Future microbiology最新文献

Aim: The aim was to highlight the incidence and epidemiology of C. difficile infections (CDI) in a tertiary Greek hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: A single-center prospective observational cohort study was conducted (October 2021 until April 2022). 125 C. difficile isolates were cultured from hospitalized patients stool samples and screened by PCR for toxin A (tcdA), toxin B (tcdB), binary toxin (cdtA and cdtB) genes and the regulating gene of tcdC.Results: The incidence of CDI increased to 13.1 infections per 10,000 bed days. The most common PCR ribotypes identified included hypervirulent RT027-related RT181 (73.6%), presumably hypervirulent RT126 (8.0%) and toxin A negative RT017 (7.2%).Conclusion: Although the incidence of CDI increased significantly, the CDI epidemiology remained stable.

Akkermansia muciniphila (A. muciniphila) is a 'star strain' that has attracted much attention in recent years. A. muciniphila can effectively regulate host metabolism, significantly affect host immune function, and play an important role in balancing host health and disease. As one of the organs most closely related to the gut (the two can communicate through the hepatic portal vein and bile duct system), liver is widely affected by intestinal microorganisms. A growing body of evidence suggests that A. muciniphila may alleviate liver-related diseases by improving the intestinal barrier, energy metabolism and regulating inflammation through its protein components and metabolites. This paper systematically reviews the key roles of A. muciniphila and its derivatives in maintaining liver health and improving liver disease.

We report a case of Vandammella animalimorsus in an adult female patient following a cat scratch/bite. Animal bite/scratches may lead to zoonotic transmission of bacteria that subsequently lead to infection. Wound management and antimicrobial therapy is often necessary. The organism was initially misidentified as Neisseria animaloris/zoodegmatis and highlights the difficulty of correctly identifying some bacteria in clinical microbiology laboratories.

Sporotrichosis, a mycosis resulting from cutaneous or subcutaneous infection with the dimorphic fungus Sporothrix, has been reported in China, particularly in the northeast region. In this review, we conducted a thorough examination of the recent advancements in sporotrichosis in China, encompassing aspects such as etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment strategies. Within the Chinese context, fixed cutaneous sporotrichosis represents the prevailing clinical manifestation. Fungal culture stands as the gold standard for diagnosing sporotrichosis, while polymerase chain reaction techniques can enhance both the specificity and sensitivity of diagnosis. Besides conventional systemic antifungal agents, alternative modalities such as Chinese herbal medicines, photodynamic therapy and laser therapy show potential efficacy against sporotrichosis.

Aim: To investigate the impact of human herpes virus (HHV) carriage on lung microbiota, and its correlation with clinical features and laboratory indicators in patients.Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on 30 outpatient lung infection cases, which were divided into HHV (n = 15) and non-HHV (n = 15) groups. mNGS detected microbial composition. Microbial diversity and abundance were tested using Shannon and Chao1 indices. Their relationship with laboratory indicators were explored.Results: Significant differences in microbial abundance and distribution were found between two groups (p < 0.05). Moreover, HHV group showed negative correlations (p < 0.05) between Prevotella, Porphyromonas, Streptococcus and basophil/eosinophil percentages.Conclusion: HHV carriage impacts lung microbiota, emphasizing the need for clinicians to pay attention to HHV reactivation in outpatient lung infection patients.

Aim: Animal models of fatal pneumonia caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) have not been reliably generated using many strains of less virulent serotypes.Materials & methods: Pulmonary infection of a less virulent Spn serotype1 strain in the immunocompetent mice was established via the intratracheal aerosolization (ITA) route. The survival, local and systemic bacterial spread, pathological changes and inflammatory responses of this model were compared with those of mice challenged via the intratracheal instillation, intranasal instillation and intraperitoneal injection routes.Results: ITA and intratracheal instillation both induced fatal pneumonia; however, ITA resulted in better lung bacterial deposition and distribution, pathological homogeneity and delivery efficiency.Conclusion: ITA is an optimal route for developing animal models of severe pulmonary infections.

A higher prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii infections and mortality rate has been reported recently in hospital-acquired infections (HAI). The biofilm-forming capability of A. baumannii makes it an extremely dangerous pathogen, especially in device-associated hospital-acquired infections (DA-HAI), thereby it resists the penetration of antibiotics. Further, the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was exacerbated in DA-HAI during the epidemic. This review specifically examines the complex interconnections between several components and genes that play a role in the biofilm formation and the development of infections. The current review provides insights into innovative treatments and therapeutic approaches to combat A. baumannii biofilm-related infections, thereby ultimately improving patient outcomes and reducing the burden of HAI.