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Lear L, Hesse E, Newsome L, Gaze W, Buckling A, Vos M. The effect of metal remediation on the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Evol Appl 2023; 16:1377-1389. [PMID: 37492145 PMCID: PMC10363854 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13576] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic metal pollution can result in co-selection for antibiotic resistance and potentially select for increased virulence in bacterial pathogens. Metal-polluted environments can select for the increased production of siderophore molecules to detoxify non-ferrous metals. However, these same molecules also aid the uptake of ferric iron, a limiting factor for within-host pathogen growth, and are consequently a virulence factor. Anthropogenic methods to remediate environmental metal contamination commonly involve amendment with lime-containing materials. However, whether this reduces in situ co-selection for antibiotic resistance and siderophore-mediated virulence remains unknown. Here, using microcosms containing non-sterile metal-contaminated river water and sediment, we test whether liming reduces co-selection for these pathogenicity traits in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. To account for the effect of environmental structure, which is known to impact siderophore production, microcosms were incubated under either static or shaking conditions. Evolved P. aeruginosa populations had greater fitness in the presence of toxic concentrations of copper than the ancestral strain and showed increased resistance to the clinically relevant antibiotics apramycin, cefotaxime and trimethoprim, regardless of lime addition or environmental structure. Although we found virulence to be significantly associated with siderophore production, neither virulence nor siderophore production significantly differed between the four treatments. Furthermore, liming did not mitigate metal-imposed selection for antibiotic resistance or virulence in P. aeruginosa. Consequently, metal-contaminated environments may select for antibiotic resistance and virulence traits even when treated with lime.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Lear
- College of Life and Environmental ScienceUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Elze Hesse
- College of Life and Environmental ScienceUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Laura Newsome
- College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical SciencesUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - William Gaze
- European Centre for Environment and Human HealthUniversity of Exeter Medical SchoolPenrynUK
| | - Angus Buckling
- College of Life and Environmental ScienceUniversity of ExeterPenrynUK
| | - Michiel Vos
- European Centre for Environment and Human HealthUniversity of Exeter Medical SchoolPenrynUK
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2
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Monfardini MV, Souza RT, Rojas TCG, Guerrieri CG, Orikaza C, Scaletsky ICA. Transposon mutagenesis of atypical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli reveals a hemagglutinin-associated protein that mediates cell adhesion and contributes to the Galleria mellonella virulence. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2023; 13:1166158. [PMID: 37424788 PMCID: PMC10327481 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2023.1166158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Twenty-two atypical enteroaggregative Escherichia coli isolates from a previous epidemiological study harboring EAEC virulence genes were examined for their adhesion properties. Nine strains showed a typical aggregative adherence (AA) pattern, while 13 strains showed variant AA, such as AA with lined up cells characteristic of the chain-like adhesion (CLA) and AA mainly to HeLa cells characteristic of the diffuse adherence (DA). The aggregative forming pilus (AFP) genes afpA2 and afpR were detected only in strain Q015B, which exhibited an AA/DA pattern. Using Tn5-based transposon mutagenesis on Q015B strain, we identified a 5517-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a predicted 1838-amino-acid polypeptide that is genetically related to a putative filamentous hemagglutinin identified in E. coli strain 7-233-03_S3_C2. Therefore, the ORF was named orfHA. The regions flanking orfHA were sequenced and two ORFs were found; upstream, an ORF that encodes a 603-amino-acid polypeptide with 99% identity to hemolysin secretion/activation proteins of the ShlB/FhaC/HecB family, and downstream, another ORF, which encodes a 632-amino-acid polypeptide with 72% identity to the glycosyltransferase EtpC. An orfHA mutant (Q015BΔorfHA) was constructed from strain Q015B. Q015BΔorfHA strain did not adhere to HeLa cells, whereas Q015BΔ orfHA transformed with a pACYC184 plasmid carrying orfHA restored the AA/DA phenotype of strain Q015B. Furthermore, the Q015ΔorfHA mutant had a marked effect on the ability of strain Q015B to kill the larvae of Galleria mellonella. Our results suggest that the AA/DA pattern of strain Q015B is mediated by a hemagglutinin-associated protein which also contributes to its virulence in the G. mellonella model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariane V. Monfardini
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Renata T. Souza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Thais C. G. Rojas
- Departamento de Genética, Evolução e Bioagentes, Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Campinas, Brazil
| | - Caroline G. Guerrieri
- Departamento de Patologia, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil
| | - Cristina Orikaza
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Isabel C. A. Scaletsky
- Departamento de Microbiologia, Imunologia e Parasitologia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Escola Paulista de Medicina, São Paulo, Brazil
