Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

Nat Genet 2019 Feb 18. Epub 2019 Feb 18.

Center for Molecular and Translational Human Infectious Diseases Research, Department of Pathology and Genomic Medicine, Houston Methodist Research Institute and Houston Methodist Hospital, Houston, TX, USA.

Streptococcus pyogenes causes 700 million human infections annually worldwide, yet, despite a century of intensive effort, there is no licensed vaccine against this bacterium. Although a number of large-scale genomic studies of bacterial pathogens have been published, the relationships among the genome, transcriptome, and virulence in large bacterial populations remain poorly understood. We sequenced the genomes of 2,101 emm28 S. Read More

Microbiologyopen 2019 Feb 17:e814. Epub 2019 Feb 17.

Departamento de Análises Clínicas e Toxicológicas, Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG), Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Synthetic 1,3-bis(aryloxy)propan-2-amines have been shown in previous studies to possess several biological activities, such as antifungal and antiprotozoal. In the present study, we describe the antibacterial activity of new synthetic 1,3-bis(aryloxy)propan-2-amines against Gram-positive pathogens (Streptococcus pyogenes, Enterococcus faecalis and Staphylococcus aureus) including Methicillin-resistant S. aureus strains. Read More

Microbiol Spectr 2019 Jan;7(1)

Department of Pathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210.

In the past decade, the field of the cellular microbiology of group A () infection has made tremendous advances and touched upon several important aspects of pathogenesis, including receptor biology, invasive and evasive phenomena, inflammasome activation, strain-specific autophagic bacterial killing, and virulence factor-mediated programmed cell death. The noteworthy aspect of -mediated cell signaling is the recognition of the role of M protein in a variety of signaling events, starting with the targeting of specific receptors on the cell surface and on through the induction and evasion of NETosis, inflammasome, and autophagy/xenophagy to pyroptosis and apoptosis. Variations in reports on -mediated signaling events highlight the complex mechanism of pathogenesis and underscore the importance of the host cell and strain specificity, as well as / experimental parameters. Read More

Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2019 Feb 15. Epub 2019 Feb 15.

Department of Medical Sciences, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, GF Ingrassia, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.

Purpose: Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS) causes a recurrent acute pharyngotonsillitis (RAPT) in children. Moreover, the repeated use of antibiotics contributes to its resistance. However, S. Read More

mSphere 2019 Feb 13;4(1). Epub 2019 Feb 13.

Tropical Diseases, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Group A (GAS) is a major cause of global infection-related morbidity and mortality. A modern controlled human infection model (CHIM) of GAS pharyngitis can accelerate vaccine development and pathogenesis research. A robust rationale for strain selection is central to meeting ethical, scientific, and regulatory requirements. Read More

Eur J Case Rep Intern Med 2018 27;5(12):000987. Epub 2018 Dec 27.

Serviço de Cardiologia, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

Acute non-rheumatic streptococcal myopericarditis (ANRSM) is a rare complication of an upper airway infection by streptococcus group A in developed countries. Cardiac involvement in bacterial infections must be adequately treated because it can lead to long-term complications. This case report describes recurrent ANRSM in an 18-year-old man, which illustrates how difficult and challenging the diagnosis of this disease can be. Read More

J Bacteriol 2019 Feb 11. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA

Here we introduce plasmids for xylose-regulated expression and repression of genes in The xylose-inducible expression vector allows for ∼100-fold induction of an reporter gene. Induction is titratable and uniform from cell-to-cell. The gene repression plasmid is a CRISPR-interference (CRISPRi) system based on a nuclease-defective, codon-optimized allele of the Cas9 protein () that is targeted to a gene of interest by a constitutively-expressed single guide RNA (sgRNA). Read More

J Orthop Case Rep 2018 Sep-Oct;8(5):57-60

Department of Orthopedics and Trauma, Carlos E. Ottolenghi, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Juan D. PeronStreet 4190, C1181ACH, Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Introduction: Fasciitis of the limb and toxic-shock syndrome due to Streptococcus Pyogenes infection is considered a surgical emergency. This condition may occur in previously healthy patients. It is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity rates when treatment is delayed due to poor diagnosis and non-surgical intervention. Read More

Microbiol Spectr 2019 Jan;7(1)

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242.

