Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica最新文献

{"title":"Association of HPV16 infection with p53 and survivin expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma.","authors":"Marija Antunović, Branka Popović, Janja Raonić","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.03063","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.03063","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common malignancy of the oral cavity and a major public health concern worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between p53 and survivin expression, clinicopathologic parameters and HPV16 infection in OSCC in order to elucidate the potential role of HPV16 in its pathogenesis.The study enrolled 45 patients who underwent surgical treatment for histologically confirmed OSCC. Tumor specimens were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and histologically analyzed using hematoxylin/eosin staining. Immunohistochemistry for p53 and survivin was performed using the DAKO system. DNA extracted from FFPE tumor tissues was analyzed for HPV16 genome presence using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). All patients were followed for three years after primary treatment.No statistically significant associations were observed between p53 or survivin expression and clinicopathologic parameters including age, gender, tumor site, grade, stage, recurrence, metastasis or HPV16 status (P > 0.05). Among HPV16-positive patients (11/45, 24.4%), low survivin expression (<5%) was found in 8/11 (73%) patients, while high p53 expression (>10%) was observed in 7/11 (64%) patients. Disease-free interval did not differ significantly between patients with low vs. high p53 (P = 0.220) or survivin expression (P = 0.580). A significant correlation was detected between p53 and survivin expression (P = 0.04). HPV16 positivity was significantly associated with the absence of p53 immunoreactivity.These findings suggest that HPV16-independent oncogenic pathways are likely predominant in OSCC, while HPV16 infection may be associated with a distinct molecular subset characterized by absent p53 expression (p53-; survivin+/-; HPV16+). These results underscore the biological heterogeneity of OSCC and may have implications for future biomarker-based stratification of patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148890683","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":"Efficacy and safety evaluation of Weifuchun in preventing recurrence and treating mucosal lesions after endoscopic resection of intestinal polyps: A potential modulation of gut microbiome.","authors":"Pengcheng Chu, Jiali Wu","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.03051","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.03051","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We evaluated Weifuchun tablets (composed of red ginseng, chamomile, and roasted shell) for preventing intestinal polyp recurrence and treating mucosal lesions after endoscopic resection, and to analyze its mechanism via gut microbiome regulation. This study prospectively enrolled 218 patients who underwent endoscopic intestinal polyp resection (April 2022-April 2024). The observation group (n = 109) received routine postoperative care plus oral Weifuchun tablets for three months, while the control group (n = 109) received routine care alone. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics. Primary outcomes included one-year polyp recurrence, mucosal injury scores, and gut microbiome alterations (16S rDNA sequencing). Safety and independent protective factors for recurrence (multivariate logistic regression) were also assessed. After PSM, the observation group had a significantly lower one-year recurrence rate than the control group (31.00% vs. 42.16%, P = 0.025). Weifuchun significantly reduced intestinal mucosal injury scores (P < 0.001). Crucially, microbiome analysis revealed that Weifuchun markedly increased gut microbial diversity (Sorensen index, P < 0.05) and significantly boosted the relative abundance of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, while decreasing harmful bacteria including Escherichia coli and Bacteroides (all P < 0.001). Furthermore, Weifuchun significantly reduced postoperative complications (2.00% vs. 8.82%, P = 0.032) and was identified as an independent protective factor against recurrence (OR = 0.456, 95% CI: 0.304-0.683, P < 0.001). Weifuchun effectively prevents polyp recurrence and promotes mucosal repair post-endoscopic resection. Its mechanism is closely linked to beneficial modulation of the gut microbiome, restoring microbial balance and enhancing the intestinal microenvironment, and demonstrates a favorable safety profile.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148885942","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":"The role of gut-lung axis-targeted nursing strategies in immune regulation of COPD.","authors":"Rui Lv, Zhuxiu Jiang, Yao Zhong","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.02947","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.02947","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is featured by persistent airflow limitation and chronic inflammation. Considerable evidence highlights the role of the gut-lung axis, suggesting that disruption of gut microbial balance may contribute to aggravated systemic and pulmonary inflammation. This research intended to assess the impacts of a structured gut-lung axis-targeted nursing intervention on immune-inflammatory parameters, gut microbiota, and clinical outcomes in patients with stable COPD. The study involved the randomization of 115 