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Fulltext Factors impacting antimicrobial resistance in the South East Asian food system and potential places to intervene: A participatory, one health study

Lambraki IA, Chadag MV, Cousins M, Graells T, Léger A, Henriksson PJG, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:992507.
PMID: 36687632 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.992507

BACKGROUND: With AMU projected to increase, South East Asia (SEA) is at high risk of experiencing disproportionate health, social, and economic burdens due to antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Our objective was to identify factors influencing AMR in SEA's food system and places for intervention by integrating the perspectives of experts from the region to inform policy and management decisions.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted two 6.5 h workshops and two 90-min interviews involving 18 AMR and other disciplinary experts from human, animal, and environment sectors who brainstormed the factors influencing AMR and identified leverage points (places) for intervention. Transcripts and workshop materials were coded for factors and their connections and transcribed into a causal loop diagram (CLD). Thematic analysis described AMR dynamics in SEA's food system and leverage points for intervention. The CLD and themes were confirmed via participant feedback.
RESULTS: Participants constructed a CLD of AMR in the SEA food system that contained 98 factors interlinked by 362 connections. CLD factors reflected eight sub-areas of the SEA food system (e.g., government). Seven themes [e.g., antimicrobial and pesticide use and AMR spread (n = 40 quotes)], six "overarching factors" that impact the entire AMR system [e.g., the drive to survive (n = 12 quotes)], and 10 places for intervention that target CLD factors (n = 5) and overarching factors (n = 2) emerged from workshop discussions.
CONCLUSION: The participant derived CLD of factors influencing AMR in the SEA food system demonstrates that AMR is a product of numerous interlinked actions taken across the One Health spectrum and that finding solutions is no simple task. Developing the model enabled the identification of potentially promising leverage points across human, animal, and environment sectors that, if comprehensively targeted using multi-pronged interventions, could evoke system wide changes that mitigate AMR. Even targeting some leverage points for intervention, such as increasing investments in research and capacity building, and setting and enforcing regulations to control antimicrobial supply, demand, and use could, in turn, shift mindsets that lead to changes in more difficult to alter leverage points, such as redefining the profit-driven intent that drives system behavior in ways that transform AMU and sustainably mitigate AMR.
Fulltext Evaluation of three rapid low-resource molecular tests for Nipah virus

Pollak NM, Olsson M, Marsh GA, Macdonald J, McMillan D

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:1101914.
PMID: 36845977 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1101914

Accurate and timely diagnosis of Nipah virus (NiV) requires rapid, inexpensive, and robust diagnostic tests to control spread of disease. Current state of the art technologies are slow and require laboratory infrastructure that may not be available in all endemic settings. Here we report the development and comparison of three rapid NiV molecular diagnostic tests based on reverse transcription recombinase-based isothermal amplification coupled with lateral flow detection. These tests include a simple and fast one-step sample processing step that inactivates the BSL-4 pathogen, enabling safe testing without the need for multi-step RNA purification. The rapid NiV tests targeted the Nucleocapsid protein (N) gene with analytical sensitivity down to 1,000 copies/μL for synthetic NiV RNA and did not cross-react with RNA of other flaviviruses or Chikungunya virus, which can clinically present with similar febrile symptoms. Two tests detected 50,000-100,000 TCID50/mL (100-200 RNA copies/reaction) of the two distinct strains of NiV, Bangladesh (NiVB) and Malaysia (NiVM), and took 30 min from sample to result, suggesting these tests are well suited for rapid diagnosis under resource-limited conditions due to rapidity, simplicity, and low equipment requirements. These Nipah tests represent a first step toward development of near-patient NiV diagnostics that are appropriately sensitive for first-line screening, sufficiently robust for a range of peripheral settings, with potential to be safely performed outside of biohazard containment facilities.
Fulltext The Antibiofilm Role of Biotics Family in Vaginal Fungal Infections

Boahen A, Than LTL, Loke YL, Chew SY

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:787119.
PMID: 35694318 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.787119

