Pathogen Infection Research Articles

Genome-wide analysis of calmodulin binding Protein60 candidates in the important crop plants.

Efficient management of environmental stresses is essential for sustainable crop production. Calcium (Ca²⁺) signaling plays a crucial role in regulating responses to both biotic and abiotic stresses, particularly during host-pathogen interactions. In Arabidopsis thaliana, calmodulin-binding protein 60 (CBP60) family members, such as AtCBP60g, AtCBP60a, and AtSARD1, have been well characterized for their involvement in immune regulation. However, a comprehensive understanding of CBP60 genes in major crops remains limited. In this study, we utilized the Phytozome v12.1 database to identify and analyze CBP60 genes in agriculturally important crops. Expression patterns of a Oryza sativa (rice) CBP60 gene, OsCBP60bcd-1, were assessed in resistant and susceptible rice genotypes in response to infection by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae. Localization of CBP60 proteins was analyzed to predict their functional roles, and computational promoter analysis was performed to identify stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that most CBP60 genes in crops belong to the immune-related clade. Expression analysis showed that OsCBP60bcd-1 was significantly upregulated in the resistant rice genotype upon pathogen infection. Subcellular localization studies suggested that the majority of CBP60 proteins are nuclear-localized, indicating a potential role as transcription factors. Promoter analysis identified diverse stress-responsive cis-regulatory elements in the promoters of CBP60 genes, highlighting their regulatory potential under stress conditions. The upregulation of OsCBP60bcd-1 in response to Xanthomonas oryzae and the presence of stress-responsive elements in its promoter underscore the importance of CBP60 genes in pathogen defense. These findings provide a basis for further investigation into the functional roles of CBP60 genes in crop disease resistance, with implications for enhancing stress resilience in agricultural species.

РАЗРАБОТКА МЯГКОЙ ЛЕКАРСТВЕННОЙ ФОРМЫ НА ОСНОВЕ РАСТИТЕЛЬНОГО СЫРЬЯ ОЛЕНЬЕГО МХА (CLADONIA RANGIFERINA), ОБЛАДАЮЩЕГО АНТИСЕПТИЧЕСКИМ ДЕЙСТВИЕМ

Relevance. Contemporary realities dictate the need to search for and create new medicines, including extracts obtained from plant raw materials. The use of medicinal plants often turns out to be more favorable in terms of economic and therapeutic effectiveness, sometimes very profitable. This is especially true with regard to drugs against infectious pathogens, since many of them have developed resistance to antibiotics. Lichens are known to contain substances with antibacterial properties. Among the extracted components from lichens, usnic acid is considered one of the most promising. Work is underway to include it in the composition of dosage forms for treatment. The development of drugs for external use that contain usnic acid is considered the most studied and preferred. The aim Design of a soft medicinal form (gel) based on vegetable raw materials of Deer moss (Cladonia rangiferina), which has an antiseptic effect. Materials and methods. The materials for the creation of an antiseptic gel were: usnic acid extract isolated from Deer moss (Cladonia rangiferina); substances that form the basis of gel dosage forms (carbopol, polyethylene glycol). 3 experimental series of gel containing usnic acid have been produced. Their organoleptic and physico-chemical properties have been studied. The results of the study. Based on the results of a series of experiments, the best composition for the preparation and production of a gel containing usnic acid was determined. It includes the following component ratios: extract of usninic acid from alcohol berry 1:10 (20 ml); carbopol (0.8 g); polyethylene glycol-6000 (0.1 g). The conclusion the optimal composition of an antiseptic gel containing usnic acid has been determined. A recipe has been compiled for the manufacture of gel based on vegetable raw materials of Deer moss.

The first report of submandibular lymph node infection with Flavobacterium ceti in a horse and its complete genome sequence.

