mSphere最新文献

{"title":"Assessment of chemical methods in the extraction of spore surface layers in <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> spores.","authors":"Javier Sanchez, Alba Romero-Rodriguez, Scarlett Troncoso-Cotal, Morgan S Osborne, Theresa Ariri, Joseph A Sorg, Daniel Paredes-Sabja","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00531-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/msphere.00531-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Clostridioides difficile</i> spores are essential for initiation, recurrence, and transmission of <i>C. difficile</i> infections (CDI). These outermost layers of the spore, the exosporium and spore coat, are responsible for initial interactions with the host and spore resistance properties, respectively. Several spore coat/exosporium extraction methods have been utilized to study the spore surface, with differing procedures making comparison across studies difficult. Here, we tested how commonly used exosporium and spore coat extraction methods, termed EBB, USD, and Laemmli, remove the spore coat and exosporium layers of <i>C. difficile</i> spores. We assessed the impact of these extraction methods on the spore through transmission electron microscopy, phase contrast microscopy, western blotting, and lysozyme-triggered cortex degradation. Transmission electron microscopy shows that treatment with EBB and USD completely removes the spore coat and exosporium layer while leaving decoated spores intact. Western blots revealed differences in the ability to extract spore surface protein markers (CdeC, CdeM, CotA). In addition, lysozyme was able to degrade the cortex in decoated spores regardless of the treatment employed. Western blot analysis of lysozyme-treated decoated spores reveals that EBB and USD treatment allow for the detection and release of the spore core germination protease, GPR. Our results provide a comparison of commonly used extraction methods in <i>C. difficile</i> spore biology, standardizing their impact on spore coat and exosporium extraction for use in future studies.</p><p><strong>Importance: </strong>The outermost layers of <i>Clostridioides difficile</i> spores, the exosporium and spore coat, are essential for the spores' resistance properties and initial interactions with the host. However, there is variability in extraction protocols, making it difficult to compare across studies. This work evaluates the commonly used extraction methods EBB, USD, and Laemmli at removing the exosporium and spore coat and provides a foundation for improved reproducibility. Here, we identified the effectiveness of these different extraction methods, allowing us to better understand these techniques to accurately analyze the spore surface in <i>C. difficile</i> spore research.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0053125"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065317","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":"NRPS gene dynamics in the wheat rhizoplane show increased proportion of viscosin NRPS genes of importance for root colonization during drought.","authors":"Ying Guan, Edmond Berne, Rosanna Catherine Hennessy, Paolina Garbeva, Mette Haubjerg Nicolaisen, Frederik Bak","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00852-24","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00852-24","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds, diverse in structure, with versatile ecological functions, including key roles in mediating interactions between microorganisms and plants. Importantly, these compounds can promote the colonization of plant surfaces, such as roots, or modulate root exudates to enhance microbial recruitment and establishment. However, owing to the vast diversity of secondary metabolites, their importance in plant root colonization-particularly under stress conditions, such as drought-remains unclear. To determine the involvement of some of these secondary metabolites in root colonization, we used amplicon sequencing targeting the adenylation domain of the non-ribosomal peptide synthases (NRPSs) and the 16S rRNA gene from the rhizoplane of wheat grown in soil under normal and drought stress conditions. Results showed that drought transiently affected the bacterial community composition and the NRPS composition in the rhizoplane. We observed that drought selected for distinct groups of siderophores from different taxonomical groups, enriching for &lt;i&gt;Streptomyces&lt;/i&gt; and depleting &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas&lt;/i&gt; siderophores. In addition, drought enriched &lt;i&gt;Pseudomonas&lt;/i&gt;-derived NRPS genes encoding viscosin, a cyclic lipopeptide with biosurfactant properties, indicating that compounds linked to motility and colonization provide a competitive advantage during rhizoplane colonization under drought stress conditions. This observation was experimentally confirmed using