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Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2018Several isolates have been described in wild-caught and "exotic" amphibians from various continents and identified as -like strains. On the basis of epidemiological...
Several isolates have been described in wild-caught and "exotic" amphibians from various continents and identified as -like strains. On the basis of epidemiological investigations conducted in June 2017 in France in a farm producing domestic frogs () for human consumption of frog's legs, potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated from adults showing lesions (joint and subcutaneous abscesses). The bacteria were initially misidentified as using a commercial identification system, prior to being identified as spp. by MALDI-TOF assay. Classical phenotypic identification confirmed the genus, but did not make it possible to conclude unequivocally on species determination. Conventional and innovative bacteriological and molecular methods concluded that the investigated strain was very close to species, and not -like strains, as expected. The methods included growth kinetic, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, RT-PCR, Bruce-Ladder, Suis-Ladder, RFLP-PCR, AMOS-ERY, MLVA-16, the ectoine system, 16S rRNA and sequence analyses, the LPS pattern, MLST-21, comparative whole-genome analyses (including average nucleotide identity ANI and whole-genome SNP analysis) and HRM-PCR assays. Minor polyphasic discrepancies, especially phage lysis and A-dominant agglutination patterns, as well as, small molecular divergences suggest the investigated strain should be considered a like strain, raising concerns about its environmental persistence and unknown animal pathogenic and zoonotic potential as for other strains described to date.
PubMed: 30498697
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00283 -
Materials (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2018Epoxy resins have a wide range of applications, including in corrosion protection of metals, electronics, structural adhesives, and composites. The consumption of epoxy...
Epoxy resins have a wide range of applications, including in corrosion protection of metals, electronics, structural adhesives, and composites. The consumption of epoxy resins is predicted to keep growing in the coming years. Unfortunately, thermoset resins cannot be recycled, and are typically not biodegradable. Hence, they pose environmental pollution risk. Here, we report degradation of epoxy resin by two bacteria that are capable of using epoxy resin as a sole carbon source. These bacteria were isolated from soil samples collected from areas around an epoxy and polyurethanes manufacturing plant. Using an array of molecular, biochemical, analytical, and microscopic techniques, they were identified as and . As epoxy was the only carbon source available for these bacteria, their measured growth rate reflected their ability to degrade epoxy resin. Bacterial growth took place only when the two bacteria were grown together, indicating a synergistic effect. The surface morphology of the epoxy droplets changed significantly due to the biodegradation process. The metabolic pathway of epoxy by these two microbes was investigated by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Bisphenol A, 3,3'-((propane-2,2-diylbis(4,1-phenylene))bis(oxy))bis(propane-1,2-diol) and some other constituents were identified as being consumed by the bacteria.
PubMed: 30380643
DOI: 10.3390/ma11112123 -
New Microbes and New Infections Nov 2018a rare human pathogen, has been isolated predominantly from patients with catheter-related bacteraemia and rarely from other infections. In 2016, six cases of...
a rare human pathogen, has been isolated predominantly from patients with catheter-related bacteraemia and rarely from other infections. In 2016, six cases of pseudo-bacteraemia caused by carbapenem-resistant isolates were recovered from an Argentinian hospital. The resistant phenotype exposed by the isolates caught our attention and led to an extensive epidemiologic investigation. Here we describe the characterization of a carbapenem-resistant outbreak whose probable cause was by contaminated collection tubes. The genome analysis of one strain revealed the presence of various resistant determinants. Among them, a metal-dependent hydrolase of the β-lactamase superfamily I, was found. Lately the recovery of unusual multidrug-resistant pathogens in the clinical setting has increased, thus emphasizing the need to implement standardized infection control practice and epidemiologic investigation to identify the real cause of hospital outbreaks.
PubMed: 30345061
DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2018.09.002 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health 2018Ochrobactrum anthropi has become an emerging pathogen for bloodstream infection (BSI).
BACKGROUND
Ochrobactrum anthropi has become an emerging pathogen for bloodstream infection (BSI).
METHODS
From January 1st 2010 to June 30th 2017, inpatients with one or more blood cultures positive for O. anthropi isolates at Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital in Beijing, China, were enrolled in this study. Clinical and laboratory data were collected by reviewing electronic records.
RESULTS
A total of 11 patients with O. anthropi BSI were identified, of which 10 patients survived. There were 6 males and 5 females, whose age ranged from 2 to 83 years. 7 infections were hospital-acquired. In 8 cases O. anthropi was the only pathogen. The most common symptoms of O. anthropi BSI were fever (100%) and disorders of consciousness (45.5%). All patients had undergone indwelling catheter placement. O. anthropi isolates in this study were most susceptible to levofloxacin (100%), ciprofloxacin (85.7%), imipenem (85.7%) and cotrimoxazole (85.7%), while they were widely resistant to penicillins and cephalosporins.
CONCLUSIONS
O. anthropi BSI usually happens in patients with indwelling catheters, and often begins with no distinctive symptom or laboratory finding. O. anthropi seldom form polymicrobial BSIs. Quinolones and carbapenems are optimal antibiotics for O. anthropi BSI. Catheter removal is essential when O. anthropi BSI happens recurrently.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Catheter-Related Infections; Child; Child, Preschool; China; Cross Infection; Female; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Male; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Middle Aged; Ochrobactrum anthropi; Sepsis; Survival Analysis; Tertiary Care Centers; Young Adult
PubMed: 30100242
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2018.07.009 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2018The present report describes the misidentification of spp. from a positive blood culture using traditional microbiology tests. A molecular test identified the bacterium...
