Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection最新文献

{"title":"First detection of OXA-48-positive Klebsiella pneumoniae in flies","authors":"Yanyan Zhang, Hanyu Wang, Zelin Yan, Rong Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.11.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.11.010","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":"58 1","pages":"Pages 152-153"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-02-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142873607","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":"Increased SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization and mortality in rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving rituximab therapy-a monocentric retrospective study.","authors":"Chrong-Reen Wang, Chih-Hui Hsu, Wei-Chieh Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>From 2022 April to 2024 August, retrospective analyses by multivariable logistic regression were conducted in 341 rheumatoid arthritis patients receiving rituximab (RTX), tofacitinib (TOF) or disease-modifying-anti-rheumatic drug (DMARD) alone therapy. Compared to DMARD alone or TOF treatment, RTX therapy had increased adjusted odds ratios of SARS-CoV-2-related hospitalization, pneumonia and mortality.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143191487","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"RNA interference in protozoan parasites and its application.","authors":"Lon-Fye Lye, Deborah E Dobson, Stephen M Beverley, Min-Che Tung","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>RNA interference (RNAi) is a biological process in which RNA molecules are involved in sequence-specific suppression of gene expression, via small RNA triggers derived from double-stranded RNA that can target specific genes; it is a natural process that plays a role in both the regulation of protein synthesis and in immunity. Discovery of RNAi by Fire and Mello in 1998 had a profound impact on unraveling novel aspects of eukaryotic biology. RNA interference (RNAi) has proven to be an immensely useful tool for studying gene function and validation of potential drug targets in almost all organisms. A great advance in parasitic protozoa was achieved by the experimental demonstration of RNAi in Trypanosoma brucei, and in other protists such as Leishmania braziliensis, Entamoeba histolytica and Giardia lamblia/intestinalis. These organisms exhibit numerous differences beyond the core 'dicer' and 'slicer' activities, thereby expanding knowledge of the evolutionary diversification of this pathway in eukaryotes. When present, RNAi has led to new technologies for engineering powerful and facile knockdowns in gene expression, revolutionizing biomedical research and opening clinical potentialities. In this review, we discuss the distribution of RNAi pathways, their biological roles, and experimental applications in protozoan parasites.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143069989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"PCR-based diagnosis and clinical insights into parasitic keratitis.","authors":"Suan Hwang, I-Huang Lin, Chun-Chieh Lai, Fu-Chin Huang, Sung-Huei Tseng, Yi-Chen Chen, Chung-Han Ho, Wei-Chen Lin, Yi-Hsun Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This retrospective study aimed to investigate demographic characteristics, predisposing factors, and clinical outcomes in patients with parasitic keratitis.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Medical records of patients with molecularly confirmed Acanthamoeba or microsporidia, identified through corneal scraping specimens (collected between September 21, 2017, and June 27, 2023), were reviewed. Demographic data, clinical profiles, such as symptom duration before confirmed diagnosis, antiviral treatment pre-diagnosis, contact lens use, tap water and soil contamination, ocular trauma, and treatment regimens, were analyzed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fifty PCR-confirmed cases included 35 Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) and 15 microsporidia keratitis (MK). Of these, 23 males and 27 females, aged 8 to 81, showed a significant difference (p = 0.02) in the distribution of farmers between the AK and MK groups. Mean symptom durations pre-diagnosis were 27.6 days (range: 1-180) in AK and 11.47 days (range: 1-60) in MK. AK cases exhibited a higher prevalence of stromal involvement (p < 0.05) and contact lens use (p < 0.001), while more MK patients had a history of soil contamination (p = 0.016). Univariable analysis linked stromal keratitis, symptom duration, and pre-diagnosis antiviral treatment to prolonged time to stability. In the multivariable model, only symptom duration predicted extended time to stability, with an expected increase of 0.65 days for each additional pre-diagnosis day.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>This study underscores the significance of parasitic keratitis in Southern Taiwan, emphasizing the necessity of incorporating PCR as an effective diagnostic tool to enhance the routine identification of these rare conditions, moving beyond reliance on standard conventional methods.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143054355","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic effect between taurine-induced silver ion and itraconazole against azole-resistant Candida species and Candida auris.","authors":"Yu-Cin Deng, Chi-Jen Shih, Shang-Yi Lin, Liang-Chun Wang, Tsung-Ying Yang, Sung-Pin Tseng","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2025.01.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Azole antifungals are the first-line choice for treating candidiasis within a limited antifungal option. However, azole-resistant Candida species have increased rapidly, causing severe clinical threats, especially multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates. The emergence of Candida auris has also caused global concerns recently.