Review
Virology
Philip Lauman, Jonathan J. Dennis
Summary: The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens poses a serious threat to public health, particularly the drug-resistant species like the Bcc complex. Phage therapy shows promise as a potential solution to combat these difficult-to-treat pathogens.
Article
Microbiology
Leslie-Mariana Morales-Ruiz, Mariana Rodriguez-Cisneros, Jeniffer-Chris Kerber-Diaz, Fernando-Uriel Rojas-Rojas, J. Antonio Ibarra, Paulina Estrada-de los Santos
Summary: This study corrected the misclassification of B. servocepacia according to ICNP standards and renamed it as Burkholderia orbicola sp. nov. The original proposal of B. servocepacia was misleading as the name derived from Latin meaning "to protect/watch over" did not accurately reflect the opportunistic infection capability of the species.
ARCHIVES OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Evelise Bach, Fernando Hayashi Sant'Anna, Guilherme Dubal dos Santos Seger, Luciane Maria Pereira Passaglia
Summary: This study performed pangenome analysis on Burkholderia sensu lato for the first time, and focused on the specific features of B. catarinensis in the pangenome of Burkholderia sensu stricto and Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc). The results showed great variability and unknown potential in these genomes. The genome of B. catarinensis contains genes related to hydmlase production and plant growth promotion.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Adeeb Salah, Ibrahim Al-Subol, Ahmed Hudna, Ali Alhaj, Abdulhabib R. Alqubaty, Waleed Farie, Dalal Sulieman, Ola Alnadhari, Talal Alwajeeh, Fawaz Alobathani, Abdullah Almikhlafy, Mohmmed A. K. Mahdy
Summary: The study investigated neonatal sepsis in six hospitals in Sana'a city, Yemen, identifying a high proportion of neonatal sepsis with antibiotic-resistant Burkholderia cepacia as the most common pathogen causing early and late-onset sepsis. Vaginal delivery was identified as an independent risk factor for neonatal sepsis. The findings highlight the emerging threat of multidrug-resistant bacteria in neonatal units in Yemen and emphasize the need for evidence-based management of neonatal sepsis.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Dustin Maydaniuk, Bin Wu, Dang Truong, Sajani H. Liyanage, Andrew M. Hogan, Zhong Ling Yap, Mingdi Yan, Silvia T. Cardona
Summary: Bacteria of the genus Burkholderia, including pathogenic species, show intrinsic drug resistance. Auranofin analogs such as MS-40 and MS-40S exhibit antibiotic activity against Burkholderia clinical isolates, killing stationary-phase cells without inducing multistep resistance, and demonstrating low toxicity in model organisms. Further investigations are needed to explore the therapeutic potential of these compounds against Burkholderia infections.
Article
Microbiology
Philip Lauman, Jonathan J. Dennis
Summary: The spread of antimicrobial resistance is a global threat to public health, especially for bacteria such as Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) that cause respiratory infections and are highly resistant to antibiotics. Phage therapy, the use of phages to treat bacterial infections, is a promising alternative, but its current paradigm of using only lytic phages limits its effectiveness. This study challenges the prevailing paradigm by showing that lysogenization-capable phages can be therapeutically effective.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ya-Chun Liao, Yao-Ting Huang, Chien-Hao Tseng, Chia-Wei Liu, Po-Yu Liu
Summary: Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a significant opportunistic pathogen that causes morbidity and mortality in individuals with cystic fibrosis, chronic granulomatous disease, or compromised immune systems. The mortality rate of Bcc bloodstream infections remains high, and the treatment is challenging due to its intrinsic resistance to most antibiotics, particularly carbapenems. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of carbapenem resistance in Bcc.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sheikh Mansoor, Owais Ali Wani, Jafar K. Lone, Sweeta Manhas, Navneet Kour, Pravej Alam, Ajaz Ahmad, Parvaiz Ahmad
Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive and dangerous by-products that can cause oxidative cell death, but they also play a beneficial role in regulating biological processes. ROS are generated in various cell compartments of plants and require the action of antioxidants to scavenge them. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the fate of ROS in plants, their role in stress response, and their interaction with other signaling molecules/pathways.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Shady Estfanous, Kathrin Krause, Midhun N. K. Anne, Mostafa Eltobgy, Kyle Caution, Arwa Abu Khweek, Kaitlin Hamilton, Asmaa Badr, Kylene Daily, Cierra Carafice, Daniel Baetzhold, Xiaoli Zhang, Tianliang Li, Haitao Wen, Mikhail A. Gavrilin, Hesham Haffez, Sameh Soror, Amal O. Amer
Summary: The study revealed that GSDMD restricts bacterial replication, stimulates autophagy, and promotes inflammation by mediating the release of inflammasome dependent and independent cytokines in response to B. cenocepacia infection.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yunus Ahmed, Jiexi Zhong, Zhiguo Yuan, Jianhua Guo
Summary: This study investigates the roles of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the simultaneous removal of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and recalcitrant micropollutants using three processes: conventional Fenton, photo-Fenton, and EDDS modified photo-Fenton. Various ROS were generated and confirmed to contribute to bacterial inactivation and micropollutant degradation. The results showed that the EDDS modified photo-Fenton process had the highest removal efficiency. The hydroxyl radical played a dominant role, while singlet oxygen and superoxide radical anion exhibited moderate effects in removing hazards.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
James H. Schofield, Zachary T. Schafer
Summary: The relationship between mitophagy and ROS production is complex and not fully understood. This review discusses mtROS generation and their detrimental effects on cellular viability, along with the cellular defense mechanisms against oxidative stress. Furthermore, the prominent mechanisms governing mitophagy induction that bear on oxidative stress are explored.
ANTIOXIDANTS & REDOX SIGNALING
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
A. Lopez De Volder, S. Teves, A. Isasmendi, J. L. Pinheiro, L. Ibarra, N. Breglia, T. Herrera, M. Vazquez, C. Hernandez, Jose Degrossi
Summary: In this retrospective study, PCR and recA gene sequence analysis were used to identify Bcc isolates recovered from massive consumption products and industrial processes in Argentina over the last 25 years. The most common Bcc species identified was B. contaminans, showing 100% identity with clinical isolates in Argentinean patients. This suggests that industrial massive consumption products could be a potential source of Bcc infections, emphasizing the importance of species-level identification in industrial microbiological laboratories. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of these products in the acquisition of B. contaminans infections in Argentina.
INTERNATIONAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Chanu Rhee, Meghan A. Baker, Robert Tucker, Vineeta Vaidya, Meghan Holtzman, Raghu R. Seethala, Maria Bentain-Melanson, Jesslyn Lenox, Adam R. Smith, Jon C. Boyer, Alison Gassett, Manfred Brigl, Mohamad Sater, Miriam Huntley, Ann E. Woolley, Hilary J. Goldberg, Karen Reilly, Andrew Resnick, Madelyn Pearson, Michael Klompas
Summary: A cluster of 8 Burkholderia cepacia complex infections was associated with contaminated ECMO water heaters, highlighting the potential risks of water-based care for vulnerable patients. This cluster was identified through whole-genome sequencing and environmental sampling, leading to implementation of mitigation measures and removal of water heaters from clinical service.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Review
Agronomy
Rupal Singh Tomar, Sunita Kataria, Anjana Jajoo
Summary: This article explores the recent research on signaling and mechanisms for salt tolerance in plants, focusing on the role of the salt overly sensitive system (SOS) and related antiporters proteins and mitogen-activated protein kinase cascades under salt stress. It also highlights the differential expression of various antioxidative enzymes in C3, C4 and CAM plants.
JOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE
(2021)
Review
Immunology
Silvia A. Sousa, Antonio M. M. Seixas, Joana M. M. Marques, Jorge H. Leitao
Summary: This review discusses immunization and immunotherapy approaches against human infections caused by opportunistic pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Burkholderia cepacia complex. It covers vaccination strategies, ongoing clinical trials, as well as novel bacterial targets for development of immunization and immunotherapy strategies.
