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22 pages, 2066 KiB  
Article
Optimizing In Vitro Establishment Protocols for ‘Merensky 2’ Avocado Rootstock (Persea americana Mill.)
by Fernanda García-Cabrera, Mónica Castro, Ricardo Cautin, Carmen Estay, Leda Guzmán, María José Marchant and Francesca Guerra
Horticulturae 2025, 11(8), 900; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae11080900 (registering DOI) - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 192
Abstract
In vitro propagation of avocado faces several limitations. To optimize the establishment phase, we evaluated three plant material types: etiolated shoots, 30-day covered field shoots, and uncovered field shoots, collected at two time points. Biochemical and anatomical analyses were conducted to understand material [...] Read more.
In vitro propagation of avocado faces several limitations. To optimize the establishment phase, we evaluated three plant material types: etiolated shoots, 30-day covered field shoots, and uncovered field shoots, collected at two time points. Biochemical and anatomical analyses were conducted to understand material performance during establishment. Across both collection times, etiolated shoots exhibited minimal oxidation, enhanced bud sprouting, reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, increased peroxidase (POD) activity, and improved xylem development, consistently outperforming field-derived materials. Using etiolated shoots, we optimized disinfection and in vitro multiplication protocols. Pre-disinfection with 3 mL L−1 Phyton 27® and 2% sodium hypochlorite yielded the highest survival rates. In multiplication experiments, varying concentrations of 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and meta-topolin (MT), supplemented with gibberellic acid (GA3), did not significantly affect growth variation. However, 8.88 µM BAP with 0.29 µM GA3 resulted in the greatest number of sprouted buds. Full article
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20 pages, 4784 KiB  
Article
Resilient by Design: Environmental Stress Promotes Biofilm Formation and Multi-Resistance in Poultry-Associated Salmonella
by Gabriel I. Krüger, Francisca Urbina, Coral Pardo-Esté, Valentina Salinas, Javiera Álvarez, Nicolás Avilés, Ana Oviedo, Catalina Kusch, Valentina Pavez, Rolando Vernal, Mario Tello, Luis Alvarez-Thon, Juan Castro-Severyn, Francisco Remonsellez, Alejandro Hidalgo and Claudia P. Saavedra
Microorganisms 2025, 13(8), 1812; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13081812 - 3 Aug 2025
Viewed by 180
Abstract
Salmonella is one of the main causes of food-borne illness worldwide. In most cases, Salmonella contamination can be traced back to food processing plants and/or to cross-contamination during food preparation. To avoid food-borne diseases, food processing plants use sanitizers and biocidal to reduce [...] Read more.
Salmonella is one of the main causes of food-borne illness worldwide. In most cases, Salmonella contamination can be traced back to food processing plants and/or to cross-contamination during food preparation. To avoid food-borne diseases, food processing plants use sanitizers and biocidal to reduce bacterial contaminants below acceptable levels. Despite these preventive actions, Salmonella can survive and consequently affect human health. This study investigates the adaptive capacity of the main Salmonella enterica serotypes isolated from the poultry production line, focusing on their replication, antimicrobial resistance, and biofilm formation under stressors such as acidic conditions, oxidative environment, and high osmolarity. Using growth curve analysis, crystal violet staining, and microscopy, we assessed replication, biofilm formation, and antimicrobial resistance under acidic, oxidative, and osmotic stress conditions. Disinfectant tolerance was evaluated by determining the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) of sodium hypochlorite. The antibiotic resistance was assessed using the Kirby–Bauer method. The results indicate that, in general, acidic and osmotic stress reduce the growth of Salmonella. However, no significant differences were observed specifically for serotypes Infantis, Heidelberg, and Corvallis. The S. Infantis isolates were the strongest biofilm producers and showed the highest prevalence of multidrug resistance (71%). Interestingly, S. Infantis forming biofilms required up to 8-fold higher concentrations of sodium hypochlorite for eradication. Furthermore, osmotic and oxidative stress significantly induced biofilm production in industrial S. Infantis isolates compared to a reference strain. Understanding how Salmonella responds to industrial stressors is vital for designing strategies to control the proliferation of these highly adapted, multi-resistant pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biofilm)
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13 pages, 906 KiB  
Article
Integrated Flushing and Corrosion Control Measures to Reduce Lead Exposure in Households with Lead Service Lines
by Fatemeh Hatam, Mirjam Blokker and Michele Prevost
Water 2025, 17(15), 2297; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152297 - 2 Aug 2025
Viewed by 174
Abstract
The quality of water in households can be affected by plumbing design and materials, water usage patterns, and source water quality characteristics. These factors influence stagnation duration, disinfection residuals, metal release, and microbial activity. In particular, stagnation can degrade water quality and increase [...] Read more.