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3
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Bugyna L, Kendra S, Bujdáková H. Galleria mellonella-A Model for the Study of aPDT-Prospects and Drawbacks. Microorganisms 2023; 11:1455. [PMID: 37374956 PMCID: PMC10301295 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms11061455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Galleria mellonella is a promising in vivo model insect used for microbiological, medical, and pharmacological research. It provides a platform for testing the biocompatibility of various compounds and the kinetics of survival after an infection followed by subsequent treatment, and for the evaluation of various parameters during treatment, including the host-pathogen interaction. There are some similarities in the development of pathologies with mammals. However, a limitation is the lack of adaptive immune response. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an alternative approach for combating microbial infections, including biofilm-associated ones. aPDT is effective against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, regardless of whether they are resistant to conventional treatment. The main idea of this comprehensive review was to collect information on the use of G. mellonella in aPDT. It provides a collection of references published in the last 10 years from this area of research, complemented by some practical experiences of the authors of this review. Additionally, the review summarizes in brief information on the G. mellonella model, its advantages and methods used in the processing of material from these larvae, as well as basic knowledge of the principles of aPDT.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Helena Bujdáková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Microbiology and Virology, Comenius University in Bratislava, Ilkovicova 6, 84215 Bratislava, Slovakia; (L.B.); (S.K.)
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4
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Ahlawat S, Sharma KK. Lepidopteran insects: emerging model organisms to study infection by enteropathogens. Folia Microbiol (Praha) 2022; 68:181-196. [PMID: 36417090 DOI: 10.1007/s12223-022-01014-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The in vivo analysis of a pathogen is a critical step in gaining greater knowledge of pathogen biology and host-pathogen interactions. In the last two decades, there has been a notable rise in the number of studies on developing insects as a model for studying pathogens, which provides various benefits, such as ethical acceptability, relatively short life cycle, and cost-effective care and maintenance relative to routinely used rodent infection models. Furthermore, lepidopteran insects provide many advantages, such as easy handling and tissue extraction due to their large size relative to other invertebrate models, like Caenorhabditis elegans. Additionally, insects have an innate immune system that is highly analogous to vertebrates. In the present review, we discuss the components of the insect's larval immune system, which strengthens its usage as an alternative host, and present an updated overview of the research findings involving lepidopteran insects (Galleria mellonella, Manduca sexta, Bombyx mori, and Helicoverpa armigera) as infection models to study the virulence by enteropathogens due to the homology between insect and vertebrate gut.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shruti Ahlawat
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, SGT University, Gurgaon-Badli Road Chandu, Budhera, Gurugram, 122505, Haryana, India.
| | - Krishna Kant Sharma
- Laboratory of Enzymology and Recombinant DNA Technology, Department of Microbiology, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
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5
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Freire CA, Rodrigues BO, Elias WP, Abe CM. Adhesin related genes as potential markers for the enteroaggregative Escherichia coli category. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 12:997208. [DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2022.997208] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an important cause of diarrhea in children and adults worldwide. This pathotype is phenotypically characterized by the aggregative-adherence (AA) pattern in HEp-2 cells and genetically associated to the presence of the aatA gene. EAEC pathogenesis relies in different virulence factors. At least, three types of adhesins have been specifically associated with EAEC strains: the five variants of the aggregative adherence fimbriae (AAF), the aggregative forming pilus (AFP) and more recently, a fibrilar adhesin named CS22. Our study aimed to evaluate the presence of AAF, AFP and CS22-related genes among 110 EAEC strains collected from feces of children with diarrhea. The presence of aggR (EAEC virulence regulator) and genes related to AAFs (aggA, aafA, agg3A, agg4A, agg5A and agg3/4C), AFP (afpA1 and afpR) and CS22 (cseA) was detected by PCR, and the adherence patterns were evaluated on HeLa cells. aggR-positive strains comprised 83.6% of the collection; among them, 80.4% carried at least one AAF-related gene and presented the AA pattern. aggA was the most frequent AAF-related gene (28.4% of aggR+ strains). cseA was detected among aggR+ (16.3%) and aggR- strains (22.2%); non-adherent strains or strains presenting AA pattern were observed in both groups. afpR and afpA1 were exclusively detected among aggR- strains (77.8%), most of which (71.4%) also presented AA pattern. Our results indicate that AAF- and AFP-related genes may contribute to identify EAEC strains, while the presence of cseA and its importance as an EAEC virulence factor and genotypic marker needs to be further evaluated.
