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This page shows you the most recent publications within this specialty of the MedWorm directory. This is page number 5.

Winogradskyella pulchriflava sp. nov., isolated from marine sediment.
Abstract A taxonomic study was conducted on strain EM106T, isolated from a sediment sample of the East Sea, Republic of Korea. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analyses showed that strain EM106T belongs to the family Flavobacteriaceae and is most closely related to Winogradskyella echinorum KMM 6211T and Winogradskyella ulvae KMM 6390T (97.8 and 97.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, respectively). The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain EM106T was 33.3 mol%, and the major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6. The polar lipids of EM106T were phosphatidylethanolamine and two unidentified aminolipids and ...
Source: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Kim SJ, Choi YR, Park SJ, Kim JG, Shin KS, Roh DH, Rhee SK Tags: Int J Syst Evol Microbiol Source Type: research

Pustulibacterium marinum gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from the Bashi Channel.
Abstract A Gram-negative, non-spore-forming, gliding, non-translucent, colorless or yellow, aerobic, and elevated colony-forming strain, designated E403T, was isolated from the Bashi Channel and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomy study. Strain E403T can grow in the presence of 0.3-8% (w/v) NaCl, 16-43 °C and pH 6-9, and grew optimally at 28 °C, pH 8 in natural seawater medium. The respiratory quinones were MK-6 (93%) and MK-7 (7%). The major fatty acids were iso-C15:0 (26.13%), iso-C17:0 3-OH (20.15%), iso-C15:1 G (12.22%), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c/C16:1ω6c, 10.15%), iso-C15:0 3-OH (6.07%) and C16:0(5.32%). T...
Source: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Wang G, Zhou D, Dai S, Tian X, Li J, Chen W, Xiang W, Li X Tags: Int J Syst Evol Microbiol Source Type: research

Brevifollis gellanilyticus gen. nov., sp. nov., a new gellan gum-degrading bacterium of the class Verrucomicrobiae.
Abstract The taxonomic properties of strain DC2c-G4T, a Gram-staining-negative, ovoid, gellan gum-degrading bacterial isolate, were examined. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences identified this isolate as a member of the phylum Verrucomicrobia and closest to the genus Prosthecobacter. The 16S rRNA gene sequence identities between this isolate and any of the type strains of Prosthecobacter species were less than 95%. In addition, the absence of a single prostheca and the predominant menaquinone MK-7 (H2) supported the differentiation of this isolate from the genus Prosthecobacter. Here, we propose...
Source: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Otsuka S, Suenaga T, Vu HT, Ueda H, Yokota A, Senoo K Tags: Int J Syst Evol Microbiol Source Type: research

Enterococcus alcedinis sp. nov., isolated from common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis).
Abstract Two Gram-positive, catalase-negative bacterial strains were isolated from the cloaca of common kingfishers (Alcedo atthis). Repetitive sequence-based PCR fingerprinting using the (GTG)5 primer grouped these isolates into a single cluster separated from all known enterococcal species. Both strains revealed identical 16S rRNA gene sequences placing them within the genus Enterococcus with Enterococcus aquimarinus as the closest relative (97.14% similarity). Further taxonomic investigation using sequencing of the genes for the superoxide dismutase (sodA), phenylalanyl-tRNA synthase alpha subunit (pheS), and th...
Source: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Frolková P, Svec P, Sedlácek I, Maslanová I, Cernohlávková J, Ghosh A, Zurek L, Radimersky T, Literák I Tags: Int J Syst Evol Microbiol Source Type: research

Devosia submarina sp. nov., isolated from deep sea surface sediments.
Abstract A taxonomic status of two aerobic, Gram-negative, orange-reddish pigmented, motile rod-shaped bacteria designated KMM 9415T and KMM 9416 isolated from a deep surface sediment sample from the Sea of Japan was defined. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis of strains KMM 9415T and KMM 9416 revealed their affiliation to the genus Devosia with a high sequence similarity of 98.5% to Devosia psychrophila DSM 22950T and Devosia glacialis LMG 26051T each. Novel strains were characterized by the predominance of fatty acids C18:1ω7c followed by C16:1 and C16:0. The major isoprenoid quinone was Q-10 and polar ...
Source: International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Romanenko LA, Tanaka N, Svetashev VI Tags: Int J Syst Evol Microbiol Source Type: research

