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Vanhoffelen E, Vermoesen L, Michiels L, Lagrou K, Reséndiz-Sharpe A, Vande Velde G. Sensitive bioluminescence imaging of cryptococcosis in Galleria mellonella improves antifungal screening under in vivo conditions. Virulence 2024; 15:2327883. [PMID: 38465639 PMCID: PMC10939141 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2024.2327883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an environmental yeast that primarily affects immunocompromised individuals, causing respiratory infections and life-threatening meningoencephalitis. Treatment is complicated by limited antifungal options, with concerns such as adverse effects, dose-limiting toxicity, blood-brain barrier permeability, and resistance development, emphasizing the critical need to optimize and expand current treatment options against invasive cryptococcosis. Galleria mellonella larvae have been introduced as an ethical intermediate for in vivo testing, bridging the gap between in vitro antifungal screening and mouse studies. However, current infection readouts in G. mellonella are indirect, insensitive, or invasive, which hampers the full potential of the model. To address the absence of a reliable non-invasive method for tracking infection, we longitudinally quantified the cryptococcal burden in G. mellonella using bioluminescence imaging (BLI). After infection with firefly luciferase-expressing C. neoformans, the resulting bioluminescence signal was quantitatively validated using colony-forming unit analysis. Longitudinal comparison of BLI to health and survival analysis revealed increased sensitivity of BLI in discriminating cryptococcal burden during early infection. Furthermore, BLI improved the detection of treatment efficacy using first-line antifungals, thereby benchmarking this model for antifungal testing. In conclusion, we introduced BLI as a real-time, quantitative readout of cryptococcal burden in G. mellonella over time, enabling more sensitive and reliable antifungal screening.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliane Vanhoffelen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI unit/MoSAIC, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lori Vermoesen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI unit/MoSAIC, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Lauren Michiels
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI unit/MoSAIC, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Transplantation, Laboratory of Clinical Microbiology, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, National Reference Center for Mycosis, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Greetje Vande Velde
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, Biomedical MRI unit/MoSAIC, KULeuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Yu H, Xu Y, Imani S, Zhao Z, Ullah S, Wang Q. Navigating ESKAPE Pathogens: Considerations and Caveats for Animal Infection Models Development. ACS Infect Dis 2024; 10:2336-2355. [PMID: 38866389 DOI: 10.1021/acsinfecdis.4c00007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
The misuse of antibiotics has led to the global spread of drug-resistant bacteria, especially multi-drug-resistant (MDR) ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species). These opportunistic bacteria pose a significant threat, in particular within hospitals, where they cause nosocomial infections, leading to substantial morbidity and mortality. To comprehensively explore ESKAPE pathogenesis, virulence, host immune response, diagnostics, and therapeutics, researchers increasingly rely on necessitate suitable animal infection models. However, no single model can fully replicate all aspects of infectious diseases. Notably when studying opportunistic pathogens in immunocompetent hosts, rapid clearance by the host immune system can limit the expression of characteristic disease symptoms. In this study, we examine the critical role of animal infection models in understanding ESKAPE pathogens, addressing limitations and research gaps. We discuss applications and highlight key considerations for effective models. Thoughtful decisions on disease replication, parameter monitoring, and data collection are crucial for model reliability. By meticulously replicating human diseases and addressing limitations, researchers maximize the potential of animal infection models. This aids in targeted therapeutic development, bridges knowledge gaps, and helps combat MDR ESKAPE pathogens, safeguarding public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Yu
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang China
- Stomatology Hospital, School of Stomatology, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, Key Laboratory of Oral Biomedical Research of Zhejiang Province, Cancer Center of Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310006, China
| | - Yongchang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Aging and Cancer Biology of Zhejiang Province, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou 311121, China
| | - Saber Imani
- Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang China
| | - Zhuo Zhao
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Saif Ullah
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87131, United States
| | - Qingjing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Artificial Organs and Computational Medicine in Zhejiang Province, Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Shulan International Medical College, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang China
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Zhou H, Du X, Wang Y, Kong J, Zhang X, Wang W, Sun Y, Zhou C, Zhou T, Ye J. Antimicrobial peptide A20L: in vitro and in vivo antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microbiol Spectr 2024:e0397923. [PMID: 38980018 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03979-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance has become a growing public health threat in recent years. Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the priority pathogens listed by the World Health Organization. Antimicrobial peptides are considered promising alternatives to antibiotics due to their broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and low resistance. In this study, we investigated the antibacterial activity of antimicrobial peptide A20L against K. pneumoniae. In vitro antibacterial activity of A20L against K. pneumoniae was demonstrated by broth microdilution method. We confirmed the in vivo efficacy of A20L by Galleria mellonella infection model. In addition, we found that A20L also had certain antibiofilm activity by crystal violet staining. We also evaluated the safety and stability of A20L, and the results revealed that at a concentration of ≤128 µg/mL, A20L exhibited negligible toxicity to RAW264.7 cells and no substantial toxicity to G. mellonella. A20L was stable at different temperatures and with low concentration of serum [5% fetal bovine serum (FBS)]; however, Ca2+, Mg2+, and high serum concentrations reduced the antibacterial activity of A20L. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and membrane permeability tests revealed that A20L may exhibit antibacterial action by damaging bacterial cell membranes and increasing the permeability of outer membrane. Taken together, our results suggest that A20L has significant development potential as a therapeutic antibiotic alternative, which provides ideas for the treatment of K. pneumoniae infection. IMPORTANCE A20L showed antibacterial and anti-infective efficacy in vitro and in vivo against Klebsiella pneumoniae. It can have an antibacterial effect by disrupting the integrity of cell membranes. A20L displayed anti-biofilm and anti-inflammatory activity against carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and certain application potential in vivo, which provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of biofilm-associated infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huijing Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xin Du
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingchun Kong
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Weixiang Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yao Sun
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Cui Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianzhong Ye
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University; Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
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Wang Q, Liu H, Yao Y, Chen H, Yang Z, Xie H, Cui R, Liu H, Li C, Gong W, Yu Y, Hua X, Li S. Emergence of novel hypervirulent Acinetobacter baumannii strain and herpes simplex type 1 virus in a case of community-acquired pneumonia in China. J Infect Public Health 2024; 17:102456. [PMID: 38820896 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2024.05.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND A. baumannii is an important and common clinical pathogen, especially in the intensive care unit (ICU). This study aimed to characterize one hypervirulent A. baumannii strain in a patient with community-acquired pneumonia and herpes simplex type 1 virus infection. METHODS Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the Kirby-Bauer (K-B) and broth microdilution methods. Galleria mellonella infection model experiment was conducted. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using the Illumina and Nanopore platforms. The resistance and virulence determinants were identified using the ABRicate program with ResFinder and the VFDB database. The capsular polysaccharide locus (K locus) and lipooligosaccharide outer core locus (OC locus) were identified using Kleborate with Kaptive. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using the BacWGSTdb server. RESULTS A. baumannii XH2146 strain belongs to ST10Pas and ST447Oxf. The strain was resistant to cefazolin, ciprofloxacin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). Bautype and Kaptive analyses showed that XH2146 contains OCL2 and KL49. WGS analysis revealed that the strain harbored blaADC-76, blaOXA-68, ant(3'')-IIa, tet(B), and sul2. Notably, tet(B) and sul2, both were located within a 114,700-bp plasmid (designated pXH2146-1). Virulence assay revealed A. baumannii XH2146 possessed higher virulence than A. baumannii AB5075 at 12 h. Comparative genomic analysis showed that A. baumannii ST447 strains were mainly isolated from the USA and exhibited a relatively close genetic relationship. Importantly, 11 strains were observed to carry blaOXA-58; blaOXA-23 was identified in 11 isolates and three ST447 A. baumannii strains harbored blaNDM-1. CONCLUSIONS Early detection of community-acquired hypervirulent Acinetobacter baumannii strains is recommended to prevent their extensive spread in hospitals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujing Wang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Centre of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Hangzhou Medical College, 158 Shangtang Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Yue Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hangfei Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhejuan Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Haibo Xie
- Intensive care unit (ICU), Zhoushan Women and Children Hospital, China
| | - Rongna Cui
- Intensive care unit (ICU), Zhoushan Women and Children Hospital, China
| | - Huasheng Liu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Chuner Li
- Microbiological laboratory, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, China
| | - Weiping Gong
- Department of dermatology, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yunsong Yu
- Center for General Practice Medicine, Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhejiang Provincial People's Hospital, Affiliated People's Hospital, Hangzhou Medical College, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310014, China
| | - Xiaoting Hua
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Shibo Li
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhoushan Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, China.
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Chen PJ, Tan MC, Huang WC, Hsu SY, Chen TL, Yang CY, Kuo SC. The individual contributions of blaB, blaGOB and blaCME on MICs of β-lactams in Elizabethkingia anophelis. J Antimicrob Chemother 2024; 79:1577-1580. [PMID: 38742706 PMCID: PMC11215548 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkae137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The blaB, blaGOB and blaCME genes are thought to confer β-lactam resistance to Elizabethkingia anophelis, based on experiments conducted primarily on Escherichia coli. OBJECTIVES To determine the individual contributions of β-lactamase genes to increased MICs in E. anophelis and to assess their impact on the in vivo efficacy of carbapenem therapy. METHODS Scarless gene deletion of one or more β-lactamase gene(s) was performed in three clinical E. anophelis isolates. MICs were determined by broth microdilution. Hydrolytic activity and expressions of β-lactamase genes were measured by an enzymatic assay and quantitative RT-PCR, respectively. In vivo efficacy was determined using Galleria mellonella and murine thigh infection models. RESULTS The presence of blaB resulted in >16-fold increases, while blaGOB caused 4-16-fold increases of carbapenem MICs. Hydrolysis of carbapenems was highest in lysates of blaB-positive strains, possibly due to the constitutionally higher expression of blaB. Imipenem was ineffective against blaB-positive isolates in vivo in terms of improvement of the survival of wax moth larvae and reduction of murine bacterial load. The deletion of blaB restored the efficacy of imipenem. The blaB gene was also responsible for a >4-fold increase of ampicillin/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam MICs. The presence of blaCME, but not blaB or blaGOB, increased the MICs of ceftazidime and cefepime by 8-16- and 4-8-fold, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The constitutionally and highly expressed blaB gene in E. anophelis was responsible for increased MICs of carbapenems and led to their poor in vivo efficacy. blaCME increased the MICs of ceftazidime and cefepime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Jing Chen
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Chen Tan
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Cheng Huang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Yuan Hsu
- Institute of Population Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
| | - Te-Li Chen
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chiou-Ying Yang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shu-Chen Kuo
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases and Vaccinology, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli County, Taiwan
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Camilotti E, Furian TQ, Borges KA, Ortiz Granados OF, Zottis Chitolina G, de Brites Weber T, Tonini da Rocha D, Nascimento VPD, Souza Moraes HLD, Salle CTP. Galleria mellonella larvae as an alternative model to determine the pathogenicity of avian pathogenic Escherichia coli. Avian Pathol 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38845537 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2024.2365932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 06/05/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Galleria mellonella larvae are a viable model for determining APEC pathogenicity.Larval disease score is the main variable for determining APEC pathogenicity.Response variables should be evaluated up to 24 h post-inoculation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisar Camilotti
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Thales Quedi Furian
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Karen Apellanis Borges
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Oscar Fernando Ortiz Granados
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Zottis Chitolina
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Thaína de Brites Weber
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Daniela Tonini da Rocha
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Vladimir Pinheiro do Nascimento
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Hamilton Luiz de Souza Moraes
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Carlos Tadeu Pippi Salle
- Centro de Diagnóstico e Pesquisa em Patologia Aviária, Departamento de Medicina Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
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Curtis A, Dobes P, Marciniak J, Hurychova J, Hyrsl P, Kavanagh K. Characterization of Aspergillus fumigatus secretome during sublethal infection of Galleria mellonella larvae. J Med Microbiol 2024; 73. [PMID: 38836745 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.001844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction. The fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus can induce prolonged colonization of the lungs of susceptible patients, resulting in conditions such as allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis and chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.Hypothesis. Analysis of the A. fumigatus secretome released during sub-lethal infection of G. mellonella larvae may give an insight into products released during prolonged human colonisation.Methodology. Galleria mellonella larvae were infected with A. fumigatus, and the metabolism of host carbohydrate and proteins and production of fungal virulence factors were analysed. Label-free qualitative proteomic analysis was performed to identify fungal proteins in larvae at 96 hours post-infection and also to identify changes in the Galleria proteome as a result of infection.Results. Infected larvae demonstrated increasing concentrations of gliotoxin and siderophore and displayed reduced amounts of haemolymph carbohydrate and protein. Fungal proteins (399) were detected by qualitative proteomic analysis in cell-free haemolymph at 96 hours and could be categorized into seven groups, including virulence (n = 25), stress response (n = 34), DNA repair and replication (n = 39), translation (n = 22), metabolism (n = 42), released intracellular (n = 28) and cellular development and cell cycle (n = 53). Analysis of the Gallerial proteome at 96 hours post-infection revealed changes in the abundance of proteins associated with immune function, metabolism, cellular structure, insect development, transcription/translation and detoxification.Conclusion. Characterizing the impact of the fungal secretome on the host may provide an insight into how A. fumigatus damages tissue and suppresses the immune response during long-term pulmonary colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Curtis
