# | Rank | Similarity | Title + Abs. | Year | PMID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 9055 | 0 | 0.9767 | siRNA-AGO2 complex inhibits bacterial gene translation: A promising therapeutic strategy for superbug infection. Silencing resistance genes of pathogenic bacteria by RNA interference (RNAi) is a potential strategy to fight antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. Currently, RNAi cannot be achieved in bacteria due to the lack of RNA-induced silencing complex machinery and the difficulty of small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery. Here, we show that exosomal siRNAs can be efficiently delivered into bacterial cells and can silence target genes primarily through translational repression without mRNA degradation. The exosomal Argonaute 2 (AGO2) protein forms a complex with siRNAs, which is essential for bacterial gene silencing. Both in vitro and in vivo-generated exosome-packaged siRNAs resensitize methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) to methicillin treatment by silencing the mecA gene, which is the primary beta-lactam resistance determinant of MRSA. This approach significantly enhances the therapeutic effect in a mouse model of MRSA infection. In summary, our study provides a method for siRNA delivery to bacteria that may facilitate the treatment of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection. | 2025 | 40054457 |
| 9024 | 1 | 0.9767 | Tackling Virulence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa by the Natural Furanone Sotolon. The bacterial resistance development due to the incessant administration of antibiotics has led to difficulty in their treatment. Natural adjuvant compounds can be co-administered to hinder the pathogenesis of resistant bacteria. Sotolon is the prevailing aromatic compound that gives fenugreek its typical smell. In the current work, the anti-virulence activities of sotolon on Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been evaluated. P. aeruginosa has been treated with sotolon at sub-minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and production of biofilm and other virulence factors were assessed. Moreover, the anti-quorum sensing (QS) activity of sotolon was in-silico evaluated by evaluating the affinity of sotolon to bind to QS receptors, and the expression of QS genes was measured in the presence of sotolon sub-MIC. Furthermore, the sotolon in-vivo capability to protect mice against P. aeruginosa was assessed. Significantly, sotolon decreased the production of bacterial biofilm and virulence factors, the expression of QS genes, and protected mice from P. aeruginosa. Conclusively, the plant natural substance sotolon attenuated the pathogenicity of P. aeruginosa, locating it as a plausible potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of its infections. Sotolon can be used in the treatment of bacterial infections as an alternative or adjuvant to antibiotics to combat their high resistance to antibiotics. | 2021 | 34356792 |
| 9225 | 2 | 0.9758 | Antibiotic resistance modifying ability of phytoextracts in anthrax biological agent Bacillus anthracis and emerging superbugs: a review of synergistic mechanisms. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The chemotherapeutic management of infections has become challenging due to the global emergence of antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria. The recent expansion of studies on plant-derived natural products has lead to the discovery of a plethora of phytochemicals with the potential to combat bacterial drug resistance via various mechanisms of action. This review paper summarizes the primary antibiotic resistance mechanisms of bacteria and also discusses the antibiotic-potentiating ability of phytoextracts and various classes of isolated phytochemicals in reversing antibiotic resistance in anthrax agent Bacillus anthracis and emerging superbug bacteria. METHODS: Growth inhibitory indices and fractional inhibitory concentration index were applied to evaluate the in vitro synergistic activity of phytoextract-antibiotic combinations in general. FINDINGS: A number of studies have indicated that plant-derived natural compounds are capable of significantly reducing the minimum inhibitory concentration of standard antibiotics by altering drug-resistance mechanisms of B. anthracis and other superbug infection causing bacteria. Phytochemical compounds allicin, oleanolic acid, epigallocatechin gallate and curcumin and Jatropha curcas extracts were exceptional synergistic potentiators of various standard antibiotics. CONCLUSION: Considering these facts, phytochemicals represents a valuable and novel source of bioactive compounds with potent antibiotic synergism to modulate bacterial drug-resistance. | 2021 | 34856999 |
