scholarly journals 4165 Mechanisms of Prophage-Mediated Virulence Driving Community-Acquired MRSA Contagion

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (s1) ◽  
pp. 11-12
Author(s):  
Robert James Ulrich ◽  
Irnov Irnov ◽  
William Sause ◽  
Magdelena Podkowik ◽  
Victor Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Candidate Genes ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Deletion Mutants ◽  
Toxin Gene ◽  
Healthy Children ◽  
Mosaic Block

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: We recently identified a CA-MRSA strain in Brooklyn, New York (USA300-BKV) causing an outbreak of severe skin infections in predominantly healthy children. The evolution of USA300-BKV included acquisition of a novel prophage, and our objective is to identify the prophage-encoded gene(s) and mechanism responsible for increased bacterial virulence. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We deleted candidate genes from a novel mosaic block of phage-encoded genes in USA300-BKV that have been shown to enhance virulence in a murine skin infection model. Deletion mutants and complemented clones will be evaluated in vivo to identify culprit genes and determine the effect of lineage-specific genetic variation on the phenotype. Complementary studies include a comprehensive characterization of phage and bacterial genes expressed during lysogeny in vitro using RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq), and in vivo using a targeted approach focusing on known bacterial virulence and phage lytic pathways as well as candidate genes identified by in vitro studies. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: Comparison of otherwise isogenic lab strains showed that the mosaic block of phage genes present in USA300-BKV enhance skin abscess size in mice, confirming previous results. As this region of the phage, named mΦ11, does not contain known toxin genes, we hypothesize that mΦ11 modulates expression of bacterial host genes to enhance virulence. Thus, transcriptional profiles of CA-MRSA containing mΦ11 and selected deletion mutants are expected to reveal changes in known or novel virulence factors compared to controls. Candidate regulators specific to the mosaic block include an adenine methyltransferase linked to changes in global gene expression of other bacterial species. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE OF IMPACT: Our results will broaden scientific understanding of phage-bacterial interactions and determine the mechanisms by which phage impact virulence independent from toxin gene carriage. Identification of phage-encoded gene(s) enhancing CA-MRSA contagion will inform surveillance efforts and identify novel therapeutic targets.

scholarly journals In Vitro and In Vivo Activities of PD 0305970 and PD 0326448, New Bacterial Gyrase/Topoisomerase Inhibitors with Potent Antibacterial Activities versus Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Positive and Fastidious Organism Groups

2007 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1191-1201 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Huband ◽  
Michael A. Cohen ◽  
Margaret Zurack ◽  
Debra L. Hanna ◽  
Laura A. Skerlos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bactericidal Activity ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Topoisomerase Inhibitors ◽  
Gram Positive ◽  
Resistant Mutants

ABSTRACT PD 0305970 and PD 0326448 are new bacterial gyrase and topoisomerase inhibitors (quinazoline-2,4-diones) that possess outstanding in vitro and in vivo activities against a wide spectrum of bacterial species including quinolone- and multidrug-resistant gram-positive and fastidious organism groups. The respective MICs (μg/ml) for PD 0305970 capable of inhibiting ≥90% of bacterial strains tested ranged from 0.125 to 0.5 versus staphylococci, 0.03 to 0.06 versus streptococci, 0.25 to 2 versus enterococci, and 0.25 to 0.5 versus Moraxella catarrhalis, Haemophilus influenzae, Listeria monocytogenes, Legionella pneumophila, and Neisseria spp. PD 0326448 MIC90s were generally twofold higher versus these same organism groups. Comparative quinolone MIC90 values were 4- to 512-fold higher than those of PD 0305970. In testing for frequency of resistance, PD 0305970 and levofloxacin showed low levels of development of spontaneous resistant mutants versus both Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Unlike quinolones, which target primarily gyrA and parC, analysis of resistant mutants in S. pneumoniae indicates that the likely targets of PD 0305970 are gyrB and parE. PD 0305970 demonstrated rapid bactericidal activity by in vitro time-kill testing versus streptococci. This bactericidal activity carried over to in vivo testing, where PD 0305970 and PD 0326448 displayed outstanding Streptococcus pyogenes 50% protective doses (PD50s) (oral dosing) of 0.7 and 3.6 mg/kg, respectively (ciprofloxacin and levofloxacin PD50s were >100 and 17.7 mg/kg, respectively). PD 0305970 was also potent in a pneumococcal pneumonia mouse infection model (PD50 = 3.2 mg/kg) and was 22-fold more potent than levofloxacin.

scholarly journals Efficacy of Aerosolized Rifaximin versus Tobramycin for Treatment ofPseudomonas aeruginosaPneumonia in Mice

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon D. Kirby ◽  
Roy Al Ahmar ◽  
T. Ryan Withers ◽  
Meagan E. Valentine ◽  
Monica Valentovic ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Inhalation Therapy ◽  
Mouse Lung ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Dose Treatment ◽  
Alginate Production ◽  
Lung Infections

