scholarly journals Factoring in the Complexity of the Cystic Fibrosis Lung to Understand Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Interactions

Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 639 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Beswick ◽  
Jorge Amich ◽  
Sara Gago
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Clinical Evidence ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Complex Environment ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
The Common ◽  
Combined Infection

Pseudomonas aeruginosa has long been established as the most prevalent respiratory pathogen in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients, with opportunistic infection causing profound morbidity and mortality. Recently, Aspergillus fumigatus has also been recognised as a key contributor to CF lung deterioration, being consistently associated with decreased lung function and worsened prognosis in these patients. As clinical evidence for the common occurrence of combined infection with these two pathogens increases, research into the mechanism and consequences of their interaction is becoming more relevant. Clinical evidence suggests a synergistic effect of combined infection, which translates into a poorer prognosis for the patients. In vitro results from the laboratory have identified a variety of possible synergistic and antagonistic interactions between A. fumigatus and P. aeruginosa. Here, we present a comprehensive overview of the complex environment of the CF lung and discuss how it needs to be considered to determine the exact molecular interactions that A. fumigatus and P. aeruginosa undergo during combined infection and their effects on the host.

scholarly journals Studies of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Mutants Indicate Pyoverdine as the Central Factor in Inhibition of Aspergillus fumigatus Biofilm

2017 ◽  
Vol 200 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriele Sass ◽  
Hasan Nazik ◽  
John Penner ◽  
Hemi Shah ◽  
Shajia Rahman Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Aspergillus Fumigatus ◽  
Fungal Pathogens ◽  
Human Pathogens ◽  
Biofilm Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Iron Deprivation

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aspergillus fumigatus are common opportunistic bacterial and fungal pathogens, respectively. They often coexist in airways of immunocompromised patients and individuals with cystic fibrosis, where they form biofilms and cause acute and chronic illnesses. Hence, the interactions between them have long been of interest and it is known that P. aeruginosa can inhibit A. fumigatus in vitro. We have approached the definition of the inhibitory P. aeruginosa molecules by studying 24 P. aeruginosa mutants with various virulence genes deleted for the ability to inhibit A. fumigatus biofilms. The ability of P. aeruginosa cells or their extracellular products produced during planktonic or biofilm growth to affect A. fumigatus biofilm metabolism or planktonic A. fumigatus growth was studied in agar and liquid assays using conidia or hyphae. Four mutants, the pvdD pchE, pvdD, lasR rhlR, and lasR mutants, were shown to be defective in various assays. This suggested the P. aeruginosa siderophore pyoverdine as the key inhibitory molecule, although additional quorum sensing-regulated factors likely contribute to the deficiency of the latter two mutants. Studies of pure pyoverdine substantiated these conclusions and included the restoration of inhibition by the pyoverdine deletion mutants. A correlation between the concentration of pyoverdine produced and antifungal activity was also observed in clinical P. aeruginosa isolates derived from lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. The key inhibitory mechanism of pyoverdine was chelation of iron and denial of iron to A. fumigatus. IMPORTANCE Interactions between human pathogens found in the same body locale are of vast interest. These interactions could result in exacerbation or amelioration of diseases. The bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa affects the growth of the fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. Both pathogens form biofilms that are resistant to therapeutic drugs and host immunity. P. aeruginosa and A. fumigatus biofilms are found in vivo, e.g., in the lungs of cystic fibrosis patients. Studying 24 P. aeruginosa mutants, we identified pyoverdine as the major anti-A. fumigatus compound produced by P. aeruginosa. Pyoverdine captures iron from the environment, thus depriving A. fumigatus of a nutrient essential for its growth and metabolism. We show how microbes of different kingdoms compete for essential resources. Iron deprivation could be a therapeutic approach to the control of pathogen growth.

scholarly journals Impairment in inflammasome signaling by the chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates from cystic fibrosis patients results in an increase in inflammatory response

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa S. Phuong ◽  
Rafael E. Hernandez ◽  
Daniel J. Wolter ◽  
Lucas R. Hoffman ◽  
Subash Sad
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Cell Death ◽  
Inflammatory Cytokines ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Host Cells ◽  
Respiratory Pathogen ◽  
Cell Death Pathways ◽  
The Relationship

