Publications by authors named "Pablo Aja-Macaya"

Infections caused by non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), including complex (MABc), are increasing globally and are notoriously difficult to treat due to the intrinsic resistance of these bacteria to many common antibiotics. The aims of this study were to demonstrate the in vitro activity of imipenem/relebactam against MABc clinical isolates and to determine any in vitro synergism between imipenem/relebactam and other antimicrobials. A nationwide collection of 175 MABc clinical respiratory isolates obtained from 24 hospitals in Spain (August 2022-April 2023) was studied.

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Xeruborbactam is a broad-spectrum boronate-type β-lactamase inhibitor. We aimed to evaluate its activity in combination with meropenem and compare it with other β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations against Enterobacterales. The following isolates were screened: (i) an isogenic collection of 94 isolates producing β-lactamases under wild-type and low-permeability conditions, (ii) 300 genetically diverse clinical Enterobacterales isolates producing the three main carbapenemase types (KPC-like, OXA-48-like, and metallo-β-lactamases), and (iii) two collections of isolates producing mechanisms of resistance to β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, such as KPC variants or PBP3 insertions combined with metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs).

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Discovery of disease-related bacterial biomarkers could be a useful approach for early prevention or diagnosis of various afflictions, such as colorectal cancer. This typically involves analyzing small regions of the 16S rRNA gene (e.g.

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is a major nosocomial pathogen commonly involved in multidrug-resistant (MDR) infections that are very difficult to treat. Imipenem/relebactam is a new carbapenem/β-lactamase inhibitor combination with robust activity against . However, resistance is increasingly reported, and rapid detection is, therefore, crucial so that appropriate treatments can be prescribed.

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Objectives: To evaluate the effect of coconut oil on the oral bacteriome and inflammatory response in patients with periodontitis by integrating next-generation sequencing analyses of pathogenic bacterial shifts and quantification of inflammatory markers, thereby assessing its potential as a natural adjunct to standard nonsurgical periodontal therapy.

Materials And Methods: A triple-blind clinical trial was conducted with 30 participants diagnosed with periodontitis, randomized into 3 groups: (1) coconut oil, (2) chlorhexidine and (3) placebo. Saliva and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected before treatment, one month after treatment, and one month post-non-surgical periodontal therapy.

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carbapenemase (KPC) variants selected during ceftazidime/avibactam treatment usually develop susceptibility to carbapenems and carbapenem/β-lactamase inhibitors, such as imipenem and imipenem/relebactam. We analyzed imipenem and imipenem/relebactam single-step mutant frequencies, resistance development trajectories and differentially selected resistance mechanisms using two representative isolates that had developed ceftazidime/avibactam resistance during therapy (ST512/KPC-31 and ST258/KPC-35). Mutant frequencies and mutant prevention concentrations were measured in Mueller-Hinton agar plates containing incremental concentrations of imipenem or imipenem/relebactam.

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We describe the emergence of resistance to ceftazidime/avibactam via modification of AmpC in a clinical isolate during therapy with this combination. Paired ceftazidime/avibactam-susceptible/resistant isolates were obtained before and during ceftazidime/avibactam treatment. Whole genome sequencing revealed a differential mutation in AmpC (R148W) in the ceftazidime/avibactam-resistant isolate.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigated the efficacy and resistance mechanisms of cefiderocol and new β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations against strains of Enterobacterales producing multiple carbapenemases, specifically focusing on clinical samples from Spanish hospitals collected between 2017 and 2022.
  • The analysis involved 57 isolates, where minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined for various antibiotics, and whole-genome sequencing was utilized to identify genetic resistance factors.
  • Ceftazidime/avibactam, imipenem/relebactam, and meropenem/vaborbactam showed the least activity, while combinations like aztreonam/avibactam and cefepime/zidebactam were
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Treated sewage contains a large diversity of pathogens that can be transmitted to the environment and, directly or indirectly, infect humans through water use (i.e., consumption, bathing, or irrigation).

