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Editor's Pick Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyUse of CRISPR-Cas9 To Target Homologous Recombination Limits Transformation-Induced Genomic Changes in Candida albicansGenome editing is essential to nearly all research studies aimed at gaining insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes, including those in the opportunistic pathogen Candida albicans. The adaptation of the CRISPR-Cas9 system greatly facilitates genome engineering in many organisms. However, our understanding of the effects of CRISPR-...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceInsights into the Evolutionary Origin of Mediterranean Sandfly Fever VirusesStudies on the genetic diversity of arthropod-borne viruses circulating in rural regions can provide critical early indications on new emerging viruses essential for global epidemic preparedness. In this study, we describe the discovery of four phleboviruses in sandflies from the Kenyan Rift Valley. The novel viruses are related to the two medically important serocomplexes, sandfly fever Naples and sandfly fever Sicilian, that are...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyAntibody and Local Cytokine Response to Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection in Community-Dwelling Older AdultsRespiratory syncytial virus (RSV) can cause severe morbidity and mortality in certain risk groups, especially infants and older adults. Currently no (prophylactic) treatment is available, except for a partially effective yet highly expensive monoclonal antibody. RSV therefore remains a major public health concern. To allow targeted development of novel vaccines and therapeutics, it is of great importance to understand the immunological...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyTranscriptional Profiling Suggests T Cells Cluster around Neurons Injected with Toxoplasma gondii ProteinsLike other persistent intracellular pathogens, Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite, has evolved to evade the immune system and establish a chronic infection in specific cells and organs, including neurons in the CNS. Understanding T. gondii’s persistence in neurons holds the potential to identify novel, curative drug targets. The work presented here...
Research Article | Ecological and Evolutionary ScienceThe Association between Insertion Sequences and Antibiotic Resistance GenesThe emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among pathogens threaten the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections as well as our food production chains. Early knowledge about mobile ARGs that are present in pathogens or that have the potential to become clinically relevant could help mitigate potential negative consequences. Recently, exploring integron gene cassettes was shown to be successful for identifying...
Research Article | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyDevelopment and Clinical Application of a Rapid and Sensitive Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Test for SARS-CoV-2 InfectionWe developed a visual and rapid reverse transcription–loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay targeting the S gene for SARS-CoV-2 infection. The strength of our study was that we validated the RT-LAMP assay using 481 clinical respiratory samples from two prospective cohorts of suspected COVID-19 patients and on the serial samples from an asymptomatic carrier. The developed RT-LAMP approach showed an increased...
Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyThe H-NS Regulator Plays a Role in the Stress Induced by Carbapenemase Expression in Acinetobacter baumanniiCarbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) is recognized as one of the most threatening Gram-negative bacilli. H-NS is known to play a role in controlling the transcription of a variety of different genes, including those associated with the stress response, persistence, and virulence. In the present work, we uncovered a link between the role of H-NS in the...
Research Article | Host-Microbe BiologyDevelopment of a Plasmid Shuttle Vector System for Genetic Manipulation of Chlamydia psittaciPsittacosis, caused by avian C. psittaci, has a major economic impact in the poultry industry worldwide and represents a significant risk for zoonotic transmission to humans. In the past decade, the tools of genetic manipulation have been improved for chlamydial molecular studies. While several genetic tools have been mainly developed in...
Editor's Pick Observation | Clinical Science and EpidemiologyA Ceftazidime-Avibactam-Resistant and Carbapenem-Susceptible Klebsiella pneumoniae Strain Harboring blaKPC-14 Isolated in New York CityKPC is currently the most common carbapenemase identified in the United States. More than 40 KPC variants have been described, of which KPC-2 and KPC-3 are the most frequent clinical variants. However, our understanding of the genetic structures and β-lactam resistance profiles of other novel KPC variants remains incomplete. Here, we report a novel blaKPC variant (blaKPC-14) and the complete...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyAntibiotic Resistance in Vibrio cholerae: Mechanistic Insights from IncC Plasmid-Mediated Dissemination of a Novel Family of Genomic Islands Inserted at trmEThe increasing association of the etiological agent of cholera, Vibrio cholerae serogroup O1 and O139, with multiple antibiotic resistance threatens to deprive health practitioners of this effective tool. Drug resistance in cholera results mainly from acquisition of mobile genetic elements. Genomic islands conferring multidrug resistance and mobilizable by IncC...