Article
Microbiology
Shengnan Jiang, Hemu Zhuang, Feiteng Zhu, Xiang Wei, Junxiong Zhang, Lu Sun, Shujuan Ji, Haiping Wang, Dandan Wu, Feng Zhao, Rushuang Yan, Yunsong Yu, Yan Chen
Summary: The emergence of daptomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains is a global problem caused by point mutations in the mprF gene. This study found that specific mprF mutations lead to the seesaw effect of distinct beta-lactams in MRSA strains and the combination therapy of daptomycin and beta-lactams has synergistic activity. The cell surface positive charge is not affected by mprF mutations. Understanding the mechanism of restoring susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics mediated by mprF mutations is important for the treatment of MRSA infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Shengnan Jiang, Mengzhen Chen, Junxiong Zhang, Xiaoliang Ba, Hao Zhang, Yueqin Hong, Lu Sun, Zhengan Wang, Hemu Zhuang, Feiteng Zhu, Yiyi Chen, Haiping Wang, Feng Zhao, Yan Chen, Yunsong Yu, Shujuan Ji
Summary: Our study found a wide distribution of DAP resistance and heteroresistance in MRSA in China. The resistance to DAP in MRSA may threaten its effectiveness against MRSA infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andreas F. Wendel, Robin Otchwemah, Franziska Layer-Nicolaou, Frauke Mattner, Carlos J. Tellez-Castillo, Robert Skov, Henrik Oberlaender, Guido Werner, Birgit Strommenger
Summary: This study investigated the causes of the emergence and spread of daptomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (DAP-R) in three medical centers in Cologne, Germany. It was found that the acquisition of DAP resistance mainly occurred in patients with wounds who were treated with antiseptic rather than systemic antibiotic therapy. The study also demonstrated that treatment with polyhexamethylene biguanide/polyhexanide (PHMB) could lead to the development of DAP resistance.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Cassandra Lew, Nagendra N. Mishra, Arnold S. Bayer, Warren E. Rose
Summary: The clinical treatment of MRSA infections with beta-lactam combinations may induce changes in the cell envelope, potentially improving the activity of lipopeptide daptomycin against MRSA strains.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Christoph J. Slavetinsky, Janna N. Hauser, Cordula Gekeler, Jessica Slavetinsky, Andre Geyer, Alexandra Kraus, Doris Heilingbrunner, Samuel Wagner, Michael Tesar, Bernhard Krismer, Sebastian Kuhn, Christoph M. Ernst, Andreas Peschel
Summary: The pandemic of antibiotic resistance is a major threat to human health, and new antimicrobial strategies are needed. Multiple peptide resistance factor (MprF) is a key factor that increases the resistance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other pathogens to host defense peptides and antibiotics. In this study, monoclonal antibodies targeting MprF were developed, and an antibody called M-C7.1 was found to sensitize MRSA to antimicrobial peptides and antibiotics, as well as impair its survival in human phagocytes. These findings suggest that MprF inhibitors could be used as a new antivirulence approach against MRSA and other bacterial pathogens.
Article
Immunology
Matthew P. Cheng, Alexander Lawandi, Guillaume Butler-Laporte, Samuel De L'Etoile-Morel, Katryn Paquette, Todd C. Lee
Summary: The study aimed to determine the efficacy of synergistic treatment with daptomycin when given with either cefazolin or cloxacillin for the treatment of MSSA BSI. Results showed that adjunctive daptomycin therapy did not shorten the duration of bacteremia when added to standard-of-care treatment for MSSA BSIs, and should not be routinely considered.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Md Saruar Bhuiyan, Jhih-Hang Jiang, Xenia Kostoulias, Ravali Theegala, Graham J. Lieschke, Anton Y. Peleg
Summary: The study investigated host innate immune responses against clinically derived, daptomycin-resistant and -susceptible Staphylococcus aureus isolates using a zebrafish infection model. Results showed that control of daptomycin-resistant S. aureus infections in vivo was compromised due to cross-resistance to host cationic antimicrobial peptides, shedding light on persistent infections caused by this troublesome pathogen.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Simitsopoulou, Paschalis Kadiltzoglou, Charalampos Antachopoulos, Emmanuel Roilides
Summary: This study found that Daptomycin (DAP) has a synergistic effect on MRSA biofilms, enhancing the damage caused by human polymor-phonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). Additionally, DAP can modulate the immune response of human monocytes (MNCs) to MRSA biofilms through upregulation of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and increased NLRP3 inflammasome production, potentially controlling biofilm-associated pathogenicity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher R. Miller, Jonathan M. Monk, Richard Szubin, Andrew D. Berti
Summary: Understanding the impact of antibiotic tolerance on subsequent resistance development is crucial for effective therapeutic interventions. This study highlights the rapid development of resistance in a patient with MRSA bacteremia, identifying genetic and metabolic changes associated with this evolution. The patient's isolates showed increased tolerance to daptomycin, contributing to the subsequent emergence of resistance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jian Peng, Biswajit Mishra, Rajamohammed Khader, LewisOscar Felix, Eleftherios Mylonakis
