Journal of infection and public healthLanqing Cui, Yuan Zeng, Yuqin Song, Feng Xue, Jia Zhang, Jie Feng, Fan Zhang, Yun Li
BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae poses a significant health threat with rising antimicrobial resistance. In China, long-term, age-stratified data on its molecular epidemiology remain limited. This study investigates resistance trends and serotype distribution across pediatric, adult, and elderly populations over 14 years. METHODS: A total of 1312 clinical isolates collected during seven two‑year surveillance phases (2007-2020) from 24 hospitals across China were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing for serotype prediction, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and Global Pneumococcal Sequence Clustering (GPSC); antibacterial susceptibility was performed using agar dilution method. RESULTS: Serotypes 19 F and 19 A consistently accounted for the largest proportion of isolates throughout the study period. PCV13 serotype coverage was highest in children (85.8%) and increased nationally from 64.5% to 77.9% over 14 years. MLST identified ST271 and ST320 as the most prevalent clones, often associated with serotypes 19 F and 19 A, respectively. AMR was severe, with > 90% macrolide resistance nationwide. Penicillin non-susceptibility (using non‑meningitis oral breakpoints) increased markedly, especially among pediatric isolates, which also showed higher β-lactam resistance. Fluoroquinolones retained high susceptibility (>97% of isolates susceptible). The resistance gene erm(B) was detected in 96.3% of isolates. CONCLUSION: S. pneumoniae in China exhibits persistent high resistance to macrolides and increasing β-lactam non-susceptibility, particularly in children. Dominant clones and serotypes showed no statistically significant change in proportional trends over the 14 years. PCV13 serotype coverage remains high, yet actual vaccine uptake is low; this suggests a missed opportunity for preventing infections caused by vaccine serotypes, highlighting the potential benefit of increased immunization efforts.
PLoS neglected tropical diseasesMadeli de Bruin, Shanzelle Rabé, Okuhle N Sekujika, Karine Passebosc-Faure, Virginie Rougeron, Almero D Bosch, Pierre Dorny, Isabelle Villena, Kenneth Hammond-…
BACKGROUND: Toxoplasma gondii is an apicomplexan parasite that causes toxoplasmosis, a widespread zoonotic disease. Despite the clinical significance of this zoonotic parasite, little is known regarding its prevalence in South Africa, particularly in wildlife. Considering the possible presence of the parasite in wildlife species and the popularity of South African game meat, in a 'One Health context', the consumption of undercooked game meat by people could represent a public health issue. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii and any genotypes in impala from the Greater Kruger region destined for game meat. METHODS: Serum and seven different tissue samples were collected from 138 impala (Aepyceros melampus) from the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. The seroprevalence of T. gondii was determined using the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT). The presence of T. gondii DNA within the impala tissues and possible tissue tropism were determined using a quantitative PCR (qPCR). For strong qPCR-positive samples, T. gondii DNA was genotyped using a panel of 15 microsatellite markers. RESULTS: The seroprevalence was determined to be 8.7%. The qPCR identified T. gondii DNA in at least one tissue type of 7.2% of the impala. The T. gondii DNA was detected in the brain and tongue samples from two impala respectively, and were genotyped as belonging to the Africa 4 lineage. To place the two genotypes identified in this study within the broader context of the genetic diversity of T. gondii in Africa, a genetic tree was constructed using all African strains genotyped with 15 microsatellite markers. CONCLUSION: These results shed light on serological versus molecular techniques in determining infection of T. gondii in impala, and also point to possible tissue tropism during infection. The results identify Africa 4 strains circulating in South African wildlife intended for human consumption, and the importance of genotype and phenotype characterisation to assess the potential public health risks.
