Front Microbiol. 2026 Feb 17;17:1708036. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1708036. eCollection 2026.

ABSTRACT

The detrimental effects of microplastics on environmental and biological health have been extensively documented, encompassing various aspects such as growth inhibition, metabolic disorders, and organ damage. However, current research predominantly focuses on model organisms, with limited studies investigating their effects on broiler chickens. Therefore, this study aims to examine the impact of microplastics exposure on the gut microbiota and antioxidant function in broiler chickens. The results indicated that microplastics significantly affect serum biochemical and antioxidant parameters, evidenced by marked increases in AST, ALT, and MDA levels, alongside decreases in SOD and GSH-Px levels. Microbiome analysis revealed a significant decrease in the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota, accompanied by significant alterations in microbial structure. Additionally, metastats analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the relative abundances of one phylum and 12 genera during microplastics exposure, contrasted with a significant decrease in the relative abundances of three phyla and 108 genera. Importantly, microplastics exposure also led to changes in gut microbial function, affecting energy metabolism, coenzyme transport and metabolism, and amino acid metabolism, etc. In summary, our study demonstrates that microplastics can adversely affect the health of broiler chickens by reducing their antioxidant capacity, and causing gut microbial dysbiosis. In light of the increasing pollution from microplastics, this study provides crucial information for assessing the risks posed by microplastics to livestock production. Furthermore, future research should prioritize monitoring the migration of microplastics within the food chain and examining their long-term effects on biological behavior and ecological functions.

PMID:41783496 | PMC:PMC12953438 | DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2026.1708036

Virology. 2026 Feb 25;618:110848. doi: 10.1016/j.virol.2026.110848. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Orthoflavivirus are single-stranded positive-sense RNA viruses that pose a significant threat to human and animal health globally, accounting for more than 400 million infections annually. They are predominantly transmitted by arthropods and cause a plethora of clinical manifestations, ranging from mild self-limiting infections to lethal encephalitis, with the potential to cause epidemics and pandemics. The complication in effectively treating Orthoflavivirus infections stems from the intricate interactions between virus and host proteins. A prominent hallmark of Orthoflavivirus infection is the use of sophisticated strategies to cleverly evade and dampen the host's innate immune response, which is a vital defence mechanism against viral invasion. This review provides substantial information on the mechanism of virus hijacking key components of the host immune response, featuring physical interactions between viral and host protein components, in the light of the innate immune system. Understanding and targeting these complex interactions would be instrumental in discovering novel antivirals against these viruses.

PMID:41780167 | DOI:10.1016/j.virol.2026.110848

Vet Microbiol. 2026 Feb 27;315:110959. doi: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2026.110959. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Fowl aviadenovirus (FAdV) is widely prevalent and often co-infects with other pathogens. During clinical sample testing in our laboratory, samples of FAdV and Pasteurella multocida（PM） co-infection were identified. Compared with single infections, co-infected chickens exhibited more severe clinical symptoms. However, the current epidemic situation of the two pathogens and whether there is synergistic pathogenic effect between them remains unclear. To address this, we established an in vivo model using specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens to study FAdV-4 secondary PM infection. The results demonstrated that FAdV-4 infection significantly promoted PM colonization in the host, leading to more severe clinical symptoms and hepatic pathological damage. Meanwhile, serum levels of inflammation-related cytokines, including TNF-α, CCL-4, IL-6 and IL-1β were markedly elevated. To further investigate the underlying mechanism, we performed transcriptome sequencing of liver tissues. Multiple genes closely associated with inflammatory responses (such as IL6) were significantly upregulated. Notably, TLR4, which is intimately linked to inflammatory reactions, was significantly upregulated after FAdV-4 infection. In an in vitro infection model established using leghorn male hepatocellular cells (LMH) cells, we also observed that FAdV-4 infection promoted PM adherence and invasion, accompanied by increased TLR4 expression. Furthermore, upregulation of TLR4 expression using the TLR4 agonist LPS enhanced PM adherence and invasion, whereas downregulation of TLR4 expression using the inhibitor Resatorvid (TAK-242) decreased PM adherence and invasion. In summary, this study confirms the synergistic pathogenic effect between FAdV-4 and PM and reveals that the TLR4 plays a critical role in this process.

