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Production of European eel offspring has become a reality, but liquid diets during larval culture hold new challenges. This study focused on increasing food amounts without compromising well-being or healthy larvae-bacteria interactions. First-feeding larvae were fed two food amounts (Low = 0.5 mL food/L water vs. High = 1.5 mL food/L water) until 30 days post-hatch (dph). Results indicated that ~75% of larvae ingested the diet in both treatments, but upregulation of a stress/repair-related gene (hsp90) on 25 and 30 dph indicated nutritional inadequacy. Larvae fed a High amount of food were 3.68% bigger, while larvae in the Low-food group showed 45.2% lower gut fullness and upregulated expression of the gene encoding the "hunger hormone" ghrelin (ghrl), indicating signs of starvation. The High-food group larvae exhibited a healthier bacteriome with a higher abundance of potentially beneficial orders (Lactobacillales and Bacillales), whereas the Low-food group showed more potentially harmful orders (Vibrionales, Rhodobacterales, and Alteromonadales). While survival was initially lower in the High-food group, both treatments had comparable survival by the end of the experiment. In conclusion, feeding European eel larvae with High food amounts seemed beneficial, supported by increased gut fullness, reduced ghrl expression (no starvation), enhanced growth, and the presence of a healthier bacteriome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition defined as the presence of bacteria within the urine above a certain threshold (usually >100,000 m/L). The lifetime risk in women is estimated to be 50%, of whom 25% will develop recurrence within 6 months. Unfortunately, the use of antibiotics to treat and manage recurrent UTI (rUTI) is a growing problem, due to the burden of growing antibiotic resistance on public health. As such, new approaches to manage rUTI are being investigated and developed. Competitive inoculation via instillation of Escherichia coli 83972 or HU2117 in the bladder is a new prophylactic non-antimicrobial therapy for rUTIs. It utilizes the principle of the protective nature of asymptomatic bacteriuria to prevent recurrence of symptomatic UTIs. However, the effectiveness and safety of this technique remains unclear. This systematic review examined the current outcomes data on competitive inoculation as an effective and safe treatment for rUTI prophylaxis. Based on a limited number of studies, current evidence suggests that competitive inoculation is an effective and safe prophylactic measure against UTIs in a select group of patients with incomplete bladder emptying. However, administration of the technology is both resource and time intensive, and there is strong data demonstrating low successful colonisation rates. Competitive inoculation is an alternative to antibiotics only to rUTI patients with incomplete bladder emptying. There is no evidence to suggest that the technology would be suitable for other subsets of rUTI patients. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to improve the evidence base before drawing conclusions for clinical practice, and ideas to improve colonisation rates and simplify the administration process should be explored.

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is a common condition defined as the presence of bacteria within the urine above a certain threshold (usually >100,000 m/L). The lifetime risk in women is estimated to be 50%, of whom 25% will develop recurrence within 6 months. Unfortunately, the use of antibiotics to treat and manage recurrent UTI (rUTI) is a growing problem, due to the burden of growing antibiotic resistance on public health. As such, new approaches to manage rUTI are being investigated and developed. Competitive inoculation via instillation of Escherichia coli 83972 or HU2117 in the bladder is a new prophylactic non-antimicrobial therapy for rUTIs. It utilizes the principle of the protective nature of asymptomatic bacteriuria to prevent recurrence of symptomatic UTIs. However, the effectiveness and safety of this technique remains unclear. This systematic review examined the current outcomes data on competitive inoculation as an effective and safe treatment for rUTI prophylaxis. Based on a limited number of studies, current evidence suggests that competitive inoculation is an effective and safe prophylactic measure against UTIs in a select group of patients with incomplete bladder emptying. However, administration of the technology is both resource and time intensive, and there is strong data demonstrating low successful colonisation rates. Competitive inoculation is an alternative to antibiotics only to rUTI patients with incomplete bladder emptying. There is no evidence to suggest that the technology would be suitable for other subsets of rUTI patients. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to improve the evidence base before drawing conclusions for clinical practice, and ideas to improve colonisation rates and simplify the administration process should be explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Clinically, Streptococcus suis and Haemophilus parasuis often co-occur or mix with each other, causing great harm to the pig industry. Thus, we established a mixed infection model in vitro and a co-infected mice model. We found that the co-existence of S. suis and H. parasuis can interfere with each other. There was competition between S. suis and H. parasuis in co-culture. Compared to single cultures, co-cultures showed enhanced biofilm formation, changes in virulence genes, and increased resistance to drugs. The number of bacteria in the co-infected mice increased and the inflammatory response changed. Ultimately, the study elucidated the interaction between S. suis and H. parasuis. This provides new ideas for the prevention and treatment of porcine respiratory disease syndrome caused by bacteria. Streptococcus suis (S. suis) and Haemophilus parasuis (H. parasuis) are two primary pathogens currently affecting the porcine industry. They often cause encephalitis and arthritis. They also frequently co-infect in clinical settings. In the current study, we identified significant correlations between S. suis and H. parasuis. The results from CI versus RIR suggested that S. suis and H. parasuis were competitive in general. Compared to mono-species biofilm, the biomass, bio-volume, and thickness of mixed-species biofilms were significantly higher, which was confirmed using crystal violet staining, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to mono-species biofilm, the viable bacteria in the mixed-species biofilms were significantly lower, which was confirmed using the enumeration of colony-forming units (CFU cm−2). The susceptibility of antibiotics in the co-culture decreased in the planktonic state. In contrast, biofilm state bacteria are significantly more difficult to eradicate with antibiotics than in a planktonic state. Whether in planktonic or biofilm state, the expression of virulence genes of S. suis and H. parasuis in mixed culture was very different from that in single culture. Subsequently, by establishing a mixed infection model in mice, we found that the colonization of the two pathogens in organs increased after mixed infection, and altered the host's inflammatory response. In summary, our results indicate that S. suis and H. parasuis compete when co-cultured in vitro. Surprisingly, S. suis and H. parasuis synergistically increased colonization capacity after co-infection in vivo. This study elucidated the interaction between S. suis and H. parasuis during single infections and co-infections. Future studies on bacterial disease control and antibiotic treatment should consider the interaction of mixed species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Production of European eel offspring has become a reality, but liquid diets during larval culture hold new challenges. This study focused on increasing food amounts without compromising well-being or healthy larvae-bacteria interactions. First-feeding larvae were fed two food amounts (Low = 0.5 mL food/L water vs. High = 1.5 mL food/L water) until 30 days post-hatch (dph). Results indicated that ~75% of larvae ingested the diet in both treatments, but upregulation of a stress/repair-related gene (hsp90) on 25 and 30 dph indicated nutritional inadequacy. Larvae fed a High amount of food were 3.68% bigger, while larvae in the Low-food group showed 45.2% lower gut fullness and upregulated expression of the gene encoding the “hunger hormone” ghrelin (ghrl), indicating signs of starvation. The High-food group larvae exhibited a healthier bacteriome with a higher abundance of potentially beneficial orders (Lactobacillales and Bacillales), whereas the Low-food group showed more potentially harmful orders (Vibrionales, Rhodobacterales, and Alteromonadales). While survival was initially lower in the High-food group, both treatments had comparable survival by the end of the experiment. In conclusion, feeding European eel larvae with High food amounts seemed beneficial, supported by increased gut fullness, reduced ghrl expression (no starvation), enhanced growth, and the presence of a healthier bacteriome.