The quality of water in households can be affected by plumbing design and materials, water usage patterns, and source water quality characteristics. These factors influence stagnation duration, disinfection residuals, metal release, and microbial activity. In particular, stagnation can degrade water quality and increase lead release from lead service lines. This study employs numerical modeling to assess how combined corrosion control and flushing strategies affect lead levels in household taps with lead service lines under reduced water use. To estimate potential health risks, the U.S. EPA model is used to predict the percentage of children likely to exceed safe blood lead levels. Lead exceedances are assessed based on various regulatory requirements. Results show that exceedances at the kitchen tap range from 3 to 74% of usage time for the 5 µg/L standard, and from 0 to 49% for the 10 µg/L threshold, across different scenarios. Implementing corrosion control treatment in combination with periodic flushing proves effective in lowering lead levels under the studied low-consumption scenarios. Under these conditions, the combined strategy limits lead exceedances above 5 µg/L to only 3% of usage time, with none above 10 µg/L. This demonstrates its value as a practical short-term strategy for households awaiting full pipe replacement. Targeted flushing before peak water use reduces the median time that water remains stagnant in household pipes from 8 to 3 h at the kitchen tap under low-demand conditions. Finally, the risk model indicates that the combined approach can reduce the predicted percentage of children with blood lead levels exceeding 5 μg/dL from 61 to 6% under low water demand. Full article
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11 pages, 415 KiB  
Article
A Nosocomial Outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex Linked to Contaminated Intravenous Medications in a Tertiary Care Hospital
by Hanife Nur Karakoc Parlayan, Firdevs Aksoy, Masite Nur Ozdemir, Esra Ozkaya and Gurdal Yilmaz
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 774; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080774 - 31 Jul 2025
Viewed by 245
Abstract
Objectives: Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a Gram-negative organism, is a well-recognized cause of hospital outbreaks, often linked to a contaminated shared source, such as multidose medications. In this study, we report an outbreak of Bcc infections in a tertiary care hospital, associated with [...] Read more.
Objectives: Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a Gram-negative organism, is a well-recognized cause of hospital outbreaks, often linked to a contaminated shared source, such as multidose medications. In this study, we report an outbreak of Bcc infections in a tertiary care hospital, associated with the intrinsic contamination of a prepared solution used in interventional radiology (IR) procedures. Additionally, we provide a detailed explanation of the interventions implemented to control and interrupt the outbreak. Methods: Records from the infection control committee from 1 January 2023 to 31 October 2024 were screened to identify cases with Bcc growth in cultured blood, urine, or respiratory samples. Clinical and laboratory data were collected in March 2025. Bacterial identification was performed using conventional methods and MALDI-TOF (Bruker Daltonics, Bremen, Germany). Controls were matched to cases by ward, date of initial growth, and duration of hospitalization. Demographic and clinical data of these patients were systematically collected and analyzed. Microbiological cultures were obtained from environmental objects of concern and certain medications. Results: A total of 82 Burkholderia species were identified. We enrolled 77 cases and 77 matched controls. The source of contamination was identified in ready-to-use intravenous medications (remifentanil and magnesium preparations) in the IR department. These preparations were compounded in advance by the team and were used repeatedly. Although the outbreak originated from contaminated IV medications used in IR, secondary transmission likely affected 28 non-IR patients via fomites, shared environments, and possible lapses in isolation precautions. The