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        <title>Frontiers in Bacteriology | New and Recent Articles</title>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bacteriology</link>
        <description>RSS Feed for Frontiers in Bacteriology | New and Recent Articles</description>
        <language>en-us</language>
        <generator>Frontiers Feed Generator,version:1</generator>
        <pubDate>2026-04-14T00:55:05.296+00:00</pubDate>
        <ttl>60</ttl>
        <item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1736243</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1736243</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Seasonal assessment of microbial indicators, antibiotic resistance, and heavy metal tolerance in water, sediment, and edible fish from an urban tropical coastal lagoon (Jansen Lagoon, São Luís, Brazil)]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-03-13T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Luciano Rodrigues Júnior</author><author>Adenilde Mouchereck</author><author>Marco Cutrim</author><author>Andrea Azevedo-Cutrim</author><author>Pâmela Baima</author><author>Amanda Teles</author><author>Walter José Martínez-Burgos</author><author>Roberta Pozzan</author><author>Ceci Sales-Campos</author><author>Josilene Serra Pereira</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionUrban coastal lagoons frequently receive untreated sewage and stormwater runoff, favoring fecal contamination and the selection of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study evaluated seasonal patterns of microbial indicators, antibiotic resistance, and heavy metal tolerance in different environmental compartments of Jansen Lagoon (São Luís, Brazil).MethodsFive sampling campaigns were conducted in 2018 during rainy (February–April) and dry (July–November) seasons. Surface water (n = 25), sediment (n = 15), and fish (n = 10) were collected at five sites. Thermotolerant coliforms and Pseudomonas spp. were enumerated by MPN; presumptive Clostridium perfringens was detected on SPS agar; and Enterobacterales were identified by biochemical tests. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed by disk diffusion following CLSI guidelines. Heavy metal tolerance (Pb and Cu) and physicochemical parameters were also evaluated.ResultsPhysicochemical parameters varied seasonally, with higher TDS during the rainy season and consistently alkaline pH (8.4–8.7). Thermotolerant coliforms peaked in rainy-season water samples (up to 1,600 MPN/100 mL), while sediments showed higher counts during the dry season. A total of 130 gram-negative strains (19 species) were isolated, predominantly Escherichia coli. High resistance was observed to cephalothin (70%) and tetracycline (41%), while chloramphenicol susceptibility was high (91%); five species met MDR criteria. Pseudomonas spp. were more abundant in fish and largely susceptible to gentamicin (92.5%). Presumptive C. perfringens was detected only in the dry season. Most isolates tolerated high Pb concentrations (3500 ppm), and Cu tolerance was dose-dependent.DiscussionJansen Lagoon shows recurrent fecal contamination and significant levels of antibiotic resistance across environmental compartments, with seasonal variation. These findings highlight potential co-selection mechanisms and reinforce the need for improved sewage management to mitigate human exposure risks within a One Health framework.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1718905</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1718905</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Bathing in resistance: evidence of multidrug-resistant bacteria in recreational coastal waters in Niterói City, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Sofia Lessa Costa</author><author>Laura Brandão Martins</author><author>Milena Conceição Amorim</author><author>Marcos Tavares Carneiro</author><author>Viviane Zahner</author><author>Thiago Pavoni Gomes Chagas</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionAntibiotic resistance is a critical One Health issue, necessitating continuous investigation of bacterial diversity and resistance, particularly in non-clinical environments. This study investigated the presence of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in waters collected from four sampling points of a recreational beach in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro state.MethodologyWater samples were collected from four points along the beach, and after serial dilutions, the samples were plated onto selective media for bacterial isolation. Bacterial identification was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time-of-flight (MALDI–TOF) mass spectrometry. Antimicrobial susceptibility was assessed using the disk diffusion method and interpreted according to Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) standards. DNA from Gram-negative bacteria with detected phenotypic resistance was extracted, and PCR was used to investigate the presence of β-lactamase resistance genes. The blaGES gene was sequenced and deposited in GenBank. The multiple antibiotic resistance phenotype (MARP) and multiple antibiotic resistance index (MARI) were calculated based on the number of antibiotics each isolate was resistant to.ResultsThe presence of the genes blaGES, blaSHV, blaTEM, and blaCTX-M, which confer resistance to clinically relevant β-lactams, was detected in four members of the order Enterobacterales. A blaGESS determinant was detected in an isolate of Citrobacter freundii in combination with phenotypic resistance to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, and tetracycline, characterizing a multidrug-resistant phenotype. This observation, when combined with findings from previous surveys of Guanabara Bay, indicated that the blaGES determinants are either established or continually introduced into this important ecosystem. The multiple antibiotic resistance indices ranged from 0.19 to 0.62, with a strain of Klebsiella variicola showing the highest value, based on resistance to 11 of the 16 antimicrobials examined.DiscussionThe data presented herein demonstrated the presence of an abundant diversity of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in waters used for bathing, sailing, and fishing by a large population of humans and emphasizes the requirement for enhanced monitoring of recreational waters along the Guanabara Bay coastline.