Article
Biophysics
Rita M. Mendes, Ana P. Francisco, Filomena A. Carvalho, Maissa Dardouri, Bruna Costa, Ana F. Bettencourt, Judite Costa, Lidia Goncalves, Fabiola Costa, Isabel A. C. Ribeiro
Summary: This study examined two different approaches using sophorolipids to prevent Staphylococcus aureus biofilm formation on medical grade silicone, and found that acidic sophorolipids effectively inhibit bacterial adhesion, while a release strategy with lactonic sophorolipids had a greater impact.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES B-BIOINTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Ayse Ustun, Serkan Ortucu
Summary: In this study, nisin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were prepared and their antibacterial and antibiofilm effects were evaluated. The results showed that N-PVA-R-PLGA NPs exhibited higher activity against S. aureus compared to free nisin.
Article
Immunology
Trenten J. Theis, Trevor A. Daubert, Kennedy E. Kluthe, Kenan L. Brodd, Austin S. Nuxoll
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus biofilm infections are mainly caused by persister cells, which exhibit tolerance to antibiotics. This may explain why biofilm infections are often chronic or relapsing.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Kannappan Arunachalam, Poonguzhali Pandurangan, Chunlei Shi, Ricardo Lagoa
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a versatile pathogen that causes various infections. It is important to understand its pathogenesis and develop new treatment strategies, especially against drug-resistant strains. Nanomaterials offer a potential solution to control S. aureus infections, including intracellular parasitism and multidrug resistance. This review focuses on the impact of S. aureus on human health, the role of virulence factors and biofilms, the applications of nanoparticles in controlling infections, and the prospects and limitations of nanomaterial-based therapies.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gohar Shaghayegh, Clare Cooksley, Mahnaz Ramezanpour, Peter-John Wormald, Alkis James Psaltis, Sarah Vreugde
Summary: This review summarizes the current understanding of inflammatory cells/pathways, the role of bacterial biofilm, particularly S. aureus biofilm, and their impact on the severity of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). A better understanding of these factors may provide important diagnostic and therapeutic insights for recalcitrant disease.
Article
Microbiology
Jiao Zhang, Li Shen, Peiyao Zhou, Shuying Chen, Bingjie Wang, Cailin Wan, Weihua Han, Lulin Rao, Huilin Zhao, Xinyi Wang, Chunyang Wu, Junhong Shi, Yanghua Xiao, Zengqiang Song, Fangyou Yu, Chunchan Lin
Summary: This study demonstrates that a small-molecule compound S-342-3 effectively inhibits the biofilm formation of Staphylococcus aureus. It reduces biofilm mass and suppresses the production of polysaccharide intercellular adhesin, thus preventing cell adhesion. Importantly, S-342-3 shows excellent biosafety without toxic effects on cells and animals.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Cristian Piras, Pierluigi Aldo Di Ciccio, Alessio Soggiu, Viviana Greco, Bruno Tilocca, Nicola Costanzo, Carlotta Ceniti, Andrea Urbani, Luigi Bonizzi, Adriana Ianieri, Paola Roncada
Summary: Biofilm formation is a highly effective form of bacterial persistence in nutrient-rich surfaces or living organisms, primarily due to the high antimicrobial resistance of the shell conformation. The mechanisms of biofilm formation involve the control of catabolites, production of proteins with moonlighting activities, and detoxification of compounds with antimicrobial properties. Enhanced antimicrobial resistance poses a significant challenge in the future, requiring a multidisciplinary One Health approach to address its spread.
