Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Matias Aguilera, Eduardo Tobar-Calfucoy, Victoria Rojas-Martinez, Rodrigo Norambuena, Maria Jesus Serrano, Onix Cifuentes, Maria Sofia Zamudio, Daniel San Martin, Pabla Lara, Andrea Sabag, Marcela Zabner, Daniel Tichy, Pamela Camejo, Luis Leon, Michael Pino, Soledad Ulloa, Felipe Rojas, Christian Pieringer, Cecilia Muster, Daniel Castillo, Nicolas Ferreira, Camilo Avendano, Mauro Canaval, Hans Pieringer, Pablo Cifuentes, Nicolas Cifuentes Munoz
Summary: In this study, we isolated and characterized 47 bacteriophages that showed variable degrees of lytic activity against 258 Salmonella isolates from a commercial broiler company in Brazil. Three of these bacteriophages were selected to assemble a cocktail, which was found to be highly effective against multiple serovars of Salmonella in vitro, including under conditions that resemble the chicken gut. The cocktail also showed limited or no cross-resistance, highlighting its potential for in vivo application in commercial broiler farms.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xymena Stachurska, Krzysztof Cendrowski, Kamila Pachnowska, Agnieszka Piegat, Ewa Mijowska, Pawel Nawrotek
Summary: Little is known about the interactions between non-filamentous, complex-structured lytic phages and free, non-ordered nanoparticles. This study investigated the influence of various nanoparticles on a T4-like phage, revealing that the charge of the nanoparticles is crucial for the specific attachment of the phage, and most nanoparticles positively affected the phage lytic performance.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Janet Y. Nale, Gurinder K. Vinner, Viviana C. Lopez, Anisha M. Thanki, Preeda Phothaworn, Parameth Thiennimitr, Angela Garcia, Manal AbuOun, Muna F. Anjum, Sunee Korbsrisate, Edouard E. Galyov, Danish J. Malik, Martha R. J. Clokie
Summary: The study found that phages can be used to control Salmonella infection in animals, and specific application methods were investigated. Prophylactic regimen was more effective than remedial regimen, showing promising potential for treating infections in pigs and poultry.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Chenglin Tao, Zhengfei Yi, Yaodong Zhang, Yao Wang, Hong Zhu, Dosseh Jean Apotre Afayibo, Tao Li, Mingxing Tian, Jingjing Qi, Chan Ding, Song Gao, Shaohui Wang, Shengqing Yu
Summary: Improper use of antibiotics has led to the rise of multidrug-resistant bacteria, posing a major health threat. Bacterial biofilms also contribute to antibiotic resistance. Phage therapy with SHWT1, a lytic phage against multidrug-resistant Salmonella, showed promising results in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent against salmonellosis caused by resistant strains.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hong Pan, Mei Shu, Tian-Jiao Li, Kai-Sheng Shen, Yuan-Yang Zhao, Ning-Bo Liao, Chan Zhong, Guo-Ping Wu
Summary: In this study, two lytic Salmonella phages were isolated and characterized, and they showed effective antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant Salmonella in foods. These phages demonstrated high activity in a wide range of pH and temperature conditions. Treatment with the phages and their cocktail resulted in significant reduction of bacterial counts in lettuce and milk. These results indicate that these phages can be used as antibacterial agents to control Salmonella contamination, especially when used in combination.
LWT-FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Sumeet Rai, Anuj Tyagi, B. T. Naveen Kumar, S. Vijay Kumar Reddy
Summary: In this study, a lytic phage D6 against Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated and characterized. The phage was able to lyse 95% of A. hydrophila isolates and showed significant inhibition of bacterial growth in vitro. In addition, a cocktail of phages D6 and CF7 reduced the A. hydrophila counts in fish fillets, indicating its potential in controlling contamination.
