antibiotic resistance
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyReduced Antibacterial Drug Resistance and blaCTX-M β-Lactamase Gene Carriage in Cattle-Associated Escherichia coli at Low Temperatures, at Sites Dominated by Older Animals, and on Pastureland: Implications for SurveillanceAntibacterial resistance poses a significant threat to human and animal health and global food security. Surveillance for resistance on farms is important for many reasons, including tracking impacts of interventions aimed at reducing the prevalence of resistance.
Genetics and Molecular BiologyThe Small RNAs PA2952.1 and PrrH as Regulators of Virulence, Motility, and Iron Metabolism in Pseudomonas aeruginosaDue to the rising incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains and the difficulty of eliminating P. aeruginosa infections, it is important to understand the regulatory mechanisms that allow this bacterium to adapt to and thrive under a variety of conditions. Small RNAs (sRNAs) are one regulatory mechanism that allows bacteria to change the amount of protein...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyMolecular Epidemiology of Escherichia coli Producing CTX-M and pAmpC β-Lactamases from Dairy Farms Identifies a Dominant Plasmid Encoding CTX-M-32 but No Evidence for Transmission to Humans in the Same Geographical RegionThird-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) are critically important antibacterials, and 3GC resistance (3GC-R) threatens human health, particularly in the context of opportunistic pathogens such as Escherichia coli. There is some evidence for zoonotic transmission of 3GC-R E. coli through food, but...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyCarriage of Extended-Spectrum-Beta-Lactamase- and AmpC Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Strains from Humans and Pets in the Same HouseholdsEnterobacteriaceae that produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) and AmpC beta-lactamases (ACBLs) are important pathogens and can cause community-acquired illnesses, such as urinary tract infections (UTIs). Fecal carriage of these resistant bacteria by companion animals may pose a risk for transmission to humans. Our work evaluated the sharing of ESBL- and ACBL-producing...
Public and Environmental Health Microbiology | SpotlightThe Household Resistome: Frequency of β-Lactamases, Class 1 Integrons, and Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria in the Domestic Environment and Their Reduction during Automated Dishwashing and LaunderingThe abundance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and ARGs is steadily increasing and has been comprehensively analyzed in natural environments, animals, foods, and wastewater treatment plants. In this respect, β-lactams and colistin are of particular interest due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Despite the connection of private households to these environments, only a few studies have focused on the...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyAntibacterial and Antivirulence Activity of Manuka Honey against Genetically Diverse Staphylococcus pseudintermedius StrainsStaphylococcus pseudintermedius is an important member of the skin microbial community in animals and can cause opportunistic infections in both pets and their owners. The high incidence of antimicrobial resistance in S. pseudintermedius highlights that this opportunistic zoonotic pathogen can cause...
Enzymology and Protein EngineeringLysin LysMK34 of Acinetobacter baumannii Bacteriophage PMK34 Has a Turgor Pressure-Dependent Intrinsic Antibacterial Activity and Reverts Colistin ResistanceA. baumannii is one of the most challenging pathogens for which development of new and effective antimicrobials is urgently needed. Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic, and even colistin-resistant A. baumannii strains exist. Here, we present a lysin that sensitizes...
Public and Environmental Health MicrobiologyMetagenomics as a Public Health Risk Assessment Tool in a Study of Natural Creek Sediments Influenced by Agricultural and Livestock Runoff: Potential and LimitationsCurrent agricultural and livestock practices contribute to fecal contamination in the environment and the spread of food- and waterborne disease and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). Traditionally, the level of pollution and risk to public health are assessed by culture-based tests for the intestinal bacterium Escherichia coli. However, the accuracy of these...
Public and Environmental Health Microbiology | SpotlightMicrobial Community Distribution and Core Microbiome in Successive Wound Grades of Individuals with Diabetic Foot UlcersChronic nonhealing diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a serious complication of diabetes and are further exacerbated by bacterial colonization. The microbial burden in the wound of each individual displays diverse morphological and physiological characteristics with unique patterns of host-pathogen interactions, antibiotic resistance, and virulence. Treatment involves empirical decisions until definitive results on the causative wound...
Environmental MicrobiologyA Comprehensive Account of Escherichia coli Sequence Type 131 in Wastewater Reveals an Abundance of Fluoroquinolone-Resistant Clade A StrainsST131 is a global pathogen. This clone causes urinary tract infections and is frequently isolated from human sources. However, little is known about ST131 from environmental sources. With the widely reported increase in antibiotic concentrations found in wastewater, there is additional selection pressure for the emergence of antibiotic-resistant ST131 in this niche. The unbiased screening approach reported herein revealed that...