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)
Review
Immunology
Nathan P. Crilly, Samuel K. Ayeh, Petros C. Karakousis
Summary: Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, with treatment requiring a combination of antibiotics over an extended period. Even after infection eradication, patients may still experience residual lung dysfunction. Recent focus has been on developing new therapies to accelerate pathogen clearance and reduce lung damage.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Vidhisha V. Sonawane, Mike M. Ruth, Lian J. Pennings, Elin M. Svensson, Heiman F. L. Wertheim, Wouter Hoefsloot, Jakko van Ingen
Summary: This study evaluated the in vitro activity of several drugs for Mycobacterium avium complex pulmonary disease (MAC-PD) and found that combination therapy has the potential to improve efficacy. Some regimens were shown to be more active than the currently recommended treatment, suggesting promising alternatives for MAC-PD management.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
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)
Article
Immunology
Christopher J. Alteri, Nora Rios-Sarabia, Miguel A. De la Cruz, Jorge A. Gonzalez-y-Merchand, Jorge Soria-Bustos, Carmen Maldonado-Bernal, Maria L. Cedillo, Jorge A. Yanez-Santos, Ygnacio Martinez-Laguna, Javier Torres, Richard L. Friedman, Jorge A. Giron, Miguel A. Ares
Summary: The study found that expression of tad/flp genes was significantly higher in the stationary phase compared to other growth phases, indicating that the bacteria do not require type IV pili during dormancy. Elevated gene expression levels were recorded when the bacteria were in contact with macrophages or epithelial cells for 4 hours compared to bacteria propagated alone. Antibody detection showed the presence of Flp pili on intra- and extracellular bacteria infecting eukaryotic cells.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Bubacarr J. B. Touray, Mostafa Hanafy, Yashdeep Phanse, Rachel Hildebrand, Adel M. Talaat
Summary: A nanoadjuvant system called QTAP, consisting of Quil-A and DOTAP, was developed for efficient delivery of mRNA vaccine constructs. The system showed high transfection efficiency and protein translation ability. In mice experiments, QTAP nanovaccines induced strong antibody and cytokine responses, and effectively reduced mycobacterial counts in the lungs and spleens. Overall, QTAP is a highly efficient transfection agent that improves the immunogenicity of mRNA vaccines against pulmonary tuberculosis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Mohammad Javad Nasiri, Tess Calcagno, Sareh Sadat Hosseini, Ali Hematian, Neda Youse Fi Nojookambari, Mohammadmahdi Karimi-Yazdi, Mehdi Mirsaeidi
Summary: Treatment with clofazimine for MAC showed a moderate success rate, with slightly higher response rates in HIV patients with disseminated infection.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(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
Microbiology
Kai Hilpert, Tulika Munshi, Paula M. Lopez-Perez, Joana Sequeira-Garcia, Sven Hofmann, Tim J. Bull
Summary: Antimicrobial peptides can kill various microorganisms and stimulate bacterial response at sublethal concentrations. This study discovered antimicrobial peptides that can stimulate the growth of certain mycobacteria.
Article
Microbiology
Wassihun Wedajo Aragaw, Nicole Cotroneo, Suzanne Stokes, Michael Pucci, Ian Critchley, Martin Gengenbacher, Thomas Dick
Summary: SPR719 targets DNA gyrase in NTM and displays differential resistance development in Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium abscessus, with the latter possibly involving drug efflux in high-frequency resistance.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
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
Infectious Diseases
Yusuke Nomura, Koh Okamoto, Yuki Ohama, Yoshimi Higurashi, Sohei Harada, Kyoji Moriya
Summary: Mycobacterium marseillense, a new species of the Mycobacterium avium complex, may be underreported in human infections due to similarities with Mycobacterium intracellulare. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) could be a rapid and reliable method for accurately identifying M. marseillese.
BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Respiratory System
Ho Namkoong, Yosuke Omae, Takanori Asakura, Makoto Ishii, Shoji Suzuki, Kozo Morimoto, Yosuke Kawai, Katsura Emoto, Andrew J. Oler, Eva P. Szymanski, Mitsunori Yoshida, Shuichi Matsuda, Kazuma Yagi, Isano Hase, Tomoyasu Nishimura, Yuka Sasaki, Takahiro Asami, Tetsuya Shiomi, Hiroaki Matsubara, Hisato Shimada, Junko Hamamoto, Byung Woo Jhun, Su-Young Kim, Hee Jae Huh, Hong-Hee Won, Manabu Ato, Kenjiro Kosaki, Tomoko Betsuyaku, Koichi Fukunaga, Atsuyuki Kurashima, Herve Tettelin, Hideki Yanai, Surakameth Mahasirimongkol, Kenneth N. Olivier, Yoshihiko Hoshino, Won-Jung Koh, Steven M. Holland, Katsushi Tokunaga, Naoki Hasegawa
Summary: This study identified rs109592 in the CHP2 locus as a susceptibility marker for pulmonary MAC disease.
EUROPEAN RESPIRATORY JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Mitchell V. Palmer, Carly Kanipe, Kimberly A. Lehman, Tyler C. Thacker, Ellie J. Putz, Paola M. Boggiatto
Summary: Efforts to eradicate bovine tuberculosis are hindered by wildlife reservoirs of Mycobacterium bovis. The efficacy of the human tuberculosis vaccine, M. bovis BCG, in wildlife species is influenced by factors such as non-tuberculous mycobacterial infection. Experimental infection shows that Map infection enhances the efficacy of BCG vaccine.
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
Pilar Somovilla, Carlos Garcia-Crespo, Brenda Martinez-Gonzalez, Maria Eugenia Soria, Ana Isabel de Avila, Isabel Gallego, Pablo Minguez, Antoni Duran-Pastor, Cristina Ferrer-Orta, Llanos Salar-Vidal, Mario Esteban-Munoz, Sonia Zuniga, Isabel Sola, Luis Enjuanes, Jaime Esteban, Ricardo Fernandez-Roblas, Ignacio Gadea, Jordi Gomez, Nuria Verdaguer, Esteban Domingo, Celia Perales
Summary: We report that ribavirin has an inhibitory and mutagenic activity on SARS-CoV-2-infected Vero cells, with a therapeutic index higher than 10. Deep sequencing analysis shows an increase in mutations, but not deletions, and modification of diversity indices in the presence of ribavirin. The major mutation types enhanced by ribavirin are A -> G and U -> C transitions, opposite to the dominant G -> A and C -> U transitions observed in most RNA viruses. The implications of ribavirin's inhibitory activity and atypical mutational bias on SARS-CoV-2 for the search for synergistic anti-COVID-19 lethal mutagen combinations are discussed.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Javier Martinez-Poles, Ana Isabel Saldana-Diaz, Jaime Esteban, Monica Lara-Almunia, Anthony Tito Vizarreta Figueroa, Leticia Martin-Gil, Jose Cebrian-Escudero, Jose Fernandez-Ferro
Summary: The first case of meningoencephalitis due to Mycobacterium lentiflavum in an immunocompromised patient is documented. The clinical and radiological features, as well as the treatment and prognosis of the patient, are described.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Microbiology
Paula Lopez-Roa, Jaime Esteban, Maria-Carmen Munoz-Egea
Summary: In recent years, Mycobacterium abscessus has emerged as an increasingly drug-resistant pathogen, causing diseases mainly in patients with chronic lung diseases or impaired immune systems. The mechanisms of pathogenicity of this mycobacterium, such as intracellular invasiveness, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance, are still not fully understood. Understanding these mechanisms is crucial for developing effective therapeutic approaches.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Marina Medel-Plaza, Jaime Esteban
Summary: Mycobacterium marinum is a unique slowly growing nontuberculous mycobacterium that causes fish tank granuloma or swimming pool granuloma in humans due to strong links with water. The treatment involves the use of different antibiotics, and surgical treatment can be an option for small lesions. New therapies like phage therapy and phototherapy are being developed with promising results in vitro.
