Search Results (305)

Emerging research highlights the complex interplay between the gut microbiome, skin health, and environmental exposures, forming what is now recognized as the gut–skin–exposome axis. This narrative review explores the role of gut microbiome dysbiosis—a disruption in the balance of intestinal microorganisms—in the pathogenesis and progression of various non-communicable inflammatory skin diseases, including acne, atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, rosacea, systemic lupus erythematosus, chronic spontaneous urticaria, hidradenitis suppurativa, and alopecia areata. This review synthesizes mechanistic studies, clinical trials, and Mendelian randomization data to elucidate how altered gut microbial composition contributes to systemic and cutaneous inflammation. Key modifiable factors, such as diet, antibiotics, stress, and sleep, as well as interventions like probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, are discussed for their potential therapeutic value. By integrating clinical insights with microbiome science, this review underscores the importance of a holistic, systems-based approach in managing inflammatory skin diseases, offering clinicians evidence-based strategies to improve patient outcomes through gut microbiome modulation. Full article

Salmonellosis is a global foodborne pathogen with zoonotic importance that seriously threatens livestock breeding and human health. Due to the implementation of an anti-resistance policy, probiotics as an alternative to antibiotics have attracted widespread attention. In this study, the widely used probiotic Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN) was selected to study its protective effect on mice infected with Salmonella typhimurium. Two mice groups (n = 15) were treated with either EcN and PBS. Flow cytometry showed that the frequency of mature dendritic cells in the Peyer’s patch was significantly increased compared to the PBS group. Previous administration of EcN protected against challenge with Salmonella typhimurium infection as an increased survival rate of the mice, a decreased degree of pathological changes, and the number of live bacteria in the spleen and liver were recorded compared to the control group. The results of 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing of fecal microbial flora showed that EcN could reduce the abundance of microorganisms in the intestine and reduce the proportion of Lactobacillus, while Ruminococcaceae sp., Rikenella sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. disappeared. In contrast, the abundance of Bacteroides increased, which reduced the effect of Salmonella typhimurium on the distribution of intestinal microorganisms. Our results demonstrated that EcN has a protective effect against Salmonella typhimurium infection and may act as a candidate probiotic bacterium to apply in the future. Full article

Large wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are increasingly supplemented with quaternary treatment. Classical monitoring hereby relies mostly on the measurement of oxygen demand, micropollutants and the nutrients phosphorus and nitrogen. From a microbiological perspective, relevant parameters to assess treatment performance include the removal efficacies of the fecal gene load as a proxy of pathogenic risk, antibiotic resistance genes and the bacterial regrowth potential. For this purpose, a combination of flow cytometry and quantitative PCR, together with a viability assessment, was applied to characterize a full-scale pilot plant. The pilot plant comprised conventional treatment and MBR and ozonation for advanced treatment. The assessment of fecal gene load was based on the quantification of Bacteroidales of human origin, as these obligate anaerobic bacteria cannot replicate within wastewater treatment plants. Whereas conventional treatment resulted in only moderate removal of these parameters, quaternary treatment typically led to a much stronger decrease. MBR treatment contributed most strongly to the removal with an appr. 6 log reduction compared to the primary clarification effluent, corroborating its microbiological merit for wastewater treatment. In addition to removing microorganisms and their genetic content, data also suggested a 95% reduction in extracellular DNA. Ozonation further enhanced microbiological removal. From an analytical perspective, the study shows the added value of using a long amplicon qPCR approach together with sample treatment with a viability dye to minimize false-positive signals and to avoid underestimation of treatment performance. The chosen diagnostic approach shows promise in assessing the microbiological treatment efficacy of WWTPs and as a basis to decide on the microbiological necessity of treatment upgrades. Full article

