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Anaerobe Aug 2023Members of the Actinomyces genus and Actinomyces-like organisms (ALOs; namely Actinotignum, Arcanobacterium, Schaalia and Varibaculum) are Gram-positive,... (Review)
Review
Members of the Actinomyces genus and Actinomyces-like organisms (ALOs; namely Actinotignum, Arcanobacterium, Schaalia and Varibaculum) are Gram-positive, non-spore-forming rods that are commensal members of the human oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, female genital tract and skin microbiota. Cervicofacial actinomycosis or "lumpy jaw syndrome" - the chronic, suppurative granulomatous disease caused by Actinomyces spp. And ALOs - is characterized by an initially slow and unspecific disease-presentation, which often mimics other pathologies, followed by the formation of painful abscesses and severe tissue destruction. Actinomycosis has been described as a rare disease, however, reliable epidemiological data are lacking. In addition, there is increasing awareness regarding the role of Actinomyces spp. in the development of osteoradionecrosis and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. The aim of this narrative review is to succinctly summarize the current advances regarding the microbiological, clinical, diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of cervicofacial actinomycosis, in addition to the roles of Actinomyces species and ALOs as members of the oral microbiota and in dental biofilm, in other dental infections (caries, root canal infection, periapical infection, periodontitis) and osteonecrosis of the jaw, in the context of recent taxonomic changes affecting the genus. Our paper aims to be a blueprint for dentists, other physicians, microbiologists and researchers regarding the multifaceted field of cervicofacial actinomycosis.
Topics: Female; Humans; Actinomyces; Actinomycosis; Actinomycosis, Cervicofacial; Mouth; Actinomycetaceae; Osteonecrosis
PubMed: 37482285
DOI: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2023.102767 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024is a Gram-positive fastidious bacterium and is occasionally isolated from the reproductive tract of apparently healthy mares () or from mares with reproductive tract...
is a Gram-positive fastidious bacterium and is occasionally isolated from the reproductive tract of apparently healthy mares () or from mares with reproductive tract abnormalities. Apart from a few 16S rRNA gene-based GenBank sequences and one recent report on complete genome assembly, detailed genomic sequence and clinical experimental data are not available on the bacterium. Recently, we observed an unusual increase in the detection of the organism from samples associated with mare reproductive failures in Atlantic Canada. Two colony morphotypes (i.e., small, and large) were detected in culture media, which were identified as by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Here, we report the whole genome sequencing and characterization of the morphotype variants. The genome length of the large phenotypes was between 2.42 and 2.43, and the small phenotype was 1.99 Mbs. The orthologous nucleotide identity between the large colony phenotypes was ~99%, and the large and small colony phenotypes was between 77.86 and 78.52%, which may warrant the classification of the two morphotypes into different species. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA genes or concatenated housekeeping genes grouped the small and large colony variants into two different genotypic clusters. The UvrA protein, which is part of the nucleotide excision repair (NER) system, and 3-isopropoylmalate dehydratase small subunit protein expressed by the gene were identified as potential virulence factors in the large and small colony morphotypes, respectively. However, detailed functional studies will be required to determine the exact roles of these and other identified hypothetical proteins in the cellular metabolism and potential pathogenicity of in mares.
PubMed: 38891657
DOI: 10.3390/ani14111609 -
Cureus Sep 2023We are reporting a very rare case of an invasive infection with and that resulted in meningitis, cerebral edema, and subdural empyema secondary to upper respiratory...
We are reporting a very rare case of an invasive infection with and that resulted in meningitis, cerebral edema, and subdural empyema secondary to upper respiratory infection (URI) and sinusitis in an immunocompetent adolescent patient. Our patient is a 17-year-old male with no significant medical history who presented to his pediatrician with a fever for three days, was diagnosed with a viral URI, and instructed to continue symptomatic care. Seven days later, the patient developed a headache, left-sided weakness, and continued to spike fever. The patient presented to the Emergency Center due to altered mental status, worsening left-sided weakness, and difficulty speaking. Head computed tomography (CT) scan showed small right-sided fluid collection with right-to-left midline shift and marked opacification of paranasal sinuses with air-fluid levels in frontal sinuses. The patient underwent an emergent craniotomy that revealed subdural empyema under high pressure and was started on vancomycin, cefepime, metronidazole, and levetiracetam. Six hours after his craniotomy, the patient developed fixed dilatation of his right-side pupil and a head CT scan showed developing ischemic changes and increased in his midline shift which prompted to emergent right decompressive craniectomy. The following day of his surgery, magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed large acute infarctions of the right hemisphere, edema, and subfalcine herniation. Two brain death exams - 12 hours apart - were performed in which criteria for brain death were met. The patient's subdural empyema culture grew and .
PubMed: 37790026
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44517 -
Cureus Aug 2023causes pharyngeal and skin lesions but rarely causes severe systemic infections. An 80-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus was admitted for surgery of a left femoral...
causes pharyngeal and skin lesions but rarely causes severe systemic infections. An 80-year-old woman with diabetes mellitus was admitted for surgery of a left femoral neck fracture and right first toe ulcer. On day 19, chest radiography revealed a massive left pleural effusion.Pleural fluid culture grew and . The fluid was drained via a chest tube, and the patient was treated with cefazolin and clindamycin. Only four cases of pyothorax caused by have been reported, and no previous cases of pyothorax with bacterial co-infections have been reported.
