Microbiology spectrum最新文献

{"title":"The predictive value of MUC5AC levels in the sputum of children with <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> pneumonia treated with fiberbronchoscopy.","authors":"Xiao-Qing Jian, Miao Li, Xiao-Yan Wang","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.00103-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.00103-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To investigate the predictive value of mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) levels in the sputum of children with <i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> pneumonia (MPP) treated with fiberbronchoscopy. Children with lobar MPP who were hospitalized in the pediatric pulmonary department of Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University from October 2022 to September 2023 were enrolled. The expression of MUC5AC in sputum was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Fiberbronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected, and MUC5AC and epidermal growth factor (EGF) levels in BALF were detected by ELISA, followed by retrospective analysis of the clinical and laboratory test data from each group. The risk factors for fiberbronchoscopy treatment in children with lobar MPP were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, a nomogram model created, and a receiver operating characteristic curve drawn. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that increased MUC5AC in sputum, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), IgM levels in serum, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) were risk factors for requiring fiberbronchoscopy treatment in children with lobar MPP (<i>P</i> < 0.05); the MUC5AC level in sputum had the highest predictive value (AUC = 0.806). The level of MUC5AC in sputum positively correlated with the levels of LDH, C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and NLR in serum, and the level of MUC5AC in sputum correlated with the levels of MUC5AC and EGF in BALF in each group. Increased sputum MUC5AC levels, and serum LDH, IgM, and NLR in children with lobar MPP are risk factors for requiring fiberbronchoscopy treatment, and sputum MUC5AC level has superior predictive value to predict the necessity of fiberbronchoscopy treatment to remove a mucus plug.IMPORTANCE<i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> is a common pathogen of pneumonia in children, and some severely affected children are accompanied by mucus plugs. The level of MUC5AC has important predictive value for mucus hypersecretion. To develop a means of predicting airway mucus secretion in children as early as possible when fiberbronchoscopy could be used to clear airway mucus plugs and reduce sequelae, this article analyzed the risk factors for fiberbronchoscopy treatment in children with lobar <i>M. pneumoniae</i> pneumonia (MPP). We identified that the level of MUC5AC in sputum positively correlated with the levels of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), D-dimer, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in serum and the levels of MUC5AC and EGF in BALF of the children with lobar MPP. Increased sputum MUC5AC levels, and serum LDH, IgM, and NLR in children with lobar MPP are risk factors for requiring fiberbronchoscopy treatment, and sputum MUC5AC level has superior predictive value to predict the necessity of fiberbronchoscopy treatment to remove a mucus plug.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0010325"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144540933","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Elevation-dependent shifts in soil phosphorus forms and phosphorus-solubilizing microbial diversity suggest enhanced bioavailable phosphorus cycling with rising temperatures.","authors":"Chuifan Zhou, Xingjian Dun, Qian Tang, Yuntian Long, Jing Du, Mingzhuo Bao","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.01300-24","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.01300-24","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Phosphorus is a crucial nutrient for plant growth, primarily found as insoluble phosphates in soil. The impact of climate change on the phosphorus cycle, particularly through geochemical cycling in forest soils, is underexplored. To address this gap, we investigated soil phosphorus distribution across five elevation gradients in different forest types using the modified Hedley fractionation method and high-throughput sequencing to assess phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs). Our study included evergreen broadleaf forest, coniferous and broadleaf mixed forest, coniferous forest, subalpine dwarf forest, and alpine meadow. We observed that with increasing elevation, organic phosphorus forms such as NaOH-Po and HCl-Po significantly increased, while H&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O-Po and NaHCO&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;-Po varied, peaking in specific forest types. The proportion of labile phosphorus decreased with elevation, whereas stable phosphorus increased. Soil PSM diversity was highest in lower elevations and declined with altitude, with significant shifts in dominant PSM groups across vegetation types. PSMs analysis revealed correlations between