Article
Microbiology
Irena Reil, Silvio Spicic, Ljubo Barbic, Sanja Duvnjak, Gordan Kompes, Miroslav Benic, Dora Stojevic, Zeljko Cvetnic, Jurica Arapovic, Maja Zdelar-Tuk
Summary: This study demonstrates the potential role of domestic and wild animals as a reservoir of multiple resistant, rapidly growing NTM strains, which can pose a zoonotic threat to humans. The high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in these strains highlights the challenges in their treatment.
Article
Microbiology
Tingting Zhang, Jian Du, Lingling Dong, Fen Wang, Liping Zhao, Junnan Jia, Congli Wang, Mengli Cheng, Xia Yu, Hairong Huang
Summary: Infections caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) have increased globally. The study evaluated the susceptibilities of four tetracyclines against different RGM species and found that omadacycline showed the best promise for clinical application due to its potent antimicrobial activity, safety, and convenient administration route.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Chiara Sepulcri, Antonio Vena, Matteo Bassetti
Summary: The aim of this article is to review recent literature (2021-2022) on skin and soft tissue infections caused by rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM). RGM are increasingly reported as a cause of infections, both in the community setting and as a cause of hospital outbreaks. Recent advancements in molecular methods have improved the diagnosis and expanded the number of identified RGM species.
CURRENT OPINION IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Anna Borek, Anna Zabost, Agnieszka Glogowska, Dorota Filipczak, Ewa Augustynowicz-Kopec
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) isolated in Poland, revealing their natural resistance to many antibiotics. The findings highlight the importance of correct identification of clinical isolates and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Article
Microbiology
Hui-Zin Tu, Herng-Sheng Lee, Yao-Shen Chen, Susan Shin-Jung Lee
Summary: Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) have gained clinical importance due to their diverse drug resistance. This study determined the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of 13 antimicrobial agents for 32 clinical isolates of RGM. The results showed high rates of resistance to available antimicrobial agents, highlighting the need for timely selection of appropriate treatment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Stephanie DeFlorio-Barker, Andrey Egorov, Genee S. Smith, Mark S. Murphy, Jason E. Stout, Andrew J. Ghio, Edward E. Hudgens, Kyle P. Messier, Jean-Marie Maillard, Elizabeth D. Hilborn
Summary: The study found that proximity to certain soil types (hydric and acidic) may be a risk factor for the increasing prevalence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) disease in central North Carolina.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Shu'an Wen, Xiaopan Gao, Weijie Zhao, Fengmin Huo, Guanglu Jiang, Lingling Dong, Liping Zhao, Fen Wang, Xia Yu, Hairong Huang
Summary: This study evaluated the in vitro susceptibilities of four oxazolidinones against different RGM species, finding that tedizolid had the strongest inhibitory activity against M. abscessus, and delpazolid presented the best inhibitory activity against M. fortuitum. Furthermore, there might be no correlation between oxazolidinone resistance and mutations in the tested RGM.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Dinh-Hung Nguyen, Ha Thanh Dong, Saengchan Senapin, Khaettareeya Pimsannil, Kim D. Thompson, Andrew P. Shinn, Chayanit Soontara, Wanna Sirimanapong, Satid Chatchaiphan, Channarong Rodkhum
Summary: This study aimed to characterize rapidly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (RGM) isolated from Siamese fighting fish and investigate their pathogenicity. The results revealed that these isolates were resistant to at least four antibiotics, with one RGM strain showing the highest virulence. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the nature of these RGM species and promote the development of control strategies to mitigate the negative impact of mycobacteriosis on the Siamese fighting fish industry.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Reem Gharbi, Varun Khanna, Wafa Frigui, Besma Mhenni, Roland Brosch, Helmi Mardassi
Summary: Researchers identified a putative novel rapidly growing Mycobacterium species, TNTM28, and characterized its genome thoroughly. TNTM28 was predicted as a human pathogen with a range of potential virulence factors, some of which may have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
Talita Trevizani Rocchetti, Wirley Alves Mendonca, Jarbas Caiado de Castro Neto, Lucas Orlandi de Oliveira, Andre Orlandi de Oliveira, Denise de Freitas, Ana Luisa Hofling-Lima
Summary: This study evaluated the inhibition of bacterial strains and rapidly growing mycobacterial isolates in infectious keratitis using rose bengal (RB) photoactivated by a custom-built green light-emitting diode (LED) source. The results showed that RB effectively inhibited the growth of all bacteria and mycobacteria, and the custom green LED showed good activity in activating RB and inhibiting microorganism growth. These findings suggest that RB treatment may offer a potential adjunct therapy for corneal surface infections.
