Article
Microbiology
Badrinath Vengarai Jagannathan, Steven Kitchens, Paul Priyesh Vijayakumar, Stuart Price, Melissa Morgan
Summary: The study demonstrates that a lytic bacteriophage cocktail can significantly reduce contamination of Escherichia coli O157:H7, representing a 99.99% pathogen reduction in a high organic load environment. Results also show that bacteriophages are effective against E. coli O157:H7 in both sterile potable water and organic water. This highlights the advantage of using bacteriophages to eliminate foodborne pathogen contamination on fruits and vegetables.
Article
Microbiology
Maria E. Karlsson, Elisabeth Uhlig, Asa Hakansson, Beatrix W. Alsanius
Summary: Outbreaks of foodborne illnesses linked to fresh and/or minimally processed fruit and vegetables have been increasing in recent decades. In this study, the antagonistic effect of three bacterial strains (Pseudomonas orientalis, P. flavescens, and Rhodococcus sp.) isolated from spinach leaves against E. coli O157:H7gfp + was investigated under laboratory and greenhouse conditions.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Bin Zhou, Yaguang Luo, Xiangwu Nou, Esther Mwangi, Elena Poverenov, Victor Rodov, Philip Demokritou, Jorge M. Fonseca
Summary: This study reports the effectiveness of a novel combination, GHL, in eliminating foodborne pathogens in baby spinach. Compared to chlorine and peroxyacetic acid, GHL showed better efficacy in reducing E. coli O157:H7 populations and maintaining lower levels during cold storage. All treatments effectively reduced L. monocytogenes populations, with minimal differences observed during storage.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Shouhei Hirose, Kenji Ohya, Tomoya Yoshinari, Takahiro Ohnishi, Katsumi Mizukami, Tomikatsu Suzuki, Kenji Takinami, Takayoshi Suzuki, Kenichi Lee, Sunao Iyoda, Yukihiro Akeda, Yuichiro Yahata, Yuuki Tsuchihashi, Tomimasa Sunagawa, Yukiko Hara-Kudo
Summary: In June 2021, a foodborne outbreak related to milk cartons served in school lunches resulted in over 1,800 cases from 25 schools. The outbreak was primarily caused by a specific strain of Escherichia coli, serotype OUT (OgGp9):H18, which was isolated from milk samples and most patients. The strain showed similarities in genetic characteristics and acid tolerance to enterohaemorrhagic E. coli O157:H7.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
R. R. Atitkar, J. R. Hauser, A. R. Melton-Celsa
Summary: In a murine model of STEC infection, the stx(2a) phage lytic genes were found to be unnecessary for the virulence of pathogenic O157:H7 clinical isolates or for the release of Stx2a into bacterial cultures. These findings suggest an alternative mechanism for Stx2a release from STEC strains.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Maria Nives Rosa, Ben Vezina, Gavino Marogna, Antonella Canu, Monica Rosaria Molotzu, Sebastiana Tola
Summary: This study reports the first severe ovine mastitis outbreak caused by Streptococcus ruminantium in Italy in 2022. Genomic analysis revealed a clonal outbreak with multiple infecting lineages. Ovine isolates were found to be genetically distinct from bovine isolates, forming monophyletic groups. This study is important for understanding the pathogenesis and outbreak detection of this poorly-understood, multi-host, zoonotic pathogen.
VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Lindsey Ferraro, D. J. Irving, Jack Marr, Kelly Orejuela, Erin Murray, Mugdha Golwalkar, Lisa M. Durso, Julie Viruez, Robin Rasnic, Katie Garman, John Dunn
Summary: On June 22, 2022, the Tennessee Department of Health was informed that a child who attended a farming camp at farm A was hospitalized with Shiga toxin-producing E. coli O157:H7. Three days later, another child who attended the same camp was hospitalized with hemolytic uremic syndrome. This prompted an investigation.