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Ballén V, Gabasa Y, Ratia C, Sánchez M, Soto S. Correlation Between Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence Determinants and Biofilm Formation Ability Among Extraintestinal Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strains Isolated in Catalonia, Spain. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:803862. [PMID: 35087504 PMCID: PMC8786794 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.803862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli is a well-characterized bacterium highly prevalent in the human intestinal tract and the cause of many important infections. The aim of this study was to characterize 376 extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli strains collected from four hospitals in Catalonia (Spain) between 2016 and 2017 in terms of antimicrobial resistance, siderophore production, phylogroup classification, and the presence of selected virulence and antimicrobial resistance genes. In addition, the association between these characteristics and the ability to form biofilms was also analyzed. The strains studied were classified into four groups according to their biofilm formation ability: non-biofilm formers (15.7%), weak (23.1%), moderate (35.6%), and strong biofilm formers (25.6%). The strains were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin (48.7%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (47.9%), and ampicillin (38%), showing a correlation between higher resistance to ciprofloxacin and lower biofilm production. Seventy-three strains (19.4%) were ESBL-producers. However, no relationship between the presence of ESBL and biofilm formation was found. The virulence factor genes fimH (92%), pgaA (84.6%), and irp1 (77.1%) were the most prevalent in all the studied strains. A statistically significant correlation was found between biofilm formation and the presence of iroN, papA, fimH, sfa, cnf, hlyA, iutA, and colibactin-encoding genes clbA, clbB, clbN, and clbQ. Interestingly, a high prevalence of colibactin-encoding genes (19.9%) was observed. Colibactin is a virulence factor, which interferes with the eukaryotic cell cycle and has been associated with colorectal cancer in humans. Most colibactin-encoding E. coli isolates belonged to phylogroup B2, exhibited low antimicrobial resistance but moderate or high biofilm-forming ability, and were significantly associated with most of the virulence factor genes tested. Additionally, the analysis of their clonal relatedness by PFGE showed 48 different clusters, indicating a high clonal diversity among the colibactin-positive strains. Several studies have correlated the pathogenicity of E. coli and the presence of virulence factor genes; however, colibactin and its relationship to biofilm formation have been scarcely investigated. The increasing prevalence of colibactin in E. coli and other Enterobacteriaceae and the recently described correlation with biofilm formation, makes colibactin a promising therapeutic target to prevent biofilm formation and its associated adverse effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria Ballén
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Yaiza Gabasa
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carlos Ratia
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Melany Sánchez
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sara Soto
- ISGlobal, Hospital Clínic-Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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7
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Ménard G, Rouillon A, Cattoir V, Donnio PY. Galleria mellonella as a Suitable Model of Bacterial Infection: Past, Present and Future. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:782733. [PMID: 35004350 PMCID: PMC8727906 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.782733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing interest for Galleria mellonella larvae as an infection model is evidenced by the number of papers reporting its use, which increases exponentially since the early 2010s. This popularity was initially linked to limitation of conventional animal models due to financial, technical and ethical aspects. In comparison, alternative models (e.g. models using Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster or G. mellonella) were cheap, simple to use and not limited by ethical regulation. Since then, similar results have been established with G. mellonella model comparatively to vertebrates, and it is more and more often used as a robust model per se, not only as an alternative to the murine model. This review attempts to summarize the current knowledge supporting the development of this model, both on immunological and microbiological aspects. For that, we focus on investigation of virulence and new therapies for the most important pathogenic bacteria. We also discuss points out directions for standardization, as well as recent advances and new perspectives for monitoring host-pathogen interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guillaume Ménard
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Astrid Rouillon
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Cattoir
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
| | - Pierre-Yves Donnio
- Univ Rennes, CHU Rennes, INSERM, Bacterial Regulatory RNAs and Medicine (BRM), service de Bactériologie Hygiène-Hospitalière (SB2H), UMR_S 1230, Rennes, France
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8
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Site specific incidence rate of virulence related genes of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli and association with enteric inflammation and growth in children. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23178. [PMID: 34848801 PMCID: PMC8632913 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02626-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
There is a lack of information highlighting the possible association between strain carrying genes of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) and environmental enteric dysfunction (EED) and on linear growth during childhood. Strain carrying genes of EAEC from stool samples collected from 1705 children enrolled in the MAL-ED birth cohort were detected by TaqMan Array Cards. We measured site-specific incidence rate by using Poisson regression models, identified the risk factors and estimated the associations of strain carrying genes of EAEC with the composite EED score and linear growth at 24 months of age. Overall highest incidence rate (43.3%) was found among children having infection with the aggR gene, which was the greatest in Tanzania (56.7%). Low maternal education, lack of improved floor, and ownership of domestic cattle were found to be risk factors for EAEC infection. In the multivariate models, after adjusting the potential covariates, strain carrying genes of EAEC showed strong positive associations with the EED scores and with poor linear growth at 24 months of age. Our analyses may lay the cornerstone for a prospective epidemiologic investigation for a potential vaccine development aimed at reducing the burden of EAEC infections and combat childhood malnutrition.
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9
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Pakbin B, Brück WM, Rossen JWA. Virulence Factors of Enteric Pathogenic Escherichia coli: A Review. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:9922. [PMID: 34576083 PMCID: PMC8468683 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli are remarkably versatile microorganisms and important members of the normal intestinal microbiota of humans and animals. This harmless commensal organism can acquire a mixture of comprehensive mobile genetic elements that contain genes encoding virulence factors, becoming an emerging human pathogen capable of causing a broad spectrum of intestinal and extraintestinal diseases. Nine definite enteric E. coli pathotypes have been well characterized, causing diseases ranging from various gastrointestinal disorders to urinary tract infections. These pathotypes employ many virulence factors and effectors subverting the functions of host cells to mediate their virulence and pathogenesis. This review summarizes new developments in our understanding of diverse virulence factors associated with encoding genes used by different pathotypes of enteric pathogenic E. coli to cause intestinal and extraintestinal diseases in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Babak Pakbin
- Institute for Life Technologies, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland Valais-Wallis, 1950 Sion 2, Switzerland;
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin 15315-3419, Iran
| | - Wolfram M. Brück
- Institute for Life Technologies, University of Applied Sciences Western Switzerland Valais-Wallis, 1950 Sion 2, Switzerland;
| | - John W. A. Rossen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, 9713 GZ Groningen, The Netherlands;
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10
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Pereira MF, Rossi CC, da Silva GC, Rosa JN, Bazzolli DMS. Galleria mellonella as an infection model: an in-depth look at why it works and practical considerations for successful application. Pathog Dis 2021; 78:5909969. [PMID: 32960263 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftaa056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The larva of the greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an increasingly popular model for assessing the virulence of bacterial pathogens and the effectiveness of antimicrobial agents. In this review, we discuss details of the components of the G. mellonella larval immune system that underpin its use as an alternative infection model, and provide an updated overview of the state of the art of research with G. mellonella infection models to study bacterial virulence, and in the evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy. Emphasis is given to virulence studies with relevant human and veterinary pathogens, especially Escherichia coli and bacteria of the ESKAPE group. In addition, we make practical recommendations for larval rearing and testing, and overcoming potential limitations of the use of the model, which facilitate intra- and interlaboratory reproducibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monalessa Fábia Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, 36800-000, Carangola, MG, Brazil
| | - Ciro César Rossi
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-901, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Giarlã Cunha da Silva
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Jéssica Nogueira Rosa
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
| | - Denise Mara Soares Bazzolli
- Laboratório de Genética Molecular de Bactérias, Instituto de Biotecnologia Aplicada à Agropecuária-BIOAGRO, Departamento de Microbiologia, Universidade Federal de Viçosa, 36570-900, Viçosa, MG, Brazil
