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Review Article
- A Narrative Review of Dengue Disaster in Bangladesh: Unprecedented Outbreak and Management Failure
- Sardar Muhammad Osail, Sajjad Islam Sanny, Tamanna Zerin
- Dengue has evolved into a significant global public health concern, particularly in tropical regions. This review focuses on Bangladesh’s struggle with recurrent …
- Dengue has evolved into a significant global public health concern, particularly in tropical regions. This review focuses on Bangladesh’s struggle with recurrent and severe dengue outbreaks. The country, located in Southeast Asia, is becoming more and more vulnerable to dengue due to climate change, high population density, and rapid urbanization. Dengue outbreaks have been unprecedentedly severe in the last 6 years. Dengue’s seasonality in Bangladesh has expanded as well, with cases now reported throughout the year. Bangladesh faces challenges in managing dengue due to a strained healthcare system, underreporting, inadequate vector control, and insufficient public awareness. The ongoing political and financial crises further hinder effective dengue management. Urgent and comprehensive strategies are imperative to address this escalating public health crisis. - COLLAPSE
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Review Article
- Monkeypox: A Review of Outbreaks and On Re-emergence
- Iftikhar Ahmed, Jitu Mani Kalita, Jyoti Hazarika
- Monkeypox (Mpox) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by Monkeypox virus. Several countries in the world have been reported Mpox outbreak recently …
- Monkeypox (Mpox) is a re-emerging zoonotic disease caused by Monkeypox virus. Several countries in the world have been reported Mpox outbreak recently besides West and Central Africa where it is an endemic disease which is a warning signal and it becomes a global public health concern. The infection can be transmitted from one infected person or animal to another. Fever, rash and lymphadenitis are the most common symptoms. Smallpox vaccines can be used for prevention of Mpox along with general measures. This review article covers the epidemiology, current outbreak and preventive measures of Mpox. - COLLAPSE
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Review Article
- Bacteriophages for the Treatment of Resistant Bacterial Infectious Diseases
- Ahmad Reza Rezaei
- Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacterial cells and kill them. They have shown potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and …
- Bacteriophages, or phages, are viruses that specifically infect bacterial cells and kill them. They have shown potential applications in medicine, agriculture, and biotechnology. Bacteriophages were discovered almost a century ago but were discontinued due to the emergence of antibiotics. In recent decades, due to increasing antimicrobial resistance, bacteriophages have been gaining renewed attention for the treatment of bacterial infections. Phage therapy offers a targeted and potentially sustainable alternative to antibiotics, with the ability to evolve alongside bacterial pathogens. This review provides an overview of the several aspects of bacteriophages including action, formulations, advantages and challenges for the treatment of bacterial infections. - COLLAPSE
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Original Article
- Contribution of NADH Dehydrogenase to ATP Synthase I-Mediated Energy Production in Vibrio vulnificus
- Sao Puth, Kwangjoon Jeong, Wenzhi Tan, Tra-My Duong-Nu, Shee Eun Lee, Joon Haeng Rhee
- Vibrio vulnificus, a halophilic estuarine bacterium, poses a significant threat as an opportunistic pathogen upon ingestion of contaminated seafood or through …
- Vibrio vulnificus, a halophilic estuarine bacterium, poses a significant threat as an opportunistic pathogen upon ingestion of contaminated seafood or through wound infections. Our previous studies have highlighted a notable metabolic reprogramming in V. vulnificus following infection, with up-regulation of NADH dehydrogenase (complex I) observed in vivo, indicating potential disparities in ATP generation mechanisms compared to in vitro conditions. Proton motive force (PMF) is known to energize ATP synthase I for intracellular ATP production. Leveraging transcriptomic analyses, we hypothesized NADH dehydrogenase’s involvement in PMF generation. To investigate this hypothesis, we first assessed the transcriptional expression levels of structural genes linked to complexes I to IV using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) in a rat peritoneal infection model. Our findings revealed significant up-regulation in the expression of complex I gene, while genes associated with complexes II to IV exhibited down-regulation. Then, we generated a deletion mutant of complex I (Vv1_2074) and found no significant differences in growth or intracellular ATP levels compared to the wild type under in vitro conditions. However, in a rat peritoneal infection model, the mutant exhibited pronounced in vivo growth retardation, reversible upon gene reversion. Intriguingly, the mutant strain displayed significantly reduced intracellular ATP levels in vivo, fully restored upon reversion. These findings suggest the role of NADH dehydrogenase in PMF generation and subsequent ATP synthesis specifically during established V. vulnificus infections in vivo. Moreover, our findings provide additional experimental evidence supporting the phenomenon of metabolic reprogramming post-infection, thereby reinforcing the validity of our systems biology analyses. - COLLAPSE
