International Journal of Medical Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Optimization and spectrum characterization of the antibacterial activity of lugdunin","authors":"Cheng-Yen Kao ,&nbsp;Nevia Longjam ,&nbsp;Jazon Harl Hidrosollo ,&nbsp;Lee-Chung Lin ,&nbsp;Jang-Jih Lu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151678","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151678","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Staphylococcus lugdunensis</em>, an emerging coagulase-negative <em>Staphylococcus</em> (CoNS) pathogen, has garnered increasing interest due to its production of lugdunin, a thiazolidine-containing antimicrobial peptide. However, standardized protocols for directly assessing lugdunin activity produced by <em>S. lugdunensis</em> remain lacking. In this study, we examined the effects of pH and incubation duration on lugdunin activity and evaluated the antibacterial spectrum of lugdunin produced by <em>S. lugdunensis</em> isolates against a panel of gram-positive and gram-negative bacterial strains. The optimal conditions for lugdunin antibacterial activity of isolate CGMH-SL85 were identified as pH 7.5 and a 72-h incubation period. Under the tested conditions, the lugdunin produced by CGMH-SL85 exhibited antimicrobial activity against five gram-positive strains, including <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> ATCC29213 and <em>Staphylococcus haemolyticus</em> CGMH-SH53, followed by <em>Enterococcus faecium</em> EF029 and EF081–2 and <em>Listeria monocytogenes</em> ATCC10403S. However, no antibacterial activity was observed against any of the 11 tested gram-negative bacterial species. Furthermore, four distinct lugdunin susceptibility phenotypes were observed among 47 lugdunin-nonproducing <em>S. lugdunensis</em> strains (14 sequence type (ST)4, 27 ST27, and 6 ST29 strains), including Type A characterized by large, clear inhibition zones; Type B with smaller, clear zones; Type C displaying halo-like inhibition zones; and Type D showing no detectable activity. Moreover, 20 <em>S. lugdunensis</em> strains (42.6 %) exhibited the Type C phenotype. Notably, all six ST29 strains displayed the Type C phenotype, while the Type A phenotype was observed only among ST27 strains (3 strains). In conclusion, we developed a standardized protocol for evaluating lugdunin activity, using pH 7.5 and a 72-h incubation period, and found that different <em>S. lugdunensis</em> strains exhibited distinct lugdunin susceptibility phenotypes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 151678"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145119466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic analyses of enteroinvasive Escherichia coli revealed the circulation of conjugative virulence plasmids and emergence of novel clones","authors":"Kazuhisa Okada ,&nbsp;Warawan Wongboot ,&nbsp;Amonrattana Roobthaisong ,&nbsp;Nonzee Hanchanachai ,&nbsp;Pawinee Doung-ngern ,&nbsp;Pilailuk Akkapaiboon Okada ,&nbsp;Thanee Wongchai ,&nbsp;Witaya Swaddiwudhipong ,&nbsp;Tetsuya Iida ,&nbsp;Shigeyuki Hamada","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151677","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151677","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Enteroinvasive <em>Escherichia coli</em> (EIEC) is a diarrhoeagenic <em>E. coli</em> pathotype that shares key virulence traits with <em>Shigella</em>, including the invasion plasmid (pINV). In Thailand, an outbreak caused by the EIEC serotype O8:H19—the first reported in the country—occurred in 2023, affecting over 150 patients. To elucidate the emergence, clinical relevance, and epidemiological distribution of EIEC in Thailand, we conducted a comprehensive investigation. We isolated and genomically characterised 63 isolates, comprising 28 EIEC (eight serotypes, including O96:H19 from a 2024 outbreak) and 35 <em>Shigella</em> (25 <em>S. sonnei</em> and 10 <em>S. flexneri</em>), along with 85 global reference strains. Comparative genomics revealed that the 2023 and 2024 EIEC outbreak isolates, along with a novel OX18:H25 EIEC lineage, harboured highly similar pINV plasmids with conserved invasion genes and complete conjugation elements. These isolates retained several biochemical traits that were more typical of commensal <em>E. coli</em> than classical EIEC. Limited chromosomal genome reduction—a hallmark of <em>Shigella</em>— was observed, which suggests that these lineages are in an early stage of adaptation toward a pathogenic lifestyle. Phylogenomic analysis showed that OX18:H25 is closely related to livestock-associated <em>E. coli</em>, supporting the hypothesis that pINV was recently acquired via horizontal gene transfer. These findings highlight the active circulation of putatively conjugative virulence plasmids among <em>E. coli</em> populations and the ongoing emergence of novel EIEC clones with epidemic-inducing potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 151677"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145158885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic insights into pyrazinamide and fluoroquinolone resistance in multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan","authors":"Zia Ud Din ,&nbsp;Farman Ullah ,&nbsp;Anwar Sheed Khan ,&nbsp;Sajjad Ahmad ,&nbsp;Azra ,&nbsp;Aiman Waheed ,&nbsp;Noor Muhmmad ,&nbsp;Fawad Ali ,&nbsp;Farhad Ali Khattak ,&nbsp;Gulab Fatima Rani ,&nbsp;Otavio Cabral-Marques ,&nbsp;Ihtisham Ul Haq ,&nbsp;Muhammad Riaz ,&nbsp;Jody E. Phelan ,&nbsp;Susana Campino ,&nbsp;Taj Ali Khan ,&nbsp;Taane G. Clark","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151674","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151674","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Tuberculosis (TB), caused by bacteria of the <em>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</em> complex (MTBC), remains a global health challenge, exacerbated by multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) strains.</div></div><div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>This study employs whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to characterise genetic mutations associated with pyrazinamide (PZA) and fluoroquinolone (FQ) resistance in MDR-TB isolates from KPK.</div></div><div><h3>Methodology</h3><div>MDR and pre-XDR TB samples were collected and processed at the Provincial Tuberculosis Reference Laboratory under Biosafety Level III conditions. Samples underwent microscopy, GeneXpert MTB/RIF assay, culture, and drug susceptibility testing. DNA was extracted from positive cultures and subjected to WGS. Bioinformatics tools were used to analyse sequencing data, identify resistance-associated mutations, and assess genetic diversity among isolates.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Out of the 78 MTBC isolates analysed, 67 (85.9 %) were identified as MDR-TB, with 48 categorized as pre-XDR, while 11 were drug-susceptible. The isolates predominantly came from young patients (mean age: 29.5 years, SD ±12.64), with a higher proportion of female patients (61.53 %). Mutations in the <em>pncA</em> gene, associated with PZA resistance, were identified in 51 isolates. Resistance to fluoroquinolones was linked to mutations in the <em>gyrA</em> and <em>gyrB</em> genes in 48 isolates. WGS confirmed PZA resistance in 51 isolates, 39 (76.47 %) of which also exhibited FQ resistance.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Lineage 3 (L3) was predominant (58.97 %), followed by L4, L2, and L1 strains. The clustering of drug-resistant strains within L3 suggests ongoing localized transmission. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions, including enhanced molecular surveillance and tailored treatment strategies, to combat MDR-TB in KPK.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 151674"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145151932","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Multiple isolation of ST398/t011 MRSA from patients in the first half of 2025 in Imam Reza Hospital, Bojnurd, North Eastern Iran","authors":"Ebrahim Golmakani ,&nbsp;Roya Sadidi ,&nbsp;Seyed Ahmad Hashemi ,&nbsp;Ali Haghbin ,&nbsp;Amir Azimian","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151672","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151672","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA) remains a global health threat, with livestock-associated (LA-)MRSA ST398/t011 emerging in regions with human-animal contact. This study reports the first detection of ST398/t011 in clinical isolates from Bojnurd, northeastern Iran, alongside the hospital-associated ST239/t037 clone.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>From January to April 2025, 242 clinical samples from Imam Reza Hospital were screened for <em>S. aureus</em>. MRSA isolates underwent antimicrobial susceptibility testing (CLSI M100-2023) and molecular characterization (<em>mecA</em>, <em>mecC</em>, <em>vanA</em>, <em>cfr</em>, <em>PVL</em>, <em>tsst</em>, <em>sec</em>, <em>hla</em>; SCC<em>mec</em>, <em>agr</em>, <em>spa</em> typing, MLST).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Of 32 positive cultures, 7 MRSA isolates were identified (ST398/t011 [n = 4]; ST239/t037 [n = 3]). All harbored <em>mecA</em> and exhibited resistance to β-lactams, clindamycin, and gentamicin but remained susceptible to vancomycin/linezolid. The <em>PVL</em> gene was detected in one ST398/t011 isolate. ST398/t011 carried SCC<em>mec</em> V and <em>agr</em> I, while ST239/t037 had SCC<em>mec</em> III. Isolates were recovered from wound (n = 3), blood (n = 2), eye (n = 1), and urine (n = 1) samples, with patients aged 6–48 years.