Background: The monocarpic woody bamboo Chimonobambusa opienensis flowers synchronously and undergoes post-flowering senescence, imposing high nutritional demands during reproduction. Field investigations have documented increases in rhizosphere nutrients during bamboo blooming, but the underlying metabolic–microbial mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: Eight biological replicates of flowering (FD) and non-flowering (NF) C. opienensis across two locations were used to investigate differences in rhizosphere metabolites, microbiota, functional genes, and soil nutrient stoichiometry. A total of 2196 metabolites were identified, including 108 specific to FD and 63 specific to NF. Flowering was associated with metabolic reprogramming: flavonoids (2′,5,6-trimethoxyflavone) and antioxidant metabolites increased, whereas growth-promoting phytohormones and structural maintenance metabolites decreased. This metabolic transition was accompanied by substantial functional reorganization of the rhizosphere microbiome. Ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB), functional guilds associated with nitrification, were selectively enriched in FD rhizospheres, suggesting a shift from carbon-cycle predominance toward nitrogen-activation potential. NF rhizospheres harbored a microbial consortium associated with decomposition and methanogenesis of complex organic matter. In FD rhizospheres, nitrogen and phosphorus contents were significantly higher (p < 0.05). Correlation analyses revealed strong associations among root metabolites, functional microbial guilds, and soil nutrient pools. Conclusions: The rhizosphere metabolite–microbe–nutrient axis is associated with the increased nutrient demands of flowering and may support reproductive success in monocarpic bamboos. A putative “metabolic signals–microbial functions–nutrient supply” interaction network is identified in the flowering rhizosphere, advancing our understanding of perennial clonal plant–microbe interactions during reproductive transitions.
Obligate acidophilic bacteria of the genus Acidithiobacillus are widely used and well known in the biomining industry. Over the past decade, it has been shown that bacterial activity can be determined in short-term experiments via amperometric measurements of microbial oxygen consumption, as changes in the Clark electrode current are proportional to changes in the concentration of dissolved oxygen. This article presents a study of Acidithiobacillus sp. strain Thio1, which was isolated from pyrite–chalcopyrite copper ore and is closely related to A. ferrooxidans. Oxygen consumption by strain Thio1 was measured during the bacterial oxidation of substrates as changes in the electrode current. To evaluate the acute respiratory response of the bacteria to Cu, Zn, and As, respiration suppression was measured at increasing concentrations of the toxicants. The proposed amperometric method is not a substitute for the long-term biogeotechnological evaluation of strain activity using specific ore or pulp samples. At the same time, it can be used as a complementary microbiological method. The proposed approach offers distinct advantages: testing takes mere minutes (rapid analysis), and comparisons of substrates or toxicants can be performed using a single biomass sample (standardization). The amperometric method also demonstrated that oxygen was consumed during the corrosion of solid specimens (steel and chalcopyrite) by Acidithiobacillus sp. strain Thio1. However, applying this method to biocorrosion requires further study because the proportion of oxygen consumption directly related to microbial corrosion remains unknown.
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are important microbial agents for sustainable pest management. However, their effectiveness depends on compatible formulations that preserve conidial viability and biological activity. Hirsutella citriformis Speare produces an extracellular gum with potential application as a microbial formulation component. The present study evaluated its short-term compatibility with Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin and Metarhizium brunneum (Petch) conidia, together with mortality associated with gum-based treatments against Bactericera cockerelli (Šulc), under greenhouse conditions. Conidia were formulated in 0.5% (w/v) gum and applied at 1 × 107 conidia mL−1. Conidial germination remained above 90% and was not affected by gum exposure. Significant treatment effects on mortality were detected for adults and nymphs, using binomial generalized linear models. B. bassiana formulation produced 75.0% and 93.56%, whereas M. brunneum produced 65.2% and 78.2% adult and nymph mortality, respectively. The gum-containing treatment, which included Tween 80, was associated with 44.9% adult and 63.0% nymph mortality. H. citriformis gum therefore showed short-term compatibility with both fungi. However, because we did not include a Tween alone control, mortality may not be specifically attributed to the gum. Further studies will evaluate the basis of this mortality and formulation performance, under storage and field conditions.