AbstractPseudomonas aeruginosa is a common respiratory pathogen in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients which undergoes adaptations during chronic infection towards reduced virulence, which can facilitate bacterial evasion of killing by host cells. However, inflammatory cytokines are often found to be elevated in CF patients, and it is unknown how chronic P. aeruginosa infection can be paradoxically associated with both diminished virulence in vitro and increased inflammation and disease progression. Thus, we investigated the relationship between the stimulation of inflammatory cell death pathways by CF P. aeruginosa respiratory isolates and the expression of key inflammatory cytokines. We show that early respiratory isolates of P. aeruginosa from CF patients potently induce inflammasome signaling, cell death, and expression of IL-1β by macrophages, yet little expression of other inflammatory cytokines (TNF, IL-6 and IL-8). In contrast, chronic P. aeruginosa isolates induce relatively poor macrophage inflammasome signaling, cell death, and IL-1β expression but paradoxically excessive production of TNF, IL-6 and IL-8 compared to early P. aeruginosa isolates. Using various mutants of P. aeruginosa, we show that the premature cell death of macrophages caused by virulent bacteria compromises their ability to express cytokines. Contrary to the belief that chronic P. aeruginosa isolates are less pathogenic, we reveal that infections with chronic P. aeruginosa isolates result in increased cytokine induction due to their failure to induce immune cell death, which results in a relatively intense inflammation compared with early isolates.

scholarly journals Cephalosporin nitric oxide-donor prodrug DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 117-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Odel Soren ◽  
Ardeshir Rineh ◽  
Diogo G Silva ◽  
Yuming Cai ◽  
Robert P Howlin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Laser Scanning Microscopy ◽  
Clinical Isolates ◽  
Nitric Oxide Donor ◽  
Confocal Laser ◽  
Broth Microdilution Method

Abstract Objectives The cephalosporin nitric oxide (NO)-donor prodrug DEA-C3D (‘DiEthylAmin-Cephalosporin-3′-Diazeniumdiolate’) has been shown to initiate the dispersal of biofilms formed by the Pseudomonas aeruginosa laboratory strain PAO1. In this study, we investigated whether DEA-C3D disperses biofilms formed by clinical cystic fibrosis (CF) isolates of P. aeruginosa and its effect in combination with two antipseudomonal antibiotics, tobramycin and colistin, in vitro. Methods β-Lactamase-triggered release of NO from DEA-C3D was confirmed using a gas-phase chemiluminescence detector. MICs for P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were determined using the broth microdilution method. A crystal violet staining technique and confocal laser scanning microscopy were used to evaluate the effects of DEA-C3D on P. aeruginosa biofilms alone and in combination with tobramycin and colistin. Results DEA-C3D was confirmed to selectively release NO in response to contact with bacterial β-lactamase. Despite lacking direct, cephalosporin/β-lactam-based antibacterial activity, DEA-C3D was able to disperse biofilms formed by three P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. Confocal microscopy revealed that DEA-C3D in combination with tobramycin produces similar reductions in biofilm to DEA-C3D alone, whereas the combination with colistin causes near complete eradication of P. aeruginosa biofilms in vitro. Conclusions DEA-C3D is effective in dispersing biofilms formed by multiple clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and could hold promise as a new adjunctive therapy to patients with CF.

scholarly journals In Vitro Newly Isolated Environmental Phage Activity against Biofilms Preformed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 478
Author(s):  
Ersilia Vita Fiscarelli ◽  
Martina Rossitto ◽  
Paola Rosati ◽  
Nour Essa ◽  
Valentina Crocetta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Multidrug Resistant ◽  
In Vitro Test ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Hospital Environments ◽  
Vitro Test ◽  
General Reliability ◽  
Phage Activity

As disease worsens in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) colonizes the lungs, causing pulmonary failure and mortality. Progressively, PA forms typical biofilms, and antibiotic treatments determine multidrug-resistant (MDR) PA strains. To advance new therapies against MDR PA, research has reappraised bacteriophages (phages), viruses naturally infecting bacteria. Because few in vitro studies have tested phages on CF PA biofilms, general reliability remains unclear. This study aimed to test in vitro newly isolated environmental phage activity against PA isolates from patients with CF at Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital (OBG), Rome, Italy. After testing in vitro phage activities, we combined phages with amikacin, meropenem, and tobramycin against CF PA pre-formed biofilms. We also investigated new emerging morphotypes and bacterial regrowth. We obtained 22 newly isolated phages from various environments, including OBG. In about 94% of 32 CF PA isolates tested, these phages showed in vitro PA lysis. Despite poor efficacy against chronic CF PA, five selected-lytic-phages (Φ4_ZP1, Φ9_ZP2, Φ14_OBG, Φ17_OBG, and Φ19_OBG) showed wide host activity. The Φ4_ZP1-meropenem and Φ14_OBG-tobramycin combinations significantly reduced CF PA biofilms (p < 0.001). To advance potential combined phage-antibiotic therapy, we envisage further in vitro test combinations with newly isolated phages, including those from hospital environments, against CF PA biofilms from early and chronic infections.

