scholarly journals Predatory bacteria as living antibiotics – where are we now?

Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert J. Atterbury ◽  
Jess Tyson
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Global Health ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Predatory Bacteria

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global health and economic crisis. With too few antibiotics in development to meet current and anticipated needs, there is a critical need for new therapies to treat Gram-negative infections. One potential approach is the use of living predatory bacteria, such as Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus (small Gram-negative bacteria that naturally invade and kill Gram-negative pathogens of humans, animals and plants). Moving toward the use of Bdellovibrio as a ‘living antibiotic’ demands the investigation and characterization of these bacterial predators in biologically relevant systems. We review the fundamental science supporting the feasibility of predatory bacteria as alternatives to antibiotics.

scholarly journals Loss of the virulence plasmid by Shigella sonnei promotes its interactions with CD207 and CD209 receptors

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bi-cong Wu ◽  
Njiri A. Olivia ◽  
John Mambwe Tembo ◽  
Ying-xia He ◽  
Ying-miao Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Shigella Sonnei ◽  
Virulence Plasmid ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Lectin Receptors ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
O Antigen ◽  
Rough Strain

Introduction. Shigella sonnei, the cause of bacillary dysentery, belongs to Gram-negative enteropathogenic bacteria. S. sonnei contains a 210 kb virulence plasmid that encodes an O-antigen gene cluster of LPSs. However, this virulence plasmid is frequently lost during replication. It is well-documented that after losing the O-antigen and becoming rough strains, the Gram-negative bacteria may express an LPS core on its surface. Previous studies have suggested that by using the LPS core, Gram-negative bacteria can interact with several C-type lectin receptors that are expressed on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Hypothesis/Gap Statement. S. sonnei by losing the virulence plasmid may hijack APCs via the interactions of LPS-CD209/CD207. Aim. This study aimed to investigate if the S. sonnei rough strain, by losing the virulence plasmid, interacted with APCs that express C-type lectins of human CD207, human CD209a and mouse CD209b. Methodology. SDS-PAGE silver staining was used to examine the O-antigen expression of S. sonnei WT and its rough strain. Invasion assays and inhibition assays were used to examine the ability of S. sonnei WT and its rough strain to invade APCs and investigate whether CD209 and CD207 are receptors for phagocytosis of rough S. sonnei . Animal assays were used to observe the dissemination of S. sonnei . Results. S. sonnei did not express O-antigens after losing the virulence plasmid. The S. sonnei rough strain invades with APCs, including human dendritic cells (DCs) and mouse macrophages. CD209 and CD207 are receptors for phagocytosis of rough S. sonnei . Expression of the O-antigen reduces the ability of the S. sonnei rough strain to be disseminated to mesenteric lymph nodes and spleens. Conclusion. This work demonstrated that S. sonnei rough strains – by losing the virulence plasmid – invaded APCs through interactions with CD209 and CD207 receptors.

Evaluation of the rapid ResaPolymyxin Acinetobacter/Pseudomonas NP test for rapid colistin resistance detection in lactose non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hyunsul Jung ◽  
Johann D. D. Pitout ◽  
Barend C. Mitton ◽  
Kathy-Anne Strydom ◽  
Chanel Kingsburgh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Major Error ◽  
Colistin Resistance ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Extensively Drug Resistant

Introduction. Colistin is one of the last-resort antibiotics for treating multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) lactose non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii . Gap Statement. As the rate of colistin resistance is steadily rising, there is a need for rapid and accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods for colistin. The Rapid ResaPolymyxin Acinetobacter / Pseudomonas NP test has recently been developed for rapid detection of colistin resistance in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii . Aim. The present study aimed to evaluate the performance of the Rapid ResaPolymyxin Acinetobacter / Pseudomonas NP test in comparison with the reference broth microdilution (BMD) method. Methodology. The Rapid ResaPolymyxin Acinetobacter / Pseudomonas NP test was performed using a total of 135 P . aeruginosa (17 colistin-resistant and 118 colistin-susceptible) and 66 A. baumannii isolates (32 colistin-resistant and 34 colistin-susceptible), in comparison with the reference BMD method. Results. The categorical agreement of the Rapid ResaPolymyxin Acinetobacter / Pseudomonas NP test with the reference BMD method was 97.5 % with a major error rate of 0 % (0/152) and a very major error (VME) rate of 10.2 %. The VME rate was higher (23.5 %) when calculated separately for P. aeruginosa isolates. The overall sensitivity and specificity were 89.8 and 100 %, respectively. Conclusion. The Rapid ResaPolymyxin Acinetobacter / Pseudomonas NP test performed better for A. baumannii than for P. aeruginosa .

