MicrobiologyOpen[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Microbial Life Inside Posidonia Seeds: Beneficial Endophytes and Implications for Marine Plant Health.
Crucitti D, Sutera A, Carimi F … +5 more , Barone S, La Bella F, Badalamenti F, De Michele R, Pacifico D
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41782521 · Full text
Plant-microbe interactions are key drivers of plant health and ecosystem functioning, yet their roles in marine environments remain poorly understood. The seagrass Posidonia oceanica, a foundation species in the Mediterr...
Plant-microbe interactions are key drivers of plant health and ecosystem functioning, yet their roles in marine environments remain poorly understood. The seagrass Posidonia oceanica, a foundation species in the Mediterranean Sea, forms complex associations with microbial communities that influence its development and stress tolerance. Here, we provide the first evidence of culturable bacterial and fungal endophytes inhabiting P. oceanica seeds collected from the central Mediterranean, a region representing a major center of the species' genetic diversity. Using two different marine culture media, we isolated a diverse assemblage of endophytes, predominantly affiliated with Marinomonas, Celerinatantimonas, Vibrio, Halomonas, Kocuria, Bacillus, Metabacillus, Lysobacter, and Aureimonas, along with the fungi Paecilomyces maximus and Halophytophthora sp. Most bacterial isolates displayed plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits such as indole-3-acetic acid production and nitrogen fixation, supporting their potential contribution to seed germination and early seedling establishment. The detection of Candidatus Celerinatantimonas neptuna, a nitrogen-fixing symbiont previously described in P. oceanica roots, suggests a possible route of vertical transmission. Although fungal endophytes were less frequent, their presence indicates that P. oceanica seeds may serve as a reservoir of both beneficial and potentially pathogenic taxa. These findings expand our understanding of the P. oceanica holobiont, highlight the role of seeds in the persistence and dissemination of endophytic communities and lay the groundwork for the biotechnological use of seed-associated microbes in marine plant restoration and conservation, and in crop stress tolerance.
The Evaluation of Machine Learning Models Using Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) Spectra for the Prediction of Antibiotic Resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae.
Fordham SME
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41771780 · Full text
Antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a major clinical challenge, driving development in rapid, diagnostic strategies that extend beyond conventional susceptibility testing. Twenty-three studies demonst...
Antimicrobial resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae poses a major clinical challenge, driving development in rapid, diagnostic strategies that extend beyond conventional susceptibility testing. Twenty-three studies demonstrate that using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) spectra to create machine learning (ML) models yields rapid and accurate predictions of antibiotic resistance in K. pneumoniae. Across these studies, most models focused on carbapenem resistance and achieved Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (AUROC) values consistently above 0.90, with ensemble algorithms, particularly Random Forest, XGBoost, and Light Gradient Boosting Machine, and deep learning models such as Convolutional Neural Networks attaining accuracies as high as 97% and even AUROCs reaching 0.99 or higher. Sample sizes ranged from 35 to over 15,000 isolates, reinforcing the robustness of these findings across diverse clinical settings. In addition to high discrimination performance, this evaluation reports that ML models developed using MALDI-TOF-MS spectra shorten diagnostic turnaround from days (48-96 h with conventional methods) to minutes or hours, using existing MALDI-TOF-MS equipment for economical implementation. However, ML diagnostic tools remain constrained by limited external validation, spectra preprocessing protocols, and variability between different MALDI-TOF-MS platforms. These limitations may restrict model generalizability and clinical translation, highlighting the need for standardized workflows and larger multicenter evaluations.
Bactericidal, Bacteriostatic, and Fungicidal Activities of Clausena anisata Fruit and Its Compounds, Stigmasteryl 3-Palmitate (a Phytosterol Ester) and Phellopterin (a Furanocoumarin), Against Some Clinical Pathogens.
Kumatia EK, Asase A, Baffour PK … +3 more , Frimpong BL, Agyei E, Tung NH
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41766229 · Full text
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic agents from natural sources. This study investigated the antimicrobial properties of Clausena anisata fruit ethanol extract (CAF...
