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Archives of Microbiology Apr 2024Nanoplastics pose significant environmental problems due to their high mobility and increased toxicity. These particles can cause infertility and inflammation in aquatic...
Nanoplastics pose significant environmental problems due to their high mobility and increased toxicity. These particles can cause infertility and inflammation in aquatic organisms, disrupt microbial signaling and act as pollutants carrier. Despite extensive studies on their harmful impact on living organisms, the microbial degradation of nanoplastics is still under research. This study investigated the degradation of nanoplastics by isolating bacteria from the gut microbiome of Tenebrio molitor larvae fed various plastic diets. Five bacterial strains capable of degrading polystyrene were identified, with Achromobacter xylosoxidans M9 showing significant nanoplastic degradation abilities. Within 6 days, this strain reduced nanoplastic particle size by 92.3%, as confirmed by SEM and TEM analyses, and altered the chemical composition of the nanoplastics, indicating a potential for enhanced bioremediation strategies. The strain also caused a 7% weight loss in polystyrene film over 30 days, demonstrating its efficiency in degrading nanoplastics faster than polystyrene film. These findings might enhance plastic bioremediation strategies.
Topics: Animals; Polystyrenes; Biodegradation, Environmental; Achromobacter denitrificans; Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Plastics; Larva; Microplastics
PubMed: 38684545
DOI: 10.1007/s00203-024-03947-z -
Infection, Genetics and Evolution :... Jul 2024Whopping cough (or Pertussis) is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The disease is highly transmissible and can be fatal in...
Whopping cough (or Pertussis) is an acute infectious respiratory disease caused by Bordetella pertussis bacteria. The disease is highly transmissible and can be fatal in children under two years old. Since the introduction of vaccine immunization in 1940, Pertussis incidence decreased worldwide. In Brazil, the immunization was introduced in 1977 using the whole cell (wP) vaccine. Despite the high vaccination coverage, an unexpected increase in the number of observed Pertussis cases was observed in 2012. In this year, 2257 cases were reported exceeding the average incidence rate of <1000 cases per year until 2010. This outbreak reached a peak level in 2014 and ended in 2018 according to the Brazilian National Surveillance System (SINAN). To understand the relationship between the outbreak and the vaccination, bacterial isolates (n = 136) from the Brazilian Midwest region obtained during the outbreak were submitted to genotyping of two vaccine loci: ptxP and fim3. Most of isolates (102) were obtained from nursing children (29 days to 2 years old). Genotyping of 94 isolates revealed that fim3-24/ptxP-3 was the most prevalent genotype (68%) associated with the outbreak peak. Two additional genotypes were also observed: fim3-1/ptxP-3 (15%) and fim3-3/ptxP-3 (17%). Conversely, the fim3-1/ptxP-2 genotype, which is harbored by the strain used in the wP vaccine (Bp137), was not observed. These results showed that B. pertussis circulating strains in the outbreak analyzed were different from the strain used for Pertussis immunization in Brazil. These observations provide insights that could be used to target vaccination programs to prevent future whooping cough outbreaks in Brazil.
Topics: Brazil; Humans; Disease Outbreaks; Whooping Cough; Bordetella pertussis; Pertussis Vaccine; Genotype; Infant; Child, Preschool; Female; Male; Infant, Newborn; Child; Antigens, Bacterial; Virulence Factors, Bordetella; Fimbriae Proteins
PubMed: 38679113
DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2024.105599 -
Journal of Environmental Science and... 2024Heavy metals (HMs) are widely used in various industries. High concentrations of HMs can be severely toxic to plants, animals and humans. Microorganism-based...
Heavy metals (HMs) are widely used in various industries. High concentrations of HMs can be severely toxic to plants, animals and humans. Microorganism-based bioremediation has shown significant potential in degrading and detoxifying specific HM contaminants. In this study, we cultivated a range of bacterial strains in liquid and solid nutrient medium containing different concentrations of different HMs to select and analyze bacteria capable of transforming HMs. The bacterial strains most resistant to selected HMs and exhibiting the ability to remove HMs from contaminated soils were identified. Then, the bacterial species capable of utilizing HMs in soil model experiments were selected, and their ability to transform HMs was evaluated. This study has also generated preliminary findings on the use of plants for further removal of HMs from soil after microbial bioremediation. were selected for their ability to grow in and utilize HM ions at the maximum permissible concentration (MPC) and two times the MPC. (local microflora) can be used as a universal biotransformation tool for many HM ions. has potential for the removal of lead ions, and and have potential for the removal of arsenic ions from the environment. The bacterial species have been selected for bioremediation to remove heavy metal ions from the environment.
