Corynebacterium striatum has emerged as an important opportunistic nosocomial infection; however, epidemiological and antimicrobial resistance data from China remain limited. This study explored the epidemiological distribution, antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, resistance genes, virulence genes, plasmid characteristics, and phylogenetic relationships of clinical C. striatum isolates from a tertiary hospital in northern China. A retrospective study was conducted on C. striatum isolates recovered between February 2019 and December 2021 from patients with respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections, catheter-related infections, or sterile-sites infections in which C. striatum was the sole pathogen. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the E-test method according to CLSI M45 guidelines. Next-generation sequencing was performed for 14 clinical isolates, followed by hybrid assembly, resistance and virulence gene annotation using the CARD and VFDB databases, and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) phylogenetic analysis. Plasmid analysis was performed on four bloodstream isolates using Oxford Nanopore sequencing. A total of 312 clinical isolates were identified. All isolates were resistant to penicillin, meropenem, ceftriaxone, and ciprofloxacin but remained susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid. High resistance rates were also observed for tetracycline (69.87%), clindamycin (78.85%), gentamicin (44.23%), and erythromycin (79.17%). Genomic analysis identified 11 antimicrobial resistance genes, including the erm(X) gene, which was detected in all clinical isolates. In addition, resistance plasmids were identified, suggesting a potential role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance. Multidrug-resistant C. striatum is prevalent in this hospital setting. Continuous surveillance is warranted, and vancomycin and linezolid remain reliable therapeutic options.IMPORTANCEThis study addresses a critical gap in the understanding of the emerging hospital pathogen Corynebacterium striatum in China. The findings demonstrate that multidrug-resistant strains are already widespread in the clinical setting, with nearly all isolates showing resistance to multiple first-line antibiotics. The identification of resistance genes on mobile plasmids is particularly significant, as it suggests the potential for rapid dissemination to other bacteria. These findings are important for increasing awareness among clinicians and hospitals regarding this underrecognized threat. They also underscore the need for routine testing for accurate identification of this bacterium, support the preferential use of vancomycin or linezolid for treatment, and provide evidence for strengthening infection control measures to prevent outbreaks.
Hydrogenophilus thermoluteolus strain TH-1 is a thermophilic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium that can autotrophically grow using H2, CO2, and O2 with the highest rate among autotrophs. However, despite its significant potential for use in biomanufacturing from CO2, no model to date has accurately described strain TH-1 growth under both H2- and O2-limiting conditions. Here, we report on a growth model for continuous culture. Theoretical equations were established for cell yields from the substrate consumption, overall mass transfer coefficients of H2 and O2, cell densities, and dilution rates. These equations were globally fitted to a series of cell culture profiles. Global fitting showed that the model closely reproduced cell production in continuous culture under H2-limiting and O2-limiting conditions. This model will be useful for understanding culture profiles and optimizing production.
The skin microbiome plays an important role in aging, yet most aging biomarkers predominantly focus on gut bacteria, overlooking the skin microbial communities, especially its fungal component. To comprehensively profile the skin bacterial and fungal microbiome across age, sex, and anatomical sites (sun-exposed forehead vs. non-sun-exposed back) and develop an integrated microbial model for age prediction. A total of 160 skin swabs from 80 healthy individuals stratified into four age groups (centered at 10, 30, 50, 70 years) were conducted by DNA sequencing for microbial analysis. An age-predictive model was built using a random forest classifier trained on bacterial and fungal composition data. We found clear age- and sex-specific differences in the skin microbiome. Fungal diversity was significantly higher in females, while bacterial diversity decreased markedly around age 30 in both sexes. Malassezia dominated fungal communities; its abundance peaked at 30 years, declining with age, especially on female foreheads. Age-dependent shifts occurred in dominant Malassezia species (e.g., M. globosa in children, M. arunalokei in the elderly). Bacterial communities shifted from diverse childhood profiles (e.g., Pseudomonas, Streptococcus) to Cutibacterium dominance in young adulthood, which declined in older individuals. Correlation analysis revealed stronger age-microbe associations in males. Finally, we developed a predictive model using four key microbial markers-Lactarius (fungus), Chryseobacterium, Gordonia, and Psychrobacter-that showed good performance in age-group classification (AUC = 0.97). Collectively, these findings reveal distinct age- and sex-related patterns in the skin microbiome, highlight the importance of including fungi in microbiome studies, and demonstrate the potential of microbial profiles as candidate age-associated signatures.
