Dynamic42 GmbH’s Post

Check out our newly published research article investigating the role of the Hippo kinases, MST1 and MST2, in regulating inflammatory gene expression and limiting bacterial replication!

A new study led by researchers at UCL and the Wellcome Sanger Institute showed the important differences in how the nasal cells of kids, young adults and elderly people respond to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, could explain why children typically experience milder COVID-19 symptoms. They focused on the early effects of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the cells first targeted by the virus, the human nasal epithelial cells (NECs). The strong antiviral response in the NECs of children could explain why younger people typically experience milder symptoms. In contrast, the increased damage and higher viral replication found in NECs from elderly individuals could be linked to the greater severity of disease observed in older adults. Check the details out in this very comprehensive publication: https://lnkd.in/gehn6RSK

Thrilled to announce the publication of a crucial aspect of my PhD research conducted at The University of Southern Mississippi. This accomplishment wouldn't have been possible without the support of my advisor Shahid Karim and the collaborative efforts of Ryan Smith and Jose Ribeiro. In our study, we employed single-cell technology to investigate the transcriptomic changes in hemocytes (immune cells) of the Lone Star tick when in response to Ehrlichia infection and blood-feeding. 1. Our results revealed substantial heterogeneity in hemocyte populations, particularly noteworthy changes in those infected with the intracellular pathogen, E. chaffeensis. Utilizing trajectory analysis, we identified major lineages within the hemocyte clusters. 2. Recognizing the challenge of functionally characterizing the identified genes, we focused on genes abundant in clusters enriched in E. chaffeensis-infected cohorts for clearer insights. Silencing hemocytin, fibronectin, lipocalin, and cystatin had a notable impact on the overall hemocyte population, suggesting their role in maintaining homeostasis within the tick vector. 3. One of the most intriguing findings of the study is the specific influence of silencing certain genes on Ehrlichia infection in the entire tick. Silencing hemocytin and lipocalin resulted in a higher pathogen load, correlating with a decrease in granulocytes and plasmatocyte count. These findings contribute significantly to our understanding of tick immune biology and their responses to microbial infection, providing valuable insights for future research on vector control #singlecell #entomology #tickcontrol

Happy to share our latest publication just out in JHEP Reports!

Our work just published in MIcrobes and Infection, December 23 2023, reveals a novel role for receptor 210 in endocytic sorting and recognition of influenza A virus in macrophages. https://lnkd.in/enZNEW9M

📣 New Study Alert! Dive into the impact of #COVID19 on hospital-acquired infections at a comprehensive cancer center. 🏥 APIC Highlights: 1️⃣ Measures during the pandemic impact hospital-acquired infections. 2️⃣ Decrease in nosocomial respiratory viral infections. 3️⃣ Significant drop in CLABSI incidence. 4️⃣ Higher incidence of multidrug-resistant organisms on COVID-19 wards. Explore the findings: https://lnkd.in/gEn3dKZX #InfectionPrevention #HealthResearch

Really pleased to see our work published in BBRC underpinning the potential utility of cysteamine in treating respiratory infection. In this case, improving epithelial cell responses to viral infection by temporarily inhibiting the activity of glycine decarboxylase (GLDC), boosting interferon lambda production, while inhibiting IL-6. Cysteamine is a naturally occurring molecule and an advance stage clinical candidate for exacerbations in cystic fibrosis, non-CF bronchiectasis and community acquired pneumonia (CAP), where it is in phase III development. This adds another potential string to the bow of this multi-active molecule which has decades of safety data as it is already licenced for an unrelated condition. https://lnkd.in/e_7FyM7Z https://lnkd.in/eyvJud2k

Neutralising #antibodies that target #resistant bacteria #Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a major challenge to healthcare systems worldwide. Due to numerous resistance mechanisms, infections with the pathogen #Pseudomonas aeruginosa are particularly feared. Researchers at the German Center for Infection Research, the University Hospital Cologne, the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research in Braunschweig and the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf have now discovered antibodies that could lead to a highly potent treatment option of acute and chronic infections with P. aeruginosa. The study was published in the prestigious scientific journal Cell Press. https://lnkd.in/eiK4PfmC Helmholtz-Zentrum für Infektionsforschung Uniklinik Köln Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf Jan Rybniker #AMR #AntimicrobialResistance #PseudomonasAeruginosa #InfectiousDiseases #MedicalResearch #Healthcare #NewTreatment #CellJournal #HealthChallenges

The most important point of this study is that the novel method can be used to determine the number of bacteria in a sample as a novel biomarker of infectious diseases. https://lnkd.in/e5m5j7Z2

Bordetella hinzii colonies on blood agar isolated from respiratory sample of a patient and identified by 16S rRNA sequencing Points to note: Not all Bordetella detected in respiratory samples are B pertussis Not all Bordetella cause whooping cough Not all PCRs for Bordetella are pertussis specific A positive PCR for B pertussis may detect a non pertussis species in 1 to 3% of cases Species specific PCRs for Bordetella pertussis may be designed to confirm initial positives especially if the CT value is >29 Pertussis may present without whooping cough among patients with comorbidities and those with cancer Adult perussis is very much possible especially those with immunosuppression PCR may detect colonization rather than infection PCR may also detect non pathogenic or non pertussis Bordetella species Non pertussis Bordetella species can rarely cause disease doi: 10.3201/eid2711.211468 PMCID: PMC8544983 PMID: 34388087 Bordetella hinzii Pneumonia and Bacteremia in a Patient with SARS-CoV-2 Infection