Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Melissa J. Martin, Brendan W. Corey, Filomena Sannio, Lindsey R. Hall, Ulrike MacDonald, Brendan T. Jones, Emma G. Mills, Casey Harless, Jason Stam, Rosslyn Maybank, Yoon Kwak, Katharina Schaufler, Karsten Becker, Nils-Olaf Hubner, Stefania Cresti, Giacinta Tordini, Marcello Valassina, Maria Grazia Cusi, Jason W. Bennett, Thomas A. Russo, Patrick T. McGann, Francois Lebreton, Jean-Denis Docquier
Summary: This study conducted genomic analysis of NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Tuscany, Italy, finding that the isolates belonged to the high-risk clone ST-147 and shared a recent ancestor with clinical isolates from the Middle East. Additionally, it was discovered that these isolates carried a new plasmid, indicating mutations that confer resistance to multiple antibiotics.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sotiria Fergadaki, Georgios Renieris, Nikolaos Machairas, Labros Sabracos, Dionyssia-Irene Droggiti, Evangelos Misiakos, Evangelos J. Giamarellos-Bourboulis
Summary: Experimental studies demonstrated that tigecycline alone or in combination effectively prolongs survival and reduces bacterial load in KPC-Kp infections in mice.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Cuidan Li, Xiaoyuan Jiang, Tingting Yang, Yingjiao Ju, Zhe Yin, Liya Yue, Guannan Ma, Xuebing Wang, Ying Jing, Xinhua Luo, Shuangshuang Li, Xue Yang, Fei Chen, Dongsheng Zhou
Summary: The dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (cpKP) is driven by specific combinations of host-blaKPC-carrying plasmids, which are associated with strong population expansion in 2007-2008. This study provides insights into the molecular epidemiology and genetic basis for the spread of ST11/CG258 cpKP in China.
GENOMICS PROTEOMICS & BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Yunjia Song, Jinge Yang, Yingjiao Ju, Dejun Liu, Yang Wang, Xutao Sun, Yuan Lv
Summary: This study generated a draft genome sequence for a CoRKp isolate, revealing that the colistin resistance was mainly due to the total deletion of the mgrB gene. This is the first report of the whole genome sequence of such an unusual colistin-resistant strain.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Jiansheng Huang, Xiuying Chen, Jie Yang, Yunan Zhao, Yang Shi, Hui Ding, Xinmi Zhao, Jianfen Xu, Rongzhen Wu, Zhigang Zhao
Summary: This study described nosocomial outbreaks caused by KPC-producing K. pneumoniae ST15 strains in a Chinese tertiary hospital. 32 KPC-producing K. pneumoniae ST15 strains were characterized, with 31 showing high clonal relatedness. The study highlights the need for strict monitoring of highly resistant CRKP.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medical Laboratory Technology
Pengwen Ouyang, Bin Jiang, Na Peng, Juan Wang, Liang Cai, Yi Wu, Jianrong Ye, Yiping Chen, Hao Yuan, Chaochao Tan, Liming Tan, Liangyi Xie
Summary: The study analyzed the microbiological and clinical characteristics of carbapenem-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-hvKP) that causes nosocomial infection. The main type of CRKP that caused nosocomial infection was found to be ST11 KPC-2-producing CR-hvKP, and clonal spread has occurred.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL LABORATORY ANALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Theodoros Karampatakis, Charalampos Zarras, Styliani Pappa, Eleni Vagdatli, Elias Iosifidis, Emmanuel Roilides, Anna Papa
Summary: This study genetically characterized four ST39 CRKP isolates simultaneously producing VIM-1 and KPC-2, obtained in a Greek tertiary hospital. The isolates were pandrug-resistant or extensively drug-resistant, and carried multiple antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmids. The analysis revealed a close clonal relatedness among the isolates.