Notes from the Field: Hospital Outbreak of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Producing New Delhi Metallo-Beta-Lactamase - Denver, Colorado, 2012.
Abstract On August 16, 2012, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment was notified of two patients at an acute-care hospital in Denver with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), specifically Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), isolated from respiratory specimens during July-August. Both isolates produced New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM). A review of microbiology records identified a third patient with NDM-producing CRKP isolated from a respiratory specimen, admitted in May. Active surveillance cultures in September identified an additional five patients colonized with NDM-producing CRKP. An...
Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... - February 15, 2013 Category: Epidemiology Authors: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Tags: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Source Type: research

Identification of genes involved in serum tolerance in the clinical strain Cronobacter sakazakii ES5
Conclusion: By using a transposon knock out approach we were able to identify genes involved in both increased and reduced serum tolerance in Cronobacter sakazakii ES5. This study reveals first insights in the complex nature of serum tolerance of Cronobacter spp.
Source: BMC Microbiology - Latest articles - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sarah SchwizerTaurai TasaraKatrin ZurfluhRoger StephanAngelika Lehner Source Type: research

Comparison of Antibiotic Resistance, Biofilm Formation and Conjugative Transfer of Staphylococcus and Enterococcus Isolates from International Space Station and Antarctic Research Station Concordia.
In conclusion, the ISS isolates were shown to encode more resistance genes and possess a higher gene transfer capacity due to the presence of three vir signature genes, virB1, virB4 and virD4 than the Concordia isolates. PMID: 23411852 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Microbial Ecology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Schiwon K, Arends K, Rogowski KM, Fürch S, Prescha K, Sakinc T, Van Houdt R, Werner G, Grohmann E Tags: Microb Ecol Source Type: research

A recombinant carboxy‐terminal domain of alpha‐toxin protects mice against Clostridium perfringens
In this study, the immunogenicity and protective efficacy of the C‐terminal domain (CP251‐370) of the toxin and phospholipase C (CB, 372 residues) of C. bifermentans, isolated from cases of clostridium necrosis, were examined. The recombinant proteins were expressed as glutathione S‐transferase (GST) fusion proteins. Antibodies which cross‐reacted with alpha‐toxin were produced after immunization with recombinant proteins including GST‐CP251‐370, GST‐CP281‐370, GST‐CP311‐370, CB1‐372, and GST‐CB251‐372. Anti‐GST‐CP251‐370, anti‐GST‐CP281‐370 and anti‐GST‐CP311‐370 sera neutrali...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Masahiro Nagahama, Masataka Oda, Keiko Kobayashi, Sadayuki Ochi, Teruhisa Takagishi, Masahiro Shibutani, Jun Sakurai Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Lactobacillus plantarum CS24.2 prevents E. coli adhesion to HT‐29 cells and also down‐regulates enteropathogen induced TNF‐α and IL‐8 expression
Abstract The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential of Lactobacillus plantarum CS24.2 to antagonize Escherichia coli adhesion and modulate the expression of inflammatory molecules by HT‐29 cells response to the E. coli adhesion. This was carried out under different adhesion conditions and compared with the response seen in case of L. rhamnosus GG. The competitive adhesion, adhesion inhibition and displacement assays were carried out for adhesion of lactobacilli (L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum CS24.2) and E. coli O26:H11 to HT‐29 cells. Both the lactobacilli significantly reduced E. coli adhesion to HT...
Source: Microbiology and Immunology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Akhilesh S. Dhanani, Tamishraha Bagchi Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

Why and how protein aggregation has to be studied in vivo
The understanding of protein aggregation is a central issue in different fields of protein science, from the heterologous protein production in biotechnology to amyloid aggregation in several neurodegenerative and systemic diseases. To this goal, it became more and more evident the crucial relevance of studying protein aggregation in the complex cellular environment, since it allows to take into account the cellular components affecting protein aggregation, such as chaperones, proteases, and molecular crowding. Here, we discuss the use of several biochemical and biophysical approaches that can be employed to monitor protei...
Source: Microbial Cell Factories - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Diletta AmiAntonino NatalelloMarina LottiSilvia Doglia Source Type: research