specific phosphorus forms and microbial taxa, indicating that elevation and vegetation type influence PSM diversity and phosphorus form distribution. The differences in soil conditions between low and high elevations present distinct characteristics: rapid mineral weathering and organic matter decomposition occur at lower elevations, while higher elevations exhibit higher total phosphorus content but a lower proportion of labile phosphorus. These distinctions open avenues for future research on adaptive strategies for phosphorus management in agriculture and forestry across different altitudes. These findings suggest that rising temperatures may enhance PSM diversity, potentially increasing the proportion of bioavailable phosphorus and accelerating its cycle in forest ecosystems.IMPORTANCEThis study provides critical insights into how climate change influences soil phosphorus cycling in forest ecosystems. By examining the distribution of phosphorus forms and the diversity of phosphorus-solubilizing microorganisms (PSMs) across different elevation gradients, we uncover how varying environmental conditions affect phosphorus availability. Our findings reveal that higher elevations, despite having increased total phosphorus content, exhibit reduced bioavailable phosphorus. This suggests that climate change, particularly rising temperatures, could enhance PSM diversity at lower elevations, potentially increasing phosphorus bioavailability and accelerating its cycle. These insights are crucial for developing adaptive phosphorus management strategies in agriculture and forestry, ensuring sustainable nutrient supply and improving ecosystem resilience in the face of global climate change. Understanding these dynamics helps predict future soil fertility patterns, aiding in the formulation of policies and practices aimed at mainta","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0130024"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144591778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Rare bacterial subcommunity drives nutrient cycling in phyllosphere habitat of evergreen conifers.","authors":"Bing Li, Mingyang Fu, Guangze Jin, Zhili Liu","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.00518-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.00518-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Phyllosphere bacteria are crucial for pathogen resistance, stress tolerance, and productivity maintenance of host plants and further have potential effects on ecosystem functions. However, whether and how assembly patterns of both abundant and rare subcommunities changed across needle age cohorts, and their relative contributions to nutrient cycling in phyllosphere habitat of evergreen conifers are still unclear. Here, we examined both phyllosphere abundant and rare bacterial subcommunities in three needle age cohorts of the representative evergreen conifers in mixed broadleaved-Korean pine forests throughout Northeast China. We found that dispersal limitation and ecological drift dominated abundant and rare subcommunities, respectively. Deterministic assembly gradually increased with needle aging, which was mainly attributed to the increased needle chemical defense traits such as flavonoids. We further showed that multiple nutrient cycling in phyllosphere habitat was regulated by the rare subcommunity, closely related to the variations in diversity and composition. Collectively, our findings facilitate us in clarifying the mechanisms underlying the formation and succession of phyllosphere bacterial subcommunities across needle age cohorts and emphasize the vital role of rare subcommunities in promoting ecosystem functions.</p><p><strong>Importance: </strong>Host-associated microbial communities are critical for host health. However, the relative importance of abundant and rare subcommunities in driving nutrient cycling in phyllosphere habitat across needle age cohorts of evergreen conifers remains unknown. Here, we showed the different assembly mechanisms of abundant and rare subcommunities and emphasized the ecological role of rare subcommunities in promoting ecosystem functions. This is useful for understanding the formation and succession dynamics of plant microbiome to advance future applications with microbial agents to sustainable productivity and reduce diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0051825"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144637628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> \"mutator\" strain with a high rate of genetic mutations assists the elucidation of drug resistance mechanisms.","authors":"Yumiko Saito-Nakano, Shinji Izumiyama, Makoto Hirai, Tetsuro Kawano-Sugaya, Ghulam Jeelani, Sanjib K Sardar, Sandipan Ganguly, Tomoyoshi Nozaki","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.01210-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.01210-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In drug discovery, target identification and elucidation of resistance mechanisms are essential. The pathogen strains resistant to a compound of interest are useful for these purposes. As the generation of drug-resistant strains is time-consuming and often burdensome, we generated the <i>Entamoeba histolytica</i> strain with a high accumulation rate of genetic mutations by introducing proofreading-deficient, error-prone DNA polymerase δ mutant gene under the regulation of a tetracycline-regulatable promoter. We validated this \"mutator\" strain by showing higher genetic mutations accumulated during <i>in vitro</i> passage and, as a proof of concept, by identifying genes and their mutations responsible for resistance against miltefosine. Whole-genome analyses of the mutator strain after 12, 33, and 66 weeks of cultivation in the presence of tetracycline revealed that mutations accumulated in a time-dependent fashion, and the mutation rate of the mutator strain was approximately 60-fold higher than the mock control strain. The highly miltefosine-resistant irreversible clones were isolated from mutator-66 weeks but not from mutator-12 weeks. Whole-genome sequencing analysis of the three miltefosine highly-resistant clones identified shared mutations in three candidate genes potentially responsible for miltefosine resistance. Among them, a mutation in P4-ATPase (EHI_096620^N417K) was worth noting, as mutations in this gene have previously been implicated in miltefosine resistance in <i>Leishmania</i> and <i>Saccharomyces</i>. We further demonstrated that exogenous expression of EHI_096620^N417K (P4-ATPase) and EHI_035500^N182I (kinase) confers miltefosine resistance. The <i>E. histolytica</i> mutator is a powerful tool for elucidating resistance mechanisms and potentially the modes of action of existing and future drugs against amebiasis.</p><p><strong>Importance: </strong>The protozoan parasite <i>E. histolytica</i> causes invasive amebiasis that is endemic in developing countries and is characterized by dysentery and liver abscesses. Metronidazole is the first-line therapeutic drug that has been used for a decade, although several adverse effects were well-documented and the risk of resistance was experimentally demonstrated. The development of alternative drugs with different modes of action is a prerequisite for future amebiasis control. To this end, elucidation of the mechanism of action and resistance of potential new antiamebic compounds is important but often challenging. To assist the process, we developed \"mutator\" with a high genetic mutation rate by exploitation of low-fidelity error-prone DNA polymerase δ. This genome-wide random mutagenesis system demonstrated in this study has many potentials, including rapid identification of mutations associated with resistance against new therapeutic candidates.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0121025"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144275335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fungi under fire: diagnostic capacities and antifungal availability in Peruvian healthcare facilities.","authors":"Julio Maquera-Afaray, Luis E Cuéllar, Oliver A Cornely, Jon Salmanton-García","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.02020-24","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.02020-24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Invasive fungal infections (IFI) are a significant global health issue, affecting an estimated 7 million people annually, with around 3 million deaths. In Peru, IFIs are estimated to affect about 2% of the population. Underdiagnosis due to the limited sensitivity of diagnostic tests underestimates the true burden. This study evaluates the diagnostic capabilities of mycology laboratories and the availability of antifungal treatments in Peruvian healthcare facilities to identify gaps and improve IFI management. An observational, cross-sectional study was conducted online targeting physicians involved in IFI management across multiple centers in Peru, from April 2023 to April 2024. The survey covered institutional profiles, incidence and perceived relevance of IFI, diagnostic tools, and access to antifungal drugs. Fifty-four centers from 21/24 departments (Peruvian term for regions) in Peru participated. All centers reported a low to moderate IFI incidence. <i>Candida</i> spp. was the most concerning pathogen (93%), followed by <i>Aspergillus</i> spp. and <i>Cryptococcus</i> spp. (57% each). Diagnostic methods like microscopy were universally used (100%), while culture-based diagnosis was available in 90% of centers. Access to advanced diagnostics for species identification varied, with better availability in the capital (91%) compared to regions (64%). Antibody detection tests were available in 30% of centers, mostly in the capital area. Antigen detection tests were available in 46% of institutions, with significant regional disparities. Imaging techniques were widely used, but surgical access varied. Triazoles were the most accessible antifungals (96%), while echinocandins and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) were significantly limited (37% and 2%, respectively). The study highlights disparities in the availability of advanced diagnostics and antifungals in Peru. Despite universal use of microscopy, access to species identification, antibody, and antigen detection tests is limited outside the capital. Ensuring equitable access to these resources and implementing therapeutic drug monitoring are crucial for improving IFI management in Peru.IMPORTANCEInvasive fungal infections are a critical yet often underrecognized public health issue, particularly in countries with diverse climates like Peru. Limited access to advanced diagnostic tools and antifungal treatments creates significant barriers to effective management, contributing to underdiagnosis and delayed care. Our study provides an in-depth evaluation of current diagnostic capabilities and drug availability for IFI across Peru, uncovering geographic disparities and resource gaps that affect patient outcomes. This research highlights the urgent need for policy reforms aimed at enhancing laboratory infrastructure and access to antifungal therapies, ultimately improving IFI management and reducing mortality in Peru and similar regions globally.