Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Giuseppe Esposito, Chiara Corpetti, Marcella Pesce, Luisa Seguella, Giuseppe Annunziata, Alessandro Del Re, Martina Vincenzi, Roberta Lattanzi, Jie Lu, Walter Sanseverino, Giovanni Sarnelli
Summary: The newly designed PEA-producing probiotic showed therapeutic potential in inhibiting colonic inflammation and restoring tight junction protein expression in a mouse model of CDI.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Srijita Basak, Debashrito Deb, Utkarsh Narsaria, Tamalika Kar, Filippo Castiglione, Indraneel Sanyal, Pratap D. Bade, Anurag P. Srivastava
Summary: Clostridium difficile infection is a major health-associated infection with high incidence and mortality rates. A chimeric vaccine candidate was designed using immunoinformatics, which showed stability and reliability in silico and molecular dynamics simulations. Docking studies demonstrated stable interactions with immune receptors, and in silico modeling indicated competent expression in E. coli system for potential immune response.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jinglue Song, Xia Shen, Zhenyu Huang, Yun Liu, Long Cui, Xuewei Cui, Chen-Ying Liu
Summary: Toxins A and B of Clostridium difficile disrupt the Hippo pathway, leading to sequestration and inactivation of YAP and TAZ in colonic epithelial cells. Overexpression of YAP restores cell function and may serve as a potential therapeutic strategy for treating CDI.
JOURNAL OF BIOCHEMICAL AND MOLECULAR TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Claudia Silva-Andrade, Alberto J. Martin, Daniel Garrido
Summary: This study analyzed the pangenome of Clostridium baratii to understand its diversity and genomic features. The results showed that C. baratii is genetically diverse, with the core genome comprising 28.49% of the total genes. The presence of virulence factors and horizontal gene transfer events were also confirmed.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Miad Elahi, Haruyuki Nakayama-Imaohji, Masahito Hashimoto, Ayano Tada, Hisashi Yamasaki, Tamiko Nagao, Tomomi Kuwahara
Summary: The gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (BT) suppresses Clostridium difficile (CD) toxin production by inhibiting polysaccharide metabolism pathways. Polysaccharide fractions derived from BT can suppress CD toxin production, with cell wall-associated glycans playing a key role in this inhibitory effect.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Peng An Khun, Thomas V. Riley
Summary: This review provides an overview of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in southeast Asia, including its prevalence, detection methods, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, and the potential significance of a One Health approach. CDI is a common cause of hospital-acquired gastroenteritis worldwide, with higher rates observed in high-income countries. Lack of knowledge and awareness about CDI, along with antimicrobial abuse and inadequate education on appropriate usage, contribute to its evolution. Underreporting of CDI rates and misuse of antimicrobial agents pose a significant threat in regions like Indochina, while C. difficile RT 017 strain is endemic in southeast Asia.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Mahmoud Fayez, Waleed R. El-Ghareeb, Ahmed Elmoslemany, Saleem J. Alsunaini, Mohamed Alkafafy, Othman M. Alzahrani, Samy F. Mahmoud, Ibrahim Elsohaby
Summary: The study investigated the presence of Clostridium perfringens and Clostridioides difficile in camel minced meat samples collected from small butcher shops and supermarkets in Al-Ahsa Governorate, Saudi Arabia. It was found that most isolates exhibited resistance to at least one antimicrobial, with some showing multidrug resistance. This highlights the importance of enforcing food safety standards and conducting regular inspections in abattoirs, small butcher shops, and supermarkets.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Waleed A. Hassanain, Julia Spoors, Christopher L. Johnson, Karen Faulds, Neil Keegan, Duncan Graham
Summary: The study introduces a novel testing platform for the rapid and simultaneous detection of two specific biomarkers of Clostridium difficile infection, providing a rapid, selective, sensitive, and cost-effective clinical evaluation method for CDI.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Songhai Tian, Xiaozhe Xiong, Ji Zeng, Siyu Wang, Benjamin Jean-Marie Tremblay, Peng Chen, Baohua Chen, Min Liu, Pengsheng Chen, Kuanwei Sheng, Daniel Zeve, Wanshu Qi, David T. Breault, Cesar Rodriguez, Ralf Gerhard, Rongsheng Jin, Andrew C. Doxey, Min Dong
Summary: Toxin B (TcdB) is a major exotoxin responsible for diseases associated with Clostridioides difficile infection. This study identifies tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) as a host receptor for TcdB4 and TcdB10 subtypes, and reveals intragenic micro-recombination (IR)-driven changes on receptor specificity among TcdB variants.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Carmen Saenz, Qing Fang, Thiyagarajan Gnanasekaran, Samuel Addison Jack Trammell, Jesse Arnold Buijink, Paola Pisano, Michael Wierer, Frederic Moens, Bettina Lengger, Asker Brejnrod, Manimozhiyan Arumugam
Summary: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is challenging to treat due to antibiotic resistance. Recent studies have shown that bile acids (BAs) can be a promising approach to treat CDI. This research found that Clostridium scindens and BAs can inhibit the growth and toxin expression of C. difficile.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Carmen Saenz, Qing Fang, Thiyagarajan Gnanasekaran, Samuel Addison Jack Trammell, Jesse Arnold Buijink, Paola Pisano, Michael Wierer, Frederic Moens, Bettina Lengger, Asker Brejnrod, Manimozhiyan Arumugam
Summary: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major health concern and a leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. Conventional treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics often leads to recurrent CDI, highlighting the need for alternative solutions. Recent studies have shown that microbiota-based therapeutics, such as bile acids, hold promise in treating CDI.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Kazutaka Fukushima, Ryota Inokuchi, Ichiro Hirayama, Takahiro Hiruma, Kent Doi
Summary: Early diagnosis and conservative antibiotic therapy are crucial for saving fulminant CDI patients who are not eligible for surgery due to severe complicating conditions.
