Search Results (3,526)

Increased demands for protein have led to a search for alternatives to traditional protein sources like soy and animal protein. Black Soldier Fly Larvae can be reared on many feedstocks to produce a high-quality nutrient source for livestock and pets. These insects contain biologically meaningful compounds like antimicrobial peptides, lauric acid, and chitin. This combination of compounds highlights the need to investigate BSFL as a functional ingredient in broilers. This study examined the impact of BSFL inclusion on broiler performance with and without a subclinical Necrotic Enteritis (NE) challenge over two experiments. In both experiments, diets included 0%, 2.5%, or 5.0% BSFL from 0–42 d. During Experiment 2, birds were given a live coccidiosis vaccine at hatch and challenged with C. perfringens at 19, 20, and 21 d. Primary variables include growth performance, lesion scores, and NE-specific mortality. A BSFL inclusion of 2.5% and 5.0% significantly improved feed conversion ratio in both experiments (p < 0.001); 5% BSFL inclusion also significantly improved body weight gain in both experiments (p = 0.014, p = 0.023, respectively). Overall, results indicate that BSFL is an effective and safe feed ingredient option for commercial broiler production, providing biologically relevant improvements in performance with and without disease pressure. Full article

Human adenovirus (HAdV), a double-stranded DNA virus, targets terminally differentiated cells in the upper respiratory tract. As a key platform for gene therapy vectors, elucidating HAdV’s virulence factors is vital for optimizing therapeutic applications and mitigating risks. To achieve productive replication, HAdV strategically neutralizes host immune defenses and induces S-phase pathways essential for viral propagation. This review synthesizes the latest insights into the key pathways through which HAdVs harness these early proteins to enhance virulence, skilfully evading and counteracting host defense mechanisms while propelling viral replication. As foundational platforms for gene therapy vectors (e.g., in oncology and rare disease treatments) and vaccine backbones (e.g., COVID-19 vaccines like ChAdOx1), understanding HAdV’s immunoshadowing—the multifaceted strategies used to cloak innate and adaptive immunity—is crucial for enhancing vector safety and efficacy. Recent insights unveil how early viral proteins—including E1A, E1B-55K, E4orf1, E4orf3, E4orf6, and the E3 complex—participate in these processes. This review critically synthesizes these pathways, evaluating study limitations such as reliance on immortalized cell lines that underestimate the role of these proteins in immunological competent cells, and addresses unresolved controversies, including differential immunoshadowing efficacy across HAdV species that impacts vaccine design. Full article

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is a significant pathogenic bacterium that causes serious disease and death in the yaks of the Tibetan Plateau, and the existing inactivated vaccines are limited by low protection and reactogenicity. Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) derived from a yak-origin serogroup B P. multocida isolate were evaluated as a potential vaccine candidate in the present study. The purified OMVs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis, which demonstrated the presence of typical bilayer vesicles ranging from 20 to 300 nm in diameter. Proteomic profiling revealed 1213 proteins, with many of them being immunologically relevant outer membrane-associated proteins like OmpA, OmpH, Omp16, OmpW, TbpA and PlpP. The functional enrichment analysis showed that these proteins were linked to translation, membrane structure, transport, metabolism, and pathways of adaptation of bacteria. In vitro OMVs were effectively taken up by RAW264.7 macrophages and stimulated robust expression of inflammatory mediators, such as TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, iNOS and IL-10, which is indicative of strong innate immunostimulatory capacity. OMV immunization induced significant antigen specific humoral responses in mice and yaks in vivo. In mice, intramuscular immunization was effective in giving full protection against P. multocida challenge but not intranasal immunization. Histopathology also indicated less tissue damage in vaccinated animals, especially in the lung and liver. These findings, taken together, prove that yak-derived P. multocida OMVs have high immunogenicity and protection capabilities, which show their potential as a next-generation vaccine platform to tackle P. multocida infection. Full article

