Journal of medical microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Comparative genomic analysis of paired clinical isolates from a patient with recurrent melioidosis reveals a low within-host mutation rate.","authors":"Sruthi Raj, Sreeram Chandra Murthy Peela, Hithesh Kumar, Sudha Ramaiah, Sujatha Sistla","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.002003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.002003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> Relapse of melioidosis is not uncommon and can occur due to shorter oral antibiotic therapy in the first episode. In such isolates, low mutation rates were identified amongst paired clinical isolates during relapse, but large-scale structural variants were also common.<b>Hypothesis.</b> Using pair-wise comparison, a low number of mutations, especially amongst the virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, may be present amongst the paired isolates obtained during the study period.<b>Aim.</b> A pair of clinical isolates obtained from a patient with recurrent melioidosis during the study period (January 2018 to June 2021) was analysed for identifying the genomic relatedness and DNA changes that may have caused the relapse.<b>Methodology.</b> Using paired-end Illumina sequencing, following appropriate data quality checks, the genomes were assembled using Shovill pipeline, whilst the variants were called using Snippy. Structural variants were detected using TIDDIT, and functional associations were identified using the STRING database searches.<b>Results.</b> One of the isolates (from the second episode) had a highly fragmented genome, but very few structural variants and SNPs were identified. Both the isolates had similar virulence and antibiotic resistance genes; however, owing to the few structural changes, a slightly lower number of virulence genes were observed. Together, they shared 99.8% of the proteomes, and most variants identified spanned either hypothetical proteins or un-annotated regions.<b>Conclusions.</b> Based on comprehensive genome analysis the two strains were genetically similar, with a few structural variants, implying the second episode to be a relapse rather than a re-infection. There was no difference in the antibiotic resistance or virulence genes that may have explained the relapse.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144036089","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Targeted 'knock out' therapy with a combination antimicrobial regimen restores treatment options in the management of extensively drug-resistant carbapenemase-producing organisms.","authors":"Saied Ali, Orla Donoghue, Sinead McDermott","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.002007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.002007","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> Cefiderocol (FDC) and the combination of ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam (CZA+ATM) are emerging therapeutic options to combat carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) that exhibit resistance due to multiple <i>β</i>-lactamases.<b>Hypothesis/Gap Statement.</b> Molecular diagnostics and specialized antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are infrequently available in most clinical laboratories, and outputs from reference laboratories are not always timely. Practical methods must be explored to provide meaningful advice to treat infections due to CPOs in real time.<b>Aim.</b> To evaluate the <i>in vitro</i> efficacy of FDC and CZA+ATM against CPOs and to compare colistin (CST) MICs obtained locally with those from the reference laboratory.<b>Methodology.</b> CPOs isolated from 2017 to 2023 inclusive were retrieved. AST for FDC was performed using disc diffusion, CZA and ATM individually by E-tests and the E-test superposition method for the combination CZA+ATM. CST AST was performed locally using the VITEK2 system, and MICs were compared with those attained from the reference laboratory where manual broth microdilution is performed.<b>Results.</b> Fifty-eight CPOs were analysed. OXA-48 was the most frequently detected carbapenemase (37.9%, <i>n</i>=22). Co-existing <i>β</i>-lactamases of Ambler classes A and C were present for 79.3% of CPOs (<i>n</i>=46). Twenty-nine isolates (50%) were found to be susceptible to FDC. Fifty-seven isolates (98.3%) were susceptible to CST according to the VITEK2, compared to 44 of 47 tested isolates (93.6%) by the reference broth microdilution. Essential agreement was found to be 78.7%, and categorical agreement was 91.5% with one major error and three very major errors (VMEs) reported. CZA+ATM was tested against 26 CPOs, all of which harboured metallo-<i>β</i>-lactamases. Synergy was detected for all except one isolate where additivity was noted. Of the 32 isolates where combination therapy was not assessed, 29 (90.6%) possessed serine-<i>β</i>-lactamases and were susceptible to CZA monotherapy, whilst three (9.4%) possessed an isolated metallo-<i>β</i>-lactamase and were susceptible to ATM monotherapy.