Article
Infectious Diseases
Paraskevi Mantzana, Efthymia Protonotariou, Angeliki Kassomenaki, Georgios Meletis, Areti Tychala, Eirini Keskilidou, Maria Arhonti, Charikleia Katsanou, Aikaterini Daviti, Olga Vasilaki, Georgia Kagkalou, Lemonia Skoura
Summary: This study assessed the in vitro synergistic activity of antimicrobial combinations against carbapenem-resistant and colistin-resistant A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae, aiming to provide more treatment options for these infections. The tested antimicrobial combinations demonstrated high synergy rates, making them valuable options against A. baumannii and K. pneumoniae infections.
Article
Microbiology
Jiaqi Cheng, Jun Yan, Zeferino Reyna, Matt Slarve, Peggy Lu, Brad Spellberg, Brian Luna
Summary: The study found that rifabutin and colistin showed synergistic effects in combating Acinetobacter baumannii, with low-dose colistin significantly suppressing the emergence of rifabutin resistance. This combination presents a promising therapeutic option for highly resistant A. baumannii infections.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Christopher Jonkergouw, Ngong Kodiah Beyeh, Ekaterina Osmekhina, Katarzyna Leskinen, S. Maryamdokht Taimoory, Dmitrii Fedorov, Eduardo Anaya-Plaza, Mauri A. Kostiainen, John F. Trant, Robin H. A. Ras, Paivi Saavalainen, Markus B. Linder
Summary: A water-soluble synthetic macrocycle, Pillar[5]arene, has been identified to bind to key virulence factors in Gram-negative pathogens, suppressing toxins and biofilms and enhancing the efficacy of standard antibiotics. It evades existing antibiotic resistance mechanisms and shows promise as a dual-acting anti-virulence treatment against Top Priority pathogens.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Miaomiao Xie, Kaichao Chen, Edward Wai-Chi Chan, Sheng Chen
Summary: Findings in this study provide concrete evidence that antimicrobial activity of colistin can be significantly enhanced by using econazole, an antifungal drug, as a colistin adjuvant. The drug combination is effective in killing multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains as well as the tolerant subpopulation known as persisters. The synergistic effect of the drug combination was observed in mouse infection models at low concentrations, indicating its high potential for clinical use.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yining Zhao, Yan Liu, Luozhu Feng, Mengxin Xu, Hong Wen, Zhuocheng Yao, Shiyi Shi, Qing Wu, Cui Zhou, Jianming Cao, Tieli Zhou
Summary: This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of chrysin in combination with colistin against Acinetobacter baumannii. The results showed that chrysin and colistin exerted synergistic effects against A. baumannii by damaging the extracellular membrane and modifying the bacterial membrane potential. The chrysin/colistin combination also demonstrated an inhibitory effect on biofilm formation. Therefore, the combination therapy of chrysin/colistin may provide a new therapeutic option for controlling A. baumannii infections.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Tingting Guo, Mengying Li, Xiaoli Sun, Yuhang Wang, Liying Yang, Hongmei Jiao, Guocai Li
Summary: The combination of capsaicin and colistin showed synergistic effects against colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, reducing the reliance on high doses of colistin and potentially lowering its dose-dependent side effects. This novel therapeutic approach may offer a new treatment option for controlling Acinetobacter baumannii infections.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Hadas Kon, Amichay Hameir, Elizabeth Temkin, Alona Keren-Paz, David Schwartz, Vered Schechner, Yehuda Carmeli
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the emergence of colistin-dependent (CD) strains in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolates with colistin heteroresistance, and to examine the phenotypic characteristics and evolution of CD strains. The study also found that CD strains exhibited increased susceptibilities to multiple antibiotics, but the detection of CD strains in blood cultures was significantly delayed.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Jiun-Ling Wang, Chih-Cheng Lai, Wen-Chien Ko, Po-Ren Hsueh
Summary: This study investigated the geographical trends of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for tigecycline and colistin in Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates collected from 2016-2021. The study found an increase in tigecycline MICs in A. baumannii isolates in Asia, while MICs for colistin showed varied distribution among different regions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Umaira Ahsan, Fizza Mushtaq, Sidrah Saleem, Abdul Malik, Hira Sarfaraz, Muhammad Shahzad, Bernt Eric Uhlin, Irfan Ahmad
Summary: Carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter baumannii has become a major challenge in treating nosocomial bacterial infections. In Pakistan, where carbapenem resistant A. baumannii infections are endemic, 7.3% of isolates were resistant to colistin. However, most colistin-resistant isolates were susceptible to tetracycline family drugs. The study also found that colistin resistance is related to virulence and that Saussuria lappa extract can reduce A. baumannii colonization and inflammation in a mouse model.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Ryan K. Shields, David L. Paterson, Pranita D. Tamma
Summary: Acinetobacter baumannii-calcoaceticus complex is a common cause of nosocomial infections with high antibiotic resistance. Traditional combination therapy includes colistin, sulbactam, and tetracyclines. New beta-lactam agents like cefiderocol and sulbactam-durlobactam have shown contrasting results in recent clinical trials. Effective treatment for CRAB infections requires a personalized approach considering host factors, site of infection, pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic principles, and local molecular epidemiology.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maxime Bouvier, Mustafa Sadek, Stefano Pomponio, Fernando D'Emidio, Laurent Poirel, Patrice Nordmann
Summary: The RapidResa Polymyxin Acinetobacter NP(R) test showed 96% sensitivity and 97% specificity in rapidly detecting polymyxin resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii, with a turnaround time of 3-4 hours, indicating excellent reliability for clinical use.
