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.

Recent studies highlight the crucial role of the gut microbiome in post-infectious complications, especially in patients recovering from severe COVID-19. Our research aimed to explore the connection between gut microbiome changes and the cytokine profile of patients with post-COVID syndrome. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, we analyzed the composition of the gut microbiome in 60 COVID-19 patients over the course of one year. We also measured the levels of serum cytokines and chemokines using the Milliplex system. Our results showed that severe SARS-CoV-2 infection cases, especially those complicated by pneumonia, induce a pro-inflammatory microbial milieu with heightened presence of Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, and Prevotella_9. Furthermore, we found that post-COVID syndrome is characterized by a cross-correlation of various cytokines and chemokines MDC, IL-1b, Fractalkine, TNFa, FGF-2, EGF, IL-1RA, IFN-a2, IL-10, sCD40L, IL-8, Eotaxin, IL-12p40, and MIP-1b as well as a shift in the gut microbiome towards a pro-inflammatory profile. At the functional level, our analysis revealed associations with post-COVID-19 in homolactic fermentation, pentose phosphate, NAD salvage, and flavin biosynthesis. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between the gut microbiota, their metabolites, and systemic cytokines in shaping post-COVID symptoms. Unraveling the gut microbiome’s role in post-infectious complications opens avenues for new treatments for those patients with prolonged symptoms.

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.

Acinetobacter baumannii has emerged as one of the most challenging opportunistic pathogens in modern healthcare due to its remarkable ability to acquire and disseminate antimicrobial resistance determinants. Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) is now recognized by the World Health Organization as a critical priority pathogen, highlighting the urgent need for improved diagnostic, surveillance, and therapeutic strategies. This review synthesizes current evidence on the relationship between phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and underlying genetic determinants of resistance in A. baumannii. A structured literature search was conducted across major biomedical databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library), supplemented by citation tracking and relevant institutional sources, focusing on studies published between 2016 and 2026. The analysis integrates findings from studies examining phenotypic antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) with molecular and genomic investigations of resistance mechanisms, including carbapenemases, aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes, efflux pumps, and resistance-associated genomic islands. Particular attention is given to the complex and sometimes discordant relationship between genotype and phenotype, where the presence of resistance genes does not always translate directly into phenotypic resistance due to regulatory mechanisms, gene expression variability, and genomic context. The review further discusses methodological differences in AST standards and genomic prediction approaches that may contribute to variability across studies. Collectively, the evidence supports a multidimensional interpretation of antimicrobial resistance in A. baumannii, emphasizing the necessity of integrating phenotypic and genotypic data for accurate diagnostics, surveillance, and clinical decision-making. This integrated perspective may contribute to improved understanding of resistance evolution and support the development of more effective strategies for managing multidrug-resistant A. baumannii infections.

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.

Research on the molecular genetics of Echinococcus has advanced significantly owing to its relevance in understanding genetic variation, host-parasite interactions, and the transmission of Echinococcus species. A bibliometric analysis was performed using RStudio (Bibliometrix) and VOSviewer to evaluate molecular genetic research on Echinococcus spp. published between 1985 and 2025. Data were extracted from Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, Europe PMC, and ProQuest. The analysis revealed a steady rise in publications on Echinococcus molecular genetics, accelerating from the early 2000s and peaking around 2017, with a slight decline after 2023, reflecting fluctuations in research activity. Comparative analysis showed Echinococcus consistently surpassed Schistosoma, Taenia, and soil-transmitted helminths, peaking at 60 articles in 2020-2021. Early publications achieved high mean Total Citations (TC) per year, followed by a stable trend, indicating lasting impact. Leading journals included Parasitology Research (Germany; 70 articles, H-index 114), Veterinary Parasitology (Netherlands; 62, H-index 150), Parasitology (UK; 53, H-index 173), Acta Tropica (Netherlands; 34, H-index 122), and PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (USA; 28, H-index 172). Tehran University of Medical Sciences (54 articles) led institutions. Influential authors included D. P. McManus and T. Romig. Multinational studies (484 publications) had higher citations than single-country (474). Iran (121), China (116), and Italy (53) led global contributions, emphasising collaboration, genotyping, phylogeny, and veterinary applications. This bibliometric study underscores the evolving trends in Echinococcus molecular genetics, providing valuable insights for researchers and stakeholders to guide future investigations and collaborative strategies in controlling echinococcosis.