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0202024"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144333464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Oral delivery of GLP-1 peptide using recombinant <i>Lactobacillus gasseri</i> for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus.","authors":"Zhiqiang Ke, Qianqian Ma, Xiaonan Ye, Yan Jin, Yanlin Wang, Xinyuan Zhao, Zhengding Su","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.02828-24","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.02828-24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an effective therapeutic peptide for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Here, we constructed an effective probiotic-based oral GLP-1 delivery system by engineering the probiotic strain of <i>Lactobacillus gasseri</i> (<i>Lgs</i>^GPA) to secrete GLP-1 fusion peptide, which combines GLP-1 with protein transduction domain (PTD) and a serum albumin binding peptide (ABP), GLP-1-PTD-ABP (GPA). The supernatants of <i>Lgs</i>^GPA cultures significantly upregulated the expression of PDX-1 and stimulated insulin release in Min6 cells. Daily oral administration of <i>Lgs</i>^GPA in <i>db/db</i> mice significantly alleviated insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Simultaneously, the abundance of <i>unclassified_f_Erysipelotrichaceae</i> and <i>Intestinimonas</i> was significantly reduced in <i>db/db</i> mice, while the average abundance of <i>Akkermansia</i> increased in the SD rats. These findings demonstrate that the probiotic-based delivery system represents a versatile and effective strategy for the oral administration of therapeutic peptides. Collectively, our results highlight the potential of this probiotic-based approach as a promising therapeutic and preventive intervention for T2DM.IMPORTANCEIt is important to develop the oral delivery strategy for therapeutic peptides. Due to issues with patient adherence and the low oral bioavailability of current administration methods, researchers have been exploring oral delivery strategies for GLP-1 analogs for many years, including the use of advanced microbiome therapeutics (AMTs). AMTs offer the potential to use engineered microbes for innovative therapeutic applications, such as the oral delivery of GLP-1 analogs. Our approaches offer a general oral delivery strategy for therapeutic peptides. The probiotic-based approach represents a promising method for treating and preventing T2DM.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0282824"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144326197","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From hemorrhage to apoptosis: understanding the devastating impact of ASFV on piglets.","authors":"Fanghua Xu, Ning Li, Yue Xue, Zhenru Wang, Zheng Fang, Hui An, Sidang Liu, Changjiang Weng, Li Huang, Gang Wang","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.02902-24","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.02902-24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>African swine fever (ASF) is a devastating swine infectious disease that poses a serious threat to the global swine industry. Since ASF was first reported in China in 2018, this disease has caused significant economic losses in China. To characterize the histopathological changes induced by ASF virus (ASFV) in pigs and elucidate its pathogenic mechanism, this study used the ASFV HLJ/18 strain to infect specific pathogen-free piglets. The thymus, bone marrow, spleen, tonsil, lymph node, heart, liver, lung, and kidney were collected within the tenth day post-infection for histopathology, immunohistochemistry (IHC), TdT-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling, and Martius Scarlet Blue staining tests. The results showed that ASFV was widely distributed in various organs. Hemorrhage, cellular degeneration, and necrosis were observed in all examined organs, accompanied by a significant loss of lymphocytes in the immune organs, along with a large number of necrotic and apoptotic cells. Indirect immunofluorescence assay and IHC further showed that ASFV can infect monocytes and macrophages, epithelial cells, and hepatocytes. Apoptosis was prominently observed, particularly in lymphocytes within the immune organs, but it is worth noting that ASFV induced apoptosis in many different cell types in addition to lymphocytes. Furthermore, fibrin was observed in the blood vessels of multiple tissues, which may be associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation. These results demonstrate that the ASFV HLJ/18 strain was highly pathogenic to piglets, leading to severe pathological damage. This study provides valuable insights for deeply analyzing the pathogenicity mechanisms of ASFV.