Search Results (17)

Caseous lymphadenitis (CL), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, typically affects small ruminants but is rarely reported in cattle. This case report describes an outbreak of CL in a dairy herd in southern Portugal, where 55 of 500 animals (11%) were clinically affected. Diagnosis was based on characteristic lesions and laboratory confirmation by bacterial culture and PCR. Control measures included isolation, culling, environmental disinfection, and vector management. An autogenous vaccine was prepared from herd isolates and administered under veterinary supervision. No further clinical cases occurred following vaccination. Although immunological and efficacy assessments were not performed, the apparent control of the outbreak suggests that autogenous vaccination, combined with strict biosecurity, may support disease management in atypical hosts. This report underscores the importance of recognizing C. pseudotuberculosis infections in cattle and highlights the need for further evaluation of autogenous vaccines under controlled conditions. Full article

Background/Objectives: European Brown Hare Syndrome (EBHS) is an acute and highly contagious viral disease of hares that causes considerable economic losses on wild and captive-reared hares. No preventive treatments are currently available to defeat the disease. Immunoprophylactic and biosafety measures could be applied to prevent EBHS only in captive-reared hares, where vaccination is proposed as an effective strategy. Due to the lack of a cellular substrate for virus growth, commercially available vaccines are autovaccines produced from inactivated liver suspensions of hares dead for EBHS. Therefore, using a recombinant vaccine based on VP60 major capsid protein seems a viable alternative to overcome such a problem. Methods: the 6xHis C-terminal tagged VP60 protein of EBHSV was expressed and produced in baculovirus, purified by affinity chromatography and the self-assembled recombinant (rEVP60-His₆) protein. To establish the protective properties of rEVP60-His₆-based VLPs, hares were immunised with 50 and 100 µg of VLPs and parenterally challenged with EBHSV. Results: all hares vaccinated with 100 µg of VLPs survived after the experimental infection, demonstrating the excellent protective ability of this prototype VLPs-based vaccine. Conclusions: self-assembled EBHSV rEVP60-His₆ protein was successfully produced following a rapid, simple, low-cost protocol. Although the protective efficacy of such VLPs were experimentally demonstrated, some key aspects remain to be clarified, including the duration of protection, the entity of the antibody response, and the ability to stimulate cell-mediated response. Last, an additional aspect to be evaluated is whether the use of an adjuvant can determine whether its presence improves the performance of the recombinant VLPs vaccine. Full article

Background/Objectives: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a considerable challenge due to high treatment failure rates and associated healthcare costs. This pioneering study evaluates the effectiveness of personalized autovaccine therapy in managing recurrent UTIs in patients with MDR bacteria, aiming to offer an innovative treatment that reduces antibiotic resistance and hospitalizations. Methods: In this prospective, single-center study, 40 patients with recurrent MDR UTIs received personalized sublingual autovaccines derived from their own bacterial isolates. The study assessed UTI recurrence rates, changes in antibiotic use, and hospitalization days over 12 months. Results: The autovaccine therapy significantly reduced UTI recurrence, with 67.5% of patients experiencing fewer infections. Antibiotic usage decreased by 74.4%, and total hospitalization days annually reduced from 400 to 216. A significant shift was observed from MDR to multi-susceptible bacterial profiles among participants. Conclusions: This study is the first to demonstrate that autovaccine therapy is a safe and effective approach for managing recurrent UTIs caused by MDR bacteria, significantly lowering infection frequency, antibiotic needs, and hospitalization. These findings support integrating autovaccine therapy into standard UTI management to combat antibiotic resistance and lessen healthcare burdens. Full article

Background. A prospective, descriptive, and multicenter research that included 1104 women with three or more uncomplicated UTIs following immunoprophylaxis with Uromune^® vaccine between 2011 and 2022 is presented. Methods. Objective: to analyze the efficacy of Uromune^® and perform a follow-up protocol. Variables: age; bacteria; number of UTIs at baseline and at 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up; distribution according to age and months of the year; therapy with polybacterial vaccine or autovaccine. Efficacy was defined as 0–2 UTIs during follow-up. Patients were divided into Group 1, with 3–4 UTIs at baseline, and Group 2, with 5 or more. Results. Average age was 72. Escherichia coli represented 64.3% of infections. Overall efficacy was 91.7%, 82.3%, and 57.6% at 3, 6, and 12 months. Efficacy in patients treated with vaccines was 95.8%, 88.4%, and 56.1%, and with autovaccines it was 85.7%, 73.6%, and 60.2%. Results were statistically significant in relation to vaccines (p < 0.05). Group 1 represented 65.2% and Group 2 represented 34.8%. Group 1 had an efficacy of 97.7%, 91.1%, and 64.7% and Group 2 had an efficacy of 80.2%, 64.3%, and 40%. Results were statistically significant in Group 1 (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Patients at baseline with less than five UTIs will have better result and would benefit from a prophylaxis protocol with Uromune^®. Full article