(i.e., the group A ) is a human-restricted and versatile bacterial pathogen that produces an impressive arsenal of both surface-expressed and secreted virulence factors. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019 Mar 6;510(4):539-544. Epub 2019 Feb 6.

College of Chemistry, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, Fujian, China. Electronic address:

Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus, GAS) has caused a wide variety of human diseases. Its multifunctional surface dehydrogenase (SDH) is crucial for GAS life cycle. Furthermore, GAS infection into human pharyngeal cells has been previously shown to be mediated by the interaction between SDH and host urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR). Read More

Klin Lab Diagn 2018 ;63(9):574-578

Samara State Medical University, 43099, Samara, Russia.

The aim of our research was to evaluate the structure and the determination of the phenotypes of antibiotic resistance of microflora isolated from patients' blood in a multidisciplinary hospital during the period from 2013 to 2017. The material was taken into BacT / ALERT bottles containing nutrient media, followed by incubation of blood. In case of a positive result, the material from the vials was dispersed into dense nutrient media. Read More

Cell Host Microbe 2019 Feb 29;25(2):242-249.e3. Epub 2019 Jan 29.

Laboratory of Bacteriology, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address:

CRISPR-Cas systems provide acquired immunity in prokaryotes. Upon infection, short sequences from the phage genome, known as spacers, are inserted between the CRISPR repeats. Spacers are transcribed into small RNA molecules that guide nucleases to their targets. Read More

PLoS One 2019 1;14(2):e0211712. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

ACTIV, Association Clinique et Thérapeutique Infantile du Val-de-Marne, Saint Maur-des-Fossés, France.

After pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) implementation, the number of acute otitis media (AOM) episodes has decreased, but AOM still remains among the most common diagnoses in childhood. From 2% to 17% of cases of AOM feature spontaneous perforation of the tympanic membrane (SPTM). The aim of this study was to describe the bacteriological causes of SPTM 5 to 8 years years after PCV13 implementation, in 2010. Read More

BMC Infect Dis 2019 Jan 31;19(1):102. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Okinawa Prefectural Nanbu Medical Center & Children's Medical Center, Department of General Pediatrics, Okinawa, Japan.

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is defined as endocarditis caused by microorganisms (bacteria or fungi) involving either the heart or great vessels. The clinical course of IE can be complicated by cardiac dysfunction and bacterial embolization to virtually any organ. Staphylococcus aureus and viridans group streptococci are the most common causative organisms, whereas group A Streptococcus (GAS) is less common. Read More

PLoS One 2019 31;14(1):e0211074. Epub 2019 Jan 31.

Rostock University Medical Centre; Institute of Medical Microbiology, Virology, and Hygiene, Rostock, Germany.

5'-nucleotidases are widespread among all domains of life. The enzymes hydrolyze phosphate residues from nucleotides and nucleotide derivatives. In some pathobiontic bacteria, 5'-nucleotidases contribute to immune evasion by dephosphorylating adenosine mono-, di-, or tri-phosphates, thereby either decreasing the concentration of pro-inflammatory ATP or increasing the concentration of anti-inflammatory adenosine, both acting on purinergic receptors of phagocytic cells. Read More

APMIS 2019 Feb;127(2):87-92

Department of Bacteriology, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Nagoya, Japan.

Streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) is primarily caused by Streptococcus pyogenes, but it may also be caused by Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE). The analyses of S. Read More

BMC Pulm Med 2019 Jan 28;19(1):25. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Clinical Infectious Diseases, Aichi Medical University Hospital, 1-1 Yazakokarimata, Nagakute, 480-1195, Aichi, Japan.

Background: Any immunological mechanisms induced by influenza virus could cause severe secondary bacterial superinfection such as those by Streptococcus pyogenes [group A streptococcus (GAS)], Streptococcus pneumoniae or Staphylococcus aureus. Over recent years, the frequency of pleural empyema has increased in children with influenza infection. We present a severe case of acute empyema caused by S. Read More

Pharmacology 2019 Jan 28;103(5-6):221-227. Epub 2019 Jan 28.

