Pathogens and Global Health最新文献

{"title":"Genomic characterization of <i>Legionella pneumophila</i> serogroup 1 ST901 isolates responsible for recurrent travel-associated Legionnaires' disease cases and clusters.","authors":"Maria Luisa Ricci, Silvia Fillo, Francesco Giordani, Andrea Ciammaruconi, Antonietta Girolamo, Anna Anselmo, Anella Monte, Massimo Mentasti, Valerio Cusimano, Maria Grazia Caporali, Maria Cristina Rota, Markus Petzold, BaharaK Afshar, Florigio Lista, Christian Luck, Maria Scaturro","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2610657","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2610657","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Cases of travel-associated Legionnaires' disease (TALD) are frequently reported in Italy. From 1987 to 2021, 61 cases of TALD were linked to 22 hotels in a municipality in northern Italy. <i>Legionella pneumophila</i> serogroup 1 (Lp1) strains isolated from both patients and hotel water systems were identified as sequence type (ST) 901, a genotype rarely associated with travel-related infections in Italy or elsewhere. Whole-genome sequencing was used to analyze 41 isolates, and phylogenetic relationships were inferred by core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and pangenome analyses. The Lp ST901 isolates were found to form a clade characterized by some accessory genomic islands (AGI) already described in other epidemic strains, such as Alcoy, Corby, Paris and Philadelphia; other islands, containing either transposase/recombinase or transcriptional regulator factors or Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-cas systems, were specific to Lp ST901. Lp ST901 also appears to have undergone possible recombination with other strains, such as Lp ST47 (Lorraine strain). Additionally, CRISPR-Cas systems may have contributed to the protection of Lp ST901 from external dangers, while the colonized hotel water systems may have provided an ideal environmental protective niche. Our findings highlight that Lp ST901 has public health significance and deserves attention in Legionnaires' disease surveillance and risk assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-12"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145966764","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Global risk assessment of Lyme borreliosis transmission.","authors":"Marina Cobos-Mayo, Adrián Martín-Taboada, Alisa Aliaga-Samanez, Marina Segura Moreno, Jesús Olivero","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2026.2614633","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2026.2614633","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We analyzed the geographic risk of Lyme borreliosis taking into account the biogeography of tick vectors and wild carrier hosts, together with environmental and anthropogenic factors. Four pathogeographical scenarios were set in order to represent the contribution of vectors and hosts in the spatial zoonotic risk. For that propose, we built distribution models based on the occurrence of Lyme borreliosis cases in humans and ixodid vectors. Besides <i>Ixodes</i> species, we considered other ixodid ticks with potential to be vectors. These models were combined through fuzzy logic operators, according to the criteria established in each scenario. Finally, the transmission risk model for Lyme borreliosis which best fitted its global distribution was selected. The risk model selected considered ixodid vectors and mammal carriers as explanatory variables together with environment and anthropogenic factors. <i>Ixodes</i> species contributed to explain the geographical risk of Lyme borreliosis to a larger extent than other ixodid ticks. The risk model described regions with Lyme borreliosis transmission risk where its presence is still uncertain, such as northern Africa and inland areas of western U.S.A. Likewise, our model indicated favorable conditions for the presence of human cases in northern latitudes beyond its endemic distribution. Applying this multi-scenario methodology approach have led us to a risk model, in which the diversity of ixodid vectors and carrier hosts might modify the spatial risk without a geographical limitation.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-14"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145948896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Wolbachia</i> as a transformative tool for mosquito-borne disease control: a comprehensive review of mechanisms, efficacy, and future directions.","authors":"Mohammad Ebrahim Minaei, Neda Yousefi Nojookambari, Majid Ghodraty, Sajjad Yazdansetad","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2604222","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2604222","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mosquito-borne infectious diseases such as dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and malaria continue to pose significant public health challenges worldwide. Traditional control methods, including the use of insecticides and environmental management, have shown limited effectiveness due to insecticide resistance and logistical challenges. <i>Wolbachia</i>-based strategies, which leverage the bacterium's unique ability to manipulate mosquito reproduction and block pathogens, present a promising, albeit not universally applicable, method for reducing the transmission of mosquito-borne diseases. Field trials have demonstrated significant but variable efficacy. This systematic review synthesizes the latest findings on <i>Wolbachia</i>-based interventions, focusing on their mechanisms, efficacy, and potential for large-scale implementation. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across multiple databases, including PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, to identify relevant studies published between 1990 and 2025. Our review highlights the promising results of <i>Wolbachia</i>-based strategies in reducing mosquito populations and disease transmission, while also addressing the challenges and limitations of this approach. We conclude that <i>Wolbachia</i>-based strategies hold great potential for revolutionizing mosquito-borne disease control, but further research and careful consideration of ecological and ethical implications are necessary for their successful implementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145810916","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From treatment to prevention: reimagining schistosomiasis control through WASH and environmental management.","authors":"Morayo B Adediran, Adedayo Adesida, Oluwadamilola O Ezekiel, Precious C Irabor, Blessing M Babalola, Oyetunde T Oyeyemi","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2603235","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2603235","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Schistosomiasis remains a persistent global health challenge, primarily controlled through Mass Drug Administration (MDA) of praziquantel. While MDA has reduced prevalence and morbidity in endemic regions like China and Sierra Leone, its limitations, including rapid reinfection, logistical barriers to coverage, emerging drug resistance, and failure to interrupt transmission, highlight the inadequacy of a purely pharmacological approach. This review advocates for a paradigm shift from treatment-focused to prevention-oriented strategies, integrating Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) interventions and environmental management with MDA. WASH interventions (safe water access, improved sanitation, hygiene education) reduce human contact with contaminated water and limit environmental egg contamination, cutting transmission pathways. Environmental management, particularly snail control via habitat modification, biological agents, and targeted mollusciciding, disrupts the parasite lifecycle by targeting intermediate hosts. Case studies from China, Rwanda, Brazil, and Zanzibar demonstrate the success of integrated approaches: China's multi-sectoral model combines chemotherapy with ecological modifications; Rwanda leverages WASH partnerships and community engagement; Brazil employs community-driven strategies; and Zanzibar's elimination efforts integrate snail control with behavioral change. Despite promising outcomes, implementation faces barriers: funding biases toward short-term MDA over sustainable WASH infrastructure, cultural resistance to behavioral change, and weak intersectoral coordination. The WHO's 2021-2030 NTD Roadmap underscores the need for cross-sector collaboration to address underlying determinants like poverty and infrastructure gaps. Eliminating schistosomiasis by 2030 requires reorienting global strategies toward holistic, equity-focused interventions combining 'pills, pipes, pits, and participation,' i.e. pharmacotherapy, water infrastructure, sanitation, and community agency, to achieve durable transmission interruption.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-17"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145757248","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of disulfiram in experimental trichinellosis through biochemical and histological analysis.","authors":"Basma M El Sharazly, Dina I Elgendy, Hager S Zoghroban, Mayada E Elhusseiny, Asmaa R Ellakany","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2604641","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2604641","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Trichinellosis treatment is complex and must be tailored to disease progression. No single drug is fully effective across all stages. Management includes antiparasitics, inflammation control, pain relief, symptomatic care, and rehabilitation for chronic cases. Disulfiram (DSF) has been recognized to have anti-parasitic effects and several medicinal uses. Consequently, the aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of DSF in the treatment of the intestinal and muscular phases of trichinellosis in mice compared with albendazole (ABZ). Mice were divided into five groups: negative control; positive control; ABZ treatment; DSF treatment; and combined treatment. Parasitological, immunological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical studies were performed to assess the effectiveness of the treatments. Parasitological analysis involved small intestinal adult worms and encysted muscle larvae count. The histopathological assessment used hematoxylin and eosin stain for intestinal and muscular sections. Moreover, immunological markers and the immunohistochemical expression of the NOD-like receptor-pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated. Under the tested formulations (ABZ as a water suspension; DSF in DMSO/propylene glycol), combined treatment was associated with the highest reductions in adult worms and encysted larvae count and NLRP3 and VEGF expressions. This is the first study to investigate DSF as an innovative adjunct therapy for trichinellosis. According to this research, DSF is recommended as an anti-trichinellosis drug especially when combined with ABZ. Given the non-equivalent drug vehicles, these comparative findings are exploratory and warrant confirmation with matched formulations and pharmacokinetic assessment.