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Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024Some naturally occurring compounds, known for their antimicrobial activities, have been employed as food additives. However, their efficacy in treating infections caused...
UNLABELLED
Some naturally occurring compounds, known for their antimicrobial activities, have been employed as food additives. However, their efficacy in treating infections caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria is yet to be fully explored. Rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM), a category within nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), are prevalent in various environments and can lead to infections in humans. The rise of antimicrobial resistance within RGM is a documented concern. In this study, we reported that four specific natural compounds effectively inhibited the growth and biofilm formation of three key RGM pathogens , , and . We screened 12 natural compounds for their effectiveness against antibiotic-resistant clinical strains of RGM. Four compounds showed significant inhibitory effects from the most effective to least: -cinnamaldehyde, carvacrol, gentisaldehyde, and phloroglucinaldehyde. In the analysis of time-killing kinetics, gentisaldehyde and phloroglucinaldehyde displayed bactericidal activity while -cinnamaldehyde and carvacrol exhibited bacteriostatic effects. At 1× minimal inhibition concentrations, these compounds significantly reduced biofilm formation in all three RGM species to levels between 2.9% and 20.5% relative to controls. Checkerboard assays indicated synergistic interactions between these four compounds and antibiotics such as amikacin, clarithromycin, and linezolid. Of these 12 compound-antibiotic combinations, the pairs of carvacrol-linezolid, carvacrol-amikacin, and gentisaldehyde-clarithromycin demonstrated the most synergy against multiple RGM strains. Moreover, two other compounds citral and geraniol showed synergism with all three test antibiotics. Time-killing assays further confirmed most of synergistic combinations identified in the checkerboard tests. Our research suggests the potential of these essential oils and phenolic aldehydes, both individually and in combination with antibiotics, in treating RGM infections. In addition, this work illuminates applications of these natural compounds in environmental remediation to mitigate bacterial persistence for the control of infectious diseases.
IMPORTANCE
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance within rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) poses a significant threat to public health. This study investigates the potential of naturally occurring compounds to combat infections caused by antibiotic-resistant RGM including , , and . We identified four specific natural compounds showing impressive inhibitory effects against antibiotic-resistant clinical strains. These compounds not only inhibited the growth and biofilm formation but also exhibited synergistic interactions with antibiotics against key RGM pathogens. Our findings highlight the alternative treatment strategies for RGM infections and potential environmental applications of these natural compounds in mitigating microbial persistence and controlling infectious diseases.
PubMed: 38934606
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00199-24 -
Emerging Microbes & Infections Dec 2024and , both of which are opportunistic pathogens, have been proved to be possible multidrug resistant. However, are all recurring symptoms in chronic infections related...
and , both of which are opportunistic pathogens, have been proved to be possible multidrug resistant. However, are all recurring symptoms in chronic infections related to decreasing susceptibility? Here we report a case of sporotrichosis secondary to infection. In addition, we find that the blackish-red spots under the dermoscopic view can be employed as a signal for the early identification and regression of subcutaneous fungal infection.
Topics: Sporothrix; Sporotrichosis; Humans; Mycobacterium chelonae; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Male; Coinfection
PubMed: 38764403
DOI: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2358073 -
Cureus Apr 2024A 30-year-old African American male presented with pain and swelling of the right foot one month after receiving a tattoo on this foot in prison. During his admission...
A 30-year-old African American male presented with pain and swelling of the right foot one month after receiving a tattoo on this foot in prison. During his admission for presumed cellulitis, he developed a rash on his contralateral (left) leg, which had been tattooed 10 months prior. A biopsy of the contralateral (left) leg showed acute, chronic, and granulomatous inflammation with a differential diagnosis including infection. His overall condition and both legs worsened, prompting biopsy and tissue culture of the right ankle and foot. Pathology of the right foot showed a granulomatous reaction. Culture grew This case highlights the importance of considering infectious etiologies for rashes appearing within tattoos and represents the importance of a full investigation to obtain the correct diagnosis.