Nature communicationsMathew A Beale, Vignesh Shetty, Kirsty E Ambridge, George Lacey, Sam Dougan, William Roberts-Sengier, Beth Sampher, Florent Lassalle, Matthew J Dorman, Mahlape…
Genomic pathogen surveillance is a powerful tool for public health and research, but is costly and unachievable in low-resource settings. Most sub-genomic typing methods sacrifice resolution whilst remaining costly. We developed "Phylo-Plex", a novel approach that identifies information-rich genomic regions to maximise phylogenetic information whilst minimising the number of regions. Applied to Treponema pallidum and Neisseria gonorrhoeae, we designed a high-resolution multiplex PCR sequencing scheme for lineage tracking pathogens with different extremes of genome variation. For Treponema pallidum, we also designed and evaluated the Phylo-Plex scheme in the laboratory and field settings by sequencing 72 clinical samples using MinION Flongle cells. Our T. pallidum scheme comprising 59 multiplex amplicons achieved high discrimination of fine-scale sublineages comparable to those defined using whole genomes, and demonstrating a qPCR detection limit ≤Ct 32. Variant calls from MinION amplicon sequencing were highly correlated with Illumina whole genome sequencing. We successfully deployed the method in a low-resource laboratory in Zimbabwe, costed at <£300/24 samples (£12.47/sample). Phylo-Plex enables low-cost tracking of priority pathogenic lineages in low resource settings and at scale.
Journal of infection and public healthMeiji Soe Aung, Thida San, Nilar San, Myint Thazin Aung, Thu Zar Poe, Phyo May Ko, Khin Myat Nwe, Noriko Urushibara, Lynn Waddy, Nobumichi Kobayashi
OBJECTIVES: Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections. This study aimed to clarify the recent trend of molecular epidemiological features of methicillin-resistant and susceptible S. aureus (MRSA/MSSA) isolates from a tertiary care hospital in Myanmar. METHODS: S. aureus clinical isolates from various specimens were genetically classified by the schemes of MLST and other genotypings. Antimicrobial resistance determinants and virulence factors were detected by uniplex/multiplex PCR, along with antimicrobial susceptibility testing by broth microdilution method. RESULTS: A total of 319 S. aureus (65 MRSA and 254 MSSA) and 7 S. argenteus isolates were collected during a 19 month-period (Sep. 2023 to Mar. 2025), with an MRSA rate of 20.4%. Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) genes were detected in 30.4% of all the isolates, with almost similar rates in MRSA and MSSA. Among MRSA, ST6 (CC5) with SCCmec-IV (ST6-IV) was the most dominant (31%), followed by ST772 (CC1)-V, ST2885 (CC1)-IV, ST22 (CC22)-IV, and ST672 (CC361)-V. PVL-positive rate was highest in ST22 (75%) and ST121 (84%) among MRSA and MSSA, respectively. PVL-positive ST22 MRSA also harbored TSST-1 gene (ST22-PT clone). Characteristic virulence factors were detected in other MRSA clones; enterotoxin A (SEA) in ST6, exfoliative toxin A (ETA) in ST2885, and exfoliative toxin E (ETE) in ST2990. PVL-positive ST22 and ST772 MRSA showed multiple antimicrobial resistance harboring some resistance genes. MSSA isolates were differentiated into 33 STs, among which ST2990 (CC1) was the most common (24%), followed by ST121, ST1156 (CC12), ST6 (CC5) and ST1930 (CC96). All the S. argenteus were mecA-negative and belonged to ST2250. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed the recent clonal trend and change of MRSA/MSSA isolates in Myanmar, identifying some notable clones with characteristic virulence factors (ST6-SEA, ST22-PT, ST2885-ETA, and ST2990-ETE).
Parasitology internationalChao Jiang, Yang Zhang, Zhiqun Wang, Xuguang Sun
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe, vision-threatening protozoan infection with a rising global incidence linked to contact lens use, necessitating robust genotyping to clarify its epidemiology and pathogenesis. This study analyzed the genotype distribution of 102 Acanthamoeba isolates collected from clinical settings in China between 1991 and 2014, comprising 100 isolates from corneal scrapings of clinically diagnosed AK patients, one from soil, and one from a patient's contact lens solution. Genetic analysis was conducted via amplification and sequencing of the 18S rRNA hypervariable DF3 region, followed by phylogenetic reconstruction and sequence identity assessment against reference clades. Twenty-eight distinct DF3 sequence types were identified, with genotype T4 demonstrating overwhelming dominance (99.0%; 101/102). Three novel T4 variants (T4/42-T4/44) were discovered, expanding the known diversity of this pathogenic lineage. Notably, T4/31 and T4/41 together accounted for 36% of clinical isolates, suggesting regionally endemic, infection-enriched variants. Only one isolate belonged to the rarely reported T11 genotype in China. Molecular source tracing confirmed two transmission chains: one linking a patient's corneal infection to their contact lens solution (both T4/6 variant), and another linking infection to periresidential soil (both T4/25 variant). These findings confirm the near-exclusive dominance of T4 among Chinese AK cases, identify prevalent local T4 variants, and demonstrate the utility of high-resolution DF3 genotyping for transmission tracing and disease control.
Scientific reportsAbdelfattah Selim, Mohamed Marzok, Hattan S Gattan, Mohammed H Alruhaili, Hesham Ismail, Adel I Almubarak, Abdelrahman M Hereba
Bovine babesiosis caused by Babesia bigemina is an important tick-borne disease that affects cattle health and productivity in tropical and subtropical regions. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of B. bigemina in cattle and to identify associated risk factors in three governorates of the Nile Delta region, Egypt. A total of 400 blood samples were collected randomly from cattle and examined using nested PCR assay. The overall prevalence of B. bigemina prevalence was 8% (32/400). The prevalence did not differ significantly according to locality or sex (P > 0.05). However, significant variations were observed in relation to breed, age, season, tick infestation, and management practices. Mixed-breed cattle showed the highest prevalence (11.4%), followed by Friesian (5.2%) and native breeds (1.8%). Older animals (> 4 years) exhibited the highest infection rate (24%). Seasonal variation indicated that the highest prevalence occurred during summer (13.6%). Management-related factors also influenced infection rates; cattle receiving regular antiprotozoal treatment had a lower prevalence (2.4%) compared with untreated animals (11%). Tick-infested cattle showed higher infection rates (9.8%) compared with non-infested animals (3.5%), while the absence of acaricide application was associated with increased infection risk. Multivariable logistic regression analysis identified mixed breed OR = 6.96; 95% CI: 2.08-60.48), age over 4 years (OR = 7.01; 95% CI: 2.07-23.73), summer season (OR = 4.16; 95% CI: 1.10-15.71), lack of antiprotozoal drug use (OR = 6.04; 95% CI: 1.28-28.44), tick infestation (OR = 3.16; 95% CI: 1.09-10.23), and absence of acaricide application (OR = 2.37; 95% CI: 1.28-6.32) as significant predictors of infection. These findings highlight the important role of vector control and proper management practices in reducing the burden of bovine babesiosis. Continuous surveillance and integrated tick control strategies are essential for improving cattle health and productivity in endemic areas.
Emerging infectious diseasesJoel Alejandro Chuquimia Valdez, Natalia R Guimarães, Vagner Fonseca, Cleidy Orellana Mendoza, Sebastián Sasías Martínez, Sara Cândida F Santos, Gilson Carlos …
We report the detection and genomic characterization of chikungunya virus, an arbovirus, during a 2025 outbreak in Bolivia. We identified the circulating chikungunya virus lineage and the transmission dynamics by using genomic surveillance and phylogenetic analyses. Our findings highlight the utility of sustained genomic surveillance for monitoring emerging arboviruses.
Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiologyQianyue Wu, Fen Pan, Na Wang, Fangyuan Yu, Tiandong Zhang, Huihong Qin, Yingying Shi, Xiaozhou Pan, Wenhao Weng, Dingding Han, Hong Zhang
INTRODUCTION: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a leading cause of respiratory infection in school-age children. A global resurgence occurred in 2023-2024, yet whole-genome molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial susceptibility data remains limited. METHODS: In this study, we isolated M. pneumoniae strains from children with respiratory infections in Shanghai, collected clinical record data, and profiled antibiotic susceptibility using the broth microdilution method. Whole-genome sequencing was performed on all isolates and globally available M. pneumoniae genomes from GenBank were incorporated for comparative analysis. RESULTS: A total of 148 M. pneumoniae strains were isolated, among which 79.7% (118/148) were from patients diagnosed with severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia (SMPP). All isolates were highly resistant to macrolides but remained susceptible to tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones. Of note, P1-2-type strains showed lower resistance levels to azithromycin and 16-membered macrolides compared with P1-1. Although the predominant genotypes were still P1-1 (92.6%), ST3 (88.5%), and M4-5-7-2 (79.7%), several previously uncommon MLVA types-M3-5-7-2, M4-3-7-2, and M4-4-7-2-have increased in frequency since the COVID-19 pandemic and were associated with milder inflammatory responses. Genomic analysis revealed high conservation across strains. Notably, a higher number of hsdS gene homologs, which serve as epigenetic modulators, correlated with reduced SMPP incidence and lower CD3+/CD4+ T-cell counts. DISCUSSION: In this study we provided the first comprehensive WGS analysis and updated MIC profiles of clinically isolated M. pneumoniae in Shanghai. Our findings highlight the persistent macrolide resistance and the emergence of genomic variations that warrant ongoing surveillance. High virulence carriage and high macrolides resistance may be among the factors contributing to elevated SMPP levels.
Journal of medical virologyGabriel Dos Santos Pereira Neto, Ana Vilhena Alves, Bruno José Sarmento Botelho, Andrio Silva da Silva, Debora Monteiro Carneiro, Rommel Mario Rodriguez Burban…
Human T-lymphotropic viruses 1 and 2 (HTLV-1 and HTLV-2) were first isolated from patients with hematological malignancies. This study was the first to investigate the frequency of HTLV-1 and its molecular diversity among patients with hematolymphoid cancers who were treated at a leading reference hospital in Pará, northern Brazil. For this purpose, information from the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), laboratory test records, and peripheral blood samples were obtained. Patients with confirmed diagnosis of leukemia/lymphoma, myeloma, other hematological malignancies, and those under diagnostic investigation were included in the study. Serological screening for anti-HTLV-1/2 antibodies was carried out by ELISA, and infection was confirmed by real-time PCR. PCR-positive samples were sequenced for phylogenetic analysis. Of 329 people assessed, 47.7% were men (157) and 52.3% were women (172). The overall prevalence of HTLV-1 was 1.82% (6/329), with 2.5% (n = 4) in men and 1.2% (n = 2) in women. Phylogenetic analysis of the 5'LTR region (715 bp) of HTLV-1 indicated that the isolates belonged to the Cosmopolitan subtype, Transcontinental subgroup. Positivity among patients with lymphoma was 6.56% (4/61), with one patient diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma. Among patients under clinical investigation and with other types of cancer, the prevalence of infection was 1.19% (1/84) and 2.38% (1/42), respectively. A decrease in red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit was identified in cancer patients with a negative HTLV diagnosis compared to HTLV-positive patients. Our results highlight the importance of including HTLV-1/2 testing in the routine follow-up of cancer patients, for the sake of existing successful treatment protocols.
The Indian journal of medical researchSumeeta Khurana, Shreya Singh, Shivani Rathor, Parveen Tanwar, Anitha P Moorkoth, Shameer V K, Pressy Sankar, Bindu V, Nitin Gupta, Kokila Banerjee, Subendu Ro…
Background and objectives Acanthamoeba spp. are free-living amoebae causing rare but frequently fatal, granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE). Understanding their genotypic distribution is essential for defining epidemiology and identifying environmental sources. This study investigated Acanthamoeba in clinically suspected cases of GAE and in environmental water sources across India. Methods A total of 125 clinical specimens from patients with suspected GAE [cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), brain biopsy tissue, or pus] and 14 environmental water samples (pond, well, and household water) were analyzed between April 2023 and August 2025. Microscopic examination of samples and culture on non-nutrient agar overlaid with Escherichia coli was done. Centrifuged water pellets were processed similarly. DNA extraction and polymerase chain reaction assay (PCR) targeting the Acanthamoeba spp. diagnostic fragment were performed, followed by sequencing for genotype identification. Results Eighteen (14.4%) clinical samples were Acanthamoeba-PCR positive, with seven yielding positive cultures. These included samples from Kerala (n=9), Karnataka (n=4), Himachal Pradesh (n=2), and one each from Delhi, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh. Seven (50%) water samples were Acanthamoeba-PCR positive (Kerala, n=4, and West Bengal, n=3), of which two were culture-positive. Genotyping of 12 clinical and four environmental samples revealed that all isolates belonged to genotype T4, except for one T3 CSF-derived isolate from Karnataka. Interpretation and conclusions The predominance of Acanthamoeba genotype T4 across clinical and environmental samples mirrors global trends and suggests enhanced pathogenic potential and ecological adaptability of this genotype. The detection of environmental genotypes underscores the importance of systematic environmental surveillance in elucidating transmission pathways more effectively.
