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BMC Women's Health Jul 2024The role of bacterial contamination in the development and progression of endometriosis lesions is currently a hot topic for gynecologists. In this study, we decided to...
BACKGROUND
The role of bacterial contamination in the development and progression of endometriosis lesions is currently a hot topic for gynecologists. In this study, we decided to compare the endometrial cultures of women affected by endometriosis with those of non-endometriotic women, focusing on specific microbial pathogens.
MATERIAL AND METHOD
In this cross-sectional case-control study, 30 women with endometriosis in stages 4 of the disease whose endometriosis was confirmed based on clinical, ultrasound, and histopathological findings, and 30 women without endometriosis who were candidates for surgery due to benign uterine diseases with regular menstrual cycle, underwent endometrial biopsy with Novak Kort in sterile conditions before starting their operation, and the results of their endometrial culture were analyzed and compared.
RESULTS
Results of the study indicate that there were no significant differences in terms of age, BMI, smoking, education level, place of residency, use of the intrauterine device, or vaginal douche, and age of menarche between the case and control groups. The only demographic difference observed was in parity, where the control group had a significantly higher parity than the case group (P = 0.001). Out of the 60 cultures, only 15 samples were positive in the endometriosis group, and E. coli was the most prevalent species, with 10 (33.3%) samples testing positive for it. Klebsiella spp. and Enterobacteria spp. were also detected in 3 (10.0%) and 2 (6.7%) samples, respectively. The comparison between the two groups showed that only E. coli had a significant association with the presence of endometriosis (P = 0.001). There was no significant relationship between the location of endometriosis in the pelvic cavity and culture results. It was observed that parity among the E. coli negative group was significantly higher compared to the E. coli positive group (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION
Based on The high occurrence of E. coli in women with endometriosis, along with its potential involvement in the progression and/or recurrence of this condition, the researchers propose that treating women with endometriosis and recurrent IVF failure, as well as those with endometriosis recurrence after surgical treatment, with suitable antibiotics and repeated culture until the culture becomes negative, could be beneficial.
Topics: Humans; Female; Endometriosis; Case-Control Studies; Iran; Adult; Escherichia coli; Cross-Sectional Studies; Escherichia coli Infections; Endometrium; Klebsiella
PubMed: 38961459
DOI: 10.1186/s12905-024-03229-2 -
BMC Microbiology Jul 2024We explored whether the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas and restriction-modification (R-M) systems are compatible and act together...
OBJECTIVE
We explored whether the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-Cas and restriction-modification (R-M) systems are compatible and act together to resist plasmid attacks.
METHODS
932 global whole-genome sequences from GenBank, and 459 K. pneumoniae isolates from six provinces of China, were collected to investigate the co-distribution of CRISPR-Cas, R-M systems, and bla plasmid. Conjugation and transformation assays were applied to explore the anti-plasmid function of CRISPR and R-M systems.
RESULTS
We found a significant inverse correlation between the presence of CRISPR and R-M systems and bla plasmids in K. pneumoniae, especially when both systems cohabited in one host. The multiple matched recognition sequences of both systems in bla-IncF plasmids (97%) revealed that they were good targets for both systems. Furthermore, the results of conjugation assay demonstrated that CRISPR-Cas and R-M systems in K. pneumoniae could effectively hinder bla plasmid invasion. Notably, CRISPR-Cas and R-M worked together to confer a 4-log reduction in the acquisition of bla plasmid in conjugative events, exhibiting robust synergistic anti-plasmid immunity.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results indicate the synergistic role of CRISPR and R-M in regulating horizontal gene transfer in K. pneumoniae and rationalize the development of antimicrobial strategies that capitalize on the immunocompromised status of KPC-KP.
Topics: Klebsiella pneumoniae; Plasmids; CRISPR-Cas Systems; Conjugation, Genetic; beta-Lactamases; DNA Restriction-Modification Enzymes; China; Klebsiella Infections; Gene Transfer, Horizontal; Humans; Genome, Bacterial
PubMed: 38961341
DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03381-7 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2024The escalating incidence of foodborne salmonellosis poses a significant global threat to food safety and public health. As antibiotic resistance in Salmonella continues...
