scholarly journals Increased Vancomycin Susceptibility in Mycobacteria: a New Approach To Identify Synergistic Activity against Multidrug-Resistant Mycobacteria

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (8) ◽  
pp. 5057-5060 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karine Soetaert ◽  
Céline Rens ◽  
Xiao-Ming Wang ◽  
Jacqueline De Bruyn ◽  
Marie-Antoinette Lanéelle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid Synthesis ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Screening Strategy ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Phthiocerol Dimycocerosates ◽  
Type Strains ◽  
Phenolic Glycolipids

ABSTRACTMycobacterium tuberculosisis wrapped in complex waxes, impermeable to most antibiotics. ComparingMycobacterium bovisBCG andM. tuberculosismutants that lack phthiocerol dimycocerosates (PDIM) and/or phenolic glycolipids with wild-type strains, we observed that glycopeptides strongly inhibited PDIM-deprived mycobacteria. Vancomycin together with a drug targeting lipid synthesis inhibited multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) clinical isolates. Our study puts glycopeptides in the pipeline of potential antituberculosis (TB) agents and might provide a new antimycobacterial drug-screening strategy.

scholarly journals Snf1 Is a Regulator of Lipid Accumulation in Yarrowia lipolytica

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (23) ◽  
pp. 7360-7370 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Seip ◽  
Raymond Jackson ◽  
Hongxian He ◽  
Quinn Zhu ◽  
Seung-Pyo Hong
Keyword(s):  
Yarrowia Lipolytica ◽  
Lipid Accumulation ◽  
Oleaginous Yeast ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Lipid Synthesis ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Dry Cell Weight

ABSTRACTIn the oleaginous yeastYarrowia lipolytica,de novolipid synthesis and accumulation are induced under conditions of nitrogen limitation (or a high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio). The regulatory pathway responsible for this induction has not been identified. Here we report that the SNF1 pathway plays a key role in the transition from the growth phase to the oleaginous phase inY. lipolytica. Strains with aY. lipolyticasnf1(Ylsnf1) deletion accumulated fatty acids constitutively at levels up to 2.6-fold higher than those of the wild type. When introduced into aY. lipolyticastrain engineered to produce omega-3 eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA),Ylsnf1deletion led to a 52% increase in EPA titers (7.6% of dry cell weight) over the control. Other components of theY. lipolyticaSNF1 pathway were also identified, and their function in limiting fatty acid accumulation is suggested by gene deletion analyses. Deletion of the gene encoding YlSnf4, YlGal83, or YlSak1 significantly increased lipid accumulation in both growth and oleaginous phases compared to the wild type. Furthermore, microarray and quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) analyses of theYlsnf1mutant identified significantly differentially expressed genes duringde novolipid synthesis and accumulation inY. lipolytica. Gene ontology analysis found that these genes were highly enriched with genes involved in lipid metabolism. This work presents a new role for Snf1/AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathways in lipid accumulation in this oleaginous yeast.

scholarly journals Pharmacodynamics of Itraconazole against Aspergillus fumigatus in anIn VitroModel of the Human Alveolus: Perspectives on the Treatment of Triazole-Resistant Infection and Utility of Airway Administration

2012 ◽  
Vol 56 (8) ◽  
pp. 4146-4153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zaid Al-Nakeeb ◽  
Ajay Sudan ◽  
Adam R. Jeans ◽  
Lea Gregson ◽  
Joanne Goodwin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Therapeutic Strategies ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Exposure Response ◽  
Prevention And Treatment ◽  
Resistant Infection ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Type Strains

