National Institute for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention

BackgroundEscherichia albertii (E. albertii) is an emerging foodborne pathogen of growing clinical significance and increasing multidrug resistance (MDR). This study characterized the multidrug-resistant clinical strain E. albertii ESA311 to uncover the genetic basis of its resistance and the transmission potential of its mobile genetic elements.MethodsWe performed whole-genome sequencing on strain ESA311 to identify plasmids, resistance genes, and virulence factors. Conjugation experiments were conducted to evaluate plasmid transferability. Phylogenetic analysis of the MDR plasmids elucidated their evolutionary history and geographical distribution. The prevalence of intI1 and its correlation with MDR were analyzed across 160 clinical E. albertii isolates.ResultsWhole-genome sequencing identified five plasmids coexisting in ESA311, with pESA311_1 and pESA311_2 harboring diverse antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) conferring resistance to seven antibiotic classes, facilitated by mobile genetic elements including insertion sequences (ISs) and a class 1 integron (intI1). Conjugation assays revealed a stable co-transfer consortium of pESA311_1, pESA311_2, and pESA311_5, driving concurrent dissemination of multidrug resistance and virulence (sporadically co-mobilize of pESA311_4) and posing a co-selection risk. Further phylogenetic analysis identified homologous plasmids in other species, such as Salmonella enterica and Escherichia coli. Whereas the pESA311_1 lineage is largely restricted to China, pESA311_2 homologs have dispersed more broadly across different regions. In a broader surveillance of 160 clinical E. albertii isolates, intI1 prevalence was 19.8% and strongly correlated with MDR.ConclusionOur findings establish plasmids and intI1 as pivotal drivers of MDR in E. albertii, and highlight the associated risks of resistance-virulence co-selection and interspecies plasmid dissemination.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) remains a significant public health challenge in underdeveloped regions of western China. A critical, yet underutilized, approach to strengthening grassroots control lies in township-level Perspective. This study takes Zigong City, a prototypical prefectural-level city in Southwestern China, as a case study to elucidate the fine-scale spatiotemporal patterns, potential influencing factors, and future trends of PTB. The findings are intended to provide a transferable model for similar regions across Southwest China. Utilizing township-level PTB case data from Zigong City (2005–2023), we performed an in-depth spatiotemporal investigation. Joinpoint regression was used to assess temporal trends. Spatial autocorrelation, spatiotemporal scan statistics, and emerging hot spot analysis were employed to identify high-risk clusters. The Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) was used to examine the associations and spatial spillover effects of environmental and socioeconomic variables. A Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA) model was developed to forecast incidence. A total of 31,729 PTB cases were notified. The overall incidence showed a significant declining trend (Average Annual Percent Change: -2.54%). Spatiotemporal analysis not only identified one most likely and twelve secondary clusters but also revealed a consistent annual peak in incidence during March and April. Eight townships in eastern Zigong were consistently classified as persistent high-risk hot spots. According to the SDM, particulate matter with a diameter less than 2.5 μm (PM₂.₅), ozone (O₃), precipitation, and relative humidity showed positive associations with local PTB risk. Conversely, negative associations were observed for higher gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, population density, night-time light (NTL), normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), temperature, and sunshine duration. The SARIMA model projected a continued decline under the current trend, with incidence falling to 39.91 per 100,000 by 2030. The analysis of Zigong City from 2005 to 2023 reveals that while PTB incidence is declining overall, it exhibits distinct spatiotemporal heterogeneity, characterized by persistent clustering in eastern townships and a consistent spring peak. Key environmental variables such as PM₂.₅, O₃, precipitation, and relative humidity were positively associated with PTB risk, whereas higher socioeconomic indicators and favorable natural conditions were associated with lower risk. The SARIMA model further forecasts a continued decline under current conditions, with incidence expected to fall to 39.91 per 100,000 by 2030. These findings underscore the importance of integrated, spatially-targeted interventions that address both environmental and socioeconomic determinants. By leveraging township-level spatiotemporal analysis and predictive modeling, this study provides an evidence-based and scalable framework to guide TB elimination efforts in southwestern China and other comparable settings.