"Unity in strength" is a notion that can be exploited to characterize biofilms as they bestow microbes with protection to live freely, escalate their virulence, confer high resistance to therapeutic agents, and provide active grounds for the production of biofilms after dispersal. Naturally, fungal biofilms are inherently resistant to many conventional antifungals, possibly owing to virulence factors as their ammunitions that persistently express amid planktonic transition to matured biofilm state. These ammunitions include the ability to form polymicrobial biofilms, emergence of persister cells post-antifungal treatment and acquisition of resistance genes. One of the major disorders affecting vaginal health is vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) and its reoccurrence is termed recurrent VVC (RVVC). It is caused by the Candida species which include Candida albicans and Candida glabrata. The aforementioned Candida species, notably C. albicans is a biofilm producing pathogen and habitually forms part of the vaginal microbiota of healthy women. Latest research has implicated the role of fungal biofilms in VVC, particularly in the setting of treatment failure and RVVC. Consequently, a plethora of studies have advocated the utilization of probiotics in addressing these infections. Specifically, the excreted or released compounds of probiotics which are also known as postbiotics are being actively researched with vast potential to be used as therapeutic options for the treatment and prevention of VVC and RVVC. These potential sources of postbiotics are harnessed due to their proven antifungal and antibiofilm. Hence, this review discusses the role of Candida biofilm formation in VVC and RVVC. In addition, we discuss the application of pro-, pre-, post-, and synbiotics either individually or in combined regimen to counteract the abovementioned problems. A clear understanding of the role of biofilms in VVC and RVVC will provide proper footing for further research in devising novel remedies for prevention and treatment of vaginal fungal infections.
Fulltext Synbiotic Effects of Fermented Rice on Human Health and Wellness: A Natural Beverage That Boosts Immunity

Fuloria S, Mehta J, Talukdar MP, Sekar M, Gan SH, Subramaniyan V, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:950913.
PMID: 35910609 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.950913

Fermented foods have been an important component of the human diet from the time immemorial. It contains a high amount of probiotics that have been associated to a wide range of health benefits, including improved digestion and immunity. This review focuses on the indigenously prepared prebiotic- and probiotic-containing functional fermented rice (named Xaj-pani) by the Ahom Community from Assam, in Northeast India, including all the beneficial and potential effects on human health. Literature was searched from scientific databases such as PubMed, ScienceDirect and Google Scholar. Glutinous rice (commonly known as bora rice of sali variety) is primarily employed to prepare beverages that are recovered through the filtration process. The beer is normally consumed during religious rites, festivals and ritual practices, as well as being used as a refreshing healthy drink. Traditionally, it is prepared by incorporating a variety of medicinal herbs into their starter culture (Xaj-pitha) inoculum which is rich in yeasts, molds and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and then incorporated in alcoholic beverage fermentation. The Ahom communities routinely consume this traditionally prepared alcoholic drink with no understanding of its quality and shelf life. Additionally, a finally produced dried cake, known as vekur pitha act as a source of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and can be stored for future use. Despite the rampant use in this community, the relationship between Xaj-pani's consumption, immunological response, infectious and inflammatory processes remains unknown in the presence of factors unrelated or indirectly connected to immune function. Overall, this review provides the guidelines to promote the development of prebiotic- and probiotic-containing functional fermented rice that could significantly have an impact on the health of the consumers.
Fulltext Halotolerant Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria Isolated From Saline Soil Improve Nitrogen Fixation and Alleviate Salt Stress in Rice Plants

Khumairah FH, Setiawati MR, Fitriatin BN, Simarmata T, Alfaraj S, Ansari MJ, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:905210.
PMID: 35770168 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.905210