The present study examined for the first time the effect of native yeasts on the fermentation of artisanal Spondias purpurea L., wine produced in Santa Elena, Ecuador. To achieve this goal, three inoculation strategies were compared: a mixed culture containing Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Candida spp. (CLX), commercial S. cerevisiae (CL), and a spontaneous fermentation without added inoculum (SL). Five yeast isolates were identified from the fermentations, four belonging to Candida spp. and one to Kloeckera spp., using microbiological and biochemical methods. The CLX treatment showed the greatest yeast proliferation on PDA plates (2.7 × 10⁶ CFU/mL) and yielded the highest levels of higher alcohols, while the CL treatment produced the highest ethanol (3.72% ABV) and glycerol content (0.46%). All treatments were free of total and fecal coliforms, and their pH values (2.49–2.56) satisfied the requirements of the current Ecuadorian standard for wine production NTE INEN 374. Residual glucose content was specifically quantified using an enzymatic colorimetric (GOD-POD) assay, confirming the dry character of the wines. Molecular analysis of the final preparation obtained from the variant corresponding to the spontaneous fermentation without inoculum (SL) confirmed the presence of Hanseniaspora spp. (Kloeckera spp.), Diutina rugosa (C. rugosa), C. zeylanoides and Pichia kudriavzevii, after the obtained PCR amplicons using ITS1 and ITS4 were subjected to a blast analysis. Sensory evaluation by panelists (n = 15) favored the CLX wine, particularly for aroma and flavor attributes. The final glucose content reached a low value of 0.28 g/L, indicative of an extremely dry wine, with almost no fermentable sugar. Due to the lack of information related to wines produced from Spondias purpurea L., this study could contribute to a better understanding of the biological behavior and biodiversity of the microorganisms present in this fermentation process. These findings will help to improve wine regionality production, supporting the potential application of native regional yeasts in Spondias purpurea L. wine biotechnology. Full article

Freshwater scarcity is a major global issue faced by various regions, and the most common portable water sources globally are estuaries, canals, dams, lakes, and rivers. Existing water resources function as the best sinks for the frequent release of effluents from industrial and residential activities. This common practice often results in water pollution, a deterioration in marine biodiversity, and possible health risks for human populations. This study employed standard analytical methods in assessing the physicochemical and microbial characteristics of water samples collected from the Sundays River estuary in Eastern Cape Province (ECP), South Africa (SA). Microbiological assessment revealed that during the spring season, presumptive Escherichia coli (E. coli) colony counts were 1 cfu/100 mL, while total coliforms (TCs) and fecal coliforms (FCs) were recorded at 42.67 cfu/100 mL and 1 cfu/100 mL, respectively. In the summer season, fecal coliform (FC) counts reached 3.5 cfu/100 mL, while Enterococcus levels were higher, ranging up to 77.75 cfu/100 mL. Furthermore, the average standards of physicochemical parameters assessed in water obtained from both spring and summer seasons ranged as follows: pH (8.71–9.31), temperature (20.98–22.21 °C), turbidity (10–35.55 FNU), total alkalinity (22.25–94.00 mg/L), oxidation–reduction potential (ORP) (8.05–151.6 mV), electrical conductivity (EC) (13,915–40,260 uS/cm), salinity (8.07–25.78 psu), dissolved oxygen (DO) (6.79–7.39 mg/L), total dissolved solids (TDSs) (6960.6–20,125 mg/L), and biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (0.11–2.94 mg/L). The levels of TDS, EC, turbidity, and salinity in the Sundays River estuary water exceeded the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines of 2017, rendering the water unfit for even recreational purposes. Additionally, the bacterial levels identified in this study were above the values set by the South Africa Department of Water Affairs (SA-DWAF). The identified microorganisms are perceived as essential indicators of fecal contamination and have the potential to multiply in the environment. Possible pollution may be a result of various municipal effluents consistently discharged into the waterbody. Full article