Article
Plant Sciences
Bing Wang, Peng-Wei Wei, Shan Wan, Yang Yao, Chao-Rong Song, Ping-Ping Song, Guo-Bo Xu, Zu-Quan Hu, Zhu Zeng, Cong Wang, Hong-Mei Liu
Summary: Ginkgo biloba L. exocarp extract (GBEE) has excellent antibacterial effects against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and inhibits their biofilm-forming ability by altering related gene expression.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Amirhossein Dastneshan, Shabnam Rahiminezhad, Maryam Naderi Mezajin, Hoda Nouri Jevinani, Iman Akbarzadeh, Mohammadreza Abdihaji, Reihane Qahremani, Mehdi Jahanbakhshi, Zahra Asghari Lalami, Hamid Heydari, Hassan Noorbazargan, Ebrahim Mostafavi
Summary: Antibiotics are important for treating bacterial infections, but antibiotic resistance is a growing concern. This study developed a drug delivery mechanism using UIO-66-NH2 nanoparticles to load and release the antibiotic Cefazolin, showing promising antibacterial and antibiofilm effects.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
KaiHua Ni, Danlei Cai, Jianhong Lu, Jianmei Tian
Summary: Ocimum tenuiflorum (KT) is a common ethnobotanical plant in Southeast Asia, with the leaves used for treating various ailments. Studies show that extracts from KT leaves containing eugenol and linalool have inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus biofilms, reducing quorum sensing and genomic DNA, RNA content.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Guimei Jiang, Renfei Wu, Sidi Liu, Tianrong Yu, Yijin Ren, Henk J. Busscher, Henny C. van der Mei, Jian Liu
Summary: Antimicrobial-resistant bacterial infections pose a threat to become the leading cause of death by 2050. Development of new antimicrobials alone cannot counter this threat, as it is outpaced by the speed at which antimicrobial resistance develops. However, a new approach using polymer and nitrosylated hyaluronic acid technology shows promise in killing antimicrobial-resistant bacteria and preventing the development of resistance mechanisms. This approach accelerates wound healing by assisting in bacterial killing and promoting angiogenesis.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simin Tian, Yunan Hu, Xiaoxue Chen, Chang Liu, Yansong Xue, Beizhong Han
Summary: This study focused on the ultrasonic-assisted green synthesis of stable and monodispersed silver nanoparticles with antibacterial and antibiofilm activities. The AgNPs showed significant inhibitory effects on Staphylococcus aureus and effectively suppressed biofilm formation. The development of AgNPs loaded TA/Na-Alg constructs presents a promising strategy for combating S. aureus contamination.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vincent Jean-Pierre, Agathe Boudet, Pauline Sorlin, Quentin Menetrey, Raphael Chiron, Jean-Philippe Lavigne, Helene Marchandin
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a major human pathogen that can survive and cause diseases in various clinical settings, including Cystic Fibrosis. In Cystic Fibrosis, S. aureus is the most commonly identified opportunistic pathogen, and its colonization/infection can become chronic in about one third of patients. S. aureus's ability to form biofilm is a crucial factor contributing to its persistence and protection in the lungs of CF patients.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yanying Zhao, Yun Qu, Junni Tang, Juan Chen, Ji Liu
Summary: The study revealed that tea catechin extracts effectively suppressed the growth and biofilm formation of MRSA strains, possibly through downregulating the expression of fnbA and icaBC genes.
JOURNAL OF FOOD QUALITY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sisinthy Shivaji, Banka Nagapriya, Konduri Ranjith
Summary: Biofilms provide advantages to associated organisms, such as increased resistance to antibacterials and antifungals. In nature, polymicrobial biofilms composed of microorganisms from bacterial and fungal kingdoms are predominant. However, mixed polymicrobial biofilms are rarely studied. This study demonstrated that ocular bacteria and a filamentous fungus can form monomicrobial and mixed polymicrobial biofilms, which showed reduced susceptibility to antibiotics compared to planktonic cells. The results are useful in planning effective treatment regimens for eye diseases caused by these common pathogens.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Kasper Mikkelsen, Wanchat Sirisarn, Ohood Alharbi, Mohanned Alharbi, Huayong Liu, Katrine Nohr-Meldgaard, Katharina Mayer, Martin Vestergaard, Laura A. Gallagher, Jeremy P. Derrick, Andrew J. McBain, Jacob Biboy, Waldemar Vollmer, James P. O'Gara, Tom Grunert, Hanne Ingmer, Guoqing Xia
Summary: Auxiliary factors A and B (auxA and auxB) are crucial for beta-lactam resistance in MRSA strains, and their inactivation can increase susceptibility to beta-lactams without affecting PBP2a expression. The mutants show increased sensitivity to inhibitors of lipoteichoic acid synthesis and alanylation pathways.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Hilary Humphreys, Niall Stevens, Louise Burke, Mariam Sheehan, Siobhan Glavey, Mary Keogan, Erum Rasheed
Summary: Pathology is crucial in medical training and should be included in the core curriculum. Teaching and assessment methods are evolving, with educators gaining insights from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Chelsea Cheng, Hilary Humphreys, Bridget Kane
Summary: Telemedicine has become increasingly integrated into medical practice, with medical students benefiting from increased understanding and acquisition of skills, while also facing challenges such as reluctance to conduct telemedicine consultations and build rapport with patients. Medical institutions should incorporate telemedicine teaching into curricula through experiential learning to help students overcome challenges and fully realize the benefits of telemedicine.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Artur Ruszczak, Simona Bartkova, Marta Zapotoczna, Ott Scheler, Piotr Garstecki