Background: Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) in men range from 0.9 to 2.4/1000 individuals in younger men to 7.7/1000 in those over 85, significantly impacting their quality of life. Preventive strategies include autovaccines, but limited evidence exists for males. Methods: A prospective monocentric, open-label observational study was conducted from August 2018 to August 2021, with follow-up until August 2023 including patients with recurrent UTIs treated with immunotherapy. We evaluated the incidence rate of UTIs per year, the incidence rate of episodes after two or three rounds of the autovaccine, and quality of life measured with the IPSS-QoL questionnaire. Results: A total of 49 patients fulfilled inclusion criteria. The mean age was 72 years (±15), and the median 61. The evolution of UTIs number of episodes after the autovaccine rounds: −37.74% for the first round from 5.3 to 3.3; −33.33% for the second round from 3.3 to 2.2; −45.45% for the third round from 2.2 to 1.2. The mean IPSS score improved from 10.69 to 7.27 after the treatment (32%). The mean QoL subscore enhancement was from 4.22 to 1.92 (54%). With a mean follow-up of 3 years, only nine patients required retreatment. Conclusion: Autovaccine treatment significantly reduced the number of UTI episodes, with a cumulative effect observed after multiple rounds of treatment, demonstrating an enhancement in QoL and with sustained effectiveness and a low need for retreatment. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus, a prevalent human pathogen and a leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, is increasingly evolving antibiotic-resistant strains, increasing mortality and morbidity rates. Anti-staphylococcal vaccine research for prevention and treatment has become a priority. Antibodies against specific S. aureus components, toxins, and polysaccharides have demonstrated encouraging results in animal studies regarding protection against colonization or infection. However, human immunization trials have yielded less optimistic outcomes, with no anti-staphylococcal having passed clinical trials up to now. Although multiple formulation attempts triggered strong antibody responses, the vaccines could not effectively prevent S. aureus infections. This article delves into the results of immunotherapeutic strategies against S. aureus in both animal and human studies, discussing the feasibility of adequate immunization approaches against S. aureus in humans. Full article

The dynamic development of nanotechnology has enabled the development of innovative and novel techniques for the production and use of nanomaterials. One of them is the use of nanocapsules based on biodegradable biopolymer composites. Closing compounds with antimicrobial activity inside the nanocapsule cause the gradual release of biologically active substances into the environment, and the effect on pathogens is regular, prolonged and targeted. Known and used in medicine for years, propolis, thanks to the synergistic effect of active ingredients, has antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties. Biodegradable and flexible biofilms were obtained, the morphology of the composite was determined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size was measured by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. Antimicrobial properties of biofoils were examined on commensal skin bacteria and pathogenic Candida isolates based on the growth inhibition zones. The research confirmed the presence of spherical nanocapsules with sizes in the nano/micrometric scale. The properties of the composites were characterized by infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopy. It has been proven that hyaluronic acid is a suitable matrix for the preparation of nanocapsules, as no significant interactions between hyaluronan and the tested compounds have been demonstrated. Color analysis and thermal properties, as well as the thickness and mechanical properties of the obtained films, were determined. Antimicrobial properties of the obtained nanocomposites were strong in relation to all analyzed bacterial and yeast strains isolated from various regions of the human body. These results suggest high potential applicability of the tested biofilms as effective materials for dressings to be applied on infected wounds. Full article

Zoonotic diseases are a group of infectious diseases that are transmitted naturally from animals to humans. L. garvieae is a Gram-positive bacterium which is present in the aquaculture of freshwater and marine fish. Some isolated cases of infection have been described, considering it an opportunistic agent in immunosuppressed patients. The most recent appearance of severe infections in immunocompetent patients or colonizing cardiac prostheses has set off the alarms. This manuscript presents the first two patients with recurrent tonsillitis due to L. garvieae. A 15-year-old male and an 8-year-old male had recurrent tonsillitis with more than three episodes per year. A culture of tonsillar exudate in both cases showed growth of L. garvieae with an antibiogram showing multi-resistance to antibiotics. Given the parents’ wish not to carry out surgery, an autovaccine regimen with lysed bacteria was proposed with good evolution and remission of tonsillitis episodes in both cases. The oral autovaccine produces an immunomodulatory effect and could be a therapeutic weapon in the prevention of this zoonosis. Further studies are needed to determine the importance of foodborne transmission in human L. garvieae infections and to find suitable treatments for this wide range of infections. Full article

