Article
Immunology
Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, David M. Wagner, Dawn N. Birdsell, Birgit Nikolay, Faniry Rakotoarimanana, Lovasoa N. Randriantseheno, Amy J. Vogler, Jason W. Sahl, Carina M. Hall, Nawarat Somprasong, Simon Cauchemez, Herbert P. Schweizer, Harimahefa Razafimandimby, Christophe Rogier, Minoarisoa Rajerison
Summary: This study retrospectively characterized a pneumonic plague outbreak in Madagascar, finding that the infection was caused by a Yersinia pestis strain resistant to streptomycin. The outbreak occurred during funeral practices and all patients recovered after antimicrobial therapy.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tatiana Dimitriu, Andrew C. Matthews, Angus Buckling
Summary: Conjugative plasmids can rapidly evolve increased transfer rates and antimicrobial resistance when confronted with susceptible hosts. This evolution is driven by mutations in the copA gene, leading to higher copy numbers and subsequently higher transfer rates and AMR. Correlated selection between plasmid transfer and AMR may increase the spread of AMR within populations and communities.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Charles Jakielaszek, Mohammad Hossain, Lian Qian, Cindy Fishman, Katherine Widdowson, Jamese J. Hilliard, Frank Mannino, Aparna Raychaudhuri, Elisabeth Carniel, Samandra Demons, Henry S. Heine, Jeremy Hershfield, Riccardo Russo, William M. Mega, David Revelli, Karen O'Dwyer
Summary: The study demonstrates that gepotidacin shows efficacy in the African green monkey model of pneumonic plague caused by Y. pestis, with activity observed against various Y. pestis isolates. The results support the potential use of gepotidacin as a treatment for pneumonic plague caused by Y. pestis.
SCIENCE TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biology
George S. Long, Jennifer Klunk, Ana T. Duggan, Madeline Tapson, Valentina Giuffra, Lavinia Gazze, Antonio Fornaciari, Sebastian Duchene, Gino Fornaciari, Olivier Clermont, Erick Denamur, G. Brian Golding, Hendrik Poinar
Summary: This study reconstructed the ancient Escherichia coli genome from a 16th-century gallstone found in an Italian mummy. The ancient E. coli strain belonged to phylogroup A and had an exceptionally rare sequence type 4995. However, no pathovar specific genes or acquired antibiotic resistances were identified. This research provides insight into the burden of opportunistic E. coli infections in the past.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ya Hu, Robert A. Moran, Grace A. Blackwell, Alan McNally, Zhiyong Zong
Summary: We examined the evolution of FII-33 plasmids and provided resources for their classification. Plasmid cointegration events were found to be common and have effects on plasmid host range, stability, and horizontal transfer ability.
Article
Immunology
Lisheng Xiao, Zhizhen Qi, Kai Song, Ruichen Lv, Rong Chen, Haihong Zhao, Hailian Wu, Cunxiang Li, Youquan Xin, Yong Jin, Xiang Li, Xiaoqing Xu, Yafang Tan, Zongmin Du, Yujun Cui, Xuefei Zhang, Ruifu Yang, Xilin Zhao, Yajun Song
Summary: Plague caused by multidrug-resistant Y. pestis strains is a global health threat. Phage therapy has gained attention as an alternative strategy, but phage resistance in Y. pestis remains to be investigated.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Anna M. M. Kolodziejek, Scott W. W. Bearden, Sarah Maes, John M. M. Montenieri, Kenneth L. L. Gage, Carolyn J. J. Hovde, Scott A. A. Minnich
Summary: Ail is a critical virulence factor of Y. pestis and it is not required for serum protection in the flea vector. This study provides insights into the evolution of highly virulent Y. pestis and its relationship with Ail-mediated serum resistance.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xuemei Yang, Xiaoxuan Liu, Yating Xu, Edward Wai-Chi Chan, Rong Zhang, Sheng Chen
