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Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2023Although previous studies have reported the dysregulation of respiratory tract microbiota in infectious diseases, insufficient data exist regarding respiratory...
Although previous studies have reported the dysregulation of respiratory tract microbiota in infectious diseases, insufficient data exist regarding respiratory microbiota imbalances in the lower respiratory tracts (LRTs) of children with pneumonia (MPP). Here, we analysed the microbial community using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Finally, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples from 158 children with MPP and 29 with bacterial or viral pneumonia (control group) were collected. The diversity of the microbial community was significantly different between the two groups. A significantly increased abundance of Tenericutes and was detected in the MPP group, exceeding 67% and 65% of the total bacterial population, respectively. Using abundance as the diagnostic method, the sensitivity and specificity of the model was 97.5% and 96.6%, respectively. Compared to the mild MPP group, lower alpha diversity and significantly increased abundance were found in the severe MPP group (< 0.01). The abundance of was positively correlated with complications and clinical indices in children with severe MPP compared with children with mild MPP. Our study describes the features of the LRT microbiota of children with MPP and uncovered its association with disease severity. This finding may offer insights into the pathogenesis of MPP in children.
Topics: Humans; Child; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid; Microbiota
PubMed: 37132354
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2023.2202272 -
The Lancet. Microbe Oct 2023
Topics: Humans; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma
PubMed: 37393927
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00182-9 -
Frontiers in Pediatrics 2023pneumonia (MPP), attributable to (MP), represents a predominant form of community-acquired pneumonia in pediatric populations, thereby posing a significant threat to... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
pneumonia (MPP), attributable to (MP), represents a predominant form of community-acquired pneumonia in pediatric populations, thereby posing a significant threat to pediatric health. Given the burgeoning volume of research literature associated with pediatric MPP in recent years, it becomes imperative to undertake a bibliometric analysis aimed at delineating the current research landscape and emerging trends, thereby furnishing a framework for subsequent investigations.
METHODS
A comprehensive literature search targeting pediatric MPP was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection. After the removal of duplicate entries through Endnote software, the remaining articles were subject to scientometric analysis via Citespace software, VOSviewer software and R language, focusing on variables such as publication volume, contributing nations, institutions and authors, references and keywords.
RESULTS
A total of 1,729 articles pertinent to pediatric MPP were included in the analysis. China and the United States emerged as the nations with the highest publication output. Italian scholar Susanna Esposito and Japanese scholar Kazunobu Ouchi were the most influential authors in the domain of pediatric MPP. Highly-cited articles primarily focused on the epidemiological investigation of pediatric MPP, the clinical characteristics and treatment of macrolide-resistant MPP, and biomarkers for refractory pneumonia (RMPP). From the corpus of 1,729 articles, 636 keywords were extracted and categorized into ten clusters: Cluster #0 centered on molecular-level typing of macrolide-resistant strains; Cluster #1 focused on lower respiratory tract co-infections; Clusters #2 and #6 emphasized other respiratory ailments caused by MP; Cluster #3 involved biomarkers and treatment of RMPP; Clusters #4 and #9 pertained to extrapulmonary complications of MPP, Clusters #5 and #7 addressed etiological diagnosis of MPP, and Cluster #8 explored pathogenic mechanisms.
CONCLUSIONS
The past few years have witnessed extensive attention directed towards pediatric MPP. Research in pediatric MPP principally revolves around diagnostic techniques for MP, macrolide resistance, complications of MPP, treatment and diagnosis of RMPP, and elucidation of pathogenic mechanisms. The present study provides pediatric clinicians and researchers with the research status and focal points in this field, thereby guiding the orientation of future research endeavors.