The emergence of antimicrobial resistance necessitates the exploration of novel therapeutic agents from natural sources. This study investigated the antimicrobial properties of Clausena anisata fruit ethanol extract (CAFE) and its isolated compounds against 11 bacterial and three fungal strains. The dried fruits were extracted with ethanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The extract was partitioned and subjected to chromatography to isolate two compounds, which were characterized as stigmasteryl 3-palmitate (C-01) and phellopterin (C-02) using NMR spectroscopy and LC-MS analysis. CAFÉ demonstrated notable inhibition zones in agar well diffusion assays, with the strongest activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae (14.67 ± 2.08 mm) and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (13.67 ± 0.58 mm). Microbroth dilution assays revealed MIC values ranging from 0.0781 to 1.2500 mg/mL for CAFÉ and 0.0781 to 1.2500 mg/mL for stigmasteryl 3-palmitate and phellopterin, respectively. CAFE demonstrated bactericidal activity (MLC/MIC ≤ 4) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhimurium, K. pneumoniae, Streptococcus sanguis, S. saprophyticus, and Candida glabrata, while showing bacteriostatic activity (MLC/MIC > 4) against Candida albicans. Stigmasteryl 3-palmitate exhibited bactericidal activity against P. mirabilis, S. typhimurium, K. pneumoniae, and S. sanguis, with bacteriostatic effects against the other organisms. Phellopterin demonstrated primarily bacteriostatic activity except against S. saprophyticus. Both compounds showed potent fungicidal activity against Candida species. These findings highlight the therapeutic potential of C. anisata fruit and its constituents against typhoid fever, hospital-acquired pneumonia, and invasive candidiasis. This is the first report on the antibacterial and antifungal activities of C. anisata fruit, stigmasteryl 3-palmitate, and phellopterin.
Synergistic Inhibitory Effect and Mechanism of Action of Cinnamaldehyde-Carvacrol Nanoemulsion on the Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli Mixed Biofilms Formation.
He S, Wang Y, Wang W … +2 more , Li Y, Zhang Z
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41766160 · Full text
The formation of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) mixed biofilms challenges the treatment of bacterial infections. In this study, the synergistic effect of plant essential oils cinnamaldeh...
The formation of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli) mixed biofilms challenges the treatment of bacterial infections. In this study, the synergistic effect of plant essential oils cinnamaldehyde (CA) and carvacrol (CV) on inhibiting S. aureus and E. coli mixed biofilms formation was investigated. The Q value of CA and CV combination on inhibiting mixed biofilms formation was 2.28, suggesting their synergistic effect. Furthermore, CA/CV nanoemulsion was prepared, which further enhanced the inhibitory effect. CA/CV nanoemulsion could significantly inhibit the mixed biofilms formation at 64 μg/mL by reduction of bacterial adhesion and motility, polysaccharide intercellular adhesin (PIA) synthesis, and the inhibition of LuxS/AI-2 expression. In the S. aureus and E. coli infected implant model of mice, CA/CV NEs demonstrated prominent inhibitory effect on the formation of S. aureus and E. coli biofilms, and simultaneously reduced the bacterial burden.
Acetyl-Phosphate Dependent Protein Acetylation in Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
Parga EFD, Wolverson PA, Collins MO … +4 more , Heaney O, Cole J, Green LR, Shaw JG
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41749389 · Full text
The disease gonorrhoea is caused by the sexually transmitted pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium is an obligate human pathogen that can survive intracellularly through the expression of specific pathogenicity...
The disease gonorrhoea is caused by the sexually transmitted pathogen Neisseria gonorrhoeae. This bacterium is an obligate human pathogen that can survive intracellularly through the expression of specific pathogenicity determinants. Protein post-translational modifications have been shown to be involved in the regulation of gene transcription and metabolism. Here, we studied the role of non-enzymatic acetylation by acetyl-phosphate in N. gonorrhoeae. This was achieved through the deletion of pta and ackA genes from the phosphotransacetylase-acetate kinase pathway (PTA-AKA) that modulate the level of acetyl-phosphate in the cell. As predicted, more protein acetylation was observed in the ΔackA strain. Using immunoaffinity purification of acetylated peptides and LC-MS/MS we demonstrated that 88% of the detectable N. gonorrhoeae proteome (1343 proteins) is acetylated. With many of the acetylated proteins involved in central metabolism especially in pyruvate utilisation. Growth studies showed that the ΔackA strain was unable to utilise pyruvate as a carbon source, whereas it could grow on glucose as well as the wild-type. Furthermore, a deacetylase enzyme was identified and its gene mutated (Δhdac), this allowed the identification of a number of putative targets for HDAC, including phosphotransacetylase. We found that gonococcal pathogenicity was changed by acetyl-phosphate concentration, with the ΔackA strain killing the wax moth larvae faster than the wild-type, whereas the Δpta strain was non-pathogenic in this model. The data obtained suggest that non-enzymatic protein acetylation in N. gonorrhoeae plays an important role in the central metabolism, carbon source utilisation, and virulence of this bacterium.