This is the first report describing the isolation and genome sequence of Flavobacterium ceti (F. ceti IJFC025) from a draining submandibular lymph node abscess in a 6-year-old mixed-breed mare in Korea. Since F. ceti is not a usual infectious pathogen that causes equine health problems, this study presents the complete genome sequence of F. ceti isolated from a submandibular lymph node abscess sample in Jeju, South Korea, in 2022. The entire genome sequence of F. ceti IJFC025 consisted of a 3,144,426-bp chromosome with 35.6% G+C content. Gene prediction revealed that this strain possesses 2,909 coding sequences (CDSs), 74 tRNAs, and five rRNAs. Average nucleotide identity analysis of the whole-genome sequence revealed 98.6% to 98.8% nucleotide identity between F. ceti IJFC025 and F. ceti CECT7184, which was previously isolated from beaked whales. PathogenFinder revealed four different virulence genes in the genome that could potentially cause infections in horses. F. ceti CECT7184 contained genes encoding propionyl-CoA carboxylase, 3-oxoacid CoA-transferase A subunit, and the translation initiation factor IF-1, whereas F. ceti IJFC025 does not. Instead, F. ceti IJFC025 harbors genes encoding deoxyhypusine synthase, whereas F. ceti CECT7184 does not. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests revealed that F. ceti IJFC025 is a multidrug-resistant strain that is resistant to gentamicin, ceftazidime, nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, and colistin. However, no resistance genes were detected in the whole-genome sequence. Because of the similarity of the clinical signs with those of strangles, this pathogen needs to be included in the differential diagnosis of submandibular lymphadenopathy in horses.

Peroxisomal Localization of Benzyl Alcohol O-Benzoyltransferase HSR201 Is Mediated by a Non-canonical Peroxisomal Targeting Signal and Required for Salicylic Acid Biosynthesis.

The phytohormone salicylic acid (SA) regulates plant responses to various types of environmental stress, particularly pathogen infections. We previously revealed that the benzyl alcohol O-benzoyltransferase HSR201 was required for pathogen signal-induced SA synthesis, and its overexpression together with NtCNL, encoding a cinnamate-coenzyme A ligase, was sufficient for the production of significant amounts of SA in tobacco. We herein examined the subcellular localization of HSR201 and found that it fused to a yellow fluorescent protein localized in peroxisomes. Most peroxisomal matrix proteins possess peroxisomal targeting signal type-1 (PTS1) located at the extreme C terminus or PTS2 located at the N terminus; however, a bioinformatics analysis failed to identify similar signals for HSR201. Deletion and mutation analyses of HSR201 identified one essential (extreme C-terminal Leu46°) and three important (Ile455, Ile456 and Ala459) amino acid residues for its peroxisomal localization. The virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) of PEX5, a PTS1 receptor, but not PEX7, a PTS2 receptor, compromised the peroxisomal targeting of HSR201 in Nicotiana benthamiana. When overexpressed with NtCNL, HSR201 mutants with reduced or non-peroxisomal targeting induced lower SA levels than the wild type; however, these mutations did not affect the protein stability or activity of HSR201. VIGS of the HSR201 homolog compromised pathogen signal-induced SA accumulation in N. benthamiana, which was complemented by the HSR201 wild type, but not the mutant with non-peroxisomal targeting. These results suggest that the peroxisomal localization of HSR201 is mediated by a non-canonical PTS1 and required for SA biosynthesis.

Clinical characteristics of patients with granulomatous lobular mastitis associated with Corynebacterium parakroppenstedtii infection and drug sensitivity analysis of the isolated strains

BackgroundIt is presently considered that Corynebacterium especially Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii (CK) infection, is one of the important causes of granulomatous lobular mastitis (GLM). However, the pathogen of mastitis in the past two years has been identified as a newly discovered Corynebacterium. But it is unclear whether the pathogen associated with the occurrence of GLM is also this bacterium.MethodsGLM female patients with positive bacterial culture in pus specimens from February 2023 to February 2024 who were identified as CK infection by mass spectrometer were selected as the research objects in this study, and the clinical isolates were identified by 16S rDNA sequencing technology to identify the specific pathogen of GLM-related bacterial infection. Subsequently, the clinical characteristics of the patients were compared with those of GLM patients without bacterial infection during the same period, to explore the effect of this particular type of Corynebacterium infection on disease development in GLM patients. Finally, we tested the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of antibiotics when inhibiting these separation strains in vitro through the E-Test experiment, to evaluate their medicine sensitivity.ResultsA total of 31 GLM patients initially diagnosed with Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii (CK) infection via MALDI-TOF MS were enrolled in the study. However, subsequent 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that 28 isolates (90.32%) were actually identified as the newly recognized Corynebacterium parakroppenstedtii (CPK). This discovery challenges the conventional belief that CK is the primary pathogen of GLM, suggesting instead that CPK is the predominant pathogen associated with GLM bacterial infections. Comparative analysis of the clinical characteristics between the two groups revealed a significantly higher recurrence rate among CPK-infected GLM patients compared to those without CPK infection, along with elevated prolactin levels (P < 0.05). The sensitivity test results indicated high sensitivity of the isolates to vancomycin, linezolid, and rifampicin.ConclusionIn conclusion, this study highlights that Corynebacterium kroppenstedtii strains isolated from GLM specimens were Corynebacterium parakroppenstedtii, serving as the primary pathogen closely linked to GLM’s occurrence. CPK infection significantly increases the risk of recurrence in GLM patients, with elevated prolactin levels potentially playing a pivotal role in this process. In clinical antimicrobial treatment, antimicrobials other than penicillin and ciprofloxacin may be empirically administered when sensitivity test results are inconclusive.