patients to either the intervention or control group in a 1:1 ratio. The intervention group received a 12-week multimodal program, which included personalized high-fiber/probiotic nutrition, customized exercise plans, and stress management techniques. Patients in the control group did not receive the multimodal program and instead received routine care. The findings indicated that the intervention notably lowered serum IL-6, TNF-α, and CRP. Microbiome analysis further revealed that the intervention significantly enhanced α-diversity (Shannon and Chao1), enriched beneficial butyrate-producing genera (Faecalibacterium, Roseburia, and Bifidobacterium), and reduced the relative abundance of potential pathogens (Enterobacteriaceae), indicating a favorable shift in gut microbial ecology. Compared with the control group, the intervention group also experienced fewer moderate-to-severe exacerbations and showed greater sustained improvement in quality of life (SGRQ and CAT scores). In summary, a comprehensive nursing strategy centered on the gut-lung axis can regulate gut microbiota, alleviate systemic inflammation, lead to a reduction in exacerbation frequency and an improvement in the quality of life among patients with stable COPD, thus presenting a promising supplementary strategy to conventional care.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148823875","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":"Hidden reservoirs in clinical settings: Clonal dissemination and virulence profile of multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus from healthcare workers' mobile phones.","authors":"Mehdi Goudarzi, Mohammad Javad Nasiri, Masoud Dadashi, Hossein Goudarzi","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.03012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.03012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Mobile phones used in healthcare environments may serve as overlooked reservoirs facilitating the transmission of clinically significant pathogens. This study investigated antimicrobial resistance patterns, virulence-associated determinants, and genetic diversity among Staphylococcus aureus isolates recovered from healthcare workers' mobile phones. Phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing, staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) typing, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and polymerase chain reaction assays were employed to detect antimicrobial resistance, biofilm-associated, and toxin-encoding genes. Among 349 mobile phones screened, 42 (12%) were positive for S. aureus. Among the isolates, 76.2% were identified as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), while 23.8% were methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA). High-level mupirocin resistance (HLMUPR) and inducible macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (iMLSB) phenotypes were observed in 26.2 and 35.7% of isolates, respectively. Biofilm formation analysis demonstrated that 49.2% of isolates were strong biofilm producers, followed by intermediate (30.8%) and weak producers (15.4%). Of the 42 isolates examined, 12 (28.6%) harbored the pvl gene, and 10 (23.8%) harbored the tst gene. The most frequently detected resistance gene was erm(B) (33.3%), followed by msrA (19%) and erm(C) (16.7%). All isolates harbored the adhesion genes fnbA and fnbB. Additional biofilm- and adhesion-associated genes included clfA and clfB (85.7%), cna and fib (38.1%), icaA (35.7%), icaD (33.3%), sdrD (28.6%), sdrC, sdrE, eno, and bap (21.4% each), while ebpS was detected in 4.8% of isolates. MLST analysis revealed distribution across six clonal complexes, predominantly CC8 (42.9%), followed by CC5 (21.4%), CC59 (11.9%), CC22 (11.9%), CC1 (7.1%), and CC398 (4.8%). Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-positive isolates were mainly associated with ST8-SCCmec IV/t008 and ST22/t1869 lineages, whereas toxic shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1)-positive strains belonged primarily to ST239-SCCmec III/t037 and ST59-SCCmec IV/t437. High-level mupirocin-resistant isolates carrying mupA were distributed among several epidemic clones, including ST5-SCCmec IV/t002 (36.4%), ST8-SCCmec IV/t008 (27.2%), ST239-SCCmec III/t037 (18.2%), and ST22/t1869 (18.2%). Overall, the findings demonstrate substantial circulation of multidrug-resistant and virulence-associated S. aureus lineages on healthcare workers' mobile phones, underscoring their potential role in pathogen dissemination and emphasizing the necessity for targeted infection prevention and mobile device decontamination strategies in healthcare settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148786861","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":"Correction to: Candida auris: An opportunistic fungal pathogen and a priority emergent threat.","authors":"Shila Kumari Singh, Anantabotla Vamsimohan","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.12993","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.12993","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148760564","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 Dysbiosis to systemic health: Microbiome modulation as a unified therapeutic framework.","authors":"Neena Kumar Dhiman, S Rehan Ahmad","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.03015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.03015","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The gut microbiome is a dynamic microbial ecosystem regulating gastrointestinal, metabolic, immune, and neurobehavioral physiology. Dysbiosis has been linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and