Diversity in Acinetobacter baumannii isolates from paediatric cancer patients in Egypt
Abstract Acinetobacter baumannii is an important nosocomial pathogen, commonly causing infections in immunocompromised patients. It is increasingly reported as a multidrug‐resistant organism, which is alarming because of its capability to resist all available classes of antibiotics including carbapenems. The aim of this study was to examine the genetic and epidemiological diversity of A. baumannii isolates from paediatric cancer patients in Egypt, by sequencing the intrinsic blaOXA–51‐like gene, genotyping by pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis and multi‐locus sequence typing in addition to identifying the carbapen...
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: L. Al‐Hassan, H. El Mehallawy, S.G.B. Amyes Tags: Original Article Source Type: research

EUCAST Technical Note on Voriconazole and Aspergillus spp.
Abstract The European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing Subcommittee on Antifungal Susceptibility Testing (EUCAST‐AFST) has determined breakpoints for voriconazole against Aspergillus spp. This Technical Note is based on the EUCAST rationale document for voriconazole (available on the EUCAST website: http://www.eucast.org). Voriconazole breakpoints are based on epidemiological cut‐off values, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic data and clinical experience. Breakpoints will be reviewed regularly or when new data emerge.
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: W. W. Hope, M. Cuenca‐Estrella, C. Lass‐Flörl, M. C. Arendrup, Tags: Research Note Source Type: research

Candidaemia in internal medicine departments: the burden of a rising problem
Abstract Although internal medicine wards (IMWs) represent a significant reservoir of patients with candidemia, few investigators have specifically addressed the epidemiological aspects of candidaemia in this population. Of all patients hospitalized during the study period with candidaemia, 133/348 (38%) were admitted to IMWs. Variables associated with IMWs included: antibiotic therapy prior to hospitalization, urinary or central venous catheter, parenteral nutrition, tumour and age >75 years. Overall, 30‐day mortality in IMWs was significantly higher than that in other wards (51.1% vs. 38.2%, p <0.02). Multiple ...
Source: Clinical Microbiology and Infection - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: M. Bassetti, M. P. Molinari, M. Mussap, C. Viscoli, E. Righi Tags: Research Note Source Type: research

Shallow breathing: bacterial life at low O2
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 205 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2970 Authors: Rachel L. Morris & Thomas M. Schmidt Competition for molecular oxygen (O2) among respiratory microorganisms is intense because O2 is a potent electron acceptor. This competition leads to the formation of microoxic environments wherever microorganisms congregate in aquatic, terrestrial and host-associated communities. Bacteria can harvest O2
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Rachel L. MorrisThomas M. Schmidt Tags: Analysis Source Type: research

Beyond insecticides: new thinking on an ancient problem
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 181 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2968 Authors: Elizabeth A. McGraw & Scott L. O'Neill Vector-borne disease is one of the greatest contributors to human mortality and morbidity throughout the tropics. Mosquito-transmitted diseases such as malaria, dengue, yellow fever and filariasis are the main contributors to this burden. Although insecticides have historically been used to try to control vector populations,
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Elizabeth A. McGrawScott L. O'Neill Tags: Review Source Type: research

RNA viruses and the host microRNA machinery
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 169 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2971 Author: Benjamin R. tenOever Gene silencing by small RNAs (sRNAs) occurs in all three domains of life. In recent years, our appreciation of the diverse functions of sRNAs has increased, and we have identified roles for these RNAs in cellular differentiation, fitness and pathogen defence. Interestingly, although plants, nematodes
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Benjamin R. tenOever Tags: Review Source Type: research

Sherlock Genomes — viral investigator
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 150 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2979 Authors: Sarah E. Smith & Rachael S. Wash This month's Genome Watch highlights how deep sequencing technologies have vastly reduced the time and prior knowledge needed to generate viral genomes.
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sarah E. SmithRachael S. Wash Tags: News and Analysis Source Type: research