Respiratory Carriage of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus-Encoding Gene in Hajj Pilgrims.

To assess the carriage of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-encoding genes (MRSA) among French Hajj pilgrim cohorts. A prospective cohort study was conducted on pilgrims from Marseille during the 2014 to 2018 Hajj. Respiratory samples were collected before and after the pilgrimage. S. aureus and then MRSA-encoding genes were identified using real-time PCR. A total of 606 pilgrims were included with a sex ratio of 1:1.3 with a median age of 61 years (interquartile = 56-66 years, range = 21-88 years). A total of 511/606 (84.3%) pilgrims presented at least one respiratory symptom during their pilgrimage. Cough was the most frequent symptom occurring in 76.2% of pilgrims, followed by sore throat (57.6%), rhinitis (54.6%), and voice failure (36.3%). 87 (14.4%) were positive with S. aureus before travelling. On return, 130/606 (21.4%) participants were positive. The acquisition rate of S. aureus was 13.0% (79/606). The prevalence of MRSA pre- and post-travel and acquisition rate was 4.1% (25/606), 10.6% (62/606), and 8.2% (50/606), respectively. All MRSA were positive with mecA gene. No case was positive with mecC. Our study highlights the importance of surveillance and infection control measures during mass gatherings such as the Hajj to mitigate the spread of infectious pathogens, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria like MRSA. Further research is warranted to elucidate the specific factors contributing to S. aureus and MRSA transmission during the pilgrimage and to inform targeted interventions aimed at reducing the burden of MRSA infection among pilgrims.

Cuminaldehyde in combination with tetracycline shows promising antibiofilm activity against drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, an opportunistic pathogen often causes biofilm-linked infections. A combinatorial approach involving tetracycline (antibiotic) and cuminaldehyde (phytochemical) was explored to combat this infectious pathogen. The results showed that both tetracycline and cuminaldehyde individually demonstrated antibacterial effects. However, when the compounds were applied together, there was a significant increase in their antimicrobial potential. The determined fractional inhibitory concentration index of 0.43 indicated a synergistic interaction between the two compounds. Furthermore, a series of experiments demonstrated that the combined application of cuminaldehyde and tetracycline could lead to a significant enhancement of their antibiofilm potential. This enhanced antibiofilm potential was attributed to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and increased cell membrane permeability. Besides, this combinatorial application reduced the secretion of various virulence factors from P. aeruginosa. Therefore, this combined approach holds promise for effectively treating P. aeruginosa biofilms.

Genome-wide identification and expression analysis of CASPL gene family in Zea mays (L.)

Casparian strip membrane domain proteins like (CASPL), exhibit profound associations with root development, stress responsiveness and mineral element uptake in plants. Nonetheless, a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the ZmCASPL gene family in maize remains unreported. In the study, we have identified 47 ZmCASPL members at the whole-genome level, systematically classifying them into six distinct groups. Furthermore, our analysis revealed that the same group of ZmCASPL contains similar gene structures and conserved motifs. Duplication events showed whole genome duplication (WGD) and tandem duplication (TD) contribute to the generation of the ZmCASPL gene family together in maize, but the former plays a more prominent role. Furthermore, we observed that most ZmCASPL genes contain MYB-binding sites (CAACCA), which are associated with the Casparian strip. Utilizing RNA-seq data, we found that ZmCASPL21 and ZmCASPL47 are specifically highly expressed only in the roots. This finding implies that ZmCASPL21 and ZmCASPL47 may be involved in the Casparian strip development. Additionally, RNA-seq analysis illuminated that drought, salt, heat, cold stresses, low nitrogen and phosphorus conditions, as well as pathogen infection, significantly impact the expression patterns of ZmCASPL genes. RT-qPCR revealed that ZmCASPL 5/13/25/44 genes showed different expression patterns under PEG and NaCl treatments. Collectively, these findings provide a robust theoretical foundation for further investigations into the functional roles of the ZmCASPL gene family in maize.

