Christmas is coming, and with it, the last edition of Microbiology Time this year! Browse the studies we just uploaded on our website, and discover our top picks:

• A study by Wise et al. investigating the optimal swab type for collecting and analyzing microorganisms for forensic purposes. The researchers analyzed bacterial samples with four different swabs and performed detection by real-time PCR: flocked swabs performed consistently better across wood, glass, and tile surfaces and proved superior to other collection methods. Thus, flocked swabs may expand potential sources of biological evidence, thanks to the relative abundance of the microbiota DNA.
• A paper published on BMC analyzed carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from fecal samples collected at a Vietnamese neonatal intensive care unit. The study sequenced the whole genome and investigated the phylogenetic relationship between the isolates. What did the researchers find? Highly resistant CRKPs were found colonizing admission and discharge patients. Furthermore, clinical isolates from previous years suggested a successful hospital strain that can colonize inpatients.
• Another study on microbiome! In this one, the Chinese research group analyzed changes of oropharynx microbiota in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma patients before and after receiving chemotherapy and surgery. 16S rRNA sequencing found oropharynx microbiota dysbiosis in the pre-treatment group, with low diversity and abundance. Interestingly, induced chemotherapy was beneficial in adjusting the oropharynx microbial environment leading to fewer amounts of anaerobe accumulation and thus reducing the progression of HPSCC.

As always, go deeper into the data by reading the complete studies below!