Murepavadin antimicrobial activity against and resistance development in cystic fibrosis Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
María Díez-Aguilar ◽  
Marta Hernández-García ◽  
María-Isabel Morosini ◽  
Ad Fluit ◽  
Michael M Tunney ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Activity ◽  
Spontaneous Mutation ◽  
Lung Surfactant ◽  
Vitro Activity ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
Broth Microdilution ◽  
Agar Dilution

Abstract Background Murepavadin, a novel peptidomimetic antibiotic, is being developed as an inhalation therapy for treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa respiratory infection in people with cystic fibrosis (CF). It blocks the activity of the LptD protein in P. aeruginosa causing outer membrane alterations. Objectives To determine the in vitro activity of murepavadin against CF P. aeruginosa isolates and to investigate potential mechanisms of resistance. Methods MIC values were determined by both broth microdilution and agar dilution and results compared. The effect of artificial sputum and lung surfactant on in vitro activity was also measured. Spontaneous mutation frequency was estimated. Bactericidal activity was investigated using time–kill assays. Resistant mutants were studied by WGS. Results The murepavadin MIC50 was 0.125 versus 4 mg/L and the MIC90 was 2 versus 32 mg/L by broth microdilution and agar dilution, respectively. Essential agreement was &gt;90% when determining in vitro activity with artificial sputum or lung surfactant. It was bactericidal at a concentration of 32 mg/L against 95.4% of the strains within 1–5 h. Murepavadin MICs were 2–9 two-fold dilutions higher for the mutant derivatives (0.5 to &gt;16 mg/L) than for the parental strains. Second-step mutants were obtained for the PAO mutS reference strain with an 8×MIC increase. WGS showed mutations in genes involved in LPS biosynthesis (lpxL1, lpxL2, bamA2, lptD, lpxT and msbA). Conclusions Murepavadin characteristics, such as its specific activity against P. aeruginosa, its unique mechanism of action and its strong antimicrobial activity, encourage the further clinical evaluation of this drug.

scholarly journals Within-Host Evolution of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Reveals Adaptation toward Iron Acquisition from Hemoglobin

mBio ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rasmus Lykke Marvig ◽  
Søren Damkiær ◽  
S. M. Hossein Khademi ◽  
Trine M. Markussen ◽  
Søren Molin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Iron Acquisition ◽  
Chronic Infections ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Mortality And Morbidity ◽  
Airway Infections ◽  
Host Evolution ◽  
Promoter Mutations

ABSTRACTPseudomonas aeruginosaairway infections are a major cause of mortality and morbidity of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. In order to persist,P. aeruginosadepends on acquiring iron from its host, and multiple different iron acquisition systems may be active during infection. This includes the pyoverdine siderophore and thePseudomonasheme utilization (phu) system. While the regulation and mechanisms of several iron-scavenging systems are well described, it is not clear whether such systems are targets for selection during adaptation ofP. aeruginosato the host environment. Here we investigated the within-host evolution of the transmissibleP. aeruginosaDK2 lineage. We found positive selection for promoter mutations leading to increased expression of thephusystem. By mimicking conditions of the CF airwaysin vitro, we experimentally demonstrate that increased expression ofphuRconfers a growth advantage in the presence of hemoglobin, thus suggesting thatP. aeruginosaevolves toward iron acquisition from hemoglobin. To rule out that this adaptive trait is specific to the DK2 lineage, we inspected the genomes of additionalP. aeruginosalineages isolated from CF airways and found similar adaptive evolution in two distinct lineages (DK1 and PA clone C). Furthermore, in all three lineages,phuRpromoter mutations coincided with the loss of pyoverdine production, suggesting that within-host adaptation toward heme utilization is triggered by the loss of pyoverdine production. Targeting heme utilization might therefore be a promising strategy for the treatment ofP. aeruginosainfections in CF patients.IMPORTANCEMost bacterial pathogens depend on scavenging iron within their hosts, which makes the battle for iron between pathogens and hosts a hallmark of infection. Accordingly, the ability of the opportunistic pathogenPseudomonas aeruginosato cause chronic infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients also depends on iron-scavenging systems. While the regulation and mechanisms of several such iron-scavenging systems have been well described, not much is known about how the within-host selection pressures act on the pathogens’ ability to acquire iron. Here, we investigated the within-host evolution ofP. aeruginosa, and we found evidence thatP. aeruginosaduring long-term infections evolves toward iron acquisition from hemoglobin. This adaptive strategy might be due to a selective loss of other iron-scavenging mechanisms and/or an increase in the availability of hemoglobin at the site of infection. This information is relevant to the design of novel CF therapeutics and the development of models of chronic CF infections.