Campylobacter spp. are common commensals in broiler chickens and certain species are major causes of foodborne illness in humans. However, their on-farm dynamics and environmental dissemination remain poorly understood. This study investigated the occurrence and temporal dynamics of Campylobacter spp. in commercial broiler production systems by integrating faecal and airborne monitoring across three consecutive production cycles in two farms with contrasting productive historical performance. Faecal (n = 24) and air samples (n = 24) were analysed using culture-based methods, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, which were subsequently compared to assess concordance. In faecal samples, Campylobacter spp. colonisation generally occurred from mid-cycle onwards, with earlier and more consistent detection in the farm with suboptimal growth performance. In the optimal growth-performing farm, colonisation was not detected in the first cycle but emerged in subsequent cycles, coinciding with declining productive parameters, which include mortality, average weight at slaughter, Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR), and European Production Efficiency Factor (EPEF). Airborne Campylobacter DNA was intermittently detected by qPCR, in some cases preceding or occurring independently of faecal detection, whereas culture-based methods consistently failed to recover viable Campylobacter from air samples. Microbiome sequencing detected Campylobacter sporadically and at low relative abundances, yielding fewer positive detections across the monitored sampling timepoints than the targeted methods. Overall, qPCR proved to be the most sensitive approach across matrices, while faecal culture provided biologically meaningful data on viable loads. This study also documented temporal changes in Campylobacter detection patterns alongside productive performance indicators under commercial production conditions. These findings highlight the complementary value of faecal and airborne monitoring and underscore the importance of combining targeted molecular and culture-based approaches to characterise Campylobacter dynamics under commercial production conditions.
Candida infections represent a major global public health challenge and remain among the most common opportunistic fungal infections worldwide. Although Candida albicans remains the predominant pathogen, the incidence of infections caused by non-albicans species, particularly Candidozyma auris, has increased substantially in recent years. Candida infections range from superficial mucocutaneous disease to invasive life-threatening infections associated with high morbidity and mortality. In addition to clinical burden, growing evidence indicates a substantial negative impact on health-related quality of life, particularly among patients with recurrent vulvovaginal candidiasis and chronic fungal infections.
Staphylococcus aureus is one of the leading causes of both community- and healthcare-associated infections. Nasal colonization constitutes the primary reservoir for subsequent infection and transmission, while methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains a major public health concern because of its resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. However, data regarding community nasal colonization in rural Portuguese populations remain scarce. The BI-STAPH Project was established to address this knowledge gap through systematic surveillance of rural communities in inland Portugal. To estimate the prevalence of presumptive nasal colonization by Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA among adults living in the municipality of Fundão, Portugal, and to explore potential associations between colonization and demographic, behavioural, occupational, and environmental characteristics. A prospective community-based cross-sectional study was conducted as the second phase of the BI-STAPH Project. A total of 200 adults were recruited from different parishes of the municipality of Fundão. Bilateral nasal swabs were collected and processed using standardized microbiological methods for the presumptive identification of S. aureus. Presumptive MRSA isolates were investigated using a PBP2′ latex agglutination assay. Sociodemographic and exposure-related information was obtained through structured questionnaires. Associations between presumptive colonization and participant characteristics were evaluated using Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests, as appropriate. Presumptive S. aureus nasal colonization was identified in 56 of 200 participants, corresponding to a prevalence of 28.0% (95% CI: 21.8–34.2%). No presumptive MRSA-positive isolates were identified, corresponding to an observed prevalence of 0% (95% CI: 0.0–1.8%). Colonization prevalence was 29.5% among females and 26.8% among males, and ranged from 25.8% to 31.1% across age groups; neither sex nor age was significantly associated with colonization. Participants reporting daily animal contact had a colonization prevalence of 32.3%, compared with 20.5% among those without animal contact, but this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.075). Overall, no statistically significant associations were identified between presumptive S. aureus colonization and the demographic, behavioural, occupational, or environmental variables evaluated. Presumptive S. aureus nasal colonization was common among adults living in the rural municipality of Fundão, Portugal, whereas no presumptive MRSA-positive isolates were identified in this study population. No statistically significant associations were observed between colonization and the characteristics evaluated. These findings expand the epidemiological evidence generated by the BI-STAPH Project and support continued community-based surveillance of S. aureus in rural Portugal. Future multicentre studies incorporating molecular confirmation, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, and larger populations will be important to better characterize circulating strains and transmission patterns within a One Health framework.
