Identification of tick-borne pathogens using metagenomic analyses in H.longicornis feeding on humans in downtown Beijing

On August 14th,2018,a Beijing resident living in Xicheng District found a female H.longicornis tick attached to the skin at the front of his upper shin.On examination,the patient was afebrile and appeared well.The species of the tick was identified through morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analysis based on cytochrome C oxidase subunit I.This H.longicornis tick was screened for tick-borne pathogens such as viruses,bacteria and parasites.RNA pathogens were screened by PCR and sequencing,while DNA pathogens were screened by metagenomic analyses.It was found that the tick was positive for the DNA sequences of zoonotic and animal pathogens such as A phagocytophilum,Ehrlichia minasensis and C.burnetii.Considering the good health condition of the patient,we hypothesized that the pathogens originated from the tick specimen itself rather than host blood meal.For the first time,our study reveals the possible risk of transmission of tick-borne pathogens to human beings through tick bit in downtown Beijing.Further research is needed to screen for tick-borne pathogens among unfed ticks collected from central Beijing.

Molecular Detection of Tick-borne Pathogens in Ticks Collected from Hainan Island,China

Pathogens like bacteria and protozoa,which affect human and animal health worldwide,can be transmitted by vectors like ticks.To investigate the epidemiology and genetic diversity of bacteria and protozoans carried by ticks in Chengmai county of Hainan province,China,285 adult hard ticks belonging to two species[Rhipicephalus sanguineus(sensu lato):183,64.21%and Rhipicephalus microplus:102,35.79%]from dogs,cattle,and goats were collected.Microbial families were identified in these ticks by amplifying the 18 S r RNA,16 S r RNA(rrs),citrate synthase(glt A),and heat shock protein(gro EL)genes.Our data revealed the presence of four recognized species and two Candidatus spp.of Anaplasmataceae and Coxiellaceae.In sum,these data reveal an extensive diversity of Anaplasmataceae bacteria,Coxiellaceae bacteria,Babesiidae,and Hepatozoidae in ticks from Hainan Island,highlighting the need to understand the tickborne pathogen infection in local animals and humans.

Molecular survey of tick-borne pathogens in Ixodid ticks collected from hunted wild animals in Tuscany, Italy

Objective: To determine the prevalence of zoonotic tick-borne bacteria in feeding ticks removed from hunted wild animals. Methods: PCR was executed on DNA extracted from 77 tick pools to detect Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii and Rickettsia spp. Results: A total of 432 ticks were collected: 30(6.94%) Haemaphysalis punctata, 72(16.7%) Dermacentor marginatus and 330(76.38%) Ixodes ricinus. For each animal one or two pools of 3 ticks of the same species was constituted. Seventy-seven tick pools were examined by PCR: 58(75.32%) resulted infected and among them 14(18.18%) showed co-infections. In particular, 29(37.66%) pools were positive for Bartonella spp., 23(29.87%) for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, 16(20.78%) for Rickettsia spp., and 5(6.49%) for Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. All samples were negative for Coxiella burnetii. Conclusions: The results demonstrate the presence of several zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in the studied area, and underline the risk of exposure to infections for hunters not only during the outdoor activity, but also when they manipulate hunted animals infested by infected ticks.

Tick-borne pathogens in Iran:A meta-analysis

Objective:Different studies have been performed on the prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in different areas of Iran;however,as far as our knowledge,there is no regional meta-analysis available for consideration and estimation of tick species infected with different pathogens in Iran.Methods:In this review,among different databases,a total of 95 publications were included,and the infection of different tick species to different tick-borne pathogens was determined;furthermore,presence of pathogens(with 95%confidence intervals)in tick vectors was calculated separately for each province,using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis version 2(Biostat,USA).Results:Totally,among all 95 studies,5673 out of 33521 investigated ticks were positive according to different detection methods.Overall estimated presence of pathogens in tick vectors in Iran was 8.6%(95%CI 7.0%-10.6%,P<0.001).Of all 46 species of ticks in 10 genera in Iran,28 species in 9 genera,including Alveonasus,Argas,Boophilus,Dermacentor,Haemaphysalis,Hyalomma,Ixodes,Ornithodoros,and Rhipicephalus were infected with at least 20 pathogens in 10 genera including Aegyptianella,Anaplasma,Babesia,Borrelia,Brucella,Orthonairovirus[CrimeanCongo hemorrhagic fever virus(CCHFV)],Coxiella,Ehrlichia,Rickettsia and Theileria in 26 provinces of Iran.The presence of pathogens in ticks collected in western Iran was more than other regions.Hyalomma anatolicum(20.35%),Rhipicephalus sanguineus(15.00%),and Rhipicephalus bursa(14.08%)were the most prevalent infected ticks for different pathogens.In addition,most literatures were related to CCHFV and Theileria/Babesia spp.Conclusions:Public health and veterinary professionals should be aware of diagnosing possible diseases or outbreaks in vertebrates.

