New Microbiologica最新文献

Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) are still burdened by considerable morbidity and mortality. Rapid and appropriate treatment imply knowledge of the underlying causative pathogen; while it is tempting to offer broad spectrum antibiotics, Antimicrobial Stewardship Practices invite a judicious use of the latter, especially when bacteria are not the cause. However, the epidemiology shifts to multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens that require optimization of molecules in order to provide optimal treatment. Novel methods requiring direct sample result testing such as the Biofire Pneumonia (PN) panel have recently been made available on the market. Syndromic testing may hence provide support in the diagnosis of LRTI. There is paucity of data concerning experiences in high MDR settings, and even less concerning the performance of these panels in pediatric settings with moderate MDR prevalence. Our study highlights the optimal sensitivity and importance of support from such methods in settings burdened by MDR presence and where fast and appropriate therapy is mandatory.

The shortage of organs for human transplantation is a topic of extreme interest, and xenotransplantation with porcine organs has been recognized as a promising solution. However, the potential spillover linked to infectious agents present in pigs remains a concern. Among these, Pig Endogenous Retroviruses (PERVs), whose proviral DNAs are integrated in the genome of all pig breeds, represent an extremely important biological risk. This study aims to evaluate PERVs distribution in several swine cell lines and samples of domestic and feral pigs. Moreover, the capacity of PERVs to infect human and non-human primate cells and to integrate in the cellular genome was tested by Real-Time PCR and by Reverse Transcriptase assay. Results indicated a widespread diffusion of PERVs both in cell lines and samples analysed: the viral genome was found in all the established cell lines, in 40% of the primary cell lines and in 60% of the tissue samples tested. The assays indicated that the virus can be transmitted from porcine to human cells: in the specific case, infected NSK and NPTr cells allow passage to human 293 and MRC-5 cells with active production of the virus demonstrable via PCR and RT assay. In light of these aspects and also the lack of studies on PERVs, it appears clear that there are still many questions to be clarified, also by means of future studies, before xenotransplantation can be considered microbiologically safe.

One of the drugs that has been suggested for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection is tenofovir disoproxil (TDF). Herein, it was aimed to evaluate the outcomes of TDF receiving COVID-19 cases in terms of day 7-10 PCR negativity and day 30 survival. Patients who received TDF due to PCR-confirmed COVID-19 between 27.04.2021 and 31.12.2021 were included in our study. The primary outcome was considered to be 7-10 days of PCR negativity, while the secondary outcome was considered 30-day survival after diagnosis of COVID-19. Patients who died before completing the treatment period (7-10 days) were also considered as PCR failures. Data were analyzed both in terms of intention to treat basis and in the subgroup that survived to the end of treatment. A total of 78 patients (30 women, mean age: 61.15±18.5 years) met the inclusion criteria. In the intention to treat analysis group, one-month-mortality was 44.87% (35/78) in the overall cohort. In the end of treatment analysis group, one-month-mortality was 29.5% (18/61) in the overall cohort. Day 7-10 PCR negativity was detected in 55.7% of the overall EOT cohort. Our data suggest that TDF may be an alternative salvage treatment option in antiviral unresponsive patients. We suggest evaluating TDF in well-designed controlled trials involving treatment-naïve cases.

We aimed to investigate the role of Synbiotic preparations on the interaction of gut microbiota with AD development. APP/PS1 mice were randomized into APP/PS1 and Synbiotics groups, and C57BL/6J mice were used as wild type (WT) control group. The mice in the Synbiotics group and the APP/PS1 group were given Synbiotics and xylo-oligosaccharides for 3 months, respectively. The mice in the WT group were given the same amount of normal saline. Cognitive function was measured. Positron emission computed tomography/magnetic resonance imaging (PET/MRI) was used to detect fasting blood glucose level. Immunohistochemical assay, ELISA, western blot and qRT-PCR were carried out to detect inflammatory factors. DNA extraction of fecal sample was performed to carry out sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis, metabolites sample preparation and Liquid Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer (LC/MS) analysis were also performed. Synbiotics treatment can significantly ameliorate learning and memory competence by inhibiting Aβ protein deposition. Different bacteria in the intestine were significantly improved and changes in gut microbiota can affect the intestinal metabolism to affect multiple potential pathways after Synbiotics treatment. Synbiotics treatment can activate peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (PPARs) signaling pathway and significantly reduce neuroinflammation in APP/PS1 mice brains. Synbiotics treatment can effectively reduce neuro-inflammatory response through the regulation of intestinal microflora to delay AD development.