Antimicrobials: Aminoglycosides flip the switch on resistance
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 149 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2982 Author: Ursula Hofer Enzymatic drug modification is the most common type of aminoglycoside resistance, but the molecular mechanisms involved in inducing resistance are not yet clear. A new study by Jia et al. identified a regulatory region in the leader RNA of the transcripts encoding aminoglycoside acetyl
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ursula Hofer Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Marine microbiology: A day in the life of a microplankton community
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 149 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2981 Author: Ursula Hofer Planktonic microorganisms must adapt quickly to environmental fluctuations such as nutrient depletion or light changes, but it is difficult to follow how discrete plankton communities respond to such challenges in situ. Ottesen et al. followed one plankton population along the Californian coast for
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ursula Hofer Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Parasite biology: Shedding light on Toxoplasma invasion
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 149 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2980 Author: Ursula Hofer To date, genome engineering in Toxoplasma gondii has proved difficult owing to inefficient gene targeting. The observation of a mild phenotype in a knockdown experiment always leads to some uncertainty about whether the gene of interest is essential. Now, Andenmatten et al. have
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ursula Hofer Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Fungal Pathogenesis: The advantages of keeping your offspring quiet
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 148 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2976 Author: Ursula Hofer Phytophthora sojae evades host immunity by silencing avirulence genes over multiple generations.
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ursula Hofer Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Virus genetics: Schmallenberg virus reveals its secrets
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 147 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2986 Author: Sheilagh Molloy Two groups report the development of a reverse genetics system to recover Schmallenberg virus from cloned cDNA.
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sheilagh Molloy Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Bacterial pathogenesis: sRNA clears the way for G4
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 146 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2985 Author: Lucie Wootton Transcription of an sRNA is required for formation of a G4 structure that allows pilin antigenic variation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Lucie Wootton Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Environmental microbiology: Plant bacteria thrive in storm clouds
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 146 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2978 Author: Christina Tobin Kåhrström The first comprehensive biogeochemical survey of a storm cloud reveals a selection bias for plant-associated bacteria over soil bacteria, which could influence the global distribution of bacteria.
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Christina Tobin Kåhrström Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Entering a post-antibiotic era?
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 146 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2983 Author: Christina Tobin Kåhrström Although microbiologists have been ringing the alarm bell for years, the threat of antibiotic resistance recently reached new prominence in the popular press following a declaration by Britain's chief medical officer, Sally Davies, that the issue should be added to the list of national emergencies.
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Christina Tobin Kåhrström Tags: Research Highlight Source Type: research

Looking inwards
Nature Reviews Microbiology 11, 143 (2013). doi:10.1038/nrmicro2987 The publication of a new article type prompts us to have a look back at the evolution and development of the journal over the past decade.
Source: Nature Reviews Microbiology - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Tags: Editorial Source Type: research

A novel manganese starvation‐inducible expression system for Lactobacillus plantarum
Abstract A novel expression system for Lactobacillus plantarum was developed. This system is based on the manganese starvation‐inducible promoter from specific manganese transporter of Lb. plantarum NC8 which was cloned for the first time. The expression of a β–glucosidase from Pyrococcus furiosus (CelB) was achieved by cultivating Lb. plantarum NC8 at low manganese concentrations with MRS medium and the pmntH2‐celB expression vector. A CelB activity of 8.52 μkatoNPGal L−1 was produced in a bioreactor (4 L). The advantages of the novel expression system are that no addition of an external inducing agent was requi...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Nico Böhmer, Saskia König, Lutz Fischer Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research

Bacillus weihenstephanensis characteristics are present in Bacillus cereus and Bacillus mycoides strains
Abstract The Bacillus cereus group comprises seven bacterial species: Bacillus cereus, Bacillus anthracis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus mycoides, Bacillus pseudomycoides, Bacillus cytotoxicus and Bacillus weihenstephanensis. B. weihenstephanensis is distinguished based on its capability to grow at 7°C but not at 43°C, and the presence of specific signature sequences in the 16S rRNA and cspA genes and in several housekeeping genes: glpF, gmK, purH and tpi. Bacillus weihenstephanensis specific signature sequences were found in some B. cereus and B. mycoides strains suggesting psychrotolerance. This was confirmed by gro...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - February 15, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Brahim Soufiane, Jean‐Charles Côté Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research