<b>Conclusions.</b> FDC appears to perform favourably against CPOs harbouring serine-<i>β</i>-lactamases, but not metallo-<i>β</i>-lactamases. The VITEK2 may provide presumptive categorical information for CST susceptibility, but MICs must be confirmed by broth microdilution as VMEs can lead to treatment failures. Moreover, our study confirms potent <i>in vitro</i> activity of CZA+ATM against CPOs expressing multiple <i>β</i>-lactamases.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144061427","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Drug susceptibility profiles of <i>Mycobacterium abscessus</i> isolated in the state of São Paulo, 2008-2024.","authors":"Carolina Salgado Pedace, Robert D Arbeit, Fernanda Cristina Dos Santos Simeão, Juliana Failde Gallo, Andréia Rodrigues de Souza, Erica Chimara","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.002005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.002005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> Infections caused by <i>Mycobacterium abscessus</i>, an environmentally prevalent, rapidly growing mycobacteria, are increasingly frequent in developed countries.<b>Objective.</b> To analyse the drug susceptibility profiles of <i>M. abscessus</i> isolated in the state of São Paulo from 2008 to 2024.<b>Methods.</b> Of the 2,402 <i>M</i>. <i>abscessus</i> isolates identified during those 17 years, 558 (23.2%) met the American Thoracic Society's microbiologic and clinical criteria for drug susceptibility testing (DST), which was performed for five agents - clarithromycin, amikacin, cefoxitin, ciprofloxacin, and doxycycline.<b>Results.</b> Clarithromycin showed a dramatic increase in resistance phenotype from ≤10% in the early period to 73-90% over the last 8 years. Over half those isolates demonstrated inducible resistance. Resistance to amikacin was found in fewer than 5% of isolates from 2016 to 2021. In 2022, that result increased to 13%, but for 2023 and 2024, it had fallen back to 2%. Over the past decade, cefoxitin DST has reported the majority of isolates as intermediate, a problematic result in <i>M</i>. <i>abscessus</i> group (MAG) infections, which typically require long-term treatment for successful outcomes. Since 2018, the annual susceptibility rate has been ≤18%, and in five of the 7 years, ≤7%. Ciprofloxacin was typically assessed as susceptible from 2009 to 2011, then decreased sharply to ≤20% over the next several years, and since 2018, the rate has been less than 5%. Through the entire study, doxycycline resistance has remained consistently high; in the years since 2018, ≤6% of isolates have been susceptible.<b>Conclusion.</b> This study demonstrates wide variation among MAG clinical isolates in the frequency of susceptibility, both across different agents and within individual agents over time. These results emphasize the importance of performing high-quality DST on MAG clinical isolates and suggest the need to consider revising the standard panel of drugs tested.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144059129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> molecular typing in men with non-gonococcal urethritis discriminates between phylogenetic clusters based on sexual preference and antibiotic resistance.","authors":"Nikki Adriaens, Fenna M Bouwman, Sylvia M Bruisten, Clarissa E Vergunst, Alje P van Dam, Tessa A Doelman, Brenda M Westerhuis","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.001999","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001999","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> <i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> is a sexually transmitted bacterium associated with non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) in men. The rising macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance in <i>M. genitalium</i> has become a public health concern, requiring close surveillance.<b>Gap statement.</b> <i>MgpB/MG309</i> typing is commonly used to study genotype distribution and resistance patterns of <i>M. genitalium</i> in men who have sex with men (MSM); however, data for men who have sex with women (MSW) are limited.<b>Aim.</b> The aim of this study was to explore the epidemiology of <i>M. genitalium</i> based on <i>mgpB</i>/<i>MG309</i> molecular typing in isolates from men diagnosed with NGU, comparing MSM and MSW. Additionally, antibiotic resistance was evaluated to assess associations between the <i>mgpB/MG309</i> genotypes, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and epidemiological determinants.<b>Methodology.</b> A subset of previously collected <i>M. genitalium</i> isolates from men diagnosed with NGU in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, between May 2018 and November 2019 was analysed. Molecular typing was performed by sequencing relevant regions of the <i>mgpB</i> and <i>MG309</i> loci. Macrolide resistance was assessed by detecting mutations in the 23S rRNA gene via quantitative polymerase chain reaction, while fluoroquinolone resistance was determined through sequencing <i>parC</i> and <i>gyrA</i>.