Glenn T Werneburg Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USACorrespondence: Glenn T Werneburg, Department of Urology, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA, Tel +1 216-444-2200, Email wernebg@ccf.orgAbstract: Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most common healthcare-associated infection and cause of secondary bloodstream infections. Despite many advances in diagnosis, prevention and treatment, CAUTI remains a severe healthcare burden, and antibiotic resistance rates are alarmingly high. In this review, current CAUTI management paradigms and challenges are discussed, followed by future prospects as they relate to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. Clinical and translational evidence will be evaluated, as will key basic science studies that underlie preventive and therapeutic approaches. Novel diagnostic strategies and treatment decision aids under development will decrease the time to diagnosis and improve antibiotic accuracy and stewardship. These include several classes of biomarkers often coupled with artificial intelligence algorithms, cell-free DNA, and others. New preventive strategies including catheter coatings and materials, vaccination, and bacterial interference are being developed and investigated. The antibiotic pipeline remains insufficient, and new strategies for the identification of new classes of antibiotics, and rational design of small molecule inhibitor alternatives, are under development for CAUTI treatment.Keywords: catheter-associated urinary tract infection, biofilm, bacterial interference, bacterial competition, chaperone-usher, machine learning

Aims: To explore the in vitro ability of alpha haemolytic streptococcus (AHS) and lactobacilli (LBs), from Indigenous Australian children, to inhibit the growth of respiratory pathogens (Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis), also from Indigenous Australian children. Methods and Results: The bacterial interference of 91 isolates, from Indigenous Australian children both with and without otitis media (OM) or rhinorrhoea, was investigated using agar overlay and cell‐free supernatant. Promising isolates underwent whole genome sequencing to investigate upper respiratory tract tropism, antibiotic resistance and virulence. Antibiotic susceptibility was examined for ampicillin, amoxicillin +clavulanic acid and azithromycin. Differences in the strength of bacterial inferences in relation to OM was examined using a case series of three healthy and three children with OM. LBs readily inhibited the growth of pathogens. AHS were less effective, although several isolates inhibited S. pneumoniae. One L. rhamnosus had genes coding for pili to adhere to epithelial cells. We detected antibiotic resistance genes coding for antibiotic efflux pump and ribosomal protection protein. LBs were susceptible to antimicrobials in vitro. Screening for virulence detected genes encoding for two putative capsule proteins. Healthy children had AHS and LB that were more potent inhibitors of respiratory pathogens in vitro than children with OM. Conclusions: L. rhamnosus from remote Indigenous Australian children are potent inhibitors of respiratory pathogens in vitro. Significance and Impact of Study: Respiratory/ear disease are endemic in Indigenous Australians. There is an urgent call for more effective treatment/prevention; beneficial microbes have not been explored. L. rhamnosus investigated in this study are potent inhibitors of respiratory pathogens in vitro and require further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]