Research Progress on Pathogens of Main Diseases of Dictyophora rubrovalvata and Their Occurrence

Dictyophora rubrovalvata is an edible fungus with rich nutritional value.It contains various nutrients and bioactive components,and has immunomodulation,anti-tumor,anti-oxidation,anti-fatigue,anti-aging,anti-inflammation and alcoholic hepatitis-protection effects.With the continuous expansion of planting area of Dictyophora,the disease problem has become a major problem affecting the development of Dictyophora industry.In this paper,the pathogens,harmful symptoms and causes of main diseases in Dictyophora were summarized,so as to provide reference for comprehensive control of Dictyophora diseases and promote the high-quality development of Dictyophora industry.

A Natural Catalytic Converter® for Continuously Inactivating Air and Surface Pathogens with More Effect than Ventilation and Filtration

Study Objective: The purpose of the study is to present independent laboratory testing for a novel technology in air and on surfaces. Since 2020, public health goals have focused on improving indoor air quality. This includes protection from airborne pathogens, such as tuberculosis, RSV, SARS-CoV-2, common cold or influenza viruses, measles, and others. Engineering controls are highly effective at reducing hazardous pathogens found in indoor air and from recontamination of surfaces. This occurs from a continuous cycle of settling of small, sustained airborne pathogens, which may become dehumidified, becoming airborne again, carried by room air currents around indoor spaces, then repeating the cycle. Methods: The novel technology utilizes a catalytic process to produce safe levels of hydrogen peroxide gas that are effective in reducing pathogens in the air and on surfaces. Air testing was performed with the MS2 bacteriophage, the test organism for ASHRAE standard 241, and methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Surface testing was performed with SARS-COV-2 (Coronavirus COVID-19) and H1N1 (Influenza). Typical ventilation and filtration does not effectively remove disbursed pathogens from the entire facility, due to inconsistent air circulation and surface deposits of pathogens. Results: MS2 was reduced by 99.9%;MRSA was reduced by 99.9%;SARS-CoV-2 was reduced by 99.9%;H1N1 was reduced by 99.9%. Conclusion: This novel catalytic converter reduces a variety of pathogens in the air (99%) and on surfaces (99%), by actively disinfecting with the introduction of gaseous hydrogen peroxide. This active disinfection provides a strong solution for protecting the entire facility and its occupants.

Review on microbial metabolomics of probiotics and pathogens:Methodologies and applications

In recent years,microbial metabolomics,a new field that has attracted wide attention,provides a map of metabolic pathways and clarifies the interaction mechanism between microorganisms and hosts.Many microorganisms are found in the human intestine,oral cavity,vagina,etc.Probiotics could maintain the good health of the host,while pathogens and an imbalance of bacterial flora lead to a series of diseases of the body and mind.Metabolomics is a science for qualitative and quantitative analysis of all metabolites in an organism or biological system,which could provide key information to understand the related metabolic pathways and associated changes.This approach analyzes the final products of cellular regulatory processes,the level of which can be regarded as the ultimate response of the biological system to genetic or environmental changes.Microbial metabolomics has been widely used in different research fields,such as microbial phenotypic classification,mutant screening,metabolic pathways,microbial metabolic engineering,fermentation engineering monitoring and optimization,microbial environmental pollution,and so on.However,there are only a few reviews on microbial metabolomics of probiotics and pathogens.This review summarizes the main methodologies,including sample preparation,identification of metabolites,data processing,and analysis.Recent applications in microbial metabolomics of probiotics and pathogens are also described.This paper first summarized the research progress and application of microbial metabolomics from two aspects:probiotics and pathogenic bacteria.Probiotics and pathogenic bacteria do not exist independently most of the time;hence,these were reviewed in the research field of coexistence of probiotics and pathogenic bacteria,which was subdivided into important microbial research fields closely related to human health,including the human gut,oral cavity,food,and nutrition-related microorganisms.Then,the main problems and trends associated with microbial metabolomics are discussed.

