Article
Immunology
Opeyemi U. Lawal, Maria J. Fraqueza, Ons Bouchami, Peder Worning, Mette D. Bartels, Maria L. Goncalves, Paulo Paixao, Elsa Goncalves, Cristina Toscano, Joanna Empel, Malgorzata Urbas, M. Angeles Dominguez, Henrik Westh, Herminia de Lencastre, Maria Miragaia
Summary: Staphylococcus saprophyticus is a major cause of community-acquired UTIs in young women, with evidence suggesting the meat-production chain as a major source of the bacteria causing human UTIs. The pathogenic S. saprophyticus belongs to lineages with distinctive features that are globally and locally disseminated.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Bingshao Liang, Xiaoyun Liang, Fei Gao, Yan Long, Jialiang Mai, Xiaolan Ai, Jielin Wang, Xiurong Gao, Zhile Xiong, Zhuwei Liang, Chao Zhang, Sitang Gong, Zhenwen Zhou
Summary: This study conducted a survey on nasal colonization of Staphylococcus aureus in 2,375 students from five schools in Guangzhou, China, and found a higher prevalence of S. aureus and MRSA in younger children. Penicillin resistance was most common among S. aureus isolates. Multi-locus sequence typing revealed that CC30, CC45, and CC59 were the most prevalent types in the region for S. aureus.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Jawad H. Butt, Emil L. Fosbol, Peter Verhamme, Thomas A. Gerds, Kasper Iversen, Henning Bundgaard, Niels Eske Bruun, Anders R. Larsen, Andreas Petersen, Paal S. Andersen, Robert L. Skov, Gunnar H. Gislason, Christian Torp-Pedersen, Lars Kober, Jonas B. Olesen
Summary: In this observational cohort study, dabigatran was associated with a significantly lower incidence rate of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia compared with factor Xa-inhibitors in patients with atrial fibrillation. This suggests that dabigatran may help reduce the risk of S. aureus infections.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Dermatology
Anne -Sofie Halling, Blaine Gabriel Fritz, Trine Gerner, Maria Rasmussen Rinnov, Lene Bay, Mette Hjorslev Knudgaard, Nina Haarup Ravn, Simon Trautner, Iben Frier Ruge, Caroline Olesen, Isabel Diiaz-Pinees Cort, Lone Skov, Nikolaj Sorensen, Amalie Thorsti Moller Ronnstad, Simon F. Thomsen, Alexander Egeberg, Ivone Jakasa, Sanja Kezic, Thomas Bjarnsholt, Jacob P. Thyssen
Summary: This study examined the association between alterations in the skin microbiome and the risk of atopic dermatitis (AD) in a Danish birth cohort. While no overall association was found, the study showed that lower alpha diversity in the skin microbiome at 2 months of age was associated with an increased risk of AD, particularly in children with parents who have atopy.
JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Martin Agud, Ines de Medrano, Ana Mendez-Echevarria, Talia Sainz, Federico Roman, Guillermo Ruiz Carrascoso, Luis Escosa-Garcia, Clara Molina Amores, Francisco Jose Climent, Aroa Rodriguez, Marta Garcia-Fernandez de Villalta, Cristina Calvo
Summary: This study aimed to assess the rates of drug-resistant bacterial colonization and associated risk factors in children with complex chronic conditions admitted to a national reference unit in Spain. The results showed a low rate of nasal colonization of S. aureus and MRSA in these children, while the rate of MR-GNB colonization was high. Immunossupressive therapy, antibiotic prophylaxis, history of infections, previous surgeries, and length of hospital admission in the previous year were identified as important risk factors for MR-GNB colonization.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Seong-Ho Choi, Michael Dagher, Felicia Ruffin, Lawrence P. Park, Batu K. Sharma-Kuinkel, Maria Souli, Alison M. Morse, Emily M. Eichenberger, Lauren Hale, Celia Kohler, Bobby Warren, Brenda Hansen, Felix Mba Medie, Lauren M. McIntyre, Vance G. Fowler
Summary: This study identified several risk factors for R-SAB, with the highest risk observed among black hemodialysis patients. Higher levels of RANTES in R-SAB compared to matched controls suggest a need for further investigation.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jawad H. Butt, Emil L. Fosbol, Thomas A. Gerds, Kasper Iversen, Henning Bundgaard, Niels Eske Bruun, Anders R. Larsen, Andreas Petersen, Paal S. Andersen, Robert L. Skov, Lauge Ostergaard, Eva Havers-Borgersen, Gunnar H. Gislason, Christian Torp-Pedersen, Lars Kober, Jonas B. Olesen
Summary: This study investigated the 1-year risks of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, sepsis, and pneumonia in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention and treated with ticagrelor or clopidogrel. The results showed that treatment with ticagrelor was associated with significantly lower risks of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia, sepsis, and pneumonia compared to treatment with clopidogrel.
