Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Development of a rapid point-of-care dengue virus type 2 infection diagnostic assay using recombinase polymerase amplification and lateral flow device.","authors":"Meagan A Prescott, Myra T Koesdjojo, David T Mandrell, Manoj K Pastey","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1578549","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1578549","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Dengue virus (DENV) is the most rapidly spreading arbovirus globally, with over half of the world's population at risk of infection. Early and rapid detection is crucial to ensure timely patient care, reduce healthcare burden, and prevent severe disease progression. However, conventional nucleic acid amplification techniques are often unsuitable for low-resource settings due to their equipment and procedural demands.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We evaluated a real-time reverse transcription recombinase polymerase amplification (RT-RPA) assay for the sensitive and specific detection of DENV serotype 2 (DENV2). The assay was tested using both Twista fluorometer and lateral flow detection (LFD) formats. Analytical sensitivity was determined by probit regression, while specificity was assessed against unrelated viruses and other flaviviruses. Clinical validation was performed using serum, cell culture, and FTA® card samples. Assay robustness was evaluated under varying temperatures and after freeze-thaw cycles.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The RT-RPA assay reliably amplified DENV2 at concentrations as low as 50 copies per reaction, with LOD₉₅ estimated at 38.48 copies (Twista) and 50.37 copies (LFD). No cross-reactivity was observed with respiratory syncytial virus, influenza, rabbit herpes virus, West Nile virus, or other DENV serotypes (DENV1, DENV3, DENV4). The assay successfully detected multiple DENV2 strains and maintained performance across 33°C-40°C and after repeated freeze-thaw cycles. RNA extracted from FTA® cards was successfully amplified. Clinical validation confirmed accurate detection in serum and cell culture samples, while DENV3-positive blood samples tested negative, reinforcing specificity.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The RT-RPA/LFD assay offers a rapid, sensitive, and specific tool for DENV2 detection, compatible with low-resource and field-based settings. Its simplicity, robustness, and portability make it a promising approach for point-of-care diagnostics and outbreak surveillance in endemic regions.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1578549"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12116435/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173323","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A \"proto\" type galectin expressed in striped bass (<i>Morone saxatilis</i>) tissues is released to epidermal mucus and binds to bacterial and mucus glycans.","authors":"Davin E Henrikson, Hafiz Ahmed, Satoshi Tasumi, Mahesh Gokara, Chiguang Feng, Kelsey Abernathy, Muddassar Iqbal, Mario A Bianchet, Gerardo R Vasta","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1572734","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1572734","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Like all aquatic vertebrates and invertebrates, teleost fish are subject to the constant pressure of bacterial, fungal, and parasitic organisms present in the environmental interface that can potentially cause disease. Numerous defense molecules, including galectins, have been isolated from the skin and gut tissues of several marine and freshwater fish species. To provide new insights into the potential role(s) of galectins in the teleost fish innate immune system, we carried out studies on the striped bass (<i>Morone saxatilis</i>), a keystone fish species in Chesapeake Bay. We purified from epidermal skin mucus, and skin and muscle tissue, a 15-kDa galectin that we designated Msgal1-L1 (<i>M. saxatilis</i> galectin1-like protein 1). Both the transcript sequence and gene organization of Msgal1-L1 suggested a close relationship to the zebrafish galectin Drgal1-L2 and other proto type galectins from vertebrates, including the mammalian galectin-1. Glycan microarray analysis of Msgal1-L1 revealed a binding preference for Galβ1,4GlcNAc, and a homology structural model identified the amino acids involved in ligand recognition, both observations consistent with proto type galectins. Immunohistological examination localized Msgal1-L1 to epithelial and macrophage-/fibroblast-like cells in mucosal tissues, including skin and gill. The preliminary localization of Msgal1-L1 in free macrophage-like cells in epidermal mucus was corroborated by immunofluorescence analysis of macrophages isolated from head kidney. Msgal1-L1 binds in a carbohydrate-specific manner to O-glycosylated components of epidermal mucus. Msgal1-L1 agglutinated environmental bacterial species and strains, some of which are recognized fish pathogens, such as <i>Vibrio</i> and <i>Edwardsiella</i> spp. A microbial microarray analysis revealed that it preferentially binds to bacterial exopolysaccharides (e.g., <i>Streptococcus</i> and <i>Shigella</i> spp.) as well as various lipopolysaccharide O-antigen serotypes of <i>Proteus</i> spp. A preliminary solid-phase assay showed that Msgal1-L1 strongly bound <i>Streptococcus</i> sp., but very weakly to <i>Mycobacterium marinum</i>, an endemic pathogen of striped bass in Chesapeake Bay. Taken together, this evidence suggests that Msgal1-L1 may function in defense recognition against environmental bacteria by agglutinating and/or cross-linking them to mucus oligosaccharides to immobilize them within the epidermal mucus film and prevent their access to the fish epithelial cell surface. <i>M. marinum</i> would evade this defense mechanism to reach and infect the fish skin epithelial layer.