Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology
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Editor
Topical Collection Information
Dear Colleagues,
As follows from the title, this Topical Collection, “Feature Papers in Medical Microbiology”, aims to collect high-quality research articles and review articles in all fields of medical microbiology. It will focus on research in infectious diseases, pathogenic microorganism–hosts interaction, bacteriology, mycology, virology, and parasitology, including immunology and epidemiology as related to these fields and all microbial pathogens, as well as the microbiota and its effect on health and disease in various hosts.
Since the aim of this Topical Collection is to illustrate, through selected works, pioneeting research in medical microbiology, we encourage Editorial Board Members of the Medical Microbiology Section of Microorganisms to contribute papers reflecting the latest progress in their research field or to invite relevant experts and colleagues to do so.
Prof. Dr. Adriana Calderaro
Collection Editor
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Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the collection website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.
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Keywords
- medical microbiology
- infectious diseases
- pathogenic microorganism
Published Papers (7 papers)
Open AccessArticle
The Detection of Extensively Drug-Resistant Proteus mirabilis Strains Harboring Both VIM-4 and VIM-75 Metallo-β-Lactamases from Patients in Germany
by
Moritz Fritzenwanker, Jane Falgenhauer, Torsten Hain, Can Imirzalioglu, Trinad Chakraborty and Yancheng Yao
Viewed by 356
Abstract
Proteus mirabilis is a well-known opportunistic pathogen predominantly associated with urinary tract infections. It exhibits natural resistance to multiple antibiotics, including last-resort options like colistin. The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant
P. mirabilis isolates, including those producing ESBLs, AmpC cephalosporinases, and carbapenemases, are
[...] Read more.
Proteus mirabilis is a well-known opportunistic pathogen predominantly associated with urinary tract infections. It exhibits natural resistance to multiple antibiotics, including last-resort options like colistin. The emergence and spread of multidrug-resistant
P. mirabilis isolates, including those producing ESBLs, AmpC cephalosporinases, and carbapenemases, are now more frequently reported. The most common carbapenemase types found in
P. mirabilis are KPC-2, IMP, VIM, NDM, and OXA-48. We sequenced the genomes of three carbapenem-resistant
P. mirabilis isolates harboring both
blaVIM-4 and
blaVIM-75 from Germany using both short-read and long-read sequencing techniques. We found that the isolates were only distantly related genetically. Both
blaVIM-4 and
blaVIM-75 genes were located on a class I integron, which in two cases was located on the chromosome and in one case on a plasmid. This is the first report on the complete genomes of
P. mirabilis strains harboring a rare genetic element encoding both
blaVIM-4 and
blaVIM-75. Our results emphasize a key role for class 1 integrons in the transmission of VIM carbapenemases in
P. mirabilis.
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Open AccessReview
The Role of Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis in Erectile Dysfunction: From Pathophysiology to Treatment Strategies
by
Aris Kaltsas, Ilias Giannakodimos, Eleftheria Markou, Konstantinos Adamos, Marios Stavropoulos, Zisis Kratiras, Athanasios Zachariou, Fotios Dimitriadis, Nikolaos Sofikitis and Michael Chrisofos
Viewed by 625
Abstract
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent male sexual disorder characterized by the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. While its etiology is multifactorial, encompassing vascular, neurological, hormonal, and psychological components, emerging evidence suggests a significant role
[...] Read more.
Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a prevalent male sexual disorder characterized by the persistent inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for satisfactory sexual performance. While its etiology is multifactorial, encompassing vascular, neurological, hormonal, and psychological components, emerging evidence suggests a significant role for gut microbiota dysbiosis in its development. The gut microbiota influences various metabolic, inflammatory, and neuropsychological processes critical to erectile function. Dysbiosis can lead to systemic inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, hormonal imbalances, and altered neurotransmitter production, all of which are key factors in ED pathogenesis. This narrative review synthesizes current research on the association between gut microbiota alterations and ED, highlighting specific bacterial taxa implicated in ED through mechanisms involving inflammation, metabolic disturbances, and hormonal regulation. This review explores potential mechanisms linking gut microbiota and ED, including pro-inflammatory cytokines, gut barrier integrity disruption, metabolic disorders, psychological factors via the gut–brain axis, and hormonal regulation. Furthermore, the gut microbiota offers promising avenues for developing non-invasive biomarkers and therapeutic interventions such as probiotics, prebiotics, dietary modifications, and fecal microbiota transplantation. Future research should focus on longitudinal studies, mechanistic explorations, and clinical trials to validate these findings and translate them into clinical practice. Understanding the interplay between the gut microbiota and erectile function could unveil novel diagnostic biomarkers and pave the way for innovative treatments targeting the microbiota, ultimately improving men’s sexual and overall health.