mortality rate among the cases was 16.9%. Infection with Bcc was associated with prolonged intensive care unit stays (p = 0.018) and an extended overall hospitalization duration (p < 0.001); however, it was not associated with increased mortality. The enforcement of contact precautions and comprehensive environmental decontamination successfully reduced the incidence of the Bcc outbreak. No pathogens were detected in cultures obtained after the disinfection. Conclusions: The hospital transmission of Bcc is likely driven by cross-contamination, invasive medical procedures, and the administration of contaminated medications. Implementing stringent infection control measures such as staff retraining, updated policies on medication use, enhanced environmental decontamination, and strict adherence to isolation precautions has proven effective in curbing the spread of virulent and transmissible Bcc. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antibiotics Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship)
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23 pages, 4510 KiB  
Article
Identification and Characterization of Biosecurity Breaches on Poultry Farms with a Recent History of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Infection Determined by Video Camera Monitoring in the Netherlands
by Armin R. W. Elbers and José L. Gonzales
Pathogens 2025, 14(8), 751; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080751 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Biosecurity measures applied on poultry farms, with a recent history of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection, were monitored using 24 h/7 days-per-week video monitoring. Definition of biosecurity breaches were based on internationally acknowledged norms. Farms of four different production types (two broiler, [...] Read more.
Biosecurity measures applied on poultry farms, with a recent history of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus infection, were monitored using 24 h/7 days-per-week video monitoring. Definition of biosecurity breaches were based on internationally acknowledged norms. Farms of four different production types (two broiler, two layer, two breeder broiler, and one duck farm) were selected. Observations of entry to and exit from the anteroom revealed a high degree of biosecurity breaches in six poultry farms and good biosecurity practices in one farm in strictly maintaining the separation between clean and potentially contaminated areas in the anteroom. Hand washing with soap and water and/or using disinfectant lotion was rarely observed at entry to the anteroom and was almost absent at exit. Egg transporters did not disinfect fork-lift wheels when entering the egg-storage room nor change or properly disinfect footwear. The egg-storage room was not cleaned and disinfected after egg transport by the farmer. Similarly, footwear and trolley wheels were not disinfected when introducing young broilers or ducklings to the poultry unit. Biosecurity breaches were observed when introducing bedding material in the duck farm. This study shows a need for an engaging awareness and training campaign for poultry farmers and their co-workers as well as for transporters to promote good biosecurity practices. Full article
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19 pages, 4270 KiB  
Article
Viral Inactivation by Light-Emitting Diodes: Action Spectra Reveal Genomic Damage as the Primary Mechanism
by Kazuaki Mawatari, Yasuko Kadomura-Ishikawa, Takahiro Emoto, Yushi Onoda, Kai Ishida, Sae Toda, Takashi Uebanso, Toshihiko Aizawa, Shigeharu Yamauchi, Yasuo Fujikawa, Tomotake Tanaka, Xing Li, Eduardo Suarez-Lopez, Richard J. Kuhn, Ernest R. Blatchley III and Akira Takahashi
Viruses 2025, 17(8), 1065; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17081065 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 288
Abstract
Irradiation with ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) represents a promising method for viral inactivation, but a detailed understanding of the wavelength-dependent action spectra remains limited, particularly across different viral components. In this study, we established standardized UV action spectra for infectivity reduction in pathogenic [...] Read more.
