The aim of this study is to evaluate opportunistic pathogenic bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas in anthropogenically impacted bathing waters, primarily focusing on bathing ponds. The findings include the detection of these bacteria, their susceptibility to selected antibiotics, and the determination of the Exotoxin A (exoA) gene using PCR method. P. aeruginosa was present in most samples, albeit in low concentrations (1-14 CFU/100 mL). The presence of P. otitidis, which is associated with ear infection, in this type of bathing water, was not rare (up to 90 CFU/100 mL). This species would not be detected by the standard methods, including tests on acetamid medium, used for P. aeruginosa in water. The isolated strains of P. otitidis lack the exoA gene and exhibited higher resistance to meropenem compared to P. aeruginosa.

• MeSH
• ADP Ribose Transferases genetics   MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents * pharmacology   MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Bacterial MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins genetics   MeSH
• Bacterial Toxins genetics   MeSH
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A MeSH
• Exotoxins genetics   MeSH
• Virulence Factors genetics   MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests * MeSH
• Water Microbiology * MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Pseudomonas * genetics   isolation & purification   classification   drug effects   MeSH
• Ponds * microbiology   MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Escherichia coli is a significant pathogen in extraintestinal infections, and ESBL-producing E. coli poses a major clinical challenge due to its antibiotic resistance. This study comprehensively analyzed E. coli isolates from urine and blood samples of patients with urinary tract and bloodstream infections at three major tertiary hospitals in South Korea. The goal was to provide insights into the distribution, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factors of these strains. Our analysis identified CTX-M and TEM as the dominant ESBL types, found in 71.7% and 61.7% of isolates, respectively, with 46.7% showing co-occurrence. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed the predominance of high-risk clones such as ST131, ST69, ST73, and ST95, with rare sequence types like ST410 and ST405 also identified. The high prevalence of virulence factors, including iutA (80.8%) and kpsMII (74.2%), further highlights the complexity of these strains. In addition, 38.3% of clinical isolates contained a combination of siderophore, adhesin, protectin, and toxin-related genes. There was no significant difference between urinary tract and bloodstream infections or regional differentiation in Korea. This study highlights the importance of controlling ESBL-producing E. coli infections, especially given the increasing incidence among patients with underlying medical conditions and older adults who are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. These findings serve as valuable indicators for pathogen analysis, especially those harboring antibiotic resistance and toxin genes. The insights gained are expected to contribute significantly to the development of infectious disease prevention and control strategies.

• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology   MeSH
• Bacteremia * microbiology   epidemiology   MeSH
• beta-Lactamases * genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Escherichia coli * genetics   isolation & purification   pathogenicity   enzymology   drug effects   classification   MeSH
• Virulence Factors genetics   MeSH
• Urinary Tract Infections * microbiology   epidemiology   MeSH
• Escherichia coli Infections * microbiology   epidemiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Multilocus Sequence Typing MeSH
• Prevalence MeSH
• Escherichia coli Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Virulence MeSH
• Check Tag
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Republic of Korea MeSH

BackgroundOn 29 January 2024, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control distributed an alert about a metronidazole-resistant Clostridioides difficile outbreak of PCR ribotype (RT) 955 in England.AimWe aimed to investigate the presence of RT955 in Czech, Slovak and Polish C. difficile isolates and evaluate different culture media for detecting its metronidazole resistance.MethodsIsolates with binary toxin genes identified as 'unknown' by the WEBRIBO PCR ribotyping database up to 2023 were re-analysed after adding the RT955 profile to the database. The RT955 isolates were characterised by whole genome sequencing and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials.ResultsWe did not find RT955 in Czech (n = 6,661, 2012-2023) and Slovak (n = 776, 2015-2023) isolates, but identified 13 RT955 cases (n = 303, 2021-2023) in three hospitals in Poland. By whole genome multilocus sequence typing, 10 isolates clustered into one clonal complex including a sequence of United Kingdom strain ERR12670107, and shared similar antimicrobial resistance genes/mutations. All 13 isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin/moxifloxacin, erythromycin/clindamycin and ceftazidime. All isolates had a mutation in the nimB gene promoter and in NimB (Tyr130Ser and Leu155Ile). The metronidazole resistance was detected in all isolates using brain-heart-infusion agar supplemented with haemin and Chocolate agar. Results were discrepant with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing-recommended Fastidious anaerobe agar and Brucella blood agar.ConclusionThe identification of clonally related haem-dependent metronidazole-resistant C. difficile RT955 in multiple hospitals indicates a need for prospective surveillance to estimate its prevalence in Europe.

• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents * pharmacology   MeSH
• Drug Resistance, Bacterial * genetics   MeSH
• Clostridioides difficile * genetics   drug effects   isolation & purification   classification   MeSH
• Disease Outbreaks MeSH
• Clostridium Infections * epidemiology   microbiology   drug therapy   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Metronidazole * pharmacology   MeSH
• Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
• Multilocus Sequence Typing MeSH
• Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
• Ribotyping * MeSH
• Whole Genome Sequencing MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH
• Poland MeSH
• Slovakia MeSH

BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis isolates which do not express some of acellular pertussis vaccine (aPv) antigens, e.g. pertactin (PRN), have been increasingly reported in countries using aPvs. In Finland, primary pertussis vaccination with whole-cell vaccine was replaced by aPv containing pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) in 2005 and then by aPv containing PT, FHA, and PRN in 2009. We aimed to study alterations in the expression of FHA, PRN, and PT, three antigens included in aPvs and adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) not included in current aPvs, among Finnish isolates collected during 1991-2020. METHODS: Of 904 isolates collected by the Finnish Reference Laboratory for Pertussis during 1991-2020, 302 were randomly included. An adapted, monoclonal antibody based, antigen expression ELISA, including the culture of B. pertussis in Stainer-Scholte medium, was performed to quantify the expression of ACT, FHA, PRN, and PT of each isolate. ACT activity was also measured for 16 isolates. Arbitrary units were used for comparing levels of each antigen expression of isolates grouped in every five years. FINDINGS: Following the implementation of aPv in 2005, B. pertussis isolates exhibited a 1.75-fold increase for FHA (p < 0.001) and a 1.5-fold increase for ACT (p < 0.0041) expression until 2020. No FHA or ACT deficient isolates were detected. As the number of PRN deficient isolates has significantly increased with the time, the amount of PRN produced by the positive isolates has also started to decrease, especially after the use of aPv containing PRN. During this period, fluctuations in PT expression were observed. INTERPRETATION: The study demonstrated that in response to aPv-induced selection pressure, different types of selection of B. pertussis has occurred. For FHA and ACT, a steady increase in their production is observed, whereas the frequency of PRN deficient isolates is increased with time.

• MeSH
• Vaccines, Acellular immunology   MeSH
• Adenylate Cyclase Toxin immunology   MeSH
• Antigens, Bacterial * immunology   MeSH
• Adhesins, Bacterial MeSH
• Bordetella pertussis * immunology   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay MeSH
• Virulence Factors, Bordetella immunology   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Whooping Cough * prevention & control   immunology   microbiology   MeSH
• Pertussis Vaccine * immunology   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Pertussis Toxin immunology   MeSH
• Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins immunology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Finland MeSH

Diftérie představuje důležité, znovu se objevující infekční onemocnění. Patří mu zvýšená pozornost ze stran lékařské komunity, a to nejen v primární péči, ale napříč všemi obory. Nejrozšířenějším původcem je bakterie Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Existují dvě formy onemocnění: kožní a respirační. Lékem první volby jsou penicilinová antibiotika. Kromě úvodního stručného popisu mikroorganismu se následující text zaměří na tři kazuistiky pacientů, u nichž bylo v kultivačním vyšetření identifikováo Corynebacterium diphtheriae jako etiologické agens. První případ je respirační, další dva kožní formy. Je popsán průběh onemocnění, nezbytnost izolace na infekčním oddělení a realizovaný terapeutický postup. Dále je uveden lokální epidemiologický přehled incidence a závěrečné zhodnocení uvedených případů a nemoci samotné.

Diphtheria is an important, re-emerging infection that requires increased attention from the medical community, not only in primary care but across all medical fields. The causative agent is the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Two forms of the disease are distinguished: skin and respiratory. The first-line treatment consists of penicillin antibiotics. In addition to a brief initial description of the microorganism, the following text focuses on three case studies of patients in whom Corynebacterium diphtheriae was identified as the etiological agent through culture examination. The first case involves the respiratory form, while the other two concern the skin form. The course of the disease, the necessity of isolation in an infectious disease ward, and the therapeutic approach taken are described. Furthermore, a local epidemiological overview of incidence is provided, along with a final evaluation of the presented cases and the disease itself.

• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use   MeSH
• Corynebacterium diphtheriae pathogenicity   MeSH
• Diphtheria Toxin adverse effects   MeSH
• Diphtheria * epidemiology   drug therapy   pathology   prevention & control   MeSH
• Clindamycin therapeutic use   MeSH
• Skin Manifestations MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Case Reports MeSH

To trace evolution of Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive clonal complex 398 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the Czech Republic, we tested 103 MRSA isolates from humans. Five (4.9%) were Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive clonal complex 398, sequence types 1232 and 9181. Spread to the Czech Republic may result from travel to or from other countries.

• MeSH
• Bacterial Toxins * biosynthesis   genetics   MeSH
• History, 21st Century MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Exotoxins * genetics   biosynthesis   MeSH
• Leukocidins * genetics   MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus * genetics   isolation & purification   MeSH
• Staphylococcal Infections * microbiology   epidemiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• History, 21st Century MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Historical Article MeSH
• Geographicals
• Czech Republic MeSH

The ApxIVA protein belongs to a distinct class of a "clip and link" activity of Repeat-in-ToXin (RTX) exoproteins. Along with the three other pore-forming RTX toxins (ApxI, ApxII and ApxIII), ApxIVA serves as a major virulence factor of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine pneumonia. The gene encoding ApxIVA is located on a bicistronic operon downstream of the orf1 gene and is expressed exclusively under in vivo conditions. Both ApxIVA and ORF1 are essential for full virulence of A. pleuropneumoniae, but the molecular mechanisms by which they contribute to the pathogenicity are not yet understood. Here, we provide a comprehensive structural and functional analysis of ApxIVA and ORF1 proteins. Our findings reveal that the N-terminal segment of ApxIVA shares structural similarity with colicin M (ColM)-like bacteriocins and exhibits an antimicrobial activity. The ORF1 protein resembles the colicin M immunity protein (Cmi) and, like Cmi, is exported to the periplasm through its N-terminal signal peptide. Additionally, ORF1 can protect bacterial cells from the antimicrobial activity of ApxIVA, suggesting that ORF1 and ApxIVA function as an antibacterial toxin-immunity pair. Moreover, we demonstrate that fetal bovine serum could elicit ApxIVA and ORF1 production under in vitro conditions. These findings highlight the coordinated action of various RTX determinants, where the fine-tuned spatiotemporal production of ApxIVA may enhance the fitness of A. pleuropneumoniae, facilitating its invasion to a resident microbial community on the surface of airway mucosa.

• MeSH
• Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae * genetics   immunology   MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology   MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins * genetics   metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Bacterial Toxins genetics   metabolism   immunology   MeSH
• Virulence Factors genetics   MeSH
• Actinobacillus Infections microbiology   veterinary   MeSH
• Colicins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Operon * MeSH
• Swine MeSH
• Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial MeSH
• Virulence MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) is known for its Cry and Vip3A pesticidal proteins with high selectivity to target pests. Here, we assessed the potential of a novel neotropical Bt strain (UFT038) against six lepidopteran pests, including two Cry-resistant populations of fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. We also sequenced and analyzed the genome of Bt UFT038 to identify genes involved in insecticidal activities or encoding other virulence factors. In toxicological bioassays, Bt UFT038 killed and inhibited the neonate growth in a concentration-dependent manner. Bt UFT038 and HD-1 were equally toxic against S. cosmioides, S. frugiperda (S_Bt and R_Cry1 + 2Ab populations), Helicoverpa zea, and H. armigera. However, larval growth inhibition results indicated that Bt UFT038 was more toxic than HD-1 to S. cosmioides, while HD-1 was more active against Chrysodeixis includens. The draft genome of Bt UFT038 showed the cry1Aa8, cry1Ac11, cry1Ia44, cry2Aa9, cry2Ab35, and vip3Af5 genes. Besides this, genes encoding the virulence factors (inhA, plcA, piplC, sph, and chi1-2) and toxins (alo, cytK, hlyIII, hblA-D, and nheA-C) were also identified. Collectively, our findings reveal the potential of the Bt UFT038 strain as a source of insecticidal genes against lepidopteran pests, including S. cosmioides and S. frugiperda.