TRANSLATIONAL VISION SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Abimbola O. Famuyiwa, Christine M. Davidson, Sesugh Ande, Aderonke O. Oyeyiola
Summary: Rapid urbanization can lead to significant environmental contamination with potentially toxic elements (PTEs). In the urban areas of Lagos, high concentrations of PTEs were found in soil samples obtained from areas close to industrial plants and dumpsites. Furthermore, there is a potential carcinogenic risk for both children and adults. Therefore, further monitoring of PTEs in the urban environment of Lagos is recommended.
Article
Microbiology
Karoline Assig, Sabine Lichtenegger, Linh N. H. Bui, Bettina Mosbacher, Anh T. N. Vu, Daniel Erhart, Trung T. T. Trinh, Ivo Steinmetz
Summary: Although B. pseudomallei PCR-based detection is important for environmental monitoring, its culture remains a challenge. Recently, it has been found that using a new ACER medium based on acidic conditions can significantly improve the isolation and cultivation of B. pseudomallei from soil. This new medium helps reduce the false-negative rate in environmental cultures from high-risk areas.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Sarah Schwieger, Juergen Kreyling, Bo Peters, Alexander Gillert, Uwe Freiherr von Lukas, Gerald Jurasinski, Daniel Koehn, Gesche Blume-Werry
Summary: Rewetting extends the growing season of roots, highlighting the importance of phenology in explaining root productivity in peatlands. A longer growing season allows for longer carbon sequestration and promotes the peatlands' carbon sink function, especially in deep soil layers. Therefore, management practices that focus on rewetting peatland ecosystems are necessary to maintain their function as carbon sinks, particularly under drought conditions, and are a top priority to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Gian Maria Rossolini, Marzena Bochenska, Laura Fumagalli, Michael Dowzicky
Summary: High levels of antimicrobial resistance have been reported in Italy, especially in Acinetobacter baumannii. Italy's resistance rates are higher compared to Europe and globally, as observed in multiple surveillance databases.
DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yuriko Igarashi, Kinuyo Chikamatsu, Sotaro Sano, Shigehiko Miyamoto, Akio Aono, Asami Osugi, Yuta Morishige, Yoshiro Murase, Hiroyuki Yamada, Akiko Takaki, Satoshi Mitarai
Summary: The development of a nucleic acid chromatography kit for rapid identification of common RGM species has shown promising results, correctly identifying relevant RGM without any cross-reactivity or false-negatives. This rapid and simple method may contribute to the rapid identification and treatment of RGM infections in the future.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Bram Danneels, Monique Blignaut, Guillaume Marti, Simon Sieber, Peter Vandamme, Marion Meyer, Aurelien Carlier
Summary: The symbiotic relationships between plants of the Rubiaceae and Primulaceae families and Burkholderia bacteria are unique and intimate. This study assembled and analyzed 17 new endophyte genomes, revealing that all endophytes, despite their taxonomic diversity, contained gene clusters linked to the production of specialized metabolites. Acquisition of secondary metabolite gene clusters through horizontal gene transfer is proposed to be a prerequisite for the evolution of a stable association between these endophytes and their hosts.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Margo Olbrecht, Fedoua Echahidi, Denis Pierard, Charlotte Peeters, Peter Vandamme, Ingrid Wybo, Thomas Demuyser
