Uncovering the Fungal Community Composition of Alive and Dead Posidonia oceanica Matte.

Posidonia oceanica retains a large amount of carbon within its belowground recalcitrant structure, the 'matte,' which is characterized by low oxygen availability and biodegradation. Fungi may play a pivotal role in carbon sequestration within the matte, even if little/no information is available. To fill this gap, we profiled fungal communities from the upper and lower layers of alive and dead matte, by using an ITS2-5.

Phosphatidylserine liposomes induce a phagosome acidification-dependent and ROS-mediated intracellular killing of in human macrophages.

(Mab) is an opportunistic nontuberculous mycobacterium responsible of difficult-to-treat pulmonary infections in vulnerable patients, such as those suffering from Cystic Fibrosis (CF), where it represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Additionally, due to the intrinsic extensive antimicrobial resistance spectrum displayed by this species and the side effects reported for some available antibiotics, the therapeutic management of such infections remains extremely difficult. In the present study, we show that phosphatidylserine liposomes (PS-L) enhance intracellular mycobacterial killing of Mab infected human macrophages with functional or pharmacologically inhibited cystic fibrosis conductance regulator (CFTR), by a mechanism involving phagosome acidification and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.

Carbapenem-resistant : the role of plasmids in emergence, dissemination, and evolution of a major clinical challenge.

Introduction: is a major agent of healthcare-associated infections and a cause of some community-acquired infections, including severe bacteremic infections associated with metastatic abscesses in liver and other organs. Clinical relevance is compounded by its outstanding propensity to evolve antibiotic resistance. In particular, the emergence and dissemination of carbapenem resistance in has posed a major challenge due to the few residual treatment options, which have only recently been expanded by some new agents.

Molecular and Kinetic Characterization of MOX-9, a Plasmid-Mediated Enzyme Representative of a Novel Sublineage of MOX-Type Class C β-Lactamases.

The MOX lineage of β-lactamases includes a group of molecular class C enzymes (AmpCs) encoded by genes mobilized from the chromosomes of spp. to plasmids. MOX-9, previously identified as a plasmid-encoded enzyme from a Citrobacter freundii isolate, belongs to a novel sublineage of MOX enzymes, derived from the resident Aeromonas media AmpC.

Phosphatidylcholine Liposomes Down-Modulate CD4 Expression Reducing HIV Entry in Human Type-1 Macrophages.

A strategy adopted to combat human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) infection is based on interfering with virus entry into target cells. In this study, we found that phosphatidylcholine (PC) liposomes reduced the expression of the CD4 receptor in human primary type-1 macrophages but not in CD4 T cells. The down-regulation was specific to CD4, as any effect was not observed in CCR5 membrane expression.

Application of Bacteriophages for Human Health: An Old Approach against Contemporary "Bad Bugs".

The breadth of the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem exposes humankind to serious threats, which could lead, in the near future, to a worrisome raising of mortality and morbidity rates due to infections by "bad bugs" [...

Fighting MDR- Infections by a Combined Host- and Pathogen-Directed Therapeutic Approach.

is an opportunistic pathogen that is very difficult to treat mainly due to its high propensity to acquire complex resistance traits. Notably, multidrug resistance (MDR)- (KP) infections are responsible for 22%-72% of mortality among hospitalized and immunocompromised patients. Although treatments with new drugs or with combined antibiotic therapies have some degree of success, there is still the urgency to investigate and develop an efficient approach against MDR-KP infections.

Evidence of Another Anthropic Impact on from the Lesser Antilles: The Presence of Antibiotic Resistant Enterobacteria.

The improper use of antibiotics by humans may promote the dissemination of resistance in wildlife. The persistence and spread of acquired antibiotic resistance and human-associated bacteria in the environment, while representing a threat to wildlife, can also be exploited as a tool to monitor the extent of human impact, particularly on endangered animal species. Hence, we investigated both the associated enterobacterial species and the presence of acquired resistance traits in the cloacal microbiota of the critically endangered lesser Antillean iguana (), by comparing two separate populations living in similar climatic conditions but exposed to different anthropic pressures.

Phage Resistance Is Associated with Decreased Virulence in KPC-Producing of the Clonal Group 258 Clade II Lineage.

Phage therapy is now reconsidered with interest in the treatment of bacterial infections. A major piece of information for this application is the definition of the molecular targets exploited by phages to infect bacteria. Here, the genetic basis of resistance to the lytic phage φBO1E by its susceptible host KKBO-1 has been investigated.

Characterization of vB_StuS_MMDA13, a Newly Discovered Bacteriophage Infecting the Agar-Degrading Species .

Members of genus have gained a notable interest for their use in a wide range of biotechnological applications, ranging from bioremediation to the production of valuable compounds of industrial interest. To date, knowledge on phages targeting spp. are still scarce.

Abundance of Colistin-Resistant, OXA-23- and ArmA-Producing Belonging to International Clone 2 in Greece.

Carbapenem resistant (CRAB) represents one of the most challenging pathogens in clinical settings. Colistin is routinely used for treatment of infections by this pathogen, but increasing colistin resistance has been reported. We obtained 122 CRAB isolates from nine Greek hospitals between 2015 and 2017, and those colistin resistant (ColR; = 40, 32.