Emerging infectious diseasesCapucine Marie Sicard, Mara Fischer, Chiara Wizemann, Marilen Bartling, Linda Martin, Miriam Rodi, Juliana Inoue, Sabrina Valeria Sinopoli, Esther Mehmel, Andr…
Mansonella streptocerca is a species of neglected skin-dwelling filarial nematode parasite with scarce epidemiologic data from Central Africa. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 1,007 adults from 51 rural and semiurban communities in Gabon to update prevalence estimates and identify risk factors. Molecular analyses by quantitative PCR detected filarial DNA in 18.3% of skin snips; M. streptocerca predominated (14.2%), and Onchocerca volvulus (3.4%) occurred focally in a single rural area. Blood-dwelling parasite species such as Loa loa, M. perstans, and Mansonella sp. "DEUX" were rarely detected. M. streptocerca infection was 4 times more frequent in rural areas than in semiurban areas and independently associated with male sex, urticaria, and poor housing conditions. Wolbachia DNA occurred in 28% of M. streptocerca-positive samples, suggesting endosymbiosis. Our findings reveal a substantial but overlooked burden of M. streptocerca nematodes in Gabon and emphasize the need for integrated surveillance of skin-dwelling filarial infections in Central Africa.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of AmericaDaniel Metzger
The scientific world has lost one of its great architects with the passing of Pierre Chambon, a visionary French scientist, institution builder, and demanding yet inspiring mentor. He provided major insights into the fundamental mechanisms governing gene expression and hormonal regulation that transformed modern biology and medicine. In addition, he developed groundbreaking mouse genetic techniques, and established Strasbourg as a leading European center for life sciences research. His death on May 5, 2026, at the age of 95, marks the end of an extraordinary era in science, yet his intellectual legacy will continue to shape generations of researchers across the world.
Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), particularly genotype 2 (PRRSV-2), inflicts substantial economic losses on the global swine industry. In China, Lineage 1 of PRRSV-2 has been the dominant epidemic strain since 2016 and is characterized by frequent recombination. This study investigated the molecular epidemiology of PRRSV in Southern China from 2022 to 2024. Among 1, 139 clinical samples from Guangdong, Guangxi, and Hainan provinces, the overall PRRSV positivity rate was 40.6% (463/1, 139). NADC30-like (Lineage 1.8, 49.9%) and NADC34-like (Lineage 1.5, 31.1%) strains were identified as the most prevalent. A novel recombinant strain, designated DJW, was successfully isolated using porcine alveolar macrophages. Whole-genome and GP5 phylogenetic analyses revealed DJW as a triple-recombinant mosaic virus. It possesses a NADC30-like backbone but has undergone recombination with HP PRRSV-like strains in the NSP3-NSP9 region and with NADC34-like strains in the ORF2-ORF6 region. Pathogenicity assessment in piglets demonstrated that DJW infection causes severe clinical signs, including persistent fever, significant viremia, robust viral shedding, extensive lung consolidation, and one death observed in the challenge group (1/5). Our findings highlight the ongoing evolution of PRRSV through recombination.
