搜索结果：Acta microbiologica Hellenica

Nongxiangxing baijiu (NXXB) is one of the main types of Chinese Baijiu. Its unique flavor is formed during fermentation by the combined action of various microorganisms, with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) making a great contribution. Lactate fermentation produces the precursors of key flavor compounds, such as lactic acid, acetic acid, and other flavor compounds, which combine to produce the unique sensory characteristics of NXXB. This review focuses on the diversity of LAB species and their physiological and metabolic characteristics. These characteristics include key species involved at different fermentation stages, metabolite biosynthesis, acid-tolerance mechanisms, interactions with yeasts, and factors influencing LAB community composition. It also discusses current challenges and future research directions for LAB in relation to NXXB production, aiming to advance understanding and potential future applications of these bacteria.

Engineered microbial consortia are emerging as programmable systems capable of sensing and responding to their environment. However, maintaining defined community composition over time remains challenging, particularly in bioprocesses where growth conditions and metabolic burdens continuously shift. Here, we develop a burden-aware multicellular RNA-based feedback control system that stabilises coculture composition by coupling gene expression burden to growth regulation. The system integrates three modules: quorum sensing-based communication, an RNA-based comparator computing deviations from a target ratio, and tuneable growth regulation via heterologous expression burden or CRISPRi-mediated knockdowns. In a two-strain E. coli coculture, this architecture maintains stable coculture ratios over 24-hour batch cultures, recovers growth rates by up to 90% following burden-induced growth reduction, and increases protein production yields by up to 81% in the slower-growing strain. We achieve tuneability by adjusting RNA binding strength and quorum-sensing signal production. This work demonstrates that burden-driven growth control can be used to stabilise and tune synthetic microbial consortia.

Purpose: Syphilis remains a global public health concern, particularly in developing countries. This study aims to determine the seroprevalence of syphilis and assess its association with sociodemographic factors among female blood donors of reproductive age in Surabaya, Indonesia. Methods: This cross-sectional study analysed secondary data from 186 female blood donors aged 15–49 years at the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) in Surabaya. Syphilis status was categorized as reactive or non-reactive based on screening results. Sociodemographic variables included age, marital status, education, and occupation. Descriptive and chi-square bivariate analyses were conducted using JASP 0.95.4, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: The seroprevalence of syphilis among female donors was 25.3%. Significant associations were found between syphilis status and marital status (p = 0.000), age category (p = 0.001), and education level (p = 0.013). Unmarried women, adolescents aged 15–24, and those with lower levels of education had the highest proportions of reactive results. While occupation was not statistically significant (p = 0.228), students and housewives showed the highest infection rates. Conclusion: The high seroprevalence of syphilis among female reproductive-age donors in Surabaya is significantly associated with specific sociodemographic factors. Strengthening STI prevention programs and routine donor screenings is essential to ensure blood safety and improve reproductive health outcomes.

Background The individuals with tuberculosis (TB) experience a variety of barriers, needs, and challenges when receiving the treatment. Evidence on holistic patient-centered psychosocial interventions that promote self-efficacy and the ability to complete treatment-related tasks and goals is scarce in India. Objectives To adapt an intervention aimed at strengthening the self-efficacy of individuals on TB treatment and their family caregivers, and to evaluate its effectiveness compared with the standard of care on the primary outcome of improved TB treatment self-efficacy and secondary outcomes of improved medication adherence, reduced TB-related stigma, and improved infection control practices. Methods A multicentric hybrid Type I mixed method implementation research design will be used to adapt and evaluate the implementation feasibility and effectiveness of delivering a self-efficacy-based intervention under National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) settings in India. A two-arm non-randomized cluster intervention design will be employed to evaluate the impact of a self-efficacy intervention, which includes individual counseling and peer group sessions ( n = 240) in comparison to the standard of care ( n = 240) on primary and secondary outcomes. Qualitative in-depth interviews and focus group discussions, guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), will be conducted to explore contextual factors influencing implementation. Discussion The proposed study could generate evidence for a holistic and evidence-informed psycho-social intervention for individuals with TB and their family caregivers. It aims to improve their self-efficacy in overcoming TB treatment challenges and address the key psycho-social barriers comprehensively. Qualitative insights from the study are expected to guide/facilitate the pragmatic scale-up of self-efficacy-based interventions under the National TB program of India. Clinical trial registration The study has been registered in the Clinical Trial Registry of India CTRI/2024/05/066847.