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1720345</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1720345</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Development of a recombinant live attenuated vaccine to protect channel catfish against motile Aeromonas septicemia]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Basant Gomaa</author><author>Hasan C. Tekedar</author><author>Hossam Abdelhamed</author><author>Attila Karsi</author><author>Mark L. Lawrence</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Background/objectivesAeromonas hydrophila causes motile Aeromonas septicemia (MAS), which affects farm-raised catfish. Since 2009, outbreaks caused by a clonal genetic group of A. hydrophila (virulent A. hydrophila, or vAh) have caused significant losses of market-size catfish in Alabama and Mississippi. Previously, our group reported that recombinant vAh surface proteins are effective in protecting catfish against MAS. Furthermore, live attenuated Edwardsiella ictaluri vaccine strain ESC-NDKL1 is an efficacious vaccine for enteric septicemia of catfish (ESC). In the current study, we investigated ESC-NDKL1 as a potential vector for expressing vAh antigens.Methods and resultsGenes encoding vAh surface antigens were integrated into the ESC-NDKL1 chromosome by conjugation and homologous recombination. Six recombinant ESC-NDKL1 strains expressing one vAh antigen (ESC-NDKL1::atpase, ESC-NDKL1::fim, ESC-NDKL1:: fimMrfG, ESC-NDKL1::fimA, ESC-NDKL1::tdr, and ESC-NDKL1::ompA) showed significant protection against MAS with relative percent survival (RPS) of 52.10%, 25.67%, 39.99%, 38.93%, 47.83%, and 34.07%, respectively. Eleven recombinant ESC-NDKL1 strains expressing two vAh antigens showed significant protection against MAS and improved protection compared to recombinant ESC-NDKL1 strains expressing one vAh antigen. In particular, four recombinant ESC-NDKL1 strains expressing two vAh antigens (ESC-NDKL1::atpase::fimMrfG, ESC-NDKL1::fim::fimMrfG, ESC-NDKL1::tdr::fimMrfG, and ESC-NDKL1::fim::ompA) showed significant protection (p < 0.05) compared to non-recombinant ESC-NDKL1 with RPS of 55.72%, 60.18%, 61.74%, and 54.81%, respectively.ConclusionWe identified four promising vaccine candidate strains to control MAS in the catfish industry.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1746114</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1746114</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Bacterial pigments as sustainable and functional colorants in cosmetic applications: advances and prospects]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-11T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Pritha Chakraborty</author><author>Mandheer Kaur</author><author>Basheer Thazeem</author><author>Jithin Thomas</author><author>Hemavathy S</author><author>Deepak Sharma</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The bacterial world is a promising source for the production of colored metabolites known as bacterial pigments. Synthetic dyes are responsible for health problems such as allergies, cancer, toxicity, and hyperactivity and for environmental issues such as pollution of waterways, disruption in aquatic ecosystems, inhibition of photosynthesis, and bioaccumulation in food chains. These concerns have provided the microbial world a chance of being used as a source of natural pigment for industrial applications, including cosmetics. Cosmetic products such as lipsticks, nail polishes, hair dyes, soaps, body washes, face washes, creams, and lotions utilize various colored compounds of chemical origin and may pose adverse effects on their unregulated or overuse. Bacterial pigments can be an alternate and sustainable option to replace these chemical moieties in these cosmetic products. Bacteria from diverse habitats with a broad scale of colors such as carotenoids, prodigiosin, melanin, violaceins, quinones, and indigoidines have been reported for their beneficial properties such as color, antioxidant, emulsifying, antiaging, and UV protection. These pigments have multiple shades and also possess nutritional and therapeutic properties. Although most of the information in this field is based on primary research at a laboratory scale and very limited attempts have been made to improve these bacterial strains and processes for enhanced pigment production, it highlights a significant scope for research and innovations in this field. The integration of advanced genetic and metabolic engineering technology such as CRISPR/Cas, along with the utilization of artificial intelligence and machine learning-based methods, can transform this field and boost pigment production. Therefore, the current review article aims to provide a state-of-the-art overview of bacterial pigments with the potential for application in cosmetic products. Moreover, it also highlights the existing challenges and outlines future research directions.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1735345</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2026.1735345</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Antibiotic resistance patterns among bacterial pathogens isolated from bloodstream infections at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-02-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Eric Yanchumba</author><author>John Gameli Deku</author><author>Israel Bedzina</author><author>Lydia Kessewah Mensah</author><author>Kenneth Ablordey</author><author>Korsah Kwabena Banahene</author><author>Cosmos Sey</author><author>Kaizah sar Kennedy</author><author>Priscilla Osei Mensah</author><author>Innocent Afeke</author><author>Kwabena Obeng Duedu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[BackgroundBloodstream infections remain a major public health concern globally and are increasingly associated with multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Limited data on antimicrobial resistance patterns among bloodstream isolates in Ghana hinder appropriate empirical therapy, particularly in maternal and child health settings. The study aimed to assess the