Article
Polymer Science
Yu-Hsuan Chen, Wei-Hsun Wang, Sheng-Hui Lin, Yuan-Ting Yang-Wang, Sung-Pin Tseng, Chi-Sheng Chien, Chi-Jen Shih
Summary: The combination of silver protein and tigecycline showed a synergistic effect in inhibiting the viability of A. baumannii, with significantly lower minimum inhibitory concentrations compared to individual MICs and a calculated combination index of 0.59. This integrated antibacterial strategy could provide a promising approach for the treatment of A. baumannii infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jovana Kabic, Katarina Novovic, Dusan Kekic, Anika Trudic, Natasa Opavski, Ivica Dimkic, Branko Jovcic, Ina Gajic
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and resistance mechanisms of colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (ColRAB) isolates in Serbia, assess their genetic relatedness to other circulating A. baumannii isolates in the neighbouring European countries, and analyse the global genomic epidemiology of ColRAB isolates. The findings reveal the central role of the twocomponent regulating system, PmrAB, and increased expression of the pmrC gene in colistin resistance in A. baumannii. The study also highlights the global dissemination of several high-risk clonal lineages of ColRAB isolates.
COMPUTATIONAL AND STRUCTURAL BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Haley S. Ball, Misgina B. Girma, Mosufa Zainab, Iswarduth Soojhawon, Robin D. Couch, Schroeder M. Noble
Summary: ESKAPE pathogens, multidrug-resistant bacteria causing nosocomial infections globally, necessitate the development of novel antibiotics. Targeting the MEP pathway's first enzyme IspC can inhibit the growth of Acinetobacter baumannii and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests indicate varying susceptibility of the two bacteria to different inhibitors.
ACS INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Pengfei She, Yimin Li, Zehao Li, Shasha Liu, Yifan Yang, Linhui Li, Linying Zhou, Yong Wu
Summary: The increasing occurrence of extensively drug-resistant and pan-drug-resistant K. pneumoniae is a serious threat to public health. Drug repurposing and combination are effective strategies to combat these infections. The potential small molecule 9-AA has antimicrobial properties alone or in combination with RIF against drug-resistant K. pneumoniae, and can overcome resistance. Mechanistic studies show that 9-AA interacts with bacterial DNA and disrupts the proton motive force.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Raquel Parra-Millan, Manuel E. Jimenez-Mejias, Rafael Ayerbe-Algaba, Juan Dominguez-Herrera, Caridad Diaz, Jose Perez del Palacio, Jeronimo Pachon, Younes Smani
Summary: The study showed that modifying immune response with LPC in murine models had a significant impact on the prognosis of infections induced by ceftazidime-resistant P. aeruginosa, compared to antibiotic therapy alone.
ENFERMEDADES INFECCIOSAS Y MICROBIOLOGIA CLINICA
(2022)
Correction
Microbiology
Andrea Miro-Canturri, Rafael Ayerbe-Algaba, Younes Smani
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Isabel Mayoral, Elisa Bevilacqua, Gorka Gomez, Abdelkrim Hmadcha, Ignacio Gonzalez-Loscertales, Esther Reina, Julio Sotelo, Antonia Dominguez, Pedro Perez-Alcantara, Younes Smani, Patricia Gonzalez-Puertas, Ana Mendez, Sergio Uribe, Tarik Smani, Antonio Ordonez, Israel Valverde
Summary: In this study, a patient-specific patch was designed using a hybrid 3D printing technique and VSMC differentiation. Through computational modeling and experimental evaluation, the patch demonstrated favorable hemodynamic characteristics, mechanical properties, cell infiltration, viability, and functionality. This innovative 3D biotechnology holds great potential for applications in regenerative medicine and heart disease prevention.