Diospyrin Inhibits DNA Gyrase [Microbiology]
Tuberculosis and other bacterial diseases represent a significant threat to human health. The DNA topoisomerases are excellent targets for chemotherapy, and DNA gyrase in particular is a well-validated target for antibacterial agents. Naphthoquinones (e.g. diospyrin and 7-methyljuglone) have been shown to have therapeutic potential, particularly against Mycobacterium tuberculosis. We have found that these compounds are inhibitors of the supercoiling reaction catalyzed by M. tuberculosis gyrase and other gyrases. Our evidence strongly suggests that the compounds bind to the N-terminal domain of GyrB, which contains the ATPa...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Karkare, S., Chung, T. T. H., Collin, F., Mitchenall, L. A., McKay, A. R., Greive, S. J., Meyer, J. J. M., Lall, N., Maxwell, A. Tags: Enzymology Source Type: research

REPORT: M. tuberculosis Infection Controls miRNA Expression [Microbiology]
Mycobacterium tuberculosis resides and replicates within host phagocytes by modulating host microbicidal responses. In addition, it suppresses the production of host protective cytokines to prevent activation of and antigen presentation by M. tuberculosis-infected cells, causing dysregulation of host protective adaptive immune responses. Many cytokines are regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs), a newly discovered class of small noncoding RNAs, which have been implicated in modulating host immune responses in many bacterial and viral diseases. Here, we show that miRNA-99b (miR-99b), an orphan miRNA, plays a key role in the pathog...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Singh, Y., Kaul, V., Mehra, A., Chatterjee, S., Tousif, S., Dwivedi, V. P., Suar, M., Van Kaer, L., Bishai, W. R., Das, G. Tags: Reports Source Type: research

Superoxide-induced Acetate Burst during Glucose Starvation [Microbiology]
Although yeast cells grown in abundant glucose tend to acidify their extracellular environment, they raise the pH of the environment when starved for glucose or when grown strictly with non-fermentable carbon sources. Following prolonged periods in this alkaline phase, Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells will switch to producing acid. The mechanisms and rationale for this “acid burst” were unknown. Herein we provide strong evidence for the role of mitochondrial superoxide in initiating the acid burst. Yeast mutants lacking the mitochondrial matrix superoxide dismutase (SOD2) enzyme, but not the cytosolic Cu,Zn-SOD1 enzyme, ...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Baron, J. A., Laws, K. M., Chen, J. S., Culotta, V. C. Tags: Metabolism Source Type: research

Natural Blends of Phytochemicals Impact the Soil Microbiome [Metabolism]
The roots of plants have the ability to influence its surrounding microbiology, the so-called rhizosphere microbiome, through the creation of specific chemical niches in the soil mediated by the release of phytochemicals. Here we report how these phytochemicals could modulate the microbial composition of a soil in the absence of the plant. For this purpose, root exudates of Arabidopsis were collected and fractionated to obtain natural blends of phytochemicals at various relative concentrations that were characterized by GC-MS and applied repeatedly to a soil. Soil bacterial changes were monitored by amplifying and pyrosequ...
Source: Journal of Biological Chemistry - February 15, 2013 Category: Chemistry Authors: Badri, D. V., Chaparro, J. M., Zhang, R., Shen, Q., Vivanco, J. M. Tags: Plant Biology Source Type: research

Detection of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants and the emergence of multidrug resistance in clinical isolates of Shigella in SiXian area, China
Abstract: A total of 123 Shigella isolates were collected from SiXian area in Anhui, China. Screening was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants. Different β-blactamases genes, plasmid-borne blaAmpC, 16S rRNA methylase genes, integrons, and mutations in quinolone resistance-determining regions were analysed by PCR for the PMQR-positive isolates.
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Yu-lin Zhu, Hai-Fei Yang, Yan-yan Liu, Li-fen Hu, Jun Cheng, Ying Ye, Jia-bin Li Tags: Notes Source Type: research