General Background: Antimicrobial resistance represents a major global health challenge requiring alignment of empiric antibiotic therapy with local susceptibility data. Specific Background: In clinical practice, variability persists between empiric prescribing and antibiogram-based expectations despite stewardship recommendations. Knowledge Gap: Real-world evidence on the degree of concordance and its association with clinical outcomes in hospital settings remains limited. Aims: This study evaluated concordance between initial empiric antibiotic therapy and local antibiogram data and examined outcomes associated with discordant therapy. Results: Among 512 patients, overall concordance was 64.8%, while 35.2% received discordant therapy. Concordance was highest in urinary tract infections (76.2%) and lowest in pneumonia (52.9%), and was reduced in intensive care settings (54.8%) compared with medical wards (71.3%). Gram-negative pathogens predominated, with Escherichia coli (37.7%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (22.5%) most frequent. Independent predictors of resistance included prior antibiotic exposure, hospital-acquired infection, and intensive care admission. Discordant therapy was associated with longer hospitalization (11 vs 7 days) and higher antibiotic escalation rates (46% vs 18%), with a non-significant increase in mortality. Novelty: This study integrates antibiogram concordance analysis with clinical outcomes and identifies healthcare-associated predictors within a single cohort. Implications: Strengthening integration of local antibiograms into empiric prescribing pathways may support optimized antibiotic use and address antimicrobial resistance. Highlights:• One-Third of Initial Treatments Did Not Match Susceptibility Expectations.• Critical Care and Respiratory Cases Showed Lowest Alignment Rates.• Mismatch Linked to Longer Stays and Higher Treatment Escalation. Keywords: Antimicrobial Resistance, Empiric Antibiotic Therapy, Antibiogram, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Clinical Outcomes.

Introduction: Sudden Cardiac Death (SCD) is one of the main causes of death in the world, with a significant impact especially on young people. Sudden Cardiac Death in the Young (SCDY) is characterized by multifactorial etiology, which includes cardiomyopathies, myocarditis, channelopathies, aortopathies and coronary artery diseases. Despite progress in prevention, a significant percentage of these deaths remain unexplained without a thorough autopsy. This study aims to SCDY cases registered between 2016 and 2024, exploring the association between type of autopsy, age, sex, causes of death and temporal changes. Methods: Data relating to subjects who died for suspected SCDY, who underwent forensic, or hospital autopsy were retrospectively analysed. Investigations included type of autopsy (diagnostic or judicial), age (in years), sex, available clinical data, gross and histological findings, and cause of death. The data were divided by age groups (0-10, 11-20, 21-30, 31-40 years), sex and cause of death (arrhythmias, congenital heart defects, myocarditis, vascular dissections and cardiomyopathies). The temporal distribution of cases was also evaluated. Results: A total of 62 cases were analysed, with a prevalence of male subjects (70%). Forensic autopsies (65%) were more frequent than diagnostic findings (35%). The most represented age groups were 11-20 years (30%) and 21-30 years (25%). Unknown arrhythmias were the main cause (40%), followed by congenital heart disease (20%) and cardiomyopathy (15%). Congenital heart defects prevailed in newborns and children, while hypertrophic or arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies were more frequently observed in young adults. Temporally, there has been a progressive increase in molecular autopsies and genetic diagnoses, in particular after the introduction of the AECVP (2017) and SCVP (2023) guidelines. Discussion: The findings highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis of SCDY, with particular emphasis on molecular autopsy to identify genetic causes. The male predominance and age-related etiological differences underline the importance of specific preventive strategies, such as genetic screening in newborns and victims' relatives. The increase in diagnoses over time reflects the effectiveness of updated guidelines, but it remains crucial to expand the mandatory nature of autopsies to improve understanding of the causes of SCDY and reduce the incidence of these tragic events.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a significant healthcare challenge, particularly due to the increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria. This study aims to analyze the antibiotic resistance profiles, biofilm formation, and the role of plasmids in mediating resistance in bacteria isolated from DFU infections. A total of 27 patients with DFUs were enrolled, and bacterial samples were collected from both surface and deep tissue. Isolates were cultured, identified, and tested for antibiotic resistance using the disk diffusion method. The results showed high resistance rates, with Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most predominant pathogens, each exhibiting 100% resistance to ceftazidime and amoxicillin-clavulanic acid. Notably, resistance to fluoroquinolones was also significant, with E. cloacae showing 44.44% resistance to levofloxacin. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) production was also prevalent, particularly in Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Biofilm formation, which contributes to chronic persistence of infection, was also significantly higher in Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae. A significant correlation was observed between plasmid presence and increased antibiotic resistance, especially against tetracycline and fluoroquinolones, indicating the role of plasmids in resistance dissemination. These findings underscore the importance of plasmid-mediated resistance in DFU infections and highlight the need for local resistance surveillance and targeted treatment strategies. Future studies should incorporate molecular techniques, such as whole-genome sequencing, to further elucidate the genetic basis of resistance and biofilm formation in DFUs.