The gut microbiota plays a key role in the health of wild birds, reflecting the influence of diet, habitat, and social behavior. Migratory and highly gregarious species such as the yellow-headed blackbird (Xanthocephalus xanthocephalus) provide valuable opportunities to explore host–microbe–environment interactions within a One Health framework. During migration, birds are exposed to diverse environments and dietary sources, which can promote highly diverse intestinal microbial communities and facilitate transient acquisition of environmental microorganisms. Here, we present the first taxonomic characterization of the fecal bacterial microbiota of X. xanthocephalus in northern Mexico based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing of the V3–V4 region. In addition, we performed a conservative screening to assess whether any bacterial taxa tentatively assigned at the species level have been previously reported as human pathogens or as having potential zoonotic relevance. Fecal samples were collected noninvasively from communal roosts within an urban–agricultural landscape of the Comarca Lagunera region during a winter season. A highly diverse bacterial community (39 phyla, 369 families, and 1195 bacterial species) was identified. Firmicutes_D, Actinobacteriota, and Campylobacterota were the dominant phyla. Among the bacterial taxa tentatively assigned at the species level, only three have been reported to exhibit zoonotic potential in the literature; however, none corresponded to avian-adapted pathogens or bacterial species historically associated with major zoonotic outbreaks, and all were detected at very low relative abundances. Overall, our findings establish an initial microbiological baseline for X. xanthocephalus and underscore the role of migratory birds as indicators of environmental microbial dynamics rather than direct sources of zoonotic risk in semiarid regions of northern Mexico. Full article

This study examined how different photoperiods affect net energy partitioning and explored the mechanisms via blood biochemistry, gut microbiota, and fecal metabolites. Twelve healthy crossbred pigs (47.7 ± 7.5 kg) were randomly allocated to two groups and subjected to a self-controlled crossover design. Following an 8-day baseline under a normal photoperiod (12L:12D, 12 h light:12 h dark), pigs were assigned to two photoperiod treatment groups: prolonged photoperiod (18L:6D, 18 h light:6 h dark; P group) and shortened photoperiod (6L:18D, 6 h light:18 h dark; S group). Measurements during the baseline (12L:12D) and treatment phases are designated as N1/P (for the P group) and N2/S (for the S group), respectively. The treatment periods were interspersed with the baseline 12L:12D photoperiod and repeated six times. It was observed that, compared to N2, shortened photoperiod (S) had significantly higher net energy deposition, net energy for protein deposition, and net energy for fat deposition (p < 0.05). Compared with N2, plasma low-density lipoprotein in short photoperiod decreased (p < 0.05), and gastric inhibitory peptides increased (p < 0.05). Compared to the prolonged photoperiod, the levels of ghrelin and apolipoprotein A-IV were higher in the shortened photoperiod (p < 0.05). A shortened photoperiod decreased fecal acetic acid compared to N2 (p < 0.05) and decreased propionic acids compared to P (p < 0.05). The significance test of differences between microbial groups showed that there were different microorganisms among the different groups. The results indicated that shortening the photoperiod significantly altered the energy allocation in growing pigs. Full article

This study evaluated whether body size could serve as a quality and traceability marker for cage-reared butter catfish (Ompok bimaculatus) from the Pak Phanang Basin, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand, in support of Geographical Indication (GI) certification. Fish were classified into three commercial size grades—small (12–15 fish/kg), medium (6–10 fish/kg), and large (3–5 fish/kg)—corresponding to fish harvested after 6, 8, and 12 months of rearing, respectively, with mean body weight and total length of 75 ± 7 g and 19.8 ± 1.1 cm (small), 120 ± 9 g and 25.8 ± 2.1 cm (medium), and 260 ± 10 g and 32.2 ± 2.8 cm (large). Dorsal muscle samples were comparatively analyzed to assess size-related differences in physicochemical properties, nutritional composition, and microbiological quality. Proximate analysis showed that moisture, lipid, ash, and total energy contents increased significantly with fish size (p < 0.05), whereas protein and carbohydrate contents did not differ significantly among size groups (p > 0.05). Small fish exhibited slightly higher muscle pH (7.02 ± 0.18) than medium and large fish (6.65 ± 0.11 to 6.66 ± 0.25) (p < 0.05). Flesh color was characterized by a pale whitish to slightly yellow appearance with high lightness (L*; p < 0.05), while redness (a*) and yellowness (b*) did not differ significantly among size groups (p > 0.05). Mineral composition varied with size, with large fish containing significantly higher levels of calcium and magnesium (p < 0.05). Amino acid profiling identified 17 amino acids, including eight essential amino acids (EAA) and nine non-essential amino acids (NEAA), with EAA being more abundant in large fish—particularly leucine and lysine—indicating improved protein quality, while NEAA were dominated by glutamic and aspartic acids across all size groups. Fatty acid analysis revealed higher proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and greater unsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid (UFA/SFA) ratios (1.7–1.8) in medium and large fish. Microbiological assessment showed a decrease in total viable counts with increasing fish size, while Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella spp. were not detected in any size group, as these microorganisms are commonly used as key hygiene and food-safety indicators in fish products (E. coli for fecal/handling hygiene, S. aureus for human-handling contamination, and Salmonella spp. as a major foodborne pathogen). Overall, body size was associated with consistent variations in physicochemical characteristics, nutritional composition, and microbial quality of Pak Phanang Basin butter catfish. These findings provide baseline compositional and safety markers that can support product specification development and GI documentation. Full article

A growing body of evidence indicates that the gut microbiota has a role in the mating preference process in mammals. This likely occurs through the modulation of various mating signals induced by symbiotic bacteria, thereby leading to variations in mating behavior. Given that giant pandas are solitary wild animals that rely on chemical signals for mate selection, it is relevant to explore whether the mating behavior of giant pandas is also affected by the gut microbiota. We hypothesize that antibiotic treatment-induced residual antibiotic resistance genes in captive giant pandas may disrupt intestinal microbiota homeostasis, diminish the abundance of beneficial microorganisms involved in short-chain fatty acid synthesis, and consequently impair nervous system function via the gut–brain axis. The ensuing physiological stress is likely to suppress innate mating behavior and compromise pheromone synthesis, thereby reducing an individual’s attractiveness to potential mates. To answer this question, we utilize fecal metagenomics technology to analyze the differences in gut microbes and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) between captive male adult giant pandas displaying natural versus non-natural mating behavior. The research findings suggest that, when compared with captive adult male giant pandas demonstrating natural mating behavior, those with non-natural mating behavior exhibit a significantly reduction in the abundance of beneficial gut microorganisms (s_Clostridium sp. and f_Ruminococcaceae) (p < 0.05). Concurrently, there is a significantly increase in the observed resistance genes tetO and mgtA, which are mainly associated with macrolide and tetracycline resistance (p < 0.05). Furthermore, Kegg functional analysis reveals a significant up-regulation of metabolic pathways related to sensory systems, such as taste and olfactory transduction, in the intestines of captive adult male giant pandas showing natural mating behavior. These results imply that changes in the abundance of gut microbiota and ARGs are correlated with the manifestation of natural mating behavior in captive adult male giant pandas. Consequently, to improve the success rate of natural reproduction within the male giant panda populations in captive environments, it is advisable to administer antibiotics judiciously and closely monitor the composition of beneficial bacteria in their gut microbiota. The findings of this study provide novel perspectives on the mechanisms by which captive conditions affect the decline in natural mating behavior observed in adult male giant pandas. Full article

Liquid digestate, a by-product of excess sludge in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), contains high concentrations of organic matter and essential nutrients that could promote plant growth. However, it also contains a significant number of pathogenic and opportunistic pathogenic microorganisms, which present major challenges in terms of its safe application. A sample taken from WWTP “Kubratovo” was treated using plasma devices. The aim was to evaluate the effect of treatment by two types of plasma sources on the content of pathogenic bacteria as well as the chemical composition of the liquid digestate. The Surfaguide plasma source demonstrated a higher disinfection effectiveness (100% for E. coli, Clostridium sp.; over 99% for fecal and total coliforms; 98% for Salmonella sp.). The β-device effectively removed (100%) the following groups: E. coli and Clostridium sp. However, its effectiveness was significantly lower for the other groups. The obtained results show that plasma treatment induces the transformation of nitrogen and phosphorus compounds, resulting in increased nitrite and phosphate concentrations. The application of cold atmospheric plasma disinfection significantly improved the sanitary and compositional characteristics of the liquid digestate. The Surfaguide achieved significantly better results than the β-device, confirming its suitability for sustainable resource recovery and safe agricultural use. Full article

The Leizhou goat is a vital indigenous breed, yet its disease resilience can complicate early health monitoring. The white blood cell (WBC) count is a key indicator of immune status, but its relationship with the gut microbiota remains uncharacterized in this breed. This study aimed to characterize the fecal microbiota of Hainan black goats stratified based on their WBC counts. The goats were stratified into Lower, Middle, and High WBC groups based on peripheral WBC counts to compare their fecal microbiota and identify potential associations with systemic immunity. Significant differences in microbial alpha- and be-ta-diversity were observed among the groups, with the High WBC group showing the greatest richness. The microbiota was dominated by Bacillota and Bacteroidota at the phylum level. Linear discriminant analysis Effect Size (LEfSe) identified specific taxa en-riched in each group, such as Ruminococcusin the High WBC group. Critically, Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated significant positive correlations between WBC counts and the relative abundance of genera like unclassified_f_Oscillospiraceae and unclassi-fied_c_Clostridia. These findings demonstrate that WBC counts are significantly associated with distinct shifts in the gut microbial community structure of Hainan black goats. The identified WBC-associated microbial biomarkers suggest a link between the gut microbi-ome and host immune regulation, providing a foundation for future research on microbi-ota-mediated health assessment in goats. Full article

Cheese is a complex fermented dairy food containing bioactive nutrients and microorganisms that can influence host physiology. However, most existing evidence of its health effects derives from observational studies or investigations of isolated components rather than the whole food matrix. The present study examined the impact of low-fat Cheddar cheese as a whole food on the gut microbiota using a human microbiota–associated (HMA) mouse model. Germ-free C57BL/6 mice were colonized with human fecal microbiota and randomly assigned to either a control diet or a diet supplemented with low-fat Cheddar cheese (7.5% w/w) for six weeks. Fecal samples were collected longitudinally and analyzed by 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 region) amplicon sequencing. Human microbiota transplantation successfully established a stable, human-like gut microbial community in the mice. Cheese supplementation significantly increased alpha diversity (Shannon and Chao1 indices) and altered microbial composition, characterized by a higher relative abundance of Firmicutes and a reduction in Bacteroidetes (p < 0.001). At the genus level, Lactococcus and Streptococcus were enriched in cheese-fed mice, reflecting potential viable transfer of cheese-derived lactic acid bacteria. These findings provide experimental evidence that low-fat Cheddar cheese can beneficially influence the human-derived gut microbiota in an animal model and highlight the need for further clinical research to validate these effects in humans. Full article

Background. The establishment and diversity of the gut microbiota during early childhood are fundamental for immune regulation and metabolic processes, with factors such as prematurity, delivery method, antibiotic treatment, and breastfeeding significantly impacting microbiome development and potential health outcomes. Objectives/Methods. This comparative study examined the gut microbiota composition in children aged 6–8 and 9–12 months, born via spontaneous labor at ≥38 weeks’ gestation, who either did not receive antibacterial therapy or required beta-lactam antibiotics. The composition of the colonic microbiota was analyzed in these fecal samples using a quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Results. Significant differences in microbiota composition were observed between groups. Children treated with antibiotics exhibited a statistically significant reduction in alpha diversity indices (Shannon and Simpson), along with decreased colonization of key functionally important microorganisms, including obligate anaerobic bacteria such as Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Clostridium leptum, Bacteroides spp., and metabolically active Bifidobacteria (B. bifidum, B. breve, B. longum). Conclusions. These microbiota alterations may adversely affect child health by diminishing microbial balance and functional potential, especially during this critical period of immune and metabolic development. The decline in anti-inflammatory, short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria elevates the risk for allergic, atopic, dysbiotic, and metabolic conditions. Recognizing these impacts underscores the importance of strategies to supports microbiota restoration after antibiotic use, such as probiotics, prebiotics, and dietary interventions. Further research should focus on microbiota recovery dynamics to facilitate early intervention and optimize pediatric health outcomes. Overall, understanding antibiotic effects on gut microbiota can guide more judicious treatment approaches, reducing long-term health risks. Full article

This study investigated the effects of Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) supplementation on microbiota and metabolites in the feces of Leizhou goats. Eight Leizhou goats were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design according to their gender (nanny goats and billy goats) with a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments that included four B. subtilis additive doses (control [0 g/d; NC, BC], low [2.5 g/d, NL, BL], medium [5 g/d, NM, BM], and high [7.5 g/d, NH, BH]) and 28 d periods (n = 4 per group), each consisting of 27 d adaption and 1 d sample collection. After collecting 32 fecal samples, 16S rRNA gene sequencing and LC-MS were performed to analyze microbial composition and metabolites, respectively. At the genus level, the relative abundance of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the NM group than in the NC group. The relative abundance of Treponema sp. was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the NM group than in the NC group. In billy goats, the relative abundances of UCG-005 and Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the BH group than in the BC group. The relative abundance of Treponema sp. was significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the BL, BM, and BH groups than in the BC group. Furthermore, metabolomic analysis revealed that B. subtilis significantly altered the concentrations of glucose metabolism modulators (1-deoxynojirimycin, 1-DNJ) and certain bioactive peptides. Many amino acid metabolic pathways were also enriched. Correlation analysis demonstrated close connections between differential metabolites and the top 10 bacterial genera in fecal samples. These results provide new insights into the impact of B. subtilis on the microbial community and metabolic profile of the feces of Leizhou goats. In this experiment, the appropriate doses of B. subtilis for nanny goats and billy goats were 5 g/d and 7.5 g/d, respectively, but the optimal doses still need to be verified based on performance-based feeding tests in the next study. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Bacillus subtilis C-3102 (CAL) on the laying performance, follicular development, and cecal microorganisms of breeder geese. The experiment was conducted at a goose farm in Lu’an City, Anhui Province, from April to December 2024. A total of 5965 geese (male-to-female ratio of 1:4.75) were used and divided into three groups with CAL supplementation levels of 0 ppm, 60 ppm, and 100 ppm. Changes in laying performance, serum hormones, follicle number, and fecal microorganisms were analyzed. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the total number of eggs laid in the 100 ppm BS group increased by 2.77 eggs (p < 0.05), and the number of graded follicles was significantly increased by 78.2% (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in serum reproductive hormones among all groups (p > 0.05). Microbial analysis revealed that the 100 ppm CAL group had a significantly higher abundance of Firmicutes, with enrichment of the genera Bacillus and Lactococcus. Additionally, the relative abundance of Bacillus was significantly positively correlated with the level of intestinal secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) (p < 0.05). However, the egg weight and egg shape index in the 60 ppm CAL group were significantly lower than those in the other groups (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference in hatching rate among all groups (p > 0.05). This study indicated that CAL has precise application value in the green breeding of breeder geese. It is recommended to add CAL at a dose of 100 ppm, which can improve the laying performance and optimize the follicular development of breeder geese by enhancing intestinal microecology and mucosal immune function. The results provide a direct theoretical basis and practical reference for the scientific application of CAL in breeder goose breeding. Full article