prevalence, bacterial causes, and antibiotic resistance patterns of bloodstream infections, including multidrug resistance, extensively drug-resistance, pandrug-resistance, extended-spectrum β-Lactamase and carbapenemase-producing pathogens, and their association with patient demographics at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.MethodologyA hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted from July to September 2025 at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital. Blood samples were collected from 229 suspected bloodstream infection patients referred for culturing and susceptibility testing, and were cultured using the BD BACTEC automated system. Isolates were identified and tested for antibiotic susceptibility using the Phoenix BD BACTEC automated machine. Data were analysed using Stata version 15, applying descriptive and logistic regression analyses with significance set at p<0.05.ResultsOut of 229 participants, 61.6% had positive blood cultures. Among the Gram negatives, Escherichia coli (22.7%) and Klebsiella species (13.5%) were the predominant isolates. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (16.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (14.9%) were the major Gram-positive causing bloodstream infections. The highest resistance was recorded against cefazolin (54.6%) and ceftriaxone (45.4%), while amikacin (3.5%) and daptomycin (4.3%) showed the greatest efficacy. ESBL and carbapenemase production among the Gram-negative isolates were observed in 27.2% and 12.0% of isolates, respectively. Overall, 96.5% of isolates exhibited some form of resistance, with 81.6% classified as multidrug resistant, 8.5% as extensively drug-resistant, and 5.0% as pandrug-resistant. Longer hospital stays significantly increased infection risk (aPR=2.86; 95% CI: 1.92–4.27; p<0.001).ConclusionThe high prevalence of multidrug resistant bloodstream pathogens at the Maternal and Child Health Hospital, particularly Staphylococcus and Escherichia coli, underscores the urgent need for enhanced infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and periodic surveillance of resistance patterns to guide effective empirical therapy.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1734537</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1734537</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Acinetobacter baumannii: challenges presented by a drug-resistant pathogen]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-26T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Perspective</category>
        <author>E.K. Goncalves</author><author>L.A. Ramos</author><author>A. Seibert</author><author>L.M. Ribeiro</author><author>S.L. McDuffie</author><author>M.C. Murray</author><author>S.E. Fiester</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as a significant bacterial pathogen with the ability to cause recalcitrant and often deadly systemic infections due to the proclivity of encountering drug-resistant isolates clinically and this pathogen’s ability to evade immune responses while causing significant pro-inflammatory reactions during infection. Novel therapies to combat resistant isolates have shown promise but variable efficacy in clinical trials. Research efforts to expand the pathophysiological understanding of this bacterium for the ultimate identification of new therapeutic targets for use in the development of novel therapeutics are limited by strain heterogeneity and inconsistent preclinical models. This perspective highlights clinical challenges experienced in treating these infections, potential strategies that could be utilized in the research and development of effective therapies and clinical management of A. baumannii infection.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1726048</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1726048</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Isolation, purification, and structural characterization of biosurfactants derived from indigenous probiotics Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC5463 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC5462]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-23T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Kamini Pandey</author><author>Madhu Kumari</author><author>Sameena Mehtab</author><author>Barkha Singhal</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The present study investigates the extraction and characterization of biosurfactants from two Indian originated Lactobacillus probiotics. Biosurfactants derived through Lactobacillus species have potential applications in food, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sectors. In the current study, Lactobacillus helveticus MTCC5463 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC5462 species were aimed to extract, purify, and characterize surface-active properties of produced biosurfactants. The species were cultured in their selective medium and biosurfactants derived are extracted and purified through acid precipitation and solvent extraction. The characterization was performed through measurement of surface tension reduction emulsification index (E24), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. The biosurfactants reduced surface tension from 72 mN/m (distilled water baseline) to 38.73 (± 0.05) mN/m and 41.30 (± 0.04) mN/m for L. helveticus MTCC5463 and L. rhamnosus MTCC5462, respectively. The emulsification activity was high (E24 > 70%) for various hydrophobic substrates such as petrol, diesel, mustard, and refined oil. FTIR and GC-MS revealed a glycolipid nature, with major fatty acid components such as butanoic acid. The 1H NMR data support an amphiphilic glycolipid structure characterized by long aliphatic fatty acid chains [δ 0.90–1.50 parts per million (ppm)] and esterified (or hydroxyl‐adjacent) methylene groups. The 13C NMR data are consistent with a biosurfactant structure comprising long aliphatic chains (δ 14.11; 29.35–31.92 ppm), methylene carbons adjacent to ester or hydroxyl groups (δ 40.95 ppm), and oxygenated carbons (δ 76.70–77.34 ppm) indicative of glycerol or sugar headgroup backbone. These findings highlighted that Lactobacillus-derived biosurfactants have strong surface-active properties that can be explored for various biomedical applications in future studies.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1727648</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1727648</link>
