The MicrobePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-30DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2026.100663
Jufren Zakayo Ndendya , Augustino Isdory Msigwa
{"title":"A Caputo fractional-order model for norovirus transmission with vaccination and environmental reservoir","authors":"Jufren Zakayo Ndendya , Augustino Isdory Msigwa","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100663","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100663","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study develops a Caputo fractional-order compartmental model to analyze norovirus transmission dynamics by explicitly incorporating vaccination and environmental reservoirs. Unlike classical integer-order models that neglect memory effects, the proposed model captures memory-dependent transmission mechanisms that are essential for describing norovirus persistence and recurrent outbreaks. The population is divided into seven compartments: susceptible, vaccinated, exposed, symptomatic, asymptomatic, recovered, and pathogen-contaminated environment. Using fractional derivatives of order <span><math><mrow><mn>0</mn><mo><</mo><mi>α</mi><mo>≤</mo><mn>1</mn></mrow></math></span>, the model accounts for historical effects in disease progression and environmental contamination. The analytical results establish the positivity, boundedness, and existence of unique solutions. The effective reproduction number <span><math><msub><mrow><mi>R</mi></mrow><mrow><mi>e</mi></mrow></msub></math></span> is derived using a Next-Generation Matrix approach, and stability conditions for both the disease-free and endemic equilibria are obtained under fractional-order dynamics. Numerical simulations show that lower values of the memory parameter <span><math><mi>α</mi></math></span> slow outbreak progression and prolong infection persistence, while increased vaccine efficacy and public health interventions significantly reduce infection prevalence. Higher environmental shedding rates sustain transmission and delay disease elimination. These results demonstrate that integrating memory effects, vaccination strategies, and environmental contamination provides a more accurate framework for norovirus outbreak modeling and control.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100663"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188492","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The MicrobePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-29DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2026.100670
Muhammad Naveed , Sai Wen , Anas Sajjad , Binbin Si , Malik Wajid Hussain Chan , Fenghuan Wang
{"title":"Determination of stability and kinetic characterization of lysozyme (isolated from Bacillus subtilis BSN314)","authors":"Muhammad Naveed , Sai Wen , Anas Sajjad , Binbin Si , Malik Wajid Hussain Chan , Fenghuan Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100670","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100670","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study investigated the stability and anti-biofilm activity of a lysozyme purified from <em>Bacillus subtilis</em> BSN314. The hypothesis that the enzyme's anti-biofilm effect is concentration- and time-dependent was tested. Lysozyme stability was assessed by measuring its relative enzymatic activity (REA%) under varying conditions. REA% increased with temperature from 20°C to 40°C, with optimal activity observed at 40°C and pH 6.0. The enzyme demonstrated notable thermal stability, retaining 32 % of its activity after treatment at 70°C for 30 min. Anti-biofilm activity was evaluated quantitatively and qualitatively against Gram-positive (<em>Micrococcus luteus</em> ATCC 4698 and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> ATCC 25923) and Gram-negative (<em>Escherichia coli</em> ATCC 25922 and <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> ATCC 13883) biofilm-producing bacteria. Biofilm dispersion was dependent on lysozyme concentration and exposure time, with optimal dispersion achieved using 250 µg/mL for 60 min. Under these conditions, <em>M. luteus</em> exhibited the highest dispersion rate (97 %), followed by <em>S. aureus</em> (92 %), <em>E. coli</em> (80 %), and <em>K. pneumoniae</em> (80 %). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis confirmed the disruptive effect of lysozyme on biofilm structure and bacterial growth. Kinetic characterization using <em>M. luteus</em> as a substrate yielded a Michaelis constant (Km) of 0.12 mg·mL⁻¹ and a maximum reaction velocity (Vmax) of 60.24 mg·mL⁻¹ ·min⁻¹ , indicating high substrate affinity and catalytic efficiency. In conclusion, the lysozyme from <em>B. subtilis</em> BSN314 exhibited significant pH, coupled with potent, concentration- and time-dependent anti-biofilm activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, highlighting its potential as a natural anti-biofilm agent.