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From a fermenting bacterium, Thermotoga maritima, Kuhns, Trifunovi ć et al. purify a complex that includes a respiratory enzyme, Rnf. They find that the Rnf complex requires Na+ for activity and that it catalyzes Na+ transport in liposomes. This study shows that the Rnf complex is indeed an ion translocating, respiratory enzyme.

We report molecular evidence of Tula virus infection in an immunocompetent patient from Germany who had typical signs of hantavirus disease. Accumulating evidence indicates that Tula virus infection, although often considered nonpathogenic, represents a threat to human health.

Background Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is a common problem in intensive care medicine and the patient outcome depends on the fast beginning of adequate antibiotic therapy. Until today pathogen identification is performed using conventional microbiological methods with turnaround times of at least 24 h for the first results. It was the aim of this study to investigate the potential of headspace analyses detecting bacterial species-specific patterns of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for the rapid differentiation of HAP-relevant bacteria. Methods Eleven HAP-relevant bacteria (Acinetobacter baumanii, Acinetobacter pittii, Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella oxytoca, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Serratia marcescens) were each grown for 6 hours in Lysogeny Broth and the headspace over the grown cultures was investigated using multi-capillary column-ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) to detect differences in the VOC composition between the bacteria in the panel. Peak areas with changing signal intensities were statistically analysed, including significance testing using one-way ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test (p

rnf genes are widespread in anaerobic bacteria and hypothesized to encode a respiratory enzyme that couples exergonic reduction of NAD with reduced ferredoxin as a reductant to vectorial ion (Na+, H+) translocation across the cytoplasmic membrane. However, despite its importance for the physiology of these bacteria, little is known about the subunit composition and the function of subunits. Here, we have purified the entire Rnf complex from the acetogen Acetobacterium woodii or after its production in Escherichia coli. These studies revealed covalently bound flavin in RnfB and RnfD. Unfortunately, the complex did not catalyze electron transfer from reduced ferredoxin to NAD. We, therefore, concentrated on the two cytosolic subunits RnfC and RnfB. RnfC was produced in E. coli, purified and shown to have 8.3 mol iron and 8.6 mol sulfur per mol of the subunit, consistent with the presence of two [4Fe-4S] centers, which were verified by EPR analysis. Flavins could not be detected, but RnfC catalyzed NADH-dependent FMN reduction. These data confirm RnfC as NADH-binding subunit and FMN as an intermediate in the electron transport chain. RnfB could only be produced as a fusion to the maltose-binding protein. It contained 25 mol iron and 26 mol sulfur, consistent with the predicted six [4Fe 4S] centers. The FeS centers in RnfB were reduced with reduced ferredoxin as reductant. These data are consistent with RnfB as the ferredoxin-binding subunit of the complex.

In many settings, the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic coincides with other major public health threats, in particular tuberculosis. Using tuberculosis (TB) molecular diagnostic infrastructure, which has substantially expanded worldwide in recent years, for COVID-19 case-finding might be warranted. We analyze the potential of using TB diagnostic and research infrastructures for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing. We focused on quality control by adapting the 12 Quality System Essentials framework to the COVID-19 and TB context. We conclude that diagnostic infrastructures for TB can in principle be leveraged to scale-up SARS-CoV-2 testing, in particular in resource-poor settings. TB research infrastructures also can support sequencing of SARS-CoV-2 to study virus evolution and diversity globally. However, fundamental principles of quality management must be followed for both TB and SARS-CoV-2 testing to ensure valid results and to minimize biosafety hazards, and the continuity of TB diagnostic services must be guaranteed at all times.

Seoul hantavirus-associated hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome cases are rare outside Asia and have not yet been found in Germany. We report clinical and molecular evidence for a Seoul virus infection in a patient in Germany. The infection was most likely acquired during a stay in Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Acetogenic bacteria can grow by the oxidation of various substrates coupled to the reduction of CO2in the Wood-Ljungdahl pathway. Here, we show that growth of the acetogenAcetobacterium woodiion 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PD) as the sole carbon and energy source is independent of acetogenesis. Enzymatic measurements and metabolite analysis revealed that 1,2-PD is dehydrated to propionaldehyde, which is further oxidized to propionyl coenzyme A (propionyl-CoA) with concomitant reduction of NAD. NADH is reoxidized by reducing propionaldehyde to propanol. The potential gene cluster coding for the responsible enzymes includes genes coding for shell proteins of bacterial microcompartments. Electron microscopy revealed the presence of microcompartments as well as storage granules in cells grown on 1,2-PD. Gene clusters coding for the 1,2-PD pathway can be found in other acetogens as well, but the distribution shows no relation to the phylogeny of the organisms.

