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Xia J, Jiang G, Luo Y, Wang Z, Li J, Fu Z, Qin Q, Xu J, Deng S, Chen M, Han Y, Jiang L, Song H, Cheng C. Beyond antimicrobial resistance: MATE-type efflux pump FepA contributes to flagellum formation and virulence in Listeria monocytogenes. Appl Environ Microbiol 2025:e0046225. [PMID: 40492698 DOI: 10.1128/aem.00462-25] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2025] [Accepted: 05/09/2025] [Indexed: 06/12/2025] Open
Abstract
Listeria monocytogenes is commonly found in nature and can readily contaminate various food products. Efflux pump proteins represent an essential group of proteins in bacteria, playing key roles in numerous biological processes. This study investigates the contribution of FepA to motility and virulence apart from antimicrobial resistance in L. monocytogenes. The minimum inhibitory concentrations of various antimicrobials and the survival of L. monocytogenes in medium containing these agents were assessed. Loss of FepA increased sensitivity to a range of antimicrobial agents and significantly impaired growth under antimicrobial pressure. We examined bacterial flagellum formation, flagellar gene transcription, and protein expression. Results indicated a marked decrease in flagellum formation in ΔfepA mutants, owing to reduced expression of key flagellar proteins such as FlhF and FlgG. In addition, results from cell infection, virulence genes transcription, and protein expression experiments revealed that FepA deletion diminished bacterial invasiveness and intracellular proliferation, correlating with decreased secretion of virulence proteins, including InlB, InlC, Mpl, PlcA, and LLO. These findings indicate that FepA is integral not only to antimicrobial resistance and in vitro adaptability but also to flagellar formation and virulence. This research helps deepen the understanding of mechanisms underlying drug resistance and pathogenicity in the significant foodborne pathogen L. monocytogenes. IMPORTANCE Listeria monocytogenes is a significant zoonotic foodborne intracellular pathogen with a mortality rate of up to 20%-30%. This bacterium employs various mechanisms, including efflux pumps, to enhance its environmental adaptability and maintain infectivity. In this study, we discovered that the MATE-type multidrug efflux pump protein FepA is not only associated with bacterial resistance to multiple antimicrobials but also plays a crucial role in promoting flagellum formation, which is essential for motility and resistance to adverse environmental conditions. Additionally, FepA is involved in the secretion of virulence proteins, facilitating bacterial invasion and proliferation within the host. Our findings reveal, for the first time, that the multidrug efflux pump FepA contributes to flagellar formation and virulence, providing new insights into the mechanisms of environmental adaptation and virulence expression in L. monocytogenes and aiding in the discovery of potential therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Xia
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Guo Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yaru Luo
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhe Wang
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jingjing Li
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Zhanhong Fu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qian Qin
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Jiali Xu
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Simin Deng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Mianmian Chen
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Yue Han
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lingli Jiang
- Ningbo College of Health Sciences, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China
| | - Houhui Song
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Changyong Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Applied Biotechnology on Animal Science & Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Engineering Research Center for Veterinary Diagnostics & Advanced Technology, Zhejiang International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Veterinary Medicine and Health Management, Belt and Road International Joint Laboratory for One Health and Food Safety, China-Australia Joint Laboratory for Animal Health Big Data Analytics, College of Veterinary Medicine of Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
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He L, Wang W, Chen H, Ma L, Yu L, Yang Y, Qu Y, Dai P, Wang D, Ma X. Gene expressions of clinical Pseudomonas aeruginosa harboring RND efflux pumps on chromosome and involving a novel integron on a plasmid. Microb Pathog 2025; 203:107512. [PMID: 40154852 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2025.107512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2024] [Revised: 03/03/2025] [Accepted: 03/25/2025] [Indexed: 04/01/2025]
Abstract
The clinical strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa XM8 harbored multiple RND-type antibiotic efflux pump genes and a novel integron In4881 on its plasmid pXM8-2, rendering it resistant to nearly all conventional antibiotics except colistin. The resistance was primarily attributed to the inactivation of the oprD gene and overexpression of several efflux pump genes, including mexAB-oprM, mexCD-oprJ, oprN-mexFE, and mexXY. In this study, the XM8 strain was comprehensively characterized using various methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the BioMerieux VITEK2 system and manual double dilution methods. Gene expression levels of efflux pump-related genes were analyzed via quantitative real-time PCR. The bacterial chromosome and plasmid were sequenced using both Illumina and Nanopore platforms, and bioinformatics tools were employed to analyze mobile genetic elements associated with antibiotic resistance. The pXM8-2 plasmid containsed multiple mobile genetic elements, including integrons (In4881, In334, In413) and transposons (Tn3, TnAs1, TnAs3). Notably, In4881 was reported for the first time in this study. The presence of these elements highlights the potential for horizontal gene transfer and further spread of antibiotic resistance. Given the strong resistance profile of the XM8 strain, effective measures should be implemented to prevent the dissemination and prevalence of such multidrug-resistant bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long He
