Search Results (1,673)

Fungal bioaerosols play a critical ecological and health role in intensive poultry production systems. However, their dynamic characteristics and community succession patterns in confined cage environments during winter remain poorly understood. This study investigated a typical confined broiler house in Hebei Province, China, during winter. A combined approach of Andersen six-stage sampling, colony counting, and Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) high-throughput sequencing was employed to comprehensively analyze the concentration, particle size distribution, diversity, and community composition of fungal bioaerosols across three key growth stages: 7 days (brooding phase), 21 days (growing phase), and 35 days (finishing phase). The results revealed a significant increasing trend in fungal aerosol concentration as the rearing cycle progressed, increasing from 1125 ± 125 CFU/m³ at day 7 to 3872 ± 565 CFU/m³ at day 35 (p < 0.001), reaching high-risk exposure levels in the later stages. Small-sized fungal bioaerosols (<4.7 μm) were dominant across all stages (54.35–65.50%), with the highest proportion observed at day 21, indicating their potential for deep respiratory deposition and long-distance airborne transmission. The number of Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs), along with Chao1 and Shannon indices, increased significantly with bird age (p < 0.001), demonstrating a clear community succession from early-stage yeast-dominated forms (e.g., Diutina, Blumeria) to mid- and late-stage assemblages dominated by filamentous fungi (e.g., Aspergillus, Cladosporium, Alternaria). Notably, several zoonotic pathogenic genera were detected throughout all rearing stages, highlighting the potential risks of airborne fungi to animal health, occupational exposure, and environmental safety under winter ventilation restrictions. This study characterizes a stage-dependent pattern of increasing airborne fungal concentrations accompanied by shifts in particle size distribution and community composition under winter confined conditions. The findings provide a crucial scientific basis for optimizing winter ventilation and environmental management strategies, improving environmental control technologies, establishing airborne biosafety standards, and developing targeted fungal monitoring and prevention technologies. Full article

Background: Africa is a continent with diverse climates, landscapes, rainfall patterns, and vegetation types, all of which significantly influence its mammalian fauna, particularly small mammals. Rodents, which are highly diverse across the continent, serve as reservoirs for various zoonotic pathogens. Frequent human–rodent interactions heighten the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, posing a serious public health concern. Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive review of rodent control methods and their effectiveness in mitigating zoonotic diseases in Africa. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Web of Science, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar. Additionally, one study was manually identified from the reference lists of the retrieved papers. Results: Thirteen relevant studies were identified, including seven field-based studies, five model evaluations, and one review. The distribution of studies varied by country, with the highest numbers conducted in Guinea (n = 3) and Nigeria (n = 3), followed by Sierra Leone (n = 2), Uganda (n = 2), Morocco (n = 1), Tanzania (n = 1), and Madagascar (n = 1). Two primary rodent control methods, kill traps and rodenticides, were used, targeting multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis) and black/roof rats (Rattus rattus), the species most frequently encountered in human settings. Conclusion: Most studies examined short-term rodent management strategies, which proved insufficient in significantly reducing zoonotic disease prevalence. These findings highlight the need for Africa to adopt more sustainable, ecologically based rodent control approaches to effectively curb zoonotic risks in the long term. Full article

Free-roaming cats may contribute to zoonotic risk via parasites and other eukaryotic taxa, yet surveillance in protected island settings is limited and conventional coprology can miss low-intensity or degraded signals. We conducted a cross-sectional 18S rRNA metabarcoding survey to establish a baseline profile of potentially pathogenic eukaryotes in community cats from La Graciosa (Natura 2000, Canary Islands, Spain) prior to large-scale antiparasitic interventions. We analysed 152 faecal samples, including fresh samples collected during a high-throughput TNR campaign (n = 37) and dry environmental deposits (n = 115). Host amplification was reduced using a feline 18S blocking primer; libraries were sequenced with Oxford Nanopore technology; and taxonomy was assigned using SILVA-based classifiers with downstream filtering for veterinary/zoonotic relevance. After quality control, 72 eukaryotic taxa were retained and DNA from at least 24 potentially pathogenic taxa was detected. Dipylidium caninum was most frequent (74.3%; 113/152), and opportunistic fungi/yeasts were common (e.g., Pichia kudriavzevii 42.4%, Diutina catenulata 31.5%). Zoonotic protozoa showed low-to-moderate detection frequency (Acanthamoeba castellanii 13.3%, Toxoplasma gondii 7.9%, Balamuthia mandrillaris 4.6%). Overall richness did not differ between fresh and dry samples (p > 0.05), but fresh samples contained higher richness of potentially pathogenic taxa (p < 0.01). Full article