Determination of the capsular polysaccharide structure of the Klebsiella pneumoniae ST512 representative strain KPB-1 and assignments of the glycosyltransferases functions.

Klebsiella pneumoniae strain KPB-1 was isolated in early 2011 from the pleural fluid of an inpatient admitted at an Italian hospital. It was characterized to produce the KPC-3 carbapenemase and to belong to sequence type 512, a derivative of sequence type 258 clade II characterized by the cps-2 gene cluster. The K-antigen of K.

The Urgent Need for Novel Antimicrobial Agents and Strategies to Fight Antibiotic Resistance.

Antibiotic resistance in bacterial pathogens has currently reached very high and alarming levels [...

The lytic bacteriophage vB_EfaH_EF1TV, a new member of the Herelleviridae family, disrupts biofilm produced by Enterococcus faecalis clinical strains.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to characterize a new bacteriophage able to infect Enterococcus faecalis, and to evaluate its ability to disrupt biofilm.

Methods: The vB_EfaH_EF1TV (EF1TV) host-range was determined by spot test and efficiency of plating using a collection of 15E. faecalis clinical strains.

Characterization of Tn6349, a novel mosaic transposon carrying poxtA, cfr and other resistance determinants, inserted in the chromosome of an ST5-MRSA-II strain of clinical origin.

Objectives: To characterize the genetic element carrying the poxtA oxazolidinone resistance gene found in the poxtA index strain Staphylococcus aureus AOUC-0915 isolated from a cystic fibrosis patient.

Methods: The genetic context of poxtA was investigated by bioinformatics analysis of WGS data of strain AOUC-0915, followed by PCR and confirmatory Sanger sequencing for repetitive regions. Conjugation and electrotransformation experiments were carried out to assess horizontal transferability using S.

Structure of the capsular polysaccharide of the KPC-2-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strain KK207-2 and assignment of the glycosyltransferases functions.

Klebsiella pneumoniae strain KK207-2 was isolated in 2010 from a bloodstream infection of an inpatient at an Italian hospital. It was previously found to produce the KPC-2 carbapenemase and to belong to clade 1 of sequence type 258. Genotyping of the conserved wzi and wzc genes from strain KK207-2 yielded contrasting results: the wzc-based method assigned the cps to a new K-type, while the wzi-based method assigned it to the known K41 K-type.

Nasopharingeal bacterial and fungal colonization in HIV-positive versus HIV-negative adults.

Objectives: To compare mucosal flora in HIV-positive and HIV-negative subjects, to assess chemosusceptibility patterns of carriage isolates and to evaluate possible predisposing factors within the two groups.

Methods: We analyzed microbes isolated from nasopharyngeal swabs in virologically suppressed and immunologically stable HIV-positive adult outpatients (n=105) at baseline and after 12 months and in an age-matched cohort of HIV-negative outpatients (n=100) at baseline. Bacteria and Candida spp strains were isolated and identified through standard biochemical assays and chemosusceptibility tests were performed.

Characterization of a Multiresistance Plasmid Carrying the and Resistance Genes From an Clinical Isolate.

E35048, a bloodstream isolate from Italy, was the first strain where the oxazolidinone resistance gene was detected outside China. The strain was also positive for the oxazolidinone resistance gene . WGS analysis revealed that the two genes were linked (23.

Characterization of vB_Kpn_F48, a Newly Discovered Lytic Bacteriophage for Klebsiella pneumoniae of Sequence Type 101.

Resistance to carbapenems in , including , represents a major clinical problem given the lack of effective alternative antibiotics. Bacteriophages could provide a valuable tool to control the dissemination of antibiotic resistant isolates, for the decolonization of colonized individuals and for treatment purposes. In this work, we have characterized a lytic bacteriophage, named vB_Kpn_F48, specific for isolates belonging to clonal group 101.

Sphingomonas turrisvirgatae sp. nov., an agar-degrading species isolated from freshwater.

A yellow pigmented and agar-pitting colony was isolated from a water sample obtained from a drainage ditch within a disused system of constructed wetlands. The strain was purified and named MCT13. This rod-shaped, Gram-negative, oxidase- and catalase-positive, aerobic, non-spore-forming, and non-motile strain formed round colonies and grew optimally at pH 7.

Characterization of poxtA, a novel phenicol-oxazolidinone-tetracycline resistance gene from an MRSA of clinical origin.

Objectives: To characterize a novel phenicol-oxazolidinone-tetracycline resistance gene, named poxtA, identified in a previously described MRSA strain that was highly resistant to linezolid and also carried the cfr gene.

Methods: The poxtA gene was identified by bioinformatic analysis of the whole genome sequence of Staphylococcus aureus AOUC-0915. The poxtA gene was cloned in a shuttle plasmid vector and expressed in Escherichia coli, S.

Italian nationwide survey on Pseudomonas aeruginosa from invasive infections: activity of ceftolozane/tazobactam and comparators, and molecular epidemiology of carbapenemase producers.

Objectives: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of severe healthcare-associated infections and often shows MDR phenotypes. Ceftolozane/tazobactam is a new cephalosporin/β-lactamase inhibitor combination with potent activity against P. aeruginosa.