Papers in Microbiology

Article Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology

Sugars and Jasmonic Acid Concentration in Root Exudates Affect Maize Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities

Lucas Dantas Lopes, Peng Wang, Stephanie L. Futrell, Daniel P. Schachtman

Summary: Root exudates, particularly sugars and jasmonic acid (JA), influence the composition of maize rhizobacterial communities, with specific sugars having different effects at various developmental stages.

APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

Add to Collection

Review Microbiology

Antibiotic resistance in the environment

D. G. Joakim Larsson, Carl-Fredrik Flach

Summary: Antibiotic resistance is a global health challenge, with factors driving evolution and transmission being important to quantify and identify. The environment plays a crucial role, and understanding and managing the resistance crisis can be achieved through implementing monitoring and assessment methods to reduce risks.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

Add to Collection

Review Infectious Diseases

Comparing COVID-19 vaccines for their characteristics, efficacy and effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern: a narrative review

Thibault Fiolet, Yousra Kherabi, Conor-James MacDonald, Jade Ghosn, Nathan Peiffer-Smadja

Summary: Overall, COVID-19 vaccines have high efficacy against the original strain and variants of concern, with rare serious adverse events. However, prices vary significantly for different vaccines.

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

Reduced Incidence of Long Coronavirus Disease Referrals to the Cambridge University Teaching Hospital Long Coronavirus Disease Clinic

Benjamin A. Krishna, Marina Metaxaki, Mark R. Wills, Nyaradzai Sithole

Summary: Vaccination in the United Kingdom is associated with a 79% reduction in long COVID referrals, indicating the potential of vaccines in decreasing chronic symptoms.

CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2023)

Add to Collection

Review Immunology

Airborne or Droplet Precautions for Health Workers Treating Coronavirus Disease 2019?

Prateek Bahl, Con Doolan, Charitha de Silva, Abrar Ahmad Chughtai, Lydia Bourouiba, C. Raina MacIntyre

Summary: Cases of COVID-19 have been reported worldwide, with a high number of healthcare workers being infected. There are conflicting guidelines for COVID-19 prevention, and the available evidence does not support droplet precautions and a 1- to 2-meter spatial separation rule.

JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

Exportation of Monkeypox Virus From the African Continent

Matthew R. Mauldin, Andrea M. McCollum, Yoshinori J. Nakazawa, Anna Mandra, Erin R. Whitehouse, Whitni Davidson, Hui Zhao, Jinxin Gao, Yu Li, Jeffrey Doty, Adesola Yinka-Ogunleye, Afolabi Akinpelu, Olusola Aruna, Dhamari Naidoo, Kuiama Lewandowski, Babak Afrough, Victoria Graham, Emma Aarons, Roger Hewson, Richard Vipond, Jake Dunning, Meera Chand, Colin Brown, Inbar Cohen-Gihon, Noam Erez, Ohad Shifman, Ofir Israeli, Melamed Sharon, Eli Schwartz, Adi Beth-Din, Anat Zvi, Tze Minn Mak, Yi Kai Ng, Lin Cui, Raymond T. P. Lin, Victoria A. Olson, Tim Brooks, Nir Paran, Chikwe Ihekweazu, Mary G. Reynolds

Summary: There is no direct linkage between the individuals who exported the monkeypox cases from Nigeria, but there is limited genetic variation among the viruses, suggesting a possible common source or independent infections within a small geographic area.

JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Infectious Diseases

Neutralising antibody titres as predictors of protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants and the impact of boosting: a meta-analysis

Deborah Cromer, Megan Steain, Arnold Reynaldi, Timothy E. Schlub, Adam K. Wheatley, Jennifer A. Juno, Stephen J. Kent, James A. Triccas, David S. Khoury, Miles P. Davenport

Summary: By analyzing data on in-vitro neutralization and clinical protection, the study found that neutralizing activity against the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 is highly correlated with neutralization of variants of concern, and can still predict the vaccine's protection against these variants. Simulation results suggest that booster vaccination for previously infected individuals can provide higher levels of protection compared to primary vaccination. Although the protection may decrease within the first year after vaccination, the current vaccines can still offer robust protection in the medium term.

LANCET MICROBE (2022)

Add to Collection

Review Immunology

Global Prevalence of Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Condition or Long COVID: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Chen Chen, Spencer R. Haupert, Lauren Zimmermann, Xu Shi, Lars G. Fritsche, Bhramar Mukherjee

Summary: This study reveals a substantial prevalence of post-COVID-19 condition worldwide. Hospitalized patients have a higher prevalence compared to non-hospitalized ones. Fatigue is the most commonly reported symptom.

JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

Add to Collection

Review Microbiology

Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations

Hannah E. Davis, Lisa McCorkell, Julia Moore Vogel, Eric J. Topol

Summary: Long COVID is a common and debilitating illness that affects at least 10% of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, with a wide range of symptoms and impacts on multiple organ systems. There are an estimated 65 million individuals worldwide with long COVID, and the number of cases is increasing daily. Current diagnostic and treatment options are insufficient, and there is a need for clinical trials to address leading hypotheses. Future research should account for biases and testing issues, build on viral-onset research, include marginalized populations, and meaningfully engage patients.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY (2023)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

Omicron variant showed lower neutralizing sensitivity than other SARS-CoV-2 variants to immune sera elicited by vaccines after boost

Jingwen Ai, Haocheng Zhang, Yi Zhang, Ke Lin, Yanliang Zhang, Jing Wu, Yanming Wan, Yanfang Huang, Jieyu Song, Zhangfan Fu, Hongyu Wang, Jingxin Guo, Ning Jiang, Mingxiang Fan, Yang Zhou, Yuanhan Zhao, Qiran Zhang, Qiang Liu, Jing Lv, Peiyao Li, Chao Qiu, Wenhong Zhang

Summary: This study explored the immunogenicity of different vaccination strategies against the Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2. The results showed that the Omicron variant has a high immune escape ability compared to other variants, but heterologous protein subunit vaccines and homologous inactivated vaccine boosters can improve neutralization against Omicron.

EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

Neutralization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant by Sera From BNT162b2 or CoronaVac Vaccine Recipients

Lu Lu, Bobo Wing-Yee Mok, Lin-Lei Chen, Jacky Man-Chun Chan, Owen Tak-Yin Tsang, Bosco Hoi-Shiu Lam, Vivien Wai-Man Chuang, Allen Wing-Ho Chu, Wan-Mui Chan, Jonathan Daniel Ip, Brian Pui-Chun Chan, Ruiqi Zhang, Cyril Chik-Yan Yip, Vincent Chi-Chung Cheng, Kwok-Hung Chan, Dong-Yan Jin, Ivan Fan-Ngai Hung, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Honglin Chen, Kelvin Kai-Wang To

Summary: Immune sera from BNT162b2 and Coronavac recipients showed reduced neutralizing antibody titers against the omicron variant. The presence of the spike R346K mutation did not affect the neutralization susceptibility.

CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

Add to Collection

Review Microbiology

SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis

Mart M. Lamers, Bart L. Haagmans

Summary: This Review explores the recent clinical and experimental advancements in understanding the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2, its interactions with host cells, and the role of the immune system in the development of severe disease, with a focus on the mechanisms underlying COVID-19-associated ARDS. The findings suggest that SARS-CoV-2 can infect the lower respiratory tract, causing alveolar damage and dysfunctional immune responses, leading to inflammation and immunopathology. These insights may contribute to the development of new therapeutic interventions against COVID-19.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

Clinical and Virological Features of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants of Concern: A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), and B.1.617.2 (Delta)

Sean Wei Xiang Ong, Calvin J. Chiew, Li Wei Ang, Tze-Minn Mak, Lin Cui, Matthias Paul H. S. Toh, Yi Ding Lim, Pei Hua Lee, Tau Hong Lee, Po Ying Chia, Sebastian Maurer-Stroh, Raymond T. P. Lin, Yee-Sin Leo, Vernon J. Lee, David Chien Lye, Barnaby Edward Young

Summary: The study revealed an association between infection with the B.1.617.2 variant and increased disease severity, higher viral loads, and prolonged duration of viral shedding. Vaccination remained protective against severe outcomes.

CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

Persistent Symptoms in Adult Patients 1 Year After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Prospective Cohort Study

Jessica Seessle, Tim Waterboer, Theresa Hippchen, Julia Simon, Marietta Kirchner, Adeline Lim, Barbara Mueller, Uta Merle

Summary: Long COVID, defined as persistent symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection, can last for at least 1 year and significantly impact life quality. Neurocognitive symptoms, possibly related to autoimmunity indicated by elevated ANA titers, are more common in females and can persist even when SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels are not significantly different from patients without symptoms.

CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2022)

Add to Collection

Review Microbiology

Infectious disease in an era of global change

Rachel E. Baker, Ayesha S. Mahmud, Ian F. Miller, Malavika Rajeev, Fidisoa Rasambainarivo, Benjamin L. Rice, Saki Takahashi, Andrew J. Tatem, Caroline E. Wagner, Lin-Fa Wang, Amy Wesolowski, C. Jessica E. Metcalf

Summary: Global changes such as climate change, urbanization, and global travel and trade have impacted the emergence and spread of infectious diseases. Recent decades have seen a wave of severe infectious disease outbreaks, including COVID-19 and Zika virus disease, which have had devastating effects worldwide.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Infectious Diseases

European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) guidelines for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (endorsed by European society of intensive care medicine)

Mical Paul, Elena Carrara, Pilar Retamar, Thomas Tangden, Roni Bitterman, Robert A. Bonomo, Jan de Waele, George L. Daikos, Murat Akova, Stephan Harbarth, Celine Pulcini, Jose Garnacho-Montero, Katja Seme, Mario Tumbarello, Paul Christoffer Lindemann, Sumanth Gandra, Yunsong Yu, Matteo Bassetti, Johan W. Mouton, Evelina Tacconelli, Jesus Rodriguez-Bano

Summary: These guidelines address the targeted antibiotic treatment of 3GCephRE and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, focusing on the effectiveness of individual antibiotics and on combination versus monotherapy. Most recommendations are based on low-certainty evidence.

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION (2022)

Add to Collection

Review Microbiology

Tolerance and resistance of microbial biofilms

Oana Ciofu, Claus Moser, Peter Ostrup Jensen, Niels Hoiby

Summary: Chronic infections caused by microbial biofilms pose a significant clinical challenge due to the resistance of biofilms to antimicrobials and the immune system, leading to persistent and recurrent infections. This Review discusses the current understanding of the mechanisms underlying the tolerance of biofilms to the immune system and to antimicrobials, as well as their role in the development of antimicrobial resistance.

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant shows less efficient replication and fusion activity when compared with Delta variant in TMPRSS2-expressed cells

Hanjun Zhao, Lu Lu, Zheng Peng, Lin-Lei Chen, Xinjin Meng, Chuyuan Zhang, Jonathan Daniel Ip, Wan-Mui Chan, Allen Wing-Ho Chu, Kwok-Hung Chan, Dong-Yan Jin, Honglin Chen, Kwok-Yung Yuen, Kelvin Kai-Wang To

Summary: The Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 has distinct virological characteristics compared to the Delta variant. It replicates more slowly and its entry pathway is mediated primarily through the endocytic pathway instead of TMPRSS2 pathway. This difference in entry pathway may have implications for the clinical manifestations or severity of the disease.

EMERGING MICROBES & INFECTIONS (2022)

Add to Collection

Article Immunology

Effectiveness of Paxlovid in Reducing Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Mortality in High-Risk Patients

Ronza Najjar-Debbiny, Naomi Gronich, Gabriel Weber, Johad Khoury, Maisam Amar, Nili Stein, Lee Hilary Goldstein, Walid Saliba

Summary: This study assessed the effectiveness of Paxlovid in high-risk COVID-19 patients in real-world settings. The findings demonstrate that Paxlovid is highly effective in reducing the risk of death and severe COVID-19 in the Omicron era. The study also suggests that Paxlovid may be more effective in older patients, immunosuppressed patients, and patients with underlying neurological or cardiovascular disease. Vaccination status did not significantly impact the effectiveness of Paxlovid.

CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES (2023)

Add to Collection

Article Infectious Diseases

Virological and serological kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant vaccine breakthrough infections: a multicentre cohort study

Po Ying Chia, Sean Wei Xiang Ong, Calvin J. Chiew, Li Wei Ang, Jean-Marc Chavatte, Tze-Minn Mak, Lin Cui, Shirin Kalimuddin, Wan Ni Chia, Chee Wah Tan, Louis Yi Ann Chai, Seow Yen Tan, Shuwei Zheng, Raymond Tzer Pin Lin, Linfa Wang, Yee-Sin Leo, Vernon J. Lee, David Chien Lye, Barnaby Edward Young

Summary: This study found that mRNA vaccines are highly effective at preventing symptomatic and severe COVID-19 associated with B.1.617.2 infection. Vaccination is associated with a faster decline in viral RNA load and a robust serological response.

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY AND INFECTION (2022)

Add to Collection

Microbiology

Sugars and Jasmonic Acid Concentration in Root Exudates Affect Maize Rhizosphere Bacterial Communities

Antibiotic resistance in the environment

Comparing COVID-19 vaccines for their characteristics, efficacy and effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern: a narrative review

Reduced Incidence of Long Coronavirus Disease Referrals to the Cambridge University Teaching Hospital Long Coronavirus Disease Clinic

Airborne or Droplet Precautions for Health Workers Treating Coronavirus Disease 2019?

Exportation of Monkeypox Virus From the African Continent

Neutralising antibody titres as predictors of protection against SARS-CoV-2 variants and the impact of boosting: a meta-analysis

Global Prevalence of Post-Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Condition or Long COVID: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review

Long COVID: major findings, mechanisms and recommendations

Omicron variant showed lower neutralizing sensitivity than other SARS-CoV-2 variants to immune sera elicited by vaccines after boost

Neutralization of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant by Sera From BNT162b2 or CoronaVac Vaccine Recipients

SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis

Clinical and Virological Features of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Variants of Concern: A Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), and B.1.617.2 (Delta)

Persistent Symptoms in Adult Patients 1 Year After Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19): A Prospective Cohort Study

Infectious disease in an era of global change

European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) guidelines for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (endorsed by European society of intensive care medicine)

Tolerance and resistance of microbial biofilms

SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant shows less efficient replication and fusion activity when compared with Delta variant in TMPRSS2-expressed cells

Effectiveness of Paxlovid in Reducing Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 and Mortality in High-Risk Patients

Virological and serological kinetics of SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant vaccine breakthrough infections: a multicentre cohort study

Related Categories

Top Journals

NATURE REVIEWS DRUG DISCOVERY

NATURE REVIEWS MICROBIOLOGY

NATURE BIOTECHNOLOGY

Cell Host & Microbe

Nature Microbiology

CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY REVIEWS

TRENDS IN BIOTECHNOLOGY

Microbiome

Gut Microbes