Archive
Research Article
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyIdentification of Nasal Gammaproteobacteria with Potent Activity against Staphylococcus aureus: Novel Insights into the “Noncarrier” StateNasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus is a risk factor for infection, but it is not yet understood why some individuals carry nasal S. aureus persistently, intermittently, or seemingly not at all when tested via culture methods. This study compared the nasal microbiomes of established...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Majority of Typhoid Toxin-Positive Salmonella Serovars Encode ArtB, an Alternate Binding SubunitWhile previous reports had suggested that the typhoid toxin (TT) could potentially use ArtB as an alternate binding subunit, this was thought to play a minor role in the evolution and biology of the toxin. In this study, we establish that both TT genes and artB are widespread among Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica, suggesting that TT likely plays...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyCoexpression of MmpS5 and MmpL5 Contributes to Both Efflux Transporter MmpL5 Trimerization and Drug Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosisIt has been reported that mycobacterial membrane protein large 5 (MmpL5), a resistance-nodulation-division (RND)-type inner membrane transporter in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is involved in the transport of antimycobacterial drugs. However, the functional roles of the membrane fusion protein mycobacterial membrane protein small 5 (MmpS5), organized as...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceEscherichia coli Genomic Diversity within Extraintestinal Acute Infections Argues for Adaptive Evolution at PlayLittle is known about the dynamics of adaptation in acute bacterial infections. By sequencing multiple isolates from monoclonal extraintestinal Escherichia coli infections in several patients, we were able to uncover traces of selection taking place at short time scales compared to chronic infection.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDisentangling the Relative Roles of Vertical Transmission, Subsequent Colonizations, and Diet on Cockroach Microbiome AssemblyWhen host fitness is dependent on gut microbiota, microbial community flexibility and reproducibility enhance host fitness by allowing fine-tuned environmental tracking and sufficient stability for host traits to evolve. Our findings lend support to the importance of vertically transmitted early-life microbiota as stabilizers through interactions with potential colonizers that may contribute to ensuring that the microbiota aligns within...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologySmall RNAs Are Implicated in Regulation of Gene and Transposable Element Expression in the Protist Trichomonas vaginalisTrichomoniasis, caused by the protozoan Trichomonas vaginalis, is the most common nonviral sexually transmitted infection in humans. The millions of cases each year have sequelae that may include complications during pregnancy and increased risk of HIV infection.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyHuman Cytomegalovirus UL7, miR-US5-1, and miR-UL112-3p Inactivation of FOXO3a Protects CD34+ Hematopoietic Progenitor Cells from ApoptosisHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) causes serious disease in immunocompromised individuals and is a significant problem during transplantation. The virus can establish a latent infection in CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and periodically reactivate to cause disease in the absence of an intact immune system.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyStructure-Guided Design of a Synthetic Mimic of an Endothelial Protein C Receptor-Binding PfEMP1 ProteinVaccines train our immune systems to generate antibodies which recognize pathogens. Some of these antibodies are highly protective, preventing infection, while others are ineffective.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyNext-Generation Sequencing Analysis of the Within-Host Genetic Diversity of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 Viruses in the Upper and Lower Respiratory Tracts of Patients with Severe InfluenzaThe D222G/N substitution in the hemagglutinin (HA) protein of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 virus has been reported to be associated with disease severity and mortality in numerous previous studies. In the present study, 75% of lower respiratory samples contained heterogeneous influenza populations that carried different amino acids at position 222 of the HA protein, whereas all upper respiratory samples only contained the wild-type 222D....
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyGenomic Epidemiology and Evolution of Escherichia coli in Wild Animals in MexicoEscherichia coli is a clinically important bacterial species implicated in human- and livestock-associated infections worldwide. The bacterium is known to reside in the guts of humans, livestock, and wild animals.
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionDichloroacetate and Pyruvate Metabolism: Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Kinases as Targets Worth Investigating for Effective Therapy of ToxoplasmosisCurrently, the drugs used for toxoplasmosis have severe toxicity to human cells, and the treatment still lacks effective and safer alternatives. The search for novel drug targets is timely.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMonitoring COVID-19 Transmission Risks by Quantitative Real-Time PCR Tracing of Droplets in Hospital and Living EnvironmentsSeveral studies evaluated the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment. Saliva and nasopharyngeal droplets can land on objects and surfaces, creating fomites.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAssociation of Zinc Finger Antiviral Protein Binding to Viral Genomic RNA with Attenuation of Replication of Echovirus 7We recently discovered that the OAS3/RNase L antiviral pathway is essential for restriction of CpG- and UpA-enriched viruses, in addition to the requirement for zinc finger antiviral protein (ZAP). The current study provides evidence for the specific dinucleotide and wider recognition contexts associated with virus recognition and attenuation.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyAnalysis of Apoptosis-Related Genes Reveals that Apoptosis Functions in Conidiation and Pathogenesis of Fusarium pseudograminearumThe plant-pathogenic fungus F. pseudograminearum is the causal agent of Fusarium crown rot (FCR) in wheat and barley, resulting in substantial yield losses worldwide. Particularly, in the Huanghuai wheat-growing region of China, F. pseudograminearum was reported as the dominant Fusarium species in FCR infections.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyNovel Immune Modulators Enhance Caenorhabditis elegans Resistance to Multiple PathogensTrends moving in opposite directions (increasing antimicrobial resistance and declining novel antimicrobial development) have precipitated a looming crisis: a nearly complete inability to safely and effectively treat bacterial infections. To avert this, new approaches are needed.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceAmplicon Sequencing-Based Bipartite Network Analysis Confirms a High Degree of Specialization and Modularity for Fungi and Prokaryotes in DeadwoodDeadwood is important for our forest ecosystems. It feeds and houses many organisms, e.g., fungi and prokaryotes, with many different species contributing to its decomposition and nutrient cycling.
