Spatial distribution of risk in malaria resurgence in central Greece as indicated by the median <i>R</i>₀ estimates (Year 2013).

<p>Spatial distribution of risk in malaria resurgence in central Greece as indicated by the median <i>R</i>₀ estimates (Year 2013).</p

Total numbers of malaria confirmed cases in Greece (period: 2009–2015).

<p>Total numbers of malaria confirmed cases in Greece (period: 2009–2015).</p

Indicative examples of calculation and utilization of average temperature data with IDW interpolation method.

<p>(a) Average temperatures (July 2012) b) Average temperatures (August 2012).</p

Study of the Whole Cell Lysate of Two <i>Coxiella burnetii</i> Strains Using N-Terminomics

The etiological agent of Q fever is <i>Coxiella burnetii</i>, an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium and the only bacterium known to date that survives and replicates within a vacuole of phagolysosomal characteristics. In humans, Q fever is characterized by a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. Of note is that genetic diversity among <i>C. burnetii</i> strains has been reported. To further investigate <i>C. burnetii</i>’s diversity, but now at the proteome level, we compared the proteomes of whole cell lysates from two reference strains, Nine Mile and Q212. Proteomes were isolated from each strain and subjected MS-driven combined fractional diagonal chromatography (COFRADIC), a peptide-centered proteomics technique, with a total of 322 proteins that were unambiguously identified. On the basis of their identified neo-N-terminal peptides that are highly likely generated upon in vivo processing by proteases, the most proteolytical sensitive proteins in these strains were identified, and a consensus cleavage pattern was obtained. Further, with the use of differential proteomics based on the here-identified N-terminal peptides, 44 proteins were found to be differentially expressed between the two <i>C. burnetii</i> strains, representing 13.6% of the here-identified <i>C. burnetii</i> proteome. Among these proteins, 10 proteins were found uniquely expressed in the NM strain including proteins with unknown functions as well as housekeeping enzymes, suggesting that strain-related proteins might be present among such uncharacterized proteins

Investigation of Rifampicin Resistance Mechanisms in <i>Brucella abortus</i> Using MS-Driven Comparative Proteomics

Mutations in the <i>rpoB</i> gene have already been shown to contribute to rifampicin resistance in many bacterial strains including <i>Brucella</i> species. Resistance against this antibiotic easily occurs and resistant strains have already been detected in human samples. We here present the first research project that combines proteomic, genomic, and microbiological analysis to investigate rifampicin resistance in an <i>in vitro</i> developed rifampicin resistant strain of <i>Brucella abortus</i> 2308. <i>In silico</i> analysis of the <i>rpoB</i> gene was performed and several antibiotics used in the therapy of Brucellosis were used for cross resistance testing. The proteomic profiles were examined and compared using MS-driven comparative proteomics. The resistant strain contained an already described mutation in the <i>rpoB</i> gene, V154F. A correlation between rifampicin resistance and reduced susceptibility on trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was detected by E-test and supported by the proteomics results. Using 12 836 MS/MS spectra we identified 6753 peptides corresponding to 456 proteins. The resistant strain presented 39 differentially regulated proteins most of which are involved in various metabolic pathways. Results from our research suggest that rifampicin resistance in Brucella mostly involves mutations in the <i>rpoB</i> gene, excitation of several metabolic processes, and perhaps the use of the already existing secretion mechanisms at a more efficient level