Search Results (430)

Every year, up to 40% of the crops in the world are lost to pests. Plants have suffered from prolonged biotic stresses and abiotic stresses, which cause significant changes in complex crop ecosystems, necessitating intensive pest management strategies that have often been accompanied by the struggle against plant pests. Plant pests and diseases control methods heavily reliant on chemical pesticides have caused many adverse effects. One innovative method involves using ultrafine bubble (UFB) waters, which can enable pesticide reduction action for the plant pest control. The classification and six properties of UFBs were summarized, and the generation approaches of UFBs were introduced based on physical and chemical methods. The applications of UFBs and ozone UFB waters in plant protection practices were comprehensively reviewed, in which UFB waters against the plant pests and the soilborne, airborne and waterborne diseases were analyzed, and the abiotic stresses of crops in high-salinity soil and contaminated soil, drought, and soil with heavy metals were reviewed. Despite promising applications, UFB technology has limitations. Aiming at pesticide reduction and replacement using UFB waters, the mechanism of UFB water controlling plant pests and diseases, the molecular mechanism of UFB water affecting plant pest resistance, the plant growth in harsh polluted environments, the UFB behavior with hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces of crops, and the building of an integrated intelligent crop growth system were proposed. Full article

Cryptosporidium is a waterborne gastrointestinal parasite that causes diarrheal disease worldwide. Currently, there are no effective therapeutics to treat cryptosporidiosis. Since natural products are a known source of anti-parasitic compounds, we screened a library of extracts and pure compounds isolated from bacteria and fungi collected from subterranean environments for anti-Cryptosporidium activity. Seven norditerpene lactones isolated from the fungus Oidiodendron truncatum collected from the Soudan Iron mine in Minnesota showed potent activity and were further tested to identify the most active compounds. The availability of a diverse suite of natural structural analogs with varying activities allowed us to determine some structure–activity relationships for both anti-parasitic activity and cytotoxicity. The two most potent compounds, oidiolactones A and B, had EC₅₀s against C. parvum of 530 and 240 nM, respectively, without cytotoxicity to host cells. Both compounds also inhibited the related parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Oidiolactone A was active against asexual, but not sexual, stages of C. parvum, and killed parasites within 8 h of treatment. This compound reduced C. parvum infection by 70% in IFNγ−/− mice, with no signs of toxicity. The high potency, low cytotoxicity, and in vivo activity combined with high production and synthetic accessibility make these oidiolactones attractive scaffolds for the development of new anti-Cryptosporidium therapeutics. Full article

Ink disease, caused by the soil-borne pathogens Phytophthora cambivora and Phytophthora cinnamomi, is threatening sweet chestnut (Castanea sativa) groves across Europe. This study investigates whether the morphology of soil and related properties influence the development of ink disease throughout the entire soil profile. In a C. sativa stand in Northern Italy, soil pits were excavated near symptomatic (INK1, 978 m a.s.l.) and healthy trees (INK2, 988 m a.s.l.; INK3, 998 m a.s.l.) along an altitudinal transect. The slope gradients at these sites were 3%, 9%, and 30%, respectively. Soils were classified as Luvisols. Results suggest that the lower slope position and gentler gradient of INK1 may have facilitated the downslope transport of clay and water from INK2 and INK3, leading to increased clay accumulation throughout the INK1 soil profiles. This, in turn, enhanced saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks) and the wilting point (WP), favoring water retention in deeper horizons, where Phytophthora DNA was detected. Indeed, INK1 had a higher WP (14.9%) compared to INK2 (11.7%) and INK3 (8.2%), and exhibited the highest Ks (25.1%), significantly exceeding values in INK2 (4.6%) and INK3 (6.5%). The presence of the pathogen in INK1 appeared to affect microbial functionality, as indicated by the dominance of contact (~20%) and medium-distance ectomycorrhizal (~60%) exploration types over long-distance ones. Overall, our findings highlighted the key role of soil processes, particularly clay and water redistribution, in shaping microbial communities and soil-borne pathogen dynamics through their influence on edaphic properties. Full article

