Article
Virology
Abbas Soleimani-Delfan, Majid Bouzari, Ran Wang
Summary: The newly discovered E. faecalis bacteriophage vB_EfaS-DELF1 is specific, effective against vancomycin-resistant strains, lacks undesirable genes in its genome, and remains stable under various environmental conditions.
Article
Virology
S. Rigvava, I Kusradze, I. Tchgkonia, N. Karumidze, T. Dvalidze, M. Goderdzishvili
Summary: Enterococcus spp. is a common commensal microorganism, but some strains can cause opportunistic infections in humans. The spread of multi-resistant bacterial strains has renewed interest in phage therapy as a potential treatment for Enterococcus faecium infections.
Article
Microbiology
Jiazhen Liu, Yanpeng Zhu, Yang Li, Yuwen Lu, Kun Xiong, Qiu Zhong, Jing Wang
Summary: In this study, a bacteriophage EFap02 with the potential for treating drug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis infection was isolated. The phage proved to be tolerant to harsh environments and high temperature. However, phage-resistant mutants were found to have impaired biofilm formation.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Fuqiang Song, Jun Sheng, Jishan Tan, Huajie Xie, Xiaoyu Wang, Wenqiong Guo
Summary: In this study, a bacteriophage SFQ1 was isolated from hospital sewage, which effectively infects E. faecalis strain EFS01 and disrupts the biofilms formed by E. faecalis. Therefore, SFQ1 has the potential for treating E. faecalis infections.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Gregory S. Canfield, Anushila Chatterjee, Juliel Espinosa, Mihnea R. Mangalea, Emma K. Sheriff, Micah Keidan, Sara W. McBride, Bruce D. McCollister, Howard C. Hang, Breck A. Duerkop
Summary: Enterococcus faecium, a commensal of the human intestine, has evolved into a hospital-adapted, multidrug-resistant pathogen. Bacteriophages, natural predators of bacteria, show potential as therapeutics against MDR E. faecium infections, despite the unknown molecular events governing their interactions. While phage resistance may emerge, it is shown that lytic phages could effectively synergize with antibiotics to slow or inhibit E. faecium growth.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mohamed El-Telbany, Gamal El-Didamony, Ahmed Askora, Eman Ariny, Dalia Abdallah, Ian F. Connerton, Ayman El-Shibiny
Summary: Phage therapy offers a promising alternative to antibiotics to combat multi-drug resistant bacteria. The isolated phage vB_ZEFP showed potential in controlling the growth of Enterococcus faecalis, especially in preventing infection after root canal treatment.
Article
Immunology
Min Song, Dongmei Wu, Yang Hu, Haiyan Luo, Gongbo Li
Summary: Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that poses a threat to stroke patients by causing pneumonia and bacteremia. The development of antibiotic resistance in hospital-associated E. faecalis is a significant public health concern, but the combination of bacteriophages and antibiotics shows promising results in combating E. faecalis, preventing the development of resistance.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Yuting Hou, Zhihao Wu, Li Ren, Yuan Chen, Yong-An Zhang, Yang Zhou
Summary: In this study, a jumbo phage ZPAH34 was isolated and characterized, showing lytic activity against multidrug-resistant Aeromonas hydrophila and inhibiting biofilm formation on food-contacting surfaces. The ZPAH34 has a large dsDNA genome of 234 kb, which belongs to a novel jumbo phage with the smallest particle size among known jumbo phages. It was also used to establish a new genus Chaoshanvirus based on phylogenetic analysis. The biological characterization revealed its wide environmental tolerance, high rapid adsorption, and reproductive capacity. Furthermore, ZPAH34 demonstrated potential bactericidal effects in food biocontrol experiments, reducing the viable count of A. hydrophila on fish fillets and lettuce.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Gulseren Aktas
Summary: Due to the high occurrence and resistance of multi-drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria, finding alternative treatment options is necessary. Combination antibiotherapies, such as vancomycin combined with linezolid, have shown potential due to their broad spectrum and synergistic effect. In this study, the in vitro activity of this combination against clinical vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) strains was investigated. The results demonstrated a high rate of synergy and no observed antagonism, suggesting that this combination could be effective for treating VRE infections.