Irradiation with ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) represents a promising method for viral inactivation, but a detailed understanding of the wavelength-dependent action spectra remains limited, particularly across different viral components. In this study, we established standardized UV action spectra for infectivity reduction in pathogenic viruses using a system equipped with interchangeable LEDs at 13 different peak wavelengths (250–365 nm). The reduction in viral infectivity induced by UV-LED exposure was strongly related to viral genome damage, whereas no significant degradation of viral structural proteins was detected. Peak virucidal efficiency was observed at 267–270 nm across all tested viruses, representing a slight shift from the traditionally expected 260 nm nucleic acid absorption peak. Enveloped RNA viruses, including influenza A virus, respiratory syncytial virus, and coronavirus, exhibited greater UV sensitivity than nonenveloped viruses such as feline calicivirus and adenovirus. These observations indicate that structural characteristics, such as the presence of an envelope and genome organization, influence UV susceptibility. The wavelength-specific action spectra established in this study provide critical data for optimizing UV-LED disinfection systems to achieve efficient viral inactivation while minimizing energy consumption in healthcare, food safety, and environmental sanitation. Full article
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29 pages, 3259 KiB  
Review
The Role of the Environment (Water, Air, Soil) in the Emergence and Dissemination of Antimicrobial Resistance: A One Health Perspective
by Asma Sassi, Nosiba S. Basher, Hassina Kirat, Sameh Meradji, Nasir Adam Ibrahim, Takfarinas Idres and Abdelaziz Touati
Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 764; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080764 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 391
Abstract
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a planetary health emergency, driven not only by the clinical misuse of antibiotics but also by diverse environmental dissemination pathways. This review critically examines the role of environmental compartments—water, soil, and air—as dynamic reservoirs and transmission routes [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a planetary health emergency, driven not only by the clinical misuse of antibiotics but also by diverse environmental dissemination pathways. This review critically examines the role of environmental compartments—water, soil, and air—as dynamic reservoirs and transmission routes for antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) and resistance genes (ARGs). Recent metagenomic, epidemiological, and mechanistic evidence demonstrates that anthropogenic pressures—including pharmaceutical effluents, agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and airborne emissions—amplify resistance evolution and interspecies gene transfer via horizontal gene transfer mechanisms, biofilms, and mobile genetic elements. Importantly, it is not only highly polluted rivers such as the Ganges that contribute to the spread of AMR; even low concentrations of antibiotics and their metabolites, formed during or after treatment, can significantly promote the selection and dissemination of resistance. Environmental hotspots such as European agricultural soils and airborne particulate zones near wastewater treatment plants further illustrate the complexity and global scope of pollution-driven AMR. The synergistic roles of co-selective agents, including heavy metals, disinfectants, and microplastics, are highlighted for their impact in exacerbating resistance gene propagation across ecological and geographical boundaries. The efficacy and limitations of current mitigation strategies, including advanced wastewater treatments, thermophilic composting, biosensor-based surveillance, and emerging regulatory frameworks, are evaluated. By integrating a One Health perspective, this review underscores the imperative of including environmental considerations in global AMR containment policies and proposes a multidisciplinary roadmap to mitigate resistance spread across interconnected human, animal, and environmental domains. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Spread of Antibiotic Resistance in Natural Environments)
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17 pages, 2110 KiB  
Article
Establishment of an Efficient Regeneration System of Rosa ‘Pompon Veranda’
by Yuexin Zhang, Qin Zhou, Ruijie Li, Miao Tian, Changlong Zhong, Xiongbo Jiang and Wei Zhang
Agronomy 2025, 15(8), 1834; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15081834 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 311
Abstract
Roses are one of the most essential ornamental flowers in the world. At present, traditional techniques such as cross breeding are mainly used in rose breeding. The inefficiency of the in vitro regeneration system has become the limiting step for the innovation and [...] Read more.
