Altered oral microbiota of drug-resistant organism carriers exhibit impaired gram-negative pathogen inhibition.

The oral microbiome has been understudied as a reservoir for clinical pathogens, including drug-resistant strains. Understanding how alterations in microbiome functioning render this site vulnerable to colonization is essential, as multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) carriage is a major risk factor for developing serious infections. To advance our knowledge of oral MDRO carriage and protection against pathogen colonization conferred by native microbiota, we examined microbiomes from individuals colonized by MDROs (n=33) and non-colonized age-matched controls (n=30).

The antimicrobial potential of Streptomyces from insect microbiomes.

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health crisis and few novel antimicrobials have been discovered in recent decades. Natural products, particularly from Streptomyces, are the source of most antimicrobials, yet discovery campaigns focusing on Streptomyces from the soil largely rediscover known compounds. Investigation of understudied and symbiotic sources has seen some success, yet no studies have systematically explored microbiomes for antimicrobials.

Competition among Nasal Bacteria Suggests a Role for Siderophore-Mediated Interactions in Shaping the Human Nasal Microbiota.

Resources available in the human nasal cavity are limited. Therefore, to successfully colonize the nasal cavity, bacteria must compete for scarce nutrients. Competition may occur directly through interference (e.

Multiple roles for Enterococcus faecalis glycosyltransferases in biofilm-associated antibiotic resistance, cell envelope integrity, and conjugative transfer.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria and the limited availability of new antibiotics are of increasing clinical concern. A compounding factor is the ability of microorganisms to form biofilms (communities of cells encased in a protective extracellular matrix) that are intrinsically resistant to antibiotics. Enterococcus faecalis is an opportunistic pathogen that readily forms biofilms and also has the propensity to acquire resistance determinants via horizontal gene transfer.