Objective: Influenza and pertussis vaccines are recommended during pregnancy; however, uptake remains insufficient in many European countries, increasing the risk of preventable infections. Recent recommendations for maternal respiratory syncytial virus vaccination have been endorsed by scientific societies. This study evaluated maternal vaccination coverage, knowledge, attitudes, and factors influencing vaccine uptake among Lithuanian women. Methods: A retrospective cross-sectional online survey was conducted between 4 and 14 November 2025 in Lithuania among women aged 18–55 years with at least one previous pregnancy. The questionnaire contained 29 questions on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric history, vaccination history, attitudes, and informational sources influencing decisions. Internal reliability was confirmed (Cronbach’s α = 0.83). Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the data. Associations between categorical variables were assessed using the Chi-square test or exact tests (Fisher’s exact or Fisher–Freeman–Halton). Binary and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with self-reported vaccination uptake and the relationship between influenza and pertussis vaccination. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: A total of 241 women participated. Self-reported vaccination coverage during pregnancy was 28.7% for influenza, 43.8% for tetanus–diphtheria–pertussis, and 4.2% for respiratory syncytial virus. Physician’s recommendation was the strongest predictor: women advised to vaccinate were 17.0 times more likely to receive influenza, 16.5 times more likely to receive pertussis, while RSV vaccination occurred almost exclusively among women who reported receiving a physician’s recommendation. Higher uptake was associated with younger maternal age and university education. Reasons for declining vaccination were avoidance of medical interventions and concerns about safety or side effects. Conclusions: Maternal vaccination coverage in Lithuania remains low despite public funding and national recommendations. Strengthening provider communication, improving information strategies, and integrating vaccination counseling into routine antenatal care may increase uptake and enhance maternal and neonatal protection. Full article

Background: Sustaining measles elimination in the post-elimination era presents increasing challenges due to global resurgence and waning vaccine-induced immunity. We aimed to evaluate epidemiological trends, vaccination strategies, and population immunity associated with achieving and maintaining measles elimination in Taiwan. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive analysis of national surveillance data from 1991 to 2024, including case notifications, viral genotypes, vaccination coverage rates, and surveillance performance indicators. Three population-based seroprevalence surveys conducted between 2002 and 2020 were reviewed to assess age-specific immunity. Descriptive analyses were performed to characterize long-term epidemiological and immunological trends. Results: From 1993 to 2024, the annual number of measles cases remained consistently below 50, except in 2019. Vaccination coverage for both MMR1 and MMR2 has exceeded 95% since 1998, with MMR1 coverage remaining above 97% between 2009 and 2024. Genotyping evidence confirms the interruption of endemic transmission since 2006; furthermore, as of 2024, no continuous chains of transmission lasting longer than 12 months have been recorded. National seroprevalence surveys monitoring measles-specific IgG antibodies revealed declining antibody levels among adolescents and young adults, with seropositivity as low as 36.7% in specific cohorts. Despite this, transmission following importations has remained limited, with minimal secondary spread. Conclusions: Taiwan has successfully sustained measles elimination through high vaccination coverage, robust surveillance, and targeted interventions. Although serological evidence indicates waning immunity, epidemiological data suggest preserved population-level protection, likely mediated by immunological memory. Targeted booster strategies for high-risk groups may be more appropriate than universal additional dosing in post-elimination settings. Full article

Background: Rabies is almost invariably fatal once clinical symptoms develop, yet it is preventable through canine vaccination and timely post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). In rural Thailand, preventive behaviors likely depend on health literacy and contextual conditions that enable and reinforce protective action, but structural pathways remain unclear. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 750 adults in rabies-risk areas of Si Sa Ket Province, Thailand. A socio-ecological, One Health-informed structural equation model (SEM) examined associations among rabies-related health literacy skills (HLskill), service/system enabling conditions (ENAB), reinforcing community mechanisms (COMM), and rabies-prevention behaviors (BEHAV). Results: Model fit was acceptable (CFI = 0.948; TLI = 0.918; SRMR = 0.047; scaled RMSEA = 0.090). HLskill and COMM showed direct associations with BEHAV (β = 0.352 and 0.371, respectively), while ENAB was strongly associated with COMM (β = 0.939), indicating an indirect pathway through community reinforcement (β = 0.348; 95% CI [0.273, 0.424]). Conclusions: Rabies-prevention behaviors were associated with health literacy skills and reinforcing community mechanisms; service readiness operated primarily through community reinforcement. Rabies control should combine health literacy strengthening with community communication, coordinated dog vaccination, bite management, and timely PEP uptake. Full article

