Most read article(s)
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...
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: Redefining an Influenza Virus—How Different Are Influenza Viruses and Extracellular Vesicles?Seema Lakdawala works in the field of influenza virology. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the article “Conserved and host-specific features of influenza virion architecture” by Edward C.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyReconstruction of the Genomes of Drug-Resistant Pathogens for Outbreak Investigation through Metagenomic SequencingThe study results reported here perfectly demonstrate the power and promise of clinical metagenomics to recover genome sequences of important drug-resistant bacteria and to rapidly provide rich data that inform outbreak investigations and treatment decisions, independently of the need to culture the organisms.
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: Hiring of Underrepresented Minority Assistant Professors in Medical School Basic Science Departments Has a Long Way To GoMichael D. L. Johnson is a molecular microbiologist observing the role of metals in bacterial biology. In this mSphere of Influence article, he discusses the impact that the paper “Decoupling of the minority PhD talent pool and assistant professor hiring in medical school basic science departments in the US” by Kenneth D. Gibbs, Jr., Jacob Basson, Imam M. Xierali, and David A.
Commentary | Host-Microbe BiologymSphere of Influence: an Inupiat Journey in ScienceDr. Kathryn Milligan-Myhre works in the field of host-microbe interactions. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on the people and scientific ideas that influenced her journey from a small town in Alaska to a faculty position at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Commentary | Molecular Biology and PhysiologymSphere of Influence: Modifying an Old Method To Study RNA-Protein InteractionsCalvin Tiengwe works on posttranscriptional gene regulation and iron homeostasis in the parasitic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the paper “Comprehensive identification of RNA-protein interactions in any organism using orthogonal organic phase separation (OOPS)” by Queiroz et al. (Nat Biotechnol 37:169–...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyTetrasodium EDTA Is Effective at Eradicating Biofilms Formed by Clinically Relevant Microorganisms from Patients’ Central Venous CathetersThe colonization of catheters by microorganisms often precludes their long-term use, which can be a problem for human patients that have few body sites available for new catheters. The colonizing organisms often form biofilms, and increasingly these organisms are resistant to multiple antibiotics, making them difficult to treat. In this article, we have taken microorganisms that are associated with biofilm formation in catheters from...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceInvasive Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus USA500 Strains from the U.S. Emerging Infections Program Constitute Three Geographically Distinct LineagesIn this work, we have removed some of the confusion surrounding the use of the name “USA500,” placed USA500 strains in the context of the CC8 group, and developed a strategy for assignment to subclades based on genome sequence. Our new phylogeny of USA300/USA500 will be a reference point for understanding the genetic adaptations that have allowed multiple highly virulent clonal strains to emerge from within CC8 over the past 50 years....
Commentary | Therapeutics and PreventionAntibodies Are Major Drivers of Protection against Lethal Aerosol Infection with Highly Pathogenic Burkholderia spp.Burkholderia pseudomallei and Burkholderia mallei are the causative agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively. There is no vaccine to protect against these highly pathogenic bacteria, and there is concern regarding their emergence as global public health (...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTemporal Variability of Escherichia coli Diversity in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Tanzanian Children with and without Exposure to AntibioticsThis study increases the number of resident Escherichia coli genome sequences, and explores E. coli diversity through longitudinal sampling. We investigate the genomes of E. coli isolated from human gastrointestinal tracts as part...