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This first report of LA-MRSA ST398/t011 in northeastern Iran highlights potential zoonotic transmission risks in this agricultural region. Co-detection of <em>PVL</em> in ST398/t011 and multidrug-resistant ST239/t037 underscores the need for enhanced surveillance. Limitations include the small sample size, but findings warrant further One Health investigations to assess reservoirs and transmission dynamics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"321 ","pages":"Article 151672"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145027810","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein delays cell cycle in S-phase","authors":"Jinming Liu ,&nbsp;Mengyu Liu ,&nbsp;Xiaoyan Yu ,&nbsp;Pei-Hui Wang ,&nbsp;Xue Guan ,&nbsp;Wenbo Huo ,&nbsp;Jing Zhang ,&nbsp;Minna Cui ,&nbsp;Xinhua Li ,&nbsp;Xinhe Zhou ,&nbsp;Siyu Liu ,&nbsp;Cong Wang ,&nbsp;Changrui Huang ,&nbsp;Jinghua Yu","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151671","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151671","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as the causative agent of COVID-19 precipitated a global health crisis of unprecedented scale. SARS-CoV-2 has been shown to interfere specifically with S phase progression during early stages of infection. Nucleocapsid (N) is an important structural protein. The abundance and early presence of N suggest that the N protein may play a pivotal role in determining the fate of host cells post-infection, including in cell cycle regulation. Our observations reveal that the SARS-CoV-2 N protein actually induces S phase arrest by promoting S phase entry and simultaneously blocking exit from this phase, which is different from previous report G1/S blockage, others describe G1 and G2/M arrest. Prolonged cell cycle arrest is frequently linked to cell death, while our data suggests the N protein curtails cell proliferation, slowing down cell growth without actively triggering cell death. Intriguingly, removing the N-arm, SR-rich region, CTD, or C-tail each abolishes the N protein’s ability to suppress cell growth, whereas deletion of the NTD does not impact this capability, nor does it affect S phase arrest. All told, the SARS-CoV-2 N protein emerges as a multifunctional actor, not only driving key aspects of viral replication but also exerting significant effects on host cell physiology by modulating cell cycle progression and growth.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 151671"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144996347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Imipenem-induced outer membrane vesicles from Elizabethkingia anophelis inhibit biofilm formation and shift nosocomial pathogen dynamics","authors":"Yuan-Ming Tsai ,&nbsp;Ching-Ming Liu ,&nbsp;Hsiao-Chun Chen ,&nbsp;Tsung-Hsuan Yang ,&nbsp;Pang-Shuo Huang ,&nbsp;Yu-Lin Hsu ,&nbsp;Manoj Baranwal ,&nbsp;Ming-Hsien Chiang","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Elizabethkingia anophelis</em> is an emerging multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogen that can cause severe nosocomial infections. Although multidrug resistance complicates the clinical management of <em>E. anophelis</em>, the ecological impact of stress responses, including antibiotic pressure, is unclear. We demonstrated that exposure to sub-inhibitory concentrations of imipenem promoted the secretion of antibiotic-induced outer membrane vesicles (iOMVs) by <em>E. anophelis</em>. This study analyzed the physical and functional characteristics of iOMVs produced by a drug-resistant clinical isolate of <em>E. anophelis</em> treated with imipenem and assessed the potential of <em>E. anophelis</em> iOMVs to modulate biofilm formation in other clinically relevant Gram-negative bacteria. High-resolution imaging and biofilm assays showed that iOMVs inhibited biofilm formation and reduced biofilm density. The inhibitory effect did not affect other nosocomial pathogens such as <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em>, <em>Enterobacter cloacae</em>, or <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>. Imipenem-induced vesiculation may inadvertently impair <em>E. anophelis</em>’ biofilm resilience while altering microbial competition, reshaping survival dynamics in polymicrobial environments. These results demonstrate the paradoxical effect of antibiotic stress and suggest that vesicle-mediated interactions strongly affect nosocomial pathogen ecology.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 151670"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144907269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Identification of blaESBL- and blaCARBA- Positive Multi-Drug Resistant Mixta calida Isolates from Distinct Human Hosts","authors":"Francesca McDonagh ,&nbsp;Kate Ryan ,&nbsp;Aneta Kovářová ,&nbsp;Anna Tumeo ,&nbsp;Christina Clarke ,&nbsp;Martin Cormican ,&nbsp;Georgios Miliotis","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151669","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151669","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to investigate the identification of <em>bla</em>_CARBA-positive multidrug-resistant <em>Mixta calida</em> isolates from human hosts and to elucidate their genomic determinants in a species-wide context.