Streptococcus pneumoniae is a Gram-positive bacterium that normally inhabits the human nasopharynx asymptomatically. However, it is also a major cause of pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis. The transition from pneumonia to bacteremia is critical, as patients that develop septicemia have ~20% mortality rates. Previous studies have shown that while neutrophils, a...

Fusobacterium spp. are Gram-negative, oral bacteria that are increasingly associated with human pathologies as diverse as periodontitis, preterm birth, and colorectal cancer. While a recent surge in F. nucleatum research has increased our understanding of this human pathogen, a lack of complete genomes has hindered the identification and characterization of...

Urban streams in various parts of the world are facing increased anthropogenic pressure on their water quality, and storm flow events represent one such source of complex physical, chemical, and biological perturbations. Microorganisms are important components of these streams from both ecological and public health perspectives. Analysis of the effect of perturbations on the stream microbial community can help improve current knowledge...

The Lactobacillus-dominated vaginal microbiota is associated with a reduced risk of acquiring and transmitting HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Lactic acid is a major organic acid metabolite produced by lactobacilli that acidifies the vagina and has been reported to have inhibitory activity in vitro against bacterial, protozoan, and viral STIs, including HIV infections. However, the anti-HIV...