the viscosin-producing &lt;i&gt;P. fluorescens&lt;/i&gt; SBW25 and its viscosin-deficient mutant. A higher abundance of SBW25 colonized the roots under drought stress conditions compared to the viscosin-deficient mutant. In summary, our work demonstrates the potential for amplicon sequencing of NRPS genes, coupled with &lt;i&gt;in planta&lt;/i&gt; experiments, to elucidate the importance of secondary metabolites in root colonization.IMPORTANCETo harness beneficial plant-microbe interactions for improved plant resilience, we need to advance our understanding of key factors required for successful root colonization. Bacterial-produced secondary metabolites are important in plant-microbe interactions; thus, targeting these genes generates new knowledge that is essential for leveraging bacteria for sustainable agriculture. We used amplicon sequencing of the NRPS A domain on the rhizoplane of wheat exposed to drought stress to identify important secondary metabolites in plant-microbe interactions during drought. We show that the siderophores respond differently to drought stress depending on taxonomic affiliation and that the potential to synthesize viscosin increases root colonization. Importantly, this study demonstrates the potential of amplicon sequencing of NRPS genes to reveal specific secondary metabolites involved in root colonization, particularly in relation to drought stress, and highlights how the resolution provided by this approach can link specific compounds to a specific stres","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0085224"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065306","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":"Abundance of <i>Bifidobacterium</i> species in the infant gut microbiota and associations with maternal-infant characteristics in Dhaka, Bangladesh.","authors":"Aline C Freitas, Grace Li, Jakaria Shawon, Huma Qamar, Lisa G Pell, Mamun Kabir, Ovokeraye H Oduaran, Scarlett Puebla-Barragan, Diego G Bassani, Karen M O'Callaghan, Jennifer C Onuora, Miranda G Loutet, Cole Heasley, Cody W E Starke, Abdullah Al Mahmud, Davidson H Hamer, Eleanor Pullenayegum, Md Iqbal Hossain, Md Muniruzzaman Siddiqui, Mohammad Shahidul Islam, Philip M Sherman, Prakesh S Shah, S M Abdul Gaffar, Shamima Sultana, Shaun K Morris, Tahmeed Ahmed, Rashidul Haque, Shafiqul Alam Sarker, Daniel E Roth","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00314-25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00314-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The early infant gut microbiota is generally dominated by bifidobacteria, but there is substantial variation at the (sub)species level. Patterns of postnatal <i>Bifidobacterium</i> subspecies colonization in low- or middle-income countries have not been widely studied. We used (sub)species-specific qPCR to quantify <i>B. infantis</i> (<i>n</i> = 1132)<i>, B. longum</i> (<i>n</i> = 364), and <i>B. breve</i> (<i>n</i> = 399) in stool samples from infants (0-6 months of age) in urban Dhaka, Bangladesh. <i>B. infantis</i> absolute abundance started low at birth but increased in the first two months, whereas <i>B. longum</i> and <i>B. breve</i> abundances remained comparatively low. <i>B. infantis</i> emerged earlier in infants delivered by C-section, but by ~2 months of age, infants delivered by C-section or vaginally had similar <i>B. infantis</i> absolute abundances. Infant antibiotic exposure (ever vs. never), human milk feeding patterns (exclusive, predominant, and partial), and detection of maternal stool <i>B. infantis</i> were not associated with infant <i>B. infantis</i>. In settings where <i>B. infantis</i> is widespread, its patterns of postnatal colonization can be used to inform the design of targeted microbiota-modifying interventions in infancy.IMPORTANCEBifidobacteria are considered to be an important member of the early infant gut microbiota, but several factors may influence the timing of their emergence and overall abundance. Moreover, bifidobacteria abundance varies considerably between different species and subspecies, underscoring the importance of techniques that enable sub-speciation. <i>B. longum</i> subspecies <i>infantis</i> (<i>B. infantis</i>) is thought to have several health-promoting properties, and despite growing interest in the use of <i>B. infantis</i> to promote health (e.g., probiotics), relatively few studies have explored its natural patterns of colonization, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. By applying (sub)species-specific qPCR, we precisely tracked the timing of emergence, longitudinal abundance patterns, and ecological dynamics of <i>B. infantis</i>, <i>B. longum</i>, and <i>B. breve</i> in the postnatal period, which provided new insights to inform the design of targeted microbiota-modifying interventions in early infancy.