Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"<i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> mutant CM-pGP3S as a novel attenuated live rectal vaccine protects against genital tract infection.","authors":"Jingyue Ma, Tianyuan Zhang, Qi Tian, Meng Xiao, Long Han, Quanzhong Liu, Guangming Zhong, Yuanjun Liu","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1550455","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1550455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> (CT) is a major sexually transmitted pathogen with severe complications. Using <i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> (CM) as a model, this study evaluates the attenuated mutant <i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> (CM-pGP3S) as a novel rectal vaccine to protect against genital tract infection and pathology.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Female C57BL/6 mice were rectally immunized with low (1×10³), middle (1×10⁵), or high (1×10⁷) doses of CM-pGP3S. Mice were challenged intravaginally with wild-type <i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> 63 days post-immunization. Protection was assessed via genital <i>Chlamydia</i> shedding, hydrosalpinx incidence (gross/histopathology), serum IgG, fecal IgA, and T cell responses. Gut microbiota stability was analyzed using qPCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CM-pGP3S immunization significantly reduced CM-WT genital shedding duration (3-7 days vs. 21 days in controls, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and hydrosalpinx incidence (0% vs. 80% in controls, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Elevated systemic and mucosal immunity were observed, including higher serum IgG (1:100-1:1600 dilutions, <i>p</i> < 0.05-0.01) and fecal IgA (<i>p</i> < 0.05-0.01). CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells exhibited increased IFN-γ (<i>p</i> < 0.01), while CD8⁺ T cells showed elevated TNF-α and IL-2 (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No colitis or significant gut microbiota disruption occurred post-immunization.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Rectal CM-pGP3S vaccination induces robust transmucosal immunity, protecting against genital <i>Chlamydia</i> infection and pathology without gastrointestinal adverse effects. This highlights its potential as a safe and effective mucosal vaccine strategy to combat CT genital tract infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1550455"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106443/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Can Chinese medicines affect diarrhea via effects of the intestinal microbiota on the renal-intestinal axis?","authors":"Xinhua Shu, Nenqun Xiao, Xue-Wei Ye, Maijiao Peng","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1593758","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1593758","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1593758"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106441/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Visual detection of Coxsackievirus A6 using a reverse transcription polymerase spiral reaction method.","authors":"Kun Wang, Yuanhang Ai, Juan Luo, Longying Liang, Weiwei Zhang, Guojun Cao, He Zha, Jie Wu, Kun Lei, Shifei Yao, Kaifeng Wu","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1563495","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1563495","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) ranks as a primary enterovirus associated with hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and herpangina (HA). Given its significant role in these diseases, there is an urgent need for an efficient identification method. This study presents a novel visual approach based on the reverse transcription polymerase spiral reaction (RT-PSR) for the rapid detection of CVA6. We designed an RT-PSR assay that targets and amplifies a segment of the VP1 gene. Hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB) is incorporated as the detection agent in this assay. To evaluate the performance of the RT-PSR assay, we analyzed 142 clinical throat swab samples. The results were benchmarked against those obtained using quantitative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (qRT - PCR). The RT-PSR assay operates at 65°C for 60 minutes and exhibits a detection limit of 10 copies/μL. When tested against other viruses, it consistently yielded negative results, demonstrating its high specificity. Moreover, the RT - PSR assay showed excellent agreement with a commercial qRT - PCR kit. In conclusion, by using HNB as an indicator, the RT - PSR assay emerges as a straightforward and highly sensitive method for detecting CVA6 in symptomatic throat samples. This approach holds great potential for improving the diagnosis and surveillance of CVA6 - related diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1563495"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106450/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Screening and identification of protein interacting with goose astrovirus.","authors":"Lingling Qian, Yuwei Liu, Xiaochun Wang, Shixing Yang, Likai Ji, Xiaopeng Sun, Jianqiang Wang, Tongling Shan, Wen Zhang, Quan Shen","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1595736","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1595736","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Goose Astrovirus (GoAstV), a recently identified member of the Astroviridae family in China, predominantly affects goslings, resulting in substantial economic losses to the goose farming industry due to its high infection and mortality rates. Currently, the infection mechanism and pathogenesis of GoAstV remain unknown.