Latest Articles
Research ArticleSerum Antibody Responses against Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in Infected PatientsCarbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae is a rapidly emerging public health threat that can cause fatal infections in up to 50% of affected patients. Due to its resistance to nearly all antimicrobials, development of alternate therapies like antibodies and vaccines is urgently needed.
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyProtein Interactomes of Streptococcus mutans YidC1 and YidC2 Membrane Protein Insertases Suggest SRP Pathway-Independent- and -Dependent Functions, RespectivelyStreptococcus mutans is a prevalent oral pathogen and major causative agent of tooth decay. Many proteins that enable this bacterium to thrive in its environmental niche and cause disease are embedded in its cytoplasmic membrane.
Research ArticleWhole-Genome Enrichment and Sequencing of Chlamydia trachomatis Directly from Patient Clinical Vaginal and Rectal SwabsChlamydia trachomatis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that is not easily cultured, which limits our understanding of urogenital and rectal C. trachomatis transmission and impact on morbidity. To provide a publicly available workflow for whole-genome target enrichment and sequencing of...
Research ArticleA Spontaneous rapZ Mutant Impairs Infectivity of Lytic Bacteriophage vB_EcoM_JS09 against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coliThe development of phage-resistant bacteria is a challenging problem for phage therapy. However, our knowledge of phage resistance mechanisms is still limited.
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceComparative Genomics Reveals Prophylactic and Catabolic Capabilities of Actinobacteria within the Fungus-Farming Termite SymbiosisActinobacteria have repeatedly been isolated in fungus-farming termites, and our genome analyses provide insights into the potential roles they may serve in defense and for plant biomass breakdown. These insights, combined with their relatively higher abundances in fungus combs than in termite gut, suggest that they are more likely to play roles in fungus combs than in termite guts.
Research ArticleHigh-Throughput Screen for Inhibitors of the Type IV Pilus Assembly ATPase PilBMany bacterial pathogens use their type IV pili (T4P) to facilitate and maintain infection of a human host. Small chemical compounds that inhibit the production or assembly of T4P have promise in the treatment and prevention of infections, especially in the era of increasing threats from antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
ObservationA Point Mutation in the Transcriptional Repressor PerR Results in a Constitutive Oxidative Stress Response in Clostridioides difficile 630ΔermThe intestinal pathogen Clostridioides difficile is one of the major challenges in medical facilities nowadays. In order to better combat the bacterium, detailed knowledge of its physiology is mandatory. C. difficile strain 630Δerm was generated in a laboratory from the patient-isolated...
Editor's Pick Research ArticleEvaluating the Antimicrobial Properties of Commercial Hand SanitizersIn response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hand hygiene has taken on a prominent role in efforts to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission and infection, which has led to a radical increase in the number and types of hand sanitizers manufactured to meet public demand. To our knowledge, no studies have evaluated or compared the antimicrobial performance of hand sanitizers that are being produced under COVID-19 emergency...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyChromatin-Associated Protein Complexes Link DNA Base J and Transcription Termination in LeishmaniaLeishmania parasites cause a variety of serious human diseases, with no effective vaccine and emerging resistance to current drug therapy. We have previously shown that a novel DNA base called J is critical for transcription termination at the ends of the polycistronic gene clusters that are a hallmark of Leishmania and related trypanosomatids.
Research ArticlePrimer, Pipelines, Parameters: Issues in 16S rRNA Gene SequencingIn 16S rRNA gene sequencing, certain bacterial genera were found to be underrepresented or even missing in taxonomic profiles when using unsuitable primer combinations, outdated reference databases, or inadequate pipeline settings. Concerning the last, quality thresholds as well as bioinformatic settings (i.e., clustering approach, analysis pipeline, and specific adjustments such as truncation) are responsible for a number of observed...