Microbial pathogenesis最新文献

{"title":"Amelioration of ochratoxin A-Induced immunotoxicity and lymphoid tissue injury in poultry using pumpkin seed supplementation: A natural feed-based approach","authors":"Munaza Aslam ,&nbsp;Muhammad Imran ,&nbsp;Muhammad Kashif Saleemi ,&nbsp;Muhammad Naveed Anwar ,&nbsp;Shamshad Ul Hassan ,&nbsp;Muhammad Auon ,&nbsp;Maria Jamil ,&nbsp;Asfand Yar","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108112","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108112","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study tested pumpkin seeds (Cucurbita spp.) against OTA toxicity in broilers. One hundred forty chicks were divided into seven groups: control, OTA (400 ppb), PS (200 or 400 mg/kg), OTA + PS (200 or 400 mg/kg), and OTA + commercial binder. Broilers fed OTA-contaminated diets showed a 37 % reduction in feed intake and 32 % decrease in body weight gain compared to control. Birds also exhibited clinical deterioration, with weekly clinical scores declining from 12 in controls to 6 in the OTA group by week 5, reflecting reduced activity, watery feces, and poor feathering. OTA suppressed humoral immunity, lowering total anti-SRBC titers from 7.0 ± 1.0 in controls to 5.0 ± 1.0, and reduced IgG titers by ∼30 %. Cellular immunity was impaired, with significant reductions in lymphoproliferative responses to phytohemagglutinin-P (PHAP) and macrophage phagocytic activity. Histopathologically, OTA exposure led to lymphoid organ atrophy, lymphocytic depletion, and epithelial damage in both the bursa of Fabricius and thymus. Birds receiving PS-supplemented diets, particularly at 400 mg/kg, demonstrated improved feed consumption, restored humoral and cellular immune responses, and preserved tissue architecture with efficacy comparable to the commercial toxin binder. This suggesting PS may offer a practical and natural alternative to synthetic binders for mitigating OTA toxicity in poultry. These protective effects may be attributed to the bioactive constituents of pumpkin seeds, such as antioxidants, polyphenols, and unsaturated fatty acids, which are known for their immunomodulatory properties. This suggests that PS may offer a practical and natural alternative to synthetic binders for mitigating OTA toxicity in poultry.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108112"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145313373","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Anti-biofilm and anti-infection activities of Lynronne-1 against major bovine mastitis pathogens","authors":"Ana Júlia Silva Moreira ,&nbsp;Katialaine Corrêa Araújo Domingues ,&nbsp;Jennifer McClure ,&nbsp;Karine Dalla Vecchia Camargo ,&nbsp;Nicole Aulik ,&nbsp;Linda Boniface Oyama ,&nbsp;Sharon A. Huws ,&nbsp;Hilario C. Mantovani","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108107","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108107","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mastitis, an inflammatory condition affecting the udders of dairy cattle, is one of the most prevalent and costly diseases in the global dairy industry. This study investigated the efficacy of the antimicrobial peptide Lynronne-1 (lyn-1) against established biofilms formed by key mastitis-causing pathogens, including <em>Escherichia coli</em>, <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em>, <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>, and <em>Staphylococcus chromogenes</em>. A panel of 44 mastitis-associated bacterial strains comprising 25 Gram-positive and 19 Gram-negative species was screened for their biofilm-forming capacity, and seven strains were selected as representative targets to assess the ability of lyn-1 to prevent pathogen adhesion and invasion of bovine mammary alveolar cells (MAC-T). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of lyn-1 against polymicrobial cultures of the seven biofilm-forming strains was achieved at 128 μg/mL. On average, lyn-1 at 1x MIC reduced pre-formed biofilms of Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains by 22 % and 11 %, respectively. Lyn-1 significantly disrupted established biofilms of <em>K. pneumoniae</em> strain 160, <em>S. aureus</em> strains 184 and 186, and the polymicrobial culture (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Moreover, lyn-1 prevented or reduced new biofilm formation by already established biofilms in four out of seven tested strains (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05). Lyn-1 also significantly decreased (<em>p</em> &lt; 0.05) both adhesion and invasion of the tested pathogens (n = 7) to MAC-T cells at two multiplicities of infection of 1:1 and 1:100 (cell:bacteria). Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the specificity of the peptide by demonstrating its antibacterial activity without detectable damage to the MAC-T cell line, corroborating previous studies that reported lyn-1 to be non-cytotoxic to MAC-T cells at concentrations up to 256 μg/mL. These results illustrate that lyn-1 is effective against polymicrobial cultures of mastitis bacteria and shows promise as a targeted and safe agent for preventing and treating mastitis, particularly infections involving biofilm-forming Gram-positive bacteria.