Department of Microbiology, School of Pharmacy, Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Tokyo,

Background: In traditional Chinese medicine, Panax notoginseng is used to treat inflammation and bleeding but has not been shown to affect bacterial pathogens.

Objectives: Our aim was to assess the antibacterial potential of Panax notoginseng extract (PNE) against bacterial pathogens.

Methods: PNE was dissolved in autoclaved distilled water. Read More

Int J Infect Dis 2019 Jan 23. Epub 2019 Jan 23.

Molecular Bacteriology Laboratory, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium; Queen Fabiola Children University Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), Brussels, Belgium; Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia; Centre for International Child Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address:

Objectives: Characterize the clinical features, outcome and strain diversity of inpatients hospitalized in our institution with a laboratory-confirmed Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) infection according to homeless status.

Methods: Between August 2016 and January 2018, all patients hospitalized with a laboratory-confirmed GAS infection were prospectively enrolled along with recording of risk factors. GAS strains were characterized using emm-typing and emm-clustering in both inpatients and outpatients. Read More

Acta Med Port 2018 Dec 28;31(12):774-777. Epub 2018 Dec 28.

Serviço de Medicina Intensiva 1. Centro Hospitalar Universitário do Algarve. Unidade de Faro. Faro. Portugal.

Primary peritonitis usually occurs in patients with comorbidities previously diagnosed with ascites. However, a primary peritoneal infection in previously healthy patients may also ensue. There has been an increase in reported cases of primary peritonitis due to Streptococcus pyogenes affecting mostly women. Read More

Biochem J 2019 Feb 14;476(3):595-611. Epub 2019 Feb 14.

School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, The University of Queensland, St Lucia 4072, Australia

Bacterial pathogens encounter a variety of adverse physiological conditions during infection, including metal starvation, metal overload and oxidative stress. Here, we demonstrate that group A (GAS) utilises Mn(II) import via MtsABC during conditions of hydrogen peroxide stress to optimally metallate the superoxide dismutase, SodA, with Mn. MtsABC expression is controlled by the DtxR family metalloregulator MtsR, which also regulates the expression of Fe uptake systems in GAS. Read More

Microbiol Spectr 2019 Jan;7(1)

Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA.

Most clinical isolates of elaborate a capsular polysaccharide, which is composed of hyaluronic acid, a high-molecular-mass polymer of alternating residues of -acetyl glucosamine and glucuronic acid. Certain strains, particularly those of the M18 serotype, produce abundant amounts of capsule, resulting in formation of large, wet-appearing, translucent or "mucoid" colonies on solid media, whereas strains of M-types 4 and 22 produce none. Studies of acapsular mutant strains have provided evidence that the capsule enhances virulence in animal models of infection, an effect attributable, at least in part, to resistance to complement-mediated opsonophagocytic killing by leukocytes. Read More

Front Immunol 2018 18;9:3009. Epub 2018 Dec 18.

Molecular Immunopathology Laboratory, Department of Medical Pathology, Clinical Hospital, Federal University of Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil.

Rheumatic fever (RF) and its subsequent progression to rheumatic heart disease (RHD) are chronic inflammatory disorders prevalent in children and adolescents in underdeveloped countries, and a contributing factor for high morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Their primary cause is oropharynx infection by , whose acetylated residues are recognized by ficolin-1. This is the only membrane-bound, as well as soluble activator molecule of the complement lectin pathway (LP). Read More

J AAPOS 2019 Jan 3. Epub 2019 Jan 3.

Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina. Electronic address:

Purpose: To identify and analyze cases of postoperative infection following strabismus surgery at a large referral center and to report the incidence, risk factors, and outcomes.

Methods: An electronic database search identified strabismus procedures at Duke Eye Center from July 1996 to October 2017. Diagnosis codes for periocular infections were used to further identify patients with possible infections following strabismus surgery. Read More

Methods Mol Biol 2019 ;1917:311-326

Laboratory for Genome Engineering, Division of Environmental and Biological Sciences and Engineering, 4700 King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.