GeneXpert® for smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis: does it play a role in low-burden countries?
Abstract: We performed a retrospective analysis of costs and time to treatment (TT) of 150 culture-confirmed TB cases: 100 sputum smear (SS) (+) and 50 SS(−). This group underwent GeneXpert® (GX) assay. Expenditures and TT of SS(−)/GX(+) cases were inferred from the SS(+) group. GX detected 68% of SS(−) cases.
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Laura Muñoz, Raquel Moure, Nuria Porta, Lucia Gonzalez, Rosario Guerra, Fernando Alcaide, Miguel Santin Tags: Notes Source Type: research

Noninvasive tool for the diagnosis of polyomavirus BK–associated nephropathy in renal transplant recipients
Abstract: Noninvasive methods can facilitate early diagnosis of BK virus (BKV) replication and guide the evaluation of BKV-associated nephropathy (BKVAN). We developed 3 noninvasive methods for BKVAN screening including quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for BKV DNA load in urine and plasma, and quantitative assay of urine cytology by light microscopy or electron microscopy, and used these assays concurrently with renal transplant biopsies for the evaluation of 338 patients. BKVAN was diagnosed in 24 (7.1%) of 338 renal recipients. The median level of the 3 methods was the highest in pattern B of BKVAN (P <...
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gang Huang, Wen-fang Chen, Chang-xi Wang, Ji-guang Fei, Su-xiong Deng, Jiang Qiu, Li-zhong Chen Tags: Virology Source Type: research

Antigen-specific CD4- and CD8-positive signatures in different phases of Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Abstract: Current diagnostic standards for Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) infection do not distinguish between active and latent tuberculosis (TB). To identify specific biomarkers characterizing the different forms of TB infection, we investigated in parallel with the QuantiFERON -TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-IT) the use of flow cytometry measuring CD4 and CD8 MTB-specific immune response in 17 active-TB patients, 21 health care workers (HCW), 14 recent contacts of TB patients (RC-TB), and 10 bacille Calmette Guerin (BCG)–vaccinated healthy controls (BCG-HC).A correlation (r = 0.4526, P = 0.0002) was found only between the amo...
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Maria Nikolova, Roumiana Markova, Rumiana Drenska, Maria Muhtarova, Yana Todorova, Velichko Dimitrov, Hristo Taskov, Cesare Saltini, Massimo Amicosante Tags: Mycobacteriology Source Type: research

Epidemiology of pneumococcal serotype 6A and 6C among invasive and carriage isolates from Alaska, 1986–2009
Abstract: We investigated serotype 6A/6C invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) incidence, genetic diversity, and carriage before and after 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) introduction in Alaska. IPD cases (1986–2009) were identified through population-based laboratory surveillance. Isolates were initially serotyped by conventional methods, and 6C isolates were differentiated from 6A by polymerase chain reaction. Among invasive and carriage isolates initially typed as 6A, 35% and 50% were identified as 6C, respectively. IPD rates caused by serotype 6A or 6C among children
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Karen Rudolph, Michael Bruce, Dana Bruden, Tammy Zulz, Jay Wenger, Alisa Reasonover, Marcella Harker-Jones, Debby Hurlburt, Thomas Hennessy Tags: Bacteriology Source Type: research

Bacteraemias in tropical Australia: changing trends over a 10-year period
Abstract: Bacteraemia is an important cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. This is the largest reported study of bacteraemias in Australia. The presence of organisms endemic to the tropical region and the changing trends described have significant implications for empirical antibiotic therapy. This retrospective study examined 8976 blood cultures from Townsville Hospital, a regional Australian hospital located in the tropics over a 10-year period. The rate of bacteraemic episodes during the study period was 10.12 per 1000 admissions. Intravenous devices (18.7%), immunosuppressive therapy (16.1%), and urinary tract i...
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Selina Porter, Natkunam Ketheesan, Robert Norton Tags: Bacteriology Source Type: research

The biodiversity and composition of the dominant fecal microbiota in patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Abstract: Clinical and experimental observations in animal models indicate that intestinal commensal bacteria are involved in the initiation and amplification of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As the majority of colonic bacteria cannot be identified by culture techniques, the aim of this study was to use sequence-based methods to investigate and characterize the composition of the dominant fecal microbiota in both patients with inflammatory bowel disease and healthy subjects. Fecal microbiota was isolated and quantified using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE...
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Sumei Sha, Bin Xu, Xin Wang, Yongguo Zhang, Honghong Wang, Xiangyun Kong, Hongwu Zhu, Kaichun Wu Tags: Bacteriology Source Type: research