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Given this, the Viral Overlay Protein Blot Assay was utilized to identify and characterize proteins on the LMH (Leghorn Male Hepatoma) cell membrane that interact with Goose Astrovirus. The identities of the candidate proteins were determined via LC-MS mass spectrometry analysis, bioinformatics analysis, and UniProt database search. The interaction between HSPA5 and the astrovirus protein was further validated in vitro through Western blot and Coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Finally, bioinformatics tools such as SWISSMODEL, AlphaFold, and ZDOCK were employed to construct and analyze the docking complex model between the candidate protein and GoAstV protein, including their key binding residue sites.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We successfully identified a 70 kDa protein in the plasma membrane protein extracts of LMH cells and confirmed the identity of this candidate protein as HSPA5. Meanwhile, <i>in vitro</i> experiments further validated the interaction between HSPA5 and astrovirus proteins. Subsequently, we successfully predicted the docking complex model of HSPA5 protein with GoAstV protein. Further prediction of the binding residue sites revealed that seven residues of the GoAstV-P2 protein (THR124, ILE22, VAL24, TRP51, PRO66, GLN100, and VAL125) and twelve residues of the HSPA5 protein (ARG2, HIS3, LEU4, LEU6, ALA7, LEU8, LEU9, LEU10, LEU11, ASP411, VAL413, and LEU415) may be involved in the interaction between these two proteins.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our research results have preliminarily elucidated the interaction mechanisms between viral proteins and receptors, facilitating exploration from multiple angles of the roles of candidate protein in the process of GoAstV infecting host cells. This provides a theoretical basis for further identification of GoAstV receptors and clarification of its infection mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1595736"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106297/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The role of periostin (OSF-2) in the cytoadherence phenomena mediated by malaria parasites.","authors":"Zhi-Ying Phong, Joo-Yie Chin, Yee Ling Ng, Nurul Izza Zakaria, Siti Nur Athirah-Azman, Varakorn Kosaisavee, Laurent Rénia, Wenn-Chyau Lee","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1599872","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1599872","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>The pathogenesis of severe malaria is primarily attributed to the cytoadherence properties of <i>Plasmodium</i>-infected erythrocytes (IRBC), which include rosetting and IRBC-endothelial cytoadherence. These cytoadherence events are influenced by various parasite- and host-derived factors. Previously, antibodies against human periostin (OSF-2), an inflammation-associated protein, were reported to inhibit rosetting. In this study, we aimed to characterize the OSF-2-mediated cytoadherence in infections caused by <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> (the most fatal human malaria parasite) and <i>P. knowlesi</i> (an emerging, potentially fatal zoonotic malaria parasite).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Laboratory-adapted <i>P. falciparum</i> and <i>P. knowlesi</i> isolates were cultured, and the late-stage parasites were purified for experiments using recombinant human OSF-2.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that OSF-2 at a concentration of 200 ng/ml induced rosette-stimulation in both parasite species. Furthermore, we demonstrated the serum dependency of OSF-2-mediated rosetting. The rosette-stimulating effect of OSF-2 was completely abolished when IRBC were treated with a low concentration of trypsin. This suggests a role for <i>P. falciparum</i> erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) in OSF-2-mediated rosetting by <i>P. falciparum</i>, and reveals the trypsin-sensitive nature of the P. knowlesi-derived ligands involved in OSF-2-mediated rosetting. We also found that OSF-2-mediated rosetting was independent of the ABO blood group. Additionally, we demonstrated the ability of OSF-2 to disrupt the IRBC-endothelial binding.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This work contributes to our understanding of the host-parasite interactions in malaria pathobiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1599872"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106375/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the role of the upper respiratory tract microbiome in susceptibility and severity to COVID-19.","authors":"Otávio von Ameln Lovison, Fabiana Caroline Zempulski Volpato, Lorenzo Gómez Weber, Afonso Luis Barth, Adriana Simon Coitinho, Andreza Francisco Martins","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1531084","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1531084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is argued that commensal bacteria in the upper respiratory tract (URT) protect against pathogen colonization and infection, including respiratory viruses. Given that the microbiome can mediate immune modulation, a link between the URT microbiome (URTM) and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity is expected. This 16S metagenomics cross-sectional study assessed URTM composition, metabolic prediction, and association with laboratory biomarkers in non-COVID-19 pneumonia (NO-CoV), moderate (M-CoV), severe (S-CoV) COVID-19 patients, as well as COVID-19-negative, asymptomatic (NC) patients. The S-CoV group exhibited reduced URTM diversity, primarily due to a decreased abundance of eubiotic taxa. Some of these taxa (e.g., <i>Haemophilus</i> sp., <i>Neisseria</i> sp.) were also associated with inflammatory biomarkers. Multiple metabolic pathways (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, vitamin B12) linked to immune response, antiviral activity, and host susceptibility showed decreased abundance in S-CoV. These pathways could suggest potential alternatives for the therapeutic arsenal against COVID-19, providing reassurance about the progress in understanding and treating this disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1531084"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A pharmacovigilance study on probiotic preparations based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System from 2005 to 2023.","authors":"Yitong Wang, Weifu Tan, Xuyang Li, Guangli Yang, Yunxiao Wang, Jing Liao, Aner Lu, Guoqing Zhang, Kuidai Chen, Liling Yang, Wei Li","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1455735","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1455735","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Probiotics are recognized as beneficial foods, but adverse reactions reported by individuals still exist. This study aims to analysis adverse events (AE) related to probiotics from the FAERS database from the first quarter (Q1) of 2005 to the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2023.