<b>Results.</b> A total of 62 <i>M</i>. <i>genitalium</i> samples were analysed from 33 MSM and 29 MSW. The overall macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance was 75.8% and 24.2 %, respectively. At the <i>mgpB</i> locus, 24 sequence types (STs) were identified, with ST4 most prevalent in MSM and ST2 in MSW. The <i>MG309</i> locus revealed 12 distinct short tandem repeat numbers, with repeat 10 being most common in both groups. Phylogenetic analysis based on <i>mgpB</i> sequences revealed two clusters: cluster A included significantly more MSW, whereas cluster B predominantly comprised MSM (<i>P</i><0.001). Macrolide and fluoroquinolone resistance was significantly higher in cluster B compared with cluster A (<i>P</i><0.01 and <i>P</i><0.05, respectively).<b>Conclusion.</b> Molecular typing of <i>M. genitalium</i> revealed two clusters that differed by sexual preference and antibiotic resistance, highlighting the importance of surveillance of resistance across genotypes. The findings suggest multiclonal spread of resistance through independent mutations. Future studies using next-generation sequencing are needed to further explore the links between sexual transmission and genetic diversity in <i>M. genitalium</i>.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12032421/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144047404","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Latroeggtoxin-VI improves depression by regulating the composition and function of gut microbiota in a mouse model of depression.","authors":"Haiyan Wang, Zhixiang Lei, Yiwen Zhai, Minglu Sun, Si Chen, Panfeng Yin, Zhigui Duan, Xianchun Wang","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.001977","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001977","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> Depression has become one of the mental diseases that seriously affect human health. Its mechanism is very complex, and many factors influence the condition. An imbalance of the gut microbiota is being considered as a factor that impacts the occurrence and progression of depression. Future therapies may therefore tap into this connection, treating depression through manipulation of the gut microbiome.<b>Hypothesis/Gap Statement.</b> Latroeggtoxin-VI (LETX-VI), a proteinaceous neurotoxin from <i>Latrodectus tredecimguttatus</i> eggs, was previously demonstrated to inhibit excessive inflammation and improve depression behaviours, suggesting that it might be able to regulate the balance of gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to explore the effects of LPS and LETX-VI on depressive behaviours and gut microbiota and to analyse correlations between changes in the gut microbiota and depressive behaviours.<b>Methodology.</b> A murine model of depression was established, and the effects of LPS and LETX-VI treatment on depressive behaviours and gut microbiota were investigated.<b>Results.</b> In the murine model, depressive behaviour was induced by LPS; the ratio of <i>Firmicutes</i> to <i>Bacteroidetes</i> (F/B) and the number of pro-inflammatory bacteria in the gut microbiota increased (<i>P</i><0.01), while butyric acid-producing bacteria with anti-inflammatory effect decreased (<i>P</i><0.05). Furthermore, the metabolic function of the gut microbiota was disrupted, and the level of virulence factors among gut microbiota was up-regulated (<i>P</i><0.05). Association analysis showed that the changes in the composition and function of gut microbiota were closely related to the depression phenotype of mice, suggesting that the abnormal function of gut microbiota is linked to depression. However, when LETX-VI was applied before LPS injection, the LPS-induced changes in the gut microbiota were alleviated, and the depressive behaviour greatly improved.<b>Conclusion.</b> LETX-VI can prevent depressive behaviour by regulating the composition and/or function of the gut microbiota.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143813263","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accurate identification of <i>Enterococcus lactis</i> causing bacteraemia by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry.","authors":"Marhami Fahriani, Geoffrey W Coombs, Princy Shoby, Haley Hood, Denise A Daley, Christopher A Mullally, Shakeel Mowlaboccus","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.001995","DOIUrl":"10.1099/jmm.0.001995","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> clade B has recently been re-classified as <i>Enterococcus lactis</i>. Although <i>E. lactis</i> was previously associated with food products and probiotics, the recent re-classification has prompted the need for the accurate identification of this species and re-interpretation of its disease-causing ability. Since the re-classified <i>E. lactis</i> can currently only be identified by molecular techniques such as whole-genome sequencing, we constructed a MALDI Biotyper^® custom database to rapidly identify and differentiate <i>E. lactis</i> causing bacteraemia from <i>E. faecium</i>.