Our world is now facing a multitude of novel infectious diseases. Bacterial infections are treated with antibiotics, albeit with increasing difficulty as many of the more common causes of infection have now developed broad spectrum antimicrobial resistance. However, there is now an even greater challenge from both old and new viruses capable of causing respiratory, enteric, and urogenital infections. Reports of viruses resistant to frontline therapeutic drugs are steadily increasing and there is an urgent need to develop novel antiviral agents. Although this all makes sense, it seems rather strange that relatively little attention has been given to the antiviral capabilities of probiotics. Over the years, beneficial strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) have been successfully used to treat gastrointestinal, oral, and vaginal infections, and some can also effect a reduction in serum cholesterol levels. Some probiotics prevent gastrointestinal dysbiosis and, by doing so, reduce the risk of developing secondary infections. Other probiotics exhibit anti-tumor and immunomodulating properties, and in some studies, antiviral activities have been reported for probiotic bacteria and/or their metabolites. Unfortunately, the mechanistic basis of the observed beneficial effects of probiotics in countering viral infections is sometimes unclear. Interestingly, in COVID-19 patients, a clear decrease has been observed in cell numbers of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp., both of which are common sources of intestinal probiotics. The present review, specifically motivated by the need to implement effective new counters to SARS-CoV-2, focusses attention on viruses capable of co-infecting humans and other animals and specifically explores the potential of probiotic bacteria and their metabolites to intervene with the process of virus infection. The goal is to help to provide a more informed background for the planning of future probiotic-based antiviral research.

One of the main problems in the poultry industry is the search for a viable replacement for antibiotic growth promoters. This issue requires a “one health” approach because the uncontrolled use of antibiotics in poultry can lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance, which is a concern not only in animals, but for humans as well. One of the promising ways to overcome this challenge is found in probiotics due to their wide range of features and mechanisms of action for health promotion. Moreover, spore-forming probiotics are suitable for use in the poultry industry because of their unique ability, encapsulation, granting them protection from the harshest conditions and resulting in improved availability for hosts’ organisms. This review summarizes the information on gastrointestinal tract microbiota of poultry and their interaction with commensal and probiotic spore-forming bacteria. One of the most important topics of this review is the absence of uniformity in spore-forming probiotic trials in poultry. In our opinion, this problem can be solved by the creation of standards and checklists for these kinds of trials such as those used for pre-clinical and clinical trials in human medicine. Last but not least, this review covers problems and challenges related to spore-forming probiotic manufacturing.

Prior and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic restrictions have resulted in substantial changes to everyday life. The pandemic and measures of its control affect mental health negatively. Self-reported data from 15,375 participants from 23 countries were collected from May to August 2020 during the early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic. Two questionnaires measuring anxiety level were used in this study—the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the State Anxiety Inventory (SAI). The associations between a set of social indicators on anxiety during COVID-19 (e.g., sex, age, country, live alone) were tested as well. Self-reported anxiety during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic varied across countries, with the maximum levels reported for Brazil, Canada, Italy, Iraq and the USA. Sex differences of anxiety levels during COVID-19 were also examined, and results showed women reported higher levels of anxiety compared to men. Overall, our results demonstrated that the self-reported symptoms of anxiety were higher compared to those reported in general before pandemic. We conclude that such cultural dimensions as individualism/collectivism, power distance and looseness/tightness may function as protective adaptive mechanisms against the development of anxiety disorders in a pandemic situation.

Kombucha is an ancient, fermented beverage that has gained increasing popularity worldwide due to its potential health benefits. Its origins trace back to China, from where it spread across Asia and Europe before reaching the modern global market. The fermentation of kombucha is mediated by a Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts (SCOBY), comprising yeasts, acetic acid bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria. The microbial consortium plays a crucial role in the production of organic acids and bioactive metabolites, shaping the sensory characteristics of the beverage. Given the growing interest in kombucha as a functional beverage, this study aims to explore its historical background, fermentation process, and microbiological composition, including key yeasts, acid acetic bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria and their interactions. Additionally, we describe the potential health effects of kombucha, particularly its antimicrobial and antioxidant activity, the probiotic potential of the strains associated with kombucha, and safety considerations while also addressing the risks associated with its consumption. Although several studies suggested that kombucha may have antioxidants, antimicrobial, and probiotic properties, as well as contribute to gut microbiota regulation and immune system support, there is significant variability in the composition of the beverage, especially in artisanal preparations. This variability poses challenges in standardizing its potential effects and ensuring consistent safety. The risk of contamination further underscores the importance of adhering to strict sanitary production standards. To scientifically validate its health benefits and guarantee safe consumption, further research with larger sample sizes and robust methodologies is essential. The findings of this study will contribute to a deeper understanding of the functional properties of kombucha and provide scientific support for its safe and beneficial applications.

Epidemiological data on canine and human dirofilariosis in the Rostov Region (Southern Russia) are presented. Prevalence ofDirofilariaspp. infections in 795 autochthonous dogs, assessed by the Knott test, was 20.25%. The highest prevalence was found in Novocherkassk (38.3%) and Rostov-on-Don (18.5%), while prevalences were lower in other points of the region. Prevalence ofD. repenswas 44.7%, prevalence ofD. immitiswas 30.3%, and coinfections were observed in 25.0% of the dog population. A case finding study carried out during 9 years (2000–2009) revealed 131 cases of human dirofilariosis in the Rostov Region, 129 of subcutaneous dirofilariosis and 2 of pulmonary dirofilariosis. Seroprevalence among 317 healthy blood donors from the Rostov Region was 10.4%, while seroprevalence in policemen living in Rostov city and working in training dogs was 19%. These data show high infection rates ofDirofilariaspp. in both human and dog populations of Rostov, probably because of the existence of favorable conditions for the transmission in this region.

Cardiovascular, rheumatic, kidney, and neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders are a common cause of deterioration in the quality of life up to severe disability and death worldwide. Many pathological conditions, including this group of diseases, are based on increased cell death through apoptosis. It is known that this process is associated with signaling pathways controlled by a group of gaseous signaling molecules called gasotransmitters. They are unique messengers that can control the process of apoptosis at different stages of its implementation. However, their role in the regulation of apoptotic signaling in these pathological conditions is often controversial and not completely clear. This review analyzes the role of nitric oxide (NO), carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), and sulfur dioxide (SO₂) in apoptotic cell death in cardiovascular, rheumatic, kidney, and neurodegenerative diseases. The signaling processes involved in apoptosis in schizophrenia, bipolar, depressive, and anxiety disorders are also considered. The role of gasotransmitters in apoptosis in these diseases is largely determined by cell specificity and concentration. NO has the greatest dualism; scales are more prone to apoptosis. At the same time, CO, H₂S, and SO₂ are more involved in cytoprotective processes.