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145763458","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Low concentrations of antimicrobial agents and their effects on bacterial virulence: A comprehensive literature review.","authors":"Eda Delik, Burcu Emine Tefon-Öztürk","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2593902","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/20477724.2025.2593902","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>It is now a well-known fact that antibiotic resistance in bacteria has increased with the widespread and uncontrolled use of antibiotics. However, the increase in antibiotic resistance should not be attributed solely to the use of antibiotics. Other antimicrobial agents used in the control of bacterial infections and even heavy metals are also among the factors causing an increase in antibiotic resistance. It is therefore important to study the effects of these agents on bacterial cells. It is generally believed that the selection of resistance typically occurs at high concentrations of antibiotics. However, accumulating evidence demonstrates that selection can also occur at sub-inhibitory levels, making it essential to better understand their impact. While most studies have focused on antibiotics, fewer have examined the influence of biocides, heavy metals, and bioactive components. In this review, we discuss how low concentrations of these agents not only contribute to the development of resistance but also modulate bacterial virulence by affecting biofilm formation, siderophore production, cell morphology, and gene expression. A comprehensive literature review has been conducted, highlighting both the potential risks of these agents in resistance development and their implications for bacterial virulence in the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"1-25"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145669078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Redefinition of transmission clusters by accessing to additional diversity in <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> through long-read sequencing.","authors":"Sergio Buenestado-Serrano, Silvia Vallejo-Godoy, Francisca Escabias Machuca, Pilar Barroso, Miguel Martínez-Lirola, Teresa Cabezas, Patricia Muñoz, Laura Pérez-Lago, Darío García de Viedma","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2555926","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2555926","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Whole-genome sequencing, supported on short-read-sequencing, has revolutionized the precision to track <i>Mycobacterium tuberculosis</i> (MTB) transmission. However, the complexity of the MTB genome (10% repetitive regions and 65% GC content) challenges short-read mapping and assembly, leading to the exclusion of certain genomic regions from the analysis. Long-read sequencing can overcome these limitations, giving access to these regions, generally uninterrogated. Our study aims to evaluate the potential of long-read sequencing in redefining long-term MTB transmission clusters, previously characterized by short-read sequencing. We selected 78 cases from eight long-term clusters (5-17 years; 7 to 16 cases), from a population-based genomic epidemiology program in Almería, Spain. The clusters were carefully selected to ensure cases i) infected by identical strains (0 SNPs), ii) exhibiting pairwise-SNP-based distances from 1 to 16 SNPs and iii) distributed along different branches in the genomic networks. Long-read analysis increased the distances of each cluster from the reference by an average of 258 SNPs and intercluster distances by 113 SNPs. Within-cluster diversity also increased, with pairwise distances rising from 1 to 22 SNPs across 1-7 network branches. In one cluster, the acquisition of diversity led to overpass the 12-SNP threshold to consider a transmission cluster. Additionally, in four clusters, 1-2 cases previously classified as infected by identical strains were now reclassified due to the identification of additional SNP differences. Thanks to the identification of new diversity between the cases we could identify index cases, reconstruct transmission chronologies, precise patient-to-patient relationships and propose new epidemiological interpretations among the cases in cluster.