# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 6369 | 0 | 0.9826 | Association of furanone C-30 with biofilm formation & antibiotic resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that can cause nosocomial bloodstream infections in humans. This study was aimed to explore the association of furanone C-30 with biofilm formation, quorum sensing (QS) system and antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa. METHODS: An in vitro model of P. aeruginosa bacterial biofilm was established using the standard P. aeruginosa strain (PAO-1). After treatment with 2.5 and 5 μg/ml of furanone C-30, the change of biofilm morphology of PAO-1 was observed, and the expression levels of QS-regulated virulence genes (lasB, rhlA and phzA2), QS receptor genes (lasR, rhlR and pqsR) as well as QS signal molecule synthase genes (lasI, rhlI, pqsE and pqsH) were determined. Besides, the AmpC expression was quantified in planktonic and mature biofilm induced by antibiotics. RESULTS: Furanone C-30 treatment significantly inhibited biofilm formation in a dose-dependent manner. With the increase of furanone C-30 concentration, the expression levels of lasB, rhlA, phzA2, pqsR, lasI, rhlI pqsE and pqsH significantly decreased in mature biofilm bacteria while the expression levels of lasR and rhlR markedly increased. The AmpC expression was significantly decreased in both planktonic and biofilm bacteria induced by imipenem and ceftazidime. INTERPRETATION & CONCLUSIONS: Furanone C-30 may inhibit biofilm formation and antibiotic resistance in P. aeruginosa through regulating QS genes. The inhibitory effect of furanone C-30 on las system appeared to be stronger than that on rhl system. Further studies need to be done with different strains of P. aeruginosa to confirm our findings. | 2018 | 29998876 |
| 2243 | 1 | 0.9825 | Clinical and metagenomic predicted antimicrobial resistance in pediatric critically ill patients with infectious diseases in a single center of Zhejiang. BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to pediatric health; therefore, precise identification of pathogens as well as AMR is imperative. This study aimed at comprehending antibiotic resistance patterns among critically ill children with infectious diseases admitted to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and to clarify the impact of drug-resistant bacteria on the prognosis of children. METHODS: This study retrospectively collected clinical data, identified pathogens and AMR from 113 children's who performed metagenomic next-generation sequencing for pathogen and antibiotic resistance genes identification, and compared the clinical characteristic difference and prognostic effects between children with and without AMR detected. RESULTS: Based on the presence or absence of AMR test results, the 113 patients were divided into Antimicrobial resistance test positive group (AMRT+, n = 44) and Antimicrobial resistance test negative group (AMRT-, n = 69). Immunocompromised patients (50% vs. 28.99%, P = 0.0242) and patients with underlying diseases (70.45% vs. 40.58%, P = 0.0019) were more likely to develop resistance to antibiotics. Children in the AMRT + group showed significantly increased C-reaction protein, score of pediatric sequential organ failure assessment and pediatric risk of mortality of children and longer hospital stay and ICU stay in the AMRT + group compared to the AMRT+- group (P < 0.05). Detection rate of Gram-negative bacteria was significantly higher in the AMRT + group rather than Gram-positive bacteria (n = 45 vs. 31), in contrast to the AMRT- group (n = 10 vs. 36). Cephalosporins, β-lactams/β-Lactamase inhibitors, carbapenems and sulfonamides emerged as the most common types of drug resistance in children. Resistance rates to these antibiotics exhibited considerable variation across common pathogens, including Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii. CONCLUSIONS: The development of drug resistance in bacteria will significantly affect the prognosis of patients. The significant differences in drug resistance of common pathogenic bacteria indicate that identification of drug resistance is important for the rational use of antibiotics and patient prognosis. | 2024 | 39707302 |
| 2108 | 2 | 0.9823 | Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infections. Background: Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent severe complications in diabetic patients, often leading to chronic infections and potentially resulting in nontraumatic lower-limb amputations. The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in DFUs complicates treatment strategies and worsens patient prognosis. Among these pathogens, carbapenemase-producing pathogens have emerged as particularly concerning owing to their resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. Methods: This study evaluated the prevalence of MDR bacteria, specifically carbapenemase-producing pathogens, in DFU infections. A total of 200 clinical isolates from DFU patients were analyzed via phenotypic assays, including the modified Hodge