Article
Microbiology
Razieh Kebriaei, Katherine L. Lev, Kyle C. Stamper, Susan M. Lehman, Sandra Morales, Michael J. Rybak
Summary: This study proved the effectiveness of bacteriophage-antibiotic combinations in preventing bacteriophage resistance and enhancing bacterial eradication in simulated endocardial vegetation models, potentially combating serious MRSA infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Cong Zhang, Jingzhi Yuan, Changming Guo, Chenling Ge, Xiaoye Wang, Deyuan Wei, Xun Li, Hongbin Si, Chuanhuo Hu
Summary: The study identified a lytic lethal Klebsiella pneumoniae phage and evaluated its anti-infective effects in a murine model of K. pneumoniae infection. Phage Bp5 showed characteristics that significantly reduced colony formation by K. pneumoniae and alleviated lung tissue damage.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katie Rubitschung, Amber Sherwood, Andrew P. Crisologo, Kavita Bhavan, Robert W. Haley, Dane K. Wukich, Laila Castellino, Helena Hwang, Javier La Fontaine, Avneesh Chhabra, Lawrence Lavery, Orhan K. Oz
Summary: Diabetic foot infection is a major global cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations, with increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus and its complications. Improved clinical assessment and treatment are needed to address the growing pervasiveness and financial implications of DFI.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sophie Camens, Sha Liu, Karen Hon, George Spyro Bouras, Alkis James Psaltis, Peter-John Wormald, Sarah Vreugde
Summary: The isolated phage PA4 showed lytic ability against clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa, indicating its potential in clinical applications.
Article
Virology
Pavel Alexyuk, Andrey Bogoyavlenskiy, Madina Alexyuk, Kuralay Akanova, Yergali Moldakhanov, Vladimir Berezin
Summary: This study investigated six lytic E. coli bacteriophages isolated from wastewater, which showed the ability to suppress the growth of pathogenic E. coli strains. These bacteriophages had a wide host range, and a cocktail formed from them exhibited long storage period and high efficiency in treating bacterial infections.
Review
Cell Biology
He Liu, Zhen Hu, Mengyang Li, Yi Yang, Shuguang Lu, Xiancai Rao
Summary: G(+) bacterial infections pose a significant burden and require urgent development of antimicrobial agents due to the prevalence of multidrug-resistant G(+) bacteria. Endolysins, phage-encoded enzymes, are promising alternatives for combating resistance due to their low bacterial resistance. This review classifies and summarizes the mechanisms, efficacy, and advantages of endolysins as antibacterial drug candidates targeting G(+) bacteria. Safety, challenges, and potential solutions are also addressed, with indications that endolysin-based drugs will be approved in the near future.
JOURNAL OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andrey A. A. Filippov, Wanwen Su, Kirill V. V. Sergueev, Richard T. T. Kevorkian, Erik C. C. Snesrud, Apichai Srijan, Yunxiu He, Derrick E. E. Fouts, Woradee Lurchachaiwong, Patrick T. T. McGann, Damon W. W. Ellison, Brett E. E. Swierczewski, Mikeljon P. P. Nikolich
Summary: Shigellosis is a significant global cause of diarrhea, and the spread of antibiotic resistance has made treatment complicated. Research has found that phages with lytic activity can be used as alternative therapeutics and have demonstrated broad antibacterial activity and improved survival rates.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xinbang Liu, Qiuyue Ren, Yangkui Zhai, Yihan Kong, Dong Chen, Bai Chang
Summary: This study analyzed the microbiological characteristics and drug resistance of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) patients, and identified the potential risk factors for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Previous hospitalization, ulcer size >4cm(2), surgical therapy, and CRP were found to be independent risk factors for MDROs infection in diabetic foot patients.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Immunology