MICROBIAL PATHOGENESIS
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Mohammed Al Balushi, Rajesh Kumar, Azza Al-Rashdi, Amin Ratna, Ahood Al-Jabri, Neima Al-shekaili, Ramasandhya Rani, Sara Al Sumri, Laila Al-Ghabshi, Seif Al-Abri, Amina Al-Jardani
Summary: This study describes the first report of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) sequence type (ST) 11 harboring KPC in Oman. Molecular and genomic analysis revealed that these KPC-producing strains belong to a single clone and caused multiple nosocomial infections in one health institution. This finding highlights the importance of sustained surveillance, infection prevention efforts, and active screening to prevent the spread of nosocomial infections.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Federico Nicola, Daniela Cejas, Francisco Gonzalez-Espinosa, Silvia Relloso, Fabian Herrera, Pablo Bonvehi, Jorgelina Smayevsky, Roque Figueroa-Espinosa, Gabriel Gutkind, Marcela Radice
Summary: This study describes an outbreak of ceftazidime-avibactam-resistant KPC variants of Klebsiella pneumoniae in a hospital in Argentina. The detection of these bacteria is challenging for the laboratory, and the history of previous infections and resistance testing may help raise awareness of this possibility.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Shanmei Wang, Lei Wang, Jing Jin, Gang Li, Huanzhang Shao, Yang Song, Yuanzheng Sun, Yan Zhang, Jianjian Cheng, Lifeng Li
Summary: This study addresses the ongoing epidemic of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae, highlighting the increasing threat posed by the genotypic and phenotypic convergence of multidrug resistance and virulence. The study conducted a multicenter cross-sectional investigation of intensive care unit inpatients in Henan Province, China, to identify the prevalence and molecular characteristics of CRKP.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Luis Guilherme de Araujo Longo, Herrison Fontana, Viviane Santos de Sousa, Natalia Chilinque Zambao da Silva, Ianick Souto Martins, Beatriz Meurer Moreira
Summary: This study describes the whole-genome sequence characteristics of a colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolate obtained from a blood culture of a 79-year-old female patient in Brazil. The isolate exhibited resistance to most clinically useful antimicrobial agents, with the resistance to colistin attributed to a 1.3kb deletion. Additionally, the isolate harbored multiple antimicrobial resistance genes.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Na Pei, Yanming Li, Chunjiao Liu, Zijuan Jian, Tianzhu Liang, Yiming Zhong, Wanying Sun, Jingxuan He, Xinyi Cheng, Hongling Li, Xiaole Lei, Xin Liu, Ziqing Deng, Qingxia Liu, Xia Chen, Qun Yan, Karsten Kristiansen, Junhua Li, Wenen Liu
Summary: Global dissemination of K. pneumoniae clones poses health hazards to the public, and genomic epidemiology studies have revealed clone divergence and emergence of clones carrying both acquired virulent and antimicrobial-resistant genes. Whole-genome sequencing identified high-virulence and antimicrobial-resistant clones, as well as clone divergence, highlighting the importance of genomic epidemiology in tracking and understanding the evolution and transmission of pathogenic bacteria.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jungyu Seo, Yu Mi Wi, Jong Min Kim, Yae-Jean Kim, Kwan Soo Ko
Summary: This study revealed the common occurrence of colistin heteroresistance in KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, which could lead to treatment failure. The presence of colistin-resistant subpopulations increased with exposure to colistin, indicating a potential evolution of resistance. Developing more reliable diagnostic methods is necessary to detect colistin heteroresistance and prevent treatment failures.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Lamiaa A. Al-Madboly, Ahmed A. Abdelaziz, Amal M. Abo-Kamer, Ahmed M. Nosair, Karim Abdelkader
Summary: In this study, the therapeutic capacity of the Klebsiella bacteriophage NK20 against pandrug-resistant strains was investigated. It was found that NK20 showed a relatively broad spectrum and an acceptable genomic profile. Despite the development of bacterial resistance, intranasal administration of NK20 significantly reduced the bacterial load in both the pulmonary and blood compartments and rescued the infected rats.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Ursula Theuretzbacher, Elena Carrara, Michela Conti, Evelina Tacconelli
Summary: Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a difficult-to-treat pathogen with a wide range of resistance determinants, particularly carbapenem resistance. New antibiotics have been developed to address this issue, but challenges such as class-specific resistance mechanisms and cross-resistance within classes remain.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Cristina Merla, Marta Corbella, Gherard Batisti Biffignandi, Stefano Gaiarsa, Michele Castelli, Giuseppina Andreoli, Massimo Fabbi, Bianca Mariani, Davide Sassera, Piero Marone, Patrizia Cambieri
Summary: The study found that there were multiple strains of L. monocytogenes circulating in a small area of northern Italy, but no association was found between clinical isolates and contaminated food samples.