Salinity is one of the most damaging abiotic stresses due to climate change impacts that affect the growth and yield of crops, especially in lowland rice fields and coastal areas. This research aimed to isolate potential halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria from different rhizo-microbiome and use them as effective bioinoculants to improve rice growth under salinity stress conditions. Bioassay using rice seedlings was performed in a randomized block design consisting of 16 treatments (control and 15 bacterial isolates) with three replications. Results revealed that isolates S3, S5, and S6 gave higher shoot height, root length, and plant dry weight compared with control (without isolates). Based on molecular characteristics, isolates S3 and S5 were identified as Pseudomonas stutzeri and Klebsiella pneumonia. These isolates were able to promote rice growth under salinity stress conditions as halotolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria. These three potent isolates were found to produce indole-3-acetic acid and nitrogenase.
Fulltext Notes on Amanita section Validae in Hainan Island, China

Huang T, Su LJ, Zeng NK, Lee SML, Lee SS, Thi BK, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:1087756.
PMID: 36741898 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.1087756

Hainan is the second largest island in China with the most extensive and well-preserved tropical forests and is also the largest island of the Indo Burma Biodiversity Hotspot. It provides in situ conservation for the unique ecosystem of the island. Recent studies have shown that there are diverse fungal species in Hainan. In this study, about 40 collections of the genus Amanita have been studied based on the morphology and molecular systematics, including 35 Chinese specimens (24 from Hainan, and eleven from other regions) and three specimens from other countries (Singapore and Malaysia). In total, five new species belonging to Amanita section Validae are described: A. cacaina, A. parvigrisea, A. pseudofritillaria, A. pseudosculpta, and A. yangii. Amanita parvifritillaria is recorded for the first time in Hainan. It is also the first report of this fungus occurring, outside Yunnan Province, China. Among the five new species, two are unique in this section because of the appendiculate pileus margin and the absence of an annulus. Based on these new findings, the diagnosis of the section Validae should be slightly modified to include a few species with appendiculate margin and the lack of annulus.
Fulltext A Combined Use of Rhizobacteria and Moringa Leaf Extract Mitigates the Adverse Effects of Drought Stress in Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)

Lalarukh I, Al-Dhumri SA, Al-Ani LKT, Hussain R, Al Mutairi KA, Mansoora N, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:813415.
PMID: 35801109 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.813415

Less nutrient availability and drought stress are some serious concerns of agriculture. Both biotic and abiotic stress factors have the potential to limit crop productivity. However, several organic extracts obtained from moringa leaves may induce immunity in plants under nutritional and drought stress for increasing their survival. Additionally, some rhizobacterial strains have the ability to enhance root growth for better nutrient and water uptake in stress conditions. To cover the knowledge gap on the interactive effects of beneficial rhizobacteria and moringa leaf extracts (MLEs), this study was conducted. The aim of this experimental study was to investigate the effectiveness of sole and combined use of rhizobacteria and MLEs against nutritional and drought stress in wheat. Nitrogen-fixing bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa) (108 CFU ml-1) was inoculated to wheat plants with and without foliar-applied MLEs at two different concentrations (MLE 1 = 1:15 v/v and MLE 2 = 1:30 v/v) twice at 25 and 35 days after seed sowing (50 ml per plant) after the establishment of drought stress. Results revealed that Pa + MLE 2 significantly increased fresh weight (FW), dry weight (DW), lengths of roots and shoot and photosynthetic contents of wheat. A significant enhancement in total soluble sugars, total soluble proteins, calcium, potassium, phosphate, and nitrate contents validated the efficacious effect of Pa + MLE 2 over control-treated plants. Significant decrease in sodium, proline, glycine betaine, electrolyte leakage, malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxide (POD) concentrations in wheat cultivated under drought stress conditions also represents the imperative role of Pa + MLE 2 over control. In conclusion, Pa + MLE 2 can alleviate nutritional stress and drought effects in wheat. More research in this field is required to proclaim Pa + MLE 2 as the most effective amendment against drought stress in distinct agroecological zones, different soil types, and contrasting wheat cultivars worldwide.
Fulltext Highly Diverse Synechococcus Pigment Types in the Eastern Indian Ocean