Targeted modification of plant genomes is a powerful strategy for investigating and engineering cellular systems, paving the way for the discovery and development of important, novel agricultural traits. Cas9, an RNA-guided DNA endonuclease from the type II adaptive immune CRISPR system of the prokaryote Streptococcus pyogenes, has gained widespread popularity as a genome-editing tool for use in a wide array of cells and organisms, including model and crop plants. Effective genome engineering requires the delivery of the Cas9 protein and guide RNAs into target cells. Read More

Emerg Infect Dis 2019 Mar 17;25(3):529-537. Epub 2019 Mar 17.

The incidence of scarlet fever in England and Wales is at its highest in 50 years. We estimated secondary household risk for invasive group A Streptococcus (iGAS) disease within 60 days after onset of scarlet fever. Reports of scarlet fever in England during 2011-2016 were matched by residential address to persons with laboratory-confirmed iGAS infections. Read More

Int J Gen Med 2018 28;11:451-456. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Reckitt Benckiser Healthcare International Ltd, Slough, Berkshire, UK,

Purpose: Pharyngitis is commonly caused by a self-limiting upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) and symptoms typically include sore throat. Antibiotics are often inappropriately used for the treatment of pharyngitis, which can contribute to antimicrobial resistance, therefore non-antibiotic treatments which have broad antiseptic effects may be more appropriate. Amylmetacresol (AMC) and 2,4-dichlorobenzyl alcohol (DCBA) are present in some antiseptic lozenges and have established benefits in providing symptomatic relief and some in vitro antiviral action. Read More

mSphere 2018 12 19;3(6). Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA

The clinical development of group A streptococcal (GAS) vaccines will require the implementation of a standardized, high-throughput assay to measure the activity of functional opsonic antibodies in vaccine recipients. In the present study, we adapted and modified the HL-60-based protocol that was developed for the detection of opsonic antibodies against for use with multiple M types of GAS. Modifications of the assay conditions permitted the evaluation of 21 different M types of GAS in the assay. Read More

Jpn J Med (Lond) 2018 ;1(6):269-275

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59718, USA.

Group A (GAS) causes common pharyngitis and skin infections and occasional severe invasive infections. This review describes the recent progress on the pathogenesis of hypervirulent GAS. CovRS mutations are frequent among invasive GAS isolates and lead to hypervirulence. Read More

Front Pediatr 2018 28;6:360. Epub 2018 Nov 28.

Centre National de Référence des Staphylocoques, Institut des Agents Infectieux, Centre de Biologie et de Pathologie Nord, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France.

Toxic shock syndromes (TSS) are severe shocks due to staphylococcal or streptococcal infection that require specific treatments. The early recognition of these shocks is crucial to improve their outcomes. The primary objective of this study was to compare characteristics and outcomes of staphylococcal and streptococcal TSS in children, in order to identify putative early clinical diagnostic criteria. Read More

J Immunol 2019 Jan 12;202(2):503-513. Epub 2018 Dec 12.

Division of Infection Medicine, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, SE-22184 Lund, Sweden

Platelets circulate the bloodstream and principally maintain hemostasis. Disturbed hemostasis, a dysregulated inflammatory state, and a decreased platelet count are all hallmarks of severe invasive infection, sepsis. We have previously demonstrated that the released M1 protein from activates platelets, and this activation is dependent on the binding of M1 protein, fibrinogen, and M1-specific IgG to platelets in susceptible donors. Read More

MBio 2018 12 11;9(6). Epub 2018 Dec 11.

School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences and Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia

The World Health Organization reports that antibiotic-resistant pathogens represent an imminent global health disaster for the 21st century. Gram-positive superbugs threaten to breach last-line antibiotic treatment, and the pharmaceutical industry antibiotic development pipeline is waning. Here we report the synergy between ionophore-induced physiological stress in Gram-positive bacteria and antibiotic treatment. Read More

PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2018 12 10;12(12):e0006945. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, SSA, IHU-Méditerranée Infection, UMR Vecteurs-,InfectionsTropicales et Mediterranéennes (VITROME), Marseille, France.