The escalating incidence of foodborne salmonellosis poses a significant global threat to food safety and public health. As antibiotic resistance in Salmonella continues to rise, there is growing interest in bacteriophages as potential alternatives. In this study, we isolated, characterized, and evaluated the biocontrol efficacy of lytic phage L223 in chicken meat. Phage L223 demonstrated robust stability across a broad range of temperatures (20-70 °C) and pH levels (2-11) and exhibited a restricted host range targeting Salmonella spp., notably Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis. Characterization of L223 revealed a short latent period of 30 min and a substantial burst size of 515 PFU/cell. Genomic analysis classified L223 within the Caudoviricetes class, Guernseyvirinae subfamily and Jerseyvirus genus, with a dsDNA genome size of 44,321 bp and 47.9% GC content, featuring 72 coding sequences devoid of antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors, toxins, and tRNA genes. Application of L223 significantly (p < 0.005) reduced Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14,028 counts by 1.24, 2.17, and 1.55 log CFU/piece after 2, 4, and 6 h of incubation, respectively, in experimentally contaminated chicken breast samples. These findings highlight the potential of Salmonella phage L223 as a promising biocontrol agent for mitigating Salmonella contamination in food products, emphasizing its relevance for enhancing food safety protocols.
Topics: Animals; Salmonella Phages; Chickens; Genome, Viral; Genomics; Salmonella; Poultry; Salmonella typhimurium; Host Specificity; Food Microbiology; Phenotype; Poultry Diseases
PubMed: 38961138
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-64999-1 -
Scientific Reports Jul 2024Infectious coryza (IC) is an acute upper respiratory disease of chicken caused by Avibacterium (A.) paragallinarum. This disease results in an increased culling rate in...
Infectious coryza (IC) is an acute upper respiratory disease of chicken caused by Avibacterium (A.) paragallinarum. This disease results in an increased culling rate in meat chicken and a marked decrease in egg production (10% to more than 40%) in laying and breeding hens. Vaccines were first used against IC and effectively controlled the disease. Nanotechnology provides an excellent way to develop a new generation of vaccines. NPs have been widely used in vaccine design as adjuvants and antigen delivery vehicles and as antibacterial agents; thus, they can be used as inactivators for bacterial culture. In this research, the antibacterial effects of several nanoparticles (NPs), such as silicon dioxide with chitosan (SiO-CS), oleoyl-chitosan (O.CS), silicon dioxide (SiO), and iron oxide (FeO), on A. paragallinarum were studied. Additionally, different A. paragallinarum vaccines were made using the same nanomaterials at a concentration of 400 µg/ml to help control infectious coryza disease in chicken. A concentration of 400 µg/ml of all the NPs tested was the best concentration for the inactivation of A. paragallinarum. Additionally, this study showed that the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with SiO NPs had the highest immune response, followed by the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with FeO NPs, the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with SiO-CS NPs, and the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with O.CS NPs in comparison with the infectious coryza vaccine adjuvanted with liquid paraffin (a commercial vaccine).
Topics: Animals; Chickens; Poultry Diseases; Nanoparticles; Chitosan; Adjuvants, Immunologic; Bacterial Vaccines; Silicon Dioxide; Adjuvants, Vaccine; Polymers; Drug Carriers; Pasteurellaceae
PubMed: 38961116
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65267-y -
Folia Microbiologica Jul 2024Rare and unknown actinobacteria from unexplored environments have the potential to produce new bioactive molecules. This study aimed to use 16 s rRNA metabarcoding to...
