Article
Infectious Diseases
Jian Peng, Biswajit Mishra, Rajamohammed Khader, LewisOscar Felix, Eleftherios Mylonakis
Summary: In this study, a smaller antimicrobial peptide C18 derived from cecropin 4 showed high antibacterial activity against various bacteria and yeasts, with a remarkable effect on drug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. C18 also exhibited the capability to eliminate persister cells, reduce biofilm adherence, interact with DNA, and down-regulate virulence factor genes. Moreover, C18 showed promising results in a Galleria mellonella model, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic candidate for severe MRSA infections.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jina Kim, Young-Won Chin
Summary: The prevalence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria poses a global challenge. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a leading cause of infections, forms biofilms on medical devices, making them more resistant to antibiotics. A study investigated the use of Raman spectroscopy to monitor MRSA biofilm formation and found that Eugenol, when applied within the first 5 hours of biofilm formation, showed promise in breaking down the biofilm. The study also demonstrated the efficacy of Raman spectroscopy coupled with principal component analysis (PCA) in identifying planktonic bacteria from biofilm conglomerates.
Article
Acoustics
Yixuan Xu, Shiyang Liu, Hongyou Zhao, Yi Li, Chao Cui, Wenxin Chou, Yuxia Zhao, Jiyong Yang, Haixia Qiu, Jing Zeng, Defu Chen, Shengnan Wu, Yizhou Tan, Ying Wang, Ying Gu
Summary: Combining ultrasonic irradiation with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) enhances the efficacy of aPDT against MRSA biofilm by increasing the penetration depth of the photosensitizer (PS) and without affecting the viability of human dermal fibroblasts. This study suggests that the combination of aPDT and ultrasound is a potential and promising strategy for eradicating biofilm-associated infections of MRSA.
ULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
John Jairo Aguilera-Correa, Liisa Nohynek, Hanna-Leena Alakomi, Jaime Esteban, Kirsi-Marja Oksman-Caldentey, Riitta Puupponen-Pimiae, Teemu J. Kinnari, Ramon Perez-Tanoira
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of two arctic berry extracts on MRSA biofilm development and treatment. The results showed that all berry extracts except for the raspberry press cake hydrothermal extract prevented biofilm development of three MRSA strains.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Xinxin Li, Yibao Chen, Shuang Wang, Xiaochao Duan, Fenqiang Zhang, Aizhen Guo, Pan Tao, Huanchun Chen, Xiangmin Li, Ping Qian
Summary: The study demonstrated that a phage cocktail supplemented with Ca2+/Zn2+ showed enhanced antibacterial and anti-biofilm effects against MRSA, effectively removing bacteria in biofilms and mice tissues infected with S. aureus.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sha Liu, Karen Hon, George Spyro Bouras, Alkis James Psaltis, Keith Shearwin, Peter-John Wormald, Sarah Vreugde
Summary: The isolated Staphylococcus aureus phages showed significant bactericidal activity against the biofilm form and a broad host range, with low mutation rate, indicating potential for further development as a treatment alternative to antibiotics for Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) infections.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Karen Hon, Sha Liu, Sophie Camens, George Spyro Bouras, Alkis James Psaltis, Peter-John Wormald, Sarah Vreugde
Summary: This study aimed to isolate and characterize phage as an alternative treatment option for multi-drug resistant E. coli infections. The newly isolated APTC-EC-2A phage showed promising properties, including stability at a broad pH range, ability to kill E. coli at different temperatures, and effectiveness against both planktonic and biofilm forms of the bacteria. Electron microscopy and genomic sequencing revealed that the phage belongs to the Myoviridae family and has lytic nature.
Article
Oncology
Isabelle de Paula Ribeiro, Juliana Guerra Pinto, Beatriz Muller Nunes Souza, Alejandro Guillermo Minan, Juliana Ferreira-Strixino
Summary: Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) with curcumin was shown to reduce the growth of MRSA biofilm without cytotoxicity, providing a relevant alternative possibility for the inactivation of this strain.
