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Nature Jan 2020The origin of eukaryotes remains unclear. Current data suggest that eukaryotes may have emerged from an archaeal lineage known as 'Asgard' archaea. Despite the...
The origin of eukaryotes remains unclear. Current data suggest that eukaryotes may have emerged from an archaeal lineage known as 'Asgard' archaea. Despite the eukaryote-like genomic features that are found in these archaea, the evolutionary transition from archaea to eukaryotes remains unclear, owing to the lack of cultured representatives and corresponding physiological insights. Here we report the decade-long isolation of an Asgard archaeon related to Lokiarchaeota from deep marine sediment. The archaeon-'Candidatus Prometheoarchaeum syntrophicum' strain MK-D1-is an anaerobic, extremely slow-growing, small coccus (around 550 nm in diameter) that degrades amino acids through syntrophy. Although eukaryote-like intracellular complexes have been proposed for Asgard archaea, the isolate has no visible organelle-like structure. Instead, Ca. P. syntrophicum is morphologically complex and has unique protrusions that are long and often branching. On the basis of the available data obtained from cultivation and genomics, and reasoned interpretations of the existing literature, we propose a hypothetical model for eukaryogenesis, termed the entangle-engulf-endogenize (also known as E) model.
Topics: Amino Acids; Archaea; Eukaryotic Cells; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Archaeal; Geologic Sediments; Lipids; Models, Biological; Phylogeny; Prokaryotic Cells; Symbiosis
PubMed: 31942073
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-019-1916-6 -
, an oral pathobiont associated with colorectal cancer, epigenetically reprograms human colonocytes.Gut Microbes Dec 2023Recently, an intestinal dysbiotic microbiota with enrichment in oral cavity bacteria has been described in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Here, we characterize and...
Recently, an intestinal dysbiotic microbiota with enrichment in oral cavity bacteria has been described in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Here, we characterize and investigate one of these oral pathobionts, the Gram-positive anaerobic coccus . We identified two phylotypes (A and B) exhibiting different phenotypes and adhesion capabilities. We observed a strong association of phylotype A with CRC, with its higher abundance in feces and in tumoral tissue compared with the normal homologous colonic mucosa, which was associated with a distinct methylation status of patients. By developing an hypoxic co-culture system of human primary colonic cells with anaerobic bacteria, we show that phylotype A alters the DNA methylation profile promoters of key tumor-suppressor genes, oncogenes, and genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition. In colonic mucosa of CRC patients carrying phylotype A, we found similar DNA methylation alterations, together with significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in pathways involved in inflammation, cell adhesion, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton, providing evidence of possible role in the carcinogenic process.
Topics: Humans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Firmicutes; Bacteria; Colorectal Neoplasms
PubMed: 37842920
DOI: 10.1080/19490976.2023.2265138 -
Respiratory Medicine Apr 2018Bacterial pathogens are the most frequent cause of pneumonia after transplantation. Early after transplantation, recipients are at higher risk for nosocomial infections.... (Review)
Review
Bacterial pathogens are the most frequent cause of pneumonia after transplantation. Early after transplantation, recipients are at higher risk for nosocomial infections. The most commonly encountered pathogens during this period are gram-negative bacilli (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa …), but gram-positive coccus such as Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pneumoniae and anaerobic bacteria can also be found. Empirical antibiotic therapy should be guided by previous colonisation of the recipient and bacterial resistance pattern in the hospital. Six months after transplantation, pneumonias are mostly due to community-acquired bacteria (S. pneumonia, H. influenza, Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and others). Opportunistic pathogens take advantage of the state of immunosuppression which is usually highest from one to six months after transplantation. During this period, but also occurring many years later in the setting of a chronically depressed immune system, bacterial pathogens with low intrinsic virulence can cause pneumonia. The diagnosis of pneumonia caused by opportunistic pathogens can be challenging. The delay in diagnosis preventing the early instauration of adequate treatment in kidney transplant recipients with a depressed immune system, frequently coupled with co-morbid conditions and a state of frailty, will affect prognosis and outcome, increasing morbidity and mortality. This review will focus on the most common opportunistic bacterial pathogens causing pneumonia in kidney transplant recipients: Legionella, Nocardia, Mycobacterium tuberculosis/nontuberculous, and Rhodococcus. Recognition of their specificities in the setting of immunosuppression will allow early diagnosis, crucial for initiation of effective therapy and successful outcome. Interactions with immunosuppressive therapy should be considered as well as reducing immunosuppression if necessary.
