Search Results (926)

The scarab species Protaetia brevitarsis, an edible insect, has been used in traditional medicine, as animal feed, and for converting agricultural organic wastes into biofertilizer. The intestinal tract, which contains a diverse array of microbiota, including viruses, plays a critical role in animal health and homeostasis. We previously conducted a comparative analysis of the gut microbiota of third-instar larvae of P. brevitarsis obtained from five different farms and found significant differences in the composition of the gut bacterial microbiota between farms. To better understand the gut microbiota, the composition of DNA viruses in the hindgut contents of P. brevitarsis larvae obtained from five farms was investigated using metagenomic sequencing in this study. The β-diversity was significantly different between metagenomic data obtained from the five farms (PERMANOVA, pseudo-F = 46.95, p = 0.002). Family-based taxonomic analysis indicated that the relative abundance of viruses in the gut overall metagenome varied significantly between farms, with viral reads comprising approximately 41.2%, 15.0%, 4.3%, 4.0%, and 1.6% of metagenomic sequences from the farms Tohamsan gumbengi farm (TO), Secomnalagum gumbengi (IS), Gumbengi brothers (BR), Kyungpook farm (KB), and Jhbio (JH), respectively. More than 98% of the DNA viruses in the hindgut were bacteriophages, mainly belonging to the Siphoviridae family. At the species level, Phage Min1, infecting the genus Microbacterium, was detected in all farms, and it was the most abundant bacteriophage in intestinal microbiota, with a prevalence of 0.9% to 29.09%. The detected eukaryotic DNA viruses accounted for 0.01% to 0.06% of the intestinal microbiota and showed little or no relationship with insect viruses. Therefore, they most likely originated from contaminated feed or soil. These results suggest that the condition of substrates used as feed is more important than genetic factors in shaping the intestinal viral microbiota of P. brevitarsis larvae. These results can be used as reference data for understanding the hindgut microbiota of P. brevitarsis larvae and, more generally, the gut virome of insects. Full article

Antibiotic resistance presents a global threat, making the swift development of alternative treatments essential. Phage therapy, which employs bacterial viruses that specifically target bacteria, shows promise. Although this method has been utilized for over a century, primarily in Eastern Europe, its use in the US remains limited. This study aimed to assess the awareness and willingness of US healthcare providers to adopt phage therapy in response to the growing issue of antibiotic resistance. A survey of 196 healthcare providers, primarily MDs and DOs, found that while 99% were aware of antimicrobial resistance, only 49% were knowledgeable about phage therapy as a treatment for resistant bacterial infections. Nonetheless, 56% were open to considering phage therapy, and this willingness was associated with prior knowledge, concerns about antibiotic resistance, previous training, and confidence in recommending it (p < 0.05). Our study of U.S. healthcare providers revealed key findings about their views on phage therapy as a potential alternative for treating bacterial infections. Credible information is essential to promoting phage therapy use among U.S. providers via educational initiatives, clinical guidance, and research dissemination to promote phage therapy use among U.S. providers. Evidence-based education and clinical guidance help providers make sound decisions on the appropriate and safe use of phage therapy. Full article

Emerging RNA viruses such as influenza A virus (IAV), Zika virus (ZIKV), and dengue virus (DENV) continue to pose major challenges to animal and public health due to their high mutation rates, wide host ranges, and immune evasion strategies. In this study, we evaluated the in vitro antiviral activity of a marine bacterial extract derived from Parerythrobacter sp. M20A3S10 against IAV (H1N1; H3N2), influenza B virus (IBV), ZIKV, and DENV2. The extract demonstrated broad-spectrum antiviral effects with favorable selectivity indices across multiple host-derived epithelial cell lines. Notably, post-infection treatment significantly suppressed viral replication, suggesting a host-modulating or replication-inhibiting mechanism. While the extract’s active components have yet to be identified, bacteria from the Erythrobacteraceae family are known producers of bioactive metabolites with potential antiviral properties. These findings provide preliminary insight into the potential of marine-derived bacterial compounds in veterinary antiviral development and highlight the need for further characterization and in vivo validation. This work contributes to the understanding of virus–host interactions and the exploration of novel therapeutic strategies targeting the pathogenesis and immune modulation of veterinary RNA viruses. Full article