White Spot Syndrome Virus (WSSV) is one of the most devastating viral pathogens affecting shrimp, causing severe economic losses to the global farmed shrimp trade. The globalization of live shrimp trade and waterborne transmission have facilitated the rapid spread of WSSV across major shrimp-producing countries since its initial emergence. The present review gives an updated account of WSSV biology, pathology, transmission dynamics, and recent developments in control measures. The virus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Nimaviridae family, utilizes advanced immune evasion strategies, resulting in severe mortality. Shrimp lack adaptive immunity and hence rely predominantly on innate immunity, which is insufficient to mount an effective response against severe infections. Traditional disease control measures such as augmented biosecurity, selective breeding, and immunostimulants have, despite extensive research, achieved only limited success. New biotechnological tools such as RNA interference, CRISPR-Cas gene editing, and nanotechnology offer tremendous potential for disease mitigation. In parallel, the development of DNA and RNA vaccines targeting WSSV structural proteins, such as VP28, holds significant promise for stimulating the shrimp immune system. This review highlights the urgent need for a convergent approach to sustainable disease management in global shrimp aquaculture, with interdisciplinarity playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of WSSV control. Full article

Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral disease, has become a significant global health concern in recent decades, particularly in Iran. This integrative review provides a comprehensive assessment of the epidemiological trends of dengue fever in Iran from its initial emergence to the present, identifying and evaluating factors contributing to both the emergence and re-emergence of the disease at national and international levels. The review highlights critical global determinants influencing dengue transmission, including climate change, environmental modifications, unplanned urbanization, increased international travel and trade, and the pivotal roles of public awareness and healthcare infrastructure. Climatic variables, such as rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, create favorable conditions for mosquito breeding, enabling vectors like Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus to expand into new regions. We also explore how environmental changes, unplanned urbanization and other factors further exacerbate the situation. Control strategies addressing these factors are presented. In Iran, the incidence of dengue fever is increasing, yet research remains limited. The highest number of local cases has been reported in Chabahar and Bandar Lengeh, Hormozgan and Sistan and Baluchestan Provinces, respectively. Eleven key factors—culminating in socio-cultural practices, climate change, unplanned urbanization, cross-border mobility, and gaps in vector control and healthcare infrastructure—have been identified as contributing to recent outbreaks in Iran. In conclusion, our review underscores that mitigating dengue vulnerability in Iran requires an urgent, multi-faceted strategy targeting improved urban water management, enhanced cross-border surveillance, and strengthened healthcare system capacity. Full article

Campylobacter spp. remain among the most common pathogens causing acute diarrhea worldwide. Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli are the main species that cause gastroenteritis. Campylobacteriosis is a food-borne disease, although this Gram-negative bacterium may be transmitted via water-borne outbreaks as well as direct contact with animals, emphasizing its zoonotic potential. Campylobacterisosis does not usually require hospitalization. Antimicrobials are warranted only for patients with severe disease, as well as patients who are at risk for severe disease, such as the elderly, pregnant women or immunocompromised patients. Nonetheless, the irrational use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine enhances antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Resistance of Campylobacter spp. to fluoroquinolones, macrolides and tetracyclines is a significant concern to the scientific community. Point mutations, horizontal gene transfer and efflux pumps are the main mechanisms for the development and transmission of AMR in Campylobacter spp. Emerging evidence suggests that climate change may indirectly contribute to the spread of AMR in Campylobacter, particularly through its influence on bacterial ecology, transmission pathways and antibiotic use patterns. Higher temperatures and extreme weather events accelerate bacterial growth, amplify the transfer of AMR genes and magnify disease transmission, including drug-resistant infections. Horizontal gene transfer, especially in the context of biofilm formation, may further perplex the situation. Excessive farming and overuse of antibiotics as growth promoters in animals may also contribute to increased AMR rates. Climate change and AMR are interconnected and pose a significant threat to global public health. Multidisciplinary strategies mitigating both phenomena are crucial in order to contain the spread of Campylobacter-related AMR. The aim of this review is to describe the molecular mechanisms that result in AMR of Campylobacter spp. and underscore the association between climate change and Campylobacteriosis. Novel methods to mitigate Campylobacter-related AMR will also be discussed. Full article