systemic disorders including metabolic syndrome, autoimmune conditions, and neurodegenerative diseases. This narrative review synthesizes mechanistic, clinical, and translational evidence to delineate molecular pathways of microbiome-targeted interventions, evaluates clinical outcomes in IBS and IBD, and proposes a unified framework linking gastrointestinal modulation to systemic health. A structured literature search across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar (2012-2024) identified approximately 68 eligible sources, appraised using Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 and AMSTAR-2. Five principal molecular pathways were identified: competitive pathogen exclusion, epithelial barrier reinforcement, immune modulation, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production, and neurotransmitter signaling. Clinically, dietary strategies, biological agents (probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation [FMT]), advanced modalities (rifaximin, psychobiotics, bacteriophage therapy), and lifestyle interventions collectively engage these pathways. The same mechanisms underpin emerging applications in metabolic, autoimmune, neurological, and cardiovascular disease. We propose a three-tier model progressing from molecular mechanisms through gastrointestinal outcomes to systemic benefits, with precision medicine and standardized trial designs as prerequisites for therapeutic translation.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148688342","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":"Clonal diversity of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from ICU patients in central Türkiye.","authors":"Altan Akineden, Fatih Mehmet Akilli, Selçuk Türkel, Christina Rehagel, Ömer Akineden","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.03061","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.03061","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The increasing prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae, particularly carbapenem-resistant strains, represents a major clinical challenge worldwide. Data on the molecular characteristics of MDR K. pneumoniae in central Türkiye remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the antimicrobial resistance profiles and molecular features of MDR-K. pneumoniae isolates recovered from hospitalized patients in a tertiary care hospital in central Türkiye.A total of 1,560 clinical specimens collected from intensive care unit (ICU) patients between November 2024 and June 2025 were analyzed. Thirty-three non-duplicate MDR-K. pneumoniae isolates obtained from 26 patients were included. Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed using the VITEK®2 system. ESBL genes (blaTEM, blaSHV, blaCTX-M groups), carbapenemase genes (blaKPC, blaOXA-48, blaNDM-1), virulence-associated genes (iucA, rmpA2), and efflux pump genes (acrAB, tolC) were investigated by PCR. Clonal relatedness was assessed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).All isolates were resistant to multiple β-lactams and ciprofloxacin. Resistance to meropenem and amikacin was observed in 97.0% of isolates, while 94.0% were resistant to gentamicin. Colistin and ceftazidime-avibactam resistance rates were 27.3 and 18.2%, respectively. The most prevalent genes were blaSHV (90.9%), blaCTX-M-1 (81.8%), and blaOXA-48 (66.7%), whereas blaTEM, blaKPC and blaNDM-1 were detected in 36.4, 21.2 and 3.0% of isolates, respectively. None of the isolates carried iucA or rmpA2. PFGE revealed substantial genetic diversity with multiple pulsotypes and no dominant epidemic clone.These findings demonstrate the dissemination of genetically diverse MDR K. pneumoniae lineages carrying ESBL and OXA-48 carbapenemase genes in an ICU setting in central Türkiye. Despite occasional hypermucoviscosity, no molecular evidence of hypervirulence was detected, highlighting the need for continuous molecular surveillance and effective infection-control measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148683062","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":"Prosthetic valve endocarditis due to non-toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae: A case report.","authors":"Ahmed Fakhfakh, Sana Ferjani, Lamia Kanzari, Amel Rehaiem, Zaineb Hamzaoui, Olfa Smaoui, Rim Abdelmalek, Hana Hedhli, Dhekra Hosni, Aymen Zoubli, Lamia Ammari, Sarra Jouini, Ilhem Boutiba Ben Boubaker","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.03046","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.03046","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE) caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae is rare and may be associated with severe embolic complications and high mortality. In March 2026, a 61-year-old woman with a mechanical mitral valve receiving chronic acenocoumarol therapy was admitted with fever, malaise, and abdominal pain. Thoracoabdominal computed tomography revealed multiple splenic infarctions suggestive of systemic embolization. Transthoracic echocardiography demonstrated vegetations on the prosthetic mitral valve. Blood cultures yielded C. diphtheriae, identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry. Whole-genome sequencing confirmed a non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae sequence type 542 lacking the tox gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed resistance to penicillin G and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, with susceptibility to meropenem, erythromycin, clindamycin, tetracycline, linezolid, vancomycin and rifampicin, and susceptibility with increased