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Herein, we evaluated the antifungal activity of taurine-induced silver ions (Tau-Ag), prepared by the induction from silver-incorporated mesoporous bioactive glass to address this issue.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Our data demonstrated that minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of Tau-Ag ranged from 0.020 to 0.078 mg/mL in 24h and from 0.039 to 0.156 mg/mL in 48h. No hemolysis and cytotoxicity were observed at the MICs. Furthermore, no in vivo toxicity related to Tau-Ag was observed in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. In the investigation of antifungal mechanisms, we observed that the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level significantly increased when Candida spp. treated with Tau-Ag. Biofilm formation inhibition assays found that Tau-Ag may penetrate the biofilm and eliminate biofilm-forming cells. In the time-kill method, Tau-Ag showed a long-lasting fungistatic effect and superior antifungal effect compared to itraconazole alone. Furthermore, Tau-Ag showed synergistic antifungal effects in combination with itraconazole, effectively restoring its activity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results confirmed the potential of Tau-Ag and its combination use with itraconazole to serve as a novel antifungal agent to combat the plight of administration on azole-resistant and MDR Candida spp. and C. auris.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143076414","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic effect of repurposed mitomycin C in combination with antibiotics against Aeromonas infection: In vitro and in vivo studies.","authors":"Cheng-Fa Yeh, Chi-Chung Chen, Chih-Cheng Lai, Jin-Wei Liu, Hung-Jen Tang, Wen-Pin Su","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Aeromonas infections pose a significant threat associated with high mortality rates. This study investigates the potential of mitomycin C (MMC), an anticancer drug, as a novel antimicrobial agent against Aeromonas infections.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of MMC and antibiotics against clinical Aeromonas isolates using broth microdilution. Synergistic effects of MMC with antibiotics were determined via time-kill studies. MMC's intracellular killing effects were analyzed using a representative Aeromonas isolate. Efficacy of combined therapies was assessed in a neutropenic mouse model. MMC-induced SOS response was evaluated using cell elongation method, and RNA extraction and quantitative real-time PCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Combining 1/8⨯ MIC of mitomycin C (MMC) with either 1⨯ or 1/2⨯ MIC of LVX demonstrated significant synergistic effects over 24 h in vitro. In a neutropenic mouse model, the combination of MMC (2 mg/kg or 1 mg/kg) with LVX achieved survival rates of 100 % and 80 %, respectively, compared to 0 % survival with monotherapy. MMC induced marked cell elongation and division inhibition in response to escalating doses. However, the combination therapy's enhancement did not surpass the effects of individual drug treatments. Notably, combination therapy reduced recA activator levels below those observed with either drug alone, suggesting rapid bacterial cell death curtailed further expression of recA and lexA. Alternatively, extensive DNA damage may have overwhelmed bacterial DNA repair mechanisms, rendering them ineffective.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>These findings suggest that MMC may serve as a potential antimicrobial agent, particularly when used in combination with antibiotics. The integration of MMC with antibiotic therapy offers a promising approach for the treatment of Aeromonas infections and holds potential for future clinical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-27","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142973463","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"O-antigen of uropathogenic Escherichia coli is required for induction of neutrophil extracellular traps.","authors":"Wei-Hung Lin, Shew-Meei Sheu, Ching-Fang Wu, Wen-Chun Huang, Li-Jin Hsu, Kuan-Chieh Yu, Hui-Ching Cheng, Cheng-Yen Kao, Jiunn-Jong Wu, Ming-Cheng Wang, Ching-Hao Teng","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are prevalent bacterial infection, with uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) as the primary causative agent. The outer membrane of UPEC contains a lipopolysaccharide (LPS), which plays crucial roles in the host's immune response to infection. Neutrophils use neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are mechanism by which neutrophils defend against bacterial infections. However, the exact mechanism by which a bacterial LPS induces NET formation is not well understood. Therefore, the objective of this study is to identify the possible mechanism of LPS-mediated NETs and dissect the LPS domains of UPEC that predominantly modulate NET formation and NET-mediated killing.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>To investigate the mechanism of bacterial LPS-induced NET formation, we constructed UPEC CFT073 mutants that had rfaD, rfaL and the wzzE deleted with individual LPS biosynthetic genes including the inner core synthase, O-antigen ligase and O-antigen polymerase, respectively. Subsequently, we evaluated the NET/reactive oxygen species (ROS)/IL-1β induction abilities and assessed the activation of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/JNK signaling by CFT073 and its mutants.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The results showed that the O-antigen of CFT073 LPS is essential for inducing NET formation through TLR4/JNK/NOX pathways. Inhibition of either pathway significantly decreased the production of ROS, induction of NETs, and secretion of IL-1β.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our results demonstrate that CFT073 LPS is essential for inducing ROS-dependent NETs and IL-1β secretion from neutrophils. This study also provides evidence for the crucial roles of O-antigen in the immune response to UPEC infection, as well as its potential as a therapeutic target for the treatment of UTIs.