Strains Worldwide Research Articles (Page 2)

The highest ecosystems on Earth are located in India's Himalayan region, covering a distance of 3500 km from Jammu and Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh in the northeastern part of the country. Limited information on the probiotic diversity within the traditional diets of the Western Himalaya is available. Despite living in the challenging environment of high altitudes, the inhabitants of these areas display healthy and long lifespans, which are primarily attributed to their diet, particularly the traditional fermented foods. The potential for isolating native probiotic bacteria from traditional foods is, therefore, enormous. One of the main strategies for preventative treatment in humans may be to supplement the diet with nutrients that can shield against immune system problems and lower the risk of contracting illnesses like mycosis. The emergence of functional foods and nutraceuticals underscores the importance of reducing reliance on medications and increasing regular consumption of fermented foods. Researchers primarily suggest probiotics and lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as nutraceuticals due to their non-harmful effects on human health, their ability to activate the immune system, and their ability to enhance resistance to various illness situations. As per WHO, probiotic bacteria are defined as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” Antifungal agents like azoles and amphotericin B are recommended as therapeutic agents as per the case. However, the emergence of drug-resistant strains worldwide has reduced the efficacy of these treatments. According to health organizations (national and international, including WHO), there is an urgent need to explore novel and alternative options, including probiotics. The current review highlights the biotherapeutic perspective of diverse probiotic strains, including next-generation probiotics against mycosis.

Bacterial resistance toward the most used antibiotics is increasing in Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains worldwide. The emergence of multidrug resistance significantly affects the efficacy of standard therapy regimens. Therefore, this prospective study has updated the prevalence rates of primary antibiotic resistance in H. pylori strains isolated in routine practice. H. pylori isolates obtained from patients consecutively observed in a single center were tested for primary resistance by using the E-test method. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) breakpoints to define resistance to clarithromycin, metronidazole, and levofloxacin were, respectively, greater than 0. 25 mg/L, 8 mg/L, and 1 mg/L, according to updated EUCAST recommendations. The trend of antibiotic prevalence, either single or combined, during 2020-2023 was assessed. A total of 789 patients meeting inclusion criteria were diagnosed with H. pylori infection, but bacterial strains were overall recovered in 632 (80.1%) cases. At bacterial culture, primary resistance rate was 36.7% for clarithromycin, 32.8% for metronidazole, and 22.1% for levofloxacin, whilst dual clarithromycin-metronidazole resistance rate was detected in 17.4%, and triple resistance in 9%. Our data found that primary resistance towards both clarithromycin and metronidazole, as well as dual resistance, is substantially stable in Italy whilst the prevalence of levofloxacin resistance seems to be decreasing in our geographic area.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a prevalent nosocomial pathogen and a significant reservoir of antimicrobial resistance genes in residential and built environments. It is also widespread in various indoor and outdoor settings, including sewage, surface waters, soil, recreational waters (both treated and untreated), and industrial effluents. Surveillance efforts for P. aeruginosa are primarily focused on hospitals rather than built environments. However, evidence links multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa of human origin with activity in built environments and hospital settings. Consequently, tracking this pathogen across all environments is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of reverse transmission from built environments to humans. This review explores public health hygiene by examining the prevalence of P. aeruginosa in various environments, its sequence types, the factors contributing to multidrug resistance, and the identification methods through global surveillance. Whole-genome sequencing with sequence typing and real-time quantitative PCR are widely used to identify and study antimicrobial-resistant strains worldwide. Additionally, advanced techniques such as functional metagenomics, next-generation sequencing, MALDI-TOF, and biosensors are being extensively employed to detect antimicrobial-resistant strains and mitigate the ongoing evolution of bacterial resistance to antibiotics. Our review strongly underscores the importance of environmental monitoring of P. aeruginosa in preventing human infections. Furthermore, strategic planning in built environments is essential for effective epidemiological surveillance of P. aeruginosa and the development of comprehensive risk assessment models.

