iakobachvili, Chloe Ferrand, Talip Aydogan, Celia Bernard, Angelique Sanchez Dafun, Marlene Murris-Espin, Julien Mazieres, Pierre Jean Bordignon, Serge Mazeres, Pascale Bernes-Lasserre, Victoria Rame, Jean-Michel Lagarde, Julien Marcoux, Marie-Pierre Bousquet, Christian Chalut, Christophe Guilhot, Hans Clevers, Peter J. Peters, Virginie Molle, Geanncarlo Lugo-Villarino, Kaymeuang Cam, Laurence Berry, Etienne Meunier, Celine Cougoule
Summary: Although Mabs infection can induce oxidative stress, pharmacological activation of antioxidant pathways can better control Mabs growth and reduce its virulence. Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of CFTR is associated with improved Mabs growth and increased virulence. Pharmacological activation of antioxidant pathways can inhibit Mabs growth and improve efficacy when combined with cefoxitin.
Article
Microbiology
Uday S. Ganapathy, Martin Gengenbacher, Thomas Dick
Summary: Benzoxaboroles, including the clinical candidate epetraborole, have shown activity against Mycobacterium abscessus, expanding the options for developing benzoxaborole-based candidates to treat M. abscessus lung disease.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Nils Wetzstein, Margo Diricks, Thomas A. Kohl, Thomas A. Wichelhaus, Soenke Andres, Laura Paulowski, Carsten Schwarz, Astrid Lewin, Jan Kehrmann, Barbara C. Kahl, Karl Dichtl, Christian Huegel, Olaf Eickmeier, Christina Smaczny, Annika Schmidt, Stefan Zimmermann, Lutz Naehrlich, Sylvia Hafkemeyer, Stefan Niemann, Florian P. Maurer, Michael Hogardt
Summary: This study investigated the epidemiological situation of M. abscessus among CF patients in Germany by performing whole-genome sequencing of isolates. The study identified representatives of all reported DCCs but found no evidence for nosocomial transmission.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Astrid Lewin, Elisabeth Kamal, Torsten Semmler, Katja Winter, Sandra Kaiser, Hubert Schafer, Lei Mao, Patience Eschenhagen, Claudia Grehn, Jennifer Bender, Carsten Schwarz
Summary: The study on Mycobacterium abscessus infections in Cystic Fibrosis patients revealed an accumulation of gene mutations during chronic lung infection, emphasizing the need for increased attention to genetic diversity during new control strategies against these infections. The strategy of M. abscessus populations in chronic lung infection involves maintaining a wide range of genetic variants for adaptation to changing living conditions in the lung, rather than clonal expansion of dominant variants.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Margo Diricks, Matthias Merker, Nils Wetzstein, Thomas A. Kohl, Stefan Niemann, Florian P. Maurer
Summary: The authors developed a core-genome multilocus sequence typing scheme for Mycobacterium abscessus to facilitate standardized molecular surveillance. They validated the scheme using whole genome sequencing data, re-analyzed global population structure, and set genetic distance thresholds for cluster detection and taxonomic identification. The scheme can help unravel the global spread of certain clonal complexes and transmission routes.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jerry A. Nick, Rebekah M. Dedrick, Alice L. Gray, Eszter K. Vladar, Bailey E. Smith, Krista G. Freeman, Kenneth C. Malcolm, L. Elaine Epperson, Nabeeh A. Hasan, Jo Hendrix, Kimberly Callahan, Kendra Walton, Brian Vestal, Emily Wheeler, Noel M. Rysavy, Katie Poch, Silvia Caceres, Valerie K. Lovell, Katherine B. Hisert, Vinicius Calado de Moura, Delphi Chatterjee, Prithwiraj De, Natalia Weakly, Stacey L. Martiniano, David A. Lynch, Charles L. Daley, Michael Strong, Fan Jia, Graham F. Hatfull, Rebecca M. Davidson
Summary: This study describes a successful phage treatment of treatment-refractory Mycobacterium abscessus pulmonary infection in a patient with severe lung disease. The phages used in the treatment were engineered to enhance their ability to lyse M. abscessus and were specifically selected based on their effectiveness against the patient's bacterial isolate. The treatment resulted in genetic stability of the bacterial isolate and improved clinical symptoms in the patient.
Article
Cell Biology
Juan Manuel Belardinelli, Deepshikha Verma, Wei Li, Charlotte Avanzi, Crystal J. Wiersma, John T. Williams, Benjamin K. Johnson, Matthew Zimmerman, Nicholas Whittel, Bhanupriya Angala, Han Wang, Victoria Jones, Veronique Dartois, Vinicius C. N. de Moura, Mercedes Gonzalez-Juarrero, Camron Pearce, Alan R. Schenkel, Kenneth C. Malcolm, Jerry A. Nick, Susan A. Charman, Timothy N. C. Wells, Brendan K. Podell, Jonathan L. Vennerstrom, Diane J. Ordway, Robert B. Abramovitch, Mary Jackson
Summary: This study found that antimalarial drugs can serve as potent inhibitors of M. abscessus, offering potential for clinical treatment.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Abdeldjalil Madani, Dereje A. Negatu, Abdellatif El Marrouni, Randy R. Miller, Christopher W. Boyce, Nicholas Murgolo, Christopher J. Bungard, Matthew D. Zimmerman, Veronique Dartois, Martin Gengenbacher, David B. Olsen, Thomas Dick
Summary: Tricyclic pyrrolopyrimidines (TPPs) are a new class of antibacterials that inhibit the ATPase activity of DNA gyrase to combat Mycobacterium abscessus.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Alan A. Schmalstig, Andrew Wiggins, Debbie Badillo, Katherine S. Wetzel, Graham F. Hatfull, Miriam Braunstein
Summary: Researchers have found that bacteriophages can enter mammalian cells and infect and kill intracellular M. abscessus. This discovery highlights the potential of phage therapy for treating intracellular bacterial infections, specifically M. abscessus.
