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A rhizosphere strain, Achromobacter insolitus LCu2, was isolated from alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) roots. It was able to degrade of 50% glyphosate as the sole phosphorus source, and was found resistant to 10 mM copper (II) chloride, and 5 mM glyphosate–copper complexes. Inoculation of alfalfa seedlings and potato microplants with strain LCu2 promoted plant growth by 30–50%. In inoculated plants, the toxicity of the glyphosate–copper complexes to alfalfa seedlings was decreased, as compared with the noninoculated controls. The genome of A. insolitus LCu2 consisted of one circular chromosome (6,428,890 bp) and encoded 5843 protein genes and 76 RNA genes. Polyphasic taxonomic analysis showed that A. insolitus LCu2 was closely related to A. insolitus DSM23807T on the basis of the average nucleotide identity of the genomes of 22 type strains and the multilocus sequence analysis. Genome analysis revealed genes putatively responsible for (1) plant growth promotion (osmolyte, siderophore, and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase biosynthesis and auxin metabolism); (2) degradation of organophosphonates (glyphosate oxidoreductase and multiple phn clusters responsible for the transport, regulation and C–P lyase cleavage of phosphonates); and (3) tolerance to copper and other heavy metals, effected by the CopAB–CueO system, responsible for the oxidation of copper (I) in the periplasm, and by the efflux Cus system. The putative catabolic pathways involved in the breakdown of phosphonates are predicted. A. insolitus LCu2 is promising in the production of crops and the remediation of soils contaminated with organophosphonates and heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The strain Achromobacter insolitus LCu2 isolated from the roots of alfalfa (Medicagosativa L.) utilized cinnamic acid and its methoxy derivatives (vanillic and ferulic acids) as the sole carbon source. Weak growth was observed with m-coumaric acid, but not on o- or p-coumaric acids. Growth on the cinnamic acid was slow and diauxic. The substrate decreased in the cultivation medium by 53%; the degradation efficiency during 14 days was 30 μg/mg wet weight. Despite the bactericidal effect of cinnamic acid, the culture A. insolitus LCu2 remained viable for a long time. Genomic analysis revealed two gene clusters (hca and mhp) responsible for the dihydroxylation of the phenyl ring (hcaA1A2CDB) and its subsequent cleavage to central metabolic products (mhpACDE), as well as a transcriptional regulator (hcaR) and a putative transporter (hcaT). A putative biochemical pathway for cinnamic acid degradation by the strain A. insolitus LCu2 was predicted using genomic data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Biofilm production in nonfermenting Gram-negative bacteria influences drug resistance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effect of different antibiotics on biofilm eradication of clinical isolates of Achromobacter, Burkholderia, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Methods: Clinical isolates were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry in a third-level hospital in Monterrey, Mexico. Crystal violet staining was used to determine biofilm production. Drug susceptibility testing was determined by broth microdilution in planktonic cells and biofilm cells. Results: Resistance in planktonic cells was moderate to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and low to chloramphenicol, minocycline, levofloxacin (S. maltophilia and Burkholderia), ceftazidime, and meropenem (Burkholderia and Achromobacter). Biofilm eradication required higher drug concentrations of ceftazidime, chloramphenicol, levofloxacin, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole than planktonic cells (p < 0.05). Levofloxacin showed biofilm eradication activity in S. maltophilia, minocycline and meropenem in Burkholderia, and meropenem in Achromobacter. Conclusions: Drug resistance increased due to biofilm production for some antibiotics, particularly ceftazidime and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole for all three pathogens, chloramphenicol for S. maltophilia and Burkholderia, and levofloxacin for Burkholderia. Some antibiotics could be used for the treatment of biofilm-associated infections in our population, such as levofloxacin for S. maltophilia, minocycline and meropenem for Burkholderia, and meropenem for Achromobacter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Cefiderocol is a siderophore-conjugated cephalosporin increasingly used in the management of Achromobacter infections. Testing for cefiderocol susceptibility is challenging with distinct recommendations depending on the pathogens. Objectives We evaluated the performance of commercial tests for testing cefiderocol susceptibility in the Achromobacter genus and reviewed the literature. Methods Diffusion (disks, MIC gradient test strips [MTS], Liofilchem) and broth microdilution (BMD) methods (ComASP™, Liofilchem; UMIC®, Bruker) were compared with the BMD reference method according to the EUCAST guidelines on 143 Achromobacter strains from 14 species with MIC50/90 of ≤ 0.015/0.5 mg/L. A literature search was conducted regardless of method or species. Results None of the methods tested fulfilled an acceptable essential agreement (EA). MTS displayed the lowest EA (30.8%) after UMIC® (49%) and ComASP™ (76.9%). All methods achieved an acceptable bias, with MICs either underestimated using MTS (-1.3%) and ComASP™ (-14.2%) or overestimated with UMIC® (+ 9.1%). Inhibition zone diameters ranged from 6 to 38 mm (IZD50/90=33/30 mm). UMIC® and ComASP™ failed to categorize one or the two cefiderocol-resistant strains of this study as resistant unlike the diffusion-based methods. The literature review highlighted distinct performance of the available methods according to pathogens and testing conditions. Conclusions The use of MTS is discouraged for Achromobacter spp. Disk diffusion can be used to screen for susceptible strains by setting a threshold diameter of 30 mm. UMIC® and ComASP™ should not be used as the sole method but have to be systematically associated with disk diffusion to detect the yet rarely described cefiderocol-resistant Achromobacter sp. strains.

Abstract Background Achromobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogens, mostly infecting immunocompromised patients and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and considered as difficult-to-treat pathogens due to both intrinsic resistance and the possibility of acquired antimicrobial resistance. Species identification remains challenging leading to imprecise descriptions of resistance in each taxon. Cefiderocol is a broad-spectrum siderophore cephalosporin increasingly used in the management of Achromobacter infections for which susceptibility data remain scarce. We aimed to describe the susceptibility to cefiderocol of a collection of Achromobacter strains encompassing different species and isolation sources from CF or non-CF (NCF) patients. Methods We studied 230 Achromobacter strains (67 from CF, 163 from NCF patients) identified by nrdA gene-based analysis, with available susceptibility data for piperacillin–tazobactam, meropenem and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefiderocol were determined using the broth microdilution reference method according to EUCAST guidelines. Results Strains belonged to 15 species. A. xylosoxidans represented the main species (71.3%). MICs ranged from ≤ 0.015 to 16 mg/L with MIC50/90 of ≤ 0.015/0.5 mg/L overall and 0.125/2 mg/L against 27 (11.7%) meropenem-non-susceptible strains. Cefiderocol MICs were not related to CF/NCF origin or species although A. xylosoxidans MICs were statistically lower than those of other species considered as a whole. Considering the EUCAST non-species related breakpoint (2 mg/L), 228 strains (99.1%) were susceptible to cefiderocol. The two cefiderocol-resistant strains (A. xylosoxidans from CF patients) represented 3.7% of meropenem-non-susceptible strains and 12.5% of MDR strains. Conclusions Cefiderocol exhibited excellent in vitro activity against a large collection of accurately identified Achromobacter strains, irrespective of species and origin.