Yersinia enterocolitica is a psychrotrophic zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea in animals and enteritis in humans, mainly transmitted through the food chain. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the prevalence, geographical distribution, and related risk factors of Y. enterocolitica in livestock throughout the Chinese Mainland. Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, ScienceDirect, CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases for studies between 1 January 2000 and 1 August 2025. Out of 1092 identified studies, 28 met the inclusion criteria. The estimated overall prevalence of Y. enterocolitica was 9.37%. Prior to 2015, the prevalence peaked at 9.69% but declined in subsequent years. The highest prevalence was found in Southern China (25.00%). Among livestock species, pigs showed higher susceptibility (9.93%) compared to cattle (4.67%). Meat samples exhibited the highest prevalence (15.47%), while qPCR yielded the highest detection rate (10.79%). Geographical factors such as longitude, latitude, altitude, climate, temperature, rainfall, and humidity also influenced prevalence patterns. Y. enterocolitica remains widely distributed in livestock and meat products. Variability was linked to regional, species-specific, and methodological aspects, highlighting the need for One-Health-based monitoring, stricter hygiene regulations, and standardized diagnostics to protect food safety. Full article

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV) is a tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of significant public health concern in South Korea, where human cases continue to occur at high levels; however, information on the molecular epidemiology and genotype diversity of SFTSV in goats—an increasingly important livestock species—remains limited. In this study, blood samples were collected from 750 clinically healthy goats during nationwide surveillance in 2024. Viral RNA was detected by RT-PCR targeting the S and M genomic segments. Epidemiological characteristics were analyzed according to season, region, farm size, breed, and sex. Positive samples were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to determine SFTSV genotypes. SFTSV RNA was detected in 10 of 750 goats (1.3%), with significantly higher detection rates in autumn compared with summer, in southern regions compared with northern regions, and in female goats compared with males, while no significant association was observed with farm size or breed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that goat-derived SFTSV strains belonged to genotypes B2, D, and F; notably, genotypes D and F were identified in goats for the first time in South Korea. These findings indicate that goats are exposed to genetically diverse SFTSV strains circulating in tick populations and exhibit epidemiological patterns consistent with tick ecology and human SFTS incidence, supporting the role of goats as incidental or sentinel hosts. Continuous molecular surveillance of goats, integrated with vector monitoring programs, may enhance understanding of regional SFTSV transmission dynamics and facilitate early detection of emerging genotypes with public health implication. Full article

Salmonella Typhimurium is a major zoonotic pathogen, with pigs and chickens serving as key reservoirs for human infection, yet the genomic determinants of its host adaptation remain incompletely understood. This study integrated comparative genomics, genome-wide association studies (GWASs), and interpretable machine learning on 1654 high-quality genomes of swine- and chicken-origin S. Typhimurium isolates to identify host-associated genetic features. Phylogenetic analysis revealed host-preferred lineages and significantly lower genetic diversity within chicken-adapted subpopulations. Meta-analysis identified distinct host-associated profiles of antimicrobial resistance genes (e.g., higher prevalence of floR and bla_TEM-1 in swine) and virulence factors (e.g., enrichment of allB and the yersiniabactin system in chickens). GWASs pinpointed 1878 host-associated genes and multiple SNPs/indels, functionally enriched in metabolism, regulation, and cell processes. A two-stage Random Forest model, built using the most contributory features, accurately discriminated between swine and chicken origins (AUC = 0.974). These findings systematically revealed the genomic signatures of host adaptation in S. Typhimurium, providing a prioritized set of candidate markers for experimental validation. Full article

