Pathogens最新文献

The increase in the world population, which will be almost 10 billion by 2050, will require considerable efforts to significantly increase food production. Despite the considerable progress made in agriculture, this need is becoming an emergency due to desertification, environmental pollution and climate changes. Biotic stresses, such as pathogenic bacteria and fungi, primarily contribute to significant losses in agricultural productivity and compromise food safety. These harmful agents are predominantly managed using large quantities of synthetic pesticides. However, this widespread use has led to substantial environmental pollution, increased pest resistance and toxic residues in agricultural produce, which subsequently enter the food supply, posing severe health risks to humans and animals. These challenges have significantly driven the advancement of integrated pest management strategies to reduce or eliminate synthetic pesticides. A practical and viable alternative lies in biopesticides-methods developed from natural products that are safe for human and animal health. This approach aligns with the strong demand from consumers and public authorities for safer pest control solutions. This review was focused on the isolation, chemical and biological characterization of natural products for the biocontrol of phytopathogenic bacteria and, in some cases, fungi with potential eco-friendly applications.

The World Health Organization announced critically important bacterial and fungal pathogens displaying alarming levels of antimicrobial resistance, which currently represent difficult-to-treat cases of morbidity. Within this grouping, the ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter species) are causative of significant morbidity and mortality. Studies described herein demonstrate the presence of critically important fungal and ESKAPE bacterial species in companion animals which are zoonotic in nature. The relationship between the environment, animals, and human infectious disease has long been recognized as part of One Health. This research investigates the resistance patterns of isolated zoonotic pathogens using recognized in vitro methodologies, namely disk diffusion, minimum inhibitory concentration testing, and genetic screening. Antibiotic susceptibility testing and gene analysis demonstrated an association between multi-drug resistance and extended beta spectrum lactamase production in critical-priority bacteria. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibit great levels of multi-drug resistance. Fungal isolates demonstrated high levels of resistance, with Amphotericin B proving the most effective antifungal agent investigated. The level of antimicrobial resistance present in clinically relevant bacterial and fungal pathogens isolated from animal cases of morbidity in this study is alarming. In conclusion, this study shows that animals can act as a reservoir facilitating the transmission of antibiotic-resistant pathogens and genes zoonotically.

Recent advances in microbiome research have uncovered a dynamic and complex connection between the gut and lungs, known as the gut-lung axis. This bidirectional communication network plays a critical role in modulating immune responses and maintaining respiratory health. Mediated by immune interactions, metabolic byproducts, and microbial communities in both organs, this axis demonstrates how gut-derived signals, such as metabolites and immune modulators, can reach the lung tissue via systemic circulation, influencing respiratory function and disease susceptibility. To explore the implications of this connection, we conducted a systematic review of studies published between 2001 and 2024 (with as much as nearly 60% covering the period 2020-2024), using keywords such as "gut-lung axis", "microbiome", "respiratory disease", and "immune signaling". Studies were selected based on their relevance to gut-lung communication mechanisms, the impact of dysbiosis, and the role of the gut microbiota in respiratory diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the gut-lung microbiome axis, emphasizing its importance in regulating inflammatory and immune responses linked to respiratory health. Understanding this intricate pathway opens new avenues for microbiota-targeted therapeutic strategies, which could offer promising interventions for respiratory diseases like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and even infections. The insights gained through this research underscore the potential of the gut-lung axis as a novel target for preventative and therapeutic approaches in respiratory medicine, with implications for enhancing both gut and lung health.

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the cause of both mild and invasive infections in humans with a high morbidity and mortality rate. The transmission of disease usually occurs via droplets, so the implementation of infection mitigation strategies (IMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic altered the incidence of GAS infection. This review aims to provide an overview of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of GAS infection in children (invasive or non-invasive). A surge in the incidence of invasive GAS infection was noted in December 2022 after the reversal of IMS. A global uprise in GAS infection (invasive and non-invasive) was noted, especially concerning the pediatric population. Children younger than 5 years old were mostly affected, with complicated pneumonia being the leading clinical manifestation, causing many deaths worldwide. Emm1, specifically M1UK, was recognized as the dominant lineage in Europe and correlated with invasive disease. Healthcare professionals need to be alert about the severity of GAS-related infections, leading to early identification and treatment.

Genital Mycoplasmas are implicated in adverse pregnancy outcomes and the development of infertility. However, the role of Mycoplasma fermentans in these outcomes has not been adequately studied; therefore, its participation in these sufferings requires further investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of M. fermentans in pregnant and non-pregnant women. End-point PCR was used to analyze two hundred and twenty-eight endocervical samples for M. hominis, M. genitalium, M. fermentans, M. pirum, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and U. parvum diagnoses. The prevalence of Mycoplasma spp. was as follows: U. parvum was found in 83 samples (36.4%), U. urealyticum in 39 instances (17.1%), M. hominis in 36 (15.7%), M. fermentans in 32 (14%), M. genitalium in 15 (6.6%), and M. pirum in 0 samples. No association was found between the Mycoplasma spp. and some infertility conditions or adverse pregnancy. However, M. fermentans and M. hominis were found to be associated with bacterial vaginosis (RR = 3.4 CI 95% 1.85-6.3, p < 0.005). In conclusion, M. fermentans and M. hominis were isolated more often in women with bacterial vaginosis, which suggests that these bacteria could contribute to the development of this pathology.

The lung microbiome has emerged as a pivotal area of research in human health. Despite the increasing number of publications, there is a lack of research that comprehensively and objectively presents the current status of lung microbiome-related studies. Thus, this study aims to address this gap by examining over two decades of publications through bibliometric analysis. The original bibliographic data of this study were obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection, focusing on publications from 2003 to 2023. The analysis included the data extraction and examination of authors, affiliations, countries, institutions, abstracts, keywords, references, publication dates, journals, citations, H-indexes, and journal impact factors. A total of 845 publications were identified, showing an increasing trend in both publications and citations over the years, particularly in the last decade. The analysis highlighted the most productive authors, institutions, and countries/regions, and identified potential partners for interested researchers. Co-citation analysis revealed that lung microbiome- and infectious/pulmonary disease-related studies are at the forefront of the field. The hotspots and frontiers of the lung microbiome field have progressed from basic composition to exploring specific mechanisms and the clinical value of diseases. In conclusion, this study provides a comprehensive overview of the current research status and trends in the field of the lung microbiome over the past two decades and highlights the areas that need more attention and research efforts. It offers valuable insights for researchers and institutions and identifies key hotspots and frontiers, which can serve as references for related researchers and future research.

Poor sanitation, improper food handling, limited access to safe drinking water sources, and limited access to healthcare services contribute to a high prevalence of infections caused by soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) among the BaAka Pygmies, an indigenous community living in Central Africa. The aim of this study was to determine the rates of STH infections in the BaAka people inhabiting the rain forests of the south-western parts of the Central African Republic (CAR) as well as to examine the validity of biannual deworming with a single dose of albendazole 400 mg in high-risk communities exposed to extreme environmental conditions. The study was conducted in August 2021 and involved a sample of 49 BaAka Pygmies inhabiting the rain forest of the Sangha-Mbaéré Prefecture, CAR. The study consisted of collecting single stool samples from each participant and examining the samples for intestinal parasites by light microscopy methods. The collected samples were fixed in SAF fixative and next transported from Africa to Europe, where they were analyzed by light microscopy using three different diagnostic methods (direct smear in Lugol's solution, the Fülleborn's flotation, the Kato-Katz thick smear) at the Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Poland. Microscopic examination found that 61.2% of the study group were infected with at least one helminthic species. The parasitological screening found invasions with four different species of nematodes, of which hookworm invasions were the most prevalent. The study results demonstrated that although the WHO-recommended mass deworming, which is provided to the BaAka Pygmies in healthcare centers set up on the premises of catholic missions, can effectively reduce the number of infections with soil-transmitted helminths, the prevalence of STH infections remains high in the region. The study findings suggest that in order to contain the spread of STHs in the local community, it will be necessary to implement additional preventive measures, apart from only conducting mass deworming programs.