Summary: The application of droplet-based methods in antimicrobial resistance research allows for faster detection, increased sensitivity, characterization of heterogeneity in bacterial populations' response to antibiotics, and expanded screening of antibiotic combinations. This article discusses the key steps and parameters of droplet-based experiments, reviews recent findings achieved with these methods, and highlights their advantages and capacity to provide new insights into the problem of antimicrobial resistance.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Pathology
Hilary Humphreys, Louise Burke, Karina O'Connell, Mary Keogan
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL PATHOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
C. Murphy, F. Duffy, F. McCormick, S. O'Donnell, F. Fitzpatrick, H. Humphreys
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2022)
Editorial Material
Clinical Neurology
Hilary Humphreys, Binu Dinesh, Stephen MacNally, Mohsen Javadpour
BRITISH JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hilary Humphreys, Mary Corcoran, Jolita Mereckiene, Robert Cunney, Suzanne Cotter
Summary: The introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has reduced invasive pneumococcal disease. Surveillance in Ireland shows that this reduction also extends to the elderly population. Currently, the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is used to protect the elderly, but its effectiveness and uptake in Ireland are low. Therefore, providing a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine to this age group should be considered.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Aaron C. Nolan, Merve S. Zeden, Igor Kviatkovski, Christopher Campbell, Lucy Urwin, Rebecca M. Corrigan, Angelika Gruendling, James P. O'Gara
Summary: The purine nucleosides guanosine and xanthosine have been found to resensitize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to beta-lactam antibiotics by significantly reducing the levels of c-di-AMP, a cyclic dinucleotide required for beta-lactam resistance. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of using purine nucleosides as adjuvants to enhance the effectiveness of beta-lactams against MRSA and other antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
S. O'Donnell, M. Creedon, J. Walsh, B. Dinesh, D. P. O'Brien, S. MacNally, H. Humphreys
Summary: This study reviewed data from a national adult neurosurgical center to explore clinical aspects of bone flap infections (BFIs) and improve its definitions, classification, and surveillance. The most common underlying condition necessitating craniectomy was a malignant neoplasm, and specimens for investigation included bone flaps, fluid/pus, and tissue. Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus, were the predominant pathogens. Clearer definitions of BFI are needed for better classification, surveillance, and patient management.
JOURNAL OF HOSPITAL INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Merve Zeden, Laura Gallagher, Emilio Bueno, Aaron Nolan, Jongsam D. Ahn, Dhananjay Shinde, Fareha C. Razvi, Margaret P. Sladek, Orla A. Burke, Eoghan O'Neill, Paul A. Fey, Felipe Cava, Vinai A. Thomas, James O'Gara
Summary: Central metabolic pathways play a crucial role in controlling the virulence and antibiotic resistance of bacteria. In Staphylococcus aureus, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) gene pgl mutation increases MRSA resistance to β-lactam antibiotics. This mutation leads to metabolic reprogramming, increased flux to glycolysis and the TCA cycle, and alterations in cell envelope precursors, resulting in enhanced antibiotic resistance.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Natalia Pacocha, Marta Zapotoczna, Karol Makuch, Jakub Boguslawski, Piotr Garstecki
Summary: This study proposes a droplet-based label-free method for quantifying the antibiotic response of the entire population at the single-cell level. By studying samples of two common pathogens, it was found that the profile shape can provide information about the coexistence of bacterial subpopulations, their sizes, and antibiotic heteroresistance. This method can indicate the outcome of antibiotic treatment and identify tolerant subpopulations associated with increased risks for persisting infections.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hilary Humphreys, Martin Cormican, Wendy Brennan, Karen Burns, Diarmuid O'Donovan, Therese Dalchan, Shirley Keane, Anne Sheahan
Summary: The study found that there is still a chance to prevent the endemic spread of CPE in hospitals, but efforts to control damp environmental reservoirs and improve antibiotic stewardship are needed. Additionally, there is currently no requirement to extend screening to detect CPE outside of acute hospitals.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Urology & Nephrology
James Ryan, Eoghan O'Neill, Liza McLornan
Summary: Urosepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by an abnormal host response to infection, and urological conditions play an important role in its management. However, this study found that most patients admitted with urosepsis did not have underlying urological conditions or recent urological surgery. Clinicians should be mindful of potential complications associated with urosepsis.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Richard J. Farrell, Rhea O'Regan, Eoghan O'Neill, Grainne Bowens, Anne Maclellan, Anne Gileece, Maeve Bradley, Claire Smyth, Orlaith Kelly, Barry Hall, Liam Cormican, John Faul, Krzysztof Wanic, John McDermott, Seamus Sreenan, Tommy Kyaw Tun, Trevor Duffy, Azhar Iqbal Bhatti, Orla Donohoe, Eamon Leen, Niamh Collins, Shane McGeary, Catriona Cody, Eamon Dolan, Conor Burke
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic generated unprecedented organizational challenges for the hospital, with a surge in ICU capacity. Factors significantly associated with death included being overweight/obese, a care home resident, socioeconomically deprived, and older, while ethnicity and being overweight/obese were significantly associated with ICU admission.
IRISH JOURNAL OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