Assessment of the Incidence of Vibrio spp. in Shrimp Farms Relative to Water Parameters and Their Molecular Detection in the Southwest Coastal Region of Bangladesh.
Sohidullah M, Matubber B, Rahman MH … +6 more , Sayeed A, Rahman S, Yesmin L, Hossain MJ, Chowdhury MI, Alam MA
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41744032 · Full text
In aquatic ecosystems, the incidence of Vibrio spp. is rising continually due to changes in water parameters. The study was undertaken to assess the incidence of Vibrio spp. in shrimp farms relative to water parameters a...
In aquatic ecosystems, the incidence of Vibrio spp. is rising continually due to changes in water parameters. The study was undertaken to assess the incidence of Vibrio spp. in shrimp farms relative to water parameters and to perform their molecular detection. Maintaining three replications of each sample, overall, 360 shrimp, 360 water, and 360 sediments were randomly collected from the experimental units of 30 ponds in Khulna and Satkhira districts in each of the rainy and winter seasons. Temperature, ammonium, nitrite, pH, iron, and salinity were measured from water samples. The groEL gene of Vibrio cholerae, and toxR, trh, and tdh genes of Vibrio parahaemolyticus were identified through real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Shrimp showed the highest mean total Vibrio spp. count (9.39 ± 0.34 log CFU/mL) in the rainy season. In the rainy season, shrimp represented 42.5%, water 17.5%, and sediment 19.16% Vibrio spp., whereas in the winter season, these were 38.33%, 14.16%, and 15.83%, respectively. Temperature and pH were at the highest average levels in the rainy and winter seasons, respectively. There was no significant relation between the incidence of Vibrio spp. and water parameters, except ammonium in the winter season. Here, 48.02% (85/177) isolates were positive for V. cholerae, 51.97% (92/177) for V. parahaemolyticus, 15.21% (14/92) for the trh gene, and 6.52% (6/92) for the tdh gene. None of the relations between water parameters and trh-positive V. parahaemolyticus was significant, except pH in the rainy season. The occurrence of Vibrio spp. in shrimp farms should be a burning issue for sustainable production.
A Pilot Metagenomic Study Demonstrating Virtual Reality Head Mounted Displays Utilized in Medical Education Are Reservoirs of Viable Pathogenic Microbes.
Goldsworthy A, Olsen M, Shiratuddin MF … +6 more , McKirdy S, Alghafri R, Senok A, Alfalasi H, Wong KW, Tajouri L
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41738467 · Full text
Virtual reality (VR) devices are increasingly being utilized within operating theaters and intensive care units where appropriate sanitation is vital to ensure that patients do not unnecessarily acquire hospital-associat...
Virtual reality (VR) devices are increasingly being utilized within operating theaters and intensive care units where appropriate sanitation is vital to ensure that patients do not unnecessarily acquire hospital-associated infections. The morphology of VR devices in conjunction with the variety of materials and internal components provides challenges to their repurposing. This study aimed to evaluate the microorganisms remaining on VR headsets following sanitation by laboratory staff in a medical education anatomy teaching facility. The external components and internal facial interface were swabbed and separately cultured on four AGAR plates (Horse Blood, Nutrient, bile Esculin, and Mannitol Salt). Colonies were counted, sampled, pooled and subsequently processed for shotgun metagenomic sequencing. A higher number of colonies were present on surfaces closest to the eyes and facial interface compared to the external components. Metagenomic analysis identified 27 pathogenic bacteria including 4 "ESKAPE" pathogens (Enterobacter sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella spp. and, Escherichia coli) and numerous organisms associated with ocular infections. A broad range of antimicrobial resistance genes were identified conveying resistance to Methicillin, Aminoglycosides, Macrolides, Tetracyclines, and Polymixins. Further research is required to ensure that current sanitization practices of VR head mounted displays are appropriate within high-risk hospital settings.
Cassava Endophytic Bacteriome as Potential Biocontrol Agents Against Three Crop Phytopathogenic Fungi.