        <title><![CDATA[An insight into the ecological risks and mitigation of heavy metal pollution in aquatic sediments and marine ecosystems]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Kanchan Karmakar</author><author>Bhaswati Bhattacharjee</author><author>Ayesha Kabir</author><author>Shyamalina Haldar</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Aquatic ecosystems are important ecological and socioeconomic zones throughout the world. However, a massive deterioration in the functionality of aquatic zones has been observed globally in recent times due to an enormous rise in environmental pollution with an ever-increasing human population, urbanization, land reformation, and industrialization. However, there is a lack of studies assessing aquatic and sediment pollution and their effects on biogeochemical cycling, the food chain, and the overall wellbeing of species, including humans. Thus, there is an immediate necessity to investigate the status of aquatic sediment pollution, evaluate the associated ecological risks, and estimate the probable pollution sources. Therefore, this review enlightens on the composition, concentrations, sources, and spatial patterns of the distribution of heavy metals affecting the global aquatic sediment pollution; their probable toxic effects on aquatic ecosystems; the modes of transfer through food chains, thereby affecting human health; and the use of aquatic plants for phytoremediation of heavy metals in aquatic ecosystems. This will lead to an understanding of the status and the factors influencing aquatic sediment pollution, which will be useful to monitor and manage the vast aquatic ecosystems and develop strategies for remediation in the near future.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1718207</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1718207</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Genomic characterization of Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates from human origin in Brazil, 1974-2024]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Sérgio Bokermann</author><author>Claudio Tavares Sacchi</author><author>Ana Paula Silva de Lemos</author><author>Elizabeth Harummyy Takagi</author><author>Marlon Benedito Nascimento Santos</author><author>Rosemeire Capoani Almendros</author><author>Karoline Rodrigues Campos</author><author>Eneas Carvalho</author><author>Carlos Henrique Camargo</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionDiphtheria is a potentially fatal disease that still causes deaths mainly in unvaccinated children. Over the last decades, the incidence of this disease has reduced drastically in face to the increase in vaccination coverage. Diphtheria is mainly caused by toxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae, however, in more recent years, invasive infections due to nontoxigenic Corynebacterium diphtheriae have emerged. Given this epidemiological threat, the continued surveillance remains essential to guide prevention and control measures.MethodologyUsing whole genome sequencing, we characterized 299 Corynebacterium diphtheriae isolates, assessing their clinical origin, age distribution of patients, tox gene carriage, antimicrobial resistance markers, and phylogenetic relationships.ResultsThe tox gene was identified in 255 isolates (85.3%). Antimicrobial resistance genes aph(3’’)-Ib, aph(3’)-Ia, aph(6)Id, cmx, tet(33), tet(O), tet(W), and tet(Z) were detected in low (<10%) frequencies, but sul1 was found in 72 (24.1%) isolates. Phylogenetic analyses identified 11 main clades comprising 286 isolates, represented by 46 different sequence types (ST); the remaining 13 isolates were distributed in the other 12 ST. Twenty-one novel ST were described, comprising 51 isolates.DiscussionOur study represents the largest genomic survey of Corynebacterium diphtheriae in Latin America. These results enhance global understanding of diphtheria and reinforce the need for vigilance against reemergence in areas with suboptimal vaccination coverage.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1712139</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1712139</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Postbiotics as natural antimicrobials: a novel biocontrol strategy for food safety]]></title>
        <pubdate>2026-01-12T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Ayse Nur Erdinc</author><author>Gizem Cufaoglu</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Postbiotics are preparations of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components, with or without associated metabolites or cell structures, that confer health benefits to the host. Compared to probiotics, postbiotics offer enhanced safety, stability, and processing benefits for food applications. Their antimicrobial activity is mainly attributed to compounds like bacteriocins, organic acids, enzymes, and peptides, which can inhibit spoilage and pathogenic microorganisms and suppress biofilms. Lactic acid bacteria–derived cell-free supernatants and similar metabolite-rich preparations have been increasingly applied to foods to control foodborne pathogens and spoilage. This review highlights the emerging role of postbiotics as biocontrol agents in food safety, emphasizing their antimicrobial properties, while also outlining their definition, development, legal status, and current evidence on functionality.