EXPERT OPINION ON PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Orthopedics
Carlos Garcia Cardona, Marti Carles Bernaus Johnson, Javier Martinez Ros, Nerea Hernandez-Gonzalez, Alvaro Aunon Rubio, Francesc Angles Crespo, Iraia Arteagoitia-Colino, Ismael Coifman-Lucena, Jaime Esteban-Moreno, Encarnacion Moral Escudero, Lucia Gomez Garcia, Ricardo Novoa Martinez, Ana Ortega Columbrans, Margarita Veloso Duran, Lluis Font-Vizcarra
Summary: This study analyzed the demographic and microbiological variables of acute osteosynthesis infection after ankle fracture fixation and identified the distinctive features of patients with E cloacae infection. The results showed a high incidence of E cloacae infections, which mainly occurred in older patients and required a higher use of negative-pressure therapy after debridement.
FOOT & ANKLE INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Antonio Broncano-Lavado, Laura Barrado, Paula Lopez-Roa, Juana Cacho, Diego Domingo, Sara Hernandez, Jesus Garcia-Martinez, Maria Rosario Millan, Elisa Perez-Cecilia, Maria-Jesus Ruiz-Serrano, Santiago Salso, Maria Simon, Marta Tato, Carlos Toro, Jose F. F. Valverde-Canovas, Jaime Esteban
Summary: NTM Elite agar is specifically designed for the isolation of NTM without the decontamination step, and has shown promising clinical performance in recovering NTM species.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Marta Martin-Garcia, John Jairo Aguilera-Correa, Maria Angeles Arenas, Ignacio M. Garcia-Diego, Ana Conde, Juan Jose de Damborenea, Jaime Esteban
Summary: Prosthetic joint infection is a rare but costly problem. This study evaluated the adherence of different bacteria to two types of alloys commonly used in joint prostheses. The results showed that the interaction between bacteria and the alloys differed significantly, with the CoCrMo alloy having an aggregating effect on all bacteria and additional anti-adherent activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Article
Immunology
Syong H. Nam-Cha, Elena Dominguez-Jurado, Selena L. Tinoco-Valencia, Ramon Perez-Tanoira, Noelia Morata-Moreno, Rocio Alfaro-Ruiza, Agustin Lara-Sanchez, Jaime Esteban, Rafael Lujan, Carlos Alonso-Moreno, Pedro Segui, Alberto Ocana, Angel Lopez Gonzalez, John J. Aguilera-Correa, Francisco C. Perez-Martinez, Milagros Molina Alarcon
Summary: This study aimed to translate clinical research outcomes based on metallodrugs into clinical practice for the treatment of MRSA. The novel metallodrug 2P-Pt showed antibacterial effect against MRSA and inhibited biofilm formation. These findings suggest that 2P-Pt may be a promising therapeutic alternative for MRSA infections.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maider Ugalde-Arbizu, John Jairo Aguilera-Correa, Victoria Garcia-Almodovar, Karina Ovejero-Paredes, Diana Diaz-Garcia, Jaime Esteban, Paulina L. Paez, Sanjiv Prashar, Eider San Sebastian, Marco Filice, Santiago Gomez-Ruiz
Summary: Five different silica nanoparticles functionalized with vitamin B12, a derivative of coumarin found in green plants and a minimum content of an organotin(IV) fragment have been identified as excellent anticancer agents against triple negative breast cancer. Additionally, they also show effective antibacterial activity.