EUROPEAN HEART JOURNAL-CARDIOVASCULAR PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Isabel Baroja, Sara Guerra, Marco Coral-Almeida, Alejandra Ruiz, Juan Miguel Galarza, Jacobus H. de Waard, Carlos Bastidas-Caldes
Summary: The study investigated the prevalence of SA and MRSA colonization among HCWs in a tertiary hospital in Ecuador, finding that about 20% of individuals were colonized with both SA and MRSA. Older age and being male were identified as risk factors for SA and MRSA colonization.
INFECTION AND DRUG RESISTANCE
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Chun-Ya Kang, Eugene Yu-Chuan Kang, Chi-Chun Lai, Wei-Che Lo, Kun-Jen Chen, Wei-Chi Wu, Laura Liu, Yih-Shiou Hwang, Fu-Sung Lo, Yhu-Chering Huang
Summary: This study found that the nasal MRSA colonization rate in patients with type 1 diabetes in Taiwan is approximately 5%. Most of these colonizing strains are community-associated MRSA genetic strains, with clonal complex 45 and ST59 being the most common strains. Factors positively associated with MRSA colonization include age <= 10 years, body mass index < 18 kg/m(2), and diabetes duration < 10 years, while serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol >= 100 mg/dL was negatively associated with MRSA colonization. No independent factor was identified.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Jagat Jeevan Ghimire, Krishna Mohan Gulla, Kana Ram Jat, Jhuma Sankar, Rakesh Lodha, S. K. Kabra
Summary: The study found that Staphylococcus aureus colonization, especially when combined with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in children with cystic fibrosis was associated with worsening of forced vital capacity (FVC) and clinical severity score, as well as increased pulmonary exacerbations.
TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF TROPICAL MEDICINE AND HYGIENE
(2021)
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kirsten A. Berry, Mackenzie T. A. Verhoef, Allison C. Leonard, Georgina Cox
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus is a pathobiont capable of colonizing and infecting most tissues within the human body, relying on a complex and diverse arsenal of adhesins. Therapeutics targeting the S. aureus host-pathogen interaction remain understudied, and alternative approaches are crucial due to the increasing global threat of antimicrobial resistance. Developing antivirulence agents to neutralize virulence factors could reduce bacterial pathogenicity and the burden of S. aureus infections.