test (MHT) and the Carba NP test, alongside molecular techniques to detect carbapenemase-encoding genes (blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaIMP, and blaOXA-48). Results: Among the isolates, 51.7% were confirmed to be carbapenemase producers. The key identified pathogens included Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Escherichia coli. The most commonly detected carbapenemase genes were blaKPC (27.6%) and blaNDM (24.1%). Carbapenemase-producing isolates presented high resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, whereas non-carbapenemase-producing isolates presented resistance through mechanisms such as porin loss and efflux pumps. Conclusions: The findings of this study highlight the significant burden of MDR infections, particularly carbapenemase-producing organisms, in DFUs. MDR infections were strongly associated with critical clinical parameters, including pyrexia (p = 0.017), recent antibiotic use (p = 0.003), and the severity of infections. Notably, the need for minor amputations was much higher in MDR cases (p < 0.001), as was the need for major amputations (p < 0.001). MDR infections were also strongly associated with polymicrobial infections (p < 0.001). Furthermore, Wagner ulcer grade ≥II was more common in MDR cases (p = 0.002). These results emphasize the urgent need for enhanced microbiological surveillance and the development of tailored antimicrobial strategies to combat MDR pathogens effectively. Given the high prevalence of carbapenem resistance, there is an immediate need to explore novel therapeutic options to improve clinical outcomes for diabetic patients with DFUs. | 2025 | 39857026 |
| 2267 | 3 | 0.9823 | MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION AND DETECTION OF MULTIDRUGRESISTANT GENE IN BACTERIAL ISOLATES CAUSING LOWER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS (LRTI) AMONG HIV/AIDS PATIENTS ON HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY (HAART) IN UYO, SOUTH-SOUTH NIGERIA. BACKGROUND: Antibiotic-resistant genes (ARGs) pose a significant challenge in modern medicine, rendering infections increasingly difficult to treat as bacteria acquire mechanisms to resist antibiotics. Addressing ARGs necessitates a multifaceted approach, encompassing surveillance efforts to monitor their presence and the development of strategies aimed at managing and curbing the spread of antibiotic resistance. Hence, this study characterized the genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance among isolates responsible for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs) in People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Uyo. METHODS: Sputum samples were collected from 61 LRTI suspects, with bacterial isolates identified using VITEK-2 technology. Polymerase chain reaction assays were employed to detect resistance genes within the isolates. RESULTS: Results revealed a bacterial etiology in 39.3% of the samples, with a majority (79.2%) originating from St. Luke Hospital, Anua (SLHA), and the remainder (20.8%) from the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital (UUTH). Staphylococcus aureus emerged as the predominant isolate (46.6%), while resistance was notably high against Gentamicin and Sulphamethazole/Trimethoprim. Conversely, Azithromycin, imipenem, clindamycin, erythromycin, and ceftriaxone displayed relatively lower resistance levels across all isolates. Notably, four resistance genes CTX-M, Aac, KPC, and MecA were identified, with CTX-M detected in all multidrug-resistant isolates. This underscores the predominantly community-acquired nature of resistance as conferred by CTX-M. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, this study underscores the critical importance of continued vigilance and proactive measures in combating antibiotic resistance, particularly within vulnerable populations such as PLWHA. By elucidating the genetic mechanisms underlying antibiotic resistance, informed targeted interventions can be mitigated to curb threats posed by multidrug-resistant bacteria in clinical settings. | 2024 | 40385712 |
| 8436 | 4 | 0.9823 | NIR-Activated Hydrogel with Dual-Enhanced Antibiotic Effectiveness for Thorough Elimination of Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria. Antibiotic resistance has become a critical health crisis globally. Traditional strategies using antibiotics can lead to drug-resistance, while inorganic antimicrobial agents can cause severe systemic toxicity. Here, we have developed a dual-antibiotic hydrogel delivery system (PDA-Ag@Levo/CMCS), which can achieve controlled release of clinical antibiotics levofloxacin (Levo) and classic nanoscale antibiotic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), effectively eliminating drug-resistant P. aeruginosa. Benefiting from the photothermal (PTT) effect of polydopamine (PDA), the local high temperature generated by PDA-Ag@Levo/CMCS can quickly kill bacteria through continuous and responsive release of dual-antibiotics to restore sensitivity to ineffective antibiotics. Moreover, AgNPs could significantly improve the efficiency of traditional antibiotics by disrupting bacterial membranes and reducing their toxicity to healthy tissues. A clever combination of PTT and drug-combination therapy can effectively eliminate biofilms and drug-resistant bacteria. Mechanism studies have shown that PDA-Ag@Levo might eliminate drug-resistant P. aeruginosa by disrupting biofilm formation and protein synthesis, and inhibit the resistance mutation of P. aeruginosa by promoting the expression of related genes, such as rpoS, dinB, and mutS. Collectively, the synergistic effect of this dual-antibiotic hydrogel combined with PTT provides a creative strategy for eliminating drug-resistant bacteria in chronic infection wounds. | 2025 | 39760335 |
