Article
Infectious Diseases
Gabriel Mendes, Joao F. Ramalho, Ana Bruschy-Fonseca, Luis Lito, Aida Duarte, Jose Melo-Cristino, Catia Caneiras
Summary: This article reports the molecular characterization of the first hypervirulent CZA-resistant ST13 KPC-70-producing K. pneumoniae strain in Portugal. The emergence of CZA-resistant strains might pose a serious threat to public health and suggests an urgent need for enhanced clinical awareness and epidemiologic surveillance.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Venere Cortazzo, Marilena Agosta, Stefania Gaspari, Gianluca Vrenna, Barbara Lucignano, Manuela Onori, Valentina Di Ruscio, Livia Mancinelli, Danielle Domo, Carlo Federico Perno, Paola Bernaschi
Summary: Bacterial infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negatives are a global concern, leading to high mortality and morbidity rates. In this case report, we present the first known case of VIM-1-like-producing P. putida bacteremia in a pediatric patient admitted to a children's hospital in Rome, Italy.
Article
Microbiology
Haoyu Ge, Jie Qiao, Jiahao Zheng, Hao Xu, Ruishan Liu, Junhui Zhao, Ruyan Chen, Chenyu Li, Xiaobing Guo, Beiwen Zheng
Summary: This study investigated the occurrence, antibiotic resistance profiles, and plasmid characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa carrying bla(KPC-3) in China. Five strains carrying bla(KPC-3) were isolated from two patients without a history of travel. These strains belonged to a new sequence type (ST1076) and carried a 395-kb IncP-2 megaplasmid with a conserved genetic structure. The findings highlight the importance of continuous monitoring and control of bla(KPC-3) dissemination.
ANNALS OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND ANTIMICROBIALS
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Tiago Barcelos Valiatti, Francisco Ozorio Bessa-Neto, Fernanda Fernandes Santos, Ramon Giovanni Brandao Silva, Ruanita Veiga, Dandara Cassu-Corsi, Tuane Carolina Ferreira Moura, Amalia Raiana Fonseca Lobato, Antonio Carlos Campos Pignatari, Cintya Oliveira Souza, Danielle Murici Brasiliense, Rodrigo Cayo, Ana Cristina Gales
Summary: Extensively drug-resistant Serratia marcescens strains with resistance to various antibiotics were found in stool samples of food-producing animals in the Brazilian Amazon region. Genetic analysis revealed that these strains belonged to the same clone. Whole-genome sequencing identified multiple resistance genes and important virulence genes in these strains. The findings suggest that food-animal production can serve as a reservoir for multidrug-resistant and virulent S. marcescens strains.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Noel Christian Malaka, Alper Akkaya
Summary: This study focuses on the production and optimization of microbial nitrilase (EC 3.5.5.1). By screening microbial strains and optimizing culture conditions, high-activity nitrilase production from Pseudomonas putida (ATCC 17514) was achieved.
Article
Immunology
Biying Zhang, Xun Xu, Xiaomei Song, Yicheng Wen, Zhichen Zhu, Jingnan Lv, Xiaofang Xie, Liang Chen, Yi-Wei Tang, Hong Du
Summary: The study revealed the shift of CRPA from ST697 to ST463 in East China, with ST463 showing higher drug resistance, posing greater challenges for clinical management.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Jackeliny dos Santos Costa, Paulo Batista dos Santos, Alessandra Tammy Hayakawa Ito de Souza, Thais Oliveira Morgado, Stefhano Luis Candido, Thais Rosso da Silva, Luciano Nakazato, Valeria Dutra
Summary: This study reports the presence of carbapenemase-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa with blaKPC-2 gene in wild animals in Brazil. It highlights the importance of researching resistance genes in P. aeruginosa from a One-Health perspective.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Rossana Franco, Ivson Cassiano de Oliveira Santos, Mario Fabian Martinez Mora, Patricia Violeta Araujo Lopez, Vivian Estela Takahasi Alvarez, Flavia Helena Ortiz Arce, Graciela Lird, Marlene Silvagni, Anibal Kawabata, Maria Carolina Rojas Farina, Mirna Fabiola Aguero Fernandez, Thamirys R. Tavares e Oliveira, Claudio M. Rocha-de-Souza, Ana Paula D'Alincourt Carvalho Assef
Summary: The aim of this research was to characterize the Metallo-beta-lactamases (MBLs) detected by surveillance in Paraguay in the first 5 years of their circulation in hospitals, and to investigate the coexistence of KPC and OXA-carbapenemases. The results showed that MBLs were disseminated as unique variants per genotype in Pseudomonas spp. and Acinetobacter spp. in the first 5 years of circulation in Paraguay.