Short stature is a common pediatric endocrine–metabolic disorder characterized by impaired linear growth and increased risks of adverse health outcomes. Although previous reviews have summarized associations between gut microbiota and childhood health, few have focused on the mechanistic links among microbial composition, microbial-derived metabolites, endocrine regulation, and skeletal growth in short stature. This review provides an integrated framework exploring the potential interactions among gut microbiota composition, microbial-derived metabolites, endocrine regulation, and skeletal development in short stature. We summarize the clinical characteristics and epidemiological features of major short stature subtypes and discuss emerging evidence demonstrating the involvement of gut microbiota alterations and metabolite dysregulation in growth regulation. Particular attention is given to the bidirectional interactions between the gut microbiota and the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor-1 (GH/IGF-1) axis, as well as the potential role of the gut–liver–bone axis in skeletal growth. Furthermore, this review integrates evidence from metabolomics studies, experimental animal models, and microbiota-targeted interventions to provide mechanistic insights into microbiota-mediated growth regulation. Dietary factors, physical activity, sleep, antibiotic exposure, probiotic interventions, and current clinical treatments are also discussed from the perspective of microbiota modulation. Despite increasing interest in microbiota-based strategies, clinical translation remains limited by insufficient functional validation, unclear causal relationships, and a lack of well-designed intervention trials. Future integration of functional microbiology, multi-omics approaches, and human-based validation platforms may facilitate the development of microbiome-based precision interventions for improving growth outcomes in children with short stature, particularly those with ISS.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare systems experienced significant disruption, increasing the risk of multidrug-resistant (MDR) pathogen transmission. Acinetobacter baumannii, a critical-priority MDR pathogen, is known for its ability to persist in hospital environments and rapidly acquire resistance. To investigate the genomic characteristics, antimicrobial resistance determinants, and phylogenetic relationships of outbreak-associated Acinetobacter baumannii isolates, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and comparative genomic analyses on 24 clinical and environmental strains collected during the COVID-19 period were performed. Twenty-four A. baumannii isolates collected between August 2020 and February 2021 from clinical and environmental samples were analyzed by WGS. All isolates displayed an MDR phenotype, with uniform resistance to carbapenems and aminoglycosides, and preserved colistin susceptibility. One environmental strain showed extreme drug resistance. WGS confirmed medium-quality genome assemblies and the clonal spread of a single A. baumannii lineage. Most resistance genes, including OXA-23, ADC-type β-lactamases, and ade efflux pumps, were chromosomally encoded and shared across all isolates. Plasmid-mediated resistance genes were variably distributed. This outbreak of MDR A. baumannii was driven by the clonal dissemination of a genomically stable lineage. Combined genomic and epidemiological analyses underscore the importance of integrated surveillance and environmental decontamination to prevent the spread of MDR pathogens.
Trypanosoma cruzi exhibits complex genetic diversity, organized into seven distinct typing units. To complete its life cycle, the parasite must adapt to the digestive tract of various species of triatomine bugs. This systematic review aimed to understand the molecular adaptation mechanisms of T. cruzi in relation to different vector species, systematizing knowledge on vector competence. Following PRISMA guidelines, 18 experimental studies (published between 1995 and 2025) were selected from the ScienceDirect, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, focusing on the parasite–vector interface and proteomic analyses. There was a predominance of studies conducted in Brazil (66.67%), using the Rhodnius prolixus model (72.22%) and the TcI strain (clone Dm28c). The evolution of methodological approaches reflects a transition from classical techniques, such as SDS-PAGE, to high-throughput omics strategies, including LC-MS/MS and gene editing tools such as CRISPR. The findings were organized into key biological processes, including parasite adhesion mediated by perimicrovillar membrane components, glycoinositolphospholipids (GIPLs), and mucins; the influence of the metabolic and nutritional microenvironment, particularly hemoglobin-derived peptides and glucose availability; and the role of intestinal redox conditions in triggering metacyclogenesis. Overall, the available evidence suggests that T. cruzi adaptation within triatomine vectors is a multifactorial process driven by proteomic reprogramming and post-transcriptional regulation in response to environmental signals within the vector gut. However, this understanding is largely derived from studies based on Rhodnius prolixus and TcI strains, which limits the generalization of these mechanisms across other triatomine species and parasite lineages.