ARCHIVES OF MEDICAL SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Virology
Zhiwei Li, Wanning Li, Wenjuan Ma, Yifeng Ding, Yu Zhang, Qile Yang, Jia Wang, Xiaohong Wang
Summary: Study found that phage D10 has rapid lysis, large burst size, and adequate stability under different pH conditions. By mixing with other phages, it can significantly reduce the count of MDR strains in liquid eggs.
Article
Ophthalmology
Seung Min Lee, Jong Ho Park, Chul Hun Jang, Iksoo Byon
Summary: Intravitreal injection of povidone-iodine was effective in treating VRE endophthalmitis, even at low concentrations. High-concentration intravitreal vancomycin injection can also be used to treat resistant strains within the safety threshold.
EXPERIMENTAL EYE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Shri Natrajan Arumugam, Prasanth Manohar, Sunilkumar Sukumaran, Sathish Sadagopan, Belinda Loh, Sebastian Leptihn, Ramesh Nachimuthu
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy of two Pseudomonas bacteriophages in the treatment of bacteremia in mice models. The results showed that a single dose of phages at higher concentrations was effective in eliminating bloodstream infection and achieving 100% mice survival.
Article
Microbiology
Robby Concha-Eloko, Pilar Barberan-Martinez, Rafael Sanjuan, Pilar Domingo-Calap
Summary: The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria is a serious threat to global health, and new treatments are needed. This study presents three new Klebsiella phages with a broad host range, which hold potential for combating infections by multiple capsular types of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Gao, Miao Yu, Jingni Xie, Minghao Sui
Summary: This study comparatively investigated the efficacy of UV and UV/H2O2 in inactivating vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) and degrading its containing vanB gene. The results showed that VRE was readily inactivated in both UV and UV/H2O2 processes. UV/H2O2 achieved synergistic degradation of intracellular vanB and inhibited bacterial regrowth. The presence of humic acid inhibited VRE inactivation and vanB degradation, but lower concentrations of humic acid slightly promoted vanB degradation in UV/H2O2 process.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Virology
Hyun Keun Oh, Yoon Jung Hwang, Hye Won Hong, Heejoon Myung
Summary: A bacteriophage, PBEF129, was isolated and characterized in this study, infecting a variety of E. faecalis strains, including those with antibiotic resistance. Its genome is 144,230 base pairs in length, with a GC content of 35.9%. The phage has a wider host range and demonstrated efficacy in removing bacterial biofilms on the surface of in vitro cultured human intestinal cells comparable to cefotaxime, but lower than its parent phage.
Article
Biology
Andrew J. Gasparrini, Jana L. Markley, Hirdesh Kumar, Bin Wang, Luting Fang, Sidra Irum, Chanez T. Symister, Meghan Wallace, Carey-Ann D. Burnham, Saadia Andleeb, Niraj H. Tolia, Timothy A. Wencewicz, Gautam Dantas
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sidra Rahmat Ullah, Mahnoor Majid, Muhammad Ibrahim Rashid, Khalid Mehmood, Saadia Andleeb
Summary: The coinfection of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a lethal combination that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment to prevent delays and mortality.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sidra Rahmat Ullah, Mahnoor Majid, Saadia Andleeb
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2020)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Sidra Irum, Saadia Andleeb, Sumbal Sardar, Zeeshan Mustafa, Ghazanfar Ghaffar, M. Mumtaz, Mubasher, Muhammad Arslan, Mudassar Abbas
Summary: Efficient antibacterial agents are vital in combating antibiotic resistant bacteria, with Al-doped NiO nanoparticles showing potential in combating Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
FRONTIERS IN MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Aniqa Rehman, Saadia Andleeb, Sidra Rahmat Ullah, Zeeshan Mustafa, Danish Gul, Khalid Mehmood
Summary: The study analyzed the effects of antibiotics on induction of Stx 1 and Stx 2 in clinical STEC isolates and found that resistant isolates were more prone to increased expression of toxins, with ciprofloxacin and tigecycline having the largest impact on toxin expression.