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionStaphylococcus aureus Tolerance and Genomic Response to Photodynamic InactivationStaphylococcus aureus can cause disease at most body sites, with illness ranging from asymptomatic infection to death. The increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant strains results in treatment failures and high mortality rates. S. aureus acquires resistance to antibiotics through multiple...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyPhosphorylation of the Canonical Histone H2A Marks Foci of Damaged DNA in Malaria ParasitesPlasmodium falciparum is the deadliest human parasite that causes malaria when it reaches the bloodstream and begins proliferating inside red blood cells, where the parasites are particularly prone to DNA damage. The molecular mechanisms that allow these pathogens to maintain their genome integrity under such conditions are also the driving force for acquiring genome...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRandomized Controlled Trial of Oral Vancomycin Treatment in Clostridioides difficile-Colonized PatientsA gold standard diagnostic for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) does not exist. An area of controversy is how to manage patients whose stool tests positive by nucleic acid amplification tests but negative by toxin enzyme immunoassay.
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceGenes Influencing Phage Host Range in Staphylococcus aureus on a Species-Wide ScaleStaphylococcus aureus is a widespread, hospital- and community-acquired pathogen, many strains of which are antibiotic resistant. It causes diverse diseases, ranging from local to systemic infection, and affects both the skin and many internal organs, including the heart, lungs, bones, and brain.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyCoexistence of Communicating and Noncommunicating Cells in the Filamentous Cyanobacterium AnabaenaMulticellularity is found in bacteria as well as in eukaryotes, and the filamentous heterocyst-forming (N2-fixing) cyanobacteria represent a simple and ancient paradigm of multicellular organisms. Multicellularity generally involves cell-cell adhesion and communication.
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceSoil Health Management Enhances Microbial Nitrogen Cycling Capacity and ActivityConservation agriculture practices that promote soil health have distinct and lasting effects on microbial populations involved with soil nitrogen (N) cycling. In particular, using a leguminous winter cover crop (hairy vetch) promoted the expression of key functional genes involved in soil N cycling, equaling or exceeding the effects of inorganic N fertilizer.
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyA Novel N4-Like Bacteriophage Isolated from a Wastewater Source in South India with Activity against Several Multidrug-Resistant Clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa IsolatesIn India, multidrug resistance determinants are much more abundant in community-associated bacterial pathogens due to the improper treatment of domestic and industrial effluents. In particular, a high bacterial load of the opportunistic pathogen P. aeruginosa in sewage and water bodies in India is well documented.
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologySpecific Norovirus Interaction with Lewis x and Lewis a on Human Intestinal Inflammatory Mucosa during Refractory Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseInflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are progressive diseases affecting millions of people each year. Flare-ups during IBD result in severe mucosal alterations of the small intestine (in CD) and in the colon and rectum (in CD and UC).
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyOXA-181-Like Carbapenemases in Klebsiella pneumoniae ST14, ST15, ST23, ST48, and ST231 from Septicemic Neonates: Coexistence with NDM-5, Resistome, Transmissibility, and Genome DiversityNeonatal sepsis is a leading cause of neonatal mortality in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Treatment of sepsis in this vulnerable population is dependent on antimicrobials, and resistance to these life-saving antimicrobials is worrisome.
Observation
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAn Observational Laboratory-Based Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Molecular Diagnostics in Benin, Western AfricaMonths after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, case numbers from Africa are surprisingly low, potentially because the number of SARS-CoV-2 tests performed in Africa is lower than in other regions. Here, we show an overload of COVID-19-related diagnostics in the central laboratory of Benin, Western Africa, with a stagnating average number of positive samples irrespective of daily sample counts.
Commentary
Ching-Hsuan Lin works in the field of Candida biology. In this mSphere of Influence article, he reflects on how the papers “Use of ichip for high-throughput in situ cultivation of uncultivable microbial species” by D.
Bryan D. Bryson works in the field of biological engineering with a specific interest in host-mycobacterium interactions.
Patients with toxin-negative Clostridioides difficile-positive diarrhea are often treated with oral vancomycin with the assumption that treatment is more beneficial than harmful. However, this hypothesis has never been formally tested, and recent studies suggest that most such patients recover quickly without treatment and can be colonized rather than infected.
...