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Pathogens, Volume 14, Issue 10 (October 2025) – 5 articles

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1346 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genetic Characteristics of Acinetobacter baumannii Isolates Circulating in an Intensive Care Unit of an Infectious Diseases Hospital During the COVID-19 Pandemic

by Svetlana S. Smirnova, Dmitry D. Avdyunin, Marina V. Holmanskikh, Yulia S. Stagilskaya, Nikolai N. Zhuikov and Tarek M. Itani

Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14100961 - 23 Sep 2025

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant increase in the spread of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) was observed. Acinetobacter baumannii, particularly carbapenem-resistant strains, poses a serious threat in intensive care units (ICUs). This study aimed to genetically characterize A. baumannii isolates from the ICU of an infectious diseases hospital repurposed for COVID-19 patient treatment. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on 56 A. baumannii isolates from patients and environmental surfaces using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Bioinformatic analysis included multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), core-genome MLST (cgMLST), phylogenetic analysis, and in silico detection of antimicrobial resistance genes. Three sequence types (STs) were identified: ST2 (35.7%), ST78 (30.4%), and ST19 (3.5%); while 30.4% of the isolates were non-typeable. Phylogenetic analysis revealed clustering of ST2 with isolates from East Africa, ST78 with European isolates, and ST19 with isolates from Germany and Spain. Resistance genes to eight classes of antimicrobials were detected. All isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and β-lactams. The blaOXA-23 carbapenemase gene was present in all ST2 isolates. cgMLST analysis (cgST-1746) showed significant heterogeneity among ST2 isolates (24–583 allele differences), indicating microevolution within the hospital. A novel synonymous SNP (T2220G) in the rpoB gene was identified. Environmental sampling highlighted the role of contaminated personal protective equipment (PPE) in transmission, with 47.0% of ST2 and 64.3% of ST78 isolates found on PPE. The study underscores the high resolution of WGS and cgMLST for epidemiological surveillance and confirms the critical role of infection control measures in preventing the spread of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii. Full article

1800 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Isolation and Characterization of Globisporangium glomeratum (syn. Pythium glomeratum) from Declining Holm Oak in a Historical Garden

by Anna Maria Vettraino, Michele Narduzzi and Chiara Antonelli

Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14100960 - 23 Sep 2025

Abstract

Pythium-like organism species are widespread soilborne oomycetes known to cause root diseases in a wide range of plant hosts. However, their involvement in the decline of woody species in historical and urban gardens has received limited attention. This study reports the isolation and identification of a Pythium-like organism from declining Quercus ilex specimens in a historical garden, where affected trees showed symptoms of root rot and sucker dieback. Integration of morphological observations and molecular analyses of ITS, LSU, and Cox II sequences confirmed the identity of the isolates as Globisporangium glomeratum (formerly Pythium glomeratum). Pathogenicity tests confirmed the aggressiveness of these isolates on Q. ilex seedlings, resulting in significant reductions in plant height and shoot and root biomass. The detection of G. glomeratum in the soil of a historical garden underscores the risk of its unintentional dissemination through nursery stock or soil movement, particularly in urban settings where plant replacement is frequent. This is the first report of G. glomeratum as a pathogen of Q. ilex, emphasizing the importance of phytosanitary monitoring in culturally and ecologically valuable green spaces. Full article

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Open AccessArticle

Multigene Typing of Croatian ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma Mali’ Strains

by Ivana Križanac, Martina Šeruga Musić, Jelena Plavec and Dijana Škorić

Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 959; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14100959 - 23 Sep 2025

Abstract

Phytoplasmas (‘Candidatus Phytoplasma’) are intracellular pleomorphic plant pathogens belonging to the class Mollicutes. They colonize both plant hosts and insect vectors in their life cycle. Apple proliferation (AP) is one of the most important phytoplasmoses present in Europe, causing significant economic losses in apple production. The causal agent, ‘Ca. P. mali’, was identified in apple and Cacopsylla picta samples using both real-time PCR and nested PCR based on the amplification of 16S rDNA. The objective of this study was to gain deeper insights into the epidemiology of apple proliferation in Croatia. Variability of genetic markers other than 16S rRNA was used for characterization of strains. Four molecular markers differing in level of conservation, aceF, pnp, imp, and secY, were selected in line with previously typed fruit tree phytoplasmas. New genotypes were discerned for each genetic marker, and 20 different sequence types were revealed in the Croatian strains of ‘Ca. P. mali’. On the basis of this comprehensive analysis, the founder sequence type ST1 (A13–P10–S12–I21) can be proposed. This is the first extensive research and multigene typing performed on Croatian ‘Ca. P. mali’ strains. Obtained results reveal considerable genetic diversity of epidemiological relevance limited to only two locations in north-western Croatia. Additionally, novel primers were constructed to amplify fragments larger than the entire coding region for all four genes in order to further expand the phytoplasma multi-locus sequence typing scheme. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Bacterial Pathogens)

