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The impacts of microsporidia on host individuals are frequently subtle and can be context dependent. A key example of the latter comes from a recently discovered microsporidian symbiont of Daphnia, the net impact of which was found to shift from negative to positive based on environmental context. Given this, we hypothesized low baseline virulence of the microsporidian; here, we investigated the impact of infection on hosts in controlled conditions and the absence of other stressors. We also investigated its phylogenetic position, ecology, and host range. The genetic data indicate that the symbiont is Ordospora pajunii, a newly described microsporidian parasite of Daphnia. We show that O. pajunii infection damages the gut, causing infected epithelial cells to lose microvilli and then rupture. The prevalence of this microsporidian could be high (up to 100% in the lab and 77% of adults in the field). Its overall virulence was low in most cases, but some genotypes suffered reduced survival and/or reproduction. Susceptibility and virulence were strongly host-genotype dependent. We found that North American O. pajunii were able to infect multiple Daphnia species, including the European species Daphnia longispina, as well as Ceriodaphnia spp. Given the low, often undetectable virulence of this microsporidian and potentially far-reaching consequences of infections for the host when interacting with other pathogens or food, this Daphnia-O. pajunii symbiosis emerges as a valuable system for studying the mechanisms of context-dependent shifts between mutualism and parasitism, as well as for understanding how symbionts might alter host interactions with resources.ImportanceThe net outcome of symbiosis depends on the costs and benefits to each partner. Those can be context dependent, driving the potential for an interaction to change between parasitism and mutualism. Understanding the baseline fitness impact in an interaction can help us understand those shifts; for an organism that is generally parasitic, it should be easier for it to become a mutualist if its baseline virulence is relatively low. Recently, a microsporidian was found to become beneficial to its Daphnia hosts in certain ecological contexts, but little was known about the symbiont (including its species identity). Here, we identify it as the microsporidium Ordospora pajunii. Despite the parasitic nature of microsporidia, we found O. pajunii to be, at most, mildly virulent; this helps explain why it can shift toward mutualism in certain ecological contexts and helps establish O. pajunii is a valuable model for investigating shifts along the mutualism-parasitism continuum.

The genome of Candidatus Xenohaliotis californiensis was assembled from shotgun metagenomic sequencing of experimentally infected white abalone. Ninety-one percent genome completeness was achieved with low contamination. Sequencing this genome provides the opportunity to track pathogen evolution over time, conduct gene expression experiments, and study dynamics between this pathogen and its phage.

The emergence of infectious diseases presents a significant global health, economic, and security risk. Climate change can unexpectedly lead to the spread of pathogens, vectors, or hosts into new areas, contributing to the rise of infectious diseases. Surveillance plays a crucial role in monitoring disease trends and implementing control strategies. In this study, we document the first discovery of Heterobilharzia americana, a parasitic schistosome of mammals and its intermediate hosts Galba cubensis and Galba humilis along the banks of the Colorado River in California. We conducted multiple samplings of snails from various locations in the region with a previous history of canine schistosomiasis. Nucleotide sequencing of the multiple regions of the snails and parasites DNA revealed the coexistence of G. cubensis and G. humilis, both infected with H. americana. Phylogenetic analyses further validate the presence of H. americana in California, suggesting a wider distribution than previously reported. Our findings have implications for public health, veterinary medicine, and biodiversity conservation, contributing to developing effective control strategies to prevent the spread of this emerging infectious disease.

Baby chicks administered a fecal transplant from adult chickens are resistant to Salmonella colonization by competitive exclusion. A two-pronged approach was used to investigate the mechanism of this process. First, Salmonella response to an exclusive (Salmonella competitive exclusion product, Aviguard®) or permissive microbial community (chicken cecal contents from colonized birds containing 7.85 Log10Salmonella genomes/gram) was assessed ex vivo using a S. typhimurium reporter strain with fluorescent YFP and CFP gene fusions to rrn and hilA operon, respectively. Second, cecal transcriptome analysis was used to assess the cecal communities response to Salmonella in chickens with low (≤5.85 Log10 genomes/g) or high (≥6.00 Log10 genomes/g) Salmonella colonization. The ex vivo experiment revealed a reduction in Salmonella growth and hilA expression following co-culture with the exclusive community. The exclusive community also repressed Salmonellas SPI-1 virulence genes and LPS modification, while the anti-virulence/inflammatory gene avrA was upregulated. Salmonella transcriptome analysis revealed significant metabolic disparities in Salmonella grown with the two different communities. Propanediol utilization and vitamin B12 synthesis were central to Salmonella metabolism co-cultured with either community, and mutations in propanediol and vitamin B12 metabolism altered Salmonella growth in the exclusive community. There were significant differences in the cecal communitys stress response to Salmonella colonization. Cecal community transcripts indicated that antimicrobials were central to the type of stress response detected in the low Salmonella abundance community, suggesting antagonism involved in Salmonella exclusion. This study indicates complex community interactions that modulate Salmonella metabolism and pathogenic behavior and reduce growth through antagonism may be key to exclusion.

Background: Although the emerging NGS-based assays, metagenomic nextgeneration sequencing (mNGS) and targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS), have been extensively utilized for the identification of pathogens in pulmonary infections, there have been limited studies systematically evaluating differences in the efficacy of mNGS and multiplex PCR-based tNGS in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) specimens. Methods: In this study, 85 suspected infectious BALF specimens were collected. Parallel mNGS and tNGS workflows to each sample were performed; then, we comparatively compared their consistency in detecting pathogens. The differential results for clinically key pathogens were confirmed using PCR. Results: The microbial detection rates of BALF specimens by the mNGS and tNGS workflows were 95.18% (79/83) and 92.77% (77/83), respectively, with no significant difference. mNGS identified 55 different microorganisms, whereas tNGS detected 49 pathogens. The comparative analysis of mNGS and tNGS revealed that 86.75% (72/83) of the specimens were complete or partial concordance. Particularly, mNGS and tNGS differed significantly in detection rates for some of the human herpesviruses only, including Human gammaherpesvirus 4 (P<0.001), Human betaherpesvirus 7 (P<0.001), Human betaherpesvirus 5 (P<0.05) and Human betaherpesvirus 6 (P<0.01), in which tNGS always had higher detection rates. Orthogonal testing of clinically critical pathogens showed a total coincidence rate of 50% for mNGS and PCR, as well as for tNGS and PCR. Conclusions: Overall, the performance of mNGS and multiplex PCR-based tNGS assays was similar for bacteria and fungi, and tNGS may be superior to mNGS for the detection of DNA viruses. No significant differences were seen between the two NGS assays compared to PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in detecting pathogens from joint infection (JI) synovial fluid (SF) samples with previous antibiotic exposure. Methods: From January 2019 to January 2022, 59 cases with suspected JI were enrolled. All cases had antibiotic exposure within 2 weeks before sample collection. mNGS and conventional culture were performed on SF samples. JI was diagnosed based on history and clinical symptoms in conjunction with MSIS criteria. The diagnostic values, including sensitivity, specificity, positive/negative predictive values (PPV/NPV), and accuracy, were in comparison with mNGS and culture. Results: There were 47 of the 59 cases diagnosed with JI, while the remaining 12 were diagnosed with non-infectious diseases. The sensitivity of mNGS was 68.1%, which was significantly higher than that of culture (25.5%, p<0.01). The accuracy of mNGS was significantly higher at 71.2% compared to the culture at 39.0% (p <0.01). Eleven pathogenic strains were detected by mNGS but not by microbiological culture, which included Staphylococcus lugdunensis, Staphylococcus cohnii, Finegoldia magna, Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus saprophytics, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter pittii, Brucella ovis, andCoxiella burnetii. Antibiotic therapy was adjusted based on the mNGS results in 32 (68.1%) patients, including 12 (25.5%) and 20 (42.6%) patients, in whom treatment was upgraded and changed, respectively. All JI patients underwent surgery and received subsequent antibiotic therapy. They were followed up for an average of 23months (20-27 months), and the success rate of treatment was 89.4%. Out of the 33 patients who had positive results for pathogens, reoperation was performed in 1 case (3.03%), while out of the 14 cases with negative results for both mNGS and cultures, reoperation was performed in 4 cases (28.6%). Conclusions: mNGS has advantages over conventional culture in detecting pathogens in SF samples from JI patients previously treated with antibiotics, potentially improving clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Experimental studies in animals have yielded conflicting results on the role of Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) in sepsis and endotoxemia, with some reporting adaptive and others inappropriate effects. A meta-analysis of the available literature was performed to determine the factors explaining this discrepancy. Methods: The study followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020167384) prior to data collection. PubMed and Embase were the databases queried. Risk of bias was evaluated using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias Tool. All animal studies investigating sepsis-related mortality and modified TNF signaling were considered eligible. The exclusion criteria were: lack of mortality data, 7-day mortality rates below 10% in both wild type and TNF-altered pathway animals, and absence of an English abstract. To determine the role of TNF according to the experimental protocol, three approaches were used: first an approach based on the statistical significance of each experiment, then the pooled mortality was calculated, and finally the weighted risk ratio for mortality was assessed. Results: A total of 175 studies were included in the analysis, comprising a total of 760 experiments and involving 19,899 animals. The main species used were mice (77%) and rats (21%). The most common method of TNF pathway modulation was TNF pathway inactivation that was primarily associated with an inappropriate secretion of TNF. At the opposite, TNF injection was associated with an adaptive role of TNF. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection was the most used stimulus to establish an infectious model (42%) and was strongly associated with an inappropriate role of TNF. Conversely, live bacterial models, especially the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) model, pneumonia, meningitis, and gastrointestinal infection, were associated with an adaptive role. This was particularly evident for Listeria monocytogenes, Streptococcus pneumoniae. Conclusion: The role of TNF during infection varies depending on the experimental model used. Models that mimic clinical conditions, based on virulent bacteria that cause high mortality even at low inocula, demonstrated an adaptive role of TNF. Conversely, models based on LPS or low-pathogenic live bacteria, administered at doses well above physiological thresholds and combined with early antibiotic therapy, were associated with an inappropriate role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the leading causes of dementia and is characterized by memory loss, mental and behavioral abnormalities, and impaired ability to perform daily activities. Even as a global disease that threatens human health, effective treatments to slow the progression of AD have not been found, despite intensive research and significant investment. In recent years, the role of infections in the etiology of AD has sparked intense debate. Pathogens invade the central nervous system through a damaged blood-brain barrier or nerve trunk and disrupt the neuronal structure and function as well as homeostasis of the brain microenvironment through a series of molecular biological events. In this review, we summarize the various pathogens involved in AD pathology, discuss potential interactions between pathogens and AD, and provide an overview of the promising future of anti-pathogenic therapies for AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sequential induction by fungal pathogen and insect elicits differential biochemical responses. • Necrotrophic fungal attack decreases the nutritional quality of the plant. • Late-arriving herbivore is negatively affected by the presence of pathogen, with or without herbivore's presence. • Herbivory did not affect the late-arriving conspecific herbivore. Plants have several means of coping with biotic stress, which involves physiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms. The interplay of two principal phytohormonal pathways, Jasmonic acid (JA) and Salicylic acid (SA) play a crucial role in transmitting stress-induced signals throughout the plant. However, the interplay of these hormonal pathways is not clear when plants encounter biotic agents that trigger antagonistic hormonal signals. To address this, we conducted biochemical and gene expression studies on tomato, Solanum lycopersicum plants, exposed to insect alone (IA), fungus alone (FA), or sequential dual stress with fungi followed by insect (FI) and insect followed by fungi (IF), with untreated control. We also assessed the performance of late-arriving conspecific herbivore on these plant sets. The total phenol, and non-tannin phenols content in IF and FI plants showed similar increase or decrease as FA and IA plants, respectively. Gene expression analysis revealed that JA-related genes (MYC2) were dominant in FI plants, while SA-related genes (PR1) were upregulated in IF plants. Moreover, late-arriving herbivores showed significantly decreased relative growth rate, efficiency of conversion of ingested food (ECI) and digested food (ECD) when feeding on FA and IF plants, indicating that sequential treatments substantially induce plant responses. However, herbivory did not affect the late-arriving conspecific herbivore. Thus, biochemical responses and hormonal interplay of the plant are influenced by both sequence as well as the duration of the biotic stress. Furthermore, while the late-arriving conspecific herbivore is negatively affected by the presence of a pathogen, it remains unaffected by previous herbivory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the total phenol and flavonoid content and investigate the antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of Perovskia abrotanoides essential oil. The total phenol content was determined using the Folin Ciocalteu method, the total flavonoid content using the colorimetric aluminum chloride method, the antioxidant potential using the DPPH and ABTS free radical inhibition methods, and the antimicrobial activity using the disc diffusion agar, well diffusion agar, minimum inhibitory concentration, and minimum bactericidal concentration methods. The total phenol, total flavonoid, DPPH free radical inhibition, and ABTS free radical inhibition of the essential oil were found to be 24.26 mg of gallic acid per gram, 13.15 mg of quercetin per gram, 52.49%, and 56.79%, respectively. The antimicrobial results showed that the antimicrobial effect of the essential oil was higher against Gram -positive bacteria than Gram -negative types, and Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhi were the most sensitive and resistant microbial strains against P. abrotanoides essential oil, respectively. The diameter of the growth inhibition zone in the disc diffusion agar and well diffusion agar tests, as well as the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations for S. aureus, were 16.50 mm, 17.30 mm, 2 mg/mL, and 128 mg/mL, respectively, and these values for S. typhi were 7.60 mm, 9.20 mm, 16 mg/mL, and 512 mg/mL, respectively. In general, P. abrotanoides essential oil can be used as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial compound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coffee berry borer, Hypothenemus hampei (Ferrari) (Coleoptera: Scolytidae), is one of the most important coffee pests, and is present in almost all countries producing this crop, causing annual losses of US$350 million. Natural factors regulate H. hampei populations in coffee crops. Ecological life table analysis is a robust tool that allows the estimation of the mortality caused by these factors. Therefore, the main objective of this study was to determine the critical stage and the key mortality factors affecting H. hampei in the field. Data for constructing life tables were collected over 2 years in six coffee plantations in the regions of Paula Cândido and Viçosa, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. The average mortality of H. hampei was 75.34% ± 5.85%. The mortality at each developmental stage was 24.32% ± 2.83% (eggs), 7.29% ± 1.01% (first instar), 11.58% ± 1.46% (second instar), 9.68% ± 1.10% (third instar), 7.45% ± 1.01% (pupa), and 15.02% ± 1.29% (adult; n = 124). The mortality factors observed and quantified in this study were parasitism by Prorops nasuta (Hymenoptera: Bethylidae), predation by ants (Crematogaster spp., Pheidole spp. and Solenopsis spp.), physiological disorders and fungal infection by Beauveria bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae. The critical mortality stage of H. hampei was the adult stage. The key factors for mortality of H. hampei adults were predatory ants, followed by B. bassiana and malformations (these insects had deformities in the head, wings, legs, or abdomen). This information is essential to conserve the activities of natural enemies and, thus maintain H. hampei natural mortality factors in coffee plantations, reducing damage to the crops and the need for excessive insecticide interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydroponic cultivation is an efficient, resource-saving technology that produces high yields of high-quality products per unit area without soil. While this technology can save water and fertilisers, water recirculation increases the accumulation of root exudates known to be toxic to the plant, causing growth inhibition. The usage of bioelectrochemical systems (BESs) is well-documented for wastewater treatment, desalination, contamination remediation, bioelectricity generation, etc. In this review we explore the issues associated with the usage of traditional approaches in detecting and removing the phytotoxic substances exudated from plant roots. Furthermore, we investigate the prospects of deploying BESs in hydroponic systems and highlight potential benefits and challenges. The application, feasibility and scalability of BES-hydroponic systems, as well as the possibility of integration with other technologies are all critically discussed. It is concluded that the use of BESs for hydroponic wastewater treatment and for real-time plant growth monitoring represents a novel and valuable strategy. This approach has the potential to overcome limitations of the existing treatment methods and contribute to the advancement of sustainable agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Food processing industries commonly employ organic acids (OAAs) to determine bacterial contamination in acidified and fermented foods. OAAs are believed to possess potent antimicrobial properties by permeating cell membranes, altering proton and anion concentrations in the cytoplasm due to their lipophilic undissociated forms. The bacteriostatic or bactericidal effects of OAAs are influenced by various factors