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tesG expression as a potential clinical biomarker for chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa pulmonary biofilm infectionsPseudomonas aeruginosa infections in the lungs affect millions of children and adults worldwide. To our knowledge, no clinically validated prognostic biomarkers for chronic pulmonary P. aeruginosa infections exist. Therefore, this study aims to identify potential prognostic markers for chronic P. aeruginosa biofilm lung infections.
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A complete genome of an obligately lytic Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage, Minga-mokiny 4We report the isolation of a bacteriophage with obligately lytic activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa from wastewater. The reported phage, Minga-mokiny 4, appears to belong to the Schitoviridae family, is of the Litunavirus genus, and has a 72,362-bp genome. No known genes associated with lysogeny, bacterial resistance, or virulence were predicted.
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Real world effectiveness of early ensitrelvir treatment in patients with SARS-CoV-2, a retrospective case seriesEnsitrelvir, a 3C-like protease inhibitor, received emergency approval in Japan in November 2022 for treating non-hospitalized patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19. However, confirmation of its real-world clinical effectiveness is limited.
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A tonsil organ model to evaluate carriage, disease mechanisms and therapeutic interventions for the treatment and prevention of Group A Streptococcus infectionsAnthony Tim Kicic Barnett BSc (Hons) PhD PhD Rothwell Family Fellow; Head, Airway Epithelial Research Head, Strep A Pathogenesis and Diagnostics

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Wastewater-based epidemiological surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 new variants BA.2.86 and offspring JN.1 in South and Southeast AsiaAnthony Kicic BSc (Hons) PhD Rothwell Family Fellow; Head, Airway Epithelial Research Anthony.Kicic@thekids.org.au Rothwell Family Fellow; Head,
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Exploring indoor and outdoor dust as a potential tool for detection and monitoring of COVID-19 transmissionThis study investigated the potential of using SARS-CoV-2 viral concentrations in dust as an additional surveillance tool for early detection and monitoring of COVID-19 transmission. Dust samples were collected from 8 public locations in 16 districts of Bangkok, Thailand, from June to August 2021.
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Tracing the transmission of mpox through wastewater surveillance in Southeast AsiaHigh population density and tourism in Southeast Asia increase the risk of mpox due to frequent interpersonal contacts. Our wastewater surveillance in six Southeast Asian countries revealed positive signals for Monkeypox virus (MPXV) DNA, indicating local transmission. This alerts clinicians and helps allocate resources like testing, vaccines and therapeutics in resource-limited countries.
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Viral Induced Effects on a Vulnerable Epithelium; Lessons Learned From Paediatric Asthma and Eosinophilic OesophagitisThe epithelium is integral to the protection of many different biological systems and for the maintenance of biochemical homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that particular children have epithelial vulnerabilities leading to dysregulated barrier function and integrity, that resultantly contributes to disease pathogenesis.
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Overcoming Challenges to Make Bacteriophage Therapy Standard Clinical Treatment Practice for Cystic FibrosisIndividuals with cystic fibrosis (CF) are given antimicrobials as prophylaxis against bacterial lung infection, which contributes to the growing emergence of multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens isolated. Pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa that are commonly isolated from individuals with CF are armed with an arsenal of protective and virulence mechanisms, complicating eradication and treatment strategies.