Search Results (475)

Q Fever is a zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii that affects domestic and wild ruminants, leading to reproductive disorders. In humans, the disease can manifest with acute and chronic clinical manifestations. Veterinarians, as healthcare professionals in close contact with animals, serve both as the first line of defence in preventing infection at the animal–human interface and as an important sentinel group for the rapid detection of outbreaks. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge, perception, and attitude of veterinarians in Southern Spain regarding Q Fever. To this end, an online survey was designed, validated, and conducted among veterinarians in the province of Malaga, with a final participation of 97 individuals, predominantly from the private sector (clinic, livestock, agri-food, etc.). The data obtained reflected a general lack of knowledge about the disease, particularly concerning its epidemiology and infection prevention. Regarding perception and attitude, a significant percentage of respondents stated they did not use protective equipment when handling susceptible animals and only sought information about the disease in response to outbreak declarations. The study emphasised the significance of promoting training in zoonotic diseases during and after graduation, the relevance of official channels in occupational risk prevention, and the utility of epidemiological surveys as a tool to identify and address potential gaps in knowledge related to this disease. Full article

Infectious disease outbreaks amplify the influence of stressors on psychological conditions. The purpose of this study was to analyze the disturbing influence of COVID-19 outbreak-related information and the influence of trust on the Serbian healthcare system and COVID-19 preventive measures on anxiety and depression. An anonymous online questionnaire assessing the demographic information, disturbance level and causes, and levels of anxiety and depression has been distributed to the participants, divided into student and non-student groups. The non-student group was further divided into healthcare, military, and education workers. Anxiety and depression levels, as well as the level of decreased trust in COVID-19-related preventive measures, were higher among students compared to non-students (p = 0.011). Higher anxiety and depression levels, and higher influence of the COVID-19 outbreak on those levels, were observed in education and healthcare workers, compared to military personnel. Medical doctors reported a higher level of trust in the healthcare system compared to nurses (p = 0.023). Trust in the healthcare system increased more frequently compared to the pre-vaccination period among medical doctors, compared to nurses (p = 0.040). Higher anxiety and depression and lower public trust levels in students and workers in education and the healthcare sector indicate a need to focus on these important society members during public health emergencies. Full article

Background: Despite ongoing global elimination efforts, measles remains a persistent public health threat. Methods: This retrospective observational study examines trends in crude measles incidence and vaccination coverage from 1948 to 2024 in the northern region of Serbia—Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (AP Vojvodina)—which accounts for 26.9% of the national population. This study further explores measles vaccination coverage across the province’s seven districts, along with the number of reported measles cases, age distribution, and vaccination status of affected individuals from 2000 to 2024. Data were obtained from official annual immunization records maintained by public health institutions within the framework of Serbia’s national mandatory immunization program. Results: A notable resurgence of measles occurred in Serbia during 2017–2018, following a decline in vaccination coverage. In AP Vojvodina, outbreaks were recorded in 2007, 2014–2015, and 2017–2018, predominantly affecting unvaccinated children and adults aged 20–39 years. Since 2019, the measles incidence has significantly declined. During the 2018 outbreak, the highest incidence was observed among children aged 1–4 years (40.6 per 100,000), followed by infants under 1 year (17.3 per 100,000) and adults aged 20–39 years (12.5 per 100,000). An analysis of the data from 2000 to 2024 revealed substantial age- and dose-related differences in measles incidence, particularly among unvaccinated individuals, those who had received one or two doses of a measles-containing vaccine (MCV), and those with unknown vaccination status. During the 2017–2018 epidemic, unvaccinated children under 1 year and those aged 1–4 years were the most affected. A marked increase in cases among single-dose recipients was noted in 2018, especially in adults aged 20–39 years (9.5%) and those ≥40 years (13.5%). A considerable proportion of measles cases in these age groups had unknown vaccination status: 33.1% among individuals aged 20–39 years and 18.2% among those aged ≥ 40 years. Epidemiological investigation linked the 2007 and 2014–2015 outbreaks in AP Vojvodina to importations from Bosnia and Herzegovina. No specific source was identified for the 2017–2018 outbreak, suggesting possible endemic transmission. Conclusions: These findings underscore the impact of fluctuating vaccination coverage on measles resurgence. Sustaining high two-dose MCV coverage, strengthening routine immunization programs, enhancing surveillance systems, and ensuring timely outbreak preparedness are critical measures for achieving effective measles control. Full article

Monkeypox virus (Mpox) has recently drawn global attention due to outbreaks beyond its traditional endemic regions. Understanding the immune response to Mpox infection is essential for improving disease management and guiding vaccine development. In this study, we used several machine learning algorithms to analyze time series gene expression data from macaques infected with Mpox, aiming to uncover key immune-related genes involved in different stages of infection. The dataset covered early infection, late infection, and rechallenge phases. We applied nine feature ranking methods to analyze the feature importance, obtaining nine feature lists. Then, the incremental feature selection method was applied to each list to extract key genes and build efficient prediction models and classification rules for each list. This procedure employed twelve classification algorithms and the Synthetic Minority Oversampling Technique. Key genes—such as CD19, MS4A1, and TLR10—were repeatedly identified from multiple feature lists, and are known to play vital roles in B-cell activation, antibody production, and innate immunity. Furthermore, we identified several novel key genes (HS3ST1, SPAG16, and MTARC2) that have not been reported previously. These findings offer valuable insights into the host immune response and highlight potential molecular targets for monitoring and intervention in Mpox infections. Full article

The discovery that the Oropouche virus (OROV) can be transmitted vertically from an infected pregnant mother to the fetus, resulting in fetal and placental OROV infection, miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital malformations including microcephaly, has emphasized its public health significance. Because of the importance of breastfeeding in those areas affected by the Oropouche fever outbreak, public health agencies have continued to encourage nursing among mothers who have had OROV infection or who reside or travel in endemic regions. However, the basis for this recommendation has not been stated. At the present time, there have been no reports of the OROV being transmitted from mothers having had Oropouche fever during pregnancy to their infants through breast milk. To further evaluate the potential risk of OROV transmission through breastfeeding, we have examined the peer-reviewed literature to determine if related Orthobunyavirus species infecting humans and animals are transmissible via breast milk. Bibliographic search engines, including PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, were extensively reviewed using keywords, MeSH terms, and other sources cited in the articles examined. Studies investigating Orthobunyavirus species that infect humans and animals, including reassortant strains of OROV and viruses within the Simbu serogroup, were reviewed. We found that there have been no reported events of vertical transmission of any Orthobunyavirus through breast milk. Based on these results, we believe that the advantages of breastfeeding following maternal OROV infection outweigh any negligible risk for vertical transmission. Full article

Polyphenols show promising application prospects as a novel natural disinfectant for drinking water. This study employed a simulated pipe network system to investigate the effects of tea polyphenols at an initial concentration of 5 mg/L on the characteristics of biofilm on pipe walls and microbial community succession patterns under different water ages (12–48 h). The results showed that with increasing water age, the tea polyphenol residual concentration gradually decreased, and the biofilm structure significantly evolved: the surface roughness increased from 5.57 nm to 32.8 nm, and the biofilm thickness increased from 40 nm to 150 nm. Microbial community diversity exhibited a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, with the Shannon index reaching its peak (2.847) at a water age of 36 h and remaining significantly higher than the control group (1.336) at all stages. High-throughput sequencing revealed a transition from a single dominant genus of Methylophilus (54.41%) at a water age of 12 h to a multi-genus coexistence pattern at a water age of 48 h, with Methylophilus (24.33%), unclassified_Saprospiraceae (21.70%), and Hydrogenophaga (16.52%) as the main dominant groups. Functional bacterial groups exhibited temporal changes, with biofilm colonization-related genera (Caulobacter, Sphingobium) reaching their peaks at 36 h, while special metabolic genera (Methylophilus, Hydrogenophaga) dominated at 48 h. Potential pathogens in the tea polyphenol treatment groups were effectively controlled at low levels (<0.21%), except for a temporary increase in Legionella (6.50%) at 36 h. Tea polyphenols’ selective inhibition mechanism helps suppress the excessive proliferation of specific genera and reduces the risk of potential pathogen outbreaks. This has important implications for ensuring the microbiological safety of drinking water. Full article

Yellow fever is a viral disease with historical importance since epidemics caused thousands of deaths at the end of the 19th century in Argentina. That event was associated with the presence of Aedes aegypti. After the mosquito eradication in South America in the 1960–1970 decade, no epidemic was detected related to this species but epizootics have occurred due to sylvatic vectors belonging to Haemagogus and Sabethes genera. Due to the recolonization of Ae. aegypti and its expanded distribution, the risk of the urbanization of yellow fever has increased over time. However, the reasons why the urban cycle of the yellow fever virus (YFV) has not occurred in South America so far are unknown. We explore the vector competence of Ae. aegypti for YFV transmission. The mosquitos evaluated belonged to colonies from center and northwest cities from Argentina, taking into account the particular genetic features of this mosquito species detected in this country from 2016. We used a viral strain originally isolated in 2009 from Sabethes albiprivus in the country. Viral infection in mosquito body, legs, and saliva was evaluated to estimate the rates of infection, dissemination, and transmission. Our results indicate that both mosquito colonies are competent vectors in the transmission of the YFV but with differences between them. Regarding the infection timeline, we observed a very early infection in the La Plata colony at 3 DPI in contrast to previous studies. This research improves our understanding of the risks of urban YFV transmission in Argentina, highlighting the need for surveillance and specialized vector control strategies in urban settings to prevent yellow fever outbreaks. Full article

The increasing global demand for seafood underscores the necessity for sustainable aquaculture practices. However, several challenges, including rising operational costs, variable environmental conditions, and the threat of disease outbreaks, impede progress in this field. This review explores the transformative role of the Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT) in mitigating these challenges. We analyse current research on AIoT applications in aquaculture, with a strong emphasis on the use of IoT sensors for real-time data collection and AI algorithms for effective data analysis. Our focus areas include monitoring water quality, implementing smart feeding strategies, detecting diseases, analysing fish behaviour, and employing automated counting techniques. Nevertheless, several research gaps remain, particularly regarding the integration of AI in broodstock management, the development of multimodal AI systems, and challenges regarding model generalization. Future advancements in AIoT should prioritise real-time adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability while emphasizing the importance of multimodal systems, advanced biosensing capabilities, and digital twin technologies. In conclusion, while AIoT presents substantial opportunities for enhancing aquaculture practices, successful implementation will depend on overcoming challenges related to scalability, cost, and technical expertise, improving models’ adaptability, and ensuring environmental sustainability. Full article

Educational farms provide students with hands-on experience in agricultural and animal practices. However, the close contact between humans and farm animals creates a significant interface for zoonotic disease transmission, yet research on infectious diseases in such settings remains limited. This study investigates the ongoing spillovers of human-origin influenza A virus (IAV) into swine at an educational farm in central Chile, describing IAV prevalence, outbreak dynamics, and the genomic characterization of detected strains. The Menesianos educational farm, located in Melipilla, central Chile, houses approximately 40 swine alongside other domestic animals, such as horses and cows. As part of an active IAV surveillance project, monthly nasal swab samples were collected from pigs between June 2019 and September 2023 for IAV detection via RT-qPCR targeting the M gene, with positive samples subsequently sequenced. During the study period, monthly IAV prevalence ranged from 0% to 52.5%, with a notable outbreak detected between May and June 2023. The outbreak lasted 5 weeks, peaking at 52.5% prevalence during week 3. Nine IAV strains were isolated over the study period, eight of which were obtained during weeks 2 and 3 of the outbreak. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all strains were closely related to the pandemic H1N1 2009 influenza virus, with the closest related strains being those circulating in humans in Chile during the same years. These findings highlight the importance of conducting regular IAV surveillance on educational farms, where close interactions between animals and individuals—particularly children and young people—can facilitate viral spillovers and potential reverse zoonosis events. Full article

Insects often encounter starvation stress, especially during invasion spread or population outbreaks. The fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), is an important invasive pest in China, and the starvation resistance of its larvae determines population spread and resulting outbreak threat. In this study, we investigated the starvation resistance of H. cunea larvae and the effects of starvation stress on their life history and adult fitness. Larval starvation resistance increased along with the instar stage, and the second-day sixth instar molt was critical for starvation resistance. The response to starvation stress was reflected in multiple biological indicators observed in H. cunea. Complete food deprivation reduced the pupation survival rate of sixth instar larvae, prolonged their developmental duration, reduced pupal and adult body mass, shortened adult forewing length and lifespan, and reduced female egg production. The sixth instar larvae showed a certain ability to recover after refeeding. However, negative impacts of the starvation period on larval life history traits, such as pupation survival rate, pupal and adult body mass, adult longevity, and fecundity, were still observed even after refeeding, and the effects of refeeding were affected by larval starvation duration and refeeding mode. These results suggested that H. cunea larvae were highly resistant to starvation, that starvation stress negatively affected their larval life history and adult fitness, and that the pattern of the effects of post-starvation refeeding on larval and adult fitness was related to the duration of starvation and the refeeding mode. The results of this study offer important insights into understanding the physiological response mechanisms of invasive insects under starvation stress. Full article

Background: Citrobacter freundii (CFC) and Enterobacter cloacae (ECLC) species complexes represent important causes of hospital-associated infections, frequently are related to outbreaks, and have a great ability to develop antimicrobial resistance. We evaluated a large collection of CFC and ECLC isolates with decreased susceptibility to broad-spectrum cephalosporins (Ceph-DS) from United States (US) hospitals. Methods: A total of 43,325 Enterobacterales (1/patient) were collected in 2019–2023 and susceptibility tested by broth microdilution; among those, 5106 (11.8%) were CFC (n = 1374) or ECLC (n = 3732). Ceph-DS CFC (n = 379) and ECLC isolates (n = 1065), defined as isolates with ceftazidime MICs ≥ 16 mg/L and/or cefepime MICs ≥ 2 mg/L, were screened for β-lactamase genes by whole genome sequencing. Results: The most common ESBLs were CTX-M type (n = 98; 47.6% of ESBL producers), SHV type (n = 94; 45.6%), and OXA type (n = 78; 37.9%); ≥2 ESBLs were identified in 65 isolates (31.6%), mainly OXA-1/30 plus a CTX-M. A carbapenemase was identified in 55 of 64 (85.9%) carbapenem-resistant (CB-R) isolates, including KPC type (40 isolates; 62.5% of CB-R) and NDM-1 (16; 23.4% of CB-R). Aztreonam–avibactam was active against 99.6% of Ceph-DS and 100.0% of ESBL producers and CB-R isolates, including NDM producers. Ceftazidime–avibactam and meropenem–vaborbactam were active against 100.0% of ESBL producers (excluding carbapenemase co-producers) and 70.3–71.9% of CB-R isolates. Cefiderocol was active against 82.8% of CB-R isolates but only 46.7% of MBL producers. Conclusions: Aztreonam–avibactam was highly active against cephalosporin-nonsusceptible ECLC and CFC, including MBL producers. The activities of ceftazidime–avibactam, meropenem–vaborbactam, and cefiderocol were compromised against CB-R isolates due to the high frequency of NDM producers. Full article

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important pathogen that can cause asymptomatic infections, diarrhea, hemorrhagic colitis (HC), and life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) in humans. Shiga toxins (Stxs) are the major virulence factors encoded by prophages, which play a crucial role in STEC pathogenesis and evolution. In this study, seven Stx phages were obtained from STEC isolates derived from four asymptomatic food handlers, two diarrheal patients, and one outbreak-related HUS case in China. These phages exhibited three morphologies: an icosahedral head with either a short or a long tail, and an elongated head with a long tail. Of these seven phages, three were sequenced; two showed a complete identity with their respective prophage sequences, while phage phiXuzhou21-Stx2a lacked a 6011 bp region-encoding integrase, excisionase, and hypothetical proteins. Comparative genome analysis revealed that the induced seven phages primarily varied in their regulatory regions, whereas the short-tailed phages showed high similarity in their morphogenesis-related regions. In addition, five of the seven phages demonstrated the ability to convert non-pathogenic E. coli strains into Stx-producing transduced strains. Under inducing conditions, Stx expression levels were significantly increased in these transduced strains. These findings underscore the diversity and adaptability of Stx phages and emphasize the importance of understanding their genetic and molecular interactions with host bacteria. Full article

Candida auris has emerged as a multidrug-resistant yeast implicated in healthcare-associated invasive infections and hospital outbreaks. The aim of the current 38-month period observational study in a multidisciplinary Intensive Care Unit (ICU) was to analyze the epidemiology, potential risk factors, management strategies, and patient outcomes of patients with C. auris. During the study period, 32 patients were identified with C. auris infection (6 patients) or colonization (26 patients) and their clinical characteristics and treatment-related factors were compared. Identification of C. auris isolates was confirmed by MALDI-TOF spectrometry. According to our results, regarding patient-related factors, no significant differences were identified. Regarding treatment-related factors, the proportion of patients already receiving corticosteroids (34.6% vs. 83.3%, p = 0.064) or being on renal replacement treatment (7.7% vs. 33.3%) was higher in infected patients. Median time elapsed from ICU admission to first positive culture was 7 (1–21) days and half of cases were ICU-imported. All strains were resistant to fluconazole and susceptible to echinocandines and amphotericin B. Crude mortality of the study population was 43.75%, similar to other previously reported candidemias. Rapid identification of C. auris, continued surveillance, and infection control practices are important elements for controlling successfully its spread in the hospital setting and for establishing promptly its transition from commensalism to infection. Full article

Following its initial documented emergence in Hunan’s swine facilities in 2017, GETV has inflicted considerable financial damage upon China’s pork production sector. Beyond its impact on swine, GETV also poses a potential risk to other animal species and public health, primarily due to its mosquito-borne transmission. Between September 2020 and May 2021, a GETV outbreak occurred on a commercial swine farm in Sichuan Province, where affected animals exhibited movement disorders, neurological symptoms, and mild diarrhea, with severe cases resulting in mortality. To elucidate the genetic characteristics and transmission dynamics of the virus, a comprehensive investigation of this outbreak was conducted. Clinical samples from diseased or deceased swine were collected and analyzed by PCR, confirming the presence of GETV infection. Additionally, differential diagnostic assays were performed for other common swine pathogens, including porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), pseudorabies virus (PRV), classical swine fever virus (CSFV), and atypical porcine pestivirus (APPV). All tests yielded negative results, confirming GETV as the sole etiological agent of the outbreak. The GETV-positive samples were inoculated into BHK-21 cells, leading to the isolation of a GETV strain (SC202009). Whole-genome sequence analysis revealed that SC202009 belongs to the GIII genotype of GETV, with a nucleotide sequence identity ranging from 95.1% to 99.8% compared to reference sequences in GenBank. This high level of sequence identity suggests that SC202009 is closely related to other circulating strains in the region, indicating potential local transmission networks and endemic viral circulation. The nucleotide sequence identity of the E2 gene ranged from 94.2% to 99.6%, while the E2 protein amino acid sequence identity ranged from 97.2% to 99.5%. Phylogenetic analysis further indicated that SC202009 is genetically distant from the original Malaysian prototype strain (MM2021) but shares high sequence identity with several strains isolated in Sichuan Province, including SC266, SC201807, and SC483. Notably, NMJA_F2_18-8L-NH-Cxp-Y-1-1 was isolated from Culex pipiens, suggesting a mosquito-borne transmission route. These findings provide novel insights into the regional dissemination patterns and genetic diversity of GETV in China. These results also highlight the importance of the continuous surveillance of viral genetic variations and the elucidation of transmission dynamics to develop effective control strategies and mitigate potential public health risks. Future studies should focus on the ecological and environmental factors influencing GETV transmission, particularly the role of mosquito vectors in cross-species viral spread, to enhance targeted prevention and control measures for this emerging arboviral threat. Full article

Prompt determination of the etiological agent is important in an outbreak of pathogens with pandemic potential, particularly for dangerous infectious diseases. Molecular genetic methods allow for arriving at an accurate diagnosis, employing timely preventive measures, and controlling the spread of the disease-causing agent. In this study, whole-genome sequencing of three SARS-CoV-2 strains was performed using the Sanger method, which provides high accuracy in determining nucleotide sequences and avoids errors associated with multiple DNA amplification. Complete nucleotide sequences of samples, KAZ/Britain/2021, KAZ/B1.1/2021, and KAZ/Delta020/2021 were obtained, with sizes of 29.751 bp, 29.815 bp, and 29.840 bp, respectively. According to the COVID-19 Genome Annotator, 127 mutations were detected in the studied samples compared to the reference strain. The strain KAZ/Britain/2021 contained 3 deletions, 7 synonymous mutations, and 27 non-synonymous mutations, the second strain KAZ/B1.1/2021 contained 1 deletion, 5 synonymous mutations, and 31 non-synonymous mutations, and the third strain KAZ/Delta020/2021 contained 1 deletion, 5 synonymous mutations, and 37 non-synonymous mutations, respectively. The variations C241T, F106F, P314L, and D614G found in the 5′ UTR, ORF1ab, and S regions were common to all three studied samples, respectively. According to PROVEAN data, the loss-of-function mutations identified in strains KAZ/Britain/2021, KAZ/B1.1/2021, and KAZ/Delta020/2021 include 5 mutations (P218L, T716I, W149L, R52I, and Y73C), 2 mutations (S813I and Q992H), and 8 mutations (P77L, L452R, I82T, P45L, V82A, F120L, F120L, and R203M), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the strains studied (KAZ/Britain/2021, KAZ/B1.1/2021, and KAZ/Delta020/2021) belong to different SARS-CoV-2 lineages, which are closely related to samples from Germany (OU141323.1 and OU365922.1), Mexico (OK432605.1), and again Germany (OV375251.1 and OU375174.1), respectively. The nucleotide sequences of the studied SARS-CoV-2 virus strains were registered in the Genbank database with the accession numbers: ON692539.1, OP684305, and OQ561548.1. Full article