Microbiota Diversity and Its Broader Biological Implications Across Human and Animal Health

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Human and animal microbiota, consisting of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, play a crucial role in regulating immune function, metabolism, and tissue homeostasis. These diverse communities inhabit various body sites, including the gut, skin, and reproductive organs, influencing health outcomes in both humans and animals. Recent research has expanded our understanding of microbiota's impact on metabolic regulation, reproductive function, etc. However, considerable variability across individuals complicates the establishment of a "healthy" microbiota and the determination of causal relationships between microbiota composition and health. Dysbiosis, or microbial imbalance, is linked to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and infertility. Environmental factors, such as diet and exposure to endocrine-disrupting chemicals, can exacerbate dysbiosis, influencing health. Although advances in sequencing technologies provide deeper insights, challenges remain in understanding microbiota–host interactions. We invite you to contribute high-quality research related to human and animal microbiota and its impact on health, using innovative methods such as original articles, large-scale observational studies, narrative and systematic reviews and perspectives. All submitted papers will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. We look forward to receiving your submissions and advancing our understanding of the microbiota's role in human and animal health.

Dr. Giovanna Liguori
Dr. Luc van Nassauw
Dr. Anna Costagliola
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Applied Microbiology applmicrobiol	-	2.8	2021	14.3 Days	CHF 1000	Submit
International Journal of Molecular Sciences ijms	4.9	9.0	2000	16.8 Days	CHF 2900	Submit
Microbiology Research microbiolres	2.1	2.8	2010	15.4 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Microorganisms microorganisms	4.1	7.7	2013	11.7 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Veterinary Sciences vetsci	2.0	3.5	2014	21.2 Days	CHF 2100	Submit
Applied Biosciences applbiosci	-	2.9	2022	19.1 Days	CHF 1000	Submit

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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All Applied Microbiology IJMS Microbiology Research Microorganisms Veterinary Sciences Applied Biosciences

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9 pages, 686 KiB  

Open AccessBrief Report

Disaggregated Helicobacter pylori Biofilm Impairs Bactericidal Activity and Bacterial Phagocytosis by Human Neutrophils

by Clara Lourdes Tovar-Robles, Yolanda Romo-Lozano, Daniel Cervantes-García and Rodolfo González-Segovia

Microbiol. Res. 2025, 16(6), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres16060121 - 8 Jun 2025

Viewed by 112

Abstract

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a prevalent human pathogen affecting nearly half the global population, is a major contributor to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. H. pylori develops biofilms (BFs) allowing bacteria to evade the immune response. Differences in composition [...] Read more.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a prevalent human pathogen affecting nearly half the global population, is a major contributor to chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. H. pylori develops biofilms (BFs) allowing bacteria to evade the immune response. Differences in composition between planktonic and biofilm cells influence the host’s immune response, yet the specific biofilm components modulating this response remain uncharacterized. Considering the above, this study evaluated the effect of in vitro-generated H. pylori BF on the antibacterial activity of neutrophils. This work utilized sonication to obtain disaggregated H. pylori BF (d-BF-Hp) to challenge human neutrophils, assessing their bactericidal and phagocytic activity against Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus survival in the presence of neutrophils was enhanced by 10 μg/mL of d-BF-Hp’s protein. Conversely, S. aureus survival was significantly lower at 30 µg/mL compared to 10 µg/mL d-BF-Hp. Furthermore, 10 and 30 µg/mL of d-BF-Hp significantly reduced the neutrophil phagocytosis rate. Our findings suggest that d-BF-Hp components diminish neutrophil bactericidal activity, although this effect was not observed at higher d-BF-Hp concentrations. Increased d-BF-Hp concentrations proportionally reduced neutrophil phagocytic capacity. Future work should explore the mechanisms underlying the alteration of neutrophil microbicidal properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbiota Diversity and Its Broader Biological Implications Across Human and Animal Health)

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14 pages, 698 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Mycobacterium appelbergii sp. nov., a Novel Species Isolated from a Drinking Water Fountain in a Rural Community

by Inês Cravo Roxo, Susana Alarico, Ana Fonseca, Daniela Machado, Ana Maranha, Igor Tiago, Raquel Duarte and Nuno Empadinhas

Microorganisms 2025, 13(6), 1259; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061259 - 29 May 2025

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Abstract

Three isolates of a novel, rapidly growing, non-pigmented Mycobacterium species were recovered from the water and runoff of a public fountain in a rural village in central Portugal, formerly used by the local population as a source of drinking water and not accessible [...] Read more.