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1735305</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1735305</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Isolation of non-symbiotic phosphate-solubilizing plant growth-promoting Paraburkholderia strydomiana]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Ambihai Shayanthan</author><author>Anna Motnenko</author><author>Justin P. Hawkins</author><author>Ivan J. Oresnik</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Phosphorus is a key nutrient needed for plant growth and is often found in soils in an insoluble form. While phosphate fertilizers promote quick plant growth, they can be easily converted to insoluble forms through soil processes or lost via runoff. This results in poor phosphate use efficiency, which is economically and environmentally costly. A possible way to remediate these problems is to introduce phosphate-solubilizing bacteria as a biological fertilizer. In this work, we report the isolation of eight phosphate-solubilizing bacteria from agricultural soils in Manitoba. Their ability to solubilize Ca3(PO4)2 ranged from 95 to 144 mg/dL. Based on whole-genome sequencing, the isolates consisted of six Paraburkholderia strydomiana isolates, comprising at least three distinct strains, a Paraburkholderia graminis, and a Burkholderia ambifaria isolate. In addition to solubilizing phosphate, the P. strydomiana strains visibly influenced soybean seedling growth. Utilizing the closed genomes from the isolates in this study, we were able to scaffold the type strain and show that P. strydomiana genomes appear to consist of two large replicons as well as a larger plasmid. Further genomic analysis also demonstrated that P. strydomiana appears to contain RuBisCO and a complete Calvin-Benson-Bassham pathway. Unlike the type strain, the isolates in this study did not carry genes associated with nitrogen fixation or the ability to form symbiotic associations.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1709187</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1709187</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Novel Aeromonas hydrophila subsp. inisa with potential phage-mediated tolerance to benzalkonium chloride]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-12-04T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Luz Chacon</author><author>Bradd Mendoza-Guido</author><author>Alexandro Rodríguez-Rojas</author><author>Keilor Rojas-Jimenez</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) serve as hotspots for the proliferation and evolution of specialized microorganisms. Among these, Aeromonas hydrophila stands out as a bacterium capable of colonizing diverse aquatic ecosystems. Its resistance to disinfectants, such as benzalkonium chloride (BAC), is particularly concerning in wastewater treatment systems, where such traits can be propagated. Here, we present a genomic characterization of three isolates belonging to a newly identified subspecies, A. hydrophila subsp. inisa, based on comprehensive genomic analyses. These isolates exhibited higher levels of BAC resistance compared to the reference strain ATCC 7966/DSM 3017 (EC50–27 mg/L vs. 24 mg/L) and contained several prophage sequences integrated into their genomes. These prophages were associated with genetic rearrangements, which may underline phenotypic changes, such as increased antimicrobial resistance. Notably, A. hydrophila subsp. inisa 10 exhibited greater genetic rearrangements and resistance to multiple antibiotics, traits not observed in the other isolates. This study provides the first description of a phage-associated A. hydrophila subspecies isolated from a wastewater system in Central America, underscoring the role of bacteriophages in driving bacterial evolution, speciation, and adaptation to highly polluted environments, such as WWTPs.]]></description>
      </item><item>
        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1697820</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1697820</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Potential activity of Pleurotus nebrodensis mushroom extract against biofilm of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-24T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Maria Letizia Gargano</author><author>Ilenia Cicero</author><author>Fortunato Cirlincione</author><author>Anna Giammanco</author><author>Virginia Talarico</author><author>Ignazio Arrigo</author><author>Teresa Maria Assunta Fasciana</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Mushroom extracts are a promising resource for treating bacterial infections associated with biofilms, offering a dual effect: inhibiting biofilm formation and facilitating infection healing. In this paper, after collecting in the wild basidiomes of P. nebrodensis, a rare and endangered species, we proceeded with the isolation of mycelium in pure culture. Preparation of the culture bags was entrusted to a leading fungiculture company. Cultivation took place in a purpose-built tunnel inside a farm, and after harvesting, a certain amount of mushrooms was dried and reduced to powder to proceed with the evaluation of antimicrobial activity against the multidrug-resistant bacterial strains Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. P. nebrodensis extract showed reduction of biofilm formation by up to 71% for S. aureus and by 18% for Ps. aeruginosa compared to the untreated control. The results suggest that while the P. nebrodensis cold water extract does not exert direct antibacterial activity, it may interfere with biofilm formation, particularly in S. aureus, highlighting its potential as an anti-virulence agent. Besides, in both Ps. aeruginosa and S. aureus, treatment with the P. nebrodensis extract resulted in a reduction in biofilm formation compared to the untreated control. The potential of P. nebrodensis extracts in inhibiting biofilm formation processes by bacteria could lead to the discovery of new chemicals for use in clinical settings.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1708292</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1708292</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Genomic and proteomic identification of Aeromonas isolates from diverse sources: comparative performance of WGS and MALDI-TOF MS in species-level resolution]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-11-03T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Thais Vieira</author><author>Gisele Lozano Costa</author><author>Amanda Yaeko Yamada</author><author>Amanda Maria de Jesus Bertani</author><author>Marta Ines Cazentini Medeiros</author><author>Luisa Zanolli Moreno</author><author>Andrea Micke Moreno</author><author>Christiane Asturiano Ristori Costa</author><author>Karoline Rodrigues Campos</author><author>Marlon Benedito</author><author>Claudio Tavares Sacchi</author><author>Carlos Henrique Camargo</author><author>Monique Ribeiro Tiba</author>