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108107"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308543","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tildipirosin:A relatively new macrolide antibiotic for animals","authors":"Wang-Si-Jiao Shen ,&nbsp;Jiang-Yu Long ,&nbsp;Wen-Bo Xu ,&nbsp;Yi-Han Wang ,&nbsp;Ke-Ming Ning ,&nbsp;Si-Yu Meng ,&nbsp;Xiao-Tong Zhang ,&nbsp;Zhao-Ying Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108108","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108108","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Tildipirosin is a relatively new macrolide antibiotic with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity, effectively inhibiting Gram-positive bacteria (such as staphylococci and streptococci) and certain Gram-negative bacteria (such as <em>Pasteurella multocida</em>, <em>Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae</em>, <em>Glaesserella parasuis</em>, etc). Based on its unique antibacterial activity and excellent pharmacokinetic properties—including a long half-life, high bioavailability, and exceptional intracellular permeability—it has demonstrated good efficacy in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases in large animals. In recent years, research on the pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and clinical applications of tildipirosin has increased, providing data support for dose optimization, efficacy evaluation, and safe use in animals. However, systematic summaries regarding its tissue distribution across different animal species, pulmonary concentration characteristics, antimicrobial spectrum, Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model establishment, and drug residues and withdrawal periods remain insufficient. This paper systematically reviews existing literature on tildipirosin's antibacterial activity, pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic characteristics, clinical efficacy, and residue safety. It aims to provide scientific evidence and practical guidance for establishing optimal dosing regimens, preventing and treating respiratory diseases, and ensuring food safety in animal-derived products.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108108"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145308556","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biological function and genotype identification of the isolated Toxoplasma gondii strain from human peripheral blood","authors":"Xiaohua Liu ,&nbsp;Yixiao Wang ,&nbsp;Kaijuan Wu ,&nbsp;Jing Xie ,&nbsp;Chandara Ngim ,&nbsp;Kang Liu ,&nbsp;Yangfan Xiao ,&nbsp;Lan Ma ,&nbsp;Die Hu ,&nbsp;Liping Jiang","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108106","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108106","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> (<em>T. gondii</em>), an obligate intracellular protozoan, can infect humans and other warm-blooded animals, causing toxoplasmosis-a zoonotic parasitic disease with a global distribution. Although the isolation of <em>T. gondii</em> strains from animal tissues for genetic characterization is well established, isolation from clinical samples remains challenging due to the chronic infection features, such as tissue cysts and the absence of circulating parasites. Here, we isolated a novel <em>T. gondii</em> strain (designated TgHumanCs1) from human peripheral blood through a comprehensive approach combining serological (indirect hemagglutination assay), molecular (PCR), and biological assay (mouse bioassay). The strain exhibited an invasive and proliferation capacity comparable to the RH strain in vitro, as well as high virulence in murine models. Multilocus PCR-RFLP genotyping (targeting <em>GRA6</em>, <em>Apico</em>, <em>SAG2</em>, and <em>SAG3</em>) revealed that TgHumanCs1 displays a Type I allele pattern and clusters with the RH strain. The successful isolation of TgHumanCs1 underscores the potential for hematogenous dissemination of highly virulent <em>T. gondii</em> strains in human infections, and highlights the need for continued surveillance of circulating parasite genotypes in clinical settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108106"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145301876","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacteriological profile of biliary tract infections in adults undergoing interventional biliopancreatic endoscopy","authors":"Abderrazak Saddari ,&nbsp;Mohammed Lahmer ,&nbsp;Said Ezrari ,&nbsp;Yassine Ben Lahlou ,&nbsp;Elmostapha Benaissa ,&nbsp;Mostafa Elouennass ,&nbsp;Adil Maleb","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108105","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108105","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Interventional biliopancreatic endoscopy is an invasive procedure with a significant risk of infectious complications. This study aims to determine the most frequently isolated germs during biliopancreatic endoscopy and to study their sensitivity to antibiotics, to adapt antibiotic therapy, and to justify antibiotic prophylaxis.