Rare and unknown actinobacteria from unexplored environments have the potential to produce new bioactive molecules. This study aimed to use 16 s rRNA metabarcoding to determine the composition of the actinobacterial community, particularly focusing on rare and undescribed species, in a nature reserve within the Brazilian Cerrado called Sete Cidades National Park. Since this is an inaccessible area without due legal authorization, it is understudied, and, therefore, its diversity and biotechnological potential are not yet fully understood, and it may harbor species with groundbreaking genetic potential. In total, 543 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) across 14 phyla were detected, with Actinobacteria (41.2%), Proteobacteria (26.5%), and Acidobacteria (14.3%) being the most abundant. Within Actinobacteria, 107 OTUs were found, primarily from the families Mycobacteriaceae, Pseudonocardiaceae, and Streptomycetaceae. Mycobacterium and Streptomyces were the predominant genera across all samples. Seventeen rare OTUs with relative abundance < 0.1% were identified, with 82.3% found in only one sample yet 25.5% detected in all units. Notable rare and transient genera included Salinibacterium, Nocardia, Actinomycetospora_01, Saccharopolyspora, Sporichthya, and Nonomuraea. The high diversity and distribution of Actinobacteria OTUs indicate the area's potential for discovering new rare species. Intensified prospection on underexplored environments and characterization of their actinobacterial diversity could lead to the discovery of new species capable of generating innovative natural products.
PubMed: 38961050
DOI: 10.1007/s12223-024-01184-x -
Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology... Jul 2024
Topics: Humans; Acinetobacter Infections; Acinetobacter
PubMed: 38960565
DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2024.03.004 -
Advances in Protein Chemistry and... 2024Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterium well known for its multidrug resistance and connection to nosocomial infections under ESKAPE pathogens. This... (Review)
Review
Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterium well known for its multidrug resistance and connection to nosocomial infections under ESKAPE pathogens. This opportunistic pathogen is ubiquitously associated with nosocomial infections, posing significant threats within healthcare environments. Its critical clinical symptoms, namely, meningitis, urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonia, and pneumonia, catalyze the imperative demand for innovative therapeutic interventions. The proposed research focuses on delineating the role of Zinc, a crucial metallo-binding protein and micronutrient integral to bacterial metabolism and virulence, to enhance understanding of the pathogenicity of A. baumannii. RNA sequencing and subsequent DESeq2 analytical methods were used to identify differential gene expressions influenced by zinc exposure. Exploiting the STRING database for functional enrichment analysis has demonstrated the complex molecular mechanisms underlying the enhancement of pathogenicity prompted by Zinc. Moreover, hub genes like gltB, ribD, AIL77834.1, sdhB, nuoI, acsA_1, acoC, accA, accD were predicted using the cytohubba tool in Cytoscape. This investigation underscores the pivotal role of Zinc in the virulence of A. baumannii elucidates the underlying molecular pathways responsible for its pathogenicity. The research further accentuates the need for innovative therapeutic strategies to combat A. baumannii infections, particularly those induced by multidrug-resistant strains.
Topics: Acinetobacter baumannii; Zinc; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; Virulence; Humans; Gene Expression Profiling; Transcriptome; Acinetobacter Infections; Bacterial Proteins
PubMed: 38960471
DOI: 10.1016/bs.apcsb.2023.12.018 -
BMJ Case Reports Jul 2024Scrub typhus, a prevalent tropical infection, may sometimes manifest with unusual complications. Here, we present the case of a young man who was admitted to our...
Scrub typhus, a prevalent tropical infection, may sometimes manifest with unusual complications. Here, we present the case of a young man who was admitted to our facility with a fever for the past 3 days and passage of dark-coloured urine since that morning. On investigation, we identified intravascular haemolytic anaemia. Through meticulous examination, a black necrotic lesion (eschar) was discovered on his right buttock, a pathognomonic sign of scrub typhus infection. Treatment was initiated with oral doxycycline 100 mg two times a day. Subsequently, diagnosis of scrub typhus was confirmed through positive results from scrub typhus IgM via ELISA and PCR analysis from the eschar tissue. The patient responded well to oral doxycycline and his symptoms resolved within the next few days. This case highlights severe intravascular haemolysis associated with scrub typhus infection.