Summary: This study identified a transferable conjugative plasmid carrying azithromycin resistance genes in Klebsiella pneumoniae, which could be transmitted to Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica, resulting in azithromycin resistance. In addition, the plasmid could assist in the transfer of a virulence plasmid carried by the K. pneumoniae strain to other bacteria, facilitating the dissemination of these determinants.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Brooke L. Deatherage Kaiser, Dawn N. Birdsell, Janine R. Hutchison, Johanna Thelaus, Sarah C. Jenson, Voahangy Andrianaivoarimanana, Mona Bystroem, Kerstin Myrtennaes, Ryelan F. McDonough, Roxanne D. Nottingham, Jason W. Sahl, Herbert P. Schweizer, Minoarisoa Rajerison, Mats Forsman, David S. Wunschel, David M. Wagner
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a growing concern, and we studied the proteins associated with Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis strains to identify potential protein signatures for antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We found that protein expression was significantly influenced by AMR, even in the absence of antibiotics in growth media. Additionally, the abundance of specific proteins involved in metabolic pathways and biological functions was altered in AMR strains, regardless of species or resistance mechanism. These features could be used to develop novel approaches for identifying AMR phenotypes.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Emilia Wedel, Cristina Bernabe-Balas, Manuel Ares-Arroyo, Natalia Montero, Alfonso Santos-Lopez, Didier Mazel, Bruno Gonzalez-Zorn
Summary: ColE1-like plasmids are small, mobilizable plasmids that are commonly associated with antimicrobial resistance genes. Plasmid pB1000 carries the gene bla(ROB-1) and has been found in various species of Pasteurellaceae family. Two mechanisms of adaptation were observed in this study: single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the origin of replication (oriV) and the introduction of insertion sequences (ISs). Both mechanisms increase the stability of pB1000, but only their combination allows long-term maintenance. These mechanisms have different impacts on the host range of the plasmid, with SNPs causing a shift in host range and ISs either expanding or shifting the host range.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qiwei Chen, Heng Quan, Yongfeng Yu, Donghui Liu, Caiyu Li, Yuefeng Chu, Xiaowei Gong
Summary: A gene called RaEptA was found in avian pathogens that is involved in carbapenem resistance and pathogenicity, and the P309K mutation may increase resistance spread. This study identified a new mechanism for the spread of carbapenem resistance genes.
Article
Microbiology
Yuan Yue, Mei Shen, Xiang Liu, Qiong Hao, Yutong Kang, Yanlin Che, Fang Li, Shenglin Chen, Shuai Xu, Huaiqi Jing, Zhen-jun Li, Xue-zhang Zhou
Summary: This study used whole-genome sequencing to investigate the antimicrobial resistance of Yersinia enterocolitica in Ningxia and identified multiple resistance genotypes. The resistant strains primarily originated from pigs and patients, and the number of multidrug-resistant strains is concerning.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Khyati Bhardwaj, Suchitra M. Shenoy, Shrikala Baliga, B. Unnikrishnan, B. Shantharam Baliga, Vasanth Kumar Shetty
Summary: The study conducted in poultry farms of coastal Southern Karnataka, India, found high levels of antibiotic resistance in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, with a focus on resistance to fluoroquinolones and tetracycline. The most common resistance genes detected were qnrB, qnrS, and qnrA, with most isolates showing high MAR indices reflecting widespread antibiotic use.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Edo Kon, Yinon Levy, Uri Elia, Hila Cohen, Inbal Hazan-Halevy, Moshe Aftalion, Assaf Ezra, Erez Bar-Haim, Gonna Somu Naidu, Yael Diesendruck, Shahar Rotem, Nitay Ad-El, Meir Goldsmith, Emanuelle Mamroud, Dan Peer, Ofer Cohen
Summary: This study developed an effective mRNA-LNP vaccine against a lethal bacterial pathogen by optimizing mRNA payload and antigen design. The vaccine elicited immune responses and provided rapid, full protection against the bacterial infection in mice after a single dose. These findings open avenues for urgently needed effective antibacterial vaccines.