To characterize the urobiome and urine pH in women with and without overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms. We conducted a case-control study with 23 patients having OAB symptoms and 23 without OAB, based on overactive bladder symptom score questionnaires. Midstream urine samples were analyzed for pH and underwent 16S rDNA gene sequencing to identify the urobiome using diversity. Differential abundance analysis identified urobiome taxa associated with OAB symptoms. The mean age of patients with OAB and those without OAB was comparable (63.60 ± 9.27 vs 62.26 ± 9.14, p = 0.62). There were no statistically significant differences in body mass index, parity, and menopausal status. Mean urine pH was also comparable (6.23 ± 1.04 vs. 6.17 ± 0.95, p = 0.84), though a higher percentage of OAB patients had acidic urine (73.91% vs. 65.22%, p = 0.53). While the overall urobiome showed no significant differences between groups, Corynebacterium spp. and Rothia spp. were more abundant in OAB patients. Patients with overactive bladder had a higher abundance of certain urobiome bacteria but similar urine pH compared to those without symptoms. We compared the urinary microbiome (urobiome) and urine pH in women with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms to those without OAB symptoms. We found that while urine pH and overall microbial diversity were similar between the two groups, the specific composition of the urobiome differed. Women with OAB had a higher abundance of specific bacteria, including Corynebacterium coyleae-pilbarense, Rothia amarae, and Kocuria rhizophila. These findings suggest that OAB may be driven by specific bacterial species rather than by an overall change in microbial richness or urine acidity, highlighting the need for more sensitive diagnostic approaches in urological care.
Engineering polyploid industrial microorganisms is hindered by their intrinsic capacity to repair induced mutations, limiting the efficiency of genome editing and directed evolution. Using the ethanologenic bacterium Zymomonas mobilis- a polyploid alphaproteobacterium that exhibits exceptionally efficient microhomology-mediated end joining (MMEJ)- we demonstrate that RecN is essential for MMEJ and homologous recombination (HR) in vivo. Strikingly, a specialized mutant RecN-K35A, with strongly impaired ATP hydrolysis, specifically blocks MMEJ while leaving HR fully intact. The physiological importance of RecN-mediated MMEJ is highlighted by the cell elongation phenotype and increased stress sensitivity observed in the RecN-K35A mutant. Based on this connection, we developed a high-phosphorus cultivation strategy that increases cellular DNA content and significantly enhanced ethanol fermentation efficiency under industrial stress conditions. In summary, this work defines RecN as a key ATP-dependent effector of MMEJ and positions it as a potential engineering target for modulating DNA repair pathway choice and stress tolerance in Z. mobilis. Moreover, the essential role of RecN in both HR and MMEJ suggests that RecN-deficient polyploid strains could facilitate directed evolution by preventing repair of newly introduced mutations, offering a new strategy for strain improvement.