PHOTODIAGNOSIS AND PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jae Sik Yu, Ji-Hoon Kim, Luay Rashan, Inseo Kim, Wonsik Lee, Ki Hyun Kim
Summary: The study identified four flavonoid-type analogs from the Woodfordia uniflora plant, which have a novel mechanism of action in inhibiting biofilm formation and synergizing with methicillin against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. These compounds were found to remodel metabolism and reduce biofilm formation in MRSA, making them potential therapeutic agents for MRSA-associated diseases.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Hui Zhao, Lu Liu, Lingshuang Yang, Qihui Gu, Ying Li, Jumei Zhang, Shi Wu, Moutong Chen, Xinqiang Xie, Qingping Wu
Summary: The study identified a strain FJKB0103 isolated from the rhizosphere of Garcinia mangostana with strong anti-MRSA activity. Through genomic analysis, the researchers discovered that DAPG produced by the strain was the compound responsible for its activity. DAPG was found to be effective against MRSA strains and could inhibit biofilm formation.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alessandro Materazzi, Daria Bottai, Claudia Campobasso, Ann-Brit Klatt, Novella Cesta, Margherita De Masi, Andrej Trampuz, Arianna Tavanti, Mariagrazia Di Luca
Summary: This study investigated the efficacy of Sb-1 in controlling or preventing Staphylococcus aureus colonization on medical foreign bodies using a Galleria mellonella larval infection model. The results demonstrated that the combination of Sb-1 and daptomycin or Sb-1 alone significantly reduced the colonization of S. aureus. Moreover, pretreatment with Sb-1 was found to effectively prevent colonization.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Isabel Guthridge, Simon Smith, Matthew Law, Enzo Binotto, Josh Hanson
Summary: Lincosamides, particularly when used as a predominant therapy, show potential efficacy in the treatment of MRSA bacteremia, especially in young, clinically stable patients with few comorbidities. Patients receiving lincosamide-predominant therapy had lower in-hospital mortality and a lower incidence of renal complications compared to those receiving an alternative regimen. Prospective studies are needed to further define the optimal role of lincosamides in the treatment of MRSA bacteremia.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Chengju Mao, Yue Wang, Yifan Yang, Lu Li, Kexin Yuan, Huijun Cao, Zhilang Qiu, Guo Guo, Jianwei Wu, Jian Peng
Summary: The derived peptide C9 showed rapid bactericidal and antibiofilm activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis, avoiding the development of resistance by targeting multiple nonspecific targets of the cell membrane or cell components. It also exhibited therapeutic potential against S. epidermidis infection in vivo.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Tommaso Felicetti, Nicholas Cedraro, Andrea Astolfi, Giada Cernicchi, Gianmarco Mangiaterra, Salvatore Vaiasicca, Serena Massari, Giuseppe Manfroni, Maria Letizia Barreca, Oriana Tabarrini, Francesca Biavasco, Violetta Cecchetti, Carla Vignaroli, Stefano Sabatini
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a serious global health issue. Efflux pumps play a significant role in the development of resistance and biofilm formation. The search for non-antibiotic molecules that can block efflux pumps is a promising strategy. This study reports a new series of potent derivatives that block efflux pumps and demonstrate synergy with ciprofloxacin against resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Yuwen Lu, Yifei Lu, Baobao Li, Jiazhen Liu, Lixin Wang, Lianyang Zhang, Yang Li, Qiu Zhong
Summary: StAP1 phage is a MRSA phage isolated from a Chinese hospital, exhibiting broad-spectrum characteristics and strong lytic effects on various MRSA strains, indicating its potential application in MRSA infection treatment.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Veronika Vrbovska, Ivo Sedlacek, Michal Zeman, Pavel Svec, Vojtech Kovarovic, Ondrej Sedo, Monika Laichmanova, Jiri Doskar, Roman Pantucek
Article
Microbiology
Mehdi Goudarzi, Nobumichi Kobayashi, Masoud Dadashi, Roman Pantucek, Mohammad Javad Nasiri, Maryam Fazeli, Ramin Pouriran, Hossein Goudarzi, Mirmohammad Miri, Anahita Amirpour, Sima Sadat Seyedjavadi
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2020)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Marie Horka, Pavel Karasek, Michal Roth, Dana Stverakova, JiRi Salplachta, Filip RUziCka, Roman Pantucek
Summary: Phage therapy could be a safe alternative to antibiotic treatment for infections caused by resistant bacteria, but fast analytical techniques are needed to evaluate phage activity. A three-step method for online monitoring of phage effect on bacterial cells has been proposed, enabling assessment of Staphylococcus aureus responses to different phage susceptibilities.
Article
Microbiology
Lenka Fisarova, Tibor Botka, Xin Du, Ivana Maslanova, Pavol Bardy, Roman Pantucek, Martin Benesik, Pavel Roudnicky, Volker Winstel, Jesper Larsen, Ralf Rosenstein, Andreas Peschel, Jiri Doskar
Summary: Staphylococcus epidermidis is a notable opportunistic pathogen, forming biofilms and exhibiting high levels of antibiotic resistance. Phages classified in the family Siphoviridae and genus Phietavirus were found to be capable of transduction, transferring antimicrobial resistance plasmids among S. epidermidis strains. The study highlights the important role of S. epidermidis phages in evolution and genetic studies of this pathogen.
