Search Results (4,584)

Intense training loads alter the skin microbiome and defence mechanisms in athletes, yet adaptation profiles remain insufficiently characterised. This study evaluated the relationships between skin bacterial microbiome structure, antimicrobial activity, dermcidin levels, and acne severity in male professional hockey players compared with amateur athletes and non-athletes. One hundred men (18–57 years) were examined and allocated to six subgroups by exercise intensity and acne status. Microbiota composition was assessed by culture-based methods and MALDI-TOF identification, antimicrobial activity measured spectrophotometrically, dermcidin quantified by ELISA, and sweat proteome characterised by HPLC-MS. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Micrococcus luteus predominated in all groups. Exercise intensity, rather than acne, was the main determinant of total bacterial colonisation, which increased approximately tenfold from non-athletes to professional hockey players. In non-athletes, higher antimicrobial activity correlated with greater acne severity, whereas in professionals this relationship was absent and dermcidin levels showed an inverse association with acne severity. Proteomic analysis identified 17 polypeptides; dermcidin and prolactin-inducible protein were dominant in all groups, and calprotectin (S100-A8/A9) was detected exclusively in healthy professionals. Full article

Background/Objectives: Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) remain a major clinical challenge, but sublingual immunoprophylaxis with inactivated whole bacteria is a promising alternative to antibiotic prophylaxis. The objective of this systematic review was to assess the efficacy and safety of sublingual bacterial vaccines. Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, and Embase (January 1979–August 2025) for English-language studies evaluating bacterial vaccines for rUTI prevention. Eligible studies included adults receiving sublingual immunoprophylaxis with heat-inactivated whole bacteria. Outcomes were UTI recurrence, infection-free interval, and adverse events. Both MV140 and autovaccines were assessed. Results: Of the 262 records identified, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria (4 comparatives, including 1 randomized trial, and 10 observational studies). UTI incidence decreased from 3.2–6.8 to 0–1.5 episodes/year at 12 months. The proportion of UTI-free patients ranged from 9.8 to 90% with immunoprophylaxis versus 0 to 25% with antibiotics or placebo. At 12 months, UTI-free rates were 10–49% with autovaccines and 9.7–60% with MV140. Patients with ≥3 UTIs ranged from 14.3 to 60.2% and 20 to 56.1% with autovaccines and MV140, respectively. The RCT reported adverse events in 0–40.8% of treated patients and 50% of placebo patients, predominantly mild. Conclusions: Although the available evidence is heterogeneous and largely derived from observational studies, sublingual immunoprophylaxis with heat-inactivated whole-bacteria—either standardized (MV140) or tailored to urine culture results—appears to be an effective and safe strategy for reducing the frequency of rUTI and prolonging infection-free intervals. However, larger randomized trials are required to confirm these findings. Full article

The genus Plukenetia includes lianas or vines with oleaginous seeds rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, proteins, and vitamin E, and the presence of flavonoids, steroids, and terpenoids has also been reported in leaves. Several species of Plukenetia have traditionally been cultivated in their native distribution area, and their propagation is usually by seed. The aim of this work was to establish callus and cell suspension cultures of P. carabiaseae, an endemic species of Mexico, for the evaluation of the in vitro antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential of its extracts. Three light conditions were evaluated for the establishment of P. carabiaseae callus lines from leaf explants. Friable calluses obtained under constant light were used to initiate a cell suspension culture in Gamborg basal (B5) medium supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and kinetin (CIN), as growth regulators. After 35 d of cultivation, different polarity extracts from biomass were obtained, showing that the acetone extract had the highest antioxidant activity and a high total phenolic content (30.57 mg of gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g dry weight). The anti-inflammatory activity of the methanolic extract, evaluated in murine macrophages induced with bacterial lipopolysaccharides, was dose-dependent, without cytotoxic effect. This is the first report of the establishment of P. carabiaseae cell suspension culture and demonstrates its potential as a biotechnological source of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory metabolites. Full article

The aim of this study was to compare, using culture methods, the microflora of the small and large intestines, distinguishing pathogenic bacteria, in free-living ruminants: roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) and red deer (Cervus elaphus). Intestinal samples from six individuals of each species were collected immediately after hunting under aseptic conditions. Aerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria, including Lactobacillus spp., Escherichia coli, Listeria spp., and Clostridium perfringens, were quantified using standard culture methods. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05) between species in any of the microbial groups analyzed, although higher mean abundances were observed in red deer, particularly in the large intestine. The results indicate that interspecific variation in cultured microbiota may reflect individual and environmental factors rather than consistent taxonomic differences. Due to the high inter-individual variability and limited sample size, this study should be considered preliminary. The results demonstrate the predominance of viable aerobic and facultative anaerobic bacterial groups in culture-based analysis and provide reference data for future metagenomic studies. This study fills an important knowledge gap, as culture-dependent studies of the gut microbiota of wild cervids are still rare due to the logistical and ethical constraints associated with sampling wild animals. Full article

Contamination with cadmium (Cd²⁺) poses a severe threat to the soil environment due to its toxic effect on bacteria, being of key importance to soil fertility and plant health. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of a humic preparation, Humus Active (HA), on the structure, diversity, and functional potential of soil bacteria under conditions of cadmium stress during Zea mays cultivation. A model study was conducted to analyze the response of bacteria to soil contamination with 60 mg Cd kg⁻¹ under conditions of soil fertilization with humic acid at doses of 2 g (HA2) and 4 g (HA4) kg⁻¹ of soil. Microbiological analyses were carried out with both culture and non-culture (16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing method) methods. Bacteria function prediction was also performed using FAPROTAX software. The study results demonstrated that Cd caused a 92% reduction in Zea mays biomass and a significant decrease (by 52%) in the abundance of organotrophic bacteria. The NGS analysis showed that it also reduced the population of the Neobacillus bacteria in the soil (by 50%), simultaneously causing an over twofold increase in the population of the Nocardioides genus bacteria. The application of HA (particularly in the HA4 dose) substantially mitigated Cd phytotoxicity. In the Cd-contaminated soil, HA4 stimulated the growth of culturable actinobacteria. The soil bacteria community was predominated by chemoheterotrophic bacteria and the nitrogen cycle bacteria, driven by tolerant, Cd²⁺-resistant bacteria from the following genera: Bacillus, Nocardioides, and Arthrobacter. The study results enable concluding that even though Humus Active does not restore the original microbiome structure, it promotes the development of a new stress-resistant bacterial community exhibiting high bioremediating potential, thereby directly translating into improved plant condition. Subsequently, humic acids provide an innovative approach that not only extends knowledge about the mechanisms behind bacterial resistance but also enables developing practical methods for diminishing cadmium mobility in the soil. Full article

Pulmonary diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria are increasingly becoming common worldwide and are occurring more frequently alongside pulmonary tuberculosis. Given that pulmonary diseases resulting from nontuberculous mycobacteria and pulmonary tuberculosis display similar features—such as clinical manifestations, imaging findings, and laboratory results—the accurate differentiation of each disease type is highly challenging. Mycobacterial culture, as a gold standard method, cannot be considered completely trustworthy because of low bacterioexcretion rates among nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary patients. Additional problems result from poor diagnosis. The treatment of lung diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria is also difficult. This could be due to the wide spectrum of bacteria belonging to nontuberculous mycobacteria, as well as low bacterioexcretion. Therefore, bacterial sensitivity to drugs is insufficient. As a result, in this article, our intention is to explain the diagnostic difficulties of pulmonary diseases caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria and the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. The review seeks to outline promising directions for the development of novel diagnostic approaches in order to improve clinical decision-making and ultimately treatment outcomes. Full article