Zhang X, Cheung S, Wang J, Zhang G, Wei Y, Liu H, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2022;13:806390.
PMID: 35283844 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.806390

Marine picocyanobacteria Synechococcus exhibit highly diverse pigment types (PTs) and hence possess great advantage to utilize different spectrum of light effectively and to occupy a wide range of light niches. In this study, we explored the diversity of Synechococcus PTs in the eastern Indian Ocean (EIO), surface water of Strait of Malacca (SSM), and coastal waters of Sri Lanka (SSL). All the detected PTs were phycourobilin (PUB) containing PT 3 and showed distinct distribution patterns. Low PUB PT 3a and partial chromatic acclimater PT 3eA dominated in coastal and shallow waters (SSM and SSL). In contrast, high PUB and chromatic acclimaters PT 3dA and PT 3c/3dB were mainly distributed in open ocean (EIO). PT 3dA and PT 3c/3dB occurred at similar depths of the lower euphotic layers but showed distinct distribution pattern that are partially exclusive, indicating that they compete with each other for the same light niche. Interestingly, the newly described PT 3f was detected with high relative abundances at all stations and particularly dominated in the upper euphotic layer in EIO, which was confirmed with PT-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The relative abundance of PT 3f was negatively correlated with nutrient level, implying that PT 3f is adapted to oligotrophic waters. Pronounced niche partition of different PTs was observed in the upper and lower layers of euphotic zone in EIO and SSM/SSL. Light, nutrients, and strong stratification may play important roles in the niche partition of different PTs. Further analysis about ecologically significant taxonomic units revealed high diversity within each PT at different locations, which provided insights for understanding specific PT with wide range of niches.
Fulltext Editorial: Human Microbiome: Symbiosis to Pathogenesis

Lee LH, Wong SH, Chin SF, Singh V, Ab Mutalib NS

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:605783.
PMID: 33679632 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.605783
Fulltext Isolation and Characterization of Six Vibrio parahaemolyticus Lytic Bacteriophages From Seafood Samples

Tan CW, Rukayadi Y, Hasan H, Abdul-Mutalib NA, Jambari NN, Hara H, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:616548.
PMID: 33776954 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.616548

Vibrio parahaemolyticus is a foodborne pathogen that is frequently isolated from a variety of seafood. To control this pathogenic Vibrio spp., the implementation of bacteriophages in aquaculture and food industries have shown a promising alternative to antibiotics. In this study, six bacteriophages isolated from the seafood samples demonstrated a narrow host range specificity that infecting only the V. parahaemolyticus strains. Morphological analysis revealed that bacteriophages Vp33, Vp22, Vp21, and Vp02 belong to the Podoviridae family, while bacteriophages Vp08 and Vp11 were categorized into the Siphoviridae family. All bacteriophages were composed of DNA genome and showed distinctive restriction fragment length polymorphism. The optimal MOI for bacteriophage propagation was determined to be 0.001 to 1. One-step growth curve revealed that the latent period ranged from 10 to 20 min, and the burst size of bacteriophage was approximately 17 to 51 PFU/cell. The influence of temperature and pH levels on the stability of bacteriophages showed that all bacteriophages were optimally stable over a wide range of temperatures and pH levels. In vitro lytic activity of all bacteriophages demonstrated to have a significant effect against V. parahaemolyticus. Besides, the application of a bacteriophage cocktail instead of a single bacteriophage suspension was observed to have a better efficiency to control the growth of V. parahaemolyticus. Results from this study provided a basic understanding of the physiological and biological properties of the isolated bacteriophages before it can be readily used as a biocontrol agent against the growth of V. parahaemolyticus.
Fulltext Combinatorial Antimicrobial Efficacy and Mechanism of Linalool Against Clinically Relevant Klebsiella pneumoniae

Yang SK, Yusoff K, Ajat M, Wee CY, Yap PS, Lim SH, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:635016.
PMID: 33815320 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.635016

