Review
Microbiology
Madubuike Umunna Anyanwu, Ishmael Festus Jaja, Obichukwu Chisom Nwobi, Anthony Christian Mgbeahuruike, Chinaza Nnenna Ikpendu, Nnenna Audrey Okafor, James Wabwire Oguttu
Summary: Mobile colistin resistance genes pose a threat to the treatment of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria. The use of colistin in horses without sensitivity testing facilitates the acquisition of these resistance genes. The dissemination of these genes among horse populations is non-clonal and may involve other resistance genes.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Alzbeta Kalova, Tereza Gelbicova, Soren Overballe-Petersen, Eva Litrup, Renata Karpiskova
Summary: This study characterized bacterial strains resistant to colistin in retailed aquaculture products imported from Vietnam to the Czech Republic, with some strains carrying multiple mcr genes on various plasmids. The results suggest that aquaculture products of Asian origin can be an important source of variable plasmids carrying mcr genes.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Niamh Cahill, Brigid Hooban, Kelly Fitzhenry, Aoife Joyce, Louise O'Connor, Georgios Miliotis, Francesca McDonagh, Liam Burke, Alexandra Chueiri, Maeve Louise Farrell, James E. Bray, Niall Delappe, Wendy Brennan, Deirdre Prendergast, Montserrat Gutierrez, Catherine Burgess, Martin Cormican, Dearbhaile Morris
Summary: The emergence and dissemination of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes poses a significant threat to public health, as colistin is one of the last line treatment options for multi-drug resistant infections. This study identified several bacteria carrying mcr genes, mainly in water sources and wastewater, along with other multi-drug resistance genes. These findings highlight the need for further research to understand the role of the environment in the persistence and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Antonietta Di Francesco, Daniela Salvatore, Sonia Sakhria, Fabrizio Bertelloni, Elena Catelli, Salma Ben Yahia, Aida Tlatli
Summary: A survey conducted in Tunisia found that 41.5% of broiler chickens tested positive for the mcr-1 gene, which confers resistance to colistin. This highlights the urgent need for cautious use of colistin in the veterinary field.
Review
Infectious Diseases
Zineb Cherak, Lotfi Loucif, Abdelhamid Moussi, Jean-Marc Rolain
Summary: Colistin is a crucial last-line therapy for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, yet resistance to it has become a major global public-health crisis. Plasmid-mediated mcr genes encoding enzymes are the main mechanism leading to colistin resistance, dispersed globally. Water environments play a crucial role in the spread of antibiotic resistance, acting as reservoirs and dissemination routes for mcr genes.
JOURNAL OF GLOBAL ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Divya Lakshmanan, Dhamodharan Ramasamy, Veni Subramanyam, Suresh Kumar Saravanan
Summary: The peptide antibiotic colistin is reserved as a last resort treatment option for cases of antibiotic resistance. The discovery of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes, which can be transferred between different bacterial species, has complicated the issue. Surveillance of these resistance genes in the community is necessary, but testing for colistin resistance faces practical challenges. Alternative detection methods for screening colistin resistance have been studied recently.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Elsa de la Cadena, Mateo Mahecha, Ana Maria Velandia, Juan Carlos Garcia-Betancur, Laura J. J. Rojas, Jessica Porras, Christian Pallares, Maria Virginia Villegas
Summary: We discovered the presence of the mcr-1 gene in a low percentage of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from Colombian hospitals. Whole genome sequencing revealed the presence of multiple resistance genes and different sequence types in the five isolates carrying mcr-1. The spread of mcr-1 in E. coli in this geographic region seems to be limited and has not affected high-risk clones like ST131.