FOODBORNE PATHOGENS AND DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Gherard Batisti Biffignandi, Marjorie J. Gibbon, Marta Corbella, Harry A. Thorpe, Cristina Merla, Michele Castelli, Teemu Kallonen, Katie Pegrum, Sylvain Brisse, Jukka Corander, Piero Marone, Edward J. Feil, Davide Sassera
Summary: Through genome sequencing of a bacterial strain isolated from an ATM surface in Pavia, Italy, a new species within the genus Superficieibacter, tentatively named Superficieibacter maynardsmithii, was discovered. This strain showed high divergence from Klebsiella and was more closely related to other Enterobacteriaceae, with an ANI value of 87.51% compared to S. electus, indicating its status as a new species.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Giulia Barbieri, Carolina Ferrari, Stefania Mamberti, Paolo Gabrieli, Michele Castelli, Davide Sassera, Emanuela Ursino, Viola Camilla Scoffone, Giacomo Radaelli, Emanuela Clementi, Luciano Sacchi, Eugenio Ferrari, Giuliano Gasperi, Alessandra M. Albertini
Summary: A new highly toxic bacterial strain with larvicidal activity has been identified as a potential candidate for expanding the use of biopesticides and preventing the development of resistance.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Virology
Romain Daveu, Caroline Hervet, Louane Sigrist, Davide Sassera, Aaron Jex, Karine Labadie, Jean-Marc Aury, Olivier Plantard, Claude Rispe
Summary: The study identified a group of tick-associated viruses with characteristics of the family Iflaviridae, explored RNA-Seq data sets for different tick species, and detected new virus species and genome sequences. Analysis revealed strong positive selection in the evolution of these viruses and recurrent host changes across tick genera. The findings provide insight into the interactions between this family of viruses and ticks.
ARCHIVES OF VIROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Romain Daveu, Cindy Laurence, Agnes Bouju-Albert, Davide Sassera, Olivier Plantard
Summary: This study investigated the distribution of the main endosymbiont Midichloria mitochondrii in female and male ticks, revealing significant differences between the sexes. The results demonstrate a significantly higher Midichloria load in nymphs that will become females during engorgement.
TICKS AND TICK-BORNE DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Francesco Comandatore, Giacomo Radaelli, Sebastiano Montante, Luciano Sacchi, Emanuela Clementi, Sara Epis, Alessandra Cafiso, Valentina Serra, Massimo Pajoro, Domenico Di Carlo, Anna Maria Floriano, Fabrizia Stavru, Claudio Bandi, Davide Sassera
Summary: The study found that Ca. Midichloria mitochondrii does not invade mitochondria like predatory bacteria do, but instead moves from one mitochondrion to another within the oocytes of Ixodes ricinus. This new model provides a new perspective for better defining the role of this bacterial symbiont in host physiology.
Article
Allergy
Monica Tallarita, Federica Giardina, Federica Novazzi, Stefano Gaiarsa, Gherard Batisti Biffignandi, Stefania Paolucci, Francesca Rovida, Antonio Piralla, Fausto Baldanti
Summary: This study investigated the temporal and geographical evolution of the virus in Lombardy during the early phase of the pandemic, and monitored the molecular epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 between two pandemic waves to track the circulation of new variants. The results indicated ongoing transmission throughout the lockdown period and the absence of reintroduction of novel lineages. The use of molecular epidemiology in Italy should be promoted to better understand disease transmission and control its spread.
