{"title":"Detection of Pseudorabies Virus in Hunting Dogs in Greece: The Role of Wild Boars in Virus Transmission.","authors":"Konstantinos Papageorgiou, Ilias Bouzalas, Kiriaki Giamoustari, Małgorzata Wróbel, Dimitrios Doukas, Aikaterini Stoikou, Zoi Athanasakopoulou, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Dimitrios Papadopoulos, Spyridon Pakos, Chrysanthi Karapetsiou, Charalambos Billinis, Evanthia Petridou, Spyridon K Kritas","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090905","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090905","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Aujeszky's disease, or pseudorabies, is a viral infection caused by <i>Suid herpesvirus 1</i> (pseudorabies virus), with swine as its natural host. Although eradicated in domestic pigs in many European countries, PRV remains endemic in wild boar populations, posing a risk to other species, including carnivores. In this study, we report eight fatal cases of PRV infection in hunting dogs from Epirus and Thessaly, Greece, all of which followed direct contact with hunted wild boars. Postmortem brain samples tested positive for PRV via PCR targeting the <i>glycoprotein C (gC) gene</i>. Partial sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the amplified gC fragments revealed genetic divergence among the examined isolates. The Epirus-derived strains formed a distinct cluster, closely related to previously reported Greek strains from the region of Central Macedonia as well as to the French strain FRA 527 and the German isolate GER614BW. In contrast, the two Thessaly sequenced isolates were phylogenetically distant from all other Greek strains, potentially representing an independently evolving lineage, and clustered more closely with the Kaplan strain. These findings underscore the persistent threat of PRV transmission from wild to domestic species and highlight the genetic heterogeneity of PRV strains circulating in Greece. Veterinary practitioners should consider PRV in the differential diagnosis of encephalitic symptoms in hunting dogs. Enhanced molecular surveillance and public awareness are critical to mitigating the risks posed by this emerging threat.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472291/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177084","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-09DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090906
Jakub Kubacki, Daniel Klich, Aneta Bełcik, Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba, Tomasz Cencek, Jacek Karamon, Jacek Sroka, Małgorzata Samorek-Pieróg, Michał Gondek, Ewa Bilska-Zając
{"title":"Forest Density and Invasive Carnivores Are Related to <i>Trichinella</i> Infection in Wild Boars in Poland.","authors":"Jakub Kubacki, Daniel Klich, Aneta Bełcik, Weronika Korpysa-Dzirba, Tomasz Cencek, Jacek Karamon, Jacek Sroka, Małgorzata Samorek-Pieróg, Michał Gondek, Ewa Bilska-Zając","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090906","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090906","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The purpose of this study was to investigate and update the spatial distribution of <i>Trichinella</i> spp. in wild boars tested between 2015 and 2022 and to test the correlation of the population density of chosen animals (wild boars, red foxes (<i>Vulpes vulpes</i>), raccoon dogs (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>), and European badgers (<i>Meles meles</i>)) with the prevalence of <i>Trichinella</i> spp. in wild boars in Poland. In addition, to understand the distribution of infected animals, we sought to see if there were a correlation of <i>Trichinella</i> spp. infections in wild boars with land cover type. Among the wild carnivore species analyzed, only the population density of the raccoon dog (<i>Nyctereutes procyonoides</i>)-an invasive alien species-was significantly associated with infection rates in wild boars, particularly at the regional scale. As scavengers and competent reservoir hosts for all four European <i>Trichinella</i> species, raccoon dogs are likely to play a key role in the sylvatic transmission cycle. The positive rate of <i>Trichinella</i> spp. infection in wild boars during 2015-2022 was 0.22%, compared to 0.3% in 2009-2016. Moreover, forest density was positively correlated with infection rates, underlining the role of forest habitats in sustaining <i>Trichinella</i> transmission.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472544/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177250","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-09DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090904
Jorge Cordero-Elvia, Leonardo Galindo-González, Rudolph Fredua-Agyeman, Sheau-Fang Hwang, Stephen E Strelkov