BRAZILIAN JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shreya Ghosh, Anam Ejaz, Lucas Repeta, Stewart Shuman
Summary: The study identifies Pseudomonas putida MPE as a novel DNA endonuclease capable of sensing and cutting double-stranded DNA, and hydrolyzing the single-stranded DNA backbone in different orientations to generate distinct cleavage products.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Hung-Jen Tang, Chi-Chung Chen, Ying-Chen Lu, Hui-Ling Huang, Hung-Jui Chen, Yin-Ching Chuang, Chih-Cheng Lai, Chien-Ming Chao
Summary: This study investigated the inhibitory effect of probiotic Lactobacillus strains, including LYC1154, LYC1322, and LYC1511, with prebiotics such as lactulose or isomalto-oligosaccharide, against KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. The results showed that a lower pH value in the cell-free supernatant of Lactobacillus strains was associated with a stronger inhibitory effect against KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae. The addition of lactulose/isomalto-oligosaccharide/inulin and fructo-oligosaccharide enhanced the inhibitory effect of Lactobacillus strains. Furthermore, a combination of three different Lactobacillus species had a better effect in reducing the amount of KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae compared to each species alone.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jan de Witt, Philipp Ernst, Jochem Gaetegens, Stephan Noack, Davina Hiller, Benedikt Wynands, Nick Wierckx
Summary: In recent years, there has been increasing interest in branched short-chain dicarboxylates (BSCD) such as itaconic acid in medicine and biotechnology. They are used as building blocks for plastics and there is a need for microbial upcycling strategies to provide sustainable solutions. BSCDs also exhibit antibacterial properties and immunomodulatory effects, making them potentially valuable in the medical field. This study focused on understanding the microbial metabolism of BSCDs, specifically the degradation pathway in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 and its transfer to Pseudomonas putida. The study identified new genes and discovered a potential antimicrobial candidate, 2-hydroxyparaconate (2-HP). This study expands the substrate range of P. putida and highlights the potential applications of BSCDs.
METABOLIC ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Marlon do Valle Barroso, Caroline R. da Silva, Luisa R. Benfatti, Katia S. Gozi, Letcia K. de Andrade, Leonardo N. Andrade, Cassia F. Estofolete, Mara C. L. Nogueira, Tiago Casella
Summary: A retrospective study was conducted in a Brazilian reference pediatric hospital to characterize carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (CPKp) infections in pediatric populations. Most CPKp isolates were resistant to all antibiotic classes and harbored blaKPC-2 as the only carbapenemase-encoding gene. The study identified ten different sequence types, with clonal complex 258 being predominant. The findings underline the importance of epidemiological surveillance to implement prevention and control measures.
DIAGNOSTIC MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Min Yuan, Hongxia Guan, Dan Sha, Wenting Cao, Xiaofeng Song, Jie Che, Biao Kan, Juan Li
Summary: This study characterized a 29-kb bla(KPC-2)-carrying plasmid, pR31-KPC, from a multidrug resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in China. The plasmid was found to have a close relationship with four other bla(KPC-2)-carrying plasmids and contained unique accessory modules. Comparative analysis revealed genetic differences and potential mechanisms for the transfer of bla(KPC-2) among these plasmids, contributing to a deeper understanding of bla(KPC-2) carrying plasmids in Pseudomonas.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Aura Falco, Daniela Guerrero, Isabella Garcia, Adriana Correa, Sandra Rivera, Maria Beatriz Olaya, Carlos Aranaga
Summary: The study aimed to molecularly characterize 28 isolates of the E. cloacae complex resistant to cephalosporins and carbapenems from five hospitals in Cali, Colombia. It found that 43% of the isolates carried the bla(KPC-2) gene variant. High genetic diversity was observed among isolates, with the most common sequence type being ST510.