VirulenceXia Li, Xin' Ao Ma, Xiaoyu Wang, Qingjun Li, Qi Yuan, Jiahua Wang, He Bai, Yong Liu, Feipeng Zhao
Porcine sapelovirus (PSV) is increasingly detected in swine enteric disease complexes, but its evolutionary dynamics and transmission patterns remain insufficiently characterized. In this study, we analyzed 327 fecal samples collected from diarrheic piglets between 2015 and 2022 and identified persistent PSV detection in northeastern China. Because PSV was detected in the context of mixed enteric viral infections in this dataset, our data do not establish PSV as an independent causative agent of diarrhea. Comparative whole-genome and evolutionary analyses of globally circulating PSV strains revealed substantial genetic diversity, with higher apparent short-term substitution-rate estimates observed in the African and Japanese datasets. In China, inter-strain genetic recombination appeared to represent an additional driver of viral diversification. Temporal evolutionary analyses indicated a dynamic and complex evolutionary landscape within China. Phylogeographic reconstruction identified multiple putative transmission nodes within the currently available genome dataset, suggesting broad geographic dissemination of PSV lineages but not definitive source-sink relationships. These findings enhance our understanding of PSV genomic epidemiology and provide useful information for molecular surveillance of PSV and other diarrhea-associated viruses in swine populations.
A systematic molecular epidemiology survey was conducted on ten viruses in 226 captive and two wild Amur tigers from Northeast China. The target viruses were: feline panleukopenia virus (FPV), feline herpesvirus-1 (FHV-1), feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), canine distemper virus (CDV), feline coronavirus (FCoV), feline calicivirus (FCV), influenza A virus (IAV), hepatitis E virus (HEV), and rotavirus A (RVA). The overall infection prevalence in captive tigers was 45.6% (103/226), with FPV (25.2%) and FHV-1 (20.4%) identified as the dominant pathogens. Other viruses detected at lower frequencies were FIV (3.1%), CDV (1.8%), FCoV (0.9%), and FeLV (0.4%); FCV, IAV, HEV, and RVA were not detected. This study reports the first detection of FeLV in this subspecies. Infection prevalence exhibited marked age and regional dependence, being highest in juveniles (56.5%) and in the facilities of Shenyang (55.8%) and Harbin (52.6%). Phylogenetic analysis of partial VP2 sequences indicated that FPV strains from captive tigers formed a distinct, well-supported monophyletic clade (bootstrap = 99). In contrast, the VP2 sequence from the wild tiger (YINGCHUN) did not group within the captive tiger clade; instead, it occupied a separate position within the broader FPV cluster. FIV strains from tigers were phylogenetically interspersed with strains from domestic cats in China. Despite existing vaccination protocols, the persistent high prevalence of FPV and FHV-1 indicates suboptimal immunoprotection. These findings clarify the current viral pathogen profile in captive Amur tigers and underscore the necessity for optimizing disease management strategies, including age-stratified immunization, enhanced biosecurity, and the establishment of transboundary surveillance.
Veterinary research communicationsQianhong Liu, Yong Yang, Jeffrey T Foster
Brucellosis is a globally important disease but its prevalence, distribution, and impacts remain poorly known in many countries. With the world's largest livestock population, and the second largest human population, the scale of brucellosis in China dwarfs that of the disease in other countries and is a preeminent One Health challenge. As a result, an overall understanding of the extent and burden of this disease and its impacts have been elusive and concerted efforts to reduce disease burden have been sporadic. Brucellosis is relatively common in many regions of China and infects humans and a range of livestock and wildlife. Reported human brucellosis cases increased from 45,046 in 2019 to 70,439 in 2023, reflecting the growing national burden. We reviewed the status of brucellosis in China from 1950 to 2025, with a particular focus on its distribution and molecular epidemiology of human and animal infections in the past decade. Human brucellosis cases have substantially and progressively increased since 1950, reflecting the growing national burden but also showing short periods of decline and then resurgence. For example, genetic analyses using MLVA and whole‑genome sequencing of Brucella isolates have identified Brucella melitensis (specifically the Eastern Mediterranean lineage and biovar 3) as the predominant genotype circulating in country, placing these samples into a global context. Moreover, some regions appear to be hotspots of disease, such as high disease incidence in animals in Inner Mongolia that corresponds with high infection rates in humans. Brucellosis also appears to be changing its distribution, expanding from northern pastoral and agricultural areas such as Inner Mongolia, Shanxi, Heilongjiang, Hebei, Jilin, and Shaanxi to more industrial provinces such as Henan, Guangdong, and Fujian, driven by livestock trade, transboundary spread, and north‑to‑south expansion. Notably, novel transmission routes have become evident that are not associated with occupational exposure. Furthermore, brucellosis is increasingly being found in wildlife, with the potential for cross-species transmission, unique strains, and additional host species that may remain to be discovered. Finally, we discuss vaccination, disease control strategies, and the comprehensive animal and public health measures that are needed to reduce brucellosis prevalence in China. Vaccination faces particular challenges due to a scarcity of efficacy studies. These findings directly impact control strategies by highlighting the need for region‑specific vaccination policies, enhanced surveillance in non‑traditional southern provinces, and targeted interventions along livestock trade routes to counter the clonal expansion of the dominant GT42 genotype.