Aquarium fish are increasingly being recognized as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens, with Aeromonas species posing a notable risk because of their environmental resilience and opportunistic pathogenicity. This study presents the most comprehensive genome-based investigation to date of Aeromonas diversity in aquarium fish, aiming to characterize their taxonomic distribution, population structure, and genomic features. A total of 64 Aeromonas isolates were collected from various aquarium fish species. Wholegenome sequencing was conducted on all isolates to facilitate comparative genomic analyses. Key approaches included multilocus sequence typing (MLST), pairwise Digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH), and the construction of a phylogenomic tree for species-level classification. Furthermore, a population structure analysis was performed to explore genomic diversity and evolutionary trends among the isolates. The results identified 14 distinct Aeromonas species, with A. veronii, A. caviae, and A. hydrophila being the most common. Importantly, several isolates exhibited taxonomic ambiguity, indicating the possible presence of new species or subspecies lineages. Furthermore, antimicrobial resistance gene profiles and virulence factor distributions varied significantly across clades, indicating genomic plasticity. This study highlights the underappreciated genomic complexity of Aeromonas populations in aquarium environments and raises concerns about the public health implications of pathogen reservoirs in ornamental fish. Full article

The family Arenaviridae encompasses zoonotic, rodent-borne pathogens (e.g., Lassa, Machupo, and Junín viruses) that cause severe viral hemorrhagic fevers with high case fatality rates. The current therapeutic landscape is severely limited, underscoring the urgent need for novel antiviral strategies. A promising approach involves combining directly acting antivirals with host-targeted antivirals. A compelling host-targeted antiviral target is the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR). This ubiquitous ligand-activated transcription factor is a recognized pro-viral host factor across multiple viral families. Building on prior work with Junín and Tacaribe viruses, we investigated whether the AHR inhibitor CH223191 could enhance the virus-directed antiviral activity of favipiravir against these viruses. First, we evaluated the toxicity and antiviral potential of CH223191 against a lethal Junín virus infection in male and female hTfR1 mice. After demonstrating substantial protection, we conducted preliminary assays to study the antiviral effects of combining CH223191 and favipiravir on Tacaribe virus (TCRV) infections in the Vero cell culture model. We observed synergistic interaction with all four models (ZIP, Loewe, Bliss, and HSA). We next determined the sub-optimal dose of favipiravir and conducted an antiviral combination study in the AG129 mouse model infected with TCRV. The combination effectively protected mice from a lethal TCRV infection and showed cooperative effects, reducing weight loss and viral loads. Overall, these results show that the AHR is a promising pharmacological target for the development of novel antivirals. Furthermore, we discovered a cooperative interaction between the activities of favipiravir and CH223191. Full article

As an important zoonotic parasite, Capillaria hepatica poses a threat to human health that cannot be ignored due to its association with high mortality and serious damage to the liver, although there are relatively few human infections. The infection rate of Capillaria hepatica in rodents is very high, which poses a great threat to the health of rodents, and Rattus norvegicus has been found to be the main group carrying Capillaria hepatica. Capillaria hepatica’s unique biological characteristics, including its morphological features and complex life history, determine the specificity of its infection and pathogenicity. In terms of epidemiology, Capillaria hepatica has a worldwide distribution, a wide variety of hosts (mainly rodents), and various transmission routes, all of which increase the difficulty of its prevention and control. Children are more likely to be infected by it, and there is little gender difference among the infected population. Although there are a variety of diagnostic methods for hepatic capillariasis, all of them have certain limitations. In addition, due to its non-specific clinical manifestations, early accurate diagnosis of hepatic capillariasis is still a challenge. This article reviews the biological characteristics and pathogenic mechanism of Capillaria hepatica, the epidemiology of human infection, the epidemiology of animal infection, and the diagnosis and treatment of hepatic capillariasis, so as to provide a useful reference for related research and clinical practice. Full article