Roses are one of the most essential ornamental flowers in the world. At present, traditional techniques such as cross breeding are mainly used in rose breeding. The inefficiency of the in vitro regeneration system has become the limiting step for the innovation and genetic improvement of rose germplasm resources. A tissue culture rapid propagation system of Rosa ‘Pompon Veranda’ was established using the stem segments with shoots as the initial experimental material. The results showed that the best disinfection method was to soak the explants in 75% ethanol for 1 min, and then soak them in 15% sodium hypochlorite solution for 15 min. The contamination rate was only about 6%. The best rooting medium for tissue culture seedlings was 1/2MS with 0.1 mg∙L−1 NAA, and the rooting rate can reach around 95%. On this basis, calluses were induced by using leaflets of tissue-cultured seedlings as explants. The results showed that the optimal medium for inducing callus tissue was MS + 5.0 mg∙L−1 2,4-D, with an induction rate of 100%. The calluses were cultured in the medium of MS with 0.01 mg∙L−1 NAA, 1.5 mg∙L−1 TDZ and 0.1 mg∙L−1 GA3 for 12 days in the dark and then transferred to light conditions. The differentiation rate of callus was 10.87%. On the medium of MS with 0.5 mg∙L−1 6-BA, 0.004 mg∙L−1 NAA and 0.1 mg∙L−1 GA3, the shoots could regenerate into whole plants. This study has established an in vitro regeneration system of R. ‘Pompon Veranda’, which is a key perquisite for the subsequent establishment of its genetic transformation system. Moreover, this method will also be an important reference for studies on quality traits such as floral scent and prickles of Rosa plants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)
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14 pages, 5364 KiB  
Article
Study on the Microbial Inactivation and Quality Assurance of Ultrasonic-Assisted Slightly Acidic Electrolyzed Water for Mirror Carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) Fillets During Refrigerated Storage
by Qiang Zhong, Xiufang Xia and Fangfei Li
Foods 2025, 14(15), 2652; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods14152652 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 229
Abstract
The advancement of non-thermal disinfection technologies represents a critical pathway for ensuring food safety, meeting environmental sustainability requirements, and meeting consumer preferences for clean-label products. This study systematically evaluated the combined preservation effect of ultrasonic-assisted slightly acidic electrolyzed water (US+SAEW) on mirror carp [...] Read more.
The advancement of non-thermal disinfection technologies represents a critical pathway for ensuring food safety, meeting environmental sustainability requirements, and meeting consumer preferences for clean-label products. This study systematically evaluated the combined preservation effect of ultrasonic-assisted slightly acidic electrolyzed water (US+SAEW) on mirror carp fillets during refrigeration. Results demonstrated that US+SAEW exhibited superior antimicrobial efficacy compared to individual US or SAEW, achieving reductions of 0.73, 0.74, and 0.79 log CFU/g in total viable counts (TVC), Aeromonas bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria counts compared to the control, respectively. Furthermore, the combined intervention significantly suppressed microbial proliferation throughout the refrigeration period while simultaneously delaying protein and lipid degradation/oxidation induced by spoilage bacteria, thereby inhibiting the formation of alkaline nitrogenous compounds. Consequently, lower levels of pH, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), protein carbonyl, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were observed in US+SAEW compared to the other treatments. Multimodal characterization through low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR), texture, and color analysis confirmed that US+SAEW effectively preserved quality characteristics, extending the shelf life of mirror carp fillets by four days. This study provides a novel non-thermal preservation strategy that combines microbial safety maintenance with quality retention, offering particular advantages for thermolabile food. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Muscle Foods Preservation and Packaging Technologies)
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17 pages, 1308 KiB  
Article
Dual-Functional AgNPs/Magnetic Coal Fly Ash Composite for Wastewater Disinfection and Azo Dye Removal
by Lei Gong, Jiaxin Li, Rui Jin, Menghao Li, Jiajie Peng and Jie Zhu
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3155; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153155 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 275
Abstract
In this study, we report the development of a novel magnetized coal fly ash-supported nano-silver composite (AgNPs/MCFA) for dual-functional applications in wastewater treatment: the efficient degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The composite was synthesized via a facile impregnation–reduction–sintering [...] Read more.