• MeSH
• Bacillus thuringiensis * genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Bacterial Proteins genetics   metabolism   MeSH
• Pest Control, Biological MeSH
• Endotoxins metabolism   MeSH
• Virulence Factors metabolism   MeSH
• Glycine max MeSH
• Hemolysin Proteins genetics   metabolism   pharmacology   MeSH
• Insecticides * pharmacology   metabolism   MeSH
• Larva MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Moths * MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Spodoptera metabolism   MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Check Tag
• Humans MeSH
• Infant, Newborn MeSH
• Animals MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH

BACKGROUND: Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is an acute respiratory illness primarily caused by Bordetella pertussis. Highly contagious, it poses significant morbidity and mortality risks, especially in infants. Despite widespread vaccination efforts, pertussis cases have recently resurged globally. This case report details possible complication in a 48-year-old woman, involving a cough-induced rib fracture and recurrent pneumothorax, highlighting the need for considering pertussis in patients with severe cough and back pain. CASE PRESENTATION: A 48-year-old female non-smoker with hypertension, treated with ACE inhibitor (perindopril), presented with a runny nose, productive cough, and back pain. Initial treatment for a common cold provided temporary relief. However, her symptoms worsened, and further examination revealed a fractured rib, pneumothorax, and subcutaneous emphysema. Laboratory tests confirmed elevated Bordetella pertussis toxin antibodies. She was treated with antibiotics, and despite recurrent symptoms, a conservative management approach was successful. Follow-up indicated resolution of symptoms, but significant anxiety related to her condition. CONCLUSION: This case emphasises the importance of considering pertussis in adults, as early symptoms resembling a common cold can lead to misdiagnosis. It also highlights the potential for significant musculoskeletal and pulmonary injuries due to intense coughing associated with pertussis. Prompt diagnosis and comprehensive management, including antibiotics and supportive care, are essential for favorable outcomes.

• MeSH
• Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use   MeSH
• Bordetella pertussis isolation & purification   MeSH
• Rib Fractures * complications   MeSH
• Cough etiology   MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Whooping Cough * complications   drug therapy   MeSH
• Pneumothorax * etiology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Case Reports MeSH

BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis continues to cause whooping cough globally even in countries with high immunisation coverage. Booster vaccinations with acellular pertussis vaccines are thus used in children, adolescents, and adults. T cell immunity is crucial for orchestrating the immune response after vaccination. However, T cell assays can be expensive and difficult to implement in large clinical trials. In this study, a whole blood (WB) stimulation assay was developed to identify secreted T cell associated cytokines in different age groups after acellular pertussis booster vaccination. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Longitudinal WB samples were collected from a small set of subjects (n = 38) aged 7-70 years participating in a larger ongoing clinical trial. For assay development, samples were diluted and incubated with purified inactivated pertussis toxin (PT), filamentous haemagglutinin (FHA), inactivated B. pertussis lysate, and complete medium (M) as stimulating conditions, with anti-CD28 and anti-CD49d as co-stimulants. Different timepoints around the vaccination (D0, D7, D14, D28), WB dilution factor (1:2, 1:4) and incubation time (24 h, 48 h, 72 h) were compared. Responses to 15 cytokines were tested with Luminex/multiplex immunoassay. RESULTS: The optimized assay consisted of WB incubation with M, PT, and FHA (including the two co-stimulants). After 48 h incubation, supernatants were collected for measurement of seven selected T cell associated cytokines (IL-2, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13, IL-17 A, IL-17F, and IFN-y) from samples before and 28 days after vaccination. PT stimulation showed a trend for upregulation of IL-2, IL-13, and IL-17 A/F for adult subjects, whereas the responses of all cytokines were downregulated for the paediatric subjects. Furthermore, PT and FHA-stimulated WB showed diverse cytokine producing profiles. CONCLUSIONS: The developed WB-based cytokine assay was shown to be less costly, easy to perform, and functional in differently aged individuals. Further, it requires only a small amount of fresh blood, which is beneficial especially for studies including infants. Our results support the use of this assay for other immunological studies in the future.

• MeSH
• Antigens, Bacterial * immunology   MeSH
• Bordetella pertussis * immunology   MeSH
• Cytokines * blood   immunology   MeSH
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Whooping Cough * immunology   blood   prevention & control   MeSH
• Pertussis Vaccine * immunology   administration & dosage   MeSH
• Immunization, Secondary MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• T-Lymphocytes * immunology   MeSH
• Check Tag
• Child MeSH
• Adult MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Adolescent MeSH
• Young Adult MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH