Review
Infectious Diseases
Pei-Wen Wang, Wei-Ting Lee, Ya-Na Wu, Dar-Bin Shieh
Summary: Clostridioides difficile, a spore-forming bacterium, poses a serious health problem as a nosocomial infectious pathogen. Its spores have complex structures and dormant characteristics, contributing to their resistance to harsh environments. The vegetative cells produce endospores, and the mature spores are released from the hosts for dissemination of the pathogen.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jeshina Janardhanan, Choon Kim, Yuanyuan Qian, Jingdong Yang, Jayda E. Meisel, Derong Ding, Enrico Speri, Valerie A. Schroeder, William R. Wolter, Allen G. Oliver, Shahriar Mobashery, Mayland Chang
Summary: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a deadly public health threat with high recurrence rates. The discovery of an oxadiazole as an anti-CDI agent that inhibits cell-wall biosynthesis and spore germination shows promise in clinical treatment and breaking the cycles of infection.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Prabhat K. Talukdar, Mahfuzur R. Sarker
Summary: This study identified new sporulation and germination genes in Clostridium perfringens, and confirmed the importance of these genes in the processes of spore formation and germination.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shiv K. Sharma, Christopher Yip, Matthew P. Simon, Jacqueline Phan, Ernesto Abel-Santos, Steven M. Firestine
Summary: Inhibitory activity of bile acid derivatives on C. difficile spores depends on the number and configuration of hydroxyl groups, with chenodeoxycholic acid and its derivatives showing high inhibitory activity against spore germination.
BIOORGANIC & MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Jasmine Hadj Saadoun, Alessia Levante, Martina Marrella, Valentina Bernini, Erasmo Neviani, Camilla Lazzi
Summary: The food industry needs to ensure product stability, which is often achieved through heat treatments that can eliminate microorganisms. However, this may result in a loss of nutritional and sensory value. The addition of natural antimicrobials may be a valuable option to combat microbial survival.
Article
Microbiology
Noah Budi, Jared J. Godfrey, Nasia Safdar, Sanjay K. Shukla, Warren E. Rose
Summary: Clostridioides difficile infections are commonly treated with antibiotics, but these do not impact the dormant spore form of the pathogen. This study found that combining germinants with omadacycline was more effective in eradicating spores compared to vancomycin, showing potential for preventing recurrent CDI and limiting spore shedding in healthcare settings.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sara A. Burgess, Faith P. Palevich, Amanda Gardner, John Mills, Gale Brightwell, Nikola Palevich
Summary: This study investigates the genomic conditions for germination of 37 representative Clostridium strains and finds that different species of Clostridium have different germination pathways, but the core components of the germination pathway are conserved.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Andrea Martinez Aguirre, Adegoke Oyeleye Adegbite, Joseph A. A. Sorg
Summary: The Clostridioides difficile pathogen can initiate infection through germination, which can be stimulated by certain amino acids and bile salts. We discovered that C. difficile strains have bile salt hydrolase activity, specifically towards taurine-derived bile salts. This activity can produce cholate, which signals the initiation of biofilm formation in C. difficile.
NPJ BIOFILMS AND MICROBIOMES
(2022)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tebelay Dilnessa, Alem Getaneh, Workagegnehu Hailu, Feleke Moges, Baye Gelaw
Summary: A high prevalence of C. difficile was observed among hospitalized patients, emphasizing the need for attention and prevention. The resistance of C. difficile to metronidazole and vancomycin was lower compared to other antibiotics.
Article
Immunology
Yuan-Pin Hung, Jen-Chieh Lee, Bo-Yang Tsai, Jia-Ling Wu, Hsiao-Chieh Liu, Hsiu-Chuan Liu, Hsiao-Ju Lin, Pei-Jane Tsai, Wen-Chien Ko
Summary: The risk factors of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) vary among hospitalized patients with different lengths of hospital stay. Malignancy, prior cephalosporin, and proton pump inhibitor therapy are independent risk factors for CDAD. Intervention strategies for preventing CDAD may need to be tailored based on the duration of hospital stay.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Brintha P. Girinathan, Nicholas DiBenedetto, Jay N. Worley, Johann Peltier, Mario L. Arrieta-Ortiz, Selva Rupa Christinal Immanuel, Richard Lavin, Mary L. Delaney, Christopher K. Cummins, Maria Hoffman, Yan Luo, Narjol Gonzalez-Escalona, Marc Allard, Andrew B. Onderdonk, Georg K. Gerber, Abraham L. Sonenshein, Nitin S. Baliga, Bruno Dupuy, Lynn Bry
Summary: Different species of Clostridia can protect against or worsen Clostridioides difficile infection in mice by modulating the pathogen's colonization, growth, and virulence through altering the gut-nutrient environment. This research lays the groundwork for mechanistically informed therapies to counter C. difficile disease using systems biology approaches to define host-commensal-pathogen interactions in vivo.