Background: Cefiderocol is a siderophore-conjugated cephalosporin increasingly used in the management of Achromobacter infections. Testing for cefiderocol susceptibility is challenging with distinct recommendations depending on the pathogens. Objectives: We evaluated the performance of commercial tests for testing cefiderocol susceptibility in the Achromobacter genus and reviewed the literature. Methods: Diffusion (disks, MIC gradient test strips [MTS], Liofilchem) and broth microdilution (BMD) methods (ComASP™, Liofilchem; UMIC®, Bruker) were compared with the BMD reference method according to the EUCAST guidelines on 143 Achromobacter strains from 14 species with MIC50/90 of ≤ 0.015/0.5 mg/L. A literature search was conducted regardless of method or species. Results: None of the methods tested fulfilled an acceptable essential agreement (EA). MTS displayed the lowest EA (30.8%) after UMIC® (49%) and ComASP™ (76.9%). All methods achieved an acceptable bias, with MICs either underestimated using MTS (-1.3%) and ComASP™ (-14.2%) or overestimated with UMIC® (+ 9.1%). Inhibition zone diameters ranged from 6 to 38 mm (IZD50/90=33/30 mm). UMIC® and ComASP™ failed to categorize one or the two cefiderocol-resistant strains of this study as resistant unlike the diffusion-based methods. The literature review highlighted distinct performance of the available methods according to pathogens and testing conditions. Conclusions: The use of MTS is discouraged for Achromobacter spp. Disk diffusion can be used to screen for susceptible strains by setting a threshold diameter of 30 mm. UMIC® and ComASP™ should not be used as the sole method but have to be systematically associated with disk diffusion to detect the yet rarely described cefiderocol-resistant Achromobacter sp. strains. Highlights: Performance of commercial methods are highly diverse and species-dependent. The use of MTS is discouraged due to low essential agreement. UMIC® and ComASP™ failed to detect one or the two cefiderocol-resistant strains. UMIC® or ComASP™ should not be used as the sole method for Achromobacter cefiderocol susceptibility testing. A threshold diameter of 30 mm is proposed for susceptible strain screening. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphonates are alternative phosphorus sources for bacteria. The genome of Achromobacter insolitus strain LCu2 contains three predicted phn clusters of ABC-type phosphonate transporters into the cell. To understand the functional, evolutionary, and ecological role of the phn clusters, phylogenetic analysis of substrate-binding PhnD proteins from strain LCu2 with their homologs in other Achromobacter species and in closely related genera of the family Alcaligenaceae was carried out. The PhnD transporters formed three separate clusters, which indicated the differences in their structural composition. PhnD1 and PhnD2 were present in the genomes of all Achromobacter species and grouped separately from those of other members of the family Alcaligenaceae, which indicated vertical inheritance of the phnD1 and phnD2 genes and their involvement in the life-supporting processes. PhnD3 was found in the genomes of seven Achromobacter species. The phnD3 gene was probably acquired via horizontal transfer or duplication and is induced during adaptation to changing environmental conditions. Maintenance of three structurally different phn clusters of transporters is probably ecologically advantageous to A. insolitus LCu2, providing for phosphorus retrieval from synthetic and natural organophosphonates as well as other sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) are non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria that can chronically colonize the lungs of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), causing a severe and progressive respiratory failure, post-transplant complications and epidemic outbreaks. Therefore, rapid and accurate identification of these bacteria is relevant for pwCF, in order to facilitate early eradication and prevent chronic colonization. However, BCCs are often quite difficult to detect on culture media as they have a slow growth rate and can be hidden by other fast-growing microorganisms, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa and filamentous fungi. Material and methods: We evaluated the sensitivity of CHROMagar™ B. cepacia agar using 11 isolates from a well-characterized BCC collection, using BCA agar (Oxoid, UK) as a gold standard. We also studied 180 clinical sputum samples to calculate positive (PPV) and negative (NPV) predictive values. Furthermore, we used three of the well-characterized BCC isolates to determine the limit of detection (LOD). Results: Eleven isolates grew on CHROMagar™ B. cepacia at 37ºC after 48 h. The NPV and PPV of CHROMagar™ B. cepacia were 100% and 87.5%, respectively. The LOD of CHROMagar™ B. cepacia was around 1 × 103 CFU/ml, requiring a ten-fold dilution lower bacterial load than BCA for BCC detection. Conclusion: CHROMagar™ B. cepacia agar proved to have a very good sensitivity and specificity for the detection of clinical BCCs. Moreover, the chromogenic nature of the medium allowed us to clearly differentiate BCC from other Gram-negative species, filamentous fungi and yeasts, thereby facilitating the identification of contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodegradation was considered a promising and environmentally friendly method for treating environmental pollution caused by diuron. However, the mechanisms of biodegradation of diuron required further research. In this study, the degradation process of diuron by Achromobacter xylosoxidans SL-6 was systematically investigated. The results suggested that the antioxidant system of strain SL-6 was activated by adding diuron, thereby alleviating their oxidative stress response. In addition, degradation product analysis showed that diuron in strain SL-6 was mainly degraded by urea bridge cleavage, dehalogenation, deamination, and ring opening, and finally cis, cis-muconic acid was generated. The combined analysis of metabolomics and transcriptomics revealed the biodegradation and adaptation mechanism of strain SL-6 to diuron. Metabolomics analysis showed that after the strain SL-6 was exposed to diuron, metabolic pathways such as tricarboxylic acid cycle (cis, cis-muconic acid), glutathione metabolism (oxidized glutathione), and urea cycle (arginine) were reprogrammed in the cells. Furthermore, diuron could induce the production of membrane transport proteins in strain SL-6 cells and overexpress antioxidant enzyme genes, finally ultimately promoting the up-regulation of genes encoding amide hydrolases and dioxygenases, which was revealed by transcriptomics studies. This work enriched the biodegradation mechanism of phenylurea herbicides and provided guidance for the removal of diuron residues in the environment and promoting agriculture sustainable development [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achromobacter spp. are opportunistic pathogens, mostly infecting immunocompromised patients and patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) and considered as difficult-to-treat pathogens due to both intrinsic resistance and the possibility of acquired antimicrobial resistance. Species identification remains challenging leading to imprecise descriptions of resistance in each taxon. Cefiderocol is a broad-spectrum siderophore cephalosporin increasingly used in the management of Achromobacter infections for which susceptibility data remain scarce. We aimed to describe the susceptibility to cefiderocol of a collection of Achromobacter strains encompassing different species and isolation sources from CF or non-CF (NCF) patients. Methods: We studied 230 Achromobacter strains (67 from CF, 163 from NCF patients) identified by nrdA gene-based analysis, with available susceptibility data for piperacillin–tazobactam, meropenem and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefiderocol were determined using the broth microdilution reference method according to EUCAST guidelines. Results: Strains belonged to 15 species. A. xylosoxidans represented the main species (71.3%). MICs ranged from ≤ 0.015 to 16 mg/L with MIC50/90 of ≤ 0.015/0.5 mg/L overall and 0.125/2 mg/L against 27 (11.7%) meropenem-non-susceptible strains. Cefiderocol MICs were not related to CF/NCF origin or species although A. xylosoxidans MICs were statistically lower than those of other species considered as a whole. Considering the EUCAST non-species related breakpoint (2 mg/L), 228 strains (99.1%) were susceptible to cefiderocol. The two cefiderocol-resistant strains (A. xylosoxidans from CF patients) represented 3.7% of meropenem-non-susceptible strains and 12.5% of MDR strains. Conclusions: Cefiderocol exhibited excellent in vitro activity against a large collection of accurately identified Achromobacter strains, irrespective of species and origin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achromobacter insolitus and Achromobacter aegrifaciens, bacterial degraders of the herbicide glyphosate, were found to induce phosphonatase (phosphonoacetaldehyde hydrolase, EC 3.11.1.1) when grown on minimal media with glyphosate as the sole source of phosphorus. The phosphonatases of the strains were purified to an electrophoretically homogeneous state and characterized. The enzymes differed in their kinetic characteristics and some other parameters from the previously described phosphonatases. The phosphonatase of A. insolitus was first revealed to separate into two stable forms, which had similar kinetic characteristics but interacted differently with affinity and ion-exchange resins. The genomes of the investigated bacteria were sequenced. The phosphonatase genes were identified, and their context was determined: the bacteria were shown to have gene clusters, which, besides the phosphonatase operon, included genes for LysR-type transcription activator (substrate sensor) and putative iron-containing oxygenase PhnHD homologous to monooxygenases PhnY and TmpB of marine organophosphonate degraders. Genes of 2-aminoethylphosphonate aminotransferase (PhnW, EC 2.6.1.37) were absent in the achromobacterial phosphonatase operons; instead, we revealed the presence of genes encoding the putative flavin oxidase HpnW. In silico simulation showed 1-hydroxy-2-aminoethylphosphonate to be the most likely substrate of the new monooxygenase, and a number of glycine derivatives structurally similar to glyphosate to be substrates of flavin oxidase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Maxitrol (Novartis) is a topical ophthalmic