Recent advances in the study of mycobacterial lipids indicate that the class of outer membrane lipids known as dimycocerosate esters (DIMs) are major virulence factors of clinically relevant mycobacteria including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. DIMs are a structurally intriguing class of polyketide synthase-derived wax esters discovered over seventy years ago, yet, little was known until recently about their biosynthesis. Availability of several mycobacterial genomes has accelerated progress toward clarifying steps in the DIM biosynthetic pathway and it is our belief that reviewing the bases of our current knowledge will clarify outstanding issues and help direct future endeavors.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2005.07.001 | DOI Listing |
Front Microbiol
January 2025
Institute of Microbiology, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Background: Colistin is an antibiotic used as a last resort to treat multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacterial infections. Plasmid-mediated mobile colistin-resistant () genes in () are disseminated globally and are considered to be a major public health threat. This study aimed to determine the molecular characteristics of colistin-resistant isolates in clinical settings in Pakistan.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Rep
January 2025
Department of Molecular Genetics and Infection Biology, University of Greifswald, 17489, Greifswald, Germany.
In recent years, increased numbers of severe Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) infections, including necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs), have been reported. One of the main virulence factors of SDSE is streptokinase (Ska).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPLoS Pathog
January 2025
School of Clinical Dentistry, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) is a keystone pathogen in periodontitis, a highly prevalent disease manifested by chronic inflammation of the periodontium, alveolar bone resorption and tooth loss. During periodontitis pathobionts such as Pg can enter the bloodstream and growing evidence correlates periodontitis with increased risk of cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases. However, the mechanism by which immune cells respond to Pg challenge in vivo remains elusive.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFmBio
January 2025
Division of Infectious Diseases, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Unlabelled: Streptolysin O (SLO) is a virulence determinant of group A (), the agent of streptococcal sore throat and severe invasive infections. SLO is a member of a family of bacterial pore-forming toxins known as cholesterol-dependent cytolysins, which require cell membrane cholesterol for pore formation. While cholesterol is essential for cytolytic activity, accumulating data suggest that cell surface glycans may also participate in the binding of SLO and other cholesterol-dependent cytolysins to host cells.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Clin Lab Anal
January 2025
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Aleppo, Aleppo, Syria.
Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a significant opportunistic pathogen, especially in hospital-acquired infections, with plasmid-mediated fluoroquinolone resistance posing a major healthcare threat. This research aimed to isolate fluoroquinolone-resistant P. aeruginosa from patients at Aleppo University Hospital, assess the prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance, confirm molecular identity, identify plasmid-associated resistance genes, and investigate virulence factors.
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