High-resolution melt analysis for species identification of coagulase-negative staphylococci derived from bovine milk
In this study, we report a rapid assay for species identification of CNS using high-resolution melt analysis (HRMA) of 16S rDNA sequences. Real-time polymerase chain reaction amplification of 16S rRNA gene fragment, spanning the variable region V1 and V2, was performed with a resulting amplicon of 215 bp. A library of distinct melt curves of reference strains of 13 common CNS species was created using HRMA. Sequencing of 16S rRNA and rpoB genes, and, when needed, tuf gene, of 100 CNS isolates obtained from Canadian Bovine Mastitis Research Network was done to determine their species identity, allowing for subsequent evalua...
Source: Diagnostic Microbiology and Infectious Disease - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Praseeda Ajitkumar, Herman W. Barkema, Ruth N. Zadoks, Douglas W. Morck, Frank J.U.M. van der Meer, Jeroen De Buck Tags: Bacteriology Source Type: research

Segmented Filamentous Bacteria in human ileostomy samples after high fiber intake
In this study, ileostomy samples from 10 human subjects were screened with PCR, using primers derived from sequences of SFB from rat and mouse. PCR products were obtained from samples taken from one individual at two time points. Sequencing revealed the presence of a 16S rRNA gene with high similarity (98%) to the corresponding genes from SFB of mouse and rat origin, thus indicating the presence of a human variant of SFB. The findings presented in this study will hopefully encourage research to elucidate whether this intriguing organism is a persistent member of the normal human microbiota. © 2013 Federation of European M...
Source: FEMS Microbiology Letters - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Hans Jonsson Tags: Research Letter Source Type: research

Ribosome heterogeneity: another level of complexity in bacterial translation regulation.
Abstract Translation of the mRNA-encoded genetic information into proteins is catalyzed by the intricate ribonucleoprotein machine, the ribosome. Historically, the bacterial ribosome is viewed as an unchangeable entity, constantly equipped with the entire complement of RNAs and proteins. Conversely, several lines of evidence indicate the presence of functional selective ribosomal subpopulations that exhibit variations in the RNA or the protein components and modulate the translational program in response to environmental changes. Here, we summarize these findings, which raise the functional status of the ribosome f...
Source: Current Opinion in Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Byrgazov K, Vesper O, Moll I Tags: Curr Opin Microbiol Source Type: research

Characterisation of a thermo-alkali-stable lipase from oil-contaminated soil using a metagenomic approach.
Abstract Lipases are widely used for a variety of biotechnological applications. Screening these industrial enzymes directly from environmental microorganisms is a more efficient and practical approach than conventional cultivation-dependent methods. Combined with activity-based functional screening, six clones with lipase activity were detected and a gene (termed lipZ01) isolated from a target clone with the highest lipase activity was cloned from an oil-contaminated soil-derived metagenomic library and then sequenced. Gene lipZ01 was expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 and the molecular weight of the recombinant l...
Source: Systematic and Applied Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Zheng J, Liu C, Liu L, Jin Q Tags: Syst Appl Microbiol Source Type: research

Disruption of the Serine Threonine Protein Kinase H affects Phthiocerol Dimycocerosates Synthesis in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Abstract Mycobacterium tuberculosis possesses a complex cell wall that is unique and essential for interaction of the pathogen with its human host. Emerging evidence suggests that the biosynthesis of complex cell wall lipids is mediated by serine/threonine protein kinases (STPKs). Herein, we show, using in vivo radiolabeling, mass spectrometry, and immunostaining analyses that targeted deletion of one of the STPKs, pknH, attenuates the production of phthiocerol dimycocerosates (PDIMs), a major M. tuberculosis virulence lipid. Comparative protein expression analysis revealed that proteins in the PDIM biosynthetic pa...
Source: Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Gómez-Velasco A, Bach H, Rana AK, Cox LR, Bhatt A, Besra GS, Av-Gay Y Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research