Acute myocardial infarction leads to distinct sex differences in the coding transcriptome of human monocytes with a potential impact in disease aetiopathology

Abstract Background Immune responses are intricately linked to human disease, not only during pathogenic infections but also in sterile injury events such as in cardiovascular disease. Atherosclerosis is the main driver leading to coronary artery disease (CAD) and subsequent development of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and heart failure. The vital role of monocytes in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis is well established. In the onset of AMI, monocytes act as first responders, both in the inflammatory and tissue repair phases. It is now apparent that sex-specific differences in the inflammatory responses leading to AMI impact the severity and outcome of patients. Yet, the immune responses during AMI have been under-investigated in women, often under-represented in clinical studies, and more research in this topic is required. Purpose Identification of sex-specific differences in the coding transcriptome of monocytes subpopulations in the onset of AMI compared to matched healthy subjects and CAD patients. Methods We isolated monocytes from male and female AMI patients, CAD patients and healthy controls. FACS sorting of monocytes (CD14 and CD16) resulted into classical, intermediate, and non-classical subpopulations. We performed ribosomal depletion and bulk Illumina RNA sequencing for each monocyte subpopulation. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) were calculated using specific R packages. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed with Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA). Other computational tools were used to determine enrichment of genes linked to GWAS identified in cardiovascular diseases or to infer pathway responsive genes upon perturbation (Progeny). Network comparison and visualization were performed using Cytoscape platform. Results Whereas observing a clear overlap of most pathways such as homeostasis, regulation of signalling cascades and inflammatory response, we also identified other pathways contrasting strongly between both sexes. In fact, TGF beta/ SMAD signalling, wound healing and epithelial to mesenchymal transition are increased in female cells. On the contrast the more pro-inflammatory BMP/SMAD signalling is increased in male cells accompanied by decreased respiratory electron transport and translation. Additionally, when comparing our data to signatures identified in trauma patients, we observe clear mapping of our gene sets, which are upregulated in AMI, with the first 3 trauma associated signatures, whereas one of the signatures associated to homeostasis associates clearly with our CAD data as well as the healthy subjects. Conclusions Human monocytes display a specific coding transcriptome and certain pathways are differentially expressed in AMI and differ greatly between male and female cohorts. Interestingly, our DEG map closely to trauma associated signatures, highlighting potential similarities in disease aetiopathology between trauma and AMI patients.

Fulminant myocarditis associated with human rhinovirus A66 infection: a case report

BackgroundHuman rhinoviruses (HRVs) are among the most common pathogens of upper respiratory infections, and they are responsible for the common cold. An increasing number of studies have shown that HRV is associated with more severe illness. However, HRV-associated fulminant myocarditis has rarely been reported.Patient presentationA previously healthy 8-year-old boy developed fever, fatigue, and vomiting for 3 days, with a subsequent exacerbation accompanied by confusion lasting for 9 h. The day before admission, the patient presented with oliguria, confusion, and hypotension, and he was suspected of having myocarditis. The patient was transferred to our hospital for further diagnosis and treatment. On admission, rough and moist rales were detected, and the heart sounds were muffled, accompanied by an irregular heart rhythm and a gallop. An electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed a wide QRS complex, ST-segment depression, premature ventricular contractions, and complete right bundle branch block. Laboratory tests revealed that brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), N-terminal pro BNP (NT-pro BNP), and cardiac biomarkers, such as troponin I, creatinine kinase (CK), and creatinine kinase-MB (CK-MB) were elevated. Additionally, echocardiography revealed an ejection fraction of approximately 28%. The child developed severe cardiac dysfunction and tissue hypoperfusion, and the cardiogenic shock could not be corrected despite active drug therapy. He had indications for ECMO implantation. A rarely reported rhinovirus, namely, A66, was detected in his bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and oropharyngeal swabs via metagenomic next-generation sequencing and a PCR assay. Bacterial culture of all the samples yielded negative results.ConclusionsThis case presents a patient with severe human rhinovirus A66 infection, which is likely responsible for fulminant myocarditis. This report facilitates prompt diagnosis and treatment of fulminant myocarditis. Clinicians should consider rhinovirus as a possible pathogen of fulminant myocarditis, especially when patients present with symptoms or signs of heart involvement.

