Impact Of Pathogens Research Articles

Potential Infectious Complications in Pig Xenograft Donors and Recipients

Preclinical and clinical xenotransplantation trials have shown that successful outcomes depend on a number of factors including the prevention of xenozoonoses. Preclinical trials involving pig kidneys and hearts transplanted into various non-human primates have revealed the potential impact of pig pathogens being present in the transplanted organ/tissue, mainly viruses. The concept of “designated pathogen-free donor animals” was developed to ensure elimination of pathogens during the breeding of donor animals to mitigate this occurrence. This is a challenging process as confirmation of presence and absence of some pathogen, in particular for latent viruses, requires a validated armamentarium of direct and indirect tests. The importance of using the correct diagnostic regimen was highlighted during the first pig-to-man cardiac transplantation with both porcine cytomegalovirus (PCMV), also known as porcine roseolovirus (PRV), and porcine circovirus (PCV) detected in the transplanted organ and in the patient. To further improve xenotransplantation and to achieve trials in Europe it is important that we use these data to inform process for diagnostics both in donor and recipients before and after xenotransplantation to ensure safety. As part of this sensitive and specific pathogen detection systems should be validated and readily available.

Infection-induced host extinction: Deterministic and stochastic models for environmentally transmitted pathogens.

Worldwide amphibian decline and extinction have been observed, highlighting the importance of identifying the underlying factors. This issue has long been recognized as highly significant and continues to receive substantial attention in conservation ecology. Pathogen infection, in particular the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is postulated as a key factor contributing to the decline of certain species within specific regions. In this paper, we focus on identifying the pathogen characteristics that can drive host species extinction. Both deterministic and stochastic modeling frameworks based on a susceptible-infectious-bacteria epidemic model are proposed, to assess the influence of pathogen infection on species decline and extinction. Various indices, including the reproduction numbers of the host species, the replication of the pathogen, and the transmission of the pathogen are derived. Theoretical analysis includes the stability of equilibria, the extinction and persistence of host species in the deterministic model, and the evaluation of extinction probability and average extinction time in the stochastic model. Additionally, numerical simulations are conducted to quantify the effects of various factors on host decline and extinction, as well as the probabilities of extinction. We find two crucial conditions for a pathogen to drive host extinction: (i) the pathogen's self-reproduction capacity in the environment, and (ii) the pathogen's impact on the fecundity and survival of the infected host. These findings provide insights that could aid in the design and implementation of effective conservation strategies for amphibians.

Using minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) and Determination of Cause of Death (DeCoDe) to establish etiologies of community respiratory deaths among Zambian infants and children.

In low-to-middle income countries, acute lower respiratory infection (ALRI) remains the leading infectious cause of death among infants and children under 5 years old. Case-control studies based on upper respiratory sampling have informed current understandings of ALRI etiologies; in contrast, minimally-invasive tissue sampling (MITS) offers a method of directly interrogating lower respiratory tract pathogens to establish etiologic distributions. This study performed in the post-mortem setting used MITS and a Determination of Cause of Death (DeCoDe) panel to elucidate causes of fatal pneumonia in the community in Lusaka, Zambia. For deceased infants and children under age 5 years whose next-of-kin provided consent, verbal autopsy was obtained and six lung tissue biopsies from each case were sent for histopathology and multiplex polymerase chain reaction testing. Subsequently a multi-disciplinary DeCoDe panel met to review each case, determine if the child died of respiratory causes, construct a causal chain of diagnoses directly leading to the death, and determine if the death was preventable (i.e. if an identifiable intervention would have averted the death). Among 106 deaths, 49 were adjudicated as respiratory deaths, with etiologic causes including Klebsiella pneumoniae (13), Streptococcus pneumoniae (5), and Pneumocystis jirovecii (4), among others. Of note, for 21 respiratory deaths, a causative pathogen could not be identified despite clinical and histopathologic evidence of ALRI. A large majority of all deaths were considered preventable (90/106 or 85%). This study demonstrates the impact of certain respiratory pathogens through direct in situ tissue sampling with supportive pathologic data and presents a useful method of studying the etiologic distribution of fatal ALRIs in settings where many deaths occur in the community.