This study examines the influence of misinformation on vaccination decision-making and the perception of social security in Romania in the context of potential future pandemics. Using a survey-based design, data were collected through an online questionnaire administered to a sample of 1005 respondents. The analysis employed descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including chi-square tests, ANOVA, Kruskal–Wallis tests, principal component analysis (PCA), K-means clustering, random forest models, and Spearman correlations. The results indicate statistically significant associations between belief in misinformation and vaccination attitudes (p < 0.001), with moderate effect sizes. Effect size estimates indicated small-to-moderate associations (e.g., Cramér’s V up to 0.371 for key demographic differences, and Kendall’s W = 0.273 for the increase in willingness across the three severity scenarios). Individuals with higher levels of education, urban residence, and younger age were more likely to report higher willingness to vaccinate, whereas respondents from rural areas and those with lower educational levels showed greater susceptibility to misinformation. In addition, risk perception was significantly associated with vaccination intention, which increased as the severity of hypothetical pandemic scenarios intensified. Predictive modeling identified specific misinformation beliefs—particularly those related to vaccine safety and natural immunity—as key factors associated with vaccination decisions. These findings suggest that misinformation is strongly associated with both individual vaccination behavior and broader perceptions of social security. Full article

Background/Objectives: Reports on seasonal influenza vaccine (SIV) coverage in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries showed lower than targeted coverage among high-risk populations both before and after the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent COVID-19 vaccine release. This narrative review aims to synthesise SIV coverage following the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines among at-risk groups in the GCC region. Methods: Database searches included PubMed and Google Scholar for articles assessing SIV uptake, acceptance, hesitancy, and intention to vaccinate among adults in high-risk groups in GCC countries, with data collected after the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines. Results: SIV uptake ranged from 1.8% among pregnant women to 64.1% among dialysis patients in Saudi Arabia. Healthcare workers (HCWs) demonstrated the highest overall coverage, reaching 64.5% for annual uptake in Bahrain, with 79% of HCWs in Saudi Arabia intending to vaccinate. Prevalent barriers included low risk perception and consideration of influenza as a mild disease not necessitating SIV uptake, as well as vaccine effectiveness and safety concerns. Previous vaccination, physician advice, and policy or mandates for HCWs were identified as frequent facilitators of uptake. Conclusion: Suboptimal uptake was reported among most high-risk groups in GCC countries. Health Belief Model components and physician involvement appear to have a significant impact on vaccine uptake among the intended population. More emphasis should be directed toward effective risk communication and action cues methods to enhance uptake among high-risk groups. Future research is needed to cover understudied areas like the elderly aged ≥ 65 years, cancer and other high-risk groups, in addition to further studies for GCC countries other than Saudi Arabia in the post-COVID-19 vaccine period. Full article

Background: Despite the effectiveness of current SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, the genetic variability of the viral target has led to the emergence of variants capable of evading vaccine-induced protection. To ensure broader and more durable protection, we investigated the efficacy of a novel vaccine strategy. Methods: This vaccine utilizes the highly conserved nucleocapsid (N) protein as its primary antigen, rather than the spike (S) protein. It incorporates the Papaya Mosaic Virus (PapMV) nanoparticle, a Toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist with intrinsic adjuvant properties, as a vaccine platform. Results: The vaccine formulations, comprising PapMV nanoparticles and the N antigen covalently or non-covalently attached to the PpaMV nano, generated robust humoral (antibody) and cellular (T-cell) immune responses. Protective efficacy was evaluated in K18-hACE2 transgenic mice challenged with either the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 strain or the Omicron XBB.1.5 variant. In both cases, the vaccine significantly reduced inflammation and viral titers in the lungs of vaccinated animals. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of this PapMV-N vaccine to induce broad protection against diverse SARS-CoV-2 variants. Full article

