Therapeutics and Prevention
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionGenomic Characterization of Invasive Meningococcal Serogroup B Isolates and Estimation of 4CMenB Vaccine Coverage in Finland4CMenB is a 4-component vaccine used against invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by Neisseria meningitidis serogroup B (MenB). We investigated the genetic variability of MenB in Finland and evaluated 4CMenB strain coverage by 2 different methods: MATS (meningococcal antigen typing system) and gMATS (genetic MATS). In a set of MenB isolates, 78% (MATS) and 86...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionOxalate-Degrading Bacillus subtilis Mitigates Urolithiasis in a Drosophila melanogaster ModelKidney stone disease is a morbid condition that is increasing in prevalence, with few nonsurgical treatment options. The majority of stones are composed of calcium oxalate. Unlike humans, some microbes can break down oxalate, suggesting that microbial therapeutics may provide a novel treatment for kidney stone patients. This study demonstrated that Bacillus subtilis...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionEvolution of Early SARS-CoV-2 and Cross-Coronavirus ImmunityA critical step to ending the spread of the novel severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the ability to detect, diagnose, and understand why some individuals develop mild and others develop severe disease. For example, defining the early evolutionary patterns of humoral immunity to SARS-CoV-2, and whether prevalent coronaviruses or other common infections influence the evolution of immunity, remains poorly...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionIdentification of Simplified Microbial Communities That Inhibit Clostridioides difficile Infection through Dilution/ExtinctionClostridioides difficile is the leading cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and a significant health care burden. Fecal microbiota transplantation is highly effective at treating recurrent C. difficile disease; however, uncertainties about the undefined composition of fecal material and...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionThe Challenges of Using Oropharyngeal Samples To Measure Pneumococcal Carriage in AdultsStreptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus) is a significant global pathogen. Accurate identification and serotyping are vital. In contrast with World Health Organization recommendations based on culture methods, we demonstrate that pneumococcal identification and serotyping with molecular methods are affected by sample type. Results from oropharyngeal samples from...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionComparative Study of Protection against Newcastle Disease in Young Broilers Administered Natural Chicken Alpha Interferon via Oral and Intramuscular RoutesNewcastle disease (ND) is an economically important contagious disease of wild and domestic birds worldwide. The disease causes severe economic losses in terms of production due to high mortality and morbidity in nonvaccinated chickens. Despite extensive vaccination approaches, Newcastle disease (ND) remains a permanent threat to the poultry industry worldwide. In the current study, we used natural chicken IFN-α as an innate immune...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionAntimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy with Chlorin e6 Is Bactericidal against Biofilms of the Primary Human OtopathogensOtitis media (OM), or middle ear disease, is the most prevalent bacterial infection in children and the primary reason for antibiotic use and surgical intervention in the pediatric population. Biofilm formation by the major bacterial otopathogens, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and...
Meeting Highlights | Therapeutics and PreventionNipah@20: Lessons Learned from Another Virus with Pandemic PotentialNipah disease is listed as one of the WHO priority diseases that pose the greatest public health risk due to their epidemic potential. More than 200 experts from around the world convened in Singapore last year to mark the 20th anniversary of the first Nipah virus outbreaks in Malaysia and Singapore. Most of these experts are now involved in responding to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Here, members of the Organizing...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionSecretion of Recombinant Interleukin-22 by Engineered Lactobacillus reuteri Reduces Fatty Liver Disease in a Mouse Model of Diet-Induced ObesityIn humans, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease due to the increased prevalence of obesity. While treatment of NAFLD is often geared toward lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, the use of dietary supplements such as probiotics is underinvestigated. Here, we report that probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri reduces fatty liver...
Observation | Therapeutics and PreventionNonclassical Biofilms Induced by DNA Breaks in Klebsiella pneumoniaeMany pathogenic bacteria can form biofilm matrices that consist of complex molecules such as polysaccharides, proteins, and DNA. These biofilms help the bacteria to infect and colonize a host. Such biofilms may attach and develop on the surfaces of indwelling medical devices or other supportive environments. This study found that following double-strand breaks in their DNA, ...