Summary: We conducted in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing of 267 Achromobacter isolates for 16 antibiotics from 2017 to 2022. The highest susceptibility was found for piperacillin-tazobactam (70%) and ceftazidime-avibactam (62%). Between 30% and 49% of strains were susceptible to tigecycline, ceftazidime, and meropenem. We applied species-specific Achromobacter xylosoxidans breakpoints for piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and EUCAST pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) breakpoints for the others. A. xylosoxidans was the most frequently isolated species, followed by Achromobacter insuavis and Achromobacter ruhlandii.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amanda Hettiarachchi, Margo Cnockaert, Marie Joossens, David Laureys, Jessika De Clippeleer, Nicolas J. Vereecken, Denis Michez, Guy Smagghe, Dirk C. de Graaf, Peter Vandamme
Summary: This study analyzed the cultivable bacterial communities of different compartments in the invasive insect Vespa velutina, as well as the nest samples, using both cultivation and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. The bacterial symbionts in Vespa velutina were dominated by Convivina, Fructobacillus, Lactiplantibacillus, Lactococcus, Sphingomonas, and Spiroplasma. Lactococcus lactis and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum were generalist core lactic acid bacteria (LAB) symbionts, while Convivina species and Fructobacillus fructosus were highly specialized core LAB symbionts with reduced genome sizes. Sphingomonas and Spiroplasma were non-LAB core symbionts, but they were not isolated. Convivina bacteria were particularly enriched in the hornet crop and included Convivina intestini, a species adapted to amino acid metabolism, and Convivina praedatoris sp. nov., which was adapted to carbohydrate metabolism.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Tina Tuerlings, Amanda Hettiarachchi, Marie Joossens, Benoit Geslin, Nicolas J. J. Vereecken, Denis Michez, Guy Smagghe, Peter Vandamme
Summary: The study characterized the gut microbiota of invasive bee Megachile sculpturalis from native and invaded regions. The microbiota communities in bees from invaded regions were similar and different from those in Japan. Core amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) represented micro-organisms commonly present in bee-associated niches. The absence of known bee pathogens and presence of microparasite infections suggest a potential role of pathogen pressure and natural enemies in the invasion success of M. sculpturalis.
INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Louise Vermote, Jonas De Roos, Margo Cnockaert, Peter Vandamme, Stefan Weckx, Luc De Vuyst
Summary: Belgian lambic beers are produced using traditional craftsmanship, relying on wooden barrels for spontaneous fermentation and maturation. These barrels play a crucial role in establishing a stable microbial ecosystem, minimizing batch-to-batch variations, and preventing flavor deviations. They provide an inoculation source of necessary microorganisms and a microaerobic environment for successful lambic beer production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Juan Guzman, Miyoung Won, Anja Poehlein, Atena Sadat Sombolestani, Daniela Mayorga-Ch, David Laureys, Jessika De Clippeleer, Peter Kaempfer, Rolf Daniel, Andreas Vilcinskas, Peter Vandamme, Soon- Wo Kwon
Summary: In this study, two strains of bacteria were isolated from wasps in Germany and Korea. Molecular and phenotypic analysis showed that these strains are closely related to known species but also have distinct characteristics. Therefore, it is proposed to name these strains Aristophania vespae.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF SYSTEMATIC AND EVOLUTIONARY MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peter Vandamme, Charlotte Peeters, Amanda Hettiarachchi, Margo Cnockaert, Aurelien Carlier
Summary: Strain LMG 31809 T was isolated from a top soil sample in Belgium and classified as a rare biosphere bacterium that occurs at low abundances in multiple soil and water ecosystems. It represents a new species within a new genus, Govania unica gen. nov., sp. nov, belonging to the class Alphaproteobacteria. The strain is strictly aerobic and uses organic acids and possibly aromatic compounds as growth substrates. Its whole-genome sequence has a size of 3.21 Mbp with a G + C content of 58.99 mol%.
SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nanzhen Qiao, Julia Bechtner, Margo Cnockaert, Eliza Depoorter, Christian Diaz-Munoz, Peter Vandamme, Luc De Vuyst, Michael G. Ganzle
Summary: This study characterized the genus Periweissella through phylogenetic analysis and genomic analysis, revealing its evolutionary relationship with closely related genera Weissella and Furfurilactobacillus. The study also determined the genetic and physiological traits of the genus. Results showed that Periweissella is the link between rod-shaped heterofermentative lactobacilli and the coccoid Leuconostoc clade, and it is the only heterofermentative genus in the Lactobacillaceae that comprises predominantly motile strains.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amanda Hettiarachchi, Margo Cnockaert, Marie Joossens, Antoine Gekiere, Ivan Meeus, Nicolas J. Vereecken, Denis Michez, Guy Smagghe, Peter Vandamme
Summary: We characterized the microbial communities in different parts of four wild solitary bee species and found that the dominant bacteria were endosymbionts such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma. Other bacterial and yeast genera were associated with environmental sources. The bacterial communities varied between bee species, gut compartments, and ovaries, suggesting a selective process influenced by floral and host traits. Many of the gut symbionts identified in this study exhibited metabolic versatility.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Atena Sadat Sombolestani, Dries Bongaerts, Eliza Depoorter, Ilse Cleenwerck, Anneleen D. Wieme, Scott J. Britton, Stefan Weckx, Luc De Vuyst, Peter Vandamme
Summary: Polyphasic taxonomic and comparative genomic analyses revealed a novel species among acetic acid bacteria, named Brytella acorum gen. nov., sp. nov., represented by lambic beer isolates including strain LMG 32668T and the kombucha isolate LMG 32879. This species has Acidomonas methanolica as its closest phylogenomic neighbor and possesses metabolic characteristics typical of acetic acid bacteria. The absence of glycolysis pathway and the presence of both aerobic respiration and oxidative fermentation for energy metabolism are notable features. Antibiotic resistance genes and virulence factors are absent.
SYSTEMATIC AND APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biology
Luc Cornet, Benoit Durieu, Frederik Baert, Elizabet D'hooge, David Colignon, Loic Meunier, Valerian Lupo, Ilse Cleenwerck, Heide-Marie Daniel, Leen Rigouts, Damien Sirjacobs, Stephane Declerck, Peter Vandamme, Annick Wilmotte, Denis Baurain, Pierre Becker
Summary: A bioinformatics toolbox called GEN-ERA has been developed by the Belgian Coordinated Collections of Microorganisms. It allows researchers to perform robust phylogenomic analyses on bacteria and small eukaryotes without specific training in bioinformatics. The toolbox provides workflows for genome downloading, quality assessment, contamination estimation, tree reconstruction, average nucleotide identity comparisons, and metabolic modeling. It has been tested on various microorganisms and used in a case study on Gloeobacterales for microbial taxonomy.
Article
Microbiology
Juliana Botero, Atena Sadat Sombolestani, Margo Cnockaert, Charlotte Peeters, Wim Borremans, Luc De Vuyst, Nicolas J. Vereecken, Denis Michez, Guy Smagghe, German Bonilla-Rosso, Philipp Engel, Peter Vandamme
Summary: This study provides insights into the diversity and function of Commensalibacter bacteria in various insect species. Through analysis of their whole-genome sequences, it was found that Commensalibacter strains can be classified into four species, which share similar genetic pathways for central metabolism. However, there are differences in genome size, G+C content, amino acid metabolism, and carbohydrate-utilizing enzymes among these species. Notably, the study on the Western honey bee symbiont, C. melissae, revealed its unique characteristics such as reduced genome size and a large number of species-specific gene clusters.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leon Marshall, Nicolas Leclercq, Timothy Weekers, Insafe El Abdouni, Luisa G. Carvalheiro, Michael Kuhlmann, Denis Michez, Pierre Rasmont, Stuart P. M. Roberts, Guy Smagghe, Peter Vandamme, Thomas Wood, Nicolas J. Vereecken
Summary: Visitation by wild bee species is essential for apple production, but they are vulnerable to climate change. We modeled the distribution range shifts of key apple-pollinating bee species under different climate change scenarios and found that overall contractions in range are limited. However, under the worst-case scenario, some countries such as France and Italy may experience significant loss in bee populations and potential pollination services. Climate change is not the only threat to apple pollination, and future deficits will also depend on orchard management and ecological infrastructure.
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE-HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS
(2023)