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0031425"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065364","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":"Cross-comparison study of three ELISA methodologies to measure <i>Shigella Sonnei</i> O-antigen serum IgG.","authors":"Paul Stickings, Caroline Vipond, Peter Rigsby, Francesca Micoli, Omar Rossi, Francesca Mancini, Valentino Conti, Dani Cohen, Anya Bialik, Shiri Meron-Sudai, Valeria Asato, Kristen A Clarkson, Calman A MacLennan, Robert W Kaminski","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00356-25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00356-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Measurement of serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) to <i>Shigella</i> lipopolysaccharide (LPS) has been proposed as a correlate of protection against shigellosis, the confirmation of which in the target population of infants in low- and middle-income countries will facilitate vaccine development and licensure. Data obtained from <i>Shigella sonnei</i> vaccine clinical studies have identified a protective serum LPS IgG threshold value that is assay-specific. In the interim period before an International Standard serum was available, a retrospective bridging study using a panel of human serum samples had been conducted to estimate the anti-<i>S</i>. <i>sonnei</i> LPS IgG levels in two ELISA methods, employed in several ongoing or recently completed age-descending <i>Shigella</i> vaccine clinical studies that correspond to the threshold titer of 1,600 established using the Tel Aviv University ELISA method. Each lab performed its own in-house ELISA protocol and tested a panel of 32 human serum samples, covering a range of anti-<i>S</i>. <i>sonnei</i> LPS IgG levels. We observed excellent correlation of the ELISA data between the laboratories and used the fitted equations from regression analysis to determine the values that correspond to an endpoint titer of 1,600 in the Tel Aviv University ELISA method. Our analysis provides a way to meaningfully compare results obtained with clinical samples across the ELISA methods used by the three participating laboratories.<b>IMPORTANCE</b>To support large-scale efficacy trials, especially where efficacy trials are not feasible, the ability to compare immune response data across candidate <i>Shigella</i> vaccines can be very valuable for identifying the most promising vaccine platform and immunobridging to other populations, vaccine formulations, or additional platforms in the future. However, international standards for antibody assays are not yet available for <i>Shigella</i> vaccines currently in clinical development. Lack of standardization of <i>Shigella</i> immunoassays means that the results of antibody measurement in clinical samples from different vaccine trials or those from seroepidemiology studies cannot be easily compared. The results from this study will facilitate the comparison of immunological titers obtained across different <i>Shigella</i> vaccine studies as an interim measure until such time that immunoassays can be better harmonized through the use of an International Standard Serum.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0035625"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065272","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":"Repeated thermal stress exposure in <i>Aedes aegypti</i> co-infected with <i>Wolbachia</i> and dengue virus.","authors":"Suk Lan Ser, Fhallon Ware-Gilmore, Nina L Dennington, Adam Miller, Brianna P McNulty, Makael L Harris, Matthew J Jones, Matthew D Hall, Carla M Sgrò, Katriona Shea, Elizabeth A McGraw","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00129-25","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1128/msphere.00129-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of heatwaves, affecting the thermal tolerance of mosquitoes and potentially influencing the efficacy of the biological control agent, <i>Wolbachia</i>. This study investigates the impact of repeated thermal stress on <i>Aedes aegypti</i> mosquitoes co-infected with <i>Wolbachia</i> and dengue virus (DENV). We exposed infected mosquitoes (singly and in co-infection) to varying intensities, frequencies, and durations of thermal stress to assess their thermal sensitivity via a \"knockdown assay\" compared to uninfected controls. Our results demonstrate that co-infection with <i>Wolbachia</i> and DENV significantly increases thermal sensitivity, with mosquitoes exhibiting a twofold faster median knockdown time than either singly infected or uninfected controls in most cases. A comparison of mosquitoes with no prior heat exposure to those given a single exposure revealed some evidence of heat hardening, or a slight lengthening of time to knockdown. Additional exposures provided no substantial benefit, however. Extended thermal stress (60 mins) also significantly reduced DENV loads, while <i>Wolbachia</i> loads remained stable, indicating that prolonged heat may disrupt viral replication without affecting bacterial symbiosis. These findings suggest that heatwaves could lower vector competence and disproportionately affect DENV-infected mosquitoes in <i>Wolbachia</i>-release areas, with implications for biocontrol strategies. Field studies should explore how infection affects mosquitoes' ability to modulate thermal exposure behaviorally, providing insights for optimizing <i>Wolbachia</i>-based control efforts.