Latest Articles
Editor's Pick Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyAutonomously Replicating Linear Plasmids That Facilitate the Analysis of Replication Origin Function in Candida albicansCircular plasmids are important tools for molecular manipulation in model fungi such as baker’s yeast, yet, in Candida albicans, an important yeast pathogen of humans, prior studies were not able to generate circular plasmids that were autonomous (duplicated without inserting themselves into the chromosome). Here, we found that linearizing circular plasmids with...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyLoss of the Two-Component System TctD-TctE in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Affects Biofilm Formation and Aminoglycoside Susceptibility in Response to Citric AcidNutrient availability is an important contributor to the ability of bacteria to establish successful infections in a host. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen in humans causing infections that are difficult to treat. In part, its success is attributable to a high degree of metabolic versatility....
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceNative and Invading Yellow Starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) Microbiomes Differ in Composition and Diversity of BacteriaPrevious studies have found that introduced plants commonly experience more favorable microbial interactions in their non-native range, suggesting that changes to the microbiome could be an important contributor to invasion success. Little is known about microbiome variation across native and invading populations, however, and the potential sources of more favorable interactions are undescribed. Here, we report one of the first...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologySecretory Microneme Proteins Induce T-Cell Recall Responses in Mice Chronically Infected with Toxoplasma gondiiCurrent diagnosis of toxoplasmosis relies almost exclusively on antibody detection, and while detection of IgG provides a useful estimate of prior infection, it does not alone indicate immune status. In contrast, detection of IFN-γ responses to T. gondii antigens has been used to monitor immune responsiveness in HIV-infected patients, thus providing valuable...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyCulture of Clinical Specimens Reveals Extensive Diversity of Legionella pneumophila Strains in ArizonaCulture of clinical specimens from patients with Legionnaires’ disease is rarely performed, restricting our understanding of the diversity and ecology of Legionella. Culture of Legionella from patient specimens in Arizona revealed a greater proportion of non-serogroup 1 Legionella...
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyGenotypic and Phenotypic Diversity of Herpes Simplex Virus 2 within the Infected Neonatal PopulationHerpes simplex virus (HSV) causes invasive disease in half of infected neonates, resulting in significant mortality and permanent cognitive morbidity. The factors that contribute to invasive disease are not understood. This study revealed diversity among HSV isolates from infected neonates and detected the first associations between viral genetic variations and clinical disease manifestations. We found that viruses isolated from...
Research Article | Host-Microbe Biologyd-Serine Degradation by Proteus mirabilis Contributes to Fitness during Single-Species and Polymicrobial Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract InfectionUrinary tract infections are among the most common health care-associated infections worldwide, the majority of which involve a urinary catheter (CAUTI). Our recent investigation of CAUTIs in nursing home residents identified Proteus mirabilis, Enterococcus species, and Escherichia coli as...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyThe Antibiotic Neomycin Enhances Coxsackievirus Plaque FormationCoxsackieviruses primarily infect the gastrointestinal tract of humans, but they can disseminate systemically and cause severe disease. Using antibiotic treatment regimens to deplete intestinal microbes in mice, several groups have shown the bacteria promote infection with a variety of enteric viruses. However, it is possible that antibiotics have microbiota-independent effects on viruses. Here we show that an aminoglycoside antibiotic...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyMAP Kinase Regulation of the Candida albicans Pheromone PathwayMAP kinases and their regulators are critical components of eukaryotic signaling pathways implicated in normal cell behavior as well as abnormal behaviors linked to diseases such as cancer. The mating pathway of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae was central in establishing the MAP kinase paradigm....