Summary: In this study, a smaller antimicrobial peptide C18 derived from cecropin 4 showed high antibacterial activity against various bacteria and yeasts, with a remarkable effect on drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. C18 also exhibited the capability to eliminate persister cells, reduce biofilm adherence, interact with DNA, and down-regulate virulence factor genes. Moreover, C18 showed promising results in a Galleria mellonella model, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for severe MRSA infections.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jasmina Al Janabi, Staffan Tevell, Raphael Niklaus Sieber, Marc Stegger, Bo Soderquist
Summary: This study investigated the susceptibility of Staphylococcus epidermidis strains from prosthetic joint infections to dalbavancin and the genomic variation in strains with reduced susceptibility. The results suggest that exposure to dalbavancin may lead to reduced susceptibility through selection of pre-existing subpopulations, epigenetic changes, or spontaneous mutations during antibiotic exposure. Therefore, source control and adequate antibiotic concentrations are important to prevent emerging reduced susceptibility during dalbavancin treatment.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yanlei Xu, Bingjie Wang, Huilin Zhao, Xinyi Wang, Lulin Rao, Wenxiu Ai, Jingyi Yu, Yinjuan Guo, Xiaocui Wu, Fangyou Yu, Shuying Chen
Summary: The study found that all MRSA isolates remained sensitive to vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid and daptomycin, but an increase in MIC50 and MIC90 was observed for linezolid.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sydney Agnello, Lynn C. Wardlow, Erica Reed, Jessica M. Smith, Kelci Coe, Shandra R. Day
Summary: This study compared the clinical outcomes of Daptomycin (DAP) and Anti-staphylococcal beta-lactam (ASBL) antibiotics for the treatment of MSSA bacteremia, and found no difference in the primary outcome between the two groups. However, the DAP cohort had a longer hospital length of stay, indicating the need for larger studies to confirm these findings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Bingqian Yuan, Xiaoyu Lu, Min Yang, Qiyi He, Zhuocen Cha, Yaqun Fang, Yan Yang, Lei Xu, Jingting Yan, Ren Lai, Aili Wang, Xiaodong Yu, Zilei Duan
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a common pathogenic bacterium with increasing drug resistance. The antimicrobial peptide GW18 shows excellent activity against various strains of S. aureus and significantly reduces infection in animal models.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marieke M. Kuijk, Yongzheng Wu, Vincent P. van Hensbergen, Gizem Shanlitourk, Christine Payre, Gerard Lambeau, Sandra Man-Bovenkerk, Jennifer Herrmann, Rolf Mueller, Jos A. G. van Strijp, Yvonne Pannekoek, Lhousseine Touqui, Nina M. van Sorge
Summary: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a high priority pathogen that requires new treatments. Human group IIA-secreted phospholipase A(2) (hGIIA) is effective against MRSA infections. The study investigated the mechanisms of hGIIA resistance in MRSA and identified the lipoprotein signal peptidase LspA as a new resistance gene. LspA deletion also increased susceptibility to the antibiotic daptomycin.
JOURNAL OF INNATE IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Courtney L. Luterbach, Liang Chen, Lauren Komarow, Belinda Ostrowsky, Keith S. Kaye, Blake Hanson, Cesar A. Arias, Samit Desai, Jason C. Gallagher, Elizabeth Novick, Stephen Pagkalinawan, Ebbing Lautenbach, Glenn Wortmann, Robert C. Kalayjian, Brandon Eilertson, John J. Farrell, Todd McCarty, Carol Hill, Vance G. Fowler, Barry N. Kreiswirth, Robert A. Bonomo, David van Duin
Summary: This study evaluated the clustering of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) among patients in US hospitals and identified widespread intrasystem and intersystem transmission. Different methods for assessing genetic similarity resulted in only minor differences in interpretation.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Zhichen Zhu, Xiaofang Xie, Hua Yu, Wei Jia, Bin Shan, Bin Huang, Fen Qu, Siqiang Niu, Jinnan Lv, Qizhao Gao, Feinan Qian, Xiangxiang Tian, Yaxuan Zhai, Yicheng Wen, Chengcheng Yang, Jie Zhu, Yiwei Tang, Liang Chen, Hong Du
Summary: This study conducted a genomic analysis on 92 isolates of Enterobacter-caused infections from multiple tertiary health centres in China, revealing that the most common CR-Ent species in China was E. xiangfangensis and the major lineages were ST171 and ST116 E. xiangfangensis. Additionally, the prevalent carbapenemase-encoding plasmid carried by CR-Ent strains was identified as bla(NDM)-harbouring IncX3-type plasmid. This study provides the first detailed genomic and clinical characteristics of CR-Ent in China.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ying Zhou, Yang Yang, Xiaobin Li, Dongxing Tian, Wenxiu Ai, Weiwen Wang, Bingjie Wang, Barry N. Kreiswirth, Fangyou Yu, Liang Chen, Xiaofei Jiang
Summary: In this study, the native CRISPR system of K. pneumoniae was used to successfully cure multidrug-resistant IncFII plasmids through conjugation-mediated delivery of the CRISPR-Cas3 system. The work demonstrated that CRISPR-mediated plasmid curing could re-sensitize drug-resistant K. pneumoniae to multiple antibiotics.