</div></div><div><h3>Materials and methods</h3><div>A microbiological analysis of bile samples taken during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography was performed. The indication for the endoscopic examination was lithiasis of the main bile duct in 72 % of cases, malignant or benign biliary stenosis in 15.34 % and 6.83 % of cases, respectively, and prosthesis infection in 5.64 %. All samples were processed according to the recommendations of the medical microbiology reference system (REMIC).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>108 bile samples and 16 biliary prostheses were analyzed. Bile culture was positive in 95.96 % (n = 119) of cases. The most frequently isolated germs were <em>Escherichia coli</em> (n = 47; 21 %), <em>Enterococcus</em> spp (n = 44; 19.7 %), <em>Streptococcus</em> spp (n = 37; 16.6 %), <em>Klebsiella</em> spp (n = 35; 15.7 %) and <em>Pseudomonas</em> spp (10.6<em>7 %</em>). For the bacteria most frequently isolated in our work, we studied the susceptibility to the antibiotics proposed by the recommendations. Imipenem and amikacin demonstrated the best antimicrobial activity compared with amoxicillin/clavulanic acid, piperacillin/tazobactam, and ciprofloxacin, which were less active. Multidrug-resistant bacteria were noted in 15.25 % (n = 34) of cases.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study concludes that the biliary system is a high-risk environment for infections. A bile sample for microbiological analysis can become a valuable diagnostic tool, as it allows more appropriate treatment and helps in the establishment of local antibiotic recommendations for the treatment of biliary tract infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108105"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145301911","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Fungicidal effects of saponin extract from rhizomes of Dioscorea panthaica Prain et Burk involve cell membrane damages in Candida glabrata","authors":"Wenmao Li ,&nbsp;Yanfeng Zhang ,&nbsp;Xinming Zhuang ,&nbsp;Zhiming Ma ,&nbsp;Yujie Sui ,&nbsp;Longfei Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108104","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108104","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Antifungal resistance is increasing worldwide, which is exacerbating the serious conditions faced by the public healthcare system: there are only a few kinds of antifungal drugs. It is pressing to identify new antifungal agents and therapies to prevent and treat fungal infections, especially those caused by resistant <em>Candida</em> species, such as <em>Candida glabrata</em>. This study was to explore the antifungal effects of saponin extract from rhizomes of <em>Dioscorea panthaica</em> Prain <em>et</em> Burk (HSE, abbreviated from the commercial name Huangshanyao Saponin Extract) on the growth, biofilm formation of <em>C. glabrata</em> and its preliminary mechanism.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of HSE against <em>C. glabrata</em> and other <em>Candida</em> species were evaluated following the guidelines of CLSC-M27-A3. The minimum fungicide concentration (MFC) were defined as the lowest concentration of HSE that caused no colony grown on SD agar after 48-h culture. The effects of HSE on biofilm formation and development were determined through XTT reduction assays. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) was employed to detect the influence of HSE on biofilm formation, cell membrane permeability and cell membrane potential of <em>C. glabrata</em>. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) was also employed to detect the ultrastructural changes caused by HSE. Checkerboard assays were performed to detect the interactions between HSE and antifungal drugs.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>HSE inhibited the growth of <em>C. glabrata</em> and <em>C. albicans</em>, as well as <em>C. parapsilosis</em>, with MIC of 32, 32 and 64 μg/mL, respectively. The MFC of HSE against <em>C. glabrata</em> and <em>C. albicans</em> were 32 or 64 μg/mL. While the MFC against <em>C. parapsilosis</em> was above 512 μg/mL. The adhesion, biofilm formation and development could also be inhibited by HSE. HSE caused cell membrane damages, as revealed by confocal microscopic analysis of PI staining and DiBAC₄(3) staining. Results from TEM observation also confirmed the damages of cell membrane. In addition, HSE can synergize with AmB, while CAS and HSE can produce synergistic or additive effects.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>HSE showed antifungal activities against <em>C. glabrata</em>, as well as <em>Candida parapsilosis</em>, and inhibited <em>C. glabrata</em> biofilm formation and development. Its antifungal mechanism involves the increase in cell membrane permeability. HSE potentiated AmB and caspofungin in <em>C. glabrata</em>, <em>C. parapsilosis</em> and <em>C. albicans</em>. Our results suggested that HSE may be explored as antifungal agents to control <em>Candida</em> infections.