Topics: Soil Pollutants; Metals, Heavy; Biodegradation, Environmental; Soil Microbiology; Biotransformation; Bacteria; Stenotrophomonas; Delftia; Alcaligenes faecalis
PubMed: 38676363
DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2024.2343236 -
Journal of Chromatography. B,... May 2024Filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) is a critical adhesion molecule produced by Bordetella pertussis (BP), the causative agent of highly contagious respiratory infection...
Filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) is a critical adhesion molecule produced by Bordetella pertussis (BP), the causative agent of highly contagious respiratory infection known as whooping cough. FHA plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of whooping cough and is a key component of acellular pertussis vaccines (aPV). However, conventional purification methods for FHA often involve labor-intensive processes and result in low purity and recovery rates. Therefore, this study explores the use of monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies as specific tools to achieve highly pure and efficient FHA purification. To generate FHA-specific antibodies, polyclonal antibodies were produced by immunizing sheep and monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were generated by immunizing mice with recombinant and native FHA. The MAbs were selected based on affinity, isotypes, and specificity, which were assessed through ELISA and Western blot assays. Two immunoaffinity columns, one monoclonal and one polyclonal, were prepared for FHA antigen purification. The purity and recovery rates of these purifications were determined using ELISA, SDS-PAGE, and immunoblotting. Furthermore, the MAbs were employed to develop an ELISA assay for FHA antigen concentration determination. The study's findings revealed that immunoaffinity column-based purification of FHA resulted in a highly pure antigen with recovery rates of approximately 57% ± 6.5% and 59% ± 7.9% for monoclonal and polyclonal columns, respectively. Additionally, the developed ELISA exhibited appropriate reactivity for determining FHA antigen concentration. This research demonstrates that affinity chromatography is a viable and advantageous method for purifying FHA, offering superior purity and recovery rates compared to traditional techniques. This approach provides a practical alternative for FHA purification in the context of aPV development.
Topics: Chromatography, Affinity; Animals; Bordetella pertussis; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Mice; Virulence Factors, Bordetella; Adhesins, Bacterial; Mice, Inbred BALB C; Sheep; Antibodies, Bacterial; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
PubMed: 38669775
DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124122 -
Aging Apr 2024In the past, some observational studies have highlighted the correlation between gut microbiota and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, it is still unknown if the...
BACKGROUND
In the past, some observational studies have highlighted the correlation between gut microbiota and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, it is still unknown if the composition of gut microbiota shows a causal effect on the risk of IBS.
AIM
To conduct Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis of the samples to study the probable causal relationship between the gut microbiota, their taxonomic groups, and the risk of IBS.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In this study, the summarized data regarding 211 gut microbiota and their IBS genome-wide association studies (GWAS) were collected from public databases. The causal estimates were determined using five MR techniques, where Inverse Variance Weighted (IVW) regression was employed as the major MR technique. Herein, MR-PRESSO and MR-Egger intercept tests were conducted to prevent horizontal pleiotropy. Cochran's test was used to evaluate heterogeneity using the IVW and MR-Egger techniques.
RESULTS
IVW results showed that gut microbes, belonging to Class ( = 0.04; OR = 1.45), Family XIII ( = 0.03; OR = 1.34), Family ( = 0.003; OR =1.24), and UCG004 ( = 0.049; OR = 1.19) increased the risk of IBS, while ( = 0.03; OR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69-0.98) and ( = 0.02; OR = 0.86, 95% CI: 0.76-0.98) decreased the risk of IBS.
CONCLUSIONS
This study presented novel insights that highlighted the causal relationship between gut microbiota and IBS, and offered new treatment strategies for preventing or treating IBS.
Topics: Gastrointestinal Microbiome; Mendelian Randomization Analysis; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Humans; Genome-Wide Association Study; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38669090
DOI: 10.18632/aging.205771 -
Emerging Infectious Diseases May 2024To determine changes in Bordetella pertussis and B. parapertussis detection rates, we analyzed 1.43 million respiratory multiplex PCR test results from US facilities...
To determine changes in Bordetella pertussis and B. parapertussis detection rates, we analyzed 1.43 million respiratory multiplex PCR test results from US facilities from 2019 through mid-2023. From mid-2022 through mid-2023, Bordetella spp. detection increased 8.5-fold; 95% of detections were B. parapertussis. While B. parapertussis rates increased, B. pertussis rates decreased.