Association of Neonatal and Maternal Nasal Microbiome Among Neonates in the Intensive Care Unit

Abstract The neonatal nasal microbiota may help protect neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit from pathogen colonization and infection. This preliminary study characterized the biodiversity of nasal microbiota comparing neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit and their mothers, highlighting the potential of strain sharing between mother–neonate pairs.

Sugars, Lipids and More: New Insights Into Plant Carbon Sources During Plant-Microbe Interactions.

Heterotrophic microbes rely on host-derived carbon sources for their growth and survival. Depriving pathogens of plant carbon is therefore a promising strategy for protecting plants from disease and reducing yield losses. Importantly, this carbon starvation-mediated resistance is expected to be more broad-spectrum and durable than race-specific R-gene-mediated resistance. Although sugars are well characterized as major carbon sources for bacteria, emerging evidence suggests that plant-derived lipids are likely to be an essential carbon source for some fungal microbes, particularly biotrophs. Here, we comprehensively discuss the dual roles of carbon sources (mainly sugars and lipids) and their transport processes in immune signalling and microbial nutrition. We summarize recent findings revealing the crucial roles of lipids as susceptibility factors at all stages of pathogen infection. In particular, we discuss the potential pathways by which lipids and other plant carbon sources are delivered to biotrophs, including protein-mediated transport, vesicle trafficking and autophagy. Finally, we highlight knowledge gaps and offer suggestions for clarifying the mechanisms that underlie nutrient uptake by biotrophs, providing guidance for future research on the application of carbon starvation-mediated resistance.

First trimester maternal infections and offspring congenital heart defects: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Background Maternal infections early in pregnancy have been proposed as playing a role in the development of congenital heart defects. We aimed to summarise contemporary evidence regarding the association between first-trimester maternal infection and risk of offspring congenital heart defects. Methods For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched Medline and Embase for studies reporting associations of at least one measure of maternal infection during pregnancy and offspring congenital heart disease in humans and published in English between January 1, 1990 and February 13, 2024. Studies were eligible for inclusion if they reported rates of offspring congenital heart defects among both infected and non-infected mothers, and included a minimum of 50 offspring with congenital heart defects. We stratified associations by type of infection and type of heart defect when data from at least two studies were available. We used inverse variance weighted random-effect meta-analyses to pool the estimates. In main analyses, we pooled crude estimates from studies reporting maternal infections during the first trimester of pregnancy. We performed sensitivity analyses to include studies that i) investigated infections later in pregnancy or at unspecified time-points, and ii) adjusted for potential confounders such as maternal age, socioeconomic status, or ethnicity. Findings: We identified 11 studies (7 case control studies, 4 cohort studies) with data from 1,805,115 pregnancies. Nine of these studies assessed maternal infectious status through self-reported questionnaires or medical records, two used laboratory antibody testing and three reported on specific infectious pathogens. Studies reported on various types of bacterial and viral infections, including influenza, urinary tract infections, cytomegalovirus, herpes simplex virus, or chlamydia, with varying effect sizes. Ten studies reported a positive association between maternal infection variables and offspring congenital heart defects, with a pooled odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval of 1.56 (1.27, 1.91) across all types of infections. Associations differed by individual subtype of congenital heart defects, with ORs ranging from 1.28 (0.89, 1.85) for pulmonary atresia to 1.75 (1.23, 2.49) for ventricular septal defects. Sensitivity analyses that included infections measured later in pregnancy, or adjusted rates for potential confounders, showed broadly similar trends but attenuated effect sizes. Interpretation: First trimester maternal infections are associated with increased risk of congenital heart defects. Associations appear to vary by type of infection and type of congenital heart defect, and to extend beyond infections commonly tested for during routine pregnancy screening. Larger-scale studies are warranted to confirm these findings using laboratory antibody testing and investigating how these associations vary by specific pathogens and subtypes of congenital heart defects.