| 4768 | 3 | 0.9757 | Attenuating the virulence of the resistant superbug Staphylococcus aureus bacteria isolated from neonatal sepsis by ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and sodium bicarbonate. BACKGROUND: Infections affecting neonates caused by Staphylococcus aureus are widespread in healthcare facilities; hence, novel strategies are needed to fight this pathogen. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the FDA-approved medications ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and sodium bicarbonate to reduce the virulence of the resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria that causes neonatal sepsis and seek out suitable alternatives to the problem of multi-drug resistance. METHODS: Tested drugs were assessed phenotypically and genotypically for their effects on virulence factors and virulence-encoding genes in Staphylococcus aureus. Furthermore, drugs were tested in vivo for their ability to reduce Staphylococcus aureus pathogenesis. RESULTS: Sub-inhibitory concentrations (1/8 MIC) of ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and sodium bicarbonate reduced the production of Staphylococcus aureus virulence factors, including biofilm formation, staphyloxanthin, proteases, and hemolysin production, as well as resistance to oxidative stress. At the molecular level, qRT-PCR was used to assess the relative expression levels of crtM, sigB, sarA, agrA, hla, fnbA, and icaA genes regulating virulence factors production and showed a significant reduction in the relative expression levels of all the tested genes. CONCLUSIONS: The current findings reveal that ascorbic acid, dexamethasone, and sodium bicarbonate have strong anti-virulence effects against Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, suggesting that they might be used as adjuvants to treat infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus in combination with conventional antimicrobials or as alternative therapies. | 2022 | 36348266 |
| 6369 | 4 | 0.9750 | 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 |
| 5488 | 5 | 0.9747 | Comparative genomics analysis of Acinetobacter haemolyticus isolates from sputum samples of respiratory patients. Acinetobacter haemolyticus (A. haemolyticus) is a significant Acinetobacter pathogen, and the resistance of A. haemolyticus continues to rise due to abuse of antibiotics and the frequent gene exchange between bacteria in hospital. In this study, we performed complete genome sequencing of two A. haemolyticus strains TJR01 and TJS01 to improve our understanding of pathogenic and resistance of A. haemolyticus. Both TJR01 and TJS01 contain one chromosome and two plasmids. Compared to TJS01, more virulence factors (VFs) associated pathogenicity and resistant genes were predicted in TJR01 due to T4SS and integron associated with combination and transport. Antimicrobial susceptibility results were consistent with sequencing. We suppose TJS01 was a susceptive strain and TJR01 was an acquired multidrug resistance strain due to plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer. We hope these findings may be helpful for clinical treatment of A. haemolyticus infection and reduce the risk of potential outbreak infection. | 2020 | 32209379 |
| 9091 | 6 | 0.9747 | Characterization of an Enterococcus faecalis Bacteriophage vB_EfaM_LG1 and Its Synergistic Effect With Antibiotic. Enterococcus faecalis is a Gram-positive opportunistic pathogen that could cause pneumonia and bacteremia in stroke patients. The development of antibiotic resistance in hospital-associated E. faecalis is a formidable public health threat. Bacteriophage therapy is a renewed solution to treat antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections. However, bacteria can acquire phage resistance quite quickly, which is a significant barrier to phage therapy. Here, we characterized a lytic E. faecalis bacteriophage Vb_EfaM_LG1 with lytic activity. Its genome did not contain antibiotic resistance or virulence genes. Vb_EfaM_LG1 effectively inhibits E. faecalis growth for a short period, and phage resistance developed within hours. However, the combination of antibiotics and phage has a tremendous synergistic effect against E. faecalis, prevents the development of phage resistance, and disrupts the biofilm efficiently. Our results show that the phage-antibiotic combination has better killing efficiency against E. faecalis. | 2021 | 34336721 |
| 5195 | 7 | 0.9742 | Genomic characteristics of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of carbapenem-resistant Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans isolated from the clinical specimen. BACKGROUND: Stutzerimonas nitrititolerans (S. nitrititolerans) is a rare human pathogenic bacterium and has been inadequately explored at the genomic level. Here, we report the first case of carbapenem-resistant S. nitrititolerans isolated from the peritoneal dialysis fluid of a patient with chronic renal failure. This study analyzed the genomic features, antimicrobial resistance, and virulence factors of the isolated strain through whole genome sequencing (WGS). METHODS: The bacterial isolate from the peritoneal dialysis fluid was named PDI170223, and preliminary identification was conducted through Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization/time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). WGS