Journal of Microbiology

Journal Articles

Characterization and Comparative Genomic Analysis of vB_BceM_CEP1: A Novel Temperate Bacteriophage Infecting Burkholderia cepacia Complex.: Momen Askoura, Eslam K Fahmy, Safya E Esmaeel, Wael A H Hegazy, Aliaa Abdelghafar; J. Microbiol. 2024;62(11):1035-1055. Published online November 18, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-024-00185-2

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Abstract: The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant bacteria imminently threatens public health and jeopardizes nearly all aspects of modern medicine. The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) comprises Burkholderia cepacia and the related species of Gram-negative bacteria. Members of the Bcc group are opportunistic pathogens responsible for various chronic illnesses, including cystic fibrosis and chronic granulomatous disease. Phage therapy is emerging as a potential solution to combat the antimicrobial resistance crisis. In this study, a temperate phage vB_BceM_CEP1 was isolated from sewage and fully characterized. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that vB_BceM_CEP1 belongs to the family Peduoviridae. The isolated phage demonstrated enhanced environmental stability and antibiofilm potential. One-step growth analysis revealed a latent period of 30 min and an average burst size of 139 plaque-forming units per cell. The genome of vB_BceM_CEP1 consists of 32,486 bp with a GC content of 62.05%. A total of 40 open reading frames were annotated in the phage genome, and none of the predicted genes was annotated as tRNA. Notably, genes associated with antibiotic resistance, host virulence factors, and toxins were absent from the vB_BceM_CEP1 genome. Based on its unique phenotype and phylogeny, the isolated phage vB_BceM_CEP1 is classified as a new temperate phage with lytic activity. The findings of this study enhance our understanding of the diversity of Bcc phages.

Gold nanoparticle-DNA aptamer-assisted delivery of antimicrobial peptide effectively inhibits Acinetobacter baumannii infection in mice: Jaeyeong Park , Eunkyoung Shin , Ji-Hyun Yeom , Younkyung Choi , Minju Joo , Minho Lee , Je Hyeong Kim , Jeehyeon Bae , Kangseok Lee; J. Microbiol. 2022;60(1):128-136. Published online December 29, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-022-1620-3

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13 Citations

Abstract: Acinetobacter baumannii causes multidrug resistance, leading to fatal infections in humans. In this study, we showed that Lys AB2 P3-His–a hexahistidine-tagged form of an antimicrobial peptide (AMP) loaded onto DNA aptamer-functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNP-Apt)–can effectively inhibit A. baumannii infection in mice. When A. baumannii-infected mice were intraperitoneally injected with AuNP-Apt loaded with Lys AB2 P3-His, a marked reduction in A. baumannii colonization was observed in the mouse organs, leading to prominently increased survival time and rate of the mice compared to those of the control mice treated with AuNP-Apt or Lys AB2 P3-His only. This study shows that AMPs loaded onto AuNP-Apt could be an effective therapeutic tool against infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogenic bacteria in humans.

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov'ts

Analysis of cepA Encoding an Efflux Pump-like Protein in Corynebacterium glutamicum: Soo-Yeon Sim , Eun-Ji Hong , Younhee Kim , Heung-Shick Lee; J. Microbiol. 2014;52(4):278-283. Published online February 17, 2014; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-014-3461-1

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4 Citations

Abstract: A gene encoding a homolog of purine efflux proteins of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis was identified in the genome of Corynebacterium glutamicum and designated as cepA. The gene encoded a putative protein product, containing 12 transmembrane helixes, which is a typical feature of integral membrane transport proteins. To elucidate the function of the gene, we constructed a cepA deletion mutant (ΔcepA) and a cepA-overexpressing strain and analyzed their physiological characteristics. The cepA gene could be deleted with no critical effect on cell growth. However, the cell yield of a ΔcepA strain was decreased by 10% as compared to that of a strain carrying a cepA-overexpression plasmid (P180-cepA). Further analysis identified increased resistance of the P180-cepA strain to the purine analogues 6-mercaptopurine and 6-mercaptoguanine, but not to 2-aminopurine and purine nucleoside analogues. Moreover, this strain showed increased resistance to the antibiotics nalidixic acid and ampicillin. Collectively, these data suggest that cepA is a novel multidrug resistance gene and probably functions in the efflux of toxic substances from the inside of cells to the environment, thus allowing cells to reach a higher cell yield.