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Wenling First People's Hospital, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 317500, China
| | - Wenji Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Taizhou Municipal Hospital (Taizhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Taizhou University), Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China; School of Life Sciences, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Haiming Chen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Genetic Testing), Xiamen, Fujian, 361003, China
| | - Liman Ma
- Department of Basic Medicine and Medical laboratory Science, School of Medicine, Taizhou University, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Lianhua Yu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital (Taizhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Taizhou University), Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Yide Yang
- Department of Infectious Disease, Taizhou Municipal Hospital (Taizhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Taizhou University), Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Ying Qu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital (Taizhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Taizhou University), Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Piaopiao Dai
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, Taizhou Municipal Hospital (Taizhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Taizhou University), Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China
| | - Dongguo Wang
- Department of Central Laboratory, Taizhou Municipal Hospital (Taizhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated with Taizhou University), Taizhou, Zhejiang, 318000, China.
| | - Xiaobo Ma
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University (Xiamen Key Laboratory of Genetic Testing), Xiamen, Fujian, 361003, China.
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Fares M, Imberty A, Titz A. Bacterial lectins: multifunctional tools in pathogenesis and possible drug targets. Trends Microbiol 2025:S0966-842X(25)00083-6. [PMID: 40307096 DOI: 10.1016/j.tim.2025.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2025] [Revised: 02/27/2025] [Accepted: 03/14/2025] [Indexed: 05/02/2025]
Abstract
Glycans are vital macromolecules with diverse biological roles, decoded by lectins - specialized carbohydrate-binding proteins crucial in pathogenesis. The WHO identifies bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) as a critical global health challenge, necessitating innovative strategies that also target non-antibiotic pathways. Recent studies highlight bacterial lectins as key players in pathogenesis and promising therapeutic targets, with early clinical success using glycomimetics and vaccines to treat and prevent AMR-related infections. This review covers the current knowledge on bacterial lectins, their classifications, and roles in host recognition and adhesion, biofilm formation, cytotoxicity, and host immune evasion, with examples of well-characterized lectins. It also explores their therapeutic potential and highlights novel lectins with unknown functions, encouraging further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Fares
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany; Department of Chemistry, PharmaScienceHub (PSH), Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
| | - Anne Imberty
- University Grenoble Alpes, CNRS, CERMAV, 601 rue de la chimie, Grenoble 38000, France
| | - Alexander Titz
- Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany; Deutsches Zentrum für Infektionsforschung (DZIF), Standort Hannover-Braunschweig, Germany; Department of Chemistry, PharmaScienceHub (PSH), Saarland University, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany.
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Singh J, Solomon M, Iredell J, Selvadurai H. Overcoming Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Chronic Suppurative Lung Disease: Prevalence, Treatment Challenges, and the Promise of Bacteriophage Therapy. Antibiotics (Basel) 2025; 14:427. [PMID: 40426494 PMCID: PMC12108500 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics14050427] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2025] [Revised: 03/19/2025] [Accepted: 04/18/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a multidrug-resistant pathogen, significantly impacts patients with chronic respiratory conditions like cystic fibrosis (CF) and non-CF chronic suppurative lung disease (CSLD), contributing to progressive lung damage and poor clinical outcomes. This bacterium thrives in the airway environments of individuals with impaired mucociliary clearance, leading to persistent infections and increased morbidity and mortality. Despite advancements in management of these conditions, treatment failure remains common, emphasising the need for alternative or adjunctive treatment strategies. Bacteriophage therapy, an emerging approach utilising viruses that specifically target bacteria, offers a potential solution to combat P. aeruginosa infections resistant to conventional antibiotics. This review examines the prevalence and disease burden of P. aeruginosa in CF and CSLD, explores the mechanisms behind antibiotic resistance, the promising role of bacteriophage therapy and clinical trials in this sphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jagdev Singh
