Similar antimicrobial resistance and virulence profiles among Aeromonas isolates from recreational beaches, post-chlorinated wastewater and clinical samples in Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA.

The genus Aeromonas consists of Gram-negative facultative anaerobes that are ubiquitous in water and soil environments. Traditionally considered fish pathogens, members of the genus Aeromonas have received increasing attention over the years due to their association with human diseases. Furthermore, given their omnipresence and genetic flexibility, this genus is positioned at the intersection of One Health components and may disproportionately contribute to the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the environment.

First Report and Characterization of a Plasmid-Encoded in a Multi-Drug-Resistant Clinical Isolate.

Antibiotic resistance remains one of the most pressing public health issues facing the world today. At the forefront of this battle lies the ever-increasing identification of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases and carbapenemases within human pathogens, conferring resistance towards broad-spectrum and last-resort antimicrobials. This study was prompted due to the identification of a pathogenic isolate (strain MAH-4) collected from abdominal fluid, which presented a robust resistance pattern against second-, third-, and fourth-generation cephalosporins, ertapenem, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, levofloxacin and moxifloxacin, and beta lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combinations.

One Health and Global Health View of Antimicrobial Susceptibility through the "Eye" of Aeromonas: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the most pressing public health concerns; therefore, it is imperative to advance our understanding of the factors influencing AMR from Global and One Health perspectives. To address this, Aeromonas populations were identified using 16S rRNA gene libraries among human, agriculture, aquaculture, drinking water, surface water, and wastewater samples, supporting its use as indicator bacteria to study AMR. A systematic review and meta-analysis was then performed from Global and One Health perspectives, including data from 221 articles describing 15 891 isolates from 57 countries.

Similarities in Virulence and Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Gene Profiles among Cefotaxime-Resistant Wastewater and Clinical Isolates.

The World Health Organization has identified antibiotic resistance as one of the largest threats to human health and food security. In this study, we compared antibiotic resistance patterns between ESBL-producing from human clinical diseases and cefotaxime-resistant environmental strains, as well as their potential to be pathogenic. Antibiotic susceptibility was tested amongst clinical isolates ( = 11), hospital wastewater ( = 22), and urban wastewater ( = 36, both influent and treated effluents).

Antibiotic resistance patterns of Escherichia coli isolates from the clinic through the wastewater pathway.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains one of the leading global health threats. This study compared antimicrobial resistance patterns among E. coli isolates from clinical uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) to hospital wastewater populations and throughout an urban wastewater treatment facility - influent, pre- and post-chlorinated effluents.

A Comparison of Porphyrin Photosensitizers in Photodynamic Inactivation of RNA and DNA Bacteriophages.

Effective broad-spectrum antiviral treatments are in dire need as disinfectants and therapeutic alternatives. One such method of disinfection is photodynamic inactivation, which involves the production of reactive oxygen species from dissolved oxygen in response to light-stimulated photosensitizers. This study evaluated the efficacy of functionalized porphyrin compounds for photodynamic inactivation of bacteriophages as human virus surrogates.

Survivor microbial populations in post-chlorinated wastewater are strongly associated with untreated hospital sewage and include ceftazidime and meropenem resistant populations.

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent has been implicated in the spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB), including pathogens, as the WWTP environment contains multiple selective pressures that may increase mutation rates, pathogen survivability, and induce gene transfer between bacteria. In WWTPs receiving hospital sewage, this selective effect may be more pronounced due to increased concentrations of antibiotics, ARB, and clinical pathogens from hospital sewage. To determine the extent to which hospital sewage contributes to the microbial community of disinfected wastewater which is released into the environment, we used 16S rRNA sequencing of hospital sewage, WWTP influent, primary effluent, Post-Chlorinated Effluent, and receiving sediments in a combined sewage system to track changes in microbial community composition.

Metalloporphyrin Pd(T4) Exhibits Oncolytic Activity and Cumulative Effects with 5-ALA Photodynamic Treatment against C918 Cells.

Photodynamic therapy is a non-invasive method where light activates a photosensitizer bound to cancer cells, generating reactive oxygen species and resulting in cell death. This study assessed the oncolytic potential of photodynamic therapy, comparing European Medicines Agency and United States Food and Drug Administration-approved 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) to a metalloporphyrin, Pd(T4), against a highly invasive uveal melanoma cell line (C918) in two- and three-dimensional models . Epithelial monolayer studies displayed strong oncolytic effects (>70%) when utilizing Pd(T4) at a fraction of the concentration, and reduced pre-illumination time compared to 5-ALA post-405 nm irradiance.

Prevalence of Potentially Pathogenic Antibiotic-Resistant spp. in Treated Urban Wastewater Effluents versus Recipient Riverine Populations: a 3-Year Comparative Study.

Antibiotic resistance continues to be an emerging threat both in clinical and environmental settings. Among the many causes, the impact of postchlorinated human wastewater on antibiotic resistance has not been well studied. Our study compared antibiotic susceptibility among spp.

