All posts by Anna Białecka

STENOTROPHOMONAS MALTOPHILIA – ZNACZENIE KLINICZNE, LECZENIE ZAKAŻEŃ

STENOTROPHOMONAS MALTOPHILIA – CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE, TREATMENT OF INFECTIONS
Joanna Nowicka, Adriana Janczura and Martyna Lelonkiewicz
8 November 2023

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Abstract: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an important etiological factor of infections in patients with compromised immune systems, undergoing invasive diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, as well as in those suffering from cancer or cystic fibrosis. It poses a threat primarily to hospitalized patients. Due to its broad natural resistance and increasing acquired resistance, the therapy of infections caused by this pathogen is a challenge for modern medicine. The paper presents the current knowledge about the general characteristics, clinical significance and the most important pathogenicity factors of S. maltophilia. It also discusses therapeutic possibilities, including alternative ones, in infections caused by these microorganisms.

Autor: Anna Białecka
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MICROBIAL BIOSURFACTANT SCREENING: DIVERSITY IN ASSESSMENT METHODS


Rafeya Sohail and Nazia Jamil
8 November 2023

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Abstract: Biosurfactants are a group of surface-active agents mainly produced by microorganisms and have a wide range of applications in industries as well as agriculture. Global usage of such biologically active compounds as detergents, bioremediation agents, cosmetic products is hugely dependent on their high production. New avenues of research have opened up due to this increased interest, most of which are focused on identifying specialized microorganisms capable of biosurfactant production. Screening methods for selection of biosurfactant producing bacteria are, therefore, of utmost importance in this endeavor. The aim of this review was to discuss various conventional and novel methods that can overcome the hurdles encountered in time effective, economical microbial biosurfactant screening. This review lists several important biosurfactant screening methods based on supernatant, biomass as well as culture media. New methods devised for biosurfactant screening in the last half decade such as surfactant dependent dye solubilization, metagenomic studies etc. are also explained in detail. A thorough grasp of both contemporary and anachronistic screening methodologies will not only lead to discoveries of novel native strains capable of biosurfactant production but also form the basis on which new screening methods can be devised

Autor: Anna Białecka
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ROLA WYBRANYCH CZYNNIKÓW WIRULENCJI W ZAKAŻENIACH WYWOŁYWANYCH PRZEZ SZCZEPY ENTEROCOCCUS SPP.

THE ROLE OF SELECTED VIRULENCE FACTORS IN INFECTIONS CAUSED BY ENTEROCOCCUS SPP.
Zuzanna Kraszewska, Iwona Skuczyńska, Tomasz Bogiel and Eugenia Gospodarek-Komkowska
8 November 2023

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Abstract: Enterococcus spp. are a component of the microbiota of humans and animals and are commonly found in the natural environment. They are opportunistic pathogens that can cause infections of various locations. These bacteria rarely cause community-acquired infections. Although they were considered microorganisms with low pathogenic potential, they have become one of the important hospital pathogens recently. Their common occurrence and ability to survive in the hospital environment contribute to the recorded and still increasing frequency of their isolation, also from invasive infections. The species most frequently isolated from infection cases are E. faecalis and E. faecium, which pose therapeutic problems due to their increasing multidrug resistance. Due to the growing clinical importance, mechanisms of natural and acquired resistance to antibiotics, and potential virulence factors, Enterococcus spp. have become the subject of many studies. The aim of the study is to present the current knowledge on the most important virulence factors that may occur in bacteria of the genus Enterococcus, which include: SagA secretory antigen, EfaA protein, Esp surface protein, Ace collagen binding protein, cytolysin, hyaluronidase, hemagglutinin, lipase, serine protease, aggregating substance, extracellular peroxides and gelatinase.

Autor: Anna Białecka
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GALLERIA MELLONELLA LARVAE AS AN IN VITRO MODEL FOR TESTING MICROBIAL PATHOGENICITY


Dawid Gniazdo, Wanesa Sasal, Aleksandra Omelaniuk, Weronika Brudz and Wiesław Kaca
8 November 2023

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Abstract: The larvae of the insect Galleria mellonella have gained wide acceptance as an in vivo model for the study of virulence in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria and fungi. Importantly, G. mellonella offers an alternative, low-cost, and ethically acceptable method of assessing pathogens. These insects have a number of advantages, including ease of breeding, a rapid developmental cycle, low maintenance costs, and ease of experimental manipulation. Most importantly, G. mellonella larvae have a complete immune system and a nonspecific immune response similar to that of humans, making them a valuable model for studying pathogen-host interactions. Furthermore, using this model, it is possible to test the efficacy of various chemical compounds or natural substances that show antimicrobial activity. In this literature review, we provide a comprehensive overview of recent studies of the use of G. mellonella in virulence analyses and as a platform for testing the efficacy of new drugs.

Autor: Anna Białecka
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UTILITY OF MACHINE LEARNING TECHNOLOGY IN MICROBIAL IDENTIFICATION: A CRITICAL REVIEW


Alok Bharadwaj, Mansi Gupta and Akanksha Shakya
27 June 2023

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Abstract: Microorganisms are ubiquitous and have far-reaching effects on human life. Since their discovery in the 19th century, microorganisms have fascinated biologists. Microbes play a crucial role in the material and elemental cycles of the natural world. Growing own microbes for research purposes requires a significant time and financial investment. On the other hand, high-throughput sequencing technology cannot advance at the same clip as the culture method. The area of microbiology has made substantial use of machine learning (ML) methods to tackle this problem.
Classification and prediction have emerged as key avenues for advancing microbial community research in computational biology. This research compares the advantages and disadvantages of using different algorithmic approaches in four subfields of microbiology (pathogen and epidemiology; microbial ecology; drug development; microbiome and taxonomy).

Autor: Anna Białecka
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Current Issue

Current Issue

Advancements of Microbiology
Volume 63 (2024): Issue 3

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PTM

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