Microorganisms最新文献

{"title":"The Clinical Profile of Pediatric <i>M. pneumoniae</i> Infections in the Context of a New Post-Pandemic Wave.","authors":"Mădălina Maria Merișescu, Gheorghiță Jugulete, Irina Dijmărescu, Anca Oana Dragomirescu, Larisa Mirela Răduț","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051152","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051152","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Mycoplasma pneumoniae</i> is an atypical bacterium with a tropism for the respiratory tract, but it can also cause numerous extrapulmonary involvements. The incidence of high rates varies in epidemiological waves, occurring at a frequency of 3-7 years. Since the end of 2023, an increase in the incidence of <i>M. pneumoniae</i> infection cases has been noted internationally. We conducted a retrospective study of children hospitalized and confirmed with <i>M. pneumoniae</i> infection in our clinic during the last two epidemiological peaks. We retrieved data from the hospital database and divided the patients into two groups, corresponding to the years 2018-2019 and 2023-2024, respectively. Fisher's exact test was used to compare the proportions. In the years 2023-2024, we observed a higher incidence of patients with respiratory failure (<i>p</i> = 0.032), pleural reaction (<i>p</i> = 0.016), and pulmonary consolidation (<i>p</i> = 0.016) compared to the group in the years 2018-2019. Gastrointestinal involvement was more frequent in the years 2018-2019 (<i>p</i> = 0.004). The incidence of other extrapulmonary complications did not show significant differences. Infection with <i>M. pneumoniae</i> has varied clinical manifestations. In patients with community-acquired pneumonia, even in cases of consolidation, the possibility of infection with <i>M. pneumoniae</i> must also be considered.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160413","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Synergistic Effect of Essential Oils and Rhamnolipid on <i>Xanthomonas citri</i> Subsp. <i>citri</i>.","authors":"Maria Olimpia Pereira Sereia, Eduarda Araujo Dos Santos, Lucas Prado Leite, Raphael Culim Neves, Vítor Rodrigues Marin, Henrique Ferreira, Jonas Contiero, Daiane Cristina Sass","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051153","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051153","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Citrus canker, caused by <i>Xanthomonas citri</i> subsp. <i>citri</i>, is a devastating disease that affects citrus production and trade worldwide. Traditional control methods, based on copper compounds, are effective but pose environmental and health risks due to their toxicity and potential for bioaccumulation. This study evaluates the synergistic potential of essential oils (EOs) and rhamnolipids as sustainable alternatives for disease management. Four EOS (citronella, palmarosa, geranium, and clove) were tested for their antibacterial activity. Citronella EO showed a 90% inhibitory concentration (IC 90) of 0.15% (<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>) and a minimum bactericidal concentration of 0.25% (<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>), while the other EOs showed IC 90 and bactericidal activity at 0.06% (<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>). Rhamnolipids (RHLs), biosurfactants produced by <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, inhibited <i>X. citri</i> at a concentration of 0.3% (<i>v</i>/<i>v</i>). The combination of citronella EO and RHLs showed a synergistic effect, reducing the inhibitory concentration of citronella by 50% and that of RHLs by more than 90%. In addition, the combined formulation permeabilized more than 80% of bacterial membranes and reduced biofilm formation. In contrast, other oils tested in combination with rhamnolipid showed independent effects. These results indicate that EOs and rhamnolipids represent an environmentally safe strategy for the control of <i>X. citri</i> subsp. <i>citri</i> that overcomes the limitations of conventional methods while reducing environmental and health impacts.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Eugenol Nanoparticles in Dental Composites: Literature Review of Antimicrobial, Anti-Inflammatory, and Clinical Applications.","authors":"Fatima Zahra Kamal, Alin Ciobica, Gabriel Dascalescu, Said Rammali, Mohamed El Aalaoui, Radu Lefter, Ioana Vata, Vasile Burlui, Bogdan Novac","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051148","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051148","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The formation of microbial colonies and biofilms are common on dental restorations. This can lead to secondary caries. Another common complication is the post-operative inflammation noted in patients. The traditionally used dental composites are designed without the inherent components having antimicrobial and inflammatory properties. This has