All posts by Postępy Mikrobiologii

ZABÓJCZE DROBNOUSTROJE – MIKROORGANIZMY WYKORZYSTYWANE JAKO BROŃ BIOLOGICZNA

Deadly microbes – microbes used as a biological weapon
Karol Abramczyk, Anna Gałązka

1. Wstęp. 2. Wąglik (Bacillus anthracis). 2.1. Patogenność Bacillus anthracis. 2.2. Diagnostyka i leczenie wąglika. 3. Dżuma (Yersinia pestis). 3.1. Patogenność Yersinia pestis. 3.2. Diagnostyka i leczenie dżumy. 4. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis). 4.1. Patogenność Francisella tularensis. 4.2. Diagnostyka i leczenie tularemii. 5. Wirus Ebola. 5.1. Patogenność wirusa Ebola (Ebola Virus Disease – EVD). 5.2. Diagnostyka i leczenie gorączki krwotocznej EVD. 6. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Due to the development of civilization, people’s needs and expectations increase. The global development of civilization, the desire of some countries to expand their borders and achieve a higher political, social and military influence, cause insecurity among the people. Security is one of the main factors for the proper functioning of individuals and whole societies. Currently, a major threat to people is terrorism. Especially dangerous is the use of biological weapons for this purpose, which significantly interferes with a sense of security and restricts the freedom of human activities. Currently, biological terrorism is a global threat associated with the use of weapons for political or religious reasons. The threat from radical religious fundamentalists is particularly dangerous. The most common biological threat agents are microorganisms causing zoonoses, i.e. diseases which can be transmitted from animals to humans. The most dangerous are Bacillus anthracis, Yersinia pestis and Francisella tularensis. They are characterized by high virulence, ease of spread and the possibility to obtain and use them at low cost. The aim of this paper is to characterize, based on the available literature, the most dangerous microorganisms which pose a potential threat to humans as biological warfare. The article also provides basic information on the diagnosis and treatment of diseases caused by pathogens which can be used in a bioterrorist attack.

1. Introduction. 2. Anthrax (Bacillus anthracis). 2.1. Pathogenicity of anthrax. 2.2. Diagnosis and treatment of anthrax. 3. Plague (Yersinia pestis). 3.1. Pathogenicity of Yersinia pestis. 3.2. Diagnosis and treatment of plague. 4. Tularemia (Francisella tularensis). 4.1. Pathogenicity of Francisella tularensis. 4.2. Diagnosis and treatment of Francisella tularensis. 5. Ebola virus. 5.1. Pathogenicity of Ebola virus. 5.2. Diagnosis and treatment of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). 6. Summary

NIEKONWENCJONALNE DROŻDŻE METSCHNIKOWIA PULCHERRIMA I ICH ZASTOSOWANIE W BIOTECHNOLOGII

Non-conventional yeast Metschnikowia pulcherrima and its application in biotechnology
Ewelina Pawlikowska, Dorota Kręgiel

1. Wstęp. 2. Taksonomia. 3. Ekologia. 4. Morfologia i fizjologia. 5. Cykl paraseksualny. 6. Metschnikowia pulcherrima – aktywność biochemiczna oraz potencjał aplikacyjny. 7. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Metschnikowia spp. are extensively studied “non-conventional” yeasts. Strains belonging to these genera are considered as non-pathogenic and safe. The unique properties of Metschnikowia spp. allow us to look at these microorganisms as a promising subject for evolutionary genetics, taxonomy, ecology, as well as a natural biocontrol agent in biotechnology. This article provides a synthesis of the systematics, morphology, ecology and physiology of Metschnikowia spp., with special attention to M. pulcherrima. These yeasts are able to produce a number of important metabolites, including organic acids, aroma compounds, oil or pulcherrimic acid. In addition, this review discusses possible applications of these non-conventional yeasts in biotechnology.

1. Introduction. 2. Taxonomy. 3. Ecology. 4. Morphology and physiology. 5. Parasexual cycle. 6. Metschnikowia pulcherrima – biochemical activity and application potential. 7. Summary

METABOLITY BAKTERII KWASU MLEKOWEGO I ICH ZASTOSOWANIE W PRZEMYŚLE

Metabolites of lactic acid bacteria – overview and industrial applications
Katarzyna Ratajczak, Agnieszka Piotrowska-Cyplik

1. Wstęp. 2. Bakterie kwasu mlekowego. 2.1. Homofermentacja. 2.2. Heterofermentacja. 3. Metabolity bakterii kwasu mlekowego. 3.1. Kwasy organiczne. 3.2. Diacetyl. 3.3. Nadtlenek wodoru. 3.4. Dwutlenek węgla. 3.5. Bakteriocyny. 3.5.1. Charakterystyka bakteriocyn. 3.5.2. Klasyfikacja bakteriocyn. 3.5.3. Problemy w zastosowaniu bakteriocyn w przemyśle spożywczym. 4. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria are one of the most commonly found microorganisms in food. One of the reasons behind their popularity are their probiotic properties. Lactic acid bacteria produce a wide range of metabolites which often find use as antimicrobial agents or preservatives. The efficacy and efficiency of these compounds are vastly different. The most promising group of lactic acid bacteria metabolites are bacteriocins. However, there are crucial issues with the application of bacteriocins in the food industry. The goal of this study was to provide an overview of the lactic acid bacteria metabolites most commonly used in industry.