Owino RN, Nguu EK, Obiero GO … +1 more , Nyaboga EN
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Apr · PMID 41731961 · Full text
Crop yield losses stemming from pathogen infection and pests constitute 10%-40% of the potential annual total world crop production. Biological control agents have gained prominence as an environmentally friendly alterna...
Crop yield losses stemming from pathogen infection and pests constitute 10%-40% of the potential annual total world crop production. Biological control agents have gained prominence as an environmentally friendly alternative to the use of hazardous synthetic agrochemicals. Herein, we evaluated the potential role of endophytic bacteria from cassava as biological control agents of three crop phytopathogenic fungi. Eighty-four endophytic bacteria isolated from cassava were assessed for antagonistic activity against phytopathogens Colletotrichum siamense, Colletotrichum sublineola, and Phytophthora infestans infecting cassava, sorghum and potato, respectively. Fourteen endophytic bacteria exhibited antifungal activity against the three phytopathogens. Of the 14 endophytic bacteria, four [Bacillus siamensis AS3, B. velezensis (DP1 and CS3b) and B. subtilis DL6] demonstrated significantly high inhibition rate on mycelial growth ranging from 62% to 72.3% against C. siamense, 63%-65.9% against C. sublineola and 64%-75.3% against P. infestans as compared with the control. The four endophytic bacteria produced volatile organic compounds that inhibited fungal growth ranging from 34.1% to 46.4% in P. infestans, 31.9%-36% in C. siamense and 33.9%-39.6% in C. sublineola. The results highlight the biocontrol potential of endophytic bacteria from cassava against three crop phytopathogenic fungi, which could be used for the future development of sustainable management strategies using environmentally friendly approaches. This study demonstrated that B. siamensis, B. velezensis, and B. subtilis with a strong antagonistic effect on C. siamense, C. sublineola, and P. infestans, can be potential biocontrol agents for cassava and sorghum anthracnose and potato late blight.
Diverse Forage Enhances the Antimicrobial Potency of Australian Honey.
Fernandes KE, Dong A, Ayton J … +5 more , Groves L, Graham K, Brooks P, Cokcetin N, Carter DA
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41731922 · Full text
Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global health crisis, driving renewed interest in natural alternatives like honey. Australia's diverse native flora offers unique opportunities for producing bioactive honeys, yet t...
Antimicrobial resistance is a critical global health crisis, driving renewed interest in natural alternatives like honey. Australia's diverse native flora offers unique opportunities for producing bioactive honeys, yet their antimicrobial potential remains underexplored. This study aimed to systematically evaluate the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of Australian honeys from post-bushfire New South Wales landscapes and to identify key drivers of bioactivity and their therapeutic potential. Antimicrobial activity was assessed against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using broth microdilution methods, measuring both total activity and non-peroxide activity. Comprehensive chemical profiling included bioactive compounds, quality parameters, sugars, organic acids, amino acids, volatiles, and secondary metabolites, assessed using standardized methodologies and ¹H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy. Statistical analyses included correlation analysis, LASSO regression modeling, and principal component analysis. Most honeys exhibited strong antimicrobial activity, with 77% achieving MICs of ≤ 10% (w/w) against both pathogens, and 25% achieving ≤ 5% (w/w) against at least one pathogen. Honeys produced from mixed flora had consistently high levels of antibacterial activity, while monofloral honeys were much more variable. HO was the strongest single factor associated with antibacterial potency, explaining 45%-46% of the variability in MIC values among samples. Including additional chemical parameters in multivariate models improved the ability to predict antibacterial strength, explaining up to 59% of the variation for S. aureus, and 73% for E. coli. The superior performance of mixed-flora samples challenges conventional assumptions favoring monofloral products and supports biodiversity-focused beekeeping practices, providing a foundation for developing Australian honeys as therapeutic alternatives while supporting sustainable industry recovery.
Antibacterial Activity of Estragole From Ocimum tenuiflorum, and Tagetes lucida and Synergistic Effect With Meropenem and Tobramycin Against Multidrug- and Extensively Drug-Resistant (MDR-XDR) Gram-Negative Bacteria.
Araque M, Rojas LB
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41725358 · Full text
Estragole, a prime compound present in the essential oils (EOs) of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Tagetes lucida, shows significant antimicrobial activity against WHO priority bacterial pathogens. This study evaluated the bacter...