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The AE data related to probiotic from the 2005 Q1 to the 2023 Q4 were collected. R language was applied to analyze the standardized AE data and three algorithms including the reporting odds ratio (ROR), the proportional reporting ratio (PRR) and the empirical Bayes geometric mean (EBGM) were used to identify AE signals.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In this study, 10,698,312 reports were collected from the FAERS database, of which 74 probiotic-related adverse events were reported. About one third of the reported cases were older than 60 years.36.36% of the reported cases required Hospitalization. A total of 285 preference terms (PTS) and 15 system organ classes (SOC) were identified. In the overall analysis, only 9 PTs and 2 SOCs met significant disproportionality for all three algorithms simultaneously. SOCs included Gastrointestinal disorders (N=97, ROR=5.3, PRR=3.84, EBGM=3.84) and Hepatobiliary disorders (N=9, ROR =3.39, PRR=3.32, EBGM=3.32). PTs included Gastrointestinal pain (ROR=77.76, PRR=76.69, EBGM=76.63), Hypophagia (ROR=24.13, PRR=23.88, EBGM=28.88), and Hepatobiliary disorders (N=97, ROR=5.3, PRR=3.84, EBGM=3.84) and Flatulence (ROR=23.75, PRR=23.28, EBGM=23.27) were the top four highest. Meanwhile, s found new unique adverse signals such as Agitation (ROR=12.48, PRR=12.32, EBGM=12.32) and Anxiety (ROR=4.10, PRR=4.04, EBGM=4.04). Additionally, subgroup analyses were performed to identify AE signals based on gender and age. Metabolism and nutrition disorders (N=6, ROR=3.21, PRR=3.04, EBGM=3.04) and Asthenia (N=3, ROR=5.9, PRR=5.71, EBGM=5.71) were unique AE signal for the male group.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Although, the risk of adverse reactions arising from the application of probiotics cannot be ignored. However, However, the results of this FAERS-based study continue to support the overall safety of probiotic preparations. It is necessary to pay attention to the potential influence of factors such as gender and age on the effects and adverse reactions of probiotic application in basic research and clinical application.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1455735"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106448/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157819","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Study on the impact of COVID-19 epidemic and agent disease risk simulation model based on individual factors in Xi'an City.","authors":"Wen Dong, Henan Yao, Wei-Na Wang","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1547601","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1547601","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Since the first discovery and reporting of the COVID - 19 pandemic towards the end of 2019, the virus has rapidly propagated across the world. This has led to a remarkable spike in the number of infections. Even now, doubt lingers over whether it has completely disappeared. Moreover, the issue of restoring normal life while ensuring safety continues to be a crucial challenge that public health agencies and people globally are eager to tackle.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To thoroughly understand the epidemic's outbreak and transmission traits and formulate timely prevention measures to fully safeguard human lives and property, this paper presents an agent - based model incorporating individual - level factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The model designates Xi'an-where a characteristic disease outbreak occurred-as the research area. The simulation results demonstrate substantial consistency with official records, effectively validating the model's applicability, adaptability, and generalizability. This validated capacity enables accurate prediction of epidemic trends and comprehensive assessment of disease risks.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>From late 2021 to early 2022, it employs a one - to - one population simulation approach and simulates epidemic impacts and disease risks. Initially, using building statistical data in the study area, the model reconstructs the local real - world geographical environment. Leveraging data from the seventh national population census, it also replicates the study area's population characteristics. Next, the model takes into account population mobility, contact tracing, patient treatment, and the diagnostic burden of COVID - 19 - like influenza symptoms. It integrates epidemic transmission impact parameters into the model framework. Eventually, the model's results are compared with official data for validation, and it's applied to hypothetical scenarios. It provides scientific theoretical tools to support the implementation of government - driven prevention and control measures. Additionally, it facilitates the adjustment of individual behavioral guidelines, promoting more effective epidemic management.