Topics: Bordetella parapertussis; United States; Humans; Bordetella Infections; Communicable Diseases, Emerging; Bordetella pertussis; History, 21st Century; Child; Child, Preschool; Whooping Cough; Adult; Adolescent; Infant; Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction; Young Adult
PubMed: 38666607
DOI: 10.3201/eid3005.231278 -
The Journal of Infection Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; China; Whooping Cough; Child; Child, Preschool; Infant; Adolescent; Female; Male; Bordetella pertussis
PubMed: 38663755
DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2024.106170 -
The Lancet. Infectious Diseases Jun 2024
Topics: Humans; Whooping Cough; Czech Republic; Disease Outbreaks; Pertussis Vaccine; Bordetella pertussis; Child, Preschool; Infant; Child; Female
PubMed: 38663422
DOI: 10.1016/S1473-3099(24)00291-3 -
Veterinary Immunology and... Jun 2024Bordetella bronchiseptica is a pathogen causing respiratory infections in mammals. With the improving understanding of companion animals' welfare, addressing the side... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
Bordetella bronchiseptica is a pathogen causing respiratory infections in mammals. With the improving understanding of companion animals' welfare, addressing the side effects of bordetella vaccine gains importance in dogs. Studies on diverse subunit vaccines are actively pursued in humans to safely and effectively control bordetellosis. Therefore, our objective was to develop a canine bordetella vaccine inspired by human vaccine development. We evaluated the immunogenicity of the two bacterial components: the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) and the dermonecrotic toxin (DNT) from a canine isolate of B. bronchiseptica. In-silico analysis identified eight domains of DNT, and Domain 3 was selected as the most promising antigen candidate. Additionally, the OMPs were extracted and examined using SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. The distinct immunological characteristic of OMPs and DNT-3 were examined individually and in combination. Gene expression and cytokine production were also evaluated in DH82 cells after stimulation with those antigens. Treatment with OMPs resulted in higher level of Th1 related cytokines, while DNT-3 induced a predominant response associated with Th17 and Th2 in the cytokine production. Synergistic effects were observed exclusively on IL-23, indicating increase of a potential risk of side effects when OMPs and DNT act together. These findings provide valuable insights into the reactogenicity of conventional Bordetella vaccines. Further, the presented preclinical data in this study offer an alternative method of the development for an optimal next-generation Bordetella vaccine for companion animals and humans, replacing the acellular vaccines containing both toxin and protein components.
Topics: Bordetella bronchiseptica; Animals; Dogs; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; Bordetella Infections; Dog Diseases; Bacterial Vaccines; Cytokines; Virulence Factors, Bordetella; Transglutaminases
PubMed: 38657357
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetimm.2024.110756 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024For several years, we have been committed to exploring the potential of -derived outer membrane vesicles (OMV) as a promising third-generation vaccine against the...
For several years, we have been committed to exploring the potential of -derived outer membrane vesicles (OMV) as a promising third-generation vaccine against the reemerging pertussis disease. The results of our preclinical trials not only confirm its protective capacity against infection but also set the stage for forthcoming human clinical trials. This study delves into the examination of OMV as an adjuvant. To accomplish this objective, we implemented a two-dose murine schedule to evaluate the specific immune response induced by formulations containing OMV combined with 3 heterologous immunogens: Tetanus toxoid (T), Diphtheria toxoid (D), and the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein (S). The specific levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a triggered by the different tested formulations were evaluated using ELISA in dose-response assays for OMV and the immunogens at varying levels. These assays demonstrated that OMV exhibits adjuvant properties even at the low concentration employed (1.5 μg of protein per dose). As this effect was notably enhanced at medium (3 μg) and high concentrations (6 μg), we chose the medium concentration to determine the minimum immunogen dose at which the OMV adjuvant properties are significantly evident. These assays demonstrated that OMV exhibits adjuvant properties even at the lowest concentration tested for each immunogen. In the presence of OMV, specific IgG levels detected for the lowest amount of antigen tested increased by 2.5 to 10 fold compared to those found in animals immunized with formulations containing adjuvant-free antigens (p<0.0001). When assessing the adjuvant properties of OMV compared to the widely recognized adjuvant alum, we detected similar levels of specific IgG against D, T and S for both adjuvants. Experiments with OMVs derived from (OMV) reaffirmed that the adjuvant properties of OMVs extend across different bacterial species. Nonetheless, it's crucial to highlight that OMV notably skewed the immune response towards a Th1 profile (p<0.05). These collective findings emphasize the dual role of OMV as both an adjuvant and modulator of the immune response, positioning it favorably for incorporation into combined vaccine formulations.
Topics: Bordetella pertussis; Animals; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Mice; Th1 Cells; Whooping Cough; Female; Immunoglobulin G; Pertussis Vaccine; Antibodies, Bacterial; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus; Mice, Inbred BALB C; SARS-CoV-2; Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins; Humans; COVID-19; Tetanus Toxoid
PubMed: 38650936
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1387534