Article
Microbiology
Alba Ruedas-Lopez, Marta Tato, Antonio Broncano-Lavado, Jaime Esteban, Maria Jesus Ruiz-Serrano, Maria Sanchez-Cueto, Carlos Toro, Diego Domingo, Juana Cacho, Laura Barrado, Paula Lopez-Roa
Summary: The study aimed to determine the subspecies distribution of Mycobacterium abscessus (MABS) and its correlation with antibiotic profiles. The clinical isolates included 50 (52.1%) MABS subsp. abscessus, 33 (34.4%) MABS subsp. massiliense, and 13 (13.5%) MABS subsp. bolletii. Resistance rates varied among different drugs, with amikacin, cefoxitin, linezolid, and imipenem showing high activity against MABS. The GenoType NTM-DR assay demonstrated a high level of agreement with the traditional drug susceptibility testing.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
J. J. Aguilera-Correa, B. Salinas, M. Gonzalez-Arjona, D. de Pablo, P. Munoz, E. Bouza, M. J. Fernandez Acenero, J. Esteban, M. Desco, L. Cusso
Summary: This study compared structural and molecular imaging techniques to assess disease progression in a mouse model of osteomyelitis. The results showed that FDG-PET imaging was more sensitive than MRI and CT in differentiating between infection and inflammation at early stages.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Review
Infectious Diseases
Guillermo Santamaria-Corral, Abrar Senhaji-Kacha, Antonio Broncano-Lavado, Jaime Esteban, Meritxell Garcia-Quintanilla
Summary: Phage therapy is an alternative therapy used as a last resort against multidrug-resistant bacteria infections. Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a pathogen that commonly infects immunocompromised individuals, can be effectively treated using bacteriophages alone or in combination with antibiotics. This review summarizes recent studies highlighting the synergistic effects of phage-antibiotic combinations and successful treatments.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Felix Carrasco Calzada, John Jairo Aguilera, Jaime Esteban Moreno, Juan Cuadros Gonzalez, David Roca Biosca, Laura Prieto-Perez, Ramon Perez-Tanoira
Summary: This study compared the differences in biofilm formation, antimicrobial sensitivity, virulence factors, and related genes of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium strains isolated from patients with urinary tract infection in hospitals in Uganda and Spain. The incidence of E. faecium was higher in Uganda, while E. faecalis was dominant in Spain. E. faecalis strains showed low resistance to ampicillin, imipenem, and nitrofurantoin, while E. faecium exhibited more than 25% resistance to these antibiotics. The presence of other genes, such as ace1, was also found to be involved in biofilm formation when the esp gene was absent.
TROPICAL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Jaime Esteban, Llanos Salar-Vidal, Bryan H. Schmitt, Amy Waggoner, Frederic Laurent, Lelia Abad, Thomas W. Bauer, Irving Mazariegos, Joan-Miquel Balada-Llasat, Jared Horn, Donna M. Wolk, Alexa Jefferis, Mirjam Hermans, Irma Verhoofstad, Susan M. Butler-Wu, Minette Umali-Wilcox, Caitlin Murphy, Barbara Cabrera, David Craft, Benjamin von Bredow, Amy Leber, Kathy Everhart, Jennifer Dien Bard, Irvin Ibarra Flores, Judy Daly, Rebecca Barr, Kristen Holmberg, Corrin Graue, Bart Kensinger
Summary: The bioMerieux BIOFIRE Joint Infection (JI) Panel is a rapid diagnostic test that detects potential pathogens and antimicrobial resistance genes in synovial fluid samples. The study shows that the panel has high sensitivity and specificity, providing accurate diagnostic information for joint infections in a short time.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Maria-Carmen Munoz-Egea, Arij Akir, Jaime Esteban
Summary: The genus Mycobacterium includes deadly pathogens like tuberculosis and leprosy, but it also includes environmental microorganisms. Some of these environmental species can be human pathogens, and the study of their biofilms has increased in recent decades. The importance of glycopeptidolipids and lipidic molecules in the extracellular matrix of mycobacterial biofilms has been well established. Mycobacterial biofilms have clinical importance in chronic diseases, especially lung diseases and implant-related ones. The increasing resistance of mycobacteria in biofilm form has been proven, and new tools or approaches are needed to treat these patients.