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11
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Emery H, Traves W, Rowley AF, Coates CJ. The diarrhetic shellfish-poisoning toxin, okadaic acid, provokes gastropathy, dysbiosis and susceptibility to bacterial infection in a non-rodent bioassay, Galleria mellonella. Arch Toxicol 2021; 95:3361-3376. [PMID: 34374792 PMCID: PMC8448676 DOI: 10.1007/s00204-021-03132-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Diarrhetic shellfish-poisoning (DSP) toxins such as okadaic acid and dinophysistoxins harm the human gastrointestinal tract, and therefore, their levels are regulated to an upper limit of 160 μg per kg tissue to protect consumers. Rodents are used routinely for risk assessment and studies concerning mechanisms of toxicity, but there is a general move toward reducing and replacing vertebrates for these bioassays. We have adopted insect larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella as a surrogate toxicology model. We treated larvae with environmentally relevant doses of okadaic acid (80–400 μg/kg) via intrahaemocoelic injection or gavage to determine marine toxin-related health decline: (1) whether pre-exposure to a sub-lethal dose of toxin (80 μg/kg) enhances susceptibility to bacterial infection, or (2) alters tissue pathology and bacterial community (microbiome) composition of the midgut. A sub-lethal dose of okadaic acid (80 μg/kg) followed 24 h later by bacterial inoculation (2 × 105Escherichia coli) reduced larval survival levels to 47%, when compared to toxin (90%) or microbial challenge (73%) alone. Histological analysis of the midgut depicted varying levels of tissue disruption, including nuclear aberrations associated with cell death (karyorrhexis, pyknosis), loss of organ architecture, and gross epithelial displacement into the lumen. Moreover, okadaic acid presence in the midgut coincided with a shift in the resident bacterial population over time in that substantial reductions in diversity (Shannon) and richness (Chao-1) indices were observed at 240 μg toxin per kg. Okadaic acid-induced deterioration of the insect alimentary canal resembles those changes reported for rodent bioassays.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helena Emery
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - William Traves
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Andrew F Rowley
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK
| | - Christopher J Coates
- Department of Biosciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, SA2 8PP, UK.
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12
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Hesketh-Best PJ, Mouritzen MV, Shandley-Edwards K, Billington RA, Upton M. Galleria mellonella larvae exhibit a weight-dependent lethal median dose when infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Pathog Dis 2021; 79:6121426. [PMID: 33503238 DOI: 10.1093/femspd/ftab003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 01/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Galleria mellonella is a recognised model to study antimicrobial efficacy; however, standardisation across the scientific field and investigations of methodological components are needed. Here, we investigate the impact of weight on mortality following infection with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Larvae were separated into six weight groups (180-300 mg at 20 mg intervals) and infected with a range of doses of MRSA to determine the 50% lethal dose (LD50), and the 'lipid weight' of larvae post-infection was quantified. A model of LD50 values correlated with weight was developed. The LD50 values, as estimated by our model, were further tested in vivo to prove our model. We establish a weight-dependent LD50 in larvae against MRSA and demonstrate that G. mellonella is a stable model within 180-260 mg. We present multiple linear models correlating weight with: LD50, lipid weight, and larval length. We demonstrate that the lipid weight is reduced as a result of MRSA infection, identifying a potentially new measure in which to understand the immune response. Finally, we demonstrate that larval length can be a reasonable proxy for weight. Refining the methodologies in which to handle and design experiments involving G. mellonella, we can improve the reliability of this powerful model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Poppy J Hesketh-Best
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Michelle V Mouritzen
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Derriford Research Facility, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BT, UK
| | - Kayleigh Shandley-Edwards
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Richard A Billington
- School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Mathew Upton
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Plymouth, Derriford Research Facility, Plymouth Science Park, Plymouth, PL6 8BT, UK
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13
