Antimicrobials and antimicrobial resistance: two projects investigating these issues

Diagnosis of diseases can be hindered by slow and imprecise blood cultures, and incorrect treatment can help spread antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Using modern, high-throughput genetic sequencing technologies such as the MinION can increase the speed of identification of the causative pathogens, and inform treatment decisions by highlighting the presence of resistance genes at point of care. However, MinION sequencing is impeded by low coverage rates that obscure the presence of mutations that can confer AMR. By using rolling circle amplification of the 23S gene of the opportunistic pathogen Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium), this study presents a protocol for DNA sequencing and processing that improves coverage and identification of mutations, as well as allowing >99% species level identification of bacteria. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a pathogen that infects the lining of the human stomach and is associated with peptic ulcers and gastric cancer. Treatment consists of triple therapy with antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors, however increasing resistance worldwide is reducing the effectiveness of therapy. An additional therapy of bismuth salts has been found to be effective at treating antibiotic resistant strains but fails to eradicate infections alone. Apoferritin is a protein cage made of 24 subunits that can be used to encapsulate drugs and target their delivery to specific sites. This study successfully purified H. pylori apoferritin subunits and demonstrated the assembly of the protein into its cage form, as well as attempting the encapsulation of bismuth compounds. Bismuth salts encapsulated in apoferritin may work as a novel alternative to antimicrobial therapies in treating H. pylori infection, and so reduce the incidence of antimicrobial resistance.