medication that contains polymyxin B, neomycin, and dexamethasone. If it possesses antibiofilm activity, it may be useful for treating diseases of the head and neck in which biofilms are implicated, including chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic suppurative otitis media and osteoradionecrosis. We investigated the in vitro efficacy of Maxitrol against Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms. Methods: Minimum biofilm eradication concentration (MBEC) assays were performed using biofilms of P. aeruginosa ATCC 27853 and S. aureus ATCC 6538 type strains, grown on 96-pin lids and treated in Maxitrol for 30 min, 1 h, or 6 h. Isolates of both species were collected from the middle meatuses of patients with cystic fibrosis. Biofilms of clinical isolates were grown and treated in vitro for 6 h with Maxitrol, both undiluted at full concentration and at the identified MBEC, then cultured to identify bacterial survival. Results: Neither type strain was eradicated at 30 min nor S. aureus at 1 h at any tested concentration. P. aeruginosa was eradicated by a median of 90% and 5.6% Maxitrol at 1 and 6 h, respectively, and S. aureus with 90% Maxitrol at 6 h. Undiluted Maxitrol reliably eradicated all clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa but only one of five S. aureus isolates. Conclusions: Maxitrol reliably eradicates P. aeruginosa biofilm but not S. aureus biofilm in vitro. It may have a therapeutic role against biofilms in which P. aeruginosa is the dominant pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Objectives: Gram-negative pathogens causing respiratory infection in people with cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis are becoming progressively more resistant to conventional antibiotics. Although cefiderocol is licenced for the treatment of infections due to Gram-negative organisms, there are limited data on the activity of cefiderocol against pathogens associated with chronic respiratory diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the susceptibility of Gram-negative pathogens from cystic fibrosis and bronchiectasis to cefiderocol and comparator antibiotics. Methods: Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of cefiderocol and 15 comparator antibiotics were determined by broth microdilution against 300 respiratory isolates: Burkholderia spp., Stenotrophomonas spp., Achromobacter spp., Ralstonia spp. and Pandoraea spp., and used to calculate the MIC of each antibiotic required to inhibit 50% (MIC50) and 90% (MIC90) of isolates. Results: The MIC50 and MIC90 of cefiderocol for all 300 isolates tested was 0.25 and 32 mg/L, with 232 (77.3%) isolates having an MIC value ≤2 mg/L. In addition, cefiderocol demonstrated excellent activity against Stenotrophomonas spp. and Achromobacter spp. isolates, with 86.7% and 87.2%, respectively, exhibiting an MIC of 2 mg/L. Tigecycline also demonstrated good activity against all isolates with an MIC50 of

Background: A significant decline in pulmonary exacerbation rates has been reported in CF patients homozygous for F508del treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor. However, it is still unclear whether this reduction reflects a diminished microbiological burden. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of lumacaftor/ivacaftor on the bacterial and fungal burden. Design: The study is a prospective multicenter cohort study including 132 CF patients homozygous for F508del treated with lumacaftor/ivacaftor. Methods: Clinical parameters as well as bacterial and fungal outcomes 1 year after initiation of lumacaftor/ivacaftor were compared to data from 2 years prior to initiation of the treatment. Changes in the slope of the outcomes before and after the onset of treatment were assessed. Results: Lung function measured as ppFEV1 (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) in adults (p < 0.001), and BMI z -score in children (p = 0.007) were improved after initiation of lumacaftor/ivacaftor. In addition, the slope of the prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (p = 0.007) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (p < 0.001) shifted from positive to negative, that is, became less prevalent, 1 year after treatment, while the slope for Candida albicans (p = 0.009), Penicillium spp (p = 0.026), and Scedosporium apiospermum (p < 0.001) shifted from negative to positive. Conclusion: The current study showed a significant improvement in clinical parameters and a reduction of some of CF respiratory microorganisms 1 year after starting with lumacaftor/ivacaftor. However, no significant changes were observed for Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, or Aspergillus fumigatus, key pathogens in the CF context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Textile effluents containing toxic dyes must be treated effectively before discharge to prevent adverse environmental impacts. Traditional physical and chemical treatment methods are costly and generate secondary pollutants. In contrast, biological treatment is a more suitable, clean, versatile, eco-friendly, and cost-effective technique for treating textile effluent. It is well established that indigenous microbial populations present in effluents can effectively degrade toxic dyes. In this regard, Achromobacter xylosoxidans DDB6 was isolated from the effluent sample to decolorize crystal violet (CV), Coomassie brilliant blue (CBB), and alizarin red (AR) by 67.20%, 28.58%, and 20.41%, respectively. The growth parameters of A. xylosoxidans DDB6 in media supplemented with 100 ppm of various dyes were determined using the modified Gompertz growth model. The immobilized cells in calcium alginate beads showed apparent decolorization rate constant of 0.27, 0.18, and 0.13 h−1 for CV, CBB, and AR, respectively. The immobilized cells in a packed bed reactor with an optimum flow rate of 0.5 mL/min were used to treat 100 ppm of CV with a percentage decolorization of 79.47% after three cycles. Based on the findings, A. xylosoxidans DDB6 could be effectively used for decolorization of various dyes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is common in individuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) and is marked by chronic inflammation and episodes of infection that negatively impact quality of life. Several studies have shown that elexacaftor-tezacaftor-ivacaftor (ETI) improves symptoms and examination findings in CF-CRS. The current study determines the effect of ETI on the sinonasal microbiota in CF. Methods: Sinonasal samples were collected under endoscopic visualization before and after starting ETI. Samples were subjected to 16S amplicon sequencing and sequences were processed with the QIIME2 pipeline with subsequent analysis using the vegan R-package. Results: Twenty-nine individual baseline samples and 23 sample pairs pre-/post-ETI were available. At baseline, the cohort had samples dominated by Staphylococcus, and alpha diversity was lower than that of a published reference set of individuals without sinonasal disease. Individuals with prior sinus surgery had lower alpha diversity as measured by Shannon Index, Observed Richness, and Faith's phylogenetic diversity Index. Beta diversity differed between individuals with and without allergic rhinitis, with higher Staphylococcus abundance in those with allergic rhinitis. No change in alpha or beta diversity was seen after a median of 9 months on ETI. With ETI, the Pseudomonas genus and the genus containing Burkholderia decreased in samples containing these taxa at baseline. Pseudomonas abundance decreased with treatment as measured by qPCR. Core sinonasal microbiome members Staphylococcus, Corynebacterium, and Streptococcus were unchanged, while Moraxella increased with ETI. Conclusions: Treatment with ETI leads to a reduction in Pseudomonas abundance within the sinonasal microbiome of individuals with Pseudomonas at baseline. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the efficacy of intravesical gemcitabine as an alternative to bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy. Materials and Methods: Data were retrospectively collected across seven institutions from February 1999 to May 2023. Inclusion criteria included patients with intermediate- or high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) and received at least four sessions of intravesical gemcitabine or BCG induction therapy. Patient characteristics, complete remission (CR), occurrence, and progression rates were compared. Results: In total, 149 patients were included in this study (gemcitabine, 63; BCG, 86). No differences were apparent between the two groups in baseline characteristics, except for the follow-up period (gemcitabine, 9.2±5.9 months vs. BCG, 43.9±41.4 months, p<0.001). There were no consistent significant differences observed between the two groups in the 3-month (gemcitabine, 98.4% vs. BCG, 95.3%; p=0.848), 6-month (94.9% vs. 90.0%, respectively; p=0.793) and 1-year CR rates (84.2% vs. 83.3%, respectively; p=0.950). Also, there was no significant statistical difference in progression-free survival between the two groups (p=0.953). The occurrence rates of adverse events were similar between the groups (22.2% vs. 22.1%; p=0.989); however, the rate of Clavien-Dindo grade 2 or higher was significantly higher in the BCG group (1.6% vs. 16.3%, respectively; p<0.001). Conclusions: Intravesical gemcitabine demonstrated efficacy comparable to BCG therapy for the first year in patients with intermediate- and high-risk NMIBC. However, long-term follow-up studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the effect of diet on gut bacteria of Cnaphalocrocis medinalis (rice leaf folder, RLF), we compared the composition and diversity of gut bacterial community in C. medinalis larvae collected from three different rice variety fields of Minghui 82 (RLF1), Youngyong 15 (RLF2) and Minghui 2155 (RLF3), using culture‐independent PCR (V3 variable region)‐denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR‐DGGE) methods and hypervariable region (V4) of 16S rRNA sequenced by Illumina HiSeq platform. The DGGE result showed that the bacteria genera Asaia, Bacillus, Stenotrophomonas, Achromobacter and Serratia coexisted in the guts of RLF1, RLF2 and RLF3, while Cedecea, Burkholderia and Acinetobacter coexisted in the guts of RLF2 and RLF3. However, only the genus Enterococcus existed in the guts of RLF1, and Pantoea, Wolbachia and Tumebacillus in RLF3 larvae. A total of 25 bacterial phyla, 48 classes, 127 orders, 223 families, and 406 genera were identified when using 16s RNA sequencing, with 35 genera coexisted in RLF1, RLF2 and RLF3 larval guts, while 83, 36, 141 unique genera existed in RLF1, RLF2 and RLF3, respectively. The indices of ACE and Shannon were not significantly different among RLF1, RLF2 and RLF3. The dominant bacterial taxa were Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes at the phylum level, and Acinetobacter and Wolbachia at the genus level. The relative genus abundance for the genera with relative abundance (≥0.01) was significantly different among RLF1, RLF2 and RLF3. The findings indicated that different rice varieties had significant effects on the relative abundance of gut bacteria in RLF, which could provide new insights into the relationship between insect gut bacteria and their associated host plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine which bacteria are associated with an increased risk of 90-day complications after urethroplasty. Preoperative bacteriuria is associated with an increased risk of complications after urethroplasty. However, it remains unclear which specific micro-organisms are the primary drivers of this morbidity. A single-institution, 2-surgeon retrospective review was performed on patients undergoing urethroplasty from 08/2003 to 06/2021. Preoperative bacteriuria was considered significant when the patient had a mixed culture with ≥108 CFU/L or an identifiable micro-organism with ≥106 CFU/L. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the results and chi-square was used to determine the association between 90-day complications (Clavien ≥2) and clinical characteristics/bacteria. Out of 1611 patients, 23.2% (373) had significant preoperative bacteriuria. The most common pathogens included coagulase-negative staphylococcus 18.5% (69), mixed growth 15.8% (59), Escherichia coli 10.7% (40), and Enterococcus 14.2% (53). 7.9% (128/1611) experienced a significant 90-day complication (Clavien-Dindo ≥2). Gram-negative bacilli including E coli, Pseudomonas sp, Klebsiella sp, Serratia sp, Citrobacter sp, Achromobacter sp, Stenotrophomonas sp, and Morganella sp were associated with higher rates of postoperative complications (14.2%; P =.01) as well as Enterococcus sp (15.1%; P =.03). However, gram-positive cocci (7.9%; P =.97), gram-positive bacilli (11.8%; P =.47), mixed growth (5.1%; P =.54) and Candida (16.7%; P =.27) were not. Neither escalating concentrations of bacteria (P =.44) or number of strains (P =.08) were associated with increased risk of complications. The main driver of bacteriuria-related complications after urethroplasty are gram-negative bacilli and Enterococcus sp. Patients with bacteriuria related to other micro-organisms can likely proceed with urethroplasty without increased risk of postoperative complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an emerging pathogen mainly associated with resistant nosocomial infections. This bacteria had been isolated in the ear together with other pathogens in cultures from patients with chronic otitis media, but it had never been reported as a cause of osteomyelitis of the external auditory canal. Case presentation: We present a unique case of a healthy 81-year-old woman who presented with left chronic otorrhea refractory to topical and oral antibiotic treatment. Otomicroscopy revealed an erythematous and exudative external auditory canal (EAC) with scant otorrhea. The tympanic membrane was intact, but an area of bone remodeling with a small cavity anterior and inferior to the bony tympanic frame was observed. Otic culture isolated multi-drug-resistant A. xylosoxidans, only sensitive to meropenem and cotrimoxazole. Temporal bone computed tomography showed an excavation of the floor of the EAC compatible with osteomyelitis. Targeted antibiotherapy for 12 weeks was conducted, with subsequent resolution of symptoms and no progression of the bone erosion. Conclusions: Atypical pathogens such as A. xylosoxidans can be the cause of chronic otitis externa. Early diagnosis and specific antibiotherapy can prevent the development of further complications, such as osteomyelitis. In these cases, otic cultures play an essential role to identify the causal germ. This is the first case of EAC osteomyelitis due to A. xylosoxidans reported to date. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chloroxylenol is a commonly used antimicrobial agent in antibacterial and disinfection products, which has been detected in various environments, such as wastewater treatment plants, rivers, seawater, and even drinking water, with concentrations ranging from ng/L to mg/L. However, the biodegradation of chloroxylenol received limited attention with only sporadic reports available so far. In this study, an efficient chloroxylenol-degrading consortium, which could degrade 20 mg/L chloroxylenol within two days, was obtained after five months of enrichment. Amplicon sequencing analysis revealed a decrease in the α-diversity (e.g., Shannon index and Inv_Simpson index) of the community during the domestication process. Microbial community dynamics were uncovered, with sequences affiliated to Achromobacter, Pseudomonas, and Rhodococcus identified as the most abundant taxonomic groups. From the consortium, five pure isolates were obtained; however, it was found that only one strain of Rhodococcus could degrade chloroxylenol. Strain Rhodococcus sp. DMU2021 could degrade chloroxylenol efficiently under the conditions of temperature 30–40 °C, and neutral/alkaline conditions. Chloroxylenol was toxic to strain DMU2021 and triggered both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant systems in response. This study provides novel insights into the biodegradation process of chloroxylenol, as well as valuable bioresources for bioremediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Collection of repeated airway bacterial cultures during a pulmonary exacerbation rarely results in changes to antibiotic management. • If antibiotic changes are made, they most often follow the initial inpatient culture. • Repeated inpatient cultures increase healthcare costs and can be rationalized. No evidence exists to guide the frequency of obtaining bacterial respiratory cultures during inpatient treatment of pediatric cystic fibrosis (CF) pulmonary exacerbations (PEx). At our institution, admission and weekly respiratory cultures are routinely collected to guide antimicrobial selection. This study evaluates the extent that this practice informs clinical management and the healthcare-related costs associated with routinely repeating cultures. All children with CF with at least one hospital admission for IV antibiotics from January 2015 to December 2019 were included. Data collected included patient demographics, culture results, and antibiotic history. Respiratory cultures were numbered from the last clinic culture ('Culture 1′), culture on admission ('Culture 2′), and so on ('Cultures 3–6′). Outcomes assessed were microbiological results, frequency and timing of antibiotic change, and total microbiological laboratory costs. Seventy-eight children with 224 admissions and 695 bacterial cultures were analyzed. Repeated microbiology sampling revealed 118 new bacterial species in 82 admissions. Culture 2 was most likely to identify a new bacterial species (91/115, 79.1 %) and most likely to be followed by a change in antibiotic (33/37; 89.2 %). The total cost of all cultures was $18,264.79. Eliminating Cultures 3–6 from routine practice could represent a 51 % cost-savings ($9,362.89), without significant impact on identification of new clinically relevant isolates. Ongoing bacterial surveillance during a CF PEx beyond admission culture provides minimal information, rarely impacts clinical management, and can increase healthcare costs. An optimized approach would be to routinely obtain admission cultures and to obtain further cultures only if clinically indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peru is one of the leading countries that produce and export specialty coffees, favorably positioned in the international markets for its physical and organoleptic cup qualities. In recent years, yellow coffee rust caused by the phytopathogenic fungus Hemileia vastatrix stands out as one of the main phytosanitary diseases that affect coffee culture yields. Many studies have demonstrated bacteria antagonistic activity against a number of phytopathogen fungi. In this context, the aim of this work was to select and characterize phyllospheric bacteria isolated from Coffea arabica with antagonistic features against coffee rust to obtain biocontrollers. For that purpose, a total of 82 phyllospheric bacteria were isolated from two coffee leaf rust-susceptible varieties, typica and caturra roja, and one tolerant variety, catimor. Of all the isolates, 15% were endophytic and 85% were epiphytes. Among all the isolates, 14 were capable of inhibiting the mycelial radial growth of Mycena citricolor, and Colletotrichum sp. 16S rRNA gene sequence-based analysis showed that 9 isolates were related to Achromobacter insuavis, 2 were related to Luteibacter anthropi and 1 was related to Rodococcus ceridiohylli, Achromobacter marplatensis and Pseudomonas parafulva. A total of 7 representative bacteria of each group were selected based on their antagonistic activity and tested in germination inhibition assays of coffee rust uredinospores. The CRRFLT7 and TRFLT8 isolates showed a high inhibition percentage of urediniospores germination (81% and 82%, respectively), similar to that obtained with the chemical control (91%). An experimental field assay showed a good performance of both strains against rust damage too, making them a promising alternative for coffee leaf rust biocontrol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The low-temperature environment significantly inhibits the growth and metabolism of denitrifying bacteria, leading to an excessive concentration of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen in sewage treatment plants during the cold season. In this study, an efficient denitrifying strain of heterotrophic nitrification–aerobic denitrification (HN–AD) bacteria named HS2 was isolated and screened from industrial sewage of a chemical factory in Inner Mongolia at 8 °C. The strain was confirmed to be Achromobacter spiritinus, a colorless rod-shaped bacterium. When cultured with sodium succinate as the carbon source, a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 20–30, a shaking rate of 150–180 r/min, and an initial pH of 6–10, the strain HS2 exhibited excellent nitrogen removal at 8 °C. Through the results of whole-genome sequencing, gene amplification, and gas product detection, the strain HS2 was determined to possess key enzyme genes in both nitrification and denitrification pathways, suggesting a HN–AD pathway of NH4+-N → NH2OH → NO2−N → NO → N2O → N2. At 8 °C, the strain HS2 could completely remove ammonia nitrogen from industrial sewage with an initial concentration of 127.23 mg/L. Microbial species diversity analysis of the final sewage confirmed Achromobacter sp. as the dominant genus, which indicated that the low-temperature denitrifying strain HS2 plays an important role in nitrogen removal in actual low-temperature sewage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial published in the journal Frontiers in Fungal Biology. It discusses the importance of studying fungal biology, particularly in relation to pathogenesis in humans. The World Health Organization has identified 19 fungal pathogens of critical, high, or medium priority, highlighting the need for research and interventions to address fungal infections and antifungal resistance. The editorial also mentions specific studies included in the research topic, such as the investigation of fungal-host interactions and the development of new study models like cell cultures and organoids. Overall, the document emphasizes the recent advances in understanding fungal pathogen biology and the importance of exploring new therapeutic strategies. [Extracted from the article]

