Pathogens and disease最新文献

{"title":"A suitable and efficient optimization system for the culture of Chlamydia trachomatis in adult inclusion conjunctivitis.","authors":"Yuan Wei, Xizhan Xu, Leying Wang, Qiankun Chen, Jinsong Li, Xiafei Liu, Zhenyu Wei, Jinding Pang, Yan Peng, Xiaoyan Guo, Zhen Cheng, Zhiqun Wang, Yang Zhang, Kexin Chen, Xinxin Lu, Qingfeng Liang","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae020","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the genitourinary tract is increasing, with an annual rise of 9 million cases. Individuals afflicted with these infections are at a heightened risk of developing adult inclusive conjunctivitis (AIC), which is commonly recognized as the ocular manifestation of this sexually transmitted infection. Despite its significant clinical implications, the lack of distinctive symptoms and the overlap with other ocular conditions often lead to underdiagnosis or misdiagnosis of AIC associated with C. trachomatis infection. Here, we established six distinct C. trachomatis culture cell lines, specifically highlighting the MA104 N*V cell line that exhibited diminished expression of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), resulting in reduced interferons. Infected MA104 N*V cells displayed the highest count of intracytoplasmic inclusions detected through immunofluorescence staining, peaking at 48 h postinfection. Subsequently, MA104 N*V cells were employed for clinical screening in adult patients diagnosed with AIC. Among the evaluated cohort of 20 patients, quantitative PCR (qPCR) testing revealed positive results in seven individuals, indicating the presence of C. trachomatis infection. Furthermore, the MA104 N*V cell cultures derived from these infected patients demonstrated successful cultivation and replication of the pathogen, confirming its viability and infectivity. Molecular genotyping identified four distinct urogenital serovars, with serovar D being the most prevalent (4/7), followed by E (1/7), F (1/7), and Ia (1/7). This novel cellular model contributes to studies on C. trachomatis pathogenesis, molecular mechanisms, and host-pathogen interactions both in vitro and in vivo. It also aids in acquiring clinically relevant strains critical for advancing diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines against C. trachomatis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407439/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142110550","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Effects of prime-boost strategies on the protective efficacy and immunogenicity of a PLGA (85:15)-encapsulated Chlamydia recombinant MOMP nanovaccine.","authors":"Rajnish Sahu, Richa Verma, Timothy E Egbo, Guillermo H Giambartolomei, Shree R Singh, Vida A Dennis","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae004","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>To begin to optimize the immunization routes for our reported PLGA-rMOMP nanovaccine [PLGA-encapsulated Chlamydia muridarum (Cm) recombinant major outer membrane protein (rMOMP)], we compared two prime-boost immunization strategies [subcutaneous (SC) and intramuscular (IM-p) prime routes followed by two SC-boosts)] to evaluate the nanovaccine-induced protective efficacy and immunogenicity in female BALB/c mice. Our results showed that mice immunized via the SC and IM-p routes were protected against a Cm genital challenge by a reduction in bacterial burden and with fewer bacteria in the SC mice. Protection of mice correlated with rMOMP-specific Th1 (IL-2 and IFN-γ) and not Th2 (IL-4, IL-9, and IL-13) cytokines, and CD4+ memory (CD44highCD62Lhigh) T-cells, especially in the SC mice. We also observed higher levels of IL-1α, IL-6, IL-17, CCL-2, and G-CSF in SC-immunized mice. Notably, an increase of cytokines/chemokines was seen after the challenge in the SC, IM-p, and control mice (rMOMP and PBS), suggesting a Cm stimulation. In parallel, rMOMP-specific Th1 (IgG2a and IgG2b) and Th2 (IgG1) serum, mucosal, serum avidity, and neutralizing antibodies were more elevated in SC than in IM-p mice. Overall, the homologous SC prime-boost immunization of mice induced enhanced cellular and antibody responses with better protection against a genital challenge compared to the heterologous IM-p.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11186516/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141306501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Restriction and evasion: a review of IFNγ-mediated cell-autonomous defense pathways during genital Chlamydia infection.","authors":"Jeffrey R Reitano, Jörn Coers","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae019","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common cause of bacterial sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the USA. As an STI, C. trachomatis infections can cause inflammatory damage to the female reproductive tract and downstream sequelae including infertility. No vaccine currently exists to C. trachomatis, which evades sterilizing immune responses in its human host. A better understanding of this evasion will greatly benefit the production of anti-Chlamydia therapeutics and vaccination strategies. This minireview will discuss a single branch of the immune system, which activates in response to genital Chlamydia infection: so-called \"cell-autonomous immunity\" activated by the cytokine interferon-gamma. We will also discuss the mechanisms by which human and mouse-adapted Chlamydia species evade cell-autonomous immune responses in their native hosts. This minireview will examine five pathways of host defense and their evasion: (i) depletion of tryptophan and other nutrients, (ii) immunity-related GTPase-mediated defense, (iii) production of nitric oxide, (iv) IFNγ-induced cell death, and (v) RNF213-mediated destruction of inclusions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11407441/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142110551","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Coxiella burnetii protein CBU2016 supports CCV expansion.","authors":"David R Thomas, Sarah E Garnish, Chen Ai Khoo, Bhavna Padmanabhan, Nichollas E Scott, Hayley J