exposure to cefotaxime and ciprofloxacin. Cerebral computed tomography angiography demonstrated complete occlusion of the right internal carotid artery without initial parenchymal lesions. Intravenous vancomycin and bisoprolol were initiated. Acenocoumarol was initially continued and subsequently switched to intravenous unfractionated heparin. On hospital day 3, the patient developed sudden neurological deterioration with coma, hemodynamic collapse, and respiratory failure. Brain imaging revealed massive intracerebral hemorrhage with intraventricular extension and cerebral herniation. Despite intensive supportive management, the patient died. This case highlights the severe invasive potential of non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae in PVE and the risk of devastating thromboembolic and hemorrhagic neurological complications. It also emphasizes the necessity of rapid microbiological identification, integration of genomic data, and multidisciplinary management, particularly regarding anticoagulation strategies in patients with mechanical prosthetic valves.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148700477","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":"Candida auris: An opportunistic fungal pathogen and a priority emergent threat.","authors":"Shila Kumari Singh, Anantabotla Vamsimohan","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.02993","DOIUrl":"10.1556/030.2026.02993","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Candida auris is an opportunistic yeast causing infections in vulnerable patients leading to high mortality ratio. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has designated it as a pathogen of concern. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed it in priority list of fungal pathogens. C. auris has the ability to spread very fast inside the hospital environment and cause outbreaks worldwide. It has a very high affinity toward skin colonization, especially in the areas like axilla and groin. Based on whole genome sequencing it is classified into five clades. Each clade has different geographical distribution. Often C. auris gets misidentified as other species due to its phylogenetic similarity with C. heamulonii. This can only be resolved by establishing diagnosis at molecular levels. Whole genome sequencing and polymerase chain reaction are some of the important molecular diagnostic methods for detection of C. auris. MALDI-TOF-MS is a culture based highly efficient method that is widely being used for C. auris identification. Treatment of C. auris infection depends on effective antifungal therapy, as multidrug resistance is quite common, the drug regime is decided after antifungal sensitivity testing. It is commonly treated with echinocandins and polyenes. Apart from the antifungal therapy it is also important to monitor the fungemia by performing blood cultures. A strict surveillance system can help prevent the disease. Timely screening of hospital personnel carrying the yeast can contain the spread of this organism. Newer antifungal agents are also required as the organism develops resistance very fast.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148668091","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":"Gut microbiome profiles as predictors of response to chemoradiotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.","authors":"Jiya You, Rashid Mahmood Khan, Nidhi Reji","doi":"10.1556/030.2026.02874","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1556/030.2026.02874","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This prospective cohort study investigates the predictive role of gut microbiota composition in determining the therapeutic response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) at Qiqihar Jianhua Hospital. A total of 178 patients underwent standardized CRT protocols and were stratified into responders and non-responders based on pathological tumor regression grades. Gut microbiome profiling was conducted via 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and shotgun metagenomics at three treatment stages (pre-, mid-, and post-CRT). Responders exhibited significantly higher alpha diversity (Shannon, Chao1) at baseline and maintained greater microbial richness throughout treatment. Taxonomic analysis identified Faecalibacterium, Akkermansia, and Bifidobacterium as enriched in responders, while non-responders showed elevated Clostridium, Escherichia, and Streptococcus. Multivariate regression confirmed Faecalibacterium (OR = 1.16, P = 0.0002) and Akkermansia (OR = 1.27, P = 0.0146) as independent predictors of CRT response. Functional profiling revealed enrichment of anti-inflammatory pathways (butyrate synthesis, tryptophan metabolism) in responders and pro-inflammatory, stress-related functions (lipopolysaccharide biosynthesis, oxidative stress) in non-responders. Exploratory microbiome modulation using probiotics or fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) targeting Faecalibacterium and Akkermansia demonstrated increased responder rates by 12.5 and 18.2%, respectively. These findings highlight the potential of gut microbiome signatures as non-invasive biomarkers for CRT response prediction and as targets for adjunctive therapeutic strategies. Personalized microbiome-informed treatment may enhance CRT efficacy and reduce unnecessary exposure in non-responders, paving the way for precision oncology in rectal cancer.</p>","PeriodicalId":7119,"journal":{"name":"Acta microbiologica et immunologica Hungarica","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148547488","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}