Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Chen Chen, Yi Wang, Fan Wu, Weili Hong
Summary: This study demonstrates rapid antifungal susceptibility testing (AFST) by measuring the metabolism in single fungal cells. The results show that metabolism change can serve as a biomarker for rapid AFST, with a 100% categorical agreement with the gold standard broth microdilution test. Additionally, a protocol is developed for direct AFST from positive blood cultures, overcoming the limitation of slow growth in conventional methods and providing potential for rapid diagnosis of fungal infections.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Electrochemistry
Kayode Olaifa, Jasmina Nikodinovic-Runic, Biljana Glisic, Francesco Boschetto, Elia Marin, Francesco Segreto, Enrico Marsili
Summary: Candida albicans is a common fungal pathogen, and analyzing biofilms and assessing antifungal therapy quickly is a critical challenge in clinical practice. This study demonstrates the use of electrochemical methods to evaluate the activity of antifungal compounds on C. albicans biofilms, indicating the suitability of electrochemical testing for assessing antifungal drugs.
ELECTROCHIMICA ACTA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
J. D. Sobel
Summary: A review of vaginal isolates of Candida albicans obtained from a university vaginitis referral clinic over a 10-year period revealed an increase in fluconazole resistance, which has been associated with treatment choice. Factors contributing to azole resistance in Candida albicans vaginal infection are discussed.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Dermatology
Flavia Franco Veiga, Lidiane Vizioli de Castro-Hoshino, Francielle Sato, Mauro Luciano Baesso, Sonia Silva, Melyssa Negri, Terezinha Inez Estivalet Svidzinski
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the fungal-nail interaction and the consequences of the nail infection process by Fusarium oxysporum using an ex vivo model with human nails. Through various analyses, it was demonstrated that F. oxysporum is able to adapt, grow, develop, and form a biofilm on healthy human nails, important steps for the invasion process.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
S. Gao, S. Zhang, S. Zhang
Summary: The study demonstrated the synergistic effects of berberine and amphotericin B against dual-species Candida albicans/Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, showing significant reduction in biomass and viability of the residing species. Morphological examination revealed impaired coadhesion between the two species and downregulation of key genes involved in biofilm formation. These findings confirm the potential of the combinatorial treatment for treating infections related to Candida albicans/Staphylococcus aureus biofilms and provided molecular insights into its efficacy.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Patrick B. Mazi, Margaret A. Olsen, Dustin Stwalley, Adriana M. Rauseo, Chapelle Ayres, William G. Powderly, Andrej Spec
Summary: This study quantified the mortality attributable to Candida bloodstream infections in the modern era of echinocandins, finding that the mortality was more pronounced in patients at lowest risk of developing the infection. Patients at the lowest risk who went untreated had higher mortality rates compared to treated patients.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Amir Arastehfar, Melika Laal Kargar, Shahla Roudbar Mohammadi, Maryam Roudbary, Nayereh Ghods, Ladan Haghighi, Farnaz Daneshnia, Mahin Tavakoli, Jalal Jafarzadeh, Mohammad Taghi Hedayati, Huiwei Wang, Wenjie Fang, Agostinho Carvalho, Macit Ilkit, David S. Perlin, Cornelia Lass-Floerl
Summary: RVVC is a common fungal infection that may be caused by dysbiosis and other factors. FLZR and FLZT phenotypes were found to contribute to fluconazole therapeutic failure, with Iran having a heavy burden of RVVC. Research on RVVC remains limited.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biology
Lesia Guinn, Evan Lo, Gabor Balazsi
Summary: Microbial drug resistance is a global challenge, and current detection methods overlook the complexity of resistance mechanisms. Experimental and mathematical modeling can reveal the mechanisms of multicellular and molecular resistance, leading to more effective treatments for microbial infections and potentially even cancer.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Najla A. Alshaikh, Kahkashan Perveen
Summary: This study provides experimental evidence that thyme essential oil (TEO) has antifungal activity against fluconazole-resistant clinical isolates of C. albicans. TEO successfully inhibits the growth, germ tube formation, and budding of fungal pathogens at low doses, showing potential as an alternative to fluconazole for drug-resistant strains.
Article
Dentistry, Oral Surgery & Medicine
Panida Thanyasrisung, Wuttika Satitviboon, Sukanya Howattanapanich, Oranart Matangkasombut
Summary: This study aimed to investigate antifungal resistance in oral Candida isolates and the efficacy of chi-tosan, a natural polymer, against drug-resistant Candida. The results showed that chitosan was effective against most antifungal drug-resistant isolates, indicating that it could serve as a complementary antifungal agent against drug-resistant strains.