The rhizosphere is a very active region containing a large number of microorganisms involved in complex biological and ecological processes. The microorganisms can improve the soil conditions, promote plant growth, and alleviate stress in plants under heavy metal contamination. Rhizobial bacterium (Ensifer meliloti) forms endosymbiosis with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), providing nitrogen to the plant, and can mitigate the effects of different stress factors. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of rhizobial inoculation on alfalfa growth and rhizosphere microbiological properties in soils with increased nickel (Ni) concentrations during 2 years and across seasons. Two locations with different heavy metal concentrations, lower and higher, mainly Ni concentrations, but also lead (Pb) and chromium (Cr); six different rhizobial inoculants; and three different sampling time points were tested. The abundance of different groups of culturable bacteria (total number of microorganisms, fungi, actinomycetes, oligonitrophiles, Azotobacter, and ammonifiers), as well as microbial activity, that is, basal soil respiration rates, was evaluated in the rhizosphere soil of each treatment, location, and season. The inoculation in some treatments significantly increased alfalfa yield in particular cuts, depending on the location (p < 0.05) and treatment (p < 0.05), with up to 38% increase compared to the control non-inoculated plants. Inoculations also influenced the abundance of specific microbial groups and soil respiration rates. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant interaction between the tested factors [rhizobial inoculation (p < 0.05), heavy metal concentrations (p < 0.05), and seasons (p < 0.05)] on all evaluated soil microbiological properties. Generally, the total number of microorganisms was positively influenced by inoculation and varied among different rhizobial treatments within the same field and season. The increased number of rhizosphere bacteria was positively correlated with yield in some cuts. The results show the potential of inoculation with particular rhizobia in the improvement of alfalfa yield in Ni-contaminated soils and overall microbiological properties and indicate the complexity of the interactions of multiple factors in the environment.
Aluminium ammonium sulphate (AAS) is a food additive used in some countries, but its effects on intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) remain poorly understood. We investigated whether AAS promotes IEC death and eosinophilic infiltration under dysbiotic conditions and whether heparin suppresses these effects. Mice pretreated with antibiotics or control water were orally administered AAS. IEC death was assessed by RNA sequencing, western blotting, and flow cytometry. Microbiota composition was analysed by 16S rRNA sequencing, and eosinophilic infiltration was evaluated by histology and flow cytometry. Immortalised murine IECs were stimulated with AAS in the presence or absence of bacterial components, and the effects of heparin were examined in vitro and in vivo. Antibiotic-induced dysbiosis altered IEC metabolic programmes and reduced polysaccharide-degrading bacteria. Under these conditions, AAS further reduced Actinobacteria, including Bifidobacterium, increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), and promoted cleavage of caspase-1, caspase-6, caspase-8, caspase-11, interleukin-33, gasdermin D (GSDMD), and gasdermin E (GSDME) in IECs. These changes were associated with epithelial pyroptosis and eosinophilic infiltration in the small intestine. AAS induced similar cleavage events in IECs primed with lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid in vitro. Antioxidant studies showed that caspase-1/11-GSDMD activation was ROS-dependent, whereas caspase-6/8-GSDME activation involved ROS-independent mechanisms. Heparin suppressed these cleavage events, reduced IEC death both in vitro and in vivo, and attenuated eosinophilic inflammation. These findings identify a previously unrecognised pro-inflammatory effect of AAS in the dysbiotic gut and suggest low-dose heparin as a potential protective strategy for intestinal epithelial homoeostasis.
Latilactobacillus curvatus is a lactic acid bacterium with a remarkable ability to persist in diverse niches, including fermented foods and gut. Despite its industrial and potential probiotic relevance, the genomic underpinnings of its cross-niche adaptability remain poorly characterized. We conducted a species-contextualized comparative genomic analysis of 53 L. curvatus strains from food and gut isolates. This analysis integrated pangenome structure, metabolic repertoire, CRISPR-Cas immunity profiles, and mobilome analysis. Additionally, binding mode predictions and dynamics simulations were used to evaluate the theoretical binding energies of bacteriocins to the BamA target. Phylogenomics revealed a polyphyletic population structure, indicating that long-term evolution is not strictly niche-specific. In contrast, genome-wide similarity showed clustering by isolation source, highlighting horizontal gene transfer (HGT) as a plausible contributor to niche adaptation. We identified a highly active mobilome, encompassing diverse plasmids, IS elements, and multiple intact prophages, reflecting high genomic plasticity characteristic of a multihabitat lifestyle. CRISPR-Cas systems were widespread, and analysis of 2,029 spacers revealed a broad immune repertoire targeting mobile genetic elements represented in fermented food, gut, and environmental datasets. We also identified spacer matches to phage-plasmid hybrid-like elements, highlighting the diversity of mobile genetic elements associated with the L. curvatus spacerome. Our study reveals genomic features consistent with ecological flexibility in L. curvatus, including high genomic plasticity and a broad CRISPR spacer repertoire. Rather than demonstrating strict niche-specific evolution or a causal mechanism for cross-niche persistence, these findings support the hypothesis that this species has experienced diverse interactions with mobile genetic elements across multiple ecological contexts.
