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Clinical Case Reports Jun 2024(. ), a rare opportunistic pathogen, caused sepsis in a malnourished 15-month-old African child. Early detection and appropriate antibiotics led to full recovery,...
KEY CLINICAL MESSAGE
(. ), a rare opportunistic pathogen, caused sepsis in a malnourished 15-month-old African child. Early detection and appropriate antibiotics led to full recovery, highlighting the importance of robust surveillance for emerging pathogens in vulnerable populations.
ABSTRACT
While rarely causing infections, . , a non-fermenting, obligately aerobic, flagellated gram-negative bacillus, demonstrates oxidase positivity and indole negativity. Traditionally, spp is considered a low threat due to its environmental abundance and mild virulence. It is, however, a multidrug-resistant bacteria known for causing opportunistic infections in humans. . is typically associated with catheter-related bloodstream infections. The first documented case was in 1998; most cases have been reported in developed countries. We present a case of . sepsis in a malnourished child in sub-Saharan Africa. We report a case involving a 15-month-old African female who presented with symptoms and signs of protein-energy malnutrition and sepsis. The blood culture revealed .. We treated the child with the empirical first-line antibiotics per the national guidelines, intravenous ampicillin and gentamicin for a week, and the child fully recovered. This report describes a rare case of . sepsis with malnutrition in an African female child. . is an emerging pathogen causing opportunistic infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. We report that early bacterial detection, appropriate antibiotic susceptibility and antimicrobial management based on local antibiogram data may be essential for excellent patient outcomes. Additionally, we recommend more robust surveillance to detect such rare emerging pathogens.
PubMed: 38845804
DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.9042 -
BMC Ophthalmology Jun 2024Ochrobactrum anthropi is widely distributed and primarily infects patients with compromised immune functions . Historically, O. anthropi has been considered to possess... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Ochrobactrum anthropi is widely distributed and primarily infects patients with compromised immune functions . Historically, O. anthropi has been considered to possess low toxicity and pathogenicity; however, recent studies suggest that it may in fact cause severe purulent infections. In this case study, we examine a case of O. anthropi infection following corneal transplantation, exploring the occurrence and outcomes of such post-operative infections.
CASE PRESENTATION
A retrospective analysis of cases involved examinations, genetic testing for diagnosis, and subsequent treatment. In patients undergoing partial penetrating keratoplasty with a fungal corneal ulcer perforation, anterior chamber exudation and purulence were observed post-surgery. Despite antifungal treatment, genetic testing of the anterior chamber fluid and purulent material confirmed O. anthropi infection. The use of antimicrobial treatment specifically targeting O. anthropi was found to be effective in treating the infection.
CONCLUSION
Inflammatory reactions following corneal transplantation should be should be monitored for the presence of other infections. Genetic testing has significant implications for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Topics: Humans; Ochrobactrum anthropi; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections; Eye Infections, Bacterial; Male; Keratoplasty, Penetrating; Corneal Ulcer; Corneal Transplantation; Female; Middle Aged; Antifungal Agents
PubMed: 38831303
DOI: 10.1186/s12886-024-03472-z -
Two Case Reports of Ochrobactrum anthropi Bacteremia in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Northeast India.Cureus Apr 2024is a non-fermenting, Gram-negative bacillus and an emerging opportunistic pathogen. We have isolated this organism from the blood cultures of two patients, a...
is a non-fermenting, Gram-negative bacillus and an emerging opportunistic pathogen. We have isolated this organism from the blood cultures of two patients, a 53-year-old immunocompetent male presenting with an episode of mild fever post craniotomy and an 85-year-old male with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and urinary retention on an indwelling catheter. The organism was identified using VITEK 2 (bioMérieux, France). Both the isolates were resistant to most of the β-lactams, including cephalosporins, and sensitive to quinolones, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems.
PubMed: 38803726
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.59123 -
Animals : An Open Access Journal From... May 2024The vaginal tract comprises commensal microorganisms, which play an essential role in the health of the reproductive tract. Any dysbiosis in the vaginal microenvironment...