CELL HOST & MICROBE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jessica M. Chisholm, Papanin Putsathit, Thomas V. Riley, Su-Chen Lim
Summary: This study reveals the common presence of toxigenic Clostridium difficile in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Western Australia, which are being released into the environment and becoming a potential source/reservoir for community-associated C. difficile infection (CA-CDI).
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Andrea Martinez Aguirre, Nazli Yalcinkaya, Qinglong Wu, Alton Swennes, Mary Elizabeth Tessier, Paul Roberts, Fabio Miyajima, Tor Savidge, Joseph A. Sorg
Summary: Infections of Clostridioides difficile result from disruptions to the normal colonic microbiota, often caused by broad-spectrum antibiotics. While secondary bile acids are toxic to C. difficile, their generation through 7 alpha-dehydroxylation is not necessary for protection against C. difficile infection. Instead, bacteria that 7 alpha-dehydroxylate primary bile acids protect against C. difficile through bile acid-independent mechanisms, suggesting that Stickland metabolism plays a key role in consuming essential nutrients for C. difficile growth.
Article
Microbiology
Hannah Tyrrell, Sarah B. N. Morin, Colin D. Lloyd, Brendon Parsons, Taryn Stokowski, Jianling Xie, Ran Zhuo, Bonita E. Lee, Xiao-Li Pang, Stephen B. Freedman, Linda Chui
Summary: Detection of Clostridioides difficile toxins using enteric multiplex syndromic panels has been compared to direct-from-stool (DFS) and culture-enriched stools followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods in pediatric populations. The study found excellent agreement between the Luminex xTAG Gastrointestinal Pathogen Panel (GPP) and the DFS in-house real-time PCR (DFS RT-PCR) assay, with a high positive and negative percent agreement. GPP can be easily implemented in routine diagnostic laboratories to detect enteric pathogens, including C. difficile.
Article
Microbiology
Jie Liu, Suporn Pholwat, Jixian Zhang, Mami Taniuchi, Rashidul Haque, Masud Alam, John Benjamin Ochieng, Jennifer A. Jones, James A. Platts-Mills, Sharon M. Tennant, Eric Houpt
Summary: Real-time PCR assays were evaluated for identifying major serotypes of Shigella flexneri using 0-antigen modification genes. The assays demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional serotyping, with efficient performance on direct stool samples as well. These PCR assays provide a novel tool for S. flexneri serotype identification.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Panya Dowdell, Surang Chankhamhaengdecha, Watanalai Panbangred, Tavan Janvilisri, Amornrat Aroonnual
PROBIOTICS AND ANTIMICROBIAL PROTEINS
(2020)
Article
Microbiology
Milton Thomas, Supapit Wongkuna, Sudeep Ghimire, Roshan Kumar, Linto Antony, Kinchel C. Doerner, Aaron Singery, Eric Nelson, Tofuko Woyengo, Surang Chankhamhaengdecha, Tavan Janvilisri, Joy Scaria
Article
Oncology
Pattaya Seeree, Tavan Janvilisri, Thaned Kangsamaksin, Rutaiwan Tohtong, Supeecha Kumkate
Article
Oncology
Sathid Aimjongjun, Zimam Mahmud, Yannasittha Jiramongkol, Glowi Alasiri, Shang Yao, Ernesto Yague, Tavan Janvilisri, Eric W. -F. Lam
Review
Oncology
Timmy Richardo, Pongphol Prattapong, Chawalit Ngernsombat, Nurulfitri Wisetyaningsih, Hisashi Iizasa, Hironori Yoshiyama, Tavan Janvilisri
Review
Chemistry, Medicinal
Brinda Balasubramanian, Simran Venkatraman, Kyaw Zwar Myint, Tavan Janvilisri, Kanokpan Wongprasert, Supeecha Kumkate, David O. Bates, Rutaiwan Tohtong
Summary: Cholangiocarcinoma is a malignancy with limited treatment options and poor outcomes, particularly in Southeast Asia. Tailoring treatment to individual patients is crucial, and co-clinical trials offer a promising approach to expedite drug development for this disease.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Supapit Wongkuna, Sudeep Ghimire, Surang Chankhamhaengdecha, Tavan Janvilisri, Joy Scaria