Antibiotics are designed to effectively treat bacterial infections while minimizing harm to the human body. They work by targeting specific components of bacteria or by disrupting essential processes such as cell wall synthesis, membrane function, protein production, and metabolic pathways. However, the misuse and overuse of antibiotics have led to the emergence of drug resistance in humans, animals, and agriculture, contributing to the global spread of this problem. Drug resistance can be either innate or acquired, with acquired resistance involving changes in the bacterial chromosomes or transferable elements. Bacterial species employ various mechanisms of drug resistance, including modifying the antibiotic targets, inactivating the drug, reducing uptake or increasing efflux, overexpressing the target, utilizing alternative pathways, and forming biofilms. One significant concern in the realm of drug resistance revolves around the emergence and proliferation of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), a gene that is found in most gram-negative bacteria, primarily carried by Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae in healthcare settings. ESBL-mediated resistance poses challenges for diagnosis, treatment, infection control, and antibiotic stewardship. Accurate detection of ESBL genes is crucial, and phenotypic methods are commonly used for initial screening. However, these methods have limitations, and confirmatory molecular techniques such as PCR and DNA sequencing are employed to accurately identify ESBL genes. Despite the significant global concerns surrounding ESBLs, they have spread worldwide, mainly facilitated by healthcare settings, inappropriate antimicrobial use, and host susceptibility. Addressing this issue requires implementing comprehensive measures, including enhanced surveillance, strict infection control practices, antibiotic stewardship programs, rapid diagnostic methods, alternative therapies, public education initiatives, and research focused on developing new drugs. Furthermore, collaboration among the healthcare, public health, and research sectors is pivotal in effectively combating the escalating threat posed by ESBL-mediated resistance. Antibiotics have revolutionized medical care by effectively treating bacterial infections. However, the emergence of ESBL gene resistance poses a global challenge that requires an integrated approach to prevent a threatening future.

Trichomonas vaginalis and Mycoplasma hominis, two microorganisms causing infections of the urogenital tract, are closely associated in that they establish an endosymbiosis relationship, the only case among human pathogens. As a result, the presence of one microorganism may be considered a sign that the other is present as well. Identification of the two pathogens in clinical samples is based on cultivation techniques on specific media, even though in recent years, new sensitive and rapid molecular techniques have become. Here, we demonstrate that the concomitant presence of T.vaginalis in urogenital swabs may lead to a delay in the identification of M.hominis, and thus to an underestimation of bacterial infections when cultural techniques are used.

Acute respiratory tract infections (ARI) are common diseases in children and adults and could cause severe infections in high-risk patients, like the immunocompromised and elderly, and are the leading cause of morbidity, hospitalization and mortality. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of respiratory viruses and the clinical impact of single- and multi-infection among hospitalized patients in various age groups. 3578 nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) were analyzed for pathogen detection of acute respiratory tract infections. 930 out of 3578 NPS were diagnosed positive for at least one respiratory virus. The distribution of viral infections, prevalence and pathogen, differed significantly among age groups. Most RTI are observed in the age group over 65 years (50.6%) with a high SARS-CoV2 prevalence, following by group <5 years (25.6%), where the most frequently detected viruses were RSV, Rhinovirus, FluA-H3, MPV, and AdV. The co-infection rate also varies according to age and, in some cases, especially in older adults, could have severe clinical impact. This study emphasizes that it is important to know and analyze, in all age groups of hospitalized patients, the epidemiology of respiratory viruses, the prevalence of coinfections, and the clinical impact of various pathogens. Furthermore, in a clinical setting, the rapid diagnosis of respiratory infections by means of molecular tests is crucial not only to avoid hospital outbreaks, but also to allow early and optimal treatment to reduce morbidity and mortality.