The vaginal tract comprises commensal microorganisms, which play an essential role in the health of the reproductive tract. Any dysbiosis in the vaginal microenvironment may lead to severe urinary tract infections or even infertility. This study aimed to evaluate the aerobic bacterial flora isolated from vaginal samples from 100 lactating bitches in the antepartum period ( = 3), postpartum period ( = 80), and with ( = 17). Before vaginal swabs, all the bitches went through a gynecology consult, along with milk and blood sampling. Standard microbiological techniques were used for bacterial isolation. Among the 100 vaginal samples analyzed, 82% had a positive microbiological outcome, while 18% were negative. The microbiologic profile listed 17 different genera. The main isolated bacterial families were Micrococcaceae, Staphylococcaceae, Morganellaceae, Bacillaceae, and Rhizobiaceae. At the same time, strains like , , , , , or were isolated for the first time from the vaginal secretion of lactating bitches. The microbiological data demonstrates that lactating bitches' vaginal discharge is heterogeneous and may be affected by coitus, sampling season, age, and reproductive status.
PubMed: 38791718
DOI: 10.3390/ani14101501 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2024Some spp. are important pathogens. According to the latest prokaryotic taxonomy, the genus consists of facultative intracellular parasitic species and extracellular...
Some spp. are important pathogens. According to the latest prokaryotic taxonomy, the genus consists of facultative intracellular parasitic species and extracellular opportunistic or environmental species. Intracellular species include classical and nonclassical types, with different species generally exhibiting host preferences. Some classical intracellular species can cause zoonotic brucellosis, including , , , and . Extracellular species comprise opportunistic or environmental species which belonged formerly to the genus and thus nowadays renamed as for example or , which are the most frequent opportunistic human pathogens within the recently expanded genus . The cause of the diverse phenotypic characteristics of different species is still unclear. To further investigate the genetic evolutionary characteristics of the genus and elucidate the relationship between its genomic composition and prediction of phenotypic traits, we collected the genomic data of from the NCBI Genome database and conducted a comparative genomics study. We found that classical and nonclassical intracellular species and extracellular species exhibited differences in phylogenetic relationships, horizontal gene transfer and distribution patterns of mobile genetic elements, virulence factor genes, and antibiotic resistance genes, showing the close relationship between the genetic variations and prediction of phenotypic traits of different species. Furthermore, we found significant differences in horizontal gene transfer and the distribution patterns of mobile genetic elements, virulence factor genes, and antibiotic resistance genes between the two chromosomes of , indicating that the two chromosomes had distinct dynamics and plasticity and played different roles in the survival and evolution of . These findings provide new directions for exploring the genetic evolutionary characteristics of the genus and could offer new clues to elucidate the factors influencing the phenotypic diversity of the genus.
PubMed: 38721599
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1389859 -
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and... Feb 2024To describe a puzzling case of endophthalmitis caused by three unusual bacteria after intravitreal injection, its outcome, and underlying questions.
PURPOSE
To describe a puzzling case of endophthalmitis caused by three unusual bacteria after intravitreal injection, its outcome, and underlying questions.
FINDINGS
A 70-year-old female patient was diagnosed with acute endophthalmitis following intravitreal aflibercept injection for age-related macular degeneration. A standard tap and inject procedure was performed. Microbiological analyses on the anterior chamber and vitreous samples yielded the presence of three non-fermenting Gram-negative rods: Pseudomonas stutzeri, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Ochrobactrum anthropi. The outcome was favorable after intravitreal injections of vancomycin and ceftazidime, with an almost complete recovery of the visual acuity to its baseline level. No potential source of infection was identified.
CONCLUSION
Endophthalmitis following intravitreal injection can be caused by a wide variety of bacteria, including some rare Gram-negative species. They can sometimes co-exist in a single patient, but their virulence may vary greatly. Due to the variable antibiotic susceptibility and frequent multiresistance associated with non-fermenting Gram-negative rods, a prompt microbiological approach is required. Favorable outcome can be achieved with standard management.