Natural lakes and ponds typically feature green areas where people engage in recreational and sporting activities. In Italy, these areas are often inhabited by non-native freshwater turtles, even at high densities. However, freshwater turtles have been identified as natural carriers for various pathogens that can be transmitted to humans, making their sanitary monitoring crucial to prevent accidental transmission through direct or indirect contact. In this study, we investigated the presence of three potentially zoonotic pathogens, namely Salmonella, Leptospira and Cryptosporidium, in a group of 83 freshwater turtles (Trachemys scripta) captured in Piedmont, Northwest Italy. Overall infection prevalence was 9.6%. Salmonella spp. was detected in ten specimens of T. s. elegans and Cryptosporidium ducismarci in one specimen of T. s. scripta. Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae was confirmed in ten freshwater turtles. No Leptospira DNA was detected. Our findings highlight that turtles, as asymptomatic carriers of zoonotic pathogens, contribute to environmental contamination and public health risks, underscoring the need for sanitary monitoring of invasive alien species under a 'One Health' approach.

Abstract DNA sequencing is at the core of genome characterization, proteomics, and identification of novel organisms. For microorganisms such as bacteriophages, sequencing their DNA can provide key insights into their tropism, infectivity, and virulence. There remains however a critical lack of rapid sequencing techniques with the traditional process of replating and incubating individual plaques, collecting lysate, extracting DNA, preparing the DNA library, and sequencing that is labor intensive. Herein, we demonstrate the use of an adapted Nanopore Rapid PCR Barcoding protocol to sequence the bacteriophage genome directly from individual plaques. This technique provides sequencing genome assemblies with 99.88-100% (mean 99.97%) average nucleotide identity (ANI) scores when compared to the traditional methods involving phage amplification, extraction, and sequencing using Illumina. The optimization of bacteriophage identification by the technique of tagmentation directly to isolated plaques will enable rapid and cost-effective sequencing of novel phages.

Background To investigate the association between maternal Group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonisation in late pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, with a focus on GBS colonisation risk factors and the role of colonisation density in influencing maternal and neonatal health.Methods This retrospective study analysed clinical data from 20,040 pregnant women at 35–37 weeks of gestation between January 2020 and January 2023. GBS colonisation was assessed using rectovaginal swabs, followed by culture, PCR quantification, and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Demographic and clinical characteristics, maternal outcomes, and neonatal outcomes were compared between GBS-positive and GBS-negative groups. Further stratified analysis was conducted on the impact of high GBS colonisation on maternal and neonatal outcomes. Logistic regression was used to identify independent risk factors for GBS colonisation.Results GBS colonisation was detected in 505 of 20,040 women (2.52%). Among the 236 isolates tested, all were sensitive to penicillin. Significant risk factors for GBS colonisation included maternal age ≥35 years, gestational diabetes mellitus, and coexisting vaginitis (p < 0.05). The incidence of puerperal infection, PROM, postpartum haemorrhage, premature birth, and neonatal pneumonia were significantly higher in the GBS-positive group than in the GBS-negative group (p < 0.05). Stratification by colonisation density revealed that women with high GBS colonisation had elevated rates of puerperal infection (23.01% vs. 14.29%), PROM (34.51% vs. 19.13%), and postpartum haemorrhage (18.58% vs. 8.93%) compared to those with lower GBS colonisation (p < 0.05). Neonatal outcomes also varied by colonisation density: neonatal infection (14.16% vs. 6.89%) and premature birth (16.81% vs. 9.69%) were significantly more common in the high-colonisation group.Conclusions Maternal GBS colonisation, especially with high density, increases adverse outcomes. Risk factors include age ≥35, vaginitis, and diabetes. Routine screening and targeted prophylaxis are essential.