Newton","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae018","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae018","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coxiella burnetii is a globally distributed obligate intracellular pathogen. Although often asymptomatic, infections can cause acute Q fever with influenza-like symptoms and/or severe chronic Q fever. Coxiella burnetii develops a unique replicative niche within host cells called the Coxiella-containing vacuole (CCV), facilitated by the Dot/Icm type IV secretion system translocating a cohort of bacterial effector proteins into the host. The role of some effectors has been elucidated; however, the actions of the majority remain enigmatic and the list of true effectors is disputable. This study examined CBU2016, a unique C. burnetii protein previously designated as an effector with a role in infection. We were unable to validate CBU2016 as a translocated effector protein. Employing targeted knock-out and complemented strains, we found that the loss of CBU2016 did not cause a replication defect within Hela, THP-1, J774, or iBMDM cells or in axenic media, nor did it affect the pathogenicity of C. burnetii in the Galleria mellonella infection model. The absence of CBU2016 did, however, result in a consistent decrease in the size of CCVs in HeLa cells. These results suggest that although CBU2016 may not be a Dot/Icm effector, it is still able to influence the host environment during infection.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.7,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11352601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141976306","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence of human respiratory pathogens and associated mucosal cytokine levels in young children and adults: a cross-sectional observational study in the Netherlands during the winter of 2012/2013.","authors":"Puck B van Kasteren, Anne T Gelderloos, Mioara Alina Nicolaie, Gerco den Hartog, Marloes Vissers, Willem Luytjes, Nynke Y Rots, Josine van Beek","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae010","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Respiratory pathogens can cause severe disease and even death, especially in the very young and very old. Studies investigating their prevalence often focus on individuals presenting to healthcare providers with symptoms. However, the design of prevention strategies, e.g. which target groups to vaccinate, will benefit from knowledge on the prevalence of, risk factors for and host response to these pathogens in the general population. In this study, upper respiratory samples (n = 1311) were collected cross-sectionally during winter from 11- and 24-month old children, their parents, and adults ≥60 years of age that were recruited irrespective of seeking medical care. Almost all children, approximately two-thirds of parents and a quarter of older adults tested positive for at least one pathogen, often in the absence of symptoms. Viral interference was evident for the combination of rhinovirus and respiratory syncytial virus. Attending childcare facilities and having siblings associated with increased pathogen counts in children. On average, children showed increased levels of mucosal cytokines compared to parents and especially proinflammatory molecules associated with the presence of symptoms. These findings may guide further research into transmission patterns of respiratory pathogens and assist in determining the most appropriate strategies for the prediction and prevention of disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11132126/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140877023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In vitro effects of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on Cryptococcus gattii capsule and biofilm.","authors":"Letícia Rampazzo da Gama Viveiro, Amanda Rodrigues Rehem, Evelyn Luzia De Souza Santos, Paulo Henrique Fonseca do Carmo, Juliana Campos Junqueira, Liliana Scorzoni","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae001","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Infections caused by Cryptococcus gattii mainly affect immunocompetent individuals and the treatment presents important limitations. This study aimed to validate the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), fluoxetine hydrochloride (FLH), and paroxetine hydrochloride (PAH) in vitro against C. gattii. The antifungal activity of SSRI using the microdilution method revealed a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 31.25 µg/ml. The combination of FLH or PAH with amphotericin B (AmB) was analyzed using the checkerboard assay and the synergistic effect of SSRI in combination with AmB was able to reduce the SSRI or AmB MIC values 4-8-fold. When examining the effect of SSRI on the induced capsules, we observed that FLH and PAH significantly decreased the size of C. gattii capsules. In addition, the effects of FLH and PAH were evaluated in biofilm biomass and viability. The SSRI were able to reduce biofilm biomass and biofilm viability. In conclusion, our results indicate the use of FLH and PAH exhibited in vitro anticryptococcal activity, representing a possible future alternative for the cryptococcosis treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10849314/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139417687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Macrophage pyroptosis induced by Candida albicans.","authors":"Feng-Yuan Zhang, Ni Lian, Min Li","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae003","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Candida albicans (C. albicans) is a prevalent opportunistic pathogen that causes mucocutaneous and systemic infections, particularly in immunocompromised individuals. Macrophages play a crucial role in eliminating C. albicans in local and bloodstream contexts, while also regulating antifungal immune responses. However, C. albicans can induce macrophage lysis through pyroptosis, a type of regulated cell death. This process can enable C. albicans to escape from immune cells and trigger the release of IL-1β and IL-18, which can impact both the host and the pathogen. Nevertheless, the mechanisms by which C. albicans triggers pyroptosis in macrophages and the