scholarly journals CTX-M-type ESBL-mediated resistance to third-generation cephalosporins and conjugative transfer of resistance in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospitals in Tamil Nadu, India

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ramesh Nachimuthu ◽  
Velu Rajesh Kannan ◽  
Bulent Bozdogan ◽  
Vaithilingam Krishnakumar ◽  
Karutha Pandian S ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Third Generation ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Third Generation Cephalosporins ◽  
Group 1

Clinical pathogens, especially Gram-negative bacteria developing resistance to third-generation cephalosporins, are making clinical outcomes more complicated and serious. This study was undertaken to evaluate the distribution of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in Tamil Nadu, India. For this study, clinical samples were collected from five different hospitals located in Tamil Nadu and the ESBL-producing Gram-negative isolates were characterized. MIC was performed using cefotaxime and ceftazidime. The bla ESBL-producing genes were screened using multiplex PCR for the genes, CTX-M group-1, -2, -8, -9, -26. The conjugation studies were performed using Escherichia coli AB1157 as a recipient for the isolates harbouring plasmid-borne resistance following broth-mating experiment. In total, 1500 samples were collected and 599 Gram-negative bacteria were isolated that included E. coli (n=233), Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=182), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n=79), Citrobacter spp. (n=30), Proteus mirabilis (n=28), Salmonella spp. (n=21), Acinetobacter baumannii (n=12), Serratia spp. (n=6), Shigella spp. (n=4), Morganella morganii (n=3) and Providencia spp. (n=1). MIC results showed that 358 isolates were resistant to cefotaxime and ceftazidime. Further, ESBL gene-amplification results showed that 19 isolates had CTX-M group-1 gene including E. coli (n=16), K. pneumoniae (n=2) and P. aeruginosa (n=1) whereas one M. morganii isolate had CTX-M group-9, which was plasmid-borne. Through conjugation studies, 12/20 isolates were found to be involved in the transformation of its plasmid-borne resistance gene. Our study highlighted the importance of horizontal gene transfer in the dissemination of plasmid-borne bla CTX-M-type resistance genes among the clinical isolates.

Eikenella glucosivorans sp. nov., isolated from a human throat swab, and emendation of the genus Eikenella to include saccharolytic species

2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Silvio Hering ◽  
Moritz K. Jansson ◽  
Michael E. J. Buhl
Keyword(s):  
Type Species ◽  
Throat Swab ◽  
Novel Species ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Bacterium Strain

A novel species within the genus Eikenella is described, based on the phenotypical, biochemical and genetic characterization of a strain of a facultatively anaerobic, Gram-negative rod-shaped bacterium. Strain S3360T was isolated from the throat swab of a patient sampled during routine care at a hospital. Phylogenetic analyses (full-length 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences) placed the strain in the genus Eikenella , separate from all recognized species but with the closest relationship to Eikenella longinqua (NML 02-A-017T). Eikenella is one of the genera in the HACEK group known to be responsible for rare cases of endocarditis in humans. Until the recent descriptions of Eikenella exigua , Eikenella halliae and Eikenella longinqua , Eikenella corrodens had been the only validly published species in this genus since its description as Bacteroides corrodens in 1958. Unlike these species, strain S3360T is able to metabolize carbohydrates (glucose). The average nucleotide identities of strain S3360T with E. longinqua (NML 02-A-017T) and E. corrodens (NCTC 10596T), the type species of the genus, were 90.5 and 84.7 %, respectively, and the corresponding genome-to-genome distance values were 41.3 and 29.0 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of strain S3360T was 58.4 mol%. Based on the phenotypical, biochemical and genetic findings, strain S3360T is considered to represent a novel species within the genus Eikenella , for which the name Eikenella glucosivorans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is S3360T (DSM 110714T=CCOS 1935T=CCUG 74293T). In addition, an emendation of the genus Eikenella is proposed to include species which are saccharolytic.