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108104"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145301999","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exhaustion of CD4+ T cells is associated with bacterial load in active tuberculosis patients","authors":"Can Guo ,&nbsp;Hongxuan Yan ,&nbsp;Haoran Li ,&nbsp;Yuanyuan Shang ,&nbsp;Xuxia Zhang ,&nbsp;Cong Yao ,&nbsp;Wei Wang ,&nbsp;Yu Pang ,&nbsp;Mengqiu Gao","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108103","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108103","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Immunity against TB largely relies on CD4⁺ T cells. The degree of T cell exhaustion is inversely associated with mycobacterial burden and can be partially reversed upon effective anti-tuberculosis therapy. However, the relationship between PD-1 expression and bacterial load remains incompletely defined. In this study, we sought to characterize PD-1 expression across distinct lymphocyte subsets in a well-characterized cohort of TB patients with quantified bacterial burden.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Suspected cases were prospectively enrolled in Beijing Chest Hospital between January and December 2023. Following predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, 113 patients with confirmed tuberculosis were identified. Mycobacterial burden was quantified using the Xpert assay, and exhaustion of peripheral lymphocyte subsets was assessed by flow cytometry.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>In TB patients who tested positive by Xpert, the frequencies of CD3⁺ T cells and NK cells were reduced, whereas CD4⁺ T cells and the CD3/NK ratio were elevated. Stratification by Xpert CT values further indicated that individuals with higher bacterial burdens exhibited a decline in circulating CD3⁺ T cells, accompanied by increases in CD4⁺ T cells and the CD3/NK ratio. Moreover, analysis of exhaustion markers revealed enrichment of CD3⁺PD-1⁺ and CD4⁺PD-1⁺ T cells in patients with high bacterial loads, with CD4⁺PD-1⁺ T cell abundance showing a significant inverse correlation with CT values.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>In TB patients, mycobacterial burden was associated with alterations in T cell populations and functional exhaustion. Overall T cell counts were reduced, whereas CD4⁺ T cells were relatively elevated. Moreover, CD4⁺ T cell exhaustion positively correlated with mycobacterial load. These findings highlight the potential value of immunotherapeutic interventions in patients with high bacterial burdens and provide a theoretical rationale for incorporating host-directed strategies into future TB treatment regimens.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108103"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145286564","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacillus velezensis LG37 protects Macrobrachium rosenbergii from ammonia nitrogen stress","authors":"Guangxin Liu ,&nbsp;Hejun Jian ,&nbsp;Anfeng Liu ,&nbsp;Ce Li ,&nbsp;Yiqin Deng ,&nbsp;Sigang Fan ,&nbsp;Hongling Ma ,&nbsp;Changhong Cheng ,&nbsp;Jianjun Jiang ,&nbsp;Juan Feng ,&nbsp;Zhendong Qin ,&nbsp;Zhixun Guo","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108098","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108098","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study evaluated the protective effects of <em>Bacillus velezensis</em> LG37 on <em>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</em> under ammonia nitrogen stress, with a focus on survival, antioxidant capacity, and immune response. Juvenile prawns were divided into two groups: a control group without LG37 (Group A) and a treatment group with dietary LG37 supplementation (Group B). The 96-h maximum tolerance and absolute lethal concentrations of ammonia nitrogen were determined as 18.54 ± 1.21 mg/L and 86.52 ± 5.6 mg/L, respectively. Group B exhibited a 28 % higher median lethal dose compared with Group A, indicating enhanced tolerance. After 96 h of exposure, malondialdehyde (MDA) levels increased significantly in both groups (p &lt; 0.05), but remained consistently lower in Group B. Antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD and CAT) were significantly higher in Group B than in Group A. Immune-related enzymes (lysozyme and phenoloxidase) showed tissue-specific responses, with gill activity peaking and then declining, while hepatopancreas and midgut activities increased significantly. Heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) expression was consistently upregulated in Group B, whereas Caspase-3 expression increased in both groups but was significantly greater in Group B. Overall, dietary supplementation with <em>B. velezensis</em> LG37 improved survival, enhanced antioxidant defenses, and strengthened immune responses in <em>M. rosenbergii</em> under ammonia nitrogen stress, highlighting its potential as a protective probiotic in aquaculture.