MMWR-MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY WEEKLY REPORT
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Dianbo Zhao, Shaodan Wang, Junzhe Wang, Di Wu, Liyuan Niu, Qisen Xiang
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy of Lauroyl arginate ethyl (LAE) washing treatment for decontamination of spinach leaves. Results showed that LAE washing significantly reduced the levels of Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes on spinach leaves, without causing adverse effects on color, nutrient content, and antioxidant properties.
JOURNAL OF FOOD MEASUREMENT AND CHARACTERIZATION
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Catherine A. Chapin, Sarah A. Taylor, Padmini Malladi, Katie Neighbors, Hector Melin-Aldana, Portia A. Kreiger, Nina Bowsher, Matthew J. Schipma, Kathleen M. Loomes, Edward M. Behrens, Estella M. Alonso
Summary: Many pediatric patients with indeterminate PALF show evidence of T-cell driven Th1 immune response, with transcriptional analysis revealing two distinct PALF phenotypes, one of which is characterized by immune-related gene expression.
HEPATOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Shady Adnan Awad, Olli Dufva, Aleksandr Ianevski, Bishwa Ghimire, Jan Koski, Pilvi Maliniemi, Daniel Thomson, Andreas Schreiber, Caroline A. Heckman, Perttu Koskenvesa, Matti Korhonen, Kimmo Porkka, Susan Branford, Tero Aittokallio, Matti Kankainen, Satu Mustjoki
Summary: Blast-phase chronic myeloid leukemia (BP-CML) with additional chromosomal aberrations, particularly RUNX1 mutations, show enriched mutations in PHF6 and BCORL1, IKZF1 deletions, and AID/RAG-mediated rearrangements. Deregulation of interferon and TNF signaling, upregulation of stem cell and B-lymphoid factors, and sensitivity to CD19-CAR T cells were observed in primary RUNX1(mut) CML cells. High drug responsiveness to mTOR, BCL2, and VEGFR inhibitors and glucocorticoids were identified in leukemia cells from RUNX1(mut) patients.
Article
Microbiology
Chin-Yi Chen, Siddhartha Kanrar, George C. Paoli
Summary: The genome sequences of Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain 380-94, isolated from a 1994 dry-cured salami outbreak, and a stronger Congo red-binding variant, RV06, were determined using long-read sequencing technology and de novo assembly. Both strains contained one chromosome and one plasmid. Strain RV06 had a 4,769-bp deletion in the rcs region.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Se Kye Kim, Jun Bong Lee, Jang Won Yoon
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the transcriptional pattern of T6SS effector gene Z0264 in enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) strain EDL933. The study found that Z0264 and other T6SS genes were transcribed in vitro in a growth-phase-dependent manner, but Z0264 was not secreted in the rich medium. A divergent promoter between Z0264 and Z0265 was identified, and H-NS was shown to repress the transcription of Z0264. The cDNA PCR assay also revealed segmented gene expression in the T6SS cluster.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Wonsu Cheon, Young Soo Kim, Kotnala Balaraju, Younmi Lee, Hyeok Tae Kwon, Junhyun Jeon, Yongho Jeon
Summary: The study identified two distinct types of apple anthracnose disease symptoms (PS and SS) with differences in genetics and growth characteristics, concluding that SS is less virulent than PS on host plants. Molecular analysis and pathogen isolation and identification provided insights into the variations within the pathogen population.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Marquerita Algorri, Peter Jorth, Annie Wong-Beringer
Summary: The study found that the release of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) by Staphylococcus aureus is related to the duration of bacteremia and clinical outcomes. Differences in LTA release in response to antibiotics were associated with MLST type, suggesting the potential for antibiotic modulation of LTA release as a therapeutic strategy. Further research with a larger number of strains with known clinical phenotypes is needed to confirm these findings.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
David R. Greig, Claire Jenkins, Saheer E. Gharbia, Timothy J. Dallman
Summary: This study utilized long read sequencing technology to analyze the genetic relatedness and microevolutionary events of outbreak isolates, identifying one variant and highlighting systemic errors introduced by sequencing technology. Analysis of the prophage component revealed minor genome rearrangements in the outbreak strains.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Michelle Qiu Carter, Antares Pham, Wen-Xian Du, Xiaohua He
Summary: Research revealed diverse Stx-prophages in STEC O145:H28 strains, which were genotypically indistinguishable. Although all strains belonged to Sequence Type 78 and shared similar characteristics, they exhibited differential responses to various inducers, suggesting a role of host bacteria in regulating Stxs production.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF FOOD MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michelle Qiu Carter, Antares Pham, Steven Huynh, Craig T. Parker, Avalon Miller, Xiaohua He, Bin Hu, Patrick S. G. Chain
Summary: The study revealed significant differences in the methylome between different pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, with one key reason being the presence of the PstI R-M system. In comparison to deficiency in DNA adenine methylase (Dam), deficiency in the PstI R-M system only had a transcriptional impact on a small number of genes.