</p><p><strong>Importance: </strong>Since African swine fever (ASF) first appeared in China in 2018, it has seriously jeopardized the healthy development of China's swine industry and caused huge economic losses. The characteristic of ASF is extensive hemorrhage in the organs, accompanied by immune suppression in the infected pigs. This study examined the damage caused by the virus and related mechanisms in histopathology and immunopathology. ASFV targets the macrophages, induces massive cell necrosis, and the formation of vascular microthrombi in multiple systems, leading to severe tissue damage and high mortality. Additionally, apoptosis and necrosis occurring in immune organs lead to an imbalance in the number and proportion of lymphocytes, further developing immune suppression. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive insight into the immunopathology of ASFV infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0290224"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144608671","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Isolation, characterization, and genomic analysis of a novel phage WSPA with lytic activity against <i>Serratia marcescens</i>.","authors":"Lijuan Li, Kunkun Li, Yu Mi, Xiumei Wu, Youhong Zhong, Chenggui Zhang, Peng Wang, Hairong Zhao","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.02716-24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.02716-24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Serratia marcescens</i> is an established pathogen implicated in hospital-acquired infections and is notorious for its propensity to form biofilms on medical devices, leading to persistent environmental contamination and increased infection risks. Addressing this challenge, our study introduces a novel bacteriophage, Weishan phage (WSPA), isolated from the gut of <i>Periplaneta americana</i> L., exhibiting potent activity against multidrug-resistant strains of <i>S. marcescens</i>. Through comprehensive genomic and proteomic characterization, we classified phage WSPA as a member of the genus <i>Muldoonvirus</i> within the class <i>Caudoviricetes</i>. The WSPA phage has a double-stranded DNA genome of 173,655 base pairs and a GC content of 40.09%. Of the 273 open reading frames identified, 124 encode for proteins with recognized functions in the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) database, while the remaining 149 are of unknown function. Additionally, we identified six tRNA genes and did not identify any virulence or antibiotic resistance genes. However, given the presence of numerous hypothetical genes with unknown functions, this phage may possess certain therapeutic safety potential, though additional research validation is still required. Comparative genomic analysis revealed that WSPA shares 86.92% sequence identity with the known <i>Serratia phage 4S</i> (MW082584.1). We further assessed the phage's one-step growth characteristics, thermal and pH stability, and determined its host range, which are critical for its application in environmental and clinical settings. Our findings suggest that bacteriophage WSPA could serve as an eco-friendly and effective agent in controlling <i>S. marcescens</i> infections, with promising implications for phage therapy and biocontrol in healthcare environments.IMPORTANCEThis study isolated a novel phage, WSPA, from <i>Periplaneta americana</i> L. gut that specifically targets multidrug-resistant <i>Serratia marcescens</i>. Genomic analysis identified WSPA as a new Muldoonvirus member lacking virulence/resistance genes. With excellent stability and lytic activity, WSPA shows potential for hospital infection control. As the first phage isolated from the cockroach gut, this work expands phage resources and supports medicinal insect phage library development, advancing phage therapy and biocontrol applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0271624"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144784850","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Metabolites derived from bacterial isolates of the human skin microbiome inhibit <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> biofilm formation.","authors":"Viet Hoang Le, Tetyana King, Breanna Wuerzberger, Olivia R Bauer, Megan N Carver, Tiffany S Chan, Annabeth L Henson, Grace K Hubbard, Tamar Kopadze, Claire F Patterson, Sabrina M McGraw, Aidan O'Hara, Eryk J Yarkosky, Michael G LaMontagne, Eileen M Hotze, Rosana B R Ferreira","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.01306-25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1128/spectrum.01306-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The human skin microbiome is a diverse ecosystem that can help prevent infections by producing biomolecules and peptides that inhibit growth and virulence of bacterial pathogens. <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a major human pathogen responsible for diseases that range from acute skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening septicemia. Its ability to form biofilms is a key virulence factor contributing to its success as a pathogen as well as to its increased antimicrobial resistance. Here, we investigated the ability of bacterial skin commensals to produce molecules that inhibit <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm formation. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identified 77 human skin microbiome bacterial isolates from <i>Staphylococcus</i> and <i>Bacillus</i> genera. Metabolites from cell-free concentrated media (CFCM) from 26 representative isolates were evaluated for their ability to inhibit biofilm formation by both methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive (MSSA) <i>S. aureus</i> strains. CFCM, derived from most of the isolates, inhibited biofilm formation to varying extents but did not inhibit planktonic growth of <i>S. aureus</i>. Size fractionation of the CFCM of three <i>S</i>. <i>epidermidis</i> isolates indicated that they produce different bioactive molecules. Cluster analysis, based on either MALDI-TOF mass spectra or whole-genome sequencing draft genomes, did not show clear clusters associated with levels of biofilm inhibition among <i>S. epidermidis</i> strains. Finally, similar biosynthetic gene clusters were detected in all <i>S. epidermidis</i> strains analyzed. These findings indicate that several bacterial constituents of the human skin microbiome display antibiofilm <i>in vitro</i> activity, warranting further investigation on their potential as novel therapeutic agents.</p><p><strong>Importance: </strong>The skin is constantly exposed to the environment and consequently to numerous pathogens. The bacterial community that colonizes healthy skin is thought to play an important role in protecting us against infections. <i>S. aureus</i> is a leading cause of death worldwide and is frequently involved in several types of infections, including skin and soft tissue infections. Its ability to adhere to surfaces and produce biofilms is considered an important virulence factor. Here, we analyzed the activity of different species of bacteria isolated from healthy skin on <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm formation. We found that some species of <i>Staphylococcus</i> and <i>Bacillus</i> can reduce <i>S. aureus</i> biofilm formation, although a generally lower level of inhibitory activity was observed compared to <i>S. epidermidis</i> isolates. Among <i>S. epidermidis</i> isolates, strength of activity was dependent on the strain. Our data highlight the importance of mining the skin microbiome for isolates that could help combat skin pathogens.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0130625"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144784851","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Different effects of plasmids harboring <i>bla</i>_OXA-232 between major and minor clones in <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>.","authors":"Yun Young Cho, Hyun Woo Kim, Si Ho Kim, Yu Mi Wi, Kwan Soo Ko","doi":"10.1128/spectrum.02126-24","DOIUrl":"10.1128/spectrum.02126-24","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigated the differing impact of introducing the globally reported <i>bla</i>_OXA-232-harboring ColE-type plasmid on the plasmid stability, competitiveness, virulence, and gene expression of <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> transconjugants from major high-risk genotypes (ST11, ST15, and ST307) compared to minor genotypes. Plasmid transformation was performed with electroporation. The carbapenem resistance, plasmid stability, competitive fitness, and virulence were assessed through antibiotic susceptibility profiling, plasmid stability, competition assay, human serum resistance assay, and quantitative real-time PCR. Consistent plasmid stability was evident across all genotypes and nutrient conditions tested following the introduction of the plasmid. <i>K. pneumoniae</i> transconjugants from major clones demonstrated increased competitiveness and virulence compared to their wild-type counterparts, while those from minor clones did not. Increased expression of the virulence-associated <i>fimH</i> gene was observed only in the transconjugants from the major clones. These results highlight a complex interplay between plasmids and bacterial hosts and explain why specific clones producing carbapenemase are frequently observed globally.</p><p><strong>Importance: </strong>OXA-232 is a variant of OXA-48-like carbapenemase, exhibiting high hydrolytic activity against penicillin and weak activity against carbapenems. It was associated with widespread dissemination of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae including <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i>. Particularly, it has been identified that high-risk clones (ST11 and ST15) of <i>K. pneumoniae</i> frequently harbor the plasmid with <i>bla</i>_OXA-232, that is, ColE-type plasmid. In this study, it is revealed that <i>K. pneumoniae</i> of high-risk clones with ColE-type plasmid harboring <i>bla</i>_OXA-232 showed an increase in competitiveness and virulence. It may explain why certain carbapenemase-producing clones are widespread worldwide, emphasizing the need to focus on coping with antibiotic resistance.</p>","PeriodicalId":18670,"journal":{"name":"Microbiology spectrum","volume":" ","pages":"e0212624"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144275343","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}