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100670"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146188476","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Leveraging the anti-bacterial potential of seaweed bioactives: Insights from In Vitro perspectives for aquaculture and food safety","authors":"Nurunnahar Nadira, Md. Ridwanul Islam, Md. Adnan Sajib, Alokesh Kumar Ghosh, Abul Farah Md. Hasanuzzaman","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100686","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100686","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Recent years have witnessed an increasing interest in employing seaweeds as prospective sources of bioactive compounds for aquaculture and food safety due to their advantageous nutritional properties, environmental sustainability, and possible health advantages for animals. Seaweed, also referred to as marine algae, can be generally classified into three taxonomic groups: Rhodophyta (red seaweed), Chlorophyta (green seaweed), and Phaeophyta (brown seaweed). They are abundant in a variety of nutrients, including fiber, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, protein, and so forth. Naturally occurring bioactive components such as polysaccharides, phenolic compounds, pigments, lipidic extracts, lectins, and others are abundant and promising in seaweed. Not only these compounds but also the nanoparticles (ZnO, CuO, Ag etc.) synthesized by them have antimicrobial activities. The current study examines the potential of seaweed and their bioactive compounds against the bacteria particularly those responsible for diseases in aquatic organisms and foodborne disorders. Nevertheless, previous studies have shown that metabolites derived from seaweed have both bacteriostatic and bactericidal effects, as evidenced by a variety of <em>in vitro</em> antimicrobial assays. Additionally, the effective and applicable dosages of each algae as well as the duration of inhibition have been discussed. The current research emphasizes the potential of functional metabolites derived from seaweed as alternatives to commercial antibiotics and underscores the importance of continued research on individual compounds.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100686"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147421002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The MicrobePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2025-12-04DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2025.100635
S. Priyanka, S. Karthick Raja Namasivayam
{"title":"Hepatoprotective protein pigment complex phycocyanin from Spirulina maxima and its potential antimicrobial, oxidative stress-modulating effects","authors":"S. Priyanka, S. Karthick Raja Namasivayam","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100635","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100635","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In the present study, the antibacterial activity and oxidative stress-modulating effects of phycocyanin extracted from <em>Spirulina maxima</em> were investigated. Phycocyanin was isolated from <em>S. maxima</em> biomass using cold maceration, followed by ammonium sulfate precipitation and column chromatography. The purified phycocyanin was screened for antibacterial activity against pathogenic bacterial strains, <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, by determining the zone of inhibition, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC). The oxidative stress-modulating potential of phycocyanin was evaluated in a zebrafish model by analyzing oxidative stress markers, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPO), lipid peroxidase (LPO), and reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, the gene expression of key oxidative stress markers was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), and the hepatoprotective activity of phycocyanin was examined by measuring hepatic enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Phycocyanin derived from algal biomass effectively inhibited the growth of bacterial strains, as demonstrated by MIC and MBC results. Antioxidant studies in the zebrafish oxidative stress model revealed that phycocyanin administration significantly modulated oxidative stress without inducing hepatotoxicity or tissue damage. Overall, these findings suggest that algal-derived phycocyanin is a promising bioactive compound with dual functions as an effective antimicrobial and a potent modulator of oxidative stress, offering excellent biocompatibility for potential therapeutic applications against infectious and oxidative stress-related diseases.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100635"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145705805","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The MicrobePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-10DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2026.100659
Bo Yuan , Hai Huang , Yong Liu