The Role of Biosynthesized Metallic and Metal Oxide Nanoparticles in Combating Anti-Microbial Drug Resilient Pathogens

Because of their high efficiency, antibiotics have long been the primary treatment for infections, but the rise of drug-resistant pathogens has become a therapeutic concern. Nanoparticles, as novel biomaterials, are currently gaining global attention to combat them. Drug-resistant diseases may need the use of nanoparticles as a viable therapeutic option. By altering target locations and enzymes, decreasing cell permeability, inactivating enzymes, and increasing efflux by overexpressing efflux pumps, they can bypass conventional resistance mechanisms. Therefore, understanding how metal and metal oxide nanoparticles affect microorganisms that are resistant to antimicrobial drugs is the main objective of this review. Accordingly, the uses of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles in the fight against drug-resistant diseases appear promising. However, their mechanism of action, dose, and possible long-term effects require special attention and future research. Furthermore, repeated use of silver nanoparticles may cause gram-negative microorganisms to acquire resistance, necessitating additional study.

Characteristics of cross transmission of gut fungal pathogens between wintering Hooded Cranes and sympatric Domestic Geese

Migratory birds travel long distance and link various pathogens.Due to habitat degradation,wintering waterfowls forage together with poultry,increasing the risk of pathogen transmission between hosts.We investigated the fungal communities between wintering Hooded Cranes and Domestic Geese by high-throughput sequencing,and inferred the potential gut pathogens for both hosts at different wintering stages.The fungal community compositions were significantly different between seasons and between the hosts.The negative correlation was found between fungal diversity and pathogenic diversity,with higher fungal diversity and less pathogenic diversity in early stage and less fungal diversity and higher pathogenic diversity in late stage for both hosts.The dissimilarity of pathogenic community compositions decreased from early to late stage,with the quantity of overlapping potential pathogenic OTUs increasing along wintering periods between the two hosts,demonstrating the existence of pathogen cross transmission between the two hosts.Furthermore,the transmission pathway of avian pathogens was mainly from Hooded Cranes to Domestic Geese while the transmission direction of human pathogens was primarily from Domestic Geese to wild cranes.Based on above results,we argued that pathogen cross transmission and underlying outbreak risk of disease should be closely monitored in migratory birds and domestic poultry.

Prevalence of Antimicrobial Resistance of ESKAPE Pathogens before and during Pandemic COVID-19 Pandemic in a University Affiliated Hospital in Tangerang, Indonesia

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is the most important health problems currently. Antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent bacterial co-infections in hospitalized COVID-19 patients, and lack of surveillance were associated with antimicrobial resistance. ESKAPE pathogens consisting of E. faecium, S. aureus, K. pneumoniae, A. baumanii, P. aeruginosa and Enterobacter spp. are associated with healthcare-associated infections. Patients and Methods: This descriptive, retrospective, longitudinal study aims to describe the resistance rates of bloodstream infection due to ESKAPE pathogens from patients admitted in Siloam Hospital Karawaci, before and during COVID-19 pandemic (January 1st, 2019 until December 31st, 2022). Out of 296 ESKAPE pathogens collected from blood samples, S. aureus was the most frequent species, followed by K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii, P. aeruginosa, Enterobacter spp., and E. faecium. Results: Resistance rates of E. faecium were alarmingly high from 2019 until 2021, but in 2022 no sample was found. Resistance rates of S. aureus and MRSA decreased from 2019 until 2021 and then increased again in 2022 while for K. pneumoniae it peaked in 2020 and reached the lowest in 2022. Resistance pattern of A. baumanii was not favorable from 2019 until 2021, but decreased dramatically in 2022. Resistance pattern of P. aeruginosa was quite variable in 2021 and 2022 while for Enterobacter spp. it was variable in 2020 to 2022. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected the antimicrobial resistance pattern of ESKAPE pathogens in Banten province, Indonesia. Resistance rates increased as the pandemic peaked in 2020 to 2021, and decreased as the pandemic resolves in 2022.