Antibiotic-adjuvant combinatory therapy serves as a viable treatment option in addressing antibiotic resistance in the clinical setting. This study was carried out to assess and characterize the adjuvant potential and mode of action of linalool against carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-KP). Linalool exhibited bactericidal activity alone (11,250 μg/ml) and in combination with meropenem (5,625 μg/ml). Comparative proteomic analysis showed significant reduction in the number of cytoplasmic and membrane proteins, indicating membrane damage in linalool-treated KPC-KP cells. Upregulation of oxidative stress regulator proteins and downregulation of oxidative stress-sensitive proteins indicated oxidative stress. Zeta potential measurement and outer membrane permeability assay revealed that linalool increases the bacterial surface charge as well as the membrane permeability. Intracellular leakage of nucleic acid and proteins was detected upon linalool treatment. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies further revealed the breakage of bacterial membrane and loss of intracellular materials. Linalool induced oxidative stress by generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) which initiates lipid peroxidation, leading to damage of the bacterial membrane. This leads to intracellular leakage, eventually killing the KPC-KP cells. Our study demonstrated that linalool possesses great potential in future clinical applications as an adjuvant along with existing antibiotics attributed to their ability in disrupting the bacterial membrane by inducing oxidative stress. This facilitates the uptake of antibiotics into the bacterial cells, enhancing bacterial killing.
Fulltext Does our Mycobacteriome Influence COVID-19 Morbidity and Lethality?

Acosta A, Fonte L, Sarmiento ME, Norazmi MN

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:589165.
PMID: 33613475 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.589165
Fulltext PDR Transporter ABC1 Is Involved in the Innate Azole Resistance of the Human Fungal Pathogen Fusarium keratoplasticum

James JE, Lamping E, Santhanam J, Cannon RD

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:673206.
PMID: 34149660 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.673206

Fusarium keratoplasticum is arguably the most common Fusarium solani species complex (FSSC) species associated with human infections. Invasive fusariosis is a life-threatening fungal infection that is difficult to treat with conventional azole antifungals. Azole drug resistance is often caused by the increased expression of pleiotropic drug resistance (PDR) ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters of the ABCG sub-family. Most investigations of Fusarium ABC transporters associated with azole antifungal drug resistance are limited to plant pathogens. Through the manual curation of the entire ABCG protein family of four FSSC species including the fully annotated genome of the plant pathogen Nectria haematococca we identified PDR transporters ABC1 and ABC2 as the efflux pump candidates most likely to be associated with the innate azole resistance phenotype of Fusarium keratoplasticum. An initial investigation of the transcriptional response of logarithmic phase F. keratoplasticum cells to 16 mg/L voriconazole confirmed strong upregulation (372-fold) of ABC1 while ABC2 mRNA levels were unaffected by voriconazole exposure over a 4 h time-period. Overexpression of F. keratoplasticum ABC1 and ABC2 in the genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae host ADΔΔ caused up to ∼1,024-fold increased resistance to a number of xenobiotics, including azole antifungals. Although ABC1 and ABC2 were only moderately (20% and 10%, respectively) expressed compared to the Candida albicans multidrug efflux pump CDR1, overexpression of F. keratoplasticum ABC1 caused even higher resistance levels to certain xenobiotics (e.g., rhodamine 6G and nigericin) than CDR1. Our investigations suggest an important role for ABC1 orthologues in the innate azole resistance phenotype of FSSC species.
Fulltext Exploration of Microbial Factories for Synthesis of Nanoparticles - A Sustainable Approach for Bioremediation of Environmental Contaminants

Kapoor RT, Salvadori MR, Rafatullah M, Siddiqui MR, Khan MA, Alshareef SA

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:658294.
PMID: 34149647 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.658294