{"title":"Gut bacteria as a biomarker for inflammation and cancer: Insights from clinical and microbial analysis","authors":"Bo Yuan , Hai Huang , Yong Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100659","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100659","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Growing evidence suggests that gut bacteria can influence inflammation and tumorigenesis, yet the specific microbial species involved remain unclear. To investigate the role of gut bacteria in inflammation-based tumorigenesis by identifying specific microbial species and functional profiles associated with health statuses (healthy, chronic inflammation/dysbiosis, and cancer), and to determine their correlations with clinical parameters and disease mechanisms. Here, we assessed clinical parameters and gut bacteria across three health statuses: 17 healthy individuals, 10 with chronic inflammation (dysbiosis), and 16 with cancer. The Gut Microbiota Health Index (GMHI) was significantly higher in healthy individuals, indicating that robust gut bacteria correlated with better health, while lower GMHI values in dysbiosis and cancer reflected microbial imbalances. Additionally, the Microbial Dysbiosis Index (MDI) was elevated in dysbiosis and cancer, supporting distinct microbial profiles for these conditions. Specific bacterial families emerged as potential biomarkers: increased <em>Enterobacteriaceae</em> and decreased beneficial <em>Bifidobacteriaceae</em> and <em>Lactobacillaceae</em> were noted in disease states. Correlation analyses identified a significant positive association between <em>Lentisphaeria</em> and clinical parameters in the dysbiosis group, while a strong link between <em>Proteobacteria</em> diversity and total bile acids was found in cancer, suggesting ties to inflammation. Random forest analysis revealed that dominant bacterial diversity significantly impacts health status, particularly concerning liver and kidney function disruptions. Connectivity analyses indicated that higher positive connectivity in dysbiosis and cancer groups was associated with less diverse, redundant bacterial communities. The novelty of our findings pioneers a staged, three-state comparison that quantitatively tracks microbiota trajectory from health through chronic inflammation to cancer, revealing that early depletion of <em>Bifidobacteriaceae</em>/<em>Lactobacillaceae</em>, elevated <em>Enterobacteriaceae</em>, and a shift toward high-connectivity, low-diversity networks precede and predict systemic organ dysfunction and malignant transformation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100659"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The MicrobePub Date : 2026-03-01Epub Date: 2026-01-03DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2026.100655
Ifrah Amjad Naseer, Fazal Rahim, Abdul Rehman
{"title":"Antifungal and antibacterial effects of citrus fruit peel extracts and juices and their synergistic effect with fungal strain on Triticum aestivum growth","authors":"Ifrah Amjad Naseer, Fazal Rahim, Abdul Rehman","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100655","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2026.100655","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Citrus fruit extracts are a robust source of bioactive compounds that confer antifungal, antibacterial, and phyto-enhancing properties. Current research has been conducted to utilize citrus fruit peels for their pharmacological benefits as antimicrobial resistance has increased immensely. So, considering this green chemistry, this study examined the antifungal and antibacterial potential of citrus fruit peels and juices and their synergistic effect with fungal strains on wheat growth. Activity was assessed using well-diffusion and agar dilution methods, and antioxidant potential was determined using a DPPH assay. Afterward, phenolic and flavonoid content was ascertained, which was later screened out by GC-MS analysis. The profile of fungal role in plant-growth promotion was checked by phosphate-solubilization and nitrogen fixation assay. Cell viability percentage was checked by conducting an MTT assay. Results indicated that peels exhibited a superior bioactive potential compared to their juice counterparts. Lemon showed more efficacy in terms of its antibacterial and antifungal activity, but grapefruit demonstrated exceptional antioxidant potential and wheat growth enhancement, but synergy was only observed in lemon-fungal combined treatment group. GC-MS analysis revealed many significant bioactive compounds like gamma-sitosterol, linoleyl methyl ketone, tocopherol, longifolene, guaiacol, pentamethoxy flavone etc. Statistical analysis showed that citrus fruit extract concentration has a direct relation with the inhibition zone, while extract type and fungal species didn’t affect the inhibition zone. ANOVA test showed that the antifungal activity or the inhibition zone depends on the concentration of the extract type. P-value for the concentration of an extract was found to be 0.007, rendering it significant. To mitigate the adverse effects of inorganic chemicals, bioactive compounds in foods offer a promising natural alternative for reducing fungal infections. So, integrating natural remedies into conventional therapies should be emphasized to mitigate the emergence of drug-resistant pathogens. Moreover, their inculcation in conventional fertilizers also helps regulate weed management in plants and promotes optimum plant growth and signaling with fewer side effects.