Estragole, a prime compound present in the essential oils (EOs) of Ocimum tenuiflorum and Tagetes lucida, shows significant antimicrobial activity against WHO priority bacterial pathogens. This study evaluated the bactericidal effects of estragole, both in its chemically pure form and when isolated from the EOs of these plants, when used alone and in combination with the antibiotics meropenem and tobramycin against multidrug-resistant (MDR) and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) methods. The interaction of estragole with the selected antibiotics was analyzed using the checkerboard method, where the fractional inhibitory concentration index (FICI) was calculated. Results showed that estragole has inherent bactericidal properties, with MICs of no more than 256 μg/mL, indicating significant activity regardless of the bacteria's resistance profile. Combinations with meropenem and tobramycin exhibited pronounced synergy, achieving reductions in the MIC of up to 16-fold in over 88% of the bacteria tested. An additive or partially synergistic effect was evident in only around 11% of cases. These results highlight the potential of estragole as a therapeutic adjuvant capable of enhancing the efficacy of conventional antibiotics, reducing the required doses and the associated side effects and toxicities. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the beneficial potential of phytochemical-antibiotic combinations as an innovative strategy to address the growing threat posed by antimicrobial resistance.
Genomic Epidemiology and Machine Learning-Based Drug Discovery for Antimicrobial Resistant Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli.
Masood A, Noor F, Rehman A … +5 more , Barq MG, Iqbal S, Ali MQ, Ahmad S, Naqvi SZH
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41724709 · Full text
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a leading cause of pediatric diarrhea, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicating treatment. This study analyzed 350 E. coli isolates (175 DEC and 175 non-DEC) to determine m...
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) is a leading cause of pediatric diarrhea, with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) complicating treatment. This study analyzed 350 E. coli isolates (175 DEC and 175 non-DEC) to determine molecular pathotypes, resistance patterns, and therapeutic targets. Polymerase chain reaction and 16S ribosomal RNA sequencing identified enteropathogenic E. coli as the most prevalent DEC pathotype (35%), followed by enterotoxigenic E. coli (25%), enterohemorrhagic E. coli (15%), enteroinvasive E. coli (10%), and diffusely adherent E. coli (20%). Phylogenetic analysis confirmed distinct clustering between DEC and non-DEC strains, revealing their evolutionary relationships. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed high resistance to ampicillin (87.6%), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (75.5%), and erythromycin (100%), while carbapenems and colistin retained effectiveness. Functional analysis using phylogenetic investigation of communities by reconstruction of unobserved states (PICRUSt) indicated enhanced metabolic and immune-related functions in DEC strains, differentiating them from non-DEC strains. Machine learning and bioinformatics-driven drug discovery identified Alatamide and Isosativan as potential therapeutic compounds, exhibiting strong binding affinities and structural stability against DEC virulence targets through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. This study provides critical insights into the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and resistance patterns of DEC and non-DEC strains. The integration of bioinformatics and machine learning offers a promising strategy for discovering alternative treatments. Continuous AMR surveillance, responsible antibiotic use, and further experimental validation of identified drug candidates are essential to managing E. coli-associated diarrheal infections in pediatric populations and mitigating the global burden of multidrug-resistant pathogens.
Contribution of a Novel TetR/AcrR Family Transcriptional Regulator RalT of Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum Strain OE1-1 to the Fine-Tuning of Its Virulence.
Ueyama T, Tsuzuki M, Tateda S … +5 more , Terazawa Y, Ikeuchi A, Kiba A, Ohnishi K, Hikichi Y
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41724708 · Full text
During the quorum-sensing (QS)-active state, the Gram-negative phytopathogenic Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum strain OE1-1 activates the transcriptional regulator PhcA, regulating the QS-dependent genes including ralfurano...