ABSTRACT Salmonella enterica is a major foodborne pathogen that poses significant risks to public health and poultry production. This study aimed to investigate the distribution, serovar types, virulence genes, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles of S. enterica isolated from chickens in Bangladesh. A total of 250 samples from broiler ( n = 100), layer ( n = 100), and Sonali ( n = 50) chickens were collected across four districts in Bangladesh and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and MALDI‐TOF for identification and serotyping. The presence of virulence and AMR genes was assessed via PCR, while phenotypic resistance was determined using the disk diffusion method. In PCR, S. enterica was detected in 14.4% (36/250) of the samples, with significantly higher prevalence in layers compared with broilers and Sonali. Among the isolates, 61.1% (22/36) were identified as serovar Typhimurium, 27.8% (10/36) as Enteritidis, and 11.1% (4/36) remained untyped. All isolates harbored the invA , stn , sivH , and lpfA virulence genes, while hilA and spvC were detected in 97.2% and 63.9% of the isolates, respectively. High phenotypic resistance was observed to sulfamethoxazole (94.4%), sulfonamide (91.7%), nitrofurantoin (55.5%), and ampicillin (52.8%), with 86.1% of isolates classified as multidrug‐resistant. Genotypically, resistance genes aadA2 and SUL1 were most common (94.4%), followed by bla CMY‐9 (75%) and bla SHV (52.8%), with variations across serovars and poultry types. These findings highlight the high burden of antimicrobial‐resistant S. enterica serovars in Bangladeshi poultry and underscore the need for continuous surveillance and prudent antimicrobial use.

Psychiatric disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and type 2 diabetes (T2D) share common mechanisms, including neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, and gut microbiota alterations. This literature review evaluates key molecular and clinical intersections across these diseases. Analyzing peer-reviewed studies (2020–2025) from databases like PubMed and Scopus, our findings highlight oxidative stress and systemic inflammation as major drivers of disease progression, with hypoxia-induced neuroinflammation and gut dysbiosis emerging as critical factors. Early psychiatric screening in COPD and T2D patients is essential, alongside precision medicine approaches such as biomarker diagnostics and microbiome-based therapies. Addressing inflammation and autonomic dysfunction could help break the cycle of disease progression. This study advocates for a multidisciplinary healthcare approach, emphasising integrated, patient-centered management strategies.

Objective The emergence of resistance to colistin, the last resort for treating severe infections caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa , poses a significant threat to public health. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the prevalence of colistin resistance in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa. Method A comprehensive search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, and Scopus databases was conducted to identify relevant articles published until December 2023. Subsequently, a meta-analysis was performed using Stata software to examine the pooled prevalence of colistin resistance and to conduct subgroup analyses. Results A total of 619 studies were included in the meta-analysis, revealing a global prevalence of colistin resistance of 1% among all P. aeruginosa isolates. Furthermore, cystic fibrosis patients exhibited the highest resistance to colistin, with a prevalence of 7% among the examined diseases. Conclusion The increase in colistin resistance in P. aeruginosa in recent years from 2% (in the period of 2006–2010) to 5% (in the period of 2020–2023) underscores the need for implementing infection prevention programs, using appropriate treatment regimens, and disseminating comprehensive information on antimicrobial resistance patterns. These measures are crucial for addressing this growing public health concern.

Pulmonary cavitation is an uncommon late complication of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and its underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. We report a case of a 37-year-old previously healthy man who developed bilateral cavitary lung lesions in the first weeks following hospitalization for severe COVID-19 pneumonia requiring noninvasive ventilation, systemic corticosteroids, and empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics. A computed tomography pulmonary angiogram performed during the index admission showed typical COVID-19 changes without cavitation. Twenty-one days after discharge, he was readmitted with pleuritic chest pain and was found to have a new large, thick-walled cavitary lesion with an air-fluid level in the left lower lobe, followed one week later by a second gas-filled cavity in the right upper lobe. Despite these radiological findings, he remained clinically stable, with no fever, respiratory compromise, or leukocytosis. Extensive evaluation, including repeat computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography, blood and sputum cultures, autoimmune screening, bronchoscopy, bronchoalveolar lavage (with bacterial, mycobacterial, and fungal studies), and galactomannan testing, was entirely negative. In view of the reassuring clinical and laboratory profile, antimicrobial therapy was stopped, and the patient was managed conservatively with close follow-up. Serial imaging over five months demonstrated complete resolution of both cavities without further intervention. This case illustrates a self-limited form of post-COVID pulmonary cavitation in a young adult with a negative infectious workup and emphasizes the importance of integrating clinical stability, inflammatory markers, and thorough diagnostic assessment to distinguish noninfectious post-COVID cavitation from necrotizing infection and to avoid unnecessary prolonged antimicrobial treatment.