| 2479 | 5 | 0.9822 | Down-regulatory effects of green coffee extract on las I and las R virulence-associated genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistant strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the cause of Gram negative nosocomial infections especially among the immunosuppressed patients. The bacteria contains las I and las R genes that play very important roles in the pathogenesis and mechanisms of aggression. These genes can be influenced by the quorum sensing (QS) system and such mechanism is becoming clinically important worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the preventive effects of green coffee extract (GCE) on the expression of pathogenesis-related genes, las I and las R in P. aeruginosa. METHODS: A total of fifty four P. aeruginosa strains were isolated out of 100 clinical samples collected from the infectious wards in different hospitals (Tehran province) using conventional microscopic and biochemical methods. Susceptibility of the isolates to different antibiotics, GCE and chlorogenic acid were elucidated. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time PCR were performed to detect and quantify the expression levels of las I and las R genes. The presence of chlorogenic acid in GCE was confirmed by HPLC. RESULTS: Antibiotic susceptibility tests revealed multidrug resistance among the clinical isolates of those 40 strains were resistant to ciprofloxacin (74.07%), 43 to ceftazidime (79.26%), 29 to amikacin (53.7%), 42 to ampicillin (77.77%), 17 to colistin (31.48%), 40 to gentamicin (74.77%), and 50 to piperacillin (92.59%). PCR outcomes exhibited that the frequency of las I and las R genes were 100% in resistant and sensitive strains isolated from clinical and standard strains of P. aeruginosa (ATCC 15449). Real-time PCR analyses revealed that GCE significantly prevented the expression of las I and las R genes in P. aeruginosa. GCE at concentration level as low as 2.5 mg/mL could prevent the expression of lasI and lasR genes in P. aeruginosa clinical isolates. CONCLUSION: The presence and expression levels of las I and las R genes in P. aeruginosa isolates were investigated when the bacteria was exposed to GCE. Our results tend to suggest that genes involved in pathogenesis of:Pseudomonas aeruginosa are down regulated by quorum sensing effect of chlorogenic acid and therefore GCE could be useful as an adjuvant in combating multidrug resistance strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. | 2019 | 31187452 |
| 2266 | 6 | 0.9821 | Bloodstream infections in intensive care unit patients: distribution and antibiotic resistance of bacteria. Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are among the leading infections in critically ill patients. The case-fatality rate associated with BSIs in patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs) reaches 35%-50%. The emergence and diffusion of bacteria with resistance to antibiotics is a global health problem. Multidrug-resistant bacteria were detected in 50.7% of patients with BSIs in a recently published international observational study, with methicillin resistance detected in 48% of Staphylococcus aureus strains, carbapenem resistance detected in 69% of Acinetobacter spp., in 38% of Klebsiella pneumoniae, and in 37% of Pseudomonas spp. Prior hospitalization and antibiotic exposure have been identified as risk factors for infections caused by resistant bacteria in different studies. Patients with BSIs caused by resistant strains showed an increased risk of mortality, which may be explained by a higher incidence of inappropriate empirical therapy in different studies. The molecular genetic characterization of resistant bacteria allows the understanding of the most common mechanisms underlying their resistance and the adoption of surveillance measures. Knowledge of epidemiology, risk factors, mechanisms of resistance, and outcomes of BSIs caused by resistant bacteria may have a major influence on global management of ICU patients. The aim of this review is to provide the clinician an update on BSIs caused by resistant bacteria in ICU patients. | 2015 | 26300651 |
| 2510 | 7 | 0.9821 | Diagnosis of Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens of Pneumonia. Hospital-acquired pneumonia and ventilator-associated pneumonia that are caused by multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens represent a common and severe problem with increased mortality. Accurate diagnosis is essential to initiate appropriate antimicrobial therapy promptly while simultaneously avoiding antibiotic overuse and subsequent antibiotic resistance. Here, we discuss the main conventional phenotypic diagnostic tests and the advanced molecular tests that are currently available to diagnose the primary MDR pathogens and the resistance genes causing pneumonia. | 2021 | 34943524 |
| 9810 | 8 | 0.9821 | Drug-resistant bacteria in the critically ill: patterns and mechanisms of resistance and potential remedies. Antimicrobial resistance in the intensive care unit is an ongoing global healthcare concern associated with high mortality and morbidity rates and high healthcare costs. Select groups of bacterial pathogens express different mechanisms of antimicrobial resistance. Clinicians face challenges in managing patients with multidrug-resistant bacteria in the form of a limited pool of available antibiotics, slow and potentially inaccurate conventional diagnostic microbial modalities, mimicry of non-infective conditions with infective syndromes, and the confounding of the clinical picture of organ dysfunction associated with sepsis with postoperative surgical complications such as hemorrhage and fluid shifts. Potential remedies for antimicrobial resistance include specific surveillance, adequate and systematic antibiotic stewardship, use of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic techniques of therapy, and antimicrobial monitoring and adequate employment of infection control policies. Novel techniques of combating antimicrobial resistance include the use of aerosolized antibiotics for lung infections, the restoration of gut microflora using fecal transplantation, and orally administered probiotics. Newer antibiotics are urgently needed as part of the armamentarium against multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this review we discuss mechanisms and patterns of microbial resistance in a select group of drug-resistant bacteria, and preventive and remedial measures for combating antibiotic resistance in the critically ill. | 2023 | 39816646 |
| 9054 | 9 | 0.9818 | Clinically Relevant Concentrations of Polymyxin B and Meropenem Synergistically Kill Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Minimize Biofilm Formation. The emergence of antibiotic resistance has severely impaired the treatment of chronic respiratory infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Since the reintroduction of polymyxins as a last-line therapy against MDR Gram-negative bacteria, resistance to its monotherapy and recurrent infections continue to be reported and synergistic antibiotic combinations have been investigated. In this study, comprehensive in vitro microbiological evaluations including synergy panel screening, population analysis profiling, time-kill kinetics, anti-biofilm formation and membrane damage analysis studies were conducted to evaluate the combination of polymyxin B and meropenem against biofilm-producing, polymyxin-resistant MDR P. aeruginosa. Two phylogenetically unrelated MDR P. aeruginosa strains, FADDI-PA060 (MIC of polymyxin B [MIC(polymyxin B)], 64 mg/L; MIC(meropenem), 64 mg/L) and FADDI-PA107 (MIC(polymyxin B), 32 mg/L; MIC(meropenem), 4 mg/L) were investigated. Genome sequencing identified 57 (FADDI-PA060) and 50 (FADDI-PA107) genes predicted to confer resistance to a variety of antimicrobials, as well as multiple virulence factors in each strain. The presence of resistance genes to a particular antibiotic class generally aligned with MIC results. For both strains, all monotherapies of polymyxin B failed with substantial regrowth and biofilm formation. The combination of polymyxin B (16 mg/L)/meropenem (16 mg/L) was most effective, enhancing initial bacterial killing of FADDI-PA060 by ~3 log(10) CFU/mL, followed by a prolonged inhibition of regrowth for up to 24 h with a significant reduction in biofilm formation (* p < 0.05). Membrane integrity studies revealed a substantial increase in membrane depolarization and membrane permeability in the surviving cells. Against FADDI-PA107, planktonic and biofilm bacteria were completely eradicated. In summary, the combination of polymyxin B and meropenem demonstrated synergistic bacterial killing while reinstating the efficacy of two previously ineffective antibiotics against difficult-to-treat polymyxin-resistant MDR P. aeruginosa. | 2021 | 33918040 |
| 4748 | 10 | 0.9817 | Bacteria antibiotic resistance: New challenges and opportunities for implant-associated orthopedic infections. There has been a dramatic increase in the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains, which has made antibiotic choices for infection control increasingly limited and more expensive. In the U.S. alone, antibiotic-resistant bacteria cause at least 2 million infections and 23,000 deaths a year resulting in a $55-70 billion per year economic impact. Antibiotics are critical to the success of surgical procedures including orthopedic prosthetic surgeries, and antibiotic resistance is occurring in nearly all bacteria that infect people, including the most common bacteria that cause orthopedic infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Most clinical cases of orthopedic surgeries have shown that patients infected with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. This paper reviews the severity of antibiotic resistance at the global scale, the consequences of antibiotic resistance, and the pathways bacteria used to develop antibiotic resistance. It highlights the opportunities and challenges in limiting antibiotic resistance through approaches like the development of novel, non-drug approaches to reduce bacteria functions related to orthopedic implant-associated infections. © 2017 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 36:22-32, 2018. | 2018 | 28722231 |
| 4884 | 11 | 0.9817 | Multidrug resistance efflux pump expression in uropathogenic Gram-negative bacteria in organ transplant recipients. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are common in healthcare settings and communities; and are predominantly caused by Gram-negative bacteria, which account for > 70% of UTI cases. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are the most common bacterial agents responsible for UTIs. The emergence of antibiotic resistance poses a challenge for UTI treatment; and efflux pump overexpression contributes to Gram-negative bacterial resistance. This comprehensive review summarizes the current understanding of multidrug resistance (MDR) efflux pump expression in prevalent Gram-negative bacteria that demonstrate resistance to antibiotics predominantly used for UTI treatment. This review examines the available data, and offers insights into the role of efflux pumps in conferring MDR to UTI-causing bacteria. Understanding these resistance mechanisms is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat antibiotic resistance in UTI management. Furthermore, this review emphasizes the need to characterize efflux pump-mediated antimicrobial resistance in solid organ transplantation cases. Solid organ transplant recipients are particularly vulnerable to UTIs caused by MDR bacteria, posing a serious threat to their health and recovery. Identifying the efflux pump profiles of these bacterial strains can guide appropriate antibiotic choices and optimize treatment outcomes in transplant recipients. By consolidating existing knowledge on efflux pump expression in antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria associated with UTIs, this review acknowledges gaps and identifies the future scope of research that should address the growing challenge of MDR UTIs, particularly in high-risk populations such as solid organ transplant recipients. | 2025 | 40452526 |
| 9760 | 12 | 0.9817 | Mutations leading to ceftolozane/tazobactam and imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam resistance during in vivo exposure to ceftazidime/avibactam in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Identifying resistance mechanisms to novel antimicrobials informs treatment strategies during infection and antimicrobial development. Studying resistance that develops during the treatment of an infection can provide the most clinically relevant mutations conferring resistance, but cross-sectional studies frequently identify multiple candidate resistance mutations without resolving the driver mutation. We performed whole-genome sequencing of longitudinal Pseudomonas aeruginosa from a patient whose P. aeruginosa developed imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam resistance during ceftazidime/avibactam treatment. This analysis determined new mutations that arose in isolates resistant to both imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam and ceftolozane/tazobactam. Mutations in penicillin-binding protein 3 ftsI, the MexAB-OprM repressor nalD, and a virulence regulator pvdS were found in resistant isolates. Importantly, drug efflux was not increased in the resistant isolate compared to the most closely related susceptible isolates. We conclude that mutations in peptidoglycan synthesis genes can alter the efficacy of multiple antimicrobials. IMPORTANCE: Antibiotic resistance is a significant challenge for physicians trying to treat infections. The development of novel antibiotics to treat resistant infections has not been prioritized for decades, limiting treatment options for infections caused by many high-priority pathogens. Cross-resistance, when one mutation provides resistance to multiple antibiotics, is most problematic. Mutations that cause cross-resistance need to be considered when developing new antibiotics to guide developers toward drugs with different targets, and thus a better likelihood of efficacy. This work was undertaken to determine the mutation that caused resistance to three antibiotics for highly resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection treatment while the bacteria were exposed to only one of these agents. The findings provide evidence that drug developers should endeavor to find effective antibiotics with new targets and that medical providers should utilize medications with different mechanisms of action in bacteria that have become resistant to even one of these three agents. | 2025 | 39932323 |
| 5819 | 13 | 0.9816 | Application of mNGS in the Etiological Analysis of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections and the Prediction of Drug Resistance. Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) have high morbidity and mortality rates. However, traditional etiological detection methods have not been able to meet the needs for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of LRTIs. The rapid development of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) provides new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of LRTIs; however, little is known about how to interpret the application of mNGS results in LRTIs. In this study, lower respiratory tract specimens from 46 patients with suspected LRTIs were tested simultaneously using conventional microbiological detection methods and mNGS. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the performance of the logarithm of reads per kilobase per million mapped reads [lg(RPKM)], genomic coverage, and relative abundance of the organism in predicting the true-positive pathogenic bacteria. True-positive viruses were identified according to the lg(RPKM) threshold of bacteria. We also evaluated the ability to predict drug resistance genes using mNGS. Compared to that using conventional detection methods, the false-positive detection rate of pathogenic bacteria was significantly higher using mNGS. It was concluded from the ROC curves that the lg(RPKM) and genomic coverage contributed to the identification of pathogenic bacteria, with the performance of lg(RPKM) being the best (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.99). The corresponding lg(RPKM) threshold for identifying the pathogenic bacteria was -1.35. Thirty-five strains of true-positive virus were identified based on the lg(RPKM) threshold of bacteria, with the detection of human gammaherpesvirus 4 being the highest and prone to coinfection with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests (AST) revealed the resistance of bacteria containing drug resistance genes (detected by mNGS). However, the drug resistance genes of some multidrug-resistant bacteria were not detected. As an emerging technology, mNGS has shown many advantages for the unbiased etiological detection and the prediction of antibiotic resistance. However, a correct understanding of mNGS results is a prerequisite for its clinical application, especially for LRTIs. IMPORTANCE LRTIs are caused by hundreds of pathogens, and they have become a great threat to human health due to the limitations of traditional etiological detection methods. As an unbiased approach to detect pathogens, mNGS overcomes such etiological diagnostic challenges. However, there is no unified standard on how to use mNGS indicators (the sequencing reads, genomic coverage, and relative abundance of each organism) to distinguish between pathogens and colonizing microorganisms or contaminant microorganisms. Here, we selected the mNGS indicator with the best identification performance and established a cutoff value for the identification of pathogens in LRTIs using ROC curves. In addition, we also evaluated the accuracy of antibiotic resistance prediction using mNGS. | 2022 | 35171007 |
| 2505 | 14 | 0.9816 | Resistance in nonfermenting gram-negative bacteria: multidrug resistance to the maximum. Nonfermenting gram-negative bacteria pose a particular difficulty for the healthcare community because they represent the problem of multidrug resistance to the maximum. Important members of the group in the United States include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia. These organisms are niche pathogens that primarily cause opportunistic healthcare-associated infections in patients who are critically ill or immunocompromised. Multidrug resistance is common and increasing among gram-negative nonfermenters, and a number of strains have now been identified that exhibit resistance to essentially all commonly used antibiotics, including antipseudomonal penicillins and cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and carbapenems. Polymyxins are the remaining antibiotic drug class with fairly consistent activity against multidrug-resistant strains of P aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp, and S maltophilia. However, most multidrug-resistant B cepacia are not susceptible to polymyxins, and systemic polymyxins carry the risk of nephrotoxicity for all patients treated with these agents, the elderly in particular. A variety of resistance mechanisms have been identified in P aeruginosa and other gram-negative nonfermenters, including enzyme production, overexpression of efflux pumps, porin deficiencies, and target-site alterations. Multiple resistance genes frequently coexist in the same organism. Multidrug resistance in gram-negative nonfermenters makes treatment of infections caused by these pathogens both difficult and expensive. Improved methods for susceptibility testing are needed when dealing with these organisms, including emerging strains expressing metallo-beta-lactamases. Improved antibiotic stewardship and infection-control measures will be needed to prevent or slow the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant, nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli in the healthcare setting. | 2006 | 16813979 |