1. Introduction. 2. Lactic acid bacteria. 2.1. Homofermentation. 2.2. Heterofermentation. 3. Metabolites of lactic acid bacteria. 3.1. Organic acids. 3.2. Diacetyl. 3.3. Hydrogen peroxide. 3.4. Carbon dioxide. 3.5. Bacteriocins. 3.5.1. Characteristics of bacteriocins. 3.5.2. Classification of bacteriocins. 3.5.3. Issues with the application of bacteriocins in the food industry. 4. Conclusion

ANTIBIOTIC BIOSYNTHESIS AND SECONDARY METABOLISM IN HIGH-YIELDING STRAINS OF STREPTOMYCES, PENICILLIUM CHRYSOGENUM AND ACREMONIUM CHRYSOGENUM

Biosynteza abtybiotyków i metabolitów wtórnych przez wydajne szczepy Streptomyces, Penicillium chrysogenum i Acremonium chrysogenum
Wiesław Kurzątkowski, Joanna Kuczerowska

1. Introduction. 2. Industrial strain improvements. 3. The pathways of antibiotic biosynthesis by Streptomyces spp. 4. Compartmentalization in antibiotic biosynthesis by Streptomyces spp. 5. The pathway of penicillin G biosynthesis by Penicillium chrysogenum. 6. Compartmentalization in penicillin G biosynthesis by Penicillium chrysogenum. 7. The pathway of cephalosporin C biosynthesis by Acremonium chrysogenum. 8. Compartmentalization in cephalosporin biosynthesis by Acremonium chrysogenum. 9. The future of antibiotic therapy. 10. Conclusions

Abstract: In this article, the secondary metabolism as a basis for antibiotics production by industrial strains of Streptomyces, Penicillium chrysogenum and Acremonium chrysogenum is discussed. Images from transmission electron microscopy reveal some important features of the mycelial cells which are related to antibiotics biosynthesis. This discovery is important for further industrial strain improvement and has economic significance. Possibilities of new strategies for antimicrobial treatment are discussed.

 

1. Wprowadzenie. 2. Ulepszanie szczepów przemysłowych. 3. Szlaki biosyntezy antybiotyków wytwarzanych przez Streptomyces spp. 4. Organizacja komórek grzybni Streptomyces spp. podczas biosyntezy antybiotyków. 5. Szlak biosyntezy penicyliny G w komórkach grzybni Penicillium chrysogenum. 6. Organizacja komórek grzybni Penicillium chrysogenum podczas biosyntezy penicyliny G. 7. Szlak biosyntezy cefalosporyny C w komórkach grzybni Acremonium chrysogenum. 8. Organizacja komórek grzybni Acremonium chrysogenum podczas biosyntezy cefalosporyny C. 9. Przyszłość antybiotykoterapii. 10. Wnioski

Streszczenie: Rola wtórnego metabolizmu w biosyntezie antybiotyków wytwarzanych przez szczepy przemysłowe z rodzaju Streptomyces oraz Penicillium chrysogenum i Acremonium chrysogenum jest dyskutowana. Obrazy z transmisyjnej mikroskopii elektronowej wykazują ważne cechy komórek grzybni związane z wysokowydajną biosyntezą antybiotyków. Odkrycie to pozwala na dalsze zwiększanie antybiotycznej wydajności szczepów przemysłowych i ma znaczenie ekonomiczne. Przedmiotem niniejszej publikacji jest omówienie możliwości opracowania nowych strategii zwalczania chorób zakaźnych.

PEŁZAKI Z RODZAJU ACANTHAMOEBA – CZYNNIKI ETIOLOGICZNE STANÓW PATOLOGICZNYCH LUDZKIEGO ORGANIZMU

Amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba – pathological agents in humans
Marcin Padzik, Edyta B. Hendiger, Jacek P. Szaflik, Lidia Chomicz

1.Wprowadzenie. 2. Rodzaj Acanthamoeba. 2.1. Występowanie. 2.2. Chorobotwórczość. 3. Pełzakowe zapalenie rogówki – AK. 3.1. Czynniki ryzyka. 3.2. Przebieg zarażenia. 3.3. Diagnostyka. 3.4. Leczenie i profilaktyka. 4. Ziarniniakowe pełzakowe zapalenie mózgu – GAE. 4.1. Przebieg zarażenia. 4.2. Diagnostyka i leczenie. 5. Akantameboza skórna. 5.1. Przebieg zarażenia. 5.2. Diagnostyka i leczenie. 6. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Free living, cosmopolitan amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba present a serious risk to human health. As facultative human parasites, these amoebae may cause health and life-threatening diseases, such as Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) and cutaneous acanthamebiasis. AK is a severe, vision-threatening cornea infection with non-specific symptoms and course. GAE is a unique central nervous system disease, almost always leading to death. Cutaneous acanthamebiasis is most common in patients with AIDS. The pathogenesis and pathophysiology of the diseases is still incompletely understood, therefore no definitive effective therapy is currently available. Prevention is very difficult due to Acanthamoeba ubiquity and resistance. Further studies on effective solutions for the prevention and treatment of Acanthamoeba infections are needed.

1. Introduction. 2. Genus Acanthamoeba. 2.1. Occurrence. 2.2. Pathogenicity. 3. Acanthamoeba keratitis – AK. 3.1. Risk factors. 3.2. Course of the disease. 3.3. Diagnostics. 3.4. Treatment and prevention. 4. Granulomatous amebic encephalitis – GAE. 4.1. Course of disease. 4.2. Diagnostics and treatment. 5.Cutaneousacanthamebiasis. 5.1. Course of disease. 5.2. Diagnostics and treatment. 6. Summary