Hydrogels, based on natural polymers, such as hyaluronic acid, are gaining an increasing popularity because of their biological activity. The antibacterial effect of ozone is widely known and used, but the instability the gas causes, severely limits its application. Ozone entrapment in olive oil by its reaction with an unsaturated bond, allows for the formation of stable, therapeutically active ozone derivatives. In this study, we obtained an innovative hydrogel, based on hyaluronic acid containing micro/nanocapsules of ozonated olive oil. By combination of the biocompatible polymer with a high regenerative capacity and biologically active ingredients, we obtained a hydrogel with regenerative properties and a very weak inhibitory effect against both bacterial commensal skin microbiota and pathogenic Candida-like yeasts. We assessed the stability and rheological properties of the gel, determined the morphology of the composite, using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and particle size by the dynamic light scattering (DLS) method. We also performed Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (FTIR-ATR) spectroscopy. The functional properties, including the antimicrobial potential were assessed by the microbiological analysis and in vitro testing on the HaCat human keratinocyte cell line. The studies proved that the obtained emulsions were rheologically stable, exhibited an antimicrobial effect and did not show cytotoxicity in the HaCat keratinocyte model. Full article

A metastatic melanoma cell line B16-F10 (F10) was modified to a more undifferentiated state by Nanog overexpression. The produced cell line Nanog⁺F10 showed a higher metastatic potential than F10. Instead of whole cells, the extracellular vesicles (EVs) therefrom were investigated about their possible role as an autovaccine against metastasis. EVs from Nanog⁺F10 cells (Nanog⁺F10-EVs) could suppress the metastasis, contrasting the EVs from less metastatic F10 cells (F10-EVs) enhanced metastasis. The involvement of TGF-β1 in the role of Nanog⁺F10-EVs was analyzed, as TGF-β1 was a secretory cytokine being affected most intensively by Nanog overexpression. It was suggested to be crucial that the TGF-β1 concentration in Nanog⁺F10-EVs should be as low as 1.6 pg/μg for its metastasis-suppressive role. In response to Nanog⁺F10-EVs, immunoreaction was observed in liver, indicating the specific decrease in the number of tumor-promotive CD163-positive macrophages. These indicate a possibility of Nanog⁺F10-EVs as a novel autovaccine candidate against melanoma metastasis. Full article

Antimicrobial bacteria resistance is an important problem in children with recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTI), thus it is crucial to search for alternative therapies. Autologous bacterial lysates (ABL) may be a potential treatment for rUTI. Twenty-seven children with rUTI were evaluated for one year, urine and stool cultures were performed, 10 colonies of each culture were selected and those identified as Escherichia coli were characterized by serology. For patients who presented ≥10⁵ UFC/mL, an ABL was manufactured and administered orally (1 mL/day) for a month. Twelve children were monitored for ≥1-year, 218 urine and 11 stool samples were analyzed. E. coli (80.5%) was the main bacteria isolated from urine and feces (72%). E. coli of classical urinary serotypes (UPEC), O25:H4, O75:HNM, and O9:HNM were identified in patients with persistent urinary infection (pUTI). In 54% of patients treated with ABL, the absence of bacteria was observed in urine samples after 3 months of treatment, 42% of these remained without UTI between 10–12 months. It was observed that the use of ABL controlled the infection for almost 1 year in more than 60% of the children. We consider it necessary to develop a polyvalent immunogen for the treatment and control of rUTI. Full article