| 2504 | 15 | 0.9816 | Resistance in nonfermenting gram-negative bacteria: multidrug resistance to the maximum. Nonfermenting gram-negative bacteria pose a particular difficulty for the healthcare community because they represent the problem of multidrug resistance to the maximum. Important members of the group in the United States include Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and Burkholderia cepacia. These organisms are niche pathogens that primarily cause opportunistic healthcare-associated infections in patients who are critically ill or immunocompromised. Multidrug resistance is common and increasing among gram-negative nonfermenters, and a number of strains have now been identified that exhibit resistance to essentially all commonly used antibiotics, including antipseudomonal penicillins and cephalosporins, aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and carbapenems. Polymyxins are the remaining antibiotic drug class with fairly consistent activity against multidrug-resistant strains of P aeruginosa, Acinetobacter spp, and S maltophilia. However, most multidrug-resistant B cepacia are not susceptible to polymyxins, and systemic polymyxins carry the risk of nephrotoxicity for all patients treated with these agents, the elderly in particular. A variety of resistance mechanisms have been identified in P aeruginosa and other gram-negative nonfermenters, including enzyme production, overexpression of efflux pumps, porin deficiencies, and target-site alterations. Multiple resistance genes frequently coexist in the same organism. Multidrug resistance in gram-negative nonfermenters makes treatment of infections caused by these pathogens both difficult and expensive. Improved methods for susceptibility testing are needed when dealing with these organisms, including emerging strains expressing metallo-beta-lactamases. Improved antibiotic stewardship and infection-control measures will be needed to prevent or slow the emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant, nonfermenting gram-negative bacilli in the healthcare setting. | 2006 | 16735148 |
| 9998 | 16 | 0.9816 | mSphere of Influence: Uncovering New Ways To Control Multidrug Resistance by Dissecting Essential Cell Processes. Ana L. Flores-Mireles works in the fields of microbial pathogenesis and development of new therapeutics. In this mSphere of Influence article, she reflects on how the papers "Bacterial cell wall biogenesis is mediated by SEDS and PBP polymerase families functioning semi-autonomously" by H. Cho et al. (Nat Microbiol 1:16172, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1038/nmicrobiol.2016.172) and "A comprehensive, CRISPR-based functional analysis of essential genes in bacteria" by J. M. Peters et al. (Cell 165:1493-1506, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cell.2016.05.003) made an impact on her approach to dissecting essential processes to understand microbial pathogenesis in catheter-associated urinary tract infections and generate an effective treatment with reduced likelihood of developing resistance. | 2019 | 31554727 |
| 5659 | 17 | 0.9816 | Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates in Egypt: phenotypic, genotypic, and antibiofilm assessment of Pluronic F-127. BACKGROUND: Virulence factors play an important role in developing bacterial resistance leading to the increased severity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Several genes encoding for virulence factors is coordinated by the quorum sensing (QS) system. In the present study, the prevalence of virulence genes, particularly those involved in controlling biofilm formation, and their correlation with antibiotic resistance patterns was investigated. The ability of the pathogens to form biofilm and the impact of Pluronic F-127 as a potential biofilm inhibitor was assessed. RESULTS: A total of 118 P. aeruginosa clinical isolates were collected. The highest resistance rates were observed against ceftazidime (94%), while colistin was the most effective followed by polymyxin B with sensitivity rate 72% and 59%, respectively. Out of 118 isolates: 111 (94%) were biofilm producers, 24.6% of them were strong. The QS genes; lasR and rhlR, were detected in 85% and 89% of the isolates, respectively, toxA gene in 95% and ampC gene in 69% of the isolates. Pluronic F-127 was confirmed as a biofilm inhibitor in lowest concentration used 1.25 mg/ml which inhibits 78% of strong biofilm forming isolates and has better effect on detachment of established biofilm by 90% of biofilm forming isolates. CONCLUSION: The ability of bacteria to form biofilms contributes greatly to the development of antibiotic resistance, which leads to the occurrence of persistent and chronic bacterial illnesses. Many isolates exhibited moderate to strong biofilm forming ability, which showed a high resistance pattern. The results demonstrated that Pluronic F-127 has a promising level of biofilm inhibition and detachment in most isolates. It has a chance to serve as a substitute means for combating biofilm formation. | 2025 | 40281406 |