An editorial focuses on challenging the traditional understanding of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients by presenting evidence of the pathogen's intracellular presence within airway epithelial cells. It discusses the implications of this discovery for treatment strategies and emphasizes the need for further research in this area.

In the last decade, fungal respiratory diseases have been increasingly investigated for their impact on the clinical course of people with cystic fibrosis (CF), with a particular focus on infections caused by Aspergillus spp. The most common organisms from this genus detected from respiratory cultures are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus terreus , followed by Aspergillus flavus , Aspergillus niger , and Aspergillus nidulans. These species have been identified to be both chronic colonizers and sources of active infection and may negatively impact lung function in people with CF. This review article discusses definitions of aspergillosis, challenges in clinical practice, and current literature available for laboratory findings, clinical diagnosis, and treatment options for pulmonary diseases caused by Aspergillus spp. in people with CF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is a common bacterium that rarely causes pneumonia. Determining whether A. xylosoxidans is the cause of lung infection in patients suspected of having chronic infectious lung disease is challenging because it can present with colonization. We report a case of a 56‐year‐old immunocompetent woman suspected of having non‐tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infection on imaging examination and monitored for 3 years. Sputum examinations revealed A. xylosoxidans several times, and it was determined to be a colonization. A. xylosoxidans was isolated from bronchial lavage fluid and aspirated sputum, but no evidence of NTM was observed. She was diagnosed with A. xylosoxidans infection and given ceftazidime for 2 weeks. Her symptoms and imaging findings improved rapidly after treatment, without recurrences. A. xylosoxidans rarely causes chronic lower respiratory tract infections similar to NTM in immunocompetent patients. A. xylosoxidans may be a target for treatment when detected in lower respiratory tract specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite advances in therapies, bacterial chronic respiratory infections persist as life-threatening to patients suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Pseudomonas aeruginosa and bacteria of the Burkholderia cepacia complex are among the most difficult of these infections to treat, due to factors like their resistance to multiple antibiotics and ability to form biofilms. The lack of effective antimicrobial strategies prompted our search for alternative immunotherapies that can effectively control and reduce those infections among CF patients. Previous work from our group showed that the anti-BCAL2645 goat polyclonal antibody strongly inhibited Burkholderia cenocepacia to adhere and invade cultured epithelial cells. In this work, we showed that the polyclonal antibody anti-BCAL2645 also strongly inhibited the ability of P. aeruginosa to form biofilms, and to adhere and invade the human bronchial epithelial cell line CFBE41o-. The polyclonal antibody also inhibited, to a lesser extent, the ability of B. multivorans to adhere and invade the human bronchial epithelial cell line CFBE41o. We also show that the ability of B. cenocepacia, P. aeruginosa and B. multivorans to kill larvae of the Galleria mellonella model of infection was impaired when bacteria were incubated with the anti-BCAL2645 antibody prior to the infection. Our findings show that an antibody against BCAL2645 possesses a significant potential for the development of new immunotherapies against these three important bacterial species capable of causing devastating and often lethal infections among CF patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achromobacter spp. are intrinsically resistant to multiple antibiotics and can also acquire resistance to those commonly used for the treatment of respiratory infections, especially in patients with cystic fibrosis. The aim of this study was to perform the genetic and biochemical characterization of AXC-2 from A. ruhlandii and to analyze all available AXC variants. Steady-state kinetic parameters were determined on a purified AXC-2 enzyme. It exhibited higher catalytic efficiencies towards amino-penicillins and older cephalosporins, while carbapenems behaved as poor substrates. Phylogenetic analysis of all blaAXC variants available in the NCBI was conducted. AXC was encoded in almost all A. ruhlandii genomes, whereas it was only found in 30% of A. xylosoxidans. AXC-1 was prevalent among A. xylosoxidans. AXC variants were clustered in two main groups, correlating with the Achromobacter species. No association could be established between the presence of blaAXC variants and a specific lineage of A. xylosoxidans; however, a proportion of AXC-1-producing isolates corresponded to ST 182 and ST 447. In conclusion, this study provides valuable insights into the genetic context and kinetic properties of AXC-2, identified in A. ruhlandii. It also provides a thorough description of all AXC variants and their association with Achromobacter species and various lineages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water sachet bags are Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) based polymers that are of widespread use in Nigeria. The accumulation of these sachet bags has resulted to severe environmental pollution. Microorganisms have been found to provide an eco-friendly and practical alternative to conventional methods in the clean-up of LDPE wastes in the environment. This study investigated the potentials of six bacteria strains Lysinibacillus xylanilyticus PE4, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PE2, Pseudomonas aeruginosa S1, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia S6, Pseudomonas aeruginosa W5 and Achromobacter xylosoxidans strain to degrade water sachet films. The degradation was monitored for a period of 56 days in vitro and the extent of degradation was measured using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with EDX. FTIR spectroscopy analysis of the bacteria treated LDPE samples revealed changes in functional groups of LDPE samples as a result of hydrolysis and oxidation of bonds in the LDPE polymer. Also, the EDX elemental analysis of the treated LDPE and the untreated control showed a reduction in percentage elemental carbon and increase in the elemental oxygen of the treated LDPE films which is evident of degradation. The findings indicate strongly the degradation potentials of these bacteria strains on LDPE polymer, they therefore show significant promise for bioremediation of plastic wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achromobacter is a rare Gram negative bacilli which is found in soil and water but is emerging as cause of nosocomial infections. Patients with devices like central venous catheter, ventilator,and implants are at higher risk of developing these infections as compared to the normal population. Its ability to produce biofilm can result in development of resistance to many commonly used antibiotics making these infections difficult to treat. Aims: To study the demographic profile, comorbidities associated and the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of Achromobacter xylosoxidans infection in our center. Study Design: This cross-sectional retrospective study was done in the department of microbiology. All the clinical samples received in the microbiology laboratory from September 2018 to August 2022 from which Achromobacter xylosoxidanswasisolated, were included. Material and Methods: Lab records and Vitek 2 compact database(bioMérieux, Marcy l’Étoile, France) were verified to obtain the antibiotic susceptibility pattern of each isolate.Case records were studied to examine the demographic profile of the patients. Results: 25 samples grew Achromobacter species. 48% of isolates were obtained from blood sample. 50% of the patients had one or more comorbid conditions. 