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Original Article
- CHAPSAP26-161, A Truncated Protein and Enzymatic Active Domain of Endolysin LysSAP26, as a Potential Therapeutic Agent to Combat Clostridioides difficile Infection
- Ram Hari Dahal, Yoon-Jung Choi, Shukho Kim, Jungmin Kim
- Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming enteric pathogen that causes life-threatening diarrhea and colitis. Notably, C. difficile infection (CDI) is a major healthcare-associated …
- Clostridioides difficile is a spore-forming enteric pathogen that causes life-threatening diarrhea and colitis. Notably, C. difficile infection (CDI) is a major healthcare-associated infection with increasing incidence and morbidity rates. Antibiotic-induced microbial disruption has been linked to susceptibility to CDI transmission and relapse. Therefore, alternative therapeutic approaches that effectively prevent C. difficile growth and spore germination are urgently needed. Bacteriophage-derived endolysins and their derivatives have recently shown potential as novel antibacterial agents. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a novel truncated cysteine-histidine-dependent amidohydrolase/peptidase (CHAP) modular endolysin, CHAPSAP26-161, in combating CDI. In vitro studies demonstrated its potent bactericidal activity against several clinically relevant C. difficile strains, including toxin A- and toxin B-producing and nontoxigenic strains. CHAPSAP26-161 exhibited rapid and specific killing activity, thereby significantly reducing C. difficile colony-forming units. Furthermore, in a murine CDI model, CHAPSAP26-161 treatment remarkably reduced C. difficile burden and clinical symptoms, such as diarrhea and weight loss. In histopathological analysis, colonic inflammation and tissue damage decreased in CHAPSAP26-161-treated mice compared with that in the control group. Moreover, no cytotoxic effects were observed on the A549 cell line, indicating that CHAPSAP26-161 is safe as a therapeutic agent. These findings highlight that CHAPSAP26-161 is a promising treatment option for CDI. Importantly, preclinical and clinical studies are warranted to fully evaluate the therapeutic potential of CHAPSAP26-161 and its possible implementation in clinical practice. - COLLAPSE
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Original Article
- Multi-Drug Resistant Bacillus cereus: A Growing Concern for Powdered Infant Formula and Baby Foods (Cereals) in Bangladesh
- Nazia Afrin, Md. Shakhawate Hossain, RashedaYasmin Shilpi
- Infants predominantly consume dried powdered infant formula (PIF) and cereals, which are highly susceptible to contamination by Bacillus cereus, the most …
- Infants predominantly consume dried powdered infant formula (PIF) and cereals, which are highly susceptible to contamination by Bacillus cereus, the most prevalent pathogenic and toxin-producing bacterium. To investigate the microbial risk associated with Bacillus cereus, six samples of PIF and four cereals were procured from commercial markets in Bangladesh for analysis of bacterial prevalence. A total of twenty-eight bacterial isolates were obtained using the selective agar culture method. Morphological and biochemical tests confirmed that twelve isolates (43%) were positive for B. cereus. Further confirmation was achieved through PCR amplification and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene, demonstrating similarity in identification among three B. cereus isolates. Antibiotic sensitivity testing revealed that the confirmed isolates were susceptible to Kanamycin, Gentamycin, Amikacin, Tigecycline, and Ciprofloxacin while exhibiting resistance to Amoxicillin, Aztreonam, Penicillin-G, Cefixime, Cefotaxime, Cefepime, Ceftriaxone, Meropenem, Cotrimoxazole, and Ceftazidime. Consequently, implementing effective control measures in the production and handling processes of PIF and other baby food products is imperative to mitigate the contamination risk posed by the endospore-forming and heat-resistant B. cereus. - COLLAPSE
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Original Article
- Prevalence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility, and Carbapenem Resistance of Non-baumannii Acinetobacter Species in Three Korean Hospitals
- Shukho Kim, Md Shohel Rana, Bokyung Kim, Seong-Yeob Kim, Nayeong Kim, Da Eun Lee, Je Chul Lee
- Non-baumannii Acinetobacter species are increasingly prevalent as opportunistic pathogens in the hospitals worldwide. However, the current information of epidemiology and antimicrobial …