Topics: Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Bacteria; Cross Infection; Humans; Immunosuppression Therapy; Kidney Transplantation; Legionella; Male; Middle Aged; Mycobacterium; Nocardia; Opportunistic Infections; Pneumonia, Bacterial; Prognosis; Rhodococcus; Transplant Recipients
PubMed: 29605219
DOI: 10.1016/j.rmed.2018.02.022 -
Current Research in Microbial Sciences 2022() is a facultative anaerobic, coccus-shaped halophilic lactic acid-producing bacterium previously detected and cultured in various salty foods and credited for...
() is a facultative anaerobic, coccus-shaped halophilic lactic acid-producing bacterium previously detected and cultured in various salty foods and credited for beneficial effects on human health. In this study, we investigated the presence of in human samples using a polyphasic approach including scanning electron microscopy, molecular biology methods and microbial culture. This unique investigation yielded the unprecedented presence of in human feces samples, thus enriching the repertoire of halophilic microorganisms colonizing the human gastrointestinal tract with the isolation and culture of for the first time in humans. Using the E-test strips, the MIC was assessed for T. strain CSURQ6002: rifampicin (MIC at 0.002 μg/mL), benzylpenicillin (MIC at 0.094 μg/mL), amoxicillin (MIC at 0.5 μg/mL), erythromycin (MIC at 2 μg/mL), clindamycin (MIC at 4 μg/mL), and vancomycin (MIC at 8 μg/mL). However, this strain showed a MIC up to 256 μg/mL for ciprofloxacin, fosfomycin, doxycyclin, imipenem, and colistin. profiling derived from whole genome sequencing (NCBI accession number: PRJNA780809), was confirmed. This discovery suggested that was part of the human digestive microbiota and that its potential role on human health should be considered.
PubMed: 35243447
DOI: 10.1016/j.crmicr.2022.100112 -
Current Pharmaceutical Design 2015The Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic coccus-shaped bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus are among the most important causative agents of acute and chronic bacterial... (Review)
Review
The Gram-positive, facultative anaerobic coccus-shaped bacteria of the genus Staphylococcus are among the most important causative agents of acute and chronic bacterial infections in humans as well as in animals. Treatment of Staphylococcus infections has become increasingly challenging due to the growing problem of antibiotic resistance. For this reason innovative antimicrobials with novel targets and modes of action are needed. Since the discovery that QS is used by Staphylococcus spp. to coordinate the expression of several genes involved in virulence, biofilm formation and pathogenicity, QS inhibition has gained increasing attention as an alternative anti-pathogenic strategy. A major advantage compared with antibiotic therapy is that QSIs are used in concentrations that do not affect bacterial growth. For this reason, it is expected that these compounds would exert less pressure towards the development of resistance. However, some important points still need to be addressed. Although several inhibitors have proven to be active antipathogenic agents in vitro and in several in vivo models, it is still unknown whether these compounds will also be useful in humans. Furthermore, several fundamental mechanisms by which the different QS systems in Staphylococcus spp. exert their regulatory functions and how they are inhibited by QSIs are still poorly understood. In order to achieve real-life applications with QSIs, these challenges should be addressed and more research will be needed. In this article, we will discuss the different QS systems present in Staphylococcus spp., how they are used to control virulence and biofilm formation and how they can be blocked.