ABSTRACTItraconazole is used for the prevention and treatment of infections caused byAspergillus fumigatus. An understanding of the pharmacodynamics of itraconazole against wild-type and triazole-resistant strains provides a basis for innovative therapeutic strategies for treatment of infections. Anin vitromodel of the human alveolus was used to define the pharmacodynamics of itraconazole. Galactomannan was used as a biomarker. The effect of systemic and airway administration of itraconazole was assessed, as was a combination of itraconazole administered to the airway and systemically administered 5FC. Systemically administered itraconazole against the wild type induced a concentration-dependent decline in galactomannan in the alveolar and endothelial compartments. No exposure-response relationships were apparent for the L98H, M220T, or G138C mutant. The administration of itraconazole to the airway resulted in comparable exposure-response relationships to those observed with systemic therapy. This was achieved without detectable concentrations of drug within the endothelial compartment. The airway administration of itraconazole resulted in a definite but submaximal effect in the endothelial compartment against the L98H mutant. The administration of 5FC resulted in a concentration-dependent decline in galactomannan in both the alveolar and endothelial compartments. The combination of airway administration of itraconazole and systemically administered 5FC was additive. Systemic administration of itraconazole is ineffective against Cyp51 mutants. The airway administration of itraconazole is effective for the treatment of wild-type strains and appears to have some activity against the L98H mutants. Combination with other agents, such as 5FC, may enable the attainment of near-maximal antifungal activity.

scholarly journals Molecular Analysis of Resistance and Detection of Non-Wild-Type Strains Using Etest Epidemiological Cutoff Values for Amphotericin B and Echinocandins for Bloodstream Candida Infections from a Tertiary Hospital in Qatar

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saad J. Taj-Aldeen ◽  
Husam Salah ◽  
Winder B. Perez ◽  
Muna Almaslamani ◽  
Mary Motyl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amphotericin B ◽  
Hot Spot ◽  
Antifungal Susceptibility ◽  
Tertiary Hospital ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Cutoff Values ◽  
Echinocandin Resistance ◽  
Candida Infections ◽  
Type Strains

ABSTRACT A total of 301 Candida bloodstream isolates collected from 289 patients over 5 years at a tertiary hospital in Qatar were evaluated. Out of all Candida infections, 53% were diagnosed in patients admitted to the intensive care units. Steady increases in non-albicans Candida species were reported from 2009 to 2014 (30.2% for Candida albicans versus 69.8% for the other Candida species). Etest antifungal susceptibility testing was performed on all recovered clinical isolates to determine echinocandin (micafungin and anidulafungin) and amphotericin B susceptibilities and assess non-wild-type (non-WT) strains (strains for which MICs were above the epidemiological cutoff values). DNA sequence analysis was performed on all isolates to assess the presence of FKS mutations, which confer echinocandin resistance in Candida species. A total of 3.9% of isolates (12/301) among strains of C. albicans and C. orthopsilosis contained FKS hot spot mutations, including heterozygous mutations in FKS1. For C. tropicalis, the Etest appeared to overestimate strains non-WT for micafungin, anidulafungin, and amphotericin B, as 14%, 11%, and 35% of strains, respectively, had values above the epidemiological cutoff value. However, no FKS mutations were identified in this species. For all other species, micafungin best reported the echinocandin non-WT strains relative to the FKS genotype, as anidulafungin tended to overestimate non-wild-type strains. Besides C. tropicalis, few strains were classified as non-WT for amphotericin B.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Antibiotic Combinations against Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Automated Time-Lapse Microscopy and Static Time-Kill Experiments

2020 ◽  
Vol 64 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Olsson ◽  
Pikkei Wistrand-Yuen ◽  
Elisabet I. Nielsen ◽  
Lena E. Friberg ◽  
Linus Sandegren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Positive Interactions ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Time Lapse Microscopy ◽  
Time Kill ◽  
Antibiotic Combination

ABSTRACT Antibiotic combination therapy is used for severe infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria, yet data regarding which combinations are most effective are lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the in vitro efficacy of polymyxin B in combination with 13 other antibiotics against four clinical strains of MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa. We evaluated the interactions of polymyxin B in combination with amikacin, aztreonam, cefepime, chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, linezolid, meropenem, minocycline, rifampin, temocillin, thiamphenicol, or trimethoprim by automated time-lapse microscopy using predefined cutoff values indicating inhibition of growth (≤106 CFU/ml) at 24 h. Promising combinations were subsequently evaluated in static time-kill experiments. All strains were intermediate or resistant to polymyxin B, antipseudomonal β-lactams, ciprofloxacin, and amikacin. Genes encoding β-lactamases (e.g., blaPAO and blaOXA-50) and mutations associated with permeability and efflux were detected in all strains. In the time-lapse microscopy experiments, positive interactions were found with 39 of 52 antibiotic combination/bacterial strain setups. Enhanced activity was found against all four strains with polymyxin B used in combination with aztreonam, cefepime, fosfomycin, minocycline, thiamphenicol, and trimethoprim. Time-kill experiments showed additive or synergistic activity with 27 of the 39 tested polymyxin B combinations, most frequently with aztreonam, cefepime, and meropenem. Positive interactions were frequently found with the tested combinations, against strains that harbored several resistance mechanisms to the single drugs, and with antibiotics that are normally not active against P. aeruginosa. Further study is needed to explore the clinical utility of these combinations.