THE EFFECT OF NANOPLASTICS AND MICROPLASTICS ON LUNG MORPHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY: A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Airborne microplastic (NP) and nanoplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a pressing environmental concern with significant implications for human health. While MPs are present both indoors and outdoors, indoor concentrations are generally higher due to the abrasion of household materials, furniture, and other domestic sources. MPs and NPs, when inhaled, accumulate in various lung regions, exerting toxic effects and potentially leading to respiratory diseases. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, evaluates recent experimental studies on the pathogenic impact of nanomicroplastics (NMPs) on lung tissues using in vivo and in vitro models. The review included 10 studies analyzing MP accumulation in respiratory tissues and 90 studies examining pathogenetic mechanisms of MP exposure. Research data indicates a predominance of polymeric fibers such as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polytetrafluoroethylene, with fibers accounting for nearly half of MP structures. NMPs in lung tissues exhibit size- and composition-dependent accumulation, with smaller and positively charged particles showing higher translocation potential to the systemic circulation and other organs. The review highlights the synergistic toxic effects of MPs with heavy metals and other pollutants, interaction with pulmonary surfactant, and the role of NMPs in exacerbating respiratory and systemic diseases. Current analysis underscores the growing interest in NMP-related respiratory health risks and identifies significant knowledge gaps, including the need for standardization in NMP toxicity testing and further exploration of NMPs interaction with biological systems. The findings emphasize the importance of mitigating NMPs exposure to safeguard respiratory health and pave the way for future research on the long-term impacts of airborne NMPs on human and environmental health.

Application of microfluidic technologies in veterinary science with a view toward development of animal‐on‐a‐chip models

AbstractThe advancement of veterinary science relies on the adoption of modern technologies, more recently including molecular diagnostics, genomic research, precision medicine approaches, and advanced diagnostic imaging. Recent advancements in microfluidics have brought tremendous attention to human disease modeling, diagnosis, and drug development. Specifically, organ‐on‐a‐chip, a subset of microfluidic technology, is characterized by its ability to mimic the human in vivo microenvironment and improve cost efficiency in drug development. Recent studies have demonstrated huge potential in translating human‐centered microfluidic technologies to veterinary science, which can help to deepen our understanding of animal diseases and disorders and develop targeted treatments for diverse animal species, including companion animals, livestock, and wildlife. Further, the ongoing impact of climate change has heightened the threat of diseases among animal populations as well as the potential impact of zoonotic pathogens. New tools for in‐depth exploration of animal physiologies and diseases are essential to mitigate the risk of species extinction and safeguard animal well‐being. Building upon the achievements in human‐based microfluidic studies, we propose the comprehensive integration of this technology into veterinary research. This review provides an overview of microfluidic technology, its current applications in veterinary science, and discusses future directions and challenges toward the development of animal‐on‐a‐chip systems.

The effect of Torreya grandis inter-cropping with Polygonatum sibiricum on soil microbial community.

Inter-cropping is a reasonable planting pattern between different plants. Inter-cropping of Torreya grandis with Polygonatum sibiricum is a relatively mature planting pattern in China, which has been applied to improve soil ecological environment and reduce the occurrence of pests and diseases in China. However, there is currently limited knowledge on the response of soil microbial communities to this practice. In this study, we employed Illumina MiSeq sequencing coupled with Functional Annotation of Prokaryotic Taxa (FAPROTAX) and Fungi Functional Guild (FUNGuild) analyses to investigate the dynamic changes in soil microbial communities across seven treated groups [the bulk soil of the T. grandis inter-cropping with P. sibiricum (IB), the bulk soil for mono-cropping of P. sibiricum (PB), the bulk soil for mono-cropping of T. grandis (TB), the P. grandis rhizosphere soil of the T. grandis inter-cropping with P. sibiricum (IPR), the rhizosphere soil for mono-cropping of P. sibiricum (PR), the T. grandis rhizosphere soil of the T. grandis inter-cropping with P. sibiricum (ITR), and the rhizosphere soil for mono-cropping of T. grandis (TR)]. The results showed that the rhizosphere soil of Torreya-Polygonatum inter-cropping exhibited higher microbial community richness, diversity and evenness than mono-cropping (ITR > TR, IPR > PR). Inter-cropping increased the abundance of Micrococcaceae, Xanthobacteraceae, Saitozyma, while decreased Bacillus, Burkholderia, Streptomyces, Cladosporium, and Gibberella significantly of the rhizosphere soil of T. grandis. Further, the abundance of pathogens, such as Fusarium and Neocosmospora, was higher in mono-cropping samples compared to inter-cropping. There existed distinct variations in bacterial and fungal communities among all groups except for IB and TB. The FAPROTAX and FUNGuild analyses results indicated that inter-cropping significantly enhanced soil microbial function associated with nutrient cycling and exhibited a consistent increase in the relative abundance of nitrogen-cycling and carbon-cycling bacteria, and decreased the abundance of plant pathogen guild in the inter-cropping sample ITR compared to the mono-cropping TR. Our findings suggest that T. grandis inter-cropping with P. sibiricum not only enhance the diversity of soil microbial communities, but also improve the nitrogen and carbon cycling functions. In addition, the inter-cropping can effectively reduce the relative abundance of some soil-borne pathogens for T. grandis and P. sibiricum, indicating that this intercropping method may alleviate the impact of pathogens on crops, thus providing assistance for plant disease prevention and sustainable management.