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Article Synopsis
  • The study examines how social restrictions and different variants, specifically Alpha, Delta, and Omicron-BA.1, affected the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Galicia, Spain.
  • Using genomic data and mobility statistics, the research found that initial variant introductions mostly came from other Spanish regions and France, later shifting to include imports from Portugal and the U.S.
  • Despite the number of introductions, most did not contribute significantly to the pandemic's evolution in Galicia, but major coastal cities were identified as key areas for viral transmission.
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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates how social restrictions and different variants, specifically Alpha, Delta, and Omicron, affected SARS-CoV-2 transmission in Galicia, Spain.
  • Using genomic data and mobility information, the research shows that the Alpha variant initially spread from other Spanish regions and France, while later variants saw increased influences from Portugal and the USA.
  • Key coastal cities in Galicia were identified as significant hubs for the virus's dissemination, underscoring the importance of regional connectivity for public health strategies.
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Article Synopsis
  • * A study conducted in A Coruña, Spain, between April 2020 and February 2022 identified 252 Gram-negative bacteria with carbapenemase genes from wastewater samples, indicating a concerning level of antibiotic resistance.
  • * Whole-genome sequencing of select isolates showed the potential of wastewater surveillance as an early warning system for tracking antibiotic-resistant bacteria, with notable findings preceding clinical cases at a local hospital.
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The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased worldwide, and early diagnosis is crucial to reduce mortality rates. Therefore, new noninvasive biomarkers for CRC are required. Recent studies have revealed an imbalance in the oral and gut microbiomes of patients with CRC, as well as impaired gut vascular barrier function.

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Oral and intestinal samples from a cohort of 93 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and 30 healthy controls (non-CRC) were collected for microbiome analysis. Saliva (28 non-CRC and 94 CRC), feces (30 non-CRC and 97 CRC), subgingival fluid (20 CRC), and tumor tissue samples (20 CRC) were used for 16S metabarcoding and/or RNA sequencing (RNAseq) approaches. A differential analysis of the abundance, performed with the ANCOM-BC package, adjusting the P-values by the Holm-Bonferroni method, revealed that Parvimonas was significantly over-represented in feces from CRC patients (P-value < 0.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the role of OXA-10 class D β-lactamase in contributing to carbapenem resistance in Enterobacterales, which was previously unclear.
  • Whole genome sequencing revealed two clinical isolates with a similar genetic background that both produced OXA-10 and showed mutations in porin genes, influencing their resistance.
  • The findings suggest that OXA-10 enhances carbapenem resistance, especially when combined with porin deficiencies, highlighting the importance of monitoring this enzyme in future clinical settings.
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Objectives: To describe and characterize the emergence of resistance to ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftazidime/avibactam and imipenem/relebactam in a patient receiving ceftazidime/avibactam treatment for an MDR Pseudomonas aeruginosa CNS infection.

Methods: One baseline (PA1) and two post-exposure (PA2 and PA3) isolates obtained before and during treatment of a nosocomial P. aeruginosa meningoventriculitis were evaluated.

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Background: The methodology described in previous literature for Monkeypox virus (MPXV) sequencing shows low efficiency when using metagenomic approaches. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a new fine-tuned method for extraction and enrichment of genomic MPXV DNA using clinical samples and to compare it to a non-enrichment metagenomic approach.

Results: A new procedure that allows sample enrichment in MPXV DNA, avoiding wasting the sequencing capacity in human DNA, was designed.

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The development of a whole-cell vaccine from bacteria auxotrophic for D-amino acids present in the bacterial cell wall is considered a promising strategy for providing protection against bacterial infections. Here, we constructed a prototype vaccine, consisting of a glutamate racemase-deficient mutant, for preventing infections. The deletion mutant lacks the gene and requires exogenous addition of D-glutamate for growth.

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