key factors involved in this process remain unclear. In this review, we will explore various factors that may influence or trigger pyroptosis in macrophages induced by C. albicans, such as hypha, ergosterol, cell wall remodeling, and other virulence factors. We will also examine the possible immune response following macrophage pyroptosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11162155/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140158685","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Interplay between gut microbiota and the master iron regulator, hepcidin, in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis.","authors":"Sara Ahmadi Badi, Ahmad Bereimipour, Pejman Rohani, Shohreh Khatami, Seyed Davar Siadat","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftae005","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftae005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>There is a proven role for hepcidin and the composition of gut microbiota and its derivatives in the pathophysiology of liver fibrosis.</p><p><strong>Area covered: </strong>This review focuses on the literature search regarding the effect of hepcidin and gut microbiota on regulating liver physiology. We presented the regulating mechanisms of hepcidin expression and discussed the possible interaction between gut microbiota and hepcidin regulation. Furthermore, we investigated the importance of the hepcidin gene in biological processes and bacterial interactions using bioinformatics analysis.</p><p><strong>Expert opinion: </strong>One of the main features of liver fibrosis is iron accumulation in hepatic cells, including hepatocytes. This accumulation can induce an oxidative stress response, inflammation, and activation of hepatic stellate cells. Hepcidin is a crucial regulator of iron by targeting ferroportin expressed on hepatocytes, macrophages, and enterocytes. Various stimuli, such as iron load and inflammatory signals, control hepcidin regulation. Furthermore, a bidirectional relationship exists between iron and the composition and metabolic activity of gut microbiota. We explored the potential of gut microbiota to influence hepcidin expression and potentially manage liver fibrosis, as the regulation of iron metabolism plays a crucial role in this context.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2024-02-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10990161/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140330054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The potential role of Protein disulfide isomerases (PDIs) during parasitic infections: A focus on Leishmania spp.","authors":"Majid Dousti, Masoumeh Hosseinpour, Nadia DarestaniGhasemi, Hosna Mirfakhraee, Shahin Keshtkar Rajabi, Sajad Rashidi, Gholamreza Hatam","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftad032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1093/femspd/ftad032","url":null,"abstract":"Leishmaniasis is a group of vector-borne diseases caused by intracellular protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Leishmania. Leishmania parasites can employ different and numerous sophisticated strategies including modulating host proteins, cell signaling, and cell responses by parasite proteins to change the infected host conditions to favor the parasite persistence and induce pathogenesis. In this sense, Protein Disulfide Isomerases (PDIs) have been described as crucial proteins that can be modulated during leishmaniasis and affect the pathogenesis process. The effect of modulated PDIs can be investigated in both aspects, parasite-PDIs, and infected host cells-PDIs, during infection. The information concerning PDIs is not sufficient in parasitology; however, this study aimed to provide data regarding the biological functions of such crucial proteins in parasites with a focus on Leishmania spp. and their relevant effects on the pathogenesis process. Although there are no clinical trial vaccines and therapeutic approaches, highlighting this information might be fruitful for the development of novel strategies based on PDIs for the management of parasitic diseases, especially leishmaniasis.","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138554800","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"High prevalence of GR2 and GR4 plasmids in Acinetobacter baumannii strains from Brazil.","authors":"Beatriz Souza Toscano de Melo,&nbsp;Danilo Elias Xavier,&nbsp;Nilma Cintra Leal,&nbsp;Túlio de Lima Campos","doi":"10.1093/femspd/ftad022","DOIUrl":"10.1093/femspd/ftad022","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Acinetobacter baumannii is Gram-negative pathogen with extensive role in healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Plasmids in this species are important carriers of antimicrobial resistance genes. In this work, we investigated the plasmids of 227 Brazilian A. baumannii genomes. A total of 389 plasmid sequences with 424 Rep proteins typed to 22 different homology groups (GRs) were identified. The GR2 plasmid group was the most predominant (40.6%), followed by the GR4 group (16.7%), representing ∼57% of all plasmids. There is a wide distribution of plasmids among the isolates and most strains carry more than one plasmid. Our analyses revealed a significant prevalence of GR4 plasmids in Brazilian A. baumannii genomes carrying several antimicrobial resistance genes, notably to carbapenem (39.43%). These plasmids harbor a MOBQ relaxase that might confer increased spreading potential in the environment. Most plasmids of the predominant groups belong to the same plasmid taxonomic unit (PTU-Pse7) and have a AbkA/AbkB toxin-antitoxin system that has a role in plasmid stability and dissemination of carbapenem resistance genes. The results of this work should contribute to our understanding of the molecular content of plasmids in a large and populous country, highlighting the importance of genomics for enhanced epidemiological surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":19795,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and disease","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2023-01-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"10143543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}