Topics: Humans; Scrub Typhus; Male; Doxycycline; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Anemia, Hemolytic; Adult; Orientia tsutsugamushi
PubMed: 38960428
DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2024-261003 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jul 2024A significant knowledge gap exists regarding the impact of soil organic matter on the bioavailability of AgS-NPs (environmentally relevant forms of Ag-NPs) in...
A significant knowledge gap exists regarding the impact of soil organic matter on the bioavailability of AgS-NPs (environmentally relevant forms of Ag-NPs) in soil-earthworm-plant systems. This study used two soils with varying organic matter content, both with and without earthworms, to investigate the bioavailability of AgS-NPs. The findings revealed an 80 % increase in Ag bioaccessibility to soybeans in soils with high organic matter content compared to soils with low organic matter. Additionally, the presence of earthworms significantly increased Cl concentrations from 24.3-62.2 mg L to 80.1-147.2 mg L, triggering the elevated bioavailability of Ag. Interestingly, AgS-NPs eliminated the stimulative effects of earthworms on plant nutrient uptake. In the presence of earthworms, the high organic matter soil amended with AgS-NPs exhibited lower concentrations of essential elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, and P) in plant tissues compared to soils without earthworms. Our study presents evidence of the transformation of AgS-NPs into Ag-NPs across various soil solutions, resulting in the formation of Ag nanoparticle complexes. Particularly noteworthy is the significant reduction in particle sizes in soils incubated with earthworms and high organic matter content, from 85.0 nm to 40.2 nm. Notably, in the rhizosphere soil, a decrease in the relative abundance of nutrient cycling-related phyla was observed, with reductions of 18.5 % for Proteobacteria and 30.0 % for Actinobacteriota. These findings offer valuable insights into the biological and biochemical consequences of AgS-NP exposure on earthworm-mediated plant nutrient acquisition.
PubMed: 38960153
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174433 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jul 2024The taxonomy of marine plastisphere communities has been extensively studied, demonstrating the ubiquity of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria of potential biotechnological...
The taxonomy of marine plastisphere communities has been extensively studied, demonstrating the ubiquity of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria of potential biotechnological significance. However, prokaryotic functioning on plastic surfaces has received limited attention, and the question of whether these microorganisms are active and expressing specific molecular mechanisms underpinning plastisphere colonisation remains to be addressed. The aim of this study was to investigate the plastic colonisation process, to identify the active taxa involved in biofilm formation and the mechanisms used to initiate colonisation. To achieve this, a marine plastisphere characterised by active hydrocarbonoclastic genera was used as the inoculum for a short-term microcosm experiment using virgin low-density polyethylene as the sole carbon source. Following incubation for 1 and 2 weeks (representing early and late colonisation, respectively), a taxonomic and comparative metaproteomic approach revealed a significant shift in plastisphere diversity and composition, yet highlighted stability in the predominance of active Proteobacteria spanning 16 genera, including Marinomonas, Pseudomonas, and Pseudoalteromonas. Relative quantification of 1,762 proteins shared between the initial plastisphere inoculum, the microcosm plastisphere and the planktonic cells in the surrounding artificial seawater, provided insights into the differential regulation of proteins associated with plastisphere formation. This included the upregulation of proteins mediating cellular attachment in the plastisphere, for example flagellin expressed by Marinomonas, Cobetia, Pseudoalteromonas, and Pseudomonas, and curli expressed by Cobetia. In addition to the differential regulation of energy metabolism in Marinomonas, Psychrobacter, Pseudomonas and Cobetia within the plastisphere relative to the surrounding seawater. Further, we identified the upregulation of amino acid metabolism and transport, including glutamine hydrolysis to glutamate in Marinomonas and unclassified Halomonadaceae, potentially coupled to ammonia availability and oxidative stress experienced within the plastisphere. Our study provides novel insights into the dynamics of plastisphere formation and function, highlighting potential targets for regulating plastisphere growth to enhance plastic bioremediation processes.
PubMed: 38960113
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124479