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia;
| | - Melinda Solomon
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON M5G 1X8, Canada;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 1A1, Canada
| | - Jonathan Iredell
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Westmead Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Hiran Selvadurai
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia;
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia;
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Bouheraoua S, Cleeves S, Preusse M, Müsken M, Braubach P, Fuchs M, Falk C, Sewald K, Häussler S. Establishment and characterization of persistent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in air-liquid interface cultures of human airway epithelial cells. Infect Immun 2025; 93:e0060324. [PMID: 39964154 PMCID: PMC11895474 DOI: 10.1128/iai.00603-24] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2025] [Indexed: 03/12/2025] Open
Abstract
Bacteria exhibit distinct behaviors in laboratory settings compared to infection environments. The presence of host cells induces changes in bacterial activity, while pathogens trigger immune responses that shape the microenvironment. Studying infection dynamics by microscopy, cytokine screening, and dual RNA sequencing in an air-liquid interface model, we found that prolonged Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization of airway epithelium led to a pro-inflammatory response, consistent across P. aeruginosa strains, despite differences in the dynamics of this response. Concurrently, P. aeruginosa formed non-attached aggregates on the apical side of the cell layer and upregulated genes involved in biofilm formation and virulence. Notably, there was remarkable resemblance between the P. aeruginosa transcriptional profile in our model and that previously reported upon host cell contact. Developing a platform that replicates host microenvironments is vital not only for gaining deeper insights into the interplay between host and pathogen but also for evaluating therapeutic strategies in conditions that closely mirror clinical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Safaa Bouheraoua
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
| | - Sven Cleeves
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Matthias Preusse
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Mathias Müsken
- Central Facility for Microscopy, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Peter Braubach
- Institute for Pathology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Maximilian Fuchs
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
| | - Christine Falk
- Institute for Transplantation Immunology, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Katherina Sewald
- Fraunhofer Institute for Toxicology and Experimental Medicine, Hannover, Germany
- Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hannover (BREATH), Hannover, Germany
- Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Immune-Mediated Diseases CIMD, Hannover, Germany
| | - Susanne Häussler
- Institute for Molecular Bacteriology, TWINCORE, Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research, Hannover, Germany
- Department of Molecular Bacteriology, Helmholtz Center for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Germany
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Copenhagen University Hospital-Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Cluster of Excellence RESIST (EXC 2155), Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
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Krittaphol W, Martin LW, Walker GF, Lamont IL. Anaerobiosis and Mutations Can Reduce Susceptibility of Pseudomonas aeruginosa to Tobramycin Without Reducing the Cellular Concentration of the Antibiotic. Pathogens 2025; 14:187. [PMID: 40005562 PMCID: PMC11858066 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14020187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2024] [Revised: 01/22/2025] [Accepted: 02/06/2025] [Indexed: 02/27/2025] Open
Abstract
Chronic infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are commonly treated with tobramycin. During infections, the bacteria can exist under conditions of oxygen deprivation that render them less susceptible to this antibiotic. The aims of this research were to investigate the genetic basis of tobramycin resistance under anaerobic conditions, and to investigate the effects of anaerobiosis and mutations on the cellular concentration of tobramycin. Ten mutants with lowered susceptibility to tobramycin than wild-type bacteria were evolved from a laboratory reference strain under anaerobic conditions. Mutations were identified by genome sequencing. Mutations had arisen most frequently in the fusA1 gene that encodes elongation factor EF-G1A and in genes involved in twitching motility. Cellular concentrations of tobramycin were then measured. Mutations in fusA1 or absence of the MexXY efflux pump that is associated with tobramycin resistance did not alter the cellular tobramycin concentration under either anaerobic or aerobic conditions. Anaerobic growth reduced the cellular concentration of tobramycin, relative to aerobically grown bacteria, in some but not all of five tested P. aeruginosa isolates. Overall, our findings indicate that anaerobiosis and mutations that reduce aminoglycoside effectiveness do not lower the cellular concentration of antibiotic but instead reduce susceptibility through other mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Woravimol Krittaphol
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (W.K.); (G.F.W.)
| | - Lois W. Martin
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
| | - Greg F. Walker
- School of Pharmacy, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand; (W.K.); (G.F.W.)
