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Clinical Laboratory Jun 2022The aim of this study was to investigate the infection and antimicrobial resistance of Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) and Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) in...
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to investigate the infection and antimicrobial resistance of Ureaplasma urealyticum (U. urealyticum) and Mycoplasma hominis (M. hominis) in patients with genital tract diseases in Jiangsu, China.
METHODS
A total of 3,321 patients suspected with genital tract infectious diseases were enrolled in this study from September 2017 to September 2020. The Mycoplasma detection and antimicrobial susceptibility were tested using the commercially available Mycoplasma kit.
RESULTS
Among the 3,321 specimens tested, 1,503 (45.3%) were positive for Mycoplasmas, and the proportion of mono-infection of U. urealyticum is highest (79.5%). The overall infection rate has been increasing in the past 3 years. The positive rate in females (68.7%) was higher than in males (25.0%), and the main infection age group was 20 - 39 (81.2%). Besides, U. urealyticum and M. hominis displayed relative lower resistance rates to gatifloxacin, josamycin, minocycline, and doxycycline (6.0%, 6.5%, 3.1%, and 3.2%, respectively). However, the antimicrobial resistance rates to azithromycin, clindamycin, roxithromycin, sparfloxacin, and ofloxacin were relatively high (45.4%, 42.1%, 34.9, 36.0, and 65.5%, respectively). Antimicrobial resistance of U. urealyticum and M. hominis to these 14 drugs have been changing in the past 3 years.
CONCLUSIONS
In total, these preliminary data showed the prevalence and antimicrobial resistance status of U. urealyticum and M. hominis in patients suspected with genital tract infectious diseases, which has use for reference on both prevention and treatment of diseases caused by them.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Communicable Diseases; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Female; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma Infections; Mycoplasma hominis; Prevalence; Reproductive Tract Infections; Ureaplasma Infections; Ureaplasma urealyticum
PubMed: 35704729
DOI: 10.7754/Clin.Lab.2021.210706 -
Virulence Dec 2021Mycoplasmas, the smallest bacteria lacking a cell wall, can cause various diseases in both humans and animals. Mycoplasmas harbor a variety of virulence factors that... (Review)
Review
Mycoplasmas, the smallest bacteria lacking a cell wall, can cause various diseases in both humans and animals. Mycoplasmas harbor a variety of virulence factors that enable them to overcome numerous barriers of entry into the host; using accessory proteins, mycoplasma adhesins can bind to the receptors or extracellular matrix of the host cell. Although the host immune system can eradicate the invading mycoplasma in most cases, a few sagacious mycoplasmas employ a series of invasion and immune escape strategies to ensure their continued survival within their hosts. For instance, capsular polysaccharides are crucial for anti-phagocytosis and immunomodulation. Invasive enzymes degrade reactive oxygen species, neutrophil extracellular traps, and immunoglobulins. Biofilm formation is important for establishing a persistent infection. During proliferation, successfully surviving mycoplasmas generate numerous metabolites, including hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide; or secrete various exotoxins, such as community-acquired respiratory distress syndrome toxin, and hemolysins; and express various pathogenic enzymes, all of which have potent toxic effects on host cells. Furthermore, some inherent components of mycoplasmas, such as lipids, membrane lipoproteins, and even mycoplasma-generated superantigens, can exert a significant pathogenic impact on the host cells or the immune system. In this review, we describe the proposed virulence factors in the toolkit of notorious mycoplasmas to better understand the pathogenic features of these bacteria, along with their pathogenic mechanisms.
Topics: Animals; Biofilms; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Humans; Mice; Mycoplasma; Phagocytosis; Virulence; Virulence Factors
PubMed: 33704021
DOI: 10.1080/21505594.2021.1889813 -
Brazilian Journal of Biology = Revista... 2021Contamination of primary and cell cultures by mycoplasmas is one of the main economic and biological pitfalls in basic research, diagnosis and manufacture of...