The present report describes the misidentification of spp. from a positive blood culture using traditional microbiology tests. A molecular test identified the bacterium as . According to the information available, this report is the first to include this type of case in Mexico.
PubMed: 30079338
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2018.00205 -
Protoplasma Jan 2019Microorganisms living in hypersaline microbial mats frequently form consortia under stressful and changing environmental conditions. In this paper, the heterotrophic...
Microorganisms living in hypersaline microbial mats frequently form consortia under stressful and changing environmental conditions. In this paper, the heterotrophic strain DE2010 from a microalgae consortium (Scenedesmus sp. DE2009) from Ebro Delta microbial mats has been phenotypically and genotypically characterized and identified. In addition, changes in the morphology and biomass of this bacterium in response to nitrogen deficiency stress have been evaluated by correlative light and electron microscopy (CLEM) combining differential interference contrast (DIC) microscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). These isolated bacteria are chemoorganoheterotrophic, gram-negative, and strictly aerobic bacteria that use a variety of amino acids, organic acids, and carbohydrates as carbon and energy sources, and they grow optimally at 27 °C in a pH range of 5 to 9 and tolerate salinity from 0 to 70‰ NaCl. The DNA-sequencing analysis of the 16S rRNA and nudC and fixH genes and the metabolic characterization highlight that strain DE2010 corresponds to the species Ochrobactrum anthropi. Cells are rod shaped, 1-3 μm in length, and 0.5 μm wide, but under deprived nitrogen conditions, cells are less abundant and become more round, reducing their length and area and, consequently, their biomass. An increase in the number of pleomorphic cells is observed in cultures grown without nitrogen using different optical and electron microscopy techniques. In addition, the amplification of the fixH gene confirms that Ochrobactrum anthropi DE2010 has the capacity to fix nitrogen, overcoming N-limiting conditions through a nifH-independent mechanism that is still unidentified.
Topics: Biofilms; Cyanobacteria; Nitrogen Fixation; Water Microbiology
PubMed: 29987389
DOI: 10.1007/s00709-018-1263-8 -
Chembiochem : a European Journal of... Jun 2018The kinetic resolution of amino acid esters (AAEs) is a useful synthetic strategy for the preparation of single-enantiomer amino acids. The development of an enzymatic...
The kinetic resolution of amino acid esters (AAEs) is a useful synthetic strategy for the preparation of single-enantiomer amino acids. The development of an enzymatic dynamic kinetic resolution (DKR) process for AAEs, which would give a theoretical yield of 100 % of the enantiopure product, would require an amino acid ester racemase (AAER); however, no such enzyme has been described. We have identified low AAER activity of 15 U mg in a homologue of a PLP-dependent α-amino ϵ-caprolactam racemase (ACLR) from Ochrobactrum anthropi. We have determined the structure of this enzyme, OaACLR, to a resolution of 1.87 Å and, by using structure-guided saturation mutagenesis, in combination with a colorimetric screen for AAER activity, we have identified a mutant, L293C, in which the promiscuous AAER activity of this enzyme towards l-phenylalanine methyl ester is improved 3.7-fold.
PubMed: 29897155
DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201800265 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Jun 2018
Closing the Brief Case: Misidentification of Brucella melitensis as Ochrobactrum anthropi by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).
Topics: Brucella melitensis; Ochrobactrum anthropi; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
PubMed: 29802239
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00918-17 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Jun 2018
The Brief Case: Misidentification of Brucella melitensis as Ochrobactrum anthropi by Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization-Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS).
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Antibodies, Bacterial; Brucella melitensis; Brucellosis; Child; Diagnostic Errors; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Humans; Male; Ochrobactrum anthropi; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Splenomegaly; Travel-Related Illness; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 29802238
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.00914-17 -
IDCases 2018is a Gram-negative bacillus widely distributed in nature. It is a low virulence and low pathogenic microorganism and human infection by this agent is considered rare....
is a Gram-negative bacillus widely distributed in nature. It is a low virulence and low pathogenic microorganism and human infection by this agent is considered rare. This microorganism can cause bacteremia and in some cases can lead to osteomyelitis and endocarditis. Included in family, this bacterium is phenotypically and genetically closely related to the genus and may be misidentified by rapid identification systems. The authors describe a patient admitted to the Infectious Diseases Department with vertebral osteomyelitis initially identified as . Despite appropriate antimicrobial therapy, the blood cultures remained positive and there were no signs of clinical improvement. This raised suspicion of a possible misidentification. It was decided to initiate antimicrobial therapy to include the genus, with slow but progressive clinical improvement. Samples were sent to Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge (INSA) for genotyping, confirming the initial suspicion of misidentification and identifying as the causal agent. Timely diagnosis of brucellosis is essential for the correct management and prevention of its consequences for the patient and for safe handling of the laboratory samples, preventing laboratory-acquired infection.
PubMed: 29619327
DOI: 10.1016/j.idcr.2018.01.010