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Molecular Epidemiology of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) Isolates of Hospitalized Children from Bolivia Reveal High Heterogeneity and Multidrug-Resistance. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21249543. [PMID: 33334000 PMCID: PMC7765457 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21249543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2020] [Revised: 12/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) is an emerging pathogen frequently associated with acute diarrhea in children and travelers to endemic regions. EAEC was found the most prevalent bacterial diarrheal pathogen from hospitalized Bolivian children less than five years of age with acute diarrhea from 2007 to 2010. Here, we further characterized the epidemiology of EAEC infection, virulence genes, and antimicrobial susceptibility of EAEC isolated from 414 diarrheal and 74 non-diarrheal cases. EAEC isolates were collected and subjected to a PCR-based virulence gene screening of seven virulence genes and a phenotypic resistance test to nine different antimicrobials. Our results showed that atypical EAEC (a-EAEC, AggR-negative) was significantly associated with diarrhea (OR, 1.62, 95% CI, 1.25 to 2.09, p < 0.001) in contrast to typical EAEC (t-EAEC, AggR-positive). EAEC infection was most prevalent among children between 7–12 months of age. The number of cases exhibited a biannual cycle with a major peak during the transition from warm to cold (April–June). Both typical and a-EAEC infections were graded as equally severe; however, t-EAEC harbored more virulence genes. aap, irp2 and pic were the most prevalent genes. Surprisingly, we detected 60% and 52.6% of multidrug resistance (MDR) EAEC among diarrheal and non-diarrheal cases. Resistance to ampicillin, sulfonamides, and tetracyclines was most common, being the corresponding antibiotics, the ones that are frequently used in Bolivia. Our work is the first study that provides comprehensive information on the high heterogenicity of virulence genes in t-EAEC and a- EAEC and the large prevalence of MDR EAEC in Bolivia.
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Petronio Petronio G, Cutuli MA, Magnifico I, Venditti N, Pietrangelo L, Vergalito F, Pane A, Scapagnini G, Di Marco R. In Vitro and In Vivo Biological Activity of Berberine Chloride against Uropathogenic E. coli Strains Using Galleria mellonella as a Host Model. Molecules 2020; 25:E5010. [PMID: 33137930 PMCID: PMC7662377 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25215010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2020] [Revised: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 10/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Berberine is an alkaloid of the protoberberine type used in traditional oriental medicine. Its biological activities include documented antibacterial properties against a wide variety of microorganisms; nonetheless, its use against Escherichia coli strains isolated from urinary infections has not yet been widely investigated in vivo. The emergence of antimicrobial resistance requires new therapeutic approaches to ensure the continued effectiveness of antibiotics for the treatment and prevention of urinary infections. Moreover, uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) has developed several virulence factors and resistance to routine antibiotic therapy. To this end, several in vitro and in vivo tests were conducted to assess the activity of berberine on uropathogenic E. coli strains. Galleria mellonella as an infection model was employed to confirm the in vivo translatability of in vitro data on berberine activity and its influence on adhesion and invasion proprieties of E. coli on human bladder cells. In vitro pre-treatment with berberine was able to decrease the adhesive and invasive UPEC ability. In vivo treatment increased the larvae survival infected with UPEC strains and reduced the number of circulating pathogens in larvae hemolymph. These preliminary findings demonstrated the efficacy and reliability of G. mellonella as in vivo model for pre-clinical studies of natural substances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulio Petronio Petronio
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise Via de Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso (CB) Molise, Italy; (G.P.P.); (I.M.); (N.V.); (L.P.); (G.S.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Marco Alfio Cutuli
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise Via de Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso (CB) Molise, Italy; (G.P.P.); (I.M.); (N.V.); (L.P.); (G.S.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Irene Magnifico
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise Via de Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso (CB) Molise, Italy; (G.P.P.); (I.M.); (N.V.); (L.P.); (G.S.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Noemi Venditti
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise Via de Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso (CB) Molise, Italy; (G.P.P.); (I.M.); (N.V.); (L.P.); (G.S.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Laura Pietrangelo
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise Via de Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso (CB) Molise, Italy; (G.P.P.); (I.M.); (N.V.); (L.P.); (G.S.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Franca Vergalito
- Department of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences (DiAAA), University of Molise, Via De Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso, Italy;
| | - Antonella Pane
- Department of Agricultural, Food and Environment, University of Catania, Via S. Sofia, 100, 95123 Catania, Italy;
| | - Giovanni Scapagnini
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise Via de Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso (CB) Molise, Italy; (G.P.P.); (I.M.); (N.V.); (L.P.); (G.S.); (R.D.M.)