Article
Microbiology
J. A. Hammerl, N. Vom Ort, A. Barac, C. Jaeckel, L. Grund, S. Dreyer, C. Heydel, A. Kuczka, H. Peters, S. Hertwig
Summary: Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is a significant pathogen for both humans and animals, and the zoo animals infected with it showed genetic diversity and variations in virulence genes and mobile genetic elements. The deceased mammals were found to be infected by multiple individual isolates, indicating a lack of dominance by a single strain in the zoo animals.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Kristin D. Gerson, Nancy Yang, Lauren Anton, Maayan Levy, Jacques Ravel, Michal A. Elovitz, Heather H. Burris
Summary: This study found an association between a short cervix and cervicovaginal metabolites, particularly lipid metabolites. The decrease of sphingolipids was associated with a short cervix, while the increase of certain metabolites may be related to a short cervix.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sarah Elizabeth Brown, Xin He, Michelle D. Shardell, Jacques Ravel, Khalil G. Ghanem, Jonathan M. Zenilman, Rebecca M. Brotman
Summary: In this pilot study, cessation of douching was not found to have significant effects on the composition and structure of the vaginal microbiota. Additional interventions may be necessary to restore optimal vaginal microbiota among women who practice douching.
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Andrea R. Thurman, Jacques Ravel, Pawel Gajer, Mark A. Marzinke, Louise A. Ouattara, Terry Jacot, M. Melissa Peet, Meredith R. Clark, Gustavo F. Doncel
Summary: This study found that changes in the vaginal microbiota may impact the release and pharmacokinetics of tenofovir. Users with diverse anaerobic microbiota had higher concentrations of tenofovir in their body compared to those with Lactobacillus-dominated microbiota. The changes in vaginal microbiota were associated with protection against HIV-1.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Jose M. Lemme-Dumit, Yang Song, Hnin Wai Lwin, Claudia Hernandez-Chavez, Sripriya Sundararajan, Rose M. Viscardi, Jacques Ravel, Marcela F. Pasetti, Bing Ma
Summary: This study investigated the fecal cytokine profile and gut microbiota in preterm neonates, and found that both immunological and microbiological factors play a critical role in the early development of intestinal barrier.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Michael France, Madeline Alizadeh, Sarah Brown, Bing Ma, Jacques Ravel
Summary: The vaginal microbiota plays a crucial role in vaginal health, with lactobacilli being dominant but other microbes also present. Lack of lactobacilli is associated with adverse health outcomes. The mechanisms behind these associations are not well understood, and more research on causative relationships is needed.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Vonetta L. Edwards, Elias McComb, Jason P. Gleghorn, Larry Forney, Patrik M. Bavoil, Jacques Ravel
Summary: 2D cell culture systems have limitations in reproducing the complexity of human reproductive tract and associated microbiome, while animal models require extensive modifications. 3D cell culture models offer an alternative approach to replicate vital elements of human infections at a lower cost and larger scale.