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Pavel Dobes
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jacek Marciniak
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Jana Hurychova
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Pavel Hyrsl
- Department of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 5, 625 00 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Kevin Kavanagh
- Department of Biology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
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Naknaen A, Samernate T, Saeju P, Nonejuie P, Chaikeeratisak V. Nucleus-forming jumbophage PhiKZ therapeutically outcompetes non-nucleus-forming jumbophage Callisto. iScience 2024; 27:109790. [PMID: 38726363 PMCID: PMC11079468 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
With the recent resurgence of phage therapy in modern medicine, jumbophages are currently under the spotlight due to their numerous advantages as anti-infective agents. However, most significant discoveries to date have primarily focused on nucleus-forming jumbophages, not their non-nucleus-forming counterparts. In this study, we compare the biological characteristics exhibited by two genetically diverse jumbophages: 1) the well-studied nucleus-forming jumbophage, PhiKZ; and 2) the newly discovered non-nucleus-forming jumbophage, Callisto. Single-cell infection studies further show that Callisto possesses different replication machinery, resulting in a delay in phage maturation compared to that of PhiKZ. The therapeutic potency of both phages was examined in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating that PhiKZ holds certain superior characteristics over Callisto. This research sheds light on the importance of the subcellular infection machinery and the organized progeny maturation process, which could potentially provide valuable insight in the future development of jumbophage-based therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ampapan Naknaen
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Thanadon Samernate
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Panida Saeju
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Poochit Nonejuie
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
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Lin Z, Zhou Z, Shuai X, Zeng G, Bao R, Chen H. Landscape of plasmids encoding β-lactamases in disinfection residual Enterobacteriaceae from wastewater treatment plants. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 255:121549. [PMID: 38564891 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Conventional disinfection processes, such as chlorination and UV radiation, are ineffective in controling antibiotic-resistant bacteria, especially disinfection residual Enterobacteriaceae (DRE) encoding β-lactamases, some of which have been classified as "critical priority pathogens" by the World Health Organization. However, few studies have focused on the transferability, phenotype, and genetic characteristics of DRE-derived plasmids encoding β-lactamases, especially extended-spectrum β-lactamases and carbapenemases. In this study, we isolated 10 typical DRE harboring plasmid-mediated blaNDM, blaCTX-M, or blaTEM in post-disinfection effluent from two wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), with transfer frequency ranging from 1.69 × 10-6 to 3.02 × 10-5. According to genomic maps of plasmids, all blaNDM and blaTEM were cascaded with IS26, and blaCTX-M was adjacent to ISEcp1 or IS26, indicating the important role of these elements in the movement of β-lactamase-encoding genes. The presence of intact class 1 integrons on pWTPN-01 and pWTPC-03 suggested the ability of these DRE-derived plasmids to integrate other exogenous antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The coexistence of antibiotic, disinfectant, and heavy metal resistance genes on the same plasmid (e.g., pWTPT-03) implied the facilitating role of disinfectants and heavy metals in the transmission of DRE-derived ARGs. Notably, two plasmid transconjugants exhibited no discernible competitive fitness cost, suggesting a heightened environmental persistence. Furthermore, enhanced virulence induced by β-lactamase-encoding plasmids in their hosts was confirmed using Galleria mellonella infection models, which might be attributed to plasmid-mediated virulence genes. Overall, this study describes the landscape of β-lactamase-encoding plasmids in DRE, and highlights the urgent need for advanced control of DRE to keep environmental and ecological security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zejun Lin
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zhenchao Zhou
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinyi Shuai
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Guangshu Zeng
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Ruiqi Bao
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Hong Chen
- College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Key Laboratory of Environment Remediation and Ecological Health, Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; International Cooperation Base of Environmental Pollution and Ecological Health, Science and Technology Agency of Zhejiang, Zhejiang University, China.
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Garrine M, Andrade M, Neves J, Mandomando I, Couto I, Costa SS. Exploring the virulence potential of Staphylococcus aureus CC121 and CC152 lineages related to paediatric community-acquired bacteraemia in Manhiça, Mozambique. Sci Rep 2024; 14:10758. [PMID: 38730020 PMCID: PMC11087594 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61345-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a frequent agent of bacteraemia. This bacterium has a variety of virulence traits that allow the establishment and maintenance of infection. This study explored the virulence profile of S. aureus strains causing paediatric bacteraemia (SAB) in Manhiça district, Mozambique. We analysed 336 S. aureus strains isolated from blood cultures of children younger than 5 years admitted to the Manhiça District Hospital between 2001 and 2019, previously characterized for antibiotic susceptibility and clonality. The strains virulence potential was evaluated by PCR detection of the Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) encoding genes, lukS-PV/lukF-PV, assessment of the capacity for biofilm formation and pathogenicity assays in Galleria mellonella. The overall carriage of PVL-encoding genes was over 40%, although reaching ~ 70 to 100% in the last years (2014 to 2019), potentially linked to the emergence of CC152 lineage. Strong biofilm production was a frequent trait of CC152 strains. Representative CC152 and CC121 strains showed higher virulence potential in the G. mellonella model when compared to reference strains, with variations within and between CCs. Our results highlight the importance of monitoring the emergent CC152-MSSA-PVL+ and other lineages, as they display important virulence traits that may negatively impact the management of SAB paediatric patients in Manhiça district, Mozambique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcelino Garrine
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mariana Andrade
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Joana Neves
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Inácio Mandomando
- Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
- Instituto Nacional de Saúde (INS), Ministério da Saúde, Maputo, Mozambique
- ISGlobal-Hospital Clínic, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Isabel Couto
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Sofia Santos Costa
- Global Health and Tropical Medicine, GHTM, Associate Laboratory in Translation and Innovation Towards Global Health, LA-REAL, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, IHMT, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, UNL, Rua da Junqueira 100, 1349-008, Lisbon, Portugal.
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11
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Thanki AM, Osei EK, Whenham N, Salter MG, Bedford MR, Masey O’Neill HV, Clokie MRJ. Broad host range phages target global Clostridium perfringens bacterial strains and clear infection in five-strain model systems. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0378423. [PMID: 38511948 PMCID: PMC11064546 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03784-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Clostridium perfringens is a prevalent bacterial pathogen in poultry, and due to the spread of antimicrobial resistance, alternative treatments are needed to prevent and treat infection. Bacteriophages (phages), viruses that kill bacteria, offer a viable option and can be used therapeutically to treat C. perfringens infections. The aim of this study was to isolate phages against C. perfringens strains currently circulating on farms across the world and establish their virulence and development potential using host range screening, virulence assays, and larva infection studies. We isolated 32 phages of which 19 lysed 80%-92% of our global C. perfringens poultry strain collection (n = 97). The virulence of these individual phages and 32 different phage combinations was quantified in liquid culture at multiple doses. We then developed a multi-strain C. perfringens larva infection model, to mimic an effective poultry model used by the industry. We tested the efficacy of 16/32 phage cocktails in the larva model. From this, we identified that our phage cocktail consisting of phages CPLM2, CPLM15, and CPLS41 was the most effective at reducing C. perfringens colonization in infected larvae when administered before bacterial challenge. These data suggest that phages do have significant potential to prevent and treat C. perfringens infection in poultry. IMPORTANCE Clostridium perfringens causes foodborne illness worldwide, and 95% of human infections are linked to the consumption of contaminated meat, including chicken products. In poultry, C. perfringens infection causes necrotic enteritis, and associated mortality rates can be up to 50%. However, treating infections is difficult as the bacterium is becoming antibiotic-resistant. Furthermore, the poultry industry is striving toward reduced antibiotic usage. Bacteriophages (phages) offer a promising alternative, and to progress this approach, robust suitable phages and laboratory models that mimic C. perfringens infections in poultry are required. In our study, we isolated phages targeting C. perfringens and found that many lyse C. perfringens strains isolated from chickens worldwide. Consistent with other published studies, in the model systems we assayed here, when some phages were combined as cocktails, the infection was cleared most effectively compared to individual phage use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anisha M. Thanki
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Centre for Phage Research, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
| | - Emmanuel K. Osei
- Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc Food Research Centre, Moorepark, Ireland
- APC Microbiome Ireland, University College, Cork, Ireland
| | - Natasha Whenham
- AB Agri, Innovation Way, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough, United Kingdom
| | - Michael G. Salter
- AB Agri, Innovation Way, Peterborough Business Park, Peterborough, United Kingdom
| | - Mike R. Bedford
- AB Vista, Woodstock Court, Marlborough Business Park, Marlborough, Wiltshire, United Kingdom
| | | | - Martha R. J. Clokie
- Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, Leicester Centre for Phage Research, University of Leicester, Leicester, United Kingdom
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12
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Genç TT, Kaya S, Günay M, Çakaloğlu Ç. Humoral immune response of Galleria mellonella after mono- and co-injection with Hypericum perforatum extract and Candida albicans. APMIS 2024; 132:358-370. [PMID: 38344892 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Galleria mellonella is used as a model organism to study the innate immune response of insects. In this study, the humoral immune response was assessed by examining phenoloxidase activity, fungal burden, and the expression of phenoloxidase and antimicrobial peptide genes at different time point following separate and combined injections of Hypericum perforatum extract and a nonlethal dose of Candida albicans. The administration of a plant extract at low doses increased phenoloxidase activity, while higher doses had no effect. Similarly, co-injection of a low dose of the extract with the pathogen allowed half of the yeast cells to survive after 24 h. Co-injection of plant extract with the pathogen decreased the phenoloxidase activity at the end of 4 h compared to C. albicans mono-injection. The phenoloxidase gene expressions was reduced in all experimental conditions with respect to the control. When plant extracts and the pathogen were administered together, gallerimycin and hemolin gene expressions were considerably higher compared to mono-injections of plant extracts and the pathogen. The results of this study reveal that gene activation and regulatory mechanisms may change for each immune gene, and that recognition and signaling pathways may differ depending on the involved immunoregulator.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tülay Turgut Genç
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Serhat Kaya
- Department of Biology, Science Faculty, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Melih Günay
- Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
| | - Çağla Çakaloğlu
- Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Çanakkale, Turkey
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13
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Castro J, Oliveira R, Fernandes L, Carvalho I, Oliveira H, Brinks E, Cho GS, Franz C, Almeida C, Silva S, Araújo D. Molecular characterization and virulence profile of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from ill cats and dogs in Portugal. Vet Microbiol 2024; 292:110056. [PMID: 38537400 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 03/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Klebsiella spp. are important pathogens of humans and companion animals such as cats and dogs, capable of causing severe life-threatening diseases. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular and phenotypic properties of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Klebsiella oxytoca isolated from ill companion animals by whole genome sequencing, followed by in vitro assessment of biofilm formation and in vivo pathogenicity using the Galleria mellonella model. Two LPS O-types were identified for all the K. pneumoniae isolates tested (O3B and O1/O2v2) and only one for K. oxytoca isolates (OL104), and the most common STs found were ST11 and ST266. Furthermore, a high diversity of K-locus types was found for K. pneumoniae (KL102; KL105; KL31, and KL13). Within K. pneumoniae, one specific O/K/ST-types combination (i.e., KL105-ST11-O1/O2v2) showed results that were of concern, as it exhibited a high inflammatory response at 12 h post-infection in G. mellonella with 80% of the larvae dead at 72 h post-infection. This virulence potential, on the other hand, did not appear to be directly related to the biofilm-forming capacity. Also, virulence and resistance scores obtained for this set of strains did surpass score 1. The present study demonstrated that Klebsiella spp. isolated from companion animals belonging to STs that can cause human infections and present virulence on an invertebrate model. Thus, this study underscores the role of dogs and cats as reservoirs of resistant Klebsiella spp. that could potentially be transmitted to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Castro
- INIAV, IP - National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão 4485-655, Portugal; Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Oliveira
- INIAV, IP - National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão 4485-655, Portugal; LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Liliana Fernandes
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Isabel Carvalho
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Hugo Oliveira
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Erik Brinks
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Kiel, Germany
| | - Gyu-Sung Cho
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Kiel, Germany
| | - Charles Franz
- Department of Microbiology and Biotechnology, Max Rubner-Institut, Federal Research Institute of Nutrition and Food, Kiel, Germany
| | - Carina Almeida
- INIAV, IP - National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão 4485-655, Portugal; Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Sónia Silva
- INIAV, IP - National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão 4485-655, Portugal; Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal
| | - Daniela Araújo
- INIAV, IP - National Institute for Agrarian and Veterinary Research, Rua dos Lagidos, Lugar da Madalena, Vairão 4485-655, Portugal; Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho, 4710-057, Braga, Portugal; LABBELS - Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal.