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100655"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037824","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Investigating the effect of exopolysaccharide of bacteria isolated from traditional dairy on Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm","authors":"Paria Zahedi , Mohaddeseh Larypoor , Mohamad Reza Razavi","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100643","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100643","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>probiotic strains such as Lactic acid bacteria (LAB), have the ability of modulating gut microbiota and producing bioactive compounds like exopolysaccharides (EPS) as postbiotic effects. In recent studies, EPS structural morphology postbiotic potential shows abilities of changing and controlling the consist of tough gram-negative bacteria such as <em>Pseudomonas</em> aeruginosa. Thus, we planned a test, which 55 bacterial isolates obtained from Iranian dairy products (yogurt, cheese, milk, dough) derived from cow, sheep, and buffalo. Seven strains with high probiotic potential including resistance to heat, pH, bile and catalase-oxidase were chosen and selected for 16SrRNA gene sequencing that reported as <em>Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus</em> and <em>L.paracasei</em>. EPS extracted from <em>L. rhamnosus</em> SA74 and analyzed with High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and primary components mannose and galacturonic acid reported. the EPS structure revealed as layered circle type by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). At concentrations ranging from 0.1 to 1 mg/ml, the EPS dose-dependently inhibited biofilm formation by <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> by 40–70 % (p < 0.05) and enhanced the viability of lactobacilli, as shown by Mean transit time (MTT) and crystal violet (CV) assays. In some studies, the variety of EPS concentration with nanoparticles combined for decreasing biofilm constitution, as respect, our funding suggest that EPS is a promising postbiotic candidate for combating pathogenic biofilms with ability of probiotic formulation increment. Not also, we can mention this kind of biofilm formation controlling therapy as a biological type against antibiotically methods but, further <em>in-vivo</em> studies and metabolomic profiling are needed to confirm more therapeutic potential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"10 ","pages":"Article 100643"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145799775","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The MicrobePub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-22DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2025.100566
Jordy Dekker , Laura M.L. Dix
{"title":"Small colony variant E. faecalis as cause for bioprosthetic heart valve endocarditis","authors":"Jordy Dekker , Laura M.L. Dix","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100566","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100566","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>We describe a patient with an endocarditis of a biological heart valve prosthesis caused by a small colony variant <em>Enterococcus faecalis</em>. Human infections caused by a small colony variant (SCV) <em>E. faecalis</em> are rare and only five patients have been described in literature, four of which involved endocarditis. The SCV <em>E. faecalis</em> isolated from blood culture bottles resembled streptococci by Gram staining and exhibited atypical growth on standard agar plates with small white colonies after 48 h of incubation. This case describes a rare case of <em>E. faecalis</em> associated with endocarditis with small colony growth, which can be difficult to recognize in medical microbiological laboratories using conventional techniques. These difficulties with identification can delay initiation of adequate treatment and may affect patient outcome.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100566"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159188","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The MicrobePub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-09-13DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2025.100556
Claudia Vergel-Castro, Efrain Boom-Cárcamo
{"title":"Challenges and opportunities in the use of microbial inoculants in hydroponic crops: A literature review","authors":"Claudia Vergel-Castro, Efrain Boom-Cárcamo","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100556","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100556","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The use of microbial inoculants in hydroponic crops has emerged as an innovative strategy to enhance plant performance, reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers by up to 80 %, and increase the sustainability of soilless agricultural systems. This literature review covers studies published between 2015 and 2025 and aims to identify the main challenges and opportunities associated with the application of microbial inoculants under hydroponic conditions. Based on the analysis of recent studies, key opportunities are identified, such as improved nutrient absorption, stimulation