Photodynamic therapy using pheophorbide and 670nm LEDs exhibits anti-cancer effects in-vitro in androgen dependent prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the third leading cause of death in men in the United States and its treatment options include surgery, anti-hormonal drugs for androgen sensitive tumors, and radiotherapy. An alternative treatment is the use of photodynamic therapy (PDT), which involves the activation of a photosensitizer by a defined wavelength of light in the presence of oxygen, generating transient concentrations of reactive oxygen species (ROS). In this study, we explored the anti-cancer potential and mechanism of action of PDT using pheophorbide (Pheo) as a photosensitizer in combination with 670nm LEDs.

Photosensitizers in prostate cancer therapy.

The search for new therapeutics for the treatment of prostate cancer is ongoing with a focus on the balance between the harms and benefits of treatment. New therapies are being constantly developed to offer treatments similar to radical therapies, with limited side effects. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a promising strategy in delivering focal treatment in primary as well as post radiotherapy prostate cancer.

Photodynamic inactivation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli: A metalloporphyrin comparison.

Increasing rates of antibiotic resistance coupled with the lack of novel antibiotics threatens proper clinical treatment and jeopardizes their use in prevention. A photodynamic approach appears to be an innovative treatment option, even for multi-drug resistant strains of bacteria. Three components are utilized in photodynamic inactivation: a photosensitizer, light source, and oxygen.

Aeromonas hydrophila and Aeromonas veronii predominate among potentially pathogenic ciprofloxacin- and tetracycline-resistant aeromonas isolates from Lake Erie.

Members of the genus Aeromonas are ubiquitous in nature and have increasingly been implicated in numerous diseases of humans and other animal taxa. Although some species of aeromonads are human pathogens, their presence, density, and relative abundance are rarely considered in assessing water quality. The objectives of this study were to identify Aeromonas species within Lake Erie, determine their antibiotic resistance patterns, and assess their potential pathogenicity.

Inhibitory effects of 405 nm irradiation on Chlamydia trachomatis growth and characterization of the ensuing inflammatory response in HeLa cells.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is an intracellular bacterium that resides in the conjunctival and reproductive tract mucosae and is responsible for an array of acute and chronic diseases. A percentage of these infections persist even after use of antibiotics, suggesting the need for alternative treatments. Previous studies have demonstrated anti-bacterial effects using different wavelengths of visible light at varying energy densities, though only against extracellular bacteria.

Characterization of humoral immune responses to chlamydial HSP60, CPAF, and CT795 in inflammatory and severe trachoma.

Purpose: Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) remains the leading global cause of preventable blindness. There are limited data on humoral immune responses in trachoma. Evaluating these responses is important for understanding host-pathogen interactions and informing vaccine design.

Identification of novel single nucleotide polymorphisms in inflammatory genes as risk factors associated with trachomatous trichiasis.

Background: Trachoma is the leading preventable cause of global blindness. A balanced Th1/Th2/Th3 immune response is critical for resolving Chlamydia trachomatis infection, the primary cause of trachoma. Despite control programs that include mass antibiotic treatment, reinfection and recurrence of trachoma are common after treatment cessation.

Role of secreted conjunctival mucosal cytokine and chemokine proteins in different stages of trachomatous disease.

Background: Chlamydia trachomatis is responsible for trachoma, the primary cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Plans to eradicate trachoma using the World Health Organization's SAFE program (Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial Cleanliness and Environment Improvement) have resulted in recurrence of infection and disease following cessation of treatment in many endemic countries, suggesting the need for a vaccine to control infection and trachomatous disease. Vaccine development requires, in part, knowledge of the mucosal host immune responses in both healthy and trachomatous conjuctivae-an area of research that remains insufficiently studied.

Altered inflammatory responses following transforming growth factor-beta neutralization in experimental guinea pig tuberculous pleurisy.

The predominant extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis, which develops in 10% of diseased individuals, is pleurisy. The immune response mounted against Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the pleural cavity is one that is sufficient for clearing the organism without therapeutic intervention. Thus, examining the role of immune constituents in this context will provide understanding of the vital role they play in controlling tuberculosis.

BCG vaccination of guinea pigs modulates Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced CCL5 (RANTES) production in vitro and in vivo.

CCL5 can attract and activate macrophages and Th1 lymphocytes, which are involved in eliciting a protective immune response against tuberculosis. In this study, the effects of BCG vaccination on CCL5 production in vitro and in vivo in the guinea pig model were examined. Splenocytes, alveolar, and resident peritoneal macrophages obtained from naïve and BCG-vaccinated animals were infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in vitro at various time points and analyzed for CCL5 mRNA and protein levels.

Recombinant guinea pig CCL5 (RANTES) differentially modulates cytokine production in alveolar and peritoneal macrophages.

The CC chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5; regulated on activation, normal T expressed and secreted) is known to recruit and activate leukocytes; however, its role in altering the responses of host cells to a subsequent encounter with a microbial pathogen has rarely been studied. Recombinant guinea pig (rgp)CCL5 was prepared, and its influence on peritoneal and alveolar macrophage activation was examined by measuring cytokine and chemokine mRNA expression in cells stimulated with rgpCCL5 alone or exposed to rgpCCL5 prior to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Levels of mRNA for guinea pig tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin (IL)-1beta, CCL2 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), and CXC chemokine ligand 8 (IL-8) were analyzed by reverse transcription followed by real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis using SYBR Green.