PATHOGENS AND DISEASE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Michael T. France, Jack Clifford, Shilpa Narina, Lindsay Rutt, Jacques Ravel
Summary: This study presents the first complete genome sequences of Ezakiella coagulans and Fenollaria massiliensis, two uncommon members of the human vaginal microbiota, isolated from the same vaginal swab specimen.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nicolas Tessandier, Ilkay Basak Uysal, Baptiste Elie, Christian Selinger, Claire Bernat, Vanina Boue, Sophie Grasset, Soraya Groc, Massilva Rahmoun, Bastien Reyne, Noemi Bender, Marine Bonneau, Christelle Graf, Vincent Tribout, Vincent Foulongne, Jacques Ravel, Tim Waterboer, Christophe Hirtz, Ignacio G. Bravo, Jacques Reynes, Michel Segondy, Carmen Lia Murall, Nathalie Boulle, Tsukushi Kamiya, Samuel Alizon
Summary: The study examines the association between the use of different types of menstrual products and microbial, immunological, demographic, and behavioral indicators. The results suggest a potential link between the use of menstrual cups and fungal genital infection, highlighting the possible influence of menstrual products on menstrual health.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Inumidun H. Oyebode, Allan C. Just, Jacques Ravel, Michal A. Elovitz, Heather H. Burris
Summary: Vaginal microbial communities can be dominated by anaerobic or Lactobacillus species. Anaerobic domination is a risk factor for preterm birth and is more common in Black populations. This study quantified the association between air pollution (specifically PM2.5) and anaerobic domination, and explored how racial disparities in PM2.5 exposure might explain racial differences in anaerobic domination prevalence.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Johanna B. Holm, Kayla A. Carter, Jacques Ravel, Rebecca M. Brotman
Summary: This review summarizes the role of Lactobacillus iners in the vaginal microbiome, emphasizes the importance of considering strain-level characteristics, and explains how whole metagenome sequencing can aid in understanding this species in genital health. Recent findings suggest that L. iners exists in the vagina as a unique combination of strains, and further research is needed to explore its functional roles and impact on susceptibility to infections.
CURRENT INFECTIOUS DISEASE REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Alison Schaefer, Bing Yang, Holly A. Schroeder, Dimple Harit, Mike S. Humphry, Jacques Ravel, Samuel K. Lai
Summary: In addition to its known effector functions, IgG has an under-utilized effector function at mucosal surfaces, which is trapping viruses in mucus through Fc-mucin bonds. This study reveals that certain HIV-specific IgG can effectively trap HIV in cervicovaginal mucus (CVM), and the trapping efficacy is correlated with the microbiome composition. These findings suggest that IgG-mucin interactions could potentially reduce HIV transmission and emphasize the importance of mucosal secretions in antibody-mediated prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
ACTA BIOMATERIALIA
(2023)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
Jason Hallarn, Greta R. Bauer, Emery Potter, Hannah Wilcox, Jacy Newfeld, Yonah Krakowsky, Jacques Ravel, Jessica L. Prodger
Summary: This study aimed to describe gynecological concerns and vaginal care practices among transfeminine individuals who have undergone vaginoplasty. The results showed that transfeminine individuals reported a range of gynecological concerns outside of the surgical healing period. Various genital practices/exposures were identified, but no clear associations between practices/exposures and symptoms were found.
JOURNAL OF SEXUAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Christina Y. Y. Lee, Jenna Diegel, Michael T. T. France, Jacques Ravel, Kelly B. B. Arnold
Summary: This study uses quantitative models to identify microbial parameters that contribute to the stability of the vaginal microbiome and reveals important interactions between Lactobacillus spp. and non-optimal vaginal bacteria. The findings suggest new strategies for managing or preventing bacterial vaginosis.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Dominick J. J. Jenkins, Benjamin M. M. Woolston, M. Indriati Hood-Pishchany, Paula Pelayo, Alyssa N. N. Konopaski, M. Quinn Peters, Michael T. T. France, Jacques Ravel, Caroline M. M. Mitchell, Seth Rakoff-Nahoum, Christopher Whidbey, Emily P. P. Balskus
Summary: Biochemical characterization of glycogen-degrading enzymes in vaginal bacteria reveals their role in metabolizing glycogen and shaping the vaginal microbiota.
NATURE MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Madeline Alizadeh, Kiran Motwani, Bernadette C. Siaton, Ameer Abutaleb, Jacques Ravel, Raymond K. Cross
Summary: This study provides the first comprehensive large-cohort assessment of the relationship between extraintestinal manifestations (EIMs) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The study finds that female patients with Crohn's disease and ocular or dermatologic manifestations are most likely to develop multiple EIMs. Additionally, involvement of the right colon is predictive of inflammatory bowel disease-associated arthritis.
INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASES
(2023)