Assessment of bioaerosol composition and public health implications in high-traffic urban areas of Southwest, Nigeria.

Bioaerosols, a significant yet underexplored component of atmospheric particulate matter, pose substantial public health risks, particularly in regions with poor air quality. This study investigates the composition of bioaerosols in public spaces, specifically two interstate motor parks and two marketplaces in Osun State, Nigeria, over six months. Air samples were collected, and bacterial and fungal species were identified, focusing on pathogenic organisms. The results revealed the presence of well-known pathogens, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella sp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Aspergillus sp., and Fusarium sp., which are associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, as well as antimicrobial resistance. Site-specific differences in microbial diversity were observed, with higher bacterial diversity in motor parks and greater fungal occurrence in marketplaces influenced by environmental factors such as waste management. The findings highlight the urgent need for microbial air quality monitoring in public spaces, alongside improved sanitation practices. This study provides critical insights into the public health risks posed by bioaerosols and calls for local and global interventions to mitigate the impact of airborne pathogens in urban environments.

Long-term organic matter inputs enhance soil health and reduce soil-borne pathogen pressure in maize-bean rotations in Kenya

In smallholder farming systems across East Africa, soil-borne pathogens lead to significant crop losses, with their impact shaped by various factors such as management practices and soil properties. We conducted our research within an existing long-term (45-year) trial that manipulated synthetic fertilizers (N and P applied vs. no application), manure application (10 Mg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹ farmyard manure vs. no application), and maize stover management (retained vs. removed) in a full-factorial design within a maize–bean rotation. This study aimed to assess the impact of continuous organic nutrient inputs (farmyard manure and maize stover) and synthetic fertilizers on soil-borne pathogens (Fusarium, Pythium, root knot and lesion nematodes) and their relationships with key soil health parameters (organic matter fractions, aggregate stability, available P, soil pH, bulk density). Our results indicated that the addition of manure led to increases of 37 % in particulate organic matter, 114 % in permanganate oxidizable C, 74 % in aggregate stability, and 24 % in pH, compared to plots that did not receive manure. Similarly, maize residue retention enhanced particulate organic matter by 47 %, permanganate oxidizable C by 11 %, mean weight diameter by 28 %, and pH by 5 %. Manure significantly reduced root knot nematodes by 68 %, Pythium colonies by 39 %, and lesion nematodes by 28 %, but increased Fusarium by 205 %. In contrast, the impacts of synthetic fertilizers on soil health were less pronounced, with significant effects observed only for permanganate oxidizable C (5 % increase), available P (67 % increase), and Pythium (41 % reduction). Additionally, relationships between soil-borne pathogens and soil health variables indicated significant negative associations between particulate organic matter, permanganate oxidizable C, and pH with the abundance of plant parasitic nematodes and Pythium, but a positive association with Fusarium. Pythium and lesion nematodes were positively associated with bulk density. Our findings suggest that both manure and plant residue retention hold great promise for supporting long-term soil health and fertility, which can, in turn, reduce the impact of soil-borne pathogens on crop yields. This is a major challenge for low-income farmers in Kenya who practice continuous cultivation.

Effect of Seed Biopriming with Trichoderma viride based A Bio-formulation for Management of Chickpea Wilt

Background: Chickpea is an important legume crop, which is susceptible to various biotic stresses. Wilt disease severely affect chickpea crop and cause substantial yield reduction. Trichoderma species is a prominent bio-control agent, which is applied against soil borne pathogens. Trichoderma spp. is available in the market in different formulations. The present study investigated the efficacy of a novel Trichoderma viride based seed biopriming method against wilt causing pathogen (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri) in chickpea crop. Methods: The experiment was conducted in-vitro and in-vivo for two years to assess the effect of different doses of T.viride based bioformulation on chickpea seed quality parameters, plant survival against wilt pathogen and chickpea seed yield. Result: Significantly chickpea plants survived (68.71%) against the impact of wilt pathogen when seeds were bioprimed with T. viride bio-formulation @ 5 g/kg seeds. In contrast, only 51.78% chickpea plants survived from untreated seeds. Comparatively high chickpea yield (7.23 q/ha) was produced from bioprimed seeds than untreated seeds (4.65 q/ha). Bio-formation of T. viride (@ 5 g/kg seeds-based seed biopriming is an eco-friendly method to overcome notorious wilt pathogen that lessen the disease incidence and improves the seed quality traits and maximizes the seed yield.

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii Race 4 Threatening Celery Production in South Florida.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. apii (Foa), is a vascular disease affecting celery. This soilborne pathogen is classified into four distinct pathogenic races: 1, 2, 3, and 4. Notably, race 4 emerges as the most virulent, representing the latest evolutionary development of this pathogen, which was first reported in 2013 in California. In 2022, celery plants in South Florida exhibited typical Fusarium wilt symptoms, with the disease reaching a 100% incidence and causing yield losses ranging from 20 to 100%. Given the significance of celery as a vegetable crop and the severity of this outbreak, the primary objective of this study was to identify and characterize the causal agent of Fusarium wilt in South Florida. The second goal aimed to test the pathogenicity and virulence of the Fusarium isolates from Florida on celery and parsley plants. Using race-specific primers and dual-loci phylogenetic analyses, the isolates surveyed in this study were identified as Foa race 4. Pathogenicity assays in the greenhouse showed that the Foa race 4 isolate from celery induced disease not only on the two celery cultivars (Duda 30 and Duda 71) but also on two commonly cultivated parsley varieties (curly and Italian). Our study also revealed that the Foa race 4 significantly (P < 0.05) affected plant health attributes in all cultivars, including plant height, total plant weight, and root weight. Interestingly, the pathogen exhibited higher (P < 0.0001) virulence on parsley than celery based on vascular discoloration. These findings strongly indicate the urgency of comprehending and managing Fusarium wilt on celery and related crops. Furthermore, the ability of Foa race 4 to affect different plant species highlights a potential threat to agricultural production, emphasizing the need for proactive measures to mitigate the impact of this virulent pathogen.

The quality and technological parameters of milk obtained from dairy cows with subclinical mastitis

Mastitis is one of the most common diseases in dairy cattle. It significantly reduces milk quality and yield, thus incurring economic losses for farmers. This study investigates the impact of various bacterial pathogens on the somatic cell count, milk composition, and technological properties of milk samples from 302 clinically healthy Polish Holstein-Friesian cows kept under intensive rearing conditions. Of the 462 milk samples analyzed, 85.06% were contaminated with bacteria. The majority were coagulase-negative staphylococci (52.60%).-Escherichia coli, Streptococcus dysgalactiae, Streptococcus uberis, or Staphylococcus aureus, or Streptococcus agalactiae, a major pathogen, were identified in 16.66% of samples; their presence was associated with higher SCC levels. Additionally, contamination with S. aureus or S. agalactiae had prolonged clotting time, adversely affected curd and whey quality, with curd yield remaining unaltered. Bacterial contamination did not appear to significantly impact the yield of milk or its main components, viz. protein, casein, lactose, fat, total solids, solid nonfat, free fatty acid or citric acid. Although pH, freezing point depression (FDP), and acidity also remained unaffected by bacterial contamination, they were significantly influenced by herd-year-season of calving and herd-year-time of sampling interaction effects. The results indicate that the presence of bacteria causing subclinical mastitis negatively influences milk processing potential. However, fixed linear regression indicated that the number of colony-forming units (cfu/ml) only had a significant influence on FPD and clotting time, and as such, the number of bacteria in a sample did not influence milk yield or quality during subclinical chronic mastitis.

Cognitive Impact of Neurotropic Pathogens: Investigating Molecular Mimicry through Computational Methods

Neurotropic pathogens, notably, herpesviruses, have been associated with significant neuropsychiatric effects. As a group, these pathogens can exploit molecular mimicry mechanisms to manipulate the host central nervous system to their advantage. Here, we present a systematic computational approach that may ultimately be used to unravel protein–protein interactions and molecular mimicry processes that have not yet been solved experimentally. Toward this end, we validate this approach by replicating a set of pre-existing experimental findings that document the structural and functional similarities shared by the human cytomegalovirus-encoded UL144 glycoprotein and human tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily member 14 (TNFRSF14). We began with a thorough exploration of the Homo sapiens protein database using the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool (BLASTx) to identify proteins sharing sequence homology with UL144. Subsequently, we used AlphaFold2 to predict the independent three-dimensional structures of UL144 and TNFRSF14. This was followed by a comprehensive structural comparison facilitated by Distance-Matrix Alignment and Foldseek. Finally, we used AlphaFold-multimer and PPIscreenML to elucidate potential protein complexes and confirm the predicted binding activities of both UL144 and TNFRSF14. We then used our in silico approach to replicate the experimental finding that revealed TNFRSF14 binding to both B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) and glycoprotein domain and UL144 binding to BTLA alone. This computational framework offers promise in identifying structural similarities and interactions between pathogen-encoded proteins and their host counterparts. This information will provide valuable insights into the cognitive mechanisms underlying the neuropsychiatric effects of viral infections.Graphical

Emydomyces testavorans Surveillance in Multiple Free-Ranging Terrestrial and Aquatic Chelonian Species in Illinois, USA.

The order Onygenales contains multiple fungal pathogens that affect free-ranging and zoo-housed reptilian species. Emydomyces testavorans, an onygenalean fungus associated with skin and shell disease, has been sporadically detected in aquatic chelonians. Because of the recent discovery of this organism, little is known about its prevalence in free-ranging chelonians. The objective of this study was to perform surveillance for E. testavorans in six free-ranging aquatic and terrestrial chelonian species in Illinois, USA: Blanding's turtles (n=437; Emydoidea blandingii), painted turtles (n=199; Chrysemys picta), common snapping turtles (n=35; Chelydra serpentina), red-eared sliders (n=62; RES; Trachemys scripta elegans), eastern box turtles (n=73; Terrapene carolina carolina) and ornate box turtles (n=29; Terrapene ornata). Combined cloacal-oral swabs (COSs) or shell (carapace and plastron surfaces) swabs were collected from 2019 to 2021 and tested for E. testavorans using quantitative PCR. The PCR detected E. testavorans in COSs of an adult male, subadult female, and juvenile male Blanding's turtle (0.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.2-1.9%) and a shell swab from an adult female RES (1.6%; 95% CI, 0-8.7%). Shell lesions consistent with E. testavorans infection were present in two of the positive Blanding's turtles. These results document the rarity of this pathogen on the landscape in Illinois. Additional studies should determine this pathogen's impact on individuals and clarify its significance for conservation efforts of Blanding's turtle, in which E. testavorans has not been reported previously.

Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis AGMB00912 alleviates diarrhea and promotes the growth performance of piglets during the weaning transition

BackgroundPreventing post-weaning diarrhea (PWD) in weaned piglets is a crucial challenge in the swine production industry. The stress of weaning, dietary shifts from maternal milk to solid feed, and environmental changes lead to decreased microbial diversity, increased pathogen abundance, and compromised intestinal integrity. We have previously identified Lactiplantibacillus argentoratensis AGMB00912 (LA) in healthy porcine feces, which demonstrated antimicrobial activity against pathogens and enhanced short-chain fatty acid production. This research aimed to evaluate the efficacy of LA strain supplementation as a strategy to inhibit PWD and enhance overall growth performance in weaned piglets.ResultsLA supplementation in weaned piglets significantly increased body weight gain, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake. It also alleviated diarrhea symptoms (diarrhea score and incidence). Notably, LA was found to enrich beneficial microbial populations (Lactobacillus, Anaerobutyricum, Roseburia, Lachnospiraceae, and Blautia) while reducing the abundance of harmful bacteria (Helicobacter and Campylobacter). This not only reduces the direct impact of pathogens but also improves the overall gut microbiota structure, thus enhancing the resilience of weaned piglets. LA treatment also promotes the growth of the small intestinal epithelial structure, strengthens gut barrier integrity, and increases short-chain fatty acid levels in the gut.ConclusionsThe study findings demonstrate the promising potential of LA in preventing PWD. Supplementation with the LA strain offers a promising feed additive for improving intestinal health and growth in piglets during the weaning transition, with the potential to significantly reduce the incidence and severity of PWD.

Climate change and exotic pathogens shift carbon allocation in Mediterranean mixed forests

Abstract Forecasting the effects of global change drivers on ecosystems is one of the most pressing challenges for scientists worldwide. Particularly, climate change and exotic pathogens might have a large impact on plant community dynamics and ecosystem functioning through changes in carbon uptake and sinks. Nevertheless, we still have a poor understanding of the combined effects of these two drivers on plant communities. Here, we explored the impact of rainfall reduction and exotic pathogens on the carbon balance of Mediterranean tree species. For this, we performed a 3‐year field experiment taking advantage of rainfall exclusion infrastructures (30% exclusion) installed in the southernmost European oak forests invaded by the aggressive exotic pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. We measured a set of 10 variables representative of tree carbon sources (photosynthetic rates) and sinks (primary production, reproduction, defence, and reserves) in adult trees of three species in two forest types: closed forests of Quercus suber and Q. canariensis, and open woodlands of Q. suber and Olea europaea. We found a large variability in the sensitivity of the different carbon sources and sinks to the effects of drought and pathogens, from variables highly sensitive to both factors (carbon fixation and reproduction, root chemistry) to variables only responsive to drought (litter production) or totally unresponsive (tree trunk, leaf chemistry). Although negative effects predominated, positive effects of rainfall exclusion were also detected in wet years, likely due to a reduction of pathogen abundance in drier soil. Trade‐offs between carbon sinks appeared in all tree species, but rainfall exclusion only modified trade‐offs in Q. suber, the species most susceptible to P. cinnamomi. Synthesis. We provide evidence on the complexity of the combined effects of abiotic (drought) and biotic (pathogens) global change drivers on carbon source and sinks of adult trees, including both negative direct effects and positive indirect effects. Our results showed that these effects varied among co‐existing species, particularly for carbon sinks directly related to tree demography (reproduction). Therefore, long‐term changes in the structure of Mediterranean mixed forests might be expected towards the dominance of species highly resistant to both drought and pathogens.

Impact of ESKAPE Pathogens on Bacteremia: A Three-Year Surveillance Study at a Major Hospital in Southern Italy.

ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) pose a serious public health threat as they are resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents. Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by ESKAPE bacteria have high mortality rates due to the limited availability of effective antimicrobials. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and susceptibility of ESKAPE pathogens causing BSIs over three years in a large tertiary hospital in Salerno. Conducted at the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of San Giovanni di Dio e ''Ruggi D'Aragona'' Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022, blood culture samples from different departments were incubated in the BD BACTEC™ system for 5 days. Species identification was performed using MALDI-TOF MS, and antimicrobial resistance patterns were determined by the VITEK2 system. Out of 3197 species isolated from positive blood cultures, 38.7% were ESKAPE bacteria. Of these, 59.9% were found in blood culture samples taken from men, and the most affected age group was those aged >60 years. (70.6%). Staphylococcus aureus was the main BSI pathogen (26.3%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (15.8%). Significant resistance rates were found, including 35% of Staphylococcus aureus being resistant to oxacillin and over 90% of Acinetobacter baumannii being resistant to carbapenems. These results highlight the urgent need for antimicrobial stewardship programs to prevent incurable infections.

Natural Bacterial Co-Infection in Farmed European Sea Bass Intended for Experimental Research in Sicily, Southern Italy: Pathological Findings

In mariculture facilities, bacterial infections pose significant production challenges, with potentially catastrophic impacts on fish species. Bacterial co-infections are a widespread phenomenon in the natural marine environment, although their impact on aquatic organisms remains poorly investigated. This study aimed to detail the pathological findings associated with a natural bacterial co-infection caused by three different pathogens, namely Photobacterium damselae subsp. piscicida, Tenacibaculum maritimum and Vibrio sp., as the cause of mass mortality in European sea bass. The fish had been reared in open-net cages in Sicily and later transferred for experimental research purposes to a user establishment after immunization with an inactivated vaccine. Macroscopic, cytological and histopathological examinations were performed on 109 animals, and bacterial species were identified by the 16S rRNA gene. Overall, ulcerative skin lesions, necrotizing myositis and tail rot with occasional tail loss were associated with tenacibaculosis and vibriosis, while P. damselae subsp. piscicida mainly caused granulomatous inflammation in the spleen and head kidney. Finally, an injection site reaction due to the oil-adjuvanted vaccine administered intraperitoneally was observed in the abdominal fat. Understanding the impact of bacterial pathogens is essential to manage the health and welfare of farmed fish, and the importance of a good health monitoring program cannot be overstated to avoid outbreaks and the possible emergence of new pathogens due to the intensification of the production systems, antibiotic resistance and climate changes. The study would also highlight the importance of the quarantine period when animals supplied for research come from aquaculture farms and how the main goal in the near future should be to better define the procedures to provide completely pathogen-free animals.

Mitochondrial tRNAGlu 14693A > G Mutation, an "Enhancer" to the Phenotypic Expression of Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy.

Leber's hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON), a maternally inherited ocular disease, is predominantly caused by mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations. Mitochondrial tRNA variants are hypothesized to amplify the pathogenic impact of three primary mutations. However, the exact mechanisms remained unclear. In the present study, the synergistic effect of the tRNAGlu 14693A > G and ND6 14484T > C mutations in three Chinese families affected by LHON is investigated. The m.14693A > G mutation nearly abolishes the pseudouridinylation at position 55 of tRNAGlu, leading to structural abnormalities, decreased stability, aberrant mitochondrial protein synthesis, and increased autophagy. In contrast, the ND6 14484T > C mutation predominantly impairs complex I function, resulting in heightened apoptosis and virtually no induction of mitochondrial autophagy compared to control cell lines. The presence of dual mutations in the same cell lines exhibited a coexistence of both upregulated cellular stress responses to mitochondrial damage, indicating a scenario of autophagy and mutation dysregulation within these dual-mutant cell lines. The data proposes a novel hypothesis that mitochondrial tRNA gene mutations generally lead to increased mitochondrial autophagy, while mutations in genes encoding mitochondrial proteins typically induce apoptosis, shedding light on the intricate interplay between different genetic factors in the manifestation of LHON.

Pathogenic role of anti-nuclear autoantibodies in systemic sclerosis: Insights from other rheumatic diseases.

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a severe autoimmune disease characterized by vasculopathy, fibrosis, and dysregulated immunity, with hallmark autoantibodies targeting nuclear antigens such as centromere protein (ACA) and topoisomerase I (ATA). These autoantibodies are highly prevalent and disease-specific, rarely coexisting, thus serving as crucial biomarkers for SSc diagnosis. Despite their diagnostic value, their roles in SSc pathogenesis remain unclear. This review summarizes current literature on ACA and ATA in SSc, comparing them to autoantibodies in other rheumatic diseases to elucidate their potential pathogenic roles. Similarities are drawn with anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) in rheumatoid arthritis, particularly regarding disease specificity and minimal pathogenic impact of antigen binding. In addition, differences between ANA and ACPA in therapeutic responses and Fab glycosylation patterns are reviewed. While ACA and ATA are valuable for disease stratification and monitoring activity, understanding their origins and the associated B cell responses is critical for advancing therapeutic strategies for SSc.

Ant queens cannibalise infected brood to contain disease spread and recycle nutrients

Filial cannibalism, where parents eat their own offspring, is a taxonomically widespread behaviour with a multitude of potential adaptive explanations1. Of these, the impact of pathogens on the expression of filial cannibalism is, in particular, poorly understood. Cannibalising young with low survival probability may enable parents to reinvest valuable resources into future reproduction1. However, cannibalising offspring that harbour pathogens may be potentially harmful to parents, and such risk may therefore select against this behaviour. Although disease-induced cannibalism of eggs has been reported in fish2, the benefits of consuming infected brood to contain infections - as an explanation for the evolution of filial cannibalism - remain largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that solitarily founding ant queens cannibalise sick larvae in their nests before they become contagious, showing that filial cannibalism both contains an otherwise lethal infection without any long-term consequences on queen survival and also enables the reinvestment of recouped energy into additional egg production.