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
Nutrition & Dietetics
Daily Arias-Ramos, Idelsy Chil-Nunez, Humberto J. Morris, Miladis Camacho-Pozo, Yamila Lebeque-Perez, Gabriel Llaurado-Maury, Paul Cos, Chris Vervaet
Summary: This study determined the technological, biochemical, and microbiological quality parameters of dehydrated Pleurotus ostreatus powder. The results showed that the powder has poor flow properties and significant nutraceutical composition. The microbiological analysis also met the ISO standards.
CURRENT NUTRITION & FOOD SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Jesus Garcia Diaz, Emmy Tuenter, Julio Cesar Escalona Arranz, Gabriel Llaurado Maury, Paul Cos, Luc Pieters
Summary: This study evaluated the antiplasmodial effect of alkaloids from Croton linearis and found that laudanidine and 8,14-dihydrosalutaridine exhibited moderate antiplasmodial activity without cytotoxicity. This finding is significant for the development of new antimalarial drugs.
EXPERIMENTAL PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wilmer H. Perera, Alexander M. Scherbakov, Galina Buravchenko, Ekaterina Mikhaevich, Suzana Guimaraes Leitao, Paul Cos, Andrey E. Shchekotikhin, Lianet Monzote, William N. Setzer
Summary: This study explored the in vitro antimicrobial, antiparasitic, antiproliferative, and cytotoxic activities of essential oils from Baccharis parvidentata and Lippia origanoides. The results showed that both essential oils exhibited significant effects against parasitic protozoans and malignant cells, with selectivity towards non-malignant cells.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aiva Plotniece, Arkadij Sobolev, Claudiu T. Supuran, Fabrizio Carta, Fredrik Bjoerkling, Henrik Franzyk, Jari Yli-Kauhaluoma, Koen Augustyns, Paul Cos, Linda De Vooght, Matthias Govaerts, Juliana Aizawa, Paeivi Tammela, Raivis Zalubovskis
Summary: Natural products and analogues are valuable sources for the discovery of antibacterial drugs. The identification of bacterial metalloenzymes and the synthesis of selective inhibitors are interesting for the development of antibacterial agents due to increasing drug resistance. Peptide nucleic acids represent a novel strategy for targeting pathogens through antisense inhibition and development of antisense peptide nucleic acids. The review also discusses alternative therapeutic options and optimized in vitro and in vivo models for studying biofilm-related infections along with an overview of drug delivery nanosystems.
JOURNAL OF ENZYME INHIBITION AND MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Mona Bove, Mette Kolpen, Mads Lichtenberg, Thomas Bjarnsholt, Tom Coenye
Summary: In this study, the fitness, antimicrobial susceptibility, metabolic activity, gene expression, in vitro production of virulence factors and in vivo virulence of experimentally evolved Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 were evaluated. Mutations in mexT and fusA1 were found in the evolved strains, leading to altered fitness, metabolic activity, mexE expression, and antimicrobial susceptibility. However, the in vitro production of virulence factors and virulence in vivo were unchanged compared to the wild-type strains. These evolved strains also showed reduced susceptibility to tobramycin in an in vivo mouse model. Overall, this study highlights the impact of experimental evolution on the fitness and antimicrobial susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Article
Microbiology
Andrea M. Sass, Tom Coenye
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the biological role of the conserved small RNA NcS25 and its cognate target, outer membrane protein BCAL3473, in Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteria. NcS25 strongly represses the expression of BCAL3473, while other factors such as a LysR-type regulator and nitrogen-depleted growth conditions activate its expression. BCAL3473 is involved in the transport of arginine, tyrosine, tyramine, and putrescine across the outer membrane, playing an important role in nitrogen metabolism.