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosais a Gram-negative opportunistic bacterial pathogen that can cause chronic lung infections in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The current preferred treatment for CF lung infections includes inhaled tobramycin (TOB); however, studies suggest TOB cannot effectively inhibit biofilm formation. Using an NIH small compounds drug library approved for safe use in humans, we identified rifaximin (RFX), a semisynthetic, rifamycin family, nonsystemic antibiotic that inhibits alginate production and growth inP. aeruginosa. Inhibition of alginate production was further analyzed using the uronic acid carbazole assay and a promoter reporter assay that measures the transcription of the alginate biosynthetic operon. Compared to TOB, RFX significantly reduced alginate production in laboratory and CF sputum isolates ofP. aeruginosa. In addition, RFX showed a narrow range of MICs when measured with multidrug-resistant bacterial species of clinical relevance, synergistic activities with TOB or amikacin against clinical isolates, as well as reduction towardin vitropreformed biofilms. In C57BL/6 mice, penetration of nebulized TOB into the lungs was shown at a higher level than that of RFX. Further,in vivoassessment using a DBA/2 mouse lung infection model found increased survival rates with a single-dose treatment of nebulized RFX and decreasedP. aeruginosaPAO1 bioburden with a multiple-dose treatment of RFX plus TOB. In addition, mice treated with a single exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), a solvent that dissolves RFX, showed no apparent toxicity. In summary, RFX may be used to supplement TOB inhalation therapy to increase efficacy againstP. aeruginosabiofilm infections.

Production of Novel Bioactive Compounds by the Bacteria Associated with Some Marine Sponges of Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay, Southeast Coast of India

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (8) ◽  
pp. 183
Author(s):  
V. Ramadas ◽  
G. Chandralega
Keyword(s):  
Bioactive Compounds ◽  
Bacterial Species ◽  
Marine Sponges ◽  
Marine Organisms ◽  
Gulf Of Mannar ◽  
Bacterial Symbionts ◽  
Palk Bay ◽  
Excellent Source

Sponges, exclusively are aquatic and mostly marine, are found from the deepest oceans to the edge of the sea. There are approximately 15,000 species of sponges in the world, of which, 150 occur in freshwater, but only about 17 are of commercial value. A total of 486 species of sponges have been identified in India. In the Gulf of Mannar and Palk Bay a maximum of 319 species of sponges have been recorded. It has been proved that marine organisms are excellent source of bioactive secondary metabolites and number of compounds of originated from marine organisms had been reported to possess in-vitro and in-vivo immuno stimulatory activity. Extracts from 20 sponge species were tested for bacterial symbionts and bioactive compounds were isolated from such associated bacterial species in the present study.

scholarly journals Antibacterial Mechanisms and Efficacy of Sarecycline in Animal Models of Infection and Inflammation

Antibiotics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 439
Author(s):  
Christopher G. Bunick ◽  
Jonette Keri ◽  
S. Ken Tanaka ◽  
Nika Furey ◽  
Giovanni Damiani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Broad Spectrum ◽  
Bacterial Resistance ◽  
Antibiotic Use ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Severe Acne ◽  
Rat Paw Edema ◽  
Infection And Inflammation

Prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic use is more likely to induce bacterial resistance and dysbiosis of skin and gut microflora. First and second-generation tetracycline-class antibiotics have similar broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Targeted tetracycline-class antibiotics are needed to limit antimicrobial resistance and improve patient outcomes. Sarecycline is a narrow-spectrum, third-generation tetracycline-class antibiotic Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for treating moderate-to-severe acne. In vitro studies demonstrated activity against clinically relevant Gram-positive bacteria but reduced activity against Gram-negative bacteria. Recent studies have provided insight into how the structure of sarecycline, with a unique C7 moiety, interacts with bacterial ribosomes to block translation and prevent antibiotic resistance. Sarecycline reduces Staphylococcus aureus DNA and protein synthesis with limited effects on RNA, lipid, and bacterial wall synthesis. In agreement with in vitro data, sarecycline demonstrated narrower-spectrum in vivo activity in murine models of infection, exhibiting activity against S. aureus, but reduced efficacy against Escherichia coli compared to doxycycline and minocycline. In a murine neutropenic thigh wound infection model, sarecycline was as effective as doxycycline against S. aureus. The anti-inflammatory activity of sarecycline was comparable to doxycycline and minocycline in a rat paw edema model. Here, we review the antibacterial mechanisms of sarecycline and report results of in vivo studies of infection and inflammation.

scholarly journals Development of a Fluorescent Tool for Studying Legionella bozemanae Intracellular Infection