Article
Biology
Stephanie Peters, Ben Pascoe, Zuowei Wu, Sion C. Bayliss, Ximin Zeng, Adam Edwinson, Sakteesh Veerabadhran-Gurunathan, Selina Jawahir, Jessica K. Calland, Evangelos Mourkas, Robin Patel, Terra Wiens, Marijke Decuir, David Boxrud, Kirk Smith, Craig T. Parker, Gianrico Farrugia, Qijing Zhang, Samuel K. Sheppard, Madhusudan Grover
Summary: Researchers used whole-genome sequencing and phenotypic analysis to identify potential genetic factors linked to irritable bowel syndrome caused by Campylobacter jejuni infection. They found that specific genetic variations in bacterial stress response, adhesion protein, and core biosynthetic pathway genes may contribute to the development of post-infection irritable bowel syndrome (PI-IBS). The study demonstrated that certain Campylobacter genotypes exhibit increased virulence in vitro, shedding light on the complex host-pathogen interactions underlying this condition.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Thao D. Tran, Robert Hnasko, Steven Huynh, Craig T. Parker, Lisa Gorski, Jeffery A. McGarvey
Summary: The complete genome sequence of Enterobacter asburiae strain AEB30, isolated from store-bought ginger in Albany, CA in 2016, has been presented in this study.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Sang In Lee, Thao D. Tran, Steven Huynh, Craig T. Parker, Robert Hnasko, Jeffery A. McGarvey
Summary: The complete genome sequence of Pantoea agglomerans ASB05 and its three associated plasmids were presented in this study, which were generated using a combination of Illumina and PacBio platforms. P. agglomerans ASB05 was isolated from fresh cherries purchased in Albany, CA, in 2016.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Michelle Qiu Carter, Bin Hu, Patrick S. G. Chain
Summary: This study investigates the role of the PstI R-M system and Dam in the growth and physiology of the STEC strain RM13514 by generating mutant strains. The findings provide valuable insights into methylation-mediated epigenetic regulation in bacteria and its implications in foodborne pathogens and epidemic outbreaks.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Estefani Luna, Shanthi G. Parkar, Nina Kirmiz, Stephanie Hartel, Erik Hearn, Marziiah Hossine, Arinnae Kurdian, Claudia Mendoza, Katherine Orr, Loren Padilla, Katherine Ramirez, Priscilla Salcedo, Erik Serrano, Biswa Choudhury, Mousumi Paulchakrabarti, Craig T. Parker, Steven Huynh, Kerry Cooper, Gilberto E. Flores
Summary: This study examined the capability of Akkermansia strains to utilize human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs). The results showed that strains representing different phylogroups of Akkermansia had varied metabolic potentials to degrade HMOs and were able to grow on HMOs and produce metabolites. These interactions between Akkermansia and HMOs potentially influence gut microbial ecology in early life, which is critical for the development of the gut microbiome and infant health.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Mark Achtman, Frederik Van den Broeck, Kerry K. Cooper, Philippe Lemey, Craig T. Parker, Zhemin Zhou
Summary: ATCC14028s, a strain of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium, has been widely used since 1960 for quality control and laboratory experiments. However, it has been involved in multiple cross-contaminations, laboratory infections, and even a known bioterrorism attempt. Natural Typhimurium isolates share almost identical core genomes with laboratory strains and have been infecting humans and animals for decades.