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1572734"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12116657/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173354","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Deciphering tuberculosis: lysosome-centric insights into pathogenesis and therapies.","authors":"Cui Bao, Yuanyuan Zhang, Jiao Feng, Xiuwen Hong, Nan Gao, Ganzhu Feng","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1582037","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1582037","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Tuberculosis is a widely spread disease caused by <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (Mtb). The pathogenicity of the pathogen is closely associated with the immune defense mechanisms of the host cells. As key cellular degradation and metabolic centers, lysosomes critically regulate tuberculosis infection. When Mtb invades the host, it is taken up by macrophages and enters phagosomes. Subsequently, the phagosomes fuse with lysosomes and form phagolysosomes, which eliminate the pathogenic bacteria through the acidic environment and hydrolytic enzymes within lysosomes. However, Mtb can interfere with the normal functions of lysosomes through various strategies. It can secrete specific factors (such as ESAT-6, ppk-1, and AcpM) to inhibit the acidification of lysosomes, enzyme activity, and the fusion of phagosomes and lysosomes, thereby enabling Mtb proliferation within host cells. An in-depth exploration of the mechanism of the interaction between Mtb and lysosomes will both uncover bacterial immune evasion strategies and identify novel anti-tuberculosis therapeutic targets.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1582037"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12116394/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Virulence factors released by extracellular vesicles from <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>.","authors":"Wenhao Xiao, Huiqiang Lu, Bowei Jiang, Yaqi Zheng, Puwen Chen, Xiaotong Liu, Junyun Huang","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1572520","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1572520","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i>, a prominent opportunistic pathogen, is equipped with unique mechanisms to evade host immune defenses, notably through its capsule and the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs). Despite significant understanding of its pathogenesis, the precise role of EVs in virulence and their molecular components remain underexplored. This review synthesizes current research on the virulence factors encapsulated within EVs of <i>Cryptococcus</i>, highlighting their contribution to fungal survival and pathogenicity. By analyzing the biochemical composition of these vesicles, we found the presence of enzymes (e.g., Urease, laccase), toxins (e.g. Melanin), and genes (e.g. Ssa1) associated with pathogenicity factors. Furthermore, we discuss the implications of these findings for developing therapeutic interventions. This work advances the field by providing a comprehensive overview of EV-mediated mechanisms in <i>Cryptococcus</i>, offering new insights into potential targets for antifungal strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1572520"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12116589/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A critical review on <i>In Vivo</i> and <i>Ex Vivo</i> models for the investigation of <i>Helicobacter pylori</i> infection.","authors":"Shwetlaxmi Patil, Songmin Yu, Renitta Jobby, Vinothkannan Ravichandran, Sohinee Sarkar","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1516237","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1516237","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Helicobacter pylori</i> is a stomach-dwelling bacterium with a crude global prevalence of nearly 45% in adults and 35% in children and adolescents. Chronic <i>H. pylori</i> infection and the resulting inflammation are major causes of gastritis, peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Since its discovery in 1982, various animal models have been proposed to recreate the specific pathophysiological interactions between <i>H. pylori</i> and the human host. These infection models have been instrumental in dissecting the key drivers of <i>H. pylori</i> colonization, persistence and mediators of host immune responses. However, a comprehensive understanding of the molecular triggers for malignant transformation of the gastric mucosa is still lacking. Vaccine development in this area has stalled, as promising candidates identified through animal studies have failed in advanced human clinical trials. Currently, <i>H.