Background and objective: Child illness remains a significant public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries, including Bangladesh, with complex multifactorial causes extending beyond biomedical factors. This qualitative study explored perceived causes of child illness from the perspectives of caregivers and healthcare providers in rural and urban Bangladesh. Methods: Twenty-three in-depth interviews with primary caregivers, grandmothers, healthcare providers, and a group discussion with four community representatives revealed four primary categories of perceived illness causes. Results: Individual causes included maternal illness, forgetfulness, and knowledge gaps that affected caregiving practices, leading to missed vaccinations, poor hygiene and feeding practices. Socio-cultural causes included supernatural beliefs, intra-household power dynamics, domestic violence, maternal work burdens, early marriage, adolescent motherhood, and dowry practices. Economic causes included irregular income, rising food prices, and marketing of unhealthy products. Environmental causes included poor housing ventilation, inadequate waste management, heat wave exposure, urban air pollution, and water contamination, causing respiratory and waterborne diseases. Conclusions: These findings illustrate that child illness results from complex interactions between individual, socio-cultural, economic, and environmental causes. Potential interventions can address these multifaceted causes through comprehensive approaches including caregiver education, maternal empowerment strategies, economic support programs, and household environment improvements. Full article

Amphioxus belongs to the subphylum Cephalochordata and occupies a transitional position in evolution between invertebrates and vertebrates. Due to the lack of viruses suitable for immunostimulation in amphioxus, this study for the first time explored the pathogenicity and waterborne transmission of Grass Carp Reovirus (GCRV), a double-stranded RNA virus, during its infection of amphioxus. Soaking amphioxus in GCRV suspension can cause obvious damage to gill tissues and severely disrupt the structure of gill filaments. The virus survived in seawater for no more than 48 h. Infection kinetics studies showed that the expression of VP5 (a viral capsid protein) mRNA in gill tissues peaked at 14 h. After co-culturing GCRV-infected amphioxus with healthy amphioxus for 72 h, the gills of healthy amphioxus showed obvious pathological damage. Additionally, the presence of the virus was verified by RT-PCR amplification of VP5 expression, indicating that GCRV can be transmitted via water. Transcriptome sequencing analysis showed that the Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK), calcium signaling pathway, and chitin metabolic pathway were significantly activated in amphioxus after GCRV stimulation. This study confirmed that GCRV can infect cephalochordates, revealing its gill-tropism and water-borne transmission ability, providing a new perspective for studying the cross-species infection mechanism of aquatic viruses and the prevention and control of aquatic diseases. Full article

Background: Tularemia is a zoonotic infection caused by Francisella tularensis, transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected animals, arthropod bites, or by ingesting contaminated water. It commonly presents with fever, lymphadenopathy, and oropharyngeal symptoms. In Turkey, where waterborne outbreaks are frequent, tularemia remains a significant public health concern. This study aimed to compare the clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory characteristics of patients diagnosed with tularemia and those with similar clinical features but seronegative results, with the goal of identifying parameters that may assist in differential diagnosis. Methods: This retrospective study included adults (≥18 years) who presented to the Infectious Diseases Outpatient Clinic between 2016 and 2024 with suspected tularemia and were tested using a microagglutination test (MAT). Patients with a positive MAT (≥1:160) or a fourfold titre increase were classified as tularemia cases, while seronegative patients were defined as tularemia-like cases. Demographic data, clinical symptoms, epidemiological risk factors, and laboratory findings were compared between the two groups. Results: A total of 105 patients were included, 54 (51.4%) of whom were diagnosed with tularemia. The duration from symptom onset to healthcare presentation was significantly longer in tularemia cases (20.3 ± 5.7 vs. 15.7 ± 6.2 days; p < 0.001). Sore throat (66.7% vs. 43.1%; p = 0.026) and tonsillitis/pharyngitis (55.6% vs. 21.6%; p = 0.001) were significantly more prevalent in the tularemia group. Epidemiological risk factors, including rural residence (92.6%), animal husbandry (74.1%), agricultural activity (72.2%), and contact with lake or stream water, were significantly more prevalent among tularemia cases (all p < 0.001). Alanine aminotransaminase (p = 0.019) and C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.027) were significantly lower in the tularemia group. Conclusions: Tularemia cases are associated with particular epidemiological risk factors and oropharyngeal symptoms. A thorough epidemiological evaluation is crucial for diagnosis, and enhancing awareness among healthcare providers and the public may facilitate earlier recognition and management. Full article