ARCHIVES OF ORAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Peng Li, Chaminda J. Seneviratne, Qingxian Luan, Lijian Jin
Summary: Candida albicans biofilms exhibit significantly increased antifungal resistance, with a higher survival rate and complex cellular pathways in response to caspofungin treatment. Key proteins involved in cell wall integrity, stress response, and metabolic activities play a crucial role in the antifungal resistance of C. albicans biofilms.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Virginia E. Glazier, Juraj Kramara, Tomye Ollinger, Norma V. Solis, Robert Zarnowski, Rohan S. Wakade, Min-Ju Kim, Gabriel J. Weigel, Shen-Huan Liang, Richard J. Bennett, Melanie Wellington, David R. Andes, Mark A. Stamnes, Scott G. Filler, Damian J. Krysan, James W. Kronstad
Summary: Candida albicans, a diploid human fungal pathogen, displays significant genomic and phenotypic heterogeneity. The effect of Rob1 on biofilm and filamentation virulence traits is dependent on both the specific environmental condition and the clinical strain of C. albicans. Different alleles of Rob1 have different functional effects, with the rare ROB1(946S) allele supporting increased filamentation and biofilm formation. These findings highlight the importance of heterozygosity as a driver of C. albicans phenotypic heterogeneity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jakub Suchodolski, Anna Krasowska
Summary: Fructose elevates fluconazole resistance in Candida albicans by activating Mdr1p and inducing higher levels of Cdr1p.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Infectious Diseases
FangMei Fan, Yi Liu, YiQing Liu, RuiXue Lv, Wei Sun, WenJing Ding, YanXing Cai, WeiWei Li, Xing Liu, Wei Qu
Summary: This review summarizes the important insights into C. albicans biofilm-associated antifungal drug resistance mechanisms and immune evasion strategies, and discusses the strategies for combating these processes with antifungal drug use.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Muhammad Alif Sya'ban Mahfud, Nor Atikah Syahirah, Muhammad Akram, Ulfah Mahfufah, Mesakh Diki Saputra, Diany Elim, Maqhfirah Nurul Fitri Andi, Nurul Aisha Fitri Sultan, Achmad Himawan, Juan Dominguez-Robles, Boonnada Pamornpathomkul, Maria Mir, Andi Dian Permana
Summary: This study developed a dissolving microneedle containing solid dispersion amphotericin B (DMN-SD-AMB) for the treatment of fungal keratitis. Compared to traditional eye drops and ointments, this new formulation showed higher drug release and permeation capabilities, as well as excellent antifungal activity and safety.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2023)
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
Food Science & Technology
Marie Deckers, Marc De Loose, Nina Papazova, Dieter Deforce, Marie-Alice Fraiture, Nancy H. C. Roosens
Summary: Several methods have been developed to detect genetically modified bacteria in fermentation products, leading to the identification of bacterial GM strains and confirming their presence through various detection techniques.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Krishna Chaitanya Pavani, Tim Meese, Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini, Xuefeng Guan, Xiaoyuan Lin, Luc Peelman, Joachim Hamacher, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Dieter Deforce, Annekatrien Boel, Bjorn Heindryckx, Kelly Tilleman, Ann Van Soom, Bart M. Gadella, An Hendrix, Katrien Smits
Summary: The miRNA bta-miR-378a-3p in extracellular vesicles plays a crucial role in blastocyst hatching in bovine embryos, improving blastocyst quality and regulating embryo hatching.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Olivier Tytgat, Sonja Skevin, Maarten Fauvart, Tim Stakenborg, Dieter Deforce, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh
Summary: A hybridization-based genotyping assay called QueSTR probes was developed for miniaturized lab-on-a-chip STR profiling. The QueSTR probes rely on the recognition and cleavage of an RNA:DNA duplex to achieve genotyping. The study demonstrated that the QueSTR probes have high accuracy in genotyping three core loci.
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
(2022)
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
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Steven Vermeulen, Bart Van Puyvelde, Laura Bengtsson del Barrio, Ruben Almey, Bernard K. K. van der Veer, Dieter Deforce, Maarten Dhaenens, Jan de Boer
Summary: This study investigates how surface topography influences nuclear morphology, histone modifications, and gene expression. The authors find that micro-topographies result in a loss of histone acetylation and nucleoli abundance, as well as a reduction in gene expression associated with chromosome organization. They also show that micro-topographies can influence the proliferation and phenotype of mesenchymal stem cells, and this effect is reversible.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Annelies Raes, Eline Wydooghe, Krishna Chaitanya Pavani, Osvaldo Bogado Pascottini, Katleen Van Steendam, Maarten Dhaenens, Annekatrien Boel, Sonia Heras, Bjorn Heindryckx, Luc Peelman, Dieter Deforce, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Geert Opsomer, Ann Van Soom, Katrien Smits
Summary: While animal models have shown that culturing embryos in groups improves blastocyst yield and quality, the identity of the responsible embryotrophins remains largely unknown. This study identified cathepsin-L as an important embryotrophin in bovine in vitro embryo production, and demonstrated that supplementation of cathepsin-L significantly improved blastocyst development and quality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
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
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
Plant Sciences
Willem Desmedt, Maarten Ameye, Osvaldo Filipe, Evelien De Waele, Filip Van Nieuwerburgh, Dieter Deforce, Lieven Van Meulebroek, Lynn Vanhaecke, Tina Kyndt, Monica Hofte, Kris Audenaert
Summary: This study showed that Z-3-hexenyl acetate-induced resistance (Z-3-HAC-IR) in rice can effectively protect against rice blast, sheath blight, and brown spot diseases, while also increasing rice yield.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2023)
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.
