-derived vitamin B3 exerts protective effects against intestinal inflammation by promoting IL-17A/IL-22-dependent epithelial barrier function.

a prevalent gut commensal fungus in healthy individuals - contributes to intestinal health and disease. However, how commensal influences intestinal homeostasis and barrier function is poorly understood. Here, we demonstrated that the reference strain of (MYA-3404) ameliorated intestinal inflammation in murine models of chemically induced colitis and bacterial infection.

Surveillance of pathogenic yeasts in hospital environments in Taiwan in 2020.

Background: A predominate azole-resistant Candida tropicalis clade 4 genotype causing candidemia has been detected in not only Taiwan but also China, Singapore, and Australia. It can also be detected on fruit surfaces. In addition to determining distribution and drug susceptibilities of pathogenic yeasts in environments of intensive care units of 25 hospitals in Taiwan, we would also like to investigate whether the azole-resistant C.

Microbiota signatures associated with invasive infection in the gastrointestinal tract of immunodeficient mice.

is a commensal microorganism in the human gut but occasionally causes invasive infection (ICA), especially in immunocompromised individuals. Early initiation of antifungal therapy is associated with reduced mortality of ICA, but rapid diagnosis remains a challenge. The ICA-associated changes in the gut microbiota can be used as diagnostic and therapeutic targets but have been poorly investigated.

Genomic Surveillance of Listeria monocytogenes in Taiwan, 2014 to 2019.

Listeria monocytogenes is a life-threatening foodborne pathogen. Here, we report the genomic characterization of a nationwide dataset of 411 clinical and 82 food isolates collected in Taiwan between 2014 and 2019. The observed incidence of listeriosis increased from 0.

Genetic relatedness among azole-resistant Candida tropicalis clinical strains in Taiwan from 2014 to 2018.

To monitor trends in the distribution of yeast species and the susceptibilities of these species to commonly prescribed antifungal drugs, we conduct the Taiwan Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of Yeasts (TSARY) every 4 years. We found that 25 of 294 Candida tropicalis isolates from TSARY 2014 and 31 of 314 C. tropicalis isolates from TSARY 2018 were resistant to fluconazole.

Distribution of Yeast Species and Risk Factors of Oral Colonization after Oral-Care Education among the Residents of Nursing Homes.

Most yeasts causing infections in humans are part of commensal microflora and etiological agents of different infections when hosts become susceptible, usually due to becoming immunocompromised. The colonization of potentially pathogenic microbes in the oral cavity is increased by poor oral hygiene. This follow-up survey was conducted approximately two months after providing information on proper oral care at 10 nursing homes in Taiwan.

Colonizes and Disseminates to the Gastrointestinal Tract in the Presence of the Microbiota in a Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mouse Model.

s is the leading cause of candidemia or other invasive candidiasis. Gastrointestinal colonization has been considered as the primary source of candidemia. However, few established mouse models that mimic this infection route are available.

The Use of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry to Analyze Commensal Oral Yeasts in Nursing Home Residents.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is a rapid and accurate method to identify microorganisms in clinical laboratories. This study isolates yeast-like microorganisms in the oral washes that are collected from non-bedridden nursing home residents, using CHROMagar plates, and identifies them using Bruker MALDI-TOF MS. The ribosomal DNA sequences of the isolates are then examined.

Suppresses Microbe-Induced Production of IL-1β in Human Normal and Cancerous Oral Cells through the PI3K/Akt/GSK-3β Axis.

Poor oral hygiene (POH) is associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Oral microbes often proliferate due to POH. Array data show that plays a role in immunity against pathogens.

Generation and Characterization of Single Chain Variable Fragment against Alpha-Enolase of .

() is an opportunistic human pathogen responsible for approximately a half of clinical candidemia. The emerging spp. with resistance to azoles is a major challenge in clinic, suggesting an urgent demand for new drugs and therapeutic strategies.

Clonality of Fluconazole-Nonsusceptible Candida tropicalis in Bloodstream Infections, Taiwan, 2011-2017.

Candida tropicalis is the leading cause of non-C. albicans candidemia in tropical Asia and Latin America. We evaluated isolates from 344 patients with an initial episode of C.

DST659 genotype of Candida albicans showing positive association between biofilm formation and dominance in Taiwan.

Based on multiple locus sequence typing, we previously found that DST659 and DST693 were dominant genotypes of Candida albicans among the bloodstream isolates at Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital at Linkou. Biofilm-forming activity, which is critical for C. albicans virulence, probably contributed to the dominance of antifungal sensitive isolates in hospital.

Are we ready for the global emergence of multidrug-resistant Candida auris in Taiwan?

Candida auris is a recently identified multi-resistant Candida species, first reported in Japan in 2009, and poses a serious global health threat. Lack of awareness of this new Candida species and difficulties with laboratory identification have impacted significantly on outbreak detection and management, and compromised patient outcome. Accordingly, there is an urgent need to raise awareness of healthcare personnel to this emerging pathogen and determine its prevalence, impact, and challenges to the Taiwan healthcare system.

Mixed yeast infections in Taiwan.

Clinically significant yeast isolates were collected via Taiwan Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of Yeasts (TSARY) in 2014, and mixed infections were investigated. Among 44 out of 1092 specimens containing multiple species, 17, 11, 5, 3, and 8 were from urine, sputum, blood, ascites, and 6 others, respectively. There predominant combinations of mixed infection were 14 Candida albicans/Candida glabrata, 13 C.

Prevalence of and risk factors for methicillin-resistant colonization among human immunodeficient virus-infected outpatients in Taiwan: oral colonization as a comparator.

Human immuodeficency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and community-associated methicillin-resistant (CA-MRSA) have increased in recent years in Taiwan. This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for nasal and oral and MRSA colonization among contemporary HIV-infected populations. Clinical variables for and MRSA colonization among HIV-infected outpatients from three hospitals were analyzed and compared with those for oral colonization.

Fruits as the vehicle of drug resistant pathogenic yeasts.

Objective: We investigated the diversity and drug susceptibility of pathogenic yeasts on fruit surfaces.

Method: Fruits were purchased from supermarkets and washed with buffer. The pellets were re-suspended in medium after centrifugation.

The survey of tinea capitis and scalp dermatophyte carriage in nursing home residents.

Tinea capitis is a contagious dermatophyte infection of scalp and associated hairs. On the other hand, asymptomatic carriage is a status of positive dermatophyte scalp culture, but without signs or symptoms of tinea capitis, and no evidence of hair shaft invasion confirmed by direct microscopy. Tinea capitis and asymptomatic carriage mostly occur in children, but adult females are becoming another population in recent decades.

The distribution and drug susceptibilities of clinical Candida species in TSARY 2014.

The species distribution and drug susceptibilities of 1106 Candida isolates collected in Taiwan Surveillance of Antimicrobial Resistance of Yeasts (TSARY) in 2014 were determined. Candida albicans is still the dominant species, accounting for 35.9%, followed by 28.

Zebrafish Egg Infection Model for Studying Candida albicans Adhesion Factors.

Disseminated candidiasis is associated with 30-40% mortality in severely immunocompromised patients. Among the causal agents, Candida albicans is the dominant one. Various animal models have been developed for investigating gene functions in C.