Journal of Medical Microbiology: Most Cited Articles http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm?TRACK=RSS Please follow the links to view the content. Healthcare-associated infections, medical devices and biofilms: risk, tolerance and control http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.000032?TRACK=RSS Biofilms are of great importance in infection control and healthcare-associated infections owing to their inherent tolerance and ‘resistance’ to antimicrobial therapies. Biofilms have been shown to develop on medical device surfaces, and dispersal of single and clustered cells implies a significant risk of microbial dissemination within the host and increased risk of infection. Although routine microbiological testing assists with the diagnosis of a clinical infection, there is no ‘gold standard’ available to reveal the presence of microbial biofilm from samples collected within clinical settings. Furthermore, such limiting factors as viable but non-culturable micro-organisms and small-colony variants often prevent successful detection. In order to increase the chances of detection and provide a more accurate diagnosis, a combination of microbiological culture techniques and molecular methods should be employed. Measures such as antimicrobial coating and surface alterations of medical devices provide promising opportunities in the prevention of biofilm formation on medical devices. Steven L. Percival, Louise Suleman, Claudia Vuotto and Gianfranco Donelli Tue Jun 23 15:22:41 UTC 2015Z Emerging tick-borne pathogens of public health importance: a mini-review http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001206?TRACK=RSS Ticks are the most important vectors of human pathogens, leading to increased public health burdens worldwide. Tick-borne pathogens include viruses (e.g. tick-borne encephalitis and Powassan); bacteria, such as the causative agents of Lyme disease, spotted fever rickettsiosis and human anaplasmosis; and malaria-like protozoan parasites causing babesiosis. Tick-borne diseases are emerging due to the geographical expansion of their tick vectors, especially in the northern hemisphere. Two examples of this phenomenon are Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum, which have expanded their ranges in the USA in recent decades and are responsible for the continuous emergence of Lyme disease and human ehrlichiosis, respectively. This phenomenon is also occurring worldwide and is reflected by the increasing number of tick-borne encephalitis and haemorrhagic fever cases in Europe and Asia. In this review, we provide a concise synopsis of the most medically important tick-borne pathogen worldwide, with a particular emphasis on emerging public health threats. Ilia Rochlin and Alvaro Toledo Mon Jun 01 15:10:34 UTC 2020Z The Microbial Ecology of the Large Bowel of Breastfed and Formula-fed Infants During the First Year of Life http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/00222615-15-2-189?TRACK=RSS SUMMARY The succession of bacterial populations in the large bowel of seven breast-fed and seven formula-fed infants was examined during the first year of life. The composition of the intestinal microflora varied according to the infant’s diet. During the first week of life breast-fed and formula-fed infants were colonised by enterobacteria and enterococci followed by bifidobacteria, Bacteroides spp., clostridia and anaerobic streptococci. From week 4 until solid foods were given, breast-fed babies had a simple flora consisting of bifidobacteria and relatively few enterobacteria and enterococci. Formula-fed babies during the corresponding period were more often colonised by other anaerobes in addition to bifidobacteria and had higher counts of facultatively anaerobic bacteria. The introduction of solid food to the breast-fed infants caused a major disturbance in the microbial ecology of the large bowel as counts of enterobacteria and enterococci rose sharply and colonisation by Bacteroides spp., clostridia and anaerobic streptococci occurred. This was not observed when formula-fed infants began to take solids; instead, counts of facultative anaerobes remained high while colonisation by anaerobes other than bifidobacteria continued. At 12 months, the anaerobic bacterial populations of the large bowel of breast-fed and formula-fed infants were beginning to resemble those of adults in number and composition and there was a corresponding decrease in the number of facultative anaerobes. These changes are discussed in relation to changes in susceptibility to gastro-intestinal infection. P. L. Stark and A. Lee Thu Nov 06 12:04:50 UTC 2014Z Pseudomonas aeruginosa – a phenomenon of bacterial resistance http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.009142-0?TRACK=RSS Pseudomonas aeruginosa is one of the leading nosocomial pathogens worldwide. Nosocomial infections caused by this organism are often hard to treat because of both the intrinsic resistance of the species (it has constitutive expression of AmpC β-lactamase and efflux pumps, combined with a low permeability of the outer membrane), and its remarkable ability to acquire further resistance mechanisms to multiple groups of antimicrobial agents, including β-lactams, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. P. aeruginosa represents a phenomenon of bacterial resistance, since practically all known mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance can be seen in it: derepression of chromosomal AmpC cephalosporinase; production of plasmid or integron-mediated β-lactamases from different molecular classes (carbenicillinases and extended-spectrum β-lactamases belonging to class A, class D oxacillinases and class B carbapenem-hydrolysing enzymes); diminished outer membrane permeability (loss of OprD proteins); overexpression of active efflux systems with wide substrate profiles; synthesis of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (phosphoryltransferases, acetyltransferases and adenylyltransferases); and structural alterations of topoisomerases II and IV determining quinolone resistance. Worryingly, these mechanisms are often present simultaneously, thereby conferring multiresistant phenotypes. This review describes the known resistance mechanisms in P. aeruginosa to the most frequently administrated antipseudomonal antibiotics: β-lactams, aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones. Tanya Strateva and Daniel Yordanov Wed Nov 12 09:57:00 UTC 2014Z Differences between the gut microflora of children with autistic spectrum disorders and that of healthy children http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.46101-0?TRACK=RSS Children with autistic spectrum disorders (ASDs) tend to suffer from severe gastrointestinal problems. Such symptoms may be due to a disruption of the indigenous gut flora promoting the overgrowth of potentially pathogenic micro-organisms. The faecal flora of patients with ASDs was studied and compared with those of two control groups (healthy siblings and unrelated healthy children). Faecal bacterial populations were assessed through the use of a culture-independent technique, fluorescence in situ hybridization, using oligonucleotide probes targeting predominant components of the gut flora. The faecal flora of ASD patients contained a higher incidence of the Clostridium histolyticum group (Clostridium clusters I and II) of bacteria than that of healthy children. However, the non-autistic sibling group had an intermediate level of the C. histolyticum group, which was not significantly different from either of the other subject groups. Members of the C. histolyticum group are recognized toxin-producers and may contribute towards gut dysfunction, with their metabolic products also exerting systemic effects. Strategies to reduce clostridial population levels harboured by ASD patients or to improve their gut microflora profile through dietary modulation may help to alleviate gut disorders common in such patients. Helena MRT Parracho, Max O Bingham, Glenn R Gibson and Anne L McCartney Mon Nov 17 18:57:27 UTC 2014Z Evaluation of metal-based antimicrobial compounds for the treatment of bacterial pathogens http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001363?TRACK=RSS Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the greatest global health challenges of modern times and its prevalence is rising worldwide. AMR within bacteria reduces the efficacy of antibiotics and increases both the morbidity and the mortality associated with bacterial infections. Despite this growing risk, few antibiotics with a novel mode of action are being produced, leading to a lack of antibiotics that can effectively treat bacterial infections with AMR. Metals have a history of antibacterial use but upon the discovery of antibiotics, often became overlooked as antibacterial agents. Meanwhile, metal-based complexes have been used as treatments for other diseases, such as the gold-containing drug auranofin, used to treat rheumatoid arthritis. Metal-based antibacterial compounds have novel modes of action that provide an advantage for the treatment of bacterial infections with resistance to conventional antibiotics. In this review, the antibacterial activity, mode of action, and potential for systemic use of a number of metal-based antibacterial complexes are discussed. The current limitations of these compounds are highlighted to determine if metal-based agents are a potential solution for the treatment of bacterial infections, especially those resistant to conventional antibiotics. Andris Evans and Kevin A. Kavanagh Fri May 07 13:52:37 UTC 2021Z Streptomyces from traditional medicine: sources of new innovations in antibiotic discovery http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001232?TRACK=RSS Given the increased reporting of multi-resistant bacteria and the shortage of newly approved medicines, researchers have been looking towards extreme and unusual environments as a new source of antibiotics. Streptomyces currently provides many of the world’s clinical antibiotics, so it comes as no surprise that these bacteria have recently been isolated from traditional medicine. Given the wide array of traditional medicines, it is hoped that these discoveries can provide the much sought after core structure diversity that will be required of a new generation of antibiotics. This review discusses the contribution of Streptomyces to antibiotics and the potential of newly discovered species in traditional medicine. We also explore how knowledge of traditional medicines can aid current initiatives in sourcing new and chemically diverse antibiotics. Gerry A. Quinn, Aiya M. Banat, Alyaa M. Abdelhameed and Ibrahim M. Banat Tue Jul 21 15:51:25 UTC 2020Z The role of Akkermansia muciniphila in obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.001435?TRACK=RSS Alteration in the composition of the gut microbiota can lead to a number of chronic clinical diseases. Akkermansia muciniphila is an anaerobic bacteria constituting 3–5% of the gut microbial community in healthy adults. This bacterium is responsible for degenerating mucin in the gut; its scarcity leads to diverse clinical disorders. In this review, we focus on the role of A. muciniphila in diabetes, obesity and atherosclerosis, as well as the use of this bacterium as a next-generation probiotic. In regard to obesity and diabetes, human and animal trials have shown that A. muciniphila controls the essential regulatory system of glucose and energy metabolism. However, the underlying mechanisms by which A. muciniphila alleviates the complications of obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis are unclear. At the same time, its abundance suggests improved metabolic disorders, such as metabolic endotoxemia, adiposity insulin resistance and glucose tolerance. The role of A. muciniphila is implicated in declining aortic lesions and atherosclerosis. Well-characterized virulence factors, antigens and cell wall extracts of A. muciniphila may act as effector molecules in these diseases. These molecules may provide novel mechanisms and strategies by which this bacterium could be used as a probiotic for the treatment of obesity, diabetes and atherosclerosis. Alka Hasani, Saba Ebrahimzadeh, Fatemeh Hemmati, Aytak Khabbaz, Akbar Hasani and Pourya Gholizadeh Fri Oct 08 11:56:09 UTC 2021Z Current concepts in the pathogenesis and treatment of chronic suppurative otitis media http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/jmm.0.000155?TRACK=RSS Otitis media (OM) is an inflammation of the middle ear associated with infection. Despite appropriate therapy, acute OM (AOM) can progress to chronic suppurative OM (CSOM) associated with ear drum perforation and purulent discharge. The effusion prevents the middle ear ossicles from properly relaying sound vibrations from the ear drum to the oval window of the inner ear, causing conductive hearing loss. In addition, the inflammatory mediators generated during CSOM can penetrate into the inner ear through the round window. This can cause the loss of hair cells in the cochlea, leading to sensorineural hearing loss. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus are the most predominant pathogens that cause CSOM. Although the pathogenesis of AOM is well studied, very limited research is available in relation to CSOM. With the emergence of antibiotic resistance as well as the ototoxicity of antibiotics and the potential risks of surgery, there is an urgent need to develop effective therapeutic strategies against CSOM. This warrants understanding the role of host immunity in CSOM and how the bacteria evade these potent immune responses. Understanding the molecular mechanisms leading to CSOM will help in designing novel treatment modalities against the disease and hence preventing the hearing loss. Rahul Mittal, Christopher V. Lisi, Robert Gerring, Jeenu Mittal, Kalai Mathee, Giri Narasimhan, Rajeev K. Azad, Qi Yao, M'hamed Grati, Denise Yan, Adrien A. Eshraghi, Simon I. Angeli, Fred F. Telischi and Xue-Zhong Liu Thu Aug 06 05:25:01 UTC 2015Z Changes in predominant bacterial populations in human faeces with age and with Clostridium difficile infection http://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/jmm/10.1099/0022-1317-51-5-448?TRACK=RSS The bacterial composition of human faeces can vary greatly with factors such as age and disease, although relatively few studies have monitored these events, particularly at species level. In this investigation, bacteria were isolated from faecal samples from healthy young adults and elderly subjects, and elderly patients with Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhoea (CDAD). The organisms were identified to species level on the basis of their cellular fatty acid profiles with the MIDI system. In some groups of bacteria, species diversity was found to change with age despite the overall numbers of organisms being similar at genus level. Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron, B. ovatus and Prevotella tannerae were common gram-negative anaerobes isolated from young adults. Bacteroides species diversity increased in the faeces of healthy elderly people. Bifidobacterial species diversity decreased with age, with Bifidobacterium adolescentis and Bif. angulatum being the most common isolates. CDAD patients were characterised by greater diversity of facultative species, lactobacilli and clostridia, but greatly reduced numbers of bacteroides, prevotella and bifidobacteria. Such bacterial population changes in the normal microbiota could result in metabolic conditions favourable for the establishment of pathogenic micro-organisms, such as clostridia, and would have considerable effects on the biochemical capacity of the large intestine as a whole. Alterations in the community structure of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli have relevance for dietary and therapeutic interventions such as the use of pre- or probiotics that aim to modify the composition or metabolic activities of the intestinal microflora in a beneficial way, particularly in elderly people or individuals at risk of CDAD. M.J. HOPKINS and G.T. MACFARLANE Fri Feb 06 08:20:07 UTC 2015Z