The rapid and accurate detection of pathogenic bacteria and viruses is critical for infectious disease control and public health protection. While conventional methods (e.g., culture, microscopy, serology, and PCR) are widely used, they are often limited by lengthy processing times, high costs, and specialized equipment requirements. In recent years, metal nanocluster (MNC)-based biosensors have emerged as powerful diagnostic platforms due to their unique optical, catalytic, and electrochemical properties. This systematic review comprehensively surveys advancements in MNC-based biosensors for bacterial and viral pathogen detection, focusing on optical (colorimetric and fluorescence) and electrochemical platforms. Three key aspects are emphasized: (1) detection mechanisms, (2) nanocluster types and properties, and (3) applications in clinical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. The literature demonstrates that MNC-based biosensors provide high sensitivity, specificity, portability, and cost-efficiency. Moreover, the integration of nanotechnology with biosensing platforms enables real-time and point-of-care diagnostics. This review also discusses the limitations and future directions of the technology, emphasizing the need for enhanced stability, multiplex detection capability, and clinical validation. The findings offer valuable insights for developing next-generation biosensors with improved functionality and broader applicability in microbial diagnostics. Full article

Adenovirus is an important respiratory virus that causes severe diseases in immunocompromised patients. Data on its impact in immunocompetent patients are relatively limited. We conducted a territory-wide retrospective study on adult patients hospitalized for respiratory tract infections caused by adenovirus or influenza viruses in Hong Kong between 1 January 2016 and 30 June 2023. Inpatient mortality, severe respiratory failure (SRF), secondary bacterial pneumonia and acute kidney injury (AKI) were compared. The risk factors for these outcomes in patients hospitalized for adenovirus respiratory tract infections were assessed. Overall, 41,206 and 528 patients were hospitalized for influenza and adenovirus respiratory tract infections, respectively. Patients with respiratory tract infections due to adenoviruses showed significantly higher risk of inpatient mortality, SRF, secondary bacterial pneumonia and AKI compared to seasonal influenza. Medical comorbidities including cardio-pulmonary diseases, end-stage kidney disease requiring dialysis, and a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate were robust independent risk factors for inpatient mortality and serious respiratory outcomes in adenovirus respiratory tract infections. Adults hospitalized for adenoviruses respiratory tract infections had a significantly higher risk of inpatient mortality and adverse outcomes than adults infected with seasonal influenza. Medical comorbidities are important risk factors for severe adenovirus infections in adult patients. Full article

In Thailand, domestic cats are frequently exposed to vectors that transmit a variety of pathogens. In this study, the prevalence of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) and their association with feline leukemia virus (FeLV) and feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) were investigated in 187 domestic cats from animal hospitals across five northeastern provinces. Twelve pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and protozoa, were screened using PCR assays. FIV was identified in 2.67% of the cats, while FeLV exhibited a notably higher prevalence of 29.95%. Among the bacterial pathogens, Bartonella henselae was the most frequently detected (94.65%), followed by Rickettsia felis (34.22%). Protozoan infections such as Babesia canis (8.02%) and Cytauxzoon felis (3.21%) were less prevalent. Co-infections were common, with numerous cats hosting multiple pathogens. Correlation analysis revealed moderate associations between FIV and Babesia microti (r = 0.43), Babesia canis (r = 0.35), and Mycoplasma spp. (r = 0.33), indicating potential co-infection or predisposition. Although significant differences in the total white blood cell counts were not observed, leukopenia was more commonly found in FeLV/FIV-positive cats. These findings indicate that a high burden of infection and co-infection exists in the feline population, supporting the need for expanded pathogen screening and enhanced vector control strategies. Full article