Aside from malaria, infectious diseases are an important cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa and continue to pose major public health problems in African countries, notably pneumonia. Streptococcus pneumoniae remains the most common bacterial cause of pneumonia in all age groups. The skin is one of the main infection sites followed by the oropharynx. Read More

J Hosp Infect 2018 Dec 5. Epub 2018 Dec 5.

Infection Prevention and Control Team, Frimley Park Hospital, Frimley Health Foundation NHS Trust, Frimley, UK.

Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 2018 11 26;162. Epub 2018 Nov 26.

Reinier de Graaf Gasthuis, afd. Kindergeneeskunde, Delft.

Background: Haemolytic group A streptococci (GAS) are the most common bacterial cause of infection in the Netherlands. These bacteria can cause many different non-invasive infections, including scarlet fever.

Case Description: A two-year-old girl presented with fever, tachycardia, exanthema and swelling in the neck. Read More

Scand J Immunol 2019 Feb 4;89(2):e12734. Epub 2019 Jan 4.

Federal State Budgetary Scientific Institution, Institute of Experimental Medicine, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Expression of gene of arginine deiminase (AD) allows adaptation of Streptococcus pyogenes to adverse environmental conditions. AD activity can lead to L-arginine deficiency in the host cells' microenvironment. Bioavailability of L-arginine is an important factor regulating the functions of the immune cells in mammals. Read More

J Clin Microbiol 2019 Feb 30;57(2). Epub 2019 Jan 30.

Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, Missouri, USA

Group A (GAS) is one of the leading causes of bacterial pharyngitis. Early GAS diagnosis is critical for appropriate antibiotic administration that reduces the risk of GAS sequelae and limits spread of the infection. The Aries Group A Strep (GAS) assay (Luminex, Austin, TX) is a fully automated PCR assay for direct detection of GAS in throat swab specimens in less than 2 h with minimum hands-on time. Read More

J Med Case Rep 2018 Nov 22;12(1):346. Epub 2018 Nov 22.

Reference Parasitology Laboratory, Central Laboratories, Public Health Services, Ministry of Health, Jerusalem, Israel.

Background: We describe a patient with Strongyloides stercoralis hyperinfection associated with Streptococcus pyogenes and with streptococcal toxic shock syndrome. To the best of our knowledge this association has not been previously described.

Case Presentation: A 78 year-old Israeli man, who was born in Iraq but lived in Israel for 66 years, presented with multi-organ failure including acute kidney and hepatic injury, coagulopathy, and lactic acidosis. Read More

Zhonghua Liu Xing Bing Xue Za Zhi 2018 Oct;39(10):1375-1380

Beijing Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing Research Center for Preventive Medicine, Beijing 100013, China.

To analyze the characteristics of super-antigen (SAg) of group A (GAS), isolated from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections in Beijing between 2015-2017. Throat swab specimens from patients with scarlet fever or pharyngeal infections were collected and tested for GAS. Eleven currently known SAg genes including ACGHIJ, KLMZ and were tested by real-time PCR while M protein genes ( genes) were amplified and sequenced by PCR. Read More

Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med 2018 Nov 16;2(4):338-340. Epub 2018 Oct 16.

St. Lucie Medical Center, Department of Emergency Medicine, Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Historically epiglottitis has been considered a childhood disease. However, the introduction of the type B vaccine has decreased the incidence of epiglottitis in children. It is important to recognize modern epiglottitis as a disease of adults. Read More

Mol Med Rep 2019 Jan 15;19(1):414-422. Epub 2018 Nov 15.

Centre of Trauma of PLA, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing 400042, P.R. China.

Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS) is a clinically significant bacterial strain that causes bacterial arthritis, osteomyelitis and implant infections. Infection complications can lead to serious bone destruction. Osteoclasts, the only type of cell with bone resorption function, participate in this process. Read More

Hong Kong Med J 2018 Dec 9;24(6):593-601. Epub 2018 Nov 9.

Department of Paediatrics, Alberta Children's Hospital, The University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada.

Group A β-haemolytic or is a gram-positive coccus that tends to grow in chains. is the cause of many important human diseases, ranging from pharyngitis and mild superficial skin infections to life-threatening systemic diseases. Infections typically begin in the throat or skin. Read More

Multidiscip Respir Med 2018 2;13:40. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

2Preventive Medicine Department, Hospital Universitario Infanta Cristina, Parla, Madrid, Spain.