Article
Immunology
Angelique E. Boutzoukas, Lauren Komarow, Liang Chen, Blake Hanson, Souha S. Kanj, Zhengyin Liu, Soraya Salcedo Mendoza, Karen Ordonez, Minggui Wang, David L. Paterson, Scott Evans, Lizhao Ge, Abhigya Giri, Carol Hill, Keri Baum, Robert A. Bonomo, Barry Kreiswirth, Robin Patel, Cesar A. Arias, Henry F. Chambers, Vance G. Fowler, David van Duin
Summary: This study described the clinical, molecular epidemiology, and outcomes of Carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli (CP-Ec) from several countries. The study found regional variations in CP-Ec and called for strengthened monitoring and treatment measures. Patients infected with metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) producers had lower mortality rates.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Wanshan Ma, Bo Zhu, Wen Wang, Qian Wang, Xiaodi Cui, Yujiao Wang, Xiutao Dong, Xiaofeng Li, Jianping Ma, Fang Cheng, Xiaohong Shi, Liang Chen, Siqiang Niu, Mingju Hao
Summary: In this study, two novel bla(NDM) variants were identified in three E. coli strains isolated from a patient with refractory urinary tract infection in China. These strains showed intermediate or resistance to most beta-lactam antibiotics. NDM-36 and NDM-37 had different hydrolytic activities against different antibiotics, indicating the ongoing evolution of NDM enzymes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Luqi Wang, Bin Chen, Hui Zhou, Barun Mathema, Liang Chen, Xiangchen Li, Yewei Lu, Zhengwei Liu, Xiaomeng Wang, Weibing Wang
Summary: Understanding the emergence and evolution of drug resistance in tuberculosis (TB) is important for public health intervention. This study in eastern China collected genomic and epidemiological data on TB patients from 2015 to 2021. The study found the sequence and timing of introduction of anti-TB drugs were linked to the emergence and expansion of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis populations. Geospatial analysis revealed the migration of drug-resistant isolates within the region. Continuous evolution and transmission of drug-resistant strains were observed. To control the epidemic of drug-resistant TB, careful drug usage and timely identification of resistant patients are necessary.
Article
Microbiology
Xinyi Wang, Xiaocui Wu, Li Shen, Lulin Rao, Bingjie Wang, Huilin Zhao, Jiao Zhang, Yanghua Xiao, Yinjuan Guo, Yanlei Xu, Liang Chen, Fangyou Yu
Summary: This study traced the transmission and evolution of emerging MRSA ST45 strains in mainland China, and explored its virulence. MRSA ST45 isolates were often obtained from blood, primarily originated in Guangzhou, and carried diverse virulence and drug resistance genes, with SCCmec IV dominating. The study also highlighted the presence of two different clonotypes of China MRSA ST45, which may become widespread in the future.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Johann D. D. Pitout, Liang Chen
Summary: Epidemic IncF plasmids have played a crucial role in the selective advantage of multidrug-resistant extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli (ExPEC). These plasmids offer advantages to their hosts and have coevolved with bacterial host genomes, contributing to the success of ExPEC. IncF plasmids are large and diverse, often carrying antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence associated factor (VAF) genes. They have become fixed in certain MDR ExPEC clones, such as ST131 and ST410, due to the presence of AMR, VAF genes, and other traits. Different subclades of ST131 and ST410 have emerged with different AMR genes on IncF platforms over time. The continuous use of antimicrobial agents increases the risk of the emergence of MDR ExPEC clone/IncF plasmid combinations.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jinnethe Reyes, Lauren Komarow, Liang Chen, Lizhao Ge, Blake M. Hanson, Eric Cober, Erica Herc, Thamer Alenazi, Keith S. Kaye, Julia Garcia-Diaz, Lanjuan Li, Souha S. Kanj, Zhengyin Liu, Jose M. Onate, Robert A. Salata, Kalisvar Marimuthu, Hainv Gao, Zhiyong Zong, Sandra L. Valderrama-Beltran, Yunsong Yu, Paul Tambyah, Gregory Weston, Soraya Salcedo, Lillian M. Abbo, Qing Xie, Karen Ordonez, Minggui Wang, Martin E. Stryjewski, Jose M. Munita, David L. Paterson, Scott Evans, Carol Hill, Keri Baum, Robert A. Bonomo, Barry N. Kreiswirth, Maria Virginia Villegas, Robin Patel, Cesar A. Arias, Henry F. Chambers, Vance G. Fowler Jr, Yohei Doi, David van Duin, Michael J. Satlin