of the strain PDI170223 was performed using the Illumina platform, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences. Antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) was conducted using the TDR-200B2 automatic bacteria identification/drug sensitivity tester. RESULTS: S. nitrititolerans may emerge as a human pathogen due to its numerous virulence genes, including those encoding toxins, and those involved in flagellum and biofilm formation. The AST results revealed that the strain is multidrug- and carbapenem-resistant. The antimicrobial resistance genes of S. nitrititolerans are complex and diverse, including efflux pump genes and β⁃lactam resistance genes. CONCLUSION: The analysis of virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of S. nitrititolerans provides clinical insight into the pathogenicity and potential risks of this bacterium. It is crucial to explore the mechanisms through which S. nitrititolerans causes diseases and maintains its antimicrobial resistance, thereby contributing to development of effective treatment and prevention strategies. | 2024 | 39358682 |
| 8158 | 8 | 0.9742 | Nanobioconjugates: Weapons against Antibacterial Resistance. The increase in drug resistance in pathogenic bacteria is emerging as a global threat as we swiftly edge toward the postantibiotic era. Nanobioconjugates have gained tremendous attention to treat multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and biofilms due to their tunable physicochemical properties, drug targeting ability, enhanced uptake, and alternate mechanisms of drug action. In this review, we highlight the recent advances made in the use of nanobioconjugates to combat antibacterial resistance and provide crucial insights for designing nanomaterials that can serve as antibacterial agents for nanotherapeutics, nanocargos for targeted antibiotic delivery, or both. Also discussed are different strategies for treating robust biofilms formed by bacteria. | 2020 | 35019602 |
| 6372 | 9 | 0.9741 | Sensitizing multi drug resistant Staphylococcus aureus isolated from surgical site infections to antimicrobials by efflux pump inhibitors. BACKGROUND: Staphylococcus aureus is a common hospital acquired infections pathogen. Multidrug-resistant Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus represents a major problem in Egyptian hospitals. The over-expression of efflux pumps is a main cause of multidrug resistance. The discovery of efflux pump inhibitors may help fight multidrug resistance by sensitizing bacteria to antibiotics. This study aimed to investigate the role of efflux pumps in multidrug resistance. METHODS: Twenty multidrug resistant S. aureus isolates were selected. Efflux pumps were screened by ethidium bromide agar cartwheel method and polymerase chain reaction. The efflux pump inhibition by seven agents was tested by ethidium bromide agar cartwheel method and the effect on sensitivity to selected antimicrobials was investigated by broth microdilution method. RESULTS: Seventy percent of isolates showed strong efflux activity, while 30% showed intermediate activity. The efflux genes mdeA, norB, norC, norA and sepA were found to play the major role in efflux, while genes mepA, smr and qacA/B had a minor role. Verapamil and metformin showed significant efflux inhibition and increased the sensitivity to tested antimicrobials, while vildagliptin, atorvastatin, domperidone, mebeverine and nifuroxazide showed no effect. CONCLUSION: Efflux pumps are involved in multidrug resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. Efflux pump inhibitors could increase the sensitivity to antimicrobials. | 2020 | 34394224 |
| 9050 | 10 | 0.9741 | Cationic Polysaccharide Conjugates as Antibiotic Adjuvants Resensitize Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria and Prevent Resistance. In recent years, traditional antibiotic efficacy has rapidly diminished due to the advent of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, which poses severe threat to human life and globalized healthcare. Currently, the development cycle of new antibiotics cannot match the ongoing MDR infection crisis. Therefore, novel strategies are required to resensitize MDR bacteria to existing antibiotics. In this study, novel cationic polysaccharide conjugates Dextran-graft-poly(5-(1,2-dithiolan-3-yl)-N-(2-guanidinoethyl)pentanamide) (Dex-g-PSS(n) ) is synthesized using disulfide exchange polymerization. Critically, bacterial membranes and efflux pumps are disrupted by a sub-inhibitory concentration of Dex-g-PSS(30) , which enhances rifampicin (RIF) accumulation inside bacteria and restores its efficacy. Combined Dex-g-PSS(30) and RIF prevents bacterial resistance in bacteria cultured over 30 generations. Furthermore, Dex-g-PSS(30) restores RIF effectiveness, reduces inflammatory reactions in a pneumonia-induced mouse model, and exhibits excellent in vivo biological absorption and degradation capabilities. As an antibiotic adjuvant, Dex-g-PSS(30) provides a novel resensitizing strategy for RIF against MDR bacteria and bacterial resistance. This Dex-g-PSS(30) research provides a solid platform for future MDR applications. | 2022 | 35962720 |
