Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology最新文献

Background: The specific gut microbial signatures and their correlation with immune-inflammatory markers in infertile women with endometriosis remain underexplored.To investigate the differences in gut microbiota and their associations with biochemical immune markers in infertile women with endometriosis compared to controls.

Methods: This case-control study enrolled 32 infertile women with endometriosis and 13 control women with male-factor infertility. Fecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing to profile the gut microbiota, and serum samples were obtained to measure inflammation-related biomarkers. Bioinformatics analyses were applied to compare gut microbial community structures and to examine correlations between differentially abundant bacteria and immune markers.

Results: The endometriosis group exhibited significant enrichment of Lachnospira, Bacilli, Lactobacillales, Parasutterella, Enterococcus, and Veillonella. Comparative analysis revealed significantly altered abundances of multiple taxa, including Lachnospira, Parasutterella, Alistipes, Enterococcus, Veillonella, Streptococcus, Desulfovibrionaceae, Ruminococcaceae, Bilophila, and Peptoniphilus (all P < 0.05). Several inter-species correlations were identified among these bacteria. Importantly, specific microbiota were correlated with immune markers: Streptococcus and Veillonella were positively correlated with macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF); Bilophila and Enterococcus were positively correlated with TNF-α and IL-6; Veillonella was positively correlated with TNF-α; Desulfovibrionaceae was negatively correlated with TNF-α and IL-6; and Parasutterella was negatively correlated with CA125.

Conclusion: In this exploratory investigation, specific gut microbial signatures were observed in infertile patients with endometriosis, showing correlations with select systemic immune-inflammatory biomarkers. These initial observations point to a possible association between gut microbiota imbalance and the inflammatory aspects of endometriosis-associated infertility. Consequently, microbial modulation merits further investigation as a potential strategy to alleviate inflammation and potentially enhance reproductive outcomes.

Background: Chikungunya fever (CHIKF) is a mosquito-borne viral disease characterized by fever, rash, and severe joint pain. However, these classical descriptions are based overwhelmingly on the Indian Ocean and Caribbean lineages. With the recent introduction and spread of the Middle Africa lineage (MAL) into Asia, understanding its clinical presentation in new populations, such as Chinese, has become a public health priority. Whether the recently introduced MAL causes comparably severe disease in China remains unknown.

Methods: We enrolled 415 laboratory-confirmed cases of Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) infection during an outbreak in Foshan, China. Clinical manifestations, laboratory parameters, and whole-genome sequencing data were integrated to quantify the symptom burden from three different perspectives using multivariate logistic regression, and to trace the viral source via maximum-likelihood phylogenetic analysis.

Results: Compared with the classical phenotype, the MAL outbreak in China was appreciably milder. The most common clinical manifestations were arthralgia (83.61%), fever (74.46%), and rash (61.93%). Multivariate logistic regression showed that older age (OR = 0.979, P = 0.029) and male sex (OR = 0.528, P = 0.038) were negatively correlated with the occurrence of higher symptom burden, while prolonged fever (OR = 8.156, P < 0.001) was a significant risk factor. Reduced estimated glomerular filtration rate and thrombocytopenia were associated with longer disease duration. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the outbreak-associated CHIKV strains belonged to MAL and harbored the E1-A226V and E2-I211T mutations.

Conclusion: These findings provide an evidence base for clinical management and prognostic assessment during CHIKF outbreaks and underscore the importance of monitoring laboratory parameters alongside molecular surveillance.