The nanomaterials synthesis is an intensifying research field due to their wide applications. The high surface-to-volume ratio of nanoparticles and quick interaction capacity with different particles make them as an attractive tool in different areas. Conventional physical and chemical procedures for development of metal nanoparticles become outmoded due to extensive production method, energy expenditure and generation of toxic by-products which causes significant risks to the human health and environment. Hence, there is a growing requirement to search substitute, non-expensive, reliable, biocompatible and environmental friendly methods for development of nanoparticles. The nanoparticles synthesis by microorganisms has gained significant interest due to their potential to synthesize nanoparticles in various sizes, shape and composition with different physico-chemical properties. Microbes can be widely applied for nanoparticles production due to easy handling and processing, requirement of low-cost medium such as agro-wastes, simple scaling up, economic viability with the ability of adsorbing and reducing metal ions into nanoparticles through metabolic processes. Biogenic synthesis of nanoparticles offers clean, non-toxic, environmentally benign and sustainable approach in which renewable materials can be used for metal reduction and nanoparticle stabilization. Nanomaterials synthesized through microbes can be used as a pollution abatement tool as they also contain multiple functional groups that can easily target pollutants for efficient bioremediation and promotes environmental cleanup. The objective of the present review is to highlight the significance of micro-organisms like bacteria, actinomycetes, filamentous fungi, yeast, algae and viruses for nanoparticles synthesis and advantages of microbial approaches for elimination of heavy metals, dyes and wastewater treatment.
Fulltext Metabolite Profiling of Malaysian Gracilaria edulis Reveals Eplerenone as Novel Antibacterial Compound for Drug Repurposing Against MDR Bacteria

Asghar A, Tan YC, Shahid M, Yow YY, Lahiri C

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:653562.
PMID: 34276590 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.653562

With a continuous threat of antimicrobial resistance on human health worldwide, efforts for new alternatives are ongoing for the management of bacterial infectious diseases. Natural products of land and sea, being conceived to be having fewer side effects, pose themselves as a welcome relief. In this respect, we have taken a scaffolded approach to unearthing the almost unexplored chemical constituents of Malaysian red seaweed, Gracilaria edulis. Essentially, a preliminary evaluation of the ethyl acetate and acetone solvent extracts, among a series of six such, revealed potential antibacterial activity against six MDR species namely, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella enterica, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Streptococcus pyogenes, and Bacillus subtilis. Detailed analyses of the inlying chemical constituents, through LC-MS and GC-MS chromatographic separation, revealed a library of metabolic compounds. These were led for further virtual screening against selected key role playing proteins in the virulence of the aforesaid bacteria. To this end, detailed predictive pharmacological analyses added up to reinforce Eplerenone as a natural alternative from the plethora of plausible bioactives. Our work adds the ongoing effort to re-discover and repurpose biochemical compounds to combat the antimicrobial resistance offered by the Gram-positive and the -negative bacterial species.
Fulltext Gut Microbiota Signature Among Asian Post-gestational Diabetes Women Linked to Macronutrient Intakes and Metabolic Phenotypes

Hasain Z, Raja Ali RA, Abdul Razak S, Azizan KA, El-Omar E, Razalli NH, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:680622.
PMID: 34248897 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.680622

