Wellcome Sanger Institute’s Post

🍁 Harnessing Nature's Arsenal Against Antibiotic Resistance 🍁 “It’s not difficult to make microbes resistant to penicillin in the laboratory by exposing them to concentrations not sufficient to kill them… there is the danger that the ignorant man may easily under-dose himself and, by exposing his microbes to non-lethal quantities of the drug, make them resistant.” 🔔 Nearly 80 years ago, Alexander Fleming cautioned about the dangers of antibiotic misuse, highlighting the potential for microbes to develop resistance. Today, his words echo louder than ever as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant threat to global health. 🔔 The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have fueled the emergence and spread of AMR, creating a silent pandemic with devastating consequences. It's projected to kill 10 million people annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 12 priority bacterial families with alarming levels of resistance. This demands urgent action to curb this crisis. 🌳 Turning the Tide: Nature's Antimicrobial Potential 🌿 Amidst this crisis, our research theme focuses on harnessing nature's immense potential. Natural products from plants, fungi, soil, and marine environments hold immense promise for novel therapeutics. 📢 Join the Fight: Call for Research Papers 📢 We invite researchers worldwide to contribute their expertise. Submit original research or review articles exploring the antimicrobial properties of natural products. By heeding Fleming's warning and embracing nature's bounty, we can discover new weapons to combat AMR. ✍ Become part of the solution to this pressing public health challenge. Submit your contributions here: 👉 https://lnkd.in/eAwH4H4i #AntibioticResistance #WHO #PublicHealth #CallForPapers #Bacteria #NaturalProducts #Botanicals #MarineSources #Soil #GlobalHealth #AMR Frontiers in Pharmacology #MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharmacology Maryam Shafaati Sushmita Nath John Arnason #MultiDrugResistance #AntibioticStewardship

https://lnkd.in/g6_q-Gfg   Article title: Listeria Monocytogenes as a Foodborne Pathogen: Biocontrol in Foods using Lytic Bacteriophages   Author(S): Naim Deniz Ayaz*, Gizem Cufaoglu   Journal: Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Biochemical Technology   Journal ISSN: 2581-527X Abstract: Foods are playing a significant role in human infections because they are frequent vehicles of some human pathogens, which can spread in a short time to all the animals and are associated with cross contamination during production and processing. During stable to table, in order not to take hygienic precautions, contaminations with pathogenic microorganisms such as Listeria spp. may be occurred and consumption of such food and food products can cause foodborne illnesses. L. monoctogenes is a zoonotic foodborne bacteria that leads to a variety of serious infections in humans such as encephalitis, meningitis, abortion and septicemia, and those suffering with listeriosis occurs in approximately 30% mortality. Epidemiologic studies have revealed that a significant proportion of cases of listeriosis caused by contaminated foods. The pathogen is widely distributed in the environment and well adapted to very different environmental conditions like tolerating wide temperature (0-45°C) and pH ranges (pH 4.3–9.6) make it difficult to control food-borne infections. #Lmonocytogenes #Bacteriophages #Biocontrol #Foodborne   #CellularMicrobiology #EnvironmentalMicrobiology #MedicalMicrobiology #IndustrialMicrobiology #MarineMicrobiology #AquacultureMicrobiology #Bacteriology #Chlamydiology #Rickettsiology #Peertechz #PeertechzPublications #Mycobacteriology #AerobicActinomycetes #Mycology #Parasitology #Virology #ClinicalVeterinaryMicrobiology #Epidemiology #Biochemical #Endocytosis #Exocytosis #MembraneBiology #CellMigration #CellMatrix #OrganelleBiogenesis #Cytoskeleton #Proteolysis #CellDeath #CellCycle #CancerResearch #CellGrowth #CellDeath #CellDifferentiation #DrugTargets #GeneTherapy #DiseaseModels #Proteomics #StemCells #Bioenergetics #Mitochondria #FreeRadicals #RedoxSignaling #IonTransport #OxidativeStress #CellularMetabolism #XenobioticMetabolism #Metabolomics #CircadianControls #Hormones #Photosynthesis #CellSignaling #NitrogenFixation #PlantDisease #TransportProcesses #PlastidSystems #CellWallSynthesis #Phosphorylation #ProteinKinases #Phosphates #Ubiquitination #LipidSignaling #SecondMessengers #Cytokines #Receptors #GrowthFactors #GProteins #Integrins #NitricOxide #Enzymology #MolecularMechanisms #Biophysics #BiomolecularAssociations #SystemsBiology #ChemicalBiology #ProteinStructure #NucleicAcids #AminoAcids #DrugDesign #BiomolecularTargets #Lipids #Carbohydrates #EnvironmentalBiotechnology #MetabolicEngineering #TissueEngineering #Biodiversity #AgroBiotechnology #MedicalBiotechnology