        <description><![CDATA[The accurate identification and characterization of Aeromonas species are essential to understand their ecological roles and potential health impacts. This study analyzed 90 Aeromonas isolates from various sources using whole genome sequencing (WGS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization–time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Species identification by WGS, based on Average Nucleotide Identity (ANI ≥96%), revealed inconsistencies in 12.2% of MALDI-TOF MS results, for species not represented in its database. Phylogenetic analyses using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data were concordant in resolving species-level clusters and revealing intra-species diversity. This study reinforces the value of WGS and complementary genomic approaches as reliable tools for Aeromonas species identification, population structure analysis, and integrated One Health surveillance. The integration of genomic tools into routine diagnostics may enhance the capacity of laboratories, particularly in low and middle income countries to monitor emerging resistance and better understand the evolutionary and epidemiological dynamics of Aeromonas in clinical and environmental settings.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1677775</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1677775</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Pathogenicity and virulence factors of Escherichia coli discovered using next generation sequencing technologies and proteomics]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-10-09T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Review</category>
        <author>Khuthadzo L. Mudau</author><author>Lesoka R. Ntobeng</author><author>Chimdi M. Kalu</author><author>Memory Tekere</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Escherichia coli is a gastrointestinal bacterium previously known for its commensal activities in the human digestive systems. Their occurrence in drinking water and natural water sources has been used as a faecal pollution footprint or marker to determine the extent of pollution. However, their ability to cause diseases as an opportunistic bacterium is a global concern. Hence, unveiling their diverse virulence factors and pathogenicity through diverse technologies becomes pertinent. The advent of next-generation sequencing technologies and proteomics have significantly propelled these studies forward. Utilizing next-generation sequencing and proteomics, scientists have unveiled a multitude of pathogenicity and virulence factors linked to E. coli. This review underscores the advancements made in uncovering E. coli’s pathogenicity, virulence factors, and specific attributes through next-generation sequencing and selected proteomics investigations. The review presents and describes discovered pathogenicity and virulence factors. It concludes that while significant progress has been made, there is still much work to be done that can utilize next-generation sequencing and proteomics in this area of research fully. The in-depth study of E. coli’s virulence factors and pathogenicity could provide preventive/curative insight into a pattern or technologies that could be adopted to minimize the outbreak of disease associated with the bacterium even at their opportunistic level.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1620906</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1620906</link>
        <title><![CDATA[DL-based organism-level microbial identification via VOCs fingerprints through gas chromatography – ion mobility spectrometry]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-09-25T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Georgios Kirtsanis</author><author>Georgios Dolias</author><author>Spyridon Kintzios</author><author>Konstantinos Ioannidis</author><author>Stefanos Vrochidis</author><author>Ioannis Kompatsiaris</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionOrganism-level microbial identification is a well-established topic in literature. Due to biosafety concerns, specifically identifying pathogenic bacteria is of critical importance. This study positions Deep Learning (DL) - based chemometric analysis as a promising strategy for organism-level microbial identification, with potential translational value for rapid diagnostics. Various chemometric methods have been applied to analyze pure and mixed cultures of microorganisms and generate data via Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) fingerprints for classification. Although Gas Chromatography - Ion Mobility Spectrometry (GC-IMS) is a promising chemometric technique in this field, limited research has explored its potential for organism-level microbial identification. Materials and methodsIn this study, GC-IMS prototypes were employed to generate two-dimensional spectral data, which were then used to train supervised classification models. Utilizing a publicly available dataset of four microorganisms, we conduct a series of experiments to perform multi-class classification of pure and mixed cultures. Additionally, we introduce innovative experiments for distinguishing bacteria from fungi and Gram-positive from Gram-negative bacteria. We further investigate the presence and pureness of two pathogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas fluorescens, within the cultures. To achieve this, we apply eight Machine Learning and DL baseline methods, while following a five-fold cross-validation evaluation protocol and presenting a wide set of evaluation metrics to ensure result reproducibility and models’ generalization. A further evaluation of DL models is also conducted to report the training times and the number of parameters of the proposed DL methods.ResultsOur key findings highlight a Fully Connected Neural Network (FCNN) with four hidden layers as the most efficient model, consistently achieving the best performance across all tasks in comparison to the other tested models of this study. Additionally, the FCNN model provides fast training and maintains a relatively small number of parameters compared to other DL approaches. DiscussionWhile the dataset’s limited size and class imbalance present challenges such as potential overfitting and optimistic bias, the results achieved so far are encouraging and demonstrate the model’s strong potential. Future work should aim to expand the dataset across multiple sites and instruments and include clinical validation on real-world samples to further enhance generalizability and ensure translational impact.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1567791</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1567791</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Safety and immunogenicity of a recombinant double-mutant heat-labile toxin derived from enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli in healthy Bangladeshi adults delivered by three different routes]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-07-16T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Clinical Trial</category>