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Two carbapenemase-producing <em>M. calida</em> isolates were received by the Galway Reference Laboratory Service in Ireland between June and July 2024. One isolate originated from a sputum sample, while the other was recovered from a routine screening rectal swab. Initial identification was performed using MALDI-ToF mass spectrometry, with genomic confirmation via 16S rRNA sequencing, digital DNA-DNA hybridization, and Average Nucleotide Identity analysis. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted using a MicroScan panel, following EUCAST and CLSI guidelines. Whole-genome sequencing, plasmid replicon typing, and antibiotic-resistance-gene and virulence-factor profiling were employed. Comparative analysis included all additional canonical <em>M. calida</em> genomes from NCBI database.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Both Irish isolates were taxonomically placed as <em>M. calida</em> and exhibited multidrug resistance against penicillins, cephalosporins, monobactams and ertapenem. The acquired genes <em>bla</em>_KPC-3, <em>bla</em>_OXA-9, and <em>bla</em>_TEM-122 were detected on plasmid-borne contigs, indicating horizontal acquisition. Seven plasmid replicon types were shared between the two isolates. Both plasmid replicons and acquired antimicrobial-resistance-genes (ARGs) were seldomly identified across the species. Phylogenetic inference based on core genome analysis identified a monophyletic cluster, suggesting a single introductory event.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study documents a dual occurrence of <em>bla</em>_CARBA-positive <em>M. calida</em> in human colonisation and infection. The findings highlight the potential for horizontal-gene-transfer to drive the emergence of multidrug-resistant profiles in the species, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance, diagnostic precision, and targeted infection control strategies to mitigate public health risks.</div></div><div><h3>Impact statement</h3><div>This study reports <em>bla</em>_ESBL and <em>bla</em>_CARBA-positive multi-drug resistant <em>Mixta calida</em> isolates from distinct human hosts. Genomic analysis revealed the co-occurrence of plasmid-borne resistance genes <em>bla</em>_KPC-3, <em>bla</em>_OXA-9, and <em>bla</em>_TEM-122. Species-wide phylogenetic analysis grouped the two isolates into a monophyletic cluster, suggesting a single introductory event.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 151669"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144828174","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation and characterization of two novel oral bacteriophages with anti-biofilm activity against Cutibacterium acnes","authors":"Anja Frantar ,&nbsp;Katja Seme ,&nbsp;Rok Gašperšič ,&nbsp;Čedomir Oblak ,&nbsp;Katja Šuster","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151668","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151668","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Bacteriophage therapy offers a promising solution to combat antibiotic-resistant infections, yet its potential against biofilm-associated pathogens in oral diseases remains underexplored. This study investigates the opportunistic bacterium <em>Cutibacterium acnes</em>, an overlooked contributor to dental implant and prosthetic joint infections. Biofilms formed by <em>C. acnes</em> are highly resilient and resistant to antibiotics, complicating treatment. Two novel lytic bacteriophages, Ristretto and Corretto, targeting <em>C. acnes</em>, were isolated from human saliva, with morphological analysis confirming their classification as siphoviruses. Their genome sequencing revealed no harmful antimicrobial resistance or virulence genes, making them suitable for therapeutic use. Remarkably, phage Corretto demonstrated a broad host range and achieved near-complete eradication of mature biofilms across multiple <em>C. acnes</em> strains, outperforming Ristretto in efficacy and strain coverage. The activity of these phages was dosage-dependent and varied across bacterial strains, revealing potential strain-specific resistance mechanisms within biofilms. These findings highlight bacteriophage therapy's potential to disrupt persistent biofilms where antibiotics fail, offering a new approach for treating biofilm-driven infections in dental and medical implantology. This study underscores the need for further research into phage-based strategies to address the growing global challenge of antimicrobial resistance and improve outcomes in biofilm-related diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 151668"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144826867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Symptomatic Mycoplasma genitalium infections in men who have sex with men and trans women: Should we skip macrolides?","authors":"Laura Horvath ,&nbsp;Paula Juan ,&nbsp;Xènia Lorente ,&nbsp;Irene Fuertes de Vega ,&nbsp;Nuria Golf ,&nbsp;Andrea Vergara ,&nbsp;Nicolás de Loredo ,&nbsp;David García-Fernández ,&nbsp;Francisco Montoya ,&nbsp;Guillermo del Carlo ,&nbsp;José Luís Blanco ,&nbsp;Mateu Espasa ,&nbsp;Berta Fidalgo","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151667","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151667","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div><em>Mycoplasma genitalium</em> is an emerging sexually transmitted infection (STI) with increasing antimicrobial resistance, particularly among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study aimed to evaluate the incidence, clinical characteristics, and antibiotic resistance patterns of <em>M. genitalium</em> among symptomatic MSM and transgender women (TGW) attending a specialized STI clinic in Barcelona, Spain.