Nepal is currently facing critical water quality challenges due to urbanization, water management and governance issues, as well as natural disasters. This has resulted in the presence of harmful contaminants (e.g., pathogens, nitrates, arsenic) across multiple water sources, subsequently leading to waterborne disease risks (e.g., cholera and typhoid). In response to these environmental and public health concerns, we conducted a scoping review to assess microbial and chemical contaminants in drinking and irrigation water in Nepal, as well as their potential impacts on public health. Following the JBI Manual for Evidence Synthesis and the PRISMA-SCR guidelines, we systematically searched for peer-reviewed literature on Nepal’s water quality in seven databases. Of 3666 unique records screened using predefined inclusion criteria, 140 met our criteria. The studies encompassed a variety of methodological designs, with the majority focusing on water sources in the Bagmati province. Bacteria and arsenic emerged as the most prevalent contaminants. Additionally, diseases such as arsenicosis and typhoid remain widespread and may be linked to contaminated water sources. The review identified key gaps in Nepal’s water quality management, including limited geographic research coverage, inconsistent testing protocols, weak regulatory enforcement, and a lack of integration of water quality with public health planning. Our findings underscore the urgent need for effective surveillance systems and a robust regulatory framework to promptly respond to water contamination events in Nepal. Full article

Access to clean and safe drinking water is crucial for global health and well-being, formally recognised as a fundamental human right within the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, the integrity of water supply is increasingly threatened by microbial contamination, a risk aggravated by the conditions driven from climate change, which promotes the proliferation, resilience, and facilitation of the dissemination of microorganisms. Pathogens like Legionella, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Escherichia coli, and Vibrio cholerae can be present in water supplies, developing survival strategies (e.g., biofilm, cysts, inside protozoa). The risk of microorganisms in water requires both effective treatment at drinking water treatment plants and vigilant process control throughout drinking water distribution systems. Globally, a great number of disease outbreaks have been linked to contaminated drinking water. Despite strong regulations in the European Union and the Drinking Water Directive aim to guarantee the safety and quality of potable water, outbreaks persist; recent Legionella cases in Italy in 2024 and Cryptosporidiosis in 2019 linked to rainfalls and insufficient disinfection treatment, respectively, are an example of this. Although cholera is not common in Europe, there is evidence of high incidence of this disease in Africa mainly due to the poor hygienic conditions in the DWTS. In Europe, the data of waterborne diseases and outbreaks are submitted by European Countries to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) to give faster and effective response to outbreaks. Determining the origin of the contamination is essential to face the solution of outbreaks and ensure public health safety. Full article

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent waterborne zoonosis. Rapid enrichment and detection technologies for this disease are essential. Cyst outer wall proteins are ideal targets for the enrichment and detection of cysts in the environment, but there are few available targets with suboptimal effectiveness. In this study, Giardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) cysts were purified, and outer wall proteins were biotinylated, followed by streptavidin magnetic bead purification and mass spectrometry. Sixty-three novel cyst wall proteins were identified, and their functions were annotated through Gene Ontology (GO) and KEGG analyses. The β-giardin and α-1 giardin were among the newly identified and predicted to be located on the outer wall of G. duodenalis cysts. For the characterization of these two targets, we applied sequence analysis, prokaryotic expression, preparation of polyclonal antibodies, and determination of subcellular localization. Finally, based on β-giardin immunomagnetic beads were prepared using the polyclonal antibodies and tested for their enrichment efficiency. Immunomagnetic beads targeting β-giardin achieved 65% cyst enrichment efficiency in fecal samples, comparable to conventional methods. Clinical evaluation across 163 multi-host fecal samples (ferrets, Siberian tigers, red-crowned cranes) demonstrated concordance with nested PCR, successfully enriching cysts from PCR-positive specimens. The immunomagnetic beads method targeting β-giardin demonstrated effective G. duodenalis cyst enrichment in multi-host fecal samples. These results provide a proteomic framework for the cyst wall proteins of G. duodenalis, expanding the detection targets for G. duodenalis cysts. It also establishes a theoretical foundation for subsequent research on the composition and function of G. duodenalis cysts. Full article

Water plays a fundamental role in sustaining biological processes, ecological functions, and economic systems. However, the progressive pollution of water sources compromises these functions, posing significant threats to water purity, human well-being, and environmental sustainability. Human activities, such as industrial waste, agriculture, and urbanization, alongside natural processes, are major contributors to the deterioration of surface water quality, which in turn leads to environmental and economic risks. The decline in water quality results in issues such as waterborne diseases, loss of biodiversity, and a shortage of clean water for consumption and industrial use. This paper emphasizes the critical need for maintaining good water quality and the importance of implementing effective strategies for the removal of physical, chemical, and biological contaminants. In response, this work presents an intelligent embedded system (electronic control unit, ECU) developed as part of a modular filtration system designed to improve surface water quality, provide more precise water analyses, and perform tests within a controlled environment. Full article

Urban landscapes have given rise to novel ecosystems (e.g., green areas), which differ in design and ecological quality depending on local planning strategies. Europe has the goal to increase conservation through increasing greenspace; however, urban wildlife health impacts, particularly on birds, are poorly studied. This study investigates associations between haemosporidians and intestinal coccidia in the Eurasian Tree Sparrow (Passer montanus), as well as their body condition and immunological status, from five urban green areas in Madrid, Spain, from 2019 to 2022. These green areas differ in green infrastructure, and because these birds are adapted to urban environments, they are a good model to evaluate how green area infrastructure may affect the birds’ health. We detected a 29% prevalence of haemosporidians (Haemoproteus being the most common, followed by Leucocytozoon and Plasmodium) and a 4% prevalence of intestinal coccidia. We found that haemosporidian prevalence was significantly higher in green areas with untreated stagnant water surrounded by muddy areas, ideal conditions for vector reproduction. Therefore, effective management strategies, especially related to water treatment, are essential for protecting urban wildlife and human health. This study provides valuable information for researchers and urban wildlife managers to incorporate appropriate management strategies into urban green area planning to preserve urban biodiversity and protect public health. Full article

Continuous planting results in a higher occurrence rate of oriental melon Fusarium wilt caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis (FOM), and treatment with Trichoderma can considerably alleviate the incidence of disease. However, the tripartite interaction mechanisms among T. harzianum–melon–rhizosphere microorganisms remain poorly understood in current research. Pot experiments elucidate the growth-promoting, antagonistic, and rhizosphere-regulating effects of T. harzianum on oriental melon. The experiment consisted of two treatments: (1) water control (CK), and (2) T. harzianum inoculation (MM) with three repetitions per treatment. Illumina high-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the microbial community and associated metabolic pathways. Additionally, a comprehensive correlation analysis clarified how T. harzianum-modulated physiological factors regulate soil microbial communities to enhance melon resistance to FOM. T. harzianum inoculation significantly promoted plant growth, decreased the incidence rate of Fusarium wilt by 41.85%, and increased rhizosphere nitrate-N, pH, EC, and soil enzyme activity (e.g., sucrose and alkaline phosphatase). Notably, T. harzianum inoculation altered the rhizosphere microbial community’s relative abundance and structure, with the most striking changes in the fungal community. Principal coordinate analysis showed this fungal restructuring accounted for 44.9% of total community variation (37% from PCo1, 7.9% from PCo2). Soil-borne pathogens (e.g., Fusarium, Verticillium, Phytophthora) decreased in relative abundance with the inoculation of T. harzianum. Meanwhile, the microbial community shifted from a “fungal-dominated” to “bacterial-dominated” state: fungal proportion decreased by 9.47% (from 23.95% in CK to 14.48% in MM), while bacterial proportion increased by 9.47% (from 76.05% in CK to 85.52% in MM). Microbial abundance shifts primarily impacted amino acid and cofactor biosynthesis metabolic pathways. The application of T. harzianum modified the soil environment, restructuring microbial communities through these changes, which in turn regulated microbial metabolic pathways, creating a soil environment conducive to melon growth and thereby enhancing oriental melon resistance to FOM, while mitigating the obstacles of continuous cropping. Full article