{"title":"Impact of <i>Plasmodiophora brassicae</i> on Canola Root and Rhizosphere Microbiomes and Its Implications for Clubroot Biocontrol.","authors":"Jorge Cordero-Elvia, Leonardo Galindo-González, Rudolph Fredua-Agyeman, Sheau-Fang Hwang, Stephen E Strelkov","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090904","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090904","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Clubroot, caused by the obligate parasite <i>Plasmodiophora brassicae</i>, is a soilborne disease affecting canola (<i>Brassica napus</i>) and other crucifers. Although planting resistant cultivars remains the primary strategy for managing clubroot, the emergence of resistance-breaking <i>P. brassicae</i> pathotypes continues to threaten canola production. In this context, soil and root microorganisms may play a role in suppressing the disease. This study investigated the impact of <i>P. brassicae</i> infection on the microbial communities of soil, seeds, roots, and the rhizosphere in susceptible and resistant canola lines, with the aim of analyzing host-pathogen-microbiome interactions and identifying microbial taxa potentially associated with disease resistance. Our findings showed that resistant canola lines inoculated with <i>P. brassicae</i> (pathotype 3A) exhibited reduced disease severity compared to their susceptible counterparts. Diversity analyses of microbial communities revealed that clubroot-resistant canola lines tended to maintain more stable and diverse fungal communities, with a higher Shannon index than susceptible lines. Inoculation with <i>P. brassicae</i> induced more pronounced changes in the root microbiome than in the rhizosphere. Additionally, the seed microbiomes of resistant and susceptible lines displayed distinct bacterial and fungal profiles, suggesting that clubroot susceptibility may influence seed-associated microbial community composition. Differential abundance analysis of root and rhizosphere microbiomes indicated that certain microbial taxa, including bacterial genera such as <i>Acidovorax</i>, <i>Bacillus</i>, <i>Cupriavidus</i>, <i>Cytophaga</i>, <i>Duganella</i>, <i>Flavobacterium</i>, <i>Fluviicola</i>, <i>Luteimonas</i>, <i>Methylotenera</i>, <i>Pedobacter</i>, and <i>Peredibacter</i>, as well as fungal genera such as <i>Aspergillus</i>, <i>Candida</i>, <i>Fusicolla</i>, <i>Paecilomyces</i>, and <i>Rhizophlyctis</i>, may be recruited or enriched in resistant canola lines following <i>P. brassicae</i> inoculation, potentially contributing to reduced clubroot severity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472839/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177317","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-08DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090903
Rakan Sambas, Khalid Bin Aziz, Faisal N Alqahtani, Hussam Alhathlol, Marwan Alhumaidi, Abdulrahman Alsaedy, Thamer S Alhowaish
{"title":"<i>Candidozyma auris</i> Spondylodiscitis: A Case Report from Saudi Arabia and Literature Review.","authors":"Rakan Sambas, Khalid Bin Aziz, Faisal N Alqahtani, Hussam Alhathlol, Marwan Alhumaidi, Abdulrahman Alsaedy, Thamer S Alhowaish","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090903","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090903","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p><i>Candidozyma auris</i> (formerly known as <i>Candida auris</i>) is an emerging multidrug-resistant fungal pathogen that has become increasingly implicated in healthcare-associated infections; however, its involvement in spondylodiscitis is exceedingly rare. We report the case of a 65-year-old Saudi male with multiple comorbidities who presented with altered mental status and was subsequently diagnosed with <i>Candidozyma auris</i> spondylodiscitis and bilateral psoas abscesses. Despite broad-spectrum antifungal therapy and multidisciplinary management, the patient's condition rapidly deteriorated. This case highlights the significant challenges in diagnosing and managing multidrug-resistant <i>C. auris</i> infections and underscores the need for early suspicion, effective source control, and novel antifungal strategies in high-risk populations.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472286/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177124","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-08DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090902
Yujun Liu, Hao Gong, Jiaming Zhu, Fenyong Liu
{"title":"An Oral <i>Salmonella</i>-Based Vaccine Expressing Viral M43 Protein Elicits Effective Immunity Against Murine Cytomegalovirus in Mice.","authors":"Yujun Liu, Hao Gong, Jiaming Zhu, Fenyong Liu","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090902","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090902","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the leading viral cause of congenital infections and causes substantial morbidity and mortality in neonates and immunosuppressed people. Generating an anti-HCMV vaccine is required for preventing viral-associated diseases and infections. Oral vaccines based on attenuated <i>Salmonella</i> are an attractive solution, since these vaccines can be applied orally and easily for mass immunization. In this report, we constructed an attenuated <i>Salmonella</i> strain for the expression of the murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) M43 protein and studied its ability as an oral vaccine candidate to stimulate antiviral immunity in mice. In orally immunized mice, the constructed vaccine, Sal-M43, elicited both serum IgG and mucosal IgA levels as well as T cell responses that were specific against the MCMV M43 protein. Moreover, the Sal-M43 immunization substantially inhibited the viral growth and infection in various organs and tissues and offered complete immune protection against both intraperitoneal and intranasal MCMV challenges. Thus, the <i>Salmonella</i>-based vaccine expressing the M43 antigen is effective in inducing anti-MCMV immunity. These findings also reveal the promise of developing oral anti-CMV vaccines based on attenuated <i>Salmonella</i> vectors expressing different viral antigens.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472285/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-07DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090900