Lactococcosis caused by Lactococcus garvieae is an emerging threat to warmwater aquaculture, yet evidence integrating field outbreaks with robust molecular confirmation and controlled virulence testing remains limited for Thailand’s cage-cultured tilapia. From May to October 2025, acute mortality events were investigated in cage-cultured Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in a reservoir in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand. Suspected outbreaks were defined by abrupt daily mortality exceeding 5% accompanied by septicemia-like clinical signs. Water quality during sampling covered the following ranges: temperature 28.6–31.9 °C, pH 6.5–7.0, salinity 0.02–0.03 ppt, electrical conductivity 0.036–0.046 mS/cm, TDS 22.20–26.50 mg/L, total alkalinity 17.0–34.0 mg/L as CaCO₃, total hardness 12.0–60.0 mg/L as CaCO₃, dissolved oxygen 6.5–7.0 mg/L, and NH₃ were below the limit of detection. Full-length 16S rRNA tissue profiling revealed strong tissue partitioning: blood microbiomes were consistently dominated by Lactococcus and L. garvieae at the species level, whereas gills showed higher richness and mixed communities with multiple opportunistic taxa. Culture isolation was more reliable from blood than gills, yielding 16 Gram-positive, catalase-negative isolates (AAHM-LG2501–AAHM-LG2516) that clustered within the L. garvieae clade in near full-length 16S rRNA phylogenetic analysis and were separated from closely related Lactococcus lineages. A representative blood isolate (AAHM-LG2501) showed dose-dependent virulence in controlled challenges, with an LD₅₀ of ~1.05 × 10⁵ CFU/fish by intraperitoneal injection and an LC₅₀ of ~1.20 × 10⁶ CFU/mL by immersion. Histopathology supported systemic dissemination, with injection producing more consistent multi-organ lesions than immersion, particularly in head kidney, liver, and spleen, while gills exhibited route-associated epithelial and vascular alterations. Together, these findings confirm L. garvieae as a major etiological agent of septicemic outbreaks in cage-cultured tilapia in Thailand and support a practical surveillance framework prioritizing blood sampling, molecular confirmation, and risk-based monitoring to guide biosecurity and vaccine-oriented prevention. Full article

Introduction: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is a major cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and healthcare-associated infections, with rising global incidence and severity due to the emergence of hypervirulent strains. Methods: This review synthesizes recent literature on the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies related to C. difficile infection (CDI). Sources were selected from peer-reviewed journals, clinical guidelines, and emerging research between 2020 and 2025. Results: Advances in molecular diagnostics have improved the accuracy and speed of CDI detection. New therapeutic options such as fidaxomicin offer narrower-spectrum antibiotic activity with reduced recurrence rates. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has emerged as a highly effective option for recurrent CDI. Preventive efforts, including antibiotic stewardship programs and early-phase vaccine trials, show potential in reducing infection rates. Discussion: The management of CDI is evolving rapidly with the integration of precision diagnostics, targeted therapies, and microbiome-based interventions. Preventive strategies are critical, particularly in healthcare settings where C. difficile persists in the environment. Continued research and coordinated public health efforts are essential to reduce disease burden, improve outcomes, and limit transmission. Conclusions: Clostridioides difficile infections remain a major healthcare challenge with rising incidence and recurrent cases. Fidaxomicin has become the preferred first-line therapy. Microbiota-based therapies (like FMT, Rebyota, and Vowst) and Lipopolysaccharide Binding Protein (LBP) are highly effective for recurrent CDI prevention. Diagnostic strategies have improved with multi-step testing, enhancing accuracy and reducing overtreatment. Future focus lies in vaccines, targeted antimicrobials, and stricter prevention through antibiotic stewardship and hygiene. Full article

Virus-like particles (VLPs), nanoscale self-assembled structures lacking viral genetic material, have emerged as a versatile platform for vaccines, targeted delivery systems, and gene-editing applications owing to their strong immunogenicity, favorable biosafety profile, and high engineerability. However, the complex architecture of VLPs, their significant size heterogeneity, and the diversity of process- and product-related impurities generated in different expression systems make downstream purification a major bottleneck limiting product quality, yield, and manufacturability. This review systematically discusses advanced downstream purification strategies for VLPs from the perspective of three major objectives: preservation of structure and biological activity, control of product heterogeneity, and assurance of viral safety. First, strategies for maintaining VLP integrity and function are examined, including optimization of solution conditions, adoption of gentle yet efficient separation operations, and integration of process analytical technology (PAT) to reduce process-induced damage. Second, the review summarizes multi-step purification approaches—spanning clarification, ultrafiltration/diafiltration (UF/DF), chromatography, and disassembly/reassembly—to remove host cell proteins, host cell DNA, and product-related impurities while improving particle homogeneity and stability. Third, viral safety is discussed primarily from the perspective of downstream virus clearance under host-dependent risk, with particular attention to orthogonal clearance steps tailored to VLP properties and expression systems such as CHO cells and insect cell–baculovirus platforms. Overall, this review provides a CQA-oriented framework and practical guidance for the development of robust, scalable, and GMP-compliant downstream purification processes for VLP-based products. Full article