scholarly journals Nisin Resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Is Increased by Exposure to Salt Stress and Is Mediated via LiaR

2013 ◽  
Vol 79 (18) ◽  
pp. 5682-5688 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teresa M. Bergholz ◽  
Silin Tang ◽  
Martin Wiedmann ◽  
Kathryn J. Boor
Keyword(s):  
Salt Stress ◽  
Listeria Monocytogenes ◽  
Safety Concern ◽  
Response Regulator ◽  
Brain Heart Infusion ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Protective Effects ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Type Strains

ABSTRACTGrowth ofListeria monocytogeneson refrigerated, ready-to-eat food is a significant food safety concern. Natural antimicrobials, such as nisin, can be used to control this pathogen on food, but little is known about how other food-related stresses may impact how the pathogen responds to these compounds. Prior work demonstrated that exposure ofL. monocytogenesto salt stress at 7°C led to increased expression of genes involved in nisin resistance, including the response regulatorliaR. We hypothesized that exposure to salt stress would increase subsequent resistance to nisin and that LiaR would contribute to increased nisin resistance. Isogenic deletion mutations inliaRwere constructed in 7 strains ofL. monocytogenes, and strains were exposed to 6% NaCl in brain heart infusion broth and then tested for resistance to nisin (2 mg/ml Nisaplin) at 7°C. For the wild-type strains, exposure to salt significantly increased subsequent nisin resistance (P< 0.0001) over innate levels of resistance. Compared to the salt-induced nisin resistance of wild-type strains, ΔliaRstrains were significantly more sensitive to nisin (P< 0.001), indicating that induction of LiaFSR led to cross-protection ofL. monocytogenesagainst subsequent inactivation by nisin. Transcript levels of LiaR-regulated genes were induced by salt stress, and lmo1746 andtelAwere found to contribute to LiaR-mediated salt-induced nisin resistance. These data suggest that environmental stresses similar to those on foods can influence the resistance ofL. monocytogenesto antimicrobials such as nisin, and potential cross-protective effects should be considered when selecting and applying control measures for this pathogen on ready-to-eat foods.

scholarly journals Synergistic Activity of Colistin-Containing Combinations against Colistin-ResistantEnterobacteriaceae

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thea Brennan-Krohn ◽  
Alejandro Pironti ◽  
James E. Kirby
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Options ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Gram Negative ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Carbapenem Resistant ◽  
Resistant Strains ◽  
Bacterial Outer Membrane ◽  
Time Kill ◽  
Synergistic Combinations

ABSTRACTResistance to colistin, a polypeptide drug used as an agent of last resort for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria, including carbapenem-resistantEnterobacteriaceae(CRE), severely limits treatment options and may even transform an XDR organism into one that is pan-resistant. We investigated the synergistic activity of colistin in combination with 19 antibiotics against a collection of 20 colistin-resistantEnterobacteriaceaeisolates, 15 of which were also CRE. All combinations were tested against all strains using an inkjet printer-assisted digital dispensing checkerboard array, and the activities of those that demonstrated synergy by this method were evaluated against a single isolate in a time-kill synergy study. Eighteen of 19 combinations demonstrated synergy against two or more isolates, and the 4 most highly synergistic combinations (colistin combined with linezolid, rifampin, azithromycin, and fusidic acid) were synergistic against ≥90% of strains. Sixteen of 18 combinations (88.9%) that were synergistic in the checkerboard array were also synergistic in a time-kill study. Our findings demonstrate that colistin in combination with a range of antibiotics, particularly protein and RNA synthesis inhibitors, exhibits synergy against colistin-resistant strains, suggesting that colistin may exert a subinhibitory permeabilizing effect on the Gram-negative bacterial outer membrane even in isolates that are resistant to it. These findings suggest that colistin combination therapy may have promise as a treatment approach for patients infected with colistin-resistant XDR Gram-negative pathogens.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Account of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 in Wastewater Reveals an Abundance of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Clade A Strains