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14
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Yang J, Xiong Y, Barkema HW, Tong X, Lin Y, Deng Z, Kastelic JP, Nobrega DB, Wang Y, Han B, Gao J. Comparative genomic analyses of Klebsiella pneumoniae K57 capsule serotypes isolated from bovine mastitis in China. J Dairy Sci 2024; 107:3114-3126. [PMID: 37944808 DOI: 10.3168/jds.2023-23721] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae can cause severe clinical mastitis in dairy cows, with K. pneumoniae type K57 (K57-KP) being the most common capsular serotype. To identify virulence factors and antimicrobial-resistance (AMR) genes of K57-KP with varying virulence, Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth) larvae were infected as a screening model to characterize virulence of 90 K57-KP strains, with 10 and 11 strains defined as virulent or attenuated, respectively, based on larval survival rates. Next, virulence of these 21 isolates was subsequently confirmed in adhesion and lactate dehydrogenase release assays, using bovine mammary epithelial cells cultured in vitro. Finally, genes associated with virulence and AMR were characterize with whole-genome sequencing. These 21 K57-KP strains were designated into 16 sequence types based on multi-locus sequence typing and allocated in phylogenetic analysis based on single nucleotide polymorphisms. We found great genetic diversity among isolates. In addition, adhesion-associated genes (e.g., fimA, sfaA, and focA) aminoglycoside-resistance genes (aph(6)-Id, strAB) were associated with virulence. This study provided new knowledge regarding virulence of K57-KP associated with bovine mastitis, which may inform development of novel diagnostic tools and prevention strategies for bovine mastitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyue Yang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yindi Xiong
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Herman W Barkema
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Xiaofang Tong
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yushan Lin
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhaoju Deng
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - John P Kastelic
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Diego B Nobrega
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, T2N 4N1, Canada
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Bo Han
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Jian Gao
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
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15
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Gooch HCC, Labedan M, Hall LJ, Maxwell A. Transplanting human infant gut microbiome species into Galleria mellonella. BMC Res Notes 2024; 17:123. [PMID: 38689371 PMCID: PMC11060968 DOI: 10.1186/s13104-024-06785-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Study of the human infant gut microbiome requires the use of surrogate mammalian species such as mice. We sought to investigate the usefulness of the greater wax moth larva, Galleria mellonella, as an alternative. RESULTS We have analysed the native gut microbiome of Galleria and developed methods for clearing the native microbiome and introducing species from human infant faecal samples. We find that some species, e.g. enterococci, are more successful at recolonisation, but that others, e.g. Bifidobacterium, are less so. The work paves the way for using Galleria rather than mice in this and similar work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet C C Gooch
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
| | - Marjorie Labedan
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK
- Present address: Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, 1015, Switzerland
| | - Lindsay J Hall
- Quadram Institute Bioscience, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UQ, UK
- Present address: Institute of Microbiology and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK
| | - Anthony Maxwell
- Department of Biochemistry and Metabolism, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, John Innes Centre, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, NR4 7UH, UK.
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16
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Han Y, Zhang Y, Zhang X, Huang Z, Kong J, Wang X, Chen L, Wang Y, Cao J, Zhou T, Shen M. PAM-1: an antimicrobial peptide with promise against ceftazidime-avibactam resistant Escherichia coli infection. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1291876. [PMID: 38765679 PMCID: PMC11099939 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1291876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Antibiotic misuse and overuse have led to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant bacteria. The global spread of resistance to the novel antibiotic combination ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA) is becoming a severe problem. Antimicrobial peptide PAM-1 offers a novel approach for treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study explores its antibacterial and anti-biofilm activities and mechanisms against CZA-resistant Escherichia. Coli (E. coli), evaluating its stability and biosafety as well. Methods The broth microdilution method, growth curve analysis, crystal violet staining, scanning electron microscopy, and propidium iodide staining/N-phenyl-1-naphthylamine uptake experiments were performed to explore the antibacterial action and potential mechanism of PAM-1 against CZA-resistant E. coli. The biosafety in diverse environments of PAM-1 was evaluated by red blood cell hemolysis, and cytotoxicity tests. Its stability was further assessed under different temperatures, serum concentrations, and ionic conditions using the broth microdilution method to determine its minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Galleria mellonella infection model and RT-qPCR were used to investigate the in vivo antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Results and discussion In vitro antibacterial experiments demonstrated that the MICs of PAM-1 ranged from 2 to 8 μg/mL, with its effectiveness sustained for a duration of 24 h. PAM-1 exhibited significant antibiofilm activities against CZA-resistant E. coli (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Membrane permeability test revealed that PAM-1 may exert its antibacterial effect by disrupting membrane integrity by forming transmembrane pores (p < 0.05). Red blood cell hemolysis and cytotoxicity tests revealed that PAM-1 exerts no adverse effects at experimental concentrations (p < 0.05). Moreover, stability tests revealed its effectiveness in serum and at room temperature. The Galleria mellonella infection model revealed that PAM-1 can significantly improve the survival rate of Galleria mellonella (>50%)for in vivo treatment. Lastly, RT-qPCR revealed that PAM-1 downregulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05). Overall, our study findings highlight the potential of PAM-1 as a therapeutic agent for CZA-resistant E. coli infections, offering new avenues for research and alternative antimicrobial therapy strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijia Han
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yi Zhang
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiaodong Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jingchun Kong
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiuxiu Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lijiang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Yue Wang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Jianming Cao
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Mo Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
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17
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Wang Y, Shi D, Zou W, Jiang Y, Wang T, Chen X, Ma C, Li W, Chen T, Burrows JF, Wang L, Zhou M. An Effective Modification Strategy to Build Multifunctional Peptides Based on a Trypsin Inhibitory Peptide of the Kunitz Family. Pharmaceutics 2024; 16:597. [PMID: 38794259 PMCID: PMC11125039 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics16050597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Peptides with antimicrobial activity or protease inhibitory activity are potential candidates to supplement traditional antibiotics or cancer chemotherapies. However, the potential of many peptides are limited by drawbacks such as cytotoxicity or susceptibility to hydrolysis. Therefore, strategies to modify the structure of promising peptides may represent an effective approach for developing more promising clinical candidates. In this study, the mature peptide OSTI-1949, a Kunitz-type inhibitor from Odorrana schmackeri, and four designed analogues were successfully synthesised. In contrast to the parent peptide, the analogues showed impressive multi-functionality including antimicrobial, anticancer, and trypsin inhibitory activities. In terms of safety, there were no obvious changes observed in the haemolytic activity at the highest tested concentration, and the analogue OSTI-2461 showed an increase in activity against cancer cell lines without cytotoxicity to normal cells (HaCaT). In summary, through structural modification of a natural Kunitz-type peptide, the biological activity of analogues was improved whilst retaining low cytotoxicity. The strategy of helicity enhancement by forming an artificial α-helix and ß-sheet structure provides a promising way to develop original bioactive peptides for clinical therapeutics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Daning Shi
- Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, No.12 Zhongguancun South Street, Haidian District, Beijing 100081, China;
| | - Wanchen Zou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center for the Development and Utilization of Authentic Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Yangyang Jiang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Tao Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Chengbang Ma
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Wei Li
- College of Chinese Medicinal Materials, Jilin Provincial International Joint Research Center for the Development and Utilization of Authentic Medicinal Materials, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
| | - Tianbao Chen
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - James F. Burrows
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Lei Wang
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
| | - Mei Zhou
- Natural Drug Discovery Group, School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, Belfast BT9 7BL, Northern Ireland, UK; (Y.W.); (W.Z.); (Y.J.); (T.W.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (J.F.B.); (L.W.); (M.Z.)
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Mediati DG, Dan W, Lalaouna D, Dinh H, Pokhrel A, Rowell KN, Michie KA, Stinear TP, Cain AK, Tree JJ. The 3' UTR of vigR is required for virulence in Staphylococcus aureus and has expanded through STAR sequence repeat insertions. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114082. [PMID: 38583155 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) are alarmingly common, and treatment is confined to last-line antibiotics. Vancomycin is the treatment of choice for MRSA bacteremia, and treatment failure is often associated with vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus isolates. The regulatory 3' UTR of the vigR mRNA contributes to vancomycin tolerance and upregulates the autolysin IsaA. Using MS2-affinity purification coupled with RNA sequencing, we find that the vigR 3' UTR also regulates dapE, a succinyl-diaminopimelate desuccinylase required for lysine and peptidoglycan synthesis, suggesting a broader role in controlling cell wall metabolism and vancomycin tolerance. Deletion of the 3' UTR increased virulence, while the isaA mutant is completely attenuated in a wax moth larvae model. Sequence and structural analyses of vigR indicated that the 3' UTR has expanded through the acquisition of Staphylococcus aureus repeat insertions that contribute sequence for the isaA interaction seed and may functionalize the 3' UTR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel G Mediati
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia; Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia.
| | - William Dan
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - David Lalaouna
- Université de Strasbourg, CNRS, ARN UPR 9002, Strasbourg, France
| | - Hue Dinh
- School of Natural Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Alaska Pokhrel
- Australian Institute for Microbiology and Infection, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW, Australia; School of Natural Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Keiran N Rowell
- Structural Biology Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Katharine A Michie
- Structural Biology Facility, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Timothy P Stinear
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Peter Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Amy K Cain
- School of Natural Sciences, ARC Centre of Excellence in Synthetic Biology, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jai J Tree
- School of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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19
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Binsuwaidan R, Almuzaini O, Mercer S, Doherty C, Mokhtar J, McBain AJ, Ledder R, Humphreys GJ. Variable effects of exposure to ionic silver in wound-associated bacterial pathogens. Lett Appl Microbiol 2024; 77:ovae030. [PMID: 38533656 DOI: 10.1093/lambio/ovae030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
Silver compounds are used in wound dressings to reduce bioburden. Where infection is not rapidly resolved, bacteria may be exposed to sub-therapeutic concentrations of antimicrobials over prolonged periods of time. In this study, a panel of chronic wound bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (two strains), Staphylococcus aureus, and Escherichia coli, were exposed to silver nitrate on agar. Phenotypic characterization was achieved using broth microdilution sensitivity testing, a crystal violet biofilm assay, and a wax moth pathogenesis model. Repeated exposure to ionic silver did not result in planktonic phenotypic silver resistance in any of the test panels, although S. aureus demonstrated reversible increases in minimum bactericidal concentration. An ulcer-derived P. aeruginosa exhibited marked reductions in biofilm eradication concentration as well as significantly increased biofilm formation and wax moth killing when compared to the same progenitor. These changes were reversible, trending towards baseline measurements following 10 passages on silver-free media. Changes in virulence and biofilm formation in the other test bacteria were generally limited. In summary, phenotypic adaptation following exposure to ionic silver was manifested other than through changes in planktonic susceptibility. Significant changes in pseudomonas biofilm formation and sensitivity could have implications for wound care regimes and therefore warrant further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reem Binsuwaidan
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh 13412, Saudi Arabia
| | - Osama Almuzaini
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 16278, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steven Mercer
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher Doherty
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Jawahir Mokhtar
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Andrew J McBain
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Ruth Ledder
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin J Humphreys
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Stopford Building, M13 9PT, United Kingdom
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20
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Toh YH, Lin GH. Roles of DJ41_1407 and DJ41_1408 in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC19606 Virulence and Antibiotic Response. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3862. [PMID: 38612672 PMCID: PMC11011904 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Revised: 03/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii is a major cause of nosocomial infections, and its highly adaptive nature and broad range of antibiotic resistance enable it to persist in hospital environments. A. baumannii often employs two-component systems (TCSs) to regulate adaptive responses and virulence-related traits. This study describes a previously uncharacterized TCS in the A. baumannii ATCC19606 strain, consisting of a transcriptional sensor, DJ41_1407, and its regulator, DJ41_1408, located adjacent to GacA of the GacSA TCS. Markerless mutagenesis was performed to construct DJ41_1407 and DJ41_1408 single and double mutants. DJ41_1408 was found to upregulate 49 genes and downregulate 43 genes, most of which were associated with carbon metabolism and other metabolic pathways, such as benzoate degradation. MEME analysis revealed a putative binding box for DJ41_1408, 5'TGTAAATRATTAYCAWTWAT3'. Colony size, motility, biofilm-forming ability, virulence, and antibiotic resistance of DJ41_1407 and DJ41_1408 single and double mutant strains were assessed against wild type. DJ41_1407 was found to enhance motility, while DJ41_1408 was found to upregulate biofilm-forming ability, and may also modulate antibiotic response. Both DJ41_1407 and DJ41_1408 suppressed virulence, based on results from a G. mellonella infection assay. These results showcase a novel A. baumannii TCS involved in metabolism, with effects on motility, biofilm-forming ability, virulence, and antibiotic response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yee-Huan Toh
- Master Program in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan;
| | - Guang-Huey Lin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
- International College, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970374, Taiwan
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21
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Hibbert T, Krpetic Z, Latimer J, Leighton H, McHugh R, Pottenger S, Wragg C, James CE. Antimicrobials: An update on new strategies to diversify treatment for bacterial infections. Adv Microb Physiol 2024; 84:135-241. [PMID: 38821632 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ampbs.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Ninety-five years after Fleming's discovery of penicillin, a bounty of antibiotic compounds have been discovered, modified, or synthesised. Diversification of target sites, improved stability and altered activity spectra have enabled continued antibiotic efficacy, but overwhelming reliance and misuse has fuelled the global spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). An estimated 1.27 million deaths were attributable to antibiotic resistant bacteria in 2019, representing a major threat to modern medicine. Although antibiotics remain at the heart of strategies for treatment and control of bacterial diseases, the threat of AMR has reached catastrophic proportions urgently calling for fresh innovation. The last decade has been peppered with ground-breaking developments in genome sequencing, high throughput screening technologies and machine learning. These advances have opened new doors for bioprospecting for novel antimicrobials. They have also enabled more thorough exploration of complex and polymicrobial infections and interactions with the healthy microbiome. Using models of infection that more closely resemble the infection state in vivo, we are now beginning to measure the impacts of antimicrobial therapy on host/microbiota/pathogen interactions. However new approaches are needed for developing and standardising appropriate methods to measure efficacy of novel antimicrobial combinations in these contexts. A battery of promising new antimicrobials is now in various stages of development including co-administered inhibitors, phages, nanoparticles, immunotherapy, anti-biofilm and anti-virulence agents. These novel therapeutics need multidisciplinary collaboration and new ways of thinking to bring them into large scale clinical use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tegan Hibbert
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Zeljka Krpetic
- School of Science, Engineering, and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Joe Latimer
- School of Science, Engineering, and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK
| | - Hollie Leighton
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Rebecca McHugh
- School of Infection and Immunity, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Sian Pottenger
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Charlotte Wragg
- Department of Clinical Infection, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences (IVES), University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Chloë E James
- School of Science, Engineering, and Environment, University of Salford, Salford, UK.