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1547601"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106320/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The intratumoral microbiota heterogenicity is related to the prognosis and tumorigenesis of cervical cancer.","authors":"Yi Guo, Yuhang Xiao, Changyi Zhang, Ying Wang, Guangxu Cao, Ka Yu Tse, Zhiqiang Han, Fang Li, Yong Zhi","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1574511","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1574511","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The intratumoral microbe-host interaction plays crucial role in the development of cancer. The microbiome can influence cancer development by modulating inflammation, immune responses and metabolic pathways. Therefore, we aim to delineate the landscape and role of intratumoral microbiota in cervical cancer (CC).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The presence of bacterial community in CC tissues was confirmed by fluorescence <i>in situ</i> hybridization (FISH). Then 16s rRNA and RNA-Seq were used to characterize the composition of intratumoral microbiota. Combined with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CESC) data from the Tumor Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), the clinical signatures of intratumoral microbiota and DEGs were further analyzed. Finally, the effect of the up-regulated Fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) expressed fragment peptide on the biological behavior of cancer was verified <i>in vitro.</i></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found the composition heterogeneity of bacteria in CC tumors. <i>Pseudomonas</i> was most highly enriched in CC tissues and grouped according to the relative abundance level. The clinical characteristics of patients with relatively high abundance of <i>Pseudomonas</i> had the higher levels of fibrinogen and lower levels of white blood cell (WBC) and albumin (ALB) expression. Combining transcriptome data from the two our collective CC and TCGA-CESC cohorts, we found that <i>Pseudomonas</i> abundance was significantly associated with fibrinogen beta peptide expression and worse overall survival in CC patients. <i>In vitro</i> experiment revealed that <i>Pseudomonas</i> could promote the proliferation and migration of cervical cancer cells through overexpression of FGB.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>We characterized the composition of the intratumoral microbiota in CC tissues and identified the most significantly differentially abundant bacteria between cancerous and non-cancerous tissues. Our findings provide novel insights into the relationship between intratumoral <i>Pseudomonas</i> and the tumorigenesis of CC. A deeper understanding of the tumor microenvironment and its associated microbiota may reveal new potential therapeutic targets and improve clinical outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1574511"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106397/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144156635","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Involvement of the <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-3 gene in emergence of a peculiar resistance phenotype in <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>.","authors":"Peishan Li, Leping Yan, Jingjie Song, Chengfeng Lin, Fangyin Zeng, Shihan Zeng","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1545157","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1545157","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>This study aimed to investigate the mechanism underlying a peculiar resistance phenotype in <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>, characterized by reduced susceptibility to cefepime compared to ceftazidime.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, plasmid conjugation experiments, whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatic analyses were employed to characterize the resistance phenotype and identify genetic determinants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 20 <i>K. pneumoniae</i> strains exhibiting peculiar resistance phenotypes were collected and analyzed. Ten distinct sequence types (STs) were identified, including ST25 (4/20), ST967 (3/20), ST65 (2/20), ST133 (2/20), ST48 (2/20), ST353 (1/20), ST628 (1/20), ST753 (1/20), ST792 (1/20), and ST254 (1/20). All strains were resistant to FEP (MIC₅₀ = 128 µg/mL) but not to CAZ (MIC₅₀ = 8 µg/mL). This resistance was primarily attributed to the presence of the <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-3 (14/20) and <i>bla</i> _OXA-10 (3/20). Conjugation experiments demonstrated that 5 out of 14 <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-3-positive <i>K. pneumoniae</i> strains successfully acquired transconjugants, which exhibited the same peculiar resistance phenotype. PCR analysis confirmed that the conjugates contained the IncFII plasmid. To further elucidate the genetic basis of the resistance phenotype, whole-genome long-read sequencing was performed on three <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-3-positive <i>K. pneumoniae</i> strains. The sequencing results confirmed that <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-3 was located on the IncFII plasmid, and analysis of its genetic environment revealed a frequent association with mobile genetic elements such as IS<i>26</i>, IS<i>Ecp1</i>, and Tn<i>3</i>.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The primary driver of this phenotype in <i>K. pneumoniae</i> is the presence of the IncFII plasmid carrying <i>bla</i> _CTX-M-3, which contrasts with the resistance mechanisms often reported in <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i> exhibiting similar phenotypes. This study emphasizes the critical role of plasmid-mediated resistance in the spread of multidrug resistance in <i>K. pneumoniae</i> and provides insights into strategies for combating resistance in these pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1545157"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106457/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157838","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}