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1), a hydroxylated metabolite of aflatoxin B1, is a persistent food safety hazard in the dairy production chain. This study investigated AFM1 occurrence in fermented dairy products collected from the Croatian market in spring 2025 and assessed associated dietary exposure risks. A total of 81 samples were analyzed using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) following immunoaffinity column clean-up. AFM1 was detected in 48.1% of samples, with a mean concentration of 0.015 µg/kg. Products with thermophilic and probiotic bacterial cultures showed the lowest incidence rates, at 33.3% and 40.0%, respectively. Significantly higher AFM1 occurrence was found in Croatian samples than in imported ones (p < 0.05). Exposure assessment, based on estimated daily intake (EDI), hazard index (HI), and margin of exposure (MOE), identified toddlers and children as the most at-risk groups, with EDI ranging from 0.21 to 0.93 ng/kg bw/day, depending on AFM1 concentration. HI exceeded 1 even at mean AFM1 levels, while MOE fell below the safety threshold of 10,000 in worst-case scenarios, indicating potential health concerns. These findings underscore the need for continuous monitoring and targeted risk mitigation strategies for vulnerable populations, and support expanding regulatory limits to include processed dairy products. Full article

Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC. (Fabaceae) is used in Cuba in soils dedicated to coffee cultivation, contributing to soil nutrition and crop productivity. However, no rhizobial isolates are currently available for inoculating this legume in Chromic Eutric Cambisol soils. The aim of this study was to select rhizobial strains that promote the growth of C. ensiformis in Chromic Eutric Cambisol soils. Nodules were collected from C. ensiformis plants, surface-sterilized, and macerated to isolate potential rhizobia. The isolates were characterized based on cultural, morphological, and biochemical traits, and their symbiotic effectiveness was evaluated through in vitro inoculation assays in Macroptilium atropurpureum (siratro) plants. Inoculation trials were conducted under semi-controlled conditions and in the field between coffee rows. The number and dry weight of effective nodules, number of trifoliate leaves, and shoot dry biomass were measured. Nine bacterial isolates were obtained, grouped into four morphotypes, and assigned as possible members of the families Phyllobacteriaceae, Methylobacteriaceae, or Nitrobacteraceae. Under semi-controlled conditions, inoculation with three isolates increased the number of nodules (by 56–80%), the number of trifoliate leaves (by 20–45%), and shoot biomass (by 10–40%) compared to the non-inoculated treatment. Additionally, one of the isolates increased nodule dry weight by 27%. In the field between coffee row, increases were also observed in the number of trifoliate leaves (by 18–26%) and shoot biomass (by 15–24%). This study supports the selection of efficient rhizobia adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of Cuban coffee agroecosystems. Full article

One of the critical requirements for the production of artificial meat is to mimic the flavor of the original meat. Therefore, incorporation of heme has been proposed, but it is toxic when added at high concentrations in cell culture systems. Additionally, obtaining heme can be costly depending on the source. In this study, we aimed to support the growth of normal bovine muscle cells (BRMC-F2401, BRMCs) by introducing a bacterial extract obtained from a safe, high-heme-containing Corynebacterium species. The BRMCs exhibited heme toxicity when the bacterial heme level was >20 μM; however, they were adapted to stably proliferate with a 3 on–3 off culture scheme. RNA sequencing of the heme-adapted BRMCs showed gene expression changes, including upregulation of detoxification genes, CYP1A1, CYP26B1, and SERPINB2. The knockdown of these three genes increased heme sensitivity and reversed heme tolerance of the heme-adapted BRMCs. Additionally, ROS levels increased upon heme treatment, suggesting that ROS is an important factor in heme adaptation processes. Collectively, our study presents an affordable strategy to incorporate heme in cultured meat production and the mechanism underlying this process. Full article