Article
Microbiology
Laure Verstraete, Juliana Aizawa, Matthias Govaerts, Linda De Vooght, Rob Lavigne, Jan Michiels, Bram van den Bergh, Paul Cos
Summary: The importance of targeting persister cells in antibiotic therapies is increasingly evident as they contribute to relapsing infections and the development of antibiotic resistance. This study focused on persistence in the clinically relevant pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which is associated with chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. The researchers optimized a mouse model to simulate these lung infections and found that the survival levels of P. aeruginosa in the model correlated with survival levels measured in traditional persistence assays. These findings validate current techniques for studying persistence and provide opportunities to explore new persistence mechanisms and antipersister strategies in vivo.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Xuerui Bao, Ellen Goeteyn, Aurelie Crabbe, Tom Coenye
Summary: D,L-malate enhances ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa, improving antibiotic therapy in infection environments. The choice of model system influences the outcome of the experiment, emphasizing the importance of using models that closely mimic the in vivo environment. This study confirms the potential of D,L-malate to enhance ciprofloxacin activity against P. aeruginosa-associated infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Tom Coenye
Summary: Our understanding of biofilm biology has greatly increased, but it has not yet resulted in major changes in clinical practice. The lack of standardized tools for studying biofilms in the clinical microbiology laboratory, particularly in antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST), is a major obstacle. Biofilm lifestyle significantly impacts antibiotic susceptibility, but AST is still typically conducted using planktonic cells. This review aims to provide an overview of the current state of biofilm AST, highlight knowledge gaps, discuss potential ways to improve AST, and address the bottlenecks preventing its use in clinical practice.
CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Luciana Meneses, Ana Catarina Brandao, Tom Coenye, Ana Cristina Braga, Diana Priscila Pires, Joana Azeredo
Summary: This systematic review summarizes and analyzes the published data on the use of bacteriophages to control pre-formed biofilms in vitro, providing recommendations for future experiments. The findings suggest that phage concentration, burst size, and latent period can influence the efficacy of biofilm control, with higher concentrations and specific characteristics leading to better outcomes.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Laurence Van Moll, Milan Wouters, Jeroen De Smet, Linda De Vooght, Peter Delputte, Mik Van Der Borght, Paul Cos
Summary: This study demonstrates the antimicrobial activity and lipopolysaccharide-binding ability of two cecropin peptides from the black soldier fly. These peptides show promise as potential anti-Pseudomonas drugs by reducing inflammation and binding to LPS. However, their activity is affected by salt concentration, indicating the need for further optimization.
Article
Microbiology
Amber De Bleeckere, Sara Van den Bossche, Pieter-Jan De Sutter, Tine Beirens, Aurelie Crabbe, Tom Coenye
Summary: In this study, a high throughput method was developed to determine the antimicrobial concentration required to prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation using a synthetic cystic fibrosis sputum medium (SCFM2). Significant differences were observed between biofilm preventing concentrations (BPCs) and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of three antibiotics, with the BPCs consistently higher than the MICs. This high throughput assay could be a valuable addition to evaluate the antimicrobial susceptibility in P. aeruginosa biofilms in the context of cystic fibrosis (CF).
Review
Microbiology
Mads Lichtenberg, Tom Coenye, Matthew R. Parsek, Thomas Bjarnsholt, Tim Holm Jakobsen
Summary: In vitro biofilms are distinct microbial communities characterized by physical traits, phenotypic features, and antibiotic tolerance. The importance of these traits varies depending on the environment and bacterial species. Mechanisms enabling antibiotic resistance in biofilms include physical barriers, physiological adaptations, and changes in gene expression. However, there is little consensus on gene expression profiles in biofilms, and a definitive "biofilm signature transcriptome" has not been identified. Spatial and temporal variability in biofilms greatly differs across systems or environments. Clinical biofilms may differ from those cultivated in laboratories and found in the environment, emphasizing the need for a better understanding of their characteristics.
FEMS MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Tom Coenye, Karl-Jan Spittaels, Yvonne Achermann
Summary: C. acnes is a commonly found bacterium on the skin, known for its role in acne and other infections. It forms biofilms and plays a significant role in vivo, being associated with treatment failure.