Article
Microbiology
Md Rezaul Karim, Zunita Zakaria, Latiffah Hassan, Nik Mohd Faiz, Nur Indah Ahmad
Summary: The prevalence of colistin resistance and its molecular mechanisms were studied in Enterobacteriaceae isolated from chicken and chicken meats. Among 627 isolates, 8.6% demonstrated phenotypic colistin resistance, and 12.96% of these resistant isolates carried mcr genes. Specifically, mcr-1 and mcr-5 genes were detected in 11.11% and 1.85% of the colistin-resistant isolates, respectively. This study also identified the first report of the mcr-5 gene in Malaysia. Further investigations are required to characterize mcr-5 harboring bacteria and their associated plasmids.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Michael Timmermans, Pierre Wattiau, Olivier Denis, Cecile Boland
Summary: This study identified a reservoir of mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 to -5) in commensal Escherichia coli isolated from healthy pigs, cattle and poultry in Belgium over at least 5 years (2012-2016), highlighting the ongoing presence of colistin resistance genes in these animal populations.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Adam L. Smith, Phillip Wang
Summary: Wastewater surveillance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) provides valuable information on the prevalence and genetic characteristics of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study detected several variants of the mobile colistin-resistant (mcr) gene in Los Angeles County wastewater, and through further analysis, identified conserved gene cassettes and discovered novel plasmids carrying these genes. The findings highlight the importance of wastewater surveillance in understanding the transmission and dissemination of ARGs.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Ahmed Gaballa, Martin Wiedmann, Laura. M. M. Carroll
Summary: Phosphoethanolamine transferases (PET) are closely related to colistin resistance genes (mcr) and can confer resistance to the last-resort antimicrobial colistin. Through studying the sequence similarity and evolution patterns of mcr and PET, we identified 125 putative novel mcr-like genes that share similar evolutionary patterns with i-PET genes. Our findings suggest that PET genes can give rise to colistin resistance genes through various mechanisms, including mobilization, selection, and diversification of genomic context and regulatory pathways. These mechanisms likely altered gene expression levels and enzyme activity, allowing bona fide PET genes to evolve to function in colistin resistance.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Masego Mmatli, Nontombi Marylucy Mbelle, John Osei Sekyere
Summary: This research found that mcr genes are widely distributed in Enterobacteriaceae species and pose a threat to public health as they are mainly transmitted to humans through food animals. The dissemination of mcr genes is mediated by mobile genetic elements and there are compensatory adaptation mechanisms. Combination therapy is a promising option for managing and treating colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Adrian Gorecki, Marcin Musialowski, Mikolaj Wolacewicz, Przemyslaw Decewicz, Catarina Ferreira, Dana Vejmelkova, Malgorzata Grzesiuk, Celia M. Manaia, Jan Bartacek, Lukasz Dziewit
Summary: Antibiotic resistance poses a major threat to public health, and efforts are needed to enhance global surveillance and standardized protocols. A study proposed novel PCR primers for mcr genes detection and validated their effectiveness in various environments. This analysis highlighted the importance of accurate primers for screening mcr genes.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Bruno G. N. Andrade, Tobias Goris, Haithem Afli, Felipe H. Coutinho, Alberto M. R. Davila, Rafael R. C. Cuadrat
Summary: The study revealed a high diversity of mcr-like genes in the human gut microbiome, showing their cosmopolitan distribution in individuals worldwide along with the co-presence of other antibiotic resistance genes. These findings enhance our understanding of the diversity and evolution of mcr-like genes, and future research should focus on the activity, genetic mobility, and potential colistin resistance of these genes in corresponding strains.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nadheema Hammood Hussein, Israa M. S. AL-Kadmy, Butheina Mohammed Taha, Jumaah Dakel Hussein
Summary: Colistin resistance is becoming a growing global concern as a last-resort treatment option. The discovery of plasmid-mediated mcr genes has raised alarm due to their potential for global dissemination. Various mcr variants, from mcr-1 to mcr-10, have been identified in different sources, highlighting the need for better stewardship and proper antimicrobial usage to combat resistance.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2021)
Letter
Immunology
Giuliana Carrega, Giovanni Riccio, Davide Vallerga, Patrizia Morelli, Ramona Barbieri, Vincenzo Di Pilato, Anna Marchese
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY IMMUNOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Brian N. Malley, Jonathan Yabes, Elizabeth H. Gimbel, Chung-Chou H. Chang, Donald A. Yealy, Michael Fine, Derek M. Angus, David T. F. Huang
Summary: The Procalcitonin Antibiotic Consensus Trial (ProACT) found that providing a procalcitonin antibiotic prescribing guideline to hospital-based clinicians did not reduce antibiotic use. The study aimed to determine the threshold adherence rate for reducing antibiotic use and to explore opportunities to increase adherence.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Editorial Material
Medicine, General & Internal
Daniele Roberto Giacobbe, Vincenzo Di Pilato, Ilias Karaiskos, Tommaso Giani, Anna Marchese, Gian Maria Rossolini, Matteo Bassetti
Summary: Antimicrobial resistance, particularly carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria, poses a significant global health threat. The emergence of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) has presented clinicians with unique challenges in managing severe infections. This article discusses the evolution of treatment strategies for KPC-Kp infections over the past decade, guided by clinical evidence and advances in diagnostics.