ANNALS OF THE NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Anastasios Ioannidis, Stylianos Chatzipanagiotou, Niki Vassilaki, Polyvios Giannakopoulos, Despina Hatzaki, Maria Magana, Athanasios Sachlas, George Mpekoulis, Alexandros Radiotis, Michail Tsakanikos, Georgina Tzanakaki, Evangelia Lebessi, Maria N. Tsolia
Summary: This study investigated the microbiological profile of otitis-prone children in the post-PCV7 era and examined the association between biofilm-forming ability and clinical history and outcome. It found that Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae were the leading pathogens in chronic media with effusion (COME) and recurrent acute otitis media (RAOM) cases. Furthermore, most of the isolated otopathogens were capable of biofilm formation. This study provides important insights into the development mechanisms and treatment strategies of otitis media.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Aisling M. Towell, Cecile Feuillie, Pauline Vitry, Thaina M. Costa, Marion Mathelie-Guinlet, Sanja Kezic, Orla M. Fleury, Maeve A. McAleer, Yves F. Dufrene, Alan D. Irvine, Joan A. Geoghegan
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus interacts with the host protein corneodesmosin on atopic dermatitis corneocytes, taking advantage of the aberrant display of corneodesmosin caused by low natural moisturizing factor levels. The bacterial proteins FnBPB and ClfB bind to the N-terminal region of corneodesmosin, facilitating strong adherence of S. aureus to atopic dermatitis corneocytes.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Seongman Bae, Eun Sil Kim, Hee Seung Kim, Eunmi Yang, Hyemin Chung, Yun Woo Lee, Jiwon Jung, Min Jae Kim, Yong Pil Chong, Sung-Han Kim, Sang-Ho Choi, Sang-Oh Lee, Yang Soo Kim
Summary: This study used competing risk analysis to identify risk factors for 90-day recurrence in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. Results showed that the presence of a vascular graft, nasal MRSA carriage, methicillin resistance, and rifampicin resistance were significantly associated with recurrence risk.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Breno A. B. Salgado, Elaine M. Waters, Josephine C. Moran, Aras Kadioglu, Malcolm J. Horsburgh
Summary: Staphylococcus aureus nasal colonization is a risk factor for infection, and the genetic factors promoting long-term nasal colonization are not fully understood. In this study, a murine model of nasopharyngeal colonization was used to identify genetic loci under selection. Mutations in key metabolism genes and stress response genes were identified after successive rounds of colonization. The versatility of this model allows for further studies on colonization, persistence, and evolution.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Christine Tedijanto, McKenna Nevers, Matthew H. Samore, Marc Lipsitch
Summary: This study analyzed patterns of antibiotic use, infectious diagnoses, and microbiological laboratory results among hospitalized patients. The majority of antibiotic use could be linked to an infectious diagnosis or microbiological specimen. However, a significant proportion of antibiotic use occurred when there was no bacterial isolate, highlighting the need for improved diagnostics to optimize antibiotic use.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Fred S. Lu, Andre T. Nguyen, Nicholas B. Link, Mathieu Molina, Jessica T. Davis, Matteo Chinazzi, Xinyue Xiong, Alessandro Vespignani, Marc Lipsitch, Mauricio Santillana
Summary: The study introduced four complementary approaches to estimate the cumulative incidence of symptomatic COVID-19 in each state in the US, finding that the estimated case count was potentially 5 to 50 times higher than official positive test counts. By utilizing multiple methods and data sources, a more accurate assessment of the burden of COVID-19 can be achieved.
PLOS COMPUTATIONAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mary Bushman, Rebecca Kahn, Bradford P. Taylor, Marc Lipsitch, William P. Hanage
Summary: Studies have found that variants with enhanced transmissibility often lead to increased epidemic severity, while those with partial immune escape either fail to spread widely or primarily cause reinfections and breakthrough infections. However, when these phenotypes are combined, a variant can continue spreading even as immunity builds up in the population, limiting the impact of vaccination and exacerbating the epidemic.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Ben Y. Reis, Noam Barda, Michael Leshchinsky, Eldad Kepten, Miguel A. Hernan, Marc Lipsitch, Noa Dagan, Ran D. Balicer
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Samah Hayek, Galit Shaham, Yatir Ben-Shlomo, Eldad Kepten, Noa Dagan, Daniel Nevo, Marc Lipsitch, Ben Y. Reis, Ran D. Balicer, Noam Barda
Summary: Children who are not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 can still be protected by vaccinated parents. A study found that having a single vaccinated parent reduced the risk of infection for unvaccinated children by 26.0% and 20.8% in two different periods, while having two vaccinated parents reduced the risk by 71.7% and 58.1%, respectively.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ken Cohen, Sheng Ren, Kevin Heath, Micah C. Dasmarinas, Karol Giuseppe Jubilo, Yinglong Guo, Marc Lipsitch, Sarah E. Daugherty
Summary: A retrospective cohort study found that adults aged 65 and older face an increased risk of persistent and new clinical sequelae after acute infection with SARS-CoV-2, with respiratory failure, dementia, and post-viral fatigue being the most common sequelae.