Katalin Veres, Zsolt Lang, László Ózsvári
{"title":"Bayesian Assessment of True Prevalence of Paratuberculosis Infection in Dairy Herds and Their Parity Subgroups.","authors":"Katalin Veres, Zsolt Lang, László Ózsvári","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090900","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090900","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Paratuberculosis is a widespread infectious disease in ruminants that leads to significant economic losses in livestock production. In this study, we developed a practical method for predicting the likelihood of the herd-level presence of the infection and estimating its prevalence in subgroups of a dairy herd-specifically, first-time calving cows (primiparous) and those that have calved more than once (multiparous). We fit a Bayesian hierarchical model to cow-level data, incorporating prior knowledge about regional prevalence of infection to improve the accuracy and reliability of the estimates. The model was tested using synthetic data representing six regional scenarios in four countries (Chile, Denmark, Italy, and Hungary). The likelihood that a herd is infected is evaluated using Bayes factors and posterior probability of infection. Both the Bayes factor and the posterior probability of infection classified the simulated herds in accordance with the proportions of infected herds. Summary measures obtained for within-herd true prevalence estimates demonstrated acceptable accuracy. The R and STAN codes of the model are available as an open-access tool. The model can be customized for any region using real local data and prior information. The relationship between true and apparent prevalence is linear and stable and therefore can be estimated well. We found that, in Hungary, the TP/AP ratios were 1.6 and 1.5 for primi- and multiparous cows, respectively.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472651/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177131","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-07DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090901
Erica Rodrigues de Matos, Priscilla Nunes Dos Santos, Erich Peter Zweygarth, Talys Henrique Assumpção Jardim, Huarrisson Azevedo Santos, Matheus Dias Cordeiro, Bruna de Azevedo Baêta, Lesley Bell-Sakyi, Adivaldo Henrique da Fonseca, Claudia Bezerra da Silva
{"title":"Isolation, Molecular Characterization and In Vitro Propagation of an <i>Anaplasma platys</i>-Like Bacterium in Tick Cells.","authors":"Erica Rodrigues de Matos, Priscilla Nunes Dos Santos, Erich Peter Zweygarth, Talys Henrique Assumpção Jardim, Huarrisson Azevedo Santos, Matheus Dias Cordeiro, Bruna de Azevedo Baêta, Lesley Bell-Sakyi, Adivaldo Henrique da Fonseca, Claudia Bezerra da Silva","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090901","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090901","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The family Anaplasmataceae comprises etiological agents of infectious diseases of significant importance. This study aimed to achieve the in vitro isolation and propagation of an <i>Anaplasma</i> sp. using tick-derived cell lines. The study was realized in Seropédica municipality, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Blood smears from a naturally infected bovine revealed cytoplasmic inclusions in blood cells. To isolate and propagate the organism, IDE8 and ISE6 tick cell lines derived from <i>Ixodes scapularis</i> were used. Two methods of inoculum preparation were employed: Histopaque<sup>®</sup> density gradient and platelet-rich plasma separation. Following infection, cells were maintained in L-15B medium without antibiotics at 34 °C, and infection was monitored weekly by Giemsa-stained cytocentrifuge smears. After achieving ≥ 70% infection, bacteria were subcultured and successfully cryopreserved and resuscitated. PCR amplification and sequencing of 16S <i>rDNA</i>, 23S <i>rDNA</i>, <i>rpoB</i>, and <i>groEL</i> genes were performed for molecular characterization. Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the isolated strain clustered within the <i>A</i>. <i>platys</i>-like clade. This study reports the successful in vitro isolation, propagation, and cryopreservation of the '<i>A. platys</i>-like strain Natal' bacterium in tick cell lines and provides molecular evidence supporting its phylogenetic classification. These findings contribute to the understanding of genetic variability and host-cell interactions of <i>Anaplasma</i> spp., laying the groundwork for future research.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472526/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177400","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-06DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090899
Vitor Duque, Diana Duque