Canine otitis externa caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a relevant disease in veterinary medicine. Given P. aeruginosa’s high priority status for the development of new antimicrobials, innovative strategies like bacteriophage therapy are essential. Lytic bacteriophages are viruses with high specificity for their bacterial hosts, making them a promising therapeutic choice in both human and veterinary medicine. This study aimed to evaluate the antimicrobial potential of bacteriophages JG005 and JG024, first characterized in terms of their biofilm-forming ability and antimicrobial susceptibility profile, against P. aeruginosa isolates obtained from dogs with otitis externa,. Bacteriophages titer, host range, and activity were assessed against P. aeruginosa biofilms via microtiter assays using crystal violet and Alamar Blue. JG024 showed lytic activity against 61.2% (n = 30/49) of the isolates, while JG005 showed lytic activity against 38.8% (n = 19/49) of the isolates. Crystal violet quantification showed that JG005 can promote strong microbial suppression of 60% (n = 6/10) and 50% (n = 5/10) of the isolates at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 10 and 100, respectively. JG024 presented strong microbial suppression of 20% (n = 2/10) of the isolates regardless of the MOI level tested. These phages show promising potential as an innovative treatment for canine otitis externa caused by P. aeruginosa, but further studies are needed before future clinical use. Full article

To determine the incidence, causative organisms, and treatment effectiveness for microbial keratitis (MK) in the Southwest of England. Retrospective analysis of 872 corneal scrapes (January 2018–December 2022). Microbiology results were evaluated for organism growth and antimicrobial sensitivity. Data were divided into two groups for trend analysis (A: 2018–2020, B: 2021–2022). Of the 872 scrapes, 357 (39.6%) were culture positive. Bacteria accounted for 90.2% of cases, followed by viruses (2.8%), fungi (2.5%), mixed bacterial growth (2.5%), and Acanthamoeba (2.0%). The estimated incidence of MK was 9.69/100,000/year. Group B had a significantly higher overall MK incidence, with no change in pathogen distribution. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most frequent isolate (69 cases, 19.3%). In vitro sensitivity to fluoroquinolones was 94.4% for Gram-positive and 98.6% for Gram-negative bacteria. All fungal isolates were sensitive to at least one antifungal. Bacterial pathogens dominate MK in the Southwest of England, with over 90% sensitivity to chloramphenicol, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides, indicating low antimicrobial resistance. Fluoroquinolones remain the recommended first-line therapy for MK. Fungal and protozoal keratitis are rare (<3% of cases), supporting bacteria-focused empirical treatment with close monitoring. Full article

Streptococcus pyogenes is a bacterial pathogen known to be the causative agent in many different illnesses, with Group A Streptococcus (GAS) pharyngitis (strep throat), being one of the more prevalent. The spread and severity of GAS pharyngitis can grow exponentially if individuals are not taking the proper precautions. Wastewater surveillance has been used to test for numerous different pathogens that humans spread throughout a community and in this study, we utilized wastewater surveillance to monitor GAS pharyngitis in a small city. Over a year, 57 wastewater influent samples were tested for S. pyogenes and three commonly tested respiratory viruses (Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A). Three microbial indicators and population normalizers (CrAssphage, Pepper mild mottle virus (PMMoV), and Mycobacterium) were tested as well to compare and contrast each indicator’s value and range over time. Wastewater data was then compared to publicly available search term data as clinical data was not readily available. There was a high correlation between the collected molecular data and the publicly available search term data for Streptococcus pyogenes. Additionally, this study provided more information about the seasonal trend of S. pyogenes throughout the year through molecular data and allowed for the ability to track peak infection months in this small city. Overall, these results highlight the substantial benefits of using wastewater surveillance for the monitoring of GAS pharyngitis. This study also provides helpful insights into future studies about the prevalence of respiratory bacteria and their seasonal trends in wastewater, allowing for public health systems to provide mitigation strategies. Full article