        <author>Taufiqur Rahman Bhuiyan</author><author>Farhana Khanam</author><author>Salima Raiyan Basher</author><author>Pinki Dash</author><author>Mohiul Islam Chowdhury</author><author>Shahinur Haque</author><author>Nabila Binte Harun</author><author>Aklima Akter</author><author>Polash Chandra Karmakar</author><author>Al Hakim</author><author>Shaheena Amin</author><author>Mohammad Kamruzzaman</author><author>Nasrin Parvin</author><author>Tasnuva Ahmed</author><author>Jessica Butts</author><author>Marcela F. Pasetti</author><author>Rezwanul Wahid</author><author>Marcelo B. Sztein</author><author>Nicole Maier</author><author>Jessica A. White</author><author>Kay M. Tomashek</author><author>A. Louis Bourgeois</author><author>Shahida Baqar</author><author>Karen L. Kotloff</author><author>Firdausi Qadri</author><author>Wilbur H. Chen</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionEnterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) is a common cause of acute watery diarrhea in areas lacking access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene. This Phase 1 trial measured the safety and immunogenicity of double-mutant heat-labile enterotoxin (dmLT) of ETEC in healthy adults in Bangladesh, where ETEC is endemic.MethodsFive cohorts of 15 participants each were enrolled and randomized 4:1 to receive vaccine dmLT or placebo (12 vaccine and 3 placebo recipients per cohort). The 3 oral or sublingual doses of 5 µg or 25 µg dmLT were administered 2 weeks apart; the 2 intradermal doses of 0.3 µg dmLT were administered 3 weeks apart. Safety was assessed by collecting solicited and unsolicited adverse events. The immune responses measured included dmLT-specific serum IgA and IgG, serum toxin neutralizing antibody, dmLT-specific IgA and IgG antibody secreting cells (ASC), and IgA and IgG antibodies in lymphocyte supernatant (ALS).ResultsAll doses of dmLT delivered by different routes were well tolerated; adverse events were few, mild, and transient. Serum, ALS, and ASC IgA and IgG responses, as well as LT neutralizing antibody responses, were greatest among recipients of 25 µg oral and 0.3 µg intradermal doses. In contrast, sublingual dosing induced modest responses; there was virtually no serum antibody response to 5 µg sublingual dose and only sporadic ALS and ASC responses with 5 µg and 25 µg doses.DiscussionIn conclusion, dmLT was well tolerated, and immune responses were dependent on dmLT dose and route of administration. The encouraging tolerability and immunogenicity results further highlight dmLT’s potential not only as a vaccine but also as an adjuvant as reported by others or as a candidate vaccine antigen.Clinical Trial Registrationwww.clinicaltrials.gov, identifier NCT03548064.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1589230</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1589230</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Helicobacter pylori genetic landscape in Northeast India and its impact in peptic ulcer disease and gastric cancer]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-05-30T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Anisha Sarma</author><author>Devyashree Medhi</author><author>Mridul Kumar Sarma</author><author>Lahari Saikia</author><author>Bikash Narayan Choudhury</author><author>Mallika Bhattacharya</author><author>Vaishali Sarma</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori), a globally prevalent bacterium is linked to various gastroduodenal diseases. Its genetic diversity arises from nucleotide variability, genome plasticity and inter-strain recombination. Genetic studies of H. pylori provide insights into human migration and regional disease risks. This study profiles the H. pylori gene pool in ethnically and geographically distinct population of Assam, Northeast India using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) to explore its role in human migration and its potential role on the occurrence of gastroduodenal diseases in this region.MethodsIn this hospital-based study, gastric biopsy and serum samples were collected from 200 dyspeptic patients and H. pylori individual risk factors were assessed. Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the statistical association between predictors and outcomes. Serum anti-H. pylori IgG levels were estimated and cagA and vacA virulence gene profiles were analysed by polymerase chain reaction. MLST analysis on the seven housekeeping genes and phylogenetic analysis were conducted to infer the genomic diversity and evolutionary relationship of the strains.ResultsH. pylori infection prevalence was 74.5% with significant associations between elevated serum IgG antibody levels, family history, virulent genotypes cagA, vacA s1m1 and gastric pathology, including cancer. MLST analysis identified 36 sequence types among 49 strains, including 8 new ones, with most strains clustering within the hpAsia2 and hpEurope populations. Phylogenetic analysis shows that H. pylori strains in the Assamese population cluster with native Thai strains, suggesting their introduction through Tai-Ahom migrants from Thailand, supporting gene flow into India. No clustering of gastric outcomes was observed among the strains. A strong familial link was noted, with 76.5% of gastric cancer cases having a family history, indicating possible intrafamilial transmission.DiscussionOur results suggest that H. pylori strains from Assam share ancestry with Tai-Ahom migrants from Thailand. Further, along with virulent genotypes, a family history of gastric cancer and high IgG levels may indicate higher disease risk. Future research should analyse strain transmission and IgG levels to improve early detection and intervention strategies for gastric cancer. IgG is a key predictor of gastric cancer risk, highlighting the importance of regular monitoring for early diagnosis and follow-up of high-risk individuals.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1582787</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1582787</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Plant-beneficial bacteria are promoted in pasture-crop rotations in the Uruguayan Pampa, contributing to soil health and crop performance]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-05-21T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Original Research</category>
