Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yingying Su, Guozhen Ma, Yangyang Zheng, Jingliang Qin, Xiaoya Li, Qianwen Ge, Hao Sun, Bin Liu
Summary: Bacterial meningitis is a worldwide devastating disease that often leads to permanent neurological sequelae in survivors. Escherichia coli is the most common Gram-negative bacillary organism causing meningitis, especially in newborns. Activation of microglia and the secretion of inflammatory factors play a paradoxical role in bacterial meningitis-induced brain damage, both recruiting neutrophils to clear pathogens and inducing neuronal damage related to long-term neurological sequelae. Therapeutic strategies targeting transforming growth factor-β have potential in bacterial meningitis treatment. Prevention, early treatment initiation, and novel therapies aiming to dampen the inflammatory response are crucial for reducing morbidity and mortality in bacterial meningitis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Teresa Tavares, Liliana Pinho, Elva Bonifacio Andrade
Summary: Neonatal bacterial meningitis caused by Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a severe disease associated with high mortality and neurological disability. Maternal colonization with GBS is the main risk factor for neonatal invasive disease. Despite preventive measures and improved neonatal care, the incidence and morbidity of GBS meningitis have not decreased. Many survivors suffer from complex neurological or neuropsychiatric sequelae.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yijun Ding, Jinjing Zhang, Kaihu Yao, Wei Gao, Yajuan Wang
Summary: This study assessed the antimicrobial resistance and molecular characteristics of E. coli ST1193 isolates causing neonatal bloodstream infections and meningitis in China, revealing that ST1193 isolates were often multidrug-resistant. Further multicenter studies are needed to control the spread of this emerging fluoroquinolone-resistant clone.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Microbiology
Anna Furuta, Alyssa Brokaw, Gygeria Manuel, Matthew Dacanay, Lauren Marcell, Ravin Seepersaud, Lakshmi Rajagopal, Kristina Adams Waldorf
Summary: Group B streptococci (GBS) are bacteria that can cause serious infections in newborns, leading to significant neurodevelopmental injury and disability.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Francesca Miselli, Riccardo Cuoghi Costantini, Roberta Creti, Francesca Sforza, Silvia Fanaro, Matilde Ciccia, Giancarlo Piccinini, Vittoria Rizzo, Lorena Pasini, Giacomo Biasucci, Rossella Pagano, Mariagrazia Capretti, Mariachiara China, Lucia Gambini, Rita Maria Pulvirenti, Arianna Dondi, Marcello Lanari, MariaFederica Pedna, Simone Ambretti, Licia Lugli, Luca Bedetti, Alberto Berardi
Summary: The widespread use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis has changed the epidemiology of early-onset sepsis, with E. coli becoming the leading pathogen. Intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis significantly reduces the risk of severe disease and death. However, it is important to note that approximately 10% of E. coli causing early-onset sepsis are resistant to first-line antibiotics.
Article
Biology
Yamal Al-ramahi, Akos Nyerges, Yago Margolles, Lidia Cerdan, Gyorgyi Ferenc, Csaba Pal, Luis Angel Fernandez, Victor de Lorenzo
Summary: The study utilized ssDNA recombineering and bacterial surface display to evolve a nanobody recognizing the EHEC antigen TirM towards the EPEC antigen TirM by targeting the CDRs of the VHH gene sequence. This method demonstrated the power of combining bacterial evolutionary properties with oligonucleotide synthesis to focus diversification on specific gene segments of interest, bypassing the need for laborious cloning and mutagenesis procedures.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yanli Liu, Minli Zhu, Xiaoqin Fu, Jiaojiao Cai, Shangqin Chen, Yuanyuan Lin, Na Jiang, Si Chen, Zhenlang Lin
Summary: The study found that Escherichia coli remains the primary pathogen causing neonatal meningitis at a perinatal center in eastern China. There were significant changes in the susceptibility of E. coli to third-generation cephalosporins, with a correlation between this change and ESBL production. The percentage of ESBL-producing multidrug-resistant E. coli isolated from infants with early-onset meningitis was significantly lower than that from infants with late-onset meningitis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Justin E. Silpe, Joel W. H. Wong, Sian Owen, Michael Baym, Emily P. Balskus