including microbial physiology, environmental pH, and acid dissociation ratios. Despite their utility, the precise mechanisms underlying OAA-mediated inhibition of pathogenic bacteria remain incompletely understood. Therefore, the objectives of this review are to compile a selected area of researches that focus on the current propensity of different OAAs for inactivating food-borne pathogens, and then to present a theoretical insight on the use of OAAs to prevent and control pathogenic bacteria present in acidic/acidified foods and their mode of mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the major role that insect pollinators play in crop production, agricultural intensification drives them into decline. Various conservation measures have been developed to mitigate the negative effects of agriculture on insect pollinators. In a novel comparison of the efficacy of three conservation measures on honeybee colony growth, we monitored experimental honeybee colonies in 16 landscapes that comprised orthogonal gradients of organic agriculture, annual flower strips and perennial semi‐natural habitats. Using structural equation modelling, we assessed the effects of conservation measures on the prevalence of 11 parasites, Varroa destructor loads and their collective impact on colony growth. Increasing area coverage of perennial semi‐natural habitat related to higher V. destructor load and indirectly to lower colony growth. Increasing area of annual flower strips was associated with lower V. destructor load and indirectly with higher colony growth. Increasing area of organic farming related to lower parasite richness and also directly to improved colony growth. Synthesis and applications: Landscape features can affect pollinators directly through the provision of food resources and indirectly through modulation of parasite prevalence. To promote honeybee colony health in agro‐ecosystems, our results suggest that organic agriculture and annual flower strips should be prioritized conservation measures. Landscape management should consider the merits and demerits of different measures to sustain healthy populations of pollinators in agro‐ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes, a cutting-edge focal point in current research on plant-microbe interactions, are vesicles that encompass diverse biomolecular information including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and small molecules. They assume significant roles in the progression of plant-microbe interactions. The composition of exosomes plays a crucial role in determining their function as carriers of various biological information molecules. Therefore, the functional roles of exosomes in the interactions between plants and microorganisms can be revealed by analyzing their protein composition using proteomic techniques. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the current research advancements in exosome proteomics within the context of plant-fungi and plant-bacteria interactions. The primary focus is on analyzing the protein composition of exosome and exploring their significance in plant disease resistance signaling and pathogen virulence. Additionally, this article suggests potential future directions for the development of exosomal proteomics, with the aim of shedding light on the underlying mechanisms involved in plant-microorganism interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Redox reactions are fundamental to energy conversion in living cells, and also determine and tune responses to the environment. Within this context, the tripeptide glutathione plays numerous roles. As an important antioxidant, glutathione confers redox stability on the cell and also acts as an interface between signalling pathways and metabolic reactions that fuel growth and development. It also contributes to the assembly of cell components, biosynthesis of sulfur-containing metabolites, inactivation of potentially deleterious compounds, and control of hormonal signalling intensity. The multiplicity of these roles probably explains why glutathione status has been implicated in influencing plant responses to many different conditions. In particular, there is now a considerable body of evidence showing that glutathione is a crucial player in governing the outcome of biotic stresses. This review provides an overview of glutathione synthesis, transport, degradation, and redox turnover in plants. It examines the expression of genes associated with these processes during pathogen challenge and related conditions, and considers the diversity of mechanisms by which glutathione can influence protein function and gene expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Airborne pathogens, though a minor fraction of airborne particles, can cause infections, intoxications, or allergic reactions through respiration, dermal contact, or ingestion. The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has underscored the significance of mitigating airborne microbial threats. Traditional air ionization methods, such as dielectric barrier discharge and metal tip corona discharge, produce ozone, a reactive and potentially harmful byproduct. However, carbon-fiber ionizers (CFIs) generate high concentrations of ions with minimal ozone production, making them a safer alternative. Operating at voltages below 5 kV, CFIs are more efficient than their metallic counterparts. This review focuses on the antimicrobial efficacy of CFIs, which produce unipolar ions that can disrupt microbial membranes, leading to cell death. Compared to ultraviolet light sterilization, CFIs are cost-effective and suitable for small spaces. The literature review highlights the need for comprehensive studies to evaluate the real-world application and effectiveness of CFIs. Many existing studies are limited by small-scale testing and insufficient data reporting, complicating comparative analyses. Our work aims to provide a detailed perspective on CFIs, examining their impact on various microorganisms, ion efficacy, ionization outcomes, and ozone generation levels. By addressing these aspects, the review seeks to offer an updated understanding of CFIs' antimicrobial capabilities and to identify limitations in current research, paving the way for more informed and effective air purification strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary All plant populations fluctuate in time. Apart from the dynamics imposed by external forces such as climate, these fluctuations can be driven by endogenous processes taking place within the community. In this study, we aimed to identify potential role of soil‐borne microbial communities in driving endogenous fluctuations of plant populations. We combined a unique, 35‐yr long abundance data of 11 common plant species from a species‐rich mountain meadow with development of their soil microbiome (pathogenic fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and oomycetes) observed during 4 yr of experimental cultivation in monocultures. Plant species which abundance fluctuated highly in the field (particularly legumes) accumulated plant pathogens in their soil mycobiome. We also identified increasing proportion of mycoparasitic fungi under highly fluctuating legume species, which may indicate an adaptation of these species to mitigate the detrimental effects of pathogens. Our study documented that long‐term fluctuations in the abundance of plant species in grassland communities can be explained by the accumulation of plant pathogens in plant–soil microbiome. By contrast, we found little evidence of the role of mutualists in plant population fluctuations. These findings offer new insights for understanding mechanisms driving both long‐term vegetation dynamics and patterns of species coexistence and richness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Vibrio alginolyticus is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the family of Vibrionaceae, a common pathogen in aquaculture animals, However, studies on its impact on Scylla serrata (mud crabs) are limited. In this study, we isolated V. alginolyticus SWS from dead mud crab during a disease outbreak in a Hong Kong aquaculture farm, which caused up to 70% mortality during summer. Methods: Experimental infection and histopathology were used to investigate the pathogenicity of V. alginolyticus SWS in S. serrata and validate Koch's postulates. Comprehensive whole-genome analysis and phylogenetic analysis antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and biochemical characterization were also performed. Results: Our findings showed that V. alginolyticus SWS caused high mortality (75%) in S. serrata with infected individuals exhibiting inactivity, loss of appetite, decolored and darkened hepatopancreas, gills, and opaque muscle in the claw. Histopathological analysis revealed tissue damage and degeneration in the hepatopancreas, gills, and claw muscle suggesting direct and indirect impacts of V. alginolyticus SWS infection. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive characterization of V. alginolyticus SWS as an emerging pathogen in S. serrata aquaculture. Our findings underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance, early detection, and the development of targeted disease management strategies to mitigate the economic impact of vibriosis outbreaks in mud crab aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Studies on the bacterial diseases from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are scanty and have only two reports recorded during 1996 and 1999. A case of emaciation and abdominal dropsy caused by different strains of Aeromonas hydrophila was recorded by earlier workers in the Andaman, Islands. In the present work, a similar disease syndrome was recorded in Barbonymus gonionotus and Cyprinus carpio var. Koi. The present study served to investigate the disease's cause and the pathogen associated with it. Methods: This study details the isolation, biochemical and molecular characterization of three bacterial pathogens associated with emaciated, tail rot syndrome (ETS) and big belly syndrome (BBS) in B. gonionotus and C. carpio var. Koi respectively. Histology and re-infectivity study was also done for the infected host tissues and with Catla catla fingerlings. Result: This study constitutes the first report of three bacterial pathogens from the Andaman Islands, India viz., Aeromonas veronii, Aeromonas sp. and Pseudomonas alcaligenes causing emaciation and abdominal dropsy, with biochemical, molecular, histopathological and experimental challenge study evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture is expanding globally, but intensive rearing conditions can cause diseases due to microbial infections leading to financial losses. Probiotics can be used in tilapia farming instead of antibiotics to improve fish health, growth and are environmentally friendly. We provide a synthesis (meta-analysis) of empirical findings to increase statistical power and produce strong evidence for well-informed decision-making with respect to the use of pro, pre, and synbiotics in tilapia culture. In this meta-analysis, we investigated the effects of dietary probiotics on the immune response modulation and resistance of tilapia against common diseases. A systematic search was performed, and the data from 67 studies were included for review and meta-analysis. Pre-challenge, dietary probiotics led to a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the weight gain and specific growth rate, a significant decrease (p < 0.001) in the feed conversion ratio, but a non-significant increase in survival (p > 0.05). However, probiotics significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced innate immunity based on serum lysozyme, phagocytotic activity, and phagocytotic index, while disease resistance (survival) of tilapia against pathogenic challenge was also significantly (p < 0.001) enhanced. From this study, three categories of probiotics were identified such as single-strain probiotics (SSP), multi-strain probiotics (MSP), and symbiotics (S). The use of synbiotics (probiotics + prebiotics) showed the best effect compared to other probiotic categories, however, more research is needed to ascertain the superiority of synbiotics over other categories. This study concluded that probiotics generally contribute significantly to the growth, immunity, and disease resistance of tilapia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Plant herbivory and disease, which are often associated with each other but subject to different processes, are pivotal in biodiversity maintenance and ecosystem function. Although drivers of plant herbivory and disease have been widely studied separately, their relationships, patterns and determinants remain unclear in fragmented landscapes. Methods: We surveyed incidence and severity of foliar herbivory and disease of 2,027 adult trees within 30 sites in 17 tropical forest fragments in Xishuangbanna, southwestern China. We aim to explore the relationship of plant herbivory and disease, and effects of local environmental variables (forest type, plant richness, elevation, slope, soil properties) and landscape environmental variables (patch size, edge distance, isolation). Results: We found that incidence, but not severity of disease was positively correlated with that of herbivory. Herbivory severity and incidence were more associated with local variables; both increased with plant richness but decreased with soil nutrients and pH. In contrast, the landscape variable isolation was the dominant driver of disease, with lower severity and incidence in contiguous forests than forest fragments. Conclusion: In summary, we show that herbivory and disease are associated with drivers at different scales in fragmented landscapes. Herbivory is mainly driven by local-scale variables, while disease is mainly driven by landscape-scale variables. To control plant herbivory and disease in fragmented landscapes, increasing landscape connectivity and conserving different forest types are urgently required to maintain ecosystem functions under global land use change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pneumonia is typically caused by a variety of pathogenic microorganisms. Traditional research often focuses on the infection of a few microorganisms, whereas metagenomic studies focus on the impact of the bacteriome and mycobiome on respiratory diseases. Reports on the virome characteristics of pediatric pneumonia remain relatively scarce. Methods: We employed de novo assembly and combined homology‐ and feature‐based methods to characterize the respiratory virome in whole‐genome DNA sequencing samples from oropharynx (OP) swabs, nasopharynx (NP) swabs, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) of children with pneumonia. Results: Significant differences were observed in the alpha and beta diversity indexes, as well as in the composition of the oropharyngeal virome, between pneumonia cases and controls. We identified 1137 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs) with significant differences, indicating a preference of pneumonia‐reduced vOTUs for infecting Prevotella, Neisseria, and Veillonella, whereas pneumonia‐enriched vOTUs included polyomavirus, human adenovirus, and phages targeting Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Granulicatella, and Actinomyces. Comparative analysis revealed higher relative abundances and prevalence rates of pneumonia‐enriched OP vOTUs in NP and BALF samples compared to pneumonia‐reduced vOTUs. Additionally, virome analysis identified six pediatric patients with severe human adenovirus or polyomavirus infections, five of whom might have been undetected by targeted polymerase chain reaction (PCR)‐based testing. Conclusions: This study offers insights into pediatric pneumonia respiratory viromes, highlighting frequent transmission of potentially pathogenic viruses and demonstrating virome analysis as a valuable adjunct for pathogen detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of infectious diseases such as COVID-19 depends on complex fluid dynamics interactions between pathogens and fluid phases, including individual droplets and multiphase clouds. Understanding these interactions is crucial for predicting and controlling disease spread. This applies to human and animal exhalations, such as coughs and sneezes, as well as bursting bubbles that create micron-sized droplets in various indoor and outdoor environments. By exploring case studies in this regard, this study examines the emerging field of fluid dynamics in disease transmission, focusing on multiphase flows, interfacial flows, turbulence, pathogens, human traffic, aerosol transmission, ventilation, and breathing microenvironments. These results indicate that increased ventilation rates and local ventilation methods can effectively reduce the concentration of SARS-CoV-2-laden aerosols in the immediate breathing spaces between individuals. In a displacement-ventilated room, both neutral and unstable conditions were more effective in removing breathed SARS-CoV-2-laden aerosols from the air, regardless of the presence of test subjects. However, stable conditions may increase the risk of infection in individuals living in confined spaces. Thus, the findings of this study are useful for providing practical guidance for managing the spread of airborne infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This study aimed to elucidate the bacterial profile of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) compared with nonrenal patients, guiding antibiotic selection for clinicians. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 13,906 inpatients from the Chang Gung Research Database who underwent sinus surgery (2004–2018). Patients were categorized into ESRD‐CRS, CKD‐CRS, and non‐CKD‐CRS based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate. Bacterial cultures from surgical samples were classified as facultative anaerobes or aerobes (e.g., Klebsiella pneumoniae [KP], Pseudomonas aeruginosa [Ps.a]), anaerobes, and fungi and ranked by prevalence. Results: Data from 47 ESRD‐CRS, 230 CKD‐CRS, and 13,123 non‐CKD‐CRS patients were analyzed. In ESRD‐CRS, the predominant species were KP (31.6%), Ps.a (21.1%), and Coagulase‐negative Staphylococcus (CoNS, 15.8%). CKD‐CRS showed Staphylococcus epidermidis (27.7%), CoNS (20.5%), and Ps.a (20.5%). Non‐CKD‐CRS had Staphylococcus epidermidis (29.8%), CoNS (25.0%), and Staphylococcus aureus (15.5%). For anaerobes, ESRD‐CRS was dominated by Fusobacterium nucleatum (10.5%) and Peptostreptococcus micros (10.5%), whereas CKD‐CRS and non‐CKD‐CRS showed Propionibacterium acnes as a primary strain (14.5% and 28.7%, respectively). Conclusion: For CRS in ESRD, antibiotics targeting KP and Fusobacterium nucleatum are recommended. In CKD‐CRS, a focus on Staphylococcus epidermidis and Propionibacterium acnes is suggested. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 134:3499–3507, 2024 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Bovine tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, which causes tuberculosis in humans and animals. Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis has relied on examination of immune responses to M. bovis; however, using these methods, disease detection during the earliest phases of infection has been difficult, allowing a window for cattle-to-cattle transmission to occur within a herd. Alternative means of diagnosis could include methods to detect M. bovis or M. bovis DNA in bodily fluids such as nasal secretions, saliva, or blood rather than the animal's response to infection. DNA-from M. bovis was detected in nasal swabs and saliva from a small number of experimentally infected calves during the first 8 weeks after experimental infection. Although DNA from M. bovis could be detected, no culturable M. bovis was recovered from nasal swabs or saliva. Moreover, M. bovis DNA was not found in blood samples collected weekly. Successful infection of all calves was demonstrated using an interferon gamma release assay. Identification of infected animals through the detection of M. bovis will require the use of alternative samples or alternative assays. Bovine tuberculosis is caused by Mycobacterium bovis, a member of the M. tuberculosis complex of mycobacterial species that cause tuberculosis in humans and animals. Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis has relied on examinations of cell-mediated immune responses to M. bovis proteins using tuberculin skin testing and/or interferon gamma release assays. Even when using these methods, disease detection during the earliest phases of infection has been difficult, allowing a window for cattle-to-cattle transmission to occur within a herd. Alternative means of diagnosis could include methods to detect M. bovis or M. bovis DNA in bodily fluids such as nasal secretions, saliva, or blood. During the first 8 weeks after experimental aerosol infection of 18 calves, M. bovis DNA was detected in nasal swabs from a small number of calves 5, 6, and 8 weeks after infection and in samples of saliva at 1, 7, and 8 weeks after infection. However, at no time could culturable M. bovis be recovered from nasal swabs or saliva. M. bovis DNA was not found in blood samples collected weekly and examined by real-time PCR. Interferon gamma release assays demonstrated successful infection of all calves, while examination of humoral responses using a commercial ELISA identified a low number of infected animals at weeks 4–8 after infection. Examination of disease severity through gross lesion scoring did not correlate with shedding in nasal secretions or saliva, and calves with positive antibody ELISA results did not have more severe disease than other calves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aimed to analyze the distribution of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in bone and joint infections (BJIs) among children under four years old. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children under four years old who received inpatient treatment for BJIs at the Children's Hospital of Soochow University between January 2016 and December 2022. Results of bacterial culture and antimicrobial resistance were analyzed. Results: Among the 131 patients, 52 (39.7%) showed positive bacterial culture results. There were Gram-positive (G+) bacteria detected in 38 strains (73.07%), Gram-negative (G-) bacteria in 12 strains (23.08%), and fungi in 2 strains (3.85%). Thirty-one strains of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) were detected (59.62%), including 7 MRSA strains (22.58%). The resistance rate of G+ bacteria to penicillin was 72.97%, while resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin was approximately 50%. No resistance was found against linezolid, vancomycin, and teicoplanin. G- bacteria showed a sensitivity of 100% to carbapenems, including meropenem, ertapenem, and imipenem, a resistance rate of 91.67% to ampicillin-sulbactam, and relatively high resistance rates to compound sulfamethoxazole, ampicillin/sulbactam, and piperacillin. Conclusions: Regional variations existed in the distribution of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance in children under four years old with BJIs. In our hospital, the most common pathogen is S. aureus, with MRSA accounting for approximately one-fourth of all S. aureus patients. Additionally, extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing G- bacteria have been identified, underscoring the importance of careful consideration during empirical antibiotic therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms use the nucleotide-binding domain/leucine-rich repeat (NBD/LRR)-triggered immunity (NLR-triggered immunity) signaling pathway to defend against pathogens. Plant NLRs are intracellular immune receptors that can bind to effector proteins secreted by pathogens. Dicotyledonous plants express a type of NLR known as TIR domain-containing NLRs (TNLs). TIR domains are enzymes that catalyze the production of small molecules that are essential for immune signaling and lead to plant cell death. The activation of downstream TNL signaling components, such as enhanced disease susceptibility 1 (EDS1), phytoalexin deficient 4 (PAD4), and senescence-associated gene 101 (SAG101), is facilitated by these small molecules. Helper NLRs (hNLRs) and the EDS1-PAD4/SAG101 complex associate after activation, causing the hNLRs to oligomerize, translocate to the plasma membrane (PM), and produce cation-selective channels. According to a recent theory, cations enter cells through pores created by oligomeric hNLRs and trigger cell death. Occasionally, TNLs can self-associate to create higher-order oligomers. Here, we categorized soybean TNLs based on the protein domains that they possess. We believe that TNLs may help soybean plants effectively fight pathogens by acting as a source of genetic resistance. In summary, the purpose of this review is to elucidate the range of TNLs that are expressed in soybean.Key message: Proteins with Toll and interleukin-1 receptor (TIR) domains could be essential for soybean immune signaling pathways in response to biotic stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi pose significant global health threats in diverse environments. While conventional disinfection methods are effective, their reliance on frequent chemical applications raises concerns about resistance and environmental impact. Photodynamic self-disinfecting surfaces have emerged as a promising alternative. These surfaces incorporate photosensitizers that, when exposed to light, produce reactive oxygen species to target and eliminate microbial pathogens. This review explores the concept and mechanism of photodynamic self-disinfecting surfaces, highlighting the variety and characteristics of photosensitizers integrated into surfaces and the range of light sources used across different applications. It also highlights the effectiveness of these surfaces against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi, while also discussing their potential for providing continuous antimicrobial protection without frequent reapplication. Additionally, the review addresses both the advantages and limitations associated with photodynamic self-disinfecting surfaces and concludes with future perspectives on advancing this technology to meet ongoing challenges in infection control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data on pyogenic liver abscess (PLA) of children in China have been limited. We aimed to summarize the clinical feather, microbiological characteristics, management, and outcome of PLA in children. Method: We retrospectively reviewed PLA cases from January 2008 to June 2023 at Beijing Children's Hospital. Clinical characteristics, pathogens and management were analyzed. Results: We diagnosed 57 PLA patients in our center. The median onset age was 4.5 years and the male-to-female ratio was 1.6:1. The median diagnostic time was nine days and the median length of stay was 22 days. Twenty-eight patients (49.1%) had predisposing factors, around 71.4% of the patients had malignant hematology and primary immunodeficiency disease. Patients with underlying factors were more likely to have extrahepatic organ involvement (p = 0.024), anemia (p < 0.001), single abscess (p = 0.042), unilateral involvement (p = 0.039), and small size of the abscess (p = 0.008). Twenty-four patients (42.1%) had extrahepatic organ involvement. Pathogens were identified in 17 patients (29.8%), the most common pathogens were Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus. The positive rate of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was 87.5% (7/8). On multivariable analysis, the extrahepatic organ involved (p = 0.029) and hepatomegaly (p = 0.025) were two independent factors associated with poor outcomes. Conclusions: PLA is usually seen in children with predisposing factors. Malignant hematology and primary immunodeficiency disease were the most common underlying diseases. Extrahepatic organ involvement and hepatomegaly are associated with poor prognosis. Increased use of mNGS could be beneficial for identifying pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a critical medical concern, characterized by elevated morbidity, mortality, extended hospital stays, substantial healthcare costs, and diagnostic challenges. The clinical outcomes for patients with BSI can be markedly improved through the prompt identification of the causative pathogens and their susceptibility to antibiotics and antimicrobial agents. Traditional BSI diagnosis via blood culture is often hindered by its lengthy incubation period and its limitations in detecting pathogenic bacteria and their resistance profiles. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has recently gained prominence as a rapid and effective technique for identifying pathogenic bacteria and assessing drug resistance. This method offers molecular fingerprinting with benefits such as rapidity, sensitivity, and nondestructiveness. The objective of this study was to integrate deep learning (DL) with SERS for the rapid identification of common pathogens and their resistance to drugs in BSIs. To assess the feasibility of combining DL with SERS for direct detection, erythrocyte lysis and differential centrifugation were employed to isolate bacteria from blood samples with positive blood cultures. A total of 12,046 and 11,968 SERS spectra were collected from the two methods using Raman spectroscopy and subsequently analyzed using DL algorithms. The findings reveal that convolutional neural networks (CNNs) exhibit considerable potential in identifying prevalent pathogens and their drug-resistant strains. The differential centrifugation technique outperformed erythrocyte lysis in bacterial isolation from blood, achieving a detection accuracy of 98.68% for pathogenic bacteria and an impressive 99.85% accuracy in identifying carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae. In summary, this research successfully developed an innovative approach by combining DL with SERS for the swift identification of pathogenic bacteria and their drug resistance in BSIs. This novel method holds the promise of significantly improving patient prognoses and optimizing healthcare efficiency. Its potential impact could be profound, potentially transforming the diagnostic and therapeutic landscape of BSIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was used to analyze the etiological distribution of refractory pneumonia in children. We compared its efficacy in pathogen diagnosis against traditional methods to provide a basis for clinical adjustment and treatment. Methods: A total of 60 children with refractory pneumonia treated at the Department of Respiratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Affiliated with the Capital Institute of Paediatrics, from September 2019 to December 2021 were enrolled in this study. Clinical data (including sex, age, laboratory tests, complications, and discharge diagnosis) and lower respiratory tract specimens were collected, including bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), deep sputum, pleural effusion, lung abscess puncture fluid, traditional respiratory pathogens (culture, acid-fast staining, polymerase chain reaction, serological testing, etc.), and mNGS detection methods were used to determine the distribution of pathogens in children with refractory pneumonia and to compare the positive rate and diagnostic efficiency of mNGS and traditional pathogen detection for different types of pathogens. Results: Among the 60 children with refractory pneumonia, 43 specimens were positive by mNGS, and 67 strains of pathogens were detected, including 20.90% (14 strains) of which were Mycoplasma pneumoniae, 11.94% (8 strains) were Streptococcus pneumoniae, 7.46% (5 strains) were cytomegalovirus, and 5.97% (4 strains) were Candida albicans. Thirty-nine strains of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (41.03%, 16 strains), Streptococcus pneumoniae (10.26%, 4 strains), Candida albicans (7.69%, 3 strains), and Aspergillus (5.13%, 2 strains) were detected using traditional methods. The positive rate of mNGS detection was 90.48%, and the positive rate of the traditional method was 61.90% (p = 0.050), especially for G+ bacteria. The positive rate of mNGS was greater than that of traditional methods (p < 0.05), but they had no significant difference in detecting G-bacteria, viruses, fungi, or Mycoplasma/Chlamydia. Among the 60 patients, 21 had mixed infections, 25 had single infections, and the other 14 had unknown pathogens. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was most common in both mixed infections and single infections. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of mNGS were 95.45, 37.50, 80.77, and 75.00%, respectively. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the traditional methods were 72.72, 62.50, 84.21, and 45.45%, respectively. The clinical compliance of mNGS was 80.00%, and that of the traditional method was 70.00%. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of mNGS were high, and the difference in the sensitivity for detecting G+ bacteria was statistically significant (p < 0.05). However, the differences in G-bacteria, fungi, and Mycoplasma/Chlamydia were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Due to the small sample size, statistical analysis could not be conducted on viral infections. Conclusion: mNGS has higher overall efficacy than traditional methods for the etiological diagnosis of refractory pneumonia in children. The application of mNGS can significantly improve the detection rate of pathogens in children with refractory pneumonia. The sensitivity and negative predictive value of mNGS for detecting G+ bacteria are greater than those of other methods, and it can exclude the original suspected pathogenic bacteria. Unnecessary antibiotic use was reduced, but there was no statistically significant difference in G-bacteria, fungi, or Mycoplasma/Chlamydia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of new infectious diseases poses a major threat to humans, animals, and broader ecosystems. Defining factors that govern the ability of pathogens to adapt to new host species is therefore a crucial research imperative. Pathogenic bacteria are of particular concern, given dwindling treatment options amid the continued expansion of antimicrobial resistance. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in the understanding of bacterial host species adaptation, with an emphasis on pathogens of humans and related mammals. We focus particularly on molecular mechanisms underlying key steps of bacterial host adaptation including colonization, nutrient acquisition, and immune evasion, as well as suggest key areas for future investigation. By developing a greater understanding of the mechanisms of host adaptation in pathogenic bacteria, we may uncover new strategies to target these microbes for the treatment and prevention of infectious diseases in humans, animals, and the broader environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Banana wilt diseases are among the most important banana production constraints worldwide. The narrow genetic diversity of cultivated bananas, coupled with the high variability of pathogens, has led to decimation of susceptible cultivars. Strict quarantine measures to exclude pathogens from disease-free areas and the use of resistant cultivars in already affected areas are the most effective control practices. Significant research efforts have been directed towards breeding additional resistant hybrids. Current research strategies for management of banana wilts have explored use of conventional breeding, somaclonal variation and genetic engineering. This review describes the recent spread, economic losses, management strategies and future research directions of the major banana wilts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant enemies can influence plant community assembly and structure. However, it is unclear how insect herbivores and fungal pathogens affect seedling recruitment. Complex interactions with competition and resource availability make it difficult to isolate the effect of enemies. This uncertainty can impede understanding of community assembly drivers, species coexistence and trophic interactions; and limits hypothesis testing such as of the enemy release hypothesis, a key hypothesis in invasion biology. Using a novel species‐specific approach, we examine how enemies affect seedling survival and recruitment of 16 grassland species.We planted seedlings of 16 native species from two functional groups (C4 grasses and non‐legume forbs) into two grassland sites (early and mid‐succession). We hand‐painted 1512 individual seedlings with pesticides (insecticide and fungicide) over the course of one growing season to enforce aboveground species‐specific release from enemies and tested whether it enhanced survival relative to untreated controls. Applying treatments to individuals allowed us to test for the effect of enemies on plant performance while controlling for contexts such as competition from the resident community and resource levels.Release from insects increased seedling survival by 56% on average, with no additional benefit of release from fungal pathogens. This effect was observed for both forbs and C4 grasses across both sites and was strongest in resource‐acquisitive species. There was no effect of the mean phylogenetic distance between our target species and the resident plant community, or of light availability or soil moisture.Synthesis. The significant positive effect of release from insect herbivores on survival early in colonisation—a trend that held across functional groups and types of resident community—suggests insects play an important regulatory role in community assembly, especially for resource‐acquisitive species. As variation between species could be explained by traits but not by phylogeny, we emphasise the importance of trait‐based approaches to plant community ecology. Our results also support the key mechanism (increased performance following release from enemies) underlying the enemy release hypothesis. Enemy release may therefore aid initial recruitment of plants during the invasion process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growing evidence suggests a close relationship between gut microbiota and infectious diseases. However, the specific role of gut microbiota in host-pathogen interactions during aquaculture-related infections remains poorly understood. This study investigated the diversity and composition of gut microbiota communities in Aeromonas veronii-infected Lateolabrax maculatus using high-throughput sequencing. The results revealed significant changes in the structure and composition of L. maculatus gut microbiota after A. veronii infection. Over time, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes decreased significantly, while Proteobacteria increased significantly after A. veronii infection. Most intestinal bacteria showed a decline in abundance over time, with probiotics (such as Lactobacillus) experiencing a significant decrease and pathogens (such as Aeromonas) showing a significant increase. Conversely, no differences were observed in the structure and composition of gut microbiota between healthy L. maculatus and those infected with A. veronii after treatment with Lactobacillus plantarum; no changes in relative abundances of other bacterial phyla or genera except for Aeromonas. Furthermore, intestinal flora's structural diversity and composition differed significantly from untreated L. maculatus infected with A. veronii. These findings suggest alterations in the structure and composition of gut microbiota following A. veronii infection. L. plantarum can maintain a dynamic balance within the intestinal flora, reducing the potential risk of pathogen infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review encapsulates the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs), small endogenous noncoding RNAs, in mediating information exchange within plant organisms and between plants and diverse biological organisms. The mobility of miRNAs is focused upon various contexts, such as intraplant and interplant communication, grafting, and within parasitic plant complexes. Furthermore, the movement of miRNAs between plants and pathogens, as well as their transfer from plants to insects, is explored, underlining their broader biological significance. The possible mechanisms of miRNA mobility are summarized, including plasmodesmata (PD)-mediated, vesicle-mediated, and phloem-based transport, which are thoroughly examined. Finally, we discuss and summarize the biotechnological and agricultural applications of mobile miRNAs in crop improvement and disease resistance, pointing out future research directions and unresolved questions in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wild birds as source of pathogenic microorganisms infecting livestock and humans are an interesting topic that has received increased attention in recent years. Here we study occurrence of pathogenic bacteria in birds in north-east Iran with focus on to identifying virulence gene in wild and domestic birds. Wild birds were trapped and sampled in different localities in northeast Iran from April to September in 2018 and 2019. From 184 birds representing 32 species of wild passerine birds, potentially pathogenic bacteria were isolated from 171 samples (92.9). Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated bacterium with a prevalence of 70.1%, followed by Enterobacter spp. (53.8%) and Salmonella spp (3.2%) isolated from 129, 99 and 6 wild birds, respectively. In total 79.6% of the isolates carried virulence factors. A higher frequency of virulence genes was detected in domestic birds (88.6%) than in wild birds (76%). The results showed that birds in north-east Iran can serve as a potential source of bacterial pathogens and virulence factors that may cause disease in both humans and birds. Furthermore, our results introduce new host birds as source of pathogenic microorganisms that can carry and disseminate them in the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial panicle blight (BPB) is an emerging rice disease in Nigeria, causing up to 75% yield loss and widespread globally. In the 2019 season, rice farmers in Zamfara State's Gusau, Talata Mafara, Maradun, and Bakura communities reported significant yield declines due to an unidentified disease. Infected samples suggested BPB as the cause, yet the pathogen had not been identified in Nigeria. A trial was conducted to identify and characterize BPB pathogens in Zamfara State, aiming to screen rice germplasm and find resistant sources. Infected rice grains from the region were collected and cultured on King's B medium at 37°C for 48 hours in the microbiology lab of Federal University Gusau. The bacteria were purified to single colonies and analyzed morphologically and via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), identifying the strain as Burkholderia glumae. This strain produced toxoflavin, a compound linked to its pathogenicity. PCR amplification of a 1079- bp fragment using gyrB-specific primers confirmed B. glumae as the BPB agent in Nigeria. A pathogenicity test was performed on three commercial rice varieties (Faro 44, FARO 56, and FARO 59) using the syringe inoculation method at the Biological Garden, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University Gusau. All inoculated rice varieties exhibited typical BPB symptoms within three days, similar to those seen in naturally infected rice panicles. This confirmed B. glumae as the causative pathogen and highlighted the urgent need for resistant rice varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofloc is one of the suitable alternatives for decreasing food costs and increasing the immunity of cultured organisms against pathogens and diseases. This research aims to isolate, identify, and screen bioflocculant bacterial candidates to optimize practices for enhanced water quality management. Twelve bacteria were obtained from incubated shrimp pond water. These bacteria were tested for their ability to produce biofloc using a newly developed combination of Biofloc Standard Mineral Water (BSMW) and Biofloc Standard Medium (BSM) in a laboratory setting, utilizing an Imhoff cone. A novel medium was used for the first time for identifying biofloc-producing bacteria. Strain KBF-103 exhibited rapid biofloc production within 24 hours, making it suitable for pond water application. Strain KBF-103 was identified using molecular via 16S rRNA sequencing and shows a close relation with the Bacillus cereus strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an important palm species that serves as the mainstay of several industries and contributes to the livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers. International exchange of coconut germplasm has been undertaken for several decades to facilitate the conservation of selected varieties within global genebanks and for the distribution to farmers and scientists. In vitro systems are a convenient and an efficient method for the exchange of coconut germplasm. However, it is possible that these tissue culture systems can transfer lethal pathogens causing a threat to the importing countries. In this review, the following topics are discussed: the major disease-causing agents of concern, the various tissues that could be used for coconut germplasm exchange, and the techniques available for the detection and elimination of disease-causing agents from various transmission systems. Additionally, the lack of clear, science-backed guidelines to facilitate the exchange of in vitro coconut materials is raised, along with recommendations for future studies to ensure the safe movement of coconut germplasm without biosecurity risks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endocytosis represents a category of regulated active transport mechanisms. These encompass clathrin-dependent and -independent mechanisms, as well as fluid phase micropinocytosis and macropinocytosis, each demonstrating varying degrees of specificity and capacity. Collectively, these mechanisms facilitate the internalization of cargo into cellular vesicles. Pregnancy is one such physiological state during which endocytosis may play critical roles. A successful pregnancy necessitates ongoing communication between maternal and fetal cells at the maternal-fetal interface to ensure immunologic tolerance for the semi-allogenic fetus whilst providing adequate protection against infection from pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. It also requires transport of nutrients across the maternal-fetal interface, but restriction of potentially harmful chemicals and drugs to allow fetal development. In this context, trogocytosis, a specific form of endocytosis, plays a crucial role in immunological tolerance and infection prevention. Endocytosis is also thought to play a significant role in nutrient and toxin handling at the maternal-fetal interface, though its mechanisms remain less understood. A comprehensive understanding of endocytosis and its mechanisms not only enhances our knowledge of maternal-fetal interactions but is also essential for identifying the pathogenesis of pregnancy pathologies and providing new avenues for therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Torreya taxifolia Arn. (Florida torreya) is a critically endangered (International Union for Conservation of Nature 3.1) conifer with a very limited native range in the USA, occurring in two counties in Florida and one in Georgia where it persists in ravines along the Apalachicola River. The species suffered a major decline, ∼ 99% loss, beginning in the 1930s, with a total population estimated at 357,500 in the early 1900s decreasing to 1,000 individuals currently remaining in the wild. The initial decline was attributed to an unknown fungal disease with Fusarium torreyae (T. Aoki, J. A. Smith, L. Mount, Geiser and O'Donnell), identified in 2011 as the causal agent of a canker disease. The objectives of this work were to develop genetic markers to uniquely identify individuals, examine the structure of the in situ population, and use an ex situ germplasm resource to determine if reproduction without fertilization (apomixis) occurs. We developed a panel of microsatellite markers, sampled individuals from three natural in situ populations, and found population structure at all levels tested. The markers were next applied to ex situ mothers, potential fathers, and progeny to investigate the occurrence of apomixis. One of 29 progeny seedlings tested and its mother had identical multilocus genotypes. The probability of observing this genotype by chance, given the mother and the two possible fathers' genotypes, is approximately one in ten. Based on these data, we cannot reject the hypothesis that apomixis occurs. Our finding of population structure suggests genotypes from as wide an area as possible are required to capture the diversity of the species in conservation efforts. The multiplexed marker panel can be used to identify individual accessions and assist with managing ex situ collections; however, they are not informative enough to clearly differentiate closely related individuals in the ex situ population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most species can be coinfected by multiple pathogens that may interact through shared resources (i.e., resource competition) or the host immune system (i.e., apparent competition). Community theory developed for free‐living organisms suggests that coinfecting pathogens can persist if they satisfy the mutual invasion criterion of coexistence, establishing infections in hosts that are already infected. Furthermore, the likelihood of coexistence may depend on host nutrition which can affect shared resources and host immunity. Here, we apply the novel approach of combining a dynamical model and experimental mutual invasibility trials to explore the effects of host nutrient supply on the coexistence of two viral plant pathogens. We focus on among‐pathogen interactions mediated by shared resources. First, we used a model to generate hypotheses about how nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) supply rates affect the ability of two plant viruses to invade established infections of the other virus. Then, we experimentally manipulated the N and P supplied to oats (Avena sativa) in a growth chamber experiment and tested mutual invasion of two RNA viral pathogens, BYDV‐PAV and CYDV‐RPV. Nutrient supplies ranged from rates that barely kept hosts alive up to high, but sub‐toxic, rates. Model simulations suggested that the viruses were more likely to invade established infections either when they could replicate at lower N and P concentrations or when plant N and P concentrations increased due to a combination of nutrient supply rates and resident virus nutrient use. In the experiment, each virus successfully invaded hosts infected by the other and had consistent growth rates across N and P supply rates. Our results suggest that BYDV‐PAV and CYDV‐RPV can coexist across a wide range environmental nutrient supply, which is consistent with the high levels of co‐occurrence of these two viruses in field populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metagenomics is a novel genomic tool employed to accurately study the composition of microbial communities in their ecological environments, including mass transport systems. Despite the potential significance of these sites as sources of exposure, the pathogenic microbiomes in these constructed settings remain unexplored. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was utilized to identify the microbiota obtained from the Metropolitan Transport of Shanghai (MTS) during the spring and summer. A diverse range of microbiota, especially pathogens, and models for mapping diversity and environmental variables were analyzed using the metagenomic techniques. The results indicate that bacteria accounted for 95.26% of the categorized genes in the 108 aerosol samples analyzed during the spring and summer, with the remaining 4.73% attributed to eukaryotes, viruses, and archaea. We successfully identified 86 microorganisms that align with the National Microbiology Data Center's List of Pathogenic Microorganisms, uncovering unique characteristics of various species with potential health implications throughout across seasons. Additionally, the distribution and diversity of the microbiota were significantly influenced by temperature, humidity, season, and time of day. The study's findings establish a framework for investigating and evaluating potential public health risks, offering early warning of biosecurity concerns related to these built environments. They also provide a comprehensive and unbiased perspective on the characteristics of microbial communities and potential pathogens in urban metros. Environmental and public health experts will find this investigation into the pathogenic microbiomes found in aerosol samples compelling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sweet oranges are a vital agricultural commodity, but they are susceptible to various pathogenic fungi that can cause significant economic losses. This study aimed to evaluate the antifungal activity of plant extracts against pathogenic fungi attacking sweet oranges in Jimma, Ethiopia. Materials and methods: Various plant extracts were obtained from locally available plant species and tested against selected pathogenic fungi using standard in vitro antifungal assays. The results revealed varying degrees of antifungal activity among the plant extracts, with some showing promising inhibitory effects against the targeted fungi. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in antifungal efficacy among the tested extracts. Results: The study found that Penicilium spp., Aspergillus spp., Rhizopus spp., Mucor spp., and Fusarium spp, were the predominant fungal species. The study found that the extracts of Vernonia amygdalina, Ginger oficealae, and Pterolobium stalatam were effective in inhibiting mycelial growth against these pathogens. This suggests the use of these medicinal plants for the preservation and control of sweet orange fruit in most of the Ethiopian region. Conlusion: These findings suggest the potential of certain plant extracts as natural alternatives to synthetic fungicides for managing fungal diseases in sweet orange cultivation. Further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms of action of these plant extracts and optimize their application in agricultural practices. This study contributes to the development of sustainable and eco-friendly strategies for plant disease management in the region.Article Highlights: The researchers identified various plant extracts that exhibit significant antifungal properties against fungi. The study conducted a comparative analysis between natural plant extracts and conventional chemical fungicides. Detailed phytochemical analysis identified the active compounds for the antifungal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Due to the high-density farming of Larimichthys crocea over the years, diseases caused by pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites frequently occur in Ningbo, posing a huge threat and challenge to the sustainable and healthy development of the L. crocea's bay farming industry. In order to understand the diseases occurrence in L. crocea farming in Ningbo area, an epidemiological investigation of L. crocea diseases was carried out through regular sampling in 2023. Methods: From April to October 2023, routine sampling of L. crocea was conducted monthly in various farming areas in Ningbo. Each time, live or dying L. crocea with obvious clinical symptoms were sampled, with a total number of 55 L. crocea collected. The samples were preserved in ice bags and transported to the laboratory for pathogen detection(including bacterial isolation and identification, virus identification, and parasites detection). Results: A total of fifty-five fish dying L. crocea with obvious clinical symptoms were collected in this study, of which 78.18% (43/55) were detected with symptoms caused by pathogenic infection, while 21.82% (12/55) did not have identified pathogens, which were presumed to be breeding abrasions, nutritional metabolic disorders, unconventional pathogens infection or other reasons. A total of twenty-five pathogenic bacteria strains were isolated, which mainly were Pseudomonas plecoglossicida and Vibrio harveyi, accounting for 52% (13/25) and 32% (8/25) of the pathogenic bacteria strains, respectively. Among them, both V. harveyi and Streptococcus. iniae co-infected one fish. Additionally, three other bacterial strains including Nocardia seriolae, Staphylococcus Saprophyticus, and Photobacterium damselae subsp.damselae were isolated. Microscopic examination mainly observed two parasites, Cryptocaryon irritans and Neobenedenia girellae. In virus detection, the red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) was mainly detected in L. crocea. Statistical analysis showed that among the fish with detected pathogens, 55.81% (24/43) had bacterial infections, 37.21% (16/43) had parasitic infections, and 37.21% (16/43) had RSIV infections. Among them, five fish had mixed infections of bacteria and parasites, three had mixed infections of bacteria and viruses, three had mixed infections of parasites and viruses, and one L. crocea had mixed infections of viruses, bacteria, and parasites. Discussion: These findings indicate that these three major types of diseases are very common in the L. crocea farming area in Ningbo, implying the complexity of mixed infections of multiple diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was conducted to identify cluster patterns of enteric microorganisms with potential etiological relevance for infectious gastroenteritis in stool samples of individuals from Ghana, which is a known high-endemicity setting for infectious gastroenteritis. These patterns were compared to previous observations with specimens from Colombian indigenous people in order to assess potentially stable clustering for temporally and spatially distinct populations from high-endemicity regions. By doing so, the study aimed to identify stable clusters as markers of microbial interaction with potential importance for etiological relevance assignment in cases of multiple enteric pathogen detections. Stool samples from 1569 Ghanaian individuals (875 from HIV patients, 30 from HIV-negative control adult patients, and 644 from children < 2 years of age) were assessed for enteric microorganisms by applying real-time PCR. As a result, nucleic acids of bacterial microorganisms were most frequently detected, followed by protozoa, microsporidia, and helminths. Interestingly, the cluster assessment confirmed interaction patterns known from the previous analysis with Colombian indigenous people, demonstrating a high likelihood of Blastocystis hominis for clustering with other microorganisms and a prominent, potentially mediating role of Dientamoeba fragilis for microbial interactions within the clusters. In conclusion, the assessment confirmed conserved clustering of enteric microorganisms with potential etiological relevance for human infectious gastroenteritis over geographically distinct high-endemicity settings. Furthermore, the composition of abundant microorganisms is more important than regional factors for the determination of the interplay of enteric microorganisms in the human gut. Thereby, some microbial pathogens and commensals seem more susceptible to a changing microbial composition in the human gut than others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explore how transformer models, which are known for their attention mechanisms, can improve pathogen prediction in pastured poultry farming. By combining farm management practices with microbiome data, our model outperforms traditional prediction methods in terms of the F1 score—an evaluation metric for model performance—thus fulfilling an essential need in predictive microbiology. Additionally, the emphasis is on making our model's predictions explainable. We introduce a novel approach for identifying feature importance using the model's attention matrix and the PageRank algorithm, offering insights that enhance our comprehension of established techniques such as DeepLIFT. Our results showcase the efficacy of transformer models in pathogen prediction for food safety and mark a noteworthy contribution to the progress of explainable AI within the biomedical sciences. This study sheds light on the impact of effective farm management practices and highlights the importance of technological advancements in ensuring food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To analyze the factors affecting patients' prognoses based on the community acquired-bloodstream infection patient data from 2017 to 2021. Patients and Methods: The data of 940 patients were retrieved, having at least one positive bilateral blood culture within 48 hours of hospitalization, and grouped into survivor and non-survivor groups. The clinical characteristics, laboratory results, causative pathogen and other indicators were collected and compared, and risk factors were identified by applying Cox proportional hazard regression model to the data. Results: Community acquired-bloodstream infection is most commonly caused by Escherichia coli, Klebsiella species and Staphylococcus hominis. Among the total of 940 selected patients, 52 (5.5%) died during hospitalization. The demographic parameters like age and gender, clinical protocols like maintenance hemodialysis, glucocorticoid use during hospitalization, catheter placement, procaicitonin, total protein, albumin, creatinine, uric acid contents and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment scores were significantly different between the survivor and non-survivor groups. The survival analysis results revealed that age (HR=1.02, 95% CI: 1.00– 1.05, P=0.002), glucocorticoid use during hospitalization (HR=3.69, 95% CI: 1.62– 8.37, P=0.021) and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score (HR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.03– 1.18, P=0.004) might be the risk factors affecting 30-day mortality in patients with community acquired-bloodstream infection. Conclusion: The identified risk factors may help guide clinical treatment protocol for patients with community acquired-bloodstream infection, providing more effective treatment strategy selection with improved clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]