Hintergrund: Systemische Infektionen durch Candidahefen stellen ein erhebliches medizinisches Problem nach gastrointestinal-chirurgischen Eingriffen dar. Das Benchmarking-Pilotprojekt erhebt aktuelle epidemiologische Daten zur Bedeutung der Candidamie in deutschen viszeralchirurgischen Akutkrankenhausern. Material und Methoden: Zur Ermittlung von Benchmarking-Inzidenzen der Candidamie wurden Daten von 47 704 gastrointestinal-chirurgischen Eingriffen, die im Jahr 2010 in deutschen Akutkrankenhausern durchgefuhrt worden waren, ausgewertet. Ergebnisse und Schlussfolgerung: In einem hohen Anteil von 20,3 % der Falle wurden Candida spp. als Ursache kulturell positiver Blutkulturen gefunden. Bezogen auf die Gesamtzahl gastrointestinal-chirurgischer Eingriffe, wurde eine Benchmarking-Inzidenz der Candidamie von 0,15 % (95 %-KI: 0,10–0,21 %) ermittelt. Fur nach dem Eingriff intensivpflichtige Patienten wurde eine Inzidenz von 0,89 % (95 %-KI: 0,57–1,38 %) gefunden, die sich auf 3,13 % (95 %-KI: 2,09–4,66 %) erhohte, wenn bei Patienten eine Blutkulturdiagnostik durchgefuhrt wurde. Krankenhausspezifische Inzidenzzahlen konnen von den Teilnehmern beim Nationalen Referenzzentrum fur Systemische Mykosen Web-basiert abgefragt werden, um Masnahmen der Infektionsvermeidung einzuleiten (www.nrz-mykosen.de/gastrointestinalchirurgie).

Headspace analyses over microbial cultures using multi-capillary column-ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) could lead to a faster, safe and cost-effective method for the identification of pathogens. Recent studies have shown that MCC-IMS allows identification of bacteria and fungi, but no information is available from when on during their growth a differentiation between bacteria is possible. Therefore, we analysed the headspace over human pathogenic reference strains of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa at four time points during their growth in a complex fluid medium. In order to validate our findings and to answer the question if the results of one bacterial strain can be transferred to other strains of the same species, we also analysed the headspace over cultures from isolates of random clinical origin. We detected 19 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that appeared or changed their signal intensity during bacterial growth. These included six VOCs exclusively changing over E. coli cultures and seven exclusively changing over P. aeruginosa cultures. Most changes occurred in the late logarithmic or static growth phases. We did not find differences in timing or trends in signal intensity between VOC patterns of different strains of one species. Our results show that differentiation of human pathogenic bacteria by headspace analyses using MCC-IMS technology is best possible during the late phases of bacterial growth. Our findings also show that VOC patterns of a bacterial strain can be transferred to other strains of the same species. peerReviewed

This review explores the extensive influence of viral infections leading to chronic deterioration of lung function in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). The mechanisms how viral agents affect the pathogenesis as well as the inflammatory and immune response of CF are discussed. Viral infections of the upper and lower respiratory tract due to viruses in CF patients and methods for diagnosis of respiratory viruses are described in detail. The importance of respiratory and non-respiratory viral agents for the pathogenesis, especially for the exacerbation of bacterial lower respiratory tract infections and course of CF, is stressed, especially emphasizing respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, rhinovirus, and human herpes viruses. Possible harmful effects of further viruses like adenovirus, bocavirus, coronavirus, metapneumovirus, parainfluenzavirus on the lung function of CF patients are discussed. The potential use of adenovirus-based vectors for somatic gene therapy is mentioned.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is extensively influenced by viral infections. The mechanisms of how viral agents affect the pathogenesis and prognosis of COPD are numerous. In general, patients with infectious exacerbations are characterized by longer hospitalization periods and greater impairment of several lung function parameters than those with non-infectious exacerbations. Prodromal, clinical, and outcome parameters fail to distinguish virally from non-virally induced illnesses in cases of exacerbations. The importance of infections with respiratory and non-respiratory viral agents for pathogenesis and course of COPD is detailed. Human adenovirus, non-respiratory viruses including human immunodeficiency virus, human metapneumovirus, influenza virus, human rhinovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus are especially stressed.

