Latest Articles
Minireview | Host-Microbe BiologyFungal Extracellular Vesicles as Potential Targets for Immune InterventionsThe release of extracellular vesicles (EVs) by fungi is a fundamental cellular process. EVs carry several biomolecules, including pigments, proteins, enzymes, lipids, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates, and are involved in physiological and pathological processes. EVs may play a pivotal role in the establishment of fungal infections, as they can interact with the host immune system to elicit multiple outcomes.
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceInsights into the Host Range, Genetic Diversity, and Geographical Distribution of JingmenvirusesSeveral arboviruses emerging as new pathogens for humans and domestic animals have recently raised public health concern and increased interest in the study of their host range and in detection of spillover events. Recently, a new group of segmented Flaviviridae-related viruses, the Jingmenviruses, has been identified worldwide in many invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, pointing out the issue of whether they belong to the...
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyOccurrence and Genomic Characterization of Two MCR-1-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from the Same Mink FarmerColistin resistance is a real threat for both human and animal health. The mobile colistin resistance gene mcr has contributed to the persistence and transmission of colistin resistance at the interfaces of animals, humans, and ecosystems. Although mcr genes have usually been recovered from food animals, patients, and healthy humans, transmission of mcr genes at the animal-human interface remains largely...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionEnrichment of Antigen-Specific Class-Switched B Cells from Individuals Naturally Immunized by Infection with Group A StreptococcusBacteria called group A streptococci can cause a variety of skin and soft tissue infections ranging from mild pharyngitis (“strep throat”) to deadly necrotizing fasciitis (sometimes called “flesh-eating” disease). In each case, the development of disease and the degree of tissue damage are mediated by toxins released from the bacteria during infection. Consequently, novel therapies aimed at clearing bacterial toxins are greatly needed....
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyReduced Fitness Costs of mcr-1.2 Compared to Mutated pmrB in Isogenic Colistin-Resistant KPC-3-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniaeOur study shows a successful prolonged human colonization by a colistin-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolate harboring mcr-1.2. An intense antibiotic therapy contributed to the maintenance of this microorganism through the acquisition of new resistance genes. The isolates carrying mcr-1.2 showed fewer fitness costs than isogenic isolates with a...
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyIMP-68, a Novel IMP-Type Metallo-β-Lactamase in Imipenem-Susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniaeIMP-type metallo-β-lactamases comprise one group of the “Big 5” carbapenemases. Here, a novel blaIMP-68 gene encoding IMP-68 (harboring a Ser262Gly point mutant of IMP-11) was discovered from meropenem-resistant but imipenem-susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae TA6363. The Ser262Gly substitution was previously identified as important for substrate...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionDectin-2-Targeted Antifungal Liposomes Exhibit Enhanced EfficacyInvasive fungal diseases caused by Candida albicans, Cryptococcus neoformans, and Aspergillus fumigatus have mortality rates ranging from 10 to 95%. Individual patient costs may exceed $100,000 in the United States. All...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyMolecular Epidemiology of Noninvasive and Invasive Group A Streptococcal Infections in Cape TownThe development of a vaccine for group A streptococcus (GAS) is of paramount importance given that GAS infections cause more than 500,000 deaths annually across the world. This prospective passive surveillance laboratory study evaluated the potential coverage of the M protein-based vaccine currently under development. While a number of GAS strains isolated from this sub-Sahara African study were included in the current vaccine...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceValidating DNA Extraction Protocols for Bentonite ClayExtraction of microbial DNA from MX-80 bentonite is challenging due to low biomass and adsorption of nucleic acid molecules to the charged clay matrix. Blocking agents improve DNA recovery, but their impact on microbial community profiles from low-biomass samples has not been characterized well. In this study, we evaluated the effect of casein and phosphate as blocking agents for quantitative recovery of nucleic acids from MX-80...
Research Article | Therapeutics and PreventionMaternal Humoral Immune Responses Do Not Predict Postnatal HIV-1 Transmission Risk in Antiretroviral-Treated Mothers from the IMPAACT PROMISE StudyEach year, >150,000 infants become newly infected with HIV-1 through MTCT despite ART, with up to 42% of infections occurring during breastfeeding. Several factors contribute to continued pediatric infections, including ART nonadherence, the emergence of drug-resistant HIV strains, acute infection during breastfeeding, and poor access to ART in resource-limited areas. A better understanding of the maternal humoral immune responses...