Wesselsbron disease remains an underrecognized mosquito-borne flaviviral disease despite long-standing evidence of ruminant reproductive loss, neonatal disease, hepatic pathology, zoonotic infection, and mosquito-associated circulation. This narrative review critically synthesizes verified evidence on Wesselsbron virus (WSLV) at the animal–human–vector–environment interface, with the specific aim of clarifying why the virus should be considered a surveillance-sensitive One Health pathogen rather than a rare veterinary curiosity. The review integrates classical veterinary pathology, experimental infection studies, human case reports, serological and molecular evidence, mosquito surveillance, ecological suitability modelling, diagnostic-development studies, and recent evidence from molecular epidemiology, camel investigations, and digital histopathology. The review uses an evidence-weighted synthesis to distinguish experimentally and pathologically supported animal disease, confirmed but poorly quantified human infection, mosquito-associated detection, ecological suitability, diagnostic under-recognition, and unresolved reservoir or transmission questions before integrating these domains into a qualitative One Health risk-assessment framework. The evidence supports WSLV as a cause of ruminant abortion, neonatal disease, and hepatic lesions, confirms zoonotic potential, and indicates repeated detection in ecologically relevant mosquito and multi-host contexts. However, current data remain insufficient for robust estimates of animal burden, human incidence, reservoir competence, natural route frequency, or climate-driven expansion. WSLV should therefore be incorporated into targeted differential diagnosis, laboratory readiness, and One Health surveillance where ruminant abortion events, unexplained neonatal disease, compatible mosquito ecology, undiagnosed febrile illness, diagnostic ambiguity, or ecological suitability indicate plausible risk.
Aromatic compounds derived from the shikimate (SHK) pathway constitute a diverse class of high-value molecules with applications in the pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and chemical industries. In microbial systems, particularly Escherichia coli, this pathway links central carbon metabolism (CCM) to the biosynthesis of L-tyrosine (L-Tyr), L-phenylalanine (L-Phe), and L-tryptophan (L-Trp), which serve as key precursors for structurally diverse metabolites. Over the past decades, metabolic engineering strategies have focused on increasing precursor availability, relieving feedback inhibition, and eliminating competing pathways. More recently, advances in synthetic biology have enabled dynamic control of metabolic flux through pathway modularization, genome-scale interventions, and regulatory circuit design. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the engineering of E. coli for aromatic compound biosynthesis, highlighting key developments in the optimization of the SHK pathway and its major metabolic nodes chorismate, L-Tyr, L-Phe, and L-Trp. We examine emerging approaches, including CRISPR-based regulation, biosensor-driven dynamic control, membrane engineering, and synthetic microbial consortia. Despite significant progress, challenges related to pathway regulation, cofactor balance, metabolic burden, and product toxicity remain critical bottlenecks. Integrating metabolic engineering with synthetic biology is driving the development of programmable, scalable microbial platforms for the efficient bioproduction of aromatic compounds.
With the development of the pet industry, public attention to pet food safety and nutritional health has been continuously increasing. Postbiotics were initially defined as inactivated microorganisms or microbial cellular components that confer health benefits to the host. Compared with probiotics, postbiotics possess superior safety and stability. They can effectively eliminate the potential risk of horizontal transfer of drug-resistant genes carried by live bacteria, and also feature better manufacturability and storage performance. At present, most research on postbiotics has focused on humans and large domestic animals, with relatively few applications in dogs and cats. This indicates that further research on postbiotics in canines and felines is still needed to better promote their practical application in promoting pet food health. This article provides a comprehensive review of the current research status of postbiotics, focusing on their potential benefits and mechanisms for pet health. It proposes that future studies should concentrate on in vivo experimental validation to clarify the safety, optimal dosage, and specific functions of postbiotics in companion animals. Such research will offer a scientific basis for the application of postbiotics in pet food formulations, ultimately promoting the health and welfare of pets.