Activities of Tobramycin and Six Other Antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates from Patients with Cystic Fibrosis

1999 ◽  
Vol 43 (12) ◽  
pp. 2877-2880 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ribhi M. Shawar ◽  
David L. MacLeod ◽  
Richard L. Garber ◽  
Jane L. Burns ◽  
Jenny R. Stapp ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Antimicrobial Agents ◽  
Active Drug ◽  
Resistance Mechanisms ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
In Vitro Activity ◽  
Phase Iii Clinical Trials ◽  
Multiple Antibiotics

ABSTRACT The in vitro activity of tobramycin was compared with those of six other antimicrobial agents against 1,240 Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates collected from 508 patients with cystic fibrosis during pretreatment visits as part of the phase III clinical trials of tobramycin solution for inhalation. The tobramycin MIC at which 50% of isolates are inhibited (MIC50) and MIC90 were 1 and 8 μg/ml, respectively. Tobramycin was the most active drug tested and also showed good activity against isolates resistant to multiple antibiotics. The isolates were less frequently resistant to tobramycin (5.4%) than to ceftazidime (11.1%), aztreonam (11.9%), amikacin (13.1%), ticarcillin (16.7%), gentamicin (19.3%), or ciprofloxacin (20.7%). For all antibiotics tested, nonmucoid isolates were more resistant than mucoid isolates. Of 56 isolates for which the tobramycin MIC was ≥16 μg/ml and that were investigated for resistance mechanisms, only 7 (12.5%) were shown to possess known aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes; the remaining were presumably resistant by an incompletely understood mechanism often referred to as “impermeability.”

scholarly journals Prevalence and impact of oprD mutations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains in cystic fibrosis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura J. Sherrard ◽  
Bryan A. Wee ◽  
Christine Duplancic ◽  
Kay A. Ramsay ◽  
Keyur A. Dave ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Lung Function ◽  
Hazard Rate ◽  
Carbapenem Resistance ◽  
Adverse Outcomes ◽  
Nonsense Mutations ◽  
Allelic Variants ◽  
Novel Variants

ABSTRACTDefective OprD porins contribute to carbapenem resistance and may be important in Pseudomonas aeruginosa adaptation to cystic fibrosis airways. It is unclear whether oprD mutations are fixed in populations of shared strains that are transmitted between patients or whether novel variants arise during infection. We investigated oprD sequences and antimicrobial resistance of two common Australian shared strains, constructed P. aeruginosa mutants with the most common oprD allelic variants and compared characteristics between patients with or without evidence of infection with strains harbouring these variants. Our data show that three independently acquired nonsense mutations arising from a 1-base pair substitution are fixed in strain sub-lineages. These nonsense mutations are likely to contribute to reduced carbapenem susceptibility in the sub-lineages without compromising in vitro fitness. Not only was lung function worse among patients infected with strains harbouring the nonsense mutations than those without, but they also had an increased hazard rate of lung transplantation/death. Our findings further highlight that understanding adaptive changes may help to distinguish patients with greater adverse outcomes despite infection with the same strain.

scholarly journals Most of Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa co-infecting isolates coexist, a condition that may impact clinical outcomes in Cystic Fibrosis patients

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Briaud ◽  
Sylvère Bastien ◽  
Laura Camus ◽  
Marie Boyadjian ◽  
Philippe Reix ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cystic Fibrosis ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Multivariate Analysis ◽  
Natural History ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Bacterial Colonization ◽  
Childhood And Adolescence ◽  
History Of

AbstractStaphylococcus aureus (SA) is the major colonizer of the lung of cystic fibrosis (CF) patient during childhood and adolescence. As patient aged, the prevalence of SA decreases and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) becomes the major pathogen infecting adult lungs. Nonetheless, SA remains significant and patients harbouring both SA and PA are frequently found in worldwide cohort. Impact of coinfection remains controversial. Furthermore, co-infecting isolates may compete or coexist. The aim of this study was to analyse if co-infection and coexistence of SA and PA could lead to worse clinical outcomes. The clinical and bacteriological data of 212 Lyon CF patients were collected retrospectively, and patients were ranked into three groups, SA only (n=112), PA only (n=48) or SA plus PA (n=52). In addition, SA and PA isolates from co-infecting patients were tested in vitro to define their interaction profile. Sixty five percent (n=34) of SA/PA pairs coexist. Using univariate and multivariate analysis, we confirm that SA patients have a clinical condition less severe than others, and PA induce a poor outcome independently of the presence of SA. FEV1 is lower in patients infected by competition strain pairs than in those infected by coexisting strain pairs compared to SA mono-infection. Coexistence between SA and PA may be an important step in the natural history of lung bacterial colonization within CF patients.

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