Antiseptic Efficacy of A Soap Made from Biosurfactants Isolated from Bacillus and Lactobacillus against Pathogenic Bacteria

The aim of our study was to use a biosurfactant produced by Bacillus and Lactobacillus isolates as an antiseptic in the formulation of local soap. A total of 60 isolates were characterized by microbiological techniques (30 Bacillus and 30 Lactobacillus) and the ability to produce biosurfactants was demonstrated by a hydrocarbon emulsification index (E24). The emulsification indexes (E24) varied from 9% to 100% for Bacillus and from 33% to 100% for Lactobacillus as well. The antagonistic assay showed that biosurfactants were able to inhibit the formation of biofilms and growth of pathogens such as Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhirium, Shigella boydii and Proteus mirabilis. The biosurfactant consortium (BioC) from Bacillus consortium and from Lactobacillus was able to inhibit biofilm formation and the pathogens growth. The BioC was stable to alkaline pH and the temperatures stability of Biosurfactant was ranging from 50°C to 90°C. The soap was made by the cold saponification process using one biosurfactant consortium formulated. This soap has a pH of 10 and showed good cleaning power and good foam stability. Similarly, the soap showed good antiseptic power and disinfection power against all pathogens tested. Handwashing is critical to preventing disease transmission. The persistence of pathogens in waste water was evaluated. The BioS produced showed good disinfection power against all pathogens tested. The valor of reduction on the hands and in the waste water was significantly more than compared to the control soaps used. This soap could be used in the prevention, fighting, and treatment of bacterial and viral infections.

The virulence regulator AbsR in avian pathogenic Escherichia coli has pleiotropic effects on bacterial physiology

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli(APEC)belonging to extraintestinal pathogenic E.coli(ExPEC)can cause severe infections in extraintestinal tissues in birds and humans,such as the lungs and blood.MprA(microcin production regulation,locus A,herein renamed AbsR,a blood survival regulator),a member of the MarR(multiple antibiotic resistance regulator)transcriptional regulator family,governs the expression of capsule biosynthetic genes in human ExPEC and represents a promising druggable target for antimicrobials.However,a deep understanding of the AbsR regulatory mechanism as well as its regulon is lacking.In this study,we present a systems-level analysis of the APEC AbsR regulon using ChIP-Seq(chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing)and RNA-Seq(RNA sequencing)methods.We found that AbsR directly regulates 99 genes and indirectly regulates 667 genes.Furthermore,we showed that:1)AbsR contributes to antiphagocytotic effects by macrophages and virulence in a mouse model for systemic infection by directly activating the capsular gene cluster;2)AbsR positively impacts biofilm formation via direct regulation of the T2SS(type II secretion system)but plays a marginal role in virulence;and 3)AbsR directly upregulates the acid tolerance signaling system EvgAS to withstand acid stress but is dispensable in ExPEC virulence.Finally,our data indicate that the role of AbsR in virulence gene regulation is relatively conserved in ExPEC strains.Altogether,this study provides a comprehensive analysis of the AbsR regulon and regulatory mechanism,and our data suggest that AbsR likely influences virulence primarily through the control of capsule production.Interestingly,we found that AbsR severely represses the expression of the type I-F CRISPR(clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas(CRISPR associated)systems,which could have implications in CRISPR biology and application.

SsdchA is a novel secretory cellobiohydrolase driving pathogenicity in Sclerotinia sclerotiorum

The necrotrophic fungus, Sclerotinia sclerotiorum, employs an array of cell wall-degrading enzymes(CWDEs), including cellulase, to dismantle host cell walls. However, the molecular mechanisms through which S. sclerotiorum degrades cellulose remain elusive. Here, we unveil a novel secretory cellobiohydrolase, SsdchA, characterized by a signal peptide and a Glyco_hydro_7(GH7) domain. SsdchA exhibits a robust expression of during early infection stages. Interestingly, colony morphology and growth rates remain unaffected across the wild-type, SsdchA deletion strains and SsdchA overexpression strains on potato dextrose agar(PDA) medium. Nevertheless, the pathogenicity and cellobiohydrolase activity decreased in the SsdchA deletion strains, but enhanced in the SsdchA overexpression strains. Moreover,the heterologous expression of SsdchA in Arabidopsis thaliana leads to reduced cellulose content and heightened susceptibility to S. sclerotiorum. Collectively, our data underscore the pivotal role of the novel cellobiohydrolase SsdchA in the pathogenicity of S. sclerotiorum.