| 8836 | 11 | 0.9741 | Identification of an anti-virulence drug that reverses antibiotic resistance in multidrug resistant bacteria. The persistent incidence of high levels of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria seriously endangers global public health. In response to MDR-associated infections, new antibacterial drugs and strategies are particularly needed. Screening to evaluate a potential compound to reverse antibiotic resistance is a good strategy to alleviate this crisis. In this paper, using high-throughput screening methods, we identified that oxyclozanide potentiated tetracycline antibiotics act against MDR bacterial pathogens by promoting intracellular accumulation of tetracycline in resistant bacteria. Furthermore, mechanistic studies demonstrated that oxyclozanide could directly kill bacteria by disrupting bacterial membrane and inducing the overproduction of bacterial reactive oxygen species. Oxyclozanide effectively reduced the production of virulence proteins in S. aureus and neutralized the produced α-hemolysin, thereby effectively alleviating the inflammatory response caused by bacteria. Finally, oxyclozanide significantly reversed tetracycline resistance in animal infection assays. In summary, these results demonstrated the capacity of oxyclozanide as a novel antibiotic adjuvant, antibacterial and anti-virulence multifunctional compound to circumvent MDR bacteria and improve the therapeutic effect of persistent infections caused by MDR bacteria worldwide. | 2022 | 35797943 |
| 2493 | 12 | 0.9741 | Multidrug-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae: an evolving superbug. Multidrug-resistant hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (MDR-hvKP) combines high pathogenicity with multidrug resistance to become a new superbug. MDR-hvKP reports continue to emerge, shattering the perception that hypervirulent K. pneumoniae (hvKP) strains are antibiotic sensitive. Patients infected with MDR-hvKP strains have been reported in Asia, particularly China. Although hvKP can acquire drug resistance genes, MDR-hvKP seems to be more easily transformed from classical K. pneumoniae (cKP), which has a strong gene uptake ability. To better understand the biology of MDR-hvKP, this review discusses the virulence factors, resistance mechanisms, formation pathways, and identification of MDR-hvKP. Given their destructive and transmissible potential, continued surveillance of these organisms and enhanced control measures should be prioritized. | 2025 | 40135944 |
| 9051 | 13 | 0.9740 | Chlorogenic acid inhibits virulence and resistance gene transfer in outer membrane vesicles of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. INTRODUCTION: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) infection poses a significant global public health challenge, with the misuse of antibiotics further contributing to the development of resistance and triggering harmful inflammatory responses. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) released by CRKp under sub-lethal concentration of MEM pressure (KOMV-MEM) exhibit enhanced virulence and greater efficiency in transferring resistance genes. METHODS: We investigated the inhibitory effects of chlorogenic acid (CA) on KOMV-MEM characteristics and its protective role in KOMV-MEM infected mice. Based on LC-MS proteomic analysis of vesicles, we screened for potential targets of KOMV-MEM in promoting macrophage (MØ) pyroptosis pathways and inducing resistance gene transfer. Subsequently, computational predictions and experimental validation were performed to determine how CA regulates these mechanisms. RESULTS: This study confirmed that, under MEM pressure, the exacerbated infection levels in CRKp-inoculated mice are attributable to the high virulence of KOMV-MEM. Computational and experimental results demonstrated that CA inhibits pyroptosis by reducing MØ capture of KOMV-MEM through blocking the interaction between GroEL and LOX-1. Furthermore, CA prevents the spread of resistance genes by disrupting the conjugation and transfer processes between KOMV-MEM and recipient bacteria. Finally, in vitro and in vivo assays showed that CA inhibits KOMV-MEM resistance enzymes, thereby preventing the hydrolysis of MEM in the environment and depriving susceptible bacteria of protection. DISCUSSION: These findings provide the first confirmation that CA can inhibit both the virulence and the transmission of drug resistance in KOMV-MEM. This underscores the potential of CA treatment as a promising antimicrobial strategy against CRKp infection. | 2025 | 40230687 |