Article
Immunology
Yu Tang, Gang Li, Pinghua Shen, Ying Zhang, Xiaofei Jiang
Summary: This study reveals the transmission mechanism and evolutionary process of KPC-2-producing Enterobacterales, and demonstrates the important contribution of replicative transposition in the dissemination of KPC-2-producing plasmids.
EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Camila G-Poblete, Irina Charlot Pena-Moreno, Marcos Antonio de Morais Jr, Sandra Moreira, Maria Angelica Ganga
Article
Energy & Fuels
Barbara Ribeiro Alves Alencar, Nilson Medeiros, Carolaine Larissa Lira da Silva, Aldo Torres, Emmanuel Damilano Dutra, Everardo Valadares de Sa Barreto Sampaio, Romulo Simoes Cezar Menezes, Marcos Antonio Morais Junior
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of harvest time and season on biomass pH and dry matter concentration of cactus pear cladodes and compared the hydrolysis and fermentation of fresh and dried biomass. The results showed that drying at 105 degrees C for 12 hours yielded the best results in terms of solids concentration. The enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation of the dried biomass resulted in the production of glucose and ethanol.
BIOMASS CONVERSION AND BIOREFINERY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Willames M. B. S. Martins, Evelin R. Martins, Leticia K. de Andrade, Refath Farzana, Timothy R. Walsh, Mark A. Toleman, Mara C. L. Nogueira, Ana C. Gales
Summary: This study characterized a multidrug-resistant Enterobacter spp. isolate from a patient in a Brazilian tertiary hospital in 2014, showing the presence of new beta-lactamase variants and a mobile colistin resistance gene.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Irina Charlot Pena-Moreno, Denise Castro Parente, Karolini Miranda da Silva, Elton Pedro Nunes Pena, Fabiana Aparecida Cavalcante Silva, Tercilio Calsa Junior, Will de Barros Pita, Marcos Antonio de Morais Jr
Summary: The yeast Dekkera bruxellensis exhibits superior anaerobic growth and ethanol yield in the presence of nitrate, due to balanced activation of TORC1 and NCR de-repression mechanisms regulating cell metabolism. On the other hand, poor growth in aerobiosis is likely caused by oxidative stress triggered by nitrate when oxygen is present.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Maise Gomes Queiroz, Carolina Elsztein, Sabine Strahl, Marcos Antonio de Morais Junior
Summary: The Ncw2 protein encoded by the NCW2 gene plays a crucial role in remodeling the cell wall structure in yeast, facilitating the correct chitin/β-glucan structuring and increasing chitin deposition for glucanase resistance. This protein is transported to the cell surface through O-mannosylation, interacting with yeast bud scars and aiding in cell surface rigidity control.
ANTONIE VAN LEEUWENHOEK INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF GENERAL AND MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manuella Maria Silva Santos, Damian Gatica, Jaqueline de Azevedo Silva, Sergio Crovella, Daniel J. Klionsky, Marcos Antonio De Morais Jr
Summary: Limitation of mevalonate kinase activity leads to dysfunctional mitochondria that may not be recycled, causing metabolic dysfunctions in the cells. Understanding this mechanism may help in solving the nonspecific auto-inflammatory response puzzle observed in MKD patients.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-MOLECULAR BASIS OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Michael H. Lenzi, Willames M. B. S. Martins, Melanie Roch, Patricia L. Ramos, Kirsty Sands, Rodrigo Cayo, Timothy R. Walsh, Diego O. Andrey, Ana C. Gales
Summary: Polymyxin resistance is a major public health concern present in humans, animals, and the environment, caused by chromosomal or plasmid mechanisms. This study characterized three polymyxin-resistant K. variicola isolates recovered from migratory bird microbiota in Brazil, showing resistance only to polymyxins. The study confirmed the role of a non-functional mgrB variant in conferring polymyxin resistance in K. variicola, highlighting novel resistance mechanisms in wildlife.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Melanie Roch, Willames M. B. S. Martins, Roberto Sierra, Ana C. Gales, Diego O. Andrey
Summary: A deleterious substitution (W20S) in MgrB was identified among Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates, leading to increased polymyxin resistance.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Willames M. B. S. Martins, Ezequiel A. Nascimento, Rodrigo Cayo, Ana C. Gales