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Open AccessArticle
First Detection and Genomic Characterization of Linezolid-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Clinical Isolates in Bulgaria
by
Tanya V. Strateva, Preslava Hristova, Temenuga J. Stoeva, Hristina Hitkova and Slavil Peykov
Viewed by 638
Abstract
Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic and is considered a last-resort treatment option for serious infections caused by problematic Gram-positive pathogens, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The present study aimed to explore the linezolid resistance mechanisms and genomic characteristics of two vancomycin-susceptible
Enterococcus faecalis isolates from
[...] Read more.
Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic and is considered a last-resort treatment option for serious infections caused by problematic Gram-positive pathogens, including vancomycin-resistant enterococci. The present study aimed to explore the linezolid resistance mechanisms and genomic characteristics of two vancomycin-susceptible
Enterococcus faecalis isolates from Bulgaria. The strains designated Efs2503-bg (inpatient from Pleven) and Efs966-bg (outpatient from Varna) were recovered from wounds in 2018 and 2023, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, whole-genome sequencing, multilocus sequence typing, and phylogenomic analysis based on 332 linezolid-resistant
E. faecalis genomes were performed. Efs2503-bg was high-level resistant to linezolid (MIC > 256 mg/L) and displayed the G2576T mutation affecting three of the four 23S rDNA loci. Efs966-bg (MIC = 8 mg/L) carried a plasmid-located
optrA determinant surrounded by
fexA and
ermA. No mutations in the genes encoding for ribosomal proteins L3, L4, and L22 were detected. The isolates belonged to the sequence types ST6 (Efs2503-bg) and ST1102 (Efs966-bg). Phylogenomic analysis revealed that Efs2503-bg and Efs966-bg are genetically distinct, with a difference of 12,051 single-nucleotide polymorphisms. To our knowledge, this is the first report of linezolid-resistant enterococci in Bulgaria. Although the global incidence of linezolid-resistant enterococci is still low, their emergence is alarming and poses a growing clinical threat to public health.
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Open AccessReview
Lower Semen Quality Among Men in the Modern Era—Is There a Role for Diet and the Microbiome?
by
Kristina Magoutas, Sebastian Leathersich, Roger Hart, Demelza Ireland, Melanie Walls and Matthew Payne
Viewed by 778
Abstract
The prevalence of infertility is increasing worldwide; poor nutrition, increased sedentary lifestyles, obesity, stress, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and advanced age of childbearing may contribute to the disruption of ovulation and influence oocyte and sperm quality and overall reproductive health. Historically, infertility has been primarily
[...] Read more.
The prevalence of infertility is increasing worldwide; poor nutrition, increased sedentary lifestyles, obesity, stress, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and advanced age of childbearing may contribute to the disruption of ovulation and influence oocyte and sperm quality and overall reproductive health. Historically, infertility has been primarily attributed to female factors, neglecting the importance of male fertility; this has resulted in an incomplete understanding of reproductive health. Male factors account for 40–50% of infertility cases. In half of these cases, the proximal cause for male infertility is unknown. Sperm contributes half of the nuclear DNA to the embryo, and its quality is known to impact fertilisation rates, embryo quality, pregnancy rates, risk of spontaneous miscarriage, de novo autosomal-dominant conditions, psychiatric and neurodevelopment conditions, and childhood diseases. Recent studies have suggested that both the microenvironment of the testes and diet quality may play an important role in fertility; however, there is limited research on the combination of these factors. This review summarises current known causes of male infertility and then focuses on the potential roles for diet and the seminal microbiome. Future research in this area will inform dietary interventions and health advice for men with poor semen quality, potentially alleviating the need for costly and invasive assisted reproduction treatments and allowing men to take an active role in the fertility conversation which has historically focussed on women individually.
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Open AccessArticle
A Comprehensive 10-Year Nationwide Pharmacovigilance Surveillance on Antibacterial Agents in Korea: Data Mining for Signal Detection of Trends and Seriousness of Adverse Events
by
Seon Hu Mo, Soo Hyeon Lee, Chang-Young Choi, Yongjun Sunwoo, Sooyoung Shin and Yeo Jin Choi
Viewed by 592
Abstract
A comprehensive pharmacovigilance surveillance on antibacterials is lacking. This study aims to investigate safety signals of antibacterial-related adverse drug events (ADEs) with seriousness and to identify predictors of serious ADEs. This study investigated 52,503 antibacterial-induced ADEs reported to the Korea Adverse Event Reporting
[...] Read more.