Antimicrobial Potential of Scorpion-Venom-Derived Peptides

The frequent and irrational use of antibiotics by humans has led to the escalating rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with a high rate of morbidity-mortality worldwide, which poses a challenge to the development of effective treatments. A large number of host defense peptides from different organisms have gained interest due to their broad antibacterial spectrum, rapid action, and low target resistance, implying that these natural sources might be a new alternative to antimicrobial drugs. As important effectors of prey capture, defense against other animal attacks, and competitor deterrence, scorpion venoms have been developed as important candidate sources for modern drug development. With the rapid progress of bioanalytical and high throughput sequencing techniques, more and more scorpion-venom-derived peptides, including disulfide-bridged peptides (DBPs) and non-disulfide-bridged peptides (NDBPs), have been recently identified as having massive pharmacological activities in channelopathies, pathogen infections, and cancer treatments. In this review, we summarize the molecular diversity and corresponding structural classification of scorpion venom peptides with antibacterial, antifungal, and/or antiparasitic activity. We also aim to improve the understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which scorpion-venom-derived peptides exert these antimicrobial functions, and finally highlight their key aspects and prospects for antimicrobial therapeutic or pharmaceutical application.

Metavirome Insights into the Diversity and Potential Pathogenic Infection of Chlamys farreri in the Coastal Seas of the Republic of Korea

Chlamys farreri is primarily cultivated in Japan, China, and South Korea. Although mass mortality of scallops has been occurring recently, likely caused by high temperatures or infectious diseases, the underlying cause remains unclear. Little is known regarding the viral diseases affecting them. Therefore, we explored DNA virus diversity in the mid-gut gland of C. farreri and compared it with that of seawater. C. farreri was cultivated at depths below 5 m from the sea surface in the coastal waters of South Korea and sampled from May to August 2018. Different DNA viral communities were observed in both C. farreri and seawater. In C. farreri, prevalent groups included Mimiviridae (7%), Poxviridae (6%), and Phycodnaviridae (5%). Conversely, the dominant groups in seawater were Autographiviridae (20%), Kyanoviridae (12%), and Zobellviridae (10%). We identified C. farreri-specific viral communities and potentially infectious viruses, such as Ostreid herpesvirus 1 and Abalone herpesvirus Victoria/AUS/2009. Furthermore, C. farreri acts as a reservoir for various viruses, which impact microbial community dynamics and disease transmission in marine ecosystems. Understanding these viral communities is crucial to protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems by highlighting their role in the transmission of potential avian- and bivalve-specific viruses.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Rural Households in Bojnourd, Iran Regarding the Fleas

Background and Objectives: Fleas are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites of humans and animals, and their importance in general human health is mostly related to their ability to transmit infectious pathogens. This study aims to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of rural households in Bojnourd, North Khorasan Province of Iran, regarding the fleas. Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted from May to November 2020. The study population consisted of rural household members from 11 villages in Bojnourd City. The data were collected using a researcher-made KAP questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability. Statistical analysis was performed in SPSS software, version 20 using t-test and ANOVA. The significance level was set at 0.05. Results: Of 408 participants, 209 (51.23%) were female and 199 (48.77%) were male. Most of them were in the age group of 21-30 years (37.01%), and less in the age group above 41 years (11.27%)., and were employed (n=109, 26.71%). A significant difference was observed in KAP score based on gender, age, educational level, and occupation (P&lt;0.05). The mean scores of knowledge, attitude and practice were 75.38%, 53.6% and 49.3%, respectively. Conclusion: The rural households in Bojnourd has a high knowledge of fleas, but their attitude and practice are low. Therefore, appropriate training programs are necessary to improve their attitude and practice

ADVANCED PREDICTIVE MODELING FOR THE BIOFIRE FILMARRAY SYSTEM IN INFECTIOUS DISEASE DIAGNOSTICS

The Bio Fire Film Array System has emerged as a powerful tool in clinical diagnostics, offering rapid and multiplexed detection of infectious pathogens. This study presents the development of a comprehensive mathematical model aimed at predicting the accuracy and sensitivity of the BioFire FilmArray System under diverse conditions. Key factors such as sample type, pathogen load, specimen characteristics, and environmental variables were systematically analyzed to elucidate their impact on the system's performance. The model incorporates a range of parameters including sample volume, specimen complexity, microbial diversity, and system-specific variables to generate probabilistic estimates of diagnostic outcomes. By leveraging large datasets encompassing diverse clinical scenarios and pathogen profiles, the model achieves robustness and generalizability, thereby facilitating its applicability across different healthcare settings and populations. Validation of the model against independent datasets demonstrates its efficacy in accurately predicting the performance of the BioFire FilmArray System across a spectrum of conditions. Overall, this mathematical model represents a significant advancement in optimizing the utility of the BioFire FilmArray System for infectious disease diagnosis. Its integration into clinical practice holds promise for improving patient care, guiding sample processing protocols, and informing decision-making processes in infectious disease management.

