scholarly journals Evolutionary bi-stability in pathogen transmission mode

2010 ◽  
Vol 277 (1688) ◽  
pp. 1735-1742 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. van den Bosch ◽  
B. A. Fraaije ◽  
F. van den Berg ◽  
M. W. Shaw
2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (3) ◽  
pp. 189-200 ◽  
Author(s):  
Auliana Afandi ◽  
Ayaka Hieno ◽  
Arif Wibowo ◽  
Siti Subandiyah ◽  
Afandi ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
N. Osakabe ◽  
J. Endo ◽  
T. Matsuda ◽  
A. Tonomura

Progress in microscopy such as STM and TEM-TED has revealed surface structures in atomic dimension. REM has been used for the observation of surface dynamical process and surface morphology. Recently developed reflection electron holography, which employes REM optics to measure the phase shift of reflected electron, has been proved to be effective for the observation of surface morphology in high vertical resolution ≃ 0.01 Å.The key to the high sensitivity of the method is best shown by comparing the phase shift generation by surface topography with that in transmission mode. Difference in refractive index between vacuum and material Vo/2E≃10-4 owes the phase shift in transmission mode as shownn Fig. 1( a). While geometrical path difference is created in reflection mode( Fig. 1(b) ), which is measured interferometrically using high energy electron beam of wavelength ≃0.01 Å. Together with the phase amplification technique , the vertivcal resolution is expected to be ≤0.01 Å in an ideal case.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s224-s224
Author(s):  
Curt Hewitt ◽  
Katharina Weber ◽  
Danielle LeSassier ◽  
Anthony Kappell ◽  
Kathleen Schulte ◽  
...  

Background: The prevalence of healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) and rising levels of antimicrobial resistance place a significant burden on modern healthcare systems. Cultures are typically used to track HAIs; however, culture methods provide limited information and are not applicable to all pathogens. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) can detect and characterize pathogens present within a sample, but few research studies have explored how NGS could be used to detect pathogen transmission events under HAI-relevant scenarios. The objective of this CDC-funded project was to evaluate and correlate sequencing approaches for pathogen transmission with standard culture-based analysis. Methods: We modeled pathogen transfer via hand contact using synthetic skin. These skin coupons were seeded with a community of commensal organisms to mimic the human skin microbiome. Pathogens were added at physiologically relevant high or low levels prior to skin-to-skin contact. The ESKAPE pathogens: E. faecium, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp plus C. difficile were employed because they are the most common antibiotic resistant HAIs. Pathogen transfer between skin coupons was measured following direct skin contact and fomite surface transmission. The effects of handwashing or fomite decontamination were also evaluated. Transferred pathogens were enumerated via culture to establish a robust data set against which DNA and RNA sequence analyses of the same samples could be compared. These data also provide a quantitative assessment of individual ESKAPE+C pathogen transfer rates in skin contact scenarios. Results: Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis using custom analysis pipelines and reference databases successfully identified the commensal and pathogenic organisms present in each sample at the species level. This analysis also identified antibiotic resistance genes and plasmids. Metatranscriptomic analysis permitted not only gene identification but also confirmation of gene expression, a critical factor in the evaluation of antibiotic resistance. DNA analysis does not require cell viability, a key differentiator between sequencing and culturing reflected in simulated handwashing data. Sensitivity remains a key limitation of metagenomic analysis, as shown by the poor species identification and gene content characterization of pathogens present at low abundance within the simulated microbial community. Species level identification typically failed as ratios fell below 1:1,000 pathogen CFU:total community CFU. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of NGS for molecular epidemiology. The data sets produced for this study are publicly available so they can be employed for future metagenomic benchmarking studies.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


2021 ◽  
Vol 195 ◽  
pp. 110893
Author(s):  
Laura Carvajal-Lago ◽  
María José Ruiz-López ◽  
Jordi Figuerola ◽  
Josué Martínez-de la Puente

Materials ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3444
Author(s):  
Joji Abraham ◽  
Kim Dowling ◽  
Singarayer Florentine

Pathogen transfer and infection in the built environment are globally significant events, leading to the spread of disease and an increase in subsequent morbidity and mortality rates. There are numerous strategies followed in healthcare facilities to minimize pathogen transfer, but complete infection control has not, as yet, been achieved. However, based on traditional use in many cultures, the introduction of copper products and surfaces to significantly and positively retard pathogen transmission invites further investigation. For example, many microbes are rendered unviable upon contact exposure to copper or copper alloys, either immediately or within a short time. In addition, many disease-causing bacteria such as E. coli O157:H7, hospital superbugs, and several viruses (including SARS-CoV-2) are also susceptible to exposure to copper surfaces. It is thus suggested that replacing common touch surfaces in healthcare facilities, food industries, and public places (including public transport) with copper or alloys of copper may substantially contribute to limiting transmission. Subsequent hospital admissions and mortality rates will consequently be lowered, with a concomitant saving of lives and considerable levels of resources. This consideration is very significant in times of the COVID-19 pandemic and the upcoming epidemics, as it is becoming clear that all forms of possible infection control measures should be practiced in order to protect community well-being and promote healthy outcomes.


Diversity ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 230
Author(s):  
Shan Wan ◽  
Min Xia ◽  
Jie Tao ◽  
Yanjun Pang ◽  
Fugen Yu ◽  
...  

In this study, we used a metagenomic approach to analyze microbial communities, antibiotic resistance gene diversity, and human pathogenic bacterium composition in two typical landfills in China. Results showed that the phyla Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria were predominant in the two landfills, and archaea and fungi were also detected. The genera Methanoculleus, Lysobacter, and Pseudomonas were predominantly present in all samples. sul2, sul1, tetX, and adeF were the four most abundant antibiotic resistance genes. Sixty-nine bacterial pathogens were identified from the two landfills, with Klebsiella pneumoniae, Bordetella pertussis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Bacillus cereus as the major pathogenic microorganisms, indicating the existence of potential environmental risk in landfills. In addition, KEGG pathway analysis indicated the presence of antibiotic resistance genes typically associated with human antibiotic resistance bacterial strains. These results provide insights into the risk of pathogens in landfills, which is important for controlling the potential secondary transmission of pathogens and reducing workers’ health risk during landfill excavation.


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