Review
Microbiology
Mengshi Zhang, Marvin Whiteley, Gina R. Lewin
Summary: The diversity and importance of the oral microbiome play a vital role in oral and overall health, and studying oral diseases can provide insights into the complexity and dynamics of polymicrobial interactions.
Article
Microbiology
Fabrice Jean-Pierre, Arsh Vyas, Thomas H. Hampton, Michael A. Henson, George A. O'Toole
Summary: Culture-independent studies have shown that chronic lung infections in persons with cystic fibrosis involve diverse microbial communities. Interactions among these communities influence clinical outcomes, and a single community cannot fully explain the diversity of outcomes. Combining computational and experimental approaches can help enhance our understanding of microbial community function and lead to the identification of new therapeutics for polymicrobial infections.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Emma Reece, Pedro H. de Almeida Bettio, Julie Renwick
Summary: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dominant pathogen in cystic fibrosis airway disease, leading to significant inflammation, airway damage, and poor outcomes. Chronic infections of P. aeruginosa in CF patients are difficult to eradicate and are associated with worse lung function, higher morbidity, and reduced life expectancy. The complex community of microorganisms in the CF airway and their interactions may influence antimicrobial resistance and disease progression of P. aeruginosa.
Article
Microbiology
Carlos Molina-Santiago, John R. Pearson, Maria Victoria Berlanga-Clavero, Alicia Isabel Perez-Lorente, Antonio de Vicente, Diego Romero
Summary: Complex interactions between microbial populations can greatly influence the properties of microbial communities, which are highly relevant in diverse scientific areas. Utilizing modern microscopic techniques provides new insights into how bacteria interact at the cellular level, but our ability to study complex interactions in vivo remains somewhat limited.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Julia D. D. Meredith, Michael J. J. Gray
Summary: The pseudohypohalous acid hypothiocyanite/hypothiocyanous acid (OSCN-/HOSCN) has been widely investigated for its antimicrobial properties in mammalian immunity. Generated by peroxidase enzymes from thiocyanate (SCN-) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), HOSCN has potential applications in food preservation, pathogen control, and oral care. However, the mechanisms by which bacteria sense and respond to HOSCN remain largely unknown. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of HOSCN in host-pathogen interactions and discusses recent findings regarding bacterial responses to this antimicrobial agent, focusing on three model organisms: Escherichia coli, Streptococcus spp., and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Heather D. Green, Andrew M. Jones
Summary: Cystic fibrosis is a disease characterized by chronic airway infection and progressive decline in respiratory function. Recent changes in the landscape of airway infection in CF have resulted in an increased prevalence of atypical gram-negative bacterial infections. The clinical relevance and treatment strategies for many of these lower prevalence organisms are still not well understood.
Article
Microbiology
Giovanni Di Bonaventura, Veronica Lupetti, Andrea Di Giulio, Maurizio Muzzi, Alessandra Piccirilli, Lisa Cariani, Arianna Pompilio
Summary: Antibiotic resistance calls for new strategies in treating pulmonary infections in CF patients. Repurposing known drugs accelerates drug discovery and development. This study identified five potential hits from a library of 3,386 drugs, with antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa, biofilm inhibition, and low toxicity.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Biology
Fabrice Jean-Pierre, Thomas H. Hampton, Daniel Schultz, Deborah A. Hogan, Marie-Christine Groleau, Eric Deziel, George A. O'Toole
Summary: Interspecies interactions can lead to unexpected microbial phenotypes not observed in monocultures. The lack of in vitro models integrating microbial diversity in the CF airway hinders understanding of why polymicrobial communities are resistant to therapy. We built a mixed community model biofilm, incorporating clinical data, to study the effects of tobramycin treatment on the microorganisms.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Carla M. P. Ribeiro, Matthew G. Higgs, Marianne S. Muhlebach, Matthew C. Wolfgang, Monica Borgatti, Ilaria Lampronti, Giulio Cabrini
Summary: Cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulators have provided a significant therapeutic advantage for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF). However, these modulators face limitations in reducing chronic lung bacterial infection and inflammation, which are the main causes of respiratory damage and insufficiency in pwCF, especially in adults. This article revisits the debated issues of pulmonary bacterial infection and inflammatory processes in pwCF, highlighting the mechanisms favoring bacterial infection, the interplay between Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, and the cross-talk among bacteria, bronchial epithelial cells, and host immune defenses. The recent findings on the effect of CFTR modulators on bacterial infection and inflammation are also presented to identify potential therapeutic targets for respiratory pathology in pwCF.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Yimei Zhu, Ying Wang, Shuyang Zhang, Jiaxuan Li, Xin Li, Yuanyuan Ying, Jinna Yuan, Keda Chen, Shuli Deng, Qingjing Wang