Summary: Colibactin is a chemically unstable small-molecule genotoxin produced by various bacteria, and it induces bacterial cell death by targeting bacteria containing prophages. Exogenous DNA or expression of Colibactin resistance protein can protect bacteria from the toxic effects of Colibactin. This study reveals the potential impact of Colibactin production on microbiomes and highlights the role of microbial natural products in influencing population-level events.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Qingyun Zhou, Zhifei Zhan, Furong Huang, Menghua Zhao, Daosheng Huang, Jun Xu, Li Huang, Liangyi Xie, Aimin Zhang
Summary: Neonatal meningitis caused by a multidrug-resistant strain of Escherichia coli with an unusual serotype (O75) resulted in sudden death. The isolate showed resistance to multiple antibiotics commonly used for neonatal sepsis treatment, highlighting the need for alternative treatment approaches. The presence of highly pathogenic multidrug-resistant bacteria in neonates emphasizes the importance of rapid resistance diagnostics.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Wei Li, Xin Yi, Baoyun Wu, Xiang Li, Boping Ye, Ziqi Deng, A. Runa, Sanlong Hu, Dongdong Li, Hao Wu, Zhenming Zhou
Summary: Neonatal calf diarrhea is associated with a decrease in gut microbiota diversity and an increase in Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota. Dysbiosis of the fecal microbiome is identified as a significant characteristic of NCD, with an increased abundance of Lactobacillus during recovery.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catherine A. Chambers, Alexis S. Dadelahi, Charles R. Moley, Rachel M. Olson, Catherine M. Logue, Jerod A. Skyberg
Summary: This study investigated the role of NMEC strain-dependent P2X receptor (P2XR) signaling on the outcome of infection in neonatal mice. The results showed that alpha-hemolysin (HlyA)-expressing NMEC (HlyA(+)) induced robust P2XR-dependent macrophage cell death and P2XR inhibition increased mortality in neonatal mice infected with HlyA(+) NMEC. The findings also suggested that P2XR-dependent protection against HlyA(+) NMEC required macrophages.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Peili Wang, Jiaxiang Zhang, Yanfei Chen, Haoran Zhong, Heng Wang, Jianji Li, Guoqiang Zhu, Pengpeng Xia, Luying Cui, Jun Li, Junsheng Dong, Qingqing Gao, Xia Meng
Summary: The study confirmed that clbG is essential for the synthesis of genotoxin colibactin in APEC XM strain, and its deletion reduced the likelihood of APEC meningitis in mice.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Pei Yee Woh, May Pui Shan Yeung, William Bernard Goggins
Summary: This study aimed to determine the multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) of Salmonella isolated from children hospitalized for gastroenteritis in Hong Kong. The results showed that Salmonella had the highest resistance to ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, and tetracycline, while MDR strains had high resistance towards ampicillin, tetracycline, cotrimoxazole, chloramphenicol, and ciprofloxacin. MARI revealed that 80.2% of Salmonella, including all MDR strains, had indexes greater than 0.2.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lei Yue, Haiying Liu
Summary: Late-onset Group B Streptococcus (GBS) meningitis occurred in two Chinese families, involving a set of dizygotic twins and a pair of compatriot siblings. GBS strains of serotype III CC17 were identified with high homology within each family, and the siblings' isolates matched their mother's carriage. The siblings developed symptoms days after close contact with their index cases, but received prompt diagnosis and treatment, resulting in better outcomes compared to the index patients who had brain damage and severe sequelae.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Simon A. A. Fromm, Kate M. M. O'Connor, Michael Purdy, Pramod R. R. Bhatt, Gary Loughran, John F. F. Atkins, Ahmad Jomaa, Simone Mattei
Summary: The structure of the translating ribosome from Escherichia coli was determined at high resolution, allowing for identification of ribosome polymorphism sites and interpretation of ribosomal active and peripheral sites. This study improves our understanding of protein synthesis and enables more precise drug design to combat bacterial resistance.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Paola Sikias, Valerie Biran, Laurence Foix-L'Helias, Celine Plainvert, Pascal Boileau, Stephane Bonacorsi
Summary: This population surveillance study provides data on the incidence, causative organisms, and antibiotic susceptibilities of early-onset sepsis in infants born at ≥34 weeks' gestation. The study highlights the higher frequency of group B Streptococcus (GBS) compared to Escherichia coli (E. coli) in term infants, and the significantly elevated risk of early-onset sepsis in late preterm infants due to E. coli. The findings suggest the need for improvement in the prevention of GBS early-onset sepsis and empiric antibiotic treatment of sepsis.