BMJ openHenry Badji, Ben Pascoe, Madison P Goforth, Evangelos Mourkas, Evariste Bako, Isidore Jo Bonkoungou, Modeste T Gampene, Marguerite Edith Malatala Nikiema, Bart…
INTRODUCTION: Enteric bacterial pathogens are a major cause of diarrhoeal disease in low-income and middle-income countries, with complex transmission pathways involving human, animal and environmental reservoirs. Conventional epidemiological and microbiological approaches provide important insights into pathogen burden and distribution but lack the resolution needed to characterise fine-scale diversity, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and transmission dynamics. Whole-genome sequencing offers high-resolution tools to investigate these processes within a One Health framework. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The Genomic Epidemiology and Transmission of Campylobacter in Africa (GETCampy-Africa) study uses a multicountry, One Health design to investigate pathogen diversity, source attribution and transmission pathways. The study uses a case-control framework, recruiting children with medically attended diarrhoea and asymptomatic community controls across sites in Burkina Faso, Ghana and The Gambia. Samples were collected from human participants, domestic animals and environmental sources following standardised protocols. Participant enrolment and sample collection have been completed, while laboratory processing, sequencing and genomic analyses are ongoing. Genomic data are analysed to assess population structure, AMR profiles and probabilistic attribution of isolates to potential reservoirs using comparative genomics and machine learning approaches. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval was obtained from relevant national and institutional committees in all participating countries. Written informed consent was obtained from participants or their guardians prior to enrolment. Findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications, stakeholder engagement activities and open-access platforms to support public health interventions and policy development.
Scrub typhus is a notable zoonosis, yet natural host-associated pathogen prevalence and genotypic diversity remain underexplored. A total of 261 small mammals comprising rodents and shrews captured in Uttar Pradesh, India, were screened for Orientia tsutsugamushi (OT) using nested PCR. The sample included Rattus rattus (n = 28), Rattus norvegicus (n = 42), Rattus tanezumi (n = 42), Bandicota bengalensis (n = 10), Mus musculus (n = 15), and Suncus murinus (n = 124). The overall molecular prevalence was 11.9% (95% CI: 8.2-16.4) with detection rates of 13.1% in rodents and 12.1% in shrews. Prevalence was significantly higher in rural (15.2%) than urban (1.6%) settings, and during monsoon (29.3%) and post-monsoon (11.9%) periods. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial tsa56 gene identified 4 OT strains circulating in rodent and shrew hosts, including Gilliam and TA678, along with novel JJOtsu5 and JJOtsu7. Population genetic analysis revealed substantial tsa56 nucleotide and haplotype diversity under purifying selection, while recombination analysis detected recombination in a subset of sequences, also contributing to genetic diversity. Deduced amino acid sequence analysis of the contiguous partial tsa56 gene revealed distinct mutations and structural variation in Gilliam-like and TA678-like strains, while JJOtsu5 and JJOtsu7 showed no variation relative to reference strains. In silico immunoinformatic analysis predicted 8 CD8 and 55 CD4 T-cell epitopes (TCEs) eliciting a human immune response, predominantly located within the spacer region S-VDIII/IV. The CD8 epitope AQLYKDLVKL was conserved across Gilliam, TA678-like (variant-27S), and JJOtsu7 strains; while the CD4 epitope PVKVLSDKITQIYSD was shared among Gilliam, JJOtsu5 and JJOtsu7 strains with a single S290R substitution. These strains exhibited distinct histopathological responses in OT PCR-positive animal tissues. Gilliam infections caused moderate lesions in liver, spleen, and lungs; TA678 infections exhibited mild pulmonary and renal changes; JJOtsu7 induced severe pulmonary and myocardial changes; and JJOtsu5 caused mild-to-moderate inflammation in liver, spleen, and kidneys. These findings highlight substantial genetic diversity, differential immunogenic potential and variable pathogenicity among rodent and shrew associated OT strains, underscoring the need for extended surveillance and strain-specific virulence characterization for improved control strategies.
