Chisomo Kanthanga’s Post

Defense against bacteriophage infection is not only driven by the bacterial host… Many bacteriophages are capable of lysogeny, throttling back on the cell takeover, copying their DNA, and inserting it into the bacterial genome. One effect of lysogeny is superinfection exclusion (SIE), where the integrated phage genome (the “prophage”) makes the bacterial host resistant to re-infection by the same (or a closely related) type of phages. This involves phage interactions with multiple bacterial activities, including motility, biofilm production, adhesion, conjugation, immune evasion, and even antimicrobial resistance. As a result, the effects of SIE extend beyond effects on superinfection, directly affecting the state of the bacterial host. SIE generated by bacteriophage lysogeny thus generates a population of bacteria that are resistant to further infection by the type of phage involved, or its close relatives. This is sometimes referred to as an “antiviral state” (a term also used for the different antiviral effects of interferon in eukaryotic cells) and is one reason why bacteriophages that are capable of lysogeny (referred to as “temperate” phages) are not considered optimal for phage therapy. It is known that some phages produce specific proteins to mediate SIE. These can interfere with phage entry or with DNA release into the host cell. They can also inhibit degradation of the biofilm matrix, preventing phages from reaching the cell surface. But many of the effects underlying this state are as yet unknown. See: Bucher MJ, Czyż DM (2024). Phage against the Machine: The SIE-ence of Superinfection Exclusion. Viruses 16: 1348. https://lnkd.in/edHp5yvU Wang Y, Fan H, Tong Y (2023). Unveil the Secret of the Bacteria and Phage Arms Race. Int J Mol Sci. 24: 4363.   #bacteriophage #phage #superinfection #exclusion #SIE [email protected]

ECDC launches today a protocol for a genomic survey of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb) across hospitals from EU/EEA countries, Western Balkan countries and Türkiye. The protocol describes actions for hospitals and clinical microbiology laboratories to conduct a survey that aims to map the occurrence, geographic distribution and resistance characteristics of CRAb isolates. CRAb is recognised by the WHO as an antimicrobial-resistant pathogen of critical priority. CRAb infections are difficult to treat because these pathogens are usually resistant to not only carbapenems but to many other antimicrobial agents and the remaining options for treatment are limited. https://lnkd.in/dWJXzWn5

Autophagy sequesters Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) in in vitro cultured macrophages, loss of autophagy in macrophages in vivo does not result in susceptibility to a standard low-dose Mtb infection until late during infection, leaving open questions regarding the protective role of autophagy during Mtb infection. Also, there has been a report of loss of autophagy in lung macrophages and dendritic cells results in acute susceptibility of mice to high-dose Mtb infection, a model mimicking active tuberculosis. Source: Internet Submissions are open for upcoming issue! Submit your manuscript to: https://lnkd.in/d4Xj3ehS Visit journal's website for more information: https://lnkd.in/gz9yxn5X Follow us: https://lnkd.in/dZ6J2tyx #infectiousdiseases #dendriticcells #tuberculosis #macrophages #lungs #infection #microbiology #autophagy #microbiology #mtb #mycobacterium #dendrites #highdose #invivo #microbes

🌍 #𝗪𝗔𝗔𝗪𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 – 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗯𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗻: 𝗔 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗴𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗱𝗿𝘂𝗴-𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗺-𝗣𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗮 Clovibactin, a groundbreaking antibiotic compound, has shown remarkable effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the pathogen responsible for tuberculosis. DZIF researchers have unraveled clovibactin’s unique mechanism of action, which targets the bacterial cell wall. This discovery holds the potential to delay the development of resistance, a critical advantage in the fight against antimicrobial resistance (AMR). 👉 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eb226fKH Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn #WAAW #AMR #Antibiotics #InfectiousDiseases #GlobalHealth