PubMed: 38334879
DOI: 10.1186/s12348-023-00376-9 -
Carbohydrate Polymers Oct 2023Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major players in bacterial infection through the recognition by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The LPS chemical structure, including the...
Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major players in bacterial infection through the recognition by Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4). The LPS chemical structure, including the oligosaccharide core and the lipid A moiety, can be strongly influenced by adaptation and modulated to assure bacteria protection, evade immune surveillance, or reduce host immune responses. Deep structural understanding of TLRs signaling is essential for the modulation of the innate immune system in sepsis control and inflammation, during bacterial infection. To advance this knowledge, we have employed computational techniques to characterize the TLR4 molecular recognition of atypical LPSs from different opportunistic members of α2-Proteobacteria, including Brucella melitensis, Ochrobactrum anthropi, and Ochrobactrum intermedium, with diverse immunostimulatory activities. We contribute to unraveling the role of uncommon lipid A chemical features such as bearing very long-chain fatty acid chains, whose presence has been rarely reported, on modulating the proper heterodimerization of the TLR4 receptor complex. Moreover, we further evaluated the influence of the different oligosaccharide cores, including sugar composition and net charge, on TLR4 activation. Our studies contribute to elucidating, from the molecular and biological perspectives, the impact of the α2-Proteobacteria LPS cores and the chemical structure of the atypical lipid A for immune system evasion in opportunistic bacteria.
Topics: Humans; Lipopolysaccharides; Toll-Like Receptor 4; Lipid A; Proteobacteria; Immune Evasion; Bacteria; Bacterial Infections; Oligosaccharides
PubMed: 37479429
DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121094 -
Scientific Reports Apr 2023In a survey conducted during the period of March-May 2019 in nurseries, warehouses, and shops at three governorates (Alexandria, El-Behera, and Giza governorates,...
In a survey conducted during the period of March-May 2019 in nurseries, warehouses, and shops at three governorates (Alexandria, El-Behera, and Giza governorates, Egypt), symptoms of root rot, basal stem rot, and wilt disease complex were observed in the lucky bamboo (Dracaena sanderiana hort. ex. Mast.). The highest disease infection percentage was found in lucky bamboo collected from Alexandria City (47.67%), while the highest disease severity was in lucky bamboo collected from El-Behera Governorate (35.19%). Rhizoctonia solani, Fusarium oxysporum, F. solani, Aspergillus niger, and Alternaria alternate were isolated and identified in the infected lucky bamboo samples. R. solani isolates were the most dominant among the recovered fungal species with a percentage of 80.89% of the total isolates (246). Pathogenicity tests showed that R. solani was the most pathogen with 100% disease infection and 76.67% disease severity. Molecular identification characterized R. solani isolate as R. solani AUMC 15120, MZ723906. Meanwhile, four biological control agents (bioagents) were isolated from the healthy lucky bamboo samples and identified based on cultural, morphological, microscopic characteristics, and the molecular phylogenetic analysis as Clonostachys rosea AUMC 15121, OL461708; Bacillus circulans TAG1, MW441316; B. siamensis TAP1, MW441318 and Ochrobactrum anthropi TAM1, MW441317. The four bioagents showed potential inhibition of R. solani in vitro as well as in vivo on lucky bamboo plants in vase treatments compared to the untreated inoculated control as well as certain fungicides and biocides used (Moncut, Rizolex-T, Topsin-M, Bio-Zeid, and Bio-Arc). The bioagent O. anthropi showed the highest inhibition growth (85.11%) of the in vitro R. solani colony, which was not significantly different from the biocide Bio-Arc (83.78%). However, C. rosea, B. siamensis and B. circulans showed inhibition values of 65.33, 64.44, and 60.44%, respectively. On the other hand, the biocide Bio-Zeid showed less inhibitory effect (43.11%), while the lowest growth inhibition was recorded by Rizolex-T (34.22%) and Topsin-M (28.67%). Furthermore, the in vivo experiment supported the in vitro results for the most effective treatments, where all the treatments significantly decreased the percentage of infection and disease severity compared to the inoculated untreated control. Additionally, the bioagent O. anthropi showed the highest effect, i.e., the lowest disease incidence and disease severity being 13.33% and 10%, compared to 100% and 75%, respectively, in the untreated inoculated control. This was not significantly different from the fungicide Moncut (13.33% and 21%) and from the bioagent C. rosea (20% and 15%) treatments for both parameters, respectively. In conclusion, the bioagents O. anthropi MW441317 at 1 × 10 CFU/ml as well as C. rosea AUMC15121 at 1 × 10/ml proved to be efficient to control R. solani causing root rot, and basal stem rot on lucky bamboo, compared to fungicide Moncut and can be used for disease management without the negative impact of the chemical control. Furthermore, this is the first report of the isolation and identification of Rhizoctonia solani, a pathogenic fungus, and four biocontrol agents (Bacillus circulans, B. siamensis, Ochrobactrum anthropi and Clonostachys rosea) associated with the healthy lucky bamboo plants.