Overuse of antibiotics is a concern in ‘culture-negative sepsis’ but it is unclear whether this is due to infection with viruses, fungi or other microbes that are not easily cultured, or whether it results from inflammatory processes. In a prospective study, we enrolled 50 preterm neonates with culture-positive sepsis (CP), culture-negative sepsis (CN), and asymptomatic preterm controls (CO). The microbiome of stool, skin, and blood, including bacterial, viral and fungal components and serum cytokine profiles were evaluated. The microbiome alpha or beta diversity did not differ between CN and CO groups. A MaAsLin analysis revealed increased relative abundances of specific bacterial and fungal genera in stool and skin samples in the CN group compared to CO. The virome analysis identified 24 viruses from skin samples, but they were not statistically different among the three groups. The cytokine and chemokine biomarker profiles were elevated in the CP group but were not statistically different between the CN and CO groups. Although the CN group had a longer hospital stay and higher BPD rates than the controls in unadjusted analyses, these differences were not significant after adjusting for gestational age and birth weight. The CN infants demonstrated microbial shifts without systemic immune activation or significantly worse clinical outcomes, supporting the rationale for discontinuing antibiotics in the absence of positive cultures. Full article

In this paper, the authors describe an electromagnetic–hydrodynamic (EMHD) model of the airborne microbiological agent detection concept for the design of a sensor to identify the presence of airborne bacteria and viruses. Based on the model and a laboratory test, a methodology was proposed for the capture and subsequent detection of low-concentration bacterial and viral agents in airborne aerosols. A physical–biological approach was proposed to detect microorganisms based on their physical properties. The principle was validated in the laboratory on samples of defined concentrated water aerosols of Bacillus subtilis (BS) and feline infectious peritonitis virus (FIVP). Repeated tests with different concentrations were performed in the laboratory conditions. Full article

The results of this study, which involved treating cotton fabrics with three fluorescent hyperbranched polymers modified with 1,8-naphthalamide (P1), acridine (P2), and dansyl (P3) groups, could have applications in the development of antimicrobial textiles with self-disinfecting ability. The polymers, dissolved in DMF/water solution, were deposited on the cotton fabric using the exhaustion method. The fabrics were thoroughly analyzed by reflection spectra, CIEL*a*b* coordinates, and color difference (∆E). The release of the polymers from the cotton surface was studied in a phosphate buffer with pH = 7.4 and an acetate buffer with pH = 4.5 at 37 °C for 10 h. It is shown that at pH = 7.4, the release of the three polymers occurs slowly (about 4–5%). In contrast, in an acidic medium, due to protonation of the tertiary amino group of 1,8-naphthalimide, P1 passes significantly more readily into the aqueous solution (35%). The possibility of singlet oxygen (¹O₂) generation by the polymers and the cotton fabrics treated with them under sunlight irradiation was followed using an iodometric method. The microbiological activity was investigated against Gram-positive Bacillus cereus and Gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa as model bacterial strains in the dark and after irradiation with sunlight. The antimicrobial activity of the polymers increased after light irradiation, as ¹O₂ attacks and destroys the bacterial cell membrane. Scanning electron microscopy showed that a stable bacterial biofilm had formed on the untreated cotton surface, but treatment with hyperbranched polymers prevented its formation. However, many bacteria were still observed on the fiber surface when the microbial test was performed in the dark, whereas only a few single bacteria were noticed after the illumination. A virucidal effect against respiratory viruses HRSV-2 and AAdV-5 was observed only after irradiation with sunlight. Full article

Background: The use of in-feed antibiotics was banned in numerous countries within the animal production industry as a result of the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the presence of residual antibiotics. Bacteriophages, which are viruses that infect host bacterial cells, are considered the natural predators of bacteria. Over the past two decades, bacteriophages have garnered increasing attention for their potential in controlling pathogenic bacteria in weaned piglets. Aims: The aim of this overview was to update the progress of bacteriophage application in weaned piglets. Methods: For the section on bacteriophage application in weaned piglets, a systematic search was performed to identify relevant articles published before June 2025 in databases such as Web of Science. Results: In this review, we provide a brief overview of bacteriophages, followed by a summary of the isolation of specific bacteriophages in weaned piglets. In addition, we have summarized the application progress of bacteriophages in weaned piglets, including the effects of oral administration or dietary supplementation with bacteriophages on growth performance, diarrhea characteristics, intestinal morphology, intestinal pH, nutrient digestibility, inflammatory response, intestinal barrier function, and intestinal microecology. Conclusions: This updated overview novelly highlights the potential of bacteriophages as anti-pathogenic agents in mitigating infections caused by pathogenic bacteria in weaned piglets. This review could provide a scientific basis for controlling pathogenic bacteria infections in weaned piglets in the post-antibiotic era. Full article