80% of the patients had device in situ. Conclusion: Though uncommon organisms like Achromobacter speciesare getting reported as a pathogen in many nosocomial infections, many physicians are still not aware this. Only timely diagnosis and the most appropriate treatment will reduce the morbidity and mortality caused by this organism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potential of immobilized microbial technology as a solution to arsenic (As) soil contamination is underexplored, despite its promising prospects. This research employed sodium alginate-silkworm excrement biochar (SB) as a carrier for immobilizing Achromobacter sp. HC3, thereby creating an immobilized As-oxidizing bacterium. Subsequent soil incubation experiments were conducted to assess the remediation effects of this sodium alginate-silkworm excrement biochar immobilized HC3 (SB-HC3), HC3 suspension (FB), and blank immobilized carrier without HC3 (BIC) on As in soil. Compared to the control group, both the SB-HC3 and FB exhibited a significant decrease in soil As(III) content, with the SB-HC3 demonstrating the most substantial reduction at 57.79%. Analysis of soil As fractions revealed that SB-HC3 effectively immobilized As in soil, transitioning it from unstable non-specifically-sorbed, specifically-sorbed, and amorphous poorly-crystalline hydrous oxides of Fe and Al to more stable well-crystallized hydrous oxides of Fe and Al and residual phases. The soil pH in the SB-HC3 initially increased and then decreased, eventually stabilizing between 6.63 and 6.59. At the end of the incubation (28 d), the soil redox potential (279.3) was significantly lower than the control group. Additionally, the soil dehydrogenase enzyme activity (24.601 TTC µg/g/d) and the soil fluorescein diacetate enzyme activity (67.338 µg/g/h) were significantly higher than those of the control group. This study underscores the efficacy of SB-HC3 in not only removing soil As(III) but also reducing toxicity, mobility, and bioavailability of As in soil. These findings could serve as a valuable reference for applying Immobilization technology in treating As-contaminated soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The airways of cystic fibrosis (CF) patients are colonized by many pathogens and the most common is Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an environmental pathogen that is able to infect immunocompromised patients thanks to its ability to develop resistance to conventional antibiotics. Over 12% of all patients colonized by P. aeruginosa harbour multi-drug resistant species. During airway infection in CF, P. aeruginosa adopts various mechanisms to survive in a hostile ecological niche characterized by low oxygen concentration, nutrient limitation and high osmotic pressure. To this end, P. aeruginosa uses a variety of virulence factors including pigment production, biofilm formation, motility and the secretion of toxins and proteases. This study represents the first report that systematically analyzes the differences in virulence features, in normoxia and anoxia, of clinical P. aeruginosa isolated from CF patients, characterized by multi- or pan-drug antibiotic resistance compared to antibiotic sensitive strains. The virulence features, such as biofilm formation, protease secretion and motility, are highly diversified in anaerobiosis, which reflects the condition of chronic CF infection. These findings may contribute to the understanding of the real-world lifestyle of pathogens isolated during disease progression in each particular patient and to assist in the design of therapeutic protocols for personalized medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel phosphonoacetaldehyde hydrolases (phosphonatases) were isolated from glyphosate-degrading bacteria Achromobacter spp., and their kinetic and molecular characteristics were studied comparatively. Based on MLST analysis of their nucleotide reductase genes, the strains under study were identified as A. aegrifaciens and A. insolitus. Nonspecific induction of phosphonatase was observed in the presence of glyphosate, whereas the natural substrate of the phosphonatase pathway had a negligible effect. Complete genome sequencing disclosed presence of a phosphonatase operon of unusual structure in both bacterial species. In addition to the phosphonatase gene phnX, it also included a gene of a LysR-like transcriptional regulator and two genes of novel proteins with putative functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Respiratory infections are the most serious condition in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients; therefore, a thorough comprehension of the diversity and dominant microbial species in CF airways has a crucial role in treatment. Our objective was to determine the antibiotic resistance profile of CF airways microbiota and compare culture methods and PCR-DGGE to evaluate bacterial diversity. Materials and Methods: Pharyngeal swabs from 121 CF patients were collected. The samples were then cultured, identified and antibiotic resistance testing was performed. Thirty samples were subjected to further molecular surveys. DNA contents of these samples were extracted and amplified using nested-PCR technique and their bacterial diversity was assessed by DGGE. The DGGE patterns were visualized and certain bands were excised and purified. Next, the DNA was amplified by another round of PCR and sent out for sequencing. Results: Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the most prevalent species isolated using culture methods. S. aureus was the most common bacteria among 6 years and younger patients; while, P. aeruginosa had more prevalence among older ones. The PCR-DGGE results showed more diversity than culture methods, particularly in younger patients who exhibited more bacterial diversity than the older groups. Sequencing results unveiled the presence of certain bacterial species including Haemophilus parainfluenzae and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia which were completely missed in culture. Conclusion: Even though culture-dependent methods are cost-effective, PCR-DGGE appeared to be more efficient to determine bacterial diversity. PCR-DGGE detects less abundant species, though their viability could not be determined using this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achromobacter xylosoxidans is an emerging nosocomial pathogen which is commonly found in the environment. In hospital settings, especially in ICU, it can be a cause of nosocomial infection. It is commonly found in the humidifiers in ICU settings and it is also commonly associated with the immunocompromised state of patient having comorbidities. The objective of the study was to study the prevalence of Achromobacter xylosoxidans and its antimicrobial sensitivity pattern. The Retrospective analysis was done of the culture reports positive for Achromobacter xylosoxidans by VITEK 2 method and its Antimicrobial sensitivity pattern was analysed from the period of September 2021 to February 2023.The maximum (54.54%) infection was seen in the age group >50 years. The maximum number (66.2%) of Achromobacter xylosoxidans were isolated from Suction tip, followed by blood (8%) and Tracheal Tip (5%). Surgical ICU contributed to the maximum number of infections i.e. 40.2%, followed by Respiratory ICU (22.1%). Maximum sensitivity was seen for Cotrimoxazole and Meropenem (around 80%), followed by Cefoperazone-Sulbactam (74%), Imipenem, Levofloxacin, Ceftazidime (around 65%). The sensitivity was minimal for Ceftriaxone (0%), Aztreonam (1.3%), and Gentamicin (5.2%). The most common risk factors/ comorbidities associated with Achromobacter infections was recent ICU admission (87.01%). The antibiotic sensitivity trends to all the antibiotics used, declined from 2021 to 2022. The antibiotic of choice to our conclusion is Cotrimoxazole, followed by Piperacillin-Tazobactam. Colistin should be kept as a reserve drug for the last resort treatment. The bacteria should not be ignored as it can lead to various opportunistic infections in immunocompromised patients, causing hindrance in the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Organization guidelines prioritize the detection of coliform bacteria as indicators of water contamination. However, non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria, which pose a potential contamination risk, are not included in these guidelines. This study aimed to isolate and identify these bacteria in public hospital water supply systems in Sulaymaniyah city and evaluate their susceptibility to antibiotics. Water samples were collected from four hospitals, and non-fermentative gram-negative colonies were isolated using two media: MacConkey and Chromogenic Coliform agar (CCA). The identification of these colonies was performed using the automated system VITEK 2. The bacterial isolates' sensitivity to 10 antibiotics was determined using a Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test. Five species of non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria were identified, including Moraxella lacunata, Achromobacter denitrificans, Brevundimonas diminuta, Acinetobacter lwoffii, and Pseudomonas fluorescens. Notably, Moraxella lacunata was found in all hospitals and was resistant to six of the antibiotics. The other four species exhibited a distribution pattern across the different hospitals and showed varying degrees of sensitivity to the ten used antibiotics. Significantly, the successful implementation of CCA media, typically utilized for the isolation and identification of E. coli and coliform bacteria, proved advantageous in isolating Non-Fermenting Gram-Negative Bacteria during this study. This study emphasizes the risk of non-fermentative gram-negative bacteria in hospital water systems for vulnerable patients. Current WHO guidelines do not prioritize monitoring these bacteria. Regular monitoring and proper management are crucial to prevent infections from these waterborne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-throughput identification and cultivation of functional-yet-uncultivable microorganisms is a fundamental goal in environmental microbiology. It remains as a critical challenge due to the lack of routine and effective approaches. Here, we firstly proposed an approach of stable-isotope-probing and metagenomic-binning directed cultivation (SIP-MDC) to isolate and characterize the active phenanthrene degraders from petroleum-contaminated soils. From SIP and metagenome, we assembled 13 high-quality metagenomic bins from 13C-DNA, and successfully obtained the genome of an active PHE degrader Achromobacter (genome-MB) from 13C-DNA metagenomes, which was confirmed by gyrB gene comparison and average nucleotide/amino identity (ANI/AAI), as well as the quantification of PAH dioxygenase and antibiotic resistance genes. Thereinto, we modified the traditional cultivation medium with antibiotics and specific growth factors (e.g., vitamins and metals), and separated an active phenanthrene degrader Achromobacter sp. LJB-25 via directed isolation. Strain LJB-25 could degrade phenanthrene and its identity was confirmed by ANI/AAI values between its genome and genome-MB (>99 %). Our results hinted at the feasibility of SIP-MDC to identify, isolate and cultivate functional-yet-uncultivable microorganisms (active phenanthrene degraders) from their natural habitats. Our findings developed a state-of-the-art SIP-MDC approach, expanded our knowledge on phenanthrene biodegradation mechanisms, and proposed a strategy to mine functional-yet-uncultivable microorganisms.