| | - Roberto Di Marco
- Department of Health and Medical Sciences “V. Tiberio”, University of Molise Via de Sanctis 3, III Ed. Polifunzionale, 86100 Campobasso (CB) Molise, Italy; (G.P.P.); (I.M.); (N.V.); (L.P.); (G.S.); (R.D.M.)
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Pereira MF, Rossi CC. Overview of rearing and testing conditions and a guide for optimizing Galleria mellonella breeding and use in the laboratory for scientific purposes. APMIS 2020; 128:607-620. [PMID: 32970339 DOI: 10.1111/apm.13082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
The greater wax moth Galleria mellonella is an increasingly popular and consolidated alternative infection model to assess microbial virulence and the effectiveness of antimicrobial compounds. The lack of G. mellonella suppliers aiming at scientific purposes and a lack of well-established protocols for raising and testing these animals may impact results and reproducibility between different laboratories. In this review, we discuss the state of the art of rearing the larvae in situ, providing an overview of breeding and testing conditions commonly used and their influence on larval health and experiments results, from setting up the environment, providing the ideal diet, understanding the effects of pretreatments, choosing the best testing conditions, to exploring the most from the results obtained. Meanwhile, we guide the reader through the most practical ways of dealing with G. mellonella to achieve successful experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monalessa Fábia Pereira
- Laboratório de Bioquímica e Microbiologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade do Estado de Minas Gerais, Carangola, MG, Brazil
| | - Ciro César Rossi
- Laboratório de Microbiologia Molecular, Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Apostolakos I, Feudi C, Eichhorn I, Palmieri N, Fasolato L, Schwarz S, Piccirillo A. High-resolution characterisation of ESBL/pAmpC-producing Escherichia coli isolated from the broiler production pyramid. Sci Rep 2020; 10:11123. [PMID: 32636426 PMCID: PMC7341882 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-68036-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) or plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase (pAmpC)-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL/pAmpC-EC) in livestock is a public health risk given the likelihood of their transmission to humans via the food chain. We conducted whole genome sequencing on 100 ESBL/pAmpC-EC isolated from the broiler production to explore their resistance and virulence gene repertoire, characterise their plasmids and identify transmission events derived from their phylogeny. Sequenced isolates carried resistance genes to four antimicrobial classes in addition to cephalosporins. Virulence gene analysis assigned the majority of ESBL/pAmpC-EC to defined pathotypes. In the complex genetic background of ESBL/pAmpC-EC, clusters of closely related isolates from various production stages were identified and indicated clonal transmission. Phylogenetic comparison with publicly available genomes suggested that previously uncommon ESBL/pAmpC-EC lineages could emerge in poultry, while others might contribute to the maintenance and dissemination of ESBL/pAmpC genes in broilers. The majority of isolates from diverse E. coli lineages shared four dominant plasmids (IncK2, IncI1, IncX3 and IncFIB/FII) with identical ESBL/pAmpC gene insertion sites. These plasmids have been previously reported in diverse hosts, including humans. Our findings underline the importance of specific plasmid groups in the dissemination of cephalosporin resistance genes within the broiler industry and across different reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Apostolakos
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020, Padua, Italy
| | - Claudia Feudi
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Inga Eichhorn
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nicola Palmieri
- Department for Farm Animals and Veterinary Public Health, University Clinic for Poultry and Fish Medicine, University of Veterinary Medicine, 1210, Vienna, Austria
| | - Luca Fasolato
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020, Padua, Italy
| | - Stefan Schwarz
- Institute of Microbiology and Epizootics, Centre for Infection Medicine, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, 14163, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessandra Piccirillo
- Department of Comparative Biomedicine and Food Science, University of Padua, 35020, Padua, Italy.