ANNALS OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Clement Kin-Ming Tsui, Fatma Ben Abid, Khalil Al Ismail, Christi Lee McElheny, Muna Al Maslamani, Ali S. Omrani, Yohei Doi
Summary: The emergence of carbapenem-resistant, hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae is a new threat to health care. We studied the molecular epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in Qatar using whole-genome sequence data. We also characterized the prevalence and genetic basis of hypervirulent phenotypes and established the virulence potential using a Galleria mellonella model.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Rimi Tanii, Sohei Harada, Hiroki Saito, Koh Okamoto, Yohei Doi, Masahiro Suzuki
Summary: This article reports a fatal case of respiratory and bloodstream infection caused by K. variicola complicating severe COVID-19. Co-infection or secondary infection of K. variicola in COVID-19 is likely under-recognized and can be fulminant as in this case.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Giulia Codda, Edward Willison, Laura Magnasco, Paola Morici, Daniele Roberto Giacobbe, Antonella Mencacci, Daniele Marini, Malgorzata Mikulska, Matteo Bassetti, Anna Marchese, Vincenzo Di Pilato
Summary: A difficult-to-control outbreak of Candida auris is ongoing in a large tertiary care hospital in Liguria, Italy, where it first emerged in 2019. In a retrospective analysis, 503 cases of C. auris carriage or infection were observed between July 2019 and December 2022. Genomic surveillance identified putative cases that no longer occurred as part of one defined outbreak and the emergence of echinocandin (pandrug) resistance following independent selection of FKS1S639F and FKS1F635Y mutants upon prolonged exposure to caspofungin and/or anidulafungin.
Article
Immunology
Kayo Kumadaki, Natsumi Suzuki, Kaoru Tatematsu, Yohei Doi, Kentaro Tsukamoto
Summary: Bartonella species are hemotropic bacteria that cause zoonotic infections in humans. They replicate in vascular endothelial cells and induce vascular proliferation. BafA, a bacteria-secreted protein, is involved in Bartonella-induced vasoproliferation. In this study, the activity of BafA proteins derived from different Bartonella species was compared, and it was found that B. henselae, B. koehlerae, B. clarridgeiae, and B. grahamii induced cell proliferation and tube formation, while B. doshiae showed no activity. These findings suggest that BafA may contribute to the infectivity or pathogenicity of Bartonella species in humans.
INFECTION AND IMMUNITY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Emily L. Heil, Kimberly C. Claeys, Ellen G. Kline, Tara M. Rogers, Kevin M. Squires, Alina Iovleva, Yohei Doi, Mary Banoub, Mandee M. Noval, Paul M. Luethy, Ryan K. Shields
Summary: This study evaluated the clinical characteristics and outcomes of COVID-19 patients with CRAB infections who received three-drug combination regimens. It found that the use of three-drug regimens resulted in high rates of clinical response and low mortality in severe CRAB infections among COVID-19 patients.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Noemi Aiezza, Alberto Antonelli, Marco Coppi, Vincenzo Di Pilato, Tommaso Giani, Gian Maria Rossolini
Summary: This study investigated the susceptibility and mechanisms of resistance to fosfomycin in a collection of 99 Staphylococcus aureus isolated from hospital-acquired pneumonia cases in Italy. It was found that the resistance rates to fosfomycin were 0% among methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and 22% among methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Resistance mechanisms included chromosomal mutations, overexpression of the Tet38 efflux pump gene, and overexpression of a fosB gene encoding a fosfomycin-inactivating enzyme.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hiroshi Yotsuyanagi, Norio Ohmagari, Yohei Doi, Takumi Imamura, Takuhiro Sonoyama, Genki Ichihashi, Takao Sanaki, Yuko Tsuge, Takeki Uehara, Hiroshi Mukae
Summary: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ensitrelvir in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. It is a phase 3 study using a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. The primary endpoint is the time to resolution of COVID-19 symptoms, and key secondary endpoints include the change in SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA and the time to first negative viral titer.