Foodborne diseases result from the consumption of foods contaminated with pathogens or their toxins and represent a serious public health problem worldwide. This study aimed to assess the presence of Rotavirus (RoV), Adenovirus (AdV), Norovirus (NoV), Hepatitis A and Hepatitis E viruses (HAV and HEV, respectively), Toxoplasma gondii, Coxiella burnetii and Leptospira spp. across various food matrices in Sicily. The analysis concerned 504 samples, including mussels, farmed meat, game meat, vegetables and bulk milk. Following appropriate pre-treatment, acid nucleic extraction was carried out and amplification of pathogen nucleic acids was carried out by molecular methods. The mussels tested positive for NoVs (3/51, 5.9%) and farm meat resulted positive for T. gondii (1/34, 2.9%). The game offal samples tested positive for HEV, which was detected in 17 out of 222 samples (7.7%), and T. gondii (18/318, 5.7%) and Leptospira spp. (2/318, 0.6%). The milk samples tested positive for C. burnetii (15/85, 17.6%), T. gondii (2/85, 2.4%) and Leptospira spp. (1/85, 1.2%). This study highlights the variability in the risk of contamination of different food matrices, confirming the importance of vigilance in the consumption of potentially contaminated food products.

Salmonella Infantis poses a significant challenge in poultry production due to its persistence and resistance to disinfectants. This study investigated the survival of the S. Infantis strain on different surfaces and evaluated the efficacy of disinfectants in both preventing and treating biofilms. The survival of the tested S. Infantis strain was assessed on plastic and stainless steel surfaces after 24 and 48 h. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of five disinfectants were determined, and their antiadhesion effectiveness was evaluated using crystal violet. The efficacy of biofilm treatment was evaluated by cell culturability. The results showed that the adhesion of S. Infantis was significantly higher on the plastic surface. The disinfectants were effective at reducing biofilm formation only within the first 24 h. Fresh solutions of disinfectants based on quaternary ammonium compounds exhibited the highest antimicrobial efficacy, while chlorocresol was the most effective for both the prevention and treatment of biofilms. The study results suggest that the presence of plastic surfaces may contribute to the dissemination of Salmonella. Additionally, the effectiveness of disinfectants varied based on storage conditions and contact time, while biofilms demonstrated reduced susceptibility compared to planktonic cells. However, given the laboratory scale of this study, further validation on a commercial scale is necessary to confirm these findings.

Escherichia coli is a commensal and opportunistic bacterium widely distributed around the world in different niches including intestinal of humans and animals, and its extraordinary genome plasticity led to the emergence of pathogenic strains causing a wide range of diseases. E. coli is one of the monitored species in maternity hospitals, being the main etiological agent of urogenital infections, endometriosis, puerperal sepsis, and neonatal diseases. This study presents a comprehensive analysis of E. coli isolates obtained from the maternal birth canal of healthy puerperant women 3-4 days after labor. According to whole genome sequencing data, 31 sequence types and six phylogenetic groups characterized the collection containing 53 isolates. The majority of the isolates belonged to the B2 phylogroup. The data also includes phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance profiles, virulence factors, and plasmid replicons. Phenotypic and genotypic antibiotic resistance testing did not demonstrate extensive drug resistance traits except for two multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates. The pathogenic factors revealed in silico were assessed with respect to CRISPR-element patterns. Multiparametric and correlation analyses were conducted to study the interrelation of different pathoadaptability factors, including antimicrobial resistance and virulence genomic determinants carried by the isolates under investigation. The data presented will serve as a valuable addition to further scientific investigations in the field of bacterial pathoadaptability, especially in studying the role of CRISPR/Cas systems in the E. coli genome plasticity and evolution.