MATERIALS TODAY BIO
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Andrea Miro Canturri, Younes Smani
Summary: Bacterial infections are a leading cause of death worldwide, and the emergence of antimicrobial resistance poses a serious threat. Repurposing approved drugs may provide a faster and more cost-effective approach to drug development.
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Angel Rodriguez Villodres, Lydia Galvez Benitez, Manuel J. Arroyo, Gema Mendez, Luis Mancera, Andrea Vila Dominguez, Jose Antonio Lepe Jimenez, Younes Smani
Summary: The study demonstrates that the MALDIpiptaz test can efficiently and rapidly discriminate between P/T-resistant, ESRI developers, and P/T-susceptible isolates in E. coli. Its combination of excellent performance and cost-effectiveness make it a useful tool for the rapid determination of P/T resistance in clinically relevant E. coli isolates.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Editorial Material
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maria Tomas, Younes Smani
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andrea Vila Dominguez, Marta Carretero Ledesma, Carmen Infante Dominguez, Jose Miguel Cisneros, Jose A. A. Lepe, Younes Smani
Summary: The Lm CC388 strain of Listeria monocytogenes was responsible for a severe outbreak in southern Spain in 2019, resulting in three deaths. This strain exhibited higher virulence compared to other highly virulent clones in both in vitro and in vivo experiments.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Alejandro Rubio, Maximilian Sprang, Andres Garzon, Antonio Moreno-Rodriguez, Maria Eugenia Pachon-Ibanez, Jeronimo Pachon, Miguel A. Andrade-Navarro, Antonio J. Perez-Pulido
Summary: CRISPR-Cas systems are a type of acquired immunity found in 40% of bacterial genomes, which use small DNA fragments called spacers to prevent viral infections. However, the majority of these spacers, known as CRISPR dark matter, have not been associated with specific viruses. Through analyzing spacers from tens of thousands of genomes, researchers have reduced the amount of CRISPR dark matter from 80% to as low as 15% in some bacterial species. Additionally, it has been observed that genomes with CRISPR-Cas systems also have specific sets of membrane proteins, suggesting a connection between bacterial competitiveness and the acquisition of CRISPR-Cas.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Andrea Vila Dominguez, Irene Molina Panadero, Younes Smani
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of clavulanic acid in combination with tazobactam against carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii. The combination showed synergy and bactericidal effects against the bacteria, providing a potential alternative strategy for treating A. baumannii infections.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Lydia Galvez-Benitez, Jose Manuel Ortiz de la Rosa, Angel Rodriguez-Villodres, Carlos S. Casimiro-Soriguer, Irene Molina-Panadero, Rocio Alvarez-Marin, Remy A. Bonnin, Thierry Naas, Jeronimo Pachon, Jose Miguel Cisneros, Jose Antonio Lepe, Younes Smani
Summary: This study aimed to identify the mechanisms underlying Piperacillin-tazobactam resistance (P/T-R) in Escherichia coli. The results showed that P/T-R isolates had a higher copy number of the bla(TEM) gene, generated by three different genetic events. In addition, reduced expression of OmpC was observed in two P/T-R strains. This study provides important insights into the acquisition of P/T-R in E. coli, which is crucial for effective treatment and prevention of resistant microorganisms.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Patricia Mingo-Casas, Javier Sanchez-Cespedes, Ana-Belen Blazquez, Josefina Casas, Maria Balsera-Manzanero, Laura Herrero, Ana Vazquez, Jeronimo Pachon, Manuela Aguilar-Guisado, Jose Miguel Cisneros, Juan-Carlos Saiz, Miguel A. Martin-Acebes
Summary: West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus transmitted by mosquitoes and can cause severe diseases. By studying experimentally infected mice and naturally infected patients, dynamic alterations in the lipidome were identified as metabolic fingerprints of different infection stages. The dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism by WNV may provide new therapeutic opportunities and support the potential of certain lipids as novel peripheral biomarkers of WND progression.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Maria Luisa Gil-Marques, Jeronimo Pachon, Younes Smani
Summary: A. baumannii needs to adapt to hypoxia during infection. This study revealed differential expression of proteins, including the virulence factor OmpW, under hypoxia, highlighting its importance in A. baumannii pathogenesis.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