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective observational study was conducted between January and December 2024. Symptomatic MSM and TGW patients diagnosed with <em>M. genitalium</em> through nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT) were included. Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance mutations were detected using real-time PCR assays. Patients were treated according to European guidelines, with resistance-guided therapy.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 71 patients with <em>M. genitalium</em> infection, 53.5 % presented with urethritis and 42.3 % with proctitis. Coinfection with other STIs was detected in 35 %, and 29.5 % had a history of recent STI. Alarmingly, 85.9 % of patients carried azithromycin resistance-associated mutations, while 42.3 % showed dual resistance to azithromycin and moxifloxacin. A test of cure (TOC) was performed in 26 patients (36.6 %), with 23.1 % (6/26) of them remaining positive, mainly due to dual resistance. The remaining 45 patients were lost to follow-up, but no relapses were recorded in six months</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The high prevalence of macrolide-resistant <em>M. genitalium</em> among MSM underscores the need for alternative first-line therapeutic strategies, particularly in settings with limited access to resistance testing. Further research is required to optimize treatment regimens and evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine macrolide susceptibility testing in high-risk populations.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 151667"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144723832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence, characteristics and clinical features of hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae in a German university hospital","authors":"Eyüp Doğan ,&nbsp;Katharina Schaufler ,&nbsp;Stefan E. Heiden ,&nbsp;Christian Kohler ,&nbsp;Melanie Langheinrich ,&nbsp;Karsten Becker ,&nbsp;Elias Eger ,&nbsp;Evgeny A. Idelevich","doi":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151662","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ijmm.2025.151662","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Infections caused by hypervirulent <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> (hvKp) are often characterised by severe, metastatic and relapsing infections. Initially described in Asia, this pathotype has now expanded worldwide. Convergent strains combining hypervirulence with multidrug resistance additionally aggravate the situation. However, only sparse data are available on the occurrence of hvKp in European countries. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of hvKp in a tertiary medical centre in Germany.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div><em>K. pneumoniae</em> isolates were prospectively collected from clinical specimens obtained at the University Medicine Greifswald from June 1st to August 31st, 2022. Only the first isolate from each patient was considered, while screening samples were excluded. All isolates were phenotypically characterised for virulence and subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 122 isolates were included, which ranged from largely antibiotic-susceptible to multidrug-resistant phenotypes, with only one isolate carrying a carbapenemase gene (<em>bla</em>_OXA-181). Phenotypic assays showed heterogeneous results, with only one isolate demonstrating concomitant positivity in both the string test and mucoid-staining plate. WGS revealed 81 different sequence types, including high-risk clonal lineages. Four isolates carried typical genetic markers associated with hypervirulence and were largely antibiotic-susceptible. In the <em>Galleria mellonella</em> infection model, these four isolates showed higher larval mortality compared to two control carbapenem-resistant classical <em>K. pneumoniae</em> strains. Convergent strains were not found.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our findings revealed that 3.3 % (4 out of 122) of isolates were classified as hvKp. This prevalence appears clinically relevant due to the notoriously aggressive course of infections caused by this pathotype.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50312,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Medical Microbiology","volume":"320 ","pages":"Article 151662"},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2025-07-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144828249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}