Tick-borne pathogens pose a significant threat to human health. In this study, a multiple droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) assay was developed to detect four tick-borne pathogens: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl), Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii), spotted fever group Rickettsia (SFGR), and Borrelia miyamotoi (B. miyamotoi). Based on the singleplex ddPCR reaction system of Bbsl, the primer probes of the other three species were incorporated to develop a multiplex ddPCR reaction system. The annealing temperature and the final concentration of the primer probes were then optimized for multiplex ddPCR. The multiplex ddPCR assay was assessed for its sensitivity, specificity, repeatability, and ability to detect simulated and actual samples. The developed multiplex ddPCR approach enables the simultaneous detection of Bbsl, C. burnetii, SFGR, and B. miyamotoi. The positive target microtitre clusters are closely grouped and distinctly separated from each other, with the multiplex ddPCR assay demonstrating a dynamic range of five orders of magnitude. The limits of detection (LOD) for the multiplex ddPCR assay were 4 copies/20 µL for Bbsl, 3 copies/20 µL for C. burnetii, 3 copies/20 µL for SFGR, and 2 copies/20 µL for B. miyamotoi. The assay demonstrated high specificity, with no observed cross-reactivity against non-target pathogens. Performance was validated using both spiked samples and field-collected clinical specimens. In the evaluation of 30 ticks and 30 serum samples, the ddPCR method (in both singleplex and multiplex formats) achieved higher positive detection rates for all four target pathogens compared to quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). In addition, the detection proportions of multiplex and singleplex ddPCR were consistent. Multiplex ddPCR can detect low DNA concentrations in samples and enables the absolute quantification of Bbsl, C. burnetii, SFGR, and B. miyamotoi, providing a novel detection approach for the clinical diagnosis of tick-borne diseases.

Pulmonary inflammatory response represents a predominant complication arising from influenza virus infections. This investigation elucidates the protective efficacy of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum GUANKE (GUANKE) supplementation against influenza A virus (IAV)-induced pulmonary damage in C57BL/6 murine models, with particular emphasis on its mechanistic underpinnings. The results showed that the use of GUANKE (5 × 109 CFU/day) or exogenous linoleic acid (a metabolite of GUANKE) supplementation (40mg/kg) significantly attenuated inflammatory cytokine secretion while counteracting virus-mediated downregulation of pulmonary barrier proteins. Mechanistic profiling revealed that GUANKE and GUANKE-derived linoleic acid modulates mitochondrial quality control through enhanced Parkin-dependent mitophagy coupled with restored mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) capacity, thereby providing protection in IAV-infected mice.

Q fever is a globally distributed zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetii, which is mainly harbored by farm ruminants. Although some studies have reported the presence of C. burnetii in cats, cat-associated Q fever is very rare. In this study, we report the case of a 30-year-old man who was diagnosed with Q fever in May 2024. The diagnosis was based on the results of next-generation sequencing and confirmed by nested PCR. Epidemiological investigations suggest that he had not come into contact with any infection sources other than two cats, one of which was a parturient cat. The blood samples of the cats were collected and tested by nested PCR and immunofluorescence assay. The results showed that the serum of the parturient cat was positive for both phase I and phase II Q fever antigens, suggesting that it had been infected with C. burnetii. This is a rare human case of Q fever transmitted by a domestic cat in China. Importantly, it shows that the pet cat may be a neglected risk factor of Q fever in China.

BackgroundCrimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne disease endemic to Africa, Southern Europe, and Western Asia. Its main vectors, Hyalomma ticks, can spread to and possibly establish populations in non-endemic regions via migratory birds.MethodsWe summarized the association between migratory birds and Hyalomma ticks by analysing spatial and temporal patterns in tick prevalence and infestation intensity on migratory birds through a systematic review of studies conducted in Europe, Western Asia, and Northern Africa between 1954 and 2022.ResultsWe reviewed 37 studies and retrieved data from one additional unpublished datasets. Overall, we collected data on the occurrence of 3876 ticks, most of which were in immature life stages, from 1553 individuals of 75 migratory bird species. The prevalence of ticks from both the Hyalomma genus and Hyalomma marginatum complex ticks (H. marginatum and H. rufipes) on migrating birds declined significantly with increasing latitude of the sampling sites in spring. Additionally, we found that the infestation intensity of both tick groups on migratory birds was significantly higher among intra-Palearctic migrants than in Afro-Palearctic migrants.ConclusionsThis review underscores the role of migratory bird species in spreading Hyalomma ticks across the Northern Hemisphere and highlights their potential as an early warning system for CCHF outbreaks. This study demonstrates the need to integrate migratory birds into CCHF surveillance systems as sentinels of Hyalomma tick dispersal, providing a reference framework for monitoring tick-borne risks along avian migration routes.Graphical Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-025-07222-y.