| 9808 | 18 | 0.9815 | Understanding Recent Developments in Colistin Resistance: Mechanisms, Clinical Implications, and Future Perspectives. Colistin resistance, driven by chromosomal mutations and the spread of plasmid-mediated MCR genes, has emerged as a critical challenge in combating multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. This resistance compromises the efficacy of colistin, leading to higher treatment failure rates, prolonged hospitalizations, and increased mortality. Recent studies have highlighted key mechanisms, including lipid A modifications, that enable bacteria to evade colistin's effects. The global spread of MCR genes exacerbates the issue, underlining the need for improved diagnostics and rapid detection of resistant strains to prevent adverse patient outcomes. To combat this growing threat, a multifaceted approach is essential, involving enhanced antimicrobial stewardship, stricter infection control measures, and continued research into alternative therapies and diagnostic methods. Collaborative efforts from researchers, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the pharmaceutical industry are crucial to preserving colistin's effectiveness and mitigating the broader impact on public health. | 2025 | 41148650 |
| 5169 | 19 | 0.9815 | Genetic Adaptation and Acquisition of Macrolide Resistance in Haemophilus spp. during Persistent Respiratory Tract Colonization in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Patients Receiving Long-Term Azithromycin Treatment. Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) benefit from the immunomodulatory effect of azithromycin, but long-term administration may alter colonizing bacteria. Our goal was to identify changes in Haemophilus influenzae and Haemophilus parainfluenzae during azithromycin treatment. Fifteen patients were followed while receiving prolonged azithromycin treatment (Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Spain). Four patients (P02, P08, P11, and P13) were persistently colonized by H. influenzae for at least 3 months and two (P04 and P11) by H. parainfluenzae. Isolates from these patients (53 H. influenzae and 18 H. parainfluenzae) were included to identify, by whole-genome sequencing, antimicrobial resistance changes and genetic variation accumulated during persistent colonization. All persistent lineages isolated before treatment were azithromycin-susceptible but developed resistance within the first months, apart from those belonging to P02, who discontinued the treatment. H. influenzae isolates from P08-ST107 acquired mutations in 23S rRNA, and those from P11-ST2480 and P13-ST165 had changes in L4 and L22. In H. parainfluenzae, P04 persistent isolates acquired changes in rlmC, and P11 carried genes encoding MefE/MsrD efflux pumps in an integrative conjugative element, which was also identified in H. influenzae P11-ST147. Other genetic variation occurred in genes associated with cell wall and inorganic ion metabolism. Persistent H. influenzae strains all showed changes in licA and hgpB genes. Other genes (lex1, lic3A, hgpC, and fadL) had variation in multiple lineages. Furthermore, persistent strains showed loss, acquisition, or genetic changes in prophage-associated regions. Long-term azithromycin therapy results in macrolide resistance, as well as genetic changes that likely favor bacterial adaptation during persistent respiratory colonization. IMPORTANCE The immunomodulatory properties of azithromycin reduce the frequency of exacerbations and improve the quality of life of COPD patients. However, long-term administration may alter the respiratory microbiota, such as Haemophilus influenzae, an opportunistic respiratory colonizing bacteria that play an important role in exacerbations. This study contributes to a better understanding of COPD progression by characterizing the clinical evolution of H. influenzae in a cohort of patients with prolonged azithromycin treatment. The emergence of macrolide resistance during the first months, combined with the role of Haemophilus parainfluenzae as a reservoir and source of resistance dissemination, is a cause for concern that may lead to therapeutic failure. Furthermore, genetic variations in cell wall and inorganic ion metabolism coding genes likely favor bacterial adaptation to host selective pressures. Therefore, the bacterial pathoadaptive evolution in these severe COPD patients raise our awareness of the possible spread of macrolide resistance and selection of host-adapted clones. | 2023 | 36475849 |