During the quorum-sensing (QS)-active state, the Gram-negative phytopathogenic Ralstonia pseudosolanacearum strain OE1-1 activates the transcriptional regulator PhcA, regulating the QS-dependent genes including ralfuranone production-related genes such as ralA and major exopolysaccharide EPS I production-related genes such as xpsR encoding the transcriptional regulator XpsR, which are responsible for OE1-1 virulence. Ralfuranone affects the regulation of more than 80% (QS/Ral-dependent genes) of QS-dependent genes, indicating the ralfuranone-mediated feedback regulation of QS. To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the regulation of QS/Ral-dependent genes, we analyzed the transcriptomes of phcA-deletion (ΔphcA) and ralfuranone-deficient (ΔralA) mutants, as well as strain OE1-1 by RNA-sequencing. We found a novel TetR/AcrR family transcriptional regulator (RalT)-encoding gene (ralT); the expression level of ralT reduced significantly in ΔralA but not ΔphcA relative to expression level in strain OE1-1, and RalT negatively regulated ralT. A transcriptome analysis of the ralT-deletion mutant (ΔralT) showed that the ralT-deletion reduced the expression levels of 89.4% of positively QS/Ral-dependent genes including ralA and xpsR, while enhanced 44.6% of negatively QS/Ral-dependent genes. The transcript levels of these genes were positively correlated between ΔralT and ΔphcA or ΔralA, suggesting contribution of RalT to the regulation of some QS/Ral-dependent genes. However, the ralT-deletion enhanced EPS I production, suggesting that RalT represses the XpsR-independent factor(s), which is regulated PhcA and contributes to the EPS I production. Furthermore, ΔralT exhibited enhanced virulence, compared with strain OE1-1. Collectively, results of the present genetic study suggest that RalT contributes to the exquisite fine-tuning of OE1-1 virulence.
Research Progress in the Treatment of Vaginitis With Bioactive Compounds: Targeting of Vaginal Microflora.
Li Y, Liu H, Li R … +2 more , Li R, Liu J
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41724670 · Full text
Vaginitis, a common gynecological ailment among women, poses a considerable health challenge with high recurrence rates even after conventional treatment. Vaginitis includes more common forms, such as bacterial vaginosis...
Vaginitis, a common gynecological ailment among women, poses a considerable health challenge with high recurrence rates even after conventional treatment. Vaginitis includes more common forms, such as bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and Trichomonas vaginalis (TV), and less common forms, including senile vaginitis, infantile vaginitis, viral vaginitis, and mixed vaginitis. Conventional treatment approaches for vaginitis involve medications, such as metronidazole and clindamycin; however, long-term use of these agents raises concerns about adverse reactions, disruption of the vaginal ecosystem, and antibiotic resistance. Bioactive compounds from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), known for their lower toxicity and multifaceted biological activity, are effective for treating vaginitis with fewer side effects and a focus on restoring a healthy vaginal microecology. TCM decoctions exhibit internal effectiveness, while local TCM treatments utilize external medications and modalities, such as irrigation and fumigation sitz baths. This review offers insights to guide vaginitis treatment and provides a theoretical foundation for the development and application of herbal therapies for vaginitis.
Diagnostic Performance of the QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel: Insights From Seven Clinical Evaluations.
Liotti FM, Posteraro B, Sanguinetti M … +1 more , De Angelis G
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41716049 · Full text
Central nervous system (CNS) infections require prompt and accurate diagnosis to enable timely and targeted antimicrobial therapy. Syndromic PCR-based assays, such as the QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (QIA-ME)...
Central nervous system (CNS) infections require prompt and accurate diagnosis to enable timely and targeted antimicrobial therapy. Syndromic PCR-based assays, such as the QIAstat-Dx Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (QIA-ME), allow rapid detection of key pathogens directly from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We conducted a narrative review of seven studies (2023-2025) evaluating the diagnostic performance of QIA-ME. A total of 1007 clinical CSF samples, ranging from 5 to 585, were retrospectively analyzed, with 8 to 14 targets assessed per study. Positive percent agreement (PPA) ranged from 90.6% to 100%, while negative percent agreement (NPA)-available in only three studies-ranged from 75.0% to 97.7%. In three studies, head-to-head comparisons with the BioFire FilmArray Meningitis/Encephalitis Panel (FA-ME) revealed minimal variation in performance, reinforcing the robustness of QIA-ME. However, target-specific limitations were noted, particularly for herpesviruses such as HSV-1. Methodological heterogeneity across studies-in terms of design, comparator methods, and sample size-limits generalizability. The exclusion of cytomegalovirus and inclusion of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Streptococcus pyogenes in the QIA-ME panel raise concerns about the clinical utility of low-prevalence targets, especially as M. pneumoniae was not detected in any clinical sample. Despite these limitations, the integration of amplification curve analysis and the strong concordance with FA-ME support QIA-ME as a valuable tool for CNS infection diagnostics. Prospective real-world studies are warranted to clarify the clinical value of individual targets and guide appropriate use across varied patient settings.