</p><p><strong>Importance: </strong>Dengue virus (DENV), spread by the mosquito <i>Aedes aegypti</i>, is a major global health threat affecting millions of people. This study examines how repeated exposures to heat stress affect the thermal tolerance of mosquitoes infected with DENV and/or <i>Wolbachia</i>, a bacterium used for biological control. These repeated exposures mimic the experience of mosquitoes in the wild experiencing heatwaves of increasing frequency under climate change. Our research shows that <i>Ae. aegypti</i> co-infected with <i>Wolbachia</i> and DENV is more susceptible to thermal stress than singly infected or uninfected mosquitoes. We also demonstrate that multiple independent thermal stress exposures do not exacerbate the effect of infection. Understanding these interactions is essential for predicting how climate change may affect dengue transmission and the resilience of <i>Wolbachia</i>-based interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0012925"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-09-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145065355","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":"Genetic characterization of the marmot gut virome in high-altitude Qinghai Province and identification of novel viruses with zoonotic potential.","authors":"Haisheng Wu, Xiaojie Jiang, Yuan Xi, Songyi Ning, Hailian Wu, Wenyuan Xin, Wenxuan Peng, Shengjun Wang, Wen Zhang","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00297-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/msphere.00297-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The high-altitude ecosystems of Qinghai Province, China, harbor unique viral communities shaped by extreme environmental conditions and host adaptations. This study presents a comprehensive genetic characterization of the marmot gut virome, revealing novel viral strains with zoonotic potential. Using viral metagenomics, we analyzed intestinal contents from 70 marmots collected from Chengduo and Maqin counties. Sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform identified 19 viral genomes belonging to four major families: <i>Adenoviridae</i>, <i>Astroviridae</i>, <i>Parvoviridae</i>, and <i>Picornaviridae</i>, along with four novel circular Rep-encoding single-stranded DNA (CRESS DNA) viruses. Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated close relationships between marmot-derived strains and viruses from humans, bats, and other mammals, highlighting potential cross-species transmission risks. Notably, bat-associated adenoviruses showed closer phylogenetic proximity to human strains, while novel parvoviruses formed a distinct clade within the Dependoparvovirus genus. The discovery of a novel astrovirus with low sequence similarity to known genera underscores the need for taxonomic reclassification. Additionally, a novel picornavirus related to Sapelovirus and four divergent CRESS DNA viruses were identified, expanding our understanding of viral diversity in high-altitude rodents. These findings emphasize the role of marmots as viral reservoirs and highlight the importance of high-altitude ecosystems as hotspots for zoonotic pathogen emergence. This study provides critical insights into viral evolution, host adaptation, and zoonotic risks, advocating for integrated surveillance strategies to mitigate future spillover events.IMPORTANCEViruses are the most abundant and diverse biological entities on Earth, yet their presence in wildlife from extreme environments remains poorly understood. High-altitude ecosystems, shaped by harsh conditions like intense UV radiation and low oxygen levels, create unique settings for virus evolution. This study is the first to comprehensively profile the gut virome of marmots in Qinghai Province, uncovering novel viral strains and highlighting how extreme environments drive viral diversity. Marmots, as key species in these regions, can act as bridges for virus transmission among wildlife, livestock, and humans, posing zoonotic risks. Understanding these viral communities is essential for predicting and preventing future outbreaks. Our findings emphasize the urgent need for integrated, One Health-based surveillance strategies to safeguard both public health and biodiversity in fragile high-altitude ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0029725"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379606/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144753883","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Regional-scale