| | - Iain L. Lamont
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Otago, Dunedin 9054, New Zealand
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de Sousa T, Machado S, Caniça M, Ramos MJN, Santos D, Ribeiro M, Hébraud M, Igrejas G, Alves O, Costa E, Silva A, Lopes R, Poeta P. Pseudomonas aeruginosa: One Health approach to deciphering hidden relationships in Northern Portugal. J Appl Microbiol 2025; 136:lxaf037. [PMID: 39947205 DOI: 10.1093/jambio/lxaf037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2025] [Revised: 02/07/2025] [Accepted: 02/12/2025] [Indexed: 03/06/2025]
Abstract
AIMS Antimicrobial resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa represents a major global challenge in public and veterinary health, particularly from a One Health perspective. This study aimed to investigate antimicrobial resistance, the presence of virulence genes, and the genetic diversity of P. aeruginosa isolates from diverse sources. METHODS AND RESULTS The study utilized antimicrobial susceptibility testing, genomic analysis for resistance and virulence genes, and multilocus sequence typing to characterize a total of 737 P. aeruginosa isolates that were collected from humans, domestic animals, and aquatic environments in Northern Portugal. Antimicrobial resistance profiles were analyzed, and genomic approaches were employed to detect resistance and virulence genes. The study found a high prevalence of multidrug-resistant isolates, including high-risk clones such as ST244 and ST446, particularly in hospital sources and wastewater treatment plants. Key genes associated with resistance and virulence, including efflux pumps (e.g. MexA and MexB) and secretion systems (T3SS and T6SS), were identified. CONCLUSIONS This work highlights the intricate dynamics of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa across interconnected ecosystems in Northern Portugal. It underscores the importance of genomic studies in revealing the mechanisms of resistance and virulence, contributing to the broader understanding of resistance dynamics and informing future mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Telma de Sousa
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Sandro Machado
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Manuela Caniça
- National Reference Laboratory of Antibiotic Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
- Centre for the Studies of Animal Science (CECA) - Institute of Agrarian and Agri-Food Sciences and Technologies, University of Porto, 4051-401, Portugal
| | - Miguel J N Ramos
- National Reference Laboratory of Antibiotic Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Daniela Santos
- National Reference Laboratory of Antibiotic Resistance and Healthcare Associated Infections, Department of Infectious Diseases, National Institute of Health Dr. Ricardo Jorge, 1649-016 Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Miguel Ribeiro
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Chemistry Research Centre-Vila Real (CQ-VR), Food and Wine Chemistry Laboratory, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5001-801 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Michel Hébraud
- INRAE, Université Clermont Auvergne, UMR Microbiologie Environnement Digestif Santé (MEDiS), 63122 Saint-Genès-Champanelle, France
| | - Gilberto Igrejas
- Department of Genetics and Biotechnology, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Functional Genomics and Proteomics Unit, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
| | - Olimpia Alves
- Medical Centre of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Clinical Pathology Department, 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Eliana Costa
- Medical Centre of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Clinical Pathology Department, 5000-508 Vila Real, Portugal
| | - Augusto Silva
- INNO Veterinary Laboratories, R. Cândido de Sousa 15, 4710-300 Braga, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Lopes
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, 4585-116 Gandra, Portugal
| | - Patrícia Poeta
- MicroART-Antibiotic Resistance Team, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Trás-os Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry, University NOVA of Lisbon, 1099-085 Caparica, Portugal
- CECAV - Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
- Veterinary and Animal Research Centre, Associate Laboratory for Animal and Veterinary Science (AL4AnimalS), University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, 5000-801 Vila Real, Portugal
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Wimalasekara RL, White D, Kumar A. Targeting Acinetobacter baumannii resistance-nodulation-division efflux pump transcriptional regulators to combat antimicrobial resistance. NPJ ANTIMICROBIALS AND RESISTANCE 2025; 3:4. [PMID: 39863717 PMCID: PMC11762787 DOI: 10.1038/s44259-024-00074-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2024] [Accepted: 12/17/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2025]
Abstract
Regulatory elements controlling gene expression fine-tune bacterial responses to environmental cues, including antimicrobials, to optimize survival. Acinetobacter baumannii, a pathogen notorious for antimicrobial resistance, relies on efficient efflux systems. Though the role of efflux systems in antibiotic expulsion are well recognized, the regulatory mechanisms controlling their expression remain understudied. This review explores the current understanding of these regulators, aiming to inspire strategies to combat bacterial resistance and improve therapeutic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dawn White
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Ayush Kumar
- Department of Microbiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