The continual evolution of SARS-CoV-2 has significantly influenced the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic, with the emergence of highly transmissible and immune-evasive variants posing persistent challenges. The Omicron variant, first identified in November 2021, rapidly replaced the Delta variant, becoming the predominant strain worldwide. In Florida, Omicron was first detected in December 2021, leading to an unprecedented surge in cases that surpassed all prior waves, despite extensive vaccination efforts. This study investigates the molecular evolution and transmission dynamics of the Omicron lineages during Florida's Omicron waves, supported by a robust dataset of over 1000 sequenced genomes. Through phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses, we capture the rapid diversification of the Omicron lineages, identifying significant importation events, predominantly from California, Texas, and New York, and exportation to North America, Europe, and South America. Variants such as BA.1, BA.2, BA.4, and BA.5 exhibited distinct transmission patterns, with BA.2 showing the ability to reinfect individuals previously infected with BA.1. Despite the high transmissibility and immune evasion of the Omicron sub-lineages, the plateauing of cases by late 2022 suggests increasing population immunity from prior infection and vaccination. Our findings underscore the importance of continuous genomic surveillance in identifying variant introductions, mapping transmission pathways, and guiding public health interventions to mitigate current and future pandemic risks.

Salmonella can carry multiple antibiotic-resistant and metalresistant genes and transmit these genes among strains worldwide. This study examined seventy-five Salmonella isolates from small-scale chicken farms (chicken feces, bedding, feed, wild animals) in Vinh Long province for the presence and relation of antibiotic and metal-resistance genes in these strains. The single PCR method was applied to detect seven antibiotic-resistance genes (blaampC, blaTEM, dfrA1, tetA, strA, sul2, mcr1) and four metal-resistance genes (pcoR, czcD, cnrA, silE). The results indicated that those Salmonella isolates harbored several patterns of antibiotic-resistance genes. Genes blaampC and tetA were the most prevalent (48.00%), while genes mcr1 and dfrA were the most minor (1.33%). Of those Salmonella isolates, 92.00% harbored one to five antibiotic-resistance genes, and the blaampC + strA pattern was frequently obtained (12.00%). Moreover, 30.67% of Salmonella isolates showed multidrug resistance to three or four antibiotic categories. Among metal-resistance genes, gene pcoR encoding for copper resistance was the most predominant (53.33%), and gene cnrA encoding for cobalt-nickel resistance was the lowest (5.33%). There were diverse patterns of metalresistance genes, and one Salmonella isolate carried four examined genes (1.33%). Furthermore, these Salmonella isolates had several combined patterns of metal-resistance and antibiotic-resistance genes. Among them, pcoR, czcD, and silE genes had a significant coefficient relation to the examined antibiotic-resistance genes. It indicated the correlation between metal resistance and antibiotic resistance genes and revealed the potential risk of increasing antibiotic resistance in Salmonella isolates in chicken farms in Vinh Long province.

Brucellosis in bovines is an infectious disease that leads to significant health, productivity, and economic losses. It is also a zoonotic disease, posing a serious threat to public health. This disease is widespread in Türkiye as well as globally. Vaccination is a crucial and cost-effective measure, with the most commonly utilized vaccine strains worldwide for bovine brucellosis control being B. abortus S19 and RB51. In this study, the results of the intensive efforts to combat bovine brucellosis between 2011 and 2015 in Çankırı province, as well as the results of the mass B. abortus S19 conjunctival vaccination campaigns carried out within the scope of the Ministry project in 2012-2013, are evaluated. Within the scope of the research, retrospective data obtained from various public institutions affiliated with the ministry were evaluated. The results of disease control, eradication and vaccination studies carried out in the field were evaluated epidemiologically within the framework of legal regulations. As a result of close monitoring of bovine brucellosis outbreaks and mass conjunctival vaccination in Çankırı province, the number of outbreaks has decreased more than four times compared to the average in Türkiye. Additionally, there is a 95-fold reduction in the number of animals compensated for the disease and a more than 200-fold decrease in the total amount of compensation paid. This study examines the efforts to control bovine brucellosis in Çankırı province, particularly focusing on mass conjunctival vaccination campaigns using the B. abortus S19 vaccine strain. Given the conditions in Türkiye, the B. abortus S19 vaccine strain is currently deemed the most effective for preventing brucellosis in bovines. Ultimately, to attain the planned objectives in bovine brucellosis control in Türkiye, the study concludes that vaccination during a suitable period, which does not pose a risk to pregnancy and ensures robust herd immunity, is the optimal approach.