Abstract Background Klebsiella pneumoniae is one of the main pathogens of clinical isolation and nosocomial infections, as K. pneumoniae show broad-spectrum resistance to β-lactam and carbapenem antibiotics. It is emerging clinical need for a safe and effective drug to anti-K. pneumoniae. At present, Achromobacter mainly focused on its degradation of petroleum hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, assisting insects to decompose, degrade heavy metals and utilize organic matter, but there were few reports on the antibacterial activity of the secondary metabolites of Achromobacter. Results In this study, a strain WA5-4-31 from the intestinal tract of Periplaneta americana exhibited strong activity against K. Pneumoniae through preliminary screening. The strain was determined to be Achromobacter sp. through the morphological characteristics, genotyping and phylogenetic tree analysis, which is homologous to Achromobacter ruhlandii by 99%, its accession numbe in GenBank at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) is MN007235, and its deposit number was GDMCC NO.1.2520. Six compounds (Actinomycin D, Actinomycin X2, Collismycin A, Citrinin, Neoechinulin A and Cytochalasin E) were isolated and determined by activity tracking, chemical separation, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry (MS) analysis. Among them, Actinomycin D, Actinomycin X2, Collismycin A, Citrinin and Cytochalasin E showed a good effect on anti-K. pneumoniae, with MIC values of 16–64 µg/mL. Conclusions The study reported Achromobacter, which was from the intestinal tract of Periplaneta americana with the activity against K. Pneumoniae, can produce antibacterial compounds for the first time. It lays the foundation for development of secondary metabolites of insect intestinal microorganisms.

BACKGROUND: The genus Burkholderia a gram negative bacteria, belonging to phylum proteobacteria inhabits soil and plants are pathogenic to humans. These include B. mallei and B. pseudomallei of the B. pseudomallei complex, which cause glanders and melioidosis, respectively. B. cepacia complex affecting cystic fibrosis patients causes "cepacia syndrome". AIMS: To study the prevalence, risk factors, and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the Burkholderia species. METHODS: This was a hospital based prospective study conducted in the Department of Microbiology, SCB Medical College and Hospital, Cuttack, Odisha. Total 820 samples collected from hospitalized patients were processed for phenotypic characterisation and antimicrobial susceptibility testing. RESULTS: Out of 820 samples, 505 (61.6%) were found to be culture positive with maximum culture positivity among pus samples 227 (91.5%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the predominant isolate 89 (73.5%) followed by Acinetobacter baumannii 20 (16.6%) and 11(9.09%) Burkholderia spp. Prevalence of Burkholderia species was 11/820(1.34%). Diabetes mellitus was the commonest risk factor 8 (72.7%). All the isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei were sensitive to Ceftazidime, Imipenem and Amoxi-clav while Burkholderia cepacia complex were sensitive to Ceftazidime, Meropenem and Levofloxacin. CONCLUSION: Burkholderia spp can be identified by phenotypic methods but species level identification is more specific by molecular methods. It also guides the clinicians for instituting appropriate treatment which leads in reducing morbidity and mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological mechanisms underlying meat quality remain unclear. Currently, many studies report that the gastrointestinal microbiota is essential for animal growth and performance. However, it is uncertain which bacterial species are specifically associated with the meat quality traits. In this study, 16S rDNA and metagenomic sequencing were performed to explore the composition and function of microbes in various gastrointestinal segments of Tan sheep and Dorper sheep, as well as the relationship between microbiota and meat quality (specifically, the fatty acid content of the muscle). In the ruminal, duodenal, and colonic microbiome, several bacteria were uniquely identified in respective breeds, including Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Bacteroidales bacterium CF, and several members of the family Oscillospiraceae. The annotation of GO, KEGG, and CAZYme revealed that these different bacterial species were linked to the metabolism of glucose, lipids, and amino acids. Additionally, our findings suggested that 16 microbial species may be essential to the content of fatty acids in the muscle, especially C12:0 (lauric acid). 4 bacterial species, including Achromobacter xylosoxidans, Mageeibacillus indolicus, and Mycobacterium dioxanotrophicus, were positively correlated with C12:0, while 13 bacteria, including Methanobrevibacter millerae, Bacteroidales bacterium CF, and Bacteroides coprosuis were negatively correlated with C12:0. In a word, this study provides a basic data for better understanding the interaction between ruminant gastrointestinal microorganisms and the meat quality traits of hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pandoraea spp. are gram-negative, nonfermenting rods mainly known to infect patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Outbreaks have been reported from several CF centers. We report a Pandoraea spp. outbreak comprising 24 non-CF patients at a large university hospital and a neighboring heart center in Germany during July 2019-December 2021. Common features in the patients were critical illness, invasive ventilation, antimicrobial pretreatment, and preceding surgery. Complicated and relapsing clinical courses were observed in cases with intraabdominal infections but not those with lower respiratory tract infections. Genomic analysis of 15 isolates identified Pandoraea commovens as the genetically most similar species and confirmed the clonality of the outbreak strain, designated P. commovens strain LB-19-202-79. The strain exhibited resistance to most antimicrobial drugs except ampicillin/sulbactam, imipenem, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Our findings suggest Pandoraea spp. can spread among non-CF patients and underscore that clinicians and microbiologists should be vigilant in detecting and assessing unusual pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST274 is an international epidemic high-risk clone, mostly associated with hospital settings and appears to colonize cystic fibrosis (CF) patients worldwide. To understand the relevant mechanisms for its success, the biological and genomic characteristics of 11 ST274-P. aeruginosa strains from clinical and non-clinical origins were analyzed. The extensively drug-resistant (XDR/DTR), the non-susceptible to at least one agent (modR), and the lasR-truncated (by ISPsp7) strains showed a chronic infection phenotype characterized by loss of serotype-specific antigenicity and low motility. Furthermore, the XDR/DTR and modR strains presented low pigment production and biofilm formation, which were very high in the lasR-truncated strain. Their whole genome sequences were compared with other 14 ST274-P. aeruginosa genomes available in the NCBI database, and certain associations have been primarily detected: blaOXA-486 and blaPDC-24 genes, serotype O:3, exoS+/exoU− genotype, group V of type IV pili, and pyoverdine locus class II. Other general molecular markers highlight the absence of vqsM and pldA/tleS genes and the presence of the same mutational pattern in genes involving two-component sensor-regulator systems PmrAB and CreBD, exotoxin A, quorum-sensing RhlI, beta-lactamase expression regulator AmpD, PBP1A, or FusA2 elongation factor G. The proportionated ST274-P. aeruginosa results could serve as the basis for more specific studies focused on better antibiotic stewardship and new therapeutic developments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bacterial component of plant holobiont maintains valuable interactions that contribute to plants' growth, adaptation, stress tolerance, and antagonismto some phytopathogens. Teosinte is the grass plant recognized as the progenitor of modern maize, domesticated by pre-Hispanic civilizations around 9,000 years ago. Three teosinte species are recognized: Zea diploperennis, Zea perennis, and Zea mays. In this work, the bacterial diversity of three species of Mexican teosinte seeds was explored by massive sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. Streptomyces, Acinetobacter, Olivibacter, Erwinia, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Cellvibrio, Achromobacter, Devosia, Lysobacter, Sphingopyxis, Stenotrophomonas, Ochrobactrum, Delftia, Lactobacillus, among others, were the bacterial genera mainly represented. The bacterial alpha diversity in the seeds of Z. diploperennis was the highest, while the alpha diversity in Z. mays subsp. mexicana race was the lowest observed among the species and races. The Mexican teosintes analyzed had a core bacteriome of 38 bacterial genera, including several recognized plant growth promoters or fungal biocontrol agents such as Agrobacterium, Burkholderia, Erwinia, Lactobacillus, Ochrobactrum, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Sphingomonas, Streptomyces, among other. Metabolic inference analysis by PICRUSt2 of bacterial genera showed several pathways related to plant growth promotion (PGP), biological control, and environmental adaptation. The implications of these findings are far-reaching, as they highlight the existence of an exceptional bacterial germplasm reservoir teeming with potential plant growth promotion bacteria (PGPB). This reserve holds the key to cultivating innovative bioinoculants and formidable fungal antagonistic strains, thereby paving the way for a more sustainable and eco-friendly approach to agriculture. Embracing these novel NGS-based techniques and understanding the profound impact of the vertical transference of microorganisms from seeds could revolutionize the future of agriculture and develop a new era of symbiotic harmony between plants and microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Achromobacter is a genus of gram-negative bacteria that can act as opportunistic pathogens. Recent studies have revealed that some species of Achromobacter show inherent resistance to β-lactams, but the resistance mechanisms of Achromobacter mucicolens have rarely been reported. Method: The bacterium was isolated using standard laboratory procedures. The agar dilution method was used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). Genome sequencing was performed using the PacBio RS II and Illumina HiSeq 2500 platforms, and the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) was used to annotate the drug resistance genes. The localization of the novel β-lactamase AMZ-1 was determined, and its characteristics were determined via molecular cloning and enzyme kinetic analysis. The phylogenetic relationship and comparative genomic analysis of the resistance gene-related sequences were also analyzed. Result: Achromobacter mucicolens Y3, isolated from a goose on a farm in Wenzhou, showed resistance to multiple antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins. BlaAMZ-1 showed resistance to amoxicillin, penicillin G, ampicillin, cephalothin and cefoxitin, and the resistance activity could be inhibited by β-lactamase inhibitors. Enzyme kinetic analysis results showed that AMZ-1 has hydrolytic activity against a wide range of substrates, including cephalothin, amoxicillin, penicillin G, and cefoxitin but not ampicillin. The hydrolytic activity of AMZ-1 was greatly inhibited by avibactam but much more weakly inhibited by tazobactam. Mobile genetic elements could not be found around the blaAMZ-1-like genes, which are conserved on the chromosomes of bacteria of the genus Achromobacter. Conclusion: In this study, a novel AmpC gene, blaAMZ-1, from the animal-origin bacterium A. mucicolens Y3 was identified and characterized. It conferred resistance to some penicillins and first- and second- generation cephalosporins. The identification of this novel resistance gene will be beneficial for the selection of effective antimicrobials to treat associated infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) sap is one of the natural drinks, being traditionally tapped from unopened inflorescences of the coconut palms. In the present study, microbial quality of coconut sap that was collected using three methods; Treatment 1: application of hal bark (Vateria copallifera) to the 4L clay pots (TM), Treatment 2: Novel sap collection method (NSM), Treatment 3: application of 5g of hal bark in to 30 cm X 50 cm polythene bag in 4L clay pots (MTM) were evaluated. Sap was collected for 12 h duration and Total Plate Count (TPC) and Yeast and Mold Count (YMC) were determined. Colonies were isolated and preserved. DNA extractions of microbes were done by CTAB (Cetyl trimethylammonium bromide) method with modification. ITS1 forward and ITS4 reverse primers were used to identify yeast species and 27 forward and 1492 reverse primers were used for the bacterial species in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Amplified products were separated using 1.5 % agarose gel and purified DNA was sent into Macrogene Korea for sequencing. Four types (A, B, C and D) of distinct microbial colonies were isolated from the differently collected coconut sap samples. DNA homology data revealed that, A is Naumannella halotolerans only presented in NSM. B and C Serratia marcescens, are Achromobacter xylosoxidans contained in TM and MTM. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (D) was found in all the collection system. The collection method affects for the microbial quality and quantity of unfermented coconut sap. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenanthrene (PHE) is a hazardous low molecular weight PAH and widespread ecological contaminant. In the present study, the Illumina Miseq platform explored the bacterial diversity of the efficient PHE degrading consortium NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5, developed from the petrochemical contaminated soil near the Indian Oil Corporation Limited refinery, Panipat (India). Total 273 OTUs represented the species diversity identified in NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5. Nineteen major bacterial species covered approximately 99.22% of the total a-diversity of NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5. In NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5, the Shannon alpha diversity (H') and Pielou's Evenness Index (J') were calculated at 2.43 and 0.43, respectively. Moreover, an overwhelming population of phylum Proteobacteria (99.28%) and Pseudomonas spp. (32.25%) were observed in NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5. Two culturable isolates, PAH 51 and PAH 52, were isolated from the NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5, and the result of 16S rRNA analysis showed homology with Bacillus wiedmannii (96.7%) and Achromobacter pulmonis (99.24%), respectively. The results of the carbohydrate utilization test showed that NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5 was able to metabolize dextrose, L-arabinose, ONPG, esculin, citrate, and malonate. Detection of phthalic acid metabolite by the GCMS analysis inferred that NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5 bio-degraded the PHE through the protocatechuic acid pathway. During the seven-day biodegradation experiment at the optimized physicochemical conditions, NS-PAH-2015-PNP-5 degraded 62%, 70%, 90% PHE after the third, fifth, and seventh day, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid biological-inorganic (HBI) systems show great promise as CO2conversion platforms combining CO2 fixation by hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria (HOB) with water splitting. Herein, halotolerant HOB were enriched using an HBI system with a high-ionic-strength medium containing 180 mM phosphate buffer to identify new biocatalysts. The reactors were inoculated with samples from saline environments and applied with a voltage of 2.0 V. Once an increase in biomass was observed with CO2 consumption, an aliquot of the medium was transferred to a new reactor. After two successive subcultures, Achromobacter xylosoxidans strain H1_3_1 and Mycolicibacterium mageritense strain H4_3_1 were isolated from the reactor media. Genome sequencing indicated the presence of genes for aerobic hydrogen-oxidizing chemolithoautotrophy and synthesis of the compatible solute hydroxyectoine in both strains. Furthermore, both strains produced hydroxyectoine in the reactors under the high-ionic-strength condition, suggesting the potential for new HBI systems using halotolerant HOB to produce high-value-added chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]