Future microbiology最新文献

Questions surrounding the presence or absence of microbiomes in sites of the human body with at most low bacterial biomass in health are still not fully resolved. We begin with the notion of microbiome as "micro-biome," a community of several species, versus microbiota as simply "living things," and return to the pioneer epoch of biome research, which in one sense could be viewed as beginning already around 1800. Applying the biome notion to bacteria in sites of the human body, we find concordance with more recent attempts to test what is and what is not a (core) microbiome in practice. The biome perspective is then applied to a double question that has been addressed, without a consensus answer so far: (1) does the healthy gallbladder typically have a stable microbiota, and (2) do gallbladder microbiota, in either health or (gallstone) disease, qualify as microbiomes in the sense considered here?

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) is a severe infection that occurs in patients with hematological malignancies during their treatment. The limited specificity of computerized tomography (CT) imaging and non-culture-based biomarkers may lead to excessive use of antifungal drugs in patients. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) is a supplementary noninvasive method to CT that can directly visualize the pulmonary arteries within the infiltrated areas of the lungs to observe signs of vascular invasion and obstruction. Four cases of hematological malignancies were reported, in which patients developed fever during the treatment. All patients underwent CTPA examination, which showed positive vascular occlusion sign (VOS) in two patients, and negative VOS in the other two. Two patients with positive VOS were diagnosed as probable IPA and possible IPA respectively. Both of them received antifungal treatment and their conditions improved. Of the two VOS-negative patients, one was diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma involving the lung and the other one was considered to have possible pulmonary infiltration of leukemia. After receiving treatment for lymphoma and leukemia, respectively, two patients showed significant reduction in pulmonary lesions. Therefore, VOS detected by CTPA has certain characteristics, which can help improve diagnostic specificity and guide clinical treatment for patients with IPA.

Polymicrobial infections, involving the simultaneous presence of two or more microbial species at a single infection site, are an emerging clinical challenge with increasing incidence across a wide range of healthcare settings. These infections often result in more severe disease outcomes compared to monomicrobial infections due to complex interspecies interactions that enhance microbial survival, virulence, and resistance. One of the most concerning aspects of polymicrobial infections is their strong association with multidrug resistance (MDR). The Synergistic interactions among microbial species enhance biofilm formation, impede immune clearance, and reduce antimicrobial penetration and efficacy, contributing to therapeutic failure and chronic infection. The management of polymicrobial infections is further complicated by diagnostic limitations, as standard culture-based techniques often fail to capture the full microbial diversity present at infection sites. Despite their clinical relevance, drug discovery efforts still rely largely on mono-species biofilm models that overlook the interactions, metabolic cooperation, and resilience of polymicrobial systems. This review outlines advances in polymicrobial biofilm research including improved models, high-throughput screening, and omics insights while emphasizing remaining gaps in spatial organization and host - pathogen dynamics. Addressing these gaps and adopting polymicrobial perspectives will be essential for identifying new therapeutic targets and improving outcomes in biofilm-associated infections.

Dormancy is a vital survival strategy employed by cells to endure stressful environments. It is characterized by a significant reduction in metabolic and proliferative activity and can be triggered by various conditions, including low humidity, hypoxia, nutrient deprivation, and pressure from the host immune response. Here, we highlight how tumor cells remain dormant in tissue and how fungi employ this strategy to survive and spread throughout the environment. However, we primarily discuss the dormancy mechanisms of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Cryptococcus neoformans. These pathogens can enter a dormant state, allowing them to persist within the host for long periods. We emphasize the role of fatty acid metabolism and the genes associated with it in supporting dormancy under these stress conditions. Considering that dormancy is a reversible condition, it can occur with a viral co-infection, and the host is in a state of immunosuppression. Understanding the adaptation mechanisms of these pathogens is crucial for developing effective therapeutic approaches. Finally, we discuss some potential strategies for treating the disease, focusing on both active and dormant cells, which is essential for achieving long-term control and possibly eradicating the disease caused by these persistent pathogens.

Aim: This study aimed to isolate and comprehensively characterize Aspergillus terreus from the thorns of Canthium coromandelicum and evaluate the pharmacological potential of its metabolites.

Methods: A. terreus was isolated and identified through morphological, microscopic and molecular analyses (98.89% sequence identity, GenBank Accession No. PV069722.1). Ethyl acetate extract (CT3C) underwent phytochemical screening, GC - MS analysis, in silico PASS and ADME predictions, molecular docking and in vitro assays for antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities.