R. Preenanka, Muhammed P. Safeena
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and purify obligately lytic bacteriophages and study its morphological, genetic and biological characteristics. The four bacteriophages isolated in this study exhibit 100% infectivity to S. agalactiae serotype Ia, a predominate serotype infecting fish. The phages were found to be stable and potential to eliminate the S. agalactiae serotype Ia infecting fish.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2023)
Article
Virology
Natalia Baginska, Marek Adam Harhala, Martyna Cieslik, Filip Orwat, Beata Weber-Dabrowska, Krystyna Dabrowska, Andrzej Gorski, Ewa Jonczyk-Matysiak
Summary: Infections with multi-drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii pose a serious threat. Phage therapy is a promising alternative for treating these infections. This study isolated and characterized 12 phages specific for A. baumannii, providing valuable tools for fighting against this pathogen and boosting interest in phage therapy as an alternative to antibiotics.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Frederico Alves, Rita Castro, Miguel Pinto, Alexandra Nunes, Constanca Pomba, Manuela Oliveira, Leonor Silveira, Joao Paulo Gomes, Monica Oleastro
Summary: This study investigated the C. difficile strains in canine and feline populations and assessed their genetic overlap with human strains. The results showed that companion animals may be a source of infection for toxigenic and antimicrobial resistant C. difficile isolates associated with humans. This study provides important data on the genetic proximity between C. difficile isolates from animals and humans, contributing to future research on the role of animal reservoirs in the transmission networks and alerting to potential public health risks.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Raquel Abreu, Antonio Martinho, Rute Noiva, Hugo Pissarra, Joao Cota, Eva Cunha, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: This case report describes a 5-year-old dog with Aspergillus terreus infection, which was successfully treated with itraconazole therapy, resulting in significant clinical improvement and resolution of radiographic abnormalities.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joao Lozano, Mariana Louro, Cristina Almeida, Ana Claudia Victorio, Pedro Melo, Joao Paulo Rodrigues, Manuela Oliveira, Adolfo Paz-Silva, Luis Madeira de Carvalho
Summary: This study isolated seven Mucor isolates from avian fecal samples, which is the first report of native predatory fungi isolated from avian feces and demonstrated their lytic activity against coccidia.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Catia Silveiro, Mariana Marques, Francisco Olivenca, David Pires, Diana Mortinho, Alexandra Nunes, Madalena Pimentel, Elsa Anes, Maria Joao Catalao
Summary: The study investigates the impact of the lack of effective therapeutics on multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It identifies the essentiality of peptidoglycan modifications and their effects on resistance and host-pathogen interactions. Depletion of these modifications enhances the killing of bacteria by macrophages and shows potential as therapeutic targets against TB.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marcus Vinicius Canario Viana, Jose Henrique Galdino, Rodrigo Profeta, Manuela Oliveira, Luis Tavares, Siomar de Castro Soares, Paulo Carneiro, Alice Rebecca Wattam, Vasco Azevedo
Summary: Several Corynebacterium silvaticum strains from Portugal show unique genetic diversity and may be able to produce diphtheria toxin, causing caseous lymphadenitis in wild boars, domestic pigs, and roe deer. These findings contribute to the identification and epidemiology of the species.