A comprehensive pharmacovigilance surveillance on antibacterials is lacking. This study aims to investigate safety signals of antibacterial-related adverse drug events (ADEs) with seriousness and to identify predictors of serious ADEs. This study investigated 52,503 antibacterial-induced ADEs reported to the Korea Adverse Event Reporting System Database from January 2013 to December 2022. Disproportionality analysis was conducted, and the effect sizes were estimated by reporting odds ratios (ROR), proportional reporting ratio (PRR), and information component (IC). Multivariate logistic regression was performed to investigate the predictors of serious ADEs by estimating the odds ratio (OR). Serious events were more likely to be cardiovascular disorders (ROR 6.77, PRR 6.6, IC 2.37), urinary system disorders (ROR 5.56, PRR 5.22, IC 2.12), and platelet, bleeding, and clotting disorders (ROR 5.41, PRR 5.17, IC 2.06). The predictors may include age (OR 1.05), the number of concomitant medications (OR 1.44), concomitant proton pump inhibitors (OR 1.46) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (OR 1.38) use, and specific antibacterial classes, while multiple antibacterial therapy was associated with lower serious ADE risks. The sensitivity analysis also suggests the male sex (OR 1.18) as a potential predictor of serious ADEs. However, further studies are imperative to determine the causality of antibacterial-induced ADEs in critically ill patients.
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Open AccessReview
Iron Homeostasis Dysregulation, Oro-Gastrointestinal Microbial Inflammatory Factors, and Alzheimer’s Disease: A Narrative Review
by
Agata Kuziak, Piotr Heczko, Agata Pietrzyk and Magdalena Strus
Viewed by 553
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that profoundly impacts cognitive function and the nervous system. Emerging evidence highlights the pivotal roles of iron homeostasis dysregulation and microbial inflammatory factors in the oral and gut microbiome
[...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common form of dementia, is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that profoundly impacts cognitive function and the nervous system. Emerging evidence highlights the pivotal roles of iron homeostasis dysregulation and microbial inflammatory factors in the oral and gut microbiome as potential contributors to the pathogenesis of AD. Iron homeostasis disruption can result in excessive intracellular iron accumulation, promoting the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative damage. Additionally, inflammatory agents produced by pathogenic bacteria may enter the body via two primary pathways: directly through the gut or indirectly via the oral cavity, entering the bloodstream and reaching the brain. This infiltration disrupts cellular homeostasis, induces neuroinflammation, and exacerbates AD-related pathology. Addressing these mechanisms through personalized treatment strategies that target the underlying causes of AD could play a critical role in preventing its onset and progression.
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Open AccessArticle
CMV Infection Risk Factors and Viral Dynamics After Valganciclovir Prophylaxis: 10 Years of Experience in Lung Transplant Recipients
by
Sarela García-Masedo Fernández, Rosalía Laporta, Christian García Fadul, Myriam Aguilar Pérez, Jorge Anel Pedroche, Raquel Sanabrias Fernández de Sevilla, Ana Royuela, Isabel Sánchez Romero and María Piedad Ussetti Gil
Viewed by 848
Abstract
(1) The prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in lung transplant recipients (LTx) is based on the administration of VGC for a period of 6–12 months, but there is little information on the premature discontinuation of the drug. Our objective was to evaluate the reasons
[...] Read more.
(1) The prevention of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in lung transplant recipients (LTx) is based on the administration of VGC for a period of 6–12 months, but there is little information on the premature discontinuation of the drug. Our objective was to evaluate the reasons for early cessation of VGC and the dynamics of CMV replication after discontinuation. (2) We carried out a retrospective study of LTx on VGC prophylaxis according to guidelines, with an outpatient follow-up period of >90 days. The detection of any level of CMV-DNA in the plasma (Cobas, Roche Diagnostics
®) during a period of 18 months after the discontinuation of VGC was considered positive. (3) We included 312 patients (64% male, mean age 53.50 ± 12.27; 71% D+R+, 15% D−R+, and 14% D+R−) in our study. The prescribed prophylaxis was completed by 179 patients (57.05%). The mean duration of prophylaxis was 7.17 ± 1.08 months. The recorded reasons for VGC discontinuation in 133 patients (43%) were myelotoxicity (n = 55), impaired renal function (n = 32), and gastrointestinal disturbances (n = 11). The reason for discontinuation was not recorded for 29 patients. CMV-DNA was detected in 79% (n = 246) of cases, and D+R+ and D+R− recipients showed a high risk of detection (
p < 0.001). The median times to onset of CMV-DNA detection were 35 days in D+R−, 73 days in D+R+, and 96 days in D−R+ (
p < 0.001). (4) Adverse effects of VGC are frequent in LTx. CMV-DNA detection is very common after the discontinuation of VGC and is related to the CMV donor and recipient serostatus.
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