{"title":"Hepatitis Delta Virus Infection: An Overview.","authors":"Vitor Duque, Diana Duque","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090899","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090899","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The burden of hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection is currently unknown and may affect 12 to 72 million people distributed across various hot spots in different regions of the globe. Screening for antibodies to HDV infection in patients positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is generally available in most parts of the world, but systematic testing for HDV is needed. Chronic HDV infection is associated with a higher risk of progression to cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma compared to hepatitis B virus (HBV) mono-infection. Bulevirtide is the recently available treatment against hepatitis delta. The results of efficacy studies and new drugs (lonafarnib) are under discussion. New therapeutic strategies are in development, revealing a critical need for valid next-generation treatments to cure HDV.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472343/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Longitudinal Trend in Hospital-Wide Syphilis Testing and Clinical Characteristics of Syphilis Requiring Treatment.","authors":"Yukiko Takemori-Sakai, Shiori Kitaya, Shigeki Nakaguchi, Tomoko Takayama, Kenichi Takemoto, Hiroyasu Oe, Shigeki Sato, Mika Mori, Hajime Kanamori","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090892","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090892","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Globally, syphilis cases are rising, and varied symptoms hinder diagnosis, highlighting the role of serological testing. Comprehensive institutional analysis is needed, as many reports are limited. We retrospectively reviewed 23 persons with syphilis treated at Kanazawa University Hospital (January 2007-December 2023). Of 9145 individuals tested for treponemal (chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay) and nontreponemal (rapid plasma reagin, RPR) antibodies, diagnoses were based on clinical assessment and serology. Data on history, stage, lesions, and treatment were collected. From 2007 to 2023, antibody testing increased, but treated cases stayed stable (0-4/year). Males comprised 60.9% and females 39.1%. In the treated 23 patients, ophthalmology (30.4%) and dermatology (17.4%) accounted for nearly half of test requests, though cases arose across specialties. Early-stage and ocular syphilis each occurred in 34.8%. Uveitis was the most common lesion (26.1%). Treatment included amoxicillin (69.6%) or penicillin (21.7%). At diagnosis, 78.3% were dual-positive and 21.7% treponemal-only positive. Nine patients (64.3%) had a ≥4-fold RPR titer decline (median 143.5 days); no RPR increases suggested treatment failure or reinfection. This study found stable treated numbers, with ocular syphilis and uveitis frequent. In specialized institutions, clinicians should consider syphilis in persons with varied symptoms across departments, ensuring comprehensive testing and appropriate follow-up.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472834/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177382","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PathogensPub Date : 2025-09-05DOI: 10.3390/pathogens14090890
Baiba Šlisere, Roberts Kārkliņš, Alla Rivkina, Sandra Lejniece, Kristīne Oļeiņika
{"title":"Attenuated SARS-CoV-2-Specific T Cell Responses Are Associated with T Follicular Helper Cell Expansion in Treatment-Naive Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Patients.","authors":"Baiba Šlisere, Roberts Kārkliņš, Alla Rivkina, Sandra Lejniece, Kristīne Oļeiņika","doi":"10.3390/pathogens14090890","DOIUrl":"10.3390/pathogens14090890","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is associated with immune dysfunction, but how disease-intrinsic mechanisms in treatment-naive patients influence the coordination of adaptive responses to novel antigens remains unclear. Here, we assessed SARS-CoV-2-specific antibody and T cell immunity in 38 treatment-naive CLL patients and 13 healthy controls (HCs) following vaccination. Despite significantly reduced total immunoglobulin levels compared to HCs, 94.7% of CLL patients developed SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG, and 89.5% mounted IgA responses, with serum titers comparable to those of HCs. Virus-specific T cell responses, measured by IFN-γ release following antigen stimulation, were detected in 78.9% of patients. CLL patients had significantly more circulating CD4<sup>+</sup> T follicular helper (Tfh) and T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells than HCs. These expansions correlated with B cell abundance, which, in untreated CLL, predominantly reflects malignant B cells. Notably, Tfh cell frequencies and absolute counts were highest in patients lacking a SARS-CoV-2-specific T cell response, indicating a decoupling between Tfh expansion and functional antiviral immunity. Overall, these findings demonstrate that while SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses are largely preserved in treatment-naive CLL patients, disease-driven alterations in T cell composition may compromise the coordination and quality of antigen-specific T cell-mediated immunity.</p>","PeriodicalId":19758,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens","volume":"14 9","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12472264/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145177076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}