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 379
Author(s):  
Breanne M. Head ◽  
Christopher I. Graham ◽  
Teassa MacMartin ◽  
Yoav Keynan ◽  
Ann Karen C. Brassinga
Keyword(s):  
Growth Kinetics ◽  
Legionella Pneumophila ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Disease Incidence ◽  
Acanthamoeba Castellanii ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Intracellular Infection ◽  
Green Fluorescent

Legionnaires’ disease incidence is on the rise, with the majority of cases attributed to the intracellular pathogen, Legionella pneumophila. Nominally a parasite of protozoa, L. pneumophila can also infect alveolar macrophages when bacteria-laden aerosols enter the lungs of immunocompromised individuals. L. pneumophila pathogenesis has been well characterized; however, little is known about the >25 different Legionella spp. that can cause disease in humans. Here, we report for the first time a study demonstrating the intracellular infection of an L. bozemanae clinical isolate using approaches previously established for L. pneumophila investigations. Specifically, we report on the modification and use of a green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing plasmid as a tool to monitor the L. bozemanae presence in the Acanthamoeba castellanii protozoan infection model. As comparative controls, L. pneumophila strains were also transformed with the GFP-expressing plasmid. In vitro and in vivo growth kinetics of the Legionella parental and GFP-expressing strains were conducted followed by confocal microscopy. Results suggest that the metabolic burden imposed by GFP expression did not impact cell viability, as growth kinetics were similar between the GFP-expressing Legionella spp. and their parental strains. This study demonstrates that the use of a GFP-expressing plasmid can serve as a viable approach for investigating Legionella non-pneumophila spp. in real time.

scholarly journals Designing P. aeruginosa synthetic phages with reduced genomes

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana P. Pires ◽  
Rodrigo Monteiro ◽  
Dalila Mil-Homens ◽  
Arsénio Fialho ◽  
Timothy K. Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Antibacterial Properties ◽  
Genetically Engineered ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Promising Therapeutic Approach ◽  
Genes Encoding ◽  
First Time

AbstractIn the era where antibiotic resistance is considered one of the major worldwide concerns, bacteriophages have emerged as a promising therapeutic approach to deal with this problem. Genetically engineered bacteriophages can enable enhanced anti-bacterial functionalities, but require cloning additional genes into the phage genomes, which might be challenging due to the DNA encapsulation capacity of a phage. To tackle this issue, we designed and assembled for the first time synthetic phages with smaller genomes by knocking out up to 48% of the genes encoding hypothetical proteins from the genome of the newly isolated Pseudomonas aeruginosa phage vB_PaeP_PE3. The antibacterial efficacy of the wild-type and the synthetic phages was assessed in vitro as well as in vivo using a Galleria mellonella infection model. Overall, both in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that the knock-outs made in phage genome do not impair the antibacterial properties of the synthetic phages, indicating that this could be a good strategy to clear space from phage genomes in order to enable the introduction of other genes of interest that can potentiate the future treatment of P. aeruginosa infections.

Emergence of ceftazidime/avibactam resistance in KPC-3-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in vivo

2019 ◽  
Vol 74 (11) ◽  
pp. 3211-3216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephan Göttig ◽  
Denia Frank ◽  
Eleonora Mungo ◽  
Anika Nolte ◽  
Michael Hogardt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Combination Therapy ◽  
Klebsiella Pneumoniae ◽  
Selection Pressure ◽  
Galleria Mellonella ◽  
Phenotypic Characterization ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
Time Kill

Abstract Objectives The β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination ceftazidime/avibactam is active against KPC-producing Enterobacterales. Herein, we present molecular and phenotypic characterization of ceftazidime/avibactam resistance in KPC-3-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae that emerged in vivo and in vitro. Methods Sequence analysis of blaKPC-3 was performed from clinical and in vitro-generated ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates. Time–kill kinetics and the Galleria mellonella infection model were applied to evaluate the activity of ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem alone and in combination. Results The ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant clinical K. pneumoniae isolate revealed the amino acid change D179Y in KPC-3. Sixteen novel mutational changes in KPC-3 among in vitro-selected ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant isolates were described. Time–kill kinetics showed the emergence of a resistant subpopulation under selection pressure with either imipenem or ceftazidime/avibactam. However, combined selection pressure with imipenem plus ceftazidime/avibactam prevented the development of resistance and resulted in bactericidal activity. Concordantly, the G. mellonella infection model revealed that monotherapy with ceftazidime/avibactam is prone to select for resistance in vivo and that combination therapy with imipenem results in significantly better survival. Conclusions Ceftazidime/avibactam is a valuable antibiotic against MDR and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales. Based on time–kill kinetics as well as an in vivo infection model we postulate a combination therapy of ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem as a strategy to prevent the development of ceftazidime/avibactam resistance in KPC-producing Enterobacterales in vivo.