Type 1 and Type 2 Strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae Form Different Biofilms.
We report here that the biofilms formed by two strains of the human pathogen Mycoplasma pneumoniae differ quantitatively and qualitatively. Compared to strain UAB PO1, strain M129 grows well but forms biofilms that are less robust with towers that are less smooth at the margins. A polysaccharide containing N-acetylglucosamine is secreted by M129 into the culture medium but found in tight association with the cells of UAB PO1. The polysaccharide may have a role in biofilm formation, contributing to differences in virulence, chronicity, and treatment outcome between strains of M. pneumoniae. The UAB PO1 genome was found to b...
Source: Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Simmons WL, Daubenspeck JM, Osborne JD, Balish MF, Waites KB, Dybvig K Tags: Microbiology Source Type: research

Paenibacillus profundus sp. nov., a deep sediment bacterium that produces isocoumarin and peptide antibiotics.
Abstract A novel bacterial strain Sl 79(T) was isolated from a deep surface sediment sample obtained from the Sea of Japan and investigated by phenotypic and molecular methods. The bacterium Sl 79(T) was Gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, spore-forming, motile and able to form two different types of colonies. It contained the major menaquinone MK-7 and anteiso-C(15:0) followed by iso-C(15:0) as predominant fatty acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain Sl 79(T) belonged to the genus Paenibacillus where it clustered to Paenibacillus apiarius NRRL NRS-1438(T) with a sequ...
Source: Archives of Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Romanenko LA, Tanaka N, Svetashev VI, Kalinovskaya NI Tags: Arch Microbiol Source Type: research

Cloning of a novel feruloyl esterase gene from rumen microbial metagenome and enzyme characterization in synergism with endoxylanases.
Abstract A feruloyl esterase (FAE) gene was isolated from a rumen microbial metagenome, cloned into E. coli, and expressed in active form. The enzyme (RuFae2) was identified as a type C feruloyl esterase. The RuFae2 alone released ferulic acid from rice bran, wheat bran, wheat-insoluble arabinoxylan, corn fiber, switchgrass, and corn bran in the order of decreasing activity. Using a saturating amount of RuFae2 for 100 mg substrate, a maximum of 18.7 and 80.0 μg FA was released from 100 mg corn fiber and wheat-insoluble arabinoxylan, respectively. Addition of GH10 endoxylanase (EX) synergistically increased the ...
Source: Journal of Industrial Microbiology and Biotechnology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Wong DW, Chan VJ, Liao H, Zidwick MJ Tags: J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol Source Type: research

High-throughput single nucleotide polymorphism-based typing of shared Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in cystic fibrosis patients using the Sequenom iPLEX platform.
Abstract Shared strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are now well recognised in people with cystic fibrosis (CF) and suitable P. aeruginosa laboratory typing tools are pivotal to understanding their clinical significance and guiding infection control policies in CF clinics. We therefore compared a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based typing method using Sequenom iPLEX matrix-assisted laser desorption ionisation with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) with typing methods used routinely by our laboratory. We analysed 617 P. aeruginosa isolates that included 561 isolates from CF patients collected betw...
Source: Journal of Medical Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Syrmis MW, Moser RJ, Kidd TJ, Hunt P, Ramsay KA, Bell SC, Wainwright CE, Grimwood K, Nissen MD, Sloots TP, Whiley D Tags: J Med Microbiol Source Type: research

Invasive disease caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae III in a child with uropathy.
Abstract Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae (HP), represent an insignificant percentage of this kind of pathology in children, and it has scarcely been described in medical literature. According to studies carried out with over 800 urine samples in children under 15 years old, a decrease of 50% (from 0.13%1 to 0.07%)2 is estimated in its occurrence over the last two decades. This can be explained by the early detection of UTIs and their early empirical treatment, because this microorganism presents high sensitivity to antibiotics. Also, the culture media where this bacteria grows i...
Source: Journal of Medical Microbiology - February 14, 2013 Category: Microbiology Authors: Ariza Jimenez AB, Moreno Perez D, Nunez Cuadros E, Urda Cardona A Tags: J Med Microbiol Source Type: research