Results: Morphology revealed aleurioconidia and cinnamon-brown colonies. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids and cardiac glycosides. GC - MS identified five bioactive compounds, notably 2, 5-Piperazinedione and 3-(Methyloxiran-2-yl) methanol. In silico studies predicted strong drug-likeness, high gastrointestinal absorption, favorable bioavailability and low toxicity. Molecular docking showed multi-target activity, with 2,5-Piperazinedione binding to Keap1 at -7.5 kcal/mol. CT3C extract exhibited significant antioxidant activity (DPPH IC₅₀ = 487.33 µg/mL, ABTS IC₅₀ = 579.37 µg/mL), potent cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cells (IC₅₀ = 32.31 µg/mL), moderate anti-inflammatory effects and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity.

Conclusion: This is the first report of A. terreus from C. coromandelicum thorns (CT3C) -derived metabolites demonstrate significant pharmacological potential, suggesting their value as natural therapeutic agents.

Clostridioides difficile infection is a growing public health concern, marked by high recurrence rates and substantial clinical and economic burden. While gut microbiota disruption is a well-established driver of C. difficile infection (CDI), recent studies suggest that sialic acid (Sia), a terminal monosaccharide found on host glycoconjugates, may contribute to key aspects of C. difficile colonization and persistence. In this review, we explore how C. difficile interacts with Sia in the gut environment. Genomic analyses reveal that while the bacterium lacks sialidase activity and de novo Sia synthesis, it can catabolize free N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), relying on other microbes to liberate it from host glycans. We examine evidence linking Sia availability to nutrient acquisition, toxin binding, mucosal interactions, and microbial competition, particularly under dysbiotic or inflamed conditions. Additionally, we review emerging therapeutic approaches, including microbiota-based interventions and engineered probiotics, that may influence Sia dynamics or exploit them to suppress C. difficile. Although the role of Sia in CDI remains incompletely understood, growing evidence points to its relevance in shaping host-microbe and microbe-microbe interactions. We highlight current knowledge gaps and propose directions for future research to clarify the functional importance of Sia in C. difficile pathogenesis and therapy.

Aim: Bacillus subtilis, an endotoxin-free organism recognized for its safety, has been extensively developed as a platform for recombinant protein production. In this study, we investigated the inducer-free secretion expression of components of the Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) toxin, LukF-PV and LukS-PV, from Staphylococcus aureus in B. subtilis, and evaluated the immune response to the recombinant proteins in intranasally immunized mice.

Methods and results: This study investigated the secretion of recombinant LukF-PV and LukS-PV expressed in B. subtilis, using an inducer-free system controlled by a strong Pgrac212 promoter. The genes encoding LukF-PV and LukS-PV were integrated into the B. subtilis chromosome at the lacA locus. LukF-PV was produced at high levels, whereas LukS-PV was expressed at lower levels in an inducer-free manner. The presence of both the recombinant proteins was confirmed by Western blotting and quantified by densitometry. The intranasal administration of concentrated secretions to mice elicited significant antigen-specific IgA and IgG responses, providing both mucosal and systemic immunity.

Conclusion: These findings highlight the potential of the inducer-free expression approach for recombinant protein secretion in B. subtilis, supporting its application in vaccine development.

Purpose: Burn patients are highly susceptible to infections due to disruption of the skin barrier, and prolonged hospital stays. This study aimed to describe the microbial landscape and antimicrobial resistance patterns in burn unit and to identify clinical predictors of mortality.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 743 culture-positive specimens from 200 patients hospitalized between 2020 and 2024. clinical characteristics, and microbiological findings, were evaluated. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using automated systems and interpreted according to (EUCAST) standards. Logistic regression was applied to determine factors associated with in-hospital mortality.

Results: The cohort was predominantly male (70%), with a median age of 42.5 years (IQR 30-60). Flame burns were the leading cause (58%), and ≥20% total body surface area (TBSA) involvement was observed in 63%. Overall mortality was 33.5%, and was independently associated with male sex, age ≥66 years, full-thickness burns, TBSA ≥20%, and hospitalization < 1 month (p < 0.05). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii were the most frequent gram-negative pathogens. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus constituted a large proportion of gram-positive isolates.

Conclusion: This five-year assessment underscores the substantial burden of multidrug-resistant organisms in burn units. The findings highlight the importance of unit-specific antibiograms, robust infection prevention measures, and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship to optimize outcomes in this high-risk population.