| 6285 | 14 | 0.9739 | Triton X-100 counteracts antibiotic resistance of Enterococcus faecalis: An in vitro study. OBJECTIVES: The high prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria poses a threat to the global public health. The appropriate use of adjuvants to restore the antimicrobial activity of antibiotics against resistant bacteria could be an effective strategy for combating antibiotic resistance. In this study, we investigated the counteraction of Triton X-100 (TX-100) and the mechanisms underlying the antibiotic resistance of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis). METHODS: Standard, wild-type (WT), and induced antibiotic-resistant E. faecalis strains were used in this study. In vitro antibacterial experiments were conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial activities of gentamicin sulfate and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride in the presence and absence of 0.02 % TX-100 against both planktonic and biofilm bacteria. Transcriptomic and untargeted metabolomic analyses were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms of TX-100 as an antibiotic adjuvant. Additionally, membrane permeability, membrane potential, glycolysis-related enzyme activity, intracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and expression levels of virulence genes were assessed. The biocompatibility of different drug combinations was also evaluated. RESULTS: A substantially low TX-100 concentration improved the antimicrobial effects of gentamicin sulfate or ciprofloxacin hydrochloride against antibiotic-resistant E. faecalis. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that TX-100 increased cell membrane permeability and dissipated membrane potential. Moreover, antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity of E. faecalis were attenuated by TX-100 via downregulation of the ABC transporter, phosphotransferase system (PTS), and ATP supply. CONCLUSIONS: TX-100 enhanced the antimicrobial activity of gentamicin sulfate and ciprofloxacin hydrochloride at a low concentration by improving antibiotic susceptibility and attenuating antibiotic resistance and pathogenicity of E. faecalis. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These findings provide a theoretical basis for developing new root canal disinfectants that can reduce antibiotic resistance. | 2024 | 38729285 |
| 1473 | 15 | 0.9737 | Evaluation of the Unyvero i60 ITI® multiplex PCR for infected chronic leg ulcers diagnosis. OBJECTIVES: Unyvero i60 ITI multiplex PCR (mPCR) may identify a large panel of bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes. In this study, we compared results obtained by mPCR to standard bacteriology in chronic leg ulcer (CLU) infections. METHODS: A prospective study, part of the interventional-blinded randomized study "ulcerinfecte" (NCT02889926), was conducted at Saint Joseph Hospital in Paris. Fifty patients with a suspicion of infected CLU were included between February 2017 and September 2018. Conventional bacteriology and mPCR were performed simultaneously on deep skin biopsies. RESULTS: Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most detected pathogens. Regarding the global sensitivity, mPCR is not overcome to the standard culture. Anaerobes and slow growing bacteria were detected with a higher sensitivity rate by mPCR than standard culture. CONCLUSION: Unyvero i60 ITI multiplex PCR detected rapidly pathogenic bacteria in infected CLU especially anaerobes and slow growing bacteria and was particularly effective for patients previously treated with antibiotics. | 2020 | 31790779 |
| 9224 | 16 | 0.9737 | Plant-derived secondary metabolites as the main source of efflux pump inhibitors and methods for identification. The upsurge of multiple drug resistance (MDR) bacteria substantially diminishes the effectiveness of antibiotic arsenal and therefore intensifies the rate of therapeutic failure. The major factor in MDR is efflux pump-mediated resistance. A unique pump can make bacteria withstand a wide range of structurally diverse compounds. Therefore, their inhibition is a promising route to eliminate resistance phenomenon in bacteria. Phytochemicals are excellent alternatives as resistance-modifying agents. They can directly kill bacteria or interact with the crucial events of pathogenicity, thereby decreasing the ability of bacteria to develop resistance. Numerous botanicals display noteworthy efflux pumps inhibitory activities. Edible plants are of growing interest. Likewise, some plant families would be excellent sources of efflux pump inhibitors (EPIs) including Apocynaceae, Berberidaceae, Convolvulaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, and Zingiberaceae. Easily applicable methods for screening plant-derived EPIs include checkerboard synergy test, berberine uptake assay and ethidium bromide test. In silico high-throughput virtual detection can be evaluated as a criterion of excluding compounds with efflux substrate-like characteristics, thereby improving the selection process and extending the identification of EPIs. To ascertain the efflux activity inhibition, real-time PCR and quantitative mass spectrometry can be applied. This review emphasizes on efflux pumps and their roles in transmitting bacterial resistance and an update plant-derived EPIs and strategies for identification. | 2020 | 32923005 |
