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PeerJ 2023is a ubiquitous bacterium from order displaying a high genetic plasticity that allows it to adapt and persist in multiple niches including soil, water, plants, and... (Review)
Review
is a ubiquitous bacterium from order displaying a high genetic plasticity that allows it to adapt and persist in multiple niches including soil, water, plants, and nosocomial environments. Recently, has gained attention as an emerging pathogen worldwide, provoking infections and outbreaks in debilitated individuals, particularly newborns and patients in intensive care units. isolates recovered from clinical settings are frequently described as multidrug resistant. High levels of antibiotic resistance across species are a consequence of the combined activity of intrinsic, acquired, and adaptive resistance elements. In this review, we will discuss recent advances in the understanding of mechanisms guiding resistance in this opportunistic pathogen.
Topics: Humans; Infant, Newborn; Serratia Infections; Serratia marcescens; Drug Resistance, Microbial; Intensive Care Units; Disease Outbreaks
PubMed: 36627920
DOI: 10.7717/peerj.14399 -
Cureus Aug 2021Infective endocarditis (IE) secondary to and streptococcus species comprises the majority of cases in literature with Gram negative bacterial insults occurring...
Infective endocarditis (IE) secondary to and streptococcus species comprises the majority of cases in literature with Gram negative bacterial insults occurring infrequently. is a Gram negative bacillus which is classified as motile, non-lactose fermenting, and a facultative anerobe. The presumed risk factor for the development of IE is intravenous drug use (IVDU). We report two cases of IE causes by : first case describes IE of tricuspid and aortic valve requiring surgical intervention further complicated by epidural abscess. The second case was associated with renal and splenic infarct. These cases highlight the severity and complicated nature of IE. Given IE has been infrequently described in the literature, we believe that our cases are worth reporting to contribute to the present incidence and management of IE.
PubMed: 34567887
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.17346 -
PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases Aug 2020Presently, the principal tools to combat malaria are restricted to killing the parasite in infected people and killing the mosquito vector to thwart transmission. While...
Presently, the principal tools to combat malaria are restricted to killing the parasite in infected people and killing the mosquito vector to thwart transmission. While successful, these approaches are losing effectiveness in view of parasite resistance to drugs and mosquito resistance to insecticides. Clearly, new approaches to fight this deadly disease need to be developed. Recently, one such approach-engineering mosquito resident bacteria to secrete anti-parasite compounds-has proven in the laboratory to be highly effective. However, implementation of this strategy requires approval from regulators as it involves introduction of recombinant bacteria into the field. A frequent argument by regulators is that if something unexpectedly goes wrong after release, there must be a recall mechanism. This report addresses this concern. Previously we have shown that a Serratia bacterium isolated from a mosquito ovary is able to spread through mosquito populations and is amenable to be engineered to secrete anti-plasmodial compounds. We have introduced a plasmid into this bacterium that carries a fluorescent protein gene and show that when cultured in the laboratory, the plasmid is completely lost in about 130 bacterial generations. Importantly, when these bacteria were introduced into mosquitoes, the bacteria were transmitted from one generation to the next, but the plasmid was lost after three mosquito generations, rendering the bacteria non-recombinant (wild type). Furthermore, no evidence was obtained for horizontal transfer of the plasmid to other bacteria either in culture or in the mosquito. Prior to release, it is imperative to demonstrate that the genes that thwart parasite development in the mosquito are safe to the environment. This report describes a methodology to safely achieve this goal, utilizing transient expression from a plasmid that is gradually lost, returning the bacterium to wild type status.
Topics: Animals; Anopheles; Bacteria; Biological Control Agents; Disease Transmission, Infectious; Female; Malaria; Male; Mosquito Vectors; Ovary; Plasmids; Serratia
PubMed: 32810151
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0008542 -
Cell Jul 2021The impact of the microbiome on HIV disease is widely acknowledged although the mechanisms downstream of fluctuations in microbial composition remain speculative. We...
The impact of the microbiome on HIV disease is widely acknowledged although the mechanisms downstream of fluctuations in microbial composition remain speculative. We detected rapid, dynamic changes in translocated microbial constituents during two years after cART initiation. An unbiased systems biology approach revealed two distinct pathways driven by changes in the abundance ratio of Serratia to other bacterial genera. Increased CD4 T cell numbers over the first year were associated with high Serratia abundance, pro-inflammatory innate cytokines, and metabolites that drive Th17 gene expression signatures and restoration of mucosal integrity. Subsequently, decreased Serratia abundance and downregulation of innate cytokines allowed re-establishment of systemic T cell homeostasis promoting restoration of Th1 and Th2 gene expression signatures. Analyses of three other geographically distinct cohorts of treated HIV infection established a more generalized principle that changes in diversity and composition of translocated microbial species influence systemic inflammation and consequently CD4 T cell recovery.
