Machine Learning Algorithms for Classification of MALDI-TOF MS Spectra from Phylogenetically Closely Related Species , and .

(1) Background: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry (MS) is the gold standard for microbial fingerprinting, however, for phylogenetically closely related species, the resolution power drops down to the genus level. In this study, we analyzed MALDI-TOF spectra from 44 strains of , and to identify the optimal classification method within popular supervised and unsupervised machine learning (ML) algorithms. (2) Methods: A consensus feature selection strategy was applied to pinpoint from among the 500 MS features those that yielded the best ML model and that may play a role in species differentiation.

Proteome Analysis of a M. avium Mutant Exposes a Novel Role of the Bifunctional Protein LysX in the Regulation of Metabolic Activity.

Lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol is one of the components of the mycobacterial membrane that contributes to the resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides, a host-induced frontline defense against invading pathogens. Its production is catalyzed by LysX, a bifunctional protein with lysyl transferase and lysyl transfer RNA synthetase activity. Comparative proteome analysis of a lysX mutant of Mycobacterium avium strain 104 and the wild type indicated that the lysX mutant strain undergoes a transition in phenotype by switching the carbon metabolism to β-oxidation of fatty acids, along with accumulation of lipid inclusions.

Genome Sequence of Strain Ingolstadt Isolated from the Pectoralis Pouch of a Patient with Defibrillator-Related Surgery.

We report the draft genome sequence of clindamycin-resistant strain Ingolstadt isolated from a patient with bacterial colonization after heart surgery. The draft genome comprises 3.75 Mbp and harbors 3,793 predicted protein-encoding genes and a small plasmid.

Metabolic phenotype of clinical and environmental subsp. isolates.

Background: subsp. (MAH) is an emerging opportunistic human pathogen. It can cause pulmonary infections, lymphadenitis and disseminated infections in immuno-compromised patients.

A hypervariable genomic island identified in clinical and environmental Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis isolates from Germany.

Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis (MAH) is an opportunistic human pathogen widespread in the environment. Genomic islands (GI)s represent a part of the accessory genome of bacteria and influence virulence, drug-resistance or fitness and trigger bacterial evolution.

Correlation between the genomic o454-nlpD region polymorphisms, virulence gene equipment and phylogenetic group of extraintestinal Escherichia coli (ExPEC) enables pathotyping irrespective of host, disease and source of isolation.

Background: The mutS-rpoS intergenic region in E. coli displays a mosaic structure which revealed pathotype specific patterns. To assess the importance of this region as a surrogate marker for the identification of highly virulent extraintestinal pathogenic E.

Multitrophic interactions among Western Corn Rootworm, Glomus intraradices and microbial communities in the rhizosphere and endorhiza of maize.

The complex interactions among the maize pest Western Corn Rootworm (WCR), Glomus intraradices (GI-recently renamed Rhizophagus intraradices) and the microbial communities in both rhizosphere and endorhiza of maize have been investigated in view of new pest control strategies. In a greenhouse experiment, different maize treatments were established: C (control plants), W (plants inoculated with WCR), G (plants inoculated with GI), GW (plants inoculated with GI and WCR). After 20 days of WCR root feeding, larval fitness was measured.

Microbial communities associated with the larval gut and eggs of the Western corn rootworm.

Background: The western corn rootworm (WCR) is one of the economically most important pests of maize. A better understanding of microbial communities associated with guts and eggs of the WCR is required in order to develop new pest control strategies, and to assess the potential role of the WCR in the dissemination of microorganisms, e.g.

Multitrophic interaction in the rhizosphere of maize: root feeding of Western corn rootworm larvae alters the microbial community composition.

Background: Larvae of the Western Corn Rootworm (WCR) feeding on maize roots cause heavy economical losses in the US and in Europe. New or adapted pest management strategies urgently require a better understanding of the multitrophic interaction in the rhizosphere. This study aimed to investigate the effect of WCR root feeding on the microbial communities colonizing the maize rhizosphere.

Identification of Race 1 of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae on Lettuce by Inter-Retrotransposon Sequence-Characterized Amplified Region Technique.

ABSTRACT Fusarium wilt of lettuce, caused worldwide by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, is an emerging seed-transmitted disease on Lactuca sativa.

Vegetative Compatibility Groups of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae from Lettuce.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, the causal agent of Fusarium wilt of lettuce, has been reported in three continents in the last 10 years.