The efficacy of intraperitoneal injection of an oil-based bivalent autogenous vaccine and the commercial vaccine AlphaJect 3000 (Pharmaq AS) to prevent atypical furunculosis and vibriosis in turbot was analyzed. The effect of both vaccines on health parameters and survival of fish after challenge with V. anguillarum and A. salmonicida subsp. achromogenes was tested. The autogenous vaccine conferred high levels of protection and long-lasting immunity against both pathogens with a single dose. However, severe side effects were observed in turbot injected with this autovaccine and minor negative effects with the AlphaJect 3000 vaccine and the adjuvant Montanide or Eolane. All vaccinated fish showed remarkable antibody agglutination titers, higher than those of control fish, which were maintained 160 d after vaccination. In conclusion, the autogenous bivalent vaccine induces long-lasting protection against atypical furunculosis and vibriosis in turbot, after administration of a single dose, at the cost of high side effects in fish. Therefore, the development of new vaccines should focus on autovaccines and the use of liquid paraffin adjuvants that increase protection with reduced or no side effects. Full article

Cellular lipid metabolism is significantly transformed during oncogenesis. To assess how dysplasia development influences lipid cellular metabolisms and what is the molecular background behind it, cervical epithelial cells of 63 patients assigned to seven groups (based on the cytological examination and HPVhr test results) were studied using a multimethodological approach including Raman microscopy and molecular methods. The consistent picture obtained studying the lipid content, cell inflammation, SREBF1 gene methylation (hence SREBP1 inhibition) and level of mitochondrial DNA copies (indirectly the number of mitochondria) showed that changes in lipid metabolism were multidirectional. Cells from patients classified as mildly dysplastic (LSIL) exhibited a unique behavior (the highest level of inflammation and SREBF1 methylation, the lowest lipid content and mitochondrial DNA). On the contrary, cells from severe dysplastic (HSIL) and cancer (SCC) groups showed the opposite characteristics including the lowest SREBF1 gene methylation as well as the highest level of mitochondrial DNA and lipid cellular concentration (for HSIL/HPVhr+ and SCC groups). Following dysplastic progression, the lipid content decreases significantly (compared to the control) for mildly abnormal cells, but then increases for HSIL/HPVhr+ and SCC groups. This intriguing dual switch in lipid metabolism (reflected also in other studied parameters) on the way from normal to squamous carcinoma cells is of potential diagnostic interest. Full article

Bacterial diseases are a significant problem in the controlled rearing of fish. Furunculosis (Aeromonas sp.), flavobacteriosis (Flavobacterium sp.), and pseudomonadosis (Pseudomonas sp.) are currently the most frequently identified diseases in recirculating aquaculture systems of various fish species. Such a situation is also observed in pikeperch rearing. Due to the emerging difficulties of effective prophylaxis using commercial vaccines, interest in the use of autovaccinations is increasing, not only in ichthyopathology but also in other veterinary fields. Our research aimed to assess the effect of the vaccination method on the overall condition of the fish and survival after the experimental infection with Aeromonas salmonicida. Pikeperch were vaccinated by (1) bath, (2) a single i.p. injection, or (3) feed. The fish were measured and weighed on day 0 and after 28 and 56 days of the experiment. Specific growth rate, daily growth rate, condition factor, and feed conversion ratio were calculated. On days 7, 14, 21, and 28 of the experiment, ceruloplasmin and lysozyme levels were rated. In addition, a challenge test was performed. The obtained results showed that the method of vaccination is important and affects the growth of fish, the overall condition of fish, and survival after experimental infection. Full article

Using Raman microscopy, we investigated epithelial cervical cells collected from 96 women with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) or belonging to groups I, IIa, IIID-1 and IIID-2 according to Munich III classification (IIID-1 and IIID-2 corresponding to Bethesda LSIL and HSIL groups, respectively). All women were tested for human papillomavirus (HPV) infection using PCR. Subcellular resolution of Raman microscopy enabled to understand phenotypic differences in a heterogeneous population of cervical cells in the following groups: I/HPV⁻, IIa/HPV⁻, IIa/HPV⁻, LSIL/HPV⁻, LSIL/HPV⁺, HSIL/HPV⁻, HSIL/HPV⁺ and cancer cells (SCC/HPV⁺). We showed for the first time that the glycogen content in the cytoplasm decreased with the nucleus size of cervical cells in all studied groups apart from the cancer group. For the subpopulation of large-nucleus cells HPV infection resulted in considerable glycogen depletion compared to HPV negative cells in IIa, LSIL (for both statistical significance, ca. 45%) and HSIL (trend, 37%) groups. We hypothesize that accelerated glycogenolysis in large-nucleus cells may be associated with the increased protein metabolism for HPV positive cells. Our work underlines unique capabilities of Raman microscopy in single cell studies and demonstrate potential of Raman-based methods in HPV diagnostics. Full article