PMID:41764915 | DOI:10.1016/j.vetmic.2026.110959

Lett Appl Microbiol. 2026 Feb 23:ovag008. doi: 10.1093/lambio/ovag008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This study characterized Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) BS-Q as a novel probiotic candidate against Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens). Polyphasic analysis, including 16S rRNA gene sequencing (>99% similarity to reference B. subtilis strains), identified the isolate as BS-Q. It exhibited robust growth, and sporulation was observed. Its cell-free supernatant (CFS) demonstrated potent, broad-spectrum inhibition against C. perfringens types A, C, and G with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 33.06 ± 0.53 μg/mL. The antibacterial activity was localized to the CFS and showed remarkable stability after exposure to harsh conditions: high temperature (100°C for 30 min), a broad pH range (3.0-11.0), and high salinity (up to 10% NaCl). Protease treatment markedly reduced the activity, confirming the proteinaceous nature of the antimicrobial compounds, which was supported by the presence of unique protein bands (25-35 kDa) in the CFS as revealed by SDS-PAGE. In conclusion, B. subtilis BS-Q produces highly stable, proteinaceous antimicrobials effective against C. perfringens. Its strong anti-clostridial activity and resilience position it as a promising probiotic and a potential antibiotic alternative for controlling necrotic enteritis in poultry.

PMID:41728919 | DOI:10.1093/lambio/ovag008

Poult Sci. 2026 Feb 10;105(5):106610. doi: 10.1016/j.psj.2026.106610. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

The residual bacteria in bacteriophage (phage) preparations have hindered their application in poultry disease. We isolated eight phages from aquatic environment samples and selected two phages (vB_StyS_SP03 and vB_StyM_SP07) for amplification using the diaminopimelic acid (DAP)-dependent Salmonella YB1 strain. Both healthy and Salmonella-infected broilers were intraperitoneally injected with phages amplified by Salmonella YB1 and their cocktail to evaluate the safety and therapeutic efficacy. The results showed that Salmonella YB1 effectively amplified phages, whose form and function remained unchanged after amplification. Salmonella YB1 in the phage preparations did not proliferate without DAP supplementation. Phage administration caused no mortality, and did not significantly affect the weight gain, immune organ indexes, and gut microbiota composition in healthy broilers. In Salmonella-challenged broilers, phage administration significantly improved weight gain, reduced organ indexes, alleviated clinical symptoms and pathological changes, and restored the intestinal microbial community. Collectively, we have developed a method for amplifying phages using Salmonella YB1, which effectively addresses the problem of residual bacteria in phage preparations.

PMID:41702339 | PMC:PMC12925554 | DOI:10.1016/j.psj.2026.106610

BMC Vet Res. 2026 Jan 27. doi: 10.1186/s12917-025-05236-3. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Parrot bornavirus (PaBV) is a neurotropic virus that causes chronic infection in parrots, affecting their nervous and gastrointestinal systems and often resulting in high mortality in captive populations. It is a major threat to the parrot breeding industry and the ornamental bird trade. We used Enzyme-Mediated Dual Exponential Amplification (EmDEA) rapid nucleic acid detection technology to create a novel, simple, and highly sensitive method for detecting parrot bornavirus type 4 (PaBV-4). Primers and probes specific to the M gene of PaBV-4 were designed. After two rounds of screening and optimization, the optimal primer pair was identified as F4R7RNA1. The assay was tested for specificity, sensitivity, and clinical usefulness. The test showed no cross-reactivity with H5N2, H7N9, H9N2, NDV, IBV, or IBDV. It had a detection limit of 5 copies/µL and a repeatability coefficient of variation of less than 5%. Among 270 clinical tissue samples from parrots, the assay achieved a 100% positive concordance rate and an overall agreement of 97.03% with conventional RT-PCR results. The entire detection process takes only 30 min and allows for direct RNA detection of PaBV-4. The method is simple to use, fast, sensitive, and accurate, making it an invaluable tool for on-site detection of PaBV-4.

PMID:41593665 | DOI:10.1186/s12917-025-05236-3

PLoS Pathog. 2026 Jan 20;22(1):e1013812. doi: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1013812. eCollection 2026 Jan.

ABSTRACT

Highly pathogenic H5Ny influenza A viruses are causing unprecedented, season-independent outbreaks across avian and mammalian species, including dairy cattle, a novel reservoir. The sialoside-binding properties of influenza A hemagglutinin (HA) are strongly related to its ability to infect and transmit between hosts. Mucin-like O-glycans, omnipresent in respiratory tracts, have been understudied as viral receptors due to their complexity. To address this, we synthesized 25 O-linked glycans with diverse sialosides, including modifications by fucosides and sulfates. Our findings reveal that H5Ny 2.3.4.4b viruses bind core 3 sialyl-Lewisx and Sia-Gal-β3GalNAc, O-linked glycans not recognized by classical H5 or other avian viruses. By determining crystal structures, we resolved the structural features of four glycans in an H5 hemagglutinin (HA) from a 2016 2.3.4.4b virus. While these viruses do not bind human-type receptors, their broad receptor specificity enhances binding to human tracheal tissues, suggesting that O-glycan recognition could contribute to the continues spillover of this clade.

PMID:41557749 | PMC:PMC12904578 | DOI:10.1371/journal.ppat.1013812

Nat Commun. 2026 Jan 14;17(1):1788. doi: 10.1038/s41467-026-68495-0.