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) represents one of the most urgent global health threats, significantly impacting patient outcomes, healthcare systems, and economic sustainability. Rapid and accurate antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are essential to guide targeted therapy, reduce inappropriate antimicrobial use, and support antimicrobial stewardship programs. However, conventional phenotypic AST methods, including broth microdilution, disk diffusion, agar dilution, and gradient strip tests, remain labor-intensive and require prolonged turnaround times, often delaying optimal therapeutic decisions. Although automated commercial platforms such as VITEK 2, BD Phoenix, MicroScan WalkAway, and Sensititre ARIS have improved laboratory workflow and standardization, they still rely on culture-based approaches and typically require 16–36 h to generate minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) results. In recent years, several innovative rapid phenotypic AST technologies have emerged, aiming to significantly shorten the time to susceptibility results while maintaining high accuracy. This review provides an overview of currently available rapid automated phenotypic platforms for MIC determination, including VITEK® Reveal™, ASTar, FASTinov®AST, QuickMIC®, and the Accelerate Pheno® system. These systems employ advanced technologies such as volatile organic compound detection, flow cytometry, microfluidics, real-time imaging, and morphokinetic cellular analysis to deliver susceptibility results within a few hours directly from positive blood cultures. We summarize their technical principles, antibiotics and pathogens included, performances, and current limitations. Overall, the implementation of rapid phenotypic AST tools has the potential to substantially improve clinical decisions, optimize antimicrobial therapy, and contribute to fight AMR.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a complex neurodevelopmental disorder increasingly discussed within the microbiota-gut–brain axis. This narrative review synthesizes evidence on bacterial and fungal dysbiosis in ADHD, with emphasis on Candida spp., diet, probiotics, synbiotics, and health-related quality of life. A structured narrative search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and KoBSON-accessible sources was performed for studies addressing ADHD, gut microbiota, mycobiome, Candida, nutrition, microbiome-targeted interventions, and quality of life. Evidence was synthesized thematically because of methodological heterogeneity. Available studies suggest that ADHD may be associated with altered gut microbial diversity, changes in taxa such as Faecalibacterium, Blautia, Odoribacter, and Enterococcus, and immune–metabolic alterations. However, findings are heterogeneous and do not support a single ADHD-specific microbial signature. The fungal component remains insufficiently investigated, although evidence indicates increased Candida, particularly Candida albicans, in children with ADHD and a possible link with intestinal permeability. Dietary quality, micronutrient status, probiotics, and synbiotics may modulate microbiota–gut–brain pathways, but should be considered complementary and individualized, particularly in patients with gastrointestinal, dietary, immune, or metabolic vulnerability. Bacterial and fungal dysbiosis may represent biologically plausible, primarily associative components of ADHD-related pathophysiology. Evidence remains preliminary, exploratory, non-causal, and requires cautious interpretation in future research and clinical settings.
Invasive bacterial infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Neisseria meningitidis remain a major public health concern. This study aimed to perform the molecular characterization of bacterial strains responsible for meningitis in patients of all ages who met the World Health Organization case definition for meningitis and had cerebrospinal fluid samples collected between January 2021 and December 2022 at the Clinical Bacteriology Laboratory of the National Public Health Institute of Mali. We conducted a surveillance-based observational study using national surveillance data collected between January 2021 and December 2022. Data were collected continuously and in real time throughout the study. The analysis was cross-sectional and descriptive. Data were obtained from samples received at the laboratory, accompanied by individual clinical notification forms. For each sample, demographic data and additional clinical information, including vaccination status, were collected. Infection was diagnosed by isolating invasive strains through culture, confirmed by real-time triplex PCR, and positive cases were further characterized by real-time triplex PCR for serotyping. Overall, 103 infections were confirmed among the 1000 samples received, corresponding to a positivity rate of 10.3%. S. pneumoniae predominated with 62%, followed by H. influenzae type b with 36% and N. meningitidis serogroup X with 2%. The identified serotypes of pneumococcus were predominantly not covered by existing vaccines, particularly serotype 23A (38.30%), while others, including serotypes 1 (17.02%) and 3 (10.63%), are included in the PCV13 vaccine. The distribution of cases by age and gender shows a predominance of males, accounting for 60.2% of cases (62/103). The 0–5 age group is by far the largest, accounting for 76.7% of cases (79/103), with males representing 58. 22% (46 cases). These findings highlight the importance and the need for continuous monitoring surveillance of circulating strains and strengthening vaccination efforts to improve prevention.