📢 Evaluation of #Genomic Typing Methods in the #Salmonella Reference Laboratory in Public Health, #England, 2012–2020 👨🎓 by Marie Anne Chattaway et al. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/g45wyPau We aim to provide an evidence-based evaluation of whole genome sequence (WGS) methods, employed at the Salmonella reference laboratory in England, in terms of its impact on public health and whether these methods remain a fit for purpose test under UKAS ISO 15189. The evaluation of the genomic methods were mapped against the value of detecting microbiological clusters to support the investigation of food-borne outbreaks of Salmonella in England between 2012–2020. The analysis of WGS with both SNP- and allelic-based methods provided an unprecedented level of strain discrimination and detection of additional clusters when comparing to all of the previous typing methods. The robustness of the routine genomic sequencing at the reference laboratory ensured confidence in the microbiological identifications, even in large outbreaks with complex international food distribution networks. There was evidence that the phylogeny derived from the WGS data can be used to inform the provenance of strains and support discrimination between domestic and non-domestic transmission events. Further insight on the evolutionary context of the emerging pathogenic strains was enabled with a deep dive of the phylogenetic data, including the detection of nested clusters. The public availability of the WGS data linked to the clinical, epidemiological and environmental context of the sequenced strains has improved the trace-back investigations during outbreaks. The global expansion in the use of WGS-based typing in reference laboratories has shown that the WGS methods are a fit for purpose test in public health as it has ensured the rapid implementation of interventions to protect public health, informed risk assessment and has facilitated the management of national and international food-borne outbreaks of Salmonella.

https://lnkd.in/gUsU9FpT    Article title: In Silico Identification and Characterization of Potential Red Seaweed Allergens   Author(S): Daniel S Gaspan* and Mark Paulo S Tolentino   Journal: Open Journal of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics   Journal ISSN: 2994-4163 Abstract: Red seaweeds such as Kappaphycus alvarezii and Porphyra yezoensis have many applications, especially in the food industry, which suggests the need for knowing their potential allergenicity. in silico approaches can be used to determine if a protein is an existing allergen or has the ability to cross-react with one. In this study, 318 sequences for Kappaphycus alvarezii and 641 protein sequences for Porphyra yezoensis were screened for potential allergens using AlgPred 2.0 and AllergenOnline, followed by the FAO allergenicity test using Allermatch. Data from this were used to predict the B-cell epitopes using the IEDP prediction tool and T-cell epitopes using MHC2Pred and were modeled using SWISS-MODEL and PyMOL to highlight specific epitopes. These models were assessed for quality using Global Quality Model Estimate (GQME) scores, ERRAT scores, and VERIFY 3D. Results showed fourteen (14) potential red seaweed allergens, four (4) of which were found in Kappaphycus alvarezii and ten (10) in Porphyra yezoensis. Several proteins of red seaweeds shared structural similarities with species normally associated with food allergies, such as common hazel, Atlantic salmon, and shark catfish, as well as other types of allergens such as those in house-dust mites, that could potentially induce cross-reactivity. #n silico #Allergens #Seaweed #Allergenicity   #Antibiotics #Bacteria #BacterialAdhesin #BacterialBiochemistry #BacterialCapsule #BacterialCellStructure #BacterialEnzymology #BacterialGeneticNomenclature #BacterialGrowth #BacterialInfections #BacterialMorphologicalPlasticity #BacterialNanowires #Peertechz #PeertechzPublications #BacterialOxidation #BacterialPatterns #BacterialPhyla #BacterialProteins #ClinicalBacteriology #ClinicalMycology #FungalInfections #FungalPharmaceutics #FungalProteins #IndustrialBacteria #IndustrialFungus #MedicinalMushrooms #MedicinalMycology #Mycotoxicology #Mycotoxins #OrganicBiomolecules #PathogenicFungi #Pathology #Prebiotics #Probiotics #SecondaryMetabolites