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Noncontiguous Finished Genome Sequence and Description of Intestinimonas massiliensis sp. nov Strain GD2T, the Second Intestinimonas Species Cultured from the Human Gut.
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41711451 · Full text
P. Afouda, G.A. Durand, J.-C. Lagier, N. Labas, F. Cadoret, N. Armstrong, D. Raoult, and G. Dubourg, "Noncontiguous Finished Genome Sequence and Description of Intestinimonas massiliensis sp. nov Strain GD2T, the Second...
P. Afouda, G.A. Durand, J.-C. Lagier, N. Labas, F. Cadoret, N. Armstrong, D. Raoult, and G. Dubourg, "Noncontiguous Finished Genome Sequence and Description of Intestinimonas massiliensis sp. nov Strain GD2T, the Second Intestinimonas Species Cultured from the Human Gut," Microbiology Open 8, no. 1 (2019): e00621, https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.621. This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 14 April 2018 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been issued by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The Expression of Concern has been agreed due to questions raised about the study's adherence to French legal and ethical requirements for research involving human subjects. The investigation into these concerns is ongoing. Therefore, the journal has decided to issue an Expression of Concern to inform and alert readers.
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Hugonella massiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov., Genome Sequence, and Description of a New Strictly Anaerobic Bacterium Isolated from the Human Gut.
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41711431 · Full text
Z. Elsawi, A.H. Togo, M. Beye, G. Dubourg, C. Andrieu, N. Armstrong, M. Richez, F. di Pinto, F. Bittar, N. Labas, P.-E. Fournier, D. Raoult, and S. Khelaifia, "Hugonella massiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov., Genome Sequence,...
Z. Elsawi, A.H. Togo, M. Beye, G. Dubourg, C. Andrieu, N. Armstrong, M. Richez, F. di Pinto, F. Bittar, N. Labas, P.-E. Fournier, D. Raoult, and S. Khelaifia, "Hugonella massiliensis gen. nov., sp. nov., Genome Sequence, and Description of a New Strictly Anaerobic Bacterium Isolated from the Human Gut," by Microbiology Open 6, no. 4 (2017): e00458, https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.458. This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 21 March 2017 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been issued by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The Expression of Concern has been agreed due to questions raised about the study's adherence to French legal and ethical requirements for research involving human subjects. The investigation into these concerns is ongoing. Therefore, the journal has decided to issue an Expression of Concern to inform and alert readers.
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Description of Three New Peptoniphilus Species Cultured in the Vaginal Fluid of a Woman Diagnosed with Bacterial Vaginosis: Peptoniphilus pacaensis sp. nov., Peptoniphilus raoultii sp. nov., and Peptoniphilus vaginalis sp. nov.
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41711425 · Full text
K. Diop, A. Diop, C. Michelle, M. Richez, J. Rathored, F. Bretelle, P.-E. Fournier, and F. Fenollar, "Description of Three New Peptoniphilus Species Cultured in the Vaginal Fluid of a Woman Diagnosed with Bacterial Vagin...
K. Diop, A. Diop, C. Michelle, M. Richez, J. Rathored, F. Bretelle, P.-E. Fournier, and F. Fenollar, "Description of Three New Peptoniphilus Species Cultured in the Vaginal Fluid of a Woman Diagnosed with Bacterial Vaginosis: Peptoniphilus pacaensis sp. nov., Peptoniphilus raoultii sp. nov., and Peptoniphilus vaginalis sp. nov.," Microbiology Open 8, no. 3 (2019): e00661, https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.661. This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 21 June 2018 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been issued by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The Expression of Concern has been agreed due to questions raised about the study's adherence to French legal and ethical requirements for research involving human subjects. The investigation into these concerns is ongoing. Therefore, the journal has decided to issue an Expression of Concern to inform and alert readers.
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Characterization of a Novel Gram-Stain-Positive Anaerobic Coccus Isolated from the Female Genital Tract: Genome Sequence and Description of Murdochiella vaginalis sp. nov.
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41711420 · Full text
K. Diop, A. Diop, S. Khelaifia, et al., "Characterization of a Novel Gram-Stain-Positive Anaerobic Coccus Isolated from the Female Genital Tract: Genome Sequence and Description of Murdochiella vaginalis sp. nov.," Micro...