Nosocomial bronchopneumonia is a severe lung infection that develops more than 48 h after hospital admission and is frequently caused by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. It is often identified postmortem in forensic practice, particularly in patients with severe traumatic injuries requiring prolonged hospitalization and immobilization. Diagnosis is typically based on macroscopic findings and histopathological examination of lung tissue. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of postmortem microbiological testing by comparison with antemortem microbiological data. Ten patients with a clinical diagnosis of nosocomial bronchopneumonia were selected from forensic cases. During autopsy, tracheal swabs and lung tissue samples were collected and subjected to culture-based and molecular analyses. The results were compared with those obtained from antemortem microbiological investigations. Pathogens characteristic of nosocomial infections were identified; however, concordance with in-hospital microbiological data was highest when using next-generation sequencing (NGS) metagenomic analysis. Tracheal swab culture appears to have limited reliability for postmortem identification of bacterial agents in healthcare-associated bronchopneumonia. In contrast, metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) of lung tissue obtained at autopsy showed the highest concordance with antemortem microbiological findings and may provide valuable complementary diagnostic information, particularly in polymicrobial infections.
Acute bronchiolitis is the leading cause of infant hospitalization worldwide, with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) historically predominating. Prospective virological data for the 2025–2026 epidemic season in Morocco were lacking. A prospective observational cohort study was conducted at the Department of Pediatric Infectious Diseases and Clinical Immunology, Casablanca Mother-Child Hospital, from August 2025 through March 2026. Consecutive infants aged 1–24 months hospitalized with acute viral bronchiolitis underwent nasopharyngeal sampling and multiplex rapid antigen testing for RSV, influenza A, influenza B, and SARS-CoV-2. A total of 131 infants were enrolled (median age 4.8 months; male-to-female ratio 0.84:1). At least one virus was identified in 63 patients (48.1%; 95% CI 39.1–57.3%). RSV predominated: 49 sole infections and 2 co-infections with influenza A, totaling 51 positives (80.9% of virus-positive cases; 38.9% of the cohort). Influenza A totaled 8 cases (12.7%), including the 2 co-infections; influenza B accounted for 2 further cases (3.2%). SARS-CoV-2 was not detected. Epidemic activity peaked in January 2026 (65 admissions), declining through February (34) and March (12). All detected pathogens have licensed preventive options, supporting the introduction of nirsevimab, maternal RSV vaccination, and seasonal influenza vaccination as public health priorities in Morocco.