Contamination of primary and cell cultures by mycoplasmas is one of the main economic and biological pitfalls in basic research, diagnosis and manufacture of biotechnological products. It is a common issue which may be difficult to conduct surveillance on. Mycoplasma presence may affect several physiological parameters of the cell, besides being considered an important source of inaccurate and/or non-reproducible scientific results. Each cell type presents characteristical symptoms, mainly morphological, that indicate a contamination by mycoplasma. HEp-2 cells originate from carcinoma of the larynx and are, therefore, part of the respiratory tract, which is one of mycoplasma habitats. Despite the importance these cells in several biological research (evaluation of cell proliferation and migration, apoptosis, antiviral and antitumor compounds), the alterations induced by mycoplasma contamination in HEp-2 cells have not yet been described. Here, we describe the progressive morphological alterations in culture of HEp-2 cells infected with mycoplasma, as well as the-diagnosis of the infection and its treatment. Mycoplasma contamination described within this work led to cytoplasm elongation, cell-to-cell spacing, thin plasma membrane projections, cytoplasmic vacuoles, fusion with neighboring cells, and, finally, cell death. Contamination was detected by fluorescence imaging (DAPI) and PCR reactions. The cultures were treated with BM-Cyclin antibiotic to eliminate contamination. The data presented here will be of relevance to researchers whose investigations involve cell culture, especially respiratory and HEp-2 cells.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Cell Culture Techniques; Mycoplasma; Polymerase Chain Reaction
PubMed: 32321065
DOI: 10.1590/1519-6984.215721 -
Research in Veterinary Science Oct 2023Mycoplasma infections are commonly found in the respiratory system of small ruminants; the species most commonly detected are Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma...
The role of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma arginini in the respiratory mycoplasmosis of sheep and goats in Italy: Correlation of molecular data with histopathological features.
Mycoplasma infections are commonly found in the respiratory system of small ruminants; the species most commonly detected are Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma arginini, associated with the so-called "atypical non-progressive pneumonia". The pathogenic role of M. ovipneumoniae in pneumonia has been demonstrated in sheep but still needs to be verified in goats; on the other hand, the role of M. arginini in sheep is not well understood, while in goats seems to be of low pathogenic value. The present study aims to investigate the aetiology of pneumonia in sheep and goats that died from respiratory disease using anatomopathological, histopathological, and molecular investigations and to clarify the role of respiratory mycoplasmas by the association of molecular data with histopathological features. First, to better understand which histological changes are actually suggestive of atypical pneumonia in sheep and goats, the study identified the histological lesions significantly associated with Mycoplasma spp. infection. Then, the histological score of lesions considered suggestive of atypical pneumonia was used to estimate the pathogenicity of each mycoplasma detected. The results showed that M. ovipneumoniae and M. arginini (alone or in mixed infections) are pathogenic both in sheep, as well as in goats with similar histology and severity of lesions. Moreover, young animals were statistically more susceptible to M.ovipneumoniae and M. arginini infection than adults. Animals appeared more at risk to the development of M. ovipneumoniae and M. arginini infection in summer.
Topics: Sheep; Animals; Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae; Goats; Mycoplasma; Mycoplasma Infections; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Italy; Goat Diseases; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 37639802
DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.104983 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2022(MP) is an important human pathogen that mainly affects children causing general and severe pneumonia (G/SMPP). In the present study, a comprehensive immune response...
(MP) is an important human pathogen that mainly affects children causing general and severe pneumonia (G/SMPP). In the present study, a comprehensive immune response data (33 cytokines) was obtained in school-age children (3-9 years old) during MPP, aiming to analyze the immune response patterns during MPP. At acute phase, changes of cytokines were both detected in GMPP (24/33) and SMPP (23/33) groups compared to the healthy group (p < 0.05), with 20 identical cytokines. Between MPP groups, the levels of 13 cytokines (IL-2, IL-10, IL-11, IL-12, IL-20, IL-28A, IL-32, IL-35, IFN-α2, IFN-γ, IFN-β, BAFF, and TSLP) were higher and three cytokines (LIGHT, OPN and CHI3L1) were lower in the SMPP group than in the GMPP group (p < 0.05). Function analysis reveals that macrophage function (sCD163, CHI3L1) are not activated in both MPP groups; difference in regulatory patterns of T cells (IL26, IL27, OPN, LIGHT) and defective activation of B cells (BAFF) were detected in the SMPP group compared to the GMPP group. Besides, the level of osteocalcin; sIL-6Rβ and MMP-2 are both decreased in MPP groups at acute and convalescent phases compared to the healthy group, among which the levels of sIL-6Rβ and MMP-2 showed negative correlations (p < 0.1) to the application of bronchial lavage in SMPP group, indicating their roles in the development of MPP. At the convalescent phase, more cytokines recovered in GMPP (18) than SMPP (11), revealing better controlled immune response during GMPP. These results reveal different immune response patterns during GMPP and SMPP. In addition, the differentiated cytokines may serve as potential indicators of SMPP; early intervention on immune response regulations may be helpful in reducing the severity of SMPP.