become a major challenge in current restorative dentistry applications. In order to address these challenges, a possible approach is to incorporate eugenol nanoparticles (NPs) into dental composites. This approach can offer dual therapeutic benefits since eugenol possess both antimicrobial and inflammatory properties. In fact, compared to synthetic antimicrobial agents, eugenol exhibits antibacterial activity not only against <i>Streptococcus mutans</i> but also against a range of oral pathogens. It also exhibits anti-inflammatory effects that can promote healing by reducing post-operative sensitivity. In spite of the above benefits, eugenol cannot be incorporated directly into dental materials. This is because eugenol is highly volatile and has poor water solubility. The encapsulation of eugenol in suitable nano-materials can overcome these limitations. In addition, it can enable the controlled and sustained release of desirable agents for long-term therapeutic action. In this review, we explore the mechanisms, advantages and potential clinical applications of dental composites containing NP integrated with eugenol. We highlight the advantages of having antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory functions in a single restorative material. At the same time, we acknowledge the need for more in-depth research to optimize NP formulations with eugenol that does not compromise the mechanical properties of dental materials. Based on a thorough literature review, we believe that this approach has much potential in restorative dentistry procedures that will aid therapeutic outcomes in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160372","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of Litter from Different Belowground Organs of <i>Phragmites australis</i> on Microbial-Mediated Soil Organic Carbon Accumulation in a Lacustrine Wetland.","authors":"Chong Chen, Yong Wang, Liu Yang, Yongen Min, Keming Yue, Sitong Lu, Hongfeng Bian, Xue Wang, Leilei Zhang","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051146","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051146","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Although belowground litter decomposition critically influences lacustrine wetland soil carbon dynamics, the organ-specific microbial mechanisms driving soil organic carbon (SOC) accumulation remain unclear. Existing research has predominantly focused on aboveground litter, leaving a significant gap in the understanding of how roots and rhizomes differentially regulate carbon cycling through microbial community assembly and survival strategies. This study took <i>Phragmites australis</i> (a plant characteristic of lacustrine wetland) as the research object and examined how decomposing belowground litter from different organs affects microbial-mediated SOC accumulation through a one-year in situ field incubation in Jingyuetan National Forest Park, Changchun City, Jilin Province, China. Our findings reveal that root litter exhibited the highest decomposition rate, which was accelerated by intermittent flooding, reaching up to 1.86 times that of rhizome. This process enriched r-strategist microbial taxa, intensified homogeneous selection, and expanded niche width, directly promoting SOC accumulation. Rhizome litter decomposition enhanced dispersal limitation, promoted K-strategist microbial dominance, and indirectly modulated SOC through soil acidification. Mixed-litter treatments significantly enhanced SOC accumulation (up to three times higher than single-litter treatments) through synergistic nutrient release (non-additive effects < 0.04) and reinforced microbial network interactions. SOC accumulation varied significantly with the flooding regime as follows: non-flooded > intermittent flooding > permanent flooding. This study provides new insights into the microbially driven mechanisms of plant-organ-specific decomposition in the carbon cycling of wetland ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Quan et al. Functional Characterization of a Novel SMR-Type Efflux Pump RanQ, Mediating Quaternary Ammonium Compound Resistance in <i>Riemerella anatipestifer</i>. <i>Microorganisms</i> 2023, <i>11</i>, 907.","authors":"Heng Quan, Xiaowei Gong, Wenhui Wang, Fuying Zheng, Yongfeng Yu, Donghui Liu, Qiwei Chen, Yuefeng Chu","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051143","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051143","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In the original publication [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160000","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Soil Microbial Adaptation and Biogeochemical Feedback in Degraded Alpine Meadows of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau.","authors":"Bingzhang Li, Quzhen Gesang, Yan Sun, Yuting Wang, Jibin Nan, Jun Xu","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051142","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051142","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Alpine