Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Wenli Liao, Na Huang, Ying Zhang, Yao Sun, Tao Chen, Weiliang Zeng, Liqiong Chen, Hong Wen, Jianming Cao, Tieli Zhou
Summary: This study investigated the clinical, virulence, and molecular epidemiological characteristics of intestinal CRKP isolates, showing that CRKP strains in the infection group had higher virulence than those in the colonization group. Future clinical surveillance should focus on the development of CRKP isolates colonizing in the intestine.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Jing Yuan Tan, Edwin Philip Conceicao, Liang En Wee, Xiang Ying Jean Sim, Indumathi Venkatachalam
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health measures were effective in reducing hospital admissions for all AECOPD as well as RVI-associated AECOPD, highlighting the importance of such measures in controlling respiratory infections.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yu Luo, Daniel F. McAuley, Catherine R. Fulton, Joana Sa Pessoa, Ronan McMullan, Fionnuala T. Lundy
Summary: This study found that early Candida albicans biofilms increased the numbers of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus within dual-species biofilms, but not Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Targeted antifungal treatment significantly decreased the numbers of S. aureus in dual-species biofilms.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Anna Lena Jung, Maria Han, Kathrin Griss, Wilhelm Bertrams, Christoph Nell, Timm Greulich, Andreas Klemmer, Hendrik Pott, Dominik Heider, Claus F. Vogelmeier, Stefan Hippenstiel, Norbert Suttorp, Bernd Schmeck
Summary: This study analyzed the value of selected plasma markers in the differential diagnosis and severity grading of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD). The levels of certain markers were found to differ between CAP and AECOPD patients and healthy individuals. These markers can serve as biomarkers and provide information on differential diagnosis and disease severity.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Michelle E. Love, David Proud
Summary: COPD is a major cause of death globally, with acute exacerbations being a significant contributor to disease morbidity and mortality. This review examines the role of bacterial and viral infections, along with co-infections, in the pathogenesis of COPD exacerbations. The focus is on the role of airway epithelial cell responses in regulating the pathophysiology of exacerbations of COPD, and potential medication approaches to treat acute exacerbations triggered by respiratory infections.
Article
Microbiology
Ingrid Cornax, Jacob Zulk, Joshua Olson, Marcus Fulde, Victor Nizet, Kathryn A. Patras
Summary: The study investigated the virulence potential of Streptococcus canis, concluding that the SCM protein has modest contribution to invasive disease in murine models, but may contribute to mucosal persistence, highlighting the genetic diversity of SCM.
Article
Respiratory System
Yunus Colak, Borge G. Nordestgaard, Shoaib Afzal
Summary: Low vitamin D is associated both observationally and genetically with an increased risk of bacterial pneumonia. However, there is no evidence to support a correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and the risk of urinary tract infections, skin infections, sepsis, or gastroenteritis.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Carlos A. Amado, Pedro Munoz, Mayte Garcia-Unzueta, Juan Aguero, Sandra Tello, Paula Fueyo, Carmen Vega, Bernardo A. Lavin, Raul A. Guerra, Ciro Casanova
Summary: The study found that the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high in COPD patients, with around 22.9% of hypovitaminosis D patients having secondary hyperparathyroidism. Patients with high iPTH and low 25(OH)D levels were shown to have a higher risk of moderate COPD exacerbations and hospital admissions compared to those with normal iPTH and low 25(OH)D levels.
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Carlos Neila-Ibanez, Louise Brogaard, Lola Pailler-Garcia, Jorge Martinez, Joaquim Segales, Mariela Segura, Peter M. H. Heegaard, Virginia Aragon
Summary: Streptococcus suis is a common pathogen in swine that can cause arthritis, polyserositis, and meningitis. Colonization by S. suis often occurs early in the life of piglets, and the outcome of infection is influenced by both the virulence of the strains and the immunity of the animals. In this study, the innate immune response to S. suis was investigated in piglets, showing differences in gene transcription and local inflammatory responses between virulent and non-virulent strains of the pathogen.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Pedro H. F. Sucupira, Tauany R. Moura, Isabella L. S. Gurgel, Tassia T. P. Pereira, Ana C. B. Padovan, Mauro M. Teixeira, Diana Bahia, Frederico M. Soriani
Summary: Candida albicans is a commensal fungus that can cause nosocomial infections in immunocompromised individuals. In this study, the virulence variability of different clinical isolates of C. albicans was investigated. The results showed that different isolates exhibited different abilities to evade macrophage phagocytosis and resist oxidative stress, which correlated with their mortality rates in an animal model of candidiasis. This study highlights the importance of in vitro and in vivo functional characterizations for determining the virulence of different clinical isolates.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Immunology
Hisanori Domon, Yutaka Terao
Summary: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a major human pathogen that causes diseases like bacterial pneumonia, otitis media, meningitis, and septicemia. Research has primarily focused on the bacterium's virulence factors, but recent evidence highlights the importance of understanding host factors and interactions in the pathogenesis of pneumococcal diseases. Neutrophil accumulation and elastase play crucial roles in the progression of pneumococcal pneumonia.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Bei Zhao, Lisa Osbelt, Till Robin Lesker, Marie Wende, Eric J. C. Galvez, Lisa Hoenicke, Arne Bublitz, Marina C. Greweling-Pils, Guntram A. Grassl, Meina Neumann-Schaal, Till Strowig
Summary: Transfer of wild mouse gut microbiota to laboratory mice enhances immune status and resistance to diseases, with Helicobacter spp. being enriched in wild mice. Experiments with non-SPF Helicobacter spp. in mice show interference with Citrobacter rodentium colonization and gut inflammation, suggesting a protective function against intestinal infection. Results indicate that Helicobacter spp. interfere with C. rodentium tissue attachment, potentially by reducing mucus-derived sugars.
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Fabian Leo, Marwin Bannehr, Swantje Valenta, Madlen Lippeck, Sebastian Pachl, Michaela Steib-Bauert, Hannes Semper, Christian Grohe
Summary: The study demonstrated the short-term effectiveness of a CPOE-based ABS intervention in reducing antibiotic treatment duration for uncomplicated pneumonia, increasing adherence to clinical guidelines, and decreasing antibiotic use density, particularly in hospitals with limited ABS resources.
RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kristina Macakova, Elzbieta Kaczmarek, Kiyoshi Itagaki
Summary: Our work suggests that mtDAMPs, specifically mtFPs released by tissue injury, play a significant role in the development of nosocomial pneumonia after a serious injury. PMN migrate to the injury site by detecting mtFPs through FPR1 to fight bacterial infection, but the activation of FPR1 by mtFPs leads to desensitization/internalization of chemokine receptors, rendering PMN unresponsive to secondary infections. This allows bacterial growth in the lungs and the development of nosocomial pneumonia. Intratracheal application of exogenously isolated PMN may prevent pneumonia coupled with a serious injury.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Respiratory System
Shengchuan Feng, Yuqiong Yang, Fengyan Wang, Weijuan Shi, Jiaxuan Xu, Guoyan Tang, Jiaxing Xie, Nanshan Zhong, Zhenyu Liang, Rongchang Chen
Summary: This study aimed to determine the relationship between human beta-defensin-2 (hBD-2) levels and aggravation of COPD. The results showed that patients with exacerbations had significantly lower sputum hBD-2 levels, and low hBD-2 levels were associated with exacerbations. These findings have important implications for future therapies for COPD.
BMC PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2023)