Cell-free supernatants produced by lactic acid bacteria reduce Salmonella population in vitro

Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (11) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alberto Gonçalves Evangelista ◽  
Jessica Audrey Feijó Corrêa ◽  
João Vitor Garcia dos Santos ◽  
Eduardo Henrique Custódio Matté ◽  
Mônica Moura Milek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Lactic Acid ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Feed Additives ◽  
Poultry Feed ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type

The genus Salmonella is closely associated with foodborne outbreaks and animal diseases, and reports of antimicrobial resistance in Salmonella species are frequent. Several alternatives have been developed to control this pathogen, such as cell-free supernatants (CFS). Our objective here was to evaluate the use of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) CFS against Salmonella in vitro. Seventeen strains of LAB were used to produce CFS, and their antimicrobial activity was screened towards six strains of Salmonella . In addition, CFS were also pH-neutralized and/or boiled. Those with the best results were lyophilized. MICs of lyophilized CFS were 11.25–22.5 g l–1. Freeze-dried CFS were also used to supplement swine and poultry feed (11.25 g kg–1) and in vitro simulated digestion of both species was performed, with Salmonella contamination of 5×106 and 2×105 c.f.u. g−1 of swine and poultry feed, respectively. In the antimicrobial screening, all acidic CFS were able to inhibit the growth of Salmonella . After pH neutralization, Lactobacillus acidophilus Llorente, Limosilactobacillus fermentum CCT 1629, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum PUCPR44, Limosilactobacillus reuteri BioGaia, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and Pediococcus pentosaceus UM116 CFS were the only strains that partially maintained their antimicrobial activity and, therefore, were chosen for lyophilization. In the simulated swine digestion, Salmonella counts were reduced ≥1.78 log c.f.u. g–1 in the digesta containing either of the CFS. In the chicken simulation, a significant reduction was obtained with all CFS used (average reduction of 0.59±0.01 log c.f.u. ml–1). In general, the lyophilized CFS of L. fermentum CCT 1629, L. rhamnosus ATCC 7469 and L. acidophilus Llorente presented better antimicrobial activity. In conclusion, CFS show potential as feed additives to control Salmonella in animal production and may be an alternative to the use of antibiotics, minimizing problems related to antimicrobial resistance.

scholarly journals In vitro synergy of 5-nitrofurans, vancomycin and sodium deoxycholate against Gram-negative pathogens

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catrina Olivera ◽  
Vuong Van Hung Le ◽  
Catherine Davenport ◽  
Jasna Rakonjac
Keyword(s):  
Growth Inhibition ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Sodium Deoxycholate ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Bacterial Killing ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Time Kill

Introduction. There is an urgent need for effective therapies against bacterial infections, especially those caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative pathogens. Hypothesis. Synergistic combinations of existing antimicrobials show promise due to their enhanced efficacies and reduced dosages which can mitigate adverse effects, and therefore can be used as potential antibacterial therapy. Aim. In this study, we sought to characterize the in vitro interaction of 5-nitrofurans, vancomycin and sodium deoxycholate (NVD) against pathogenic bacteria. Methodology. The synergy of the NVD combination was investigated in terms of growth inhibition and bacterial killing using checkerboard and time-kill assays, respectively. Results. Using a three-dimensional checkerboard assay, we showed that 5-nitrofurans, sodium deoxycholate and vancomycin interact synergistically in the growth inhibition of 15 out of 20 Gram-negative strains tested, including clinically significant pathogens such as carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli , Klebsiella pneumoniae and Acinetobacter baumannii , and interact indifferently against the Gram-positive strains tested. The time-kill assay further confirmed that the triple combination was bactericidal in a synergistic manner. Conclusion. This study demonstrates the synergistic effect of 5-nitrofurans, sodium deoxycholate and vancomycin against Gram-negative pathogens and highlights the potential of the combination as a treatment for Gram-negative and Gram-positive infections.

