Emerging Microbes and Infections

In recent years, polymyxin has been used as a last-resort therapy for carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections. The emergence of heteroresistance (HR) to polymyxin hampers the efficacy of polymyxin treatment by amplifying resistant subpopulation. However, the mechanisms behind polymyxin HR remain unclear. Small noncoding RNAs (sRNAs) play an important role in regulating drug resistance. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanisms of sRNA on polymyxin B (PB)-HR in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. In this study, a novel sRNA PhaS was identified by transcriptome sequencing. PhaS expression was elevated in the PB heteroresistant subpopulation. Overexpression and deletion of PhaS were constructed in three carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strains. Population analysis profiling, growth curve, and time-killing curve analysis showed that PhaS enhanced PB-HR. In addition, we verified that PhaS directly targeted phoP through the green fluorescent protein reporter system. PhaS promoted the expression of phoP, thereby encouraging the expression of downstream genes pmrD and arnT. This upregulation of arnT promoted the 4-amino-4-deoxyL-arabinosaccharide (L-Ara4N) modification of lipid A in PhaS overexpressing strains, thus enhancing PB-HR. Further, within the promoter region of PhaS, specific PhoP recognition sites were identified. ONPG assays and RT-qPCR analysis confirmed that PhaS expression was positively modulated by PhoP and thus up-regulated by PB stimulation. To sum up, a novel sRNA enhancing PB-HR was identified and a positive feedback regulatory pathway of sRNA-PhoP/Q was demonstrated in the study. This helps to provide a more comprehensive and clear understanding of the underlying mechanisms behind polymyxin HR in carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.

Zhiwei Zhao

Tingting Yang

Guoxiu Xiang

Shebin Zhang

Yimei Cai

Guosheng Zhong

Jieying Pu

Cong Shen

Jianming Zeng

Cha Chen

Bin Huang

Emerging Microbes & Infections

A novel small RNA PhaS contributes to polymyxin B-heteroresistance in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae

一种新型小RNA PhaS 促进碳青霉烯耐药的肺炎克雷伯菌对多粘菌素B产生异质性耐药

Salmonella enterica pathogenesis is dependent on its ability to enter and replicate inside host cells. Replication occurs inside the Salmonella-containing vacuole (SCV), a vacuolar compartment that is modified by bacterial effectors secreted through the two type III secretion systems (T3SS-1 and T3SS-2). Type III effectors interact with the host cell endocytic pathway to aid replication. We investigated whether Salmonella effector proteins may also interact with the host's exocytic pathway. A secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) assay indicated three Salmonella effectors inhibited the secretory pathway, although only Salmonella outer protein B (SopB) was confirmed to block exocytosis using a vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein-green fluorescent protein (VSVG-GFP) transport assay. The 4-phosphatase activity of SopB was crucial to its effect on exocytosis. The interaction with the secretory pathway could potentially be important for providing replicating Salmonella with nutrients, contributing membrane material necessary for SCV biogenesis, altering antibacterial peptide/protein secretion or manipulating cell surface proteins important in the host response to infection.

Charlotte A Perrett

Daoguo Zhou

Salmonella type III effector SopB modulates host cell exocytosis

沙门氏菌III型效应蛋白SopB调控宿主细胞胞吐作用

Dear Editor,In 2015, a novel virus of the family Circoviridae, avian gyrovirus 2 (AGV2), was detected in chicken flocks and healthy humans in mainland China for the first time.1 AGV2, which was fir...

Shuai Yao

Tianbei Tuo

Xiang Gao

Chunyan Han

You Li

Yulong Gao

Yanping Zhang

Changjun Liu

Xiaole Qi

Honglei Gao

Yongqiang Wang

Xiaomei Wang

Avian gyrovirus 2 in poultry, China, 2015–2016

2015-2016年中国禽类圆环病毒2型在禽类中的流行情况

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to investigate the genomic epidemiology of MRSA in China to identify predominant lineages and their associated genomic and phenotypic characteristics. In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing on 565 MRSA isolates from 7 provinces and municipalities of China between 2014 and 2020. MRSA isolates were subjected to MLST, spa typing, SCCmec typing, analysis of virulence determinants and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Among 565 MRSA isolates tested, clonal complex (CC) 59 (31.2%), CC5 (23.4%) and CC8 (13.63%) were the major lineages, and the clonal structure was dominated by ST59-t437-IV (14.9%), ST239-t030-III (6.4%) and ST5-t2460-II (6.0%), respectively. Of note, CC8, the predominant lineage in 2014–2015, was replaced by CC59 after 2016. Interestingly, the extension and unstable structure of the CC5 population was observed, with ST5-t311-II, ST764-t1084-II, ST5-t2460-II and ST764-t002-II existing complex competition. Further analysis revealed that virulence determinant profiles and antibiograms were closely associated with the clonal lineage. The CC59 MRSA was less resistant to most tested antimicrobials and carried fewer resistance determinants. But rifampicin resistance and mupirocin resistance were closely linked with CC8 and CC5, respectively. MRSA isolates conservatively carried multiple virulence genes involved in various functions. PVL encoding genes were more common in ST338, CC30, CC398, ST8 and CC22, while tsst-1 was associated with ST5. In conclusion, the community-associated CC59-ST59-t437-IV lineage was predominant in China, with diverse clonal isolates alternately circulating in various geographical locations. Our study highlights the need for MRSA surveillance in China to monitor changes in MRSA epidemiology.