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Gil-Gil T, Laborda P, Martínez JL, Hernando-Amado S. Use of adjuvants to improve antibiotic efficacy and reduce the burden of antimicrobial resistance. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2025; 23:31-47. [PMID: 39670956 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2024.2441891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2024] [Revised: 10/28/2024] [Accepted: 12/10/2024] [Indexed: 12/14/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The increase in antibiotic resistance, together with the absence of novel antibiotics, makes mandatory the introduction of novel strategies to optimize the use of existing antibiotics. Among these strategies, the use of molecules that increase their activity looks promising. AREAS COVERED Different categories of adjuvants have been reviewed. Anti-resistance adjuvants increase the activity of antibiotics by inhibiting antibiotic resistance determinants. Anti-virulence approaches focus on the infection process itself; reducing virulence in combination with an antibiotic can improve therapeutic efficacy. Combination of phages with antibiotics can also be useful, since they present different mechanisms of action and targets. Finally, combining antibiotics with adjuvants in the same molecule may serve to improve antibiotics' efficacy and to overcome potential problems of differential pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics. EXPERT OPINION The successful combination of inhibitors of β-lactamases with β-lactams has shown that adjuvants can improve the efficacy of current antibiotics. In this sense, novel anti-resistance adjuvants able to inhibit efflux pumps are still needed, as well as anti-virulence compounds that improve the efficacy of antibiotics by interfering with the infection process. Although adjuvants may present different pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics than antibiotics, conjugates containing both compounds can solve this problem. Finally, already approved drugs can be a promising source of antibiotic adjuvants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Gil-Gil
- Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Pablo Laborda
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
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10
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Fuglsang-Madsen A, Haagensen JAJ, De Rudder C, Simões FB, Molin S, Johansen HK. Establishment of a 3D-Printed Tissue-on-a-Chip Model for Live Imaging of Bacterial Infections. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2025; 1476:69-85. [PMID: 39825043 DOI: 10.1007/5584_2024_829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/20/2025]
Abstract
Despite advances in healthcare, bacterial pathogens remain a severe global health threat, exacerbated by rising antibiotic resistance. Lower respiratory tract infections, with their high death toll, are of particular concern. Accurately replicating host-pathogen interactions in laboratory models is crucial for understanding these diseases and evaluating new therapies. In this communication, we briefly present existing in vivo models for cystic fibrosis and their limitations in replicating human respiratory infections. We then present a novel, 3D-printed, cytocompatible microfluidic lung-on-a-chip device, designed to simulate the human lung environment, and with possible use in recapitulating general infectious diseases.Our device enables the colonisation of fully differentiated lung epithelia at an air-liquid interface with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a key pathogen in many severe infections. By incorporating dynamic flow, we replicate the clearance of bacterial toxins and planktonic cells, simulating both acute and chronic infections. This platform supports real-time monitoring of therapeutic interventions, mimics repeated drug administrations as in clinical settings, and facilitates the analysis of colony-forming units and cytokine secretion over time. Our findings indicate that this lung-on-a-chip device has significant potential for advancing infectious disease research, in optimizing treatment strategies against infections and in developing novel treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albert Fuglsang-Madsen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Janus Anders Juul Haagensen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Charlotte De Rudder
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
- Present Address: University of Luxembourg, Centre for Systems Biomedicine, Luxembourg, Belgium
| | - Filipa Bica Simões
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Søren Molin
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs, Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Helle Krogh Johansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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11
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Meirelles LA, Vayena E, Debache A, Schmidt E, Rossy T, Distler T, Hatzimanikatis V, Persat A. Pseudomonas aeruginosa faces a fitness trade-off between mucosal colonization and antibiotic tolerance during airway infection. Nat Microbiol 2024; 9:3284-3303. [PMID: 39455898 DOI: 10.1038/s41564-024-01842-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 09/27/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024]
Abstract
Pseudomonas aeruginosa frequently causes antibiotic-recalcitrant pneumonia, but the mechanisms driving its adaptation during human infections remain unclear. To reveal the selective pressures and adaptation strategies at the mucosal surface, here we investigated P. aeruginosa growth and antibiotic tolerance in tissue-engineered airways by transposon insertion sequencing (Tn-seq). Metabolic modelling based on Tn-seq data revealed the nutritional requirements for P. aeruginosa growth, highlighting reliance on glucose and lactate and varying requirements for amino acid biosynthesis. Tn-seq also revealed selection against biofilm formation during mucosal growth in the absence of antibiotics. Live imaging in engineered organoids showed that biofilm-dwelling cells remained sessile while colonizing the mucosal surface, limiting nutrient foraging and reduced growth. Conversely, biofilm formation increased antibiotic tolerance at the mucosal surface. Moreover, mutants with exacerbated biofilm phenotypes protected less tolerant but more cytotoxic strains, contributing to phenotypic heterogeneity. P. aeruginosa must therefore navigate conflicting physical and biological selective pressures to establish chronic infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas A Meirelles
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Evangelia Vayena
- Laboratory of Computational Systems Biotechnology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Auriane Debache
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Schmidt
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Tamara Rossy
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Tania Distler
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Vassily Hatzimanikatis
- Laboratory of Computational Systems Biotechnology, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Persat
- Global Health Institute, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
- Institute of Bioengineering, School of Life Sciences, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland.