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Virulence Potential of a Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Strain Belonging to the Emerging Clonal Group ST101-B1 Isolated from Bloodstream Infection. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8060827. [PMID: 32486334 PMCID: PMC7355805 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8060827] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 05/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/21/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Escherichia coli EC121 is a multidrug-resistant (MDR) strain isolated from a bloodstream infection of an inpatient with persistent gastroenteritis and T-zone lymphoma that died due to septic shock. Despite causing an extraintestinal infection, previous studies showed that it did not have the usual characteristics of an extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli. Instead, it belonged to phylogenetic group B1 and harbored few known virulence genes. To evaluate the pathogenic potential of strain EC121, an extensive genome sequencing and in vitro characterization of various pathogenicity-associated properties were performed. The genomic analysis showed that strain EC121 harbors more than 50 complete virulence genetic clusters. It also displays the capacity to adhere to a variety of epithelial cell lineages and invade T24 bladder cells, as well as the ability to form biofilms on abiotic surfaces, and survive the bactericidal serum complement activity. Additionally, EC121 was shown to be virulent in the Galleria mellonella model. Furthermore, EC121 is an MDR strain harboring 14 antimicrobial resistance genes, including blaCTX-M-2. Completing the scenario, it belongs to serotype O154:H25 and to sequence type 101-B1, which has been epidemiologically linked to extraintestinal infections as well as to antimicrobial resistance spread. This study with E. coli strain EC121 shows that clinical isolates considered opportunistic might be true pathogens that go underestimated.
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Bonfiglio G, Neroni B, Radocchia G, Pompilio A, Mura F, Trancassini M, Di Bonaventura G, Pantanella F, Schippa S. Growth Control of Adherent-Invasive Escherichia coli (AIEC) by the Predator Bacteria Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus: A New Therapeutic Approach for Crohn's Disease Patients. Microorganisms 2019; 8:microorganisms8010017. [PMID: 31861852 PMCID: PMC7023281 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Revised: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
In Crohn’s disease (CD) patients, intestinal dysbiosis with an overgrowth of Proteobacteria, mainly Escherichia coli, has been reported. A new pathotype of E. coli, the adherent-invasive Escherichia coli strain (AIEC), has been isolated from the mucosae of CD patients. AIEC strains play an important role in CD pathogenesis, increasing intestinal mucosa damage and inflammation. Several studies have been undertaken to find possible strategies/treatments aimed at AIEC strain reduction/elimination from CD patients’ intestinal mucosae. To date, a truly effective strategy against AIEC overgrowth is not yet available, and as such, further investigations are warranted. Bdellovibrio bacteriovorus is a predator bacterium which lives by invading Gram-negative bacteria, and is usually present both in natural and human ecosystems. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel possible strategy to treat CD patients’ mucosae when colonized by AIEC strains, based on the utilization of the Gram-negative predatory bacteria, B. bacteriovorus. The overall results indicate that B. bacteriovorus is able to interfere with important steps in the dynamics of pathogenicity of AIEC strains by its predatory activity. We indicate, for the first time, the possibility of counteracting AIEC strain overgrowth by exploiting what naturally occurs in microbial ecosystems (i.e., predation).
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Bonfiglio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Microbiology section, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (B.N.); (G.R.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Bruna Neroni
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Microbiology section, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (B.N.); (G.R.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Giulia Radocchia
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Microbiology section, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (B.N.); (G.R.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Arianna Pompilio
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, and Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.P.); (G.D.B.)
| | - Francesco Mura
- Electrical and Energy Engineering, Sapienza Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Laboratories (SNN-Lab), ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy;
| | - Maria Trancassini
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Microbiology section, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (B.N.); (G.R.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Giovanni Di Bonaventura
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, and Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), University “G. d’Annunzio” of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy; (A.P.); (G.D.B.)
| | - Fabrizio Pantanella
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Microbiology section, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (B.N.); (G.R.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
| | - Serena Schippa
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Microbiology section, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Roma, Italy; (G.B.); (B.N.); (G.R.); (M.T.); (F.P.)
- Correspondence:
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