Search Results (336)

The DNA synthesis inhibitor zoliflodacin (ZFD) is expected to be effective against strains resistant to therapeutic agents for Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. In addition to ZFD, we investigated the susceptibility of N. gonorrhoeae strains to ceftriaxone (CTRX), ciprofloxacin (CPFX), garenoxacin (GRNX), and sitafloxacin (STFX). Minimum inhibitory concentration values for ZFD and four other drugs were determined for 147 strains of N. gonorrhoeae isolated at medical institutions in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan, from 2015 to 2022. Amino acid alterations in gyrA, gyrB, parC, and parE were examined by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis. Sequence type (ST) was determined for epidemiological analysis, and N. gonorrhoeae strains were classified. The non-susceptibility rate was not observed in CTRX. The lowest non-susceptibility rate was observed in ZFD (39.5%) compared to CPFX (80.3%), GRNX (83.7%), and STFX (65.3%) (all p < 0.0001). The most common amino acid alterations in gyrA and parC had non-susceptibility rates exceeding 80% to quinolones except ZFD, suggesting that these alterations may have influenced the resistance trend. STs were different between isolates in 2015 and those in 2020 and later. ZFD showed potent antimicrobial activity against N. gonorrhoeae strains that are highly resistant to quinolones. It may become a new option in the treatment of gonococcal infections. Full article

The recent discovery of the Yezo virus (YEZV) in Japan and China has raised particular concern due to its potential to cause human diseases ranging from mild febrile illnesses to severe neurological disorders. We report, for the first time, the detection of five YEZV isolates in I. persulcatus ticks from three regions of Russia. The analysis was performed using 5318 ticks of two Ixodes genus collected in 2024 from 23 regions of Russia. The minimum infection rate of YEZV in Russia among I. persulcatus ticks was 0.12% (95% CI: 0.05–0.28). The westernmost and northernmost YEZV detection points have been recorded. YEZV isolates circulating in Russia are genetically diverse. Protein domains of Russian YEZV isolates’ genomes were characterized using HMMER, AlphaFold 3, and InterProScan. The YEZV nucleoprotein (N) of Russian isolates has a racket-shaped structure with “head” and “stalk” domains similar to those of Orthonairovirus haemorrhagiae. The Lys261–Arg261 substitution in the YEZV N Chita 2024-1 isolate occurs in the α11 structure in the region of interaction with viral RNA. Our results show that the distribution area of YEZV is much wider than previously known, provide new data on complete YEZV genomes, extend our structural insight into YEZV N, and suggest a potential target for antiviral drug development to treat YEZV infection. Full article

Castration remains a common surgical procedure in equids, yet postoperative complications such as hemorrhage, infection, and eventration persist, influencing surgical outcomes. This retrospective study introduced a novel modified semi-closed castration technique aimed at minimizing these complications. Eighty-five sexually intact mature male equids (including horses, ponies, and donkeys) underwent the described inguinal castration procedure under general anesthesia. The technique involved a carefully managed opening and subsequent secure closure of the parietal vaginal tunic, enabling direct inspection of tunic contents while reducing risks associated with fully open or closed approaches. The median surgery duration was 60 min (range, 45–95), with no intraoperative complications. Postoperatively, only two equids (2.35%) exhibited scrotal swelling, which was resolved rapidly with NSAIDs. No cases of hemorrhage, pyrexia, or infection occurred. Follow-up, conducted via owner interviews after a minimum of three months, confirmed complete recovery and primary intention healing in all patients, who returned to normal activity within two days post-surgery. Compared to previously documented complication rates ranging from 2% to 48%, the present approach demonstrates superior results. Additionally, this study proposes refining existing castration technique classifications, focusing explicitly on the vaginal tunic’s status post-procedure (open, semi-closed, closed) for clarity and consistency. This novel semi-closed inguinal technique effectively integrates inspection advantages with closed technique safety, offering significantly reduced complication rates and enhanced postoperative recovery profiles in equids undergoing castration. Full article

Although Brassica rapa (B. rapa) is vital in agricultural production and vulnerable to the pathogen Plasmodiophora, the intracellular water–nutrient metabolism and immunoregulation of Plasmodiophora infection in B. rapa leaves remain unclear. This study aimed to analyze the responsive mechanisms of Plasmodiophora-infected B. rapa using rapid detection technology. Six soil groups planted with Yangtze No. 5 B. rapa were inoculated with varying Plasmodiophora concentrations (from 0 to 10 × 10⁹ spores/mL). The results showed that at the highest infection concentration (PWB5, 10 × 10⁹ spores/mL) of B. rapa leaves, the plant electrophysiological parameters showed the intracellular water-holding capacity (IWHC), the intracellular water use efficiency (IWUE), and the intracellular water translocation rate (IWTR) declined by 41.99–68.86%. The unit for translocation of nutrients (UNF) increased by 52.83%, whereas the nutrient translocation rate (NTR), the nutrient translocation capacity (NTC), the nutrient active translocation (NAT) value, and the nutrient active translocation capacity (NAC) decreased by 52.40–77.68%. The cellular energy metabolism decreased with worsening Plasmodiophora infection, in which the units for cellular energy metabolism (∆G_E) and cellular energy metabolism (∆G) of the leaves decreased by 44.21% and 78.14% in PWB5, respectively. Typically, based on distribution of B-type dielectric substance transfer percentage (BPn), we found PWB4 (8 × 10⁹ spores/mL) was the maximal immune response concentration, as evidenced by a maximal BPn_R (B-type dielectric substance transfer percentage based on resistance), with increasing lignin and cork deposition to enhance immunity, and a minimum BPn_Xc (B-type dielectric substance transfer percentage based on capacitive reactance), with a decreasing quantity of surface proteins in the B. rapa leaves. This study suggests plant electrophysiological parameters could characterize intracellular water–nutrient metabolism and immunoregulation of B. rapa leaves under various Plasmodiophora infection concentrations, offering a dynamic detection method for agricultural disease management. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has emerged as a global health crisis, with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) representing one of the most clinically significant multidrug-resistant pathogens. In this study, three structurally unique anthracycline derivatives—keto-ester (1), 4-deoxy-ε-pyrromycinone (2), and misamycin (3)—were first isolated and characterized from the fermentation broth of the marine-derived Streptomyces tauricus NBUD24. These compounds exhibited notable antibacterial efficacy against MRSA, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 16 to 32 µg/mL. Cytotoxicity assays confirmed their safety profile at therapeutic concentrations. The biofilm formation assay demonstrated that 4-deoxy-ε-pyrromycinone inhibited biofilm formation of MRSA ATCC43300, with an inhibition rate of 64.4%. Investigations of antibacterial mechanisms revealed that these compounds exert antibacterial effects primarily through disruption of bacterial cell wall integrity and destruction of DNA structure. These findings underscore the potential of marine-derived microbial metabolites as promising scaffolds for developing next-generation antimicrobial candidates to combat drug-resistant infections. Full article

Objectives: Cefideroccol (FDC) is a siderophore cephalosporin with potent antibacterial activity against a wide range of Gram-negative multidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganisms. We investigated the anti-biofilm capacity of FDC against clinical strains. Methods: This multicenter study was conducted on 28 selected strains of MDR Gram-negative bacilli isolated from clinical samples of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 5), Acinetobacter baumannii (n = 11), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 12). We first determined the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each strain using the microdilution method. We also defined the minimum biofilm inhibitory concentration (MBIC) as a ≥50% reduction in tetrazolium salt (XTT) (as recommended in the 2017 Spanish Microbiology Protocols [SEIMC] for the microbiological diagnosis of infections related to the formation of biofilms). We also analyzed the reduction in the following biofilm variables after an 8 mg/mL FDC treatment: the CFU count, the cell viability, the biomass, the metabolic activity, and extracellular α or β polysaccharides. Results: The MIC₅₀ and MBIC₅₀ of FDC were 0.5 mg/L and 64 mg/L, respectively. We observed a mean (SD) fold increase in the susceptibility to FDC between planktonic and sessile cells for P. aeruginosa, A. baumannii, and K. pneumoniae of 9.60 (0.55), 6.27 (2.28), and 6.25 (2.80), respectively. When 8 mg/mL of FDC was tested, we observed that the best median (IQR) percentage reductions were obtained for cell viability and the extracellular matrix (73.1 [12.4–86.5] and 79.5 [37.3–95.5], respectively), particularly for P. aeruginosa. The lowest percentage reduction rates were those obtained for biomass. Conclusions: We demonstrated that the susceptibility to FDC was significantly reduced when strains were in a biofilm state. The best percentage reduction rates for all biofilm-defining variables were observed for P. aeruginosa. Our results need to be validated using a larger collection of clinical samples. Full article

Background/Objectives: Postoperative acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a recognized complication with reported prevalence rates of up to 20% and highly variable mortality. However, there is limited published evidence comparing the outcomes of postoperative ARDS with those of medical ARDS. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence, hospital mortality, and healthcare costs of postoperative ARDS in Spain between 2000 and 2022 and to compare them with those of medical ARDS. Methods: We performed a nationwide, registry-based study of all hospitalizations for postoperative ARDS in Spain between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2022 using the Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) Registry. Results: We identified a total of 93,192 ARDS patients, of which 40,601 had postoperative ARDS. The postoperative ARDS prevalence varied between 0.05 and 0.22%, accounting for 45–50% of total ARDS cases recorded during the study period. Hospital mortality was lower in postoperative ARDS compared with medical ARDS during the first phase (2000–2015) (47.0% vs. 49.9%, p < 0.001) and converged during the second phase (2017–2022) (42.7% vs. 43.2%, p = 0.413). Postoperative ARDS was associated with a longer hospital stay and 1.5 times higher healthcare costs compared with medical ARDS. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mortality rates declined but costs peaked in both groups. The incidence of digestive tract infection was higher in postoperative ARDS. Conclusions: The prevalence of postoperative ARDS remained stable, except during the COVID-19 pandemic, and its hospital mortality declined and equalized with that of medical ARDS. However, the costs associated with postoperative ARDS remained significantly higher. Full article

Introduction: In recent years, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) rates have increased significantly in bacterial pathogens, particularly extended beta-lactam resistance. This study aimed to investigate resistome and phylogenomics of Escherichia coli (E. coli) strains isolated from various sources in Jimma, Ethiopia. Methods: Phenotypic antibiotic resistance patterns of E. coli isolates were determined using automated Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Isolates exhibiting phenotypic resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics were further analyzed with a DNA microarray to confirm the presence of resistance-encoding genes. Additionally, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of seven housekeeping genes was conducted using PCR and Oxford Nanopore-Technology (ONT) to assess the phylogenetic relationships among the E. coli isolates. Results: A total of 611 E. coli isolates from human, animal, and environmental sources were analyzed. Of these, 41.6% (254) showed phenotypic resistance to at least one of the tested beta-lactams, 96.1% (244) thereof were confirmed genotypically. More than half of the isolates (53.3%) had two or more resistance genes present. The most frequent ESBL-encoding gene was CTX-M-15 (74.2%; 181), followed by TEM (59.4%; 145) and CTX-M-9 (4.1%; 10). The predominant carbapenemase gene was NDM-1, detected in 80% (12 out of 15) of carbapenem-resistant isolates. A phylogenetic analysis revealed clonality among the strains obtained from various sources, with international high-risk clones such as ST131, ST648, ST38, ST73, and ST405 identified across various niches. Conclusions: The high prevalence of CTX-M-15 and NDM-1 in multidrug-resistant E. coli isolates indicates the growing threat of AMR in Ethiopia. The discovery of these high-risk clones in various niches shows possible routes of transmission and highlights the necessity of a One Health approach to intervention and surveillance. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship, infection prevention, and control measures are crucial to mitigate the spread of these resistant strains. Full article

Background: Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is a major cause of healthcare-associated morbidity and mortality. Understanding the predictors of in-hospital mortality and recurrence of CDI is key for improving outcomes. This study combined traditional statistical methods and machine learning approaches to identify risk factors for these outcomes. Methods: We conducted a nationwide, retrospective study using the Spanish Minimum Basic Data Set at Hospitalization, analyzing 34,557 admissions with CDI from 2020 to 2022. Logistic regression combined with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) was used to identify the most relevant predictors. Survival analyses using Cox regression and LASSO were also performed to assess time-to-mortality predictors. Results: Mortality and recurrence rates increased over the study period, reflecting the increasing burden of CDI. LASSO identified a parsimonious subset of predictors while maintaining predictive accuracy (area under the curve: 0.71). Older age (OR = 2.10, 95%CI: 1.98–2.22), Charlson Comorbidity Index ≥ 2 (OR = 1.42, 95%CI: 1.33–1.52), admission to the intensive care unit (OR = 3.09, 95%CI: 2.88–3.32), congestive heart failure (OR = 1.71, 95%CI: 1.61–1.82), malignancies (OR = 1.76, 95%CI: 1.66–1.87), and dementia (OR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.25–1.48) were strongly associated with all-cause hospital mortality. For recurrence, age ≥ 75 years (OR = 1.19, 95%CI: 1.12–1.27), chronic kidney disease (OR = 1.15, 95%CI: 1.08–1.23), and chronic liver disease (OR = 1.43, 95%CI: 1.16–1.74) were the strongest predictors, while malignancy appeared protective, likely due to survivor bias. Conclusions: Our study provides a robust framework for predicting CDI outcomes. The integration of traditional statistical methods and machine learning applied to a large dataset may improve the reliability of the results. Our findings highlight the need for targeted interventions in high-risk populations and emphasize the potential utility of machine learning in risk stratification. Future studies should validate these models in external cohorts and explore survivor bias in malignancy-associated outcomes. Full article

Plant–endophyte symbioses are widespread in grasslands. While symbiotic interactions often provide hosts with major fitness enhancements, the role of the endophyte Alternaria oxytropis, which produces swainsonine in locoweeds (Oxytropis and Astragalus spp.), remains enigmatic. We compared endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E−) plants of three main Chinese locoweed species (O. kansuensis, O. glabra, and O. ochrocephala) under controlled conditions, and analyzed environmental factors at locoweed poisoning hotspots for herbivores. The results demonstrated significant species-specific effects: E+ plants of O. glabra and O. ochrocephala exhibited 26–39% reductions in biomass, net photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance, with elevated CO₂ levels, while O. kansuensis showed no measurable impacts. Swainsonine concentrations were 16–20 times higher in E+ plants (122.6–151.7 mg/kg) than in E− plants. Geospatial analysis revealed that poisoning hotspots for herbivores consistently occurred in regions with extreme winter conditions (minimum temperatures ≤ −17 °C and precipitation ≤ 1 mm during the driest month), suggesting context-dependent benefits under abiotic stress. These findings suggest that the ecological role of A. oxytropis may vary depending on both host species and environmental context, highlighting a trade-off between growth costs and potential stress tolerance conferred by A. oxytropis. The study underscores the need for field validation to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms maintaining this symbiosis in harsh environments. Full article

Introduction: Candidozyma auris (Cz. auris) has emerged globally, and diseases caused by it are associated with a mortality rate of 30–72%. This yeast is often multidrug-resistant and challenging to treat. A synthetic peptide, consisting of 11 amino acids of human lactoferrin (hLF1-11), offers a new therapy that is active against Candida albicans, non-albicans Candida yeasts, as well as Cz. auris. The current study examined the susceptibility of clinically relevant Candida species to hLF(1-11) in vitro and investigated the synergistic interaction of this peptide with fluconazole (FLU) and anidulafungin (ANI). Methods: Susceptibility of the yeasts to hLF(1-11) was tested with a microdilution method to determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs). A total of 59 strains belonging to 16 species of Candida or Candidozyma were tested. The treatment cohort included 20 strains of Cz. auris originating from six different countries. Results: Mean MIC values of all susceptible strains ranged from 16.66 ± 6.46 μg/mL to 45.83 ± 10.21 μg/mL. There were no statistical differences in the susceptibility of hLF(1-11) for Cz. auris across geographic origins. In the combinatory tests, drugs acting together, the fractional inhibitory concentration indexes [FIC] < 1.0, showed a synergistic or additive effect on the efficacy of FLU and ANI when used in combination with hLF(1-11). [FIC] indexes 1–2 were interpreted as intermediate. MIC values in combinatory use were 1–2 titer steps lower than when used alone. Conclusions: hLF(1-11) inhibits the growth of yeasts that belong to the genus Candida, including Cz. auris. The combinatory use may be further investigated to treat infections caused by resistant yeasts. Full article

With 80% of bacterial infections occurring as biofilms, biofilm-related infections have evolved into a critical public health concern. Probiotics such as Bacillus licheniformis have emerged as promising alternatives, offering new avenues for effective treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the activity of licheniformis against the growth, biofilm formation, motility, and quorum sensing (QS) of Salmonella typhimurium. Several experiments were conducted: The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Bacillus licheniformis against Salmonella typhimurium was determined to be 0.5 mg/mL using the broth microdilution method. The inhibition zone of 100 mg/mL of B. licheniformis against Salmonella typhimurium was 19.98 ± 1.38 mm; the time-growth curve showed that B. licheniformis can effectively inhibit the growth of Salmonella typhimurium. In biofilm experiments, at the MIC of B. licheniformis, the inhibition rate of immature biofilm of Salmonella typhimurium was 86.9%, and it significantly reduced the production of biofilm components (EPS, e-DNA, and extracellular proteases) (p < 0.05). The disruption rate of mature biofilm by B. licheniformis at the MIC was 66.89%, and it significantly decreased the levels of biofilm components (EPS and e-DNA) (p < 0.5). Microscopic observation showed that both the MIC and 1/2 MIC of B. licheniformis could reduce the number of bacteria in the Salmonella typhimurium biofilm, which was not conducive to the formation and maintenance of the biofilm structure. Swimming/Swarming assays and QS experiments confirmed that B. licheniformis inhibits the motility of Salmonella typhimurium and the secretion of AI-1-type quorum sensing molecules and downregulates the AI-2 quorum sensing system by upregulating lsr gene expression. These findings suggest that B. licheniformis could be a potential antimicrobial agent and biofilm inhibitor. Full article

Background and Aim: Pneumococcal pneumonia is a major cause of death globally, emphasizing the importance of vaccination, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Iran, the 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) is available exclusively through private healthcare systems, resulting in a lack of studies on the prevalence of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) serotypes among vaccinated children. This research aimed to explore and compare the prevalence of nasopharyngeal pneumococcal carriage, serotype distribution, and antibiotic resistance patterns in healthy PCV13-vaccinated and -unvaccinated children. Methods: From August 2023 to November 2024, a multi-center, cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Tehran, Iran. This study included 204 nasopharyngeal samples collected from children aged from 18 to 59 months, involving both cases of children vaccinated with PCV13 and unvaccinated populations. S. pneumoniae was identified through a combination of culture methods and biochemical tests, confirmed by real-time PCR. Serotyping was achieved using cpsB sequencing, and the minimum inhibitory concentration method was employed to assess antibiotic resistance. Results: This study revealed similar S. pneumoniae carriage rates between PCV13-vaccinated and -unvaccinated Iranian children (20.6% vs. 21.6%). Serotypes 23F and 19F were prevalent in unvaccinated children, while 15B/15C was more prevalent in PCV13-vaccinated children. The included S. pneumoniae serotypes in PCV13 were detected more in the unvaccinated group. PCV13-vaccinated children exhibited no penicillin-resistant pneumococcal isolates, although four isolates were non-susceptible in unvaccinated children. Both groups showed substantial resistance to erythromycin and SXT. Previous respiratory infections, daycare attendance, residence in Tehran, and a history of antibiotic consumption increased the risk of pneumococcal carriage. Conclusions: PCV13 vaccination influences pneumococcal serotype distribution and antimicrobial susceptibility, although there was no significant difference regarding carriage rates between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. These findings highlight the critical importance of vaccination in reducing invasive serotypes and antimicrobial resistance in children under five years old, emphasizing the importance of national PCV vaccination programs alongside continuous serotype surveillance. Full article

Aerococcus urinaeequi is an opportunistic pathogen that has been isolated from humans, pigs, and chickens, but with no reports in geese until now. This research aimed to isolate and identify A. urinaeequi from four geese, and establish a specific PCR detection method for A. urinaeequi. Strain E1 was identified as A. urnaeequi through a combination of Gram staining (Gram-positive coccus), colony morphology (α-hemolysis), and whole genome sequencing analysis. Comparative genomics was used to analyze the genome sequences of five reference strains of A. urinaeequi to screen for a species-specific genomic region (401 bp). Based on this region, specific primers were designed to establish the PCR detection method for A. urnaeequi, and the specificity and sensitivity of this assay were tested. The results showed that the target sequence was specifically amplified only for the genome of A. urinaeequi, and that the minimum nucleic acid detection concentration was 7.08 × 10⁻³ ng/μL. The mouse infection model indicated that the target fragment could be amplified from the tissue samples of dead mice in the challenge groups, verifying the applicability of PCR for clinical sample detection. Specific sequences of A. urinaeequi were detected in the lungs of three pigs using the PCR method, confirmed to be consistent through whole genome sequencing, and previously identified as A. urinaeequi or A. viridans by 16S rRNA sequencing. For the detection of fecal samples from geese, canines, and felines using the PCR method, the highest positive rate was 36.9% (31/84) of geese, followed by 21.7% (20/90) of felines, and finally 6.9% (16/230) of canines. A strain of A. urinaeequi was isolated and identified in geese for the first time, and a species-specific PCR detection method for A. urinaeequi was established with high specificity and sensitivity, which could well distinguish the bacterial species A. urinaeequi from its phylogenetically related species, A. viridans. Full article

Meteorological variables play a significant role in the transmission of viruses such as influenza and the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Previous studies have identified the relationship between changes in meteorological variables, humidity, rainfall, and temperature, and the infection rate of COVID-19 at the national level in Pakistan. However, the current study applied the logistic regression analysis technique to determine such a relationship on a more detailed scale, that is, subnational levels in addition to the national level in Pakistan, using a long-term analysis of two years of COVID-19 data. At the subnational level, the logistic regression analysis technique was applied, with infection rate as the predictive variable. The results showed an increase in the infection rate of COVID-19 with increasing humidity levels. In contrast, an increase in temperature has slowed the spread of COVID-19 cases at both the national and subnational levels. The minimum temperature was statistically significant (p < 0.001) for provinces, KPK and Sindh. Also, two federal territories, AJK and Islamabad, showed statistically significant p-values. At the national level, both maximum temperature and humidity showed such values that is, p < 0.001. We believe that this is the first study conducted in Pakistan to explore the direct and indirect relationship between variables such as temperature (min and max), humidity, and rainfall as predictive parameters for COVID-19 infection rates at a detailed level. The pattern observed in this study can help us predict the future spread of COVID-19, subject to climatic parameters in Pakistan at both the national and subnational levels. Full article