Bingjie Wang

Yanlei Xu

Huilin Zhao

Xinyi Wang

Lulin Rao

Yinjuan Guo

Xie Yi

Longhua Hu

Shuying Chen

Lizhong Han

Junying Zhou

Long Hu

Liang Chen

Fangyou Yu

Emerging Microbes &amp; Infections

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in China: a multicentre longitudinal study and whole-genome sequencing

中国耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌：一项多中心纵向研究及全基因组测序

The emerging human fungal pathogen Candida auris has become a serious threat to public health. This pathogen has spread to 10 provinces in China as of December 2023. Here we describe 312 C. auris-associated hospitalizations and 4 outbreaks in healthcare settings in China from 2018 to 2023. Three genetic clades of C. auris have been identified during this period. Molecular epidemiological analyses indicate that C. auris has been introduced and local transmission has occurred in multiple instances in China. Most C. auris isolated from China (98.7%) exhibited resistance to fluconazole, while only a small subset of strains were resistant to amphotericin B (4.2%) and caspofungin (2.2%).

Jian Bing

Han Du

Penghao Guo

Tianren Hu

Meng Xiao

Sha Lu

Clarissa J. Nobile

Haiqing Chu

Guanghua Huang

Candida auris -associated hospitalizations and outbreaks, China, 2018–2023

2018-2023年中国与耳念珠菌相关的住院和暴发

Group B Coxsackieviruses (CVBs) consist of six serotypes, CVB1 to CVB6, which can clinically affect the heart, brain, liver, pancreas and other organs, causing myocarditis, encephalitis, myelitis, pancreatitis, hand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) and other diseases, and can even lead to death. CVBs are widespread globally and highly contagious. However, there are currently no approved CVB vaccines or effective treatments. The construction and optimization of animal models will aid in the in-depth understanding of CVB infections and its pathogenesis, providing essential tools for the exploration of vaccine development and antiviral therapies. This paper reviews the latest research progress and application prospects of CVB animal models.

Shihan Weng

Rui Zhu

Yuanyuan Wu

Ningshao Xia

Longfa Xu

Tong Cheng

Research Progress and Application Prospects of Animal Models of Group B Coxsackievirus Infections

B组柯萨奇病毒感染动物模型的研究进展与应用前景

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to numerous cases of co-infection with SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses, including Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), worldwide. This co-infection has increased patient mortality due to the lack of efficient bi-targeted drugs. Cambogin, a bioactive natural product, has been shown to effectively induce regression of KSHV-latently infected tumors in xenograft mice models; however, its impact on SARS-CoV-2 infection remains unclear. Here, we report that Cambogin targets 46 host genes commonly affected by both SARS-CoV-2 and KSHV infections, as identified through bioinformatics analysis. These genes are related with 14 key upstream signaling pathways, particularly those involved in inflammation regulation, protein phosphorylation, metabolic processes, and cellular stress response. Within the transcriptional factor (TF)-miRNA co-regulatory network, ten out of 46 hub-target genes are closely linked to Cambogin and KSHV/SARS-CoV-2. Importantly, Cambogin not only efficiently blocks the replication and virion production of SARS-CoV-2 in vitro and in vivo by reducing the expression of EGFR and Cyclin A2, but also simultaneously inhibits both SARS-CoV-2 infection and the growth of KSHV-induced tumors in vivo using a murine xenograft model. These findings provide an alternative strategy for the potential use of Cambogin in the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 patients, particularly those with KSHV co-infection.

Zhongwei Dong

Xinyu Wang

Gaowei Hu

Qingye Huang

Yulin Zhang

Yuping Jia

Shujuan Du

Caixia Zhu

Fang Wei

Daizhou Zhang

Yuyan Wang

Qiliang Cai

A KSHV-targeted Small Molecule Efficiently Blocks SARS-CoV-2 Infection via Inhibiting Expression of EGFR and Cyclin A2

一种针对KSHV的小分子通过抑制EGFR和Cyclin A2表达有效阻断SARS-CoV-2感染

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) genotype IV (GIV) is one of the least common and most neglected genotypes worldwide, having been identified only on a few Indonesian islands until it was recently found to be the cause of outbreaks that occurred in several Australian states in early 2022. Given the limited availability of information, the vector range for JEV GIV remains unknown; thus, understanding this range could prove invaluable for future prevention efforts in new areas. Herein, we experimentally exposed four mosquito colonies originated from various countries with no previous reports of GIV to JEV GIV strain 19CxBa-83-Cv, which was isolated from