- Non-baumannii Acinetobacter species are increasingly prevalent as opportunistic pathogens in the hospitals worldwide. However, the current information of epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of non-baumannii Acinetobacter species is limited in Korea. This study investigated the species distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility, and carbapenem resistance mechanisms of 65 non- baumannii Acinetobacter isolates from three Korean hospitals during 2017 to 2020. Sixteen different Acinetobacter species were identified. Among them, A. ursingii (n = 16), A. junii (n = 11), and A. nosocomialis (n = 9) were prevalent, accounting for 55.4% of the isolates. A half (50.8%) of non-baumannii Acinetobacter isolates were susceptible to all antimicrobial agents tested. Non-baumannii Acinetobacter isolates exhibited the highest resistance rate to piperacillin (26.2%), whereas no isolates were resistant to minocycline and tigecycline. Seven isolates were resistant to carbapenems by the production of carbapenemases. Ambler class B (blaNDM-1 and blaVIM-2) and class D carbapenemase genes (blaOXA-23, blaOXA-58, blaOXA-211, and blaOXA-213) were detected. Three isolates carried two or more carbapenemase genes. One A. calcoaceticus isolate co-carried blaVOXA-58, blaOXA-213, and blaNDM-1. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into antimicrobial susceptibility and carbapenem resistance mechanisms of Korean non-baumannii Acinetobacter species. The spread of carbapenem resistance genes should be carefully monitored among non-baumannii Acinetobacter species. - COLLAPSE
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Original Article
- Immune Modulatory Effects of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Mediated by Lymphocyte Recruitment
- Jungwoo Kim, Je-Eun Cha, Da-Won Choi, Hyeonju Kim, Kyung-Ah Cho, So-Youn Woo
- Immunomodulators, including recombinant proteins, immunoglobulins, and cell therapeutics, can activate or suppress the human immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells have immunoregulatory functions …
- Immunomodulators, including recombinant proteins, immunoglobulins, and cell therapeutics, can activate or suppress the human immune system. Mesenchymal stem cells have immunoregulatory functions and could be used as cell therapeutics. In this study, we hypothesized that exogenous MSCs would regulate the immune response by influencing the recruitment of T lymphocytes in peripheral tissues. In a mouse allogeneic bone marrow transplantation model, bone marrow with MSCs from C57BL/6 mice (H-2b) was transferred to BALB/c mice (H-2d) pre-conditioned with busulfan-cyclophosphamide. The proportion of CD3+ cells in the spleen was lower in the MSC co-transplantation group. When MSCs were administered, the expression of CD69 decreased in the spleen, while CD62L increased in the blood. In vitro, T-MSC co-cultured splenic T cells showed decreased expression of CCRL2, ACKR2, IFNG, TLR4, CXCR2, CCL5, CCR5, IL4, and CCL20 and increased expression of CXCL9, ACTB, CXCR6, CCR9, CCR4, CCL28, and MAPK1. This study provides a clue to the immune modulatory effect of MSCs by regulating lymphocyte migration in the peripheral lymphoid tissues by secreting chemokines, inducing chemokine receptor expression, or CD69-mediated regulation. - COLLAPSE
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Original Article
- Characterization of Pathogenic Escherichia coli Isolates from Food-borne Outbreaks in Gyeonggi-do, Korea
- So-Jung Park, Il-Hyung Jeong, Sun-Mok Kwon, Eun-Seon Hur, Kyung-Ja Kang, Ju-Hee Kwon, Bum-Ho Kim, Yong-Bae Park
- Pathogenic Escherichia coli is an important pathogen causing food-borne diseases in humans and animals. This study investigated the trends of food-borne outbreaks …
- Pathogenic Escherichia coli is an important pathogen causing food-borne diseases in humans and animals. This study investigated the trends of food-borne outbreaks caused by pathogenic E. coli in Gyeonggi-do, Korea, from 2020 to 2022, and analyzed the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of pathogenic E. coli isolates, including virulence genes, O-serotypes, antimicrobial resistance, and resistance genes. A total of 144 pathogenic E. coli isolates, consisting of 44 (30.6%) enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC), 39 (27.1%) enteroaggregative E. coli (EAEC), 38 (26.4%) enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and 23 (16.0%) enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC), were obtained from clinical specimens during the study period. Pathogenic E. coli was prevalently isolated from June to September and in patients aged with 10 to 19 years. The most prevalent virulence genes were vt2 in EHEC, eaeA-bfpA in EPEC, sth-lt in ETEC, and aggR in EAEC. The major O-serotypes were O157, O69, O98, and O6. The resistance to ampicillin (32.6%) and nalidixic acid (32.6%) were highest. Pathogenic E. coli carried blaCTX-M (51.4%), sul1 (27.8%), qnrB (23.6%), and tetA (13.9%). Antimicrobial resistance phenotype was significantly associated with the presence of resistance genes in pathogenic E. coli isolates. - COLLAPSE
Journal Informaiton
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY
JOURNAL OF BACTERIOLOGY AND VIROLOGY