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22
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Ramírez-Sotelo U, García-Carnero LC, Martínez-Álvarez JA, Gómez-Gaviria M, Mora-Montes HM. An ELISA-based method for Galleria mellonella apolipophorin-III quantification. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17117. [PMID: 38500532 PMCID: PMC10946395 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 02/26/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Mammalian models, such as murine, are used widely in pathophysiological studies because they have a high degree of similarity in body temperature, metabolism, and immune response with humans. However, non-vertebrate animal models have emerged as alternative models to study the host-pathogen interaction with minimal ethical concerns. Galleria mellonella is an alternative model that has proved useful in studying the interaction of the host with either bacteria or fungi, performing drug testing, and assessing the immunological response to different microorganisms. The G. mellonella immune response includes cellular and humoral components with structural and functional similarities to the immune effectors found in higher vertebrates, such as humans. An important humoral effector stimulated during infections is apolipophorin III (apoLp-III), an opsonin characterized by its lipid and carbohydrate-binding properties that participate in lipid transport, as well as immunomodulatory activity. Despite some parameters, such as the measurement of phenoloxidase activity, melanin production, hemocytes counting, and expression of antimicrobial peptides genes are already used to assess the G. mellonella immune response to pathogens with different virulence degrees, the apoLp-III quantification remains to be a parameter to assess the immune response in this invertebrate. Here, we propose an immunological tool based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay that allows apoLp-III quantification in the hemolymph of larvae challenged with pathogenic agents. We tested the system with hemolymph coming from larvae infected with Escherichia coli, Candida albicans, Sporothrix schenckii, Sporothrix globosa, and Sporothrix brasiliensis. The results revealed significantly higher concentrations of apoLp-III when each microbial species was inoculated, in comparison with untouched larvae, or inoculated with phosphate-buffered saline. We also demonstrated that the apoLp-III levels correlated with the strains' virulence, which was already reported. To our knowledge, this is one of the first attempts to quantify apoLp-III, using a quick and easy-to-use serological technique.
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23
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Pereira AJ, Xing H, de Campos LJ, Seleem MA, de Oliveira KMP, Obaro SK, Conda-Sheridan M. Structure-Activity Relationship Study to Develop Peptide Amphiphiles as Species-Specific Antimicrobials. Chemistry 2024; 30:e202303986. [PMID: 38221408 PMCID: PMC10939825 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202303986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/16/2024]
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptide amphiphiles (PAs) are a promising class of molecules that can disrupt the bacterial membrane or act as drug nanocarriers. In this study, we prepared 33 PAs to establish supramolecular structure-activity relationships. We studied the morphology and activity of the nanostructures against different Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains (such as Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii). Next, we used principal component analysis (PCA) to determine the key contributors to activity. We found that for S. aureus, the zeta potential was the major contributor to the activity while Gram-negative bacteria were more influenced by the partition coefficient (LogP) with the following order P. aeruginosa>E. coli>A. baumannii. We also performed a study of the mechanism of action of selected PAs on the bacterial membrane assessing the membrane permeability and depolarization, changes in zeta potential and overall integrity. We studied the toxicity of the nanostructures against mammalian cells. Finally, we performed an in vivo study using the wax moth larvae to determine the therapeutic efficacy of the active PAs. This study shows cationic PA nanostructures can be an intriguing platform for the development of nanoantibacterials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aramis J. Pereira
- A. J. Pereira, Dr. H. Xing, L. J. de Campos, Prof. Dr. M. Conda-Sheridan, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE 68198 (USA)
| | - Huihua Xing
- A. J. Pereira, Dr. H. Xing, L. J. de Campos, Prof. Dr. M. Conda-Sheridan, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE 68198 (USA)
| | - Luana J. de Campos
- A. J. Pereira, Dr. H. Xing, L. J. de Campos, Prof. Dr. M. Conda-Sheridan, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE 68198 (USA)
| | - Mohamed A. Seleem
- Dr. M.A. Seleem, Department of Pharmaceutical Organic Chemistry, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 4434003 (Egypt)
| | - Kelly M. P. de Oliveira
- Prof. Dr. K. M. P. de Oliveira, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Federal University of Grande Dourados (UFGD), Dourados, MS 79804-970 (Brazil)
| | - Stephen K. Obaro
- Prof. Dr. S. K. Obaro, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), Birmingham, AL 35233 (USA), International Foundation against Infectious Diseases in Nigeria (IFAIN), Abuja, 900108 (Nigeria)
| | - Martin Conda-Sheridan
- A. J. Pereira, Dr. H. Xing, L. J. de Campos, Prof. Dr. M. Conda-Sheridan, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC), Omaha, NE 68198 (USA)
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24
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Hofkens N, Gestels Z, Abdellati S, Gabant P, Rodriguez-Villalobos H, Martin A, Kenyon C, Manoharan-Basil SS. Protective effect of microbisporicin (NAI-107) against vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium infection in a Galleria mellonella model. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4786. [PMID: 38413672 PMCID: PMC10899196 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55262-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Increasing antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus faecium necessitates the search for novel treatment agents, such as bacteriocins. In this study, we conducted an in vivo assessment of five bacteriocins, namely Lacticin Z, Lacticin Q, Garvicin KS (ABC), Aureocin A53 and Microbisporicin (NAI-107), against vanB-resistant Enterococcus faecium using a Galleria mellonella model. Our in vitro experiments demonstrated the efficacy of all five bacteriocins against vanB-resistant E. faecium with only NAI-107 demonstrating in vivo efficacy. Notably, NAI-107 exhibited efficacy across a range of tested doses, with the highest efficacy observed at a concentration of 16 µg/mL. Mortality rates in the group treated with 16 µg/mL NAI-107 were lower than those observed in the linezolid-treated group. These findings strongly suggest that NAI-107 holds promise as a potential alternative therapeutic agent for treating infections caused by resistant E. faecium and warrants further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Hofkens
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zina Gestels
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Saïd Abdellati
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | | - Chris Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
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25
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Han P, Lin W, Fan H, Tong Y. Characterization of phage evolution and phage resistance in drug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. J Virol 2024; 98:e0124923. [PMID: 38189285 PMCID: PMC10878236 DOI: 10.1128/jvi.01249-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Phage therapy has become a viable antimicrobial treatment as an alternative to antibiotic treatment, with an increase in antibiotic resistance. Phage resistance is a major limitation in the therapeutic application of phages, and the lack of understanding of the dynamic changes between bacteria and phages constrains our response strategies to phage resistance. In this study, we investigated the changing trends of mutual resistance between Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia) and its lytic phage, BUCT603. Our results revealed that S. maltophilia resisted phage infection through mutations in the cell membrane proteins, while the evolved phage re-infected the resistant strain primarily through mutations in structure-related proteins. Compared with the wild-type strain (SMA118), the evolved phage-resistant strain (R118-2) showed reduced virulence, weakened biofilm formation ability, and reduced resistance to aminoglycosides. In addition, the evolved phage BUCT603B1 in combination with kanamycin could inhibit the development of phage-resistant S. maltophilia in vitro and significantly improve the survival rate of S. maltophilia-infected mice. Altogether, these results suggest that in vitro characterization of bacteria-phage co-evolutionary relationships is a useful research tool to optimize phages for the treatment of drug-resistant bacterial infections.IMPORTANCEPhage therapy is a promising approach to treat infections caused by drug-resistant Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (S. maltophilia). However, the rapid development of phage resistance has hindered the therapeutic application of phages. In vitro evolutionary studies of bacteria-phage co-cultures can elucidate the mechanism of resistance development between phage and its host. In this study, we investigated the resistance trends between S. maltophilia and its phage and found that inhibition of phage adsorption is the primary strategy by which bacteria resist phage infection in vitro, while phages can re-infect bacterial cells by identifying other adsorption receptors. Although the final bacterial mutants were no longer infected by phages, they incurred a fitness cost that resulted in a significant reduction in virulence. In addition, the combination treatment with phage and aminoglycoside antibiotics could prevent the development of phage resistance in S. maltophilia in vitro. These findings contribute to increasing the understanding of the co-evolutionary relationships between phages and S. maltophilia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengjun Han
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Lin
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Huahao Fan
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Yigang Tong
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
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26
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Li P, Zhang S, Wang J, Al-Shamiri MM, Luo K, Liu S, Mi P, Wu X, Liu H, Tian H, Han B, Lei J, Han S, Han L. The role of type VI secretion system genes in antibiotic resistance and virulence in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2024; 14:1297818. [PMID: 38384301 PMCID: PMC10879597 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2024.1297818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a crucial virulence factor in the nosocomial pathogen Acinetobacter baumannii. However, its association with drug resistance is less well known. Notably, the roles that different T6SS components play in the process of antimicrobial resistance, as well as in virulence, have not been systematically revealed. Methods The importance of three representative T6SS core genes involved in the drug resistance and virulence of A. baumannii, namely, tssB, tssD (hcp), and tssM was elucidated. Results A higher ratio of the three core genes was detected in drug-resistant strains than in susceptible strains among our 114 A. baumannii clinical isolates. Upon deletion of tssB in AB795639, increased antimicrobial resistance to cefuroxime and ceftriaxone was observed, alongside reduced resistance to gentamicin. The ΔtssD mutant showed decreased resistance to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin, tetracycline, and doxycycline, but increased resistance to tobramycin and streptomycin. The tssM-lacking mutant showed an increased sensitivity to ofloxacin, polymyxin B, and furazolidone. In addition, a significant reduction in biofilm formation was observed only with the ΔtssM mutant. Moreover, the ΔtssM strain, followed by the ΔtssD mutant, showed decreased survival in human serum, with attenuated competition with Escherichia coli and impaired lethality in Galleria mellonella. Discussion The above results suggest that T6SS plays an important role, participating in the antibiotic resistance of A. baumannii, especially in terms of intrinsic resistance. Meanwhile, tssM and tssD contribute to bacterial virulence to a greater degree, with tssM being associated with greater importance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pu Li
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Sirui Zhang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jingdan Wang
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Mona Mohamed Al-Shamiri
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Kai Luo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Shuyan Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Peng Mi
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Shaanxi Provincial People’s Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Xiaokang Wu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Haiping Liu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xi’an Daxing Hospital, Xi’an, China
| | - Huohuan Tian
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bei Han
- School of Public Health, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Jin’e Lei
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Shaoshan Han
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, China
| | - Lei Han
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Xi’an Jiaotong University Health Science Center, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
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27
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Tiwari V, Sharma A, Braga R, Garcia E, Appiah R, Fleeman R, Abuaita BH, Patrauchan M, Doerrler WT. Klebsiella pneumoniae DedA family proteins have redundant roles in divalent cation homeostasis and resistance to phagocytosis. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0380723. [PMID: 38214522 PMCID: PMC10846249 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03807-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The DedA superfamily is a highly conserved family of membrane proteins. Deletion of Escherichia coli yqjA and yghB, encoding related DedA family proteins, results in sensitivity to elevated temperature, antibiotics, and alkaline pH. The human pathogen Klebsiella pneumoniae possesses genes encoding DedA family proteins with >90% amino acid identity to E. coli YqjA and YghB. We hypothesized that the deletion of K. pneumoniae yqjA and yghB will impact its physiology and may reduce its virulence. The K. pneumoniae ΔyqjA ΔyghB mutant (strain VT101) displayed a growth defect at 42°C and alkaline pH sensitivity, not unlike its E. coli counterpart. However, VT101 retained mostly wild-type resistance to antibiotics. We found VT101 was sensitive to the chelating agent EDTA, the anionic detergent SDS, and agents capable of alkalizing the bacterial cytoplasm such as bicarbonate or chloroquine. We could restore growth at alkaline pH and at elevated temperature by addition of 0.5-2 mM Ca2+ or Mg2+ to the culture media. VT101 displayed a slower uptake of calcium, which was dependent upon calcium channel activity. VT201, with similar deletions as VT101 but derived from a virulent K. pneumoniae strain, was highly susceptible to phagocytosis by alveolar macrophages and displayed a defect in the production of capsule. These findings suggest divalent cation homeostasis and virulence are interlinked by common functions of the DedA family.IMPORTANCEKlebsiella pneumoniae is a dangerous human pathogen. The DedA protein family is found in all bacteria and is a membrane transporter often required for virulence and antibiotic resistance. K. pneumoniae possesses homologs of E. coli YqjA and YghB, with 60% amino acid identity and redundant functions, which we have previously shown to be required for tolerance to biocides and alkaline pH. A K. pneumoniae strain lacking yqjA and yghB was found to be sensitive to alkaline pH, elevated temperature, and EDTA/SDS and displayed a defect in calcium uptake. Sensitivity to these conditions was reversed by addition of calcium or magnesium to the growth medium. Introduction of ΔyqjA and ΔyghB mutations into virulent K. pneumoniae resulted in the loss of capsule, increased phagocytosis by macrophages, and a partial loss of virulence. These results show that targeting the Klebsiella DedA family results in impaired divalent cation transport and, in turn, loss of virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vijay Tiwari
