Astrovirus MLB1 (HAstV-MLB1) is non-enveloped RNA virus that cause acute gastroenteritis infection. Despite research progress about infection and pathogenesis of HAstV-MLB1, Currently, no vaccine has been developed to effectively combat this pathogen. The current study is based on immunoinformatics and reverse vaccinology approaches to design next-generation, multi-epitope-based vaccine models against HAstV-MLB1. Genome-wide whole proteome data of HAstV-MLB1 strain was retrieved, and a series of analyses were conducted to explore effective B and T-cell epitopes that hold significant antigenic nature with no toxicity and allergenicity. A set of vaccine constructs were designed by different combination of lead B and T-cell epitopes with diverse linkers and adjuvants sequences. The model vaccine structures were analyzed via rigorous criteria of physiochemical properties, antigenicity, and molecular docking with HLA and TLR4 immune receptors to ensure their efficacy and safety. Based on the lowest binding energy of −82.48 kcal/mol against the HLA receptor, the MLB1-C2 vaccine model with β-definsin adjuvant was prioritized for molecular dynamic and immune simulations analyses to assess its stability and immunogenic potential. These analyses revealed that the MLB1-C2 construct has feasible molecular stability and potential to boost strong immune responses in the host cell. Besides, the model was predicted to be non-toxic, non-allergenic, and antigenic, ensuring broad population coverage and capable to elicit a robust immune response. The in-silico cloning analysis highlighted a possible gene expression potential of the MLB1-C2 construct in E.coli commercial recombinant vector molecule. The findings of the current study provide an essential template for the development of a advanced next-generation effective vaccine against HAstV-MLB1.

Astrovirus MLB2 (AstV-MLB2) is an emerging gastrointestinal virus causing meningitis and disseminated infections. Currently, there are no vaccine-based therapies available for AstV-MLB2. This study aims to develop multi-epitope vaccine models using candidate proteins from AstV-MLB2. Highly immunogenic epitopes (IC₅₀ < 200 μM) exhibiting conservation, antigenicity, and non-allergenicity were called from these proteins. Additionally, the selection criteria for epitopes were based on their potential to trigger immune cells and stimulate IFN-γ-mediated immune responses. The model vaccine constructs were designed from identified lead epitopes, along with immune-enhancer adjuvants and linker sequences. The proposed vaccine models were assessed for allergenicity, antigenicity, and structural integrity to ensure their safety and effectiveness. The binding potential of the vaccine models to HLA and TLR-4 immune cell receptors was evaluated to identify their capacity to stimulate immune responses. Among several raw constructs, MLB2-V1 and MLB2-V2 were identified as potential vaccine candidates due to their non-allergenic features, enhanced antigenic properties, and structural stability. Both these constructs were extensively evaluated and predicted to effectively bind to and interact with immune cell receptors, potentially triggering cellular and innate immune responses. Additionally, the prioritized constructs were deemed suitable for cloning and expression using recombinant DNA systems. The model vaccine constructs showed promise, warranting further investigation into their immune efficacy against MLB2-mediated infections through experimental assays and clinical trials.

Latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) represents a major global health concern as it constitutes the principal reservoir for future tuberculosis (TB) disease. Its identification is particularly important in Bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated populations, where cross-reactivity of purified protein derivative limits the specificity of the tuberculin skin test and hampers targeted preventive therapy. Early Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens encoded within the RD1 region, especially ESAT-6, CFP-10 and TB7.7, have enabled the development of antigen-specific interferon-gamma release assays (IGRAs) and recombinant skin tests with improved BCG-independent specificity. This narrative review integrates and critically appraises current evidence on the immunobiological properties of early and latency-associated antigens, the cellular mechanisms underlying T-cell-dependent immune reactivity, and the diagnostic performance of IGRAs and ESAT-6/CFP-10-based skin tests, rather than merely summarizing individual studies. Although these platforms rely on different assay principles (in vitro cytokine release versus in vivo delayed-type hypersensitivity), both measure antigen-specific T-cell memory and do not define the biological stage of infection or reliably distinguish latent from incipient or active TB. Across most adult populations, IGRAs demonstrate high specificity and acceptable sensitivity, whereas reduced sensitivity and higher rates of indeterminate results are observed in young children and immunocompromised individuals. ESAT-6/CFP-10-based skin tests show diagnostic accuracy comparable to IGRAs and may offer operational advantages in resource-limited settings. Latency-associated antigens and host biomarkers such as IP-10, together with multi-analyte immune signatures, represent promising avenues for improving diagnostic sensitivity and prognostic stratification but currently lack sufficient validation for routine clinical use. Overall, RD1-encoded antigens remain central to LTBI immunodiagnosis, while future research should focus on developing stage-resolving and prognostic biomarkers, optimized antigen panels, and standardized interpretive frameworks.

We report the first case of non-dermatophytic onychomycosis of the toenail described in Kazakhstan caused by Candida parapsilosis. The biological properties of the strain were studied. C. parapsilosis forms white creamy colonies, smooth with focal wrinkles, and the reversum is light-yellow. The culture of C. parapsilosis is represented by a yeast form, characterized by the presence of round or cylindrical yeast cells with active budding. The strain has a high saccharolytic and urease activity and is indifferent to the sucrose and maltose. The C. parapsilosis strain was sensitive to polyene and azole antifungal agents. The highest sensitivity was found to ketoconazole, itraconazole and nystatin.

Tuberculosis (TB), caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis, remains a major global health burden due to latent infection, multidrug resistance, and the limite

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most influential pathogens causing nosocomial infections characterized by high resistance to antibacterial drugs. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the dynamics of A. baumannii isolation and the level of antibiotic resistance in a multidisciplinary hospital for the period 2021-2025. For this reason, a comparative retrospective analysis was conducted on 13 221 clinical isolates obtained from various departments. The analysis was conducted using phenotypic identification and susceptibility testing methods. Susceptibility testing (antibiograma) was performed using the Vitek 2 automated system and the disk diffusion method for nine antimicrobial drugs. These antibiotics included carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem), aminoglycosides (gentamicin, amikacin, tobramycin), fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), colistin, and a trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole combination. The results showed a decrease in the frequency of A. baumannii isolation over the observation period (χ² = 19.29, p = 0.0007), with the majority of isolates retaining multiple-drug resistance (MDR). The highest resistance was detected to fluoroquinolones and carbapenems, while susceptibility to colistin remained high throughout all years. The lack of molecular analysis limits the interpretation of the results; however, the resulting resistance profile suggested genes that could act as pathogenicity factors. These comparative retrospective analyses of resistance highlight the need for ongoing local monitoring of A. baumannii antibiotic resistance and the rational use of antimicrobials in hospital settings.