Topics: Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Biofilms; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Humans; Quorum Sensing; Staphylococcus
PubMed: 25760342
DOI: 10.2174/1381612821666150310101014 -
Medecine Et Maladies Infectieuses Feb 2019Veillonella parvula is an anaerobic Gram-negative coccus rarely involved in bone and joint infections.
OBJECTIVES
Veillonella parvula is an anaerobic Gram-negative coccus rarely involved in bone and joint infections.
PATIENTS AND METHOD
We report the case of a Veillonella parvula vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) in a female patient without any risk factor.
RESULTS
The 35-year-old patient was immunocompetent and presented with Veillonella parvula VO. She was admitted to hospital for inflammatory lower back pain. The discovertebral sample was positive for Veillonella parvula. Literature data on Veillonella VO is scarce. Reported cases usually occurred in immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis delay can be up to four months. Patients are usually afebrile. Outcome with antimicrobial treatment alone is favorable in half of cases. Other patients must undergo surgery.
CONCLUSIONS
Veillonella VO may occur in immunocompetent patients and have a clinical spectrum of mechanical lower back pain.
Topics: Adult; Discitis; Female; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Immunocompetence; Lumbar Vertebrae; Osteomyelitis; Veillonella
PubMed: 30385069
DOI: 10.1016/j.medmal.2018.10.001 -
Systematic and Applied Microbiology Sep 2021A Gram-positive, anaerobic coccus isolated from a human surgical site infection was previously shown to belong to an unknown species of the genus Peptoniphilus initially... (Review)
Review
Peptoniphilus nemausensis sp. nov. A new Gram-positive anaerobic coccus isolated from human clinical samples, an emendated description of the genus Peptoniphilus and an evaluation of the taxonomic status of Peptoniphilus species with not validly published names.
A Gram-positive, anaerobic coccus isolated from a human surgical site infection was previously shown to belong to an unknown species of the genus Peptoniphilus initially proposed as 'Peptoniphilus nemausus' sp. nov., based on both 16S rRNA gene sequence identity of 97.9% with the most closely related species Peptoniphilus coxii and an individualized phylogenetic branching within the genus Peptoniphilus. A polyphasic characterization of the novel species is proposed herein. Whole genome sequence analysis showed an average nucleotide identity value of 84.75% and digital DNA-DNA hybridization value of 28.9% against P. coxii type strain. The strain displayed unique features among members of the genus Peptoniphilus, as it was able to hydrolyze aesculin, and produced acetate as the major metabolic end-product without associated production of butyrate. Growth was observed under microaerophilic conditions. From all these data, the isolate is confirmed as belonging to a new Peptoniphilus species, for which the name Peptoniphilus nemausensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 1804121828 (=LMG 31466 = CECT 9935). A database survey using a highly polymorphic partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of P. nemausensis revealed P. nemausensis to be a particularly rare skin-associated species in humans. An emendated description of the Peptoniphilus genus is proposed based on a review of the characteristics of the 12 new species with validly published names since the genus description in 2001 and of P. nemausensis. Finally, the relationships between members of the genus Peptoniphilus were explored based on whole genome sequence analysis in order to clarify the taxonomic status of not yet validly published species showing that three pairs of species should be considered as synonyms: Peptoniphilus timonensis and 'Peptoniphilus phoceensis', Peptoniphilus lacydonensis and 'Peptoniphilus rhinitidis', Peptoniphilus tyrrelliae and Peptoniphilus senegalensis.
Topics: Anaerobiosis; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Firmicutes; Humans; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Surgical Wound Infection
PubMed: 34385044
DOI: 10.1016/j.syapm.2021.126235 -
Revista Argentina de Microbiologia 2022Dolosigranulum pigrum is a gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic coccus, which is part of the oral and upper respiratory tract microbiota. Although reports of...