meadows on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are experiencing rapid degradation due to climate change and anthropogenic disturbances, leading to severe ecological consequences. In this study, we investigated the response of soil microbial communities and their metabolic functions across a degradation gradient using metagenomic sequencing and comprehensive soil physicochemical analysis in the city of Lhasa, China. Results showed that soil pH increased with degradation, while most nutrients, including different forms of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, declined. pH, ammonium nitrogen, and organic matter were identified as key factors driving degradation dynamics. Microbial community composition shifted markedly, with distinct biomarker taxa emerging at different degradation levels. Network analysis revealed a progressive loss of microbial connectivity, with Actinobacteria dominance increasing in heavily degraded soils, while cross-phylum interactions weakened. Functional analysis of biogeochemical cycling genes showed that carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus cycling were all disrupted by degradation, but each exhibited unique response patterns. These findings will extend our understanding of microbial-mediated soil processes under degradation and provide a scientific foundation for ecosystem management, conservation, and targeted restoration strategies in alpine meadows.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160335","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retrospective Single-Center Study on the Epidemiological Characteristics of Influenza B Infections in Korea (2007-2024): Analysis of Sex, Age, and Seasonal Patterns.","authors":"Jeong Su Han, Yoo Na Chung, Jae Kyung Kim","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051141","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051141","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Influenza B, a globally prevalent respiratory virus, particularly affects children, the elderly, and individuals with chronic diseases. This retrospective single-center study analyzed long-term epidemiological trends using 23,284 PCR test results from Dankook University Hospital, Cheonan-si, Republic of Korea, from 2007 to 2024. The data included inpatients and outpatients who presented with respiratory symptoms and underwent multiplex PCR testing. Unlike previous studies focusing on short-term outbreaks, this study examines extended trends and emerging seasonal patterns. Positivity rates were statistically analyzed by year, season, sex, age group, and the impact of COVID-19 (2020-2022). Significant annual differences (<i>p</i> < 0.001) occurred, with peaks in 2012 and 2018 and a sharp decline during 2020-2022. Children exhibited the highest positivity rate (2.40%), significantly higher than that of adults (2.24%) and the elderly (1.79%) (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Infections peaked in the winter (2.98%) and spring (3.95%), contrary to the belief that Influenza B peaks in winter only. Females had a higher positivity rate (2.13%) than males (1.70%) (<i>p</i> = 0.017). These findings provide novel insights into Influenza B epidemiology, emphasizing the need for prevention strategies beyond winter. The secondary spring peak suggests extending vaccination to early spring may improve influenza control, particularly among high-risk groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160158","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Emergence of NDM-1- and OXA-23-Co-Producing <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> ST1 Isolates from a Burn Unit in Spain.","authors":"Elena Hidalgo, Jared Sotelo, María Pérez-Vázquez, Ángela Iniesta, Javier E Cañada-García, Olga Valiente, Belén Aracil, David M Arana, Jesús Oteo-Iglesias","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051149","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051149","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The global emergence of carbapenem-resistant <i>Acinetobacter baumanii</i> (CRAB) represents a significant public health threat. In the summer of 2022, a polyclonal CRAB outbreak occurred in our hospital, marking the first detection of an NDM-1 plus OXA-23 co-producing <i>A. baumannii</i> strain in Spain. The aim of this study was to phenotypically and genotypically characterize the clonal spread of NDM-1 and OXA-23 co-producing <i>A. baumannii</i> isolates and to describe the infection control measures implemented to contain the outbreak. Patients with multidrug-resistant <i>A. baumannii</i> isolates (July 2022-May 2023) were included in the study. Isolates were identified via MALDI-TOF, and antimicrobial susceptibility was tested using a broth microdilution method (DKMGN SensititreTM panels). Whole-genome sequencing was performed on 24 representative isolates. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using Ridom SeqSphere+ (cgMLST), while sequence typing was performed using ARIBA (Pasteur and Oxford schemes). <i>A. baumannii</i> isolates from the affected patients belonged to five different sequence types. The two main STs were ST1Pas/ST231Oxf (NDM-1- and OXA-23-co-producing), which accounted for 58%, and ST136Pas/ST406Oxf (OXA-23-producing), which accounted for 21%. All isolates were resistant to fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, aminoglycosides, and carbapenems. In addition, 8% were resistant to colistin and 17% to cefiderocol. Finally, the affected patients were cohorted, and a thorough cleaning of the affected units was carried out. This study documents the clonal spread of an NDM-1- and OXA-23-co-producing <i>A. baumannii</i> strain in Spain, linked to a Libyan patient, highlighting the risk of cross-border spread. Although infection control measures successfully contained the outbreak, surveillance is essential as the incidence of CRAB infections is expected to increase.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Periplasmic Protein Mobility for Extracellular Electron Transport in <i>Shewanella oneidensis</i>.","authors":"Daobo Li, Xiaodan Zheng, Yonggang Yang, Meiying Xu","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051144","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051144","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Extracellular electron transport (EET) supports the survival of specific microorganisms on the Earth's surface by facilitating microbial respiration with diverse electron acceptors. A key aspect of EET is the organization of electron relays, i.e., multi-heme c-type cytochromes (MHCs), within the periplasmic space of microbial cells. In this study, we investigated the mobility of periplasmic electron relays in <i>Shewanella oneidensis</i> MR-1, a model strain capable of EET, using in vivo protein crosslinking to the MHCs. First, we established that crosslinking efficiency correlates with the spatial proximity and diffusion coefficient of protein molecules through in vitro tests. Based on these findings, we identified distinct molecular behaviors of periplasmic MHCs, showing that the tetraheme flavocytochrome FccA, which also serves as a periplasmic fumarate reductase, forms protein complexes with limited motility, while the small tetraheme c-type cytochrome CctA remains discrete and mobile. Both MHCs contribute to EET for bioelectrochemical nitrate and nitrite reduction. These findings reveal dual mechanisms for organizing periplasmic electron relays in EET, advancing our understanding of microbial extracellular respiration.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160366","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"In Silico Design, Optimization, and Evaluation of a Multi-Epitope Vaccine Targeting the <i>Clostridium perfringens</i> Collagen Adhesin Protein.","authors":"Dhiraj Chundru, Shailes Bhattrai, Madhusudan Timilsina, Hyun Lillehoj, Zhifeng Sun, Mostafa Ghanem, Charles Li","doi":"10.3390/microorganisms13051147","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13051147","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Necrotic enteritis (NE), caused by pathogenic <i>Clostridium perfringens</i>, poses a significant threat to global poultry health, with estimated annual losses exceeding USD 6 billion. The rising incidence of NE has been associated with the reduced use of antibiotic growth promoters, underscoring the urgent need for alternative control measures such as vaccination. Collagen adhesin protein (CNA), a key virulence factor in NE pathogenesis, represents a promising vaccine target. The US Food and Drug Administration has begun phasing out animal testing requirements for biologics and monoclonal antibody drugs. In this study, a computational multi-epitope vaccine (MEV) targeting CNA was designed by integrating predicted Cluster of Differentiation (CD)4⁺ helper T lymphocyte (Th), CD8⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL), and B-cell epitopes. Bioinformatics tools were used to identify immunogenic, antigenic, and non-allergenic epitopes assembled into a 115-amino-acid peptide vaccine construct. The candidate demonstrated strong stability and solubility. In silico immune simulation predicted robust immune responses, including elevated IgG and IgM antibody levels, plasma cell proliferation, Th memory formation, and CTL activation, comparable to responses elicited by a full-length CNA. These findings support the potential of the designed peptide as one of the multiple effective NE vaccine components, offering a promising alternative to antibiotic-based approaches in poultry disease management.</p>","PeriodicalId":18667,"journal":{"name":"Microorganisms","volume":"13 5","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2025-05-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144160224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}