Inter-genogroup reassortment of Rotavirus A (RVA) strains has highlighted the spread of unusual RVA strains worldwide. We previously reported the equine-like G3 RVA as the predominant strain in Indonesia in 2015-2016. However, since July 2017, typical human genotypes G1 and G3 have replaced these strains completely. To understand how dynamic changes in RVA occur in Indonesia, we performed a detailed epidemiological study. A total of 356 stool specimens were collected from hospitalized children in Sidoarjo, Indonesia between 2018 and 2022. Whole-genome sequencing was performed for all 26 RVA-positive samples using next-generation sequencing. Twenty-four samples were determined to be the unusual RVA G9P[4], while two were G9P[6]. Detailed analysis revealed that seven G9P[4] strains had the typical DS-1-like backbone, while the other strains exhibited a double-reassortant profile (G9-N1) on the DS-1-like backbone. The Bayesian evolutionary analyses suggested that the Indonesian G9P[4] strains share a common ancestor with previously reported G9P[4] strains in the VP7 and VP4 genes. G9P[4] DS-1-like strains were identified as the predominant genotype in Indonesia in 2021 for the first time. These results suggest that the G9P[4] strains were generated from the previous G9P[4] strains that had undergone further intra-reassortments with the other circulating strains.

Abstract This study explores the unique qualities of local meats, focusing on Indonesia’s native Java chickens to provide a comparative reference for global meat varieties. The research involved 11 Java chickens from Lamongan Regency, analysed using laboratory exploratory and descriptive analytical methods. Findings revealed that the carcass weight distribution consisted of 21.93% breast, 34.95% thigh, and varying percentages for red, white, and dark offal. The water holding capacity (WHC) was recorded as 42.35% for breast and 42.11% for thigh, with notable variation in offal. Cooking loss results showed 27.07% for breast and thigh, with higher variability for offal. The meat texture averaged 6.51-6.58 kg/cm2 and pH values ranged from 5.81 to 6.45. Proximate analysis of Java chicken meat revealed moisture content of 73.63-73.74%, protein between 21.86-23.88%, fat content of 1.23-1.32%, energy values of 174.34-176.25 Kcal/100g, ash at 1.00-1.05%, and soluble protein measured at 1.14 mg/ml. These results highlight the diversity in the physical and chemical properties of Java chicken meat and its by-products, demonstrating its unique characteristics compared to other meat strains worldwide.

Plain Language SummaryNeurodegenerative disorders (NDs), such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, are a leading cause of disability, caregiver stress, and financial strain worldwide. The number of cases, now estimated at 60 million, will triple by 2050. Early detection is crucial to improve treatments, management, and financial planning. Unfortunately, standard diagnostic methods are costly, stressful, and often hard to access due to scheduling delays and availability issues. A promising alternative consists in digital speech analysis. This affordable, noninvasive approach can identify NDs based on individuals’ voice recordings and their transcriptions. In 2023, we launched the Toolkit to Examine Lifelike Language (TELL), an online app providing robust speech biomarkers for clinical and research purposes. This paper introduces TELL v.2.0, a novel version with improved data collection, encryption, processing, storing, download, and visualization features. First, we explain the app’s basic operations and its possibilities for online and offline data collection. Second, we describe its language survey, which covers questions about demographics as well as language history, usage, competence, and difficulties. Third, we describe TELL’s speech tests, which assess key clinical features. Fourth, we outline the app’s functions for analyzing, visualizing, and downloading data. We finish by discussing the main challenges and future opportunities for TELL and the speech biomarker field. With this effort, we hope to boost the use of digital speech markers in medical and research fields.