Neisseria gonorrhoeae is a strictly human-adapted Gram-negative bacterium and the causative agent of gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection of major global health importance. Disease control is increasingly compromised by the rapid emergence of resistance to multiple antimicrobial classes and by the failure of natural infection to induce durable protective immunity. The ability of N. gonorrhoeae to persist within the host is driven by genetic and phenotypic adaptation strategies, including extensive antigenic and phase variation of surface-exposed components and a diverse array of immune evasion strategies. These include resistance to complement-mediated killing, manipulation of phagocytic cell function, suppression of adaptive immune responses, and mechanisms that overlap with antimicrobial resistance pathways. Experimental infection models have provided important insights into gonococcal pathogenesis and host immunity. Advances in vaccine research, including evidence of partial protection conferred by N. meningitidis group B outer membrane vesicle-based vaccines, have renewed interest in conserved gonococcal antigens and their use in multicomponent vaccine platforms. Identification of target antigens and immune pathways that confer protective immunity remain central to the development of effective vaccines against gonorrhoea and associated antimicrobial resistance.
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation and is thought to result from interactions among the immune system, environmental factors, and the gut microbiota in genetically susceptible individuals. Akkermansia muciniphila, a commensal bacterium has been reported to be depleted in individuals with IBD, although its precise role in intestinal inflammation remains unclear. This study examined the effects of A. muciniphila across multiple models of colitis, including dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis, the Mucin-2 knockout (Muc2-/-) model of spontaneous colitis, and Trichuris muris-mediated infectious colitis. In a DSS recovery model, treatment with pasteurized A. muciniphila reduced the severity of inflammation. However, when administered prior to DSS exposure, both live and pasteurized bacteria did not significantly reduce inflammatory markers, suggesting limited preventive effects. In T. muris-infected mice, supplementation with live A. muciniphila increased Th2 and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses, reduced parasite burden, and enhanced gene expression of the mucin Muc5ac. Additionally, both live and pasteurized A. muciniphila alleviated spontaneous colitis severity in Muc2-/- mice, indicating that these protective effects occur independently of Muc2. These findings expand understanding of the role of A. muciniphila in intestinal inflammation and highlight its potential as a therapeutic target for inflammatory intestinal disorders such as IBD.
The present essay attempts to stimulate interest and provide insight into the dynamics of internal conflicts, kin selection, and ecological interactions in multicellular, metabolically gifted microorganisms and how these processes may affect biosynthetic gene cluster (BGC) diversity. The multicellular antibiotic-producing soil bacterium Streptomyces provides a useful model for exploring how internal conflicts emerge and are resolved in biology. These organisms must balance two resource-intensive processes that can create internal conflicts-natural product biosynthesis and sporulation. In Streptomyces, there is potential to mitigate these internal conflicts through division of labour, phenotypic specialisation, and extensive gene duplication and diversification, enabling colonies to optimise both natural product production and reproductive success. Horizontal gene transfer further expands gene families and BGCs, introducing new metabolic capabilities while generating opportunities for functional divergence to reduce internal conflict and potentially promote kin selection. Natural product BGCs also possess features that could identify them as 'greenbeards' (kin selection by trait), promoting cooperation among producers and harming non-producers. The coexistence of multiple natural product BGCs and resistance mechanisms in Streptomyces is discussed in the context of the diverse eco-evolutionary processes occurring in structured natural environments, competition among close relatives, recurrent BGC acquisition, and regulatory compatibility encountered by Streptomyces.