scholarly journals Comparative genomics of Staphylococcus epidermidis from prosthetic-joint infections and nares highlights genetic traits associated with antimicrobial resistance, not virulence

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emeli Månsson ◽  
Thor Bech Johannesen ◽  
Åsa Nilsdotter-Augustinsson ◽  
Bo Söderquist ◽  
Marc Stegger
Keyword(s):  
Population Structure ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Genetic Traits ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Joint Infections ◽  
Prosthetic Joint ◽  
Prosthetic Joint Infections

There is increased awareness of the worldwide spread of specific epidemic multidrug-resistant (MDR) lineages of the human commensal Staphylococcus epidermidis . Here, using bioinformatic analyses accounting for population structure, we determined genomic traits (genes, SNPs and k-mers) that distinguish S. epidermidis causing prosthetic-joint infections (PJIs) from commensal isolates from nares, by analysing whole-genome sequencing data from S. epidermidis from PJIs prospectively collected over 10 years in Sweden, and contemporary S. epidermidis from the nares of patients scheduled for arthroplasty surgery. Previously suggested virulence determinants and the presence of genes and mutations linked to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) were also investigated. Publicly available S. epidermidis sequences were used for international extrapolation and validation of findings. Our data show that S. epidermidis causing PJIs differed from nasal isolates not by virulence but by traits associated with resistance to compounds used in prevention of PJIs: β-lactams, aminoglycosides and chlorhexidine. Almost a quarter of the PJI isolates did not belong to any of the previously described major nosocomial lineages, but the AMR-related traits were also over-represented in these isolates, as well as in international S. epidermidis isolates originating from PJIs. Genes previously associated with virulence in S. epidermidis were over-represented in individual lineages, but failed to reach statistical significance when adjusted for population structure. Our findings suggest that the current strategies for prevention of PJIs select for nosocomial MDR S. epidermidis lineages that have arisen from horizontal gene transfer of AMR-related traits into multiple genetic backgrounds.

Emergence of mgrB locus deletion mediating polymyxin resistance in pandemic KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae ST15 lineage

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luís Guilherme de Araújo Longo ◽  
Herrison Fontana ◽  
Viviane Santos de Sousa ◽  
Natalia Chilinque Zambão da Silva ◽  
Ianick Souto Martins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Virulence Genes ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Beta Lactamase ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Genes ◽  
Encoding Gene

Klebsiella pneumoniae causes a diversity of infections in both healthcare and community settings. This pathogen is showing an increased ability to accumulate antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes, making it a public health concern. Here we describe the whole-genome sequence characteristics of an ST15 colistin-resistant K. pneumoniae isolate obtained from a blood culture of a 79-year-old female patient admitted to a university hospital in Brazil. Kp14U04 was resistant to most clinically useful antimicrobial agents, remaining susceptible only to aminoglycosides and fosfomycin. The colistin resistance in this isolate was due to a ~1.3 kb deletion containing four genes, namely mgrB, yebO, yobH and the transcriptional regulator kdgR. The study isolate presented a variety of antimicrobial resistance genes, including the carbapenemase-encoding gene bla KPC-2, the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-encoding gene bla SHV-28 and the beta-lactamase-encoding gene bla OXA-1. Additionally, Kp14U04 harboured a multiple stress resistance protein, efflux systems and regulators, heavy metal resistance and virulence genes, plasmids, prophage-related sequences and genomic islands. These features revealed the high potential of this isolate to resist antimicrobial therapy, survive in adverse environments, cause infections and overcome host defence mechanisms.