Topics: Child; Humans; Child, Preschool; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma; Cytokines; Immunity
PubMed: 36618370
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1088725 -
Frontiers in Cellular and Infection... 2023Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most devastating disease affecting beef and dairy cattle producers in North America. An emerging area of interest is the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is the most devastating disease affecting beef and dairy cattle producers in North America. An emerging area of interest is the respiratory microbiome's relationship with BRD. However, results regarding the effect of BRD on respiratory microbiome diversity are conflicting.
RESULTS
To examine the effect of BRD on the alpha diversity of the respiratory microbiome, a meta-analysis analyzing the relationship between the standardized mean difference (SMD) of three alpha diversity metrics (Shannon's Diversity Index (Shannon), Chao1, and Observed features (OTUs, ASVs, species, and reads) and BRD was conducted. Our multi-level model found no difference in Chao1 and Observed features SMDs between calves with BRD and controls. The Shannon SMD was significantly greater in controls compared to that in calves with BRD. Furthermore, we re-analyzed 16S amplicon sequencing data from four previously published datasets to investigate BRD's effect on individual taxa abundances. Additionally, based on Bray Curtis and Jaccard distances, health status, sampling location, and dataset were all significant sources of variation. Using a consensus approach based on RandomForest, DESeq2, and ANCOM-BC2, we identified three differentially abundant amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) within the nasal cavity, ASV5_, ASV19_, and ASV37_ However, no ASVs were differentially abundant in the other sampling locations. Moreover, based on SECOM analysis, ASV37_ had a negative relationship with ASV1_, ASV5_, and ASV4_. ASV19_ had negative relationships with ASV1_, ASV4_, ASV54_, ASV7_, and ASV8_.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm a relationship between bovine respiratory disease and respiratory microbiome diversity and composition, which provide additional insight into microbial community dynamics during BRD development. Furthermore, as sampling location and sample processing (dataset) can also affect results, consideration should be taken when comparing results across studies.
Topics: Cattle; Animals; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Cattle Diseases; Clostridiales; Microbiota; Mycoplasma hyorhinis
PubMed: 37743862
DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1223090 -
Journal of Leukocyte Biology Jan 2023Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are among the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections proposed to induce urogenital inflammation and impair sperm...
Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis are among the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections proposed to induce urogenital inflammation and impair sperm quality. However, the topic remains controversial since contradictory findings have been reported. Herein, we performed a comprehensive analysis of U. urealyticum and M. hominis urogenital infections and their association with urogenital inflammation (i.e., leukocyte subsets and inflammatory cytokines in semen,) and sperm quality parameters in a cohort of men with couple's primary infertility undergoing initial infertility evaluation or with lower urinary tract symptoms and no infertility-related complaints. Overall, U. urealyticum and M. hominis infection was detected in 17.0% and 23.6% of patients, respectively, whereas the coinfection was detected in 3.8% of patients only. Remarkably, similar infection frequencies were found in the different patient subpopulations analyzed. Moreover, infections were associated with elevated semen levels of TNF, IL-1β, and IL-6 and/or increased counts of total leukocytes and their subsets, including CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes and neutrophils. In addition, M. hominis infection and the coinfection with U. urealyticum were associated with impairments in sperm quality variables. Our results indicate that U. urealyticum and M. hominis male urogenital infections induce urogenital inflammation and decrease sperm quality, thus impairing male fertility potential. Screening for U. urealyticum and M. hominis infections and performing a comprehensive analysis of different leukocyte subsets and inflammatory cytokines in semen may be clinically helpful in the diagnosis and follow-up of male urogenital infection.