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Amit Sharma
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Reygan Braga
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - Emily Garcia
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Ridhwana Appiah
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Renee Fleeman
- Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, Florida, USA
| | - Basel H. Abuaita
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
| | - Marianna Patrauchan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, College of Arts and Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA
| | - William T. Doerrler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA
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28
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Scaccaglia M, Pinelli S, Manini L, Ghezzi B, Nicastro M, Heinrich J, Kulak N, Mozzoni P, Pelosi G, Bisceglie F. Gold(III) complexes with thiosemicarbazone ligands: insights into their cytotoxic effects on lung cancer cells. J Inorg Biochem 2024; 251:112438. [PMID: 38029536 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinorgbio.2023.112438] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Cancer continues to pose a global threat, underscoring the urgent need for more effective and safer treatment options. Gold-based compounds have recently emerged as promising candidates due to their diverse range of biological activities. In this study, three gold(III) complexes derived from thiosemicarbazone ligands have been synthesized, fully characterized, including their X-ray crystal structures. We conducted initial mode-of-action studies on DNA and BSA, followed by a comprehensive investigation into the cytotoxic effects of these novel gold(III) complexes on lung cancer cells (A549, H2052, and H28). The results demonstrated a concentration-dependent cytotoxic response, with H28 cells exhibiting the highest sensitivity to the treatment. Furthermore, the analysis of the cell cycle revealed that these compounds induce cell cycle arrest and promote apoptosis as a response to treatment. We also observed distinct morphological changes and increased oxidative stress, contributing significantly to cell death. Notably, these complexes exhibited the ability to suppress interleukin-6 production in mesothelioma cell lines, and this highlights their anti-inflammatory potential. To gain an initial understanding of cytotoxicity on healthy cells, hemolysis tests were conducted against human blood cells, with no evidence of hemolysis. Furthermore, a toxicity assessment through the in vivo Galleria mellonella model underscored the absence of detectable toxicity. These findings prove that these complexes are promising novel therapeutic agents for lung cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirco Scaccaglia
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy.
| | - Silvana Pinelli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Luca Manini
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Benedetta Ghezzi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy; Centro Universitario di Odontoiatria, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy; Istituto dei Materiali per l'Elettronica ed il Magnetismo, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Parma, Italy
| | - Maria Nicastro
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy
| | - Julian Heinrich
- Institute of Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Nora Kulak
- Institute of Chemistry, Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg, Universitätsplatz 2, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany; Institut für Chemie, Universität Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Golm, Germany
| | - Paola Mozzoni
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Gramsci 14, 43126 Parma, Italy; CERT, Centre of Excellence for Toxicological Research, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Giorgio Pelosi
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; CERT, Centre of Excellence for Toxicological Research, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
| | - Franco Bisceglie
- Department of Chemistry, Life Sciences and Environmental Sustainability, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy; CERT, Centre of Excellence for Toxicological Research, University of Parma, 43124 Parma, Italy
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29
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Burlacchini G, Sandri A, Papetti A, Frosi I, Boschi F, Lleo MM, Signoretto C. Evaluation of Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity of Rice Husk Extract against Staphylococcus aureus. Pathogens 2024; 13:80. [PMID: 38251387 PMCID: PMC10820005 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/13/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus are particularly difficult to treat due to the high rate of antibiotic resistance. S. aureus also forms biofilms that reduce the effects of antibiotics and disinfectants. Therefore, new therapeutic approaches are increasingly required. In this scenario, plant waste products represent a source of bioactive molecules. In this study, we evaluated the antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity of the rice husk extract (RHE) on S. aureus clinical isolates. In a biofilm inhibition assay, high concentrations of RHE counteracted the formation of biofilm by S. aureus isolates, both methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and -sensitive (MSSA). The observation of the MRSA biofilm by confocal laser scanning microscopy using live/dead cell viability staining confirmed that the bacterial viability in the RHE-treated biofilm was reduced. However, the extract showed no or little biofilm disaggregation ability. An additive effect was observed when treating S. aureus with a combination of RHE and oxacillin/cefoxitin. In Galleria mellonella larvae treated with RHE, the extract showed no toxicity even at high concentrations. Our results support that the rice husk has antimicrobial and antibiofilm properties and could potentially be used in the future in topical solutions or on medical devices to prevent biofilm formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gloria Burlacchini
- Diagnostic and Public Health Department, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Angela Sandri
- Diagnostic and Public Health Department, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Adele Papetti
- Nutraceutical and Food Chemical-Toxicological Analysis Laboratory, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Ilaria Frosi
- Nutraceutical and Food Chemical-Toxicological Analysis Laboratory, Department of Drug Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy; (A.P.); (I.F.)
| | - Federico Boschi
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy;
| | - Maria M. Lleo
- Diagnostic and Public Health Department, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.B.); (C.S.)
| | - Caterina Signoretto
- Diagnostic and Public Health Department, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (G.B.); (C.S.)
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30
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Conn BN, Lieberman JA, Chatman P, Cotton K, Essandoh MA, Ebqa’ai M, Nelson TL, Wozniak KL. Antifungal activity of eumelanin-inspired indoylenepheyleneethynylene against Cryptococcus neoformans. Front Microbiol 2024; 14:1339303. [PMID: 38293553 PMCID: PMC10826398 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1339303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic fungal pathogen that causes meningitis in >152,000 immunocompromised individuals annually, leading to 112,000 yearly deaths. The four classes of existing antifungal agents target plasma membrane sterols (ergosterol), nucleic acid synthesis, and cell wall synthesis. Existing drugs are not highly effective against Cryptococcus, and antifungal drug resistance is an increasing problem. A novel antimicrobial compound, a eumelanin-inspired indoylenepheyleneethynylene, EIPE-1, was synthesized and has antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MSRA), but not towards Gram-negative organisms. Based on EIPE-1's antibacterial activity, we hypothesized that EIPE-1 could have antifungal activity. For these studies, we tested EIPE-1 against C. neoformans strain H99 and 6 additional cryptococcal clinical isolates. We examined antifungal activity, cytotoxicity, effects on fungal gene expression, and mechanism of action of EIPE-1. Results showed that EIPE-1 has fungicidal effects on seven cryptococcal strains with MICs ranging from 1.56 to 3.125 μg/mL depending on the strain, and it is non-toxic to mammalian cells. We conducted scanning and transmission electron microscopy on the exposed cells to examine structural changes to the organism following EIPE-1 treatment. Cells exposed displayed structural changes to their cell wall and membranes, with internal contents leaking out of the cells. To understand the effect of EIPE-1 on fungal gene expression, RNA sequencing was conducted. Results showed that EIPE-1 affects several processes involved stress response, ergosterol biosynthesis, capsule biosynthesis, and cell wall attachment and remodeling. Therefore, our studies demonstrate that EIPE-1 has antifungal activity against C. neoformans, which affects both cellular structure and gene expression of multiple fungal pathways involved in cell membrane stability and viability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brittney N. Conn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Jacob A. Lieberman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Priscilla Chatman
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Cotton
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Martha A. Essandoh
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Mohammad Ebqa’ai
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Toby L. Nelson
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Karen L. Wozniak
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
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31
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Gallorini M, Marinacci B, Pellegrini B, Cataldi A, Dindo ML, Carradori S, Grande R. Immunophenotyping of hemocytes from infected Galleria mellonella larvae as an innovative tool for immune profiling, infection studies and drug screening. Sci Rep 2024; 14:759. [PMID: 38191588 PMCID: PMC10774281 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-51316-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a considerable increasing interest in the use of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella as an animal model. In vivo pharmacological tests, concerning the efficacy and the toxicity of novel compounds are typically performed in mammalian models. However, the use of the latter is costly, laborious and requires ethical approval. In this context, G. mellonella larvae can be considered a valid option due to their greater ease of use and the absence of ethical rules. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that the immune system of these invertebrates has similarity with the one of mammals, thus guaranteeing the reliability of this in vivo model, mainly in the microbiological field. To better develop the full potential of this model, we present a novel approach to characterize the hemocyte population from G. mellonella larvae and to highlight the immuno modulation upon infection and treatments. Our approach is based on the detection in isolated hemocytes from G. mellonella hemolymph of cell membrane markers typically expressed by human immune cells upon inflammation and infection, for instance CD14, CD44, CD80, CD163 and CD200. This method highlights the analogies between G. mellonella larvae and humans. Furthermore, we provide an innovative tool to perform pre-clinical evaluations of the efficacy of antimicrobial compounds in vivo to further proceed with clinical trials and support drug discovery campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marialucia Gallorini
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d' Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
| | - Beatrice Marinacci
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d' Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Benedetta Pellegrini
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d' Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Amelia Cataldi
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d' Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
- UdA TechLab, "G. d' Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Maria Luisa Dindo
- Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, 40127, Bologna, Italy
| | - Simone Carradori
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d' Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rossella Grande
- Department of Pharmacy, "G. d' Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100, Chieti, Italy.
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32
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Blasco L, Tomás M. Use of Galleria mellonella as an Animal Model for Studying the Antimicrobial Activity of Bacteriophages with Potential Use in Phage Therapy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2734:171-180. [PMID: 38066369 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3523-0_11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
Interest in phage therapy has increased in the last decade, and animal models have become essential in this field. The larval stage of the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, represents an easy-to-handle model. The larvae have an innate immune response and survive at 37 °C, which is ideal for infection and antimicrobial studies with bacteriophages. In this chapter, we describe the procedures used to study the antimicrobial activity of bacteriophages in a G. mellonella infection model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucía Blasco
- Traslational and Multidisciplinary Microbiology (MicroTM), Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Microbiology Department, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain
- Study Group on Mechanisms of Action and Resistance to Antimicrobials (GEMARA), Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain
| | - María Tomás
- Traslational and Multidisciplinary Microbiology (MicroTM), Biomedical Research Institute A Coruña (INIBIC), Microbiology Department, Hospital A Coruña (CHUAC), University of A Coruña (UDC), A Coruña, Spain.