Aberrant gut microbiota dysbiosis in women with a previous history of gestational diabetes mellitus (post-GDM) was comparable to that in adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Nonetheless, potential relationships between diet, gut microbiota, and metabolic phenotypes in post-GDM women after delivery are yet to be discovered. In this research, we assessed the relationship of the macronutrient intakes, gut microbiota composition, and metabolic phenotypes (i.e., anthropometrics and glycemic control) in post-GDM women with and without postpartum glucose intolerance (GI). About 24 post-GDM women were included in this study, 14 women were grouped in the GI group and 10 women were grouped in the normal glucose tolerance (NGT) group according to oral glucose tolerance test. Macronutrient intake assessment using a 3-day dietary record, anthropometric measurements, biochemical analyses, and fecal sampling were done during 3-6 months postpartum. Gut microbiota profiling was determined using 16S rRNA genes sequencing targeting the V3-V4 regions. The relationships between macronutrient intakes, gut microbiota composition, and metabolic phenotypes were evaluated using Pearson's correlation coefficient and stepwise regression analyses. In this study, most post-GDM women had significantly poor dietary fiber adherence than the nutritional recommendations. Women from the GI group have significantly higher fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, and homeostasis model assessment-estimated insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) levels compared to the NGT group. The group also showed significant elevation of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level when compared to the normal value. Specific gut microbial taxa derived from Proteobacteria and Bacteroidetes such as Parasutterella, Aquicella, Haliscomenobacter, and Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group were significantly abundant in the GI group compared to the NGT group. Prevotellaceae_NK3B31_group was significantly associated with high FBG, HOMA-IR, and HbA1c levels. Low fiber and monounsaturated fatty acids intakes were associated with Lactobacillus. Meanwhile, Lactobacillus was associated with high body mass index, waist circumference, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, and hs-CRP levels. Our study suggested that macronutrient intake is an important predictor of gut microbiota dysbiosis and is associated with obesity, low-grade inflammation, and poor glycemic control in post-GDM women. Hence, dietary intake modification to remodel gut microbiota composition is a promising T2DM preventive strategy in post-GDM women.
Fulltext Coxsackievirus A16 in Southern Vietnam

Nhu LNT, Nhan LNT, Anh NT, Hong NTT, Van HMT, Thanh TT, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:689658.
PMID: 34248913 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.689658

Background: Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease (HFMD) is a major public health concern in the Asia-Pacific region. Most recent HFMD outbreaks have been caused by enterovirus A71 (EV-A71), coxsackievirus A16 (CVA16), CVA10, and CVA6. There has been no report regarding the epidemiology and genetic diversity of CVA16 in Vietnam. Such knowledge is critical to inform the development of intervention strategies. Materials and Methods: From 2011 to 2017, clinical samples were collected from in- and outpatients enrolled in a HFMD research program conducted at three referral hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Vietnam. Throat or rectal swabs positive for CVA16 with sufficient viral load were selected for whole genome sequencing and evolutionary analysis. Results: Throughout the study period, 320 CVA16 positive samples were collected from 2808 HFMD patients (11.4%). 59.4% of patients were male. The median age was 20.8 months (IQR, 14.96-31.41). Patients resided in HCMC (55.3%), Mekong Delta (22.2%), and South East Vietnam (22.5%). 10% of CVA16 infected patients had moderately severe or severe HFMD. CVA16 positive samples from 153 patients were selected for whole genome sequencing, and 66 complete genomes were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Vietnamese CVA16 strains belong to a single genogroup B1a that clusters together with isolates from China, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, France and Australia. The CVA16 strains of the present study were circulating in Vietnam some 4 years prior to its detection in HFMD cases. Conclusion: We report for the first time on the molecular epidemiology of CVA16 in Vietnam. Unlike EV-A71, which showed frequent replacement between subgenogroups B5 and C4 every 2-3 years in Vietnam, CVA16 displays a less pronounced genetic alternation with only subgenogroup B1a circulating in Vietnam since 2011. Our collective findings emphasize the importance of active surveillance for viral circulation in HFMD endemic countries, critical to informing outbreak response and vaccine development.
Discerning the Antimicrobial Resistance, Virulence, and Phylogenetic Relatedness of Salmonella Isolates Across the Human, Poultry, and Food Materials Sources in Malaysia

Zakaria Z, Hassan L, Ahmad N, Husin SA, Ali RM, Sharif Z, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:652642.
PMID: 34531832 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.652642

Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Enteritidis is one of the major foodborne zoonotic pathogens globally. It has significantly impacted human health and global trade. In this investigation, whole-genome sequencing was employed to determine the antimicrobial resistance (AMR) pattern of a collection of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from humans, poultry, and food sources. The study also investigated the virulence genes profile of the isolates as well as the phylogenetic relationships among strains. Illumina NextSeq technology was used to sequence the genome of 82 Salmonella Enteritidis strains isolated over 3 years (2016-2018) in Peninsular Malaysia. The pattern of resistance showed that tetracycline had the highest frequency (37/82, 45.12%), and isolates from food samples showed the highest rate of 9/18 (50.00%), followed by human 17/35 (48.57%) and then poultry 11/29 (37.93%). The second drug with the highest resistance rate is ampicillin with 5/29 (17.24%) for poultry, 4/35 (11.43%) for human, and 0/18 (0.00%) for food isolates respectively. Similarly, a total of 19 antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes corresponding to the nine drugs used in the disc diffusion assay were evaluated from the whole genome sequence data. The aminoglycoside resistance gene aac(6')-ly was detected in 79 of the 82 isolates (96.34%). While the phylogenetic analysis revealed distinct lineages isolated, the three sources indicating possible cross-contamination. In conclusion, the results showed that the genomic profile of Salmonella Enteritidis isolated from humans, poultry, and food samples share genetic traits, hence the need to institute measures at controlling the continuous spread of these resistant pathogens.
Fulltext Characterization and Genomic Analysis of Marinobacter Phage vB_MalS-PS3, Representing a New Lambda-Like Temperate Siphoviral Genus Infecting Algae-Associated Bacteria

Liu Y, Zheng K, Liu B, Liang Y, You S, Zhang W, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:726074.
PMID: 34512604 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.726074

Marinobacter is the abundant and important algal-associated and hydrocarbon biodegradation bacteria in the ocean. However, little knowledge about their phages has been reported. Here, a novel siphovirus, vB_MalS-PS3, infecting Marinobacter algicola DG893(T), was isolated from the surface waters of the western Pacific Ocean. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicated that vB_MalS-PS3 has the morphology of siphoviruses. VB_MalS-PS3 was stable from -20 to 55°C, and with the latent and rise periods of about 80 and 10 min, respectively. The genome sequence of VB_MalS-PS3 contains a linear, double-strand 42,168-bp DNA molecule with a G + C content of 56.23% and 54 putative open reading frames (ORFs). Nineteen conserved domains were predicted by BLASTp in NCBI. We found that vB_MalS-PS3 represent an understudied viral group with only one known isolate. The phylogenetic tree based on the amino acid sequences of whole genomes revealed that vB_MalS-PS3 has a distant evolutionary relationship with other siphoviruses, and can be grouped into a novel viral genus cluster with six uncultured assembled viral genomes from metagenomics, named here as Marinovirus. This study of the Marinobacter phage vB_MalS-PS3 genome enriched the genetic database of marine bacteriophages, in addition, will provide useful information for further research on the interaction between Marinobacter phages and their hosts, and their relationship with algal blooms and hydrocarbon biodegradation in the ocean.
Fulltext Nipah Virus-Another Threat From the World of Zoonotic Viruses

Skowron K, Bauza-Kaszewska J, Grudlewska-Buda K, Wiktorczyk-Kapischke N, Zacharski M, Bernaciak Z, et al.

Front Microbiol, 2021;12:811157.
PMID: 35145498 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.811157

Among the diseases that pose a serious threat to public health, those caused by viruses are of great importance. The Nipah virus (NiV) belonging to the Paramyxoviridae family was reported in Malaysia in 1998/1999. Due to its high mortality in humans, its zoonotic nature, the possibility of human-to-human transmission, and the lack of an available vaccine, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recognized it as a global health problem. Depending on strain specificity, neurological symptoms and severe respiratory disorders are observed in NiV infection. In most confirmed cases of NiV epidemics, the appearance of the virus in humans was associated with the presence of various animal species, but generally, bats of Pteropus species are considered the most important natural animal NiV reservoir and vector. Consumption of contaminated food, contact with animals, and "human-to-human" direct contact were identified as NiV transmission routes. Due to the lack of vaccines and drugs with proven effectiveness against NiV, treatment of patients is limited to supportive and prophylactic.

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