International journal of molecular sciencesTao-An Chen, Ya-Ting Chuang, Hua-Yu Lin, Ya-Fung Chang, Yu-Ho Hsieh, Cheng-Hsien Chen, Chang-Sheng Lin, Yi-Jen Wang
Serratia marcescens has emerged as an important opportunistic pathogen in intensive care units (ICUs), where critically ill patients, invasive devices, antimicrobial exposure, and complex environmental reservoirs create favorable conditions for colonization, infection, and recurrent outbreaks. This narrative review synthesizes evidence from the past decade regarding the clinical and molecular epidemiology, environmental persistence, device-associated transmission, biofilm-mediated resistance, and infection-control strategies of S. marcescens in ICU settings. The literature was reviewed using an integrative approach informed by Ferrari's narrative review framework, with thematic synthesis across clinical, microbiological, environmental, and genomic domains. Recent evidence indicates that ICU-associated S. marcescens infections frequently involve respiratory tract colonization, ventilator-associated pneumonia, bloodstream infection, urinary tract infection, and device-related transmission. Hospital water systems, sink drains, wet surfaces, ventilator circuits, reusable equipment, and contaminated antiseptic or liquid products may serve as persistent reservoirs, particularly when biofilm formation supports long-term survival and recurrent dissemination. At the molecular level, S. marcescens demonstrates substantial genomic diversity, intrinsic and acquired antimicrobial resistance, inducible AmpC β-lactamase activity, efflux-mediated tolerance, and plasmid-associated resistance gene transfer. This review particularly emphasizes the molecular determinants that enable S. marcescens to persist in ICU ecosystems, including AmpC-mediated β-lactam resistance, efflux-associated tolerance, quorum-sensing-regulated biofilm formation, plasmid-mediated horizontal gene transfer, and WGS-defined clonal transmission. Whole-genome sequencing, rapid molecular diagnostics, active surveillance, environmental sampling, and integrated infection-control bundles have become increasingly important for distinguishing clonal outbreaks from endemic transmission and guiding timely interventions. Emerging perspectives emphasize the need to combine antimicrobial stewardship, environmental engineering, respiratory-care auditing, anti-biofilm strategies, and AI-assisted real-time surveillance into adaptive ICU infection-control frameworks. Overall, S. marcescens should be regarded not merely as an episodic outbreak organism, but as a highly adaptable ICU-associated pathogen requiring multidisciplinary prevention strategies.
I investigated the key causes and mechanisms of skin sensitization, evaluated existing diagnostic methods, and proposed new strategies to reduce the risk for allergic reactions. My research focused on sensitization to cosmetic components, including synthetic fragrances, preservatives (i.e., methylisothiazolinone, chlorphenesin), and natural extracts. I used patch testing and molecular diagnostics based on pro-inflammatory markers (i.e., interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha). Positive reactions occurred in 69.2% of participants, with synthetic fragrances (51.7%) and methylisothiazolinone (39.2%) as the most common allergens. Women aged 30-45 showed higher susceptibility to severe allergic responses. The study confirmed the effectiveness of patch testing and molecular diagnostics in accurately detecting and predicting skin allergies. Based on the findings, I recommend stricter regulation of sensitizing agents in cosmetics, the introduction of hypoallergenic alternatives, and a shift toward personalized product formulation. The results of my study also highlight the need for updated diagnostic standards, including non-invasive techniques and expanded molecular analyses as well as the revision of regulatory frameworks to enhance cosmetic safety and consumer well-being. Expanding professional knowledge in allergy diagnosis and prevention is essential for raising the standards of care and protecting the health of users.