Latest Articles
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyRespiratory Syncytial Virus-Induced Oxidative Stress Leads to an Increase in Labile Zinc Pools in Lung Epithelial CellsZinc deficiency rates in developing countries range from 20 to 30%, and zinc supplementation trials have been shown to correct clinical manifestations attributed to zinc deficiency, but the outcomes in the case of respiratory infections have been inconsistent. We aimed at understanding the role of zinc homeostasis in respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection. Infection of lung epithelial cell lines or primary small-airway epithelial...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTransposon Insertion Site Sequencing of Providencia stuartii: Essential Genes, Fitness Factors for Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection, and the Impact of Polymicrobial Infection on Fitness RequirementsProvidencia stuartii is a common cause of polymicrobial catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), particularly during long-term catheterization. However, little is known regarding the pathogenesis of this organism. Using transposon insertion site sequencing (Tn-Seq), we performed a global assessment of...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyRules of Expansion: an Updated Consensus Operator Site for the CopR-CopY Family of Bacterial Copper Exporter System RepressorsMany Gram-positive bacteria respond to copper stress by upregulating a copper export system controlled by a copper-sensitive repressor, CopR-CopY. The previous operator sequence for this family of proteins had been identified as TACANNTGTA. Here, using several recombinant proteins and mutations in various DNA fragments, we define those 10 bases as necessary but not sufficient for binding and in doing so, refine the cop operon...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyNontypeable Haemophilus influenzae Responds to Virus-Infected Cells with a Significant Increase in Type IV Pilus ExpressionNontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHI) is the predominant bacterial causative agent of many chronic and recurrent diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tracts. NTHI-induced chronic rhinosinusitis, otitis media, and exacerbations of cystic fibrosis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease often develop during or just after an upper respiratory tract viral...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyPhosphoproteomics of Aspergillus fumigatus Exposed to the Antifungal Drug CaspofunginAspergillus fumigatus is an opportunistic human-pathogenic fungus causing allergic reactions or systemic infections, such as invasive pulmonary aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. Caspofungin is an echinocandin that impacts the construction of the fungal cell wall by inhibiting the biosynthesis of the β-1,3-glucan polysaccharide. Caspofungin is a fungistatic...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceComparative Analysis of AbaR-Type Genomic Islands Reveals Distinct Patterns of Genetic Features in Elements with Different BackbonesAbaR-type genomic islands (AbaRs) are well-known elements that can cause antimicrobial resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii. These elements contain diverse and complex genetic configurations involving different but related backbones with acquisition of diverse mobile genetic elements and antimicrobial resistance genes. Understanding their structural diversity is far...
Observation | Host-Microbe BiologyHorizontal Gene Transfer of Antibiotic Resistance from Acinetobacter baylyi to Escherichia coli on Lettuce and Subsequent Antibiotic Resistance Transmission to the Gut MicrobiomePrevious efforts have correlated antibiotic-fed livestock and meat products with respective antibiotic resistance genes, but virtually no research has been conducted on the transmission of antibiotic resistance from plant foods to the mammalian gut (C. S. Hölzel, J. L. Tetens, and K. Schwaiger, Pathog Dis 15:671–688, 2018, https://doi.org/10.1089/fpd.2018.2501; C. M. Liu et al., mBio 9...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceThe Preservative Sorbic Acid Targets Respiration, Explaining the Resistance of Fermentative Spoilage Yeast SpeciesSpoilage by yeasts and molds is a major contributor to food and drink waste, which undermines food security. Weak acid preservatives like sorbic acid help to stop spoilage, but some yeasts, commonly associated with spoilage, are resistant to sorbic acid. Different yeasts generate energy for growth by the processes of respiration and/or fermentation. Here, we show that sorbic acid targets the process of respiration, so fermenting yeasts...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceTemporal Variability and Ecological Interactions of Parasitic Marine Syndiniales in Coastal Protist CommunitiesProtist parasites in the marine alveolate group, Syndiniales, have been observed within infected plankton host cells for decades, and recently, global-scale efforts (Tara Ocean exploration) have confirmed their importance within microbial communities. Yet, protist parasites remain enigmatic, particularly with respect to their temporal dynamics and parasite-host interactions. We employed weekly 18S amplicon surveys over a full year in a...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyPersistent Asymptomatic Human Infections by Salmonella enterica Serovar Newport in ChinaHuman infections caused by Salmonella Newport generally lead to gastrointestinal diseases. These infections are normally self-limiting; however, in certain cases, broad-spectrum antimicrobials are prescribed for the treatment. The Chinese National Foodborne Disease Surveillance Network has reported a gradual increase in the incidence of multidrug-resistant S. Newport infections in humans. After careful evaluation of...