Bioaerosols are a major source of airborne microbial contamination in intensive poultry production systems. Their concentration and community structure can profoundly influence animal health, public health, and the overall safety of the farming environment. However, the dynamic characteristics of bacterial aerosols in enclosed poultry houses during winter remain insufficiently studied. Using Taihang chickens as a model, this study investigated three key production stages—brooding (15 days), growing (60 days), and laying (150 days)—under winter cage-rearing conditions. A six-stage Andersen sampler was employed alongside culture-dependent enumeration and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to analyze variations in bacterial aerosol concentration, particle size distribution, and community succession patterns. The results revealed a significant increase in the concentration of culturable airborne bacteria with bird age, rising from 8.98 × 10³ colony-forming unit (CFU)/m³ to 2.89 × 10⁴ CFU/m³ (p < 0.001). The particle size distribution progressively shifted from larger, settleable particles (≥4.7 μm) toward smaller, respirable particles (<4.7 μm). Microbial sequencing indicated a continuous increase in bacterial alpha diversity across the three stages (Chao1 and Shannon indices, p < 0.05), while beta diversity exhibited stage-specific clustering, reflecting clear differences in community assembly. The composition of dominant bacterial genera transitioned from potentially pathogenic taxa such as Acinetobacter and Corynebacterium during the brooding stage to a greater abundance of beneficial genera, including Bacteroides, Lactobacillus, and Ruminococcus, in later stages. This shift suggests a potential ecological link between aerosolized bacterial communities and host development, possibly related to the aerosolization of gut microbiota. Notably, several zoonotic bacterial species were detected in the poultry house air, indicating potential public health and occupational exposure risks under winter confinement conditions. This study is the first to elucidate the ecological succession patterns of airborne bacterial aerosols in Taihang chicken houses across different growth stages during winter. The findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing winter ventilation strategies, implementing stage-specific environmental controls, and reducing pathogen transmission and occupational hazards. Full article

Urinary tract infections are among the most common bacterial infections worldwide, with increasing antimicrobial resistance posing a significant public health challenge. This study aimed to determine the demographic distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of uropathogens, and the clinical implications of UTIs in patients with renal comorbidities in the Al-Baha region of Saudi Arabia. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at King Fahad Hospital, Al-Baha, from January 2021 to September 2022. A total of 1126 culture-positive UTI cases were included. Patient demographics, uropathogen distribution, antimicrobial resistance profiles, and clinical characteristics were extracted from hospital records. Subgroup analysis was performed for 32 patients with renal comorbidities, including end-stage renal disease (ESRD), glomerulonephritis (GN), and kidney transplant recipients (KTs). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Most cases occurred in patients aged >70 years (43.2%) and females (68.29%). Escherichia coli (38.09%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.02%) were the leading pathogens. High resistance to ampicillin (47–67%), cotrimoxazole (35–37%), and third-generation cephalosporins (34–47%) was observed, whereas carbapenems and aminoglycosides remained largely effective. Among the 32 patients with renal comorbidities, E. coli (43.8%), Staphylococcus aureus (25%), and Enterococcus spp. (18.8%) were the most common isolates. Dysuria (46.87%) and fever (31.25%) were the most frequent clinical presentations. Treatment regimens in this subgroup often required multidrug combinations, reflecting higher resistance burdens. Uropathogens in the Al-Baha region shows rising resistance to first-line antibiotics, with vulnerable populations such as patients with renal comorbidities experiencing distinct pathogen distributions and treatment challenges. Continuous surveillance, prudent antibiotic use, and targeted strategies for high-risk patients are essential to mitigate the impact of multidrug-resistant UTIs in Saudi Arabia. Full article

The Indo-Pacific region hosts several annual military exercises that involve the deployment of thousands of U.S. and partner-nation military personnel. Respiratory and diarrheal diseases pose a significant health risk to exercise participants and represent a substantial portion of medical encounters and lost duty days. We conducted surveillance for respiratory and diarrheal illness at the Cobra Gold and Balikatan military exercises in Thailand and the Philippines from 2023–2025. Through coordination with health providers in the field, military personnel that reported acute symptoms were asked to provide a nasopharyngeal swab or stool sample. These samples were transported to a field lab and tested by PCR for common respiratory and diarrheal pathogens. Follow-up analyses included bacterial culture, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and viral whole-genome sequencing. From 84 respiratory and 61 diarrheal samples analyzed, we found that respiratory illness was primarily attributed to rhinoviruses/enteroviruses (23%), common coronaviruses (21%), and SARS-CoV-2 (11%) while diarrheal disease was attributed to a high rate of diarrheagenic E. coli (73%) and norovirus (20%), followed by Salmonella spp. (18%) and Campylobacter spp. (13%). Our findings highlight the distinct etiologies of respiratory and diarrheal disease in military field settings and demonstrate the feasibility of conducting real-time infectious disease surveillance in operational environments. Full article