The vaginal microbiome is a complex ecosystem that plays a key role in maintaining a woman’s reproductive health. The aim of the study was to analyze the composition and structure of the vaginal microbiota in women of reproductive age and to determine the possibility of using its characteristics as potential biomarkers of the physiological or pathological state of the reproductive system. The study involved 30 patients of reproductive age, from whom vaginal samples were collected and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed with subsequent taxonomic identification of microorganisms. The results showed that in 55 % of the examined women, the vaginal microbiota was eubiotic in nature with a predominance of representatives of the genus Lactobacillus, while in 45 % signs or suspicion of bacterial vaginosis were detected. Lactobacillus crispatus (45 %), L. iners (36 %), L. gasseri (18 %) and L. jensenii (9 %) were most often detected, which corresponds to typical physiological profiles of CST I–III. In samples with dysbiosis, anaerobic taxa predominated: Gardnerella vaginalis (83 %), Atopobium vaginae (75 %), Prevotella spp. (67 %), Bacteroides spp. (58 %) and Mobiluncus spp. (42 %). The detected profiles are consistent with the classical CST IV types, characterized by high microbial diversity and alkaline pH. Correlation analysis showed an inverse relationship between the frequency of detection of L. crispatus and the level of anaerobic contamination, confirming the antagonistic interaction between lactobacilli and dysbiotic biota. Lactobacilli dominance prevailed in pregnant women, indicating hormonally-induced stabilization of the microbiome, while temporary shifts to the anaerobic type were observed after antibiotic therapy. Thus, the results confirm that the vaginal microbiome is a sensitive biomarker of a woman's reproductive health, reflecting the state of local immunity, hormonal balance and the risk of developing pathological processes. The preservation of the dominance of Lactobacillus spp. is an indicator of eubiosis, while the increase in the proportion of anaerobes indicates dysbiotic changes that may precede the clinical manifestations of bacterial vaginosis. Thus, the assessment of the composition of the vaginal microbiota can be used as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in reproductive medicine, as well as for the development of personalized microbiome therapeutic strategies.

In 2050, the planet will need more food because the world population will be close to 10 billion people.Since 2015, agriculture has opened the door to the incorporation of technologies such as autonomous robots and artificial intelligence.Intelligent systems allow automatic learning through data obtained from sensors, drones, and internet of things.These systems use algorithms to predict the behavior of variables such as soil quality, humidity, diseases, or sales price behavior.In this way, agriculture can function as the first link in an integrated, efficient, intelligent production chain, with permanent interconnectivity and timely decisions thanks to machine information processing through artificial intelligence.

Сiliated epithelium integrity of the upper respiratory tract is an important factor in the local immunity formation against Newcastle disease (ND) in broiler chickens and the prevention of the development of post-vaccination respiratory reactions. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of live attenuated vaccines and combined live + vector vaccination on morphological, serological and productive indices of broiler chickens. The study included broilers from large poultry farms in Ukraine (n = 4.270 million). The control group treated with four live vaccinations against Newcastle disease (Clone 30 on days 1 and 7, La Sota on days 14 and 21). The experimental group was vaccinated according to the same scheme plus an additional vaccination with the rHVT-F vaccine (Vectormune® ND) at day 1. Tracheal samples were collected on day 23 for histological analysis. Serological studies were performed by the hemagglutination inhibition (HI) method with use the samples collected on day 43. Inflammation of the upper trachea was detected in 60% of the experimental chickens versus 100% in the control group (mean lesion score: 0.73 vs 2.07; P &lt; 0.001). In the lower trachea inflammation was recorded in 40% vs. 100% experimental and control groups respectively (mean score: 0.4 vs. 1.33; P &lt; 0.001). Overall, the severity of lesions was by 2.8 times less in the upper and 3.3 times less in the lower trachea. Serological results showed that 22% broilers of control group and 3% of the experimental group composed the risk cohorts of infection with ND. The use of the combined vaccination program was accompanied by an increase in the European Production Efficiency Index (EPEF) by 33 points, an increase in survival by 3.6% and an increase in meat yield by 2.7 kg/m² of production area. Obtained results have shown that the rHVT-F vector vaccine application in the vaccination program against ND reduces post-vaccination respiratory reactions, protects the integrity of the ciliated epithelium in trachea, improves the homogeneity of the humoral immune response and increases the production efficiency of broiler chickens on the industrial farms.