Review
Microbiology
Raquel Abreu, Teresa Semedo-Lemsaddek, Eva Cunha, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: The significant increase in the world population has led to higher consumption of poultry products, which must meet demand while maintaining quality and safety. The use and misuse of conventional antimicrobials in livestock production, including poultry, has resulted in the development and dissemination of antimicrobial drug resistance, which is a serious public health concern. This review discusses the consequences of antimicrobial drug resistance in poultry production, focusing on the current status of this sector and describing novel bacterial control strategies under investigation for application in the industry.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rafaela Zina, Eva Cunha, Isa Serrano, Elisabete Silva, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFU) caused by P. aeruginosa infections are a global public health concern. This study investigated the inhibitory effect of nisin Z on persister cells of P. aeruginosa, which are highly tolerant to antibiotics. Nisin Z showed a high inhibitory effect on persister cells in planktonic suspensions, but could not eradicate them in established biofilms. Transcriptome analysis revealed that persistence was associated with downregulation of genes related to metabolic processes, cell wall synthesis, and dysregulation of stress response and biofilm formation. Nisin Z could be considered as a potential complementary therapy for treating P. aeruginosa DFU, but should be used early or after wound debridement.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Eva Cunha, Ana Filipa Ferreira, Sara Valente, Alice Matos, Luis Miguel Carreira, Marta Videira, Lelia Chambel, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: Periodontal disease is a relevant oral disease in dogs and nisin-biogel has been proposed for its control. Enterococci, as a reliable bacterial model, were used to evaluate the in vivo influence of long-term dental application of nisin-biogel on canine oral enterococci.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alice Matos, Eva Cunha, Lara Baptista, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern in low- and middle-income countries like Cape Verde, where the overpopulation of dogs may contribute to the spread of resistant bacteria, including ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. A study conducted in Cape Verde collected rectal swab samples from dogs and found that 29 out of 100 samples tested positive for ESBL-positive bacteria, mainly Escherichia coli. These bacteria showed high levels of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors, indicating that dogs in Cape Verde may serve as reservoirs for resistant and pathogenic bacteria.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Isa Serrano, Claudia Verdial, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: The insect Galleria mellonella has been widely used as a model in studying infections, screening antimicrobials, and examining immune responses. Its immune system similarities with mammals and its ability to withstand higher temperatures make it a valuable in vivo model. Despite some drawbacks, G. mellonella serves as an intermediate model between in vitro and mammalian studies and upholds ethical principles in animal experimentation. This review discusses the progress of the G. mellonella model and emphasizes the need for standardized experimental designs.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Claudia Verdial, Isa Serrano, Luis Tavares, Solange Gil, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a highly adaptable bacterial pathogen that can cause infections in both human and veterinary medicine. It is capable of surviving in different environments and colonizing inert materials, as well as developing various phenotypes to persist, including antimicrobial-tolerant strains, persister cells, and biofilms. The emergence of pathogenic strains that are resistant to antibiotics and biocides is a major global concern, and the effectiveness of biocide use is hindered by the development of tolerance.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Susana A. Dias, Sandra N. Pinto, Ana S. Silva-Herdade, Marco Cavaco, Vera Neves, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira, David Andreu, Ana Coutinho, Miguel A. R. B. Castanho, Ana Salome Veiga
Summary: A polycationic peptide vCPP2319 derived from Torque teno douroucouli virus capsid protein is shown to be effective against Staphylococcus aureus biofilms by killing the bacteria embedded in the biofilm. The peptide has low toxicity towards human cells and high stability in human serum, but has limited effect on the biofilm EPS matrix. The combination with the EPS matrix-degrading enzyme α-amylase fails to enhance the antibacterial action of the peptide.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Biology
Catarina Raposo, Isa Serrano, Eva Cunha, Maria Patricia Couto, Filipa Lopes, Maria Casero, Luis Tavares, Manuela Oliveira
Summary: Due to poisoning and food decline, the number of Eurasian vultures needing veterinary care has increased. In captivity, vultures often develop oral and infectious diseases, affecting their survival and reintroduction. Characterizing microbial species, such as Mucor spp., in vulture's oral cavity is crucial.
Review
Microbiology
Manuela Oliveira, Eva Cunha, Luis Tavares, Isa Serrano
Summary: This review discusses the development of biofilms and the interactions between different constituents. Various diseases, such as cystic fibrosis, otitis media, diabetic foot wound infections, and certain cancers, are worsened by polymicrobial biofilms. These biofilms consist of heterogeneous communities of microorganisms protected by a polysaccharide matrix. The interactions between microorganisms lead to increased resistance to antimicrobials and host defense mechanisms, aggravating disease symptoms. Therefore, the role of polymicrobial biofilms in infections affecting different human organs and systems, as well as the interactions between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other bacteria, fungi, and viruses, will be discussed. Evaluating the microbes involved in a specific disease is crucial for effective antimicrobial therapy.