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Probiotics are used for both generally healthy consumers and in clinical settings. However, theoretical and proven adverse events from probiotic consumption exist. New probiotic strains and products, as well as expanding use of probiotics into vulnerable populations, warrants concise, and actionable recommendations on how to work toward their safe and effective use. The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics convened a meeting to discuss and produce evidence-based recommendations on potential acute and long-term risks, risks to vulnerable populations, the importance for probiotic product quality to match the needs of vulnerable populations, and the need for adverse event reporting related to probiotic use. The importance of whole genome sequencing, which enables determination of virulence, toxin, and antibiotic resistance genes, as well as clear assignment of species and strain identity, is emphasized. We present recommendations to guide the scientific and medical community on judging probiotic safety.

Around weaning, piglets are susceptible to infection by bacterial pathogens, leading to increased morbidity and mortality. We identified isolates of Rothia nasisuis in the upper respiratory tract of weaned healthy piglets that produce valinomycin in vitro and in vivo via a giant multimodule non-ribosomal peptide synthase (NRPS) enzyme complex. Valinomycin is an antiviral and antibiotic ionophore that shuttles potassium ions across membranes and is capable of inflammasome activation and apoptosis in LPS-primed macrophages. R. nasisuis inhibited growth of Streptococcus and Rothia species inhabiting the same niche. To investigate the potential for the valinomycin-producing Rothia nasisuis strain to colonize new-born piglets we performed a colonization study in newborn litters of piglets. Briefly, the newborn piglets of 3 sows farrowing on the same day were randomized between the three sows to avoid genetic bias in the experiment. The sows were housed in separate maternity pens and the piglets marked so they could be identified during the study. 9 of the 12 piglets nursed by sows A and B (further referred to as litters A and B) were orally administered approximately 10exp9 CFU of valinomycin-producing R. nasisuis, using a syringe on d2, d19 and d27 after birth. Three 3 piglets in litters A and B were not inoculated with R. nasisuis to see if they became colonized by horizontal transfer. As a control group all the piglets housed with the sow C (further referred to as litter C) were not inoculated with R. nasisuis.

The First European Planetary Health Congress, held from 5 to 7 July 2023 at ARTIS in Amsterdam, represented a significant milestone in the global movement of Planetary Health. The event brought together 121 attendees from academia and the private sector dedicated to addressing the impact of human disruptions to natural systems on the well-being of life on Earth. Co-organized by Natura Artis Magistra (ARTIS) and the European Hub of the Planetary Health Alliance (PHA), the Congress featured five workshops: The Future of Planetary Health Cities, Impact through Synergy, Planetary Health Education, Movement Building, and Food and Microbes. Oral presentations addressed the theme of how human health and the health of human civilization depend on the natural environment, including subthemes on Earth, Water, and Food. Additionally, the subtheme of Humans reflected on how humanity can thrive within Planetary Boundaries and how to imagine a prosperous future for all life on Earth. The First European Planetary Health Congress offered a platform for fostering sustainable, just, and equitable societies within ecological limits. Accordingly, ARTIS and the European Hub aim to shape a hopeful future for generations to come.