Immunoproteomics: Approach to Diagnostic and Vaccine Development.

The study of large protein sets (proteomics) involved in the immunological reaction is known as immunoproteomics. The methodology of immunoproteomics plays a major role in identifying possible vaccine candidates that could protect against pathogenic infection. The study of immunogenic proteins that are expressed during the outset of infection is the focus of the crosstalk between proteomics and immune protection antigens utilizing serum. Peptide presentation by MHC provides the new 'window' into changes that occur in the cell. Thus, there is strong, intense pressure on the pathogen that has been mutated in such an unusual manner that it can bypass the MHC peptide presentation by the MHC molecule. The pathogen's ability to evade the immune system is strongly restricted by the two unique distinct properties of MHC molecules, i.e., polygenic and polymorphic properties. MHC-I restriction epitope identification has traditionally been accomplished using genetic motif prediction. The study of immune system proteins and their interactions is the main emphasis of the specialist field of immunoproteomics within proteomics. Methodologies include mass spectrometry (MS), SRM assay, MALDI-TOF, Chromatography, ELISA, 2DG PAGE, and bioinformatics tools. Challenges are the complexity of the immune system, protein abundance and dynamics, sample variability, post-translational modifications (PTMs), and data integration. Current advancements are enhanced mass spectrometry techniques, single-cell proteomics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced protein labeling techniques, integration with other omics technologies, and functional proteomics. However, the recently emerging field of immunoproteomics has more promising possibilities in the field of peptide-based vaccines and virus-like particle vaccines. The importance of immunoproteomics technologies and methodologies, as well as their use in the field of vaccinomics, are the main topics of this review. Here, we have discussed immunoproteomics in relation to a step towards the future of vaccination.

Chitin Deacetylase 1 Gene as an Optimal RNAi-Based Target for Controlling the Tomato Leaf Miner Tuta absoluta

Chitin is a critical component of both the exoskeleton and internal structures of insects, which can protect insects from mechanical damage, dehydration and pathogen infection, and plays a significant role in the molting process. Chitin deacetylases (CDAs), key enzymes involved in chitin metabolism, are widely distributed among arthropods and microorganisms. In this study, we identified a CDA gene, TaCDA1, in the invasive insect species Tuta absoluta (Meyrick). Sequence analysis demonstrated a high degree of similarity to CDAs in other insects, revealing the presence of three conserved domains. Quantitative analysis showed that the TaCDA1 gene exhibited peak expression during the pupal stage, particularly within the epidermis. The suppression of TaCDA1 expression through RNA interference in T. absoluta pupae significantly impacted the expression of genes associated with chitin metabolism, increasing mortality and developmental abnormalities during the pupa–adult transition and reducing the pupal weight. Furthermore, soaking gene-specific dsRNA resulted in elevated mortality rates during the larva–pupa transition, causing the inability to form new cuticles or undergo ecdysis, as confirmed by subsequent histological observations. The oral administration of dsTaCDA1 + sucrose solution did not significantly impact NtCDA1 expression or the mortality rate compared to the dsGFP + sucrose solution control in the non-target insect Nesidiocoris tenuis. This study demonstrated that TaCDA1 is a potential and safe target for pest control of T. absoluta.

Functional Nucleic Acids as Bacterial Biosensors: A Focus on Clostridioides difficile Infection

Clostridioides difficile (CD) is a Gram‐positive, anaerobic, and spore‐forming bacillus that colonizes the human gut and causes a range of diseases, such as pseudomembranous colitis and antibiotic‐associated diarrhea, that are generally known as CD infection (CDI). Rapid and accurate detection of CDI with high sensitivity and specificity is crucial for patient treatment, infection control, and epidemiological monitoring. Current diagnostic methods for CDI have several limitations, such as high cost, long turnaround time, suboptimal sensitivity, and the need for specialized equipment. Hence, novel detection methods that can overcome these limitations are needed. Functional nucleic acids (FNAs) are a promising class of molecular recognition element (MRE) that can be incorporated into biosensors for detecting infectious pathogens. Several FNAs have been developed for detecting CD. In this review, an overview of CD, CDI, and current diagnostic methods for CDI and their drawbacks are provided. Furthermore, the design principles and working mechanisms of FNAs as well as their applications for the detection of pathogenic bacteria, including CD, are discussed. The potential for developing point‐of‐care paper sensors using currently available CD‐selective FNAs is also highlighted.