Multi-resistant bacterial infections
TEM images of the three phage morphotypes (a) podoviral, (b) myoviral and (c) siphoviral. ©DiegoANDREY/UNIGE.
Dr Andrey’s group focuses on understanding and combating antimicrobial resistance in Gram-negative bacteria through the following research areas:
1. Molecular Resistance Mechanisms and Genomic Characterisation
The team investigates the molecular basis of resistance in multidrug-resistant Gram-negative pathogens, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae, with an emphasis on resistance to carbapenems and novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations. Current work includes characterising the role of the SmvR regulator in chlorhexidine resistance.
2. Novel Strategies Against Gram-Negative Infections
This includes exploring bacteriophages as alternative therapies and studying host–pathogen interactions. The group also conducts molecular epidemiology of resistant strains and investigates the role of indirect nosocomial transmission through plasmids, such as those carrying carbapenemases OXA-48 and OXA-181, within hospital environments.
3. Phage Therapy and Personalised Approaches
The group leads the GenPH biobank project, which has isolated over 180 phages targeting Klebsiella pneumoniae by capsular type. This collection supports personalised phage therapy development and enhances understanding of bacterial resistance mechanisms to phages. The group also examines the effects of phage therapy on the host and its potential to eradicate resistant bacterial colonisation.
To support this research, the team employs advanced technologies, including whole-genome sequencing with nanopore platforms, to address critical knowledge gaps in Gram-negative antimicrobial resistance.
EXPERTISE
Resistance mechanisms, phages as novel therapeutics against resistant infections. Whole genome sequencing of clinical bacterial strains.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
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Andrey D, Gales AC. An emerging clone, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase 2–producing K. pneumoniae sequence type 16, associated with high mortality rates in a CC258-endemic setting. Clin Infect Dis. 2020;71(7):e141–50.
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Martins W, Andrey D. Clinical and molecular description of a high-copy IncQ1 KPC-2 plasmid harbored by the international ST15 Klebsiella pneumoniae clone. mSphere. 2020;5(5):e00650-20. doi:10.1128/mSphere.00650-20.
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Roch M, et al. Characterization of amino acid substitution W20S in MgrB involved in polymyxin resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae. Microbiol Spectr. 2022;10(1):e01766-21. doi:10.1128/spectrum.01766-21.
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Flury BB, Andrey D, Kohler P. Antibiotics’ collateral effects on the gut microbiota in the selection of ESKAPE pathogens. CMI Commun. 2024.
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Sierra R, Andrey D. Contributions of long-read sequencing for the detection of antimicrobial resistance. Pathogens. 2024;13(9):730. doi:10.3390/pathogens13090730.