CLINICAL CASE REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Peng An Khun, Long Duc Phi, Huong Thi Thu Bui, Deirdre A. Collins, Thomas V. Riley
Summary: This study evaluated the epidemiology, molecular characteristics, and antimicrobial susceptibility of C. difficile isolated from adults with diarrhoea in Vietnam. The overall prevalence of C. difficile was 15.1%, with 9.8% being toxigenic strains and 6.3% being non-toxigenic strains. The prevalence of multidrug resistance was 27.3%. Rating: 8 out of 10.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Ana Claudia Tsuchiya, Erika Santos Gomes, Arnaldo Yoshiteru Kuaye, Dirce Yorika Kabuki
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the presence of Clostridium difficile in commercial raw meat and meat products in Brazil, as well as to determine the pathogenic potential and antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates. The study found that a significant proportion of isolates exhibited a toxigenic profile and resistance to multiple antibiotics.
FOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Daira Rubio-Mendoza, Carlos Cordova-Fletes, Adrian Martinez-Melendez, Rayo P. Morfin-Otero, Hector Jesus P. Maldonado-Garza, Elvira P. Garza-Gonzalez
Summary: The transcriptomic profile of ribotypes (RT) 001 and 027 associated with recurrent Clostridioides difficile infection (R-CDI) and not associated with recurrent (NR)-CDI was analyzed to identify genes favoring recurrence. After comparing differentially expressed genes in biofilm and nonadherent cells, as well as between R-CDI and NR-CDI strains, four genes were found to be differentially expressed in biofilm of R-CDI strains. These genes may support biofilm formation and contribute to the recurrence of CDI, but further studies are needed for better understanding.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Alexandra M. Mowday, Ludwig J. Dubois, Aleksandra M. Kubiak, Jasmine V. E. Chan-Hyams, Christopher P. Guise, Amir Ashoorzadeh, Philippe Lambin, David F. Ackerley, Jeff B. Smaill, Nigel P. Minton, Jan Theys, Adam V. Patterson
Summary: The study investigated the ability of Neisseria meningitidis type I nitroreductase (NmeNTR) to metabolize the prodrug PR-104A in an in vivo model of Clostridium Directed Enzyme Prodrug Therapy (CDEPT). It showed that human colon cancer cells overexpressing NmeNTR exhibited sensitivity to PR-104A and imaging agent EF5, and colonization of NmeNTR-expressing Clostridium sporogenes in necrotic tissues demonstrated moderate anti-tumor activity when treated with prodrugs. Successful preclinical evaluation of a transferable gene for dual metabolism of imaging agents and prodrugs is a crucial step towards clinical evaluation of CDEPT.
CANCER GENE THERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Craig Woods, Christopher M. Humphreys, Claudio Tomi-Andrino, Anne M. Henstra, Michael Kopke, Sean D. Simpson, Klaus Winzer, Nigel P. Minton
Summary: Most bacterial genes remain poorly characterized, and transposon insertion sequencing is a high-throughput technique that can help rectify this deficiency, although it is limited to species with efficient DNA transfer procedures. Researchers have developed approaches to overcome this barrier in autotrophic species, enabling the determination of essential genes required for utilizing carbon monoxide as the sole carbon and energy source.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pablo Castro-Cordova, Paola Mora-Uribe, Rodrigo Reyes-Ramirez, Glenda Cofre-Araneda, Josue Orozco-Aguilar, Christian Brito-Silva, Maria Jose Mendoza-Leon, Sarah A. Kuehne, Nigel P. Minton, Marjorie Pizarro-Guajardo, Daniel Paredes-Sabja
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Barbara Bourgade, Christopher M. Humphreys, James Millard, Nigel P. Minton, M. Ahsanul Islam
Summary: This study presents a novel synthetic biochemical pathway to convert acetate into ethylene glycol (EG) in gas-fermenting acetogen Clostridium autoethanogenum. The research team developed a computational workflow to design and analyze numerous novel pathways for EG production, and successfully constructed the pathway in the chosen host organism. This work serves as an important proof-of-concept approach to computationally design and experimentally implement fully synthetic metabolic pathways.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Ivana Cengic, Ines C. Canadas, Nigel P. Minton, Elton P. Hudson
Summary: In this study, a theophylline-responsive riboswitch-induced CRISPR/Cas9 system was developed for precise and markerless genome editing in cyanobacterium. This single-vector system enables multiplexed editing and allows for the generation of markerless mutants.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
G. T. Little, L. Selles Vidal, M. Steadman, R. Leyden-Preece, G. M. Taylor, J. T. Heap
Summary: The complete genome sequence of Paraclostridium bifermentans was obtained, enabling the study of its ability to biohydrogenate unsaturated acyl chains in the transformation of C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids into bioactive non-methylene-interrupted fatty acids (NMIFAs).