Antibiotic resistance is a major global issue worsened by the emergence of multi-drug-resistant bacteria. Of particular concern are E. coli bacteria that produce extended spectrum-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC-lactamase (AmpC), which are resistant to a wide range of antibiotics, including penicillin and third generation cephalosporins. ESBL genes can spread both in vitro and in vivo due to the transmissible nature of the plasmids carrying them. In livestock, ESBL/AmpC E. coli is commonly commensal but can transfer antibiotic resistance genes to pathogenic E. coli and related pathogens that can infect humans through contaminated foods. To provide well-characterized phages for biocontrol and increase the diversity of phages infecting ESBL/AmpC E. coli, we isolated and characterized 28 phages that infect diverse ESBL/AmpC E. coli. We then used the collection to create two different phage cocktails to explore their potential use for ESBL/AmpC E. coli biocontrol. (https://lnkd.in/dmSuvnR9) Interestingly, the first patient in Denmark was treated with phages last year. (This information is in Danish.) https://lnkd.in/dvMRwsXb

Antifungals are critical for treating fungal disease. This World Antimicrobial Awareness Week #WAAW2023, Professor Neil Gow, Professor of Microbiology at the University of Exeter, founding member & Principal Investigator at the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology, considers the durability of new 'dual use' agents as both agrotech fungicides and clinical antifungals. A #OneHealth approach is needed to track the risks for fungal #AMR to protect these hard-won drugs. Read Professor Gow's full article on the GW4 website: https://lnkd.in/eft36VSR #research #innovation #AMR #waaw2023

📢 Evidence of Virulent Multi-Drug Resistant and #Biofilm-Forming #Listeria Species Isolated from Various Sources in South Africa 👨🎓 by Christ-Donald Kaptchouang Tchatchouang et al. Listeriosis is a foodborne disease caused by Listeria monocytogenes species and is known to cause severe complications, particularly in pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Listeria species in food and water using both biochemical and species-specific PCR analysis. L. monocytogenes isolates were further screened for the presence of various antibiotic resistance, virulence, and biofilm-forming determinants profiles using phenotypic and genotypic assays. A total of 207 samples (composed of meat, milk, vegetables, and water) were collected and analyzed for presence of L. monocytogenes using species specific PCR analysis. Out of 267 presumptive isolates, 53 (19.85%) were confirmed as the Listeria species, and these comprised 26 L. monocytogenes, 3 L. innocua, 2 L. welshimeri, and 1 L. thailandensis. The remaining 21 Listeria species were classified as uncultured Listeria, based on 16SrRNA sequence analysis results. A large proportion (76% to 100%) of the L. monocytogenes were resistant to erythromycin (76%), clindamycin (100%), gentamicin (100%), tetracycline (100%), novobiocin (100%), oxacillin (100%), nalidixic acid (100%), and kanamycin (100%). The isolates revealed various multi-drug resistant (MDR) phenotypes, with E-DA-GM-T-NO-OX-NA-K being the most predominant MDR phenotypes observed in the L. monocytogenes isolates. The virulence genes prfA, hlyA, actA, and plcB were detected in 100%, 68%, 56%, and 20% of the isolates, respectively. In addition, L. monocytogenes isolates were capable of forming strong biofilm at 4 °C (%) after 24 to 72 h incubation periods, moderate for 8% isolates at 48 h and 20% at 72 h (p < 0.05). Moreover, at 25 °C and 37 °C, small proportions of the isolates displayed moderate (8–20%) biofilm formation after 48 and 72 h incubation periods. Biofilm formation genes flaA and luxS were detected in 72% and 56% of the isolates, respectively. These findings suggest that proper hygiene measures must be enforced along the food chain to ensure food safety. 🔗 Full article: https://lnkd.in/gP7qPcrR 👉 This article belongs to the Special Issue: #Foodborne Pathogen Biofilms: Development, Detection, Control, and #AntimicrobialResistance https://lnkd.in/gu2gQ86V

📚Publication 🚨 In as much as Street-vended foods (SVFs) are essential in our day to day activities, food-borne diseases and infections of microbial origins are commonly associated with them. This study characterized the occurrence and coexistence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes of staphylococci isolates from SVFs. Isolates exhibited multiple resistance to different antimicrobial drug classes, predominantly harboured genes that express efflux pump proteins for antibiotic resistance compared with inactivation, target alteration, protection and replacement. The virulence determinants comprised genes of pyrogenic toxin superantigens, adhesions and genes that express exoproteins. There was a statistically significant difference in the prevalence of staphylococci isolates, and their antimicrobial resistance and virulence profile as revealed by the phenotypic, PCR and next-generation sequencing techniques. The findings suggest a higher health risk for consumers. It’s recommended, a critical need for awareness and antimicrobial susceptibility and anti-virulence strategies to ensure food safety and counteract the spread of this clinically relevant genus. The impact of staphylococci on food poisoning and infections could be higher than previously reported. #antimicrobialresistance #microbiology #molecularbiology #NGS #FoodSafety