Association between the gene polymorphism-determined earwax properties and external auditory canal microbiota in healthy adults.

Unlabelled: The concept of genome-microbiome interactions, in which the microenvironment determined by host genetic polymorphisms regulates the local microbiota, is important in the pathogenesis of human disease. In otolaryngology, the resident bacterial microbiota is reportedly altered in non-infectious ear diseases, such as otitis media pearls and exudative otitis media. We hypothesized that a single-nucleotide polymorphism in the ATP-binding cassette sub-family C member 11 () gene, which determines earwax properties, regulates the ear canal microbiota.

Genome Analysis of Japanese Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Strains Isolated From Kawasaki Disease Patients and Other Sources and Their Phylogenetic Positions in the Global Y. pseudotuberculosis Population.

Yersinia pseudotuberculosis (Ypt) is a gram-negative bacterium that infects both humans and animals primarily through fecal‒oral transmission. While Ypt causes acute gastroenteritis in humans, an association with Kawasaki disease (KD), a disease that primarily affects infants and young children and causes multisystemic vasculitis, has also been suspected. Although KD represents a significant health concern worldwide, the highest annual incidence rate is reported in Japan.

Oral administration of Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium infantis ameliorates cefcapene pivoxil-induced attenuation of anti-programmed cell death protein-1 antibody action in mice.

Gut bacteria play pivotal roles in the antitumor effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). However, antimicrobial therapy, often necessary for infections in cancer patients, can reduce the efficacy of ICIs. The potential of probiotics to restore ICI efficacy remains uncertain.

Genomic perspective on the bacillus causing paratyphoid B fever.

Paratyphoid B fever (PTB) is caused by an invasive lineage (phylogroup 1, PG1) of Salmonella enterica serotype Paratyphi B (SPB). However, little was known about the global population structure, geographic distribution, and evolution of this pathogen. Here, we report a whole-genome analysis of 568 historical and contemporary SPB PG1 isolates, obtained globally, between 1898 and 2021.

Isobutyric acid enhances the anti-tumour effect of anti-PD-1 antibody.

The low response rate of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is a challenge. The efficacy of ICIs is influenced by the tumour microenvironment, which is controlled by the gut microbiota. In particular, intestinal bacteria and their metabolites, such as short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), are important regulators of cancer immunity; however, our knowledge on the effects of individual SCFAs remains limited.

Combined usage of serodiagnosis and O antigen typing to isolate Shiga toxin-producing O76:H7 from a hemolytic uremic syndrome case and genomic insights from the isolate.

Hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is a life-threatening disease caused by Shiga toxin-producing (STEC) infection. The treatment approaches for STEC-mediated typical HUS and atypical HUS differ, underscoring the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis. However, specific detection methods for STECs other than major serogroups, such as O157, O26, and O111, are limited.

and predict immune-related adverse events and efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitor.

Introduction: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have had a major impact on cancer treatment. Gut microbiota plays a major role in the cancer microenvironment, affecting treatment response. The gut microbiota is highly individual, and varies with factors, such as age and race.

Serotype Distribution and Antimicrobial Resistance of Streptococcus agalactiae Isolates in Nonpregnant Adults with Streptococcal Toxic Shock Syndrome in Japan in 2014 to 2021.

The incidence of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS) due to group B Streptococcus (GBS) has been increasing annually in Japan and is becoming a serious challenge. Furthermore, in recent years, penicillin- or clindamycin-resistant strains used in treating streptococcal toxic shock syndrome have been reported. However, no report analyzed >100 isolates of group B Streptococcus causing streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Whole-Genome and Plasmid Comparative Analysis of Campylobacter jejuni from Human Patients in Toyama, Japan, from 2015 to 2019.

Campylobacter jejuni is a major causative agent of food poisoning, and increasing antimicrobial resistance is a concern. This study investigated 116 clinical isolates of C. jejuni from Toyama, Japan, which were isolated from 2015 to 2019.

Natural mutation in the regulatory gene (srrG) influences virulence-associated genes and enhances invasiveness in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis strains isolated from cases of streptococcal toxic shock syndrome.

Background: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subspecies equisimilis (SDSE) has emerged as an important cause of severe invasive infections including streptococcal toxic shock syndrome (STSS). The present study aimed to identify genes involved in differences in invasiveness between STSS and non-invasive SDSE isolates.

Methods: STSS and non-invasive SDSE isolates were analysed to identify csrS/csrR mutations, followed by a comparative analysis of genomic sequences to identify mutations in other genes.

Detection of Legionella species, the influence of precipitation on the amount of Legionella DNA, and bacterial microbiome in aerosols from outdoor sites near asphalt roads in Toyama Prefecture, Japan.

Background: Legionellosis is caused by the inhalation of aerosolized water contaminated with Legionella bacteria. In this study, we investigated the prevalence of Legionella species in aerosols collected from outdoor sites near asphalt roads, bathrooms in public bath facilities, and other indoor sites, such as buildings and private homes, using amoebic co-culture, quantitative PCR, and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing.

Results: Legionella species were not detected by amoebic co-culture.

Microbiota-derived butyrate limits the autoimmune response by promoting the differentiation of follicular regulatory T cells.

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic debilitating autoimmune disorder with a high prevalence, especially in industrialized countries. Dysbiosis of the intestinal microbiota has been observed in RA patients. For instance, new-onset untreated RA (NORA) is associated with the underrepresentation of the Clostridium cluster XIVa, including Lachnospiraceae, which are major butyrate producers, although the pathological relevance has remained obscure.

Size resolved characteristics of urban and suburban bacterial bioaerosols in Japan as assessed by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing.

To study the size-resolved characteristics of airborne bacterial community composition, diversity, and abundance, outdoor aerosol samples were analysed by 16S rRNA gene-targeted quantitative PCR and amplicon sequencing with Illumina MiSeq. The samples were collected using size-resolved samplers between August and October 2016, at a suburban site in Toyama City and an urban site in Yokohama City, Japan. The bacterial communities were found to be dominated by Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria.