Search Results (274)

This study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary Herba Epimedii Folium (HEF) supplementation on semen quality, reproductive hormones, immune parameters, gut microbiota, and seminal plasma metabolites in aged boars, and to evaluate its potential for extending their reproductive lifespan. A total of 18 Bama boars (approximately 3 years of age) were randomly assigned to three groups (n = 6 per group). The control group received a basal diet, while the treatment groups were fed the basal diet supplemented with 3 g/kg or 5 g/kg of HEF for 8 weeks. The results showed that adding HEF to the diet of aged boars increased the motility and concentration of their sperm and reduced the proportion of abnormal sperm. Treatment with 3 g/kg HEF increased serum LH and IgG levels, whereas the 5 g/kg dose elevated IgA levels in both serum and seminal plasma, as well as IgG levels in seminal plasma. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that dietary HEF supplementation reduced the relative abundance of Streptococcus and Oscillospiraceae UCG-002 in the gut of aged boars. PICRUSt2 analysis predicted that pathways involved in lysine biosynthesis, arginine and proline metabolism, glycine, serine and threonine metabolism, and amino acid-related enzymes were enriched in the HEF treatment group. Semen metabolite profiling showed that the HEF treatment enriched several key metabolites, including 5-hydroxytryptophan, acetylcarnitine, tretinoin, methyltestosterone, prostaglandin A3, and prostaglandin B2. Spearman correlation analysis revealed a negative association between Streptococcus abundance and sperm motility, whereas acetylcarnitine, 5-hydroxytryptophan, and prostaglandin A3 were positively associated with motility. Furthermore, 5-hydroxytryptophan levels were positively linked to both sperm concentration and serum LH. In summary, our study demonstrates that Epimedii Folium may enhance the semen quality of aged Bama boars by improving the intestinal microbiota and the metabolic profile of seminal plasma. These findings may offer a theoretical basis for optimizing reproduction and conserving germplasm resources in aged Bama miniature pigs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Bursera bipinnata (DC.) Engl. resin (locally known as “copal blanco”) is traditionally used in Mexican ethnomedicine to treat infected wounds and skin inflammation, but the bioactive constituents underlying these effects remain largely uncharacterized. This study aimed to identify the compounds responsible for the wound-healing properties of the resin through bioactivity-guided fractionation and to evaluate their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities as complementary mechanisms supporting tissue repair. Methods: Crude resin (1.2–5.0 mg/mL) was assayed for anti-inflammatory activity in the TPA-induced ear-edema model in BALB/c mice, for antibacterial activity (MIC) against six clinically relevant strains, and for wound-healing activity in a murine excisional model with pirfenidone (PFD) as the reference drug (n = 5 per group). Bioactivity-guided fractionation followed by spectroscopic elucidation (¹H- and ¹³C-NMR, IR, EI-MS) led to the isolation of five constituents. Stigmasterol, the most active compound, was subsequently evaluated in an LPS-induced systemic inflammation model (oral administration, 20 mg/kg/day × 3 days) to characterize its immunomodulatory profile (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-10) and in the wound-healing model to quantify local IL-6, IL-10 and TGF-β1 in skin homogenates. Results: The crude resin (5.0 mg/mL) achieved 99.63% wound closure at day 12 and a 49.08% reduction in TPA-induced ear edema, comparable to indomethacin (55.76%). The resin displayed selective antibacterial activity against Streptococcus pyogenes (MIC 125 µg/mL) and Salmonella typhimurium (MIC 250 µg/mL). Bioactivity-guided fractionation yielded the phytosterol stigmasterol (1), three lupane-type triterpenoids (lupeol acetate (2), lupenone (3), 3-epilupeol (5)), and the sesquiterpenoid caryophyllene oxide (4). At an equimolar 1 µM concentration, stigmasterol (1) shortened the mean wound-healing time to 10.3 ± 0.4 days, comparable to pirfenidone, and was associated with attenuation of systemic TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-6 peaks and with sustained local IL-10 and TGF-β1 expression. Histological assessment confirmed accelerated re-epithelialization and improved collagen organization. The resin was non-irritant in the OECD 404 acute dermal test (Primary Irritation Index = 0.00). Conclusions: These findings provide pharmacological evidence supporting the traditional use of B. bipinnata resin for wound healing. Stigmasterol (1), together with the lupane-type triterpenoids lupenone (3) and 3-epilupeol (5), were identified as key bioactive constituents. The data are consistent with a coordinated immunomodulation, in which stigmasterol is associated with reduced systemic pro-inflammatory signalling and increased local IL-10/TGF-β1 expression, an interpretation that should be confirmed in chronic and impaired wound-healing models. Full article

The hypothesis that Group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus (GAS) triggers an autoimmune cascade targeting basal ganglia dopaminergic circuits—producing obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), tic disorders, or chorea depending on the receptor subtype involved—is biologically compelling and supported by emerging molecular evidence. Yet PANDAS has remained a diagnostic conundrum since its original description in 1998, with ongoing uncertainty surrounding diagnostic criteria, the interpretation of streptococcal serology, and the distinction from primary neurodevelopmental disorders. This study aimed to review the diagnostic challenges of PANDAS, with focus on streptococcal serology interpretation, advances in dopamine receptor autoantibody biology, the genetic epidemiology of primary tic disorders, and the differential diagnosis of acute neuropsychiatric presentations in children. A structured narrative review was conducted using PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library for publications from 1998 to early 2025 addressing PANDAS, PANS, streptococcal antibodies, childhood movement disorders, autoimmune encephalitis, and the genetics of tic disorders. No currently available biomarker—including ASO, anti-DNase B, anti-basal-ganglia antibodies, or the Cunningham Panel—has demonstrated adequate individual-level diagnostic accuracy for PANDAS. Emerging molecular evidence identifies anti-D1R autoantibodies, acting via G protein-and beta-arrestin-mediated signalling, as candidate biomarkers for PANDAS/PANS neuropsychiatric phenotypes, and anti-D2R autoantibodies for Sydenham chorea movement phenotypes; independent replication in unselected populations is required. Primary tic disorders carry heritability estimates of 50–80% and first-degree familial risk ratios of approximately 18-fold in large population-based cohorts. Prospective blinded studies have not demonstrated a consistent population-level association between GAS infections and tic or OCD exacerbations: PANDAS and PANS remain diagnoses of exclusion. The high background prevalence of both GAS exposure and primary neurodevelopmental disorders in overlapping paediatric age ranges creates conditions for incidental temporal co-occurrence. In the absence of validated molecular biomarkers, diagnostic imprecision carries direct clinical consequences: children may be exposed to treatments with significant risk profiles—including IVIG, plasma exchange, and prolonged antibiotic prophylaxis—while evidence-based therapies are delayed. A stepwise diagnostic approach incorporating the full differential diagnosis is both an epistemological and a patient safety imperative. Full article

Antenatal screening for Group B Streptococcus (GBS) does not always reflect intrapartum colonisation status, and rapid molecular point-of-care tests (POCT) have been developed to enable real-time detection during labour. This prospective single-centre study evaluated the performance of six molecular assays (easyNat, FlashDetect, GenDx, GenPad, iPonatic, Revogene) and one antigen-based test (TZcheck) for intrapartum GBS detection under real-world conditions. Vaginal–rectal swabs were collected at admission from 104 women at ≥ 37 weeks of gestation and tested directly without prior enrichment, using conventional intrapartum culture as the reference standard. Diagnostic performance varied substantially across platforms, with positive percent agreement ranging from 0.0% to 80.6%, while negative percent agreement was generally high, except for GenDx. Seven culture-positive samples yielded negative results across all molecular assays, while one sample was consistently positive across multiple molecular platforms despite negative culture. Exploratory observations suggest that differences in lysis procedures may contribute to variability in assay performance, although this could not be formally assessed. These findings highlight the variability of intrapartum molecular POCT under routine conditions and underscore the need for cautious clinical interpretation and local validation prior to implementation. Full article

Background: Streptococcus pneumoniae, also referred to as pneumococcus, is of immense public health significance. In particular, it causes severe invasive diseases among children. This has led to the recommendation of anti-pneumococcal prophylaxis, including the administration of penicillin and pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs), which have become available in about 90% of the countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Nonetheless, breakthrough disease still occurs. Also, PCVs can cause a shift in the distribution of pneumococcal serotypes, usually towards non-vaccine types. However, in many sub-Saharan African countries where PCVs have been introduced, there are hardly any comprehensive post-vaccination surveillance data on pneumococcus. Aim: To describe the post-vaccination epidemiology of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) in Ghana, including the prevalence, serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance. Methods: The study was cross-sectional and involved 14,597 patients recruited at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Princess Marie Louise Children’s Hospital, Ho Regional Hospital, Eastern Regional Hospital, and Zonal Public Health and Reference Laboratory, Tamale. Specimens of cerebrospinal fluid (obtained by lumbar puncture) and blood were collected routinely from meningitis patients, while blood specimens were taken from pneumonia patients. These were cultured for S. pneumoniae following standard microbiological methods and subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing. The isolates were serotyped by the pneumotest latex agglutination kit, and the results confirmed by Quellung reaction, using serotype-specific antisera. Results: The overall prevalence of IPD was 0.66% (n = 97), varying across syndromes: bloodstream infections (0.53%, n = 38), meningitis (2.45%, n = 43), and pneumonia (0.28%, n = 16). The majority of the cases (56.70%, n = 55) occurred in the 11–20-year-old group. Ten pneumococcal serotypes were identified, with Serotype 1 being predominant (58.76%), followed by Serotypes 23B (11.34%), 33F (9.28%), and 12F (8.24%). Vaccine serotypes accounted for 81.44% of the isolates, while 18.56% were non-vaccine serotypes (23A, 23B, and 38). Antimicrobial resistance was highest against sulphamethoxazole-trimethoprim (52%), ampicillin (51%), and penicillin (46%). No resistance was observed against ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, and vancomycin. The multidrug resistance proportion was 42.3% (n = 41). Conclusions: Even in the post-vaccination era, vaccine-type IPD remains a significant public health issue in Ghana. The observed serotype distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns warrant sustained surveillance, more adaptive vaccination policies, and rigorous antibiotic stewardship to effectively mitigate IPD burden. Full article

Early-onset infection caused by Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococcus, GBS) may occur during gestation or delivery and can lead to severe neonatal sepsis, meningitis, or pneumonia. Discordant GBS infections in twin gestations are rare. We report a fatal case of early-onset GBS infection in dichorionic–diamniotic twins conceived via IVF and delivered by caesarean section at 32 weeks’ gestation due to discordant fetal growth and abnormal Doppler indices in Twin A (Umbilical Artery PI = 1.4; Middle Cerebral Artery PI = 1.5). Twin A had Apgar scores of 3, 5, and 5 and rapidly developed tachycardia, respiratory distress, and systemic infection, while Twin B, with Apgar scores of 7, 8, and 9, remained clinically stable. Both infants were admitted to the NICU and underwent routine blood, urine, and cerebrospinal fluid testing. Despite the prompt initiation of parenteral ceftriaxone and respiratory support, Twin A deteriorated rapidly and died within 28 h. GBS was isolated from Twin A’s blood culture, and maternal placental tissue and high vaginal samples collected before antibiotic administration also grew GBS, with all isolates demonstrating identical antimicrobial resistance profiles. Molecular analysis revealed matching rib1 and alp2/3 gene patterns in isolates from the mother and Twin A. Maternal anovaginal immunochromatography at delivery was positive, whereas screening cultures obtained at 29 weeks’ gestation were negative. This case highlights the limitations of culture-based GBS screening in high-risk pregnancies and preterm deliveries and underscores the potential value of molecular assays and point-of-care testing to improve detection of S. agalactiae throughout pregnancy and the peripartum period. Emerging preventive strategies, including modulation of the genital microbiome and maternal vaccination aligned with WHO recommendations, may further reduce the burden of neonatal GBS disease. Full article

Streptococcus agalactiae, also known as Group B Streptococcus (GBS), is a major pathogen responsible for mastitis in dairy cows. It causes persistent and difficult-to-treat mammary infections, leading to reduced milk production. Baicalein, a flavonoid compound, exhibits anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities; however, its specific mechanism of action against GBS remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which baicalein inhibits GBS invasion of bovine mammary epithelial cells (bMECs). The results showed that baicalein at concentrations of 4 μg/mL or higher effectively inhibited 50% of the invasion of bMECs by GBS strain HB31 and exerted a concentration-dependent inhibitory effect on bacterial adhesion. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of baicalein against HB31 were both greater than 1024 μg/mL. Therefore, the antibacterial effect of baicalein alone may not fully account for its mechanism; other pathways likely contribute to the reduced invasiveness of GBS. To elucidate the mechanism by which baicalein inhibits GBS invasiveness, this study investigated both bacterial metabolism and gene expression. Metabolomic analysis revealed that baicalein treatment led to the downregulation of amino acid metabolites, including alanine and aspartic acid, as well as nucleotide metabolites such as adenine and UMP in GBS HB31. Additionally, the NADH/NAD⁺ ratio increased while ATP levels decreased, indicating that the overall metabolic activity of GBS was suppressed. Transcriptomic analysis focused on changes in invasion-associated virulence genes. The results showed that the expression of pbsP, an invasion-associated virulence gene, was significantly reduced, while the expression of hylB and cfb showed downward trends that did not reach statistical significance. In contrast, the expression of cylE and the two-component system vicKR was upregulated. The upregulation of cylE may be related to baicalein-induced oxidative stress in HB31. Furthermore, HB31 suppressed Nrf2-HO-1 mRNA expression, whereas baicalein activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and reduced HB31-induced IL-6 and NF-κBmRNA expression. These findings provide new insights for the development of anti-virulence therapeutic strategies targeting GBS. Full article

The effect of cold smoking on the physicochemical, microbiological, and aromatic properties of Formaella-type cheese has not been previously investigated. In this study, experimental Formaella-type hard cheeses (≤38% moisture) were produced using a multistep high-temperature cooking process and subjected to weak (20 min) and intense (60 min) cold smoking, alongside an unsmoked control. Cheeses were analyzed before and after smoking and during refrigerated storage (up to 90 days). Smoking significantly influenced pH, water activity, and colour parameters, with intensively smoked cheeses exhibiting lower pH, reduced lightness (L*), and increased redness (a*) and yellowness (b*). Microbiological analyses revealed low viable counts across all samples, attributed to severe cooking steps and vacuum storage. Smoking, particularly at high intensity, significantly reduced total mesophilic counts and enterococci, while Enterobacteriaceae, staphylococci, yeasts, and moulds were not detected after manufacture. The dominant microbiota consisted mainly of lactic acid bacteria, identified by MALDI-TOF MS, including Enterococcus durans, Ent. faecium, Leuconostoc lactis, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Streptococcus thermophilus, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus, and Lactobacillus curvatus. Headspace-SPME-GC-MS analysis identified 75 volatile compounds, with free fatty acids, ketones, aldehydes, and lactones as the predominant groups. Smoking introduced characteristic phenolic and furan derivatives associated with smoky aroma. Overall, smoking intensity modulated microbial dynamics and aroma development without compromising microbiological quality. Full article

A new strategy to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with invasive Streptococcus agalactiae (Streptococcus group B, GBS) diseases encompasses the development of vaccines. Candidate vaccines at different stages of clinical trials have been developed on capsular polysaccharides or protein antigens. We studied 328 GBS isolates identified using routine microbiological tests, latex-agglutination, and PCRs. The samples were categorised into two main groups: vaginal (69.2%) and extra-vaginal (30.8%). The molecular serotyping and target gene factors were determined using singleplex or multiplex PCRs. The most common serotypes identified were Ia (24.7%), V (22.0%), and III (18.9%). Serotypes I–V constituted a total of 89.0%. The non-typeable were 9.8%. The frequency of genes included in the recombinant GBS-NN (rib + bca) and GBS-NN2 (epsilon + alp2/3) vaccines were 54.3% and 40.8%. We noted a significant prevalence in the distribution of serotypes II, III, and non-typeable in GBS-NN, whereas serotypes Ia and IV were predominant in GBS-NN2. The serotype prevalence identified in our research was consistent with the data from our region and confirmed the predominance of the six main serotypes included in the hexavalent conjugated vaccine. We highlighted the importance of the combined administration of both protein vaccines, ensuring optimal vaccine coverage. Full article

Group B Streptococcus (GBS) remains a major cause of early- and late-onset neonatal sepsis worldwide, despite the widespread use of intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis (IAP). β-lactam antibiotics, including penicillin G and ampicillin, remain the cornerstone of both GBS prophylaxis and neonatal treatment, supported by sustained susceptibility, favorable pharmacokinetics, and extensive clinical experience. However, increasing global resistance to macrolides and lincosamides has markedly reduced the reliability of clindamycin and erythromycin, which are commonly used as second-line agents in women with severe penicillin allergy. This narrative review summarizes current evidence on antibiotic strategies for the prevention and treatment of neonatal GBS disease, with a particular focus on antimicrobial resistance patterns and their clinical implications. Available surveillance data demonstrate substantial geographic variability in resistance but consistently low resistance to β-lactams and vancomycin. These trends have expanded the role of vancomycin in IAP for women with high-risk β-lactam allergy and in neonatal treatment when first-line agents are contraindicated. Alternative agents such as linezolid and teicoplanin exhibit activity against GBS, but their use remains limited by sparse neonatal data and pharmacokinetic variability. Ongoing antimicrobial surveillance, susceptibility-guided therapy, and stewardship initiatives are essential to preserve effective GBS prevention and treatment strategies. Full article

This study aims to systematically assess the comprehensive, dose-dependent effects of substituting soybean meal with cottonseed protein at various ratios on weaned piglets. In total, 28-day-old weaned piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Large White crossbred; n = 45) were selected and then randomly categorized into three groups: 100% soybean meal (CON), 50% soybean meal +50% cottonseed protein (CSP50), and 100% CSP (CSP100) groups. After a 7-day adaptation period, the experiment continued for an additional 28 days. The results showed no significant differences among groups in growth performance, organ indices, most carcass traits, or meat quality indicators. The CSP50 group showed significantly reduced levels of diamine oxidase (DAO) and D-lactate and increased complexity of the colonic microbial network, with improved abundance of beneficial bacterial genera such as g_Blautia and g_Eubacterium. The CSP100 group showed elevated intestinal permeability, a decreased villus height, a villus-to-crypt ratio, specific digestive enzymes, a reduced Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio and abundant inflammation-associated bacteria, including g_Streptococcus. Furthermore, correlation analysis suggested that specific gut microorganisms and metabolic pathways may be potentially related to average daily gain (ADG), average daily feed intake (ADFI), the feed conversion ratio (F/G), DAO, and D-lactic acid. These findings suggest that dietary inclusion of 50% cottonseed protein (CSP50) is associated with sustained growth performance and enhanced gut health in weaned piglets, concurrent with shifts in the composition and predicted function of the gut microbiota. Full article

Background: Preterm prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) is the spontaneous rupture of fetal membranes prior to 37 weeks of pregnancy. Latency antibiotics, including macrolides with or without group B streptococcus (GBS)-covering antibiotics, are recommended as part of expectant management. Currently, there is no consensus on whether GBS-covering antibiotics should be prescribed. The primary objective of this retrospective cohort study was to characterize practice variation in GBS-covering antibiotic prescribing in PPROM. The secondary objective was to explore the association between maternal characteristics and GBS-covering antibiotic prescribing. Methods: Pregnant women with PPROM prescribed azithromycin (institutional standard antibiotic regimen) in 2024 and not in active labour were included. Maternal characteristics, stratified by GBS status, were compared. The association between antibiotic prescribing for GBS coverage and maternal factors was assessed using odds ratios. Two-sided p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: Out of the 181 admissions assessed for eligibility, 146 patients were included. Their GBS status at PPROM diagnosis was negative (19/146; 13%), positive (8/146; 5%), or unknown (119/146; 82%). The frequency of GBS-covering antibiotics prescribing was 5/8 (63%) in the positive group, 4/19 (21%) in the negative group, and 65/119 (55%) in those with an unknown GBS status. Aminopenicillin-based and penicillin regimens accounted for (69/74; 93%) of antibiotic regimens. Half (38/74; 51%) of the GBS-covering antibiotics were prescribed for 3–7 days, with a 33/74 (45%) completion rate as prescribed at PPROM diagnosis. The main reason for antibiotic discontinuation was negative GBS recto-vaginal swabs or urine cultures collected in those with an unknown GBS status at PPROM diagnosis, highlighting the role of microbiology laboratory testing in adjusting antibiotic therapy and facilitating antimicrobial stewardship. Aside from GBS status, no maternal characteristics were associated with GBS-covering antibiotic prescribing. Conclusions: At PPROM diagnosis, GBS coverage was prescribed in 21%, 63%, and 55% of patients with a negative, positive, and unknown GBS status, respectively. Only GBS status was associated with GBS-covering antibiotic prescribing. Further research is required to determine the impact of GBS coverage on perinatal outcomes. Full article

Cancer is a major health concern, with its incidence rate continuing to increase. There is growing interest in the microbiota and its role in carcinogenesis, as it significantly influences physiological and pathological processes. Various aspects of the microbiome have been shown to have both anti-tumor and pro-tumor effects. Advances in techniques such as high-throughput DNA sequencing have greatly improved our understanding of microbial populations in the human and canine gut. We aimed to (1) characterize the intestinal microbiota of healthy dogs and dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs), (2) assess changes in the intestinal microbiota of dogs undergoing electrochemotherapy (ECT) combined with gene electrotransfer (GET) of the IL-12 plasmid (IL-12), and (3) explore possible associations with the expression of immune markers Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and Granzyme B (GZMB) in MCT tissue. Stool samples were collected from healthy dogs (n = 24) and dogs with MCTs (n = 24) before and after ECT and IL-12 GET. DNA was extracted from the samples, and shallow shotgun sequencing was performed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the tumors to assess the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and GZMB. The dysbiosis index, alpha diversity, and beta diversity did not differ between groups. Regarding microbial composition, Bifidobacterium animalis, Corynebacterium variabile, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus equinus, Streptococcus intermedius, Clostridium thermobutyricum, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Anaerobiospirillum sp. were found in lower relative abundance in feces of dogs with MCTs, while Bacteroides togonis, Lactobacillus amylolyticus, Prevotella sp. CAG:279, and Megamonas hypermegale were more abundant compared to healthy dogs. Our study provides further insight into the composition of the gut microbiota in dogs with MCTs, where ECT and IL-12 GET did not lead to major shifts. We were unable to establish any association between the expression of immune markers and the microbiota. Full article

Background: In 2019, pneumonia caused 740,180 deaths in children under five years of age, representing 22% of global mortality in this age group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, public health interventions markedly reduced the circulation of most respiratory viruses other than SARS-CoV-2, leading to significant post-pandemic shifts in respiratory pathogen epidemiology. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology, clinical features, and risk factors associated with respiratory viruses and bacteria causing pneumonia in Mexican children during the late pandemic and post pandemic periods. Methods: Children younger than 14 years with pneumonia were recruited from seven hospitals in Mexico. Demographic and clinical data were collected, and nasopharyngeal swabs were analyzed using a multiplex PCR panel detecting 19 viruses and 7 bacteria. Univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression analyses were performed (SPSS v25). Results: A total of 1715 children were included: 704 during the pandemic (2021–2023) and 1011 post-pandemic (2023–2025). Co-infections (72% vs. 65%, p < 0.001), virus–virus co-infections (25% vs. 11%, p < 0.001), and single viral infections (20% vs. 15%, p = 0.007) were more frequent during the pandemic. Pathogen detection was high in both periods, though negative samples increased post-pandemic (5.4% vs. 15%, p < 0.001). During the pandemic, the 5 most frequently detected pathogens were rhinovirus (66%), RSV A and B (38%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (30%), Haemophilus influenzae (28%), human metapneumovirus (13%). In the post-pandemic period, the 5 most frequently detected pathogens were rhinovirus (52%), Haemophilus influenzae (36%), Streptococcus pneumoniae (35%), RSV A and B (28%), metapneumovirus (11%). Rhinovirus and RSV predominated during the pandemic, whereas Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, parainfluenza viruses, Bordetella pertussis, and Mycoplasma pneumoniae significantly increased post-pandemic. Conclusions: Pediatric pneumonia epidemiology shifted from a predominantly viral profile during the pandemic to increased bacterial detections and virus–bacteria co-infections post-pandemic, alongside re-emergence of typical RSV and influenza seasonality. Higher mean age and rhinovirus as the most frequent pathogen persist after the pandemic. Sustained molecular surveillance and reinforced vaccination programs remain essential in the post-pandemic era. Full article

Objective: This study provides the first systematic synthesis of the burden of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and invasive disease in Nigeria, with emphasis on prevalence, serotypes, and sequence types (STs). Method: This systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines and was registered on PROSPERO (CRD420251155310). Searches were conducted across multiple databases, including Scopus, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, PubMed, Dimensions, and African Journals Online, as well as in Google Scholar and Google to identify relevant articles. In total, 426 records were retrieved, of which 43 studies met the inclusion criteria. A random-effects model was applied to estimate the pooled prevalence. Result: The pooled prevalence of GBS colonization in Nigeria was 12.0% (95% CI: 9.0–15.0%). Higher colonization rates were observed in Southern Nigeria (13.0%) than in Northern Nigeria (9.0%). The neonatal colonization rate was 16.0%. Colonization rates were 13.0% in pregnant women and 8.0% in non-pregnant individuals. Human immunodeficiency virus status showed no significant association with GBS colonization among pregnant women (OR = 1.47, p = 0.17). Invasive GBS disease was uncommon (3.0%) and occurred only in neonates. Across included studies, serotypes V and II were the most frequently reported, with ST19, ST182, and ST28 being the predominant STs. Conclusions: GBS colonization is common in Nigeria, with marked regional variation and heightened neonatal vulnerability to invasive GBS infections. Notably, nineteen states lacked surveillance data, highlighting substantial gaps in national monitoring. These findings highlight the importance of strengthening prevention strategies, expanding surveillance coverage, and implementing maternal screening and immunization programs to mitigate the burden of GBS. Full article