Topics: Humans; Male; Semen; Ureaplasma urealyticum; Mycoplasma hominis; Coinfection; Spermatozoa; Urinary Tract Infections
PubMed: 36822158
DOI: 10.1093/jleuko/qiac006 -
ACS Synthetic Biology May 2022Development of a new generation of vaccines is a key challenge for the control of infectious diseases affecting both humans and animals. Synthetic biology methods offer...
Development of a new generation of vaccines is a key challenge for the control of infectious diseases affecting both humans and animals. Synthetic biology methods offer new ways to engineer bacterial chassis that can be used as vectors to present heterologous antigens and train the immune system against pathogens. Here, we describe the construction of a bacterial chassis based on the fast-growing , and the first steps toward its application as a live vaccine against contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP). To do so, the genome was cloned in yeast, modified by iterative cycles of Cas9-mediated deletion of loci encoding virulence factors, and transplanted back in subsp. recipient cells to produce the designed chassis. Deleted genes encoded the glycerol transport and metabolism systems GtsABCD and GlpOKF and the Mycoplasma Ig binding protein-Mycoplasma Ig protease (MIB-MIP) immunoglobulin cleavage system. Phenotypic assays of the chassis confirmed the corresponding loss of HO production and IgG cleavage activities, while growth remained unaltered. The resulting mycoplasma chassis was further evaluated as a platform for the expression of heterologous surface proteins. A genome locus encoding an inactivated MIB-MIP system from the CCPP-causative agent subsp. was grafted in replacement of its homolog at the original locus in the chassis genome. Both heterologous proteins were detected in the resulting strain using proteomics, confirming their expression. This study demonstrates that advanced genome engineering methods are henceforth available for the fast-growing , facilitating the development of novel vaccines, in particular against major mycoplasma diseases.
Topics: Animals; Goats; Hydrogen Peroxide; Mycoplasma
PubMed: 35511588
DOI: 10.1021/acssynbio.2c00062 -
Veterinary Journal (London, England :... Oct 2022Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae remains one of the most problematic bacterial pathogens for pig production. Despite an abundance of observational and laboratory testing... (Review)
Review
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae remains one of the most problematic bacterial pathogens for pig production. Despite an abundance of observational and laboratory testing capabilities for this organism, diagnostic interpretation of test results can be challenging and ambiguous. This is partly explained by the chronic nature of M. hyopneumoniae infection and its tropism for lower respiratory tract epithelium, which affects diagnostic sensitivities associated with sampling location and stage of infection. A thorough knowledge of the available tools for routine M. hyopneumoniae diagnostic testing, together with a detailed understanding of infection dynamics, are essential for optimizing sampling strategies and providing confidence in the diagnostic process. This study reviewed known information on sampling and diagnostic tools for M. hyopneumoniae and summarized literature reports of the dynamics of key infection outcomes, including clinical signs, lung lesions, pathogen detection, and humoral immune responses. The information gathethered in this manuscript can facilitate better understanding of the performance of different diagnostic approaches at various stages of infection with Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae.
Topics: Animals; Bacteria; Bronchi; Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae; Pneumonia of Swine, Mycoplasmal; Swine; Swine Diseases
PubMed: 35901923
DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2022.105877 -
Trends in Microbiology Jun 2021Mycoplasma genitalium (Mge) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mpn) are two human pathogens associated with urogenital and respiratory tract infections, respectively. The recent...
Mycoplasma genitalium (Mge) and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (Mpn) are two human pathogens associated with urogenital and respiratory tract infections, respectively. The recent elucidation of the tridimensional structure of their major cytoadhesins by X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy/tomography, has provided important insights regarding the mechanics of infection and evasion of immune surveillance.
Topics: Adhesins, Bacterial; Cryoelectron Microscopy; Crystallography, X-Ray; Glycoproteins; Humans; Immune Evasion; Mycoplasma genitalium; Mycoplasma pneumoniae; N-Acetylneuraminic Acid
PubMed: 33593698
DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2021.01.011