NOTE] Diversity Analysis of Burkholderia cepacia Complex in the Water Bodies of West Lake, Hangzhou, China: Yuan Fang , Guan-lin Xie , Miao-miao Lou , Bin Li , Ibrahim Muhammad; J. Microbiol. 2011;49(2):309-314. Published online May 3, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12275-011-0267-2

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12 Citations

Abstract: A survey of Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) species was conducted in water bodies of West Lake in China. A total of 670 bacterial isolates were recovered on selective media. Out of them, 39.6% (265 isolates) were assigned to the following species: Burkholderia multivorans, Burkholderia cenocepacia recA lineage IIIA,
IIIB, Burkholderia stabilis, Burkholderia vietnamiensis, and Burkholderia seminalis while B. cenocepacia is documented as a dominant Bcc species in water of West Lake. In addition, all Bcc isolates tested were PCR negative for the cblA and esmR transmissibility marker genes except B. cenocepacia IIIB A8 which was positive for esmR genelater. The present study raises great concerns on the role of West Lake as a “reservoir” for potential Bcc pathogenic strains.

Journal Article

Burkholderia cepacia Complex Infection in a Cohort of Italian Patients with Cystic Fibrosis: Antonietta Lambiase , Valeria Raia , Stefania Stefani , Angela Sepe , Pasqualina Ferri , Paolo Buonpensiero , Fabio Rossano , Mariassunta Del Pezzo; J. Microbiol. 2007;45(3):275-279.; DOI: https://doi.org/2530 [pii]

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Abstract: The aims of this study were to detect Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) strains in a cohort of Cystic Fibrosis patients (n=276) and to characterize Bcc isolates by molecular techniques. The results showed that 11.23% of patients were infected by Bcc. Burkholderia cenocepacia lineage III-A was the most prevalent species (64.3%) and, of these, 10% was cblA positive and 50% esmR positive. Less than half of the strains were sensitive to ceftazidime, meropenem, piperacillin tazobactam, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. About half of the strains (41%) had homogeneous profiles, suggesting cross-transmission. The infection by B. cenocepacia was associated to a high rate of mortality (p=0.01).

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

A Bacterium Belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia Complex Associated with Pleurotus ostreatus: Ricardo Yara , Walter Maccheroni Junior , Jorge Horii , Joao Lucio Azevedo; J. Microbiol. 2006;44(3):263-268.; DOI: https://doi.org/2387 [pii]

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Abstract: Pleurotus ostreatus is a widely cultivated white-rot fungus. Owing to its considerable enzymatic versatility P. ostreatus has become the focus of increasing attention for its possible utility in biobleaching and bioremediation applications. Interactions between microorganisms can be an important factor in those processes. In this study, we describe the presence of a bacterial species associated with P. ostreatus strain G2. This bacterial species grew slowly (approximately 30 days) in theliquid and semi-solid media tested. When P. ostreatus was inoculated in solid media containing Tween 80 or Tween 20, bacterial microcolonies were detected proximal to the fungal colonies, and the relevant bacterium was identified via the analysis of a partial 16S rDNA sequence; it was determined to belong to the Burkholderia cepacia complex, but was not closely related to other fungus-isolated Burkholderiaceae. New specific primers were designed, and confirmed the presence of in vitro P. ostreatus cultures. This is the first time that a bacterial species belonging to the B. cepacia complex has been found associated with P. ostreatus.

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