MICROBIOLOGY RESOURCE ANNOUNCEMENTS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Guillaume Pregnon, Nigel P. Minton, Philippe Soucaille
Summary: E. limosum B2, an acetogen capable of producing butyrate and acetate from methanol, was subjected to adaptive laboratory evolution on methanol mineral medium. The evolved populations showed a significant increase in growth rate and exhibited changes in protein and methylome profiles, indicating the involvement of epigenetic regulation in metabolic improvements.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Bashir L. Rumah, Benedict H. Claxton Stevens, Jake E. Yeboah, Christopher E. Stead, Emily L. Harding, Nigel P. Minton, Ying Zhang
Summary: In this study, a CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system was constructed and successfully utilized to delete and insert genes in two types of methanotrophic bacteria, Methylococcus capsulatus Bath and Methylocystis parvus OBBP. The combination of homology-directed repair achieved high frequencies of gene deletions and insertions. Various parameters were also investigated to optimize the CRISPR/Cas9 system in Methylocystis parvus OBBP. This work demonstrated the first efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system generating scarless clean gene deletions and insertions in methanotroph genomes.
ACS SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lara Selles Vidal, Mark Isalan, John T. Heap, Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
Summary: Directed evolution is a powerful tool for protein engineering, allowing for the rapid selection of biomolecule variants with desired properties. Since its initial development in 1967, various techniques have been developed to facilitate genetic diversification and variant isolation. This review discusses the advantages, drawbacks, and recent developments in directed evolution methodologies, highlighting the ability to handle larger library sizes and address new research questions.
RSC CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Immunology
Alexander M. Rawson, Andrew W. Dempster, Christopher M. Humphreys, Nigel P. Minton
Summary: Clostridium botulinum is a bacteria that is classified based on its ability to produce botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). BoNT is the main virulence factor and the cause of botulism, a potentially fatal disease characterized by paralysis. The BoNT is used for medical treatments and in the cosmetic industry due to its potency and specificity.
Article
Microbiology
James Millard, Alexander Agius, Ying Zhang, Philippe Soucaille, Nigel Peter Minton
Summary: Targeted mutations in Eubacterium limosum were achieved using an inducible counter-selective system combined with a non-replicative integrating mutagenesis vector. This system allowed for precise gene deletions, including genes involved in histidine biosynthesis, methanol metabolism, and L-carnitine demethylation. The desired mutants could be obtained with only one induction step after the initial selection of transformant colonies. This approach enables quick and efficient gene editing of E. limosum.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joao P. C. Moreira, John T. Heap, Joana I. Alves, Lucilia Domingues
Summary: This study reports the development of an electrotransformation method that efficiently introduces different plasmids into A.wieringae strains. This method enables genetic and metabolic manipulation of the biotechnologically relevant A.wieringae strain. In addition, the study demonstrates the non-native acetone production capability in A.wieringae.
BIOTECHNOLOGY FOR BIOFUELS AND BIOPRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ian J. Passmore, Alexandra Faulds-Pain, Sherif Abouelhadid, Mark A. Harrison, Catherine L. Hall, Paul Hitchen, Anne Dell, John T. Heap, Brendan W. Wren
Summary: Glycoengineering is a rapidly evolving field, however, the production and exploitation of glycans lag behind proteins and nucleic acids. Synthetic biology has addressed the challenges in heterologous expression of multigene systems by deconstructing the pathways and rebuilding them from the bottom up. In this study, combinatorial assembly was used to engineer the Campylobacter jejuni N-glycosylation pathway in E. coli, resulting in improved glycan and glycoconjugate production compared to the native unmodified pathway.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Barbara Bourgade, James Millard, Christopher M. Humphreys, Nigel P. Minton, M. Ahsanul Islam
Summary: This study demonstrates the significance of a replicating shuttle vector for genetic and metabolic engineering in industrially important M. thermoacetica. The vector was successfully applied for non-native ethanologenesis, allowing ethanol production in this organism.
FERMENTATION-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
M. J. Whittle, T. W. Bilverstone, R. J. van Esveld, A. C. Luecke, M. M. Lister, S. A. Kuehne, N. P. Minton
Summary: Bacteriophages show promise as an alternative treatment for Clostridioides difficile infection. Researchers isolated four novel C. difficile myoviruses, including Phi CD1801, which demonstrated broad host range activity against relevant strains. The study also identified SIpA as a potential phage receptor, highlighting the need for further research on phages with activity against specific bacterial strains. These findings provide important insights for the development of effective phage therapy for C. difficile infection.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2022)