This study develops an optimized hybrid system to treat sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-contaminated wastewater that synergistically integrates microbial biodegradation with physical adsorption within a Response Surface Methodology (RSM) framework. A highly effective SDS-degrading bacterium, Serratia plymuthica strain BSU-AH-03, was isolated from hydrocarbon-contaminated soil. Using a Box-Behnken Design (BBD), the optimal biodegradation conditions (pH 7.9, 20 °C, 300 mg L⁻¹ SDS) yielded a degradation efficiency of 90.46% (predicted 91.27%, R² = 0.981). Subsequently, natural anthracite coal was employed as an adsorbent to polish the effluent. The anthracite exhibited a high surface area (890.9 m² g⁻¹) and a heterogeneous micro-mesoporous structure. Batch adsorption experiments achieved a maximum SDS uptake capacity of 158.7 mg g⁻¹ and a near-complete removal efficiency of 99.58% at 318 K and pH 7. The adsorption process was endothermic (ΔH° = 58.4 kJ mol⁻¹), spontaneous (ΔG° from - 5.15 to -10.65 kJ mol⁻¹), and followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm, indicating chemisorption as the dominant mechanism. Mechanistic analysis revealed that SDS adsorption involves intra-particle pore diffusion, hydrophobic interactions, electrostatic forces, and hydrogen bonding, culminating in interfacial hemi-micellar aggregation. The synergistic combination of tailored biodegradation and advanced adsorption provides a highly efficient, statistically optimized strategy for the complete remediation of surfactant-laden industrial effluents.
Bacteria have evolved multiple immune systems to resist phage invasion, however, only a small part of the defensive mechanisms have been clearly uncovered. In this study, we report a type III Druantia two-component defense system, DruH-DruE, identified from Mycolicibacterium smegmatis (M. smegmatis). The DruH-DruE prevents phage DNA circularization and replication. DruE can be replaced from the defense system by either homolog in M. tuberculosis or M. smegmatis. The physical interaction between these two components is essential for fighting against phage infection. Mutations in the interaction sites led to the loss of phage-defending function of the system. The broad-spectrum antiphage ability of the defense system could be activated by the minor tail protein Gp25 of phage A10ZJ24. This study fills a major gap in current knowledge of antiphage mechanism of type III Druantia defense system, expanding our understanding of the immune mechanisms in prokaryotic cells.
Condensate water is one of the environmental niches aboard space stations that is most prone to microbial growth. This study reports one of the first applications of a detailed characterization of the microbial composition of condensate water collected from inside the China Space Station during flight, as well as an evaluation of effective cleaning and disinfection strategies for microbial control. To maximize the recovery of microorganisms from the condensate-water environment, we developed a custom high-throughput microbial isolation and cultivation device (cChip) based on the isolation chip method (iChip) and used it for high-throughput cultivation of microorganisms from onboard areas of the China Space Station that are susceptible to microbial proliferation. In addition, to evaluate on the ground the decontamination efficacy of four disinfection methods already used in orbit (wiping with pure-water wipes, 75% alcohol wipes, quaternary ammonium salt wipes, and ultraviolet irradiation), we constructed a microbial contamination model on authentic textile flight materials using the isolated strains in proportions determined from high-throughput sequencing data. The efficacy of these four disinfection approaches against the contamination model was then assessed using contact plates, PMA-qPCR, and qPCR. In total, 14 bacterial strains and 9 fungal strains were obtained. Notably, members of the genera Oceanobacillus, Rhodococcus, and Fusarium were not recovered by conventional isolation methods and could be isolated only with the cChip, demonstrating the strong potential of the cChip for recovering previously uncultivable microorganisms. Among the tested methods, alcohol wipes showed the highest bactericidal efficacy against bacteria in the contamination model, achieving a inactivation efficiency of 99.97%, whereas ultraviolet irradiation showed the highest fungicidal efficacy against fungi, achieving a inactivation efficiency of 99.98%.