2019 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Finn ◽  
Lena Scriver ◽  
Linh Lam ◽  
Mai Duong ◽  
Gisele Peirano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
International Health ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Screening Strategy ◽  
Sequence Type ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Dominant Form ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Comprehensive Account ◽  
Tract Infections

ABSTRACT In the ten years since its discovery, the Escherichia coli clone sequence type 131 (ST131) has become a major international health threat, with the multidrug-resistant and extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing clade C emerging as the globally dominant form. ST131 has previously been isolated from wastewater; however, most of these studies selectively screened for ESBL-producing organisms, thereby missing the majority of remaining ST131 clades. In this study, we used a high-throughput PCR-based screening strategy to comprehensively examine wastewater for the presence of ST131 over a 1-year period. Additional multiplex PCRs were used to differentiate clades and obtain an unbiased account of the total ST131 population structure within the collection. Furthermore, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of all ST131-positive samples were tested against a range of commonly used antibiotics. From a total of over 3,762 E. coli wastewater samples, 1.86% (n = 70) tested positive for ST131, with the majority being clade A isolates. In total, 63% (n = 44) were clade A, 29% (n = 20) were clade B, 1% (n = 1) were clade C0, 6% (n = 4) were clade C1, and 1% (n = 1) were clade C2. In addition, a very high rate of resistance to commonly used antibiotics among wastewater isolates is reported, with 72.7% (n = 32) of clade A resistant to ciprofloxacin and high rates of resistance to gentamicin, sulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim, and tetracycline in clades that are typically sensitive to antibiotics. IMPORTANCE ST131 is a global pathogen. This clone causes urinary tract infections and is frequently isolated from human sources. However, little is known about ST131 from environmental sources. With the widely reported increase in antibiotic concentrations found in wastewater, there is additional selection pressure for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant ST131 in this niche. The unbiased screening approach reported herein revealed that previously antibiotic-sensitive lineages of ST131 are now resistant to commonly used antibiotics present in wastewater systems and may be capable of surviving UV sterilization. This is the most comprehensive account of ST131 in the wastewater niche to date and an important step in better understanding the ecology of this global pathogen.

scholarly journals Alterations of Metabolic and Lipid Profiles in Polymyxin-ResistantPseudomonas aeruginosa

2018 ◽  
Vol 62 (6) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mei-Ling Han ◽  
Yan Zhu ◽  
Darren J. Creek ◽  
Yu-Wei Lin ◽  
Dovile Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lipid A ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Polymyxin B ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Metabolomics Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
High Level ◽  
Acyl Coenzyme A

ABSTRACTMultidrug-resistantPseudomonas aeruginosapresents a global medical challenge, and polymyxins are a key last-resort therapeutic option. Unfortunately, polymyxin resistance inP. aeruginosahas been increasingly reported. The present study was designed to define metabolic differences between paired polymyxin-susceptible and -resistantP. aeruginosastrains using untargeted metabolomics and lipidomics analyses. The metabolomes of wild-typeP. aeruginosastrain K ([PAK] polymyxin B MIC, 1 mg/liter) and its pairedpmrBmutant strains, PAKpmrB6and PAKpmrB12(polymyxin B MICs of 16 mg/liter and 64 mg/liter, respectively) were characterized using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, and metabolic differences were identified through multivariate and univariate statistics. PAKpmrB6and PAKpmrB12, which displayed lipid A modifications with 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose, showed significant perturbations in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism, particularly the intermediate metabolites from 4-amino-4-deoxy-l-arabinose synthesis and the methionine salvage cycle pathways. The genomics result showed a premature termination (Y275stop) inspeE(encoding spermidine synthase) in PAKpmrB6, and metabolomics data revealed a decreased intracellular level of spermidine in PAKpmrB6compared to that in PAKpmrB12. Our results indicate that spermidine may play an important role in high-level polymyxin resistance inP. aeruginosa. Interestingly, bothpmrBmutants had decreased levels of phospholipids, fatty acids, and acyl-coenzyme A compared to those in the wild-type PAK. Moreover, the more resistant PAKpmrB12mutant exhibited much lower levels of phospholipids than the PAKpmrB6mutant, suggesting that the decreased phospholipid level was associated with polymyxin resistance. In summary, this study provides novel mechanistic information on polymyxin resistance inP. aeruginosaand highlights its impacts on bacterial metabolism.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Networks Controlling the Antimicrobial-Peptide-Dependent Induction of Klebsiella pneumoniae Virulence Factors