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108098"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145275237","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Antimicrobial and anti-virulence effects of functionalized cobalt nanoparticles against multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli causing urinary tract infections","authors":"Omar H. Raoof ,&nbsp;Thamer Y. Mutter ,&nbsp;Abdurrahman Ayvaz","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108101","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108101","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) <em>Escherichia coli</em> and its ability to form biofilms pose a significant public health threat, particularly in urinary tract infections (UTIs). This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial, antibiofilm, and gene expression-modulating effects of gallic acid-stabilized cobalt nanoparticles (Co-GANPs) and their hyaluronic acid-modified versions (Co-GANPs-HA) against clinical <em>E. coli</em> isolates obtained from Ramadi Children's and Gynecology Hospital and Hit General Hospital. Nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and characterized using techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, and EDX. Physicochemical analyses confirmed the production of stable, spherical, and well-dispersed nanostructures with a crystallite size of 8.8 nm. Biological evaluations demonstrated that Co-GANPs-HA exhibited superior antibacterial activity compared to Co-GANPs, with a lower Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) of 3.1 mg/mL versus 6.2 mg/mL. The nanoparticles effectively inhibited both planktonic cells and biofilm formation, including in antibiotic-resistant isolates. Gene expression analysis revealed that both nanoparticle formulations significantly downregulated the expression of <em>qclb</em>, a key virulence gene. These findings suggest that functionalized cobalt nanoparticles, with their multifactorial mechanism of action that bypasses traditional resistance, could be a powerful therapeutic alternative or adjunct for MDR and biofilm-related UTIs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108101"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145280274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacteroides caecimuris reduces Candida albicans virulence and enhances host antifungal immunity under heat-humidity and high-fat-high-sugar stress","authors":"Zhichang Xu ,&nbsp;Di Zhao ,&nbsp;Rui Guo ,&nbsp;Lijiao Yang ,&nbsp;Xinjia Zhang ,&nbsp;Ruirui Wang ,&nbsp;Yi Zhang ,&nbsp;Lijuan Zhang","doi":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108090","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.micpath.2025.108090","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prolonged exposure to damp-heat environments coupled with high-fat-high-sugar (HFHS) diets disrupts gut microbiota homeostasis and compromises immunity, elevating risks of enteritis, diabetes, and fungal infections. In this study, We established a murine intestinal infection model by simulating damp-heat conditions (35(±2) C, 90 % humidity), administering an HFHS diet, and challenging with <em>Candida albicans</em> (<em>C</em>.<em>albicans</em>). Mice were treated with Compound Agrimony Enteritis Capsules (FuFangXianHeCao, FFXHC), a traditional Chinese herbal formulation. Gut microbiota profiling (16S rRNA sequencing) and mechanistic studies (in vivo and in vitro) were performed. 16S rRNA analysis revealed that FFXHC treatment enhanced the abundance of the intestinal flora, with a notable increase in the abundance of <em>Bacteroides caecimuris</em> (<em>B</em>.<em>caecimuris</em>)(Compared with 0.11 % in the model group, it increased to 2.9 % after FFXHC treatment). Consequently, <em>B</em>.<em>caecimuris</em> was identified as the dominant flora, and its in-vivo and in-vitro effects on <em>C</em>.<em>albicans</em> were investigated. It was determined that FFXHC treatment could stimulate the proliferation of <em>B</em>.<em>caecimuris</em>. In addition, In vitro qPCR and optical density data and in vivo data show that although <em>B.caecimuris</em> could not inhibit the growth of <em>C</em>.<em>albicans</em>, it could improve the survival status and liver function of infected mice, reduce intestinal inflammation, and reduce the colonization of <em>C</em>.<em>albicans</em> by inhibiting the formation of <em>C</em>.<em>albicans</em> hyphae and reducing its virulence. The <em>B</em>.<em>caecimuris</em> contributed to the differentiation of immune cells and the secretion of immune factors in infected mice, thereby enhancing the immune response and fortifying the host defense. Our study supports a role for <em>B. caecimuris</em> in mediating FFXHC anti-<em>Candida</em> effects, bridging traditional medicine with microbiome-based therapeutics. This study provides mechanistic insights into targeting gut microbiota to combat fungal infections under metabolic stress.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18599,"journal":{"name":"Microbial pathogenesis","volume":"209 ","pages":"Article 108090"},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-10-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145258512","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}