Latest Articles
Editor's Pick Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyA Metabolic Dependency for Host Isoprenoids in the Obligate Intracellular Pathogen Rickettsia parkeri Underlies a Sensitivity to the Statin Class of Host-Targeted TherapeuticsObligate intracellular pathogens, which include viruses as well as certain bacteria and eukaryotes, are a subset of infectious microbes that are metabolically dependent on and unable to grow outside an infected host cell because they have lost or lack essential biosynthetic pathways. In this study, we describe a metabolic dependency of the bacterial pathogen Rickettsia...
Research Article | Applied and Environmental ScienceFunctional and Comparative Genomic Analysis of Integrated Prophage-Like Sequences in “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus”Huanglongbing (HLB) disease is threatening citrus production worldwide. The causative agent is “Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus.” Prior work using mapping-based approaches identified prophage-like sequences in some “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” genomes but not all. Here, we utilized a de novo approach that expands the number of prophage-like elements found in “Ca. Liberibacter asiaticus” from 16 to...
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...