Bordetella pertussis is the causative agent of pertussis or whooping cough, an acute and highly contagious respiratory infection that can have serious and fatal complications such as pneumonia, encephalopathy, and seizures, especially for newborns. The disease is endemic not only in the European Union (EU)/European Economic Area (EEA) but also globally. Larger outbreaks are anticipated every three to five years, even in countries where vaccination rates are high. Despite the high pertussis vaccination coverage in developed countries and a low rate of pertussis incidence for many years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of pertussis has been on the rise again, with outbreaks in some places, which is referred to as “re-emergence of pertussis”. The aim of this review is to underscore the critical importance of achieving high vaccination coverage, particularly among pregnant women, to safeguard vulnerable neonates from pertussis during their early months, before they are eligible for vaccination. This aligns with the need to address diagnostic challenges, mitigate disease severity, and strengthen public health strategies in light of the ongoing 2024 Bordetella pertussis resurgence.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an important health issue, as it is connected with adverse effects to the mother as well as the fetus. A factor of essence for the pathology of this disorder is the gut microbiota, which seems to have an impact on the development and course of GDM. The role of the gut microbiota on maternal reproductive health and all the changes that happen during pregnancy as well as during the neonatal period is of high interest. The correct establishment and maturation of the gut microbiota is of high importance for the development of basic biological systems. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic review of the literature on the effect of GDM on the gut microbiota of neonates, as well as possible links to morbidity and mortality of neonates born to mothers with GDM. Systematic research took place in databases including PubMed and Scopus until June 2024. Data that involved demographics, methodology, and changes to the microbiota were derived and divided based on patients with exposure to or with GDM. The research conducted on online databases revealed 316 studies, of which only 16 met all the criteria and were included in this review. Research from the studies showed great heterogeneity and varying findings at the level of changes in α and β diversity and enrichment or depletion in phylum, gene, species, and operational taxonomic units in the neonatal gut microbiota of infants born to mothers with GDM. The ways in which the microbiota of neonates and infants are altered due to GDM remain largely unclear and require further investigation. Future studies are needed to explore and clarify these mechanisms.

Environmental disasters are extreme environmental processes such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, tsunamis, floods, cyclones, storms, wildfires and droughts that are the consequences of the climate crisis due to human intervention in the environment. Their effects on human health have alarmed the global scientific community. Among them, autoimmune diseases, a heterogeneous group of disorders, have increased dramatically in many parts of the world, likely as a result of changes in our exposure to environmental factors. However, only a limited number of studies have attempted to discover and analyze the complex association between environmental disasters and autoimmune diseases. This narrative review has therefore tried to fill this gap. First of all, the activation pathways of autoimmunity after environmental disasters have been analyzed. It has also been shown that wildfires, earthquakes, desert dust storms and volcanic eruptions may damage human health and induce autoimmune responses to inhaled PM2.5, mainly through oxidative stress pathways, increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and epithelial barrier damage. In addition, it has been shown that heat stress, in addition to increasing pro-inflammatory cytokines, may also disrupt the intestinal barrier, thereby increasing its permeability to toxins and pathogens or inducing epigenetic changes. In addition, toxic volcanic elements may accelerate the progressive destruction of myelin, which may potentially trigger multiple sclerosis. The complex and diverse mechanisms by which vector-borne, water-, food-, and rodent-borne diseases that often follow environmental diseases may also trigger autoimmune responses have also been described. In addition, the association between post-disaster stress and the onset or worsening of autoimmune disease has been demonstrated. Given all of the above, the rapid restoration of post-disaster health services to mitigate the flare-up of autoimmune conditions is critical.

Fungal colonization poses a significant risk for neonates, leading to invasive infections such as fungemia. While Candida species are the most commonly identified pathogens, other rare yeasts are increasingly reported, complicating diagnosis and treatment due to limited data on antifungal pharmacokinetics. These emerging yeasts, often opportunistic, underscore the critical need for early diagnosis and targeted therapy in neonates. This systematic review aims to comprehensively analyze all published cases of neonatal fungemia caused by rare opportunistic yeasts, examining geographical distribution, species involved, risk factors, treatment approaches, and outcomes. Searching two databases (PubMed and SCOPUS), 89 relevant studies with a total of 342 cases were identified in the 42-year period; 62% of the cases occurred in Asia. Pichia anomala (31%), Kodamaea ohmeri (16%) and Malassezia furfur (15%) dominated. Low birth weight, the use of central catheters, prematurity, and the use of antibiotics were the main risk factors (98%, 76%, 66%, and 65%, respectively). 22% of the cases had a fatal outcome (80% in Asia). The highest mortality rates were reported in Trichosporon beigelii and Trichosporon asahii cases, followed by Dirkmeia churashimamensis cases (80%, 71%, and 42% respectively). Low birth weight, the use of central catheters, the use of antibiotics, and prematurity were the main risk factors in fatal cases (84%, 74%, 70%, and 67%, respectively). 38% of the neonates received fluconazole for treatment but 46% of them, died. Moreover, the rare yeasts of this review showed high MICs to fluconazole and this should be taken into account when planning prophylactic or therapeutic strategies with this drug. In conclusion, neonatal fungemia by rare yeasts is a life-threatening and difficult-to-treat infection, often underestimated and misdiagnosed.

Background: The bacterial gut microbiome has been the subject of many studies that have provided valuable scientific conclusions. However, many different populations of microorganisms that interact with each other to maintain homeostasis coexist inside the gut. The gut virome, especially, appears to play a key role in this interactive microenvironment. Intestinal viral communities, including bacteriophages, appear to influence health and disease, although their role has not yet been fully elucidated. In addition, bacteriophages or viruses that infect bacteria regulate bacterial growth, thus shaping the composition of the gut microbiome and affecting the immune system. Infant Gut Virome: The shaping of the gut microbiome during the first years of life has a significant role in the maturation of the infant’s immune system. In contrast, early dysbiosis has been associated with chronic, including metabolic and autoimmune, disorders later in life. Purpose: Although viruses have been shown to be potential triggers of autoimmune diseases, there is a gap in the literature regarding the infant gut virome in autoimmunity development. Despite the lack of evidence, this review attempts to summarize and clarify what is known so far about this timely and important topic in the hope that its findings will contribute to future research.

The human gastrointestinal ecosystem, or microbiome (comprising the total bacterial genome in an environment), plays a crucial role in influencing host physiology, immune function, metabolism, and the gut–brain axis. While bacteria, fungi, viruses, and archaea are all present in the gastrointestinal ecosystem, research on the human microbiome has predominantly focused on the bacterial component. The colonization of the human intestine by microbes during the first two years of life significantly impacts subsequent composition and diversity, influencing immune system development and long-term health. Early-life exposure to pathogens is crucial for establishing immunological memory and acquired immunity. Factors such as maternal health habits, delivery mode, and breastfeeding duration contribute to gut dysbiosis. Despite fungi’s critical role in health, particularly for vulnerable newborns, research on the gut mycobiome in infants and children remains limited. Understanding early-life factors shaping the gut mycobiome and its interactions with other microbial communities is a significant research challenge. This review explores potential factors influencing the gut mycobiome, microbial kingdom interactions, and their connections to health outcomes from childhood to adulthood. We identify gaps in current knowledge and propose future research directions in this complex field.