<b>Hypothesis/Gap statement.</b> The re-classification of <i>E. faecium</i> clade B as <i>E. lactis</i> warrants the development of rapid and accurate identification methods to distinguish these species, particularly in clinical settings where <i>E. lactis</i> may be misidentified as <i>E. faecium</i>.<b>Aim.</b> The aim of this study was to construct a MALDI Biotyper^® custom database to rapidly identify and differentiate <i>E. lactis</i> causing bacteraemia from <i>E. faecium</i>.<b>Methodology.</b> A total of 97 enterococcal isolates, including 38 <i>E. lactis</i>, 51 <i>E. faecium</i> and 8 non-<i>E. faecium</i> non-<i>E. lactis</i> enterococci (<i>E. avium</i>, <i>E. casseliflavus</i>, <i>E. cecorum</i>, <i>E. durans</i>, <i>E. faecalis</i>, <i>E. faecium</i>, <i>E. gallinarum</i>, <i>E. lactis</i>, <i>E. mundtii</i> and <i>E. raffinosus</i>) were investigated. Whole-genome sequence analysis was used to confirm the species of each isolate. A MALDI Biotyper^® in-house database was constructed using 29 <i>E. lactis</i> isolates and the ethanol/formic acid/acetonitrile preparation protocol. The in-house database was validated using the 97 enterococcal isolates and the extended direct transfer preparation protocol.<b>Results.</b> Our in-house database correctly identified all isolates at the species level, including the <i>E. lactis</i> isolates, all of which were misidentified as <i>E. faecium</i> by the BioTyper^® MBT Compass reference library (2022). Of the 38 <i>E. lactis</i> isolates, 84.2% (<i>n</i>=32) were identified at the high probable species level (score ≥2.300), while the remaining 15.8% (<i>n</i>=6) were identified at the probable species level (score 2.000-2.299). Similarly, all <i>E. faecium</i> isolates (<i>n</i>=51) were accurately identified, including 84.3% (<i>n</i>=43/51) identified at the high probable species level and 15.7% (<i>n</i>=8/51) identified at the probable species level.<b>Conclusion.</b> Our study provides a ready-to-use custom MALDI spectral database that can be implemented in clinical diagnostic and research laboratories to accurately identify <i>E. lactis,</i> which is currently misidentified as <i>E. faecium</i> by the standard spectrum database available on commercial platforms.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11971485/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143782374","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"JMM Profile: <i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i>: a small, yet significant pathogen.","authors":"Tia Rudman, Richard S Rowlands, Jorgen S Jensen, Michael L Beeton, On Behalf Of The Escmid Study Group For Mycoplasma And Chlamydia Infections Esgmac","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.001984","DOIUrl":"10.1099/jmm.0.001984","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Mycoplasma genitalium</i> is characterized by a small genome and a lack of a cell wall, contributing to its unique biology. It is associated with reproductive tract infections, including non-gonococcal urethritis and pelvic inflammatory disease. It is nearly as common as chlamydia in most studies from high-income countries. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance in <i>M. genitalium</i> raises concern about the long-term efficacy of current therapeutic strategies. Understanding its genomic intricacies and pathogenic mechanisms is crucial for developing targeted interventions to address the growing public health impact of this elusive microbe.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143781988","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Management of severe and fulminant <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> infection in adults.","authors":"Daisy Ubsdell, Nicola Louise Maddox, Ray Sheridan","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.001991","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.001991","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Clostridioides difficile</i> (formerly known as <i>Clostridium difficile</i>) is a significant cause of healthcare-associated infection with symptoms ranging from diarrhoea and abdominal pain to pseudomembranous colitis and toxic megacolon. Severe disease can pose a significant morbidity and mortality risk and is to be considered a medical emergency. The emergence of a new <i>C. difficile</i> ribotype with an estimated mortality rate of 20% (ribotype 995) has prompted a re-review of the evidence and guidelines around managing severe <i>C. difficile</i> infections (CDI). International guidance on the management of CDI varies regarding first-line antibiotic choice. Metronidazole is no longer favoured as first line due to concerns around resistance, and vancomycin and fidaxomicin are now recommended as first line options. Antibiotic therapy