Article
Microbiology
Michelle Qiu Carter, Nicole Laniohan, Chien-Chi Lo, Patrick S. G. Chain
Summary: This study examines the pathogenic potential of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O145:H28 in clinical and environmental strains using comparative genomics. The core genes-based tree failed to differentiate between environmental and clinical strains, while the accessory genes-based tree grouped all clinical strains together. Loss-of-function mutations were common in virulence genes related to adherence and secretion systems. Differences in pathogenicity islands and other genetic elements were observed between O145:H28 and reference strains. The study reveals the genetic diversity and evolution of virulence in STEC.
Article
Microbiology
Jeffrey D. Palumbo, Teresa L. O'Keeffe, Steven Huynh, Bertram Lee, Craig T. Parker
Summary: The complete genome sequences of Bacillus velezensis strains JP3042 and JP3144, isolated from California raisin vineyard soils, are presented to aid in the understanding of their antifungal activity and diversity within the species.
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Craig T. Parker, Francesca Schiaffino, Steven Huynh, Maribel Paredes Olortegui, Pablo Penataro Yori, Paul F. Garcia Bardales, Tackeshy Pinedo Vasquez, Greisi E. Curico Huansi, Katia Manzanares Villanueva, Wagner Shapiama Lopez, Kerry K. Cooper, Margaret N. Kosek
Summary: Campylobacter spp. are a major cause of bacterial diarrhea worldwide. This study used WSMS to identify multiple Campylobacter species in stool samples from children in a Peruvian community, and found co-infections with multiple Campylobacter species, which is a novel finding.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Paul F. Garcia Bardales, Francesca Schiaffino, Steven Huynh, Maribel Paredes Olortegui, Pablo Penataro Yori, Tackeshy Pinedo Vasquez, Katia Manzanares Villanueva, Greisi E. Curico Huansi, Wagner Shapiama Lopez, Kerry K. Cooper, Craig T. Parker, Margaret N. Kosek, Abiola Senok
Summary: By analyzing stool samples from children in Iquitos, Peru, this study found that less common species of Campylobacter may play a role in enteric disease among children in low- and middle-income countries. However, these less common species were not associated with diarrhea. Additionally, poor primer performance may better explain the differences in Campylobacter detection between different methods.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Yan Wang, William M. Hart-Cooper, Reuven Rasooly, Michelle Qiu Carter, William J. Orts, Yongqiang Gu, Xiaohua He
Summary: This study evaluated a newly developed broad-spectrum and reversible antibiotic for its antibiotic activity and effects on Shiga toxin production and global transcription in bacteria. The results showed that the antibiotic did not induce Shiga toxin production and enhanced the expression of stress-responsive genes. Additionally, upregulation of antibiotic resistant and virulence genes was observed in strains treated with the disinfectant. This study contributes to our understanding of the disinfectant's mode of action and improves the use of antibiotics for treating Escherichia coli infections.
Article
Microbiology
Prabhat K. Talukdar, Torin M. Crockett, Lisa M. Gloss, Steven Huynh, Steven A. Roberts, Kyrah L. Turner, Sebastien T. E. Lewis, Tristin L. Herup-Wheeler, Craig T. Parker, Michael E. Konkel
Summary: Oxidative damage to DNA is an important source of mutations in living organisms, and bile salts can promote adaptive mutations in Campylobacter jejuni and enhance its fitness in animal hosts.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)