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"321-331"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12642902/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145131629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnostic performance of hemozoin-based magneto-optical detection assay and RDT: a prospective observational study.","authors":"Vishnu Teja Nallapati, Manoj A R, Sushma Belurkar, Naveenchandra Kulal, Prashanth Bhat, Shama Prasada K, Nitin Gupta, Manjunath H Hande, Priyaleela Thota, David Bell, Kavitha Saravu","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2551508","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2551508","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Early detection and effective management of malaria are crucial for elimination efforts. Microscopy and rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) have been the main diagnostic methods for over fifteen years, but they have limitations, especially in cases of low parasite density or deletions of target markers (HRP2/3). This study compares the diagnostic performance of a novel hemozoin-based diagnostic assay (Hz-MOD) with RDTs for detecting malaria in febrile patients in southwestern India. A prospective observational study involved 480 patients screened with Hz-MOD, RDT, microscopy, and nested PCR. Among the samples, 121 were positive by both microscopy and PCR. The sensitivity of Hz-MOD was 94.21% compared to microscopy and 91.74% compared to PCR. For RDTs, sensitivity was 90.91% compared to microscopy and 87.60% compared to PCR. In terms of specificity, Hz-MOD showed 98.61% compared to microscopy and 97.77% compared to PCR, while RDTs had 100% specificity against microscopy and 98.89% against PCR. These results suggest that the hemozoin-based test demonstrates similar sensitivity to RDTs and could serve as an effective screening tool for malaria detection.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"311-320"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12642893/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145040855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chikungunya and the forgotten lesson of COVID-19: where is the data?","authors":"Francesco Branda, Giancarlo Ceccarelli, Davide Zella, Francesca Benedetti, Fabio Scarpa, Massimo Ciccozzi","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2566063","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2566063","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"351-352"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12642880/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145131626","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Disrupting vector competence: exploring radiofrequency exposure as a novel approach to mosquito-borne disease prevention in a changing climate.","authors":"Francesco Defilippo, Ana Moreno, Massimo Ciccozzi, Margherita Losardo, Pietro Bia, Antonio Manna, Laura de Gara, Marta Giovanetti","doi":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2573317","DOIUrl":"10.1080/20477724.2025.2573317","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The global expansion of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and West Nile virus is a major public health concern, intensified by climate change and environmental alterations. <i>Aedes aegypti</i>, <i>Aedes albopictus</i>, and <i>Culex pipiens</i> are among the most important vectors for these pathogens, contributing to their transmission across increasingly broad geographic areas. In Europe, the expanding distribution and vectorial competence of <i>Ae. albopictus</i> and <i>Cx. pipiens</i> highlight the need for innovative control strategies beyond traditional chemical and mechanical interventions, which face growing limitations due to resistance and sustainability concerns. This review examines the potential of radiofrequency (RF) exposure as a novel method to disrupt mosquito development and reduce vector competence. While the biological effects of RF have been studied in other systems, its impact on mosquito physiology and pathogen transmission remains underexplored. Preliminary findings suggest that RF exposure may alter larval viability, adult emergence, and reproductive capacity, with possible downstream effects on pathogen replication and transmission. We contextualize RF-based approaches alongside other emerging biocontrol strategies, including <i>Wolbachia</i>-based methods, genetic modification, and sterile insect techniques, emphasizing their integration into climate-responsive vector control programs. Additional consideration is given to other arthropod vectors of medical relevance, such as sandflies (<i>Phlebotominae</i>) and biting midges (<i>Culicoides</i> spp.), which contribute to the spread of arboviruses. Finally, we identify research gaps and propose directions for interdisciplinary studies to evaluate the feasibility, efficacy, and ecological impact of RF-based interventions. By targeting mosquito competence through non-chemical, scalable technologies, RF exposure offers a promising avenue to strengthen arbovirus prevention in the context of climate-driven vector expansion.</p>","PeriodicalId":19850,"journal":{"name":"Pathogens and Global Health","volume":" ","pages":"343-350"},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC12897529/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145275401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}