K. Diop, A. Diop, S. Khelaifia, et al., "Characterization of a Novel Gram-Stain-Positive Anaerobic Coccus Isolated from the Female Genital Tract: Genome Sequence and Description of Murdochiella vaginalis sp. nov.," Microbiology Open 7, no. 3 (2018): e00570, https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.570. This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 21 June 2018 in Wiley Online Library (https://wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been issued by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The Expression of Concern has been agreed due to questions raised about the study's adherence to French legal and ethical requirements for research involving human subjects. The investigation into these concerns is ongoing. Therefore, the journal has decided to issue an Expression of Concern to inform and alert readers.
EXPRESSION OF CONCERN: Genomic and Phenotypic Description of the Newly Isolated Human Species Collinsella bouchesdurhonensis sp. nov.
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41711413 · Full text
M. Bilen, M. Beye, M.D.M. Fonkou, S. Khelaifia, F. Cadoret, N. Armstrong, T.T. Nguyen, J. Delerce, Z. Daoud, D. Raoult, and P.-E. Fournier, "Genomic and Phenotypic Description of the Newly Isolated Human Species Collinse...
M. Bilen, M. Beye, M.D.M. Fonkou, S. Khelaifia, F. Cadoret, N. Armstrong, T.T. Nguyen, J. Delerce, Z. Daoud, D. Raoult, and P.-E. Fournier, "Genomic and Phenotypic Description of the Newly Isolated Human Species Collinsella bouchesdurhonensis sp. nov.," Microbiology Open 7, no. 5 (2018): e00580, https://doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.580. This Expression of Concern is for the above article, published online on 13 June 2018 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been issued by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. The Expression of Concern has been agreed due to questions raised about the study's adherence to French legal and ethical requirements for research involving human subjects, including questions regarding proper informed consent for research involving vulnerable populations. A question has also been raised by a third party about whether this particular article by the authors reports a "newly isolated" microbial strain that is in fact a "novel species." The investigation into all of these concerns is ongoing. Therefore, the journal has decided to issue an Expression of Concern to inform and alert readers.
Green and Ecofriendly Mycosynthesis of Nanocomposite Based on Zinc and Magnesium Oxide Nanoparticles Using Endophytic Sarocladium kiliense: Characterization, Anticancer Activity, Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Activities.
Selim S, Elkady FM, Saied E … +9 more , Hashem AH, Abdelaziz AM, Abdulrahman MS, Alsenani F, Alsaidan OA, Alzarea SI, Hamoud YA, Shaghaleh H, Aufy M
Microbiologyopen · 2026 Feb · PMID 41711410 · Full text
Fungal species are increasingly recognized as efficient bio-factories for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles with distinctive functionalities. In this study, zinc oxide-magnesium oxide nanocomposite (ZnO-MgO NCs) were bio...
Fungal species are increasingly recognized as efficient bio-factories for the biosynthesis of nanoparticles with distinctive functionalities. In this study, zinc oxide-magnesium oxide nanocomposite (ZnO-MgO NCs) were biologically created employing the Sarocladium kiliense PV248633.1 fungal strain. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy confirmed nanoparticle formation through characteristic absorption peaks, while Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy identified functional groups associated with metal-oxygen bonds. Also, the nanoparticle size and surface characteristics Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering analyzes revealed an average particle size of 35 nm. Biological assessments demonstrate potent antitumor activity (IC₅₀ = 78.1 µg/mL) against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, alongside minimal cytotoxicity against normal WI-38 cells (IC₅₀ = 218.7 µg/mL), indicating selective toxicity. Antibacterial evaluations showed particularly high efficacy against Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa occasionally surpassing the performance of cefepime. Dose-dependent antimicrobial activity was confirmed through well diffusion and broth microdilution techniques, with minimum inhibitory concentrations highlighting strong bactericidal potential. Biofilm inhibition assays revealed strain-specific responses, with A. baumannii being the most susceptible. Furthermore, the synergistic combination of the biosynthesized nanocomposite with cefepime enhanced antibacterial outcomes against selected isolates, suggesting potential for addressing drug resistance. Overall, the mycogenic ZnO-MgO NCs synthesized from S. kiliense exhibited substantial anticancer, antibacterial, and antibiofilm properties, locating this nanocomposite as a promising candidate for biomedical purposes.
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