Macrophage antibacterial activity requires mtROS production. The specific gene(s) that participates in the mtROS-mediated antibacterial process remains unclear. We showed that Listeria and Salmonella infections in human and mouse macrophages increased mtDNA copy number with which dictates antibacterial activity. Interestingly, adenylate kinase 4 (Ak4) expression was upregulated in macrophages after infection. Ak4 KO mice as well as macrophage-specific Ak4 KO mice became highly susceptible to bacterial infections. Ak4 is critical for the increase of mtDNA synthesis and mitochondrial mass in macrophages after bacterial infection. Biochemically, Ak4 transfers a phosphate group from ATP/GTP to (d)AMP for (d)ADP formation, and the K18A and G89S/A166D mutations abolished this function. Our results suggest that induction of Ak4 after infection produces more dADP, whose conversion to dATP in mitochondria supports mtDNA synthesis and the subsequent increase of mtROS production. Loss of this metabolic coupling in Ak4 KO macrophages diminishes antibacterial activity. Our findings highlight the vital role of Ak4 in macrophage defense against pathogenic bacteria.

Effective treatment of multidrug-resistant Riemerella anatipestifer infection in ducks using a compound Chinese herbal medicine in drinking water.

The role of the microbiota in cancer drug resistance and emerging therapeutic strategies.

Erwinia persicina is a well-documented plant pathogenic bacterium, causing soft rot in various plant hosts. There are rare previous reports that it is associated with animal diseases. In this study, we used an alfalfa root infection model and a mouse model via gavage administration of E. persicina strain Cp2. Strain Cp2 was pathogenic on both alfalfa and mice. On alfalfa, Cp2 primarily caused leaf spot and etiolation. Mice exhibited moderate lesions in their liver, stomach and kidney tissues, with inflammation in the liver and kidney after gavage. Furthermore, viable Cp2 cells were successfully reisolated from mouse faeces at different time periods after gavage. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the 34 bacterial differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Cp2 in response to infecting both alfalfa and mice were predominantly enriched in pathways related to bacterial adhesion, biofilm and motility. Bap was identified as a key virulence gene contributing to cross-kingdom pathogenicity of Cp2. The results provide a solid foundation for the subsequent functional validation of the virulence factors of this cross-kingdom pathogenic bacterium.

Volatile profile and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of Juniperus phoenicea L. and its combination effect with sodium chloride, used in traditional preparation of Djeld of Bouhezza.

Rapid urbanisation in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) has driven the expansion of urban and peri-urban farming to enhance food security. However, these systems are highly vulnerable to contaminated irrigation waters, urban runoff, open defecation and inadequate sanitation, and anthropogenic pollution, such as plastic and microplastic waste. Here, we investigated the role of plastic debris as a reservoir and vector for multidrug-resistant (MDR) enteric bacterial pathogens in a real-world agronomic setting. Focusing on two peri-urban agricultural sites in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, we analysed 140 environmental samples (soil, water, vegetation, and surface and buried plastic debris) for the presence of four key enteric pathogens: E. coli, Salmonella spp., V. cholerae, and K. pneumoniae. The concentration of total culturable pathogens was higher on plastic debris compared to soil, water and vegetation, with presumptive E. coli loads of ∼1×103CFU per individual piece of plastic debris. Importantly, plastic debris harboured a greater proportion of MDR strains; specifically, 69% of E. coli isolates were resistant to two or more antimicrobials, with plastics at one site accounting for over half of all MDR E. coli. While MDR E. coli were absent from soil, plastic debris supported strains of E. coli and K. pneumoniae that were resistant to critically important antimicrobials (e.g., ciprofloxacin and cefixime).This study provides robust evidence that in a real-world setting, plastic waste can act as an ecological reservoir which concentrates and facilitates the survival of MDR pathogens. Therefore, the widespread presence of contaminated plastic in agricultural systems could pose significant occupational health risks for farmers, in addition to a potential environment-to-food risk for consumers.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of KI polyomavirus and WU polyomavirus in respiratory tract samples from children under five.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a Gram‑negative bacterial pathogen, and infection with this pathogen is a primary risk factor for gastric cancer (GC), often inducing chronic gastritis, which further increases the risk of cancer. Glycolysis carries out a key role in GC metabolism, serving as the primary energy pathway for cancer cells, particularly under hypoxic conditions. Enhanced glycolysis allows GC cells to sustain high proliferation rates and produce lactic acid, creating an acidic tumor microenvironment that promotes tumor progression. Understanding the mechanisms of H. pylori‑driven glycolysis may provide new insights into GC pathogenesis and reveal novel therapeutic targets. The present review addresses advances in glycolysis research in GC, summarizing its characteristics, identifying key mediators involved in metabolic reprogramming and exploring potential molecular mechanisms to recommend new targets for therapy.