biogeographical patterns of soil- and root-associated microbial communities across nine planted Chinese fir forests.","authors":"Feihua Zhou, Hanshuo Zhang, Wen Zhong, Hao Yang, Luhong Zhou, Zhi-Jie Yang, Yalin Hu, Yong Zheng","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00450-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/msphere.00450-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chinese fir (<i>Cunninghamia lanceolata</i>) is an economically important plantation tree species. Gaining insights into the belowground microbiome of Chinese fir is critical for optimizing plantation management and enhancing timber production. In this study, we investigated microbial community structures in both rhizospheric soil and root samples from nine Chinese fir plantations (sites) at a regional scale. Moreover, we analyzed relationships between tree growth and microbial community structures and soil properties. Our results revealed that significantly higher bacterial and fungal richness was observed in rhizospheric soils than in tree roots. Differing distribution patterns of soil- and root-associated bacterial and fungal community compositions were observed across different sites. Soil nitrate was the key factor shaping root-associated bacterial diversity, and both soil total nitrogen and nitrate were the critical drivers influencing root-associated fungal community composition. There were apparent geographical variations in the biomass and growth increment of Chinese fir trees, with soil moisture emerging as the strongest predictor for these two parameters. Moreover, soil-associated bacterial community composition, root-associated bacterial diversity, and root-associated fungal community composition were identified as the primary determinants of tree biomass. Our findings highlight the critical but different contributions of soil- and root-associated bacterial and fungal communities to the productivity of trees in subtropical plantations.IMPORTANCEChinese fir plantations are widely distributed in Southeast China and characterized by their considerable economic significance. Belowground microbial communities play pivotal roles in shaping forest ecosystem functions. Nevertheless, knowledge of the relationship between microbial communities and tree growth is scarce. Here, we investigated soil- and root-associated bacterial and fungal communities and their relationships with the tree growth of nine Chinese fir plantations in subtropical regions. We found that both compartment and site factors influenced bacterial and fungal diversity and community composition. Apparent geographical variations in the biomass and growth increment of Chinese fir trees were observed. Moreover, soil-associated bacterial community composition, root-associated bacterial diversity, and fungal community composition were identified as the primary determinants of tree biomass. Altogether, this study provides a comprehensive analysis of microbial communities in mature Chinese fir planted forests, offering new insights into their roles in supporting forest productivity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0045025"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379592/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144753885","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reply to \"Limitations of repurposing ceftazidime for <i>Stenotrophomonas maltophilia</i>: a cautionary perspective\".","authors":"Matthew C Phillips, Rosemary She, Brad Spellberg, Brian Luna","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00404-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/msphere.00404-25","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0040425"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144775867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Opportunities, challenges, and policy implications of the aerobiome paradigm shift.","authors":"Martin F Breed, Craig Liddicoat, Xin Sun, Sunita Ramesh, Scott Hawken, Kevin Lee, Joel Brame, Nicole W Fickling, Emma Kuhn, Claire Hayward, Sonali Deshmukh, Kate Robinson, Christian Cando-Dumancela, Jake M Robinson","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00203-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/msphere.00203-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Historically, bioaerosol research has focused on identifying and mitigating the harmful effects of airborne pathogens and particles. These bioaerosols-including bacteria, viruses, fungal spores, and non-biological particles, such as particulate matter up to 2.5 µm (PM2.5)-pose substantial risks to human and ecosystem health. They can contribute to diseases and adverse outcomes in humans, animals, plants, and their associated microbial communities. Researchers have concentrated on understanding transmission mechanisms, detecting and quantifying these agents, and developing control