Bacteria and viruses' potential collaboration has been reported to result in enhanced infection pathogenesis. New antimicrobial agents are necessary, but stronger synthetic antibiotics cause more severe side effects. The relevance of natural agents has increased in the post-COVID-19 period also due to COVID-induced cytokine storm, causing severe complications. This study aimed to evaluate Aronia melanocarpa branches for producing anti-SARS-CoV-2, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial preparations, and their synergistic activity with antibiotics. Biomass water and water-ethanol extracts were analyzed for total polyphenols, tannins, individual compounds (UHPLC-MS/MS), content of functional OH groups. Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity was tested using SARS-CoV-2 (2019-nCoV) Inhibitor Screening ELISA Kit, anti-inflammatory activity - in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNC) under normal and inflammatory conditions; antimicrobial and synergistic efficacy with antibiotics were tested against Staphylococcus aureus and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Oligomeric proanthocyanidins were dominant compounds in the extracts, with the highest concentration in autumn samples (35% per dry extract). The extracts and oligomeric proanthocyanidins were effective in inhibiting the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and regulating inflammatory processes caused by viral and bacterial infections, including the reduction of IL-6 and regulation of IL-10 secretion. Proanthocyanidins and extracts exhibited significant anti-biofilm activities and showed synergistic activity with antibiotics.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the microbiological contamination rates of nasal topical preparations (sprays, drops, and ointments) used after septoplasty at the nozzle/tube tip and drug content levels. The study also aimed to compare contamination levels in different formulations. This prospective cross-sectional study included 110 patients (spray: n=38; drop: n=34; ointment: n=38) who underwent septoplasty at the ENT clinic. Patients returned their preparations after at least two weeks' postoperative use. Two separate samples were obtained from each preparation: a swab of the nozzle or tube tip and the drug content. These specimens were inoculated onto blood agar, chocolate agar, and Sabouraud dextrose agar. Isolate identification was performed using the VITEK MS (MALDI-TOF MS) system. Nozzle contamination was detected in 62.7% (n=69) of the 110 preparations, and content contamination was detected in 40.9% (n=45). Nozzle contamination was significantly higher in the spray group (89.5%) than in the drop (44.1%) and ointment (52.6%) groups (p<0.001). The most frequently isolated microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (particularly Staphylococcus epidermidis) and Staphylococcus aureus. Gram-negative bacteria (e.g., Klebsiella spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) and yeast species (e.g., Candida parapsilosis and Candida haemulonii) were detected less frequently. Spray formulations showed higher nozzle contamination rates than other formulations, whereas drug-content contamination appeared similar across groups. These findings suggest that contamination may occur in topical nasal preparations used after septoplasty and highlight the importance of patient education regarding hygienic use during the postoperative period. However, because baseline sterility testing and laboratory negative controls were not performed, the source of contamination cannot be determined conclusively. Çalışmamızda septoplasti operasyonu sonrası hastaların kullandığı nazal topikal preparatların (sprey, damla ve merhem) nozül/tüp ağzı ve ilaç içeriği düzeyindeki mikrobiyolojik kontaminasyon oranlarının belirlenmesi ve farklı formülasyonlar arasındaki kontaminasyon düzeylerinin karşılaştırması amaçlanmıştır. Bu prospektif kesitsel çalışmaya, aynı klinikte septoplasti operasyonu geçiren 110 hasta (sprey: n=38, damla: n=34, merhem: n=38) dahil edilmiştir. Hastalar en az 2 haftalık postoperatif kullanım sonrası preparatlarını teslim etmiştir. Her preparattan nozül/tüp ağzı sürüntüsü ve ilaç içeriği olmak üzere iki ayrı numune alınmış olup kanlı agar, çikolata agar ve Sabouraud Dekstroz Agar besiyerlerine ekim yapılmıştır. İzolatların tanımlanması VITEK MS (MALDI-TOF MS) sistemi ile gerçekleştirilmiştir. Toplam 110 preparatın %62,7'sinde (n=69) nozül kontaminasyonu ve %40,9’unda (n=45) içerik kontaminasyonu saptanmıştır. Nozül kontaminasyonu sprey grubunda (%89,5) damla (%44,1) ve merhem (%52,6) gruplarına göre istatistiksel olarak anlamlı olarak daha yüksek bulunmuştur (p<0,001). İçerik kontaminasyonu açısından gruplar arasında anlamlı fark saptanmamıştır (p=0,782). En sık izole edilen mikroorganizmalar Staphylococcus epidermidis başta olmak üzere koagülaz-negatif stafilokoklar ve Staphylococcus aureus olmuştur. Klebsiella spp., Pseudomonas aeruginosa gibi gram-negatif bakteriler ve Candida parapsilosis, Candida haemulonii gibi maya türleri daha düşük oranlarda saptanmıştır. Sprey formülasyonlarında diğer formülasyonlara kıyasla daha yüksek nozzle kontaminasyon oranları gözlenirken, ilaç içeriği kontaminasyonunun gruplar arasında benzer olduğu görüldü. Bu bulgular, septoplasti sonrası kullanılan nazal topikal preparatlarda kontaminasyon gelişebileceğini düşündürmekte ve postoperatif dönemde hijyenik kullanım konusunda hasta eğitiminin önemini vurgulamaktadır. Ancak başlangıç sterilite testleri ve laboratuvar negatif kontrolleri yapılmadığından, kontaminasyonun kaynağı kesin olarak belirlenememektedir.