Background/Objectives: Prevention of virus-related cancers is a multifaceted process shaped by vaccination and public awareness. This study assessed awareness of virus–cancer relationships and willingness to vaccinate against a cancer-associated virus among medical and non-medical students. We also evaluated whether human papillomavirus (HPV)-vaccinated students demonstrate greater awareness of the HPV-cancer link compared to unvaccinated students, and examined willingness to vaccinate against a certain cancer-associated virus according to HPV vaccination status. Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Poland (October 2023–June 2024) and included 1013 first- and second-year university students recruited via convenience sampling. Participation was voluntary and anonymous. Results: Awareness of virus–cancer relationships was low, ranging from 19% for Epstein–Barr virus-related cancers to 43.8% for HPV-related cervical cancer. Women were more likely than men to recognize the HPV–cervical cancer link (OR = 2.08, p < 0.001), supporting gender differences and the need for gender-neutral HPV education with targeted strategies for men. Medical students demonstrated higher awareness than non-medical students. HPV vaccination coverage was low (14.5%), with higher uptake among medical students (21.2% vs. 8.2%). Notably, 41.3% of non-medical students and 7.5% of medical students had never heard of HPV vaccination. Willingness to vaccinate against a cancer-associated virus varied according to perceived infection risk. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for targeted educational interventions to improve awareness of HPV–cancer links and risk perception, as well as to ensure ongoing education of both HPV-vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals to support informed health decisions and vaccine acceptance. Full article

The incidence of furunculosis in juvenile Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar, has increased in recent years in Chile, with isolates of Aeromonas salmonicida being the primary cause. However, in some cases, molecular diagnostics failed to identify the etiological agent. We previously demonstrated that a proportion of undiagnosed cases was produced by a new A. salmonicida strain. In those cases where the pathogen remained unidentified, we isolated colonies with an A. salmonicida-like appearance. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis presented in this work grouped those A. salmonicida-like isolates within the Aeromonas piscicola clade. Whole genome sequencing confirmed the taxonomic affiliation, giving additional insights into virulence and antibiotic resistance markers. Indeed, one of the strains showed reduced susceptibility to oxytetracycline. Virulence potential was assessed by in vivo testing in S. salar, which resulted in disease with pathognomonic signs of furunculosis. Although the pathogen presents common antigens with A. salmonicida, the current vaccine triggered only a modest IgM response against A. piscicola in the field. Our results support the hypothesis that the increasing incidence of furunculosis in Chile cannot solely be ascribed to the emergence of the new less-virulent A. salmonicida strain, but may partially result from furunculosis-like infections caused by A. piscicola strains which exhibit a comparable virulence level. Full article

Background: Understanding diverse psychological factors is crucial for promoting vaccination. This study focuses on psychological factors influencing HZ vaccination attitudes and intentions among older adults who have not yet received the HZ vaccine in China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 12,357 older adults (aged ≥60 years) who had not previously received the HZ vaccine. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) was performed using the 5C psychological antecedents of vaccination (Confidence, Constraints, Calculation, Complacency, and Collective Responsibility). Multinomial logistic regression and Chi-square tests were used to identify predictors of profile membership and to investigate the nature of reported barriers. Results: An optimal five-profile solution was identified, with the largest group being “Willing but Obstructed” (44.6%). This profile exhibited high vaccination willingness but perceived the most significant constraints. While household income was not a direct predictor of profile membership, low-income individuals were significantly more likely to report ‘high cost’ as a primary barrier (p < 0.01), revealing that socioeconomic status appears to influence vaccination intention through tangible structural obstacles. Conclusions: Vaccination attitudes among previously unvaccinated older adults are heterogeneous. A substantial proportion are willing to be vaccinated but are hindered by socioeconomic barriers, primarily cost. Addressing the intention–behavior gap may require a shift from universal messaging to equity-focused interventions that directly address structural barriers for vulnerable groups, particularly among those who have not yet initiated vaccination. Full article