strategies. However, a recent paradigm shift in aerobiome thinking highlights the importance of beneficial bioaerosols in maintaining ecosystem and human health. Beneficial bioaerosols, such as salutogenic (health-promoting) microbiota, phytoncides (plant-derived organic compounds), pheromones, and potentially \"aeronutrients\" contribute to human health modulation and important ecosystem processes. This dual nature of bioaerosols necessitates a holistic approach to promote beneficial components while mitigating harmful ones. Here, we introduce a recently established initiative called the Aerobiome Innovation and Research Hub (AIR Hub), which aims to advance this interdisciplinary research. We call for action to further understand and leverage the beneficial biological components of air for both human and ecosystem health and present the results of an AIR Hub workshop \"reverse brainstorming\" session to identify novel opportunities and challenges. These include key barriers to advancing aerobiome science, such as poor communication, methodological complexity, and fragmented regulation. Solutions focused on clearer definitions, improved research methods, targeted communication, and stronger policy engagement. Finally, we present the key policy implications of advancing this aerobiome paradigm shift.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0020325"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379588/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144794956","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The salivary virome during childhood dental caries.","authors":"Jonah Tang, Jonathon L Baker","doi":"10.1128/msphere.00198-25","DOIUrl":"10.1128/msphere.00198-25","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>While many studies have examined the bacterial taxa associated with dental caries, the most common chronic infectious disease, little is known about the caries-associated virome. In this study, the salivary viromes of 21 children with severe caries (>2 dentin lesions) and 23 children with healthy dentition were examined. A total of 2,485 viral metagenome-assembled genomes (vMAGs) were identified, binned, and quantified from the metagenomic assemblies. These vMAGs were mostly phages and represented 1,865 unique species-level viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), of which 478 appear to be novel. The metagenomes were also queried for all 3,858 unique species-level vOTUs of DNA viruses with a human host on NCBI Virus; however, all but <i>Human betaherpesvirus 7</i> were at very low abundance in the saliva. The oral viromes of the children with caries exhibited significantly different beta diversity compared to the oral virome of the children with healthy dentition; several vOTUs predicted to infect <i>Haemophilus</i> and <i>Neisseria</i> were strongly correlated with health, and five vOTUs predicted to infect <i>Saccharibacteria</i>, <i>Prevotella,</i> and <i>Veillonella</i> were correlated with caries. Co-occurrence analysis indicated that the phage typically co-occurred with both their predicted hosts and with bacteria that were themselves associated with the same disease status. Overall, this study provided the sequences of 35 complete or nearly complete novel oral phages and illustrated the potential significance of the oral virome in the context of dental caries, which has been largely overlooked. This work represents an important step toward the identification and study of phage therapy candidates that treat or prevent caries pathogenesis.IMPORTANCEDental caries is the most common chronic infectious disease worldwide and is caused by dysbiosis of the oral microbiome featuring an increased abundance of acid-tolerant, acid-producing, and biofilm-forming bacteria. The oral microbiome also contains viruses; however, very little is known about the caries-associated virome. In this study, the salivary virome of children with severe caries was compared to the salivary virome of children with healthy dentition. The metagenomes contained a total of 1,865 unique species-level viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), of which 478 appeared to be novel. The viromes from the children with caries were significantly different than the viromes from the children with healthy teeth, and several health- and disease-associated vOTUs were identified. This study illustrated the potential importance of the oral virome in the context of dental caries and serves as a step towards a better understanding of oral inter-kingdom interactions and identification of potential phage-based caries therapeutics.</p>","PeriodicalId":19052,"journal":{"name":"mSphere","volume":" ","pages":"e0019825"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2025-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12379589/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144732406","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}