- Study Group on Mechanisms of Action and Resistance to Antimicrobials (GEMARA), Spanish Society of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology (SEIMC), Madrid, Spain.
- MePRAM, Proyecto de Medicina de Precisión contra las resistencias Antimicrobianas, CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas (CIBERINFEC), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
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33
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Kim SJ, Shin JH, Kim H, Ko KS. Roles of crrAB two-component regulatory system in Klebsiella pneumoniae: growth yield, survival in initial colistin treatment stage, and virulence. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2024; 63:107011. [PMID: 37863340 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.107011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Alternation of the colistin resistance-regulating two-component regulatory system (crrAB) is a colistin-resistance mechanism in Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae), but its role in bacteria is not fully understood. METHODS Twelve colistin-susceptible K. pneumoniae clinical isolates were included in this study: six crrAB-positive and six crrAB-negative. We deleted the crrAB genes from two crrAB-positive isolates and complemented them. We measured the growth yields by determining growth curves in lysogeny broth and minimal media with or without Fe2+. In vitro selection rates for colistin resistance were determined by exposure to colistin, and survival rates against high concentrations of colistin (20 mg/L) at the early stage of growth (20 min) were investigated. Virulence was determined using a serum bactericidal assay and Galleria mellonella larval infection. RESULTS The presence of crrAB was not associated with colistin resistance and did not increase the in vitro selection rate of colistin resistance after exposure. The growth yield of crrAB-positive isolates was higher in lysogeny broth media and increased when Fe2+ was added to minimal media. The crrAB-positive isolates showed higher survival rates in the early stages of exposure to high colistin concentrations. Decreased serum resistance was identified in the crrAB-deleted mutants. More G. mellonella larvae survived when infected by crrAB-deleted mutants, and higher survival rates of bacteria were identified within the larvae infected with wild-type than crrAB-deletant isolates. CONCLUSION Through rapid response to external signals, crrAB would provide advantages for K. pneumoniae survival by increasing the final growth yield and initial survival against colistin treatment. This may partly contribute to the bacterial virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sun Ju Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea; School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hyun Shin
- Department of Microbiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyunkeun Kim
- Department of Microbiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kwan Soo Ko
- Department of Microbiology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea.
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34
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Takahashi R, J-Khemlani AH, Loh JMS, Radcliff FJ, Proft T, Tsai CJY. Different Group A Streptococcus pili lead to varying proinflammatory cytokine responses and virulence. Immunol Cell Biol 2024; 102:21-33. [PMID: 37795567 DOI: 10.1111/imcb.12692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 10/06/2023]
Abstract
The human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes, or Group A Streptococcus (GAS), is associated with a variety of diseases ranging from mild skin and soft tissue infections to invasive diseases and immune sequelae such as rheumatic heart disease. We have recently reported that one of the virulence factors of this pathogen, the pilus, has inflammatory properties and strongly stimulates the innate immune system. Here we used a range of nonpathogenic Lactococcus lactis gain-of-function mutants, each expressing one of the major pilus types of GAS, to compare the immune responses generated by various types of fully assembled pili. In vitro assays indicated variability in the inflammatory response induced by different pili, with the fibronectin-binding, collagen-binding, T antigen (FCT)-1-type pilus from GAS serotype M6/T6 inducing significantly stronger cytokine secretion than other pili. Furthermore, we established that the same trend of pili-mediated immune response could be modeled in Galleria mellonella larvae, which possess a similar innate immune system to vertebrates. Counterintuitively, across the panel of pili types examined in this study, we observed a negative correlation between the intensity of the immune response demonstrated in our experiments and the disease severity observed clinically in the GAS strains associated with each pilus type. This observation suggests that pili-mediated inflammation is more likely to promote bacterial clearance instead of causing disruptive damages that intensify pathogenesis. This also indicates that pili may not be the main contributor to the inflammatory symptoms seen in GAS diseases. Rather, the immune-potentiating properties of the pilus components could potentially be exploited as a vaccine adjuvant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risa Takahashi
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Adrina Hema J-Khemlani
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Jacelyn Mei San Loh
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Fiona Jane Radcliff
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Thomas Proft
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Catherine Jia-Yun Tsai
- Department of Molecular Medicine & Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- Maurice Wilkins Centre for Molecular Biodiscovery, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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35
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Konstantinović J, Kany AM, Alhayek A, Abdelsamie AS, Sikandar A, Voos K, Yao Y, Andreas A, Shafiei R, Loretz B, Schönauer E, Bals R, Brandstetter H, Hartmann RW, Ducho C, Lehr CM, Beisswenger C, Müller R, Rox K, Haupenthal J, Hirsch AK. Inhibitors of the Elastase LasB for the Treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Lung Infections. ACS CENTRAL SCIENCE 2023; 9:2205-2215. [PMID: 38161367 PMCID: PMC10755728 DOI: 10.1021/acscentsci.3c01102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Infections caused by the Gram-negative pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa are emerging worldwide as a major threat to human health. Conventional antibiotic monotherapy suffers from rapid resistance development, underlining urgent need for novel treatment concepts. Here, we report on a nontraditional approach to combat P. aeruginosa-derived infections by targeting its main virulence factor, the elastase LasB. We discovered a new chemical class of phosphonates with an outstanding in vitro ADMET and PK profile, auspicious activity both in vitro and in vivo. We established the mode of action through a cocrystal structure of our lead compound with LasB and in several in vitro and ex vivo models. The proof of concept of a combination of our pathoblocker with levofloxacin in a murine neutropenic lung infection model and the reduction of LasB protein levels in blood as a proof of target engagement demonstrate the great potential for use as an adjunctive treatment of lung infections in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jelena Konstantinović
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Andreas M. Kany
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Alaa Alhayek
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Ahmed S. Abdelsamie
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Department
of Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products, Institute of Pharmaceutical and Drug Industries Research, National
Research Centre, El-Buhouth Street, Dokki, Cairo 12622, Egypt
| | - Asfandyar Sikandar
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Katrin Voos
- Department
of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Yiwen Yao
- Department
of Internal Medicine V − Pulmonology, Allergology and Critical
Care Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Anastasia Andreas
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Roya Shafiei
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Saarland
University, Department of Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Brigitta Loretz
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Esther Schönauer
- Department
of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Division of Structural Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria
| | - Robert Bals
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Department
of Internal Medicine V − Pulmonology, Allergology and Critical
Care Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Hans Brandstetter
- Department
of Biosciences and Medical Biology, Division of Structural Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg 5020, Austria
| | - Rolf W. Hartmann
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Saarland
University, Department of Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Christian Ducho
- Department
of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Chemistry, Saarland University, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Claus-Michael Lehr
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Saarland
University, Department of Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Christoph Beisswenger
- Department
of Internal Medicine V − Pulmonology, Allergology and Critical
Care Medicine, Saarland University, Homburg 66421, Germany
| | - Rolf Müller
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Saarland
University, Department of Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Helmholtz
International Lab for Anti-infectives, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Katharina Rox
- Department
of Chemical Biology (CBIO), Helmholtz Centre
for Infection Research (HZI), Braunschweig 38124, Germany
- Deutsches
Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF) e.V., Braunschweig 38124, Germany
| | - Jörg Haupenthal
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
| | - Anna K.H. Hirsch
- Helmholtz
Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS)−Helmholtz
Centre for Infection Research (HZI), Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Saarland
University, Department of Pharmacy, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Helmholtz
International Lab for Anti-infectives, Saarbrücken 66123, Germany
- Deutsches
Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF) e.V., Braunschweig 38124, Germany
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36
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Shi X, Qiu S, Ji L, Lu H, Wu S, Chen Q, Zou X, Hu Q, Feng T, Chen S, Cui W, Xu S, Jiang M, Cai R, Geng Y, Bai Q, Huang D, Liu P. Pathogenetic characterization of a Micrococcus luteus strain isolated from an infant. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1303040. [PMID: 38188910 PMCID: PMC10770869 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1303040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose To explore the clinical characteristics of Micrococcus luteus bloodstream infection in an infant and characterize the phenotype and genotype of the isolated strains, as well as seek suitable infection models for assessing virulence. Methods Clinical data was collected from an infant patient diagnosed with M. luteus bloodstream infection. Metagenomic sequencing was performed on the isolated blood sample. The strain was isolated and underwent mass spectrometry, biochemical tests, antibiotic susceptibility assays, and whole-genome sequencing. The Galleria mellonella infection model was used to assess M. luteus virulence. Results Patient responded poorly to cephalosporins, but recovered after Linezolid treatment. Metagenomic sequencing identified M. luteus as the predominant species in the sample, confirming infection. They were identified as M. luteus with a high confidence level of 98.99% using mass spectrometry. The strain showed positive results for Catalase, Oxidase, and Urea tests, and negative results for Mannose, Xylose, Lactose, Mannitol, Arginine, and Galactose tests, consistent with the biochemical profile of M. luteus reference standards. M. luteus susceptibility to 15 antibiotics was demonstrated and no resistance genes were detected. Predicted virulence genes, including clpB, were associated with metabolic pathways and the type VI secretion system. The infection model demonstrated dose-dependent survival rates. Conclusion The infant likely developed a bloodstream infection with M. luteus due to compromised immunity. Although the isolated strain is sensitive to cephalosporin antibiotics and has low pathogenicity in infection models, clinical treatment with cephalosporins was ineffective. Linezolid proved to be effective, providing valuable guidance for future clinical management of such rare infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaolu Shi
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shuxiang Qiu
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Liyin Ji
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Huiqun Lu
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shuang Wu
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qiongcheng Chen
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xuan Zou
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qinghua Hu
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
- Shenzhen Research Center for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Tiejian Feng
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Shiting Chen
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Wenkai Cui
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Shiqin Xu
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Min Jiang
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Rui Cai
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yijie Geng
- Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Shenzhen, China
| | - Qinqin Bai
- Department of Public Health Laboratory Sciences, School of Public Health, Hengyang Medical School, University of South China, Hengyang, China
| | - Dingjie Huang
- School of Public Health, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Peihui Liu
- Pediatric Department, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Shenzhen, China
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37
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Yao A, Liu T, Cai Y, Zhou S, Chen X, Zhou M, Ma C, Chen T, Shaw C, Wang L. Progressive Design of a Ranatuerin-2 Peptide from Amolops wuyiensis: Enhancement of Bioactivity and In Vivo Efficacy. Antibiotics (Basel) 2023; 13:5. [PMID: 38275314 PMCID: PMC10812557 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) that exert multiple functions are considered promising candidates to combat the bacterial drug resistance crisis. Nowadays, targeted peptide modification has been widely recognised to improve biological activity and make up for deficiencies in clinical applications such as toxicity. In this study, a helix-loop peptide was isolated and identified from the skin secretion of the Wuyi torrent frog Amolops wuyiensis, namely, ranatuerin-2-AW (R2AW) (GFMDTAKNVAKNVAATLLDKLKCKITGGC). Target modifications were made to R2AW to study the structure-activity relationships and to optimise its bioactivities. Five analogues were progressively designed via residue substitution and truncation and the antibacterial and anticancer activities were evaluated. We found that the serine-substitution and cyclic-domain-deletion products showed similar antibacterial activity to the natural peptide R2AW, implying that the disulphide bridge and Rana box were dispensable for the antibacterial activity of ranatuerin-2 peptides. Notably, the cationicity- and hydrophobicity-enhanced variant, [Lys4,19, Leu20]R2AW(1-22)-NH2, exhibited significantly optimised antibacterial and anticancer activities. Additionally, it killed bacteria by membrane disruption at a highly efficient rate. Moreover, [Lys4,19, Leu20]R2AW(1-22)-NH2 exerted potential in vivo efficacy in a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-infected waxworm model. Overall, this study demonstrated some rational design ideas for optimising the dual antibacterial and anticancer activities of ranatuerin-2 peptides and it proposes [Lys4,19, Leu20]R2AW(1-22)-NH2 as an appealing candidate for therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aifang Yao
- College of Biological Science and Engineering, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Tianxing Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Yuhai Cai
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Siqi Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Xiaoling Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Mei Zhou
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chengbang Ma
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Tianbao Chen
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Chris Shaw
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
| | - Lei Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Queen’s University Belfast, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL, UK; (T.L.); (Y.C.); (S.Z.); (M.Z.); (C.M.); (T.C.); (C.S.); (L.W.)