Why are the most lethal pathogens the simplest? Lack of D-amino acid usage, coherent fractal morphology, and Hz-level biological oscillations prevalent in beneficial pathogens.

Towards sustainable management of Xylella fastidiosa vectors: An annotated image dataset for automated in-field detection of Aphrophoridae foam.

Bacteriophage-functionalized biopolymer packaging solutions for poultry cold chain: A bibliometric and mechanistic review.

Emerging evidence suggests that the oral-gut-liver axis may play a role in the immunopathogenesis of autoimmune liver diseases (AILDs), particularly autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) and primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). Alterations in the oral microbiota may influence hepatic immune responses; however, this relationship remains poorly defined. This systematic review aimed to evaluate current evidence on the association between oral microbiota dysbiosis and AILDs, with a focus on microbial alterations, inflammatory profiles, and potential diagnostic implications. A systematic search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted up to January 2026 in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies investigated oral microbiota composition in patients with AILDs compared with healthy controls. Data extraction was performed independently, and study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS). Six studies published between 2015 and 2021 met the inclusion criteria, comprising 252 patients with AILDs and 345 healthy controls. All included studies reported significant oral microbiota dysbiosis in AILD patients. The most consistent findings were an increased abundance of Veillonella in AILDs and Eubacterium in the PBC subgroup, along with a reduced presence of Streptococcus and Fusobacterium. These microbial alterations were associated with elevated salivary inflammatory markers, and showed correlations with disease activity. Some studies also suggested interactions between oral and gut microbiota, potentially mediated by increased intestinal permeability and bacterial translocation. Current evidence supports an association between oral microbiota dysbiosis and inflammatory mechanisms. Although causality cannot be established, the oral-gut-liver axis may represent a promising source of biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Mechanism underlying the digestion-enhancing effect of apricot kernel during Massa Medicata Fermentata fermentation.

Integrated transcriptomic and phenotypic analysis reveals the multi-target antibacterial mechanism of sulforaphane against Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola.

Revolutionizing hepatic fibrosis staging: A machine learning approach combining clinical, biochemical, and microbiome insights.

A triple-responsive nanozyme platform of AgAu-CeO2 heterojunction integrated with probiotics for precision antibacterial therapy in periodontitis.

Survival of foodborne pathogens in Acanthamoeba castellanii cysts on fresh and pickled cucumber and cauliflower.

Decoding the mechanism: Sodium houttuyfonate's impact on macrophage M2 polarization and inflammation.

Wastewater treatment plants are widely recognized as hotspots for antibiotic resistance. Although activated sludge processes are not designed to lower the abundance of pathogens or antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), their effects on the pathobiome and antibiotic resistome require in-depth investigation. To this end, we collected wastewater samples before and after activated sludge process from five municipal wastewater treatment plants, each characterized by different inlet composition and treatment capacity. We extracted both intracellular and extracellular DNA and performed shotgun sequencing to characterize the bacterial community, pathobiome, and antibiotic resistome. Our aim was to assess the effects of activated sludge processes on bacterial community composition, the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria and high-risk ARGs, and the potential horizontal mobility of detected ARGs. Our results showed that activated sludge processes significantly reduced the abundance of potentially pathogenic bacteria and several high-risk ARGs. Notably, while the prevalence of plasmid-associated ARGs decreased following treatment, ARG-carrying contigs assigned to bacteriophages increased, particularly in extracellular DNA samples. Overall, activated sludge processes demonstrated a beneficial microbiological effect by lowering potentially pathogenic bacteria. However, the enrichment of viral particles carrying ARGs highlights a potential risk for ARG spreading during the following processes. These findings underscore the importance of analyzing both intracellular and extracellular DNA to fully understand the role of activated sludge in mitigating antibiotic resistance and pathogens in wastewater.

Mitigation effects of short-chain fatty acids on microplastic accumulation in plastic-degrading Zophobas morio larvae and mechanistic insights.