Article
Immunology
Natsumi Suzuki, Kayo Kumadaki, Kaoru Tatematsu, Yohei Doi, Kentaro Tsukamoto
Summary: Bartonella elizabethae is a rat-borne zoonotic bacterium that can cause human infectious endocarditis or neuroretinitis. There have been reports of bacillary angiomatosis (BA) caused by this bacterium, raising the possibility that B. elizabethae may also induce vasoproliferation. However, the effects of this bacterium on human vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are still unknown.
MICROBIOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Michael J. Satlin, David van Duin, Pranita D. Tamma, Thomas P. Lodise, Daria Van Tyne, Keith A. Rodvold, Nadine Rouphael, Scott R. Evans, Vance G. Fowler, Toshimitsu Hamasaki, Robin Patel, Lauren Komarow, Keri Baum, Maria Souli, Nyssa Schwager, Robert A. Bonomo, Yohei Doi
Summary: Addressing antibacterial-resistant gram-negative infections is a priority of the Antibacterial Resistance Leadership Group. The focus of investigation has evolved from elucidating the epidemiology of these infections to improving patient care through clinical trials of optimizing pharmacokinetics and of novel therapies.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Daniele Roberto Giacobbe, Cristina Marelli, Greta Cattardico, Chiara Fanelli, Alessio Signori, Gabriele Di Meco, Vincenzo Di Pilato, Malgorzata Mikulska, Maria Mazzitelli, Anna Maria Cattelan, Carlo Pallotto, Daniela Francisci, Alessandra Calabresi, Andrea Lombardi, Andrea Gori, Valerio Del Bono, Chiara Aldieri, Angela Raffaella Losito, Francesca Raffaelli, Andrea Cortegiani, Marta Milazzo, Filippo Del Puente, Emanuele Pontali, Francesco Giuseppe De Rosa, Silvia Corcione, Alessandra Mularoni, Giovanna Russelli, Mauro Giacomini, Flavia Badalucco Ciotta, Chiara Oltolini, Francesco Saverio Serino, Elena Momesso, Michele Spinicci, Lucia Graziani, Carlo Torti, Enrico Maria Trecarichi, Marco Merli, Federico D'Amico, Anna Marchese, Antonio Vena, Matteo Bassetti
Summary: The impact of carbapenem resistance on mortality in patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infection was assessed. The study found that carbapenem-resistant patients had a higher mortality rate, but it was not dependent on the type of therapy.
JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Sahaya Glingston Rajakani, Basil Britto Xavier, Adwoa Sey, El Bounja Mariem, Christine Lammens, Herman Goossens, Youri Glupczynski, Surbhi Malhotra-Kumar
Summary: This study utilizes population analysis profiling (PAP) and time-kill assay for the detection of heteroresistance in K. pneumoniae and for evaluating the association between in vitro regrowth and heteroresistance. The mechanisms of colistin resistance and the ability of combination therapies to suppress resistance selection were also analysed.
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Daniele Roberto Giacobbe, Silvia Dettori, Vincenzo Di Pilato, Erika Asperges, Lorenzo Ball, Enora Berti, Ola Blennow, Bianca Bruzzone, Laure Calvet, Federico Capra Marzani, Antonio Casabella, Sofia Choudaly, Anais Dartevel, Gennaro De Pascale, Gabriele Di Meco, Melissa Fallon, Louis-Marie Galerneau, Miguel Gallego, Mauro Giacomini, Adolfo Gonzalez Saez, Luise Haensel, Giancarlo Icardi, Philipp Koehler, Katrien Lagrou, Tobias Lahmer, P. Lewis White, Laura Magnasco, Anna Marchese, Cristina Marelli, Mercedes Marin-Arriaza, Ignacio Martin-Loeches, Armand Mekontso-Dessap, Malgorzata Mikulska, Alessandra Mularoni, Anna Nordlander, Julien Poissy, Giovanna Russelli, Alessio Signori, Carlo Tascini, Louis-Maxime Vaconsin, Joel Vargas, Antonio Vena, Joost Wauters, Paolo Pelosi, Jean-Francois Timsit, Matteo Bassetti
Summary: This study describes the characteristics of ICU patients undergoing diagnostic workup for PJP, and finds that PJP is most common in non-HIV patients. The results also suggest that combining serum BDG with respiratory Pneumocystis PCR can improve the accuracy of PJP diagnosis.