Topics: Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Biodiversity; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Chemokines; Cohort Studies; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Glycolysis; HIV Infections; Humans; Inflammation; Mitochondria; Monocytes; Nucleic Acids; Principal Component Analysis; Serratia; Th1 Cells; Th2 Cells; Transcription, Genetic; Uganda; Viral Load
PubMed: 34237254
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2021.05.023 -
Nature Communications Sep 2022The genus Serratia has been studied for over a century and includes clinically-important and diverse environmental members. Despite this, there is a paucity of genomic...
The genus Serratia has been studied for over a century and includes clinically-important and diverse environmental members. Despite this, there is a paucity of genomic information across the genus and a robust whole genome-based phylogenetic framework is lacking. Here, we have assembled and analysed a representative set of 664 genomes from across the genus, including 215 historic isolates originally used in defining the genus. Phylogenomic analysis of the genus reveals a clearly-defined population structure which displays deep divisions and aligns with ecological niche, as well as striking congruence between historical biochemical phenotyping data and contemporary genomics data. We highlight the genomic, phenotypic and plasmid diversity of Serratia, and provide evidence of different patterns of gene flow across the genus. Our work provides a framework for understanding the emergence of clinical and other lineages of Serratia.
Topics: Genome, Bacterial; Genomics; Phylogeny; Plasmids; Serratia
PubMed: 36057639
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-32929-2 -
Journal of Investigative Medicine High... 2023Severe infections due to have been documented with increasing frequency in persons who inject drugs and are frequently associated with nosocomial outbreaks....
Severe infections due to have been documented with increasing frequency in persons who inject drugs and are frequently associated with nosocomial outbreaks. endocarditis is rare, and there are very few, if any, reported cases secondary to an infected wound acquired at home. We present such a case in an immunocompetent 50-year-old man with paraplegia for 30 years and chronic decubitus ulcers who likely contracted the rare opportunistic following sacral wound contact with unclean surfaces in his hotel room bathroom. While it is also possible that the organism was obtained during a hospital admission 2 months before the positive blood cultures, he was found sitting with his ulcer in direct contact with red-pigmented accumulations on the shower floor. Therefore, it is more likely that he acquired the infection outside of the hospital setting. Early and effective management with advanced cardiac techniques and appropriate antibiotic coverage resulted in a positive outcome.
Topics: Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Drug Users; Serratia Infections; Serratia marcescens; Substance Abuse, Intravenous; Endocarditis, Bacterial
PubMed: 38146713
DOI: 10.1177/23247096231222414 -
Drug Discovery Today May 2020Prodigiosin (PG), a red tripyrrole pigment, belongs to a member of the prodiginine family and is normally secreted by various sources including Serratia marcescens and... (Review)
Review
Prodigiosin (PG), a red tripyrrole pigment, belongs to a member of the prodiginine family and is normally secreted by various sources including Serratia marcescens and other Gram-negative bacteria. The studies of PG have received innovative devotion as a result of reported antimicrobial, larvicidal and anti-nematoid immunomodulation and antitumor properties, owing to its antibiotic and cytotoxic activities. This review provides a comprehensive summary of research undertaken toward the isolation and structural elucidation of the prodiginine family of natural products. Additionally, the current evidence-based understanding of the biological activities and medicinal potential of PG is employed to determine the efficacy, with some reports of information related to pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics and toxicology.