of biomass and photosynthesis, greater tolerance to abiotic stressors (e.g., salinity, drought or iron deficiency), and reduced nitrate accumulation in plant tissues, thereby lowering health risks and environmental impacts such as water eutrophication. Additionally, the potential of microbial co-inoculations and mixed formulations is highlighted as a viable alternative to enhance the growth and nutritional quality of crops such as lettuce, arugula, basil, and saffron, as they are often more effective than single inoculations, although this depends on the type of microorganisms and the crop. The main technical and methodological challenges identified include variability of results across species and systems, the lack of standardized protocols for formulation and application, negative effects from undesired interactions with inputs or native microbiota, and limited stability under variable environmental conditions. In addition, regulatory barriers related to the registration, validation, and large-scale adoption of these biological inputs further restrict their effectiveness and commercial integration. Moreover, there is a recognized need to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved, such as phytohormone production, nitrogen fixation, phosphate solubilization, activation of plant antioxidant pathways and optimize application protocols. This review concludes that although the path toward sustainable hydroponics with microbial inoculants still faces obstacles, it represents a promising strategy to improve the efficiency, sustainability, and quality of intensive agricultural systems.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100556"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145159191","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The MicrobePub Date : 2025-12-01Epub Date: 2025-12-05DOI: 10.1016/j.microb.2025.100636
Teresa Lopes , David Lopes , Isabel Bastos Moura , Isabel Sousa , João Rodrigues , Camila Fernandes , Maria João Barreira , Carla Maia , Cristina Belo Correia , Cristina Pintado , Margarida Saraiva , Rita Batista
{"title":"Preliminary characterization of Vibrio cholerae strains isolated from seafood samples marketed in Portugal","authors":"Teresa Lopes , David Lopes , Isabel Bastos Moura , Isabel Sousa , João Rodrigues , Camila Fernandes , Maria João Barreira , Carla Maia , Cristina Belo Correia , Cristina Pintado , Margarida Saraiva , Rita Batista","doi":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100636","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.microb.2025.100636","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Vibrio cholerae</em>, a natural inhabitant of aquatic ecosystems<em>,</em> has been related with gastrointestinal infections, particularly those associated with seafood consumption. This preliminary study aimed to evaluate the presence and characteristics of <em>Vibrio cholerae,</em> in seafood marketed in Portugal, given its potential role as a foodborne pathogen. Thus, the occurrence of <em>Vibrio cholerae</em> in 129 seafood raw samples (105 of shrimp and 24 of oysters), marketed in Portugal, was assessed. Isolates’ characterization regarding the presence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes and of pathogenicity-specific genetic traits was attained by whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Core-genome Multi Locus Sequence Typing (cgMLST) analyses to evaluate the genetic relatedness among the isolates, and with other <em>V. cholerae</em> strains isolated in the world, as well as phenotypic AMR (performed by disc diffusion), were also attained. Overall, 43/129 (33.3 %) of the samples tested positive for <em>V. cholerae</em> (41/105 (39.1 %) of the shrimp and 2/24 (8.3 %) of the oysters’ samples). WGS analyses classified the studied strains as non-O1/non-O139 <em>Vibrio cholerae</em> (NOVC), lacking the main cholerae virulence factors encoded by the CTX phage. However, they carry diverse virulence factors similar to those found in O1 and O139 strains and/or in NOVC clinical strains. Furthermore, eight strains were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). The cg-MLST analyses revealed six genetic clusters among the 43 isolates (three identified sequence types - ST829, ST833, ST1085). Although it was not possible to find a close genetic relatedness between the studied <em>V. cholerae</em> strains and other deposited in PuBMLST database, a high genetic proximity among some strains isolated in different countries and from different sources (environmental and human) was observed, reinforcing the importance of a One Health approach. Assessing occurrence, pathogenic potential and genetic relatedness of <em>Vibrio cholerae</em> strains in the Portuguese food supply chain, this study contributes to understand their public health significance and supports a One Health approach to prevent foodborne outbreaks, contributing to food safety.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":101246,"journal":{"name":"The Microbe","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100636"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145684784","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}