Endoprotease-specific C-terminal processing is required to complete the maturation of the large subunit of [NiFe]-hydrogenases. This happens only after synthesis and insertion of the NiFe(CN) 2 CO cofactor by the Hyp maturases has occurred. It is assumed that in the absence of maturation the unprocessed species of the large subunit lacks cofactors. In this study we isolated a variant of the hydrogenase 2 large subunit, HybC, containing a fused C-terminal pentapeptide. The polypeptide could not be processed and was unable to associate with the small subunit to deliver an active enzyme. The His 6 -HybC variant protein isolated was brown and had sub-stoichiometric amounts of an oxygen-sensitive Iron–sulfur cluster, which could be chemically reconstituted to a [4Fe–4S] cluster. This cluster was coordinated by the conserved cysteinyl residues that normally ligate the NiFe(CN) 2 CO cofactor. Our findings provide evidence for temporary promiscuity of cofactor-binding sites.

Volatile metabolites of Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida species can be detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A multi-capillary column - ion mobility spectrometer (MCC-IMS) was used in this study to assess volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace above A. fumigatus and the four Candida species Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis in an innovative approach, validated for A. fumigatus and C. albicans by GC/MS analyses. For the detection of VOCs, a special stainless steel measurement chamber for the microbial cultures was used. The gas outlet was either attached to MCC-IMS or to adsorption tubes (Tenax GR) for GC/MS measurements. Isoamyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, 3-octanone and phenethylalcohol can be described as discriminating substances by means of GC/MS. With MCC-IMS, the results for 3-octanone and phenethylalcohol are concordant and additionally to GC/MS, ethanol and two further compounds (p_0642_1/p_683_1 and p_705_3) can be described. Isoamyl alcohol and cyclohexanone were not properly detectable with MCC-IMS. The major advantage of the MCC-IMS system is the feasibility of rapid analysis of complex gas mixtures without pre-concentration or preparation of samples and regardless of water vapour content in an online setup. Discrimination of fungi on genus level of the investigated germs by volatile metabolic profile and therefore detection of VOC is feasible. However, a further discrimination on species level for Candida species was not possible.

The entire developmental cycle of the obligate intracellular bacteria Chlamydia pneumoniae takes place within the inclusion body. As many gram negative bacteria, Chlamydia possess a type III-secretion system (TTSS), which allows them to target effector molecules into the host cell. The expression and localization of several proteins constituting the TTSS apparatus and of proteins supposed to be secreted by the TTSS have been investigated. For the TTSS-constituting proteins, we selected representatives such as YscN (ATPase), LcrE (putative "lid" of the TTSS) and LcrH1 (postulated to be a chaperone). Furthermore, we focused on the putative effector proteins IncA, IncB, IncC, Cpn0809 and Cpn1020. Expression of these proteins was detected by reverse transcriptase-PCR followed by immunoblot analysis using antisera that were generated against the corresponding recombinant proteins. Thereby, expression could be detected on the RNA and/or protein level. Intracellular localization of proteins under investigation was determined by immunofluorescence assays using the respective antisera. YscN was shown to be distributed equally throughout the inclusion body, whereas LcrE gave a more prominent staining of the inclusion membrane. IncA was detected mainly on the membrane of the inclusion body, whereas IncB and IncC were shown to be located within the inclusion. Immunofluorescence assays with antisera raised against Cpn0809 and Cpn1020 showed completely different labeling. Signals corresponding to Cpn0809 and Cpn1020 were distributed within the host cell rather than inside the inclusions. Taken together, the different localization patterns of the effector proteins indicate differences in function and interplay with the host cell.