Biochemical and functional characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis ketol-acid reductoisomerase

Microbiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 167 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nirbhay Singh ◽  
Anu Chauhan ◽  
Ram Kumar ◽  
Sudheer Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Low Ph ◽  
Stress Conditions ◽  
Starvation Stress ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Link Type

Branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs) are essential amino acids, but their biosynthetic pathway is absent in mammals. Ketol-acid reductoisomerase (IlvC) is a BCAA biosynthetic enzyme that is coded by Rv3001c in Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv (Mtb-Rv) and MRA_3031 in M. tuberculosis H37Ra (Mtb-Ra). IlvCs are essential in Mtb-Rv as well as in Escherichia coli . Compared to wild-type and IlvC-complemented Mtb-Ra strains, IlvC knockdown strain showed reduced survival at low pH and under low pH+starvation stress conditions. Further, increased expression of IlvC was observed under low pH and starvation stress conditions. Confirmation of a role for IlvC in pH and starvation stress was achieved by developing E. coli BL21(DE3) IlvC knockout, which was defective for growth in M9 minimal medium, but growth could be rescued by isoleucine and valine supplementation. Growth was also restored by complementing with over-expressing constructs of Mtb-Ra and E. coli IlvCs. The E. coli knockout also had a survival deficit at pH=5.5 and 4.5 and was more susceptible to killing at pH=3.0. The biochemical characterization of Mtb-Ra and E. coli IlvCs confirmed that both have NADPH-dependent activity. In conclusion, this study demonstrates the functional complementation of E. coli IlvC by Mtb-Ra IlvC and also suggests that IlvC has a role in tolerance to low pH and starvation stress.

Detection and partial characterization of extracellular inducers of persistence in Staphylococcus epidermidis and Staphylococcus aureus

2021 ◽  
Vol 70 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elyse C. Curry ◽  
Ryan G. Hart ◽  
Danni Y. Habtu ◽  
Neal R. Chamberlain
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Staphylococcus Epidermidis ◽  
Type Species ◽  
Proteinase K ◽  
Partial Characterization ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Inducing Factors

Introduction. This study describes the identification and partial characterization of persistence-inducing factors (PIFs) from staphylococci. Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Increases in persisters during mid-log phase growth indicate that quorum-sensing factors might be produced by staphylococci. Aim. To identify and partially characterize PIFs from Staphylococcus epidermidis RP62A and Staphylococcus aureus SH1000. Methodology. Others have demonstrated a significant increase in persister numbers during mid-log phase. Inducers of this mid-log increase have yet to be identified in staphylococci. Optical density at 600 nm (OD600) was used instead of time to determine when persister numbers increased during logarithmic growth. Concentrated culture filtrates (CCFs) from S. epidermidis and S. aureus were obtained at various OD600s and following incubation at 16 h. The CCFs were used to develop a PIF assay. The PIF assay was used to partially characterize PIF from S. epidermidis and S. aureus for sizing of PIF activity, temperature and protease sensitivity and inter-species communications. Results. The optimal OD600s for S. epidermidis and S. aureus PIF assays were 2.0 and 0.5, respectively. The highest PIF activity for both species was from CCF following incubation overnight (16 h). S. epidermidis ’ PIF activity was decreased by storage at 4 oC but not at 20 oC (16 h), 37 oC (1 h) or 100 oC (15 min). S. aureus ’ PIF activity was decreased following storage at 4 oC (2 weeks) and after boiling at 100 oC for 5 min but not after incubation at 37 oC (1 h). PIF activity from both species went through a 3000 molecular weight cutoff ultrafilter. Proteinase K treatment of S. aureus PIF decreased activity but did not decrease the PIF activity of S. epidermidis . PIF from S. epidermidis did not increase persisters when used to treat S. aureus cells and nor did PIF from S. aureus increase persisters when used to treat S. epidermidis cells. Conclusions. Attempts to discover PIFs for staphylococci were unsuccessful due to the time-based means used to identify mid-log. Both staphylococcal species produce extracellular, low-molecular-weight inducers of persistence when assayed using an OD600 -based PIF assay.

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