Global public health is formidably threatened by antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is characterized by its long duration. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) is notable for its rapid analysis and cost-effectiveness. However, its role in AST has not been fully explored. In recent years, new opportunities for predicting AMR using MALDI-TOF MS data have been provided by the development of machine learning (ML) technologies. The research progress in using MALDI-TOF MS combined with ML for AMR testing is surveyed by this review, and critical steps including raw MALDI-TOF MS data acquisition, raw data preprocessing, algorithm selection, hyperparameter optimization, among others. It was found by us that the true resistance status can be comprehensively reflected by large-scale datasets, but effective management of high-dimensional data challenges is required. Algorithm performance can be enhanced by identifying the optimal combination of hyperparameters. Better predictive performance than individual models can be achieved by stacking ensemble learning methods. Model performance and generalizability can be more effectively assessed by metrics such as the Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC). The decision-making process can be understood by users with the help of model interpretation, thereby increasing model transparency and acceptability. Insufficient sample size, inadequate data standardization, and limited model generalizability are included in the current challenges. Continuously optimized, the integration of MALDI-TOF MS and ML is poised to open future avenues for rapid and accurate AMR prediction.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b continue to diversify through reassortment with co-circulating low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses and are repeatedly introduced into South Korea via migratory flyways. During national wild bird surveillance in October 2025, two HPAI viruses of different subtypes, H5N1 and H5N9, were detected in Common teals in the southwestern Korea. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed both isolates as clade 2.3.4.4b viruses belonging to the G2c sub-lineage. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the H5N1 virus possessed a genomic backbone related to the 22G4 genotype circulating in Korea during the 2022-2023 season, incorporating a PB1 segment derived from LPAI viruses. The H5N9 virus represented a distinct reassortant carrying an NA gene closely related to H11N9 LPAI viruses and internal segments associated with KorD and KorC genotypes prevalent in the same season. Bayesian time-scaled analysis indicated that both isolates originated from an East Asian H5Nx lineage with a common ancestor around 2019, and that the H5N1 virus diverged from a closely related Chinese strain in late 2023. Both viruses harbored multiple mammalian-adaptation markers, including substitutions commonly detected in recent East Asian HPAI strains. These findings demonstrate ongoing inter-lineage reassortment between regional HPAI and LPAI gene pools, emphasizing the continued role of migratory waterfowl in introducing emerging variants into Korea. The early-season detection of genetically distinct reassortants highlights the importance of sustained wild bird surveillance, rapid genomic characterization, and international data sharing to track the evolution and spread of newly emerging HPAI lineages.

Background: Infectious bovine rhinotracheitis virus (IBRV) is a primary pathogen causing bovine respiratory disease syndrome. This virus can cause rhinotracheitis and vaginitis in cattle, resulting in high mortality and posing a serious threat to bovine production. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of regulatory non-coding small RNAs, can modulate viral replication by influencing host immune responses. However, reports on the association between host miRNAs and IBRV infection are limited.

Methods: In this study, we screened differentially expressed miRNAs in MDBK cells after IBRV infection and determined that the expression of bta-miR-146b was significantly increased. We investigated the effects of bta-miR-146b on IBRV replication and its underlying molecular mechanisms using molecular biological techniques such as luciferase activity assays, Western Blot, and qRT-PCR, together with bioinformatics approaches.

Results: We found that bta-miR-146b expression was up-regulated in IBRV-infected MDBK cells. Furthermore, transfection with bta-miR-146b mimics promoted IBRV replication in MDBK cells, whereas transfection with bta-miR-146b inhibitors inhibited IBRV replication, indicating that bta-miR-146b is a pro-infection factor. Additional studies showed that bta-miR-146b mimics inhibited type I interferon expression in MDBK cells, whereas its inhibitors enhanced it. Moreover, we identified IRAK1 as a direct target of bta-miR-146b and found that silencing IRAK1 expression rescued the effects of bta-miR-146b on viral replication and type I interferon expression.

Conclusion: These results suggest that bta-miR-146b regulates type I interferon expression and IBRV replication in MDBK cells by targeting IRAK1, and plays a key role in IBRV infection.

Objective: This study aimed to compare the effects of clear aligners (CA) and fixed appliances (FA) on periodontal indices, oral microbiota, and oxidative stress markers. Potential associations between microbial changes, oxidative stress, and periodontal health were also explored.

Methods: Twenty-four orthodontic patients matched at baseline were randomly allocated to the CA (n = 12) and FA (n = 12) groups. Saliva, supragingival plaque, and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) were collected at baseline (T0), 3 months (T1), and 6 months (T2). Periodontal indices, including plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), bleeding on probing (BOP) were recorded. Microbial composition was assessed via 16S rDNA sequencing. 8-Hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, a stable biomarker of oxidative DNA damage reflecting ROS levels) in saliva and GCF was quantified using double-antibody sandwich ELISA. Associations were analyzed using Spearman correlation.

Results: PI was significantly higher in the FA group than CA group at T1 (P < 0.01) and T2 (P < 0.05). BOP was higher in the FA group than CA group at T2 (P < 0.05). Pathogenic genera (Prevotella, Veillonella) were enriched in the FA group, while health-associated Rothia and Lautropia predominated in the CA group (P < 0.05). In GCF, 8-OHdG levels were higher in the FA group than CA group at T2 (P < 0.001). In saliva, Prevotella positively correlated with 8-OHdG in the FA group (r = 0.61, P < 0.05); Prevotella negatively correlated with Rothia in both groups (r = -0.90, P < 0.001).