PEDIATRIC ALLERGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michele Castelli, Olivia Lanzoni, Michele Giovannini, Natalia Lebedeva, Leandro Gammuto, Davide Sassera, Maksim Melekhin, Alexey Potekhin, Sergei Fokin, Giulio Petroni
Summary: This study characterized a novel Holosporales symbiont that inhabits a ciliate host, showing potential lethal effects on host cell division and a heavy dependence on the host. The bacterium's features suggest a mildly parasitic effect on the host, with a trend towards genome reduction and fast evolution. Similar convergent features with other host-associated lineages, such as Rickettsiales among Alphaproteobacteria, were observed.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Parasitology
Camilla Carmeno, Aurora Rusconi, Michele Castelli, Paola Prati, Roldano Bragoni, Azzurra Santoro, Umberto Postiglione, Davide Sassera, Emanuela Olivieri
Summary: This study reports the presence of Contracaecum rudolphii (s.l.) specimens from cormorants in the pre-mountain area of the Alps in Northern Italy. The specimens belong to different sibling species, indicating different genetic structure and ecological preference.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Stefano Gaiarsa, Cristina Merla, Marta Corbella, Bianca Mariani, Michela Zatelli, Irene Sciabica, Michele Castelli, Aurora Piazza, Marco Zecca, Davide Sassera, Patrizia Cambieri
Summary: This study reports the isolation and complete genome sequence of a Pantoea calida strain encoding the colistin-resistance gene mcr-9. The strain was isolated from a preterm newborn in a neonatal pathology ward. The presence of mcr-9 on a resistance plasmid suggests the potential for spread in the ward.
MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
C. Merla, A. Kuka, G. Petazzoni, U. Postiglione, M. Zatelli, S. Gaiarsa, B. Mariani, M. Corbella, P. Marone, D. Sassera, P. Cambieri
Summary: This study characterized livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) strains in patients from the Policlinico San Matteo in Pavia, Italy. The study found a low but relatively constant frequency of LA-MRSA in these patients, which is comparable to previous studies.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Virology
Stefano Gaiarsa, Federica Giardina, Gherard Batisti Biffignandi, Guglielmo Ferrari, Aurora Piazza, Monica Tallarita, Federica Novazzi, Claudio Bandi, Stefania Paolucci, Francesca Rovida, Giulia Campanini, Antonio Piralla, Fausto Baldanti
Summary: This study used next-generation sequencing to analyze the viral quasispecies population in the upper and lower respiratory tracts of patients in the intensive care unit. The results showed a higher incidence of mutations and deletions in the lower respiratory tract, possibly due to the virus's ability to invade cells without interacting with ACE2. Minority variants were found to be concentrated around the Spike cleavage site, with a higher incidence in the upper respiratory tract.
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Elena Seminari, Patrizia Cambieri, Teresa Chiara Pieri, Silvia Roda, Marta Colaneri, Ilaria Gallazzi, Erika Asperges, Enrica Bono, Raffaella Lissandrin, Lea Nadia Marvulli, Raffaele Bruno
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Cristina Merla, Irene Mileto, Stefano Gaiarsa, Cristian Achille, Stefano Ghirardello, Marta Corbella, Fausto Baldanti, Patrizia Cambieri
Summary: We report the isolation of a strain of Pantoea genus carrying a VIM carbapenemase, which is the first of its kind. The strain was obtained from a rectal swab of a 10-day-old newborn in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Whole-genome sequencing revealed that the strain was identified as Pantoea brenneri. The strain harbored the carbapenemase gene bla(VIM-1). Immediate contact measures and isolation of the newborn prevented the dissemination of VIM-producing P. brenneri and the plasmid carrying the VIM-1 gene to other newborns.
Article
Microbiology
Greta Petazzoni, Greta Bellinzona, Cristina Merla, Marta Corbella, Vincenzina Monzillo, Orjan Samuelsen, Jukka Corander, Davide Sassera, Stefano Gaiarsa, Patrizia Cambieri
Summary: This study provides a detailed investigation of a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak that occurred at a hospital in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic. The outbreak strains were found to be resistant to carbapenems due to the presence of the carbapenemase gene bla(OXA-23). All strains also carried determinants for biofilm formation. The outbreak was caused by two endemic clones of A. baumannii.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)