First genomic description of global S. pneumoniae population released
A global genomic survey of Streptococcus pneumoniae has identified 621 strains across 50 countries and has highlighted how the bacteria can evolve in response to vaccination.
Browsing: Pathogen Evolution
Research suggests gonorrhoea can resist last-resort antibiotics and maintain growth rate
New research has identified growth-restoring mutations in ceftriaxone-resistant gonorrhoea strains, providing insight into this bacteria’s evolution and raising concerns over the spread of this ‘superbug’.
A peek behind the paper – Shilian Xu on the dominance of different bacterial genotypes under sublethal antibiotic pressure
In this interview, take a look behind the scenes of a recent Future Microbiology article investigating the collective resistance of different bacterial genotype populations, with authors, Shilian Xu, Jiaru Yang, Chong Yin and Xiaohua Zhao.
About AMR: The Mcr-1 plasmid comes with evolutionary trade-offs
In a recent study published in Nature Communications, researchers demonstrated that acquired resistance to the polymixin antibiotic, colistin, can be detrimental to bacterial survival, revealing unique evolutionary trade-offs of this new form of resistance.
Insights into the evolution of the mutational resistome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis
The term resistome was first used to account for the set of primary antibiotic resistance genes that could be eventually transferred to human pathogens, this editorial delves into the evolution of the mutational resistome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in cystic fibrosis.
The epidemic emergence of HIV: what novel enabling factors were involved?
All epidemically successful HIV groups started to spread in early 20th century, this perspective piece looks into the factors that enabled adaptation of SIV to be sexually transmitted among humans.
Whole-genome sequencing unveils how African Salmonella evolved its pathogenicity
Scientists have analyzed whole-genome sequence data from a UK public health surveillance study to reveal new understandings of the Salmonella epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa.
Did MRSA emerge before the introduction of methicillin?
New research investigating the evolutionary origins of MRSA has suggested strains may have emerged long before methicillin was used in clinical practice.
About AMR: Antibiotic resistance genes – old dog with new tricks
In our new regular column, author, Julie Kaiser, highlights exciting developments in the field of AMR – this month read more about the origins of AMR genes and the ‘producer hypothesis’.
Study examines population genomics in Cryptococcus neoformans
Researchers have examined the complex interaction between environmental pressures and human virulence in Cryptococcus neoformans, demonstrating some variants associated with clinical isolates.