Since the mid-1990s, a steady increase in the occurrence of itraconazole-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus isolates has been observed in clinical contexts, leading to therapeutic failure in the treatment of aspergillosis. This increase has been predominantly linked to a single allele of the cyp51A gene, termed TR/L98H, which is thought to have arisen through the use of agricultural azoles. Here, we investigated the current epidemiology of triazole-resistant A. fumigatus and underlying cyp51A mutations in clinical samples in Germany. From a total of 527 samples, 17 (3.2%) showed elevated MIC 0 values (the lowest concentrations with no visible growth) for at least one of the three substances (itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole) tested. The highest prevalence of resistant isolates was observed in cystic fibrosis patients (5.2%). Among resistant isolates, the TR/L98H mutation in cyp51A was the most prevalent, but isolates with the G54W and M220I substitutions and the novel F219C substitution were also found. The isolate with the G54W substitution was highly resistant to both itraconazole and posaconazole, while all others showed high-level resistance only to itraconazole. For the remaining six isolates, no mutations in cyp51A were found, indicating the presence of other mechanisms. With the exception of the strains carrying the F219C and M220I substitutions, many itraconazole-resistant strains also showed cross-resistance to voriconazole and posaconazole with moderately increased MIC 0 values. In conclusion, the prevalence of azole-resistant A. fumigatus in our clinical test set is lower than that previously reported for other countries. Although the TR/L98H mutation frequently occurs among triazole-resistant strains in Germany, it is not the only resistance mechanism present.

The competitive adsorption between whey protein concentrate (WPC) or sodium caseinate (SCN) and four bile salts, sodium cholate (NaC), dexocycholate (NaDC), taurocholate (NaTC), and glycodeoxycholate (NaGDC), has been studied in protein stabilized oil-in-water emulsions. The bile salts that contain a conjugated amino acid (NaTC and NaGDC) were considerably more efficient at displacing both WPC and SCN proteins from the emulsion droplet interface, even though they are known to have a hydrophobicity lower than that of NaC and NaDC. This is explained in terms of a steric resistance to adsorption from the conjugated amino acids in NaTC and NaGDC. This leads to their adopting an adsorbed conformation at the oil-water interface that penetrates less into the oil phase, causing greater disruption of the adsorbed layer, and hence leads to greater displacement of protein from the interface. Complementary computer simulations of the adsorption of the four bile salts at the decane-water interface support the hypothesis that the NaTC and NaGDC adopt flatter conformations that stick out further into the aqueous phase, which arises from a lower free energy of adsorption. The surface coverage as a function of bulk concentration for the four bile salts has also been measured. These have been found to have a form that fits closely the Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm. The results for NaC suggest that it adsorbs as individual molecules and forms a saturated monolayer over much of the concentration range used in the displacement experiments, since it is below its critical micelle concentration in this range. For the other three bile salts, on the other hand, the primary adsorbing species appears to be the micelle form, since the surface coverage is above that of a saturated monolayer for much of the concentration range studied.

Presently, 2 to 4 days elapse between sampling at infection suspicion and result of microbial diagnostics. This delay for the identification of pathogens causes quite often a late and/or inappropriate initiation of therapy for patients suffering from infections. Bad outcome and high hospitalization costs are the consequences of these currently existing limited pathogen identification possibilities. For this reason, we aimed to apply the innovative method multi-capillary column–ion mobility spectrometry (MCC-IMS) for a fast identification of human pathogenic bacteria by determination of their characteristic volatile metabolomes. We determined volatile organic compound (VOC) patterns in headspace of 15 human pathogenic bacteria, which were grown for 24 h on Columbia blood agar plates. Besides MCC-IMS determination, we also used thermal desorption–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry measurements to confirm and evaluate obtained MCC-IMS data and if possible to assign volatile compounds to unknown MCC-IMS signals. Up to 21 specific signals have been determined by MCC-IMS for Proteus mirabilis possessing the most VOCs of all investigated strains. Of particular importance is the result that all investigated strains showed different VOC patterns by MCC-IMS using positive and negative ion mode for every single strain. Thus, the discrimination of investigated bacteria is possible by detection of their volatile organic compounds in the chosen experimental setup with the fast and cost-effective method MCC-IMS. In a hospital routine, this method could enable the identification of pathogens already after 24 h with the consequence that a specific therapy could be initiated significantly earlier.