Antimicrobial resistance, particularly among World Health Organization bacterial priority pathogens (WHO BPPs), poses a major global health threat. We assessed the epidemiology of wound infections, including bacterial profiles, WHO BPP burden, and associated factors, during and after the implementation of the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR) in Mwanza, Tanzania. A cross-sectional study was conducted during (June 2019 to June 2020) and after (March to August 2023) NAP-AMR. Pus samples were cultured aerobically. Isolates were identified using Vitek mass spectrometry and 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid sequencing. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined using Vitek 2. Among 630 patients (median age 29 years; interquartile range 15-47), 257 (40.8%) had positive cultures. Skin and soft tissue infections increased significantly after NAP-AMR (27.8% vs 68.3%, P < 0.001). Resistance to third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) increased significantly in Escherichia coli (P < 0.05). Additionally, meropenem resistance among Gram-negative bacteria increased from 2.6% to 21.0% (P = 0.327), primarily attributable to the increased isolation of Acinetobacter spp. and Pseudomonas aeruginosa after NAP-AMR. WHO BPPs accounted for 45.2% of isolates, and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales increased significantly (64.8% vs 82.5%, P = 0.025), particularly in higher-tier hospitals (45.4% vs 77.9%, P = 0.002). After NAP-AMR, we recorded significant increases in resistance to 3GCs among E. coli, increased resistance to meropenem among Gram-negative bacteria (notably Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa), and a high proportion of WHO BPPs, particularly extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, potentially reflecting improved diagnostics, enhanced laboratory capacity, or heightened antimicrobial use during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. These findings underscore the need for sustained surveillance and strengthened antimicrobial stewardship.
Global plastic production surpassed 436 million metric tonnes in 2023, with polyolefins, polyethylene and polypropylene, and polyesters, polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene adipate terephthalate dominating the persistent fraction. In extreme environments, these recalcitrant polymers accumulate rapidly: hadal-trench sediments contain microplastic abundances of 71.1 items per kilogram dry weight, while bottom waters reach 2.06-13.51 particles per litre. Abiotic degradation is severely limited by hydrostatic pressure, hypersalinity, low temperature, and anaerobiosis. Although bacterial and fungal pathways have received primary attention, archaea adapted to polyextreme conditions represent an underexplored resource. Landmark discoveries include PET46, a lid-containing feruloyl esterase from uncultured Candidatus Bathyarchaeota in Guaymas Basin deep-sea sediments that hydrolyses semi-crystalline polyethylene terephthalate powder at rates comparable to established bacterial PETases while outperforming them on oligomers. Subsequent metagenomic prospecting identified GuaPA, a distinct Bathyarchaeia-derived PETase capable of film depolymerisation. Deep-sea plastispheres, hypersaline basins, and extraterrestrial analog sites further reveal archaeal colonisation and metabolic versatility. This review synthesises metagenomic, enzymatic, and community-level evidence, critically evaluates archaeal advantages relative to bacteria and fungi, addresses persistent gaps, including limited polyolefin mineralisation and cultivation bias, and outlines priorities for enzyme engineering and consortia design. The work advances sustainable bioremediation strategies aligned with climate-action goals and circular-economy frameworks in extreme and space environments.