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900920","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Pathogenicity and antigenic characterization of a novel highly virulent lineage 3 porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus 2.","authors":"Yon-Yip Chan, Cheng-Yao Yang, Chuen-Fu Lin, Sheng-Yuan Wang, Wei-Hao Lin, Ming-Tang Chiou, Chao-Nan Lin","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background/purpose: </strong>Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is a pathogen with a negative economic impact on the global swine industry. In 2019, a suspected highly pathogenic strain, NPUST-108-929/2019 (108-929), was isolated from a pig farm in Pingtung with an outbreak of high mortality and analyzed. The characteristics of PRRSV 108-929 have barely been studied.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This study was to evaluate pathogenicity through animal challenge experiments using PRRSV 108-929 and antigenic characterization of this novel PRRSV.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>This PRRSV strain is PRRSV 2, belonging to lineage 3 based on open reading frame 5 sequence analysis. Four putative N-linked glycosylation sites (N32, N35, N44 and N51) are located on glycoprotein 5. Experimental results revealed that high fever occurred at 3 days postinoculation (dpi) in the high-titer inoculation (HIN) group (2 × 10⁴ TCID₅₀/mL), 8 dpi in the high-titer contact (HC) group, 4 dpi in the low-titer inoculation (LIN) group (2 × 10³ TCID₅₀/mL) and 9 dpi in the low-titer contact (LC) group. All pigs in each PRRSV 108-929 challenge and contact group showed severe clinical signs, such as high fever (>40.5 °C) and significant weight loss. Deaths occurred only in the HIN group; the survival rate was 60 %. All the piglets except the control group piglets showed high viremia titers (6.04-8.28 log¹⁰ copies/μL).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The pathogenic characteristics of PRRSV 108-929 suggest that it is a highly virulent PRRSV strain at both the farm and laboratory levels.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900921","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dengue virus non-structural protein 1 binding to thrombin as a dengue severity marker: Comprehensive patient analysis in south Taiwan.","authors":"Josephine Diony Nanda, Trai-Ming Yeh, Rahmat Dani Satria, Ming-Kai Jhan, Yung-Ting Wang, Ya-Lan Lin, Herdiantri Sufriyana, Emily Chia-Yu Su, Chiou-Feng Lin, Tzong-Shiann Ho","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmii.2024.12.004","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previously we identified a complex of non-structural protein (NS) 1 - Thrombin (NST) in dengue infected patients. Here, we investigated how the concentration of NS1 and NST differ in various dengue severity levels as well as their demographic and clinical features. Several comorbid (hypertension, diabetes, and chronic renal failure) often found in dengue patients were also measured and analyzed.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 86 dengue patients (52 not severe and 34 severe), were enrolled and had their blood taken. Blood samples were further verified for clinical blood parameters, including liver and renal function tests and serologic assays (NS1 and NST). Patients' severity was grouped based on WHO 2009 classification, which separates patients into dengue without warning signs (DNWS), dengue with warning signs (DWWS), and severe dengue (SD). DWWS is explained as DNWS with warning signs (persistent abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, liver enlargement, bleeding (any kind), fatigue, and restlessness). SD are those with severe plasma leakage, severe bleeding, or severe organ impairment. Multivariate regression analysis was used to predict the role of NST on the dengue severity development and receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) test was utilized to evaluate separability.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The analysis revealed that NS1 significantly impacts the disease outcome (p 0.018, OR = 2.467 (1.171-5.197)) but not beyond the effect through NST (p 0.108, OR = 0.085 (0.004-1.719)). We also prove that NST was a better severity biomarker compared to NS1, as it can predict progression from DNWS to DWWS (AUC: NS1 = 0.771∗∗, NST = 0.81∗∗) and SD (AUC: NS1 = 0.607, NST = 0.754∗) significantly.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This finding suggests the importance of NST in mediating the NS1 effect to promote dengue severity progression and its promising capability as an acute stage dengue severity biomarker.</p>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142900899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Clinical manifestations and viral kinetics of people with Mpox: A case series during the 2023 outbreak in Taiwan","authors":"Kai-Hsiang Chen ,&nbsp;Wang-Da Liu ,&nbsp;Kuo-Chen Weng ,&nbsp;Hui-Hou Chen ,&nbsp;Shu-Yuan Ho ,&nbsp;Yu-Shan Huang ,&nbsp;Tzong-Yow Wu ,&nbsp;Guei-Chi Li ,&nbsp;Sui-Yuan Chang ,&nbsp;Chien-Ching Hung","doi":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.08.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jmii.2024.08.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Monkeypox (Mpox) has emerged as a global threat since 2022. We reported 14 cases of Mpox in 10 people with HIV (PWH) and 4 people without HIV (PWoH), of whom 64.3% had sexually transmitted co-infections. Severe complications of Mpox and prolonged viral shedding might occur in both PWH and PWoH.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":56117,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Microbiology Immunology and Infection","volume":"57 6","pages":"Pages 961-965"},"PeriodicalIF":4.5,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142127438","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}