A5090001718- Complement system in diseases
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Reproductive tract infections research
- Preterm Birth and Chorioamnionitis
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Neonatal Respiratory Health Research
- Herpesvirus Infections and Treatments
- Neonatal and Maternal Infections
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Antibiotic Use and Resistance
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Blood groups and transfusion
- Viral-associated cancers and disorders
- Legionella and Acanthamoeba research
- Infant Nutrition and Health
- Immune Cell Function and Interaction
- Toxoplasma gondii Research Studies
- Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing
- Antifungal resistance and susceptibility
- Reproductive System and Pregnancy
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
Cardiff University
2016-2025
University Hospital of Wales
2014-2025
UK Health Security Agency
2021-2024
Institute of Infection and Immunity
2024
Public Health England
2020-2021
The University of Western Australia
2021
University of Wales Institute Cardiff
2014-2017
Institute of Microbial Technology
2013
Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
2009
University of Wales
1998-2008
Abstract MCR-1 is a lipid A modifying enzyme that confers resistance to the antibiotic colistin. Here, we analyse impact of expression on E. coli morphology, fitness, competitiveness, immune stimulation and virulence. Increased mcr-1 results in decreased growth rate, cell viability, competitive ability significant degradation membrane cytoplasmic structures, compared catalytically inactive (E246A) or soluble component. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) extracted from strains induces lower production...
We studied the prevalent cytotoxic CD8 T cell response mounted against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Spike glycoprotein
Around 40% of preterm births are attributed to ascending intrauterine infection, and Ureaplasma parvum (UP) is commonly isolated in these cases. Here we present a mouse model UP infection that resembles human disease, using vaginal inoculation combined with mild cervical injury induced by common spermicide (Nonoxynol-9, as surrogate for any mechanism epithelial damage). We measure bacterial load non-invasive manner luciferase-expressing strain, post-mortem qPCR titration. Cervical exposure...
Introduction Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global threat that necessitates coordinated strategies to improve antibiotic prescribing and reduce AMR. A key activity ascertaining current patterns in hospitals identify targets for quality improvement programmes. Methods The World Health Organisation point prevalence survey methodology was used assess the Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. All core variables identified by were recorded. Results total of 78.8% (82/104) patients prescribed at...
Investigations of patients with suspected Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection have been undertaken in England since the early 1970s. M. is a respiratory pathogen that common cause pneumonia and may serious sequelae such as encephalitis has documented children persistent cough. The found all age groups, higher prevalence aged 5-14 years. In England, recurrent epidemic periods occurred at ~4-yearly intervals. addition, low-level sporadic occurs seasonal peaks from December to February. Voluntarily...
Background Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a leading cause of community-acquired pneumonia, with large epidemics previously described to occur every 4 7 years. Aim To better understand the diagnostic methods used detect M . ; M. testing and surveillance in use; identify epidemics; determine detection number per age group, demographics for positive detections, concurrence annual peaks across geographical areas; effect location on timing epidemics. Methods A questionnaire was sent May 2016 experts...
Abstract The emergence of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) threatens to undermine the clinical efficacy last antibiotic that can be used treat serious infections caused by Gram-negative pathogens. Here we measure fitness cost a newly discovered MCR-3 using in vitro growth and competition assays. mcr-3 expression confers lower than mcr-1, as determined competitive ability cell viability. Consistent with these findings, plasmids carrying have higher stability mcr-1 across range Escherichia...
ABSTRACT Antibiotic resistance determination of Ureaplasma spp. ( parvum and urealyticum ) usually requires predetermination bacterial titer, followed by antibiotic interrogation using a set input. This 96-well method allows simultaneous quantification bacteria in the presence absence antibiotics. A for determining precise MICs screening against multiple antibiotics breakpoint thresholds are detailed. Of 61 -positive clinical isolates screened, one (1.6%) was resistant to erythromycin (MIC,...
Group B coxsackieviruses (CVBs) are the prototypical agents of acute myocarditis and chronic dilated cardiomyopathy, but an effective targeted therapy is still not available. Here, we analyze therapeutic potential a soluble (s) virus receptor molecule against CVB3 using gene approach.We generated inducible adenoviral vector (AdG12) for strict drug-dependent delivery sCAR-Fc, fusion protein composed coxsackievirus-adenovirus (CAR) extracellular domains carboxyl terminus human IgG1-Fc. Decoy...