FOLIA MICROBIOLOGICA
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sidra Irum, Saadia Andleeb, Amjad Ali, Muhammad Ibrahim Rashid, Mahnoor Majid
Summary: A multi-epitope vaccine against P. aeruginosa was designed using subtractive proteomics and immunoinformatics, while potential drug targets were identified for reliable antibacterial preventive and therapeutic options. This approach holds promise in combating persistent infections and antibiotic resistance in healthcare settings.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Abubakar Siddique, Sara Azim, Amjad Ali, Saadia Andleeb, Aitezaz Ahsan, Muhammad Imran, Abdur Rahman
Summary: The study identified pathogenic Salmonella isolates with antimicrobial resistance in poultry and associated food products in Pakistan. The isolates exhibited high levels of virulence and resistance to multiple antibiotics, including cephalosporins and quinolones, highlighting a significant threat to public health and the poultry industry.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Nimat Ullah, Hamza Arshad Dar, Kanwal Naz, Saadia Andleeb, Abdur Rahman, Muhammad Tariq Saeed, Fazal Hanan, Taeok Bae, Amjad Ali
Summary: This study conducted a whole-genome comparative analysis of two MRSA strains isolated from two provinces in Pakistan, revealing the distribution of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes, and highlighting the prevalence of the ST113 clone in Pakistan.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kashaf Khalid, Sidra Irum, Sidra Rahmat Ullah, Saadia Andleeb
Summary: This study focuses on developing a rational vaccine design against Acinetobacter baumannii using epitope mapping technique. By selecting an outer membrane protein with immunogenic potential, epitopes were calculated for selection based on certain criteria. A vaccine sequence of 240 amino acids was obtained by joining all the epitopes in a sequence-wise manner and adding a protein agonist to human innate immune receptors. The designed construct showed enhanced overall protein stability, expression, immunostimulatory capabilities, and solubility. Molecular dynamics simulations and molecular docking demonstrated the compactness, stability, and strong binding of the vaccine with Toll-like receptors. In-silico immune simulations indicated a significant increase in T-cell and B-cell populations. Bioinformatic tools were also useful in optimizing codons for successful cloning of constructs into host vectors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PEPTIDE RESEARCH AND THERAPEUTICS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Ufaq Tasneem, Khalid Mehmood, Mahnoor Majid, Sidra Rahmat Ullah, Saadia Andleeb
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a common pathogen that poses serious healthcare concerns due to its resistance and virulence factors, highlighting the need for in-depth understanding.
JOURNAL OF THE PAKISTAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sidra Irum, Kanwal Naz, Nimat Ullah, Zeeshan Mustafa, Amjad Ali, Muhammad Arslan, Kashaf Khalid, Saadia Andleeb
Summary: P. aeruginosa strains with new multidrug-resistant sequence types were identified in a tertiary care hospital in Pakistan. Analysis of the resistome revealed various resistance genes, while virulence-related genes were prevalent among these new strains, indicating adaptation to different infections. Monitoring and surveillance are necessary to prevent the spread of these antibiotic-resistant pathogens.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ufaq Tasneem, Mahnoor Majid, Khalid Mehmood, Redaina, Fazal Ur Rehman, Saadia Andleeb, Muhsin Jamal
Summary: This study identified the presence of multidrug-resistant, vancomycin-resistant, and mecA negative MRSA isolates in infected patients of Rawalpindi and nearby regions of Pakistan, which may contribute to treatment failures, adaptability of new virulence characteristics, and the spread of antibiotic resistance.
AFRICAN HEALTH SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Muhammad Ibrahim Rashid, Habiba Rashid, Saadia Andleeb, Amjad Ali
Summary: Pyocyanin, a secondary metabolite produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, possesses redox activity. This study demonstrates that pyocyanin can penetrate the blood-brain barrier in small amounts and potentially impact cognitive functions.
OXIDATIVE MEDICINE AND CELLULAR LONGEVITY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Luke Diorio-Toth, Sidra Irum, Robert F. Potter, Meghan A. Wallace, Muhammad Arslan, Tehmina Munir, Saadia Andleeb, Carey-Ann D. Burnham, Gautam Dantas
Summary: This study used whole-genome sequencing to determine the genotypic mechanisms of beta-lactam resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates from three hospitals in Pakistan. The study found that carbapenem resistance was associated with the acquisition of metallo-beta-lactamases or extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and mutations in the porin gene. Furthermore, isolates with multiple resistance mechanisms showed significantly higher levels of imipenem resistance compared to isolates with a single resistance mechanism.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Nida ul Fatima, Rabia Anwar, Tahir Ahmed Baig, Khalid Mehmood, Saadia Andleeb
JOURNAL OF THE PAKISTAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2020)