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Editor's Pick Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologyCOVID-19: Knowns, Unknowns, and QuestionsThe recent emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) from the Hubei province in China in late 2019 demonstrates the epidemic potential of coronaviruses. The rapid spread of this virus across the world in only 2 months highlights the transmissibility of this family of viruses and the significant morbidity and mortality that they can cause. We highlight the current state of knowledge of coronavirus biology...
Perspective | Host-Microbe BiologyCOVID-19: an Immunopathological ViewSince its emergence in December 2019, it took only a couple of months for an outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO). This along with the highly infectious nature of the disease and the associated mortality call for particular attention to the underlying (immuno)pathomechanism(s). The latter will inform case management and vaccine design. Unravelling...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyDiscovery of Bat Coronaviruses through Surveillance and Probe Capture-Based Next-Generation SequencingActive surveillance is both urgent and essential to predict and mitigate the emergence of bat-origin CoV in humans and livestock. However, great genetic diversity increases the chance of homologous recombination among CoVs. Performing targeted PCR, a common practice for many surveillance studies, would not reflect this diversity. NGS, on the other hand, is an expensive methodology and is prone to missing low-abundance CoV sequences....
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceSituations Leading to Reduced Effectiveness of Current Hand Hygiene against Infectious Mucus from Influenza Virus-Infected PatientsAntiseptic hand rubbing (AHR) and antiseptic hand washing (AHW) are important to prevent the spread of influenza A virus (IAV). This study elucidated the situations/mechanisms underlying the reduced efficacy of AHR against infectious mucus derived from IAV-infected individuals and indicated the weaknesses of the current hand hygiene regimens. Due to the low rate of diffusion/convection because of the physical properties of mucus as a...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceInfluences of Ingredients and Bakers on the Bacteria and Fungi in Sourdough Starters and BreadSourdough starters are complex communities of yeast and bacteria which confer characteristic flavor and texture to sourdough bread. The microbes present in starters can be sourced from ingredients or the baking environment and are typically consistent over time. Herein, we show that even when the recipe and ingredients for starter and bread are identical, different bakers around the globe produce highly diverse starters which then alter...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionMultiple Bactericidal Mechanisms of the Zinc Ionophore PBT2More antimicrobials are used in food-producing animals than in humans, and the extensive use of medically important human antimicrobials poses a significant public health threat in the face of rising antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, the elimination of antimicrobial crossover between human and veterinary medicine is of great interest. Unfortunately, the development of new antimicrobials is an expensive high-risk process fraught with...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyHost Cathelicidin Exacerbates Group B Streptococcus Urinary Tract InfectionCertain populations such as diabetic individuals are at increased risk for developing urinary tract infections (UTI), although the underlying reasons for this susceptibility are not fully known. Additionally, diabetics are more likely to become infected with certain types of bacteria, such as group B Streptococcus (GBS). In this study, we find that an antimicrobial peptide called cathelicidin, which is thought to protect the...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyA Zinc Cluster Transcription Factor Contributes to the Intrinsic Fluconazole Resistance of Candida aurisCandida auris is a recently emerged pathogenic yeast that within a few years after its initial description has spread all over the globe. C. auris is a major concern for human health, because it can cause life-threatening systemic infections, is easily transmissible, and is difficult to eradicate...
Editor's Pick Observation | Therapeutics and PreventionOxadiazole-Containing Macrocyclic Peptides Potentiate Azole Activity against Pathogenic Candida SpeciesFungal infections, such as those caused by pathogenic Candida species, pose a serious threat to human health. Treating these infections relies heavily on the use of azole antifungals; however, resistance to these drugs develops readily, demanding novel therapeutic strategies. This study characterized the antifungal activity of a series of molecules that possess unique chemical attributes and the ability to traverse cellular...