Among 14 patients with C. psittaci pneumonia, there were 9 critical and 5 non-critical cases. Ten patients improved clinically and were discharged to home; however, four patients died. Seven patients had a history of contact with birds or poultry. All 14 patients had a high fever as the presenting symptom, but most had a normal white blood cell count. Most of the patients had a significant increase in high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels. The lymphocyte count in the critical group was considerably lower than in the non-critical group. Patients in the critical group were more advanced in age than in the non-critical group. In addition, serum urea nitrogen, creatinine, procalcitonin, and lactate dehydrogenase levels were significantly higher in the critical group than in the non-critical group (P<0.05). The 4 patients who died had significantly increased procalcitonin levels compared to the 10 patients who survived (P<0.05). In summary, a high fever is usually the presenting complaint of patients with C. psittaci pneumonia. Such patients often progress to severe disease; however, early diagnostic confirmation by mNGS and appropriate treatment dramatically improve the prognosis. Age, lymphocyte count, procalcitonin, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, and lactate dehydrogenase levels were shown to predict disease severity.

Gram-negative bacteria are increasingly recognized as the sauce of severe infections. In recent years, epidemiological data has indicated that the drug resistance rate of Gram-negative bacteria has significantly increased. We analyzed the epidemiological surveillance data of gram-negative bacteria in Shaoxing City in 2021 by retrospectively collecting drug susceptibility data of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Enterobacter cloacae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Burkholderia cepacian from thirteen tertiary hospitals. A total of 24,142 strains were collected from thirteen hospitals. The isolation rates of E. coli, K. pneumoniae, P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, P. mirabilis, E. cloacae, and B. cepacian were 29.25%, 18.83%, 11.03%, 8.43%, 3.80%, 3.12%, and 0.75%, respectively. Among them, 2.86% were carbapenem-resistant E. coli, 12.98% were CRKP, 31.27% were CRPA, and 34.77% were CRAB. Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales were more sensitive to ceftazidime-avibactam and polymyxin. The drug resistance rates of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii to polymyxin were 0 and 1.3%, but the resistance rates to ceftazidime-avibactam were 10.5% and 26.0%, respectively. Based on results from epidemiological data, CRKP had a high isolation rate and non-fermenting bacteria had a high resistance rate to ceftazidime-avibactam. All hospitals should strengthen monitoring and enact continuous intervention to reduce the generation and spread of drug-resistant bacteria.

This meta-analysis aims to investigate demographic disparities in monkeypox (mpox) infections among various groups based on ethnicity, sexual partners, and gender. The study includes data from 2,646 to 4,002 patients across various outcomes. Among racial demographics, black populations show a lower odds ratio for mpox compared to white populations (OR=0.08 [0.01, 0.45], 95% CI, p=0.004). However, no statistically significant difference is found when comparing black populations with Hispanic or Asian populations (OR=0.72 [0.46, 1.11], p=0.13). There was a substantial disparity between gay, bisexual and other men-who-have-sex-with-men (GBMSM) and heterosexual populations, with significantly higher odds of mpox among the former (OR=393.80, 95% CI: [82.45, 180.85], p<0.00001). Analysis of sexual partners indicates a significant difference in infection risk between individuals with zero to one sexual partner and those with more than two partners (OR=0.06 [0.01, 0.28], p=0.0005). Additionally, there is a substantial difference in infection risk between male and female populations (OR=3868.02, p<0.00001). These findings emphasize the importance of considering demographic factors in understanding mpox transmission and risk profiles. Targeted research and intervention strategies are required to address the identified disparities and mitigate the spread of mpox.