Cystectomy with urinary diversion is one of the most complex surgeries in the urological specialty involving surgery on multiple organ systems. The postoperative risk of mortality and complications is considerable, and the first months after surgery are often the most critical. When creating the urinary diversion, the abdominal cavity is exposed to bacteria and fungus from the small intestine, and after the surgery, micro-leakage from the intestinal anastomosis may also contribute to a local infectious response. This contamination is suspected to increase the risk of bowel paralysis that, even with modern ERAS protocols, significantly impacts the postoperative recovery. Emerging data show that approximately 50% of the patients undergoing cystectomy have Candida albicans in samples from the terminal ileum. Current guidelines support the use of perioperative antibiotics, but there are currently no guidelines on antimycotic prophylaxis. We present a randomized clinical trial that tests whether incorporating antimycotics into the perioperative antimicrobial prophylactic regimen can reduce major complications after cystectomy. This is a multi-center, double-blinded, randomized clinical trial including participants from all five centers in Denmark performing cystectomy. The study includes adult patients planned for cystectomy with an ileal conduit with no contraindications to fluconazole and no active treatment for mycotic infections. The 420 participants are randomized 1:1 to receive a single dose of perioperative fluconazole or placebo. Primary outcome is major postoperative complications, defined as Clavien-Dindo classification III-V, within 90 days following cystectomy. Secondary outcomes are days alive and out of hospital, gastrointestinal function, nasogastric tube placement, length of stay, readmissions, quality of life, and microbiological test results. We aim to reduce the absolute rate of Clavien-Dindo III-V complications from 30 to 18%. The study is a superiority study and analysis will be performed as intention-to-treat. Patients undergoing cystectomy face a high risk of surgical complications, many of which can be attributed to infections. There is a growing concern about the consequences of fungal infections after abdominal surgery. This trial aims to explore whether prophylactic antifungal treatment at the time of cystectomy can prevent major postoperative complications. CTIS EU trial number: 2023-506226-36-00. Registered on February 16, 2024. gov: NCT06770530. Registered on March 31, 2024.
Research on microbial ecosystems is often challenging due to the high diversity of microbial taxa present and the complexity of controlling environmental variables. Fermented foods offer simpler and more reproducible model ecosystems in which both community composition and environmental factors can be more precisely controlled and manipulated. In this study, we focused on fermented vegetables, which are typically dominated by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). However, it remains unclear why LAB consistently drive the spontaneous fermentation of vegetables and how factors such as vegetable substrates, salt addition, and carbon dioxide levels shape microbial community dynamics. We characterized the temporal microbial succession in standardized spontaneous fermentations of 11 different vegetables (including beetroot, bell pepper, cabbage, carrot, cucumber, fennel, green asparagus, leek, parsnip, sunroot, and tomato), revealing a robust and recurrent dominance of Leuconostoc and other LAB across substrates. Additionally, we investigated the impact of varying salt concentrations and found that lower salt levels delayed the establishment of the typically LAB-dominated community, while promoting a higher abundance of Weissella and multiple Enterobacterales taxa. Notably, these salt reduction-induced effects were mitigated by CO2 injection, which reduced Enterobacterales levels and increased the overall abundance of Lactobacillales. Together, these findings demonstrate how targeted manipulation of environmental parameters, such as salinity and gas composition, can be used to uncover ecological principles governing microbial succession and community assembly in reproducible fermentation-based model ecosystems. Understanding the ecological principles that shape microbial community assembly is essential for advancing our knowledge of microbial ecosystems. Fermented vegetables, which are increasingly popular among the general population, provide a tractable and reproducible model system to study microbial succession. By systematically manipulating variables such as vegetable substrate, salinity, and gas composition, we identified the effects of these factors on microbial dynamics throughout the fermentation. These insights not only enhance our understanding of the microbial ecology of these man-made food systems but also suggest directions for novel strategies to optimize fermentation processes for the production of faster, safer, and more flavorful foods.