</i> pylori eradication is heavily reliant on different antimicrobial agents. As with other bacterial pathogens, the growing antimicrobial resistance in <i>H. pylori</i> remains a major challenge, making eradication therapy increasingly complex and prolonged, over time. Recent drug approvals have mostly been for newer combinations of conventional antibiotics and proton pump inhibitors. Thus, the development of novel treatments and innovative models are crucial for advancing the drug development pipeline. This review encompasses the development and recent advances in animal and non-animal models of <i>H. pylori</i> gastric infection and its applications in investigating novel therapeutics and vaccine candidates.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1516237"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12116454/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144173360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> mutant CM-pGP3S as a novel attenuated live rectal vaccine protects against genital tract infection.","authors":"Jingyue Ma, Tianyuan Zhang, Qi Tian, Meng Xiao, Long Han, Quanzhong Liu, Guangming Zhong, Yuanjun Liu","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1550455","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1550455","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Chlamydia trachomatis</i> (CT) is a major sexually transmitted pathogen with severe complications. Using <i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> (CM) as a model, this study evaluates the attenuated mutant <i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> (CM-pGP3S) as a novel rectal vaccine to protect against genital tract infection and pathology.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Female C57BL/6 mice were rectally immunized with low (1×10³), middle (1×10⁵), or high (1×10⁷) doses of CM-pGP3S. Mice were challenged intravaginally with wild-type <i>Chlamydia muridarum</i> 63 days post-immunization. Protection was assessed via genital <i>Chlamydia</i> shedding, hydrosalpinx incidence (gross/histopathology), serum IgG, fecal IgA, and T cell responses. Gut microbiota stability was analyzed using qPCR.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>CM-pGP3S immunization significantly reduced CM-WT genital shedding duration (3-7 days vs. 21 days in controls, <i>p</i> < 0.01) and hydrosalpinx incidence (0% vs. 80% in controls, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Elevated systemic and mucosal immunity were observed, including higher serum IgG (1:100-1:1600 dilutions, <i>p</i> < 0.05-0.01) and fecal IgA (<i>p</i> < 0.05-0.01). CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells exhibited increased IFN-γ (<i>p</i> < 0.01), while CD8⁺ T cells showed elevated TNF-α and IL-2 (<i>p</i> < 0.05). No colitis or significant gut microbiota disruption occurred post-immunization.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Rectal CM-pGP3S vaccination induces robust transmucosal immunity, protecting against genital <i>Chlamydia</i> infection and pathology without gastrointestinal adverse effects. This highlights its potential as a safe and effective mucosal vaccine strategy to combat CT genital tract infections.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1550455"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106443/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157818","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Editorial: Can Chinese medicines affect diarrhea via effects of the intestinal microbiota on the renal-intestinal axis?","authors":"Xinhua Shu, Nenqun Xiao, Xue-Wei Ye, Maijiao Peng","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1593758","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1593758","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1593758"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106441/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157833","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Visual detection of Coxsackievirus A6 using a reverse transcription polymerase spiral reaction method.","authors":"Kun Wang, Yuanhang Ai, Juan Luo, Longying Liang, Weiwei Zhang, Guojun Cao, He Zha, Jie Wu, Kun Lei, Shifei Yao, Kaifeng Wu","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1563495","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1563495","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Coxsackievirus A6 (CVA6) ranks as a primary enterovirus associated with hand-foot-mouth disease (HFMD) and herpangina (HA). Given its significant role in these diseases, there is an urgent need for an efficient identification method. This study presents a novel visual approach based on the reverse transcription polymerase spiral reaction (RT-PSR) for the rapid detection of CVA6. We designed an RT-PSR assay that targets and amplifies a segment of the VP1 gene. Hydroxy naphthol blue (HNB) is incorporated as the detection agent in this assay. To evaluate the performance of the RT-PSR assay, we analyzed 142 clinical throat swab samples. The results were benchmarked against those obtained using quantitative reverse transcription - polymerase chain reaction (qRT - PCR). The RT-PSR assay operates at 65°C for 60 minutes and exhibits a detection limit of 10 copies/μL. When tested against other viruses, it consistently yielded negative results, demonstrating its high specificity. Moreover, the RT - PSR assay showed excellent agreement with a commercial qRT - PCR kit. In conclusion, by using HNB as an indicator, the RT - PSR assay emerges as a straightforward and highly sensitive method for detecting CVA6 in symptomatic throat samples. This approach holds great potential for improving the diagnosis and surveillance of CVA6 - related diseases.