Three isolates of a novel, rapidly growing, non-pigmented Mycobacterium species were recovered from the water and runoff of a public fountain in a rural village in central Portugal, formerly used by the local population as a source of drinking water and not accessible to animals. High-quality draft genome sequencing, in silico DNA–DNA hybridization, and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that isolates 21AC1^T, 21AC14, and 21AC21 represent a previously undescribed species within the genus Mycobacterium, forming a distinct phylogenetic lineage closely related to Mycobacterium wolinskyi, Mycobacterium goodii and Mycobacterium smegmatis. MALDI-TOF MS analysis of the type strain 21AC1^T revealed a unique spectral profile. A comprehensive polyphasic characterization was performed, including chemotaxonomic analyses of fatty acid and mycolic acid composition, as well as an extensive biochemical characterization. Their susceptibility to 12 antimicrobials was also assessed. The identification and characterization of novel nontuberculous mycobacteria species are of increasing environmental and clinical relevance, as infections by these opportunistic pathogens are on the rise globally. Based on our findings, we propose that isolates 21AC1^T, 21AC14, and 21AC21 represent a novel species, for which we propose the name Mycobacterium appelbergii sp. nov., with the type strain designated as 21AC1^T (=BCCM/ITM 501212 = DSM 113570) and the additional two strains as 21AC14 (=BCCM/ITM 501447 = DSM 118402) and 21AC21 (=BCCM/ITM 501448 = DSM 118403). Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbiota Diversity and Its Broader Biological Implications Across Human and Animal Health)

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13 pages, 1350 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Control of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Using Photodynamic Therapy in Synergy with Staphylococcus epidermidis: Role of Mixed Cultures in Developing Strategies to Inhibit Infections

by Rebeca Vieira de Lima, Kate Cristina Blanco and Vanderlei Salvador Bagnato

Microorganisms 2025, 13(6), 1196; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13061196 - 23 May 2025

Viewed by 273

Abstract

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium living abundantly on our skin and mucous membranes. When there is an imbalance in microbiota, they are the main protagonists of various infections, such as soft tissue infections and bacteremia. However, Staphylococcus epidermidis also colonizes this microbiome, [...] Read more.

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive bacterium living abundantly on our skin and mucous membranes. When there is an imbalance in microbiota, they are the main protagonists of various infections, such as soft tissue infections and bacteremia. However, Staphylococcus epidermidis also colonizes this microbiome, is able to compete with pathogenic bacteria, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and can contribute to treatments such as photodynamic inactivation (PDI) by inhibiting infection progression and restoring a healthy microbiota. In vitro photodynamic inactivation experiments were carried out using synthetic curcumin at a concentration of 5 μM as a photosensitizer and varying light doses (1, 2 and 5 J/cm²) at a wavelength of 450 nm, on pure cultures (S. aureus, S. epidermidis and MRSA) and mixed cultures, in which bacteria were placed together proportionally. This study revealed that pure cultures of these bacteria obtained statistically significant results with varying light doses of 2 and 5 J/cm². In addition, in an attempt to bring infections closer to reality, experiments were carried out on mixed cultures. The results were not only significant but also increased reduction of bacteria, including resistant bacteria. Study offers new perspectives on the importance of themicrobiota for treatment of infections caused by the Staphylococcus genus. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbiota Diversity and Its Broader Biological Implications Across Human and Animal Health)

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11 pages, 1233 KiB  

Open AccessCase Report

Atopobium vaginae: An Overview of the Bacteria Through Clinical Cases

by Anna Vaseruk, Stepan Nedzelskyi, Roksolana Konechna, Halyna Lavryk, Alicja Sękowska and Yulian Konechnyi

Microbiol. Res. 2025, 16(5), 103; https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres16050103 - 20 May 2025

Viewed by 405

Abstract

Atopobium vaginae (nowadays Fannyhessea vaginae) is an anaerobic bacterium increasingly implicated not only in bacterial vaginosis (BV) but also in a broader range of infections. Despite growing recognition of its clinical relevance, comprehensive data on the characteristics of A. vaginae remain limited. [...] Read more.

Atopobium vaginae (nowadays Fannyhessea vaginae) is an anaerobic bacterium increasingly implicated not only in bacterial vaginosis (BV) but also in a broader range of infections. Despite growing recognition of its clinical relevance, comprehensive data on the characteristics of A. vaginae remain limited. This study aimed to isolate and thoroughly characterize the clinical strains of A. vaginae from both vaginal and oral cavity samples. A multifaceted methodological approach was employed, including antibiotic susceptibility testing to assess resistance and sensitivity profiles, PCR for genetic identification, and biochemical profiling using the VITEK-2 Compact system. Additionally, the morphological traits and growth dynamics of the isolates were examined. Given the established role of A. vaginae as a significant contributor to BV, the results of this study aim to support the development of evidence-based antimicrobial strategies for effective management of A. vaginae-associated infections. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Microbiota Diversity and Its Broader Biological Implications Across Human and Animal Health)

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