In this study, we report the development of a novel magnetized coal fly ash-supported nano-silver composite (AgNPs/MCFA) for dual-functional applications in wastewater treatment: the efficient degradation of methyl orange (MO) dye and broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. The composite was synthesized via a facile impregnation–reduction–sintering route, utilizing sodium citrate as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The AgNPs/MCFA composite was systematically characterized through multiple analytical techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). The results confirmed the uniform dispersion of AgNPs (average size: 13.97 nm) on the MCFA matrix, where the formation of chemical bonds (Ag-O-Si) contributed to the enhanced stability of the material. Under optimized conditions (0.5 g·L−1 AgNO3, 250 °C sintering temperature, and 2 h sintering time), AgNPs/MCFA exhibited an exceptional catalytic performance, achieving 99.89% MO degradation within 15 min (pseudo-first-order rate constant ka = 0.3133 min−1) in the presence of NaBH4. The composite also demonstrated potent antibacterial efficacy against Escherichia coli (MIC = 0.5 mg·mL−1) and Staphylococcus aureus (MIC = 2 mg·mL−1), attributed to membrane disruption, intracellular content leakage, and reactive oxygen species generation. Remarkably, AgNPs/MCFA retained >90% catalytic and antibacterial efficiency after five reuse cycles, enabled by its magnetic recoverability. By repurposing industrial waste (coal fly ash) as a low-cost carrier, this work provides a sustainable strategy to mitigate nanoparticle aggregation and environmental risks while enhancing multifunctional performance in water remediation. Full article
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15 pages, 2439 KiB  
Article
Environmental Microbiome Characteristics and Disinfection Strategy Optimization in Intensive Dairy Farms: Bactericidal Efficacy of Glutaraldehyde-Based Combination Disinfectants and Regulation of Gut Microbiota
by Tianchen Wang, Tao He, Mengqi Chai, Liyan Zhang, Xiangshu Han and Song Jiang
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 707; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080707 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 170
Abstract
As the primary biological risk threatening safe dairy production, bovine mastitis control highly relies on environmental disinfection measures. However, the mechanisms by which chemical disinfectants influence host–environment microbial interactions remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the disinfection efficacy and regulatory effects on microbial [...] Read more.
As the primary biological risk threatening safe dairy production, bovine mastitis control highly relies on environmental disinfection measures. However, the mechanisms by which chemical disinfectants influence host–environment microbial interactions remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the disinfection efficacy and regulatory effects on microbial community composition and diversity of glutaraldehyde-benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and glutaraldehyde-didecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide (DAB) at recommended concentrations (2–5%), using 80 environmental samples from intensive dairy farms in Xinjiang, China. Combining 16S rDNA sequencing with culturomics, the results showed that BAC achieved a disinfection rate of 99.33%, higher than DAB’s 97.87%, and reduced the environment–gut microbiota similarity index by 23.7% via a cationic bacteriostatic film effect. Microbiome analysis revealed that BAC selectively suppressed Fusobacteriota abundance (15.67% reduction) and promoted Bifidobacterium proliferation (7.42% increase), enhancing intestinal mucosal barrier function through butyrate metabolism. In contrast, DAB induced Actinobacteria enrichment in the environment (44.71%), inhibiting pathogen colonization via bioantagonism. BAC’s long-acting bacteriostatic properties significantly reduced disinfection costs and mastitis incidence. This study first elucidated the mechanism by which quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) disinfectants regulate host health through “environment-gut” microbial interactions, providing a critical theoretical basis for developing precision disinfection protocols integrating “cost reduction-efficiency enhancement-risk mitigation.” Full article
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13 pages, 1384 KiB  
Article
Molecular Epidemiology of Brucella spp. in Aborted Livestock in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, China
by Cai Yin, Cong Yang, Yawen Wu, Jing Di, Taotao Bai, Yumei Wang, Yuling Zhang, Longlong Luo, Shuang Zhou, Long Ma, Xiaoliang Wang, Qiaoying Zeng and Zhixin Li
Vet. Sci. 2025, 12(8), 702; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci12080702 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 262
Abstract
Brucellosis is caused by Brucella spp.; it can result in fetal loss and abortion, resulting in economic losses and negative effects on human health. Herein, a cross-sectional study on the epidemiology of Brucella spp. in aborted livestock in Ningxia from 2022 to 2023 [...] Read more.
Brucellosis is caused by Brucella spp.; it can result in fetal loss and abortion, resulting in economic losses and negative effects on human health. Herein, a cross-sectional study on the epidemiology of Brucella spp. in aborted livestock in Ningxia from 2022 to 2023 was conducted. A total of 749 aborted tissue samples from 215 cattle and 534 sheep were collected from farmers who reported abortions that were supported by veterinarians trained in biosecurity. The samples were analyzed using qPCR and were cultured for Brucella spp. when a positive result was obtained; the samples were speciated using AMOS-PCR. MLST and MLVA were employed for genotype identification. The results demonstrated that 8.68% of the samples were identified as being positive for Brucella spp. based on qPCR results. In total, 14 field strains of Brucella spp. were subsequently isolated, resulting in 11 B. melitensis, 2 B. abortus, and 1 B. suis. being identified via AMOS-PCR. Four sequence types were identified via MLST—ST7 and ST8 (B. melitensis), ST2 (B. abortus), and ST14 (B. suis)—with ST8 predominating. Five MLVA-8 genotypes and seven MLVA-11 genotypes were identified, with MLVA-11 GT116 predominating in livestock. Thus, at least three Brucella species are circulating in aborted livestock in Ningxia. This suggests a significant risk of transmission to other animals and humans. Therefore, disinfection and safe treatment procedures for aborted livestock and their products should be carried out to interrupt the transmission pathway; aborted livestock should be examined to determine zoonotic causes and targeted surveillance should be strengthened to improve the early detection of infectious causes, which will be of benefit to the breeding industry and public health security. Full article
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14 pages, 1450 KiB  
Article
Characterization and Complete Genomic Analysis of a Novel Bacteriophage BUCT775 for Acinetobacter baumannii and Its Elimination Efficiency in the Environment
by Yuxuan Liu, Yunfei Huang, Dongxiang Zhu, Lefei Zhang, Jianwei Zhang, Yigang Tong and Mengzhe Li
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7279; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157279 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 211
Abstract
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a range of severe infections and nosocomial outbreaks. Phage-based therapy and biocontrol represent effective strategies to combat the prevalence of A. baumannii. This study reports a novel phage, BUCT775, capable [...] Read more.
Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for a range of severe infections and nosocomial outbreaks. Phage-based therapy and biocontrol represent effective strategies to combat the prevalence of A. baumannii. This study reports a novel phage, BUCT775, capable of specifically lysing A. baumannii, and investigates its physiological properties, genomic characteristics, in vivo therapeutic efficacy, and environmental disinfection performance. Phage BUCT775 is a podovirus that forms clear, well-defined plaques with an average diameter of 2.5 ± 0.52 mm. It exhibits a broad range of temperature stability (4–55 °C) and pH stability (pH 3–12). The optimal multiplicity of infection (MOI) for phage BUCT775 is 0.01. At an MOI of 0.01, it demonstrates a latent period of approximately 10 min and exhibits a high burst size. Genomic sequencing and bioinformatics analysis revealed that phage BUCT775 belongs to the order Caudoviricetes and the family Autographiviridae. Its genome has a G + C content of 39.3% and is not known to contain virulence genes or antibiotic resistance genes. Phage BUCT775 exhibited significant therapeutic effects on A. baumannii-infected G. mellonella larvae, increasing the 120 h survival rate of the larvae by 20%. Additionally, phage BUCT775 efficiently eliminated A. baumannii in the environment, with an average clearance rate exceeding 98% within 3 h. These studies suggest that phage BUCT775 holds significant potential for application in phage therapy and environmental disinfection. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
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13 pages, 1563 KiB  
Article
Activation of Peracetic Acid by Ozone for Recalcitrant Pollutant Degradation: Accelerated Kinetics, Byproduct Mitigation, and Microbial Inactivation
by Dihao Bai, Cong Liu, Siqing Zhang, Huiyu Dong, Lei Sun and Xiangjuan Yuan
Water 2025, 17(15), 2240; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152240 - 28 Jul 2025
Viewed by 292
Abstract
Iopamidol (IPM), as a typical recalcitrant emerging pollutant and precursor of iodinated disinfection by-products (I-DBPs), is unsuccessfully removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. This study comprehensively evaluated the ozone/peracetic acid (O3/PAA) process for IPM degradation, focusing on degradation kinetics, environmental impacts, [...] Read more.
Iopamidol (IPM), as a typical recalcitrant emerging pollutant and precursor of iodinated disinfection by-products (I-DBPs), is unsuccessfully removed by conventional wastewater treatment processes. This study comprehensively evaluated the ozone/peracetic acid (O3/PAA) process for IPM degradation, focusing on degradation kinetics, environmental impacts, transformation products, ecotoxicity, disinfection byproducts (DBPs), and microbial inactivation. The O3/PAA system synergistically activates PAA via O3 to generate hydroxyl radicals (OH) and organic radicals (CH3COO and CH3CO(O)O), achieving an IPM degradation rate constant of 0.10 min−1, which was significantly higher than individual O3 or PAA treatments. The degradation efficiency of IPM in the O3/PAA system exhibited a positive correlation with solution pH, achieving a maximum degradation rate constant of 0.23 min−1 under alkaline conditions (pH 9.0). Furthermore, the process demonstrated strong resistance to interference from coexisting anions, maintaining robust IPM removal efficiency in the presence of common aqueous matrix constituents. Furthermore, quenching experiments revealed OH dominated IPM degradation in O3/PAA system, while the direct oxidation by O3 and R-O played secondary roles. Additionally, based on transformation products (TPs) identification and ECOSAR predictions, the primary degradation pathways were elucidated and the potential ecotoxicity of TPs was systematically assessed. DBPs analysis after chlorination revealed that the O3/PAA (2.5:3) system achieved the lowest total DBPs concentration (99.88 μg/L), representing a 71.5% reduction compared to PAA alone. Amongst, dichloroacetamide (DCAM) dominated the DBPs profile, comprising > 60% of total species. Furthermore, the O3/PAA process achieved rapid 5–6 log reductions of E. coli. and S. aureus within 3 min. These results highlight the dual advantages of O3/PAA in effective disinfection and byproduct control, supporting its application in sustainable wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
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21 pages, 12045 KiB  
Article
Combating Environmental Antimicrobial Resistance Using Bacteriophage Cocktails Targeting β-Lactam-Resistant High-Risk Clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli in Wastewater: A Strategy for Treatment and Reuse
by María D. Zapata-Montoya, Lorena Salazar-Ospina and Judy Natalia Jiménez
Water 2025, 17(15), 2236; https://doi.org/10.3390/w17152236 - 27 Jul 2025
Viewed by 443
Abstract
Wastewater is a hotspot for the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AR); therefore, bacteriophages offer a promising biocontrol alternative to overcome the limitations of conventional disinfection. This study evaluated the efficacy of bacteriophages and cocktails for the biocontrol of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp [...] Read more.
Wastewater is a hotspot for the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AR); therefore, bacteriophages offer a promising biocontrol alternative to overcome the limitations of conventional disinfection. This study evaluated the efficacy of bacteriophages and cocktails for the biocontrol of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CR-Kp) (CG258 and ST307) and Escherichia coli producers of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBL-Ec) (ST131) in simulated wastewater. A synthetic wastewater matrix was prepared in which bacterial viability and bacteriophage stability were assessed for 72 h. CR-Kp or ESBL-Ec strain were treated with individual bacteriophages or phage-cocktails (dosed in different ways) and bacterial loads were monitored for 54 h. The Klebsiella phages FKP3 and FKP14 eliminated 99% (−2.9 Log) of CR-Kp-CG258 at 54 h, and FKP10 reduced 99% (−2.15 Log) of the CR-Kp-ST307 strains. The Klebsiella phage-cocktail in a single dose reduced to 99.99% (−4.12 Log) of the CR-Kp-CG258 at 36 h. Coliphage FEC1 reduced to 2.12 Log (99%) of ESBL-Ec-blaCTX-M-G9, and FEC2 and FEC4 reduced approximately 1 Log (90%) of ESBL-Ec-blaCTX-M-G9 and blaCTX-M-G1. The coliphage cocktail increased the reduction up to 2.2 Logarithms. This study provides evidence supporting the use of bacteriophage cocktails for the control of resistant bacteria in wastewater, a sustainable intervention to mitigate the spread of AR and support water reuse safety. Full article
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