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Kolvenbach, Boris

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  • Biodegradation of sulfamethoxazole and other sulfonamides by Achromobacter denitrificans PR1
    Publication . Reis, Patrícia J. M.; Reis, Ana C.; Ricken, Benjamin; Kolvenbach, Boris A.; Manaia, Célia M.; Corvini, Philippe F.X.; Nunes, Olga C.
    This study aimed to isolate and characterize a microbial culture able to degrade sulfonamides. Sul-famethoxazole (SMX)-degrading microorganisms were enriched from activated sludge and wastewater.The resultant mixed culture was composed of four bacterial strains, out of which only Achromobacterdenitrificans PR1 could degrade SMX. This sulfonamide was used as sole source of carbon, nitrogen andenergy with stoichiometric accumulation of 3-amino-5-methylisoxazole. Strain PR1 was able to removeSMX at a rate of 73.6 ± 9.6 molSMX/gcell dry weighth. This rate more than doubled when a supplement ofamino acids or the other members of the mixed culture were added. Besides SMX, strain PR1 was able todegrade other sulfonamides with anti-microbial activity. Other environmental Achromobacter spp. couldnot degrade SMX, suggesting that this property is not broadly distributed in members of this genus.Further studies are needed to shed additional light on the genetics and enzymology of this process.
  • Living with sulfonamides: a diverse range of mechanisms observed in bacteria
    Publication . Nunes, Olga C.; Manaia, Célia M.; Kolvenbach, Boris A.; Corvini, Philippe F.-X.
    Sulfonamides are the oldest class of synthetic antibiotics still in use in clinical and veterinary settings. The intensive utilization of sulfonamides has been leading to the widespread contamination of the environment with these xenobiotic compounds. Consequently, in addition to pathogens and commensals, also bacteria inhabiting a wide diversity of environmental compartments have been in contact with sulfonamides for almost 90 years. This review aims at giving an overview of the effect of sulfonamides on bacterial cells, including the strategies used by bacteria to cope with these bacteriostatic agents. These include mechanisms of antibiotic resistance, co-metabolic transformation, and partial or total mineralization of sulfonamides. Possible implications of these mechanisms on the ecosystems and dissemination of antibiotic resistance are also discussed.