| 9090 | 17 | 0.9737 | Defeating Antibiotic- and Phage-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Using a Phage Cocktail in Vitro and in a Clot Model. The deteriorating effectiveness of antibiotics is propelling researchers worldwide towards alternative techniques such as phage therapy: curing infectious diseases using viruses of bacteria called bacteriophages. In a previous paper, we isolated phage EFDG1, highly effective against both planktonic and biofilm cultures of one of the most challenging pathogenic species, the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Thus, it is a promising phage to be used in phage therapy. Further experimentation revealed the emergence of a mutant resistant to EFDG1 phage: EFDG1(r). This kind of spontaneous resistance to antibiotics would be disastrous occurrence, however for phage-therapy it is only a minor hindrance. We quickly and successfully isolated a new phage, EFLK1, which proved effective against both the resistant mutant EFDG1(r) and its parental VRE, Enterococcus faecalis V583. Furthermore, combining both phages in a cocktail produced an additive effect against E. faecalis V583 strains regardless of their antibiotic or phage-resistance profile. An analysis of the differences in genome sequence, genes, mutations, and tRNA content of both phages is presented. This work is a proof-of-concept of one of the most significant advantages of phage therapy, namely the ability to easily overcome emerging resistant bacteria. | 2018 | 29541067 |
| 9023 | 18 | 0.9735 | Repositioning secnidazole as a novel virulence factors attenuating agent in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Long-term treatment with antibiotics gives rise to the evolution of multi-drug resistant bacteria which are hard to be treated. Virulence factors inhibitors depend on disarming of microbial pathogens through reducing expression of virulence factors, abolishing the pathogen capability to harm the host. In the present study, the influence of secnidazole on Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors expression was characterized. Production of Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors such as pyocyanin, pyoverdin, elastase, rhamnolipids, proteases and hemolysins was examined following treatment of bacteria with sub-inhibitory concentration of secnidazole. Interestingly, secnidazole showed a powerful inhibitory effect on Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factors. Our results were further confirmed using qRT-PCR showing that there was a significant decrease in the expression of quorum sensing genes; lasI, lasR, rhlI, rhlR, pqsA and pqsR that regulate expression of virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Moreover, in vivo experiment using mice as infection model showed that secnidazole-treated bacteria were less capable to kill mice as compared to untreated bacteria. Importantly, there was a significant reduction in mortality in mice injected with secnidazole-treated bacteria relative to mice inoculated with untreated bacteria. In summary, our data showed that secnidazole could play a role in attenuating Pseudomonas aeruginosa through reducing virulence factors production. Moreover, our data clearly suggest that secnidazole could be involved in the treatment of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in order to control infection and lower the development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. | 2019 | 30500409 |
| 6029 | 19 | 0.9735 | Characterization of Potential Virulence, Resistance to Antibiotics and Heavy Metals, and Biofilm-Forming Capabilities of Soil Lignocellulolytic Bacteria. Soil bacteria participate in self-immobilization processes for survival, persistence, and production of virulence factors in some niches or hosts through their capacities for autoaggregation, cell surface hydrophobicity, biofilm formation, and antibiotic and heavy metal resistance. This study investigated potential virulence, antibiotic and heavy metal resistance, solvent adhesion, and biofilm-forming capabilities of six cellulolytic bacteria isolated from soil samples: Paenarthrobacter sp. MKAL1, Hymenobacter sp. MKAL2, Mycobacterium sp. MKAL3, Stenotrophomonas sp. MKAL4, Chryseobacterium sp. MKAL5, and Bacillus sp. MKAL6. Strains were subjected to phenotypic methods, including heavy metal and antibiotic susceptibility and virulence factors (protease, lipase, capsule production, autoaggregation, hydrophobicity, and biofilm formation). The effect of ciprofloxacin was also investigated on bacterial susceptibility over time, cell membrane, and biofilm formation. Strains MKAL2, MKAL5, and MKAL6 exhibited protease and lipase activities, while only MKAL6 produced capsules. All strains were capable of aggregating, forming biofilm, and adhering to solvents. Strains tolerated high amounts of chromium, lead, zinc, nickel, and manganese and were resistant to lincomycin. Ciprofloxacin exhibited bactericidal activity against these strains. Although the phenotypic evaluation of virulence factors of bacteria can indicate their pathogenic nature, an in-depth genetic study of virulence, antibiotic and heavy metal resistance genes is required. | 2023 | 36944321 |