A5043413813- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
- Evolution and Genetic Dynamics
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Influenza Virus Research Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Microbial Metabolic Engineering and Bioproduction
- Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia detection and treatment
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Gut microbiota and health
- Metabolomics and Mass Spectrometry Studies
- Pharmacogenetics and Drug Metabolism
- Environmental Chemistry and Analysis
- Biochemical and Molecular Research
- Nail Diseases and Treatments
- Neonatal skin health care
- RNA Interference and Gene Delivery
- Vibrio bacteria research studies
- Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
University of Bern
2020-2024
Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute
2012-2021
University of Basel
2012-2021
Universidade Positivo
2019
Stellenbosch University
2013
Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to human health globally. Alarmingly, multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis have now spread worldwide. Some key antituberculosis antibiotics are prodrugs, for which mechanisms mainly driven by mutations in bacterial enzymatic pathway required their bioactivation. We developed drug-like molecules that activate a cryptic alternative bioactivation ethionamide M. tuberculosis, circumventing classic...
There is increasing evidence that strain variation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) might influence the outcome of infection and disease. To assess genotype-phenotype associations, phylogenetically robust molecular markers appropriate genotyping tools are required. Most current methods for MTBC based on mobile or repetitive DNA elements. Because these elements prone to convergent evolution, corresponding techniques suboptimal phylogenetic studies classification. By contrast,...
Background and objectives: Multidrug resistant (MDR) bacteria are a growing threat to global health. Studies focusing on single antibiotics have shown that drug resistance is often associated with fitness cost in the absence of drug. However, little known about multiple antibiotics.
Background. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is increasingly used in molecular-epidemiological investigations of bacterial pathogens, despite cost- and time-intensive analyses. We combined strain-specific single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) typing targeted WGS to investigate a tuberculosis cluster spanning 21 years Bern, Switzerland. Methods. On the basis genome sequences 3 historical outbreak Mycobacterium isolates, we developed SNP-typing assay identify further cases. screened 1642 patient...
Mycobacterium africanum is a member of the tuberculosis complex (MTBC) and an important cause human in West Africa that rarely observed elsewhere. Here we genotyped 613 MTBC clinical isolates from Ghana, searched for associations between different phylogenetic lineages patient variables. We found 17.1% (105/613) belonged to M. africanum, with remaining belonging sensu stricto. No bovis was identified this sample. significantly more common patients Ewe ethnic group (adjusted odds ratio: 3.02;...
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) causes (TB) in humans and various other mammals. human-adapted members of the MTBC comprise seven phylogenetic lineages that differ their geographical distribution. There is growing evidence this phylogeographic diversity modulates outcome TB infection disease. For decades, research development has focused on two canonical laboratory strains H37Rv Erdman, both which belong to Lineage 4. Relying only a few laboratory-adapted can be misleading as...
The Lineage 2–Beijing (L2–Beijing) sub-lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has received much attention due to its high virulence, fast disease progression, and association with antibiotic resistance. Despite several reports the recent emergence L2–Beijing in Africa, no study investigated evolutionary history this on continent. In study, we used whole genome sequences 781 L2 clinical strains from 14 geographical regions globally distributed investigate origins onward spread lineage Africa....
Fluoroquinolones (FQ) form the backbone in experimental treatment regimens against drug-susceptible tuberculosis. However, little is known on whether genetic variation present natural populations of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) affects evolution FQ-resistance (FQ-R). To investigate this question, we used nine genetically distinct clinical isolates Mtb and measured their frequency resistance to FQ ofloxacin (OFX) vitro. We found that background led differences OFX-resistance (OFX-R)...
<ns3:p><ns3:bold>Background: </ns3:bold>Lineage 1 (L1) and 3 (L3) are two lineages of the<ns3:italic> Mycobacterium tuberculosis</ns3:italic> complex (MTBC) causing tuberculosis (TB) in humans. L1 L3 prevalent around the rim Indian Ocean, region that accounts for most world’s new TB cases. Despite their relevance this region, remain understudied.</ns3:p><ns3:p> <ns3:bold>Methods: </ns3:bold>We analyzed 2,938 2,030 whole genome sequences originating from 69 countries. We reconstructed...
Background: Lineage 1 (L1) and 3 (L3) are two lineages of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) causing (TB) in humans. L1 L3 prevalent around rim Indian Ocean, region that accounts for most world's new TB cases. Despite their relevance this region, remain understudied. Methods: We analyzed 2,938 2,030 whole genome sequences originating from 69 countries. reconstructed evolutionary history these identified genes under positive selection. Results: found a strongly asymmetric pattern...
Human tuberculosis is caused by members of the Mycobacterium complex (MTBC) that vary in virulence and transmissibility. While genome-wide association studies have uncovered several mutations conferring drug resistance, much less known about factors underlying other bacterial phenotypes. Variation outcome infection diseases has been attributed primarily to patient environmental factors, but recent evidence indicates an additional role for genetic diversity among MTBC clinical strains. Here,...
Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, which belongs to the complex. bovis have been described be responsible of most cases bovine tuberculosis. Although M. tuberculosis, africanum and non-complex mycobacteria were isolated from cattle. In Morocco, so far, no molecular studies conducted characterize strains BTB. The present study aims in Morocco. was slaughterhouses Rabat El Jadida. Samples collected 327 slaughtered animals with visible lesions suggesting A total 225...
After the spread of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (AIV) from Asia into Russia, Middle East, Europe, and Africa in 2005–06, Swiss national AIV surveillance program was extended. One new focal points Lake Constance, where sentinel duck stations swim-in traps were established within project Constanze collaboration with Germany Austria. More than 2000 samples 41 species collected Switzerland between September 2006 December 2008. Approximately 4% AIV-positive by quantitative...
Tuberculosis (TB) is a major public health problem in Nepal. Strain variation Mycobacterium tuberculosis may influence the outcome of TB infection and disease. To date, phylogenetic diversity M. Nepal unknown.We analyzed 261 isolates recovered from pulmonary patients recruited between August 2009 2010 lineages were determined by single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) typing spoligotyping. Drug resistance was sequencing hot spot regions relevant target genes. Overall, 164 (62.8%) new, 97...
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a high tuberculosis (TB) burden country of the WHO Western Pacific Region, but so far research on drug resistance (DR) and genotypes Mycobacterium (M. tuberculosis) was only conducted in few provinces country. The aim present study to obtain baseline data level genotypic diversity circulating M. additional investigate differences between three selected sites across PNG. Genotyping 147 clinical isolates collected Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, Alotau, Milne Bay...
Zoonotic tuberculosis is a risk for human health, especially when animals are in close contact with humans. Mycobacterium was cultured from several organs, including lung tissue and gastric mucosa, of three captive elephants euthanized Swiss zoo. The presented weight loss, weakness exercise intolerance. Molecular characterization the M. isolates by spoligotyping revealed an identical profile, suggesting single source infection. Multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA)...
Human tuberculosis (TB) is caused by seven phylogenetic lineages of the Mycobacterium complex (MTBC), Lineage 1-7. Recent advances in rapid genotyping MTBC based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), allow for phylogenetically robust strain classification, paving way defining genotype-phenotype relationships clinical settings. Such studies have revealed that, addition to host and environmental factors, variation influences outcome TB infection disease. In Tanzania, such molecular...
Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is a genetic that leads to typical phenotypic traits, including lower lip pits and cleft lip/palate (CLP). The majority of VWS-affected patients harbor pathogenic variant in the gene encoding for transcription factor interferon regulatory 6 (IRF6), crucial regulator orofacial development, epidermal differentiation tissue repair. However, most underlying mechanisms leading from IRF6 variants phenotypes observed VWS remain poorly understood elusive. availability...
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a threat to global health and the economy. Rifampicin-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis accounts for third of AMR burden. Gaining upper hand on requires deeper understanding physiology resistance. often results in fitness cost absence drug. Identifying molecular mechanisms underpinning this could help strengthen future treatment regimens. Here, we used collection M. strains that provide an evolutionary phylogenetic snapshot rifampicin subjected them...
ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of neonatal dermatoses in early period and to associate them with neonatal, demographic obstetric variables. Methods: A cross-sectional study neonates their respective mothers, who were hospitalized a public maternity hospital Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Data collection was performed using information present medical records physical examination newborn during between April 2015 May 2016. Results: 350 evaluated. 54.8% male, 94.8% (332/350) presented...
Abstract The Lineage 2–Beijing (L2–Beijing) sub-lineage of Mycobacterium tuberculosis has received much attention due to its high virulence, fast disease progression, and association with antibiotic resistance. Despite several reports the recent emergence L2–Beijing in Africa, no study investigated evolutionary history this on continent. In study, we used whole genome sequences 817 L2 clinical strains from 14 geographical regions globally distributed investigate origins onward spread lineage...
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) causes (TB) in humans and various other mammals. human-adapted members of the MTBC comprise seven phylogenetic lineages that differ their geographical distribution. There is growing evidence this diversity modulates outcome TB infection disease. For decades, research development has focused on two canonical reference strains H37Rv Erdman, both which belong to Lineage 4. Relying only a few laboratory-adapted can be misleading as study results...
Summary Antimicrobial resistance poses a threat to global health and the economy. It is widely accepted that, in absence of antibiotics, drug mutations carry fitness cost. In case rifampicin fast-growing bacteria, this cost stems from reduced transcription rate RNA polymerase resulting slower ribosome biosynthesis. However, relationship does not apply slow-growing Mycobacterium tuberculosis , where true mechanism as well impact compensatory evolution remain unknown. Here we show, using...