Astri Nur Faizah

Daisuke Kobayashi

Faustus Akankperiwen Azerigyik

Ryo Matsumura

Izumi Kai

Yoshihide Maekawa

Yukiko Higa

Kentaro Itokawa

Toshinori Sasaki

Kris Cahyo Mulyatno

Sri Subekti

Maria Inge Lusida

Etik Ainun Rohmah

Yasuko Mori

Yusuf Ozbel

Chizu Sanjoba

Tran vu Phong

Tran Cong Tu

Shinji Kasai

Kyoko Sawabe

Haruhiko Isawa

Mosquito populations originating from nonendemic areas have the potential to transmit recently emerging Japanese encephalitis virus genotype IV

源自非流行区的蚊群具有传播新近出现的日本脑炎病毒IV型的潜力

Healthcare in low- and middle-income countries is becoming problematic due to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria causing serious morbidity and mortality. Klebsiella variicola carrying multiple antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes was found significantly among sepsis patients in a study done between October 2019 and September 2020 at four Ethiopian hospitals located in the central (Tikur Anbessa and Yekatit 12), southern (Hawassa), and northern (Dessie) parts. Among 1416 sepsis patients, 74 K. variicola isolates were identified using MALDI-TOF, most of them at Dessie (n=44) and Hawassa (n=28) hospitals. Whole genome sequencing showed that K. variicola strains identified at Dessie Hospital displayed phylogenetic clonality, carried an IncM1 plasmid and the majority were ST3924. Many K. variicola identified at Hawassa Hospital were clonally clustered and the majority belonged to novel STs and carried IncFIB(K) and IncFII(K) plasmids concurrently. Fifty K. variicola carried ESBL genes while 2 isolates harbored AmpC. Other frequently found genes were aac(3)-lla, blaCTX-M-15, blaTEM-1B, blaLEN2, blaOXA-1, blaSCO-1, catB3, dfrA14, QnrB1, aac(6')-lb-cr and sul2. Virulence genes detected at both sites were mrk operons for biofilm formation and siderophore ABC transporter operons for iron uptake. Capsular alleles varied, with wzi 269 at Dessie and wzi 582 at Hawassa. The isolation of multidrug-resistant K. variicola as an emerging sepsis pathogen calls for strong infection prevention strategies and antimicrobial stewardship supported by advanced bacterial identification techniques.

Melese Hailu Legese

Daniel Asrat

Adane Mihret

Badrul Hasan

Abraham Aseffa

Göte Swedberg

Genomic Characterizations of Klebsiella variicola: Emerging Pathogens Identified from Sepsis Patients in Ethiopian Referral Hospitals

克雷伯氏菌变种的基因组特征：从埃塞俄比亚转诊医院脓毒症患者中识别的新兴病原体

In April 2024, ten cats died in a rural South Dakota (SD) residence, showing respiratory and neurological symptoms. Necropsy and laboratory testing of two cats confirmed H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b infection. The viral genome sequences are closely related to recent SD cattle H5N1 sequences. Cat H5N1 genomes had unique mutations, including T143A in haemagglutinin, known to affect infectivity and immune evasion, and two novel mutations in PA protein (F314L, L342Q) that may affect polymerase activity and virulence, suggesting potential virus adaptation. Dead cats showed systemic infection with lesions and viral antigens in multiple organs. Higher viral RNA and antigen in the brain indicated pronounced neurotropism. Lectin-histochemistry revealed widespread co-expression of sialic acid α-2,6 and α-2,3 receptors, suggesting cats could serve as mixing vessels for reassortment of avian and mammalian influenza viruses. No differences in clade 2.2 or 2.3.4.4b H5 pseudoviruses binding to cat lung/brain tissues indicated the neurotropism is unlikely mediated by receptor binding affinity.

Shubhada K. Chothe

Surabhi Srinivas

Sougat Misra

Noel Chandan Nallipogu

Elizabeth Gilbride

Lindsey LaBella

Swastidipa Mukherjee

Christian H Gauthier

Heidi L. Pecoraro

Brett T. Webb

James M. Pipas

Santhamani Ramasamy

Suresh V. Kuchipudi

Marked Neurotropism and Potential Adaptation of H5N1 Clade 2.3.4.4.b Virus in Naturally Infected Domestic Cats

H5N1亚型2.3.4.4.b病毒在自然感染的家猫中表现出显著的神经嗜性和潜在适应性

Abbreviation	Emerg. Microbes. Infect.
Journal Impact	8.21
Quartiles(Global)	MICROBIOLOGY(Q1)

ISSN	2222-1751
h-index	94
Top Journals	Yes

Publication Information	Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd.，Publishing cycle: ，Journal Type: journal，Open Access Journals: Yes
Basic data	Year of publication: 2012，Proportion of original research papers: 94.42%，Self Citation Rate:2.40%， Gold OA Rate: 95.91%
Journal Fees	$3300Details
Average review cycle	网友分享经验：20 Weeks

Emerging Microbes and Infections

Journal Citation Format

A journal article with 1 author

A journal article with 2 authors

A journal article with 3 authors

A journal article with 5 or more authors

Books Citation Format

Thesis Citation Format

Web sites Citation Format

Patent Citation Format

Staying up late manually editing references? ivySCI automatically matches journals and helps you generate references with a single click.

Share Submission Experience