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10 pages, 214 KB

Open AccessArticle

Serovars and Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella in Food Workers and Livestock Products: Insights into Foodborne Transmission Pathways in Eastern Japan

by Yoshimasa Sasaki, Kenji Ohya, Yoshika Momose, Masashi Uema, Tetsuya Ikeda, Mizuki Sasaki and Tetsuo Asai

Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 958; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14100958 (registering DOI) - 23 Sep 2025

Abstract

Salmonella is a major cause of infectious enteritis worldwide. In Japan, S. schwarzengrund, S. infantis, and S. thompson are common in broilers and laying hens and are frequently detected in patients with salmonellosis and food workers. Monophasic S. typhimurium, also found in these populations, often exhibits multidrug resistance. However, multidrug-resistant monophasic S. typhimurium has not been reported from domestic poultry, suggesting that other livestock products may be potential sources. Therefore, we examined Salmonella prevalence in retail pork, beef, and quail eggs, and characterized isolates from these products and from food workers using serotyping, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and multilocus sequence typing. Salmonella was highly prevalent in pork liver (43.3%, 13/30) and imported chicken (20.7%, 18/87). Eleven pork liver isolates and two imported chicken isolates (Brazil and Thailand) were multidrug-resistant monophasic S. typhimurium sequence type (ST) 34. Among 232 isolates from food workers, monophasic S. typhimurium was the third most frequent serovar, with 63.2% (12/19) being multidrug-resistant ST34. Salmonella was not detected in beef. Hence, food workers may acquire multidrug-resistant monophasic S. typhimurium ST34 through contaminated pork liver and imported chicken. Thorough cooking of chicken and pork meat, including liver, is essential to reduce the risk of Salmonella transmission. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Salmonella: A Global Health Threat and Food Safety Challenge)

12 pages, 1784 KB

Open AccessCase Report

Profile of Cytokines TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-4, and IL-10 in Relation to Disease Progression in a Patient with Advanced Liver Alveolar Echinococcosis and Non-Optimal Antiparasitic Treatment: Four-Year Follow-Up

by Katarzyna Zorena, Małgorzata Sulima, Beata Szostakowska, Barbara Siewert and Katarzyna Sikorska

Pathogens 2025, 14(10), 957; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14100957 - 23 Sep 2025

Abstract

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a zoonotic disease caused by the larval form of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, which is considered one of the most dangerous parasites for humans. E. multilocularis infections are most frequently observed in forestry workers, farmers, hunters, berry harvesters, and workers employed in animal shelters. The subject of this study was a four-year follow-up profile of cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-10 (IL-10), in a patient with advanced liver alveolar echinococcosis and non-optimal antiparasitic treatment. Ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen, X-ray, CT of the chest, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the head were performed during the observation and treatment of the AE patient. After antiparasitic treatment was initiated, decreased activity of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGTP), decreased serum concentrations of immunoglobulin E, C-reactive protein (CRP), and the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNFα, IL-1, and IL-6 were observed, as well as slightly increased levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10). Conclusions. During a four-year follow-up in a patient with advanced hepatic alveolar echinococcosis and non-optimal antiparasitic treatment, a decrease in proinflammatory cytokines (TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6) and a slight increase in anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-10) were detected. A better understanding of cytokine regulation in infectious diseases may be important to the development of new therapeutic strategies aimed at antiparasitic treatment. We suggest that broad initiatives (preferably at the local community level) should be implemented to raise awareness of the threat of alveolar echinococcosis and methods for avoiding E. multilocularis infection. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Parasitic Diseases in the Contemporary World)

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