Humans have profoundly affected the ocean environment but little is known about anthropogenic effects on the distribution of microbes. Vibrio parahaemolyticus is found in warm coastal waters and causes gastroenteritis in humans and economically significant disease in shrimps. Based on data from 1103 genomes of environmental and clinical isolates, we show that V. parahaemolyticus is divided into four diverse populations, VppUS1, VppUS2, VppX and VppAsia. The first two are largely restricted to the US and Northern Europe, while the others are found worldwide, with VppAsia making up the great majority of isolates in the seas around Asia. Patterns of diversity within and between the populations are consistent with them having arisen by progressive divergence via genetic drift during geographical isolation. However, we find that there is substantial overlap in their current distribution. These observations can be reconciled without requiring genetic barriers to exchange between populations if long-range dispersal has increased dramatically in the recent past. We found that VppAsia isolates from the US have an average of 1.01% more shared ancestry with VppUS1 and VppUS2 isolates than VppAsia isolates from Asia itself. Based on time calibrated trees of divergence within epidemic lineages, we estimate that recombination affects about 0.017% of the genome per year, implying that the genetic mixture has taken place within the last few decades. These results suggest that human activity, such as shipping, aquatic products trade and increased human migration between continents, are responsible for the change of distribution pattern of this species.

Background: Probiotics have been used to regulate the gut microbiota and physiology in various contexts, but their precise mechanisms of action remain unclear.Results: By population genomic analysis of 418Bifidobacterium longumstrains, including 143 newly sequenced in this study, three geographically distinct gene pools/populations, BLAsia1, BLAsia2, and BLothers, were identified. Genes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, particularly peptidoglycan biosynthesis, varied considerably among the core genomes of the different populations, but accessory genes that contributed to the carbohydrate metabolism were significantly distinct. Although active transmission was observed inter-host, inter-country, inter-city, intra-community, and intra-family, a singleB. longumclone seemed to reside within each individual. A significant negative association was observed between host age and relative abundance ofB. longum, while there was a strong positive association between host age and strain genotype [e.g., single nucleotide polymorphisms in the arginine biosynthesis pathway]. Further animal experiments performed with theB. longumisolates via using ad-galactose-induced aging mouse model supported these associations, in whichB. longumstrains with different genotypes in arginine biosynthesis pathway showed divergent abilities on protecting against host aging possibly via their different abilities to modify the metabolism of gut microbes.Conclusions: This is the first known example of research on the evolutionary history and transmission of this probiotic species. Our results propose a new mechanistic insight for promoting host longevity via the informed use of specific probiotics or molecules.

Managing recovered COVID-19 patients with recurrent-positive SARS-CoV-2 RNA test results is challenging. We performed a population-based observational study to characterize the viral RNA level and serum antibody responses in recurrent-positive patients and evaluate their viral transmission risk. Of 479 recovered COVID-19 patients, 93 (19%) recurrent-positive patients were identified, characterized by younger age, with a median discharge-to-recurrent-positive length of 8 days. After readmission, recurrent-positive patients exhibited mild (28%) or absent (72%) symptoms, with no disease progression. The viral RNA level in recurrent-positive patients ranged from 1.8 to 5.7 log10 copies/mL (median: 3.2), which was significantly lower than the corresponding values at disease onset. There are generally no significant differences in antibody levels between recurrent-positive and non-recurrent-positive patients, or in recurrent-positive patients over time (before, during, or after recurrent-positive detection). Virus isolation of nine representative specimens returned negative results. Whole genome sequencing of six specimens yielded only genomic fragments. 96 close contacts and 1,200 candidate contacts of 23 recurrent-positive patients showed no clinical symptoms; their viral RNA (1,296/1,296) and antibody (20/20) tests were negative. After full recovery (no longer/never recurrent-positive), 60% (98/162) patients had neutralizing antibody titers of ≥1:32. Our findings suggested that an intermittent, non-stable excretion of low-level viral RNA may result in recurrent-positive occurrence, rather than re-infection. Recurrent-positive patients pose a low transmission risk, a relatively relaxed management of recovered COVID-19 patients is recommended.