ARCHIVES OF DISEASE IN CHILDHOOD-FETAL AND NEONATAL EDITION
(2023)
Letter
Pediatrics
Maroua Jlassi, Ludivine Lecoq, Pierre-Yves Wachter, Amelie Durandy, Pascal Boileau, Emmanuelle Motte-Signoret
INDIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Isabelle Le Ray, Pierre Kuhn, Mathilde Letouzey, Jean-Michel Roue, Ayoub Mitha, Isabelle Glorieux, Laurence Foix-L'Helias, Laetitia Marchand-Martin, Pierre-Yves Ancel, Monique Kaminski, Veronique Pierrat
Summary: This observational study evaluated the association between early skin-to-skin contact (SSC) and the incidence of late-onset sepsis (LOS) in extremely and very preterm infants. The results showed that early SSC exposure was not associated with the risk of LOS or LONI.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Robert Cohen, Federico Martinon-Torres, Inga Posiuniene, Bernd Benninghoff, Kyu-Bin Oh, Dirk Poelaert
Summary: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has caused healthcare systems to be overwhelmed, making it crucial to prioritize high levels of pediatric vaccination against vaccine-preventable diseases like rotavirus gastroenteritis. Evidence shows that currently available rotavirus vaccines in Europe are highly effective, reducing hospitalizations and deaths. Additionally, there is no overall increase in intussusception and may even be a reduction in cases with high rotavirus vaccine coverage in the first year of life.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Didier Pinquier, Pascal Crepey, Pierre Tissieres, Astrid Vabret, Jean-Christophe Roze, Francois Dubos, Fabienne Cahn-Sellem, Etienne Javouhey, Robert Cohen, Catherine Weil-Olivier
Summary: The highly contagious respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible for a significant number of hospitalizations in children under 5 years old in France. Strategies such as maternal vaccination and administration of long-acting monoclonal antibodies are being investigated to protect young children from RSV infection.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Correction
Infectious Diseases
Robert Cohen, Federico Martinon-Torres, Inga Posiuniene, Bernd Benninghoff, Kyu-Bin Oh, Dirk Poelaert
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Infectious Diseases
Didier Pinquier, Pascal Crepey, Pierre Tissieres, Astrid Vabret, Jean-Christophe Roze, Francois Dubos, Fabienne Cahn-Sellem, Etienne Javouhey, Robert Cohen, Catherine Weil-Olivier
INFECTIOUS DISEASES AND THERAPY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Pascal Boileau, Mathilde Letouzey, Andrei S. Morgan, Elsa Lorthe, Monique Kaminski, Anaelle Coquelin, Elie Azria, Laurence Caeymaex, Florence Rouget, Caroline Diguisto, Olivier Claris, Barthelemy Tosello, Patrick Truffert, Pierre Betremieux, Valerie Benhammou, Laetitia Marchand-Martin, Francois Goffinet, Pierre-Yves Ancel, Laurence Foix-L'Helias
Summary: This study aims to describe the circumstances, causes, and timing of death in extremely preterm infants. The main causes of death were respiratory disease, CNS injury, and infection. Half of the deaths occurred within the first 7 days of life.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Robert Cohen, Philippe Bidet, Emmanuelle Varon, Stephane Bechet, Jeremie F. Cohen, Stephane Bonacorsi, Corinne Levy
INFECTIOUS DISEASES NOW
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
C. Levy, R. Cohen, S. Bechet, S. Ravilly, A. Werner, O. Romain, N. Guiso
Summary: This study analyzed pertussis and parapertussis cases from 2014 to 2022 and found that the number of children below 6 years of age with a 2+1 vaccination schedule was higher than those with a 3+1 schedule. The main source of contamination was either adults or adolescents.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES NOW
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Corinne Levy, Emmanuelle Varon, Philippe Bidet, Stephane Bechet, Christophe Batard, Alain Wollner, Franck Thollot, Stephane Bonacorsi, Robert Cohen
Summary: The aim of this study was to describe the bacterial profile of middle ear fluid from spontaneous perforation of the tympanic membrane (SPTM) prior to widespread utilization of third- generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs). The results showed that in children under 3 years of age, NT Haemophilus influenzae was the main otopathogen isolated, particularly in those with complex acute otitis media. In children over 3 years of age, Group A Streptococcus accounted for the majority of cases.
INFECTIOUS DISEASES NOW
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Emmanuelle Motte-Signoret, Marwa Jlassi, Ludivine Lecoq, Pierre-Yves Wachter, Amelie Durandy, Pascal Boileau
Summary: Very low birth weight (VLBW) neonates are at high risk of metabolic bone disease (MBD). This study aimed to find the easiest way to diagnose this disease early by identifying surrogate biomarkers before radiological signs appear. A 6-month observational study was conducted in a NICU, including all singleton VLBW neonates. Clinical and biological data, as well as nutritional intakes, were collected. Biological MBD (bMBD) was defined as alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels above 600 IU/L at day of life 30 (DOL30), and a case-control analysis was performed. Out of 30 patients, 9 (30%) exhibited bMBD, all of whom had extremely low birth weight and were younger in gestational age and smaller in size at birth. There was no significant difference in nutritional intake between the bMBD and control groups. In the bMBD group, phosphatemia decreased since DOL3. ALP levels were already significantly elevated at DOL15, surpassing the normal range. Conclusions: Respectfully following nutritional guidelines does not completely prevent bMBD in high-risk patients. Early screening from DOL15, with ALP levels greater than 500 IU/L, could be sufficient for detecting upcoming MBD.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Zein Assad, Robert Cohen, Emmanuelle Varon, Corinne Levy, Stephane Bechet, Francois Corrard, Andreas Werner, Naim Ouldali, Stephane Bonacorsi, Alexis Rybak
Summary: This study analyzed the evolution of beta-lactam resistance in Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from children with acute otitis media in France. The proportion of beta-lactamase-producing and beta-lactamase-negative, ampicillin-resistant Hi strains remained stable over time in nasopharyngeal carriage and mild ear fluid samples. Therefore, amoxicillin remains a valid recommendation as the first-line drug for childhood acute otitis media in France.