Hi everyone! I just finished reading an interesting scientific article. Each day I'll share information about research. #science #lifesciences #biology #antibioticresistance Kany, A. M., Fries, F., Seyfert, C. E., Porten, C., Deckarm, S., Chacón Ortiz, M., Dubarry, N., Vaddi, S., Große, M., Bernecker, S., Sandargo, B., Müller, A. V., Bacqué, E., Stadler, M., Herrmann, J., & Müller, R. (2024). In vivo activity profiling of biosynthetic darobactin D22 against critical gram-negative pathogens. ACS Infectious Diseases. https://lnkd.in/dPmUb8G9 A new class of antibiotics called darobactins seems promising in targeting antibacterial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. The mechanism of action for darobactins is to utilize a protein within the outer membrane called BamA, which is essential for inserting the correct proteins into the membrane; disabling this function causes cell death. Using Darobactin D22, the authors of this study explored infections involving 𝘌𝘴𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘢 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘪, 𝘗𝘴𝘦𝘶𝘥𝘰𝘮𝘰𝘯𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘢, and 𝘈𝘤𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘵𝘰𝘣𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘢𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘪 in various model organisms. Significant findings include proving that this antibiotic derivative, D22, can inhibit infections within the model organisms. The authors were able to show the efficacy of this treatment specifically when treating 𝘌. 𝘤𝘰𝘭𝘪 and 𝘈. 𝘣𝘢𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘪𝘪, while 𝘗. 𝘢𝘦𝘳𝘶𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘰𝘴𝘢 required a different dosage and did not fully clear the infection. Future directions for this research could include finding new ways to optimize this potential treatment for other bacterial strains.

ECDC launches today a protocol for a genomic survey of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb) across hospitals from EU/EEA countries, Western Balkan countries and Türkiye. The protocol describes actions for hospitals and clinical microbiology laboratories to conduct a survey that aims to map the occurrence, geographic distribution and resistance characteristics of CRAb isolates. CRAb is recognised by the WHO as an antimicrobial-resistant pathogen of critical priority. CRAb infections are difficult to treat because these pathogens are usually resistant to not only carbapenems but to many other antimicrobial agents and the remaining options for treatment are limited. Max Allewijn Karuna Vendrik Romy Zwittink Daan Notermans

  Synthesis of Novel 1,3,4-Oxadiazole-Derived α-Aminophosphonates/α-Aminophosphonic Acids and Evaluation of Their In Vitro Antiviral Activity against the Avian Coronavirus Infectious Bronchitis Virus https://lnkd.in/eA77ACjQ

Bacteriophages where antibiotics may fail... We read the recent UKHA statement on 'How bacteria-munching viruses could offer an alternative to antibiotics' with great fascination – read here: https://lnkd.in/eSwQSCQs Bacteriophages, or simply phages, are viruses that infect bacteria. Unlike antibiotics, which broadly affect various bacteria, phages specifically target certain bacteria for destruction. Their name comes from the Greek word “phagein,” meaning “to eat,” suggesting that phages devour bacteria. But the reality is even more fascinating: phages inject bacteria with genetic material that ultimately leads to their demise.  ‘’ Phages have been used therapeutically for decades in parts of Eastern Europe and former Soviet countries. However, their potential has been overlooked in the West—until now. As antibiotic resistance reaches crisis levels, scientists are revisiting phages as an alternative line of defense.’’ (UKHSA) Advancements in Science: Studies of phages have yielded significant advancements, particularly in molecular biology. Researchers are now exploring their potential in combating bacterial infections. Phages could be a game-changer, especially when antibiotics fail. Discovered in the early 20th century (1917), phages are believed to outnumber any other biological entity on Earth, including cells in the human body. ‘’Unlike mass-produced pills, phages are living organisms that may need individual cultivation to strict quality standards. Regulations aren’t fully equipped for personalized phage medicine. However, the UK government is engaging with the scientific community to address these hurdles.’’ (UKHSA) For those intrigued by this cutting-edge field, check out the report from the House of Commons Science, Innovation, and Technology Committee published in November 2023, https://lnkd.in/ew4rmyfT it highlights the exciting possibilities of using phages to treat drug-resistant bacterial infections. The battle against superbugs is very interesting!  https://lnkd.in/eSwQSCQs

Our new review! Despite challenges in diagnosing and managing chronic infections, we delve into Leptospira, Borrelia, and Treponema unique immune evasion tactics and pathogenesis. https://lnkd.in/eZRmw-M9 #Microbiology #InfectiousDiseases #Spirochetes #TBPs

The fever increases the body temperature so that the infected microbes cannot multiply. Researchers suspected that a person having fever & taking the antibiotic can induce mutations in the infected bacterial DNA at fever temperature (40C), & antibiotic-resistant bacteria can emerge. Researchers tested the effect of three antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, a bacterial DNA gyrase inhibitor; rifampicin, a bacterial RNA polymerase inhibitor; ampicillin, a bacterial peptidoglycan transpeptidase inhibitor) at fever temperature (40C) to induce mutations in bacterial DNA resulting in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It was found that antibiotic-susceptible E.coli became highly resistant to rifampicin & ciprofloxacin, & comparatively less resistant to ampicillin, at fever temperature (40C) in contrast to regular body temperature (37C).