2011 ◽  
Vol 79 (9) ◽  
pp. 3718-3732 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrique Llobet ◽  
Miguel A. Campos ◽  
Paloma Giménez ◽  
David Moranta ◽  
José A. Bengoechea
Keyword(s):  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Defense Mechanisms ◽  
Lipid A ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Cross Resistance ◽  
New Approach ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Signaling Systems ◽  
Transcriptional Changes ◽  
Initial Target

ABSTRACTAntimicrobial peptides (APs) impose a threat to the survival of pathogens, and it is reasonable to postulate that bacteria have developed strategies to counteract them. Polymyxins are becoming the last resort to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and, similar to APs, they interact with the anionic lipopolysaccharide. Given that polymyxins and APs share the initial target, it is possible that bacterial defense mechanisms against polymyxins will be also effective against host APs. We sought to determine whether exposure to polymyxin will increaseKlebsiella pneumoniaeresistance to host APs. Indeed, exposure ofK. pneumoniaeto polymyxin induces cross-resistance not only to polymyxin itself but also to APs present in the airways. Polymyxin treatment upregulates the expression of the capsule polysaccharide operon and the loci required to modify the lipid A with aminoarabinose and palmitate with a concomitant increase in capsule and lipid A species containing such modifications. Moreover, these surface changes contribute to APs resistance and also to polymyxin-induced cross-resistance to APs. Bacterial loads of lipid A mutants in trachea and lungs of intranasally infected mice were lower than those of wild-type strain. PhoPQ, PmrAB, and the Rcs system govern polymyxin-induced transcriptional changes, and there is a cross talk between PhoPQ and the Rcs system. Our findings support the notion thatKlebsiellaactivates a defense program against APs that is controlled by three signaling systems. Therapeutic strategies directed to prevent the activation of this program could be a new approach worth exploring to facilitate the clearance of the pathogen from the airways.

scholarly journals Synergistic Efficacy of Aedes aegypti Antimicrobial Peptide Cecropin A2 and Tetracycline against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2017 ◽  
Vol 61 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhaojun Zheng ◽  
Nagendran Tharmalingam ◽  
Qingzhong Liu ◽  
Elamparithi Jayamani ◽  
Wooseong Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Aedes Aegypti ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Resistant Bacteria ◽  
Synergistic Activity ◽  
Content Type

ABSTRACT The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance has created an urgent need for alternative drugs with new mechanisms of action. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are promising candidates that could address the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria, either alone or in combination with conventional antibiotics. We studied the antimicrobial efficacy and bactericidal mechanism of cecropin A2, a 36-residue α-helical cationic peptide derived from Aedes aegypti cecropin A, focusing on the common pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The peptide showed little hemolytic activity and toxicity toward mammalian cells, and the MICs against most clinical P. aeruginosa isolates were 32 to 64 μg/ml, and its MICs versus other Gram-negative bacteria were 2 to 32 μg/ml. Importantly, cecropin A2 demonstrated synergistic activity against P. aeruginosa when combined with tetracycline, reducing the MICs of both agents by 8-fold. The combination was also effective in vivo in the P. aeruginosa/Galleria mellonella model (P < 0.001). We found that cecropin A2 bound to P. aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides, permeabilized the membrane, and interacted with the bacterial genomic DNA, thus facilitating the translocation of tetracycline into the cytoplasm. In summary, the combination of cecropin A2 and tetracycline demonstrated synergistic antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa in vitro and in vivo, offering an alternative approach for the treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

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