Volatile metabolites of Aspergillus fumigatus and Candida species can be detected by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). A multi-capillary column - ion mobility spectrometer (MCC-IMS) was used in this study to assess volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the headspace above A. fumigatus and the four Candida species Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, Candida glabrata and Candida tropicalis in an innovative approach, validated for A. fumigatus and C. albicans by GC/MS analyses. For the detection of VOCs, a special stainless steel measurement chamber for the microbial cultures was used. The gas outlet was either attached to MCC-IMS or to adsorption tubes (Tenax GR) for GC/MS measurements. Isoamyl alcohol, cyclohexanone, 3-octanone and phenethylalcohol can be described as discriminating substances by means of GC/MS. With MCC-IMS, the results for 3-octanone and phenethylalcohol are concordant and additionally to GC/MS, ethanol and two further compounds (p_0642_1/p_683_1 and p_705_3) can be described. Isoamyl alcohol and cyclohexanone were not properly detectable with MCC-IMS. The major advantage of the MCC-IMS system is the feasibility of rapid analysis of complex gas mixtures without pre-concentration or preparation of samples and regardless of water vapour content in an online setup. Discrimination of fungi on genus level of the investigated germs by volatile metabolic profile and therefore detection of VOC is feasible. However, a further discrimination on species level for Candida species was not possible.

Escherichia coli can both oxidize hydrogen and reduce protons. These activities involve three distinct [NiFe]-hydrogenases, termed Hyd-1, Hyd-2, and Hyd-3, each minimally comprising heterodimers of a large subunit, containing the [NiFe] active site, and a small subunit, bearing iron–sulfur clusters. Dihydrogen-oxidizing activity can be determined using redox dyes like benzyl viologen (BV); however, it is unclear whether electron transfer to BV occurs directly at the active site, or via an iron–sulfur center in the small subunit. Plasmids encoding Strep-tagged derivatives of the large subunits of the three E. coli [NiFe]-hydrogenases restored activity of the respective hydrogenase to strain FTD147, which carries in-frame deletions in the hyaB, hybC, and hycE genes encoding the large subunits of Hyd-1, Hyd-2, and Hyd-3, respectively. Purified Strep-HyaB was associated with the Hyd-1 small subunit (HyaA), and purified Strep-HybC was associated with the Hyd-2 small subunit (HybO), and a second iron–sulfur protein, HybA. However, Strep-HybC isolated from a hybO mutant had no other associated subunits and lacked BV-dependent hydrogenase activity. Mutants deleted separately for hyaA, hybO, or hycG (Hyd-3 small subunit) lacked BV-linked hydrogenase activity, despite the Hyd-1 and Hyd-2 large subunits being processed. These findings demonstrate that hydrogenase-dependent reduction of BV requires the small subunit.

Background Escherichia coli synthesizes three membrane-bound molybdenum- and selenocysteine-containing formate dehydrogenases, as well as up to four membrane-bound [NiFe]-hydrogenases. Two of the formate dehydrogenases (Fdh-N and Fdh-O) and two of the hydrogenases (Hyd-1 and Hyd-2) have their respective catalytic subunits located in the periplasm and these enzymes have been shown previously to oxidize formate and hydrogen, respectively, and thus function in energy metabolism. Mutants unable to synthesize the [NiFe]-hydrogenases retain a H2: benzyl viologen oxidoreductase activity. The aim of this study was to identify the enzyme or enzymes responsible for this activity. Results Here we report the identification of a new H2: benzyl viologen oxidoreductase enzyme activity in E. coli that is independent of the [NiFe]-hydrogenases. This enzyme activity was originally identified after non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and visualization of hydrogen-oxidizing activity by specific staining. Analysis of a crude extract derived from a variety of E. coli mutants unable to synthesize any [NiFe]-hydrogenase-associated enzyme activity revealed that the mutants retained this specific hydrogen-oxidizing activity. Enrichment of this enzyme activity from solubilised membrane fractions of the hydrogenase-negative mutant FTD147 by ion-exchange, hydrophobic interaction and size-exclusion chromatographies followed by mass spectrometric analysis identified the enzymes Fdh-N and Fdh-O. Analysis of defined mutants devoid of selenocysteine biosynthetic capacity or carrying deletions in the genes encoding the catalytic subunits of Fdh-N and Fdh-O demonstrated that both enzymes catalyze hydrogen activation. Fdh-N and Fdh-O can also transfer the electrons derived from oxidation of hydrogen to other redox dyes. Conclusions The related respiratory molybdo-selenoproteins Fdh-N and Fdh-O of Escherichia coli have hydrogen-oxidizing activity. These findings demonstrate that the energy-conserving selenium- and molybdenum-dependent formate dehydrogenases Fdh-N and Fdh-O exhibit a degree of promiscuity with respect to the electron donor they use and identify a new class of dihydrogen-oxidizing enzyme.