Background The growing concern of antibiotic-resistant microbial strains worldwide has prompted the need for alternative methods to combat microbial resistance. Biofilm formation poses a significant challenge to antibiotic efficiency due to the difficulty of penetrating antibiotics through the sticky microbial aggregates. Drug repurposing is an innovative technique that aims to expand the use of non-antibiotic medications to address this issue. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial properties of Diltiazem HCl, a 1,5-benzothiazepine Ca2+ channel blocker commonly used as an antihypertensive agent, against four pathogenic bacteria and three pathogenic yeasts, as well as its antiviral activity against the Coxsackie B4 virus (CoxB4). Methods To assess the antifungal and antibacterial activities of Diltiazem HCl, the well diffusion method was employed, while crystal violet staining was used to determine the anti-biofilm activity. The MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) colorimetric assay was utilized to evaluate the antiviral activity of Diltiazem HCl against the CoxB4 virus. Results This study revealed that Diltiazem HCl exhibited noticeable antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacteria, demonstrating the highest inhibition of Staphylococcus epidermidis, followed by Staphylococcus aureus. It effectively reduced the formation of biofilms by 95.1% and 90.7% for S. epidermidis, and S. aureus, respectively. Additionally, the antiviral activity of Diltiazem HCl was found to be potent against the CoxB4 virus, with an IC50 of 35.8 ± 0.54 μg mL−1 compared to the reference antiviral Acyclovir (IC50 42.71 ± 0.43 μg mL−1). Conclusion This study suggests that Diltiazem HCl, in addition to its antihypertensive effect, may also be a potential treatment option for infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria and the CoxB4 viruses, providing an additional off-target effect for Diltiazem HCl.

Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) is an infectious disease brought on by the extremely pathogenic and contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome-virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). The agenda for the COVID-19 pandemic is dynamic and includes recent developments. Seven variants under monitoring (VUMs), one variant of interest (VOI), XBB.1.5, and their offspring lineages are currently being actively monitored by WHO. The VUMs are BA.2.75, CH.1.1, BQ.1, XBB (with the exception of XBB.1.5, XBB.1.16, and XBB.1.9.1), XBF, and XBB.1.16. With 95 countries having reported finding XBB.1.5 (VOI), it is still the most common strain worldwide, responsible for 47.9% of cases from epidemiological January to March 2023. Seventy nations discovered XBB.1.5 in February and March 2023 and posted sequencing data to GISAID. Of the 43 nations that uploaded more than 50 sequences, XBB.1.5 prevalence has increased to more than 50% in 11 nations. Over 23000 deaths and 3 million new cases were recorded globally in March and April 2023. Worldwide detection of a new COVID-19 strain has prompted specialists to issue a warning that the virus is "circulating unchecked". The Greek goddess of conflict and discord Eris has inspired the nicknaming of EG 5.1, a subvariant of Omicron. The strain is becoming more prevalent in the USA and cases are increasing in the UK. The severity of each SARS-CoV- 2 variant has been comparable, although a more severe form might develop. Eris is an ancestor of Omicron and exhibits some of its characteristics. Reinfection risk can be influenced by a variety of variables, including age, location, and health equity and the COVID-19 vaccine is more or less effective depending on the strain.

The Omicron variant is the present predominant COVID-19 strain worldwide. Accurate mortality prediction can facilitate risk stratification and targeted therapies. The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of the difference in hematocrit and albumin (HCT-ALB) levels, alone or combined with the pediatric Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (pSOFA) score and lactate level, to predict the in-hospital mortality of COVID-19 Omicron variant-infected pediatric patients. A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed for children with COVID-19 Omicron variant infection between December 2021 and January 2022. The demographics, clinical characteristics, hospital admission laboratory test results, and treatments were recorded. The in-hospital mortality was documented. The associations between HCT-ALB levels and mortality, and between HCT-ALB+pSOFA+lactate and mortality were analyzed. A total of 119 children were included. The median age was 1.6 (interquartile range: 0.5-6.2) years old. There were 70 boys and 49 girls. The mortality rate was 14.3% (17/119). The univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that HCT-ALB was associated to in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio: 1.500, 95% confidence interval: 1.235-1.822, p<0.001). The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that HCT-ALB can be used to accurately predict in-hospital mortality at a cut-off value of -0.7 (area under the curve: 0.888, sensitivity: 0.882, specificity: 0.225, Youden index: 0.657, p<0.001). These patients were assigned into three groups based on the HCT-ALB level, pSOFA score, and lactate level (low-, medium-, and high-risk groups). The Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the mortality increased in the high-risk group, when compared to the medium-risk group (p<0.01). The latter group had a higher mortality, when compared to the low-risk group (p<0.01). The HCT-ALB level can be applied to predict the in-hospital mortality of children infected with the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Its combination with other variables can improve prediction performance.

BackgroundSARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs) emerged and rapidly replaced the original strain worldwide. The increased transmissibility of these new variants led to increases in infections, hospitalizations, and mortality. However, there is a scarcity of retrospective investigations examining the severity of all the main VOCs in presence of key public health measures and within various social determinants of health (SDOHs).ObjectiveThis study aims to provide a retrospective assessment of the clinical severity of COVID-19 VOCs in the context of heterogenous SDOHs and vaccination rollout.MethodsWe used a population-based retrospective cohort design with data from the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort, a linked provincial surveillance platform. To assess the relative severity (hospitalizations, intensive care unit [ICU] admissions, and deaths) of Gamma, Delta, and Omicron infections during 2021 relative to Alpha, we used inverse probability treatment weighted Cox proportional hazard modeling. We also conducted a subanalysis among unvaccinated individuals, as assessed severity differed across VOCs and SDOHs.ResultsWe included 91,964 individuals infected with a SARS-CoV-2 VOC (Alpha: n=20,487, 22.28%; Gamma: n=15,223, 16.55%; Delta: n=49,161, 53.46%; and Omicron: n=7093, 7.71%). Delta was associated with the most severe disease in terms of hospitalization, ICU admissions, and deaths (hospitalization: adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 2.00, 95% CI 1.92-2.08; ICU: aHR 2.05, 95% CI 1.91-2.20; death: aHR 3.70, 95% CI 3.23-4.25 relative to Alpha), followed generally by Gamma and then Omicron and Alpha. The relative severity by VOC remained similar in the unvaccinated individual subanalysis, although the proportion of individuals infected with Delta and Omicron who were hospitalized was 2 times higher in those unvaccinated than in those fully vaccinated. Regarding SDOHs, the proportion of hospitalized individuals was higher in areas with lower income across all VOCs, whereas among Alpha and Gamma infections, 2 VOCs that cocirculated, differential distributions of hospitalizations were found among racially minoritized groups.ConclusionsOur study provides robust severity estimates for all VOCs during the COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia, Canada. Relative to Alpha, we found Delta to be the most severe, followed by Gamma and Omicron. This study highlights the importance of targeted testing and sequencing to ensure timely detection and accurate estimation of severity in emerging variants. It further sheds light on the importance of vaccination coverage and SDOHs in the context of pandemic preparedness to support the prioritization of allocation for resource-constrained or minoritized groups.

Antifungal activity of Cinnamaldehyde derivatives against fluconazole-resistant Candida albicans

The major genetic group of Toxoplasma gondii, known as type I, generallydisplays high lethality in laboratory Mus musculus (mouse) strains, withfew exceptions. However, because rodents are the primary reservoir hosts for T.gondii, if this characteristic manifests in the wild, type I strains would beextinct. Therefore, we hypothesized that populations of wild rodents capable of harboringtype I T. gondii asymptomatically exist globally and are not limited to afew localized areas, as previously thought. The strength of mouse resistance to T.gondii is known to depend on the affinity of the mouse-expressedimmunity-related GTPases B2 (IRGB2) protein for the T. gondii-expressedrphoptry protein 5B (ROP5B) protein. Therefore, the Irgb2 gene sequencesof 12 individuals mice captured at two animal farms in Gifu Prefecture, and on an islandin Okinawa Prefecture, Japan were determined, and subjected to a molecular phylogeneticanalysis together with those of various mouse strains worldwide. The Irgb2 gene ofM. musculus individuals captured on one farm and one island showeddiverse sequences. The sequences from two individual mice captured in an animal farmformed a single clade with a wild mouse derived CAST/EiJ strain, known for its exceptionalresistance to type I T. gondii lethality. These results suggest thatM. musuculus individuals resistant to the Type I T.gondii strain may be present in Japan, in addition to the previously knownpopulations in South Asia, Thailand and India.