Summary: This study investigates the role of ISKpn23 in the expression and mobilization of bla(BKC-1) and aph(3')-VIi. The presence of ISKpn23 is crucial for bla(BKC-1) expression, leading to increased beta-lactam MICs. However, transposition of ISKpn23-bla(BKC-1) was not observed.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Willames M. B. S. Martins, Michael H. Lenzi, Ana C. Narciso, Priscila P. Dantas, Diego O. Andrey, Qiu E. Yang, Kirsty Sands, Eduardo A. Medeiros, Timothy R. Walsh, Ana C. Gales
Summary: This study describes the undetected outbreak of a rare carbapenemase BKC-1-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST442 clone, occurring in a Brazilian hospital. The misidentification of BKC-1 may have contributed to the spread of resistant clones, emphasizing the importance of correct and rapid identification of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms in hospitals.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS
(2022)
Review
Microbiology
Allyson Andrade Mendonca, Walter de Paula Pinto-Neto, Giselle Alves da Paixao, Dayane da Silva Santos, Marcos Antonio De Morais Jr, Rafael Barros De Souza
Summary: This review provides an overview of the technological and biological challenges in the production and use of probiotic bacteria for promoting human health. It discusses the challenges in industrial production, from physiology to stress resistance, and emphasizes the importance of maintaining cell viability and vitality in the product. It also highlights the obstacles probiotic cells face within the human body, such as enzymes, antibacterial molecules, and pH changes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Gilberto Henrique Teles, Mariana Rodrigues Xavier, Jackeline Maria Da Silva, Rafael Barros De Souza, Will de Barros Pita, Marcos Antonio de Morais Jr
Summary: Dekkera bruxellensis is an important yeast in industrial fermentation processes. Acetate, a metabolite found in its cultivations, affects its fermentation capacity. This study investigated the role of acetate metabolism in respiring cells using different nitrogen sources. The results showed that acetate production is crucial for carbon assimilation and provided valuable insights into the oxidative metabolism of this yeast.
APPLIED BIOCHEMISTRY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Barbara Ribeiro Alves Alencar, Renan Anderson Alves de Freitas, Victor Emanuel Petricio Guimaraes, Rayssa Karla Silva, Carolina Elsztein, Suzyanne Porfirio da Silva, Emmanuel Damilano Dutra, Marcos Antonio de Morais Junior, Rafael Barros de Souza
Summary: In this study, a yeast strain called Meyerozyma caribbica URM 8365 was isolated and tested from soil irrigated with vinasse, which has high mineral content and acidic pH. The strain was able to ferment glucose and use xylose when oxygen was provided. It also showed tolerance to inhibitors and high ethanol production efficiencies in various substrates. A proposed metabolic model allowed for the calculation of carbon allocation for ethanol and/or xylitol production and could be used to design an industrial plant for combined production using different substrates.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Rayssa Karla Silva, Will de Barros Pita, Marcos Antonio de Morais, Rafael Barros de Souza
Summary: This study investigated the detrimental effect of excessive minerals in industrial substrates on the fermentation performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its effect on the physiology of Dekkera bruxellensis. The highest mineral toxicity was observed with Cu2+, which depended on the level of medium aeration. Copper stimulated respiration and glucose fermentation was hindered by most growth inhibitors, leading to changes in carbon distribution. The negative effect of Cu2+ on yeast fermentation was partially alleviated by Mg2+ and Mn2+, similar to magnesium antagonism observed in S. cerevisiae.
LETTERS IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mariana Rodrigues Xavier, Gilberto Henrique Teles, Jennyfer Martins de Carvalho, Leucio Duarte Vieira, Will de Barros Pita, Marcos Antonio de Morais
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the biological defence mechanism used by the yeast Dekkera bruxellensis to tolerate the presence of exogenous H2O2. The combination of glutathione peroxidase and sulfhydryl-containing proteins was found to be the preferred defence mechanism against H2O2, especially under respiratory metabolism. However, the action of this mechanism was suppressed when the cells were metabolizing nitrate.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