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38
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Yi J, Liu C, Yang P, Wu ZC, Du CJ, Shen N. Exogenous glutathione reverses meropenem resistance in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. Front Pharmacol 2023; 14:1327230. [PMID: 38174220 PMCID: PMC10762803 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1327230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: The rate of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infection has been increasing rapidly worldwide and, poses a significant risk to human health. Effective methods are urgently needed to address treatment failures related to antibiotic resistance. Recent research has reported that some drugs in combination with antibiotics have displayed synergistic killing of resistant bacteria. Here, we investigated whether glutathione (GSH) can synergize with meropenem, and enhance its effectiveness against CRKP. Methods: Synergistic activity was assessed by checkerboard and time-killing assays. The mechanism of these combinations was assessed by total ROS and membrane permeability assays. The bacterial metabolites were assessed by LC‒MS/MS. Results: The FICIs of GSH and meropenem were approximately 0.5 and the combined treatment with GSH and meropenem resulted in a more than 2log10 CFU/mL reduction in bacteria compared to the individual treatments. These findings indicated the synergistic effect of the two drugs. Moreover, the meropenem MIC of CRKP was reduced to less than 4 mg/L when combined with 6 mg/mL GSH, indicating that GSH could significantly reverse resistance to meropenem in bacteria. The production of ROS in bacteria was determined by flow cytometry. After adding GSH, the ROS in the GSH group and the combined group was significantly higher than that in the control and meropenem groups, but there was no significant difference between the combined and GSH groups. The metabolic disturbance caused by GSH alone and in combination with meropenem was significant intracellularly and extracellularly, especially in terms of glycerophospholipid metabolism, indicating that the synergistic effect of the combined use of GSH and meropenem was relevant to glycerophospholipid metabolism. In addition, we measured the cell membrane permeability. The cell membrane permeability of the combination group was significantly higher than that of the blank control or monotreatment groups. This confirmed that the GSH can serve as a meropenem enhancers by disturbing glycerophospholipid metabolism and increasing cell membrane permeability. Conclusion: GSH and meropenem display a synergistic effect, wherein GSH increases the sensitivity of CRKP to meropenem. The synergy and susceptibility effects are thought to related to the increased membrane permeability resulting from the perturbations in glycerophospholipid metabolism, presenting a novel avenue for CRKP treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Yi
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Liu
- Department of Infectious Disease, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Center of Infectious Disease, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ping Yang
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhen-chao Wu
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Center of Infectious Disease, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chun-jing Du
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Center of Infectious Disease, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Ning Shen
- Institute of Medical Technology, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China
- Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Department of Infectious Disease, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Center of Infectious Disease, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
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39
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Bina XR, Weng Y, Budnick J, Van Allen ME, Bina JE. Klebsiella pneumoniae TolC contributes to antimicrobial resistance, exopolysaccharide production, and virulence. Infect Immun 2023; 91:e0030323. [PMID: 37982617 PMCID: PMC10715176 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00303-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae is a Gram-negative bacterium that causes a variety of human diseases, ranging from pneumonia to urinary tract infections and invasive diseases. The emergence of K. pneumoniae strains that are resistant to multiple antibiotics has made treatment more complex and led to K. pneumoniae becoming a global health threat. Addressing this threat necessitates the development of new therapeutic strategies to combat this pathogen, including strategies to overcome antimicrobial resistance and therapeutics for novel targets such as antivirulence. Here, we investigated the function of TolC, an outer membrane protein essential for the function of tripartite transporters, in K. pneumoniae. Mutation of tolC rendered K. pneumoniae hypersensitive to multiple antibiotics. Moreover, the tolC mutation impaired capsule production and affected the expression of key capsule biosynthetic genes, indicating a regulatory role for TolC in capsule biosynthesis. Additionally, TolC was essential for growth under iron-limiting conditions, suggesting its involvement in iron acquisition. The tolC mutant exhibited increased adherence to human enterocytes and enhanced serum sensitivity. In the Galleria mellonella infection model, the tolC mutant displayed reduced virulence compared to the wild type. Our findings highlight the pleiotropic role of TolC in K. pneumoniae pathobiology, influencing antimicrobial resistance, capsule production, iron homeostasis, adherence to host cells, and virulence. Understanding the multifaceted role of TolC in K. pneumoniae may guide the development of new therapeutic strategies against this pathogen. .
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Affiliation(s)
- X. Renee Bina
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Yuding Weng
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James Budnick
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mia E. Van Allen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - James E. Bina
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
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40
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Hofkens N, Gestels Z, Abdellati S, De Baetselier I, Gabant P, Martin A, Kenyon C, Manoharan-Basil SS. Microbisporicin (NAI-107) protects Galleria mellonella from infection with Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0282523. [PMID: 37823634 PMCID: PMC10715042 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02825-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE We screened 66 bacteriocins to see if they exhibited anti-gonococcal activity. We found 12 bacteriocins with anti-gonococcal effects, and 4 bacteriocins showed higher anti-gonococcal activity. Three bacteriocins, lacticin Z, lacticin Q, and Garvicin KS (ABC), showed in vitro anti-gonococcal activity but no in vivo inhibitory effects against the Neisseria gonorrhoeae (WHO-P) isolate. On the other hand, NAI-107 showed in vivo anti-gonococcal activity. The findings suggest that NAI-107 is a promising alternative to treat gonorrhea infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Hofkens
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Zina Gestels
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Said Abdellati
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Irith De Baetselier
- Clinical Reference Laboratory, Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | - Christopher Kenyon
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Medicine, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
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41
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Simanek KA, Schumacher ML, Mallery CP, Shen S, Li L, Paczkowski JE. Quorum-sensing synthase mutations re-calibrate autoinducer concentrations in clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to enhance pathogenesis. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7986. [PMID: 38042853 PMCID: PMC10693556 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43702-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that controls virulence gene expression. Pseudomonas aeruginosa regulates virulence via two synthase/transcription factor receptor pairs: LasI/R and RhlI/R. LasR is considered the master transcriptional regulator of quorum sensing, as it upregulates rhlI/R. However, clinical isolates often have inactivating mutations in lasR, while maintaining Rhl-dependent signaling. We sought to understand how quorum sensing progresses in isolates with lasR mutations, specifically via activation of RhlR. We find that clinical isolates with lasR inactivating mutations often harbor concurrent mutations in rhlI. Using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry, we discover that strains lacking lasR overproduce the RhlI-synthesized autoinducer and that RhlI variants re-calibrate autoinducer concentrations to wild-type levels, restoring virulent phenotypes. These findings provide a mechanism for the plasticity of quorum sensing progression in an acute infection niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kayla A Simanek
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA
| | - Megan L Schumacher
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA
| | - Caleb P Mallery
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA
| | - Stella Shen
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, 12208, USA
| | - Lingyun Li
- Division of Environmental Health Sciences, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, 12208, USA
| | - Jon E Paczkowski
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, School of Public Health, Albany, New York, 12201, USA.
- Division of Genetics, Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, New York, 12208, USA.
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42
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Alves LA, Naveed H, Franco EM, Garcia MT, Freitas VA, Junqueira JC, Bastos DC, Araujo TLS, Chen T, Mattos-Graner RO. PepO and CppA modulate Streptococcus sanguinis susceptibility to complement immunity and virulence. Virulence 2023; 14:2239519. [PMID: 37563831 PMCID: PMC10424592 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2239519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Streptococcus sanguinis is a ubiquitous commensal species of the oral cavity commonly involved as an opportunistic pathogen in cardiovascular infections. In this study, we investigated the functions of endopeptidase O (PepO) and a C3-degrading protease (CppA) in the systemic virulence of S. sanguinis. Isogenic mutants of pepO and cppA obtained in strain SK36 showed increased susceptibility to C3b deposition and to opsonophagocytosis by human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN). These mutants differ, however, in their profiles of binding to serum amyloid P component (SAP) and C1q, whereas both showed reduced interaction with C4b-binding protein (C4BP) and/or factor H (FH) regulators as compared to SK36. The two mutants showed defects in ex vivo persistence in human blood, serum-mediated invasion of HCAEC endothelial cells, and virulence in a Galleria mellonella infection model. The transcriptional activities of pepO and cppA, assessed by RT-qPCR in nine wild-type strains, further indicated strain-specific profiles of pepO/cppA expression. Moreover, non-conserved amino acid substitutions were detected among the strains, mostly in CppA. Phylogenetic comparisons with homologues of streptococcal species of the oral and oropharyngeal sites suggested that S. sanguinis PepO and CppA have independent ancestralities. Thus, this study showed that PepO and CppA are complement evasion proteins expressed by S. sanguinis in a strain-specific manner, which are required for multiple functions associated with cardiovascular virulence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lívia A. Alves
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Hassan Naveed
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Eduardo M. Franco
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Maíra Terra Garcia
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - Victor A. Freitas
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliana C. Junqueira
- Department of Biosciences and Oral Diagnosis, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University (UNESP), São José dos Campos, SP, Brazil
| | - Débora C. Bastos
- Department of Biosciences, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
- Department of Cell Biology, São Leopoldo Mandic Medical School, Campinas, SP, Brazil
| | - Thaís L. S. Araujo
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Tsute Chen
- Department of Microbiology, The Forsyth Institute, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Renata O. Mattos-Graner
- Department of Oral Diagnosis, Piracicaba Dental School, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Wang S, Yin Y, Zai X, Gu Y, Guo F, Shao F, Zhang Y, Li Y, Li R, Zhang J, Xu J, Chen W. A novel Galleria mellonella experimental model for zoonotic pathogen Brucella. Virulence 2023; 14:2268496. [PMID: 37817444 PMCID: PMC10599192 DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2023.2268496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Brucellosis is a major threat to public health and animal husbandry. Several in vivo vertebrate models, such as mice, guinea pigs, and nonhuman primates, have been used to study Brucella pathogenesis, bacteria-host interactions, and vaccine efficacy. However, these models have limitations whereas the invertebrate Galleria mellonella model is a cost-effective and ethical alternative. The aim of the present study was to examine the invertebrate G. mellonella as an in vivo infection model for Brucella. Infection assays were employed to validate the fitness of the larval model for Brucella infection and virulence evaluation. The protective efficacy of immune sera was evaluated by pre-incubated with a lethal dose of bacteria before infection. The consistency between the mouse model and the larval model was confirmed by assessing the protective efficacy of two Brucella vaccine strains. The results show that G. mellonella could be infected by Brucella strains, in a dose- and temperature-dependent way. Moreover, this larval model can effectively evaluate the virulence of Brucella strains in a manner consistent with that of mammalian infection models. Importantly, this model can assess the protective efficacy of vaccine immune sera within a day. Further investigation implied that haemolymph played a crucial role in the protective efficacy of immune sera. In conclusion, G. mellonella could serve as a quick, efficient, and reliable model for evaluating the virulence of Brucella strains and efficacy of immune sera in an ethical manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Wang
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Yin
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaodong Zai
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yanfei Gu
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Fengyu Guo
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Fangze Shao
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Yaohui Li
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Ruihua Li
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Jun Zhang
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Junjie Xu
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Laboratory of Vaccine and Antibody Engineering, Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, Beijing, China
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44
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Liu H, Wei X, Ye X, Zhang H, Yang K, Shi W, Zhang J, Jashenko R, Ji R, Hu H. The immune response of Locusta migratoria manilensis at different times of infection with Paranosema locustae. ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2023; 114:e22055. [PMID: 37786392 DOI: 10.1002/arch.22055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Paranosema locustae is an entomopathogenic microsporidia with promising potential for controlling agricultural pests, including Locusta migratoria manilensis. However, it has the disadvantage of having a slow insecticidal rate, and how P. locustae infection impacts the host immune response is currently unknown. The present study investigated the effect of P. locustae on the natural immune response of L. migratoria and the activities of enzymes that protect against oxidative stress. Infection with P. locustae increased the hemocytes and nodulation number of L. migratoria at the initial stage of infection. The hemocyte-mediated modulation of immune response was also affected by a decrease in the number of hemocytes 12 days postinfection. Superoxide dismutase activity in locusts increased in the early stages of infection but decreased in the later stages, whereas the activities of peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) showed opposite trends may be due to their different mechanisms of action. Furthermore, the transcription levels of mRNA of antimicrobial peptide-related genes and phenoloxidase activity in hemolymph in L. migratoria were suppressed within 15 days of P. locustae infection. Overall, our data suggest that P. locustae create a conducive environment for its own proliferation in the host by disrupting the immune defense against it. These findings provide useful information for the potential application of P. locustae as a biocontrol agent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaojia Wei
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaofang Ye
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Huihui Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Kun Yang
- Central for Prevention and Control of Prediction & Forecast Prevention of Locust and Rodent in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Wangpen Shi
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing, People's Republic of China
| | - Jinrui Zhang
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Roman Jashenko
- Institute of Zoology RK93, Al-Farabi Ave., Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
| | - Rong Ji
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongxia Hu
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Special Species Conservation and Regulatory Biology, International Research Center of Cross-Border Pest Management in Central Asia, College of Life Sciences, Xinjiang Normal University, Urumqi, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
- Tacheng, Research Field (Migratory Biology), Observation and Research Station of Xinjiang, Xinjiang, People's Republic of China
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Leseigneur C, Buchrieser C. Modelling Legionnaires' disease: Lessons learned from invertebrate and vertebrate animal models. Eur J Cell Biol 2023; 102:151369. [PMID: 37926040 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2023.151369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The study of virulence of Legionella pneumophila and its interactions with its hosts has been predominantly conducted in cellulo in the past decades. Although easy to implement and allowing the dissection of molecular pathways underlying host-pathogen interactions, these cellular models fail to provide conditions of the complex environments encountered by the bacteria during the infection of multicellular organisms. To improve our understanding of human infection, several animal models have been developed. This review provides an overview of the invertebrate and vertebrate models that have been established to study L. pneumophila infection and that are alternatives to the classical mouse model, which does not recall human infection with L. pneumophila well. Finally we provide insight in the main contributions made by these models along with their pros and cons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clarisse Leseigneur
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biologie des Bactéries Intracellulaires, 75724 Paris, France
| | - Carmen Buchrieser
- Institut Pasteur, Université de Paris, Biologie des Bactéries Intracellulaires, 75724 Paris, France.