BMJ-BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ori Magen, Jacob G. Waxman, Maya Makov-Assif, Roni Vered, Dror Dicker, Miguel A. Hernan, Marc Lipsitch, Ben Y. Reis, Ran D. Balicer, Noa Dagan
Summary: The use of a fourth dose of BNT162b2 vaccine in Israel starting on January 3, 2022, has shown significant reductions in infection rate, symptomatic infection, hospitalization, and Covid-19-related deaths by February 18.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daphne S. Sun, Stephen M. Kissler, Sanjat Kanjilal, Scott W. Olesen, Marc Lipsitch, Yonatan H. Grad
Summary: Understanding the relationship between antibiotic use and resistance is crucial for guiding effective strategies to limit resistance spread. Research findings showed that the use-resistance relationship varied across different pathogens and antibiotics, with resistance peaking in the winter and spring. These findings challenge the simple model of antibiotic use independently selecting for resistance and highlight the importance of considering differences between pathogens and antibiotics when developing stewardship strategies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Edward Goldstein, Bruce H. Fireman, Nicola P. Klein, Marc Lipsitch, G. Thomas Ray
Summary: The study estimated the proportion of antibiotic prescriptions associated with influenza in the population of Kaiser Permanente Northern California, finding varying proportions among different age groups. It suggests that increasing influenza vaccination coverage may help reduce unnecessary antibiotic prescribing to mitigate antimicrobial resistance.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Keya Joshi, Eva Rumpler, Lee Kennedy-Shaffer, Rafia Bosan, Marc Lipsitch
Summary: Vaccine allocation decisions during emerging pandemics are challenging due to ethical, practical, and political considerations. This study provides insights into optimal vaccine allocation strategies considering various population, vaccine, pathogen, and delivery characteristics. The findings suggest that proportional allocation based on population size performs well or comparably in minimizing the cumulative number of infections, supporting the sharing of vaccines between locations during epidemics caused by emerging pathogens.
Article
Immunology
Katherine M. Jia, Rebecca Kahn, Rebecca Fisher, Sharon Balter, Marc Lipsitch
Summary: To allocate more testing resources to communities with higher test positivity, we developed and evaluated quantitative approaches for geographic targeting. The simplest model based on recent test positivity performed well in predicting communities with high positivity 2 weeks ahead.
OPEN FORUM INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Edward Goldstein, Bruce H. Fireman, Nicola P. Klein, Marc Lipsitch, G. Thomas Ray
Summary: This study estimated the proportion of influenza-associated antibiotic prescriptions in the Kaiser Permanente Northern California population. It found that children aged 5-17 had a higher proportion of influenza-associated antibiotic prescriptions compared to children under 5. For adults aged over 20, the majority of influenza-associated antibiotic prescriptions were for respiratory diagnoses without bacterial indication.
EPIDEMIOLOGY AND INFECTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Marc Lipsitch, Florian Krammer, Gili Regev-Yochay, Yaniv Lustig, Ran D. Balicer
Summary: The study evaluates the impact of breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 infections in vaccinated individuals and discusses the challenges in measuring breakthrough infections and determining the factors affecting vaccine effectiveness. The research also addresses key questions on transitioning to endemicity, tracking viral variants, identifying immune correlates of protection, and dealing with public health challenges in countering breakthrough infections amid global vaccine shortages.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Sarah Cobey, Daniel B. Larremore, Yonatan H. Grad, Marc Lipsitch
Summary: When vaccines are in limited supply, expanding the number of people who receive the vaccine by dose-sparing strategies may reduce disease and mortality, although it could potentially increase the risk of vaccine-escape variants. Preliminary evidence suggests that such strategies could slow the rate of viral escape, as long as vaccination provides some protection against escape variants.
NATURE REVIEWS IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sharon K. Greene, Sarah F. McGough, Gretchen M. Culp, Laura E. Graf, Marc Lipsitch, Nicolas A. Menzies, Rebecca Kahn
Summary: The study used a Bayesian approach for real-time forecasting and found that using a 2-week moving window and negative binomial distribution yielded more accurate predictions, with weekend forecasts outperforming forecasts made early in the week. Adjusting forecasts to account for differences in diagnoses on different days proved effective in monitoring the trends of COVID-19.
JMIR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SURVEILLANCE
(2021)