Article
Microbiology
Vojtech Kovarovic, Ivo Sedlacek, Petr Petras, Stanislava Kralova, Ivana Maslanova, Pavel Svec, Meina Neumann-Schaal, Tibor Botka, Tereza Gelbicova, Eva Stankova, Jiri Doskar, Roman Pantucek
Summary: This study characterized a coagulase-negative staphylococcal strain isolated from the nostrils of a laboratory rat. Through genetic analysis, mass spectrometry, and biochemical tests, the strain was found to be distinct from closely related Staphylococcus species and may represent a new species.
Article
Microbiology
Adela Finstrlova, Ivana Maslanova, Bob G. Blasdel Reuter, Jiri Doskar, Friedrich Goetz, Roman Pantucek
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the interactions between phages and bacteria at the transcriptomic level, specifically focusing on the lytic action of Kayvirus and its molecular mechanisms. The results improve the knowledge of phage therapeutics and may contribute to the development of new antibacterial strategies.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Marie Horka, Filip Ruzicka, Alena Sivakova, Pavel Karasek, Jiri Salplachta, Roman Pantucek, Michal Roth
Summary: This study successfully differentiated MRSA isolates belonging to different genotype groups using a combination of electrophoretic techniques and micellar electrokinetic chromatography. The key factors for successful analysis were found to be separation temperature and the rinsing procedure of the capillary. The developed CE method was also proven to be capable of concentrating and separating MRSA isolates in clinical samples.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marta Siborova, Tibor Fuzik, Michaela Prochazkova, Jiri Novacek, Martin Benesik, Anders S. Nilsson, Pavel Plevka
Summary: The authors demonstrate that E. coli phage SU10 undergoes conformational changes in nozzle proteins and tail fibers after cell binding, forming a nozzle that allows the delivery of phage DNA into bacterial cytoplasm.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Letter
Infectious Diseases
Jennifer Eleonora Keller, Sybille Schwendener, Dana Novakova, Roman Pantucek, Vincent Perreten
MICROBIAL DRUG RESISTANCE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Lucie Kuntova, Ivana Maslanova, Radka Oborilova, Hana Simeckova, Adela Finstrlova, Pavol Bardy, Marta Siborova, Liudmyla Troianovska, Tibor Botka, Petr Gintar, Ondrej Sedo, Zdenek Farka, Jiri Doskar, Roman Pantucek
Summary: This study describes a resistance mechanism targeting kayviruses that is encoded by a prophage. The mechanism belongs to a broader group of abortive infections, characterized by suicidal behavior of infected cells that are unable to produce phage progeny, thus ensuring the survival of the host population. Since the majority of staphylococcal strains are lysogenic, our findings are relevant for the advancement of phage therapy.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pavol Bardy, Conor I. W. MacDonald, Roman Pantucek, Alfred A. Antson, Paul C. M. Fogg
Summary: A new type of membrane-containing bacteriophage called Jorvik has been identified and characterized, which infects freshwater bacteria and exhibits high virulence. This provides important experimental insights into phage diversity and interactions in microbial communities.
Article
Microbiology
Vojtech Kovarovic, Adela Finstrlova, Ivo Sedlacek, Petr Petras, Pavel Svec, Ivana Maslanova, Meina Neumann-Schaal, Ondrej Sedo, Tibor Botka, Eva Stankova, Jiri Doskar, Roman Pantucek
Summary: A novel species of coagulase-negative staphylococci, named Staphylococcus brunensis sp. nov., was identified using whole-genome sequencing and extensive biotyping. The genomic analysis revealed variable genomic elements, including a unique resistance genomic island, SbCIccrDE, which can accumulate virulence and antimicrobial resistance factors.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Radka Oborilova, Hana Simeckova, Matej Pastucha, Simon Klimovic, Ivana Visova, Jan Pribyl, Hana Vaisocherova-Lisalova, Roman Pantucek, Petr Skladal, Ivana Maslanova, Zdenek Farka
Summary: The growing incidence of multidrug-resistant bacterial strains, such as Staphylococcus aureus, poses a significant challenge in modern medicine. By utilizing atomic force microscopy (AFM) along with surface plasmon resonance (SPR) experiments, the study provides a foundation for understanding the lysis of individual bacteria, particularly S. aureus, which may advance the development of phage therapy.