should be used in conjunction with good supportive measures and early consideration of surgical management. Faecal microbiota transplant can be utilized in recurrent CDI and may be useful in severe disease. Severe CDI is a significant ongoing threat to public health, and further research into effective management is essential to ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12022265/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144061426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of maternal obesity and mode of delivery on the newborn skin and oral microbiomes.","authors":"Allison Seifert, Kelly Ingram, Embelle Ngalame Eko, Jaclyn Nunziato, Monica Ahrens, Brittany R Howell","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.002000","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.002000","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><b>Introduction.</b> Previous studies have shown vast differences in the skin and oral microbiomes of newborns based on delivery method [Caesarean section (C-section) vs vaginal]. Exposure to or absence of certain bacteria during delivery can impact the neonate's future susceptibility to infections, allergies or autoimmunity by altering immune functions. Few studies have focused on the impact of maternal obesity on the variations of newborn skin and oral microbiomes. Obese pregnant women typically have a higher vaginal microbiome diversity, and their pregnancies are at higher risk for adverse outcomes and complications.<b>Hypothesis.</b> We hypothesized that the skin and oral microbiomes of newborns born to obese mothers would include more diverse, potentially pathogenic bacteria and that the skin and oral microbiome in C-section delivered newborns would be less diverse than vaginally delivered newborns.<b>Aim.</b> We aim to begin to establish maternal obesity and mode of delivery as factors contributing to increased risk for negative newborn outcomes through impacts on newborn bacterial dysbiosis.<b>Methodology.</b> A skin swab was collected immediately following delivery of 39 newborns from 13 healthy weight body mass index (BMI 18.50-24.99), 11 overweight (BMI 25.0-29.99) and 15 obese (BMI ≥30.00) pregnant participants. An oral swab was collected immediately following delivery for 38 of these newborns from 13 healthy weight, 10 overweight and 15 obese pregnant participants. Bacterial genera were identified via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.<b>Results.</b> The newborn skin microbiome was comprised of typical skin bacteria (i.e. <i>Corynebacterium</i>). Newborns of obese participants had a higher relative abundance of <i>Peptoniphilus</i> in their skin microbiome compared to newborns of healthy weight participants (<i>P</i>=0.007). Neonates born via C-section had a higher relative abundance of <i>Ureaplasma</i> in their oral microbiome compared to neonates delivered vaginally (<i>P</i>=0.046).<b>Conclusion.</b> We identified differences in the newborn skin and oral microbiomes based on pre-pregnancy BMI and method of delivery. These differences could be linked to an increased risk of allergies, autoimmune disease and infections. Future longitudinal studies will be crucial in determining the long-term impact of these specific genera on newborn outcomes. Understanding these connections could lead to targeted interventions that reduce the risk of adverse outcomes and improve overall health trajectory.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144048558","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From coughs to complications: the story of <i>Chlamydia pneumoniae</i>.","authors":"Florian Tagini, Mirja Puolakkainen, Gilbert Greub, On Behalf Of The Escmid Study Group For Mycoplasma And Chlamydia Infections Esgmac","doi":"10.1099/jmm.0.002006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.002006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Chlamydia pneumoniae</i> is an obligate intracellular bacterium and a significant cause of respiratory infections. It is associated with upper and lower respiratory tract diseases, including bronchitis and pneumonia. The pathogen employs specific virulence factors, such as the Type III Secretion System (T3SS) and Inc proteins, to invade and subvert host cell machinery during its peculiar developmental life cycle. Chronic infections have been linked to asthma and, more controversially, to atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative diseases. Diagnosis primarily relies on PCR-based molecular assays, while treatment includes macrolides, tetracyclines or fluoroquinolones. Despite its clinical relevance, research on <i>C. pneumoniae</i> has declined in recent years, highlighting the need for renewed scientific focus.</p>","PeriodicalId":94093,"journal":{"name":"Journal of medical microbiology","volume":"74 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12050420/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144048599","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}