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Alnezary FS, Almutairi MS, Alhifany AA, Almangour TA. Assessing Galleria mellonella as a preliminary model for systemic Staphylococcus aureus infection: Evaluating the efficacy and impact of vancomycin and Nigella sativa oil on gut microbiota. Saudi Pharm J 2023; 31:101824. [PMID: 37965487 PMCID: PMC10641552 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2023.101824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium that can cause various infections. The Galleria mellonella has been used as a preliminary test for infection model. The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of G. mellonella as a microbiome model and compare the efficacy of vancomycin and antimicrobial activity of Nigella sativa (NS) on the gut flora. Methods G. mellonella larvae were subjected to metagenomic analysis. The larvae's guts were collected, homogenized in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and the gut contents isolated for bacterial DNA extraction. Larvae were assigned into the following groups: negative control (PBS only); positive control (MRSA only); vancomycin treated group; NS oil treated group and combination (vancomycin and NS oil) treated group. Larvae were cultured, inoculated with S. aureus, and treated with vancomycin and NS oil. Larval activity, cocoon formation, growth, melanization, and survival were monitored. The toxicity of vancomycin and NS oil was tested, and S. aureus burden and natural microbiota were determined. Hemocyte density was measured. Statistical analysis was conducted using R. Results Enterococcus related species dominated approximately 90 % of the gastrointestinal tract of the larvae. The survival rate following treatment was 85 % with vancomycin, 64 % with NS oil, and 73 % with a combination of both. The count of Enterococcus Colony Forming Units (CFUs) was significantly lower in the vancomycin treatment group (8.14E+04) compared to those treated with NS oil (1.97E+06) and the combination treatment (8.95E+05). Furthermore, the S. aureus burden was found to be lower in the NS oil (1.04E+06) and combination treatment groups (9.02E+05) compared to the vancomycin treatment group (3.38E+06). Hemocyte densities were significantly higher in the NS oil (8.29E+06) and combination treatment groups (8.18E+06) compared to the vancomycin treatment group (4.89E+06). Conclusions The study supported the use of G. mellonella model as a preliminary test to assess the effect of different antimicrobials against S. aureus and gut microbiota. NS oil showed more selectivity against S. aureus and protectiveness for the natural Enterococcus gut flora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faris S. Alnezary
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Taibah University, Madinah 41477, Saudi Arabia
| | - Masaad Saeed Almutairi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, Qassim University, Qassim 51452, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdullah A. Alhifany
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Thamer A. Almangour
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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Kaul L, Abdo AI, Coenye T, Swift S, Zannettino A, Süss R, Richter K. In vitro and in vivo evaluation of diethyldithiocarbamate with copper ions and its liposomal formulation for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis biofilms. Biofilm 2023; 5:100130. [PMID: 37274173 PMCID: PMC10238467 DOI: 10.1016/j.bioflm.2023.100130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Surgical site infections (SSIs) are mainly caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) biofilms. Biofilms are aggregates of bacteria embedded in a self-produced matrix that offers protection against antibiotics and promotes the spread of antibiotic-resistance in bacteria. Consequently, antibiotic treatment frequently fails, resulting in the need for alternative therapies. The present study describes the in vitro efficacy of the Cu(DDC)2 complex (2:1 M ratio of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC-) and Cu2+) with additional Cu2+ against S. aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms in models mimicking SSIs and in vitro antibacterial activity of a liposomal Cu(DDC)2 + Cu2+ formulation. The in vitro activity on S. aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms grown on two hernia mesh materials and in a wound model was determined by colony forming unit (CFU) counting. Cu2+-liposomes and Cu(DDC)2-liposomes were prepared, and their antibacterial activity was assessed in vitro using the alamarBlue assay and CFU counting and in vivo using a Galleria mellonella infection model. The combination of 35 μM DDC- and 128 μM Cu2+ inhibited S. aureus and S. epidermidis biofilms on meshes and in a wound infection model. Cu(DDC)2-liposomes + free Cu2+ displayed similar antibiofilm activity to free Cu(DDC)2 + Cu2+, and significantly increased the survival of S. epidermidis-infected larvae. Whilst Cu(DDC)2 + Cu2+ showed substantial antibiofilm activity in vitro against clinically relevant biofilms, its application in mammalian in vivo models is limited by solubility. The liposomal Cu(DDC)2 + Cu2+ formulation showed antibiofilm activity in vitro and antibacterial activity and low toxicity in G. mellonella, making it a suitable water-soluble formulation for future application on infected wounds in animal trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurine Kaul
- Richter Lab, Department of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, University of Adelaide, 37 Woodville Road, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Freiburg, Sonnenstr. 5, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, 4 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Adrian I. Abdo
- Richter Lab, Department of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, University of Adelaide, 37 Woodville Road, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, 4 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
| | - Tom Coenye
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Microbiology, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Simon Swift
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Pathology, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Andrew Zannettino
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, 4 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Precision Cancer Medicine Theme, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Central Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Regine Süss
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Department of Pharmaceutics, University of Freiburg, Sonnenstr. 5, 79104, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Katharina Richter
- Richter Lab, Department of Surgery, Basil Hetzel Institute for Translational Health Research, University of Adelaide, 37 Woodville Road, Adelaide, SA, 5011, Australia
- Adelaide Medical School, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Adelaide, 4 North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5000, Australia
- Institute for Photonics and Advanced Sensing, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, Australia
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Mai D, Wu A, Li R, Cai D, Tong H, Wang N, Tan J. Identification of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae based on biomarkers and Galleria mellonella infection model. BMC Microbiol 2023; 23:369. [PMID: 38030994 PMCID: PMC10685466 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-023-03124-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Currently, clinical laboratories lack an effective method to differentiate between classical Klebsiella pneumoniae (cKP) and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKP) strains, leading to delays in diagnosing and treating hvKP infections. Previous studies have identified peg-344, iroB, iucA, prmpA, prmpA2, and siderophores (SP) yields greater than 30 μg/ml as reliable markers for distinguishing hvKP from cKp strains. However, these diagnostic tests were conducted on a relatively small study population and lacked sufficient clinical data support. In this study, hvKP strains were identified by biomarker analysis and the Galleria mellonella model. Combined with in vitro and in vivo experiments, the reliability of clinical identification method of hvKP was verified, which provided an experimental basis for timely diagnosis of hvKP infection. RESULTS According to the clinical data, a total of 108 strains of hvKP were preliminary screened. Among them, 94 strains were further identified using PCR analysis of biomarkers and quantitative determination of SP. The high virulence of hvKP was subsequently confirmed through infection experiments on Galleria mellonella. Additionally, susceptibility testing revealed the identification of 58 carbapenem-resistant hvKP (CR-hvKP) strains and 36 carbapenem-sensitive hvKP (CS-hvKP) strains. By comparing molecular diagnostic indexes, molecular characteristics such as high SP production of CR-hvKP were found. CONCLUSION The combination of clinical data and molecular diagnostic index analysis effectively enables the identification of hvKP, particularly CR-hvKP. This study provides a scientific basis for accurate clinical identification and timely treatment of hvKP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongmei Mai
- Guangdong Provincial Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Anqi Wu
- Guangzhou Nanfang College, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ran Li
- Guangdong Provincial Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Donghao Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Huichun Tong
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-Human Primate Research, Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau Institute of CNS RegenerationJinan University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Nan Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junqing Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Second Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
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Bi W, Xu L, Zong L, Zhu Z, Xia X. Antifungal Susceptibility and Biological Characteristics of Fonsecaea monophora Causing Cerebral Phaeohyphomycosis in Jinhua, China. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:7187-7195. [PMID: 37965207 PMCID: PMC10642484 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s425961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The management of cerebral abscesses caused by dark-pigmented Fonsecaea monophora in healthy individuals continues to be challenging due to no consensus on the therapeutic regimen. Due to the absence of an accurate identification method, Fonsecaea species are often misidentified due to indistinct morphology features. Materials and Methods An F. monophora strain from an immunocompetent host with cerebral abscess was collected and identified by ITS rDNA molecular sequencing. The ITS sequences of the isolate were compared with that of the other ten Chinese F. monophora isolates obtained from GenBank for difference comparison and phylogenetic analysis. Fluorescence, Gram stains, and medan lactate were used to observe the colonial morphology. Antifungal susceptibility testing was implemented to demonstrate the antibiotic susceptibility profile. Galleria mellonella larvae were used as a model to study virulence of F. monophora. Medical records and clinical data of the patient were collected and analyzed. Results Antifungal susceptibility testing indicated that triazole antifungal drugs possess remarkable antifungal effect against F. monophora, and satisfactory antifungal effect of itraconazole was corresponding to the drug susceptibility results. Compared with the GM test, the serum G test was found to be more sensitive. The virulence and melanization in G. mellonella models for F. monophora were observed, and the death rates of infected larvae were positively related to injected concentrations of fungus. The phylogenetic tree was constructed from the ITS sequences of the clinical isolate along with ten Chinese F. monophora isolates, revealing that there is high relatedness in F. monophora strains collected from China. Conclusion F. monophora is an important neurotropic dematiaceous fungus and increasingly causing disease in immunocompetent individuals by means of noninvasive ways. Fungal culture, stainings, and molecular methods could be utilized to identify the etiologic agent. Triazole antifungal drugs can be applied as empiric therapeutic agents for phaeohyphomycosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzi Bi
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Licheng Xu
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Laibin Zong
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Zhu
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaoping Xia
- The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Yiwu, Zhejiang, People’s Republic of China
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Liu H, Huang Z, Chen H, Zhang Y, Yu P, Hu P, Zhang X, Cao J, Zhou T. A potential strategy against clinical carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae: antimicrobial activity study of sweetener-decorated gold nanoparticles in vitro and in vivo. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:409. [PMID: 37932843 PMCID: PMC10626710 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) present substantial challenges to clinical intervention, necessitating the formulation of novel antimicrobial strategies to counteract them. Nanomaterials offer a distinctive avenue for eradicating bacteria by employing mechanisms divergent from traditional antibiotic resistance pathways and exhibiting reduced susceptibility to drug resistance development. Non-caloric artificial sweeteners, commonly utilized in the food sector, such as saccharin, sucralose, acesulfame, and aspartame, possess structures amenable to nanomaterial formation. In this investigation, we synthesized gold nanoparticles decorated with non-caloric artificial sweeteners and evaluated their antimicrobial efficacy against clinical CRE strains. RESULTS Among these, gold nanoparticles decorated with aspartame (ASP_Au NPs) exhibited the most potent antimicrobial effect, displaying minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 4 to 16 µg/mL. As a result, ASP_Au NPs were chosen for further experimentation. Elucidation of the antimicrobial mechanism unveiled that ASP_Au NPs substantially elevated bacterial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, which dissipated upon ROS scavenger treatment, indicating ROS accumulation within bacteria as the fundamental antimicrobial modality. Furthermore, findings from membrane permeability assessments suggested that ASP_Au NPs may represent a secondary antimicrobial modality via enhancing inner membrane permeability. In addition, experiments involving crystal violet and confocal live/dead staining demonstrated effective suppression of bacterial biofilm formation by ASP_Au NPs. Moreover, ASP_Au NPs demonstrated notable efficacy in the treatment of Galleria mellonella bacterial infection and acute abdominal infection in mice, concurrently mitigating the organism's inflammatory response. Crucially, evaluation of in vivo safety and biocompatibility established that ASP_Au NPs exhibited negligible toxicity at bactericidal concentrations. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrated that ASP_Au NPs exhibit promise as innovative antimicrobial agents against clinical CRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haifeng Liu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zeyu Huang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Huanchang Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Pingting Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Panjie Hu
- School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Xiaotuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jianming Cao
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
- Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China.
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