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12
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Oyenuga N, Cobo-Díaz JF, Alvarez-Ordóñez A, Alexa EA. Overview of Antimicrobial Resistant ESKAPEE Pathogens in Food Sources and Their Implications from a One Health Perspective. Microorganisms 2024; 12:2084. [PMID: 39458393 PMCID: PMC11510272 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2024] [Revised: 10/14/2024] [Accepted: 10/16/2024] [Indexed: 10/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance is an increasing societal burden worldwide, with ESKAPEE (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacter species and Escherichia coli) pathogens overwhelming the healthcare sectors and more recently becoming predominantly a concern for their persistence in food and food industries, including agricultural settings and animal husbandry environments. The aim of this review is to explore the mechanisms by which the ESKAPEE group gained its multidrug resistance profiles, to analyse their occurrence in different foods and other related reservoirs, including water, and to address the current challenges due to their spread within the food production chain. Moreover, the repertoire of surveillance programmes available focused on monitoring their occurrence, common reservoirs and the spread of antimicrobial resistance are described in this review paper. Evidence from the literature suggests that restricting our scope in relation to multidrug resistance in ESKAPEE pathogens to healthcare and healthcare-associated facilities might actually impede unveiling the actual issues these pathogens can exhibit, for example, in food and food-related reservoirs. Furthermore, this review addresses the need for increasing public campaigns aimed at addressing this challenge, which must be considered in our fight against antimicrobial resistance shown by the ESKAPEE group in food and food-related sectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naomi Oyenuga
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland;
| | - José Francisco Cobo-Díaz
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (J.F.C.-D.); (A.A.-O.)
| | - Avelino Alvarez-Ordóñez
- Department of Food Hygiene and Technology, Universidad de León, 24071 León, Spain; (J.F.C.-D.); (A.A.-O.)
- Institute of Food Science and Technology, Universidad de León, 24007 León, Spain
| | - Elena-Alexandra Alexa
- School of Food Science and Environmental Health, Technological University Dublin, D07 H6K8 Dublin, Ireland;
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13
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Goltermann L, Laborda P, Irazoqui O, Pogrebnyakov I, Bendixen MP, Molin S, Johansen HK, La Rosa R. Macrolide resistance through uL4 and uL22 ribosomal mutations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Nat Commun 2024; 15:8906. [PMID: 39414850 PMCID: PMC11484784 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53329-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 10/09/2024] [Indexed: 10/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Macrolides are widely used antibiotics for the treatment of bacterial airway infections. Due to its elevated minimum inhibitory concentration in standardized culture media, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is considered intrinsically resistant and, therefore, antibiotic susceptibility testing against macrolides is not performed. Nevertheless, due to macrolides' immunomodulatory effect and suppression of virulence factors, they are used for the treatment of persistent P. aeruginosa infections. Here, we demonstrate that macrolides are, instead, effective antibiotics against P. aeruginosa airway infections in an Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) infection model system resembling the human airways. Importantly, macrolide treatment in both people with cystic fibrosis and primary ciliary dyskinesia patients leads to the accumulation of uL4 and uL22 ribosomal protein mutations in P. aeruginosa which causes antibiotic resistance. Consequently, higher concentrations of antibiotics are needed to modulate the macrolide-dependent suppression of virulence. Surprisingly, even in the absence of antibiotics, these mutations also lead to a collateral reduction in growth rate, virulence and pathogenicity in airway ALI infections which are pivotal for the establishment of a persistent infection. Altogether, these results lend further support to the consideration of macrolides as de facto antibiotics against P. aeruginosa and the need for resistance monitoring upon prolonged macrolide treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lise Goltermann
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Pablo Laborda
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Oihane Irazoqui
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Ivan Pogrebnyakov
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Maria Pals Bendixen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Søren Molin
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Helle Krogh Johansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, 2200, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Ruggero La Rosa
- Department of Clinical Microbiology 9301, Rigshospitalet, 2100, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, 2800, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark.