Conclusions: Fixed appliances were associated with enrichment of pathogenic taxa, elevated oxidative stress markers, and worse periodontal indices, potentially linked to higher periodontitis risk. Clear aligners showed less microbial disruption and health-associated taxa enrichment. The Prevotella-8-OHdG-Rothia axis highlights microbiota and oxidative stress interactions as promising targets for preventing orthodontic treatment related periodontal complications.

Objective: Debridement, antibiotics, and implant retention (DAIR) is the preferred treatment for acute periprosthetic joint infection (PJI), yet its failure rate remains high, and the influencing factors are not fully elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the causes of DAIR failure in acute PJI and construct a risk prediction model based on clinical characteristics, inflammatory markers, and microbiological data.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 90 patients with acute PJI treated at our medical center between January 2008 and April 2024. All patients underwent standard DAIR treatment and were categorized into success (n = 77) and failure (n = 13) groups based on outcomes. Demographic data, infection characteristics, laboratory markers, microbiological results, and surgical details were collected. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors, and a nomogram prediction model was developed.

Results: The overall success rate of DAIR was 85.6% (77/90). The failure group exhibited significantly higher rates of knee joint infection (84.6% vs. 50.6%, p=0.023), acute hematogenous infection (61.5% vs. 20.8%, p=0.005), preoperative peripheral White Blood Cell (WBC) (9.5×10^9/L vs. 8.2×10^9/L, p=0.043), CRP (79.6-4 mg/L vs. 42.4 mg/L, p<0.001), ESR (80.6 mm/h vs. 60.5 mm/h, p=0.002), synovial fluid WBC (35,300×10^6/L vs. 21,843×10^6/L, p=0.043), and synovial fluid polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) (91.7% vs. 83.8%, p<0.001) compared to the success group. Multivariate logistic regression identified acute hematogenous infection (OR 11.704, 95% CI 1.957-119.357, p=0.015), preoperative CRP (OR 1.022, 95% CI 1.009-1.040, p=0.003), synovial fluid PMN% (OR 1.196, 95% CI 1.039-1.454, p=0.039), and resistant pathogens (OR 0.107, 95% CI 0.010-0.665, p=0.032) as independent risk factors for DAIR failure. The nomogram model based on these factors demonstrated robust predictive performance.

Conclusion: DAIR failure is closely associated with hematogenous infection, the intensity of inflammatory response, and the presence of resistant pathogens. The proposed risk prediction model may aid clinical decision-making and optimize patient selection for DAIR.

Androgens are critical for the growth of prostate cells, as well as prostate tumor cells. For prostate cancer patients under Androgen Deprivation Therapy (ADT) such as castration treatment, investigating the potential for androgen production by gut microbes is crucial. In microbe species, the side chain cleavage activity of steroid-17, 20-desmolase (SSTD) is responsible for 11-oxy-androgens production by biotransformation from cortisol, as well as from other endogenous steroids and pharmaceutical glucocorticoids. The side-chain cleavage product of prednisone could significantly promote the proliferation of prostate cancer cells. The SSTD is a complex formed by N-terminal and C-terminal transketolases encoded by desA and desB genes, whose activity has been well-characterized in Clostridium scindens ATCC 35704. While a void still existed in evaluating the androgen producing potential by gut microbiota owing to relatively low abundance of SSTD-carrying species and the lack of professional gene database. Meanwhile, mining SSTD encoding genes in explosion sequencing data has become computationally expensive and time-consuming using comprehensive database. Here, a professional database consisted of SSTD-coding genes, named SSTDhunter, was constructed using a large-scale genomic analysis along with homologous genes as background. These SSTD-coding genes were reconstruction through comprehensive characteristics consisted of operon structures, sequence identities, phylogenetic topologies and comparative analysis. To reduce false positives, protein sequences of homologous genes tktA, which encode component of sugar transketolase, were also included in SSTDhunter database as background noise. SSTDhunter is for rapid investigation of SSTD-coding genes in massive metagenomic data, which is freely available at http://www.orgene.net/SSTDhunter/.

Cystic echinococcosis is an important parasitic zoonosis infecting numerous humans with high morbidity and mortality. As one of the etiologic agents, Echinococcus ortleppi infection in humans has been very rare. In this study, a 27-year-old man was diagnosed with cystic echinococcosis in Wuhan City of China, a non-endemic area. Next-generation sequencing identified that the etiologic agent was E. ortleppi. Its complete mitochondrion sequence (13,600 bp) has 99.92% identity to E. ortleppi from cattle in Japan. This is the third reported E. ortleppi infection case in China. Although extensive epidemiological investigations were performed, the infection source of this patient is still unclear. It is possible that there exists some hidden or unrecognized route of E. ortleppi transmission in China. Further investigation is needed to figure out and eliminate the risk factors.