Summary: Dental caries is a common oral disease caused by disruption of the ecological balance of the oral cavity. Identification of cariogenic microbiota and factors allows for corresponding preventive and control measures. With advances in microbiology, the understanding of caries-causing bacteria has expanded to include oral symbiotic bacteria. This article systematically summarizes the prevention and treatment of dental caries from an ecological perspective, focusing on biofilm formation, bacterial quorum sensing, the main cariogenic microbiota, and preventive measures.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biology
Zaki Saati-Santamaria, Raul Rivas, Miroslav Kolarik, Paula Garcia-Fraile
Summary: The study focused on the ecological distribution and functions of Pseudomonas bacteria in bark beetles, showing that they provide beneficial roles to the insects by providing nutrients, protection, and antagonizing fungi. The symbiosis between microbes and insects is considered essential for understanding the biological implications of microbe-host interactions.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Min Beom Kim, Soonho Hwangbo, Sungho Jang, Yun Kee Jo
Summary: The recent increase in complex physiological host-microbe interactions has led to a demand for in vitro models that replicate the microbial microenvironment in the human body. Organoids, an in vitro culture system that closely mimics the structure, function, and genetic features of human organs, are emerging as a promising tool for studying host-microbe interactions. Co-cultures of organoids with microbes show great potential in simulating complex host-microbe interactions and advancing related fields. This review provides an overview of bioengineering approaches for microbe-co-cultured organoids and highlights the latest developments in their applications for studying human physiology and pathophysiology.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Xuerui Bao, Mona Bove, Tom Coenye
Summary: The high tolerance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms in respiratory tract infections in cystic fibrosis contributes to the failure of antibiotic therapy. This study identified carbon sources that could enhance the inhibiting and/or eradicating activity of tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, and ceftazidime against P. aeruginosa PAO1 biofilms. The mechanisms underlying the enhanced biofilm eradicating activity were strain-dependent.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
George A. O'Toole, Aurelie Crabbe, Rolf Kummerli, John J. LiPuma, Jennifer M. Bomberger, Jane C. Davies, Dominique Limoli, Vanessa V. Phelan, James B. Bliska, William H. DePas, Lars E. Dietrich, Thomas H. Hampton, Ryan Hunter, Cezar M. Khursigara, Alexa Price-Whelan, Alix Ashare, Robert A. Cramer, Joanna B. Goldberg, Freya Harrison, Deborah A. Hogan, Michael A. Henson, Dean R. Madden, Jared R. Mayers, Carey Nadell, Dianne Newman, Alice Prince, Damian W. Rivett, Joseph D. Schwartzman, Daniel Schultz, Donald C. Sheppard, Alan R. Smyth, Melanie A. Spero, Bruce A. Stanton, Paul E. Turner, Chris van der Gast, Fiona J. Whelan, Rachel Whitaker, Katrine Whiteson, Matthew R. Parsek
Summary: The workshop discussed the development of new models to study polymicrobial infections in the airways of cystic fibrosis patients, proposing three frameworks to address this complex issue that could be generally useful in developing new model systems for other infectious diseases.
Review
Immunology
Emily R. Wahlenmayer, Daniel E. Hammers
Summary: The genus Streptococcus encompasses a wide range of bacteria that can colonize hosts and cause diseases. Streptococci produce peptides that manipulate the host immune system and environment, allowing them to survive and cause diseases. Understanding the functions of these peptides is crucial for developing therapeutic approaches against Streptococcal infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Claudia Sousa, Rute Ferreira, Nuno F. Azevedo, Monica Oleastro, Joana Azeredo, Ceu Figueiredo, Luis D. R. Melo
Summary: H. pylori infection treatment faces challenges due to antibiotic resistance, leading to the development of alternative strategies like probiotics, antimicrobial peptides, and photodynamic therapy. Human vaccine development remains a major challenge, while natural products show potential against H. pylori, requiring further clinical studies.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ricardo Oliveira, Eva Pinho, Ana Luisa Sousa, Jeffrey J. DeStefano, Nuno Filipe Azevedo, Carina Almeida
Summary: This article discusses the advantages and limitations of using nucleic acid mimics to enhance the versatility of aptamers, including the applicability of existing engineered polymerases to replicate nucleic acid mimics and methodologies to improve aptamers. It also explores the limitations of existing methods for sequencing nucleic acid mimic sequences and bioinformatic tools for predicting aptamer structures.
TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ricardo Oliveira, Eva Pinho, Ana Luisa Sousa, Oscar Dias, Nuno Filipe Azevedo, Carina Almeida
Summary: This study describes an easy-to-apply workflow using free software and web servers to predict the tertiary conformation and docking of NAM, DNA, and RNA aptamers. The workflow was validated with experimental data, demonstrating its effectiveness in assisting rational nucleotide modification and enhancing the development of aptamers.