Mpox remains an important public health threat in several African countries, with recurrent outbreaks highlighting the need for decentralized and scalable diagnostic systems. During the 2024–2025 Mpox outbreak in Burundi, reliance on a single National Reference Laboratory limited timely diagnosis, reduced surveillance efficiency, and delayed outbreak response activities. This study describes and evaluates the implementation of a national strategy for decentralizing and expanding Mpox diagnostic capacity across Burundi. A descriptive implementation study was conducted between August 2024 and July 2025. Burundi implemented a four-phase diagnostic scale-up strategy that expanded Mpox testing services from one centralized laboratory to 56 decentralized GeneXpert-equipped laboratories, including mobile laboratory units. The implementation phases comprised strategic planning and risk mapping, pilot deployment at the national level, regional expansion, and extension to peripheral district laboratories. Key interventions included healthcare workforce training, strengthening laboratory supply chains, deployment of mobile diagnostic units, and integration of laboratory information into the national surveillance system. Program performance was assessed using indicators of laboratory network expansion, testing coverage, diagnostic turnaround time, and confirmed case detection. Following implementation, the number of operational Mpox diagnostic sites increased from 1 to 56, representing a 5500% expansion in testing capacity. National testing coverage approached 100%, substantially improving geographical access to diagnostic services. Weekly confirmed Mpox case detection increased by 496%, reflecting enhanced surveillance sensitivity and improved case identification. Diagnostic turnaround time decreased from 24–72 h under the centralized model to 2–4 h following decentralization. The expanded diagnostic network facilitated earlier case confirmation, more rapid isolation of infected individuals, strengthened surveillance activities, and accelerated implementation of outbreak control measures. The phased decentralization of Mpox diagnostics using existing GeneXpert infrastructure and mobile laboratories substantially improved testing access, reduced diagnostic delays, and strengthened outbreak response capacity in Burundi. This approach demonstrates a practical, scalable, and cost-effective model for enhancing epidemic preparedness and building resilient diagnostic systems in resource-constrained settings. Similar strategies could support improved detection and control of Mpox and other emerging infectious diseases across Africa and comparable low-resource environments.
Neonatal diarrhea remains a significant threat to piglet health, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide. Among the viral pathogens associated with this condition, rotavirus (RV) has been extensively reported in Brazil; however, lineage-level classification of circulating strains remains limited. This study aimed to characterize G and P genotypes of porcine RV field strains associated with diarrhea in piglets in Southern Brazil. A total of 10 fecal samples were collected by field veterinarian from diarrheic suckling piglets aged 1 to 14 days and analyzed by RT-PCR for the detection of RV species A, B, C, and H. RV species A (RVA) was detected in 90% (9/10) of the samples, while no other RV species were identified. Genotyping based on the VP7 and VP4 genes revealed a single G3P[6] genotype combination in all RVA-positive samples. Nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequence analysis revealed high genetic similarity among strains, with values of up to 99.3% for nt and 98.0% for aa of the VP7 gene and 100% for the VP4 gene (nt and aa). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the VP7 sequences clustered with Brazilian G3 strains, forming a distinct group consistent with a novel lineage (putative G3-XII), whereas VP4 sequences supported a new sublineage (putative P[6]-Ig). These findings demonstrate low genetic variability of RVA field strains in this neonatal diarrhea outbreak, suggesting the circulation of a single viral population. They also emphasize the importance of continuous molecular surveillance to gain a deeper understanding of viral evolution and transmission dynamics in swine populations.
Background: The global burden of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis continues to threaten tuberculosis control efforts, largely due to the emergence and transmission of resistance-associated genetic mutations. Molecular epidemiology provides critical insights into mutation profiles and resistance associations, yet the interplay among key mutations and their contributions to complex resistance patterns remains poorly understood, particularly in high-burden settings. Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, laboratory-based design was used to analyze 111 phenotypically confirmed drug-resistant isolates. Molecular drug susceptibility testing (DST) for first- and second-line anti-tuberculosis drugs was performed at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) TB reference laboratory. Drug-resistance profiles were classified according to World Health Organization (WHO) definitions. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to determine mutation frequencies, co-occurrence patterns, and associations with resistance profiles. Results: rpoB (D435V 38.7%; S450L 36.0%) and katG (S315T 80.2%) mutations predominated, forming the core molecular basis of MDR-TB, while 15% harbored inhA promoter mutations associated with low-level isoniazid resistance. The most frequent combinations included rpoB S450L with katG S315T and rpoB D435V with katG S315T, consistent with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) profiles. Nearly 48% showed dual resistance to fluoroquinolones and second-line injectables. Conclusion: This study highlights the predominance of resistance-associated mutations and their co-occurrence patterns in shaping MDR-TB profiles in the study setting. The observed burden of second-line drug resistance underscores the importance of comprehensive resistance testing. These findings support the use of mutation profiling for rapid diagnosis and informed treatment decisions, while emphasizing the need for ongoing local surveillance to guide TB control efforts.