The CRISPR-Cas system represents an adaptive immune mechanism found across diverse Archaea and Bacteria, allowing them to defend against invading genetic elements such as viruses and plasmids. Despite its broad distribution, the prevalence and complexity of CRISPR-Cas systems differ significantly between these domains. This study aimed to characterize and compare the genomic distribution, structural features, and functional implications of CRISPR-Cas systems and associated antibiotic resistance genes in 30 archaeal and 30 bacterial genomes. Through bioinformatic analyses of CRISPR arrays, cas gene architectures, direct repeats (DRs), and thermodynamic properties, we observed that Archaea exhibit a higher number and greater complexity of CRISPR loci, with more diverse cas gene subtypes exclusively of Class 1. Bacteria, in contrast, showed fewer CRISPR loci, comprising a mix of Class 1 and Class 2 systems, with Class 1 representing the majority (~75%) of the detected systems. Notably, Bacteria lacking CRISPR-Cas systems displayed a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes, suggesting a possible inverse correlation between the presence of these immune systems and the acquisition of such genes. Phylogenetic and thermodynamic analyses further highlighted domain-specific adaptations and conservation patterns. These findings support the hypothesis that CRISPR-Cas systems play a dual role: first, as a defense mechanism preventing the integration of foreign genetic material—reflected in the higher complexity and diversity of CRISPR loci in Archaea—and second, as a regulator of horizontal gene transfer, evidenced by the lower frequency of antibiotic resistance genes in organisms with active CRISPR-Cas systems. Together, these results underscore the evolutionary and functional diversification of CRISPR-Cas systems in response to environmental and selective pressures. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nucleoside precursors and derivatives play pivotal roles in the development of antimicrobial and antiviral therapeutics. The 2022 global outbreak of monkeypox (Mpox) across more than 100 nonendemic countries underscores the urgent need for novel antiviral agents. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate a series of 5′-O-(palmitoyl) derivatives (compounds 2–6), incorporating various aliphatic and aromatic acyl groups, for their potential antimicrobial activities. Methods: The structures of the synthesized derivatives were confirmed through physicochemical, elemental, and spectroscopic techniques. In vitro antibacterial efficacy was assessed, including minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) determinations for the most active compounds (4 and 5). The antifungal activity was evaluated based on mycelial growth inhibition. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were employed to investigate the electronic and structural properties, including the global reactivity, frontier molecular orbital (FMO), natural bond orbital (NBO), and molecular electrostatic potential (MEP). Molecular docking studies were conducted against the monkeypox virus and the Marburg virus. The top-performing compounds (3, 5, and 6) were further evaluated via 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. ADMET predictions were performed to assess drug-likeness and pharmacokinetic properties. Results: Compounds 4 and 5 demonstrated remarkable antibacterial activity compared with the precursor molecule, while most derivatives inhibited fungal mycelial growth by up to 79%. Structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis highlighted the enhanced antibacterial/antifungal efficacy with CH₃(CH₂)₁₀CO– and CH₃(CH₂)₁₂CO–acyl chains. In silico docking revealed that compounds 3, 5, and 6 had higher binding affinities than the other derivatives. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the protein-ligand complexes. ADMET analyses revealed favorable drug-like profiles for all the lead compounds. Conclusions: The synthesized compounds 3, 5, and 6 exhibit promising antimicrobial and antiviral activities. Supported by both in vitro assays and comprehensive in silico analyses, these derivatives have emerged as potential candidates for the development of novel therapeutics against bacterial, fungal, and viral infections, including monkeypox and Marburg viruses. Full article