PubMed: 37750124
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.44096 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Nov 2023Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is a bacterium that colonizes the skin and mucosal surfaces of various domestic and wild animals. It rarely leads to infections in... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) is a bacterium that colonizes the skin and mucosal surfaces of various domestic and wild animals. It rarely leads to infections in humans, with only a few descriptions available in the literature.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 71-year-old Swiss farmer with a history of recurring basal cell carcinoma and metastasized pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor presented with signs of sepsis after a three-day history of general weakness, malaise and fever. Clinical and echocardiographic findings, as well as persistent bacteremia were consistent with mitral valve endocarditis caused by T. pyogenes. The patient's condition gradually improved under antibiotic treatment with piperacillin/tazobactam (empiric therapy of sepsis), and later penicillin G based on resistance testing. He was discharged after 13 days and continued outpatient antibiotic therapy with ceftriaxone, resulting in a total antibiotic treatment duration of six weeks. This is the first literature review of T. pyogenes endocarditis in humans. Among nine cases of T. pyogenes endocarditis, three patients had documented contact with farm animals and five had an underlying condition that compromised the immune system. While antibiotic resistance of T. pyogenes is an emerging concern, susceptibility to beta-lactam antibiotics seems to persist. The mortality of T. pyogenes endocarditis described in the literature was high, with 66% of patients not surviving the disease.
CONCLUSIONS
T. pyogenes is a rare causative organism of infectious endocarditis in humans and descriptions are mainly restricted to case reports. In our review of the literature, we found that both an impaired immune system and contact with farm animals might be risk factors. Growth of T. pyogenes in blood cultures is unlikely to be missed during routine analysis, as it shows marked beta-hemolysis on blood agar culture plates, which generally leads to further characterization of the bacteria. Susceptibility to penicillin, ceftriaxone, and macrolides seems to be retained and the reported mortality in the few patients with T. pyogenes endocarditis is high.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Aged; Ceftriaxone; Farmers; Switzerland; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Endocarditis; Animals, Domestic; Sepsis; Endocarditis, Bacterial
PubMed: 37996784
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08810-y -
The Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal Jan 2024
Topics: Child; Humans; Arcanobacterium; Actinomycetales Infections; Immunocompetence
PubMed: 37922488
DOI: 10.1097/INF.0000000000004147 -
Microbial Genomics May 2024Cutaneous ulcers are common in yaws-endemic areas. Although often attributed to ' subsp. and , quantitative PCR has highlighted a significant proportion of these ulcers...
Using 16s rRNA sequencing to characterize the microbiome of tropical cutaneous ulcer disease: insights into the microbial landscape and implications for diagnosis and treatment.
Cutaneous ulcers are common in yaws-endemic areas. Although often attributed to ' subsp. and , quantitative PCR has highlighted a significant proportion of these ulcers are negative for both pathogens and are considered idiopathic. This is a retrospective analysis utilising existing 16S rRNA sequencing data from two independent yaws studies that took place in Ghana and the Solomon Islands. We characterized bacterial diversity in 38 samples to identify potential causative agents for idiopathic cutaneous ulcers. We identified a diverse bacterial profile, including , , , spp and , consistent with findings from previous cutaneous ulcer microbiome studies. No single bacterial species was universally present across all samples. The most prevalent bacterium, , appeared in 42% of samples, suggesting a multifactorial aetiology for cutaneous ulcers in yaws-endemic areas. This study emphasizes the need for a nuanced understanding of potential causative agents. The findings prompt further exploration into the intricate microbial interactions contributing to idiopathic yaw-like ulcers, guiding future research toward comprehensive diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
Topics: Humans; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Microbiota; Skin Ulcer; Ghana; Male; Yaws; Retrospective Studies; Female; Adult; Bacteria; Melanesia; Middle Aged; Staphylococcus; Streptococcus pyogenes; Arcanobacterium; Campylobacter
PubMed: 38739120
DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.001234 -
Veterinary Microbiology Sep 2023Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) could cause zoonotic disease in various mammals, resulting in significant economic losses. Due to the lack of effective vaccine and...
Trueperella pyogenes (T. pyogenes) could cause zoonotic disease in various mammals, resulting in significant economic losses. Due to the lack of effective vaccine and the emergence of bacterial resistance, there is a big need for new and improved vaccines. In this study, the non-hemolytic pyolysin mutant (PLOW497F), fimbriae E (FimE) and a truncated cell wall protein (HtaA-2) were selected to generate single or multivalent protein vaccines and their efficacies against lethal T. pyogenes challenge were evaluated in a mouse model. The results showed that the levels of specific antibody were significantly higher than the PBS control group after the booster vaccination. Compared to PBS treated mice, vaccinated mice had upregulated expressions of the inflammatory cytokine genes after the first vaccination. There was a downward trend thereafter, but return to the similar or even higher levels after challenge. Furthermore, co-immunization with rFimE or rHtaA-2 could significantly enhance the anti-hemolysis antibodies induced by rPLOW497F. The supplement of rHtaA-2 induced higher agglutinating antibodies compared with single administration with rPLOW497F or rFimE. Apart from these, the pathological lesions of lung were alleviated in rHtaA-2, rPLOW497F or their combinations immunized mice. Notably, immunization with rPLOW497F, rHtaA-2, combinations of rPLOW497F and rHtaA-2 or rHtaA-2 and rFimE completely protected mice from challenge, whereas the PBS immunized mice could not survive past 1 day post challenge. Thus, PLOW497F and HtaA-2 might be useful in developing efficient vaccines to prevent T. pyogenes infection.
Topics: Animals; Mice; Bacterial Proteins; Bacterial Toxins; Hemolysin Proteins; Bacterial Vaccines; Mammals
PubMed: 37307768
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109810 -
New Microbes and New Infections Jun 2024
Expression of Concern: Arcanobacterium ihumii sp. nov., Varibaculum vaginae sp. nov. and Tessaracoccus timonensis sp. nov., isolated from vaginal swabs from healthy Senegalese women.
PubMed: 38799966
DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2024.101259