Article
Microbiology
Wassihun Wedajo Aragaw, Christine Roubert, Evelyne Fontaine, Sophie Lagrange, Matthew D. Zimmerman, Veronique Dartois, Martin Gengenbacher, Thomas Dick
Summary: Cyclohexyl-griselimycin, a preclinical candidate for treating tuberculosis, has shown activity against the drug-resistant Mycobacterium abscessus in vitro and in a mouse model. This discovery provides a new lead compound for M. abscessus drug development and supports the strategy of screening chemical matter from TB drug discovery to expedite the discovery of novel antibiotics against M. abscessus.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yasuhiko Matsumoto, Hanako Fukano, Naoki Hasegawa, Yoshihiko Hoshino, Takashi Sugita
Summary: The virulence of M. abscessus clinical isolates can be quantitatively evaluated using a silkworm infection model. The LD50 values of different isolates can differ significantly, and this model allows for a quick assessment of M. abscessus virulence.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hagit Levine, Tommy Schonfeld, Shahar Handelsman, Ophir Bar-On, Guy Steuer, Meir Mei-Zahav, Dario Prais, Patrick Stafler
Summary: Diagnosis of recurrent or isolated tracheo-esophageal fistula (TEF) can be challenging and may be missed using ordinary flexible bronchoscopy and imaging studies. Low flow oxygen insufflation is a safe technique that may detect otherwise occult TEF.
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Galit Livnat, Adi Dagan, Moshe Heching, Einat Shmueli, Dario Prais, Karin Yaacoby-Bianu, Nili Stein, Meir Mei-Zahav, Michal Gur, Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh, Michal Shteinberg
Summary: This study demonstrates the clinical efficacy of ETI in patients with CF carrying non-F508del mutations, supporting its routine use in this patient group. ETI treatment resulted in reduced sweat chloride concentration, decreased pulmonary exacerbations, and improvements in nutritional status and lung function.
JOURNAL OF CYSTIC FIBROSIS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Shay Ehrlich, Inbal Golan Tripto, Moran Lavie, Michal Cahal, Tommy Shonfeld, Dario Prais, Hagit Levine, Meir Mei-Zahav, Ophir Bar-On, Yulia Gendler, Jonatan Zalcman, Eahab Sarsur, Micha Aviram, Aviv Goldbart, Patrick Stafler
Summary: A retrospective study conducted in three pediatric centers in Israel showed that home high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy was well tolerated and safe for a variety of indications, leading to improved weight gain, reduced hospitalization days, and high parental satisfaction.
PEDIATRIC PULMONOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hagit Levine, Ophir Bar-On, Vered Nir, Nicole West, Yotam Dizitzer, Huda Mussaffi, Dario Prais
Summary: More than half of patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) have reversible airway obstruction, which is not correlated with markers of atopy. Inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroid therapies are commonly used for treating PCD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ophir Bar-On, Hagit Levine, Patrick Stafler, Einat Shmueli, Eyal Jacobi, Ori Goldberg, Guy Steuer, Dario Prais, Meir Mei-Zahav
Summary: This study investigated the use of lactose-containing dry-powder inhalers (DPIs) in patients with cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA) among pediatric pulmonologists and allergologists. The results showed that almost half of the doctors were unaware of the contraindication of DPIs in patients with CMPA. Most doctors who were aware of this warning still prescribed these DPIs.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Hagit Levine, Yoram Nevo, Julia Katz, Huda Mussaffi, Gabriel Chodick, Meir Mei-Zahav, Patrick Stafler, Guy Steuer, Ophir Bar-On, Hadas Mantin, Dario Prais, Sharon Aharoni
Summary: This retrospective study reviewed the medical records of 61 Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) patients at Schneider Childrens' Medical Center of Israel. A total of 288 sputum cultures were obtained from these patients, and the results showed that airway bacterial colonization is common in SMA patients, with pseudomonas aeruginosa and staphylococcus aureus being the most common bacteria. The study also found that treatment with Onasemnogene abeparvovec or Nusinersen did not decrease the incidence of bacterial infection.
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Einat Shmueli, Yulia Gendler, Patrick Stafler, Hagit Levine, Guy Steuer, Ophir Bar-On, Hannah Blau, Dario Prais, Meir Mei-Zahav
Summary: The study aims to evaluate if dynamic hyperinflation (DH) can predict pulmonary deterioration in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and explore its association with peak VO2. The results showed a significant decline in lung function (FEV1%) trend in the DH group, and the DH group had a higher frequency of intravenous antibiotic treatment in the 4 years after CPETs. Peak VO2 was also correlated with lung function deterioration and intravenous antibiotic treatment.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Einat Shmueli, Ophir Bar-On, Ben Amir, Meir Mei-Zahav, Patrick Stafler, Hagit Levine, Guy Steuer, Benjamin Rothschild, Lior Tsviban, Nofar Amitai, Miri Dotan, Gabriel Chodick, Dario Prais, Liat Ashkenazi-Hoffnung
Summary: This study examined pulmonary function tests in children with post-COVID-19 condition and found that the most common impairment was a mild obstructive pattern, with most patients having no history of asthma. Improvement was observed in long-term follow-up.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)