Summary: Strain SW178, a novel species belonging to the genus Mediterraneibacter, was isolated from the cecum content of feral chickens in Brookings, South Dakota, USA. The genome size of strain SW178 is 3.18 Mbp with a G+C content of 46.9 mol%, and it grows optimally at 45 degrees Celsius. The strain utilizes various carbon sources for growth and has unique fatty acid composition.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Thanawat Sridapan, Wanida Tangkawsakul, Tavan Janvilisri, Taradon Luangtongkum, Wansika Kiatpathomchai, Surang Chankhamhaengdecha
Summary: A novel method based on duplex loop-mediated isothermal amplification (d-LAMP) and lateral-flow biosensor (LFB) was developed for simultaneous detection of Campylobacter and Salmonella species with high specificity and sensitivity. The assay showed promising results in detecting both pathogens in food samples, offering a potential alternative approach for pathogen detection.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Supapit Wongkuna, Tavan Janvilisri, Matthew Phanchana, Phurt Harnvoravongchai, Amornrat Aroonnual, Sathid Aimjongjun, Natamon Malaisri, Surang Chankhamhaengdecha
Summary: Clostridioides difficile strains and patterns of antimicrobial resistance in Thailand show temporal changes in distribution and resistance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Suvash Chandra Ojha, Matthew Phanchana, Phurt Harnvoravongchai, Surang Chankhamhaengdecha, Sombat Singhakaew, Puey Ounjai, Tavan Janvilisri
Summary: The study found that teicoplanin had lower MICs compared to vancomycin in all tested isolates. Antimicrobial agents did not affect the initiation of spore germination, but inhibited the outgrowth to vegetative cells. This highlights the efficiency of teicoplanin for treatment of C. difficile by preventing the outgrowth of vegetative cells.
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Brinda Balasubramanian, Simran Venkatraman, Tavan Janvilisri, Tuangporn Suthiphongchai, Siriporn Jitkaew, Jittiyawadee Sripa, Rutaiwan Tohtong
Summary: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a diverse group of malignancies originating from the bile duct, with tumor heterogeneity hindering the feasibility of precision oncology. Stratifying patients based on molecular features and biomarkers offers a potential solution. The study identified five distinct molecular subtypes of CCA based on gene expression profiles of selected RTKs, suggesting tailored dual inhibition of RTKs may be more favorable than monotherapy for this type of cancer.
Article
Oncology
Brinda Balasubramanian, Kiren Yacqub-Usman, Simran Venkatraman, Kyaw Zwar Myint, Jitlada Juengsamarn, Poowanai Sarkhampee, Nithi Lertsawatvicha, Jittiyawadee Sripa, Thiti Kuakpaetoon, Chinnawut Suriyonplengsaeng, Kanokpan Wongprasert, Anna M. Grabowska, David O. Bates, Tavan Janvilisri, Rutaiwan Tohtong
Summary: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is a complex and heterogeneous tumor that is difficult to diagnose at early stages due to its asymptomatic nature. Recent studies have focused on using Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptors (FGFRs) as targets for therapy. This study found aberrant FGFR expression in CCA samples using a bioinformatics approach and confirmed it with immunohistochemistry. The selective pan-FGFR inhibitor PD173074 was effective in suppressing CCA cells with FGFR expression, and dual inhibition of FGFRs and EGFR showed synergistic effects in CCA.
Article
Oncology
Chawalit Ngernsombat, Pongphol Prattapong, Noppadol Larbcharoensub, Krittika Khotthong, Tavan Janvilisri
Summary: In this study, high expression of WNT8B protein in NPC patients was found to be associated with survival rate and may serve as an independent prognostic factor for NPC patients. Additionally, there was a significant correlation between WNT8B expression and systemic metastasis.
Article
Infectious Diseases
S. Wongkuna, S. Ghimire, L. Antony, S. Chankhamhaengdecha, T. Janvilisri, J. Scaria
NEW MICROBES AND NEW INFECTIONS
(2020)
Article
Oncology
Pongphol Prattapong, Chawalit Ngernsombat, Sathid Aimjongjun, Tavan Janvilisri