        <author>Victoria Cerecetto</author><author>Kornelia Smalla</author><author>Doreen Babin</author><author>Carolina Leoni</author>
        <description><![CDATA[IntroductionUnderstanding how pasture-crop rotation design influences long-term soil health and microbial dynamics is crucial for sustainable agroecosystems. Pasture-crop rotations may alleviate soil degradation, but their long-term effects or legacy on soil and rhizosphere microbiomes, including potential recruitment of plant-beneficial microorganisms, and their link to crop yield need to be better understood. This study examines how land use intensity and grazed pasture legacy influence soil and rhizosphere prokaryotic diversity, composition, functionality, and crop productivity.MethodsA gradient of land use intensities ranging from continuous cropping (CCG), short (SR) and long (LR) pasture-crop rotations, permanent improved pasture (PIP), and natural grassland (NGL) were sampled in a long-term field experiment established in 1995 in the Uruguayan Pampa. Moreover, two stages of the rotation, one year after pasture sown with sorghum (SRS, LRS) and two years after pasture with soybean (SRG, LRG), were studied to assess the persistence of pasture-derived legacies. Soil physicochemical and biological properties were measured to evaluate soil health along with crop productivity. Bulk soil, soybean, and sorghum rhizosphere prokaryotic communities were analyzed across land use intensities using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and functional assays on rhizosphere bacterial isolates.ResultsResults showed a partial retention of soil health assessed through selected soil properties, i.e. soil organic C, total N, and soil extractable protein content were higher in LRG compared to CCG, while an intermediate response was observed in SRG. LR preserved the pasture legacy, maintaining bulk soil prokaryotic community composition similar to PIP and distinct from CCG, while SR converged to CCG and diverged from PIP. Soybean rhizosphere prokaryotic diversity and composition was strongly shaped by crop type and by soybean inoculation with Bradyrhizobium elkanii, overriding the effects of intensification and pasture legacy. Key soil taxa (Streptomyces, Solibacillus, Sphingomonas and Bradyrhizobium) were linked with improved soil functionality. Linking 16S rRNA gene sequencing data of rhizosphere taxa with rhizobacterial isolates showed that Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Microbacterium, all exhibiting multiple plant-beneficial activities in vitro, were enriched in pasture rotations.DiscussionThis study highlights that pasture-crop rotation design, particularly pasture duration and plant composition, influences prokaryotic services and soil health, contributing towards the development of resilient agroecosystems.]]></description>
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        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1578341</guid>
        <link>https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbrio.2025.1578341</link>
        <title><![CDATA[Anti-pneumococcal surface protein A antibodies transferred from maternal mice protect offspring against lethal infection with Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 3]]></title>
        <pubdate>2025-05-19T00:00:00Z</pubdate>
        <category>Brief Research Report</category>
        <author>Eisuke Kuroda</author><author>Yuriko Tanaka</author><author>Shigeto Hamaguchi</author>
        <description><![CDATA[Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) causes otitis media, pneumonia, and invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPDs) such as meningitis and septicemia in humans. IPDs are fatal in children and can cause irreversible sequelae such as brain damage and impaired hearing. The introduction of 7- and 13-valent pneumococcal, conjugate, polysaccharide-based vaccines (PCV7, Prevnar 7®; and PCV13, Prevnar 13®) has decreased pediatric IPD infections. However, PCV13 provides limited protection against S. pneumoniae serotype 3. A new candidate pneumococcal vaccine antigen, pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA), which is found in almost all S. pneumoniae serotypes, addresses the drawbacks of CPS-based vaccines. In a previous study, the PspA3 + 2 protein was developed as a broad-spectrum vaccine candidate that combines PspA clades 2 and 3. We assessed whether vaccinating pregnant mice with PspA3 + 2 would transfer anti-PspA3 + 2 antibodies to pups, and if so, whether the transferred antibodies would protect against bacteremia caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 3. A PspA3 + 2 vaccine containing aluminum hydroxide gel (alum) and cytosine-phosphate-guanosine oligodeoxynucleotide K3 adjuvants induced anti-PspA antibodies in adult female mice, and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay revealed anti-PspA antibodies in serum samples from their offspring. Survival rates after lethal infection with S. pneumoniae serotype 3 were significantly higher among these neonates than in negative controls. These findings suggest that anti-PspA3 + 2 antibodies transferred from maternal mice vaccinated with PspA3 + 2 protect against bacteremia caused by S. pneumoniae serotype 3 in newborn pups.]]></description>
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