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1563495"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106450/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157470","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Screening and identification of protein interacting with goose astrovirus.","authors":"Lingling Qian, Yuwei Liu, Xiaochun Wang, Shixing Yang, Likai Ji, Xiaopeng Sun, Jianqiang Wang, Tongling Shan, Wen Zhang, Quan Shen","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1595736","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1595736","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Goose Astrovirus (GoAstV), a recently identified member of the Astroviridae family in China, predominantly affects goslings, resulting in substantial economic losses to the goose farming industry due to its high infection and mortality rates. Currently, the infection mechanism and pathogenesis of GoAstV remain unknown.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Given this, the Viral Overlay Protein Blot Assay was utilized to identify and characterize proteins on the LMH (Leghorn Male Hepatoma) cell membrane that interact with Goose Astrovirus. The identities of the candidate proteins were determined via LC-MS mass spectrometry analysis, bioinformatics analysis, and UniProt database search. The interaction between HSPA5 and the astrovirus protein was further validated in vitro through Western blot and Coimmunoprecipitation experiments. Finally, bioinformatics tools such as SWISSMODEL, AlphaFold, and ZDOCK were employed to construct and analyze the docking complex model between the candidate protein and GoAstV protein, including their key binding residue sites.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We successfully identified a 70 kDa protein in the plasma membrane protein extracts of LMH cells and confirmed the identity of this candidate protein as HSPA5. Meanwhile, <i>in vitro</i> experiments further validated the interaction between HSPA5 and astrovirus proteins. Subsequently, we successfully predicted the docking complex model of HSPA5 protein with GoAstV protein. Further prediction of the binding residue sites revealed that seven residues of the GoAstV-P2 protein (THR124, ILE22, VAL24, TRP51, PRO66, GLN100, and VAL125) and twelve residues of the HSPA5 protein (ARG2, HIS3, LEU4, LEU6, ALA7, LEU8, LEU9, LEU10, LEU11, ASP411, VAL413, and LEU415) may be involved in the interaction between these two proteins.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>Our research results have preliminarily elucidated the interaction mechanisms between viral proteins and receptors, facilitating exploration from multiple angles of the roles of candidate protein in the process of GoAstV infecting host cells. This provides a theoretical basis for further identification of GoAstV receptors and clarification of its infection mechanisms.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1595736"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106297/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Unveiling the role of the upper respiratory tract microbiome in susceptibility and severity to COVID-19.","authors":"Otávio von Ameln Lovison, Fabiana Caroline Zempulski Volpato, Lorenzo Gómez Weber, Afonso Luis Barth, Adriana Simon Coitinho, Andreza Francisco Martins","doi":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1531084","DOIUrl":"10.3389/fcimb.2025.1531084","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is argued that commensal bacteria in the upper respiratory tract (URT) protect against pathogen colonization and infection, including respiratory viruses. Given that the microbiome can mediate immune modulation, a link between the URT microbiome (URTM) and COVID-19 susceptibility and severity is expected. This 16S metagenomics cross-sectional study assessed URTM composition, metabolic prediction, and association with laboratory biomarkers in non-COVID-19 pneumonia (NO-CoV), moderate (M-CoV), severe (S-CoV) COVID-19 patients, as well as COVID-19-negative, asymptomatic (NC) patients. The S-CoV group exhibited reduced URTM diversity, primarily due to a decreased abundance of eubiotic taxa. Some of these taxa (e.g., <i>Haemophilus</i> sp., <i>Neisseria</i> sp.) were also associated with inflammatory biomarkers. Multiple metabolic pathways (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, vitamin B12) linked to immune response, antiviral activity, and host susceptibility showed decreased abundance in S-CoV. These pathways could suggest potential alternatives for the therapeutic arsenal against COVID-19, providing reassurance about the progress in understanding and treating this disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":12458,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology","volume":"15 ","pages":"1531084"},"PeriodicalIF":4.6,"publicationDate":"2025-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12106449/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144157423","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}