In this comprehensive review study, we addressed the challenge posed by ticks and tick-borne diseases (TBDs) with growing incidence affecting human and animal health worldwide. Data and perspectives were collected from different countries and regions worldwide, including America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania. The results updated the current situation with ticks and TBD and how it is perceived by society with information bias and gaps. The study reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary and international collaborations to advance in the surveillance, communication and proposed future directions to address these challenges.

Current Topics in Lactic Acid Bacteria and Probiotics, 한국유산균프로바이오틱스학회 학술지

Current Topics in Lactic Acid Bacteria and Probiotics, 한국유산균프로바이오틱스학회 학술지

Malaria remains a significant global health challenge, with the deadliest infections caused by Plasmodium falciparum. In light of the escalating drug resistance and the limited effectiveness of available vaccines, innovative treatment approaches are urgently needed. This study explores the potential of the probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum YZ01, isolated from traditionally fermented kindirmo milk, to modify host responses to Plasmodium berghei ANKA infection. Twenty‐five male BALB/c mice were grouped and administered various treatments, including probiotic‐enriched yogurt alone or in combination with antibiotics. Parameters assessed included gut lactic acid bacteria (LAB) composition, parasitaemia progression, survival rates, and immune response dynamics over a 21‐day postinfection period. The probiotic treatment significantly altered gut microbiota, evidenced by increased LAB counts and modulated immune responses, notably enhancing IgM and IL‐4 production while reducing IFN‐γ levels. Mice receiving prolonged probiotic treatment exhibited delayed parasitaemia onset, reduced mortality rates, and a more robust immune response compared to control groups. These outcomes suggest that probiotic intervention not only tempers the pathological effects of malaria but also enhances host resilience against infection. This study underscores the role of gut microbiota in infectious disease pathogenesis and supports probiotics as a promising adjunct therapy for malaria management.

Human intestinal flora is very diverse; with lactic acid bacteria existing as part of the most vital gut microbes that improve host health. The application of lactic acid bacteria as a whole organism or its metabolite in the case of probiotic and bacteriocin respectively is extensive. Thus, the need to always bio-prospect for newer strains of lactic acid bacteria is essential. This study focused on isolating lactic acid bacteria from kunun-zaki and kindirmo, a fermented non-alcoholic beverage of non-dairy and dairy sources, explored their physiological and biochemical properties, antibiotics sensitivity pattern and identified based on their 16S rRNA sequencing. A total of eighty isolates were selected sixty-six from kunun-zaki and fourteen from kindirmo in which 93.7% were bacilli and 6.3% were spherical in shape having 68.75% and 30% homofermentative and heterofermentative pathway respectively. All isolates have the ability to utilize glucose to produce lactic acid while their tolerance to pH 3 and salt concentration at 2%, 4% and 6.5% varied widely. Thirty-four isolates based on their physiological and biochemical properties were selected for molecular identification to ascertain their genera and species. Limosilactobacillus fermentum (68%); Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (6%) and Weissella confusa (3%) were confirmed species isolated. Thus, it was concluded that traditional fermented foods such as kunun-zaki and kindirmo are a good source to bio-prospect for lactic acid bacteria for product development, starter culture and probiotic study.