Fifteen years after its licensure, this revision assesses the role of cefditoren facing the current pharmacoepidemiology of resistances in respiratory human-adapted pathogens (, , and ). In the era of post- pneumococcal conjugate vaccines and in an environment of increasing diffusion of the I gene among isolates, published studies on the cefditoren in vitro microbiological activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmcodynamic (PK/PD) activity and clinical efficacy are reviewed. Based on published data, an overall analysis is performed for PK/PD susceptibility interpretation. Read More

Enferm Infecc Microbiol Clin 2018 Nov 2. Epub 2018 Nov 2.

Department of Infectious Diseases, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

Przegl Epidemiol 2018 ;72(3):325-336

Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, School of Medicine with the Division of Dentistry in Zabrze

Background: The current public health problem is the increasing bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Microorganisms isolated from infections are more often non-susceptible to most available drugs. The microorganisms producing resistance mechanisms have been classified as so called alert pathogens. Read More

Turk J Med Sci 2018 Oct 31;48(5):939-944. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Background/aim: We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a rapid antigen test in detecting group A beta-hemolytic streptococci (GAS) in throat samples in comparison with the culture method and to compare the efficiency of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) and traditional methods in identifying GAS in cultures. Materials and methods: A total of 3668 throat samples from patients with a prediagnosis of tonsillopharyngitis were assessed by the QuickVue+Strep A antigen test and culture. For GAS identification from cultures, bacitracin sensitivity, PYR, and latex agglutination tests and MALDI-TOF MS were used. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2018 11 31;115(46):11814-11819. Epub 2018 Oct 31.

Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, D-10117 Berlin, Germany;

mRNA decay plays an essential role in the control of gene expression in bacteria. Exoribonucleases (exoRNases), which trim transcripts starting from the 5' or 3' end, are particularly important to fully degrade unwanted transcripts and renew the pool of nucleotides available in the cell. While recent techniques have allowed genome-wide identification of ribonuclease (RNase) targets in bacteria in vivo, none of the 3'-to-5' exoRNase targetomes (i. Read More

Nat Methods 2018 Nov 30;15(11):924-927. Epub 2018 Oct 30.

Synthetic Biology Group, Institute for Pharmacy and Biotechnology (IPMB) and Center for Quantitative Analysis of Molecular and Cellular Biosystems (BioQuant), University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.

Anti-CRISPR proteins are powerful tools for CRISPR-Cas9 regulation; the ability to precisely modulate their activity could facilitate spatiotemporally confined genome perturbations and uncover fundamental aspects of CRISPR biology. We engineered optogenetic anti-CRISPR variants comprising hybrids of AcrIIA4, a potent Streptococcus pyogenes Cas9 inhibitor, and the LOV2 photosensor from Avena sativa. Coexpression of these proteins with CRISPR-Cas9 effectors enabled light-mediated genome and epigenome editing, and revealed rapid Cas9 genome targeting in human cells. Read More

J Infect Chemother 2019 Jan 28;25(1):41-44. Epub 2018 Oct 28.

Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mie University Faculty Medicine, Mie, Japan.

The present retrospective study provides an in-depth analysis of the maternal sepsis-related deaths reported in Japan, and aims to guide future care regarding maternal sepsis. This is a nationwide, retrospective, descriptive cohort study. Data were retrospectively analyzed on all maternal death cases related to sepsis reported in Japan from 2010 through 2016. Read More

Acta Clin Belg 2018 Oct 27:1-5. Epub 2018 Oct 27.

c Center for Infectious Diseases ID4C , Military Hospital Queen Astrid , Brussels , Belgium.

Background:  A patient presenting with fever and purpura after a stay in the tropics tempts a physician to make a differential diagnosis mainly focusing on imported diseases. Although the importance of considering a tropical disease is obvious, the fact that cosmopolitan infections account for one third of the cases in a febrile returning traveler must not be overseen. Toxic Shock Syndrome is amongst the most notorious diseases due to the high mortality when inappropriately managed and the association with necrotizing fasciitis. Read More