Salmonella enterica serovar Gallinarum is a non-motile serovar and is the causative agent of fowl typhoid, and poses a major challenge to poultry production, particularly where rapid diagnostics are lacking. Existing methods are either time-consuming or fail to distinguish motile from non-motile serotypes. We developed a dual-target colorimetric LAMP that detects Salmonella spp. via invA and discriminates S. Gallinarum via TRX (a taxon-restricted sequence), using two separate singleplex reactions. Specificity testing confirmed 100% accuracy, with exclusive amplification of S. Gallinarum through TRX. Analytical sensitivity was comparable to real-time PCR, detecting down to 2.41 CFU/µL (invA) and 1.65 CFU/µL (TRX). Applied to cloacal swabs from experimentally infected chickens (n = 12), the assay consistently outperformed bacteriological culture, detecting up to 25% more positives during early infection when bacterial loads were low or cells were non-culturable. This dual-target LAMP provides a rapid, sensitive, and serovar-discriminating diagnostic tool with strong potential for point-of-care use and real-time surveillance in poultry farms, thereby improving sanitary control of fowl typhoid and reducing associated economic losses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Postbiotics derived from lactic acid bacteria are emerging as promising antimicrobial agents due to their antibacterial, antibiofilm, and immunomodulatory properties. Among their metabolites, lactic acid (LA) is thought to play a major role in antimicrobial activity. This study investigated the proteomic response of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus to Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus cell-free supernatant (CFS) and compared it with that elicited by LA alone. Methods: Overnight bacterial cultures were exposed to sub-MIC LA or CFS (1:10 for P. aeruginosa and 1:8 for S. aureus; ~12.5–15.6 mM LA) for 6 h at 37 °C. Intracellular proteins were harvested and subsequently quantified and purified to be analysed by HPLC–MS/MS, for quantitative label-free proteomics. Results: Proteomic analysis revealed clear separation of treated samples from controls, with largely overlapping responses to CFS and LA. Hallmark acid-stress adaptations were observed, including urease-mediated pH buffering, confirming that part of the response was driven by mild organic acid. In P. aeruginosa, treatments suppressed virulence pathways (phenazines, T3SS), while shifting metabolism toward lactate utilisation and reinforcing the outer membrane (lipid A, polyamine). In S. aureus, decreased abundance of the SaeRS-regulated immune-evasion factor Sbi, together with changes in envelope, ROS and translation-related proteins, suggested a bacteriostatic-like state. S. aureus differences between CFS and LA were more pronounced; CFS uniquely increased cell-wall defences, oxidative stress (SodA, SodM) and chaperone expression (GroS, GrpE), suggesting stress beyond acidification alone. Conclusions: These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial adaptation to CFS and highlight their potential as a novel antimicrobial approach. Full article

Helicobacter pylori is one of the most common human pathogens, infecting up to 50% of the global population. The bacterium colonizes the mucus layer overlying gastric epithelial cells and causes chronic infection, which can lead to peptic ulcers, lymphoma, and gastric cancer. Epidemiological studies showed that regions with poor sanitation have higher prevalence rates of H. pylori, suggesting possible environmental or food-related transmission routes in addition to the well-established person-to-person pathways. This assumption is supported by the detection of H. pylori and/or its DNA in a variety of food. Experimental studies further demonstrate that H. pylori can survive in food with certain properties, such as milk, meat, and vegetables, suggesting that such products may serve as potential reservoirs. However, reliable detection of H. pylori in food remains challenging due to its fastidious nature, the ability to enter a viable but non-culturable state, and methodological limitations. While the presence of bacterial DNA and survival across food matrices make foodborne transmission biologically plausible, direct and conclusive proof that ingestion of contaminated food leads to infection is still lacking. Hence, person-to-person transmission currently remains the most firmly established route of transmission. Taken together, the current findings provide substantial indirect evidence that food, particularly under conditions of poor hygiene, may provide a reservoir or vehicle for H. pylori transmission. However, further research is needed to definitively clarify the role of food in the transmission of H. pylori infection and identify appropriate measures to promote public health. Full article