Dolosigranulum pigrum is a gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic coccus, which is part of the oral and upper respiratory tract microbiota. Although reports of infections by this microorganism are scarce, it has been associated with a wide spectrum of infectious diseases. The case of an elderly man with a lower corneal abscess, in which Dolosigranulum pigrum was isolated, is described. The microorganism was identified by mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and by the sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. Furthermore, the presumptive identification of the causative agent was achieved by using key phenotypic tests such as the cluster arrangement in Gram stain, the negative catalase test, the production of pyrrolidonyl arylamidase and leucine aminopeptidase activity, the growth in 6.5% NaCl and esculin hydrolysis. The data from the literature (and the present case) support the association of the microorganism with ocular infections, which often take a destructive course, mainly in elderly patients.
Topics: Abscess; Aged; Carnobacteriaceae; Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections; Gram-Positive Cocci; Humans; Male; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S
PubMed: 34895780
DOI: 10.1016/j.ram.2021.10.002 -
International Journal of Systematic and... May 2022A Gram-stain-positive coccus was isolated from the blood of a paediatric patient suffering from gastroenteritis. The taxonomic position of this catalase-positive,...
A Gram-stain-positive coccus was isolated from the blood of a paediatric patient suffering from gastroenteritis. The taxonomic position of this catalase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming facultative anaerobe designated as strain MKL-02 was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Colonies grown on tryptic soy agar with 10 % sheep blood were circular, creamy yellow, and convex. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that this strain was most closely related to CCUG 47306 within the cluster of the genus . Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain MKL-02 and DSM 15745, DSM 25571 and DSM 22760 were 89.5 and 37.0 %, 79.6 and 22.4 %, and 75.9 and 21.0 %, respectively. The genomic size of strain MKL-02 was 3 423 857 bp with a 72.7 mol% G+C content. Growth was observed at 10-45 °C (optimum, 37-40 °C) and pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), in the presence of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Cells of strain MKL-02 were non-motile cocci and 0.50-0.60 µm long, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acid type (>10 % of total) was C. The polar lipid profile consisted of two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The strain contained MK-8 (H) as the predominant menaquinone. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic considerations, it is proposed that strain MKL-02 be classified as a new species, named sp. nov. The type strain is MKL-02 (=NCCP 16967=JCM 34624).
Topics: Actinomycetales; Actinomycetales Infections; Animals; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Base Composition; Catalase; Child; DNA, Bacterial; Fatty Acids; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Phospholipids; Phylogeny; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Sheep
PubMed: 35580017
DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.005381 -
Veterinary Sciences Nov 2022is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccus belonging to the Rothia genus of the family. While is considered an opportunistic pathogen, to date few studies have...
is a facultative anaerobic Gram-positive coccus belonging to the Rothia genus of the family. While is considered an opportunistic pathogen, to date few studies have investigated its pathogenicity and drug resistance. In January 2022, chickens at a poultry farm in China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region became ill and died. Treatment with commonly used Chinese medicines and antibiotics was ineffective, causing economic losses to the poultry farm. In order to determine the cause of the disease in these poultry farm chickens, the isolation and identification of the pathogens in the livers and other internal organs of the sick and dead chickens were performed. Further, animal pathogenicity tests, antibiotic susceptibility tests, and the detection of antibiotic resistance genes were carried out to analyze the pathogenicity and drug resistance of the identified pathogens. A Gram-positive coccus was isolated from the livers of the diseased chickens. The isolate was resistant to 17 antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, and florfenicol, and was only sensitive to penicillin, amikacin, and tigecycline, to varying degrees. The results of the drug resistance gene testing indicated that the isolated bacterium carried 13 kinds of resistance genes. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry, morphological observations, biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis were performed on the isolated bacterium, and it was determined that the isolated bacterial strain was . The animal pathogenicity tests showed that the isolate caused feather loss and death in chicks; the clinical symptoms and necropsy lesions of the test chicks were consistent with those observed in the farmed chickens. A review of the literature revealed that, to date, there are no reports of infection with in chickens. Thus, in this study, was isolated from chickens for the first time and an investigation of the biological characteristics of the bacterium was carried out in order to provide a reference for the clinical treatment, prevention, and control of infection.
PubMed: 36548814
DOI: 10.3390/vetsci9120653