PubMed: 38078315
DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1306234 -
Nature Aug 2023Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life. Here we report on how an... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Possessing only essential genes, a minimal cell can reveal mechanisms and processes that are critical for the persistence and stability of life. Here we report on how an engineered minimal cell contends with the forces of evolution compared with the Mycoplasma mycoides non-minimal cell from which it was synthetically derived. Mutation rates were the highest among all reported bacteria, but were not affected by genome minimization. Genome streamlining was costly, leading to a decrease in fitness of greater than 50%, but this deficit was regained during 2,000 generations of evolution. Despite selection acting on distinct genetic targets, increases in the maximum growth rate of the synthetic cells were comparable. Moreover, when performance was assessed by relative fitness, the minimal cell evolved 39% faster than the non-minimal cell. The only apparent constraint involved the evolution of cell size. The size of the non-minimal cell increased by 80%, whereas the minimal cell remained the same. This pattern reflected epistatic effects of mutations in ftsZ, which encodes a tubulin-homologue protein that regulates cell division and morphology. Our findings demonstrate that natural selection can rapidly increase the fitness of one of the simplest autonomously growing organisms. Understanding how species with small genomes overcome evolutionary challenges provides critical insights into the persistence of host-associated endosymbionts, the stability of streamlined chassis for biotechnology and the targeted refinement of synthetically engineered cells.
Topics: Biotechnology; Cell Division; Evolution, Molecular; Genome, Bacterial; Mutation; Mycoplasma mycoides; Genes, Essential; Synthetic Biology; Cell Size; Epistasis, Genetic; Selection, Genetic; Genetic Fitness; Symbiosis; Tubulin
PubMed: 37407813
DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-06288-x -
The Clinical Respiratory Journal Jul 2023To compare the demographic and clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings in mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) children with non-MPP (NMPP) children and...
BACKGROUND
To compare the demographic and clinical features, laboratory and imaging findings in mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (MPP) children with non-MPP (NMPP) children and general MPP (GMPP) children with refractory MPP (RMPP) children and analysis the relationship with the severity of disease.
METHODS
The study included 265 children with MPP and 230 children with NMPP in the Affiliated Changzhou No. 2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from 2020 to 2021. The children with MPP included RMPP (n = 85) and GMPP (n = 180). Demographic and clinical characteristics, laboratory and imaging findings of all children were measured as baseline data within 24 h after admission and the differences between MPP and NMPP, RMPP and GMPP patients were compared. ROC curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic and predictive value of different indicators for RMPP.
RESULTS
Fever duration and hospital stay in children with MPP were longer than those with NMPP. The number of patients with imaging features of pleural effusion, lung consolidation and bronchopneumonia in MPP group was significantly higher than that in NMPP group. Compared with NMPP group, the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), serum amyloid A (SAA), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), lactic dehydrogenase (LDH), prothrombin time (PT), fibrinogen (FIB) and D-dimer and inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-6, IL-8, IL-10 and IL-1β) in MPP group were significantly higher (P < 0.05). The clinical symptoms and pulmonary imaging findings were more severe in RMPP group. The levels of white blood cell (WBC), CRP, PCT, SAA, ESR, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), LDH, ferritin, PT, FIB, D-dimer and inflammatory cytokines in RMPP group were higher than those in GMPP group. There was no significant difference in the level of lymphocyte subsets between the RMPP and GMPP group. IL-6, IL-10, LDH, PT, D-dimer and lung consolidation were independent risk factors for RMPP. IL-6 levels and LDH activity were good predictors of RMPP.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there were differences in clinical characteristics and serum inflammatory markers between MPP group and NMPP group, RMPP group and GMPP group. IL-6, IL-10, LDH, PT and D-dimer can be used as predictive indicators for RMPP.
Topics: Humans; Child; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Interleukin-10; Interleukin-6; Retrospective Studies; Biomarkers; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; C-Reactive Protein; Cytokines; Procalcitonin
PubMed: 37142438
DOI: 10.1111/crj.13620 -
The Lancet. Microbe Feb 2024
Topics: Humans; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; COVID-19; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Anti-Bacterial Agents
PubMed: 38008103
DOI: 10.1016/S2666-5247(23)00344-0