PubMed: 38741831
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.58186 -
Microbiology Spectrum Jun 2024Tuberculosis (TB) and infectious diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are global concerns. The development of a rapid and accurate diagnostic method,...
Tuberculosis (TB) and infectious diseases caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are global concerns. The development of a rapid and accurate diagnostic method, capable of detecting and identifying different mycobacteria species, is crucial. We propose a molecular approach, the BiDz-TB/NTM, based on the use of binary deoxyribozyme (BiDz) sensors for the detection of (Mtb) and NTM of clinical interest. A panel of DNA samples was used to evaluate Mtb-BiDz, /-BiDz, -BiDz, /-BiDz, and -BiDz sensors in terms of specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, and limit of detection. The BiDz sensors were designed to hybridize specifically with the genetic signatures of the target species. To obtain the BiDz sensor targets, amplification of a fragment containing the hypervariable region 2 of the 16S rRNA was performed, under asymmetric PCR conditions using the reverse primer designed based on linear-after-the-exponential principles. The BiDz-TB/NTM was able to correctly identify 99.6% of the samples, with 100% sensitivity and 0.99 accuracy. The individual values of specificity, sensitivity, and accuracy, obtained for each BiDz sensor, satisfied the recommendations for new diagnostic methods, with sensitivity of 100%, specificity and accuracy ranging from 98% to 100% and from 0.98 to 1.0, respectively. The limit of detection of BiDz sensors ranged from 12 genome copies (Mtb-BiDz) to 2,110 genome copies (Mkan-BiDz). The BiDz-TB/NTM platform would be able to generate results rapidly, allowing the implementation of the appropriate therapeutic regimen and, consequently, the reduction of morbidity and mortality of patients.IMPORTANCEThis article describes the development and evaluation of a new molecular platform for accurate, sensitive, and specific detection and identification of and other mycobacteria of clinical importance. Based on BiDz sensor technology, this assay prototype is amenable to implementation at the point of care. Our data demonstrate the feasibility of combining the species specificity of BiDz sensors with the sensitivity afforded by asymmetric PCR amplification of target sequences. Preclinical validation of this assay on a large panel of clinical samples supports the further development of this diagnostic tool for the molecular detection of pathogenic mycobacteria.
Topics: Humans; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous; Nontuberculous Mycobacteria; Sensitivity and Specificity; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Tuberculosis; DNA, Bacterial; Biosensing Techniques
PubMed: 38651877
DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03506-23 -
Open Forum Infectious Diseases Apr 2024The objective of our study is to describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of a large cohort with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) hand infection.
BACKGROUND
The objective of our study is to describe the clinical presentation, management, and outcome of a large cohort with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) hand infection.
METHODS
We reviewed the medical records of all adults (≥18 years) managed at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, MN) for NTM hand infection between 1998 and 2018.
RESULTS
Our cohort included 81 patients. The median age was 61.3 (interquartile range 51.7, 69.6) years; 39.5% were immunocompromised, and 67.9% reported a triggering exposure preceding infection. Infection was deep in 64.2% and disseminated in 3.7%. Up to 16.0% received intralesional steroids because of misdiagnosis with an inflammatory process. Immunocompromised patients had deeper infection, and fewer reports of a triggering exposure. , complex, and complex were the most common species. The median antibiotic duration was 6.1 (interquartile range 4.6, 9.9) months. Deep infection and infection with species other than were associated with using a greater number of antibiotics for combination therapy and an extended duration of treatment. Immunosuppression was also associated with longer courses of antibiotic therapy. Surgery was performed in 86.5% and 32.4% required multiple procedures. Ten patients, mostly with superficial infections, were treated with antibiotics alone. The 5-year cumulative rate of treatment failure was 30.3% (95% confidence interval, 20.9-44.0). Immunosuppression and intralesional steroid use were risk factors for failure.
CONCLUSIONS
Treatment of NTM hand infection usually requires surgery and antibiotics, but antibiotics alone may occasionally be attempted in select cases. Immunosuppression and intralesional steroids are risk factors for treatment failure.