Control of highly pathogenic avian influenza through vaccination

The stamping-out strategy has been used to control highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses in many countries,driven by the belief that vaccination would not be successful against such viruses and fears that avian influenza virus in vaccinated birds would evolve more rapidly and pose a greater risk to humans.In this review,we summarize the successes in controlling highly pathogenic avian influenza in China and make suggestions regarding the requirements for vaccine selection and effectiveness.In addition,we present evidence that vaccination of poultry not only eliminates human infection with avian influenza virus,but also significantly reduces and abolishes some harmful characteristics of avian influenza virus.

A novel pathogen Fusarium cuneirostrum causing common bean(Phaseolus vulgaris)root rot in China

Several fungal pathogens cause root rot of common bean,among which Fusarium spp.are the most common pathogens causing Fusarium root rot(FRR)worldwide.FRR has been becoming an increasingly severe disease of common bean in China,but the species of Fusarium spp.have remained unclear.Thus,this study was performed to identify the pathogen causing common bean root rot in Liangcheng County,Inner Mongolia,China.Nineteen Fusarium-like isolates were obtained after pathogen isolation and purification.The pathogenicity test indicated that eight isolates caused severe disease symptoms on common bean,while 11 other isolates were not pathogenic.The eight pathogenic isolates,FCL1–FCL8,were identified as Fusarium cuneirostrum by morphological characterization and phylogenetic analysis using partial sequences of EF-1α,ITS,28S,and IGS regions.Host range test showed that the representative F.cuneirostrum isolate FCL3 was also pathogenic to mung bean,while not pathogenic to adzuki bean,chickpea,cowpea,faba bean,pea,and soybean.Moreover,50 common bean and 50 mung bean cultivars were screened for resistance to FRR,and seven highly resistant or resistant cultivars of common bean were identified,while no resistant cultivars of mung bean were screened.This study revealed that F.cuneirostrum was one of common bean FRR pathogens in Inner Mongolia and it could induce mung bean root rot as well.To our knowledge,this is the first report of F.cuneirostrum causing FRR of common bean in China.

The DNA damage repair complex MoMMS21-MoSMC5 is required for infection-related development and pathogenicity of Magnaporthe oryzae

The conserved DNA damage repair complex,MMS21-SMC5/6(Methyl methane sulfonate 21-Structural maintenance of chromosomes 5/6),has been extensively studied in yeast,animals,and plants.However,its role in phytopathogenic fungi,particularly in the highly destructive rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae,remains unknown.In this study,we functionally characterized the homologues of this complex,MoMMS21 and MoSMC5,in M.oryzae.We first demonstrated the importance of DNA damage repair in M.oryzae by showing that the DNA damage inducer phleomycin inhibited vegetative growth,infection-related development and pathogenicity in this fungus.Additionally,we discovered that MoMMS21 and MoSMC5 interacted in the nuclei,suggesting that they also function as a complex in M.oryzae.Gene deletion experiments revealed that both MoMMS21 and MoSMC5 are required for infection-related development and pathogenicity in M.oryzae,while only MoMMS21 deletion affected growth and sensitivity to phleomycin,indicating its specific involvement in DNA damage repair.Overall,our results provide insights into the roles of MoMMS21 and MoSMC5 in M.oryzae,highlighting their functions beyond DNA damage repair.

Distribution of pathogenic bacteria and antimicrobial sensitivity of eye infections in Suzhou