Topics: Animals; Biological Products; Humans; Prodigiosin; Serratia marcescens
PubMed: 32251776
DOI: 10.1016/j.drudis.2020.03.017 -
Biomolecules Sep 2019Pyrrolnitrin (PRN) is a microbial pyrrole halometabolite of immense antimicrobial significance for agricultural, pharmaceutical and industrial implications. The compound... (Review)
Review
Pyrrolnitrin (PRN) is a microbial pyrrole halometabolite of immense antimicrobial significance for agricultural, pharmaceutical and industrial implications. The compound and its derivatives have been isolated from rhizospheric fluorescent or non-fluorescent pseudomonads, and . They are known to confer biological control against a wide range of phytopathogenic fungi, and thus offer strong plant protection prospects against soil and seed-borne phytopathogenic diseases. Although chemical synthesis of PRN has been obtained using different steps, microbial production is still the most useful option for producing this metabolite. In many of the plant-associated isolates of and , production of PRN is dependent on the quorum-sensing regulation that usually involves N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) autoinducer signals. When applied on the organisms as antimicrobial agent, the molecule impedes synthesis of key biomolecules (DNA, RNA and protein), uncouples with oxidative phosphorylation, inhibits mitotic division and hampers several biological mechanisms. With its potential broad-spectrum activities, low phototoxicity, non-toxic nature and specificity for impacts on non-target organisms, the metabolite has emerged as a lead molecule of industrial importance, which has led to developing cost-effective methods for the biosynthesis of PRN using microbial fermentation. Quantum of work narrating focused research efforts in the emergence of this potential microbial metabolite is summarized here to present a consolidated, sequential and updated insight into the chemistry, biology and applicability of this natural molecule.
Topics: Antifungal Agents; Burkholderia; Fermentation; Fungi; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Pseudomonas; Pyrrolnitrin; Serratia
PubMed: 31484394
DOI: 10.3390/biom9090443 -
Microorganisms Oct 2021(1) Background: We determined the relevance of intestinal dominance by spp. during a neonatal outbreak over 13 weeks. (2) Methods: Rectal swabs (n = 110) were obtained...
(1) Background: We determined the relevance of intestinal dominance by spp. during a neonatal outbreak over 13 weeks. (2) Methods: Rectal swabs (n = 110) were obtained from 42 neonates. spp. was cultured from swabs obtained from 13 neonates (Group 1), while the other 29 neonates were culture-negative (Group 2). Total DNA was extracted from rectal swabs, and quantitative PCRs (qPCRs) using - and -gene-specific primers were performed. relative intestinal loads (RLs) were determined using ΔΔC. Clonality was investigated by random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis and whole-genome sequencing. (3) Results: The outbreak was caused by during the first eight weeks and during the remaining five weeks. spp. were detected by qPCR in all Group 1 neonates and eleven Group 2 neonates. RLs of spp. were higher in Group 1 as compared to Group 2 (6.31% vs. 0.09%, < 0.05) and in the first swab compared to the last (26.9% vs. 4.37%, < 0.05). Nine neonates had extraintestinal detection of spp.; eight of them were infected. RLs of the patients with extraintestinal spread were higher than the rest (2.79% vs. 0.29%, < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Intestinal dominance by spp. plays a role in outbreaks and extraintestinal spread.
PubMed: 34835397
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9112271 -
Infectious Diseases (London, England) Jan 2022Carbapenemase-producing (CPE) infections have been occasionally described in patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We assess the clinical features and...
BACKGROUND
Carbapenemase-producing (CPE) infections have been occasionally described in patients with coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). We assess the clinical features and outcome of these infections.
METHODS
In this retrospective single-centre, case-control study, we included 54 patients with CPE infection: 30 case-patients (COVID-19) and 24 controls (non-COVID-19), collected between March and May 2020. We compared the epidemiological, clinical features, and outcome between cases and controls.
RESULTS
CPE infection was more frequent in COVID-19 patients than in controls (1.1 0.5%, = .005). COVID-19 patients were younger, had a lower frequency of underlying diseases ( = .01), and a lower median Charlson score ( = .002). Predisposing factors such as antimicrobial use, mechanical ventilation, or ICU admission, were more frequent in COVID-19 patients ( < .05). There were 73 episodes of infection (42 cases and 31 controls) that were more frequently hospital-acquired and diagnosed at the ICU in COVID-19 patients ( < .001). Urinary tract was the most common source of infection (47.9%), followed by pneumonia (23.3%). The frequency of severe sepsis or shock ( = .01) as well as the median SOFA score ( = .04) was higher in cases than in controls. (80.8%), (11%) and (4.1%) were the most common bacteria in both groups (KPC 56.2%, OXA-48 26% and VIM 17.8%). Overall 30-d mortality rate of COVID-19 patients and controls was 30 and 16.7%, respectively ( = .25).
CONCLUSIONS
COVID-19 patients have an increased risk of CPE infections, which usually present as severe, nosocomial infections, appearing in critically-ill patients and associated with a high mortality.
Topics: Bacterial Proteins; COVID-19; Case-Control Studies; Coinfection; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Humans; Klebsiella Infections; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Retrospective Studies; Serratia marcescens; beta-Lactamases
PubMed: 34382910
DOI: 10.1080/23744235.2021.1963471