PubMed: 38651140
DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofae152 -
Clinical Case Reports Apr 2024In outpatient settings, complex infection brought on by cosmetic injections are rather uncommon. We came across a case of infection brought on by a commercial stem cell...
In outpatient settings, complex infection brought on by cosmetic injections are rather uncommon. We came across a case of infection brought on by a commercial stem cell injection.
PubMed: 38617072
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.8569 -
International Journal of Systematic and... Apr 2024As required by Rule 54 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, the authors propose the replacement specific epithet '' for the illegitimate prokaryotic...
Proposal of nom. nov., subsp. nom. nov. and subsp. nom. nov. as new names with replacement specific or subspecific epithets, respectively, for three illegitimate prokaryotic names Yoo . 2007, subsp. Kim . 2017 and subsp. Kudo . 2012; proposal of comb. nov. and comb. nov. as replacement...
As required by Rule 54 of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes, the authors propose the replacement specific epithet '' for the illegitimate prokaryotic name Yoo . 2007, the replacement subspecific epithet '' for subsp. Kim 2017 and the replacement subspecific epithet '' for subsp. Kudo . 2012. Meanwhile, new combinations and are also proposed as replacements for the illegitimate prokaryotic names Yang . 2023 and Zhang . 2023, respectively.
Topics: Mycobacterium chelonae; Lactobacillus delbrueckii; Sphingobacterium; Sequence Analysis, DNA; DNA, Bacterial; Phylogeny; Bacterial Typing Techniques; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Base Composition; Fatty Acids; Lactobacillus; Mycobacteriaceae
PubMed: 38578275
DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006319 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology May 2024
Erratum for Brown-Elliott et al., "Emergence of Inducible Macrolide Resistance in Due to Broad-Host-Range Plasmid and Chromosomal Variants of the Novel 23S rRNA Methylase Gene, (55)".
PubMed: 38572983
DOI: 10.1128/jcm.00415-24 -
Cureus Apr 2024We report a case of an 84-year-old patient with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) treated with multiple courses of antibiotics and steroids...
We report a case of an 84-year-old patient with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) treated with multiple courses of antibiotics and steroids before being diagnosed with infection. It is known that MGUS affects both humoral and cellular immunity with impairment of antibody production, function of T-cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells. This case report demonstrates the need to consider patients with MGUS as immunocompromised and draws attention to the correlation between MGUS and infections. The delay in diagnosis exemplifies the importance of considering atypical pathogens and involving sub-specialists early in the treatment of infections in patients with a history of MGUS.
PubMed: 38572178
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.57514 -
Discovery Medicine Mar 2024This research project delves into the multifaceted dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) endocarditis, a significant yet uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis...
This research project delves into the multifaceted dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) endocarditis, a significant yet uncommon manifestation of tuberculosis (TB). Beginning with an overview of M.tb and the global challenges posed by TB, we navigate through the bacterium's evolution, transmission modes, and the intricate host immune response. The pathology and pathophysiology of M.tb endocarditis are explored, emphasizing its complexities and the host's efforts to contain the pathogen. The study extends to atypical mycobacterial endocarditis, highlighting the emergence of species like M.chimaera, M.fortuitum, and M.chelonae, with a focus on their association with life-threatening mycobacterial endocarditis. Clinical presentations and complications of M.tb endocarditis are detailed, addressing challenges in diagnosis, drug-resistant, co-infections with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), and potential sepsis. The research underscores the need for a deeper understanding of M.tb endocarditis to enhance prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies. Examining the genetic and environmental factors influencing M.tb endocarditis, the study discusses the interplay of immune-related genes, environmental conditions, and predispositions contributing to infection susceptibility. Despite challenges in treatment due to its rarity, the research highlights current protocols, surgical interventions, and promising pharmaceutical developments. Lastly, unraveling these intricate factors is crucial for refining strategies and conducting large-scale trials to address this global health threat effectively.
Topics: Humans; Mycobacterium tuberculosis; Tuberculosis; Endocarditis
PubMed: 38531785
DOI: 10.24976/Discov.Med.202436182.41