Approach to Aquatic Skin Infections

Multi-omics analysis of gut microbiota and metabolites reveals contrasting profiles in domestic pigs and wild boars across urban environments

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host health and metabolism. This study explores the differences in gut microbiota and metabolites between domestic pigs (DP) and wild boars (WB) in urban environments. We analyzed gut microbial composition, metabolic profiles, virome composition, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), and human pathogenic bacteria (HPB) in both DP and WB. Our results revealed that DP exhibited a higher Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio and were enriched in bacterial genera associated with domestication and modern feeding practices. Metabolomic analysis showed distinct profiles, with WB significantly enriched in the Pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathway, highlighting dietary and environmental influences on host metabolism. Additionally, DP had a distinct gut virome composition, particularly enriched in lytic phages of the Chaseviridae family. ARG analysis indicated a higher abundance of tetracycline resistance genes in DP, likely due to antibiotic use in pig farms. Furthermore, variations in HPB composition underscored potential health risks associated with contact with pig feces. These findings provide valuable insights into the microbial ecology of domestic pigs and wild boars, emphasizing the importance of these comparisons in identifying zoonotic pathogen transmission pathways and managing antibiotic resistance. Continued research in this area is essential for developing effective strategies to mitigate public health risks and promote sustainable livestock management practices.

Effects of TLR2/4 signalling pathway in western mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) after Edwardsiella tarda infection

Gambusia affinis is regarded as an important animal model. Edwardsiella tarda is one of the most serious pathogens affecting aquaculture. The study explores the effects of TLR2/4 partial signalling pathway in G. affinis of E. tarda infection. The study collected the brain, liver, and intestine after E. tarda LD₅₀ and 0.85% NaCl solution challenge at different times (0 h, 3 h, 9 h, 18 h, 24 h, and 48 h). In these three tissues, the mRNA levels of PI3K, AKT3, IRAK4, TAK1, IKKβ, and IL-1β were substantially enhanced (p < .05) then returned to normal levels. Additionally, Rac1 and MyD88 in liver had different trend with other genes in brain and intestine, which displayed significantly indifference. The overexpression of IKKβ, and IL-1β indicated that E. tarda also caused immune reaction in intestine and liver, which would be consistent with delayed edwardsiellosis, which causes intestinal lesions and liver and kidney necrosis. Additionally, MyD88 plays a smaller role than IRAK4 and TAK1 in this signalling pathways. This study could enrich the understanding of the immune mechanism of the TLR2/4 signalling pathway in fish and might help to prescribe preventive measures against E. tarda to prevent infectious diseases in fish.

Aeromonas and Human Health Disorders: Clinical Approaches

The genus Aeromonas comprises more than 30 Gram-negative bacterial species and naturally inhabitants from aquatic environments. These microorganisms, commonly regarded as pathogens of fish and several other animals, have been gaining prominence on medical trial due to its ability to colonize and infect human beings. Besides water, Aeromonas are widely spreaded on most varied sources like soil, vegetables, and food; Although its opportunistic nature, they are able to cause infections on immunocompromised or immunocompetent patients. Aeromonas species regarded as potential human pathogens are usually A. hydrophila, A. caviae, and A. veronii biovar sobria. The main clinical manifestations are gastrointestinal tract disorders, wound, and soft tissue infections, as well as septicemia. Regarding to antibiotic responses, the bacteria present a diversified susceptibility profile and show inherence resistance to ampicillin. Aeromonas, as an ascending genus in microbiology, has been carefully studied aiming comprehension and development of methods for detection and medical intervention of infectious processes, not fully elucidated in medicine. This review focuses on current clinical knowledge related to human health disorders caused by Aeromonas to contribute on development of efficient approaches able to recognize and impair the pathological processes.

Rare case of Mycobacterium marinum in a patient presenting with tenosynovitis

A 72-year-old man presented with tenosynovitis of the left hand's extensor tendons that had been present for several months. He was initially treated with corticosteroids, first by local injection then systemically, but with no effect. When re-evaluated, the patient had developed a rash, and the symptoms had spread locally to surrounding structures. At this point, the patient added to the medical history that he had been stung by a sculpin a month before the debut of symptoms. Based on this, the patient's involved area was biopsied, and subsequent microbiology findings proved consistent with Mycobacterium marinum infection. By the time of diagnosis, the patient had soft tissue involvement, arthritis and osteomyelitis with an overlying rash. This case emphasises the need for reassessment when treatment is not effective and for further investigations of the medical history to establish the correct diagnosis and treatment.

Microbiome and Metabolome Analyses Reveal Novel Interplay Between the Skin Microbiota and Plasma Metabolites in Psoriasis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that affects millions of people worldwide. There is still no effective approach for the clinical treatment of psoriasis. This is largely due to the lack of understanding of the pathological mechanism. Here, we comprehensively characterized the skin microbiome and plasma metabolome alterations of psoriasis patients. We observed that some pathogenic bacteria, including Vibrio, were significantly increased in psoriasis patients. The metabolomics results showed alterations in some metabolic pathways, especially pathways for lipid metabolism. In addition, microbiome-specific metabolites, including bile acids and kynurenine, were significantly changed. Correlation analysis revealed the interplay between the skin microbiota and plasma metabolites, especially between Vibrio and several lipids. Our results provide new evidence for the interplay between the skin microbiome and plasma metabolites, which is dramatically disrupted in psoriasis patients. This study also revealed the mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of psoriasis.

Updates on Selected Emerging Infectious Diseases of Ornamental Fish

Emerging infectious diseases of ornamental fish are discussed with special focus on clinical relevance, detection, and treatment, where applicable. Important emerging infectious diseases of fish include goldfish herpesvirus, koi herpesvirus, carp edema virus, Erysipelothrix, Edwardsiella ictaluri, Edwardseilla piscicida, and Francisella. Some diseases are more species or genus specific, but many emerging diseases do not seem to have a species preference and affect a variety of species worldwide. Proper husbandry and biosecurity with a disease detection plan for ornamental fish is essential to monitor and prevent future outbreaks.