Summary: This study investigated the characteristics and outcomes of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) infections and the distribution and clinical significance of carbapenemases. The results showed that carbapenemase-producing CRPA infections were associated with increased 30-day mortality, and the prevalence of carbapenemase genes varied by region. These findings highlight the therapeutic challenges posed by these carbapenem-resistant organisms.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jie Zhu, Jingnan Lv, Zhichen Zhu, Tao Wang, Xiaofang Xie, Haifang Zhang, Liang Chen, Hong Du
Summary: A novel RND efflux pump gene cluster, tmexCD-toprJ, confers resistance to tigecycline in gram-negative bacteria. Hospital sewage acts as a reservoir for high antimicrobial resistance genes. The emergence of TMexCD-ToprJ-producing CR-GNB in hospital sewage highlights the need for ongoing surveillance of antimicrobial resistance genes in the wastewater environment.
DRUG RESISTANCE UPDATES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sophia Dar, Daniel Erickson, Claudia Manca, Tara Lozy, Elena Shashkina, Milena Kordalewska, Jose R. Mediavilla, Liang Chen, Albert Rojtman, Barry N. Kreiswirth
Summary: This study aimed to compare the morbidity and mortality predictors between COVID-19 positive and negative patients with sepsis caused by Gram-positive or Gram-negative infections. A retrospective review was conducted, and patient demographics, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes were extracted and analyzed. The results showed that COVID-19 positive patients had higher inpatient mortality, and patients with Gram-positive bacterial infections had a greater mortality risk. These findings provide important insights into the treatment of these patients, especially those co-infected with Staphylococcus aureus.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yi Li, Fengli Zhu, Adhar C. Manna, Liang Chen, Jason Jiang, Jong-In Hong, Richard A. Proctor, Arnold S. Bayer, Ambrose L. Cheung, Yan Q. Q. Xiong
Summary: Persistent endovascular infections caused by MRSA strains susceptible to anti-MRSA antibiotics represent a unique variant of antibiotic resistance mechanisms and a significant therapeutic challenge. Prophage, a mobile genetic element carried by MRSA isolates, provides metabolic advantages and resistance mechanisms to bacterial hosts. This study demonstrates that the gp05 gene of the novel prophage & phi;SA169 significantly impacts MRSA virulence factors, host immune responses, and vancomycin treatment efficacy, leading to persistent outcomes in MRSA endovascular infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xudong Wang, Yumin Kan, Kaihong Bai, Xiaoli Xu, Xing Chen, Chengxuan Yu, Jia Shi, Na Jiang, Jianqiang Li, Laixin Luo
Summary: This study investigated a novel TA system in the phytopathogenic bacterium Acidovorax citrulli and found that it displays characteristics of both type II and type V TA systems. The Aave_1720 toxin functions as a ribonuclease, and the Aave_1719 antitoxin binds directly to Aave_1720 to inhibit its activity. Interestingly, Aave_1719 itself exhibits ribonuclease activity and targets Aave_1720 mRNA, indicating its ability to neutralize the toxin, similar to type V TA systems. The deletion of Aave_1720 and/or Aave_1719 affects biofilm formation and bacterial survival under sodium hypochlorite stress. These findings expand our understanding of TA systems and provide insights into a novel mechanism of toxin neutralization.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Yuesong Weng, Tao Wang, Bin Huang, Hua Yu, Wei Jia, Bin Shan, Fen Qu, Yiwei Tang, Liang Chen, Hong Du
Summary: This study investigated the extent of colistin heteroresistance among CRKP strains in China, revealing a prevalence of 6.2%. It was found that the ST11 clone accounted for 60.7% of the colistin-heteroresistant isolates. The study also showed that heteroresistance could be suppressed by an efflux pump inhibitor and identified the significant role of the PhoPQ pathway in the mechanisms of heteroresistance.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yi-Tsung Lin, Chien Chuang, Sheng-Hua Chou, Chih-Han Juan, Tsuey-Ching Yang, Barry N. Kreiswirth, Liang Chen
Summary: This study characterized three carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae strains isolated from different clinical samples in a Taiwan hospital. These strains belonged to different clones and carried various virulence or resistance genes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)