Review
Immunology
Joao M. Vindeirinho, Eva Pinho, Nuno F. Azevedo, Carina Almeida
Summary: This review summarizes the latest developments in nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) used for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, focusing on isothermal and non-isothermal amplification-based diagnostics. The review provides a detailed assessment of the steps and instruments involved in amplification and detection technologies, including discussions on different types of molecular reactions and instruments required for DNA detection. Benchmarking commercial tests contributes to the discussion by addressing technical aspects and providing additional information.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Diana Alves, Helder Lopes, Idalina Machado, Maria Olivia Pereira
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of colistin against biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and found that pre-conditioning adhesion surfaces with colistin altered physico-chemical properties and prevented biofilm formation. The combined treatment with ciprofloxacin or colistin further enhanced the therapeutic effect on adhered cells.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Andreia Patricia Magalhaes, Angela Franca, Maria Olivia Pereira, Nuno Cerca
FRONTIERS IN GENETICS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jontana Allkja, Darla M. Goeres, Andreia S. Azevedo, Nuno F. Azevedo
Summary: Biofilms containing multiple microbial species can exhibit complex interactions that impact their behavior and structure. This study investigated the interactions of four species commonly associated with catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) and found that Proteus mirabilis had an inhibitory effect on the growth of both Escherichia coli and Candida albicans. In the absence of Proteus mirabilis, an antagonistic relationship between E. coli and C. albicans was observed, with E. coli dominating. Enterococcus faecalis showed a mutualistic relationship with the other species. These findings provide insights into the early-stage interactions in polymicrobial biofilms and can inform strategies for preventing or treating CAUTI biofilms.
BIOTECHNOLOGY AND BIOENGINEERING
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Claudia Sousa, Rute Ferreira, Silvio B. Santos, Nuno F. Azevedo, Luis D. R. Melo
Summary: This article reviews the current available diagnostic methods for Helicobacter pylori, including invasive and non-invasive methods, and discusses the advantages, limitations, and recent advances for each method. The research on the development of new diagnostic methods is also discussed.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Violina Baranauskaite Barbosa, Celia F. Rodrigues, Laura Cerqueira, Joao M. Miranda, Nuno F. Azevedo
Summary: The study proposes a method combining fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) with a microfluidic platform for the detection of Candida spp. It successfully detected C. tropicalis using peptide nucleic acid (PNA) probe with FISH in both pure culture and artificial urine. The findings suggest that the combination of PNA with microfluidics is a reliable method for microorganism detection, laying the groundwork for future point-of-care detection platforms.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Biomedical
Diana Alves, Tania Grainha, Maria Olivia Pereira, Susana Patricia Lopes
Summary: Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is a persistent problem in hospitals, resulting in inadequate treatment, high mortality, and prolonged hospital stays. The endotracheal tube (ETT) is the main cause of VAP due to microbial colonization and biofilm formation by various pathogens. Research on antimicrobial ETT surface coating/modification approaches has been conducted to address this issue. This review provides an overview of the relevance of the ETT biofilms in VAP and the technological advancements in antimicrobial ETT materials. Rating: 8/10
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ricardo Oliveira, Joana Castro, Sonia Silva, Hugo Oliveira, Maria Jose Saavedra, Nuno Filipe Azevedo, Carina Almeida
Summary: This study identified a diverse pool of beta-lactam resistance genetic determinants in 102 multi-drug resistant K. pneumoniae isolates from patients in northern Portugal, leading to high levels of resistance to most beta-lactam antibiotics. The co-occurrence of multiple beta-lactam resistance genes in the majority of isolates serves as a serious warning of the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stephanie Andrade, Maria J. Ramalho, Silvio B. Santos, Luis D. R. Melo, Rita S. Santos, Nuno Guimaraes, Nuno F. Azevedo, Joana A. Loureiro, Maria C. Pereira
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health, with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) being a major concern. Nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as a promising approach for treating MRSA infections, acting as antibacterial agents or drug delivery systems. The targeted delivery of NPs to the infection site is crucial for effective treatment, allowing for high concentrations of therapeutics while minimizing toxicity to healthy cells and reducing AMR emergence and disruption of the healthy microbiota.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luis Moreira, Nuno M. Guimaraes, Sara Pereira, Rita S. Santos, Joana A. Loureiro, Rui M. Ferreira, Ceu Figueiredo, Maria C. Pereira, Nuno F. Azevedo
Summary: Liposomes loaded with nucleic acid mimics (NAMs)-modified oligonucleotides (LipoNAMs) were evaluated for delivering antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) in Escherichia coli. Different surface modifications, such as methoxyPEG coating and conjugation of antibodies, were tested to improve delivery efficiency and selectivity. Antibody coupling to PEGylated liposomes significantly enhanced the delivery of ASOs in E. coli, providing potential alternative routes for the treatment of bacterial infections.
JOURNAL OF CONTROLLED RELEASE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Anelise Maria Costa Vasconcelos Alves, Beatriz Oliveira Lopes, Ana Caroline Rocha de Melo Leite, Gabriela Silva Cruz, erika Helena Salles de Brito, Laritza Ferreira de Lima, Lucia Cernakova, Nuno Filipe Azevedo, Celia Fortuna Rodrigues
Summary: This study characterized mature biofilms of various Candida species obtained from the oral mucosa of children, adults, and elders. It was found that children were more likely to be infected by non-Candida albicans Candida species (NCACs) and these NCACs formed biofilms richer in matrix components. This finding is clinically important, especially in pediatric care, due to the association of stronger biofilms with antimicrobial resistance, recurrent infections, and higher therapeutic failure.