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14
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Monroy-Pérez E, Herrera-Gabriel JP, Olvera-Navarro E, Ugalde-Tecillo L, García-Cortés LR, Moreno-Noguez M, Martínez-Gregorio H, Vaca-Paniagua F, Paniagua-Contreras GL. Molecular Properties of Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Causing Clinically Critical Infections. Pathogens 2024; 13:868. [PMID: 39452738 PMCID: PMC11510431 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13100868] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2024] [Revised: 09/29/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The increase in the number of hospital strains of hypervirulent and multidrug resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major health problem that reduces medical treatment options and increases mortality. The molecular profiles of virulence and multidrug resistance of P. aeruginosa-associated hospital and community infections in Mexico have been poorly studied. In this study, we analyzed the different molecular profiles associated with the virulence genotypes related to multidrug resistance and the genotypes of multidrug efflux pumps (mex) in P. aeruginosa causing clinically critical infections isolated from Mexican patients with community- and hospital-acquired infections. Susceptibility to 12 antibiotics was determined using the Kirby-Bauer method. The identification of P. aeruginosa and the detection of virulence and efflux pump system genes were performed using conventional PCR. All strains isolated from patients with hospital-acquired (n = 67) and community-acquired infections (n = 57) were multidrug resistant, mainly to beta-lactams (ampicillin [96.7%], carbenicillin [98.3%], cefalotin [97.5%], and cefotaxime [87%]), quinolones (norfloxacin [78.2%]), phenicols (chloramphenicol [91.9%]), nitrofurans (nitrofurantoin [70.9%]), aminoglycosides (gentamicin [75%]), and sulfonamide/trimethoprim (96.7%). Most strains (95.5%) isolated from patients with hospital- and community-acquired infections carried the adhesion (pilA) and biofilm formation (ndvB) genes. Outer membrane proteins (oprI and oprL) were present in 100% of cases, elastases (lasA and lasB) in 100% and 98.3%, respectively, alkaline protease (apr) and alginate (algD) in 99.1% and 97.5%, respectively, and chaperone (groEL) and epoxide hydrolase (cif) in 100% and 97.5%, respectively. Overall, 99.1% of the strains isolated from patients with hospital- and community-acquired infections carried the efflux pump system genes mexB and mexY, while 98.3% of the strains carried mexF and mexZ. These findings show a wide distribution of the virulome related to the genotypic and phenotypic profiles of antibiotic resistance and the origin of the strains isolated from patients with hospital- and community-acquired infections, demonstrating that these molecular mechanisms may play an important role in high-pathogenicity infections caused by P. aeruginosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Monroy-Pérez
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.P.H.-G.); (E.O.-N.); (L.U.-T.)
| | - Jennefer Paloma Herrera-Gabriel
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.P.H.-G.); (E.O.-N.); (L.U.-T.)
| | - Elizabeth Olvera-Navarro
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.P.H.-G.); (E.O.-N.); (L.U.-T.)
| | - Lorena Ugalde-Tecillo
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.P.H.-G.); (E.O.-N.); (L.U.-T.)
| | - Luis Rey García-Cortés
- Coordinación de Investigación del Estado de México Oriente, Insitituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Tlalnepantla de Baz 50090, Mexico;
| | - Moisés Moreno-Noguez
- Coordinación Clínica de Educación e Investigación en Salud, Unidad de Medicina Familiar No. 55, Insitituto Mexicano del Seguro Social Estado de México Oriente, Zumpango 55600, Mexico;
| | - Héctor Martínez-Gregorio
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (H.M.-G.); (F.V.-P.)
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Felipe Vaca-Paniagua
- Unidad de Biomedicina, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (H.M.-G.); (F.V.-P.)
- Laboratorio Nacional en Salud, Diagnóstico Molecular y Efecto Ambiental en Enfermedades Crónico-Degenerativas, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico
| | - Gloria Luz Paniagua-Contreras
- Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Tlalnepantla 54090, Mexico; (J.P.H.-G.); (E.O.-N.); (L.U.-T.)