scholarly journals The Role of Prophage for Genome Diversification within a Clonal Lineage of Lactobacillus johnsonii: Characterization of the Defective Prophage LJ771

2008 ◽  
Vol 190 (17) ◽  
pp. 5806-5813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Denou ◽  
Raymond David Pridmore ◽  
Marco Ventura ◽  
Anne-Cécile Pittet ◽  
Marie-Camille Zwahlen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Methionine Sulfoxide ◽  
Gene Cassette ◽  
Methionine Sulfoxide Reductase ◽  
Toxin Gene ◽  
Clonal Lineage ◽  
Lactobacillus Johnsonii ◽  
Reductase Gene ◽  
Phage Dna

ABSTRACT Two independent isolates of the gut commensal Lactobacillus johnsonii were sequenced. These isolates belonged to the same clonal lineage and differed mainly by a 40.8-kb prophage, LJ771, belonging to the Sfi11 phage lineage. LJ771 shares close DNA sequence identity with Lactobacillus gasseri prophages. LJ771 coexists as an integrated prophage and excised circular phage DNA, but phage DNA packaged into extracellular phage particles was not detected. Between the phage lysin gene and attR a likely mazE (“antitoxin”)/pemK (“toxin”) gene cassette was detected in LJ771 but not in the L. gasseri prophages. Expressed pemK could be cloned in Escherichia coli only together with the mazE gene. LJ771 was shown to be highly stable and could be cured only by coexpression of mazE from a plasmid. The prophage was integrated into the methionine sulfoxide reductase gene (msrA) and complemented the 5′ end of this gene, creating a protein with a slightly altered N-terminal sequence. The two L. johnsonii strains had identical in vitro growth and in vivo gut persistence phenotypes. Also, in an isogenic background, the presence of the prophage resulted in no growth disadvantage.

scholarly journals In VivoEfficacy of Anuran Trypsin Inhibitory Peptides against Staphylococcal Skin Infection and the Impact of Peptide Cyclization

2015 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 2113-2121 ◽  
Author(s):  
U. Malik ◽  
O. N. Silva ◽  
I. C. M. Fensterseifer ◽  
L. Y. Chan ◽  
R. J. Clark ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Cyclic Peptide ◽  
Sequence Similarity ◽  
Infection Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Inhibitory Activities ◽  
The Impact

ABSTRACTStaphylococcus aureusis a virulent pathogen that is responsible for a wide range of superficial and invasive infections. Its resistance to existing antimicrobial drugs is a global problem, and the development of novel antimicrobial agents is crucial. Antimicrobial peptides from natural resources offer potential as new treatments against staphylococcal infections. In the current study, we have examined the antimicrobial properties of peptides isolated from anuran skin secretions and cyclized synthetic analogues of these peptides. The structures of the peptides were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, revealing high structural and sequence similarity with each other and with sunflower trypsin inhibitor 1 (SFTI-1). SFTI-1 is an ultrastable cyclic peptide isolated from sunflower seeds that has subnanomolar trypsin inhibitory activity, and this scaffold offers pharmaceutically relevant characteristics. The five anuran peptides were nonhemolytic and noncytotoxic and had trypsin inhibitory activities similar to that of SFTI-1. They demonstrated weakin vitroinhibitory activities againstS. aureus, but several had strong antibacterial activities againstS. aureusin anin vivomurine wound infection model. pYR, an immunomodulatory peptide fromRana sevosa, was the most potent, with complete bacterial clearance at 3 mg · kg−1. Cyclization of the peptides improved their stability but was associated with a concomitant decrease in antimicrobial activity. In summary, these anuran peptides are promising as novel therapeutic agents for treating infections from a clinically resistant pathogen.

scholarly journals Subinhibitory Antimicrobial Concentrations: A Review of In Vitro and In Vivo Data

1992 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 193-201 ◽  
Author(s):  
George G Zhanel ◽  
Daryl J Hoban ◽  
Godfrey KM Harding
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Animal Studies ◽  
Molecular Level ◽  
Bacterial Virulence ◽  
Antibacterial Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Immune Defences

Antimicrobial activity is not an ‘all or none’ effect. An increase in the rate and extent of antimicrobial action is usually observed over a wide range of antimicrobial concentrations. Subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations are well known to produce significant antibacterial effects, and various antimicrobials at subinhibitory concentrations have been reported to inhibit the rate of bacterial growth. Bacterial virulence may be increased or decreased by subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations by changes in the ability of bacteria to adhere to epithelial cells or by alterations in bacterial susceptibility to host immune defences. Animal studies performed in rats, hamsters and rabbits demonstrate decreased bacterial adherence, reduced infectivity and increased survival of animals treated with subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations compared to untreated controls. The major future role of investigation of subinhibitory antimicrobial concentrations will be to define more fully, at a molecular level, how antimicrobials exert their antibacterial effects.

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