Tetanus is a zoonotic disease posing significant threats to both humans and animals, particularly horses, sheep, and ruminants. Current antitoxin therapies rely on animal-derived immunoglobulins, presenting challenges including animal welfare concerns, pathogen contamination risks, and manufacturing complexity. Alpaca-derived nanobodies (VHH) are promising alternatives owing to their high antigen-binding affinity, thermostability, and potential for microbial production. We developed highly active trivalent VHH antibodies (tVHH) that target multiple epitopes of tetanus neurotoxin (TeNT). Following alpaca immunization with tetanus toxoid, 41 VHH clones were isolated using phage display. Six VHH clones were selected through in vivo neutralization assays, from which three clones of VHH (8, 11, 36) were selected to construct tVHH-8/11/36 and tVHH-8/36/11. Using an improved 21-day mouse neutralization assay, tVHH-8/11/36 demonstrated exceptional neutralizing activity of approximately 1580 IU/mg against 4000 LD₅₀ of toxin, substantially exceeding current human and veterinary anti-tetanus immunoglobulin preparations. Surface plasmon resonance and ELISA confirmed that each VHH recognizes different TeNT domains, producing synergistic neutralizing effects through multimerization. Since antitoxin therapy challenges are common to both animals and humans, this tVHH technology supports One Health by providing a unified therapeutic platform applicable across species through sustainable microbial production. Full article

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is a zoonotic pathogen of public health concern, requiring a One Health approach to clarify its transmission and distribution. However, its prevalence and genomic characteristics in livestock and companion animals remain underexplored in low-income countries. We investigated prevalence and genomic features of STEC in animals in western Ghana, representing the first genomic report of STEC in Ghana. Fecal samples (97) were collected from goats (n = 33), sheep (n = 33), dogs (n = 30), and a cat (n = 1), with STEC detected in 12.1% of goats and sheep samples. Whole-genome sequencing identified serotypes O38:H26, O43:H2, and O157:H7. stx1c and stx2b genes were detected in O38:H26 and O43:H2, whereas stx2c and key virulence genes (chuA, eae, esp, nle, tir, and toxB) were exclusively found in O157:H7. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that O38:H26 isolates form a cluster closely related to clinical strains from the UK. O43:H2 isolates exhibited diverse stx profiles, linking animal, environmental, and clinical strains from North America and the UK. O157:H7 isolates were genetically similar to European clinical and food-derived strains, suggesting that goats and sheep are important STEC reservoirs in Ghana, offering data for public health risk assessment and effective One Health-based control strategies. Full article

Background: Salmonella is a major zoonotic foodborne pathogen. Conventional poultry vaccines may present limitations in terms of efficacy, safety, and practicality. Objectives: This study focuses on enhancing the immunogenicity and improving the safety of a novel oral vaccination employing inducible toxin–antitoxin (TA) systems, which lead to self-destruction of virulent Salmonella Enteritidis. Methods: A Hok/Sok (HS) TA system was designed to induce cell death upon absence of arabinose. Point mutations were introduced to the Hok toxin promoter to moderate toxin production. A combination of HS and CeaB/CeiB (CC) TA systems was designed to induce cell death both in low di-cation levels or anaerobic conditions. Survival of Salmonella-carrying TA systems was tested in culture and in the Raw264.7 macrophage cell line. One-day old chicks were inoculated with Salmonella carrying the TA system to evaluate bacterial persistence and induction of a protective immune response. Results: Attenuation of the Hok toxin promoter prolonged bacterial survival in vitro. Salmonella carrying the combined TA systems was eliminated completely both in vitro and in inoculated chickens, eliciting high levels of antibodies and conferring protection against challenge with wild-type Salmonella. Conclusions: These findings highlight the potential of the adaptable TA-based vaccination platform to generate safe and efficacious Salmonella vaccines for poultry, contributing to reduced transmission in the food chain. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing trend of foodborne zoonotic pathogens exhibiting antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents a growing threat to food safety and public health in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Resistant strains of foodborne zoonotic pathogens compromise treatment efficacy, raise illness, and threaten sustainable food systems in human and animal health. However, regional understanding and policy response are limited due to the fragmentation of data and the inadequacy of surveillance. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to achieve the following: (1) estimate the pooled prevalence of AMR, including multidrug resistance (MDR) in selected foodborne pathogens; (2) compare subgroup variations across countries, pathogen species, and antibiotic classes; and (3) evaluate temporal trends. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, studies published between 2010 and June 2025 reporting AMR and MDR in Salmonella, Campylobacter, or E. coli from food or animal sources in SSA were systematically reviewed. Data on pathogen prevalence, AMR profile, and MDR were extracted. Random-effects meta-analysis using R software was implemented to estimate the pooled prevalence and the 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). Subgroup analyses were performed to explore heterogeneity across countries, antibiotic class, and bacterial species. Results: Ninety studies from 16 sub-Saharan African countries were included, encompassing 104,086 positive isolates. The pooled foodborne pathogen prevalence was 53.1% (95% CI: 51.5–54.7), AMR prevalence was 61.6% (95% CI: 59.4–63.9), and MDR prevalence was 9.1% (95% CI: 8.3–10.0). The highest resistance was reported in Campylobacter spp. (43.6%), followed by Salmonella spp. (29.1%) and E. coli (22.8%). High heterogeneity was observed across studies (I² = 95–99%, p < 0.001). Conclusions: It is concluded that substantial AMR burden exists in food systems, highlighting an urgent need for integrated One Health surveillance, antimicrobial stewardship, and policy harmonization in SSA. Strengthening laboratory capacity, enforcing prudent antimicrobial use, and promoting regional data sharing are critical for the management of antimicrobial resistance in sub-Saharan Africa. Full article