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15
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Konaklieva MI, Plotkin BJ. Activity of Organoboron Compounds against Biofilm-Forming Pathogens. Antibiotics (Basel) 2024; 13:929. [PMID: 39452196 PMCID: PMC11504661 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics13100929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2024] [Revised: 09/25/2024] [Accepted: 09/26/2024] [Indexed: 10/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Bacteria have evolved and continue to change in response to environmental stressors including antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance and the ability to form biofilms are inextricably linked, requiring the continuous search for alternative compounds to antibiotics that affect biofilm formation. One of the latest drug classes is boron-containing compounds. Over the last several decades, boron has emerged as a prominent element in the field of medicinal chemistry, which has led to an increasing number of boron-containing compounds being considered as potential drugs. The focus of this review is on the developments in boron-containing organic compounds (BOCs) as antimicrobial/anti-biofilm probes and agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika I. Konaklieva
- Department of Chemistry, American University, 4400 Massachusetts Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20016, USA
| | - Balbina J. Plotkin
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Midwestern University, 555 31st St., Downers Grove, IL 60515, USA;
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16
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Ritz D, Deng Y, Schultz D. Common regulatory mutation increases single-cell survival to antibiotic exposures in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.20.614194. [PMID: 39345531 PMCID: PMC11430049 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.20.614194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/01/2024]
Abstract
Typical antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of microbial samples is performed in homogeneous cultures in steady environments, which does not account for the highly heterogeneous and dynamic nature of antibiotic responses. The most common mutation found in P. aeruginosa lineages evolved in the human lung, a loss of function of repressor MexZ, increases basal levels of multidrug efflux MexXY, but does not increase resistance by traditional MIC measures. Here, we use single cell microfluidics to show that P. aeruginosa response to aminoglycosides is highly heterogeneous, with only a subpopulation of cells surviving exposure. mexZ mutations then bypass the lengthy process of MexXY activation, increasing survival to sudden drug exposures and conferring a fitness advantage in fluctuating environments. We propose a simple "Response Dynamics" assay to quantify the speed of population-level recovery to drug exposures. This assay can be used alongside MIC for resistance profiling to better predict clinical outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Ritz
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Yijie Deng
- Thayer School of Engineering – Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
| | - Daniel Schultz
- Department of Microbiology & Immunology, Geisel School of Medicine, Hanover, NH 03755, USA
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17
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Laborda P, Gil‐Gil T, Martínez JL, Hernando‐Amado S. Preserving the efficacy of antibiotics to tackle antibiotic resistance. Microb Biotechnol 2024; 17:e14528. [PMID: 39016996 PMCID: PMC11253305 DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Different international agencies recognize that antibiotic resistance is one of the most severe human health problems that humankind is facing. Traditionally, the introduction of new antibiotics solved this problem but various scientific and economic reasons have led to a shortage of novel antibiotics at the pipeline. This situation makes mandatory the implementation of approaches to preserve the efficacy of current antibiotics. The concept is not novel, but the only action taken for such preservation had been the 'prudent' use of antibiotics, trying to reduce the selection pressure by reducing the amount of antibiotics. However, even if antibiotics are used only when needed, this will be insufficient because resistance is the inescapable outcome of antibiotics' use. A deeper understanding of the alterations in the bacterial physiology upon acquisition of resistance and during infection will help to design improved strategies to treat bacterial infections. In this article, we discuss the interconnection between antibiotic resistance (and antibiotic activity) and bacterial metabolism, particularly in vivo, when bacteria are causing infection. We discuss as well how understanding evolutionary trade-offs, as collateral sensitivity, associated with the acquisition of resistance may help to define evolution-based therapeutic strategies to fight antibiotic resistance and to preserve currently used antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Laborda
- Department of Clinical MicrobiologyRigshospitaletCopenhagenDenmark
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18
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Laborda P, Molin S, Johansen HK, Martínez JL, Hernando-Amado S. Role of bacterial multidrug efflux pumps during infection. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:226. [PMID: 38822187 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-04042-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Multidrug efflux pumps are protein complexes located in the cell envelope that enable bacteria to expel, not only antibiotics, but also a wide array of molecules relevant for infection. Hence, they are important players in microbial pathogenesis. On the one hand, efflux pumps can extrude exogenous compounds, including host-produced antimicrobial molecules. Through this extrusion, pathogens can resist antimicrobial agents and evade host defenses. On the other hand, efflux pumps also have a role in the extrusion of endogenous compounds, such as bacterial intercommunication signaling molecules, virulence factors or metabolites. Therefore, efflux pumps are involved in the modulation of bacterial behavior and virulence, as well as in the maintenance of the bacterial homeostasis under different stresses found within the host. This review delves into the multifaceted roles that efflux pumps have, shedding light on their impact on bacterial virulence and their contribution to bacterial infection. These observations suggest that strategies targeting bacterial efflux pumps could both reinvigorate the efficacy of existing antibiotics and modulate the bacterial pathogenicity to the host. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of bacterial efflux pumps can be pivotal for the development of new effective strategies for the management of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Laborda
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, 9301, Denmark.
| | - Søren Molin
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Helle Krogh Johansen
- Department of Clinical Microbiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, 9301, Denmark
- Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
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