Neutrophil dysfunction, resulting in inefficient bacterial clearance, is a feature of several serious medical conditions, including cystic fibrosis (CF) and sepsis. Poorly controlled neutrophil serine protease (NSP) activity complement activation have been implicated this phenomenon. The capacity for excess NSP secretion to influence the expression function important neutrophil-activating receptor C5aR was investigated. Purified NSPs cathepsin G (CG), elastase (NE), proteinase 3 cleaved 26-...
ABSTRACT Ureaplasma spp. are associated with numerous clinical sequelae treatment options being limited due to patient and pathogen factors. This report examines the prevalence mechanisms of antibiotic resistance among strains isolated from 95 neonates, 32 women attending a sexual health clinic, 3 patients under investigation for immunological disorders, between 2007 2013 in England Wales. MICs were determined by using broth microdilution assays, subset isolates compared method Mycoplasma...
Streptococcus agalactiae or group B streptococcus (GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis and increasingly found as an invasive pathogen in older patient populations. Beta-lactam antibiotics remain the most effective therapeutic with resistance rarely reported, while majority GBS isolates carry tetracycline gene tet(M) fixed genomic positions amongst five predominant clonal clades. In UK, to clindamycin erythromycin has increased from 3% 1991 11.9% (clindamycin) 20.2% (erythromycin),...
A mobile colistin resistance gene mcr was first reported in 2016 China and has since been found with increasing prevalence across South-East Asia. Here we survey the presence of genes 4907 rectal swabs from mothers neonates three hospital sites Nigeria; a country limited availability or history use clinically. Forty mother seven neonatal carried range bacterial species: 46 Enterobacter spp. single isolates of; Shigella, E. coli Klebsiella quasipneumoniae. Ninety percent were mcr-10 (n = 45)...
Abstract Backgroud Although not fully investigated, studies show that Legionella pneumophila can develop antibiotic resistance. As there is limited data available for Portugal, we determined the susceptibility profile of Portuguese L. serogroup 1 (LpnSg1) isolates against antibiotics used in clinical practice Portugal. Methods Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were LpnSg1 ( n = 100) and related environmental 7) isolates, collected between 2006–2022 context National Legionnaire´s...
CD8+ T cells destroy insulin-producing pancreatic β in type 1 diabetes through HLA class I-restricted presentation of self-antigens. Combinatorial peptide library screening was used to produce a preferred recognition landscape for patient-derived cell receptor (TCR) that recognized the preproinsulin-derived (PPI-derived) sequence LWMRLLPLL context disease risk allele A*24:02. Data were generate strong superagonist peptide, enabling production an autoimmune A*24:02-peptide-TCR structure by...
Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis in high-income countries. While intrapartum antibiotic screening reduces this risk, increasing resistance to macrolides and lincosamides Europe since the 1990s has limited therapeutic options for penicillin-allergic patients. Reports reduced beta-lactam susceptibility GBS further em-phasize need robust antimicrobial (AMR) surveillance. However, broth micro-dilution (BMD) methods are...
Background: Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) is a leading cause of neonatal sepsis in high-income countries. While intrapartum antibiotic screening reduces this risk, increasing resistance to macrolides and lincosamides Europe since the 1990s has limited therapeutic options for penicillin-allergic patients. Reports reduced beta-lactam susceptibility GBS further emphasise need robust antimicrobial (AMR) surveillance. However, broth microdilution (BMD) methods are...
Abstract Background Child survival rates have improved globally, but neonatal mortality due to infections, such as group B Streptococcus (GBS), remains a significant concern. The global burden of GBS-related morbidity and is substantial. However, data from low middle-income countries lacking. Vaccination during pregnancy could be feasible strategy address disease burden. Methods We assessed maternal rectovaginal GBS colonization in prospective cohort 6062 women-infant pairs. Surveillance for...
<title>Abstract</title> Older adults are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases, and vaccines often less effective in this population due immunosenescence, which is characterized by diminished B T memory responses. Autophagy believed underlie many facets of cellular aging, including immunosenescence. It crucial for maintaining cell functions but declines with age, along the endogenous metabolite spermidine that helps maintain autophagy levels. We conducted a double-blind, randomized,...