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a zoonotic pathogen that can infect pregnant women and cause adverse pregnancy outcomes, including miscarriage and preterm delivery. The previous study demonstrated that HEV genotype 3 (HEV-3) inhibits complete autophagic flux in both mouse placental tissue and human trophoblast cells (JEG-3), evidenced by reduced expression of ATG proteins (including LC3, Beclin1, ATG4B, ATG5, and ATG9A) and accumulation of p62. However, the specific regulatory pathway involved remains unclear. Thus, eukaryotic expression vectors for HEV open reading frames (ORFs) were constructed, and ORF2 and ORF3 proteins were transiently overexpressed in JEG-3 cells via liposome transfection. While both ORF2 and ORF3 significantly reduced LC3B protein levels (p < 0.01), only ORF2 induced p62 accumulation (p < 0.01), indicative of autophagic inhibition, which indicates that ORF2 was the key viral protein mediating autophagy suppression in JEG-3. The results of WB and RT-qPCR showed that ORF2 suppressed the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway while enhancing nuclear translocation of TFEB (p < 0.01) and AMPK phosphorylation (p < 0.01), suggesting paradoxical activation of upstream autophagy regulators. Through co-transfection of mCherry-LC3 with ORF2, co-localization studies, and AlphaFold 3-based intermolecular interaction predictions, we propose that ORF2 directly binds LC3B to block autophagosome formation. Finally, co-immunoprecipitation confirmed physical interaction between HEV ORF2 and LC3B, elucidating the molecular mechanism of HEV-induced autophagy suppression in trophoblasts. These findings reveal the molecular mechanism by which HEV inhibits autophagy leading to miscarriage in mice, providing new insights into HEV-induced reproductive damage. Full article

Sporothrix species are thermally dimorphic fungi responsible for sporotrichosis, a globally prevalent subcutaneous mycosis and an emerging zoonotic threat, particularly in South America. The high virulence of Sporothrix brasiliensis and its efficient transmission from cats to humans have intensified recent outbreaks, underscoring the importance of understanding the pathogenic mechanisms. While several putative virulence factors have been identified, such as melanin production, cell wall remodeling, extracellular vesicles, and thermotolerance, functional studies remain hampered by limited molecular tools. Recent advances, including random mutagenesis, protoplast-mediated transformation, Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated transformation, RNA interference and CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing, are changing this landscape. These methods have enabled the functional validation of key virulence factors and the investigation of gene function in both environmental and clinical strains. In this review, we summarize the genetic toolbox available for Sporothrix, outline current challenges, and discuss how these strategies are reshaping the study of fungal virulence and host–pathogen interactions. Full article