Topics: Dracaena; Phylogeny; Fungicides, Industrial
PubMed: 37095150
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-33628-8 -
Journal of Laboratory Physicians Mar 2023, due to its robust survival abilities, has been known to cause nosocomial and opportunistic infections, posing both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Low...
, due to its robust survival abilities, has been known to cause nosocomial and opportunistic infections, posing both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Low virulence, indolent clinical presentation, and lack of awareness on their clinical significance attribute to the underreporting of the same. We report two cases of bacteremia in oncology patients presented to us in a short span of 6 months, which indicates that such infections might be quite common in immunocompromised hosts. Both our strains were susceptible to carbapenems, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, and minocycline, and recovered with monotherapy. More vigilant and accurate diagnostic techniques need to be followed not to miss such pathogens. Early identification and administration of appropriate antibiotics have been associated with a good outcome.
PubMed: 37064972
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1757235 -
Journal of Biological Engineering Feb 2023Aromatic primary amines (APAs) are key intermediates in the chemical industry with numerous applications. Efficient and mild biocatalytic synthesis is an excellent...
BACKGROUND
Aromatic primary amines (APAs) are key intermediates in the chemical industry with numerous applications. Efficient and mild biocatalytic synthesis is an excellent complement to traditional chemical synthesis. Our lab previously reported a whole-cell catalytic system for the synthesis of APAs catalyzed by carboxylic acid reductase from Neurospora crassa (ncCAR) and ω-transaminase from Ochrobactrum anthropi (OATA). However, the accumulation of toxic intermediates (aromatic aldehydes) during biocatalytic synthesis affected yields of APAs due to metabolic imbalance.
RESULTS
In this work, the biocatalytic synthesis of APAs (taking cinnamylamine as an example) was metabolically regulated by the overexpression or knockout of five native global transcription factors (TFs), the overexpression of eight native resistance genes, and optimization of promoters. Transcriptome analysis showed that knockout of the TF arcA increased the fluxes of NADPH and ATP in E. coli, while the rate of pyruvate metabolism was accelerated. In addition, the genes related to stress and detoxification were upregulated with the overexpression of resistance gene marA, which reduced the NADPH level in E. coli. Then, the expression level of soluble OATA increased by promoter optimization. Overall, arcA and marA could regulate the catalytic rate of NADPH- dependent ncCAR, while arcA and optimized promoter could regulate the catalytic rate of OATA. Lastly, the cinnamylamine yield of the best metabolically engineered strain S020 was increased to 90% (9 mM, 1.2 g/L), and the accumulation of cinnamaldehyde was below 0.9 mM. This work reported the highest production of cinnamylamine by biocatalytic synthesis.
CONCLUSION
This regulatory process provides a common strategy for regulating the biocatalytic synthesis of other APAs. Being entirely biocatalytic, our one-pot procedure provides considerable advantages in terms of environmental and safety impacts over reported chemical methods.
PubMed: 36823535
DOI: 10.1186/s13036-023-00334-y