The JN.1 variant of COVID-19 has emerged as the dominant strain worldwide since the end of 2023. As a subclade of the BA.2.86 variant, JN.1 harbors a unique combination of mutations inherited from the BA.2.86 lineage, notably featuring the novel L455S mutation within its receptor-binding motif. This mutation has been linked to increased transmissibility and enhanced immune evasion capabilities. During the rise of JN.1, evidence of resistance to various monoclonal antibodies and reduced cross-neutralization effects of the XBB.1.5 vaccine have been observed. Although the public health threat posed by the JN.1 variant appears relatively low, concerns persist regarding its evolutionary trajectory under immune pressure. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the evolving JN.1 variant, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and investigation of new variants that could lead to widespread infection. It assesses the efficacy of current vaccines and therapeutics against emerging variants, particularly focusing on immunocompromised populations. Additionally, this review summarizes potential vaccine advancements and clinical treatments for COVID-19, offering insights to optimize prevention and treatment strategies. This review thoroughly evaluates the JN.1 variant's impact on public health and its implications for future vaccine and therapeutic development, contributing to ongoing efforts to mitigate the risk of virus transmission and disease severity.

Canine distemper virus (CDV) affects many domestic and wild animals. Variations among CDV genome linages could lead to vaccination failure. To date, there are several vaccine alternatives, such as a modified live virus and a recombinant vaccine; however, most of these alternatives are based on the ancestral strain Onderstepoort, which has not been circulating for years. Vaccine failures and the need to update vaccines have been widely discussed, and the development of new vaccine candidates is necessary to reduce circulation and mortality. Current vaccination alternatives cannot be used in wildlife animals due to the lack of safety data for most of the species, in addition to the insufficient immune response against circulating strains worldwide in domestic species. Computational tools, including peptide-based therapies, have become essential for developing new-generation vaccines for diverse models. In this work, a peptide-based vaccine candidate with a peptide library derived from CDV H and F protein consensus sequences was constructed employing computational tools. The molecular docking and dynamics of the selected peptides with canine MHC-I and MHC-II and with TLR-2 and TLR-4 were evaluated. In silico safety was assayed through determination of antigenicity, allergenicity, toxicity potential, and homologous canine peptides. Additionally, in vitro safety was also evaluated through cytotoxicity in cell lines and canine peripheral blood mononuclear cells (cPBMCs) and through a hemolysis potential assay using canine red blood cells. A multiepitope CDV polypeptide was constructed, synthetized, and evaluated in silico and in vitro by employing the most promising peptides for comparison with single CDV immunogenic peptides. Our findings suggest that predicting immunogenic CDV peptides derived from most antigenic CDV proteins could aid in the development of new vaccine candidates, such as multiple single CDV peptides and multiepitope CDV polypeptides, that are safe in vitro and optimized in silico. In vivo studies are being conducted to validate potential vaccines that may be effective in preventing CDV infection in domestic and wild animals.

Canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV-2) is the most common enteric virus that infects canids. CPV is the causative agent of a contagious disease defined mostly by clinical gastrointestinal signs in dogs. During the late 1970s, CPV-2 emerged as a new virus capable of infecting domestic dogs and growing across the world. The VP2 gene stands out as a key determinant in the pathogenicity, antigenicity, and host interactions of CPV-2. The molecular characterization of the VP2 gene is crucial for understanding CPV evolution and epidemiology. Genes encoding the VP2 protein were sequenced and compared to reference strains worldwide. The maximum likelihood method was used to build a phylogenetic tree using CPV VP2 gene nucleotide sequences. Our phylogenetic analysis of the VP2 gene revealed that five strains were very similar and clustered together, and three strains were in the 2b clade, whereas the other two were in the 2a/2b clade. This paper reports the molecular characterization of two novel CPV-2a/2b subtypes in dogs with gastrointestinal symptoms. Genetic analysis was conducted on a CPV genomic region encompassing one of the open reading frames (ORFs) encoding the structural protein VP2. Sequence analysis indicates new and unreported sequence changes, mainly affecting the VP2 gene, which includes the mutations Ser297Ala and Leu87Met. This study represents the first evidence of a new CPV-2a/2b subtype in Türkiye. Due to VP2's crucial role in encoding the capsid protein of CPV-2 and its significant involvement in the host-virus interaction, it is critical to closely monitor its evolutionary changes and be cautious while searching for novel or pre-existing subtypes. This study highlights the significance of continuous molecular research for acquiring more insights on the circulation of novel CPV mutants.

Salmonella is a bacterium that can cause food-borne infections and is responsible for the most common gastrointestinal illnesses. The emergence of multi-drug resistant (MDR) strains worldwide is a major threat, representing a major challenge in public health. To reduce its incidence, the One Health approach is required, and the development of new biocontrol protocols will help prevent or eliminate the spread of Salmonella. Prevention measures, such as on-farm cleaning and disinfection protocols, are a crucial step in reducing infection to new flocks and eliminating bacteria that remain in the facilities. However, MDR Salmonella species, such as S. Infantis, are highly resistant to conventional cleaning and disinfection protocols, with an increased ability to persist in the broiler farm environment. The need for alternative biocontrol methods has led to the use of bacteriophages or phages, viruses that target bacteria, as promising tools. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of phages as a biocide against S. Infantis isolates in combination with cleaning and disinfection protocols in 10 commercial poultry farms. All commercial farms selected in this study had persistent Salmonella, even after the routinely used cleaning and disinfection procedures. In addition, Salmonella isolated before treatment were phenotypically characterized by antimicrobial resistance patterns. The results showed that 100% of S. Infantis were resistant to at least one antibiotic, and > 70% were MDR. Phages were then isolated against the in-farm bacteria, purified, and multiplied for each poultry farm. The cleaning and disinfection protocols included the application of the lytic phages (vB_Si_CECAV_FGS009; vB_Si_CECAV_FGS017; vB_Si_CECAV_FGS029 and vB_Si_CECAV _FGS030) twice at 24-h intervals between cleaning and disinfection. Following the cleaning and disinfection procedures, Salmonella detection was reduced from 100% after cleaning to 36% after applying the phages and dropped to 0% after the final step of disinfection, thus eliminating Salmonella from the farm facilities. This study demonstrates that bacteriophage application after cleaning and before disinfection enhances the removal of MDR Salmonella Infantis in commercial broiler farms, suggesting their use as biocontrol agents to reduce Salmonella, a major public health concern.

Bacteriophages (phages) are viruses specific to bacteria that target them with great efficiency and specificity. Phages were first studied for their antibacterial potential in the early twentieth century; however, their use was largely eclipsed by the popularity of antibiotics. Given the surge of antimicrobial-resistant strains worldwide, there has been a renaissance in harnessing phages as therapeutics once more. One of the key advantages of phages is their amenability to modification, allowing the generation of numerous derivatives optimised for specific functions depending on the modification. These enhanced derivatives could display higher infectivity, expanded host range or greater affinity to human tissues, where some bacterial species exert their pathogenesis. Despite this, there has been a noticeable discrepancy between the generation of derivatives in vitro and their clinical application in vivo. In most instances, phage therapy is only used on a compassionate-use basis, where all other treatment options have been exhausted. A lack of clinical trials and numerous regulatory hurdles hamper the progress of phage therapy and in turn, the engineered variants, in becoming widely used in the clinic. In this review, we outline the various types of modifications enacted upon phages and how these modifications contribute to their enhanced bactericidal function compared with wild-type phages. We also discuss the nascent progress of genetically modified phages in clinical trials along with the current issues these are confronted with, to validate it as a therapy in the clinic.