ABSTRACT

Fecal coprolites preserve ancient microbiomes and are a potential source of extinct but highly efficacious antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). Here, we develop AMPLiT (AMP Lightweight Identification Tool), an efficient tool deployable to portable hardware for AMP screening in metagenomic datasets. AMPLiT demonstrates AUPRC performances of 0.9486 ± 0.0003 and reasonable overall training time of 3200 ± 53 s. By computationally utilizing AMPLiT, we analyze seven ancient human coprolite metagenomes, identifying 160 AMP candidates. Of 40 representative peptides synthesized, 36 (90%) peptides demonstrate measurable antimicrobial activity at 100 μM or less in vitro. Strikingly, approximately two-thirds of these peptides are sourced from Segatella copri, a dominant ancient gut commensal that is conspicuously underrepresented in modern populations, particularly those with Westernized lifestyles. Representative S. copri-derived AMPs exhibit disruptions against membranes of pathogenic bacteria, coupled with low cytotoxicity and hemolytic risk. In vivo, lead peptides demonstrate potent antibacterial and wound-healing efficacy comparable to traditional antibiotics, especially in combating gram-positive pathogens. Our findings highlight the ancient gut microbiomes as sources of novel AMPs, offering valuable insights into the historical role of S. copri in human health and its decline in contemporary populations.

PMID:41535683 | PMC:PMC12917264 | DOI:10.1038/s41467-026-68495-0

Int J Biol Macromol. 2026 Jan;340(Pt 2):150111. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.150111. Epub 2026 Jan 8.

ABSTRACT

Salmonella Typhimurium poses critical safety risks owing to its multidrug resistance and persistence in food matrices. To address this threat, we focused on microcin Y (MccY) a lasso peptide with potent activity against multidrug-resistant S. typhimurium and elucidated how mutations in the FhuA/SbmA receptors mediate MccY resistance and differentially affect bacterial virulence. Molecular docking revealed that MccY tended to bind to the N-terminal segment of FhuA within its β-barrel cavity, with key interaction sites including FhuA_564Leu-MccY_5His (2.5 Å hydrogen bond, MIC = 200 μg/mL) and sites such as FhuA_129Ser/FhuA_147Asn (MIC = 100-200 μg/mL). For SbmA, MccY forms hydrogen bonds with SbmA_204Asn-MccY_20Tyr (3.1 Å, MIC = 1.0 μg/mL), SbmA_320Asn-MccY_21Gly (2.9 Å, MIC = 200 μg/mL), and SbmA_361Gln-MccY_21Gly (2.9 Å, MIC = 2.0 μg/mL). The susceptibility of MccY's lasso structure domains to resistance was ranked as follows: tail < ring < loop. FhuA/SbmA mutations enhance MccY resistance (MIC>250 μg/mL) via receptor conformational changes, with FhuA_Ala63Gly, and FhuA_401Met402Arg conferring higher resistance than SbmA_Gly254Glu, and SbmA_Gln361Leu. Chrome Azure S assays confirmed that these mutations, particularly FhuA_401Met402Arg insertions and SbmA_Gly254Glu, and SbmA_Gln361Leu substitutions, disrupt iron transport. Notably, FhuA mutants exhibited altered siderophore utilization, extracellular iron accumulation, enhanced biofilm formation (p < 0.05), increased flagellar motility (migration 1.7-2.7 cm), and attenuated virulence. In contrast, SbmA mutants showed broader metabolic remodeling and downregulated invasive virulence genes (prgI, invE), which correlates with enhanced in vivo virulence in mice. FhuA/SbmA mutations in S. typhimurium drive resistance, adaptive fitness, and pathogenicity through defined receptor-ligand interactions. This work provides a molecular framework for developing integrated antimicrobial approaches to mitigate the spread of resistant pathogens.

PMID:41519334 | DOI:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2026.150111

Sci One Health. 2025 Oct 24;4:100132. doi: 10.1016/j.soh.2025.100132. eCollection 2025.

ABSTRACT

Emerging infectious diseases (EIDs), whether newly identified or re-emerging in human and animal populations, pose significant threats to global public health. China has experienced multiple EIDs outbreaks in recent years, underscoring the need for robust surveillance and early warning systems. Although China has established surveillance systems for events affecting climate, wildlife, livestock and poultry, and humans, the current systems remain inadequate for the early detection, monitoring, and prevention of zoonotic spillover events. The "One Health" approach, which integrates human, animal, and environmental health, offers a comprehensive strategy for mitigating EIDs risks. This study reviews China's national-level surveillance and early warning systems from a "One Health" perspective, highlighting key limitations and proposing future directions to enhance preparedness and response capabilities. The findings are intended to inform policy improvements and strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration for effective EIDs management.

PMID:41498121 | PMC:PMC12766100 | DOI:10.1016/j.soh.2025.100132