AIM:To investigate the types of bacteria in patients with eye infections in Suzhou and their drug resistance to commonly used antibacterial drugs.METHODS:The clinical data of 155 patients were retrospectively collected in this study,and the pathogenic bacteria species and drug resistance of each pathogenic bacteria were analyzed.RESULTS:Among the 155 patients(age from 12 to 87 years old,with an average age of 57,99 males and 56 females)with eye infections(160 eyes:74 in the left eye,76 in the right eye and 5 in both eyes,all of which were exogenous),71(45.81%)strains were gram-positive bacteria,23(14.84%)strains were gram-negative bacteria and 61(39.35%)strains were fungi.Gram-positive bacteria were highly resistant to penicillin and erythromycin(78.87%and 46.48%respectively),but least resistant to vancomycin at 0.Gram-negative bacteria were highly resistant to cefoxitin and compound sulfamethoxazole(100%and 95.65%respectively),but least resistant to meropenem at 0.Comparison of the resistance of gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria to some drugs revealed statistically significant differences(P<0.05)in the resistance of both to cefoxitin,cotrimoxazole,levofloxacin,cefuroxime,ceftriaxone and ceftazidime,and both had higher rates of resistance to gram-negative bacteria than to gram-positive bacteria.The distribution of bacterial infection strains showed that Staphylococcus epidermidis was the most common strain in the conjunctiva,cornea,aqueous humor or vitreous body and other eye parts.Besides,Fusarium and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were also among the most common strains of conjunctival and corneal infections.CONCLUSION:Gram-positive bacteria are the dominant bacteria in eye infections,followed by gram-negative bacteria and fungi.Considering the resistance of gramnegative bacteria to multiple drugs,monitoring of bacteria should be strengthened in eye bacterial infections for effective prevention and control to reduce complications caused by eye infections.

RDH12-associated retinal degeneration caused by a homozygous pathogenic variant of 146C>T and literature review

AIM:To describe the clinical,electrophysiological,and genetic features of an unusual case with an RDH12 homozygous pathogenic variant and reviewed the characteristics of the patients reported with the same variant.METHODS:The patient underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination including best-corrected visual acuity,anterior segment and dilated fundus,visual field,spectral-domain optical coherence tomography(OCT)and electroretinogram(ERG).The retinal disease panel genes were sequenced through chip capture high-throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the result.Then we reviewed the characteristics of the patients reported with the same variant.RESULTS:A 30-year male presented with severe early retinal degeneration who complained night blindness,decreased visual acuity,vitreous floaters and amaurosis fugax.The best corrected vision was 0.04 OD and 0.12 OS,respectively.The fundus photo and OCT showed bilateral macular atrophy but larger areas of macular atrophy in the left eye.Autofluorescence shows bilateral symmetrical hypo-autofluorescence.ERG revealed that the amplitudes of a-and b-wave were severely decreased.Multifocal ERG showed decreased amplitudes in the local macular area.A homozygous missense variant c.146C>T(chr14:68191267)was found.The clinical characteristics of a total of 13 patients reported with the same pathologic variant varied.CONCLUSION:An unusual patient with a homozygous pathogenic variant in the c.146C>T of RDH12 which causes late-onset and asymmetric retinal degeneration are reported.The clinical manifestations of the patient with multimodal retinal imaging and functional examinations have enriched our understanding of this disease.

Resistance of Microbial Community of Artemisia annua L.to Pathogenic Fungi

[Objectives]This paper was to figure out whether the dominant bacterial community has the role and effect of bacterial community and its defense mechanism against potential pathogenic fungi in Artemisia annua,and thus establish a systematic model of bacteria-fungus-plant.[Methods]Fifty-eight strains of bacteria and one strain of pathogenic fungi,Globisporangium ultimatum,were used for the experiments.These 58 bacterial strains were assembled into a bacterial community,and the bacteria with abundance in the top 1%were reassembled into a dominant bacterial community as measured by 16S rDNA.[Results]The growth of A.annua seedlings inoculated with bacterial communities and pathogenic fungi or dominant bacterial communities and pathogenic fungi was significantly better than that of A.annua seedlings inoculated with pathogenic fungi during in vitro confrontation,which was evident in both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant assays.[Conclusions]The results suggest that the dominant bacterial community has a crucial role as a representative core microbial community of synthetic bacterial community,which can protect plants by interfering with the growth of phytopathogenic fungi mediated by chemical signals,and can be used as the main synthetic community of biocides to achieve the effect of biocontrol.

New tools,new tick-borne diseases?

Tick-borne diseases(TBDs) are a major public health concern that has increased in the past three decades. Nevertheless, emerging or reemerging TBDs may be still misdiagnosed. Molecular biology techniques for the screening of ticks, use of "Omics" approaches and the incorporation of analytical methods such as mass spectrometry or nuclear magnetic resonance, to the study of ticks and their associated pathogens or potential pathogens are promising tools for a more accurate differential diagnosis of TBDs. However, this huge amount of data needs to be carefully interpreted before being incorporated to the routine of clinical practice. In the meantime, a clinical approach and high level of suspicion keep being essential for the diagnosis and proper handling of TBDs.